Chapter 2 2

I rolled my eyes and looked at Selene who was still staring at me. "Okay, what the hell is wrong with you? You look like you saw a bloody ghost. Get that stupid expression off your face," I said, annoyed about everything.

"Oh. My. God. How do you know him?" She asked curiously with excitement in her eyes.

"I met him at the police station this morning." I covered my mouth as soon as the words left it. I didn't want to tell Selene anything. Too many people already know and I didn't want to add another one to the list just yet.

"Wait, what?" She shook her head in confusion.

"I'm kidding. I ran into him at the deli down the block this morning. That's all," I reassured her, trying to brush it off. "Why do you ask?"

"Are you asking me that? Don't you know who he is? Matteo bloody Romano," she marveled.

"I'm pretty sure he said that too."

"Oh my God. You're so dumb. I can't believe you don't know him. He's huge," she said.

"Wow. You saw his..." I cleared my throat.

"Oh, shut up!" she said. "You know I don't do that. By huge I meant that he's a huge figure. Famous and a bloody billionaire. He owns expensive 5-star hotels, casinos, and clubs all around the world. He makes more than two hundred million a day." How does she know this?

"Well someone's done their research," I said, unfazed by the information.

"I'm surprised you haven't. He's the youngest billionaire in the world and the most eligible bachelor. Every girl dreams of being with him even for just one night. He's only twenty-six and so handsome." Her eyes drifted away into an alternate world for a while before she bounced back. "There aren't any pictures of him online either. He doesn't even have any social media. Like a mystery," she spoke quickly.

"Slow down and quit drooling please," I rolled my eyes at her fangirl session. "You sound like a stalker. And didn't you say that they weren't any pictures of him online, so why were you freaking out before he even said his name?"

"First, I'm not a stalker. Every girl does it and I still can't believe that you don't know him. A theory as to what he looks like rolls on the web and that man's picture was one of them."

"Whatever. I don't care." I sighed, fatigue getting the best of me. I didn't know what she wanted me to do with this information. Dance? I didn't give a shit if he bathed in money and wiped his ass with money. I really didn't care.

"OH MY GOD!" She screamed at the top of her lungs making me almost shit my pants.

"Can you stop doing that?"

"He asked you out," she said with her blue eyes twinkling at me.

"And I said no. That's the end of it. I don't need a rich brat on my ass. They are disgusting," I spat. The memory of the unfortunate night came to my mind again bringing a bitter taste to my mouth. I felt like throwing up.

"You don't know him. Get to know him perhaps," she said with hope lingering in her eyes. "He said you could bring a friend along. So, maybe you could take me. I can keep you company."

"I said no. You can go alone if you want to. But I am not going."

"I can't go alone. Damn it! You're no fun," she scoffed with a pouty face.

"I. Don't. Care." I paused after each word, emphasizing my point.

"Yeah, I can see that." She vanished into her office extremely disappointed. I wasn't here to please anyone at all. At this point, I honestly didn't care what people thought of me.

Selene was so much like Riri. They would be best friends if Riri worked here too but she'd rather party than work. Her parents were filthy rich actually. She could party all the time and still graduate. Selene on the other hand, worked her ass off. She built this clinic all on her own with very little help. She had a heart of gold but could be a real bitch sometimes. I honestly admired her.

***

I got home weary from the day. Opening the door, I sprinted to my room and threw myself on my bed. Oh God. I've missed my bed so much all day.

"Mermaid!" Aunt Mirabel yelled from downstairs. "Something came in the mail for you. It's a pretty fancy box."

Pretty sure Amazon boxes aren't fancy and I was even more sure that I didn't order anything. It was probably Marco. He orders gym products and other shenanigans all the time when he stays at his fraternity. He spent most nights there rather than at home. We'd be lucky if we got to see him once a week. And I haven't even told him about the rape. I don't want to. Yet.

"Coming," I replied, pulling myself away from my warm bed and slowly making my way downstairs.

"Here," she said, handing me a big rectangular red box with a red bow to match it. "Open it up."

I pulled off the lid of the box and discovered an envelope inside. Opening up the envelope, I jerked out the letter.

"Hello, love,

This is a token of my apology. I hope you accept it and come to the ball tomorrow. I'll have a car waiting for you outside at 7 sharp. Please don't refuse. I know you don't trust me and don't know me but I can promise you that I won't hurt you. We'll just enjoy the evening and call it a night. I look forward to seeing you. And I'll have my brother ready to apologize to you. Please wear this dress.

Yours truly,

Matteo."

I didn't know if I should be flattered or scared. How did he know where I lived?! God. Was he a psychopath or a stalker? I needed to chill. These terrible ideas were killing me.

Aunt Mirabel snatched the letter out of my hand and read it. "Oh wow. Who's this Matteo?"

"Matteo Romano," I shrugged and saw her eyes widen. "I bumped into him today and his brother was an ass to me. So yeah."

"Matteo Romano. The Matteo Romano?" She asked, wide-eyed. Great. She knew about him too. Was I the only one who didn't?

"I guess."

"Do you want to go?" She asked cautiously.

"I don't know honestly. I can't trust anyone. He said I could bring someone along with me."

She ran to the kitchen and brought back a small spray can. "Here you go. This can protect you to an extent."

"What's this?" I asked, examining the small can. "Pepper spray? Really?"

"Don't laugh. It's useful. Put it in your bag and keep it there at all times."

"If I go, will you go with me?" I inquired with hope in my eyes. I wanted to go deep down, but I didn't want to go alone. Having Aunt Mirabel by my side, I'd feel safe so I'd rather go with her than anyone else and I also wanted to get rid of this gloomy feeling in my heart that was eating away at it.

"I'll go anywhere you want me to, my little mermaid," she cupped my face in her warm, soft hand.

"I love you, Aunt Mirabel."

"I love you too, mermaid."