VENGEANCE

Ghosts from the Past

*flasback of sofia's mom*

"We just need a loan, please! the banks have all refused us. As soon as I can work again, I will pay it off. please, Viktor, you're all I have." "fine. but if you don't pay back, there will be consequences. I can't afford to be soft, even for you, Esperanza." "of course." "you said... it's lung cancer right ?" "yes."  "how long do you have?"  "the doctor said one year. but I think that with the new drug, I might be able to fight it off. Hope, Viktor. that's what my mama named me.'Siepre debemos tener esperanz' she'd say. 'we must always have hope.'  " We have a saying in Russia. ' Nadezhda umiraet posledney.' means 'hope dies last."   "let's hope it's true."

[present]

~ Sofia's pov~

I was talking to Alex in my bedroom "I get that it's important... but did you have to wake me up at 3 am to tell me? I just went to bed an hour ago !"  "Sofia it's him. he's coming tomorrow."  "You're going to have to specify because all of this alcohol is really starting to, "Alec says firmly  "Sofia." suddenly it clicked in my brain, hoping it's not what I think "Vicktor?" "yes."  "tomorrow."  "yes, and I brought you here at 3 am to tell you not to do anything stupid, alright? you can get your revenge after we find our murderer and... remove elijha." "He killed my FATHER, Alex. Do you think I can just let that go !?"  " you'd better be able to. tomorrow he wants to have lunch with the team that was set to deliver the package." "so I'm going to be eating tiny sandwiches with the man I most despise in the entire universe tomorrow afternoon ?" "I'm afraid so ?" goshh he's not helping " I should've had the last drink. Alex I... I'm scared. what if he recognizes me?"  "He won't, you look different now. besides, that was years ago. even he looks different, you said it yourself." in the cold room, the night sky that is normally bathed in the moonlight darkened by clouds, I steel my nerves and quietly ask my question. "can I sleep in your room tonight ?" " of course." he gave me a tight hug for assurance that he'd always be there for me. "let's get some sleep." I do and follow him to his room, and soon enough I fall asleep."

*nightmare*

we are in the room and the thugs have held my dad "PapaPapaPapa I'm so scared." Viktor says "vell. zis is touching. Dante, kill zis man." "very well, Boss." he points the gun towards my dad as my dad says " Sofia, corre! ( Sofia, run!) I couldn't get myself to move an inch as I heard the gunshot and my father falling down clutching his chest "PAPA !" "ve're done here."  " Papa!! Despiertate, Papa! (wake up, papa!) despiertate, por favor ! (wake up, please!) PAPA !"

I jolt up suddenly, gasping for breath as I clutch the covers sp tightly that my knuckles turn white. when I couldn't hold it back anymore my sobs broke out. "Sofia...?" Alex asks waking from the noise of my sobs "You alright ?" "h-he was there! he was right there! I swear, it was like he was real ! he d-did it all over again..." Alex rolls over and wraps his arms around me, pulling me down to the mess of blankets and sheets. I hold onto his hands while they're around me, calming down considerably as he whispers to me that it was only a dream. I try desperately to keep my eyelids from closing, too shaken up to risk returning to the dream world only to find another nightmare. Yet I find myself allowing them to slide closed as I relax in Alex's embrace, the rise and fall of his chest lulling me into a peaceful sleep.

when the curtains cant block out the morning light any longer, I wake up and gently slide out of Alex's arms. I gaze tenderly at Alex's sleeping form, and kiss two of my fingers, softly pressing them to his cheek. I whisper "Thank you." and head towards my room.

I take a scalding hot shower to rid the pounding in my head from the alcohol last night, and when I get out, I feel considerably freshened up.' I wonder what I should wear to the luncheon today... and decided to wear a lacy white top with black jeans and a black leather statement jacket. just to scream dangerous, mysterious, and professional but in style.