DAMIEN: Book 2 of The De Luca Brothers Series [COMPLETED]

17:

"I want to go to college tomorrow."

I'm greeted with silence as the boys stare at me with vexed expressions, the awkward pause causing me to reconsider even mentioning everything. It's been another week, I've sat around studying all day, hanging out with Zac and basically doing nothing but get acquainted with this suite. It's been boring and I need to do something- something normal. They seriously can't expect me to be a good little ten week pregnant girl who will just sit around doing nothing.

"Um," Damien clears his throat. "I don't think it's a good idea."

"Why? I'm not going to let some rivalry gang stop me from my studies. I've missed so much in a week, plus Leone even said that he'd send someone to look out for me!"

Zac sighs, "It's still dangerous, I'm sorry but everything's screaming a fat 'no' to me right now. Plus if you go to college, someone can't simply be watching you every single minute. It's too risky."

I bite my lip and look down at my plate, a bubbling fury surfacing. Frustration causes through my veins as I try to keep my emotions in check; but poor anger management and pregnancy hormones does the exact opposite. I slowly set down my fork and exhale, gripping the knife before forcing myself to put that down too. Glaring at Gufo, he visibly gulps and awkwardly shuffles in his seat.

"If I'm not mistaken Gufo, you're the one who dragged me into this mess," I state boldly, even though I secretly know that's an unfair card to play, I can't help myself. Ten weeks and this child is already impacting my thought process.

"Chlo, come on that's uncalled for."

"I ran away to pursue my dreams, nothing's going to stop me. I've agreed to everything you've asked of me so far, even to live in this mansion; I won't let you take this away from me. Not when I'm so close. Not when I'm almost graduated."

Tony sighs, "I can send two men. You go there, you come back."

"And I want to keep my career too,"I rush.

"No," Gufo growls. "I'm not going to have the woman I like parade around in front of a bunch of old men as they fantasise doing things to you. I'll financially support you, you go get your PhD. Deal?"

My nostrils flare, "That's cold."

"That's the terms."

"I can always just sneak out, disagree with what you're saying. Oh! Maybe I'll move states whilst I'm at it," I hiss, standing up.

"Chlo, please don't be like that."

"Like what?" I ask, my mood plummeting into sadness as tears prick my eyes. "Like an independent woman who wants to do things on her own? Or a woman who can't seem to keep her life on track for a year, until it all goes spiralling out of control and those she cares about gets hurt? Oh! Or like a person who just wont stay in the fucking kitchen and clean pots, instead wanting to become successful unlike her parents!"

Damien stands up and rounds the table, enveloping me in a warm hug. All the fight drains out of me and I cling onto him, a sob wracking my chest as I cry into his shirt. He lightly runs a hand up and down my back, comforting me in such a way that I calm down instantly. Why the heck did I blow up? I could've just been calm, but no, I quite literally exploded.

"I'm sorry," I mumble.

"It's okay, it's the pregnancy," he replies back.

I look up at him in question.

His cheeks flush red and he awkwardly looks away, "I've been doing research."

Just then did I realise that I'm supposed to be the one doing research. Not once have I searched up what things I must do, how to ensure my baby grows healthy... god I'm such a terrible mother! Anxiety fills my chest as I begin to fiddle with the hem of his shirt, my mind zoning out on how I could have messed up—

"I'll give you some material if you want it," he offers.

"Yes please. Gosh, I'm an emotional wreck aren't I?" I laugh and he nods in agreement. "I'm sorry for ruining dinner, you guys worked so hard on it."

"One of many to come!" Zac butts in. I look over Damien's shoulder to see Toro lean in and whisper something in his ear; he blushes bright red and swallows, pushing his boyfriend's head away. Well then.

"Let's finish dinner and go for a walk?"

We do just that and before I know it, Damien and I are alone wondering through the beautifully maintained gardens hand in hand, appreciating the quiet night air. "Chlo, I was meaning to ask you something. I know it's been difficult, with the pregnant, gang and near-kidnapping and stuff, but I just wanted to let you know that I'm here. I'm here for you through thick and thin. I really like you, uh, like a lot. As in my relationship with ice cream a lot. As in my relationship with food in general a lot."

"Your babbling," I whisper.

He clears his throat and nods, "Yup, but I was just genuinely curious- you don't have to say yes- but I'd really like to know whether you'd even consider being something more than just a fr—"

"Gufo! You're cheating on me!" Exclaims someone from behind my back.

I blink in surprise, our little bubble being popped by a high pitched voice that grates on every nerve in my body; I'm pretty sure the baby winced. Damien's grip on my hand tightens and an exasperated sigh leaves his mouth as he shuts his eyes in annoyance, his brows furrowing as he tries to keep his mood light. Meanwhile, my mind races: cheating? Other girlfriend? Fuck.

"Ashley," he acknowledges, voice tight and strained.

The familiar ginger bitch from a week ago moves out of the darkness, her face contorted in horror as she analyses the situation before her. Oh gosh, just how clueless is she? Can't a girl take a hint, especially when the guy is literally with another girl?

"You're with... her."

"Gee, hello to you to Lorax, how's your pride? You know, since last time I saw you Vipera made sure to wound it," I snap, however Damien tightens his hand hold in warning. Dickhead.

"Ashley, a fling is a fling. I'm sorry if you've developed feelings for me, but I just don't feel the same way, what we had that night was nice. It's not you, it's me," he deadpans, as if reciting his lines for the hundredth time. To be honest, he's probably said that to so many girls beforehand.

"It was during the day," she grits out, a vein popping out of her forehead. "And many times before that. Don't you remember? We had something."

"Not really," he carries on. "But I must say, it's kind of really annoying how you're here when I was just about to ask out the girl I really like."

"You mean the girl you got pregnant," she counters and I pale. "Oh yeah, don't think I didn't pick up on that. You don't belong here, not you or that child. How dare you even talk to him! You're nothing more than a dumb whore working for Celina."

"Walk away," I mutter, looking down at my feet.

"Sorry? Couldn't quite here that over the pettiness."

I don't know what happened, but the next thing I recall is my fist connecting with her cheekbone and me snarling, "I said walk away you desperate slut who can't take a hint. Leave my man alone before I make you. Pregnant or not, your ass won't be able to touch the ground once I'm done with you if you carry on acting like a class A bitch. Got it Lorax? Or do you want another bruise on your face?"

Her nostrils flare, "You're not even part of the gang!"

"Maybe, maybe not," I spit. "But I can sure win a fight with you either way. Don't you dare offend my baby or my man's chose ever again or else I swear to god, I'll steal that pistol he keeps in his back pocket and shoot you in your kneecaps."

"You'll regret this," she promises as she walks away.

I exhale slowly, my muscles relaxing slowly as I turn to Gufo. He stares at me with wide eyes, blinking slowly as if processing what just happened, he nods and licks his lips before awkwardly scratching the back of his neck, "You notice my pistol?"

"Yeah," I shrug. "You're really shit at hiding it, especially since you have the habit of tucking in your shirt."