Affection from a Mafia

Chapter Fourteen

I hit shuffle on my phone, and I sang and danced in my seat. I was celebrating. No one would be taking us from each other anytime soon. My heart was back, and so were the lights in my eyes. It was early November, and as we drove home, I stared out the window and at the mix of colors. Shades of red, yellow, orange, and brown covered the trees and the ground. Suddenly, the car stopped and the music grew quiet. 

I want to show you something." He looked into my eyes, smiled, parked the car, then got out. I got out shortly after him. He was standing next to me and he took my hand as we started walking.

"If we hold hands, people might think something's up," I whispered. "Our relationship is basically illegal."

"It's only illegal if we do anything sexual." He mockingly whispered back.

He continued to hold my hand as we walked through the park. Then we ended up in a secluded section of the park. The trees were covered with fiery orange and red leaves. As we walked, the wind started to pick up, blowing the leaves off the trees.

We suddenly stopped walking. The leaves were falling slowly. I sighed and gazed upon the beautiful scenery. I felt at peace. I was calm and in my happy place. I closed my eyes and let the sounds of autumn guide me away from the stress. I was free; finally free. My heart, then told me two things; I could either go home to my family and be one hundred percent free, or stay trapped in that ghost house for the rest of my life. So really, I wasn't free.

"If I go home, I could have a normal life and everything would go back to the way it was," I thought to myself. "But if I stayed, I'd have independence and I'd get to make my own decisions. I'd be married and I'd have love."

"But is that what I want? Am I sure?" I asked myself. I sighed sadly, thinking further.

"No," I told myself. "I miss my family."

I was about to speak when he spoke.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" He smiled at the scenery.

"Yes, beautiful." I said unconvincingly.

"What's wrong?"

I hesitated to tell him. The pressure was too much. My heart was pounding faster than ever. Then, it seemed like the ground started shaking.

"Yvette, what's wrong??" He grabbed my shoulders gently and tried to look in my eyes. I realized I was the one shaking.

I calmed down and looked him in the eyes.

"I want to go home."

"Sure. I'll have Corrina make dinner so it's there when we get back." He took my hand and started to walk, but I yanked it back with more force than I intended to.

"I mean I want to go to my home, home."

"You want to leave?"

"I miss them. I'm not ready for this life. I'm not ready for all this responsibility."

He said nothing, turning his back from me. I didn't want to hurt him, but my life was slipping through my fingers every minute.

"Lucifer, I-" I put a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't!" He shouted.

"I don't mean to hurt you! I just want my family!"

He was quiet. I took my hand off his shoulder.

"If you love me, you'd let me go."

He froze. After awhile, he stood up.

"Fine. You can go." He was hurt, but I knew he wanted me to be happy.

"I wasn't asking your permission." I glared at him and started to head towards the car with him walking a few feet behind me. He unlocked the car and we both got in. The whole drive was silent. I plugged in my earbuds and listened to music.

I was upset that he thought I was asking as well as I was upset at myself, but it was for my own good. When we arrived, I hurried out of the car and into the house. As soon as I got to my room, I threw a suitcase on the bed. I started packing the clothes and all the things I had with me. I went to the closet to see what else I needed to pack, and the only thing left in the closet was the ball gown. I touched the material one last time, remembering all the dances we had. Before tears could form in my eyes even further, I left the closet, shutting the door behind me.

Everything was packed. I put my jacket on, and grabbed the suitcase. I turned for the door, and Blaze was there.

"You're leaving."

"I'm not ready for this. I miss my family. I'm going home."

"I'll make sure you get your bike back by tomorrow night," He sighed. "Well, I hope you stay safe. Goodbye, Yvette. I wish you the best."

"Thank you. I hope you can get back to your family sooner."

Then he left without another word. I rolled the suitcase behind me as I walked to the front door where Lucifer was waiting for me.

"Must you go?"

I nodded. "Every minute I'm not there, I'm missing out on my life."

He reluctantly opened the door, walking out behind me. We got in the car once more and the the prison that had turned into my palace. I looked in the rearview mirror and watched as Blaze comforted a crying Corrina. I looked away and watched the road ahead. "Never look back." I told myself.

The drive was quiet again. Minutes passed and Lucifer pulled over into mom's driveway. He looked over at me. I felt bad for doing this, but I needed my family as much as they needed me. Then the tears started to form.