Chapter 16
E dmundo
Ana wasn’t coming back.
Even before Dean Martin came to tell me in person, I knew that her silence through Christmas and New Year meant only one thing. Sitting on my bed, I stared at the photo of us I’d taken from her dorm room.
Ella had been devastated, and I was more determined than ever to become fluent in sign language. Before the school packed up Ana’s things, I went through to collect the evidence of her time with me. The movie ticket stub, a photo of us eating ice cream together, and her diary filled with pages of private information about the two of us. I didn’t trust her father not to use it against her. The last thing I took was one of her hoodies that still smelled like her.
But how does one learn to breathe without air or live without a heart?
Both of those had been ripped from my chest the day that Ana was taken home. I’d worked twice as hard to push aside the constant ache and put myself in a position that Vadin couldn’t ignore. I called every day and each time that I was sent to voicemail, I dutifully left a message. But his blatant disregard, because he didn’t see me as an equal, pissed me off.
“You okay?”
Paul stood at the door holding his suitcase. He’d gone home for the holidays while I stayed behind. Facing my family and my father after the humiliation that Lawrence, Christov, and Vadin had put me through was too much to bear.
“Not really.”
“I shouldn’t have left you here alone. I’m sorry,” Paul said, and I shook my head.
“No, I needed the time to think,” I said, setting the framed photo down on my desk.
“Have you figured out what you’re going to do?”
I shrugged as he walked over to his bed and sat down.
“I’m working on it. But I’m on a clock that is almost impossible to beat. And…I’m trying to get it done while ignoring my traitorous friend and my enemy working together.”
“You won’t have to worry about Lawrence.”
“Why?”
Paul ran his hand through his hair before taking off his glasses.
“I did what I should’ve done when Yuli first told me what happened. I went to Dean Martin and explained what happened and why she was so scared to come forward. He’s been removed from campus and will finish online.”
Standing, I walked over to Paul and held out my hand. When he clasped it, I pulled him to his feet and hugged him.
“Thank you. I know why you kept her secret, and I’m happy Ana had you looking out for her.” Paul slowly gripped me back. “I miss her so much,” I said.
Admitting it out loud meant that I had to face the truth.
I may never see my Ana again.
“I miss her, too,” Paul said, and I stepped back, still holding onto his shoulders.
“You’re a good friend, Paul. I’ll never forget it.”
He gave me a lopsided grin.
“Ed, you’re my only real friend, and you’ve always been good to me. I promise I’ll do whatever I can to help you get Yuli back, and I’ll never forget your kindness.”
“Fuck. Do you two want me to come back,” Marcus asked as he walked through the door.
“You really are an asshole,” I said, and of course Marcus smiled.
“It’s what I do best. Well, if you two are done with the bromance, I have an idea.”
“Oh, shit. I need to sit down.”
Grumbling, I wandered over to my bed while Marcus launched into his plan to turn our rooms into an onsite arcade. He went into great detail about how much money we would make as Paul told him over and over that it wasn’t happening.
I’d completely tuned them out when my phone rang, and I answered without looking at the Caller ID.
“Hello?”
“Edmundo, it’s Vadin Mikhailov.”
Marcus and Paul stopped talking as I bolted upright.
“Mr. Mikhailov, thank you for calling me back,” I said, my heart beating faster than if I’d just sprinted a mile.
“Yes, well, I figured that if I didn’t, you would continue to call every day and annoy me.”
“Yes, I would’ve.”
“Then say what you want to say.”
Opening my mouth to apologize yet again, I stopped myself and decided to take a different approach.
“I know that it was Christov Ivankov who called you. I insist on telling you what happened so that you can make an educated decision about me. Instead of believing rumors and lies.”
“Yes, you’re correct, it was Christov who called me. How did you find out?”
“He told me. He rubbed it in my face that he’d ruined any future I could have with Yulianna.”
“Why would he do that?”
