Mafia's Badgirl

Chapter 9

Rachel's POV

It has been 5 months since I embarked on this journey of tertiary education. Sofia is now 1 year old. It feels like time has flown by. My baby is growing up pretty fast. Brandon and I have been a couple for 4 months now and our love for each other gradually intensifies. Jayden and Melissa have been together for the same amount of time and their relationship is going strong too.

It feels like my life is finally getting back on track. I just hope my world doesn't come crashing down again. I'm finally blissful and not living my life in misery. I feel liberated, I feel  I'd give everything to keep it that way.  I have the most caring and loving boyfriend. He's nothing like Leo. I was wrong about him. He may be a mafia leader but he's nothing like that scumbag who ruined my life. I have found true friends like Jayden and Melissa. I have started opening up about my past to them a little. I'm not quite prepared to delve deeper but I am well aware that at some point I need to tell them. Brandon would be the first person I'd reveal my whole past to. I want him to know every raw and vulnerable part of me. I want him to understand my past and the ramifications it has had on me. The years I spent with Leo and then my mother and sister's death and the trauma and guilt I've had to deal with. Even raising Sofia alone has been a hefty task even though I seem to have it altogether. All these experiences have been nothing but traumatic, miserable, and harrowing. I don't ever wanna go through something like that again.

Speaking of which, my Dad hasn't been calling me recently and I haven't received the monthly funds that my Dad sends me this month. I can't quite put my finger around it, but I have this sinking feeling in my gut that something is amiss. I'm honestly starting to panic. My Dad isn't usually like this. I can't help but feel like something horrible happened at the same time, I don't know how to accept that if it is the case. I can't lose him. It's bringing back an emotion I'd thought was foreign by now; fear, guilt, and misery. Brandon has been immensely supportive of me and even offered to take me to Michigan to gain clarity and bring me some solace.

I need to reveal my past to him tonight. I can't put this off any longer. It's haunting me more now because of my dad's recent inactivity. I feel so secure around him and he's been nothing but understanding and empathetic towards me even though he doesn't understand the extent of my anguish and fear at this point.

Third person Pov

The room felt heavy with the weight of Rachel's unspoken agony. Her trembling hands clutched a tissue, attempting to absorb the tears streaming down her cheeks. Brandon's comforting presence enveloped her, but the journey ahead was daunting.

"Brandon, it's like a nightmare that I can't escape. Leo... he wasn't the man I thought he was. After a year together, he wanted me to move in. It started then."Brandon listened intently, his gaze fixed on Rachel, his heart aching for the pain she was about to unearth.

"He became controlling, abusive. I fought with my parents to stay with him. I even insulted them and broke their heart. But I didn't know what awaited me. He... he wouldn't let me leave, confiscated my phone, and I wasn't allowed to meet anyone. It became a prison."Brandon's jaw tightened, fists clenching in silent rage. The room seemed to constrict around them.

"He would beat me up for the tiniest of mistakes, he raped me multiple times. I was shattered, Brandon. There was a moment when I tried to escape, but he caught me. Then a few days later  he showed me a picture of my dead mother and sister."

Silence hung in the air, and Brandon's eyes reflected the pain etched on Rachel's face."He killed them, Brandon. I couldn't save them. I didn't even get to say goodbye to them. the last time I ever talked to them, I insulted them, I hurt them and it haunts me to this day.  I stayed with him, fearing he'd kill my dad too. When I found out I was pregnant with Sofia, he abandoned us."

Brandon's grip tightened on Rachel, absorbing the weight of her trauma. His mind raced with emotions ranging from anger to profound sorrow. he wanted nothing more than to envelop Rachel in his embrace but at the same time, he wanted to put an end to Leo Russo. he was undoubtedly his sworn enemy being the leader of the rival Mafia but this was all the more reason to have an enmity with him. 

"Rachel, I can't fathom your pain, but you're not alone anymore. I'm here for you. Always."His words were a lifeline, a promise of unwavering support. Rachel leaned into Brandon's comforting embrace, finally allowing herself to share the depth of her anguish.

"I've never felt as safe as I do with you, Brandon. I needed you to know."As they sat in the cocoon of shared vulnerability, Brandon understood that tonight marked a pivotal moment in their connection. The past had been laid bare, and he was determined to be the pillar of strength Rachel desperately needed. 

Brandon just sat there, holding Rachel ever so tenderly as she let it all out in his embrace. The weight of her bottled-up emotions and thoughts finally lifted off her shoulders in their shared embrace.

After Rachel had calmed down, Brandon pulled away and pressed a tender kiss on her forehead. He also assured her that they would get to the bottom of the situation with her father. They were due to fly to Michigan next week since it'd be the summer break. It was only a week before they found out what happened to her father. What could have happened?