Santi's Downfall

Chapter 14: The Guy Friend

In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things, the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.

Khalil Gibran

Haven Pierce's POV

The next morning, even though I avoided Santi's presence like a disease I forced myself to join them in for breakfast with his cousin and right-hand man, Nico. They didn't hide their surprise when they saw me sitting with them at their favorite spot to have their breakfast by the pool under the lemon trees because usually, Nico invited me to have breakfast with them but I always politely refused his invitation due to his cousin's existence.

But not today, I have an important matter to discuss with my guardian and I think this will be the perfect time to inform him about the arrival of Noah and our plans of touring around the city for the whole day.

There was just one problem. Since I sat with them at the table they were in deep conversation in Italian probably discussing business stuff so I just remained silent and toyed with my food. I didn't know how or when to open the topic I wanted to tell him.

"What is it?" Santi directed the question to me in English which caught me off guard.

"Huh?" My mind went blank due to the unexpected question from him. I never had the chance to prepare myself.

He arched a brow in my direction. "You want to say something to me? You kept on glancing in my direction so tell me what is it?"

I bit my bottom lip as I shifted in my position. Now I became more conscious because even Nico was looking in my direction with a curious expression on his face. "Uh...well, you see, my friend back home was here in Sicily and—"

"So?"

I took a deep breath when I heard his sharp tone. I knew from that moment that this was not going to be easy asking his permission to leave his house without a bodyguard but I hoped that he would agree. Miracles do happen, right? "Remember my best friend, Noah? Well, he flew to Sicily to visit me and we agreed to explore the town today."

I mentally winced when I saw the thunderous look on his face. It was dark plain and simple. Did I somehow remind him of our disastrous trip the other day?

"So that boy is here in Sicily, you say?" His tone was pleasant but that belied the gloomy emotion in his eyes. "When did he arrive?"

"Yesterday."

He sat back on his iron chair and stared at me intently. I could feel his intense gaze was about to pierce through my soul. Right now, he was every inch of a scary crime boss. "And he wants to take you for a walk in my hometown?"

I nodded, holding my fork as if it was my only lifeline. "Yes, that's the plan. So I want to ask for your permission to leave the house and I don't want bodyguards to follow me around. I want to enjoy the day like a normal tourist with Noah."

Nico, who was sitting across from me on the table whistled. I frowned at him I didn't know why he did that but maybe he was enjoying the interaction I was having with his cousin or my demands for this trip. Santi, on the other hand, has this unreadable expression on his face.

"Will you agree with my request?" I smiled sweetly in his direction while my heart was pounding loudly in my chest I wouldn't be surprised if they could hear it.

He was silent for a moment, looking at me with this undecipherable face. And then, the miracle I was waiting for was being heard by God. He smiled brightly in my direction. "Why don't you tell this boy to come over and let me talk to him for a bit before I can allow you to go out with him?"