Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad by Scarlett Rossi
Chapter 650 -

*Three Months Later* *Caterina*

"Marketing, especially on social media, is a way to spread your online presence and build trust within your brand. That's why many companies have taken to social media platforms that provide advanced ad targeting."

Ms. Sumners paced slowly at the front of the room, her heels tapping on the shiny tile floors as she lectured the few students who had elected to take her class. It was a small classroom, probably half the size of a standard one, and besides me, there were only five or six other students.

Each student was hard at work as they wrote or typed down every word the teacher was saying. I twirled my pencil in one hand, frowning as I double-checked my notes with what she was saying.

"Tracking statistics is the number one way to grow your brand as it allows you to replace out demographics, interests, behaviors, budgets. Everything you could possibly want to know about the consumers buying your products. And once you know that it's easy to market hard and fast to that specific group of people."

Ms. Sumners paused as the digital clock on her desk blared out in a dial tone and immediately, my eyes flew to the clock above the doorway. It was four o'clock-right on time.

I folded up my notebook, beginning to gather my things as Ms. Sumners turned off the alarm, resetting it for the next class.

"Remember to have your essay on marketing to specific demographics on my desk by Monday morning or you will receive a zero," she called out, sternly, taking a seat behind her desk as the few students practically flew out of the classroom. I was the last to leave, and as Ms. Sumners pulled out her infamous red Sharpie, I quietly shut the door behind me, leaving her to it.

"Cat!"

I flinched, dodging at just the right moment as Anna went flying past me, practically hitting the wall head-first but grabbing her before she did. I giggled as she held her nose in mock pain, pouting at me like I had done something unforgivable.

"I was just trying to hug you," she said, sounding congested as she held her nose.

She let go, wiggling it with a wince. I rolled my eyes.

"Sorry, but no," I laughed, falling into line beside her as we made our way down the empty hallways.

"To think I took summer classes to hang out with such an ungrateful friend as you," she huffed, crossing her arms unhappily. "I am such a good friend, but you refuse my hug. You are the worst."

"Uh, huh, and I'm sure you sticking to me like glue also had nothing to do with Daniel on his trip abroad," I retorted.

"It's France!" Anna cried out, swinging her arms out and almost hitting a passing student going the opposite way in the face.

"Hey!" He glared at her.

"Sorry," I apologized for her, but Anna was completely uncaring as she pursed her lips, giving me wide sorrowful eyes.

"I'm lonely, Cat! Give me a break. Sexual frustration is a real bitch, and you're my only friend!" she yelled out in the middle of the school hallway.

The guy she almost hit turned bright red, quickly scurrying away like someone was chasing him.

"And I wonder why that is," I sighed, hiding my face in my palm. "Do you have to make the whole school aware of your issues?"

"Rude." She pivoted on her feet, walking backward so she could stick her tongue out at me.

I rolled my eyes and laughed. "I've got to get home, so I'll see you on Monday, okay?"

"Fine, fine." She waved her hand at me as she approached the exit. "Leave me to my lonesome."

A black car was waiting for me as usual, with one of the men in a black suit and sunglasses leaning against the door. I knew there were probably more hidden around.

Anna frowned as we spotted them and the guy nodded at me, opening the car door like he did every evening pick-up. "Those guys are creepy, Cat. How long do you have to keep getting chauffeured around like that?" "Uh, not much longer." I avoided her eyes.

Anna didn't know much of anything, only that an old enemy of my dad's showed up and my mom got hurt. I told her that the family was paying for protection, hence the bodyguards, but I could tell she only half-believed me. But she still didn't ask any questions. She did insist on taking the summer classes and walking me to and from each class, and we both knew it wasn't because Daniel was abroad for the summer.

She was my best friend, and she knew something was wrong, even if I didn't have to say it.

"Thanks, Anna. I'll see you later." I leaned over to grab her into a hug.

She hugged me tighter, her face softening as she smiled.

"Don't get mushy on me now," she muttered, her voice a little hoarse with emotion.

I ignored it, blinking away the water in my eyes as I pulled back. I waved to her until I reached the car, settling inside as the bodyguard silently shut the door behind me.

Anna stood at the entrance, watching until we disappeared, and my smile dropped. I sighed, hugging my backpack to my chest as I pulled out my phone. There were no new messages, and I wasn't sure whether to be disappointed or happy about that.

I always heard that no news was good news, but I still wanted to know how my mom was doing. She was still in the hospital, recovering little by little.

It didn't take long to head from the school to where we were going. It was a private little house, a new safe house that Alessandro had set up for us in a quieter part of town. We drove up, the building looking domineering from the outside.

