- 3 7 -

He kissed me back almost immediately but before we could take it any further, he pulled away slowly making me frown.

"We need to talk." He whispered, looking into my eyes and making me gulp slowly.

Nope.

"A-About what?" I stuttered a bit, knowing full well where this conversation was heading but it didn't hurt to clarify.

"You know what." He said raising an eyebrow and pulled me inside and towards his couch. He sat down and patted his lap.

I sighed and sat down beside him, watching him scowl slightly as he reached out and quickly pulled me onto his lap, making me yelp in surprise.

Someone's feeling touchy.

"What are you doing?" I asked him as I squirmed to get out of his grip, but he only tightened it around me.

"Making you sit, what else? Now start speaking." He said lazily, making me roll my eyes at him.

This guy, seriously.

"Speak. Now." He said a little firmer this time.

There's no way I'm revealing anything to him.

"What do you want to know?" I asked him playing with the buttons of his shirt and not meeting his eyes.

"How long have you been having these nightmares?" He asked me, making me glance at him briefly and wait a few seconds before I spoke.

"Twelve years." I said.

"Since you were seven, correct?" He asked me, and I nodded in return.

"What are they about?" He asked me after a few moments of silence, making me stiffen and suck in a breath.

"Some incidents I'd rather not talk about." I said quietly, but didn't hear his response and waited for his reply. When I didn't get any, I looked up at him only to find him already looking at me.

"Tell me or I'll find out myself." He said to me, taking hold of my hands that were clutching onto his shirt.

"I-..." I took in a deep breath, my heart already hurting from the memories as I tried to form a sentence. In the end, I gave up and shook my head.

"No. I can't say." I said lowly and dipped my head low, staring at the tattoo that was peeking out from his chest.

"Speak." I heard his warning, but still shook my head, refusing to talk. Suddenly, he grabbed my chin and forced me to look into his eyes, making me gasp.

"I said tell me." He hissed, making tears form in my eyes as I shook my head once again, making him growl lightly as he gripped my chin harder.

"I asked something of you, and you will tell me. Now!" He suddenly said, making me flinch as anger coursed through my veins.

Fine. You want the truth? I'll give it to you.

"My mother was brutally murdered before my very eyes wen I was seven years old. Is that enough for you? Or would you like to know the details? Because I'll gladly tell you how the Italians murdered my mother and then almost killed me." I spat with venom lacing my voice, making him suck in a sharp breath as his eyes widened a fraction.

Bet you didn't see that coming.

"You happy now? Or would you like to hear the rest of my tragic story?" I asked him sarcastically with poison in my tone, making him release my chin as his eyes softened suddenly, an emotion I didn't think he was capable of showing as his large arms went around me and I was pulled into his chest.

Maybe it was the tears that were now streaming down my face or my heart that felt like it was being ripped apart that I found comfort in his arms despite the fact he demanded I share something so personal with him.

"I'm so sorry baby, I had no idea." His voice drew me out of my thoughts as I pushed him away suddenly and got up from his lap, making him frown as he stood up with me.

"Exactly. You had no idea. You don't have any idea what I've been through so don't fucking pretend that you know me, because you don't know half the shit I've endured because I sure as hell don't know how I'm still alive." I shouted at him, releasing all the pent up frustration from the engagement, the nightmares and the horrible memories.

"Okay, alright, I'm sorry." He says softly, reaching out for me but I pull away.

"Don't fucking come near me!" I yell at him and turn around, closing my eyes as I take deep breaths, just like Alex had taught me.

"It isn't my fault... It's not my fault. He did it because he loved me, it's not my fault.." I whisper to myself, feeling everything take a toll on me as a blaring headache breaks through and before I know it, everything became dark.

* * *

They say when you're at peace everything feels warm. You feel safe, happy and it's like a sudden weight has been lifted off your shoulders.

That was what I felt when my eyes fluttered open to welcome the warmth that surrounded me, a feeling of safety washing over me as I snuggled deeper into what I assumed was 'peace'.

That is, until reality came crashing down at me like a hurricane and I found myself staring into emerald green orbs that looked to be so cold and yet so... warm?

"W-What happened?" I asked once I had sat up on the bed and stared at the man sitting at the edge, ready in a suit and looking at me carefully.

"You fainted." Was all he said, making me nod in return as I looked around and noticed I was in his bed, wearing his clothes, again.

"I... I need to go back." I said quietly, but loud enough that he heard.

"Whatever you want. Go get changed." He said as he looked at me a moment more before getting up and leaving the room.

I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding and ran a hand through my hair before willing myself to get out from under the comfy covers and dragged myself to the bathroom.

I took a nice, warm shower and wore the same dress from yesterday and dried my hair, applying my lip gloss and made my way downstairs.

Roman was siting on a stool near the kitchen island, typing away something on his phone while a plate of untouched food was placed in front of him.

I took a deep breath and walked over to him, sitting in the stool next to his as the cook, I assumed, placed a plate in front of me too.

The sudden ringing of his phone was what broke the silence as he placed it to his ear and started talking in Italian.

Noticing his full plate and then glancing at my empty one, I sighed heavily and bit my lip as I took a hold of his knife and fork and cut a piece of the toast and egg and brought it near his mouth.

His eyes snapped to mine as he stopped talking and without any hesitation, he ate it, listening to what the other person had to say.

I fed him till his plate was empty and then pushed his coffee mug towards him as I sipped on my own.

The moment he put his phone back down, silence consumed us other than the clattering of dishes or the scraping of the coffee mug on the table.

"Thank you." He spoke suddenly, making me look at him and give him a small smile.

"It's no problem." I said, looking away quickly until his finger came to my chin and he brought his face close to mine, looking into my eyes.

