*Alexis* Arriving to my house didn't take long after the funeral. The sun was starting to set already. We left last from the cemetery, Zayn and I. He sat on a bench just outside the cemetery for almost two hours, waiting for me. Giving me the space and time to grieve. He didn't bother me once and when I found him and told him I was ready to go, he simple nodded and smiled saying 'After you, Princess.' Most would think that after those two hours, my mood would be heavily impacted more than earlier and that my pain would have gotten worse. But quite the opposite, I took the first step closer to adapting to this fundamental change in my life. I knew he wouldn't be alive in the flesh, my father, but no matter what he would always be there. He would always be in those nights I choose to stay home and cook his pasta, in the long early walks at the beach and in my love for boxing. I entered the house with a lighter burden than I left. My aura more calm and refreshed. I wasn't great or ev
*Alexis* "Ok but how much money we are talking about?" Aria asked full of enthusiasm. She always had a little problem containing herself from shopping but she wasn't one to admit it. Fortunately for her, her career as a director and screenwriter paid off which gave her the freedom to buy literally everything. "Having a pretty fat bank account myself, I didn't bother delving into his finances. They were of no use." I replied, searching my phone. I must have thrown somewhere inside that purse this morning. I left rapidly, almost was late, because of our adventures with Zayn earlier. The brush of his lips, his light touch... even the thought of them sent shivers down my spine and I tried to hide the red line forming on my cheeks. "Yeah...The skyscraper of your office was really subtle about that." Jonathan chuckled and I elbowed him. He was sitting next to me and Aria just across us. He flinched and pretended to be in terrible pain as he mouthed 'Ouch' dramatically. "Talking about b
*Zayn* I trusted Alexis with my life but the think was that I didn't trust that other guy Jonathan around her. I couldn't trust any guy around her. I mean...take a look at her. Who wouldn't want to have that woman in his bed even for once? It was the first time I was experiencing this jealousy, this green fever that made my heart pound like crazy and make my mind build up scenarios that only made me more anxious than I already was. I was driving to her office. The sun had almost set and the sky was dressed in colors of orange and pink. The cigarette rolling on my lips offered me some mere relaxation and took slightly my mind off things. Parking before her building, I searched for any sign of Jonathan's presence but fortunately I came across nothing. Getting out of the car, I walked towards the entrance. The two security guards questioning every passenger with their glares seemed to have been informed about my arrival as their expression softened at my presence. They opened the doors
*Alexis*Once the plane landed, Zayn guided me to the Ferrari waiting outside. No chauffer, just the two of us. And after the mess that we made on that plane, the feathers of the pillows still lingering over my hair, I preferred it that way. Having never been in Italy, I was completely in the hands of Zayn which excited me and terrified me at the same time. He scared me in the car when he joked about us being followed and having to drive through the forest right in the sea to survive. I elbowed him in the ribs, shutting that wicked laugh of his down, even though seeing his Adam's apple moving up and down was eternally enjoyable. He didn't tell me the exact location of where we were going and honestly even if he did I wouldn't understand much.Driving past old beautiful buildings, graphic passages and traditional restaurants, I realized that we were in Rome. One of the most beautiful cities in the world, hiding secrets and mysteries behind its ancient history. Taking in the beauty unfo
*Alexis*He was right when he said he knew exactly the place for this occasion. A beautiful restaurant, famous for its delicious pasta all over the city of Rome. Its ambiance was leaking with romance and I could see the place being only occupied by couples. Arriving to the restaurant, the waiter led us to the table. Zayn had asked for aVIP one who had great view over the city. Rome unfolding before our eyes was a breathtaking sight. After some time that we had sat down, a waitress approached our table. A smile on her as she welcomed us to the restaurant. Her gaze though as she handed us the menus was glued on Zayn and he politely smiled back at her thanking her. "I'm Alisha." Her eyes never leaving Zayn, even though I coughed trying to get her attention. "And I will be your waitress for tonight." She continued, her eyes examining him, tracing his face then lowering to his neck. "Do you want some time to decide? I can make some suggestions if you'd like?" She reached to Zayn's menu,
*Alexis*The next thing I know... I'm drowned in an ocean of fabrics, jewelry, shoes, lipsticks and different haircuts. All offered to me by the stylist team that Zayn had assigned for my preparing for the ball the following week. The days passed in the most exciting way, I must admit. And the dress who was exclusively made for me and only me was breathtaking and one of a kind. Zayn hadn't seen me in it and he wasn't about to until the ball night. The castle boomed with life. People from all the walks of life occupying the corridors. All of them doing their duty and making sure the ball room would look out of this world. And when I visited it the morning before the ball, my jaw was on the floor. The work that had been done was perfect. Simple perfection. The theme of the ball was 'the touch of darkness', mysterious and luxurious the ball awaited for its guests.The evening before the ball was a beautiful mess. I was on chair for more than three hours. Makeup and hair, it was a war of
