Finding Beauty in the Darkness

“I can give you whatever you want, Aria!”

“Except you.” It isn’t a question.

“Except me,” he confirms.

“I want to work here.”

“Fuck no! That’s off the table, so get it out of your head.”

He pulls his sweatpants up his legs, throws on his shirt, and leaves the room, slamming the door behind him. I’m so livid, my hands are shaking. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a panic attack, but I can feel one coming on. I grab my prescription and swallow a pill. Then I get dressed, needing to get the hell out of here.

I grab my new cell phone Gio bought me the other day and jog down the steps. The place is ghostly quiet and nobody stops me. I keep going out the front door and make my way to the side of the house, to the garage. One of the doors is open and I spot a box hanging on the wall full of keys. I grab a set and click the remote. A beautiful sporty-looking car beeps and I go to it. The car is keyless, so I hold down the brake and press the button to start the car. Looking around the vehicle, I find the garage clicker and press it. The door slides up and I back out, as my phone vibrates in the cup holder.

I exit down the driveway and through the gate, shocked I haven’t been stopped yet. Once I hit the open road, I press down on the gas pedal, leaving everything behind me. I have no idea where I’m going, but I don’t care. I just drive, turning at random stops, with the music blaring through the speakers. For the first time in a long time, I feel free. Putting the windows down, I enjoy the fresh air, the wind whipping around my hair.

As I drive, lost in the music and beautiful night, I think about everything that’s happened. My life before getting kidnapped. How naïve I was. All the signs were there. I was just too trusting to put it all together. Weston’s temper, my mom’s willingness to obey his every command. How happy she was when I asked to stay in the dorms even though we didn’t live far from the school campus.

My mind goes to my relationship with Antonio. It could just be me overthinking things because of the situations as of late, but looking back, I can remember his cryptic text messages and phone calls. I never knew where he lived, never met his family. Sure, we weren’t serious. Most college students aren’t. But we hung out quite a bit and the sex was decent, I think. But I must be missing something for him to think I left willingly…unless maybe he was working for Weston. I shake those thoughts out of my head. It’s all not adding up.

My thoughts move to Gio. Him saving me and bringing me to his house. My life has changed so much. I’ve been forced to grow up and now I see things in a whole new light. My priorities have changed. I feel all over the place like I’m lost in the dark, my mind and heart running around and bumping up against the walls, trying to find their way.

I go back to Gio. The way he laughs when it’s just the two of us but is so serious around everyone else. I find myself smiling when I picture him lying in bed, laughing to whatever television show I’m forcing him to watch. Our relationship is different than the one I had with Antonio. It’s comfortable and natural. He says he can’t give me , but doesn’t he realize he already has? He’s already let me in.

I have no idea how long I’ve been driving or where I’m at, but when blue and red sirens show in my rearview mirror, I have a sinking feeling my freedom is quickly coming to an end. In more ways than one.

Chapter Fifteen

GIOVANNI

I storm out of the room, pissed. Pissed at Aria for wanting me. Pissed at myself for wanting her. Pissed at the world, knowing we could never work. Even more pissed at Cecilia for putting it in Aria’s head that she should work here. I slam my office door behind me and slouch into my chair. I stare at the computer screen for several minutes, not focusing on anything, when there’s a knock on my door.

“I’m busy!” I growl. The door opens and Johnny walks in. “I said I’m fucking busy.”

“Too busy to hear that Aria has been pulled over by the police?” Did I just hear him correctly?

“What the fuck did you just say?” I’m already grabbing my wallet and cell phone and heading out the door.

“They pulled her over for speeding.”

I turn around when I hear a hint of laughter in his voice. “And why is this funny?”