Ephemeral

Chapter 10

Antonio POV

Where has she been?

My eyes roamed over her as she walked out from her closet.

Oh NO. No, I didn't look at her that way.

But anyway.

There were scars and some bruises on her thighs and arms.

A few scratches and bruises were on her face.

"Are you gonna tell me about it or do I have to ask?" I mumbled.

She looked up at me innocently, batting her eyelashes. "About what?"

"Don't act innocent. About the scar, the bruise, whatever else is underneath your clothes."

She didn't reply.

"Hey, look at me." I said softly.

I can hear her breathing. Quicker and heavier.

Please don't cry.

"You know, sooner or later, you gotta talk right?"

She stared at the wall nearby.

I looked at her.

I really hope she'll trust me. Trust us.

Why is it getting so emotional? Or tense?

"Lu," I said, putting my hands on hers. "You know you can trust me right? It's fine if you don't wanna tell me anything but just know that I'll always be here for you okay?"

She didn't reply.

I sigh.

"Get some rest," I mumbled and got up.

Before I could open the door, she finally spoke.

"Antonio, will you stay?" her raspy voice said.

Will I?

"Yea, yea of course."

She climbed to the top of the bed.

I turn off the light and snuggle in next to her.

She lay her head on my chest, hugging her toy bunny.

That's so cute.

"You're her aren't you," I whispered.

I know she said she doesn't wanna talk about it but-

"Who?"

"Shadow."

I felt her froze.

"You're definitely her." I mumbled.

"Yea, I am."

I knew it.

Okay fine I don't

But like she's badass yo.

"You're not mad?"

Wait MAD?

I laughed, slowly sitting up.

"Lu, I'm anything but mad."

She looked confused.

Why is she confused?

"Look Lu, you have a badass attitude. I don't know what you've gone through but I'm more than proud of you. You're her. Like the actual Shadow. Like hell I would be mad at you. I just want you to know that I support you, all right? Not just for being one of the best assassins but for everything. But is that where you got all the scars and bruises? "

She smiled at me. "Okay. And yea most of it yea."

"What do you mean most of it?"

"Some from training. And err....Eight years ago. I was in a car accident. That's how my first guardians died."

"Oh. I'm sorry."

"Nahh don't be. I didn't like them. At all."

Weren't her first guardians who took her away from us?

We settle on silence.

"How did you know?" she asked after a while.

"Hmm? Know what?"

"That I'm Shadow."

"Hmmm. Lemme see, I went through your files, did a background check on you, put a transmitter and a mic on you. Yea. Wait. I've also been spying on you... Yea that's all." I replied.

"WHAT?!" she whispered yelled as she sat up.

Does she really think I'm serious?

"I'm kidding, Lu. I saw your mask in your bag. You shouldn't keep it like that. What if, for example, the Spanish mafia wants a partnership with Shadow and found her mask in your bag and they kidnapped you or people you cared about to get you work with them?"

She stared at me wide-eyed.

Huh what did I say?

I replayed the words and uh-oh.

"How did you know I turned down the offer from the Spanish mafia?"

"Wait what?!"

She shrugged like it was nothing. "The Spanish mafia. I knew it. They're behind all the car accidents.

Now I'm officially confused.

"Lu, how did you know about the mafia."

She shrugged again. "Like you said. I'm Shadow. Obviously the mafia's come running to me asking for my help."

"Oh."

Merda, does she know about us?!

"Yea. You're in Italian mafia aren't you?"

Uh-oh.

"What do you mean?" I acted confused.