Meeting Him II

Camila's POV 

Deciding I wanted to just leave, I tightened my arms around myself and nod hesitantly. 

His eyes holding regret and uncertainty, scan my face before he goes to step closer but then stops himself as if thinking better of it. "Please don't hesitate to let me know if there is anything I can do. I know my actions don't prove it, but I am here to help m." He says seriously. 

I stare back at him, my tears drying on my face as I give him an unconvinced nod, knowing all I wanted was to stay away from him. 

But before he can say anything else, I turn and scurry off into my bedroom, only allowing myself to breathe once I know I'm in the safety of my bed. 

It didn't take a complete genius to realize that was Alejandro Gonzalez - the man that was to be taking care of me. 

Yet he seemed anything but caring. 

. . . 

Breakfast was served first thing in the morning and it was like tradition for all the men to gather and eat together in the dining room. 

I make my way down the stairs after getting ready for my day, luckily I didn't go back to school until tomorrow, so I had one less thing on my plate.

Greeting the house attendants and maids as I passed them, I make my way to the dining room. 

It was a large room where an even larger wooden table sat in the middle, the men gathered around it eating their breakfast. 

Making my way into the room, I make eye contact with the man sitting at head of the table listening to the man on his left say something in his ear, but I quickly snap my eyes away from Alejandro. 

Yet I can feel his eyes intently watching me as I hesitantly make my way to the chair on Ethan's left-which also happens to be adjacent to him. I divert my gaze, immediately growing uncomfortable once I remember the encounter last night as I lean over and greet Ethan with a morning peck on his cheek. 

Ethan turns, smiling at me, "How did you sleep, Tweety?" A few of the other men turn to listen in as their conversations die down and all attention turns to me. 

"Fine." I smile politely as they all take the cue to resume with what they were doing. I had gathered it was a sign of respect or curtesy for a new guest, but it was weird.  

I look down and begin picking at the breakfast laid before me, all the while feeling the gaze of the man to my left. 

"Oh, I almost forgot. Did you meet Alejandro?" Ethan asks from next to me, "He's been the one making all your arrangements so that your transition here is smooth." Ethan continues as I lift my head, looking towards Alejandro who sends me a soft, forced, polite smile. 

Although I didn't know the man, the action felt foreign and the soft tinge of guilt spreading across his face looked to be an even more infrequent thing. 

I send him a tight lipped smile back for the sake of everyone else before ignoring him and going back to my food. 

Ethan nudges my side. "Camila. Where are your manners." He hisses at me and I want to roll my eyes. He could be such a kiss ass.

"It's fine, Ethan. We already met briefly yesterday. She's a lovely girl. Just as sweet as everyone says she is." Alejandro chimes in, his deep voice so commanding and loud that it naturally causes all other conversations to dim as the attention drifts to him. 

I glance at Ethan from the corner of my eye to see him still glaring at me expectantly. I know what he's trying to tell me and so I slowly turn my head towards Alejandro. "Thank you." I force out. 

He smiles and nods awkwardly, yet his demeanour is still void of any hostility unlike last night. 

"It's my pleasure, Camila. You may not know a lot of us. But we all deeply cared for your mamá and well, you of course." He says his accent peeking through and I give him a small genuine smile. Mamá spoke highly of La Famiglia and loved them all. 

Alejandro scans my face and I can see he's thinking about something but he decides better of speaking on it and focuses on his plate of food. 

I do the same all the while thinking of how uneasy I feel about being here. 

. . . 

I spend the rest of the day moping around in the comfort of the room that I have now claimed as my sanctuary. I debate on calling Mason or Ava but I think better of it. They were most likely busy nor did I really feel like talking to anyone but mamá. 

I glance down at her diamond bracelet I always wore and smile at how much she loved this thing. It wasn't the prettiest, but it was the first expensive gift papá had ever given to her. 

I was to return to school tomorrow seeing as my personal holiday was coming to an end and so with a less than excited huff, I get up and prepare my school uniform. It's only when I'm setting the uniform down on my desk that I hear a knock on my bedroom door. 

I wasn't expecting anyone and so I quickly manage to throw on an oversized crew neck - one that reached mid thigh - in fear of another man seeing me and thinking badly of me. Even if I wore them for myself. 

Deciding better of opening the door, I crawl into bed, hiding my bare legs underneath the covers as I call for them to come in. 

Not a second later the door opens allowing Alejandro's tall build to enter and I stare at the man, mildly shocked. 

Alejandro makes his way into the room, the sound of his shoes hitting the wooden floors with every step he takes, making me cringe. I thought shoes weren't to be worn inside, well in the manor's case -the second floor. 

He was in a white button up, with the top few buttons loose and the sleeves rolled up, giving me a good view of his muscular veiny forearms. The shirt exposing the muscular build of his broad shoulders and thick arms that strained beneath the white material. 

He wore slacks and my gaze went to the watch on his wrist peeking out of the pocket of his slacks. He was surely the most attractive man I had ever seen. 

His apprehensive demeanor is so unlike him yet it only intensifies as he approached my bed, his hands buried in his pockets. He looked so out of his element, and I wanted to examine him but I was too busy averting my gaze to my lap.

"May I?" He questions nodding towards the bed. 

I nod, moving over, making sure to cover my bare legs from him in fear of yet another blow up. 

He seems to notice as a frown forms on his lips and he shakes his head at me. "Please, Principessa. Don't feel like you have to cover up in front of me or any of my men." He takes a seat on the edge of my bed, his large body making everything else look smaller as he shifts towards me. 

I scoff, but manage to tone down the sass of my voice, reminding myself that this was the Don of an affluent crime family I was talking to. "Easier said than done."

"What I said yesterday was inexcusable. But know that you are free to wear whatever makes you comfortable in this house, free of judgement." He clarifies, his tone soft. 

I stare up at him blankly, willing myself not to snap at him for I didn't truly know what the man was capable of if I upset him. After all he was the mafia don.