✰ ✰

"𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤"

I was speechless. Literally.

I peered at him with wide eyes, while he stared blankly at me.

"Go with you?" I repeated, and he rolled his eyes and nodded.

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I considered everything that could go wrong.

First of all, my entire life.

My family. I'm not sure what I'd say to them. Except for Nicolo, no one knows I'm with Roman, and I don't want to know what would happen if my father found out.

Our whole relationship was on the low—more as I said, Lowkey.

And then school as well. I wasn't concerned about business, but I was concerned about the art classes I attend. I suppose I could always take them again.

To be honest, I really wanted to go. I had no idea where we were going for four months, but I was willing to go as long as it was with him.

Plus, I hadn't travelled in a long time—and I normally only travelled for jobs that my father assigned to me—

As I pondered this, a thought occurred to me. Maybe I could persuade my father to send me away on business with Roman—while making it appear as if it was his idea.

I smiled and nodded in agreement.

Perhaps I was in well over my head with this.

I finally realised I had forgotten about Roman and had levitated back to reality.

His gaze turned back to me, and he stared at me intently as he awaited a response.

I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply before opening them again.

"Okay," I breathed out, smiling. "I'll come with you."

Then, he smiled.

Graciously, a full fucking smile.

His plump, scarlet lips were curved, displaying two dimples on either side of his cheeks. My heart skipped a beat as I recognised the same genuine smile from the photograph.

I giggled and drew him back into my arms. I encircled his neck with my arms and pulled him in.

While his face buried in my neck again, his warm breath fanned across my skin as he kissed it twice. My hands moved across the back of his neck, lightly bordering over his hair.

"I need to figure out how to tell my family. My father." I mentioned, emphasising the 'father' part.

He came in close and rested his head against my forehead, peering deeply into my eyes.

"I know, baby." He murmured huskily.

"You're going for work right? So my father would know that you're leaving." As I thought, I leant back and played with one of his hands.

"Mhm." He replied as he watched me curiously. "So what if I convince him to go with you? Considering that I'm being watched, it could be safer for me to leave the city for a while—keep my head down" I shrugged sort of convinced with my statement.

He sucked his lower lip and stared at me. Unfortunately, it was the most sexiest thing I've ever seen, as well as a major distraction.

"It could work." He broke me away from his devilishly gorgeous face and I rose my brows in surprise.

"You think?" I continued to play with his hand.

With a shrug of his own, he added, "We did go on a mission together."

"True," I said and then slowly smiled.

I glanced up at him, full of hope—hope that only the two of us could sustain. I gave him a warm grin and a nod of approval.

"You are a twenty-year-old woman, Arabella. You can do whatever you want."

He drew me back into his arms and held me this time. He put one hand on the back of my head and wrapped it around the back of my neck while he wrapped his arm around my waist.

I exhaled loudly and pressed my cheek against his muscular chest. "I know," I said.

"I'll talk to Nicolo first and get him to help me." I pointed out. "Also, when and where are we leaving?"

I smiled and peered up at him through my lashes, and he smirked back at me.

"Next week." My eyes widened as he replied.

That was... soon.

"And where are we going?" I gave a mischievous smile. He switched his gaze to my lips and smirked before leaning down and kissing the crease on my cheek.

"You'll find out." He took a step back and withdrew away from my body.

I sighed and leant back in my seat, pouting. I started to grab all of my things again and then turned to face him once more.

I grinned as I slung the bag over my shoulder. "I'll let you know what happens." he gave me a single nod before leaning over my lap to open my door.

He grabbed my forearm and stopped me from hopping out. I returned my attention to him and gasped as he crushed his lips against mine.

I smiled into the kiss, caressing his cheek with my hand as his lips gingerly stroked mine. The familiar taste of mint washed over me, as was the sensation of his full lips against my own like soft velvet.

As I backed away, the flow of our lips stopped moving. I pecked his lips again and backed away from his grip.

"Bye, Roman," I said, a smile on my face as I studied his slightly rugged appearance.

He licked his lips slowly and nodded once at me as he leant back in his seat.

