Chapter Twenty Seven

Chapter 27

"Well you should go to sleep now," Vanessa stated, eliciting a habitual eye roll from Jemima.

Vanessa's suggestion to Jemima to sleep was met with a habitual eye roll, a silent protest against the elusive embrace of slumber. "Do you think I've not tried sleeping?" Jemima's words carried a weight of weariness, her gaze fixed on Vanessa's movements as she rose from the bed. The rustle of the sheets underscored the tension in the room, punctuated by the relentless ticking of the clock, marking the passage of time like a relentless drumbeat.

Vanessa, unaware of Jemima's nightly battle with insomnia, furrowed her brows in genuine confusion, settling back on the bed. "What do you mean?" Her inquiry was laced with concern, a hint of curiosity dancing in her tired eyes as she sought to unravel the mystery behind Jemima's restless nights.

Jemima, weary and vulnerable, released a heavy sigh, sinking back onto the bed with a mixture of resignation and relief. Her body found solace in the comforting embrace of the soft mattress, a brief moment of respite from the turmoil within. "Vanessa, I have insomnia," Jemima confessed, revealing a hidden truth that caught Vanessa off guard, shattering preconceived notions with a single revelation.

"No way!" Vanessa's exclamation echoed through the room, mingling with the soft hum of the fan. Jemima's silent nod of confirmation was met with a wave of empathy, as Vanessa extended a soothing touch, a gesture of understanding and support that washed over Jemima like a gentle wave.

"It's nothing, I'll be fine," Jemima's reassurance was met with a skeptical gaze from Vanessa, a silent plea for honesty in the midst of uncertainty.

“Have you tried seeing a doctor or something?" Vanessa's concern was palpable, etched in the lines of her face, a reflection of the worry that clouded her features as she searched Jemima's eyes for a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness of the night.

"Yes, and I've been prescribed some medications to aid with it," Jemima responded, a flicker of hope in her eyes as she adjusted the pillow between her legs, seeking a semblance of comfort in the night's unrest.

Vanessa, her curiosity piqued, attempted to dispel the veil of drowsiness clouding her vision. "Do they provide any relief?" she inquired, her voice laced with a touch of concern, a gentle melody in the dimly lit room.

Jemima, a storm of emotions brewing within, couldn't help but release a weary sigh, a blend of frustration and resignation intertwining in her words. "Vanessa, you're asking as if I'm a child. If they were effective, sleep would have embraced me by now, wouldn't it?" Her words, tinged with a hint of defiance, resonated in the quiet space, stirring a moment of reflection in Vanessa's tired gaze.

Noticing Vanessa's struggle against the tide of sleep, Jemima's empathy softened her features, a silent understanding passing between them. "You should rest, Vanessa. Let's revisit this tomorrow," Jemima urged, a gentle plea echoing in the stillness of the room, a beacon of comfort amidst the night's turmoil.

"Good night," Vanessa whispered softly, her departure leaving Jemima to grapple with the labyrinth of her thoughts, a solitary figure in the realm of sleepless solitude.

As the night unfurled its shadows, Jemima found herself entwined in a dance with restlessness, the weight of exhaustion bearing down on her weary frame. Moments slipped through her grasp like fleeting whispers, the moon casting a spectral glow upon her restless form as dawn tiptoed on the horizon.

With a heavy heart, she surrendered to the unyielding embrace of the bed, a silent plea for respite echoing in the chamber of her mind.

Hours drifted by like ephemeral dreams, until a gentle knock disrupted the silence, heralding Vanessa's presence at the threshold. A soft murmur pierced the veil of slumber, drawing Jemima back from the realm of dreams, her response a mere whisper in the tapestry of the night.

"Leave me be," Jemima murmured, a fragile plea for solitude as she lingered on the cusp of consciousness, caught in the liminal space between wakefulness and sleep.

"You've got to rise and shine, miss," Vanessa insisted with a mischievous glint in her eyes, her fingers parting the curtains like a magician revealing a grand spectacle, the sunlight cascading in golden ribbons across the room, awakening the slumbering shadows.

"I barely closed my eyes!" Jemima protested, a symphony of frustration in her voice, seeking refuge under the covers as if they could shield her from the intrusion of the day.

"It's already 2 pm, Jem!" Vanessa's words sliced through the haze of drowsiness, jolting Jemima upright, the realization of time lost washing over her like a sudden wave crashing against the shore.

"2 pm? How is that even possible?" Jemima's incredulity painted her features, a portrait of astonishment at the stolen hours of rest she had unwittingly surrendered. Attempting to rise, she was met with a dizzying sensation, the world spinning in a whirlwind of disorientation.

