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Elegantly WastedĀ Ā Ā Prologue
Iām just about to take another sip of my bourbon when a woman strides into the club, escorted by a man clad in a sleek black Armani suit. His expression is cold and unyielding, void of emotion, as he moves beside her with calculated precision.The woman is strikingādraped in a dark grey mini dress that hugs her hourglass figure, the wrapped front design subtly emphasizing her curves. Her skin, kissed with a saffron tint, glows beneath the dim club lights, while waves of obsidian-black hair cascade over her shoulders. But itās her eyesāsharp and brilliant like sapphiresāthat hold an unmistakable presence.I recognize her instantly. Edwina Gemstoneāthe youngest daughter of Armando and Henrietta Gemstone, a family for its wealth, power, and unshakable influence.The Gemstones built their empire from the ground up, transforming a once-small family business into a multinational business that dominates the industries of luxury real estate and corporate banking. Their reach extends beyond boa
Last Updated : 2022-02-13Elegantly WastedĀ Ā Ā Chapter 1- The Devil's Bargain
EdwinaThe door to my black Rolls-Royce opens as Elliot, dressed in his usual black suit, steps aside, offering me his hand. I take it, my heels clicking against the pavement as I exit the carās cocoon of comfort.āHave a good day, Miss Gemstone,ā he says, his tone clipped yet familiar.I offer him a small nod before he slides back into the car, disappearing into the city traffic. A faint smile tugs at my lipsāIāve grown fond of Elliot over the years, despite his reserved nature. He isnāt one for unnecessary words, but his loyalty speaks volumes.I turn toward the towering glass building before meāthe empire I now control. Dressed in a tailored black skirt suit and suede stilettos, I stride through the automatic sliding doors, my heels echoing against the polished marble floor. Employees glance up from their desks, their greetings a hushed chorus as I move toward my private elevator.The mirror-lined walls reflect my composed expression as I press the button for the top floor. My long,
Last Updated : 2022-02-13Elegantly WastedĀ Ā Ā Chapter 2- Seduction in the Shadows
EdwinaI stare at the phone, my fingers tightening around it as the line goes dead. With a slow exhale, I hand it back to Alessandro, who takes it without a word."Who is he?" I ask, still unsettled."Youāll find out soon enough," he replies dryly, a smirk playing at his lips.I roll my eyes, already annoyed by his cryptic nature. "Does he ever do business face-to-face?" I prod, trying to imagine the man behind that voiceādeep, rich, and edged with arrogance.Alessandro chuckles. "Why? You already falling for him, princess?"I ignore the teasing lilt in his voice and instead ask, "So what happens now?""You wait for him to call the shots," he says simply, as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.Frustration coils inside me, but I know better than to push him for more. With a sigh, I rise from my seat, leaving the club. The same black Lamborghini that brought me here is already waiting outside.The ride back to my office is silent, but my mind is anything but. The conversation re
Last Updated : 2022-02-13Elegantly WastedĀ Ā Ā Chapter 3- Waking up in the Lion's Den
EdwinaA dull, relentless throbbing pounds against my skull as I groan, my eyelids fluttering open. The room is too bright, the morning light spilling through sheer curtains and casting a golden glow over the space. My body feels heavy, my limbs sluggish as I shift slightly against the ridiculously soft mattress beneath me.I force myself upright, the crisp white sheets slipping down my body as I take in my surroundings. The bed is enormousāking-sized, adorned with silk sheets and plush pillows that look entirely untouched except for where I lay. The unfamiliarity of the room prickles at my senses, and a wave of unease washes over me.This is not my bedroom.The realization jolts me into full awareness. Panic settles in as I look down, my breath catching when I notice what Iām wearingāor rather, what Iām not wearing. My dress from last night is gone, replaced by an oversized white dress shirt that hangs loosely off my frame. The fabric smells outrageously expensive, laced with a deep,
Last Updated : 2022-02-13Elegantly WastedĀ Ā Ā Chapter 4- A Deal with the Devil
