“I have found a doctor and a professional caregiver to take care of your father. Tomorrow you will come with me to Australia with Alex.” Leonardo said in a commanding tone. He did not need to ask for Caterina’s approval. Because Caterina had to agree with all the decisions he made.Caterina looked up.“Why did you say it suddenly? I can’t leave my father even though you have paid a professional worker for him. I can’t leave him in this condition.” Caterina tried to find a reason so she could refuse.“Didn’t we agree that you wouldn’t say no to anything I said?” Leonardo stared sharply. He really hated rejection. If he had said A, then Caterina would have had to say yes.“But—”“It’s okay, Kate. You don’t need to worry about me. As long as I’m in this place, I will definitely be safe and well taken care of.” Dante said with great tenderness. He tried to convince his daughter so that Caterina would agree to what Leonardo said.“How long?” Finally, Caterina gave in to say yes. She didn't
They arrived at the airport on time. Leonardo's men took care of the luggage while they started to board the plane.Leonardo deliberately booked business class for himself and Caterina so that they could be alone without being disturbed by anyone. While Alex was deliberately placed in economy class with his other men. The flight from Mexico to Australia took 21 hours during the journey. It would be a very long and boring trip."Which seat do you want to sit in?" Leonardo gave a choice. Because they were sitting side by side."Where is Alex sitting?""He's in economy class because there are only two business class seats left." Leonardo looked for a reason that could be accepted by reason.Caterina looked disappointed when she found out that she and Alex were sitting so far apart. She couldn't be far from the man. Moreover, if she had to sit next to Leonardo for dozens of hours, it would be very torturous for her."I want to exchange seats so I can sit near Alex."Leonardo was annoyed b
“I—I want to go to the toilet for a moment.” Caterina said nervously. Leonardo’s gentle treatment really made her very nervous.“Do you want me to accompany you?” Leonardo offered. Because Caterina’s face looked red. He thought Caterina was not feeling well. Maybe the shock earlier shocked her. He was worried about letting Caterina go alone.Caterina immediately shook her head. She reasoned that she wanted to go to the toilet because she wanted to calm herself down. Her heart was still beating very fast until now. If she continued to be with Leonardo, she was not sure that she could calm herself down.“You seem to need help.” Leonardo was getting more worried because Caterina’s face was getting redder.Caterina couldn’t stand it anymore; she stood up and went to the toilet on the plane.Leonardo was not calm about letting Caterina go alone, so he got up and followed Caterina’s steps to the toilet.Alex, who saw, could only frown when he found Leonardo following Caterina to the toilet.
Alex approached after the flight attendant called him. He looked confused and wondered when he found Caterina crying there."What happened?" Alex asked Leonardo.Leonardo shook his head in response. They both didn't know. Caterina suddenly became hysterical after she woke up from her sleep."Did you do something?" Alex seemed to be interrogating her.There had never been a history of a subordinate interrogating his boss. However, Alex wanted to know the reason behind Caterina's crying."I didn't do anything. I was working while she was sleeping peacefully. Suddenly she became hysterical after I woke her up." Leonardo explained.Alex frowned."Kate, are you okay?" Alex asked gently. He approached, bent down to look at Caterina.Caterina shook her head. She hugged Alex tightly. "Don't leave me." She said with a sob.Leonardo clenched his fists as he stared at Caterina hugging Alex right in front of him. He had tried to be the first person there when Caterina needed help. However, Cateri
“Kate, we’re almost there.” Alex rubbed Caterina’s arm gently. Caterina woke up from her sleep. Her eyes looked red because she had only slept the entire trip from Mexico to Australia. She even missed several meal schedules because she didn’t think about eating at all. All she felt was dizziness and a very big feeling of sleepiness.Caterina stretched her muscles. She yawned several times because of the remaining sleepiness. She rubbed her face with both palms. She was about to go to the toilet to wash her face, but the flight attendant asked all passengers to sit in their respective seats and wear their seat belts because they were going to land in their destination country.Caterina started to panic. She fastened her seat belt tightly, then held on to the body of the chair she was sitting on. She closed her eyes tightly; her face looked very tense. It turned out that she was afraid not only when the plane was in the air, but also when the plane was going to land and touch the ground
The atmosphere throughout the journey felt so tense and happy. There was no conversation at all. Only the sound of heavy breathing could be heard responding to each other. The car drove at high speed towards Leonardo's friend's villa."Excuse me, sir. Do you mind if I turn on some music?" The man asked Leonardo. Because he felt the atmosphere was very awkward between the three of them. He had never felt this awkward, but being around Leonardo made him unable to do anything and say anything."No, I like music too." Leonardo tried to lighten the mood. He did like music; that's why he had speakers in the gym room in his luxurious mansion. From the outside, he did look so stiff and boring. Actually, he liked romantic songs."What genre of music do you like?""I like everything. Do you have a Charlie Puth playlist?""Charlie Puth?" The man asked to make sure."Yes, I like his voice. I even know all his songs." Leonardo said excitedly."Wait, I'll find a Charlie Puth song playlist for you."
