CHAPTER 71 ALESSANDRO'S POV The call had come unexpectedly that morning, and to be honest, I had not been prepared for it. My mind was still foggy from sleep when the phone rang. I had always prided myself on being composed, but the sudden news threw me off balance after answering the call in my sleepy state. The old man was coming to visit. I had not expected him, not today, not at this moment. The last time he had come, it had been a matter of business, a casual check-in, and everything had been civil. But this time, there was something different in the air—something I couldn’t quite place. The man didn’t show up unless he had something important on his mind, and it wasn’t often that he paid me a visit without bringing some sort of heavy conversation with him.For me, he just didn't need to visit my space. I groaned softly, pushing myself out of bed and rubbing my eyes. The day had already started off wrong, and I needed to gather myself quickly. I couldn’t let him see me thin
AMELIA’S 8: 00PM“Get out, we don’t ever want to see you in this company again,” My boss said icily, as the security escorted me out of the company. My mind couldn’t process what was happening, as I stared at my stuffs that were littered on the floor in disbelief. “Your services are no longer needed Amelia,” He said in a still, yet cold voice. “Why? What did I do wrong?” I managed to ask as soon as I got my voice, tears threatening to fall from my eyes. He just ignored me, and walked back into the company. I stared at his retreating figure and felt tears drop from my eyes. I crouched down to pick my things, packing them all into my handbag—before taking a final glance at the company. “What could have gone wrong in just five minutes?” I wondered deeply as my eyes stung badly. To be honest, I didn’t know why I was sacked from my job. I had just excused myself to get an Americano in a cafeteria down the street, just for me to come back to this. I walked back home, as my vision
AMELIA’S POVA week later:It’s been exactly a week since I lost my job… and the unfortunate encounter I had on my way back, and it was safe to say that I was still more than a little paranoid.I couldn’t go around without watching my shoulders as everywhere I went, I felt like I was being watched. I had tried to hide in the shadows, to hide and to wallow in self pity until today. I combed out my hair, humming a song under my breath as I prepped myself for a job interview. After I lost my previous one…I took another look at myself at the mirror, and a small smile crept on my lips. I was pretty. I was cladded in a sleek black corporate gown, which was tailored fitly. The dress was above my knees and It had a little embroidery on the Neckline. The sleeves were also long and fitted.I sighed slightly, as I packed my hair in a bun. I took out time to admire myself in the mirror, and I must say— I was captivated by my own beauty….After gazing at myself in the mirror, I knew it was time
Amelia’s POV. I widened my eyes, staring at him in shock as I found it difficult to believe it. “Follow me,” He said to no one in particular as he turned around and waltzed out of the office. I glanced at them in confusion until the young man that had just entered silently urged me to go and that was when the realization dawned upon me. I followed him till he entered a room I guessed to be his office, and to my surprise —it was larger than any office I had come across. He turned and locked eyes with me, sending chills to my body. “Look who we have here,” He said softly, yet huskily. “Good morning,” I greeted, and bowed slightly but he came towards me and made me stand upright. “You came for the job,” He asked, as he turned his back on me. “Yes sir,” “You’re hired,” He said and turned with the most charming smile I had ever seen as he stretched forth his hand for a handshake. Wait, what?!I couldn’t believe my ears as I stared at him like he had suddenly developed two heads.
Amelia’s POV. “What’s wrong Luca?” I questioned softly because I still didn’t know what had gotten over him. “Amelia,” He called coldly and seriously that I had no option but to stare up at him. “You’ll resign from there!” He said what I least expected, and I narrowed my eyes at him. I waited patiently, hoping he’d take his words back. “You cannot work there. I’ve told you that you can come to work in my company and I’ll pay you well,” Luca said, and I shook my head slowly. “I told you that I didn’t want to work with you because there would be preferential treatment. In as much as I need money urgently, Luca, I won’t work where my skills wouldn’t be appreciated,” I stated the facts for the umpteenth time because Luca chose not to understand a single thing. “Preferential treatment my foot! Amelia your skills would be appreciated,” Luca said angrily, and I wondered why he got worked up over nothing. “Luca, please calm down. People are watching,” Mia suggested in a hushed voice, a
ALESSANDRO’S POV. Her face depicted shock, but I wasn’t moved. I wanted her to be around me, so I could pay more attention to her and ensure her safety. She has slowly become my priority. “Is anything the matter?” I inquired, staring deeply into brown eyes. She sighed deeply and shook her head. She strode to her desk without any other word. Even though I knew that it wouldn’t be safe for me to discuss certain things again in my office because of her presence, I still went ahead to bring her here. I didn’t know why, but all I knew was that I wanted her around me. I shrugged and went back to my seat, hoping she’d at least say something but she didn’t. She began typing frantically on the computer, and from the look of things, I figured out that she was already working. I shrugged and decided to continue what I was working on. We worked for quite some time, and after a while of not hearing her talk, I decided to break the tense atmosphere. “Hey, you done?” I said aloud, so she