Starting from the beginning, I divulged that I’d been secretly in love with Ana for years but never thought that I was good enough for her or her family. I explained how I wanted to prove to him and everyone else that I could become a powerful Don and worthy of consideration.
“This is all well and good, and I appreciate you telling me. But what does it have to do with Christov?”
“Lawrence Collier attacked Yulianna when she was leaving the library. She fought him off, but she didn’t tell me or report it because she was scared you would force her to go home, and she badly wanted to finish her time at Wayward.”
“You mean spend more time with you?”
“Partly, but that is not the only reason. The why doesn’t matter, what does matter is that Lawrence saw a way to get back at Yulianna for evading his advances and turning him down. He went to Christov. We’ve been rivals since we first met, and I now consider us enemies. Together, they hatched a plan to smear both mine and Yulianna’s reputation. But I swear to you, sir, and I will stand by it to my grave, I did not dishonor you or Yulianna. Yes, we kissed. The photo is real, and I won’t deny it. But I will do anything for your daughter. Tell me how to earn back your trust.”
“Yulianna told the same story, and I have confirmed that this Mr. Collier did indeed hurt my daughter.” I held my breath as Vadin spoke. “I will not permit her to return to Wayward, but I’ll still consider you for her marriage. Prove to me that you’re worth the risk.”
“I will, sir, thank you. And Mr. Mikhailov...”
“Yes?”
“Please tell Yulianna that…well…that….”
“I will tell her you miss her,” he said and then hung up the phone.
For the first time in days, my blood pumped through my veins with purpose. I looked at Marcus and Paul who hadn’t moved the entire time that I was on the phone.
“He’s going to give me a second chance.”
“Fuck, yes,” Marcus yelled. “Okay, so what do you think of the arcade?”
“No!” Paul and I yelled at the same time.
I was back in the only game that mattered, the one for Ana, and it was one I planned on winning.
Yulianna
My stomach clenched as I paced my bedroom and stared at the floor. I’d been counting my steps from one side of the room to the other, trying to keep my mind from running off somewhere far away. I hated it here.
Was my family rich? Yes. We had more money than most people ever saw in their lifetime, but I’d trade every penny to live my life free of my father’s oppression. He had confiscated my phone, but when I refused to give him my password, he slapped me across the face. Father could hit me a million times, and I would never willingly hand over my private chats with Eddie.
I hadn’t eaten since that day and despite my mother and Frida both trying to convince me to keep my strength up, I wouldn’t hear of it. With no weapons or guards at my disposal, no ability to leave the country and never return, all I could do was stage a protest, and this was mine.
My father demanded perfection. Perishing in my bedroom because I refused food bothered him enough that he came in and ordered me to eat. But I told him I’d never eat again, or sit through one of his business dinners, or attend his stupid parties unless he listened to Eddie. He refused, so I threw everything I could get my hands on at him until he finally left. I’d expected another punishment, but none came.
With the door locked, I’d been holed up here ever since. My stomach ached, and I’d broken down and drank some water, but the pain inside my heart only strengthened my resolve.
Knock knock.
“Yes,” I called out to the door that separated my room from Frida’s.
“It’s me. I have something for you,” Frida said.
“Is it food?”
“No.”
Walking over to the door, I turned the lock and opened it for Frida. She pulled out a brown paper bag from inside her jacket and handed it over before closing the door behind her and locking it again.
“What is it?”
“Just look,” she said, smiling.
Opening the bag, I looked in, and my heart soared at the sight of the burner phone. I grabbed Frida and held her tight.
“Thank you.”
“It’s already set up. I had my cousin put it in his name, so it can’t be traced back to you. If your father gives yours back, then great, but…at least you have this. I hate that you’re locked up in here like a prisoner.”
Pulling out the simple black phone, I sat down and looked up at Frida.
“I’ve always been a prisoner, just with a longer leash.”
She sat down beside me and placed her hand on my leg.
