"When you love, it touches everything, it's like a package deal. Risk, trials, betrayal, conditions, and pain." - Dean

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Athena Guidici's POV

           I HEARD a shattered sound followed by a "FUCK!" word. Then, a retreating thundering footsteps. I don't need to go back to check what was it. I'm pretty sure, he smashes the glass on the floor. I'll worry about it tomorrow. For now, all I need is a good rest and forget all about today. I'll just think, it was a nightmare and nothing happened.

I quickly had a shower and then put on my sleeping clothes, then curled inside my comforter with my phone. I browse on my phone and noticed a missed call from my best friend, Bell. A hollow smile broke out of my lips and decided to call her back. 

"Hello," Bell's exhausted voice rang in the speaker. 

"Hi, it's Enna." I suddenly missed her. At times like this, I love to be with her. She's my very best friend and a sister which I never had. 

I heard her yawning. "You just got home?" she asked between yawn.

"Yes," I responded shortly, rolling on my side, "I went to have dinner with my parents." 

"How are they doing? I'm sorry, I haven't able to call your dad back. I'm so busy here," she explains and I understand. It's her due in a month. 

"No worries. Dad is busy, too." I reassured. "Are you excited?" I asked changing the topic. I don't want to talk about my dad at this moment. It only replayed in my head what we just had talked about. 

"A little bit. I'm more of scared," and she is. "I just wish, he's healthy." I could feel the weight of stress she's in. 

"He will be. I know he's going to grow tough and very healthy, like his mom," I comforted. I just hope she will be okay. I'll come to see you may in a month. I'll just settle things here and when it's okay to leave it to my secretary, then I'll come and see you." I promised.

I want to see her and know how is she doing. Honestly, I wanted to kill Rafael right now, for leaving her and chose his mistress over her. I can't imagine how she must have been suffering, carrying all the worries by herself. A hefty weight of responsibilities on her shoulder is not really easy. 

"Thanks, Enna. You're the best!"  a hollow chuckle rang in my ears and I don't like it. I felt it too, and it's terrible. My heart goes out to her. 

"Are you sure, you're fine, Bell?" I felt choking as I remember that I'm not fine. I needed her too. We need each other.

Suddenly, she burst out crying. I bolted upright and stared at oblivion, with tears stinging my eyes. I could imagine her crying, shoulders shaking while her tears pouring incessantly over her cheeks. "I-I'm scared.  I wish we were okay. I'm scared for my son. He'll grow without a father," she cried and my heart clenched for her. 

"Shhh... Bell, please don't cry. It's not good for the baby. You'll make the baby upset, too." I cooed and I heard her sniffed, maybe she's trying to stifle her sobs. 

"I don't know what to do. After I will give birth to him, I need to find a job. I don't know if who will help me look after him when I'm working. I want to take care of him, but I need to make ends meet." I felt the tears escapes from my eyes and tasted it. 

"Oh, Bell. I can help, but I know it's not mu-"

"Please, Enna. You helped me a lot already. Please don't make me feel so indebted to you," she cuts me off and I knew she's very stubborn. She never likes to take advantages of my kindness and sometimes it really maddening, but she's tough and she is one of those who lives with their principles. 

"If you can't do it anymore, please let me help you," I negotiated and at the end, she agreed.

"I'm so lucky I met you Enna. I don't know where I am now, without you," she said sincerely and I shook my head like she could see me.

"No, Bell. You made almost my eight years with you, memorable and happy." 

"Well, true. You were my sister that I never had," she agreed and I smiled.

"So I hope you'll consider my help." I coaxed.

"If I can't do it anymore, then, yes."

"I'll call you when I come to see you," I said yawning after. My eyes dropping so I lay back on the bed, pulling the duvet up and tucked myself in. 

"Alright. Good night, Enna and thanks again. Hope to see you soon," 

"Yeah," I murmured sleepily as I shut my eyes. When I heard the dial tone, I deposited my phone on my side table and then let sleep take over, forgetting all about what happened just an hour ago.

                A WEEK, months passed by. Giovanni was avoiding me. That's what I felt like he was doing to me. He comes home only when I'm already in bed, and when I'm up, he's gone. He flew to Italy often than he stays in New York. And if he's here, he spends more time with his friends, works, than spending it with me. 

His actions hurting me like hell, yet he doesn't realize it. It was hard to just ignore it, yet I'd rather let it be than arguing to a bull-headed like him. It's like talking to a deaf. "Are you sure you don't wanna talk to him?" asked Dean. 

