String of Hearts

San Andro

Skye’s Pov

I sit up on my bed immediately Aria comes into my room the next morning.

"Babe!" she exclaims and dumps herself on me excitedly. "I heard you've got an handsome hunk in your den."

I wrinkle my nose and sit up. "Are you trying to kill me and take over my beautiful body?"

Aria looks me over before giving me a crooked smile.

"Although, I wish to do so, I'm worried your dad will roast me to death." She slaps her thigh excitedly, "Come on. Spill it. I heard he's quite handsome."

"Aria..."

"Come on."

I lean back. "Well, he looks good. Abs and all." I see Aria's face morph into a wide smile and immediately lift a finger. "Don't you dare get your claws on him!"

"I know. I know. Anyway, how do you know he has abs?"

I instantly look away guiltily.

Being the crazy friend Aria is, I can't trust that she won't see through me if I don't look away.

"I heard he'll be staying with you guys."

I shrug. "I think so."

"b***h, you're so lucky."

I scoff and casually say, "I can't say my luck is exactly good when my one night stand suddenly appears at my home."

She laughs. "Well, s**t luck..." The realization hit her and she exclaims, "It can't be..."

"It is," I huff.

"It's him?"

"Yeah." I grab my pillow and place it on my laps, narrowing my eyes suspiciously. "How did you know? You've been pestering Ryan again, haven't you?"

She clicks her tongue.

"It's not my fault he's so easy to bully."

She stares into the distance for some moments before suddenly facing me, stars shining her eyes. "Don't you think he's quite cute? I'm guessing, he's even a virgin."

I laugh, seeing her serious expression. I am slightly delighted, not being a witness during her extortion. Ryan has always been the unlucky one subject to her bullying ever since he moved into the apartment next doors. The young man is quite cute, though and it makes one want to bully him. But, I've never seen Aria pay so much attention to someone.

She suddenly flips off the bed and grabs her bag before skipping off while saying to me,

"I have to check it out myself."

I sigh and roll out of bed, adjusting my nightwear and follow behind her. Just as I step out of my room, the door of the room beside mine opens and he steps out.

Aria halts abruptly and I nearly ram into her. I look at her. Her gaze is glued onto him as she blatantly stares him down. I move my gaze away from her face and look at him. I can feel his gaze on me. His gaze darts between Aria and I.

Aria steps forward, her hand outstretched. "Hello. I work at L&M. Are you interested in being my model. You have good physique. Quite handsome. You must work out a lot. Not bad. Not bad."

I gape at her blatant act of poaching him into her father's company. But, I can't help but give him a lookover after hearing her words. Not only is he handsome, I think all male models in the industry will be experiencing bankruptcy in the near future.

Jeremy stares at her outstretched palm before glancing at me and I wonder why he is staring at me. He shakes her hand and replies,

"I'm not interested in being a model. But, thanks for the compliment."

Afterwards, he gives me a sidelong glance and walks away and I can't help but notice the crease on his T-shirt as he walked. His muscles contracted as he bounced off. My fingers clench; I remember just how they felt. Seem hard but soft to the touch.

Aria turns to me hurriedly with her signature awe filled eyes whenever she comes across a hot male. "So... frigging hot."

She fans herself exaggeratedly. "f**k. Male hormones everywhere."

I shake my head and walk back to my room. Behind me, I hear her say, "But, don't worry. I won't lay a hand on your man."

This has me turning towards her as I narrowed my eyes. "He is not my man!"

"I know. I know. Just saying."

I don't reply and turn towards my door but a tiny bit of me felt relieved. I don't know why. But, it would be so awkward if my best friend has a thing with someone I once slept with.

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

When I walk down to the living room the next twenty minutes, I see him and Aria seated across each other. They seem to be engaged in an heated discussion. I take a seat beside Aria. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh. You're done. I'm trying to sign him under my company."

"Oh," I mumble disinterestedly.

Aria's phone rings loudly, drawing everyone's attention. She grabs the phone on the table and accepts the call.

She says sweetly, "Babe."

I look away knowing who it is. It's Jordan; her boyfriend who I don't really fancy. Call it my sixth sense, but I always feel as though their relationship isn't what it seems on the surface. But Aria loves him and won't let him go no matter what I tell her. Although, I would have preferred Nate for her.

She disconnects the call and from her darkened face, I know things don't look good.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

She glances at me. "Jordan wants me home. I think he's drunk."

I frown. I never approved of her living with him. He's extremely controlling.

"Aria..."

"Let's talk about it later," she says, grabbing her bag and walks out of the apartment. I stare at her retreating back as she left and a few seconds later, I hear her bid Nate farewell.

Silence befell the room after she left. His eyes are on me and I nearly feel creeped out from the intensity in his gaze. Just when I intend to return to my bedroom, he speaks up.

"Your dad has gone to London. He has an urgent conference to attend."

I look at him and stiffly nodded, not surprised at all by this new piece of information. My dad has always been busy.

Afterwards, he looks away and picks up a magazine from the side table. Unable to stand the stifling silence, I get up from my seat and walk out of the living room.

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

Author's Pov

Central Investigation Agency

Houston gaped at the CCTV, his eyes widening as he turned to the officer in charge of the visual unit. "Get me this footage. Right now!"

"Right away, captain," the officer replied and rushed off to get the footage. He soon reappeared with a flash drive in his hand which Houston collected and walked away.

As he walked, the only thing that went on his mind was to make sure the major see this immediately. He stopped short in front of a shut door and knocked.

A male voice that seemed to belong to a middle aged man sounded out. "Who is there?"

"Captain Houston, reporting to Major."

The man released a sigh upon hearing the name. "Come on in."

Houston opened the door, stepped in and shut the door behind her. The moment he was face to face with the major, he saluted.

The major waved his hand indifferently and gestured for him to come forward. "What's going on?"

"You have to see this."

"What is it again? I told you. There is no evidence. Don't just come to the conclusion that he has any connection with the Dark Flame terrorist group."

Houston approached the computer on the table and plugged in the flash drive. "It has nothing to do with that. It's something even more urgent. The mafia boss, San Andro is in New York."

The major instantly straightened up. "What?"

Houston moved the cursor on the computer and clicked on 'play'.

The footage began, showing the arrivals section of an airport. A few seconds later, a lot of people walked in and approached the exit with their luggage. Amongst them, the camera zoomed to a young man's face. He was putting on a black face cap pulled extremely low that only half of his face could be seen.

"I was just curious and decided to match his appearance with the facial scan. He was proven 98% similar to San Andro. Also, I ran a check on his passport and identity card. He is half Italian and American."

The Major interrupted. "He is San Andro."

Houston nodded. "But it's suspicious. Why would San Andro appear here? Especially without none of his men. And without even bothering to hide it. He must be planning something."

The major rubbed his temples deep in thought. "Follow his movement. Do it yourself. And make sure to fix a CCTV every place he appears. Also, find out where he'll be staying."

"I have," Houston replied, grabbing the mouse and clicked a few things. "He's staying at the High end residential villa. Apparently, he's staying with this family of two. A man and his daughter."

Afterwards, he clicked on two pictures and a few words appeared underneath them. "Henry Astor. Thirty-two. Businessman. And Skye Astor. Eighteen. Student of New York University"

"Hm. I see," the major replied before ordering, "Keep an eye on all of them. Get someone to move in near them and keep an eye on them."

"Okay, boss."

The major nodded. "You can go. I'll report this matter to the higher-ups."