Chapter 15
Yuki
As the days pass and turn into weeks, I feel stronger, and Dr. Milazzo seems very happy with the progress I’m making.
Augusto spends most of his time at work and only checks in on me late at night and early in the morning. I always pretend I’m asleep, so we haven’t talked for close to three weeks.
Samantha brought me comfortable clothes and spends every day with me. I think she’s only here to babysit me, and that’s why I see so little of Augusto. Not that I’m complaining. I’m starting to grow fond of her, even though I still feel wary.
Life in New York is different from what I’m used to. So far, no one’s slapped or shouted at me, and my routine is very peaceful. This morning, Dr. Milazzo cleared me to eat regular meals, and I won’t see him again until next week.
I’ve picked up weight, and Samantha’s said as soon as I reach the goal weight Dr. Milazzo has set for me, she’ll take me shopping for clothes.
In the meantime, I’m very happy wearing the wide-leg yoga pants and T-shirts Samantha bought for me.
The sweaters, underwear, and sneakers are also very comfy.
I’ve also been given an implant for birth control, which I’m thankful for because I’m not ready to have children. Not when so much uncertainty hangs over my head.
As I sit in the living room, opening one of the many boxes Augusto got before we were married, I’m just happy to be out of bed.
Looking inside the box, my lips part when I see the porcelain bowls, a tea set that’s decorated with blueprints of mountains and bamboo.
Augusto got this for me?
“Oh,” Samantha says, “these are so pretty.”
My eyes dart to her, and seeing the sensu fans she’s looking at, my lips part with surprise.
I move closer to her and admire the five beautiful fans, each one with a different design. “They’re beautiful.”
As we continue to open the boxes, I discover matcha green tea, vases, chopsticks, incense sticks and holders, and three pieces of art.
Staring at the painted landscapes that remind me of my childhood when Ryo and I used to play in the bamboo forest near the mountains, I’m overcome with intense emotions.
“Yuki?” Samantha touches my shoulder. “What’s wrong, sweetie?”
Before I can stop the words, I whisper, “It hurts.”
She gives me a worried look. “What? Your stomach?”
“No.” I rub my hand over my chest where the sharp jab of longing is. “The paintings remind me of my brother. I miss him.”
“Aww. Can’t he come visit you?”
I shake my head. “I haven’t seen him in eleven years.”
“I’m so sorry,” Samantha murmurs, her tone comforting. “Has he passed away?”
Never talking about Ryo, I hesitate, wondering if Samantha will give the information to Augusto. I don’t want to say anything that might put Ryo’s live in danger.
Deciding to err on the side of caution, I reply, “I don’t know anything.”
“I’ll ask Augusto to check if he can find information about your brother.”
“No!” The word bursts from me as I grab hold of her arm.
Kuso!
Just as quickly, I let go of her while giving her a pleading look. “Please don’t.” My voice grows hoarse as I admit, “Ryo means everything to me, and I don’t want to do or say anything that will endanger him.”
“Okay.” Samantha rests her palm against my cheek. “Don’t worry about it.” She pulls away and glances at all the beautiful items scattered around the living room. “Where do you want to put everything?”
My teeth tug at my bottom lip. “I don’t know. Maybe we should wait to hear where Augusto wants them.”
“No. He got all of this for you so you’ll feel more at home,” she reminds me. “The tea set is too pretty to use. We can put it on the island for décor. What do you think?”
I nod, a smile tugging at the corner of my mouth as I begin to relax again. When we pass by the sliding doors, I get a glimpse of the garden, and my feet come to a stop.
They finished working on the backyard two weeks ago, and from my balcony, it looks green and inviting. With spring here, flowers are starting to bloom again.
I haven’t been outside since Augusto brought me here, and I don’t have the guts to ask permission.
As Samantha walks past me, she asks, “Where do you want to hang the paintings?”
“Maybe in the foyer? Everyone has to walk through it to get to the kitchen and other living spaces,” I answer as I take a last look at the garden before I walk to the foyer that’s only decorated with a chandelier and a side table with a bowl for keys.
We set the paintings down on the floor below the spots I want to hang them, then go looking for a hammer and nails in the garage.
Not finding any, Samantha says, “I’ll ask Augusto to stop at the store on the way home.”
While she calls him, I glance around the foyer, thinking it’s time for me to start fulfilling my duties.
Except for sex. I’m avoiding that for as long as possible.
“Hi, can you buy a hammer and nails on the way home? We want to hang the paintings you got for Yuki.” My gaze returns to Samantha, and I watch as she smiles at whatever Augusto says.
“Yes, she’s fine…No, I’m not pushing her…
Okay…Okay…Love you too.” When she ends the call, she chuckles. “It’s cute how he worries about you.”
The only reason Augusto would worry about me is because of the deal between the Yakuza and the Cosa Nostra. If I die, it will probably end.
Realizing Augusto might come home earlier tonight because Samantha asked him to stop at the store, my teeth tug at my bottom lip again.
I should start with my duties. I would hate to get beaten up after finally being cleared by the doctor.
“I need to prepare dinner for Augusto,” I say, hoping Samantha doesn’t think I’m rude.
Luckily, she smiles at me. “I think he’d enjoy that very much. I should probably head home and feed my husband.”
