HAVEN I mustered the courage and walked up to Ricardo, that was the only way to impress him at this point because I've been messing up since we first met till now. “ Just think of him like he's another boy or man,” I said in my head as I walked over to where they were and placed a hand on Ricardo's chest. “ You'll have to excuse me for a little bit,” I apologized before dropping my bag on the floor and pushing him flat on the bed. I got on the bed with my thighs straddling him, I leaned forward and kissed him on the lips. We kiss, our lips and tongue melting into each other and only then did I gain my confidence back. Even though I couldn't see her face, I knew Iris was proud that I had overcome the initial anxiety I felt whenever I was in his presence. We broke off the kids briefly to catch our breath, I stared at him, his face contorting in pleasure as Iris sucked him off. This was really crazy - I didn't think we'd get this opportunity early.
KAYLA I sat down nervously in Axel's car in the passenger seat. I tapped my fingers rampantly on my thighs. He was unusually quiet today as he drove through the night streets. “ You're acting a bit off today,” I voiced out what was bugging me. “ I am?” He was obviously nervous. “ Yes,” I nodded my head. “ Well, maybe it's because I didn't think you'd actually agree to meet up with me,” he sighed looking a lot more relieved. “ But I gave you my number though,” I tilted my head. He looked like he usually won't have issues being confident so why was he looking so nervous now? “ True but giving me your number doesn't necessarily mean you'll acknowledge me if I ask you to meet up with me,” he said. He wasn't at all wrong since I actually didn't think I'd meet him again as well even if he texted me but Liliana had insisted that I try him out before trying to convince Dad to let me marry Ricardo. After all, going on multiple dates wit
LILIANA Weekend I laid on the beach bed or rather pool bed since we were by the pool side. I picked up the orange juice on the table besides me and sipped from it through the straw. “ So our mission was successful? ” Nico lifted his shades to his hair and looked at me. He was right next to my bed. “ Yup, as expected. Our plans never fail, ” I smirked as I swirled the orange juice around in my cup. “ But there was this one time when you came up with a... ” “ Not now, Nico. Besides, that was just once, ” I adjusted myself on the bed, placing my hands behind my head. “ It was actually four times, ” he reminded. He was out to embarrass me. “ Okay, I get the point but what matters now is this one and all other of my plans excluding those four have been a success,” I said. “ You've still had a lot of messed up plans but I guess, you're free to do whatever floats your boat,” he intentionally got on my nerves as he sipped from his cup. “ If you're done talking, let's
KAYLA A month later I had managed to get dad to let me marry Ricardo and after much thought he accepted with a condition in place of course. The condition was that I would live with him for a while before deciding whether or not I could handle him. “ You look so gorgeous, Miss Leona,” my personal maid squealed as the make-up artists finished up with my makeup. “ I look so much prettier,” I smiled softly as I stared in the mirror. “ What nonsense are you spewing on such a special day?” She reprimanded. “You’ve always been gorgeous, young miss,” she praised. Today was I and Ricardo's engagement officially and it was being held in our family estate with different mafia families being present today. This also meant the big reveal. Ricardo was going to see who he'd be marrying today “ I appreciate the compliment,” I chuckled as she dismissed the make-up artists. “ And I'd prefer if you'd just address me by my name. No need for honorifics,” it
A week laterHAVEN “ Wait, where are you headed and dressed like that?” Iris asked the moment I walked past her on black booty shorts with black net socks and a black corset topping it up with black boots and gothic makeup. “ Can't you take a guess?” I said twirling so she could have a closer look. “ Hmmm... Nope, don't see nothing,” she said after a while of peering. “ I'm out to a club to grab some drinks and party? Well, I guess that's the plan,” I shrugged. “ Are for real right now?” she scoffed. “ I didn't think you'd go partying in a place you're unfamiliar with. That's definitely unlike you,” she said. “ It's all because of that damned bride of Ricardo, of course. You know how much effort I put in to get dad to let us come to Italy alone, right?” I sat down on the papasan chair next to Iris as I narrated. “ You still haven't gotten over the fact that he's now engaged and planning his wedding?” Iris asked like it wasn't supposed to be a big d
HAVENA week later… I picked up my phone and dialed a number I had previously thought I hadn't taken. It was about time we meet up. “ Yes, hello,” I greeted the moment Marco answered. “ I'm surprised you called me so suddenly,” he laughed awkwardly. “ Well, I nearly forgot that I took your number,” I admitted. “ Ohhhh, I'm not surprised,” he remarked. “ No, that's not what I meant. What I meant was I had forgotten that we had exchanged numbers because I was tipsy when it happened,” I confessed. “ It's alright, ” he dismissed and unlike me, I actually felt a bit guilty. “ So....” I hesitated. “ So?” He urged. “ I'm getting off work soon. Would you like to meet up?” I asked. I was at home but well, I didn't want it to look like I was jobless. “ Sure, I mean it's not like I have anything doing tonight,” he accepted. “ Where are we meeting?” He inquired. “ Same place where we met,” it was perfect for a second meeting and perfect for wh
