I stared at the ceiling.

My fingers are twiddling with one another.

There was a knock on my door. I ignored it. The person continued to knock. I let out a cry of distress.

The person who knocked opened the door soon after. I covered my face with my bedsheets. Go away, person! I wanted to tell.

I looked at who it was.

"What do you want?" I sparked at the person.

His hands raised in surrender.

"I come bearing ice cream," he mumbled—a jug of Cookies 'N' Cream ice cream in his hands.

I immediately jumped up from the bed.

"Toby," I warned. "You didn't."

I couldn't help but let out a smile.

"But I did," he grinned.

He held out two spoons. I took one from his hands and snatched the container from his arms. He held tighter to the tub of ice cream, not letting me have a hold of it.

"What do you say?" Tobias tutted. His eyes are teasing me.

I gave him a harsh glare.

"Thank you," I choked out.

He seemed satisfied. He let go. I ran my tongue over my bottom lip. I bit it. I quickly opened the container. I dug my spoon into the creamy frozen dessert.

I ate the bite.

"I love you," I said. I swallowed the ice cream, which tasted like heaven in my mouth.

"Now hurry over. Let's watch a movie or something," Tobias suggested.

I moved over to the bed, leaving space for Tobias. I patted the space. He sat down.

He took a spoonful in his mouth.

"I can't believe how far we have gotten since the beginning," he exclaimed, mouth full of food.

I nodded my head.

"I missed my graduation," I mumbled.

I felt saddened by the thought. I wasted my whole senior year getting kidnapped, and for what? It didn't benefit my life at all except cause me unnecessary fear and pain.

"That sucks," Tobias whined. "I didn't even graduate."

"Why is everyone out to get me?" I asked Tobias.

My voice was empty. I felt tired of watching my back, only for it not to work out for me in the end.

"I have this terrible fear that men are evil people, and I can't stop my mind from racing every time I go near one."

"After everything you've been through, I couldn't blame you. You're like a real-life wonder woman," he told me.

"Stop," I mustered out. I was nowhere near being anything like a superhero.

"You're tough."

I hummed in response. The movie started on the screen.

"Okay, shut up, now the movie is starting," Tobias hushed me.

"I wasn't talking," I defend. "What movie are we even watching?"

"Shhh," Tobias exclaimed. He placed a finger on his lips. His lips are puckering up.

I looked at the screen. It was a horror movie—Tobias's favourite.

"Are you kidding me?" I hissed.

"Shut up," Tobias snarled.

I suddenly felt the gun in his pocket. It was hard and cold. I pulled my hand away quickly as if I touched something scorching hot.

I jumped up from the couch, even let out a little shriek.

"Hey! Watch the ice cream," he exclaimed.

"You have a gun?" I freaked. I moved away from him. Why would he have a gun? We were watching a movie.

"Duh," he rolled his eyes. "What if you were in danger? What would I protect you with then?"

He raised his spoon.

"The fucking spoon?"

The way he pronounced spoon made me howl in laughter. I bend over, laughing. I couldn't stop. Tears are threatening to spill out of my creased eyes from smiling so hard.

Tobias stared and watched, dumbfounded.

I needed a good laugh. I don't remember when I had laughed so hard in my life before.

Tobias soon joined after, slapping his knee. Our loud laughter rang through the room. I was sure we have woken up the whole house.

•••

I was woken up to Tobias's arm wrapped around me. I wasn't even aware we fell asleep. I had a long day and was exhausted. The movie finished and turned off sometime in the night.

I slowly take Tobias's arm off of me and slip out of bed.

I didn't even remember watching a second of the movie.

I head downstairs. I looked out of the enormous windows and noticed the sky was a musty grey colour. There was also fog in the air. It wasn't a beautiful morning to some people, but I found something fascinating about it.

I loved these days.

The clouds were dark and fluffy. They looked as if they were full of rain that was going to burst in the sky.

My head turned at the clattering noise I heard. I saw Giovanni in the kitchen, moving pots and pans. His shirt was off. His defined body visible. He was in just a towel. His dark hair is still dripping wet.

He looked like a sculpted god. I almost forgot everything that had happened between us. I wanted to forget about it.

"What are you doing?" I asked. The words came out rude than expected.

He didn't even glance at me. He was too busy messing around with the pots.

"Isn't it obvious," he muttered.

He still hasn't raised his eyes to look at me. Good. He should feel bad. He put me through hell.

I observed his actions, though.

He had the handle of the frying pan in his hand. I could only guess he was moving it to another destination. He placed it onto the stove.

He was going to cook.

It was silent in the room, but there was a heavy feeling.

"Are we not going to talk about the elephant in the room?" I rolled my eyes.

He shot his head up—glaring daggers at me.

"What is it you need, princess."

He said the nickname as if it was poison. His voice was mocking, almost disparaging. I was not too fond of it.

My lips curled up in disgust.

"You've ruined my life, Giovanni, and I hate you for that. I hate you so much," I seethed out through clenched teeth. My eyes burned.

I stared into his eyes. The eyes I fell so deeply in love with are the same eyes that held such a murderous glare.

I still love him no matter what.

"I wish I could say the same," he mumbled.

His eyes met mine—his darkened. They looked away just as fast. When I caught a glimpse of them, they looked like there was no sense of humanity left. He had the same look on him as the night we first met in the dark alleyway.

"I wish you go through as much pain as you put me through," I admitted. My eyes narrowed.

I refuse to divulge my real feelings to him. He didn't deserve any of my confessions. What I once felt for him I didn't feel anymore. Or so I told myself.

