Silent Eyes

31, The Arrested Truth

It was still dark outside, yet the sun was slowly rising, and businesses were opening their doors. Monica drove through the town until parking outside a police station. Prior to this, she had stopped inside a gas station to grab a drink and gather her thoughts. But on the television, she saw the police and ambulance swarming the hotel. They hadn't found any suspects, and they were interviewing terrified pedestrians. Monica's stomach dropped. She knew the suspect, and she was the one who could speak up.

The cashier noticed her clammy skin and frowned. "Ma'am, are you alright?" they asked in Greek. Monica placed her items on the counter without a word and quickly left. She pushed open the doors and slid back into the comforts of her car. At first, she was confident about heading to the police station and telling them what had really happened. But soon, she found it hard to press her foot on the gas pedal.

Involuntary shakes overtook her, tears bursting out of her eyes. Monica began to sob as she thought about how much she loved Andreas. She couldn't bear to see him go to prison, leaving her to give birth alone without any support. What would she tell their baby when they grew older? "I'm sorry, baby. Daddy isn't here because he's a murderer and a danger to society." Just the thought pained her, and a brewing headache added to her distress.

Yet, the memory of terrified pedestrians being questioned by the news reporter lingered in her mind. The fear in their eyes and the devastation that their world would never be the same again. Finally, Monica straightened up and took a deep breath. She needed to do the right thing, and that meant speaking up. So, there she was, sitting outside the police station with puffy red eyes and dried snot. She looked like a mess as she stepped out of the car, flinching at anyone who came near her. Right as she reached the door, she heard someone call out her name.

"Monica!"

Monica froze and slowly turned to see Emil. He appeared tired, slouched over with his hands in his pockets. He made his way towards her, speaking as he approached. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," he warned. Then he stopped to spit sideways. "Andreas will get really mad." Monica wondered how he knew she was there. But when she noticed a group of suspicious men emerging from the shadows and surrounding her, her heart raced. She quickly pushed through the entrance and raced toward the front desk.

Her hand slammed against the counter, startling the responding officer. "Is there anything I can help you with?" they asked. Monica looked sickly, her skin sweaty, her eyes red and droopy, her hair disheveled. She stammered quickly, "I would like to report my husband to the police!" The officer blinked, processing her words, and then slid a clipboard over to her before heading to the back. "Okay, just fill this out, and I'll be right back."

After the officer left, Monica found herself in the waiting room. She glanced around, noticing the peculiar gazes of everyone present. She hurriedly sat in the far corner, positioning herself for a quick escape if necessary. As she scribbled her information on the clipboard, a group of officers approached her, towering over her. She looked up and met the gaze of the main officer. "Mrs. Samaras?" he spoke. Monica swallowed hard. "Yes?" And before she knew it, they were placing handcuffs on her. "You're coming with us."

She shouted in confusion, her voice filled with desperation. "But why?" she cried out. "Why am I being arrested?" The officers remained silent as they forcefully grabbed her arms and began dragging her away. Monica struggled and fought against their grip, her eyes scanning the crowd for help. "Someone!" she pleaded. "Please, help me! This is unlawful!" The onlookers turned away, leaving Monica feeling utterly alone in that moment. The officers continued to tug at her, causing her to stumble and fall as they led her out of the room and into a narrow hallway.

They pushed her around, and tears mingled with her coughs. "Stop pushing me! Can't you see I'm pregnant?" Monica's stomach had swelled, round and unmistakable even from a distance. One of the officers directed his gaze towards her stomach and muttered something in Greek. "Χαρακτηριστικό, η μαύρη πόρνη είναι έγκυος από τον εγκληματία," he spat. Monica didn't understand his words, but the disgust on his face spoke volumes.

Suddenly, the officer raised his hand, preparing to strike Monica, who instinctively shut her eyes. But before the blow could land, someone intercepted his hand and forcefully flung it away. It was Tobias, his eyes filled with anger as he muttered something under his breath. "Είσαι τυχερός που δεν τη χτύπησε το χέρι. Αλλιώς θα είχες πεθάνει σε ένα λούκι μέχρι τώρα." Then, Tobias turned his attention to Monica, and his gaze softened. "Mrs. Samaras, please follow me." He began to move, but Monica hesitated, remaining behind and defiantly shouting, "No!" When Tobias glanced back at her, she was hiding behind the officers, her voice filled with anger. "No, I won't go home! I won't leave until justice is served!"

Tobias took a deep breath. "Ma'am, please, I don't..." Before he could finish, Monica cut him off, her voice cracking. "I can't go home and pretend that nothing happened!" Suddenly, she straightened her posture, shaking her head slowly. "Wait, Tobias? What are you doing here?" She had believed Tobias to be Angelina's boyfriend and Emil to be Andreas' best friend. She had many assumptions, but as she looked around and saw the men surrounding her, a chilling realization dawned on her. "Do all of you work for him?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Two hands gently rested on her waist from behind, sending an electric shock through her body. Monica's ears buzzed loudly, and she froze in place as a deep voice resonated in her ear. "My queen, we need to talk."

She didn't even dare to glance at Andreas as he guided her away. Instead, her gaze drifted into space, and she found herself sitting inside a car with tinted windows, hidden from prying eyes behind the building. Finally, Monica turned her head to the side, her eyes meeting Andreas, who looked like a stranger with a vacant expression. His smile was absent, and his eyes lacked their usual vibrancy. "I've been meaning to tell you this, but I couldn't," he began, his voice devoid of emotion. "I kept it hidden from you for your own protection." Monica could no longer tolerate the suspense and demanded, "Who the hell are you?" Andreas closed his mouth and made a revelation.

"I'm Andreas Samaras, and I am the head of the Samaras Family. We are part of the Greek Mafia, Monica."

Monica's breath caught in her throat, and a suffocating silence filled the air as Andreas broke it with his words. "My security guard informed me that you had left the house. And the receptionist mentioned you, baby. I'm sorry you had to find out this way." He extended his hand, attempting to caress Monica's cheek, but she flinched away, her eyes wide with fear as she trembled in silence.

Andreas let out a sigh, his hand dropping to his side. He patted her leg gently and then turned away, resting his head in his palm. Peering outside, he spoke with a distant tone. "Listen, we can discuss this once you've calmed down. You're under a lot of stress, and you're carrying our child, Monica." With those words, he snapped his fingers at the driver, signaling them to head back home. The car began to move, but Monica couldn't tear her eyes away from Andreas. She was consumed by an overwhelming terror of this man!