Alessia's Pov As we reached the grand double doors of the Claudia Mansion, Madam Claudia’s voice stopped us in our tracks."One more thing," she said, her tone carrying the weight of authority. Luca and I turned back to face her. She stood at the threshold of the dining room, her hands clasped in front of her. Her eyes were as sharp as ever, scanning us both."If you want my full trust, Matteo," she began, her gaze settling on Luca, "you’ll need to show me your commitment. Words and appearances only go so far. A marriage—now that would solidify everything. Only then can I truly believe in your devotion."I felt the ground shift beneath me. Marriage? My mouth went dry, and my pulse quickened. Before I could say a word, Luca stepped forward with a smooth smile, as if her request were the most natural thing in the world."Of course, Madam Claudia," he said confidently. "We’ve already begun making plans. It’s only a matter of time."What? My head whipped toward him, my eyes wide with sho
Alessia's Pov The morning sun filtered through my curtains, teasing me awake. My eyes fluttered open, and I groaned, burying my face in the pillow for a moment. But then Sophia’s pleading voice from the night before echoed in my mind, and I sat up, determination replacing my sluggishness.Today, I was going to help her. No matter what.I grabbed my phone off the bedside table and dialed Sophia’s number. She picked up after the second ring.“Hello?” Her voice sounded small, hesitant.“Sophia, it’s me,” I said brightly, trying to lift her mood. “I’ve been thinking about what you said, and I’ve got a plan. Before we even think about the bar, I’m taking you to a few other places. We’ll try a café, a salon, and maybe another bar. Someone will say yes.”There was a pause before she spoke. “You’re serious?”“Of course I am,” I said, already rummaging through my closet for something presentable. “Meet me at the corner by my apartment in an hour.”“Thank you, Alessia,” she said softly, and I
Alessia's Pov Marcello handed Sophia the clipboard with some forms. “Fill these out before tomorrow. And be here at 6 p.m. sharp. No excuses.”As we left the bar, Sophia clutched the clipboard tightly, her eyes shining with excitement. “I can’t believe he gave me a chance. Thank you, Alessia. I mean it.”I smiled, feeling a small sense of accomplishment. “Don’t thank me yet. Marcello’s bar can be intense. Just do your best, and you’ll be fine.”The next day,we arrived on time for our shifts, the bar was alive with the hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses, but there was an undercurrent of chaos that came with every shift. Marcello’s bar was a melting pot of personalities: rowdy regulars, tourists looking for a thrill, and those with darker intentions hiding behind charming smiles.Sophia and I worked side by side, weaving through the crowd with trays balanced in our hands. Her nervousness was evident in the way she clutched her tray like it was a lifeline, but she was tryin
Alessia's Pov Tears spilled down my cheeks, hot and relentless. “I don’t know what to do,” I admitted, my voice trembling. “My mom… she needs €15,000 for her treatment. And I don’t have it, Sophia. I don’t know how I’m supposed to make that kind of money in so little time.”Sophia pulled me into a tight hug, her warmth a small comfort against the freezing despair that gripped me. “Alessia,” she whispered, “you’re strong. You’ll find a way. We’ll figure it out together, okay? Everything will be fine.”Her words, though kind, felt hollow in the face of my reality. I wiped my tears with trembling hands, trying to pull myself together.After a moment of silence, Sophia sat down beside me, her curiosity breaking through her concern. “What about that guy you’re always with?”I blinked, startled by her question. “Luca?”“Yeah,” she said, tilting her head. “Doesn’t he… you know, help you out? He seems like he’s got something going on.”I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head. “He pays me,
Alessia's Pov The sweet aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted into my senses, pulling me from the edge of sleep. My eyelids fluttered as my groggy mind tried to grasp the impossibility of the moment. The scent was rich and perfect, as if a barista had stepped into my kitchen and worked their magic.I inhaled deeply, savoring it, and a lazy smile crept across my face. What I wouldn’t give for a cup right now, I thought. It was almost as if the coffee was right in front of me—My eyes flew open as the realization hit me like a freight train. I lived alone.Heart pounding, I shot upright in bed, clutching the blanket to my chest. And that’s when I saw him.Luca.He was sitting casually on a chair he’d pulled directly across from my bed, legs crossed, a steaming mug of coffee in his hand. His sharp eyes were fixed on me with an air of amusement, as if my panic was a source of entertainment.“Were you watching me?” I demanded, pulling the blanket higher to cover myself. The thin, light fa
Alessia's Pov I paced around my tiny living room, phone pressed to my ear. My mind was a chaotic mess, and I needed someone to talk to—someone who might make sense of this madness.Sophia picked up after a couple of rings. “Morning, sunshine,” she greeted, her voice light and teasing.“Sophia, you won’t believe what I woke up to this morning,” I blurted out, ignoring her cheerfulness.“Let me guess—more of your existential dread?”“No,” I said, my tone sharp. “A creep staring at me while I slept.”Her voice immediately turned serious. “What? Who? Did you call the police?”“Luca,” I replied, sinking into the couch.There was a beat of silence before she burst out laughing. “Wait, Luca? Oh, Alessia, that’s not a creep—that’s your mysterious, brooding… I don’t even know what to call him. Your project, maybe?”“This isn’t funny, Sophia,” I snapped. “He was just sitting there, watching me. And when I woke up, he had the audacity to smirk and act like it was no big deal!”“Sounds very him,
