Vengeance Is Beautiful

Chapter Ninteen

Puerto Rico,

Two Weeks Later

I stood in my bedroom by the wardrobe mirror, taking in my attire. A black knee-length, wrap dress with a small tie at the side. On my feet were a pair of black pumps.

I spray a little bit of perfume on my skin and gather everything I'd need in my purse. I head downstairs and sit by the couch, taking a minute to think about everything. Ever since we got back home, Lino has been extra quiet. He's been eating a little less, drinking a little more, arguing with everyone and taking out his bottled up anger and grief on everyone. Before, we would argue about things and it'll result in sex yeah - we always communicated and resolved it. Now, we argue and it just ends in sex. And not gentle, love making - just the raw, passionate sex and then he'll be better for a little while after but then he goes back quiet and cranky after dealing with the painful reality throughout the day.

I inwardly cringe at the memory of an incident we had. A few nights ago.

~flashback

After leaving work that day, I walk down the street, huffing and puffing.

How could he forget to pick me up?!
This is why I should've brought my car! Ugh!
So stupid!

I hang my coat over my arm and begin walking a little faster. "I hate being this dependent". I mutter walking when a fear of being out here alone, dawns on me. I hear an engine pull up beside me.

A familiar head pops out. "Lina, hey, you need a ride?"

I look at him softly - his face being a pleasant surprise. "Do you want a lift?". Uh, I glance at the street, the nearby bustop is right there, I don't think if Lino sees me with him, it would end well. But then again, Lino doesn't control my decisions.

I walk around to the car and as soon as I step one foot in, Lino's car pulls up. Tires screeching till smoke appears from the friction.

My heart skips a million beats and I instantly get scared...for Charlie.

"WHAT THE FUCK!?"! I hear his voice barks from inside the car. I groan, great. I close the door and gingerly walk up to an angry Lino.

"Charlie, drive", I say glancing back at him. He hesitates then gets out walking out. I glare at him.

"Don't be stupid! Leave!"

I hear the car door opening and slamming shut and Lino marches past me and shoves Charlie to the ground. He steps over him and scuffles by his chest and starts throwing punches.

"Lino! Stop!" I yell, pushing him off. He swats my hand away then glares at me, his bloody hands shaking.

For the first time in forever, I was very scared and thought he was going to hit me. I instinctively stepped back and he took a deep breath, then walked back to the car slamming his hands on it, screamed and then went in.

Tears welled up in my eyes and I just watched this man that I loved so much - take out his emotions the only way he knew how. I walked over to Charlie and helped him up. "Come on", I whisper, helping him up and carrying him to his car.

I sat him in the passenger seat. I walk back to Lino's car. "I'm taking him to the hospital", I bitterly retort. He looks pointedly at me then open his mouth. I leave before he can say anything else and hop in the car, driving off.

~End of flashback

I get my black trench coat and put it on buttoning it up and tying it. I hear a knock on the door and I pick up my bag, heading out to meet him.

The ride to the funeral was quiet and we both lived in our own world - as usual these days. Before, he'd rest his hand on my thigh and leave it there, now, he just glances down to my arm touching his' on the arm rest and continues driving. My heart breaks a little. Is he resenting me?

I slowly remove my hand and look out the window, looking at the different things happening outside.

We stood at the front of the funeral. Everyone's heads were down. Maybe it was them showing respect or maybe there were too afraid to look at what was coming. The coffin was pulled from the hearse by six strong men, all wearing suits. The silence dwelt as they entered the church. It wobbled as they carried it to the front and gently placed it down. The pastor calls him up and I sit beside Lola holding her hand, as a tear slides down her cheek.

"It's crazy how things can turn upside down for you. You see the person every day and suddenly, they're gone and when they go, a part of you goes with them too. For me, Fabio was my best friend...", I listen to Lino speak and sit thinking of how true the words must be for him.

At the burial site, when his family is crying and some are silently weeping. The entire day, Lino has been silent and his face showing nothing. I touch his balled up hands and slowly walk back to meet Lola who was sitting with a few other persons.

But when something told me to look back, and I watched as his rigid shoulders slump over and his balled fists released to shaking hands and he dropped to his knees, I ran over and touched his shoulder.

He gripped my waist and pulled me close, crying into my stomach. I held his head securely, cooing him while fighting my own.

---

When we got home, everything was different. He was even more quiet and distant. When I tried to talk to him he answered with a clipped tone. I eventually took the hint and walked away before he gripped my hands with a regretful look.

"Don't go, I'm sorry, I didn't mean that", he muttered in a whisper.

I gave him a tight lipped smile then turned to the kitchen. Usually, I'd like to be with him but it's too much. He's going through something he needs to resolve on his own. I gently pulled back my hand, bent to kiss his forehead then walked away.

I feel like we're slipping apart from each other.

Later that night, I lie in the bed and he gets out the bathroom after having a shower. He turned his back to me sitting on the bed, taking off his chain then lying down on the bed beside me. I turn my back to him and stare out the window.

The night is raining and a little cold, I'm glad I'm dressed in sweat pants and a t-shirt. I feel him, lay up a little behind me, making the mattress slightly sink beneath me. I roll my eyes, always has to move up before he falls asleep, Jeez.

I found myself turning and twisting in the night. I open my eyes in frustration. I see the clock, 4:21am.

Oh my god!

I feel movement beside me, he's not sleeping. I let out a breathe then close my eyes.

They snap open though, when I feel his hand trail up my legs and under my t-shirt.

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Thanks for reading, commenting and voting to my wonderful readers and THANK YOU to my new readers/voters/comments!! If you have any ideas as to where you think I should take these characters, tell me. Who's your favorite character and why? What do you think about Fabio's death?

-T