IMPERFECTLY ENOUGH

what to do

Dante's pov

After she left the office on the day she started, I couldn't help but feel excited. I was so happy that she had found that ad. I actually had no idea what my next move would have been to find her. I do know that she is staying with her two friends though she is still a mystery to me. I am tempted to have my PI look into her but, I want her to open up on her own.

When I got off work, I went to my parents house for dinner with the family. It was something we usually did as often as possible. At times, Tony and Mike's families would join. The families have been friends for so long that we practically family.

I packed up my things and left the office. I went down to the garage, which was an underground garage. I went to my car which was a Mazda MX-5. One of my many I owned. I drove to my parents home.

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I arrived at my parents mansion, I was greeted by the butler.

"Welcome home sir."

"thank you Arthur. Is everyone here"

"Yes sir. They are in the guest living area."

I thanked him and went to meet everyone. My mother saw me first and as predicted the other two families were present as well as my two brothers Alex and Fernando. They were in charge of the other Cruz businesses. Fernando was married with two kids, newly born twins.

"My boy!" My mother shouted excitedly. She rushed towards me and gave me a hug. I hugged her back.

"Hey mom" She pulled away. "Come my boy"

She practically dragged me towards everyone else. We all sat down and we were all having a good time but, my mind kept drifting to the caramel beauty. The way she tried to hide our nervousness by tacking her hair behind her ear even when her hair was already in a perfect ponytail.

The way she looked up at me through her lashes. I was a big guy, I was about 6'5. Every time I stand next to her, she has to look up and this exposes her neck. I just want to lean down and kiss it.

I heard phone ring and excused myself. I picked up the call outside and after the call I stood there enjoying the fresh air.

"There you are honey. What are you doing out here?" I turned around at the sound of mom's voice.

"hey mom. I just got done with a phone call."

" okay but, your mind has been everywhere just not here. What's bothering you?" She said as she came and stood in front of me. At the end of her speech, she reached up to touch my cheek. I had to scoot down, for she was of small build. Unlike, all the men in this family.

"It's a girl, am I right?"

"How did you know?"

"I'm your mother and I can tell when something is bothering my children. You also look like a confused love struck teenage boy" she smiled at me.

"oh mom. She's a mystery to me. She is the purest girl I've ever met, she's beautiful and talented. But, she has this pain and sadness behind her eyes. I don't know how to make her open up."

"Son, do you really like this girl?"

"I think I do. I don't think she will give a chance."

" If you really like her then you need to give her time. If you say that she has pain in her eyes, something could have happened to her. You need to be gentle with her and show her that you are not there to play with her heart. Just be you son and she will fall in love with you."

Mom was right, I needed to show her that I have her best interest. I hugged her. "Thank you mom."

We went back inside after talking a bit longer.

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Italy:

We had been getting along just fine until I froze. I didn't mean to but, I never expected her to kiss me. I tried to run after her, she was too fast and locked me out.

I tried to beg her to open the door, she wouldn't open. It pained me when I heard her cry. I wanted to run in there and hold her in my arms as she cried. I sat by her door, I just listened to her cry. I was there for I don't know how long. I couldn't hear anything anymore. I got up and went to my room. I promised myself that in the morning I would grab her in my arms and give her the biggest kiss. Then tell her that she meant a lot to me.

BOY WAS I WRONG!

The following day, I waited for her and when she came. It was a disaster. When she claimed the previous night was a mistake, I was taken by surprise. I walked away and caused her pain again.

I got to my room and sat for some minutes then began preparing for our meeting. I got back to the living room area and found her sitting on the sofa. One could tell that she had been crying again, I felt like a tool for making her cry again. She tried to hide that with some makeup but, I knew her.

In the small amount of time I have been around her, I have gotten to know her more. I can tell when she is out of it just by the way she zones out. Her sad day when she is extremely clumsy. Shy when she played with her hair or bit her finger. When she had been crying, she would give the worst silent treatments and her bottom lip would tremble.

She was ignoring me right now and her lip was slightly trembling.

"We need to go out for a meeting." She never spoke a word but followed me when I headed towards the door. The car ride was silent and tense. Gone was the carefree atmosphere we had last night. I tried to start a conversation.

"After the meeting, is there anything you would like to do?"

Nothing but silence.

" Lisa, we need talk about last night."

"There is nothing to talk about."

"Clearly, we have a lot to talk about." We arrived at our destination before I could say more. "we will continue this later."

We attended the meeting, she spoke to people and even smiled at some just not at me. I tried all I could, she never curved. After the meeting, we went back to the hotel and she locked herself in her room. She only came out for meals and went back.

All the plans I had made went down the drain. I tried so many times to talk to her and guessed right. Silent treatment.

I was on the phone with Tony because he was the better option when it came to logical advice. Mike could give advice but he took so many things jokingly.

Tony: hello?

Dante: hey man. I hope I'm not disturbing you.

"Not at all. Are you still in Italy?"

"Ya, I am. Hey man, I need some advice on something and don't you dare make a joke about this. Even with Mike."

He laughed a bit. " Of course. What's the matter?"

" So you remember the girl at the restaurant."

"Ya, the waitress that had your attention."

"Ya, that one. Well. I sort of hired her as my PA."

"You what?" He started laughing. "I thought you don't do PAs."

"That's not the point."

"What is?" he continued laughing.

" So I kinda have feelings for her."

"No s**t man"

"hey. Lemme finish. I kinda have feelings for her but, I messed up. She seems to be hiding some pain and sadness. I have a feeling that she has little to no experience with dating and all."

"What do you mean you messed up?"

"when we arrived, we were having some fun. Chatting and just getting to know her. We both did have something to drink. She kissed me and I panicked, I thought she was doing all this because she was tipsy. I never responded to her kiss and she hasn't spoken to me since. I have tried everything to get her attention, she won't even look at me."

"Firstly, if she has no experience with relationships, you need to show her the positives about it. I wouldn't encourage this but, use your position to encourage her to talk to you. Find out what she likes and show her what's amazing about you. Be your charming self. Be gentle with her. Find a way to explain to her about the kiss thing."

" Thanks man."

"Anytime. And next time don't freeze when kissing. I taught you better."

I could hear him laugh until, he cut the call.

I guess I have work to do.