Chapter Eight

إذا قصرت يدك عن المكافأة فليصل لسانك بالشكر

If you're unable to reward, then make sure to thank

Rose

I lean my back against the door, sighing deeply. Even though I didn't understand a single word he said but those words meant something—like he purposely said it in Italian because he doesn't want me to know and he wants me to figure it out.

My eyes wander to the left and see Cassandra standing there, leaning against the wall as she crosses her arms while eyeing me, ''Let me guess, he wanted to have sex with you but you said no.'' She says, shrugging.

Furrowing my eyebrows at her, I shake my head, denying, ''No.''

She blinks a few times, ''That's new.'' Slowly, she starts to walk towards me—until we're close enough. I see her eyeing my clothes before chuckling, ''I think you need to shower and change into a pair of fresh new clothes.''

I look down at my clothing and see that she's actually right. I really need something that fits me anyway and wearing the same skinny jeans that's dirty isn't comforting either. She pulls me by the wrist and we walk towards the other side of the hall—into another room.

Cassandra walks towards her walk-in closet and I just follow her from behind. Once I'm in, my eyes widen at the sight of her clothes. From different designs and colours, I can tell that she enjoys shopping. My lips curve up into a small smile as I touch one of the clothes, realising how I've never experienced having appropriate clothes of my own other than slutty dresses.

''Here. Go take a shower and change into this.'' She hands me a white tank top and a dark blue skinny jeans.

I smile at her, ''Thanks.'' And she smiles back, slowly leaving me alone in her room. My eyes wander around the room to make sure that I'm alone before undressing myself and putting the clothes on the ground—as I enter the bathroom, cleaning myself up.

Once I'm done, I look at myself in the mirror and see that I actually like my face without any makeup on. I feel like myself other than hiding behind thick layers of makeup. That's what they taught me—they wanted me to put on makeup so that I could enhance my own beauty but I turned out to be someone else.

I change into the pair of new clothes before walking out of the room. Just in time, Elia steps out of his room too—making both of us look at each other in surprise. He looks at my face for a few seconds before eyeing my clothing but I ignore him by quickly walking down the stairs.

All of the men are in the living room, laughing as they talk about something. From afar, I see Cassandra sitting with Luciano as they just talk but the frown on Luciano's face shows how he disagrees with Cassandra about something. Turning around, I see Elia walking down the stairs, eyeing my every movement.

He's the only person that I know in this house, might as well just act like nothing happened. I thought.

I feel him holding me by the waist as he stands close, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear slowly—purposely running his fingers on my face, making me feel tingles on my skin due to his touch. Then, he leans in, pecking me on my neck as his lips curve up into a small smile.

As soon as I feel the familiar rush in my chest, I quickly step away from him and walk towards the back of the hall—until I see a door, making me push it open and breathe in the fresh air. What is wrong with him? What is wrong with me? I thought, massaging my temples with my fingers. My body won't stop shaking from what just happened yet I manage to control it by slowly breathing.

''Rose.'' I turn to see Elia standing near the door, looking directly at me.

Blinking a few times, I can't help but notice how it kills me every time we're near to each other. He doesn't even have to try anything and he would still look like he could seduce any woman he wants. From the way his messy yet neat hair looks and the brightness of his eyes—his appearance is really bothering me.

''What is wrong with you?'' I ask, pushing my hair to the back using my fingers.

He furrow his eyebrows, waiting for me to continue on speaking; as if he knows that I'm not done. I look at him—straight into his eyes, searching for answers through them but I find myself only trapped with his beauty, ''Why me?''

From here, I can see him clenching his jaw before shoving both of his hands in his pants' pockets, ''Here we go again.'' He mutters under his breath, sighing, ''For god's sake, Rose, why you? Is that all you want to know? Why you?''

''There's no reason why it's you.'' He adds, ''That night, at the club, you were stunningly beautiful and I can't help it that you caught my attention. No matter how many times you ask me why you, I can never find the answer because I don't know.'' I see him taking a few steps towards me but I stay at my spot—not bothered to move.

Breathing out, ''You paid one million dollars for me. Do you think anyone would just waste their money for a fucking prostitute, Elia?'' I frown.

I know where I stand. Elia and I, we're two different people. You can say that we're two fucked up and messed up people but we will always be different. Elia—raised and educated perfectly, to become who he is now yet I don't know why he chose this path. I on the other hand, had no choice.

''Why do you see yourself that way?'' He replies.

''Because that's who I am!'' I throw my hands up in the air before taking a few steps back, ''Do you think that I want this life? Do you think that I begged them to make me as a prostitute? I never wanted to be there. I'm thankful that I'm out of that shit hole but I for one, want to know why you wasted your money on me.''

