I haven't seen Gio for over two weeks now. The last time I had seen him was two days after I had officially opened the restaurant and the store. The week of my so-called 'accident' when Gio had told me to stay home and 'rest' Dominic and Dad had also made sure I stayed in. Apparently, that day when Gio had taken me to his house and had received that phone call when I heard him mention something about Rostov, the Rostov guy had sent more guys here to New York when his two goons didn't return.

When I had gone to the restaurant the following week, Derek had informed me that I had a gentleman come in investigating about me. I had reviewed the security camera feeds of that day and I didn't recognize the guy. When Dominic and Marc had viewed it they were able to recognize the guy as one of Rostov's men. So now I was convinced that I was the sole target. Dominic had managed to figure out that the Cavelli group and the Rostov's have indeed had past conflicts and based on information they had managed to beat out of one of Rostov men that they had caught, Rostov didn't know me specifically nor my connections to the Luciano's. So it was indeed clear that I was being targeted as bait to get back at Cavelli.

So with all this issue going on I was personally being driven and watched and escorted everywhere by either Pietro or Ian. So far they were my personal bodyguards you could say. I also figured out that Gio had guys watching out for me as well. I had to try to keep things on the down-low. Kathleen had been staying with us from the day of the incident with those guys as well, Dominic figured that she should stay there and have someone watch her as well in case any of those guys tried getting to her to get to me. She was handling the store well so far and Gio had been true to his words and had got four more persons hired for the store as well as a security guard. But my guess is that the security guard he hired is one of his guys.

I now felt as if I was going out of my mind. Most of the time now I was practically forced to stay in like a child. Dominic, Marc, and Dad had practically begged me to stay in until they get the issue handled. I know by handle they mean to get rid of Rostov but I know this was going to be war if things get out of hand and Rostov learn of the Luciano's plan of involvement.

I've also noticed that Gio has been trying to limit the amount of time with me. If I wasn't aware of the situation that was at hand now, and know that his actions are most likely as a result of him wanting to keep me safe from Rostov men seeing us together and me further being in danger, I would have thought he was just tired of me or that I was just the flavor of the few months for him. I still might have thought that if it weren't for his continuous calls and us talking long hours at night. His excuse was that he's been extremely busy with work and had to fly out of New York to Chicago for business for a week that is why we weren't getting to spend much time together, but unfortunately for him, I was a step ahead of him and is aware of the real reason.

I had gone to check up on things at the restaurants and the store today, I still needed to show my face like a good boss. Derek seemed to be handling things quite well at LEXI'S as usual. Khadja and the others really missed my constant presents there. Mrs. Hart and Eylene seemed to be managing quite alright at SPECIALICIOUS as well, after all, they were used to running a restaurant anyway. And then I went next door and Kathleen was fairing out surprisingly well at CHANCES BOUTIQUE.

After that, I decided to go visit Gio and bring him lunch. I still needed to play the normal caring and unsuspecting girlfriend though however so I was going to visit him at his office today as a normal girlfriend would. I was going to play the 'We haven't spent much time together of late and I've missed you' card even though it was true. I haven't seen him in over two weeks now and I did miss him. And the Rostov men issue has died down now so I had Pietro and Ian drive me over to his office since I was still apparently not allowed to drive anywhere on my own. I told them to kindly wait outside for me. I saw Lucas when I was nearing Gios office, and I didn't see Gio's secretary like I normally would.

"Lexi, what are you doing here?" Lucas asked me like it was the strangest thing.

"I came to see Gio, I've brought him lunch" I smiled innocently showing him the bag.

Lucas looked at me skeptically as if trying to figure me out or he didn't know whether or not to believe me. I was aware by now that Lucas still didn't quite trust me, even though Gio had tried reassuring me that Lucas was just that way with everyone. I had figured out by now that Lucas was Gio's underboss, kinda like how Marc is Dominic's underboss and right-hand man. Gio had told me that Lucas was his friend and business partner though, that much I do believe but he had left out the part about telling me who he was to him.

"You've brought him lunch" Lucas repeated looking at me like I was maybe lying.

"Yeah, I did" I nodded innocently. "Why do you say it like that? Like it's the weirdest thing ever?"

"I didn't say anything about it" Lucas replied.

"Okay then. So is he in?" I asked innocently pointing towards Gio's office door. "I kinda haven't seen him in a while so I came by to surprise him".

"Yeah he's in, I think he may be a bit busy so don't get your hopes up too much about how far that surprise is gonna go" Lucas replied.

"What do you mean?" I asked him.

"It's none of my business but if you brought lunch along with giving him 'dessert' as well in mind, it is probably gonna have to wait," Lucas said causing me to gasp as I realized what he meant.

"Lucas, I didn't come here to romance him in his office. Although that idea does sound somewhat appealing now that you've mentioned it" I chuckled.

"You see this is why I fail to believe the all so innocent and shy facade that you have going on," Lucas said shaking his head. "Shy and innocent girls don't talk things like that out loud".

"I never said I was shy nor innocent, you're the one who just assumed that" I smiled at him.

"Whatever you say, Lexi, anyway his secretary Stacey, is inside with him discussing business deals and dates in case you do plan on romancing him as you walk through that door" Lucas replied.

"Oh, so that's where she is" I scowled before smiling at him once more. "Thanks for the heads up Lukie".

"You're jealous" Lucas smirked. I noticed that for the few times I've seen Lucas he doesn't seem to smile but that smirk which was almost like a smile shows just how handsome he really was.

