*Bruno*
I knew Lucia would not be able to hurt Natasha. She was that soft. And I liked her that way. I don’t mind doing all the bad jobs. She can be a softee, and I am the bad guy as long as she is by my side. When my lips threshers, I could barely pull away. I wanted to kiss her for eternity. She was the one and only girl I wanted, and I was pretty sure she knew that.
I was sure I had as much effect as she had on me. I didn’t want to let her go. My tongue tasted every part of her mouth. She moaned into the kiss. We didn’t pull away until we heard a knock on the door.
I cursed under my breath. Why was anyone knocking now of all times? It was one of the guards. He informed me about my meeting with one of the VIPs that was in the club. I had to pull away from Lucia completely, though I didn’t want to let her go.
The following days flowed as usual. But this time, the only unusual thing about it was that Lucia was no longer a receptionist. She was my personal, more like a P. A. She was more efficient than any of my staff aside from Rave. She would go on inspection with me. She stayed in my office most of the time. I am glad that I get to see her always trying to be around me. I liked it so much that I would leave something l had to do just to spend time with her.
Sometimes, I wanted to be ordinary for her. I was sure she would want a relationship like every other girl of her age. I was sure she would want a man who she could boast about. She could boast about me, though, but she had no friends.
It was the end of the month.
The usual time I visit some kids in the outskirts of the city. I usually go alone but this time I wanted to go with Lucia. I wanted to show her the orphanage home I founded. I wanted her to be part of my life. I don’t want to hide anything from her.
My love is not in its most perfect form, but hers is pure. When I told her I wanted to take her somewhere, she had an excited look on her face, though she tried to conceal it. “Where are we going?” She asked. I pressed my lips together.
“That would be a surprise,” I said. She raised a brow and tilted her head to the side, “don’t worry, I am sure you are going to love it,” I said. She nods. She was sitting across from me. We shared the same desk. She didn’t have much to do.
I planned on taking her to a restaurant for dinner that evening before we went to the kid’s home. “This is where the best food in the entire world is made,” I said to her.
“Why do I feel like this is being exaggerated?” She asked as we walked in. There were three stairs at the entrance, “I’m not one to exaggerate. What would I benefit from that?” I asked her. I extended my hands, and she placed her hand as I helped her up the stairs.
We wore simple clothes. No one could tell that I was a mafia lord. For once, I wanted to be different. I wanted to be the ordinary guy she would want. “But you’ve not tasted the best food in the world,” she says.
“You seem to underestimate me,” I said.
“You mean you’ve tasted all the food in the world?” She asked, chuckling at the end. “You’ve tasted food from Korea?”
“Hmm,” I nodded. “Philippines?” I nodded, “Italy? Even African?” she asked. “You don’t mean it, Bruno,” she says. I knew she knew I was joking but decided to push it further.
“Alright, this place serves the best food in the city,” I finally agree. “Well, let me be the judge of that,” she says. There were a few people in this restaurant. Everyone was in pairs, a man and a woman. I have always wanted to come here with someone. It wasn’t nice to be the weird one eating without a partner each time.
“Fine, be the judge,” I said. This restaurant was known for its diverse menu. The sweet aroma hit us as we sat down. Lucia was already looking around. I could tell she was excited to taste the food. A waiter walked towards us. I picked the best for both of us as most of the food was dishes Lucia hadn’t tried before.
She has a smile on her face, and that smile warmed my heart. I love seeing her smile. I want her to smile over and over for me to see. The waiter came back sooner than expected. He placed the food tray on the table, and Lucia muttered a quiet thanks.
When she tried the food, she couldn’t stop nodding.
“I told you you will like it,” I said. “It’s nice, I must admit,” she says. Soft music resounded from the speaker, which was invisible. Lucia enjoyed the food, and I enjoyed watching her enjoy it. After eating, we sat down, waiting for our dessert. Soon, the chocolate cake was placed on the table. We both had a bite each.
Chocolate cake was her favorite. She devoured it. “Everything tasted different here,” she said. “I said,” she nods. Her eyes moved around before settling on me. When it was time to leave, she stood up and quickly excused herself to go use the bathroom.
My eyes followed her until she went out of sight. I didn’t want to take my eyes off her for another moment.
*********
*Lucia POV*
I didn’t know a restaurant like this existed. I was happy Bruno brought me here. I took off my bracelet before walking into one of the cubicles. I stared at my reflection as I washed my hands when I was done. My makeup was still in place. I took a deep breath.
