Chapter 7:
Man: “What are we supposed to do now?”
Hermes: “We’re not gonna do anything. Don’t forget we’re being watched. You aren’t gonna see her again, we can’t let anyone know she’s still alive. We have to be patient and let all the things fall into place. We’ll know when we have to reach out to her.”
Man: “As you wish, master. (in the hallway)”
Ryan: “Are you just gonna stand there and keep staring at me or do you have something I can help you with, doll?”
In Amara’s head: Sharp ear.
Amara: “Will you stop giving me nicknames? Why don’t you just simply call me Amara? Is that too difficult for you?”
Ryan: “Why so rude? Who pissed you off, love?”
In Amara’s head: In a blink of an eye he closed all the distance between us. He was standing just a few inches away. I don’t know what got into him. I didn’t expect this kind of reaction from him but I allow nobody to be this close to invade my personal space.
Amara: “Haven’t you heard about personal space?”
In Ryan’s head: I don’t let any girl kiss me or come near my face, I just fulfill my needs with them nothing more. Whatever I see you Amara the desire to pull her and keep her closer to me intensifies. I don’t know where I’m getting the power to stop myself from kissing her right now but I know it would be a mistake to even think about it because I know for a fact that one taste wouldn’t be enough. Snap out of it, Diavolo. It’s not the right time.
Ryan: “That’s not my answer. I asked who pissed you off?”
Amara: “You wanna know who pissed me off? It’s you. You know, if you wanted to know anything about me you should’ve come and asked me yourself. Then maybe I would’ve thought about telling you a thing or two. Sending your sister and asking her to be friends with me was not impressive at all.”
Ryan: “Did she tell you that?”
Amara: “She didn’t have to. It was pretty obvious for me to figure out.”
In Ryan’s head: Fuck.
Ryan: “Okay, I admit I asked her to get to know you.”
Amara: “Yeah, that's what I wanted to hear. I thought for a slight second she genuinely wanted to be friends with me but then I remembered people always have an ulterior motive when they try to get close to me and this is one of the reasons why I don’t like to go out and socialize.”
Ryan: “You said if I asked you myself, you would answer?”
Amara: “Maybe.”
Ryan: “Then why don’t we go out for lunch or something.”
Amara: “I don’t wanna go out.”
In Ryan’s head: And just like that she’s gone. I’d be a fool if I let this chance go. I know what you meant, love. (in the library)
Aria: “There you are. You know I was…”
Amara: “You know, you can stop pretending now.”
Aria: “I don’t understand what you…what do you mean?”
Amara: “Drop it, Aria. I know why you’re doing all of this and I confronted Diavolo. You don’t have to pretend to get to know me.”
In Aria’s head: I told him it was a bad idea.
In Amara’s head: I know you did.
Aria: “Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t wanna do this and that apology was genuine. I didn’t apologize because he told me.”
Amara: “I know but that doesn’t change the fact that you were trying to be friends with me just because you were told so.”
Aria: “But what if I really enjoyed your company and now I genuinely want to be friends with you. Can we start over?”
Amara: “That we can do. (Ryan’s office)”
Ryan: “How’s the preparation going?”
Luca: “It’s almost done. All the invitations are sent out and as per your instructions we’re focusing on security now.”
Ryan: “Nothing can go wrong. It’s a matter of the safety of our people.”
Luca: “Don’t worry, nothing can go wrong. Who dares ruin the gathering of Diavolo Accardi? Unless one has a death wish. Did Walter send any updates?”
Ryan: “A lot of people are aware that we’re being targeted by the government and that lethal weapon. Damon told me he had no intention of making those kinds of weapons but he had to because of the pressure he received from the government. He knew that something was off. That’s why he sent only one consignment of those weapons to the regime and delayed the second one. But we can’t ignore the fact that even one consignment is enough for them to reach their goal. We had an understanding but now the regime wants to get rid of us completely. They won’t do it themselves. They’ll hire people to get their dirty work done and those people could be one of our kind, that’s what I’m worried about. How pathetic.”
In Luca’s head: I hope it’s not the calm before the storm.
In Ryan’s head: They don’t know who they’re fucking with. (in the garden)
In Amara’s head: I like it out here. Quiet and peaceful and no one is around.
In Rico’s head: Angel.
In Amara’s head:I spoke too soon.
Rico: “Angel, what are you doing out here?”
Amara: “Enjoying my own company.”
Rico: “Rico is sorry.”
Amara: “Why?”
Rico: “Mama scolded angel, that’s why.”
Amara: “Mama was worried about you and mama apologized and we’re friends now.”
Rico: “Really?”