Seating herself beside Jemima, Vanessa's gaze held a weight of concern, her voice a gentle melody in the room's newfound alertness. "Jem, may I offer a suggestion?" Vanessa's eyes, pools of sincerity, met Jemima's as she struggled to contain a yawn, the remnants of sleep clinging to her like a veil.

"Please, go on," Jemima encouraged, her hand reaching to brush away the last traces of slumber from her eyes, the world sharpening into focus with each passing moment.

A discreet knock punctuated their exchange, drawing their attention to the door, a silent question passing between them like a shared secret.

"Come in," Jemima called out, stifling yet another yawn that threatened to betray her exhaustion, the weight of a sleepless night heavy upon her shoulders.

"Hello," Dimitri greeted as he entered the room, a shy smile adorning his features like a fragile mask of warmth.

"Hey, Dimitri. How's it going?" Jemima welcomed him, rising from the bed with a deliberate slowness, a cautious dance to ward off the dizziness that lingered at the edges of her awareness.

"I heard you had a rough night," Dimitri remarked, a sheepish gesture punctuating his words, drawing a chuckle and an affectionate eye roll from Jemima.

"You two lovebirds chatter about everything, don't you?" Jemima teased, excusing herself as she made her way to the bathroom

"Why have you come?" Vanessa queried her fiancé, the water gurgling in the bathroom as Jemima turned on the shower, the sound blending with the tension in the room like a hidden melody waiting to be uncovered.

“You need to begin training, the induction of newbies into the mafia ring is upcoming,” Dimitri reminded, his voice carrying a weight of urgency that echoed in the space between them, pulling Vanessa towards him despite her protest. She couldn't help but giggle like a child, a fleeting moment of innocence in the midst of clandestine affairs, planting a soft kiss on his lips that spoke volumes in its simplicity.

“You couldn’t wait for me to finish with Jem?” Vanessa probed, her raised eyebrows and mischievous smirk painting a portrait of playful defiance, her arms enveloping Dimitri in a dance of familiarity and affection that spoke of a bond deeper than mere words could convey.

“No, I could not! You are the air I breathe, Vanessa, I can’t live without you,” Dimitri confessed, his words a declaration of love that hung in the air like a promise waiting to be fulfilled, drawing a soft smile from Vanessa that illuminated the room with its warmth. The unspoken understanding between them was palpable, a connection that transcended the boundaries of their world, a love that knew no bounds.

The silence that followed was pregnant with anticipation, the sound of Jemima brushing her teeth a subtle backdrop to the unfolding moment, her presence a reminder of the world outside their cocoon of intimacy.

“I love you, Dimitri,” Vanessa professed, her words a melody that resonated with the beating of her heart, finding solace in the comforting embrace of his chest as he stroked her hair with a tenderness that spoke of a lifetime of shared moments.

“I love you more, Vanessa,” Dimitri stated, his gaze locking with hers in a silent promise of forever, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he surrendered to the love that enveloped them both in its embrace.

In a heartbeat, their lips met in a fervent dance of desire, each seeking more in the other, a symphony of passion that reverberated through the room like a hidden melody waiting to be sung.

“Ahem!” Jemima's throaty interruption sliced through the moment like a sharp blade, her presence a sudden intrusion that shattered the fragile bubble of intimacy they had woven around themselves. Dressed in a towel that clung to her like a second skin, the droplets of water tracing a tantalizing path down her body, she stood like a vision in the doorway, a harbinger of unspoken truths and hidden desires.

“Jem!” Vanessa's startled exclamation broke the spell that had enveloped them, her attempts to compose herself a futile dance of denial, the heat of the moment lingering like a whispered promise in the air.

"You two have your own room, I believe," Jemima stated, a mischievous glint in her eyes, unable to suppress the sly smile that crept across her face.

"Sorry, I'd leave now," Dimitri apologized, a playful wink aimed at Vanessa before his departure, the echo of his footsteps fading into the distance as the door slammed shut, marking his exit with finality.

"I'm sorry you had to see that," Vanessa offered a soft apology, the lingering warmth of the moment still palpable in the air, though Jemima's laughter bubbled forth, a musical accompaniment to the scene.

"You both are cute," Jemima remarked, gracefully moving to her dresser, the whirring of the hand dryer filling the room with a comforting hum as she tended to her hair.

"Jem, I wanted to talk to you about something," Vanessa raised her voice above the noise of the dryer, seeking Jemima's attention. With a flick of a switch, the device fell silent, and Jemima turned to face her, curiosity sparking in her gaze.

