The Heir's Retribution

CHAPTER 30

Chapter 30: A MAN MORE DANGEROUS

Dominic is a mafia boss. His real name is Darius Nikolas Christodopoulous, the Capo of the Vitalis Organosí. The name alone carries an air of money, power, and danger that sends a shiver down my spine.

No matter how many times I repeat that in my head, I still struggle to believe it. How could the man I thought I knew—the one who would do anything for his family, who worked tirelessly to keep everything afloat, who couldn't stand my spoiled ass yet somehow remained patient and caring to me—be the ruthless leader of one of the most feared criminal syndicates in the world?

Ayaw tanggapin ng utak ko ang kaalamang ito. Gusto kong paniwalain ang sarili ko na it was something I made up dahil sa stress, paranoia, or a desperate attempt to make sense of everything that's happening around me. But deep down, alam kong hindi ko mababago ang katotohanan, no matter how hard I try to bury it.

It's been three days since we arrived here. I haven't stepped foot outside the master bedroom. I don't think kailangan ko pa. Tila ginawa ang silid na ito para sa akin, naghihintay lang ng pagdating ko. Everything inside feels familiar—my favorite brand of toiletries was neatly arranged in the bathroom, an assortment of dresses that are exact replicas of the ones I have at home, even the same lavender-scented candles I light when I need comfort are here. 

Si Dominic mismo ang naghahatid sa akin ng pagkain ko. On rare occasions when he's occupied, Emerson delivers the food instead. Emerson always greets me warmly and asks how I'm doing, but he never presses for more than I'm willing to give. They're the only two people I've seen in the past three days. 

Tumatabi si Dominic sa akin pagtulog tuwing gabi. We would hold each other close, as if clinging to something fragile, something slipping through our fingers. Bago siya umalis tuwing umaga, he would press a soft kiss on my forehead, a gesture that feels both tender and heavy with things unsaid.

And yet, we never talk. Not a word. I think he knows I'm not ready to face the questions or the answers that would follow.

I tell myself I need space to think, time to process everything that's happened, but the truth is, I can't bear to be far from him. The thought frustrates me, makes me feel weak, yet I can't help it. There's a pull between us that I can't ignore, no matter how hard I try. 

I want space, but I want him in it.

I'm not sure whether to feel relieved or disappointed when I find it's Emerson standing outside the room as I step out.

"Hi..." His brows raised in surprise, tila hindi inaasahan ang paglabas ko. 

"Hi..." I echo softly.

I don't know why I was expecting Dominic to be there. Was I hoping he would drop everything just to wait for me? Guard me 24/7 when he has far more important things to do? Just to be the first face I'd see when I opened the door? The thought feels selfish, absurd even, but I can't shake it.

He's probably busy—doing what I can only imagine. Running the syndicate? Handling the kind of business I'm not even sure I want to know about?

Emerson clears his throat softly, pulling me from my spiraling thoughts.

"Is there anything you need?" 

 I shake my head.  

"No... I just needed to see... something new," I reply, though even I'm not entirely convinced it's the whole truth.

Bakit nga ba ako lumabas? 

Maybe that is the truth. I've spent days staring at the same corners, the same ceiling, lost in a loop of my own thoughts. I'm tired of the silence, tired of being alone in my head. I just want to see something—anything different.