Cataleya Valentina Velez:

'Happy birthday bitch!' Neveah shouts in the sleepiest voice I've ever heard. I can tell she just woke up by the sound of her voice and the messy bun on her head.

'You're officially legal in America.' I sit up and smile at my friend. The fact that I heard her whole earthquake of getting breakfast five minutes ago, makes me smile even wider.

She jumps on my tiny bed and hugs me tightly. She smells of fresh bread and fruits. 'What did you get?'

'Straight to business, I see.' Neveah let's go of me and smirks. 'You smell delicious and I'm hungry.'

She grabs my arm and pulls me through our small apartment, towards the "kitchen". The whole table is filled with all types of food and it smells delicious.

'Where did you get all this food from?!' Veah simply smiles at me and sits in one of the chairs. 'I know all the spots, you should know that.'

I walk towards the table and sit down too, still looking at all the food. We'll have food for the whole week.

'Well go eat, it won't eat itself.' I roll my eyes and grab a croissant. It's still warm.

This is probably the freshest food I've ever eaten and it tastes delicious.

'Remind me to make you get breakfast for the rest of our stay!' I mumble when I'm finished with my bite.

'Oh hell no, I am not waking up this early ever again!' She gulps down a glass of water and takes another bite out of her panini.

Neveah has never been a morning person, yet she woke up just to get us breakfast for my birthday.

'Even though we have to be at work at eight tomorrow morning.' She sighs before fake smiling.

'Thanks for doing this Ve.' She smiles and walks to the cabinets, to grab some more water. 'This is only the beginning. Today is all about you.'

'Did your mom call you yet?' 'Mhm, she wanted to say hi, but you were out to get all this shit.' I say before taking a sip of the cold water.

'I'll call her later today. Eat up, we have a lot to do!' She commanded jokingly before grabbing some pieces of fruit from a bowl.

We both enjoy the food she bought. It's so much, we can barely finish half of it. After we're done storing all of it in the shitty fridge we own, she demands me to get ready.

'Wear something good, better than usual!' She shouts, before running to her room. I smile to myself and walk over to my closet.

Some of my clothes are still packed in the boxes from two weeks ago. We've only been in Italy for two weeks. Jeez...

Why does it feel like we've been here for over a year? It feels like we've lived here our entire lives, even though neither of us can talk fluent Italian.

'F-R-I-E-N-D-S! Get that shit inside your head!' I scoff at Neveah screaming at the top of her lungs. She's been singing that song for the past week and it gets funnier every time.

I look over my clothes and decide to go for a pair of blue jeans and a red top that Neveah picked out for me in America.

'Are you almost done?!' Neveah shouts from the hallway. 'Yeah, almost!'

She bursts through the door and smiles at me. 'I was hoping you would wear that one!'

'How could I not, it's the only thing I like out of all the clothes you picked for me.' Her smile disappears and she sighs deeply. 'I'm joking! I love you!'

'Yeah right. We have to go, so come on!' She pulls me by my arm and runs through the front door.

Paula was just about to enter her apartment and smiles at us. 'Buongiorno' She sang like always when we see her in the morning.

'Buongiorno Paula!' We say in unison before getting in the elevator and talking about the rest of the day.

Neveah is stubborn, like always, and doesn't want to tell me what she has planned for today. She simply drags me around the streets as if I'm a child and she's my mother.

When in reality it's the opposite. Neveah is like a grown-up child, a bundle of energy, stubborn as hell, kinda alcoholic, and loves to party a lot. She's the outgoing one of us two and isn't really afraid of anything.

I am actually excited about what she has planned for today because when she plans something, it's huge.

'I am so happy we got the day off today!' she exclaims before pulling me into the mall. 'So am I. Can you please tell me what we're going to do?'

'I'll give you a little hint.' She chimes before turning towards a lingerie store. What the- 'We're buying something from this store today.'

I don't have time to respond because she pulls me with her again, into the most expensive store we've been in ever since we got to Italy.

