captive

madie. intp. gmt+8 mumu blog (most characters have sideblogs for this blog)

[spciler]

ISADORA SCOTT

It reached them forever to get there—literally and figuratively. The whole ride had been silent, but Isa was used to it since when it was incredibly important, Shane just refused to speak. She didn’t want to seem like such an in love fuck by staring at him for more than twenty seconds, so she just kept her eyes on the road and listened to the music that he played on his car stereo.

Her hands were itching to hold him, but then again she didn’t want to seem to be such an in love fuck even if she irrevocably is in love with him, so she tried to fight the urge to reach up to him. Cheesy, it really was, since it was just really difficult for her to stay away for that long. As said earlier it reached them forever to get there in a figurative manner, since, they had no idea how to maneuver their way into being together. He bared his teeth and so did she. She was too critical of him, she knew he looked like a boy who’s going to break her heart a lot. And yeah, Shane is that. Isa’s heart had been broken a lot of times by Shane already. Especially the times where he kept on shutting himself in, pushing her away when she gets too close. It’s been a year, and they’re still slowly trying to figure it all out.

Isa really want to share herself to him, so little by little she did, in a way that she wouldn’t make Shane feel like he was obliged to do what she was doing. It was honestly the last thing Isa wanted. If he was going to share himself to her, it would be because he wanted to. As it was for her.

She loved him so much. She never really vocally expressed that in fear that would scare Shane away, but she truly did. She loved him. It was funny to think how she never even really saw herself being there in that extent where she thought of Shane as the love of her life, and he is. Truly.

It explained how she couldn’t even really keep her hand away from her. Her eyes were already on his face again, adoring his profile, until she started really observing him, finally finding out how tensed he had been. She reached out for his cheek, softly pinched it before she let her hand ran through his hair comfortingly and soon she let her hand go down to his shoulder and squeezed his bicep comfortingly. She sighed and bit her lip to stop herself from leaning in to kiss his jaw. Instead of doing so, she just looked back at the road again.

She knew it. She had been having the right feeling about their day all along. They never really talked about it. Just a ‘she passed away’, and Shane never shared anything more to her. So now she was nervous, her heart’s thumping.

This was utterly important.

When they reached the cemetery, holy grounds, it was just really confirmed how important it was for Shane. And so it made it important for Isa. Soon he was holding her hand and god she felt so relieved and happy. She looked up at him. Once upon a time they used to be the same height, but then he grew and didn’t stop.

“Hey,” She began, “I actually had been waiting for this day.” She knew how important his mum was to him. It made her heart ache. “This day’s just gotten even better, love” She brought their interlaced hands closer to her face and she kissed his knuckles softly. Then she looked up at him expectantly for him to lead the way.

She squeezed his hand, so bigger than hers, and yet it was so delicate and soft. A hand of a prince, honestly, she always teased him about that. As they got closer to his mum’s tombstone, the more she got nervous. Isadora had no idea how Shane would go about it, but she was ready. “When was the last time you’ve been here, dy?”

He remembered it like it was just yesterday, the heavy breeze of the air as if he it was mourning with him. Once again, he was that 12 year old boy who couldn’t feel a thing because the pain had consumed him. Holding Isadora’s hand, her presence was enough to make him feel again, thawing his heart that had been stone cold by his mother’s lost. And for the first time, he was okay with it. It was okay for him to be sad because she was there for him to lean on.

She was her light.

With his bag slung on his shoulder and a bouquet of his mom’s favorite flowers on his hand, he wrapped his arm around her.   “ Yeah? Sorry, this probably not the date you are expecting. “    He gave her a smile as the urge to walked backwards and go back had completely faded. The nervousness was still there though. His heartbeat race like his life depended on it. He was afraid the pain would come back and it will swallow him whole again.

Standing on his mother’s grave, it was taking him so much not to cry. He didn’t know it was actually possible for him to shed more tears because of it but he was feeling it. He had to take a deep breath to push that feeling back to his gut.    “ Since I was twelve. I already bid her farewell and I thought there was no way of coming back. But I missed her.”   He finally admitted. 

When he couldn’t hold it in anymore. Shane let go of her to put the flowers on her gravestone and fished out the blanket from the back and a couple of sandwiched he packed for them. He didn’t look up as he laid it down the grass, subtly sniffing and wiping his tears. He sat down and with his glassy eyes, he finally looked up to her and pulled her down with, wedging her between his legs.    “ Mom, this is Isadora Scott. “  My love, my everything.     “ Isa, my mom. Happy Birthday. “

Two of the women he loved the most in the world. Shane wanted her to his mom, a part of him that mattered the most. He wanted her to be part of something that was his own just like how her family had accepted him despite not being good enough him. He wanted to be. Not because that’s what they want or what his mother would want because Isadora made him want to be a better person. She was the only person who loved him despite his flaws and he knew how difficult it could be.

“ Oh, I have to show you something. “    He reached out for the phone on his bag and with his chin on her shoulder and his arms under her own, Shane started typing the URL for his school’s website.    “ They released my grade. “     It wasn’t straight first highest CLASS but the lowest he got was a upper second class. He did better than before that he couldn’t even be mad if his father seemed disappointed when he told him he saw his grade. He was used of it and he was way passed the point where he cared for his opinion.

[spciler]

TIMOTHY DRAKE

They live in the same roof, yet they rarely get time to be together. Tim could list down all the reasons why that just hadn’t been possible: (1) the manor was huge, either one of them could be anywhere, Tim could be in the greenhouse continuing his research, or in Barbara’s room, or in the training area while Steph could be in the kitchen, in the Batcave, training in the wood with Cassie; (2) they’ve got a full plate on, it was difficult to squeeze time in together; (3) the timing was off, whenever Tim decided to check up on Steph she was either out on patrol or asleep, resting. Those weren’t excuses for Tim, they were obstacles, and with the week they were having it was difficult to go through them.

Now that he had Steph there in his room, he wasn’t really letting her go now. He was locking her in and not letting her go. “That’s why you’re going to have the rest of the night off with me,” He looked into her green eyes and softly pecked her lips. “I also advise you need some rest, so thank you Cassandra, for dislocating my girlfriend’s bone!” He exclaimed as if Cassandra could actually hear him. He chuckled, and then finally lifted her off of his bed.

He memorized how his room was arranged by now, that it was no problem having his eyes locked on Stephanie’s as he navigated his way to his bathroom. He actually hadn’t had a shower since the other day. He definitely had some odor, he still smelled good because he was Tim, he just do, but there was definitely that stench there. It definitely took people to notice, but Steph, for some reason her senses was just really heightened around him. Tim loved to think it was because she’s in love with him, honestly Tim was hyper aware of her too due to the same reason.

Special treatment, special bond, or whatever. It was somewhere there.

He put her down and left her a kiss on the forehead before he started discarding his clothes piece by piece until he was naked in front of her. He took off the elastic that kept his hair in a bun and in place, and the mop of his raven hair fell down to his face. He caught a glimpse of their reflection from the mirror, and that was the only time he noticed his facial hair was growing. He looked back at Steph and smiled, “You didn’t tell me my facial hair’s growing.” He gave her a teasing look as he started to set up the temperature of the shower. “Is it because it looks good on me?”

He checked if the water’s fine, “I think it’s good, c’mon,” He gave her a hand and helped her in before he joined her. “You know, I feel like I only got a few hours of sleep last night, I just want to lie down with you after this.” He grabbed the shampoo and then put some on his palm and started lathering his hair with it, quickly. And then he grabbed Steph’s on shampoo and put some on his palm before he began to wash her hair, massaging her scalp, trying to be the cute boyfriend she deserves and needs. 

“I kinda miss you too, you know,” He smirked and laughed knowing that he would get hit on the chest if he won’t take that back, “Not kind of. I do miss you, yes.” He bopped her nose and sighed, “Just be with me tonight, then tomorrow, please?” He even pouted to really convince her.

When she started doing this, she didn’t know how long she had survived this long. It was like the moment she wore that homemade Spoiler costume, her sole purpose was to stop her father---the Cluemaster---from the crime he was about to commit...from himself. She didn’t know she would last this long. A big chunk of that mystery was because of Tim. He was there even in the moments she did not expect, like that that time someone else got her pregnant and gave birth to her. He was always there.

And to how he was able to lift her off the ground almost effortlessly? It beats her. Her boyfriend was the smallest among the batboys---not counting Damian since he was not even a teenage and she considered him more of a batgremlin---he didn’t have acrobatic muscles like Dick or broad shoulders like Jason but in his own little way, he was thriving.     “ Only in this family one would be happy if their girlfriend is injured. And y’all think I’m crazy. “     She shook her head to mock disbelief. Although, it was not that crazy. Being injured meant rest and Tim, knowing how much he cared for her ( much to Bruce’s displeasure though he swore he understood ) would take that chance.

Being naked in front of him was nothing new to her, almost normal that it didn’t give him and instant arousal. Every curve of his body, she knew what it felt like under her touch, the way he whispers her name when he is struggling to stay awake, his youthful smile, the way his gaze pierce through her soul, those were the things that gets her. She just loved him so much.

“ And here I thought you are growing it on purpose to please me. “     She said as she closed the gap between them, giving his jawline tender kisses then played with his hair. She liked it when he sounded so confident, cocky even. Tim had a tendency to think he was not good enough, that people didn’t care. His parents definitely underappreciated him when they were still alive. Seeing him confident made her so proud of him.  She liked to think it was because of her.     “ You are the hottest dork I know. “

Being taken care of by Tim was one of her favorite things in this world. It’s funny how people perceive them us. Jason had teased a couple of times how Tim was whipped by her but behind close doors, Tim was in charge, making sure she was peppered with kisses and warm at night. That is if they get to spend time together. She closed her eyes as she massaged her head, opening one of her eyes to question his statement and smack his chest.     “ Just kinda? “     

When he pouted, Stephanie laughed.   “ Hey, that’s my trick. “     She pecked his pouty lips and slid her arms under his arm and reached for the scrub and body wash.      “ I have nowhere else to go. “    She sighed and handED him the scrub before turning her back on him so he could clean her back.    “ Well, I’m not getting on in any way, right? I mean, surely, you got better things to do. “ 

[spciler]

ISADORA SCOTT ( @vulnercble )

Truth to be told, Shane didn’t know how to exactly break it to her. He was dreading. It’s been over a year since he was dating Isadora and yet there were moments when his walls kept going back up. Call it attachment issue, abandonment issue, whatever it was, Shane had it. When you have Benjamin Weston as a father, it was hard to live up to his standards and with the only person he had that understood him gone, he had grown tired, making his relationship with him cause a further drift.

