27

#Day 17#

"Gwen!"

I turned around to see Cory weaving through the crowd of students leaving the class and I gave him a little smile.

"Hey, what's up?" I said as I adjusted the strap of my bag.

"Hey, you left before I could talk to you. Are you ok? You were looking down in class today?" He asked.

"I've just been a little stressed lately. You don't know how happy I am that Professor Grey's class was suddenly cancelled. I just want to go home and sleep away all my problems." I replied and ran my fingers through my brown hair.

"Oh, it seems you've already planned what you want to do. I thought I would have a shot today." He sighed.

"A shot at what?" I frowned.

"At you know... asking you out for coffee or something." He blushed and rubbed the back of his neck. "You always rush home after classes, and I thought today would be a good day since we suddenly have one free hour. But since you already have—"

"So you're asking me out on a date with you right now?" I grinned, and he blushed harder.

"If you won't mind. I heard food and good company can relieve stress just as much as sleep, and I know where they make the best muffins around." He smiled at me, and my heart melted at his cute dimples.

"You had me at muffins. Let’s go. One minute, please. I need to message my friend Clara to tell her I might be a little late." I beamed and pulled out my phone from my pocket.

Lorenzo had given it back to me because, in his words, 'it wasn't a punishment if I could conveniently do without it.'

"Sure." He replied with a big grin.

Clara and I didn't do the same major, so while she had a free day to lounge at home, I had to go to class. I was jealous of her this morning, but now a free day couldn't compare to this.

~Guess what? Cory asked me on a date😍😍😍 I'll tell you the juicy story later, but just wanted to let you know I might be a little late. Wish me good luck~

~I can't believe he finally asked you out. Awe, you're so lucky. Have fun.~

~And have you told Benny? You know he'll be waiting for you.~

I frowned as I read Clara's last message. Ugh, I forgot about Benny, my unofficial bodyguard and chauffeur, and Lorenzo's eyes to make sure I wasn't running away.

"Anything wrong?" Cory asked, and I shook my head.

"Nothing."

~So he can tell Lorenzo? Hell no. Besides, he won't know. My class was supposed to end in an hour, so he isn't expecting me till then. I'll be back at the campus before then. I'll be fine~ I texted back and slid my phone into my pocket.

It wasn't like it mattered anyway. He was meant to drive me to school and back and make sure I didn't try any escape plan. Nothing concerned him if I was going on a date or not.

"Let's go." I said and beamed at Cory.

I was going on a date! My first actual date!

The party with Lorenzo didn't really count because he said it wasn't a date, so Cory officially took the cup.

I so needed this after all the madness that had been happening this week. Lorenzo was still ignoring me, Michael's offer still rang in my head, and the guys under Lorenzo seemed to be wary of me when they were actually the dangerous ones.

It was crazy.

I needed a long-overdue break from all the drama of the mafia world.

Cory was my ticket to a normal interaction, and I was going to cling to every moment of it.

"Ms. Harper! Ms. Harper!"

Oh great!

I cringed as I heard Benny call out my name the moment I opened the door of Cory's car.

"Benny. Didn't see you there." I said sweetly as I turned around to see the tall, dark man.

"Who is that?" Cory asked. I almost said my babysitter, but that would bring too many questions.

"No one." I said instead and placed my hand on my hip. "I'm not supposed to go home till four, so I still have an hour to myself."

"And where are you going?" Benny asked, glaring daggers at Cory.

"Outing with a friend. Is there a problem with that?"

"Have you told the boss?" He frowned.

"Why? Do I need to report my every move to him now?"

"Yes." He blurted.

"I'm a grown-*ss woman, and I can do what I want with or without Lorenzo's permission." I scowled, and I tried to get into the car, but Benny grabbed my arm.

"Don't touch me!" I yelled and yanked my hand out of his grip.

"Let go of her!" Cory growled and stood between me and him.

"Tell the boss, now!" Benny growled, ignoring him.

"Or what? Don't tell me you're like Marco too." I hissed as I crossed my arm over my chest.

Fear flickered in his eyes at Marco's name, and he let out a long breath.

"Please, at least text him that you're going out. I can't d— lose this job. I have a family to feed." He breathed, giving me a strained smile, and I clicked my tongue.

Ugh, I didn't want to be the reason the guy lost his job. And it wasn't his fault he was being a pain in the *ss. I'd be the same too if I were going to be fired for something as simple as that.

"Fine!" I huffed and pulled out my phone.

~ Going out on a date. Not that you care anyway. I'm only telling you because Benny won't stop being a pain in my *ss until I do.~

"Done. See." I huffed as I almost shoved the phone into his eyes. "Can I go now?"

"You should wait for his—"

"Bye. Let's go, Cory." I said as I hopped into the car. Cory tossed him a dirty look before entering the driver seat.

"What was that about?" He asked as he drove off.

"Oh, nothing serious. I'm temporarily living with Clara and her uncle, and he's very strict and overbearing. Benny helps him keep an eye on me and keep me out of trouble." I said, quickly coming up with the quickest half-truth, half-lie I could think of.

"He sounds like a pr*ck." He mumbled and frowned at the mirror. "We're being followed."

"What the hell?" I swore as I turned around to see Benny's car following us. "Great! Just f*cking great!"

"Do you want to talk to him?" He asked.

"No, there's no point. He'll do what his boss wants him to do no matter how loud I scream. On the bright side, I'm almost a hundred per cent sure that he won't interfere with our date." I sighed and gave him a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry it turned out, you know, weird."

"It's alright. Somethings can't be helped." He assured me as he pulled into the parking lot in front of a small cafe.

My phone vibrated in my hand, and I frowned at the notification.

One new message from Lorenzo.

I put it on do not disturb mood and kept it in my bag.

Whatever he wanted to say could wait till after the date.