'Veah I don't know about this..' 'Girl I'm paying! My present to you, so you better pick something!' She walks towards some bras and gets all excited like always. She loves lingerie shopping.

'Fine.' I sigh, but I know I'm going to pay her back every penny. 'Finally!'

I walk over to some bodysuits and those babydoll thingies since I already have enough bras and underwear for the rest of my life.

'So you're going all out!' Neveah jokes from beside me. I simply shrug and show a red one to her. Her eyes instantly open wide, but she doesn't seem to hate it. She loves it.

'That would look so good on you!' 'You think?' She nods like crazy and pushes me into the fitting rooms.

'Try it on! And don't come out until I've seen it!' She shouts before running back to the store again. I smile to myself, about how crazy my best friend is, and try on the red bodysuit I grabbed from the rack.

It's exactly my size and looks great. I just don't get why I should get it, it's not like anyone will see it because I'll be wearing clothes on top of it and I don't have a boyfriend.

"You don't need to dress up for men only, you can dress up for yourself as well!" That is what my mom would've said if she was here right now. God, I miss her.

I haven't seen her in two weeks and I didn't think I would miss her this much but damn do I miss her. Especially now that it's my birthday.

After a few minutes, the black curtain of my little fitting room opens just enough for Neveah to get in.

'Look at you! If I were a guy I would simply cum in my pants!' My hands immediately cover my body and I burst out laughing. 'What the fuck Neveah!?'

She laughs with me and looks at me through the mirror. 'No, but in all seriousness, you look amazing Ley.'

My cheeks start to heat up and I smile at her. 'Thank you, but can you please get out?'

Neveah rolls her eyes at me but walks out of the fitting room anyway. She never cared about seeing each other naked. I love her to death but I still want some privacy.

When I'm done looking at the bodysuit, I change back into my clothes and walk out of my fitting room.

'What do you think you're doing?' I look at Neveah, who has a bunch of lingerie in her hands. 'You are not done yet bitch, get back inside.'

She basically pushes me into the fitting room again and throws all her stuff at me. 'Now give me another show you sexy bitch!'

Oh god... After trying on almost twenty different things, we end up buying five things each. Well, she's buying it, but I'll pay her back tomorrow.

We go to a few other stores and go home around four pm since she has another thing planned for us.

'If it's dinner, I'm still stuffed from breakfast and lunch.' I say jokingly, even though part of it is true. I am still full, but I guess I can always eat some more.

'Well you can eat there if you'd like, but no. It's not specifically for food.' Where the hell is she taking me?

We stroll back towards our apartment and drop all the bags at the door.

'So you're going to hop in the shower and wear that black dress we bought today. When you're done we'll go to the last surprise.' She ordered. I salute as if I'm in the army and walk towards my room. 'Oh and also, wear that black or red bodysuit underneath!'

'What for?' I ask, peeping my head into the hallway. 'You're getting deflowered tonight!'

I burst into laughter, thinking she's just joking, but Neveah looks at me, dead in the eyes, as if this is the most serious thing she's ever talked about.

'Yeah, no thanks Veah. I'll save myself from disaster and just wear normal underwear.'

She sighs, leaning against the wall in the hallway. 'Can you, just for once, work with me?'

'Fine, I'll wear the stupid bodysuit. Just not for the things you say!' She laughs and mumbles something, but I can't pick up what exactly.

I quickly hop in the shower and get dressed, deciding to go with the black bodysuit, since I'm wearing a black dress tonight. I walk over to the little desk and put some cream in my hair, just to make the curls more divine.

'Neveah!?' She pops her head around the corner and smiles at me. 'Yes?'

'Should I do my make-up for the surprise?' Neveah herself doesn't wear make-up. Ever. Only lipgloss and sometimes some lipstick, but nothing else. Not even mascara.

'I mean if you want. You're a natural beauty and a bad bitch, so I don't think you'll need it. But if you want to.'

'Can't you just tell me where we're going?' She shakes her head and runs off again. God this is annoying. I guess I'll just put on some light make-up, just in case. A little red lipstick and eyeliner won't hurt.

