--Cassie--After yesterday’s incident, the two girls were dismissed, and Aunt Emily held a meeting with the staff. I had no idea what was said, but it must have been serious. Now, here I am, alone in this room, overwhelmed with boredom. Alessandro hasn’t shown up yet, though I’m not complaining.My dad has called me countless times, but I haven’t answered. My bestfriends persistent attempts to reach me have only made me more stubborn. I know he has probably asked others to check on me, hoping they’ll convince me to speak to him. But I’ve ignored their calls too.Nothing here brings me joy, not even the luxurious clothes that fill the massive wardrobe. Yesterday, out of sheer boredom, I started unpacking my belongings and discovered just how extravagant the contents of the wardrobe were. Dresses, shoes, and jewelry, all brand new, still with their price tags attached—and the numbers were outrageous.I stared at the gleaming items, their value mocking me. They were supposed to make me f
--Cassie--"Get up, Cassie, the doctor is here," Aunty Emily’s voice cut through the haze, rousing me from the shallow sleep I’d been drifting in. Blinking against the faint light in the room, I saw a female doctor standing at my bedside, her warm smile contrasting with the worry in Emily’s eyes."Mrs. De-Luca, good evening," the doctor greeted, her tone soft as she approached with her bag in hand."Hi," I managed to reply, my voice barely above a whisper. Speaking felt like a monumental effort, my strength drained from days of feeling this way."How is she feeling, Ms. Emily?" the doctor asked, her gaze shifting to Aunty Emily, who looked frazzled yet determined. The doctor was strikingly beautiful, with the kind of poise that could belong to a model."She’s been having constant headaches, a fever, and her temperature keeps spiking," Emily explained, her voice tinged with concern as she motioned toward me.The doctor nodded, her expression softening. "Oh, she’s experiencing stress, M
--Cassie--Exiting the elevator, I was greeted by an unexpected flurry of activity. The once-quiet atmosphere of the house was now alive with movement. There were people bustling around, their chatter and footsteps filling the space. It was anything but quiet. I wasn’t complaining, but I couldn’t recall ever seeing so many people here before. This house, so often serene, now seemed to hum with energy."Mrs. De-Luca, good morning," came a chorus of voices from various directions. A small group of staff, dressed in crisp uniforms, nodded politely as I passed. I smiled back, acknowledging them, though their sudden presence left me curious. They soon returned to their tasks, leaving the air tinged with the aroma of fresh cleaning solutions and a hint of something delicious wafting from the kitchen.As I stepped into the kitchen, the warmth of the room enveloped me, carrying the tantalizing scents of breakfast in progress. My gaze immediately fell on the assortment of dishes being prepared
--Cassie--"Aless will be coming tomorrow," she announced casually, catching me mid-sip of my tea. I choked slightly, coughing to cover my surprise, and she quickly handed me a tissue."Sorry," she said, her eyes filled with concern. Her comment had hit me harder than I expected, and I wondered if my discomfort had been too obvious. Could she tell that I didn’t want him back?"Don’t worry, dear. I know that this was an arranged marriage," she added, her tone gentle yet matter-of-fact. My chest tightened at her words, and I forced myself to offer a polite smile, though inside, I felt far from composed. What would she think if she didn’t know the truth about this arrangement? What would anyone think?"I know my Aless can be... stubborn," she continued, her expression softening as if she were recounting memories of a particularly headstrong child. "But please, have patience with him. Don’t give up on this, alright?"Her words hung in the air, making me nod reflexively. I didn’t have anyt
“Where is the turkey, Maria? Mr. Lucio still hasn’t delivered it!” Aunty Emily called out, her voice tinged with both authority and impatience. She had been overseeing the kitchen with a sharp eye, making sure everything was in place for tomorrow’s guest.Maria, who had been animatedly recounting a story, paused mid-sentence, looking flustered. “I sent the invoice to him yesterday,” she explained hurriedly. “There was a delay this morning. But he promised it would be delivered soon, and... oh, there it is now!”At that moment, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed down the hallway, and a small team of men entered the kitchen, each carrying large boxes labeled "Turkey." The sight was overwhelming—at least twenty boxes, stacked high, each one looking like it could feed a small village.As they brought the boxes in, the staff immediately turned to me and began to bow. The gesture caught me off guard, and I felt a rush of discomfort. Was this how things worked in Italy? Did staff automatica
--Cassie--The morning light streamed through the large windows of my room, illuminating the space with a soft, golden hue. Today felt different—a rare day out of the mansion, a chance to escape its towering walls and endless routines. I had practically begged Aunty Emily yesterday to let me accompany her to the orphanage, and after what felt like hours of pleading, she finally relented. Excitement bubbled in my chest as I swung my legs off the bed, my bare feet brushing against the cool marble floor.I stretched my arms over my head, still feeling the remnants of sleep tugging at my body. My gaze shifted to the alarm clock on my bedside table, and my heart nearly stopped. Thirty minutes?! Aunty Emily had mentioned she’d be leaving at eight sharp, and somehow, I’d managed to oversleep despite setting an alarm. My exhaustion from yesterday’s activities must have gotten the better of me. Panic set in as I dashed toward the bathroom, still clad in my loose, pink pajamas. The excitement