Shane drove in silence. All she knew was that it was a surprise. Shane was not exatly sure if she was up for having a picnic in a graveyeard. It’s been years since he had visited his mother’s grave. A lot of attempts had been yet every single time he was approaching the grave site, he found himself backing out when he was reminded how lonely he was.

Now, Shane has Isa, She didn’t love him because he was broody or an asshole---or he simply couldn’t believe she loves him---but she saw something passed the exterior. She saw the boy he used to be and love him just as much as she did with the rest of him. When she looked her in the eyes, he was reminded of that feeling when he meant something to someone, filling the void his mother left and his father had been ignoring.

“ We’re here. “     Shane announced as they pulled outside the cemetery. His azure eyes laid on the surrounding, it looked a little different but he remembered feeling the same thing, cold and fragile. Shane didn’t even realize he got a hold of Isadora’s hands and squeeze it as he gathered some courage...some strength.    “ I know this is not where you imagine we’ll spend our Saturday but...”   Shane trailed off as he didn’t really have reasons other than it was his dead’s mom’s birthday and he missed her.

[spciler]

ACE

       His fingers fiddled with the bottom of his shirt, his head cocking to the side as she spoke. Ace’s lips pressed together, pursing before he spoke. “ We aren’t the Queen of Hearts. “ his voice was soft, not intimidating by any means. He wasn’t surprised by her answer, on the outside it would seem they’d be that graphic. Wanting him to walk into Jason’s office, her severed head dangling in his hands. The graphic image almost making his face twist, he didn’t want to imagine her that way. “ They’d want to come see for themselves. Insurance type of stuff. Make sure you’re really dead. Take photos for keeps. “ He said, bitting down on his lower lip to stop him from talking. She didn’t need to know that, because as far she knew, it could still happen. And as far as he knew too, he’d be right along next to her. 

       Ace’s elbows were at his knees, his fingers clasped as they spoke. It was weird, sitting here with her. He had followed her for two weeks, watching her every move. Learning her habits and schedule. He knew where she lived, and even where she got her coffee in the morning. Yet, she didn’t know any of that. Ace wasn’t sure if he wanted her to, since it all would seem awkward at this point. As if sitting with your assassin on his sofa wasn’t the epitome of an awkward situation. He turned towards her, scanning her face. “ If everyone says it, maybe you should listen. “ He responded, his colder exterior trying to build back up. Even if it wouldn’t last but a few seconds before it’d fall again. 

       Her response made his expression fall. It wasn’t because she agreed, he knew damn well he deserved no kindness. Yet, it was her last response, ‘just because you don’t deserve it, doesn’t mean you didn’t have to experience some act of kindness’. How could she say that? He held a gun to her head and yet she still wanted to show him kindness? His eyes went back to the scarf wrapped around his knuckles. She used her own scarf to help you. Rang through his mind, a frown falling on his lips. He didn’t deserve any help. Even if he helped her, it didn’t make up for who he was. Ace had killed more people than serial killers labeled as monsters on the news. No one would give them kindness, why was he any different? 

        As she left the room, he unwrapped her scarf, setting it next to him. His mind was whirling as he chugged the rest of his beer. He got up, walking to the kitchen. His bruised knuckled reached for his freezer, opening it. As his eyes landed on the whiskey bottle he looked over to see if she had came out yet, before reaching for it. Alcohol, the only thing that brought him peace. An underlining problem he had, but would never care to fix. Unscrewing the cap, he let the liquid run down his throat. His tastebuds numb from the taste, like they had for a few years now. His face twisted for a second before he shoved the bottle back into the freezer. His body already felt more warm, more relaxed. A smug smile resting on his lips as he let the warmth take over his body. 

       It wasn’t long after she came out, his head moving to the sound of his door shutting. His eyes landing on the petite brunette, almost swallowed by his shirt. A tight smile brought to his lips, trying to seem peaceful to her. If he was really going to help her, he couldn’t stay cold to her. Not that he wanted to, it was almost a reflex for him. To shut out anyone who was around him, to only do his job. He looked away from her until she sat on the couch, meeting her gaze as she spoke up once again. Ace’s gaze moved to his feet, before meeting her eyes again. “ It’s⏤ It’s Ace. “ He said, pulling his lips into a tight smile. It didn’t cross his mind to introduce himself, he didn’t think she really cared to know his name. “ But, you’re more than welcome to call me the dude who didn’t kill you. “ He shrugged his shoulders, “ Seems cooler anyway. “ Ace wasn’t sure why he was being more talkative, he was sure it was the alcohol rushing through his veins. 

       He couldn’t say he disagreed. It all would have been much easier if he just shot her then in the shop, but there’s a reason he didn’t. He was just still learning why. His fingers scratched the back of his neck as he leaned back into the couch, his whole body relaxing. “ Money isn’t everything. “ He said simply, with a shrug. His eyes meeting her gaze again, “ I kill bad people. People who have done harm to others. Someone who harms the world and the people around them. Someone better off dead. You don’t seem like someone who has hurt anyone. You aren’t better off dead. “ Ace quickly looked away, clearing his throat. “ Do you want something to drink? “ He offered, standing up anyway, walking towards the kitchen. 

       He had said too much, even he felt uneasy. He pressed his eyes shut, standing in front of the fridge. His hand was on the handle to his fridge, standing there like a mannequin in a store window. An urge to punch a wall came through him, his fingers grasping the handle harder. Pulling the door open, he grabbed a water. He wasn’t sure what she wanted, and didn’t want to assume alcohol. With a deep breath, he walked back into the living room, making his way to her slowly. With the water extended to her he spoke, “ Here. “ He said simply. His eyes falling on her innocent face, or what he assumed was innocent. What he hoped was innocent. 

       After giving her the water, he made his way back to his room. Only to grab a pillow and blanket for himself for the night. There was no way he’d let her sleep out on the couch. If someone were to come in and see her, they’d be dead. Or if she ran in the middle of the night, they’d be dead. Not that she couldn’t slip out in the middle of him being asleep. It was a better chance than him being in the bedroom. Ace sat softly back on the couch, sitting his things on the other side of the couch. “ You’re more than welcome to go sleep in my room whenever. I’ll sleep out here. “ He said, offering her a small tight smile. 

As she processed his words, Lucianna involuntarily swallowed. Killing people seemed like fun mixing with business. They had probably seen a lot of killing, so many names under their names, for them to be okay with that, making sure that the dead is really dead. And to think it was all happening under her nose. She tried not to look terrified but if she did, could he really blame her? These people, who she did nothing wrong but be the daughter of their enemy, wants her dead. She cleared her throat to distract her from the thoughts.    “ Uhm, wow, that is so...hardcore? “    That was all she managed to comment to make it sound less horrible than how she imagined it in her head.   “ And all of that, for what? Revenge? To piss him off? “  It seemed a little extreme but then again, what did she know?

She didn’t even know the man who raised her, the one she knew more than anyone else. He was kind, always laughing at her silly jokes, always so forgiving every time she gets trouble in school, he gave her a family when she didn’t have one. A far cry from what he knew but his words, though he was a stranger who tried to kill her, seemed to make sense. All the questions she asked herself through the years, the ones she even stopped asking, he was able to answer it. She wanted to believe there was good in him but she could only imagine the degree of evil her father was in for them to send someone to kill her. But then again, he saved her.

“ Ace...” she repeated. Ace saved her. Maybe, they were all that bad. Her father was not that bad. In a way, they both save her. Her life may be in danger now but she saved twice. She could still see the silver lining to all of this. Maybe, things are going to be okay. And he was smiling. She couldn’t help but noticed but didn’t pointed it out. It makes her wonder what his life was like before his first kill. What happened and how he got tangled into this. Lucy didn’t know if he should trust him, he almost killed her after all. But he was her best shot at living and even if she didn’t want any of this to happen, his life was somehow turned because of her.    “ Well, I’m Lucy. I mean, you know my name but yeah, just Lucy. I prefer that than Lucianna or the girl you didn’t kill. “    Or the girl you save. She wanted to point it out, letting him know he did some good but she knew that somehow, he regretted it. He could always do it the easy way and just end it, never had to worry about tomorrow. 

With all that went down, she didn’t know that it had somehow ended in a good note. Of course, nothings has change, they were still damned and even if she couldn’t exactly had her life back, all those little things she had done, it had meant something enough to keep her alive at this point. She couldn’t help but smile. She was nowhere near happy with the predicament she was in at that moment but it could be worse. Like her have her first and only photoshoot as a dead girl for her father’s mobster enemy.    “ Well, that;s a way to cleanse the world. “    It was another unnecessary humor, a bad one. The last thing she wanted was to tolerate murder. 

Her eyes traced his feature as he looked away. The walls around him kept falling up and down. It really didn’t dawn to her how he was barely hanging to his old life as well. He might have put a gun on her head but he was struggling as much as she does. Did she forgive him for what he did? Was he responsible just as much as the person who gave orders to kill her? Truth to be told, she had no clue.

With him giving her water and him returning with pillow and blanket, Lucy took it as a sign that he wanted to rest, something the both of them need. It didn’t feel right talking the bed that was not hers and she didn’t think they were at that point where they have to share things. Her energy was starting to deplete so she used her remaining energy to pick up her shoes on the floor and get off the couch.   “ So, I have to take you bed tonight. “    Just tonight. Words bounced through her head, wondering what her inner thoughts meant.    “ Good night, Ace. “    Lucy did not prepare herself for a response and the most sensible thing for her to do at that moment was to start walking towards the room.

