My heart skipped. "Where is he? Is he all right?"Questions came out of my mouth one by one, eager to know if he was out of every harm. That ballistic man! How dare he disappear like that without taking his guards with him!Oliver remained quiet, his eyes flickering around. My heart beat slowed down, as if something was squeezing my chest. "Answer me!""Miss. Brooks!" Ron's voice made me turn to my right as he jogged towards me. And before I could snap at him for leaving his boss alone, he opened his mouth. "I got his location. I can take you there if you want.""Is he alright?" I asked again in desperation. "We will only know after reaching there."***Once the car stopped before an enormous silver gate, I got out. Two guards stood on both sides of the gate. "Let's go inside, Ron," I said, ready to go inside and find the spoiled prince. You better be in one piece!When I got no answers from Ron, I turned to him. He stood still beside the car with a look of discomfort. At my rai
Slowly we approached the small round table decorated with a vase of tulips, covered dishes with lids and a bottle of champagne. And what surprised me was, there was a small bowl of almond cookies with sprinkled melted chocolate. He never forgets the cookies, does he? He knows how to melt my heart. My mouth twitched with a smile but I covered it with a glare. No matter what he did, I couldn't forget how he made me worry the whole day. And he had the guts to make me have a date with him by tricking me! When he pulled a chair, I thought it was for me. But to my surprise, he sat on it instead before pulling me on his lap. "Hey! What are you doing?" Nuzzling my neck, he groaned. A kiss on my sensitive skin behind my ear sent a shiver down my body. "Loving my queen. I haven't held you in my arms for the whole day. Do you know how torturous it was for me?" My eyes narrowed. "What about this morning?" "That was hours ago." When the pervert nuzzled his face in my chest, I gasped. Blo
He hesitated, but he cut the call, glancing up at me. Seeing my furious gaze, his brows creased. "Now what made my queen mad again?"As I opened my mouth to snap, his phone rang again. My blood started to boil in my veins. The image of their locked lips flashed across my head. He cut the call again. "It must be something important. And your hesitancy says you are eager to talk to your childhood sweetheart. Why cut the calls then? Go on, and talk to her." My tone came out bitter.His gaze snapped to me. "Childhood sweetheart? What are you talking about? And I'm hesitating because her father is not well. But I can talk to her later. I'm not letting anyone interrupt our date tonight.""I'm talking about the truth. I saw your photo on her lock screen. A photo where you were kissing her." My jaw clenched. "So no need to hide anything from me."His shoulders tensed. A shadow passed across his suddenly hard features. "It's not what you think it is." Voice dark. Why wasn't he admitting i
Walking down the office corridor, I met Chad on the way. "You're late. They've already left," he said, giving me a look. "But anyways, the good news still stands.""Sorry, I had to go back to my apartment after the hospital." My neighbor had called me early in the morning to inform me about an anonymous woman visiting my floor last night and asking around about me when she didn't find me at home. She again showed up this morning and lingered outside my apartment for some time. But before I could reach there, she left. Odd. I wonder who she was?"Oh, how is Em and the baby? I couldn't go and see her yet due to my busy schedule," he asked. "They're perfectly fine. She can't stop swooning over her son." I chuckled. They named their son Archer. Archer Valencian. A very serious and moody baby who glared at everyone around him with those round gray eyes. "Anyways, what's the good news? And why did the manager of Glamour House want to see me?" I raised a brow. His features brightened
My stance tensed as I stared at the fading figure. The woman I haven't seen for more than six years. A woman who unfortunately gave birth to me. And made my life a living hell. My fists clenched as my heart rate increased, with the rage humming through my veins. My skin burned at her mere sight. 'Pathetic!' 'You're good for nothing! Bad luck follows wherever you go!' 'I curse the day you were born! You're a fucking burden and nothing else!' Words echoed in my mind like a broken recorder, cutting me like sharp pieces of glass. A past, a woman I never wanted to face till my last breath. What the hell was she doing here? In Syl's office? My hands shook at my sides. You better didn't do anything this time, Syl. Something that will ruin everything that's left. Clutching my purse tight in my hand, I stormed inside his office. With his back facing me, he was leaning forward with his hands set on the desk. His shoulders tensed as soon as I entered. But he stayed quiet. Nor di
The thunder cracked outside in the stormy night as I hid under the wooden old staircase. Soaked in my own sweat, with my heart pounding in my chest, I kept my hand over my mouth not to make a sound. Just a dimmed light in the small living room provided some light in the dark house. The creak of the staircase made my heart jolt. "I know you're here, beautiful. Come on, don't hide from uncle Mathew. Your mommy is not here, you don't need to be afraid."A drop of perspiration rolled down my nape as tears fell from my eyes. Another thunder cracked, causing me to flinch back against the wall. A silent cry escaped my mouth. This was the first time I prayed with all my being for Theresa to come back home. As bad as she was, at least this man wouldn't be able to touch me in her presence. "Come on, beautiful. My little flower, come out. Uncle Mathew won't hurt you, I promise. Now stop this hide and seek game," he drawled. I could see his shadow moving into the living room. Hugging my legs
