Kara left Nico outside the cafe perplexed.She was so mad. She wanted to wring his neck. So she left in a huff. Nico insulted her. His sharp tongue remains untamable. “I love her.” He said, referring to Rebecca Anderson, and “I want your body.” referring to her. His words kept repeating in her head. Kara closed her eyes, letting the hurtful words wash over her. Nico Bernardi only wanted her body. He did not love her. He loves someone else. Kara was all too aware of that. But hearing him say it hurts a lot. He was vocal about it even at the start but her s*upid heart hoped there was something more in their relationship, especially when he introduced her to everyone as his girl. He did things that made her feel special. He bought her for one hundred million dollars at the auction. It must have started as a whim, but he respected her. In the few months she knew him, Kara experienced his kindness. His concern. His words and actions told her he cared. He might have a
Nico eyed Rebecca suspiciously while she clutched his phone to her chest.“Is that my phone?” He asked, eyes narrowing in skepticism and doubt. He had been looking for it everywhere. He did not think Rebecca would have it, but he tried just in case.And look what he had found!Rebecca has his missing phone.Nico did not like the idea that quickly came to mind. Rebecca looked like she was snooping on his phone.Nico is a man who loves to maintain his privacy, and one of the things he hates is nosy people. He did not like it when a woman spied on his calls or checked his messages like he was hiding a secret from them.Rebecca looked suspiciously like it. But when caught, she acted like she did nothing wrong and gave his phone back to him.He eyed the phone.“Did someone call me?” He asked. He opened it to check for any new messages and calls.&
Date Night.“Do you think this dress is suitable?” Kara stood in front of the mirror wearing her ever-reliable black knee-length dress.“Nope.” Marmie shook her head.“You look too boring.”Kara blew, fanning her forehead and the soft tendrils that clung to it.Marmie insisted that she styled her hair to make it appear romantic. Kara had some doubts. She kept reminding Marmie that it was a friendly date, not a romantic one.She did not want Josh to have the wrong idea.
Megan was so shocked. She thought she had very carefully impersonated Rebecca.She thought she was so clever that she was able to make everyone believe the lie she concocted, but now it has caught up with her.Tears streamed down her face while Nico squeezed hard on her neck.“How did you know?” She breathed.Nico released her abruptly.Megan coughed and sputtered while she massaged her injured neck. It stings!“This!” He said.Nico pulled something from his breast pocket. It was a DNA test.Bruno took a sample of Rebecca’s nails and hair to have it examined in Sicily, and this is what they found out.The person right before him was not Rebecca Anderson but Megan Rand, who was supposed to be dead.Nico was even a suspect in her death. Thankfully, he was released for lack of evidence.The veins on the side of his neck t
Nico Bernardi’s body shook in anger.After he learned that Kara was on a date, he could not explain what he was feeling. He was exploding in anger, causing mayhem to his people.He did not like that she was dating another man.She told him she loved him. But what is she doing?Kara saw the familiar terrain around them and knew exactly where Nico intended to take her.“Stop the car!” She shouted.Nico turned his head sideways, but he did not stop the car like she asked him to. Instead of slowing down, the Rolls Royce accelerated, mak
“What did you do that for?” Evan tore his mouth away. He was glaring at Marmie, who looked like a satisfied cat, preening in the corner of the passenger seat. “Don't be such a hypocrite. You like it. You know you do.” She argued. “I don’t.” Evan denied. Marmie’s nostrils flared. She hated that he was making it appear that she was the only one who enjoyed the kiss. “Then, why didn’t you push me? Why did you respond? I felt your tongue glide into my lips and delved inside, exploring.” She pointed out. Anyone would have been scandalized by Marmie’s claims, but not Evan. He scoffed. “I am a gentleman.”Now, it was Marmie’s turn to scoff. “Gentleman my a*s. If you were a gentleman, you shouldn’t snob me every time we meet and make me feel s*it! You know I like you. But you treat me like crap.” “Because that is the best way to treat pesky women like you. You wouldn’t stop with a no.”Marmie nodded. She was breathing hard. But she was tired of arguing with him. She alrea
Kara groggily opened her eyes, disoriented at first. But when she saw the white ceilings and walls and her nostrils were filled with the familiar antiseptic smell of the hospital, she relaxed. A doctor came in. He was the same doctor who treated her at the emergency room earlier. He smiled at her. “Hello, Ms. Baxter. How are you feeling?” Kara flexed her hands and her legs, trying their weight. “Okay, I guess.” “Good.” the doctor smiled. “Do you remember what happened earlier/?” The doctor prodded. Kara tried to remember her last memory. She was at the emergency room with Nico Bernardi, and she had given specific instructions for the doctors not to allow Nico to come near her. “What happened to the man who accompanied me?” The doctor smiled. “We heard your plea. You do not want to be near him, and so we kept you hidden from him.”It was Kara’s turn to frown. She does not understand why she has a bad feeling about the man before her. Call it intuitive thinking. “Where
