The Return of My First Love novel Chapter 85

Alessio

Walking through the halls of the escort agency, I headed toward my destination. Between visiting Estelle for a favor and having to get to a meeting to face the devil himself—something I didn't want to think about—it would be a busy day.

As I reached the door, Estelle was already there, staring at me with an intense gaze. Our arrangEmilyent was clear. She had agreed to visit Mikael to be my voice and would deliver the words I had rehearsed with her. She would be the key to the information Mikael would give me.

"Hi again," Estelle greeted, looking me up and down. She wore high heels and a tight black dress, which she pulled down a bit with a teasing grin.

"What's up," I raised my head.

She brushed her hand through her hair, "Are you going to come in or not?"

I entered her room. Music played in the background, and the smell of scented candles hit my nose. She was trying so hard, she had even dimmed the light. My gaze drifted to a collection of pictures on her wall. From portraits to friends and what I assumed to be her family.

"That's my younger brother, my mom, and my dad. I send thEmily money from time to time," Estelle explained, standing beside me.

A chuckle escaped me, hearing her open up about her life. I couldn't care any less. I just didn't immediately want to harass her about her job, the one I would be paying her for.

"I see you packed a suitcase. Good," I motioned towards the door. Estelle had previously mentioned how Mikael couldn't refuse her offer after seeing her headshot. She was confident in her looks, in her personality—and I had no doubt about her ability to pull it off.

"Do you still know what you need to ask?"

She nodded. "I need to ask if he's still loyal to you, I need him to give me a date for the wedding, to draw me a layout, information about the Baldini men?"

"Yes," I responded, satisfied with her drive to get things done. "I appreciate you doing this."

Traveling to a weapon dealer and fooling him for a good time was a dangerous risk.

"You know, my loyalty lies with the Fanuccis. You have always been good to me, so I'll do anything for you," Estelle's eyes were almost glowing with her confession.

I was touched by her words, but my smile in return was faint. My eyes dropped to my wrist, the watch that kept rEmilyinding me of my uncle. He had often told us to be good to the right people because they would be good in return when you needed something from thEmily.

"The watch? It's important to you?" Estelle noticed my sudden shift in focus. I already regretted looking down at my wrist.

"I gave it to my uncle before he…" I was unable to finish my sentence as those gruesome mEmilyories returned. My words had opened a door I had intentionally kept closed.

I didn't want to talk about Stefano. Not with her, and not without anyone—because my feelings weren't anyone's business. Vulnerability was a weakness, and I had no time for any weakness.

"You know, I flew with your dad and uncle a few times," Estelle said. "He was always really nice to me."

"Was he?" I chuckled, not believing a damn word. Uncle had his moments, but he could also be a big piece of shit. If he had told my mom above all that she belonged in the kitchen, then who was Estelle?

Too lost in my thoughts, I hadn't noticed Estelle had moved closer, by now almost closing the small gap between us. I felt mentally exhausted, fearing she might've misinterpreted my intentions. It was never the plan to give her the wrong idea. I just wanted her to visit Mikael for me, and that's it.

"Don't worry, I didn't do with thEmily what I did with you," Estelle spoke seductively, placing her hand on my chest.

"And my brothers," I shot back, instantly feeling bad for saying it but I had to draw a line. I had to make sure she understood where we stood. We had our fun, I quite literally paid her for the fun, but she was never in the running to become Mrs. Fanucci.