I looked around my office, and then drifted it back to Dean who was sitting across my desk. I shook my head stubbornly. "Nah."

He then looks serious and rambled, though it shocked me to hear his words. "When you love, it touches everything, it's like a package deal. Risk, trials, betrayal, conditions, and pain." I stared at him like, is he really my friend? Is Dean really talking to me? Counseling me?

"Don't give me that look, baby doll. Now, I take that words back. Actually, it's my grandma's words to me." He shrugged his shoulders and I slumped my back in my chair and shook my head in disbelief. Why would I ever believe him? 

"I almost believe it was you talking to me, but honestly, thank you, Dean. You're starting to become a true friend now!" I half-chuckled and sat upright, propping my elbows on the table. 

"Shut up!" he waves his hands off and I shot him an annoying look. "Now that you two are on and off, we could hang out again like it used to be. We are going bowling tonight. Gultan, Tracy, and the rest of the team are coming. We need to loosen up after a stressful week." Dean cocked his eyebrow for my response. I furrowed my eyebrows. A moment ago, he was all too supportive and like a counselor talking to a heartbroken, and all of a sudden, he became the Dean I used to know, who don't care about anyone and that's including me.

I made a lengthy paused before I answered. "Sure," in a hollow indisposed tone. 

"Don't overthink things, Enna. Everything will be fine. Come on, share us your infamous smile, you look so tense. You'll get more wrinkles, botox is too expensive, baby doll." Dean teased and I chuckled softly at his lame attempt. 

"You can give that as a birthday presents to me, right?" I teased back and he chuckled shaking his head. 

"No way, missy. I'm glad you're not my girl. You're too high-maintenance," he teases me more and I involuntarily pick up my pen and lunged it at him. He laughed as he ducked his head with his arm lifted involuntarily trying to cover up his face. 

Dean stood up and brushes the crumpled patch of his pants. "Very well then, I gotta go, and you should go home too, you look like you just lost a million bet," he chuckled at his own jokes. 

"Shut up!" I rolled my eyes at him and he just shrugs it off. "Just go, shoo!" I waved him off and he just chuckled it off.

"So you want me to come pick you up, or meet you at the bowling alley, not too far from your place actually," he waited for my response before he playfully salutes of agreement then left. 

I leaned my back in my swivel chair and I squeezes shut my eyes as I recalled about that tape again. I need to know what's on that tape. Why my dad has the tape? Who gave it to him and who belongs to.

An idea flickered in my head and I snapped my eyes open, then went straight on google. I started typing about mafia and then the infamous tycoon Claudio Santorini. A bunch of links pops up on my screen and a picture of him and his family, laying in their own blood caught my attention. My stomach suddenly felt churning and I quickly close the window and slumped on my seat feeling weak and trembling. 

Just seeing it makes me aghast and commiserate with Gio. It must have been very devastating. It was only a picture, yet it is making me feel infuriated. And now, the anger I felt for him, frustrations and disappointments morphs into sympathy. I can't imagine how much he went through. 

My eyes drifted to my phone sitting on my table and stared at it. I suddenly wanted to talk to him, hear his voice. I involuntarily took the phone and unlocked it. I browse on my favorites and stared at his number, debating whether to call him or not. I place the phone down and stared at the picture frame hanging on the wall facing me. It was a picture of a family having a picnic in what seems their backyard because of a house as the backdrop. The kids all looks so happy while the dad was busy unpacking their baskets.

My eyes drifted back to my phone and pick it up. My head was doing the hit it or not game, and after a long brain wracking debate, I hit the call. I held the phone closer to my right ear and then leaned back in my chair. 

It kept on ringing and now I'm getting a bit unsure of this call. Just as I was about end it, I heard his voice. "Speak!" A cold and snappy tone reach my ears and I suddenly lost my voice.

"Speak or I'll hang it up," he growled and even just his tone, he sounded so menacing, yet sexy and disturbingly stimulating.

"H-hi," I stammered. "I-I'm sorry, I can call back later if I catch you at a bad time?" I blabbered clumsily.

I could be wrong, but I heard him sucked in his breath. "Bambolina?" his voice toned down an octave and softens. "No, baby. I was just done here." His voice suddenly felt soothing and it caress my heart. "Would you like me to come pick you up?" He sounded happy this time and I suddenly felt choking. I couldn't find a word to say. "Bambolina? You there, baby?" he suddenly sounded worried and I nod.

