Chapter TWENTY-SIX
The day has come for me to leave... I am sad, but when you are not wanted, it's best to go. I am on my way to Stefano's office to say goodbye. Aurora is the one driving me to the airport. She felt I should say goodbye to him before I leave.
I knock on his office door and wait for him to respond. He says, comes in, I walk inside.
'Hi, Stefano," I say once I am inside. Once he hears my voice, he removes his eyes from the papers in front of him and focuses his full attention on me. He stares at me and takes in my whole appearance before going back to the documents in front of him.
'What are you doing here?"
'I came to say goodbye."
'Goodbye?" He asks, looking confused
'Yes, I am leaving, I wanted to say bye before I go."
'Oh, really," he says, not even looking at me while speaking. I feel a slight sting in my heart at his behavior towards what I just said. I don't know what I expected, I definitely didn't expect ‘oh, really.'"
'You didn't need to."
'I know I don't, but I felt I owed you that at least."
'You don't owe me anything, have a safe flight. Goodbye," he says, lifting his head finally. I expect to see the same sad expression in his eyes as mine, instead, it is filled with anger. I don't know what he is angry about, and the burning blaze in his eyes only makes me feel sadder.
'Goodbye, Stefano" I don't know why I feel like we won't be seeing each other for a long time, and it makes me sad. I feel myself on the verge of tears for two reasons. The man I care about does not care about me; the worst part is I don't know when I will see him again.
I quickly walk out of his office into the elevator before he sees me crying. The elevator door is closing when someone's hand suddenly stops it. It opens back up to reveal Stefano. Did I forget something? I didn't even sit down to forget something.
'You can't leave!" he says, pulling the stop button.
'Excuse me," I ask, not sure I heard him right.
'I said, you can't leave."
'Why?" I ask, confused. If I remember everything that has happened this past week. I think he would be thrilled I am going to be out of his hair.
'Because, I said so."
'Because you said so?" I ask, frowning in confusion. What kind of reason is that?
'Yes, because I said so."
'Oh my God, Stefano, you can't be serious right now. You want me to stay because you want me to stay. You don't have a good reason why?"
'I don't think I need to give you a reason."
'Stefano, I don't have time for your games. I don't see any reason to stay, and since you can't find one yourself, I will be on my way," I say, pressing the elevator to start working again.
'Do I have to give you a reason, so you will stay?" He says, pulling the stop button again.
'Yes, Stefano, the way you treated me the day I wanted to help, clearly shows you don't want me here. That's enough reason for me to leave. So, I need a good reason to stay."
'I know my behavior that day was out of line, but you have to understand, I did it because of you."
'Because of me? What does that mean?"
'To protect you, I need you far away from that gang to protect you."
'Stefano, I don't think that's necessary I am not their enemy. You are their enemy and helping you doesn't make me a target. It's not like they know I exist."
'Then how do you explain the attack last time when you were going to the airport? I wasn't with you, and they tried to kill you."
'I don't know exactly why; it could be they thought you were the one inside the car. I used your car that day to go the airport."
'I know that's possible; but I can't take risks." He says, muttering something to himself. I don't hear him, though. 'You mean too much to me to risk it."
'Risk what? I was born into a mafia family. Every minute my life is in danger."
'I know that, but I can't bring any more danger closer to you."
'Hmmmm," I say, rubbing, my temple in frustration, it seems nothing goes into those ears of his. 'I even feel like we have gone off track in this conversation."
'Yes, we have, but I still want you to stay."
'Stefano, we just finished arguing, and you did not give me a single reason why I should stay, so I am leaving."
'No, you are not," he says, coming dangerously close to me.
'Excuse me," I say, backing up against the wall.
'You heard me, I won't let you leave me," he says, his breath fanning my face with every word that comes out of his mouth.
'Then give me a reason to stay," I say, looking down on the ground due to our proximity. I feel too shy to look at him with how close we are.
'I hope this is a good enough reason," he says roughly lifting my chin, and capturing my lips. I stand frozen in my spot from shock as to what is happening. I can't believe he is kissing me. My eyes are wide open as I try to process what's happening and think of how to respond. This is what I have always wanted, why am I thinking about how to respond. I should just enjoy the moment. I slowly close my eyes and wrap my arms around his neck. He bites my bottom lip, which causes me to open my mouth in surprise. His tongue invades my mouth as it fights for dominance with mine. I move my fingers into his hair and enjoy the feeling of his soft hair through my fingers as his hand cups my butt, after what feels like forever, he releases my lips from his and we both try to catch our breath.
'Stay," he says putting his forehead against mine.