ROSE“What were you trying to do?” I forced my gaze away from Valentino to Valerio who scoffed in disbelief.He stared at me in the disapproving glare that he as trying to moderate. But his emotions won’t let him.“I heard everything. The conversation between you and Vicente.” I said as he raised his brow in a knowing stare while I pressed my lips.“It doesn’t give any right to act out, Valerio.” I said again, everything coming out of my mouth with so much difficulty because the difficult part was yet to come. The reason I was here.“You can’t keep supporting him in this bloody time!” He seethed angrily as he watched me, his expression a mixture of anger and denial.From the corner of my eyes, I could see Valentino watching us. I bowed my head slightly as I played with my fingers, my whole body tensed.I couldn’t back down. I can’t go back on my word just because of the kind of emotion that was flowing through me at that point.“It doesn’t matter anymore.” I said and raised my head t
“Vicente.” I called slowly, the smile on my face fading away as I watched me intently. As we both stared at each in silence, he suddenly burst into a smile while I watched in confusion.“What’s with the look?” He asked with a chuckle, while I stared in confusion.“Ugh?” I asked, blinking.“I should be asking you that.” I licked my lips nervously, desperate to understand what was going through that head of his.“I pulled a little joke and you fell for it immediately? How cute.” He played with my cheeks as I let out a sigh and forced a slight chuckle….while throwing my face to the other side.The feeling of guilt overwhelming me again.Like hell I would believe that, it was a mere joke. I caught a sign of it. A sign of pain.I stood up abruptly as he followed me up too and stared at me with careful gaze.“I need to go.” I said, looking at him.“Ugh?” He raised his gaze in confusion, and for a minute I got lost in that curious wide eyes of his. As he watched me, it felt like he was sendi
VICENTEFew months later….“Calling out of the blue to pick you up , eh? Do I look like your manager or driver?” Marco asked Vicente who occupied the back seat, while he drove, his eyes on the road.“Must you complain about everything, Marco? I just called this once and you can let it slip.” I replied, my eyes out in the window as I take in the afternoon view of Venice, it wasn’t like there was anything fascinating about it, I just wanted to be distracted.“Plus my Manager is on a break….”“A break you let him have. And now you’re being all grumpy towards me. I still think it’s unfair.” He looked at me through the rear mirror but I didn’t spare him a glance.“You don’t look good, Vicente .” He said again after a moment do silence.“It’s feels so empty.” I mumbled to myself as I reminisce on how the recent days felt like hell….all because of the absence of one person.“What?” Marco asked, completely confused.“I wonder if they feel it too.” I said again. “My brothers.” I looked throug
VALENTINO“What the hell is this?” I raised up the file the head of strategy department in the New York just brought in, as I stared at the blonde with a pissed expression.“Sir, it’s the….”“Fuck this.” I muttered under my breath as I stood up, the other man’s head slightly bowed in fear.For the past three days here in New York, I have been on the edge. Every single thing got me pissed. And this was bad, it got worse everyday as the project we are working on was being hindered due to lack of progress.“Leave now.” I cupped my face in my palm. “Until you find a better plan.” I raised up my head to look at him, so he could understand the gravity of the situation from my expression.“Alright sir.” His American accent came out calmly. They were used to it. Or maybe they forced themselves to just bear with my cranky attitude.I rested back on the leather chair following the sound of the door closing and closed my eyes, took in a deep breath and her image mirrored in my head.My eyelid fl
ROSE"What’s with the face?” Renata turned to the passenger side to look at me.“Marco said to come in now,” she said as I sighed, nervously tucking my fingernails into my mouth.“How will he react when he sees me?” I turned to look at her; she smiled. “I mean, I just left like that without a real goodbye, like a selfish….” The words hung in my mouth as she placed a hand on mine.“Don’t… this is for your happiness. These past few days have been hell for you. I won’t let you leave here without meeting him at least once,” she said. When I still seemed hesitant, she continued.“I heard he has been combing the whole world trying to find you. Imagine how he is going to feel,” she said with a reassuring smile, and I gave her a tight smile.I would fool myself if I said that served as any comfort. “Well… I guess I have to go now,” I said as Renata nodded.“Yeah… Go on, don’t keep your man waiting,” she teased, and I returned a tight smile.Now in front of Valentino’s office, the door suddenl
Rose’s POV"Hi, Marie," I greeted immediately as I walked into the single room that my best friend and I shared. As I walked to the wardrobe and began packing my clothes, Marie stared at me in surprise."What are you doing?" Marie asked as she stood up from the bed where she had been lying, watching me with a worried look."Some people are after me, and I need to leave," I said as I zipped up my suitcase and turned my attention to Marie."Oh no," she shook her head. "Who did you scam this time?""Some person," I shrugged as I picked up the bag."I can't believe this. How long are you going to keep conning people and running away, ugh? Why can't you just find a legitimate business, Rose.""I am not doing this with you, Marie. I need to leave right now. They know I stay here. If they come for me, you will be in trouble," I said to her as she watched me with a worried expression.I sighed and started again. "Come on," I said calmly. "It's fine, Marie. I'll be fine.""Just return their mo
Rose’s POV"What?! The Sabatini brothers who are known not to stand each other?" I asked in shock as Marco nodded slowly, as if scared that I would change my mind. I sighed deeply and studied the man for a while. What the hell am I getting into?"What exactly is my job?" I asked."To teach them how to love each other," another voice interrupted as a man in an electric wheelchair rolled in from an adjoining room. Though he looked sickly, an aura of authority was visible around him."Mr. Giovanni Sabatini," I said almost in a whisper as I stared at the old man. The owner of the largest conglomerates in the country. Everyone in the county knew him."Nice to meet you, Miss Renata Arturo," he said with a smile on his frail face. Although this man was retired due to his rumored illness and now has one of his grandsons running the company, he still exudes that charm of authority."Hi—" I said quickly as I realized I was beginning to stammer. I must not give them the idea that I wasn't Renata
Rose’s POVValerio chuckled, obviously pissed by Valentino’s statement, while Vicente scoffed. “I can’t believe you gathered all of us here, Marco.” He glared at the secretary whom he was supposed to scare, but he didn’t budge. “I am just following Mr. Giovanni’s orders. He asked me to gather you all here to make an important announcement,” he said as he looked from one brother to another. “What is it now?” Valerio rolled his eyes at Marco, who pressed his lips in frustration at being cut short, while Vicente narrowed his eyes at me with a seductive smile. “Does it concern our pretty doll here?”“Can you both shut up?” Valentino glared at them. “You don’t get to call the shots… brother,” Vicente said in a degrading manner as Valentino stared fiercely at him as if he could kill him.Are these people even related at all? The news didn’t elaborate on how much hatred presides among them, I thought, as I felt my palm become sweaty with someone's hand wrapped around my shoulder. I shudder