What is happening? Why does it feels that the contract between us was the biggest mistake I ever did in my life? I feel manipulated. I feel controlled. I can't protest because I agree to it. Was this his plan? I look at Sain Czar Ildefonso. Is this his plan? His words 'I mean it the way it sound' suddenly become suspicious. Was I got fooled? "Mia Signora, are you alright?" I look at Pierro who seems notice the sudden change of my emotion despite the dimly lighted kitchen. He has a sharp eyes. I force a smile. "I am..." I lied. I'm not freaking fine. I wanted to kill someone right now, someone who worth the blood on my hands. "Don't look at her Gustave" Sain hissed dragging me back to my senses. "Shit" Pierro whisper and immediately look away while scratching the back of his head. "Don't get it wrong. I didn't look at her" he explain, sound a bit defensive and at the same time nervous. "I saw you dimwit" Sain growl lowly and hid me behind his back covering me with his tall
"Disturbing me at this hour, Licciardi?"There is a hint of restrain annoyance that can be heard in Sain Czar's voice. It's too visible to the point that he can't no longer hide it from Nicolai."This is urgent" Pierro interject.I could feel the sudden cold and menacing air that filled the whole room. The atmosphere changes and that gives me a goosebumps but I keep my eyes close pretending to be asleep but my ears are attentive to every words they say even to their every move. If I am not mistaken, Pierro and Nicolai is facing on my direction while Sain Czar's back is facing me. That is just how I picture out their seating arrangement base on the direction and sound of their voices. Sain is much more closer to me that's why I could clearly heard him even if he is whispering. While the two is sitting a little farther. "To the point you barge in my room while I am with my wife" Sain stated in a controlled tone."We didn't mean to disturb your peaceful sleep with your wife , but this
I woke up groaning because of the warmth that seeping on the bare skin of my face coming from the morning sun ray that had enter our room. My eyes automatically search the wall clock and found out that it is already seven o'clock in the morning. I shifted my gaze on the space beside me and I end up frowning when I didn't saw Sain. I roam my eyes around and try to listen if there is someone inside the shower but then the room is filled with deafening silent. I'm the only one here..."Did he woke up already?" I ask myself and slowly sit on the bed. I massage my head slightly when I felt a throbbing veins. My head is aching perhaps it was because I had a trouble sleeping because of Sain. I didn't have a peaceful and undisturbed night because I was bothered with everything that I heard. Sain's arm that wrap on my waist the whole night added a weight to my thoughts. I know it maybe lame for some but that kind of gesture from him bothers me. I felt like I only have a few hours of sleep.I
"Or else..." I bite the inside of my mouth when I couldn't think of something to threaten him. I didn't know that it would be struggling to think of something to come back to his question. "I'll sleep on the guest room tonight"I said lowly that end up like a whisper, embarrassed with my lame threat.Where the hell did I get that? I mentally smacked my head. I sound like a bossy wife trying to manipulate my hardheaded husband. And that's gross. My goodness, Herravie. I shut my eyes close and look away while waiting for his response. But it already took a couple of seconds, the replied I'm expecting to Sain didn't happen so I shifted back my gaze at him.I caught him staring at me with his serious face earning a frown from me."What? I'm serious" I said adapting his serious expression.I thought he will laugh at me but then he suddenly get up and stretches his arms while towering me with his tall and powerful frame. "That's a serious threat, darling" he commented and tilt his head.
Wearing a cute blue printed puff sleeve mini dress pair with a white multi thin strap flare heels, I look at myself in the mirror practicing what kind of smile I should wear to please Sain Czar's brother. I am not sure what kind of woman they prefer, will they be please if I act innocent and fragile? Or will they be amused if I act tough and strong? Honestly, I don't know how Sain sees me. I am not sure if he thinks I'm innocent and fragile because he once called me a little tiger who's ready to devour him whenever I'm annoyed. I couldn't say either if he thinks I'm someone who's tough because he always tell me that he will protect me at all cost as if I am someone who worries about my safety since the moment I become his wife.Today will be a big day because I will be meeting the person who's ruling the Averrius Crime and he is also the son of the man who killed my parents. Meeting him will gave me a chance to get information, it will give me a chance to get closer to this family.
Trust? After what his father did to me and to my family, I don't think I would dare to trust an Ildefonso. I loathed them, I curse them to death and I hate myself for feeling something strange to this man when I know to myself that affection has no room to my heart and mind that is filled with anger and vengeance. I must kill him, I can't get attach to him. I was never been attached to anyone before. Everything that I experience right now is new to me. Most emotions are foreign and some are familiar yet I keep it unknown. This was the first time I become a wife to someone that I need to kill. And I am adjusting because I was threw away from real things when I become a Costello. It's been fifteen years and yet I am still stuck on that moment, on that night when I saw how fire swallow our home. Even with my blurry eyes that are filled with my tears, I saw Cesar Ildefonso chase me and my nanny. I saw it with my two eyes how he mercilessly killed my nanny in front of me. If not because
"Nicolai told me you're with someone" I immediately lifted my head when I heard what Sixto said. As if on cue, Sain turn his gaze at me followed by Sixto who tilt his head and shamelessly eye me intently. I bit the inside of my mouth when I felt my pulse quicken because of the weight of his stare, good thing I still manage to flash a smile despite the cold feeling lurking around me. "I'm with my wife," Sain announce and went closer to me. I gulp when he reach my hand and raise it, showing off the wedding ring on my hand as if that is his credible proof to make his brother believe him. His wide smile turn into a haft grin but with a hint of something strange that is lurking on the corner of his eyes unable me to name it. Despite how expressive he is in his emotion, I find it strange that I couldn't figure out what he's thinking. I couldn't read him. "So she's Selena Asli Castania..." He slowly utter my name, emphasizing each word. I can't follow the tone of his voice. Is he ple
"Celeste Astraea Cortezi, I want you to continue finding her" Sain voice is calm yet serious. I could see him through my peripheral vision but I couldn't read what's on his mind. I couldn't see anything in his eyes, all I could sense is his eagerness to find Celeste Astraea Cortezi. Why? What's his reason for finding her? He is not even related to that name. I tighten my grip on the cup of tea I am holding. I keep my eyes focus on my plate pretending that I am not interested with their conversation, by my ears are attentive with their every word. I need to know the reason why he wants to find that Celeste Astraea Cortezi. "I assigned that task to Colesio" Sixto started and lean on the chair. "You're aware how long we been finding her but we didn't find any trace that will lead us to her. It's been fifteen years, but we didn't find any clue about her wherebouts"Sain's jaw clench and his brows furrowed. "You're just basically telling me that she's already dead" I bit the inside
"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