Chapter 4 - A DANGEROUS ARRANGEMENT
The next morning, I woke to forty-seven missed calls.
My mother.
My coworkers.
My landlord.
Two journalists.
And one unknown number that had called seventeen times.
I sat on my bed.
Stared at the screen.
Then called Dante.
He answered immediately.
“Clara.”
I took a breath.
“You ruined my life.”
Silence.
Then:
“Good morning to you too.”
I closed my eyes.
“Dante.”
His voice softened.
“What happened?”
“My boss suspended me.”
Silence.
I continued.
“Reporters are outside my building.”
His expression changed.
“And my mother thinks I'm secretly engaged to a crime lord.”
A pause.
Then Dante said:
“I'll fix it.”
I laughed bitterly.
“How?”
He hesitated.
Then answered:
“By telling the truth.”
I stared.
“What truth?”
“That you helped me on the terrace. That we barely know each other. And that you deserve privacy.”
I swallowed.
“Will that work?”
He paused.
“Not immediately.”
I looked down.
Then whispered:
“What am I supposed to do?”
Dante's voice softened.
“Let me help you.”
I closed my eyes.
For a long moment, I said nothing.
Then whispered:
“Fine.”
A pause.
“But I make the rules.”
May you like
Dante smiled.
“I'm listening.”
