I left Santiago's room shortly after.

In an almost dazed state, I went back to Moretti's room and sat back down in my place beside his bed.

So Natalia was...his sister.

"And I'm a big, fat, idiot," I murmured disappointedly to myself. I slapped my hand over my forehead and eyes.

How difficult would it have been to have just asked him who she was?

I took my hand off of my face and looked back up at his sleeping form.

I never let him in. I never let myself feel anything because I was so scared. I had thought I was scared because of Natalia. That I was afraid he was only toying with me while he was actually in love with her.

But even now that I know she was his sister and isn't even breathing, I'm scared. Scared that now that I know he's genuine, it means I might have to be vulnerable around him. Which is...uncharted territory for me. Feeling weak is- I don't think I can do it. If he wakes up, I'll have to act like nothing has changed.

What if he doesn't even wake up?

The thought caused a shudder to run throughout my body.

No more of his cool eyes staring holes through me.

No more of his disappointed sighs at my dirty jokes.

I leaned forward and grabbed his limo hand, grilling his long fingers tightly between mine.

No more of these hands.

I pulled myself closer to the bed and rested my cheek on the empty space of the mattress beside him. Before I knew it, my eyes fell closed and I had been lulled asleep by his breaths.

__

I felt a weak squeeze of my hand.

I heard a rush of footsteps around me.

Immediately I jerked awake, Moretti's hand still locked in my grip.

A flurry of white coats rushed around me.

"Is he awake?" One spoke.

"Stevens, check his vitals." Another ordered.

I rubbed my eyes and looked up at his face. His thick lashes fluttered and he looked as if he was waking up.

I was overwhelmed with happiness.

"Thank God," the words left my mouth breathlessly.

His eyes almost opened. And I panicked.

I didn't want him to see me. He didn't need to know I was here. It would make me look vulnerable. And something inside of me, good or bad, didn't want that to happen. Not at all.

So I left the room as quickly as possible, leaving him with the mess of doctors.

I was still relieved he had woken up. I let out a deep breath I hadn't even known I was holding in.

I left the hospital and drove home, knowing he was going to be sent home shortly.

Once I pulled into the driveway and heard the familiar sound of the tires against the gravel, I practically lept out of the car to get inside the house.

Before I could even take another step inside the door, Mary jumped into my vision.

"How is Mr. Moretti?" She asked worriedly.

I tried to calm her. "He is fine. He just woke up."

Once she realized her boss was safe, she turned into Concerned Friend Mode. "He's awake? And y-you're here?" She asked surprisedly.

I nodded solemnly. "I was not needed. He's awake and safe now." I kept my face straight, not giving anything away.

But Mary gave me a look like she already knew what was going on with me. "Alright." She said. She let me past her without another word.

Jesus Christ. The woman acts like my mother.

I went upstairs to enjoy my solitude.

___

Moretti was home within the next two days, but on strict bed rest. I hadn't seen him at all. I had stayed locked away in my room while they brought him in from the hospital. And I had not visited him in his room.

I could see Mary's disappointed looks thrown my way every time she walked past me to bring trays of medicine and food to Moretti.

It was driving me crazy not knowing how he was.

Finally, I stopped Mary as she walked past my room. As soon as I saw her, I practically pounded on her.

She jumped with a small yelp. "Jesus, you almost made me drop this shit," she gestured to the bowl of soup sitting on the tray, steak coming off of the top of it.

I didn't apologize and I didn't hesitate to ask my questions. "How is he?" I asked seriously, staring into her eyes for the truth.

She sighed, like she was waiting for this. "He's doing much better than before. He's out of the woods." Hearing her say that took a load of pressure and weight off of me.

She frowned. "But that doesn't mean he isn't in any pain," Mary continued.

Fuck. Thank God I couldn't see him in pain. Who knows what that would do to me.

But knowing he was...still hurt.

I nodded and dismissed her. I went downstairs, thinking about going in his study again. Maybe being surrounded by his things would let me feel like I was surrounded by him, even when I couldn't actually be.

But I was stopped by a cheery face on the stairway.

"Santiago," I smiled seeing his proud form standing tall once again.

"Psycho!" He pulled me into a hug and spun me around. I laughed lightly at his bear-like embrace.

"So I take it you're feeling better?" I smiled.

He flexed his arms with a smirk. "Cant feel a thing," he boasted.

"You're doped up on all kinds of drugs aren't you?" I crossed my arms with a knowing look towards him.

He shrugged with a sly grin. "Maybe."

We laughed.

"You here to visit Moretti?" I tilted my head towards Moretti's room.

He slid his hands into the denim pockets of his tight jeans. "Yes, and to inform him of the Gala next week." He rolled his eyes.

What the hell was he talking about? "Gala?" I asked incredulously.

"Right, you don't know. Every year, Elenora Moretti hosts her Gala." He told me.

Upon noticing my confusion, he elaborates.

"Elenora is Moretti's mother. Incredibly wealthy. She hosts these parties for all of her rich friends. Not exactly mafia related, but she forces Moretti to go."

I almost giggle. "How can she force a mafia boss to go?"

He laughs. "It helps when he's a total Mama's Boy. But whatever Elenora Moretti wants, she gets."

This woman must be very influential.

"She also wants you to go, she knows you live here."

"H-How?" I asked, wondering who would tell her about me.

"Doesn't matter now. Elenora knows." He leaves with that.

A/N: thank you for reading! i'm sorry i don't update very often, i don't feel like my writing is very good. i apologize.