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Chapter 2

As it turned out guarding Don Falcone daughter was not terrible at all. It turned out to be quite entertaining. For Constance was not spoiled at all, she was not just smart, she was a level headed girl, and she didn't make decisions without considering them first. But saying all that I saw every day how lonely she was. It was like she had said, her mother really didn't allow her to have any friends, and when she wasn't with her parents she spent her days alone. Seeing this day after day made the question of a friendship between us linger on my mind. The question of a friendship between us hadn't left my mind and the more time I spent with her the more I wanted that friendship. Her father didn't end up coming home that first night, so Constance ate alone with me watching over her. And now week's later things continued on that way. As I expected he would, the Don didn't spend any time with his daughter, and as I watched her day by day I saw how that hurt her. For I knew despite wanting to tell her something else that it was true, her parents didn't love her; to them she was just a pawn like she had said. But that was not what drew me to her, I liked her for hiding her pain the way she did.

"I won't cry anymore. I know you must think me a cry baby, so I promise you won't have to see that again," Constance had said late that night before going to bed after waiting up for her father and she never did. She bottled it all up and just went on with her life. I knew how hard it was to hide the pain you held inside. I had done the same thing when I was a teenage realizing that my parents didn't love me either. I had hid the pain of that in my soul and when I finally killed them that pain went away just a little bit. I knew hers would too. Now though she was learning to live with her pain as I had done and she found a way to do so faster than I thought she would. Soon she had a routine, a life of her own almost that helped fill the hole I knew that pain had left in her. And I was there to watch her go through it all, for I never left her side. I would be with her from the moment she woke up until she slept again. I was with her at her mother's home, I was with her at her father's, and observing her silently I only had one thought. I didn't understand how she had turned out as she had, her mother was a terror upon her life, she was mean, snobby, and didn't give a damn about anyone except herself. How did such a cruel woman raise a girl like Constance? But I got the answer for myself very quickly for as I would learn Sophia Falcone did not raise her daughter. Constance had basically raised herself and again I was reminded of my childhood for I had done the same.

The more I watched her the more I wanted to be her friend. She reminded me of myself, she was alone in the world like I had been, and that alone made me want to begin a friendship with her. I expected her to hate my constant surveillance over her, but she didn't seem to mind at all. In fact she seemed to enjoy it, for as long as I was with her not only was she completely safe, but she wasn't completely alone. I think this appealed to her. For my eyes never left her, she was constantly in my line of sight, and if I wasn't there one of the girls were. I had meant what I said no one would hurt her while I was there to prevent it. But still the job of guarding her had its downfalls. For the Don had not given me any hits as of late. I had no new tally marks and in many ways I missed the thrill of the kill. Part of me sometimes wanted someone to attack her so I could kill, but that part was very small for I didn't want anything to happen to her. That wasn't completely terrible because as the question of friendship lingered on my mind I found I enjoyed watching her. I spent every day with her and I really didn't mind despite the loss of tally marks. The day would begin the same every day almost, for the same things would happen just not in the same order. It always began with a jog through the woods. She insisted on doing this saying it took her mind off of things. So, every day she would wake up getting ready for her run wearing only jogging pants, a tank top, and sneakers. Then she would pop her earbuds in and run to the sound of the music blasting through them sometimes singing along as she did so.

I soon learned that it was part of her daily routine that she wouldn't compromise. I watched her do it every day; it was during this time that I watched her extra close. This routine of hers would be the perfect opportunity to grab her or hurt her. I watched her now, as she ran by the woods just outside her father's home. I sat in my car on alert ready to protect her at any moment.

Nothing happened, but still my eyes never left her. I drove at her side as she walked back to the house her forehead beaded in sweat. I had my window down and I could feel her watching me as I watched her. She had been doing so since that day on the couch. I wanted to know what was going through her mind, I wanted to know why she was watching me with such a questioning look, but I remained silent. I thought I'd wait until she was unaware to jump her about it, but she never gave me the chance.

"You could really grow to like her," I thought as we arrived at the house again. I walked inside with her in silence waiting to catch her watching me again.

"Your breakfast is nearly ready, Miss Constance," called the maid from the kitchen the second the door closed with a slam. Seconds after that a huge crash was heard and I wondered what she had broken this time. No answer was given though as the maid came stumbling out of the kitchen looking hesitant when she laid eyes on me. Like the rest of the staff at the house she was afraid of me because she knew if she displeased the Don it would be me who killed her. Her fear gave me a thrill.

The maid appeared covered in flour, I knew she had attempted to cook again, and part of me did feel bad for Constance.

"I hope the food doesn't kill the girl," I thought remembering the time this same maid had given Don Falcone food poisoning with her cooking.

"Good thank you, I'll eat outside in the garden today," smiled Constance though I knew she was thinking the same thing I was.

"No, you should eat in the dining room. You'll be an easy target outside," I exclaimed making her jump as she turned to face me. The maid disappeared from sight in that moment as we eyed each other as if preparing for a showdown. Nothing was said as we stared each other down, but then she surprised me when she gave me a small smile.

