7. The Project

I ate a forkful of pasta and closed my eyes when the flavor burst in my mouth, moaning lightly and when I opened my eyes, I saw Roman's eyes on me, looking at me darkly, his fork of pasta halfway near his mouth.

I quickly averted my gaze and continued eating in silence and he did the same. Our gazes would often clash with one another but we averted it just as quickly. When we were done with lunch, the plates were cleared ad we sat in silence.

I felt the heat of his gaze on my face but ignored it, looking anywhere but him.

"I want to hire you." He said suddenly and I snapped my gaze to his.

What?

"Hire me?" I asked him confused and he nodded.

"My house needs renovation, and I'd like you to do it." He said and I looked at him baffled.

"Wait... why me? There are so many great designers out there.. Then why me?" I asked him.

"I want you." He said and I looked at him for a good few moments, tension thick in the air when he cleared his throat.

What the hell does that mean?

"I heard you were good. You've done projects before, yes?" He asked me and I nodded absent minded.

"Good. We'll start as soon as possible. Is tomorrow good?" He asked me and I looked at him shocked.

Wait what?

"T-tomorrow?" I asked him and he nodded, trying to understand me.

"Yes, is that going to be a problem?" He asked me and I shrugged.

"I'll have to ask my brother first." I told him and he frowned.

"Why?"

"I want him to know is all." I told him, refusing to elaborate the fact that Alex wasn't too fond of him.

"Alright. Let me know by tonight." He said standing up and holding his hand out to me. I took it, although hesitantly which didn't go unnoticed by him, and we walked back to his car hand in hand. I did try to pull away from him, but he just wouldn't budge.

Is he the clingy type?

"Would you like me to drop you back at college? I assume your car is there." He said once we were on the road.

"Just drop me home please, I'll have someone get my car." I said and he nodded. We reached my house shortly and he stopped the car. We sat in silence for a few moments before I decided to break it.

"Thank you for lunch. And the ride." I said to him and he hummed in response, so I took this as my cue to leave. I quickly unbuckled my seat belt and opened the car door when his hand on my arm stopped me.

"Yes?" I asked him expectantly.

"Let me know will you?" He said and I thought I hinted a little desperation in his voice, like he wanted me to accept his offer, but I pushed the thought aside and gave him a quick nod.

"Will do. Goodbye Roman." I said, closing the car door but not before I heard a quiet whisper that I would have probably missed if not for the silence.

"Goodbye Heather." His voice spoke lowly and I smiled to myself as the guards opened the gates and I went inside.

...............................

A few hours later, I was scrolling through my phone aimlessly when I heard the front door open. I looked at the time and saw it was 7 pm, so Alex must be home. Dad came back a while ago and was now in his room, while I was waiting for Alex so I could talk to him, preferably over dinner.

"Hey Thea." He said as he came inside the living room, his tie hanging loose around his neck and his sleeves rolled up with his coat in his hand.

"Tough day at work?" I asked him and he sighed.

"You could say that. How was your day?" He asked me and I shrugged.

"Interesting" I said and he raised an eyebrow.

"Interesting huh?" He asked me and I nodded.

"Freshen up, I'll tell you over dinner." I told him and he nodded, heading upstairs to his room. Telling him over dinner was a good idea. Food make everyone happy, right?

An hour later, all three of us were sitting on the dining table and eating dinner, talking about our day.

"You said you wanted to talk?" Alex asked me and I nodded slowly, thinking about what I'd say to him.

"Yeah.... I um... got an offer today." I started off and Alex hummed.

"Go on." He said.

"I have to redecorate a house, they want me to start tomorrow, after classes." I said and he nodded.

"Whose house is it?" He asked me but I stayed quiet, contemplating whether I should tell him or not.

I should, he'll find out anyway and I want to tell him myself.

He put his fork down and crossed his arms on the table, looking directly at me, while dad observed us.

"Whose house it Thea?" He asked more firmly this time and I closed my eyes.

"Roman Angelo." I said and kept my eyes shut. When silence enveloped me and no one made a sound did I open my eyes, only to see Alex's jaw clenched tightly.

