All Chapters of Mariano: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

I hung out with Landon in the evening after completing my assignment. Aiden and Felicia were working, so Lan came over and we had enchiladas at Haley's.Yep, at my own workplace. They give discounts to workers.Luigi had come there to get some takeout, we'd nodded at each other, and I'd spent hours explaning to Lan why Mariano's chaffeur could afford a Harley.He was also his bodyguard, I'd told him. And he was, for the majority of the day, yes. Mariano's mansion was guarded by brothers Semerin and Semerino and their huge team. I hadn't bonded with them yet, not like I had bonded with Luca, Antonio, or Carter. I made a mental note for that.I didn't like lying to Lan about the man I was seeing, but I finally understood the thrill of a forbidden romance.

I was in Mariano's kitchen, making cupcakes. Meela and Mrs.Cole were out grocery shopping. Mariano was in his room, taking a bath. We'd decided I'd stay the night today, and were going to watch a movie after he'd taken his bath and we'd had dinner.I had changed into black yoga pants and a grey t-shirt. I'd packed a bag this time, instead of relying on Mariano's wardrobe."Mariano?" Came Emilio's voice suddenly.I ran out."Hey." I said to him when our eyes met. "Mariano is taking a bath. You can sit down. I'm making cupcakes."He nodded, and followed me to the kitchen. Grabbing a beer from the fridge, he sat down on a stool."So yo

I woke up in the middle of the night to an empty bed. Mariano's side of the bed was cold, as if he'd been gone for hours.His phone was lying on the bedside table, along with the book he was reading.I noticed that our clothes were still carelessly strewn all over the place, and picked them all up, dressing myself in Mariano's white shirt.The clock struck three suddenly, and there was the sound of muttered Italian phrases from the balcony adjoining Mariano's room.I padded over to him. The sky was dark, with almost no stars, and Mariano sat on a swinging chair, smoking. He had a swinging chair. I giggled to myself. Only 60 year olds have swinging chairs. "Hi." I whispered, and

"I read somewhere that men become inconsiderate after sex." Felicia told me, as she pretended to write notes while our Proffessor Righton lectured about the Romantic Era."Miss Reese? Miss Forte?" Righton called. "What is so vital as to be discussed in the middle of my lecture?""We're discussing..err..Shakespeare, sir!" Fel answered."In the Romantic Era?""Yes. He was very romantic, sir, don't you think? Those eyes that Love's own hand did make?" She grinned. Righton didn't look impressed."Meet me after class." He ordered."Motherfucker." Felicia murmured under her breath, then turned back to me.

I excused myself to the ladies' room, touching up on my makeup, fixing my hair.A woman had followed in right after me. I remembered Mariano introducing her as Firia, someone's daughter.She applied her lipstick in the mirror as I checked to see if I looked okay."You think he's gonna fall in love you?" She questioned snarkly, turning to me. I gave her a blank look. "Do you know that he likes to hurt girls in bed?"No. I wouldn't let her do that to us."I was engaged to him two years ago." She said. Oh? "I'm sure he didn't tell you that.""You're lying." I pronounced."You're a lit