MEETING THE SAVIOR

“God! Such a trouble you are my doll.” Her savior and tormentor was finally here.

Edna rubbed her twice in hope that the man she was seeing in front of her was not really there. The man in black shirt was shaking his hand looking at the mess she had created.

“Have you been crying?” was asked to her in a soft voice as if not wanting to scare her more.

“Mr. Pie—tro ..” She barely chocked out finally founding her voice which she lost somewhere looking at the man in black shirt in front of her ;fisting her shirt tightly.

No, No, No!!!!

“You are not the one who was texting me right? You can’t be, off course that’s not you.” Edna half asked to him and half mumbled to herself.

Adriano frowned deeply at her hope of him not having that same person. Sighing deeply he ran a hand through his messy black hair as he crouched down in the front of the girl who was shaking her head in denial although the reality was much clear to her.

“Had someone misbehaved with you? Why you cried?” he inquired keeping his voice low and the breath of his life finally looked up at him with red eyes as fresh tears again pooled in her brown orbs. Adriano flinched as if someone has inflicted pain on him physically at the sight of her tears.

“Are you that person?” Edna accused wiping away the tears and pointing a finger at him and he merely raised a brow looking at the slender finger inches away from his chest.

“I asked first. Answer me and I will answer you.” He bargained in a firm voice getting up, stuffing his hands in his black pants pinning her with his unnerving gaze.

“When a person is locked up in a room, with no idea of her whereabouts a normal person cry when they get sacred and  being threatened  doe-“

“Threatened?” Adriano cut her off sharply in a cold voice. She directed her gaze from the floor to his blue orbs, which were raging.

“Yes. However, that is not the point. Are you the one stalking me?” she was thankful that her voice did not waver as she held eye contact with him. Still sitting on the floor because she was afraid if she get up he will know how much scared she was by her trembling form.

“I wasn’t stalking. I was just protecting and guarding what’s mine.” He scowled at the word ‘stalking’ and answered her who looked at him agape.

“I am not yours. I am never gonna-” Edna spat at him in disbelief some of her fear overtaken by the anger she felt. She stands up on her shaky legs but was cut off by him taking a stride towards her she leaned on the wall beside him as he stopped directly in front of her at a feet distance away.

“I highly advice you to not finish that sentence.” He chewed out the words, leaning towards her who pressed herself more in the wall.

“I don’t want to scare you more than you already are.” His eyes softened as well as his voice when he saw the fearful look on her face and her trembling form.

“If you were just protecting me, then why you kidnapped me?” She asked clenching her eyes shut in the end when he lifted a hand towards her face.

“I didn’t kidnap you; I saved you from those who really kidnapped you.” He informed her of what she already knew. Her eyes flew open quickly when she felt something on her face and that something was his index finger from which he wiped away the fallen tear from her cheek.

“ Wai-t that means I can go home?” hope dripped in her voice as her eyes sparkled and he felt something like a stab at his heart.

“I have been informed you haven’t eaten anything yet. First you will eat then we will discuss the other matters.” With sympathy in his eyes, he told her walking away giving her the space, which she needed very much.

“No, I don’t want to eat. I want to go home.” She demanded weakly, he spun around pinching the bridge of his nose before looking at her with a calm look.

“Shouldn’t you be thankful that I saved you from there? You do have an idea of what would have happened to you if I didn’t save you.”  He demanded back coolly cocking his head to a side looking at the girl whose expression went from disbelief to anger, anger to realization in a matter of seconds.

“There were other girls too. What about them?”  She queried, for a second forgetting about herself.  

“They are all free. That’s where I have been busy all day. Everyone reached home all fine.” He replied, his lips curling upwards slightly.

“No not everyone. I am still here.” Edna pointed out, her fear subsiding a little bit with his calm behavior and he couldn’t help but chuckle at her sharp remark.

“ That’s because you are not everyone. You are my doll.” He pointed out as if that was a fact. Edna took in a sharp breath trying to manage the fury that crept up to her tongue like molten lava.

“Okay! Okay!” She repeated to herself making Adriano more amused by the passing second on her antics.

“Look-”

“Already looking sweetheart and what a sight to look.”His blue eyes assessed her from head to toe drowning in his shirt. Her eyes widened at his words and his danced in amusement, as he perceived a blush creeping on her neck.

“Listen! ” She repeatedly sharply, glaring daggers at him, which was quite adorable sight to see for him. He nodded his head encouraging her to continue.

 “I am really very grateful to you for everything you have and I will be more than grateful if you just let me go. My parents would be worried, my friends.” When she didn’t receive any glaring or harsh words she decided to test the waters.

“Lo-” She shook her head remembering what happened a second before she said that word.

“I won’t tell anyone. Please, just let me be.” She implored looking hopefully towards Adriano who pressed his lips in a tight line. As if someone would be able to do anything against him in this town. He owned this town; he was the sole ruler of this town.

How naïve of her.

“Who threatened you?” Adriano questioned totally ignoring what she had said. Edna blinked at him tapping her foot and grinding her jaw breathing heavily through her nose.

