Chapter 6

"So there I was, with two trucks full of cargo and a snitch running his mouth to the cops."

Giovanni chuckled, shaking his head, "of course, I had to improvise." 

I forced another smile, "That was very bold of you, I could never imagine myself in that scenario," I said softly, my eyes briefly meeting his. 

That sounded almost like what Dahlia would say. So far, I've been nailing every impression of her and it almost surprised me how easy it came. 

They were done eating and now, I was just listening to him. I laughed when appropriate and spoke when needed, but I still couldn't get the image of what I'd seen out of my head. 

Giovanni hadn't noticed her uneasiness, he seemed relaxed. As if he's genuinely enjoying my company. 

I wondered what he would say if he knew who I really was. 

"Are you alright?" He asked suddenly, and I snapped out of my thoughts. 

"Yes," I responded, weakly smiling, "I would just like to move around a little." 

He leaned back, studying me for a moment, before nodding, "You're right," He rose to his feet, "Would you take a walk with me?" 

I looked at his outstretched hand, and for a moment, wanted to protest and ask him to send me back home. But I remembered that Dahlia loved spending time with him,

He would find it unusual if I suddenly said no. 

So I placed my palm on his, and with his aid, rose to my feet, "I would love it." 

Giovanni nodded, and both of them walked out of the restaurant, hand-in-arm. The cool breeze was a warm welcome to the air conditioned room and I sucked in a long breath,

"I really cannot wait for the wedding."

My eyes snapped open, and I turned to see what he'd been staring at me. I shifted on my leg, come to think of it,

I noticed he'd been staring at me a lot. I mean it was different from the usual glances of admiration, his was more intense. 

I had no idea how Dahlia handled this situation but to me, it was flat out creepy. 

"Me too," The lie rolled out of my tongue smoother than melted butter. 

It worked because he grinned, and pulled me closer. The breath in my throat hitched when he stepped forward, closing the distance between us.

"I know that we didn't meet under the best circumstances," He reached for her hair, pushing a stray strand back into place, "but I believe fate brought us together." 

I had no idea what to say. My heart was racing but it wasn't because of him, it was more or less trepidation to get out of his arms. 

I'd only been in one relationship my entire life, and that was in high school. It didn't end well either, he cheated on me and then made out with my best friend. 

Needless to say, my love life was a catastrophe. The only knowledge I had about romance was in the dozens of movies and books I'd preyed on. 

So, I said the only thing that came to mind at that moment,

"The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more." 

I remembered the classic line from The Notebook, I'd watched that movie a thousand times already, I knew every line by heart. 

I crossed my fingers hoping that it would work, and it did because he pulled me into a hug, tighter than anyone I've ever been. 

"Thank you for saying that." 

I couldn't believe that it worked, but I wasn't going to allow the opportunity to slip past so I hugged him back, my hand stroking his back gently. 

"I've been meaning to ask," I murmured as we parted from the hug, "Who are those guys? They've been following us for a while now." 

He didn't even glance back, yet his shoulders lifted in a casual shrug,

"Don't mind them. They're here for protection."

I blinked. But he ignored my befuddlement, instead tucking my hand into his arm, and resumed walking. 

I wondered how he was able to live like this, with the constant anxiety that he could get attacked even on the streets. 

It had to be a dreadful kind of life. 

I looked at the hand caressing my own and shuddered at the thought that the same hand held a gun that was used to take someone else's life. 

"Are you okay?" He asked again, and I nearly jumped out of my skin, "You've been zoning out a lot."

"I'm fine," I answered a little too quickly, "I'm just tired." 

He hummed, "I can call the driver and-"

"No," she interrupted, placing her free hand on top of his, "I want to spend more time with you." 

He smiled. I remembered Dahlia mentioning something about how he loved conversations, and the way both of them bonded over their shared love for late night strolls. 

On the other hand, I saw it as an unnecessary excuse to exercise. 

We continued walking, luckily it was late into the night and the streets of New York buzzed with life. A street performer spun flaming torches with the grace of a dancer, while another juggled apples and knives like it was second nature. 

We stopped in front of two comedians, and I didn't even realize when I was laughing my heart out, the sound of my laughter mixing with the crowd that had gathered. 

"You look like you're having fun," Giovanni pointed with a smile, and I nodded. 

The truth was, I didn't expect the night to go as nice as it did. For a moment, I forgot about the ache in my chest, the pain from the heels, and even the fact that I was pretending to be someone else. 

We left the crowd to get some hotdogs since my stomach had chosen a convenient moment to grumble like an untamed beast.

Giovanni was the least bit concerned, admitting that he was hungry as well. 

After eating, we walked around for a bit and then he mentioned that it was almost midnight and they had to start going home. 

The peaceful bubble popped, and reality stung again. This wasn't my life, the thought hit her and the buzz in her blood fizzled out. 

"I had a lot of fun tonight, Giovanni."

"Ah, she finally said it."

I stopped walking, and frowned in confusion, "What?"

He turned to face me, smirking, "You seemed bent on not calling my name tonight."

"What?" I was flustered, "No! I must've called your name at least once!"

"No, you didn't."

"I think-"

"No." The teasing smile remained on his face. 

I paused, taking a moment to think deeply, and I realized with embarrassment that I didn't. 

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize," I grimaced but he waved it off, taking a step closer.

"It's fine," he whispered huskily, "As long as you can say it again."

My heart picked up again, the tips of my fingers buzzing with an intensity I didn't know they had. 

He was too close. Too close for comfort. 

"Come on, love," His luscious lips moved, and I gulped, "Say it again." 

I shouldn't be doing this. I shouldn't be feeling like this but I couldn't help it. 

Rationality screamed at me that he was Dahlia's lover, and I was just a faux, but the wild part of me told me to just do it. Just reach for him and quench the curiosity I was feeling. 

"Giovanni," the name left my lips as a breathless whisper, and he smirked in satisfaction.

"Good girl."

His lips claimed mine in a slow, deliberate kiss, and in that moment, 

The world melted away as I leaned into his warmth, submitting to the electricity that came from his mouth.