Chapter 6: Someone in the Dark

Maria's POV

“Maria!” I heard as Luca tried to call me back as I stormed out of the room through the other door of the room.

I looked back and I could see Alex coming after me. I tried to run faster as I moved from hallway to hallway. I don't even know where I was but then I heard the ding sound of an elevator.

I ran to it and entered before Alex caught up with me. Alex ran as fast as he could but the elevator closed before he could even reach it.

My heart was heavy, I felt so sad. About what? I asked myself. I already knew he was dangerous and I already planned to stay away but deep down, I knew I wasn't going to.

The elevator rang as we touched down. I walked out of it, watching as people trooped in and out of the massive building. I couldn't run any longer, or I didn't want to.

I got to the front door of the building but Luca was already waiting for me.

My heart skipped a bit. Was he even a man?

I didn't even want to think about it now. Whatever he thinks he's doing, I'm never letting myself be with him again.

“Where are you going?” Luca asked possessively.

"Nowhere that's of any concern to you." I replied, walking past without a pause.

"You got scared because some homosexual said I committed some crimes."

I was taken back.

"Said you committed?" I turned to Luca. "Everyone is saying you committed. And I don't even want to know if it's true or not. Everything about you, Mr De Rossi, emits danger."

I don't know why but my eyes felt like they were tearing up.

"Maria..." Luca tried to come closer but I shifted. But he continued, "like I've said before, I don't concern myself with what people say..."

"Well, I do, Mr De Rossi," I interrupted him. "I do. I'm just a poor girl who only wanted to experience what every girl in my shoes would. I only wanted to see the art gallery and what it's like to be among those kinds of people. And that's it. Nothing more."

"And you, little doll can have all of that and more..."

"I can and I will but not with a man like you whose every fibre stinks of danger. I don't want to have to watch my back at every move because that's not life."

"Maria, do you see me watching my back every now and then?"

"Perhaps you're already used to it."

I made to leave and not say anything more. He's only trying to get in my head and make me stay but I won't.

I signaled a taxi. But Luca suggested Alex at least take me home but I refused.

"You might already be in danger." Luca said.

I turned to him, "what do you mean?"

"Let Alex drive you home. At least let me know you got home safe."

"I don't need your henchman, I can find my way home."

"Ms. Santina, allow me." Alex, who had been standing there since finally spoke.

"No.” I barked.

"Sir..." I heard him say to Luca, and Luca replied to him in Italian. I didn't know what he said and I didn't want to care.

I just got in the taxi and off I went, leaving the Mafia to his world. For a second, deep inside me, I was certain I wasn't going to see him again.

********

As I got down from the taxi, I had a mixed feeling of sadness and relief. Sad because I wanted him to do something, whatever but relieved he didn't.

I didn't try to look back to see if there's anything that showed a sign of Luca, I just went straight up to my apartment.

I got to my door and immediately, I could sense something odd. Something was wrong.

I stood in front of the door for a few more seconds before unlocking it. As I stepped inside, the lights were still off. That was normal. I had left in a hurry, so I didn’t expect things to be tidy. But something was still off.

My instincts kicked in. I dropped my purse silently on the floor and tiptoed further inside. I noticed the coffee mug from earlier had moved — just a little to the left. My bedroom door was a bit opened. I never leave it that way.

I backed away.

A faint sound echoed behind me.

I turned.

Nothing.

The moment I took another step backward, I heard it — a soft shuffle, almost like a foot dragging lightly across the floor.

And then I saw him.

A man, dressed in black, emerged slowly from the shadows of my kitchen. Masked. Gloved. I froze.

He didn’t say anything.

I turned on my heel and ran.

I didn’t scream. There wasn’t time to. I headed for the front door, but he was fast. I could hear his footsteps pounding after me. He reached for me, tried to grab me, but I wouldn't let him. I kicked back, hitting something — maybe his knee, I don’t know. All I heard was a grunt.

I fumbled with the door but still yanked it open, I closed it behind me.

I didn't waste any time with the shoes. I pulled them off immediately. I took the stairs instead of the elevator, barely gripping the railing so I wouldn't fall. My heartbeat was so loud, it felt like it was echoing through the whole building.

When I reached the ground floor, I didn’t slow down.

Out into the street, I ran past the lobby. My legs were burning, but I didn’t care. I kept running.

When I was a block away, I finally stopped. Chest heaving. Palms shaking.

I didn’t have to think about it.

My hands trembled as I reached into my purse, pulling out my phone. Luca already mentioned something like this but I refused to listen.

I didn't need to call him. I could call someone else. The police, Sophia, anyone else but I called him. Luca. I hadn't even saved his number.

“Maria?” He picked up after the first ring. I couldn’t speak. But my breath sent the message.

“Where are you?” he asked immediately, voice sharp.

I swallowed hard. “I… someone was in my apartment. He tried to— I don’t know. I ran.”

“Are you hurt?”

“No,” I breathed.

There was a pause. I could almost hear the shift in his voice, he spoke some italian. Probably to Alex.

“Where are you now?”

I gave him the street name.

“Stay there. Don’t talk to anyone. Don’t move. Alex is on his way.”