Ephemeral

Chapter 24

"Luca." I called as I walked in.

He came and hugged me. "Lucia, are you okay? Are you hurt?"

I realised I was covered in blood.

That's not even important.

"I'm fine. Where's Antonio?" I looked around and saw my brothers.

"He's in surgery." Angelo mumbled.

Wyatt came in with some extra clothes from the car.

"LUCIA?!" someone exclaimed.

I turned to see a girl with Matteo.

My jaw dropped. "Lily?"

"OMG It's really you." She pulled me into a hug. "Ew who's blood are those?"

"Not mine." I mumbled.

"Come on," snatching the extra clothes from Wyatt. "Let's get you cleaned up.'

She stitched some wounds I got from the attack at the mansion while I told her everything.

Everything that has happened.

"Wow. I don't know if I should be surprised. I mean, well you're you and you have the talent and attitude. But I'm glad you're okay."

"How did you end up working here?"

"Oh, remember when I went to a medical college? That's where I met your brother. Then I got pulled into the mafia life and now I work here." She said it like it was nothing.

"So you and Matteo huh."

"And you and Wyatt. Who would've thought." She mimicked me.

"Oh shut up."

We went back to the others.

"Wyatt." Liliana greeted.

"Lily." he nodded and wrapped his arms around me.

"Who would've thought that you two would end up together."

We rolled our eyes.

"How'd y'all know Liliana?"

"She's like a sister and a senior." I replied.

After a while, a room door opened.

"Antonio Romero's family?" Mr doctor said.

"Here." we all replied.

He looked at us, giving us that look.

Oh no.

"The bullets that went through Antonio caused several serious damages. He has lost a lot of blood. Antonio was lucky to survive the surgery. Surviving this injury and surgeries are really rare and ...."

"And what?!" Angelo half-screamed.

"There's only a 10% chance that he'll live."

"How many people survived it?" Matteo asked.

"So far? None."

"How long does he have?" my small voice said.

"Around an hour."

The room went silent. Like ghostly silence.

"He is awake now and you may go and talk to him."

Angelo went in before Mr doctor finished talking.

I turned and walked out.

"Valencia." Wyatt called out behind me.

I need some air.

I rushed out to the parking lot.

He'll die.

Tears gathered in my eyes.

When was the last time I cried?

Wyatt's arms wrapped around me and I sobbed into his chest.

How could they do this?

Who's doing this?

He'll die.

No he can't die.

He's my brother. He's strong.

"Shhh princess. Breathe, just breathe."

We stayed like that for a while.

I wiped my tears away.

"Let's go see him, aight?"

I nodded.

Luca came out from the room as we walked in.

I pulled Wyatt into the room with me.

"Hey baby sis." Antonio's raspy voice said.

I ran into his arms.

"Oww."

"Sorry."

Wyatt stayed by the door.

"You're gonna be okay. You're gonna survive. We'll kill whoever they are. You're gonna leave this hell. We'll go to Japan like you always talked about. I'll get you a Japanese girlfriend and.... And we're gonna be okay. You're gonna be okay...." I blabbed.

He gave a weak chuckle.

"I always dream for a sister. When mum got pregnant and announced it was a twin. A girl and a boy, I was going crazy. I can see myself playing with you and we would make boys cry over you." he smiled at the thought.

"I even made mum let me name you. And hell, I was only 2 at that time. I got so upset when someone took you away from us. The worst thing was that we couldn't figure out who. I was mad at myself. I let someone take you away."

"It's not your fault." I whispered.

"I searched for you everyday. Everyday, Lu. When we got you back, I promised myself... I promised that I wouldn't ever let you get hurt. I will protect you....protect you until my very last breath. And I did."

I was sobbing.

He never gave up on me.

Antonio gestured for Wyatt to come closer.

He smiled at him.

"You kept your promise."

"I did. I will always keep her safe. No matter what."

He turned back to me and held my hand

"I love you, Onion."

"I love you too, Lu. Until the very last atom dies."

Science nerd.

Beeeep.....................

"No..."

Another group of tears escaped.

I kissed his forehead as my brother rushed into the room.

"ANTONIO." Angelo wailed.

His twin's gone. My brother's gone.