The Mafia Boss and The Criminologist

Chapter Four

I hear my phone vibrate. My heart races, my chest starts to hurt and I begin to shake. All this from a little text that I don't even know who it's from or what it says. I stand up from my chair and slowly approach my phone. I sit down on my bed and pick up the handheld device. I take a deep breath and turn on my phone. I use my fingerprint to unlock it. I hold my breath as I click on the messages icon. 

The app opens and I see the new message indicator next to a contact. I slowly click on it and bite my lip. It loads slower than I'd like it to. I screech as it loads. I practically throw my phone across my bed after I read the message. My bed squeaks in protest as I flop myself backwards. I kick my legs up like a little kid. I feel my cheeks warm up and begin to hurt as I smile. I squeal again and sit up to read the text again. 

"Why hello, Luv, it's been a long time now hasn't it? And my dear you are never a bother, even to the wrong people." I smile wide as I read his response again. He messaged back!!! I hear a small ding as my phone vibrates. A new text pops up. " I think we should meet up soon. How about for coffee and lunch in an hour? You still live in the same town right?" 

I quickly type back, " I do actually, and um sure I'd love to meet up and chat, where do you wanna go?" I hit the send button and feel my hands start to shake. Just like when I admitted my feelings for him... Wait where did that thought come from? It's been years, he probably doesn't even like me anymore. Another ding can be heard emitting from my phone. 
" I thought so, how about the little diner we used to go to, to do homework?" I smile wider than before and feel my heart swell at the memories and at the fact he remembered. 

"That place is still there? I thought that had been torn down." I jump up from my bed and run to my vanity to fix my makeup. Of course, nothing was messed up, but I need to look perfect. Hold up, why do I feel that way? This was my best friend, we haven't talked in two years... Why am I acting like this today? 

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I walk up to the coffee shop and smile seeing its familiar neon sign. I grab out my perfume and spritz a little bit on. It is quite a bit of a walk from my apartment but I  don't mind it since it turned into a lovely day. As I walk in the door of the cafe I look around to see if I can find a familiar face. 

I sigh and sit at an empty table. I pull out my phone and realize I am about ten minutes early. I shrug to myself and pull out a book waiting for Luca to arrive. Each time I hear the bell twinkle, indicating someone had either arrived or left, I look up to see if it's Luca. Each time I do so, the butterflies in my stomach flutter more and more anxiously. I start to wonder if maybe I was set up. Then I remember I got here early. " Calm down Rosie, there is nothing to worry about," I mutter to myself. 

"That's right Petal, there is nothing to worry about." I quickly look up recognizing the smooth deep voice of Luca Magnus Alfonsi. I swoon just as I had before. Jesus, he hasn't changed at all. His hazel eyes pierce my chocolate brown ones. I blink once, twice, wow this isn't a dream. 

I start to ask something, as Luca smiles, and pulls my hand chuckling. " Come here and give me a hug Petal!" I giggle smiling and getting up to hug him. I hug him tightly to make up for the lost two years. He returns the tight squeeze and gently rubs my back. I loosen my grip and pull away smiling softly. "Gosh, I've missed you, Wise Guy." 

"I've missed you too Flower. Let us sit and order a drink." I nod and sit smiling. I watch him and start blushing, remembering how much I loved him. I look down quickly trying not to seem like I'm being rude.

"Nice to see I haven't lost my touch," Luca lightly chuckles. 
A young waiter comes by and smiles in my direction. " What can I get for you two?" He asks pulling out his notepad and pen. I open my mouth to answer when Luca cut me off unexpectedly. 

"She wants a coke no ice, 3 pumps of cherry flavour and 4 cherries please, and I will take just a coke, please." 
I watch him in shock my mouth slightly agape. How could he remember? Th-that was 2 years ago at least. 

"Rose, you alright? You do still like that right?" I hear him say seemingly concerned. I nod dumbfoundedly. His small chuckle snaps me out of my daze and brings a smile to my face. I've missed that sound so much. I look up at him still smiling. 

"How did you remember that? I-its been two years?" I ask still confused. Another chuckle leaves his lips as he smiles at me. " A best friend never forgets!" He exclaimed simply. I nod and look down blushing slightly. I feel like I did in high school. I can't even think about him or talk to him without blushing. 

"So Rosie, what have I missed? I feel like I know nothing about you now..." He smiled softly but I could see that some pain was hidden in those words. We were so close, and then... Nothing. I take a deep breath. "Well, where do I even start? I mean quite a bit has happened since high school." I try to hide the pain behind a soft smile. I hope that the years have helped him forget when I try to cover up something. 

He reaches over and takes my hand in his. " Hey, Petal it's okay. How is your mum?" I smile softly remembering how much she loved him and wanted us to get married. " She's well, she misses you though. " Luca sits up straighter and smirks, " I bet she does, I remember all the times she tried to marry us. " I can hear his infectious laughter as a smile spreads to my face.  I start to laugh alongside him. 

Honestly, just sitting here, laughing and smiling in this dinner... It felt like nothing had changed. That we were still in high school and the world seemed okay.  But then my brain started working again and reminded me of why I was here. I sigh softly and look up at him. " Luca, I have a question for you..." My voice drifted off at the end. What if he lies.. what if he tells me the truth that he is in the mafia? 

Luca pulls back slowly and sits up. "I figured that's why you messaged. So are you still getting your degree in criminology?" I nod slowly. 

"Yea I am. And uh... Well for an assignment I had to do a book report on the mafia leaders..." I looked up at him looking as stoic as ever. I feel my confidence start to wear off. I take a deep breath and sit up taller. " I found a book and well, I saw your family in it.. it said you were the new leader." I look around nervously, my brain going a thousand miles an hour trying to prepare for every outcome. 

Luca smiles and chuckles softly. " Aw Petal, how do you know you can trust that book?" He looks over at the approaching waiter. "Let's chat about this later okay? Somewhere private." He threw a wink my way and proceeded to thank the waiter and hand me my soda. I blush after the wink and look down, I mumble a thank you to the waiter as he walks off. 

I take the straw and place it to my lips, I sip on it and let out a sigh forgetting how well this tasted. I smile softly at the memories it brought back. I can feel someone watching me... I look up and see Luca looking at me like he did when we were together. All soft and caring, like I was his one weakness on this earth. I quickly scolded myself for the idea. 

I take another sip and moved my soda slightly. "So Luca, how was Italy?" I know he's going to see right through that question. He's going to know my motive.  I look up at him and tilt my head slightly, waiting for an answer. He cleared his throat before speaking. 

" Well how can I start, it was so beautiful! I don't think I've seen a prettier location. The wine was wonderful, the food was so good I still dream about it. " I giggle softly. Luca is a huge foodie, I mean can you blame him? His mum is a great cook, he is slightly spoiled in that manner. He leans forward and starts to whisper " But I know what you were really asking. You're worried that I found someone while I was there." He smirks, knowing he is affecting me with this reaction. I nod slowly unsure if my voice will work in this situation. 

Luca smiles at me. He shakes his head, " that's for me to know and you to find out." He smirks once more and sips his soda. I let out a huff at his response. " How would I find that out? it's not like you ever use social media."  This response earned me an eye roll. That snarky butthead... "Well, there are ways to catch up with long-lost friends without the use of electronics. " 

I scoff playing along with this. " oh wow really? I never would have guessed. I guess I don't call you Wise Guy for nothing." I see a genuine smile start to grow on his perfectly sculpted face. This one smile is different from the others today. Those all seemed like smiles you give your best friend. This smile looked like the kind you'd give when you realize you are in love.