LUXURE

18. COME TO AN END

*Trigger warning for abusive scenes!*

We went to breakfast at a cute cafe in the downtown area, I offered to pay but he refused, again. I ordered the banana waffles and Giovanni ordered an omelette plate. He asked me more about Jordie and our childhood and I explained how I worked multiple jobs while also trying to graduate high school. I asked him more about what he did and if he owned that club, but he was pretty secretive about it all.

 I walked through the door of my apartment after Giovanni dropped me off out front. He had insisted on walking me upstairs, but there was no way in hell I would make him walk up those 8 flights of stairs just to drop me off. He kissed me hard before we parted, insisting on seeing me again soon. 

I sat down on the couch and daydreamed about the date, the night, and all the sex just when mom walked into the room. 

"Oh, sweetie, I thought you'd be at work." She sounded surprised.

"I got the day off." I was still smiling because I was thinking about Giovanni. I felt the couch move and noticed she sat down next to me.

"Your smile says it all, but tell me all about the date." She smiled at me.

"Oh my god, mom, where do I even begin. First of all, he was so sweet, he took me to this little Italian restaurant that's family owned and run. The view overlooked the city and the food was amazing." I got lost in my daydream of telling her all about the date. 

"When did you come home? It must've been pretty late." She let a smirk play on her lips.

"I...um. Didn't." I laughed. "I stayed at his place. Oh my god, mom. I've never seen such an expensive apartment! I mean the view of the city was insane. I'll have to ask him if I can show you one day." I smiled at the thought.

"He's sweet Scarlett, I like him. When you were still getting ready he was asking me about what kind of food Jordie and I like. Did you know he was going to do that?" 

"Do what?" I tilted my head as I looked at her. She looked at me with confusion.

"Well, Jordie of course told him he likes pasta, and I said the same.  After you guys left, a man delivered a whole heaping amount of food courtesy of Giovanni." She slowly got up off the couch and motioned for me to follow her. 

He did what? I was so confused. When we walked into the kitchen mom opened up the fridge and showed me the many boxes filled with leftover food. I'm pretty sure my face held a shocked expression.

"There were four different types of pasta with different pasta sauces, sides of vegetables, garlic bread, and even some really fancy iced tea, and fruit punch for Jordie." 

Why would he do that for us? For my mom and Jordie? 

"Um, well, I'm speechless really. I didn't know he did that." Well shit, that makes me like him even more.

"I think he's a true gentleman Scarlett, if there was ever a man that you let get close to you, I sure hope it's him." She said as she turned and walked out of the kitchen, leaving me to think deeply about her words. 

I really loved the date and everything about Giovanni and as much as I wanted to get close to Giovanni, I don't know how I could. I couldn't let myself get too close in fear of him breaking me, and I don't need to be broken by another man. Again. I could feel the beginnings of a headache coming on. 

"Ugh." I walked into my bedroom and plopped down on my bed. I was still wearing his shirt and I could smell the intoxicating scent of his cologne still on it. I pulled my phone out, even if I needed to distance myself from him, I needed to thank him for feeding my family.