'Are you almost done Leya?!' Neveah shouts, just as I walk into the living room. She's wearing a black dress herself. The only difference between our dresses is that mine is sparkly and hers isn't. She's wearing a golden necklace, I think she got that one from her father when she was little, and her curls pop out more than ever.

'Okay if you're not getting laid tonight, I swear to god!' 'I am not having sex tonight Neveah!'

She smirks before pulling me into a hug. 'I love you so much!'

'I love you too, but you can be a little crazy.' I say, hugging her tightly. 'Just a little?' 'Mhm.'

We both laugh and take a few pictures to send to my mom, before walking out of the apartment.

'So, you're still not telling me where we're going?' She sighs and waves at a cab waiting in front of the door. 'You'll see.'

We get in and she whispers the address to the driver. This girl... The older-looking man starts driving and humming to some traditional Italian music. It's a whole vibe if you ask me.

Neveah opens the window and lets in the cold breeze coming from outside. I lean my head on her shoulder and can't stop smiling.

I love this bitch with my whole being. She's one of the only ones I trust and I am so happy that she was willing to come to Italy with me. Not that she really had a choice, I would convince her somehow.

And I knew she didn't want to stay at her aunt's anymore, so this was the perfect option for both of us. For our future.

'We're here ladies.' the driver sings with his best American accent.

'Grazie!' Neveah says smiling, before opening the door and looking at me. I get out as well and look around us, trying to figure out where she's taking me.

'Come on! Otherwise, we have to wait even longer!' She's standing in a huge line in front of a club called Angels.

'So we're going clubbing?' 'Not just clubbing, trust me, you'll love it!' she exclaims before pulling me closer because people are pushing me all over the place just to get inside.

After twenty minutes, we are almost at the front of the line. The bouncer gives us a quick glance, probably because we seem a bit young. But there are way younger girls in line, so he lets us through.

'They say it's paradise,' Neveah shouts into my ear, just loud enough to get over the music, 'So let's enjoy ourselves!'

The room is packed with people and since there is still a line outside, I think that it will be even more crowded than it is right now.

I look at all the colored lights flashing around us and try not to trip over my own feet.

'I need a drink!' Neveah pulls me to the bar and sits down in one of the seats. I'm still glancing around, taking in all of this.

I normally don't go out, so this is somehow new for me. Neveah on the other hand goes out almost every night. Unless we have work or school, which is more often now that we have to work to pay rent and shit.

'Please don't go all white-girl wasted on me tonight!' I shout at her. She doesn't get wasted easily, but she loves drinking more than anything in the world.

'Fine, but just because it's your birthday!' She orders two cocktails, fruity ones so I can drink them too. I don't like the strong shit and she knows it.

'To you, the badest bitch and the mother of us two!' She exclaims, almost falling off her chair already. I smile and cling my glass against hers. 'To us!'

We both take a sip, well I take a sip. She just gulps it down all at once. She's absolutely crazy!

'Okay, now straight to business. You're fucking tonight. Who will be the lucky man? Or woman of course!' She says smirking like crazy.

I give her a little push and take another sip of whatever she ordered. 'I am not-' 'Just look at all these hot guys staring at you!'

She's not lying. But they aren't just looking at me. They're looking at us. I feel their eyes on us and it's kind of uncomfortable. The last thing I want is to get stalked by one of these men.

'Almost everyone in here is Italian, so you could make some pretty mixed babies!' She says jokingly. According to her, Italian men are the best at sex. Her words, not mine.

'Neveah..' She rolls her eyes and glances around, looking for a boy she could get with tonight. If I give her permission of course.

Neveah won't leave my side if I don't give her permission, a rule she came up with ever since we went clubbing for the first time.

I also look around the place, taking in all the sounds and lights, until my eyes cross with someone else's.

Cold, yet warm. Blank, yet full of emotion. Dark green, almost brown, and oh so captivating. He slowly lifts his glass to his lips, still not breaking the eye-contact, and finishes his drink.

