In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things, the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.

Khalil Gibran

Haven Pierce's POV

The next morning, even though I avoided Santi's presence like a disease I forced myself to join them in for breakfast with his cousin and right-hand man, Nico. They didn't hide their surprise when they saw me sitting with them at their favorite spot to have their breakfast by the pool under the lemon trees because usually, Nico invited me to have breakfast with them but I always politely refused his invitation due to his cousin's existence.

But not today, I have an important matter to discuss with my guardian and I think this will be the perfect time to inform him about the arrival of Noah and our plans of touring around the city for the whole day.

There was just one problem. Since I sat with them at the table they were in deep conversation in Italian probably discussing business stuff so I just remained silent and toyed with my food. I didn't know how or when to open the topic I wanted to tell him.

"What is it?" Santi directed the question to me in English which caught me off guard.

"Huh?" My mind went blank due to the unexpected question from him. I never had the chance to prepare myself.

He arched a brow in my direction. "You want to say something to me? You kept on glancing in my direction so tell me what is it?"

I bit my bottom lip as I shifted in my position. Now I became more conscious because even Nico was looking in my direction with a curious expression on his face. "Uh...well, you see, my friend back home was here in Sicily and—"

"So?"

I took a deep breath when I heard his sharp tone. I knew from that moment that this was not going to be easy asking his permission to leave his house without a bodyguard but I hoped that he would agree. Miracles do happen, right? "Remember my best friend, Noah? Well, he flew to Sicily to visit me and we agreed to explore the town today."

I mentally winced when I saw the thunderous look on his face. It was dark plain and simple. Did I somehow remind him of our disastrous trip the other day?

"So that boy is here in Sicily, you say?" His tone was pleasant but that belied the gloomy emotion in his eyes. "When did he arrive?"

"Yesterday."

He sat back on his iron chair and stared at me intently. I could feel his intense gaze was about to pierce through my soul. Right now, he was every inch of a scary crime boss. "And he wants to take you for a walk in my hometown?"

I nodded, holding my fork as if it was my only lifeline. "Yes, that's the plan. So I want to ask for your permission to leave the house and I don't want bodyguards to follow me around. I want to enjoy the day like a normal tourist with Noah."

Nico, who was sitting across from me on the table whistled. I frowned at him I didn't know why he did that but maybe he was enjoying the interaction I was having with his cousin or my demands for this trip. Santi, on the other hand, has this unreadable expression on his face.

"Will you agree with my request?" I smiled sweetly in his direction while my heart was pounding loudly in my chest I wouldn't be surprised if they could hear it.

He was silent for a moment, looking at me with this undecipherable face. And then, the miracle I was waiting for was being heard by God. He smiled brightly in my direction. "Why don't you tell this boy to come over and let me talk to him for a bit before I can allow you to go out with him?"

I bit my lower lip once again. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"What makes you say that?" There was a devious smile playing on his lips that I didn't trust. Oh, hell...

Looking at his lips right now I couldn't help but feel embarrassed because even if I don't remember kissing him I did that not just once but twice! I kissed this guy and my mind kept reminding me of it despite my protest. Then, my attention was snapped back to the present time when I heard him say. "...if his intention is genuine then he has nothing to worry about."

I scowled at him. "He's not wooing me. He's been my best friend since high school year so there's no need to interrogate him like he was a potential suitor. Don't make the wrong assumptions to him."

"Let me be the judge of that."

"But..."

Santi who was not listening to me continued to beam at me pleasantly as if we were just having a conversation about the weather. "But what, Haven?"

"I don't think that's a good idea. I mean..."

He tapped his fingers on the table. "You mean because I am a mafia that's why you're having second thoughts introducing your guy friend with the likes of me, is that it?"

"Partly, yes," I answered bravely and honestly. "Because he doesn't have any idea what kind of work my legal guardian has. Noah's upbringing was far from the world you live in. Everyone in their small town knew everyone and lived in harmony."

Santi scoffed, shaking his head in amusement. "Sounds like a fairytale to me."

"I'm serious," I responded with a grimace on my face. I couldn't believe that he was mocking Noah's hometown like this.

"So I am," he countered with a guileful smirk on his handsome face. "If you're worried that he might accidentally discover my line of work then rest assured that I will hide it from him. Just bring him here so I will know where to find his face in case something goes wrong with your outing."

"Santi!" I protested throwing a foul look in his direction.

He gave me a sympathetic smile but it was more of a sarcastic one. "I am just telling you the possibility. You have to know that there's no place in the earth he could have hidden and I will not be able to find him. And just so you know my connection is endless he needs to be prepared when something bad happens to you while you are in his care."

I shivered at the thought because I knew that he wasn't lying about the stretch of his power. He was not going to be one of the most powerful bosses in Italy for nothing. He was a young and fearless crime boss.

"Fine," I conceded because I knew he would not stop until he met Noah in person. And I have a feeling that even if I didn't agree to his demand that's not going to stop him from getting information about my best friend. "I'll let you meet him but you have to promise that you will not scare him in any form and you will not tell him that you are a mafia, are we clear?"

He nodded solemnly. "You have my word, little one."

I eyed him with suspicion. Santi Marchesi was the type of man who was cunning and manipulative they would not fear him if not for his reputation. I sighed deeply, for now, I don't have a choice but to trust his words. "Very well, I will just give him a call. Excuse me, gentlemen."

I stood from the table to have some privacy while I called Noah about Santi's condition to allow to me leave his mansion without his men following me around. I only managed to take a few steps when I heard Nico converse with his cousin. "I hope this boy will not pee in his pants when he meets you."

