Julius Caesar

A set of yellowed papers compiled with other white papers, describing how Father was illegally taking over Gorj, was what I stared at. A set of papers revealing a lot of Father's 'unprofessional' endeavours. So many pages of what Father did and what he deserved for each felony. His killings, that he thought he had covered, were listed out in immense detail by Ricardo. It was like Ricardo knew Father's shit and decided to be his fan by not letting any of his actions go unattended to.

I felt my heart sink surprisingly.

Wasn't that what I wanted? What the hell was I waiting for? I got all the evidence between my hands that would not only dethrone Father from Gorj but would also sue him for the rest of his life. I flicked through the pages, feeling bitter at my victory.

Should you really submit all those files to the police? Is it that easy? Will that make me happy?- I asked myself and ended up more confused than ever.

I re-read Mum's will, hoping to get a clue about what the hell to do. Should I call Father and tell him I found the documents? It'd surprise him and probably scare him that I found out about the truth. I bet he'd be as surprised as I was when I realized that I didn't care.

I didn't care about anything at all. Not the fact that I am Gorj's legal CEO. Not the fact that I could crumple Father by a call and maybe a visit to the police station. I found out that I didn't care after all of that 'hard work'. I was no longer keen on revenge like I had been and I didn't know what to make of that.

Then, Audrey's promises seemed empty and irrelevant. It just didn't matter anymore.

I just felt like the solution to my problem wasn't to look for trouble but to simply choose normal. I wanted to live away from all of this mess. Might as well hand Father all those documents so that he could destroy them and, by that, I'd be set free. He could have the company, the money, everything I could've possibly had. I wanted nothing but to be normal again. I wanted to run away from my fate, start from scratch, and live a rich life.

But that was crazy, wasn't it? Who in his sane mind would give up such an enormous opportunity? A golden one? I needed to calm down and think right because any recklessness from my side could have dire consequences.

I snapped the file close and decided that I needed more time to reach closure as I returned the folders to the closet.

It was midnight by the time I dropped on my bed tiredly, concluding that nothing could be done for the day.

12:05 a.m

I grimaced slightly and ignored the call. If anyone wanted me, they should know when to call. And definitely not after midnight. I laid down again and was surprised to hear the 'beep' of a message.

I grunted and picked my phone to find a message from the same private number. I then unlocked it and checked the message curiously.

Private number:

That makes it twice. We don't forget :)

I glared at the message and raised my eyebrows. It was funny. I remember smiling at my phone before rolling my eyes and chucking it away. I obviously got lots of trivial and non-consequential threats all the time.

I switched off the lights, took a deep breath, and slept.

I sat in the hospital's waiting room along with a couple of other men, waiting for the doctors to 'ready' Samara to meet me. I nervously fidgeted with my ring on my middle finger, daring myself to actually smoke a cigarette in the hospital.

That would've been so cool.

I rolled my eyes at the thought but looked sideways at the other people who were engrossed in their life matters and was about to reach for a cigarette anyway when a nurse came in and asked me to follow her. I dropped my hand from my chest's pocket where my cigarette box stayed teasingly.

I got up and followed her, thrilled that I'd get to see Samara and that she'd get to see me too. My heart even jumped at the thought and an involuntary smile found its way to my lips. The nurse paused with a tight smile in front of the room's door before opening it as I almost suffocated from excitement.

She sat on a hospital chair bed, grinning and talking to the doctor animatedly. Hearing her silky voice and seeing her almost explode from delight, sent satisfying chills down my spine. I was just so extraordinarily relieved.

The doctor glanced at me and smiled as Samara and her ponytail turned to me. And my heart? It stopped.

I stared at her and she stared at me as the doctor excused himself and left. Her eyes were literally heart-stopping. I inhaled sharply at their vibrancy. The colour of the purest, bluest oceans. The breathtaking light of greenish-blue auroras. And I thought -God, wow. And I also thought- I need to get closer because, really, wow, wow. Her eyes were absolutely brilliant. She was so absurdly exquisite and seeing her face as a whole without having half of it concealed by sunglasses, was so refreshing. I couldn't not grin.

