KE

didn't you just tell me you needed

to myself, minding my best friend's incredulous tone

her or her family. For my tuition, student loans, Daddy Jim's hospital bills, or for other reasons. I j

Enzo, a guy I just met months ago. Her point was valid. But it was too late for reprimands. I had already paid for

dency would take another couple of years-but

ing?"Now Gaia sounded like she

initely cost more than tha

t mum. Her voice on the other line sounded quite

ore cheerful tone, deliberately changing the topi

ve you the rest

hile

tone remained dead serious. "I need to s

her months ago to help me draft a contract detailing the payment agreement terms which I wanted Enzo to review and sign. But since

and his bank account information." I che

er my dad's funeral. Enzo even tried to emotionally blackmail me in

him. Maybe he still thought he should give me money for helping him back in Umbria.

uck with the Falcos in their countryside estate. It didn't do me

te or so of silence. Perhaps she was on her computer right now, revising

mall amount. My remaining savings from my short-lived modeling career

contract via email?

ver he

ith you soon? He's doing busi

oon to talk about the money and payment terms, but he was probably tied up in Floren

ly issues to resolve and whatnot. The last time we talked about my debt, Enzo also told me he didn't want t

t forget my promise to him. Maybe one of these days I'd ask Gaia or M

Gaia's tone sounded more curio

ea

t marrie

a fashion designer based in Milan. He also mentioned to me once that he was planning

o revise some of the terms," Gaia mumbl

was the one who first used the homonymic term of ende

him back this year, tell m

yst." I laughed again. I missed hanging out with her, but I k

slavery. But, I'll get over it," s

me

ou sign or agree to anythi

I try to talk about it. Said he doesn't wanna

uder now. "You said his family's d

..ye

almost whispering. "Are

friend, but I just didn't want to put her in an awkward position because of

n't want to share more information about Enzo's family, or about Leandro's huge bus

s almost screaming o

ea

ing?" she mumbled. "Just tell

nything to do with his brother and his uncles' underground dealings with the mob. "He owns a legit pharmacy chain with h

lly be a loan shark for the Ital

at the imagery. "He never mentioned he loans other

trust him that much?" my best friend i

fact. If it weren't for the Falcos,

r tangent. They both came from a wealthy clan of businessmen.

riend's suspicions. To be honest, though, I had been de

ted, like his brother and the rest of the Tomassinis," was their unanimous op

ia about what happened in San Pietro, after that night of to

want to mention any of it to her yet. I didn't want her and my family to worry, and t

I wouldn't testify against him in court. The Tomassinis were incredibly influential and powerful. I certainly didn't n

ontract, call me," Gaia advised, now using her 'Attorney Galatia K

oisily on her keyboard. "But only if," I stressed. "I'm not aski

ust text or call me, if

reen. We'd been on the phone for half an hour

e asked after a c

I ima

out? Weeks ago? When y

all I said i

nd

confused as to what Ga

say an

e wh

makin' it

thought Miles was the type who liked to "make it official". It's just so

ed. "So it's a friends-wit

e would argue my sentiments on the matter if they knew the truth about my current rela

y, don't take any of it seriously. 'Caus

I joked while stretching my arms. I was resting on my b

d. "There. Done with the revisions.

glimpsed the clock above my stu

our or s

l you com

ia murmured. "Need to finis

but I still expected her to hang out with me on some weekends.

yst." Gaia chortl

, exhausted beyond words. I didn't want to p

ia clans in Italy. I also didn't want Gaia and my mom to freak out once I m

s in order to dominate the drug trade in Europe. Then, to make matters worse, I might mention that I got

ot Gaia. She would question me till I confessed every single thing. And if ever I mustered up the coura

y for ano