Chapter 5 A PROMISE TO THE DEAD

LA

TWO DAYS LATER

Diamond's bedroom**

It's been two days and she hasn't stepped out of her room.

Her friends have tried everything possible to get her to talk to them or better still leave the room but all their efforts were to no avail.

Ayden even threatened to break down the door but Diamond refused to fall for it.

Her room was a complete mess. And she, on the other hand, wasn't far from looking like she messed up the room. She hasn't had her bath for over two days.

Her phone has been left under the bed. She had a lot of calls and text messages but she didn't make any attempt to either take the call or reply to the text.

Neither has she written a word for her story.

Her life seemed to be on hold and it was all because of Felix.

No, she hasn't gotten over him. Yet.

Love can't simply work that way. You can't just forget the guy you've been in love with for over seven years just like that.

It felt like her heart have been ripped out of her chest and she could hardly breathe or...feel.

Is this how heartbreak feels? She never wants to go through this sh*t ever again.

There was a harsh and impatient knock on the door.

Diamond stared at it without making a move or attempting to get the door. She just remained on her bed, wrapped up in her thick blue duvet.

"Diamond?" Ayden called worriedly. "You've been in there for over two days now, can you f*cking come out already?"

She stayed quiet.

"Can you at least let us know if you are still alive? We are damn worried." Zara said.

Diamond didn't say anything.

"I swear I will break down this door." Be threatened.

She was motionless.

"I think you should break the door," Zara muttered to Ayden.

"Step back." He told her.

"Hmm."

"Diamond, I am going to break this door at the count of three." He informed. "One....Two....Thr_"

The door was unlocked and pulled open.

"Don't bother." Diamond's voice came out huskily.

"Oh, my God." Zara exclaimed in shock, storming inside. She took in the condition of the room and her friend. "What the f*ck happened in here?"

Diamond didn't answer. She walked back to her bed and lay down.

"It stinks in here." Ayden covered up his nose.

Diamond rolled her eyes.

"What happened?" Zara asked again, rushing to sit on the bed.

"Please talk to her. Do you have a terminal disease? Were you fired from work? What happened?" Ayden added, looking so concerned.

Diamond didn't answer. Her friends watched her quietly, waiting patiently for her to let go of the burden and share it with them. They won't mind carrying the burden for her as long as it is been shared between the three of them.

"Diamond?" Ayden urged, squeezing her legs gently.

Diamond sniffled as she sat upright on the bed.

"Your eyes are swollen." Zara pointed out the obvious. "Have you been crying in here?"

"Well..."

"Wait a second." Ayden cut her off. "When last did you brush your teeth?"

Diamond shot him a hard glare.

"It's only a question." He defended sheepishly when Zara also shot him a hard glare.

"Do you want to listen to my explanation or keep judging me for having a stinky breath?"

"Don't listen to him, Diamond. Keep talking." Zara told her.

Diamond hesitated.

"I broke up with Felix."

"WHAT!?" Zara and Ayden gasped in unison, eyes widened and mouths left hanging open.

"Why so surprised? Isn't that normal in every relationship?" Diamond frowned.

"It is but definitely not in your case. You love Felix so much. You've been with him for over seven years...since high school. What changed?" Zara asked.

"Things happened..." Diamond answered.

"Things like what? Losing interest in the relationship and then breaking up?" Ayden queried.

"He...uhm..." She gulped nervously. "He..." She finds it so hard to let those painful words out of her chest.

"Talk to us." Zara urged.

"Yes. We will never judge you, trust us." Ayden said softly, giving her a reassuring smile.

"He...cheated on me." She mumbled, lowering her gaze.

It was dead silent in the room until loud cracks of knuckles and muscles filled the room.

Diamond looked up and found Ayden cracking himself up.

"Wha...what are you doing?"

"I swear I'm going to kill that f*cking bastard." He bellowed angrily.

Ayden hardly gets angry or annoyed. He was known for his smile and optimistic nature. The one who gets unnecessarily angry or worked up was Zara followed by Diamond.

But the most dangerous amongst them was Ayden. Don't f*cking make the quiet lion angry? Because quietness doesn't signify weakness.

"I am right behind you," Zara said. "How dare he? How dare that f*cking bastard hurt you like this? After everything you've been through with him? Who's the damn b*tch, huh?"

