Carina stumbled through the door of her apartment, her breathing rapid and shallow.
All of it came back to her.
The argument.
The kidnappers.
The gunshots.
Three dead bodies.
The phone call.
Panic consumed her again, and her body trembled uncontrollably.
Vincenzo, his eyes wide with concern, rushed to her side, catching her just before she collapsed to the floor.
She was expecting Mi-ri to come to when she told her , but it was Vincenzo who showed up.
He didn't ask her what happened. Just one look at her face and he understood everything.
He always did.
So he didn't ask her any questions. He just brought her back to her apartment.
Their earlier argument still lingered in the air, the harsh words exchanged still fresh in their minds. But now, in this moment of vulnerability, Carina's longing for comfort outweighed any lingering anger or resentment.
So she let him hold her.
"Carina, it's okay. You're safe now," he whispered, his voice gentle yet firm. He guided her to the couch and sat beside her, his presence as a soothing anchor amidst the turmoil that overwhelmed her.
Carina clutched at her chest, her heart pounding like a wild drum. Tears streamed down her face as she tried to catch her breath, her thoughts racing in a chaotic frenzy. Vincenzo placed a comforting hand on her trembling shoulder, his touch grounding her in the present moment.
"Focus on your breathing, Carina," Vincenzo said, his voice steady and calming. "Inhale deeply through your nose... and exhale slowly through your mouth."
His words penetrated the fog of panic, and Carina struggled to follow his instructions. With each deliberate breath, she felt a sliver of control returning, her racing heartbeat gradually slowing its frenetic pace. Vincenzo's presence and guidance provided a lifeline amidst the storm that raged within her.
As Carina's breathing steadied, Vincenzo softly spoke to her, his voice a soothing balm. "You're here with me, Carina. You're safe. Whatever happened, we'll face it together. You're not alone."
Carina's tear-filled eyes met Vincenzo's gaze, finding solace in the depths of his unwavering support. She clung to his words, his presence grounding her in reality. Slowly, the edges of her panic began to soften, replaced by a glimmer of hope.
"Vincenzo, I... I don't remember," Carina stammered, her voice trembling. "I called Mi-ri, and then everything went blurry. I'm scared, I don't know what happened."
Vincenzo tightened his grip on her trembling hand, his voice filled with reassurance. "Mi-ri came to me after talking to you. She is trying to track the person who sent those people."
"And t-the bodies?"
"Don't worry about it.My men are taking care of the bodies."
Carina nodded, her breaths still shaky but more controlled. She allowed herself to lean into Vincenzo's comforting embrace, finding solace in the warmth of his presence. He gently stroked her hair, his touch a soothing rhythm that calmed the storm raging within her.
As the minutes turned into hours, Carina gradually regained a sense of clarity. Vincenzo remained by her side, patiently listening as fragments of her memory resurfaced. They pieced together the events of the past few hours, the fear and confusion slowly giving way to understanding.
He had so many questions for her.
Who sent those men?
Why was Carina so scared? Was it just the bodies he found or . . .something else too?
Because surely, she had not seen blood for the first time.
Carina did not panick so easily.
There was definately something else too.
But he figured that now was not the time to ask them.
He gently guided her towards the bedroom, understanding the lingering fear that clung to her.
Carina's body trembled as the remnants of her panic attack continued to reverberate through her. She clutched onto Vincenzo's hand tightly, seeking comfort in his touch. Her eyes, still wide with fear, pleaded with him to understand the depth of her vulnerability.
"I... I can't do this alone," she stammered, her voice quivering. "Please, Vincenzo, I need you to stay with me tonight. I'm... I'm terrified of what might happen if I'm left by myself."
Vincenzo's heart ached at the sight of Carina's distress. He knew that their earlier argument had left wounds, but in that moment, he couldn't deny her plea. With a tenderness reserved only for her, he gathered her into his arms, holding her close to his chest.
"Carina," he murmured, his voice laced with compassion. "I'm so sorry for everything. I never wanted to hurt you. "
He finally apologised for their earlier argument.
"I'll stay with you, I promise. You don't have to face this darkness alone."