Bruno had not asked me out yet, but I could tell where I stood with him. He loves me, and there is no doubt I love him, too. I brush so many strands of hair off my face. I’ll take it slow and go with it. Or maybe go with the wind. I smiled and walked out of the restroom.
Bruno was sitting on the chair when I walked back. I couldn’t help but notice the stares he was receiving from the ladies around. My heart twisted with a tinge of jealousy, and quickly, I walked towards him. He stood up when he saw me. I wrapped my hands around his. Linking both hands together as we walked out. I wanted to show them that this man was mine, though not officially, but technically, he was mine, and I wasn’t going to share him, let alone allow them to devour him with their eyes.
I sighed when we stepped out.
Maybe he shouldn’t have dressed like this. I doubt they would have found him attractive in his regular suit. He had a look of surprise on his face and raised a brow when I unlinked my hands. It was awkward. How was I going to explain myself? I bite my lower lips. I was happy when he started walking without asking.
I walked beside him, trying to keep a smile on my face. “Where are we going?” I asked him. At first, I thought he brought me out to eat, but then, coming to the city’s outskirts to eat didn’t sound like what normal person would do, except there he was Bruno.
“We will be there in a while,” he said and opened the door for me. I stepped inside, muttering a thank you under my breath. He walked around the car and got in, “Is it close by?” I asked him. “Kinda,” he replied and ignited the car after closing the door.
We didn’t drive for long when he pulled up in front of a building. We stopped in front of a gate and were immediately let in. “where is this?” I asked. “This isn’t like some secret warehouse where drugs are made, right?” I asked him. One side of his lips pulls up.
“What?” He asked and then let out a light chuckle.
“You know what I am trying to say. You are a…” I took in a deep breath. He park the car. “I am what?” He asked as if daring me to continue speaking. “You aren’t just any guy. You are a mafia Lord, so maybe you came to show me one of your secret warehouses.”
“So what’s wrong with that?” He asked.
Well, he had a point. I already knew the type of person he was, but at the same time, I couldn’t help falling in love with him. I took in a deep breath, “there is nothing wrong with it. I want to see it,” I said. He smiled. A type of smile that reached his eyes.
This smile matched the clothes he wore right now. They made him look more ordinary. Like any random cute guy you see at the boss stop or anywhere. I blushed and looked away; he caught my face before I completely looked away and held it in place. His finger brushed my lips.
“What do you think you are doing?” I asked. Something caught, and I turned; Bruno dropped his hands quickly. I squinted my eyes, trying to make sure I was not mistaken.
“You use children for your work, too? No,” I shook my head before allowing him to answer, “this is wrong. I get that this is the type of work adults do, not children. They have a whole life ahead of them; you can’t stop,” I avoided using ruining, “whatever they are going to be in the future because of your interest,” I said, alternating my gaze between him and the child I just saw.
Bruno kept looking at me without a word. His gaze was expressionless. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
The child stopped, and suddenly, a joyous look appeared on his face, but he ran back inside. “Why aren’t you saying anything?” I asked Bruno, looking into his eyes.
His lips were pressed together. I felt my heart shattered into pieces. I didn’t know this child, but the last thing I wanted was for any child to work at such a young age.
I opened the door and stepped out. Bruno did the same. I walked towards where I had seen the little boy run into. “Lucia,” Bruno called, and I stopped. I turned to him. He took a step closer and another one until he had closed the gap between us.
I heard distant chatter and turned, and then the same boy ran out. Footsteps echoed as if a group was running out. He wasn’t alone; he had other people behind him. And there was a big smile on his face. They all run towards us. I wonder why they had such a smile.
I was sure they were being mistreated, so why are they happy?” I couldn’t help but wonder. I watched them hug Bruno. Bruno smiled when they hugged him. There were over ten childrens who should be at the age of ten to twelve. I blinked, unable to understand what was happening.
Bruno bent to meet their height.
He had a big smile as he hugged them. That was when it clicked. I had misunderstood him. I bite the inside of my mouth. I had judged him without knowing everything.
He stood up and looked around until his eyes stopped somewhere. I followed his gaze to see him staring at a girl. She looked older than all the others.
He smiled when he saw her. The girl took slow steps, and I couldn’t quite describe her feelings.
“Tina,” Bruno called.
I am sure I have heard that name before, but where?