Chapter 6
Alessia Guzman
*念 20%紐
“But are you okay though?” Isabella asked as she sat opposite me, flicking through the menu, although not paying any attention to it. The tiny restaurant was partially filled, a bit noisy but cozy.
It was a Sunday and two days after the disastrous one–night stand I had with a stranger and a killer at that.
1 groaned out loud as I held my head down in frustration and embarrassment. I had asked for a girl’s day out to get my mind off of it but that doesn’t seem to be working. I felt guilty enough because I thought I just cheated on Enzo.
“Relax, girl. These things happen. Just because he knows your first name does not mean he knows everything about you. You don’t know him, he doesn’t know you. It was just one night. So chill girl. I’m hungry.”
I knew Isa was just trying to cheer me up but she doesn’t even know the half of it!
“He found my apartment! He knows where I fucking live! In case you had forgotten, that’s exactly where we had sex!” I whispered and yelled.
“I’m pretty sure he knows all there’s to know about me right now.” I continued, calmly and on the verge of tears.
But the main question that kept gnawing at my heart was, what if I fall pregnant?
I didn’t want to voice out this concern to Isa because of course, I had to lie and tell her I was on birth control which I wasn’t. I was just too ashamed to admit how stupid I had been.
“Do you want to come live with me for now? Maybe just until Enzo gets back?” Isa offered, breaking me out of my thoughts.
“I don’t think Enzo would like that. I don’t want to impose.” I said, placing my hand over hers on the table.
Even though Enzo can be scary sometimes, I’ve always managed to hide that side of him from Isa. She gave me a knowing smile.
“I just want you to be okay, Al. And know that I’m always here for you.”
I felt strangely better and offered her a weak smile.
“Now! What are you going to order? I feel for something sweet so I think I’m just going to get the pineapple sticky rice.”
I was grateful for the change of subject.
“I’ll get the grilled shrimp with a side of mango salad.”
My gaze skimmed the restaurant searching for a waitress but they all seemed occupied. That’s when my eyes landed on someone that I least expected.
“Oh God, no!”
My glare hardened on him.
Was he following me? There he stood, adorned in black pants and a white shirt as he ordered at the counter, in all his tall glory. It was dark when I first saw him and I was drunk the second time I saw him but I would recognize those features anywhere.
20:33u,
20:33 u, 6 Feb
Chapter 6
Those features will forever be engraved in my mind, any efforts to diminish them proving futile.
He had his back to me and a silver watch around his wrist. He looked expensive. Who was this man? I clenched my jaw.
Maybe it was just a coincidence. He looked too expensive to be following me around. …or so I hoped.
“Who are you lookin‘ at-” Isa got ready to turn around, stopping when my hand grabbed hers.
“Don’t look,” I say quickly, widening my eyes. “It’s him.”
“What? Even more reason to-”
“Isabella, please.” I practically begged her.
Maybe he hadn’t seen me and I would very much hate to get his attention.
I just wanted to crawl into a hole and hide at that moment.
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“Okay, fine. I won’t look. I don’t see what the big deal is though. I just wanted to know what he looks like.” She said, pouting.
I took in a deep breath when she straightened in her seat and I let go of her hand while she pretended to flick through the menu again even though we already decided on what to order.
I followed suit, keeping my eyes down, shifting over the words on the laminated paper.
“Do you want to go somewhere else?” Isa must’ve noticed my discomfort.
“Of course not! We’re already sitting down and standing up would draw attention to us. Besides, I think he’s ordering takeouts.” I replied, feeling a bit relieved.
Maybe this whole thing was just a coincidence.
“Well, guess we’ll just have to wait until a waitress comes to us then.” She said and I offered an apologetic smile in return. We both knew she was hungry.
“Oh look, here’s one coming.” I grinned as a waitress approached our table, collecting her notepad from the pocket of her
apron.
An action we were all too familiar with.
The waitress introduced herself, told us the specials, and then took our food and drink order.
I made sure not to look in the direction of the counter. The last time I looked somewhere I wasn’t supposed to……….
“Such a sweet lady.” Isa smiled, watching the waitress depart from our table.
“I know….” I trailed off, lifting my head. I thought the man must’ve been gone by then. Boy, was I wrong? Because yet again, he was looking directly at me.
I was very much sober this time around and it was day, providing all the necessary light I needed to see him properly. And when I did, my heart leaped in my chest. He smirked, showing that dimple before averting his gaze to the guy next to him.
That smirk….. it was a knowing smirk. What was he playing at? Just then, my gaze landed on the guy next to him and I did a double take. Although the guy next to him couldn’t see me, I could see him clearly from my angle. I know that face all too well. It was a face I grew up with.
A face that reminds me so much of my father.
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20.34 Thu, 6 Feb
Chapter 6
What was he doing with the alley killer?
“Russo?” I whispered under my breath.
“What?” Isa looked up at me with furrowed brows.
“Al? What’s wrong? You look flustered.”
“I’m fine. It’s just really hot in here.”
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Of course, I only told Isabella that I ran away from home because I couldn’t stand my father. She doesn’t know the details of it all and I wasn’t about to go into a family history now.
Meanwhile, I was crumbling inside. If Russo knew and even hung out with the mysterious killer, it’s only a matter of time before they all find me and still possibly force me into a disastrous marriage.
I just couldn’t wait for Enzo to get back. Maybe I should’ve accepted Isabella’s offer to live with her.
I forced myself to look up in their direction again but this time, they were both gone.
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