My Childhood Bully is a Mafia Boss-Chapter 47

Ivy

"I have to go," I said, standing up. My heart was racing as I stood up, ready to leave.

Lila’s eyes turned wide in alarm. "What’s wrong? Do you know that man?"

"No. But I shouldn’t have come here and met with you. Not after I got involved with Aidan," I said. A wave of guilt washed over me as I thought about how my actions could potentially put her in danger.

She didn’t deserve this - a happily married woman with children. "I’m sorry, Lila," I said, fidgeting with my hands. "I shouldn’t have come here and met with you. Not after getting involved with Aidan."

"Wait, Ivy. If there’s something wrong..."

"I am sorry, Lila. I wasn’t thinking about it, but I think it’s best that we don’t see each other again," I said."

But I couldn’t just leave it at that. What if I never saw Lila again? She had been such a good friend to me. "I don’t know what to do," I admitted, feeling torn. "Maybe we should stop seeing each other for now until I figure things out."

"Ivy, are you sure you don’t want me to get help?" Lila asked.

"Please, Lila. Don’t tell anyone about this. Don’t call the police. Do this for me, okay? I don’t want you to be in danger. I promise I will be okay," I said.

Lila nodded. "Okay. Just be careful."

As I walked away, I couldn’t help but wonder if I was making the right decision. Was it fair to push Lila away like this? But deep down, I knew it was for the best - for both of us.

I quickly summoned my car and hopped in, looking around in panic. Did the man follow me out?

As I sat in my car, my hands trembled on my lap. Anxiety gnawed at my insides, each passing moment amplifying my fears. I glanced around, searching for any sign of the mysterious figure who had caught Lila’s attention.

But no one was following me.

"Could you drive a little faster?" Instructed the driver with a trembling voice.

"Yes, Ma’am," he said emotionlessly and picked up the speed.

I drew in a deep breath, attempting to calm my nerves.

I was greeted by an empty home. Inside, I kicked off my shoes and made a beeline for the bedroom, collapsing on my bed without even bothering to remove my clothes.

I stared at the ceiling. God, I didn’t need this stress!

My mind raced with thoughts of Aidan. Despite everything that had happened, despite the danger and the chaos he brought into my life, I couldn’t shake the feeling of concern and worry that consumed me.

I remembered the boy Aidan used to be, the troubled teenager with a chip on his shoulder and a penchant for trouble. He was broken and damaged, and he couldn’t help the bad choices he made. And deep down, I couldn’t help but see him through the lens of compassion and understanding that had always colored my perception of him.

But now, as I lay alone in my empty home, I couldn’t deny the truth staring me in the face. Aidan was dangerous, a man involved in criminal activities that put him—and now me—in harm’s way. And yet, despite everything, I couldn’t bring myself to completely write him off.

Something must be wrong with me. Maybe I was broken like him too.

Or maybe because beneath the layers of violence and danger, I still saw glimpses of the boy I once knew.

I sighed, burying my face in my hands. I cared about Aidan far more deeply than I cared to admit. And no matter how hard I tried to push him away, to distance myself from him and his dangerous world, I couldn’t shake the feeling of loyalty and attachment that bound me to him.

But...there was another part of me that couldn’t shake the fact that Aidan beat up some man and came home covered in blood.

The idea that he would kill not just another member of the mafia but a random innocent man made me disgusted with him and with myself for forgiving him so easily.

What if he hurt Derek or someone else because of his baseless jealousy?

No, I couldn’t stay with him.

As I lay on my bed, the weight of my conflicting emotions crashing over me like a tidal wave, I couldn’t shake the feeling of utter despair that consumed me.

How had I let myself become entangled in this mess? How had I allowed my feelings for Aidan to cloud my judgment so completely?

I needed to get away, to distance myself from Aidan and his dangerous influence before it was too late.

With trembling hands, I pushed myself off the bed and staggered to my feet, my heart pounding in my chest.

