Black Angel

Chapter Twelve

Derrick

    It was two weeks since we last saw her father, but Zola was still affected by his last ultimatum.
    "You are not my daughter."
    How could a father do such a thing? How could someone be so fucking stupid to let her walk out of their life?
    Stupid dipshit.
    She'd cried the whole night in my arms.
    We don't know each other for very long, but I sure as hell know that I hate seeing Zola sad.
    I felt a piercing pain in my chest as she stared holes in her breakfast. It felt like she was breaking inside.
    I had to change that. Now.
    I wouldn't let anyone hurt her. Not even herself. Especially when she didn't do anything wrong.
    All she did was standing up for herself. I was so fucking proud of her, because that meant she's healing from her past.
    "How about we continue with our training later on?" I needed her to focus on something – anything – just so she can distract herself a bit from those memories which were probably haunting her.
    "Huh? Oh, yeah. Sure." She said, finally looking up from her still untouched plate.
    "But before we do this, I need to give you something." And with that, she stood and walked towards her room.
    When she returned, she had a little black box in her hand.
    "Lately, I noticed you played with your bracelet or necklace or even just your fingers. I know why someone does those things. So, I got you a little gift, maybe it'll help keep the anxiety in che-" She stopped when I stood, an indefinable look in my eyes.
    "Derrick I'm so sorry, I didn't want to-" I knew she meant the having anxiety part of her speech, so I cut in.
    "Hey," I chuckled. "It's okay. Actually, I'm more intrigued by the fact that you noticed these things. I didn't want you to see how weak I could be."
    She handed me the box and said "Don't ever call yourself such a thing again. If you could see yourself out of my eyes, you would know that you're anything but weak.
    But I want you to do something for me: Please, talk to me whenever something is haunting your mind again. You were there for me so many times, when I needed your support the most. Just know that I'll always be there for you too, okay?"
    I've never heard anyone so sincere before. She wanted me to understand what she said, and I don't mean the logical way.
    She wanted me to feel that she's there for me.
    And I did.
    Smiling at her, I opened the box and was greeted by a black ring. Taking it out, I realized it had another ring outside of it, which could move.
    She gifted me a fidgeting ring.
    I don't know if I ever believed that I have anxiety, but her gift made me realize that it might be so.
    I put it on my index finger, it fit perfectly.
    "Thank you very much, Zola. I guess this is the most thoughtful gift I've ever got." I engulfed her in a tight hug, and she returned the hug just as tight.
    After some time, we reluctantly detached. "Mine helped me in some situations to distract my brain a little bit." She showed me her silver fidgeting ring. "Okay then, let's get started with today's training session, shall we?" She asked smilingly and I glared at her, playing authoritative.
    "First eat your breakfast, ma'am. – Nope." I said and added when she gave me her best puppy dog eyes, causing her to sigh and sit back down.