She was just magical, sitting there, pale-pink lips parted, in white, plain pyjamas and jet-black hair pulled up in a high, immaculate ponytail. I approached her and her eyes followed my movements before I sat on the chair that faced her bed. I continued staring at her in silence and thought- I want to capture this moment, this feeling and keep it in my pocket forever.

"Words fail me," I whispered with a sincere smile tugging at my lips as she turned pink and looked away. "But I'll start with, hello. Samara," I breathed and she looked back at me speechlessly, biting her lips and drinking in my face over and over again with a smile threatening to stain her lips.

"Hello." Her voice was low and shy and my heart grew more. "Caesar," she added gently. And I thought- maybe, she's trying to kill me by being so effortlessly lovely.

"You're awfully quiet," I said and she slowly turned her head to me. "I'm still the same person you spent your time with. For five months or something."

"I'm sorry." She then breathed out a chuckle before staring at me. "I -uh- it's just- you're so much different than I had imagined." A smile played on her lips as she fumbled with her fingers.

I cocked an eyebrow and smirked. "Good different or bad different?"

She blushed and I nodded at her, urging her to answer. "Actually-" She started, caught her breath and smiled. "Bad different."

"Bad different, huh?" I looked at her suspiciously and her face broke into a beam.

"Totally. You look repugnant. To me." She was smiling and I was flying or dancing or melting. "I don't know how to describe you. The words to use."

"I can help you," I volunteered uselessly and she shook her head. I continued anyway. "I'm so extraordinarily and impossibly mouth-watering and delicious."

Samara gasped and shook her head. "You're not food." I raised my eyebrows at that but grinned. "You're -ugh, okay, fine. You are good-looking. I mean, I don't think I saw someone. Like you." She whispered the last part and my heart skipped another beat.

I got up and sat next to her on the bed. "That's literally what I said," I whispered in her ears and she craned away. "Delicious," I scooted closer to her so that our arms were touching.

"That's a different context." She said defensively, clearing her throat. "I wouldn't describe any person as 'delicious'. That's cannibalism." She stated solidly, looking at her bare feet that swayed with her anklet.

"Oh. Alright. But I'd totally describe you like that," I said playfully, smiling and watching her try to suppress a smile. In the end, she failed, looked away and grinned.

She turned to me. "Your hair is unique. I absolutely love it," she complimented quickly out of nowhere.

"That's it? Only my hair? Come on, Mara, step up the game! For the last few months, I was the one constantly complimenting you. I was like, the girl's blind and I gotta be forgiving-" I started sarcastically and she laughed adorably.

She then shook her head. "That's all you're getting from me for now, Caesar. Don't hope for too much. You'll end up with a broken heart."

I smiled as I watched her stare at her hands. "I'm glad."

"That I like your hair?" She asked innocently, glancing at me and I smirked.

"Not that, no. I knew you'd like it anyway. Eventually. But I'm really glad you're doing okay," I said sincerely.

"And I'm glad that you didn't stand me up. For a moment I had-" She started and I shook my head, cutting her off.

"Never," I said and she stared at me, lips slightly parted. "I would never do that. I tend to stick around with those I care for," I told her as she blushed and looked away.

"You're too sweet for me-" She said shyly after a pause and I grinned.

"You deserve much more," I added, remembering how her family disowned her with a heart lurch.

"Oh, God!" She then exclaimed out of nowhere. "I can't wait to tell Amanda!" She then twisted her back to reach for her phone that was on the other side of the bed. I then saw her chuck it away with a disappointed sigh. "My phone's dead." Her shoulders slumped a bit.

I gulped, guessing her next question, which she asked enthusiastically. "Hey, Caesar, can I borrow your phone? I want to call, Amanda. She must be worried sick."

