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"𝐈 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮"

We all sat at the table, eating probably some of the best pasta I've ever had.

Roman sat beside me, glaring at his half-eaten pasta. I glanced around the table again, Lucien and his girlfriend sat at the far end—whilst the others sat along our end.

Turns out a whole lot of other people live in his house. After playing with Ashleigh, I met her father who was a sweet yet scary man. He was also involved with the Italian Mafia.

Then there was Ricardo, who was Roman's other older cousin—he also didn't talk very much, he was only three years older than Roman and, of course, as well, involved with the Mafia.

I've learnt a few things about his family. One, they were all involved with the Mafia. Two, they were all very loud yet extremely closed off—almost as if there was some hidden tension between them all that hasn't been spoken about yet.

And three, little Ashleigh is the angel and star of this family. I guessed entirely that she was what kept it together, her bright smile and blue eyes that gleamed with happiness.

And yes, I observed this very well for numerous hours.

Present time, I looked back at Roman, watching as he stared blankly at his aunt talking—not even seeming to be listening to her.

I glanced at his food and pick up his fork, stabbing a few pieces of pasta and then bringing it in front of his lips.

He looked down at me, raising an eyebrow and I motioned with my hand for him to open—sighing he did.

I grinned as he ate, I took more from his plate and then placed it to his lips—repeating the same motion.

As everyone finished up, the conversation was then directed towards Roman. I observed him as he only gave short answers—never going into depth with full sentences.

Most of the questions were just about his Mafia, Lucien bumping in a few times to answer more in-depth. Roman looked as if he would rather be anywhere else but here right now, so I tapped his shoulder and he looked down at me.

I motioned for him to lean down, to which he did. "Where's the bathroom?" I asked him, he leant away and stood from the table—everyone's attention going to him.

Standing as well, I smiled as Roman spoke. "Bathroom," he said, nodding his head towards the exit.

Everyone nodded and I stood away, coming beside Roman as he led me out of the room with a hand on the small of my back.

"Are you okay?" I asked him once we were completely out of the room. He glanced down at me, blankly.

Nodding, he looked away and opened a door we seemed to have made it to. A bathroom was behind it and I entered.

Before I could close the door, my arms wrapped around his waist as I buried my head in his side. Sighing, he wrapped his arms around me tightly—kissing the side of my head.

After another minute, I let go and quickly went inside and closed the door. Once I was done with my business, I washed my hands and quickly checked myself in the mirror.

I was a little bloated from eating, this rarely happened to me but when it did, I often got insecure. So I grabbed my cardigan and wrapped it around me, and then quickly fixed my hair—that somehow looked like a jungle.

Unlocking the door, Roman was leaning against the wall opposite the restroom—a phone in his hand as he typed at a lightning speed.

Glancing up, he placed his phone back into his pocket and leant off the wall. I moved closer to him, and he glanced at my arms wrapped around my waist.

"Cold?" He questioned, standing in front of me. I shrugged shortly and looked down the hall.

"A little," I lied. Surprising me, he shrugged off his black coat and held it behind my back for me to slide my arms through.

I pursed my lips and easily slid my arms through the long sleeves, and the weight of the coat crushed me instantly. I giggled as I looked at it draping down from behind me and he rolled his eyes.

"So tiny," He mumbled and pulled out my hair that was hidden under the coat. I scoffed and rolled up the sleeves until they reached my wrist area.

"No, you're just overly large,"

He chuckled darkly and deeply. The sound vibrated up my spine. My movements stopped for a moment when his warm breath and cool lips connected with the side of my neck.

"I'm sure you would know that, hm?" Darkly, he whispered into my ear, sensually erupting butterflies right down into little Arabella.

I blushed and instantly moved away from him, taking a large step away from his oversized body.

"Behave," I pointed my finger at him and swiftly turned on my heel, striding down the hall, in the coat that took over my body.

He chuckled again, this time completely amused. I'm sure I looked like some Professor Snape clone just a much smaller version and in a thick coat—that seemed to be the weight of a grizzly bear.

