Luca
"Luca stop it," Clara said. "Don't touch me." I retreated my hand that was on her waist.
"But I love you," I told her. She closed her eyes and went back to sleep. Clara got a fever, the next day right after dancing in the rain — as I predicted. The past four days she has been so fussy and doesn't talk much. Honestly it's the worst not talking to her, but that doesn't change my love for her in fact I love her even more and I get to show her since she already moved in with me. It's been a week since Clara moved in and it's just amazing — when's she's not being fussy.
I love how her presence in the house didn't feel bombard it was more of a she's finally home type of feeling.
Clara got out bed and sat on the edge - her hand on her head. "Are you okay?" I asked her.
"Yes I am fine. I am just really thirsty," she said.
"I'll go get you a glass of water. Rest my love," I said as I was getting out of bed. She laid back on the bed - barely able too - she is still weak. Clara had been getting tired easily and complaining of muscle aches. We already went to the hospital, the doctor gave us medicine. She's getting better...
As I was heading towards the kitchen, the elevator doors open. I stood in a distance as I was trying to think who it could be. I am not expecting anyone today. I stood in a distance, curious to see who it is. The elevator doors opened fully and there stood my Aunt?
"Lucas," She said my name while walking towards me. I walked towards her and hugged her. "Mi ángel con alas negras, Su ira se ha perdido (My angel with black wings, your wrath has been missed)," she said - and stopped hugging me.
"Yo también te he extrañado ( I have missed you too)," I told her. Aunt Amelia is my fathers only sister, she lives in Spain and makes sure the Salvador's reign is respected. My aunt is worse than my father...
She will do anything, I mean ANYTHING for family. Family always comes first even if it means killing a mother in front of her child or taking a heart from one of her servants and giving it to her niece who needed a heart transplant. She wears the crown and nobody questions her.
"Que estas haciendo en nueva york? (What are you doing in New York?)" I asked her - curiously. She doesn't travel often unless it's very important, so this can't be a random visit.
"Luca tu tío Thomas y tus primos Alaina y Marcus han sido asesinados, sus cabezas fueron cortadas y enviadas a mi casa. Es el Vendettas ... (Luca your Uncle Thomas and your cousins Alaina and Marcus have been murdered, their heads were cut off and mailed to my home. It's the Vendettas...)" she said in a bitter - remorse voice.
The Vendettas? I have heard of them, they have been rivals with Salvador's for a Century. My father used to tell me about them, how they haunted for us, how they hated our existence. Ei sunt diavoli în măști de om - fiți sigur că vă rugați la stăpânul vostru (They are devils in masks of human- be sure to pray to your lord) — the roman saying the Vendettas made d to describe us, Salvadors.
"No merecían morir. Tu tío estaba muy tranquilo. Alaina y Marcus ... Lucas van a venir por ti y tu hermana, tuve que venir a verte personalmente. Nadie esta seguro. Debemos irnos inmediatamente a España - después del funeral tendremos una reunión con todos los demás... (They didn't deserve to die. Your Uncle was so peaceful. Alaina and Marcus... Lucas they'll be coming for you next and your sister, I had to come see you personally. No one is safe. We must leave for Spain immediately - after the funeral we will be having a meeting with all the other remaining Salvador's.)," she explained.
"Sí (yes)," I replied.
"Luca all I wanted was a glass of water," Clara complained as she walked towards me. She hasn't seen my aunt yet. My aunt moved and stood besides me. She looked at me and than my aunt.
There was a moment of an awkward silence...
"Aunt this is my girlfriend Clara," I said breaking the silence. "And Clara meet my Aunt Amelia - my fathers sister."
My aunt just stared at her with a straight face she isn't the most welcoming person. Clara's cheeks flushed.
"Nice to meet you," Clara said in a low voice. I could tell she was nervous - she's fidgeting with her fingers.
"Si (yes)," my aunt replied.
"Clara go back to bed and rest. I'll bring you the glass of water," I told her.
"It's okay I'll get it. I am already out of bed anyway," she said and walked towards the kitchen. She took the glass of water and went back to the room.
"Do you love her?" My aunt asked me.
"Yes I do," I replied - without thinking twice.
"Entonces déjala (Then leave her)," she said.
We went to my office and started talking, even more in detail about the situation, all I was thinking about was how I am going to tell Clara. I can't leave her here... it's not safe. She'll be safer with me. I thought about what my aunt told me. Leave Clara? How can I leave her? She's in my bones, my blood, my heart. I'd have to tear myself open to leave her.
Clara
"Spain?"I asked.
"Yes, I'll have to go for the funeral. It will only be for a few weeks," he said.
"Okay," unable to think anything else to say. Luca told me about his uncle and cousin who were murdered. May they rest peace. He has to go to Spain for the funeral.
"I want you to come with me," he said.
"I have to be in New York. I have meeting this week with an editor - he might call me to talk about the book. It's been a month and my agent said to expect a call this week," I explained. Luca kept quiet and sighed in frustration. "What is it ?"
"I just wanted you to come with me..."
"Luca but..." I was speaking and he interjected.
"Let's not argue."
"Can we talk about it?"
"My uncle and cousins were murdered and all I am asking you is to come with me to the funeral. I need you... and all you care about is your self and your damn book," he said in a resentful tone.
I remained silent. That's how little my book - my dreams mean to him. Selfish? I am selfish.
I know he lost his loved ones, but he doesn't need to grieve while hurting other people's feelings.
"I am sorry..." he said in a low voice. I got of bed and walked toward the door. "Where are you going?"
"I am hungry, I am going to get a snack from the kitchen. Am I being selfish? Oh I am sorry," I said and left the room.
I got the kitchen, I suddenly felt nauseous. I drank some water and sat on the chair - next to the counter. Luca came into the kitchen.
"I am sorry Clara. I know how much your book means to you. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings," he said in a low - sincere tone.
"I forgive you Luca. I'll just call my agent and inform him about the situation. I am sure the meeting can be postponed," I told him.
"I love you Clara," he said - while walking towards me. I smile — the least I can do is be there for him, just like he was there for me.
***
Thanks for reading. ❤️