Page 6 of And Back

Michael’s voice drowns out and my smile falters as reality suddenly crashes down on me. My father will never allow this. The thought he could actually kill me this time crosses my mind for a split second and steals my breath away. Fear starts to creep in, overshadowing the initial excitement that had me floating just moments ago.

I glance at Virgilio, hoping he doesn’t notice the panic settling in my eyes. But of course, he does. He always does. Before I can say anything more, Virgilio gently takes the phone from my trembling hand.

"Hi, this is Virgilio again," he says, his tone steady and reassuring. He jots down notes on a scrap of paper, as he calmly and confidently confirms every arrangement with Michael. "Ms. Zoe Gray will be there. Thank you." He hangs up the call.

I stare at him, wide-eyed and speechless. He meets my gaze with a firm nod, silently telling me to trust him.

My father will not accept this when he finds out.

I can't help but feel a mix of gratitude and fear battling inside me. I know I should be elated about this opportunity, but the shadow of my father's anger is something much bigger.

Virgilio now turns to me with a reassuring smile. “You deserve this, Zoe. I'll do everything in my power to make sure you get to Milan."

A lump forms in my throat. I want to believe in his promise, I really do. But I know better.

"Virgilio," I say, "you don't understand. My father... he'll never allow it." The sadness and fear I feel seep into my words,

Virgilio's expression softens, but his resolve remains firm. "I do understand, Zoe. But I also know how much this means to you. We can find a way. You just have to trust me.”

I want to trust Virgilio’s promise. I want to believe that there's a way out of this nightmare.

Virgilio steps closer, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "We'll figure it out," he insists softly.

The reality of winning the contest starts to sink in, and for a moment, I let myself feel the joy.

"Thank you, Virgilio. For everything," I manage to say, my voice trembling slightly.

Virgilio’s smile widens, and there's a hint of relief in his eyes. "We'll make this work, Zoe. I promise."

His words wrap around me like a warm blanket. I nod, deciding to hold onto this glimmer of hope he’s given me. Even if it's just for now, I allow myself to bask in the triumph of passing the selection and being chosen by Valerie Moore.

The car screeches to a halt, and I'm practically thrown out onto the pavement. Messina’s men don’t even spare me a glance as they drive away, leaving me in front of Valerie's fabric shop. I asked them to drop me there so they wouldn’t find out where Virgilio lives. My heart pounds in my chest, the adrenaline from the warehouse still coursing through my veins. I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself.

I push open the door to the shop, and the bell above jingles softly. The familiar, cozy, artistic ambiance envelops me immediately.

Valerie looks up from behind the counter and her face lights up when she sees me. "Zoe!" she exclaims warmly, running to greet me. Her sympathetic smile is like a balm to my frayed nerves. "I was so worried about you!"

She releases me from the hug and steps back, looking me over with concern. "Are you hurt? Did they do anything to you?"

I shake my head, my voice trembling. "No, I'm fine. Just shaken up."

Valerie breathes a sigh of relief. "How did you get away? What happened?"

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "It's a long story… But let’s say, they just let me go."

Valerie looks at me, concern clear in her eyes, as she places a comforting hand on my arm. "It’s okay. We don’t need to talk about it if you don’t want to. Come on, let's go to the back room," she says gently, guiding me through the shop. "You need to sit down and have some tea."

As we walk, she keeps glancing at me, her eyes filled with worry. "I can't believe you're here. I'm so relieved you're safe."

As we weave our way past shelves filled with spools of thread and rolls of fabric, my mind races with thoughts of Virgilio. His promise echoes in my ears: "We'll make this work, Zoe. I promise." I can't help but wonder where he is now and what he's doing. Is he safe? Is he planning something to help me?

Valerie opens the door to the back room and gestures for me to enter first.

As I step inside, my eyes immediately lock onto Virgilio. He stands near one of the mannequins, his tall frame casting a long shadow. The dim light highlights the contrast between his olive skin and the scars that mar his otherwise handsome face. For a moment, we just stand there, silently absorbing the sight of each other. The emotions in his eyes mirror my own.

Without thinking, I run to him, my feet barely touching the ground. I throw my arms around him, burying my face in his chest. The fabric of his shirt is soft against my cheek, and I can feel the steady thump of his heartbeat beneath my fingers. His strong arms wrap around me instantly, pulling me close with a desperate intensity that makes me feel profoundly safe.

He holds me tightly, as if afraid to let go. "Zoe," he whispers, his breath warm against my hair. He presses a gentle kiss to the top of my head, and the simple act sends waves of relief coursing through me. For the first time in what feels like forever, I allow myself to believe that things might be okay.

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