When she closed the door behind her, it didn’t really cross her mind to lock the door and instead, she climbed in the middle of the bed. Lucy had every intention to close her eyes, let the exhaustion take her back to unconsciousness but she up just staring at the ceiling. She pushed down a lot of thougts racing her mind and give herself a rest but her brain is a little traitorous thing. Now, she was alone on a stranger’s bed, everything came to her all at once. She missed her old life already and there was nothing definitely in her future. Lucy thought about Ace and a part of her was a little worried that she would came in and kill her in her sleep. And how a few night ago probably, he was on the very same position either thinking of ways to kill her or assessing whether she was worth all the trouble.

Her eyes finally peeled of the ceiling and fell on the digital clock on his bedside table. 4:37 AM, that’s what the crimson digital print read. She had tried to do some sort of calculation in her head to know when exactly she had been lying in his bed but time had been irrelevant the moment he held a gun against her. Realizing sleep is never going to happen, Lucy begrudgingly sat up and practically dragged herself out of the bed. She twisted the doorknob of his bedroom door carefully, not wanting wake him up. With her fingers clutched to the elastic band of the boxers to keep it from falling, Lucy was on her tiptoe as she made her wad towards the direction of the kitchen. To get milk to help her sleep or get coffee to kick her day off, she was not sure at the moment.

[spciler]

CODI DYER

Bliss is unnecessarily dramatic. He used to be fine with that, until she became unnecessarily dramatic with him. He did not like complicated, primary reason why he stayed friends with hers, and also the primary reason why he avoided her once she became complicated. He noticed that like any other person he’s known through out his time in camp, she was also rather bossy, so it was not actually a surprise to him that Bliss became friends with his ‘ex-friend’ Tanya. They are those kind of bitches. At that point, Codi liked hanging with Alison more than hanging out with Bliss. Although Alison was really all about boys and relationships; but at least she didn’t tell Codi what to do and what not to do.

He could only sigh because Bliss really is making this whole bullshit dramatic, he snorted and stopped blocking her. “Closure.” He was really sold that Bliss is fucking in love with him. “When I avoided you, you act like a fucking brat; when I’m actually trying to fix this, you act like a fucking brat. You make things bigger than they should be,” He rolled his eyes, “Talking shit about choosing you and Kelsey. The fuck is that all about?” He stood up straight and started walking away from her, he stopped and then turned around. “I get it now.” It took him long enough, but he did. “You want me to choose between you and Kelsey ‘cause you’re in love with me. But I don’t feel that way for you, that’s why you’re being so damn weird about it. Like what’s with you girls, I stopped being friends with Tanya and she went to fuck with my blondie brother; then I date Kelsey and you fuck Brayan. And here I thought I’m fucked up.” He snorted. “Go have fun in Korea, Bliss. At least you’d be with family.” 

His words rang through her body until she felt nothing. It hit her so hard, induced a lot of pain, so much that that her body just simply shut down. She was stunned for a moment until she started feeling again.    “ I know you don’t. I’m not that stupid. I know you will never. And I didn’t. I  didn’t made you...”    She trailed off because she realized there was nothing she could say that he would listen to knowing how little she was really to him. Just a dramatic bitch. The whole point of her staying away was so he didn’t have to choose, so he could be happy without any guilt. But to him, she was just being weird and fucking things unnecessarily.      “ You are right. “    She said, her tone was uncharacteristically calm.    “ You are right. I shouldn’t have made a big deal out of this. Because my feelings are invalid, right, Codi? Right? Bitches like me have no right to be hurt. “    This is not how she imagined his reaction was going to be. She thought once he would found out she was in love with him, he would feel guilty for causing her pain. She couldn’t do that to him that’s why she kept it to herself for  so long. But jokes on Bliss, she had actually over estimated how much he cared for her.

“ It’s not like I didn’t try, Codi. I tried to be happy for you. I really did. I’m sorry if I’m so selfish that I can’t just suck it up and keep pretending to be happy for you. “     Maybe, she also didn’t tell him because she would found out how much he really meant to him...or how there was close to none.    “ To be fair, I tried to remove my toxic presence away from you but for some reason that I don’t understand, knowing what you actually think of me, you wouldn’t leave me alone so that’s on you.”     Maybe, it was for the better. He could finally lift off that one hundred three pounds of mess of his shoulder.     “ Well, thanks, I will have fun. I’ll try. Or I’ll pretend, I don’t care. At least, I will be with people who can accept me for my flaws. But for the record, I didn’t ask to be your friend. I didn’t ask you to give me that boxer with dinosaur print on it. “     She couldn’t help but recall how it all started not that it was finally over. Bliss also couldn’t help that she started ugly sobbing or his last memory of her was her red, tear-streak face because this was truly over. Soon, he will forget about her. Despite what went down or what he felt about her, she still cared and she really hopes he forgets about her. She didn’t know if she will ever recover from this but she hoped it will better for Codi.      “ I didn’t ask for any of this, to be your friend, or fall in love with you but I did I’m sorry. At least, you don’t have to deal with me. Just...have a good life, Codi. “    

Or a better life. She walked passed him without plans of looking back. She wouldn’t know if he would but without her out of his life, there was at least a fat chance he would. As for Bliss---Eun Hae---she didn’t know for sure but her only goal at the moment was to hop on the next flight back to Korea.

[spciler]

📱: adrian + miles

Miles: 😦 this is why we should move in together. then ill always be around 😄

Miles: I WONT!! theyre just being stubborn with me but i can fight back just you watch!! 😮 is that a smiley i see?

Miles: ARIEL IS THE COOLEST but i could never understand why shed rather be on land opposed to the water? they must have had SOME cute guys down there, right?? how about YOU become a mermaid instead 😋

Miles: noooo! i had such a bad hair day during one of them i hope you deleted those?! i can never let anyone see that shameful downfall of mine uggghh. id say.... both, maybe? i cant remember when he last smiled, i wish he was like your dad hes cool

Adrian: Is that an actual suggestion? Because I like that a lot.

Adrian: I mean, I'd rather not have you fighting anyone but I would pay to watch everything you do. Also, you are their best swimmer. They couldn't kick you out even if they want to. HAHAHA yes. I didn't even realize i use a smiley? Maybe I will download an emoji keyboard next time.

Adrian: Because she never know what air pollution was like. I mean, if you are not coming up here then I might as well go down in there with you.

Adrian: Clearly, you are not looking yourself in the mirror lately. Although, you are right, the hair looks so bad but you made it look so good.

Adrian: I wish to object but yeah, my dad is cool. He misses you.

[spciler]

GRAYSON TINDOL ( @veehq )

The sound of her phone alerting her with incoming messages had prompted her to wake up. The first thing she noticed when her body started to came into its senses was the smell of Gray’s shampoo with her face buried into his head. While he had her back against her, PJ wrapped an arm around his torso and had her legs tangle on his own. She couldn’t remember at what point they ended up falling asleep, might be when she was complaining about her Data Structures assignment or when they were brainstorming about which planet they were going to colonize if Mars gets crowded.

PJ wanted to ignore the messages but they just kept coming until she realized that the alerts are never going to stop until she would check what it was. It could only mean one thing, their group chat with her roommates was on fire. PJ got invited to a sorority party but it’s Friday evening which meant it was PJ and Gray’s night. It was an unspoken tradition of theirs. If she was to go, she would just end up going home early anyway. Might as well spare herself from the effort and just stayed in. To how they were awake from a night of partying blowing up their group chat.

Now wanting to wake Grayson, PJ slowly removed her limbs off Gray and reached for her phone that was lying on his bedside table. With her one eye open, PJ attempted to backread.

“ Wake up! “ “ PJ PJ PJ PJ “ “PJ WOOOHOOOO “ “ Is she alive? “ “ Are you left in a ditch somewhere? “ “ Bitch where going out for lunch “ “ We’re* im stupid “ “ I’m* “ “ WTF STOP shut up “

Wait, lunch? PJ looked at time and it was twenty three minutes after twelve noon. They must have slept pretty late and his black out curtains was making it hard to tell what’s going on with the outside world. 

The sudden movement when Grayson stirred made her dropped her phone on her face. " Oow. “    Despite the pain shooting from the bridge of her nose, PJ didn’t try to make much noise. She held her face as she instinctively scooted closer to him.   “ I’m sorry. Did I wake you? “   She whispered, sucking in some air through her gritted teeth in between breaths.

[spciler]

CODI DYER

It still made zero sense to Codi since he refused to see what Bliss was trying to convey, and she really wasn’t doing any good job in being eloquent either. Codi was so emotionally stunted that it was so difficult for him to get non-verbal cues or subtlety; he had no idea what symbolism meant. He was just a shit communicator, the finest dumbass of them all; his last two brain cells were really doing their best to understand Bliss.

He gritted his teeth together, “What’s with you people always making me choose between two people?” He exclaimed in frustration, “Why can’t all you just fucking co-exist with each other?” His nose flared, he blocked Bliss’ way and pressed her against the wall again. “Don’t—” He shook his head, “I’m not goin’ to choose one over the other.” He let out a breath, “Why can’t we be friends if I’m with her?” He sighed and thought to himself I’m not even with her anymore, “You in love with me or something?” He offered her a smile, but then he sighed, “Eun, I fuckin’ miss you, okay?”

There was no point in fighting him physically as he easily just pressed him on the wall. She released her breath in defeat and wiggled out of his touch so she could wiped her tears and sucked in another breath so she could stop more tears from falling from eyes.     “ Didn’t you just hear what I said? I made my choice so you didn’t have to. It’s not that complicated. “    It wasn’t like there wasn’t much of a choice. She remembered that party, that night when she decided she would stop talking to him, that time when she pretended to pass out just so she could close her eyes and not see how in love he was with her, Codi left with Kelsey and abandoned her. He probably didn’t even cal or text her the next day to see if she made it back to the cabin. Bliss wouldn’t know because he blocked him from everything. It really didn’t matter now. 

