Santi's Downfall

Chapter 20: The Promised

The promise given was a necessity of the past: the word broken is a necessity of the present.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Haven Pierce's POV

The following morning, I woke up early with a sole mission in mind even though I was still sleepy because we arrived late last night I managed to drag myself out of bed and helped Ricardo—the private chef of the crime boss to prepare breakfast. I even arranged the table near the pool beautifully where the Don preferred to eat his first meal of the day because I have a request to make.

I was about to call him in his room when he suddenly spoke behind me. Think of the devil and the devil shall appear. "What's the meaning of this?"

I was startled to hear his deep voice behind me. I turned around to greet him with a bright smile on my face. "Good morning, Santi. Breakfast is ready."

He slid his gaze on the beautifully arranged table behind me and then back to me with narrowed eyes. "You need something, do you? He instantly accused me. I wonder if I should commend his sharp brain or curse at it. He crossed his arms in the middle of his chest. "You will not exert effort for preparing breakfast for nothing."

I grimaced at his words. Is that what he thinks of me? That kinda stings, to be honest, but I don't have time to feel hurt because I need his permission. I beamed at him while hoping he would say yes. "Why don't we eat breakfast first, hmm?"

"Oh, wow!" Nico peered over Santi's shoulder. "You prepare all of this, Haven? Looks delicious. Even the table set-up is perfect."

I chuckled a bit, waving my hand dismissively. "Oh, not really. I just helped Ricardo prepare all of this. Please take a seat, Nico."

I eyed my legal guardian and he was still looking at me with slit eyes. Oh, boy, he was still wary about the whole thing. I think I will have a hard time convincing him of my plans for today. But I need to be optimistic.

"So what do you want from me?" Santi didn't waste his time asking once we were seated at the table. He placed the white linen napkin on his lap while refusing to break our eye contact.

I bit my bottom lip as I looked at him and his cousin. Even Nico was now interested in what I was about to say. "Uh...the thing is—"

"How's the party last night?" Nico butted in. I cursed silently and threw a dark glare in his direction because he interrupted my momentum.

"Boring," Santi answered dismissively to his cousin not even sparing him a glance. His dark eyes were still focused on me intensely and it felt like I had difficulty breathing when he looked at me like that. "What were you saying?"

I cleared my throat, fully aware of how my heart beat so fast at the moment. I could do this, I told myself silently. I allow myself to stare at his intense dark eyes. "I am hoping that you'll allow me to go to town because I need to buy something."

"What do you want to buy?"

I smiled at him—or at least tried to. "Today is Greta's birthday and I want to buy her a gift. She's been so kind to me ever since I came here I want to buy something for her special day."

"I will just ask someone to buy the gift for you."

I shook my head immediately. "I want to personally choose the present that I will give her. So if you will just allow me to go out I promise that I will be back as soon as possible."

"No."

I frowned at him sullenly. "What do you mean 'no'?"

"I can't come with you because I have a meeting this morning but it would probably last for the whole day it depends on how stubborn those little fuckers were during our meeting. That's why I cannot possibly let out go out."