"What don't be ridiculous. It's just that Stacey hates me so she's always trying to give me a hard time. I'm definitely not jealous Lukie, I don't have anything to be jealous about" I said walking off before I stopped. "And one more thing Lucas, I think if you would learn to smile you'd definitely look more handsome".

I didn't wait to hear Lucas reply I just went straight towards Gio's door-knocking slightly. His secretary was the one to open the door and upon seeing it was me her face changed dramatically.

"What do you want?" She asked coldly.

"Lexi," Gio said surprised when he looked up.

"Hi, I came to surprise you" I smiled at him. "I hope I didn't interrupt anything".

"No, no of course not" Gio replied standing up from around his desk. "Come in"

"We were discussing business sir" Stacey replied glaring at me.

"Stacey it's okay, I'll get back to you in a few minutes alright?" Gio said to her.

"Okay sir" Stacey smiled at him then glared at me as she passed by to exit his office.

"Wow, I think I officially know why she hates me that much" I chuckled at Gio going towards him. "I'm always showing up without an appointment then limiting anytime she has with you".

"What?" Gio asked confused as he met me in the middle of his office.

"Nothing" I breathe out against his lips as Gio already had his hands around my waist pulling me to him before claiming my lips.

"What are you doing here?" Gio smiled as we pulled apart.

"I haven't seen you in ages and I missed you so I thought I'd stop by and surprise you" I smiled at him.

"I'm really sorry about that" Gio replied before kissing me.

"Its just that I've been extremely busy for the past weeks now and I haven't got much time that we could spend together since".

"Its okay, I get it. In this line of work things can get pretty hectic right" I smiled at him. , "Anyway I brought you lunch".

"You did? Lexi that so sweet" Gio smiled kissing my lips again.

"Thank you so much but I don't even know if I can afford to have lunch with you right now. I mean I've missed you and would really like to but I kinda have a meeting in a few" he said sadly.

"Oh, you're still busy" I said a bit disappointed.

"I'm sorry Lex, if I could cancel I would right now but..."

"No, no its okay. I totally understand. I guess I'll just leave lunch with you and go. I see you when you're not so busy" I said cutting him off.

"Did you drive here alone?" Gio suddenly asked concerned.

"No, I'm still not allowed to drive. Daddy's order" I chuckled. "So I've got a driver, he's still waiting outside".

"Oh Daddy's still scared for you huh?" Gio chuckled. "I'm so sorry about the past weeks and not having much time for you but I promised to make it up to you okay".

"I told you already, its okay I totally understand what its like" I replied. "Don't worry".

"Come here" Gio said pulling me towards him again. "I love you so much for being like this"

"What!?" I asked surprised pulling back.

Did Giovanni Cavelli just said he love me, or am I not hearing so well. Could things actually be that way?

"I...uhm...I guess I said that a little too soon" Gio said sheepishly. "Lexi, I know its probably too early to say things like this but I'm in love you Lexi".

"What...uhm.. When? How? But..." I asked in disbelief at what I was hearing right now.

"I've noticed it for the passed weeks now that I haven't seen you that I not just only like you a lot but I'm in love with you" Gio replied.

"Uhm... I.. I" I stuttered for once unsure of what to say.

"Look you don't have to say anything now okay, I maybe too soon for you to tell if you feel the same way about me but I'll allow you enough time to think about it, I just had to let that out of me" Gio replied.

"Gio I..." I started saying but Gio cut me off again.

"Lexi, I said don't say anything right now OK" Gio said with his hands holding my face.

I just nodded and smiled at him before pulling down his head to kiss him. Gio placed his hands around my waist holding me in place as our lips moved together. As soon as our tongues met and started moving with each other I had my hands around his neck but as I ran my hand over his right shoulder region he winced a bit.

"Hey, are you okay?" I asked concerned as I pull away from the kiss.

"Yeah, I'm fine, why would you asked that?" Gio said.

"I don't know, I thought you just winced when I touched your shoulder. Is everything alright?" I asked again.

"Yeah, everything's alright Lexi. I'm alright, my shoulders alright" Gio chuckle.

"Are you sure?" I asked reaching out to touch his shoulder again but Gio grabbed my hand stopping my hand just before I touched him.

"I'm fine Lexi" Gio replied kissing my hand and resting it on his chest.

"Alright, if you say so then" I smiled at him. "Are you gonna be busy tonight?"

"Yeah probably. Did you have something in mind?" Gio asked.

"Nothing, I guess I'll just be doing something with Kathleen" I replied.

"Are you going out?" Gio raised a brow.

"No, at home. Kathleen is living with us for a while" I replied.

"Oh, that's probably a good idea" Gio smiled.

"Why? You don't want me to go out?" I asked.

"No, I never said that. Its just that its always more safe staying in at times, especially nights" Gio replied.

"I'll keep that in mind" I smiled. "I guess I should go".

"Thanks again for lunch. I'm sorry I can't spend some more time with you. But I'll definitely make it up to you" Gio said to me.

"I'll be waiting" I smiled at him before kissing him again this time using the opportunity to touch his shoulder again.

Gio grabbed my hand once more as I touched the shoulder. Now I'm positively sure that there is something wrong with that shoulder that he doesn't want me finding out about.

"Bye" I smiled as I pulled back from his lips.

I will eventually find out what happened to that shoulder anyway.