Ethan and Enzo Finally Meet

I was losing my mind but Enzo’s kiss brought me to peace.

I felt it in an instant. The goosebumps traveled from my neck to my back. His hands cupped my face and his chest pressed down on my breasts.

It was wrong for a kiss to feel this good.

It was wrong for Enzo Moretti to kiss me and bring me to my knees.

The kiss didn't last forever. It didn't even come close though I would have preferred that.

“You said you wouldn't hurt me,” I said as my forehead touched Enzo’s.

I had to be away from this man and yet, touching him felt divine.

I found myself closing my eyes and recalling the beautiful parts of last night.

His thick musk of cologne.

I touched his jaw and it was sharp against my fingers. So sharp it felt like I had been cut.

“And I meant it,” Enzo said in the calm voice only he could muster.

I envied him for that.

I also feared him for that.

How can the thing you love about someone be the same thing that gets you scared of them?

How can Enzo be at my house if he didn't want to hurt me.

“So what are you doing here?” I choked on my tears.

The teardrops were cold against my skin. It slid down my face and made a trail.

Enzo didn't let them fall all the way. He wiped them with the back of his hand.

Then he kissed the paths they had made.

Cleo was struggling to watch us but Marco was doing his best to keep her occupied.

I caught her smile just as she spared me two seconds of a glance. She had seen us kissing earlier.

“Who are you and why are you touching my mummy?”

Ethan had left the room and he was standing in the living room, questioning Enzo.

His forced thick tone couldn't even scare anyone let alone Enzo.

Ethan’s first line of action was to grab Enzo’s hand and yank him away from me.

All of us were too busy that we didn't see him walk into the living room.

I didn't even know how long he had been standing there.

Maybe he had seen us kissing. I hoped not.

But Enzo and Marco were looking at my son now.

“Oh my God,” I said in a low voice.

It dawned on me that they knew everything and everyone I loved.

I tried to pull Ethan from Enzo. “I’m super sorry. He gets protective of me sometimes.”

Enzo stopped me from taking my little one.

He wasn’t offended. I think he was impressed.

He squatted so he could be eye to eye with Ethan.

Ethan swallowed, taking a step back.

Enzo’s aura was dangerous and frightening. Even if he was smiling at you and his eyes were shining like the sea on a Christmas night, you would still feel it.

That need to run and hide from a prey.

“You must be Ethan,” Enzo started small. “Has your mum told you about me?”

Ethan shook his head. He looked at me and I didn't know what to say.

Ethan faced Enzo back. “Will you tell me who you are?”

“Of course I will. I am your mum’s friend. Enzo is my name.”

“Spell it,” Ethan instructed.

Enzo smiled at Ethan’s new found confidence.

He did what Ethan asked of him. “E N Z O. Enzo.”

Ethan repeated Enzo’s name. “Enzo.”

Cleo had let Marco in. He walked over to the sofa and sat crossed legs.

Cleo closed the door behind her and stood in front of it.

She was still a little confused about what was happening but she wasn't scared again.

Marco and Enzo had been here for over five minutes.

If they wanted to hurt us, we would have been hurt already.

“Will you spell your name for me?” Enzo asked my son.

I wiped my face of more tears and walked over to Ethan.

I held his shoulders and stood behind him. “Baby…” I started, trying to get his attention.

“It starts with an E too,” Ethan remarked.

Enzo clapped. “Good. We have four more letters to go.”

Ethan struggled to get it. “E T H A…” he tried to remember, dragging his hands across his face.

“Baby?” I tried to get Ethan’s attention again. “Come on, go to your room and let the adults talk.”

Ethan shrugged off my hands. “No, mum. I'm a big boy too,” he said to me and turned back to the person who had his attention.

Enzo.

I can’t tell you how that made me feel.

“You missed an N, little man.” Enzo looked at me from his lashes.

“Yes!” Ethan bounced on his knees and clapped. “E T H A N. Ethan!”

“Ethan!” Enzo said and got up. “If your home teacher came to see you today, maybe she would have taught you that.”

As he said that, he faced me.

He smirked before throwing his face away. It felt like I had gone cold like ice.

One person couldn't excite you and throw you into misery so easily.

“So Enzo, were you Isa’s date from last night?”

Enzo dusted his knees though they were free of dust or dirt. He moved with ease, raising his head only when he was ready to answer Cleo.

“Yes,” he said and served a cautious smile. “I can't explain how amazing last night was for me. I'm sure Isa too would say the same.” He crossed the room to the couch and sat on the arm rest. “You know I've not been able to tell my best bud, Marco about it because I can't find the words.” He tried to grasp at the air as he struggled to express himself.

