I slowly opened my door, checking to see if Christiano was still asleep in my bed. He wasn't, luckily. I needed a plan, I needed to make sure Sam couldn't be trusted, before Christiano found out and blew his head off regardless."you look deep in thought" Carly appeared behind me, closing the door.I sat down on the window seat, pulling my knees close to me. "Do you ever hear something and like... have no clue what to do with the information?" she gave me a puzzled expression "what have you heard?" she sat down next to me, crossing her legs and turning to face me."I... I don't really know if I'm honest. I wish I spoke Russian" "Did the men at the club say something to you?" her brown eyes dropped sadly"no... no" she perked up slightly "I... heard someone out at the bottom of the gardens... they were talking to someone on the other side of the gate... in Russian. It was suspicious and I just...I don't know what to do" I buried my face in my knees"who was it?" she asked, pushing he
Christiano~~~~~~~~I was sat in my office, Angelo sat across from me, a glass of scotch in his hand. "How is the deal going with the Americans?" I asked, picking up the smoking cigarette off the ash tray. "they want the full shipment by-" he was cut off as Carly entered the room, a disorientated look on her face."Sorry to interrupt" an awkward smile tugged at her lips."take a seat Carly" I pointed to the other seat next to Angelo. She sat down awkwardly, pushing her blonde hair behind her shoulders. In all of the years I had never seen Carly so awkward, she was always so joyful... but right now she looked as though she had seen a ghost. "What can I help you with?" I stubbed the cigarette out, before leaning forward on the desk."well.... Urm... me and the girls.... well we... ya know..." I knew she was lying to me. When Carly lied her nose twitched slightly and her eyes open fully."no i dont know..." Angelo replied for me, taking a sip of his drink."ok great..." she chirped.
The next dayChristiano~~~~~~~~"What's our plan boss?" Joey shouted above the crowed. I had gathered all of my men in the courtyard, we needed some sort of plan to get her back... but in all honesty I didn't know where she was. Sam had taken her yes, but why? I had no clue where he would take her, or who he was..."We need to gather all the intel we can. Did anyone see anything suspicious? was anyone around when he drove off?" They all stayed silent, their faces slightly awkward."When I ask a question! I expect an answer!" the rage was bubbling up inside of me, I don't like it when my things get stolen. And I especially detest it when people I care about go missing!"I.. I've heard him speaking some foreign language on the phone boss" Mario, Sam's old next door neighbour chirped up over the crowed."what did it sound like?" I asked"was it like это" Angelo added "yes! it sounded just like that!" Mario replied"So he's a Russian then" Angelo gave me a sympathetic look "Mario are y
It had been a week... a week since Sam took me. I had hoped Christiano would have come and taken me away by now... But now I'd lost all hope, I didn't care anymore, there wasn't any point of living anymore. Sam would bring me food, but I wouldn't touch it and I hadn't eaten in days. I spent every hour in the corner of the room, my knees pulled closely to my chest. "You've got to eat V." Sam pushed the tray closer towards me, but I kicked it back with my foot. "Please?" he pushed it back, crouching down next to me. Again I kicked it away, this time knocking over the glass of water in the process. "I don't want to eat. you can't force me to eat." "I need you alive for this all to work!" he grabbed the bread roll of the tray holding it up to my mouth "you mean nothing to me dead.""Tough. I'm sorry I'm not cooperating with your stupid little plans" His eyes seared into me, before his hand roughly grabbed my jaw. "есть женщина" "Sam your hurting me!" he squeezed my cheeks harshly, fo
The next day I was able to leave. I was fine to walk but Christiano insisted on wheeling me to his room in a wheel chair. Everyone smiled at me sympathetically, I felt like an idiot. His room was as I expected it, it was strangely nuetral for him, I expected black.. I stationed myself on his sofa, the TV displaying reruns of friends. Someone would come and check on me every 20 minutes, often bringing food... or flowers... they do know who I am right? I am noone? I quietly watched the sun set over the garden, expecting Christiano to return soon. Right on time the door opened. Behind Christiano was a maid, holding a large silver tray. She placed it on the side table before leaving quietly. Christiano went straight to the bathroom, and stayed there for a while, before the shower turned on. I stood, stalking across to the food. A greasy cheesy toasty sat there oozing... oh my god. By the time he emerged from the bathroom the sandwich was long gone, and I'd relocated to the bed. A smil
Eventually I found the dressing area, considering it was the first day the room was a mess... Carly sat perched on a stool, covering her eye lids in strong silver glitter. Her face lit up as she saw me, ushering me over quickly. "you slept with him?" she screeched. "shhhh" I hushed "noone can know... and besides... it wasn't that kind of sleeping... we literally slept...""he never let's anyone sleep in his room... a girl tried to do it once and he got his men to carry the bed out and he slept on the couch." we both laughed. "You've broken the big bad wolf" "he's not that bad...he's actually really sweet" I didn't even believe myself... ---That night the club was packed. Every seat was taken and men crowded around the stages, hands full of dollars. Christiano's new office has a large one way window overlooking the club. I sat on a chair with his phone next to me. 'the phones going to busy he said... needs answering he said' not one call. I quite liked it up here... I could see t
