Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of the table lamp casting shadows on the walls as I sank into the couch, feeling the weight of the day pressing heavily on my shoulders. My fists were still clenched, and my heart raced with the memory of the fight with Shay. I could still hear the echoes of our argument ringing in my ears, the sharpness of her words cutting deeper than anything else.
As I glanced over at Giovanna, she sat beside me, her face a mixture of concern and anger, her brow furrowed as she meticulously dabbed antiseptic on my wounds. The silence hung thick between us, the kind that was both comforting and suffocating. I could feel her tension, the way her fingers trembled slightly as she worked. “Gio,” I finally broke the silence, my voice soft but tinged with worry. “You okay?” She looked up at me, her hazel eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“I’m fine,” she murmured, but her tone betrayed her. I could feel the storm brewing beneath her calm facade. With a sigh, I shifted slightly, moving out of her hold. Her confusion was palpable, and I could see her brow knit tighter. “Claudia, where are you—” Before she could finish her sentence, I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her into a hug.
I could feel her body tense for a brief moment before she melted against me, the warmth of her presence washing over me like a soothing balm. “Let it out, baby,” I whispered gently, resting my chin on the top of her head. “It’s okay to be upset. I’m okay, I promise.”
And just like that, the dam broke. A few tears fell from her eyes, soaking into my shirt as she clung to me tightly. “I just... I can’t believe this happened to you,” she choked out, her voice thick with emotion. “I want to take you and Savanni somewhere safe — somewhere peaceful. You shouldn’t have to deal with this.”
I pulled back slightly, searching her eyes. “You’re not going to hurt Shay, are you?” “I won’t,” she said resolutely, her voice steadying. “But I can’t promise I won’t want to.” “baby, I’ll press charges. I mean it,” I reassured her, brushing some hair away from her face. “I won’t let her keep getting away with this.”
Her expression softened, but there was still a glint of worry in her eyes. “I just want you both to be safe. That’s all that matters right now.” I smiled, knowing that she meant it. “Okay, then let’s go somewhere. Just us and Savanni. We can find a little cottage by the lake or something. We can breathe, and you can recoup.” “Yeah,” she said, a hint of relief washing over her.
“I just want you to feel better. And I want to keep you close.” In that moment, I felt a surge of love for her, the kind that made my heart ache. I leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. “You’re incredible, you know that? I’m lucky to have you.” “Lucky to have you, too,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Can we get some food first? I’m hungry,” I said, trying to lighten the mood. “Of course,” she replied, but I could tell she was still in her head. “I mean, I think I’m in the mood for sushi,” I added, trying to coax a smile from her. “Anything for you, Mama,” she said, the corners of her mouth lifting. “I’ll order it. We aren’t going out tonight.” I shook my head, wanting to reassure her.
“Everything can go back to normal tomorrow. You’ll have your rescheduled photoshoot. We just need one night to regroup.” But then she looked at me, and I could see the storm brewing again. “Claudia,” she started, her voice firm yet tender. “Do you really think I care about a fucking photoshoot? Have you seen your face?”
I couldn’t help but chuckle softly, trying to lighten the mood even more. “I mean, you could take some pictures for me.” “Stop,” she said, rolling her eyes but smiling nonetheless. “I’m not leaving you alone for a while.”
“whatever you want,” I said, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. “I want you here with me.” Gio leaned in closer, brushing her lips against mine again, and I melted into her embrace. “So, sushi it is. "
Gio's POV:
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The soft glow of the TV flickered in the dimly lit room as I sat cross-legged on the couch, a bowl of popcorn resting on my lap. Claudia was next to me, her head nestled against my shoulder, her warmth a small comfort in the aftermath of the traumatic day we’d faced.
But even as we tried to lose ourselves in the movie, my mind raced, replaying the horror of what had just happened. I glanced over at Claudia. The familiar landscape of her features felt foreign, haunted by the ugly marks that marked her skin.
My breath hitched as my gaze landed on a bruise forming on her neck—dark, angry, and so damn evident. A wave of anger surged through me, and I felt my heart pound in my chest. “How the fuck did Shay do that?”
I exclaimed, my voice shaky with a mix of concern and anger. Claudia straightened up, her eyes wide with surprise, yet she attempted to keep her tone calm, like a soothing balm on a fresh wound. “Gio, it’s okay now. It doesn’t hurt anymore,” she said softly, reaching out to rub my chest and neck, trying to pacify the storm brewing inside me.
“Bullshit,” I shot back, the word harsh on my tongue. “What the fuck did she do to you for your neck to look like that?” My mind raced with the possibilities, each more terrifying than the last.
Claudia hesitated, her eyes flickering with a mix of emotions—fear, sadness, resignation. “She—she tried to choke me out,” she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. The words hung in the air, and a cold wave of fury crashed over me. “Pack your stuff,” I commanded, rising from the couch with a determination that surprised even me.
“Gio, no!” Claudia’s confusion was palpable as I made my way to my phone, ready to take action. I dialed her mom’s number, my heart racing. “hey, ma, I think it's best Claudia stays with you.” “Gio, wait, this is crazy!” Claudia protested, urgency in her voice as she followed me. “I’m fine—I don’t need you to do this!” But I was already moving, rifling through the closet to grab a suitcase, my mind made up.
“You will stay with her until everything is worked out. I know she has top-notch security over there,” I said, completely ignoring her pleas. “Gio, please!” she cried out, desperation thick in her voice as she reached for my arm, but I shook her off gently, though the ache in my heart was unmistakable.
“I’m not letting you out of my sight, baby. Not after what happened.” My voice softened for just a moment, but the resolve remained firm. As I packed her belongings, I could feel her eyes on me—full of confusion and hurt. But I couldn't let my fear win, I had to protect her, even if it meant standing strong while she felt vulnerable.
The movie played on in the background, but the only thing that mattered was making sure she was safe. No matter what it took, I would keep her close.
