Arya's POV -

December finally approached and every day so far consisted of Izzy texting me, begging for forgiveness and asking if we can talk. All to which I've ignored. I've purposefully ignored her at school as well.

I feel like an awful friend and I'm starting to give in. Maybe I need to give her another chance. I've been hanging out with Cassidy at school and it makes me feel like a jerk for ignoring Izzy.

However the month of December also had me studying, studying, and oh...more studying.

Also freaking out about exams no matter how much Rome tried to tell me I'd do fine on them.

*Flashback*

"Oh gosh, what if I do terrible and then I get kicked out?" I say to Rome who looks like he has no idea what to say.

"You're going to do fine-"

"Oh yeah I'm done for."

"Arya-"

"I need to go study!" I fly up the stairs in a flash leaving Rome watching me in shocked silence.

*End of Flashback*

That's mostly what It's been like for the past two weeks and now I had my first exam on Monday.

Oh jeez I'm gonna freak out again now that I'm thinking about it.

"Arya?" Rome knocks on the door to my room before opening it and glancing over my frame worryingly.

"You need to come out of your room. You've been studying for hours and need to take a break."

"No, no I don't have time for breaks." I say, my eyes scanning over my study guide for math before I lift my pencil to try out the problem. After doing that I move over to my english guide.

I hear a quiet sigh from behind me followed by footsteps. Rome's large tattooed hand covers mine and the pencil that I was about to use for another math problem.

"Arya, I'm serious."

"So am I." I retort but then instantly regret my words. The silence that follows makes it worse because I know I just made him more frustrated.

Placing my pencil down I turn in my swivel chair slowly, tilting my head up and smiling brightly at the dark eyes looking down at me.

"I didn't mean that."

"No?" He questions, a small smirk forming on his lips.

I shoot out of my seat and wrap my arms around his waist. "Okay I'll take a break."

He leans down and presses his warm lips to my forehead. "Good girl."

"What time is it, anyways?"

He flicks out his wrist and looks at the silver Rolex he was wearing. I then notice the rest of his attire. He looks like he's in boss mode with his black suit.

"Almost 1."

"You never wear that." I point to the Rolex and he shrugs. "I felt like it today."

"You look handsome." I blurt and then cover my mouth, my whole face heating up.

His lips tilt up in amusement before a full smile blooms his face.

"I do, hm?"

"N-No...I mean yes! Yes you do but I just, now I feel embarrassed that I said that." I cover my face and his gorgeous laugh fills my ears before his hands are prying mine from my face.

His warm smile puts me in a trance as he taps my nose with his index finger. "Hungry?"

I nod and he takes my hand, guiding me out of the room.

"Grant?" I question when I see the said man at the kitchen table.

"Arya, how are you?" He was wearing a suit as well. Was something happening today?

"I'm good, what are you doing here?"

"I have some things to discuss with him. Mostly about what to do while we're in Italy." Rome comes up from behind me, resting his hands on my shoulders.

"O-Oh, that makes sense. Is he gonna be in charge?"

"That's funny, you think Rome would ever put someone else in charge? Even when he's away?" I hear James snicker and then he walks into the kitchen, also in a suit. I was a bit surprised at that because James never wore suits.

Rome glares at James and then sets his eyes on me.

"Technically speaking, yes he's going to be in charge of some things while we're away-"

"But right when we're back the big boss man will take over." James says, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

Rome clenches his jaw and takes a threatening steps towards James making him tense and run to the other side of the kitchen counter.

Another sound of footsteps reaches my ears and I look over my shoulder to see Elijah. Surprise, wearing a suit.

Why is everyone in suits?

Rome can obviously sense my confusion because he moves to stand in front of me.

"I have a meeting I have to go to in a few hours and the three of them must accompany me." He gestures to himself and the rest and my lips part.

There's 4 mafia men in suits staring at me. Not terrifying at all.

"Meeting for what?"

Rome moves his eyes away from me and walks towards the cabinets. James quickly makes his way towards me and out of Rome's path, still fearing that he'll get punched or something for his past words.

