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Falynn
PLAYLIST: ? IN TIME - FKA TWIGS ?
Last night,I made a deal with the devil. I agreed to be Gio’s girlfriend for an indeterminate amount of time in exchange for freedom and a handsome payoff. But what other choice did I have?
Gio said it himself, the other options weren’t going to be as generous. An inkling told me, no matter what he said, one of those options was ending up at the bottom of the Hoover Dam with cement blocks chained to my feet. The other options probably weren’t the greatest either.
It doesn’t matter, though, because as I wake the next morning, I can’t help wondering what I’ve gotten myself into. For a second night, I drifted off alone in the king-size bed with Gio smoking a cigar in the living area. Now minutes before 9 a.m., not much has changed, as I catch snippets of his voice from the next room. He’s on the phone, ordering somebody to take care of something important.
I rub my eyes and slide off the bed. I’m wearing the satiny pajama short set from the basket. As I enter the living area, the fried scent of bacon hits my nose. There’s a whole cart of room service waiting to be gorged on. My first thought?
Damn, it’s impossible having a backbone when food’s involved.
My second thought? I better not dare touch that blueberry muffin. This could be a manipulation tactic.
Gio ends the call and greets me. “I ordered the works since you seemed to like everything the other night.”
“You mean when I stuffed my face with three pancakes at once?”
“It was five, but who’s counting? Sit down and eat.”
I’m astonished. Was that humor? An actual joke from the cold, mysterious man who is holding me captive? I stand there, staging yet another impromptu protest. He uncovers the different plates on the cart and gestures to the food.
“You’re not going to let all this go to waste, are you?”
I shrug, pretending I don’t care. In reality, I really, really want some of that feta spinach omelet.
“Must everything be a protest for you?” he asks with a shake of his head.
The resolve I’m holding on to melts away as my stomach chooses now to growl. It’s been a day and a half, and I’ve eaten exactly one full meal. Yesterday, when Gio was gone for hours, his enforcer Louis had popped in a few times to check if I wanted anything. Too stubborn for my own good, I’d turned him down each time.
I reach for one of the buttery croissants on the cart and tear off a chunk.
“Force of habit,” I mumble.
His top lip lifts in a slight smirk. “Believe me, Falynn, I’ve already learned that about you.”
“Are you sure I’m the one you want? I bet a man of your means has so many options.”
“Yes, I’m sure.”
“In that case, you might want to consider you won’t be fooling anyone. You dress in designers.” I drop onto the sofa and set the croissant down for the plate with the omelet. “I dress mall bargain bin, if that’s a style. You know I color in the scuffs on my leather boots with a Sharpie marker?”
He joins me for breakfast, using a fork to pick up a piece of cantaloupe. “And your boyfriend never bought you nicer things?”
“Enzo? Buy nice things? With what money?” It’s hard not to laugh at the question. Enzo is the furthest thing from financially stable as can be; he and I are matched in that sense. Except he uses petty crime to get by. I dance. “Enzo can barely afford the shirt on his back. Hence the petty crime. Not that I’m looking down on him. We’re the same.”
“You’re not the same.” Gio gives me a look I can’t place, rising up from the sofa and smoothing out his tie. “Now shower and get ready. One of the dresses I picked out for you. And make it reasonably quick. I know women will take an eternity if you let them.”
“You mean Iactuallyget to breathe fresh air today?”
“If you behave yourself. Leave the escape attempts for another day.”
Gio is already out the door by the time I catch on that he was teasing me. Kinda like how a school boy will tug on a girl’s pigtails in class, just to get her attention. This thought brings a smile to my face. One I’m glad no one else is around to see.
I grub on the platters of breakfast with zero shame. By the time I’m done, there’s only crumbs left. Then I hit the bathroom for a shower and some grooming. I guess if I’m going to pretend to be Gio’s girl, I should look halfway decent.
After my shower, I change into the summery, backless sundress I had eyed yesterday. The breezy tangerine fabric complements my warm skin tone well. I leave my ringlet curls out and do a more natural bronze glow makeup look.
