Chapter 66 A Kiss from Marco

Elena Garcia POV:

After the group of girls saw I wasn't backing down, they tried to scare me, saying I'd regret it.

"Damn bitch! I'll tell Laura, and she'll cut your face with a knife!" one of them spat.

I just smirked, "Go ahead, call her. Have her come to the party right now."

When she didn't retaliate immediately and just made threats, I knew they were all cowards who would only bully others by using Laura's name.

"Is Laura your mom? After getting slapped, all you can do is cry and say to her, 'Mom, help me.'?" I mocked. "Come on, you're an adult. Do you think I'd beg you not to tell Laura? If you're that important to her, she had better come and cut my face herself."

Sure enough, the girl looked embarrassed. She glared at me and then stormed off with her friends.

"Hey, you forgot this traitor," I called out, pointing at Sophia.

The girl glanced at Sophia, realized bullying her wouldn't work on me, snorted, and left her behind.

Once they were gone, I let out a sigh of relief and changed my expression.

I headed to the drinks, grabbed a cold beer, and pressed it against Sophia's face.

"My God, did those lunatics do anything else to you? Do you need to go to the hospital?" I asked.

"I'm fine, Elena," Sophia said, her anxious expression softening, tears welling up. "I thought... you're smart."

"Did I scare you?" I raised an eyebrow. "I was angry and heartbroken because I thought you had become like them. But when I heard that you were pleading for me, I knew you hadn't really betrayed us. I'm so happy, Sophia."

Sophia's tears fell again. "But my sister and I still made the wrong choice; what I did was just a way to make it up to you. You're different, Elena. Even when you thought we betrayed you, you still protected me."

Sophia hugged me tightly, and I patted her head, trying to calm her down.

Today had been rough for both of us, but we found a new path.

I told Sophia there might be others on campus who felt the same way about Laura and her crew. They could be our new allies.

Sophia was thrilled.

While we were talking, Noah came over with some stuff in his hands.

I figured he saw what happened because he handed me some anti-swelling ointment.

"These are essentials for party newbies, including hangover medicine and other stuff," Noah said.

He greeted Sophia warmly. I didn't see Marco around, which made me a bit nervous.

"Was Marco with you just now?" I asked.

"Do you expect that?" Noah whispered in my ear.

I looked at him, and he shrugged.

"Don't worry, he wasn't. Marco went to the bathroom because of a stomach upset. I knew there'd be expired drinks. Maybe Marco has diarrhea!"

I was still uneasy with his explanation.

Noah tried to comfort me, "Don't be nervous. Bring your friend and have fun at the party with us! Apartment parties aren't common because Ms. Joy wouldn't let us have them every day!"

Noah introduced me and Sophia to some of his friends. Some were drunk, their faces flushed.

"Noah, where'd you find these pretty girls?"

"Do you have boyfriends?"

"Don't be silly. If they had boyfriends, they would've brought them along."

"You're such a buzzkill. So, girls, want to change boyfriends? If your boyfriend's a jerk, maybe you can consider us?"

"I'm different. Girls, you don't need to change boyfriends. If your boyfriend doesn't mind, I can join you!"

"Damn it, you guys are so embarrassing!" Noah said, a bit awkward. "Alright, it seems they've drunk too much. They're usually not like this."

Noah's friends were quite the characters; they were lively, like a bunch of party maniacs.

One guy was completely wasted and, while trying to hit on me, lost his balance. While he was about to fall on me, his arm was quickly grabbed by someone.

I looked up at the owner of that arm, and Noah was quick to call out his name.

"Marco! Feeling better now?"

Noah winked dramatically, making a big show of it.

That made me even more skeptical about Marco's bathroom story.

I eyed Marco, wondering if he was up to something. But he just looked at me gently and worriedly, like he had no clue.

I started to think maybe I was overthinking, until I overheard his chat with Noah later.

After the party, I walked Sophia back to her dorm. Marco offered to walk me back, but I turned him down.

When I got back to my new dorm, I tiptoed in, not wanting to wake my roommates. As I passed the kitchen, I heard Noah laughing. I figured I'd say goodnight.

But as I turned to go in, I heard Noah talking.

Noah said, "Marco, you can't let your agent find out what you've done."

Noah kept laughing, while Marco stayed silent.

They mentioned "agent," so I figured it was some family stuff, and barging in might be improper.

As I hesitated, Noah continued. "If he saw how you act around Elena, he might rethink choosing you. The Bianchi family has never had a lovesick fool, especially not our dad. At your age, he already had two mistresses."

"I don't want to be him, and I won't be him," Marco said, clearly annoyed Noah brought up their dad.

"You definitely can't be him. That old man was way more decisive about what he wanted." Noah sighed.

I heard a cup hit the countertop and Marco's cold snort, echoing in the quiet night.

Noah said, "If you like a girl and want to be with her, you should tell her what you've done for her, Marco. My God, you're a mafia, not a saint. It's nice of you to secretly warn those girls. You're helping her. Why would you think she'd hate you for that?"

Marco replied calmly, "She didn't ask for my help. It was all my idea, so I don't want her to think it's some kind of forced deal or threat. That would just make her think less of me."

Marco's calm tone made me believe he was sincere, filled with determination.

"Being a mafia is bad enough. I don't want to give her any more reasons to think poorly of me, Noah." Marco's voice wavered a bit.

I could sense his sadness. I stood awkwardly outside the kitchen, feeling conflicted.

While I hesitated to ask Marco for help, he had warned those girls for me, knowing he wouldn't get anything in return.

I was at a loss, my heart racing as I realized Marco valued me.

Apart from my foster mother, no one had ever truly valued me like this. Even my biological parents never cared for me or my opinions as deeply as Marco did.

This kind of attention was overwhelming and confusing. Why was he so cautious around me?

I know the answer, which was Marco liked me. But I still had doubts.

Noah said, "Don't be down, Marco! The family thinks you're the most like your father, but around her, you turn into a shy boy, always worrying about unnecessary things. In front of the one you care about, you should be proactive and brave."

I couldn't listen anymore, so I quietly stepped back and went to my room.

I turned off the light and lay on my bed, my mind in chaos.

I even forgot to contact William. Usually, I'd say goodnight to him, and he'd message me, but tonight, he didn't, and I didn't notice.

After a while, I heard hurried footsteps.

I forgot to close my bedroom door and tell them I was back!

I closed my eyes, pretending to be asleep.

When the door opened, I heard someone sigh in relief.

I knew it had to be Marco, probably worried because I hadn't come back for a while.

I waited for him to close my bedroom door, but after a long time, I didn't hear it.

Then I heard soft footsteps; Marco walked closer to my bed.

What was he going to do? I quickly got my answer.

Marco bent down and kissed my forehead. "Sweet dreams, Elena."

My heart was pounding.