Chapter 90 I came prepared
Molly’s POV
“Will you believe me if I told you that you were the reason I kept wearing a white suit every day?" Gianni's question stopped me in my tracks, just before he reached the door.
"What are you talking about?" I asked, genuinely surprised as he patiently explained, his gaze not leaving mine.
"Molly, when I couldn't reach you again after everything settled down, I felt guilty, bitter, and angry with myself. Even worse, I felt like a terrible person whenever I remembered how pure you were and how I couldn't protect you from those bullies because I found out too late."
Bitterness tinged his voice. "You were already married, and I couldn't contact you to apologize. That's why wearing white made me feel the purity I always saw in your eyes."
I was speechless, tears threatening to spill from the corners of my eyes. His wearing white was not as people said.
It was a personal matter between us and I felt guilty for trying so hard to forget him and moving on with Wesley but maybe, that was my punishment for not being patient enough.
Gianni would have never treated me badly, nor allow anyone to do that to me.
If I hadn’t gotten married and been locked at home, then maybe, Gianni would have found me sooner.
"When I saw you again, you were still so innocent and naive. I was afraid you would hate me for what I had become. But now, you've shown me what true love is, and I don't need a white suit to prove my innocence because you've already forgiven me."
I wrapped my arms around him, forgetting about the need to keep our relationship a secret. "I'm sorry," I whispered as I pulled away, and he smiled, holding my hand.
"I know, but soon we won't have to hide it."
His words were so honest that I didn't mind keeping our relationship a secret for as long as necessary.
It meant that he had never gotten over me. But how did Roger fit into all of this? That was the next question burning in my mind, though I felt it wasn't the right time to ask.
The restaurant was exquisite, but it seemed like everything was arranged specifically for us.
Other tables were occupied, with only one table left unoccupied for four. Gianni led me to the table, pulling out a chair for me before taking his seat beside me.
"I hope you're not hungry because I wouldn't advise you to eat," he whispered, and I smiled at him as a middle-aged man approached with a woman.
She looked familiar, and then it clicked. She was a singer and actress. Having been out of the entertainment industry for a while, I wondered if she was still active in show business.
Tess approached our table and extended her hand to Gianni. "I finally meet the devil in..." Her voice trailed off momentarily, but she quickly regained her composure. "I never expected to see you in a black suit, but it suits you."
She didn't acknowledge me, and Gianni didn't reciprocate the handshake. I felt sorry for the awkward situation, but she quickly forced a smile as a middle-aged man sat beside her.
There were bodyguards present who were not Gianni's men, and Gianni appeared impatient. "Santiago, this isn't what we agreed on. Where is Don Black?"
"Please be patient, Don Dawson. This is Don Black's date," he pointed at Erica. Finally, I remembered her name. "He will be joining you shortly."
His gaze shifted to me, and I noticed the satisfied smile on his face. "You are welcome, miss."
"You are not authorized to speak to her," Gianni snapped. Santiago quickly composed himself.
"I wish she had the brains to match that beauty," Erica remarked. I saw Gianni's expression darken, but I placed my hand on his to calm him.
"If only I knew what kind of brains you were referring to. If it's about flirting with every man you see," I teased, causing the smile to freeze on her face.
"I wasn't flirting, just being friendly. Anyway, let's have a drink," she opened a bottle of wine on the table, but Gianni signaled for Zak to bring a different red wine.
"I came prepared," Gianni stated seriously, causing both their smiles to fade. Nonetheless, Erica recovered from the shock and offered him a glass, but Jace approached us with two wine glasses.
"As I mentioned, we came prepared, and my time is valuable. Have your men recovered from the last encounter?" He inquired of the middle-aged man, who appeared on the verge of tears.
Suddenly, it all started to make sense. The night Gianni came home drunk with Nicole. That could explain why he brought his own drinks. He must have been drugged.
"Don, please give us a few minutes, and Don Black will be here," Santiago pleaded.
Gianni gazed at me and poured me a small amount of wine. “When was the last time you drank?" he whispered. I remembered that time at the club, but then I was drugged. He answered himself, "Oh, I remember. So don't drink too much."
Erica's gaze was fixed on me as if I had stolen from her, but then a man appeared at the entrance and began walking to our table.
Santiago stood up and went to meet him halfway. "Don Black, you've arrived."
Gianni's gaze was so gloomy, I sensed something was off the moment Santiago gave his seat to the young man.
He wore a cream suit, had blonde hair, and might be around Gianni's age. However, as soon as he sat where Santiago stood up from, Gianni pointed a gun at his head, causing all the bodyguards to point their guns at us.
"You are not Don Black. Play this game with me and I will kill you here."