Dreams of the Unachievable

V A L E R I U S ' P O V :

"Mr. Armani?"

"Yes, Ana?" I don't pick my head up from my computer. I don't have the time.

"A woman is here for you."

Hmm.

"And who would this woman be?"

"I'm not sure, sir. Brown hair, blue eyes—"

"How blue?"

I know I sound crazy.

"—what?"

I look up from my computer to look at the older woman. She looks at me like I'm crazy and I don't blame her.

"How.. blue. . . are her eyes." I say slowly.

Ana stands up straighter and fixes the confused look on her face. She gives me a smile to hide her curiosity.

"I'd say pretty blue, sir." Ana gives me a tight smile.

"Perfect." I say, getting up.

I ignore my work for now and grab what I need from my desk.

"Call my brother. Have him finish my work. I've gone out on an important business meeting."

"And with who shall I tell your brother?"

"If he asks tell him it's grown up stuff. I'll be gone now." I nod her off and the elevator closes on me.

I don't normally hand my work off to Enzo but he'll be right under me in the mafia soon. He'll need his practice work too.

She came. She's back. I have her. A sly smirk touches my lips.

When I reach the lobby I see her from behind. Her chocolate brown waves, her black pencil skirt and her light blue blouse. I become familiar with the scent of vanilla as I step closer.

"Showing up at my work unannounced?" I inquire, hiding my smirk.

She jumps at my voice and whips around to face me. My eyes meet hers. I'm stuck in her ocean.

"Yes, well." She huffs, catching her breath. "I would have called but I seem to have misplaced my phone. Do you know anything about that?" She spits tightly.

She's cute when she's angry.

"I don't."

Lies. I do.

I very distinctly remember stealing her phone.

"Right and that's why your business card was in my purse?" She pulls out a small card and amusement clouds through my eyes.

"Happy accident."

She lets out a choked laugh. "Right. Can I just have my phone back? Please. I have work to do."

I almost want to laugh. She thinks it'll be that easy? In her dreams.

"Why not a deal?" I step closer to her and she takes a step backwards.

I like this game.

"What the hell are you? A lawyer?"

She's clearly annoyed with me.

"I am everything but a law abiding citizen, il mio amore." I step closer again and again she steps back. "You let me buy you lunch and I give your phone back. That's if I have it, of course." I'm tempted to get closer but I don't.

She pauses. "What?"

"I'll take you to lunch. I'll make you fall in love with me. I'll pay for you. Then I'll take you home."

She blinks at me. "You're insane." She laughs "I met you like yesterday!"

"I can be very convincing."

Twenty-four hours and I haven't had another thought other than her. It's toxic. It's hell. It's obsession maybe. But I'll be damned if this is only one sided.

"You don't just fall in love with someone in an hour."

"You can. No one really knows how love works anyway."

"You're crazy! Give me my phone. I'll call the cops."

I let out a huff of a laugh.

Call the cops? Funny.

"Go to lunch with me."

"No—"

"If you have no interest in me at all after this, I'll leave you alone. Deal?"

She clicks her tongue. I wait impatiently.

"Fine." She grumbles out, starting to walk out of the building. "But I'm picking where we eat and you buy me dessert!"

My chest constricts with something as she walks out of the building. I watch her with a non-consensual smile on my face.

"Let's go, stalker." She calls out for me.

I think this will be fun

• • •

Unknown Number

• Who is this?

I look at the ping on my phone and can't wipe the smug look off of my face.

Unknown Number

Take a guess.

• You fucker!

I don't hide the laugh that escapes my lips. I pull on my boxers and get in bed.

Unknown Number

That was rude, Katerina.

• No it wasn't. How did you figure out my password?

• How the hell do you know my name!?!??

Some secrets are best kept.

• I'm going to call the cops.

Again, she spews nonsense. Only if she knew what little the cops could actually do. My papà owns this country, soon it will be mine. It's comical to see the irony of her words.

My Blue Katerina

Tell them I say hello.

• Will do. They probably already have a warrant for your arrest.

• Tall. Stalker-y. Only wears suits. Master of annoyance. Pretty face.

Pretty face? You know me so well.

• I take it back. Your face is average.

Liar.

• So beyond average. It's sad.

How flustered would you be if I were to see you right now?

• I hate you!!!

Still, lies.

• I'm blocking your number. Never stalk me again.

Then how would I be able to give you back your debit card?

Three dots wavered on the screen for a good minute before her text came through. I audible laugh when it does.

My Blue Katerina

• I hate you

I wish I would have known at the time how that sentence would come to haunt me. I wish I would have given up then.

But I'm no quitter.. and that may be the reason for what fate brings.

• • •