"You act as if everything you do is fine, but it isn't. You disgust me."

"I'm a bad man. I'm sure you've already figured it out. So what is it you want from me?" He grumbled.

"I want you to—"

I got cut off by the doorbell ringing. Who could be at the door this early in the morning?

Giovanni rustled towards the door. He dropped the food he was cooking onto the cutting board.

He wiped his hands on the white towel he had so much faith in. It was barely tightened and looked as if it would fall even at the slightest touch.

Once the door opened. Gunshots filled the mansion. The boys who were sleeping upstairs rushed out of their bedrooms. They all ran down the stairs in a panicky fashion.

What's happening?

Why were people attacking? I wasn't aware Giovanni had more enemies. I couldn't blame them.

"Where is she?" A Russian accent spoke through the chaos.

It sounded familiar. I couldn't pin my mind to it.

Giovanni snarled lowly.

"Tell your men to back down," Giovanni requested though it sounded more like a demand.

The Russian man obeyed. The men lowered their fire.

"Now, let me get changed into clothes before we talk business," Giovanni said.

The man raised his gun at Giovanni.

I covered my mouth with my palms. He was going to get shot. He had nothing to defend himself with.

"That's not playing fair," Giovanni uttered. Even though he had a gun straight at his face, his tone was calm. It made my blood run cold. That could never be good.

Giovanni whipped the gun away from the Russian man. The black pistol fell to the floor.

"I said let me get changed," Giovanni repeated. He turned to his men. "Keep your eye on him."

His order caused the boys to nod their heads and obey. Grae closed the front door, and Tobias raised his gun at the intruder in a threatening manner. The rest of the Russian men were outside.

"Chanel, come with me," Giovanni ordered. He was halfway up the stairs.

I was still in shock from the break-in and how he was so calm about the whole thing.

I followed Giovanni. I saw the man's face, and that's when I knew.

That's right.

It was the guy who was with Valeria.

What was he doing here? And who did he want?

I went upstairs cautiously. I was keeping a good enough space between me and Giovanni, who was just in a towel.

Who knew what he was capable of. After everything that has happened, I have to be aware of everyone.

We go into his room. I gulped down nerves. He pulls me into the room that seemed so small now.

He closed the door behind us. My throat dried up. It hurt for me to swallow. There was a hot pressure in my stomach.

"What was that last night?" Giovanni demanded.

It was just us in a room together. I backed away from him. My hands are trying to reach for the bedroom door. He caught onto my movements and quickly moved closer.

"Let me out," I choked.

"Answer my question," he snapped.

I flinched.

"Get away from me," I cried out.

He stared at me intently. He backed away, letting me breathe.

"Answer me now, princess or else next time I won't be so patient," he threatened.

I looked around the room.

"And what was with the lack of clothing? Were you trying to arouse me?" He accused.

I scoffed. How arrogant could this man get?

"I don't have to tell you anything. We aren't dating anymore," I stated. My eyebrows furrowed. I felt irritated.

"Says who?" Giovanni pushed harshly.

"I do, ever since you decided to kiss someone else and kidnap me two—" I held up two fingers in front of his face. I hastily bring one up when I remembered another time. "No three fucking times."

"It was a fucking kiss. I didn't initiate the damn thing," Giovanni defended himself.

That's the only thing he got from what I said.

I let out a puff of air through my nose.

"I don't care about that right now, Giovanni. I don't care about you or you're stupid actions," I hissed out a lie.

I did care as much as I didn't want to I did. I was never going to admit it. Ever.

"If you didn't care, then why are you angry at me?" Giovanni asked.

My blood boiled. My fists tightened together by my sides. I calmed myself down and collected myself together.

"I'm not angry because I would have to feel something to be. But with you, I don't feel anything towards you," I spat. I was trying to calm down my anger.

Giovanni stepped closer towards me. I backed away. I didn't want him near me.

"Tell me now, princess," he commanded. "And I'll ignore everything you just said because we both know it's not true."

He slowly walked forward towards me.

"Tell me what happened to you yesterday," he spoke slowly, harshly enough for me to understand what he's trying to say. He leaned down to my ear. His hot breath on my neck. "Or I'll tie you up and fuck it out of you."

I cringed at his crude words. My heart raced and my chest felt thick. I needed to get away from him before he followed through with his warning.

"One last warning."

He moved his head to look up at me. I felt like I was an animal on its way to get slaughtered—poor animal.

My heart dropped to the floor.

"No," I choked out. "You wouldn't—you couldn't do that to me."

His eyes dazzled with mischief warning me to go against his words.

"Would I? If you tell me, you won't have to find out."

"Fine," I gasped.

I felt like I was suffocating.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

"When you were busy sticking your tongue down a random girl's throat. I was in a Taxi getting molested by the driver."

My throat closed in. I refused to open my eyes. When I do, I saw Giovanni staring at me. I took in his grim expression. His eyes turned darker than before.

What was he thinking?

He looked conflicted.

He didn't know what to say.

So, instead, he said, "You're right I wouldn't do that to you because you lost that privilege. Now get out before I change my mind."

My pleasure.

I opened his door and slammed it behind me. Who does he think he is? He infuriated me with a passion. I stomped down the stairs.

We still had a big problem.

I saw Grae in a chokehold by the Russian and Tobias being held at gunpoint. Luke somehow managed to pass out on the floor. How the hell did they let this happen?

"Tell him to let her go, or I'll be generous enough to kill all three of his men," the man threatened.

Why was I always trapped in the middle of Giovanni's wrongdoings?

Something tells me this day was going to be another long one.