HAVEN I stretched out on the king-sized bed which has layers of white sheets. It was still very early and I knew I probably missed Iris’ call but it was worth it. All I had to do was come up with an an excuse or beat the time and the second option was still possible. I could make it home before dawn if I left soon enough. “ You weren't as bad as I thought you would be. I guess I underestimated you,” I smirked as I stared at Marco who was fast asleep. I propped my head up with my arm. He looked even more innocent when he slept, it made me wonder if this was the same passionate guy of last night. I touched his face, caressing his jawline and paying attention to the details of his face. The more I looked at him, the more handsome he appeared. “ I can't believe I slept with a random person. Not to mention that I've been saving it for Ricardo when next we meet but then again, I might have grown old waiting for that to happen so I believe it's safe to say you were the perfect
KAYLA It had been a few weeks now since I and Ricardo officially got engaged and i moved in with him. He was barely ever around and I had a feeling he was intentionally avoiding me. “ Kayla? Kayla?!” Hannah, my co-worker who sat right beside me called my name. “ Yes? Did you need me for anything?” I snapped out of my thoughts. “ You're always so lost in thoughts that it's making me worried, not to mention that you've been making minor errors nowadays,” she sighed. “ I'm sorry,” I apologized. I had decided to take up this job at one of Ricardo's legal businesses managed by Luca. It was boring at home and it always made me tense with how much Ricardo ignored me. It would have been better if he had thrown a fit after he found out that I was the one he was marrying. “ Maybe you're pushing yourself too hard?” She worried. “ Not at all, I'm alright,” I smiled warmly to reassure them. “ That's what she always says. Here,” Mrs Smith, who was
KAYLAFive years later Liliana barged in with Nico following her behind. She was always so extra. “ Slow down, you're going to fall at the rate you're going,” I said to her. “ Lio! I've missed you,” she hugged me dramatically. “ We met like a month ago, Lily,” I reminded her. “ Even though,” she was persistent. “ I don't think I can live without you. What if we live together?” She suggested. “ You're married, Lily,” I pursed my lips. “ We can still live in the same house,” she insisted. “ You keep forgetting that you're married and you have a child,” I have her a flick on the head. “ Nico, do you need a break perhaps?” Dealing with Liliana must be too much for him. “ Apparently, I signed up for this,” he sighed as he rocked Arianna, their four-year old daughter. She looked like Nico. “ Is she still asleep?” I lowered my tone. “ Yes. She'll be sad if she can't see you today, she was antici
KAYLATwo days later Contrary to how I thought I would feel, I didn't feel hollow or empty. I would be lying to say I wasn't sad but I also felt good that I had ended things with him. Our relationship never had a solid foundation. “ Can't believe it started out toxic and ended toxic,” I mumbled. “ What are you going on about, rambling to yourself?” Liliana said. I turned around to find her leaning against my door post. “ You startled me for a second,” I held on to my chest. “ You really should learn how to knock,” I frowned. She really had startled me. “ Yeah, yeah,” she rolled her eyes, not taking my words seriously. “ Did you want to tell me something?” I asked as she sat down on my bed. “ Yes and no,” she shrugged. “ Huh?” “ Don't think too much about your break-up with Ricardo. It was the right decision,” she said. “ Thanks,” I smiled warmly. “ I also wanted to let you in on a secret,” she leaned clos
KAYLAI tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. The moment Gian had stepped out of the room, I was not able to stop myself from breaking down again.I was such a weakling. I curled into myself as I cried my heart out while being mad about myself that I couldn’t stop crying and my heart wouldn’t stop hurting.I sniffled quietly, hours or probably after minutes. It seemed my eyes had dried off and there were no longer tears for me to shed.“I hate you, Ricardo” I muttered to myself as I wiped the tears that were drying on my cheeks. My sobs had turned into whimpers without tears.“How did I get here? Was everything all for nothing?” I asked myself as I turned to my back and stared at the ceiling while my heart and head wondered where it had all gone wrong.How the hell did I fall this deep from my first mission? Love was such a bastard. I was so stupid for falling for Ricardo and thinking I had his heart after all this time.Ricardo was a hardened criminal who thought of only the fami
