LucaAfter taking that shower, I couldn't help but realise how much self-control I had to exercise to keep myself from getting too close to Emma; it would only take one small decision to fall at her feet and allow her the control she used to have over me. I know I shouldn't be feeling this way, but it's difficult when my heart tells me to give her another chance. The problem is that Emma seems to be hiding something from me, which is making it hard for me to trust this new version of her. Despite this, I can't shake off the feeling that she deserves a second chance after all.The pain is still raw, even after six long years. It's as if it happened yesterday, and the memories of her leaving me are still vivid in my mind. She ripped my heart out and splattered it on the floor, leaving me to pick up the pieces and try to make sense of what happened. And yet, here she is, acting like nothing has changed. Seeing her act like everything is fine is infuriating, as if she didn't just shatter
EmmaAfter being invited to breakfast, I stupidly thought perhaps things were changing and that Luca would now start to treat me as he should. Yet it was as if he had set out to hurt me, and I foolishly allowed him to continue doing so for the rest of the day. The pain was so intense that I retreated to his room, sulking and nursing my wounds alone. I even called out to Anna, treating her like she was only there to cater to my needs. I asked her to bring me mountains of chocolate, hoping to help ease the pain.As I sat there in bed, I devoured bar after bar, trying to find solace in the sweet and creamy goodness. The words that Luca had hurled at me kept playing over and over again in my mind like a broken record.I couldn't help but wonder aloud, "Does he really hate me so much that he doesn't even want to give me the wedding I deserve? Every girl deserves a wedding to remember..."I couldn't believe how ruthless he had become. It was as if I didn't even know him anymore.The night w
LucaAs I step out of my car, my shoes hit the pavement with a steady rhythm that synchronises with my heartbeat. I'm standing in the driveway of the house where I grew up, but I'm about to leave the comfort of the familiar behind and make my way to my father's office, where he summoned me earlier this evening. The halls of my parent's home are dimly lit, but the soft glow is enough to guide me as I walk towards my father's office, wondering what he wants to talk to me about this time. I've been meeting with him regularly lately, and while it's become routine, I can't help but feel a sense of unease every time I step into his office under his domain. You see, I've recently taken on the role of underboss in the family business, preparing to become the next Don of the Italian Mafia. It's a position I never expected to find myself in, having grown up as a half-Italian boy in London, feeling like I only fit in with myself. Looking back, it's clear that everyone was afraid of me and, mo
EmmaThis meeting went differently than I wish it would. Yet, as I listen to Luca hiss his annoyance with my presence, I internally laugh that this is precisely how I imagined he would react to me.After being told to sit back down, I internalise my musings, thinking back to that day six long years ago.As a child, I didn't understand the concept of love, I don't think any child can. That was until I met the boy who lived just next door to me. He was older than me, but we grew up together, and as time passed, my feelings for him only grew more substantial and more robust. He was an ever-present embodiment of protection, lurking often and saving me from myself just as frequently. I fell for him completely and utterly, with a deep emotion that I couldn't comprehend then.However, tragedy struck just as quickly as my love for him had blossomed. My father was threatened with a gun to his head by his very best friend and none other than Luca's father to get me away from the boy I was betro
LucaWhile driving, I made a terrible mistake by allowing one of my hands to stray from the steering wheel. Even though it was a minor lapse in judgment, I feel a sense of guilt and regret. However, I refuse to let the hurt inflicted by the woman sitting next to me control my thoughts and actions after all these years. As a soulless killing machine, I have long buried my emotions, but now they are resurfacing, and I won't let them consume me. It's clear to me that she took what wasn't hers and then ran away. Despite all this, we find ourselves betrothed to each other. I wonder if it's merely a coincidence. I think not; nothing in my line of work is marked down to something as simple as coincidence. But at least I won't have to lie to my father when I say I've taken her virginity on our wedding night; the only small white lie will be the timeline in which I had taken it.I am hesitant and taken aback by my thoughts as I consider the possibility of marrying this stunning yet untrustwort
EmmaLuca reacts abruptly, slamming his foot on the brakes with such force as if there was an imminent threat of a multi-car pile-up ahead. The car comes to a screeching halt in a matter of seconds, throwing me forward as the seatbelt tightens against my skin, crushing my ribs and causing me to let out a painful groan.I am still trying to catch my breath when we take a sudden left turn into a narrow single-track lane. The lane is covered with thick foliage of trees that wind around, obscuring the view ahead of us. As we continue down the lane, I realize that we are approaching a massive ten-foot wall. The wall is manned by at least five guards who seem to be on high alert at our appearance. The only way into the compound is through a wrought iron gate that is being guarded by these men.The term "compound" refers to Luca's place of residence, a secured and heavily guarded home where his men are constantly patrolling the perimeter.I have kept tabs on Luca's every movement and ability
LucaMy mind is in disarray as I sauntered through the vast expanse of my property with purpose. I needed to find a place to gather my thoughts and sort out the turmoil that was raging inside me first. I had to entrap this liar to ensure she was kept far away from my secrets, and then I needed to get myself into check. The house is enormous, with more than twenty-eight bedrooms at my disposal, each more opulent than the last. I could have chosen any of them to deposit Emma in, but instead, I decided my bedroom was where she belonged.My bedroom was my sanctuary, my place of refuge. It was located in the far corner of the property, away from the hustle and bustle of the remainder of the house. It is a spacious room, three times the size of any other in the compound, and it boasted the most comfortable bed I had ever slept in. As I forcibly pushed her in, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. This was my domain, my safe haven, the one place where I could be myself and let my guard down a
EmmaAs my eyes flutter open, I am greeted by the sun's dazzling rays streaming through the two glass doors. These doors lead out onto a balcony ideally placed to face the rising sun, illuminating the multiple hills that rest beyond the locked doors.Despite the beauty of the outside world, I feel trapped and confined within these walls. I long to step out onto the balcony to inhale the crisp night air, but last night, when I tried the doors, I discovered they were locked. I could have tried to use the pins in my hair to pick the lock and escape, but the risk posed by the men guarding the house made me hesitant and the man who holds my heart even more so.As I lie here, I reminisce about the countries we have lived in over the years. The United Kingdom has always held a special place in my heart because of him, and I am grateful to be back. The cool English air is a welcome change from the hot and humid weather I have experienced elsewhere. The countryside here is unparalleled; even m