章 15: EP15

You are safe. You really are.

Ruchar swallowed, turning his eyes to the dark night from Alex's face. He needed her hand, but he couldn't look her in the eyes as he spoke. It was just too much.

"My parents died when I was very young, when I was only six. They were shot and killed in a mafia war."

"I'm so sorry," said Alex, holding both her hands. "It must have been terrible."

She nodded, still not turning her face towards him.

"It still gets worse. I was kept in the family…they didn't let the state take me. Sometimes, I wish they did."

He looked at Alex's face and sighed again, noticing all the love and attention.

"I moved from house to house. My uncles and aunts didn't want to take responsibility for me. I was often treated like a slave. I had to do a lot of cleaning and cooking and they always yelled at me."

Alex smiled lightly. "So that's why you're such a good cook."