AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“This is not about money, ok?” His head goes down, and thank God, because I could not stand another second of those eyes staring at me with no soul in them. He runs a hand over his buzz cut and water sprinkles all around him. “I’m sorry I said that—I was… I was happy to do all that, to do those things with you, Olivia, but after all of it, instead of being a little thankful, you turn around and accuse me of lying.”
I look at him, aghast.
Oh, he was happy to do all that, was he? Like rendering a service. Happy? Should I rate him now on an app or something?
“Why are you trying to pick a fight with me right now?” I ask, my teeth beginning to chatter again. The cold settles back into my stomach.
He grabs his head, and his arm muscles bulge, roped with veins.
“I’ve had enough of this, ok?” he says in this quiet, resigned voice. “I thought we… I thought… But fine. Whatever. But if you don’t want a bodyguard, then congratulations, you no longer have one.”
He walks to the door, opens it, and leaves.
Just like that. Soaking wet.
The door closes softly behind him, and I don’t believe it at first. I wait for him to come back and scream at me some more, or to say that he forgot the keys to his bike, or to just sit there quietly, full of hatred, while at the same time doing his job—keeping an eye on me.
But none of these things happen. He goes out and stays out.
I look around: the cabin is lit by the romantic, yellow lamplight that casts shadows on the wooden beams of the slanted ceiling. It’s empty.
Utter silence envelopes me.
/Marco/
[audio transcript]
I’m sorry I’m crying, mom. I promise you, I lived a good life. Well, up until now. I’m sorry for all the things I’ve done.
I’m sorry I left her alone in that cabin. I’m sorry I told her she wasn’t thankful enough, I’m sorry I hurt her. I’m sorry I left her behind. I’m glad I did it, but I’m sorry.
I did it on purpose, of course.
The least I can do is die away from her, is what I’m thinking, right? At least I should die by myself.
I didn’t use to run away, like I’m doing now.
And I never pick fights, especially not with girls. Not with girls I lo—
Well, I had better not finish that word.
But it’s true. I don’t know whether I should ask you to tell her after I’m gone. Ha! Listen to me, asking you to tell her things, as if you would ever be allowed within a mile of the Crown Princess Olivia of Asteria, after the truth about your son comes to light.
I picked a fight with her on purpose just now, mom. It broke me to hurt her, but I did it. She was… She looked so hurt, so destroyed. I wanted her to believe I was mad at her, to stay away from me. I didn’t know what else to do. Someone is trying to kill me, and I need to draw them away from her. I can’t have her be caught in the middle of my mess, like she was this evening. Besides, if I leave, she won’t need protection anymore.
I know I left her alone back there, but the truth is that the person who is hired to kill her will leave her alone as soon as I do.
I’m sorry I’m crying.
What else was I supposed to do? Even dying didn’t drive her away. She had to jump into the freezing water and save my sorry ass. She nearly died herself trying to save my life, mom. She did save my life. She is not the reason I’m dead, do you hear? Never think that.
She is the reason I’m alive.
The reason I’m going to die… It’s not her.
It’s not me, either. I might as well tell you the reason I’m about to die. I might as well tell you the reason for all of this, the reason I’m hired, so that you don’t wonder:
It’s Hector.