We both stay quiet—with Elia not really knowing what to say as he just stare at me and with me not really knowing how to react. I can't help but feel slightly uncomfortable by his gaze.

I walk towards him, closing half of the space between us, ''I want to ask you. When you look at me, what do you see?'' My blue eyes are looking directly into his brown ones—waiting for his answer.

He leans in so that our noses are touching as he looks straight into my eyes, ''Mio amore.'' He says and within seconds, I feel his lips brushing against mine—pecking before slowly leaning back for a few seconds. We stare at each other, not really knowing what just happened but I wrap my arms around his neck, meeting his lips once more.

With every movement, I feel my butterflies in my stomach which causes me to lean in closer towards his body. Our kiss doesn't feel rushed because our lips are moving in sync, slowly and passionately. His hands are on my waist as he tilt his head to the side, getting a better access.

He pulls my body closer towards his while I pull at the tips of his hair—earning a slow groan from him. The softness of his lips leaves me wanting more and the comfort of his touch makes me want to continue on feeling his warmth; like there's nothing else in this world to care about except for ourselves.

It may be too early to say that we are enjoying each other's company but I know that we're starting to develop something, some sort of feeling just by looking at one another.

I break the kiss, brushing the tip of my nose against his and I see him clenching his jaw—his grip on my waist loosening a bit. As I look up, I see him still looking down at my lips, controlling his breathing. My whole body feels weird sensation that I've never felt before; as my heart continues to beat like I had run a marathon.

Slowly, we let go of each other as we both start to feel the awkwardness developing between us. For some unknown reason, I can still feel his warm soft lips on mine and I can't help but wanting more. That kiss means something to me—it feels like I know every inch of his past and his life just by kissing him because he was being open to me. We were showing how we feel through that kiss.

I, wasn't able to resist the temptation nor the attraction.

Elia looks up at me after glancing one more time at my lips. Just before he could say something, Cassandra appears at the door, ''It's dinnertime.'' She says, smiling and she starts to walk down the hall—towards the living room.

I walk towards the door but it takes me a second to realise that he's currently standing at the spot where he's also blocking my way. So, he takes a few steps to the side, letting me pass through.

Once I enter the living, I still feel my heart beating fast—making me feel slightly uncomfortable. I'm not able to forget what just happened earlier and I don't intend on forgetting it either because deep inside, I know that ever since I first lay eyes on him, I wanted to feel how soft his lips would be with mine.

''You okay there?'' I turn around to see Luciano leaning his side against the wall.

Clearing my throat, I try to make my voice sound fine, ''I'm alright.'' I reply.

He walks towards me, giving me a hand and I hesitate at first but I take his hand anyway as he takes me to the dining room. From afar, I see Elia standing near the end of the table—eyeing my every movement but I ignore his gaze as much as possible, forcing myself to not look at him.

During dinner, they all are chatting and laughing while I sit awkwardly, finishing my meal. Elia didn't sit beside me and Luciano ends up taking that spot instead—even from afar, Elia keeps on looking at me once in awhile which makes me much more uncomfortable.

All of a sudden, Elia stands up, excusing himself by walking out of the dining room and out of the house—making everyone look at him and not notice that anything is wrong due to the small smile on his face. I watch him as he leave; glancing at my direction for a few seconds. Luciano notices.

I shortly excuse myself, following him out of the house and close the door behind me. From behind, I see him lighting up his cigarette and starts to smoke before turning around to look at me—leaving us staring at each other's eyes.

Due to the sun setting sun, I manage to see a more beautiful side of him. There's a lot to Elia; I know he doesn't notice how he's actually more than he is now but I notice. I see a lot of possibilities in his life.

He exhales the smoke, holding onto the cigarette in between his index and middle finger. My eyes notice that his lips are curving into a small smile, ''I like you, Rose.'' He says, causing my whole body to weaken but I swallow the nonexistent lump in my throat—trying to make sure that this is reality as I hide my hands behind my back and clench them into fists.

''Honestly, you don't see what you're capable of. You're an extraordinary person. Maybe that's why you're here and not there. It's because you don't belong there, you never will. I may not know everything about you—especially your personal life but I do know that I want to get to know you better.'' He frowns, ''For some reason, I want to be your source of happiness.''

I stand still, not knowing what to say.

''The thing is, you don't deserve a life like this either. You're free, Rose. You can walk away and never look back—you'll be safe.'' He takes a few steps closer towards me, ''Between you and me, it seems impossible. Maybe the reason why I paid one million dollars for you is because I want you to live your life. You deserve that more than anyone else.'' The way he looks at me as he says those words, it affects me.

