The world disappears around me for a few minutes and it's only me and him in the huge white room as I take in his appearance.
I move from my position at the door to Domenico's bedside taking in the chair situated next to his bed. It seems as though he's just sleeping, but the tube down his throat reminds me of just how serious his condition is.
The beeping machines indicate that he's still alive and that is good enough for me for now. I still have him. It also reminds me of just how much I missed him, even though we saw each other yesterday.
I wish we could be in another setting, where he's just sleeping peacefully while I watch him as I always did, but unfortunately, it's not the case this time around.
I find solace in the hope I have for his recovery and our future. Hope is sometimes all one have and all one need.
I love him so much and this world wouldn't make any sense without him. That's why I will make sure it makes sense when I'm done dealing with every single backstabber in this Mafia.
Domenico has placed his trust in too many that work for him, and they took advantage of it. They have fucked around long enough so, it's time they find out who they've been fucking with.
He has been there for me in all ways possible and I hate seeing, him the person that I love and who loves me with all he's got, like this. Whoever had the guts to go against him, went against me as well.
I know the doctor said that he will recover, and I know there's no doubt that he will, but I have this uneasy feeling pestering me in the back of my mind as to remind me that this whole ordeal is not over yet and that we have more challenges to face soon.
I am someone that will overthink, over analyze everything until I work out a solution that would subdue the inner turmoil in my mind. I know it's a bad trait to have, but my instincts were never wrong before, so I better prepare for whatever may come.
I lift my uninjured arm and run my fingers through his dark brown locks that has been growing like weeds these last few days. Hoping that each stroke would heal him soon.
I know I am a strong person after growing up without love and still made room for real love at the end of it all.
Now, I just need to regain my mental strength for what's to come.
After a solid hour of crying and playing then replaying everything over and over in my head, everything seems clearer than before. I gather myself and give Domenico a soft kiss on his cheek as I get up from the chair glancing at him one last time.
Sometimes life doesn't give you a choice. She slams the door in your face without giving you a chance to decide what kind of person you want to be. She can take someone to heaven or hell, but at the end of the day, you are the author of where you'll end up.
Then you go on with life as if nothing happened, like you could forget, but you never do because you don't have to die to be in hell. The world we live in is hell in itself.
"I love you Domenico" I whisper in his ear hoping and believing he heard me.
I walk to the door without looking back at him or second guessing what I'm about to do as I head out into the corridor. Just as I step out, I see one of the guards who's attention is focused on me, looking me up and down.
I pretend to not know where the doctor's office are "is the doc still the fourth door down?" I ask to which he nods. "Damn, I need some good pain meds my shoulder is killing me" I say as I rub my below my injured shoulder then proceed to make my way to the office as the creep still stood there staring at me.
That never happened before. he looked at me as if I was an intruder with no shame at all.
A few doors down we are at the doctor's office, and I knock and thank the guard for showing me here.
Once the doctor indicated I could enter. I requested some clothes from her, and she showed me to my clothes already stacked on the couch in her office, but I declined the hoody, jeans and sneakers.
It is time to be taken serious.
So, while we wait for my new set of clothes to arrive, I gave the doctor a little talk, made a few calls for a few hours then I headed in for a well deserved shower to relax just for a few minutes.
As I step out of the bathroom that is adjacent to the doctor's office, I gave myself a once over and I must say I made the right choice.
"Nice to see our Donna has arrived" the doc says with a huge smile on her face.
"Good to be here and way overdue" I say trying to look as confident as can be. I decided on a black pant suite, low cut thin strappy top underneath the jacket that shows just enough cleavage, but not too much to not be taken serious, with black high heeled court shoes. Looking like business.
"Everything in place?" I ask her.
"Yes, and this is the second burner you requested" she hands me a black phone "once you walk out of that door everything will kick in motion as we discussed" she says.
"Thank you so much doc" I say as I hug her.
"Anytime, see you on the flipside" she says giving me a wink.
I nod and exit the room making my way to the part of the building where Max and his team reside.
As I'm walking, I am met with stares, but nobody makes an attempt to greet so I give them all a "good morning, everyone, hope you all slept well" and top it up with a smile. The sarcasm could be heard in my voice, and I don't give a damn.
Hums are heard but no respectful greeting as I continue on my merry way keeping my head held high. Well, that said a lot. I however ignore everyone and make my way to the door where Max is and slowly open it.
As I open the door, all attention is once again on me as the typing cease and fifteen pairs of eyes stare at me beside Max who is still typing away like a mad person.
Everyone remain silent and my tokens for greeting rude people was done for the day, so I made my way over to Max.
Once I reach him with everyone still looking at me, I am met with Max's strange appearance but kept my cool in front of the stares.
He didn't even notice when I entered the room. He's sitting with dark circles under his eyes as if he didn't have a wink of sleep in days.
Clothes are a little dirty and Max is a neat freak, so everything is off with him. He's being threatened to comply, but with what, or whom? That's the only conclusion I come to about this gentle giant.
He as a heart of gold and that I've seen with my eyes myself when I spent time with him here.
I lift my hand and lay it on his cheek and force him to look up at me. As soon as our eyes meet you could see the tears pooling in his eyes. A brief flash of relief seeing someone he knows he can trust.
I move in front of him to shield his moment of weakness from the prying eyes as he recollect his emotions.
"Hey, I came to kidnap you for a coffee date" I say with trying to pretend like nothing happened, but I know Max is aware I caught everything in his emotions.
"I can't, I'm busy" he says as he run his hands through his hair and continue with his typing looking at the screen. I take a good minute and stare at him while he's typing on the keyboard in front of him.
Max would never in a million years talk to me the way he just did and that's confirmation enough, so I bend down until my mouth is near his ear and only him can hear what I'm saying.
"In one hour, you will excuse yourself, you'll take the back exit and say your going to the shop or make up an excuse to leave the base. Once you leave the base drive two miles north and leave your car, phone and anything you could be traced with. A car will be waiting to pick you up there and to set the scene so nobody can suspect you came willingly. That will buy me time to help you with whatever they are threatening you with" I say as Max continue to type, but I know he heard me.
I stand up straight and huff to try and act as if I'm pissed. I bend down again "how does this look for setting the scene?" I say warning him of what I'm about to say as I keep the pissed expression on my face.
"Max, I don't ever want to speak to you again and don't think you will get into my good books again" I say as a last attempt at acting and head out the door. Hope that convinced the rats.
I try to look for Luca, Rodger or Kai but don't see them anywhere, so I ask one of the guards that says they are all out for the day on a mission. Strange....
I ask one of the guards for a phone so that I can contact Luca. He's second so it's only right if I make contact.
After the second ring he answers "Yes" he answers sounding pissed.
"Hey Luca, Olivia here" I announce.
"Oh, hey Olivia, how are you?" he asks.
"In pain but I think I'm handling it well" I say throwing in a chuckle.
"I did visit you and Dom earlier but both of you were out. I'll be back later then we can chat" he says.
"Oh, I am headed out to go trim my hair and buy some stuff at the mall that i need, so I'll meet you here later" I respond.
"Your supposed to rest. You can do that another day" he says almost telling me what to do. When did he become my husband?
I don't bother to entertain his orders any longer and politely finish the conversation not really agreeing with him. I the proceed to make my way to the front door and head out to the car arranged by the doc.
As I drive out of the base pass the guards at the gate i pick up one of the two burners and call my partner in crime.
Just one ring and he answer "I'm out, is everything set?" I ask.
"Yes, just waiting for you to get here" he says.
"Thank you so much Demetri" I say as I drop the call and drive at an ungodly speed to get to my destination making sure nobody followed me.
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