★JANIE★

†SEVERAL DAYS LATER†

************************************ Blame me for being an indecisive girl. Or perhaps, for not setting my priorities straight— A girl who had sleepless nights just because a mafia asked her to be his girlfriend, then went ahead to accept him days later, I don't care.

Since the day I accepted to be Luciano's girlfriend, he has never made me regret my decision. We've chatted about our likes and dislikes, insecurities and so many other things couples do. We've exchanged messages between his lectures or when other professors were in class. He has sent several gifts to my room and to my roommate too. And I liked him. I liked him for being thoughtful. Plus, for making this past week a hell of a ride.

Right now, I stood in front of the full-length mirror while Sandra helped me get dressed for our date tonight. We spent the last few hours, searching for something attractive to wear, until Luciano sent a dress through a dispatch rider coupled with a necklace and a note, stating;

I'd love to see you in this. Look sexy for me.

Yours, Luciano.

What could be more romantic than that?

Also, Sandra could not stop yapping about how good Luciano was. She praised me for making the right decision by dating him and has also spared me a few dating lectures. Did I say few? Sorry. Tons and tons of dating lectures.

She has considerable expertise in relationship tactics.

Once Sandra was done zipping up the lilac dress, she gasped in awe. "Oh my goodness, he wants you to drop him dead. You are so fucking hawt!"

Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I giggled in response. Indeed, the dress bestowed an indescribable elegancy upon me. It clung to my curves like a second skin, then had a split that ran from my thighs, down to my legs.

"Oh my goodness," I gasped too. "What if I died from my own hotness?"

Sandra burst into laughter as she picked up the diamond necklace and clasped it around my neck. "You are so funny, Janie. Has anyone ever told you that your sense of humor is out of this world?" She inquired.

I clicked my tongue. "Nah, except you. Guess, I'm not that much of a people person."

"And I'm not much of a people person either, so we click." She stated with a smile this time, raising her hand for a high five.

I struck her palm with mine, then we returned to business. Sandra added a little makeup on my face; some foundation, concealer, blush, eyeliner, and lipstick. When she was done, I couldn't recognize myself anymore.

The girl in the mirror looked entirely different. Like a classy, rich-ass girl born with a silver spoon. Whereas, I was just the opposite. A girl who got abandoned by her father left to mourn her mother at such a tender age, and had no happiness while growing up, except clinging to the rays of hope that someday it'd get better.

I tossed away the weird feeling starting to creep into my guts and managed a smile as I continued staring at my reflection.

"Geez! You are a beaut! If you come to my department, the business-minded guys wouldn't mind spraying all the money they haven't earned on you." Sandra said and I laughed again.

I have known Sandra for almost two weeks now, and it's been like forever. She played, talked, prayed, ate, and did almost everything together with me. Alas, I could say we were practically becoming sisters.

Staring intently into my eyes, Sandra took my hand in hers. "Don't forget all we discussed last night, Janie. I know the relationship is new and overwhelming. But still, be careful not to let all your guards now at once. Men can be scum sometimes, you know?"

"I know." I completed with a nod.

"But let's just hope our Luciano isn't, okay?" She pressed further and I smiled.

"Okay."

"Damn, I can't get over how beautiful you look tonight. This man ought to worship the ground you walk on for scoring such a damsel like you. If he attempts to break your heart, I'll visit him and break all his bones!" She asserted with a serious face while I laughed.

If only she knew it wouldn't be easy to do that.

Luciano was a fucking mafia, and his physique alone would make her cower in fear.

Just as she was about to say something else, a soft knock pounded on our door. Sandra hurried over to answer it then returned seconds later.

"It's a hefty-looking man in a suit and black shades. He just said he's the chauffeur appointed to pick you up and damn! He's hot!" She squealed.

I picked up my purse from the box of gifts Luciano sent, and stuck my phone, new credit card, some money, and my room key into it, before making my way to the door.

"Damn! How rich is this guy?" Sandra commented, following after me. "If the chauffeur is this hot, I can only imagine how he'd be. Like a Greek god!"

"Yeah right," I added with a giggle. "Like a Greek god indeed."

As I was about to open the door, Sandra's hand latched around my wrist, stopping me. "One second." She reapplied lipstick on my lips and then nodded in satisfaction. "You are good to go. Don't forget to bring some goodies for me!"

"Of course I will," I responded and with that, I was out of the door.

