Part 20

                                    

                                          
 No one was here.
No one was back.
Not Niccolo, not Isabella.
No one.
Gabriella was all by herself, staring out the window and waiting for something. Anything. She wasn't stupid enough to think Niccolo would show up here... and they would talk. Because there was nothing to talk about. She didn't tell him and he was hurt. She didn't tell him because - she wanted to give him back what he lost.
He was letting a stupid idea cloud his judgment. He didn't want this. So there was no point in wasting his time, and his life. He would only regret it a few years down the line. But talking was never their strong point was it? They constantly made decisions without talking to each other - it was what they did.
Not that it ever worked out well for them.
Gabriella pressed her head to the cold window, staring outside. What was she waiting for? For everything to be over so she could move on with her life? Maybe. There was no secret anymore, nothing hidden. Nothing to think about. Niccolo - wasn't an option to consider.
He already made his choice and it wasn't her.
Maybe it was the kid, but that was stupid. She didn't want to think about that.
Gabriella put a hand on her stomach, feeling the tears bubbling in her eyes. Did she mess up? Should she have told him? Should she have given him the option? Was she mad because he might have made a different choice? He had no issues leaving her behind... but the kid...
No - maybe.
She dropped to her knees, her hand scraping down the wall. Should she have told him? She had been so sure of her decision, knowing it was the right thing to do. Niccolo and her couldn't be a family - they couldn't be. But what fucking made her think she was any better?
Gabriella didn't want this life for herself, for her child.
Niccolo... he couldn't want something else. He was born into this, raised in blood. She took a few deep breaths, closing her eyes as her throat clamped up. You did the right thing, it was the only choice. It's okay. Everything is gonna be okay. Yeah, it would be.
Knock! Knock!
Someone...
Well of course someone was here. She knew this place wouldn't be left unattended, even with Isabella away. Gabriella wiped the tears sliding down her cheeks and got up to her feet before heading to the door. She grabbed the handle, cracking the door open as she peeked into the hallway.
A tall, older gentleman, much resembling her grandmother's personal butler, was standing there. He offered her a small bow, forcing wrinkles into his perfectly steamed black suit. "Miss, I have your grandmother on the line. We require your assistance to proceed."
"My help, why?"
Since when did Isabella need her for anything?
"I am not allowed to know this information. I have her on the line. I do believe there was an incident at Mr. De Luca's home. Unwanted visitors, but I am afraid, I do not know any more than this."
Was the Devil there? Had he been there, lurking around and waiting this whole time? Fudge. What if he had gotten Isabella? Maybe she didn't have everything she needed to kill him. Then, she would need her to complete the plan... could it... could it all be over now?
Her heart was racing in her chest as she nodded, running her tongue across her dry, cracked lips. She closed the door of her bedroom and followed the butler down the hallway. "Are you comfortable taking the call in your grandmother's bedroom?"