Domenico lounged outside the solid mechanics lecture room. Clemente was still packing his books inside, that boy was too slow, he had been standing for over 10 minutes now.
He let out an exasperated sigh and turned back to match into the class just as Clemente walked out of it, or rather... He raised a bewildered brow, tiptoed out of it.
"What are you doing?" He asked, staring at Clemente who had a stricken look on his face, his back still hunched in the posture of a stalking thief.
Clemente straightened up, clearing his throat, "I... I'm sorry. I didn't... uhm..." Clemente itched his head.
His mouth formed into an O as he realized what happened. Clemente had wanted to avoid him. Hence, the delayed stay in class and tip-toeing. He really scared him that much?
He cleared his throat, adjusting his hold on his bag as he remembered why he had been waiting.
"Are you still interested in getting tutored?" He asked. His voice didn't exactly co
He hadn't seen Luna in four days. He suspected she was purposely avoiding him. She had insisted he attend Mass at the St. Lucy's cathedral on Sunday after he told her he didn't go to church but on Sunday, he had not bothered to go and he had not called her either. He wasn't sure if he had expected her to call him but she hadn't. He shrugged, so much for friendship. He should have just let her go. "Domenico." He huffed, stopping in his tracks. He had taken his car to school so he was just heading out of the car park to the library where he would study before he had to go for his first class of the day. Had he not been clear the day before that she should stay away? His frown turned into a smirk, she was playing right into his trap. "Signorina." He greeted upon turning around. He was caught off guard for a second. Her smile was brighter than usual, confident and... Suspicious. "I thought about your words yesterday." She started, folding
He didn't think his present self was much different from his past self before the bullying, except for the effects the bullying cost him, but after the abuse started, he slowly became complacent, giving in to people's will to get in their good books, to get the slightest ounce of sympathy and kindness. He was done with that now, that life, that part of him was long buried. 6 months was what it took him and even if he was still damaged, so damaged that he derived joy from watching those who had suppressed him be suppressed themselves, he was determined to rise above all, he was determined to show them that he was far better than they imagined, far better than any of them would ever be. And he would have to teach Clemente that... In the hardest way possible. "My rules" he started, facing startled Clemente, "When I teach, you listen... Attentively. Two, no questions asked until I'm done. Three, no unnecessary words; apologies, requests, whatever. Four, no lateness. That
He jogged through the semi-dark streets, his legs pounding furiously on the granite covered ground. His chest burned but he did not stop, the muscles on his legs ached but he did not slow down, sweat ran down in fast beads from his face and arms down his body but he did not take a breather. He did not deserve happiness. Her words rang in his head, crystal clear and fresh like she just said them to him. So just because she smiled a lot and she was friendly, she thought she deserved happiness; because she had a loving boyfriend and she had things going well for her, she thought she deserved happiness! He would guess correctly that she almost always had things going well for her, that she had almost never encountered a bad period in her life and she had the guts to come to the conclusion that he didn't deserve happiness. What did she even know about happiness? He was sure that her so dear boyfriend was the center of her so called happiness; she was the kind that depende
Rosetta walked out of the montagna biblioteca, a huge smile on her face. Win, Rosetta, she smiled happily, reveling in the shocked, disbelieving, angry look Domenico had displayed after her sudden announcement. She chuckled, he was going to tutor alright. It was first a handful of people that had responded to her call then within a few minutes, he had a small crowd gathered around him, all of them his potential students. She smirked, she had slipped away before the librarian could get to her. Ahhhhh, she breathed out, heading in the direction of her apartment after stealing a glance at his parked Ferrari. One for Rosetta. She practically skipped all the way to her house, having to suppress the smile on her face to avoid looking weird to passers-by. She skipped all the way up the stone stairs of the old Villa customised student apartment. The house sure had a lot of modernizing to do but she loved the ancient feeling mixed with the new. Part of the rea
"Wednesday would be fine?" "Yes. Thank you so much, grazie, Dio vi benedica." "Its fine. See you soon. Addio!" He waited till the person had disappeared from sight before he allowed his frustration to become visible. He rubbed the back of his neck tiredly. Rosetta d'armani. Now he had to tutor every freaking day of the week! He jumped down the last stair that led to the library where he had been entertaining his 'students' and headed to the right of the library where the car park was situated. It was past 11pm. He was hungry and tired, desperately in need of a good long sleep after taking a long soaking in the tub with a good dose of Barbera. He deserved it. He stopped short as he sighted a figure pacing beside his car. Why did everyone around him prefer to stir the furnace of his anger? He moved his legs and kept on walking, across the empty park save for him, the figure and his car, till he re
