"What do you mean?" I say in a breathy whisper."What you heard," she replies. "I don't know how he found out where I worked, but he came looking for me in my office today."I feel a shiver run through me."Apparently, he already found out that you left Italy," she lets me know and at that moment it feels like my soul is going to leave my body and I can breathe less and less.I recognize that feeling, I'm feeling it again. An anxiety attack is invading my body and I can't stop it."Clau, are you there?" she says, but I can't speak.Time seems to have stopped, and I am standing in the middle of the sidewalk without reacting. The stormy moments hit me abruptly and I find it harder and harder to breathe."Young lady," I hear a voice say far away from me, "Young lady, are you all right?"I hear this time closer, and at that my eyes manage with difficulty to focus on a lady standing in front of me."Can you hear me?" she asks, but I don't answer her.I feel overwhelmed and all I want to do
I can't move from where I am, and I am in a state of shock where I know that if I take even one step, I will collapse.I close my eyes, wishing this is a bad dream and it's not happening. He can't be here, he's not out there."It's not real, it's not true," I think, but all these wishes go up in smoke when I hear the doorbell ringing, along with loud knocks on the front door."Claudia, come out and talk to me, please!," I hear his strong voice say.I repeatedly deny, unable to assimilate what is happening, and without further ado I start running up the stairs, heading for my mom's room.When I get to her door I don't just knock, and open it, leaving me to see her sitting on the bed with dozens of papers scattered around that seem to be letters, which she picks up and immediately puts away in a small box she has nearby."Darling, did something happen?" she questions with a strange tone getting up from where she was quickly.But I can't take my eyes off the box back there, I've never se
It's already dark, the snow is falling through the window covering the street, and the intense cold outside prevents me from wanting to go out.Today is Christmas Eve, but the truth is that this day feels so horrible that the only thing I wish is for it to be over already.These days my mind has been a mess, I have thought about him more than ever despite what has happened. Even though for seven days now, he hasn't called or written to me again, although to be honest, it's the first thing I've thanked him for after everything that happened.I am grateful to him after all that I have suffered.I knew the moment I looked at him that this was the end of us, that night everything died except the memories.There is no more room for Alessandro Lombardi in my life."Claudia, daughter, come down!" my mother's voice pulls me out of my thoughts."I'm coming," I exclaim, but I highly doubt she heard me.I slip on my kitten slippers, ones I wore when I was in high school, and walk out of my room.
"It's a lie," I whisper and his mocking laughter crushes my chest. "Get the fuck out of here, you bastard.""I'll leave, but I know you're going to be thinking about this all night," he says paid for himself.He goes to the window and hangs out by the vines, which makes me seriously consider cutting them off or putting up an electric fence so he can't think of coming back in."Claudia, are you ready yet?" I hear Ethan's voice say from behind the door. "Only you're missing to start eating.""Give me a second, I'll be right out," I reply, trying to recompose my posture.""Okay, I'll wait for you," he says and I have to inhale and exhale multiple times to finally get up the courage to leave."Ready, let's go," I say as I open the door, having taken the key and meeting him."Clau, are you okay?" he questions, detailing me quizzically."Yeah, don't worry," I fake a smile. "Let's go downstairs."When we get to the dining area, everyone is already sitting in their respective seats, they seem
"Shit, I shouldn't have said that," she quickly corrects herself."What do you mean that doctor, Eva, are you talking about Charles?" I say dumbfounded.I have no idea what she's saying. I don't even watch the news, my social media is cancelled to avoid torturing myself by reading and listening to the bullshit on there, and I can't believe what I just heard.Charles came out to defend me?"You weren't supposed to hear about this," she says, letting out a snort."Tell me what happened," I ask."Ahm, that doctor you know, he gave a TV interview yesterday in which he talked about you," she clarifies, and so many expressions show on my face, reflecting the jumble of feelings inside me. "Originally the topic of the conversation wasn't about you, but... in the end they asked him about what happened between you and he cleared it up.""I don't understand anything.""I think you'd better watch the video, it's on social media," she says, pulling his phone out of his pocket."Charles, it's indis
Just the second later I said that last sentence, I feel myself being thrown towards the wall, and his hands come to rest on my neck, trying to cut off my breath."Take it back, you son of a bitch!" he exclaims, maddened, but all it gets me is laughter. "Take it back!""Just...look at you," I say with some difficulty, trying to remove his hands. "Look at what you are. Do you think she deserves to be with someone like you? An alcoholic...and drug addict who isn't even capable of protecting her.""Shut the fuck up!" he spits, and the moment he removes one of his hands from my neck to try to throw a direct punch to my face, I'm quicker and impact my fist on his left eye, making him recoil and release his grip."I'm going to kill you like I should have done that day," he blurts out pulling himself together, his eyelid starting to turn purple from the blow."Try it," I dare him.At that moment I see him try to throw himself at me, but thanks to his uncoordination, I easily manage to land a
