Unthinkable Love

Chapter 5

Lola

I wake up early the next morning to a beautiful delicate bunch of peonies next to my bed. They are my absolute favourite flower. I look at the note attached to them to see whom it was from but all I can see are two words:

THANK YOU

They must be from Theo, who else could it be? I must think of a way to thank him back. How did he know peonies are my favourite? He must have spoken to Ivy about it or something.

I emerge from my room to have some breakfast and I see Levi sitting at the table. By the look on his face, he does not look happy at all.

“Who are the flowers from?” He deadpans.

“I have no idea. There was no name on the note.” I reply simply, trying to keep my face blank like a poker face.

“Hmmmm ... Whatever you say sis.” He replies bluntly. I have a feeling he doesn’t believe me at all but he does not question me further. He is always in such a bad mood. Sometimes I wonder if he treats Ivy the same way as he treats me.

I make myself busy getting breakfast so I do not have to see the untrustworthy look on my brother’s face. At that exact moment, the doors to my father’s home office slide open loudly. I look up and see my father emerging through them and Theo following behind him. I drop my spoon in shock and it clatters loudly on the bench below. Everyone’s heads immediately whip around in my direction. I could have sworn that Theo’s greedy eyes slowly travel all the way down to my lilac painted toenails then all the way up the curve of my hips and up to meet my eyes, holding my gaze intently.

“Sorry …” I say in a low voice. I bow my head in embarrassment then realise in horror that I am still wearing my lacy pyjamas that match my toenails and my face immediately turns the colour of a bright red tomato. I quickly sneak a glance back at Theo through my long eyelashes and the look on his face tells me he likes what he sees. I turn away with a smirk on my face, pick up my spoon and join my brother at the table. I am trying to act completely normal and comfortable in my own home that I end up kicking my toe on the chair as I go to sit down. I muffle the sound of my pain. I do not want to bring any more attention to myself. Especially in front of my father.

“Well thank you for stopping by Theodore. I appreciate your support in this matter.” Ezra says.

Theo clears his throat. “Of course Headmaster. I will see you all later.” He heads out the door and my father closes it behind him. He gives me a disapproving look then retreats back to his office.

On my way to the Academy, I stop at the local cafe Déjà Brew to buy my favourite caramel milkshake. It is loaded with whipped cream and ice cream. Super delicious! I decided to buy a second one to take to Theo in his office this morning to say thank you for walking me home last night. I really do hope he likes it as much as I do.

I reach his office door and knock three times. I wait patiently for a response. When I hear nothing, I knock again.

"Come in!" I hear him shout in an annoyed tone.

*

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Theo

After leaving the Acquaviva residence this morning, I decided to come to the office early to get a head start on my day. Seeing Lola in her lacy pyjamas earlier made my mind wander in a dangerous direction. I would love to see what her body looks like underneath those pyjamas.

As I said, dangerous. I know it is inappropriate for a professor to think about a student in this manner but I can’t stop thinking about Lola.

I pull myself together to concentrate on my work. I had been there no more than 10 short minutes when my office door swings open and in strides the one person I dreaded to see.

Lucy, my ex-girlfriend. The one person I left Russo village to escape.

Why was she here?

"What are you doing here Lucy?" I growl at her.

"What? A girl can't come by to say hello?" She smiles sarcastically, taking a seat in the chair on the other side of my desk. She plonks her hot pink handbag on the edge of my desk and slurps from a takeaway coffee mug.

"What do you want from me?" I ask her angrily. I’m definitely not in the mood to see her right now and I was hoping to never have to see her again in my lifetime.

"I just came by to see what you were doing with yourself now that you left Russo. Impressive, you've even got your own office." She replies whilst looking around the room.

I suddenly hear three loud knocks on my door. I choose to ignore it. I can't deal with anyone else right now especially with Lucy here. After a moment, the knocking starts again.

"Come in!" I shout, annoyed. Obviously this person isn’t taking the hint.

The door opens and I see Lola standing there with two milkshakes in her hands. She takes in the room and realises Lucy is sitting in front of me and her eyes widen. Lucy stands up abruptly towering over her and looks Lola up and down.

"Aren't you going to introduce us Theo dear?" Lucy asks, her voice ridiculously high pitched.

"Miss Acquaviva, this is Lucy. Lucy, this is Lola Acquaviva, one of my students." I answer her bluntly.

"Ooooh a student who brings you milkshakes? Haven't you been here like five minutes Theo?" She points out maliciously.

"She is a student Lucy. I do not have to explain myself to you." I reply sternly.

"Umm ... I better get to class. Here you go professor." Lola says, handing me the milkshake and dashing out of my office without another word.

"Get out Lucy. I don't want to see you here again." I say with little emotion in my voice.

She smirks at me before walking out the door, slamming it closed on her way out. I let out a heavy sigh and rub my face with my hands.

*

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Lola

My family is gathered around the dining table for dinner later that night. My mother Charlotte and father are chatting quietly about their day. Levi is poking his fork at his potatoes while Nova is smearing them on the table next to me.

“Why did you tell me that Professor Altobello is dangerous, Levi?” I blurt the question out to my brother. My parents look over curiously.

“He’s from the Fuoco clan, they are all dangerous Lola.” Levi says plainly, clearly annoyed that I’m bringing this conversation up in front of our parents.

“Yes I obviously know that, but there must be a reason you’ve told me to stay away. He does not seem all that bad to me.” I prod.

Levi stands up abruptly and knocks his chair over backwards. Nova and I flinch at his actions.

“Listen, I don’t have to explain myself to you. There are things you do not know about people and I would prefer if you would take my warnings seriously! I wish you would not spend so much time with him! I am not blind; I can see the effect he has on you!” He roars and storms out of the house, leaving me stunned and almost in tears.

“It’s okay darling.” Charlotte says, patting me on the hand holding my fork. “Your brother has had a rough day. He doesn’t mean to take it out on you.”

My mother was the first woman to be elected as Governor of Colombo Village and Levi is her right hand man. They both do such amazing work for our community. They work such long hours and I know it is hard on them both. My mother didn’t like the whole ‘king and queen’ business and decided to form a small council instead.

“It just does not make any sense. I am sorry mother, I didn’t mean to set him off like that.” I whisper.

“Don’t worry Lola; I will speak with him when he comes home. I forbid him to speak to you like that. Finish your dinner and wash up for bed darling.” My father Ezra commands.

It is the middle of the night when I hear the front door click closed and the sound of hushed voices. I creep out of my room and down the hall towards the sound of my father and brother whispering. I can’t see them but I can hear every word as if I am standing beside them.

“You should not have spoken to Lola like that. She does not deserve your outbursts.” My father scolds Levi.

“I’m so sorry father, it will not happen again.” Levi replies apologetically.

“She cannot find out about him. She is such a trusting young girl and it would break her heart if she learns the truth.” Ezra says.

“I understand father. I will keep my eye on her and make sure she is safe. I have seen the way he looks at her. We cannot let it get too far or there will be no return for her.” Levi promises.

I quickly tip toe back to the pale blue walls of my bedroom and close the door quietly behind me. I crawl into bed, my mind reeling from what I heard. There is no way I will be getting any more sleep tonight. Was I too quick to trust Theo and let him into my life? I hardly know anything about him. Should I be taking Levi’s warning more seriously or is he just being his usual overprotective self?