"Good evening, Miss Janie." The hefty-looking chauffeur said to me and I greeted him back, then he gestured for me to walk ahead of him while he followed right behind me.

When we got out of my hostel, he stopped at the Chevrolet Camaro parked by the curb and then opened the door for me to get in.

"Thank you," I muttered.

"Yes, Janie!" Sandra yelled, cheering me on while I waved at her, before settling into the car.

The chauffeur shut the door, rounded up the car, and slid into the driver's seat. He ignited the engine and drove away. In no time, he pulled the car to a halt in front of an expensive-looking restaurant.

The building was inscribed. Julia's restaurant.

I've heard about it as one of the most exquisite restaurants in Berkeley and I was surprised that someone of my caliber, could one day visit such a fine place.

"Please go in and take a seat, Miss." The chauffeur ushered me into the restaurant then he followed right behind me.

My eyes roamed the people seated, discussing, eating, and getting on with their activities as I made my way through, found an empty seat at the rear end then plopped on it.

"Luciano isn't here yet?" I asked the chauffeur.

"Boss will be with you shortly." Said the man. And it was then, it occurred to me that he wasn't a chauffeur, but rather one of Luciano's henchmen. No wonder his physique was built differently.

"Okay." I brought out my phone from my purse and then started replying to my messages.

Sandra — how is the place? Omg! I need all the deets, make sure you take tons of pictures too.

Smiling to myself, I replied with an emoji and then typed. 'okay.'

Thereafter, Noel's message popped on my screen. Why have you been avoiding me, Janie? Did I do something wrong?

I stiffened as I read his message then mentally scolded myself for not responding to him. Truly, he sent a message three days ago, asking for us to meet up, but I couldn't because I spent the entire day after class with Luciano. Two days ago, he sent another, asking for a video call, but I was busy chatting with Luciano and I couldn't pick up. Last night too, the same thing.

And to be honest, I felt bad for snubbing Noel. Replying that I was sorry and it wouldn't happen again, after that I raised my head only to discover that— I was the only one left in the restaurant.

My brows furrowed in confusion.

Where did everyone go?

Was it time to close for the day? I asked myself.

Just on the verge of getting to my feet to ask Luciano's henchmen standing far apart from me, the entrance door opened and Luciano strutted in.

Our eyes entwined as he took long strides into the restaurant, towards me. He moved with confident and dominant ease, projecting strength with each step.

Luciano got to my table and plopped on the chair in front of me. "I'm sorry for coming this late. I needed to handle something quickly."

"No, it's fine." I waived it off. "By the way, a lot of people were in the restaurant when I came in, but now, it's as if they vanished into thin air." I expressed my worry.

A small smirk splayed across Luciano's lips and his features darkened. "This is our first date, I don't want other people meddling in our world, so I had them evacuated and booked to other restaurants." He said with a sense of pride. While my jaw dropped in surprise.

"I never knew one could do that."

"Well, your Boyfriend can." Luciano winked at me, meanwhile, my stomach fluttered at the way he mentioned 'boyfriend'

Taking my hand, he placed a soft kiss on the back of my hand. "You look so ravishing tonight."

My cheeks flushed. "Thank you."

Still holding my hand, he asked. "By the way how have lectures been for the past couple of days, also, are you comfortable in that hostel?"

"Yes. You have asked me this question for the thirteenth time this week."

Luciano chuckled. "Thirteenth? I never knew I was that inquisitive."

"No no." I shrugged. "I'm not complaining."

As we were discussing, some waitresses donned in corporate black and white attires, began to set the table with various kinds of dishes.

My eyes widened, but I tried to keep my astonishment within me. Because never in my entire life, have I seen so much food at once, all at my disposal.

I stared at the giant lobster in the middle of the table, wondering why it looked weird. Luciano seemed to notice because he asked the next minute.

"What's wrong?"

"The lobster looks like it's ready to slice me to bits." And my statement made Luciano roar out with laughter.

"Why? Did I say something funny?" I pouted, wondering why he was laughing so hard over my lobster comment.

But all of a sudden, his laughter faltered and a scowl clouded his face as he directed his gaze at the entrance of the restaurant.

Before I knew what was happening, Luciano brought his gun, aiming it in that direction.

A loud gasp emanated from the back of my throat as my eyes followed in that direction. Thus, I witnessed a middle-aged man sauntering toward us.

The man cackled as he drew closer. "This isn't the way to greet your friend, Pavarotti. Put that gun down and give me that warm smile you had on your face some seconds back."