He's not in front of you Enna. Say something, idiota! I chastised myself after realizing what I just did. I'm so stupid.

"I'm sorry," I could hear myself choking.

"Are you okay, Enna?" I could sense his tense. "Do you want me to come pick you up now?" I heard shuffling sounds in the background and just then his words sunk in my slow head.

"Ah- no. I'm fine, Gio. I have my car. I'll just drive home," I responded all too quickly. I heard him sighed.

"Alright, I will see you shortly then."

"Okay. I'll see you in a bit," I repeat his words and I ended the call. Just then I realized, I will be meeting Dean and my co-workers at the bowling alley near my place. 

Damn! Stupid Enna. I almost smack my head in frustration. 

What now?

I groaned inwardly at my stupidity.

          I FISHED out my keys from my purse as I made my way to my door, cursing occasionally at my purse. Honestly, I have a very decent size purse, yet it seems like it's too big that it takes me a time to find my stuff. And my purse only contains a few items, it's not like it was stuffed with a lot of different things. 

I groaned in frustrations as I went through my purse when the door suddenly unlocked and then it opened, revealing Gio who was looking downright exhausted and still in his three-piece tailored suit, still looking mighty fine. But even with his state, it really didn't lessen the domineering stance he possessed. It is outrageous to even compare him to Zeus when it comes to looks, but I can't help it. He could be the living Zeus.

"Hey," he sounded soft and soothing, contradicting his Hades-like pose. 

"Hey," I responded, unsure and walk inside. I heard the door closes before he followed me.

"Did you eat yet?" he asked sounding all too serious though there's a hint of softness in his timbre. The playful Gio is gone, and now, I'm feeling unsure how to deal with him. I'm used to a frisky Gio, not the cold, domineering one. I'm facing another personality of him. 

I missed our playful banter and his wicked ways. 

After tossing my purse on the couch, I turned to face him. I regarded him for a long moment before I spoke. "I'm meeting my office's friends at the bowling alley a few blocks from here." His cold and serious face didn't alter. He shoved his hands deep down in his pockets. 

"Then, I'll join you." He casually answered after a short pause. "What time?" he added on.

"I don't know, actually. I forgot to ask Dean," I saw his eyes flickered anger, but then vanishes promptly. I think I'm really overthinking things. Dean is right. 

I felt suddenly awkward when he just stared at me and I couldn't even picture what emotions swirling in those amethyst orbs. "I'll just go change ..." I trailed off and hastily headed to my room.

He didn't follow me and I'm glad. I change quickly with a black Lululemon leggings and top it with a long top and just completed it with flat shoes. When I walk out my closet, Gio was sitting on the bed and he's only wearing his shirt dress and his pants. 

When did he come in?

"You look irresistible, bambolina," a glint of wickedness sparks in his beautiful amethyst eyes, wriggling his eyebrows suggestively and I rolled my eyes. My insides rave-up. How his mood change in a blink of an eye is beyond me.

Suddenly, the solidity of his arousal is vividly smirking up at her, teasing, and mischief in his eyes. There, the Gio I know. Wicked, playful and sexy. My smile broke out on my lips and as I tried to conceal the involuntarily chill run down my spine with his suggestive stare. 

He propped his back against the headboard with his palm behind his head, cross legs flat on the bed, he stared my way and I felt my legs started to shake with the impact of his hot stare. Honestly, I was just only wearing simple clothes, yet he has this way of making me so sexy and enchanting. I could feel that familiar warm sensation dripping involuntarily between my legs. I unconsciously and discreetly squeeze my legs tighter as I casually shot him a nonchalant look. 

"Is it wet, bambolina?" he didn't make a move. He was just watching me with those smoldering eyes that seem to caress me, bringing havoc to my tranquil system. I look away and made a small step, feeling my legs and I'm glad it didn't give in. 

I walk to the small table on one corner. "Aren't you gonna get ready?" I asked. I could hear my voice a bit shaky. I suddenly pivoted thinking to call Dean. I don't know what time we all be meeting at the place. "Oh yes, I ne- Oppsi-" I felt like I collided into a wall. Gio's hand curled automatically around my waist.

"Trying to avoid me, bambolina?" he drawled and just like that, I'm all his, under his spell again. 

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A/N: There another chappie.. I'm trying to complete this soon. I hope I can pull it out well the conflicts and climax that has been clogging my head.

I'm working 12 hours straight this week, so I'm writing a few words after work until I could form, at least, 3000 words or more. 

Thank you for the constant support!!