Maid To The Mafia:Totally Captivated

CHAPTER VIII

DREAMING OF YOU

“Gio, you came.” Jennifer’s face brightened as soon as she saw him.

“Yeah. I came.” Giovanni smiled, shifting to sit beside her against that tall beech tree. He didn’t know why he came, though. He should have stayed home, but it was so bothersome. There was too much commotion, too many headaches to deal with. Right here, underneath this beech tree, was where he felt most at ease. And also being with his new little friend, Jennifer. He sometimes questioned why he preferred her company over other people his own age. Jennifer was nine years his junior, but the age difference was of no importance. He found when he hung out with her, he could be himself.

“Licorice?” she asked, handing him some black ones.

“Thanks.” He took it from her and started chewing. “Not bad.”

“Coffee?” she asked again, handing him a small foamy cup.

“What have you got for me this time?” He shifted toward her, fingers peeling under the lid for a little sniff. She slapped him on the hand and scolded,

“No peeking. It’s a surprise.” Giovanni laughed.

“Come on. I don’t like surprises. Tell me.”

“Flat white.” She grinned, handing him the foamy beverage again.

“How do you know all these coffee names?” he queried, stretching his long legs. For a kid who was still in primary school, she sure knew a lot about coffee making.

“My ma owns a café,” she answered enthusiastically. “She said I can’t drink coffee just yet, but I can practice making them, since I’ll own it when I grow older. Do you like it?”

Jennifer was a robust child. She was also very considerate, always bringing him gifts. Namely coffee. But Giovanni sometimes thought he was just a test subject for her coffee-making skills. Giovanni took a sip and nodded, giving his honest opinion.

“Yeah. You’re improving.”

“You really think so?” She was literally beaming.

“Yeah.”

“So... will you marry me, then?”

Giovanni almost choked on his flat white. So, she was still at it. Here he’d almost forgotten about that weird comment from her. He’d thought it was just a childish thing.

“I...” How could he respond to that? Her eyes were liquid green, begging for the answer. And to his surprise, he did answer her.

“How about I make you my lover instead... when you grow up, of course?” His face went bright red as soon as he spouted that sentence. Although, Jennifer didn’t look the least fazed by that outburst. In fact, she was looking up at him in awe, not thinking for one second he might be some pedo out to seduce a little girl like her.But that wasn’t his intention. Not one bit. In all the time he’d come to know Jennifer, she was the most honest girl he’d ever met. Yeah sure, she was a kid, but she wouldn’t stay a kid forever. If he were to have a lifelong partner, it would have to be her; someone he was comfortable with, someone who’d make him smile. And Jennifer made him smile on countless occasions. Giovanni knew all along that a person like him would never succumb to the idea of marriage. His blood was too soiled, too black, like his hair and eyes, a curse for generations, a child of the mafia. Taking a lover would be ideal for him.

“Lover. Really?” Jennifer’s voice dragged him out of his thoughts.

“You think I’m beautiful? My pa says I’m not a beautiful child, so no one wants to marry me like they want my sister, but you’re the first one who says I’m beautiful.” Suddenly, she jumped onto his lap and clenched his shirt collar, gazing up at his large form with a worried look on her face.