BARGAIN

chapter 9

'' It's not my dad. '' I shake my head.

'' It's your mum then? '' He quirks an eyebrow, sarcasm dripping from this tone.

I didn't even know if that was a joke.

'' My father told me the day the shipment was going on and on that day he took my mum and I for dinner. how would you say he has business with the Russians when he hasn't even met any. Can't you see my father's being set up? '' I say, exasperated.

'' Your alibis are meaningless without evidence. '' He says as a matter of fact.

'' So how do we get this so called evidence? '' I ask.

'' I'll let you know when I come up with a plan. '' He says in a manner of finality.

We both eat in silence with only the sounds of our cutlery clinking against our plate.
The silence was making me nervous so I decided to break it.

'' So tell me about yourself Mr Saverio. '' I say as I take a sip from my glass.

His eyebrows shoots up in surprise and he clear his throat.

'' What would you like to know? '' He asks.

'' Did you always live here? '' I gesture to the mansion.

'' No, I moved here when I was eight. '' He answers.

'' Eight? '' I ask, confused.

'' Yes eight. '' He nods.

'' I lived in Sicily, Italy from my birth till I was eight with my mother. '' He explains further.

'' You have a mother? ''
 
He looks around with that glimmer of a grin.

" What'd you think, I was hatched? Of course I have a mother, everyone has a mother. ''

'' What I meant was, is she still living? '' I ask.

A crooked smile curves his lips.

'' Oh yeah, you couldn't kill my mother with an axe, she's still in Sicily. '' he says and I  let out a hearty laugh.

'' So why did you move to Chicago? '' I ask.

'' My father was the boss at that time and I was of age to begin my training to takeover from him. '' He says.

'' Was your father.... um ... mean to you? '' I ask shyly.

I always hear mafia men are abusive towards their children.

He chuckles at my question.

'' You mean to say abusive? '' He smiles which made me smile too.

'' No, my father wasn't abusive. He was a good father, the best actually. '' He says with so much adoration.

' He must really love his father. ' I thought.
Just as I love mine.

'' He loved my mum and I and we loved him too, of course. '' he adds.

'' It sounds so odd that you love someone. '' I  blurt and he laughs which made me smile.

'' Is your mum still in Sicily? '' I ask

'' Yes she is. '' He answers.

'' Enough talk about me, tell me about yourself Gianna. ''

'' What do you want to  know? '' I ask, my smile still present.

'' Anything and everything. ''

'' Okay, my middle name is Reina. '' I begin.

'' That's a Spanish name, Aren't you of Italian heritage? '' He asks.

'' My mum liked it. '' I shrug.

'' I love sitting by the window and reading cheesy romance novels. ''  He quirks an eyebrow at that and I blush.

'' That reminds, can I borrow some novels from the library? '' I ask.

'' Yes you can. '' He answers.

'' Feel free to do anything you want, you live here now, even of it's just temporarily. ''

'' Thank you. '' I give him a wide smile.

We finish the rest of our meal, sharing small talk.

'' I'll walk you back to your room. '' He offers and I give a small smile.

'' Thanks. ''

We walk up to my room in silence.

'' Your father has been moved to somewhere more convenient and is not more being tortured. '' He says.

'' Can't he just be released? '' I ask, hopefully.

'' No he can't, but I promise no harm will come to him. '' He placates.

'' Thank you. '' I smile gratefully.

'' I'll love you to have dinner with me any evening I'm home. '' He tucks his hands in the pocket of his slacks.

'' Sure. ''

'' Good night then. '' He turns to leave.

'' Mr Saverio. '' I call as I walk up to him.

He stops and watches me with an unreadable expression as I slip in front of him, gently tugging at the collar of shirt to make him duck his head.
I stand on my tiptoes and place a kiss dangerously close to his lips.
His stubbles feels rough against my lips.

'' Good night Mr Saverio. '' I whisper and walk back to my room briskly. Not able to bask in the smile that appeared on his lips.

' Oh my God. ' I touch my lips in disbelief.
I jump on my bed, bury my face in my pillow and squeal loudly, thumping my fists on the bed.

He smiled, that means he liked it.

I bury my face in my pillow again and release a louder squeal.

He's not as bad as people pose him to be, he's kind and a gentleman.

Maybe this is the start of something good.

but as they say;
' There's always a calm before the storm. '

**********

Authors note:
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