I am currently sitting on top of the stage confidently and as elegantly as I can despite my uneasy feeling. I was never a great public speaker. Half of the time, I was talking shit, the other half, I was just boasting what I have. Not really a role model material if you ask me. From my point of view, I can see five familiar faces. Two of which are positioned on the entrance door, one on the exit in the right, another in the group of paparazzi, and one on the top balcony as the acting hawk. There are about 200 students in the area; all graduating this June. And it's stupid for their staff to let me have a talk in the second month of the school year. But I take pleasure from it anyway. I like it when I'm the center of attention.
"So let's welcome our guest speaker today, one of Time Magazine’s World's Most Influential Women of the Year, the graceful and beautiful Miss Caterina Santelli," one of the staff in
When we finished lunch by 12, I went to my scheduled manicure-pedicure at Tenoverten Nail Salon. I decided to have my previous blood-red nail polish removed and replaced it with expensive French tips.When that was over, we headed over to Harlem for the magazine signing for the Times. I was ecstatic when I heard I'd be on the cover of Times Magazine this month. From the Most Influential Woman of New York to World’s Most Influential Women of the Year. It's one of the best things that has ever happened to me. And despite whatever is happening with my relationship with my father, and the contract between me and Lucas, I'm still glad that I get to do these—the things that make me happy and the things that I achieved on my own without the help of my father's profile nor his filthy money.The library was full when we arrived. Chase guided me through the c
I refuse to leave my room simply because I want to defy my father. That was the only thought that ran through my head as I stood outside the balcony staring at the front yard below, drinking a glass full of Cheval Blanc 1947. I'm not a drinker really, but when you have a bottle of one of the most expensive wines in the world just hanging in your wine cellar and a screwed-up future way ahead of you, you just can't resist.The knock came again. It was the third time since my father left 15 minutes ago."Mi dispiace, signora," I'm sorry, ma'am, the small, muffled voice of the maid called from outside. "Tuo padre ti vuole giù,” Your father wants you downstairs
Lucas~*~AstonishedThat was it. That was the right word. I fixed my tie when I left my Benz in the vacant garage. But I wasn't expecting this to greet me by the door. And when I smelled the scent of both coconut and Bourbon on her, I felt like I just hit the jackpot in some sleazy casino in Vegas without actually trying to cheat. Electricity danced between us as we both took each other in.She tried being charming when she opened the door. Her gorgeous outfit made her breasts pop like confetti, the dark fabric, making her alabaster skin glow. Fuck. Her venomous eyes show her cold and charismatic soul. I tried to compose myself, not letting my guard down. Not for the first time when I
The first thing I noticed is that he's ticking.I don't know why, nor how, it's just that he's uptight. I knew this the moment he fixed one of the knives on the table. I also saw the way his jaw twitched and the way he softly drums his index finger on the table. Or maybe the way he eyes me when I peek at him under my lashes. And when father gave grace, I opened my eyes to catch a glimpse of him and saw a small frown on his forehead. Yep, he's nervous alright. I mentally laugh. Lucas fucking De Marchi, a Boss, is nervous to meet his fiancèe. Shut it, Caterina, my insides seem to be screaming. You're nervous as well and I bet he's noticed it the moment you opened the door.
