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Chapter 3.45
Last Updated:
2024-12-13 00:00:20
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Claim by the Don Chapter 3.46
Melanie’s POVIt’s official.I was out of my mind.That was the only way I could explain what the hell I just blurted out of my mouth. This wasn’t me at all. I didn’t proposition men, talk less of the ones that basically forced me to live with them.Adriano looked shocked for a brief moment before his face morphed into a pleased smile.It wasn’t his fault. I basically led him on when I knew fully well that nothing was going to happen between us.Also, I was going to kill, Aria. She somehow convinced me to share a bottle of wine with her over dinner. One look at the wine and I knew it was expensive but it tasted amazing so I happily indulged.Yep, that was it. It was the freaking wine. I was never drinking with, Aria again.“I think I like the slightly drunk, Melanie,” Adriano said.If this was how I was when slightly drunk, I’d hate to see myself when shit-faced drunk.
Last Updated : 2024-12-13Claim by the Don Chapter 3.47
Melanie’s POVNot surprisingly, I woke up feeling grumpy in the morning.I had a slight headache which I took a some painkillers for but that was enough to set the tone of my day.Alice noticed something was up during breakfast but I waved her off, somehow convincing her that I was fine.The alcohol I'd consumed the previous day wasn't the only reason why I felt like this. There was a certain man who had been the object of my discomfort and I was not about to admit that to, Alice.However, I was almost done with my breakfast and still hadn’t seen or heard a peep from him all morning.“Is, Adriano not coming down for breakfast?” I asked, Alice.I figured since she was asleep by the time I got back yesterday, there's no way she knew what went down between Adriano and me. That's why I felt it was safe for me to ask her.“He left for work early,” she answered. “Said he had some important meetings.”
Last Updated : 2024-12-14Claim by the Don Chapter 3.48
Melanie’s POVThe last thing I wanted today was a confrontation from, Lydia. I was so over her shit and it looked like that’s exactly what she was spoiling for.“Please excuse me,” I said, deciding to opt for the polite approach but it seemed she was spoiling for a fight.“And if I don’t?” she asked. “What are you going to do?”“I don’t know why you have an issue with me and I don’t really care,” I replied and held up the boxes in my hands. “I have to get these gloves to the nurses’ station so please step aside.”Lydia glared daggers at me and I could see the anger radiating off her. If steam could come out her ears, best believe it would."That's exactly the problem I have with you," she gritted. "You're an ass-kisser pretending to be a sweet girl."I frowned. What the hell was she on about?“Like I said, Lydia, I don’t care how you feel about me as long as you stay out of my way,” I said.
Last Updated : 2024-12-14Claim by the Don Chapter 3.49
Melanie’s POVI pushed my confrontation with Lydia out of my mind and focused on getting through the rest of my shift which thankfully, went without any major incidents.I had just changed out of my scrubs and was on my out of the changing room when I got a call from, Phoebe.Phoebe was a sweet, old lady that lived on the same floor of my apartment. She also had a cat named, Orange and I usually helped her watch her cat.My stomach was dipped with nerves. It's been a while since she's seen or spoken to me so I knew why she was calling. What the hell was I going to tell her? It was obvious I hadn’t moved out but I’ve been MIA for weeks. I was surprised she hadn’t even called earlier. However, I was more annoyed with myself for forgetting about her.I had a mind to avoid, Phoebe’s call but I knew she was only going to keep calling so I accepted the call and put it to my ear.“Hi, Phoebe,” I greeted.
