Chapter 14

It was only just half of the day and I’m already completely exhausted. Aside from the fact that Hudson tried to drain me from giving me countless piles of work, sleep had abandoned me for the past few days.

Everytime I shut my eyes, I remember that man’s eyes as he lay dead on the floor of my apartment. Despite the emptiness, the fear it held could not be mistaken. Blood stained her crisp clean white suit and she embraced it with pride.

She was cruel, vindictive, ruthless.

The best decision I ever had was to play submissive the first time she seeked me out. The worst was lying to her and I suffered the consequences for that. The mark on my thigh was the living proof. Ironically, she gave me medicines and ointments to erase the scar. I thought for sure she wanted to keep it as a reminder of my stupidity.

She was kind yet not.

Once again, she confuses me.

“Hey…” I turned to see Amilia joining me in the pantry. “You okay? You look really exhausted.” Her lips lifted in a small smile. The concerned look was not passable. It reminded me of why I liked her. She’s genuine and really kind.

Amilia is a short girl. With her heels, she could only rich my chin. Cara without her insanely tall heels, she would reach my nose. I realized our height differences when she walked to my childhood room barefoot and the few days of staying there made her avoid wearing high heels. I would have liked her not to wear that anymore. The additional height only multiplies her intimidating presence.

Ugh. Who am I kidding?

I can’t believe my thoughts drifted to her again. I need to stop thinking about that evil woman. For all I know, she was probably a witch before her life now.

“Yeah, you know how much Hudson hates me.” I sighed before rubbing my face with my hand, the other holding my third round of coffee.

“Wanna hang out this Saturday- I mean…” She clears her throat and shrugs with forced nonchalance. “if you’re free.” Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. “Sorry… for suddenly asking.”

My lips involuntarily quirked in excitement. “Why are you sorry? I could honestly use a break. So Saturday?” She enthusiastically nodded. “Is it a date?” She blushed.

“I…” She nodded shyly. “Is that okay?”

Warmth spread from my belly to my cheeks. I nodded with a grin. “It’s a date then.”

---

‘Be here at 6.’

For a second, I thought someone wrongly sent a message. I realized I didn’t save Cara’s number when I saw the familiar digits.

Fuck. I’m not out until seven. She responded with an ‘I don’t care’ when I told her that.

My life or my job. Of course, I’d choose my life. Hudson can go fuck himself. Or not. Fuck, I need this job. I groaned.

“What’s wrong with you?” Miles asked while annoyingly chewing his junk food. He’s been eating a lot of sweets and junk foods these days. His brain has been grinding a lot with the recent project he’s working on.

“I have a side job at six but I have another OT tonight.”

He shrugs. “So? If the other pay’s better, I say fuck OT, man. Fuck, Hudson.” His eyes widened when he realized his voice was a bit too loud. He instantly covered his mouth.

I laugh. I see Aiden behind him shaking his head in amusement. After Miles’ idiotic mouth, I’m positive he’s not going to join the conversation.

I’m not sure I’m being paid by Cara but I surely don’t want to risk my life. And besides, she was actually letting me live a comfortable and luxurious life. I cook breakfast for her, do a little bit of chores and of course, I need to be ready whenever she calls me. I have to be there right away. I already knew she was keeping me because of my skills. Although she hasn’t exactly called me for that, she was mostly out and rarely came home.

When the clock struck five, I shut down my computer, arranged my desk before punching out. Miles and Aiden said their goodbyes and never bothered me for even a second. They knew the reason why I was in a hurry to leave. It was normal for me anyway to have side jobs. But what they didn't know was that I was now working for the leader of the mafia. A sexy alluring queen at that.

They're probably going to strangle me for not letting them know. The two are undeniably hot blooded males. Cara is no doubt their type.

“You’re late.”

I look at my watch and see that it is still 6:02.

Cara was sitting on the couch while drying her wet hair with a towel. She was wearing a robe that fell on her mid thigh. Her right leg crossed over the other, the hem of the robe inching higher and higher as she moved. I could see the roundness of her breasts peeking between the deep v of the material.

I gulped in discomfort.

Shit.

“I…” I croaked. I immediately cleared my throat for a save. “I’m sorry.”

“We leave at seven.” She said curtly, rising from the seat probably to go to her room and change.

“Where are we going?” Her sharp eyes shifted to me. “May I ask where we are going?” I corrected my question immediately.

“It’s my uncle’s birthday. You will be my escort.”

“What about Franco?”

She glares. “I didn’t adopt you to question me, pet.”

I look down in humiliation. “Sorry.”

“Franco ensures my security from the outside. Now, go change.”

When I stepped inside my room, I saw a simple pale pink dress shirt and a black slacks on my bed. A box of, what I assumed, a new pair of shoes were placed on the floor.

I had a ten minute shower just to wash off today’s dirt and tiredness. My pace was slow and relaxed considering I had an hour to prepare. Unlike women who had to wear their makeup or do their hair, guys tend to just shower and dress. My hair was longer on top and slightly shaved on the underside. I don’t usually comb my hair. I just brush it off with my fingers and sometimes with gel. It was naturally silky anyway. The women in my work admire that about it.

I stepped out of my bedroom ten minutes before seven to avoid getting scolded again for being late. I waited for her in the living room and sat on the couch where she sat earlier. A few minutes passed and my eyelids began to shut on their own.

Footsteps forced me to wake. I was alert right away worried that she’s going to throw another comment about my indolence. In an instant, I rose to face her. She was going down the stairs and I felt like I was in a movie for a moment. Everything went in slow motion.

She was really the most beautiful woman I ever laid my eyes on.

This was the first time I’ve seen her in a dress- a very skin tight one at that. Although it wasn’t at all revealing, long sleeved, the tight skirt was up to her knees and there was no cleavage at all that was shown. The white dress emphasized her stunning curves and her perfect body.

She was screaming sexiness and elegance. I feel like I was the luckiest man on the whole planet to accompany her tonight.

It also made me realize that I missed these kinds of things big time in my life- dating and women. I have been too focused on prioritizing my family and work that I have deprived myself of this- of love.

A hand stroking the side of my lips and cheek pulled me out of my reverie. I blink and see her right in front of me. She was tall… again. There was a playful smirk on her lips this time.

“I figured I should wipe the drool off of that face.”

My eyes were wide in surprise and I immediately wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. I frowned when I noticed there was no sign of wetness at all.

Cara burst into fits of laughter… which I find very endearing.

Fuck.

“Your innocence amuses me, tesoro. Now, come.” She reaches out her hand, a gesture that would mean to offer her my arm and I did so with added embarrassment for what happened just a second ago.

The flutter in my stomach went all the way to my cheeks.

Hopefully, my date with Amilia this Saturday will be a chance for me to get to know her on a different level... and help me get rid of my stupid fantasy of my new boss.