Chapter 3

HOLLY

It's a bit muggy out tonight, and if I don't take some measures to cool down, I'll be drenched in sweat before morning. So I took a shower and dried my hair with a towel. I want to have a good night's rest tonight. The fan is all I have for cooling off in my apartment, as there is no air conditioning.

I reached for my laptop and turned it on. Before logging in, I took a small device from my bag and activated it. All other equipment used to track me down will be rendered useless. Sometimes, it's tiring to be me, but I have to do this or the past will continue to haunt me.

Casa da Varano. He never leaves that place, and I can't just go in there. It would be suicide to face a damn battalion. It is surrounded by a huge wall and moat designed to keep attackers out. It is built on the tops of hills so the people inside could see attackers coming from a distance. I know I won't make it past his second layer of protection, given the number of guards he employs. By that time, he would have shot me or fed me to his dogs.

This is why I must take all appropriate measures to ensure success. For this to work, I have to give it my all. And no matter what happens, I cannot fall in love.

Love is for the weak.

***

A knock came on my door at precisely eight o'clock in the morning. Punctual— I like that. 

"Hi!" I greeted him. He looks relaxed and clean after his shower. The leather loafers were a nice touch with his dark blue collared shirt and grey linen walking shorts.

"Good morning. Are you ready or do you need a few minutes?" 

"I'm just going to grab my purse and we can go. Give me a second." 

I took my purse from the bedroom and gave myself one last look in the mirror. I picked a casual summer dress. I don't like floral very much but it fits the role I'm trying to play. If I were to choose, I'd pick a black tank top and tights. I wear black all the time. But summer is here and the scorching heat is going to kill me before Marcello's men do. 

When I got out of my room, I found him looking out the window. There's nothing to see there but the concrete, but if that's what he wants, then who am I to complain? I'm just going out for a free breakfast and some company. Hopefully, he's not going to be boring as fuck.

"I'm ready." I said to him. Luca nodded and walked towards the door before me. I made sure to lock the door behind me. I made my way down the hall with him. He doesn't talk much and I'm at a loss for words, so I've been keeping quiet, too.

My face was red from the hot wind and the excitement of racing down the highway in Luca's classic Black Thunderbird. Hair escaped my uneven ponytail and whipped my face. Damn! I didn't think this through. I wished I had a scarf to wrap around my head, but all I have is  sunglasses and lip gloss to slide over my lips. I thought he'd be driving one of those black sedans. Men like him who acts so formal usually drive those kind. But a convertible? Wow. Maybe there's a slight chance that he's not boring after all. 

Luca held the door open for me, and as I walked in, I heard a beautiful Italian song. It's instrumental and  not too hard on the ears. Truth be told, growing up I was never a fan of any music genre. I had no time for it. With all the trainings I have to do, I'd rather sleep. I noticed the dark wooden tables and the caramel colored chairs. There were a few couples  enjoying breakfast together. And some brought their children. 

When the woman at the front desk saw us, she froze in place.

"Good morning." Luca greeted her.It's understandable that the woman was taken aback at first. Luca is a handsome man who exudes an air of mystery. I was the same yesterday.

"Good morning. For two?" The heavily-made-up woman in black pants and a white top inquired. She's got an apron on and a notepad and pencil in her other hand. Bella is printed on her nametag.

"Si." Luca answered her. 

"This way, please." 

She seated us in a corner booth that overlooked the garden. Blush-colored roses and white daisies surround a miniature fountain. Bella excused herself to get the menus and when she returned, she handed it to us. 

"What's good here?" I asked Luca.

"Do you want me to order for us? Any allergies?" 

"No allergies. I eat anything." Luca nodded and ordered for us. He added crepes and extra fruits for us. 

When Bella left, I found Luca staring at me with those eyes that makes me feel lost. Would we become friends if circumstances were different? Maybe. Perhaps not. If you change something in the past, it will affect the present and the future. 

Still, those eyes makes me heart beat eratically and I don't like it. 

"I'd melt if you keep staring at me like that." I said to him. 

I witnessed his first genuine smile, which even made it into his eyes. Well, I guess he is just like the rest. I was beginning to think he'll turn me into a statue soon. Like when Medusa locks her gaze on a victim and transforms them into a freaking statue. Only Luca is the male version and he doesn't have a bunch of snakes on his head. 

"You are very pretty." Luca cleared his throat. "I doubt I'm the first person to have said that to you."

I smiled a little. "You're right, you're not the first." It's my mother.