When he attempted to tease her about her being in love with him, she had to look away . She didn’t want her eyes to betray her. Somewhere deep inside, Codi probably knew her feelings for him because he knew her better than anyone.    “ Yeah, sure you do. “    Bliss was having a hard time believing that. He has Kelsey. It was probably not her he misses, it’s probably just the feeling of having someone who can complain about when her girlfriend was giving him frustration. She lifted her head to face him but still refuses to meet his eyes.   “ Fine. If I told you why, will you finally leave me alone? I’m going back to Seoul, anyway so, I guess, it was only fair for us to have some sort of closure. “    It wasn’t like she already had a plane ticket. Going back to Korea was not safest choice for her but she would rather die in the hands of a monster than getting her heart crushed. As soon as he knew, it was going to be over.

[spciler]

ADAM PASCAL

Adam gingerly lifted up his window, and silently made his way out of the building. It had been much difficult sneaking off of his foster home compared to last year, especially when there were sightings of dead bodies that were ripped to pieces by what seemed like claws and fangs. Goddamn coyotes back it at again with their bullshit. Only in fucking Los Angeles!

It was the 24th of January, meaning the death anniversary of his dearest baby sister and dearest mother, and Adam always went to the cemetery and lean against their tombstone and lie down on top of the ground they were buried under for the rest of the night until he had to come back to the place he considered to be his safe place now. His foster family actually drove him there in the mornings, but he preferred the lonesomeness with his family who’s passed even just for a few hours, be alone without pity. 

“Sorry it took me long mama and Ley,” He whispered to the air as if his mother and little sister were actually there with him. He sighed and finally sat down on the ground, his back against then tombstone, as he let his bag rest on his lap before he hugged it to his chest. “I miss you guys…” He began before he started his story, telling them about his year, until he drifted off to sleep, curling up on the ground and really hugging himself for the warmth, imagining his mother and Ley to be there to keep him warm. Soon enough tears started welling up his eyes.

He didn’t know how long he was out, but when he woke up he felt like eyes were on him, and he felt terrified when he saw someone standing near him and staring at him, “Who are you?” He scrambled to his feet. “What do you want?” He tried to sound tough, he just sounded exhausted though.

This has got to be the lamest mission she had even been. This was not even a mission, This was just fetching a kid to school in mundane world. Shadowhunters never fetch their kids in the academy. What is his demon shit really. She couldn’t help but think she was still being punished as if pairing him with that wimpy Pangborn kid to hunt down a rogue was not enough. It was the most frustrating three days of her life. It almost a year since she pulled a stunt in an authorized mission in Unseelie Lands yet the Clave still couldn’t let it go. I save a lot of asses, didn’t I? It was her appeal but it didn’t seem to cut. Lex dura, sed lex. It is harsh, but it is law.

Bullshit. No one can ever be above the law even if it was the right thing to do.

If it weren’t for her father and mother, she wouldn’t go. Her father plead because he wants to do it as a favor to his friend, although she couldn’t imagine how he could be friends with someone who abandoned his kid, unprotected without knowing who he truly was. Her mother said it was the right thing to do because just like her and practically the rest of the family used to be like him, unaware of the angel blood running through his veins until they were old enough. His father’s friend couldn’t do it because it was either banishment or not stepping foot into the mundane world again. It was the price he paid for fornicating with mundane.

Lex dura, sed lex. More like it is the lase that’s why it’s harsh.

This is him? That’s the very first thought that came to play in her mind as she saw him from the distance. He really need saving. The guy was stripped down out of his defenses both physically and emotionally.    “ Oh, by the angel. “     She sighed before she stripping down her glamour, making her visible in his untrained eyes.  

“ Cute. “    She deadpanned under her breath, commenting on him sounding tough. Instead of answering him, she tossed one half of a pair mitten she used to locate him on his lap.    “ I believe that belongs to you. “    Apparently, he was supposed to know, whatever that means.   “ If that looks familiar, you better follow me. “    Her gaze scanned the surroundings as she there was a danger ready to pounce.   “ Like...right now. “  

[spciler]

GWEN MERCER

“Seat belt,” Gwen reminded as she started the ignition of her old bug, without the help of magic she knew that it would at least take five tries before her vintage car would start and run, so praise the earth for giving her bloodline witch craft. It’s sixth sense as for all witches, it won’t make them who they are if it wasn’t.

“If you go back, we’d miss this opportunity and Andy completely ruined this night for us.” She stated factually, “And I’d totally be fucking pissed at you if you waste our time for murder.” They always had been a team, it never had been ‘you and I’ for Cassie and Gwen, it had been ‘we, us, our’. It always had been like that. It’s as if they were not born into the blood of people who hated each other for centuries.

Gwen couldn’t see anything to hate about Cassie, even if people would list all the shit down that made Cassie undesirable. She like those undesirable things the most, it what makes Cassiopeia herself. 

“If your brother won’t be too stone to stop you, you might able to sacrifice her.” She snorted and started hitting the gas off as if she was in some race. “Also, we’ll get there on time, I promise.” She laughed, her speed on 60. It wasn’t that fast honestly, but it was already alarming when their town’s speed limit is 20. Soon enough she hit 80, and that was the most her bug could take. They were in borrowed time, and they couldn’t fucking miss it. Gwen already begged Grace to cover for her just so that she can do this with Cassie. Her older sister also knew about the shit they were about to do, and unlike Andromeda, Grace was trustworthy.

It wasn’t that long before they had gotten to the beach. As expected no one was there. Everyone knew to stay in doors during full moon. Apparently, not everyone, since two stubborn pubescent witches are bout to fuck shit up. “See, we still got ten minutes to set up.” She killed the engine, took her keys off and grabbed her bag from  the back seat. She started taking her slips on off and used her flip flops instead and then she walked towards Cassie and offered her hand, “I’m so excited, it’s been forever since I talked to a mermaid.”

Cassie snorted and rolled her eyes.    “ Please, you’re a daddy driving like grandma. Your engine will probably die before it can kill us. “      She whined although she put her seatbelt on because it will probably bother Gwen if she didn’t. With a snap, she a ball of light appeared, hovering over her lap before she pulled an ancient book of magic. Cassie and Gwen got always reprimanded for using magic at every moved they made. Being the youngest in their family, it was inevitable for they to be taught everything they know. But Cassie and Gwen were insatiable. Not even their families who had been fighting for centuries could stop them. No single

“ You know what, maybe murdering Andromeda my be worth the whole five minutes you are going to be mad at me. “    Alright, maybe she didn’t want to murder her sister no matter how tempting that is but she made it so hard for both of them not to have murderous thoughts about her. How many times had she got out of her way just ton bust them and snitched about it. How many times the two youngest witches in their family had been grounded because of her?   “ I honestly would trade Andy for a snake because a snake can be a friend if well-trained. Andromeda is a fucking lost case. “

As the car sped up, Cassie had was not bothered at all and flipped over to the page of the spell they were about to do. She was used by this, them running after time, speeding away so they could do a lot of things together with the little time they get hiding from their family. While to some people who didn’t know better, the object she was holding was just some old rotting book with random Latin words and symbols, but for Cassie and Gwen, it held some of the most powerful magic in the world. Cassiopeia Caldwell might be a reckless mess but when it came to her abilities, she meant business. She had read the spell over and again, making sure everything would go as planned.

When the car came to a rough stop, Cassie finally looked up and just like that, she was pumped. She shoved the book back to the bag and took Gwen’s hand.    “ If I’m not going to make out with one this time, I’m going to be so fucking mad. “    She joked before she started skipping, dragging her best friend towards the beach area.     “ You draw the star and I’ll start the fire. Let’s go. “    They had been doing this for a very long time. While Gwen was in charge of drawing symbols and measuring the ingredients to perfection and Cassie does the alignment and prepare the fire pit.

It didn’t even took them ten minutes as everything was prepared before hand. Cassie looked at the time and looked at what they had accomplished before giving Gwen a satisfying smirk.    “ It’s almost time. “     She took a vial from the pocket of her bag containing a liquid, a serum extracted from the blood of sacrificial goat and pour it on the makeshift pit then threw some fried and grind rosemary leaves. She reached out for Cassie’s hand, already feeling the magic pouring within them.   “ Ready? “

[spciler]

CODI DYER

“It does not fuckin’ add up to me!” He yelled in frustration. “Why-why, fuck!” He ran a hand through his hair, he had never been good at articulating himself, until now, he still didn’t. He felt so lost because honestly he was tired of losing people. He couldn’t lose Bliss. Well, he already lost her, but he had to take her back. It was dumb shit for him to just keep letting people make decisions for him. He’d been such a fucking idiot. “You’re not going to pass.” He cornered her against the wall and stared into her eyes intensely. “Until you give me a solid reason why we can’t just be friends anymore? Don’t give me some bullshit about another person. It’s about you and me, ‘the fuck happened here?”

Glaring at him, Bliss pursed her lips, lower lips pouted as she tried to contain her anger in her 5′5 slim physique.   “ What’s the point? It’s not like we can go back to the way things were. “    She had made piece with the fact that she lost him a long time ago and as much as she wanted to go back to the way it was because gods know how much he missed her with every little piece of her, they couldn’t because he was going to be forever in love with Kelsey and she couldn’t be in pain forever.

“ A year ago, if ever we’re on sinking both and you have to save just one? Who will you chose, me or Kelsey? “    She felt her chest tightened knowing damn well who will he choose.    “ It’s either you choose Kelsey or you will chose your self so we could both survive and I can’t let you make that choice so I decided to make mine and jump off that boat. “    It was her way of saying the things she wanted to say, like she would rather die for his own happiness but she couldn’t say it.    “ Now, if you will excuse me...”    Couldn’t stand being in front of him anymore without shedding a tear, Bliss put her palms on his chest and pushed him so she could pass, though it was a poor gesture as she felt herself turned weak again just by that little touch.

