The Covetous Billionaire

|04| TROUBLE

Italia tried to calm down her racing heart as she shut her book and finished the rest of her hot chocolate.

To say she was nervous was an understatement. She was petrified. The one time she's rebellious and it blows up in her face. Now Bennett was going to punish her.

What did that even mean?

Of course now that Bennett informed her the event was canceled she could ignore his order and stay out anyway.

Italia decided against it. She had been rebellious enough for one day. Plus...she didn't want to earn strike three. Who knew what that meant?

With her heart still pounding, she shakily got up from the little table for two. She approached the trash can, throwing away her cup before turning to leave.

"Wait!" Someone called out. At first Italia ignored, figuring it didn't have anything to do with her.

"Italia!" The same voice called. Italia now stopped and turned to see Kaden calling to her from behind the counter. She watched as he wiped his hands with a rag and then circled around the back and out to the main area where she was.

"You were just gonna leave without saying goodbye?" He asked her, leaning against the side of the trash can.

Italia gave him a loose smile and light shrug. In reality the second that she heard Bennett's voice all other thoughts were lost.

"You're gonna get in trouble again. You're boss probably hates me," Italia laughed in amusement remember the fiery lady.

"Blah blah she'll get over it," he shrugged.

Italia stared at him in bewilderment. "How is it you haven't been fired?"

"She wouldn't dare, I'm a precious asset to this cafe."

Italia raised an eyebrow.

Kaden rolled his eyes before admitting, "Plus she's my aunt."

"Ok that makes much more sense," Italia admitted, with laughter.

"Hey!" Kaden exclaimed.

"Just kidding," Italia said back, but then paused. "Or not."

Kaden laughed. Italia felt giddy. She couldn't remember the last time she had actually had a casual conversation with some besides her mom. It was refreshing.

Her eye caught the grande clock that hung at the back of the cafe. It read 3:45.

Oh shoot! Italia thought to herself. She had already wasted five minutes! Could she reach home in fifteen minutes?

"Oh my...Kaden, I've gotta go!" She frantically shuffled to shove her book in her purse and dig for the car keys.

"What?"

"Umm, I'll text you?" She said, it coming out as more of a question. You were supposed to text your friends right? They were friends right? Goodness, socializing was exhausting.

"Ok, I'll be waiting," he said.

3:46

"... 'K bye!" Italia rushed as she gathered all her things and stormed out of the cafe.

She entered the small Camry and took a deep breath before igniting the engine and speeding out of the lot.

As soon as she entered back onto the main road. She was packed between cars no way to move. Traffic? At this time of day? It wasn't even rush hour!

Italia gripped the steering wheel and banged her head against the center. She jumped when the horn sounded out. She groaned and tapped impatiently, hoping that she get home in the seven minutes.