POV Alex:

*7 years later*

"Hey babe. How was your day?" I smile as Elenor approaches me.

Her curly blonde hair is tied into a messy bun on top of her head and she is dressed in a pair of worn down jeans and a plaid shirt. Her red glasses are balanced on the tip of her nose so I can get a clear view of her mesmerising crystal blue eyes.

Ellie and I have been dating for over two years and a half now. I met her when I moved into my new house. There's a cafe just round the corner where often i went there. Ellie worked as a waitress there and as I went there often I gradually got to know her.

I began to develop feelings for her very early on, perhaps one or two weeks after having met her and so I worked up the guts to ask her out but damn did she reject me!

It took two months after that to persuade her to go on a date with me, but eventually she caved and we've been dating since.

Currently I am working for a large business as an accountant.

Ellie quit working at the cafe last year and has started up her own business, designing and making dresses as that is her passion. So far it's thriving, in fact she's thinking of expanding her shop and employing some more members of staff, rather than just her friend Rachel who works as her assistant.

I think it's incredible that she followed her dreams.

I've edged away from the 'family business' since I met Ellie. I don't want to get her caught up in all of it. She doesn't exactly know anything about what it is my parents do and she certainly has no clue that my cousin is the leader of the mafia...

We're in a serious relationship now, in fact we've been living together for over a year already, so I think it's time I told her... Bella and Aletta keep telling me to tell her but I just can't bring myself to do it. Even my mother has started to pester me about it.

But they're right.

My first priority is telling her because she means so much to me. But I can't go further in this relationship without her knowing the truth first.

I know she is the one for me. I just want her to know that she is the one I want to spend the rest of my life with.

I mean we're both adults, I'm 25 and Ellie is 23. We're both working and financially we're in a comfortable situation. We already have the house sorted since Ellie moved into my place and other than Ellie's business nothing else needs much attention.

Ah but I still have to tell her the truth...

She is by far the most compassionate and understanding woman I know, but I honestly have no clue how she will react to what I'm about to tell her.

I'm not prepared for her to leave me. If she did I would shatter. But I can't take lying any longer. I guess it's a risk I'm going to have to take and all I can do is pray everything will be ok...

"You look worried, what's wrong?" A sweet voice mumbles into my chest as I embrace Ellie's petite figure.

"Nothings wrong, I was just thinking about tonight. Are you sure you want to go out with Allie and Bella still? We don't have to if you don't want to." I say while looking down at her pretty face hoping that she will say no.

Tonight we're supposed to go to a bar and I hate it, it always ends up the three girls going off and dancing and me staying at the bar chatting to the bartender. Sometimes Bella's boyfriend Nick joins us so I sit at the bar with him but their not in a serious relationship so it doesn't happen too often.

"Of course, don't be silly, I love the girls! Plus it gives me a chance to dress up and look pretty." She laughs and then pecks me on the lips.

I wrap an arm over her shoulder and we begin to walk to my car parked just across the street.

"You look beautiful everyday, babe." I smile down at her and watch as her cheeks tint red.

She's adorable.

Soon enough we're in the car and driving home. We pull up on the doorstep and I'm surprised to see Bella already comfy inside our living room as I walk into the house.

"Took you two long enough." She says rolling her eyes.

"Mind if I borrow this one, we need to get ready." She continues as she walks over to Ellie.

"We still have an hour and a half!" I grumble as I slump down onto the sofa.

She doesn't comment, simply gives me a shrug and walks off.

"Oh by the way Aletta can make it until later, she's stuck at work again, so she said she'll meet us there." She calla while hading upstairs.

After acknowledging what she said I switch on Netflix and get ready to binge a little Brooklyn 99 because why not? It's a great program!

Soon enough it's time to leave but as always, the girls aren't ready and I'm having to chase them down. It's like a routine every time we go out.

I finally get them in the car and we head to the bar.

"Two vodka cranberries and a beer please" I order as Bella and Eleanor hurry off to the dance floor.

I sit comfortably just drinking my beer and going on my phone when someone slumps down on the stool besides me.

"Sorry I'm late, I got stuck at work again" she explains as I look up.

"Hello to you to. And that's fine." I say gaining a little energy.

Allie is still in her work clothes, a beige pencil skirt and black shirt. She looks really formal and certainly like she doesn't belong at a bar.

