I went with Antonio to one of his business awards. He was going to receive best businessman of the year. He deserved it - he always works hard for his employees and businesses. Our dress code this time was black. I wore my black silk dress by Designer Blaire. The best designer in Italy.
Arriving at the entrance, there were a lot of cameras flashing at us. Antonio always helped me get through, so I was better able to handle them. As soon as we got inside the ballroom, Antonio was surrounded by tons of people, who some of them noticed me and greeted me. Antonio did his best to validate my presence, so I met him halfway by finding a seat for us, a bit closer to the stage. Never have I attended a family friendly event but I was happy to meet up with kids I have helped and were once my little patients. Their parents thanking me for their work touched me along with reuniting with my former workmates.
I met up with Rena again. She was always the friend who always sent me messages to check up on me.
"Rea!"
I waved at her as I ran up to her, giving her a tight hug. I learn to slowly start speaking again.
"So, how have you been? With the new family and stuff?"
"Great, I can''t complain," I replied.
My attention changed from her to Antonio, who also looked at me. Before we could get caught, we both averted our gazes, mine shifting back to Rena immediately. Rena then asked.
"Antonio De Luca... (Pointing at him) Is that him? Your husband?"
"Yes," I replied, "In the flesh."
After we had a nice conversation, the event then began. The awards were given and I made sure to record it (for personal keepings).
After the event ended, Mr. Russo - owner of the hospital in the other district in Italy, came to congratulate Antonio.
"Congratulations are in order, Mr. De Luca," he said, giving him a handshake, "I know your father would be pleased to see how far you have come since you left the empire."
Antonio was a bit disgusted by his words but thanked him nevertheless.
"Thank you Mr. Russo, that''s kind of you," Antonio replied.
He then looked at me differently, as if his interest was piqued.
"Ah! And who do we have here? Your fiancée?" He asked jokingly.
I took a glass from one of the waiters and gulped the drink down in one go.
"My wife, in fact."
But I nearly choked on my last gulp. It felt different being called by that title, but I managed to control myself so as not to attract attention.
"Interesting," he said. He looked at me seriously that if looks could kill, I would be dead by now. Did he have his daughter in mind?
"Will catch you later, Luca," he said as he walked away with his men.
"Bye Angelo," said Antonio.
I looked at Antonio. So many things were running in my mind. What did he mean when he said Antonio left the empire? Was Antonio close to Angelo, or was it simply through his father that he knew him?
Antonio saw a few people in the ballroom dance. He looked at me and offered his hand.
"Care to dance?"
I nodded.
Antonio took me to the dance floor. An instrumental was playing and Antonio assured me that he would help. One thing he didn''t know was that my father taught me way before I was even 18.
As we danced, the song reached a particular climax that made me show my full dancing potential, leaving him in awe.
"So you can slow dance?"
I replied, "Of course."
Expecting him to be shocked, he was rather impressed, a smirk growing on his face. I was the one confused instead.
"And you are using your voice."
I nodded.
"Why were you silent most of the time?" He asked, "Scared I knew your secret?"
"No," I spoke again, "I am rather surprised by your reaction."
"I can''t be shocked by such things."
"But I have lived with selective for such a long time, only to for me to break out of it now, are you sure you are not a bit angry or betrayed?"This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
"If I told you I knew what caused you to become selectively mute, would you believe me?"
I was taken aback by his words, but shook my head.
"No I wouldn''t."
"Really?" He asked again.
"Of course, you have tons of connections to find everything about me, I wouldn''t be surprised," I replied.
"Okay then."
He then looked at me, this time, with a soft look that nearly got me melting. But his words were the ones that brought my trauma back.
"It is because of your grandma''s words at one of your father''s Villa when you were young, right? The day your father''s Villa exploded?"
I stared at him, unable to protest. I knew he is Antonio De Luca. I knew he could gather any secret about me. I never lied about being selectively mute, I just never told him the reason behind it. Well, he did know that it was truama, but he didn''t know the true story of the trauma. However, he didn''t look upset or anything... perhaps it was because he was in a public space.
"Why are you so smug? Aren''t you supposed to express some emotion? If I were you, I would be-"
*Bang*
A loud explosion was heard. I fell down on my knees, covering my ears. This took me back to where my trauma began.
Flashback
I was with my father along with our family in our Villa when an explosion happened. We all ran out while my father called a brigade.
