Chapter 3 : Double Identity

“What’s wrong with you? Why are you making a scene?”

Darla scolded Fiona, depositing the drink she was carrying earlier, on the table, before placing her hand on her waist like a mother hen trying to teach her chick, here Fiona.

“He touched my hand. You shouldn’t have stopped me.”

Fiona retorted while sitting on the sofa beside Gwen, still frustrated. She took some wet tissues from her clutch and cleaned her hands thoroughly, remembering his filthy hand on her wrist.

“Fiona, I know what that bastard did is wrong but you know what kind of people come to this club and yet you carelessly went and punched him. He possessed a gun for God’s sake, what if he hurt you?”

Fiona lowered her head, hearing Neil’s worry etched angry tantrum. That’s right, she was being reckless. Never did she think for a second that he might have a gun with him, take it out of nowhere and tries to shoot her. It’s not that she didn’t know how to dodge a bullet but still it’s a careless thing to do on her part. She only hopes not a word of this incident to get out.

“Nothing happened after all. Forget about it”

Being sorry and saying sorry was never Fiona’s trait and will never be. So, she replied in a I-don’t-care attitude, signalling the same bartender to bring her, her wine.

Darla widened her eyes, looking at Fiona acting so fearless and daring. She almost risked all of their lives but look at her being cool about it, making Darla furious but mostly she was angry for putting herself in danger, for not being careful. Then she reminded herself that Fiona is not someone who would beg or apologise even though she’s at fault and definitely not someone to let a person go if he/she messed with her in the first place.

Realising there is nothing they can do to make Fiona guilty of her actions and also, it’s not a wise idea to ruin their party for already settled glitch, they decided to resume their celebration, Fiona with wine and the rest with vodka. They spent reminiscing their school days, teasing each other until the alcohol kicked their system and made them dance hysterically.

They already had their dinner at a restaurant Neil booked before coming to this bar so they all don’t need to worry about drinking on an empty stomach. In the middle of their dancing, Fiona noticed Thiago slowly slipping away with his date while Gwen and Neil were busy doing what couples do, so it’s she and Darla swaying to the music.

At twelve, Neil dropped off Fiona at her home before stopping at Darla’s and then crashed at Gwen’s. He booked a cab for them all as Thiago went ahead with Ria. They were all pretty wasted though so cab seemed a best option.

As soon as Fiona opened the door with her spare key, she first heard a slow sound coming from the living room, television is on, she realised though it took few minutes for her drunken state to notice her parents sleeping on the couch, leaning into each other. Her heart warmed looking at her caring parents.

They might have slept waiting for her return. She first went into the kitchen and impatiently poured herself a glass of water and chugged down before coming back to her parents. She first powered off TV and then woke her father up. The movement also woke Victoria as she slept, laying her head on her husband’s shoulder.

“You’re home honey.”

Logan hugged her tired body and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. Fiona snuggled into him like a kitten.

“You both don’t have to wait for me. I’ll be fine and I have a spare key too, remember?” The water and the feel of cold air to her face during her ride back home where she requested taxi driver to pull down the windows, helped her sober up quite enough to let her speak properly. But she sounded so cute even to her ears.

“We want to make sure you are home safely before going to bed, that’s it. Now that you are here, we shall retire to our bedroom.” Victoria replied softly, patting Fiona’s head.

“Make sure to change first and then sleep. Okay?”

Fiona gave them a goodnight kiss after nodding to their take-care’s and retreated to her room upstairs.

As soon as she opened her bedroom door, a pillow came flying towards her, hitting her face. She instantly knew who it was.

“Enrico!”

Fiona half shouted at the man sitting on her sofa so comfortably like it’s his place while picking up that fallen pillow. If there is any remaining haziness she was feeling, it was gone now completely because of that hit. It’s not like she was hurt but rather unexpected, awaking all her senses.

“Hey gorgeous!!” came a cool cheesy voice making Fiona roll her eyes. She threw her bag along with the pillow on her bed before making her way towards the sofa and sat facing Enrico. He was dressed in his casual blue shirt, black trousers and his favourite Rolex watch glistening on his wrist. He styled his natural blonde hair in a bun, at the back of his head, which would reach his neck when left loose.

His lips displayed a handsome smile, earning an equal charming smile in return. She knew why he’s here.

“Do you know who he is?” Soon that smile dropped from Enrico’s face as seriousness took over his features.

Fiona frowned, not understanding what he meant by that.

“Who?”

“The one who got his balls kicked by this dashing girl.” Sensing the mood changing, he lightly joked, pointing at her but still inquiring.

She chuckled punching his shoulder. He knows how to flirt with her but she always hopes this just to be this. A causal teasing. Nothing more.

“I don’t know. Why?”

Enrico squinted his eyes staring at her for a long time. Is she saying the truth? Even though she hates that person and avoids anything related to him, she still might know whose clan Levi belonged to. There’s a high chance of her recognizing them as their enemy’s men but if she says she doesn’t know, there’s no reason to not believe her.

Enrico never wants her to get involved with that bastard again. Never wants her to even think about him. To Enrico, it’s a good thing she lost her interest in that person after the tragic incident, happened a decade ago. Whether they were once family or not, now all she sees in him is his vengeance and as her family’s biggest enemy. It saved him a lot of trouble. If possible, he’ll forever hid her from that bastard.

She must’ve fought with Levi because of his inappropriate behaviour and not knowing whose men they really were. He then remembered his purpose of coming here and slowly took out a small velvet box, tied with a red ribbon, from his pocket and handed it to her.