Quick thoughts encompassed my brain- Lie or be honest? Is she ready? I didn't think so. Not then. Not when she was so happy and expecting support from her closest ones. The ones whom she thought cared. She sure was soft but was also as strong. I just had to tell her when the right time comes.

When the right time comes.

I let my eyebrows furrow slightly, feigning slight disturbance. "Oh, about that-" I started. "Amanda called yesterday because you obviously didn't turn up," I said slowly. "She was indeed worried. Very concerned. I could tell from her voice-"

Just blabber any details. Any unnecessary descriptions- I reminded myself, knowing very well that it was a major flag to notice a liar. But I also knew that Samara wouldn't catch it for the life of her. I needed the time.

"She said she didn't expect you to turn up. You know, she thought we were out on a date-" I started and watched Samara nod as she stared at a vase full of flowers in front of her.

"But, she told me to tell you that she had to leave. She said that your phone was dead-" I added with a little risk. "-or else, she would've called you herself."

"Did she say where she would go?" Samara asked in a small voice and I felt my heart beat faster.

Good question.

"She-"

"Maybe Glasgow!" She then said suddenly, her face brightening. "She said she always wanted to go there! She had her best friend to visit who just had a baby-" she then pursed her lips. "Did she tell you when she'd return?" She asked softly, looking in my face.

"No, she didn't," I hesitated for a bit. "But she said that you shouldn't worry. If it took her long that is," I said, looking into her eyes and immediately feeling bad that I was lying to her.

She nodded slowly, diverting her gaze from mine, and I wondered for a second if she felt my deception.

"Oh. Okay."

"So, shall we get to the important stuff now?" I said playfully, changing topics and scooting closer to her.

"What stuff?" She said as I rested my head on her shoulder.

"Stuff like going out? On a real date?" I said as she played with my hair.

"Hmm...what about that?"

"When would you like to go out? I want to be the one with whom you explore the world with. With those beautiful eyes of yours," I said and she immediately shrugged off my head.

"I don't know." She blurted and I frowned with a smile.

"How about tonight?" I asked hopefully and she shook her head.

"Not yet, Caesar." I sensed discomfort in her voice. "I need time to prepare," she said and I raised my eyebrows.

"It's still fourteen-hundred hours. I'm sure you can pull it off," I tried and she frowned confusedly.

"Fourteen, what?"

I grinned, shaking my head. "I meant, two in the afternoon."

"Oh." She then nodded with raised brows. "Not really. It's the first time in eight years to be able to see, Caesar. I need time." She persisted softly with a sincere smile and I nodded. She was right.

"Yeah, you probably do," I then said, sighing disappointingly. "Alright, Mara," I exhaled with a smile. "Are you ready to leave?" I hooked my thumb at the door before getting to my feet and standing in front of her.

Her eyes studied me again before she nodded, took a deep, shaky breath, and looked into my eyes.

"I'll just take some of those flowers. They look absolutely beautiful, Julius." She said casually, glancing at all the flower bouquets surrounding us.

"They're just some roses and lilies, Mara. I promise you I'll get you loads of them if they make you so happy," I said and she looked up in glee.

"They do, Caesar! They make me so happy!" She exclaimed, getting up and standing in front of me.

I looked down at her and felt my heart skip. I remember wanting to kiss her at this moment. And I remember how pink she was as she tried pushing back some hair behind her ears. I remember lots of energy and static when my fingers grazed her right arm and I pulled her closer to me. I leaned in and her eyes fluttered close when the doctor barged into the room. I dropped my arm and pulled back to stare at him incredulously.

But Samara seemed unfazed as she smiled at the doctor and left me standing like a breathless buffoon, to thank him. I then remember her signing some papers and listening to some doctor advice before we finally left.

I also remember Samara slipping her hand in mine and my heart swelling with warmth. Because this time, Samara didn't do it because she couldn't see and just needed guidance.

But simply because she chose to.