"Domenico! What do you take me for?! Your baby sitter?! Why the hell will you come back this late and not tell me beforehand?!" He heard Marino rant before he even opened the door. "Mio Dio!" Marino exclaimed, seeing him, "Whatever happened to your face?!" He pushed past Marino and stumbled into the house, falling back-first when he got to the Chobi rug. He needed the comfort. "What happened, man?!" Marino queried after locking the door. "Stop shouting." He muttered, licking his bloody lips. "Why wouldn't I shout?! You come back by this time when I know you don't attend parties or do the stuffs that I do, all bloody and weak and you tell me not to shout?!" "It's not that bad." He retorted, his eyes fixed on the panelled ceiling gleaming with the bright lighting. The thugs had only gotten a few hits on his face and back before he escaped. Thank Dio they did not have a gun. "What?!" "It's not that bad! Stop shouti
He opened his eyes groggily then shielded them from the rays of sunlight that shone directly at him. "Su, su, Domenico! The sun is wide awake and happy!" Marino, he thought with a huff. He was tired but he knew it wasn't so much as physical as it was emotional. He was emotionally tired, mentally tired. "Domenico de Cerintti, su! Up, now,!" A hand latched unto his left leg under his duvet and began to pull. "Marino, I'm tired." He groaned, shutting his eyes. The hand stilled then dissappeared. "Alright, though I don't know why you're acting so weak, it was just a few punches, any guy can take that and no one asked you to get in a fight. I want you out in 30 minutes, fresh from a good bath. I've prepared food already; coffee, you know the strong black cappuccino you like so much; soup, minestrone broth, very healthy and delicious and then we'll eat pizza, margherita and drink lots of Chardonnay after and then we can play
Rosetta stared up at the two storey Villa that was her parents house; sophisticated, elegant, expensive, that was family. She took a deep breathe then walked up the stairs and rang the bell when she got to the door. The door opened immediately and her sister's smirking face stared down at her. Bless herself for not being tall enough and forgetting to wear heels. "And the runaway bird comes flying home. Nice to see you, Rosetta...oh, sister." She smiled, two could play the game. "Nice to see you too." Crush stealing monster, she didn't add. She was that close to hating her sister, Gabriella Oriana D'armani, very close. The only thing preventing her from doing so was the family bond. She couldn't deny that Gabriella intimidated her. For one, Gabriella had extraordinary looks, her beauty entranced anyone who saw her especially the male folk; two, Gabriella had the perfect sexy shape she admired; three, Gabriella wa
"Rosetta...""Alright, alright, I'll let it go," She grumbled and pulled away."You are angry," He turned to her.She switched off the gas before the pancake on it could get burnt."We'll shop later, together, I promise," He said."I am not angry," She said casually, "Can we eat now?"She watched the muscles on his back flex as he took off the pancake from the pan and made coffee for them. He was a good man and he seemed too sincere for her, perhaps that was why she gave in to her want to sleep with him but there was just something... off?*Rosetta laughed at a joke Antonio made as she filled two glasses with cherry juice."That was not funny," She rolled her eyes as she handed him his glass."But you laughed," He teased, pulling her close by the waist."Antonio, we are at work," She giggled, biting her lip."I decide when we work and when we don't," He nuzzled her cheek.The door to his lunch room suddenly flew open and she jumped. He held her down. It was the guard that always stoo
Rosetta did indeed believe that she could fall for Antonio Galdo but watching it happen over the weeks they spent brooding over architectural plans and planning the building structure over lunches and late-night dinners, she felt easy. How could a man, no matter how rich and handsome and well-mannered he was, just admit his attraction to her and she was head over heels for him? It was too easy, too too easy. Everything was going too smoothly, he was too good to be true. She brushed off the thought as she walked out the doors of her firm. The more she thought about him, the more she grew attracted to him. She instead filled her mind with thoughts of the cool bubble bath and the N*****x movies she planned to binge watch all night long. It was the weekend and she really wanted to spoil herself rotten. Preparations for Nico and Luna's wedding were also ongoing and she was one of the bridesmaids. She smiled, unlocking her car. There was nothing that forgiveness could not accomplish.She ha
"Luna?"Her eyes widened as they met with Domenico's blue ones. When did he get into the garden?Alessandro turned around. "Ah," He smiled, "Your date," He glanced at her and winked, "I'll leave you two alone."She waited until Alessandro was out of hearing range before she faced Nico "Can I help you?""I love you," He blurted out and she gasped. He closed the space between them and grabbed her by the waist, "I love you, Luna. We are not mere friends."Her heart leaped high in her chest as he slammed his lips to hers.*Her arms moved of their own accord and entangled themselves around his neck. She was high, high on love, high on happiness.They came up for air and he peppered kisses all over her face, their breathing rough and hot."What took you so long?" She breathed out, "Why did you take so long?""I'm sorry," He kissed her again and again and again until they had to pull apart for more air."I love you too, since Colland maybe."He grinned and pulled her into his arms. There wa
