As we reached the dock, Damiens face morphed into a scowl, in which I returned. He shook his head and muttered something in Italian under his breath.
Soon enough the boat arrived, and it didn't even wait for a minute.
I reached into my pocket to make sure his card was still there, I ran my thumb over the letters, Andrei Volkov.
Now why would he give me this? He barely knows me, heck he doesn't even know me at all, only my name.
I shook off the thought and slipped the card back into my pocket. Oh well, at least I have money to buy paint for Leo's seashells.
The boat ride took about fifteen minutes and the walk to the mall was about ten.
"Where would you like to go first principessa?" Leo asked with a grin, as he held the door open for me.
"Could we go to the dollar store?" I asked with a smile.
The dollar store would be the cheapest place to get paint at. That way, I didn't have to spend much of Andrei's money.
"Of course."
My eyes danced around the large mall; this mall was much bigger and grander than the one in Italy. Yikes, the last time I was at a mall didn't go very well.
---
Okay, I know I said I wasn't going to spend too much of Andrei's money... but I might have gotten a little carried away. In my defense, he told me to spend as much as I'd like.
Leo offered to pay every time, but who would I be to let him pay for his own present?
And then I might have stumbled into a teddy bear store, but how could I resist? Besides Fluffy is in need of friend. And then I might have accidently stumbled into a few clothing stores and shoe stores. Key word, accidently.
But there was a strange, rather creepy thing happening every time I purchased something. Every time I bought something this guy dressed head to toe in black was close by, and it wasn't for just a few stores it was every store. What would a guy be doing in a bra store?
Me and Leo walked into the food court, it was pretty filled considering it was supper time.
"Are you getting hungry, principessa?"
"Yes, I'm in the mood for anything besides pizza." I only half joked.
He chuckled, "Why don't you pick out a place to order from while I go to the bathroom, it's just right there." He pointed towards the restrooms.
In the corner of my eye, I saw a flash of the guy. My heart rate picked up, "No... I need to go to the bathroom as well." I lied as I quickly stood up from the seat.
He nodded and we began walking towards the bathrooms. I kept my arms wrapped around my body. This can't be a coincidence; this guy only goes wherever I go.
"Are you okay, principessa?" Leo asked concerned as he rested his hand on my shoulder, his eyes held a look of worry.
"Yes, I just feel a bit sick." This wasn't a lie, but I wasn't feeling sick the way he might think, I was feeling sick because we were being followed.
"I can call the boat to come get us, if you aren't feeling well, sweetheart." Leo whispered with a concerned look in his eyes, as he soothingly rubbed my back with his hand.
I shook my head, "I'm fine." I reassured with a soft smile. "Let's get our food and we can go?" I asked.
I don't think he was quite convinced, but he nodded anyway.
As we went into the hallway that contained the bathrooms, the creepy guy followed, and he leaned against the wall.
Leo was about to walk into the men's washroom, but I quickly gripped his shirt.
He raised his eyebrows at me in confusion.
"I-I wanna use this bathroom." I breathed out nervously.
"Chiara what's wrong?" He asked again, his voice was more serious this time.
"Nothing, I just don't like the women's bathrooms, because- because they aren't as well kept as the men's?" I awkwardly laughed; I loosened the grip on his shirt as I realized it was still in my hand.
I think men are a lot messier and that was the worst lie I have ever lied. Way to go me.
His eyes searched mine and he obviously didn't believe me, but he let me follow him into the men's bathroom.
As I walked into the bathroom some guys gave me a very weird look to which I quietly, awkwardly laughed, "Women's bathrooms are closed."
I quickly locked myself in one of the few stalls, as I didn't quite care to see what they had to say. I tried to catch my breathing.
In,
and
out.
In,
and
out.
In-
There was a knock at my stall door, and I saw black shoes.
I screamed louder then I intended too.
"Principessa?" A worried voice asked, Leo's voice.
Oh wait, Leo has black shoes too.
I sighed out in relief and unlocked the stall's door, to see a concerned Leo.
His strong arms engulfed me into a hug, "Sweetheart, please tell me what's wrong, please." He practically begged.
"I-I." I hesitated to say, I don't want to stress or worry Leo about this creep.
"I think I'm being followed." I whispered.
There was a pause. Leo's eyes scanned the room, his arms still wrapped around me.
"What are they wearing, principessa?" Leo softly asked.
"He's wearing all black." I whispered again.
