Chapter 4 A web of deceit

Lucas nodded, his undivided attention on Jean. Not until he heard the door close that he decided to speak.

"Katherine, I love you; maybe more than I love myself. While I'm excited about this development, I can't accept it. When I daydream about you reciprocating my love, you do it in your right state of mind. Not like this, little tigress." He took a moment to wipe his eyes clean before continuing. "Wake up and let this little episode be a dream, you should still be in love with Steven and angry that he broke your fragile heart. I'll be hurt, but on the other hand; I'll know there's still a tiny little bit chance for me. And I'll gladly chase you around the earth to you reciprocate my feelings, again."

"If you wake up and I'm still your 'Mi Vida' I'll gladly marry you, little tigress and with time it won't be a make believe anymore. I would make sure you fall into my web, and I'm never letting you go even if you became healthy. Mark my words, little tigress." With that he kissed her lips and then her forehead.

"Lucas can I come in?" Someone asked, knocking.

He stood up and opened the door. It was Ricardo and Dr Tate.

"How's she?" Ricardo asked tucking his hands in his pockets.

"Still the same." He answered.

"Where's Steven?" Lucas asked, when he didn't see the other guy.

"Still beating himself about it." Ricardo sighed, his eyes on Tate.

"I'll go talk to him, do not leave her side even after Tate is finished." He warned sternly.

"Jesus, you should be an high school teacher. Very bossy." Ricardo scoffed.

Lucas shook his head, leaving the room.

He went back to Steven's quarters in search of him, only to see him hauled up in a corner; shaking and weeping.

Lucas rubbed his forehead in tiredness, what in the world was going on around here.

"You know, it's not your fault. Not everything that goes on in Jean's life right now is your fault."

"There was a time, when I tried to hide her off on the black market-" Lucas paused, sitting down on the floor, assuming the same position as Steven.

"I regretted the fact that I didn't pause to do my own investigation. There are sometimes when I stop and ask myself 'what if I did succeed on selling her off? ' what if you weren't there in time to stop me? You've saved her from more dangers than I have. You didn't mean to hurt her like that, you didn't think it will have this type of effect on her. But it did, you can't keep on taking a trip down guilt lane anytime you remember or see her. You've got to move on, pick up the pieces; she won't forgive easily, but with time she will. Snap out of it, Alessandro."

Steven had stopped crying and was now staring at him and he didn't even notice.

"She's choosing you again, you should be over the moon. Why are you here?" Steven asked

"I'll be lying if I said I didn't like the development, I do; but it's not right. I love her, a lot and in as much as I wanted her to return it, I can't take it like this; when she's not in her right state of mind." Lucas answered.

"You're crying." Steven whispered.

"What?"

"You're crying, why" Steven asked.

Lucas smiled, wiping his eyes clean "I don't know, things have been real crazy around here."

"Real crazy." Steven muttered, closing his eyes.

~~~~~

"She's regaining consciousness."

I hear the doctor's voice just as I open my eyes.

"Thank you, Loretto."

"Anytime."

The sound of the door closing, signifies the doctor has left; it's just one person remaining in the room, my brother.

I close my eyes not wanting to indulge in any conversation with him.

"I know you're awake, Renella. " His annoying voice resounding in my ears.

"Loretto told you, that's just how you know; you're not that intelligent, Ryan." I taunt, sitting up on the bed.

"You're becoming more unstable, I suggest you begin your sessions with Anna."

Great, here we go again.

"Why? Because I'm crazy?" I roll my eyes at him, something he hated.

"Did you just roll your eyes at me?" He ask, starting to get pissed.

"Why? I finally rule you up. What are you going to do? Sell me off?"

"You know I had no choice!" He half yells, finally showing his true colors.

"No! You always have a choice, you chose not to take the right one." I snap.

"Why am I wasting my time questioning a sociopath? Your session with Anna begins tomorrow!" He deadpans turning to leave.

"And if I don't show up?" I ask, folding my arms round my chest.

He stops, turning to stare at me "I'll take away your toys, your freedom,everything. You don't want to see those things gone? Show up."

"I hate you!" I scream, flinging my pillow at him. It doesn't hit him though, he's far gone.

"Arrgh!" I scream again, tears rolling down my cheeks. Why do they think I'm crazy? I'm not crazy, I should be the only sane person in this freaking hell hole.

When I'm done crying, I wipe my eyes clean and decide to go down for dinner. My sick brother had stopped the maid from bringing my food to my room, it was either out of spite or the fact that they always ended up dead.

Just as I leave my room, I come face to face with another soul I despise, my second brother's wife. Also a sister to my ex husband, Sebastian Vettel.

"Rena." She calls my name just as I'm about to walk past her like she doesn't exist.

I stare at her, a blank look on.

"I'm sorry, I was so scared because he inflicted the same torture on me. I was so confused at that time-"

"So you ended the call, my first cry for help to my brothers. You were scared? You should have passed the phone on to my brothers and let them handle it, instead you let me suffer there for another 6 months." By the time I'm done, she has tears in her eyes. I'll be damned if I start falling for their crocodile tears.

"What?" Bastian, my brother exclaims.

"Sophia, is that true?"

I don't wait for her affirmation, it's been a long time and their apologies mean nothing to me.

I get to the dining room and it's just Daiyui, Ryan's wife on the table. She's feeding her 5 years old son.

I don't say a word, I just sit and dish out my own food.

"How have you been, Rena?" She asked. I don't want to look up at her, cause it would mean seeing her kind smile.

"She asked you a question, Rena!" My brother says sternly.

"You know by right, I'm a year older than you. This should be the last time, you yell at me Ryan. You out of anyone should know what I'm capable of!" I snap angrily, slamming the table. My gaze meets him and he's taken aback by my outburst. This is the first time I'm declaring I should be respected.

"Don't try it next time." I warn, picking a cutlery, I fill my plate with different meal and took it upstairs to my room, leaving all of them shocked and surprised.

Passing by the hallway, I hear Bastian and his wife in a heated argument, I scoff when I hear the term 'divorce'.

Once in my room, I eat to my fill while streaming Netflix. A kissing scene surfaces and I start thinking of Alessandro. How is he doing? Is he being forced to get married to Jean?

At the thought of her, I'm gripping my fork tightly; imagining it's her neck. I've hated her guts, like since forever. The way she always paraded herself Steven even when she was engaged to Lucas. I've got to leave this place at least to get a glimpse of him, before God knows what they're planning happens.