The Mafia’s Obsession

“Okay, you’re definitely high.”

“How can you tell?”Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

“What you just said. And the look on your face.”

I feel defensive. “Hey, it was your idea.”

“I’m not complaining! You’re cute.”

Ayla leans against the railing and we watch the city together, glistening brilliantly with life.

“I had a dream about you, you know. Before we were married.”

I turn sharply at my wife’s words. “You did?”

She looks down. “More than one. When I was hiding at that hotel in Parker Springs. I kept having them.”

“What kind of dreams?”

Even with the limited light, I can see her blushing. “It was always the same. First, like, I’m running, trying to hide. Then I’m at that party, fucking the guy with the ghost mask. Then the mask comes off, and it turns out to be you. And in the dream, we were married. That’s when I would always wake up.”

I lean forward, my fuzzy brain trying to make sense of her words. “Wasn’t that… before you knew?”

“Before you told me that it wasyouin the ghost mask? Yeah. I was having those dreams before that.”

“That’s… wow. That’s crazy.”

“I know. It’s like somehow, Iknew. Even though I didn’t… know.”

“And you said we were married in the dream?”

“Yeah. I guess my subconscious was trying to make sense of all the different ways I was feeling about you.”

She looks away, as though she’s revealed too much. My heartbeat quickens. “All the different ways?”

Ayla keeps her eyes on the skyline as she replies. “Yeah. Being attracted, and scared, and not wanting to marry you, but knowing deep down that was probably always what was going to happen.”

I want to touch her, but in that moment, the three inches between us feel like such a distance. My hand doesn’t even leave the railing. “Why did you think that was always going to happen?”

She gives me a funny look. “Because my dad wanted it.” There’s venom in her voice. “And my dad always gets what he wants.”

The change in tone is sudden, and I try not to react. “Not this time.”

“Not this time? I mean… not to be shitty, but look who I’m married to.”

Her words cut me, even though I know that isn’t their intent. “That’s not what your dad wanted, that’s whatIwanted. Your dad’s in jail. He doesn’t get a say. ”

“Yeah, but for how much longer?”

“I have no idea. But let me make one thing very clear: he doesn’t get to control your life anymore. Not ever again.”

Ayla makes eye contact with me, and her face softens. For some reason, this brings me relief. We’ve been clicking today. I want to keep that feeling going.

“Thanks for today,” she whispers, stepping closer to me. “For helping. It means a lot.”

“Yeah. Of course.”

I put an arm around my wife and pull her closer, holding her from behind as we watch the sunset. She leans against me and I allow myself to nuzzle her hair. God, I love that smell. It’s like being home.

“Ayla?” My heart beats faster as I say her name.

She leans her head back. “Yeah?”

I’m so glad I married you, is what I want to say.

“I… this is nice. Being here together.”

Fucking coward.

She pauses, as though allowing me the chance to say more.

“Yeah,” she whispers finally, putting her hand on my wrist and squeezing it. “This is nice.”

I hold her as tightly as I can, and it’s like I’mbeggingthe universe not to take her away from me. The protective walls I’ve built around myself are crumbling, leaving me more exposed than I’ve ever been.

It would be so easy to let her in. To follow that siren’s call that always leads to pain.

Maybe she’s worth the pain.