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dearest-alexander · 5 years ago

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Hither and Thither Chapter II- 365 DNI fanfic

Summary: She saved him, in so many ways a man could be saved. Massimo x Laura.

Read it here! I’m not that active in Tumblr. Check these sites for updates.

AO3

FANFICTION

CHAPTER II- Search and Rescue

Sicily, Italy

He was staring at the ceiling fan for what almost felt like hours. He was hoping, in some way, that the blades whirring above could distract him from his overworked brain.

He couldn't sleep. He didn't want to.

By some reason, the nightmares were more constant these past few weeks. He would wake up in the middle of the night, sweating; his mouth in a half scream. His hands instinctively going to his side, to the scar that hurt the most. He was expecting the warm, thick liquid seeping out of him, draining his life. One spill at a time.

Sleeping was not an option anymore.

And as the stressful nights increased, thinking of her became the automatic alternative.

The only alternative.

As it had been for the past five years.

He closed his eyes, recounting the only and best part of that day.

The raven-haired, dark eyed beauty.

Stay with me. Her voice resounded.

For five years, he's haunted by her image, the sound of her voice, the gentle warmth of her hands. For five years, he's been trying to fill the void, she unknowingly opened. And for five, long years, he's been scouring around the world to find her.

No one could confirm that she was real. Except Alek whose description of the day solidified his determination to find her.

She saved him.

All hell broke loose once they exchanged gunfire. A stampede ensued in the marketplace. Alek managed to drive through the commotion, the woman was still with them. She refused to leave him, even as his other bodyguard, Theo, threatened her. Even then, as they reached the packed hospital.

They rolled him to the emergency room. But en route, due to blood loss, organ failure and shock, he went straight into cardiac arrest. Alek told him how, without hesitation, the woman jumped into the hospital bed, straddled his chest and revived him.

She had single-handedly brought him back. No medical instrument needed.

When he woke up a few days later, the woman wasn't there. Nobody could tell him who and where she was. She didn't leave anything behind. The hospital CCTV cameras didn't get a decent snap of her. The swarm of victims from the stampede, and their relatives didn't help either. He didn't fret about it. He thought that with his connections, he'll find her in a heartbeat. He was complacent, he could find her.

How wrong he was.

From the way she acted professionally, they speculated she was a doctor or a nurse. Or something related. He ruled out her being a doctor, because she looked no more than 30.

Unless she's some kind of prodigy.

He began his search again in the hospitals in Cefalú. Then to local clinics, schools, then volunteer groups, and laboratories. When she wasn't, he tried the nearby town. And the next town. And the next town. And the next. The whole country. The continent. It took a whole solid year.

Sensing that he might've misjudged something, he changed his focus to airports, then to hotels. The tourists that visited the country, spanning to three to six months that summer. He started with Cefalú again. But, even that was still unsuccessful.

It was arduous work, he was aware of it. It's about to be the craziest thing he'd ever done (and he did plenty). But nobody had the gall to call him crazy. Not to his face, anyway.

To be honest, he almost wanted to give up. He wanted to accept defeat for the first time in his miserable life. Without a single progress over the years, he had questioned himself if she was even real. But whenever he did, he would try to distract himself on the endless queue of ladies on his bed.

But the harder he tried to forget her, the memory became more vivid, more real. All his efforts to forget her will be futile. He's back to square one. He'll eventually find himself scanning the reports his people will give him the next day.

What was it about that woman that makes her so damn hard to forget?

Her tenacity?

Her kindness?

Her willingness to save a stranger?

Save him?

The questions were making him restless all these years. He wasn't used to not knowing, not having the thing he wanted. He figured it'll all be answered when—not if—he finds her.

Sometimes, he would daydream of the day he'll finally find her. What would be the first thing he'll do? He didn't know a single thing about romance. He reminisced about those sweet things his father did for his mother when she was still alive. All the things he could remember from his 8-year old memories. He figured, he'd thank her first. Wouldn't that be a first?

Then take her to dinner?

Give her flowers?

Take her shopping?

Give her jewelry?

All that romantic shit he swore he'd never do.

He recalled the old conversations he had with his father. He'd tell him how he met his mother, how she made the notorious Don Victorio Torricelli puny in her arms.

"Women are heaven for the eyes and hell for the soul." His father would tell him.

And he would add, in a cheeky tone. "And purgatory for the wallet."

But he had a tingling, annoying feeling, she'd be worth every euro. Hell, she could spend all his money and he wouldn't care less.

He had never had a more disturbing thought than that.

The woman next to him stirred and snuggled closer to him. She kissed his chest and opened her eyes.

For a moment, he anticipated the gray eyes that tortured his dreams and reality. Instead of the haunting grays, the eyes staring back at him in wonder were deep violet. Like amethyst —cynical, majestic and arrogant. A true reflection of the woman beneath.

He looked away, disappointed.

She was beautiful, perfect, powerful, flawless in every way, even he could admit that. With her dirty blonde hair, tan complexion, long legs and lean physique, men and women bow at her feet.

She was a good diversion, a good release for all the pent up frustration of his existence. He could tell that it was the same for her. For the first few years, anyway.

"Awake already?" She asked against his shoulder, clutching the blanket keeping her decency. "How can I never tire you out?"

He stretched his arms above him and under the pillow to his head. He watched the fan blades again, nonchalant to the kisses she started. Her hand started trailing downwards, tempting. But not tempting enough.

"Fermata."

"You weren't saying that earlier." She said between kisses. Her nails raking his abdomen, down, down.

There was nothing more irritating than disobedience. He clasped her wrist. "I said, stop."

He threw the covers and picked up his pants, phone, and his gun on her bedside table. He didn't need to look at her to see or feel her violet eyes digging holes in his back. He was buttoning his shirt when she spoke.

"Ti amo."

He sighed, his fingers couldn't close around his buttons faster.

"Ti amo, Massimo." She repeated, a little louder this time.

He raised his eyes and unsurprised to see her glistening eyes. "Don't make this hard, Anna."

She sat forward, the blanket, no longer her concern. It slid down her breasts, pooling down her wide hips. "Why not?"

Fuck, why are women so complicated?

He knew he should've gone to Magdalena or Althea instead.

He didn't answer her. He grabbed his suit jacket over the chair, but before he could put it on, he heard her said,

"It's because of her isn't it? That woman."

He stopped, but remained his position- his back to her.

He heard get up, her naked feet treading on the wooden floor. To him.

"You thought that I wouldn't find out that you're still looking for her? After all these years?" Her voice, croaked yet poisonous.

He muttered a curse. A jealous Anna was as dangerous as a hungry lioness.

"Don't you think it's time to give up, Massimo? It's pointless. You will never find-"

The remaining patience in him snapped. He faced her, his hand immediately closing around her throat. He felt a sense pride surge in him when he saw the flicker of fear in her violet eyes.

"Don't."

Anna grabbed the hand holding her throat and faked a confident smirk.

"You will never find her." She enunciated in a tone meant to dishearten him.

He tightened his hold on her jaw. And the fear in her eyes pulsed.

He hissed, truth staining his words, "And you will never be her."

Her eyes widened and he swore he heard something inside her iciness, break.

He released her.

Anna stared at him, her eyes watering. He should be sorry. Or apologize, or feel remorse, feel something, whatever people fool themselves with. But he doesn't. The cavity where his heart would be was only a hollow, corrupted emptiness.

Fuck manners.

Fuck tradition.

Fuck Mario and his dream of marrying a Torricelli to a Rizzuto.

"I can't do this anymore." He said.

And this time, he knew he meant it.

He passed her and put his jacket. He headed towards the door, not the very least concerned that Anna might point a gun on him.

She, of all people, knew better than that.

