Vengeance (COMPLETED)

Part 23

Today is definitely far better than yesterday. I spent all day with the legal team. They have their own office on the other side of the island. There are so many men around here, I was surprised to find the team is largely made up of women. There were about 20 of them, all working on different projects. I was asked to help out with finding a loophole in a forced marriage contract. It's nothing I'd ever done before. I learnt a lot about the mafia, too. They actually operate like a proper, formal business. Their contracts are the exact same as registered corporations in America. Contracts are my bread and butter, but this was different — this was someone's freedom at stake.

Even working at the legal clinic, we only worked on minor issues, like traffic infringements and property disputes. Someone may lose, but they wouldn't be going to prison. They wouldn't lose their independence. Their lives wouldn't be at risk. This is different. I loved it. It was great to be back at work, and it felt even better knowing that this work actually matters.

There was also a group of women working on a new territory agreement between the Stavros family and the Sainte family — Catarina's family. That's the type of work I'd be doing work for a Big 4, like I had planned. I know it was only one day, but I could definitely see myself doing this ongoingly. There were all different types of law happening across the team, and they all get to pick and choose what they work on. I could do corporate law every day or combine it with others.

The best part was the team itself. It was nothing like my job at the community clinic. Everyone on this team seemed like friends. There was constant chatter and laughter. Only a few of them are fully qualified lawyers, but there was no hierarchy or chain of command. They were all just hanging out, enjoying each other's company while scouring legal documents. It was fun. It just makes my decision that much harder.

This definitely makes me lean more towards staying, rather than leaving. I wouldn't be able to do this in America. I'd have to work on petty disputes until I graduate from Harvard and pass the bar, and who knows I'd actually be able to do either of those things, let alone score a job at a Big 4. Even if I did, I might not enjoy it — not when I know I could be alleviating the tedious work with more impactful work. Working at a Big 4 would mean having no life outside of work. I'd be making a lot of money, but that's all my life would be. Here, I could be making just as much money with limited stress and a better work-life balance. I wouldn't have to work 6AM until 8PM. I could go to the gym before work, and take a stroll along the beach to get there. I could hang out with Catarina afterwards, go shopping and go out for dinner, and still have time to binge-watch Netflix or read a book before heading to bed. I could have the best of both worlds. How could I decline that? It wouldn't even stop me from going to Harvard. I could still do that at any point in the future, or at least try.

This is the life my mother wanted for me, too. She worked her but off in corporate law. She loved the work but hated the hours. She always dreamt about retirement — heading off to a tropical island to soak up the sun and relax. She never discouraged me from working in corporate law, but she did warn me what it would be like. I can certainly see why she wanted the two of us to move out here once Vassilis was dead. It truly is a great option. And right now, I think this might be the best decision. At least for now.

I'd be lying if I said part of that wasn't influenced by the prospect of being with Atticus, but it's not all about the job, either. It's also about what I've been through the past few years. I deserve to enjoy my life for a while. I deserve to relax. Once Vassilis is dead, I'll be free. I won't have to look over my shoulder or worry about my safety anymore. Do I really want to go straight into the stress of a Harvard law degree right after that, or do I want to enjoy my freedom while I can? The latter sounds far more appealing, but that might be the buzz from today's work. I can't make any decisions yet. I need to take my time.

My happiness fades when I reach the dining hall. It's well past dinner time, so I expect the tables to be full. Instead, it's empty. The room has been torn apart. Chairs are strewn across the floor, upside down and on their sides. The pile of plates by the buffet has been pushed over. I spot a figure in the corner of the room — Angelis. He's crouched down on the floor, his knees tucked up to his chest. He rocks back and forth.

"Angelis?" I approach him carefully, knowing full well what he's capable of, but he doesn't seem to be in that state now. He's passed in. His face is puffy, his eyes focused on the ground before him. "What's going on? Are you okay?"

"No," he shakes his head. "We lost him."

"What?" I scowl. "Where is everyone?"

"He got out," he looks up at me. "We don't know where he is. He's dropped off our radar."

"No," my heart sinks. He can't be out. "No, that's not possible. You were watching him."

"We fucking failed," he slams his fist into the wall.

"Hey," I sit down beside him, placing my hand on his back to comfort him. I don't know how. My anxiety is through the roof. This is bad. This is really fucking bad. He's free. He's out there somewhere, plotting against us. I'm going to be sick.

"I hate him!" Angelis cries. "I hate him!"

"I know, I know," I try. I can feel my own tears start to build, the fear I've only just started to overcome returning. Fuck this. Things have only just started to improve. I don't want this shit. "I'm going to fix this. We're going to fix this, I promise."

We don't have another choice. I'm not doing this again. I'm not going back to how things were. I'm sick of being on edge. I'm sick of looking over my shoulder. Not again.

I eventually convince Angelis to head up to his room. The hallways are busy, but everyone knows to keep their distance. I tuck him into bed, still fully clothes. I sit beside him until I feel his breathing slow. I'm out the door the second he's asleep. I need to get this sorted out ASAP.

I find Atticus in the conference room, surrounded by a group of other men. They chat away in Greek, flicking through images and maps trying to locate Vassilis. Atticus is in full business mode, his face as serious as ever. I knock on the door to get his attention. The chatter stops, all men turning to look at me. Atticus scowls. We haven't spoken since last night when I blew him off.

"Everything okay?" he asks.

"Yeah, I, uhm... I was just hoping to talk to you."

"Can it wait? I'm just in the middle of something."

"No, actually," I feel bad saying it, but this is important. It can't wait. "I'm sorry, but can we chat in private?"

"Alright," he glances at his watch. "I'll meet you in my room in 10 minutes."

That's good enough for me. I climb back up the stairs and head into his room. It feels weird to be here without him. It's still just as tidy as it was yesterday when we were in here confessing our feelings. I wish we could go back there. I was an emotional wreck, but it was better than this crippling anxiety and fear.