Ugly Ronney: mafia romance [English]

Chapter 13-3

Shaken by this frightening experience, my head was still ringing. I watched from the porch as Cyliane and her friend packed up the equipment in the van while discussing the various ways to edit the scenes they had filmed. She was very different from her sisters, but had the same passion for her professional projects. I looked for my phone in my pocket, then sat on the steps of the house. Still nothing from Yeraz. I was disappointed, upset, and hated myself for feeling this way. The fact that I missed him bothered me deeply. I typed a few words before sending them:

"I haven't heard from you in days. I hope everything is okay."

"Ronney, are you coming? We'll drive you back."

Cyliane waved to me to come with them. I decided to go home to Alistair and Bergamote. Staying alone in Yeraz's huge empty house didn't tempt me tonight, especially after what I had experienced here. I had a crazy urge to shower, to get rid of the dusty and musty smell that had soaked my clothes.

The van parked in front of the building. I got out of the vehicle and wished Cyliane and Joseph a good night. They thanked me once again, then I headed for the entrance of the building.

After a long, hot shower, I lay down on my bed, which seemed so small since I'd stopped sleeping here. He hadn't answered my last text. My eyes glued to the ceiling, I felt empty without knowing why. There was something inside me that made me want to join him. Where did our feelings come from? How far did they take root? These thoughts tortured me insistently. Exhausted, fatigue overwhelmed me.

I slept badly that night. I tossed and turned in my bed. Bryan and his friends' laughter danced in my head. Horrific images came to me. I could feel their hands on my body and still smell that sickening bleach. Puzzle pieces were coming out of their mouths instead of words. I was scared. That was when I noticed that I was holding the gun in my hands.

"Don't you feel stronger now?" Yeraz's voice whispered to me.

The sound of the gunshot woke me up with a start. I was sweating. I sat on the edge of my bed to calm myself and not to burst into tears. Bryan and his friends didn't deserve me shedding a single tear for them.

Logan walked me to the car, which was waiting for me in front of Red Channel Studios. Isaac held the door open for me. I turned to my colleague with a smile on my face. He looked at the sedan with surprised and then looked me up and down. It was my first time wearing a dress in public. All the staff had been watching me strangely out of the corner of their eyes all morning. Even though it was long and had no cleavage showing, I felt naked because the pale blue dress drew so many eyes to me. People seemed to be discovering that Ronney was a human being.

"I see that your second job offers you some advantages, although your boss is a jerk."

Embarrassed by this comment, I looked away from Logan and shrugged.

"I must admit that we have been communicating better lately."

My cheeks began to blush. Logan clapped his hands together and changed the subject.

"It was nice to celebrate the last episode of the first season of Minnie the Little Mouse today. I'm really happy to have you as my partner."

"I think she and Popo the Hippo make a good team. I'm going to miss coming to the studio for three months until season two."

Suddenly uncomfortable, Logan took a deep breath before stammering awkwardly.

"Uh... I was just thinking that maybe we could see each other sometimes... Go for a drink."

My smile faded. What did he mean? I questioned him with my eyes as I avoided his gaze. His hopeful eyes made me understand what I would never have imagined for a moment. Shocked, my forehead wrinkled. I couldn't say anything. Behind me, Isaac cleared his throat as if to remind me that we weren't alone.

"I, uh... Logan, I like you a lot. You're a good person, but my life right now is a mess. I don't have time to go out."

"That's a polite way of saying no," Logan replied, disappointed.

He shoved his hands in his pockets and stepped back. I tried to make up for it awkwardly.

"You caught me off guard. I'm not used to being invited out."

Unsettled, I scratched the back of my head nervously.

"You can think about it."

I nodded so as not to hurt him further. Satisfied, Logan turned and headed back to the studio.

"Miss Jimenez? Where do you want to go now?"

I looked at Isaac without seeing him and stammered, "I have an appointment with my orthodontist." Before getting into the car, I asked him in an almost desperate voice, "No news from..."

Isaac shrugged, looking sorry.

"No, Miss Jimenez. Mr. Khan doesn't give us any news when he's away."

He wanted to say something else, but he didn't. I sat down in the sedan, my soul in pain. The anxiety was getting to me.