C65 Could Have Died

Annabelle hesitated as she stepped into the sleek, well-lit phone shop. The walls gleamed with chrome and glass, and the shelves were lined with some of the most expensive phones she had ever seen. Each device sparkled under the display lights, practically screaming extravagance. She swallowed hard, trailing behind Antonia, who seemed entirely in her element.

“This one,” Antonia said, pointing at a phone that looked more like a piece of art than a practical gadget. Its edges were plated in gold, and the screen was edge-to-edge perfection.

Annabelle’s heart sank at the sight of the price tag, which boasted an obscene number of zeroes. “I… I don’t need anything this fancy. I really don’t need a phone actually,”

Antonia turned to her with a theatrical sigh, her perfectly lined eyes narrowing with mock exasperation. “Darling, this isn’t about what you need. It’s about what Dante wants. And he wants you to have the best.”

Annabelle opened her mouth to protest again, but Antonia cut her off with a raised hand. “Just pick one, Annabelle. Trust me, Dante won’t care. He probably won’t even notice the dent in his fortune.”

Her stomach twisted at the mention of him, but Annabelle suppressed the surge of annoyance and reached for a modest model.

Sleek but not overly flashy.

Before her fingers could touch it, Antonia clicked her tongue.

“No, no, no. That won’t do.” She waved to the attendant, who promptly brought over a phone encrusted with a subtle trim of gold.

Annabelle tried to protest, but Antonia dismissed her concerns with a wave. “Trust me. He’ll be disappointed if you don’t choose the best.”

Feeling a wave of helplessness, Annabelle relented, pointing at a sleek phone with a less flashy design. “This one.”

The sales assistant beamed and asked how Annabelle would like it customised. Annabelle frowned at the suggestion and shook her head. “It’s fine as it is. No need for anything extra.”

Antonia gave her an approving nod. “Simple and classic. I like it.”

The next stop was a high-end boutique.

The kind Annabelle had only ever seen in magazines. The smell of expensive leather and soft perfume filled the air, and mannequins dressed in avant-garde designs stood like silent soldiers, their outfits costing more than she had ever seen all her life.

Annabelle’s unease only grew as Antonia swept through the aisles like a queen surveying her kingdom, pulling garments from racks with reckless abandon.

Her emerald-green eyes darted to a flowing sundress, only for Antonia to notice.

“Add that to her pile,” she called out to the hovering attendants, who obediently stacked it atop an ever-growing mountain of clothes.

“Wait!” Annabelle finally exclaimed. “I haven’t even tried these on.”

Antonia grinned, the picture of mischief. “If you so much as look at something, we’re buying it. It’s easier that way.”

Annabelle sighed, defeated, and started choosing items herself. If this was how it was going to be, she might as well pick things she genuinely liked.

Her fingers grazed over fabrics she’d never dared to touch before: cashmere cardigans, silk blouses, tailored pants that felt like second skin.

“Good girl,” Antonia teased, handing over another dress for good measure. “And don’t worry about the bill. Dante’s pockets are endless.”

Annabelle couldn’t help the spark of indignation rising within her. “I didn’t know that,” she said tersely.

Antonia’s laughter was airy, but her words carried a sting. “You’re so much like Isabella. So naive. So… pure.”

The way she said pure made Annabelle’s chest tighten, and her mood darkened. She forced a tight smile and said nothing, focusing instead on putting the unwanted clothes back.

Noticing her expression, Antonia quickly backtracked. “I’m sorry, darling. That came out wrong. I didn’t mean to upset you. Just… don’t let Dante see that face. If he knows the cause, it might cause trouble for …my family.”

Annabelle nodded stiffly. “I won’t. You don’t have to worry about that.”

Her stubborn streak flared then, and a new resolve filled her.

“Fine,” she thought. “If he wants to throw money around, I’ll make sure it burns.”

She took charge, selecting everything Cathy might need.

Dresses, shoes, toys, and even books. Her sister’s wardrobe and accessories grew quite fast.

She even chose a gift for her mother, her mind already spinning with how to make her plea for freedom.

By the time they finished, the men accompanying them were overloaded with bags. They had to leave some of the items for later pickup.

When Annabelle asked if it couldn’t be delivered instead, Antonia chuckled. “Rule number one: Dante doesn’t allow deliveries to his address.”

“Control freak,” Annabelle muttered, earning a chuckle from Antonia.

After Annabelle had insisted that she didn’t want her hair done, Antonia told her she knew the next best thing she needed.