Amara: “Of course, tell me what things you did today. (later in Damon’s room). You miss her?”
Damon: “Everyday.”
Amara: “Why didn’t you try to move on, brother?”
Damon: “Because I don’t wanna move on. She was my everything, my one and only. Yes she was taken away from me too soon but the time we spent together and the memories we made. All I have with me until I die and that’s more than enough for me. Missing her doesn’t bring me pain or heartache but instead it makes me happy and gives me peace. You’ll find this kind of love then you’ll understand what I’m talking about. Once you taste that kind of love you won’t be able to love anybody else like that.”
Amara: “I fell in love twice, Draco and you know what it gave me each time? Fucking heartache, depression, trust issues and the list goes on. Those experiences made me a fucking emotionless psychopath.”
Damon: “No little one. Those experiences made you stoic. You’re still capable of feeling every emotion. Those experiences made you the woman you are today. A strong headed, independent woman who don’t fucking need anyone to be happy, who lives her life on her own terms and who’s capable of controlling her mind and emotions. You can turn off your emotions when you want to. Sometimes it’s not a curse but a blessing in disguise. No one can ever control you or take advantage of you now. You’re your own master. Let me tell you this. The love you’re talking about wasn’t love or at least not the love I’m talking about. Most teens fall for the wrong person or they confuse love with other different feelings. You were a kid who wanted nothing but comfort because you had a chaotic childhood and abusive parents. (Ryan listening outside the door)”
Amara: “I know that wasn’t love, that was just an unhealthy attachment. That’s why I stopped getting attached to anyone.”
Damon: “As long as you’re happy and not hurt and staying out of trouble. I don’t care if you’re a psychopath or anything else.”
Amara: “You talk about staying away from trouble…yet you decided to get kidnapped by the most feared men.”
Damon: “That’s a different story.”
In Damon’s head: If only you knew what you’re born for and why I try to keep you away from trouble. (Amara’s room)
Amara: “Karl…”
Karl: “Welcome back, Amara. What can I do for you today?”
Amara: “First, make sure I’m inaudible to everyone in this house.”
Karl: “Your voice can’t be heard outside this room, the frequency is below 20 Hz.”
Amara: “Keep it as low as possible. Now tell me what did you find about my stalker?”
Karl: “I analyzed the data I collected from every device present in this city and I came to the conclusion the person who was following you is smart, he dodged every camera he came across and he left the city right after you reached home. He was traveling with a fake passport first he took the flight to Greece. Then he disappeared in Thessaloniki.”
Amara: “Was he using a phone or something?”
Karl: “That’s the thing, he wasn’t using any device which could be tracked down. That’s the reason I called him smart.”
Amara: “Seems like someone came fully prepared but still not enough prepared for me. Let him think he can’t be found for now. I’ll deal with him later.”
Karl: “Mr. Ian has sent the monthly reports of the company. Would you like me to read them out loud for you?”
Amara: “Yes, go ahead. (an hour later)”
In Amara’s head: I’m so damn exhausted. I hope no one can dis…
Aria: “Amara…?”
In Amara’s head: Great, just great.
Aria: “I’m here to take you to our rooftop bar.”
Amara: “Do you wanna push me off the roof or something?”
Aria: “I wouldn’t dare. I just wanna show you some places you haven’t seen yet.”
Amara: “Can you blame me? You got a big ass house, half of the Rome population can easily live inside of this mansion.”
Aria: “Come on, let’s go.”
Amara: “Lead the way then.”
Aria: “Noooo!!”
Amara: “Why did you make my ear bleed, woman?”
Aria: “You can’t go like this.”
Amara: “I can and I will, watch me.”
Aria: “No, we have to change. Meet me in the hallway in ten minutes. (on the roof)”
In Ryan’s head: Even I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing here. She should’ve been here by now. Could I ever rely on you Aria or not? What the hell?
In Amara’s head: She wanted to show me this place and now she’s nowhere to be found. And they asked me why I have trust issues.
In Ryan’s head: So you decided to show up, love.
In Amara’s head: Okay, let’s get this over with. I mean, what could go wrong?
Ryan: “What would you like to drink?”
Amara: “I don’t drink.”
In Ryan’s head: When I first saw her I thought she was the kind of girl who loves to go out and have fun. Drank all night, do anything to have her way, a spoiled brat to be precise. I guess she’s way more than what meets the eye.
Ryan: “Okay, no drinks then. May I ask why you don’t drink?”
Amara: “Why not? I mean that’s why we’re here right? Here’s the rule. If you ask a question I don’t wanna answer, I’d say move to the next question and you move to the next one. You won’t ask me why and you definitely won’t get one of your men to find out about that. I hope I’ve made myself clear.”