How far gone was he? Too far, too too far, or else he wouldn't be chasing her all over the place. He accused her of not admitting her feelings for him at the hospital but he was the real hypocrite; he was the one holding them back from crossing the friendship stage because he was scared she'd reject him. After all, she was a rich heiress, she could get any man she wanted."Quite far," He admitted, glancing at Pietro."And?"He looked at him now. "And?""And what are your intentions towards her? You didn't come with her all the way here for fun, did you?"*He blew out a breath, "I want her to be my girlfriend... first. We have never tested that terrain, never given into our attraction. Then... then I'll like to marry her if she's willing."Pietro nodded his head and he seemed to be gauging his words."But I want to get stable first," He added, holding his ground, "She is used to a good life, the best life, I don't want to give her less."Pietro smiled, "You better don't."*"What was h
She decided then that he was worth having as an acquaintance."Your food is getting cold," She commented and picked up her fork."When will I see you again?" He asked when they had finished eating and he had paid the bills."You gave me your card, remember?" She rose."And you gave me no assurance of your visit." He rose also."I can't pass on some billionaire's money," She winked, "You'll see me when you see me."She strode out of the diner with her head held high. She, Rosetta Verona D'Armani, attracted the attention of a tycoon. Wasn't she too elegant?*Luna breathed a sigh of relief when she walked out of the station. The night had been hell. She hadn't been able to sleep a wink. All she could think of was if the stalker found Domenico's house and if they were in danger, and she panicked at even the slightest sound. Even worse, she was critically aware of the man that was sleeping in the bedroom.She got into the passenger seat of her car. Since Nico had volunteered to take care o
"Looks like we were destined to meet again," He smiled."It is rude to sit without invitation," She said harshly."Sorry, but I had a feeling you'd say no and I don't take no for an answer, especially when it comes to getting what I want."She raised a brow, "Your pride stinks."He shrugged, "I want to get to know you. What is prideful about that?"She stared at him. He was rich, attractive, classy, and exuded manly confidence. It wouldn't be so bad to indulge him.She relaxed and watched him over the rim of her glass."I am Antonio Galdo," He introduced, stretching his hand.*She eyed it, "I still haven't approved your intrusion."He chuckled and called on a waiter. "Do you want anything to eat or you are just here to drink?""I'll have the peppered chicken barbeque and the pasta to go with it," She answered.His lips twitched. "Same, please," He said to the waiter."Is that a flirting trick? Order the same with the lady so she thinks you are interested in her."He chuckled, "I guess
He laughed. A nice one, she noticed, admiring his pearly white teeth."I am not looking for any of those," he spoke, amused, "neither am I married. Can we just chat and try to be friends?"She rolled her eyes, finishing off her glass."Not interested."She rose, dropped her bills, and sashayed out. She sighed when she was safely in her car."Men," she shook her head and drove off.Antonio Galdo watched the silver Benz drive away."A real one," he laughed to himself, rising and adjusting his suit, "let's see if we are destined to meet again."*"Gently," Sebastian spoke when Luna stumbled. He guided her out of the hospital and into her car."Do you feel worse or better?" He asked, starting the car."Both," she answered with a grimace, leaning back in her seat."It will get better in a while," he assured her."You know this is the second time you're helping me out in this way. Don't you ever fall sick? Let me repay the kindness."He laughed."You shouldn't have called in late at work. I
"Who's trying to kill you?" He asked after they broke apart."I don't know," she shrugged, "you just told me the same thing the nurse said but I truly don't remember setting up the fireplace or burning old clothes. I came home and I called you immediately and afterward, I slept off on the couch only to wake up and find my house filled with smoke and the neighbours hitting my door."Domenico placed his palms on her pale cheek."Maybe I did but I really can't remember," she added quickly, "I'm probably worrying for nothing."*Luna leaned against the pillow, waiting for Domenico to return from getting food for them.'Do whatever you wish but trust me, you're no longer safe'The words of the blonde-haired girl kept echoing in her head. She breathed out shakily. Did she mean it?"Your body is already stressed as it is, don't overthink," Domenico said upon entering."I'm sick of this place," she pouted, "I imagined cooling off with you in some fancy diner and staring at your beautiful eyes,
Percy was still Percy; mature, smart, well behaved and well, Gabriella was a new face. The wedding went well and the couple definitely looked good together. Rosetta was past caring about the past. She just wanted her life free of any feuds or competition so she smiled all the way through and let herself be sincerely happy. "Did he meet with you?" Domenico asked Luna quietly as they applauded the leaving married pair amidst showers of flowers and glitters. "Yeah. He apologized, explained everything. We're good." The reception took place later on. The day ended on a happy note.*Luna walked to her car in the parking lot, forcing herself not to smile or get lost in thoughts. It was already enough that she had been daydreaming all day about him.The weekend was the best she had in a while. From Percy's wedding to watching a movie with him to spending the entire Sunday at her home with one of her girlfriends."Hey! Watch your steps!"She bumped into someone."I'm sorry, so sorry, I was