Twisted Fixation

『 Chapter 53 』

Giancarlo was thinking that perhaps it was a wrong decision that he suddenly confessed his feelings to Yuri, but he knew it wasn't a mistake. Sure, it took time before he finally realized he couldn't keep his emotions hidden any longer and that the weight of his unspoken words had become unbearable. He knew that confessing was the only way to find peace within himself and finally confront the uncertainty that had been plaguing him.

He understood that by expressing his feelings, he was taking a risk, but he also knew that living with regret would be far worse than any potential rejection. He was ready to face whatever outcome awaited him, knowing that at least he had been honest with himself and Yuri.

But then he was considering that maybe this wasn't the right time yet. With a lot of things happening, especially with Luigi Torricelli possibly being absolved of his crimes, he wondered if adding another layer of complexity to Yuri's life was fair.

"La cena è pronta. Hai intenzione di cenare con i nostri visitatori?" (Dinner is ready. Do you plan on dining with our guests?)

He was so absorbed in his own thoughts that he did not notice that Favio came in. He weighed whether it would be a good idea to have dinner with the others considering that Yuri might not be comfortable facing him yet given that she had been avoiding him like the plague.

"Non ho fame," (I'm not hungry) he replied, averting his attention instead to the report given by Cassius. So far, things are turning out great especially that the legal proceedings have already started.

Favio looked at him cautiously and let out a deep sigh. He had noticed the sudden change of behavior in Giancarlo after she called Yuri to his office, and he'd been wondering what happened. It doesn't look like the two had a fight, but the way his boss is purposely avoiding being outside these days makes him worry.

He was about to ask if Giancarlo would prefer his meal to be brought to his office when they heard soft knocks. Favio, who was just standing near the door, opened it to find Agatha standing outside.

"I am sorry if I am interrupting something, but is Yuri here?" the woman asked. Favio glanced at Giancarlo, who could have the answer to that, but his boss just narrowed his eyes.

"We were just talking this morning, and it looks like she had a plan to talk to you, Mr. Costa, but I haven't seen her since then."

Favio and Giancarlo exchanged glances as they realized that Yuri could be missing. Giancarlo quickly pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

"Controlla le telecamere a circuito chiuso della tenuta. Yuri è scomparso!" (Check the CCTV cameras on the estate. Yuri has disappeared!) he yelled to the person on the other end of the line as negative thoughts raced through his mind.

"So, you did not see her this morning.." Agatha said tonelessly, as if she already knew the answer. The tension in the room grew as they watched Giancarlo rise from his seat and walk past them towards the door. Favio followed his boss closely, concern etched on his face.

Agatha closes her eyes tightly, taking a deep breath to steady herself. She knew that Yuri was a strong woman, as she was her daughter, but she couldn't help but worry about her safety. Her mind was flooded with images of all the possible dangers Yuri could be facing, and she desperately hoped that it was not what they thought it was.

***

The cab stopped in front of the St. George Army headquarters, and even though Yuri hadn't stepped out of the vehicle yet, she could see some of her former colleagues looking in her direction with remnants of hostility, which she couldn't blame them for because she was not supposed to let a cab be that close to the headquarters. As she opened the cab door, Yuri's heart raced with a mix of anticipation and anxiety, knowing that her unexpected arrival would surely raise questions among her former comrades. However, George was the only person to whom she could turn for help, even though she wasn't part of the organization anymore. She knows that he will not let her down.