CHAPTER SIX: His Good Luck Charm

“What have you got?"

“We managed to get where they kept the girl; she's still in a coma, and they’re keeping a close watch on her. The security is quite tight, but I managed to make sure two of our men are blended in among the men securing her, and we would be getting information on any more moves from them.”

“Is there any movement indicating they know that they caught the wrong girl?"

“No, not yet. I don’t think they will know that until the girl wakes up because I saw her up close and their resemblance is striking; there’s no difference in their facials.”

"Alright, that’s good then.”

“Boss, do you want us to take her from there?”

“No, not yet; wait until she regains consciousness.”

“Okay Boss”

“You can go now; report to me if there’s anything urgent or important.”

(Carl’s POV)

It’s been a week and a few days since I got Tiana to stay with me so I would be able to protect her up close. I had my men keep a close watch on the girl that got shot instead of her, but I can’t help but wonder how and why they look so alike. I already ran a background check on Tiana, and she doesn’t have any siblings. I would need to talk to Tiana because I remember her saying she picked up the girl’s belongings after the men took her unconscious body away.

“I’m stepping out. I know the past few days have been weirdly calm, but make sure nothing goes wrong,” I said to my second in command before stepping out of the basement.

I just got home, and Tiana is not in her room. I assume she's in the library because that's the only place she gets herself busy, engaged in either reading or playing the piano. I must say I love seeing her play the piano; her facial expressions when she plays are just so soothing. It's the first time someone has made use of anything in that library since my mother passed away, and I couldn’t help but see that gentle smile she always had on her face when she played the piano, on Tiana’s face.

I went upstairs to change my clothes into a more casual and comfortable outfit before going to the library to join Tiana. And just as I predicted, she’s here in the library, deeply engrossed in the book she’s reading. I’m sure she hasn’t noticed my presence; I cleared my throat to gain her attention, but who am I kidding?

"Hi, Tiana,” I said as I walked towards her.

“Tiana?” I called out again as I sat beside her.

"Oh, Carl, you’re back,” she said without averting her gaze from the book.

“Yeah, what are you reading? You didn’t notice my presence.”

“It’s a fantasy book where the protagonist falls in love with the antagonist,” she said dreamily.

“Oh, I see you’re having a great time in your fantasy world."

“As I should,” she replied dramatically.

“I’ve been meaning to ask, do you know the girl who got shot instead of you that day? Are you acquainted?”

“No, that day was the first time we met, and we didn’t get to talk and know each other before those men appeared from nowhere,” she said, now dropping the book she was reading.

“So you know absolutely nothing about her apart from the fact that she looks exactly like you?”

"I know her name; I picked up her bag after the men took her away, and her identity card and passport are inside her bag,” she said, sounding more serious now.

“Go get the bag; let me see,” I said, and she stood up, leaving her book behind as she rushed to the main building. I walked out of the library, shutting the door, before walking to the main building.

What I saw surprised me, and for the past five minutes, I haven't seemed to be able to put the puzzle together.

“Fiora Fabio,” I said for the umpteenth time.

“Do you know her?" Tiana asked with a questioning gaze as she noticed how I kept repeating the name.

"No, I don't; I’m just surprised at the perfect resemblance,” I said to avoid more questions.

“I hope she’s okay, even though I know it’s almost impossible,” she said with guilt evident in her voice.

“Hey, don’t feel guilty about it; you didn’t control what happened, so it’s not your fault, and you just said almost impossible, almost; which means there’s still a chance, even if it’s a slight chance,” I said, trying to make her feel less guilty.

“She might be dead; her life might have to end because of me; she got into this kind of misfortune because of me; my grandma wasn’t wrong after all; I’m bad luck,” she said, trying to hold back tears.

“Shall we go back to the library?” I asked, taking her hand; she just nodded without saying a word before standing up and letting me lead the way to the library.

I put on an old record on the turntable as we got inside the library. I walked towards Tiana as the slow music started playing.

“Do you want to dance away all those painfully heavy feelings?” I asked her as I held her hand.

She nodded in respons, placing her free hand on my shoulder while I moved my free hand to her waist.

"This record is one of my mom’s favourites; I used to see her twirling around while this record played,” I said, trying to ease the tension between us.

“She sure has a good taste.” Tiana finally said something for the first time since we got to the library.

The tension slowly faded away as she relaxed under my touch while the dance started going smoothly.

“Since the first day I brought you to my house, the atmosphere has become bright and warm. Since then, I come back home every day to the welcoming aroma of a nicely cooked meal, and you brought this library back to life. I get to see those beautiful smiles you have on your face anytime you play the piano or dreamily read fantasy books—those beautiful smiles that remind me of my mother’s warmth, and you dare say you’re bad luck." I said as I pressed her against my chest.

“What is this? Are you a poet?” she said, sniffing back tears. I ignored her and slowly pulled her thigh up, revealing my name, which I had tattooed perfectly on her thigh.

"See, you have my name on your thigh, and you dare say you’re bad luck; you’re not any bad luck; you’re one good luck charm I got; you’re beautiful, and I won’t ask for more than seeing you smile while playing piano or smiling dreamily while drowning in the ocean of those fantasy books.”

"Carl,” she called out, looking up at me with eyes sparkling with tears and threatening to roll down her flushed face.

“Stop thinking too much; you’re not guilty of anything. I promise you’ll be fine; all these will soon be over, okay?”

"Okay."

“It’s almost time for dinner. Tell me what you want. Let's eat out tonight,” I said while gently brushing her hair off her face.

“Sure, let’s eat out tonight; I would just freshen up,” she said, walking out of the library while I shut the door before walking towards her, holding her hand as we walked towards the main building.