"Later, Ella."

I jumped out of the car, closing the door and walking with a small wobble since my legs were like jello.

When I got to the front door, the guards released it for me; I turned around and observed his car drive right out of the driveway.

✰

"Nicolo?" I knocked on his door twice and still no answer.

I know he's home, he said he was.

"I'm going to open the door, Nico!" I warned, pulling my palm on the door handle.

Then it bursts open, revealing Nicolo, who was freshly showered. He was in the shower, of course, I didn't think of that.

Instantly his arms flung around me, hugging me tightly to his chest and I squirmed in his grip.

"You're going to suffocate me, Nicolo." I gasped as he let me go, placing a kiss on my forehead.

"I'm just glad you're alive," He mumbled and pulled me into his room.

He stumbled in and closed and locked the door before searching through his closet to change.

I sat on his unmade bed, blindly staring at the ceiling.

"So, how did the rest of the night go?" I asked him.

"It was alright. Kara and Theo left together—oh, and I also brought your car home," He returned to the room, a white towel in his hand, drying his hair.

"Thanks, I forgot about that," I mumbled and looked away sheepishly. He sat down on the bed, shrugging, and plugged his phone into the charger.

"I mean you passed out... so," I nodded my head agreeing with him.

He was scrolling through his phone, opening messages, and I was watching him while my thoughts raced with possibilities for how this conversation could go.

"Nico," I said quietly, and he drew his gaze away from the device to look at me.

He frowned when he saw my face, which I assumed was similarly in a state of flux. I felt exceedingly nervous—almost anxious.

"What's the matter, Bells?" He tossed his phone to the side and moved right up to me.

"I've gotta tell you something," He grimaced even more, his fingers running through his hair as he worriedly glanced at me.

"It's nothing serious, I'm fine," I assured him. He probably thought I got hurt again.

He let out a sigh, a small sigh of relief.

"Then what is it?" I tried to calm myself by rubbing a circle around my thigh, but it didn't work as well as Roman's did.

"So, you know Roman?" He nodded and rolled his eyes. "Of course I know him," I reddened and continued to stare at my moving fingers.

"He's leaving New York for a few months for work," I murmured, raising my eyes to him.

His expression grew soft, and he extended his arms for a hug. Sighing, I did.

"I'm sorry, Bella. I'm sure you guys will work something out," He rubbed the side of my arm.

I gulped nervously. This was a lot more difficult than I anticipated. My heart began to rush, and I raised my eyes to him.

"He asked me to go with him, Nicolo." As the words left my mouth, my eyes squinted shut. I didn't want to see his reaction.

It was entirely silent, deafeningly quiet. My mind registered the silence, but what intrigued me was that he continued to comfort me.

"Did you say yes?" He asked softly.

I responded back with a small nod and a sigh.

"I did."

He chuckled as he sighed heavily and dropped his head on my shoulder.

"I knew you would," I frowned—completely confused.

"Wha—

"Arabella, I can tell you like him a lot. I'm happy if you're happy" He stated this as he turned completely around to face me.

His expression was utterly genuine and I hadn't known why I was so reluctant to tell him. Of course, he would be happy for me—he always is.

I hugged him tightly with my arms around his neck.

"I love you," I mumbled into his shoulder. He chuckled and comfortingly patted my back.

"Love you more,"

We stayed like this for a while, his embrace was always comforting and reassuring.

"I'm guessing you need help on telling our parental's," He said, retreating and raising his brows. I nodded and smiled meekly.

"Well, Uncle Dre is coming over tomorrow night for dinner, so both Mum and Dad will be here." He noted, shifting his eyes around the room.

"You think I should tell them then?" I asked him. He stood up from his bed and walked over to his curtains, which he opened.

"Yep. And since Andre is there I think they'll take it lightly," He turned around, the sun gleaming on him from behind.

I smiled and nodded approvingly.

"Okay, I guess it could work," I babbled and moved over to the edge of the bed. "I was planning to just mention the threats and then lead it on to me leaving out of the city for a bit to keep it under wraps," I explained.

