Chapter 6.

I looked at the clock hanging on the wall in my office. It was 15:30 and I was tired as hell.

Anna had gone through everything that I needed to do, everything I needed to check and everything that was expected of me. Which was a lot.

I skipped lunch because of what I and Ashton talked about earlier. He may be a dick, but he’s a dick that sticks to his word. I couldn't risk anybody talking to me today.

My stomach was growling at me. Begging me for food.

I released a breath of air and gathered my things before leaving my office.

”Hey, did everything go alright?” Pazzi said coming up behind me.

”Yeah I guess, there's a lot to do and remember but I'llmanage.” I said giving him a weak smile.

Just when he was about to say something, my stomach growled again and it sounded like two wolves fighting in there.

”Have you eaten anything?” I shook my head.

”No, I skipped lunch. Speaking of which, you probably don't want to be seen speaking to me or you might die. And honestly, I don't want that on my consciousness,” I said, jokingly.

”I’ll take my chances,” He said after he had laughed.

”You wanna eat? I know this great burger place not too far away,” I wanted to decline his offer and go home to my bed. But my stomach had other ideas and as soon as she heard the word ’burgers’ she growled again.

”It’s settled then,” He said with a smile, and we walked to the elevator.

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”Oh my god these are amazing!” I nearly shouted in the restaurant as I inhaled the burger with no shame.

”Yeah they're the best, you should try their pizza,” Pazzi said as he chewed on some fries.

”No thanks, I think I'll stick to the burgers,” I said and chewed of another piece.

We had talked about our lives for an hour or so, and I told him how I wanted to be a painter but changed direction. I didn't tell him about my parents however as I didn't want yet another pity look thrown my way.

Pazzi was originally from Italy and moved here when he was eight with his parents and his younger sister. He was very vague as to what his parents did for a job but rambled on about his sister. The two of them seemed very close, it made me wonder what it would’ve been like if I had a sibling. Maybe I'd still be on the painting course, have my own gallery. Maybe I would've followed my dreams instead of my parents.

Thinking down that path, however, only leads to disappointment. I’m alone and that’s reality.

He told me how he and Ashton have known each other since their teens. How their families knew each other and they quickly became like brothers.

In Italy, his parents owned a wine yard where Pazzi used to run around with their dog. It sounded lovely. But something happened that forced them to leave and they knew people in America so they came here.

”Why are you so nice to me?” I asked him as we were walking to the car.

He looked at me like a question mark.

”Why wouldn't I be nice to you?”

”If you've known Ashton since your teens, then you know me, and you know what happened. So I ask you again, why are you so nice?”

Pazzi sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

”Yeah I know. In all honesty, I don't know exactly what happened, and I don't think Ashton does either. I think you do but something is keeping you from telling him. I don't think that you just up and decided to break his heart. I think that there is more to the story, and disliking you for no reason seems both immature and a waste of time,”

”Could you maybe tell him that?” I said with a pout.

”Sorry Elena, that is between you and him. He won't make it easy for you, I know that much and so do you. But I'm here, and you can always talk to me,” His words warmed my heart. Something that hadn't happened in a long time.

”Thank you Pazzi,” I said with a smile.

Pazzi had dropped me off by my apartment building earlier and we said our goodbyes. I was now in the kitchen, pouring myself a glass of wine.

I dropped myself down on the couch and turned on the tv, trying to process everything that is happening right now is impossible, so I decided not to.

Keeping up with the Kardashians was on and I thought that watching other people's drama might take my mind off my own. And if not, at least I could pretend for one night, that my life wasn't messed up.

I was watching Khloe and Kim discuss something when my phone lit up beside me.

’Pizza tomorrow? - P

A smile formed on my face as I re-read his message.

me: ’I think I want that burger again…’ 

Pazzi: ’You’re so boring’

Me: ’Nope, just classic,’

Pazzi: ’Classic maybe, class no.’

Me: ’I thought you were going to be nice to me!’

Pazzi: ’I am. But I'm also honest ;)’

Me: ’Fine, you win. Pizza tomorrow.’

Pazzi: ’Good choice, you’re going to need someone in your corner’

Me: ’You don't say…goodnight Pazzi’

Pazzi: ’Goodnight,’

I went and brushed my teeth and went to bed.

I re-read our messages one more time, finding something very odd. I recognize these texts. But I can't remember why.

I shook that thought away and decided to go to sleep. I'm going to need to be rested tomorrow.