I made it back into the building, my heels clicking on the marble floor. I just wanted to leave. To get away from this place, from him. I think this was a dumb idea. There's no way I could get a man as ruthless as him to notice me. What if he realises what my plans are and then kills me too? No, never, I can't risk my life for this stupid revenge.
I felt a hand on my waist, causing me to flinch. "Where do you think you’re going, little woman?" It was Vincenzo. His voice was calm, but there was something in it that made my skin prickle. I turned to face him, trying to hide how scared I was. "I... I was just heading back," I said, my voice shaky. "I'm tired." He raised an eyebrow, his grip on my waist firm. "Tired? Or running away because of what you saw?" I froze. "I don't know what you’re talking about, Mr Marino." "Don't lie to me. Daisy." His hand moved to my chin, tilting my face up. His touch was soft, but it felt like a warning. "I hate lies." "I wasn’t... I didn't mean to see anything, I promise." I said quickly. "I was bored. I went for a walk. That’s all." He stared at me for a long moment, his eyes held mine. Then he chuckled, low and dark. "You're scared," he said. I nodded. What else could I do? I was terrified. "Good," he said. "You should be." He leaned closer, his face was so close I could feel his breath. My heart was pounding so hard I thought he might hear it. "You came to me on your own, Daisy," he said, his voice soft but firm. "You could have stayed away after everything, but you didn’t. And now that you’ve seen how I am, don’t try to run. Because I won’t let you." I didn't know what to say. His words confused me and scared me. Did he mean he’d hurt me? Was it because I saw what happened earlier? But I'm not a threat. I wasn’t planning to tell anyone, even if I did, there's nothing the police can do about it. "I don't understand, sir," I whispered. He straightened, letting go of my chin but not my waist. "Come. I'll drop you off at home." "No," I said quickly, shaking my head. His eyebrows went up, and I rushed to explain. "I'm not going home. You can just drop me at the hotel where we first ran into each other." "You're still staying at the hotel?" "Yes," I said. "I mean, just until I find an apartment." He didn't say anything, but I could tell he was thinking. After a moment, he nodded. "Fine." He led me to his car, his hand resting on my lower back. His touch was light, but it made me nervous. Or maybe it made me feel something else. No, what's wrong with me? I just saw him kill a man a few minutes ago. When we got to the car, he opened the door for me. I slid into the seat, my hands folded in my lap. He got in on the other side and instructed the driver on where to go. The ride was quiet. I stared out the window, trying to calm my racing thoughts. What had I gotten myself into? But despite everything that happened tonight, I wasn’t as terrified as I thought I would be. The only thing I thought about was the way he looked in the garden, calm and in control. The way he had touched my chin and held my waist earlier. I wasn’t scared of Vincenzo Marino. I was fascinated by him. A part of me wished I could be as ruthless and commanding as him. Maybe my life wouldn't have been a complete mess. My father wouldn't have so much power over me. And I could kill everyone who hurt me. "You're not afraid, Daisy," Vincenzo said suddenly. It wasn't a question. I looked at him. "Should I be?" He laughed, q real laugh this time. "Most people would be terrified. But you, you're different." "Different how?" "Calculating," he said. "You're trying to understand, not judge." I thought about my life. About Antonio. About Sofia. About everything I'd gone through. I remained silent, not knowing what to say. His eyes met mine in the rearview mirror. Something passed between us... understanding. Some kind of connection. --- That night in the hotel, I couldn't sleep. The image of the man in the garden kept replaying. I should be terrified. I should be planning on how to stay far from Vincenzo. Instead, all I could think about was what it'd be like if my father knelt in front of me while I put a bullet through his head.The ballroom of the Marino mansion glowed under the glass chandeliers that reflected light like scattered stars. The air was filled with the scent of fresh roses from the family’s private gardens and expensive cologne, mixed with the aroma of traditional Italian appetisers being served by staff who moved with precision.Armed guards dressed in tailored suits stood at strategic points, their earpieces occasionally catching the light. They maintained their positions with military precision, a small reminder that this wasn’t just a celebration, it was a display of power.Standing on the raised platform at the head of the room was Antonio Marino. His sharp Armani suit and perfectly styled hair framed a face that could intimidate and charm in equal measure. At 26, he was already a name whispered in respect and fear throughout the underworld. By his side stood Daisy Fontana, her soft blonde hair flowing freely over her shoulders, her blue gown clinging to her delicate body. She radiated bea
"Believe me, it was never my intention, I wanted to tell you so many times, but I couldn't." Daisy pleaded, tears threatening to fall down her eyes."Because you're a liar," Sofia interjected smoothly. "Just like your mother." "Please, she's always been jealous and always tried to ruin things for me. This is what she wants." Daisy’s voice cracked. "Oh, am I?" Sofia's eyes glittered dangerously. "Should we talk about the men you've been seeing behind Antonio's back? Like mother, like daughter, right?""That's not true!" Daisy shouted. "Antonio, you know me. You know I would never..."Antonio raised his hand, silencing her. He stared coldly at her, as though he was seeing her for the first time. "Do I know you, Daisy? Do I?""Yes," she whispered, reaching for him again. "Are you gonna throw everything away just because of her?"He caught her wrist before she could touch him, his grip tight enough to make her wince. "How many more lies have you fed me?""I'm not lying," she whispered,
