Hide Away

Chapter 9

The day came to end after Ein and Rose took me home. Father and Tony have yet to arrive. Though I asked the head butler to make sure the two got a proper meal. I know some of the business days they go on, they do not eat that much. Father needs to eat as much as he can. Especially since he has lost some weight recently. The ball is in eight weeks, and from what I have heard, Tony has done a excellent job in planning and decorating. I am overall excited for the ball to be here. I love the balls we throw, not just for the business partners, but for the possibility of meeting my future husband or wife. It's a big thing for Tony as well. Since he soon he will be in his thirties. I can hear Father now, "Tony, you are about to be in your thirties. When I was thirty I had met your mother and began to become very powerful." The lectures Tony has gotten is overall a lot. Though now I think father might ignore the dance, since we do have Angel to deal with. I only have four more years till...Well I need to find someone. Though I rather them be in the mafia already. That means...I can't be falling in love with Ein again. I don't want him to enter this life. Even Rose, I can't let them have this life. It...It will hurt them emotionally, physically, and mentally. I've told many people we do not speak of my training and the many people I killed. I know my fifteen year old self would ask me why, but I also know that she would be happy I escaped. That's what matters, right? That I escaped that abusive home. I never want to see them again. Even on business, I can't see them. I lay my head on my comfy bed. It's been a good while since the last time I've had a bad dream. Obviously, it is a rare thing for me, but it also frightens me. Nightmares fuel me to keep going. To make sure I do whatever it takes to protect my father, brother, Ein, Rose, and even Cole. They are my true family. Will always be my true family...

