"That leads directly to Declan's room," I say. The elevator shudders softly and begins to rise.
CHAPTER 10
Gianna
My laughter echoes,light and real, filling the little cafe as Finn says something funny. I can't even remember what it is, just that it catches me off guard and makes me laugh in that unfiltered way I haven't in a while. When I look at him, he's smiling, not the usual cocky smirk he wears online, but a real, full smile. The kind that crinkles his eyes. We're both happy. The day is bright and sunlight pours through the window beside us, catching in the golden flecks of his hair and warming the soft hum of the cafe around us.
The fine aroma of brewed coffee and fresh pastries fills the air, wrapping us in something that feels ordinary and magical. I remember that day so clearly. It was the first time I met Finn in real life. "Favorite flavor?" he asks, bringing my attention back to him.
"Chocolate," I answer without hesitation.
He wrinkles his nose, leaning back like I've personally offended him. "I have a theory," he says, half serious. "That people who love chocolate have poor taste."
I gasp, laughing again. "Excuse you?"
He grins, taking a sip of his coffee like he's just cracked a case wide open. "I'm just saying. Chocolate is basic. Predictable."
"We can have different tastes and still be respectful." I defend myself.
He raises his hand in a gesture of accepting what I said. "Favorite music?"
"I like classical music," I answer, looking out the window.
"Old school. Nice."
I look away from the window and down at the coffee. As I lift my head, everything changes. Finn's voice fades. The warmth of the cafe dissolves, and I'm no longer in the cafe, but on my hostel bed, lying on my side as my thumb mindlessly scrolls through a dating app my friend had begged me to download.
Apparently, she was tired of me being a homebody and wanted me to meet people. If only she knew what meeting new people looked like in my world. How no one could possibly understand me. I was still fuming from earlier because Vito had snapped at me. He always found a reason to snap. His voice echoed in my head, sharp and cold, laced with the usual warning I was too used to hearing.
I keep scrolling until I land on a familiar name: Costello. Immediately, my eyes move to his first name, Finn. We go to the same college. That's clear from his profile. And maybe what I do next is reckless, but I swipe right anyway.
Just to piss Vito off. I know the Costellos are our enemy, but I'm just too mad.
I don't expect anything to come from it, but then I get a message from him. A simple, hi. I hesitate and think it's best not to engage, but I already feel so suffocated with Vito and his rules, and a part of me wants to do something rebellious,something that proves I can deny Vito. That he doesn't control every aspect of my life.
I respond, and that's the beginning of Finn and me. I don't expect us to connect so well, but we do. For the next six months, our conversation stays online, and somehow we never run out of things to say. We understand each other. Our struggles mirror each other, and that creates a bond between us.
We become friends.
I roll to my side, and just like that I'm back at the cafe again. The sun is warm, the air smells like coffee and cinnamon, and I feel something I haven't felt in a long time. A spark, a connection between us that I don't understand at that time.
He's handsome and has a great smile. Everything after is laughter and lightness, like I've stepped out of someone else's life and into my own. Each time we meet, I have to remind myself, this is just to spite Vito, but deep down, I know I'm lying to myself.
I blink, and suddenly, I'm on a skating rink, the cold biting through my coat, my nose numb. Finn holds my waist to steady me. "It's okay. I've got you," he says gently. This is our third time meeting. I had mentioned once, casually, that I had never skated before, but always wanted to try. And so, he brought me here.
"One step forward and then the other," he explains, but I'm not concentrating. I'm so lost in his eyes that I don't realize he's let go. My legs begin to shake as I try to balance myself, but just as I'm about to hit the floor, he catches me and we both begin to laugh.
I'm happy, truly and really happy. I blink again, and we're walking side by side with Finn's hand wrapped around mine. He says it's to keep me warm because he knows how easily I get cold. I don't mind it, though. I like to touch him. I like being in his presence.
Days become weeks, and weeks become months. Finn and I carry on. We spend time with each other, visit new and old places together, drink together under the stars, all while being careful. It's fun and exciting. Finn's laughter fills my ears, full and warm, then it slowly fades again, swept away by the wind.
This time we're on the rooftop. Our rooftop. Our favorite place together. I'm on his back, yapping away like I always do with him, and he carries me down the building through the front door. He says nothing, just listens with that soft smile on his lips.
Finn always listens. He always makes me laugh. And most importantly, I feel safe with him. I wrap my arms tighter across his shoulder, leaning into him, breathing his scent. That scent always reminds me of comfort.
When I open my eyes this time, everything is fuzzy at first. But then my vision adjusts, and I find myself staring at the chandelier hanging on the ceiling. I close my eyes again and groan, dragging a hand over my face.
It was just a dream. All the memories of Finn and me play out in my mind like a film I don't want to end. I cling to every single one, holding them close like they're all I have left.