[spciler]

ACE

      His eyes grazed his living room, a sigh of relief leaving his lungs. Ace was one of the youngest in his crew, at least of those who could actually do things. So it wasn’t uncommon for him to get all a lot of the missions, being more diligent and less known to the authorities. So when Ace was able to come home, he cherished it. Never leaving the couch, always ordering in so he didn’t have to go back out into the world. The cruel world he despised, the world he wished he was never born too. He never felt love, he only knew what it was and how it felt from his surroundings. From what he taught himself. He yearned it of course, but you can’t miss something you never had. 

       Ace couldn’t find words, he knew he had to say something. Anything. Yet, what could he say? He had kidnapped her, forced her from her comfortable habitat. Dragged her to this unfamiliar place, with the person whom she only knew as a murderer. A form formed on his lips, he was a murderer, and that was it. He didn’t have friends, family, not even a pet. He lived by the rules of Jasons game, and lived to only be able to breathe the next day. As he approached the couch, his gaze landed on and off of Lucy. He couldn’t help but smile ever so softly at her joke, knowing the cheap food was probably not something she wanted in her stomach. “ I uh, think I could find something in my fridge? “ He offered, even though he knew there was nothing but condiments and alcohol in there. 

       Acceptance was the last thing he expected from her. A confused look was brought to his eyes, almost trying to understand how she was acting. After all he did, and she still treated him with respect? A weight was lifted from his shoulders, almost a clarity that what he did, may not have been the wrong thing. “ I’ll explain. Just be patient. “ He said simply, not wanting her to think he would leave her questioning forever. He nodded lightly, turning back to make his way to his room. Gathering some clothes for her to sleep in. He almost wished he made a stop at her place, letting her grab clothes for herself. Yet, he knew it wouldn’t of been a good idea. She could have ran, or they could have been caught. He sat the clothes on the arm of the cough, his lips pressing together. “ There you go, “ He said, “ You can change in the bathroom if you life. Or, I can leave the room⏤” 

       A shock jolted him as she moved towards him, one of his feet stepping backwards. His body tensing as she grabbed his arm. His mind flashing to how he grabbed her not long before, pushing it behind her back with his gun. Confusion set in his gut, not knowing what to think. Her soft touches on his bruised knuckles causing shivers to race up his arm. It was a different touch than he was used to, it was pure. Gentle. His eyes moved from his knuckles to her gaze, trying to keep up his masked face he had kept since they met. “ I can move them, there’s probably just some fracturing. “ He muttered, wincing as she wrapped a scarf snuggly around his hand. Once she was done, he pulled his hand away, rubbing his thumb over the cloth. “ Thank you.. “ He said, stepping away from her. 

       He moved, sitting down on one side of the couch, keeping is distance. He didn’t want to scare her, or himself. Everything was still rocky, and he knew he had no right to speak to her. Even if he couldn’t handle silence. Thankfully, her voice broke the silence. His head moving to look at her. She started on one of her ramblings, trying to make some kind of humor as she had before. Ace didn’t get why she did this, why she tried to make light of any of it. “ Uhh. “ He trailed, his mind froze, almost unable to pull that information back. “ For you? 300k. “ he knew she deserved to know something. If knowing the price of her life was worth it, so be it.  “ I’m afraid a pinky toe doesn’t do it. “ He said, an actual smile forming onto his lips as he spoke. 

       Where the smile had come from, he didn’t know. Maybe it was his body caving, unable to keep his hard exterior for any longer. Ace had feelings, whether he liked it or not. He felt everything, ever guilt, sadness, even happiness. It wasn’t many things that brought him that. Only when he was full of booze, relaxed on his couch as some comedy movie blared from his tv did he get to experience true joy. When your life is filled with such darkness, light hardly shines through. No matter how much he wished for it, begged for it as he laid in bed, staring out his window into the sky. 

      Ace stood from the couch, “ I’m going to go change, grab a drink. “ He said under his breath, walking into his bedroom. Closing the door behind him, he closed his eyes. Sadness built up inside him, and he only wished he could cry. It was rare that he felt this need, but he wouldn’t lie that it felt good to let it out. But he couldn’t, not here, not now. After changing his clothes, he walking out, slipping into the kitchen. He grabbed a beer, walking back into the living room. Taking a spot back on the couch, he sighed, opening the beer before taking a drink.

       “ Thank you, again. “ He said softly, his fingers running along the scarf the was wrapped around his hand. Something bubbled in his stomach, a need to speak, to let things out. His lips pressed together before he spoke, “ You shouldn’t be so kind to everyone. “ He said, looking over to her. “ Not everyone deserves such kindness. Especially me. I’m going to do everything I can to help you. But that doesn’t mean you need to be nice to me. I don’t deserve it. “ He said, muttering the last few words. He didn’t want her sympathy. Why? “ I’m⏤ a monster. I’ve done all the things you probably think I have, and more. Just because I saved your life, doesn’t mean I’ve spared anyone else’s. “ Where this had come from, he didn’t know. Yet, he knew it had to be said at some point. 

“ No...don’t bother. “    Her world was just flipped. A few hours ago, she was just ready to end her day, preparing to rest for a new day. She didn’t expect she was not going to have her life back. It wasn’t there was so much to go back there, her best friend was in Europe that couldn’t even reply to her on time and just a month ago, her boyfriend moved across the country, only to break up after week over a text and a week after that, he was with some girl. People had already moved on. The only thing she had left was the flower shop and she couldn’t even call it her own. She would miss her customers, the friends she had made for almost three years but they had other people in their lives. Lucy doubt they would miss her. So really, the last thing she had in mind was food even if the last meal she had ate was just some french toast and milk.    “ I’m not really that hungry. “    Lucy was not even sure she was going to make it through the next day, so what’s the point?

She wanted to hold on to his words, get some explanation or something but didn’t they say that ignorance was a bliss? That’s how she was living her life anyway. It was full of lies and she had swam in it. What you didn’t know won’t hurt you. Those were the words some people lived by and now she understood why saying like that exists. Live like we’re dying. Another saying that she wished she had  lived by. Lucy didn’t think did day would have come where she was going to worry about when she is going to die. She didn’t think every second counts. Lucy knew that now but it’s too late.    “ Okay. I wouldn’t hold my breath though. Like probably, I wouldn’t have to soon...”     The thought was somehow dark. He had assure her that she wouldn’t die but he was not exactly reliable.   

“ Wow, I thought I will be worth more than that. Maybe because I’m a college drop out. I’ll probably worth a little more. “    Lucy attempted a laugh but it came so dry the little humor she attempted to pull didn’t fell through. She wanted to ask if who got his highest pay check but she thought that might be pushing it. She looked up at him and...he smiled? It was brief and with all the anger and edginess that on it earlier, that felt a little alien on his face. Lucy didn’t think he was capable of that but he did and it felt a little weird. It didn’t mean it wasn’t nice though. It was more than nice. She wondered how many people saw that smile. She really didn’t think he does that a lot. But then again, what did she know about him?   “ I knew it. They want my head. “  

When he moved back to his room, her eyes went to his door and wondered how fast could she run until she would be out of his sight and she remembered the almost failing grade she had in gym class which made her dismiss the idea. She was tired anyway. Her mind was fully awake but her body was almost drained of energy. She couldn’t even be sad about discovering her father was actually a mobster who had made enemies that was after for her life. At some point, she knew the pain will creep up again but for now, she was keeping it at bay.

His words just made her shrugged. It wasn’t like it was the first time she heard it. From her father to her guidance counselor. Being too kind was her fatal flaw, they said.    “ Yeah. I know. All the people in my life said that. “    She agreed but she didn’t know what else to do. That’s all she ever know. It’s her best and worst trait. How many people had taken advantage of that? She was not exactly a push over but she easily lets go of things. Lucy simply didn’t have time to let negative feelings grew in her heart. It was a gift to herself, more than anything.    “ And I agree, you really don’t deserve all of that, no offense. But don’t think I was being kind to you. I was more being kind to myself. I like being kind. It’s an addiction really. I wanna punch myself for that sometimes. But you know, just because you don’t deserve it, doesn’t mean you didn’t have to experience some act of kindness. “   She said before standing up.

 “ Anyway, I’ll just...”    She picked up the clothes he lend her and went to the direction where he went earlier, assuming it was the bathroom. She released a breath she was holding as soon as she closed the door behind her. Her eyes went to the little exhaust, thinking she could squeezed herself in but not without making too much noise. Realizing she didn’t feel even a tiny speck of disappointment that her only chance of escaping was not going to work, Lucy knew that at that moment, the safest place in the world for her was his apartment. A stranger’s apartment. A stranger who had tried to kill him. Oh god. Lucy didn’t even know his name and yet, considering he had save her life, he was probably the only person she could trust right now. She just let that thought sink in her mind as she kicked her shoes and started changing. She washed her face and used the towel nearby and she could practically smell him on it.

The shirt and the boxers are probably a little loose but it’s at least comfortable. With her hand keeping the short from falling, Lucy went out of the bathroom and returned to where she was sitting, putting her feet up then hugged her knees.    “ You know, I was thinking...will you ever tell me your name? Or I will just forever address you as the dude who tried to kill me but didn’t? “     Resting her head on her knees, she looked at him and laughed before turning her expression into a more serious one.     “ I didn’t know why you chose to spare me but thank you. It’s really a bad choice if I’m being honest. Killing me will save us all the trouble but you didn’t You obviously think my life is worth more than 300K dollars so thank you. “

[spciler]

CODI DYER

Codi stood there, feeling quite fucking defeated in all honesty. This bullshit had been running for a year now and he hated it. He tried to ignore it, but Bliss really meant a lot to him. “Stop fuckin’ avoiding me and give me an answer first!” He sighed out in frustration “Why’d you stop talking to me?”