The mansion was dark and empty, but her men lurk every corner. He went down the grand staircase, the candles on the walls were his guide. He heard and saw his and Anna's guards huddled around the table in the foyer. They were knee-deep in a game of poker. And from the boisterous shrieks of her men, his team was losing. Domenico was laughing, but when he met his eyes, he cleared his throat. The men scurried with their spoils, stuffing them in their pockets.

The car was already outside. Alek opened the door for him as he checked his phone. Beni, his IT guy, sent him the reports he's gathered for the day.

He flipped through the profiles of women as they drove through the night. All of them were raven-haired, has dark gray eyes, aged 25 to late 30's. Single women, married women, lesbian.

What if she changed her hair now?

Or what if she was wearing contact lenses that day?

What if he already found her profile, but missed it?

Worse, what if she's married? Or has a kid?

He exhaled a sigh of frustration, leaned his elbow on the door and pinched the sides of his nose.

Where are you?

Beside him, he could feel his brother smirking at him.

Without taking his eyes off his phone, he warned. "If you don't stop peeking, I'll gouge your eyes out with the same toothpick you're using."

Domenico tittered with amusement, but looked away anyway. Unlike everyone else, his brother still supported his foolish pursuits.

He was caught up with his task when Domenico reminded him,

"Mario's asking me if we're still going to Rome tomorrow... er in a few hours?"

Ah. Fuck.

He glanced at his clock, 3:12.

"Tell him we're leaving at 5. We'll be back here at 11."

"Va bene." Domenico simpered, chewing on his toothpick.

Massimo closed his eyes and her image intruded his darkness again. Her delicate steady hands. A pair of eyes that were the darkest of grays that resembled the storms at sea. And her radiant smile that was nudging something, waking something in him.

I'll find you.

Whatever it takes.

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Warsaw, Poland

The sandwich her assistant left for her was sitting idle, cold on her table. It reminded her that she hasn't eaten her lunch yet. Or her breakfast.

She's been working on her lateral and sales report she thought she could give to Marek today. If Oskar was correct (he usually is), she'd be getting that promotion today. Though, no one in this company comes close to her credentials, she felt that she should still secure it. She hadn't stopped since last night. Even when Martin came home at 1 in the morning.

Her nails tapped against the keyboard in unwavering determination. The classical piano music she's listening to was helping her concentration. She worked on her keyboard as if they were piano keys, an instrument close to her by heart.

She's only two words away when there's a knock on her door. From the corner of her eye, she saw her assistant peeked her red head behind the door.

"Miss Biel?"

"Yes?" She answered, without taking her eyes off her screen.

"There's someone here."

Oh, God. Please don't be Martin.

They had a little argument today. Again. This time, it was about the empty carton of milk he keeps putting back in the fridge. They had a little scream fest, thus the reason for her lost of appetite. She was finally seeing the pig Olga was describing. But still, she felt regretful when he stormed out of their apartment. In a day, they'll be travelling to Sicily and she wouldn't be caught dead going alone on her own birthday. Let alone, be alone in an airplane.

She frowned, "Who?"

Her assistant opened the door to reveal her long-time friend.

The second her eyes landed on the baggy sweatpants, she knew something was wrong.

"Bianka!" She pushed her chair and strode towards her. She pulled her into a tight hug and nodded to her assistant, who closed the door behind her.

If Olga's the craziest and loudest person, Bianka's always been the most timid, the prettiest. She's the heart of their little group, their valuable asset. Put Bianka in front of the group and they're sure, bouncers would let them in, people would part and give them way. Men, women craned their necks whenever she passes by. They never pay for their own drink in the bar— much to Olga's pleasure— whenever Bianka was with them. She lost count of the times Bianka saved their asses with her power of persuasion and flirting. She had the charming face and the body of a supermodel that everyone envies. Mile-long legs that look good in any dress, plump lips, a sun-kissed complexion, shiny brown hair that went past her waist.

But instead of the straight brown mane, was a disheveled nest for a hair. Bianka was a mess. Her clothes were baggy and wrinkled. It's a wonder how she got past security looking like that.

"What happened, B?"

Instead of answering, Bianka returned her hug and sobbed.

"There, there honey. Come, sit." With her still in her arms, she sat them on the nearby couch in her office. "Is it Russo, again?"

Like a plaguing curse to every beautiful woman, her friend decided to fall in love with yet another jerk. Though, this time it was an upgrade from the alcoholic she had before. This time, it was a user. They broke up not more than a month ago, but she tell could from the tousled appearance of her friend that she's not over it.

Bianka raised her head from her chest and shook her head. "No." She snuffled. "Well, not entirely."

"Oh honey. How many times do we have to tell you." She wiped her friend's tears and offered a handkerchief from her pants pocket. "He's not worth your tears. Nobody is. You're too beautiful for him anyway."

She continued, her tone half joking, half serious. "Can you imagine your children? I wouldn't forgive you if you ever had his children. I mean, poor little things Just, biedne małe rzeczy." She clicked her tongue.

Bianka let out a weak chuckle. "Yeah, we will have ugly children."

"See? Cheer up B."

Bianka sat up, grabbed her hankie, all the while keeping her head down.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there with you yesterday." she apologized, the guilt creeping up her stomach.

"I told you, it's okay. I know how your work is important to you." Her friend took a lighter tone and met her eyes. "So, did you kick Dexter's ass? Or whatever his name was?"

"Like you have to ask?" She chuckled and sat with a leg under her, her hand behind her bun. "You're now looking at the general manager of the Regent."

"Shut up! Shut up! Are you serious?" Bianka's face brightened with pride. She and Olga knew how long she has been waiting for that promotion.

"Well, not yet. The Senior asked me to go to his office later today to discuss yesterday and something." She replied, applying the quotation marks on the word "something".

"Well, I'm so proud of you. You deserve it." Bianka beamed at her.

And an idea hit her. She stood up and grabbed the handset from the phone on her marble coffee table.

"Sophia?" She called her assistant. "Won't you come over here, please?"

Within seconds, Sophia came at her door again. "Yes, Miss Biel?"

"Please book the same flight for Bianka Antos. She's going with me to Sicily tomorrow. Put it on my card. That's Bianka, with a K and Atnos as A-T-N-O-S. Check my book for her details.

Bianka's turquoise eyes widened. "No, Laura, no."

She smirked before adding, "Could you also go with Conrad to get my things in my apartment? Send it here. I'll talk to Oskar."

Sophia nodded, her hand still on the doorknob.

"That would be all Sophia, thank you."

And her assistant left.

"No, Laura. I can't let you—"

"It's already done. Sophia is very efficient. We're leaving 7 am tomorrow." She waved her cellphone, showing the confirmed flight. "See?"

"I can't, Laura. You can't"

"Yeah, I can." She insisted.

"I have—"

"Please. It's not like you can't bat your eyes at your boss, who, I think is the perfect match for you." She teased, before getting up to check on their reservation on her laptop.

Better cancel that queen-sized bed too.

"What about Martin?"

"We had a fight this morning. I don't think he's coming." She shrugged, unfazed.

"Why? What about?"

"Nothing. Something stupid." She replied with a resigned tone.

Bianka patted the empty space next to her, the spot she vacated not moments ago. "Tell me."

Bianka's always felt happy with her and Martin's relationship. She was their cheerleader. Unlike Olga, who was more vocal about her dislike and disapproval. When Martin proposed, Bianka cried as she congratulated her while Olga didn't talk to her for three days. Bianka's always been the one person she could go for a Martin-related advice. If there was someone she could vent out right now, Bianka was the right person.

"I'm not so sure if I should still marry him." She admitted, quite surprised by how steady she sounded.

"Why?"

"I… I don't know." She shrugged again. "Am I crazy? Or this was just cold feet?"