"Please Mr. Zsasz, I need to be outside. I hate this house, it's too quiet, and besides we both know whatever she made won't be edible. If I'm inside I'll have to eat it, but if I'm outside I can throw it in the bushes when she's not looking," said Constance that smile still on her face as she looked up at me waiting for my approval.

The assassin in me told me to say no. Her safety was at stake, but I didn't. In that moment I only stared right at her my brown eyes staring into hers and finally giving her a nod I gave my consent. I knew she was right plus I reasoned I would be right there with her and nothing could happen. And if it did I would be there to protect her with my very life.

"Thank you," said Constance turning quickly afterward in the direction of the garden. It was the usual Gotham day minus the rain when we entered the garden the scent of roses invading my senses. Roses had never been a fragrance I liked, but the Don preferred them. Hurrying in front of her I pulled out her chair for her our eyes meeting as she sat down.

"You can sit down too, you know. I don't like eating alone," said Constance looking up at me then a silence filling the air as she waited to see what I would do. I peered down at her as I considered the answer. Normally I would have turned the offer down without a single thought, but because it was her I actually considered it. I considered it a long time before giving her a nod that she returned with a smile I sat across from her watching her and everything around us constantly. The smile didn't leave her face for such a long time. As I watched her I found myself thinking how beautiful she looked when she smiled and for reasons unknown to me I wanted to see her do it more. Constance didn't smile as much as she should, I knew I shouldn't care, but I did.

"Why do I care?" I thought watching her admiring the way little sun that there was shined down on her making her glow like an angel.

The answer to that question wouldn't come. At first I thought it was because she was Falcone's daughter, but that was quickly ruled out. Just because she was his daughter didn't mean I should care for her as I did especially since we had known each other for barely a month. Then I had thought it was because she was so much like me at her age, but that too didn't matter. For I found myself wanting to kill for her, wanting to die for her, and I didn't know her at all. I didn't understand it; I still don't completely understand why I came to care for her so quickly. And then the question of a friendship with her entered my mind again. I could see a friendship blossoming between us and I could imagine us being not just friends, but close friends. I needed someone like her. She was the type of friend I could see myself spending every day with whether I had to protect her or not.

"Thank you," said Constance suddenly breaking me from my train of thought.

"You already thanked me," I answered my tone harsher then I meant it to be. But then I realized she wasn't thanking me again. She was thanking me for something else entirely and looking at her I had no idea what it was. But she didn't say anything more. Constance let the maid have all her attention when she appeared out of nowhere to set a place setting.

"Mr. Zsasz will be joining me, please get another setting," smiled Constance the maid smiling back immediately as she hurried back inside.

"Why are you thanking me?" I whispered finally watching her as she fidgeted in her seat her eyes admiring the roses instead of looking at me.

"Look at me and answer my question," I snapped making her do so. There was a mixture of fear and contention in her eyes telling me how much she didn't want to fear me. I found myself wanting the same thing. Normally I enjoyed the fear I saw in someone's eyes, I always felt a thrill just like with the maid, but I found myself hating the fear I saw in her eyes. I didn't want her to fear me. I wanted her to trust in me and though I didn't understand it I wanted her to care for me as I did her. But it wasn't just that. We would be spending every second together for who knows how long and if she feared me that would make it all the harder. If she trusted in me the silence wouldn't be so overbearing. If we were friends it might make the time we were together so much easier.

"I was thanking you for protecting me. I know it's your job, but I'm still very grateful. Plus I find myself liking you…having you around that is, I feel safer now. And it's nice having someone there instead of being alone," said Constance meeting my gaze as she spoke. When she did this I looked into her eyes and the fear had disappeared. It was now replaced by a look of gratitude. I found myself wanting to smile at her in that moment. She held my gaze for a moment then, I could see she wanted to say something more, but she held back.

"Here's your breakfast, Miss," said the maid then as she exited the house quickly setting my place setting before setting a plate in front of both of us. When she was gone we didn't touch our plates, we held each other's gaze.

" I know you don't want to be friends…not with a silly little girl like me, but I just wanted you to know despite that that I'm glad you were assigned to protect me. Never in my life have I felt so safe…and I was hoping that if you knew that it might make things easier between us. Less awkward that is," whispered Constance not looking away from me until she was done speaking. Her words surprised me because what she said wasn't true. It wasn't true at all, I did want to be her friend, I didn't think her a silly little girl, and in that moment I wanted to tell her that. But I wasn't sure if I should. If I did I would be opening myself up to her something I had never done before and in that moment I won't deny the prospect scared me. Just that had me feeling strange because normally nothing scared me.

It was in that moment that I realized just how much I wanted what she spoke of. I had no friends, she had no friends, we were both in need, so we should be friends. I had finally found an answer to my question, at least one of them, for I suddenly knew what I wanted.

