A FEW DAYS LATERBaking cupcakes is not my thing. I am not a woman who spend my free time in the kitchen figuring out a new recipe. I am far from being feminine, the only thing I am good at is holding a gun and knife. I spent my free time in training to sharpen my skill. I'm easily get bored with womanly activities. But then, that doesn't mean I can't make cookies. I can even pretend like a fragile and gentle woman who seems get along with the kitchen stuffs just like what a normal wife can do.I mentally laugh with that thought and shrug it off because I couldn't concentrate with what I'm doing. Just like what I've said, I'm making cupcakes. I don't know what got into me, it just that I wake up yesterday morning thinking that maybe I should try doing something new. Obviously this is what I'm referring as 'something new'. I've been searching tutorial online for me to do the basic. Eredia try to offer me some help but I decline. She even suggested that I should ask the family chef to
"Damn, will he be alright?"I frown and look at Pierro. "What do you mean by that?" I can't help to ask.Why does it sounds like a big deal? Come to think of it, when I came here I was not given enough time to know every single detail about Sain Czar Ildefonso. Everyone knows that this mission was unexpected, I was not prepared. I didn't prepared myself as well.I mean, this is not the flow of plan that I envisioned when I was still young. This is not the revenge that I wanted. What I want is to kill Cesar Ildefonso myself, I want his blood on my hands. I want the smell of his blood filled my nose But everything changes when I was told to pretend as Selena Asli Castania. Everything happen so fast, I must say. So I didn't know anything about him aside from the fact that he's the most dangerous Ildefonso. I don't know what he likes, I don't know his hobbies, I don't know what his favorite food, I don't know how he spent his free time if ever he has knowing that he's a busy person.Al
"I want to see you as much as you want to see me, darling..."I couldn't stop my smile. I can feel the fluttering sensation in my stomach. The butterfly effect that I didn't knew possible for me to experience. I could hear the small buzzer signal in the corner of my head, sending warning that I am getting off track with the path I'm taking. But then, I wanted to breath in this beautiful feeling. This is my first time getting experience something like this. An emotion that I couldn't just simply put into words, an emotion that couldn't just define so easily. It feels like there is a strong connection between me and Sain. A connection that bond us together. This is not about our deal, it's not about the contract. It's more than that."See you there, then" I whisper still feel giddy inwardly."Take care, don't be stubborn and just follow what Pierro or Nicolai instructed to you. They know what will they do for your safety, alright?" He said almost sound like my father, a tone that is la
What is Phoebus Romani doing here? Isn't he aware that Ilde Famiglia already found out about Mafia Romano? What they also figure out that the person who leads the Mafia Romano is the Romani clan?"I'm fine," I said and take a step back.He let go of me but I saw how his stare remain on my face. After a few seconds, his expression lit up and a flash of recognition cross his eyes followed by his charming smile. "I know you," he utter. "We've met before aren't we?" He take a step forward to close our distance that made me take another step back. I guess he notice what I did because his smile grew wider as if he find me amusing. I bit the inside of my mouth and compose myself. He doesn't know me as Herravie Costello but I need to be careful. Who knows if this man is just pretending that he doesn't know me. I mean, his father know me. Teofilo Romani is aware that the fourth child of Luscio Costello is a woman. We already met once so it is possible that he mention me to his son which is
I press my lips together. Sain is holding my wrist as he lead me the way to I don't know where are we going. I could feel how furious he is but his grip is not tight enough to hurt me, as a matter of fact his hand feels soft and gentle to my skin it's just that, I know that he is not in the mood. We enter the elevator at the end of the fancy hallway. I think this elevator is exclusively for him or perhaps it's for the executive. Silence is deafening between us, he's still holding my wrist although we're the only one inside the elevator. Sain is not uttering a word but he's anger is too evident in his face. There is a slight creased plastered on his forehead and his jaw is clenching from time to time while his eyes is blazing in fire.The elevator stop and then the door open. I was not able to know what floor we stop because my whole attention is focus on my so called husband doesn't want to missed even just a small detail of his expression. He pulled me again with him, I saw a man we
I force myself a smile because I don't know what to say. I let him eat the cupcakes while I am sitting on the single sofa inside his office. He seems enjoying which is opposite to what I predicted. I am bit worried with the thought that maybe he is just forcing himself but then, I don't think he is. There is a hint of satisfaction and joy in his deep dark soulful eyes that always drowning me.Honestly, he looks like a kid right now. I find him adorable which I didn't know would possible for someone who was so tall and has a firm body with a face that screams with manliness. I find him cute while enjoying himself with the cupcakes I made for him."Does it taste good?" I can't help to ask. I don't want him to force himself with something that he doesn't like. And I think he's been eating a lot, I don't want him to have a bad stomach especially now that we are in his office and not at him. "It taste delicious" he flash a smile that made me bit the inside of my mouth. "You should visit
