2

The night was cold and it seems the rain would pour at any moment. Maximo Santino stood still as he alighted from the taxi with nothing but his cigarette in his lips and his bottle of alcohol in his left hand.

He was gazing up at the large building of western Hall rent carefully. He had finally arrived after a very long journey.

He had no bags or anything because he had ordered his man Marco to set everything in the room he will be staying.

" Huh? Such a sexy man " He overheard some girls giggling behind him. Maximo didn't turn to them.

He had been accustomed to people admiring him . He quickly step into the building and straight up towards his new apartment.

Luckily no one was around the tiny hall and he met no one when he entered the elevator and came out.

Finally he stood still in the doorway of his room staring at the other apartments by his side. There! That is where the lady whom Konstantin had love, iris lives. He thought to himself gleefully.

One job at a time. Maximo told himself as he reason he had to settle down at first.

He inserted the key and open the door slowly. The air that greeted him welcome was pleasant and everywhere was wiped clean.

It seems the workers Marco had sent to tidy up the room has been compensate very well for them to have done an excellent job. It has a room and small living room of it's own, too small for the trillionaire Italian Mafia boss but it will do for now.

He walk into his bedroom where he saw a large comfy bed and his closet was filled with expensive tailored suits and shirts. There were shorts too but not too much. Maximo nodded in acknowledgment as he was satisfied with the way Marco had set everything well.

He went into the bathroom to take a shower and then he walk in later on to get dress in a short and baggy black top.

He dried his wet hair throughly with a towel for he never fancy the hair dryer. He then walk out to get himself some dinner.

He walk into the kitchen while expecting to see his refrigerator stored with Italian dishes but what he met makes his heart sank.

Everywhere was wiped clean just as though no one ever lived there.

" Merda! " He cursed in Italian. " I will kill Marco when next I saw him " He vowed while clenching his jaw. He retraced his step and walk into the room where he left his cellphone.

He dialed Marco's number and waited for some seconds.

" Marco ? "

" Yes Boss? Oh , I see you have arrived " The man on the other end quickly reply in delight.

" Yes I have. I see you prepare everything "

Marco laughed softly before replying.

" it's okay boss... You don't need to thank me. The previous occupier was more than ready to vacate the apartment just for a little amount of money "

" Thank you ? " Maximo asked sarcastically " Not when you left the refrigerator in the kitchen without food! How do you expect me to survive? " He yelled out to Marco who didn't reply for a while.

" Boss I'm .. I'm sorry, I thought it would be safer if you buy the stuffs yourself. I can't trust the workers who cleaned up the room "

Yeah, he is right. I should be careful with the food and drinks around here. I don't want to be poisoned. Maximo reasoned. he cleared his throat and sigh.

" You are right Marco. Is there any money in the house? "

" Yes, in the drawer beside your bed "

" Alright Marco. There is no cause for alarm yet "

" Okay boss. Be safe " Marco replied and Maximo disconnected without replying.

He walk out of the kitchen and into the bedroom where he open the drawer. There, he saw much dollars than necessary and a smile curled up in the corner of his lips.

For the first time since he become the Italian Mafia Boss he would be going on an errand by himself.

He pulled on one of the sneakers he found and picked up some few dollars then he walk out of his apartment while securing the door shut.

Marco had told him there is a grocery store just across the western Hall rent. Maximo headed towards there to get some necessary food for his barren kitchen.

No cars but much money. He doesn't need a car yet, all he had to do for now is to seduce the lady, Iris, make her fall head over heel in love with him. That is the first plan.

The rest of the plan is still a mystery to everyone. Maximo walk across the road when the pedestrian light was turn on. The grocery store was cool but somehow stuffy for him. He quickly walk towards the receptionist who oh and ah when she saw him.

" I would like to get every recipe for Italian dishes " He told the lady before him who was smiling at him seductively. The lady was about to reply when suddenly some argument was heard from the inside.

" That must be Iris, that weird poor Lady " The receptionist said mockingly before gracing Maximo with her attention " please sir, what do you say you want? "

Maximo didn't respond to her question. He turn towards where the argument was coming from. There, he saw a slender lady with very long hair. Her Long, oval face is pale but it held the unmistakable beauty.

Her lips were plumped and naturally pink. Iris! Maximo thought to himself. He stare hard at the pitiful woman who stood before an angry lady who continue speaking to her harshly.

Why would Konstantin fall for a poor lady like this? Maximo thought to himself.

He watched as Iris step back from the lady who was glaring at her and turn towards the exit. She walk pass Maximo blindly and went out of the grocery store.

The latter whirled around to watch her. He saw her crossing the road, heading for her apartment but wait a second! Maximo frowned when he noticed something is off.

Iris was crossing the road when the pedestrian light wasn't on. Vehicles were fast approaching but she doesn't seem to notice, or did she noticed careless?. No time to find out.

Maximo storm out of the store and towards Iris. He got there just in time to save her from an incoming vehicle which nearly crushed her.

Maximo pulled her towards himself swiftly, slamming her against his solid hard chest. For some moment none of them could breath for the impact was so sudden.

Is she trying to commit suicide? Who is she to decide when to take her life? Maximo was somewhat upset by her ignorance.

Gently he wrapped his arms around the already shivering Iris and lead her into the apartment, up to the elevator and finally stop at her doorstep. He untangle his arms around her and stood still with a frown on his face.

" What was that? Trying to throw away your own life when you can't create one? " He shouted at the top of his voice , jolting Iris vigorously.

