Santi's Downfall

Chapter 11: The Town

In small towns, people scent the wind with noses of uncommon keenness.

Stephen King

Haven Pierce's POV

It had been a week since I arrived in Santi's hometown. This town was probably famous as the hometown of one of the most powerful mafias in Italy. It was still hard to believe that my father associated with the likes of him. I naively believe that Dad's money came from his hard work but the reality was most of it came from illegal activities.

So far, after my unexpected encounter with the crime lord in his bedroom, I avoided him like the plague ever since. I made sure that I never crossed paths with him from breakfast until bedtime I dodged him like a contagious disease my methodical schedule on how to evade him was almost foolproof until on the eighth day when I was sure that he already left the mansion when I decide to have my breakfast on the poolside under the shades of lemon trees because it's such I shame that I couldn't enjoy the sun for a full week now because I am avoiding the lord of this house.

I usually have my meals in the staff's kitchen hiding from the radar of my guardian. Now would be different. I heard from the head housekeeper that the boss left early for his 'work'. I didn't bother to ask what work was that but I am sure that it was one of his illegal businesses in the country.

Now that he was out I could enjoy my breakfast without worrying that I might run into him and have this awkward air around us. With a huge plate filled with sliced bread, homemade jams, cannoli, and fresh fruits in one hand while the other was holding a tall glass of freshly squeezed orange juice as I headed to the table near the pool to enjoy my day in style.

I devoured my delicious Sicilian breakfast letting my palate dance to this hearty food. I thought nothing could ruin my day until someone sat on the iron chair across from me. I blinked several times just to be sure that my mind was not playing tricks on me.

But why...? My mind started to ask.

"Surprised to see me?" There was a self-satisfied smirk playing on his lips while looking at me with his iridescent eyes.

"What...how...I thought—?" I failed to coherently utter a simple question because I was so astounded by the fact that the person I was painfully eluding was now sitting in front of me as I enjoyed my breakfast.

"Are you avoiding me, Haven?"

"What? No!" I cursed silently when I sounded defensive even to my ears. What he's doing here? I thought that he would be out throughout the day. Did the head housekeeper deliberately lie to me? No. I saw his car leave with my own eyes through my bedroom window early this morning. So how come he was ready and bothering me now?

He sat back on his chair while looking at me with amused eyes. "No? I thought that you were evading me these past few days."

"I'm not." I lied through my teeth as I shifted in my seat because it felt like I was in the hot seat for some reason.

"Really?" From the tone of his voice, he was deeply entertained by the fact that for the second time around he caught me off guard. Damn it. I should have been more careful learning about his schedule I should not have trusted the elderly housekeeper's words and most especially not let my guard down.

I gave him a slightly forced smile. "Yes, Santi. What are you doing here, by the way? I thought you went out early for your work."

He grinned at me that kind of smile that would make even the devil look so handsome. Just like now, he decided not to shave his days' old stubble, and he gave the appearance of a sinfully attractive but dangerous man. He wiggled his eyebrow suggestively. "I instructed Nico to oversee the problem while I decide to stay home."