Secrets Untold

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 28

𝐈 𝐒𝐈𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐃 my drink deep in thought whilst Myles babbled on about something in the background of my mind. Why would Lila voluntarily reveal my secrets? Unless she didn't do it willingly. Maybe she was hiding something herself.

Myles voice cut into my thoughts, "Akira, are you even listening?"

"Sorry," I gave him an apologetic look. "I'm just thinking about my sister."

"Is something wrong? Is she okay?" he asked me concerned.

A small smile crossed my face at his concern, "No, it's okay. Everything is fine."

He studied me for a little longer before standing up, holding out a hand to me, "Let's go."

I grabbed his hand, running after him, Lila being pushed to the back of my mind. He unlocked the car, and I jumped in. Myles leaned over suddenly, reaching to do my seatbelt. I gave an awkward laugh, which was cut short as I observed the amount of concentration on his face. I could smell the cologne on him and noted a small tattoo on the inside of his arm.

Myles reversed out of the parking lot, speeding down the road, windows rolled down with music blasting. Letting out a whoop, I leaned out of the window, relishing the feel of the wind tangling my hair. When I sat back down, I noticed Myles looking at me with a smile on his face.

"What?" I asked him self-consciously.

We stopped at a red light. Myles pressed a kiss to my cheek, "Nothing. You just look beautiful."

He didn't say another word to me after that, instead focusing on driving to his next location. I decided to relax, listening to the music. Before I realized it, I had fallen asleep.

*****

Two years ago

"Please!" I begged my aunt and uncle. "I don't want to leave. Please don't make us leave."

"Shut up, you ungrateful wretch," uncle Harvey slapped me. "You're lucky we even took you in after your mother died."

I gave up trying to beg, instead scowling, "I'm going out."

I ran out of the house, my feet slapping against the pavement as I ran to the nearby park. Defeated, I slumped onto a swing, rocking back and forth. I couldn't tell him. It would only hurt him more. Julio was already spiraling, and me being there with my own struggles was not helping him.

I smelt him before I saw him.

He kicked the mulch on the floor, taking a seat beside me. I looked up, making eye contact with him. Julio took another drag of his cigarette, exhaling all his smoke in one go. "What's wrong?'

"Nothing." I mumbled.

He took one last puff of his cigarette, dropping it on the pavement nearby and squashing it underneath his foot. "Don't give me that bullshit Akira. I know you like the back of my hand.'

I could feel my heart breaking. Julio had stopped calling me 'mi cielo' ever since we watched the video on the USB. He had become angrier over the last few months and had given up on his studies. After all, he was running the business in Max's brother's stead.

He reached over, touching the red welt across my cheek, his eyes darkening. "I'll kill them."

"Julio, please. Don't say things you don't mean." I told him desperately.

"But I mean it, Akira," he said stoically. "Just go back so I don't have to see you hurt, otherwise I will do something about it."

I stood up, bending to press a kiss to his forehead, looking away at the houses in the distance. It was for the best.