Sophia's POV. "You're just returning, what happened?" Mary asked, her voice laced with concern."I think the drink I took was too much for me," I sighed, leaning against the kitchen counter. "I ended up passing out," I added."What?" She stopped cutting the vegetables and turned to me in shock. "Are you okay? Those kinds of places are too dangerous to be vulnerable in.""Don't worry," I muttered with a smile. "Rita took care of me.She pulled me away from a stranger and took me to a room...I think.""You think?" She raised her eyebrows."Well, I woke up in a room with my clothes on. Besides, Rita is a lovely person, she won't do anything to hurt me," I replied softly."You say that so confidently. You shouldn't trust people so easily," She said, resuming her task."She likes me," I revealed, shocking Mary.She dropped the knife this time and walked over to me."Are you serious?" she gasped."Yes," I replied with a nod. "She kissed me last night...and was still a bit touchy this morni
Alessandro's POV.Every part of her was trembling. The look in her eyes was one of fear, and at that moment, I wanted to savor it like I always did, but the rage in me was too consuming."Alessandro...please..." she began crying again, softly and helplessly this time.Was this supposed to touch me? And why was I still holding this gun?I should shoot her and be done with it. She wasn't the first person I had killed, why should she remain alive after every one of her mistakes?When did I become God to give chances or grace? Even God has his moments. I wasn't merciful, yet I kept giving her chances upon chances despite her multiple mess-ups.I was done with this. Pointing the gun straight at her head, my finger tugged at the trigger. "Alessandro," she whispered again. I shouldn't care about those tears or the sharp paleness of her face. She deserved no mercy for allowing another man to touch her, and for causing me so much humiliation and misfortune. Since she came into my life, I hav
Alessandro's POV."No, I certainly don't like her," I spat, wiping away the blood trickling down my face again."Fuck," I cursed, clutching my head in pain.The explosion was insane. If the bomb had been in that box, I would have been dead by now.I leaned over the sink, washing my face until the bleeding stopped. Once I finished, I grabbed a small towel from the side and dried myself."How can I like her when my heart doesn't race or anything? isn't that how it's supposed to feel?" I muttered to myself. "Besides, I don't want to love her. I just want to know what love feels like.""You don't need your heart racing to like someone," I heard Mary's voice from behind the door.Groaning, I kept the towel aside and opened the door."Why are you still here?" I snapped, stepping out of the restroom."Do you think of her all the time? Do you admire things about her that you can't stand in anyone else? That's evidence you like her," Mary said, her lips curling into a knowing smile.Thinking d
Alessandro's POV.I grabbed the phone from her and scrolled through the messages from the beginning. Every word looked real, almost like something Sophia would write."You're still doubtful," Rita said with a smug smirk, crossing her arms like she'd just won a game. "We made a few calls but I didn't record them because I didn't plan on showing you anything." "Shut up!" I sneered, my voice sharp and dripping with venom. "You planned all of this. You recorded the video and specifically dropped it in the mafia group chat. You're nothing but a manipulative bitch!""Oh, Alessandro," She smirked mockingly, stepping closer. "You're so predictable, why don't you stop talking and do something." "I'm going to make you pay dearly for this," I spat, my tone icy as I dropped her phone on the floor. "I don't trust those messages one bit. If I find out that you drugged her, I'll make sure you overdose until you can't even take your last breath!" "You'll do all that for her?" She sneered, huffing
Author's POV.Alessandro lowered his phone and slid two fingers under her nose to check if she was still breathing.As her soft, even breaths touched his skin, he sighed in relief. Without hesitation, he dialed the doctor's number."I need you here, now," He barked. "Be fast!" He hung up abruptly.Slowly, he sat beside her, his mind racing. For once, he decided to look beyond the surface of the situation."He raped her," Alessandro muttered, his voice thick with anger. "She didn't sleep with that bastard for money. That's not true."None of it made sense. She seemed too devastated for someone who willingly sold her body. She knew how dangerous he could be, yet she broke down in his presence. Though he shouldn't be bothered by how she got the money her father owed, things between them were no longer about the deal. It wasn't even about making him understand what love was. It was something else.He hated to admit it, but he was attracted to her. It wasn't just her beauty, though she wa
Author's POV. "I'm so impressed, daughter," Mr. Wills said, his voice filled with disbelief. "I couldn't have thought of this amazing strategy. This is brilliant."Rita's cheeks burned at her father's compliment."I always have a plan B, Daddy," Rita said with a dark chuckle. "I just acted dumb because I wanted to surprise you with it. I'm sorry for making you feel like I wasn't worth being your child."Her father was supposed to apologize to her, not the other way around. But Rita didn't care. She just wanted her father to compliment and praise her.She could abandon any emotion, even her soul, just to prove to her father that she was worthy of having his name."There's no problem, child. I'm glad that you've corrected your mistake and are now pleasing me," Mr. Wills replied, his voice arrogant. "I never thought that dethroning Alessandro would be so easy. I guess he let his guard down because no one ever dared to threaten his position after what he did to Quinn.""No, Daddy," Rita
