~

I was only seventeen when I was first left alone. Abandoned by my Dad, having to bury my mother just months before. It was heart-shattering, gut wrenching, hope crushing.

The life I have now was nothing what I thought it would ever be. I had little money, but just enough to make due.

Finding Amelia was a fortune given by god. I would've been living on the streets, close to giving up life completely. Words could never describe the thankfulness I have for her.

Now, I sit in a prestigious office. Wearing heels I never thought I'd be able to afford, having the body I never thought I'd get back again.

But the one thing I didn't have? Vinnie. And, I don't think I ever would, as much as it kills to say. I love him, even with the little time we've spent together.

I leave for the Italy trip tomorrow, and I know I have to keep thinks professional. Making up my mind feels impossible, but Michelle fits Vinnie way better than I ever would.

There was no feeling like his skin against mine, or my hands tangled in his curly hair. God, it was addicting. He was addicting.

Keeping things professional would undoubtedly be the hardest thing I've ever had to do, within reason, of course. But the decision of who he wants to be with, is up to him.

If there was one thing I knew for sure, it was that I wasn't going to let Michelle treat me like dog shit.

"Ms. Rayne." Boss said, catching me off guard. I looked up, giving him a light smile. He looked wildly handsome today.

He stood in place for a few seconds, eyeing me up and down. I bit my lip, unsure of what to do. I didn't want to cross any lines and, god only knows, he was way past the line right now.

"My office. Now." He commanded.

I took a deep breath, getting up from my chair. The cold metal of his door handles sent chills down my spine. I was tense, the unknown of what I was about to walk into dreaded my mind.

Pulling the door open, I stepped in. Vinnie stood, leaning his body against the desk. I walked closer to him, watching his jawline clench as I walked closer.

"I heard about your little... commotion... with Michelle yesterday." He spoke, still eyeing me.

I opened my mouth, unsure of what to say. I didn't know if he was disappointed, or pleased to hear about it.

He walked up to me, snaking his hands around my waist. He rubbed my bare back, sending chills all over my body. I bit my lip, keeping myself from kissing him right then and there.

I was stuck within his gaze, and I knew I wouldn't be able to slip out of it.

"I did what I had to." I spoke confidently, lining my finger up his arm. He looked down, taking a deep breath before looking back into my eyes.

I knew this was wrong. So wrong. But I could tell we both wanted it, whether or not it was right.

"You make this so hard, Luna." He growled, his eyes turning dark. I smirked, licking my lips. I don't quite know what suddenly came over me, but it needed to end.

Even if I didn't want it to.

"Try seeing the one you love be with another girl." I said, not realizing the depth of my words.

I did just tell Vinnie I loved him. My eyes widened as I watched Vinnie stare at me, I had never felt so embarrassed. He was supposed to say it first, way in the future.

"You w-what?" He said, stuttering. I shook my head, taking his hands off me. I crept back from him, worry engulfing my body.

"Nothing. Just a figure of speech." I replied, knowing I sounded like a complete idiot. He knew what I meant, and there was no way I was getting out of this one unscathed.

________

Try seeing the one you love be with another girl.

I stared at her, a smile forming on my face. This entire time I thought Luna and I wouldn't be able to make it, but she loves me. Just like I do her.

She removed my hands from her face, taking a step away from me. I didn't want her to regret saying it, and I knew she already was by her posture.

"Please don't regret saying that." I said, taking her hands into mine. She bit her lip, staring directly into my eyes.

"I just wasn't supposed to be the one to say it first." She sighed, twiddling with her fingers, something I found wildly cute.

I took my hands, pulling her face into mine, kissing her. The warmth of her lips engulfed mine, sending shivers down my back. She smiled into the kiss, causing me to do the same.

She turned around, hopping onto the desk, reconnecting our lips. I slid my arms around her waist, untucking her shirt.

Moaning, she tangled her hands in my hair, pulling me into her. Neither of us could get enough of eachother, and it was obvious by our movements.

