Chapter Four

Two weeks later

Finally, I graduated, and today I decided to visit my mother. It's been a year since I last visited her. I got dressed and went to my car and started driving.

I was in front of her grave, tears started to roll down my cheeks.

"I did it, mum. I got to graduate. After three painful torture years, I did it. I miss you so much and I don't know how I will manage to live without you. Bella said to me that after a while, the pain would be easier to handle, but I feel like it is getting bigger. I try to not let it take me, but I don't know how much I can push it back. Bella is trying to make me feel better, but I still haven't gotten used to not having you around and not being able to hug you. I miss you so much. I miss your voice. I don't know if I can take this life anymore. I try not to show myself and the pain I have, but I can't hold it in anymore. It's like I am going to explode at any moment. Bella tries to make me smile, but she knows I fake it most of the time. They say that time fixes everything, but all I can feel is his pain. "I get up from my knees and calm myself.

I started to go back to my car. I turned my head for one last time, and in the corner of my eye, I saw a man who was standing behind a tree and was watching in my direction, but as soon as I completely turned around, I lost him. I stayed there for another couple of minutes, but everything was useless. He disappeared into thin air.

I went to my car and drove to a coffee shop so I could buy our coffees and have something for breakfast. I went into the bakery and ordered two coffees and two croissants. I paid and headed to my car so I could go home.

I opened the door of my house and it was quiet. I put the things I bought on the kitchen counter and went to my room to see that Bella was still asleep. I closed the door quietly and headed to the kitchen to eat breakfast. Then I could go to work. After I finished eating, I left Bella a note saying that I was at work and that if she needed anything, she could call me. I put the note on the counter near the breakfast that I made for her and went to work. I decided not to take the car because it was a really beautiful sunny day and I wanted to walk. Next week is my birthday, and to be honest, I don't want to celebrate it at all. I never do anything for my birthday, but Bella never listens to me and always manages to surprise me. I arrived at work, went to the dressing room, put on my uniform, and went on with the day.

It's 7:30 and I'm starting to do the inventory so I can close the coffee shop and go to the club. After finishing it and getting dressed, I realized I hadn't eaten anything the entire time I was working, so I took with me a donut and closed the shop. I put my hand in my pocket and took out the keys to his car. Since the last time I saw him, I have been keeping them with me all the time in case I meet him again. I arrived at the club, got in, and went straight to the bar. The club was full of people, and I knew that Claudia couldn't take care of them alone.

''Finally, you came. I am going crazy in here. "

''I am sorry. I didn't expect the place to be this crowded,'' I said as I went into the bar and started to take the people's orders. As soon as the bar got almost empty, I settled into my favorite spot and started to read a book so the time would pass by faster. As I was reading, a man approached the bar and sat on the chairs that are in front of the counter. It was a new face, so I left my book on the counter and got up.

''What will you get to drink? '' I said with a smile on my face as I was looking at him. He looked like he was in his late fifties. He was tall and, at that age, I think he looked really good. His body was built up and the black costume hugged his muscles perfectly. His grey hair was a bit messy.

'' I will take one glass of Ardbeg Traigh Bhan, please'' he says, and a shocked look comes to my face. No one orders this drink except for the boss because it is a little pricey. I turned around and made his drink and put it on the counter.

''Here you have it,'' I say as I sit back in my place and continue reading my book.

''So you like mafia books," he says, and I snap out of the reading and turn all my attention to the men in front of me.

''Yes, I always had sympathy for them. I don't know why?'' I say this with a smile on my face. A smile forms on his face.

''What is your name?'' He says it still, with a smile on his face.

''Elly Hade. What's yours?'' I responded. At the mention of my name, he gave a shocked look, and to be honest, I was a little freaked out. I never have this kind of conversation with the clients. They are never interested in this, they only talk to you because they want to get into your pants.

''My name is Dominick Costello,'' he responds in a thick Italian accent.

''How old are you?''

''21 next week'' I say this knowing pretty well that I should never be so chatty with consumers. My boss is going to kill me.

''And let me guess, you study law. Am I right?''

''Yeah,'' I say, with a scared look all over my face.

''Don't look at me like that. I promise I am not a serial killer,'' he says. That's exactly what a serial killer would say.

I sit back in my spot and continue to read the book. After a while, he gets up, places a five-hundred-dollar bill on the counter, and leaves.

''You left more than you had to,'' I said to him.

''That's not a problem. You can keep the change. It was nice to meet you, Principessa,'' he says, smiling, and I smile back. He seemed like a nice man. He also left extra money.

.....................................

It's 2:00 am and I am exhausted. The club was almost empty, so Claudia and I started to put everything in order, and I went to the dressing room to take my jacket and go home and sleep. I have to find a new job soon or I will die from all this stress of having two jobs.

I was on my way home, and it was completely dark, and to be honest, I was a little scared. On my way home from far away, I spotted the most perfect face, but in the same second, I saw a girl holding his hand. I don't know why, but I felt a bit angry. I don't know why I feel this rage and disappointment inside me. I pull myself together and decide to just walk past him, not even bothering to look. As I was pretending to see on my phone, I walked past him. After a couple of meters, I felt a hand pull me back, and that same shit feeling came rushing back in.

''Hi, pretty smile. What are you doing out at this hour?'' he says, still with his hand on my arm.

"None of your business,'' I say with an angry face.

"Now put that hand away from me before I chop it off your body." He pulls me closer and whispers in my ear.

"These hands didn't seem to bother you when they were around your waist, so why do they bother you now, baby.''

"Let go of me. And don't even dare to call me that name again. " I say, pushing him with all my might. He is with someone, and she is right behind him talking on the phone, and he has the guts to make moves on me. For all I know, she might be his girlfriend, or worse, his wife.

''Here are your car keys. You forgot to take them.'' I said and started to walk away, speeding my steps, but failed as he caught me and pulled me closer to him. I take a deep breath and look up at him, not saying anything. His hands are now on my waist as he gets closer and leaves a kiss on my neck. Goddamn, these fucking butterflies are invading my entire body. What the fucking hell is wrong with me? A voice is heard from behind us, and I get as fast as I can away from him.

"Amore, come on, I am hungry.'' and he leaves me immediately.

"Don't do that again," I say as I hand him his keys, "and now go back to your girl," and I begin to walk away from him. My heart felt broken and some tears fell from my eyes. Why was he touching me in front of her? His girlfriend or wife was right in front of me talking on the phone, and he didn't even hesitate to take advantage of that. As much as I want to be angry at him, I can't be, and I am angry at myself for that.

''You can't feel that way about someone I don't even know,'' I whispered to myself and decided to forget what happened and move on. I arrived at the house and went in. As soon as I went in, I saw Bella sleeping on the couch. I walked calmly into my room and closed the door behind me. I put on my pajamas and went straight to bed. I just went to sleep and tried to forget everything that happened today. He was just a crush and nothing more. I tried to bury my feelings inside me, close my eyes, and give myself to the darkness.