“What do you want from me?” She questioned trying her best to level her voice knowing well whom she was talking too.

 “You staying here, just that.” It was not request but rather a firm command.

“Please! My parents – I” She trailed off not knowing how to convince him.

“Can we get past this already? Your parents are grownups. They will handle themselves.” Adriano remarked annoyed with her being stuck on her parents. He wanted her just for him.

“Are you a child? Why would they even need to handle themselves? ” Edna spat out, enough trying to deal the situation with intelligence.

“Darling! You are very lucky that you reside here.” He started dangerously low pointing at his heart.Taking a step towards her whose smart mouth went dry looking at the murderous glint in his fiery oceanic orbs.

“I hate being talked back. Loath being argued over. You have done both the thing in a span of few minutes. If some else was in your place they would have already said their goodbyes to their tongues.” He seethed out through clenched teeth and Edna quickly averted his gaze down looking at his black shirt instead as he put a hand on the wall beside her head.

She secured back the lock of her hair which fall over her face. His eyes darkened when they fell on the small cut near her head. Her breath hitched in her throat as he took her chin in prison of his thumb and titled upwards and glared hard at the cut.

“It hasn’t healed yet.” Leaving her chin he raised his hand but his finger curled up in midair afraid that he would hurt her if he touched her.

Edna oblivious to what he was saying searched his face and her heart beat raced fearfully when he directed his cold glare at her but his eyes immediately softened looking at her.

“I apologize not being there on time. But they are paying for what they did.” His voice hold so much darkness that Edna didn’t even wanted to know what he meant by that.

“Come, you should eat something.” He commanded softly letting his hand fall from the wall but didn’t move from his place.

“No, I am –“

“ Let’s get one thing clear darling. I don’t have a habit of listening NO and you have already said that two times. I am not patient person. I advice you to not test my patience anymore. Huh?” Edna could sense the controlled anger behind his words.

“Shall we now?” he asked ironically, holding out a hand for her. Edna knew he was not giving her a choice this time. Guided by her survival instinct she gingerly placed her hands in his.

“ Perfect.” He commented looking at their hands.

There were no guards outside the room making Edna frown lightly. Her brown orbs wondered around the enormous place, which looked like a modern royal palace.

“Finally! You decided to join; I was going to call you.” A voice snapped Edna’s attention who was looking at the enormous hall. It was Adriano’s brother, Edna quickly shifted behind Adriano when his brother looked at her.

“Did you went in my room Alberto?” It didn’t take Adriano more than two seconds to find the reason behind her behavior.

“Yes.” Alberto answered briefly, his one hand going behind his back to scratch his neck.

“Reason?” Edna could feel a shiver run down her spine at the coldness of Adriano’s word, she was glad he was not looking at her.

“She was throwing things and So, I thought to calm her down.” Alberto answered gulping down the lump in his throat as he received a harsh glare in return of his answer.

‘Calm her down, he was downright threatening her’. Edna thought but did not dared to voice it aloud.

“ Non spaventarla mai più, chiaro.( Don’t you ever dare to scare her agian, clear)” Adriano warned raising a brow waiting for response and in return Alberto nodded at him cleenching his jaw. Edna frowned not understanding the conversation between two brothers but she sure sensed some tension between the two.

Edna sighed heavily, resting her head on the glass of window looking outside. The garden was bathed into mild light of moon, providing solitude to the soul. However, the restlessness which settled deep inside her heart won’t get any ease. Her fingers sprawled at the base of neck gently messaging it to provide some sort of comfort as her brown orbs flickered to the men stationed near the large front gate at the very end of the garden.

“ What I wouldn’t give to know what’s running in that pretty little minds of yours.” Curious comment made of Adriano made her jump away from the window and fix her white shirt, which Rose had given her after the dinner.

 “Planning of escaping already.” He guessed standing beside her looking outside and heard her inhaling a deep breath.

“With those men, I don’t think that’s possible.” Edna muttered weakly, her hands pointing towards the men and Adriano hummed in response.

“I am not letting you go, ever. Even if you try, I will find you always.” It wasn’t just a word it was a promise, a promise that he was willing to complete doesn’t matter what it takes.

Edna heart stopped for a second listening those words, those similar words which has created a chaos in her life that it still haunts her memory. Those memories of blood and pain still held her heart and mind captive in a prison of her emotions.

“ What I even did to grab your attention. I didn’t even met you before that night but you were texting me before that. Why?” She asked tearing her gaze away from the garden after she had calmed herself down, looking at expectantly for an answer.

“ We have met before that. When-”  Adriano answered turning around and looking at her when a knock at the door disturbed them and he pursed his lips in thin line.

“Rest, you need it.” Advising her briefly he made his way outside leaving Edna in her own puzzled thoughts as she started racking her brain trying to figure out where she had met him.

“Yes, Peter?” Adriano demanded shutting the door behind him and looking at the man who held out a phone to Adriano with his good left hand.

‘Boss, Marcus is trying to leave. What am I supposed to do?” Xavier asked, removing his ginger hair away from his face. Adriano took in a sharp breath at the information locking his jaw.

