Darkest Summer

Selene slammed the folders on the desk in front of me, pulling me out of my trance. "Jeez, scared the shit out of me," I said with a hand on my racing heart.

"Oh! I'm sorry. Or am I?" Her blue orbs narrowed at me. "You need to knock that depressing look off your face because you're depressing me. You have been like that the entire day. Be happy. Your shift ends in an hour," she said while crossing her thin little arms. "Get off my chair and get some work done in your last hour."

"Okay," I sighed while rolling my eyes. I got up and walked towards the reception, plopping down on my chair behind the counter. This day started bad enough with that asshole at the station and this slight headache was a cherry on top. I had completely lost my appetite after the morning stunt.

I retrieved some medicine that would relieve my headache but would make me dizzy for a while because of my empty stomach. Popping the pill into my mouth, I swallowed it with some water that I pulled out of the mini fridge in Selene's office. "Oh shit!" I exclaimed out loud for the few people to listen were waiting on their turn to go in and get checked. My brain froze as the cold water trickled down my throat. Ugh.

"Ok. What's wrong? You look like shit honestly. Did you drink a lot that you still have a hangover from your birthday?" Selene asked with her brows furrowed together.

"I'm fine," I whispered for only her to hear. "And I didn't drink. It's just one of those days."

"Whatever you say but you are in no state to work. It seems that you might faint any moment now and I don't want to carry your heavy ass," she grinned.

"Shut up. I'm fine. I just took medicine so it is making me a little dizzy. After a few minutes, I'll be as good as new."

"You better be. I don't want your depression to spread across everyone in here," she giggled. "I'm kidding, girl."

"Hilarious," I said, already feeling a little dizzy.

The door dinged open, forcing my eyes up in that direction. It was him again. The blue-suited man stood there alone this time. He ran his fingers through his dense hair and gazed right into my tired eyes. Looking down, I tried to compose myself due to the medicine that was starting to kick in.

"Oh God," Selene gasped. "No way."

I glanced up at her. "What?"

"I think I'm going to pass out," she stared at the man. I looked in his direction and watched a sympathizing smile form on his lips. Damn that smile. He started walking towards me, coming closer and closer until the reception desk stopped him from reaching any further. Selene still stood next to me with her lips slightly parted in shock.

"Hello, love," his husky voice rang through my ears again with a hint of British accent sending a chill down my spine that I hadn't noticed earlier.

"May I help you, sir?" I asked unenthusiastically.

"I just wanted to apologize for my brother's behavior this morning. He is all the things that you said. An asshole, a dickhead, and all the other things."

"He's the one who should be apologizing," I said as I could feel the anger boiling again in me. "He almost hit me but you stopped him so I should thank you for that."

"I would have never let him hit you," he said smiling sheepishly. Is he flirting with me?

"Hmm," was all I could get out of my throat. I saw Selene backing away slowly from the corner of my right eye.

"I'm Matteo. Matteo Romano," he said putting his hand forth.

I looked at his big hand and then back up at him. "I'm Aquarius. Aquarius Pepperoni."

He started laughing. His laugh was intoxicating which brought a slight smile to my face. "That's a first. Got jokes, huh?"

"What?" I acted confused. "I thought we were saying a zodiac sign and then a random word."

He tilted his head to the right and mumbled, "You're intriguing."

"What was that?" I asked trying to figure out what he said under his breath.

"I apologize on behalf of my brother again. He does need to learn manners."

"Like I said, I don't need your meaningless apology. He was the one wrong, not you." I tried to stop myself from slurring. The medicine was taking a toll on me.

"It isn't meaningless, love. I mean it. I'll have him apologize to you as well. I'll make sure he does. You have my word," he smiled.

"Well, we'll see about that." I got up and began walking away before the room started spinning. "Oh shit," I slurred and fell into a pair of strong arms.

***

I woke up with Matteo's hand on my face, stroking my loose hair behind my ear. I pushed him away from me and sat up instantly in panic. "What the hell were you doing?"

"Calm down, love. You passed out and I caught you before you could hit your head on the desk. So, I think you owe me a thank you perhaps."

"Well, how long was I out?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.

He looked at his watch and then back up at me. "About 6 hours."

"What?" I shrieked. "I've been on the floor for six hours?"

"Did I say hours?" He asked, his finger tapping his chin. "I meant minutes. Six minutes."

I narrowed my eyes at the stupid man and tried to stand up. He supported me as I did that, laying his arms around my waist. "Don't touch me!" I spat.

He raised his hands in the air. "Sorry. I won't touch you without your permission. Cool?"

"You're talking as if we are going to see each other again," I cocked my brow at him.

"To show you how sorry I am about my brother's behavior, I want to ask you if you could come to a ball with me," he asked with a glint of hope in his eyes.

"You're asking me out on a date?"

"It's not a date. It's an apology. I can promise you that you'll accept the apology before the night is over," he smirked.

"Look, sir, I don't know you. I don't trust you or any other guy that I don't know for that matter. So ask someone else to escort you to a ball." I turned on my heel and commenced walking towards Selene who was standing behind the reception, staring at us.

