I stood by the door as Antonio got ready for bed.


    "Come."


    He gestured at the space he left for me to sleep.


    "I don''t bite."


    I tightened my gown belt as I felt chills run through my spine. Goodbye room, goodbye freedom.


    I slowly approached the bed as I kept my eye on Antonio. All of a sudden he was carefree. Stepping inside, Antonio pulled me in.


    "Antonio!"


    We were both taken aback. I looked at Antonio, while he smirked.


    "So you do have a voice," he said.


    "I am not exactly mute, you know?" I said.


    "I know."


    "Your father told me."


    I felt my stomach churn as I thought of my father. He was not a bad man, but I hoped to forget my grandma. And everything she said. I turned my back on Antonio.


    "Don''t hide yourself from me."


    I took a few seconds, before turning to look at him. It felt awkward, but I just needed to shut my eyes in order for the awkwardness to numb away.


    "Rea?"


    "Hmm?"


    "The world won''t disappear if you speak up, the people who care about you won''t leave you if you speak."


    I stared at him.


    "What I am saying is that whatever trauma you went through, speak about it."


    He then looked at me.


    "Using your voice."


    I let out a breath. No matter how I much I try.


    The trauma still haunts me.


    "One day," Antonio added.


    I pulled the blankets strong enough to cover him.


    "Running away I see," he said.


    "Night," I said, closing my eyes.


    "Good night."


    ***It was morning and I was expecting the bed to myself when I heard someone typing away.


    Antonio, of course.


    "Good morning."


    Whatever Antonio did to make me speak, was powerful. But I know it wasn''t any magic that did a thing.


    My mutism was selective, meaning there are times I can speak freely, and freely meant with Antonio.


    "Morning," I said with a low voice.


    I woke up and was about to open the door when Antonio spoke.


    "I am going to the hospital today."


    I looked at him.


    "You can come if you want."


    The hospital he took me away from? As much as I was upset, I wanted to see how it was after I stopped working a few days ago.


    I nodded.


    I walked out and clutched my hand to my chest after closing the door.


    "Happy first day!"


    I turned to look at Jackie, who had a small grin on her face.


    "Thanks," I said as I went downstairs.


    I made Antonio and I coffee and soon Arya came downstairs, waving at us.


    "Did you sleep well?" I wrote, asking her.


    She nodded.


    "Where''s dad?"


    "Upstairs."


    I subconsciously spoke. Shocking Arya and Jackie.


    "You can speak!" Arya signed, happily. I wished she also had selective mutism like myself.


    "I have selective mutism," I signed, "There are times where I feel overwhelmed to speak and times I can speak without worry."


    "Well, I am happy for you," Jackie said, "And I hope you can speak fully one day."


    "Thanks," I said.


    After handing Arya her strawberry milk, I took the coffee mugs and together with Arya, we went upstairs, heading back to the room.


    Antonio, as soon as he saw Arya, he put his laptop aside and picked up Arya taking her to the balcony. Their relationship was so wholesome, I couldn''t help myself but take pictures.


    Walking up to them, I handed Antonio his mug, while I sipped on mine.


    "Thanks," he said.


    We watched the horizon in silence. The morning breeze was so fresh, I appreciated Antonio''s choice of residence. In the city, but not too close to the noise. One could enjoy the fresh air, far from the noise and city problems.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ***We were heading to the hospital with Arya. A lot of thoughts ran through my head. All my workmates would know I married Antonio. Maybe they would think I left the hospital to marry the owner?! What if-


    "No need to panic Rea."


    I heard Antonio reassure me.


    "They will be happy to see you."


    His observation skills were impressive, no wonder he owns a hospital - he could be a doctor himself.


    "Thanks," I said.


    We got to the hospital and everyone watched us as we got in. Gasps were heard but we broken by applause from everyone. I never liked being the center of attention but Rena upon seeing me, have me a warm hug.


    "Ah, Rea, I am so happy to see you again!"


    "Me too," I spoke.


    She pulled away to look at me.


    "I am happy to see you too."


    "You... your selective..."


    She hugged me again. Gosh, she nearly made me cry.


    "I''m proud of you."


    She then filled me in on what has been happening and I introduced her to Arya.


    "My daughter."


    "Aw! You look so cute! Just like Mommy."


    I stole a glance at Arya. I knew she looked like Antonio, but no way she looked like me.


    She nodded.


    "Too kind," I said.


    "Truth."


    I thought I heard Arya speak, so I asked again.


    "What did you say?"


    She simply shook her head.


    "I am sure she said something, like ''truth''," I said to myself, questioning my hearing.


    After saying our goodbyes to Rena, Antonio took us to...


    "My office."


    My office. The office he said had a substitute.


    "Substitute?" I asked.


    "Why would I put a substitute for the best psychiatrist?"


    I laughed as I looked around in my office. Everything looked the same as it was. I walked to the picture of my family and I. Taking the picture off the frame, I hid it in my drawer and went out.


    "Coming," I said.


    I went and printed a picture of Antonio, Arya and I on our wedding day and returning back to my office, I put the picture in the frame.


    "Arya," I said, Look."


    Pointing at the picture, she smiled.


    "It''s us!"


    Antonio and I exchanged looks. She subconsciously spoke.


    "Yes Arya," Antonio spoke, "It''s us."


    Antonio''s uncle, Alejandro came and Antonio told us we would be under his company for the day. He then left for work.