“You know that I would do anything for you and will stand by any decision you make, but...do you think you should make up with your father? Maybe you can reason with him.”
“There is no reasoning with that man. I’m a pawn, nothing more than a chip for bargaining. He doesn’t love me. He never has.”
Waving my arm around my room, I pointed at all the expensive furniture and clothing to make my point.
“This is all for show. Gifts to placate me, nothing more. Father wants a docile female, grateful for the abundance and pampering. But I’m not, and he hates me for it.”
“I’m so sorry,” Frida said, looking beyond sad. “I wish there was more that I could do.”
“One day, I’m going to leave this place and never return.”
“If you go, then I’ll go with you. Together, we’ll find a way to free us both.”
Frida stood up and started to walk away.
“I’ll give you some privacy,” she said, but I grabbed her hand before she could run off.
“Thank you. I don’t know if you realize how much I appreciate your friendship, but I love you.”
“I love you, too. Now call Eddie. I’m sure he’s worried sick.”
Luckily, I had memorized Eddie’s number when I was thirteen and quickly sent him a text.
Y: Eddie, it’s me. I was able to get my hands on a phone.
E: Ana, oh my god. Are you okay?
Y: I’m…no, I’m not. I don’t want to go back to living this life. I’m trapped, and all day, I fantasize about escaping and running away.
E: I love you.
Tears filled my eyes at his words, but for the first time since I was forced to leave Wayward, my mind calmed, and the sharp pain lodged in my chest eased.
Y: I love you more.
E: Impossible.
Smiling, I slid up my bed and crawled under the covers as my tears hit the pillow.
Y: What are we going to do?
E: Your father called me today, so that’s a start.
Y: He did? I can’t imagine him bothering, to be honest.
E: I didn’t give him much choice. I was leaving two messages a day.
Giggling, I closed my eyes and pictured him lying beside me. The image of him was as sharp and real as if he was in the room.
Y: What did he say?
E: I’m hopeful, but relationships must be repaired and trust rebuilt.
Y: Did you bury Lawrence?
E: I wanted to, and if I ever see him again, I just might. Thankfully the school is making him finish out the year online.
Y: That’s good. I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you what happened. I thought I was protecting us.
E: I know. There is something else you should know.
Y: I’m not sure I like the sound of that.
E: There’s another person in play. It was Christov Ivankov who called your father. Lawrence just gave him the information.
“Christov….” I said the name out loud but could only vaguely picture his face.
Y: Why would someone I hardly know want to hurt me?
E: He doesn’t care about you. He wants to hurt me. He’s Russian, though, so maybe you can find out more. Tell me what I’m up against.
Y: You think he wants to marry me?
E: I think he would just to spite me.
Y: Why are people so cruel?
E: I wish there was a simple answer to that question.
Y: I miss you, Eddie.
Reaching out, I grabbed a pillow and held it to my chest, wishing it was him.
E: I miss you, too. I stole one of your hoodies before they packed up your stuff and a few other things to keep them away from your father.
Y: You stole my hoodie?
E: Yeah, I put it on a pillow and hold it at night.
I laughed out loud.
E: I’m kidding about the pillow, but I do hold it. I can’t fall asleep without you.
Exhaustion mixed with despair and helplessness had finally gotten the upper hand as my tears flowed freely.
Y: Four months...all we got was four months.
E: We will have more. I know what I need to do, Ana. I’m never going to stop fighting for us.
Y: I won’t stop fighting either. I better go. But I’ll message you every day, and when I know it’s safe, I’ll call.
E: Anima mia, I feel your soul calling to me as mine weeps for you.
Y: Eddie?
E: Yes?
Y: If you ever decide you don’t want to be a mafia Don, I think you should become a poet.
E: LOL! Only if you’re my muse. Until you message me again, I love you. I’ll always love you.
My bottom lip trembled with the sob that was ready to burst free.
Y: I love you with my whole heart, now and forever.