As I walked down an unknown beach in Sicily, I lifted my head to stare at the bed of stars above me.

They twinkled, flashing like a million tiny airplanes stuck in the atmosphere. I had never quite seen a night sky as clear as this one. It was so beautifully painted.

I was alone, though. After my run-in with Vinnie, I decided I should've just played it safe. At the very least, I did get the hot man's number, but no name.

He was like a mysterious man I wanted to explore more of, maybe build a connection with.

But, part of me always wished I would be doing that with Vinnie. Not just for one silly day, we decided to hook up, but every day. The thought of him and I spending our lives together sounded exquisite, but the chance of it happening was far gone.

I spread out a towel, laying it on the ground for me to relax on. I had read online that Sicily beaches were the best at night, and they were damn right.

I wish I had someone to spend it with.

This is what I get, I guess. I tried too hard to make Vinnie jealous, and as a result, I lost both of the guys I had wanted.

But who was I even kidding? We both know who I wanted more.

I spread myself out on the towel, grabbing a fistful of sand, playing with it like a little kid. It was the softest sand I had never felt, no tiny shards of shells or rocks.

The drink I had drunk earlier completely wore off after Vinnie and I's argument, and I no longer felt like I was on top of the world.

I wish things weren't so complicated between him and me. I miss the days where we didn't know one another, and I was just his secretary who did his work.

My life was much simpler then. Now, I'm in Sicily sitting on a beautiful beach at four in the morning, and all I can think about is him.

I can't even fully take in the breathtaking view without finding myself choking up.

God, I wish he were here.

"Hey." I heard a voice say, startling me from my thoughts.

In the dim sunlight that was rising, I saw an all too familiar figure standing before me.

I couldn't tell whether this was a dream or not, and how he knew I was longing for him to be here with me. I didn't quite know what to say, as though the concept of words was foreign to my brain.

"H-hi?" I embarrassingly choked, not being able to make eye contact.

"We're you, uh, out here star gazing?" He asked, stuttering himself. I had never quite seen a nervous, stuttering Vinnie. Normally, he was always sure of himself.

I forced a smile, trying to hide the fact that I had been crying.

"Yeah." That was all I said, taking him by surprise.

Without notice, he sat down next to me. I stared at him, only being able to see a few features of his face.

"Why do we have so many issues?" He asked, staring at the small waves that broke against the shoreline.

I twiddled with my fingers. "Come on, Vin. You know why." I replied, thinking of Michelle.

He took his hand and began rubbing my thigh, sending chills down my spine. God, did I miss his touch.

"I can't even begin to tell you how in love with you, I am, Luna." He admitted, a smile erupting on my face.

I leaned on my side, now facing him completely. Part of me wanted to give in and kiss him right here, but another parted of me wanted him to say more.

"Y-you're in love with me?" I shockingly asked, feeling like a little girl on Christmas Day.

I wanted to believe him. I wanted to tell him that I wanted to be with him, but I just couldn't. Not until Michelle was out of both of our lives.

"Why do you think I wasn't freaked out when you told me that you loved me?" He asked, making a good point.

I moved away from him, losing the sense of his warmth. "Vinnie, I can't be with you unless Michelle is out of your life."

He sighed, knowing I was right.

I'm always right.

"You can't be with that man either, then." He replied, referring to the mystery guy from the hotel lobby.

I rolled my eyes. As if anything was going to happen with him... for all I knew, he could've been some mafia man who was out to kill me.

"So you see me cozying up to one guy, and suddenly I'm the bad guy?" I spit, angered by his idiotic comment. He knew damn well that Michelle the problem, not mystery man.

He ran his hands through his hair, pulling me into him.

"Trust me, Luna. Don't be with him."

I scoffed. "Here, we go again. What is your problem with him? You don't even know him!"

"I do." Was all he said, angering me even more.

How could he sit there, acting as though he knew someone that I barely knew? He was trying to act powerful, and it wasn't working for me.

"You're delusional." I spit, getting up.

Soon after I got up, he began running after me. I wanted to be away from him.

"Just get the fuck away from me," I said, pushing him as he tried to grip onto my shoulders.

This felt like the first time we fought. I grabbed my shit from my desk, running to the elevator. He didn't understand then, so he sure as hell wouldn't understand now.

"Luna, please!" He desperately cried, falling onto his knees.

I rolled my eyes.

Way to be dramatic, I thought to myself. I couldn't help but internally laugh— he looked weak— not like the Vinnie I knew.

"You can't expect me to play your little games anymore. I've had enough." I painfully said, standing over him with all the power in the world.

Taking my hand, I caressed his cheek, slapping it hard. It was something I had wanted to do for the longest time, payback for him putting me through everything he has.

He held his cheek, watching me. I didn't know what I wanted to do next, but I knew everything I had been feeling had to come out now, or it would turn into never.

"My heart can't fucking take this shit anymore..." I spit, feeling the anger surge throughout my body.

He got up, walking towards me. "So we're done, this the real shit?"

I ran my hands through my hair, groaning in frustration.

"Goddammit, fuck this. Are we dating, are we fucking, are we best friends, are we something in between that?" I yelled, "."

He took a step back, his eyes bearing a look of defeat.

I gulped, knowing the word vomit that just poured out of my mouth had the potential to ruin everything Vinnie and I ever had.

We stood in silence. The waves in the background crashed, breaking the wall of tension that formed between the two of us.

His hazel eyes began to shed tears.

And that's when I knew I broke him.

"Y-you really regret everything we did?" He asked, sputtering over his words.

