CHIARA
Somebody bailed me. When my lawyer arrived, I was already standing outside the police station. The officers refused to give me the name. And I'd confirmed it wasn't Xander. One of them said they received a call to release me immidiately. Who the hell would have such an authority? And why would they help me? I thought about it all the way home.
**
I put on my black backless dress and coupled it with a black thin scarf around my neck, letting both ends fall behind my back. I'd long removed the band aid from my forehead and in place was simple and less annoying plaster. I never truly cared about my image so I tied my wild hair into a low bun, leaving the wound for everyone to see, especially now when my face was all over the internet for beating up Mr. Bormann at the restaurant. How is it my fault if he insisted? I hated abusers with passion, he had to go and add disrespect too.
Tying up a silver anklet, I stood tall on my black heels, the dress flowing down my curves. I gave a last look in the mirror. My mouth was itchy with lots of words to say but only a hopeless sigh left past my lips. I couldn't wait for the day I'd finally leave this hell.
A hard knock on my door pulled me away from it. "Come on in." I uttered. Antonio walked inside the room, holding something in his hands.
I stared at him blankly, "Your eyes won't kill me if that's what you're thinking off." He uttered. Maybe not, but my hands surely would someday. "I thought we were done with the killing missions." I said, walking to the glass drawer, pulled it out and my fingers traced a line of wrist watches. Anything not to look at the wretched man. "I decide that." He said. I scoffed, "Go and kill him yourself then." I replied, picking up a silver watch and working to put it on. I was past cowering before him or letting him control me. I'll strip him off his power over me slowly at a time until he is left with none.
He came over, gripped my wrist and forcefully helped me put the watch on. And then he handed me a picture of some old man I had no business knowing who it was. "Take him out clean and this will be the last time we ever speak about killing missions." He said firmly.
I lifted my head and looked at him, a brow raised slightly without saying a word. He held his ground for a second then finally sighed, "I heard Marco tomorrow is your birthday. You can do whatever you want with my art collection in the basement." He coaxed. I was still not convinced so I just remained silent. "What do you want?" He asked.
"Let my mother go whatever she wants. With bodyguards of your choice of course." He frowned, challenging me with his cruel eyes but I didn't back down. "Fine. You have my word. The equipment is well kept at the same location. Just get the job done neatly." He said.
I tucked the picture inside my purse, "I've been doing this for years. I know what I'm doing, Antonio." I said and walked out of the room. I never cared about my birthday in the past. And then I suddenly started a ritual of spending so much money on the exact day and having fun. Bargaining with his art collection knowing very well that I was a collector myself was a crazy work, but a good trade. At least my Mamma would not be caged any more like a bird.
A new driver who was assigned to me was already waiting for me. I lost count of how many died before him. I sat in and he drove us to the place. My eyes were drunk and lost in the darkness of the night. Wishing like I was one with it so I could easily disappear without a trace come morning. Or a star, high up above, unreached and unbothered by anything or anyone. But I was instead stuck in this live nightmare that never ends.
The car pulled over and a door was opened for me. I stepped down, the dress adjusting itself as I stride to the entrance. Several people dressed classically like they were attending the nineties performance, were just arriving as well.
Ignoring a few gazes from the ones that recognized me, I entered the orchestra hall like the rest of them. Despite being huge, it was fully filled. But instead of heading to my seat as the performance was about to begin soon, I navigated the target with my eyes until I found him. He was situated in one of the booths up above the hall.
The infamous VIP section. Perfect! I thought as I made my way up to the equipment. I was here to kill and leave. I had no interest in the orchestra like the rest of the people in this room.
I almost climbed the stairs when I was stopped by two guards. "Can I have your name, please, Ma'am?" Said the guard with an IPad in his hand. Fuck VIPs! What the hell was I supposed to do now? I looked around, gripping my clutch. "Ma'am, please, tell us your name, no one is allowed entrance once the concert begins." He urged. Fuckfuckfuckfuck! Fuck you, Antonio!
"Conti, the name is Carmelo Conti. She is with me."