Their salvation.

Ch. 8- "Yes, Mr. stone."

Max's POV:

"Max!" Knocking myself out of my shocked state, "what?!" Realizing that André, his pretty friend, my best friend AND the kids are all staring at me as if they thought I might need some mental help. After the constant daily pop ins from andré, I think I need the same.

I'm seriously trying to figure out what the heck is going on. I ran into him once, a week ago and now he won't ever go away? wow. It's like the universe is trying to say something, and I'm not sure that I like what they're implying. It's actually very rude. You know what else is rude? Me. I keep zoning out and talking to my inner self as they're all waiting for me to respond.

"Uhhhh hi..?" "Hi..? That's all I get after everything we've gone through? Ouch. And to think I was coming here to apologize for last night. That's hurts." He says all this with a fake pout, and a twinkle in his deep silver eyes. It would've made me swoon if I were any other female but alas I am of the stubborn breed so I hit him with "You apologize? Haha. Funny. I may not know you very well but that doesn't seem very likely. And after all the things we've gone through ? You mean you harassing me consistently since the one time I ran into you a week ago?!" Meanwhile our friends are both giggling at our interaction. André comes in real close. Close enough so that we're practically nose to nose. I can see the challenge in his eyes now. "Harassing you? Aww baby, you know you love it. I see the way your pupils dilate every time I'm in your field of vision." I stare back just as hard into his "Oh you mean the way yours do every. single. time. You look at me? You're not the only one paying attention, Mr. Stone."

We're just sitting there having the biggest staring contest in the corner of the restaurant until his friend speaks up, talking to Andrè. "È lei? Se è cosi, hai ragione. Non ha davvero paura di te. Il che è buono. Sarà sicuramente una Donna potente, lo sento." what? Cameron was the one to speak up for me, "what did you just tell him? And you can speak Italian..? Or is that Spanish?" "No, La Mia ape, you were right the first time. It's Italian, just like me. Well us. "The god" as your friend "Maxi" likes to call him, is also very Italian." "The god, huh maxi? How many times have you two ran into each other since last week?" Andrè beat me to it "Three. Including this one. But that's all you need to know." I pipe in before Cameron can & raise a brow "know what?" "That's for me to know and for you to find out soon. But until then just know it's not bad." "Mhm, well how about I do us.." pointing to Cameron and the kids "a favor and cut off all contact with you & your pretty friend that seems to make mine drool. You seem to like your dark and mysterious vibe, but I don't like mysteries or games. Nor am I a huge fan of you in general. So I will just continue on with my life before I ran into you and you will do the same. Please and thank you."

Apparently my response wasn't appreciated because Andrè gave me a smirk, one I've never seen before. It seems extremely controlled and his eyes held promises. Ones I most definitely wouldn't want to know about. "Is that what you really want, La mia Regina?" I nodded. He raised his hand to my jaw and rubbed my bottom lip with his thumb "words baby, give me words." "Yes, Mr. Stone."

Then suddenly it was as if me saying those words had factory reset him. His entire demeanor switched from one of flirtatiousness to ice cold. He curtly nodded at me and it hit me in the face like a brick wall. But It caused me to change mine as well. It wasn't the first time I've had to change, especially to protect myself when I start to feel vulnerable. It's rare though. Andrè must've noticed my change too because his expression started to soften right away. I didn't want that. I wanted him to stay cold. That way I could too. So I nodded back at him and tried to turn around back the my kids and Cameron. Key word. Tried. Someone pulled my wrist back. It was his friend, he was just staring, searching for anything on face. Like there was a missing piece that he needed to find the treasure on it. I kept my appearance cold. I started to feel it too. I could feel Andrè still looking at me but I refuse to look at him. I just kept my eyes on the blue ones staring at me "May I help you?" He looked shocked at how sharp my voice sounded. "No no, continue on, Mia Regina. Until next time." I then went to my table where Cameron and the kids were looking at me with curious & worrisome eyes. I heard Mia whisper to Cameron "I haven't seen Mama like this is in a very long time, is she hurt?"  This would've made me smile had I not heard that voice that makes my heart pound constantly say "Mama?" I ignored him and looked at Cameron and the kids, telling them it was our time to go. I went around Andrè & his friend who looked like he was still searching for something. I told Heidi and Paul that I needed to go home, I didn't feel good at all, they nodded and told me they'd see me tomorrow and that they loved me but I couldn't help but notice the worry in their eyes too.

I don't know what happened but when he did that my body reverted to how it used to be right after my parents died, it was my fault. I told him I didn't want to be involved with him in any form but I lied about that, I do want to be very involved with him. I just can't afford to be like that with him. I have to continue on the way I lived before, for my family. I can't just live for myself. if I did I would've ended it a long time ago.