Bliss just didn't understand why Codi was still at it, trying to figure why she stopped talking to him. He got the girl he wanted. What could he possibly wanted from her?   " Haven't I told you already...like a year ago? Your girlfriend hates me. We can't hang out anymore. Just leave it at that. Please. "    She almost begged. Bliss knew that Codi knew it was not the entire reason. Call it a best friend thing or whatever. But she couldn't exactly tell him why.  It was stupid. When she realized it, it was too late. She had encouraged him. She thought if Codi will be with Kelsey she would be happy because he is happy but she ended up spending her nights crying and she didn't even know why until it hit her. She just wanted to move on and she couldn't do that if she pretends everything was okay.     " To be fair, I stopped talking to you and you didn't even notice it until few weeks so, really, what are you so mad about? Can I pass now? "  

[spciler]

LIONEL BAUMAN

Having to win it back. It was an off thought, something a proper parent should never have to discuss between themselves when it came to the matter of their child. Seb was falling behind with his grades, barely left his room unless he had to walk his dog and had completely allowed those games of his to swallow his free time. Maybe it was all part of being a teenager these days, maybe it wasn’t – but it was clear they had to do something to nudge their son into the right direction or else… who knew what would happen to him in the future. His parents were considered successful in life, not failures and he looked like a mess in comparison to his older sister and her own choices with her family. “Other people, huh? Sure, as long as it’s not this god awful school board whose only trait is to complain until we do something about it.” Lionel wasn’t sold on Bri’s further addition, feeling as if she’d merely bothered to develop her thought due to his open complaints. She was a powerhouse when it came to dealing with matters on her own, by the end of the day and it wouldn’t surprise him if she had already booked a meeting behind his back with an outside force. It was simply… frustrating to have no one else to bounce ideas with besides one that did nothing but bite back. 

“You expect him to tell us if we ask him?” Lionel scoffed and shook his head, digging for his car keys from within his pocket. “It’s just for today, you can feed him whatever the hell you like tomorrow.” To be frank, he was hoping to get away from the situation as soon as possible and having to wait for Bridget to wrap up dinner before they even began to talk was nerve-racking at best. They didn’t do nice family gatherings anymore and he figured Seb would be equally as pleased to have them apart. Lionel stood motionless by his car, glaring after Bri until her own car had left the area. His was breathing heavy and his head running wild as he eventually unlocked the door and climbed into the driver’s seat to hurry along with his task. Exhaustion came over him like the gust of wind, pulling him down into the leather and it made him wish the time could stop long enough for him to melt and reclaim his thoughts. Sadly, there was none of that, as he started the engine and rolled out of the street – one step closer to what he could only think of as a coming disaster. 

Despite listing irreconcilable differences on their divorce papers, Lionel knew him through and through...or at least, all sorts of expression he makes. Bridget knew how deep the lines on his face will get depending on his mood or how he will how he will hold his breath when he couldn’t voice out what was running on his mind. It wasn’t the hurtful words they said to each other that sent their marriage down the drain. It was the things that change between them, the things they kept to each other and just blown up when they finally had enough. She could tell he had doubts about the idea brewing in her mind. Or he couldn’t simply didn’t trust her. Not like she could really blame him. Sebastien’s already teenager and she still struggle. The only thing that was making her feel about their situation was her ex-husband didn’t seem to know what he was doing as well. Was it too late for them to sort out their priorities?    “ That at least we can agree on. “   Though it wasn’t fair for both of them to blame them despite the amount of money to pay for his education. They were supposed to raised him. 

His question warranted an eyeroll and a glare. Lionel knew how to push her buttons with his indirect jab at her inability to read what their son wanted and how he was a little closer to him than her even if he was still distant to both of them.    “ Well, I can try. I had certainly tried it with other people. Maybe, for once, we could try to listen and give him the benefit of the doubt. “    Her voice cracked a little as he kept herself from yelling at him. Perhaps, she actually meant herself and not their son. Bridget, thought she wouldn’t admit, knew she was far from being a perfect mother or wife to the most important men in her life but she wanted to be appreciated sometimes. With a newfound determination fueled by anger, there was nothing she wanted more that to prove him wrong. 

That night, she stayed up late coming up with what to prepare his family. She wanted it something she could prepare easily prepare but not trying to hard. Mostly because she knew that once she did, she might mess it up. She decided to go with lasagna, country-style fried chicken and a Ceasar salad. Bridget decided not to try with desserts and decided to just buy ice cream and texted her a favor to bake some blueberry and almond shaving pie. She couldn’t risk setting her house on fire. 

The next morning, she woke up early and got ready. She was running around the kitchen for three hours or so, preparing everything as planed and as how the internet instructed her to prepare for things. She was just dropping a chicken into the fryer when her son appeared in the kitchen to get some water, obviously shocked at the scene . His reaction was not a surprised, she had not been in the kitchen to cook for years. She didn’t think Seb has saw her cooking before. He never utter a word, silence by his confusion. She asked him to help him set up the table after an hour. Bridget didn’t know what to expect as she was getting anxious but her son showed up, still not speaking a word and still confused but started searching for placemats. A moment later, her door bell rang and for a moment, she forgot that she was pissed at Lionel as relief warmed her up. 

“ Help your son set the table. I don’t think he knows what he is doing. “    Bridget said the moment she opened the door knowing who it was. No hello, no please come in. Just her opening the door and saying that. Bridget forgetting he manners was never intentional, it’s either she was very nervous or in the brink of having an anxiety attack.

[spciler]

ACE

       It was almost impossible for him to focus on the road. With all the thoughts running through his mind. How stupid he was. How confused he was. Trying to figure out what he was going to do next. Even if he saved her life, what life will she lead now that he had? Hiding in the shadows to not be found, to not be killed? And him, doing the same? What kind of life is that, to hide and be in fear. Even if he knew it was no different than the life he already lead. Always scared he was going to be next, killing only to avoid being killed himself. It was like a war was going on in his head and he couldn’t settle it. Aces mind falling back on the gun that sat in the seat next to him, almost wanting to just put a bullet in his own brain. A thought he had many times before. 

       His thoughts were quickly broke from the girl’s pleads. Now that he had decided to spare her life, he couldn’t help but feel bad. He knew too well the fear and helplessness that came along with all of this. Ace had his life threatened more than a handful of times. Death becoming a numbing subject, like someone talking about what they wanted for dinner.  His fingers gripped the steering wheel, “ Trust me, I wish I did too. “ was all that he could say. He didn’t want to show her mercy, not because she didn’t deserve it, because he didn’t. He wasn’t a good person, and he knew that. The harsh reality was he had hurt many people, some he didn’t even remember the names of. 

        Ace sighed as she began to speak again, her desperate words eating at his soul. Did she really want to know what he had done? If it were his father, he wouldn’t. Not that his was any better than hers. His eyes caught hers for a second, the image of her bloodshot eyes burned in his brain as he looked away. “ He’s a powerful mobster. Anything bad you can think of, he has done it. No need to go into detail.” He said simply. Mostly because he didn’t want to tell her something she could figure out on her own. Lucianna’s next words confusing him. How she was being humorous he didn’t understand. As far as she knew, her life was still on the line. Yet, it still almost made him smile. His gaze flickered back up to her for only a moment, a glint of curiosity in his eyes.

        “ You’re not going to die. So please, stop talking. “ He said, almost begging her to shut up. He couldn’t take her rambling about her own death, when he was fighting himself to save her. He kept his gaze on the road, he still had 45 minutes until they arrived to his apartment, he knew it was going to be a long drive. “ Just, go to sleep or something. “ His voice monotone, yet somehow soft. Like he was defeated, unable to keep up the mask he was holding anymore. His whole body was exhausted from being so tense, angry and upset. 

       The drive felt as long as he had expected, every minute dragging along. Even if he tried drowning it out with music on the radio, it couldn’t mute the voice in his head. He had stopped for food, knowing he had to put something in his stomach⏤ and hers. Soon he pulled up to his building, sitting there for a moment. His head resting on the back of his seat. A sigh left his chest, as if weights had been thrown off his shoulders. He knew he was still in deep trouble, and was no where near out of his mess. Yet, the idea of stepping into his familiar home bringing a sense of ease over him. 

       Grabbing his things he opened the back door, looking down to the girl in the back. “ Let’s go, ” he said, waiting for her to get out of the car. He decided there was no use in force or threats anymore, letting her walk on her own. He followed closely behind her, guiding her up his stairs and to his apartment. The whole situation as foreign to him as it probably was for her. Opening up his door, another sigh left his lips as he walked in, locking it behind them. He stood for a moment, almost in a state of confusion. He lifted the bag of food, handing it to her. “ Here, you need to eat. “ He mumbled, leaving her in his living room as he moved to his bedroom, tossing his things on the floor next to the door. 

       He moved slowly back into the front room, making sure she was still even there. Ace’s gaze falling on her, a relief setting in. His demeanor was different, almost shy as he looked down to the floor. What could he possibly say? If it didn’t even make sense in his own mind. He couldn’t apologize for anything, because it wouldn’t be sincere. He wasn’t sorry he almost killed her, or kidnapped her, or that he saved her life. His fingers ran over his bruised knuckles, the pain almost feeling good. “ How.. is the food? “ He asked softly, moving farther into the room. Even he realized the idiotic question, his eyes falling back to the floor. 

       “ Look⏤ I’m not going to apologize for anything. I know things are confusing, and trust me it is for me too. Just know you’re not going to die, at least by my hands. I-I can’t really explain anything right now. Everything is just, really fucked up right now.” He rambled, his eyes boring into hers. “ I’m going to make my bed up for you so you can sleep there tonight. I prefer to be out here incase…” He trailed off, glancing up to the door for a moment. Deciding not to go on about how they were possibly in danger. “ Do you need anything? A change of clothes? I can lend you some of mine… they might be big though but it’s up to you.” 

