When they emerged through the big rusty doors of the city hall, they were caressed by the morning sun which seemed to have reached its peak. The transition from the sterile, muffled interior to the sudden noise of the street was jarring. Adeline felt the cool air hit her face, a brief relief against the heat that had begun to crawl up her neck during the signing. Those tiny beads of sweat on her cheeks and forehead slowly disappeared.
Viktor stopped at the top of the stairs leading to the rusty door. His hands were deep into his pocket as he absorbed the scenery before him. He turned and looked at Adeline.
"It is finished," he said in a metallic tone.
Adeline was not flustered by his cold gaze. After all, she would have to get used to him eventually.
She let out a nearly muffled chuckle.
"Is it really finished?" She asked him. "I guess this is more like the beginning. Don't you think so?"
Viktor stared at her and smiled partly. He was searching for the traces of anxiety which he had seen in her eyes earlier on. But it appeared that the lady standing in front of him at the moment was entirely a different person altogether. She seemed quite too certain of her words.
"You could say that," he replied and shrugged. "When am I to expect you in the house? In other words, when are you moving in?"
Adeline creased her brows and took a step down the staircase. Then, she looked up at him.
"I have to pack my things," she said.
Viktor smiled, both hands still tightly fixed in his pockets.
"Clothes? You don't need to worry about them."
Adeline grimaced. "And why's that? Am I supposed to walk around the whole place wearing the same clothes for the rest of my days with you?"
He was going to laugh, but held himself. Adeline was funny to think that way.
"You are now married to me," he said. "I will provide all the clothes you need. You can trust me when I say that."
Adeline was still hesitant to agree with him. "Even at that, I still want to get my own clothes."
Viktor studied her stubbornness for a brief moment. Was it that she didn't want to follow him home, as in to move in? It could not have been just that.
Adeline was not free yet. She still saw the marriage as a sort of bargain. Viktor having to take care of everything about her was a gamble she didn't want to take on. Having him do all the caring husband kind of thing would increase the risks of her being tied up with him forever.
"Besides, I have not said goodbye to my best friend, Sarah. I need to do that."
Viktor smiled. "Hold on a moment," he said and turned to one of his men. Then, he said in Italian, "Porti la scatola."... he meant, "Bring the box."
Adeline watched as the person he spoke to nodded, then walked to the back of one of the cars and retrieved a box which he took to Viktor.
Viktor grabbed it and turned to Adeline.
"Here, take this," he said calmly.
Adeline gave him the inquisitive look. "What's in it?"
Viktor grinned. "Nothing you should concern yourself about. It's for your friend, Sarah. You are not to open this. Just give it to her the way I'm giving it to you."
Adeline was hesitant.
"You can't reject the gift on her behalf…. unless maybe you are jealous it's not for you."
The words pricked Adeline. What was he trying to imply? She snatched the box from him immediately.
"I have to find my way home now," she said.
Viktor shook his head. "That place is no longer your home, remember? I will be waiting."
He ordered his men to take Adeline home. She got into one of the cars. The tinted windows shielded her from the direct effect of his daring gaze. But even at that, it still felt like he could see through the glass. Viktor seemed like a different kind of monster.
…..she was to live with him.
The cars wheeled away. Viktor watched the same spot without moving a muscle until they were out of sight. Then, he left too.
A couple of moments later, Adeline arrived home. The men still followed her. She got to the door and knocked.
"Who's there?" Sarah's voice asked from inside the apartment.
"Sarah, it's —"
Before she could be done with the rest of the words, the door flung open and Sarah quickly pulled her in.
"Come. Come. Have your seat."
Adeline sat on the couch and placed the box beside her.
"What is going on? You seem way too excited."
Sarah giggled. "Tell me, Ade. Have you signed your marriage officially?"
Adeline could not understand the reason for her sudden excitement and piqued interest.
"Why are you suddenly curious about that?"
Sarah tapped her. "Tell me you have done it."
Adeline nodded her head. "Okay. I just got back from the city hall where we signed the marriage documents."
Sarah smiled broadly. "You are lucky, Ade."
Adeline was still confused. "Sarah, I don't think I can relate to this. What's the excitement about? Did something happen while I was away?"
Sarah sat by her side. "Ade, Viktor pays attention to the tiniest detail. I'm sure he will take good care of you."
Adeline said nothing. She simply maintained the inquisitive look. Sarah to clear her on what was happening.
"Viktor sent someone over to fix the broken bell outside. It's now working."
Adeline was impressed, but she held it down. "Oh. Wow."
"By the way, what's inside the box?"
Adeline sighed. "He said it's for you."
Sarah quickly broke the seal and opened the box. A document was inside. When she perused it, her world exploded with excitement.
"Ade.. Adeline! This isn't happening."
"Wait. What is it?" Adeline took the document and looked at it.
Viktor had bought the entire building and gave it to Sarah as a gift.
Sarah hugged Adeline tightly. "Ade, you just hit the jackpot. I'm so happy for you. To hell with Julian!"
Adeline couldn't express her joy. Seeing Sarah happy made her happy too.
But why did Viktor pull this off without letting her in on it?
At that moment, her conviction wavered a bit. Maybe, just maybe, she wouldn't be able to resist the Mafia.