In a world where loyalty is a dangerous game, kylina finds herself torn between danger and desire. When a forbidden romance with D'Angelo, A mafia leader ignites, the line between love and survival blurs. As she pulls back, her breath heavy with ant...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
People say I'm an aspiring student, an upcoming medical prodigy, and a girl who knows how to party and drink. Boy, do I let it go to my head sometimes? But in all honesty, I'm just living life the way I hope God intended. I'm not amazing or a miracle, like some people think. I couldn't even see that my best friend was hurting. I always knew something was off with her, but I never imagined it was abuse. Now, here she sat across from me in the booth, looking almost defeated but still trying to put on a fake smile.
I reached across the table, holding her palm in mine, to comfort her. She jolted at first, but then relaxed when she realized it was just me. My heart broke for her.
"I know you need time, but we've been sitting here for an hour. Are you going to explain to me what's going on?" I asked softly.
She nodded and cleared her throat. "Well, where do I start?" Her dull eyes crinkled with a semblance of happiness.
"Anywhere you feel most comfortable," I urged, not wanting to push too hard.
She chuckled dryly. "It's all uncomfortable actually..." She paused, as if she were reliving the events again.
I rubbed the back of her hand, trying to remind her she was here with me. She stared at our hands and sniffed.
"It wasn't always like this," she began. "I remember when I was younger, we all used to get along... my mom, the loving, doting mother, and my brother, the football prodigy." She laughed humorlessly and continued, "I used to come home from school to my mom's home-baked cookies and my brother watching the game with my stepdad, or just goofing around." She smiled sadly at the memory.
"What happened to that happy household?" I urged her to continue.
She looked me in the eyes and said, "They all left."
She gritted her teeth with anger. "My brother left for college, and my mom... my mother, I don't even know where she is. That bitch left me with that guy, that monster. And my brother, he doesn't even call anymore. When I call him, he's either too intoxicated to talk or he just doesn't pick up at all." Her face turned red with anger, tears freely washing down her face.
I got out of my booth and slid into hers, still holding her hand, and pulled her into a hug. As she cried, I rocked her back and forth, whispering encouraging words. People passing by gave us side-eyes and worried looks, but I just kept holding her until she was okay enough to compose herself.
She sat up, wiping away the tears with a sad smile, my shirt soaked with her tears.
"I'm sorry about your shirt-" she began.
"It's fine. It's only cloth, and you don't have to apologize for anything. You know I love you, right? I'll always have your back... always."
She sniffed and pulled me into another hug. I held her tightly, kissing the side of her face and running my fingers through her black hair.
"If you feel like it's too much, you don't have to continue," I said, rubbing her back to soothe her.