'What are you looking at?' Of course, Neveah noticed my glance. I want to answer her, but I'm too focused on the set of eyes watching me. No, staring at me.

He's leaning on the railing of the top floor, looking down on everyone else as if he owns this place.

His arms covered with tattoos, perfectly fitting his olive skin. His hair is a light brown color in contrast with his dark eyes. Wow..

'Cataleya please tell me you're not looking at him.' The handsome man's eyes burn through me, but I need to look away. I need to look at Neveah.

'Mhm? Who?' She nods her head his way and sighs. 'Please tell me-' 'You wanted me to check out what's out there!'

I turn back to him, seeing him talk to a man similar to him. He has the same eye color but is a bit shorter. Just a little bit. And his hair is a little curlier and a lot darker than the first one, but they look almost identical.

'Oh god...' Neveah says in a dreamy tone. I look over at her and see her staring at the men as well.

'Wait you know them?' She looks at me immediately and shakes her head. 'No, remind me to stop staring!'

She's obviously lying, which isn't like her. But I simply nod, I'm not going to force shit out of her. If she wants to tell me, she will.

'Fine.' I take another sip and look the other way, feeling the man's gaze on me again. When I look over at Neveah, I notice she's staring again. Her eyes filled with fear.

'You're staring at him again.' I sigh.

'I'm not!' She quickly replies, before ordering a round of shots for the both of us. I barely finished my drink, so I decline her offer and look at the railing of the next floor.

He's looking directly at me and I try to play off the fact that I was looking for him, by looking away.

The man, the other one, is also looking at us now. His eyes filled with all kinds of emotions.

'Shit.' Neveah gets up from her chair and runs to the restrooms. I glance at the man, who is looking at me with no expression on his face, and run after her.

'Neveah!' I follow her into the toilets and close the door behind us.

'What the fuck is going on!?' She wets her hands and throws some water on her face, to calm down. But from what?

'Neveah?' Her eyes shoot to the door, which slams open, and she quickly pushes me into one of the stalls.

She steps into another one herself and locks the door.

'Get out Neveah.' The voice is deep, but he says her name in a way that makes it seem as if they know each other already.

As much as I want to open the door and look to see who it is, she probably closed it for a reason.

I hear a door unlock and pray to God that she didn't just open her door. Even though the voice sounds like an acquaintance of hers, I don't trust it. Not by the way he said her name.

They both gasp for air and I hear a deep chuckle. 'Cazzo.' The deep voice gasps. 'After all those years.'

I peep through the little gap in the door and see Neveah standing in front of the mirror. She's looking at someone, probably the guy she's talking to. Shit...

She's panicking on the inside and ready to explode. If she explodes again, she'll be broken for weeks.

'Come with me.' A hand wraps around her wrist and I immediately open my door. 'Let me go!'

The man doesn't listen and walks towards the door, dragging her towards the stairs leading upstairs.

'Neveah!' I can barely hear my own voice over the damn music and push through the crowd just to keep up with them.

'Stop it!' They're already upstairs and I rush past the security, which was easier than I expected.

The upper floor is tinier than I expected. It has two couches, bigger than anything we could afford, a little table in the middle, and a minibar with a girl serving drinks. But no one's here.

You can barely hear the music from here as if the room is soundproof.

The man pushes Neveah against a wall harshly, making her wince out of pain, his back towards me.

'Please let me go...' Neveah whispers, but the man doesn't respond at all. 'Please?'

I look around, trying to find something to hit him with. When I notice a bump in his back pocket, I immediately grab at it. It's a gun.

'Step the fuck away from her!' I shout and he slowly lets go of her, without facing me.

'You better drop the weapon little girl.' he says, slowly lifting his hands into the air.

'Step. The fuck. Away from her.' The man slowly steps away and turns towards me.

'Goodnight little girl.' 'Wha-' Something hard hits me on the back of my head and I fall to the ground, immediately blacking out.

