Arya's POV -

It felt like a lifetime as I continued to look at the gorgeous man leaning against his car.

Maybe I could turn the other way and try to run as fast as my legs can take me.

But before I could dwell a figure was hovering above me.

I already knew who it was.

Sheepishly craning my neck up, a face covered with black shades stared down at me.

He gave me a small smirk, and I released the breath I hadn't noticed I've been holding once I see that he hasn't noticed.

He didn't notice the bruise.

That's a good thing, right?

"Hi, Rome." I softly said, continuing to look at him with a small blush dusting my cheeks.

The chattering of kids faded out around us, and it felt like we were the only two in the world.

This moment felt so intimate even though he wasn't even touching me.

His strong build towering over me, caging me in so I couldn't run even if I tried.

I nervously glanced down, only for fingers to go under my chin a moment later, lifting my face back up.

He cupped my cheek and I froze, but luckily he cupped my left side and not my right.

"Così carina." He mutters.

(So cute.)

"Stop." I mumbled, my cheeks blazing red.

He chuckled and tapped my chin before removing his fingers.

"D-Didn't I say I only wanted to text!" I exclaimed, still blushing wildly.

He tilted his head like he was contemplating, "You did, but I chose to come anyways. Besides you go to that café every Monday."

I couldn't stop my face from becoming even more red. He remembered me saying that from so long ago?

"How do you remember that?"

"I listen to everything you say Arya, trust me."

I smiled, a big one at him. This man is just slowly crawling into my heart.

He basically is my heart.

"Um, okay. Do you still want to go to the café?"

He nodded, "That's why I came, I don't want you to walk there and then home so I'll take you."

And that's how I ended up in his car as he drove the short drive to my favorite café.

"What ever happened with your mother? You never said." He questioned making me tense up once again.

"Well she was just...very angry is all. She hasn't spoken to me much afterwards."

That part was true. I haven't seen either of my parents.

A brief pause was heard before Rome spoke up again, "Is that all that happened?"

I licked my suddenly dry lips, "Yeah that's all that happened, why?"

"You just seem nervous is all. You're also slightly tense."

How does he know without even looking at me?

"I guess I just want to make things okay with mama and papa. They've never really been mad at me. I actually haven't seen my papa since so I don't know how he's going to react."

Rome hums but says nothing more, one hand on the steering wheel while the other rests on the gearstick.

My eyes find his rings that I'm so fond of once again.

"When did you get your rings?" I ask with a small tilt of my head.

"I've had them for a really long time, a few are ones I've gotten from family. Others I just liked I suppose."

"They're so cool." I gush making him laugh.

"Can I look at them?" I ask with a small blush, and he immediately puts the hand that's not on the wheel in front of me.

I gently grasp his hand and examine his pretty silver rings, twisting and turning them on his fingers.

He was currently wearing 3 on his right hand, sometimes I see different amounts on him.

I admire the pretty features and patterns on each one, studying them with curiosity.

However, it doesn't take long for my gaze to wander to the tattoos near his wrist.

Black ink swirl patterns covered his wrist, and if he were wearing a short sleeve shirt, I'm sure they'd run up his arm.

"Those most of hurt so bad." I mumble, not expecting him to hear.

"You've asked this before baby, they didn't hurt." Rome says with a small smile.

"I don't get how that doesn't hurt, I can barely handle a needle at the doctors." I smile, letting go of his hand.

"I guess I'm just strong then, huh?" He says teasingly making me gasp.

"I'm strong!" I reply.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah! I'm a strong girl."

"Mm, you are. My strong girl."

My strong girl.

Butterflies erupted in my stomach, and I felt all jittery inside.

I bit my lip and looked back out the window, trying to use my hair to cover my face.

Soon we make it to one of my favorite places, and I bounce in my seat as Rome parks.

"Unlock it! Unlock it! Unlock it!" I say quickly.

Rome chuckles but does so, and I practically fall out of the car, wanting to get inside to get my favorite drink.

I'm about to sprint towards the entrance when a hand tugs onto mine, making me halt and almost fly on my face.

"No running, sì?" He says, almost like scolding a small child.

(Yes?)

I look down and nod, then start to walk towards the entrance, Rome's hand still gripping onto mine tightly.

He opens the door for me and we enter, the same amazing smell entering my nose, so I inhale greedily.

