Marissa and Tony strolled away from the hotel, the salty breeze from the nearby beach mingling with the smell of street food. Marissa admired the eclectic mix of shops lining the boardwalk, each storefront bursting with vibrant colors and unique wares. But despite the cheerful atmosphere, she sensed an underlying tension in Tony.
Tony walked beside her, but his mind seemed miles away. She could see it in the way his jaw tightened and his eyes were unfocused, lost in thoughts that clearly troubled him.
“Are you okay?” Marissa asked, trying to bridge the distance she felt between them.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I just… I don’t want to drag you into my mess.”
Marissa felt a pang of frustration but pushed it down. “I’m already in your mess, Tony!” She crossed her arms, meeting his gaze with determination.
Tony stopped walking, turning to face her. “You’re right,” he said quietly, his eyes searching hers. “It’s just… complicated. I have some people who aren’t exactly happy with me.”
“Like who?” she pressed, her curiosity piqued.
“Just some associates from… the past,” he said vaguely, avoiding her gaze.
“Associates? Is that what we’re calling them now?” she replied, her tone half-joking but serious. “Look, I’m not asking for details. But if they’re a threat, I deserve to know.”
“Marissa…” he began, but she interrupted.
“No. I’m not going to let you push me away. Not this time.”
A silence stretched between them, filled only by the distant laughter of children playing on the beach. Tony seemed to weigh his options before exhaling deeply.
“Okay. But promise me you won’t panic.”
“Promise,” she said, her heart racing slightly. “I can handle it.”
“Fine,” Tony conceded. “Remember that night we met? The gala?”
“Yeah, I do. You were the mysterious guy in the corner.” Marissa smiled, recalling the way he had caught her attention.
“Right. Well, those ‘associates’ I mentioned were part of that world. It’s… it’s not just a social circle. It’s complicated, and it can get dangerous.”
Marissa’s smile faded as she realized the weight of his words. “Dangerous how?”
“People get hurt. Things can escalate quickly.” He paused, looking around as if searching for eavesdroppers. “They want something from me, and if they can’t get it, they won’t hesitate to make me pay.”
“Is that why you’re so tense? Because of them?”
Tony nodded, his expression darkening. “And because I’m dragging you into this. I don’t want you involved in my problems.”
“Tony, I’m already involved,” she insisted, frustration bubbling up again. “You can’t just decide what’s best for me.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly overwhelmed. “You don’t understand…”
“Then help me understand!” she urged, stepping closer.
“Fine,” he snapped, then took a breath to compose himself. “My past is catching up to me, and it’s messy. Mia…”
“Your ex-girlfriend?” Marissa interrupted, feeling a pang of jealousy.
“Yeah, Mia,” he confirmed, running a hand through his hair again. “She’s not just my ex. She’s part of that world. And now… she’s in trouble. She tried to… to take her own life.”
Marissa’s breath caught in her throat. “Oh my God, Tony. I… I’m so sorry.”
“It’s my fault. I didn’t answer her calls. I was too caught up in my own problems,” he said, anguish evident in his voice. “I need to go see her.”
“Then let’s go,” Marissa said firmly, her resolve strengthening. “I’ll be with you.”
“No, I can’t put you in that situation.”
“And what if something happens to you?” she countered. “You don’t get to decide my involvement. I’m here, and I want to help.”
Tony looked at her, his expression softening. “You’re really something, you know that?”
Marissa shrugged, trying to hide the warmth blooming in her chest. “I’m just not about to let you deal with this alone.”
Tony took a deep breath, then nodded. “Okay, let’s go.”
They walked briskly to the car, the mood shifting from light to serious. Victor, Tony’s right-hand man, was waiting for them.
“Everything alright?” Victor asked, eyeing them both closely.
“Not really. We need to get to the hospital,” Tony replied tersely.
Victor nodded and opened the door, motioning for them to get in. “Right away, Boss.”
As they drove through the city, Marissa’s mind raced. “What exactly happened with Mia? Why did she try to…” She hesitated, searching for the right words. “You said she’s in trouble.”
“Let’s just say she’s not in a good place,” Tony said, his tone clipped. “And I might be the reason why.”
“Because of our marriage?” she asked, unable to hide her concern.
“Exactly. There are some things I should have dealt with differently, and now it’s too late.” He paused, his jaw clenched. “I just hope I’m not too late to help her.”
Marissa could see the internal struggle etched on his face. “Tony, you’re not responsible for her actions. You can only do what you can now.”
“I know that, but—” he started, but she cut him off.
“But nothing. You’re not a mind reader. You didn’t know she was struggling.”
Victor glanced at them from the rearview mirror, sensing the tension. “Let’s just focus on getting to the hospital.”
As they pulled up to the hospital, Marissa felt the heaviness of the situation settle in. They stepped out of the car and hurried inside, Tony’s urgency evident in his strides.
“Where is she?” Tony demanded as they reached the reception desk.
“ICU, Room 204,” the receptionist replied, glancing nervously at Tony’s intense expression.
“Let’s go,” he said, leading the way.
Marissa followed closely, her heart racing. The sterile smell of the hospital was suffocating, and the bright lights felt too harsh against the weight of the situation.
They arrived at the ICU door, and Tony turned to Marissa, his expression softening momentarily. “I need you to wait here.”
“Tony, please…” she started, but he held up a hand.
“Just for a minute. I need to talk to her alone first.”
Marissa felt her stomach twist with unease. “But what if something happens? What if she needs you?”
“Then I’ll come back out and get you,” he promised, though his eyes were clouded with worry.
“Fine. But I’m not going far,” she replied, crossing her arms as he stepped inside.
The door closed behind him, and Marissa leaned against the wall, trying to breathe through the anxiety swirling inside her.
Marissa’s heart raced as she stood outside the ICU, the weight of the hospital’s sterile air pressing down on her. The tension between her and Tony crackled, filled with unsaid words and unfulfilled promises.
Victor stood beside her. “You should know more about Tony’s past with Mia,” he said, his voice steady.
“Why? What’s there to know?” Marissa asked, trying to sound nonchalant, but the anxiety in her chest tightened. “I already know she’s his ex-girlfriend.”
Victor paused, choosing his words carefully. “Their relationship was deeper than that. They almost got engaged. It was serious.”
Marissa felt her breath hitch. “Engaged?”
“Yeah,” Victor continued, his eyes focused ahead. “But their families were on opposite sides of the mafia. The pressure and competition made it impossible for them to stay together. They broke things off to protect themselves and their families. Their worlds collided in a way that was bound to cause problems. It was either the relationship or their safety.”
Marissa clenched her fists, trying to process the information. “So that’s why Tony feels so guilty. He’s carrying the weight of their history?”
Victor nodded. “He’s haunted by it.”
“But he still seems to love her as well. I still can see love in his eyes.”
“But maybe just because… she’s in a dark place, and he feels responsible.”
Marissa’s chest tightened as she considered Tony’s torment. “But why would Mia try to hurt herself if she had a chance to be with him again?”
“Sometimes the past lingers longer than we expect,” Victor said softly. “And sometimes it’s too painful to face. Mia betrayed Tony, then Tony left her, and that hurt more than she knew.”
“Great,” Marissa muttered sarcastically, trying to keep her voice steady. “Just what I needed to hear.”
*