His eyes on me summoned the familiar tingling feeling inside me.
Especially because the kiss last night was triggered by his eyes.
Thank goodness he is awake. I can see the bandage covering the left side of his belly but slightly covered with his shirt.
That didn't affect his hotness. He is always breathtaking whenever I see him. Those abs are to die for!
God, Imogen. How do I stop this feeling?!
But, how come he is awake and looks strong? He looked battered last night. And went unconscious after. He should be out here like after three days or more.
Carlos knows him. He called him the strongest man he knew.
That literally just added to my misery of desires.
His eyes on me make it worse.
Next, an unfamiliar but very good-looking brunette man raised his head and looked at me. He is seated on the sofa right opposite the Don.
"Oh, hello," he said, getting on his feet and blocking my perfect view of the Don as a tiny smile danced on his face. He was dressed in a brown turtle-neck long sleeve shirt and black trousers.
"You are adorable. I am Alfredo, Adrian's best friend," he said, smiling cheerfully as he extended his hand to me.
My polite legs took me towards him and I shook his hand, taking notice of his honey brown eyes.
He said best friend. Damn.
The Don got himself a friend as tall and as good-looking as him.
Actually, the Don is better looking, but they are both gorgeous. What kind of God created them?
He has a slight Italian accent. It is very nice.
Geez.
I gave him a tiny smile, still agitated because of the Don's eyes on me.
"You must be....."
"A total stranger, Alfredo," Candela's familiar echoing voice interrupted, moving our attention towards the stairs as I withdrew my hand from Alfredo's hold.
Candela is descending the stairs, but Mario is ahead of her, descending the stairs too.
"She is a total stranger living under this roof, Alfredo. You don't need to introduce yourself to her," Candela said. Her heels click on the stairs as she descends.
Wow.
How sweet.
Lady of the house.
Sometimes I forget she exists.
Her hatred for me is always obvious and screaming.
"Really, now?" Alfredo asked, sounding sarcastic.
"Yes, Alfredo."
I lowered my gaze as I moved the strand of my hair behind my ear while moving away from the living room a bit.
I sensed Mario walking towards me.
"She is not relevant," Candela added.
"Geez. I didn't know," Alfredo said.
Sarcastically again.
Mario heaved a sigh as he approached me. He looks like he is trying to endure his mother's rudeness.
"Hey," he said to me.
"Hey," I said, forcing a smile. I don't want to show that I am affected by what his mum is saying. He looks upset with her. I don't want to add to it by making an affected face.
He leaned closer and kissed my temples.
I instantly felt awkward but gave another nervous smile. Mainly because some eyes are on me. Among which is an important pair I cherish so much.
"Damn. You both look good together," Alfredo remarked, making Mario look at him as I lowered my gaze.
Mario chuckled slightly.
I hope Alfredo is being sarcastic about that too.
Mario rubbed his hand from my shoulder down to my hand and held it.
"How was school today?" He asked, making me look at him.
"It was good." I said, maintaining my smile.
"How is your friend? I bet she was very excited to see you," he said with a smile.
Gosh, he is seriously asking me all this regardless of his parents and Alfredo obviously looking at us.
"Yes, she was very excited. She sent her regards," I said.
"Cool. I am sorry I couldn't pick you up as promised," he said, caressing my hair.
God the awkwardness!
"I had things to handle. But hey, we are both going to school together tomorrow," he said, smiling happily.
Uh....yay?
God, Evelyn!
Be nice!
I forced a pleasant smile. "That's aw...."
"Mario, can you please send your friend away so we can have our family discussion?" Candela chipped in, making me look her way. She is now seated on the sofa next to the couch which the Don is seated on.
Mario scoffed.
I lowered my gaze, giving up on the awkward atmosphere.
Mario took my hand, making me look at him.
"Go shower and prepare for dinner. It's in an hour," he said, looking at me with tenderness.
I nodded. "Okay," I said.
He leaned closer again and kissed my temples.
I gave a tiny smile before walking past him.
I headed for the stairs, fighting the urge to look back at the Don.
No, Evelyn. His wife is there, remember?
She will pluck your eyes out.
"You just had to waste our freaking time," I heard Candela say as I ascended the stairs.
Mario didn't respond but sat next to Alfredo.
My eyes moved to the Don. He is sipping his drink from a glass.
"That thing has to leave," Candela said.
"Can we get on with the damn discussion, mum?" I heard Mario ask a bit angrily as I got to the hallway.
I let out a breath as I headed towards my room.
So much for.....
I bumped into someone instantly.
"Hey, watch it," a familiar harsh female voice said, making me look at her.
It was that mean maid.
I keep forgetting her name.
She is scowling at me.
"I am sorry. I wasn't looking," I said.
She scoffed. "Of course. What did I expect?"
I furrowed my brows.
She gave me one last scowl before walking past me. I looked behind, watching her as she walked.
Does she have a problem with me or something?
I shook my head as I continued my trip to my room.
**********
AN HOUR LATER
"Hey, it's me, Evelyn. You kissed me last night, remember?"
I sucked my teeth, hitting my temples a bit with my palm as I stared at myself in the mirror.
Seriously, Evelyn?
I am dressed in a jean mini skirt and white crop top, brushing my hair while looking in the mirror. I got out of the shower twenty minutes ago, took thirty minutes to apply my skincare products and then put on my clothes.
This is me preparing for dinner.
Well, if I didn't know better, I would say I was actually preparing to get the Don's attention at dinner.
But I know better.
Actually I don't.
I think my world is slowly revolving around the Don.
God, I am losing it.
But hey, he remembers, right? The kiss?
He was staring at me earlier. He must be thinking about the kiss, right?
I closed one of my eyes while looking in the mirror.
Right?
I chuckled at my funny acts as I opened my eyes and picked up my lip gloss.
I should go ahead with my plan, which is to walk up to him and say, you kissed me.
Why?
And I like it.
What about you? You liked it too, right? I mean, you initiated it. You must like it.
Are you thinking about me the way I am thinking about you too?
Do you find me attractive?
I do.
I would love more of that kiss again, sir.
God, I should be hanged for this.
What are you thinking, Evelyn?
Sighing, I blended my lips while staring in the mirror. I put down the lip gloss and then picked up my perfume.
I applied it desperately, letting out a cough afterward.
Geez.
That's enough perfume. Not like he is going to sniff you like how Ace loved to sniff Lyric all the time.
I smiled as I recalled that story.
I literally got the worst. He can't sniff me in the presence of his wife and family.
Stop the insane thinking already!
I stared at myself one last time in the mirror before heading out.
I walked along the hallway cheerfully till I got to the stairs. I descended, and my heart picked up as I headed towards the dining room.
I heard voices as I approached.
The table is as full as always.
Everyone went silent the minute I got closer.