--Cassie--The scenery outside the car window was breathtaking in its simplicity. The streets were clean and lined with quaint houses, their exteriors adorned with cascading flower pots and shutters painted in soft pastel tones. The beauty of the area struck me, even though it wasn’t what I had expected. There were fewer shops and cafes than I had imagined, giving the place a residential charm that felt more intimate than the bustling cities I was used to.The architecture reminded me of the town centers in the UK, where everything seemed centered around a community hub. Here, however, the shops were sparse, and the car passed by long stretches of houses interspersed with the occasional café or boutique.“So there aren’t any big shopping areas around unless you go to the town center?” I asked Valentina, who was seated beside me. She gave a small nod, her attention focused out the opposite window, as if she wanted to avoid the conversation. Her disinterest didn’t bother me, but I could
--Cassie--“Yes,” he said, completely unbothered by the revelation. “He said he was forced to get married but told me not to tell anyone.”The bluntness of his words hit me like a bucket of cold water. My grip on Alejandra tightened slightly as I processed what he had just said.“Alessandro told you that?” I repeated, my voice quieter now.He nodded again, his small face still devoid of any emotion.The casual way he delivered such a loaded statement irritated me more than I expected. That same infuriating, nonchalant attitude—it was so much like Alessandro’s. I felt a flicker of anger bubbling within me, but I suppressed it for the sake of the children around us.“Well, Mr. Rossi,” I said, forcing a smile, “you’re quite the confidant, aren’t you?”He shrugged, clearly unimpressed by my attempt to deflect. “I don’t know what that means,” he replied bluntly before hopping off the bench, leaving me to stew in my thoughts.I glanced down at Alejandra, who gurgled happily in my arms, obli
--Cassie--A shiver ran down my spine as his warm breath caressed the sensitive skin of my neck.“Alessandro…” I managed to whisper, my voice trembling.“Shh,” he murmured softly, trailing gentle kisses along the curve of my neck.The sensation was electric, sending a surge of heat coursing through me. My heart raced as his lips lingered, and I felt a deep ache building within me. He turned me around slowly, his hands firm but tender on my shoulders. His dark eyes locked onto mine, searching for a silent answer. The intensity of his gaze left me breathless, and I gave him a small, trembling nod.A knowing smile curled his lips.I reached for the hem of my dress, intending to remove it, but his hand gently stopped me.“That’s my job, Bambina,” he said, his voice husky and laced with desire.The sound sent another wave of shivers down my body. His hands moved with purpose, and within moments, my dress slipped from my shoulders, pooling at my feet. I stood before him, clad only in a lace
--Cassie--How was I ever going to face him now? It seemed Alessandro was waiting for me in the room, and the thought alone made my cheeks burn. I was too shy to step out of the bathroom, too flustered to gather my courage.For the past ten minutes, I had been standing behind the bathroom door, hoping he might leave. But, of course, I was wrong. He wasn’t going anywhere. The bed creaked faintly under his weight, a reminder that he was still there, waiting patiently.I took a deep breath, steeling myself. You can do this, I thought, though my heart pounded furiously in my chest. Slowly, I stepped out, my towel wrapped tightly around me. His eyes landed on me instantly, and the intensity of his gaze made me want to melt into the floor.Without a word, I quickly made my way to the closet, too self-conscious to meet his eyes. My footsteps felt hurried, almost frantic, as if speed alone could shield me from the weight of his stare.“I’m waiting so we can go for breakfast,” he called out ca
--Cassie--I couldn’t believe it. I had given my virginity to Alessandro. The thought kept replaying in my mind, each time leaving me in a mix of disbelief and wonder. Last night had been something entirely different—a night where all my senses had come alive. It was as though I craved him in a way I didn’t know was possible. At first, I thought I was unwell, but when he entered the room, something shifted. My body, soul, and spirit had yearned for him, and I couldn’t resist the pull.As I lay in bed now, the memories of the previous night lingered vividly. I couldn’t shake the idea that maybe someone had drugged my food or drink. How else could I explain what I had felt? I had never experienced anything like that before.The sound of water running from the shower broke through my thoughts, reminding me that Alessandro wasn’t here in the room with me. He was in the bathroom. I felt a wave of shyness wash over me. How was I supposed to face him after what happened? He knew I was a virg
