CHIARA
I was trembling all over and it was Carmelo who helped me with my clothes. My mind was dazed and energy…if this man wasn't holding me this whole time I would've combusted.
We arrived at the gallery. Each step that I took once we stepped out of the elevator felt like I was walking on fire. Wishing that what Chong told me was a lie. That it was just a prank. That God wasn't testing me like this. That fate would pity me for once and let me have this.
I walked inside and my gaze landed on the three of them. Safiya and Chong both sobbing while Yusuf with a long face and messy hair was patting them both, asking them to stop crying. Chong had her buddha idol pressed against his chest. He never lifted that idol from his desk, unless…
"No." I breathed out. It was real. It wasn't a dream. I walked further inside, and my breath got caught, tears blinding my vision. I started to roam around like a mad woman, watching wall after a wall, it was empty. The whole art gallery was empty.
Just plain white walls. Empty.
A bile rose in my throat, my heart pounding in my chest and I started to scream, gripping my hair, "No. Oh God, no." I could feel myself crushing and I didn't want to stop it. I didn't have the energy to.
I was caught before my knees hit the floor. "Shit, tesoro. You're going to hurt yourself." He forcefully peeled my hands from my hair and held them tight between us. He was sitting on the ground with me. My body began to shake as I rocked back and forth on the floor, "He took everything, Melo. He did it again. He did it again!" I threw my hands up. My heart squeezed so much that I found it hard to breathe. It was happening again. It hadn't for a while, and I almost thought it was gone but no. I was such a fool.
"Shh… we'll get them back. We'll get everything back."
"You don't understand!" I snapped. Gripping his shirt so hard I could feel my own nails digging on my palms. "He always takes my things. Always!" I sobbed further at my poor wishful heart. How could I think everything would go right just because this man was able to make me forget about my fucked-up life for the past few weeks? How could I think Antonio would ever let me live in peace in this world? How could I? I was so dumb to think my threat did something to him.
He pulled me in his embrace. "We'll get them back, tesoro. I promise." He patted my back while I sobbed and sobbed until I couldn't feel anything anymore. Tears just kept rolling as I looked around the gallery. Carmelo said he was going to check on something and would return soon.
I shuddered thinking about tomorrow. What was I going to say to the two hundred people I have invited? This was the second time I'd have to cancel the exhibition. What will everyone think of me and my art? Probably a laughingstock. I thought the Father said God was watching over me. Where was God right now? Because I needed him.
I drew my legs to my chest and buried my face in them.