That next best thing was a luxurious spa, where Annabelle allowed herself to relax for the first time that day.

She sat back as soft hands massaged her shoulders, the tension melting away momentarily.

“Don’t you just wish you could do this every day?” Antonia stated, her voice soft yet pointed.

Annabelle let out a noncommittal hum, unwilling to let her guard down entirely.

She was almost drifting off when she felt Antonia lean closer. “Just remember, follow your heart. Do what you truly want to do. Be daring. It’s the only way to survive in this world of ours.”

Annabelle stiffened.

She supposed Antonia was talking about Dante.

She wondered if Antonia was meaning to convince her about him after she had made her spend his money.

Angry about the extent of his manipulation, she blurted out in anger, “The only thing I feel for him is anger and disgust.”

“For who?” Antonia asked innocently.

“Dante, of course.” Annabelle snapped, annoyed that she had to make her mention his name.

Antonia tilted her head as if in thought before saying, “Maybe you just feel that now because of how things are. I am sure you will change your mind soon enough.”

“Never,” Annabelle retorted. “I will never do such would thing! I can never like him.”

Antonia’s smile was knowing as she set her phone aside. “We’ll see.”

Annabelle was almost dozing off by the time they left the spa, and she just wanted to go back to Cathy.

But then Antonia said she knew just the cutest place to have the perfect dinner.

Annabelle soon realised what she meant as they pulled up to the intimate bistro with warm lighting and soft music.

She liked the quaint bistro immediately. Its warm, rustic decor was a welcome reprieve. The aroma of fresh bread and simmering sauces wafted through the air as Annabelle dug into the savoury Coq au vin.

She had just begun to relax when she looked toward the door and groaned in exasperation.

Mikhail swaggered in with his usual grin, making a beeline for their table. “Ladies! What a surprise.”

“What are you doing here, Mik?” Antonia asked her brother.

“I was in the neighbourhood and saw that beacon you called a car. I could pick that toy out among a thousand others even if I was in the dark and blindfolded.”

Antonia scoffed before shaking her head in amusement.

Mikhail immediately pulled out the seat beside Annabelle and commented again about how it was such a pleasant coincidence.

Annabelle didn’t believe him for a second.

He immediately launched into a conversation aimed squarely at her. “So, Annabelle, tell me…what’s your secret? How do you manage to look more beautiful every time I see you?”

Annabelle replied with a clipped, “I don’t.”

Undeterred, Mikhail leaned in conspiratorially. “Modesty is charming, princess. But you don’t have to be shy with me. You can admit it is witchcraft. Or your love for me.”

Apart from her amused look from time to time, Antonia barely looked up from her phone, leaving Annabelle to fend off Mikhail’s pestering off alone.

She was more than glad when the dinner was over.

As they stepped out into the evening air, Annabelle sighed in relief.

The glow of the setting sun painted the street in hues of gold and orange, and she was so looking forward to seeing Cathy’s face when she saw all the things she got for her.

“With Dante’s money,” Her subconsciousness poked at her, but she ignored it immediately.

Annabelle inhaled deeply, grateful for the quiet. Mikhail, however, wasn’t done.

“I’ll get you to smile eventually,” he teased, his tone light.

Before Annabelle could respond, a sharp crack split the air.

A shot.

Annabelle barely registered the sound before Mikhail tackled her to the ground. Pain shot through her arm as she hit the pavement, but her adrenaline drowned it out.

“Stay down!” Mikhail hissed, his carefree aura gone.

Annabelle’s heart thundered in her chest as she heard shouting. She looked up to see one of Dante’s men firing at a speeding car.

“Are you hurt?” Mikhail demanded, his body shielding hers.

“No, I…”

Another shot rang out, cutting her off. The men surrounding them barked orders, quickly ushering them into the safety of the car.

Annabelle’s hands trembled as she climbed in, her pulse refusing to slow. The door slammed shut, and the car sped off, leaving the chaos behind.

She pressed her hand to her chest, her breath coming in shallow gasps.

Mikhail was beside her, his jaw tight, his eyes scanning the streets for any sign of danger.

Her voice shook as she finally whispered, “What the hell just happened?”

And though no one answered her, the unease in the car was palpable, heavy as the tension in her chest.

“I could have died tonight.” the sinister thought crept into her mind as she tried so hard to stop her trembling.

All the training would have been for nothing.

She could have died and Cathy would be left all alone.