Chapter 23
2057 Words
In my entire existence, I think this was the only moment I’ve ever felt so free to speak—free to express and tell my own tale—and someone was actually listening to every word I spit out.
I sat by the long couch, just a few inches away from him, munching on the meat he grilled while the show he put on the TV was clearly ignored.
It was just Stefano, me, and the things I told him.
And he almost spat his drink out when I told him I once caught Johnny in the act of doing a “miracle” in his office with a woman.
“It’s a good thing I didn’t freeze in shock,” I said, handing him a napkin. “So I slammed the door shut and had to confess my sins to a priest. And take note—that was also my 'first day' working for him.”
“s**t, sorry,” he coughed, still laughing. “Didn’t know it could be that... fun... Working for him," he commented, not quite sure if he chose the right word.
I rolled my eyes. “You have no idea,” I scoffed.
Should I even mention the things I had to do for him? The things that were supposed to be sacred... but ended up turning into a wild fill of desire and pleasure?
“Most of his employees fantasize about him like they’d die if they didn’t praise him, stare at him, or kneel before his path,” I snorted, thinking of Miss T and McKenna batting their eyes whenever they saw Johnny.
“And you don’t?” Stefano asked, clearing his throat, obviously both curious and teasing as he gave me a side glance.
“Me?” I exclaimed, sounding all nasally. “I’d rather drink poison.”
“Not what I actually saw,” he mumbled, wincing as he gave me a suspicious look.
I froze, remembering the first time we met. We were… in a "heated" situation, and Johnny’s possessive attitude wasn’t exactly helping me deny Stefano’s silent accusations.
“He gets a bit… grumpy whenever I try to talk to you. And uh… it looked like he was gatekeeping you or something. I’m not trying to jump to conclusions, just saying what I saw,” he explained, making hand gestures before stabbing a bite of barbecue with his fork.
“There’s nothing to apologize for because you’re— you’re confused. You don’t know him well. Johnny’s… like that with everybody. I’ve told you before, right? He flirts with every single woman,” I defended. Thankfully, he bought it.
But what about it though? I’m pretty sure that was Johnny being dramatic.
“He likes to claim all women as his, he’s touchy and all that—but out of all the women out there, I’d break his arm before it could go somewhere.”
What a bunch of lies.
I think every inch of my skin has been touched, pinched, and caressed by him. Even inside me.
Stefano took a swig of his beer and nodded. “Then I’ll take that as good news.”
I hummed, asking what he meant.
He paused, licking his already pinkish lips. The moist sheen on their plumpness had me distracted. He placed his beer down and turned fully toward me.
“I don’t even know how to say this but uh… I’ve never met someone like you,” he said, inching closer until our knees were touching.
My grip on the can tightened. There was this tension I couldn’t name, but I felt it rushing through my veins.
“The truth is, I wasn’t even looking for anyone. But then I saw you, and... I just— I feel like I want to be close to you. I know it’s weird and sudden, but I’m not good at hiding my feelings, so... I just wanted to say that I’m attracted to you, Cassidy.”
Snow in the desert. A glacier in the Sahara. And I was in the middle of it.
I think I need to clean out my ears.
“Wha—what?” I asked, wondering if I heard him right or if I was just being delusional.
“I like you,” he repeated, more sure this time.
Yep, I heard him right. I found it unbelievable, but he said it. How could a loser like me catch a big, beautiful fish like Stefano? Am I that gorgeous? That fine? Oh, damn...
“We’ve only known each other for, like... a few weeks, but I know this isn’t just some flimflam,” he added, catching my free hand and giving it a light squeeze.
What is this? What’s going on?
My head is splitting in two. Stefano is nice, sweet—but romance? That’s unexpected. Is this a joke?
“Aren’t you... going to say something?” he asked gently. I saw it in his eyes: sincerity, fear of rejection—it was all there.
“Uhm…” I lost my words. “I don’t think it’s registering in my head,” I mumbled.
“I can see that,” he said with a soft laugh before slowly pinching my chin, lifting my head up, and leaning in close.
No, no! Time out! I need the remote—pause button! I need to think, I need to breathe. But instead... I closed my eyes and welcomed his lips.
Fudge! Fudge!
Why am I letting my hormones win? Is this two-timing? Am I a cheater?
No, no—I’m not.
Stefano was honest. And Johnny? He’s just some guy who plays around. Why am I even thinking about him? Johnny wasn’t sincere—he was about pleasure and power. But Stefano... I'd like to think he’s real.
The kiss was soft, careful, and shallow—but even so, it was sweet and passionate. I liked the way it felt. I liked how slow it was.
But then, with my eyes closed, I saw Johnny’s disappointed face flash in my mind.
“Wait…” I pulled back, placing both hands on Stefano’s chest.
