- 4 2 -

At first there was warmth, but when I woke up, all I felt was coldness around me and almost immediately, I panicked.

It was dark out and the sky looked clear from the large balcony window, the moon's light illuminating the dark room just enough to see.

I quickly reached for my phone and frowned when I saw a sticky note attached to it. But once I read it, my heart seemed to calm down as my shoulders sagged in relief.

"Don't panic, I'm either outside or out to run an errand. Don't miss me too much princess."

I reread the note as a small smile formed on my face, but it was quickly wiped off when I remembered why I was here in the first place, making me sigh heavily.

Getting out of bed, I made my way to the bathroom and splashed water on my face to refresh myself.

Walking back out, I put the sticky note in my side drawer and unlocked my phone, briefly glancing at all the missed calls from my family before putting it away.

I'll deal with this later.

I quickly made the bed and shrugged on a black hoodie and walked outside, just as the main door was opened and Roman walked into the living room, talking to someone on the phone in Italian.

I made my way to the kitchen and looked for something that could be used to make dinner but found nothing.

Not even a single cookie which I found strange because I remember stocking the corner cabinet with my favorite chocolate chip cookies.

"Hungry?" Roman's voice came from behind me and I turned around to look at him.

"Yeah, but there's nothing to eat. Or cook to eat." I shrugged when he took out his phone.

"I'll get things from the grocery store." He said turning around and heading for the door.

"Wait, I'll come with you. I know a place here where we can eat." I said, stopping him in his tracks.

"Someone might see you." He told me while scanning my face intently.

"They won't. Trust me." I said firmly and confidently and saw him nod, rather hesitantly.

"Grab whatever you need. I'm waiting outside." He said before turning back around and leaving the apartment. I quickly put on my white ankle boots I wore in the morning and took off the black hoodie and shrugged on my checkered blazer.

Grabbing my phone, I tucked it into my blazer's pocket along with my wallet and ran a hand through my hair before practically running out of the apartment.

I locked the door and checked twice to be sure before making my way down, where Roman was leaning against the car door, typing on his phone.

He looked up when he heard me walk over to him and opened the passenger door for me. I got in and buckled the seatbelt just as he got in too and we drove off.

I gave him directions to the main market place and hoped it was still there after two years. A grin broke out on my face when I saw the small restaurant with fairy lights hanging from the entrance and the trees creating an arch on the pathway.

Just like I remembered.

"This is the place?" Roman's voice brought me back as I turned to him and smiled.

"Yes. This is the one." I replied with a smile as he got out of the car and me being the impatient person I was, grabbed his hand without any further thoughts and led him towards the restaurant.

When we entered, all eyes fell on us before they went back to doing whatever they were. After they took a second glance at me and then the man beside me, obviously.

"Heather dear is that you?" The familiar voice made me smile as I looked at the man with greying hair approaching me and before I knew it, I was engulfed into a big hug with an 'oof' from me.

Never gets old.

"Yup, it's me Doris." I said patting the man's back who finally let go of me and as quick as our hands fell apart, Roman took mine again in his warm one.

"Look at the beautiful woman you've grown into. Your mother would be so proud. And so would he." He said smiling warmly at me before finally looking at Roman with a big smile.

"And who is this young man? Boyfriend?" He glanced at our intertwined hands, making me blush.

"Oh no-..." I was cut off by Roman who placed an arm around my waist and kissed my temple, erupting butterflies in my stomach at the display of affection.

"Yes." He replied, making me look at him with wide eyes when Doris clapped his hands together happily.

"Isn't that wonderful! You two would have beautiful children!" He said cheerily, making me look at him with my mouth agape and then at Roman who was watching my expression with a smirk plastered on his face.

"We would, wouldn't we, princess?" He said smugly, making me scowl.

The nerve of this guy, seriously.

"Pray tell, to what do I owe the honor of having you here after two long years?" Doris asked, making us both look at him.

"Well I was visiting the apartment here and thought I'd drop by." I said with a small smile on my face and saw Doris nod.

"Of course, come this way then. I assume you must be hungry." He said and ushered us to a secluded table in the corner where we could see the garden outside decorated in fairy lights and colorful flowers.

"And what would you two like?" He asked us when we had settled, making me grin widely.

"You know my favorite. We'll have two of that and... what drink would you like Roman?" I asked the man who shrugged before leaning back in his seat.

"Whatever you're having." He replied.

"Red wine it is then." Doris said and walked off towards the kitchen before I could say anything further.

"This place is nice. Have you been here before?" Roman's voice brought me out of my memories as I smiled faintly at him.

"Yes, I have. With someone I dearly loved." I replied with a sad smile before clearing my throat.

More than you know.

