Chapter 110 Mortified - Fiona

Chapter 110 Mortified - Fiona
"Can I talk to you?"
I almost turn around and run away like I always do, but there's something in Dante's eyes that makes me stay.
I don't even want to know what the hell happened last night while I was drugged on some sex thing. I blush profusely when I notice the hickeys on his neck, knowing that was probably me that did that.
"I...I...." I gulp, trying to wet my throat so the damn words can come out. "I'm sorry about last nighy, I didn't mean to harass you."
I want to pat myself on the back that I completed a whole sentence.
I think I'm going to combust straight out of my skin when Dante takes my hand in his, my skin burning where he touches me. "You didn't harass me, I wanted to help."
I nod, not really knowing what kind of help he provided. I would know if I had sex, right?
"I just want you to be okay."
"I'm okay!" I say a little too fast. "Are you okay!"
Swallow me up right now, earth. Give way to my body, please.
He grins, popping a dimple, and I wonder why on earth a ridiculously cute boy like Dante would even talk to a nobody like me.
"I'm doing really well today, went to the gym before I went to bed." He squeezes my hand like he's done it a million times before. "I'm working the night guard shift the whole week, I can come in an hour early if you want to hang."
I open my mouth to say something, anything, but like usual no words seem to come out.
He wants to hang out with me? But why? I can't even talk to him, why on earth would he want to spend any time with me? And even after last night, where I sucked his neck like I'm Dracula, why would he still want to give me the time of day?
He drops my hand and shoves it into his pocket, leaving me feeling deprived of his touch. "Only if you want to, of course."
"I want to!" I blurt out, sounding like a complete idiot. Why did I never hang out with my friends more often in school? Then maybe this situation wouldn't have been so bad.
The answer is, I was too busy trying to help out my single mother with working after school and on weekends. I had friends, but never spent time with them aside from school.
"Great!" His smile broadens. "I'll see you tomorrow then, in the garden at four?"
It's starting to get really cold, so the garden is probably not the ideal place to meet, but luckily I have a coat. "Okay."
He walks backwards away from me, and I can't help but giggle when he meets the wall, smirking at me before turning around.
"Did he tell you what happened last night?" Frank says from behind me and I almost jump out of my skin.
My face burns with embarrassment. Of course Frank witnessed me drugged, and I feel like a little girl being scolded by her father the way he's looking at me.
"I didn't...I didn't...." I can't even get the words out.
"Have sex with him?" Frank's eyebrows shoot up in the air, mocking me. "Luckily for you, the boy has more restraint than most men I've encountered. He's a good one."
Is that his way of telling me he approves of Dante? I like Frank, he really looks out for us, more than his job description.
"Thank you, for taking care of me last night." I say earnestly.
"Mmmm." Frank murmurs. "It wasn't your fault. In fact, I should have been more vigilant, so it's on me."
I don't think anyone could have predicted all the champage would be drugged at that party, but it does make me a little scared now to go out again. I love having a good time with Lily and Bella, and even crazy Elio, but last night was a little bit of a wakeup call.
"It's not on you, but thank you again." I make my way to the kitchen to check up on how far dinner is.
Lily is having dinner with Vincent tonight, an extremely rare occassion, so I want it to be perfect for them. I love working here, the kitchen staff is amazing, and I don't for one second believe that any one of these ladies drugged Lily.
"Are you talking to my nephew?" Aunt Rosa has a naughty glint in her eyes as she looks at me.
"No!" I exclaim fervently, my cheeks probably even more pink.
She'd prefer him talking to a nice Italian girl like Bella. Okay, maybe not Bella, because she's definitely not always nice, but definitely not someone like me who is just a glorified maid.
"Oh?" She looks surprised. "I think he likes you."
"You do?" My eyes widen. "Really?"
I'm sounding stupid, I know, but I can't fathom that a boy like Dante would like a girl like me.
"Definitely." She winks at me.
I clear my throat, not knowing what to make of that. "I'm checking up on dinner, can I go set the table? Vincent will be home tonight."
Rosa's smile drops. I don't think she likes Lily, because of the poisoning allegations. "What does Her Highness request tonight?"
"Whatever you're making, aunt Rosa." I sigh. "You know, she's really not that bad, you should just get to know her."
"No." Rosa shakes her head. "I've been working in this kitchen for twenty-five-years, I raised Vincent on my food, then she comes along and gets poisoned."
"It is suspicious though, don't you think?" We've had this conersation before, and every time she tells me she doesn't know what could have caused Lily to get ill.
"I make the food myself, every day, I only take off one weekend in the month." She holds her index finger up.
"Who was working the weekend you were off?" I ask, thinking that the answer might lay there.
"Allegra." Rosa sighs deeply. "But the girl is good, I trained her myself."
"Do you still maybe have the schedule of that month so I can check?" I smile, knowing that always breaks through Rosa's resolve. "Please?"
"Allegra is a good girl." Rosa says. "But I'll email you the schedule."
"Thank you, you're the best."
Someone pisoned Lily. If it wasn't Rosa, then it was someone else in this kitchen, and I will make it my mission to find out who.