My gaze stay on the close door thinking how long Sain will stay outside. After a moment of silence I start to take a step and roam around Sain Czar's office. I check every corner to make sure that there is no camera inside or maybe a wire tapping devices. After I finish doing it and confirm that I have nothing to worry, I walk towards the glass wall that made me saw the entire city. I stare outside for a short moment before I dial Enzo's digit.I didn't wait for a long second because after one ring, Enzo answer the call and spoke my name."Herravie," there is a hint of uncertainty in his tone that instantly put creased on my forehead.He doesn't sound calm, I think something happen. I didn't call fo quite sometime. After what happen to Laurent's burial, I was not able to reach them because I was stuck inside the Ildefonso's Residence. Also I become irresponsible. Yeah, I refuse to call them and focus on the idea of how I will fit as Sain Czar's wife."Did something happen?" I query in
"Phoebus Romani?" He pause as if he's trying to remember something. "Is he the son of Teofilo Romani?"I shut my eyes close and puff out a breath."Yes, the next crime boss of Mafia Romano" I replied in a flat tone.That man is giving me headache. I don't know what is he doing with his life right now. I don't know what got into his head to get close with Sain Czar Ildefonso, for sure he is aware that Sain is the next crime boss of Ilde Famiglia, the rival of Mafia Romano. He should stay out of their radar. He almost got killed if I was not order to assassinate Elliot first."What happen?" He curiously ask, perhaps he's wondering why I'm sticking my nose to that man when in fact he is not part of mission.Well, I am taking precaution. He is on the bad side of Sain Czar. It can't continue that way especially that they seems acquainted because they both on the same field of business. Once something happen to him, Mafia Romano will at stake, if that happen Sintti Crime Organization will l
"Where is Sain? Please let me see him" I pleaded as I look at the stern expression of Sixto who's standing at the door not wanting me go inside the room."Celeste enough, you haven't fully recover yet. Let's go back to your room" Zachary said who's standing beside me while holding my arm, giving me support.It's been almost three weeks since what happen. Everything are still fresh in my memory, how I escape the Ildefonso's Residence, how Antonio help me, how I killed Teofilo, how Jaxer try to kill me and how Sain was getting shot by Apollo. It's been almost three weeks and yet I haven't saw Sain even just once. They won't let me, Sixto is always stopping me as well as Zachary who disappointingly siding at Sixto. They doesn't want me to see Sain, they are even updating me about his condition. I am dying with so much anxiousness, I am worried sick how he is doing. "Just a glance. I just have to know how he is" I insist not wanting to go back.I know it was my fault but I never wanted
The car halted in a familiar place. I took a deep breath and rolled down the car window scanning my eyes around the place. It's been a while since the last time I visit here and nothing change despite how my heart change. "Are you sure that you're doing this?" Antonio break the silence that made me look at him."What do you mean by that?" I ask in return."If Enzo is the one sitting here, for sure he will ask the same Hera. This is your enemy's place, you cannot do the first move. You just have to defend" he explain.I mentally shake my head, he almost sound like Enzo. I didn't know that he's coming to me. His loyalty is only for Enzo and I didn't know he will give it to me since he was under Sintti's training. "Have I mention to you that I have a brother? A real one and I just recently find out about him" I said."And what does it has to do with this?""He will save me together with my husband. You know how powerful my husband right? So nothing will happen to me," I confidently sai
"Hera..."I stilled on my spot when I heard the familiar voice of Apollo on the other line. Unconsciously, I turn my head to look at the direction of Sain and his brothers who's occupying the living room while discussing something that I didn't know.The trio doesn't seem to notice that I am no longer on my spot because their attentions are all on the table while Sixto is talking things that I cannot understand and follow. Perhaps it was about his organization and not Ilde Famiglia. "Please Hera, spare me a minute to talk with you" I blink my eyes and took a deep breath before living the trio. I went out and head straight to the gazebo doesn't want anyone to hear me talking to someone from Costello. "What do you want Apollo?" I ask, controlling the tone of my voice.Knowing that Teofilo Romani is the person who killed my parents, there is a sudden anger rooted inside me towards my brother. They all knew and yet they didn't say anything. They all make me look like a fool. They are a
