Chapter 40: Chapter 40

Sometimes I don't understand the drive between us; one moment is like a whirlpool of emotions, the next is a tug of war. Taking a thousand steps together only for just one step to draw us back to the beginning. Frustrating as hell. My fist clench so tight you could see the white of my palm almost to the point of drawing blood. My eyes close inhaling deeply, I decided not to go after him even as I so much want to do that. Walking back to the couch, my phone goes off with me answering the caller.

My mind racing along why he finds it difficult to talk about her, makes it seems like I'm a rebound he's trying to get over her. "Hey." Hearing Ella's girly giggles fill the background.

"You okay?" She paused in concern as I let out a sigh sitting down.

"Yeah, I am fine."

"So can we meet up, I want to introduce you to someone." She says cheerily gracing a smile of mine. Ella is one of those persons who has contagious smiles and laughter. You will definitely get hooked.

"Who is it?"

"Now if I tell you, that will spoil the fun, wouldn't it." I could picture her fixing a hand on her hips looking at me pointedly. I smile.

"Stay in, don't go anywhere."

Suddenly Elijah's words crept in my mind. Battling internally between sulking all day long home alone and getting to see her surprise. I decided on choosing the later but at what cost?

If he can go about Sicily, then I am positive you also can especially when his deranged brain can't tell you if he is with his fiancee or not. Besides until he clears you on the basis of the relationship, his possessive ass could go fuck himself.

My brain screams at me, then why does it seems like my heart goes for yonder. Damn him for making me feel this way.

"Hello. Are you there? Hello." She singsong. Snapping me out of my confused state deciding on choosing the later with precise care.

"Yeah, sorry."

"You sure you are okay?"

"I'm good. I'll meet you at..." Giving a safe location convenient for us to meet. Flitting my eyes to the cell time, I thank my stars for the few hours spared; quickly rushing to the room to fix myself up before Ivan and Kirill comes in for babysitting duties.

***

"So where is the infamous surprise?" Sipping my cocktail from a straw, I watch the happy Ella looking extremely calm. There is more to this surprise.

"Oh! He is running late." Grinning cheekily, she signals for the bartender to get her a martini.

"Mmmhmmm." I drawl wiggling my brows at her. If this person can get her smiling this long, he must be such a keeper because the little time I spent with her, she's never one to smile often. Or blush. Laughing at her flushed face.

Quickly switching the attention from her, she asks. "So tell me, what have Mr. big bad Russian been up to?" Nudging me by the side giving an ear to ear grin.

"Nothing. Sadly." I quickly want to divert the topic before she goes asking if he knows about his child. I just want to have fun and not think about Elijah or our baby.

Sucking her teeth. "Tsk. Too bad. I told you his brooding ass needs a psyche home countless times but you wouldn't listen. Guess his flagpole got you hooked." Oh! My! God! What is wrong with her? How could she say that out loud in the open? My eyes looking about the restaurant for eavesdroppers.

"Ella!" Reprimanding her. "Can you try to act decent, we are outside?" Flipping her hand in the air like she got no care about they people around us.

"As if they don't have it rough behind doors, besides who cares." She eyes everyone who looked or didn't look at her. She such a drama queen. Drawing closer she whispers. "Very positive most of them are into BDSM, Italians are very horny set of creatures; so I am sure they don't mind." okay that's it. I hit her as we both burst out laughing hysterically getting weird eyes from onlookers. Gosh, she is crazy.

Sobering up seconds after. "I do mind." Scoffing, she gave me that you are not so innocent grin. Chuckling I raise my cocktail to my lips sipping the cool liquid.

"If it isn't Sonia Vatore. The girl who broke my heart." Our eyes meeting the fine looking guy walking towards our table dressed in a black khaki and white dress shirt. Hair dancing with the wind, eyes twinkling in mischief; lips forms a roguish grin. Ella gives me a pointed look which I dissed, a warm smile gracing my face.

"Santiago. What did I tell you about flatters?" An ear shitting grin crosses his face, I sat up as his lips connects to my both cheeks.

"You hurt me baby girl." If Ella's eyes could pop out, it definitely will at the favoured name Santiago called me. She clears her throat making his eyes leave mine to hers.

"Sorry. Santiago, Ella. Ella, Santiago." They gave sultry nods at each other. Two sets of eyes looking at me, one questionably and the other affectionate.

"Can I join you ladies?"

"Of course. Sit, sit. Kindly excuse us for a second." She smiles slyly mouthing a 'he is freaking hot' to me. Rolling my eyes I chuckle sitting down but she drags me off away.

"Girl. Who the fuck is that hunkahunk?" Screaming once we were behind closed doors of the ladies room. I feigned not to hear her powdering my face and reapplying my lipstick only to be smack on my butt.

"Oww" it hurts. Sulking, I caress the slight pain away facing her.

"Come on. Spill it. I know there was a history with the way his eyes rakes over you." Crossing her arms over her bosom, she eyes me. Rolling my eyes again, I face the mirror fixing my hair throwing the words nonchalantly because there is absolutely nothing to spill.

"Maybe there was once upon a little crush, but that's it." Her shrieks and squeals almost made me deaf.

"I knew it." She exclaims. "I need more juicy details." Pouting, she plea.

"Come off it." Pulling her along out of the ladies and back to our table.

"So Mr. I just found out about you. What are you doing here? Coincidence you came at the right time looking at my girl like she's the air you breath. Huh?" Shoot me. Someone, please shoot me.

He chokes on his vodka as I glare hard at a wide grinning Ella. She chuckles. Diving in for the save, I pull a kerchief helping him wipe the smudge off his face and expensive looking dress shirt

"No. I actually came to see someone." He replies.

"Mmh. "He chuckles looking at her. Her face lits up darting behind me towards the door.

"Well great timing, my surprise just came in through the doors."

Smiling, my eyes follow hers towards the tall, broad, handsome brown eyed man striding towards us, an award winning grin plastered on his face. My heart beating according to each step which he took, eyes locked in a gaze at the blushing Ella. This is not happening. It can't be. And then his eyes finally meets mine.

"Lucien?"