"To talk about the Russians." He finally says while facing away from me, seeking out a bowl from the cabinet.

"Who are you meeting with?"

When he doesn't answer I continue. "Is it another mafia?"

He shakes his head, "No, the police department."

"You have connections with the police?" I ask with my jaw dropped. James and Grant laugh at my expression while Elijah looks quite unbothered by the conversation.

"How do you think we get away with everything? Yeah we'd still be able to if the police were our enemies but it makes things a lot easier." James shrugs, flicking my head and I narrow my eyes at him.

"You managed to get them on your side? How?"

"You'd be surprised at how powerful the Italian mafia really is." Grant tells me. Does that mean they threatened them or something?

Deciding to just accept that as an answer, I beam when Rome places down a bowl of pasta on the counter and nudges his head towards the stool.

Quickly slipping onto the stool, I lift the fork provided and dig into the meal.

As I'm eating Rome starts a conversation in Italian with the other three men. It doesn't even bother me anymore so I just ignore it.

"Scendi in ufficio e prepara la sala riunioni. Sarò lì presto."

(Go down to the office and prepare the meeting room. I'll be there soon.)

"Stiamo minacciando oggi, capo?" Grant asks, crossing his arms with an evil smirk. Whatever they're talking about must be about the mafia.

(Are we pulling any threats today, boss?)

"Solo se è necessario. Ma ho la sensazione che vogliano che i russi se ne vadano tanto quanto noi."

(Only if It's needed. But I have a feeling they want the Russians gone just as much as we do.)

I watch in confusion as Grant, Elijah, and James all leave the room, leaving Rome and I.

"Where are they going?" I ask as Rome comes to my side, pressing a kiss to my cheek and grabbing the empty bowl.

"Preparing for the meeting." Is his response while cleaning the dish and putting it away.

"Can I go back to studying now?" He shakes his head and grabs a water bottle from the fridge, handing it to me.

"Drink."

"Why?"

"Because,"

"That's not an answer." I playfully sing and he narrows his eyes in challenge at me.

I open the cap and take a few sips.

"More."

"Why?" I groan.

"So you stay hydrated. You didn't drink any water last night during dinner or this morning until now."

Pouting I decide It's best not to argue so I continue to drink the water. Satisfaction fills his eyes once he sees that I gave in.

"When do you need to go to your meeting?"

He comes closer to me and turns me around in the stool, stepping between my legs. I lift his hand and play with his silver rings. Even though I can mess with the one he gave me I find more comfort in this.

"A few hours."

"So what should we do then?" I lift my eyes to his and there's a mischievous look in his eye.

"Well," He trails off, placing his large hand on my right sweat-pant covered thigh and moving it upwards.

My eyes widen when he reaches the waistband, his rings skimming my bare skin. I shiver a little under his touch.

"Rome!" I hiss and he rolls his tongue against his cheek, probably trying to keep himself from laughing.

I latch onto his wrist with my hand, attempting to push him away but my actions do nothing to help me.

His fingers dip a little lower under the sweatpants and goosebumps appear on my skin.

"Okay! Okay, that's enough!" I yell, sitting up from the stool and Rome finally lets out a laugh, tilting his head slightly backwards exposing his tattooed neck.

"Are ya'll doing something inappropriate in there!?" I hear a voice from somewhere in the house and I freeze while Rome appears like he didn't hear it or just doesn't care.

That was definitely James who just screamed that for everyone to hear.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I hope everyone has an amazing Christmas break! Don't forget to spend time with your family and friends, see you next semester!" My English professor dismisses us and I wipe the sweat beginning to form on my forehead.

That was an extremely stressful exam. 50 multiple choice questions, a short story with questions, and then an essay all in the span of less than 2 hours.

I'm glad that's over because my anxiety is at its peak right now.

We get a 10 minute break before our next exam, luckily It's only 2 classes a day so I just have 1 left.

"Arya! Over here." Cassidy calls me in the hall and I smile, making my way over to her.

"How was your exam?" I ask her and she scoffs.

