AMY's POV:
I woke up at 5 am as usual with a slight fever. For a good minute, I didn't feel my left arm because of numbness.
I comb my hair, brush my teeth, pin up my bangs before washing my face, and then go to the kitchen to make breakfast.
I make toast, omellete, and tea. Special breakfast for the weekend. Usually, I just put jam or butter on my toast, and eat it while walking around getting ready for college. Only weekends are the golden days when I sit peacefully and enjoy my breakfast.
Last night I fell asleep because of aspirin which I had to take, thanks to someone. Even though I don't feel pain, I have to take muscle relief. So that I can do my daily chores without feeling any stiffness.
I have had insomnia since forever so I stay awake all night doing this and that, and every day I sleep after coming back from college. Sometimes I fell asleep in classes too because of my exhausted brain. But that's not a problem really, I guess. I mean it's not only me who fell asleep during class, right? hahaha.
.
Now that I'm having a peaceful day, a thought came into my mind...
'What should I do about him now!'
It's not like I can be mad at him and ignore him forever! Sigh.
'Let's just not be friends with him...'
Yeah, let's do that.
.
I made a list on my cell phone:
-No sitting near him
-No talking, unless necessary.
-No eye contact - for more than 3 seconds.
-No peeking at him (stealing glances counts too)
-No looking at his dressing.
-No secretly admiring.
-No touching at all.
-Keep distance (maximum miles - minimum one meter)
And the most important point that I typed in capital letters.
-AVOID ANY KIND OF CURIOSITY ABOUT HIM!
In horror and thriller movies half of the characters end up dying because of their stupid curiosity.
Well, I'm not stupid and I can control my curiosity level. He seems like someone I should not be involved with... given the threatening texts I've received in the last two weeks. I'm not talking about romance here. It's about my own freaking life!
The way he reacted yesterday - now that I think of it - he was not just angry... he was afraid.
But why?
Of whom?
For me?
Again, why?
Well, I know from day one he's not just anybody. He seems rich and out of my league. Even his surname shouts Upper-class. As for him, his whole aura shouts Leisure-class. What was it again? Lucky, Luzy, Lookay, Low-key…? Lacrosse. Pfft. Whatever it's just a surname.
Also it's not like I am poor or something... My family is well-settled in America. My dad is a good-looking businessman, who doesn't look like his age at all. My mama is a beautiful housewife. And my little brother is a handsome teenager.
Sigh~ Now I miss my family, especially my little devil.
So the point is... it's not like a romantic comedy plot where the hero is from the upper class and the heroine is poor. Like seriously I don't have any debt, my family doesn't live in a rented house and my pocket money is more than average.
Still, we belong to two different worlds, I believe. Believe! Who am I kidding with. I'm damn sure. His and mine worlds are…well, worlds apart. We are not on the same page. We are not even in the same book. He's like The Fashion Book while I'm just a freaking Encyclopedia; something that doesn't interest anybody and mostly people take one look at it and move on. We're talking about personality not looks ,mind you.
The way he talks, walks, and dresses, everyone in college knows he's a big shot. But that stupid big shot chose me to mess with. I don't know if to laugh or cry.
At first, I thought he only found me interesting and different from him. But after what happened yesterday... I'm not so sure anymore.
Since he shows up in my life, everything turns upside down. In college, girls started some kind of gossip about me in their secret chat group. How do I know that? Well, my friend Joy is a member of that group. Which makes it even worse. Joy shares with me what they talk about in the damn group, but I'm not that interested in their stupid talks. I mean why would I...? They don't even know me.
Joy told me that everyone called him Golden Boy, and I didn't disagree. She was rolling on the ground - laughing hard - after telling me that they call me freaking Gold-digger.
Bloody hell of Gold! Where is the damn gold that I dig anyway!
I don't mind if they call him Golden Boy. His rich attitude tells everything. His whole body illuminates as if he takes his bloody shower in money, even the eyes of girls shine bright when they see him walking around or just sitting straight like a freaking Duke.