"Think about it, love. The event is tomorrow. You don't have to buy anything and you can bring a friend along with you as well," he said from behind me. He sauntered over to the door and opened it. "You won't regret it," he winked and walked out.

"Don't be too overconfident, pepperoni," I shouted after him. He just cocked his head back and laughed while a man in a black suit opened the door to his black Audi R8 for him. He sat in and rolled down the window. With his left hand on the steering wheel and the right one waving at me, he sped off.

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."

(Matteo's POV)

She caught my eye at the precinct. Damn was all I had to say about her. She was a little fighter. Nobody had kneed Paula in the groin before but she did, which intrigued me even more.

Following her to that clinic wasn't my best move either. After seeing where she worked, I left to get some of my work done. I knew I needed to talk to her, but work comes first.

I came back to the clinic a few hours later after I got my work done. Hoping she was still here, I exited my vehicle and walked in.

I immediately spotted her and was relieved. She looked tired and worn out. But that didn't matter. After my little chat with the girl, she intrigued me even more. This girl was something. Intriguingly feisty. I promised to not touch her and I kept my promises, but she was fantastically alluring.

I sat at my recliner staring at the small chandelier that was holding onto the tall white ceiling when a knock sounded at the door and disturbed my daze.

"Come in."

"Boss," said Alex, one of my most trusted men and right hand. "I looked over all the charts, but it doesn't add up. Someone tampered with the money."

"How short are we?" I asked, pinching the bridge of my nose. Someone was going to die today. I hated rats and disloyal people.

"Ten million," he replied. "And that money laundering took place in France."

Ten million was like ten dollars to me, but someone taking that away without my permission and without me knowing infuriated me. "Find out who that was and when you do, bring him to me. I'll do it myself. I want to see the fear in his eyes," I growled. Nobody crossed me and got away with it.

"Okay boss," he said and turned to leave.

"Hold up," I stopped him in his tracks. "How many times do I have to tell you not to call me boss? We are childhood best friends, Alex. Matteo will suffice."

"Matteo, man," he began his explanation. "You scare me. Like a lot. One wrong move and I'll be dead."

"Well, that's how I keep people in line."

"Okay, Matteo. Whatever you say."

"Wait. Did you find out about the girl?" I held him back again.

"Oh yeah. Almost forgot about that even though I shouldn't because she's the first girl you've wanted me to look into in years." He stroked his chin, pondering deeply. "Gets me thinking. It was about time after what happened two years ago."

"Shut up!" I shouted, furious at him to even talk about what happened back then. "Just tell me what you found out."

"Okay. Valerie Price. Just turned twenty-one. She lives in Queens with her Aunt who is thirty-one and her twin brother. She lost her parents about ten years ago and was raped on her birthday as we all overheard her. Tragic."

"What's the name of the guy who raped her?" I asked curiously, leaning back into the recliner.

"I checked the police record and there's nothing there about her rape. It's like they never put it in or perhaps they are trying to protect the man who did this hideous deed." This was nothing new. The cops were corrupted without a doubt. Finding a decent one was almost impossible, but it worked for me because most lived on my scraps and did as I said like good puppets.

"I see. Did you send the dress to her place yet?"

"I did. She should have probably gotten it by now."

"Great," I smiled and began typing away on my phone, urging Alex to leave.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"That's a question." I didn't bother looking at him with my eyes still locked on my phone.

"Why are you pursuing this girl and what are your intentions?"

I looked up at him through my lashes. "It's none of your business, but I'll tell you. I'm going to have Paula apologize to her for his behavior at the station."

"That's all?"

Alex started laughing. "Paula would never apologize and you know that," he managed to say between his laughter.

"Oh, he will and I'll make sure of it."

***

(Valerie's POV)

"Why aren't you ready yet?" Aunt Mirabel asked, running her hand down her gorgeous long red dress that had a deep neck which showed her cleavage a bit too much and was laced with diamonds below her breasts. Her hair was pulled up into a messily made bun that only she could pull off and a pair of diamond earrings completed her look.

"I'm having second thoughts. Scared and nervous at the same time. Maybe we shouldn't go?" I suggested.

"Mermaid," she sat beside me on the bed and took my right hand in hers. "I'll be by your side at all times. Don't worry about anything. Keep the pepper spray close though. You never know what will happen."

"That's reassuring," I giggled and looked at the outfit that came in the box. It was a white dress with lace to cover my breasts at the top along with a gold band around my waist with silk flowing down my long, smooth legs.

It was a gorgeous dress I must admit. His taste was good, but I wasn't looking forward to anything with him. An apology from his brother was all I was anticipating. Hopefully, it all goes well.

"Put it on now," Aunt Mirabel said, pulling me out of my thoughts. "I'll be downstairs. The car gets here in an hour, so that's plenty of time for you to get ready. If you need anything just give me a shout," she smiled and left.

Okay. Time to get ready. I was surprised at how perfectly the dress fit me. Did he know my dress size too? Oh God. Calm down, Valerie. Calm down. You're going to be just fine.