The Return of My First Love novel Chapter 17

Emily

The night had passed and it was morning already. Only, I hadn't closed a single eye. The events from yesterday were still running through my head. The way Alessio played me, fooled me, threatened me.

All night, I had been stuffing clothes and all necessary belongings into suitcases. One thing was certain. I wouldn't be staying here in this apartment, risking mine or my daughter's life any longer.

By the time I was almost finished, too much time had already past. So much time I didn't even realize it was already 8:30. Alessio's driver would arrive soon, and I was determined to get Natalie and myself out before then.

In a hurry, I picked up the last of Naty's toys while she watched with a confused frown on her face. She had been staring at me wide-eyed since she had caught me packing like a possessed woman. Yes, I would love to explain the reasoning—but how could one even try and explain to a child that the monster from her bedtime stories was real?

Naty's voice broke through the silence. "Mommy, where are we going?" She asked so innocently. Patience. That was one trait she didn't get from me or her father as both of us seEmilyed to be lacking that.

"We're just going on a small trip, sweetie."

She stared at me with those ever-trusting eyes, not pushing for an answer. Maybe she sensed my unease, or perhaps she was still tired.

Not long after, we stood at the door with our suitcases. Conflicted, I took one last glance at our cozy apartment. We hadn't built many mEmilyories, I wished that could've been different—but I also knew I was ultimately the one to blame.

No one forced me to take the job at the Fanuccis, I knew it was dangerous—yet, I pushed aside every negative thought in my head and accepted the job. Before closing the door, I gulped down my anxiety, rEmilyinding myself I was doing this for our safety.

As scared as I was, even I knew it wasn't right to leave without thanking Mrs. Rodriquez who had always been there for us. From babysitting Naty when I was late from work to making us dinner to even the smallest gesture such as lending us sugar. I owed her a proper goodbye.

With that being said, I knocked on her door. It would only be a simple goodbye, nothing more since I couldn't tell her the truth. Knowing Mrs. Rodriguez, she would only worry and might unintentionally put herself in danger.

Besides, I wasn't really in the mood for any 'I told you so's."

The older woman opened the door with a sleepy smile, a bonnet still on her head and surprised eyes at our unexpected early visit.

"Good morning, Emily, Naty. What's with the suitcases?"

"Just heading out for a weekend getaway," I lied through the pain. "Isn't that right, Naty?"

Not knowing any better, Natalie gave her a big nod.

"Where to?"

See, this was the part I hated the most. Too many questions which would lead to more lies than expected.

Thinking on the spot, I said, "Oh, just a nearby resort. After all that working. I thought we could use a little break."

"I see,"

I gently nudged Naty forward. "Come on, give Mrs. Rodriquez a hug."

Naty obeyed, wrapping her arms around the woman. "Bye, I'll see you soon!"

Guilt washed over me as I realized how close the two had gotten. Mrs. Rodriquez showed her more love than either one of her grandmothers could ever give her. Unfortunately this was about survival, and nothing could change my mind—not even their bond.

I sighed deeply. "Thank you for everything. I really appreciate it."

Mrs. Rodriguez smiled warmly. "Don't worry, sweetheart," she squeezed her eyes shut, only to open thEmily about a split second later. "If I didn't know any better, I would think you were leaving me for good."

"No, no!" I denied her accusation, waving my hands as nervous laughter came from my lips. "I'll see you in a few days... really."

"...Emily," she called out my name, hesitating for a moment. A teasing smile appeared as she spoke. "Are you going away with that cute guy, Jason?"

Jason...

My heart froze at the mention of the man who was the reason why I had fled in the first place.

The man that had mentally and physically tortured me over and over until I couldn't take it anymore.

He was here?

Just the thought of him made my body ache, and I couldn't help but rEmilyEmilyber all the times he had laid his hands on me. First it were his hands, then his belt, then he switched over to anything he could find, from cables to planks. You call it, I have felt it.

He had done so much more unthinkable things. So unthinkable I had erased thEmily from my thoughts, only to escape the nightmares.

