“Promise to be careful,” I say to Stefano as he sets to head back to the city.He nods, “I hate leaving you here alone” he whispers leaning into my neck and placing soft kisses. “You’ll be fine till I come back for you?” He says looking into my eyes, his gaze searching mine.My heart literally melts at his concern, I nod, “I’ll be.”“And you’ll wait, till I’m back.” He presses on, a hint of a smile playing in his lipsThat makes me chuckle. “Of course, where could I possible go. We’re in this together right?”“Right.” He replies, his voice low and gentle, he tilts my face up and presses his lips to mine.I kiss him back, savoring the moment, tasting him. I love the softness of his lips, I love how he always seems to taste of peppermint. We had spent last night cuddling, kissing and talking way into the night. I intend using the time he’s away to have a proper rest. And I’m worried about him, he didn’t sleep last night either, and if I think about it, I don’t think he’s ever had a prop
“The fuck!” Tiffany exclaims as I and Rex burst the cabin door open “mark?!” She looks like she’s seen a ghost, her eyes wide open with shock and fear.The state I meet her in is not what I expected. She’s wearing old sweatpants and a worn out shirt. Her hair is damp, obviously from a shower. And she’s lost a lot of weight obviously, her cheeks sunken and her eyes prominent. But that’s not it either, she almost look… contented. A sense of calmness radiates from her, like she’s found a sense of peace in this isolated cabin.I scan the room for signs of her captive, while Rex makes a sweep the cabin, his gun drawn. But there’s no one else here. Just Tiffany, alone, looking almost … happy. The realization throws me off guard.“Tiffany?” I say but it comes out croaked“Mark?” She repeats again. Her face switching to relief as she comes forward and hugs me, throwing me off guard again.“Ohmygod we literally spoke about you this morning. Stefano was on his way to come find you. Oh my god. S
I burst through the door, my heart racing with a mix of fear and adrenaline. I see Mark, Tiffany’s bodyguard, gun raised, and Tiffany’s desperate attempt to stop him. I try to dodge, But it’s too late. The bullet hits my arm with a searing pain, and I feel my self flying backwards, crashing to the floor.My other hand instinctively grabs my wounded arm, I look up, I see Tiffany’s horrified face above me. “Stefano, no, oh God no!” She screams, tears streaming down her face.Despite the agony, I manage to croak out a reassurance “I’m fine,” I lie trying to calm her down. But I know I am far from fine. The pain is intense, and I can feel blood seeping through my fingers. I glance at Mark, who looks like he’s in shock, and wonder if he meant to shoot me.“What the fuck Mark,” Tiffany says angrily ruining to my side.Mark looks distorted, his eyes darting back and forth between me and the other man whose gun is still pointed at me.“put the fucking gun down and help him, Tiffany pleads, he
My eyes narrow at Mark. What the hell is wrong with him and why the fuck is he acting so selfish. He just shot a man, and he isn’t even concerned one bit. I get, he has every right to be cold towards Stefano. But right now, he’s acting really insensitive.“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” I whisper, taking a step closer to him, my fist clenched. “ you don’t know what he’s been through.”Mark snorts, rolling his eyes. “oh, spare me the drama Tiffany. I do not fucking care. What the fuck is wrong with you? He fucking kidnapped you Tiffany, and now what - I’m the bad guy, cut the crap. I just wasted my time. Let’s get out of here Rex, I’m fucking done with this bullshit.”“Will you chill Mark, you fucking shot someone.” Rex says, trying to calm him down.Mark shrugs “Yea so what, he fucking deserves it, I’m not sorry, look, I’m leaving.” Mark says and start moving towards the door.I’m shocked by marks behavior, What the hell is going on with him, he’s usually not like this.
