Echoes of Love

Chapter Twenty-five

EMILY'S POV

I groggily reached for my phone, rubbing the sleep from my eyes as I saw my mom's name flashing on the screen. My heart skipped a beat as I saw the time - 6:00 AM. She never called this early unless it was an emergency.

"Mom?" I answered, my voice husky with sleep.

"Emily, I need to talk to you," she said, her voice trembling. "I received a message from the mafia. They're threatening us again, saying we still owe them money."

My mind went into overdrive as I sat up in bed, my heart racing. But we'd already paid them, settled our debt. Why were they coming after us again?

"But Mom, we paid them," I said, trying to keep my voice calm. "We're done with them."

"I know, I know," she said, her voice cracking. "But they say it wasn't enough, that we need to pay more. And if we don't...they'll hurt us, Emily. They'll hurt us bad."

I felt a chill run down my spine as I threw off the covers and got out of bed. This couldn't be happening, not now, not when I'd finally found some semblance of peace with Leon. And I couldn't let him find out, not yet. Rachel was already looking for ways to sabotage our relationship; this would be the final nail in the coffin.

I began my morning routine, trying to find some sense of normalcy in the chaos. I brushed my teeth, washed my face, and pulled my hair back into a ponytail. As I got dressed, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and forced a bright smile. I couldn't let my worries show, not yet.

Downstairs, I found solace in the familiar ritual of brewing coffee and making toast. The aroma of freshly ground beans filled the air, and for a moment, I forgot about the mafia's threats.

As I ate my breakfast, I scrolled through my phone, responding to a few messages from Leon. He was already at the office, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for not telling him about my mom's call. But I pushed it aside, knowing I had to deal with this on my own for now.

With my bag packed and my coffee in hand, I headed out the door, ready to face whatever the day had in store.

As I walked to the bakery, the crisp morning air helped clear my head. I felt a sense of determination wash over me. I wouldn't let the mafia's threats dictate my life. I had built a new future here in Paris, and I wouldn't let them take it away.

When I arrived at the bakery, Sarah was already there, prepping for the day. She was expertly piping intricate designs onto a croquembouche, her hands moving with precision and skill. We exchanged a warm smile, and I felt grateful for her presence in my life.

"Hey, how's it going?" she asked, noticing my distracted expression.

I hesitated, unsure how much to share. But Sarah's kind eyes encouraged me to open up. "It's just my mom," I said quietly, my voice barely above a whisper. "The mafia is threatening us again."

Sarah's hands froze, the piping bag hovering in mid-air. Her eyes widened in shock, and she set the bag down, her face pale. "What? Oh my god, Emily, I thought you guys were done with them!"

I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. "We thought so too. But apparently, they're saying we still owe them money."

Sarah looked stunned, her eyes scanning my face as if searching for answers. "But that's not possible. You guys paid them off, didn't you?"

I nodded again, feeling a sense of frustration wash over me. "Yes, we did. But they're saying it wasn't enough. And if we don't pay more...they'll hurt us."

Sarah's expression turned serious, her eyes flashing with anger. "Those bastards," she muttered under her breath. "We'll get through this, Em. We always do."

I nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards my friend. But I knew this time was different. This time, I had Leon to consider, and the secret I was keeping from him weighed heavily on my mind.

Just then, the doorbell above the bakery door jingled, signaling the arrival of our first customers. We quickly got to work, lost in the familiar rhythm of mixing, baking, and serving. But my mind kept wandering back to the mafia's threats, and the secret I was keeping from Leon. I knew I had to find a way to deal with this situation before it spiraled out of control.

As the morning rush subsided, I took a moment to collect my thoughts, seeking refuge in the quiet of the back room. The familiar scent of flour and sugar enveloped me, usually a comfort, but today it offered little solace. My mind was consumed by the mafia's threats, and the weight of keeping this secret from Leon.

I sat down at the small table, trying to gather my thoughts, but my eyes wandered to the floor, where a piece of paper caught my attention. I picked it up, expecting a discarded recipe or note from Sarah. But instead, I saw a message scrawled in red ink, the words searing themselves into my brain: "We're watching you."

My heart skipped a beat as a chill ran down my spine. How did they get in here? What did they want? The bakery was my sanctuary, my safe haven. But now, it felt vulnerable, exposed.

I looked around the room, my eyes scanning every corner, every shadow. Had they been here the whole time, watching me, waiting for the perfect moment to strike? The thought sent a shiver down my spine.

I knew I had to act fast, to protect myself and the people I cared about. But as I looked around the familiar room, I felt a sense of unease. Was I truly safe anywhere? The mafia's reach seemed limitless, their power suffocating.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. I needed a plan, a way to confront this head-on. But for now, I was alone, with only my fears to keep me company.

I pulled out my phone, my fingers trembling as I dialed Leon's number. The familiar ringtone seemed to echo through my very being, a beacon of hope in the darkness. As I waited for him to answer, my mind raced with thoughts of the mafia's threats, of the fear that had been gnawing at me all day.

"Bonjour, ma chérie," Leon's voice was like a warm embrace, soothing my frazzled nerves.

I closed my eyes, letting the sound of his voice wash over me like a balm. "Leon, I need you," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

"What's wrong, Emily?" Leon's tone immediately turned concerned, his voice low and urgent.

I took a deep breath, trying to find the words to explain the terror that had been gripping me. But before I could speak, Leon continued, his words pouring out like a gentle stream. "You know I'm here for you, always. Whatever it is, we'll face it together. You're not alone, ma chérie."

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I felt a wave of emotion wash over me. Maybe I didn't have to face this alone. Maybe Leon could be my rock, my shelter in the storm. I felt a sense of gratitude towards him, towards his unwavering support and love.

"Je t'aime, Emily," Leon whispered, his voice full of conviction. "I love you, no matter what."

I smiled, feeling a sense of peace settle over me like a mantle. Maybe everything would be okay after all. Maybe, just maybe, Leon's love could conquer all, even the darkness that threatened to consume me.