Chapter 10

• ***
• Writer's POV:
• Noemi returned to the car with her mission successfully accomplished. She sure was proud with herself.
• Once in the car, she called her parents.
• "Hello, dear? How did it go?" her mother immediately asked.
• "Did you succeed? Or did you encounter any difficulties?" her father added.
• "Don't worry. Everything went just fine." she chuckled and went on to tell them the details of all that had happened earlier.
• "Yessss!", her mother laughed out and she could hear her father as well.
• "It's funny that he really tried to steal. Like, isn't he supposed to be a professional treating with other professionals? I would never do something that dumb. It was easier than I thought."
• "And I'm happy you aced that, sweetheart." her father said proudly and she could tell he was smiling.
• "I told you you had nothing to worry about, papa. Anyway, your men will travel with the product to come see you so you check it out."
• "Alright, love."
• *
• Noemi got home later that night to find that her brothers and friend were still up and in the living room. She met them eating pizza that they'd just ordered.
• "Ayye, back already?" Alejandro said with a broad smile.
• "Mmhmm." she laughed and joined them, sitting on the couch where Dino was.
• "How did it go?" Enzo and Dino asked at the same time.
• "Cooler than I'd expected. It was fun." she laughed.
• "Tell us everything."
• She did, explaining how it went.
• "That's our girl right there." Lorenzo laughed happily and the others joined.
• "It doesn't even surprise me. Noemi grew tougher these recent years and I knew she was already ready for this." Al added and the boys agreed.
• "That was fun." she laughed, "Now that I've proven myself for a first, hopefully dad and uncle Tony send me on even more important missions."
• "They'll definitely do so." Lorenzo replied.
• ***
• Maude's POV:
• I sat in my office, leaning into my chair and staring out the huge glass windows. I was lost in my thoughts and feeling quite peaceful that particular day.
• I stood and approached the big windows, looking down into the streets. My office was way up but I could make out the people walking in the busy streets below. My office had a beautiful view on Miami and its blue waters. A gorgeous place indeed.
• As I stared out the window, I saw a couple laughing as they walked hand in hand. The girl would giggle and chuckle while her man whispered into her ear and kissed her neck and cheek. They walked with the girl leaning over and putting her head on the boy's shoulder. They looked so happy and so in love.
• I bit my lip as goosebumps covered my skin. I wanted that. I envied them. I wanted to be loved truly and sincerely again. I couldn't help it but be an emotional person. It was my way of being. I wanted to be taken care off and was overly sensitive. No matter how I tried, I couldn't be as emotionally tough as my sister, Noelle or my friend, Reena.
• I was unable to date someone without wanting to take it seriously. I was unable to date someone just for leisure. And that was my problem? The guys I'd dated recently made me break up with them because unlike me, they weren't ready to embark on a serious and firm relationship. They all complained that I wanted too much.
• Yes, I did. I wanted someone who would do everything not to hurt me frequently.
• I'd fallen in love and had gotten my love returned sincerely only once, and that one time had made me hope to find a second one. But so far, the guys I'd dated saw me as the perfect girl to flaunt at their pals faces as their hot chick. Like I was some trophy to brag about just because they found me very attractive. I needed it to go beyond physical attraction. Things had gotten so complicated for me right after that relationship I'd had in college. It'd put the bar so high that I needed some other guy to get it higher than that. It'd made it complicated for me as any guy that came my way, I would expect him to be like that with me. But they never were and it was hard for me.
• 'It's like the moment you taste something better and then after, you get something lesser. It's hard when you get used to something and right after, have to settle for less.'
• "Why am I even thinking of this?" I scoffed, already irritated. "I'm starting a new life. I'm in Miami for crying out loud. The hell?"
• I frowned and left my office to get myself a cold drink. I needed it.
• *
• Reena's POV:
• I pulled up in my building's underground parking and got out of my car.
• I'd just had a photoshoot at Miami beach house and had returned home to have a two hour break before the next photoshoot.
• I was closing my car's door and locking it when,
• "Reena?"
• I turned to see a guy I immediately recognised and a huge grin spread across my face.
• "Oh my gosh, Dave??" I gasped as he approached.
• "Yesss." he laughed and immediately hugged me. I laughed and hugged him back.
• "Omg, look at youuu."
• "Look at you, instead." he chuckled and stepped back to admire me.
• Dave was this cute Canadian hottie I had met some time back during my second year of college in a new university, at a frat party. He was a postgraduate in his last year and we'd gotten along quite well that night and after. We'd become friends but I'd lost his contact after he'd graduated and left. We'd began talking because he'd appreciated what I'd had on that night and I had appreciated his red hair. He was one of the most attractive redheads I had ever seen.
• "Long time no see." he smiled, "You threw me away real bad."
• "I didn't." I laughed, "I just lost your contact. I'm so sorry. I sure am happy to see you."
• "I'm even happier to see you. Gosh, come here." he hugged me again and I giggled.
• "You look amazing, Dave."
• "And you are even more gorgeous. What have you been up to?"
• "Nothing new. I'm resting this year before I look for a solid job next year. However, I still have a part-time job right now."
• "Really? What do you do?"
• "Well, bikini model for some fashion houses."
• "Oh reeeaaally." he cooed and I laughed, "I'd sure would love to see you work." he chuckled.
• "Naughty ass." I giggled and poked him playfully, "And you? What do you do?"
• "I own a gallery."
• I gasped.
• "Oh my gosh! You finally realised your dream. You deserve it. You are such a talented artist, Dave."
• "Thank you. It's quite successful and my work sells good. I've even had a few high personalities visit my gallery."
• "Here or in Chicago?"
• "Here. I moved out of Chicago after I graduated."
• "I'm so happy for you. I moved here a few weeks ago."
• "Really? Perfect. We'll get to hang out."
• "Yeah." I chuckled.
• "I came to see my buddy. He stays here. You also have an apartment here?"
• "Mmhmm."
• "Alright then. We have to meet again. Give me your number."
• I did just that.
• "Thank you. I won't let you forget me this time." he chuckled.
• "Hahaha, I won't."
• "Good. I'll call you?"
• "Sure."
• "It was good seeing you again, Ree."
• We hugged one last time.