f o u r

ROSA

The next morning when I woke up, I threw my covers off, had my shower, and headed to my closet to put on a lovely, elegant dress with floral embroidery, keenly aware that Marco would see me in it.

Not having much planned for today, I decided to go to Dad's private library to see if there was anything there I'd like to start reading.

It was with surprise that I walked in on someone in there.

"Oh, sorry for interrupting Dad," I called out thinking he was the one in, till I noticed that he wasn't. "Marco?"

Standing at the bookshelf, he jumped when he heard my voice. "What are you doing here?" I asked with a small frown.

"I was... trying to find a good book to read," he smiled.

"It's your first day working for my dad, and you're in the library?" I quizzed, looking at him weirdly.

"And?" He retorted.

"Um..." I trailed off. He's trying to find a book to read too?

I wonder if that's what's he was really doing here. Maybe Dad asked him to fetch something for him... and he doesn't want to go into details. Or can't.

The lighting in the room sharpened his handsome features. I took in his maroon shirt that hugged his muscles, some of his tattoos showing, and black pants he had put on. Suddenly, he turned away from the shelf and walked towards me.

"Do you usually walk around the house like that?" He quipped.

I stared at him confused. "Like what?"

"Dressed like that," he gestured to my clothes.

"I don't know..."

"It looks good," he complimented.

"Thank you," I blushed, slightly averting his eyes.

"I didn't bother you too much last night, right?"

"No..." I mumbled.

"You have a busy day ahead?" He interrogated.

"Not really," I shrugged, my lips pursed.

"Good. What about Tony?" He asked suddenly and I became curious as to why he would bring him up out of the blue.

"What about him?" I frowned.

"He didn't seem too keen on me. Should I expect trouble from him?" He opined.

"Who knows? He keeps his scheming to himself," I snorted.

"Scheming?"

"Oh, nothing. It's just I don't usually like talking to him," I stated.

"Why's that?" He inquired.

"Well, he always starts fights with me."

"I see," he nodded. "As long as he stays out of our way. I've seen him watching you... keeping eyes on you," he revealed. "But seeing as there's no one here with us right now..."

He stepped right up to me. He leaned his head quickly into mine and stopped just short of my lips.

I opened my mouth as Marco easily fits his onto mine. Our tongues met, and my body grew hotter, and hotter. He broke the kiss and dragged his lips slowly across my neck as I arched my back, drinking up the feeling of being kissed, touched, and caressed by him.

I have to stop whatever's about to happen between us before it's too late.

"We can't kiss. It's too risky," I pleaded in a whisper, putting my hands on his chest and giving him a small push. "Someone will catch us in here, and my dad will be so angry with us," I trembled, taking a step back.

"I know," his face hardened. "You hungry? Come have breakfast with me," he suggested.

"Alright," I agreed. Aware of the perception others might get of leaving a private room together, I stepped out first.

Just outside, I stumbled on Tony. "Hey, Rosa."

A cry of surprise left my lips. "Uh... Hello, Tony." I grimaced.

"Reading this early in the morning?" He mused, eyeing the library door I just came out of.

I didn't want to lie, but I didn't want him knowing the truth either.

I shrugged. "Well, there are a lot of books to chose from... and then I decided I was hungry, so I'm about to go get some breakfast, if you want to join me," I offered, steadily holding his gaze.

"What's up with you? You're acting weird," he narrowed his eyes.

Just then, Marco decided to come out of the library, and unfortunately for me, Tony is quite smarter than the credit I give him, and he quickly connected the dots.

After a quick glance and a nod at me, Marco gestured to Tony and then left as if nothing happened.

Tony's eyes narrowed.

"Oh, I see! You were alone with Marco!" He smirked.

"It's not what it looks like," I pleaded, with the most common cliche line for situations like this.

He scoffed. "It'd be a miracle if it's not. Infact, it's such a miracle that Enzo needs to know about it," he threatened.

I bawled my hands into fists. "Stop being so nosy and bothersome. My private life is none of your business," I snapped.

"You're wrong. It's everyone's business," he pointed out, taking slow menacing steps towards me, with me stepping backwards. "Especially when it comes to our family's consigliere. Not only that, but we all live under the same roof. If something is going on between you two, I need to know," he seethed, "the whole family has a right to know. Do you even know who Marco is? Or if we can trust him?"

"We will find out soon enough if Marco is not to be trusted," I retorted. "In the meantime, give him the benefit of doubt," I sneered.

"Yeah, yeah." He rolled his eyes. "Don't say I didn't warn you," he walked away.

I looked around, but Marco was nowhere in sight.

That's odd... Why wouldn't he stick around?

Tony's words have me second guessing... I should just forget it. Tony's jealous... that's all.

***

MARCO

"Where the hell is he?" I heard her mutter as she impatiently paced along the alley.

"Why did you call me? It would have been a nightmare trying to explain myself if I had been caught," I grunted as I came into view, pulling the sunglasses off my eyes, resting them on my hair.

"Yes, I know, but these early stages are the most crucial. How's it going with the Castillos? Have they bought it yet?" She asked, biting her lower lips in anticipation.

Her slender body was hidden behind the clothes she put on: an ash corporate suit, a white camisole and black pants. She tucked her dark brunette hair into a ponytail, making her look a bit younger.

"The switch with Angelo worked perfectly," I chortled, stuffing my hands in my pockets. "No one suspects a thing. I have their trust, and they're starting to eat out of the palm of my hand," I grinned wickedly.

"You're sure about that?" She queried. "The Castillo family is not like any other family. You know what happens to people who stand in their way... and you need to keep that in mind at all times," she cautioned.

"Yes, I know."

"And don't you think you're getting ahead of yourself here? What do you think is going to happen when they find out that the man they welcomed into their circle is plotting against them?" She quizzed, her dark brown eyes blazing with worry.

"I knew the risks when I accepted the job," I objected.

"Don't make me question my decision," she threatened, a frown on her face.

"No need to doubt me. We're getting closer and closer here... Something we hadn't planned on happened the other day. A stroke of luck, you can call it," I smiled ruely at the memory as I explained. "A car nearly hit the old man and his kid outside the family restaurant. I pulled them out of the way, but he's so sure it was deliberate, so he asked me the same day to move in with them. I told you. He trusts me," I let out a small scoff and smirked.

"Fine, you've convinced me," she grinned with a roll of her eyes, before turning serious. "Just don't cause or get into any unnecessary trouble. I need you to stay on target."

"Not a problem."

****

Hiya! How's it going? Hope you like this chapter. The next one is going to be in Rosa's. Marcos POV will just be showing up a few times in some chapters, nothing much.

What do you think of Tony's suspicions? Is he just jealous, as Rosa said, or is he on to something?

How's the chemistry between Rosa and Marco? Sizzling, isn't it? Lol.

Who do you think Marco was talking with, and what is he(they) planning?

Ciao!