A Mafia’s Obsession

CRYSTAL

My joints made cracking sounds as I tried stretching my pale body on the bed, wanting to feel the warmth of the duvet. They felt so stiff like rusted irons that needed lubrication.

My eyes at once shot open in a flash, the lights in my illuminated room almost blinding my sclera. I whipped my face to take a peak at the windows.

The rays of the sunlight were seeping in through the curtains, making the temperature in the room warm. I truly didn’t know what was going on with my body. I seriously can’t believe I had spent the whole of yesterday slipping in and out of consciousness.

I felt so ill and sickly yesterday. My head spinned, my throat ached and my skin was searing hot.

This sudden illness was alarming.

I had just a hazy memory of what transpired yesterday.

My mind travelled to Leonardo and in a flick, the memories came rushing back into my mind like floodwaters without restraint.

He was in this same room by night with me, feeding me from his hands whilst planting wet soft kisses in form of pecks all over my face.

I was still in awe of how those spiteful lips of his could provide so much warmth and empathy.

His kisses were like those you give a lover you haven’t seen for ages. He planted pecks all over my face like he cared deeply for me.

I was stunned by his sudden nice gesture. One who walked in on both of us would almost think we are lovers.

But I know better than to trust Leonardo and fall for his sudden affection towards my sickly state.

He hasn’t inflicted any thing other than pain in my life.

I am in this fucking condition because of him in the first place.

Someone who didn’t bat an eyelid before separating me from my sister and my life, neither did he flinch on seeing chase being brutally beaten up like he was a criminal yet suddenly I’m sick and he tries to play the good guy. I will not fall for his tricks.

I felt my blood boiling with fury as I reminisced about everything Leonardo had put me through up until now.

He bought me like a commodity, whipped my body because I wouldn’t eat with him, barred me from leaving the mansion and almost killed chase because he felt entitled to possess me as his woman.

Shivers ran down my spine as I recalled the day he whipped me like a slave. I suddenly found myself shivering and I shook my head to discard the gloomy memory.

If Leonardo thinks he can suddenly turn up as the good guy in my life because he called in doctors to take care of me then he is definitely wrong.

I hate him so much.

I found my eyes being choked up with tears and quickly wiped it away with the back palms.

I won’t cry… especially not for that beast of a man.

An unexpected knock on the door snapped me out of my reverie.

“C-come in” my pale voice croaked.

The door was pushed open slowly and the elderly figure of Maya stepped inside.

I sucked in breath immediately and I felt my breathing clogged in my lungs.

I didn’t set my eyes on Maya again after chase’s incident and the way she lashed out on me.

The hurt, pain and grief in her eyes on seeing her dear grandson almost beaten to death by the one whom she raised was clearly visible.

It shattered my heart, breaking it into smithereens and crushing it into dust. If only she had given me a chance to explain myself.

But what exactly would I tell her?

After her painful retort at me, I never set my eyes on her again. Infact I felt more guilty than ever and I eagerly wished to just vanish into oblivion.

It felt like my appearance into any body’s life brings them nothing but misery and pain. I felt like the most unfortunate being on earth.

Now seeing Maya again standing right before me got me stuperfied and lost for words. What would I tell her?

Maya took ponderous steps towards my bed. On reaching my bed I moved my legs aside, giving her the space she needed.

An awful silence enveloped the atmosphere as we both stared at each other. I gripped on to the sheets of my bed, my hands tightly squeezing them to calm down my frightened nerves.

My mind raced through a million thoughts on what she would say to me.

Maya suddenly held on to my hand softly. I parted my lips slightly and stared down at my hand and hers.

“Maya”I whispered facing her immedately. She offered me her warm soothing smile and I could feel the tension within me reducing so alps my hold on the bed sheets lessening.

“How are you Crystal?” She asked underneath her breath.

I nodded at her, flashing her a faint smile. “I’m ok”i mumbled.

“Though I still feel weak”I added. Truthfully I did feel weak and pale but atleast compared to yesterday, I am much better.

My head wasn’t throbbing alot neither was my throat aching.

Yesterday my skin felt like it was burning and I was in such an excruciating pain but today it had lessened.

I peaked down at my hands that were now tattooed with intravenous injections. They looked so bony and frail.

A deep sigh escaped my acidic throat and I stared back at Maya.

“Maya”I began.

She nodded at me. That was the signal I needed to go on.

“I’m sorry”I apologised in one breath.

“I’m sorry for what happened to chase. It is all my fault. I didn’t mean for any of it to happen believe me. I cried so hard when I watched chase being beaten up. Up till now the thought still haunts my memories Maya. I truly never…”

“It’s fine Crystal”Maya quickly butted in, cutting me off and stopping my rambling.

I stared at her with pleading eyes and she gently brought her fingers to careress my cheeks.

“Crystal I understand ok. I’m sorry for also lashing out at you like that. I knew deep down it wasn’t your fault”

“You don’t have to apologise Maya”I replied.

A smile broke on her lips.

“How is chase doing?” I asked nervously.

“Well”she began with an exhale.

“He is recuperating just fine Crystal”

I let out a breath I didn’t even know I was holding. I felt elated on knowing that chase was doing just fine.

Another question shot into my mind. I gulped hard and nervously shifted on the bed. “I-is he umm.. angry with me?”I asked in a whisper

I stared wide eyed at her, my heart beating suddenly fast eager to hear her response.

“He isn’t to be honest. He just wished you had told him earlier that Leonardo was interested in you”Maya replied with a shake of her head.

I let out a breath of relief once more on hearing that but then I remembered Leonardo once again.

That name had become a nightmare in my life.

I was tempted to ask where he was but I shook of the feeling.

I straightened my spine and sat up straight. “Thank you maya”

“I just want to see you recover ok”maya replied with doting eyes.

I gave her a genuine smile. “I have to freshen up now”I announced.

Maya nodded and stood up from the bed. She stretched out her hands at me and I grasped on to them as she lifted me to my feet.

Once again, the weight of my body on my feet felt like a dumbbell and I almost fell but Maya held on to me, supporting me.

She guided my tottering feet towards the shower and watched me enter

“Oh Crystal”she called out from the outside having stepped out of the bathroom.

“Yes Maya”I replied.

“Leonardo will bring you breakfast ok”

My eyes widened and my breathing got hitched.

“O-ok” was what I could stutter out.

I heard her feet walk away and the door close behind her.

I was trying so hard not to think of Leonardo and here I am being informed that he was going to bring me breakfast.

What sort of the game is he trying to play with me?

Well, whatever it is, I know I definitely won’t fall for it.