--Cassie--“Did my dad come with him?” I asked Michelle, my voice betraying the faint hope I’d been clinging to.“No,” she said flatly, her answer like a pin popping the fragile bubble of expectation I’d held onto. The disappointment was instant, a heaviness settling in my chest that I couldn’t shake.Without another word, I pulled out my phone, scrolling through the contacts in my phonebook until I found his name. My thumb hovered over the call button for a moment before I pressed it.“Dad,” I said as soon as he picked up.His voice was rushed, concerned. “Why? Is something wrong?”The panic in his tone made my stomach twist, and I hurried to reassure him. “No, no, it’s nothing like that. You didn’t come back with Alessandro, and I was worried.”There was a pause before he sighed. “Oh, I thought something serious had happened. I had to fly back to America—something urgent came up. I’ll come to visit you another time, okay? Take care, and please, don’t forget to answer my calls.”The
--Cassie--The party was in full swing at the back of the house, a vibrant display of joy and energy. The yard had been transformed into a child’s paradise, complete with a trampoline, inflatable slides, and various games scattered around. Children’s laughter filled the air as they ran about, their faces glowing with happiness as they explored every activity. The colorful decorations—streamers, balloons, and banners—added to the lively atmosphere, making it feel like a scene straight out of a storybook.I chose a chair tucked slightly away from the bustle, hoping to stay under the radar for a while. Sitting there, I observed the chaos of the party with a distant gaze, my mind wandering. I wasn’t particularly in the mood to mingle and planned to retreat back into the house soon enough. My eyes scanned the crowd, unconsciously searching for Alessandro, Mr. Rossi, or even his ever-present best friends. None of them were anywhere in sight.“Looking for someone?” a voice interrupted my tho
--Cassie--“We will be cutting the cake now!” the MC’s voice boomed, snapping me out of my thoughts. My eyes instinctively moved to where my so-called friends and Alessandro stood together near the massive cake table. I caught sight of Mr. Rossi looking directly at me, his expression a mix of amusement and expectancy.“The young gentleman here is looking for his friend, Mrs. DeLuca,” the MC announced, and suddenly all eyes turned in my direction. The weight of their stares pressed on me like an invisible force, making my heart race. A part of me wanted to disappear, but I forced myself to rise from my seat. Straightening my top, I walked over to join them, keeping my face neutral despite the turmoil inside.The girls tried to strike up a conversation as I approached, their voices tentative, but I ignored them. Their betrayal was still fresh in my mind, and I wasn’t ready to pretend everything was fine. Instead, I made my way to Mr. Rossi and stood beside him, silently granting his uns
--Cassie--"Cassie," Hailey called out, her voice hesitant, muffled through the door.I didn’t respond. Instead, I sat on my bed, eating the food Alessandro had brought, my thoughts swirling. I wasn’t in the mood to face them, not after everything that had happened. Yes, it was their personal lives, but we were supposed to be more than just friends—we were sisters. The sting of their secrecy still burned, and I didn’t trust myself to speak without letting my emotions spill over."We’re sorry. Can you please open the door?" their voices chorused through the door, pleading. But I wasn’t interested in their apologies, not now."I’m disappointed, girls," I finally said, my voice steady but laced with hurt."We know," they replied softly, their regret evident."It’s time for dinner," they said, trying to coax me out."I’ve already had my dinner," I replied curtly, slipping on my headphones. I needed to drown them out, to create a barrier between their voices and my churning thoughts. I did
--Cassie--I was ready. Every fiber of my being buzzed with excitement and nervous energy as I took a deep breath, steadying myself.“Thank you, Valentina,” I said, wrapping my arms around her in a quick hug. Her presence was comforting, a reminder of stability amidst the chaos swirling around me.The rhythmic hum of a helicopter filled the air as we made our way outside. Valentina carried my bag, rushing alongside me. Hailey and Michelle stood nearby, their luggage neatly placed beside them, their expressions a mix of anticipation and curiosity. Alessandro’s best friends lingered around the helipad, exuding their usual air of confident nonchalance.“Let me have her bag,” Alessandro said, his tone firm but calm as he reached for it. Without waiting for Valentina’s consent, he took the bag from her and turned to me. Then, without warning, he reached for my hand.I froze, glancing down at our joined hands in disbelief. Was he out of his mind? My first instinct was to pull away, but I he
--Cassie--I don’t know what came over me as I suddenly flung myself into his arms. He looked taken aback, his body stiff as I hugged him tightly, but I didn’t care. For once, I needed to lean on someone—someone I could show my vulnerability to, someone who wouldn’t judge me. I wanted to feel the release of being seen for who I truly was, even if it was just for a moment before I had to put myself back together and return to being the person I was expected to be."Shhh," he said softly, his hand gently patting my back. His touch was comforting, like he was trying to soothe the storm inside me, but it didn’t stop the tears from spilling down my face. I couldn’t hold them back anymore. They poured from me, soaking his white shirt, but I didn’t care."It’s okay," he whispered, his voice filled with something raw—something I hadn’t expected. It was a rare vulnerability I hadn’t heard from him before, and it made the tears fall even harder."Why does everyone dislike me?" I asked, my voice
Reluctantly, I opened my eyes, blinking to adjust to the dim light. He was right; we were in the car. I glanced around and noticed the partition separating us from the driver. We were entirely alone, the space intimate and quiet. My gaze shifted to Alessandro, and he was already staring at me.His eyes—those piercing blue eyes—locked onto mine, holding my attention in a way that made my heart skip a beat. They were impossibly intense, like the ocean after a storm, deep and unwavering. The silence stretched between us, filled with unspoken words and emotions I couldn’t yet name.I felt my breath hitch, and the blush I had been trying to suppress returned with full force. "You—you could’ve just woken me up," I mumbled, my voice barely above a whisper.Alessandro’s lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "And miss the chance to have you in my arms? Never, bambina."My heart raced at his words, and I turned away, trying to hide my flustered expression. But Alessandro reached out, gently
--Cassie--Alessandro was still not back, and boredom had settled over me like an unwelcome companion. We were having a movie night—the girls and I—but the silence between us lingered. Though we hadn’t spoken much, there was a quiet understanding in our shared company. Tonight, however, didn’t feel like the right time to confront anything deeper, so we let the evening pass without addressing the tension hanging in the air.I was waiting for Alessandro to return so I could finally retire for the night. My emotions were tangled—I was angry at him for leaving me here without a second thought, yet I still found myself longing for his presence. It didn’t make sense, not even to me. How could I feel so annoyed yet so desperate to be near him?The sound of the door opening pulled me from my thoughts, and I instinctively glanced over. Finally, he was back. My heart betrayed me by racing at the sight of him, but I quickly composed myself. I wasn’t about to act like I had been waiting for him,
--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