Chapter 23: Chapter 23

The jet took off at 10:30 p.m. I suddenly remembered Draya. She was going to be worried sick about me considering the school was starting next week Monday. I could feel it already that all our plans for our last year in college were going to be in vain. Well more like my plans. We'd already chosen our dorm rooms and started decorating them the last week. I needed to talk to her. Then there was Kenny on the other side. We'd agreed that he'll visit me tomorrow. And of course mom, that's where most of my thoughts were centered on. I already missed her so much. Dear God I hope she's safe.

The inner part of the jet was exquisite. So beautiful and had that rich aura about it.

Mr. Black had gone upstairs to have some privacy. Yes! Upstairs. The jet was so beautiful and I only wished I never had so many problems at the moment so I could enjoy it all.

I slowly went upstairs and my eyes almost popped out when I saw what my boss was doing. Oh Lord please help me. He was bent over one polished stool that contained white powder. He was taking drugs. I had to be careful otherwise he might lose his temper with me. I took slow steps towards him and gently placed my hands on his shoulder. "Mr. Vaughn."

He was shocked to see me but he gave me a cold deadly glare. "Go back."

One thing with my boss is, he doesn't yell. He just had a particular way of speaking that scared everyone off. I was courageous enough to sit across him. Well courageous on the outside cause I was freaking out on the inside. "What you're doing, it's uh....you know...." I had to be careful enough not to get him all hyper.

"I said get out!" He spat angrily and I realized he was trying not to lose his temper with me. His eyes were so red, it was creepy.

I sneezed cause of the substance on the table. "It's wrong. These are not good for your health." With the way he was looking at me, I knew whatever soft spot he had for me was gone at the moment. From the corner of my eyes, I saw him pull out a pocket knife from his black jeans. I gulped. Yeah. He was a beast at times.

"Avatia leave." His voice was dangerously low. "Now."

I stood up with shaky feet. It's better safe than sorry. "You're right. I should probably go have some sleep. Good night boss." And I was out of there in less than two seconds. I couldn't risk having my throat cut off by a drug addict. Once I reached my seat, I panted heavily. Oh my God, I was in the same place with a psychopath who had a knife and gun. Yes! From what Kenny told me, Dreidan Vaughn had a mental problem. That's why he killed a lot of innocent people. Who knows, he might even try to throw me off the plane if I get him angry. With that thought, I quietly drifted off to sleep.

****

I felt a tap on my shoulder the next morning. It was the hostess. "Good morning miss. We're about to land, please buckle up your seat belt." She flashed me a toothy smile and I nodded. I looked around me. Italy. Who would have thought I'll be flying to Italy with my boss? Once we landed, I saw him walk down to me, his eyes were not as red as yesterday's evening. He gave me an expressionless look and held my hand, leading me out. Okay. It's officially confirmed. He's mad. I mean I saw him pull out a knife yesterday and if I'm not wrong, he intended to slit my throat. And then this morning, he's holding my hands as nothing happened. I kept my thoughts to myself till my feet touched the ground and I inhaled. Italy.

The pilot came over to Mr. Black and said something in Italian before turning to me. "Spero che ti diverta il tuo soggiorno qui signora." (Hope you enjoy your stay here madam.) He said with a smile.

I smiled back having no clue about what he said. Just then, a black Audi pulled up before us. Guess that's our ride to his house. My guess was right since Mr. Black walked over to it. Everything about him was black. Black cars, black clothes, black phone/ laptop, black hair. Black everything. I bet his room is black too. And his heart cause he was way too merciless. I hurriedly followed him and got into the car.

He still hasn't spoken to me. I'm supposed to be the angry one here but instead, he was. This guy had issues. Yesterday morning, we'd shared a hug and I even kissed his cheek. Now, he's as cold as ice. Urghhh.

The windows were so dark I couldn't see anything outside. I pressed the button to whine it down but it wouldn't budge.

"Driver, can you whine down my window?" I asked but the man didn't even turn. I felt like a fool. He didn't understand English. I let it go and sat quietly for about one and a half hours. How far was this house from the airport? I didn't even try to talk to the Greek god by myself. Two could play that ignoring game.

Then I felt the car pull to a stop and I opened my door. My mouth hung open as I looked at the beautiful house before me. Just how much money does he have? The house was so nice and that's when I realized we were in a secluded area. It looked homely. And not like the big mansion back in New York. Well hello, Italy.

As usual, my dumb boss walked ahead of me and I just had to follow quietly. The inner part of the house was even more beautiful. Then a black girl walked over to us. I didn't even know where she came from. She flashed me a smile that made her more beautiful than she already was. To me, she looked like she was in her early twenties.

She turned to Mr. Black. "Benvenuto padrone di cassa." (Welcome home boss).

She said in fluent Italian and I felt jealous that I couldn't hear a thing. To my surprise, he smiled back at her. Then she turned back to me. "Sei il Benvenuto in Italia." (You're welcome to Italy)

I still smiled since I had no idea about what she said but I guess it had something to do with my coming to Italy.

Then all of a sudden, he spoke up. "Lei non capisce quello che stai dicendo. Parlare

in inglese, Ana." (She does not understand what you're saying. Speak in English, Ana.)

She giggled. "Va bene." (Okay.)

He then said a few things to her in Italian looking at me once in a while.

I scoffed. So he still hasn't changed? He still gossips about me right in front of me.

I tried to hide my irritation as I saw him walk away.

"Hi, I'm Analise. But I'll prefer it better if you call me Ana." She said with a smile. I tried to ignore the fact that she was talking about me with her boss or boyfriend, whichever one, right in front of me.

"Avatia Kim."

She smiled at me again as if she just discovered something. "What?"

"I just realized you're in a bad mood and the fact that Mr. Vaughn and I spoke in Italian made it even worse. Well, you have nothing to worry about. We weren't talking about you." She still had that smile.

Even though I was happy with what she said, I didn't want her to think I was some jealous love puppy. "Who said I even cared?"

She burst out laughing. "You're so cute, you know?" I don't know how she did it but I managed to smile at her and roll my eyes. "Anyways, I'm so excited talking to

someone around my age. It gets lonely here."

"You live here?" I asked curiously. And she shook her head in denial.

"Nope. But I work here. I come every day to clean the house cause as you know, the boss is a neat freak. Even if he doesn't live here, he wants his house as spotless as the heavens." She said like it was the most normal thing. Why would she have to clean a house every day when no one lived in it. "Come on now beautiful, I'll show you your room. And when you've rested well, we'll get to know each other well since we'd be spending so much time together."

I just shook my head. Sorry, Ana, I'll be leaving as soon as I know where my mom

is.

I know this chapter looks meaningless but that's not what's there....every chapter in this book has some hidden meaning and y'all are going to see that. By the way, this chapter is dedicated to my best reader, chocolate balloon. I hope you liked it though. Next chapter coming up soon.