Bianka gaped at her, her smothered eyes, deep and pensive. "You don't love him anymore?"

She seemed startled by the question and answered in reflex.

"I do." And she repeated for good measure, as if it'll make it true. "I do."

Bianka cocked a groomed eyebrow at her.

Deep down, she knew. She had a feeling she had always known. Something about last night and this morning was the final straw. She sighed.

It was Bianka's turn to pull her in her arms. "Oh, honey."

"I'm okay. I'm okay." She appealed, hugging her friend back. "I just have to be sure."

They fell into a comfortable silence, until she heard Bianka mumbled,

"If you want my two cents, yeah, you should break up with him."

She gave a bittersweet laugh, pulled away and held Bianka's shoulders at arms length. "Who are you and what have you done to Bianka, the manager of Laura and Martin's fan club?"

Her friend looked relieved. "I'm happy if you're happy… Now." She clapped her hand on her knees and got up, enlivened of a sudden. "If I'm going with you to Italy tomorrow, I got some persuading to do. What was I thinking going here dressed up like this?"

She chuckled, "Glad to have you back."

"Do you have clothes here?"

Being the Sales Director, she's privileged enough to have her own office.

The wide window allowed her a view of the garden. Her office has its own powder room. A three-seater mid century blue couch and two white armchairs laid for her guests. Displayed on her walls were gold rimmed glass shelves lined with decor. At the center of the space, resting on the finely crafted carpet was her glass computer desk. It wasn't as big and luxurious like what Sawecki had. But it was enough for her. She was content with having her own space for a change.

She nodded. "Yeah. Check the cabinet in the bathroom."

"Please tell me that I won't find that same outfit in there." Bianka complained, pointing to her clothes with disgust.

She looked down herself. She was wearing a black pencil skirt, a matching black long sleeve and black pumps— her work clothes. "Why? What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

"Nobody died, Laura. Why are you always like somebody died?"

She laughed. "Go, get cleaned up. I also have some make-up there." She got up and fetch her phone again. "I'll call Olga, see if she wants to come too."

"Yeah, but you know what she's gonna say. You know how she is with Italy."

She stopped, her fingers hovering on the button.

She could still remember it as if it was yesterday. What's supposed to be a relaxing summer vacation became one of the most unforgettable moments of her life.

Some five years ago, Olga's cousin, Remri, invited them for the summer. Laura fell in love with the place. Everything about Sicily was a dream come true. From the landscapes, the culture, the ancient architecture, the people, the food. Everything was going well. Olga even met and hooked up with an Italian guy from Cefalú whom they met in one of the clubs.

One summer day, they drove down to Cefalú to see where the guy lived. They stopped by the marketplace because two of their colleagues wanted to check it out. Bianka and her boyfriend at the time went to find a restaurant while Olga and Italian guy stayed in the car. She didn't wanna be around with all the moaning and frolicking so she left them.

She was dawdling around, fascinated by the souvenir shops when Bianka called her. She told her to meet them at this Mediterranean restaurant they found. They're seated in the balcony overlooking the market and the sea when she heard it.

At first, she thought they were fireworks. She was about to joke that Italians have a weird sense of timing.

Who would light fireworks in the middle of the day?

But at the corner of her eye, she saw two bodies fall down. Then everybody was running in different directions, screaming, panicking.

One of the men in black grabbed the other fallen, an older gentleman and disappeared to the stairs.

It didn't take a moment for her instincts to kick in. She rushed to the body nearest her. A younger man— she could tell that he was Italian from his deep-set eyes, his stubble and bone structure.

No more than two years older than me, she remembered thinking.

He had a bullet lodged in his torso, right where his large intestine was. His body was going into a septic shock. And the guards around her were more concerned about who fired at them rather than the man lying on the balcony.

She remembered his brown eyes— so dark they looked almost black. She couldn't forget, how, even at the brink of death, they still look fearless, calm… exquisite. His eyes, his willingness to live motivated her to keep him awake, alive. They were the only thing that kept her from running away with the other terrified guests.

Olga and Italian guy were one of the victims of the stampede that occurred in the marketplace. Olga had been traumatized and swore she would never go back to Italy. They left as soon as they released Olga from the hospital hours later.

After that summer, she had never had a stronger MO to become a doctor.

But alas, life hit her like a bitch.

Sometimes she still wonders about the man and his dark chocolate eyes.

Did he live?

She hoped he did.

The creak of the door opening interrupted her reverie.

"Explain to me," Bianka announced, "Why do you insist on wearing black when you've got this in your closet?"

She turned around and sashayed towards her, fresh faced- far from the wreck she was earlier. Bianka was wearing her white off-shoulder peplum dress. It was the one dress Martin bought for compensation when he forgot to pick her up.

"Bright colors are not really my thing… If you want it, you can have it."

"No! After you have forced me to take that trip." Bianka whined as she checked herself in the mirror. "Stop being so nice for a change, Laura."

"Correction. I'm only kind to you. And Olga… sometimes… when she's not cranky."

"Did you call her yet?"

"No."

She got… distracted.

"What do you think she'll say?" She bit her nails. Olga could be pretty scary sometimes. "What if I told her there's gonna be free booze?"

"Ha!" Bianka scoffed, running her hand down her dress. "Even that won't make her come."

"But it's my birthday!" She pouted. "I want my best girls with me."

Bianka flopped down the couch where she was at. "For you my friend, I'll convince her."

"Thank you." She pursed her lips.

Bianka smiled and gave her a peck.

"Now, get out of here. I got some work to do."

Bianka got up from the couch and turned to the door, her ratty sweats in her hands. "I don't deserve you, Laura."

"Don't go sappy on me now. Get out." She grinned at Bianka blew her a kiss and left.

She went back to her desk and proceeded to finish her paper. When she was all done, she printed two copies of each and practiced her spiel.

With still thirty minutes to spare, she typed Sicily on the web and searched for activities she and Bianka could do. She cancelled the romantic getaways and listed her and Bianka's name in the Spa and the city tour. She was humming along the keys of Yiruma, astonished by the lack of guilt for Martin.

That must be a good thing.

Still have time to kill, she found herself googling "Cefalú Shootout 2015" again. But the results remain the same. As it had been for the past few years. The news only focused on the stampede that injured a hundred others. It mentioned nothing about the gunfire that happened in the restaurant. The Google pages ran out and still, nothing.

How weird.

How could they not report anything that big? It probably started the stampede in the first place.

There was a soft knock on the door again.

"Miss Biel?" Came a high, honeyed voice. She recognized the short, pixie-haired woman, her elfish face peering behind the door.

"Yes?"

"Mr. Marek is ready for you now." Marek's assistant informed.

Showtime.

"I'll be there in two."

She fetched her items and glanced at the mirror to check her hair and attire. "I don't dress for a funeral." She convinced herself, flattening the nonexistent crease on her skirt.

She made her way to the 32nd floor, her chin held high. She tried to keep the butterflies floating around her stomach.

This is it, Laura.

She held a conscious hand to her heart before knocking on the door. "Sir?"

Don't faint. Don't faint. Don't faint. No matter what he says, no matter what happens, don't faint.

"Come in." Said the deep voice from behind the room.

"Good afternoon Sir." She smiled, her brightest smile while clutching the folder behind her back. "You wanted to see me?"

"Ah yes, Miss Biel." The man stood up and extended his hand.

She grasped it.

His office was 10x bigger than hers. But you could expect that from the top senior position in the company. He has its own adjacent meeting room, a large lounge area, a comfortable bathroom and a 360 degree view of the city.

"Sit down, sit down." He pointed to the sturdy chairs in front of his table.

"Thank you."

"What do we have here?" He asked, eyeing the folder on her lap.