Ryan: “Why? You could easily lie and get the question over with. It’s not like I’d know.”
Amara: “Yeah, but there’s a problem. I don’t like to lie.”
In Ryan’s head: She’s on another level. God have mercy. Is there fucking one thing that’s unlikable in this woman?
Ryan: “Have you ever tried alcohol?”
Amara: “Once or twice.”
Ryan: “Drugs?”
Amara: “What are you? My dad?”
In Ryan’s head: I mean, I could be…gladly. Fuck, I have to stop getting turned on every time a word leaves her lips.
In Amara’s head: Shit, wrong choice of word.
Amara: “Once. I think it was some depressants and hallucinogens.”
In Amara’s head: I was checking my tolerance. After waking up from a coma I learned that my body has become treatment resistant. I wasn’t responding to any medication or anesthesia. But you don’t need to know that.
In Ryan’s head: Just once? How the fuck is that even possible?
Ryan: “You said the other day that Damon saved your life. How? What happened?”
In Amara’s head: Of course he remembers that.
Amara: “An accident happened. A really bad one I might add but Damon came just in time and saved my life somehow.”
In Ryan’s head: So because of him I could meet you.
Ryan: “Why didn’t you go back to your life when you recovered?”
Amara: “Because there was nothing left to go back to. That’s what happens when you decide to skip six months of your life, right?”
Ryan: “What do you mean skip?”
Amara: “I mean when you’re in a coma for six months right after a car crash and you’re nowhere to be found people eventually assume that you’re dead and they move on with their life.”
In Ryan’s head: What the actual fuck?
Ryan: “Damon didn’t inform your family?”
Amara: “What family? (Amara laughs). Sorry. He didn’t inform anyone as he was busy feeding the doctors who could save my life and I was kind of glad when I woke up that he didn’t inform them right away because the people I thought were my family actually weren’t. They weren’t my biological parents, maybe that’s why they treated me the way they did. But I did go back though. Just to realize that everything and everyone I knew either changed or moved on. That’s what people do, actually. They don’t wait for anyone and they move on.”
In Ryan’s head: I would’ve…and I waited.
Ryan: “And how did they treat you?”
Amara: “Next question.”
In Ryan’s head: If she could tell me about all this horrifying stuff then why can’t she tell me about this? It certainly means it’s worse and the thought of it is making my blood boil. Sorry love, but I’m gonna find out whoever hurt you and I’m gonna hurt them way worse than they deserve.
Ryan: “Does your boyfriend know you’re spending time with me?”
Amara: “I don’t do relationships.”
Ryan: “So just hookups?”
Amara: “Why do you care?”
In Ryan’s head: Even if you do, it’s gonna stop from this day on.
Ryan: “Why did you tell me all of this?”
Amara: “Why? Are you gonna use my truth against me? Be my guest.”
In Ryan’s head: You like to challenge me huh?
Ryan: “You wanna ask something?”
In Amara’s head: I already know everything except that tattoo.
Amara: “Just one thing. I wanna know about this tattoo when you’re on.”
In Ryan’s head: What the fuck do I do now? Should I tell her?
In Amara’s head: This question caught him off guard. He doesn’t wanna answer. Never mind, I’m gonna find out myself anyway.
In Ryan’s head: When she stood up to go away from me I couldn’t take it. I reached for her hand and pulled her closer to me. It caught her off guard as she wasn’t expecting it. I shamelessly took advantage of the moment and closed all the space between us. She reacted to my touch instantly in a way I was expecting. I could feel her heart racing. Her breathing got heavier. She didn’t say a word, her eyes were locked on mine. Her ambrosial smell is making this situation worse. It was a bad idea. It takes everything within me to stop myself from doing the things I wanna do to her. If I stay like this any longer I would lose control.
In Amara’s head: I took the hint he didn’t wanna answer the question and I decided to leave. Suddenly I felt his hand grabbing me and pulling me towards him. It didn’t give me any chance to comprehend. When someone tries to touch me it makes me furious and I make them regret their decision without wasting any time but right now I was in his arms. He wrapped his hand around my waist as if he was telling me he had no intention to let go. His touch is sending shivers down my spine. My heart is pounding like crazy. I wanna push him away but my body isn’t ready to obey me.
Ryan: “Tomorrow, 9:00 a.m, I’m gonna take you to who can answer your question.”
In Amara’s head: What the hell happened? What am I doing? This isn’t good. You can’t let this happen again. Don’t fucking repeat your mistakes.