    It felt good to be in my office. Although not working in it, but being inside took me back to the good times.


    *Beep*


    It was a notification from the number.


    "Antonio has survived I see... will he survive today?"


    The person was back with another threat.


    "Right at 5pm."


    This person always kept me on my toes. That would be the time Antonio would be picking Arya and I up at.


    "Leave him alone. If you have a problem with me, face me, not Antonio."


    "Feeling strong now that you''re a De Luca huh?"


    "Rea?" Uncle asked, "You good?"


    "Yes, uncle," I spoke, "Thanks."


    Shocked yet impressed, he nodded.


    "Time is ticking!"


    I looked at the time on the wall clock. It was 10:45 am. 7 hours were left before Antonio could come back. I had to be ready by then.


    "Will see about that," I texted back, before exiting messages.


    We will see about that.


    ***While uncle Alejandro showed Arya the ins and outs of the hospital, I remained in my office, thinking about the time that was left for Antonio to come fetch us. I checked the weather forecast and it said that it would be rainy with thunderstorms.


    Another message got in.


    "In 5 more minutes!"


    As soon as uncle got back, I stood up to leave.


    "Where are you going?" He asked, "It just started raining."


    "Emergency."


    "Emergency?"


    "Emergency, just a small thing, nothing big."


    "Okay," he said, although skeptical.


    Running out, I saw others gathering. I went out but was stopped by Rena.


    "Where are you going, it''s raining-"


    "Accident," I said, "Has Antonio arrived?"


    "Um, yeah, a few seconds ago? He just parked his car on the side of the road and is about to- Rea, no!"


    I ran out the moment I heard that he was crossing the road. He could die any moment from now, and I didn''t want that to happen.


    It truly was raining cats and dogs outside. The wind along with the rain covered my eyes that it took me some time to locate Antonio. Tears filled my eyes, having to do this felt tiring already but out of love for Antonio, I would do anything - even if it means sacrificing my life.


    I then saw Antonio, and to my left, a car approaching him. It was speeding directly at him. Dropping my phone, I ran to him and screamed his name.


    "Antonio!"


    He caught sight of me. I looked at the car approaching and then at him. Seeing what was about to take place, he dropped his phone and ran up to me instead.


    "Rea!"


    "Antonio, NO!"


    The car also swerved, heading for our direction. We both pulled each other what one could say, ''out of harm''s way'' and rolled all the way to the hospital.


    I stood up, Antonio and I looking into each other''s eyes but quickly broke eye contact due to being in a large crowd (hospital staff and their gossips) I tried to hold my ground, helping Antonio too. He went out to see the person that caused the accident while I stayed inside.


    "Rea!"


    Rena ran up to me with a look of concern. Psychiatrist at heart.


    "That was one heavy risk you took for Antonio," she said, "You could have died!"


    I shook my head. She couldn''t understand why I did that for Antonio - he himself must be shocked as well. The threats that I receive about Antonio...


    Would anyone understand, if I told them?


    I decided not to tell anyone for the time being. Antonio seemed to be driven by something as well - I guess we both had our own secrets.


    "I''m fine," I said with a low voice.


    Before she could ask further questions, she was called by her other workmates to the office.


    "I have to go back now, sorry I can''t stay with you longer," she said.


    I hugged her in assurance not to worry about me. She seemed skeptical but rather went with the flow. I appreciated her for not being pushy.


    "But call me anytime, okay?"


    "Okay," I replied, waving her off as she heading into the hallway.


    All the other workers were still capturing the scene - especially Giulia. She always had a thing for Antonio and was the bully of the hospital. She thought her richness could earn her a spot in our ranks so since that is never the case with Deluca, she always targeted us. Me especially.


    Before she could think of something, Antonio came back in, a worried look on his face.


    "Are you injured?" He asked.


    I had scratches there and there, but I couldn''t call them injuries. I shook my head.


    "Are you sure?" He asked.


    With a faint smile, I nodded.


    Giulia was glaring at me, and if Antonio sensed that, he simply made it worse by giving me a hug, which I returned.


    Soon, Alejandro and Arya came to see what the commotion was all about when they caught sight of us.


    "Antonio, Rea, what happened?"


    I searched for my phone, and Antonio doing the same. I was about to go outside when he handed me his other phone. I thought he dropped it outside but he always seemed to have a spare.


    "Antonio nearly got in an accident."


    "What?" He asked, "By who?"


    "You know how they are uncle, they wear black outfits, you can''t even tell how their facials are," Antonio replied.


    One thing I realized we did, was to hide our wounds. According to what I heard from Jackie, Alejandro is very rough when it comes to injury on Antonio''s part. Alicia, Antonio''s aunt, was the same. They never talk of her but I wondered how she was like. Was she comedic? Like uncle Alejandro? Or more logical?


    "Are you hurt anywhere?" Alejandro asked the both of us.


    We shook our heads, "No."


    After telling everyone to knock off early except those who were on night shifts and hiring more guards did he then allow himself to leave.


    "I will take the three of you home."


    "I can still drive-"


    "Let your uncle help his stubborn nephew and niece."


    Antonio and I exchanged looks.


    "Yes," Alejandro said, "You are both stubborn."


    He then got to the driver''s seat, while we sat at the back, Arya sitting in the middle.


    "That''s weird," Alejandro said, looking at me through the mirror, "How did you know, Rea, that Antonio would have an accident?"