CHAPTER 485: THE ROOT

Avery got to the restaurant five minutes earlier because she had some investigation to do.

In fact, she offered to pay the stylist her one month's salary if she could help her identify Grey.

The stylist was a citizen of Italy and knew all the mafia lords there or anyone who was in any position in Italy.

"Here, stay here.He’s going to come in anytime from now.Just stay focused and identify him for me.Is that alright?"

The stylist nodded once.

"You don't have to worry about that actually.I will do this," she assured as she downed her vodka slowly.

Avery released a sigh and moved away from her.She found a nice place to settle in and waited for Derek.It didn’t take up to five minutes when Grey walked inside.

Clad in black jeans trousers and a t-shirt, he almost took Avery's breath away.She knew actually, on the first day that there were a lot of weird things about Derek but she thought it was because he looked so much like Grey.She didn’t want to believe there were more.

And even now, she was scared of what she would find.

Avery met him halfway, probably to convince the stylist who she should look out for.

"I thought you were going to change your mind for a moment." Grey huffed.

"I told you that I don’t go back on my words.Let's sit," he moved towards the table that Avery had been sitting at when he walked inside.He gestured at the waiter and the menu was brought over.

"I will say that we don't do this often.I’m a busy man too, you know?" Avery nodded once.

"I understand.I will keep that in mind," she went through the menu quickly.

"Actually, I would like to ask you some questions.I don’t know if you will be kind enough to answer me honestly."

Grey placed the menu on the table beside him, folded his arms and on the table and looked at Avery. Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

"Is this dinner time or question time?" Avery laughed.

"Come on, Derek.Don't attack me like that.I just want to feel very familiar with you.You do know there are a lot of things I don’t know about you."

Grey sat well and gestured to the waiter again.They submitted their menu.

"Well, I refuse to be interrogated." Avery laughed.

"Well, this meal is all on me.You can just do me something little as a payback.How about that? Besides, I'm only going to ask some simple questions.It’s not going to hurt to respond.And I promise not to get deep, especially with your love life." Grey laughed at this.

"Alright, then." The waiter soon returned with their order.

"So, are you really Italian?" She didn't look at him as she asked.

Grey looked up at her.

"You are really interested in that?" Avery shrugged slightly.

"I mean your accent.It doesn't really sound like Italian.I just thought it could be because of several reasons.So, I was curious." Grey groaned inwardly.

"I am half Italian."

"What's the other state of interest?"

"I won't go any further, Avery.You seem to be getting at something else.Why don’t you tell me why you are in Italy as well?" Avery smiled softly.

"I came here for business actually.Italy is a nice place for that."

"Where are you from, Avery?"

"Jacksonville.It’s a nice place."

"And you left such a nice place?"

Avery looked up at him, their gaze held and locked for a moment.

"I didn’t say I left Jacksonville.How did you know I did?"

"Common sense, Avery.You hesitated when I asked you the question.As if you didn’t really want to talk about it."

Avery adjusted.

"Well, you are right.I left the nice place because I had to.I mean we all have reasons right?"

"Right, I concur, Avery and most of these reasons are better good when they are kept.It’s not everything we want to tell people." Avery regarded him for another moment.

"I understand.I will be careful next time."

"Good,"Grey responded and they ate in silence.

A few minutes later, they were done.Grey looked at Avery.

"I will settle the bill and drive you home," he got up and walk away.

Avery looked over at the stylist.

Their gaze held and locked for a moment.

The stylist slowly shook her neck.

Avery knew it was a negative reply but she still wanted to be sure.

Grey returned.

"Can we go now? It has all been settled.I will drive you home."

Avery shook her head briefly.

"You don’t have to worry about that.I came with my car."

"I will see that you get back to the suite safely before I move."

"No, I can handle myself.I will be fine.You didn’t have to bother yourself about stuff like this," she muttered and walked out of the restaurant.

Grey regarded him for a moment, still amazed by her stubbornness.

When he walked out of the restaurant, Avery was nowhere to be found.His gaze searched around for her quickly but he soon gave up and walked to his car.He had been stressed since that morning anyways.So, he needed his rest.

Avery watched him drive out before she walked out from where she was hiding.She knew that Grey would force her to enter her car and drive off before he would do so as well.

And she didn’t want him to see her with the stylist.She walked back inside when she was sure that Grey had gone.She took a seat in front of her.

"Tell me, do you know him?" The stylist shook her head briefly.

"I don’t.I have never seen him."

Avery was taken aback.

"Are you sure you saw his face very well?"

"Of course! I did! He’s strange but I was able to take his picture.I will help you find out more.I have a friend that is so current in all these.I will do it for free.You gave me a month's salary in a day anyways," she laughed excitedly.

Avery shook her head briefly.

"If you can find it faster, I will compensate you," she promised.

The stylist's smile went even wider.

"Consider it done!"