C64 Just This Once

Annabelle’s muscles burned from the constant drills she had been putting herself through.

The dummy in front of her bore the brunt of her frustration as she jabbed, twisted, and kicked relentlessly, ignoring the faint ache in her right leg.

Sweat dripped down her temples, soaking into her simple tank top, but she didn’t stop.

She couldn’t. Every blow she landed felt like a strike against her past.

Against Tad, against the powerless girl she used to be.

Her breath came out in ragged gasps, and she paused just long enough to swipe at her forehead with the back of her hand.

She glanced at the clock on the wall and winced.

She had told Angelo she’d wrap up an hour ago, but she needed this.

“I need to be strong enough. For Cathy. For myself.”

Her fists clenched as she squared her stance again, preparing to launch another round of attacks on the already battered dummy.

“Annabelle!”

The sudden voice startled her, and she turned to see Antonia standing in the doorway, a picture of effortless elegance.

She looked different and Annabelle soon realised why.

She had done something to her dark hair.

The blonde hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, and her fitted navy-blue dress clung perfectly to her lithe frame, a stark contrast to Annabelle’s sweat-streaked appearance.

"I like your hair," Annabelle said automatically.

Antonia gave a small twirl as she entered the room, flicked her hair and said, "I know, right? It's gorgeous. Maybe we would do the same for you."

Before Annabelle could respond that she liked her hair just fine, Antonia’s lips curled into a bemused smile.

“I’ve come to rescue you,” she announced, stepping closer with deliberate grace.

“Rescue me?” Annabelle asked warily, lowering her fists but staying rooted to the spot.

“From this,” Antonia gestured vaguely in the room, wrinkling her nose at the punching bags and mats. “Honestly, you’ve been cooped up in here all week, hitting dummies and stomping around. It’s time you had a proper day out.”

Annabelle shook her head, already suspicious. “I don’t think…”

“I didn’t ask what you think,” Antonia interrupted breezily, her tone playful yet firm. “I’ve already made arrangements, and we’re going.”

“I can’t,” Annabelle said, trying to keep her voice steady. She crossed her arms, willing herself to look resolute. “I need to be here for Cathy. And…”

Antonia held up her phone with a triumphant smirk. “I’ve already called Angelo, and he agrees you need a break. Oh, and the boss gave his blessing too.”

Annabelle froze, her heart tripping over itself. “You called Dante?”

Antonia raised a perfectly sculpted brow. “Relax, darling. He’s not going to bite your head off. He actually agreed you could use some time to unwind.”

Annabelle’s disbelief was evident on her face.

Antonia gave a theatrical sigh like that of her brother and dialled a number on her diamond-studded phone.

“Will you tell her, please?” she said into the phone before stretching it towards Annabelle.

Annabelle’s unease grew as she collected the phone.

Then she was surprised to hear Angelo’s voice.

She had thought…

In less than a minute, she had returned the phone to Antonia.

The latter gave her a triumphant look while declaring she was going to thank her after she was done with her.

Annabelle clenched her jaw, annoyance flaring in her chest.

They had made plans for her behind her back like she was a child incapable of making her own decisions.

She wanted to protest, but she bit her tongue, unwilling to hurt Antonia’s feelings.

“Fine,” she muttered, “But Cathy…”

“Maria’s got her,” Antonia said smoothly, stepping aside just as Maria appeared with Cathy in tow.

Annabelle’s heart softened at the sight of her sister. Cathy’s hair was pulled into a neat ponytail, and she was wearing one of the light dresses Dante had provided, a soft blue that brought out her sable brown eyes.

“I’ll be fine, Anna,” Cathy said, her voice steady but still shy. “Aunt Antonia said I could stay with Maria. She’s nice.”

“When did she start calling her Aunt Antonia?” Annabelle wondered, but didn’t voice the question.

Cathy’s tentative smile left her no room to argue, and with a resigned sigh, she nodded.

“All right,” she said quietly, brushing a hand over Cathy’s hair. “I won’t be gone long.”

“Promise?” Cathy asked, her eyes wide and earnest.

“I promise.”

Antonia linked her arm through Annabelle’s before she could change her mind. “Come on, darling. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.”

"Yeah, you mentioned that before," Annabelle nearly muttered, but clamped her mouth shut.

As they walked out of the training room, Annabelle couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling that she was somehow walking into trouble.

Back in her room, Annabelle changed into a pair of tailored jeans and a simple white blouse, the most casual yet presentable option from the extensive wardrobe Dante had delivered for her.

When she returned, Antonia eyed her critically, clicking her tongue.

“We’ll remedy this soon enough,” Antonia declared. “I’ll teach you how to spend a man’s money properly. Especially if that man is Tay.”

Annabelle’s stomach twisted at the mention of him.

She didn’t have time to dwell on the implication as Antonia propelled her toward the door, where four black-clad men stood waiting.

The sight of them brought an involuntary pang of unease.

Their tailored suits couldn’t mask the tension in their shoulders or the way their sharp gazes constantly scanned the surroundings.

“What weapons are hidden under there?” She wondered briefly.

One of them opened the car door for her with a stiff nod.

Annabelle hesitated, feeling the cool metal of her own gun in her purse.

Angelo had given it to her the first day she hit the bull’s eye.

The weight of it was both comforting and unnerving.

Once inside the plush car, Annabelle tried to relax, but the sight of the two cars going before and after them made that impossible.

“Nothing about this is normal,” she thought uneasily.

As the car glided down the long driveway, memories of her last journey along this path flooded back.

The terror she had felt then was a stark contrast to the guarded luxury she was experiencing now. “What an irony,” she thought bitterly.

Antonia was busy tapping away at her phone, making reservations, and giving instructions. Her cool efficiency was almost enviable, and Annabelle couldn’t help but feel a small twinge of gratitude.

“Relax,” Antonia said without looking up. “You’re going to love this.”

Annabelle leaned back against the soft leather seat and tried to push aside her doubts.

She had never had a day to herself, never experienced the kind of pampering Antonia was promising.

Maybe, just this once, she could let herself enjoy it.

Still, the thought lingered in her mind.

Nothing in my life comes without a price.

And as the car turned onto the main road, flanked by their ever-present escort, she couldn’t help but wonder what price she might be paying today.