AMELIA'S POV.I got him feeling a bit lost and annoyed at how things had turned out today. I wasn't happy and that was because I wasn't sure if my reaction was the right thing earlier. When I was still busy thinking and questioning my fate, I got a call from Mia as usual. “Hey Babe.” She sounded excited, more like she was excited to hear about how my day went. After all, it was my first time. “Hey,” I replied with less energy. “What happened? Why that tone? Did something happen?” “I think I might be on a one-way ticket to losing my newly found job.” I went ahead and explained what exactly had happened to her as I cuddled next to my pillow. “Wow,” Mia responded after a while and I heard a crunchy sound…it wasn't that hard to guess that she was eating something. “Maybe you need to learn how to tone it down a little now, Amelia. That was terrible. One thing I know and that everyone knows about your boss is that he is strict and very mysterious. You need money
AMELIA'S POV I prepared myself for what seemed to have been the verdict that I had given myself before anything could even happen. I was standing right in front of his door, fidgeting instead of actually knocking. After staying for a few minutes, I raised my shaky hand and tapped lightly on the door. “Come in.” He ordered and I gulped before slowly pushing the door open. He was seated in a calm manner, his pen drastically dancing away on the sheet of paper that he duly concentrated on. Standing next to him was his assistant whom I didn't know his name yet. “Good morning, sir.” My greeting came out more like a squeak. At first, he paid me no attention and that increased my anxiety.Is he perhaps still mad at me? I mean who wouldn't be? I disrespected him yesterday. I stood for what seemed to have been minutes already yet none of the men was addressing me. I was on my heels for goodness sake. Even though the heels were not supposed to cause me pain, my situation actually mad
CHAPTER 71 ALESSANDRO'S POV The call had come unexpectedly that morning, and to be honest, I had not been prepared for it. My mind was still foggy from sleep when the phone rang. I had always prided myself on being composed, but the sudden news threw me off balance after answering the call in my sleepy state. The old man was coming to visit. I had not expected him, not today, not at this moment. The last time he had come, it had been a matter of business, a casual check-in, and everything had been civil. But this time, there was something different in the air—something I couldn’t quite place. The man didn’t show up unless he had something important on his mind, and it wasn’t often that he paid me a visit without bringing some sort of heavy conversation with him.For me, he just didn't need to visit my space. I groaned softly, pushing myself out of bed and rubbing my eyes. The day had already started off wrong, and I needed to gather myself quickly. I couldn’t let him see me thin
CHAPTER 70AMELIA'S POVI pushed my coffee cup back and forth between my hands, my mind swirling with thoughts as I sat across from Mia in our usual café. The atmosphere was warm and comforting but despite the cozy environment, my heart was uneasy.Mia's sigh broke the silence between us, "You’re really going to avoid him?" Mia asked, her brows raised in surprise.I sighed, stirring my drink absentmindedly. "I don’t know what else to do, Mia. Alessandro told me that Luca… might have feelings for me. I think that might be right. When he said that, I had to think more deeply and realized that my ignorance must have made his actions more of a friendly one even though it seems like it isn't. And if that’s true, I don’t want to lead him on or make things awkward."Mia tapped her nails against the table, clearly deep in thought. "Has Luca actually told you he likes you that way?" "No, but… what if Alessandro is right?"She leaned forward, her expression serious. "Then let him be th
CHAPTER 69AMELIA'S POVDays had passed since Luca got released. I was avoiding him because I thought Alessandro might be right. Luca was texting me almost every day, and he was seeking an opportunity for us to meet. I wasn't ready to change the nature of our friendship. The house was quiet when we returned from the company. It was a bit hectic but I managed to pull through. I tried to push the thoughts away as I changed into something more comfortable—an oversized T-shirt and a pair of soft shorts. Sleep seemed impossible, so I stepped out onto the balcony for some fresh air.The night breeze brushed against my skin, cooling my heated thoughts. Below, the city lights stretched endlessly, glowing softly in the darkness.I hugged myself and sighed. "You’re still awake," Alessandro’s deep voice rumbled behind me.I turned to find him standing in the doorway. He had removed his jacket, leaving him in a fitted black dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up. The top buttons were undon