All I hear are screams, Neveah's screams, and gunshots. I force myself to wake up, but my body doesn't respond to anything.

After what feels like decades, I finally wake up. My head is pounding and I find myself strapped to a chair. Slowly my eyes get used to the bright light surrounding me.

Where the fuck is Neveah?!

I'm in an office, but I don't recognize where exactly. What the fuck is going on? I fight the leather straps wrapped around my arms and legs and hear a soft chuckle.

'Infine...' Another deep voice sighs. His eyes, still captivating like the last time we saw each other, which was at night. The sun is shining, which means it's daytime already.

His hair still looks the same, but he's wearing a simple black suit this time. What was he wearing last time? I don't even remember what he was wearing last time, but I just know that it wasn't a suit.

'Where am I?' His lips turn, almost, into a straight line as he looks at me. His eyes scan me, read me, whatever you want to call it, and I hate it.

I feel even more helpless now that I'm strapped into this goddamn chair. But he seems to enjoy it.

'Sono Rio.' Sono? What did that mean again? I am. It means I am. So his name is Rio? 'Where the fuck am I?'

He tilts his head, still staring at me shamelessly. 'Siete Cataleya Valentina Velez, ventun 'anni, corretto?'

He's ignoring me, so that's what I'll do. I'll ignore him too. "Rio" looks at a piece of paper, before looking back at me.

'Gestione alberghiera?' What the fuck is he saying? I wish I could talk fluent Italian. It would've been so much easier to get out of this mess.

'Your study right, miss Velez?' This dude... His lips curl into a slight smirk. He knew I didn't understand a word of what he was saying but talked Italian to me anyways. 'So what are you willing to do? You know, for us saving your life and all?'

'I'll untie you from that chair if you're willing to talk to me.' I simply look at him and tilt my head, just like he did, staring into his eyes. Two can play this game...

'Miss Velez, I am warning you.' As much as I want to scream, I won't. That's exactly what he wants, I can see it in his eyes.

'Dannazione..' He mumbles before walking over to me. My heart racing like crazy.

For all I know, this man could be a serial killer. He could easily kill me and I wouldn't be able to do anything about it.

He surprises me by unbuckling the belts holding me in place. I slowly move my arms, enjoying the freedom, and look around a bit more. 'Try if you'd like.'

The way to the only door is open because he's behind me. Too far behind me to reach for my arm, but he'll probably chase after me. I have to try!

I run out of the office, hearing a deep chuckle from behind me. There is this huge hallway, which is even brighter than the office itself. A staircase, leading to the first floor, made out of white marble. This place is gorgeous.

'Is that all you have Miss Velez?' Rio strolls out of the office and looks at me. 'Really?'

I roll my eyes at his cocky remark and run up the stairs, hoping that Neveah is here somewhere. 'Neveah!'

'Neveah, where are you?!' Nothing, just a muffled sound coming from one of the rooms. I run to the door, but just as I'm about to grab the doorknob, someone pulls me back and covers my mouth.

A strong arm wraps around me and pulls me towards a chest. 'And I thought you were the smart one.' Rio whispers in my ear, his stubbled chin pricking against the back of my neck.

He throws me over his shoulder and walks back down. I kick and scream, but nothing. He doesn't budge one bit.

Rio enters the office again and straps me back to the chair. He grabs a roll of tape and covers my mouth with it. Fucking prick...

'Run away again, try it. I dare you.' His voice is intimidating, making my skin crawl.

'I just might send people to St. George Street number twenty-nine the next time you try.' My heart drops to the ground. No...

This sick motherfucker didn't just kidnap me. He researched me. He knows everything about me.

'And maybe I'll kill your dear friend too?' He's talking about lives as if he's god. As if he's the one to decide who gets to live and who doesn't.

Rio seems to enjoy the fear in my eyes more than anything in this world and I feel like I'm about to throw up.

'So try the fuck again, Miss Velez.' He says, smirking because he won. 'I dare you.' He won this battle.