Edwina"See you around, Princessa," Alessandro calls out smoothly as the car pulls up in front of my company building. The doors unlock automatically, and I step out, adjusting my dress. Before I can respond, Alessandro speeds off, leaving me standing at the entrance, watching the taillights disappear into traffic.A sharp, furious voice cuts through the air."I swear, Edwina, one day, I will strangle you!"My eyes widen as my best friend, Krystal, storms up to me, her heels clicking aggressively against the pavement. Her face is flushed with frustration, and her arms are crossed tightly over her chest."What the hell?" I blurt out, genuinely taken aback. "Krys, why are you screaming like a lunatic?"She places her hands on her hips, practically vibrating with fury. "Where the hell were you last night, Ed?! And you better not feed me any bullshit!"I sigh, already knowing how relentless Krystal can be when she wants answers. "How about we talk about this in my office?" I suggest calmly
Last Updated : 2022-02-13Elegantly WastedĀ Ā Ā Chapter 5- Fractured Tensions
EdwinaThe soft hum of conversation, the clinking of wine glasses, and the scent of rich Italian Cuisine fill the air, but all of it fades into the background the moment the glass shatters. The sharp sound echoes through the elegant restaurant, drawing the attention of nearby patrons. I flinch, my body instinctively stiffening at the unexpected commotion."Oh my God, I'm so sorry," a feminine voice exclaims, thick with remorse.I look up, prepared to glare at whoever had just spilt wine all over my dress, but the words die in my throat. The woman standing before me is breathtaking. She has the kind of beauty that makes people stop and stareāflawless sun-kissed skin, high cheekbones, and large almond-shaped hazel eyes that hold an almost hypnotic warmth. Her black dress clings to her hourglass figure, effortlessly elegant yet daring. Honey-coloured streaks weave through her rich brunette waves, cascading past her shoulders in perfect symmetry.For a fleeting moment, I feel something I h
Last Updated : 2022-02-13Elegantly WastedĀ Ā Ā Chapter 6- The Target
Raffaele"I'm sorry," Edwina says, her voice tight with emotion as she stares at me, eyes filled with something close to regret. My fists clench and unclench of their own accord, my jaw tightening as I force myself to look away from her.No womanāno oneāhas ever dared to challenge me the way she does. She looked me dead in the eyes and raised her hand against me. If she were anyone else, sheād be dead already, a bullet lodged between her perfect brows. But she isnāt just anyone. Sheās Edwina.I donāt know what about seeing Jasmine triggered her so violently, but I caught the flash of jealousy in her gaze before she masked it with anger. When her palm met my cheek, I felt the urge to remind her exactly who was in control. But I held back, knowing if I let that part of me take over, Iād push her too far. Sheās already slipping through my fingers and the thought of losing her completelyā¦ I donāt want to think about it.The sound of the car door slamming pulls me from my thoughts. Sheās le
Last Updated : 2022-02-13Elegantly WastedĀ Ā Ā Chapter 7- Tensions and Ultimatums
EdwinaA sharp chime slices through the silence of my penthouse, rousing me from sleep. I groan, burying my face into the pillow, wishing the visitorāwhoever the hell they wereāwould vanish. The bell rings again, more insistent this time.Dragging myself out of bed, I make my way downstairs, barely awake as I swing the door open. My breath catches in my throat when I see whoās standing thereāRaffaele dressed impeccably in a dark suit, his usual air of dominance unwavering.āWhat the fuck?ā I whisper to myself as he brushes past me like he owns the place.āGood morning to you too, Tesoro,ā he murmurs, voice smooth and deep.I shut the door behind him, frowning. After what happened last night, I didnāt expect to see him. Not so soon, at least.āWhat do you want, Raffaele?ā I ask, arms crossed. He pins me with an unreadable stare before replying.āThereās something we need to discuss.āI sigh, rubbing my temples. āCouldnāt we have done this somewhere else? I look like shit.ā I gesture at
Last Updated : 2022-02-13
Latest chapter
Elegantly WastedĀ Ā Ā A/N
