THE MAFIA'S PENANCE

BREATHE FRESH AIR

Vernon kept looking at me after I said what had been stuck on the tip of my tongue. For a few seconds he just silently looked at me glued. I also looked at him with a cold look. Although I really wanted to cry right now, I kept holding it back.

"Yes you're right. It's the first and last time you've been to this place." Finally Vernon said something by turning his gaze to me. "Because then just finish your meal now, because you'll never eat any of this again." Vernon held his spoon and fork and started eating.

For a while I haven't touched my food yet because I tried to hold back my current emotions by wiping the tears at the corner of the right eye with the tip of the middle finger.

"Eat, Viv, we don't have to say anything anymore. Just eat this food quietly." Vernon.

Even though my appetite is no longer there, I promised him that I would obey all his words.

With a slow movement I began to take back the cutlery I was using and began to eat back the food in front of me.

Me and Vernon finished our meal without saying anything to talk about. I feel that is the best, because every time we talk there will always be a conflict that will make us both feud.

"Vern, we'd better go straight to the hotel. I'm tired now." I said as we both got back in the car.

"All right." Answer Vernon briefly.

Vernon runs his car slower than when he leaves, so it feels like the ride home becomes longer.

I just kept staring out the window watching the sea view that looked blue with the sky that was currently also blue. It made the sea and sky seem to merge in my eyes. Although in reality the two things are far apart and cannot possibly be fused, the same is the case with me and Vernon.

Suddenly Vernon opened the window of my car. I turned to her to ask why she did it, though I didn't say a word to ask.

"You have to breathe fresh air to make your mood better." Vernon replied understanding the meaning of my look at him.

I looked back out the window of the car door and slowly inhaled the air very deeply. The smell of the sea was so strong, and it made a different sensation for me that it felt like I was a little relieved now. It seems that Vernon is right, I have to breathe fresh air for my mood to improve a little.

Our car came to the front of the hotel where we stayed overnight, I was about to get off when one of Vernon's men opened the car door for me, but very quickly Vernon held my arm until I looked at him.

"I'm sorry, Viv. I shouldn't have taken you to that restaurant." Vernon.

For a moment I just looked at him but said nothing to him. After that, it was intended to go down immediately, but Vernon's hand, which was still holding my arm, tightened his grip until I looked back at him.

"You must be very tired. I'll carry you up to the room." Vernon said and quickly got out of the car.

Vernon pulled me out of the car with both hands holding my body. I let her do it because after hearing her apology it made me think she wasn't wrong with me. My anger at the restaurant came from my own thoughts. Yeah, it shouldn't be a problem with anyone Vernon used to go to that place a lot. What was wrong was just my thoughts of not wanting to be in that place with him.

In Vernon's arms I just kept quiet and didn't say anything or look at Vernon. I just leaned over her body and closed my eyes. It is true he said earlier, at this time I do feel very tired after enduring my own annoyance for no apparent reason.

"Pregnant women are more sensitive than ever. I'll try not to make you think anything." Vernon.

He's so different now. All his treatment and words to me were very different. Vernon muffled all his ego for the sake of the child I bear, and I appreciate it. She would want my pregnancy to go well until I gave birth.

All right, I get it now. She did all of that because of the child in my womb, so she agreed to part with me after I gave birth to her child. That's a good thing for me because that's what I want. I have to keep convincing myself of all these things.

Vernon lowered himself slowly onto the bed, then himself sat on the side of the bed.

"Viv, won't you have to come to the party tonight?" Ask Vernon. "You better take a break, I'll go alone and not be there long, because there's someone I have to meet at the party."

"I'll come. I want to go to the party and get back to the hotel. I want to see the ocean at night." My answer.

I just nodded thinly to answer him.

Unexpectedly, Vernon kissed my lips and then kissed my forehead and walked out of the room.

I slowly took a deep breath once more and this time threw it away through my mouth, to make myself more relaxed.

It wasn't long before a hotel maid came to help me change clothes so I could sleep comfortably.

Finished changing clothes, no need to wait for a long time I immediately fell asleep just like that. Until the sound of the ringing phone on the bedside table near me rang. Before I asked the hotel maid who helped me leave, I told her to put my phone there.

With a body that feels heavy I reach the phone and see Alec's name exposed on the mobile screen.

It's four in the afternoon. I slept for almost two hours.

"What's up, Alec?" I asked in a heavy voice and lay back down.

"Viv, I miss you, don't you miss me?" Alec.

Alec's question made me think for a moment whether I missed him or not. I don't know how I feel about him either.

"What's up, Viv? You heard me, right?" Alec's voice broke my momentary daydream.

"I'm sorry, I just woke up so I don't seem to be too focused, Alec." I answered by finding an excuse.

"How are you doing? You're all right, right? You're in Genoa, right? Vernon must be very busy there, are you lonely? I'll go there now if you want, we can be together when Vern's not around."

"No Alec, tonight we'll be together."

"Together? Is there an event?"

"Yes, we're coming to a cruise party hosted by Costa Crociere S.p.A. You don't have to come here because tomorrow we plan to come back, Alec." My answer.

"Costa Crociere S.p.A. huh?" Alec ensure. "Well, if it's like that."

Suddenly the door of the room opened and Vernon immediately appeared from outside.

"All right, I'll hang up." I cried and immediately hung up from Alec without waiting for his approval because Vernon was already walking closer to the bed.

"You awake?" Look Vernon. "Who are you talking to?"

"Sesiah. He's on vacation in Barcelona right now." My answer is lying even though Sesya is actually on vacation there.

"really? But I think I heard you call Alec's name?"

I was silent looking for an excuse to hear Vernon's words. Looks like he heard it.

...–NATZSIMO–...