Passionate, she said.
It was the last few minutes of innocence we ever had. An hour later, my heart stopped, and life as I knew it ended.
Deliriously tired, I open my phone to check my messages, but there are none. When I pull up the live feeds inside the penthouse, I find Gabi reading a book with Beppe in her lap. She’s wearing a pink lounge set and fake-fur slippers.
Her animal-loving, non-meat-eating conscience would never buy the real ones.
Because she’s light.
Sunshine.
And I can only ever be darkness.
7
GABRIELA
On Monday afternoon,I head to class, avoiding eye contact as I make a beeline across campus. The grounds are buzzing with activity today. So much so, it overwhelms me. There are a ton of people here, and I can’t figure out why.
As I attempt to skirt around a large gathering in the middle of the green space, I pause when I realize they’re holding a vigil. Out of curiosity, I try to get a better look at the campus chaplain who’s at the front of the crowd, leading the group in prayer.
I find a gap and weave through it, Julian close beside me. As I spill into an open space on the other side, I notice the media crews filming. Following the direction of their cameras, my heart stutters when I see the white posterboards on display.
Four faces stare back at me—their names written in bold letters beneath the images.
A wave of nausea rolls through me as my gaze settles on Nate’s picture.
All day yesterday, I’d felt sick at the thought of seeing him on campus again. I thought about reporting it to Julian so he could handle it through the proper channels. But if I did that, it would also expose the fact that I snuck out unattended. I wasn’t surewhat Michael would do if he found out, but I knew it wouldn’t be good.
In our world, Mafia daughters are expected to remain untouched before marriage. I’ve seen what happens to those who don’t. The entire family is often shamed, and in turn, harsh punishments are meted out by the man of the household. Sometimes, new marriage contracts are arranged with prospects who would never be considered otherwise. They might be given to a rival, or worse.
All of that should have been enough of a deterrent for me, but on Sunday, after the fog cleared, the stakes had never been more obvious. Now, it appears I might have even bigger concerns.
The chaplain wraps up the prayer, and the words of a local news correspondent filter through the silence. I don’t catch everything, but I hear enough to piece it together.
Four students are missing, and their boat was found partially capsized after a suspected collision with a pillar. Initial indications suggest alcohol and high speed may have been factors. Volunteer dive teams are currently searching the surrounding area, and police are asking locals to check their security footage…
The rest of the words fade to static as I try to process an onslaught of emotions.
Confusion. Disbelief. Anger. And then, inevitably, fear.
If the police are digging up security footage, I’m sure to be on it somewhere.
I don’t even realize how unsteady I am until Julian braces me with a firm grasp.
“Classes are canceled today,” he says. “Let’s go.”
I’m wondering how he could even know that, since we just arrived, but it doesn’t seem important in the grand scheme of things.
Yesterday, I thought I may have gotten away with my night out, but that hope vanished once I saw Julian. He was angry, and he barely spoke to me at all. I was worried he’d tell Michael, but he didn’t. At least not that I’m aware of.
Now he’s shifted into protective mode, leading me out of the fray and back to the car. It only adds to my confusion when I see the driver never left.
“Why is he still here?” I ask.
“I told him to come back.” Julian opens the door, and I settle onto the backseat.
Once we’re all inside, I glance between him and the driver. Something feels off about this situation, and Julian confirms it.