It took me a few fucking moments to calm my ass down. Yes, I was fusing like a chimney on a winter day, but I had quickly decided that acting like a spoiled bitch would get me nowhere, not when I’m having a conversation with two egoistic assholes.I sat back on my chair, pissed as fuck for not being able to have a drink. I eyed the bottle of wine on the table by Lucas, as if it could levitate towards me if I stare at it longer. Lucas was as calm as ever. Or maybe he pretends to be. He continues to clench his jaw every time my father opens his mouth to talk about things concerning my future with De Marchi. It’s so frequent that I won’t be surprised if Lucas suddenly stands in the middle of everything to grab his chair and slam it across my father’s face. I’d like to see that. I smirked inwardly. If my father noticed how annoyed both of us were, he didn’t show any interest
It was dark.That was the very first thing I noticed. And no, I wasn't closing my eyes. My heart pounded like a jackhammer and my chest tightened, making it difficult for me to breathe. My breath ragged as my instincts tell me to be careful. What the fuck is going on? Where the hell am I?I tried to focus on my senses like I was taught to do. But it didn't give me much hope for the situation. There was nothing to smell. But at least I can feel myself and assure myself that I'm still whole. And the solid ground I'm standing on proves that I'm standing upright. I tried listening. But still, the dark limbo gave me not a single clue. I take a step forward, reaching out my arms into the dark void surrounding me. The foundation clanks from my shoes, showing that it was metal. Holy hell.
Lucas~*~She must have been crying. Or at least she was trying not to.Her eyes were red, yet her cheeks weren’t wet, and she released a fragile gasp when she saw me on the stairs. Why was she fucking crying? She was wearing a white robe and my hood thickens as it wonders if she's wearing anything underneath it. But my thought was still lingering on why the hell she's crying. At one in the damn morning.Her pained look was immediately replaced by a look of confusion and anger."Merda." Shit
You're lying about the only thing that is keeping you sane. Stop being a hypocrite, for once.Lucas' words linger in my mind as I finish the bath which took me only until 2:30 in the morning. I cannot believe Lucas stayed the night. My father isn't the thoughtful man I thought he was. Of course he would invite Lucas. The former was already kissing the latter’s ass, so I’m not even surprised. He would do anything to make Lucas be proud of him. That made me question why he can’t marry Lucas instead. I mean they already have a connection. And they both have so much in common. My father’s a widower, anyway so that wouldn’t be an issue.If he was expecting Lucas to climb into bed with me and cuddle, and get comfortable with our soon-to-be married life, then he’s wrong.I
I heard things from the darkness when the pain in my chest stopped. I didn't understand it. The words time and death were the only ones that registered. After that there was a commotion. That familiar voice was screaming, and another voice answered. Everything was in distress and I just wanted to yell for them to be quiet. I needed to think. I needed to know where I was. Why was I in darkness?Suddenly, the pain returned. The one in my throat. With cold hands, I grabbed my neck, hoping that whatever was causing the pain would go away. But it didn't. I started coughing. Then the light slowly returned. Not the blinding one, but the right one. Warm, vivid—real.~*~The fluorescent light on the ceiling was the first real thing I saw before I felt the pain in my throat. My eyes stung from the tear
Lucas~*~It has been four slow, cruel and torturous days and I stayed beside Mari every second of it, only leaving when I needed to go change or wash. The rest, I was a guard dog watching over its food.On the second day after Mari was settled in her room, Chase arrived, bloodshot eyes, and a little skinnier than the last time I've seen him. The fact that I was a little bit relieved that he was here for Mari dissolved when I learned that Gian still wasn't getting any better.On the third day, Mari jolted off her bed and the machines went overdrive with beeps. I fucking shit myself when I heard her gag over the tube that was in her throat to help her breathe. The nurses and the doctors that rushed in were frantic and also relieved at the same time. I almost choked the nu
I see nothing.I feel nothing.I can move nothing.But I can hear everything."You have to wake up, Mari," the voice pleads. It was...eerie and familiar, but I can't seem to remember who.The darkness was everywhere. And I was in a never-ending fall towards it. The first thing that crossed my mind was sleep paralysis. I was having an episode of sleep paralysis but this one I can't fight. I remain still, unmoving, dead. With all the energy that's left of me, I tried to reach and follow the voice. But it was no use. Instead, I let the darkness eat me up.~*~
