Chapter 2

    As I walked up the steps, an uneasy feeling continued to overwhelm me. I approached Jacob and instantly got hit in the face with the alcohol smell radiating off of him. I have never seen him like this before, I honestly didn't even knew he drank.

    "Hi Jacob, are you ok?" I asked while trying to control my uneasy voice. 

     Jacob turned to me, barely able to hold himself steady, "who the hell is this?" Jacob said while pointing at Emmanuel 

    Instantly I felt my face burn with embarrassment, as I lowered my head so Emmanuel wouldn't see me I replied "Jacob this is my boss, Mr. Jennings, Mr. Jennings this is my neighbor Jacob".

     The look of horror consumed my face as Jacob deadpan said "oh, so this is Mr. Serious, I thought you said you hated him, and here he is taking you to your room?" 

     I couldn't wrap my head around what was happening, 'this isn't happening, just keep walking Marianna, do not look at their faces' I kept saying in my head and I walked towards my apartment, while Emmanuel continued to follow me.

      Once we reached my door I tried to walk in without making eye contact with him, so he wouldn't notice how red my face was from embarrassment.

      "Ok this is my place, thank you for walking me all the way, have a goodnight Mr. Jennings" I told him.

      I felt my heart drop to the floor when he stopped my door from closing, 'oh God, what's happening? Oh Mio Dio, questo non sta accadendo' I began saying in my mind still refusing to look at him. I opened my door back up, and got the courage to look at him. 

    He smiled down to me and said "and just so you know, I am not always so serious, have a goodnight Ms. Milano" I watched him walk down the hallway with a puzzled look on my face.

     I turned around and closed my door, placed my purse and keys on the counter. I leaned my back on the counter with my hands stretched to the sides to hold myself up. 'What the hell was that!' I thought to myself.

     Just as I was about to make my way to my bedroom a knock sounded at my door, though it sounded more like banging. My heart began to race but against my better judgement I went and opened my door.

    Jacob stood at my door, a small part of me was hoping it was Emmanuel. Jacob's hair looked like he's been running his fingers through it, he could barely keep himself up. His face looked dangerous, 'just go back inside Marianna this doesn't feel right' I thought to myself. Just as I was about to excuse myself I felt bad looking at how horrible he looked.

      "How can I help you Jacob?" I asked.

"So you will fuck someone with money right? But not someone like me" he began to yell in a drunken state. I was left completely speechless, I always thought of Jacob as a gentle soul, this was a whole other side of him that I didn't want to know at all. 

      Suddenly, he punched my door, making me scream and jump back. Instant flash backs plagued my mind, the dark streets of Italy flashing in and out of my memories and his horrible face came to light, the face I tried so hard to forget for so long! His smell of alcohol, sweat and blood filled my nose, I felt the world disappearing around me. 

    I was instantly brought back to reality when I heard a booming voice next to us "sir, I think you have had too much to drink tonight, and it's time for you to go home and leave this young lady alone." Emmanuel said with complete confidence and control.

     I didn't know if it was the alcohol that made Jacob have courage to stand up against Emmanuel, but nevertheless he extended out his arm and punched Emmanuel on the left side of the jaw. Emmanuel didn't seem fazed at all, it was as if a fly landed on his face. I looked on in horror as to what was going on, now fearing for Jacob's life.

     Emmanuel suddenly grabbed Jacob by the collar and pushed him up against the wall. With a commanding yet angry voice he said, "sir! I will tell you one more time, leave this young lady alone or I will have you arrested" 

      He dropped Jacob down like a sack of potatoes, and we watched him try to stand up. He darted his eye sight towards me, and began to yell "fuck you, bitch, I.... I.... ugh!! I would have given you a better time than he ever could" 

     I began to have water forming in my eyes, as I started to walk backwards into my apartment, fear clearly plastered on my face. Emmanuel noticed my actions, but continued to watch Jacob like a hawk till he disappeared off of my apartment floor. Once Jacob was out of eyesight he turned his full attention to me. His eyes were soft again, with an almost protective tone he said, " are you ok Ms. Milano?" 

      I was frozen in place, unable to speak, with tears slowly making its was out of my eyes. I tried to reply " I don't... I mean... what?" I couldn't finish my sentence. I took a deep breath, and composed myself, " Mr. Jennings, thank you for all your help, I think I will get ready for bed now, I will see you at work in the morning, and I am so sorry for all of this mess"

     I began to walk away, when I heard "Manny" I turned around with a bewildered look, "excuse me?" I asked 

     He gave me a gentle smile, that showed off his deep dimples, and for a second I got lost in his crystal blue eyes, the look on his face was warm, inviting and comforting, he broke my gaze when he said "for this occasion you may call me Manny, ok Marianna?"

     I had no response all I could think was ' this man has been a pain in my ass for 2 years, I thought of him as heartless and here he was protecting me, and being sweet. What game is he playing? No Marianna!! This is not the right guy to be interested in! You are in shock that's all this is'

    Emmanuel was the first to break the silence " Ms. Milano, I am going to go now, please go get some rest, and lock your door. I will see you tomorrow, we have a lot to get done for the Evans case." He probably felt the awkwardness that was going on in my mind 

    I snapped out of my thoughts, "ok, thank you again for everything Mr. Jenn.." he gave me a look and raised an eyebrow , I corrected myself "I mean Manny" with that he gave me a nod and left down the hallway.

     I closed my door and slid down my door and sat on the floor

    "What the hell" I exhaled