"That's clever; if you explain it like that, Dad will probably agree." He said while standing in front of me.

"Once you find out where you're going, let me know and I'll come and visit you. We both know you won't be able to survive without your other half, don't we?" He strolled around the room, cockily grinning.

I scoffed and got out of bed, following him out the door.

"I think it's the other way round, little brother." I remarked, and he simply turned around and stuck his tongue out at me, immaturely.

We walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. Our parents, however, immediately ruined our eyesight.

My mother was pressed up against the kitchen counter by our father, who was whispering something into her ear as she became a deep crimson.

"You guys definitely need to stop this," I grumbled as I passed Nicolo, who was standing in the middle of the kitchen with his eyes tightly shut.

My mother pushed dad away, and he merely smirked as he stared down at her, seemingly unconcerned that his children had just witnessed something potentially life-threatening.

I ignored them as I went into the refrigerator to get the cut-up fruit container. I took two bowls, one for Nicolo and one for myself, presuming he wanted some as well.

"How was last night?" My mother asked.

I glanced at her, she was leaning against her husband, her head buried against his chest, and he had his arm around her—which immediately reminded me of Roman and myself.

"Yeah, it was fun. Arabella pissed herself during the haunted house ride," Nicolo snickered as he took the bowl of fruit I did for him.

"Shut up, Nicolo," I mumbled and tossed the container back into the refrigerator.

"And how was Kara's?" My mother then interrogated me, and I went very still. I nod quickly and stuff a strawberry into my mouth as I shift my head around. "It was great!"

She gave a slow, almost hesitant nod.

"Have you found anything out yet about the threats?" Nicolo interjected, shifting the conversation's focus. My father shook his head as I walked up to Nicolo and sat down next to him on the stool.

"A few days ago, Roman caught another guy coming after Arabella; he was alleged with that New York gang." My father said as he glanced between both Nicolo and myself.

Both of us frowned.

"Another guy?" We both stated at the same time. I instantly slapped his arm and mumbled for him to stop reading my mind.

"He caught him following you around campus,"

"Shit," Nicolo mumbled stuffing grapes into his mouth.

Nervously, I bit my lower lip. I couldn't believe someone was watching me, and it made me realise how desperately someone wanted me dead. Especially since I was on the verge of dying last night.

"Someone from the gang or someone connected to the group sent him. They're hiding now, whoever it is." He mumbled.

I was deep in thought while I chewed on my fruit. This was also something Roman hadn't mentioned to me.

"Thank God for Roman," Nicolo replied, his gaze falling on both of our parents. Our mother agreed with a nod of her head.

"Definitely. Are you two friends?" She asked me. When I stared at Nicolo, all he did was turn away and stuff more fruit into his mouth.

"Yeah, we're friends I guess," I said, looking down at my bowl.

"His best friend is dating Kara," Nicolo explained, "So we're all sort of a group now." I realised what he was attempting. Making tomorrow's conversation a lot less difficult than it was going to be.

"Really?" Mum tilted her head up, her eyes bright with curiosity. "Yep. And Roman and Ar—

"Anyways!" I exclaimed loudly as I stood from my seat, screeching the chair against the flooring.

I looked at Nicolo as his hand flew over his mouth, and I moved across the kitchen to the sink.

Fortunately, Nicolo had shifted the subject once more, and my mother sat beside him while he began talking about college randomly.

I gulped a bottle of water while standing next to my father. As I did, he lifted a hand to my mid-back, silently telling me to face him.

He stood there waiting for me to finish, and I did, placing the empty bottle on the counter.

"Just be careful Arabella. It's risky at the moment," My father said. I let out a long sigh and nodded.

He opened one arm up to his side, motioning for me to hug him. I smiled and warmed myself in his fatherly embrace. He kissed the top of my head while rubbing my back, and I leant away.

"Okay, I'm going to go study," I said, backing away from the kitchen.

"Bye, baby," Mum said as she stuffed her face with grapes.

I waved and walked out of the kitchen, mentally preparing myself for the day to come.

✰

Happy Halloween!!

- lei <3