Beyond What Meets The Eye

Chapter Twelve

Mira woke up to sunlight pouring into the apartment, illuminating the space in a soft glow. Pickle's was sleeping soundly at her chest, likely finding her once his buddy had gone to his room to the night.

A sizzling sound brought Mira's attention to the kitchen. Adrian was shuffling about, bacon and eggs cooking on the stove. She realized that cooking probably wasn't something he'd been taught, but a hobby. He seemed relaxed as he watched the food cooked, hands shoved into the pockets of his sweatpants.

As if sensing her gaze, he looked over at her.

"Sleep well?" He asked.

"Surprisingly," She replied. She was never one to sleep well when something was on her mind, whether it was a test, or a big game, but she felt oddly energized.

"I assumed so. I thought it was just Pickles snoring last night, but it turns out you and your dog have that one in common."

Mira felt her face heat up at his comment. She hoped that wasn't his way of telling her she kept him up all night.

"Anyways, I figured since we have the day off since Matteo is still working with his team to get more details on the current situation, you might want some fresh air. We can't go into the city, since I'm sure the Lucchese are still looking for you, but there's a courtyard on the roof, so the little guy can run around a bit." He said.

"That sounds nice," Mira agreed, realizing they hadn't left the apartment since they'd gotten there. Pickles had to be itching to get some zoomies in.

They ate and after Mira clipped Pickle's leash onto his collar and let Adrian lead her to the elevator. Mira's eyes widened as they emerged onto the rooftop courtyard, a gorgeous wooden pergola hanging above a group of couches and firepit, a long pool sitting in the middle.

She unclipped Pickles leash and let him zoom across the grass patches, rolling around playfully.

"It's cute up here," she walked over towards the glass railing, taking in the view. The area where the complex was sat higher than that of the city, offering a dazzling view of the bustling streets stretched out below.

Adrian walked over next to her, leaning over the railing and following her gaze.

"So Mr. Genovese," Mira looked over at Adrian. "Obviously your a bookworm and work for the mafia, but what else is there to know about you?" She rested her chin in the palm of her hand, eyes lingering on Adrian's side profile, his grey eyes looking lighter than usual under the suns rays. He looked over at her.

"Unfortunately, that's really all there is to know about me. If I'm not working, which most of the time I am, I try to find a book to occupy my time." He shrugged, like even he was boring himself.

"Hmm," Mira pursed her lips. "What about if you weren't in the mafia. What would you want to do with your life?" She asked.

He looked thoughtfully at the city.

"If I wasn't bound to the mafia the way I am, I'd probably go to university and get a English degree. After that, I'd live in a small house, preferably on the coast and work on a novel of my own." He responded, the thought most certainly having crossed his mind.

"What about you? What are you going to do once this all blows over?" He turned towards her. Once this all blows over. He said it like there really was a chance things could go back to normal for her, and she hoped it did.

"If things do go back to normal, I'd go to the Virginia Tech recruiting camp, hopefully catch the coaches eye and receive an offer. I'd go, play for them, live out my college years getting drunk with friends and doing all things that are only socially acceptable for a college kid, get my marketing degree, and hopefully get a job with a company I really love. I've always thought it'd be fun to market for a company I'm passionate about, share my love for something with others. I'd live in the suburbs for sure, a place where I can raise my kids happily, get involved with the community, make friends. That would be my ideal future." She fought back a frown, wondering if a life that simple was even possible now. She'd seen the distant look in Adrians eyes as he described a future he knew he couldn't have.