Chapter 7 Seven

GIANNA RAINE

One thing I noticed about Stone's house: there are no family pictures anywhere. No pictures of his mother, father, or anyone from his family. Not even a picture of him. You won't find a single photo in any corner of the house.

"What kind of family are the De Graafs?"

The internet isn't very helpful. I can find some information about the De Graafs, but it seems like it's about another branch of the family. Other than a few notes about their successful businesses, there's nothing else.

It's not surprising. Even in my family, we don't like people flaunting personal details online, so you can't really find much through normal research.

"Ah!" Inez flinched at my sudden question. She froze and looked nervous. It was obvious she didn't know how to answer me.

I don't think there's anything wrong with my question unless they are hiding something about the family. Not that I care.

"You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

I thought maybe, like my family, the De Graafs are involved in the mafia. After all, Inez wouldn't be nervous over an ordinary question like that.

"They are originally from the Netherlands, Miss. The De Graafs are Dutch. But as far as I know, Sir Stone grew up here in the US."

Of course, I knew that. Stone grew up with us. That's why it's surprising to learn only now that he comes from a family like that.

I still had so many questions. I am curious about Constantine De Graaf and how he ended up connected to my family. But if Inez refuses to answer, it's better not to ask.

I thought about asking Stone himself, but knowing his personality, I didn't want him thinking I am interested in him.

I'm not.

I frowned, thinking about that. Why am I even thinking about Stone? Why does he cross my mind at all?

Maybe it's my pregnancy hormones. That's what I want to believe.

My phone rang, and I saw my brother's wife's name on the screen. I frowned and hesitated before answering.

In the end, I decided to pick up.

I don't have any problem with Millie, my brother's wife. I just can't believe she managed to change my brother and all his stubborn ways.

"Hello?"

I made sure no one could track my calls, so I am not afraid to answer. Even so, I had nothing to hide. I'm not hiding from my family.

"Hi, Gia!" Millie greeted.

As far as I know, Amelie is a timid girl. She's not loud or overly expressive.

"I just wanted to ask if you're busy?"

I didn't answer. I waited to see what she would say next.

"I was thinking of asking if we could meet. I just want to talk to you."

I sighed. I know Millie is intimidated by me. No matter what happened between us in the past, she's still afraid of me.

Well, she should be. Everyone should.

"I'm kind of busy. I'm not at home either. Why not just tell me now? That way, we can save time."

She didn't speak right away. Millie went silent for a moment. I closed my eyes. I know I sounded harsh and cold, but I didn't mean it. I didn't want her to think I'm angry or holding a grudge. Would I help her if I was angry at her?

I just can't seem to change how I treat people.

I don't trust people easily. I only give trust once. Once it's broken, that's it. I never give second chances. If someone betrays me, they're out of my life.

That's what trauma does to you.

"If you're not going to say anything, I'm ending-"

"No, wait," Millie said. She took a deep breath before speaking again. "I heard what happened with you and Gio. I just wanted to apologize."

I frowned. Why is she apologizing?

"Dario told me what happened at the hospital."

Dario is one of my brother's guards, like Elliott-sorry, I mean Stone.

"I know it's a bit late, and I know you and Gio made up already. It's just... I'm sorry. I know you two argued because of me, and whatever Gio said to you that day, you know he didn't mean it."

Truthfully, I don't want to remember that night I fought with my brother. I remember a lot. Besides the hurtful words from him, I got drunk-and that carelessness caused what I'm dealing with now.

One careless night, and now I'm pregnant.

"Is that all?" I sighed again. "I'm hanging up."

"Oh... alright. Bye, Gianna."

I put down the phone. I stared at it for a moment, then took a deep breath.

I don't really know how to express myself properly. There are things I want to say, but for some reason, I just can't.

Whatever. I don't care if people misunderstand me. I don't live for their opinions. I'm used to being misinterpreted anyway.

That afternoon, I started feeling unwell. I kept vomiting. I had eaten some fruit earlier, but while resting, the nausea suddenly hit.

"She's in the bathroom, Sir."

The bathroom door opened. I couldn't look up because I am still vomiting.

"Miss Gianna!"

Even without looking, I knew Stone had arrived. I felt even more dizzy when I smelled his cologne.

Stone held my hair and lifted it. He also rubbed my back. "Should I call the doctor?"

I raised my hand and pushed him away. "Get... out-"

I couldn't clearly explain what I was planning because I am still vomiting. Stone stood up when I gently pushed him away.

He paused, but he didn't leave. I felt dizzy again from smelling his cologne.

"Can you please get out?"

My tone was harsh because I didn't feel well. Stone's lips parted, but he finally nodded. "I'll be outside."

