A Problem Named Colin *

A couple of days had passed with everything going smoothly, although I had a tiny problem. Colin, the only person who seemed to hold a grudge against me, refusing to even listen to me before storming off. If I wouldn't know better I would say he got a stick up his sorry ass.

It's frustrating to admit that he's my current problem. I'm now the girlfriend of the infamous mafia head, Blake, and Colin so happens to be his right hand. I have made considerable progress in befriending nearly everyone in his circle. That is, Colin remains as an unsolved mystery, and I cannot figure out why he hates my guts so much to the point of whenever I attempt to approach him, he either ditches me, walks away, insults me- the list could go on.

.

"Colin, I have some documents that require your approval," I said, holding out the papers to him.

He barely glanced at me before giving a dismissive wave. "I don't have time for this right now. Give it to Jeremy to look over."

"Jeremy is a newbie and he's not yet equipped to handle private matters," I protested.

He turned to me, a smirk playing on his lips. "Looks like you're out of luck then. I suggest you come back when I actually have time for this," he said with a sarcastic tone.

I felt a pang of frustration and annoyance rise in me. It was clear he was just trying to avoid me.

"Fine, I'll give it to Jeremy, but don't complain later if it won't be correct" I said, turning on my heel and storming away.

.

Colin annoys me to no end, but I can't help the feeling that maybe I've judged him too soon, he might not be such an ass, but then again with the way he is, he's really not making it easy for me to change my opinion of him. I should discuss it with Blake first so he won't get the wrong idea.

.

.

.

I laid in bed, still thinking about how to approach Colin, when Blake came out of the shower and sat on the bed. "Alice?" he said, noticing me deep in thoughts.

"Hm? Oh, sorry," I said, snapping out of her thoughts. "What's on your pretty mind?" Blake asked, giving me a smile.

"Well, you know that I'm now friends with most of your men?" I asked. "Yes, I know. But what does that have to do with anything?" Blake asked, scrunching his brows in confusion.

"Well, I want to be friends with Colin too, or at least coworkers,he's been ignoring me since I ran away that day. He always avoids me, for that matter insults me and then walks away, and I don't know what to do."

"I'm sorry to hear that, love. Colin's a good guy, but he can be stubborn and kind of a dick sometime- well most of the time," he paused for a moment. "You know what?" he said, his voice low and thoughtful.

"What?" I asked, looking up at him with a questioning gaze.

"What if I sent you on a business trip with Colin?" Blake proposed, his eyes widening with the idea. "You would have the opportunity to bond with him, and he wouldn't have any chance to run away from you."

I couldn't help but chuckle at the suggestion. "You would do that? Wouldn't it be a problem for you if we're both gone?" I asked, teasing him.

"Not at all, I can manage, thank you very much," Blake replied, smirking playfully. "But, you know, Colin is a bit different. We've known each other for decades, and he's like my little brother." Blake turned his gaze away from me and looked off into the distance, as if lost in thoughts. After a few seconds of silence, he finally spoke up, his voice carrying a note of concern. "You know, I think he is really afraid of what you think of him, after everything that happened," he said, his tone gentle. "He may not show it on the surface, but Colin's a lot softer than he lets on. He just doesn't like people to see it."

"Right, with the way he is, he might as well bake me biscuits with a handwritten apology" I quipped, unable to contain my amusement. Blake laughed at my statement. "I'm serious here."

I hummed softly, wondering if Colin really thought that way. "Okay let's say you are right. How should I approach him without getting wind into my face?"

I asked, breaking the silence.

"I suggest you talk to him directly and be honest about your feelings. Colin is a straightforward guy and appreciates honesty," Blake advised. "Yes, because approaching him is so easy," I pouted, rolling my eyes and earning a soft chuckle from Blake. "Come on, ease up a bit. I'll make sure to talk to him beforehand so he knows that you're not holding any grudges against him and that he shouldn't run away from you the moment he sees you," Blake promised.

"Thanks B," I said, hugging him tighter and kissing his cheek.

"Anything for you," Blake whispered in a low voice, his hand brushing a strand of hair from my face before placing a tender kiss on my forehead. I felt my heart skip a beat at the touch of his lips on my forehead, and a warm feeling spread through my body.

"Let's get some rest, it's getting late," he added, his voice soft and soothing, as he pulled me closer to him. I snuggled against his chest laying my head on it and feeling his steady heartbeat as he wrapped his arms around me.

"Alright. Goodnight love," I murmured.

"Goodnight princess," he replied, his voice filled with tenderness as he held me close, his warmth enveloping me as we both drifted off to sleep.

Colin's POV

I tossed and turned in my bed, trying to get comfortable. Just as I finally settled in and closed my eyes, a chill ran down my spine that made me shiver.

"What the heck was that?" I muttered, wondering if there was a ghost in my room. Maybe it was Alice's way of trying to talk to me - giving me the creeps!

I shook my head and chuckled to myself, dismissing the strange sensation that just ran down my spine. With that, I settled into my cozy bed, feeling content as I drifted off to sleep.