"I don't think you're a silly little girl, a little girl maybe, but never silly. You are actually quite mature for your age and you are wrong when you say I have no interest in being your friend. I would like that very much, I just wasn't so sure it was a good idea, but now I see that it might be an excellent one. After all as you said we will be spending a lot of time in each other's company," I whispered making her look at me still pushing the uneatable food around her plate before letting the fork drop.

"Really?" exclaimed Constance a tiny smile finding the beauty that was her face. She never took her eyes off me in that moment as she waited for a sign that I wasn't playing some cruel joke on her. But I didn't answer her right away; instead I just stared at her part of me memorizing her. I couldn't help thinking that she was beautiful, not the fake beautiful that her mother had paid quite a bit of money for, but the type of beautiful you didn't see every day. But I soon let those thoughts go because I knew I shouldn't be having them. Friends didn't think that way about their friends, but that was only part of it. She was still Don Falcone's daughter and I couldn't have those types of thoughts about her because of that alone. And then focusing on her again I smiled as I nodded giving her a yes.

"Never assume anything with me, little girl. I am hard to read. As I said I only stayed quiet because I wasn't sure if it was a good idea," I said choosing that moment to eat some of the food on my plate. I spit it out almost immediately after it hit my tongue. It was absolutely inedible and looking down at the hunk of brown goop I had attempted to eat I frowned. There was no way I was eating that again and with that thought in my head I quickly through the rest of the stuff into the bushes. Constance watched me the entire time and when I did this she started to laugh the mere sound of it like wind chimes moving through the breeze to my ears. When the sound found me I quickly looked at her, but when I did I suddenly wished I hadn't. For when our eyes met her laughter stopped and she stared at me once more a look of fear in her eyes again. I didn't want her to stop though; I wanted her to laugh her heart out. It made me frown because I liked the sound of her laugh, it was beautiful, like music, and I wanted to hear more of it.

"If we're going to be friends you're going to have to stop that. Don't be afraid to laugh at me, I believe friends do that," I whispered making her smile return.

"Ok…that is if we really are friends now?" whispered Constance looking at me then away again. I could see she was still afraid I was playing some joke on her and I knew I had to reassure her. At first I wasn't sure how to do that, so I did it the only way I knew how. Slowly I rose to my feet never taking my eyes off her as I rounded the table coming to stand in front of her. When I did this she looked surprised, but also curious. That look only grew when I extended my hand to her hoping she would stand too and taking it so we could seal our friendship. But for a moment she only watched me until crooking my finger at her I motioned for her to stand up meaning it as more of a demand then a request. Constance obeyed the silent order immediately coming to stand in front of me, but still she did not take my hand. She just stood there looking at me with those eyes and in that moment I knew she was trying to read me. And I couldn't decide if I wanted her to or not.

"To a new friendship, Miss. Falcone. I hope it will be a prosperous one," I said watching her closely. She had yet to take my hand, but I didn't mind. I let her take her time, but then she smiled at me. I was slowly falling in love with that smile, it was quite endearing. Her eyes left mine then looking at the hand I still held out to her. It was in that moment she took it giving it a firm shake that surprised even me. I noted then the softness of her skin, the way her hand seemed to fit so perfectly into mine, but I also noted the hidden strength there. It was a strength I always knew she had deep down inside.

We stood there for the longest time our hands still connecting us. It was her who finally broke that connection her eyes wondering to the plate in front of her chair at the table. My eyes followed her and not saying a word I picked up the plate doing with her food what I had done with my own. I knew she didn't want to eat that any more than I did. Once that was done I looked at her seeing a question in her eyes.

"Why don't we go out somewhere?" I said looking at her seeing a look of relief on her face.

"Yes, I'd like that very much, Mr. Zsasz," smiled Constance following me into the house until we reached the front door.

"You don't have to call me that, you know. Since we're friends now you can call me Victor," I whispered opening the door yet not letting her go past me. This seemed to take her off guard and looking at me wide eyed she didn't say a word in response. I couldn't help, but find it all very enticing. I found her enticing and I didn't understand how or why I felt this way.

"Are you sure?" whispered Constance finally as if afraid I would suddenly change my mind.

"Yes, call me Victor," I smiled letting her past me. We walked side by side then her eyes downcast until she finally looked at me. I smiled at her and she smiled right back as we reached the car my body blocking hers once more. She looked at me still as I opened the car door for her. But she didn't get in right away instead she only continued to look at me before smiling at me once more. Constance got into the car her eyes never leaving me until I was beside her in the driver's seat and it was as we were driving down the road that she once again drew me from my thoughts.

"Well…since I'll be calling you Victor, I would appreciate it if you didn't call me Miss. Falcone anymore. Call me Constance," whispered Constance meeting my gaze when I looked in her direction. But they only lingered a second before mine returned to the road. I didn't care if part of me still said it was a bad idea I was happy we were friends now. And once again I made a vow to protect her with everything that I was. I don't know how, but a part of me knew this would be the start of something, for I had never had a friend before, she was a pretty good start in my opinion, and what we would have would be truly beautiful. As beautiful as she was.