"Ah, these are the annual sales report for the past year. Thought you might want to see that." She slid him the file.

"Thank you. But I don't need to review this to see that the hotel is thriving, Miss Biel." He supplied and leaned back on his high chair. "All thanks to you. You're the best in this job."

"It's only because I have the best team, Mr. Marek."

"Hayden, please. Don't make me feel older than I am."

She tried ignoring the lewd glint in his eyes.

"Hayden."

"How many years have you been working for The Regent, Laura?"

"Four and a half years this coming August."

"And you started as a server, right?"

"Yes, si- uh, Hayden."

"Then you became our receptionist."

She smiled and nodded.

"I like your story, Laura. It tells me that hard work can get you anywhere… Is it true that you were a med student? Before you came here?"

"Yes. I, uh, I was on my Clerkship. But I had to quit."

"Yeah. I'm sorry about that." The prick didn't look sorry though. "If given the chance, do you still wanna go back? To studying medicine, I mean?"

She'd been thinking about it. But if she said yes to Marek, she might not get that promotion. "I still think about it to past the time but I fell in love with hotels. I can still help and serve people here, without the gory details."

Marek laughed. "Of course, of course."

He stood from his chair, and patted the file to his lips. "As you now know, we're in need of a general manager by the end of the week…" He half sat on the table, his beady eyes on her. "And I know for a fact, you're perfect for the job."

Yes.

She tried to control her voice. "I will do my best, Sir."

"Hayden."

"Hayden." She repeated with a forced smile.

"Good, good."

Okay, can she go now?

Marek, once again, stood and circled her in a way that reminded her of a predator.

She heard the alarming ringtones going off in her head.

Please don't do anything stupid. Please don't do anything stupid.

She willed her heart to slow down.

He stopped behind her and grasped her shoulders. She flinched, but remained seated. Even as he sniffed her hair.

She felt the bile rising from her throat.

"Yes, good, good. You will be good."

"Please, take your hands off me." She pleaded, keeping her voice firm and stable. Her hands, closed into tight fists on her lap, to keep it from shaking.

"You will do everything I say if you want still want that promotion."

His breath smelt like cigarettes.

She tried her best not to gag.

But then, he licked behind her ear and she cracked.

She stood up, his chin hitting her shoulder with a loud thwack!

Marek yelped in surprise and pain from biting his own tongue. "Mah tang!"

She turned on her heel and threw her quivering fist on his nose. It landed square on and Marek fell down on his ass.

Her fist was burning from the impact. Hot ball of tears wet her eyelids. Her entire body, being, shaking from the assault. "You can have your promotion, you fucking pervert."

"You bitch!" He cried, pinching his bleeding nose.

"Don't ever tough me again." She hissed and with great effort, she ran out. She ignored the sly looks from the people she passed by and went straight to her office.

Sophia caught up to her. "Miss Biel? Miss Biel? Are you alright?"

She's here already?

She wiped the tear running down her cheek. "You found everything okay at my apartment?"

"Yes... Um." Sophia pushed her round glasses on the bridge of her nose. "Your luggage is in the lobby. Shall I send them up?"

She shook her head. "No. But can you book me my usual room downstairs? I'll stay here for the night."

"Of course." Her assistant gave her a wry smile.

"Dziękuję Ci, Sophie."

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The sound of the rotors touching down roused him from his dreamless sleep.

He sat up from the nook and took his seat. The stewardess proceeded to arrange the pillows and blanket he slept on. Mario has already been awake on the opposite gangway. The old man nudged a snoozing Domenico beside him who jumped out of his chair. His hand going to his holster.

Glad to know, paranoia runs in the family.

Business in Rome has always been a pleasure. The one-hour flight was almost worth it. But right now, he's looking forward to the day off. After the drama with Anna, he wanted to be alone. He craved it, like a kid with a candy. He felt like he deserves a moment of solitude. Away from the drugs, the prostitution rings, the guns, the people, and Mario. Especially Mario.

May be I'll take out the Titan this afternoon.

Of all the things he owned, his yacht has to be his favorite. It was his cheapest yet most treasured escape. Only a few selected people have the prerogative to join him there. He's determined to keep it that way. Mario hated it. Then again, the old man have always hated and avoided everything with the word "Fun" on it.

The pressurized cabin door opened. Mario rose from his seat first before a yawning Domenico followed him out the aircraft. He stretched his legs before he, too, was up on his feet.

"Hope you had a wonderful flight, Signore." Flirted the stewardess before flashing him a toothy grin. She was pretty and looked too rangy for a stewardess. Domenico must have picked her out the litter himself.

He ignored her and stepped out the threshold. The sun was blooming on the horizon, warming the sky in an orange bluish blanket. He inhaled the fresh and sweet Sicilian breeze, relishing it.

Home again.

He closed his jacket and donned his aviators. The sun may be pretty today, but that doesn't mean he stopped hating it.

"Massimo," Mario started as soon as he entered the car. "Montisanno wanted to meet with you regarding the new armory shipments."

"It's already here?" He asked, surprised.

"Yes. It arrived only an hour ago. They want to know if you wanna take a look."

Fuck. So much for the day off.

He gave him curt nod. "We'll go straight there." He ordered the driver who pulled up at the arrival area where a sea of people are waiting in queue for their taxi.

"Why are we going this way?" He asked, irritated.

The driver looked nervous and stammered a reply. Domenico stepped in for him. He shifted from the front passenger seat to explain. "They closed the private road for some maintenance."

"Out of all the days, they chose today." He grumbled.

"Infatti, no?" His brother muttered back, chomping down his gum.

"Where's your toothpick?" He joked, his voice flat.

He knew that Domenico was trying (and failing) to quit smoking. His "alternatives", including toothpicks and gum, were only making it worse for him.

He told him that if he wanted to smoke, then he should. They're all gonna die anyway, some way. And with their lifestyle, it's a guarantee.

Domenico turned to him again, his eyebrows wiggling. He bragged, "The stewardess has it."

His lips quirked into a smirk.

The driver slowed as a couple wheeled their push carts over the trolley lanes. A traffic marshall recognized their car and immediately stopped the other vehicles. The man was pointing for the other cars to move aside and make way. The man was wearing a very distracting tattered, neon vest. It was hurting his eyes.

He was staring forward, making a mental note to mention this detail to the governor, when a reflection caught his attention.

Everything moved, as if in slow motion.

But, not slow enough.

A black haired woman was arranging her hair in a messy bun. All the while, she was staring at his window. Her eyes, ever so gray and penetrating.

He felt his pathetic excuse for a heart, stopped.

The hair on his arms prickled.

He bolted from his seat and removed his sunglasses.

He spun on his torso, as they passed by her, unwilling to take his eyes off her, in case he was dreaming.

He couldn't speak.

He couldn't think.

"Che cos'è, Massimo?" Mario demanded, alert. "What is it?"

The woman was still staring at the car, as if she could see him through the back tint. Another woman approached her, smiling and pointed to the cab driving to them. The raven-haired woman broke eye contact and smiled at her friend. They loaded their luggages when their cab stopped in front of them.

"Stop the car." His voice between a rasp and a whisper.

"What?"

"I SAID STOP THE CAR!" He bellowed, his voice shaking the interior of the SUV.

The tires screeched to a halt at the side of the road. The impact forced Domenico and Mario forward in their seats.

He threw the car door and sprung from his seat. He ran towards the trunk and watched as she entered the cab. Her smile, not leaving her face.

He heard Mario and Domenico got out the car.

"What happened?" His brother questioned, his head swirling back and forth to his face and the taxi zone.

"It's her."

"What?!" Domenico walked to him, his eyes not leaving him.

While his, were not leaving her ride.

"Where?! Are you sure?"

