I think it's a car!" Angelo squealed with his usu

t here," I said, nudging him forward with my hands full of smal

his size, and he almost

now parked in the middle of my living room. Its cost was

n on her face as she said, "I figured it might be a secret admirer. He insist

ned white. It was the exact model Angelo had wanted for his birt

gh. He's tall, well-built... like a dream prince,

Marco's face fl

tched. I pulled the curtain slightly aside. And there

ut of place in this humble ne

lights flashed on and off several times, I realized; Th

my heart pounding vi

were being wat

an watching him earlier this day. I turned to

u remember what you told me this morning? About a man

e but quickly ret

r-despite his slight resistance, not wanting to

he car he

ng for my phone, rea

om? I don't

en and looked through the window-no

being watched. Bu

pist-had found out about Angelo

the sound of

ng pushed me to walk toward the door, debating whether or not to cal

nstall a peephole o

asked after I cleared

ery." A mal

back to normal. I should have known it w

shed the moment my eyes landed on the two men standing be

and M

m-no, out of the entire house-the moment the door closed behind the delivery gu

bling hand on his head, and said, "Why don't you go try out your new t

, frowned slightly, then pointed toward Marco and said,

o to your room, and don't c

p, sharper than Angelo

lesh and bones shake, but it seemed it didn't affect A

ed down to Angelo's level. "How about we go to

ving Luca a space to speak with me alone. But I didn't want t

g at his eyes since h

led reassuringly, silently encouraging

I pushed h

So, instead of drawning in fear, I'll not

the room the moment Angelo and Ma

why they were here, I didn't say a single wo

I refused to look away. I wouldn't be the one to break eye contact

our years ago, Luca,' I sa

ayed locked in a silent conversation. One I refused to interpr

did Luca st

the silence and the stare, turning toward

" I replied coolly and walked straigh

on his lips. With his towering frame, he stood in front of me and slammed t