Like a slap to my face I watch the guy I call my boyfriend wheeze choking for air. How long have this.. us, been a lie? What did I miss about our relationship blindly having a killer as my boyfriend? I replayed back to the day he bumped into me at the grocery store. So sweet, he paid for the damaged eggs and carton of milk that fell out of the brown paper bag. Begging to take me on a date to show how sorry he was to which I reluctantly agreed. During the date he gave me the flier to the hotel seeking for new waitresses. I have to had missed something out if I am such a blind fool. Is Ella involved? Is our friendship also a one dangling on the cord of a charade? "I’m sorry Sonia." my eyes snap to his as I slowly sat up getting off him repulsed I ever cared so much for him. "Why?" "It was meant to be quick. I was posing as a distraction for them to kill you." "How did you find me? Who sent you? Is Ella involved in this?" Coughing, perspiration run down his pale face."No, she’s not. We got your facial recognition when you came to the states. That was how we caught you after many years." he coughs again and I almost felt sorry for him. "Just kill me, it’s better to die by your hands than the boss hands." "Who is he and why does he want me dead?" "He wants to take over the empire so, eliminating the Vatore's is the only way for him to seat on the throne." he coughs vehemently blood pouring out of his mouth. "He will find you and…and he will ki...kill you." his last breath leave him. "No, no. no. no. Julio. Julio." I call shaking his still form. What is happening? I screamed internally. I didn’t wait to ponder on the death of my boyfriend and supposed killer. Scared others will come to finish the job those three didn’t now my location and identity has been revealed. Cracking the wooden floor in my room open, I pull out the wad of euros and my passport in it sealing the floor back. Rushing to the door I stop to take a last look at my ruined home with dead bodies in it, I ran out. I cried furiously running out of the building. "911. what’s your emergency?" "Please, I heard gunshots. Help me." I cry to the operator. "Calm down miss. What is your location?" I gave her my address stopping a taxi. Ending the call as the car drove. I thought I could hold the emotions in but I couldn't. If Julio was sent to kill me who else knows about me? And who is my anonymous contractor. And I was about to go back home to reclaim my father's place. This means that I can't. Will I ever stop running? Will this ever stop? Am I meant to be a wanderer for the rest of my life seeking to kill an anonymous face who could be anyone, familiar or not to me. "Stop." "Sorry miss?" the driver questions. "Stop the car!" He matches the break. I bolt out of the car running out on the empty road of the bridge. I ran so fast wanting to run away from the pain I feel that's eating me up. I want it to stop. Dropping down on my knees I let out a painful wail, crying hysterically. I cried for my family, I cried for Julio and his death and lastly, I cried for myself. Heart wrenching sobs left my lips screaming and crying out loud. After minutes of pouring my heart out, I dried my face taking my phone out my pocket. Walking to the bridge I close my eyes expelling before throwing the phone into the water. Pains course through my body; I groan clutching my bloody abdomen. There is only one person I can trust. Slowly walking back to the car the taxi guy watches me through the rearview mirror and I just couldn’t care less. Giving him the address to the hotel, I slouch back sobbing till I got to the hotel. Why will Julio want to kill me? Was it a trap? Who sent him? Have they been watching me all along? "Here we are ma’am." handing him a couple of euros he squints his eyes at me. I wasn't fazed by it instead I stalk into the building pondering on how to explain all this to Elijah when he asks because he will definitely inquire. "Thank you." Luckily, I didn’t throw his card the second time. Shielding my face with my hoodie, I went pass the lobby to the elevators slotting his keycard in. I groan holding the wall for balance as the pain grip me once more. I blink the fog clouding my eyes, the numbers seeming slow went up 57, 58, 59. I breath in with my eyes close groaning at the building pains in my abdomen. Ding* "Nia?" hard voice calls in surprise looking to my eyes and then to my lower half which I clutch. "Elijah." I fainted.