--Cassie--The next morning Alessandro was already gone. I could not meet with Elise yesterday because something came up I sat up in bed, feeling a mix of relief and disappointment. Suddenly, I began to feel incredibly hot. It was as if a furnace had ignited within me. I glanced at the AC, which was on and functioning correctly. What was happening to me? I felt an overwhelming urge to strip off my clothes. Without a second thought, I peeled them off, not caring if someone could enter and see me. The heat was unbearable, and my skin felt like it was on fire.I thought a shower might help, so I rushed to the bathroom and turned on the cold water. But even the cold water did little to alleviate the heat. I sat in the tub, my head pounding, my back aching, my abdomen cramping—every part of my body was in distress. I felt a primal, almost feral need coursing through me."Woooo," I heard howling from outside. The sound was loud and insistent, a chorus of voices that seemed to vibrate thro
--Cassie--Waking up in the room alone, I immediately noticed Alessandro’s absence. The emptiness of the bed beside me only added to the quiet of the morning, but my rumbling stomach quickly reminded me of a more pressing need. I needed food, and I needed it now.Throwing off the covers, I got up and headed straight for the dining room. As I entered, the familiar hum of conversation filled the air. Everyone was there except for Marco and Alessandro.“Good morning,” I greeted the room with a polite smile before finding a seat at the table. My eyes briefly scanned the room, landing on Lalia. She was here too, sitting a few seats away, and she looked much more relaxed than she had yesterday.I focused on my plate, letting the aroma of the warm meal soothe my morning haze. As I ate, I couldn’t help but notice Lalia’s gaze lingering on me. She wasn’t being subtle, and her curiosity was palpable. It made me wonder if she wanted to say something. But she didn’t. She just kept staring, her ex
--Cassie--Yesterday had been an exhausting day for all of us. The events, the tension, and the overwhelming social games had drained every ounce of energy I had. I thought the day’s drama was behind us, but I was wrong.Yesterday as we were seated at the table when Lalia returned, her eyes still red from earlier. Shortly after, five young women approached her. They moved with practiced ease, their perfectly styled appearances giving them an air of confidence that Lalia clearly lacked.It didn’t take long for their intentions to become clear. Alessandro leaned over and whispered, “They’re here to hook up with wealthy men. Happens at events like these—through the connections of a certain powerful woman.”I looked at him, stunned. “You’re saying they’re...?”He nodded subtly, confirming my suspicion. “Escorts. High-end, expensive ones. It’s normal at these types of galas. Lalia must be new to this. Look at her—she doesn’t even know what she’s gotten herself into.”My heart sank as I tur
--Cassie--The auction had finally come to an end, and Alessandro and I were making our way out of the booth toward the gala hall. The atmosphere was electric, but I couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease that lingered in the air. Tonight, I had seen greed in its rawest form, and I was certain this night would be etched into my memory for a long time—perhaps forever.A commotion happened near one of the booths caught my attention. Two celebrities, both renowned for their glamorous but controversial lives, were at each other’s throats over a diamond necklace. Voices were raised, insults thrown, and it didn’t take long for the argument to devolve into a full-blown physical altercation.“Unbelievable,” I muttered under my breath, watching the chaos unfold.The security team acted quickly, stepping in to separate the two women before they would have brawl could escalate further. Despite their scuffle, they had been so distracted by their heated exchange that neither noticed when another
--Cassie--“We will now begin the auctioning of the goods,” Lorenzo’s voice boomed, his tone infused with grandeur.From behind the velvet curtain, a sleek, elegant drawer was wheeled onto the stage, drawing the crowd’s attention. Atop it sat a stunning pair of antique clocks, their polished gold frames gleaming under the spotlight. The intricate patterns on the surface and the subtle chime that echoed in the silence gave them an otherworldly aura.“This pair of clocks here,” Lorenzo continued with dramatic flair, “is known as the Clock of Money. Legend has it that every tick blesses your business with abundance—every second, every moment.”I blinked, startled. My first instinct was to scoff. How could anyone believe something so ridiculous? A clock that brings wealth? It sounded like one of those myths that people desperately clung to for comfort.Alessandro must have noticed the incredulous look on my face because he leaned closer, his voice low and amused. “It’s not true, of course
--Cassie--The room was breathtakingly glamorous. The chandeliers, massive and intricately designed, hung high above, casting a golden glow that shimmered off every polished surface. The atmosphere was opulent, almost surreal, as though I had stepped into a world reserved for the elite.As we made our way further inside, the stares continued. Alessandro, however, seemed completely unfazed. He moved with a natural confidence, exuding an air of authority that made it clear he belonged here. He looked like the man of the hour, and judging by the way people murmured and whispered, he was enjoying every second of it."Oh, she’s so young," I heard someone mutter nearby."Look at those curves—and that face. She probably went under the knife."The words stung, but instead of ignoring them, I turned and met the speaker’s gaze directly. She froze, her expression shifting from smug confidence to startled surprise. I held her gaze for a moment longer, making it clear I had heard her, then turned