CHAPTER NINE: Andretti's pov

It was the loud laughter that called his attention, he decided to investigate. He walked into the dinning area and saw Gia and Marlina laughing, it seemed Lucia was the entertainment, they stopped laughing when they realized he was present. He realized what was happening when he saw her face, her cheeks were stuffed with food ,he looked so cute and funny. "You look like a chipmunk", he thought. She looked up, he didn't realize he had said it out loud. There was no going back anyway, he was about saying something when he realized that her face turned red, she seemed to be breathe.

He rushed to her side and slapped her back twice, Gia and Marlina rushed to her side offering her a glass of water, the slap seemed to have worked because she started coughing. When the cough subsided he then offered her water to drink, "You silly girl", he said, "Why would you do that". Her face was still red, she seemed traumatized by theI'm experience. Without thinking, he pulled her close and hugged her, the lavender scented soap filled his nose and she rested her head on his neck, she seems so delicate and he is going to do everything within his power to protect her.

"I'm sorry", Lucia said.

"For what?", he asked.

"I seem to be causing a lot of trouble for you, the food was just so good....".

"shhhh", he hushed her, "you never have to apologize for anything with me". he said looking into her eyes, the room felt empty like the were the only ones in the room.

"hmphhh!", Gia cleared her throat loudly, " Madam Gia, should I clear the table or you would like to continue?".

She pulled away from him and answered" I'm done, thank you for the meal, i think i will just go to bed now". she stood up .

"yeah sure", He answered, standing also, he walked her to the room.

"I hope you don't mind me taking over your bedroom for now" , she asked.

"nahhh, you can stay here as long as you like, scrap that, I'm not going to allow you go back to your dad's".

"But... I don't have anything here though, I would need to get my stuff, and can I really just stay here like you don't mind?... I heard you don't allow anyone stay over in your house ".

"I don't", he answered.

"So, what's different now?", she asked.

"you are in danger, and you need me to protect you". He answered.

"oh", she paused and she said.

Was she expecting a different reply, he could not deny that there was something different, a feeling he could not explain but he was not going to admit it, no way, well at least not yet.

" Do you want anything else before we go get your stuff?", he asked.

"hmmm yeah, my phone, I don't really know where it is and I need to do some stuff, and my laptop also".

"okay I will get a new phone but I would go round yours tomorrow and check for your laptop".

"you don't need to get me a new phone, I can follow you , you know to search for it". She said.

" No, we still haven't figured out how those guys knew you went back home, we need to be very careful, they are still on the look out for you", he explained.

" oh my gosh, this is so frustrating, I mean why?", she sighed, " I can't do anything because of this people, I didn't even tell the police anything, why do they keep looking for me?".

"Lucia, nothing will happen to you, not while I'm here, trust me". He assured her.

"thanks", she said looking at him with those eyes again.

The air became light and it seemed like..." good night" , he said and hurriedly left.