Alessia's Pov I jolted back, staring at Luca like he’d just grown two heads. "Surveillance? Someone wants to kill me?" My voice trembled as the words sank in. I hadn’t done anything to anyone—nothing to deserve this. "Why? I haven’t done anything. Why would someone want me dead?"Luca stood by the window, peeking through the blinds as if expecting someone to storm through the door any second. His calm demeanor only made my panic worse. "It’s not about what you’ve done," he said, turning to me. "It’s about who you’re about to become."My heart pounded as I sat down on the edge of the bed, my mind racing. "What are you talking about? I’m not becoming anyone!"He exhaled, stepping closer, his face etched with tension. "There’s someone... Elena.""Elena?" I repeated, the name foreign yet somehow menacing."Matteo was married to her," he started, before I cut him off with a gasp."You were married?" My voice rose, and I backed up, wrapping my arms around myself as if shielding against the
Alessia's Pov He didn't answer but continued to walk towards the door.The tension in the air was so thick it felt like a blanket suffocating my thoughts. I had packed as much as I could into a single duffle bag, my heart racing with every sound outside the door. Luca stood at the entrance, scanning the hallway with unnerving calmness before motioning for me to follow. As we stepped out, I felt the weight of invisible eyes pressing on my back.The walk to the car he had parked a block away was eerily quiet, save for the sound of our footsteps echoing on the pavement. I clutched the strap of my bag tightly, my knuckles turning white as I whispered, "Are you sure we’re not being watched?"Luca didn’t respond immediately. He opened the car door for me, his eyes darting to the shadows around us. “Get in,” he ordered.I slid into the passenger seat, my heart hammering as I buckled the seatbelt. Luca climbed into the driver’s side, started the engine, and pulled away without another word. T
Alessia's Pov The moment I stepped into my room, I slammed the door shut behind me, leaning against it as I struggled to breathe. My chest felt tight, my mind spinning.Sophia.Sophia was Madam Claudia.How? How?I let out a harsh, shaky breath, pacing the length of my room. My fists clenched at my sides as I tried to piece together the impossible truth. It didn’t make sense. It didn’t align with anything I knew about her.Sophia—my Sophia—had been poor. She had come to me desperate for a job, practically begging at Marcello’s bar. She had been struggling, scraping by. And now I was supposed to believe she was the woman who had been pulling all the strings from behind a mask? The woman who had orchestrated everything, controlled everyone?I let out a bitter laugh, but it was hollow.I wanted to believe that I was mistaken, that I was seeing things. Maybe I was still drunk, still disoriented from everything that had happened. Maybe the chaos in the hall had clouded my judgment.
Alessia's Pov The air in the grand hall was thick with tension, the hushed whispers of the guests rippling like an incoming storm. Elena’s dramatic outburst had already shaken the foundation of the event, but just as I thought things might settle, another disturbance was brewing.From the center of the crowd, a man—tall, with streaks of silver in his hair and a sharp, authoritative gaze—stood abruptly. His voice carried through the hall, commanding immediate attention."This farce has gone on long enough!" he declared, his tone laced with anger and conviction. "Madam Claudia is no longer fit to lead. This entire operation has turned into chaos under her rule!"Murmurs of agreement spread like wildfire. The guests, who had been silently processing the recent turn of events, now had something to latch onto—something tangible.The man took a few steps forward, his confidence unwavering. "Think about it—under Madam Claudia’s reign, we’ve suffered unnecessary losses. Betrayal has fest
Alessia's Pov The ceremony was nearing its final moments, each word of the priest’s blessing washing over me like a distant hum. My hands felt clammy in Andrea’s grip, my heart hammering so loudly I was sure the guests could hear it.I wasn’t even listening anymore.I was drowning in a sea of thoughts—of Luca, of last night, of the strange way Sophia had whispered that she needed to step out for fresh air just moments ago.Something was wrong.The air around me felt too still, as if the world itself was holding its breath, waiting for something to break.And then it did.A loud crash from the back of the hall shattered the silence.Heads turned. Murmurs erupted.And then, a voice—sharp and laced with rage—cut through the air like a blade."You!"I barely had time to process what was happening before a woman stormed into the venue, her heels clicking furiously against the marble floor. Her dark hair was slightly disheveled, her expensive gown wrinkled as if she had been runn