The corner of my mouth lifts slightly, and when she walks to the living room to get her handbag, I follow her.
“Don’t do too much,” she tells me as she places the strap over her shoulder before digging her phone out. She types a message, then smiles at me again. “I have a hair appointment tomorrow morning, but I’ll come by afterward.”
I quickly shake my head. “That’s not necessary. I’ve taken up a lot of your time.”
“I don’t mind.” She rubs my shoulder, then walks to the front door. “But you could probably do with some alone time, so I’ll skip tomorrow.”
“Thank you for everything,” I say as she opens the door. I notice a female and a male guard waiting by the foot of the stairs.
As soon as she’s gone, I let out a deep breath. Turning around, I glance at the three paintings again before I walk to the kitchen.
The first time I was left alone in the house, I didn’t know what to do, and I just stayed in my bedroom.
Before I got married, I was never left alone. There were always guards in and around the house.
Opening the freezer, I look at the meat and fish, wondering what Augusto would like to eat. I have to remember to ask him what his favorite foods are.
I should’ve asked Samantha while she was here.
My eyes widen as I think of sending her a message, and shutting the freezer, I go to get my phone from my bedroom.
I only have Samantha and Augusto’s numbers and haven’t used the device much since I got it.
I type out a text while I walk back to the kitchen.
Yuki: What does Augusto like to eat?
Before I can exit the chat, I see that she reads the message.
Samantha: Comfort foods like mac and cheese, casseroles, and chicken pot pie, spaghetti and meatballs, garlic butter steak and potatoes. He’s not fussy, but if you really want to make his day, give him gooseberry pie and vanilla ice cream.
Yuki: Thank you.
I look at the time on my phone, and seeing it’s already after four, I hurry to the kitchen and take a pack of ground beef from the freezer. Placing the frozen meat in hot water so it can defrost quickly, I continue making the spaghetti and sauce.
When I check on the meat, I let out a breath of relief when it’s ready. I follow the recipe I was taught to the last letter, and when I’m done browning the meatballs and have them simmering in the sauce, I wipe the back of my hand over my forehead.
Getting hot, I take off my sweater and fold it neatly before placing it on a stool. I adjust my T-shirt and clean the kitchen as much as possible while making sure the food doesn’t burn.
Movement catches my eye, and the instant my sight lands on Augusto, I freeze.
For an intense moment, we stare at each other, then he says, “Something smells nice.”
“Dinner,” I whisper as I look at the man I married three weeks ago.
Slowly, he comes into the kitchen, his eyes drifting over the length of my body. “How do you feel?”
“Better.” I swallow hard when he stops close enough to touch me.
Nervous, I glance at the simmering meatballs, and not able to keep an eye on them, I switch off the stove.
“You look good, Yuki,” Augusto says, and my eyes fly back to his face.
My breaths begin to speed up as I whisper, “Thank you.”
He tilts his head, and it feels as if he’s trying to look deep into my soul. “Are you going to have dinner with me?”
I nod, and unable to stand still for a second longer, I dart past him to get to the cupboard containing the plates. It’s a bit high, and as I stand on my tiptoes, Augusto’s arm suddenly appears next to me. I yank away and dart to the side to put some distance between us.
With his eyes on me, he takes two plates out and sets them down on the counter. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Everything feels tense as I nod and reach for the plates. I’m constantly aware of Augusto as I dish up some of the spaghetti and meatballs.
Remembering the Parmesan cheese, I hurry to the fridge, and when I don’t find any, my teeth worry my bottom lip.
“What are you looking for?” Augusto asks as he takes a seat at the island.
“Parmesan. I was taught it always goes over spaghetti and meatballs.”
“I’ll make sure to get some.” He looks at the tea set in the middle of the island and asks, “Do you like it?”
“Very much. Thank you.”
I watch as Augusto pulls my plate closer to where he’s seated before gesturing at the stool beside him.
There’s a sinking feeling in my stomach when I take a seat, my body tensing from being so close to him.
“Thank you for making dinner,” he says, taking a bite.
This will be the first time I’m allowed to eat the food I prepared. Cutting into a meatball, my gaze flits to Augusto, and when I see satisfaction on his face, there’s a weird sensation in my chest.
Pride?
I take a bite, and as the flavors burst over my tongue, my eyes widen. It tastes so good, I can’t stop a smile from tugging at my lips.
“The food is delicious,” Augusto says, then his eyes lock on my face, and his features tighten with surprise. “Jesus, Yuki. You’re beautiful when you smile.”
For the first time in my life, a man looks at me with admiration, and I don’t know how to react. Yutaro never taught me how to respond in this situation.
Even though I’m apprehensive around Augusto and unsure of what to do, I can’t help feeling flattered, and it has my face warming.
The corner of his mouth lifts, and his eyes soften on me as if my cheeks turning pink is pleasing to him.
“Eat your food, Yuki. It’s getting cold,” he murmurs, his tone gentle.
Doing as I’m told, I continue to eat while wondering about this gentle side of Augusto. I’ve seen how well he treats his mother.
Before I can stop it, a tiny seed of hope sprouts in my heart.
Maybe if I keep pleasing Augusto, he won’t hurt me.