A mixture of relief and gratitude flooded Carina's senses as Vincenzo's arms encircled her. She buried her face in the crook of his neck, seeking solace in the familiar scent that calmed her racing thoughts. The safety she found in his embrace brought a temporary respite from the horrors of the night.
As they settled into the bed, Carina's body still shook with residual fear. Vincenzo pulled the covers up around them, cocooning her in a shield of warmth and protection. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering as a reassurance of his unwavering presence.
"Try to relax, Carina," he whispered, his voice a gentle melody in the darkness. "I'm here with you. You're safe now. Just focus on your breathing and let me take care of you."
Carina closed her eyes, attempting to steady her ragged breaths. She felt the rise and fall of Vincenzo's chest against her back, syncing her own breathing with his. His steady heartbeat reverberated through her, offering a soothing cadence to counteract the chaos that still echoed within her mind.
In the hushed stillness, Vincenzo softly traced circles on Carina's back, his touch a soothing balm against her trembling skin. He whispered words of comfort, his voice laced with tenderness and understanding.
The sheer exhaustion from the night's events started to take its toll, and a weariness settled in her bones. Yet, with Vincenzo by her side, she felt a newfound sense of security, a flicker of hope amidst the darkness.
Vincenzo's presence acted as a shield, guarding her fragile spirit from the nightmares that threatened to consume her. He held her close, their bodies molded together in a protective embrace. With each passing moment, the tension in Carina's muscles eased, her breathing slowing into a more peaceful rhythm.
Feeling a small measure of peace wash over her, Carina let her eyelids flutter closed. In the sheltered haven of their shared space, she surrendered to exhaustion, finding solace in Vincenzo's arms.
As the night wore on, Vincenzo remained steadfast, his watchful eyes fixed upon Carina's fragile form.
"Please, Vincenzo," she implored, her eyes closed, and her voice barely above a whisper. "Don't leave me alone. Not tonight. I can't bear it."
Vincenzo's heart constricted at the raw vulnerability in her voice. He squeezed her hand, his grip firm and reassuring. "I won't leave you, Carina," he vowed, his voice filled with determination. "I'll be right here, beside you, until the morning light. You're not alone."
She finally let herself fall asleep.
_______
Carina stirred from her slumber, her eyes fluttering open to greet the soft rays of the morning sun that streamed through the curtains. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, she slowly became aware of her surroundings.
It took her a moment to remember where she was, but as she shifted, the weight of Vincenzo's arm around her waist reminded her of the safety and comfort she had found in his embrace.
Her gaze fell upon Vincenzo, who lay peacefully beside her, his features softened in the gentle light.His features, softened in repose, exuded a quiet strength and tenderness that warmed her heart. She marveled at the way his chest rose and fell with each steady breath, their rhythms intertwining in the stillness of the morning.
He didn't leave.
He stayed.
Her gaze traced the contours of his face, committing every detail to memory. The strong curve of his jawline, the slight dimple that appeared when he smiled, and the subtle lines etched at the corners of his eyes, evidence of a life well-lived. She marveled at how each feature seemed perfectly crafted, contributing to the allure that had drawn her to him from the start.
Lost in her thoughts, she reached out, her fingers trembling slightly as they brushed against the warmth of his skin. Carina traced the outline of Vincenzo's jawline, her fingertips memorizing every contour, every dip and curve. His presence, the solidness of his form against her, anchored her in the present, dispelling the remnants of the night's turmoil.
As if sensing her wakefulness, Vincenzo stirred, his eyes fluttering open to meet Carina's gaze. A soft smile tugged at the corners of his lips, conveying a mix of tenderness and relief.
"Good morning" he whispered, his voice husky with sleep. "Did you sleep well?"
Carina couldn't help but return his smile, the warmth spreading through her being like a gentle sunrise. "I did," she replied, her voice carrying a newfound tranquility. "Better than I have in a long time. Thank you for staying, Braindead."
Vincenzo shifted, his arm tightening around her as he pulled her closer, their bodies molding together as if they were two halves of a whole. His eyes gazed into hers, a silent reassurance that they had weathered the storm together.
"You're safe, my crazy girl," he murmured, his voice a soothing balm to her soul. "And you always will be. I'll protect you with everything I have."