I wasn't even up to a day in the country and I was already being threatened. Aside from my parents already talking about getting married, I thought things couldn't get worse.
I wasn't going to show them this. It would make everything unbearable. They would just have a fleet of bodyguards following me around the city. I was already complaining about the number of bodyguards I had, with the gunshot that just happened if I showed them this message, I would be selling my freedom. I had to keep this a secret at the same time I had to be careful, I don't know who the message was from but it was obvious the mastermind of the attack sent it. Could it be my archenemy Emilia? I couldn't be so sure, what if someone else was behind this? It was clear as day that my return to this country didn't sit well with someone, Emilia was one of those people but I don't think she's bold enough to do this when everyone in the family knows of our rival. She could easily get into trouble. Then who could it be? Italy wasn't for me but my parents just wouldn't leave me in America. I had the best time of my life there. I sighed as I rose from the bed and made my way to the window. It had been a long time indeed. I remember when I used to sit by this window and wish my life could be better and I could travel the world without my parents calling me every second like I was a child. Funny how time flies. I leaned towards the window looking outside, it was already dark. I guess my family members would have all gone to their various rooms or gathered somewhere arguing, I didn't care. I just wanted to be alone. From the corner of my eyes, something caught my attention like something moving in the bushes. There was a garden by my window, I tried to focus my vision because I usually found it hard to see at night and I hated glasses. When my eyes caught sight of what was hidden in the bushes I quickly covered my mouth to prevent myself from making any sound but I had already been sighted. I watched as something or rather someone came from behind the bushes, the person had a mask covering his or her face I couldn't see properly. And the person pointed two fingers at me as if it was a gun, then made a shooting gesture and blew on the fingers before the person disappeared, running off. I was too stunned to speak, did they even have security here? How the hell was all this happening when my father claims he does everything the best? Without even thinking I rushed downstairs. " Mum!! Dad!! Mum!! " " Honey, what is wrong?" My mum's worried voice came as she rushed to me. " What is wrong?" My father asked as he took my hand and led me to sit down. " I need to go back to America, I need to leave." " Hallelujah!!" It was Emilia. I didn't even know who invited her into this. When and why did they all come here? I called for my parents, not them. The look my mom gave her shut her instantly. " This isn't about what we discussed right?" " Mum, I haven't even been in this country for a day and someone wants me dead, I should return back to the States because there I had peace and nobody was up for my head. How do you want me to sleep well or stay in this country?" I wasn't being a coward, I didn't even want to return to Italy in the first place if not because of my parents. So I'll jump on any opportunity to return back to America. " That is the very reason we want you to get married to someone from a reputable family, someone who can protect you." " That can be avoided if you just let me return back to the States." " I agree with her on this." It was Emilia again. " Can you just shut up!!" My mom and I said at the same time and she raised her hands in surrender. This was between my parents. Nobody invited any of them here. They all excused us returning back to their rooms and I couldn't be more glad. " Honey just forget about this, you should be resting, don't let this bother you too much, your father and I wouldn't let anything happen to you." My mom said as she rubbed my chin affectionately, she didn't know what I had seen down my window. They wouldn't understand, they were not the ones receiving threats just one day after returning home. " Go take a rest. We'll talk more tomorrow." That's it? Not wanting to argue any further, I returned back to my room. I made sure the window was securely shut in such a way that no one could get in. I hope I didn't get any uninvited visitors. I couldn't sleep, my mind was telling me someone would be watching me if I closed my eyes. I was being paranoid, but I couldn't help it. Whoever was responsible for that shoot-out would be so happy about the effect it had on me, it took my sleep away. Since I couldn't sleep I stood up from my bed to get a drink. It was late but I didn't mind. I checked my phone to see some messages from my friends. They had not stopped their teasing. I opened the bottle of whiskey but just couldn't bring myself to drink. It wasn't going to change anything, my problems would still be there. Just one day in Italy, just one day, this was a clear sign that I wasn't welcome here. But come to think of it, this is my father's land, and nobody could decide where I should or should not be, as much as I didn't want to be in Italy at the same time I wasn't going to let anyone scare me. They could do what they want but I would never cower like they want me to, I am not a coward. With that thought I returned back to bed, to fight I need strength and that means getting enough sleep. Tomorrow is another day