Diamond swallowed hard, fiddling with her fingers.

"Layla." She whispered.

Zara furrowed her brows. "Wait, why does that name sound so familiar?"

"I know, right?" Ayden creased his brows as he tried to remember where he has heard the name from.

"Maybe we heard it from a movie or something." Zara waved it off. "Who is she? Do we know her?"

"You didn't hear the name from a movie, Zara. We all know this girl."

"Who?" Ayden and Zara asked.

"His best friend."

"HOLY F*CKING SHIT!" Zara gasped.

"What the f*cking f*ck?" Ayden blurted.

"You mean, he has been f*cking his best friend?" Zara asked while Diamond nodded her head in reply. "For how long?"

"Uh...two years."

"That's it. I'm killing that idiot." Ayden stormed out of the room.

"Ayden," Diamond called out but there was no answer. "Sh*t, I have to stop him."

"Stop him? Are you kidding me? And why should we?" Zara rolled her eyes. "Let him go over there and beat the living daylight out of him. As for me," Zara tied up her hair and picked up an empty bottle of whiskey from the floor. "I am going to break that b*tch's head and then pay for my crime."

"No. You are not going to do that."

"Yes. I will." Zara turned to leave but stopped. "Wait," She veered around. "Why is this empty?" Diamond bites her lip, guilty, looking away from Zara. "Don't tell me you locked yourself in here for two freaking days and drank this alcohol because of that jerk?"

"I am heartbroken, okay?"

"Heartbroken?" Zara scoffed. "Assuming he died in a car accident, or he was diagnosed with a terminal illness or something," She leaned closer to Diamond. "You can hide in here and cry as you want while drinking...that's heartbreak and it's okay to feel dead for excuses like that but that motherf*cker cheated on you. He's not worth the tears or this." She gestured at the empty bottle. "You better get out of that f*cking bed and move on." Zara stormed out of the room.

Diamond stared at the door, tears streaming down her face.

'Could Zara be any wrong?' She thought to herself.

*****

ITALY

OSPEDALE DEL SOLE (SUNSHINE HOSPITAL)**

#Three Weeks Later

Nothing has changed.

If anything, her condition was getting worse with each passing day.

Mikhail was f**king scared.

He was cradling his beautiful daughter in his arms, trying to stop her loud cries.

"Shh, daddy is here." He said calmly, bouncing her in his arms.

Marcello stepped inside alongside the head of maids, Evelyn.

"Here, let me have her." Evelyn offered, as she collected the baby from Mikhail.

Aurora slowly stopped crying and was sleeping now.

"Any news?" He asked Marcello.

Marcello sighed. "Calm down, sir."

"You haven't said anything yet and you are already asking me to calm down?" He asked in annoyance.

Marcello let out a deep breath before saying. "It was him."

"Who?"

"Octavius."

"What the f**k!?"

"Every evidence points at him. And to finalize everything, he has left town. No one knows about his whereabouts. He has been missing for three weeks now. It's almost as if he disappeared two weeks after achieving his mission."

"That bastard!" Mikhail growled. "Find him. Make sure you find him. I won't rest until I kill that motherf**ker."

"I love this side of you, sir. And I promise not to stop looking until I find him."

****

LA

THREE WEEKS LATER

Bff's Apartment**

"What are you going to do now?" Zara asked.

"I don't know," Diamond shrugged.

"Here," Ayden handed the girls two plates of grilled fish and salad. "My special recipe."

"Good for you." The girls rolled their eyes as they collected their food.

"Smells delicious, though." Diamond complimented.

"My culinary skills are improving with each passing second. I know I'm good." He self-praised.

"I hope we won't eat this and regret it," Zara murmured, shaking her head.

"You can save yourself now by not eating the food." Ayden eyed her.

Diamond laughed as she took a bite of the grilled fish.

"Wow." She moaned. "I think I'm going to get an org*sm."

Zara and Ayden chuckled.

"You did well." She gave Ayden a thumbs up.

"Thank you." Ayden dramatically bowed his head.

"You haven't listened to my judgment." Zara pouted.

"Who cares?"

"Fool."

They ate silently until Ayden broke the ice tube.