" I'm... I'm sorry. I was without my lenses at that moment. Everywhere was so... Was so blurry "

Her crackling, gentle voice amazed Maximo as much as it thrilled and sooth him.

For some seconds he only gaze longingly into her green eyes , noticing they had lost their Worth without the aid of lenses.

I just shouted at her for nothing. He thought to himself.

" But still you shouldn't be walking around without your lenses " He replied softly, trying to make up for his harsh words earlier. To his relief iris smile gently and nodded.

" Can you lead me into my room? My lenses are there "

Maximo take sometime before he reacted. Her scent and her gentleness was thrilling him somewhat and he doesn't know why.

Never had he picture the woman Konstantin had love as this gentlewoman. He held her hand tenderly and lead her into the apartment which wasn't locked.

The air that greeted him welcome was pleasant and everywhere was tidy just like his own too. He was relieved by it for he is allergy to dirt. He quickly pulled her into the bedroom where the image of Jesus Christ was hung up above the bed.

She must be a good Christian. He thought to himself as he left her wrist. He watched as she make her way blindly towards her bed and pulled out a small box.

For some minutes Maximo didn't say anything, he only stood still watching as the lady fixed her eyes.

Finally Iris raised up her head to stare at the man who had just save her life.

In doing so, her jaw drops open. She has been expecting a random, normal guy but she was woefully disappointed. The one who stood before her was far different from being normal or random.

His square jaw and spartan broad shoulders speaks out the strength he possessed. He had a short, thick, black air which was styled differently from any Americans. His eyes were of Hazel, golden colour and his thin hawkish nose , down to his plump red lips makes her lost self control for the first time in her life.

" You are not from here " She whispers in surprised. " How do you know my apartment? "

Busted! Maximo thought to himself.

" I am your new neighbor. My name is Maximo" He replied instead while avoiding the question for he detest lies.

" Maximo? " Iris repeated gently. " Oh, and I would have swore I saw the previous occupier last night "

Another minute pass in silent and finally Maximo began to feel suffocated in the small room. He had gotten use to his grandiose, spacious house in Italy that he seem to be unable to cope with anything less.

" I will leave now, you can get some rest "

" Wait! " Iris suddenly said " Thank you for saving me earlier. I'm Iris Saint "

" You are welcome" He replied easily turning towards the exit.

" You are not American... Are you? "

" No " He replied gently " I'm Italian "

" Perhaps I could... Uh I could make some Italian dishes for dinner to show how appreciative I am . I'm sorry but I happen to overheard you asking the receptionist for Italian recipes " She offered eagerly making Maximo to stare at her.

He watched her for a very long time , thinking it wouldn't hurt if he agreed to her request, especially when her round lovely eyes were pleading with him.

" Alright " He agreed and to his surprised iris smile in delight. She lead him towards her small tidy kitchen which was painted all in white. " I would help out " He offered from behind her. Iris who never expected him to offer help was surprised.

" It's okay, every airs around you speak out the wealth you possessed. I would hate to exhaust you for nothing "

Maximo smile softly at her words. He stare down at his hands which had only does gruesome things but never cooked.

" It's okay, I would like to help out. You might want to keep eyes on me though. This is my first time in helping out in the kitchen "

To his words Iris laughed out heartily making Maximo to stare at her oddly.

She is a beautiful lady. He thought to himself as he lost himself, completely in her. No wonder Konstantin fell for her too.

He quickly look away from her and pretend to be interested in the wall.

Finally they started cooking. Iris taught him some simple dishes and he listen attentively, stealing glances at her occasionally.

After much talks, laughter and accidentally grazing each other's body, the food finally was ready.

" I will set the table " Iris announced happily. She made to walk pass Maximo towards the exit when she slipped through but luckily Maximo was there to grab her before she fell.

He pulled her up to her feet before himself, staring at her face.

Their gaze locked for some minutes, without moving. Iris heartbeat was thudding crazily against her chest, amazed that her body was reacting strangely due to the presence of this foreign man.

She tried convincing herself, saying it was because she had never invited a man into her home that is causing her strange behavior and Maximo too was busy thinking.

It is only part of the plan. I feel nothing for her. It is so sudden to call this love. Hell, it's not. He thought to himself, trying hard to dismiss the Truth.

His arms went up , towards her shoulder and his second hand went up to her cheek, slowly. He was gentle with her at first, throwing caution and self control unto the wind as he captivated her lips with his. Stealing away her very breathe. She leaned against him more tightly, allowing him to feel her breasts against his solid chest. The groan from him delighted her like nothing ever. Maximo desire, right there was to strip her naked and thrust into her.

He was unaware of anything except her as his hand went into her dress, aiming for her breasts hungrily.

" Max? " Iris suddenly called softly, trying to break free from Maximo's arms but the latter isn't ready to let her go. No , not yet. " Max! "

Thanks to her raised voice, Maximo snapped back to reality. He drops his hand which he wrapped around Iris to his side and step backward, staring at her face oddly.

She has no regret and pain whatsoever and her lips had become more colorful due to the kiss.

What just happened? Did I just lost myself in her ? He thought to himself dazily.

He didn't want to find out, nor does he want to stay with her any longer. He lowered his head and clenched his jaw.

" I need to take a smoke " He said and walk out without waiting for response, almost running. His heartbeat was racing and he was confused as he Storm into his own apartment.

Who is she? How dare she makes my heart beat this way? How could she be so beautiful and at the same time yeilding?

Why is she staring at me with the love that I secretly yearn for? Oh no!

I only have to seduce her to get back to Konstantin and then take back the package before three weeks. Yes! No commitment and definitely no love. Maximo swore to himself determinely.