Delayed but his

13

Third person’s pov

Simon pov

I was having a hard time knowing that business was shaky and also knowing that more danger could be lurking around.

“What do you have on the Genovese?”Arman asked Fabio as he looked through the files in front of him.

“In there is the pictures of the Boss and underboss and much to my knowing the Genovese crime family is a powerful New York-based Italian-American Mafia organization, frequently referred to as the "Ivy League" or "Rolls Royce" of organized crime for its longevity, sophistication, and structure. Founded by Lucky Luciano in 1931, it remains a dominant, enduring family involved in wide-ranging racketeering, gambling, and labor union infiltration. “Fabio read out as he scrolled through the desktop in front of him.

“Mmmhmm.Sounds like a competition.That explains why they see us as a threat.”

“Well Colban has said too much and we need to ask fast”I said

“What do you suggest ?”Arman asked

“Well maybe we could meet up with father.Maybe he could tell us more on this Genovese .”

Arman moved close to me “Miranda called.You know she’s a reporter and I could ask her to help out “

“We shouldn’t trust anybody,Arman”

“Come on.Miranda is family and besides we have no choice so I suggest going out for a drink with her is a step ahead”

I took my time to give it a second thought.

“Alright.But I’d be bringing my date “

“Really.you have a date?” Arman said in surprise and I understood why.I seldom spoke about my intimate life

I knew I sucked when it came to the opposite gender.

I recalled during our teenage years,we had thrown a birthday party for Alda.

Miranda had attended the party with a friend of hers and it was a good moment.

Arman had advised me to walk up to her friend when he caught me staring and I declined immediately.

Then there was Arman that never saw the deal in doing so.

I always got what I wanted and that was it.

“You really think I’m that little kid that couldn’t approach a lady”

“So you’re seeing someone?”he asked

I heard Fabio chuckle as he eavesdropped in our conversation.

“Not really but I’ve been thinking about her more lately and I’m surprised at myself also”I said as I thought about the person in question,Estella.I knew I was keeping her in a loop with my off and on vibes .The fond feeling I had whenever I thought of her enveloped me once more.

“Well I can’t wait to meet this date of yours”

💥Estella’s pov

I checked myself in front of my dressing mirror and turned to Heather in need of her opinion

“Perfect.Now we have do something about your face and hair”

I let her pull me to take a seat and she worked on my face .I never saw the need to put on makeup and I appreciated the fact that she had kept it light.

I preferred keeping it simple and it wasn’t like I had too much fun to make it a habit.

I was a workaholic and my schedule was filled with works except on the days that Heather offered to help so I could take some rest.

Like today.She was thrilled when I had told her that Simon had called asking to take me out for a drink.She admired his efforts and supported my decision by the end of the day.

I had decided to open up to Simon tonight because I hated the fact that he was being so nice to me and I couldn’t do or say much about it.

“You look so beautiful “she said as she packed my hair to form a tight bun.

“”Thank you so much.Do you think it’s a good idea..”I said out of worry.

“Estella.May the best man win.Besides you didn’t ask for any of this ,Fate happened and you should do well with it”she said and left my side after giving me a soft smile .

An hour later,I proceeded to the Garage in request to Simon’s message .I knew he was waiting for me there and I hurried in my steps because I didn’t want to come across Arman.

I felt like a kid trying to steal a biscuit from the biscuit jar in a strict home.

“Estella?”

I halted in my steps and turned to see Ma Esmeralda.

She rarely came to this side of the mansion.

“Good evening,ma Esmeralda “

She surveyed my outfit and smiled a bit.

“Are you going somewhere?”

I swallowed deeply thinking of what to say.

“I just needed to step out and have some drinks with friends”

“I understand.You need such company because I know you’ve hardly had time for yourself”she said

I nodded ,lost in words.

I was lying to my employer but I had no choice either.I had to keep everything professional.

I could almost swear I had seen the smirk on her face as she made to walk away but then I felt I must’ve imagined it because it was gone immediately.

“Make sure you have some fun”she said as she walked away.

I stood rooted to the spot due to fear .

Then I resumed my journey to the garage.

It was just a friendly date and I knew Heather would talk my ears out if she heard I had stood him up.

It wasn’t long before I caught up with simon.

“You look so pretty “he said as we drove out of the compound .

I looked at him and gave a wild smile.

“Likewise”I said because it was only so

He wore a casual outfit but maintained his choice of black clothings.

As I studied him,I tried to check if I could feel something more and then I knew.

I loved him as a friend.That was why I had agreed to the date,that was why I found myself getting comfortable around him.

“So where are we going to?”

“It’s a surprise “he said not turning from the road.

I relaxed a bit and decided to let it go.

The evening breeze slapped my cheeks as I rolled down the car window.

Maybe it was going to be a great night after all.

It was almost an hour drive and we stopped in front of a bar .

“Are you ready?”Simon asked as he turned the car off.

“Sure”I said and moved to step out from the car.

He held out his hands to hold mine and I obliged.

We walked in to the mild bustle of people around,drinking to their merriment.It gave the vibe of a speakeasies,the type of bars that had limited customers in their policy.

“Over there “Simon gestured to our left and I stopped in my tracks .

He stopped walking also and moved close to me

“Are you okay Estella?”

No I wasn’t .Not with the fact that Arman and the beautiful lady from the other day were in the booth in front of us.

She was laughing to something he’d said twirling her hair in a seductive manner.

Arman stopped talking and the smile on his face trailed off as he noticed my presence.

“Come on”Simon offered and I obliged

I sat down quietly avoiding Arman’s glare.

“Hey ,Simon.we almost thought you stood us up.”Miranda said and gave me a sharp look

“Hi”I said

I watched Simon shake Arman’s hand and proceed to give an introduction

“Miranda meet my date,Estella.Estella,Miranda cosgrove,a long time friend of the family’s.”

“Nice meeting you”Miranda said and stood up

“Come on.We should go make orders on our drink”

“The waiter would do that”Arman spoke for the first time since we got here

“Nah.I need to catch some girl time with Estella “she said looking at me for approval

“Sure”I said and joined her to the front bar .

It was more like an escape from the pinned look from Arman.