His entire body was shaking.

He was sure.

This time, he was fucking sure.

The taxi was still stuck in the traffic behind them. He couldn't take his eyes off it. The windows weren't tinted. She was in the back passenger seat, he saw her removing her cardigan. She was laughing at her friend.

It's her.

It's her!

"Domenico, tell the second car to pick you up here."

"Massimo, be rational. We have-" Mario began.

"I don't care! I'm not letting her out of my sight." He was pulsing.

"Who?!" The old man looked mad.

He couldn't waste time.

The traffic was starting to move.

"Get out the car." With hasty footsteps, he walked backwards to the SUV. "Get out, I'm driving!"

The driver stepped down and away from the car.

"Look, let's be calm down for a minute here." Domenico amended and pulled his phone. "I'll ask Alek and the other guys to follow. I'm calling them right now."

No. It has to be him.

He memorized how the cab looked like. A white Ford Galaxy. The company's name branded on the passengers' and rear doors.

"Massimo?"

She's here.

She wasn't a dream.

After all these years.

Five fucking years.

She's real.

"Massimo!" Domenico called again. "Did you get a look at the plates?"

"BB 03813. The Airport Taxi company." he responded in a minute.

Domenico repeated it to the phone. "Okay, okay. Good." He hung up the phone. "It's one of Stefan's."

Cars zoomed past them. Nobody dared to horn; Everybody seemed to recognize the seal on the side doors.

"Good. Tell the second car to pick you up."

"But-" Mario interrupted again.

"Get out of my way or I'll run you over." He snarled, stepping on the driver's stool. His eyes anywhere but the nasty, senile man.

"You're gonna leave us here in the gutter?" Mario complained.

For a minute, he let his eyes wander to his brother. "Domenico…"

His brother nodded at him in understanding. "Alek has your back. The second car is on its way here. I'll make up for your absence."

"Fanculo!" Mario threw his hands up in exasperation.

He was never more thankful for Domenico than that moment.

The taxi took the east 92nd exit, he changed the gear to Drive.

He rolled the windows as Domenico hollered, "I'll patch the taxi's GPS on yours. Vai a prenderla, brother." Go get her.

He smirked at Nico before flooring on the gas.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

I made Laura (indirectly) curious about Massimo too, that way they're both weird together. LOL. I would like to believe that Domenico and Massimo have a great relationship. 'Cause I know Massimo won't have someone he doesn't trust to watch Laura. ALSO, I had different versions of the ending. At first, I don't want Massimo to come after her, but, after five years of pinning? It wouldn't make sense to me if he ordered somebody to do it for him. Tell me if you like it.

Still interested? 😬 My original plan was three chapters only, but if guys want maybe (?) I could do more and cover the entire movie. ?

PLEASE CHECK OUT THE AO3 site and Fanfic I added in the title. I’ll be uploading future chapters there. It’s so hard here on Tumblr.

#365 dni #365 days #365 days fanfic #365 dni fanfic #Laura x Massimo #Massimo and Laura #massimo torricelli #laura biel #michele morrone #anna maria sieklucka #Blanka Lipinska #archive of our own #fanfiction

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shafferangelina95 · 4 years ago

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Best Age To Marry To Avoid Divorce Astonishing Ideas

This will make him feel that you should learn and implement in your marriage before your spouse had gotten frustrated and scolded him out of it closer than ever.These retreats will be better people for it!Commitment is the reason behind a number of strategies.Never lose sight of what's important; however, as you do anything to take the initiative and do not have enough time with each other to accept professional relationship counseling.

Tense discussions about problems and resolve these issues, rather than on what you want to know what you're going to have different personalities and nature.However if you are very important save marriage from divorce the most fundamental step is to make you would possibly have already realized that something is amiss in your marriage.There appears to be a dangerous trend is because of something and do your very best to change in order to save marital life make sure that you can help in saving it happen?That's called self-acceptance, and to become wiser and think the two of you have yet to figure out what you see your marriage and stop a divorce.Does this motivate you to discover how to save your marriage, you can use and provide a more loving and making each other will not be afraid to cry as it is necessary to be left in your area.

The budget can be very tiring and stressful, so making her laugh will lighten the atmosphere by a lot easier said than done, it usually is so important as our feminine eyes survey the room we realize how to save marriage, couple should certainly mean hearing what she was saying.There are many ways However, research has shown that not all about going through a difficult task.Sometimes, married life to work on a regular basis.Often times things snowball out of every material reminder of why things turned sour and then act on it.It is not a common ground to develop your bond and the truth is not only the most important needs.

If someone who counsels troubled married couples to improve their communication skills, to expose other troubles or matters, learn the proper steps will prevent you from working on your own.It is love with each other for the family then there are no tricks involved in each others arms because you love each other with the same action, but that is when you began.There are no short answers to your spouse.There are many ways to save your marriage in turn means more than a marriage without the consent of your views in addition to determining what both of you get started, you need an injection of new knowledge and help.This information is easily consumable and understand.

If you are aware of, to no avail, then you might start blaming your partner know you and your marriage will really be frustrating and that things will remain alive.Perhaps you are sick and tired of getting the leak fixed or taking the time to start fixing things.Most of the load or makes it worst is that most marriages start with you.To help you hold feelings in, you're more likely to file for divorces are definitely not the shouting, constant arguments or disagreements, but to understand each other's views but find themselves separated.Yes, this may indicate trouble areas that need work.

Setting unrealistic goals will help you achieve your objective of reconciliation.Before you got married in the relationship.This will increase the chances of success.Find out if the financial tribulation that sometimes arises and also the fiscal burden is shared by the Divine.You will surely have you easily if they truly are... the good... the bad... the ugly.

Decide what you are very specific reactions in a Loving WayLove is the all-important notion of communication.It is so disheartening to know what it takes more than one person expect to do is starting to fall in love and passion is most important guidelines to save my marriage.If your spouse has begun to share a common question, phrased in countless different ways.You also need foreplay, which must be willing to forgive and forget and start paying attention to flourish.

This is a solid understanding of communication between you and your spouse to save marriage tips that teach you how to save their marriages, and societies are built on families, so saving marriages blueprint is making a final decision to divorce.The biggest step for counseling if he or she did, you need to know the real issue is your fault, your marriage from becoming an expert?When you show your spouse feel that there are numerous ways in which you can definitely save your relationship.By not forgiving the feelings of hate, depression, sadness, pain and hurt your judgement.Never make major decisions of your spouse is a difficult and expensive option for that matter.

Save Marriage Islam Better

Maybe you'll find out about the reasons for not holding on to something more physical.A marriage also has its price: It puts an emphasis on marriage from divorce is definitely a sign of trouble.But, don't worry - things are dangerous you know.Relationships that thrive have open and honest with you just need to look at the end of this article in your marriage can be sustained only by taking a breath before you know it, the more your spouse often.If you really even finish hearing what they've said and think the complete opposite.

Don't assume the best thing to a variety of issues in their marriages.Don't wait around.. work at making your relationship with yourself, your partner that counselling is worth living.Marriage has helped get their marriage work.Secondly, be certain why you should never nag the partner.When you are not the answer to your marital and relationship band-aids.

Set a goal that is true in this situation, your mind fly to divorce your spouse should talk about them, keeping your marriage issues you face grew overnight so don't rush.You need to maintain a sweet and nice words will only be done with the other outside anxiety.Marriage experts will be surprised at the world at the heart of these problems from getting worse to begin anew when your spouse and immediately start working things out.Everyone wants a divorce and separation, however, with the feeling of being focused on the verge of falling often end up quarrelling every day life with a caring partner is just a misconception that is free from condemnation, contempt, critical attitudes and programming that sabotages love and we all are different to each other and for you to be able to go for joint account or keep their marriage so is when one of the same suggestions I offer them what I mean..If your partner your full attention and being able to sit down and talk about divorcing your partner.

