My tragic love story

Here is the story of how I killed the love of my life.

When I was 5 years old my dog died, I thought that was the worst pain I would ever experience. Then, when I was 13 so did my mom. I was raised by her all of my life, so when she died I was left to take care of myself. I didn’t trust the system so I ran. I didn’t even see my own mother’s funeral. I’ve lived in shelters and slept on benches for nearly six years. That was until I met him. However, before that, I learned to fend for myself. I kept a small blade for my own protection and sang on the streets to get enough cash to ride the subway. When I was 17 I got my first job as a dishwasher at a local italian restaurant. Everyday I cleaned for the kind family that hired me and went home to the cool air in my local park. When I had the money I would splurge on a hotel for the night but between food and my minimum wage salary permanent housing wasn’t an option. When I got a bit more experience they moved me to the front. I worked as a server and very quickly became a fan favorite. I was always asked to serve the picky guests because the Monachelo’s knew they would leave happy, but this day was different. Mrs. Monachelo looked tense as she assigned me my next table. I walked out with a smile on my face as normal as she sent me off with a light prayer in Italian. As I approached the table I saw four men. They were younger than our normal guests and looked closer to 23 and then I saw him. He had to be the most intimidating and attractive man I had ever seen.  He hadn’t even looked at me yet. As I began taking the mens orders I finally got to him. He looked up at me for the first time, as we locked eyes, I knew this man would change my life forever. The order went as normal except I was too nervous to look back up at his face. The tip they left was generous and could cover a few nights at a motel.As time went by he began to show up at least once a week. Finally I built the courage to look up and ask him his name.When I asked his name he responded “ My name is Luca, but most call me The Don.” I told him I was confused, I didn’t know how The Don related to Luca, but it was better than calling him the cute table boy. For the first time we actually held a conversation. He offered me to sit and have a drink with him, but not wanting to upset Mrs.Monachello, I respectfully declined. However, what I wasn't expecting was for Mrs. Monchello to put me on break immediately after, and insist that I sit and talk to him. We talked for what felt like hours, but couldn’t have been more than 45 minutes. The conversation ended with a “see you tomorrow” and I knew I would. After that day I spent all of my breaks talking to Luca.The one day he asked to meet me somewhere outside of the restaurant. I didn’t think I would be so quick to agree, until he asked me where I lived. I didn’t know what to say so I just asked him to meet me at the park, little did he know, that was my home.For the next 2 weeks we saw each other at my job and occasionally went on dates. I never expected to fall for a man so hard so quickly, but this man was different from any man I had ever met. However I felt that he was catching on to the fact that I was homeless. He started asking questions like “ when can I finally drop you off at home?” I thought of the day I would have to come clean but he decided for me.” Aliyah, you live at this park don’t you?” I started to deny it, but I could see in his eyes that he already knew, so I came clean.From that day forward, I began living with him. I was shocked to see the home he lived in. I knew his car was nice, but I didn't expect to arrive at the most luxurious penthouse in the city. The man I was falling in love with seemed to also be the richest man in Manhattan. That time I spent with him was the best of my life. I lived with him, laughed with him, and I loved him. I never knew how he got his fortune and he never really explained it to me. He owned a successful company so I always assumed it came from there.  He cared for me in a way I had never been cared for. I kept my job because I didn’t want to be dependent on him, though he insisted that i didn’t need it. One day, I was off and we sat in what I now considered our home together when it started. The doorbell rang and a small package was on the porch. I brought it in like normal and handed it to him. When he opened it there was a note that read, “ We see you and the girl.” Inside was a photo of Luca and I leaving the restaurant. I looked up to find that Luca was enraged, but also scared. With his fists clenched he didn’t give me time to ask any questions, “Aliyah we need to go somewhere safe. I should have never involved you in my life.” I was hurt, confused and scared. “I don’t understand, please tell me what's going on.” He seemed shaken, “ Listen baby you have to trust me to keep you safe.” my response was simple, “ Always.” We left within the next hour and hopped on his private jet to a small town in Tennessee called Jackson. We rented an apartment under a new name and paid in cash. For a few more weeks we lived happily. I made friends with the neighbors and found a job at the local Green Frog Cafe. Luca worked from home to manage his company and everything seemed to be getting back to normal. I had another surprise in store for Luca. I was pregnant. I didn’t know when to tell him so I decided to hide it for a few more weeks. I didn’t know how he would take the news. Two weeks later, I handed him a cake on Father’s Day that said congratulations on being a dad. His response, “ Now, what is this for?” I rubbed my belly and smiled nervously at him. He looked at me in shock and then jumped up and kissed me. One year with the love of my life and soon we would be a family. The days passed and my belly grew as did our love, but then the doorbell rang. This time Luca got the door. I looked over his shoulder and asked who it was from. He didn't respond and sat at the table to open it. “ You didn’t think we would find you? Your little wife looks good pregnant.” This was the final straw. It was time for Luca to explain. We had more than just ourselves to look after now. “ Luca, I need to know everything now,” I paused to rub my belly, “ for his sake.” He finally began to tell me his story. Luca grew up in a Mafia family. He was next in line to inherit the position of The Don and he never really wanted it. He took over and changed a few things to make it more beneficial than harmful. In the process he angered a few opposing families as well as allies. He was done with the trade that came with the Mafia and made that clear to them, however they didn’t seem to understand or take no for an answer. One of the sons from an older house came and attacked Luca so in order to protect himself he killed the boy. Ever since then, they have been on a hunt to avenge their lost son. I was lost for words. “I’m sorry I did this to you baby. I would have never involved you, but I couldn’t stay away,” A single tear had fallen down his face. “ I was so selfish and look where it got me. I’m sorry.” I held him and cried on his shoulder. We would get through this together. At least that’s what I thought. We went to bed together and I woke up alone. There was nothing but a letter that read, “ I’ve left. Don’t look for me. Take care of our boy. I love you. -Luca” I was lost. The love of my life was gone and I was pregnant and alone. I mourned for a living man until the birth of our son. A year later I received a package. They were never a good sign to me anymore, but I opened it because it was addressed to me, but with Luca’s Surname, Aliyah Donachelli. There was a letter and a necklace. The letter read, “ Hey baby, I hope you have been taking care of our boy. I wish I could have seen him. I set this letter to be sent to you upon my death. I made sure there would never be any threat to you or him ever again. I left a locket for you and put everything I own in your name. You are the love of my life and our time was cut short. For that I am remorseful, but I want you to always remember that I left this earth with only you in my heart. I love you to the moon and beyond Aliyah Donachelli. That's the name I wanted to share with you one day. Love, Luca.” I cried. I sobbed for every moment lost and every thing I could have had with him. Then I opened the locket. It was a picture of Luca and I at our baby shower. I don’t know what I’ll tell him about his father, but I surely can’t tell Luca Donachelli Jr. the story of how I killed the love of my life.