DENIALS
2336 Words
It was silent. It was too silent for her liking.
She isn’t used to this atmosphere. Sitting on the same dining table, while facing Gustav, her ex-husband as if nothing happened. As of those tears she shed, and the confrontation was merely nothing, but a dream.
What more was her chest that seems bottled by so many butterflies that keep swarming even on her stomach. It made the air awkward.
That Italia couldn’t help, but cleared her throat.
“So, how are you?” She unknowingly winced.
How are you really? She thought, but isn’t that what most start their conversation?
Gustav stopped slicing the steak on his plate, and lifted his head.
THUMP.
Italia gulps. Her throat is parched dry, and she was not liking a bit how much he could affect her.
“Still the same, when you left.” He said dryly.
That made her hangs her head low. Guilt tripped her core. She knew that it is him, who save him, but her pride wouldn’t even accept it. Gustav rescued her, when no one had ever done that before. But some part of her wanted to keep the stone cold act, and withhold herself that it isn’t her fault in the first place that she had been abducted but because of her connections with him.
“T—that’s good then.” She tried to contain her facade, nor meeting his eyes, although she could feel his stare.
“Won’t you say anything at least?” Gustav asked.
He seems to be hinting something.
“Say what?” Italia pretended as if she didn’t know anything.
Say thanks? Tch.
She didn’t asked him to rescue her, although deep inside she knew that she had been calling his name since then.
“If you couldn’t express your gratitude, that’s acceptable, but you will not be allowed to leave the house without any escorts from now on—”
That made her frowns.
“W—what?!” Her mouth agape with shock. “You can’t be serious!”
“Do you think I am joking?” He didn’t look as if he was pulling her leg.
His eyes are dead serious.
“And what rights do you have to prohibit me?!” She demanded.
“I have every rights as long as we weren’t yet divorce, Mrs. Salvador.” Every words was emphasise.
“W—what do you mean?” Italia meet his eyes. “Didn’t I already sign the papers?”
The last time she can recall, Italia did.
“It was still on the process.” Gustav did not tore his eyes off from her. “But as long as it is still legally sign, you’ll do what I say—”
“I am not your property—”
“I didn’t say that.” Gustav raised his eyebrows. “I am just making sure that nothing will happen to you.”
“Oh really?” She scoffs. “Or are you worried that many might know that I am staying here, while you are already engage to Samantha?”
She knows exactly where this bitterness is coming from. And the fact that he was so eager for their divorce to be process suggested only one thing. Her speculations are true. It isn’t a rumour and Samantha, just like what she first said to her, there is a proposal between them.
That made her clenched her teeth. For an unknown reason, Italia was hurt.
“What do you mean—”
But she didn’t let him finish.
“Don’t worry, I won’t do anything that would ruin your engagement.” She swallow her pride. Italia stood up and dry the remnants of food from her lips. “I’m full already. Adios, Mr. Salvador.”
When she turned her back and leave, Italia failed to notice the playful smile that throve to Gustav’s lips.
“Que es interesante, Mi cielo.” Gustav chuckled.
“s**t! Why did I even say that?!” Her cheeks flared
She felt embarrassed. Why did she acted as if she was a jealous wife in front of her? When it was supposed to be a WAS.
She just lost it in front of him.
“Arrg! That’s stupid!” She pulled her hair out of annoyance.
That’s how she was found by Zamiel, who opened the door with rush.
“Italia!” There are no words exchange between them.
He quickly engulfs her into a tight embrace that made Italia frozen. She was somewhat surprise as well. She is not expecting to see the male there this early, and visit her in spite of what happened before they part ways.
“How are you? Are you okay?” He looks worried, when he pulled away from the embrace to check her.
Guilt ate her alive.
The last time that they saw each other, she was full of hate. Italia was filled with anger that her outburst was directed to Zam. She did not saw him as a friend that time, but another person, who betrayed her.
On her eyes, they were her enemies, they are somebody she should stay away from the beginning, but here they are, despite of everything, they never treat her indifferently.
“Z—Zam.” A warm hand touches her chest.
Her eyes suddenly grew moist.
“Yes—hey, why are you crying all of a sudden?” The worries doubled on his face.
When Zam heard from Gustav that Italia was back in the mansion, he never have any second thoughts and quickly left the office in a hurry.
“Are you sure?” He didn’t know how many times he made sure that she was certainly back.
“Yes.” Gustav answered.
“How did you find her?”
“She was abducted by Fredo Montreal.”
Anger without resolve flared inside of him.
“That bastard! I’ll f*****g kill him!”
“Don’t worry, I already made him pay.” Gustav reassured him. “But if you wanted to see her, you can visit the mansion.”
“Certainly.”
When he hangs up the call, Zamiel quickly packed up his things.
His secretary knock on the door, and she peered after a moment, “Sir, the boards are already inside the conference room—”
“Cancel the meeting.” He said.
“But Sir—”
“I have an urgent matter to attend to.”
With that said, he was already out of the door, while his secretary was left there, frowning.
That is what happened, and now he was here, comforting Italia as she cried her heart out on his shoulder.
“Shhh, it’s alright.” Zamiel brushed her hair. “You’re safe now.”
And he’ll never let anyone tried to harm her again.
“It was early this morning, when our station receive an unfortunate news regarding a body that were found on Manila Bay at 6 AM.” The newscaster looks anxious. Her vice sounded strong and there is this hint of curiosity as she peered to the authorities, who were moving a black bag as many flashed their cameras to caught a photograph of the crime scene. “The corpse was identified to be Mr. Fredo Montreal, who died...drowning.”