I turned around and glowered in their direction because he said those words in English making sure I understood what he meant he was looking at me with a naughty smile on his face. I shook my head and continued to dial Noah's number. When he answered his mobile I informed him about the condition my guardian set for us to freely roam the town which Noah readily agreed. I also told him the address where he could meet Santi Marchesi. Once the phone call ended I went back to the table where the two evil cousins chatted once again in Italian. I didn't mind them as I focused on my breakfast but I couldn't miss the way they were shooting glances in my direction.

After breakfast, I went to my room to find a suitable outfit for my trip. The last time I went to town misfortune hit me this time I intend to enjoy every moment of it now that my best friend is with me.

I chose to wear a tank top ripped denim shorts and my go-to white sneakers, I also put my pink hair on the top of my head in a messy bun. All I have to do now is wait for Noah to show up. It didn't take long when I saw a taxi pull over on the side of the road outside the massive gate of Santi's mansion.

I went out on the terrace of my bedroom and waved my hand to get his attention. The security stationed at the gate let him in without a fuss. Maybe they were already informed about Noah's arrival. When he caught the sight of me on the second floor he waved back with a tight smile on his face.

I hastily left the balcony as I went out of my room to greet him outside. How many days it has been since the last time I saw him? I missed him dearly since I was used to seeing him every day. I descended the staircase hurriedly and almost flew to the entrance door.

"Noah!" I greeted with a grin as I opened the huge double door.

"Hey!" He said, then the smile on his face faded upon seeing something on my back. I felt some menacing presence behind my back. I looked past my shoulder only to see Santi and Nico standing behind me with an intimidating aura around them—or better description their posture was like two devils who would not do anything well.

I threw a warning look in their direction but they were not paying any attention to me. Their focus was directed to Noah who was standing on the entrance porch nervously.

"Mr. Marchesi?"

"Yes?" Santi and Nico answered in unison.

"Who is Mr. Santi Marchesi? Haven's legal guardian?" Noah asked politely while looking at the two cousins with confusion in his bright blue eyes.

The two of them both pointed their finger in Santi's direction and the man in question said. "I am. And you are Noah Hall from Nashville, Tennessee."

My lips parted while looking at Santi with undisguised shock on my face. I was sure as hell that I didn't mention to him Noah's last name or even where he was born and raised so how could he... oh, shit. He dug personal information about my friend, didn't he?

But how could he do that so fast? He only knew about Noah's existence during our breakfast and that was only half an hour ago!

"Yes, sir. Noah Hall. Best friend of Haven since high school."

I heard Nico scoff while the crime boss remained stoic and then he smiled friendly in my friend's direction but I could not miss the way how his eyes looked so sharp and deadly. "Why don't we have a chat in my study room before you leave?"

"I will not be necessary." I faced him blocking his view from Noah. I'm afraid if I leave him alone with this devil he will do something bad to my friend. "Maybe next time but we're in a hurry today." I looked at Noah with a forced smile. "Right? We have an itinerary to follow."

"I just want to get to know your friend, Haven. I will not harm him." He replied with a pleasant tone. "I want to be sure that he is trustworthy to keep you safe in this foreign place."

I gritted my teeth. What kind of game he was playing right now? I don't think I like the glint in his dark eyes. I was about to reprimand him when Noah spoke behind me. "He's right, Havie. I need to prove myself to your guardian."

"Havie?" Santi echoed in a dangerously low tone.

"Oops..." Nico snickered, shaking his head. "...qualcuno morirà oggi."

I didn't know what just he said but I had an idea that it was not a good one. I saw Santi gesture his head inside the mansion. "Shall we go inside for a little chat?"

Noah followed him side the house while I was left on the porch with Nico as my company. The consigliere gave me a sympathetic smile. "You have to be careful, Haven."

My brow furrowed. "What makes you say that?"

"You don't want to see Santi's dark side." He cautioned with a serious face. "He's scarier than the devil himself."

I didn't understand what he was saying or why he was saying these things to me. "I don't understand what your saying is, Nico."

"I mean..." he started then he shut his mouth abruptly while shaking his head. "Forget it. Maybe I am just mistaken and assume things."

"You probably are," I answered with a somewhat smile on my face. He didn't say anything after that and he just accompanied me outside while waiting for Santi and Noah who went to my guardian's study room.

A few more minutes passed before they showed up again at the front entrance of the mansion where Nico and I patiently waiting. I instantly notice Noah's pale face and sweaty forehead. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," he gave me a nervous smile. "I'm fine."

"You're sweating."

He wiped his forehead and neck consciously. "Probably because of summer heat."

That's a lie. Because as far as I know the entire house was fully air-conditioned so how come he would be sweating because of the heat? I threw an accusing look to Santi but he just merely raised an eyebrow in my direction as if asking me silently 'What'? I shook my head and let it go. "Shall we go? We're already behind schedule."

"Y-Yes..." Noah gave me a shaky smile before glancing in Santi's direction. "We'll be going now, Mr. Marchesi. I assure you that I will not any harm come in Haven's path during our trip."

The man in question just nods his head curtly like a king eyeing his servant. I hooked my arm in Noah's as we walked away from the mansion. Even though our backs were on them I could feel the intense gaze being thrown in our direction.

Oh, well, now is not the time to think about that unscrupulous devil, and let's just enjoy the day free from any mafia-related incidents with my best friend. Noah must have noticed that I was looking at him with a grin when he looked back at me and returned the smile as we went out of the huge gate and flagged for a taxi.