Her Return

Chapter 2

Adriana's POV

"I miss you." Tyler tells me

"I miss you more Diablito. I sent out my applications to transfer. I'm hoping to get into UPenn so we can at least be in the same state."

"Is it really that lonely there?"

"Do you not want me back?" I frown

He shakes his head in disagreement

"Of course I want you back but Oxford is a big deal. I'd just hate to see you give up such a great school to be closer to me."

"It wouldn't be solely for you."

"What is in bumblefuck Pennsylvania?"

"You." I answer without any hesitation

"Look I would love to have you here instead of FaceTiming you, but Aleksandr would be livid. It's enough we're hiding our relationship but if he finds out you left the best school in the world for the 13th ranked, I think he'd actually kill me. I know you're having a tough time but you're the strongest person I know. If anyone can make it four year through college in another country it's my Tomato."

"I've been considering dropping out. I thought maybe being closer to you would motivate me."

"Shit, dropping it is a big decision. Are you sure you're looking at all sides?"

"Don't talk down to me Tyler." I glared at him

"I promise I'm not. I'm just failing to wrap my head around why you'd drop out. You're a genius and fortunate enough to have someone paying for all your expenses. Help me understand."

"Being the youngest in the class isn't fun. Even the tutors talk down to me. I'm constantly defending my research while other students get to fly under the radar. All eyes are on me and I hate it. No one talks to me unless they wanna be assholes. I spend all my time outside of school in my room or with Avalanche. I still catch on to the material quickly but the work is long and tedious. I used to love learning but Oxford is sucking the joy out of it. Even if I don't finish my degree I still have the mafia to fall back on."

"You think Aleksandr will give you anything if you drop out?" He challenged

"He's the first one to get a college degree. I'm still a genius at the end of the day."

"You don't sound like one right now."

I frowned at his comment

"This is why I didn't tell you."

"Adriana if there's one thing I am it's honest. This is a big deal. I'll support all your endeavors but I need you to look at this from every angle. Right now you're thinking of the best case scenario. That's nowhere near the reality you're in. You're a girl in the mafia world. No one is going to respect you when they find out. They may fear you but they'll always look down on you. Aleksandr is gonna take everything from you and if by some miracle he still allows you to be his successor he'll make you start from square one. You're gonna be miserable and lose everything you worked for. College may not be for everyone but you specifically need a degree. How are you going to take over his company without one?"

I sat there staring at my lap. I felt embarrassed for how naïve I was behaving. Everything Tyler said was true. Four years of hell is better than the latter.

"Is there anything I can do to incentivize you?"

"No, I just wanna be with you."

"I can visit you over breaks." He offered

"You should spend it with your family."

"The twins always go on trips over breaks."

"The twins also go to school in Cali."