I froze, my hold tightened on Mrs. Harrison's hand. The air around us changed. Every pair of eyes set over my shoulder. But I didn't dare to turn around. While my heart pounded, several gasps of recognition echoed around the place. Women stared and men were shocked seeing the so-called king of the city before them. After a couple of powerful footsteps reached my ears, intoxicating masculine crisp cologne tingled my nostrils. I could feel his heat right behind me as I took a shaky breath. My heart raced. What was he doing here? "Not only her. We, have some words of gratitude for him." Deep voice spoke from behind me. We?As stupid as it was, my waist tingled at the thought that anytime his hands could land there and squeeze. As he always did. But that didn't happen. Not to forget the urge I had to walk away and not face him after I revealed my secret before him. A sense of shame and insecurity worked through me, the feeling I had hated to feel even to myself in my whole life. M
Pushing the door open, I walked down the dark corridor. Ron, Oliver and others ran behind me. "Did you find Robert yet?" After a moment, Ron replied, "Not yet. He was last seen in the outskirts of LA." My fist curled. "You have two days, Ron. Either present him to me alive, or you be ready to die in my hands." Silence. He was using his link ups with some powerful entities here and there to hide from me. Being an ex-mayor of the city was saving his life. But not for long. Once we reached the old door made of iron, at my tilt of head, Ron rushed to open the lock. As he pushed the door open, my jaw clenched, nails dug in my palms. With a bloodthirst raging inside me, I loosened my collar. My blood flamed with fire. Walking inside, my eyes fell on the bastard tied into a wooden chair in the center of the shadowed room. But the blood soaking his shirt and head, his fresh bruises didn't hide from my eyes. A volcano of rage slithered to my head, my hands itched to tear him from l
I took a deep breath before opening my eyes. Butterflies stormed in my stomach furiously while my heart raced down my chest. The music from the church and the chatters of people flowing to my ears made my palms clammy. "Are you nervous, Cassie?" Em asked. While my other best friend smirked at me. "I thought you were the most excited bride of the century. But it seems like, you're just like an ordinary girl like us too, soft and emotional." "Shut up, Beth!" I shot her a glare. "I'm not nervous!" I denied. Liar! Syl suggested we hold our wedding after the delivery, but I couldn't wait. I already waited for months before finally convincing Syl that I was healthy enough to go through all the arrangements. Growing up, I never believed in love and marriages. But now, after having him in my life, I didn't want anything else more than I wanted to marry that brute of mine. Somehow…it became my dream. To have him as my husband and tie us together for the rest of our lives. But now that t
My intense glare didn't bring any changes to the man's stoic features at all. I tried with my puppy eyes earlier, but I failed. Now my glare was in vain too. The loud music blasted across the nightclub, colorful lights moved around. The beat compelled into moving the body. But there was no smell of sweat, perfume and alcohol like a typical nightclub should.Why? Because there was not a single person in this whole place other than the bartenders, the bodyguards outside and my freaking Italian royal prince, who stood before me! After being away from parties and drinks, being seven months pregnant, I had an intense craving to go and enjoy the night in a nightclub. But this brute wouldn't allow it! I knew alcohol wasn't good for pregnancy, but a few sips wouldn't hurt! My hormones wanted it. I knew how to avoid being careless. And he complied to my eager request, only to vacant an entire nightclub and remove all the alcohol from the place. Only music and juices were available. "How da
His grip on my waist tightened. I felt him taking a deep breath against my neck, his entire form was tense. "Those guards you saw weren't our men, they were his. As we shifted to the villa, De Sylvano Mansion wasn't guarded by many guards. So it was easy for him to take them down and replace his men. And he did all of that the moment you sent me the message." The message? I remembered Vincenzo mentioning it. He had hacked my mobile and somehow stopped my communication with everyone. If not for Ron and the guards following me, they wouldn't have known where I was heading to. A chill ran down my spine thinking what could have happened if Syl hadn't arrived there on time. "That bastard had his men set among the guests in the wedding," Syl continued. "He was planning to attack while distracting us with his fake location. He knew I would send Ron and some of my men there to grab him and it would make it easier for him to attack. But when…" Dark icy blue eyes met mine. "When I left