It was a depressing sight, to be honest. The windows were only cosmetic, and the door was reinforced steel, only painted to look wooden. Most of the building was concrete and metal, nothing bright or aesthetic, just a pile of grays. But this was home now, at least while Antonio and his asshole of a son were on the loose. It took a minute to get the courage to get out and approach the safe house, the bodyguard only following me to the door, standing guard as he always did, but I hesitated when it came to actually going in.

I didn't want to spend another night coming home to nothing. With Mom in the hospital, all I had was Elio, but he spent his time split between his job at his company and his deals with Alessandro.

He called me every so often to tell me how they were making great strides in expanding the family into the US, but when it came to anything else, well, he was like a ghost these past few months.

Elio returned home after I fell asleep and was gone by the time I woke up most days. It had been weeks since we had a day to ourselves and I had to admit, it was lonely.

I was happy to know that Elio and I were on the same page now, with no more secrets and withholding things from one another, especially with a clear goal in our minds-replace Junior and Antonio and make them pay, no matter the cost. Yet, I couldn't help but wish for just one day, just a few hours to relax. Things had changed so much in the past few months, and it felt like nothing would be the same as it was. I didn't know if that was a good thing or not.

I unlocked the door and headed inside. A hot shower and a change of clothes sounded good before I had to make my way over to the hospital. Mom was probably going stir-crazy after so many months of being bedridden. Elio already told me he was going to be late tonight, so there was no point in waiting for him.

I slung my backpack onto the nearby couch, stretching my arms above my head as I suppressed a yawn when I heard a loud "Ow!" in response.

I flinched, immediately going on the defensive as I turned to the couch. I saw a pair of feet hanging off the couch and a head popped up, holding my backpack by the strap.

"Jeez, Cat. What did I do to you to deserve that?" Elio grinned, rubbing the top of his head like he had actually been injured.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were going to be late getting home tonight." I laughed, running over to his side.

He climbed to his feet, folding me into a hug and I breathed a sigh of relief, feeling warm and safe for the first time in weeks. It had really been so long since I'd seen him last.

"That was a bluff. We wanted to surprise you," Elio chuckled.

"We?" I frowned, looking up.

Elio just smirked, glancing at the kitchen. I followed his gaze and my heart leaped to my throat. There, sitting innocently in a bulky wheelchair, was my mother, smiling just as she always was with a store-bought cake on her lap. "Mom!" I jumped out of Elio's arms, rushing toward her. I kneeled right in front of her, checking her for any bandages or injuries. There was nothing. Her complexion looked even brighter than the last time I'd seen her. "I was just coming to visit you. Did you get released? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Now, you're sounding just like me, Cat." Mom cupped my cheek. "I just got released today, so we wanted to surprise you. It was Elio's idea and the hospital helped as well."

"I'm just glad you're out of there. This place is one level, so it should be easy to navigate with the wheelchair. I'm sure Elio already thought of that, though." I sent him a sly glance and he just shrugged with a smirk on his face.

"I may not be able to walk yet, but I'll be out of this chair soon enough. You'll see," Mom said warmly. "I'm getting better every day with my exercises, and the doctor said I'll be back on my feet in just another month or two." "Of course you will. You're the strongest woman I know." I smiled, laying my hand over hers. She was as warm as always, just radiating like the sun.

"Oh." She gave me a teary smile. "I raised such a beautiful, strong, and kind daughter. You are the greatest gift I've ever been given, Cat. I love you."

"I love you too, Mom," I beamed, gently folding her into a hug.

"Now, it's time for cake!" Elio clapped behind us, interrupting the sweet moment with a mischievous grin. "Specially picked up from my favorite cake store. It's your favorite."

I rolled my eyes as he energetically ran past us into the kitchen, taking the cake from Mom as he opened it up and began to slice out pieces. He was right. It was my favorite.

I took a bite of the delicious cake, fully content as I watched my boyfriend make my mom laugh. I couldn't believe how happy I was just seeing their faces, and how lucky I was to be with such a great man like Elio. Life was changing all the time, but as long as I had them, I would be fine.

"Let me get you a drink, Mom. Do you want milk or a coke?" I asked, setting down my plate as I made my way to the fridge.

"Milk, please!"

"Got it."

I barely noticed Elio following me as I leaned over to inspect the fridge, quickly replaceing the gallon of milk. Right as I pulled it out, I nearly walked into the brick wall that was my boyfriend.

"Elio?" I questioned him, unnerved by the uncharacteristically serious look on his face.

"I need to talk to you," he said firmly.

"Can it wait? Mom just got home," I frowned.

He shook his head.

"It's about Junior."