II

I haven't started work yet. It's about two weeks away because it has to be one month before I join. So I'll be a full employee of Camp Town on the first of June. And well, the waiting could be more annoying. I didn't know what to fill my free days with other than watching telenovelas, reading novels, cooking or lazing on the bed with my two cats.

I stared blankly at the drama before me as my head split. One of the pieces was where I went back to that night, where I met Amanda and almost crossed paths with the Dimitrious. There was a chance that I would run into him... and that should be okay, right?

It's been nine years...

The things between us are old, and I shouldn't have to go overboard with it. I could forget everything, move on and let what happened happen, but panic and something that had been languishing in my heart for a long time took over. Fear and resentment based on the past rose up inside me. My logical side went nowhere, replaced by the unreasonable side.

I shouldn't have to run or be afraid, right? It's not like Maven is the worst guy or that the past between us is unfinished. It's all clear, and he's probably already forgotten about me. I should have acted classy and casual like nothing was between us.

I sighed heavily when the other side of my head was thrown to the memory of a few years ago. Where we were still dating and then about him betraying me. An invisible finger stroked the wound that had dried up. There was no pain other than a slight soreness. I didn't realize that I still let that wound return to the surface even though nine years had passed.

I wanted to let it all go. God knows I tried, but I couldn't help the pain that came when I remembered that man.

What would happen if we met? I hadn't thought about that, but I could only pray we wouldn't meet again. It was better than seeing him and realizing that our past had no effect on him.

My daydream was broken by the ringing of my cell phone. It seemed like Mother Nature really wanted to get me connected to the people who had hurt me because my mother's name was there, and I was very tempted to press the red button and ignore her. 

But I've already done it a few times, and it was simple, so I pressed the green button and put my phone to my ear.

"Hello, Ma," I greeted.

"Hello, dear. Good afternoon-eh, it's afternoon already, isn't it?"

"Yes, Mom, what's up?" I cut her off, something she'd been doing for the past few months. She'd been calling me, asking me questions she'd never asked like a mother would ask her child: things she'd never done.

I didn't greet her and only responded briefly before disconnecting the call with the excuse of being busy. It helped that I couldn't help the tightness in my chest when I spoke to her. All her indifference had gotten me used to it, and getting this kind of treatment from her left me shocked and somewhat disgusted.

My extended family has always cared for me, treat me righteously and lovingly. My paternal and maternal uncles and aunts were more attentive than my parents. If there's a chance they'll come to Milan to visit me and hang out together. By far, the most frequent visitors were Uncle Andrew and Aunt Vienna. Uncle was Dad's younger brother, and although they shared blood, their behavior differed greatly. Uncle Andrew is very gentle with me and very caring, just like his wife. Their daughter Wienna also came often for vacations and was closer to me than Andrea.

My mother cleared her throat, probably aware of my discomfort. "Your sister is getting engaged on Wednesday. Can you come home for a while? We really want you to be there on her special day." She said.

I didn't answer anything for a while. The last time I went back to Quebec was two years ago, it was because of Hannah's coercion, and I went home for a while to see my grandparents in Ontario and then to see my parents. There wasn't any intention at the time; I just wanted to see them, but their treatment was still indifferent, and Andrea was instead ranting about why I was coming home. The point I could take from the insults she gave me was that I should have stayed in Italy and not returned.

So I did. I never came there again and didn't care about them anymore.

"You've only been back twice in nine years. We missed you a lot. Andrea and Cannes too." I'm sure the three of them would be annoyed to be included. They're happy that I'm gone.

"I have to work. I'm a full-time employee now. I can't take time off." I replied, my eyes staring blankly at the cityscape behind my glass window.

A sighing sound came from her. "Please, come home for a while. Grandma and grandpa miss you too much."

Another heavy sigh escaped me when Mom brought Grandma and Grandpa. The two people I loved more than my own parents.

"Grandpa's health is failing, and he wants you to come home, Abi. Just see them, you don't have to attend Andrea's engagement party. Please. I'm begging you."

I had no other choice. My heart is always sensitive when it comes to grandparents. They were always by my side when my parents didn't do their duty as they should. I don't care what my mother thinks about me being indifferent to her, but I care about everything my grandparents think about me. I can't make them feel that I don't care about them anymore. I don't want to hurt the hearts of people who love me so sincerely.

"Okay," I replied with one breath. "I'll leave the day after tomorrow, and I'll come to Andrea's engagement party. Rest assured that I won't crash the party. See you then." I continued and immediately turned off the call without waiting for my mother's words.

>>>

The man at my apartment door is my big boss, Jonas, ruining my good time tonight. He's already smiling at me in his casual way. I raise an eyebrow with a question mark that must be obvious on my face.

"You should come with me." He said casually.

"Where?"

"Club." He replied. "To meet my friend. I thought you'd be the perfect person to accompany me." He continued.

"Are you crazy?" I glared with shock.

"Yes, I'm crazy for asking you." He replied with an amused chuckle. "Hurry up, put on your jacket, and replace your boxers with jeans. No need to dress up nicely because it's not that important."

"Who are you meeting with?"

"My business friend. Something at his club needs to be added, and he wants to chat with me about it."

"But why do I have to come?"

He rolled his eyes. "You'll see it later, so hurry up and change."

I snorted. Actually, I needed something to refresh my head that wouldn't stop spinning. A little alcohol and fun would probably help.

Besides my boss, Jonas Harnett was my senior in college. I was close enough with him to hang out and have lunch together. Maybe some people thought that our closeness was more than casual friends. There were some whispers that I could get in as an intern and a full-time employee because of him, which was completely wrong.

