Veitato: LUST IN THE FORBIDDEN ADVENTURE

112: Why so paranoid

I could have screamed but I swallowed the loud cry that almost left my throat. In shock, I stared at her, still pointing the gun to her face, she looked terrified but she too, like me, was engulfed by fear.

I taken aback when I felt the unusual tap and that made my hand instinctively reached for the gun tucked under my shirt, ready to defend myself from any potential threat and I could have pulled the trigger, killing her instantly. She wouldn't have survived it.

It was a close call, and I was relieved that I hadn't pulled the trigger. Something told me to hold on and not pull the trigger. What if I hadn't been so calm to see the face of the intruder, I could have killed her! Breathing heavily, I relieved myself of the unexpected shock and sat back on the couch.

With all the anger and fear and shock in me, I looked at her,

"Don't you dare, don't you dare come close to me if I'm asleep again, don't you dare." I warned.

She was looking at me like I wasn't speaking English.

"The lab hasn't brought the reports. I am scared of what the results might say, but then, I await their call."

I ignored her and got up to wash my face. In the toilet, I heard her say somthing.

"What if I an actually pregnant? Mum will be so devastated, and dad? He wouldn't ever trust me again, I feel so miserabe now." She took a small pause and went on  "Or you think I should consult another lab? I think going for the test in two different places will help, or what do you think, Luciano?"

I brushed off her mention of consulting another lab. After washing my face, she was gone and I felt at ease. The thought of accidentally killing her moments ago was still fresh in my head and the shock was overwhelming. I decided to focus on something else. Determined to keep a sense of normalcy, I went to the kitchen.

I decided to make some chicken, as I stood over the sizzling pan on the stove, moving the spatula with expert precision. I could call myself a chef. A delightful aroma fills room as I flipped the crispy chicken in the pan, perfectly cooked and lightly coated in a tantalizing glaze. A smile spreads across my face as I expertly plates it. It was then I remembered the deadbolts I intended to buy.

I took a seat with my plate of fried chicken and took out a notepad and a pen from the drawer and starts jotting down some notes.

"Dead bolts... get them." I took a pause. " Might need window locks for extra security."

Thoughts of Massimo flooded my mind as I thought of other security strategies to adopt. I couldn't just wave off somethings I imagined, especially if it has to do with Massimo. Heaven knows what could be running in his head.

What if he harms Tiffany?

"Tiff!" I called, "Tiffany!"

"What is it already!?" She snapped walking into the kitchen, she eyed the chicken I placed on the table and looked at me. "What?"

"Do you think Massimo might want you dead?"

She watched me for a while then came to sit across me.

"Yeah." She replied. "He will kill me if you weren't in the picture, I believe it's because of you he's not coming any close."

My mind raced, trying to process what I heard. If this was right then I will use my own bare hands to kill Massimo, I swear it that I will kill him if he touches Tiffany. I was suddenly feeling a mix of anger, confusion, and sadness - anger especially.

Tffany interrupted my thoughts when she took a bite if the chicken and looked at me.

"I'm going to school. I have a project to defend, it's so important so I'll go prepare now."

I rolled my eyes, "I'll go to the lab then, but I'll drive you to school." I offered. She didn't say anything, just stood up and walked out.

Tiffany was ready in ten minutes and as we made our way to the car , I considered calling my father. But then I decided against that, he might be busy or something, so I dialed the number of my stepmother, Tiffany's mother instead.

"Goodness gracious! Luciano, it's you!" The older woman's scream perforated my eardrum and I chuckled at her excitement to receive my call.

"Hello, mother. How are you?"

"So good. And you son?" Her voice , warm and soothing asked.

"Pretty good." I said. "And how is father? How has he been doing and is there any updates on your recovery?" I asked.

"I am getting better, you need to see your father now, Luciano. We have been enjoying as a couple, going on different vacations and outing. We even went to one of the most luxurious restaurants and you need to see how romantic he is but then, we've got different bodyguards everywhere. It's been hard nowadays, with those hefty men around looking like giant serial killers. "

A life free from the entanglements of the Mafia.

Her words painted a picture of a life I yearned for, a life without constant danger and secrets,  a cool life free from the entanglements of the Mafia and their chains of destruction. I was going far into the thoughts when I heard her say something.

"Your father suggested spending the next holiday together as a family. You, Tiff and I, it will be so good, you know. Think about it."

"I suppose." I said and then saw Tiffany coming, I gave her the phone to talk to mother and started the car.

We arrived at her school. Reluctantly, she gave me back the phone and got out of the car.  She didn't even say goodbye but I cared less. I contemplated whether to wait or proceed alone to the hospital to get Tiffany's results.

In the midst of my contemplation, my phone rang, and Massimo's name flashed across the screen. My heart skipped a beat and the anger I felt came again. I then decided not to answer, I started the ignition and as I glanced back to the road, I noticed someone waving at my car. Confusion consumed me, particularly anger. It was Massimo.

I grabbed my phone to call Massimo back. He picked immediately.

"Why are you trailing me, man?" to find out why he was following him.

Massimo chuckled on the other end of the line and that made me feel foolish. "You do know you, Tiffany and I attend the same school, so you see why I am here, Luciano. I simply came to school." With that, I felt like strangling him.

Damn, why am I so paranoid?