I look at the desserts that are on display and try to contemplate what I want.

Turning, I see that Rome is already getting out his wallet, making me pout at him.

He pauses and raises a brow at me in a 'what' look.

"You paid last time, let me pay this time. Please!" I beg and put my hands together in a praying motion.

He stares at me for a moment and then shakes his head, "I'm not going to let you pay darling, what kind of man would I be?"

Rome tugs off his shades, revealing those pools of emeralds I could melt in.

"B-But,"

"No buts," He cuts me off before gesturing towards the food on display. "Pick anything you want."

My bottom lip turns into a pout, but I don't argue knowing he'll get his way anyways.

Maybe I could sneak some money into his pocket without him noticing.

Yeah! I could do that!

"Can I get the Iced Vanilla Chai Tea Latte again with a Fudge Cookie this time?" I ask, turning back to him after looking over the desserts.

That pretty smirk shows on his face before he nods, "You like the Chai Tea's, huh? You've gotten that every time."

"They're my favorite." I say with a quick nod.

"Okay, go find a table and I'll be there soon."

He turns to head towards the registers and I realize this is my chance to put money in his pocket!

He's not looking so this is my only opportunity.

Quickly pulling my wallet out of my pocket, I unzip it and take out a 10 dollar bill.

This should be enough.

As I slowly creep up to him, I eye the pockets in his slacks.

With my tongue poking out slightly in concentration, I'm about to slip it inside before a large hand wraps around my wrist.

I freeze, eyes widening as I get caught.

I look up to see highly amused eyes staring down at me.

That's got to be the most amusement I've seen so far.

I pout again as he shakes his head, "Good try but you're not paying. Off you go." He pushes me lightly towards the booths.

Grumbling under my breath, I put the money back in my pocket and head for the same booth as I always sit in.

When Rome joins me, I'm still upset and I cross my arms stubbornly, which only earns a soft chuckle from the man.

I slump down in my seat.

"Don't be mad at me baby, I'm not going to let you pay. I'd never let you pay for anything."

"But It's not fair!" I yell a bit too loudly which earns me an eyebrow raise.

My shoulders drop, "You pay for almost everything we do and-and that's unfair to you. Surely I can help!"

"You being here is enough for me, darling." He replies and then gets up to retrieve our orders.

Not even a minute passes before he's back and I'm immediately reaching for my drink.

"I don't think my presence is enough," I say with a small shake of my head. "Next time we do something I want to pay, okay?" I say sternly, and I watch as his eyes light up slightly.

Rome tilts his head before finally nodding to which I beam to.

"Non dovrai mai pagare niente tesoro, me ne assicurerò." He says but yet again I have no idea what it means.

(You'll never have to pay for anything sweetheart, I'll make sure of it.)

"I don't like that I don't understand what you're saying." I say sadly.

He hums, "I can teach you one day, okay? The basics."

My eyes turn to stars, "That'd be awesome!"

Rome continues to drink his Black Coffee in silence while I munch on my cookie and finish my drink.

As I'm finishing the last bite of my cookie, my eyebrows furrow as I notice Rome's eyes darken.

"What's wrong?" I question worriedly, but he doesn't say a word.

His jaw clenches in anger and I watch as his green eyes turn darker and darker like a dangerous forest, making my chest constrict.

"Rome?" I squeak out.

He gets up from the booth suddenly making me almost jump.

With one stride he's sitting next to me, still with a stormy look on his face.

I'm about to question what the heck he's doing, but his enormous hand comes up to my face and tilts my face to the side.

I had completely forgotten about the bruise.

Everything around us shut out completely, and my heart pounded erratically as I realize he's finally noticed it.

I didn't know why I thought I could hide it from him.

I watch with big eyes as he grabs a napkin and dips it into the glass of water he had also ordered.

"W-Wait!" I say but he doesn't answer, only grabs my face again and presses the napkin against my cheek.

I hiss slightly in pain and he retracts it quickly.

His eyes flash with a few different emotions I can't pinpoint before he slowly brings the napkin back up to my cheek.

He softly wipes off the remaining makeup, which fully exposes the bruise to him.

I clench my eyes together tightly, I should have never agreed to come here with him.

His thumb brushes over it softly before he slowly lets go of my face.

With hard eyes still apparent, he speaks to me in a voice I haven't heard before.

"Who the fuck did that?"