I'm not jealous of him, he earned all the attention for himself after all. Due to the excessive attention that he gets some of the spotlight is thrown on me too. And I am not comfortable with that, at all.
He's indeed an impossible guy, hard to approach. But it makes me happy when he doesn't treat me any less. He's like a charming colorful painting and I'm like an ordinary black and white background wall.
.
It'll be an issue of disrespect if I say I forgive him already or I'm not mad at him after what he did to me. I'm a chilled person and I won't do revenge-thing. But it doesn't mean that I don't feel bad and insulted. I'm gonna stay mad at him till my bruises disappear, just out of my self-respect.
Whenever I felt down or stressed, I stood in front of the mirror and talked to the girl I saw in there. Sometimes I showered compliments, other times I scolded.
Last night I told her...
"Give yourself the healthy space to evaluate what you feel, because feelings can often distort and hinder what it is you truly want."
I know how to make myself feel better and special. Like I don't need anyone else to tell me how important I am. I know my worth. I know how to make myself happy.
.
I was taking small sips of my tea, a thing I can only do on weekends.
My cell phone buzzed showing a new message, I opened the text.
Bloody hell!
Unknown: I believe now that you've learned your lesson you'll keep a safe distance from him.
I rubbed my face in frustration.
I finally had enough.
At first, I ignored all of the messages, thinking of it as a practical joke or something. I don't know if it's just one person or the whole group. Huh! Why would I fear the person who only barked behind the screen like a coward.!?
I took my cell phone and started typing.
Me: Hey, what's up! I completely forgot about you, my bad.
Me: Well, it's not my fault, 'cause I don't give a damn about you. I mean why would I?
Me: Also, who in the hell does threatening text at freaking 5:28 am!!! Have you even had your breakfast yet!!! Go and eat something first, or you can just sleep!!
Me: No offense but your text kinda ruined my mood. Next time if you're going to text me this early on a freaking weekend, I would like to have a Good Morning threat first.
Me: Have a nice day! Not super nice, just a moderate amount. *hmph emoji
As if my thumbs had a mind of their own, I send too many texts. Sweet!
Feeling incredulous, I half throw my cell phone on the kitchen table. And left it there as I do my dishes.
_____
Somewhere in the world:
In a dark room, a figure was running on a treadmill.
The whole room was dark, only a small lamp was on near the door.
Behind him a large window was left open, morning light was coming through it, to brighten up the room a little.
His back was shining with sweat, his hair was bouncing off as he ran.
He stopped and finger-combed his shoulder-length hair and tied a small knot on top of his head, a single strand of hair fell on his face and he left it like that.
.
Buzzz!
Buzzz!
Buzzz!
Buzzz!
Buzzzzzz!!
He was still working out when his cell phone kept buzzing.
With an irritated face, he stood up from the ground and went to where he left the damn device.
"Who in the hell texted this early!" He murmured to himself and picked his phone up.
.
His eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he read the first text.
His mouth twitches a little at the second text.
At the third text, he lifted his eyebrows.
He tilted his head reading the fourth text.
Then finally, he smiled after reading the last text.
"Have a very nice day to you too!" He whispered to his phone and continued his morning workout.
_____
Erin's POV:
I woke up and found Vin was sleeping while hugging my leg tightly like a freaking anaconda. It took a lot of effort to push him away. In the process I nearly kicked him in the face.
Last night both of us slept in his living room because his bedroom needed redecoration. To no one surprise, he took the couch as any crazy gentleman would. And I slept on the floor beside it. Maybe in my sleep I put one leg up on the couch and he hugged it closely. Smiling, I looked at the clock and it's only 6.
After making a messy bun and washing my face, I went to the common dining area to have breakfast. As I got there, I was surprised to see there was no one. As far as I know, the guard's shift changes at 7 am, so, why's no one having breakfast?
I saw a familiar figure sitting at one table, I smiled widely and she waved back.
"Hey Laure, you wake up early!" I said cheerfully.