At the last minute, Kara suddenly changed her mind and canceled the call. She stared at the telephone before putting the handset back in its cradle. Nico is already happy. She should not confuse him any more. He loved Rebecca for years. She knew that she could not compete with Rebecca. What makes her think that Nico would choose her now? Even if her pregnancy would push through, it does not guarantee that he would change his mind about her. It would be pointless to bother Nico with something that won’t happen in the future. The baby will be gone.Kara sighed. The doctor came in and saw her looking out into space. “Are you alright?”Kara fixed the expression on her face, smiling wanly at the director, and said, “Can I go home now?” Aside from the hospital fees for this confinement, she had to think about her upcoming surgery. She needed to save money. “Do you have anyone to call to take care of your discharge papers?” Dr. James asked. He looked so kind and concerned, Ka
Hello Loves, In every story, there is always a beginning and an end. I am deeply honored that you have become part of Kara and Nico's love journey. Your reviews, comments and votes matter a lot. They inspire me to come up with chapters regularly, and excites me every time because I knew that you were walking with me in this journey. Thank you, loves. Special mention to my editor Lyra Pinter for making this story possible. Thank you for the support and promotions you have given this book. A big thank you to my top 25 gem contributors as of this writing: magdalena.czajka, Roselyn Moore, Panela Ellis, Lei Esturas, Margaret, Katherine, Lean Cantara, Makhosazana Rebecca Mazibuko, Shirley Torres, Stina, Natalie Kae Foster, cathykoopman6, Laura Tomas, Edna Oclida, Blaca Villalpando Kelley, Joycelyn Eusebe, ruckik.evershine, Jody Conrad, Parker, Angelica Monteon, Annie Punto, Adeyiga Adepeju, Normah Mrs, Charlotte, and Anitra Christ. To my commenters and reviewers, I love your
On a remote island in the Far East, a man leisurely reads an article from the spread-out newspaper. It says:‘Hotel Billionaire Nico Bernardi has finally been laid down to rest in a private cemetery in Sicily. His burial was attended by his adoptive father, Don Leo Castiliogne, and friends in the business. ‘It was a sad day not only for the Castiliogne Family but for the business world, having lost such a brilliant businessman who gained traction for the world-class service his businesses offered. Nico Bernardi reinvented the service industry, making it one of the most sought-after professions in the world. ‘His death impacted the industry, and many people are in mourning to date. ‘Meantime, the Castiliogne Conglomerate will hold an emergency meeting to discuss certain management changes particularly since the position of CEO has been left open due to the unfortunate demise of its CEO.’Nico folded the newspaper in front of him and placed it on the side of the rectangular dining
After he heard the doctor declare Kara dead, a shift happened in Nico. His face became blank. He looked to be in a state of shock. “Sir, are you alright?” The doctor’s voice snapped Nico out of his mental breakdown. With a stony expression on his face, Nico kissed and patted Xoey’s head. Then, he handed his child to Frank. “Tell Rebecca to take care of our daughter.” Frank thinks of this as a bad sign. “Don’t act rashly, Nico. Think about Xoey. If something happens to you, too, who will care for your daughter? Her mother is gone. Don’t make her an orphan.” But it seemed as if Frank’s words had no effect on Nico. It comes and goes with the wind. Frank shook his head and took his phone to call his friends, Evan and Bruno. Both are expected to arrive today. ________Nico stepped out of the hospital, lost in his own grief. He felt constricted.He pounded on his chest several times, hoping that the simple act could make him feel alive, but it was no use. When he heard that
“What have you done, you monster!” Nico shouted while he was trying to apply pressure on Kara’s head to keep it from oozing blood. His snot mixed with his tears as he attended to Kara, who lay on the floor unconscious. “Kara, wake up. Please, don’t leave me behind.” Nico choked on the words. The picture it painted in his eyes was so unacceptable.Don Leo’s gun still reeked of smoke. The older man looked stunned. The bruise on his cheek slowly turned purple, but he did not seem to mind. Don Leo looked shocked!Xoey’s cries echoed around them. The child must have sensed that her mother was in danger. Earlier, the baby was silent because Rebecca tried to cushion her little ears with her palms. Speaking of Rebecca, she, too, looked frozen on the spot. She did not think that her father would be capable of gunning a person point-blank. Her jaw dropped in disbelief. In her shell-shocked state, she almost forgot about Xoey, and her hold on the baby slackened. Were it not for Mar
