Chapter 2

Jennifer

2

It took us half an hour to reach there because the restaurant was above the hills and I can't describe what a pleasant sight it was to witness. The greenery was cherry on top of the beauty of the hills. 

Andrea parked the car in front of the restaurant and a fancy valet came to open my door. I stepped out of the car and my eyes roamed over my outfit. I was dressed as an average druggie nerd who looked like she hadn't got coke for the past 24 hours, that thought was surely going to eat out my inners, I never liked feeling inferior, but it seemed like everything in that restaurant would make me feel like one. 

I jogged towards Andrea, "Andy, do I look acceptable here?" I asked her, tugging my strand behind my ear due to nervousness. 

Her eyes scanned me and a smile came on her face, the exact smile that I failed to decode, "You look fabulous except for your eyes, they look like someone punched you in the face," She tried to be nice but turned out brutal, making me a little more conscious. My eyes, what should I do with them? Oh, I should've slept last night. "Hey, calm down, you look presentable, just don't feel it," her hand landed on my back and she rubbed it. 

I passed her a tender smile and nodded, to which she replied, nodding back and pushing me inside the restaurant. 

We entered the place, the hostess welcomed us and asked for a person's count. Andrea engaged her and she took us to the three-seat table that was near the VIP cabins. We settled down and Andrea asked us to choose our meals. 

I had a tough time selecting a new dish to eat because, first, it's always written in Italian. I mean I have been living here for three years and I know a little Italian. I couldn't read or speak Italian fluently like natives and that was a huge drawback for me, but it was bearable, unlike my mother's behaviour. 

And second, I was annoyingly picky whenever it came to food. That was the only problem I had that I couldn't rectify. I loved the perfect flavour of food melting in my mouth. When the taste hits my soul, ah, it's addicting. Whoever tasted the food I ever made has always liked it because I have always been mindful about flavours, because I am a big food-lover. 

Call it my speciality or choosiness, but I was that way and I would never repent it.

I was sure this restaurant wouldn't disappoint me in these two matters and when I saw the menu, I inwardly sighed in relief. Thank God, the dishes were translated into English, which was very foreign yet acknowledged by them. There must be a great range of foreigners visiting their restaurant, perhaps. 

"Jenny, where are you lost?" I heard Rory's voice fogging the voice of my thoughts. I blinked twice while gawking at the menu and woke up from the trance. 

"Yes... yes?" I turned towards him. 

"We are calling you out, but seems like you're somewhere else?" Andrea complained, waving her hand. 

"Yeah, I'm listening now," I told them. 

"What have you picked?" She asked and I opened my mouth to answer her but... I didn't plan on losing my voice again but I did, when my eyes focused on her back. I gulped down at the intensity of a few suited-booted men being guarded by well-built bodyguards dressed in black.

Andrea and Rory followed my gaze. These men didn't feel like ordinary beings, they exhibited power, influence, authority and, most of all, arrogance. Their gaits were enough to cause a cold shiver down my spine. Those five men were trudging towards the VIP cabins and they passed by us to the cabin opposite our table. 

"Whoa, that's some sexy hot pieces walking in. Look at the middle one, he looks so satisfyingly thick," Rory bit his lips. I forgot to mention he was gay. Rory should know if they catch him obsessing over them, he could get into a big problem.

"Oh darn, guys, you recognised who they were?" Andrea spoke, surprised as they entered the cabin. 

"Umm... no," I hummed. 

"They are the Bernardis. I have seen them in pictures. Oh, God, my boss's boss's bosses are here," She hid her face like they were here only to observe her through tinted windows. 

"Relax, they don't even know who you are. Better concentrate on the menu than those rich, hot brats," Rory schooled Andrea while drooling over them himself. 

The waiter arrived at our table and we recited our order. I made sure to choose the least expensive yet tasty dish. Now, we were at a waiting point and starting a conversation. All the while, I tried to keep my focus on Rory and Andrea's voices but I was losing massively. My eyes never stopped glancing over the tinted windows as if I felt like I was being watched, but I knew it was only in my imagination. Why would such powerful, notorious men spare me a glance? 

I was looking unacceptable for here. I shouldn't have been here but I was and now. I wanted to run away from here. "Jenny, I think you didn't sleep well last night, why don't you go and splash some water on your face. Go, fresh up," Andrea suggested to me. 

"Yeah... yeah, you're right, I think I need some cold water on my face. I'm sorry, I'm ruining the fun for both of you," I apologised, to be honest, I felt like a third wheeler acting strange, being a spoiler. 

I excused myself and went to the bathroom, which was located on the third floor. I walked near the lift, pressed the button and waited for the door to open and have me inside. While waiting, I got busy checking out my I*******m.

But my body got tense as if something was wrong. My subconscious detected someone behind me. I gulped down and chose to pay a gaze in that direction. As I carefully turned back, I first saw a huge silhouette towering over me. A tall and thick man standing behind me, his hazel-gold eyes stood out first. His sharp jaw scared me. He was the man being guarded by security. 

Where was his security now? Was he following me? "Oh fuck," I whispered, turning around and closing my eyes in disquiet.