"Get up."
The owner of the voice pulled off the blanket covering me. I stirred slightly. "Get up. You're going to cook." Shaking me roughly this time, finally, waking me up. I rubbed my eyes while sitting up.
I stare at him groggily, trying to clear his godly image. The mafia boss was scowling at me.
"Don't make me wait." He then stormed out leaving me to still process everything.
"So you decided that I'm going to be your maid?" I asked once I set his breakfast.
"For now. You saved my inconvenience to hire someone. Can't have another repeat of what happened the other night." I winced, inhaling a sharp breath.
He started eating his breakfast. I cleared my throat before speaking. "I need clothes." I said almost in a whisper.
He stopped delivering the food to his mouth and he turned his head to look at me. There was a slight glare on his eyes. "What?"
"I need clothes. I have been wearing this outfit for two days now." I made sure that I didn't sound demanding and respect was found in my voice.
He snorted. "Is it another way of telling me- darling, buy me clothes, so I could give you my credit card?" He crossed his arms as he leaned languidly to the chair.
I frowned, not liking his insult. "Sorry to ruin your perfect assumption. I only meant that I needed to go home and change. Not all women are what you think or the same as those who you sleep with."
"Ahh...” He lifted his lips upward with obvious mischief. “There’s that sassy mouth I love." He got up from his chair and stood in front of me. He leaned his hand on the table while the other on his hip, making his height crouch down to match mine. Our faces only inches closer. My hand clasped each other in front of me, trying to maintain control and patience. "I can't wait till I bring you to Italy with me, amore." His grin was playful and mischievous.
I crossed my arms and stood tall, challenging him. "Except you can't. Avery will look for me. I don't want to know how she'll react when you break your promise."
He chuckled. There was menace to it but hardly noticeable. "One day, amore, one day."
I frowned. "Stop calling me that.” I hissed. “As you can see, I'm not Italian.”
He smirked. "I noticed." His eyes were travelling to my eyes, nose and my lips and back up again. "But you do have a lovely accent. Do you think you sound the same when I fuck you to the moon and back?"
I turned away while trying to avoid the effects of his words. Angelo laughed. "I know your name, amore.” He paused. “Hailynn Fleury. You're half French thus the sexy accent."
I rolled my eyes. "Wow, it's nice of you to know that. Did you investigate me or something?"
His eyes and lips were playful. "I’m trying to be discreet with my presence here, amore, so I only asked my cousin in law." His face suddenly became solemn.
"Which reminds me... Hailynn Fleury." He sauntered towards me. His intimidating height covered my form, eyes glowering intensely towards mine. "If you ever sing our situation or even utter my name to someone else, Avery and I's promise are automatically invalid. If anything you do or say puts me in danger…” His intense eyes were studying me, spitting my name with heavy meaning. “Fleury, you'll be kissing this life goodbye."
I subconsciously swallowed my fear and this man knows I fear him. I nodded frantically.
---
I packed my clothes not minding what outfit it was. Well, considering I own a bunch of t-shirts and jeans, I guess it won’t matter. I don't know until when I'd be staying with him and I'm hoping that I won't be staying longer. Just as long as I don't 'sing', maybe mister mafia here would let me off. I’m just thankful that Avery is keeping him grounded.
Angelo isn't pretty bad which I observed. Just as long that I don't irk him. At least he has some respect for me, aside from the fact that he blurts out sexual innuendos.
"Is that all your stuff?" Angelo asked from behind. I nodded, still focused on packing. "You're not a typical girl, are you?"
I scrunch my eyebrows. My movements were slowing down. "What do you mean?"
"I can't help but think that I am staring at a man's clothes."
I continued packing but now rushing it so he'd quit staring at my clothes. "That's because it is a man's clothes." Shutting the suitcase finally. I huffed as I stood. When I turned to him, one of his eyebrows was raised.
"Interesting. You know I've never tasted someone who's like you before." He said while studying me. It sounded like I’m a rare dish for him.
I rolled my eyes. "Are you insinuating that I swing both sides?" There was a vague quirk on his lips. "Sorry to disappoint you, buddy, but I only swing on Ethan's side."
I let my eyes roam around my room, checking what I needed to bring. I thought by now he dropped the subject but surprisingly he asked.
"Who is Ethan?" Pure curiosity displayed on his face as I looked at him.
"Half owner of that painting you ruined... and previous owner of these shirts." I muttered the second phrase lowly. He furrowed his eyebrows, probably hearing the last part.
I sat on my bed while picking up the thin silver laptop, one that Ethan always uses where he types all his stories. I stare at it thinking how I’m supposed to finish his book. I met his editor a few weeks ago. She suggested that I should try continuing the book, assuming that I knew how his mind works. And since I don't have anything to do and I haven’t been in the mood to paint ever since his death, I figured I should try.
"You done?" He asked, bringing me out of my reverie. I nodded.
When we got out of my room, I noticed something against the wall of my living room covered in white sheet. I didn’t notice it when we came into my apartment. Probably because I was in a hurry to pack. It was huge and flat, much like a canvass. Weird. I don't remember putting anything in there.
I sauntered towards the object in question. Angelo seemed not to mind that I'm slowing him down. I took the white sheet and unraveled the hidden piece beneath it.