He kissed the top of my head, "There's nothing to worry about, I will take care of it, nothing will happen to you, my princess." He reassured.
"I will call Julias and Elias to come and take you home, I will handle it okay, love?" He softly said as he reached into his back pocket for his phone.
"I will also get you some take-out, anything in mind?" He whispered softly.
"Anything is fine."
"Okay, principessa."
A blush tinted my cheeks as I realized some guys were staring at us, as Leo began calling them, I tugged the bottom of his shirt.
"Hm?"
"Can we call them outside?" I said giving him a half smile.
He nodded, and we began walking out of the bathroom, his hand was still on my back, and it never left until the rest of my cousins and two of my brothers came to get me.
"When I get back, we can watch a movie and eat the food together, okay, principessa?" Leo said softly as he ruffled my hair.
I nodded, at least I won't be eating pizza. I can also paint the seashells and give them to him during the movie!
"Be careful, Leo." I whispered back as I took Elias's hand.
"Don't worry about me principessa." He smiled.
As we left the mall the refreshing breeze calmed my state of mind. Until Daimien decided to speak up, "Really? Someone following you? You don't think you're that special, do you?" He grumbled, as he hopped onto his new skateboard.
Julias jabbed him in the ribs with his elbow, "Bro, don't even joke like that right now."
I don't think he was joking.
"You, okay?" Elias whispered to me, still holding my hand.
I nodded.
He caressed my hand with his thumb.
"Great, she's okay. That means we can go back in the mall; we still have twenty minutes." Marcelo pointed out, he placed his hand on my shoulder and my back tensed. I don't like him, and I don't like his touching me either.
"Right, Kendall?" He asked, but I think he was only expecting a yes.
"Would you f*ck off, Marcelo?" Elias grumbled, his voice was serious, and his eyes narrowed at him.
"Excuse my language, love." He quickly added.
Marcelos bunched his hands into fists and kept them close to his side as he passed us and began walking to the dock like the petty five-year-old he is.
I should really warn Andrei about his card, what if he tries to buy something and the creepy guy tries to get to him?
I'll tell him later.
We arrived back at the house, and I eagerly rushed upstairs to my bedroom with the bag in my hand.
I really hope Leo will love them. I pulled open my drawer and placed Andrei's card in it I picked out the prettiest seashell to paint first, I put some pieces of paper on the vanity so it would catch the drips of pain in case there was.
I didn't bother to close the drawer, and I sat cross legged at my vanity, I pulled out the paint and paint brush from the bag and I began to think of some colours Leo would like.
I should've asked him his favorite colour! Hm, maybe this one can be blue and a pretty green colour? I see him wear lots of blue, maybe I'll paint this one all blue, but it will have different shades of blue!
I poured out a bit of blue onto a plate along with some white and black to make the blue darker or lighter.
I dipped the paint brush and mixed it with a bit of black, maybe it will go from dark blue to light blue!
I began painting the cute seashell as I hummed a random tune, until a soft knock was at my door. I wasn't worried it would be Leo because we just got home, "Yes?" I called out not looking up from the seashell I was painting.
Alessandro stepped in my room, and it took everything in me too not scowl at him. He won't ruin my happy mood.
"What are you doing?" He asked as he leaned against my door.
"Why do you care?" I asked, not sparing a glance at him.
"Is it wrong to ask what my little sister does in her spare time?" He complained, his gaze was fixed on me, I could feel it.
"Well, I'm painting? Can you not, see? It's a gift for Leo."
"What did he buy you?"
I looked back at him with a blank stare, "What?"
"Well, what did he buy you?" He questioned again.
I narrowed my eyes at him, "He didn't buy me anything."
"Then why would you be painting him a seashell?"
"Because he's kind to me?" I practically scoff.
"Well, you don't paint me seashells." He grumbled out, as he starred at the seashell that was now covered in an ombre of blue.
"What have you done to deserve a seashell? Name one thing." I glared back, biting my tongue I think it's safe to say my peaceful happy mood was thrown out of the window.
"I've done a lot more then that fool, I've boughten you a phone, gave you a place to sleep, a brand-new closet filled with clothes."
Does he really think money will buy his love? He's given me a house sure, but it's not a home. There was a silent pause, until his eye caught my dresser.
He took long angry strides towards it. He picked up the necklace Andrei gave me, and the angriest look formed onto his face. I couldn't even describe it. "What's this?" He angrily growled.