šš Authorās Note ššAnd just like thatā¦ Weāve REACHED THE END šš„ I canāt believe itās over! This book has been a wild rollercoaster š¢ālove, heartbreak, betrayal, revenge, and so many twists and turns! I have poured my heart and soul into every chapter, and seeing you all laugh, cry, scream, and fall in love with these characters has been magical āØš.But letās get one thing straight... Raffaeleās story is FAR from over. šš If you thought this book was intense, trust me, the next one is going to be even darker, deadlier, and more dangerous. Revenge is coming, and Raffaele Marcello? He is NOT the kind of man to let his enemies get away with stealing everything from him. Prepare yourselves. š„š„š Before we talk about the next book, I just want to sayā¦ THANK YOU. šTo every one of you who picked up this book, read just one chapter (and then couldnāt stop š), stayed up way too late šā³, fell in love š, cried your eyes out š, threw your phone across the room š±š„, and left me
Elegantly WastedĀ Ā Ā Chapter 59-A Love Lost to the Darkness
RaffaeleSomething is bothering my Tesoro. I know her well enough to understand that sheās too stubborn to talk about it until sheās ready, but I canāt shake the feeling that sheās hiding something. Ever since we landed in Italy, sheās been acting strangely, and the thought that she doesnāt want me to find out why gnaws at me.Iāve been trained to read emotions, to see through deception. And Edwinaāmy Edwinaāhas been lying to me for weeks. She may think sheās hiding it well, but I see right through her. Iāve tried to stay calm, to act as though it doesnāt bother me, but deep inside, Iām furious. I love her, but lying is where I draw the line.Closing the door to our bedroom, I make my way to my office, determined to drown myself in work. I call for Gio, needing to clear my mind and, more importantly, to get some answers.A sharp knock sounds at the door, interrupting my focus as I sift through an overwhelming number of emails. Running a frustrated hand through my hair, I grunt, āCome i
Elegantly WastedĀ Ā Ā Chapter 58-The Cost of Betrayal
EdwinaTonight is the night. I will have my driver on standby, waiting to take you to the airport. And make sure to keep Raffaele away from this, or someone will die tonight, Bellissima. Make sure to do as you are told to avoid someone's blood being on your hands.xx Yours truly.The moment my eyes scan the message on my screen, my blood runs cold. Tonight is the night I will leave Raffaeleāto protect him, to protect his men.I inhale sharply, trying to regulate my breathing, willing my pounding heart to steady itself. I can't afford to panic, not now, not with Raffaele just a few steps away in the shower, oblivious to the storm brewing right outside our door."Hey, are you okay?" Raffaeleās deep voice pulls me out of my frantic thoughts, and I lift my gaze to see him standing before me, already dressed, his fingers skillfully buttoning his dress shirt.I force a smile, locking my phone and tossing it onto the bed, as though discarding my fear along with it. "Yeah," I lie, my voice tig
Elegantly WastedĀ Ā Ā Chapter 57-Bound by Blood and Fire
EdwinaI remain frozen on the spot, my eyes locking onto Raffaeleās darkened gaze as he winces, clutching his shirt, which is rapidly soaking with blood.āCosa ĆØ successo?ā Eleanoraās voice slices through the tension, her face contorting into a deep frown as she hurries towards her son. Raffaele leans heavily against the counter, Giovanni to his left, Rodriguez to his right, all three men radiating unease. ( What happened?)āIām fine, madre,ā Raffaele grunts, though his voice is tight with pain. Eleanora places a gentle kiss on his forehead, but his sharp green eyes never leave mine. ( Mother)āThank God you are here. The man is as stubborn as they come, princessa, and only you will be able to help him clean up since he refuses to let anyone else near him,ā Alessandroās voice sounds beside me, pulling my gaze away from Raffaele.I nod, unable to speak, my throat tightening with an emotion I canāt quite place. Slowly, hesitantly, I step forward, my movements cautious as I take Raffaeleā
Elegantly WastedĀ Ā Ā Chapter 56-Reflection and Realizations
EdwinaImmediately I head out of Raffaele's office, I make my way across the house, holding my new phone box in my hand. I shake my head in amusement, chuckling at how Raffaele loves to spend money on me without hesitation. My laughter is short-lived when I realize Vincenzo is standing right across from me, arms crossed, an amused smirk playing on his lips."Should I be worried that you are laughing by yourself?" he asks, his tone laced with curiosity and amusement."Maybe," I reply, a smirk tugging at my lips.Vincenzo chuckles, shaking his head as he steps around me, heading towards wherever he is going."Where are you going?" I ask, curiosity getting the best of me."Just headed out to sort some business," he says, his voice casual, but his pace quickens as if he doesnāt want to linger on the topic. Before I can press further, he disappears down the hall.Sighing, I turn on my heel and go to Raffaeleās room. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I stare at the sleek box in my hands, but m
