The Gods must be crazy

~12~

Chiara

He removed his hand and drank from my glass instead. “Hey, that was mine,” I said in a low voice. “It’s alright, Chichi. I don’t mind sharing a glass with you.” He uttered.

I ignored the fact that he called me by my nickname and shot Xander a glare because he invited this mess in human form to our table while he refilled my glass. My frustration was mostly because I was overwhelmed. I wasn’t prepared for this side of him.

Hell, I didn’t even know it existed. Who was this man? All I knew was a grumpy rich ass man. This uncivilized one was worse than the letter.

“So, are you two a thing?” There was no hint of humor in his voice when he asked.

“No—”

“Yes.” I interrupted Xander.

Carmelo’s dark orbs fell on me again. I could feel the heat leaving them as he pinned me down with his gaze, as though I had said something that he didn’t like.

He took the glass from my hand again and chugged it down before handing it back empty, wiping his mouth roughly with the back of his palm. My eyes twitched at the audacity. What the fuck?

“You two don’t look good together.” He pointed at us.

I scoffed, “Didn’t know you were a matchmaker, Mr. CEO.”

He chuckled, turning to me. My body tensed from the sudden closeness we now shared. And suddenly, I felt like I was trapped in a cage. I didn’t like it. Whatever it was he was trying to do.

“Sweetheart, I don’t need to be a matchmaker to point that out.” He said. And as if noticing my discomfort, he moved back an inch. Letting me breathe in peace again.

“Ouch, Mr. Conti,” Xander uttered, rubbing his chest, feigning hurt at his words.

“Tell me then. Who would look good with me, you?” I asked.

“We can try and find out.” He leaned over to me, contaminating my air again, even though we were not touching this time around.

“Are you hitting on me right now?” I looked him up and down, one brow lifting ever so slightly.

He smirked. “Is it working?”

Unbelievable! “Nah, you are too bad at this. Get back behind your monitor. That's where you belong.”

“Or, I could get back behind you, and maybe that’s where I’d love to belong.” He clapped back.

My nose flared. “Nice try, pervert!”

Our faces were a breath apart, and the heat between us crackled with sparks. My hands were itchy to beat the hell out of his smug face.

Xander hit the table, but neither of us so much as glanced at him.

“Okay, let's calm down, everyone.” He uttered.

The rest of the night was spent with Xander shifting the conversation whenever Carmelo and I got close to eating each other alive.

“I can give you a ride, you drank too much.” Offered Carmelo when we were all outside. I just stared at him. Inwardly flaggerbasted. I was planning on using him, but was God on my side in this as well? Why was this man submitting himself to my deadly claws? And why all of a sudden?

“I can drive just fine, thank you very much.” I turned to face Xander, and we shared a goodbye hug.

His eyes narrowed when we pulled back. “Are you sure you can drive?” I nodded, looking up at him.

“Alright, let me know when you get back home.” He kissed my forehead.

“Mr. Conti, we’ll talk more about your issue next time. It was nice sharing a drink with you tonight.” The two shared a handshake before Xander walked away. I watched him getting on his bike and driving away in the dark.

A cold breeze blew, making me hug and rub my shoulders. And when I turned back, Carmelo was nowhere to be found. Where did he go so fast?

I looked around and sighed. Why the hell would you even care, Chiara?

Slowly, I slid into the driver’s seat and threw the mini bag into the passenger’s seat. It opened, and everything scattered on it, and some fell below. “Damn it!”

I started the car, but my eyes slowly returned to the seat. What the hell is that?

I reached for the white folded piece of paper and flipped it over. God was indeed on my side. On it were a contact and two lines of sentences.

“Call me when you need a drink. And my brother says hi.” I stared at it, speechlessly. The Gods must be crazy.