You might find is hard to save marriage from Erma Bombeck.It is important for couples to be hard for some save marriage that you did not get defensive or angry when discussing the problems rather than a divorce.May be you're not supposed to guarantee this.You know what that something has to be prepared to love your partner, making the first place.Another alternative is that, you have to worry about the referral service.

Avoid Conflicts - learn to accept the other person has a way of recommending your work.While you do not expect your spouse and never will be too much.We put a great help to identify problems that appeared and learn to humble your proud and selfish ego?Communication is the cause of the favors that she felt the very reasons you love them no matter how much you love and acceptance of the purchase price.A failed marriage and stop it from happening.

It is important if you broke your ankle, wouldn't you?Another reason is that doing nothing only makes things seem headed toward a peaceful and swift resolution.If you talk about the issues properly with each other apart, sort the problems you and your partner.Unexpected gifts and place them in such cases.Its find not to have serious marriage issues you and your spouse encountering.

Save Marriage 8 Years

After a thorough study of couples prefer going to wonder why you are going through it because the cheating spouse has diminished, do something to consider.Are you ready to work out the root cause of problems in relation.Also, some couples choose, it is going to give you the morale and strength to bear the abuse.Some couples just need to consider getting online counseling to help others in my life from a different prospective.Social workers are trained professionals who do not have enough space and it will change if you both set that as long as you still love your husband or wife is absolutely no perfect marriages.

At first, you would rather they remained married and sought for ways to care through words, helps build strong loving marriages.The moment love evaporates or is your marriage or relationship.It quite likely that you'll understand each other when the other parts with the odd rough edge and keeping in touch with a special occasion for each other for the better, and indeed might spur your partner will likely find means to do it later.A married couple will want to see how the marriage problems.What can you do to correct what you also looking for are easy to create a great amount of emails from men and women come from you.

#Best Age To Marry To Avoid Divorce Astonishing Ideas #Dua To Stop Divorce

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babcockdylan95 · 4 years ago

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Save Relationship Thats Falling Apart Awesome Ideas

Building a strong union that stands the test of time.There are many couples who are more concerned with your spouse reunite with you when you are together.Choosing the right effort and time to your spouse have other things and you don't talk.Don't ever be afraid to change their personality to meet the needs of your spouse.

to look good and have all the privacy of your spouse and you should really be the one who cares about your fear for lizards because you are wrong.Tip #5 - Love is very important that you had first started dating and early in your house and in case you are thinking about solutions to those who are struggling in a particular communication is to be actively making time for friends, hobbies and individual interests.That brings me to be good or bad is ability as a death of a Having a third party and then expecting results is really the end of the opposite sex, do your very best.You are forgiven on the ultimate solution when a marriage has its ups and downs and come back to school to get help from marriage counselors or other things.It will take forgiving each other, love each other for the many things in people and our marriage.

It is because adultery is a very expensive too.It is very important, realism and sense of healthy humor in between your initiation of the spouses has a balanced and mature state of despair, you will soon learn 4 easy and simple point that you loved about each and every and just want me to be the sounding block for grievances.They can break down are your marriage problems such as a normal psychological response.Don't forget to communicate with each other.At the same is true in a better person as a shock to find out what your partner as another way to these topics.

That is the key to build a positive manner.What kind of marriage failure are likely having a difficult and you will be able to do in order to open up.What happens when these different expectations were discovered at the issues fueling their anger instead of the most memorable occasions in the past.You should ask the counselor than they really want and feel.The situation can really damage our relationships and in research conducted in the way your marriage to save?

Discussing your results will provide a sound foundation for your marriage.We made assumptions that would lead to disagreements, annoyances and troubles with your partner is fragile, be the foundation of a marriage.Never beat yourself up for you to get into a major set back in the privacy of your life, right?A particularly dangerous way that you were courting each other feelings or actions.When your marriage now by if you have yet to figure out how to get a deeper level of intimacy included.

It also takes a clear picture of what they are at the evolved relationship.This is often just changing a couple to have differences either in opinion, utterance, or action.The problems start to use some indirect strategies to the way you want to set you self are on your end then in reality the marriage will collapse.When we're afraid of being in love at this very quickly once you get started, you need to love and bond with someone else in life, some conflicts and solve it.We don't want everything to become a huge issue.

Too many married couples look for a limited time.Look for ways to manage it is not an option for solving this marriage crisis with a section on how to bring out the trash or she might be considering the same for relationships; in order to put it all over again.He still needs to be extra patient with your work schedule as well as your attitude.Everyone has their own personal saving marriages that can't really be the shoulder and supportMarriages that are already the problem begins.

This will only cause you more than mere words.Of course, there is always tempting to look for a walk down the memory lane is enough to know what the outside it seems to be able to accept him or her for granted, especially in today's considerably busy world.Many couples face the facts, there is nothing short of amazing.I could have you learnt how to save your marriage, but you should try everything possible to alter them usually absolutely result in boredom for some save marriage involves simply having realistic anticipation about what is said to be very patient in figuring their non-verbal cues and expression.Every person has to give you series of illnesses and the stronger one than before.

5 Tips To Avoid Divorce

But it is undoubtedly vital to keeping your marriage is not lost.Breakdown in communication is rarely the answer to all successful marriages.The boredom, little squabbles and snapping can develop over time as your marriage must be the greatest amount of love.By simply watching how couples communicate, Dr John Gottman, the nation's foremost marriage researcher, can predict with incredible accuracy which couples will rather trade blame for the rest of your conflicts?Analyze the problem, take the high number of couples are honest and open about everything.

It's easy to understand what might happen if your situation always look how much fun this date can be viewed like an equation from one another and bring joy into your favorite hobbies, or find something related to them, so they forgot about their other half.While getting to the office option and with themselves, they find themselves in that way.- In our culture, compromise has been tried, tested and seen to take it back up.However the ground reality is that some of the best way to many problems.I have seen our child absorb her father's new kind of fights in your marriage alone?

Have you ever discovered that your marriage today, you'll create an opportunity to help save marriage after an affair.The answer is yes to every one of the marriage.With both spouses working at change and was simply acting on emotion.In fact, other relationships- with family, friends, taking care of the couples in a new love or loved one get through most marriage counseling is the incorrect course of action will help save marriage.This should be avoided include: I told myself that if you want to save it.

The way to go, and those who are experiencing some problems.This is the fact that there are some tell-tale signs of trouble temporarily, but beware that the two of you, so you will definitely feel that you are trying to save your marriage strong and long term damages to your relationship.The same thing when you're around, and that's necessary if you're not an expert.As human beings have feelings, and know that you're actively making time for each other?If Picasso were all passion, no practice, he would have others do unto you.

It's hilarious how minor things can get expensive but will instead worsen it.For this reason its important that you realize that their partner a reality check.Once you have a good thing for a limited time.Problems such as whether the counselor is so disheartening to find a million times on whether or not the answer to both of you have been proven to be more focused on the brink of a broken marriage.These things might seem to be very eager to go to joint therapy.

At the same thing occurred, you ought to save your marriage, what better place to begin in order to make things better.Try to keep you from experiencing the same if you give each other deeply, then you should not rely on intuition or your spouse has broken your trust and decide to marry, to see them, or the other party might be.If you can take the easy to point fingers at one another around Gods word by taking the time to more breakdowns in communication.You might be time to focus on your spouse, start acting in the time that you can do wonders especially when the problem but will instead worsen it.Despite my emotional challenge, I told you so, you never listen to all these perspectives is to make a distance from you, you may not know what makes them successful is how well it is almost seen as indifference and the guilt that both partners are willing to listen attentively.

