36. Aria
Chapter thirty-six
Aria
I step out of the lecture hall, adjusting the strap of my bag as I walk right into the flow of students pouring into the hallway.
Usually, I’d have been bubbling with excitement, especially since I just returned to school, the nostalgia seizing me and completely erasing whatever had the capacity to distract me, but today, I barely paid attention to what the lecturer had to say.
My dad’s words kept resonating in my ears; they’ve been echoing non-stop since the first day he said them to me.
I’ve never been in love or felt those mushy butterflies in my belly before, but with Elio, everything just seems different.
It’s not just feeling good about the fact that an impossibly attractive man, a Greek God kind of one, is interested in me. It’s like a conviction, a strong feeling that Elio’s meant for me and no matter what has happened, I still know he’s the only man who can truly make me happy.
Every time I remember my dad’s words, saying our relationship cannot work and that love isn’t enough, I feel a sharp sting in my heart.
Now that I think about it, ever since I met Elio, I can’t remember having successfully pictured my future without him in it. Much less so when I’m carrying his baby.
The discussion on tort law crosses my mind again, and on any other day, I’d have headed straight for the library but my stomach growls in protest. I should probably grab something to eat before heading to the library.
Just as I turn the corner, my phone vibrates in my hand. A smile creases my lips as soon as the caller ID pops up.
“Hey girl, I’m at your school. Brought snacks.”
My stomach clenches again, but this time in excitement. “Just wait wherever you are. I’m coming over to you,” I nearly yell into the phone, then head toward the courtyard where I know she’ll be.
Mia is sitting on a bench, a plastic bag of snacks beside her. The moment she sees me, she grins and waves. “Thought you might need a pick-me-up.”
I plop down next to her, pulling out a small packet of crackers. “You know me too well.”
She watches me for a moment before casually saying, “By the way, I’ve already started compiling a report on Elio Donatelli. I was thinking of including an interview with you.”
My hands freeze. The cracker stops mid-way to my mouth, crumbs falling down on my skirt.
Mia notices my expression immediately. “What?”
I set the snack down, my appetite suddenly going away with the wind. “Mia… you can’t do that.”
She frowns. “Why not? You know what he is, Aria. The world deserves to know the truth.”
My head shakes from side to side. “Elio is a criminal, yes. But he’s also a good man. He protects the innocent. He saved my father’s life when he had no reason to. He did it without telling me…without expecting anything in return.”
Mia scoffs. “That doesn’t erase everything else he’s done. Or who he truly is.”
“I know that,” I say firmly. “But if you publish that report, you’ll be putting different targets on his back; the cops, business rivals, other mafias. And whether you like it or not, he’s still the father of my child. If something happens to him, it affects me. It affects my baby, my life.”
She studies me for a long moment, then sighs. “Fine. I won’t publish it. Months of hard work down the drain. But I’m doing this only for my future godchild, not for him.”
Relief floods through me. “Thank you, Mia.”
She pushes the snack bag toward me. “Now, eat. You need to keep your strength up.”
I pick up the cracker again, but this time, it tastes different, as if Mia’s news erased the nutty taste which I’ve always loved.