Enzo held my gaze and sincerity settled between us when he said, “if I explain what I feel for Isa in the space of one night I've known her, it wouldn’t make sense to you.”

Enzo shook his head and chuckled softly at the craziness of all of it. “It doesn’t make sense to me too,” he finished.

He had sealed off the doubt in me about his emotions.

His sincerity was real, the chemistry last night was real.

The desire from last night was real and it was here too.

Cleo was grinning from ear to ear.

I sent Ethan to the kitchen to get a glass of water for himself.

His face fell but he didn’t say no this time.

“Aw. I’m so happy for you, Isa.” Cleo strolled over to me and hugged me instantly. “I should be happy for you, yeah?” She asked quietly so only I could hear her.

Enzo wasn’t going to hurt me. It was also better to keep things in this motion.

“Yeah. There’s nothing to worry about.”

Enzo got up just as we were pulling apart. “So, my love, are you ready to move in with me? What should I help you with?”

“I’m almost done,” I told him.

I wanted this fairytale to be my reality forever.

Enzo referring to me as his love, professing his emotions for me.

Enzo protecting my family and being sincere with me.

Enzo paused. “You know what?” Enzo started, sounding like someone with a new plan. “You can leave your stuff here and I’ll ask one of the help to go shopping for you guys.”

Cleo threw me a quick impressed look. She was silently patting me for bringing Enzo home.

“Oh you don’t have to.” I did the polite thing and turned down an offer I was dying to grab.

I had not gone shopping for Ethan in over a year.

The last thing I got for myself was a vintage necklace that barely cost a dollar and that was when Ethan turned four.

We were dry on our asses and all of my savings were either finished or about to go empty. The thought of new clothes and a few helps was tempting.

Enzo didn’t drop it. “It’s nothing.” he pushed. “I promise. It’s the least I can do. We can just leave now.”

I stood still, thinking about his offer. “Are you sure you’re okay with us coming to live with you. We can be a lot, ask Cleo.”

Cleo nodded, giving Enzo the eyes that agreed with me. “It is but they’re worth it.”

“Exactly. So grab what is important and let’s go.”

“Where are we going?” Ethan interrupted us again.

He sure knew how to make an entrance.

“To Enzo’s mansion. We’re getting new clothes, new shoes and everything else that matters.” Enzo gave him an answer that summed up everything in a few breaths.

“Ooo!” Ethan jumped and clapped, his eyes wide with new excitement. “Toys! Toys too!”

“Toys too,” Enzo agreed. He shared in Ethan’s joy.

“They have to be clean though so I don’t get sick,” Ethan said and his face fell for a brief moment.

He hated being sick or letting people know that he was at a higher risk of falling sick.

His need to stay hidden and act strong was what made it easier for him to accept home schooling.

Though it was expensive, I made sure to pay his fees on time. Anything to make my baby feel safe and comfortable.

Enzo made a promise to Ethan. “I’ll get an army to sanitize your toys every one minute if I have to.”

He carried each word with care. He meant that.

God save my heart at how turned on that got

no.

No man has been able to crack through my walls for the longest time.

Turning to me, Enzo asked again. “What are you saying Isa?”

Cleo was at my side. She wrapped an arm around me. “I’m sure she’s coming with you.” Cleo moved her hands a little as she spoke. “Just also promise to keep your dog away from Ethan.”

“My dog?” Enzo’s confusion was hard to miss.

“Yes.” I cleared my throat. I stepped in as fast as I could. “Your dog, remember? You told me about him when we were still texting.”

“Oh.” Enzo’s eyes widened when he understood the game I was playing. “My dog. Yes I would keep my dog away from Ethan. Her name is Shayla and Marco would be taking care of her for me now.”

“Me? Why me, man?” Marco asked Enzo with a little show of annoyance.

The playful side of him got out for a little while.

“Because you are Shayla’s uncle. Please, man.”

Marco didn't argue. He just turned to Cleo as he got up. “Will I be getting an answer from you about coming to work for M & M media?”

Marco’s question was a shock to me. I wasn't listeining in on their conversation.

I was also thrilled to know he had offered Cleo a job position.

“Definetly,” Cleo said.

She was standing beside me but I could see her redden up once he was talking to her.

Marco pulled out his card and handed it to her. The exchange between them took a little longer.

Their fingers brushed one another. I eyed the exchange and made a mental note to call Cleo later in the day.

“Isa? Ethan? After you,” Marco said.

Enzo picked Ethan up to his shoulders and Ethan’s laughter filled the room.

“Let’s go Champ!” Enzo declared while lifting my baby.

I kissed Cleo goodbye before walking behind them, and Marco joined us.

Dear God, I know I'm doing the smart thing. I hope its the right thing too.