My life before was just like my name, Haven. Everything was peaceful, everything went my way, and I had everything that I needed. If I wanted something, I'd have it in a snap. I didn't need to move, make an effort, or work for it. I just needed my d...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
EPILOGUE
HAVEN'S POV
Two years later...
I had just left the Florence Institute of Design International classroom when someone called out my name. I gave Lorenzo an apologetic glance when I saw that he was about to get up from his usual spot outside my classroom.
I turned to look at the person who called me and sighed again when I saw Bradford Birkette approaching. He's my British classmate who transferred here to Italy last year.
He's very friendly to everyone, but something about him rubs me the wrong way. I can't say that I hang out a lot with the people in my class, but I'm on good terms with most of them, and there are some that I can even consider almost friends with. But we have different priorities, and we respect that. There are those who love partying, and there are some of us that would rather just go home. I'm completely recovered from being a party addict. I have other things to occupy my time with, and if it's a party I need, I want nothing more than for it to be a party of two with just me and Allessio.
"Let's grab a bite so we could talk about the activity."
The way he said it, it's less like a request and more like a demand. "It's going to be late soon, and I needed to be home. Tomorrow, we just have one class. We can go to the library or a coffee shop."
He chuckled. "Late? It's still early, Have. There's even a party at Riley and I's place tonight. You should come with us."
Riley is his housemate who's taking graphic design. I'd seen him around since he's dating Elsie, which is one of the girls in class that I've worked with in the past.
"I can't—"
"Please?" He clasped his hands in front of him. "Do you hate us that much that you keep saying no to hanging out with us?"
This is one of the reasons I'm not comfortable with him. He doesn't like taking no for an answer, and I feel like I need to exhaust every reason I have just to say no. It's not really hard to say no if only people knew how to respect boundaries instead of being pushy. Others feel forced to lie because when you say no, they would try to make you feel guilty so you do what they want you to do for them.
Besides, I feel like my constant rejection has become a challenge for him. I wouldn't be surprised if he and his friends are making bets on it with how insistent he is. I also have seen him whispering with his buddies while looking at the Idalion soldiers coming with me to school.
Imari, one of our classmates, told me that Bradford's group has been talking about it. They have theories about me being a rich man's daughter because I have bodyguards and different cars picking me up.
Allessio would never agree to let me go without one of his trusted people accompanying me, and I understand why. "I'm not into parties," I said, giving him a small smile to cushion the rejection.
