He is not giving up anytime soon. What were your first impressions of Joshua and Anthony? What about Summer and Anthony, what will happen there? Feel free to leave your thoughts.
It's getting harder and harder to escape him, I'm scared I'm going give in to the temptation. The attraction is growing and he is doing everything he can to always be on my mind. The gifts, the flowers, telling me his desires. I'm embarrassed every time a package comes because I always fear they read the card he writes. Like the one today, "I can't wait to lick this off of you." On a fricking box of my favorite strawberry chocolate. "Are you gonna eat that?" Anthony asked and I dropped the box on the bar. "My God you scared me. What are you doing here?" I asked surprised. "I was in the neighborhood so I decided to stop by, I have the menu for your birthday dinner ready." My birthday is tomorrow. "Summer insisted she would bring the cake, so she has that covered." His light green eyes shoot up as I mention her. "Speaking of Summer, is she dating anyone?" "I knew it, from the second you laid your eyes on her I knew you liked her." Anthony smiles as he leans over the bar. "That's bec
Stupid. I'm stupid for even feeling sad right now it's my birthday for God's sake. And besides what did I even expect from him, I knew it wouldn't lead to anything. I could never trust him, I just hoped... "Can I help you with something else?" The cashier asked me as he packed the wine in the bags. "No, sorry. That's all thank you." I snap back from my thoughts, as I pay for the wine for the dinner tonight and go out as someone calls for me. "Autumn!" I know that voice. "Leo! OMG what are you doing here?" I haven't seen him in almost a year. "I just came back from Scotland, I ended my work there and the company asked me to return." Leo and I have been friends for more than five years, he was the one who pushed me to open the cafe. "That's amazing, New York misses you." I say jokingly. "I hope it wasn't just the city who missed me." He says as his hands move behind my neck to pull me in for a kiss. Ohh when I say friend I mean a special friend. We were never in a relationship bu
If you still feel like it you can join us for dinner, you have the address. Press sent. "A bit dry don't you think?" Summer commented as she looked at my phone. "Don't you know it's rude to read other people's messages?" I say as I press the phone to my chest. Which reminds me I haven't texted Leo the address. As I type on my phone again Summer leans over. "Who is Leo?" I smiled as I turned to her. "Leo is an old friend of mine, he just came back to the city. I ran into him today." I explain as I tose my phone aside. "He sent you a lot of eggplant emojis?" Nothing escapes her. "I'll be honest with you because I know you won't judge. Leo is my friend with benefits." Summer raises her eyebrows in surprise. "You guys have s*x?" Straight to the point as always. "Well yes, but without the sentimental complications. We are both free to do what we want."Summer looked as if she were doing hard math in her head. "And you thought it would be a good idea to invite him and my brother.?"
I could hear his voice, Domenic came and my heart began to beat faster. I rubbed my palms against my thighs as he came throw the door carrying a blue gift box. "Nicky just in time, we were about to eat." Summer said as Domenic came to my side kind of nervously. "Happy birthday Autumn." He said as he extended his hand to me. I stood up and took his hand. "Thank you." I say as he drops his hand, and then extends the box toward me. "We are doing presents after the cake Nicky, take a seat." Summer said as Domenic went to sit next to her instead of me. I thought he would sit next to me, God it doesn't matter where he sits. It shouldn't bother me. "Well if everybody is here, let's start eating. " Anthony said as he sat next to me and Joshua across. The dinner was fun, we talked, and we laughed. The guys seemed to like Domenic and he seems he was enjoying himself as well. I couth him looking at me several times, and our eyes did the talking for us. After we had coffee Anthony and Summer
"What is it, let me see." Summer said as she angled the box through her. "It's beautiful, here let me help you put it on." She took it out of the box and put it around my neck as I centered it. "That looks familiar, Don't you have that tattooed on your thigh?" Joshua suddenly spoke up and Domenic's eyes widened in suprise. God what do I do, he will know I got it because of him. I simply nod my head as I go for my glass of wine. "Excuse me, I have to go to the bathroom." I get up and start walking as the doorbell rings. "I'll take that." I say as I go to open the door. Anything to get out of that situation. I even forgot I invited Leo until I saw him standing in front of the door. "Leo, you made it." I say as we hug. "It was tricky but here I am, here this is for you." He handed me a rose bouquet and a small gift bag. "It was a bit of short notice but I hope you like it." "You didn't have to get me anything, you being here is more than enough." I smile as I let him in. "You deserv
"Domenic... makes me feel a lot of things. Several of those things I don't really want to discuss in front of you, Summer." She lifts her coffee in the air. "Amen to that, but tell us are you gonna give him a chance?" I have no idea about what am I gonna eat later even less what I'm gonna do with Domenic. "What would you guys advise me to do?" I relax my chin on my knees as I sigh. "Honestly, give him a chance." Anthony says. "He seems like a great guy when he doesn't look at me like he wants to kill me." He shrugs as Summer smacks his shoulder. "I second that, give Dom a chance. Besides he looks like he's amazing in bed." Joshua added. "You may think I'm biased, but I would love to have you as my sister-in-law." If this was the jury, they are all in favor of Domenic. Case closed. "You know what? I'll think about it. But you Summer, not a word to your brother." I say as Summer mimics her mouth being closed. Maybe a chance is exactly what we need Domenic, for better or for worse