Author's POV.Alessandro's jaw dropped at her words. He stared at her in disbelief and shock."What are you saying?" He asked, gasps escaping his lips."You heard me correctly," she snapped. "The deal didn't pertain you having access to my body. I refuse to sleep with you again or be your sex toy!" Sophia replied, her tone icy. "Is that better understood?""This has to be a joke," Alessandro said, faking a laugh."This is no joke," She spat, her tone serious. "You even said it yourself. Falling in love isn't about sex, but emotions. You don't feel anything for me, because if you did, you wouldn't blame me for getting raped.""Sophia, get something straight," Alessandro fired back. "I didn't blame you for getting raped. I didn't know that you went to Rita's party, and even after I found out, she denied drugging you and showed me some so-called evidence.""Everything shows that you had sex with that man willingly. But I know Rita is a desperate bitch. She certainly set a trap for you,
Author's POV. The next morning, Sophia woke up, freshened up, and slipped out of the private room. She headed to the kitchen and made herself a cup of coffee.As she was about to take a calming sip, she felt a presence looming behind her. Looking up, she saw Alessandro standing there. Sophia swallowed the lump in her throat, her heart pounding louder."Good morning," She greeted, her voice shaky."Finally, you've gained some manners," Alessandro said, frowning."What I just did has nothing to do with manners. And I wasn't disrespectful yesterday, stop exaggerating," Sophia muttered, bringing the cup to her lips."Is that what you think?" Alessandro asked, glaring down at her.He was still upset about yesterday. The way she rejected him had shocked him. No woman had ever done that before. He was always irresistible. The fact that Sophia was suddenly acting immune to him infuriated him."Alessandro, you're not my father or my boss. I owe you no respect," Sophia said boldly, allowing
Sophia's POV. Days passed and Alessandro's condition had improved significantly. I was so happy that he was getting better.I was in the kitchen now, making a delicious meal for him. He had been dreading Sarah's drugged soups. He had tried to dissuade her from adding the medications to the soup, but she refused, saying it was the best way for him to take that kind of medicine.But yesterday, the medications ran out and he could finally eat normal food again."I could smell the sumptuous meal from far away," Alessandro's voice came as he stepped into the kitchen. "Well, I'm not making your favorite, but I promise it's going to be delicious," I replied, smiling widely. "Don't worry about your allergies, I avoided those spices." "Thank you," Alessandro said softly, slowly walking to me. It wasn't just his physique that had improved, but his attitude too. He wasn't cold or mean anymore. He wasn't grabbing me without my permission or acting so uncontrollably. I liked this side of him,
Sophia's POV. He nibbled on my lips, slowly deepening the kiss. He sucked my bottom lip softly, and then bit it gently. I gasped slightly, and he seized the opportunity to slip his tongue into my mouth.His tongue slowly explored every inch of my mouth. I moaned softly, as his tongue danced around my tongue, deepening the kiss.It wasn't as rough or aggressive as before. This kiss was tender, and so sweet. I loved every second of it, moaning with each movement his tongue made.I never knew he could kiss this gently. It was so pleasurable, and sweet.The way his fingers traced lines across my nape sent electrifying currents through me.I kissed him back, making our tongues tangle around each other. I savored his sweetness as it spread across my mouth."Mmm," I moaned between our lips.He parted the kiss, leaving me breathless. He took his hand to my lips, swiping his finger over my bottom lip."Thank you," he whispered, his lips curling into a smile.A gasp escaped my lips at the sigh
Sophia's POV. "What is happening?" I trembled, panic filling my voice. "Alessandro." I watched him convulse, shaking uncontrollably. An alarming sound blared, and before I could call for help, the doctor and Sarah rushed into the room. "Leave," Sarah thundered. The damp cloth in my hand slipped to the floor, and I dashed out of the room. As I got outside, I burst into tears, every part of me trembling. "What have I done?" I cried loudly. "What was I thinking when I kissed him?" I recalled how his heartbeat was dropping so fast, and great fear gripped my heart. What if something happened to him? I wouldn't be able to forgive myself. "Alessandro, please don't die," I cried, my shoulders trembling. "O God, let nothing happen to him." I began pacing back and forth in the hallway, guilt clawing at my heart. Fresh tears flooded my cheeks as I imagined the worst. I shouldn't have done more than just cleaning him. I couldn't resist touching him. I missed hearing his voice