Flashback:"How much did this cost you, Ale?" I asked."That doesn't matter.""Tell me, I need to know if I could get my finger cut off for wearing this.""Seventy thousand dollars.""Claudia, please react," I am brought back to reality by the voice of my friend, who has placed her hands on either side of my face, causing me to focus my eyes on her. "Doll, breathe."She is with a noticeable expression of concern on her face.The moment her arms wrap around me, unable to contain it, tears spill from my eyes running down my cheeks, and the tightness in my chest increases, this can't be true."Clau, hey you can't let him get to you anymore," she says, trying to remove all traces of the crying covering my face.""I..." I try to say, but I find it hard to speak. "I'm sorry, I just can't."I try to continue, but my breath catches. I can't finish understanding this."Why?," I ask myself after remembering. "Why did he have to do all this to me? I can't take this whole situation anymore," I mu
I walk down the dark hallway until I get back to the part of the club where all the people are dancing or drinking.I'm about to head towards the bar to get some alcohol, but before I get there I look at a guy holding a bottle of whiskey in his hands. I walk up to him and without thinking, I snatch the drink from him."Hey! What's wrong with you, asshole?" he yells, but shuts up abruptly as I pull out a wad of hundred dollar bills and throw them at his chest.I have no idea how much money was going in there, but I don't care either. All I want to do is get out of here, so I head for the exit in a hurry in search of my car."Where's my car?" I ask one of the guards at the entrance."In a moment the valet will bring it to you, sir," he let me know.I enter the vehicle and start it, speeding out of there.Once I get on the highway, I uncork the bottle of whiskey I have with me, and in one go I put it in my mouth, allowing myself to feel the bitter liquid burning my throat.With each sip
I could only watch as my best friend moved back and forth. She looked distressed, but I was starting to feel dizzy."Eva, stop it! Why are you so nervous?""My trip is approaching, I have my suitcases almost ready, but...""What's wrong, dear friend? You can still change your mind about the trip if you're not sure.""It's just that now I realize how much I'm going to miss my parents. I've never been separated from them," she says with teary eyes."You told me yourself it's just a five-month trip. Seize this opportunity and enjoy it," I encourage her, seeing her sad."You're right. With some contacts from my father, I managed to secure a teaching job. It's a language center in Canada.""Will you be an Italian teacher?" "Exactly, my friend. I'm really excited. There are people from different nationalities at that center. I think I'll learn a lot about other cultures," she says this time with a smile."I'm happy for you, Eva," I give her a hug. "Alright, I'll leave you to finish packing
"Darling, how lovely to see you both," my father greets Alessandro and me."We have excellent news for you," I announce as my mother joins us. "You will be grandparents to a beautiful baby boy."Shouts of surprise and excitement ensue."Congratulations, my dear, Alessandro," my father hugs us. "Have you thought of any names?""We like the name Luca," Alessandro says, and my mom starts crying."Mom?""I'm thrilled to have a little one coming into the family," she says through tears. "Our grandson Luca will be a much-loved boy."Alessandro and I are not officially married yet, which is why we've been planning a new wedding all this time.Eva will soon leave for Canada, and I want her to attend my wedding. She's my maid of honor and must be there, so I sped up my plans."Eva, is everything ready?" I ask my friend as we meet for lunch."Yes, Claudia, I promise to call you as much as I can, don't worry. Plus, I'll only be gone for 5 months," she says with a smile. "I'll be back just in tim
I spent the entire Sunday morning in my bed, unable to sleep at night."I better pay Claudia a visit,I need her advice," I say with a wry smile due to my huge dark circles.I took a shower and put on something comfortable, dark blue jeans, a white t-shirt, and white sneakers.I arrived at Claudia's house; she looks so beautiful with her baby bump, and it makes me so happy to see her. She's like the sister I've always wanted.I didn't waste any time and told her everything that happened last night. She listened attentively as we sipped on juice and ate cookies."I have to admit that Alexis is a jerk, but on the other hand, Piero is a true gentleman. I think you should give him a chance," she says with a smile."Claudia, it's not easy to just dismiss these kinds of feelings.""I know, when you fall in love, you can't see anyone else, but I think you really enjoy suffering. You could have a caring man by your side, yet you still prefer holding onto Alexis," she says with a wry expressio
