Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad by Scarlett Rossi
Chapter 652 -

*Caterina*

An intoxicating and familiar scent hit me in the blank unconsciousness that had consumed me. My eyes fluttered open as the salty sizzling smell of bacon pulled me into the waking land. Excitement pooled in the center of my stomach, and I shifted slightly, immediately regretting it as my muscles and limbs sharply ached in response.

I groaned, feeling so sore that just the thought of getting up had me flinching. There wasn't a single part of me that wasn't completely spent, and remembering last night, it wasn't difficult to see why.

It was tempting to blame Elio for going overboard, but I knew I had been just as much of a willing participant, or even more so at times.

I huffed, letting my face fall straight into the pillow as I pouted. I was stuck on my stomach, my arms curled around my waist as it ached with every movement and my face fully smashed within the pillows. But the bacon, my favorite breakfast food, was still luring me, teasing and tempting as it struggled to pull me out of bed, and I knew only one person could be behind this.

And speak of the devil, I thought.

I heard the door open and then shut quickly, a few footsteps and I strained my head, trying to look over my shoulders, but it was no use.

"Having trouble?" I heard him chuckle from somewhere behind me.

"Shut up," I groaned. "It's your fault."

"And who was the one who kept begging me—"

"Just shut up and help me!" I blushed a deep red, flailing my arms out behind me.

Elio laughed, and I heard his footsteps approaching and the dip of the bed as he took a seat beside me. He grabbed one hand of mine and slipped the other underneath my waist, gently helping me turn over.

I shut my eyes tightly from the sore protest of my body but eventually, I was staring at the ceiling. Elio gently wrapped me up in the blanket, folding me like a burrito, and I sent him a questioning and pouting look as he grinned.

And then he lifted me into his lap, holding me like a swaddled baby. I huffed, blowing my messy hair from my face, my arms trapped within the blanket burrito, and I felt sort of like a slug, just wiggling my way to get comfortable. He laughed, gently kissing the tip of my nose.

"My sweet baby," he cooed teasingly.

I rolled my eyes. "Did I smell bacon?" I asked curiously, trying to look around the room for where the savory-smelling meat might be hiding.

He laughed, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. "Yes. Breakfast is almost ready. We're just waiting on you."

"We?" I tilted my head with a frown. Then I remembered that my mom had come home last night. "Why didn't you say something? Let me go and get dressed!"

I struggled to get out of his embrace, but his grip was like iron, and he just coddled me even more, keeping me close to his chest.

"Matilde's live-in caretaker arrived this morning, so I made breakfast for everybody," Elio explained, looking much like a satisfied jungle cat as he cradled me perfectly in his arms.

He had no intention of letting me go anytime soon, and I was too bundled up to move properly, especially with how sore and bruised I felt.

There was only one option. I gave him the biggest puppy-dog eyes I could, cuddling up to him to try to win some sweetness points.

"Then let me go so I can get dressed and eat food. I'm hungry," I whined, pouting like a toddler who didn't get what they wanted, much to my own shame.

But bacon took precedence over shame. I'd run an old lady over with a cart just to get the last package of bacon.

"Alright, alright." He laughed, letting me go finally as he tossed me and the blanket onto the bed.

I huffed, scrambling out of the twisted blanket burrito. I still felt sore, but it was better now that I was moving my body again.

I ignored Elio's heated stare as I dropped the blanket, fully in the nude as I headed for the closet. It felt a bit weird to have a mixture of our clothes staring back at me, almost nearly imperceptible from just a glance but I grabbed what I needed, dressing as quickly as I could.

I pulled on a simple pair of jeans, a T-shirt, and an oversized jacket that I had an inkling wasn't actually mine but I didn't point it out, and neither did Elio, who simply grinned a little too widely at the choice.

I brushed my hair, put it into a high ponytail, and did a little bit of makeup before nodding in content at my appearance. Elio had patiently waited for me and once I was ready, he hopped up to his feet, wrapping his arm around my waist as we headed to the kitchen.

I heard voices that were too low to make out as we approached and when we entered, I saw Mom sitting in her wheelchair at the table, a platter of food spread out though she was only having a bowl of oatmeal, some fruit, and a bit of bacon. My mouth watered as I saw the plate full of glorious meat, even over the other dishes-waffles, toast and cheesy scrambled eggs, hash-browns, and sausage links, along with a whole spread of sauces and fruits.

"Yum!" I grinned, my stomach rumbling as the smell of so many different foods hit me all at once. I took my seat between Mom and Elio right as the caretaker came back carrying a pitcher full of orange juice. "Good morning, Miss," the sweet older lady in her fifties or sixties said happily as she poured four glasses of orange juice around the table.

"Morning. Lauren, right?" I made sure to get her name right. We'd only met a few times before this, but she seemed like a very caring and sweet lady. Mom seemed to like her too.

"Right. Well, dig in, dear. Don't worry about me." Lauren chuckled, taking a seat at the table. Mom had already finished off half her bowl of oatmeal and started munching on her bacon, just as obsessed with the stuff as I was.

I spared no more time, immediately filling up my plate. Mom and I carried the conversation as we ate breakfast, asking Lauren all sorts of questions about her and the process of being a caretaker, what her hours were, and what she could help with.

By the time the plate of bacon was gone, I was feeling pretty good about having Lauren watch over Mom in my stead. I had originally wanted to take time off school to care for her, but Mom wasn't having any of it. I was glad at least she'd have someone to keep her company while Elio was at work and I was off at school.