Daisy’s POV I sank into the plush armchair in my father's living room, the fabric still carried a faint scent of expensive cigars. I let out a sob as fragments of the party replayed in my mind, the shocked gasps, the pointing fingers, Sofia's triumphant smirk. My mascara streaked down my cheeks as I cried. Through my blurred vision, I caught my reflection in the antique mirror across the room. I hardly recognized the broken girl staring back at me."I can't believe Antonio threw everything away," I whispered, my voice cracking. "All because of her lies. What does it matter if I'm a Fontana or not?" I tried to stop the tears from flowing but I couldn't. "I've been such a fool. I thought he loved me. I thought I could finally escape this nightmare. What am I going to do now?"I reached for my phone, ready to call my brother, Dante, but the familiar sound of my father's voice reached my ears. They were home. Panic set in as I scrambled to my feet, desperate to get to my room before they
Daisy’s POV The sound of my phone vibrating against the nightstand jolted me awake. I reached for it, squinting my eyes at the screen. My stomach dropped when I saw the name flashing across it. Dad. I rejected the call, my heart pounding in my chest. The phone buzzed again almost immediately, and then again. He kept calling, over and over, relentless as always. I let it go to voicemail this time, squeezing my eyes shut as if that would block out the mess my life had become. But then, reality struck. "Oh, no." I sat upright in bed. It was my first day at work, and I was going to be late if I didn't get my ass out of bed.I rushed into the bathroom. The cold water on my face helped, a little, washing away the remnants of last night’s tears. I stared at my reflection, my pale face staring back at me. "Get it together, Daisy. You’ve got this," I whispered to myself. "You've survived worse. You can survive this as well."Fifteen minutes later, I stood in front of the mirror, checking m
Marco led me through the maze of hallways, explaining everything as we went. "Your main job is to manage his schedule, handle correspondence, and make sure everything runs smoothly." He said, showing me to a desk outside Vincenzo's office. "He's particular about punctuality, so don’t ever be late. The computer system is customized, I'll help you set up your passwords later." "I won't be late," I assured him, taking in the dual monitors and elaborate phone system. "He starts his day at 7 AM sharp with a review of international markets. You'll need to have reports ready by 6:45. Coffee... black, no sugar. It should be on his desk by 6:50. He takes lunch at exactly 1 PM unless otherwise specified, and all afternoon meetings must end by 6 PM."I nodded, mentally cataloguing each detail. "What about his business interests? What should I focus on learning first?"Marco smiled slightly. "Smart question. He's heavily involved in real estate development, particularly luxury properties. The
Daisy’s POV The conference was huge. Big bright chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and people were everywhere. The kind of people who had power, money, and everything I didn’t. I stood next to Vincenzo, trying not to feel small. My black dress was nice, but here, it felt plain. I had spent hours preparing for this moment. Marco had drilled me on protocols, how to stand, how to listen, and how to blend in. "You're not just an assistant," he had told me. "You're an extension of Vincenzo Marino. Every move you make reflects on him."Vincenzo leaned down slightly to speak to me, his voice low. "I need to take care of something. Don’t wander too far."Before I could say anything, he walked off. He blended into this world like he owned it. Well, probably because he did. I stayed where I was, pretending to listen to the people around me. It was boring. Nothing they said made sense to me. I thought about how I'd gotten here. Just a while ago, I was a girl about to be engaged, living a lif
I made it back into the building, my heels clicking on the marble floor. I just wanted to leave. To get away from this place, from him. I think this was a dumb idea. There's no way I could get a man as ruthless as him to notice me. What if he realises what my plans are and then kills me too? No, never, I can't risk my life for this stupid revenge.I felt a hand on my waist, causing me to flinch. "Where do you think you’re going, little woman?"It was Vincenzo. His voice was calm, but there was something in it that made my skin prickle. I turned to face him, trying to hide how scared I was. "I... I was just heading back," I said, my voice shaky. "I'm tired."He raised an eyebrow, his grip on my waist firm. "Tired? Or running away because of what you saw?"I froze. "I don't know what you’re talking about, Mr Marino.""Don't lie to me. Daisy." His hand moved to my chin, tilting my face up. His touch was soft, but it felt like a warning. "I hate lies.""I wasn’t... I didn't mean to see