"No." He said and I frowned.

"Why not?" I asked him.

"Because I said so." He told me and I scoffed.

"It's just a project Alex, nothing more and nothing less." I said but he shook his head.

"No means no Heather." He said and I looked towards dad.

"Dad?" I looked at him but he gave nothing away.

"I'm sorry sweetheart but I have to agree with Alex on this one. Roman Angelo isn't a good man, and we can't risk your safety. Not again." He said and I slumped into my seat.

"I know where you're coming from but please, you have to let me live my life like I want to. You can't control me forever." I told Alex who seemed unfazed.

"I will not risk you again Heather, you have to understand that." He said and I crossed my arms over my chest.

"I know that Alex, and I appreciate you looking out for me but this is too much." I said and he sighed.

"It will never be enough, you have no idea how many enemies the guy has and if they get even a whiff of you, they won't hesitate to bring you down." Alex explained and I frowned.

"But its just a project Alex! It's not like I'm marrying the guy!" I defended myself and Alex scoffed.

"There are so many people who could do this for him, and yet he chose you. It doesn't add up." He stated.

"Mr. Brown was the one who suggested me to him Alex, he didn't pick me by himself." I said and Alex looked at me confused.

"And how do you know this?" He asked me skeptically.

"He said he was shown my work and he liked it best so Mr. brown gave him my number for the project he's willing to hire me for redecorating his house." I explained and Alex leaned back in his chair, thinking things over.

He looked at dad briefly who nodded at him before looking at me.

"If you do this, you promise to stay clear of Roman Angelo, yes?" Alex asked me and I frowned.

"I'm going to be redecorating his house, so I'll be needing to meet him for his opinions and all." I said and Alex nodded thoughtfully.

"Yes, but you will stay strictly professional with him, and not speak a word to him outside of work. Understood?" He said and I nodded without hesitation.

"Understood." I said and stood up, done with dinner and he stood up too and held out his hand.

"Good. Pleasure doing business with you Ms. Elias." He said and I took his hand grinning.

"I wish I could say the same Mr. Elias." I gave him a sly smirk and he scowled while my dad chuckled at us.

"I'm going to bed now, I'm really tired." I said and kissed my dad goodnight but turned to Alex again.

"Before I forget, could you get someone to get my car? It's in front of some fancy restaurant." I said and Alex frowned.

"Why is it-... You went with him there, didn't you?" He looked at me accusingly and I nodded.

"To discuss the project, that's all." I said before I remembered one more thing.

"Oh and one more thing, I'm having coffee with Dean Landon tomorrow, you know his father." I told Alex who nodded thoughtfully.

"From Landon Enterprises?" He asked me and I nodded. "And you're interested in the guy?" He asked me skeptically and I smiled briefly.

"Yeah. He seems nice." I said and Alex came and hugged me.

"Good. At least that'll keep you away from that mob boss." He said and I swatted his arm playfully and rolled my eyes.

"Whatever. Goodnight." I said and headed upstairs, falling face first onto my soft bed after brushing my teeth and putting on my silky nightwear.

I opened my phone and tapped the unknown phone number. I thought I'd call him and let him know instead of texting. He picked on the second ring, like he was waiting for my call.

"Roman." He spoke and I shivered from his deep voice.

"Hi, it's me, Heather." I started.

"Yes, I know. Have you decided yet?" He asked me and I bit my lip.

"Yes. I accept your offer Mr. Angelo." I said and heard him clench his teeth.

"Call me by my name, Heather." He said and something about the way he said my name made me grin like a maniac.

Now is not the time, Thea.

"Roman, I accept your offer." I sad slowly.

"Good." He said.

"I'll be at your place tomorrow, you can text me the address."

"No, I'll pick you up myself." He said and I remembered I had a coffee date with Dean.

"Oh.. then can you pick me up from someplace else?" I asked him and it took him a few moments to answer.

Is he reconsidering driving me?

"Sure. text me the address tomorrow." He said.

"Alright then. Goodnight Roman." I said.

"Goodnight Heather." He replied and I smiled before hanging up.

Aaaaand cue the butterflies.