The Alliance || ✎

Night Club: part two

BEATRIX CREED

De Luca led me down the buzzing streets of New York, the smell of pizza managed to make its way to my nose. I think to myself, I cannot have it, I'm not allowed. Especially tonight.

However...pizza sounds so good, and I have been drinking on an empty stomach, which was a horrible idea.

I make a firm grasp on De Luca's wrist, bringing him to a halt. He studies my face as to why we stopped. His brows crease, making his big eyes go wide in confusion. "Yeah?" He speaks up. "I'm...uh... a tad hungry?" I stutter. His brows lower and his chest rises and falls.

He's laughing at me. Seriously?

"What would you like." He doesn't say it like a question, which makes me feel guilty for raising the topic. I catch him taking out his wallet and immediately reject, "You are not buying me a thing. I have my own money."

"Okay." Is all he says and continues to pull out just enough money for a pizza.

"Do you like pineapple?" He asks, "For debate sake. Also in case I need to rethink the night." He adds, a satisfied smirk appearing as soon as it goes. "Love it!" I grin. "You do know what I mean, right? On pizza." He corrects. "I knew what you meant. Do you need me to spell it out?"

"I knew you were one of a kind when I first laid eyes on you." He stares intently at me, giving me jitters in my stomach. "To rephrase that, do you mean when you were practically undressing me with your intense stare?" I retorted. "I believe you were doing nearly the same if I can recall such a moment." I roll my eyes at his righteousness.

Damn this guy.

We continue to walk until we reach the pizza parlour. "Wait there, Beatrice." He tells me and I nod in response. The way he says my "name" definitely hints that he does not believe that Beatrice is my real name.

Very close, but not it.

The wait is around 15 minutes, enough for a low rumble from my stomach, he gives me what could pass as a look of concern.

The name De Luca is called from inside the parlour; he goes to collect two large slices placed on a napkin. "Oh, this is delicious." I say, "Thank you." I look up at him. He bites a chunk of the slice, his eyes fixated on mine in the midst of it.

"Oh God, I have something on my face, don't I?" I ask as he is staring so intently. "No." He answers.

"I really must if your lying is shit." He curves his hands around my waist, enfolding me close to his side. "How do you know if I'm lying?" He says. "Your demeanour said it all. No further explanations."

"Well if I'm such a shitty liar, come closer and I'll clean that mouth of yours." I roll my eyes. Of fucking course he would pull a line out like that. "What? You gonna clean it with your thumb then kiss me."

"I wasn't planning on the kiss, but if that was what's on your mind then—" I give him a playful shove. "Shut up!" I smile mischievously and somehow, my heart throbs against my ribcage at the image of us. Which will soon happen.

After walking what, to me, feels like an eternity, we enter the magnificent skyscraper-high building, lit up by magical city lights and the amazing exterior and interior decor. "Holy shit," I mutter. "I know." He says, dragging me by my hand to an elevator.

De Luca's patience must have run low as he punches the up arrow with his thumb a million times—I mean a million—before the doors chime open. "I'll walk you to the door, but I need to do something first, okay?" He states.

"Um, yeah...Okay," I say, nodding.

He grasps my hand again, seeming so eager to get alone with me, (even after our bickering  banter). "Here is the key. I have one, too. Don't change, that is my job." He plasters on a smirk, I click my tongue at this salacious behaviour.