Tiffany turns to me, her face hurt and confused. "Was that what this whole tantrum you've been throwing was about?" she asks, her voice trembling.I feel a surge of shame and guilt, knowing I've hurt her. I try to speak, but she cuts me off, turning to Stefano."And you," she says, her voice cold and venomous. "You're just as bad. Using me as a pawn in your twisted game of cat and mouse. I'm not a prize to be won, Stefano. I'm a person."Stefano looks down, guilt all over his face. "Tiff—" I try to speak, but she cuts me off."No, I've already dealt enough with my father's manipulation. I'm so over this," she says, her voice firm and hurt. She turns and walks out of the room, leaving me feeling like I've really messed up.I realize now that I should have kept my emotions in check. But why would she get involved with her captor in the first place? Is she that naive?"That wasn't a nice thing to say," Rex says to Stefano, his voice disapproving. Stefano looks genuinely remorseful.Mark
I stood in front of the mirror and admired my hot body. I knew how crazy my body drove men but there was only one man I wanted to be crazy about, my bodyguard Mark. I didn’t know at what point I’d gone and fallen in love with him, it had happened slowly, over an extended period of time. I guess it had always been inevitable. I spent more time and saw him more than any other man.Falling for him wasn’t the problem though. The problem was that he had zero interest in me. I don’t think the man even saw me as anything more than the child he had been tasked to guard.Which was a problem when all I could think about when I looked at him was his hands all over my body. Mark was just too upright for his own good. If it were any other man, I’d be the one fending off their advances. Why did I get myself fallen for the most stubborn, unattainable man on the planet?I had tried everything I could to get him to see me as a woman. Seducing him hadn’t worked, and the one time I had purposely f
I smiled darkly when I saw her bodyguard drive her out of her father's mansion to the club as usual. I imagined how boring it would be to be her bodyguard. All she ever did was to go clubbing , shopping and to brunch with friends.I'd been following Tiffany for close to a week now, and not even the bodyguard was aware, I couldn’t blame him though. I had years of training in this.I followed the car carefully and patiently, making sure to keep a bit of a distance to avoid being noticed. Today was the final day the boss had given me to get the girl. I didn’t know what he wanted and I honestly didn’t care. This was a job to me, nothing more.The Don’s orders were to kidnap her and keep her locked up in one of the Mafia safe houses till he gave me further instructions.I pulled my car over a short distance away when I saw that they had stopped. I watched from across the club parking lot as the bodyguard stepped out and opened her door for her, she stepped out after a while. I cou
I liked to think that I'd have remembered everything Mark taught me on what to do in case of an emergency if I hadn't been out cold.It took me exactly one minute after I woke up to realize that I wasn't in my oversized four poster bed in my penthouse apartment.The bed I woke up in was a full size bed. I'd last slept on a bed this small in my college days. The mattress was also way too firm to make for a good sleep. I sat up in a rush and regretted it instantly.My head hurt like a bitch and my vision went spotty for a bit. I groaned.What !. What ! Someone had drugged me and dumped me here. The question was why?The last thing I remembered was feeling like a damn fool about being rejected by Mark and running off to lick my wounds in private.After that, everything else was a blur. I was supposed to be worried about myself, who knew what the sick psycho who had abducted me wanted? And yet the only thing I could think about was how worried Mark was going to be. I bit off a curse. I
Tiffany turns to me, her face hurt and confused. "Was that what this whole tantrum you've been throwing was about?" she asks, her voice trembling.I feel a surge of shame and guilt, knowing I've hurt her. I try to speak, but she cuts me off, turning to Stefano."And you," she says, her voice cold and venomous. "You're just as bad. Using me as a pawn in your twisted game of cat and mouse. I'm not a prize to be won, Stefano. I'm a person."Stefano looks down, guilt all over his face. "Tiff—" I try to speak, but she cuts me off."No, I've already dealt enough with my father's manipulation. I'm so over this," she says, her voice firm and hurt. She turns and walks out of the room, leaving me feeling like I've really messed up.I realize now that I should have kept my emotions in check. But why would she get involved with her captor in the first place? Is she that naive?"That wasn't a nice thing to say," Rex says to Stefano, his voice disapproving. Stefano looks genuinely remorseful.Mark
My eyes narrow at Mark. What the hell is wrong with him and why the fuck is he acting so selfish. He just shot a man, and he isn’t even concerned one bit. I get, he has every right to be cold towards Stefano. But right now, he’s acting really insensitive.“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” I whisper, taking a step closer to him, my fist clenched. “ you don’t know what he’s been through.”Mark snorts, rolling his eyes. “oh, spare me the drama Tiffany. I do not fucking care. What the fuck is wrong with you? He fucking kidnapped you Tiffany, and now what - I’m the bad guy, cut the crap. I just wasted my time. Let’s get out of here Rex, I’m fucking done with this bullshit.”“Will you chill Mark, you fucking shot someone.” Rex says, trying to calm him down.Mark shrugs “Yea so what, he fucking deserves it, I’m not sorry, look, I’m leaving.” Mark says and start moving towards the door.I’m shocked by marks behavior, What the hell is going on with him, he’s usually not like this.