Though, it kept me warm and hid my bloated tummy so I wasn't going to complain.

Arriving back into the kitchen, everyone was out and about. Daniela was holding a sleeping Ashleigh, she smiled at me and excused herself—placing the little girl to bed.

Lucien and his girlfriend seemed to be in a deep discussion at his end of the table—whilst Ricardo, Roman's cousin, was talking on the phone angrily.

"We're leaving," Roman announced from beside me, abruptly I looked at him. Everyone's eyes went towards us, nodding and standing to say goodbye.

We walked to the door and I shook hands with everyone, Daniela pulling me into a tight hug and thanking me for coming.

As we pulled away she looked over to Roman and pointed a finger at me sternly.

"Look after her, sì?"

I blushed deeply and turned on my heel as Roman rolled his eyes—though nodded.

Waving once more, we both walked back to the car, sliding in and relaxing. He drove out easily and my nerves relaxed and so did my body.

"That was nice," I mumbled, snuggling into the coat and glancing at all the lit cars. He hummed in response, not seeming to want to talk.

For the rest of the ride, it was silent. Brief noise from outside the walls of the car and a low hum from the radio—was the only sounds heard.

Upon arriving, we walked back inside the home—the guards at the front greeting us with silence. I walked through the house, not wanting to stay inside just yet.

Deciding to sit outside on the large balcony, I take a seat on one of the couches and wrap my arms around my body—looking up at the sky.

Numerous stars lay upon the sky, glittering in white and silver gleams. I felt most at peace here, just looking at the stars had a smile forming on my lips.

As I was dazed, I hadn't noticed the person watching me, not until I felt the dip beside me on the couch. Looking aside, Roman sat beside me with his legs spread and arms draped behind the couch we sat on.

His amber eyes were towards the sky, where mine was previously. Suddenly the view of the sky was long forgotten as I now peered at the much prettier view.

The golden glow from inside the house reflected upon one side of his face, while the other side was hidden in the darkness. Somehow his eyes were glimmering underneath the illumination from the sky, making him look almost unrealistic.

As if feeling my gaze, he switched his attention to me. Deeply staring into my eyes, I got caught in a daze with them.

"Did you mean it?" I blurted out, quietly. The words from earlier were still right at the top of my mind, only pegging for the correct answers.

His eyes never wavered once looking into mine, he seemed to know exactly what I was talking about as he then gulped, retrieving my glance towards his Adam's apple.

"I did," He replied, deeply. My eyes snapped to his as the world around me seemed to have stopped spinning for a moment.

One large hand came under my chin, bringing my head at an angle to meet his directly. My heart wavered and weakened as his next words were spoken softly.

"I love you," He pressed his lips lightly to mine and pulled back slightly to look into my eyes, "Ella."

I physically felt my breathing stop. His eyes sparkled under my stare—which I assumed was pure shock.

He loves me. And I love him.

Gulping, slowly a smile spreads across my lips. I glance between his own lips and eyes before staying put on the amber swirls. My heartbeat raced nearly abnormally.

"I love you, Roman," I smiled softly, blushing slightly. And then, he smiled. Another full smile I only wished to see every day.

Shocking me, he removed his hand from my chin and pulled both his arms around my waist. I hugged him back, my face buried in his chest as he kissed the side of my head.

I pulled away, retreating my lips in front of his, before smashing them against my own. The sweet taste of mint and the softness of his lips had engulfed me entirely.

We kissed passionately, this time completely full of love. Pulling away, I leant my head against his chest as I smiled.

He chuckled amusedly and leant his lips towards my neck—next to my ear. "Not very lowkey is it now?" I giggled at his statement and shook my head.

Looking up, he gave me a small smile and pecked my cheek. "I love you, mia ragazza,"

Translation: 'My girl'

Blushing, I kissed his cheek back and smiled shyly as I played with the ends of his collar.

"Love you, Roman."