Chapter Two

2.

    They tossed me out of the moving van onto the lavish door step, I rolled grunting in pain. The locket dug into my flesh, that would definitely bruise.

"Where am I?" This looks to be some sort of secluded private land. Surrounded by miles and miles of silva, I dusted my self off straightening my dress. Limping wouldn't get me far my ankle was sprained, would probably take some time to heal.

"Stop!" A goon yelled making his way towards me. I limped faster edging towards the woods, he muttered something into his jacket tackling me to the ground for the second time this horrid night.

I groaned cursing at the man who claimed to be my father for putting me in this mess. He pulled me up roughly by my arm dragging me into the vast building.  A trail of blue black roses led to the mansion.

The jewel encrusted initials AC  glimmered at the very top of the building giving off a posh but eery vibe. We left a trail of mud stains on the polished marble floors, for a second I felt guilty just a quick second. The further we went the less extravagant it got till I was pushed into a dusty room.

Just a plain four poster bed with a bare mattress. A single window at the top of the ceiling, I don't understand how that even works for anyone.

  The door on my left led to an ancient bathroom judging by the looks of things hasn't been used for a very long time, the entire room looked to be sporting a twenties theme.

                ________

   "Boss wants to see you" The goon grunted gesturing towards the gun. I pulled myself up from my seated position wincing in pain, my feet and ankles were still sore but goony was impatient.

He pushed me out the door leading towards the stairs in haste. The hallway was bare only your occasional vase and table, made me wonder who owned this house. AC ?  I chuckled at the irony, he glanced down in disapproval glaring at me.

I glared back at him, not even wanting to be in this position. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for my so called father.

"In" he pushed me towards the large double doors, I hesitated edging backwards away from the doors. What ever was in there I'd rather keep a mystery.

"In" he growled roughly pushing me in. I fell to my knees, both doors shutting behind me.

  The room was dimly lit, A sickeningly smokey cigarette smell wafting through the air, choking me.

"Lei come si chiama?"

    [What is your name?]

A deep voice rumbled through the darkness, I could only make out the silhouette of a man at the far corner of the room. A round wooden table in between barricading the distance between us.

He rose to his feet coming towards me in long strides. I edged backwards shaking with fear. He stepped into the light setting his cynical gaze on my sunken form.

"Chi sei?"

[Who are you?]

He asked cocking his head to the side.

"Toni" I gasped frozen, a whirlwind of emotions and memories struck me with full force.

The years did him justice. He had grown taller,a lot more taller,his torso more defined. His shoulders broadened, I could tell that underneath the crisp clean suit he was built.

He lost his boyish charming,his  defined features gave him a more manly,rugged charm. All in all he still managed to take my breath away.

"Toni" I smiled launching myself into his arms.  I thought I lost him, I thought he was really gone shouldn't he be gone?

He pulled away from me twisting my arm in an odd angle behind my back, he roughly slammed me into the the door behind me. Stunned I stilled, unblinking.

"Toni" I cried out softly hoping he'd come to his senses.

"Don't . Touch. Me" he growled pushing me further into the door.  My arm was hurting as his harsh grip on my arms tightened.

"Who are you?" He asked squeezing my throbbing wrists, I didn't fight or scream. Did he resent me for what happend? Did he blame me for what he lost?

I shut my eyes tightly reminiscing the feeling of his body against mine, I missed him although this wasn't the reunion I'd hoped for but I was still glad to know he was alive and well.

He twisted my arm a little further testing my limits, I whimpered swallowing the lumps lodged deep in my throat.

"Antonio it's me Julia" I rasped out. Hoping he'd finally remember, he only chuckled pulling me backwards by hair before slamming me back again. My head swayed getting dizzier by the minute.

"Mariano ti ha mandato vero?"

      [Mariano sent you didn't he?]

He chuckled pulling away from me, I slumped down next to the doors clutching my head.

"Gio!" He yelled staring at the door in wait. Goony made his way in glancing at me briefly.

They conversed rapidly in their mother tongue, I couldn't make out anything they said but I knew it wasn't good. Toni glared at me a foreign glint of emotion flashing through his eyes. A fresh wave of tears hit me rolling down my cheeks, he inhaled sharply looking away.

Gio turned to face me nodding at Toni. I  hugged my knees anxiously waiting for whatever was next.

He didn't remember me, he gave up on me. It seemed surreal all of it was like a nightmare that I couldn't get out of.

Toni was alive

He was alive,but he wanted nothing to do with me.

Gio made his way towards me pulling me up to my feet. I glanced at Toni wishing he'd finally see it, but he only smirked at me shrugging off his suit jacket.

We made our way down the same stairs but into a different room. A room similar to my father's old basement.

He strapped me into the chair, gagging me with a strip of white clothing. I didn't care anymore there wasn't a point for any of it.

He strode in pulling off his watch and rolling up his sleeves, I gazed up at him in anticipation. What did he have planned?

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