to fight. Lillian Camilla Vincent doesn't back down." Thank you all for your warm welcome yesterday although I'm sorry for the unexpected attack, it wasn't like any of us saw it coming," I said to my family as we all had breakfast, I couldn't wait for them to be on their way. Especially Emilia " Oh dear, it wasn't your fault." My uncle's wife, who I know spends all his money on plastic surgery spoke and I smiled at her, mind you it was forced. " So what's your plan?" My closest cousin asked and all I could manage was a shrug. " What plan could she have? She has everything planned out for her, you know being a spoilt princess and all." The sooner they leave my house, the better chance I have of avoiding prison on my second day in Italy. Emilia was getting on my nerves. " Emilia, stop!" Someone said but I didn't care, I was channeling all my energy and calling all the gods of calm so I wouldn't kill her. " Thank you for the breakfast, I'll be leaving first. And thank you all once again for the welcome." I said as I stood up from my
" What's wrong?" Rodrigo asked as he picked up the envelope that fell from my hand and looked into it. " Fuck, girl, they've been tailing you, who could it be? Doesn't this person have something else to do than following you around?" The pictures were of me leaving the house this morning, and all other places I've visited. Who could be so desperate to wipe me off the face of the earth that they had to be everywhere I go? Could it be the lady who bumped into me earlier? " We should report this to the police," Rodrigo said as he held my hand and we both started walking out of the restaurant. " We can't," " Why is that?" He asked, surprise evident in his voice. " We just can't, whoever is doing this just wants me to be scared, and involving the police would just put me more in the spotlight and soon enough it would be all over the media, I don't want that to happen," " Then what do we do?" Rodrigo asked as he opened the car door for me but instead of getting in, I took the envelo
" Isn't it nice to meet the love of your life here?" I heard Rodrigo teasingly ask as I came out of my thoughts. " You wish," Rodrigo had always mocked me about having hidden feelings for this freak but he was so wrong. I could feel eyes on me and I knew just who they belonged to but I didn't give two shits about it, he could stare at me all he wanted. " Mr. Ferdinand, so nice to see you here," I guess one of Rodrigo's business associates said as he shook hands with Rodrigo, and then turned to me. " And who is this lovely lady with you?" I smiled at him as I took his hand that was stretched towards me for a handshake. " This is my best friend, Lilian Vincent," Rodrigo said as the man raised his brows at Rodrigo seeming not to believe him. " Well, this is something different from the usual types you bring here," " I agree with you on that," Rodrigo said as they got to talking about whatever it was businessmen talked about while I just sipped on my wine. One thing I was proud o
The room grew silent as I stared at the man in front of me, if this was some kind of joke it was too expensive. I didn't want to jump to conclusions even though the smirk the bastard had on his face told me whatever assumptions I had might just be true. " What are you doing here?" I asked with spite, surprising my parents. " What are you doing Lilian? Is that the way to talk to a man you'll be getting married to soon?" If I wasn't sure before now, the confirmation was right before my eyes, it was him, they wanted me to marry him, they wanted me to go to prison. " There would be no wedding," I said with so much confidence like nobody could utter my decision. " Stop this madness, Lilian," My father said in anger, not liking the fact that I was disrespecting his soon-to-be son-in-law or rather business partner. " What madness Dad? That I don't want to marry a man I don't love, that you're forcing me to do something I don't want to? Seriously, you're the one that needs to stop this m
" How are we gonna do that?" Rodrigo asked looking quite confused, I was confused too. My parents always got what they wanted and I knew that if I didn't act fast I would soon become the wife of an enemy. I couldn't let that happen, my life would become hell. A thought suddenly came to me, I didn't think it through, it was just an idea but it was worth the shot. " I've got a plan, I don't know if it will work but it's something," I said as I started opening the pizza box that Rodrigo brought. Now I felt better knowing I had a plan even if it wasn't a thoroughly thought-through plan. " What plan?" I beckoned him to come over and he looked at me like I was crazy, walls have ears they say, and I wouldn't want anyone to hear what plan I had in mind. I whispered what I wanted him to do and he gasped looking at me with an evil smirk. " You my friend, you're very dangerous, how did you come up with such a plan? That's going to work and I know just the right person to help us with that