CHAPTER 68AMELIA'S POV The call came early in the morning.I was still in bed, barely awake, when my phone buzzed. Fumbling for it, I answered groggily. "Am I onto Miss Amelia?" The deep voice on the other end was unfamiliar. "Uhm, yes. Who is this please?" I asked him. "I am calling from the station and I will like to inform you based on the request of Mr. Luca that he had been released." The words jolted me fully awake. Throwing the covers off, I sat up straight. "He has?" "Yes, ma'am. He’s at the station now. So you might want to come before he leaves."I didn't hesitate. After getting dressed quickly, I grabbed my purse and rushed out. Alessandro was nowhere to be seen, which was a relief. I wasn't ready to deal with him yet.The drive to the police station felt like it took forever. My heart pounded the whole way, my mind racing with thoughts of what Luca had endured over the past few weeks. More so, I was still yet to believe what Alessandro had told me about
CHAPTER 67 The moment they stepped into the house, Amelia could no longer hold back. The question burned inside her, clawing its way to the surface, and she didn't want to waste any more time as she feared that Alessandro might change his mind. "Now that we are at home. Can you please go ahead and tell me why you have Luca locked up?" she demanded, her voice firm but controlled.Alessandro didn't look surprised. If anything, he seemed to have been expecting the question. He pulled off his blazer, tossing it onto the couch, before walking toward the bar and pouring himself a drink. "Didn't Luca tell you why?" he asked casually, lifting the glass to his lips as he watched her carefully. Amelia crossed her arms. "Not really. He only said you were the one who had him locked up and that he was sure of that. So tell me, is it true?"Alessandro took a slow sip before placing the glass down. He exhaled, then turned to look at her, his expression unreadable. "You must trust him so mu
CHAPTER 66.Her heels clicked against the floors, her heart pounding with every determined step she took inside the office. The rage bubbling inside her threatened to consume her, but she held it in—barely.She knew where to find him.And just as she expected, Alessandro was seated in his office, relaxing in his chair with a file in his hand. The moment she entered, his eyes shifted toward her, calm and unreadable.But she wasn’t calm. "What did you do, Alessandro? You had Luca locked up?"Her voice came out sharp, accusing.Alessandro took a slow sip of his drink before setting it down on the table beside him. Then, as if her words carried no weight at all, he leaned back in his chair, watching her. "Hmm." He answered. Something about his tone—casual, unapologetic—made her blood boil. "You—" She clenched her fists, stepping closer. "You had him arrested. You kept him locked away for weeks, and you didn’t think to tell me?"Alessandro exhaled, standing up. He was tall, b
CHAPTER 65.Amelia stood in front of her mirror, adjusting the collar of her blouse. She barely heard Mia’s voice over the phone, teasing her about the date. Her mind was still stuck on last night—the way Alessandro had kissed her, the way he had held her like she was something fragile yet precious.She swallowed hard as heat crept up her neck. Why was she blushing?Shaking off the thoughts, she grabbed her purse and stepped out of the room, only to be met with the sight of Alessandro already seated at the dining table. A warm, knowing smile tugged at his lips as he leaned back in his chair, watching her every move. "Good morning, amore," he greeted, his deep voice laced with amusement.Amelia rolled her eyes playfully but couldn't stop the flutter in her stomach. "You're up early." "As usual, I couldn't miss the chance to have breakfast with my girlfriend."She paused mid-step and raised her brows at him. "Girlfriend?"Alessandro stood, walking toward her with a slow, deliberat
CHAPTER 64. "I know that I have asked this before, but I..." she exhaled and then continued while clenching the spoon in between her fingers, "How many people have you killed?” Amelia’s voice was barely above a whisper.Alessandro didn’t flinch. He set down his glass, his fingers tracing the rim as he held her gaze to give her an honest answer. “More than I can count.”Her stomach twisted, but she didn’t look away. "I don't do so willingly or for fun,” he admitted. “I was born into it and for me to survive and protect the ones I care about and those that have been working for me, I have to do it. Moreover, in this world, there's no right or wrong. No one is innocent. If you don't attack first, prepare to defend. That's the rule.”Amelia searched his face, looking past the cold exterior. There was something deeper there—exhaustion, maybe even regret. "I understand,” she finally said.For a brief second, something soft flickered in his eyes.Amelia wasn't interested in prea
CHAPTER 63.Mia’s loud gasp echoed through the phone. "SO YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT YOU’VE BEEN WITH A MAFIA BOSS THIS WHOLE TIME?”Amelia winced and held the phone away from her ear. Mia—” "No, Amelia! Do you understand how crazy this is?” Mia’s voice was laced with shock, concern, and just a hint of betrayal. “I was going out of my mind, worried sick about you, and now I find out you’ve been tangled up with—”Amelia sighed. “I know. I should have told you sooner. I also didn't realize it until the whole situation just happened. "Sooner?” Mia scoffed. “Girl, you should have told me the moment you got caught up in this mess! I mean, I understand that there was no way, but still...What if something happened to you? What if—” She paused, her breath shaky. "I shouldn't have had this conversation with you on the phone. You’re really safe, right? You are not just lying to me, are you?" "Yes. I am safe.” Amelia’s voice softened. “I promise.”Mia exhaled. “I swear, you’re