Forbidden Desire 18+

Chapter Twenty Five

ELIO MORELLI

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I arrive back at the University campus the day after Ariana's memorial. Yesterday didn't go as well as I planned. My father said that we shouldn't cause a scene and I wasn't planning to, until my mother kicked off after my speech and my uncles got involved.

Never have I been so ashamed. Especially at a day that was strictly for remembering my sister. Our entire family is a mess and I wish I could grieve for her like everyone else yet I'm treated differently.

It's my father who should be begging my mother for forgiveness. He should never have invited his business partners to the house, he should have never put Ariana in that danger in the first place. But my mother doesn't see it like that, she still thinks the sun shines out of his ass and I'm the one to blame. She wouldn't rest until she knew someone took the fall for it.

Now I refuse to be kicked to the curb.

As I enter Isabella's apartment I find the place empty. I sit down on the sofa and press my elbows to my knees, burying my head in my hands. I shake my head over and over. Lonzo told me that I was more than welcome to take more time off but I need to get back into my routine otherwise I'll end up spiralling.

Working is my distraction. Working is where I can prove that I have the ability to protect.

I don't know how long I sit here for but I don't move. I have no idea where Isabella is but her unanswered text messages burn a hole in my trouser pocket. I didn't expect her in a million years to send me a message asking if everything was okay but after everything went down yesterday, I never got round to answering. Not that I'd know what I'd say.

The door opens as keys begin jingling. "Oh my God, Jorge," Isabella's voice floats into the apartment. "You can't do that to people."

"He stepped too close to you."

"You step too close to me!"

I glance up from my hands to find Isabella step inside and switch on the lights. I stand from the sofa as she turns to me and jumps slightly, pressing a hand to her chest. My eyes roam her face and parted plump lips. She looks stupidly pretty right now in her oversized jacket and skin tight leggings. I hate to admit that I've missed that face.

It's evident that she wasn't expecting to see me right now because she looks like a deer caught in headlights.

"Elio–" she pauses and Jorge steps to her side. "You're back."

My gaze flicks to Jorge. "You can go to your other duties now. Lonzo knows I'm back. I trust that he told you."

He stares at me for a long moment. "Very well. I'll see to my other duties."

When he leaves and shuts the door behind him, I settle my eyes back on Isabella who is still looking at me. "Hi, sunshine," I say deeply. Her dark lashes brush her cheek slowly. "Has Jorge been making you uncomfortable?"

Her forehead creases. "What? No."

"You said that he's been too close to you."

"He's a little overbearing but he didn't cross any boundaries," she clarifies. "Where have you been? I texted you but you didn't reply. I didn't think you'd be coming back."

I take in the expression over her face. To my surprise I find deep concern in her eyes yet softness in her lips. "Sweet for you to care about me, sunshine," I nod and step away from the sofa, turning my back to her. The last thing I want is to talk about Ariana or where I've been. "I had personal things to take care of."