" Have you been smoking lately?" I asked Rodrigo as I looked at him. " I'm serious, if this plan doesn't work, you marry me, if we have a fake marriage and tell them we're married, they will be off your neck," Rodrigo said, sounding so serious and I tried to process his words. Thinking about it, it was actually a good plan, we could stage a marriage, fake loving each other. " Oh my god Rodrigo you're a genius, this is brilliant, if this doesn't work, we'll get married, it's going to be so funny if things turn out like that, they'll be so shocked," " You can say that again," My mood immediately lifted, but we have to work with our plan A first before going with B if A doesn't work. Brilliant. Rodrigo dropped me home and I was no longer worried about meeting my parents. I entered the house with a broad smile on my face. Let's see how they make me marry that man. " Lilly," I heard my mom call just as I stepped foot on the first stairs leading to my room. " Yes Mom," I turned to her
"That bastard, he wants my clients now he also wants my woman," I heard Scott say. " What do you mean by that?" I asked him, feeling like a character in a book that didn't know what role she was playing. " There's nothing to worry about, you wouldn't be marrying that man, I'll make sure of it," He said with so much confidence that it shocked me. " There's something you're not telling me, and I need to know," Scott took my hand and led me to the couch then he sat down and made me sit on his lap. " I just want you to know that you won't marry that man, Antonio is one sick bastard who doesn't care about anyone but himself, someone like him doesn't deserve you, you deserve someone who will treat you like a queen, I might not be a perfect man but I know Antonio is not that man to take care of you, God I even hate to say his name." Scott groaned as he rubbed his eyes in annoyance. " Then let's not talk about him, let's talk about something else, what about you getting me pregnant to avo
"He was in my room last night Rodrigo, I swear it took everything in me not to pull the trigger and bury his goddamn body,” I said in anger. " I would have helped you, what was he even doing in your room?” Rodrigo asked. " Exactly, exactly the question I asked him and the bastard mocked me in the face, in my own room, we really need to go ahead with our plan A real quick Rodrigo, I can't stand the thought of that man not to talk of marrying him, I'll go crazy,” I said with a sigh as I fell on my chair.Today was my first day in the office and Rodrigo came to give me flowers. His way of cheering me up.My father made me the manager of one of his hotels and I know he's going to expect so much from me. It's going to be tough.“ Rosabella said she's still thinking of a way to enter his life without looking suspicious,” Rodrigo said and I couldn't help but sigh as I rested my head on the edge of the table." Cheer up bestie, you're not going to marry him, fate isn't going to be that crue
I couldn't help but laugh as I sat on the couch in the karaoke room listening to Rodrigo sing at the top of his lungs, he was singing off key and he didn't even realize it.In here I felt so happy and so carefree, like I didn't have a burden in the world, like I couldn't see, like there might be a possibility that my husband didn't feel the same way as I did.“Whoah." I clapped my hands as Rodrigo ended the song in an overly terrible high note. “Come let's sing together," he said as he held my hand and started twirling me around and I couldn't help but laugh.“Girl, you know I want your love, your love was handmade for somebody like meCome on now, follow my leadI may be crazy, don't mind meSay: Boy, let's not talk too muchgrab on my waist and put that body on meCome on now, follow my leadCome, come on now, follow my lead, hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm,” Rodrigo and I shouted the lyrics as we danced. “I'm in love with the shape of youWe push and pull like a magnet doAlthough my heart i
“You should be able to see in a few days with much precaution," the doctor said and I nodded.“I've given Rodrigo a pair of glasses you should use for now, you could see slightly just a little bit but it would do for now," the doctor said,"Here, I'll put the glasses on you,” Rodrigo said as he put the glasses on me and I could catch a few colors, nothing much.“This is so annoying,” I groaned,"Come on, you'll have to manage this for now.” He said and I nodded with a pout." Would that be all, doctor?" Rodrigo asked the doctor."Yes, please,” he said before I heard his footsteps exiting the room. “We're leaving now," Rodrigo said as he held my hand and I stood up from the bed then he started leading the way.“You know your husband called, he was so worried about you. He even threatened to kill me if anything happens to you," Rodrigo said and I stopped.“You're lying," I said and he chuckled,“I told you that guy is crazy about you, you should have heard the way he sounded, like he w
"You can see me?" Rodrigo asked in excitement as he took my hand but I shook my head.“I can't see you, not yet, but my vision caught the color red, that's why I asked if you were wearing red," I explained.“This means that soon enough you'll get your vision back," he said and I couldn't help but smile.I couldn't wait to see the world again, I couldn't wait to look at my reflection in the mirror again.And see Antonio's face. That voice in the back of my mind said and this time I didn't shut it out. “I'm so happy for the improvement no matter how little it is," Rodrigo said as he pulled me to him for a hug.“Your husband would be so happy about the news," Rodrigo said and I quickly pulled away from him.“No, I don't want him to find out. I have a plan Rodrigo, come closer," I said and without a second thought Rodrigo leaned closer as I whispered something into his ear.He gasped before pulling away, I couldn't see his face but I knew he had a mischievous smirk on his face."Wicked.
