Page 64 of Something New

I’m too scared.

“Leave our father out of this.” Tuomo says, his eyes darkening towards Masaccio and Rufino. Celso sighs. “We don’t have to tell dad. It will turn into a nightmare if we do.”

“Shut up, Celso. Nobody asked you. This is a serious situation. If you will not help us - leave.”

“Fuck sakes, don’t be an asshole, I was just saying that we can handle this between ourselves.” Celso turns towards Tuomo. “Bro, you can’t get away with dating someone like her. Stop. If you agree to stay away from her, we don’t have to tell dad anything. He has an entire plan, a list of possible, suitable wives for us.”

“I will never let her go. Since the day I met her, I decided she would be my wife, and I don’t care if I have to fight every single one of you to make that clear.” Tuomo is furious and not backing down.

Masaccio is getting tense and Rufino’s brows are so knotted it looks as though he wants to tear Tuomo apart.

Rufino turns to Masaccio. “We should deal with this in private.” He gestures towards me, eyeing me as though I was a spy.

“You’re right. Tuomo, come with us.”

“Fuck you.” He snarls.

“Rufino.” Masaccio nods.

Rufino steps forward with purpose and grabs Tuomo’s arms. “It’s time to go, man.”

Tuomo fights and Masaccio steps into the mess of arms and legs and between the two of them they clamp him in a head lock.

Still - I don’t move. I’m frozen. I’m terrified.

Rufino drags Tuomo out of my apartment and away from me.

Masaccio stands alone after everyone else has left. His eyes are dark on me. Threatening.

He steps close to me. Close enough that I can smell his breath against my face when he speaks.

“If you speak a word about our family to anyone, I will make sure you never see the light of day again. I don’t know what was going on between you two - but it’s over now.”

My heart is beating so fast I can hear it in my ears. I’m holding my breath. Too afraid to move.

“Nod if you understand, girl.”

I nod and take a shuddering breath in.

He grabs my jaw in his hand and pulls my face closer to his.

“I never want to see you again.” He snarls.

Then he lets me go and walks out.

My apartment is empty and silent again.

I stare at the open door, willing myself to rush forward and close it.

I take a long time to find the ability to move again.

When I do I close the door, with shaking hands and tears in my eyes.

I am so grateful that none of them saw me crying - that I held back all of my emotions until they were gone.

I walk backwards until my legs bump against my bed then I sit down.

For over an hour I just sit there staring at the door. I don’t know if I’m safe. I don’t know if one of them is going to come back for me and make sure that I can’t tell them anything. I don’t evenknow anything. Tuomo didn’t speak about his family. What is there to tell?

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