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“Voi! Combattimi. Adesso. (You! Fight me. Now.)” I commanded and he nodded once and followed me inside.
Dangerous Dilemmas
Olivia
Ididn’t sleep a wink last night. Once I returned to the flat, Gigi took one look at my face and sent Viking on his way. I wasn’t sure if I should confide in her about what had happened with the Leones or who Giovanni truly was, because I wasn’t sure if she would be safe knowing it. I told her as little as I could without raising suspicion but also needing to talk to someone. I said some enemy of Giovanni’s told me to give him a message to meet with them and I had no idea why. It was the best my scrambled brain could come up with. I then told her I didn’t feel well and was going to bed. She seemed to buy it as she looked very concerned at how sickly I really did look from the shock.
Giovanni tried calling me when I hadn’t texted him back, which I ignored. Realising that he wouldn’t quit until I responded, I quickly typed out a message.
Home now. Not feeling well, so I'm going to bed. X
He texted back asking what was wrong with me and then tried calling again at 11pm but I couldn’t answer. I couldn’t speak to him. I didn't know how. Who was this man? That was the question I was trying to get my head around the entire night.
I couldn’t stop replaying every conversation, every touch, every moment with him and it made me want to cry. Was it real? It felt real. But how could I be sure when I didn’t even know who I was even sleeping with. He lied to me. I was so open and honest with him about what had happened in my past, which was a big fucking deal for me, and he still didn’t tell me the truth about him. I trusted him, but he didn't trust me. Or he didn't care enough to want me to know. Once the shock had worn off, it was replaced with anger. Anger at them all. Cecilia for hiring me without being honest about what I was getting myself into. Elle. I thought she was my friend. She could have told me at any time who they were or at least dropped some hints, but she didn’t. But mostly I felt deceived by Giovanni. After that weekend, I thought he was someone I could rely on. I thought he was someone I could trust. Was it all a lie just to get me into bed? Is it all a game to him?
But then my brain would take me back to those intimate and tender moments we shared over the last few days, and I knew in my heart it wasn’t. No matter who he was, those moments were real. I think… And so, my mind continued to spiral with chaotic and conflicting feelings, flashbacks, and thoughts.
Once I heard Gigi going to bed, I tiptoed into the living room to grab her iPad. I spent hours researching and googling about the mafia. Obviously, most of it was fictional or from the history of Italian families and there didn’t seem to be any information on current mafia groups or Giovanni. But why would there be? From what I have read, the families are so protected that hardly anything is ever leaked about them. When I read that most mafia families had successful businesses that they used as a front to launder money through, it all made sense. The hotels, restaurants, night clubs. It portrayed the image of a young, successful entrepreneur who had been given a legacy from his uncle’s name. But the truth was so much darker. These weren’t normal people. They didn’t make their money in honest ways. They were criminals. Clever, powerful criminals. And Giovanni was next in line to run it all!
How didn’t I see the signs? Now they were staring me in the face, it was so freakin’ obvious! He had even warned me he was not a good person. That I should fear him. Yet, I didn’t listen. I allowed my desire and sexual attraction for this man to override everything my gut was telling me. To run. And now look at the mess I am in.
As the first rays of a new day started to stream over the brown and beige rooftops of the city, I sat on my bed cross-legged, with the photographs from those Leone men in front of me. I knew I couldn’t go to work today. I couldn’t face any of them yet. Especially not Gio. I needed to get my head together before I could do anything. Pulling out my phone, I texted Cecilia.
Hi Cecilia. I am sorry, but I have a stomach bug and I won’t be able to make it to work today. I will let you know how I feel later. Sorry again. Olivia.
That should buy me some time to get my head straight and come up with a plan. All night I had been going around in circles about what the hell I should do now. I came up with 3 different ideas.
1. Deliver the message to Giovanni, hand in my two weeks’ notice and put an end to whatever this was with him. Pros- get myself out of this mess. Cons- no job, miss those kids, no Giovanni and potentially they might kill me for knowing who they are. Although I doubt they would if I had signed the confidentiality waiver and the thing that Giovanni wanted to tell me today was who he really was.
2. Run. Book a flight to another country and start over again. I had done it once; I could do it again. Pros- never have to see any of them again. Start over. I couldn’t be used against Giovanni in whatever vendetta was going on between the two families. Cons- I would be on the run again. But not just from Henry. If the Leones were serious about coming after me and Giovanni didn’t meet with them, which he might not, they could come for me too. But I am not sure I would be worth the fuss to them. If I was already gone, what would it matter?
3. I go and speak to Giovanni and hear him out. I demand the truth about who he really is and what he does. All of it. Then I make a decision. Could I stay with him knowing what he was capable of? Would I want to? Pros- it might not be as bad as I think. He might still be the person I have just spent all weekend with. I might be able to get over the fact he is a criminal and be happy with him because he does…make me happy. Cons- I will still be used against him by those thugs. My life will always be in danger. Do I want to be part of their world? A world of violence and crime. The very things I have been trying to run from.
I fell back onto my pillows and covered my face with my hands. Whatever way I looked at this, it was a shit show. My work phone vibrated twice.
Two messages appeared.
Sorry to hear that, Olivia. Don’t worry, I will have the kids today. Rest up and feel better soon. Cecilia.
Mamma just said you are feeling unwell? I’m coming over. Do you need anything? G x
I jolted up in bed when I read his message. Coming over? No! Shit. I quickly messaged him back.
No please don’t. I am fine. Just a stomach bug and I really need to rest. I will speak to you later. X
I chewed on my thumb nail, staring at the screen as I saw him read it but not reply. A panicked feeling rippled through my chest. Fear. Was I scared of him now? Or just scared of seeing him and dealing with this? I couldn’t work it out. Suddenly, his caller ID appeared and my heart leapt into my throat. Oh my god, he’s ringing me. If I don’t answer, I know he will come over.
I took a shaky breath and pressed the answer button with trembling hands.
“Hello?”
“Liv? Are you okay?” His deep, low voice was laced with concern and my stomach twisted into knots from the complicated feelings it provoked.
“Y-yeah. I just have a sickness bug. I am sure a bit of sleep and rest is all I need,” I lied, hoping he couldn’t hear the nervousness in my voice. Of course he did.
“You don’t sound okay. Shall I call for a doctor?”
“No. No, really I will be fine.”