Samantha’s eyes was fixated to the news.
Her lips trembled, and she was shaking. The remote on her hand fell on the floor with a soft thud as she herself lost her balance. Slumped, while tears streamed on her cheeks, while she mourn.
“N—no.” She mounted in disbelief.
But when they pulled the black bag off the corpse, there isn’t no doubt, not even once that it is her uncle. It is really Fredo, and he’s dead.
She found herself wailing, crying and shedding her tears. She may have hated him, he may been cruel, but Fredo is the only family she ever has. He is the only one she could run to, and now he’s gone.
“According to the reports that Mr. Montreal drown, because of the high alcohol content found in his body—”
“The f**k?!” She hollered.
Who would have believe it? Fredo wouldn’t get swayed just because he was drunk. He did not get drown, and seeing Italia earlier, Samantha knew better what happened to her uncle. It isn’t a coincidence, but her voiceless thoughts persecuted that it is Gustav’s doing.
“I told you not to get her, I—I told you....” She wept, and covered her face in distress. “Why did you not listen to me?”
She was at that state, so lost that she never realized that somebody was outside her door.
“Samantha?” Knocking came afterwards. The voice belongs to a male, who stood there and waited, but heard nothing.
“Geez, did she overslept?” He groans, before fishing the key inside his pocket.
Without much further ado, he opened her door, whistling.
But he was stopped hearing the sound of her cries. Worries flashed on his eyes.
“Sam?” He quickened his pace until it lead him to where Samantha was.
But her state surprise him. Her eyes are red, and she was crying. Her clothes and her hair are both dishevelled as she mourned there with utter grief. And she was clutching her chest as if it Hurst badly, more terrible.
Shock, he quickly held her arms and shook her shoulder, “Sam, what happened? Are you alright?”
When she lifted her head, he felt pity for her.
“J—Jake...” Samantha cried.
Jake Seven, Samantha’s partner in the modelling industry felt his heart crushed seeing her condition. He was tall, charismatic that many women had tried to seduce her, but his eye are always focus to Samantha although she hadn’t given back the same passion he felt.
“Shh, what happened?” Jake tried to consoled her. He touches her face and caress it softly. “You can tell me.”
“It’s uncle....” Samantha cried. “He’s dead....no, he was killed.”
“Mr. Montreal?” Jake was astounded.
He never meet the latter, but seeing how much Samantha was crying over his death, he could definitely tell how much she value the person.
But she told him that he was killed.
“Killed by who?” Jake soon asked.
When their eyes meet again, fury set ablaze her eyes. The grudge unkempt that made Jake afraid for a moment.
“it’s that bitch.” Samantha gritted her teeth. “That b***h Italia Mercedes!”
“Hey, are you alright?” Zamiel asked, when she shuddered out of nowhere.
“Yeah.” Italia forced a smile, but she felt odd.
For unknown, she felt like somebody was speaking ill of her.
“Are you sure?” Zamiel asked again for the second time.
“Oh god, Zamiel.” But it was Jane’s turn to interfere. “Italia already said that she’s aright, don’t be so exaggerated.” Then afterwards, she rolled her eyes.
“And stop always butting in, when you are not going to say something good, will you?” Zamiel retorted back.
“Oh, speaking about yourself now?” Jane chuckled.”
“Jane!”
“Yes? You’ve got something to say, Mr. Salvador?”
“Oh god, stop being a b***h!”
“Well, stop being a jerk too!”
Italia couldn’t help, but chuckled at their exchanges.
Jane Cortez as she was introduced by Zamiel earlier is the woman whom his mother are trying to match him up with. They are friends, but the arrangement just make the pair always getting into a heated argument as if they couldn’t stand each other. Jane’s sassiness and Zamiel, who was constantly losing his patience made her amused.
They may not have known it, but by heart, Italia felt like it was a good match set by Mrs. Salvador for her son.
“Hey, quit it you two.” She butt in.
“She started it first!”
“Yeah, right.” Jane flicked her tongue out to annoyed Zamiel.
“That’s it—!”
“Wait!” Italia raised her hands before the two quarrelled again. “Didn’t we came here to relax and enjoy?”
“Right, only if it isn’t for this gate crasher.” Zamiel grumbled.
She chuckled lowly.
When Zamiel visit her earlier, he invited Italia to join her for a day, which has been approved by Gustav [this still made her annoyed], although without some escorts that was tailing from behind. He said that they could stroll somewhere and relax and right now they are on a Spa, but with Jane, whom they met accidentally. She was on the same place to lose some stress as well, so that makes them three.
“Right.” Jane rolled her eyes before facing Italia. “But since we’re talking about relaxation, why don’t you come and visit our club?”
“Your club?” That peak her interest.
“She can’t! It isn’t place for her!” Zamiel was quick to oppose.
“Who are you to decide? Her father?” Jane waved her hand before looking at her again. “So?”
“I don’t know.” Italia shook her head. Her confusion is genuine. “I’ve never been to a club.”
“Really?” Jane looks surprised before delight soon replaced it. “Then, that’s good, because this will be your first!”
“W—what?”
But she already grab her wrist ad was pulling her away.
“Come with me.” Jane glanced on her shoulder and wink at her. “I’ll take care of you as a starter.”
That’s what she said. Behind them, Zamiel look lost, while screaming, “I didn’t approve this!”
Thinking that Gustav would really kill him once he get to know what happened.
“Oh man.”
- Writer