"Two shots of Tequila please."She orders as the bartender walks over.

"Oh that's okay I don't want one." I say but she just rolls her eyes and replies with a simple, "it's not for you dumbass", making me laugh.

Bella and Ellie both walk over and take a sip of their drinks.

Bella analyses Aletta and just shakes her head. She demands her to go change, passing her her handbag and shoving her in the directions of the ladies room.

Obediently, Aletta walks off to change and I just laugh at my sister in disbelief.

She's back in no time and instantly downs her shots. We all head over to the dance floor where we spend a decent amount of time.

I scan the crowd before coming across a familiar face sat in a booth at the back.

Black suit and red tie. There's no mistaking who he is.

And clearly, he's on business.

I keep my eyes trained on him the whole time as another man approaches.

They share a quick conversation before walking off.

"I'll be right back, babe." I say to Ellie before following him outside.

The other man leaves as I approach them and the man turns around as I get closer.

We lock eyes and instant recognition flashes across his face.

"Alex. It's nice to see you." He nods while coming over to me.

I stay still as he gets closer and when we meet i hug him straight away.

"Wow I missed you bro. Why didn't you tell me you were around?" I ask.

"I only got here today and have a few things to do today and tomorrow, I was going to ring you day after." He explains and I nod.

"Wow how longs it been since I last saw you? A little over 3 years? Damn bro, text and calling just isn't the same. And woah, you haven't aged a bit!" I exclaim.

"Aha well you really have grown up haven't you. I noticed you weren't active in the business, what happened?" He asks.

I dip my head a little before replying.

"Well I've finished uni and got a job as an apprentice. Plus, I met a girl, and well, I want to keep her as far from it as possible."

He nods in understanding.

"Yeah I know what you mean, but you can't hide it from her. It's who you are." He grimaces slightly as if he's remembering something bad.

"Yeah, actually I was planning on telling her this week. But anyways, why don't you come inside and we'll catch up. Bella would love to see you too." I Offer.

"Sorry I can't. But let's meet on Wednesday if you can. I'll tsxt you the details and you can bring Bella too if you want.

"Sure sounds good. It was great seeing you cuz both me and Bells missed you." I say while giving him a bro hug.

"You too, see you Wednesday." He replies before walking off towards a red Maserati and getting in.

I turn and head back inside, the girls greet me with huge grins and giggles. I definitely need to get this bunch home as they're already tipsy.

"You ready to go girls?" I ask as they continue to giggle.

"Noooo silly! Let's dance!!!" Ellie chuckles and I grin following her to the dance floor.

After much dancing I finally convince the three to come home, all four of us pile into my car and I begin to drive.

"You want me to drop you two home or you wanna crash at ours?" I ask Aletta and Bella.

Meanwhile Aletta yawns Bella responds lazily with a simple, "yours," and I roll my eyes, of course she's too lazy to go home.

"Can't sorry, I have a meeting tomorrow morning at 10:30am" Aletta replies.

"But it's Saturday!" Bella exclaims.

"You seriously are a workaholic Allie, why don't you take the day off?" Ellie says to her.

"No can do, I'm a busy lady. I can't take the day off." She shrugs.

Its true though, Aletta works all the time, even weekends. She works in a large cooperation as a COO. So very well paid and a high status.

It's no surprise, after all the Angelo drama and him leaving, Aletta was never the same.

She built cement walls to guard her heart and covered the pain with distractions, submerging herself unto her education.

She turned to work to distract herself. She graduated high school with all As and A*s then completed uni top of her classes also.

She immediately got into work, receiving many promotions and working her way to the top.

I'm not sure what happened between her and Angelo, but it changed her.

She now so guarded, so cold. Of course with me Bella and Eliie she relaxes, but not quite fully, it's like she's still afraid of something...

I drop Aletta at her house making sure she gets inside fine, and then drive the other two hiccuping girls home.

Its not my place to say but I wonder what she would do if she knew Angelo was here....

*******************************************************
Author note: Hey there!

This chapter was a little boring, sorry, but I hope you enjoyed nonetheless.

Don't forget to comment and vote!

All of you readers mean the world to me, even if there's not many of you lol it's still cool that someone reads my work aha.

So thanks!!

Cya in the next chapter

Byeeeee :)))