GIANI unlocked the door and we both went into my apartment. My legs carried me to the switch and I turned on the lights and walked in. “Do you want anything to drink?” I turned to Kayla who was still lingering by the door. She opened her mouth and closed it a few times, hesitation present in her eyes but she finally made up her mind and gave a slight nod.“Come on, stop lingering like a stranger” I told her, attempting to lighten the mood but it didn’t work.She walked into the living room and took a seat on the couch while I walked into the kitchen to drink water.I may not be as drunk as I was as a result of having to go and pick her up but I was still tipsy and Kayla’s demeanor told me that I needed to be sober in case she needed me.I reached for the orange juice in the fridge because I didn’t think it is was right to give her alcohol even though she looked like she needed one.I poured the juice into a glass cup for the both of us before going back to her in the room where sh
GIANThe high-end club I loved to visit was known for its insane parties just like I love it. I knew I was drunk but I was still aware of my surroundings. Ladies swarmed me like bees and I wasn't one to complain about the attention as they took turns to grind their bodies against mine.The music was loud and I was certain I was going to have a headache tomorrow but who cares? all I wanted was to have fun right now.I leaned against the bar with a smirk on my face as the girls tried to get my solo attention. “Oh Gian, you're so hot” the blonde ladies dressed as provocative highschool girls kept fawning over me as they gave me more and more shots of alcohol. These girls were easy and worse still, some even came with their boyfriends! What a sad world. I had gotten into a few fights earlier tonight because of the boyfriends coming to talk smack at me for taking their girls. Like bro, how's that my fault? “Tell me something I don't know, ladies” I said with a smirk as I took another s
KAYLAIt was raining heavily as I drove my black car down the road. I was trying my best not to show any emotions but it was hard. I found myself unable to muster any emotions as I stared blankly at the windshield drenched in water with the wipers swinging from side to side as they attempted to clean it. Where was I even going? I asked myself but I couldn't come up with any answer. I could only drive while occasionally staring at the few cars that traveled alongside me on the dark and wet road.“F*ck you, Ricardo! F*ck you!” I cussed in mutters, trying not to let my rage get the best of me. I wanted my mind to be blank but I couldn't help myself.I was annoyed, pissed, enraged, angered….ahhhh! There wasn't any word in my freaking vocabulary to accurately describe how I felt. We were engaged for Christ’s sake. Yeah, maybe I wasn't the best partner but I did my best, didn't I? I turned my back on the government because of this man and he just casually trampled on my feelings and sa
KAYLA We talked about random things from my siblings to his siblings. He especially went on and on about his little sister, Lexi. I hadn't seen her but I knew she'd be adorable. The food showed up, a colorful spread of hot delicacies presented with style. Every dish was well seasoned and my previous distrust quickly faded. “ I really love the food,” I savored every moment of each bite. “ I'm glad you're enjoying it,” he was satisfied by my reaction. The atmosphere became more laid back as the minutes went by, as we laughed and enjoyed our dinner. By the time dessert arrived – dumplings or what they originally call Jiaozi – my initial apprehension had completely vanished. I found myself genuinely enjoying every bit of the restaurant. As we sat there, savoring the sweetness of the dessert, a comfortable silence fell on us. Axel leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on me. Looking up from my food, our eyes met and I couldn't bring myself to loo
KAYLA The motorcycle ride through the busy city streets was thrilling, giving me a brief escape from my worries. Axel parked the bike in front of a cozy restaurant on a quiet side street, bringing me a sense of relief. I had secretly been anxious about going to a fancy, high-end restaurant, fearing the expensive menu, unfamiliar rules, and possible social mistakes. “ Sometimes, I forget that I'm rich,” I sighed. Stepping off the motorcycle, I took a deep breath of the warm evening air scented with jasmine and a spicy aroma. It was a Chinese restaurant. " Ready for a surprise?" Axel asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief.I couldn't help but smile back. "Always," I replied, my apprehension replaced by a sliver of curiosity.He took my hand and led me around the back of the restaurant. My jaw dropped open in surprise. A hidden fake oasis unfolded before me.The backyard of the restaurant had been transformed into a breathtaking scene. Lotus lights sparkled on
KAYLA I reappeared into the living room where we all were. I was all dressed up for the day. “ How do I look?” I asked, wanting to know their opinion. “ Great as expected but aren't you too concerned about your looks for ‘ just an outing ’ with a friend?” Renato bounced his brows. “ What would you know about girls?” I scoffed. “ We bother about things like this no matter who we're meeting,” I found a way to justify my actions. “ So why don't you want us to tell Ricardo or anyone else about your whereabouts?” Renzo probed. “ And why were you blushing and playing hard-to-get over the phone?” Now, they were just exaggerating. “ By the way, we're not against it. We're totally in support so there's no need to worry about such trivial things,” Renzo have me a thumbs up. A playful smile tugged at the corner of my lips despite my flustered state. "Don't tease," I mumbled, shoving a stray strand of hair behind my ear. "It's not a r