He glares toward me while holding out his hand. “Do you want to come with me?” I stare at him, not knowing what he's really asking. “I'm not a good guy, Leila, far from it. My life is nothing you may imagine but I can promise you I'll do my best to erase everything that happened to you. No strings attached. A fresh start.”
“A fresh start?” I lock eyes with him. “I'm not even sure I deserve it.”
He moves his hand and I place mine into his. “You do, Leila.” He kisses my hand, then gets out of the car. “You coming?”
I look down at my outfit and I shake my head. “I'm in pajamas.”
“And? If someone has something to say, I'll be all ears.” He closes his door and then opens mine. “Andiamo piccola, sto morendo di fame.”Come on, little one. I'm starving.
I've missed him calling me like that. “I'm not that little.”
He puts an arm around my shoulders, tugging me closer. “You still are.”
I giggle as I walk in the fast food. I have no idea what to order and I let him order whatever. This moment brings me back to two years ago. We were leaving the cinema and I was starving and since it was almost midnight the only place open was the McDonald's. Even then I stood behind him. I dare to recreate that moment and I hug him from behind, resting my face on his back.
I feel him tense but then he drags me in front of him. “It's going to be okay, it's a promise.”
I stare into his eyes and the comfort I feel makes me trust him. “I don't believe in promises anymore, Chris.”
He walks me toward a table. “I've always been a man of words and…” He stops as a young guy brings us the food. I peerdown at how much food is in front of us and he chuckles. “You've barely eaten and this time I want to be sure you do.”
“Thank you,” I murmur, waiting for him to start eating.
He types on his phone and then sets it down while cocking a brow at me. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah.” I breathe. After tonight I don't know what will happen but I know nothing will be worse than the life I had until now. “Just waiting for you.”
He squeezes my hand, brushing his thumb over it. “No need, Leila. Grab whatever you like and start eating.”
I stretchunder the sheets and snap my eyes open when I hear a noise in the room.
“Merda.”Shit. A feminine voice curses as I sit on the bed. “I'm sorry, I didn’t see the bag.” I cock a brow at her and then she shakes her head and comes close to the bed. “I'm Elena, nice to meet you, Leila.”
“My pleasure.” I pull the cover over my chest while looking around. “Where am I? Where is Chris?” I feel so dumb, the last thing I remember is watching him driving.
“Christopher is with my brother Ferdinando in the gym. He told me to bring you some clothes. And you're in Valle Verde.” She smiles as she opens the curtains and the windows. “We'll have a busy day but first, breakfast.”
I nod as I get out of the bed. “Can I take a shower first?”
She points to the bathroom. “You should have everything you need in there and since I didn't know what you like to wear, I brought you something but no worries, they all are new.”
Elena speaks so fast that my brain barely keeps up with her speech. “Thank you,” I say as I get up. She smiles at me, turns around and leaves the room.
On my way toward the bathroom, I peek at the clothes displayed over the armchair and the flowery dress catches my attention. A fresh start, Christopher said, and that's what I'll do. I need to erase the last two years and live my life but honestly I'm not sure if I'll be that brave. The marks on my soul are much deeper and bigger than the ones on my skin.
I let the shower wash all away as if I could clean my past too. Elena was so nice to bring me some make-up too. It's been a while since I've decided by myself how to do it. Nicholas used to show me a picture of what he wanted me to look like and I've always made sure to be accurate in executing it.
After tying my hair in a high ponytail and making sure to leave some locks in front to contour my face, I look at my reflection in the mirror and smile at it when I finally recognize myself.
“That's the smile I want to see.” Chris's voice makes me jump out of my skin. I meet his eyes in the mirror as he approaches me. “How are you feeling today?”
“I'm good. I've slept pretty well too.” I turn around and peer at him. The sweat t-shirt hugs his toned body. He's more muscular than I imagined and the beard that barely shows up makes him even sexier. I swallow hard while I mentally shake my head. “Elena says we're in Valle Verde. When did we get here?”
“I think it was three in the morning. You dozed off shortly after we got back in the car and I didn't want to wake you up.”
“Grazie, Chris. Di tutto.”Thank you, Chris. For everything.
He takes a step closer and caresses my cheek. The butterflies in my stomach are almost disturbing but once again something I've never experienced. “Stop thanking me, Leila. I want to makesure you'll be happy and don't ever think I'm doing it to erase what my family did to you. As much as I'd like to have that power and cancel it, I can't.”