To my utter surprise, it was the ruined painting. The huge hole was flashing before my eyes. I inhaled an almost silent cry and of course, my anger towards a certain angel.
"The least I could do is deliver the painting in your apartment safe and sound."
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, right because you already have the honor of ripping it." I turned to him while sniffing.
"It's that important to you, huh?"
"Well, obviously." Trying to hold back being snarky.
He smirked playfully. "Go on. Don't hold back. You already knew I won't be able to touch you." He took a few steps towards me. "You're angry with what I did to your masterpiece."
"You also killed a man."
"In which, amore, you're not going to tell anyone. I already told you the cost of your voice."
I looked at him squarely, letting him know my promise. "I won't. I'm not that stupid."
"Good." He turns. "Let's go."
I stare at the monitor of Ethan's laptop in my room, brainstorming how to finish his work. Now that I'm the owner, I officially decided to continue the book.Unexpectedly... and unfortunately he stopped writing at the peak of the two leading characters' heated scene. I'm actually surprised that I no longer blush reading this kind of genre. I have always read Ethan's book before he sends it to his editor. He will ask me what I think about it and sometimes ask for suggestions.He had gone for teacher and student, doctor and patient, the typical ones like boss and secretary. The pending book was about the driver and his boss. Apparently, he had this idea when we asked Avery on how she met her husband. Except that the driver here is a guy and his boss was a cold hearted lady. And
I ignored his movement and instead asked him another question. "Why does Avery call you Angelo?"He stopped midway, almost hovering me. He leaned back only to sit beside me and annoyingly too close for my comfort. He rested his back languidly on the backrest, placing his right arm behind me."Everyone who knew me calls me Angelo, a nickname that grew on me. My men call me capo or don and there are some who call me Sol. As for the answer to your question, I have my men here but I try to be discreet and not give away who I am. They are blending in and trying to act like normal citizens here. But if something goes wrong, they will in no doubt act instantaneously. And they basically just await my orders.” He shrugs. “Trust me, amore, you don't want to know or see them."
“Do you want me to apologize, amore?”I try to ignore him. He was sitting on the kitchen island waiting for his dinner. I’m no longer in the mood for our usual banter. I’d rather ignore his assiness. What he said this morning was below the belt and it very much offended me.“Amore… speak. I dislike being ignored.” His tone changed. It was cold and hard.I paused, having second thoughts whether to reply to him or not but the obvious edge in his voice made me do so. “I don’t want your apology. Not when it’s shallow.” My voice was low and rough.He chuckled, deep and reverberating. “It’s not like I care, amore, but I figured yo
“I met people who're as innocent as an angel like you…” His clear water eyes peering at me heatedly. “…but they’d still point a gun at me.”I rolled my eyes. “Well, have you ever wondered why?” He raised a brow when he noticed a hint of sassiness. “What you are, said so.” I sighed. “These things didn’t cross my mind at all...” I waved my hands trying to mean the things that involve him and the mafia. “...when you weren’t in my life. Although I was mourning, I was content. You came and changed everything.” I pursed my lips together. “I trust Avery and your promise that you won’t do anything to hurt me. That’s the only thing that's keeping me sane here.”“I need to step up my game then.&rdq
“I feel like these tattoos have meanings… do they?” I looked at him while expecting an answer.“Dante Adriano Sol Di Angelo.” He uttered his name slowly. He was stroking his fingers while describing its meanings. “These two are angel wings. Di Angelo. My uncle used to call me Sol. He said the nickname suited me since I will be the head of the family in the future. It means sun. I assume you know how the sun works in the universe.” He jokes.I chuckle. “Yes, the one that has the biggest head and messy hair.”He laughs, one that came from the heart. It was the first time that I heard him laugh genuinely. He always just chuckles or that famous playboy smirk of his. I think his laugh will be my second favorite
“And you’re here because?” While crossing his arms, leaning back to his chair.“How are you, Stef? I haven’t seen you in years.” I asked instead, purposely ignoring his question.“The last time we met was my father’s birthday, Angelo, which was last year. Now, don’t ignore my question.”“Well, I never saw you at the party. I mean it’s hard to find each other when the Ranallo mansion in Italy is more like a palace-”“Angelo.” He warned.“You know just because you’re the eldest child of the entire family doesn’t give you the right to
“I’m going.” While checking the phone and wallet in my jeans before leaving.Dante was sitting languidly on the couch while scrolling on his smartphone.“Okay. Let’s go.” He stood and walked towards the door. My eyes widened at his intention.“Wait, wait. Hold up, hold up.” His hand stopped midair while reaching the doorknob. “What are you doing?”“I’m driving you to the mall.” I eyed him in disbelief. He sighed. “Come on. Your dress is waiting for you.”“Why?”“Because I
“Did you not get the hint, coglione?!” A growl made me jump off my spot.“Dante!” I called as soon as I turned and faced him.“Scram! Or I’ll fucking cut off your tongue.” Dante threatened my newly found friend. I could feel William’s fear, sweat glistening on his forehead.“Dante! What are you doing threatening him like that?” Dante only glowered at me.“Ah. See you around, Hailynn.” Dante almost lunged at him before he scurried away. My hand was pressed against his hard chest, careful not to let him go after William. I looked around and noticed that people are looking at us.