"Awful, I didn't even try."

"Cassidy!"

"What? It doesn't even matter."

"What do you have next?" I shake my head.

"Government, you?"

"I do too, it would have been cool if we had the same teacher."

"Yeah they suck for not putting us together."

"Hey Arya..." A small voice cautiously says from behind me. Cassidy looks at her curiously but I already know who it is. Izzy.

Cassidy looks back at me and must see the worry on my face because she speaks up.

"Hey Arya before you talk to your friend I actually need your help with something for my next exam. A quick study session, come on!" She quickly pulls me down the hall away from Izzy.

I quickly glance back and meet Izzy's sad eyes. I snap my gaze back to Cassidy as she continues to guide me down the hall.

"What was that?" She questions once we're out of sight and I sigh.

"That was the girl from last time, right? When she called you at lunch?"

"Yeah it was."

"Are you guys fighting?"

Biting my cheek I nod. "I told her I wanted some space and I guess she doesn't want to accept that. She keeps texting me and stuff saying she wants to talk."

Cassidy listens intently, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.

"What did you fight about?"

My face turns into one of uneasiness and she notices quickly.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want."

"Yeah It's a little bit personal, something that had been going on for a while."

"Well I think she needs to respect the space you need until you're ready to talk." She crosses her arms. "It's clear that you don't want to yet if you haven't been answering her."

"Yeah, I'm just...I don't know what to do."

"Hey," She places a hand on my shoulder, her eyes full of understanding. "If you need anyone to talk to I'm here, okay? Don't force yourself to say anything."

"Thanks, Cassidy." My heart fills with warmth at her words.

The bell rings indicating that It's time for our next exam.

"Good luck, I'll see you tomorrow?" She questions, walking backwards and I give her a thumbs up, one she returns before she heads in the other direction.

Smiling to myself I walk towards my class, looking at the text from Rome I got in the process.

Rome :)! How'd your first exam go?

Me: Good I think, it was really difficult but I got through it.

Rome :)! That's my girl, I'm sure you did amazing.

Me: I hope so, I'm about to go do my second exam, wish me luck!

Rome :)! You don't need luck gorgeous.

Even his texts have me blushing like a tomato.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The final bell for the day finally rung and a huge wave or relief released from my chest. At least for today.

"Have a good break! See you all in a few weeks." My history professor says, smiling and giving a wave to all of us. However most of the students already rushed out of here.

Gathering my folders and papers since we can't have backpacks for some reason, I tuck them into my arms and begin my walk to the school doors. I'm pretty eager to leave as well.

Spotting Rome leaning against his car as usual I give him a shy wave to which he raises a brow at.

"I think I did really good." Standing in front of him I smile up at the man and he leans down to press a kiss to my lips.

"Told you you'd do fine." Ignoring the multiple stares from the students we both get into the car. Rome has picked me up many times before so I'm not sure why some of the students look confused and shocked.

"Café please?" I clasp my hands together in hope and he chuckles.

"Of course, I know you like to go on Mondays."

"Love to go on Mondays." I correct and he playfully narrows his pretty eyes at me.

"Sorry, you love..." He slowly says the word 'love' and I bite my lip.

"And I love you." He finishes and I blush.

Once we get to the café of course I had to order my Chai Tea. I almost cried tears of joy when I saw that Rome ordered the same thing.

"No Black Coffee?" I ask with wide eyes and he looks down at me without responding. Meanie.

Excitedly making my way to the booth, I halt my steps and Rome almost crashes into my back.

The drink almost falls out of my hand as I stare at the figure sitting at the table next to the booth.

The girls gaze snaps to mine, giving me a pleading look while I feel Rome's body tense behind me.

"Arya, can we please talk? I know I've asked a million times already but It's been over two weeks! Please..." Izzy begs and I swallow thickly, now clutching onto my drink like my life depends on it.

Rome doesn't say anything, waiting for me to decide.

"Okay," I whisper. "But only if Rome can sit as well."

Her eyes snap over to Rome and she visibly pales a bit under what can only be his dark, intimidating glare.