"So, where do you want to go for lunch?" Stefan asked.
"Erm so a sort of restaurant like a family pub or Subway or a fast food place," Lilly replied.
"Sure angel, whatever you want. Aiden do you know any good pubs around here ?"
"Yeah, Boss there's a really good family pub about fifteen minutes from here that has good food, it's cheap too and has a nice beer garden," Aiden recommended as he looked out the car window and took note of their surroundings.
"That sounds lovely, I haven't been to a beer garden in ages and it is beautiful weather..." Lilly said hopefully.
"Well if that's what you want angel that's where we will, Aiden give the directions to the driver...please," Stefan ordered and Lilly smiled at him saying please and took his offered hand happily.
Stefan, Marcus, Aiden, and Lilly were sat at a booth enjoying a drink and a bit of friendly banter, whilst the rest of Stefan's escort were scattered throughout the pub at the main exits blended into the background and keeping a vigilant eye on the crowd inside ensuring their Boss and his girlfriend's safety.
"Anyway before you change your mind for the thousandth time I am going to order our food then I need to nip to the ladies room, would you like another round on my return?" Lilly asked as she snatched the menu from Stefan's hands playfully making Stefan look at her in a mock scowl before smiling.
"Yeah hurry up Lilly before he does I am bloody starving!" Marcus tested making Lilly laugh and Stefan kick him under the table.
"I will escort you to the bar and don't worry I won't offer to pay again for lunch but I do believe it's my round." Stefan smiled as he stood up and offered Lilly his arm who took it as she threatened him again not to change his mind about his order or to try and pay when they got to the bar.
"Same again?
"Please Boss," Marcus and Aiden replied before smiling at him and Lilly as they made their way to the bar.
"She's really good for him and seems like a nice girl," Aiden said finishing his pint
"Yeah she is, She a good sort of woman and she's a refreshing change from the strippers he usually dates- if you can call them dates." Marcus agreed.
"I am loyal to the Boss always and it's great to see him so happy- he's like a different person when he's with her and it's great but I hope he doesn't hurt her... I am growing fond of her and I kinda feel protective towards her- god knows the kid ain't got no one else in her life to look out for her." Aiden
said and Marcus sighed.
"I know what you mean, she's got this sweet innocence about her and I hope the Boss or this world does take that from her. I know he likes her like he hasn't liked any woman and would never want to hurt her but I hope he doesn't let his dark side slip out accidentally, he deserves to be happy and I want him to find a good woman to settle down with and I really hope that's her." Marcus admitted and Aiden nodded his agreement.
Marcus looked towards the bar and saw his Boss and Lilly smiling and laughing, he hadn't seen Stefan this happy ever and he would stop anyone who tried to ruin that happiness even Stefan himself Marcus vowed.
After they made their order at the bar Lilly convinced Stefan to go wait on her at the table promising she would be fine to go the bathroom on her own and would see him soon and Stefan finally gave in to her demand and kissed her on the cheek before rejoining Marcus and Aiden.
"No Lilly?" Marcus asked curiously.
"She's in the ladies and says she will be back soon, I wanted to escort her but she gave me some sassy reply about 'how she had been potty trained since she was two and she could manage' and so I finally gave in." Aiden and Marcus chuckled.
"Yeah, Boss that's how wives and Girlfriends work no matter who you are if you have a woman who is worth it you let them call the shots and you agree to keep them happy." Aiden laughed thinking about his own little hellcat who he loved with all his heart.
"She's not my Wife or Girlfriend." Stefan finally said and Marcus gave Aiden a pointed look who made an excuse and left them both alone. "Stefan I thought..." Marcus started but to stopped to find the right
words.
"Spit it out Marcus, if you want a private conversation which you
obliviously do since you, not so subtlety sent Aiden away you best hurry Lilly will be back soon and besides you know how I hate small talk get right to the point," Stefan replied in his usual directness.
"Okay fine I was trying to be sensitive but I forgot it was you..." Marcus said teasing his friend, "What the f**k is going on with you? One minute she's your girlfriend and now she's not ?"
Stefan looked at him confused, " what the f**k made you think she was my girlfriend, Marcus you know the circumstances of our relationship she's my collateral and nothing more at the minute." Stefan said his tone portraying his sadness.
"You did you, i***t! When you called her your girlfriend..." Marcus responded.
"When the f**k did I ever call her my girlfriend?" Stefan asked confused.
"When you were leaving the shopping center remember your whole manly declaration ' no girlfriend of mine will walk..' ?" Marcus replied mimicking Stefan's deep accent making Stefan roll his eyes before Marcus's words sunk in.
"I said that?" Stefan asked and Marcus nodded realizing his Boss had let it slip by accident, " Fuck."
"You said it Stefan and there's no going back now if you feel differently you owe it to Lilly to tell her...do you not like her in that way? I thought you did ?" Marcus replied as he pushed Stefan's pint closer and encouraged him to take a sip.
Stefan downed his pint as he absorbed the news, he couldn't
remember making such a grand declaration, he had as far as he could recall
only called Lilly his girlfriend once and that was only to save her reputation- he couldn't believe he let his guard down and admitted his feelings so openly in front of her and his men it was completely out of character for him. " f**k, I can't believe I said it out loud. I mean I guess if I am being honest and if you repeat any of this conversation I will cut your tongue out brother or not Marcus.." Stefan threatened making Marcus roll his eyes before he nodded his understanding and gesture for Stefan to continue," I am more than just fond of Lilly. She makes me feel things I haven't well since ...I was a boy and my mum was alive, she makes me feel happy, carefree and I feel almost human again. I still have darkness inside me fighting to escape but she helps reign it in and when I with her I feel like I want to be a better man for her." Stefan admitted out loud for the first time since he met Lilly.