*Zayn*"Zayn!" Luciana squealed throwing her arms around me. She took me into a tight hug and I felt Alexis tensing at our proximity from behind. My Princess cleared her throat and remained silent, having trust in me. She trusted me. And I-I didn't know how to trust her with this. I didn't know how to trust that she wouldn't leave me after finding out. "Hey Luciana." I coughed, breaking the hug and taking a step back so that there was some distance between us. Luciana furrowed her eyebrows at my slight nervousness looking behind me to the goddess sitting by the bar next to my dad. "Who is she?" Her voice softened and her smile faded away replaced with an expression of confusion. "She is..." I let out a breath, rubbing my temples with the tips of my fingers. "My girlfriend." Luciana's eyes widened in surprise. I wasn't the one to date. I didn't at least before I met my princess. "Zayn, I thought we had agreed not to-" She was about to finish her sentence and I shook my head interr
*Zayn*"The Italian mafia is grateful for your help, Ivan." I patted his shoulder and he chuckled taking a sip of his scotch. It had been a while since I had last seen Alexis and my eyes trailed off to the room searching for her. When I had gone over it twice and didn't find her... my heart started racing. I excused myself fromthe conversation and eased my nervousness with optimistic thoughts such as the possibility of her being in the ladies room or sleeping upstairs in our room. I hoped but hopes never truly match the raw character of reality. I saw my step mother entering the ball room, the colour on her face to was drained away. Her eyes going over the people in the room, searching for someone when they eventually landed on me. Swallowing, her eyes were deprived of the light that dominated them earlier. Something was wrong. I walked rapidly towards while she remained immobile, not having the power to move. "Mama..." I called her. Once I had reached her, she dragged me away fr
Hello my beautiful darlings! Thank you all for showing that much love on my first book EVER! It has been quite the ride writing it and reading your comments and I must say you guys made my boring school nights much more interesting. I felt obligated to explain my choice to end the story in such a way. Through personal experience I have learned that love is one of the most heartbreaking and painful feelings a human can ever experience because it leaves you powerless and vulnerable to a possible destruction. And that's the beauty of it of course, the beauty of living the journey no matter the destination, a journey that consumes you and scars you forever. It is difficult to find the right person with which you will click and feel as if at home. The person who you will not feel ashamed being yourself. The person who will encourage you to own who you are, all your dark parts. Your soulmate. Most of the times people don't get to find this person while they are alive and end up searchi
*Alexis*"I know, baby. But what can I say? I will see you soon though. Take care of Ryan and yourself. Love you. Bye!" I have just arrived in Italy. No suitcase, no baggages, just my purse and that smile that is plastered on my face. I was talking with Jonathan and I know it was horrible lying to him but I couldn't tell him the truth. Maybe it was selfish but... Walking out of the airport to the lobby room where people were expecting their beloveds ones, I saw a man holding a card with my name on it. I approached him and he escorted me to the black SUV which was parked outside. Two other cars following us packed with men."Your protection miss Alessandro." He confirmed while I was putting my seatbelt on. I hadn't changed my last name, didn't want to and fortunately Jonathan was okay with that. Only if he knew the reason... The reason that to this day is that only one man would have the luxury of doing that. And I would adore the way it would sounded. Alexis Valentine. "You have a s
*10 years later* *Alexis and Zayn have broken up and they haven't spoken since then* *Alexis*"Jonathan!" I called from where I stood in the kitchen. He rushed into the room, approaching me. It was currently 8AM in the morning and we were all preparing for work and school. Me and Jonathan are now married and we have a beautiful six year old son named Ryan. Those two boys saved me from waiting that promise to be fulfilled and do nothing else with my life. Now they are my life. "Can you pick Ryan up from school today? I have a conference meeting and I will be late." I said putting some coffee in my mouth. "Sure, my love." He wrapped a hand around my waist, stealing a kiss from me. "You're beautiful." He kissed me once again, before the little devil stepped into the kitchen. "Ewww don't." Ryan screamed and we laughed backing away from each other. "You know you're lucky you're not old enough to teach you how babies are made." Jonathan took himinto his arms, lifting him up. I chuckl