Elio finished up, giving me a soft smile as he got to his feet. "I'd better get going. I have some urgent work to take care of, but I'll pick you up after your last class." He leaned down to whisper in my ear, "I have a surprise for you." I smirked. "Better be worth it."

"It will be," he promised, giving me a short kiss before he took his plate to the kitchen, washed it, and then left.

"Bye!" I called out right before the door shut.

I heard him laugh with a teasing, "Goodbye, darling!"

I turned back to my mother with a smile on my lips, and both she and Lauren were grinning from ear to ear, knowing looks on their faces.

"Shut up," I rolled my eyes, face bright red and they luckily let it go, sparing me the embarrassment. I took my time to finish the rest of breakfast, and Lauren insisted on doing the dishes while Mom and I talked.

I filled her in on everything that had been happening with me the last few days, weeks even. I told her about the summer classes I was taking, and how Anna had been sticking by my side and been a great sort of comfort for me while Elio was busy.

We even talked a little about Antonio and his connections to Dad, though we kept it vague so as not to let Lauren in on too much.

"I'm just so glad to have you back home, Mom," I sighed, gripping her hand tightly. "I was so scared when you were in surgery and then bedridden for so long. I thought I was going to lose you like...."

I trailed off, unable to finish, but Mom sent me a soft, sad smile. "Like your dad."

"Yeah," I admitted reluctantly.

Her eyes were full of understanding, not interrupting me at all while I talked, and I felt bad for unloading all of it on her. She had probably been just as terrified as I was, scared she would be paralyzed for the rest of her life, or worse. "I'm so happy you're okay," I sniffed, leaning over to lay my head on her shoulder. "I don't think I can do it without you, Mom."

"Oh, baby." She sighed, squeezing my hand tightly. "You are so much stronger than you know. I was a mess after your father died, and I know that took a huge toll on you, too. You kept me going even when I wanted to give up and if I... when I pass away, and I hope it's not for a long, long time, but these things happen, I know your loving and caring heart will be more than enough to pull you through it."

I stared emptily at the table. I knew that we all died one day, but it had never occurred to me that I would ever have to live without my mom by my side, that her hand would be taken away from me and I could do nothing about it.

I was scared, but I was also so damn grateful that I had this time with her.

"I can always miss a day at school and stay here with you, just to help you get-"

"Don't even think about it, Caterina," Mom said sharply, giving me a pointed glare. "You go to school and get the best grades. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, Mom." I sighed, knowing I could never beat her. She would have the final say on anything, no matter what I said or did.

"Besides, baby," Mom said, hugging me close, "I have a lot of therapy today and Carrie's here with me. We'll be here when you get back, okay? You can do this."

"Okay, Mom," I chuckled, getting to my feet.

She squeezed my hand, a huge proud smile on her face. "My beautiful, strong girl. I'm so proud of you. I love you, and don't ever forget it, alright?"

"I love you, too." I gave her one last hug, waving goodbye to Lauren as I grabbed my bag and took off. It was only a few minutes to school on my bike, and I was beginning to feel better as I rode through the bright green trees, with signs of spring already upon us.

It was warming up again, getting back to the normal 80 and 90 degrees. My muscles were still a bit stiff, but they loosened up as I rode into campus, heading for the bike rack, where I quickly spotted Anna leaning against the wall.

She was buried in her phone and didn't even notice as I rode up, unmounting and tying up my bike with a chain. I swung my bag onto my back, raising an eyebrow at her oblivious self.

"You do realize there's a life outside that tiny black box?" I called out amused.

"Then why don't you go get one?" Anna snarked back without even looking up. "I'm waiting for my friend, jackass="

She finally glanced up and her eyes widened. "Cat!" She squealed, whole-heartedly jumping me into a firm hug. "You were taking forever, so I was watching this funny video. You would replace it hilarious because—" "Let me guess." I rolled my eyes. "There are cats?"

"There are cats!" she yelled, excited and bubbly like her normal self. "Here, let me show you!"

"It's almost time for class, Anna," I mentioned, amused as she hooked her arm around mine, pulling me right up close so she could share her screen.

"We can walk and talk," she huffed, restarting the video.

It wasn't as easy as she said, but Anna masterfully pulled me up the stairs, all the while the cat video played in the background. I laughed as it sneezed hard enough to throw itself off the table and she squealed in delight. "He's so cute, isn't he?" Anna rambled, "I think—"

But she let out an "Oof!"

She nearly fell onto her ass and dragged me with her if I hadn't grabbed onto the wall. A tall guy pushed past us. Dark hair was all I could see as he hurried down the hall and away from us. "This guy again," Anna snapped, stabilizing herself.

She brushed her skirt off, unhappily sending a middle finger at him as she turned back to the class we shared this morning.

"When will he get the goddamn hint?" she complained. "And no sorry? Fucking asshole."

She entered the class, but there was a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach, and before I entered the classroom, I looked over my shoulder, that uneasy feeling turning sour.

The guy was watching me from the end of the hallway, his dark eyes pinned on me unblinkingly.

A shiver ran down my spine.

Before I could say anything, the guy quickly ducked his head, rushing off around the bend. I swallowed uncomfortably, wondering what the hell was going on. Anna even seemed to know him.

For some reason, I was reminded of Paul-Antonio Junior-and how he'd first shown up everywhere I was before the nightmare had started.

Questions filled my mind. Should I be worried?

Am I being stalked?