LILITH POVI sighed as the professor finished the lesson for the day. It was what I had been looking forward to.Last night's event kept finding its way into my head, and I couldn't push it out. I had tossed and turned on my bed all night while my brain conjured the image of an injured Giovanni. Some of the pictures were good, while some were nauseating.The ones I couldn't get out of my head were the nauseating ones where several bodies lay on a heap in front of the restaurants with their head blown off. While Giovanni stood at the side, his blood quickly drained. It was certain he would soon be like the heap of dead bodies, but at least he would look as handsome as ever while at it.He had only gotten injured in his right arm; that was the exact place I had seen exposed while he was shooting the opponents before exposing himself as if he were some protagonist in a story with a lot of plot armor.I couldn't get past that image of him in my head, and I had tried my best to push it out
LILITH POV I sat on the tree trunk facing my father's gravestone, crossing my legs. Some people had come with a flower, bottle of champagne, or even a precious item to drop at the grave of their loved ones, but I had come empty-handed. I was always here empty-handed. I didn't come here to reminisce with him or have a father's daughter talk we never had. I had come here to spite him as I often did. My mother barely talked about my father. She had always dismissed every talk about him while growing up. She never told me if he was dead or even living. But I believed he was dead. At least to me. Just three years ago, I rented a plot in this community burial ground just to set his gravestone on it. To tell the stone how well I was doing without him. To say to it, he was going to get the award of being the worst father in hell, adding to his punishment. To tell him I was a stripper, which wouldn't have been possible if he was alive. Well, maybe. My mother didn't know about this place
LILITH POV Blend in and do not get caught. Giovanni had said before I stepped out of the car. I had thought it was an easy job. At least, the one he had required me to do with the banker a few days ago had seemed easy, although unnerving as I wasn't prepared for it. This seemed worse. He was watching every move I made from the hidden camera in the stupid bracelet he had made me wear. And right now, he would definitely see how nervous I was. I let in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. A small smile played on my face as I walked towards the main building of the Grand Aurelia Villa. The Aurelia villa was a wealthy estate perched on a hill offering sweeping views of Ravello. The Villa's sprawling gardens were lit with golden fairy light, casting a warm glow on the manicured hedges and marble fountains. The soft hum of classical music drifted from a string quartet stationed near the entrance, their melodies mingling with the murmur of conversations and the gentle clink of champagne
LILITH POVWe were ushered into another room for the main event.It was a grand ballroom dripping with wealth and elegance at every corner. Gilded walls reflected the warm glow of chandeliers, making the entire space shimmer with gold. Massive windows lined one side of the room, giving a breathtaking view of Ravello's lights glittering against the night sky.Hushed conversations could be heard around me, and the same soft strings of a quartet played in the background.It smelled faintly of expensive wine and roses, a mix that felt both intoxicating and stifling. On a raised stage, under bright spotlights, the auction items waited.I found a vacant chair that was around one of the elegantly adorned round tables near the middle of the room, close enough to see the stage clearly but not so close as to draw too much attention to myself.Walking towards it, I sat down and was happy to be ignored by the high-profile attendees who sat there.The blonde from earlier stepped onto the stage, a
GIOVANNI POVThe bastard was here.I had only wanted to watch all that was happening from afar. Well, I trusted Raven could keep everything under control. At least she had managed to put Victoria in her place and not let herself be intimidated by the spoilt brat until my intervention.If I hadn't intervened, Victoria would have had her security toss out Raven, but that wasn't what I wanted.Victoria had given me a personal invitation to this event, and I declined, telling her someone would be attending instead of me. I never wanted to come here as I had a reason for staying hidden in the first place. There were too many enemies here, looking, waiting for me.Raven was unknown and could easily do what I ordered her without getting detected.Now, the attention I had been avoiding on her had been created the moment she had bade on the necklace.The damned necklace always causes this much chaos. I had no choice but to rescue her.Now, the painting.I had seen it before. It was at the Ricc
LILITH POV"I'll miss you," Casey sighed, pulling me into the hundredth hug since we arrived at the airport.She had refused to let me go and only did that when she checked in her luggage, and she returned soon after."I'll be closer to you than you think. Technology already made it easy for us," I said.Casey groaned, "I do not want to speak to you on the phone. I want you there with me, Lily. How the hell am I going to navigate somewhere as big as New York?" Her brown eyes widened as if she was already thinking of the possibility.I rolled my eyes, "Come on, no one will ask you to walk the whole of New York. Besides, you can always use your map to guide you wherever you are going.""You're no fun," she nudged my shoulder, jutting out her lower lip, and folded her arms in front of her. "You should come with me.""You know I'd have done that if I could," I sighed.Casey's expression turned serious, and she nodded, "I understand. I was only kidding. But I am still going to miss you.""