I never used anything for my job. I passed all the tests well and was assessed directly by the HRD, which was completely out of his hands, and he was only in charge of the interview test. The one yesterday was completely professional, and there was absolutely no element of friendship. He even asked me a few tricky questions that almost made me give up, but the preparation I had put together long ago made me able to answer everything.

And we still draw a line between our life at work and outside of it. There was absolutely no feeling between the two.

Ten minutes later, we were at one of Milan's posh clubs. I had worn my usual clothes because I only intended to sit down, have a margarita or wine... and then go home. I just wanted to watch how people were having fun on the dance floor of this fancy club that I'd never been to. Besides, I was afraid of inconveniencing or embarrassing Jonas in front of his friends because I was completely out of control when I was drunk. My tolerance for alcohol was really low, which was why I had to constantly stay by my two friends' side. Otherwise, I would probably wake up in the middle of nowhere or in a room with someone I didn't know. The latter is something I really don't want to go through. So, as much as possible, I refrained from drinking more alcohol tonight and went home safely.

Peach bellini is beautifully presented in front of me. I take a small sip as Jonas beside me stands up to greet the man who has just arrived. He was a man in his mid-fifties with hair that was almost all white and old lines on his face. But his body wasn't fat. It was athletic, like the sugar daddy type that people were raving about. Even Hannah wanted one. Yeah, she'd turned down many offers from men her age to be lovers, but she wouldn't have turned one down if it had come to her like the man Jonas was talking to.

We had a brief introduction. Jonas introduced me to his friend Matteo Gallo, and he also introduced me to Matteo before returning to our Italian conversation.

I just sat and held back my annoyance that Jonas was completely ignoring me, and what exactly was the point of me being here? He shouldn't have had to invite me to meet if I had been ignored.

"Abigail will be one of the members of my office who will be taking on this project," Jonas said suddenly, making me almost choke on my drink.

I looked at him and Matteo, alternately confused and nervous. 

Matteo looked at me with a big smile and a nod. "Beauty with brain." A compliment that sounded like something other than a compliment. "I'm sure it will be very good. The club owner would be excited to keep coming to Italy if a beautiful woman worked with him." He said in Italian.

"The owner? Aren't you the owner?" I asked.

He shook his head. "I'm just the director who designs everything."

I gave a small nod, understanding that.

"Shall we get to the point then?" he asked Jonas.

Jonas nodded before turning to me. "Can you wait here for a moment? I need to see something with him. You can order as much food and drink as you like."

I just nodded but sent him a glare. He chuckled, aware of that.

"It's okay. No one will do anything bad to you. All the bodyguards in this place make sure of it." said Matteo.

I sighed. "Yeah, thank you. I'll be fine." I said with a bit of annoyance that I held inside me.

Jonas chuckled softly. "I won't be long."

I mumbled in response and let them leave me. As long as they promise my safety here, and one thing: no one will come near me, I'll be fine and wait for them to finish.

The female waitress approached me with the tray she was carrying a few minutes later. "Orders for you from Mr. Gallo."

I raised an eyebrow at the two menus she placed on the table quietly. Rumor has it that this luxury club does not only serve good alcohol but good pasta as well.

Pasta and a white-colored drink were in front of me. I frowned at her.

"It's apple juice," she said.

I opened my mouth and grunted, realizing Jonas had also ordered this. "Thank you,"

"Enjoy." She bowed and walked away from me.

I carried the bowl of pasta carbonara closer while checking my phone. Hannah's message was the first one I clicked. Where are you?

I'm with Jonas. I'll probably be back late at night.

There was no reply. She probably just returned from work and cleaned up. I put my phone down on the table and started focusing on eating my pasta. Occasionally, I take a sip of apple juice, unlike anything I've tasted before. It's a bit different, but okay. I hope they didn't add alcohol to it.

I looked around. It was getting late, and the crowd was getting bigger. I propped up my chin with my fist, gazing at the club's atmosphere. Despite the large crowd, the club wasn't claustrophobic. Maybe one of the reasons is because the place is so spacious. Plus I didn't see a single woman who only wore a T-shirt and jeans jacket like me.

Gosh, next time, if I have more money to come here, I will prepare myself an hour before I go, with a sexy and pretty dress. Thanks to Jonas for asking me suddenly and telling me that I shouldn't dress up. Now, I feel ugly.

I take another sip of apple juice, my head spinning a little, so I lean back on the couch where I'm sitting, watching everyone in the club with my body starting to feel weird.

My breathing was short, the heat traveling around my chest and up around my throat. It was a strange feeling that really made me feel bad.

There's no way Jonas put something in my drink, right? Why would he do that?

Or was it the Peach Bellini?

I tried to calm down, drinking some more apple juice that might calm me down. I took a sip and put my heavy head on the table.

It's like I'm drunk.

And the sensation running through me was getting more and more wrong.

I didn't drink as much alcohol as I once did. It was just an apple. Where did the turmoil that was overtaking my body come from?

My eyes were foggy as I gazed around; everything in my eyes seemed to be swirling and blurred. I was drunk, but the sensations I realized were taking over my body were not from alcohol. I started to get up to look for Jonas or to seek help from the club's bodyguard.

But my body was already unsteady, my footing unsteady, but I didn't fall onto the couch again.

There was an arm around my waist, keeping me from falling. I clung to the arm of the man holding me and frowned as a chill ran through my body. Not the painful kind, but tingly, and the arousal that followed. something strange that I've never felt before.

"Jonas, take me home," I said hoarsely, my throat dry, hot and sore.

"I'm not Jonas," the heavy voice in my ear was familiar, but I couldn't place it.

I stare at the blurred face before me. The last thing I saw was his faint smile before I closed my eyes to welcome the darkness.

"But I'm going to get you out of here..." There was a pause. "Abbey."