Elegantly WastedĀ Ā Ā Chapter 55- A storm on the Horizon
RaffaeleThe moment the question leaves my lips, I see the way Edwinaās body stiffens, her eyes flashing with a flicker of panic before she quickly mouths her expression. I try not to read too much into it, reminding myself that Iāve already made her feel like I donāt trust herāwhen in reality, the opposite is true. I trust her with my life. The last thing I want is to create more distance between us, to push her away even further.āCome here,ā I tell her softly, my gaze locked onto hers. She hesitates for a moment before taking a step forward, but itās not close enough. āCloser, Tesoro,ā I murmur, my voice dipping an octave lower, filled with quiet demand.She obeys, stepping into my space, and I waste no time pulling her into my lap, her legs straddling me. The moment her sweet lilac scent fills my senses, I feel a tension within me loosen. Burying my face into the curve of her neck, I tighten my hold on her, the steady rhythm of her heartbeat soothing the fire within me.āYou smell
Elegantly WastedĀ Ā Ā Chapter 54- Shattered Trust
EdwinaWe sit in silence, the air between us thick with unspoken words and simmering tension. My body tightens with frustration at Raffaeleās insinuationāhowever subtleāthat I might not be telling him the truth."Why do I feel like you think Iām lying to you?" I ask, my voice sharp, and defensive. I canāt stop myself. His doubt wounds me in ways I can't explain.His brows furrow, his confusion evident. "I donāt, Tesoro. Where is this even coming from?"I let out a bitter laugh, taking a step away from him, needing distance. "Yes, you do. Ever since I went to the mall with your sisters, youāve been acting like Iām hiding something from you!" My voice rises, my restraint finally snapping.Raffaele clenches his fists at his sides, his expression darkening. "Are you hiding something from me, Tesoro?" His voice is eerily calm, but thereās something lethal in the way he says it, venom curling around each word.The question cuts deep. It confirms my worst fearāthat he truly does not trust me.
Elegantly WastedĀ Ā Ā Chapter 53- A Night in Italy
EdwinaI stand in front of our bedroom mirror, admiring the way the red gown hugs my body, accentuating my hourglass figure. My hair is straightened, a new look for me since itās usually curly and bouncing off my shoulders. My fingers toy with the delicate necklace resting on my collarbone just as the bedroom door opens, revealing a dressed-up Raffaele.Our eyes connect through the mirror as he strides toward me, his gaze dark and intense. His strong arms wrap around my waist, pulling me back against his firm chest. I take in his appearanceājet-black suit tailored to perfection, crisp white shirt, no tie. He looks devastatingly handsome, and my heart flutters at the sight.āYou look beautiful, Tesoro,ā he murmurs, his voice laced with admiration.I blush under his heated gaze. āThank you.āWith a swift motion, he turns me in his arms, causing me to squeal in surprise. The scent of his cologneāwoodsy and intoxicatingāfills my senses, making my knees weak. I notice how heās shaved his us
Elegantly WastedĀ Ā Ā Chapter 52- Secrets Untold
EdwinaThe morning air is cool against my skin as I stir awake, instinctively reaching out to the other side of the bed. My fingers meet nothing but cold sheets. Raffaele is gone. Not just recently, but long enough for the warmth of his body to have completely faded. A sigh escapes me as I stare up at the ceiling, my mind already tangled in the weight of the day ahead.How am I supposed to pull this offāleaving with Marianoās men without anyone in this house realizing?I sit up slowly, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, and notice one of Raffaeleās shirts crumpled at the edge of the bed. Without thinking, I grab it and slip it over my head, inhaling the lingering scent of him. It grounds me, even as guilt churns deep in my stomach. I shouldnāt be indulging in this, in him. Not when I know whatās coming.The shrill ring of my phone jolts me from my thoughts. I roll over, snatching it off the nightstand, and barely have time to brace myself before Krysās voice explodes through the speaker.
