Taste

Umberto held my tiny waist as he took my measurements, moving quickly and quietly while writing them down in a small notebook.

"All done." He said after a few minutes, and I started getting dressed again.

"I thought it was a joke when the don told me I had to take your measurements. But here you are, little dove." Umberto said with a grin, and I smiled back.

"That's right, I'm back," I replied softly, and he sighed lightly.

"My god, I can't believe it's been six years. You look good, healthy. And you're still my prettiest client," he told me, and I chuckled lightly.

"You flatter me, but I've seen the models you work with," I teased, and he smiled.

"And what's the difference between you and those models? You're flawless, Hera. I missed you so much," Umberto said before pulling me into a tight hug.

"We've got so much to catch up on. You should come over for lunch sometime. A lot's changed since you left," he added, his voice soft. I nodded at him.

"I fear we might've needed you back more than the don did," he said, and a nauseating feeling settled in my stomach.

"Okay, darling. We'll catch up over lunch," I replied, and he rubbed my arm comfortingly.

"See you later, my queen. I'll send your dress over with Miguel. It should be here before seven tonight," he told me, and I nodded in thanks before he left.

I made my way to Mila's bedroom shortly after. I knocked before entering, finding her playing with dolls Mateo must’ve bought for her.

"Hi, mommy! Do you wanna play with me?" Mila asked, and I smiled broadly.

"Of course," I said, sitting beside her as she handed me a doll.

"This is Ella, she's a princess. Ella and her mommy moved away from their house. Now they live in a new castle. This castle belongs to her mommy’s friend," Mila explained, and I frowned slightly, that sounded familiar.

"Your doll's name is Lilly. She's Ella's best friend," Mila added, and I nodded.

"So, Ella, are you angry with your mommy for bringing you to her friend's castle?" I asked in a playful voice.

"No, my mommy's the best, she fights off all the bad guys so they won't hurt me," Mila said, moving the doll gently.

"Then are you happy?" I asked, and she shrugged lightly.

"I don’t know," she said sadly, setting the doll down and looking at me. "Mommy?" she whispered.

I put the doll aside and focused entirely on her.

"Why did we come here? I like living in Hollowfalls," Mila asked, placing the doll down and turning to me.

"Mi cielo, sometimes grown-ups have to do things that don't make sense, but they do it to protect people they care about. That means little girls like you don't always need to know why. I just wanted to protect you, Mila. I never meant to make you sad." I explained, and she nodded.

"But why do you always have to protect me? Who's trying to hurt me?" Mila whispered, concern in her eyes.

"No one. All parents protect their kids. Didn’t you know that?" I asked, but she seemed doubtful.

"All parents?" Mila asked, and I nodded.

"Yes. And guess what? I'll always protect you. No matter how old you get," I smiled, squeezing her hand.

"Do you still miss daddy?" she asked, her voice curious.

"I used to," I replied quietly.

"Me too," she said softly. "He shouldn't have left us, then we would've been together now," she added in frustration.

"That's his loss," I said, tickling her, making her laugh uncontrollably.

"You're so beautiful," I told her, and she smiled at me.

"You're beautiful too, mommy," she said, pulling me into a tight hug.

"Ahem," a voice interrupted from the doorway. Both Mila and I looked up to find Mateo standing there, watching us with a smile.

"May I come in?" Mateo asked, and Mila nodded at him.

"Where were you?" Mila asked him, and he smiled back.

"I was at work, princess. Did you miss me?" he asked, and she nodded.

"A little bit. Where do you work?" she asked, glancing at me briefly.

"That's enough, Mila. I'm sure Mr. Mateo had a long day. And besides, you and I should get ready for tonight," I said gently, and she nodded.

"Okay, mommy," she said, resting her head on my shoulder.

"Can mommy and I talk for a minute?" Mateo asked, and Mila nodded, so I got up to leave the room.

"Thank you, Mila. Oh, and before I forget, Cara will be here soon. She's your new babysitter," Mateo informed her, and she nodded.

"Okay, Mateo," she said, and he ruffled her hair before turning to follow me.

Mateo and I walked into our bedroom, and he closed the door behind him.

"What's wrong?" I asked, noticing his tense expression.

"Nothing. How are you guys settling in?" he asked, but I could sense the unease in his tone.

"What do you think, Mateo? Mila didn’t want to leave Hollowfalls, but she’s trying her best. So am I," I said, frustration creeping into my voice. He only stared at me, emotionless.

The room fell into an uncomfortable silence. I ran a hand through my hair before sitting on the bed.

"How are things with the family?" I asked cautiously.

"You want to know about the family?" Mateo’s voice dropped, and I nodded.

"The family you abandoned," he said bluntly, and I frowned.

"I didn’t abandon anyone. Is that what you made them think, Mateo? That I abandoned them? Not that you drove me away?" I asked, my voice rising.

"I didn’t tell them anything. They made their own assumptions about why you left. And you don’t leave the mafia, Hera," Mateo warned, his tone cold.

"So they're doing great? Just mad at me for leaving?" I asked, and he remained silent.

"What did you expect, Hera? To be welcomed back with open arms? It’s been six years," he said, his tone sharp.

"Umberto was happy to see me," I replied quietly, and he frowned.

"He’s a fucking designer, Hera. He doesn’t count. What counts is the family you betrayed and left behind. Nothing else matters!" he snapped.

"Mateo, you left me no choice! I had to run. You remember that night, don’t you?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"Of course, I do," he said, his jaw clenched.

"Exactly. You held a gun to my head, promised your men you’d kill me. Everyone knows you don’t make empty promises," I said, staring at him. He took my chin in his hand, making me meet his eyes.

"Do you really think I could do that? Kill you, Hera?" he asked, his voice low.

"I wasn’t sure back then, and I’m still not sure now. The past six years have been torture. You showed me how much you could break me," I told him.

"It’s a yes or no question, Hera," he said, his voice flat.

"Yes, Mateo. I think you’re capable of killing me. You killed my dad," I replied, and he flared his nostrils.

"For the last time, I didn’t kill your dad," he growled through gritted teeth.

Suddenly, he pulled his gun from his waistband, pressing it against the side of my head. I squeezed my eyes shut in fear.

"Look at me, Hera," he ordered, but I shook my head. "Look at me!" he repeated harshly. Reluctantly, I opened my eyes.

"I need to know if you still see me as a man, or just a monster," he whispered, his breath warm against my lips.

His blue eyes burned with intensity as he stared down at me. Before I could fully process what was happening, he pulled me closer by my waist and kissed me. His kiss was rough, insistent, drowning me in a wave of conflicting emotions. The cold metal of the gun at my temple was a chilling reminder of the man I once loved, and the monster he’d become.

When he finally pulled back, his lips hovered over mine, ragged breaths escaping his chest. "You think I’d ever hurt you? You think I could live in a world where you don’t exist?"

Tears welled in my eyes, but I fought them back. "I don’t know anymore, Mateo. I don’t know who you are."

His jaw tightened as he shoved the gun back into his waistband. "Then let me remind you," he said darkly, his voice laced with something dangerous. "You’re not leaving again, Hera. You’re here to stay, whether you want to or not."

He stormed out, slamming the door behind him. The sound echoed in my chest, leaving me shaking.

I exhaled shakily, my fingers grazing my lips. The taste of him lingered, bitter with fear and longing. The man I once loved was still in there, somewhere. But how much of him was left?

As I stared at the closed door, Mila’s innocent question replayed in my mind: "Who’s trying to hurt me?"

Maybe it wasn’t just Mila I needed to protect anymore. Maybe this time, I was the one who needed protection from the man I once trusted with everything.