Page 8 of The Diávolos: Part One
I take a good look at my best friend, who I haven't seen in four years, and I begin to wonder how I could have let so much time go by without having him by my side. The exhaustion, mixed with the guilt, makes my knees feel weak, and my gaze falls to the floor.
Gianis stalks over to me. When he reaches me, I wrap my arms around his waist, and let my body melt into his. I squeeze him hard, my sobs escaping me like a waterfall.
“Angie,” he says softly, as he pulls back to look over me for any injuries. We hug again and he whispers, “Let’s go home.”
“I missed you,” I say into his shirt. He kisses the top of my head and replies, “Me too, Angie. Me too.”
If it wasn’t for Hendrick clearing his throat to interrupt us, I don’t know how long we would’ve stayed in an embrace. Gianis unhooks my arms from around his waist and asks me to wait outside as he walks up to Hendrick. Before stepping out of the office, I glance back and see him whisper something to my captor. I don’t know what’s being exchanged, but they nod at each other before he joins me in the hallway. Usually, I’d pry for information, but I’m just relieved to be free and can’t wait to get the hell out of here.
* * *
Gianisand I make our way out of the building as I shake and cry inconsolably. All the bottled-up emotions I’ve been keeping at bay burst out as the adrenaline seeps out of my body. I can’t believe he’s here.
He came for me.
He gently places me into the passenger seat of his car, laying a sweater on top of me.I thank him and use the sleeve to wipe my tears. He starts the car, but doesn’t move, and turns to me.
“Ang, I’m sorry this happened to you. You should’ve never been involved,” he says as he drags his hand through his hair. “When your father received the call from that piece of shit, I left right away.” He lets out a huge breath and continues, “I wouldn’t have let anything happen to you.” He’s rambling now. “I would’ve killed them if they hurt you, Angie. I’m—”
I cut him off mid-sentence. “I know, G. I don’t know what I did to deserve a friend like you. Thank you for coming for me,” I say.
He winces at the word friend but smooths out his expression quickly and gives me a soft smile.
We drive back to my apartment, but I stop when I get to the front door. The memories from last night come rushing through my mind, and I have to close my eyes to steady my breathing. Gianis stops right behind me and caresses both of my arms.
“It’s going to be okay, Ang. I’m right here. No one is going to hurt you now,” he promises, and I believe him. He takes my hand and walks in first, leading me. He swears as he notices my coffee table displaced and pillows on the floor. A piece of cloth is sitting next to one of the cushions and he picks it up. “Malákes,” he swears. “They fucking drugged you.”
I stand next to him as tears threaten to fall down my face again. A few hours ago, I was in this room, fighting for my life. The scene is triggering my anxiety and I have to walk away. My legs wobble and Gianis grabs me before I fall. He lifts me up in both arms, my weight barely affecting him, and carries me to the bedroom. When my butt touches the mattress, I cover my face with my hands, embarrassed by my reaction. Gianis has always known about my anxiety troubles. He even knows about my self-harm habit. But I've never broken down like this in front of him. He kneels in front of me as he pries my fingers off my eyes and interlaces our hands.
“Angelica, you have to come back to Cebrene with me. I can’t leave you here unprotected.”
I was expecting this. I know that it’s no longer safe for me here, especially after what Hendrick said. But leaving the life I’ve built here—mylife—and my friends, is the last thing I want to do. As much as I miss Aria and Gianis, I don’t want to go back to Cebrene and face my father.
Although, a small part of me wants to find out the truth. Why my parents’ relationship failed, why my mother died, what happened to me to trigger such unpleasantly familiar feelings during my kidnapping, and what business my father is trying to bring to Antium City.
“I know,” I reply hopelessly, not able to say anything else. I’m completely defeated.
I pull out a suitcase and a few bags from my closet and start packing enough clothes to last me until I’m able to get a truck here to move all my things. I keep my face turned away from Gianis so he doesn’t notice the tears rolling down my cheeks. My heart wants to believe this is temporary, that I’ll be able to come back, but I know better. This is the end of my life here.
Gianis hears me sniffle and grabs my arm.
“Hey,hey,” he says softly. “Don’t cry, Giegie. I know this isn’t ideal, and I don’t expect you to be thrilled about it, but at least you’ll have Aria. You’ll have me. And I’ll haveyou. I’d be a liar if I didn’t admit it makes me happy.”
The dam of tears finally bursts, and I cry. Gianis lifts my cocooned body and sits on the edge of the bed, perching me on his lap, and I cry some more as the emotions of the day flood out of me. He doesn’t let go, holding me tight until I’m drained.
After a couple of hours, Gianis loads up his car, and I take a final look at my building before hopping in. He pulls out my phone from his back pocket, and hands it back to me. “Hendrick gave it to me before I was allowed into the office.”
I nod and turn it on. A stream of notifications pop up on the screen from the girls and Danny. I debate sending a text back, buthow am I supposed to explain this disappearing act to them?
They have no idea what I come from.
I open the group chat and type a message, ignoring all the unread ones since last night.
Me:I have a family emergency back in Cebrene and will be staying there for a little while. I’ll explain soon. I had fun last night. I’m hungover as shit! Love you xx
I immediately turnoff my phone, knowing I’ll receive an influx of messages and calls I’m not mentally capable of dealing with right now. I rest my head back on the seat and close my eyes.
Gianis drives off, and we start our journey back home.Home.