Daisy’s POV The conference was huge. Big bright chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and people were everywhere. The kind of people who had power, money, and everything I didn’t. I stood next to Vincenzo, trying not to feel small. My black dress was nice, but here, it felt plain. I had spent hours preparing for this moment. Marco had drilled me on protocols, how to stand, how to listen, and how to blend in. "You're not just an assistant," he had told me. "You're an extension of Vincenzo Marino. Every move you make reflects on him."Vincenzo leaned down slightly to speak to me, his voice low. "I need to take care of something. Don’t wander too far."Before I could say anything, he walked off. He blended into this world like he owned it. Well, probably because he did. I stayed where I was, pretending to listen to the people around me. It was boring. Nothing they said made sense to me. I thought about how I'd gotten here. Just a while ago, I was a girl about to be engaged, living a lif
Marco led me through the maze of hallways, explaining everything as we went. "Your main job is to manage his schedule, handle correspondence, and make sure everything runs smoothly." He said, showing me to a desk outside Vincenzo's office. "He's particular about punctuality, so don’t ever be late. The computer system is customized, I'll help you set up your passwords later." "I won't be late," I assured him, taking in the dual monitors and elaborate phone system. "He starts his day at 7 AM sharp with a review of international markets. You'll need to have reports ready by 6:45. Coffee... black, no sugar. It should be on his desk by 6:50. He takes lunch at exactly 1 PM unless otherwise specified, and all afternoon meetings must end by 6 PM."I nodded, mentally cataloguing each detail. "What about his business interests? What should I focus on learning first?"Marco smiled slightly. "Smart question. He's heavily involved in real estate development, particularly luxury properties. The
Daisy’s POV The sound of my phone vibrating against the nightstand jolted me awake. I reached for it, squinting my eyes at the screen. My stomach dropped when I saw the name flashing across it. Dad. I rejected the call, my heart pounding in my chest. The phone buzzed again almost immediately, and then again. He kept calling, over and over, relentless as always. I let it go to voicemail this time, squeezing my eyes shut as if that would block out the mess my life had become. But then, reality struck. "Oh, no." I sat upright in bed. It was my first day at work, and I was going to be late if I didn't get my ass out of bed.I rushed into the bathroom. The cold water on my face helped, a little, washing away the remnants of last night’s tears. I stared at my reflection, my pale face staring back at me. "Get it together, Daisy. You’ve got this," I whispered to myself. "You've survived worse. You can survive this as well."Fifteen minutes later, I stood in front of the mirror, checking m
Daisy’s POV I sank into the plush armchair in my father's living room, the fabric still carried a faint scent of expensive cigars. I let out a sob as fragments of the party replayed in my mind, the shocked gasps, the pointing fingers, Sofia's triumphant smirk. My mascara streaked down my cheeks as I cried. Through my blurred vision, I caught my reflection in the antique mirror across the room. I hardly recognized the broken girl staring back at me."I can't believe Antonio threw everything away," I whispered, my voice cracking. "All because of her lies. What does it matter if I'm a Fontana or not?" I tried to stop the tears from flowing but I couldn't. "I've been such a fool. I thought he loved me. I thought I could finally escape this nightmare. What am I going to do now?"I reached for my phone, ready to call my brother, Dante, but the familiar sound of my father's voice reached my ears. They were home. Panic set in as I scrambled to my feet, desperate to get to my room before they
"Believe me, it was never my intention, I wanted to tell you so many times, but I couldn't." Daisy pleaded, tears threatening to fall down her eyes."Because you're a liar," Sofia interjected smoothly. "Just like your mother." "Please, she's always been jealous and always tried to ruin things for me. This is what she wants." Daisy’s voice cracked. "Oh, am I?" Sofia's eyes glittered dangerously. "Should we talk about the men you've been seeing behind Antonio's back? Like mother, like daughter, right?""That's not true!" Daisy shouted. "Antonio, you know me. You know I would never..."Antonio raised his hand, silencing her. He stared coldly at her, as though he was seeing her for the first time. "Do I know you, Daisy? Do I?""Yes," she whispered, reaching for him again. "Are you gonna throw everything away just because of her?"He caught her wrist before she could touch him, his grip tight enough to make her wince. "How many more lies have you fed me?""I'm not lying," she whispered,
The ballroom of the Marino mansion glowed under the glass chandeliers that reflected light like scattered stars. The air was filled with the scent of fresh roses from the family’s private gardens and expensive cologne, mixed with the aroma of traditional Italian appetisers being served by staff who moved with precision.Armed guards dressed in tailored suits stood at strategic points, their earpieces occasionally catching the light. They maintained their positions with military precision, a small reminder that this wasn’t just a celebration, it was a display of power.Standing on the raised platform at the head of the room was Antonio Marino. His sharp Armani suit and perfectly styled hair framed a face that could intimidate and charm in equal measure. At 26, he was already a name whispered in respect and fear throughout the underworld. By his side stood Daisy Fontana, her soft blonde hair flowing freely over her shoulders, her blue gown clinging to her delicate body. She radiated bea