That was my last thought last night as I drifted off to sleep. I never knew how tired I was till then. Morning started of as usual, have breakfast with father and Tony, head back to my room to get ready, and then sit in my office as I read news articles on people. I'm the head inviter to the parties. I bring them the invitation and they never know who I am or who even placed the invitation. I guess that's one of the great perks of being a assassin. Though this year is difficult to invite people. I have list of people who came last year, but we are trying to get other people to come. Honestly, it's hard to even figure out how to place the invitation. I sigh in frustration, unknowingly to me a familiar person was standing in my door way. Looking up, I see Cole standing there. "Well hello, princess!" He smirks at me as he strides into my office. "Cole, we've talked about calling me princess...I won't be yours."  A smirk forms onto my face as I look into his eyes. Without me realizing, Cole had leaned down a little. Grabbing my chin, he forced me to look up at him. "Oh sweetie...I'll find a way to make you mine..." As he said mine, his lips were hovered over mine. I look down at his lips, tempted to kiss him. I pull myself away from his hold and return my gaze to my computer. I could see Cole pout in the corner of my eye. Adorable was the first word to pop into my mind. I shake my head slowly to get the thought out of my head. Cole is a no go, Crystal. Hell! He is bestfriends with your brother! You can't think like that. "So...How was dress shopping with Rose and Ein?" Looking over to Cole he is looking at some pictures I have on the wall. "It was fun. Kinda felt some freedom with them. You know since I didn't have a bodyguard hovering over me." Cole chuckles as he looks over at me. "I know how you feel. They can be annoying some times. Though they can be cool and fun." I smiled and nodded as I continued to type stuff up. "You know...You don't have a date to the ball yet and I don't either..." I roll my eyes and put a playful smirk on my face. "Now Cole...You know I can't bring a date. We are hosting it." He pouts, but turns it into a smirk. "Well I don't have a date.." I chuckle at his words and moved a small piece of hair out of my face. "You don't have to bring one." I stand up quickly. Walking over to him, I had a smirk on my face. I grab his tie and pull him down to face me. "If you want me to go to the ball with you as your date. You will have to do more than flirting with me." I let go and simply walk away from him. I took one last glance at him. He had a hand over his mouth, trying to hide the redness in his cheeks. I keep a giggle from escaping and start to head to the garden. I notice foot steps behind and soon enough Cole was in front of me. "Well how about I take you out? Just the two of us?" He smiles at me carefully trying to walk backwards. "Why should I say yes?" My voice was calm. I tried to walk by him, but to my surprise he grabbed me by my waist. He carefully spins me around. My eyes widen as he carefully held me still in his arms. "Because you and I know that you are curious about me. Don't think I know about you doing research on me....so for the date I can take you out to a small restaurant my father knows. It will be perfect.." His face was near mine. I was a blushing mess. "Fine...I'll go..." I look away and soon felt his grip loosen around my waist. Though he grabs my hand and brings it up to his lips. "I'll see you around ten then?" He plants a kiss onto my hand. I look away and soon notice he has walked away. I was a blushing mess, but I continue to walk to the garden. Normally, I don't become to flustered that easy. Then why was it so easy for him to make me flustered. I...I don't understand it. Sighing, I continue to walk into the garden. Father was off to do business. While Tony was helping do the prep for the ball. Honestly it's good knowing my brother enjoys it. I hum softly as I walk around the garden. I have about five hours, till I have to get ready for the date...Why did I agree to that?  Cole is a nice guy and all, but a date? Surprising enough, I was so flustered to the point I said yes. It was like he used some type of charm. I hadn't realized it, but I was standing in front of the fountain that was in the middle of the garden. It was beautiful and had a few rose bushes next to it. The roses were a beautiful shade of red. They usually don't look this amazing. Though the gardeners must be doing something new. I walked past the fountain to the small pond with koi fish in it. The koi made the garden beautiful even more now. I silently look at my phone. I had one text from Tony. I sighed and opened the text. 'Hey. Can you come to the ball room? I need your opinion on something.' I roll my eyes and send a quick yes to him. The ball room had an entrance to the garden. Which we only use during balls. Though if you enter the ball room from the garden it makes it so much beautiful. I love it. I love being in this family even if it cost me so much. I entered the ballroom and saw my brother talking to one of the decorators. "Ah! Crystal, does it look better with the white or black pearls?" Tony gestures to the fabric. I look at it and smile. The fabric was a white and gold. "Do black...It already has white on the fabric." Tony smiles and checks the time. "It seems that three hours have already passed." My eyes widen at his words. Sighing, I pat my brothers shoulders. "Good luck. You'll need it." He smiles at me and nods. Since I only have two hours till the date. I should start getting stuff ready. Should I text Rose? I mean she might be able to help me. Sighing, I call Rose. "Hello?" Her voice was calm. "Heyyyy Roseeee." Smiling, I walked carefully into my room. "What do you need?" She sounds some what annoyed now. "I have a date with...Cole." My voice was quiet, but she knew what I said. Her laughter filled my ears. "Rose, I'm not joking!" Her laughter dies down to nothing. "So you are telling me. You have a date with a hot guy!" Her response was loud and really hurt my ears. "Yes, really! He asked me earlier today..." I walk towards my closet. "You didn't call me after that. Rude much..." I chuckle at Rose's words. "I couldn't really do that. The man is like a hawk sometimes. He was still on the grounds." I grab one of my casual black crop top and ripped jeans. "You will call me after the date, right?" Rolling my eyes, I walk back to my bed. "Yes, you will be the first person I call!" Rose's laughter filled my ears again. Without realizing it she said a quick good bye and hanged up. A chuckle escapes my mouth and soon I'm staring at the outfit I have placed on my bed. This would be my first actual date. Wow, that's actually sad. Most of my dates were for jobs. So I could get close to a target. I honestly miss those jobs. It was fun dressing up and acting in love with someone. The thrill of acting in love and running was amazing. I sigh and start to get dress. I was dressing casual. Not really that I wanted to dress all dressy. Grabbing my phone, I start to play one of my playlists. A song that brought me great joy started to play. Feeling Good by Michael Buble...It was my favorite song. It did have to do with the fact it feels like a song played for the mafia. Especially assassin's, I use to play this while doing a job. After getting dressed, I walked over to my vanity. I normally don't wear a lot of makeup. Usually I just have concealer, foundation, mascara, and I do my eyebrows. That's what I'll be doing now, but I'll add a few more things. It's strange for me to care about my looks. Though with it being Cole, I'm honestly more worried. I think I've started to fall for him. Even if I am, it's better than falling for Ein. A knock on my door, shook me out of my thoughts. I look at myself in the mirror and sigh. You got this Crystal it's just a date. I walk over to my bedroom door and open it slightly. "Hello M'Lady!" Cole smiles at me as his body was revealed from behind my door. "Hello..." I send a small smile. This man really thinks high of himself sometimes. I walk over to my bed and grab my phone. "Are you ready to go?" Col was leaning against my door way. I nod and walk towards him. "Yes, just so you know I'm not doing this cause I like you. I'm doing this to get to know you." Cole smiles at me and closes my bedroom door. "Understandable. We will be taking my car. It won't bring us any unwanted attention." He was walking beside me and I started to notice he would take glances at me. I eventually caught him and he just smiled at me. We reach the first floor and we're walking straight to the door. "Tony told me that this would be your first date." Cole smirks as he looks down at me. "Why did Tony tell you that! Yes, it is. We will not talk about that." He chuckles at my words and pats my head. "Don't worry. I'll make it special." I turn my head away from him. I took a small glance towards him. He was smirking, what's new? We reach the front door and a butler opens the door for us. I smile at the butler and soon see a car pull up. "Mister Hodges, here is your car. Remember that Miss Baker must be home at twelve." Cole nods and opens the passenger side door for me. "Such a gentleman..." I smile and get in. To be honest, I'm scared to go out. I mean me and Cole...On a date? Never saw this coming. I mean don't get me wrong he's a nice guy, but he's friends with my brother. Cole enters his vehicle and smiles at me. "You ready?" He smiles at me and starts the car up. I nod and look at my home. We pull off and it's just a silent drive.

