Sophia's POV. I looked back at my food and tried taking a few more bites, but my stomach began hurting again. I had been having aches in my belly since morning. They were brief but painfully sharp. "Am I having my period today?" I wondered, placing my hand on my stomach. "I thought it wasn't due until next week."I pouted, feeling discomfort wash over me. I always had cramps during my periods, but they were always bearable if brief."Argh," I groaned, dropping my fork. "Why is it coming now? I haven't even eaten all the snacks I made earlier today. I hate this."Despite the occasional cramps, I dreaded my menstrual period, the first few days were always the worst. Unfortunately, I didn't have my pain relief medication here."Fuck," I cursed, pushing the food aside and resting my head on the table.I clutched my stomach tightly, pursing my lips."I shouldn't have eaten that popcorn. It was so sugary," I scolded myself. "I should have known better. Why am I this way sometimes?" I
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
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. "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,
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. 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. "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. "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
Author's POV. Laura was in one of the guest rooms, laying on the bed while scrolling through her phone. After her conversation with Alessandro, she nonchalantly began watching internet videos. She wasn't bothered about anything because Alessandro would never hurt her. He had always had this soft spot for her, and she was going to take full advantage of it. As she kept watching the videos, the door to the guest room suddenly opened. She looked away from her phone and saw Mary. "Oh God, what is this old hag doing here again?"Laura muttered, rolling her eyes. "What did you just call me?" Mary demanded, looking extremely offended. "I called you an old hag and I'm sure you heard me properly. You all should stop making me repeat myself constantly. It's getting annoying, $She snapped, glaring at Mary. Mary clenched her fists and walked angrily to her. She clambered on the bed and grabbed Laura's hair. Without hesitation, Laura dropped her phone aside and grabbed Mary's hair as well.
Author's POV. Alessandro stood in a warehouse with one of his men tied to a chair, bleeding from almost every part of his body. Alessandro was visibly angry, pointing a knife at him. "If you do not want me to end you, you will tell me the truth. I'm trying to settle things and remove every parasite in my business before I move on. You know a lot of things that is going to help me in doing that, so you better start talking!" Alessandro growled. "I don't know," He cried. "I am innocent. I have told you the truth boss. I don't know anything about the secret gang." Alessandro gritted his teeth in anger. He had been with Frank for the past two hours, and Frank had been so adamant to speak up. Despite how much he had threatened Frank with his family, he had refused to say the truth. "Frank, I'm not going to repeat myself. What do you know about the secret group that has been trafficking women, embezzling my money, and selling my drugs without permission?" Alessandro sneered."Sir, I'm
Author's POV. After blocking him, she switched off her phone and kept it in the pocket of her jean trouser. She stepped out of the elevator and dragged her suitcase to the sitting room.Laura was still there, leaning against the couch as if waiting for her. They exchanged a few glares before Sophia headed to the door without a word. Suddenly Laura called her name, causing her steps to come to a halt. Sophia turned to her with an irritated expression. "What do you want from me? I'm leaving. Isn't this what you want?" Sophia spat angrily. "Yes, you are doing exactly what I want," Laura grinned, happy that Sophia was so easy to fool."I want that pendant on your neck," Laura demanded, extending her hand. "Pendant?" Sophia gasped, reaching for the pendant on her neck. She was angry at Alessandro but couldn't give this to someone else."What do you want it for?" Sophia demanded. "I want it because I'm sure Alessandro gave it to you, and you do not deserve anything from him. I'm his
Author's POV. Sophia felt astounded and confused. Why was Alessandro's friend calling herself his fiancée? It made absolutely no sense. "What do you mean by that? Alessandro only mentioned you as his childhood friend and that you'll help him in starting up a company. He never mentioned that there was anything other than a cordial relationship between both of you," Sophia said, trying to stay calm. "Who the fuck are you anyways to question whether we have a cordial or romantic relationship? Are you a whore who doesn't know her place?" Laura questioned, staring disgustingly at Sophia. Sophia was deeply insulted by her words. How could Alessandro keep her identity from Laura? "Who are you? If you can't answer my question then I want you out of this mansion!" Laura yelled, pulling her back to reality. "I'm his girlfriend!" Sophia snapped back. "Girlfriend? Are you delusional or what?" Laura spat, her gaze boring at Sophia. She scrutinized her intently and noticed the pendant on he
