Devotion

nine ﾒ hey, hockey boy

ANGELICA

For the past—I have no idea because I don't pay attention to timelines—I've been diving deeper into agreeing to this stupid offer Luca asked me about. I feel like there is a motive there that is making me step back to assess the situation.

Just because our parents have a stupid negotiation doesn't mean we have to be best buddies, especially if these two are considered rivals. Rivals but allies. I'm just as confused with this agreement. I could ask Rowan if it's deeper, but he's grumpy on weekdays (or every day), so I respectfully decline.

But something in me wants to agree to it. It seems fucked up, but I'm curious. What is Bertarelli's excuse for getting me to study? I thought we had a little playful rivalry. That is what it was supposed to be.

We taunt each other about our academic performances and don't glance back at each other. And he's clearly breaking the code! Call me old-fashioned, but I prefer old ways rather than new ones.

Literally, it's so bad that it affects my family. When we go out to eat, I'm very heavy on ordering the same thing just because it calms my nerves. But off-topic, back to Luca.

I'm curious about his intentions. C'mon, he's a fuck boy, a mob co-leader, and very smart. Book and street. Which is a turn-on.

Ew, I hate that I called that a turn-on. Called his trait a turn-on. But he's not ugly. I wish he was, because sometimes his stupid blue eyes will pierce into my incomparable brown eyes. It's intimidating and super sexy how he can hold contact, and we're becoming off-topic again.

And it's not like he's tormenting me. He is genuinely getting along with me, no matter how stubborn I am. So, the verdict was made. I will accept this stupid offer.

I can already hear Leilani's piercing screams once I tell her about this. The thought alone of studying with someone equally intelligent makes my stomach curdle with insecurity and other similar topics.

I was planning on visiting Luca's penthouse to tell him about it. But I've been trying to put it off because I want to avoid the stupid, dimpled grin he'll give, and then he'll think I want to get into bed with him.

Just trying to get through this last college year so I can start with my master's in economics. My dream is to be a policy analyst. It's way out of league with my competitive mob business father and brother, but I love dealing with mathematics and people.

I know I may be a little off-putting in public, but people excite me. You just have to catch me on a good day.

As I head into the local cafe before my final destination, Luca's beautiful penthouse, my thoughts are snapped to the peaceful and calm environment before me. Everyone is either catching up with their artsy friends, studying in a corner with their headphones, or simply talking to the servers.

I beeline my way over to the stooled island counter where Mr. Larry stands behind. He's on his phone with his circled glasses and the brown apron wrapped around him. Then he noticed my presence after being severely distracted by his phone. "Hello, Birkin baby. How's it going? I haven't seen you for a while."

All it takes is a sigh for him to gesture to the stool. I plop down with my tote bag still on my shoulder and rub my temples. "School is overrated." My hands rest on the counter. "Automatic no. Yelp review is zero stars."

Larry chuckles as he begins on an order for someone beside me. "So, I'm taking it you want to quit?" He asks, filling the paper cup with hot milk.

"Yes!" I exclaim, my arms flailing around. "I'm so sick and tired of waking so freaking early to study. It's literally so freaking lame. I might have to clock out of this career path."