Sophia's POV. "What?" I gasped in shock. "Did you just say a few days?" I asked wondering if I heard wrong."His situation is critical, and unfortunately, he wasn't given the right medical care he needed," the doctor reported."This isn't good. We can't lose Alessandro," Mary muttered, panic evident in her voice."What can be done to save him?" I asked, tears slipping down my cheeks. "Alessandro is important to the people here. If he dies, we'll all be vulnerable to attack.""I have done my best," the doctor said with a resigned tone. "There's nothing more I can do. We just have to be optimistic and wait to see how things turn out. If he recovers, then, great. But if his health deteriorates, then—" "Don't say it," Mary interrupted sharply, shaking her head. "Please..." She staggered slightly, but I was able to steady her. "Mary, are you okay?" I inquired, helping her into a chair. "Mary, how are you feeling?" the doctor asked, checking her vitals. "Does your head hurt?""This is
Sophia's POV. I was horrified by what I saw. Alessandro was covered in blood, his face and body bruised, his clothes shredded and dripping with blood. "All of you get out!" one of the men growled, causing the maids to scatter. "This can't be Alessandro," I sobbed. "Is this him?" They ignored me and rushed to the elevator. I tried to follow them, but the elevator doors closed before I could reach them. "No," I panicked, fresh tears streaming down my face. "Sophia," Mary called, stepping to my side. "Mary that can't be Alessandro. Tell me it's someone else." I urged, my heart racing wildly in fear. That person looked dead. There was too much blood and injuries. It seemed hopeless. "It's him," Mary replied abruptly. "What?" I gasped, shock rippling through my veins. "No..no...Mary..." "It's him," her voice trembled this time, tears filling her eyes. "I had never seen him so vulnerable before. He spoke a bit, but his words weren't very coherent." "What did he say?" I sni
Sophia's POV."Sophia, this is a great opportunity for us to have our lives back," My father said, his voice filled with hope. "We can go to another country and lay low for a while if he returns." "I...don't know," I stuttered, my hands nervously clenching the side of my dress. "Sophia, this may be the only chance at happiness we'll ever get," he urged, his voice growing more insistent. "Let's take it and move on."The idea of returning to a normal life sounded so appealing. I could finally sketch, paint, and live without any restraints or fear. I could finally exhibit my works again like I had always done. Most of all, I could spend uninterrupted, happy moments with my father.I would be far away from the killings, blood, abuse—and Alessandro. But that was the problem. After spending almost two months with him, I couldn't imagine my life without him.I knew it sounded crazy because I had always wanted to escape him. Was this Stockholm syndrome? I had no idea."Sophia," my father ca
Sophia's POV. "Alessandro," I called out but there were only more gunshots rippling through the air."What is happening?" I panicked, my heart racing wildly in my chest. "Did he get attacked? Did he get shot? Why did he say those words?"My heart raced, worry gripping me."Did Rita's family attack him? He said they weren't happy about what happened to those devils?" I said through my clenched teeth. "Oh no."I rushed out of my room and went downstairs. I got to the kitchen but Mary wasn't there. I ran over to the maids' quarters and found her in their kitchen."Mary!" I called, rushing toward her."Slow down," she gasped, holding me before I fell forward. "What is the problem?""Alessandro," I muttered, my breaths ragged. "I think he was shot. We were on the phone when...when...""Sophia, take a deep breath," Mary suggested. "I truly get what you're saying, please calm down."After I took a few breaths, she asked, "What happened to Alessandro?""I don't know...exactly what happened,
Alessandro's POV.I hastened my steps to the garage, and once I got into my car, I let out a heavy sigh.Why was she trying to get close to me again? Didn't she tell me to give her space? She was starting to confuse me. Her complex behaviors were messing with my mind.I leaned back in my seat, shaking my head at the memory. However, I couldn't help but feel like an idiot for declining her offer to watch a movie. She asked twice and I failed to read between the lines."Damn it," I cursed, gripping the steering wheel tightly. "I think I've lost my chance to start something with her," A bitter chuckle escaped me. "But maybe it's for the best. Being celibate for a while hasn't been that bad."I was about to start my car when my phone buzzed. I answered through my air pod."Yes?""Boss, it's Jared," his voice came through. "I'm calling to remind you that we're heading to the new site together. I'm outside, waiting.""I didn't forget, I'll be there in a few minutes," I muttered, ending the
Sophia's POV."Open up," Alessandro urged, bringing the bowl closer to my lips.I reluctantly parted my lips and took a sip of the 'potion'. The bitterness that shot through my tongue was unbearable."Fuck!" I cursed, spitting it out. "This is disgusting. Why is it so bitter?""It's the leaves I used," he answered calmly, urging me to drink more. "Take some more. It won't work if you just take a sip.""Are you sure this isn't going to worsen my cramps or send me to the great beyond? Because this is awful," I spat, clear irritation in my voice."Do you want the pain to persist or not?" he asked, his tone serious, his piercing gaze fixed on me. I clutched my stomach and shook my head."No," I whimpered, hating how helpless I sounded. "Then try to drink it. I understand that it's bitter and uncomfortable, but it'll help you relax and get better sleep," Alessandro whispered, his voice softer now. "Alright," I muttered with a resigned sigh and took the bowl from him. "God help me."I cl