"Mocking me, huh?" She just laughed a little while pouring too much jam on her toast making a damn tower on it, I stared at her as she took a giant bite.
She smiled with her full mouth as she saw me staring at him. Half disgusting! I looked away.
She took a sip of her coffee before taking a second bite. I just took a deep breath while watching my best friend eating like a chipmunk. I was about to go to take something for me too when our kitchen lady came. She smiled at both me and Laure.
"Dr. Erin, what would you like for dinner?"
I tilted my head a little and asked, "You mean breakfast?"
She just looked at me a little confused.
"I'll tell you when Enzo comes, for now, can you please make something for her? She just woke up." Laure said.
The kitchen lady nodded at her and smiled at me kindly. I told her that I wanted oatmeal. She just nodded and left.
"So why did you wake up this early on a weekend?" I asked my friend. As she opened her mouth to say something the door burst open and a figure appeared making both me and Laure sigh out of habit.
"Hey, Eriiiiin!" Vin came running towards me "I thought you left while I was sleeping!" He almost choked me with his hug. I had to tap out of it. Laure just made an annoyed face. "You should have slept some more." He said while sitting next to me.
"I've slept enough, why do you wake up? You don't have to go to college today."
"As I said I thought you were gone. I won't let you go!" He said loudly and grabbed my neck to give me another awkward hug. My head was on his chest and he placed his sharp chin on top of my head.
I kicked Laure under the table to ask for some help. That idiot just laughed at us while slapping the table. Because of the impact her spoon and plate clattered and her jam tower fell on the side. I glared at her.
I hope you choked on your coffee.
As Laure was busy laughing, she took another sip and started choking.
Damn, my curse!
Vin heard that, he let go of my head at once and looked at Laure in horror. As I was sitting straight, instead of going behind me like a normal person he slipped forward and sat on my damn lap for one second then stood up and went towards Laure to check on her.
My friend was still coughing hard when Vin started slapping her back with both hands as many times as he could. When he noticed that slapping didn't work, he resorted to punches.
"HAHAHAHAHAAHAA~" Well, now it's my turn to laugh.
"Young master, we don't hit women." One of the guards came running and exclaimed in horror. Only if master Enzo was here to witness...pfft.
"I know but I'm helping my future SIL." Vin continues his assault.
I was about to help when Laure stood up and started kicking our young master randomly here and there, I was dying in my chair - laughing hard. She pointed at me as if telling me to shut my mouth. Then she glared at Vin who pouted like an injured puppy. After all, he was just "helping" his future sister-in-law.
"Hey Erin, stop laughing! Come help me clean this mess." Laure tried to wipe the jam off the table.
"You're fine now? I thought you were about to die... my dear SIL-ly. If you died Enzo would've died too in sorrow. And then all the capo-burden would've descended upon me." Vin had tears in his eyes when he sighed saying, "It was a close call."
As Laure understood what he just implied, she grabbed her half-eaten toast and shoved it into his mouth. I was laughing at both of them when the door opened and two men entered.
Master Enzo was taken aback after seeing the scene of Vin and Laure. Carl only looked at me after seeing me laughing, he smiled too. As if he's happy to see me like this.
When Laure and Vin noticed the newcomers, they stopped messing with each other almost at once.
"Can anyone tell me why can't we have one normal day, without any craziness?" Master Enzo said sarcastically and took the seat next to lady betrothed.
"Why would anyone tell you that? You would find out for yourself if that happens... ever!" Vin said, making his brother annoyed some more.
When young master noticed that Carl was going to sit next to me he rushed forward and pushed him with his shoulder, shouting, "Find yourself another seat. I sit here first,"
As Carl was pushed aside, we all looked at him, waiting to see if he would dislocate Vin's shoulder or not. We were surprised when he calmly walked to another table and came back with a chair to sit on my other side.
"Why do you come together?" I asked Carl.
"We just came back from the office." Master Enzo answered instead while taking off his cufflinks and then folding his sleeves up.