We had been waiting for this.

"...Vinnie. As much as I want to, we shouldn't."

Spoke to soon.

I sighed, sliding my hands off her waist. "What is holding you back, Luna?"

"You seriously don't know?" She asked, scooting off the desk.

I shook my head, awaiting a response. "As much as I want you, every part of you, I know michelle won't take it well."

I ran my hand through my hair, pausing. As much as I wanted to deny it, she was right. Michelle would go to any length to hurt her, she already has.

"So what are we going to do?" I asked.

She shrugged. "Well, we leave for Italy tomorrow. Why don't we just... wait until we get back?"

"I don't think I can keep myself from you for that long, Luna." I pleaded.

Being away from her for the amount of time I had been was excruciating in itself. Having to pretend everything with Michelle was tiring, and I couldn't do it for much longer.

I mean, who knows how long we'll be in Italy for? This mission isn't a fad, it's one of the biggest ones ever I've had to accomplish. And yet, I'm sitting here worrying about two girls.

I need to get back in my game. Become the boss I had always strived to be, feared rather than loved.

"Maybe in Italy we cou-"

"Luna, I need to get back on track," I said, interrupting her, "this mission is too important. Maybe when we come back, then something will happen."

What I was doing wasn't purposeful, but everyone knew I was lacking. Maybe time and space between Luna and I is what we both need.

"Are you saying this is over?" She asked, sadness dripping through her voice.

This hurt.

"Maybe when we get back we'll be something. It's best for the both of us, safety wise." I said, watching as she backed away from me.

________

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. After weeks of trying, then being shut down, he just decides we're over until further notice?

How did he expect me to feel? Happy? How on earth could I possibly feel happy about this?

First, he flirts with me and next thing I know we were on top of one other on his desk. Then, he's cold and distant from me, and I then see him and Michelle. Next thing I know, he's with her, not me, yet she comes to my apartment threatening me to stay away from him.

"It never ends with you, does it?" I spit, flipping him off before walking out of his office.

For once in my life I was more than capable of sticking up for myself. I was ready for a whirl-wind of shit to occur in Italy, but I guess this was Vinnie's way of shutting me down.

Maybe he was doing it for the benefit of the both of us? Either way, I know he would go back to Michelle after this and I would have to see it.

"Luna..." Vinnie came out behind me, following me to the elevator.

"Ah, yes. Not the first time we've argued here." I sneered, gazing at him with disgust. Although, I must admit, he was looking hotter than ever at the moment.

The elevator arrived, announcing itself with a ding. "I will see you on the tarmac at five tomorrow morning, Boss." I said, getting in right before it closed.

I wouldn't say I was overreacting, but I had a right to be upset. I know I was the one who stopped the little moment we had, but I didn't expect for him to cut us off completely.

But maybe this would be a good thing, right?

________

Next morning, 4 am.

"You're absolutely sure you want to go on this trip, right?" Amelia said, raising a brow at me.

I shook my head in disappointment. "I'm not giving up a trip to Italy just because of some stupid fight," I said, "plus, it's my job."

"I know all of this. But don't you think it's just going to worsen the issue?" She asked, taking a sip of her coffee.

I shrugged. "Don't know, don't care. Who knows, maybe I'll find a dashing, young italian man there!" I said, wiggling my eyebrows.

"You are out of your damn mind, you know that?" Amelia replied with a chuckle.

"Wouldn't want it any other way." I winked, zipping up the last of my suitcases.

To say I was nervous, was an understatement. I knew going on this trip was a risk, but I had to go. If I didn't, michelle would know I was too weak.

Luckily, I'm staying in a different hotel room, and am only invited to meetings. So, technically, at night, I can do whatever I please.

"Just promise me that if you need to come home, you will." Amelia said, hugging me.

I sighed. "I will, don't worry. You'll be hearing plenty from me, anyway." I said, pushing her shoulder playfully.

