e

" I panted, encouraging her as we ran. We were on a

certain I'd be late for work too. Today was the day of the engagem

lking towards the school gates. Naty who was still having fits of laughter

"I can take her inside. You look like you're in a hurry-go!" Her eye

how to raise her fatherless daughter. That's the picture t

ld still pity me if they knew I

between breaths, placi

fun!" I said, pressing a quick kiss to

energetically, showi

back to the bus, literally-all while

ht even say my lungs were burning. I stood frozen at the gates for a moment, taking in the scene

s were filled with workers, scram

chaos, pushing several others asi

I la

have to get started right away. Here," she shoved a list into my

table knot form in my stomach. "I'm on it," I t

with my third chore, I slowly accept

ingers felt numb, and the pantry I got assigned to wa

but it wasn

ared in the doorway, humming a song. She headed straight

o climb up. I was conflicted, unsure whether to interfere or not-but as a mo

et it. Just tell me what you want." I blocked h

e out why I had the audacity to approach her. My gaze immediately f

e," she eventually pointed

et it f

he jar before handing

resh crumbs fall onto the freshly swept floor. It made my

p, but I forced myself to stay still. Maybe if I did som

me off guard, speaking with her mouth full. "I'm

uldn't believe that I was apologizing and fee

etting married

unsure w

ooks like a witch," she then added with a serious expression

tically felt the need to defend

autiful dress reached the floor as she knelt to clean up her own

e to do that, M

er said we should tre

elieving there could be a Fanuc

e pointed

leaned against the door frame, causally with his arm

being around him. It was

y said, her voice snapping me out of my trance

ost spotless floor. I had hoped Dante would get the message and make hi

my head, wonderin

d, smiling proudly. "Do

rwo

ll was I suppos

job," I mumbled softl

one," he shot back,

t all. I bet it would make him look more intelligent. Did he really think

s words bothered me, I cho

erstand why that question would matter to him. "I..

nty-

said, smirking. "But don't worry-I

In a desperate attempt to end the conversation, I

front of me to stop me from leaving. "I'l

won't be n

ins

a forced

a Fanucci, and it would only cost

estrooms in complete silence. As we walked, I did my best attem

put down the bucket and returned to

my nerves. I had a job to do, and I cou

aid, breaking

, pausing to look at him. Dante hum

was all too familiar, and he reminded m

ir," I said, hoping he woul

this time, nodding his head. "Then... I'll b

g to make a move on me, seeing me

ested, not in

ement like a second skin. Men like that were used to getting what th

o intention of repea

ghting for acknowledgment from a privileg

perfect th