He gave me some space to breathe. His doe eyes... it was my first time seeing them without his glasses. Amber and expressive.
“I... I don’t understand.” I shook my head. “Why me?”
He shrugged, lowered his head, then took my hand, placed it against his cheek, and leaned into it.
He was so cute—and this gesture made my intestines flutter.
“I have no idea. Maybe it’s the way you talk? The way you dress? I like that you’re so... normal but also unique. It’s not just because you’re beautiful. It’s because you’re 'you',” he said, making my brain even more chaotic.
I’m probably the oddest thing on earth—how come he sees me as someone he could like?
Unbelievable.
“It’s too fast, but when I like someone, I stay that way... even if it takes years.”
“Does that apply to your past lovers?” I blurted out. He chuckled, kissed my palm, and shook his head.
“I had just one,” he replied simply. “Before she... got over us.”
“Oh...” I muttered, apologetically.
“Don’t think about it. I’m over it.” He shrugged. “I live in the present, not the past or future. I stick with what’s right in front of me.”
And is that... me?
“I’m not gonna rush you. We’ve got all the time in the world,” he said with a soft laugh. “I just had to tell you how I feel—felt like I’d explode if I didn’t.”
I offered a smile, lowering my head and letting him hold my hand—which had been cold since he first touched it.
He was so gentle and dreamy. And that was the problem—because I was looking for something... rough.
“Thank you for appreciating me,” I quietly said, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. My heart pounded in my ears—it was dangerous. “I never really thought someone would like me.”
He looked at me like I’d told a bad joke. “What are you talking about? You’re 'very' likable.”
“Tell that to the people around me.”
“For sure.”
My eyes widened. “No, I wasn’t telling you to actually 'do' that, I was being sarcastic!” I panicked.
He let out a heartfelt laugh, resting his side on the couch while still holding my hand and looking at me like I was precious.
“Don’t drag yourself down, Cassidy. You’re more than you think you’re worth. A hundred times more,” he said, boosting my confidence, my esteem—everything—with just those words.
But isn’t zero times any number still zero?
Either way, I could feel my heart soften. And I will carry that warmth home with me.
“I literally live just a few floors up, no need to escort me,” I chuckled. Even after I told him three times I was sober, he still insisted.
“This lift is my car. I’m just dropping you off—no fare, no traffic,” he joked with a grin that made me want to mush his face.
“Hilarious,” I said flatly, watching the doors slide shut.
“I really enjoyed spending time with you,” he said seriously.
When I looked up at him, I swear my soul got wiped clean. His eyes... it was like staring at a glimpse of heaven.
“Well, thank you for the free meat, beer, and the talks. I really needed it,” I said simply, not wanting to give him any more hope.
His gaze dipped to my lips. I knew what he wanted—but before anything could happen, the elevator dinged.
“This is me,” I said, nodding and stepping out.
“Wait.” He caught my wrist and stood by the door to keep it open. “If it’s possible... would you join me Tuesday night next week? Just a little stroll at the outskirts of the city and... visit someone?”
Is he asking me on a date? “Uh... I’ll think about it,” I answered safely.
He let me go with a satisfied smile.
I bid him goodnight and reached into my bag for my key card when I stopped dead.
A familiar figure was sitting on the carpet like some kind of dramatic street model.
Johnny.
Now why did the king of hell just sent his most attractive demon here?
He looked up at me coldly, holding a bouquet of roses and a cellophane bag that smelled like Popeyes chicken.
“Looks like you enjoyed his company,” he said bitterly, pushing himself up and towering over me.
“Jo—Johnny—I mean, sir—uh—Mr. Miles, what are you doing here this late?” I asked.
He shook his head like I’d just betrayed him. His lips were tight, and his eyes were firing lasers straight through my skull.
“Wh—what?” I stammered.
He scoffed, wearing a smirk that barely hid his emotions, then dropped what he was holding and brushed past me—bumping my shoulder.
I stumbled, reaching for the wall to catch myself as I watched him walk away.
One step…
Two steps…
Three…
He stopped, turned, and threw daggers at me.
“You’re supposed to stop me,” he said. “Don’t you get the f*****g hint, Cass?”
I stood there, stunned.
“f**k…” he muttered, dragging his hands down his face. “Do you know how long I’ve been waiting here? 'Three f*****g hours', Cassidy.”
He... waited for me?
“Oh, right. My bad. You’ve got a nice, sweet architect entertaining you now,” he snapped, throwing his hands to his sides.
I stood frozen as he marched to the elevator and stabbed the down button.
I looked down at the things he left, and I felt my chest ached.
“Johnny, wait!” I called—but it was too late.
The doors closed.
And the last thing I saw was the red in his eyes.
- Writer