"Are you going to try out more writing contests?"

Diamond shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe? To be honest, after getting fired, I seem to lose interest in writing."

"You are kidding," Zara stated.

"I wish I was."

"Why?" Ayden asked

"That's the thing. I don't know."

"You should keep writing, Diamond. Don't give up simply because you are jobless." Ayden winked.

"Okay, that sounds a little bit insulting." She smiled.

"Sorry."

A comfortable silent del between them again. It was Zara to break it this time around.

"How are things with you and...you know who?" She wriggled her brows.

"No, I don't know who." Diamond retorted, wriggling her brows as well.

"Oh come on."

"What?"

"You know who I'm talking about so stop acting oblivious."

"Nothing is going on with me and Amir if that's what you are talking about."

"Amir is a nice guy."

"That's exactly what I thought about Felix."

"Amir isn't Felix." Ayden reminded.

"I don't want to date...for now."

"For now," Zara repeated. "That means you are going to date when the time is right?"

"Should we even be talking about dating right now? I just broke up with Felix."

"Three weeks ago." Zara shrugged, giving her the 'it's time to forget about him and move on' look.

"Can we just eat in peace?" She grunted.

"Fine." Ayden and Zara agreed.

They silently ate until...

"Amir likes you," Zara muttered.

"Ugh!"

****

Diamond's bedroom**

Her phone rang, disrupting her quiet time.

She muffled out a groan, grabbed the phone, and then answered the call.

"Dad,"

"Sweetheart, how are you?"

"I'm fine. You?"

"I'm doing well."

"You were the last person call I expected, honestly. Is something wrong?"

"Can't I call to check up on my lovely daughter again, huh?"

She smiled. "Of course, you can."

"So," Rhodes cleared his throat. "How is my favorite daughter doing?"

"Favorite?" Diamond chuckled.

"You are my favorite daughter." He said.

Diamond rolled her eyes, leaning back to the headboard. "I am your only daughter."

"But still my favorite."

"That's because I'm your only daughter." She laughed softly.

"I don't care." He brushed her off. "You haven't answered my question."

She ran the tip of her tongue over her lips. "I'm fine, dad."

"And how is Felix?"

Diamond squeezed her eyes shut, biting her lower lip. Her parents don't know about the breakup yet. They really like Felix and are rooting for their relationship. They will surely be disappointed if they find out the truth. Well, her father will be disappointed in Felix while her mother will always be disappointed in her.

Diamond love her father so much and even in school, she was tagged as 'daddy's girl' not as if she cared. If anything she liked it. But as for her mother? They weren't that close.

"He's...fine." She simply answered.

"I have not been hearing from him lately. Hope all is good between you two?"

Diamond forced out a 'yes'

"When are you two going to come around?"

"Dad, please do not do this again." Diamond grumbled.

"Don't you miss me?"

"I miss you so much, dad but I have a life now."

There was a long pause at the other line.

"What about the company, princess?"

"Are we really going to have this conversation now?"

"You are my only child. That company legally belongs to you so why are you hellbent on becoming a writer?"

"Dad, I don't want to disappoint you or let you down, you know that, right?"

"Yeah."

"And I know you really want the best for me and I appreciate but I don't want to depend on you forever. I want to make my own money."

"You keep refusing my help."

"I want to make you proud."

"You will make me proud if you come down here and take charge of the company."

"Being a CEO isn't my thing." She sighed. "I love writing."

"Okay, can you at least stop refusing my help and money?"

"You've done enough already. Because of you, I can never get broke even though I don't work for five years. I am fine." She said.

"If you don't spend my money, who will?"

"Your wife?"

Rhodes laughed. "You mean, your mother."

"Yeah, yeah."

"I made money for you, not for your mother or myself. You are my princess. My life. My everything. I love you so much and I want the best for you too."

"I know. But just let me do my thing, okay? And if it doesn't work out or I give up...I will come back home to take over the company."

"Promise?"

"Dad, you want me to give up?" Diamond chuckled.

"If that will bring you back home then...yeah." He laughed.

"Dad."

"Okay, I'm kidding. You are the true daughter of your father and I never give up."

Diamond nodded, grinning widely. "Me too."

"Good. Do you want to speak to your mother?"