"Office? This early?" I looked at Carl who just tilted his face as if I asked something unusual.
"Sí, we came back early. The meeting ended a little earlier than we thought." Master Enzo answered again.
"..." What is he talking about? I thought they came for breakfast too.
.
A maid came with a tray that she placed in front of me. Vin leaned forward to look at what was on my plate.
"Master Enzo! Mr. Valenti!" She greeted them both. The first tilted his head a little, out of respect. The second just raised his eyes to see the newcomer. She smiled awkwardly at Carl. He lifted his brows when I gave him a scolding look.
"Am I invisible to you?" Vin asked in his high-pitched voice, making her startled.
"Vin!" Master Enzo warned his brother in a deep voice.
"Signorino," She smiled awkwardly at Vin who just rolled his eyes.
I was sighing when Carl gave me a look as if saying 'why I'm not scolding that crazy guy?'. Believe me, I am - just in my heart.
"What would you like to have for dinner?" She asked master Enzo.
Why is she asking for dinner this early? I furrowed my brows. As if Vin shared the same brain cells as me, he started, "Old lady just skipped two types of meals." He scoffed at her. "What about breakfast?" He yelled unnecessarily.
"What about breakfast?" Master Enzo asked, a little confused.
"I woke up at six thirty and she didn't even ask me for breakfast," Vin said, getting mad. I looked around, everyone was confused hearing that except...me? "Hey Enzo, college is a cursed place, I'm telling you. Look at me. Even though it's my free day I woke up this early. As if my brain and body get used to getting up early..." He complains to his brother as if it's his fault.
"Hell with your brain and body! You woke up in the damn evening. You good-for-nothing idiot!" Laure bursts out at young master.
Vin slipped back in his chair as a precaution. Did she say evening? I turned to look at Carl who was trying not to...laugh.
"Vin, it's seven... look outside, it's getting dark!" Master Enzo explains to his brother while smiling at his stupidity. Vin did as his brother asked and his mouth fell open as if he'd seen a UFO.
Master Enzo and Laure were making fun of young master and I felt like they were mocking me as well. I looked down as my face got warm in embarrassment.
"Are you okay, Erin?" Carl looked at me, showing fake concern on his face. I just leaned forward to eat my oatmeal ignoring him. He looked at me for a good minute. I'm sure he saw me through and was laughing inside.
"Are you gonna keep staring at my Erin? If you want to eat the same thing, just tell our chef!" Vin yelled at Carl who just smirked back at him, just to annoy him a little.
I was too focused on my breakfast... I mean lunch... or maybe supper?
"It's supposed to be your breakfast, right?" Carl whispered while grinning at me. I choked a little so, he pushed the glass of water towards me.
"Hey, Erin," Laure called and I looked up to see her face. Her lips were twitching as if she was laughing at her own joke before telling others.
Why do I get an uneasy feeling?
She paused when a maid came to take her empty plate and cup. My eyes widened at the thought, I shot my best friend a glance. As if she got the shot, she burst out laughing.
Everyone was waiting for her to stop laughing and share the joke so that they could enjoy it too. As for me, I want to disappear in the wind.
The former therapist of the eldest son of Lucchese, best in the country, PhD holder Dr. Erin can't even tell day from night!
Laure took the glass from me and took a sip before telling everyone. "Erin here thought it was early morning because I was eating toast with bloody jam!" She laughed out hard and slapped master Enzo's back who didn't even flinch. Maybe he had already gotten used to it. He gave me a surprise look and smiled brightly showing almost all of his teeth.
Carl was grinning on my left side while Vin shook his head while giggling at my stupidity.
Excuse me young master, I don't know about others but you have no right to giggle!
"You're not my best friend anymore," I said pressing on the word best, while pointing at Laure with my spoon and then took another bite, chewing hard.
She chuckled as if I was telling a joke. Vin felt my sulking, he scolded her while rubbing my back to comfort me. Carl just looks down, still smiling. He'll tease me later... damnit!
*****