"But let's not talk about the past now. Tell me, what is your favorite color?" I asked him and saw his lips twitch slightly as he leaned forward and looked me in the eyes before speaking.

"Ocean blue." He replied and I realized he was talking about the color of my eyes, making me blush as I averted my gaze from his.

"You?" He asked me and I had to look at him again, with the same intensity he looked at me a moment ago before I smiled.

"Emerald green." I replied, watching as his lips curved upwards into a smile showcasing his adorable dimples, making my smile become even wider, but the moment was ruined when a waiter came over to us with our food.

Great timing.

My mouth watered as the heavenly aroma of the food reached me, making me fidget in anticipation so much that as soon as the waiter left, I dug into my plate and moaned, closing my eyes as the flavor burst into my mouth.

When I opened my eyes, I saw Roman's dark gaze directed at me, making me furrow my eyebrows.

"Why aren't you eating?" I asked him, which seemed to help him snap out of whatever daze he was in as he grabbed his fork and started eating.

Before we knew it, our plates were empty and both of us sat relaxed with our wine glasses in hand. I'd had a little more to drink than I usually would, making me feel tipsy.

Definitely not a good sign.

"Rome?" I called out to him, making him look at me with a confused expression.

What's wrong with him?

"What did you just call me?" He asked slowly and I frowned before my eyes widened.

"Oh. I called you Rome. I'm sorry it must've slipped out." I said smiling sheepishly as he sat up straight and looked at me intently.

Shit, I must be really drunk.

"I like it." He said, making me look at him incredulously.

What?

"You do?" I asked him and he nodded, making my face break out into a grin.

"Rome." I tested the name, loving how it felt to say his name shorter. And for some reason, It felt personal. Intimate. And I absolutely loved it.

"Rome." I repeated, now smiling.

"Yeah, I like it too. Can I call you that? If that's okay with you, obviously." I rambled, making his lips twitch slightly.

"Of course baby. You can call me anything you want." He said softly, making me blush before grinning slyly.

"What about... possessive psycho freak? Oh, I know! How about asshole?" I asked him and saw his face drop.

"No." He replied curtly with zero emotion, making me burst into a fit of laughter.

Worth a try.

"I was only joking, calm down." I said, patting his hand just as Doris came back smiling.

"You two having fun?" He asked, looking at both of us, making me blush as I nodded.

"Can you get us the bill please?" I asked him politely to which he shook his head.

"Already covered dear. Don't worry about it." He said.

"No, I can't do that. Let me pay you." I insisted but he wouldn't hear any of it.

"No can do. Consider it a 'welcome back after so long' gift from me." He said smiling and gave me a hug, which I reciprocated happily. He then turned to Roman and shook his hand.

"You, young man, take good care of her. She's a special one." He told Roman who looked at me intently before nodding firmly.

"Always." He replied, making me blush as I bit my lip.

"Now, can I have a word with you Heather dear?" Doris looked at me expectantly and I nodded quickly.

"Of course. I'll be back." I told Roman who simply nodded as I followed Doris towards the kitchen. He took us to a secluded corner before he looked at me sternly and crossed his arms over his chest.

Wait, did I do something wrong?

"What on earth are you doing with the Italian Don?" He asked me, making me frown.

"How did you..?" I trailed off when he smirked.

"I know everything dear, don't underestimate me just as an old man who owns a small restaurant. I know him and you both well enough. Now, you tell me. What happened and who are you hiding from?" He asked me, making me purse my lips.

"I... I just need some time alone. Some things happened between me and my family and thankfully Roman was there to help me." I confessed and heard Doris sigh.

"Fine. I'll take your word for it because I trust you. And from the looks of it, no one knows you're here?" He asked me, raising an eyebrow, making me sigh as I shook my head.

"No one. And I'd like to keep it that way for a while. At least till I've sorted and thought everything out." I told him, watching his face morph back into his warm one.

"Of course, I'll keep your whereabouts to myself. I'd suggest you stay in as much as you can because knowing your brother and family, they'd go to great lengths to find you." He told me, making me nod my head.

I have no doubt about it.

"I know. And thank you, for everything." I hugged him again while he patted my back and he knew the hidden meaning of my words.

"Of course. Now go home." He shooed me away, making me laugh as I went outside and saw Roman waiting for me. Once he saw me, he stretched his hand out for me to take, which I took gladly as we walked back to the car.

Reaching the apartment, he made sure I was in before he turned to me.

"I have some... business... to take care of. I'll see you in the morning. Stay safe. Good night amore." He said and leaned down to kiss my lips sweetly and peck my forehead before leaving me standing there in the hallway, completely frozen with a goofy smile on my face.

"Good night Rome." I whispered before trudging to my room as if I was on cloud nine.

I guess they were right about one thing.

The heart wants what it wants.