"If she wants to speak to me, she would have called."

"Diamond_"

"Dad, let's talk some other time, okay?"

He let out a deep breath. "Alright, dear."

"Love you."

"Love you more, princess."

"Kisses." She hung up.

Zara walked in.

"Hey babes."

"Hey."

"Who were you on the phone with?"

"Dad."

"Oh. I miss him so much!" Zara grinned.

"Me too."

"So what did he say? Wait, did you tell him?"

"Tell him...what?"

"About that cheating jerk."

"No."

"No?"

"You heard me."

"Why not? Your father of all people should get to know."

"I..." Diamond shrugged. "Dad really likes Felix and he was willing and ready to take care of the bills on our wedding day."

"Unfortunately, there is no wedding."

"Exactly why I couldn't bring myself to tell him."

"I'm sure he would have understood. And most importantly, he would have dealt with that idiot really hard. Felix is who he is today because of you and your family. And yet he had the nerves to cheat on you."

"Don't talk like that, Zara. Simply because we helped him doesn't mean we own his life."

"Technically...you do."

"Ugh, stop it. I don't." She muttered.

"But you know, your father will soon hear about it... sooner or later."

"I know."

"You really should have told him."

"Hmm." Diamond hummed.

"What about your mother, did you speak to her?"

"No."

"It's funny how you aren't close with your biological mother but rather, you are so close with your stepfather. I really admire you and your stepdad's relationship."

Diamond smiled. "Me too."

Her phone beeped, it was a text message.

AMIR: ARE YOU COMING TO THE PARTY?

Diamond groaned loudly, running her fingers through her hair.

Zara frowned at her. "Are you okay?"

"Amir wants me to come to this...party."

"Then go."

"You don't just say something like that. You know I hate parties."

"Oh please. You are a writer, you need to explore."

"And where does it state that writers need to explore?"

"You can check it up online."

"Whatever." Diamond hissed.

"Go for the party." Zara urged.

"Will you come with me?"

"Of course!" Zara answered.

"Thank you. What about Ayden?"

"He went out on a date."

"Another date? Again?"

"You know that guy is a man wh*re."

*****

Party**

"How do I look?" Diamond asked for the tenth time, readjusting her dress.

"You look amazing, Diamond." Zara said.

"Thanks."

"Ade you nervous?"

"A little."

"Don't be. I'm sure Amir is expecting you."

"Uh...I didn't tell him I was coming."

"Oh. You want to surprise him, I see." Zara winked.

"Stop it. Let's go inside."

They both went inside. Loud music blared through the four corners of the house. Alcohol and sweat filled the air.

Diamond looked around in search of Amir. She sighed at his friend, the one she had met with him at the restaurant, his name is John.

"I think Amir is over there!" Diamond shouted over the loud music so that Zara could hear her.

"Okay. Let's go!"

They strolled towards the gathering and as soon as they got closer, Diamond's mouth was left hanging open. Zara's eyes widened in shock.

Amir and a girl were grinding each other aggressively as they kissed while the guys were cheering them on.

"Amir," Diamond called out.

They detached themselves from the girl and quickly sprung up to his feet, gaping at Diamond.

He wasn't expecting her to come around since she didn't reply to his text message.

"Diamond_" He began but she held up her hand, shushing him up.

"Don't." She let out a deep breath. "Why am I not even surprised? You don't need to explain yourself to me, Amir. After all, we aren't dating so, you owe me no explanation."

"Listen,"

"Why?" She cut him off. "Why should I listen to you, hmm? I'm sorry for distracting you and your...girl. Continue, okay?" She turned to leave but he caught her wrist. "Let go."

"Please listen, I'm sorry."

She sniffled, fighting to hold on to the tears. "You of all people should have known better than to do this to me...again. Why do I always end up with cheaters? Just why? Am I cursed or something?"

"I'm sorry."

She shook her head. "Don't apologize. I blame myself for coming here in the first place." She yanked her wrist from his grasp and walked away.

Zara turned to leave but stopped. "No. I can't leave like this." she grabbed a glass of whiskey from a table and splashed it on Amir's face. "I blame myself for rooting for you. I should never have convinced her to come here. Shame on you, Amir." She rushed out of the house.