Elia raises his right hand, running the back of it on my cheek—making me feel the warmness, ''I'm letting you go.'' He looks straight into my eyes before smiling, slightly.

When he starts to walk away, I turn around and stare at his broad shoulders—with him getting further away from me with each step. Closing my eyes as I take a deep breath, ''I don't want to go.'' I say, catching his attention and stopping his steps, ''That's my choice.'' I add.

He turns to look at me, ''Life's too short and we both have a fucked up one anyway, might as well enjoy it.'' I smile at the end and he returns it—revealing his left dimple. His dimple just makes everything appear ten times better.

Walking towards him, I wrap my arms around his waist as I place the side of my face on his chest—snuggling close. Within seconds, I feel him wrapping his arms around my body; making me smile to myself. Even if this last for a few seconds, I want to cherish it because we never know what will happen.

Even if I leave, there's nothing for me out there.

I let go of him, walking up the stairs—just leaving him outdoors. My heart can't take being near him and not knowing where it'll lead us both. We both can't deny each other's touch; now that we're a step ahead, we're hardly going back.

As I enter back the room where Elia and I first step in, I start to remember the kiss we shared earlier. I run my fingers on my lower lip—somehow feeling his. My mind won't stop replaying the scene but I can't help but admit that I like it. I like how lips were pressed one mine and how passionately slow we were with the kiss.

I lay on the bed, feeling the softness of the duvet before closing my eyes and replaying the scene in my head. Without me realising, I am already in a land of my own.

My eyes open to find the sunlight hitting onto my face—making me cover my face with the back of my hand before looking straight and see Elia standing there, looking for something in one of the drawers; more like in a fast pace.

Blinking a few times before I sit up straight, making him glance at my direction for a few seconds, ''What are you doing?'' I ask, running my fingers through my dirty blonde hair.

He takes out a briefcase from one of the drawers and open it—revealing guns. My eyes widen at the sight before falling back onto the back once more, sighing. Right, back to reality. I thought. I peek to look at him again and see that he's placing the briefcase on the bed, next to my legs.

''We're leaving.'' He says, letting a few strands of his hair fall; touching his forehead.

''Again?'' I raise an eyebrow, sighing even deeper. To my surprise, Elia chuckles and starts to take something under the bed—which takes me awhile to realise that they're also another briefcase filled with guns.

Someone pushes the door open from the other side, catching both Elia and I's attention as we turn to see Cassandra peeking through the door. Elia rolls his eyes and continue taking the guns while Cassandra enters and throws a button up denim shirt at me. I catch it right before it could land on my face.

''Change.'' She says, getting out of the room.

I look at Elia and see him eyeing my body before continuing to take another briefcase out. I ignore him by putting on the shirt but leave the buttons undone. ''So, Italians enjoy ordering people around?'' I ask, making him smirk while checking for the ammo.

''Come on.'' He says, picking up two bags and giving me a hand for me to stand up. I eye his hand before taking it—then we both step out of the room, heading straight downstairs.

We walk out of the house and I see that it is empty except for Elia's Chevrolet parked near the entrance and a Ducati. Furrowing my eyebrows in confusion, ''They left?'' I ask, turning towards Elia who is currently putting the bags in the trunk.

''You can see that, can't you?''

I open the door to the passenger's side and place both of my arms on either side while I watch him. Then, I see Cassandra running out of the house—heading straight towards the Ducati. She blows me a kiss before putting on her helmet; preventing me from seeing her face since the visor is tinted, ''See you whenever, Morello!'' She shouts, starting the engine.

He waves at Cassandra and she quickly twist the handles—disappearing down the road, leaving only Elia and I. ''So, it's just you and me again.'' I say, breaking the silence and he nods his head, smiling at me.

Then, he enters the car before me. Once we're both in, he starts the engine, quickly driving out of the land and straight down the road towards the highway. He presses harder onto the gas pedal, speeding as I lean my head against the seat—looking at the road.

All of a sudden, I start to laugh which catches Elia's attention, he turns to look at me as if I've lost my sanity, ''I didn't even get to brush my teeth.'' I mutter under my breath, earning a chuckle from him.

I look straight when the car immediately stops—with Elia pressing hard onto the brakes. He looks at the road, seeing an all black Range Rover stopping in the middle of the road when we're only a few miles away from entering the highway. I let out a sigh before turning to look at Elia, seeing that he is in his deep thoughts.

From the side, I see him clenching his jaw before he turns to look at me, ''Do you trust me?''

''That's a hard question.'' I reply, making both us chuckle which is pretty insane when the situation is tense.

He smiles, his right hand on the gear while his left is gripping hard onto the steering wheel.