I was reaching for the door when my grandma pulled me back. As I struggled for air, she shouted.
"Why are you still alive?!"
"I wish you died with your mother!"
End of flashback
As people rushed out, Antonio remained with me, trying to reassure me that he was not going to leave me.
"Mr Antonio!"
Mr. Russo came rushing to us. He looked at me and nearly broke me apart from Antonio when Antonio gently pulled me closer to him.
"Rea is staying with me."
"But Mr. De Luca-"
"She''s my wife."
"But the explosion-"
"She is under my care," Antonio interrupted once more.
"Everyone is being evict-"
"I''m fine!"
Antonio and Mr. Russo looked at me. Antonio pleased, while Mr. Russo surprised.
"Okay then," he said running out.
As soon as he left, Antonio helped me get up and with a impressed smile, he said, "You stood up for yourself."
I looked at him.
"I''m proud of you Rea."
I smiled a bit. Antonio then led us to another emergency exit where there was a car waiting for us. When I turned around, he was gone. I got inside the car, which was when I received a message from the same number.
Opening it, it said:
"How much do you love your daughter? Or... husband? Meet me in the entrance of the burning fire."
As I was about to make a run for it, another message came in.
"Be careful! You have 2 minutes to make it in time!"
"Argh, this number," I said as I left my bag, tied up my hair and got out of the car.
"Mrs De Luca, wait!"
I ran to the entrance of the burning fire and ran into it, pushing anyone that stood in my way. Getting in, I nearly got engulfed by the smoke but I used my elbow to get me through. It was going to be difficult locating them without my phone but I had to depend on my watch for any messages.
"Antonio, Arya!" I shouted.
I then ran deeper into the building. Did I care if I was injured? No. As long as Arya and Antonio were safe, that''s all that mattered.
Antonio
"Rea did what?!"
I knew I disappeared on her as she ran to the car but her sacrificing her life for me was not part of the plan.
"Where did she run to?"
"The main entrance of the building."
"Thanks-"
"There''s a message that was left on her phone sir."
I never wanted to snoop on her phone but I had to know what made her come. This had been happening more than once... twice to be exact.
I was about to ask when, "On second thought, don''t tell me - she will do so when she is ready."
"Okay sir."
I then dropped the call. I wanted to earn Rea''s trust, and checking through her phone was no way to do so.
Having Arya come to the event unexpectedly meant that she was either held hostage or she willingly came on her own. How come did the call inform me that Arya''s life was in danger?
Just then, I heard someone shout my name, and Arya''s.
"Arya, Antonio!"
"Rea!" I shouted back.
I ran to the main entrance route and I could see a shadowy figure running in circles. Rea was looking for Arya and myself. Looking up, I then saw a plank wood that was about to fall directly at Rea.
Using all my strength, I ran to her as fast as I could.
"REA!"
She turned to look at me while I ducked her down and rolled her to the side, covering her head. We then stood up and before I could check any injuries, I heard a beeping sound in one of the planks. It had a timer of 1 minute 4 seconds (counting) and a small scream.
Rea and I glanced at each other.
"Arya!"
Rea
We shouted Arya''s name and ran to where the sound came from. It was on the podium, close to the fire, and another bomb. We stood there, thinking of a quicker plan to get ourselves out of the fire.
"You got here in time, Rea," said one of the men.
They were all dressed in black that I couldn''t see their faces because of the smoke and clothing.
"Antonio De Luca. I wish you knew who brought all these calamities on you."
Antonio kept silent, but my focus was on how to save Arya. I fell on my knees, meeting her gaze and Antonio didn''t look back but rather kept his eyes on the men. I signed at Arya on how to get away.
"Move back."
"Three steps left."
"Two steps back."
"Look at me and wait for my sign."
I stared at one of the others, almost pulling a staring contest. I then signed for Arya to run away which was saved with a cough. I then saw Arya run to me and I ran to her, giving her a hug.
Antonio kept the men distracted. I then saw the timer on one of the bombs.
15 seconds.
"That quick?!" I thought to myself.
I picked up Arya and Antonio followed. They then started counting.
10... 9... 8...
Seeing the exit in front of us, it was then blocked. As if someone planned this on purpose.
Antonio kicked the doors open and the place would blow up at any given moment.
3... 2... 1...
Using my strength, we opened the door and Antonio pulled us close as the place went up in flames.