What happens when the mafia don who made your life a living hell inevitable falls for you? You play the part of his girlfriend, gain his trust, and ruin his life.
*****
Josita Cade lives a perfectly normal life teaching at a primary school, hanging...
The escort that guides Josi home isn't Croff but herself. She arrives at the penthouse a little after the hour of twelve, when the sky has already begun sleeping. But she heads out into the terrace regardless, indulging in the city lights as opposed to the sunset. And though the serene breeze calms her body down from the tensions of the evening, it is well within fact that Josi's mind is the thing that needs the most attention.
That evening's events have only just now burst Josi's bubble. It has forced the truth upon her to come to terms with, and as she opens these cans of worms, she realizes the truth is really no truth at all, but a reality which she's turned a blind eye to.
The image of the dead body is still there. It has not left. The blood, the uncanny posture, even the sound of the body slamming into the ground. An image that should provoke repulsion, but seems rather common in Josi's case. It was just another Tuesday evening, today. Just another dead body. No such remorse or empathy. Just a blank stare offered up for the corpse.
It's the other side of Idris's curse. Murders upon murders, more gruesome than the accident that occurred earlier. It started off with captives moving in and out the torture cellar. They would go in and never come back, and though Josi knew their fate, she'd never once imagined it would concern her. But try as she did to disregard the grounds used for execution, the bodies never stopped piling.
The first of such executions to be carried out in front of Josi happened when an attempt against Idris's life failed. Some assassin who was sent to do away with him, but was instead, caught and given an instant end. A bullet to the forehead. That was all it took. Right there in front of Josi's eyes. Right there for her to witness. Of course, the sight haunted her for days. So easy it had been for Idris to take a life. Just the kind of man he is as Josi knew back then. But even so, she'd failed to adequately prepare herself for a life of recurring murder.
When you come to witness many more, it becomes a routine. Nothing unusual. Except the fact that her empathy has been misplaced. That she can no longer feel. It widens the gaping hole in Josi's chest, this new discovery. That part of her may very well be lost forever, because the chances of getting it back are close to zero. She wants to share some of this burden with someone, but who else can she turn to at this time when the life she lives is a secret to those she truly cares about?
Josi phones her father anyway. Any words from her family will suffice. Three rings is all it takes. "Josita? It's quite late, is everything okay?"
The tears are unexpected. Perhaps it's fatigue. Perhaps it's the complications of the life she now lives. Or perhaps it's the familiarity her father brings. The one that has been missing for months now. The one with much more simplicity and certainty.
"Are you crying?" Her father asks
Josi wipes the tears away, hoping he accepts the lie. "No. I'm just really tired, that's all."
But her father doesn't feed into it. "Josita. What's wrong?"
"I just. . ." Josi pauses, trying to suppress the tears. She fails. "I feel like I can't feel anything anymore, dad."
"Is this about your job?" Her father asks, and when she doesn't respond, he takes her silence as an answer. "Josita, I don't want you surrounding yourself with things that make you unhappy. That's just not how you're meant to live your life. So tell your boss or supervisor or whoever it is that's giving you a hard time to go eat a pile full of shit before they have to deal with me."
Josi laughs despite the tears, and already it has brightened her mood. But as much as she would love to, she can't take her father's advice to heart. Telling Idris off is not wise. "Thanks, dad, but I can't come home just yet. I have some issues to take care of. But as soon as I'm done, I promise I'll quit."
Her father sighs. "I just want you where you're most happy."
"I know." Josi smiles. "I'll talk to you later."
"Alright. Take care of yourself."
Josi nods as if her father were present. "I will."
The call ends, taking with it Josi's sense of tranquility. Now she's back to that same reality on the terrace, where she'll be forced to deal with Idris and his world of madness. How pitiful that even in her most vulnerable moment, Josi can't be at the complete comfort of her family. Just half-truths and deceptions in exchange for words of solace that will only last the night.
The hour is late, but it shouldn't hinder a quick drive around the city. First stop is the school she taught in. Still the same from the day she left. The classroom must not have changed either, though the teacher assigned to the students definitely has. Her presence there must have shriveled down already, considering it's been well over half a year since she departed. It is indeed bittersweet that her career ended so early before it could fully mature. But that's the power of Idris Verdonni.
Without his power, however, life would be so much different. Still at the care of her family and loved ones who have now become almost strangers. Even the little things such as uncovering Aspen's hidden candy stash or arguing with Bradley over baked and boiled potatoes have been lost. No more need for that now. She has a new duty, and as Idris's girlfriend she must fulfill them.
Next on Josi's list to visit is her old apartment. But after much thought, she decides against it, because Bradley could still be there. And even if he weren't, to be caught meddling in the past means paying some consequence or the other. The deal states that all matters concerning Bradley were to be severed, and the apartment, where the two spent countless nights together, is as much of a red flag as Bradley himself.
Still, Josi can't help wondering if he's moved on. If he's found someone else and has replaced her. It stings. Greatly. It boils her with envy, though she knows it would be for the best. Not a picture Josi wants to imagine, though. Best not to think about it.
Josi ends her trip and turns towards the penthouse once again. The road is now scarce, which makes the journey far quicker. She taps her foot lightly against the pedal, eyes on the road but not completely focused. The silence is appreciated. It's calming. It's refreshing. It eases the truth in, and now she has finally accepted it. What's done is done. The past can't be changed. But the future most definitely can.
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