I'M ALSO THE SON OF A MAFIA LORD

As Eugene headed for a shower after Judith's departure, I remained on the bed, my legs pulled up to my chest. Thoughts whirled through my mind, but they led nowhere.

Wanting to distract myself and await Eugene's return, I turned my attention to the clothes Judith had brought. They lay neatly folded on the desk.

Among them was a white open-shoulder lace-trimmed camisole top adorned with flowery embroidery. It seemed Judith had a penchant for floral patterns, which I didn't mind at all—they were lovely. She had also included black pants and flat-heeled shoes, all in black.

As I held the top against myself to envision how it would look, Eugene emerged from the closet, dripping wet with only a gray towel wrapped around his waist. In one hand, he held a mini version of the gray towel, using it to dry his hair.

"Do you like it?" Eugene startled me. His sudden question caught me off guard, and as I turned to answer, I was met with the sight of perfectly toned skin. Eugene wasn't bulky, but his physique was chiseled, almost god-like. He was just the perfect stature of a gentleman if there was one. He sure did have the packs. Wait, were those eight-pack abs? I couldn't believe it. My mouth hung slightly open in surprise. He looked like the God of water if that made sense. Anyway, I was in my own world and didn't realize he had a teasing smile on his face as he noticed my reaction to his body.

"Are you a pervert?" he asked, taking me out of my reverie as he suddenly approached me. His tone dripping with playful insinuation.

"Huh?"

"I - said - are - you - a - pervert?" He said that in the sultriest way possible enunciating every word. My tongue was tied. At this point, he was getting closer to me, and I instinctively took a step back, only to find myself cornered by the desk.

"I... I, um, sorry," I stammered, feeling utterly embarrassed. Why did I react like that? I scolded myself internally, unable to meet his gaze. 

Eugene gently lifted my chin with his finger, urging me to look at him. His handsome features made my cheeks flush, and I felt a nervous flutter in my stomach. I didn't dare to move. 

"You don't have to apologize, Rose," his voice carried a hint of apology, and strangely, it felt like he was asking forgiveness for something I had no idea of even though he didn't say the word sorry. But what he said next caught me completely off guard.

"I'd like to kiss you again. I realize I didn't ask for your consent the first time, and I'm sorry," Eugene confessed, his sincerity evident. I stared at him with shock which morphed into a frown. I had enjoyed our previous kiss, and he was right, he caught me off-guard, and even though I would love to experience it again, memories of the chaos that followed just few hours after that flooded my mind, leaving me unsettled.

Seeing my expression, Eugene withdrew his hand, his confusion evident. I set the top down on the desk and retreated to the bed, pulling my legs close to me. I tapped on the side of the bed gesturing for him to sit beside me, and I watched as he complied.

He stared at me and patiently waited as I struggled to gather my thoughts. Finally, I spoke up.

"Eugene, please tell me, what is going on. why did those men want to torture me? I know they didn't want to kill me because he could have. The fact that he didn't, meant they only wanted to hurt me. Also, I know they were being instructed to do so. They were just following the orders someone gave them. But I don't know who it could possibly be. I have racked my brain to all ends to at least remember who I could have potentially hurt and who would be so mad at me to that extent, yet I got nothing. I can't fathom who would want to hurt me this way. I feel like I would go crazy." I poured out my confusion and fear, desperate for answers.

At this point, I forgot about the fact that Eugene was still half-naked before me. I felt traumatized and all I could think of was WHO and WHY.

Eugene gently cupped my face, his touch grounding me.

"It's my fault, Rose. You were targeted because of me," his admission sent shockwaves through me. How could it be his fault? I barely knew him when all of this began. I wasn't even close with him.

"What do you mean?" I questioned, bewildered.

"The person who tried to hurt you is Lucia," Eugene revealed, I became deep in thought. I knew that name, and then suddenly, it clicked. I turned my head to look at Eugene with alter shock on my face, before I could speak, he got the words out of my mouth. 

"Yes, exactly what you are thinking. LUCIA STONE!" That explained a lot. Yet not much. Does that mean Lucia came to school because of me or us? Also, my suspicion about Lucia being the same as the person on the road when I was with Collin seemed validated.

"Is Lucia connected to Collin?" I blurted out.

"Yes and no," Eugene replied cryptically.

"What does that mean?" I pressed for clarification.

"Rose, brace yourself. What I'm about to tell you will completely alter your understanding of everything and everything you are about to hear is a stack different to the life you know and are used to" Eugene's tone grew serious, and even though I wanted to know, a part of me dreaded what was to come. Ignorance truly was bliss, but I knew there was no turning back now. I was too deep in now to back out.

"I understand," I said, steeling myself for what lay ahead. Seeing my resolve Eugene continued.

"Can I ask you something?" His voice was hesitant.

"Mmm?" I nodded in response.

"What do you know about Collin?" his question prompted me to admit the truth—I knew next to nothing about him.

"To tell the truth I know nothing about Collin. I did feel there was much more to him than he lets off but that was it. I have no idea who he is" I answered truthfully.

"I figured as much," Eugene muttered to himself. He seemed to be lost in thought as I watched him patiently. Then, he dropped the bombshell.

"Collin is the son of a Mafia Lord, and Lucia is the daughter of one of Captains of Collin's Father." I was stupefied. My jaw practically hit the floor. Mafia? With all the things I thought I would hear. Mafia was definitely not part of it. It was a revelation I never expected.

"I know it's a lot to take in, but there's more," Eugene continued, and I braced myself for the unraveling of secrets.

"I am also the son of a Mafia Lord..."