CARMELO
My assistant, looking pale, burst into the room. "Boss, a withdrawal of a tremendous sum has been made from your private account. The bank called to confirm. Have you lost your card again, perhaps?" I pushed my reading glasses down the bridge of my nose. I had private accounts that I rarely used, and not long ago, I handed one of them to a certain someone. I smiled, "So my tesoro is finally coping. I see."
"Huh?" Freddy tilted his head, "I don't understand."
"Ignore it and get back to work, Freddy." I raised my glasses back and faced the monitor.
About a couple of minutes later, I walked into the board room. The meeting was ongoing for an hour already, I'd just wanted to pay them a surprise visit. Instead of contributing anything, I just sat down analyzing all of them and their stiff postures.
"The renovation and restoration department has faced a major clash just a week ago but thanks to our HR team, it was able to get settled down before it reached the media." Said one of the board members.
As the meeting continued, my phone vibrated. I reached for it and pressed it to my ear. "What?" I asked. "Boss, shit!" Biggy, my security team leader rasped. I sat upright, frowning, "What is it?"
"You wouldn't like what you are about to hear. And you would probably kill me for it so forgive me in advance." He said, making me frown deeply. "What the fuck is it, Biggy?" A sharp breath came from his end, alarming my nerves even further. "It's Madam Chiara, she—" My heart flipped. I quickly got on my feet, "What happened to her?" Everyone in the room turned to me. "She—she was in a bomb explosion accident." I felt a breath whooshing out of my mouth, "What?" I was already at the door, loosening my tie, crossing by the halls with long strides.
"How is she? Tell me everything!" I gripped the phone hard. "Storm, prepare to leave!" I barked, heading to the elevator, while she followed me and was already making a call. Sweat trickled on my back. My knees were giving away as Biggy told me what happened. I supported my weight with the elevator walls, extreme fear engulfed me as I panted, wishing it was all just a bad dream and nothing else. I took three stairs at a time and reached the door. I swung it open, and the cold breeze of the open rooftop hit my face. "I'm on my way there. Keep me posted, Biggy." I hung up.
I let out a breathe, "Fuck." The helicopter was already on leaving mode as we strode to the helipad. Then it lifted and flew us away. I ran my hand through my hair, tugging the roots, "Fuck." My hands trembled. Maybe I shouldn't have left Portofino and come to Milan today. I shouldn't have left her alone.
"She'll make it," Storm, who was sitting beside me, pressed my shoulder. "What if she doesn't?" My head hung low between my spread legs. I pinched the bridge of my nose, sighing. I hoped she did because I couldn't fathom what would be of me without her. If she goes, she'll take a larger piece of me with her and I fear I wouldn't be myself anymore.
I ran to the car the moment the helicopter touched the ground. Barking at the driver to race me home, wishing the car could fly instead. I stepped out of the car before it even fully pulled over and dashed inside. My family was already in the living room with long faces. "Where is she?" I asked, panting. "Upstairs," said Mama, her eyes were red and swollen. Making my heart pound in my chest even harder. God, please keep her safe. Please. I covered the stairs in haste and swallowed the torturing distance between us. Junior and Papa were right behind me.
My hand wrapped around the door knob. Fear of what might be behind the door strangled me. I took a deep breath and pushed the door open. Two doctors and nurses surrounded the bed. I walked forward and a whimper escaped my mouth. The bedsheets were soaked with blood. She was soaked with blood. "God, tesoro," I started to feel dizzy. "What's wrong with her?" My heart pained me to watch the blood on her forehead. What shocked me even further was the fact that she was unconscious.
"We're taking care of her. Please give us the room Mr. Conti." Said one of the doctors.
I clenched my fists, "Don't tell me what to do in my own damn house. I asked you a fucking question!" I shouted. "We…" he stuttered. "We're losing her! She has lost so much blood! We're losing her!" the other doctor blurted, messing with my already fucked up mind. My breathing ragged and my eyes widened, my feet rooted to the floor. I was breathing so hard it echoed in my ears. "Performing CPR!" I watched them with my blurry vision as they pressed her chest over and over again, until the doctor sighed and stepped away. "I'm sorry, Mr. Conti, she is gone." He said.
"No." I shook my head. "We're truly sorry," said the other doctor, confirming my fear. My heart stopped beating, it's like everything else stopped moving all at once. Then blinding pain surged through my system and without thinking I walked straight to the open window to toss myself on the cliff. I needed to turn off this pain inside my chest. Strong hands grabbed and pulled me back with so much force.
"Bro! What the fuck? Get your shit together man!" "Son, calm the fuck up!" Papa and Junior drugged me away from the window. I shook my head, tears glossing my vision. These people don't understand. "They said she is gone, Papa. How do I live from here? I can't. I'd rather die." Papa grabbed my face to face him while Junior went to shut all of the open windows, "So killing yourself would bring her back?"
I pushed Papa off me and grabbed the doctor by the collar, "Bring her back! Now!" I shouted in his face. "I'm so sorry, I ca—" I punched him on the face, "Shut the fuck up and bring her back to me!" I dragged the doctor to the bed. "Son, stop this madness at once!" Papa shouted.
"Go on, bring her back!" I shoved him, not seeing or hearing anything else past the red lines. "Jesus! She is back!" the nurse blurted. The trembling doctor examined her quickly, "This…this is a miracle." He said. "Take your words back and tell me she is alive because there is no world I would be without her. Do it before I shoot you, doctor." I pulled the gun behind my pants and pointed at him. The other doctor checked her pulse, "She is alive. She is alive Mr. Conti,"
My blurry eyes landed on her moving chest. I exhaled, blinking more tears. It was like I wasn't breathing this whole time. "Oh God," I pressed my temple, letting the tears flow. I watched them closely take care of her. Her eyes were still shut but they told she was alive. My tesoro, the only reason I breathe, was alive.