After a silent drive, we reach a old timey burger shack. It honestly looked nice and I was surprise he would bring me here. We exit his car and I starred at the building. "It may look old, but there food is amazing." Cole stands beside me. I smile at him and start to walk towards the entrance. "I don't know about you, but I think I am ready for this date to start." I send a little wink as I open the doors and walk in. I take a glance towards Cole, he was smiling and was walking inside. We take a seat in a booth in the corner. A waitress walks towards us with a smile. "Hello! My name is Alice, here is the menus." She places our menus in front of us. I smile at her and mumble a quick thank you. "What can I start you two to drink?" Cole looks at me. "I'll have a sprite." She nods her head and looks over to Cole. "Coke will be fine." Alice nods and walks away. I take a look at the menu. "So Cole, I take it that you have been here before?" I look up to see him looking at the menu. "Yes, my mother used to take me here for my birthdays." I smile towards him. "You know, I haven't meet your mother." He smiles and places the menu down. "Well she will be glad to meet you at the ball. She will be attending this year." I nod at his words and place my menu down. "I look forward to meeting her."

After a couple minutes we had ordered our food. Cole was calm, while I was a bit nervous. "Crystal, you know you can ask me any questions now?" I stop fiddling with my straw and nod. "How did you meet my brother?" He chuckles a little at my question. "Your father and my father are great friends. I was an assassin in training and so was your brother." I nod at his words and look outside of the small restaurant. "How did you become Crystal?" My eyes widen at his question. "Honestly it's a lot to tell. To summarize it up, I met my father and explained my situation. He took me in and start to teach me all I needed to know. Soon we made sure we faked my death. I got a new I.D....A new life." I look at him with a smile. "I do not regret my choices at all." He smiles at me and soon our conversations were just questions about each other. Cole was different and very interesting. He always said at the end of the question, that if I was uncomfortable I didn't have to answer. Though I fell comfortable around him.

After our date, Cole returned me home. The way home was calming. I was a bit sleepy, but I stayed awake. When we arrived he immediately got out of the car. He smiles at me as he opens the car door.  I smile and carefully get out of the car. "I enjoyed our little date." My words came out quietly. Cole smiles, "I enjoyed it as well. I hope we will have another date soon!" A small smirk formed onto my face. "How about the ball?" I walk towards the main entrance of my home. Cole smiles as he follows me. "I would love to be your date to the ball." Cole and I were both standing facing each other. "Thank you, Cole. I'll see you later." I kiss his cheek and reach for the door. Before I could open the door, Cole's hand forced my face back to him. "My pleasure..." He leans in and gives me a quick kiss on the lips. After leaning back he smirks and opens the door. "Goodnight Crystal..." The last thing I see of Cole is him entering his car. How...did that end as a kiss.