Everything was thrown into the bag haphazardly, not folded neatly like usual.
That didn’t seem important right now.
I grabbed my toiletries from the bathroom, throwing away all the things I didn’t need so he wouldn’t have to look at it. All my makeup and accessories were shoved into a plastic bag and placed on top of the clothes. Once everything was crammed inside, it was nearly impossible to zip the bag shut.
I stood in the bedroom with the suitcase by my side, dreading what would happen next. I didn’t want to walk out there, especially when I knew he would be waiting for me. He must have anticipated this based on my behavior last night. It was obvious I was saying goodbye, enjoying him for the last few hours that he was mine.
I steadied my tears because it would hurt more to cry. It would hurt him and myself. The break wouldn’t be clean and easy, but it was best to do it as quickly as possible. I ran my fingers through my hair before I grabbed the handle of the bag and moved down the hallway, the rolling suitcase loud against the floor. It announced my presence for me, told him I was bringing all my stuff along for the ride.
Bosco was sitting on the couch, in his usual sweatpants. It didn’t smell like breakfast, so he obviously hadn’t made anything. With the TV off and the silence surrounding him, he’d been sitting there waiting for me.
He knew.
I stopped in front of the elevator and waited for him to acknowledge me.
He stared at the ground with his head tilted to the floor, refusing to look at me.
I didn’t want to say goodbye. I didn’t want to say anything at all. It was so painful that neither one of us could deal with it.
Bosco finally rose to his feet and walked toward me. He didn’t make eye contact until he was right in front of me, until he was ready to meet my gaze. He gave me a brave stare, doing his best to hide the grief deep in his eyes.
I stared back, my eyes watering.
He didn’t say anything. He didn’t try to convince me to stay or ask why I was leaving.
The silence passed until a few minutes came and went.
I knew if I opened my mouth, no words would come out. I would just cry instead. So I said nothing, knowing there were no words I could say to make this easier anyway. I wanted to explain that I had to leave, regardless of how much I loved him. But none of that would make a difference in the long run. It would still be painful no matter what I did.
He cupped both of my cheeks and gave me a soft kiss on the mouth. It wasn’t packed with fire, lust, and love. It was filled with pain, a gentle kiss that was forced. It was like he didn’t want to kiss me at all because it only reminded him that it was the last kiss we would ever share.
When he pulled away, he hit the button to the elevator and typed in the code.
The doors opened.
He didn’t look at me as he waited for me to walk inside.
I grabbed my suitcase and stepped through the doors, my heart pounding because I knew this was it.
He grabbed the door to make sure it wouldn’t close. “My men are going to take you somewhere first. Your car has already been returned to your apartment.” He pulled his hand away, and the doors began to shut immediately. He turned around so he wouldn’t have to look at me again, and the last thing I saw was his chiseled back as he walked away.
I descended to the bottom of the building, unsure where his men were taking me and why. Bosco gave me no explanation, and he obviously didn’t want to participate in whatever it was.
I really had no clue.
When I stepped into the lobby, his men took my suitcase and purse and placed them in the black car. I was ushered into the back seat before the car was pulled onto the road. When I was in the presence of his men, I kept a stoic expression and hid my emotions deep inside my chest. I didn’t want to sob in the back seat, professing my heartbreak to these men who were practically strangers. I didn’t even know their names.
The car headed to the west in the opposite direction of my apartment. Then it left the city altogether, heading into the countryside of Tuscany. It was a cloudless day and the sun was bright, but there was still a distinct chill in the air. The storm had made everything beautiful and green.
This was the exact road I took to my parents’ house.