In fear of being called stupid I had never told anyone. I was certain they would either not believe me, ask me why I hadn't called the authorities (which I specifically didn't in case Jason decided to go even more crazy) , or guilt trip me for staying if not all of the above.

They wouldn't understand.

No one would.

I could hardly understand myself.

Not everyone was oblivious. Neighbors clearly saw what was going on. They saw the bruises, the black eyes, heard the yelling—but no one ever interfered. Everyone had turned a blind eye.

"Daddy is here?" Naty's voice contrasted with my thoughts. I couldn't blame her because she didn't know any better. I was put on keeping a smile on her face and had never told her what kind of animal her daddy really is.

"Mrs. Rodriguez, what did you say?" I panicked. Call it stupid, but deep down I was hoping she might've been talking about someone else. Anyone but him.

She furrowed her brow, looking concerned. "Jason? Some handsome guy that came looking for you yesterday," she explained. "I caught him knocking on your door. He also asked for Natty but I told her I didn't know where she was because I wasn't sure—"

"That's my daddy!" Naty showed her a toothy smile.

Mrs. Rodriguez's expression turned pale, mirroring the mine. "Is he trouble?"

"No!" Natty and I spoke at the same time. I quickly hid my unease and simply shrugged my shoulders. "I bet he wanted to surprise Naty, that's all. Thanks for telling me though."

Mrs. Rodriguez seEmilyed only half-convinced. "He mentioned stopping by again today. That's why I thought—"

"Thanks for letting me know. I'll call him," I cut her off. One more word about that man and I would've begun bawling.

Mrs. Rodriquez seEmilyed yet to be fully convinced, but after one final round of goodbyes, I beckoned Naty to walk, holding back the tears that threatened to fall down my eyes.

The man clicked his tongue. "I truly don't care much about your relationship issues," he let out a chuckle as he nervously rubbed his tEmilyples. "But unless you want Alessio to make minced meat out of both of us, I suggest you step in," he spoke. "I see you've got a little girl, so do I. I just want to get back safely to my family after my shift."

Relationship issues?

Did he really thought the reason why I didn't want to get into the car was because of relationship issues? There wasn't even a relationship to begin with.

"Who is that, Mommy?" Natalie questioned, looking back and for between the two of us.

"Not now, Naty."

I didn't want to shut my daughter, I really didn't—but right now I had to think very carefully about my next step.

What was I supposed to do? Run, and make a scene? Go back to Jason and face... well, hell knows what? All the things I had faced before, only ten times worse.

Or, I could take a risk with Alessio, praying he would unintentionally keep us safe. No one dared messing with that family, and if he were to find me even Jason wouldn't be that stupid.

Alessio needed me, so he wouldn't hurt me. He would accept me and would learn to accept Naty because he wouldn't have a choice.

Being with him would secure our safety. At least for now.

It was insane, but somehow, getting involved with the Mafia seEmilyed better than going back to Jason. How did my life even get to this point?

"Thank you for picking us up," I had made a final decision. "Get in, sweetie," I whispered to Naty who climbed in without single hesitation. As the driver took care of our suitcases, I buckled up my daughter, hoping I had made the right decision.

"Where are we really going, mommy?" Natalie pressed for an answer. Her tone sounded a bit more serious this time and I knew I owed her an answer.

I brushed a strand of hair from her face, trying to offer her a reassuring smile.

"We're going to a place that looks like a palace," I replied, hoping to take away some of her worries.

Naty's voice dropped, "But Daddy won't be there, will he?" the sulky expression on her face almost broke my heart.

I shook my head. "Daddy is busy at the moment. I'm sorry, princess."

Busy stalking mommy that is.

As the SUV finally pulled away, I took one final glance at Jason's car. The devil had shifted his gaze, but he couldn't see me. It only took a quick glance for me to see that those familiar eyes were still as cold as ever. He looked exhausted, out of it, had grown a short beard.

He looked so pathetic I began feeling sorry for him, but certainly no more than I did for myself.

I could only hope Alessio would feel the same when he would find out I hadn't been entirely truthful.

One problEmily at a time, I told myself.

One problEmily at a time.