Dead Flower

Chapter 34

The trip came as a surprise but I welcomed it because it felt good to finally get out of Balerno even though the only way that I could do it was if I was with Gregorio himself. I didn’t mind Gregorio’s company, I never did and I hate that because I know that the last thing I should be doing is enjoying his company. His private jet was spacious, beautiful and it far surpassed my parents private jets because his was the more recent and highly expensive Gulfstream G700 while my parents had the Gulfstream G350 and a smaller jet that hadn’t cost more than 12 million dollars. Gregorio’s plane collection was one to admire and it had the biggest and most expensive planes I’ve ever seen. Even I had been blown away at the sight of several different large jets for each of his family members and several only for him. 

I wrapped the pink, warm and thick blanket around me as I sipped on my hot cocoa that Gregorio had gotten up to prepare for me. It tasted heavenly and I especially loved the whip cream and marshmallows atop. I enjoyed the feel of being in my warm and fuzzy pyjamas as I looked outside the window of the private plane and enjoyed the sight of the clouds around us and the view of the dark night sky. Even though the plane had plenty of space especially for Gregorio and I, he still sat opposite me on the long couch as he silently looked at his cell phone while I enjoyed the view. 

He hadn’t said anything to me and I wasn’t eager to begin conversation with him because I didn’t want to stress myself out with trying to act normal. I didn’t want him to see right through me, which he easily manages to do. I was content in this silence and I think Gregorio knew that if he were to prepare hot cocoa for me, give me a warm blanket and pillow so that I was comfortable that I would be very much so entertained and content. I had my legs on the seat and my knees to my chest as I looked outside the window. 

“How was your day with your friend, Luca?” Gregorio was the one to break the silence and I didn’t look at him. I instead focused on looking outside the window and enjoying the view. That way I would remain calm and not overthink the question. All I had to do was tell him that it was all fine and that was that. I can’t give anything away because this is Special Agent Finley’s life. Gregorio’s question wasn’t asked out of curiosity, hell, his voice never really gave anything away. 

I let out a breath before I spoke, “it felt really nice to see him again. It feels good to talk to him because he listens to me and I feel like I’m sane when I’m talking to him.” I was proud of myself for sounding normal and giving nothing away. 

“Do I make you feel crazy?” Gregorio responded and I brought the mug to my lips to take a sip of the hot cocoa before I looked away from the window and at Gregorio. He had put his phone down and he was leaning back into the seat casually with his arms now stretched along the couch. His attention was all on me and there were butterflies in my stomach when he gave me his attention but his words had an effect on me. It didn’t matter what he said, I always quivered and blushed when I met his black eyes. 

“Yes, you do,” I replied as I wrapped my small fingers around the heart shaped double walled glass mug that made me feel extra special because Gregorio had prepared my hot cocoa in a heart shaped mug. 

He looked like absolute perfection with his black dress pants and his black shirt that had half of his buttons undone and his sleeves rolled up. His long hair was free and moved wherever his head did and he smelled heavenly. While I on the other hand had my hair up in a messy bun, my face had no make-up on and I was wearing a pair of pyjamas that were a size too big, the way that I liked all of my pyjamas. I looked like a hobo while he looked like a model. “but hey…at least you make me feel something, right?” I said with a smile, resting my head against the seat as I looked into his eyes that looked into mine with intensity and I wondered what he was thinking.