26

"Gwen! You're back!" Clara hugged me the moment I stepped into the mansion.

"I've missed you so much." I breathe, returning her hug.

"Are you alright? You're not hurt, are you?" She fussed as she examined my body.

"I'm fine." I gave her a fake smile.

No, I wasn't fine. I just had the most awkward and painful car ride in humanity.

The drive back home was horrible. Lorenzo was colder and more distant than ever, and why the hell did it hurt?

We had gotten what we wanted, so we had no reason to constantly flirt with each other or have small talks. But my chest clenched that he no longer bat an eye at me.

Why was I acting like a needy little b*tch? I knew what would happen; I had asked for it, yet...

Why was my f*cking heart aching?

Lorenzo brushed past us, not even sparing me a single glance, and my eyes followed him until he turned the corner.

So just like that, I was invisible.

"You don't look good? Did something happen between you and him?" Clara whispered the last part, noticing my gaze.

"No, I'm just tired from the party." I sighed and shook my head.

"I understand. Those parties can be terrible. Will chicken soup make you feel better? I can make some for you."

"I guess. Thanks." I mumbled as she led me to the kitchen.

###Day 15###

"So this is the girl my father has been travelling miles to see."

My customer for that evening, said as I walked into the private room. His snake-like green eyes swept across my body, and he licked his lips. "Aren’t you pleasant to look upon?"

Great, a creep.

I managed not to roll my eyes but instead wore a pretty smile.

The man seemed around my age and was quite handsome too, but there was something about his arrogant smirk that irked my skin.

"You're Pablo's son, aren't you?" I blurted as I sat beside him.

"How did you know?" He asked, surprise flickering across his face, and I smirked.

"It adds up. Pablo is my only usual customer old enough to have a child around your age, and he's the only one that travels from another city." I shrugged as I popped open a bottle of champagne and poured it.

"Aren't you a smart one? I like smart girls." He grinned as he took a drink. "I'm Michael, sweetheart. And I'm glad to see my mother was wrong about you."

"Your mother?" I furrowed my brows.

"You know, she sent me to see the tramp my father has been constantly visiting and give her a little warning to say clear." He gave me a playful smile and sipped his champagne.

"What?!" I gasped, and my eyes widened. "I think there's a misunderstanding. There's nothing between me and Pablo. Our relationship is purely platonic, and I don't go for men old enough to be my father."

The last thing I wanted to do was get involved with another mafia group because of something that isn't true.

"I know, but my mom has an obsessive streak. Besides, I know you're quite involved with Diavolo. You looked gorgeous at the party. I wanted to approach you, but your guard dog had you too close." I chuckled, and my stomach dropped.

"What party?" I feigned ignorance as I poured another cup of champagne.

"Don't play dumb with me, Gwen. You were Lorenzo's date to Roberto's party. It might not be common news to everyone, but it, how did you say it, adds up. There have been rumours that a certain lady has caught the eyes of the devil of Sinclair. I just happened to know the details."

"You know what? I'm not even surprised. You're Pablo's son. You even talk like him. And I'm sure you and Lorenzo are close, so he must have told you something." I snorted.

It didn't make sense why he didn't introduce me to him, though.

"No, we're quite the nemesis. I hate the f*cker and he hates me too. We haven't slit each other's throats because of my father. His brother and my father go a long way." He replied.

"That's surprising." I mused.

No wonder Lorenzo didn't introduce me to him at the party. And I was grateful too. There was something about Michael that I didn't like.

"But I'm not here to discuss foes and family ties. I'm here for you, Ms Gwendolyn. When I saw you at the party, I knew I had to speak to you. Someone as beautiful as you deserves to be with someone better than that low life." Michael said and placed his hand on my thigh.

"Sorry, no inappropriate touching. Establishment rules." I said, masking my disgust under a sweet smile, and tapped his hand away.

Anger flickered in his eyes for a few seconds, and he smirked.

"Is that so? Then when does your shift end? Would you mind spending a few extra hours with me doing other services?" He asked as his leery gaze rested on the cleavage of my dress before flickering back to my eyes. "Don't worry; I'll take you home tomorrow morning. And if it's morning you want..."

I bit my inner cheek to hold back my gag. Michael was hot, and I won't blame any girl for falling for him if they were in my shoes, but I couldn't imagine myself doing it with any other after the night I spent with Lorenzo.

Which was crazy because what we did meant nothing, but f*cking another felt like... cheating.

"Sorry, but I'm not really interested. I have school first thing tomorrow morning, and I'm staying with Lorenzo; he had strict curfew rules." I lied.

Lorenzo had zero curfew rules, and I was sure if I decided to spend every night out f*cking different men, he wouldn't care as long as it didn't have anything to do with him.

"Typical, that pain in the *ss was always a control freak. Why are you staying with him anyway?" He snarled.

"Oh, you know. Convenience. Clara is there, and Lorenzo is letting me stay for free, so why not? It's far better than the hole I was living in." I shrugged.

Nothing in me trusted Michael to tell him about my deal with Lorenzo.

"Why don't you come stay with me?" He grinned and grabbed my hands. "I can make you more comfortable than you could ever be with Lorenzo. Of course there is a prize, but I make sure my baby girls are taken care of very well."

What the hell?!

I gaped at him as my brain tried to process what was going on.

"Sorry, but I'm very comfortable with Lorenzo. I—"

"It's because you've f*cked him, and you think you're now special to him, don't you?" He snarled, tightening his grip on my hands, and I winced. "You know he only f*cks women once, right? There are many like you who think they could have his affection, but he always leaves them heartbroken. Can't you see I'm trying to save you from him? You deserve so much better than that filth. You deserve someone like me."

"You're hurting me. Let go before I alert the security." I hissed as I tried to yank my hands away from his grip. My foot was already over the secret button under the table, ready to call for help.

He pressed his lips into a thin line, and he sighed and loosened his grip but didn't let go.

"I didn't mean to startle you." He said and kissed my wrist, but I yanked it away.

"You have only one chance left. If you try any funny business, I'll break your nose before I call the security. Trust me, I've broken a lot of noses, so I'm good at it." I warned as I eyed him.

"Feisty, I like it." He chuckled as he pulled out a card from his pocket and slid it to me.

"What's this?" I asked, eyeing it.

"My number. You have seven days to think about my offer. Call me when you're ready to move." He winked at me as he stood up and walked away.

What the f*ck?

I slammed my head on the table and groaned.

How the hell did I get involved with another mafia again? And a f*cking insane one at that?