I quickly packed my things. I didn’t have a plan, but I decided to figure everything out later.

Once I had gathered what I needed, I threw on a jacket and grabbed my bag, my movements frantic and uncoordinated.

Aidan threatened me. He said he would hurt my parents if I ran, but I knew he wouldn’t do it. Or at least, I thought I knew.

With one last glance around the empty room, I hesitated for a moment, my heart heavy with the weight of uncertainty. But then I steeled myself, pushing aside my doubts and fears as I made my way to the door.

I had a distant cousin who lived just outside of the city, in the rural mountains. He was a recluse with no social media. Heck...he barely had any internet or cell service.

Thats it...I will go stay with him for a while. Aidan didn’t know who all of my relatives were, so he couldn’t track me down there easily!

With a newfound sense of determination, I made my way out of the house and to the car parked outside.

~-~

The drive to my cousin’s remote mountain home felt like an eternity, each passing mile heightening my anxiety and uncertainty.

But as I maneuvered the winding roads that led deeper into the wilderness, a profound sense of liberation washed over me. I was finally taking control of my own life, freeing myself from the suffocating clutches of Aidan’s influence.

"Ivy? What the hell are you doing all the way up here?" My cousin Dale looked at me dumbfounded when he opened the door for me.

"Dale," I breathed. "Do you mind if I stay with you for a while?"

Dale’s eyes widened in surprise at my sudden appearance. "Err..okay? But what gives? I haven’t seen you in like six months and I thought you said I was annoying."

I shook my head, trying to push aside the flood of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. "It’s a long story, Dale. I just need to get away for a bit, clear my head."

Dale narrowed his eyes in suspicion but stepped aside to let me in.

I rushed inside and dropped my bag on the floor.

"I do have an extra bedroom, but it’s not as luxurious as how you rich folks like," Dale said dryly.

I managed a weak smile, grateful for Dale’s willingness to take me in despite his teasing. "Any bed is better than the one I left behind," I replied, my voice tinged with exhaustion.

Dale raised an eyebrow. "What’s going on, Cus? You running from the law?"

I chuckled bitterly. If only. "No. I will explain everything, but first, I need to get settled."

Dale sighed. "Alright. I will show you to your room."

As Dale led me to the spare bedroom, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief wash over me. Despite the simplicity of his cabin, there was a comforting familiarity in the rustic surroundings that helped to ease the tension coiled tightly within me.

Once inside the spare room, I thanked Dale quietly before he left me alone to unpack and gather my thoughts.

I wondered how long it would take before Aidan realized I was gone.

Oh god, he will lose his shit.

"Cus?" Dale called out from the outside of my room.

"What?" I replied.

"I made some turkey sandwiches. It’s not much, but if you are hungry..."

As if on cue, my stomach growled. "That sounds amazing, Dale. I will be right out," I said.

I emerged from the room and found Dale in the small kitchen, assembling the sandwiches with practiced ease.

"Thanks, Dale," I said, taking a seat at the small table.

He handed me a sandwich and sat down across from me, studying me with a curious expression. "So, spill it. What’s going on? You don’t just show up here out of the blue without a good reason."

I took a bite of the sandwich, savoring the familiar taste of the simple meal. "It’s...complicated," I began, unsure of where to start.

Dale raised an eyebrow. "Try me."

I sighed, setting down the sandwich. "I got mixed up with the wrong person, Dale. Really mixed up."

Dale’s expression darkened. "Who? You don’t seem like the type to get beat up by a boyfriend."

I shook my head. "No, it’s not like that."

"Then what?"

I hesitated. Dale was my cousin but I barely ever saw him. I couldn’t tell him everything. "Um...like I said, it was complicated. I just need to get away from this person for a while, so thank you for letting me stay here."

Dale chuckled. "Oh, Ivy. Always the mysterious one. Alright, keep your secrets. I got other things to worry about, like chopping wood and hitting on the cute department store clerk."

I rolled my eyes.