The car stopped when they arrived at their destination. A luxurious villa located in the middle of the city center. Several men immediately greeted them when they got out of the car.“Mr. Adam is out of town. He told you to have fun for a few days here. He will be back in two days. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to let me know.” The curly-haired man told Leonardo.“Thank you.” Leonardo felt very happy because he was still respected even though he was abroad.“This car will be left here, here are the keys. I have to take care of some things, so I can’t accompany you here. But don’t worry, Mr. Adam has given orders for 4 of his men to be on guard here. So, if you need anything, just ask.” The man said.“Thank you. Tell your boss that I really liked his service,” Leonardo said firmly.“Tonight one of my coworkers will bring some women here. They will accompany you for drinks and a little fun.”Leonardo nodded. He accepted the key that the man offered.“I will take my leave. I am ve
“No, honey. She’s just a stranger who happened to meet me here.” Luka answered with great tenderness.Caterina stared at the boy intently. Their stories were almost the same; both of them were left for dead by their mothers after giving birth. However, the difference was that the little boy girl had a loving and understanding father. She also had friends her age, and they were free to play together. While she used to only spend her childhood in La Vendetta. Her father didn’t pay much attention to her, while the only friend she had was Leonardo.When remembering that, Caterina now realized how pathetic she used to be. Let alone begging her father for a new mother, she couldn’t even be spoiled by the man. Dante was too busy working, and she was asked to study very hard so she could become a great doctor like him.“Forgive my daughter.” Luka apologized for feeling bad.Caterina smiled broadly. “It’s okay; it’s not a problem.” She answered casually.Caterina stroked the top of the little
The party finished just before 1am. Caterina felt very tired and sleepy. She was used to staying up late and sleeping early in the morning; it was just that she was not used to the crowded atmosphere and formal events like this. Interacting with so many people made her feel very tired. Her energy was drained very much. At this rate, she would need a few days of rest to fully recharge his energy."I'm sorry you had to keep me company until midnight." Luka felt guilty. He felt bad. He remembered when Leonardo had brought Caterina to an important event and asked her to go home first because Caterina felt uncomfortable. However, he could not do what Leonardo did, because Caterina was one of the important people in this event. It would not be good for her to leave the party in the middle of it.Caterina smiled broadly. It seemed that she had to get used to it. Because, in the future, she will attend more often in this way."It is I who apologizes for not being able to accompany you to the
"You go in first; I want to see my father first." Luka said as they arrived at an upscale hotel tonight. As Adam had said last week, tonight he would be holding an official party to announce the company's new leader, as well as to tell the public that Caterina was Luka's future wife.There will be a lot of media coming to broadcast the news. Caterina's name will become famous after this. She will be the daughter-in-law of the richest man in Sydney. Her profile and background will be explored by many people. If they knew that Caterina came from the dark world of the mafia, they would probably look down on her. She would be labeled as a bad person.Caterina nodded gently, she released her embrace on Luka's arm, and let him leave.Caterina didn't really like parties and crowds like this, so she felt very uncomfortable. She stepped very clumsily into the building where the party would be held.However, Caterina's steps were halted as the doorman stopped her. They asked her to show her inv
"Daddy is home." Caterina told Shopia that Luka had arrived at the villa. They started to get ready for the surprise. Caterina brought a big cake, while Shopia brought a small cake because she was not strong enough to carry a big cake.Today was Luka's 34th birthday. Caterina and the others had prepared a small party at home. They were celebrating with family only. No invitations, no friends. There were Alex and Dante, who joined in the festivities. Adam had only been notified a few minutes ago.They stood at the door. Waiting with their hearts racing. This was the first time Caterina had celebrated a birthday for Luka. She didn't know how he would respond. She didn't want to expect more, because she had been disappointed so many times. When she celebrated Leonardo's birthday, he didn't want to look at her at all. Let alone accepting her gift, he even threw the cake that Caterina offered.Having been hurt too many times, Catarina no longer had high hopes. Even though she knew the woun
