Mafia's Obsession [18+]

13.

Sofia

When I wake up, I am already in bed and Ezio is not in the room. It is 2 am. I force myself to get off the bed to change. My dress and heels piling on the floor while I quickly snatch random t-shirt from his drawers to put on. I stride towards the bathroom, grabbing my makeup wipes from the cabinet. After I am done, I wash my face to lift off the residues.

I untie my hair and smooth it out. An exasperated breath escaping my mouth. My empty eyes are staring back at me. It's almost pathetic to watch. This loop of loneliness is still trying to get the best of me. Sometimes I am just too tired to keep going.

I open the other side of cabinet to take a white towel. Night swim it is.

I tiptoe around the hallway, going straight to the pool outside that facing the ocean. This is my first time out here. I really hope Ezio doesn't mind.

The dimly lit pool is vacant. No one's wandering in the mansion, his men have posts to guard and all.

I put the towel on the lounge chair with the t-shirt follow swiftly. I chance to swim only in my thong because why the hell not.

I dip into the pool, silently thanking he's got heater here, too, so I won't freeze to death. I swim to the bottom though the lights are not as bright as mine back home. But I kind of love the darkness surrounding me.

I swim, sinking into the void. Again and again until I suffocate. Until my legs give out and my tears dry. I am screaming under water so no one will hear my plea. Strangled by sorrow.

My mind is dangerous when I am alone. Voices in my head are evil and I am dealing with them all the time. Only sometimes I can turn the volume down. Right now I can hardly do it.

I finally resurface to take a lungful of air. My head above the water while my chest heaves out and exhausted.

I open my eyes to find I have a company. Ezio is standing by the edge of the pool wearing only sweatpants. I let my eyes wander. From the deep V-line and toned abs covered by numerous tattoos, up to his chest and arm muscles, then finally his face that's holding a scowl.

"Are you done staring?"

"No." I reply as quickly. Amused by the fact his jaw clenches.

"Get out of the pool."

"Make me." I smile, swimming backwards away from him.

"Come on. I don't want you catch cold, dolcezza." He shakes his head mostly at my childish actions.

"I said. Make. Me." I repeat, emphazising the words. In the mood to push his buttons and see the worst of him. Anything to distract me from my current state. Before the emptiness really drags me down by the feet.

I laugh and yelp at the sound of him leaping into the water. He dives in without hesitation. The man hates being challenged and I prove once again that he has controlling issue.

I whirl around to find calm surface. My heartbeats accelerate as we play prey and predator game again. A pull on my ankle startles me, dragging me inside the water to face the devil. I hold my breath right away, meeting his dark eyes. My hair floats around us and I swim away as soon as he loosens his grip on my leg.

I know I am no match for his speed, but at least I can dodge everytime he attempts to grab me. And when he finally does, he pulls me by my waist. Our heads resurface to catch breaths. Droplets of water fall from his hair onto his face. He's clearly upset.