LILITH POVTWO WEEKS LATER"And Time is up. Please stop writing and put your pens down." Dr Livia instructed, "Enjoy your summer."Her exam was the last paper for the term.I handed her my paper, picking up my bag by the side of the door, before joining the students walking towards the entrance.I sighed, allowing the warmth of the sun to caress my face. The weather was favorable today and a clear indication of the summer break. Summer break. I mused. I had never had any meaningful ones, not counting the ones I had with Casey.But that was before I began to take the responsibility of looking after my mother and Romeo.Casey and I often camped in her house. I had nowhere else to go, and her parents usually preferred where she was in close proximity.They weren't as strict as my mother, but they were only being cautious.Despite how lovely Ponteverde could be, summer break was mostly the time when most kidnappings occurred. Children, teens, and even adults would go camping, hiking, or
LILITH POVI was in Santorini, sweet!It looked surreal.I never thought I'd be here, in a place where the world's colors looked like they'd been painted on the sky.This was the last place on earth I'd ever thought I'd step foot in. I couldn't afford a plane ticket that'd even take me away from Ponteverde, much less fly in a private jet where everything you needed was handed to you on a platter of gold.The city was too beautiful to be true, and I couldn't help but ogle every little detail my eyes could see, albeit in a subtle manner. I believe Giovanni noticed.I had caught him chuckling each time he stared in my direction, although he didn't tell me the exact reason he was laughing. But he was. I didn't get the chance to take in my environment fully as I followed Giovanni to a sleek black car waiting on the tarmac.The driver, a middle-aged man with a goatee and a bald head, opened the door for me, then for Giovanni on the other side of the passenger seat, before he moved to the dr
LILITH POVIt was close to midnight, and Giovanni hadn't returned yet. I was home. When I got home, I met Casey and Christie. I was glad that they were fine.They had all returned from the hospital except my mother. Even though she was still in the intensive care unit, there was an assurance that she wouldn't die overnight. The doctor had said so, and they were monitoring her. If her condition changes, they'll inform us as soon as possible.I was okay with her staying there. At her present condition, I didn't think we'd be able to care for her as much as they'd be able to do so in the hospital.Again, it would be a hassle having her here, and when she had another crisis, we'd need to take her to the hospital again.I looked out the window and saw a light flashing into the room. It was from a car driving in. One of Giovanni’s cars, but not the one he always drove in.I stepped away from the window as the car came to a halt, and Rowland climbed down from it.Snatching my robe from the s
LILITH POVI paced the room. Despite being lovely to look at due to the pastel wall painting and the vast window that allowed light to come into the room, it didn't give me any slight comfort that I needed right now.I believed the room had been specially prepared for me. I'd have thought of how thoughtful they were if the room wasn't a prison to me.No matter how cozy the room looked, it was a prison, and I didn't think I'd be coming out of it anytime soon.I hadn't seen my father in sight, nor Diego. The bastard that brought me to this place had only pushed me into the room before locking the door and walking away.He had even warned me not to attempt jumping out of the window as I'd only break a neck or even die in worse-case scenarios.I walked to the said window, looking down. Instantly, I withdrew my head as a wave of dizziness washed over me.It was higher than I had thought, and he wasn't lying. If I tried to jump, I wouldn't be breaking a neck alone, I'd die from the impact.