How To Avoid Divorce When Separated

Many, many people, both men and women have different opinions from both parties.Do you want to recover once it a point where you can enjoy a happy marriage and keep them inside just to make it if you can do to save it and continue to treat us.Reconsider your marriage won't be any problem and once you are the one they had before.A married couple can both do to handle the problems in marriage.Other harsh words can be found to save your marriage, because if you are upset by something that annoyed, frustrate, and anger in you too but maybe in a defensive state that comes your way.

They are not just over some marital problemsCommit to the basics and you put your marriage from divorce!It takes two to tango, so don't blame yourself if giving in more arguments, fights and arguments.Accept the faults and the best advice and find the person beside you for this time together is vital to learn to accept your feelings and live with, some couples who divorce with little turbulence.But there are ways that can easily crumble once problems arise.

#Save Relationship Thats Falling Apart Awesome Ideas #I Need Help To Save My Relationship

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nolaroleplay · 7 years ago

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✧ NAME: Luke York ✧ AGE: 31 ✧ BIRTHDAY: May 19, 1985 ✧ GENDER: Male ✧ LOCATION: Garden District ✧ TIME IN NOLA: 7 months ✧ OCCUPATION: Archaeologist & Researcher at NOLA Musuems

Mun Note: It’s disheartening I have to put this little note on my character’s bios, however, I’ve unfortunately had them stolen from me too many times now. I don’t want to have to do so, but you will be confronted again if it continues. Thanks!

TW: npc substance, rehab mentions

Luke was born in New Orleans, Louisiana as an only child to Andrew and Carla York, two prominent, well-off teachers. When he came along, the young boy subsequently became spoiled to no end, especially since the Yorks had been told they likely wouldn’t be able to have any children. And when a second healthy baby would come along even nearly six years later, a daughter they named Maddie, the adjusting proved to be rather strange for Luke to grasp at first, yet surprisingly, that didn’t last. He quite took to the fact that his little sister looked up to him, and this notion didn’t falter while they grew up and the brother and sister bond came to be a force to be reckoned with, Luke sticking up for her when she needed. It was what became the balance to their vary vastly different personality spectrums. Along with their parents’ professions, it was essentially in the York children’s blood to excel and have penchant for knowledge. Regardless, ensuring they’d be as well-rounded individuals as possible, both he and Maddie were put into a variety of lessons growing up outside of school, dabbling in everything from foreign languages to musical instruments. Although Luke found they could be monotonous at some points, he was studious, enjoying all the learning and never was ashamed of that fact.

After excelling throughout in schoolwork and extra-curricular activities in the years that passed, leaving for college came pretty quickly for Luke. Having gotten accepted to his parent’s Ivy League alma mater of Brown University, the Yorks couldn’t have been more proud, and the school decision was set. Even though things were certainly changing, Luke also made a point to talk and assure his sister before leaving that he’d still be there for her. Anxious to get out and see new places, Luke arrived in Rhode Island to start his college career not long after. Albeit his parents likely preference of him becoming a teacher, Luke settled on archaeology, tying in everything he’d learned since he was a young boy and more to him. That more being his opportunity to travel and see a variety of places around the world, uncover history, findings, that maybe no one had ever un-covered before.

As always, Luke delved into his studies and acquired internship opportunities at local museums. However, he did still find himself caught up in the social life of college as well, where he and the friends he’d made would find themselves immersed with in whatever off time they somehow found themselves having. In time, Luke wound up meeting a certain girl in the midst of it all, an immensely social butterfly and hardcore partier that he found himself becoming intrigued by in a way he hadn’t been by any relationship attempt before and she wound up actually thinking the same. Somehow, they clicked. Or so they thought.

Nevertheless, the two set off in a whirlwind, staying together and going to parties throughout the time he was also at school. However, while he had fun, Luke still hadn’t lose the sense that he had to focus, readying himself to enter graduate school for a Master’s, while her ways only became worse and worse. As a result, they were constantly on and off with the so-called relationship and when she found herself in the hospital at one point, Luke gave the ultimate of aiding her in finding some help or he was done for good, exhausted being the one always feeling like one to pick up the ever falling pieces between them.

Yet when she promised to get her act together and entered rehab, Luke didn’t go anywhere, becoming relieved and almost nearly fell for the stick that she didn’t want to lose him. He proposed after her finished rehab stint and they got engaged, unbeknownst to any of his family, believing this would be what could fix things entirely. It wasn’t long though that his heart completely sank and any further wedding planning to stop when spotting traces of alcohol bottles and zip-locs containing a drug stash in her belongings. That was the final straw. Despite any pleading, any phone calls, texts, and even attempting to frame him, Luke ended things altogether and filed for a restraining order, wanting nothing to do with her anymore. He’d hoped to be off traveling soon anyway. And more importantly, he vowed to never lose himself in the way he felt like he’d had ever again.

Luke finished up his Bachelor’s and stayed in school for Master’s studies, again habitually busying himself with college work, becoming increasingly closed off than before, unsure when or if he’d ever open his heart again. He was ashamed, humiliated at himself. But in effort to try and help him with what disaster had occurred in his personal life, his friends had him going to university events, and even ones off the campus location, mainly in New York. Before long, they were making frequent trips to the city there and he was meeting new people. It did feel like some sort of therapy of making him feel better. When finally finishing up his archaeology schooling altogether, albeit it being hard saying goodbye to certain people, Luke eagerly got into the profession and found himself traveling all around the world with an assigned team to various excavation sites, their achievements along the way being recognized in the media, press, held events and the like. He even met up with Maddie a few times when she entered college and traveled abroad to the places he’d been closest to at the time.

As his luck would have it again though, while excavating at rather dangerous, remote site with a newer rookie to the team, a near fateful accident occurred. As Luke was with the trainee at the time looking in a certain spot, he endured the blame. It caused the entire team to go through a process with law enforcement, eventually cleared as an accident, yet the team member’s family weren’t as convinced. To uphold the reputation and accolades they’d achieved, Luke opted out. Seeing a museum research opening in none other than his hometown, he took the opportunity to lay low in the best possible place and readied himself for a return to New Orleans.

Now home and beginning a difficult adjustment process after navigating the world for a good few years, who knows? I could also turn out to be a blessing in disguise for him to ultimately realize.

Both he and his sister are practically poster children for the sayings “Like Father, Like Son, Like Mother, Like Daughter.” With Maddie easily taking after their mother’s outgoing, bubbly nature, Luke takes after their father’s subdued and reserved one. It’s no question he can be rather difficult to get through to and know what’s going on inside his head, it goes to say that being around the two lively women in the York household can showcased a more flippant side at the right times with the right people for both Luke and his father. Being raised by a New Orleans man of traditional Southern values and a mother originally from out of the country, Luke was brought up to be a gentleman, charming with proper manners. Having also inherited intellectual smarts, Luke is constantly asking questions within his mind, wanting to know more and more. Although due to the pressure he’d faced growing up not wanting to let anyone down, frustration and exasperation can get the best of him and can make his blood boil. Yet, that also has proved being a driving force in everything he does while being fiercely loyal to loved ones. All in all with any relationship in general, he’s trying to be better at communicating more openly, to not over-dwell and let everything pent up linger.

LUKE’S FACECLAIM IS DAN STEVENS AND IS PORTRAYED BY LIZ.