Alessia's Pov The first thing I felt was a dull, pounding headache.I groaned, turning over in the bed, my body still heavy with sleep. My mouth was dry, and my limbs felt weak, but something felt… off.I blinked a few times, my vision adjusting to the dim light filtering through the curtains. My mind was slow to catch up, memories scattered like puzzle pieces waiting to be put back together.And then it hit me.Luca.The bar. The drunken rambling. Vomiting on him. Him carrying me back to my room. The warmth of his arms. The way he had helped me wash up, dressed me, tucked me in. And then—I sat up abruptly, my heart hammering.Dis we really have sex?I touched my body instinctively, heat rushing to my face. It had felt real—too real. But now, with the morning light casting shadows over the room, doubt crept in.Had it been the alcohol playing tricks on me?I looked around the room, expecting to see him somewhere, maybe sitting in the chair across from the bed or leaning ag
Alessia's Pov It feels so good, I instinctively squeeze my eyes shut to focus as much as I can on it. he continues on for another minute, slowly licking and sucking. Suddenly, I feel his mouth open wide, sucking as much of my breast into his mouth as he can. My hips start to buck, pushing up against his, and I feel his hand move down between my legs.Oh my god, it hadn’t occurred to me he’d do this. I’d only imagined simple things, kissing and touching, in the very brief fantasy that had entered my brain as I walked away from the bar. Logically, of course, this shouldn’t be a surprise, but somehow it is, and now the idea that his hand is going to be on my pussy is overwhelming. Hands, and what else? Tongue? Mouth? His dick? The very notion has my lower body aching, and I can feel myself squirming, moving, pushing my hips up to meet his hand.he lifts his head from my breast then, his lips wet and pink, and he watches my face as his hand presses between my legs.“You like it, don’t
Alessia's Pov “You smell like whiskey and vomit,” he interrupted. “And if you think I’m letting you pass out like that, you’re dumber than I thought. I scowled at him. “You’re a jerk.” “And you’re a mess,” he shot back.Before I could protest further, he helped me out of my soiled clothes, guiding me into the warm water.I let out a small sigh as the heat washed over me, his hands moved in ways that sent chills down my spine, he washed beneath my breast, and then over them. His hands moved to back as he washed all the way down to my lower chicks, I could feel his hands linger. He looked at me as if amused by my body.Then he stopped, I looked at him "what—what happened?"If I continue I may not be able hold back" he said as he walked away. A part of me wanted him to stay, wanted his touch. But I held back and watched him leave.Luca stayed just outside the shower, arms crossed, making sure I didn’t collapse.After what felt like an eternity, I stepped out, and to my shock—Luca was hold
Alessia's Pov The bartender gave me a look—one of those patient, knowing looks that bartenders are probably trained to give. He didn’t say anything, just poured me another drink.I exhaled sharply. “But this isn’t about Luca. No, no, no, it’s about this island and how nothing makes sense. Do you know how many people have died since I got here?” I squinted, trying to count, but the numbers blurred in my head. “It’s a lot. And it’s all connected. Madam Claudia, the missing boats, the whispers in the dark—” I paused, leaning in dramatically. “And now people are leaving threats under doors. Under doors! Can you believe that?”The bartender’s lips twitched like he was trying not to smile. “Not funny,” I grumbled. He nodded, as if agreeing, though I doubted he was even fully listening. I sighed, rubbing my temple. “Andrea’s hiding something, too. “That made me pause.Andrea.I shook my head, downing the rest of my drink. “He acts like he’s protecting me, and maybe he is, but he knows s
Alessia's Pov The moment I stepped into my room, I locked the door behind me, pressing my back against it as if that would keep the night’s events from following me inside. My hands trembled as I exhaled sharply, the sound shaky and uneven. My pulse still hadn’t slowed, my mind still reeling from everything that had happened.The whisper, the voice, soft and taunting, had brushed against my ear like a cold breeze. Back off before you get yourself in real danger. I shuddered at the memory, wrapping my arms around myself as I pushed away from the door. My room felt too big, too empty, yet suffocating all at once. The dim lighting cast long shadows on the walls, and for the first time since arriving on this island, I felt truly unsafe.I needed to clear my head, but my thoughts spun wildly.Madam Claudia had been shaken—shaken in a way I had never seen before. The powerful, untouchable woman had walked into that room without her usual air of arrogance, and when the guests had demande
Alessia's POV “Did she know this would happen?”“She must have.”The tension in the room thickened, suffocating in its intensity. Suspicion swirled like smoke, curling around every name, every connection, every missing piece of this puzzle.Andrea exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “This wasn’t random,” he muttered under his breath, though I was close enough to catch it.I turned toward him, my throat dry. “You think someone warned her?”His jaw tensed. “Or she knew all along.”The words lingered between us, their implication twisting something deep in my gut. If Madam Claudia had truly known about this, then she had either abandoned her allies to die… or she had orchestrated it herself.Andrea’s focus suddenly shifted, his sharp eyes locking onto Vincent’s suit jacket. With careful precision, he reached out, slipping his fingers into the inner pocket. The moment he pulled out a small, folded piece of paper, the murmur of voices around us ceased,