Saturday mornings in Colland even in March in Italy were cold, cold enough for jogging and a great deal of sweaty exercises. Since the change, he began doing a lot of exercises than he usually did. Coming to this new town for his first year, he already had his routine planned out for the rest of the session. He would jog from his apartment to the saint Lucy’s cathedral 300 meters away from his apartment, quite close to his college, for peace and hope to begin the new coming week; then he would jog to the D’oleivre bridge from where you could see the neighboring towns and villages in the distance, for a quiet moment with his thoughts and his soul and then he would jog back to his apartment and be who he wanted to be. Domenico Pietro de Cerintti. He fitted in the keys to the door of the second floor apartment he shared with his part friend, part enemy, Bernard Marino. The door opened smoothly without the slightest noise and he stepped in, locking the door. The small cozy living room gre
He picked up his now damaged phone from the kitchen floor. The screen was badly cracked and the phone was not switching on. He swallowed down his anger. At least, he thought, he gave Marino a pretty good beating as revenge. Revenge… the word sounded sweet, familiar and foreign to him. Revenge… He rose, eyeing the shattered plate and spilled food on the floor. He walked out of the kitchen. Marino would clean it up. • A broken nose, a split on the lip and a swelling under the right eye were the injuries Marino suffered. Marino kept muttering incoherent complaint the whole minutes he spent cleaning up his minor injuries. “Of all days for you to destroy my face, its today! Today!” “What’s happening today?” he asked, crossing one leg over the other and swinging his damaged phone in his hands. “A freaking party! Fernando D’oseliotti’s freaking partito! And you dare destroy my face!” “Stop making a whole lot of noise. I could have done more, you deserve it. You smashed my phone.” H
They could already hear the italian sensation playing a good distance away from the magnificent villa Fernando D’osellioti owned. Fernando was the handsome, rich senior that hosted the best parties. His parties were popular and a rave. He threw it three times a year, spring, summer and winter. He had everything right, the large house, the unlimited alcohol, the music and what not but funnily enough, Fernando never attended his own parties or any other party; he had girls flocking around him but there had never been any news of him being promiscuous, rumors had sprang up but they were quickly debunked. Fernando was always with his friends or at some school gathering or meeting or any other clean social gathering but he always scored the highest at the end of each semester. Fernando was mysterious. That was the story his ears were filled with by Marino as they drove to the party venue. The wide double doors to the villa were wide open and one could see the inside from the outside clearl
She stood there, her mouth slightly open, her lashes fluttering. It really was him. He looked much different from the Domenico she remembered, the Domenico she attended highschool with. That Domenico did not catch her fancy, that Domenico definitely did not look half this alluring, that Domenico definitely wasn’t this confident or dominant. That Domenico had been anything short of badass. Calm Domenico, always smiling and swallowing down the harsh bullying from Leonardo and his crew with his head held high until… “You might end up breaking that glass if you keep holding it that way.” “Leonardo.” She sighed, relaxing her hold on her glass. “Domenico, huh?” She glanced at him to see him looking in the same direction. “He’s different.” She stated, bringing her glass to her lips then dropping it with a scowl when she discovered it was empty. “He sure is.” Leonardo drawled, a mocking look on his face, “disappears for what? 7 months? Comes back a whole new man. What’s he up to?” “I
He wasn't smug or triumphant or pleased. He wasn't angry or mad or furious. He was hurt. After his dance with Rosetta, he had endured another thirty minutes of nonsense conversations with prowling women and pride filled disdainful comments from jealous high school mates. After the thirty minutes, he had gotten fed up and he sent a quick text to Marino with the new phone he acquired earlier that day, 'I'm heading home. Find another ride or die trying." And he left for his car. He was still sitted in his car, gripping the steering wheel tightly with white knuckles. He was hurt. All his swagger and act and pride didn't chase away the vulnerable boy in him seeking acceptance. He was accepted alright but for all the wrong reasons. The women were only after him for looks and for money and the men either didn't even spare him a second look or spat pride all over him What was he expecting anyway? Warm hugs and friendly kisses? Friendly conversations and people actually concerned about his
Domenico ran a hand through his hair. First day of college or rather his first day of college after 6 months away from school. He wouldn't deny he was a bit nervous but at the same time, there was the thrill of excitement of the unknown. He stepped into the first lecture of the day. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "Hey, Fratello!" He turned back to see who the owner of the unfamiliar voice was. He just took the last stairs off the civil engineering department building. He was hungry, he wanted to visit the bar Marino had told him about that was somewhere in the school. He had checked it on the map and it was a trekkable distance. He adjusted his bag over his shoulders, tapping his sneaker clad foot on the ground impatiently. "Scusa." The boy, his agemate but with softer features that made him look younger, panted out when he reached him after practically flying down the stairs. They shook hands. "I'm Clemente." The grey eyed boy with hair that fell all over his face offered. "Do.... "Domenico de
"Hurry, Aryanna, we need to get to the mall as soon as possible." Rosetta ordered finishing her bottle of moretti. She caught the fleeting look of protest in Aryanna's face before it dissappeared. She was being overbearing, she knew but she was too far gone to care about anyone's feelings at the moment. What she wanted, she must get. Milena looked between the both of them. "Why do you need to go to a mall when you..." Milena paused staring at something behind her in surprise, "Is that Domen?" Her head whipped back since she was backing the entrance to the bar. Domen? Domenico? "Who?" She asked, her eyes still prowling around. "Domenico de Cerintti, he's heading for the terrazzo." Milena informed just as her eyes zoomed in on his broad back. "Domenico." His back view was exquisite. He exuded power and coolness at the same time. Why was he so cool? So her type of man? Where was he all these years? She had spent the last fourty eight hours wondering about him. If she had suspecte
Domenico glanced at the clock on his desk, it was past 2am and then noticed his phone screen had lit up. He cracked his knuckles and picked up the phone. Five hours of reading. He was getting better. Andrea was calling. He sighed, he didn't feel like talking to her and he also hated being disturbed when studying. He had put the phone on silent for a reason. The call ended and he was about to put down the phone when his eyes caught the call notification. 20 missed calls, all from his sister. He called her back in a flash, she picked up immediately. "Sister, are you okay? Is everything alright?" He asked hurriedly, his forehead creased in worry. Her sobs was what he heard. "Sorella? What happened?" "Talk to me, Andrea!" He raised his voice when she still didn't say anything. "Marco." She cried in-between choked sobs. "What happened to Marco? Talk to me." Her cries increased. He swallowed down his impatience, running his hand through his hair. Something was obviously very wrong.
"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