Bothered Vincenzo
Vincenzo walked into the ward after Martina opened her eyes, he had a large smile on his face as he moved closer to the bed.
She turned her head and she saw him approaching.
“Martina… how are you feeling?”
He sat on the chair next to her without letting his eyes off her.
“I am in the hospital.”
Vincenzo nodded keeping his smile on even though he saw no reason to smile at her. She was damaged.
“Mr. Roberto told me to rush you to the hospital after you lost consciousness in the bathroom.”
“So he didn’t want me to die? Does that mean he cares? I mean, why did he have to save me when I chose to die?”
“Martina, please don’t say that, you shouldn't choose to die, Caterina needs you. You should stay strong for her.”
“I should stay strong for her, Not myself? Roberto took the most precious thing in my life away from me without mercy. I begged him, I cried, but he turned deaf ears to my pleas and just kept on with his evil thoughts. He didn’t have to bring me to a hospital, I still hate him.”
“I can’t say much for him, Martina. But, I need you to please stay strong. You scared the hell out of me when I saw you like that in the bathtub. Please don’t kill yourself.”
“If I don’t kill myself, would you help me get out of this hellhole?”
Vincenzo exhaled loudly after hearing Martina’s question. He wasn’t sure what he was supposed to respond with.
“Martina, you know if I could save you from him, I would. But my life is at stake too.”
“I don’t know anything Vincenzo. Why do you even care about me?”
She turned to look at Vincenzo and he gulped. He wasn’t aware of why he cared for her too.
“Because you are a good person I guess.”
Martina scoffed at his response and looked away.
“I am not a good person, you have known me for just a few days.”
“I don’t care if you are good or bad Martina, I just care about you. Is that a bad thing?”
Martina turned her head and looked at him. She was about to speak when the door to her ward opened. She stared at Roberto as he walked toward her, she felt anger rise in her as Roberto looked at her.
“You didn’t tell me she opened her eyes already.”
His hands were in his pocket, and he stood upright looking at Vincenzo.
“I am sorry boss. I rushed into the ward when I saw her open her eyes. I thought you had left.”
Roberto kept mute and looked at Martina, who kept her gaze on the hospital ceiling.
“How are you feeling?”
The words struggled to come out of his mouth, and Martina looked at him.
“Go to hell.”
Roberto clenched his jaw and looked at Vincenzo, who gulped and lowered his head in fear of Martina’s behavior.
“You should be happy I didn’t let you die in the bathtub.”
“F**k you, Roberto, I didn't ask for your help. You rushed me to the hospital after you broke me mentally? I wanted you to let me die! I never asked for your help!”
She yelled at Roberto and he was shocked to see her react that way. Vincenzo’s eyes widened, not because of Martina’s tone, but because he feared she could go unconscious again.
“Mr. Roberto, please pardon her. She isn’t in the right state of mind, that is why she is acting rude…”
“No! I am in the perfect state of mind, you don’t have to apologize on my behalf! I am not sorry for what I said. Look into my eyes, Roberto, there is nothing you can do to hurt me anymore! The greatest of it all is killing me and that is exactly what I want. I will keep stepping on your toes until you kill me! Animal!”
“Martina, that is enough! Please stop talking.” Vincenzo uttered. He figured Roberto was awkwardly silent and calm, he sensed danger.
“Vincenzo,” Roberto called and Vincenzo’s heart skipped. He lowered his head rapidly and waited for his order.
“Please don’t order me to kill her,” He prayed silently.
“Keep your eyes on her, tonight we fly out of America. She can continue her treatment anywhere I decide we are going.”
Vincenzo looked at Roberto in shock. He was expecting a brutal punishment, but Roberto proved him wrong.
“And for you Martina, I just started with you. I would not kill you, and u would make sure your life is a living hell.”
After his statement, he strutted out of the ward. Vincenzo kept staring at him and even stared at the door after he was out.
“Martina, what is wrong with you?! You just worsened situations with him. You should have pretended you are grateful for his help. You are so stubborn.”
Vincenzo spoke with great fear in him, he had never seen someone stand up against Roberto like Martina always did.
“Vincenzo, please get out.”
“What?”
“Get out! If all you can be is a Howard then get out of my face! You want me to act cool and grateful for him taking my virginity and mental stability? For hurting me and the only family I have? I’m sorry but I am not a coward like you.”
Martina’s words punctured Vincenzo’s heart. He felt so hurt hearing her call him a coward.
“Martina, I…”
“Just leave!”
Her voice became shaky and tears heated her eyes. She felt pains all over her head and she shut her eyes tight. Her heart began to race and she couldn’t breathe properly.
“Doctor! I need the doctor in here right now!”
Vincenzo ran out of the ward yelling, he met Roberto sitting on a chair in the hallway, he was busy lighting his tobacco.
He didn’t pay any attention to Vincenzo despite the way he shouted over his voice, the doctor and nurses came running to the ward.
They entered the ward and shut the door against Vincenzo so he wouldn’t enter. His heart was racing as he watched them attend to Martina. He could guess she was having a seizure.
He felt Roberto’s eyes on him, and he turned to look at him. He saw Roberto staring blankly at him.
Vincenzo exhaled, trying to stay calm. He moved away from the door and gulped hard.
“Come here.”
Roberto’s gravelly voice approached Vincenzo. Vincenzo plodded to where Roberto was seated.
He kept his head bowed until he got to where he was.
“You should go home and prepare the men for movements. You seem a bit distracted here.”
“Mr. Roberto, I’m sorry if I seem distracted, I just want to make sure she is doing okay, just as you want.”
“I never asked you to care for her Vincenzo, I only asked you to bring her to the hospital. Go home now.”
Vincenzo nodded reluctantly, he took one last look at the ward Martina was from where he stood and turned to leave.
He walked out slowly, he was concerned about Martina. He wanted to be there when she became calm, but what could he do? His boss has already given orders.
He got out of the hospital and met Greco and Bruno resting on one of the cars and discussing.
“One of you should drive me home.”
“You are leaving already? Is she good now? What of the boss?” Greco threw questions at him.
“Just get into the f**king car and get me the hell out of here!”
They were shocked to see Vincenzo yell at them, he had never done that before.
“What’s up with him?” Greco wondered as Vincenzo opened the car and sat in it.
“I don’t know why everyone keeps acting weird after this Martina girl arrived. Mr. Roberto is sitting in a hospital, it is so unbelievable.” Bruno uttered in Greco’s ears. Greco sighed and walked to the driver’s door.
“Keep a close watch on the boss. If anything happens, call the villa.”
Greco sat in the car after talking to Bruno. He looked at Vincenzo through the interior mirror and he could see how lost in thoughts he was.
“What is wrong with all of you?” Greco thought as he ignited the engine.