I vomited everything I needed to. I closed my eyes, and slowly my stomach started to settle.

After that, I cleaned myself. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and remembered how I had pushed Stone away earlier.

"I'm sure he'll misunderstand me, just like everyone else."

I sent him away earlier because I couldn't handle his cologne. I get dizzy just from the smell.

I wiped my face and stepped out of the bathroom, expecting the room to be empty but Stone was still there.

He quickly approached me, but when he saw me flinch, he stepped back.

"Are you okay?" Stone asked.

I blinked, not expecting to see him still there.

"Did I upset you or something? I assumed I did because you pushed me away. You don't want me touching you?"

Something twisted in my stomach when I heard that last line. Thankfully, I didn't vomit.

Stone stared at me, and I quickly looked away. Why am I so conscious? I expected him to leave after what I said, but he stayed.

"Your smell..." I couldn't understand why I was reacting this way. "I don't like it. It makes my head spin."

Stone paused for a moment, as if processing what I said.

"Oh!" He sniffed himself. "Okay, I'll leave for now. Rest, Miss Gianna. I'll call the doctor to check on you."

"You don't have to call the doctor. I'm fine."

I said it curtly and walked toward the bed. Stone nodded and began to leave. Before he completely went out, I noticed him sniff himself again.

I sighed. Stone didn't smell bad. If anything, I knew I would normally like his cologne because I had smelled it on one of my cousins. It just so happened that I didn't like the scent right now.

My head was still throbbing, but the pain had lessened. That's when I noticed my room smelled like lavender. I closed my eyes, feeling relaxed by the scent.

There was a knock at the door. I got up and looked to see who it was. It was Inez.

"Hello, Miss Gianna. I just wanted to ask if the lavender scent is okay for you?"

I nodded at her since the smell didn't make me dizzy.

"Who brought this here?" I couldn't remember putting any scented incense in the room earlier.

"Sir Stone sent it. I mentioned that you liked the scent in the living room, so he also placed it in your room."

I paused, surprised by what I heard. I didn't expect Stone to do that just because he knew I liked the living room scent.

I bit my lip and put a hand over my chest. My heart was racing again, and I didn't even know why.

I spent the whole day sleeping because I still didn't feel well.

It had been several days since I last saw Stone. I wasn't sure if he was really busy or if he was just avoiding me.

Maybe he misinterpreted me. I am used to it. Often, people misread my actions and take them to mean something I didn't intend. Whether I care for someone or not, they will always interpret me differently.

"You're selfish, Gianna."

I remembered those words. It suddenly drained me. I told myself that everything is fine, but... I realized I would never forget hearing that from my own brother.

People always assume the worst about me. Maybe it's because I do look selfish and uncaring.

Do I care about fixing how people misinterpret me? No. Whatever people think of me doesn't matter. I live my life regardless of their opinions.

Maybe this is my defense mechanism. The further people keep me at a distance, the safer I feel.

"Sir Stone isn't here right now, Miss. He's attending a party."

I nodded. At some point, I wanted to see him, though I couldn't explain why.

"Do you need me to tell him something?"

"No. Thanks."

I started eating, but I had little appetite. Maybe it's because I worried that if I ate too much, I would just throw it up anyway. That must be it.

I couldn't sleep that night. Since I had slept all day, I figured I wouldn't be able to sleep at night.

I stared at the ceiling, lying flat with my hands resting on my stomach.

At first, my mind was clear, but slowly, something began to resurface.

I tried to move, but I couldn't. It felt like sleep paralysis, though I would have preferred that. I can deal with mythical creatures more than actual humans who can really kill you.

Those eyes. Those dark green, terrifying eyes from my past.

It feels like they're staring straight at me-cold, deadly, and tormenting. Just like how he used to look at me before.

I tried to move again, but my body wouldn't respond. It felt like I am right back in that night-the night that changed my life forever.

I can't breathe.

My chest tightened even though no one was really choking me.

I shut my eyes tightly.

Move, Gianna.

Move!

I managed to move one finger. I gasped for air and finally regained control of my body. I sat up quickly and held my neck, trying to catch my breath.

My whole body is trembling. I hugged my knees and looked around.

I'm still in my room. I'm not in that place where that man was and I will never go back there.

I remembered those dark green eyes again.

I rested my forehead on my knees and tried to calm myself.

Just like the night of that incident, no one was there for me. I am alone in that dark place, screaming for help, and no one came. And now, it feels the same-alone in this dark room.

I lifted my head, anger rushing through me.

No. No one can hurt me again. No one will ever harm me. I will fight with everything I have if I must. I am no longer that weak, crying girl. I can fight back now.

So lift your head, Gianna. Don't bow it again-not to the demons of your past, and not to anyone else.