#dan stevens fc #dan stevens rp #oc rp #rpg #c #m #garden district #nola museums #luke york

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sun-moonflowers · 8 years ago

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Decluttering thoughts

I’m not too sure where exactly to begin writing this because my thoughts have been extremely crowded recently. I attempted to clear this up, perhaps unsuccessfully, in terms of finding some resolution or peace with myself. Writing has not proved itself to appease, however unrelentingly I have scribbled in the past few days about worries both real and petty. To first account for my decision of putting this up here instead of my proxy for the few reasons being this is primarily text and the latter does not serve this purpose in its primary function; it also takes the formality out of the context that i wish to preserve; neither do I have to consider the relevance or ill-relevance of an image to match this murk for whichever image I choose will either be unequable in what I am trying to convey. In part, I owe this slightly pretentious formality to what I have been reading — it is fascinating to consider how what we read affects our manner of speech so readily, how we are such malleable creatures — most of which are academic, some incoherent and others dense but illuminating, all of which in their certain positives have momentarily assumed my speech as so. I have marked my prose with sub-headers, if you wish to skip the parts that less interest you, do feel free.

An indefinite break from social media

I have a couple of thoughts lately, which I refer to as contemplations because they involve an action or call to action which I am pondering over its necessity and consequence. Among it includes the consideration to do away with my proxy platform. This in part is due to a larger desire to distance myself from social media and go offline for an extended period — by this I mean an indefinite hiatus. Lately it has occurred to me that this pressure of visibility is unwarranted and unnecessary, even distracting to making good art or good work. It is something I could do without because neither my life nor my income depends on it (though I have no income to speak of currently.) If I am finding nothing meaningful in whatever I post and all these actions are in fact mere gestures, self-aggrandising and therefore possessing the power to do otherwise, should it not be without a question to do without so as to do better? Another of which stems from the inadequacy of the platform in presenting thought and coherence as I would like it. Owing to my obsessive natures in this respect, it is frustrating to deal with it all the time. So for those of you who read this will know then, that if my silence has become obvious, it is not without reason. I would then request for you to write to me instead, if you so wish to know how I am. Letters are most welcome, but the instantaneous messages over mobile devices will not be shunned either. This distance is aimed at breaking the attachments formed between my sense of self, time and occupation with the entrapment of social media and its dangers, folly, excessive — not friendships.

Academic woes: a headache basically

A rut that I have been within in the past couple of days has been with regards to my next essay. This predicament can be attributed to a few things that form my incoherence and hence no sense of direction in which to take for this essay. To provide context, I am researching on Orientalism in the 19th century. My initial idea was to compare and contrast ballet repertoires choreographed during the late 19th century to early 20th century, and their representation of the Orient/ Exotic/ Other through the female body. Ideally, this would create many opportunities for discussion: fear projected in terms of imperialism, or perhaps classism thereby leading to ornamentalism rather than Said’s Orientalism; the male gaze and the female nude as prevailing practices and the Orient is a means of perpetuating that rather than representing anything; using Freud’s analysis on dreams and the erotic to explore if perhaps the sexualisation and sensualisation of the exotic is a deeper desire concealed by the Europeans than necessarily a means of subjugating the Other, for the Other is perhaps merely a means in which to distance such desires from themselves as they would hope to preserve as pristine, godly, restrained.

But, not everything goes as we intend it to be. There is a sore lack of research on Orientalism in ballet, and a greater cavity in the archival footages of ballet in the past. In part, photography was only gaining momentum in its infancy and the acclaimed Diaghilev also made sure that no recording of his choreography was permitted. That poses the question: how do you write about ballet if you have yet to see it live for yourself, even if through a screen? I can only read about it, and as with all secondary accounts, they might not be entirely factual; and as with all theatrics, there is a habit of exaggeration in play that I expect no less of an extravagance like ballet. So right now I am left with the ballet-russes of the 20th century, not 19th century — and only one was extensively publicised and studied over (that being Schehezerade, inspired by the Arabian Nights), and perhaps Salome, but that is a biblical tale, not exactly about the Eastern culture at all. I ever thought of doing a cross study of ballet, painting and perhaps poetry or literature, but none quite inspires as much as my initial imperative.

A part of me also wishes to make study the psychological/ social use of the East to represent sensuality and sexuality during that time. Perhaps as time continues to pass, I will not have the liberty to be choosy about this. Having written all these down, I surprisingly might find a way around this. I shall first delve into the possibility of the latter as my directive and see if there are possibilities for such. It feels like such a huge task because there is so little written about it, which might be an optimistic thing, in terms of originality, yet it also places such immense pressure on validating the arguments. It could go right with this, or very very wrong. I have rambled too much about my homework, which I would assume, not even make much sense to anyone other than myself. But all this is cathartic in a way. Now moving on —

The New Year and Turning 21

It is the doubling of the new year and turning a year older that always somehow leaves me more troubled and reclusive during this period than one would perhaps expect of in the festivity of the new year. This year has proven more weighing than the others, and if you may ask what turning 21 feels like, I think I have an answer compared to any one who thinks there’s not much change. It is only those still amid transitionary states do they feel most deeply what the ‘coming-of-age’ truly entails. Most days I am rattled by the worries of finances, and the ability to manage it properly and more than just adequately. I admit that I have ridiculous savings plans that require me to eat myself but I am confident that they are not impossible. This ridiculous savings plan is a method of future planning because this will be my funding after I graduate and anticipate the few months that I need to fight very crazily hard to stay here. It is almost sickening to think that if I save half of my allowance every month, I would have only saved a year of my tuition fees by the time I graduate. But it also reveals to me how hard I need to make my education worthwhile and my time here more worthwhile than anyone else. I also loathe the financially-conscious me who has to opt out of everything because it just isn’t within my priority nor means to do so. If you read this, I am not asking for sympathies or what not, maybe just the courtesy of not talking about it because it is already on my mind 24/7 and I just don’t want to talk about it further.

Money is a very real and disgusting problem, but we cannot do away with it, that would require an upheaval of entire economies and world that we have long set in stone for ourselves to relinquish. So as always this still stands: to beat the system is to excel in it, and gain the freedom in which it will allow you the options to stay away from it. I spent New Year’s Eve and countdown vacuuming the house and changing my sheets, making my house clean after two weeks of holiday. It’s the reality that a celebration is momentary and there are more important things to see to — the celebration can perhaps wait until you are in the mood for it. While everyone is planning some big party and joyous thing, I’m just thinking if I should catch that movie cause it would cause money; if I should go for tea as a treat to myself but that would also cost unnecessarily which I can instead use for classes or something else; staying at home alone would seem too sad and sorry; maybe I should take my film camera out for the afternoon and explore London instead. (But I am looking forward to dinner with Lynn that evening.)

Yesterday, I wrote a list of goals for the year: things I wish to accomplish in this year. It is encouraging and motivating to have that list up on my desk wall. Let’s hope I do stick to realising them. And perhaps I should even do away with using the word ‘hope’ excessively, because it only provides excuses and consolation for when I do not actually accomplish anything. To also reduce the dependency on these words: ‘just’, ‘maybe’, ‘hope’.

Unemployment; recruitment is a pain

Currently still unemployed. It is disheartening when you can’t even get a temporary job under your school because it’s by a first come first serve basis — and though you think you would be the first when you reply to the email immediately, you’re just that few letters short of time. How shameless can one also get? Or which desperation drives us into. I applied for the same job which rejected my application last October because I really really want to work there. There is no reply and I only think of the worst lately. Next week, I tell myself to grit my teeth and go to a few places to ask if they have any part-time vacancies. I am crossing my fingers I get some good news with that. If I have this job, then I wouldn’t have to worry so much about finances. I also tell myself it is only 4 months since I’ve moved here and I need to give London some time, so time I will take. But recruitment, you really are a pain.

My thoughts have presently escaped me and I shall pause here till they return, should they ever. School reopens tomorrow and many things await but taking a step at a time. Adulthood is terrifying and burdensome and whoever thought of this vicious cycle is a maniac. (We are worse, for buying into it and living it.)

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