Chapter 32 #2
“Lucas’s fiancée, Peyton, was my best friend. We met at school when we were really little. She was there on a scholarship, and rather than her living in the school dorms she lived here with us.” I sighed, “Sh-she was everything to me… She felt more like a sister than a friend.”
“So, what happened?” I sighed as my junior year came spinning back into memory.
“I didn’t notice it at first, but then one day when we were in junior year, I saw it…
The way Luca looked at her, it was… undeniable.
And the way she looked at him,” I smiled, “it was no secret she was in love with him. From their very first date, they were inseparable. They were good about not making me feel like a third wheel. Honestly, I couldn’t have been happier for them, especially when they got engaged.
And then they fell pregnant with Theo…” The smile that had been gradually growing on my face dimmed.
“Bella? You don’t need to tell me the rest if you don’t want to.” I shook my head. It felt good finally talking about her. And it was about time I relieved myself of that horrid day. With Arturo’s steadying embrace I took a breath.
“They said it was complications. Arturo, she didn’t even get to hold her son for one last time.
” I sniffed loudly, my heart breaking. “She just slipped away while Theo slept in Luca’s arms. I felt her grip on my hand loosen and then the machine flat lined.
” I hiccupped and started sobbing. “They tried to save her, but it was too late…” I just about choked the words out, there was nothing left to give, I was empty, broken and finally able to let myself lean into the pain.
“Bella? Have you spoken to anyone since Peyton died?” He asked, wiping my cheeks with his warm palms.
“How could I? I felt as though my feelings were nothing compared to Luca’s.
She was the love of his life, the mother of his child, and she got ripped away from him.
They didn’t even have the chance to start a life together, Arturo.
So no, I shoved it all aside and focused on him and Theo.
They needed me… They’d just lost so much.
” Arturo stroked the back of my head and kissed my temple.
“You deserve to grieve too, she was your best friend,” Arturo sighed, composing himself for a moment. “I lost my father when I was in school. It’s how I ended up falling in with the crowd I did. The Hamilton’s.”
I frowned as the name spun in my mind. Something tugged on a memory but it wasn’t strong enough to grasp.
“Who were they?”
“Nasty bastards, that’s who…” he shuddered. “They were the lowlifes that took my mum from me. They murdered her in cold blood and wore a fuckin’ smile while they did it.”
“Arturo, I’m so sorry…” Pain etched across his face as he shared this new information with me. I folded my legs up beneath me and turned to face him, swiping tears from my face.
“They killed her all because I wouldn’t return as Frank’s right hand man.
They punished me through my mum.” The guilt and grief was now so easy to see.
How long had he been carrying the weight of his mother’s death on his shoulders?
“Anyway, I don’t want to make this conversation about me, it’s not about that.
It’s more to show you that we all grieve in our own way.
I grieved in the dark. Away from people. ”
“Is that why you wanted out?” I asked, curiosity making my heart beat a little faster. The puzzle pieces were finally slotting into place.
“Mhmm. And why I left London. The woman who raised me died because of the choices I had made. I knew one day I’d need out.” It seemed I was no longer the one who needed consoling. “I can take you there, if you want?”
“Where?” I asked.
“It’s a special place I found away from the city. Somewhere you can be alone with your thoughts. It’s where I go to… talk to them.” His eyes flashed with nervous energy. This was clearly somewhere important to him.
“You’d share something so special with me?” I asked, taken aback a little.
“Bella, I’d share my whole fuckin’ life with you,” he shifted, before pushing himself from the bed. “Come with me,” he held out his hand for me to take, a heart stopping smile warming his face.
“Where?”
“I’m takin’ you out on a date” he took my hand before I had chance to take his.
“No, Arturo. I can’t! I should really go to the dinner. It’s something we do every year to remember her.”
“You don’t need to attend a meal to remember her, you can remember her anywhere,” he pulled me up effortlessly, “now, come on, let’s go and have some fun,”
I really shouldn’t, should I?
Don’t you dare blow off a date with Mr Sex On Legs to go to a meal for me, B.
But it’s the first one I’ll miss…
And? It’s not like I’m going to be there to enjoy your company, is it?
I smiled as Peyton’s chuckle filled my head.
“So, what do you say?”
“Can we take the bike?” I smiled, making Arturo visibly relax at my lighter mood.
“If my woman wants to take the bike, then that’s what we’ll do,” he tugged me towards the door. And for the first time we strolled through the house hand in hand.
You’d better make this work, B… I like him.
When we reached the garage, Arturo reached into the cupboard before placing a brand new purple helmet on my head.
“Wait… This isn’t the one I wore before,” I said, confusion filling my thoughts.
“Nope, this is yours. You need your own if you’re goin’ to ride with me,” he smiled, securing it tightly.
“But… I thought you liked to ride alone. Isn’t that what you said?”
“Maybe once but not anymore,” he smiled, mounting his bike. “Come on, princess… Let’s have some fun.” God, I couldn’t get enough of this man. From domineering one moment, to comforting the next, that man was beginning to make my heart tumble.
Was I falling for him?