Lucas~*~14 hours.Mother and father left for a quick purchase of food as Harriet lay asleep on her bed. Her even breathes, her pulsing heart and the slight movement of her eyelids; I take them in for a moment, thankful that she's alive. I don't know what I'd do if I got there too late—if Mari got there too late. Jack had arrived a few hours earlier and brought me my clothes. Washing my face from the sink in the bathroom, I momentarily stare at the fucked up in the mirror. Tight jaw, dark bags and five o'clock shadow. Anger filled me as I stared at my reflection. The superficial flaw of my face is nothing compared to what Mari and Harriet have. They had bruises and wounds and stitches while I got fucking eye bags. I should'
Lucas~*~8 hours.Mari has been in the surgery room for 8 motherfucking hours. Felix was done with my bullet wound, I washed my face, paced the floor exactly 16...17 times and there's still no word of what the damn shit is going on.I'd called my parents and told them that Harriet was in the hospital. I called Chase to tell him about Mari. I called Jack and told him to bring me a change of clothes. They were on their way. But that was 4 hours ago. Now I'm just a fucking mess pacing the floor praying for...a fucking miracle. God! What's wrong with me?I sank to the floor, frustratingly gripping my hair with my fingers. Betting my luck, I dialed Sigmund's number again."Wh
Lucas~*~All I see is red. Red from anger, red from panic and red of my Mari's blood, pooling under her body as she lay weak on the floor. I heard every gunshot behind the damn door, all eight of them now in Mari's body. Handing over my sister to the big man, who I learned is Thomas, I told him to call for the choppers. I then ran towards Mari. She was a paper coated in red, limp and pale. Her eyes heavy and tired, her focus in space."Mari," I said, slumping to the ground beside her, out of breath as blood drools down her chin. I grabbed her head, carefully bringing it on my lap for comfort. She grunts in pain. From there I saw a few bullet holes on her body. Heart thumping and face steaming, I calm myself. "You're going to be fine."Her face is wet with sweat and tear
"Run, Harriet. Fucking run!" I yelled as I struggled to free myself from Freddy's arms. I felt the warmth of his breath by my neck, and smelt the stink of the air coming out of his mouth. "Lucas will get you, just run!"Everything was happening so fast, and my ears were ringing, my vision blurring.Freddy was growling behind me, tightly straining me with his muscled arms.Harriet crying out for Freddy to let me go.Me screaming for Harriet to run.Harriet was hesitant to leave me behind, I can see it in her wide and worried eyes. But God knows it was best to leave me be than both of us dying. "GO!" I yelled louder than the first time when she didn’t move. And she does this time, limping on the stairs. Freddy's grip arou
Everything was hazy and it hurt like a motherfucker. My head throbbed like there's a jackhammer inside. I tried to open my eyes despite the pain in my skull and my ankle. Then I remembered that the fucker snapped my ankle when I was lying on my stomach. Hissing, I squint when my eyes directly set visual on the fluorescent lamp on the ceiling. Aside from that, another lamp was angled towards me like a spotlight. Fuck was it blinding.Cursing, I forced myself to sit up on the cold metal surface of what I was lying on. I moved my ankle, but winced when the pain electrocuted my entire body. Nonetheless, I forced my body to stand. Slowly, I wait until I'm used to the pain. Red smeared the low neckline of my tank only to realize that there's dry blood running from my nose and from my forehead. He fucking hit me?! I thought with rage.The room was a metal box. No wind
Mexico was heavy. It was like entering a room with a stuffy and suffocating air. Not to mention the fear that was crawling up on my spine that at any moment, someone might shoot at me. The warehouse is large, glass windows, and steel doors. It wasn't the typical warehouse I usually see that’s covered in steel and metal. It was more like a home than a slaughterhouse. Thank heavens for the transparent windows, it became easier to navigate and shoot.Wearing cargo pants, a black cropped top and combat boots that I changed into from the plane, I lay still on top of a hill by the warehouse, hidden in the grass. At least if I die, I was going to die with good clothes.I stared at the sniper scope, on my belly. And I saw movement.The warehouse was loft-style with brown leather couches and rustic tables. It would loo