       Ace wasn’t a soft person, he was only tired of putting up his hard exterior. After everything that happened tonight, he was sure his kindness was the bottom of surprises that night for her.

It wasn’t like she had a death wish. Definitely not. But it would really had been better. She had envisioned what their life was going to be like, together with him or not. Either way, she imagined it would just be a lot of running away for survival. She was not good at running away, she liked to go with the flow through a calm river. Being on the run was not the kind of pace she could keep up. Killing her was a better option. It would been the end of her suffering and him going on with whatever kind of life he was living. To why he chose to spare her, it was beyond what she could fathom. Asking him as an option but she had a feeling he couldn’t give him an answer. There were on a same page when it came to this.

Thinking about it, Lucy realized that it was the very first time she had really thought about her future. Lucy liked to live in the moment, her father had said so. It was her dominant trait as what he said. He was not wrong. His college track record was the proof of that. She couldn’t stick to a major. Veterinary Science, Astronomy, Journalism---a couple more and just as soon she started Botany, she decided to have a flower shop. Stefano gave her that without a question. She supported every impulsive decision she made as long as she was happy. And she really were. She was contended with waking up early to open her shop, accepting twenty bucks from construction workers and gave them a seventy dollars worth of flower arrangement to bring home to their wives. It brought her priceless joy hearing their stories and sometimes, she would even get invited to their child’s birthday party. Seeing a child smile after she gave them mylar balloons after their mother fill out an order. Those simple things fulfills her and now, she couldn’t go back to that life.

She raised her brow when he said he was not going to die, more confused than anything.    “ I’m not? “      Lucy sounded ungrateful and she knew she should be but it was hard when the only thing that popped in her head were a couple dozen of question marks.   “ Fine. “    She grumbled and leaned on the window of the car again. Lucy attempted to do what he suggested but she simply couldn’t. Her eyes were droopy, heavy as it grew tried from crying but a lot of questions were racing in her mind. Most of them, she couldn’t even understand but all the sobbing tired her out. Her tears may had run dry but now, there was void in her heart, once filled with happiness now it was open for pain and she couldn’t stop it once it decided to rush back in again.

She remained silent for the rest of the ride until they came to a stop. For she was not sure if they were still within the state but she never really been here before. One thing was for sure though as she looked at around her, the street was surrounded with residential buildings, it didn’t look like a potential crime scene. She let him guide her, noticing that she no longer had a gun on her back which again, should make her feel grateful but her confusion only grew. Lucy had never been to a killer’s house and what welcomed her was not what she expected. It wasn’t that she had expected her to be  dark or gruesome or have a bloody plethora of weapons in it. It was the vibe that was surprising. It felt like home.  Mostly because it reminded her of her apartment too. It’s almost similar except for the lack of picture frames with embarrassing picture worth a throwback in Instagram. Lucy’s eyes went from the bag to the him. She was a little lost.

Lucy hadn’t realized how much she was trying in taking everything in, imagine how he moved in every corner of the place, when he came back and asked a question.    “ Uhm...uh...”   She finally opened the bag and looked inside of it, frowning when nothing in the bag appealed to her appetite although, it wasn’t exactly because of the food. Lucy couldn’t think any of it at the moment so she set down the bag to the nearby table.   “ Still safe from the parasitic worm that is inhabiting my stomach. “   Okay, that was gross and a lie because there was no parasitic worm living in her stomach. Lucy liked to think so. It was just simply a joke she had picked from one of her customers. 

While she listened to him tried to explain things, she noted how his demeanor changed. There was still the traces of a closed off broody guy, his eyes still heavily tinted with coldness but he was relaxed and awkward at the same time. Lucy almost half-smiled.     “ It’s oka...well, it’s not. Nothing is okay. But you don’t have to explain things, I get it. “   At least, that part. Lucy still have a lot of questions but this time, it was just overwhelming. They both need rest.    “ Yeah, clothes will be great. Thanks. “  

Her eyes fell on the bruised knuckles. It look bad but maybe he deserved that after what he did. But she knew deep in inside that none of this was his fault. She also knew that it would bother her and probably wouldn’t be able to sleep if she will just leave his had like that so she rolled her eyes, huffed and walked closer to him.    “ Let me see that. “     She grabbed his forearm, not giving him time to protest or grab the gun again, to inspect the damage. Her finger lightly touched his knuckles to check for possible broken carpals.    “ I don’t have x-ray vision so I really don’t know for sure if it broken but...”    She trailed off as she removed the scarf she twisted to use as a headband from her head and started wrapping it around his hands.  

“ Can I ask you a question? “    She bit her lower lip, chewed on it a bit as she found herself hesitating.     “ How much is it? How much are they going to pay you if you rendered me death? How much is my worth? “    Well, that was not exactly the question she had in mind but sometimes, when things get a little heavy, her thoughts like to do an involuntary U-Turn.    “ 50K? 100K? Half-million? You know, I think half-million is enough to fake an identity and move to Mexico. I got A in Spanish when I was in high school. I can blend in. I’m just saying, I wouldn’t miss my pinky toe in case you want to cash in the money. Well, that’s a joke, not actually suggestion. Sorry, I just...”    Lucy sighed, trailing off from her ramblings as she finished tying him up.    “ Sorry it’s just, comedic relief calms me.”   She explained before backing away to his couch before he change his mind about killing her.   

“ Just don’t move it too much. And put hot compress over it. And avoid fist bumping a wall. “     Lucy sunk into his couch and looked down at her lap and pretend her fingers had something in it that was interesting.

[spciler]

ACE

       He took the phone from her hands, his eyes landing on her wallpaper. He lingered on Stefano’s face, his big smile and gleaming eyes as he stood next to his daughter. His eyes glanced up to Lucianna before he going back to the phone. A part of him suddenly realized how bad he had messed up. Wishing he only would have just made that second shot in the flower shop. His life wouldn’t be in as much trouble as it was. But for now, no one knew, and he had time to figure it out. Her phone showed she had not made any calls, or texts. A sort of relief washing over him. Turning her phone off, he laid it on the table.

        Trust was something he was never taught, his mentors always reminding him as so. Humans were created to be selfish, to only care about themselves. A selfless person was weak, that putting too much trust into someone was idiotic. His own parents showed him this; giving him away to the boss ( Jason ) as an insurance for their protection. Never seeing them, only living in a house of other boys. Learning to assemble guns and fight at the age of 10. If his own blood couldn’t be trusted, who could he trust? He was only loyal to his boss, doing the only thing he knew how to do. Until now. 

        His hand was steady as he held it close to her skull. His gaze cemented onto her face, trying to read every movement it made. Tears built up in her eyes, his eyes not changing or moving away from hers. His mind was far too stressed to care about her sorrow. Even if he just flipped her life upside down with the new revelation. “ Is that what he told you ? “ he scoffed. “ Your father hid it from you to protect you I’m sure. To hide all the vicious things that he has done. “ he spat, his eyes narrowing on her. Feeling even worse, to know she had nothing to do with him and what he did. Yet, she was getting punished just for being his daughter. 

       He lowered the gun, laying it next to her shattered phone on the table. In a swift moment he decided to smash it, bringing the handle of his pistol to her screen. Now knowing who her father was, he wouldn’t be surprised if he had a tracker on it. He already was worrying about his own people coming after him, he didn’t need to worry about them too. He needed to think about his plan. What he was going to do with her, and whether he was going to kill her or keep her captive. Even if he let her live, she wouldn’t be able to go back out into society. Jason would know she’s alive, someone would inform him. Then he’d be dead. If he hid her, he could pass her off as dead. Saying he burned her or fed her to some animals, but they’d need more proof than just his word. They could run, but they wouldn’t be able to stop. All the possibilities he could think of all had bad endings.  

       He dropped the gun on the table, his fist clenching. The same heat in his gut rising up his chest. Ace’s fist once again hitting a wall⏤ this it was the thick wooded door. The pain fueled him as he punched the door once more. A grunt escaping his lips, his eyes darting to his knuckles. They were red, one of his knuckles open, blood running down his finger. His eyes closed for a second, taking a deep breath. ⏤ They had to get out of there. 

      Walking to the bathroom sink he rinsed off his hand, making sure to keep an eye on the girl, and the gun on the table. “We’re leaving.” He announced, grabbing his bag that sat on the other side of the bed. He began to fill his bag with his things, The only place he could think to go was his apartment, it was the only other place he could go. This room was paid for by Jason and could be watched by Jason at any moment. He couldn’t chance keeping her here. He zipped up his bag, slinging it over his shoulder. “Get up, let’s go.” He commanded, grabbing the gun and her cracked phone. 

       He grabbed her forearm once again, guiding her to his car that sat right outside their door. Putting her in the back before he slipped into the front seat. Was he really making this decision? To help her? His fingers ran through his hair as he started his car. Innocent people didn’t deserve to die, to get their life taken away. He didn’t deserve it, and neither did she. At that thought, he put the car in reverse, backing out and leaving the motel behind him. 

Screw staying strong. Screw the new found hope. Screw everything she knew. Lucy was just stripped down to nothing. It didn’t made sense but at the same time, it did. What if he was lying? What if he was just saying to threw her off? Yet Lucy couldn’t find a reason why he would lie or why he knew her name and her father. She couldn’t figure out what would be his motivation to lie to her. Her father, however, never told her a thing, never showed him family pictures or introduced her to any relative. She didn’t question it. How could she? She was just thankful he gave her home.  But this guy with a gun held against her head told her more than he ever did. But her father---Stefano---would never hurt a fly in front of her.

What is the truth?

The truth is she couldn’t trust anyone, not even herself. Maybe, she was being punished along. Life made her think it was beautiful, that she deserves happiness...or a family when her real one was taken away from her. It was not perfect but it was great. But it gave her all that, cherish and savor it, only to rip it off of her. Everything was a lie. The life of Lucianna De Luca was just a sham. Now, she was nothing but a crumpled sheet of paper, nothing but wrinkles. 