Marcus smiled, "Well it's about f*****g time! You deserve that
happiness Stefan don't run from it Lilly is good for you. Why are you resisting your feelings though and why did you freak out when you realized you called her girlfriend? If you feel that way just tell her."
Stefan leaned over and picked up his friends drink and downed it before his friend could protest, if he was about to continue their emotional heart to heart he would need another drink first. "I am not sure, I guess it's because Lilly's so different from the other girls I have been with and she will be my first actual relationship since I never actually dated before I just had non-meaningful s*x for gratification and the women were happy with that as long as they got something in return usually my money, being with Lilly would be a commitment and would mean I would have to be a better man and might mean a change of lifestyle as Lilly deserves no less and she's not cut out for this world and as much as I want to change for her and am open to the idea of a different lifestyle I don't know if I can change or if it's even in
my power to offer her a different life outside the Mafia and I want to be with her but I don't want her to get hurt. Plus there's this whole situation with her brother... how can she ever love me in return if I have to kill her brother and I might not have a choice in that ..." Stefan admitted as he poured his heart out to his trusted friend who listened silently trying not to show his shock at what Stefan said.
"I can see why you're... a little anxious. Your right Lilly is the sort of girl who deserves a proper relationship and isn't the type for a one night stand and it's a complicated situation with her brother and your family but if she's
worth it and your serious about your feelings for her talk to her and try and figure it out together. As for Lilly not loving you back a blind man can see the girl has strong feelings for you, despite how you met and the bruises on her neck that no ones mentioned, that I am guessing were caused by you Lilly hasn't run away from you and she's been open-minded enough to try and learn everything about you so she can see both sides of you, if she's still here and judging by the way she acts around you she has the same feelings but is maybe scared of talking to you as she's unsure of how you feel or even if a future between you is possible. You need to talk with her and both of you
need to communicate openly and work something out. As for you willing to give up this life for her- well you never really wanted this life any way you were forced into it by your uncles as p*****t for your dad's death and you've trebled the Mafia's income and expanded their territory massively since you took charge maybe you could work out a deal with your uncles? And if not there are other avenues you can go down if you really need too and are committed to getting out..." Marcus said taking the time to offer advice specific to each point Stefan made.
" f**k, when did you get so wise?" Stefan laughed teasing his friend as thought over Marcus's advice- which was surprisingly good, carefully.
"I have always been wise you've just been too stubborn to f*****g listen." Marcus countered taking back his empty glass and starring at Stefan with mock anger as he looked at his empty glass pointedly.
"True and I get the hint I will get you another one when Aiden and Lilly get back," Stefan said returning Marcus's mock glare.
"You better! And just talk to her see how she feels before you commit to anything but by the way she didn't protest and snuggled into your arms when you called her your girlfriend, i am guessing she feels the same then both of you do what you need to to be happy- you both deserve that and it's about time you focused on yourself instead of being forced to put the Mafia needs above your own." Marcus said.
"Thanks, Marcus I will talk to her tonight after dinner or maybe during I will see how long it takes me to build up the courage." Stefan smiled as he thought about what Marcus said, he was right Lilly didn't object when he called her his girlfriend in fact she seemed to be happy at the prospect.
"Courage to do what?" Lilly asked arriving back unseen just in time to catch the end of their conversation.
Stefan gaped at Lily open-mouthed unsure of how to respond but
Marcus interjected saving his friend, "to try a dessert of the menu, he said he will see if the main course kills him first then he will build up the courage to try a dessert... it's been a good few years since he's eaten in a humble place like this and Mr billionaire has forgotten there's nothing wrong with a good pub meal." Marcus said trying not to laugh at the look of relief on Stefan's face as he nodded along.
"Oh, i see. Well we better get our mains first, I wonder whats taking them so long?" Lilly asked not believing their story but deciding to respect Stefan's privacy and not pry.
"I dunno I will go and find out and see where Aiden got too aswell." Marcus said as he left giving them time alone.
"So are you going to tell me where we are going after this for my surprise?" Lilly asked knowing the answer already
"Your persistent as well as demanding." Stefan teased, "I told you you'll find out soon enough." Stefan said thinking about how that wouldn't be the only surprise Lilly got today as he would stick to his word and talk to Lilly tonight about his feelings.
As Lilly and Stefan enjoyed a bit of alone time cuddling in the booth and teasing each other banterfully Mia was sat in the booth behind them hidden by the high wooden divers that whilst hid the dinners from the booths from each other did nothing to make keep the occupancies conversations quite.
Mia tapped her long fake nails on the table as she thought about all the information she had learnt. Stefan loved that bicth and was thinking about leaving the Mafia for her? That couldn't happen - he was her meal ticket to power. Mia downed her glass of neat vodka whilst she thought threw her
plan, her first instinct had been to follow the b***h to the bathroom and slit
her throat enjoying seeing the light leave her eyes like she had with so many
of her victims before- but as tempting as that was it was too messy
eventually it would lead back to her so she had fought her natural
animalistic instincts and had used her brain instead to gather intelligence.
Now she knew there was some sort of scandal with the bitches brother and
she knew Stefan was unloyal to his uncles- she had power with that
knowledge and she would have to think carefully about how to use it.
After taking a deep breath Mia got up and sneeked away from her booth
making avow to herself that she would see that b***h got what was coming
to her soon enough.