“Graduation present from dad Carl.”

She rubbed her palms excitedly and pulled the ribbon gently of what seems like a jewellery box. All the excitement suddenly rushed out of her body replaced by anger, after seeing the same chain Victoria gifted her earlier, resting elegantly in the box.

She closed the box with unnecessary force and put it aside on the table, questioning Enrico, “Are you guys spying on me?”

“I am just the delivery guy. Now don’t come at me.”

He quickly said in his defence, rising his both hands up in a surrender gesture and stood up. He gave her a quick hug before leaving through the window, afraid that he might become the object of her anger. Once he landed safely on the ground, he waved at her and left with his men who were waiting for him at the end of the street in a white limousine.

Once she is alone in her room, she sighed freeing her hair and leaned back on the sofa watching the ceiling deep in thoughts. Sweat trickled down her temples dampening her skin because of the booze, frustrated at her sweaty body she staggered to the balcony for fresh air. Goodness! She extended her hands welcoming the cool breezes to embrace her but the balcony reminded her of something and rushed back to get her journal.

She sat on recliner and put her pencils on the side table before taking one to roll her hair up into a bun. She caressed the journal, her eyes softened, lips curled up slightly, after few seconds of staring at the journal she started sketching and spent at least half-an-hour to complete it. With one final admired look at her hand-drawn-magic, she closed her journal but not before signing at the end.

That’s when she realised how tired she was and also needs to fresh up so she took a quick shower, changed into comfy pyjamas before falling on her bed with a frequency communicator in her hand.

She hesitated for a while thinking they might have slept already but at last punched the buttons and put it near her ear.

“Captain Dada, do you copy?”

Fiona waited until she received the confirmation from the other end and then the translator connected her to the person she wants to speak instantly.

“Klara!”

“I don’t want your men trailing me all the time. I think I made that clear already?”

The other side went silent for longer than few minutes, making Fiona anxious. She cursed herself for being rude. She should’ve greeted him first and then approach this topic gradually.

“Dad! I know you are looking out for me but no one knows about my real identity. I was dead to the world so no one will come after me. Please stop worrying all the time.”

Carl sighed heavily, killing his cigarette butt in the ashtray. She’s wrong. She might be dead to the world but not for him. She’s still his daughter, he raised lovingly, feeding her with his hands for years. He will worry for her until his last breath.

“How can I not? I’m your father. See what happened today, a random guy had the audacity to point his gun at you. Before you say, I know nothing bad had occurred but still it’s unacceptable.”

“As you knew already, I dealt with it perfectly and came home unscathed. I can protect myself fine. You know I can. I’m not just an ordinary weak girl.”

Carl was sure nothing would happen to his daughter. She was capable of protecting herself moreover his men were ready to jump in any moment. They would’ve interfered if the other guy had not taken the gun away from that bastard. Yet he couldn’t stop himself from worrying. Father’s love indeed.

“Okay as you wish. I apologise. I shouldn’t have done one thing when I promised you another. But know that I don’t regret sending them because I knew you wouldn’t tell me if such things happened.”

“Dad!”

She didn’t want to hurt her dad but he’ll only expose her identity if he sent his men to guard her. A normal girl wouldn’t have a bunch of bulky men following her everywhere she goes.

“OK fine! You win. No more guards following you. How’s my present?”

“You are one step behind, dad.”

Fiona played with the chain around her neck, a lovely smile playing on her lips. She was grateful to God for giving her the best parents in the world not once but twice.

“Who bought it for you?”

“Mom Victoria.”

Carl looked at his wife Kate who is eagerly waiting just to talk with her daughter. She was a light sleeper so when she heard him speaking, she instantly woke up and snatched the communicator from her husband’s hand. Carl was glad that she didn’t hear about that bar incident. He should be more careful next time or else he can’t see her worrying all the time like him. Missing Klara is enough.

“I am so envious of them Klara. They can see you every day, can shower you with love and care at any time of the day, unlike us.”

Kate dropped her smile as emptiness consumed her at once. There isn’t a minute of time she spent not wishing for her daughter to be with them, missing her constantly. If only she didn’t leave her alone on that day. She’d be here now, with them. In her arms to love and care.

“Mom! I promise you. We’ll live together as a family again just like how we used to.”

“You and I both knew it’s impossible” Carl replied, devoid of any emotion in his voice.

Fiona’s heart throbbed at that thought. It’s true they can’t be a whole family ever again because they lost their loved ones in that unfortunate incident. But still, she can’t let her hope die.

“Baby Klara”

“Mom”

Kate wiped her tears, spilled unknowingly to her. It happens every time. Even her tears can’t measure up to the amount she misses her daughter.

“How are you, my baby?”

“I’m fine mom. Just tell dad not to send Enrico to run his errands.”

“He totally volunteered himself, may be he wants to see you.”

Fiona rolled her eyes at her mother’s teasing voice. Everyone knows that Enrico is Klara’s lapdog but she isn’t interested in him. She made sure of letting him know that by rejecting his advances but he’s adamant. After she bluntly gave him an ultimatum of severing ties with him, he finally let go of his feelings, giving her a peace of mind. And her mom knew it too but she always teases her for having a lover boy around her which is really bad. She should do something about that.

“OK mom, I’m sleepy. Talk to you later”

Kate reluctantly gave the communicator to Carl after saying goodbye to her daughter.

“I miss you dad and I’ll meet you soon”

Fiona hung up and hid her communicator in her locker. She switched off the lights and covered herself with the duvet. She was dog tired but her mind teleported her to past, taking her sleep away.