chapter thirteen

If there's anything I've learnt from women these past few hours, it's that they're never sure about time.

It's been almost 45minutes heather left for the fancy bar. She claimed she wouldn't take long, but now i can confirm it's a lie. It seemed she enjoys making me wait, like I was a sort of pawn.

I managed to reach for my phone at my knee pocket. I looked around before using it.

Marco: what's up, are you okay man.

Enzo: we heard what happened at the bar.

Marco: call us when you get home.

Enzo: I take back what I said earlier, you're the GOAT jamieboy.

Marco: really bro, what happened?

Enzo: we've been texting you, answer the goddamn text.

I had placed my phone on DND all day to avoid any interruption from any of them. The guys were cool though, but sometimes, they were really inquisitive.

I checked around for any sign of heather before texting back. There was no way I' could explain how a simple bartender like me, could afford to get the latest iPhone. So it's for the best I just keep it hidden. Besides, I still have my other phone containing her video.

Me: i got the job, It all happened so fast there wasn't any time to explain.

Enzo: that's power of blackmailing my friend.

Marco: you both are really sick. Any news yet? I heard her father is terribly ill. Must be devastating for her.

Enzo: I think Marco has a spot for your girl.

Me: well she doesn't look devastated to me.

Enzo: so she's a freak, just like you?

Me: guess we have that in common.

Marco: where are you now?

Me: Her car. I can't talk now, she's might be coming.

I switched my phone off and placed it on my knee pocket. I was right, heather was heading towards the car. I just pretended to fiddle with the keys.

"Took you long enough". I taunted her.

She rolled her eyes, "I told you I had a date."

"Why couldn't you just have him drive you there. I don't see why not?"

Heather sighed. "A business date, with my lawyer, dummy." She reached out for the door. "Jealous?"

I Ignored her comment, watching her as she did her seatbelt. strands of hair falling to her face.

"So are we finally done now boss?" I asked sarcastically, fighting the urge to feel her hair. I just wanted this day over already.

Heather hesitated before answering, "Home."

"Last I remember, your place takes like forever from here. I'm not sure I'll be able to make it back to my place on time." I admitted.

She clicked her tongue grinning, "you're not going home, not yet."

I shot her a blunt look. "What are you implying heather?"

"Hmmmmm. I thought you were smart James, didn't you read your contract?"

"What contract? And so? How am I supposed to care about that?"

Heather laughed again. "How do I put this nicely, you're moving in with me. Twelve months right, let's just say it's for precaution purposes. In the meantime, welcome to casa Georgio."

My mind raced. "You're unemployed so you have all day to read it."

What a bitch!

"You tricked me!"

She smiled. The exact same one she did at her office. The kind that made me go crazy. "No I did not." Heather smiled even more. "They call it outsmarting in fancy language. Now hand your phone over dear."

"What is this whole thing about?" I raised a brow.

" I need your phone for this to work. I did your end of the bargain, now you do my end. I'll get your phone replaced by tomorrow."

I thanked my stars. I was lucky to have two of them. How else would I be able to communicate. It was clear heather wasn't dumb and there was no point to lie.

I stared at her in disbelief. "You think you're so smart heather." i shook my head, handing her my phone from my back pocket.

"Well thank you. Now that's out of the way, I need to get this destroyed." She said, holding my phone like some diseased glove.

"You happy now?" I grinned at her. "How certain am I, you're not going to throw me off the bus?"

"Oh you know better James. I'm not going to let you off that easily. I'm no fool."

"Well, fuck you." I muttered.

She only smiled. "I'll have them bring you new clothes and stuffs by tomorrow. Twelve months is going to be a while, even for you."

* * * * * * *

When we arrived home, my patience was on the edge. It seemed as if it took forever for James to drive to the mansion. One part of me felt anxious, the other -unfazed.

Aside Kim, this was the first time bringing someone else to casa di Georgio. But now, I'll have to get this man here. To stay here with me for the next twelve fucking months. I felt the world crumble before me.

"We're here," I signalled to James. "just leave the keys to the security. They'll handle the parking."

James gave me a slight nod. He's been real quiet since we came here. It felt so good to have the upper hand for the first time.

The mansion was quiet but was quite the sight at night. I felt James might get intimidated. But it was a good thing if he did, right?

I watched him stare at the building.

"Welcome to casa di Georgio, James. You can't back out now," I teased.

James barely looked back at me,

Pathetic.

"Sigora Aria is here," The security called holding my bags, before giving it to the helps.

"You're back." Bambiana Bianca said, rushing to meet me. "I was scared for a moment that you'd-"

"Ahem..." I cleared my throat.

"This is James," I continued. "Could you call one of the helps to show him his room?"

"Oh yes." She said nervously. "You didn't say you were...er... Coming with a guest." She eyed me suspiciously before turning to James. "you're so handsome dear, come with me. I'll show you to your room."

"But bambiana, you really don't have to do that"- I started to say. "Just call someone else to help him instead."

"Nonsense." She extended her arms to him. "You must be a good friend of heather's."

He politely smiled at her. "Kinda. I must say Aunty Bianca, la casa è davvero bella."

Lui parla italiano? Isn't he a charm?

I rolled my eyes at the both of them. "Just show him to his room, okay? I owe his mum a favour. It wouldn't be nice if I don't help him afterall."

"Awwn... That's so sweet. Bambinaia Bianca whined even more."come son, I'll show you to your room."

I watched James stare at me, unsure of what I meant. He didn't utter a word as he followed her up the stairs.

Anziano came to me calmly. "I can see you brought a friend. Anyways, thank you for coming back heather."

I gave him a mild smile. "I don't think he can get rid of me that easy." I walked away leaving Anziano alone. I was here for business, not sentiments.

I leaned back against the velvet couch, swirling a glass of white wine between my fingers, a satisfied smirk tugging at my lips. Across from me, Kim sat with his arms crossed, expression unreadable, but his dark eyes flickered with intrigue.

“I finally got him,” I announced, my voice dripping with amusement.

Kim raised an eyebrow. “You got him?”

I told him everything before exhaling dramatically, stretching my legs over the armrest like a cat lounging in the sun. “Mmhmm. James is right where I want him—under my roof, under my rules.” i leaned forward, tapping my temple. “And the best part? He agreed to it.”

Kim’s lips quirked slightly. “And how exactly did you manage that?”

My smirk deepened. “A contract. Signed, sealed, and delivered.” i tapped my nails against the rim of my glass. “He thinks he’s being smart, but I’m smarter. I took his phone—no outside contact unless I allow it. His moves? Monitored. His privacy? Nonexistent.”

"Don't get too cocky, heather. You might just be a step ahead but James isn't so stupid. Besides, we still need to check his phone."

"That isn't a huge problem Kim, I could get that done tomorrow. But in the meantime, he's just a dude whose mum I owe a favour, got that? I don't want everyone all over my business."

"if you say so heather, just be careful."