Last Updated : 2024-12-15Claim by the Don Chapter 3.50
Melanie’s POVI went about my usual routine when I got to the house. Took a shower and went downstairs to have dinner with, Alice.Alice, with her mother-hen nature, didn't fail to notice that something was off about me. I quickly learned that there was no hiding your feelings from her, at least I was sure of mine.She was just so attentive to details. It was the kind of trait that couldn’t be taught, but was a part of a person and, Alice was certainly one of those people that got the trait.“You know I’m only going to keep asking you what’s wrong, right?” Alice said. “Why can’t you just take my word for it and leave it at that?” I asked.“Because you’re acting a bit jittery. Like you’re about to jump off your skin,” she said. “Why? Are you scared of something or someone?”I shook my head. “No, it’s nothing of the sort,” I answered.“Then tell me what it is?”“It’s just that I might have gott
Last Updated : 2024-12-15Claim by the Don Chapter 3.51
Melanie’s POVIt’s been well over an hour and I was pacing outside, Adriano’s study, debating whether I should do it or not.There was also the fact that I was nervous about being alone with him in an enclosed space.You can do this, Melanie. The worst he can do is say no. There's absolutely nothing to be worried about.I didn’t know how effective the pep talk I was giving myself was but I guess I had to try.I finally stopped pacing, took in a deep breath, and let it out through my mouth. Just as I raised my hand to knock on the door, it was flung open.I jerked back in surprise while Adriano was smirking at me.“If you pace anymore, there might just be a dent on the floor and we don’t want that, do we, little nurse?”Great. Now I’ve gone and embarrassed myself before I even said anything. But…“How did you know I was outside?” I asked.“You don’t exactly walk quietly,
Last Updated : 2024-12-16Claim by the Don Chapter 3.52
Adriano’s POV I watched her expression go from relieved to tense the moment I spoke and I almost felt bad for wanting to demand a condition from her. Emphasis on almost. I didn’t feel bad but I hated that, Melanie wasn’t completely relaxed around me yet. I mean she was pacing my office for minutes and I had to practically force the words out of her mouth with the way she was fidgeting and beating around the bush. I hated the fact that she hadn’t realized that there was about nothing I wouldn't do for her, if she played her cards right. So if she wasn’t ready to figure it out, then it was up to me to show her and that wouldn’t be possible if we don’t spend time together. Melanie thought she was being a disturbance by asking me to go see her neighbor as her boyfriend while I was in my seat, trying to hide my smile and sounding as neutral as I possibly could. “A condition?” I nodde
Last Updated : 2024-12-16Claim by the Don Chapter 53
Melanie’s POVIf I was a betting girl, I could have won some money from, Alice. She was so positive this conversation was going to go well but couldn’t have been more wrong.This conversation had gone so off-kilter that I was wondering why I was still seated here talking to him.“Are you threatening me?” I asked."I'm not threatening you, little nurse," he replied.“Then what’s the meaning of what you just said?”“I just thought you needed a reminder of how you got here,” he said.“Oh, I remember. How could I ever forget,” I said. “Every second of every day for the past few weeks I’ve been reminded of how much my life had taken a drastic turn all in a matter of a few moments!”I was breathing heavily and trying to control my anger. “I regret that moment.”“What moment?”“The moment I agreed to go, Dr. Thompson’s request to go on a house call. It wasn’t part of my job descrip
Last Updated : 2024-12-17
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Claim by the Don Chapter 130
Adriano’s POVI stared at my mom who had taken the seat that Nik occupied only moments ago.“You didn’t have to come over here to confirm it,” I said.“Yeah, I did,” she said. “Lately, it’s been like you’ve been doing everything possible to avoid a family gathering and I’m not going to let that happen again.”“You could have called instead,” I added.“I wouldn’t be able to tell how you’re feeling over the phone. It’s better to see your face in person,” she replied.“I already told you that I was not going to miss Christmas dinner, Mom,” I said. “Will you be coming alone?” she asked.Now we’ve gotten to the real reason why she came.“No, Mom. I won’t be coming alone. Melanie will be with me,” I answered.That made her smile. “Good, I want to see the lady that’s got my baby boy wrapped around her fingers. Besides, she makes great cookies and I need her to give me her recipe,” she said.
Claim by the Don Chapter 129
Adriano’s POV“Mr. Alfonso, is anything the matter?”I looked up at the accountant who paused his presentation. I could tell from the sweat marring his forehead that he was nervous. He was a new hire and was still trying to learn the ropes.So far so good, his presentation was good, but it was so goddamn boring. That was why when I started getting notifications of large transactions on my card, I couldn’t help but smile.I damn near forced, Melanie to accept the card from me and according to, Ralph they had been at the mall for hours and I just began getting transaction notifications.It didn’t take a genius to figure out that my sister had a hand in it. Maybe she wasn’t so useless after all.Melanie was too stubborn to let herself enjoy things that were freely given to her so it was good she had friends who didn’t hesitate to push her when she needed it.So yes, I’ve been distracted from the presentation, but that
Claim by the Don Chapter 128
Melanie’s POVAfter I had disconnected the call with, Aria, I went in search of my man and found him engrossed with something on his desktop.He raised his head when he noticed me and smiled at me."Did you miss me, little nurse?" he asked.I walked towards him and nodded. “I didn’t want to be alone,” I said.“Come here,” he ordered and I followed without hesitation.He pushed away from his desk and made room for me to sit."I thought you had a long overdue conversation with your girls," he said.“I did have conversation with my girls but that’s over now and I didn’t want to be left alone in the room. Besides, you’ve been holed up in this study for hours,” I said.“I had a lot of work to catch up on,” he replied.“I know that but that doesn’t mean I can’t try to distract you,” I told him. “I think we’re long overdue for something else.”He smirked at me. “Really? What is it?”