"La tua bellezza mi stupisce ogni giorno. Non hai idea di cosa mi stai facendo, amore." (Your beauty amazes me every day. You have no idea what you're doing to me, love.) He whispered as his lips descended onto mine softly, lingering for a few moments before he pulled away as a slight blush made its way to my face.

He chuckled lowly, his eyes glistening as he continued to study my face.

"Where do you want to go?" He asked me.

"College. I'll take a cab." I replied as he let go of my chin and shook his head, standing up from the stool.

"Come on, I'll drop you there."

"Someone might see." I said biting my lip.

"Don't worry, no one will see us. Now come on." He said, grabbing onto my hand and pulling me with him.

I had put on the same strappy white heels as yesterday and found a white blazer in the clothes Maria had brought me and had put it over the dress as there was a slight breeze outside.

I followed Roman down an elevator and into a garage full of luxury cars and saw him reach for a pair of keys and lead me to a sleek black one. We sat in and I quickly buckled my seat belt as he started driving.

"Will you be okay?" He asked me after he had driven a good distance away from his building.

"I hope so." I said biting my lip and looking out the window when I felt his hand settle o my thigh.

I eyed it for a moment before glancing at Roman who was his usual stoic self and deciding it didn't really matter, I let his hand stay there which oddly brought me comfort, other than sending tingles throughout my body.

"Are we going towards the back?" I asked him glancing out the window at the face of my college which was slowly appearing as he drove off towards another direction.

"Your brother has his men looking for you. No doubt here too." He explained, making me nod at him as I looked at the brick structure in the back.

He pulled over near a path an both of got out as I eyed the place warily, knowing I'd have to get in sooner or later and face everyone.

"Come on." He spoke, looking at me as he took my hand and had to practically drag me towards the back.

I eyed the students who were out the back for a smoke or things like that and as we neared the door, I noticed a very familiar head full of platinum blonde hair and narrowed my eyes, taking a good look at the supposed guy's back.

"Who's that?" Roman asked from beside me and I noticed we had stopped and were now both looking at the same guy and as if sensing our gaze, the boy turned just as my head turned towards Roman.

"He lo-.." I started but before I could say anything, a voice cut me off. A voice I was very familiar with and had missed for quite a long time.

"Heather?" The man's voice spoke, making my eyes widen before my head snapped to the person who called out to me, eyes widening like saucers.

"Zephyr?" I questioned, noticing his bright blue eyes and then the familiar grin that was forming on his face as he walked over to me, his eyes shining with happiness.

I dropped Roman's hand and practically ran to Zephyr and immediately his large arms wrapped around my frame as I breathed in his familiar scent, a large smile on my face.

"Oh god it's really you." I mumbled into his chest and heard his deep chuckle as we both pulled away a bit but didn't leave each other's arms.

"It really is my Heathy baby." He said sporting a large grin, making me roll my eyes playfully.

"And it really is my Zephy baby!" I exclaimed, noticing his playful gaze as he pecked my forehead before frowning as we pulled away from each other.

"Where have you been? We've been looking all over for you." He asked me worriedly, making me sigh.

"I.. I just needed a break. Desperately. I'm sorry." I said as his arms wrapped around me once again.

"It's okay, but your brother will probably kill you." He mumbled, making me hum in response.

Suddenly a throat was cleared behind us and both of us pulled away, turning around to face Roman whose jaw was clenched shut.

"Oh, uh... Zeph, this is-..."

"Roman Angelo." Zephyr said, now serious all of a sudden before he furrowed his eyebrows and looked at me, them Roman, and then back at me.

"Oh fuck. Don't tell me you were with him this whole time?" Zephyr asked me amused as I ran a hand over my face and nodded solemnly.

"Wow. Didn't take you to be the rebel after what happened Thea." Zephyr mused, making me roll my eyes as he stepped forward and stretched his hand out to Roman.

"Zephyr Elias." He introduced as Roman took his hand, shaking it firmly before letting it go.

"He's my uh... cousin.. Speaking of... is Zarina here too?" I asked turning to Zephyr again and he nodded, pointing towards the college building.

"She has class right now. Don't worry. We're here for long now Heathy baby. After you disappeared suddenly, everyone from the family came here." He said, making my eyes widen.

"Everyone?" I asked him, disbelief in my voice as he nodded, making my heart sink.

Shit, I'm in so much trouble.

"I'm supposing you don't want anyone to know of your secret boyfriend?" Zephyr pointed to Roman who was judging the both of us carefully with an unreadable expression.

"He's not my boyfriend, and no. Please. Don't tell anyone." I pleaded him and with one look at my eyes, Zeph knew the trouble I'd be in if anyone found out because I saw him nodding his head.

"Don't worry about it. You wanna go in now?" He asked me as I glanced at the building, hesitating a bit before nodding firmly.

"Yeah.. I just... need a moment." I told him as I walked over to Roman who straightened when I neared him. Zephyr took a few steps back and I was thankful he was giving me some privacy, unlike some people.

"Thank you, once again... For everything. It's means more to me that you know." I said gazing into his mesmerizing eyes and found myself drawing closer to him as his hand reached out and stroked my cheek lightly.

"I wanted to do it." He said softly, making me smile up at him as I reached up and placed a kiss on his jaw before I turned around and saw Zephyr watching us curiously.

He came up to me as he saw me walking towards him and with another look at Roman, I walked in through the back doors of my college, ready to face whatever the day had planned to throw at me.

And I'd get through it with my head high.

* * *

Author's Note: Hey guys, we're meeting two new characters in this story, Zephyr & Zarina Elias, Heather's twin cousins.