“ Keep following him.” Adriano ordered hanging up giving phone back to Peter.

“ Why would you do that Peter? You know I hate to punish my best man” Adriano shook his head in disappointment as his blue eyes sought out the bandage wrapped around his right hand.

“I am sorry, Boss. When she suddenly started to leave, I- I didn’t wan-ted to push her it was just a reflex. I won’t repeat that.” Peter explained his situation apologizing in the end getting a nod of approval from Adriano.

It was an inevitable punishment. Adriano had specifically told everyone that nobody will touch her but Peter failed to do so. She was his queen that ruled over his heart without even trying. She was ought to be respected. The same had happened to that drunk man who had pointed a gun at her. How could he left him unpunished, he had to cut his finger off which hold the trigger which scared his doll. Nobody gets away with disrespecting her, he will literally cut that hands off which holds any danger towards his doll.

“ Call, Berto to my office.” A command which was received by a nod from Peter, his eyes lingered over the door of his room before he walked away towards his office.

‘You called?” Alberto questioned popping his head inside only to find Adriano tapping his fingers on his laptop. He nodded without turning his attention away from the screen.

“ Got any updates on Marcus?” Adriano asked casually and calmly as concealing his anger.

“No, not yet but my men are looking for –”

“F*cking Bullsh*t ! Marcus is trying to leave this town. I have given you a week to find him but failed Berto.” Adriano snapped hitting his hand loudly on the wooden desk making Alberto lick his lips.

“ Fratello I am-”

“You have only this night to find and deliver him to me before sunrise Alberto. I don’t know how useless your man are and how you are going to punish them.” Adriano gave him the Ultimatum cutting him off making him quickly get from the chair he had lazily dropped himself on.

“Brother or not but I do know how to punish you. Don’t disappoint me this time.” He warned lightly and Alberto nodded quickly before scurrying away from his office making Adriano sigh and rub his temple in frustration.

“Idiot grow up, Idiot grow up.” Adriano mumbled out in his hands shaking his head he resumed his work.

Adriano run a hand through his hair as he cracked his neck taking long strides towards his room. His was tired as hell. A smile crept upon his lips as he reached his room realizing his doll was just behind this door. However, he squinted his eyes, as he looked her still rooted on the same place near the window where he has left her.

“Why are you not asleep?” He asked, one could hear the genuine concern in his voice making Edna turn briefly towards him.

“ Sleep won’t come.” She answered simply and he sighed depositing his cell phone at the bedside table along with his wristwatch.

“ It’s late. You should be asleep.” Adriano commented folding his shirt sleeve upto his elbow and Edna let out a humorless laugh.

“ Do I have to take your permission to breathe too?” sarcasms dripped like a venom in her tone. Just because she wasn’t creating a fuss doesn’t mean she is at his beck and call. She knew very well that her trying to escape from here without a plan would only result her in more tight security.

“ What am I suppose to do with your smart mouth?” Adriano wondered aloud striding towards her who narrowed her eyes at her.

“ Let me go home, so you don’t have to –” a squeal left her lips when he suddenly jerked her towards him with a strong tug.

“You were saying?!” he asked mockingly who looked up at him with big innocent eyes trying to distance herself from him who finally let go when she looked up at him with request written all over her face.

“ Annoying Jerk!” She mumbled out furiously glaring at his back who disappeared through the door of walk in closet.

Edna’s eyes snapped up at the sound of door opening and find Adriano in a white shirt and black sweatpants. His forehead covered with his messy black hair, Edna’s shook her head as her eyes lingered over him more than necessary.

“Hmphh!” Edna exclaimed as she felt something landed right on her face and blackness covered her momentarily before she reached out a hand as took the soft material off her face only to find a comforter. She set it aside on the black couch where she was sitting flickering her gaze to Adriano who had a content look on his face as he dropped his heavy form on the bed.

 “Sleep there but don’t even try to escape!” He warned briefly meeting her eyes which were filled with shock at his behavior.

“Amore mio innocente...” he mumbled under his breath looking at the girl whose cheeks were on fire under his scorching gaze. Shaking his head he let it fall back on the pillow letting the girl breath.

Edna quietly slipped under the comforter all the while keeping an eye on him. Despite being tired mentally all day, sleep was nowhere in her eyes. She felt her throat drying with thirst so she get up looking around for water to find a jug filled with water on the bedside table.

She let the moonlight that washed through the large window guide her towards the bed. She took in a breath when she reached there. Adriano was fast asleep, his lashes slighlty grazing his cheekbones, his black hair over his forhead shinned in the light of moon on his pearly white skin.

Edna’s finger left the jug and she waved her hand over his face to check he was really asleep, she quickly backtracked on her feet. Her feet padded softly on the tiled floor. Casting a last gaze towards him she turned the door knob and resisted the urge to dance in happiness as she find it unlocked just as she was going to put her leg forward , a deep, heavy voice resonated in the room making her step halt in mid air. Only one thought come to her mind.

“ Sh*t!!!”