<-I-L-A-<<< Despite the fact that I went to bed at around 4 in the morning, I managed to wake up at 8. I would have loved to sleep in but my room was too bright. On top of that, birds outside my window were nonstop chirping. I reluctantly got out from under the covers and got ready for the day.

To grieve for the loss of sleep, I made my way to the kitchen. I spotted Aiden talking to Ian. He was Leo's younger brother who also took part as one of the mafia's speedy, dependable drivers. I grabbed two fette biscottate to munch on and sat with them.

"Then she drove into the alleyway and the Furfanti ran away," Aiden said, explaining to Ian about the events of last night.

"Wow, badass." Ian complimented me. He held out his hand and we bumped fists. "You ran over anyone?"

"Gosh, no!" I said, terrified of the thought.

"Not as cool, but still dope," Ian joked. I could hear the disappointment in his voice. "If being a doctor fails again, you can become one of Il Bisbiglio's drivers."

I laughed and shook my head, "I lack the talent."

"If you give me your number, I'll call you when I drive." Ian shot his shot. "You can come along and I can teach you a thing or two."

This was only my second encounter with Ian. The 6 feet and 2 inches man with beautiful hazel eyes and light brown hair introduced himself to me earlier this the week. He was in search of a band-aid for a paper cut. Ian was a nice, funny guy.

"I don't have a phone," I said with truth. If I did, no doubt would I have given him my cell phone number.

Ian frowned, "That has to be the worst excuse to not give me your number."

"I have a phone number, but I don't have a phone." I explained, "Matteo took it away from me when I got here. I haven't gotten it back, I don't think he trusts me yet."

Ian nodded, understanding.

"I forgot you didn't come here on your own will." He chuckled as he scratched the back of his head.

I've been wanting to ask Matteo for my phone but I'm worried that he'll think I'm trying to escape or report to the police.

Aiden turning his head at the entrance of the dining room caused all of us to look. It was Matteo. He had walked into the room. The bandage around his head was still on from last night. Other than that, Matteo looked like his unemotional self.

"Matteo!" Ian yelled to get his attention. Matteo looked over at us. "Give Ila her phone! I need her digits!"

Matteo frowned at Ian. He grabbed a plate of breakfast and left the dining room without a reply.

<•••>

I didn't hear Matteo knocking at my bedroom door. He invited himself in and almost gave me a heart attack when I saw him in the mirror as I was putting away the last pair of shoes from my shopping spree.

"Don't sneak up on me like that!" I said, deeply breathing to calm my frightened heart.

He chucked in response.

"Do you need something?" I asked as I approached him to see what he wanted.

"Change," he told me.

"Are we starting another trading session?" I asked. I looked at the time on my watch. "It's 7 p.m."

"No," Matteo shook his head. "That starts tomorrow in the morning. Right now, I need you to change into something you'd wear if you were going on a date, nothing casual. Meet me in the living room when you're done."

"Why?" I asked.

"We're going somewhere," was all Matteo said before leaving me to get ready.

Dress as if I was going on a date? Meet in the living room? Where were we going? Who was 'we'? Was Matteo only taking me out?

I stood in my closet, contemplating on what to wear. I decided to dress classy. From the hanger, I took off three different dresses and laid them out my bed.

After a game of Eeny Meeny Miny Moe, I changed into a long-sleeved black dress that had lacy designs. It stopped four inches about my knee and was comfortable to move in. In the shelves of shoes, a pulled out a golden pair of heals that matched with the jewelry I wore. The matching set of earrings, necklace, and bracelets complimented the whole look.

I stared at myself in the mirror and decided to put on some makeup. It didn't take long to finish putting on foundation, eyebrows, and lipstick.

Ready, I grabbed my black bag and left my room. I walked down the hall to the base of the stairs and stopped. I did not trust myself to go down two flights of stairs in heels. I kicked off my shoes and held them as I walked down to the ground floor barefooted.

There was Matteo, as he said, waiting in the living room. He had changed too. The bandage around his head was off and he was in a deep jade colored suit that matched his green eyes. If it wasn't for the tattoos that peeped out from his collar and the end of his sleeve, he looked like a chic businessman.

"Ready?" Matteo asked. His hand was already on the doorknob.

"Hold on a second," I said as I quickly slipped on my heels. "Okay, let's go."

Matteo had already brought the car to the driveway, saving us the walk to the garage. He opened the passenger door for me after we reached the black Bugatti Chiron. After I was seated, he closed the door and went around the back of the car.

"This car is beautiful," I said as he hopped in the passenger seat. I wasn't a person that knew much about cars or had a big obsession, but this car was luxurious.

"At 4 million dollars, it should be," Matteo smirked, turning the key to turn on the engine.

If it was two weeks ago, I would have been shocked out of my mind. However, I learned that these people had expensive taste. The way the inside of the car was designed looked like an orange, leather spacecraft.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"We are going to Aurelio's house," Matteo answered.

Aurelio house was the closest house to us, a solid 10 miles away. It was just as huge as the Mafia's house. It was hard to believe that it was only Aurelio that occupied the 4 story mansion.

"Stay put." Matteo told me, "I need to pick something up from him. It'll take a minute."

I frowned as he got. Did I really dress up to come to Aurelio's just to sit in the car?

I watched Matteo walk up to the door from the car that was worth more than a house. He knocked on the door and waited. The door opened and Aurelio appeared. After a few minutes of exchanging words, Aurelio handed Matteo something. I couldn't make out what Matteo had received for he had slipped it into his pocket. After Aurelio went inside, closing the door being him, Matteo made his way back to the car.

I didn't ask about what he had gotten, not wanting to be nosy. The mafia house was coming into view and I grabbed my purse to get ready to get out of the car. Instead of going to the house, Matteo kept driving.

"Where are we going now?" I asked, surprised and slightly happy.

"We are going to get dinner." He said, turning to me to send a smile.

"Why?" I asked, wondering about his intention.

"It's my way of saying thank you for saving my life twice." He shrugged as he continued driving.

"I'm glad I did," I told him.

"Even the first time?" He asked.

I laughed and admitted, "Yes, even the first time."

The car was in comfortable silence. It let my mind wander. I changed my view from outside the window to Matteo. I'm going on a date with a Mafia boss. Would my mom be proud of me? I thought about how my mother would react if I had flown back to California with Matteo and introduced him to her. I laughed at the thought of how my mother face would look like to see me dating a heavily tatted man that kills and deal drugs for a living.

>>>M-A-T-T-E-O-> Ila giggled and I turned to look at her.

"What's funny?" I asked.

"It's nothing," Ila replied. She was still grinning as she shook her head.

"Really?" I asked.

"Really." She confirmed.

I looked at the empty road ahead of me.

"Are you sure?" I asked.

Before Ila could reply, I slammed my foot on the gas pedal. The car lurched forward in speed. The force sent us back into our seats. Ila screamed and held onto her seatbelt strap against her chest.

"Matteo! Slow down!" She begged. "We are going to crash and die!"

"What were you laughing about?" I asked, picking up more speed.

"Fine, fine!" Ila gave in, "I was thinking about how my mom would get a heart attack if I brought you home."

Satisfied that I got my way, I slowed down. Ila was deeply exhaling and inhaling to calm herself. Her face flushed red and she was blinking rapidly. I smiled at how cute she was when she was scared.

"Already thinking about meeting the parents?" I teased her as if I haven't done it enough. "I don't know if we are quite there yet."

I earned a glare from Ila.

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