Halcyon

Part 35

Halcyon POV.

The night before our scheduled date I sit with Kate in front of my tv watching more episodes of our show. "Do you want more macaroons?" I offer her some more colourful ones I made.

"Sure." She takes another. I actually made a whole batch for Tamir and his men that I'll give them tomorrow night.

"So I've been meaning to tell you something," I look over at her words. "You and that Timothy guy."

"Tamir." I correct her rolling my eyes.

"When you guys first met it was cute and all but now I see you're getting kinda serious, he's buying you jewelry, paying for huge amounts of clothes then for your nails, now he's showing up unannounced and you're used to it."

"It's not really unannounced, he's always welcome here."

"Right...but I thought you would come talk to me..." my heart drops at her words.

"Talk to you...about what?"

"You think I don't notice but I do, your bruises that you cover up. You wore a turtleneck on a warm ass week for crying out loud!" She turns her body towards me. "Is he hurting you?"

"What?!" I shake my head.

"Does he hit you then buy your silence?"

"What! Kate no! You've got it all wrong!"

"I don't think I do-"

"You do." I didn't think I'd have to talk about this with her so soon. "His work life, it's a little complicated and he too is a complicated man."

"He really is," she agrees. "I know we're not bestfriends but the least he could do is acknowledge my existence when he crashes."

"He can be very cold, I'm sorry for that."

"You shouldn't have to apologize for him, that's your first red flag Halcyon." I drop my eyes not knowing how to respond, he's got many other red flags she doesn't know about. "What does he do? What about his work makes it so complicated?"

I remember my promise not to tell a soul about him, I look up at her, but she's my best friend, I can trust her can't I? "So?" She presses. No I can't, knowing Tamir he'll probably put her in the ring just to see how trustworthy she really is. "You're not going to tell me are you." Her eyes watch me with disappointment.

"He works in the mafia." I blurt out. Her face is blank. "Matter of fact he's a mafia leader himself. I'm sorry." I inch closer to her. "I was so scared, I didn't want to drag you into this."

"What the actual fuck!" She cures in front of me and immediately realizes. "I'm sorry I just! What?!" I start to blurt our explanations stating the night I saved him and all the leading events till now. "Save him Halcyon?! That man is in too deep and you need to get yourself out of it. Fast."

"But you don't see what I do!"

"You know you can be really naive!" He tone surprises me. "I'm not saying all this to be mean, but seriously?! You know better then this." I know I do.

"This is why..." my eyes start to sting. "This is why I didn't want to say anything! You always see the bad side of people!"

"Are you serious?! He only has one side! And that's bad!"

"No he doesn't! I'm telling you Kate, he can be good!" She rolls her eyes and stands. "Please," I follow her, "he'll kill us both if you breath a word of this to anyone."

"And you don't see the problem with that?!"

"I'm doing what I can to survive Kate! I have no choice!" She shakes her head out. "I didn't want to lie to you. Please," I step in front of her, "stay and talk to me."

"I don't get it," she blinks at me. "He kidnapped you, he made you witness countless murders, he put you in a boxing match, he himself put his own hands on you! What good does he have?!"

"I know how it sounds, but I still believe in him." She finally steps back and I lead her to sit back down. "You can't tell anyone Kate."

"If you keep this up you'll get yourself killed." Her tone drops. "I'm serious Halcyon, this isn't like the movies or the books, this is real life. You deserve to be happy, you're the last of your family, find a good guy and be happy with him."

"I'm not going to die Kate, that's a little much."

"Let me guess, he's going to protect you?" Why does she have to say it like that?

"Yes, I believe he will." She rubs her eyes groaning.

"Are you pregnant? Is that why you want to stay so bad? He knocked you up didn't he?"

"No!" She looks at me questionably. "Please try understand, he does actually care for me."

"That's enough. I don't want to hear anymore." I shut up. "I'm not going to tell anyone about this, I just really need to go home." She stands once more.

"I'm really sorry," I follow her. "I didn't want it to go like this." She's leaving with no words and I have no choice but to just shut the door behind her. Maybe it was better when I didn't tell her, I haven't argued with her like that in years.

As soon as I sit tears start to unwillingly fall out. I messed up again. My sobs come out harder. I don't know what I would do if I lose my bestfriend, she's all I've had ever since my brother died.

I pray with silent tears that she won't stop talking to me, now that I've told her and it's out in the open, it wouldn't be surprised if she did.

Not even Tamir seems to believe when I say even he can change, I don't get what's so wrong in believing in him. I know he has it in him. I can't wait to see the day he changes so I can tell him: "I told you so."