"What's that?" Jemima inquired, gliding over to her closet, her movements fluid as she selected her attire for the day, settling on a casual ensemble of jeans and a T-shirt.

"Considering your insomnia, I was wondering if you've thought of seeing a therapist," Vanessa gently suggested, her fingers nervously intertwining. As Jemima paused in her actions, a low chuckle escaped her, a hint of amusement coloring her features as she dressed.

"You want me to see a shrink, Vanessa? Do you hear yourself?" Jemima quipped with a chuckle, smoothing down her outfit with a nonchalant air.

"What's so wrong about seeing a therapist? Maybe you could talk things through and finally find peace or understand why you're struggling to sleep," Vanessa persisted, a note of conviction in her voice, hoping her words of wisdom would resonate with Jemima.

"I know why sleep eludes me; every time I shut my eyes, the haunting memories of my father's vile actions replay like a broken record," Jemima revealed nonchalantly, her words cutting through the air with a chilling certainty, leaving Vanessa speechless, her mouth agape in disbelief.

Vanessa struggled to comprehend how Jemima could speak of such deep trauma with such ease, her eyes reflecting a mix of shock and concern at her friend's revelation.

"Perhaps speaking to a professional could help you break free from those tormenting nightmares," Vanessa suggested gently, falling into step with Jemima as they exited the room, the weight of unspoken pain hanging heavy in the air between them.

"I refuse to confide in a stranger about my past, especially not a therapist. It would only label me as mentally unstable, which I am not. I have faced my demons and this insomnia is just a lingering aftermath that will fade in time," Jemima muttered defiantly, her steps quickening as she descended the staircase, the sound of their footsteps reverberating through the house like a drumbeat.

Vanessa, her brows furrowed in a mix of disbelief and frustration, couldn't hold back her response, "Your words paint a picture of instability, Jemima!"

"Vanessa, I value your concern, but I've made up my mind. I won't seek professional help," Jemima asserted stubbornly as she entered the kitchen, her resolve unwavering as she set out to prepare a meal.

Undeterred, Vanessa pressed on, "Just consider it, Jemima. It could bring you some peace."

Pausing in her culinary quest, Jemima scanned the kitchen for ingredients, her hands deftly moving to gather what she needed to create her signature spaghetti dish.

"In the spirit of embracing new experiences, why not try my hand at making some Italian spaghetti?" Jemima remarked casually, a subtle nod to her decision to both cook and dismiss Vanessa's suggestion, her actions speaking louder than words.

"Consider this, Jem. What's the worst that could happen?" Vanessa probed, her eyes pleading for Jemima to open up to the idea of therapy, but Jemima remained steadfast in her resistance.

"Can we please just move past this?" Jemima exhaled sharply, the clatter of the kitchen distracting her from Vanessa's persistent nudges.

"Alright," Vanessa murmured, her steps echoing down the hallway as she left Jemima to her own thoughts, a lingering tension hanging in the air like a heavy fog.

An hour slipped by, the aroma of Jemima's cooking filling the house as she plated her meal, a touch of ginger adding a burst of flavor to her creation. As she settled at the dining table, a sudden realization made her curse under her breath, prompting her to rise and retrieve a forgotten napkin.

Upon her return, a startling sight greeted her – Jay, indulging in her meal without permission. Outraged, Jemima's voice sliced through the air, demanding answers as she pushed Jay away.

"What's your deal?" Jemima's tone sharp with indignation, but Jay's response was equally cutting, asserting his claim over the house and the food.

“It’s my house and my food. And you’ve made such a delicious meal”

In a chilling turn of events, Jay's demeanor shifted as he began coughing violently, his face contorted in agony, blood staining his lips as he struggled to breathe, his throat constricting before their eyes.

“Dimitri!”

Panicked, Jemima's cry for help pierced the air, summoning Dimitri with Vanessa close on his heels. With swift precision, Dimitri assessed the situation, prompting Jemima to recount the sequence of events with a tremor in her voice, fear dancing in her eyes.

"Vanessa, fetch the epipen," Dimitri's command spurred Vanessa into action, her feet carrying her swiftly towards the medical aid, the urgency of the moment palpable in the air.

“What’s wrong with him?” Jemima asked, the cough of Jay interrupting her. Jay was palpitating profusely now, blood seeping out from his nose and mouth.

“Was there ginger in the food?” Dimitri asked, causing Jemima to widen her eyes in realization. She had completely forgotten about Jay’s allergy to ginger.

“Fuck!”