I looked down at my feet, not being able to come up with an answer. If I regretted it, why would I be thinking about it every second of the day?

I didn't regret it. I was just tired of playing his games. Anyone who saw our relationship or knew us would be able to see that at the drop of a dime.

"Who's the one forced to stay in a hotel room by herself? Who's the one who isn't allowed to go out at night?" I said, questioning him.

He knew he was wrong, and it showed by the way he stood there, fiddling with his fingers.

"Well?" I said, wanting an explanation from him.

Stubborn as can be, he crossed his arms. "I don't want anything to happen to you."

"That's not enough."

He rolled his eyes. "You're really going to make me say it?"

I nodded, not quite knowing what he was going to say. However, if he had something in mind, I wasn't opposed to hearing it.

"It's because you're the only girl I've ever been able to imagine having a future with. I may not show it, at all really, but I'm so in love you with that I can't stand the thought of you with another man or gone forever."

I bit my lip, feeling like the biggest asshole now.

He did all of this because I'm the one.

I'm the one.

Not Michelle, not the hostess.

Me.

"You really mean that?" I asked, a smile creeping onto my face.

He chuckled, wrapping his arms around my waist, nuzzling his head into the crevice of my neck.

"It's always been you."

Taking my hands, I lifted his head, kissing his lips.

It had been far too long since I've felt his touch in this way, and I had been craving it like no other.

The sun was now beginning its descent from the other side of the world, giving Vinnie and me a glowing light.

I felt like I was in a movie-- experiencing an 'ah-hah' moment-- and spending it with the love of my life.

Nonetheless, I couldn't help but feel guilty. Everything he had done was, selflessly, for me. Meanwhile, I was raging with jealousy and envy and couldn't stop assuming the worst from him.

"I'm sorry for acting the way I did," I said, my voice full of guilt.

His large hand stroked my cheek, a light sigh escaping from his mouth.

"I don't want you apologizing. Honestly, I don't blame you for feeling the way you did." He replied, peering straight into my eyes.

I decided not to say anything more. We were-- for what seemed like the first time-- in a stable place.

I didn't want to ruin this moment.

___________________________________________________

As I sat in a beautifully designed mid-century modern meeting room, I couldn't help but stare at Michelle, who threw herself at Vinnie.

Although we established we were, for lack of better words, 'meant to be', I knew he still had a job to maintain.

Today began the start of our mission.

Killing Matteo Vicci.

I have yet to find out who he is and what he looks like. A part of me hopes he's attractive; it'll be much easier to deal with him in the event he is.

At the front of the room, a large whiteboard with strategies, tips, and ideas was being written.

Vinnie and his men seemed tense; all of them extremely stiff.

Specifically, Vinnie clenched his jaw while he rubbed his stubble with one of his hands. I had seen him like this before, mostly before a big meeting or phone call.

It was good to see him on the ball again, focusing on his work. Whether his lack of concentration was because of Michelle or me, he needed to get back on his grind.

His work drives him, makes him complete as a person.

I had to admit, the way he stood there and worked was the hottest thing I had ever seen him do.

"Stop staring at my man, rat." Michelle whisper-yelled.

I rolled my eyes. "Shut the fuck up. This isn't the time or place to start a fight." I replied, annoyed with her antics.

"You know I'd win." She boasted, pursing her lips.

Clearly, she underestimated me. As much as I wanted to rip her fake blonde hair out, I couldn't anger Vinnie like that. It's not professional, nor is it necessary.

"Stop trying to make trouble. If Vinnie is your man, be a decent person and don't start trouble during his meeting." I spit, taking notes from the whiteboard.

I felt embarrassed for her, really. After the things Vinnie had revealed to me last night, I was sure he thought little to nothing about Michelle.

Yet, here she is, acting like she was going to marry him yet couldn't find an ounce of respect for his business meeting in her.

"You're the one starting trouble." She muttered, scoffing as she crossed her arms.

I rolled my eyes. "Michelle, just stop talking."

Turning around, Vinnie gave me a 'cut the shit look'. Of course, I was the one getting in trouble for Michelle's immature-ness.

However, I decided it wasn't worth it to make a fuss over it. I nodded, giving him a thumbs up.

"Do you two have your own little business language?" Michelle said, jealousy lacing her voice.

I chuckled at the fact that this had to of been the dumbest thing I had ever heard her say. A secret business language? No, it's called having respect for who you're around.

"I'm not even answering that question," I replied before getting up and sitting in another chair closer to the whiteboard.

I didn't even understand Vinnie's reasoning behind bringing Michelle to the meeting. She lacks every single sense of respect, knows nothing about business, and will never have it in her to be professional.

But I wasn't going to question it. I needed to trust Vinnie, no matter how hard it may be.

"Luna, could you come here?" Vinnie asked, gesturing the action with his fingers.

I nodded and smiled, getting up. "Yes, boss?"

He smirked. He always liked it when I called him boss— I'm sure it made him feel superior.

"We have a proposition for you." One of the men said. I didn't know who he was, but his jawline could cut diamonds.

I pursed my lips. "What does it entail?"

"Well," Vinnie began, "Seeing as you have the most professionalism, I have chosen you to be a part of the mission. Your task isn't much, but it will be vital to the mission." He finished, raising a brow at me.

This was the perfect opportunity to finally prove myself to Vinnie and the company, and show them that I wasn't just some weakling.

Working in an all-male company was something that I had never imagined myself being a part of, but when I got the job offer I just knew that I had to take it.

Since I've been working here, I've done everything possible to prove myself. And this task was just the thing that I needed. I didn't even have to know what it was to say yes.

"I'm in."