Smitten: A Mafia Romance — Chapter 19

"I ain't getting into the car of a stranger, nope!"

Cole frowned at Korina's stubbornness, couldn't she see that she could freeze to death. He put off the ignition switch and folded his arms across his chest.

"So how exactly are you planning on getting home?" He asked her.

"Anyway that dosen't involve you." Korina huffed.

"Why are you so stubborn?" He asked.

"Why are you so persistent?" She retorted.

"What exactly did I do wrong Korina?"

"What exactly are you doing here Cole?"

"Korina look." He breathed palming his face in frustration, "It's raining heavily, the streets are deserted, this area is crime prone, anything could happen, please hop in let me drop you off."

"I am not getting into the car of a stranger."

"What the heck? We have met four times Korina, freaking four times."

"Still a stranger to me." She shrugged coughing, "I don't know who you are...i mean I don't know you too well, you might be a killer, kidnapper or even a sick psychopath."

"Korina, I am none of those."

"That's exactly what one who is would say."

Damn it, she's stubborn, He sighed.

"Please let me drop you off." He pleaded again.

"No, I am calling Daniella to come pick me." Korina said.

"Fine." Cole replied, "Pick up your phone, call her right now, when she comes I would leave."

"Uhhmm..." She stared at him blankly wondering what she would say or do next.

"Do it." He pestered, "Please do it, I am waiting."

"My phone is low." She muttered.

Cole shook his head and they both held each other's gazes for sometime.

"Fine." Korina said breaking eye contact, "I will get in." She walked over to the car hastening as the rain drops landed on her, opened the door and got in.

"Just know that I know Karate, in case you are planning on making a bad move." She threatened him as soon as she got settled, you know nothing, you don't know shit, her subconscious called her out.

"That's totally fine Korina." He said starting the car, "you are safe with me, nothing would happen."

"Sorry about drenching your seats with my wet clothes." She took off her coat, wrapping her arms round her body.

"It's no biggie."

Korina watched him suspiciously as they drove off, she still thought it was a bad idea getting a ride from him but what's life without taking risks.

They reached the apartment few minutes later and Cole offered her an escort in.

"Here we are." Korina announced opening the door to her apartment, " welcome to my humble abode." She said giving a mocking bow before ushering him in.

"Wow!" Cole let out an amazed breath, "This has got to been the nicest studio apartment I have ever seen."

" please have a seat.", korina smiled gesturing towards the sofa, "I would be right back." She smiled at cole as he sat.

Korina plugged her phone, went to her wardrobe took a change of clothes before skipping to the bathroom.

She quickly got rid of her wet clothes and made a change.

She assessed her looks in the mirror. She had on a silk scarf tied around her head, she also wore a sweater and some loose jeans. The more she stared the more she wondered if she was presentable enough to meet him.

Why are you even bothered about your appearance, She rolled her eyes at her reflection and exited the bathroom.

"So, what should I offer you?" She asked Cole, she was standing before him now.

"I really should be going, no need." He said standing up.

"No, wait." She said stopping him, "Please stay, I was really rude earlier and I wanna make up for it."

"It's okay." He shrugged, "I understand why you were."

"My attitude was still kinda uncalled for, stay please." She requested, "Please?"

"Okay, fine." He smiled taking a seat on the sofa again, "Anything for a beautiful lady." He winked

Korina set out the tea cups and poured hot coffee from the tea pot into them.

"Do you want anything in yours?" She called out to cole, she was at the kitchen island, "Cream, milk, sugar, anything?"

He pulled his eyes away from the magazine he held and turned back to look at her, "Cream and a little sugar." He answered.

She nodded at him, put the cream and sugar in both cups and stirred them before putting them on a tray.

She picked up the tray and walked over to the sitting area.

"Here you go." She handed over his cup to him, took hers and joined him on the sofa, sitting at the far end.

"Thank you." He said collecting the cup and bringing it to his lips, he took a sip, "Hmmm." He savoured the taste immediately the liquid hit his taste buds, "you got it right this time, just the way I love it."

Korina laughed, "You mean the coffee I severed you at the restaurant wasn't exactly how you wanted?*

" yea, well you could say so." He answered, "Korina could you tell me more about yourself if you don't mind, that is."

"Uhhmm...sure why not?" She dropped her cup facing him now, "I moved here about a year and half ago."

"Where did you move from?" He watched her pick up the cup again and sipping continuously.

"Michigan." She answered smiling as some memories ran through her mind.

"I have been there once." Cole said, "Had to attend a conference there, it was a medical conference."

"Really?"

"Yep, I stayed there for about 3 weeks."

"What about you?" She asked, "What about your origins? Tell me where you are from."

"I was actually born in England." He said.

"Ah!Ah!uhh!" She exclaimed, "I knew it, there had to be something about that accent, I knew it, I knew there was something about your accent."

He smiled, "it isn't bad tho, just that really not really it tends not to sound American sometmies.

They both laughed and continued their chit chat.

" I moved here after medical school to try out a new country."

"Nice." She nodded.

No one said a thing after that.

"Korina." Cole said breaking the silence.

"What?!"

"I want to ask you a question." He said amatueredly.

"Okay??"

"Here it goes." He puffed air in and out feeling nervous, "Would you go on a date with me?"