I adjusted the cufflinks of my suit as soon as I stepped out of the car as my eyes scanned the surroundings of the address I was given.It wasn't the type of place I was used to but I was willing to go to any length to find the truth and no matter how I denied it, I wanted to keep my wife safe.This wasn't for my mother this time, this was for me.“Are you sure we should really be here?" Leo asked from beside me and I spared him a glance before turning to the building that screamed danger.It was a two story building that looked like it had caught fire several times yet it was still standing."If it holds the truth I want, why not?” I said as I made the first move.“We should really contact the police instead," Leo suggested but I ignored him as I pushed the door open and walked in.“The police are slow," I said. He remained quiet after that as he just followed me.As soon as I closed the door, I heard the click of a gun and I slowly turned to see a tall man with tattoos covering his
I couldn't go back to sleep after what I saw. I climbed out of bed with her phone as I walked to the balcony. There were several pictures of us in the restaurant. Pictures of Lilly smiling looking so carefree. I looked at myself and I could see the look in my eyes, the look I thought she couldn't see but someone else caught it. My jaw felt like it would break because of how tight I was clenching it. What if this person was there when we were making love? Fuck! I should have been more careful. I didn't want anyone to witness something that was meant for just us. Could this be the person her stalker? I kept looking at the pictures until my eyes burned. I looked at the message I hadn't noticed because I was too busy staring at the pictures. ‘I see you were having a good time,’ the message read. Who was this person? I knew I wouldn't get any answers because it was late and that alone made me even more angry. I quickly forwarded the message to my phone before deleting
I waited for him to complete what he wanted to say but nothing came out of his mouth. Instead, I felt him bent his head to mine as his breath fanned my face before he claimed my lips in a passionate kiss.I was surprised at first but I found myself kissing him back. There was just something about the way he was kissing, like he was passing a message, telling me something that was maybe too heavy for him to speak out. His mouth devoured mine and I couldn't deny that I loved every bit of it.The way he kissed me was like a starved man who had been deprived all his life. I moaned into the kiss and I weaved my fingers through his hair as our tongues moved in a fierce dance as Antonio grunted, before pushing me on my back and getting on top of me.“God, I hate you," he groaned as his lips started kissing down my neck.“Likewise," I whispered.He didn't respond, instead he just kept kissing me as I felt his hardon on my stomach.I didn't even know where we were, what if someone was watchin
“You know I heard about you being blind and I really wanted to see for myself, damn you look pathetic," I would have rolled my eyes if not for the situation.“Antonio, do you hear anyone speaking because the only thing I can hear is the voice of a pauper," I said and Antonio chuckled,“You're not wrong my dear, there's a lady here who look like she sneaked into this restaurant," Antonio said,“It's a good thing I can't see her, I hate looking at cheap things," “So unfortunate for me that I can," Antonio said,“You should see yourself right now Lilly, blind, looking hopeless like the tramp you are, I wish you'd stay blind forever,"“Oh please Emilia, as you can see I was trying to have a quiet dinner with my husband, just leave. And hold on a minute, you say I'm blind right right? But I'm married and you here my darling can't keep a man for more than a day.” She became silent and I knew that I had struck a nerve."Listen to…"“Hey, hey, hey, you do realize I'm here which means you hav
I was currently sitting on the kitchen counter as I listened to Antonio move around in the kitchen trying to prepare lunch.He had been furious this morning because of my conversation with Scott. I couldn't tell if he was jealous or he was just acting angry because he didn't want his plans to be ruined but either way I found myself apologizing.Something I rarely do. When Scott had asked me the question about the divorce, I didn't know why, but I felt uncomfortable talking about divorcing Antonio. Before, I would have been delighted as long as it meant staying as far away from him as possible, but now it all felt different.“What are you thinking about?" Antonio's voice cut through my thoughts as he handed something to me and I took it, feeling for what it was. It was a snack bag. “Careful, it's open,” he said and I nodded as I held the bag in my hand."What are you making? It smells like pasta,” I said," Glad your nose is working fine,” he said and I scowled."Mrs Gonzalez!" I hea
His response wasn't one I expected as the next thing I felt was his lips on mine.“What…wh…” he swallowed my words as he pushed my back further into the bed and climbed on me. This dude didn't get the fact that I hated him.Yeah, tell yourself that Lilly. Shut up! "For someone who hates me you're always so obedient when I touch you. The way you surrender your body asking for more, your breath, the way you become desperate for me. And you claim you hate me.” He said mockingly as I felt his lips on my neck.“Each time you act like you don't want me but once I'm inside you it's a whole new story."“You're making up things in your stupid head," I said and he chuckled darkly, the sound sending a delicious shiver down my spine.“Tell yourself all you want, but—” he left the word hanging and I didn't know what he wanted to say.He suddenly pulled away from me and a part of me missed his body heat being close to me."Get some sleep, it's just 3:00 am," he said before I heard the bed dip and