Maria:
I opened my eyes, but I lost consciousness for a few minutes. I opened them again and this time I felt someone carrying me in bridal style. The world seemed to be turning so drastically that I couldn't even find my stance.
I tried to move, but my legs were totally numb, and I couldn't move my head. I heard different voices around me and I tried to identify who it was. "Who the hell are you? You know what, you can leave my house now. I think I can take care of my wife."
"Your wife? You don't even know the first thing about her, you don't know what she's been through and what she's going through! You don't care about her. All you care is about your trust funds and how you continue your life as a nepo baby. " I am not leaving this place until I know she's alright." Another voice fired back.
Frankie? I thought out loud.
Suddenly, the first voice from earlier sounded outraged. " How dare you come to my house and give me orders, you have a hell of a lot of guts! Who the heck are you! "
I tried to open my eyes and stop this commotion that was everywhere and that was killing my head. And as I tried to speak, my words failed me. I narrowed my eyes across the room and my gaze fell on Sarah. "Mr Thompson, Mr Thompson! I think she's awake, Madam is awake."
I raised my head and the two rushed toward me. "Maria shush, shush, be still and don't move. " I'm here, I'm here. " You will be fine." One said, and it sounded like Frank's voice and I nodded.
"Move away, she's burning out."
"Frank, Frankie." I tried calling out his name but the next thing I felt was a cold damp cloth on my head and I blacked out again.
I gently opened my eyes this time and found myself in a familiar room. I was in Daniel's room, but how? Holy Shit! My head hurts like I just had a pestle smash my skull. I tried to sit up and, thankfully, this time, I was able to move my body. I figured I was wearing a man's clothes. My mind accelerated with a thousand questions.
Did he touch me? Did he undress me?! Did he? Why am I wearing his clothes? Oh God! As I tried to remember last night, my head hurt even more as I saw flashes of yesterday's episode of my life.
I was at Dad's mansion. I met with Lucia. Yes, yes, Lucia! Bar across the road, I called Frankie! Frankie didn't come. Gosh, I was drunk last night. Everything became clear to me. Daniel was there last night on the road vigorously hitting a man non-stop.
As I was lost in thought, I remembered my mom still being in the hospital. Lucia didn't keep her own part of the bargain. How I had wished it was all a dream. My mom was going to die! The thought of it pierced my heart again. I didn't even care about the pain in my head, I placed my two palms on my face as I cried my eyes out.
Suddenly, the door opened and I quickly turned back. I didn't want anyone to see my vulnerable side, it only made me weaker. I didn't see who had walked in, but I immediately knew who it was. The scent of his hot spicy mint perfume filled the room, and it got stronger as he walked towards the bedside where I sat.
" You're awake, good. " For a second you had me thinking what people were going to say when they realized that you were dead. " Perhaps they might think I killed you and my reputation would have been more ruined to shreds because of your stupidity, " he said in a cold tone. I couldn't even figure out if he was angry or not because my head faced the floor as he stood over my head, but mentioning Di's name to be his next wife boiled my soul.
He cleared his throat and folded his arms behind his back. "You were out for more than fifteen hours, at a point I had thought you were not going to make it out. "Seems like it's not your first. " I have almost started searching for another woman to fill your seat. " Maybe your sister will be good to be used as your replacement," He continued.
When he saw that I hadn't replied to him, he walked a distance away from me to the window and I could still see his well-fitted charming figure in my teary eyes.
"What? What happened last night? " Did you put your clothes on for me?" I asked, stammering.
He chuckled dryly. "So you mean to say you don't remember anything from last night? You don't remember creating a scene in City Road and, to top it all, you let your boyfriend invite himself to my house. And all you have to ask me is if I am the one that put my shirt on you?"
"Last time I checked, we are legally married and me pulling your clothes is part of my legal duties as your husband. " You are my wife and you allowing any other man into your life is a violation of the agreement you signed to be a part of this marriage", he continued.
"Maria, this was supposed to be a simple task. Being a wife, that's all I asked. " Don't let your life outside this marriage tamper with what you agreed and signed on for, Maria Falcone."
I was a bit lost and confused. Did he just say a boyfriend? " I don't have a boyfriend, I don't know what you're talking about, " I said.
"Who was that man from last night?" he asked.
"What man?" I replied in a whisper.
"The man you called Frankie, who is he to you?" he asked.
"He is my best friend," I replied, raising my head in his direction.
"Best Friend?"
"Best Friend." He repeated twice and turned to face me. "I don't really care." He paused for a while and touched my face and I pulled away quickly.
"Your face, you're hurt, who hit you?!" he asked as he frowned with anger in his voice which made me shiver, completely ignoring what he had wanted to say earlier.
I just sat silently without a word to reply to him. I looked away and faced my gaze at the window. "I tripped, fell yesterday at the bar." I lied.
Daniel stared at me for some seconds, which felt like hours. "Get some rest, Sarah will be coming to freshen you up." He finally said.
As he turned to leave, I noticed a bandage on his fist. There was still blood on it. It was obvious he had just dressed it a while ago. I immediately remembered last night when he hit that man because he physically harassed me. No one had ever done that for me all my life.
I knew part of it was my fault because I puked on him, but he should have just gone his way just like everyone had.
I wonder how his face is right now. I thought.
I couldn't help but feel bad that I had caused the injury to his fist.
"Daniel," I called, stopping him from walking any further.
"I am so sorry." I pleaded almost in tears.
He didn't say a word nor flinch. He dipped his hands in his pocket and walked out of the room, gently shutting the door.
Minutes after he left, as I was about to take a cold shower, my phone rang. It was from the hospital. With no delay, I answered the caller. " Hello, am I speaking with Miss Maria Falcone? "
"Yes, any problem?" I replied quickly.
" It's about your mother ma'am. Come quick. "