26

I looked in that direction and I saw Imogen looking at me with surprise.

"Imogen!"

"Oh my God!" She screamed, ignoring the people around who had their eyes on us as she ran towards me.

I ran as well till we got to each other, and we hugged ourselves like we missed each other so much.

"Evie, is this really you?" She asked after she released me, staring at me from head to toe.

I nodded, feeling tears approaching.

"I thought....they said you died with your parents in the fire." She almost cried.

I shook my head. "No. Thanks to my mum, I didn't."

"God, my best friend!" She wrapped me again in a hug. "Thank goodness you are alive."

"I missed you so much, Imogen."

"I missed you too. I thought you were dead. I thought I would never see you again." She said.

"I have Mario to thank for this," I said.

She unwrapped me and looked at me with furrowed brows.

"Mario?"

I nodded.

"Wait, whose car was that? I heard everything your parents owned burned down as well."

"It is a long story."

"I could skip morning class to hear everything,"

I let out a chuckle, feeling my heart dancing.

"I missed you so much, Imogen," I said, placing my hand on her shoulder.

"Me too, bestie," she said, holding my waist as we headed for the school building.

"You are going to spill every detail. From A to Z."

"Mm hmm,"

"You can start now."

"My mum and I were in the kitchen."

"Okay,"

"Along with my nanny."

************

"He kissed you!"

"Shhh, Imogen," I whispered, moving my eyes around for anyone who might be looking at us. We are seated at the canteen, having some fruit juice like we usually take anytime we come to the canteen.

"Sorry, my bad. This is some hot gossip. How could you kiss a married man?" She whispered.

"I didn't. He kissed me."

"What's the difference?"

My shoulders fell. "He kissed me. I couldn't even keep up with his pace." I said, sipping my drink.

"But you loved it and I bet you wish it could repeat itself again."

I moved my eyes nervously.

"Of course you do. I know you like the back of my hands, girlfriend. And hey, he is a mafia boss. Just like in your stupid books, which I am so happy got burnt as well."

I scoffed in disbelief.

"You literally got what you have been wishing for,"

"I know, right? I thought the same thing."

"But it is twisted. No, scratch that. It is forbidden."

I heaved a sigh.

"Girl, he is MARRIED. He clearly loves his wife. That is why he fucked her at that pool. I mean, he has been fucking her, but he decided to do that at a pool, which is fucking romantic."

I furrowed my brows at her blunt way of saying things.

"And Mario is his son. Mario likes you,"

"He is very kind and...."

"No, no, you don't understand. Mario likes you. Don't you remember how he was staring at you that day?"

"Yes, I do but...."

"Think of how he would feel once he finds out that you have the hots for his dad and not him."

"Imogen, Mario has not made any advances towards me."

"You chose to be blind."

"Huh?"

"He is telling you through his actions,"

I raised my brows.

"Yeah, girlfriend. All the nice things he is doing for you is him telling you how he feels about you."

I lowered my gaze, recalling how he stared at me and the way he called me a gorgeous princess.

"You should know that. I thought we are age mates," Imogen said, making me look at her.

She is sipping her drink.

"What am I going to do?" I almost whined.

She looked at me.

"I can't stop thinking about the Don. I am literally thinking about him right now."

"Geez. What about? The wet dream or the real life kiss?" She asked.

"Everything."

"Damn," she said, chuckling.

I heaved a frustrated sigh. "It is not funny, Imogen,"

"Actually it is. Life hit you with a huge curved ball only to place you in the twisted hands of your most wanted fantasy," she said, wiggling her brows.

I leaned on my seat as the Don filled my head again.

"Tell me again what he looks like," she said, smiling at me. 

"God, Imogen, he is everything. He is as tall and as gorgeous as a Greek god."

Imogen hummed.

"Very reserved yet has this scary, commanding presence. Though he is mean, my legs go weak whenever I hear his hot husky voice or stand before him."

"Do your legs feel the need to spread?"

I nodded.

She shook her head. "You are done for, girlfriend."

"I know,"

"He is married and you are inexperienced. You are a virgin."

I run my fingers through my hair, getting worked up by myself.

"Don't forget that,"

"I know, Imogen. But I can't help it. He ticked all the boxes. He is the man of dreams."

"Wet dreams," she corrected.

"That too. I want him, Imogen. I seriously do."

"This is a huge problem, girlfriend."

I heaved a sigh.

"We are not even sure if he feels the same way,"

"What if he does? I mean, he kissed me. That could mean something, don't you think?"

She nodded. "What if he kissed you because he thought you were his mean wife?"

My heart tightened as my shoulders fell.

She raised her brows.

"I doubt that,"

"Yeah. I knew you would say that. But the good version of myself would advise that you stop whatever feeling you are having for him. Forbidden things kill."

I lowered my gaze.

"However, the bad version of me can't help but say this is very exciting."

I looked at her as a smile formed on my lips.

"Really?"

She chuckled. "Hell, I want to see him too. I am imagining his physique in my head already."

I laughed happily.

"But I don't want to die. His wife will kill us. I said us because I am part of it now. I am the only one who knows your true intention in that house,"

I scoffed. "You sound as if I went to their house just for the Don. I met him there, remember?"

She nodded. "And you are fantasizing about him in ways you shouldn't."

"I can't help it." I whined.

"What about his wife? She wants you out, right?"

I nodded.

"Does she suspect you have a thing for her husband?"

"No. She thinks I am a spy and I harmed her husband."

"Huh?"

"She literally put her hands on me last night."

"What?"

"You should have seen her, Imogen. She literally hates me. She wants me out, but Mario is not accepting that. He assured me that she can't kick me out."

"Damn, Mario really likes you. Can't you make a tiny space for him in your fantasies?"

"I can't control how I feel, Imo."

She heaved a sigh.

"All I think about is the Don. I am beginning to think about a life with him already. Two kids and a house away from everyone. I feel like I will be the best wife ever." 

"Wait, what?" She chuckled.

I face palmed.

"You need help,"

"I really do," I said.

"Don't worry. I got you. I am your therapist, remember?" She grinned.

I rolled my eyes, shaking my head.

"What? I can help you. First, you have to stop thinking about him."

"I can't."

"Focus on Mario."

"I can't do that either."

"Okay. Think about all the nice things he has been doing for you and give him a chance."

"That's manipulative."

"Well, I am trying to help you so you don't get killed by a crazy wife,"

I heaved a sigh.

"Never in my life have I thought any of us would be in a married man's situation," she said, sipping her drink.

"Me too." I said, picking up my drink and sipped it as I thought about the Don again.

"Well, look at us now."

God, this is going to be hard.

******************

HOURS LATER

"Thank you," I said to the man who opened the car door for me and I got out of the car. Mario didn't come to pick me up like he said he would.

Imogen wanted to see him so badly. Like she said, she missed his cute face. 

Very funny.

I had fun today thanks to her. I really missed her. We actually spent the whole day together without going to class.

It was worth the while.

I feel light sharing everything with her. There is nothing like a support system. We all need it.

I can't wait to see her tomorrow. I am glad I was able to see her today. All thanks to Mario.

He is really nice.

I also couldn't stop thinking about what Imogen said about giving Mario a chance.

He is cute just like Imogen said. But I am not attracted to him.

I can't force attraction, can I?

Getting to the huge entrance door of the mansion, I opened it a little and walked in. I closed the door behind me and was about heading in when something took my attention towards the living room.

I looked in the direction and I instantly locked eyes with the Don.

My heart picked up.

He is seated in a relaxed form on one of the couches, dressed in a blue shirt with the buttons left open and black trousers.

God, he is awake.