Chapter 39

After walking them out of the office, I went back straight to my cubicle. I walked with hurried footsteps knowing everyone’s eyes were on me. I immediately felt embarrassed thinking if they heard us from the pantry.

Aiden and Miles crowded my space as soon as I sat down on my chair. Their wheels squeakily turned as they scooched their chairs closer.

“Bro, what the fuck.” Aiden remarked. “She’s roses, isn’t she?”

Miles shakes his head. “She is roses.” He confirms it himself. “It’s exactly the scent when she came here for you. Fuck, man. Why the hell didn’t you tell us you’ve been hiding an angel all this time?” He said almost dreamily while Aiden was beside me grinning like a fool. Even they did not escape Cara’s charm.

“It’s a long story, okay.” I defend. I try so hard stop myself from letting out a huge fucking stupid smile. I’m walking on air right now, still in disbelief that Cara came for me. All the more because of our shenanigans.

“Well, come on. Tell us.” Aiden urged. “Where and when did you meet? Who is she?”

“That’s the important question.” Miles commented. “I mean, just one look at her, you could tell she’s loaded.”

She’s more than loaded. The woman’s a billionaire and a mafia boss at that. I said in my mind.

The three of us decided to take my storytelling tonight for a barbecue and soju as Miles likes it. We never really hang out in a bar considering we never really liked the atmosphere. We prefer talking while munching food. The bar is just too noisy for our taste. Considering Miles' heritage, we got used to going to Korean restaurants for grill and liquor.

Because I couldn’t tell them the entire truth, I just made a story which was actually nearer to the truth. I told them that Cara is my boss. We naturally got closer. The two were disappointed with my story because they expected it to be longer and that includes the juicy details as they like to put it. I only gave them a little though since I like to keep our intimacy just between us. I’m also glad that they understand that but I have to be teased about it, saying that I was whipped.

We went home pretty late. We didn’t notice the time. We were having so much fun. It had been a long time since there’s just the three of us who went out. Miles loves to hang out in bigger groups. He always has a habit of inviting others whenever we have plans to have a night out.

When I reached the penthouse, I saw Cara sprawled again on the couch, sleeping. A bottle of wine and a wineglass were on the center table. She had been drinking again. I sigh before carefully placing my backpack down on the floor and scoop her up in my arms.

I enter her bedroom and place her down on her bed. I carefully remove her stilettos so as to not wake her up. She’s still wearing her dress this morning. I go to my room and change into a shirt and sweatpants. I grab an extra shirt for Cara and go back to her room.

My heart is beating fast as I try to remove her dress. Fuck, I’m so affected by her. She literally consumes me. I’m like this stupid lovesick teenager who can’t stop falling for his crush. I didn’t know I was already staring at the sleeping beauty. I realized how much of a creep I am, making her naked and then stare at her.

After I was done changing her, I stayed for a while and just looked at her sleeping form. I got it so bad for her. Even when she's sleeping, my eyes couldn’t get enough of her. I couldn't get enough of her. But I know I was not enough for her.

I didn’t realize I was falling asleep with that thought beside her.

—

The next morning, I was woken up with a tickle in my nose and lips. My face crinkles in response.

“Ciao, tesoro.” Cara greeted me as soon as our eyes met. She was hovering over me. Her hair fell to her face like a beautiful brown curtain.

“Morning.” I replied groggily.

She continues to trace my face with her forefinger. My eyebrows, nose, lips. “What are you doing?” I asked, curious at what she’s doing.

“I noticed that you have long eyelashes. Your lips are plump and very pink.” Her eyebrows knit together as she studies them. “And somehow for a man, has perfect shape. Your nose, it’s straight.” She said, all the while tracing each one of them.

“Does that mean that I’m okay?”

She chuckles before answering. “You’re more than okay.” She meets my eyes. “After all, you're mine.”

—

I’m on my way to work while sipping as much coffee as I can during the red light. I’m sure my friends and I are suffering the same fate this morning- a major hangover. My eyes are wishing to fall back asleep again. Although we had enjoyed bonding last night, we shouldn’t have done it during weekdays.

I sip my coffee while waiting for the go signal. I watch a family walk in a pedestrian lane. The parents were holding their two children in each of their hands. The image before me is a happy family. I watch them with envy and longing.

I realized that I’ve missed out so much. Family. Love life. I was so focused on trying to make money to support my family that I didn’t have time for them or at least date someone and fall in love.

Falling in love? I scoff. I brushed off the thought of dating because it wasn’t beneficial. I used to think it would only steal my time from my priorities. I’m already in my late twenties. As much as I want to ignore it, it’s only about time that I’ll be in my thirties and then forties. It scares me how time passes by so fast. I certainly don't want to be old alone.

Cara crosses my mind and I scoff at the thought even more. It’s not like she’ll spend her entire life with a weakling like me. I have nothing to offer to her. There is actually… endless bills and debts. But I couldn’t help slipping in my mind the thought of having a family with her.

Would she want a son or a daughter? I heard a daughter was rare to their family. I envision Cara with a child in her arms. Fuck, she’s still look like a goddess.

Crap. I want her so bad. I said, leaning my head against the steering wheel. I was pulled out of my reverie when there was a loud beep from behind, alerting me. The traffic light was now green.

—

Cara

I did not wish or expect my stay here in New York would prolong. I thought my business would at least go on for a few weeks but now I extended my stay longer indefinitely. But I have no problem with that. I enjoy my stay here very much.

The only unexpected thing was I managed to have unplanned business trips here. I only came here to take care of one problem which we managed to solve in no time. However, the incident at the charity ball that my cousin-in-law organized, somehow dragged on. It was partly the reason for my extension of stay here. And now with the police discreetly asking for our assistance, the victims from the underground businesses that needed shelter- I don’t know what happened but a lot of things had suddenly become our job. With my cousin ruling this city and the entire side of this world, like a king he is, I had to be a good cousin for him or he would ban us from coming here.

Even if he does favor me, I will still honor our agreement. Our families are big and the whole world will always watch us. It’s the reason that we try to be the good kind of mafia. It still doesn’t change the fact that though we are still a mafia who kill and do illegal things.

“I never thought I would say this but… I miss Italy.” I said to Franco who followed me inside the penthouse.

He chuckles. “We could go home for a week and come back.”

I wave my hand. “I can only appreciate my stay here if I leave everything to Hailynn. I don’t even know why Sol is insisting on my presence. I don’t want to wave myself around to show those kids who their savior is. I’m not good with them anyway.”

“It’s only right for them to know who they’re thankful for.” He responds in amusement. “That and I’m sure we all know that Angelo just wants to rub it in our face how good he has become with children.” We both laugh.

Sol hasn’t changed a bit. There’s always a childish side of him that he never actually grows out of.

“It’s nice to see you two having fun here in the big apple.”

Franco and I both turned to the source of the voice.

I grin. “Well, well. If it isn’t my fiance.”