Blinding flashes sparked from down the stage from the darkness. Cheers and whistles made the night awake while the slow music urged me to move further. The spotlight moved with me as I walked down the ramp with the red princess gown flowing around me, my hair swayed gently with the whoosh of air. I walked with utmost confidence and a bright smile, while my heart palpitated at the dark gaze that devoured me from somewhere in the audience. Goosebumps spread across my skin with a pair of flaming eyes set on me like a predator. And then I found myself falling from the stage and wrapped into a pair of strong arms. Intoxicating masculine crisp cologne surrounded my senses. Dark icy blue eyes stared down at my amber ones with a look that made my heart skip. Suddenly I found myself in a nightclub, pressed against the wall by a furious Italian billionaire. His lips were inches away from me. "A kiss?" I heard myself whispering. The location again changed and I stood in the middle of a hall
Blood ran cold in my veins. With a drop of tear rolling down my cheek, I stood there frozen. My heart slowed down for a moment before it started pounding against my ribcage. My hands shook at my sides realizing who was standing before me. Vincenzo Zolvesky.The man I was running from was waiting in my own house. My legs stumbled back, the cold doors hit my back, leaving me no escape. "You…" Words stuck in my throat. "W-what are you doing here? How dare you come to our house!" The side of his lips tugged upwards into a smirk. "Is that how you greet your guests, Miss. Brooks? Or should I say…Mrs. De Sylvano? That's the title Duncan De Sylvano used in that hospital after all." Something dropped inside me. H-how did he know what happened in the hospital? Did he…have someone to keep an eye on us? They were following us from the hospital? That's how they knew we went to the wedding. It explained why his men roamed among the guests hiding their identities. They were waiting for the ri
Turning around swiftly, we found the two men who passed us earlier standing behind us, along with the tall man in the middle. Their guns were pointed at us. And the eyes of the tall man were set on me. A cold smirk tugged at his lips. My heart stopped. They were here for…me?Vincenzo's men. A panic started to rise inside me. My heart started racing. I thought they were guests…That meant…they were waiting for the right moment to attack, hiding themselves among the guests. How did they know we were going to attend the wedding? "Give her to us and we will let you go. Don't make it hard," said the tall man in a calm tone. "Step away or the consequences will be bloody," Ron hissed, one of his arms shielding me. "Carter! Call for backup!" he shouted to one of the guards. But before Carter could take his phone out, one of the men beside the tall one tackled him on the ground. And instantly, Ron shot him on the shoulder. A muffled scream left me as they advanced Ron. Gunshots star
Now? What happened all of a sudden?Ron suddenly rushed inside the church, nodding at Syl. His stance was tense, the guards behind him stood stiff. My heart started to race. Gripping my hand in his firmly, Syl took me away from the bride and groom. They gave us concerned looks but couldn't ask anything as guests surrounded them to congratulate the newly wedded couple. The stormy rage across Syl's features scared me more. "Syl, what happened? Why are we leaving so soon?" Before I could get an answer, Ron interrupted us. With his face hardened with determination and urgency, he had a grip on his gun. "Boss, my men just confirmed it. Vincenzo is there. They got together in that old motel for some meeting." My eyes widened. Vincenzo? They found his location? Syl's lips curled into a sneer. "It shall be the last meeting of his life. Did you instruct our men to take their positions?" Ron nodded. "Yes. As soon as they confirmed Vincenzo's presence there, they took action. They spr
My heart stopped. I was…pregnant?A slight panic rolled in my stomach. I knew these pills weren't safe enough! My fear turned out to be true!W-what should I do now? I wasn't ready to be a mother. I didn't know if I could take the responsibility. What if I couldn't be a good mother…"Hey! It's fine!" Em grasped my hand. "Don't be nervous. Calm down and think about it. It's not as horrifying as you think it is. Plus, you will have to tell Duncan about it too." I licked my dry lips. "I…I don't know, Em. I…" "It's alright. I know it's overwhelming, but trust me, being a mother is the most beautiful feeling in this world," she said softly. "We're here for you, especially Duncan. You don't need to worry as long as he is with you." She hesitated before continuing. "But if you have other plans, then he will understand, I'm sure." A shaky sigh left me. Syl's words from the morning echoed in my mind. I knew he would be there with me no matter what. But I didn't know what decision I needed
Morning arrived and I couldn't be more anxious and excited at the same time. I had stayed in our room the entire night talking to Beth and Em on video call, planning things for the wedding. Only at two in the morning did they say goodbye and left to rest. And my Italian stayed out of the room the whole night. Though I felt him wandering before the door a few times to check if I was alright until I fell asleep. My cold shoulder was taking a toll on him. A knock on the door resounded softly in the room. "Sandra? Baby? Are you awake? I've brought breakfast for you." I huffed. I wouldn't have opened the door if not for carrying on with our plan. Rising to my feet, as I walked to the door, a sudden dizziness hit me. Clutching the knob of the door, I held myself still and took a deep breath. Once the door opened, tired yet soft icy blue eyes greeted me. And my treacherous heart skipped a beat. "Good morning, mia regina." Placing the tray of breakfast on the small table beside t