*Zayn*"The Italian mafia is grateful for your help, Ivan." I patted his shoulder and he chuckled taking a sip of his scotch. It had been a while since I had last seen Alexis and my eyes trailed off to the room searching for her. When I had gone over it twice and didn't find her... my heart started racing. I excused myself fromthe conversation and eased my nervousness with optimistic thoughts such as the possibility of her being in the ladies room or sleeping upstairs in our room. I hoped but hopes never truly match the raw character of reality. I saw my step mother entering the ball room, the colour on her face to was drained away. Her eyes going over the people in the room, searching for someone when they eventually landed on me. Swallowing, her eyes were deprived of the light that dominated them earlier. Something was wrong. I walked rapidly towards while she remained immobile, not having the power to move. "Mama..." I called her. Once I had reached her, she dragged me away fr
*Zayn*"Zayn!" Luciana squealed throwing her arms around me. She took me into a tight hug and I felt Alexis tensing at our proximity from behind. My Princess cleared her throat and remained silent, having trust in me. She trusted me. And I-I didn't know how to trust her with this. I didn't know how to trust that she wouldn't leave me after finding out. "Hey Luciana." I coughed, breaking the hug and taking a step back so that there was some distance between us. Luciana furrowed her eyebrows at my slight nervousness looking behind me to the goddess sitting by the bar next to my dad. "Who is she?" Her voice softened and her smile faded away replaced with an expression of confusion. "She is..." I let out a breath, rubbing my temples with the tips of my fingers. "My girlfriend." Luciana's eyes widened in surprise. I wasn't the one to date. I didn't at least before I met my princess. "Zayn, I thought we had agreed not to-" She was about to finish her sentence and I shook my head interr
*Alexis*The next thing I know... I'm drowned in an ocean of fabrics, jewelry, shoes, lipsticks and different haircuts. All offered to me by the stylist team that Zayn had assigned for my preparing for the ball the following week. The days passed in the most exciting way, I must admit. And the dress who was exclusively made for me and only me was breathtaking and one of a kind. Zayn hadn't seen me in it and he wasn't about to until the ball night. The castle boomed with life. People from all the walks of life occupying the corridors. All of them doing their duty and making sure the ball room would look out of this world. And when I visited it the morning before the ball, my jaw was on the floor. The work that had been done was perfect. Simple perfection. The theme of the ball was 'the touch of darkness', mysterious and luxurious the ball awaited for its guests.The evening before the ball was a beautiful mess. I was on chair for more than three hours. Makeup and hair, it was a war of
*Alexis*He was right when he said he knew exactly the place for this occasion. A beautiful restaurant, famous for its delicious pasta all over the city of Rome. Its ambiance was leaking with romance and I could see the place being only occupied by couples. Arriving to the restaurant, the waiter led us to the table. Zayn had asked for aVIP one who had great view over the city. Rome unfolding before our eyes was a breathtaking sight. After some time that we had sat down, a waitress approached our table. A smile on her as she welcomed us to the restaurant. Her gaze though as she handed us the menus was glued on Zayn and he politely smiled back at her thanking her. "I'm Alisha." Her eyes never leaving Zayn, even though I coughed trying to get her attention. "And I will be your waitress for tonight." She continued, her eyes examining him, tracing his face then lowering to his neck. "Do you want some time to decide? I can make some suggestions if you'd like?" She reached to Zayn's menu,
*Alexis*Once the plane landed, Zayn guided me to the Ferrari waiting outside. No chauffer, just the two of us. And after the mess that we made on that plane, the feathers of the pillows still lingering over my hair, I preferred it that way. Having never been in Italy, I was completely in the hands of Zayn which excited me and terrified me at the same time. He scared me in the car when he joked about us being followed and having to drive through the forest right in the sea to survive. I elbowed him in the ribs, shutting that wicked laugh of his down, even though seeing his Adam's apple moving up and down was eternally enjoyable. He didn't tell me the exact location of where we were going and honestly even if he did I wouldn't understand much.Driving past old beautiful buildings, graphic passages and traditional restaurants, I realized that we were in Rome. One of the most beautiful cities in the world, hiding secrets and mysteries behind its ancient history. Taking in the beauty unfo
*Zayn* I trusted Alexis with my life but the think was that I didn't trust that other guy Jonathan around her. I couldn't trust any guy around her. I mean...take a look at her. Who wouldn't want to have that woman in his bed even for once? It was the first time I was experiencing this jealousy, this green fever that made my heart pound like crazy and make my mind build up scenarios that only made me more anxious than I already was. I was driving to her office. The sun had almost set and the sky was dressed in colors of orange and pink. The cigarette rolling on my lips offered me some mere relaxation and took slightly my mind off things. Parking before her building, I searched for any sign of Jonathan's presence but fortunately I came across nothing. Getting out of the car, I walked towards the entrance. The two security guards questioning every passenger with their glares seemed to have been informed about my arrival as their expression softened at my presence. They opened the doors