***

Bff's Apartment**

"I'm craving ice cream." Diamond grinned widely, skipping to the refrigerator. "Do you want some?"

"No." Zara slowly shook her head, giving Diamond a weird look. "Are you okay?"

"Why don't I look okay?"

"You know it's okay you cry."

"Cry?" Diamond laughed. "Over a boy again? Nah. I'm way past that, okay?"

"You are hurting. I can see it."

"Actually, you are right. I am hurting. Not because of what happened tonight but because I shamelessly believe that love matters."

"Love does."

"Nonsense. Love is a predator. It looks for prey to devour. It caught me once, I won't let it catch me again." She opened the ice cream and giggled. "I love strawberry flavor."

"What are you saying?"

"I said I love strawberries_"

"I'm not talking about that but what do you mean by...you won't let love prey on you again?"

Diamond simply shrugged, putting a spoonful of ice cream in her mouth.

"I'm done living in my belief. I'm done being prey. It's time I become the predator." She paused. "Boys will always be boys, Zara. They won't change now...or never."

"Are you saying...you want to be gay?"

"What? No. What I'm saying is, I'm done f*cking with boys. Real men are the real deals."

"Who are you? And what have you done to my best friend?"

Diamond chuckled. "I am still your best friend but somewhat different. Can you stop talking now? I need to concentrate on my bowl of ice cream."

*****

ITALY

OSPEDALE DEL SOLE (SUNSHINE HOSPITAL)**

ONE MONTH LATER

"Mi...Mikhail..." A raspy voice called out. "Ba..babe."

Mikhail jerked his head open to see his wife looking down at him with a smile on her face.

"Amore?" Her smile widened. "F**k, you are awake. Oh my f**k, do you know how worried I was? I thought you will never wake up."

A tear rolled down her face. "I'm...sorry."

He waved her off. "You don't have to be. You are here and that's fine."

"I...I'm sorry I won't be able to fulfill my promise, Mikhail."

He looked very confused. "What are you saying, Amore?"

"I can't. I can't keep fighting...the pain is too much." She cried.

"What are you talking about? You are awake and_"

"I have to go..."

"Go? You want to go home?" He asked.

She nodded. "Home up there." She glanced up at the sky.

When did they get outside? Mikhail thought to himself.

"What are you saying? How is the sky your home? Listen, you should stop talking now and rest. I think you are tired and_"

"I will rest but not here with you but up there. I tried to fight it. I tried to recover so I can be with you and Aurora...but I can't. The pain is killing me. I'm sorry."

Tears rolled down Mikhail's face as she said those words.

"Diamond, what the f**k are you talking about? You can't go. You can't leave me here. You can't just leave. What about Aurora?" He cried.

"I'm sure she will be fine. She has you and that's enough for me." She smiled through her tears, extending her hand to Mikhail. "Prenditi cura della nostra piccola principessa, la mia mafia Italiana." (Take care of our little princess, my Italian Mafia)

"No. Amore, don't do this to me. Please." He tried reaching out to her hand but couldn't.

"Te Amo."

~~~~

Tears streamed down his face as he opened his eyes. The doctor and three nurses were in the room trying to revive Diamond using the defibrillator.

It was all a dream.

He thought the love of his life was finally up only to discover that it was only a dream. She only wanted to say her last goodbyes to him.

The heart monitor stopped beeping which meant one thing....

The doctor stopped trying and stepped away from Diamond's body with a sad look on his face.

He looked at Mikhail who hasn't taken his eyes off his wife.

"I'm sorry...we tried our best..."

Mikhail ignored him as he went closer to her dead body and held her hand in his.

"Amore?" He called softly, more tears escaped his eyes. "Please open your eyes. Please. Please don't do this to me. Please. I can't live without you. I can't breathe without you. Please wake up. I beg of you." He sobbed harder, ignoring the fact that he wasn't the only one in the room.

"Accept my condolences." The doctor said before leaving the room alongside the nurses, leaving only Mikhail and his wife.

"I love you. I love you so much, Amore."

She's dead.

She couldn't even see their child's beautiful face. She is gone. Gone for good.

He will never forget her and neither will he forgive himself until he finds the psycho who did to his wife.

He will take his revenge most brutally and have them begging for mercy.

"I promise to make him pay..."