Sophia's POV. I continued twirling my tongue around his cock, making him release more moans. "Go faster!" Alessandro commanded, pulling my hair harder.I went faster, sucking him more relentlessly. My tongue twirled around it as my life depended on it, and my hands moved more rapidly around his thickness, caressing it."Yes, good...so good!!!" He laughed.His cock began swelling in my mouth as he was getting to his edge. I whimpered as my tongue swirled more mercilessly around his shaft.He released a primal moan and came straight into my mouth. I thought of spitting out his cum once it entered, but it tasted a bit better than I thought. I slowly pulled his cock from my mouth and gulped it.Some of his cum splashed on my face, and I wiped every bit of it and put the droplets in my mouth."Does it taste that good?" Alessandro asked, his voice deeper than the sea."It tastes better than I anticipated," I grinned, moving up to him and bringing my lips closer to his."Do you want a tast
Sophia's POV.Despite how Alessandro reacted to my suggestion, I still felt that he was hurt and was simply pretending, so I wouldn't get her. Although I was in his arms, enjoying his warmth, I could feel his troubled breaths.I shouldn't have let my emotions influence my reasoning. I had just let my father achieve his aim. I knew something broke in Alessandro tonight, and it was my fault.Why did I have to ruin the great time we had with my father's influence? Why couldn't I just—"Birdie, you should sleep already," He whispered, wrapping his arms a bit tighter around me. "I told you that I'm not upset with you."I didn't want him to get more worried so I just kept silent and pretended to be asleep. I felt him slowly pull himself from me, making my head slip onto the pillow. I could sense that he was looking down at me but I didn't move an inch. "She's asleep, that's great," He whispered, covering me up with the duvet. He sighed loudly and slipped out of the bed, leaving me there.
Author's POV. "What?" Alessandro gasped, looking baffled. He didn't understand why she was making such a request. He knew she wasn't in approval of his mode of making money, but he never expected her to just make such a demand. "Sophia, I don't understand," He shook his head. Sophia couldn't hold back anymore, "I just want to have a normal life. A life where we can walk through the park without guards hovering or tailing us every time. I want people to know that you are mine.I'm tired of always looking over my shoulder, wondering whether someone is going to kill me or you. I want us to live in a world without issues,""That world doesn't exist, birdie," he countered, his voice firm yet gentle."Yes, it does," Sophia asserted, more tears slipping down her cheeks.She moved close to him and cupped his face in her hands."People around the world are living without so much apprehension. I know that this seems very sudden, but I can't keep living this way," She confessed, her heart sin
Sophia's POV."What?" I gasped, utterly defeated.What was happening to my father? Had he just lost his sense of reasoning or was this a toxic trait I hadn't noticed in the past?How could he ask me to pick between him and Alessandro? Why couldn't I just have both of them in my life? Why was he so insistent on ruining our relationship."Father..." my voice cracked. "This is totally absurd and I won't stand for it. I'm going to my old room right now, and I don't want to disturbed. I'll stay there until this is healed."As I turned my back on him, he barked, "You have to make a choice Sophia. You're my princess, my art queen, not some sex toy he could play with!"I slowly turned to him, clearly fed up with his tantrums."I'm not Alessandro's sex toy. I'm the woman he loves, his girlfriend," I asserted. "In the past if you had made this demand, I would have chosen you. But after this..."I trailed off, touching my face."I don't think so!" I spat, glaring at him. "You aren't even remorse
Sophia's POV.I stood there staring at my father in utter disbelief. I was wondering if this was a nightmare or something else. The father I loved would never lay his hands on me. I was so shocked that he just slapped me without showing any remorse. He was acting like it was his right to hurt me because I was in love with someone who supposedly ruined our lives. But he should know that Alessandro did not ruin our lives. We were the ones that got involved indirectly with him. Ryan was the one who damaged everything. If he hadn't deceived me, then Father wouldn't have helped me by taking that loan. We would have been happy and free by now. Alessandro did not cause this. He was just doing what anyone who was being owed would do. It was business. I wished my father could understand this but right now, I couldn't stand the sight of him."I don't know what that bastard has done to you. Maybe he has given you one of his drugs that has unfortunately damaged your brain," Father accused, h