Lost Girl

Chapter 2

Aiyana’s POV

It was well into the evening when I started jotting down notes and making sketches of the trevi fountain. It was the last stop of my day and l wanted to get in as much details as I could before I grabbed a quick meal and went back to my room. Every single detail was transfixing me like I was there in the past watching this beautiful artwork being made.

The way Roman culture evolved and inspire so much there is today is just so amazing. I’m completely engrossed in my work when I start to feel a tingle across my skin, like someone was watching me.

There’s a bunch of people around and your the weirdo studying a fountain of course people are looking at you funny my subconscious comments.

I mentally shake it off and continue my work. But there it is again, I can’t shake this feeling. Even being deep into my work isn’t blocking it out. I tune into the feeling and zone in on it. I’ve always been able to feel things around me, my grandmother calls me an empath whatever that is. I just think I’m sensitive. I finally feel where the burning gaze is coming from and turn my head looking up, and I catch the most ocean blue eyes that burn into my soul of the most handsome Greek god of a man I’ve ever had the pleasure to lay eyes on.

HOLY S**T he is a FEAST.

He is dressed to the nines in a well tailored suit that hugged his muscles. And then he smiles at me and I think my heart stopped, it was the most breath taking smile with his perfect white teeth and well trimmed beard that perfectly shaped his face. At this point I am stunned, shocked, and in utter disbelief. I look to my left and right to see if he was looking at someone else and no he was looking directly at me.

Why in the hell is this god of a man looking at nerdy weird me of all people?!

My cheeks are hot and my hearts doing all sorts of weird things, and I give him back a shy smile. I push my big framed glasses back up my nose fidgeting with my stuff. Now I’m flustered and acting foolish, I’ve got to get out of here before I embarrass myself. I finally tear my eyes off of him and gather my stuff together, walking into the crowd making my way towards a cheap bite to eat. I’m trying to remain focused while repeating a mantra of I’m here for research not men, and pushing away invading thoughts of him.

What the hell is wrong with me. I’ve never been struck dumb by a man before, let alone ever felt like I got hit by a train falling into the depths of lust. I must really be lonely, deprived, or losing my mind. Oh gods I could hear my mother now lecturing me about how much I need to loosen up and enjoy what she calls my good years, and stop wasting away in research. I really need some food, a bottle of wine and some history books to pull me out of this stupor.

I finally get to a McDonalds and quickly order my food to go, on my way back to my room I stop at one of the store fronts I seen this morning and pick up a bottle of wine. On my way out the store I see a couple of men dressed in suits on the other side of the road, I felt like they were watching me even though they were chatting with one another seemingly oblivious to me.

Aiyana you are losing your mind! Not every man in a suit is looking at you. Just go back to the room drink some wine read some books and go to bed. I internally reprimand myself. I walk with purpose until I reach my room, unlocking the door and quickly getting inside. I take a deep sigh as I lean my back against the door, leaving everything but wandering thoughts of that magnificent man on the other side of the door. I finally pull myself away from the door locking it behind me and setting down my things and preparing my work space. I open my food and pour a big glass of wine taking a deep swallow.

“Okay now I’m ready to get to work.” I settle down into the chair flitting through pages, switching in between my notes and my history books. I takes bites of my food or sips of my wine in between the notes I jot down. As I settle into my research I let my mind slip through the hands of time and fall into the ancient past as if I’m there myself. I become deeply engrossed in my studies that all wandering thoughts of that magnificent man all but fade away.

Hours go by and I’ve almost finished the bottle of wine and the moon is high in the night sky. I stretch and tidy up my work space, I get up to search for my pajamas and I stumble slightly. I’m definitely feeling the effects of the wine. I pull on my pajamas throwing my long hair into a big messy bun putting my glasses on the stand and finally curling up in between the sheets of the bed.

As I relax into the mattress the thoughts I thought I got rid of were slowly making a return. I just snuggle into the pillow and smile to myself welcoming the thoughts. “Oh well, atleast I can have some nice dreams tonight.” I say before slowly drifting off to sleep and dreaming off him.

Antaeus’s POV

Wow, she is beautiful

I know I’ve been with my fair share of women, but the innocent and shy look on her face, the way she lit up from inside studying the fountain, the way she fidgeted so adorably, the way her hair falls down around her, it was just... WOW

I unconsciously smile at her completely transfixed in her unique beauty, and she gives me a small smile back. I swear time stood still, i dont know what heavens she fell out of or what kind of incubus this woman is but she instantly had me hooked. Then she looks away from me and leaves, and she took my heart and brain right with her because I’m just watching her leave with a stupid look on my face and a feeling of helplessness.

PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER MAN! YOUR A KING NOT A DAM FOOL!

I shake my head and whip out my phone dialing Leo.

“Yes sir?”

“Leo, there’s a woman headed south, she’s shorter with green eyes long brown hair leggings and a long sleeve. Follow her find where she’s staying, don’t engage.”

“Spotted her, I’ll update you once I’m finished”

I hang up the phone, breathing a sigh of relief because I’m not going to lose her forever. After a moment reality hits me, “what is wrong with me?” I run my hand through my hair trying to sort out all these mixed emotions. I’ve never felt this way about a woman before, I’ve never feared losing someone like this before. I’m stuck between the pride of a king and lost puppy, I’m trying to pull myself together but I want to see her again I want to actually hear her voice. Then insecurity creeps in and I’m cautious, is she here to destroy me? Take me down? Did an enemy send her? Or is she really as innocent as she looks? My mind runs around in circles until I’m disrupted.

“Here you are sir, the wine you ordered and fresh salad. The rest of your order will be right up shortly”

“Thank you” I say giving a curt nod, acknowledging the waiter while still lost in thought. I drink my wine and enjoy my meal while I do nothing but think of her, one things for sure I need answers and I intend to get them one way or another. I’m finishing my meal when Leo calls me, I answer me phone.

“What do you got for me?”

“She’s staying at a small motel about two miles south. She seems like a tourist not a local.”

“There’s something different about her and I need answers. Where’s one of our closest hotels?”

“One we own is about a quarter mile away.”

“Book me a room and keep a distant eye on her. I want to know immediately when she leaves.”

“Yes sir”

I hang up the phone then call Gianni.

“Pull around I’m ready to go”

“Yes sir”

I hang up putting the phone into my pocket, I swallow the last of my wine looking out at the deep purples and bright pinks in the sky as the sun sets. I always thought I had a good relationship with the fates as destiny always seemed to be on my side, but now I’m not so sure what they have in store for me with this curveball. I stand up from the table making my way down to the car, Gianni opens the door for me and I settle into the car.

“Where to sir?”

“The Palatino”

He gives me a nod and drives off, I pull up my emails trying to occupy myself but after a moment my mind comes back to her. “We are here sir.” Gianni announces. In what felt like a minute we are already at the motel and I haven’t even gotten past the first email. I run my hand through my hair frustrated and my door opens for me. I get out the car and Leo’s standing there waiting for me. He gives me a curious expression seeing the frustration on my face. “You wanna clue me in bro?” Leo asks. He might be my right hand man but he’s my best friend first, that’s why he’s perfect for the job, I trust him more than anyone else. “Yeah man, let’s get upstairs first.” I walk inside up to the receptionist and she hands me the keys.

“Welcome back sir” she smiles.

I nod to her keeping my boss face on, walking past her and to the elevator. We ride all the way to the top presidential suite and exit the elevator. I take off my suit jacket hanging it over a chair and sitting down on the couch with a sigh. Leo loosens his jacket and sits down across from me.

“Is the deal still on with the Romano’s?” Leo asks.

“Yes, as far as business goes we are on track and should be signing the contracts and agreements in a few days time.”

“So what has gotten you all worked up?”

I shake my head at myself running my hand through my hair again.

“A woman of all things”

He laughs when I say this as if I were telling him a really good joke, while I just look at him in all seriousness and he quiets down.

“Wait your serious? The girl you had me follow has gotten you this messed up? Who is she?”

“Unfortunately yes, also yes, and I have no idea” I say running my hand through my hair again. He looks at me like I’ve grown three heads, s**t he might as well call me Cerberus

I get up crossing the room filling a glass with ice and whiskey taking a swig and filling the glass again. I sit back down and start explaining to him the experience I had, and why I needed answers. Mostly leaving out the lost puppy crap I don’t need him holding that over me even though he knows dam well I’d whoop his a**.

After we talked for a few hours, Leo left me with my thoughts as he went to go check on things and make sure everything was in order for tomorrow and that nobody would get in the way of this deal. I relax into the couch and drink some more thinking about her.

I wonder when I’ll see her again. Hopefully I’ll finally get to talk to her.