NADIA
As I walked, my regret grew for not taking the car. My feet ached from the heels I wore, so I removed them and continued barefoot, holding my shoes and hugging myself. I bit my lip, frustrated, trying to erase the image of Nicholas on top of me.
Suddenly, a blinding light appeared, growing closer. I heard the sound of a car horn and realized I had almost been killed. Considering everything happening in my life, death wouldn't be so bad.
The driver glared at me angrily, shouting, "Hey, watch where you're going!" before driving off. Another car appeared, and I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw who it was in the driver's seat.
"I left you for one second, and you're already thinking of getting yourself killed?" Nicholas asked, his voice laced with sarcasm.
"Go to hell, Nicholas," I retorted, but he continued driving slowly beside me.
"Are you sure it's safe for me to leave you out here?" he asked.
"Anywhere is safe as long as you're not there," I replied truthfully.
Nicholas smirked. "Too bad for you, I don't follow orders. Especially from a girl."
I scoffed. "Excuse me?"
Nicholas chuckled. "Oh, save it, Evens. Drop the act. I'm not in the mood for your games."
"I just came to ask you for a favor," he said.
"I'm not doing anything for you, and I don't care what you do to me," I spat, looking him straight in the eye.
Nicholas's expression turned serious. "Oh, really? And what if I told you your brother has something to do with it?"
I froze, my eyes locked on his.
"Leave him alone," I warned.
Nicholas chuckled. "Sheesh, don't get so defensive."
"Leave him alone, Nicholas!" I repeated, my voice firm.
Nicholas smirked. "On one condition."
"What?" I asked, my heart racing.
"End things with Elijah and forget about him," Nicholas said, his eyes glinting with amusement.
My heart dropped. "The choice is yours, Red," Nicholas mocked.
□□□
Tears began to fill my eyes. It was like everything was turning out for the worse and I didn't know what to do. I didn't know who to trust or who to even listen to so I ended up at the one place I always went to- the pizza shop.
I walked slowly towards the pizza shop, my eyes brimming with tears that I would never allow to fall. The same pizza shop where I had first met Giovanni. As I pushed open the door, Giovanni's concerned voice greeted me.
"Hey, are you alright?" he asked, rushing over to me.
I tried to compose myself. Giovanni guided me to a seat.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to bother you. You're working..."
Giovanni waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it. I can take a break. What's going on? You can tell me."
I hesitated, feeling overwhelmed. "It's just... everything. It's all too much. I don't even know where to start."
Giovanni's expression softened. "You don't have to explain anything. Just know that I'm here for you."
As I looked down, Giovanni noticed the bruises on my wrist. His eyes narrowed.
"What happened to you?" he asked gently.
I didn't answer. Instead, I looked outside, my thoughts wandering. I asked to use the restroom, and Giovanni nodded.
In the restroom, I finally allowed myself to break down. I remembered the knife I had used to defend myself against Nicholas, still clutched in my hand. I rinsed it off, washing my hands and face in the sink. As I looked at my reflection, everything seemed to wash over me – the pain, the fear, the exhaustion.
When I returned to the main area, Giovanni handed mr a warm cup of coffee and a milkshake.
"I thought you might like it," he said with a gentle smile.
I managed a weak smile, feeling a tiny spark of gratitude. As I looked at my phone, I saw the missed calls from my brother and mom, asking where I was. And then I saw Elijah's name but then my phone died shortly after.
Giovanni noticed my gaze. "Is it him? Is he the one who did this to you?"
I shook my head quickly. "No, it's not him."
Giovanni's eyes narrowed. "You don't have to deny it. If he's hurting you, I can tell my uncle. He's a cop, and he can help you."
I hesitated, feeling a surge of fear for Elijah. I didn't want him to suffer because of me. "No, it's not him. I just... I need to make a call."
Giovanni nodded and handed me the shop's phone. I dialed Elijah's number, trying to remember which numbers went where. When he answered, I felt a wave of relief wash over me.
"Elijah, I need you," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
"What's wrong Nadia. What's happening?" But I didn't respond, I couldn't find it in me to tell him. "Where are you?"
"At.. at the pizza shop we hung out in once,"
"I'll be there in a few minutes," Elijah replied, his voice firm and reassuring.
As I hung up the phone, Giovanni watched me with concern.
"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked. I nodded, feeling a tiny sense of hope. "I'll be fine. Thank you, Giovanni."
Giovanni smiled softly. "Anytime, Nadia."
□□□
I waited anxiously by the window, my eyes scanning the street for Elijah's arrival. I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had settled in my stomach. As I gazed out the window, I noticed a car pull up, and my heart skipped a beat as Elijah stepped out.
I watched as he scanned the area, his eyes searching for me. When our gazes met, he rushed towards me, a look of worry etched on his face.
"Nadia, what's wrong?" Elijah asked, his voice laced with concern as he reached my side. "Have you been crying?"
"Elijah, I'm fine."
"Nadia that's not what I asked. I can see for myself that you're not, don't lie to me,"
His eyes lingered on mine as if he was searching for something- anything. But I couldn't tell him the truth - not yet at least.
As we hugged, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. But I knew this moment was fleeting. I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was losing something precious, something that had barely begun.
The weight of their families' animosity, Nicholas's menacing presence – it all seemed insurmountable. Even if Nicholas wasn't in the picture, their families would never approve of their relationship.
As we both pulled away from the hug, Elijah asked me what had happened. I
hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "Things at home.. are really, really bad and I'm just very overwhelmed. I just needed to see you," I said, settling for a half-truth.
Elijah's eyes narrowed, but he didn't press me further. Instead, he wrapped his arms around me, holding me close.
As the night drew to a close, I leaned against Elijah's chest, my fingers playing with the ring on my right hand. I felt a pang of sadness, knowing that this moment might be one of our last.
As we left the pizza shop, Giovanni caught my eye, his expression soft with concern. "If you need anything, Nadia, don't hesitate to call me," he said, his voice low and sincere.
I smiled weakly, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Giovanni.
As I stood outside the pizza shop, Elijah's concerned expression pierced through my resolve. But I steeled myself, remembering Nicholas's ominous words. "The choice is yours..."
I took a deep breath and pushed Elijah away, my words cutting through the air. "There's something else I need to tell you," Elijah looked at me, his hands caressing my cheeks.
"I don't think I can do this anymore, Elijah. I have a lot on my plate, and the last thing I need is to have a relationship on it as well. It's like extra baggage."
Elijah's eyes narrowed, hurt flickering across his face. "Baggage? Nadia, what are you talking about?"
My words spilled out, each one designed to push Elijah further away. "You're just a distraction, Elijah. A distraction from all the crap I'm dealing with. And honestly, I don't need someone like you in my life. You're just going to hold me back."
"What?"
"It's just as I said Elijah."
"Well I don't believe you,"
"That's not my problem,"
Elijah's face fell, his eyes searching mine for any sign of the girl he thought he knew. But my expression remained resolute, my heart heavy with the weight of my words.
As I turned to leave, Giovanni appeared beside me, his expression sympathetic. "Hey, Nadia, don't forget your phone," he said, handing it back to mr.
He scribbled his number on a piece of paper and tucked it into my phone case. "Call me whenever you need anything, okay?"
Nadia nodded, a small smile on my lips. "Thanks, Giovanni."
As I walked away from the pizza shop, I could feel his eyes on me but I never looked back. Because I was afraid if I did, I'd end up risking it all.