Claim by the Don Chapter 127
Melanie’s POVAlice and I spent the rest of the day together chatting in the living room while Adriano was upstairs doing God knows what.He did join us downstairs for dinner, looking freshly showered and I wanted to take him upstairs and lick him all over because of how delicious he looked but I focused on dinner.I helped, Alice clean up before I finally excused myself upstairs to take a shower. Adriano wasn’t in the room which means that he was in his study.I showered and changed into shorts and one of Adriano’s t-shirts before I settled in bed to call the girls.Now that the weekend was almost over, ignoring them was no longer an option so I put a group video chat and they both answered like they have been waiting for my call.“It’s about time, bitch!” Hayley said the moment her face filled the screen.“I see you’re back from la la land,” Aria added. “You abandoned us just because of a man.”I laughed
Claim by the Don Chapter 126
Melanie’s POVThe flight home was peaceful even though I spent most of the flight alone.When we boarded, Adriano told me he had a phone conference and I encouraged him to go ahead and join the teleconference when I saw that he was willing to postpone the conference on my behalf.He had already done a lot for me this weekend and I didn’t want to keep him from the rest of his responsibilities. People depended on him and of course he had to deliver.The group chat with the girls had been blowing up non-stop over the weekend after, Aria let it loose that Adriano took me on a thanksgiving trip.She ganged up with Hayley and have been badgering me for details all weekend but I wasn’t about to interrupt my time with my family so I sent them a message three days ago telling them that I would talk to them after the weekend.That didn’t deter them from sending messages on the group chat constantly. I spent the whole flight reading
Claim by the Don Chapter 125
Melanie’s POVMom was staring at us with a bright smile on her face and I was blushing so hard that I was pretty sure my face was red.“You both are just so cute,” she said. “It reminds me of when your father and I just started dating. Those were good times.”“Woman I still woo you regularly,” Dad said, walking into the kitchen.“Is the food not ready?” Danny piped up and Mom glared at him.“If you’re so hungry maybe I should leave you to make breakfast then,” Mom said, then she turned to Dad and Adriano."You all need to get your asses out of my kitchen. Melanie and I are almost done with breakfast but we won't make progress if you all keep hovering around here," she said.“You sure you don’t need any help?” Adriano asked.“I’m sure, honey, now get our,” Mom ordered.“Bossy as ever I see,” Dad mumbled and gave Mom a quick kiss on the cheeks before turning back and walking out behind, Danny wh
Claim by the Don Chapter 124
Melanie’s POVWatching, Adriano interact with my family, I wondered why I was ever nervous.My worry about whether or not they were going to like him was moot because he had them all charmed. Even Dad who was a bit hesitant yesterday had warmed up to him.In other words, he had them eating out of the palm of his hand. Also, I was pretty sure my brother idolized him with the way he kept asking him questions throughout the night and regaling him with football stories.The day after thanksgiving, I was helping my mom make breakfast while the rest of the house slept. We had a late night yesterday so it wasn’t a surprise that they were still asleep but not my mom.Mom had always been an early riser no matter the time she went to sleep, she always woke up the same time every day, like clockwork.We worked together silently in the kitchen, this time with no one to interrupt us anytime soon, I knew that I was going to hear all she’
Claim by the Don Chapter 123
Adriano’s POVThe scent of spiced apple pie hit me as soon as we stepped inside Melanie’s childhood home. It was warm and cozy in a way I didn’t think houses could be anymore. I grew up in a warm and cozy home but I soon learned that not all homes were like mine. Pictures lined the walls, memories frozen in time. Her mom, Roselyn, had been very welcoming. Melanie had once told me that her family was affectionate, but still, I wasn’t expecting this level of hospitality. Her father, on the other hand, was another story. He’d shaken my hand firmly, his eyes narrowing just enough to let me know he was sizing me up. It didn’t bother me. Hell, I respected it. If I had a daughter like Melanie, I’d do the same thing, I might even go overboard with it and try to scare the boy away but I didn’t get scared easily so he was just going to have to tolerate me in his house and his daughter’s life.Her brother, Danny, was a wild one. The guy w
Claim by the Don Chapter 122
Melanie’s POVThe wheels of the plane hit the runway with a soft thud, and I exhaled a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Adriano’s hand slid over mine as the plane taxied along the runway, his fingers warm and firm. “Relax, Tesoro,” he murmured, his voice low and soothing. “We’ve landed.” I turned to him, his dark eyes drawing me in as they always did. “I’m relaxed,” I lied, though the tight grip I had on his hand betrayed me. The corner of his mouth tilted up in that knowing smirk that drove me crazy, in both the best and worst ways. "Sure you are, little nurse. You look very convincing.” The pilot announced over the intercom that we could disembark and we stood. We landed on another private airstrip but I could tell it was an extension of the bustling Austin airport.The flight attendants had already carried our bags into a parked SUV. I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and nerves.