I placed my hands on my shoulders, sighing blissfully at the look of my now half-empty room. I couldn't help but feel sad, this trip had no deadline. I didn't know when I'd be back.

I've never quite been away from home for this long— that is, if you count sleep-away camp a trip— and it scared me.

This time, I won't have my mom to come home to and hug. I'll be alone, despite always having Amelia by my side. I didn't want to grasp, or admit, that it hurt. But I knew I had to in order to not be cooped up in my mind the entire trip.

"Your car should be here, it's five thirty." Amelia said, turning off the tv, trying to hold back a few— well deserved —tears.

Pursing my lips, I nodded, trying to cover up the fact that I was incredibly sad at the moment.

"Walk me down?" I asked Amelia, holding my hand out for her to grab. She happily accepted, and we both fell into conversation as walked down to the lobby.

________

"Ms. Rayne." The driver said, tilting his hat with a smile. I shook his hand, rolling my suitcase towards him.

I turned around, faced with an uncontrollably sobbing Amelia.

"Oh, baby." I cooed, embracing her in a bear hug. She sighed, her breath hitching a bit.

"I don't want to get makeup on your outfit." Amelia said, chuckling, as she admired what I was wearing.

A white matching blazer set with red stilettos, it was my power outfit. I giggled, nudging the side of her shoulder, trying to bring up the mood.

"I promise you I'll be back soon." I said, holding her hand.

She rolled her eyes. "You better be. I don't know how long I can live without you."

A lone tear escaped from my eyes, leaving a slight burning sensation on my freezing cold cheek. I wiped it away, bringing Amelia in for one last hug.

"Alright, I'm off!" I said, getting in the car, thanking the driver for holding the door open.

"Be safe! Oh and, don't get pregnant!" She said, giggling as I flipped her off. I closed the window, blowing her a kiss.

I'm sure I wasn't going to get pregnant this trip, even if I were to meet some dashing young Italian man. Maybe I'll meet my own Massimo. Ugh... only a girl could dream.

________

I finally woke up from a quick doze off session when I realized we were on the tarmac. I rubbed the corner of my eyes, making sure not to smudge the makeup I had so willingly woke up at 3:45am to do.

"Ms. Rayne," The driver said, opening the car door for me. I forced a light smile, feeling the nerves begin to cramp up in my stomach.

The first thing I noticed after stepping out of the car was Vinnie, black suit and all. He looked like his normal self, yet every bone in me wanted to rip that suit right off him.

Jesus, what am I saying? Was the only thought I could possibly think, I knew I was wrong.

I gave my thanks to the driver while slinging my, overpriced but totally worth it, Louis Vuitton backpack over my shoulders. I looked great, I couldn't deny that.

"Luna," boss said, catching me off guard. He never called me by my first name, unless of course, we were making out.

I nodded my head politely, watching Michelle stare me down from the corner of my eye.

"Boss. Pleasure to see you on this fine day. May I get on the plane?" I replied, forcing a complete and total fake greeting.

He gave me a weird look, scratching the back of his head. Truth be told, I just wanted to get on the plane and pick a seat far enough away from the two love birds so I didn't hear them having sex.

I stood there for about two minutes before boss finally came up with an answer in his head.

"Oh, right. Sure. Enjoy the flight, Ms. Rayne." He said, returning to using my last name. I sighed in relief, the last thing I wanted was for Michelle to get annoyed with me.

I smiled gently, walking straight past boss and Michelle, and up the stairs of the plane.

Sitting down in one of the cream colored seats, I set up my laptop and took out my coffee. I looked out the window, only to glance at a confused looking Vinnie.

He stood in the same place he was before, staring at the ground. Michelle stood there, giving him the death glare while twirling her, based on my own assumptions, fake hair extensions.

I didn't feel bad for the way I treated Vinnie back there. But, maybe he had found himself not used to me treating him like a boss.

We both know how much we long for one another, and yet we both know we just can't have it.

A weird, yet pleasing feeling came among me. It was almost as though I had a new power over him and myself...

And I loved every second of it.