Yet, despite his lies ( or the untold truth he failed to mention ), she couldn’t be angry with Stefano. He gave her everything. At this point, she didn’t know for sure if he truly cared for her or lover her like his own but Lucy’s love for her father was real. Her eyes scornfully fell on her phone because she knew for sure in an hour or so---maybe even less, she’s going to die. She would like to make a phone call, to thank him. For taking care of her although she didn’t even want to think of all the things he had done just to provide for her needs.

She feeling so many things at the same time that her chest tightened like someone was holding it, ready to crush it if she just take another breath. The tears didn’t stop flowing despite not feeling a thing from the rest of her body. She didn’t show any sign of resistance when he got a hold of him again. She was too weak to move that he was practically dragging her. She leaned to the window once she settled at the backseat. 

As the scenery changes right before her eyes when he starts driving, Lucy couldn’t help but put a body count on things she had in her life. That Caribbean cruise he got her with a couple of friends as a graduation gift, how many lives had suffered for it? That stupidly cute vintage car she got on her sixteenth birthday, currently park on her flower shop, who have to die just so she could have those? The clothes she was wearing, how many ounces of blood was shed just she could have something nice to wear? All of the sudden, she felt like suffocating, shifting and tugging the collar of her sweatshirt. All that she had it was paid by blood.   

“ You should have have just shoot me in my shop. “   She croaked, her voice weak and coarse from crying.     “...the shop. “    She corrected herself knowing that lives were sacrificed just to have that luxury. It didn’t feel like it belong to her now.    “ You didn’t have to drag it for this long. “     Was this her accepting her fate? Lucy wanted to live but at what cost? If it weren’t for Stefano, she wouldn’t make it this far anyway. Maybe this is life finally balancing things out. If this is meant to be, then she had no choice but to accept it.

She moved a little to rest her head on the rest her head on the edge of the backrest, her bloodshot eyes, meeting his gaze.    “  So, how bad was it? I mean, the things he done. It’s really bad, isn’t it? So bad they had to send you to kill me? Are you going to rip my head off and sent it to him in a box? Ah, you should have said it sooner. I wouldn’t cried so much. He wouldn’t recognize me with my puffed eyes. “     Lucy knew the risk of him getting shot in the face if she didn’t shut up but at least, she get to be something that Stefano didn’t give her---her dark and self-deprecating humor that would either make someone laugh or send someone into discomfort.

Or maybe, it was just her egging him on the wall, a way for him to pick up the gun and just get over with it because she was in so much pain, she felt it vibrate under her skin, numbing the rest of her sensation as the pain concentrated in her chest. All the weight of her sorrow laid heavily in her heart. She smiled through her tears as she tries to meet his eyes in the mirror as if to forgive him if ever he ends up killing her after all. He didn’t ask for her forgiveness but she didn’t blame him for anything. Surely, she was not his first kill but the way he acted on the motel room, how she was still alive, she could tell he was just pushed in this situation. All the events in her life leads to this moment and he was just the unfortunate soul who got tangled in this.    

“ Can I choose where to die? Can it be in the tallest building you could find? I wanna be as nearest to the stars as possible. Or a flower farm, I wanna be surrounded with the things I like. But if a swamp would be most convenient for you, I guess, that will work. “    He heaved a sigh as she grown tired. She felt the need to nap or sleep. It was late night after all.  But if she was really close to the end, she want to, at least, be awake for the rest of the journey. 

[spciler]

veehq‌:

      He was already dead and he could feel it in his bones. There was no way he’d be able to get away with not killing the brunette sitting on the bed. Michael trusted him, and thats why he sent him on this mission. She was important, a key tool to getting to their rival. If they did this, they’d rise to the top, knocking her father down. Yet, here he was. Pacing the floor, frequently glancing over to the body on the bed. How can I fix this? Was the only thing playing in his mind. He could shoot her now, and get it over with. Throw her body in a ditch and be on his way. But he couldn’t. Why? Ace still held the gun in his hand, running his thumb against the handle. He couldn’t shoot her here, his DNA is all over the room. They’d trace him in no time. He could drive her to the ditch he’d leave her in, shoot her there. 

      But did she deserve it? Did she deserve any of this? The thought lingered in his brain. She was only a young girl, probably only a little younger that he was. He stopped pacing, tossing the gun on the table before he sat down. Why did he care if she deserved it or not? Did he deserve to grow up the way he did? Being taken from his family, trained to be the monster he was. Never knowing another life, only knowing blood, money, drugs, and power. Only knowing to follow orders, be a piece in someone else’s game. These thoughts frequently ran in his mind, but in that moment they actually meant something. The overwhelming thoughts filling his body with a heated rage. His fist finding contact with the wall beside him.

       Ace’s eyes rolled, a sigh escaping his lips. Her desperate pleads only irritating him more. Her words only clarifying that she really had no idea why he was sent to her⏤ or that she was lying. The idea settling in his stomach like a brick. A panic setting in at the thought that she was playing him. She could have called notified someone. Ace having to recollection of taking her phone away from her. “Where’s you phone.” He said, standing from the table walking over to her. “Give me your phone. Now, and unlock it.” He demanded, reaching a hand out. Almost ignoring her questions, not wanting to give her any conversation. If he did, it’d only make things more personal then they already were.

        He sat back in the chair, his lips pressing together. His eyes flicking up to the girl on the bed, his eyebrows furrowing as his eyes narrowed on her. “You really have no idea, do you.” He said, his voice lifting from its usual monotone state. He needed to know if she was innocent. Deep down he knew he couldn’t hurt someone who didn’t deserve it. Even if his whole life he was told no one is innocent. Everyone had their demons and have done their sins. But, were all sins worth being killed for? Why was saving her life worth sacrificing his? His eyes darkened; confusion, hate, and anger filling in his gut. 

       His fingers ran through his hair, a deep sigh leaving his chest as his elbows fell to his knees. He had to make a decision, but he needed to know the truth first. His fingers gripped the handle of the pistol once again. Ace stood, walking over the girl on the bed. Lifting the barrel of the gun, he held it to her head. Fear of death, the strongest truth serum known to man. If he was going to get the truth, this was the only way. “Your father is Stefano De Luca right?” He asked, “You’re Lucianna De Luca. Daughter of one of the strongest mob bosses in the world. And you’re telling me you don’t know why I’m here?” He said, the barrel pressing into her temple. His mind blocking out all emotion from her face, not allowing himself to feel sorry. 

       Everyone he’s ever known wears a mask, to show everyone what they want them to see. So how could he know for sure she wasn’t either? Playing the innocent victim to get out from being shot was a no-brainer. And he didn’t want to risk getting killed for feeling sorry for some pretty face. 

If she couldn’t talk her way out of this because she couldn’t definitely make a run for it, then maybe this was lost case because she didn’t know what else to do. He was defiant, no amount of begging would sway him. The way he dodge her question was pitting her further into the dark, hope slipping through her fingers. She could lie, tell him she left it at her shop. But what good it would do? What if he would do something worse? Grab her and search the two pockets of her denim skirt? And when discovers she was lying? He would definitely shoot her for real this time?. He seemed like he had done this before. The question was, why he had not kill her yet? Or why was she still in this cheap motel room if somebody---for some reason---wanted her six feet below the ground? Or worse, tossed her rotten body in a lake and feet tot he fish. She had no idea how does one who purposely end someone life dispose their bodies.

Against her will, she hesitantly reached for the back pocket of her denim skirt. She did as he instructed, she unlocked her phone with her thumb and the picture of her and her father flashed on the screen. It was from four years ago when she just graduated high school and have braces on. He almost didn’t make it but just a couple of minutes before she was about to receive her diploma, he arrived. He remembered the bewilderment on his face accompanied with relief. She saw the remnants of fear his in his eyes, the fear that he couldn’t see his daughter receiving another milestone in her life because God knows how many he had missed a lot and even if she didn’t see it with her own eyes but she saw his struggle just to get there. She remembered how happy she was when he made it. A brief smile ghosted on her lips as she felt happy tears brimming in her eyes but she sucked it in and handed the phone to her kidnapper.

If her father could go through hell just to see her, so could she. A brand new hope started to brew in her heart. The thought soothed her. She would figure things out. It wasn’t like he will just forever brood while keeping his eyes on her. Nature would call any time soon. His movement seen though her peripheral vision made her raise her gaze on him only to find the him pointing the gun on her head again, an involuntary gasp made its way out of her lips again. She is out of breath again. Is this the end? She found herself asking the question again. 

He began talking. Lucy was almost tuning him out as she felt her body cold but the mentioned of her father got her attention.    “ Mob boss? “     She repeated as if it was foreign language word...as if she didn’t know what it meant. Of course, she knew but twenty two years of living on Earth and she couldn’t think of any instances that she had to use those words.     “ A-re...wait, are you telling me Papa is a mob boss. “     Stefano De Luca, the kind man who took him in when her parents died and despite being away longer than he stays, he made sure she would never feel abandoned, that he was loved. Never once in her life she felt like she was not isr own. How could a man kind that be a mob boss? If only there was no gun pointed in her head, she would laugh. Maybe, this was a misunderstanding after all. She could fix this.

“ Okay...see, you got this all wrong. My dad is not a mob boss. He couldn’t. He is businessman who travels a lot. He couldn’t possibly run a mafia if he doesn’t time. He...uhm...he...”    She trailed off, not sure of how to continue she was about to say. Because there was nothing. Nothing left to say. She didn’t know anything except she to take care a lot of stuff overseas. She never asked. Why would she? It’s not like it was capable of taking care what what he was doing. As the realization hit her, she slouched even more. She was losing sensation on her cheeks as she turned weak. Lucy had to press her palms on the bed to support herself.   “ No. That can be true. “    She looked up to him, head shaking, releasing the tears that she was holding back.    “ My Papa is a good man. He’s not a crimelord or whatever. You got the wrong guy. “    At this point, Lucy was not sure who she was trying to convince, him or herself.