It had been a long night. Due to not being allowed to work, I spent most of the time helping the other girls get ready. Makeup was never my strong suit, but at least I was busy. The buzzing off the club drifted through the doors, I could feel the excitement of it. Part of me missed performing... What started off as a way to make money became an empowering feminist move on my part. Knowing I could make them feel something, but none would get to touch me... not unless I wanted them to, of course...It was probably around 1am, when I was done for the night. All of the girls were already out there, and the only people using the room was for the odd lip gloss swish or perfume spray. I'd found comfort in the corner, being able to read in what surprisingly was a productive environment for me. "Earth to V" Carly snapped me out of my daze, waving her hands in my face "I'm done for the night" she spoke as she pulled a robe over her body. Throwing her hair up into a clip, she began taking her t
My room was my safe space. I locked the heavy door behind me, before sliding down it. Why was I so upset? I didn't actually like him did I? "Vanessa open the door" Carly said, knocking lightly "let me in, we can talk about it" "I...im not ready to.. I just... need to be alone... can we talk in the morning?" "okay" she said in protest. "I'm right next door if you need me" --When I woke up the next morning I had a plan. Screw him. I was going back to work whether he liked it or not. "are you sure about this? he's gonna be pretty mad.." Carly asked as we walked into the wardrobe ladies room. "yep. he doesn't own me..." I trailed off "well he does but I was hired to dance... so that's what I'll do.." "Vanessa I didn't expect to see you again... Boss said you were done..." Isobel appeared from behind the wracks of clothing. She was an ex dancer turned seamstress, and boy was she good at it. "well I changed my mind. I'm back in. I want something new. Green maybe" I spoke, my eyes la
Today was it. The day I get to rewrite my own love story. In a strange way I feel lucky, loosing my memories meant I get to relive them all over again... I get to fall in love again.. I get to marry him again. Not alot of people can say they've done that! I studied myself in the mirror, smoothing down the skirt of my dress. Carly messed my hair, placing jewelled clips into the braided parts before placing the veil. She stepped back, a loving look on her face. "omg V... you look amazing..." "You look amazing" I replied, walking over to her side. She was dresses in a lavender dress, her blonde hair held in a high ponytail. "Now" she began, "Are you ready?" She asked, smiling at me expectantly"Yeah... I'm ready" I replied, before heading towards the door. ----"Where are we going?" I asked Carly, worried about how long we'd been in the car. "It's a suprise!" She said excitedly."Carly I don't do well with suprises!" I said, getting nervous. "Don't worry, you'll love it" she said,
That morning I'd woke up alone, Christiano had gone to work and I was in charge of the children. Luca was easy, he just needed a fully tummy and a cosy spot and he'd sit happily, snoozing occasionally... Rosie was the opposite, she was a cheeky soul who was up for challenging me at all times. She wanted to choose what she wore, her ideal outfit was a yellow dress with purple tights and orange boots. Clearly she got her fashion sense from somewhere else. Mid morning, Luca had gone down for a nap, his face content as he dosed in his moses basket. Rosie was playing with some play dough, creating a plate for her lunch."What do you want for lunch mummy?" she asked, rolling green dough to peas. "I'll have a burger please chef!" I laughed, before flicking through the photo album. My wedding... Christiano had told me we'd had to have a rushed wedding, but we looked so in love. The next few pictures were of when Rosie was born, one of me holding her just after, one of her dressed in a fusch
Christiano I pulled up outside the hospital as I always did. In the same space I always parked in. I walked the same way, I saw the same people. But today felt different.I couldn't tell if it was a good or bad different... I just knew it felt new. As I entered his ward, I saw nurses rushing past me, panicked looks on their faces. I didn't think anything of it for a second, I thought it may have been someone else... until I saw them run to Angelo's room. I picked up my pace, quickly approaching the door to where he was. Doctors and nurses crowded around him, too many for me to see what was happening. I pushed the door open, a few nurses heads turning to look at me. Noone said anything for a moment, making my heart sink. A doctor blocked my view, but I could tell something had happened. Something had changed. "Can we get him another 20mg of morphine please" the doctor instructed a nurse, before continuing what he was doing. The nurse returned, injecting the liquid into a tube which