I burst through the door, my heart racing with a mix of fear and adrenaline. I see Mark, Tiffany’s bodyguard, gun raised, and Tiffany’s desperate attempt to stop him. I try to dodge, But it’s too late. The bullet hits my arm with a searing pain, and I feel my self flying backwards, crashing to the floor.My other hand instinctively grabs my wounded arm, I look up, I see Tiffany’s horrified face above me. “Stefano, no, oh God no!” She screams, tears streaming down her face.Despite the agony, I manage to croak out a reassurance “I’m fine,” I lie trying to calm her down. But I know I am far from fine. The pain is intense, and I can feel blood seeping through my fingers. I glance at Mark, who looks like he’s in shock, and wonder if he meant to shoot me.“What the fuck Mark,” Tiffany says angrily ruining to my side.Mark looks distorted, his eyes darting back and forth between me and the other man whose gun is still pointed at me.“put the fucking gun down and help him, Tiffany pleads, he
“The fuck!” Tiffany exclaims as I and Rex burst the cabin door open “mark?!” She looks like she’s seen a ghost, her eyes wide open with shock and fear.The state I meet her in is not what I expected. She’s wearing old sweatpants and a worn out shirt. Her hair is damp, obviously from a shower. And she’s lost a lot of weight obviously, her cheeks sunken and her eyes prominent. But that’s not it either, she almost look… contented. A sense of calmness radiates from her, like she’s found a sense of peace in this isolated cabin.I scan the room for signs of her captive, while Rex makes a sweep the cabin, his gun drawn. But there’s no one else here. Just Tiffany, alone, looking almost … happy. The realization throws me off guard.“Tiffany?” I say but it comes out croaked“Mark?” She repeats again. Her face switching to relief as she comes forward and hugs me, throwing me off guard again.“Ohmygod we literally spoke about you this morning. Stefano was on his way to come find you. Oh my god. S
“Promise to be careful,” I say to Stefano as he sets to head back to the city.He nods, “I hate leaving you here alone” he whispers leaning into my neck and placing soft kisses. “You’ll be fine till I come back for you?” He says looking into my eyes, his gaze searching mine.My heart literally melts at his concern, I nod, “I’ll be.”“And you’ll wait, till I’m back.” He presses on, a hint of a smile playing in his lipsThat makes me chuckle. “Of course, where could I possible go. We’re in this together right?”“Right.” He replies, his voice low and gentle, he tilts my face up and presses his lips to mine.I kiss him back, savoring the moment, tasting him. I love the softness of his lips, I love how he always seems to taste of peppermint. We had spent last night cuddling, kissing and talking way into the night. I intend using the time he’s away to have a proper rest. And I’m worried about him, he didn’t sleep last night either, and if I think about it, I don’t think he’s ever had a prop
“You know what, you don’t need to answer that,” Sarah said, I heave a sigh of relief, I doubt I would have told her anyways. “Can I use the restroom?” She asked in the calmest tone you’d least expect from someone who has just been informed about the death of her husband.“Yea sure,” I and Rex reply in unisonShe gets up, “I’ll be quick mom,” she said to her mom, gives Chloe a quick peck before leaving for the bathroom“Do you think she’s—" Rex is asking when I cut in “do you think she’s going to be okay?” Thinking again, I add “of course not, that was a dumb question.”“She’s not okay now, but she’ll be. My daughter isn’t one to show emotions. She just needs time to take it in that’s all.” Her mum says “Thank you so much for your help?—"“Mark,” I respond.“Mark,” she repeats, her eyes welling up with tears “thank you.”I nod, feeling a sense of helplessness as I exchange eye contact with Rex and Joe. I want to do more to comfort her, but I know I’ve done all I can for now.Rex leaves
“It’s still not reachable?” I ask Tiffany for the hundredth time frustrated. You’d think that when you need someone urgently they’d be there to help.But no. We’ve been trying to reach Mark for hours now, his line went from ringing to no answer to now, finally unreachable.“What do we do now?” Tiffany ask wearyI sigh. “I don’t know honestly,”“We need to come up with plan B. If Mark’s not picking up then something must be wrong. Mark is always with his phone incase if emergency.” Tiffany response pacing.“ what do you suggest we do? I can’t tackle Don on my own. I’ll need help if I’m going to get us out of this alive”I rub my temples, thinking. We can’t just sit and do nothing, we need to take action. But what?I could take Tiffany with me to a different location, one Don isn’t aware of, but that would create more problems. And what happens if I’m found?, I’ll be shot dead straight away.“Okay,let’s think this through,” I say trying to calm my racing mind “do you perhaps know where
We arrive at Rex’s apartment, a nondescript building in a quiet neighborhood. I pay the driver and usher Sarah and her mom out the taxi, with little Chloe who was asleep, exhausted. Rex answers the door, a look of relief on his face when he sees us.“Uh thank God you made it,” he says ushering us inside. “We tried calling you severally.”That’s when I feel my pocket and realize I left my phone inside the car. “Fuck!” I exclaim“Mark,” Joe calls out coming from the living room “fuck you got us worried for a minute. We were this close to start looking for you.” He says heavy of a sigh of relief.“It’s fine. I’m fine. Abandoned my phone due to the chase. It was intense. I’m just glad no one got hurt. This is Sarah, Dave’s wife by the way, and her mum,” I turn to introduce them. “Little Chloe is asleep.”“Come in, come in.” Rex says, welcoming us “you’re safe now.”Noticing Sarah’s hesitance I nod, “it’s fine. They’re the good guys.”Sarah nods slightly, still looking uncertain, but she f
I can’t believe how much I’m enjoying myself. The diner is cozy and warm, and the waitress is friendly and welcoming. And Stefano…Stefano is being sweet and protective. I feel like I can trust him.As we wait for our food, I ask him about the plan. I know I can’t stay here forever. I need to go back to life. I don’t know what plans my father has or what Don’s intentions are if my father doesn’t pay up, but I don’t think we need to wait to find out, we need a plan.Stefano leans in close, his eyes locked on mine “we’ll figure something out,” he replied, his voice lie and reassuring. “We’ll get through this together.”I nod, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. I feel like I can count on him. I’m not alone in this anymore and that’s all that matters.When the food arrives i take a bite of the “kitchen sink” and my eyes widened in amazement. It’s incredible! Big enough to feed two people, the flavors and textures all work together perfectly.Stefano laughs at my reaction “that good?”