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
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. 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. I stood there looking at her in uttrer disbelief. How could she lie so easily to my face, then come here just to confess the truth and further ruin my relationship with as Alessandro? This woman was certainly cunning, unbelievable, and dangerous. What exactly did she know about Alessandro and his gang? Was she once part of them? I thought he helped her go abroad to further her studies, so she wouldn't live the life that he did. "Laura, would you be willing to hurt someone who sent you abroad and changed your life?" I asked, staring at her in curiosity."Why not? He didn't do me a favor by sending me abroad. He did it in order to keep me away from him. He knew how much I loved him but he constantly rejected me and treated me like his sister or a little girl!" She raised her voice. "He never took my feeling seriously even when he said he would. He just kept treating my emotions as if they were irrelevant. He said he couldn't imagine falling in love, but then he falls h
Sophia's POV. As we got into the car, I didn't understand the feeling of guilt that suddenly surged through me. I shouldn't be feeling guilty for making him feel exactly the way I did. He deserved everything that was happening to him. But remembering how he cried the other time, how he told me his story, everything seemed all too true to me. My emotions were suddenly all over the place. I didn't understand how to feel the moment. Should I be annoyed at myself for being petty? or annoyed at him for playing the victim and making me feel guilty? The more I recalled how hurt filled his eyes, the more guilt gnawed at my heart. But I wanted it to stop. I didn't want to feel this way anymore. He didn't deserve my sympathy or empathy. "You don't have to feel guilty," Ray said as if he read in my mind. "He cheated and betrayed on you. You're not even doing anything with me, which means you're still being loyal. You're doing too much. The last thing you should do is feel guilty about thi
Sophia's POV.Father gave me Ray's phone number and I went embarrassingly to my room to call him. I knew I shouldn't be doing this because it would make him feel important or that he had a chance with me, but I had no choice. There was no one else to truly defend me from Alessandro. If Alessandro were to act violently and attempt to take me away, Father would not be able to stop him, and the police wouldn't do anything if they were called either. Ray, despite being a weakling, might be able to do something. Letting out a deep sigh, I dialed his number and without hesitation, he answered, as if recognizing my number. "Hello, Ray," I muttered, my voice shaking nervously. "Sophia? Is this you?" He asked, sounding surprised. "Yes, it's me," I replied flatly. "I thought you didn't want to see me. You left so angrily. I can't believe you're calling now," He uttered, making me flush. "Yes, I know," I rolled my eyes, irritated. "I'm calling because I need a favor from you," I said, my
Alessandro's POV.I could feel my heart clenching in my chest as I watched him nibbling on her lips. Unable to contain the anger riling through me, I dashed to him and pulled him away from her, instantly throwing my fist at his face. He fell to the ground and blood splattered out of his mouth, but I didn't stop there. I went to him, pounced on him and began punching his face relentlessly. Sophia screamed behind me, telling me to stop. "Alexandra, stop it. You are going to kill him!"She yelled. However, I was too angry to listen to her. I should have stopped right there, maybe I would have salvaged what we had left, but the anger within me was too much. No one had the right to touch what was mine, especially after all the hurt he had caused her. I wasn't going to take this nonsense from him, I would teach him a lesson he would never forget. Without hesitation, I landed another punch on his face that forced blood into his eyes."Alessandro, please!" She cried out. I hated that sh
Alessandro's POV. “Alessandro?” She gasped at the sight of me. I wondered why she was dressed so formally at this hour, but I was more glad to see her. I should have come long ago, however, business casualties held me back. “I’m sorry, Sophia. I know that you think I betrayed you but that's not the case. I wish you could just give me a chance to explain myself and the circumstances surrounding whatever Laura told you,” I muttered, staring softly at her. My heart sank when her expression went from one of shock to disgust. “I don't care what happened between both of you. I don't want to know any details, I just need you to leave,” She spat, glaring at me. “I can't leave without getting you to listen to me. I don't know what to exactly what she told you but just know that they are all lies. Laura has been secretly in love with me for a while now, and she just told you lies to send you away,” I explained desperately. I wished I hadn't invited Laura at all to the US, maybe all this
Sophia's POV. “Despite how good it sounds to use him, I can't bring myself to doing it. I just don't want anything to do with these men,” I responded, shaking my head. “However, I understand where you're coming from. I know you want the best for me but I’m just tired of living in constant deceit and lies. Let's just forget about using him and find another way forward,” I muttered with a sigh. Father's face fell at my words. I didn't like to see him disappointed at me but I couldn't do what he was saying. I was tired of having those men in my life that have given me nothing but pain. “I can't force you into doing anything. But I still plead with you to consider it. It might not be the best idea but it's the easiest way we can get out of this debt,” Father whispered, pulling closer and kissing my forehead. I closed my eyes and let out another audible sigh.“I'll go make something for you,” He whispered, standing to his feet. “What do you want?”I knew he was not happy with my decis
Sophia's POV. I remained in my room, wondering what they were still talking about. I hoped my father wasn't believing anything that that bastard was saying. I would feel so betrayed if he believed anything from him. I still couldn't believe that Ray expected me to believe those nonsense tales of his. He was no different from Alessandro. The only difference was that he wasn't a mafia king and hadn't killed so much people. As more thoughts ran through my mind, my phone suddenly rang. I let out a sigh and grabbed it from the nightstand. Staring at the screen, I saw an unknown number. A frown spread across my lips and i was hesitant to answer the call. However, I decided to. Upon answering the call, I heard a familiar voice that sent chills down my spine. “Birdie,” Alessandro's voice chimed through the speaker. I instantly clenched my fist, hating how I dreaded and missed that voice. “How dare you call me after all your lies?” I gritted out. “I can explain everything that happene
Author's POV. Ray had a small smile on his lips as Sophia paved the way for him to enter. Upon entering, Marcus led him to one of the couches and they sat. “Father, I don't believe anything he is saying,” Sophia frowned. “I don't believe him either, but we can't just dismiss his side of the story. Alessandro can do anything to have his way and he probably deceived him too,” Marcus said, considering Alessandro's atrocities. He was willing to trust everything against Alessandro. Alessandro was a devil to him, and if he could still find a way to destroy him, he would. “Okay, can you tell me everything from the beginning?” Marcus inquired, more curiously.“I'm not going to stand here to listen to this. I'm heading to my room and by the time I come out, I don't want to see him here,” Sophia spat irritably, walking away. As she left, Marcus turned his attention to Ray. Ray felt a bit uncomfortable being alone with Marcus, but he was ready to spew more lies and have his way. Sophia wa
Author's POV.“What the hell are doing here?” Sophia raised her voice, her face filled with astonishment. She hadn't expected to see Ray at her doorstep after torturing herself with thoughts of him last night. She was slowly getting over their meeting—why did he have to show up again? “How did you find me? What the fuck do you want from me, you cunt!” Sophia sneered, unleashing her anger. “I wanted to find you, and I didn't know where you lived, so I had you traced days before we met coincidentally at the shopping mall,” Ray admitted, his expression already laced with remorse. “I know I hurt you, Sophia, but it wasn't my intention. I planned to come back but things didn't go as I had planned—”“That's why you gave me up as collateral to those brutal bastards to kill!!!” Sophia cut him off, her voice filled with rage. “I’m sorry, I know what I did was cruel, but I was trying to buy time. Things just backfired at that moment and I couldn't come get you. Please forgive me, “He ple