Leo is calling, and Domenic just saw it on the screen. "Excuse me for a moment." I say as I head out to the porch. "Hello." "Hey, Autumn. I just came by the cafe, they told me you were out." Leo says as I look behind me at Domenic chatting with Anthony and Summer. "Yes, I won't be back until next week." I walk a bit further from the door. "We have something to talk about." I can't really do it over the phone. "Sure, sound serious, everything ok?" Leo asks. "Yes, Leo. Look I have to leave now, but I'll talk to you when I get back." "Sure thing, Bye Autumn." "Bye Leo." As I hang up the phone and turn around I bump into Domenic's chest. "I hope you didn't invite your... friend. We are out of rooms." He says, clearly irritated. "He can always sleep with me." The words come out of my mouth without thinking. I regret them as soon as I say them. Domenic takes my hand and leads me off the porch. We walk for several minutes until we come to a big tree where Domenics pins me against it
We didn't say anything, we didn't need to. Our eyes did it for us, and the edge of his lip almost curled in a smile probably thinking I had it done for him. Which was only partly true. I clear my throat and he goes back into action, carefully removing my pants revealing I didn't actually impale myself on the branch. It had only cut the side of my leg and the blood was just scandalous. It did hurt like a bit*h, that was true. "Let's wash this first.” Domenic got up and took a towel to place it under my leg, then he took the smoker one and dipped it into the hot water. He tapped the damp cloth on my bloody leg cleaning the wound so intently while I watched his handsome face. "How does that feel?" He asked as he went to open the first aid kit. "It hurts, but it's not unbearable." I say as I try to pull my shirt down so it at least covers my panties. "Now this will sting, but we need to disinfect the wound." I nodded my head because at that moment I thought how bad could it probably h
Alex's POVI woke up with a smile on my face as the light of the day shined over my face. Despite the cold, I wrapped myself into a blanket and sat in the corner of my balcony, breathing in the familiar salty ocean air. I used to sit here and watch over the driveway, waiting for Adam's car to drive in, and while everything seemed the same, everything had changed. Now, we were together, dreaming about a future and enjoying the present. A day I once dreaded would never come was now here and the happines set in my chest could be painted in a million colours. I smiled to myself, thinking about how far I’d come. How we had come. With Adam, I had learned to be whole. I closed my eyes, letting the wind brush across my face, and took a deep breath. The salty air mixed with the faint scent of coffee surrounded me too and I suddenly opened my eyes to meet Mrs.Henrdics standing at the balcony door with coffee in hand."Good morning." She says as she walks over to me and hands me to warm cup. "I
"How is Autumn?" Eloise asks us as soon as we walk in leaving her cup of tea on the living room table."She is alright, as is the baby. They are gonna keep her overnight. Domenic stayed behind but I think Richard and Sasha will go home soon." I say as her eyes travel to the spot where Alex and I are holding hands when my mother comes to stand by Eloise. The smile on her face told me everything I needed to know."So... the two of you..." Eloise gestures between Alex and me. "How long has this been going on?" She asks."A while now," Alex says. "And before you start, it was my idea to keep it a secret. I didn't want our families involved before we were sure of where this was going." "I think that was very sensible of you." My mother says as she joins the conversation. "So now that you are sharing the news does it mean it's official?" "But they didn't share the news, they were discovered in a secret. There is a clear distinction." Eloise says.Alex laughs softly at Eloise’s comment, squ
"How is she? Can I see her?" Domenic asks as he jumps to get to him before everyone else. "Miss Cromwell is fine, she and the baby girl are stable. Her blood pressure went up which caused her to faint. I'm going to recommend bed rest until the baby gets here to avoid any possible complications." The doctor says and one could see and feel the worry melt off of our backs. "Did you talk to her? Did she remember anything? Is that why she had the crisis?" Richard asked as I stepped back and took Alex to my side wrapping my hand around her, keeping her close. Perhaps it wasn't the right moment but being able to hold her in public gave me a sense of power I never had before. "We talked for a brief moment and she described to me what happened, all the excitement of the wedding and the events that happened after took a toll on her, but she remains not remembering the past." We listen as the doctor talks and Alex smiles. We didn't care about the memories so much anymore. Autumn was alright