The wind is blowing softly and it gives me a shivering sensation every time it touches my bare skin. I lifted my gaze and breath calmly. I am here in the gazebo hugging myself because of the morning breeze. I did stay but I couldn't find myself to sleep after what I find out. And now that the morning came, I still don't know what to do. I don't know where to start because I couldn't believe that I was been fooled for fifteen years and I am oblivious about it.I took a deep breath and gaze down shutting my eyes close. I am not sure if making a deal with Sain Czar is the smartest thing to do, but then I already did it. I already gave him my word in exchange of a very important information. I am not interested how did he finds out, my whole focus is on Sintti Organization and Mafia Romano. Both of them made fun of me, they made me believe a made up stories and I was such an idiot. I couldn't believe that I work for the man who killed my parents. I already meet him but I didn't recogni
"That's enough!" Sixto's voice filled the whole room, breaking the dark inclement mood that is about to explode. "Celeste is no longer the child we've been searching. She become the woman we never expected, she will not be pleased once she hears this" Zacharias agree. Well, he's right. Everything that is happening right now is not pleasing and here they are fighting as if I can't make decision on my own. Maybe my driven force to live is the vengeance inside my heart, but I stop living as Celeste. I already forgotten how does it feels like to live in the shoes of that innocent girl. "I will discuss this with Father. This is very complicated and I hope we are all expect the consequences..." Sixto added, sounding like a mature brother. "I don't want to see you two fighting about it."That make sense because he is the oldest among them. He has the authority to make the two follow him even the hardheaded Sain Czar. I immediately close my eyes and pretend that I'm still sleeping when Za
My eyes widen."What the hell are you doing?!" I blurt out and pulled my wrist from his grasp.Sain look at me with those serious and tantalizing eyes that never failed to drown me but I keep my distance with him, flaunting the anger that plastered on my face right now. "I am telling them the truth. You're Celeste Astraea Cortezi, and they should know that fact" My lips parted as I look at him disbelief. "What the hell are you saying Czar?" Zacharias suddenly intervene that made me fisted my hand.I stare at Sain Czar sharply hoping that he will stop this nonsense. There is no point even if he informed everyone about my real identity. I was molded and live as a Costello for fifteen years. I killed people, numerous lives die in my hands. That won't change and the fact that I am Celeste Astraea Cortezi will not cover the bloody life I'm living. But Sain ignore my warning gaze instead he turn to look at Zacharias."You heard me. She's Celeste Astraea Cortezi, the woman we've been fin
"What do you really want from me?" I ask before he take his step inside.We're already here, I was not able to stop him because his persistent to bring me back to Ildefonso's Residence is hard to break. But I need to know what does he really want from me. I want to know why he's doing this. If this is part of his revenge then he should stop it because I don't like playing this kind of game. Sain Czar didn't speak nor turn around to face me but he didn't walk away either. I am patiently waiting for his response because I need it. I don't know what he's up to because as I said, Sain Czar is difficult to read. He's hard to predict. I don't know what's on his mind, I cannot conclude any idea. He is that mysterious and I don't want to fall with his mystery."You're not my husband no matter how much you insist. You don't have the right to my life" I added.I step back when he suddenly face me. Standing six feet tall looking so handsome yet dangerous, Sain took a step closer to me causing m
"I am still here,Little. I am still here where you left me and I am just waiting for you to come back"An unknown warmth covers my heart, I didn't know this kind of assurance is what I needed right now. But then, I know that I am not supposed to ask for it. That would be unfair for him and everything will be mess up even more. I fisted hand giving him a void expression despite his pleading eyes. For the first time, I saw a weak side of him. Another part of him that he will never let anyone figure out. I don't want to be his weakness, he should not be swayed just because of me."You don't know what you're saying""I do" he firmly replied. "I am your husband and it will stay that way until my last breath. I warned you didn't I? When you insist to marry me, I told you there will be no turning back. You cannot turn your back at me, I won't let you" he hissed in a controlled tone. He looks determine, more serious than before. I look straight into his eyes, and just like for the first tim
A loud explosion made me cover my ears as I hide myself in the corner, hoping that a piece of wood I am leaning right now could save me from those sharp bullets that trying to kill me. "I should have killed them all" I hissed to myself, frowning while holding my gun tightly.I am now on the run. Sintti Crime Organization is chasing me just like what Luscio Costello told me. They were aware about the tragic death of my parents, they are aware that Luscio is part of the assassination happens fifteen years ago and now that I am aware about it they are hunting me. Things that I don't understand before is now make sense. The council anger is not about me being a woman, it was because I am a Cortezi the little girl who supposed to be dead years ago. They are trying to kill me now after I obey all their rules and commands for fifteen years. My hands are stained with blood because I stand before them, kill those people who tried to ruined the organization because I thought it was my family