Eva's POVAfter Alessandro and Claudia left, I stayed working alone in the office. Alexis had to attend a very important meeting.I could only think about the kiss between him and me; I couldn't concentrate on my tasks."Hello, beautiful.""Piero, what are you doing here?" I exclaimed, slightly flustered upon seeing him in front of me."I had to take care of some advertising matters here at the company and took the opportunity to come and say hi," he says with a huge smile, a very handsome one indeed."I'm glad to see you. Tell me, are you excited about the release of your new movie?""Of course, it was quite a challenge for me. I was used to making action movies, and now starring in a romantic genre was special," he responds enthusiastically."I'm excited to see the outcome. I'm sure it will do very well in sales.""Thank you, Eva," he says, taking my hand. "Would you like to be my date for that day?""Well, what a surprise. I would certainly love to, but that day I have to be by my
We arrived at the restaurant where Piero made the reservation, it's spectacular, and I feel both ecstatic and out of place for being in such a beautiful and elegant place that my paternal family is so accustomed to.Is this how my life would be if I accept marrying Piero Ferrara?"I had never been to this place before, it's very nice," I say somewhat uncomfortably, trying to push those thoughts out of my mind."I knew you would like it, it's my favorite French restaurant, 'Le Gigot,' their steaks are really good," Piero says gallantly.We sit at a pre-booked table, and Piero even pulls out the chair for me in a chivalrous manner."While we wait for our order, tell me, why did you decide to become an actor? My grandfather mentioned that your family owns the textile company FR," I ask."That's correct, they do, but I've always been drawn to acting. And when I retire from this career in the future, I'll assume the presidency of the company," he confesses, and I'm amazed. "Believe me, I'm
When I leave the office, the phone suddenly rings, pulling me out of my thoughts.I see the contact on the screen and hurry to answer my phone. It's my mom and I think it's important because she never calls me at work."Hello, Mom, what's up?""Sweetie, I hope I'm not interrupting your work. Tell me, why didn't you mention that you saw your grandfather?"Her question surprises me. What's all this about?"I only saw him briefly. We coincidentally crossed paths here at work. Don't worry, I didn't do anything wrong.""I know you're a good girl. It's just that your grandfather talked to your father and he wants to see you tomorrow at his house.""Tomorrow? That's impossible. I have an appointment, and I'm not going to cancel it for my grandfather. I'm sorry, Mom.""Dear, I think it's necessary for all of us to visit your grandfather. He wants to see us. He seemed really worried.""No, Mom, I'm sorry.""In the morning, we can visit your grandfather, and you'll have the afternoon free. Don'
"In love! With whom? Why didn't you tell me?" she exclaims in genuine surprise.Of course, it's obvious she'd react that way, considering she had named me the number one single for a while now, but Alexis Lombardi was an incredible person who had deeply ingrained himself in me.Even over the years, I couldn't forget him completely."I don't know when I started liking him so much…""Wait, don't say another word, are you falling for Alexis Lombardi?" She looks at me with wide-open eyes."It seems like it," I say with a lump in my throat."But I don't understand why you're sad. It would be wonderful if you and Alexis became a couple. Imagine the four of us on a double date. You're my best friend, and Alexis is Alessandro's cousin…""Dear friend, I think you're hallucinating. Look at me, I'm really not his type," I say with a wry smile, remembering how everything "ended" between us."Eva, what's gotten into you? You're beautiful, with your long black hair and those gorgeous blue eyes. Jus
Days go by, and Alessandro informs me that he has news for me about Anna, which makes me nervous because I had managed to find solid evidence of her kidnapping and how she had drugged him to take advantage of him.It seems that Matteo himself had given them to him."Love, the good news is that Anna will go to jail for a long time, and her parents are accomplices. I will have full custody of my daughter."I couldn't be happier, I throw myself into his arms, but I notice he's tense, so I look at him inquisitively."There's another piece of news, isn't there?""That's right, and it's that Anna escaped. They could only imprison her parents.""And Vittoria?""She was with them. Bruno is bringing her along with John. She'll be able to live with us.""These are wonderful news, but Anna...""I'll do everything in my power to put that crazy woman behind bars. I won't let her keep hurting us."Ale comes closer to me and kisses my lips. I want to respond, but there's been something on my mind fo
My brow furrows as I watch her place one of her hands on his shoulder and then lean in to whisper something in his ear, causing their inevitable closeness. With just that tiny gesture, my body burns with anger at the scene I'm witnessing. And even though Alessandro gently pushes her away, the woman clings to him like a damn tick.I don't even realize when I started walking towards them, but there I am, standing in front of him, staring at him intently."Claudia," he says my name as if nothing's wrong, making the woman turn to look at me."Who are you?," I ask the blue-eyed woman who won't leave my man alone."I could ask you the same thing," she retorts with an arrogant look."Olivia, she's…""Claudia," I interrupt him. "Nice to meet you, Olivia."I look at her without any hint of cordiality or joy."Oh," she huffs, looking me up and down. "So, you're the lucky one. I'm Olivia Brooks.""Claudia, she's an actress, like Piero," the idiot who unfortunately will be the father of my child