"What happened?" Richard yells as he runs to Autumn's side, almost crushing down at the site of her unconscious body in Domenic's hands. "I'm so sorry... I didn't think..." Rachel said as she watched what her words caused. "What did you do?" Richard asks her with fury in his eyes but Rachel only stares at Autumn in shock while Leo does the best he can to hold on to her. "Help is on its way!" Alex yells as she comes back and sticks to my side. Her hands are cold as they slip into mine. I wasn't sure if it was from the cold or from the situation that was in front of us with both Autumn and Sasha. "Dont wait. Get her in the car and drive to the hospital. I'll go with you and make sure they take good care of her." My dad says as he helps Richard stand up and move away from Autumn. Domenic lifts her in the air, and her veil falls down onto the floor. The sight was heartbreaking, this day turned out to be everything but perfect. First Alice, now this. I just hope it doesn't get any wo
Miguel jumps at Alice, grabbing her hand while the other guy manages to take the gun from her, ultimately pinning her to the ground when Alex pulls me back as the rest of the family gets up and gathers up at the front. “Let go of me, I'm not done yet!” Alice yells as she struggles to free herself but to no use as Miguel ties her hand to her back. “It's over Alice, it's finally over. You won't be able to hurt us ever again.” Domenic says as he presses Autumn to his side while Miguel lifts Alice, her hands pinned at her back. “Take her to the security room and call the police. She won't escape this time, not on my watch.” Richard says while rubbing Autumn's shoulder, trying to make sure she is ok. She look pale, shook but somewhat alright. She held onto Domenic the same way Alex didn't let go of my hand all this time. “He is lying to you, everyone is…” Alice says but Miguel drags her away. She was trying to do damage to the last second she could use. So much haterade in such a s
I always found weddings to be beautiful, yet this one was special. This was about my friend, someone who I knew would always be in my life, but I somehow knew that from the day I met her. Now sitting here, watching the smile on her face as she stared at the face of her loved one, the man she chose yet again despite every odd, despite not knowing the past. A path she chose solely based on what she felt within herself, and that was love. I had my doubts about it, I had my doubts about Domenic... the things I knew about their past, the things I didn't share with anyone else, not Alex, not Richard... I saw the regret in his eyes, I saw the pain but I also saw the love... and I wish them happiness. The same one I wished for myself and the woman who was sitting next to me right now. My love. My Alex. Today wasn't just the start of a new life for Autumn, this was also the day that meant something big for Alex and me. This was the day we would finally stop hiding. The day everyone would final
"Adam, where the hell were you? We are going to be late and you still haven't changed." Mom yells at me as soon as I step through the door. "I had some business to take care of. Dont worry I'll be ready in time." "Business, on a day like this one." Mom asks, her nad on her hip and eyebrow raised scepticly. "You look great by the way, where is Dad? You should go check he doesn't get something on his suit before we have to leave... I'll go shower now, bye." I manage to ramble up and run upstairs to get ready. Luck had it that Rosie had already got my clothes ready and waiting for me on the bed so I showered, got my hair ready, and got dressed just as a text came for me letting me know Derek was booked and taken care of. One more reason to party. ... "See, there was no reason for all that rushing. I had plenty of time to finish my meal." Dad said as we got out of the car at the Cromwell mention. It’s the perfect place for a wedding...grand, romantic, and more than enough to make an
Adam's POV Autumn's wedding day... Out of everything I could imagine myself doing on my friend's wedding day, walking into an old closed underground parking lot was not one of them but the situation called for it. After my contacts in the police did their investigations they brought to my attention that as I suspected this wasn't Derek's first rodeo at stalking a woman who bore a resemblance to his ex. It went so far that he got a red stamp on his passport preventing him from ever entering England again after stalking a prime minister's daughter. Boy sure likes to play in the big leagues. Now I didn't have the power to expel him from America but I had enough to put him behind bars. Yet first I wanted to have a little chat with him... for that, I used the side connections that I as a lawyer swore I would never usebut for Alex, there isn't a line in this world I wouldn't cross. After walking through the dark I approached the spot with a light that handed over Derek's head while he wa
"Why are you going through my phone, that's private?" I say as I walk towards him and put the glasses on the table before reaching for my phone. "Why are you keeping secrets from me?" Adam asks as he holds the phone out of my reach. "It's nothing, I'm handling it." Adams eyes narrow, darkness overcomes them but I know I dont have to fear him. I can feel that his anger is rising but the love he has for me shines behind the frustration he's feeling. "How exactly are you handling it?" He asks, each word leaving his mouth slowly. "Well for starters, I have Miguel driving me when I need to leave the house so he can't approach me again. I gave orders that the flowers he sends me to get sent back... that also the reason why your flowers got returned..." I say as I play with my fingers at the nape of my stomach. " and after the wedding, I will have my uncle help me turn the case to the police so he won't be able to stalk me ever again." By the time I say all the words I'm left standing out