The next few days were strange. Overwhelmingly bizarre. When Christiano finally brought Luca and Rosie home I felt evil for not knowing them... for not loving them. But that quickly changed. Despite loosing my memory, the love you feel for your children is overbearing. It felt right, it felt good. Rosie didn't really understand why I couldn't remember her. She thought I was just being silly, playing games with her. Everytime she would run up to me, asking me weird questions, she'd stop shortly after... questions clearly running through her mind. But then she'd smile, and I knew she couldn't care less that I didn't remember. She was just happy I was there.I couldn't believe she was mine... I mean looking at Christiano you could see why she was so pretty... but she was spunky and vibrant... how Christiano described me to be... And Luca...this tiny being with bright glistening eyes was so pure... he was so tiny still, his airy brown hair beginning to grow on his head. He smiled, his
"What?" He asked, looking at me strangley "I-I don't know you." I muttered"It's me-" He began, his face now full of concern."I said I don't know who you are. Please can you leave..." I said"Vanessa, it's me, Marco." He said astonished "I don't know a Marco" I replied. "You don't remember? Anything?" He asked.I searched my head, looking for an answer. The last thing I remember was leaving home."No" I said, tears filling my eyes "Why are you looking at me- like that?" I asked, my voice breaking "I-i need to go and make a call. You rest." Marco said, before quickly leaving the room. What was happening? I don't understand... he said I knew him? I'd never met a Marco..."It's good to see your awake Mrs Acerra" a young female doctor said, as she entered the room followed by a flock of nurses. "What? My names Vanessa Diamond..." I replied, pulling my blanket closer to meThe doctor looked at the nurses, before whispering to one "page Dr Newbury..."."What's happening? Noone is tell
Christiano "No!" I cried out, as he aimed the gun at her. He froze, his eyes darting to me. "You'll get your turn" He said, smirking wildly."Please..." I mumbled. Dario looked at me with shock, before dropping his arm."What was that?" He mocked"I said... I said please. Please don't kill her. Kill me, sure... but please let her live, our children need their mother... please" I pleaded, not caring about my pride anymore. All I cared about was her, It didn't matter if I died a laughing stock... as long as I knew she was still alive, she was there for our children. "My oh my" Dario said, holding onto his heart for extra affect. "That's sweet. Really, I mean it. It almost makes me want to change my mind... but... alas..." He paused, before turning back to Vanessa. She still lay lifeless, her body in an awkward position. "Please can I atleast see my bambino's first.... can we have time together as a family?" I pleaded, hoping he'd give me enough time to think of a plan. Dario seeme
Vanessa Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Being able to look back on a situation with new knowledge that could have changed it all... It allows you to say what if? What if I'd done that differently? What if if said something else? In retrospect my life could have been so different. If I would have conformed to my mother's wishes who would I be? Would I be 'normal'? Would I be happy? Sad? Alone? I wouldn't be here that's for sure... locked in this bare room waiting for what probably will be the day I finally die. If I hadn't had gone into the club that day... would I still have met him? Was he written in my stars? Or was it just a matter of chance? Of consequence?But looking back I don't regret a thing. Yes I'm locked in a room holding onto my terrified daughter waiting for something... anything to happen. But I'd do it all over again to have the chance to love him... to marry him... to have our two beautiful children. Looking back is great... we can ask what if? But why should w
VanessaI could feel nothing. My whole body was so numb I wasn't even sure where I was.... or what was happening.Nothing made sense. People walked before me, speaking words I couldn't comprehend. I knew it was English... I know I should be able to understand... but my head felt as though it was going through a never ending spin cycle. What had he given me? Why did I feel this way? Where are my children?I watched him pace back and forth, his face amused as I sat in complete silence. He opened his mouth, noise flooding out but I couldn't understand at all. It was as though he'd turned me back into a baby... I couldn't understand, I couldn't talk or really move... He moved towards me, his hand roughly grabbing all clump of my hair, pulling my face up to meet his. He leered down at me, a menacing look in his eyes. He stayed still for a moment, before roughly dropping the hair, my head falling down clumsily. He was laughing at me. Laughing at what he'd done to me. Laughing at my incomp
2 hours earlier"Rosie it's time for bed now" I said again, as I reached the top of the stairs. "Not until daddy comes home!" She squeeled before running back into her room."Daddy isn't coming home tonight, he's got stuff to do... he'll be here when you wake up" I said, wandering into her room. She stood expectantly, her arms crossed, a pout on her face. "You know that only works on daddy" "But..." She said, making her voice shake. "Your just like your dad, you know that.." I laughed, before grabbing her pajamas off the end of the bed. "Now bed time please. Be good or when daddy comes home I'll tell him you've been naughty""I don't care" she said, rolling her eyes. "Then he won't take you on your super special secret birthday suprise..." I said, before heading towards the door."Wait!" She squeeled "If I go to bed, you won't tell daddy?" "Pinky promise" I chuckled "Ugh fine" she sighed, exactly like Angelo would. I passed her the pajamas before pulling the door shut behind me.