His Little Diamond

8~ Dial of Determination

༻𝐑𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨༺

"Two hundred twenty..." I grunted and pushed my chest towards the ground before taking one of my hands off the floor to rest it behind my back, doing another rep. "Two hundred twenty one..."

I could see droplets of sweat sprinkle from my tussled hair. I was getting out of shape. Usually I could at least make it to five hundred without perspiration.

"Mr. Loveday."

I growled, not even bothering to look at the heavyset man that came in. "What?"

It was my personal butler Davidson. He's been around since I was five. I couldn't bring myself to get rid of him after my mother's death. He was like a second family to me. And even though I cherished the dear man, it didn't excuse the fact that I hated when my routines were interrupted.

"You have three missed calls, all by the same number."

I froze in my push up position. "Hand me the phone." Davidson tossed it to me and I adjusted myself on the mat to sit straight. It had to be her, right? I clicked on one of my recents and an annoying voice filled my eardrums.

"Omg! You finally responded! I love you! Do you remember me-"

I hung up immediately. "Wrong number," I mumbled in disappointment. Women these days were usually the ones randomly calling in. All of which I never knew, but this time it was a guy. Odd.

I sighed and made sure to click on the right number this time. When the call began, all I heard was silence. My goodness, she was so shy.

"Hello?" I said.

I heard her clear her throat a few times away from the phone, probably wishing I wouldn't hear, but my ears were as sharp as an owl's sight. When she responded, her voice was a bit high in pitch as if she had rehearsed her words over a thousand times.

She spoke so fastly, "Hi. T-this- I mean...this is the girl you slept with last night- oh my. I mean-"

"It's alright, miss," I said, in effort to comfort her. "I know who you are."

A beep sounded, and I suddenly didn't hear her anymore. Did she really just hang up on me?!

I blinked and looked down at my phone, going to my messages as I tried to call her back. I saw she was typing while simply letting the phone ring. Why can't she just pick up?

Me:
Is your phone
not working?

Liara:
i'm sorry sir, i'm not
good at these things 🥺

~~~~

I blinked, humming to myself. Never heard of someone having a phobia over phone calls before. Poor girl. Though I much rather preferred a quick talk than long texts, I thought I'd just abide by her preferences for now.

Me:
It's alright.
We can talk here if you want.
Did something happen today?

Liara:
thank u & yes actually,
a tall creepy guy stared
me down at my job today

Me:
Stay away from
mischievous people,
and start packing your things.

Liara:
why?

Me:
You're going to
live with me.

Liara:
i don't even know your
name! 😅

Me:
Ramerio.

~~~~

She didn't answer for quite a while.

Me:
Now that that's
settled, pack
your bags.

Liara:
i don't trust u

Me:
I don't trust you either,
love. Pack your things.

Liara:
fine meany. 👿

~~~~

I shook my head. Her use of emojis were quite hilarious, if I'm being honest. She was so...what's the adjective to describe pleasant and precious things again? Cute? Yeah...cute. I think.

I sighed heavily. I need to quit thinking with my feelings and use my brain. This was a mission. That's all. And that's what it will always be.

A bullet grazed right past my face as I stood from the mat, causing me to freeze. I looked at the full body mirror in front of me, eyeing the reflection of a man that was standing behind me with a gun aimed at my head.

Davidson was cold on the floor.

I smirked, despite it all. "Immagino che tu sia passato per farle una visita inquietante?"

("I'm guessing it was you that dropped by to give her an unsettling visit?")

The man, once again, cocked the gun back with the simple flick of his thumb. Those eyes that mimicked my own were glaring with such hatred. "Cosa pensi di fare, fratello?"

("What do you think you're doing brother?")

I looked down at my phone, seeing the girl had messaged me.

Liara:

jerry finklepop said hello
back btw!! forgot to tell
you. sowwies! 🥰

I turned to face my younger brother, grabbing a dagger from my back pocket. My words, though not spoken in his native tongue, still shocked him throughout.

"I'm protecting her by any means, and if I have to kill you and the entire enterprise to do so, then so be it."