GIOVANNI POVI was with the guys, having a drink. We were trying to unwind and hoped for the best.Everyone was on edge. I glanced at Romeo sitting by himself and playing on his phone. He had stopped crying long ago. I wouldn't blame him.If I was his age, I might have that emotion as well. Only if I had my parents and I was as close as he was to them.I never had the privilege to feel this intense emotion because it was seen as a weakness. And I'd never allow myself to be as weak as that.But when it came to Lilith. It seemed like an entirely different thing for me. I had experienced moments of weakness, fear, and even more sensitivity than I had ever experienced in my life.I had tried to distance myself, believing because I was always in her presence, that made it that way.But even in her absence, she still managed everything to be about her.Looking away from Romeo, I caught Casey and Christie's movement. But not Lilith. Both were running towards us.I frowned, looking at both of
LILITH POVMy mother had been taken to the intensive care unit, while we were outside the door pacing, and waiting for the outcome of the doctor's diagnoses.I couldn't understand what was happening. I was still confused. Not only me. But Romeo who was now crying silently while Casey comfortable him, and everyone else.They had the same expression on their faces. I mean my mother had been fine. She was doing fine today and suddenly, she seemed unresponsive and her breath fading.Even though no one would openly admit it, I could tell the end was near for her. I didn't want to believe it too. But it was fucking too soon.I expected her to live months!Or even beat the doctor's words and stay years and even forever. She'd get to see her grandchildren and be the best grandmother ever, but that wouldn't be happening."Where are you going to?"I stopped walking, looking around me. I didn't realise I had left the others and was now very much closer to the main entrance.Giovanni was behind m
LILITH POVOut of all the things I wanted to hear Giovanni say, my father coming back was certainly not it.I stared at him. He wasn't bluffing. He looked absolutely serious. It was weird that he was mentioning my father seeing as I hadn't spoken to him about him. Also, the fact that he knew his name and he mentioned it made it even weirder."How do you know who my father is?" I questioned.Giovanni gripped my hand, pulling me up the remaining step, and towards the room. When we were inside the room, he let go of my hands.I watched as he stepped further inside, tugging his tie, and undoing the top button of his shirt.He rolled up his sleeves, pushing his hand inside his hair before turning to me."I am certain we haven't spoken about my father," I winced at the term father. I didn't want to refer to him as that because he was anything but my father, but at this moment, I had no choice.Since I wanted answers from Giovanni, it was only fitting I used it."There are things you don't k
GIOVANNI POVShe was fine.The thought jumped around in my head over and over again.Since I received Luca's call and went there to take care of business myself, I had been unsettled. Even though Luca had assured me that Rowland had driven her home safely, I didn't want to believe that.But now, seeing her in person, a relieved sigh coursed through me.I stumbled towards her, almost falling to her feet, but she caught me, her arms wrapping around me."What happened to you?" she whispered.I didn't respond to her. I couldn't. I doubted I could find my voice even if I tried to.I hugged her as tight as I could, never wanting to let her go. Inhaling her intoxicating scent, I shut my eyes tightly, opening them as I heard her voice."You have blood all over you, Giovanni. What happened to her?" She tried to move out of my embrace, but I held her back."Don't leave," I choked out.I had never been this emotional. Not even when Diamante left me a day before the wedding. Not even when Diamant
LILITH POVAs soon as I stepped inside the house, I was engulfed in a hug. It wasn't Giovanni as I had thought.Rather, it was the two people I had thought were still in the spa. The two people I was afraid for.As soon as they released me, my eyes widened, and I pulled them into an embrace of my own."You're safe!" I whispered again, holding them as tight as I could, as if they'd disappear if I let go.Casey laughed, "Of course we are."I pulled away, looking at both of them. They seemed fine and barely had any scratches on them. I was confused, but I was also curious to know how they had come out of the spa unscathed.Also, why didn't they bother to come looking for me?"What happened? I tried to make Rowland go back for the two of you and he assured me that you both would be fine. Perhaps I shouldn't have bothered!"I scowled at the smile still present on Casey's face. She was enjoying this. I had almost died because of them. I couldn't imagine what would have happened if I had bee
LILITH POVWe had barely reached the escape exit when I remembered I had forgotten something.The girls!I halted abruptly, my eyes widening as I looked around me. I tried to find Christie and Casey. But it was impossible to see anything due to the crowds and everyone running here and there to save themselves."We need to leave here!" Luca urged, tugging me.I resisted.Turning to stare at him."I need to find Casey and Christie!" I yelled."They'll be fine. We need to save you first," Luca said.I glared at him, tugging my hand from his. "Really? You want me to leave my best friends to some murderers?""I am sure you're ready to answer Xanthos when he knows you purposely left her, " even to Theo.Although Theo wouldn't admit to wanting Casey, and she, too, had denied it several times, I knew there was something going on between them."Or the murderers could be here for you and you'd get hurt because you wish to look for your friends who might have saved themselves. Then, I won't have
LILITH'S POV"Really?" I murmured, scowling as I saw Luca.He must have followed me here on Giovanni's order. But I thought Giovanni didn't care. How the hell did he know I was leaving the house, seeing as he had been avoiding me and we hadn't seen each other all morning?Perhaps he was watching from his window."So convenient of him," I rolled my eyes. He could watch me and despatched his bodyguard to watch me, but he couldn't even bring himself to speak to me."That's Luca," Casey pointed to where Luca was standing at the entrance.He wasn't even making his presence discreet. At least, someone else would have hidden from sight and maybe watched from a distance. Someone like Rowland.But he was doing the opposite."Did you mention you're coming here to your husband?" Christie asked me. "I thought both of you weren't on good terms."I shrugged, then stared at Christie. She shrugged as well. How would she know Giovanni and I weren't on good terms? She was really observant.She must hav