-------------------------

    "Like this?" Zola breathed out. After breakfast, we cleaned the table and dishes together and came down here, to the indoor gym, right after.
    I was teaching her some sparring techniques right now and, I must admit, she improved as time passed by.
    "Almost." I chuckled. She tried to hit me and, as I said, almost succeeded. But before her hand could touch me, I grabbed her wrist and turned it slightly behind her back, being careful not to hurt her.
    "Oww!" She whimpered and I immediately switched from teacher mode into protector mode. Well, I shouldn't have.
    Because the second I released her wrist, she punched her elbow in my stomach, which made me stumble and fall on my back, because of the surprising moment.
    But if I was going down right now, I would drag her the hell with me. So, I took her wrist again and she fell on top of me, her one leg falling between my legs.
    First, we stared into each other's eyes. But then, we both burst out into laughter, and I had to admit that I didn't even remember when the last time was that I laughed so out of the heart.
    After the laughter died down, she got to her feet and held her hand out for me to take. Cute, as if she could help me get up.
    I still took her hand and let her think she helped me with standing up. She wasn't weak, but she sure as hell couldn't heave a two-hundred pounds heavy, six-foot five tall man.
    When I was standing in front of her, looking down at her beautiful and sweaty face, my eyes dropped from her eyes to her lips for a moment, before I forced them back up.
    Focus!
    My inner voice was right.
    But before I could make a move for another exercise, Zola caged my face between her hands by placing them on my cheeks and pushed herself up to gather my lips with hers.
    Instinctively, I moaned into her mouth, which made her smile against my lips, one hand curled around her waist, pulling her up a bit more, and the other on her neck, deepening the kiss.
    After we detached, she giggled and said "Apologies, I thought we could need a little break." I chuckled in response.
    Sure, we weren't in a relationship, but we knew we felt something towards each other. She just needed time to see that she's worthy of me, like she'd put it and I needed a bit more time to adjust to my developed feelings towards this beautiful, amazing woman in front of me. But I sure as hell knew they were there and so strong, it hurt just to think what'd happen once she's gone because of God now's what reason. Most likely because of my past.
    "Can we practice a bit on this one here?" She pointed her finger at the heavy leather which was hanging from the ceiling.
    I didn't touch it since... the incident.
    "Hey, everything okay? You got incredibly pale." She said, touching my arm.
    "Um, yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. Actually, I think we could cut today's sessions short. You've made huge progress and for this progress to stay valid, you also need to take breaks and get some rest." I managed to say. She did make progress. She told me she lost already fifty pounds, making her 172 lbs now, and I could also see it.
    But still, I can't tell her right now. God knows how she'll react to hear that I almost killed someone.
    Well, it didn't happen at this time, but, unfortunately, it did happen in the past. The difference: it wasn't in the ring, and I didn't want to.
    And I sure as hell had to keep that people away from her. As far as possible.
    "Okay, I'm going to take a shower then." She eyed me one more second before she disappeared up the stairs.
    Shifting my eyes from the leather to the mirror, I stared right back in my eyes.
    My sight blurred as I sat down and leaned against the wall.
    "Please, don't do this. I have a wife and two children! I know I owe Mr. Vonanno, but-" Marcelo didn't let him continue. He pulled the trigger and killed the man right in front of my eyes.
    I owed them too. That's why I was working for them. My baby sister Daisy was ill. She needed a new kidney, and my family couldn't afford the transplantation.
    So, I asked a friend for help and he connected me to those people. The Perreira Clan. I always thought that mafias only exist in movies, but unfortunately, they're real as fuck.
    And I just began boxing and killing for them, drenching my hands in the blood of innocent – not so innocent – people.
    A loud CLANK interrupted my thoughts and I rushed up the stairs.
    "Zola! Everything okay?" I asked as I knelt down beside her when I saw her sitting on the floor in her room, her back pressed against her dresser.
    Her eyes were fixed on a piece of paper lying on the floor. It lay next to a big stone and shattered glass. I looked up and saw that her window was broken.
    Picking up the paper, I read the note.
    Wednesday. 2 am. Be there if you want to keep your little new toy safe and sound. You know the consequences of disobeying.
    That handwriting... That was Francesco Vonanno himself. Undoubtedly.
    "This fell out when I opened the paper." Her voice was quiet, nearly inaudible. She handed me a picture and I froze when I took a closer look.
    It was a picture of her entering my house.
    I knew they would come back since they sent that first few notes. But I didn't think it would be like this. Them, threatening me with her life.
    "Hey, Zola. Look at me." She refused.
    No no no no. Don't shut down now.
    "Zola, I need you to look at me." Gently lifting her chin with the side of my index finger, I made her look at me.
    "Who are these people?" She asked, her voice still low.
    "Some people of my past, but that isn't quite easy to explain. Just know that I won't let anyone hurt you. I need you to believe me, okay?" I searched for her eyes as I smoothed her hair behind her ear.
    She smiled weakly, her eyes a tad glassy as I sighed and pulled her into my chest. She hugged me so tight that I could feel how scared she was.
    "Whenever you're ready." She said, smilingly looking up to me.
    I knew she meant ready to talk, so I just nodded, closing my eyes reassuringly, and before I could open my eyes, I felt her lips on my own.
    I returned the kiss and after we detached, she said "This time, I just thought we both needed to calm down." And she was right.