Nico heard the pain in Kara’s voice, but he willed himself not to look at her face, for it would be his undoing.He had things to settle first.There was general silence all around, except for Kara’s muffled sobs. “So, the prodigal son is awake.” Don Leo muttered under his breath. There was no relief nor excitement on his face at the knowledge that Nico surpassed death.For Don Leo, it would be better for everyone if Nico did not wake up. He can take care of the man until his last breath. But this twist forebodes nothing good for him and the Castiliogne family. Nico, getting out of the coma, was going to shake their world, and he wouldn’t let it happen. To him, Nico is better off as dead.For his part, Nico ignored the older man’s barb. He walked deliberately, his movements stiff due to the weakness in his leg, but he continued with his slow pace until he reached Don Leo’s side.Don Leo is a stocky man. Nico towered over him. He looked down on the man who had taken him under
Nico’s eyelids flickered several times like a butterfly wing atop a flower, ready to explore. A short while later, his eyelids fluttered open, showing the dark eyes underneath. He looked around him. The familiar room was empty. After a while, his eyes glittered when he remembered his last ordeal. He thought he would not make it. But he had the best motivation on Earth. He remembered how he literally bit the bullets and braved through the obstacles. He remembered how he got hit. At the remembrance, he searched his body to check his injuries. He had two - one on his leg and one on his arm. He sighed in elation, muttering under his breath a prayer of thanks. It was good to be back. He mumbled to himself. He thought he died on the firing range, but it seemed like fate was giving him a chance. He vowed to use this chance to be with his family. He had endured enough. At the thought of Kara and their baby, Nico pushed his body to sit up, but all his strength had left him.
Don Leo’s men swarmed around them, leaving Kara’s body frozen in fear.Sweat and goosebumps fought for dominance in lining her smooth skin while being driven out of Nico's room. “Wait a minute. We are not doing anything wrong?” She blurted out when Frank and Marco underwent a body check. Marco was unarmed, but Frank had one tuck on the hidden holster on his jacket. The men confiscated the firearm before pushing them to walk the narrow hallway out of Nico's bedroom. Kara’s eyes darted from side to side, noting the unfamiliarity of the place. This was not the way out, she concluded to herself.“Where are you taking us?” She asked once more, thankful that her voice sounded strong, but deep inside, her heart beat fast - so fast that she nearly thought it would jump out of her ribcage. The men remained silent. They did not say a word. The only sound she could hear was the ringing in her ears. Frank, who was walking ahead of her, warned. “Stop talking and just walk.” Two men flank
“What happened to him?” The sound of anguish in Kara’s voice reverberated around the silent room. Gingerly, she walked to the bed and stopped near Nico’s head. She was trembling as she did so. Her eyes never left Nico’s unmoving form on the bed. Nico was breathing. Her eyes flew to his face, studying the changes in them. “He lost weight.” Frank told her everything that happened after Nico disappeared. While Frank talked, Kara sat on the edge of the bed, suddenly feeling like her knees were to give up on her any minute. Her hands trembling, Kara took Nico's free hand carefully and pressed it between hers. She was afraid that her movement might have hurt him. “What happened?” Without letting her eyes drift from Nico's, Kara asked Frank. “He wanted to get out, but the system did not let him. Given his position, it was impossible to allow him to go. He already knew too much. Besides, you only have a one-way ticket to the organization.” “There is no way out.” It was Marco
Kara looked at the Grecian white building in front of her. Her brows furrowed in confusion.“I thought you were going to bring me to Nico? What are we doing here? This looks like a military camp to me.” She told him with a frown. For the first time, Kara regretted her decision to come to Sicily with Marco, and her doubt showed on her face as she watched Marco ducked his head when two men emerged from the structure. The men looked like hired goons. “Lower your head, and do not let them see your face.” Marco hissed. Kara did as she was told.She pressed her body into the cramped space at the back of the delivery truck where Marco pulled her in earlier. Afraid that any act of disobedience would endanger them. By now, she has fully understood that this is a covert territory and no one from the outside is permitted to enter. They were trespassing on private property!Suddenly, she felt for their safety. And fear slowly crept in. What if they were discovered and unable to leave this