POV OF ALEXANDER
*
I properly placed my left elbow on the table, sipped my drink, and let out a soft sigh. In one area of Nautoscopio club, the music was low and even sensual. Being friendly with the club's proprietor also gave me the freedom to visit whenever I pleased.
"What's up, man?" My eyes quickly turned upward in response to a sudden, familiar voice command before I even realized what I was doing. I didn't even need to look up to recognize that it was Benito. He was aware of where I would probably be, and I can only assume that he checked me at the workplace as well. One of the few friends I had from elementary school was him.
"I've already had you checked out at the office." I nodded in agreement as he spoke, as if he had read my mind. Because we were close and respected each other's personal space, he stood out among all the other males. But that was all we did—occasionally go out together to clubs and business meetings. He exuded a sense of tranquility.
He was affable with everyone, and despite my best efforts in the past to get rid of him, he had simply clung to me like a tenacious piece of chewing gum. Nevertheless, he was a great buddy.
He was the son of a businessman from Puerto Rico who was close to my father—so close that I occasionally thought it was irritating. To them, family always came first because they had a large and devoted family. Family was important to the Knights as well, but their devotion to it was stronger.
The man would frequently come to me, and whenever he did, we would chat briefly about work and other relevant topics.
A challenging day at work?
"Hmm."
You must have heard the rumors flying about, I suppose.
"What do you want, Bennie?"
"Stronzo, don't call me Bennie. My name is Be-ni-to, which only has three syllables. He squinted.
The question "What do you need?"
I believed you had heard about the juicy stuff, Fratello. (brother)
I sighed. "That?"
She has plans to paint the town crimson now that she is back. His eyes shone with anticipation.
She's back? Holy sh*t! I just realized that Isabella only had a few days left to be here before she had to go back to school, and I still hadn't pursued her. That girl was staying the same age. Her mother would soon begin organizing her daughter's wedding, and she would undoubtedly want me to serve as the guy who would accompany her down the aisle. What?!
"Mai!" I grumbled between clenched teeth. Never!
Before letting any other guy touch her with his filthy hands, I would confine her to my chamber and keep her there.
As a result, the ignorant seductress thought it was time to announce her presence in Italy. Benito continued to babble. My neck suddenly shot higher as I heard the term "seductress," allowing me to finally see his joyful features.
The question, "What do you mean?" I quizzed him.
He looked at me oddly.
"Seriously, we need to have a sincere discussion about this problem locally. When did you plan to let me know? Or I'll assume that you never even intended to inform me. And you are aware of how much I admire her.
I was unable to control my scowl. "Who are you referring to?"
"Danielle, Dani, our very own Dani, is back in town." He looked at me sagely. I held his look for a good few seconds before I finally broke the pose and drank some wine.
"Hmm." I sighed and slouched over to stare at the ring on my little finger.
You won't say anything, are you? Finally, he sputtered in shock. I shook my head in silence since I had nothing to add.
My old flame, Danielle, with whom I had a brief relationship before ending things, had returned. Did he think I would start dancing around the VIP area where I was sitting?
She was a wonderful girlfriend, but I didn't really want to be with her. And when I was dating Danielle, I never experienced the same sense of peace around Isabella as I did.
No matter how hard I tried, I knew I didn't like her as much as she did. That was what I was hoping for, but I just couldn't make my heart flutter in a peculiar way whenever we were together. My grandma warned me when I was a young lad with girl problems that when I eventually met the right girl, my heart would go into a frenzy and she would steal my breath away.
Then, would you realize that she is your baby, my boy? Owned by you, Cara. Before giving me a gentle head stroke, Noona would inform me.
Although Danielle never made me gasp, I did try to make things work when we initially started dating. Although nothing she had ever done had ever sparked a special kind of interest in me toward her, I kept trying because she was one of the most attractive women in the models' list at the time and someone I knew growing up.
"I believed you to be heartless." Even though it seemed like his mind was far away, Benito said while staring deep into my soul.
Why do you think I'm not, you ask?
I just know that you aren't, he said with a chuckle. But why didn't you ever share your feelings with anyone?
There is nothing to say.
He gently grasped my right hand, but I instantly seized it while casting a wary glance his way. "Just let me know whether you're into boys, and I swear we won't love you any less. I'll get it and tell your family, I promise.
I stared at him as I spat some of the drink into the nearby flower vase. What in the world? I don't like males.
"You never expressed interest in a girl. Let's at least...get you one chick, alright? No, Danielle, not compelled. He softly told me.
The heat crept along my skin as my neck warmed with embarrassment. "Never bring up that subject again. Soon you'll know who I'm into.
Benito scanned my face for any sign of emotion, but I remained emotionless, pouring another generous amount of wine while gazing directly at the bottle in one hand and the cup in the other.
Isabella was the only person who has ever caused my heart to skip a beat.
My heart skipped a beat when I saw her stunning beauty and wonderful grin. She materialized in my imagination, and I moaned aloud as my hands tingled with desire to trace my long, slim fingers over her smooth, porcelain skin. I imagined her fluttering eyelashes and her rosy flush, which could reach the far north. I stood up and took a look around the VIP room, feeling like someone who had been cursed.
I threw the wine bottle I was holding back onto the table and turned to go without giving Benito a second thought. I may have looked left or right when I was driving home, but it wasn't a big deal until I got there and parked. My legs could not have moved faster once I was outside as I made my way to my mansion's front door.
Sir, welcome. My gardener said, "The postman was here today and I was asked to-" but I interrupted him with a single wave of my right hand.
I had no idea what was going on, but one thing was certain. I had to visit Isabella.
When I burst in, the aroma of a home-cooked supper rapidly enveloped me, inspiring my next move as I let my legs take me in the direction of the kitchen. She was standing there with her back to me, tapping on her annoyingly loud Chinese phone.
She was beaming from ear to ear and appeared to be delighted.
She turned around so quickly that she nearly lost her footing as I murmured a low curse word in frustration at how whipped I was, and my heart melted at the sight. Nothing was behind her to prevent her from falling because her waist was twisted to one side.
"Sir?" She squeaked as she prepared to fall.
I made four quick steps and grabbed her firmly by the waist to stop the impolite fall, my suitcase now carelessly flung at the kitchen's entrance. I took a deep breath in. Holding her felt great since her skin was so soft, and I experienced an odd fluttering in my stomach. I fixed my gaze directly on her face for a few seconds as she stiffened and resisted opening her eyes.
Wow.
In every sense, Isabella was stunning. Her teeth were similarly white as she gripped them in apparent anxiety for what she had imagined would occur in her thoughts. She had dark, spiky eyelashes. I yearned to kiss her adorable nose. She was also intelligent, always performing at the top of her class, and I was extremely proud of my daughter.
She was still tightly grasping the edge of the counter with her outstretched hand when she abruptly released my grip. I nearly drew her back to me, but I fought the temptation.
"Sir, did you need anything?" She exhaled.
"You." Before I could stop my silly lips from speaking, I turned around to stand in front of her so that she wouldn't have to turn around.