"Why are you here?" Adam looked at his son with a probing look."Where else am I supposed to be? I need to go to the office to check my work after my two-week. There are a lot of files that I need to go through and sign off on. There's already a lot of cooperation pending. It's time for me to get back to work." Luka answered honestly."The work can be taken care of by others. There are many people who can be entrusted to take care of everything. You shouldn't have left Kate. She's still recovering." Adam seemed very concerned. Even now he was starting to be overprotective of his future daughter-in-law.Luka smiled a little. He hadn't expected that to be the reason his father had asked him about why he was at the office this morning. He thought it was something else; it was because he left Caterina for work."She's fine. She asked me to come back to work. I have Alex and Dante looking after her at home." Luka explained."That's good that you are. You check all these files and give them
Hearing Caterina's words, Dante felt very happy. He had never thought that his daughter would give him a chance. The man smiled broadly. He approached Caterina, then hugged her very tightly."I know I've made many mistakes. This time I promise I will make up for all my past mistakes. I will be a good father to you." Dante said with great tenderness.Caterina nodded; she returned her father's hug gently.Luka looked happy to see that Caterina and her father's relationship had improved. His dream of improving their relationship had finally come true. At least that was all he wanted for now."No one needs me to take you to the airport, right?" Alex asked reassuringly after he saw Caterina and Dante hugging each other. The two had made up."I guess," Dante replied as he released her hug."Daddy!" Shopia ran to her father. She clung to her father's thighs. In her arms was the doll she got from Adam. She still thought it was from Caterina."Who is she?" Dante asked as he looked at his daugh
"Dad?" Caterina was taken completely by surprise when she came out of the room to find Dante standing at the door. She was petrified for a moment, staring at her father with a mind filled with question marks. Since when had he been there? Why was he suddenly there? What was he doing there? All these questions ruled Caterina's mind."Kate..." Dante said weakly. His eyes looked teary. His whole body was trembling. He couldn't help but feel, even more so after he learned that Caterina had died and finally came back from the dead. He did not expect that his daughter would go through so many difficult times because of him."I'm sorry." Dante said in a hoarse and trembling voice. He hugged Caterina very tightly. His embrace even made Caterina moan because of the pain in her wound."I'm sorry." Dante released the hug because he did not want to hurt his daughter further. He gently rubbed Caterina's shoulders. A knot of a smile appeared on his lips. However, his eyes were moist from crying.Wh
"I can help you if you want. You don't have to spend your time in prison. No one knows how long you'll be locked up there." The man in the formal suit spoke with emphasis. He had travelled from Mexico to Sydney after learning that Leonardo was involved in a criminal offense and had to deal with the law.If he had wanted to, Leonardo would have relied on his connections to get all charges dropped. However, he did not want to do that, as he realized that he was wrong. Moreover, Caterina forgave without wanting to prolong. He felt ashamed, angry, and disappointed in himself. There were countless mistakes he had made. There was no telling how much pain Caterina had received. He wanted to make up for all his mistakes, at least by being locked up in a detention cell for a few months."You don't have to do that. I wanted this." Leonardo replied expressionlessly.The man was quite surprised by Leonardo's refusal. How could he? How could he voluntarily submit himself to trial? He was the ruler
After a week in the hospital, Caterina was finally allowed to go home under the condition that she must always be under the doctor's care. Her pale face had also started to look fresh. Luka had really taken good care of her during her hospitalization. He even neglected his work during this week. For him, Caterina was more important than work. Even Adam also preferred to be in the hospital rather than working."Slow down." Luka said gently as he helped Caterina out of the car. He carried her, half-hugging her, to step into the house."Mommy!" Shopia ran over when she saw Caterina had finally returned. She hugged Caterina's legs very tightly, as there was a lot of longing building up."Where are the souvenirs, Mommy?" Shopia looked up, looking at Caterina with sparkling eyes. Her face looked radiant, a sweet smile gracing her lips. She didn't know anything about what had happened to Caterina, because Adam had told her that Luka and Caterina were travelling to Mexico for a week to take c
Caterina woke up in the morning when the doctor came to check her condition. She had slept very well the whole night, due to the effects of the medicine the doctor had given her. The woman frowned as she felt the glare of the light. Her eyes narrowed to look around. She was quite surprised to find Adam there."Uncle?" Caterina called out weakly.Adam approached with a smile. He felt guilty for all the things he had done to Caterina in the past. He felt guilty for hurting her. If he had known that Caterina was a victim of Leonardo's selfishness, he would never have antagonized her. He would have loved her with all his heart and regarded her as his own daughter."Stop calling me uncle; call me father from now on." Adam said with great tenderness. He rubbed the top of Caterina's head, the look in his eyes showing that he had truly accepted Caterina completely.Caterina smiled with a gentle nod. She was very happy with Adam's behavior because she felt as if she had a loving father. All th