"What do you think you're doing?" Valentino's voice cut into our small meeting as Valerio took his time to turn his head to look at his brother, still trapping me against the counter with his hand."We are busy, brother. Can you excuse us?" Valerio said in a drawl."Busy?" Valentino repeated, nodding as if he understood fully well."The lady looks uncomfortable. It appears as if you're doing something bad to her," he said, and I flickered my gaze to Valentino. He looked so vexed that his attempt to pretend everything was fine was futile."You usually mind your business." Valerio finally straightened up and put his hands in his pockets as he watched Valentino carefully."You too have changed so much, Valentino," Valerio drawled, while Valentino, who was leaning on the doorway, watched Valerio."Rose... can we talk?" He asked, ignoring his brother to Valerio's distaste."We have nothing to talk about," I said, trying to resist the strong desire to follow him while struggling to keep my
“Haven’t you figured it out, or are you playing dumb?” He asked. I swallowed hard. “No, this is not happening,” I thought loudly.“What... what do you mean, Vicente?” I asked as he leaned back in his chair and drew a deep breath.“Can I ask you a question?” He said and went ahead without waiting for permission. “What is your true reason for living in this house, Rose?”What's with the question, I thought as I watched his serious expression. I had never seen Vicente like this, looking all serious.“I saw you and Valerio the other night, when we had a small feast,” he said as I stared at him as if I hadn't heard him the first time.“You like him?” He continued.“No, Vicente. That's not—”He stood up abruptly, cutting me short. “You should pursue him if you do, Rose. I guess I liked the wrong person. I’m out of here,” he said and turned to leave as my heart twinged in despair. Was Vicente trying to confess to me right now?He stopped and turned to look at me. “You want us to live like a
“Tell,” I said quickly, agreeing to whatever condition without hearing them out first, as Valentino stared at me for a while in awe. “You are quite desperate,” he remarked, folding his arms, while I bit my lip in frustration.“Please,” I begged, and Valentino shrugged. “The only way is asking Vicente’s mom to come back to the country. I lied knowing about the particular place he is,” he said with a sheepish grin.“Valentino!” I cried.“What?”“You cheated!” I said angrily.Valentino rolled his eyes. “I didn’t lie.”I stared at him suspiciously. “Explain more.”“That beast loves his mother more than anything in the world. But the selfish woman doesn’t give a damn about him,” Valentino shook his head, feigning pity. “She barely notices his existence,” he added, and I waited for him to continue because I still hadn’t seen how the woman who didn't care about him would help matters.“If we get her to call Vicente to come back from wherever he is, then victory is sure. He has been obsessed
“I won’t share a suite with you,” I protested as we walked into the room we were assigned to.“Really?” He asked with a bemused look, turning to me as we entered the expansive penthouse.“Don’t give me that smile and ask them to give me another room. And don’t give me that gibberish that it's not possible. This hotel is owned by your grandfather,” I said, attempting to be stern, but inside, I was wavering under Valentino's intense gaze.He let out a stifled chuckle and walked toward me with slow, purposeful strides as I moved backward. “Valentino…” I called, as if trying to bring him to reason.“Yes, princesa,” he replied almost in a moan, and I swallowed hard."Run!" My brain screamed as he backed me against the wall. I turned to look at the wall and then back to Valentino. “You shouldn’t—”Valentino crushed his lips onto mine, pinning me against the wall before I had a chance to speak. As usual, I, and Arya embraced him happily.I wrapped my hand around his neck as he drew closer, a
“Can I have the address of the place we are going to meet Bella?” I asked the next day, having dressed up in the morning to meet him in the spacious living room of the suite.I had thought long and hard about how to approach him after what had happened the other night. Pretending was probably the best course of action.“I'll accompany you,” he said, placing a cup of coffee on the table and standing up. He stared at me, looking like an innocent boy who didn't know how to drive a woman crazy, even when fully dressed. He must have gotten up and dressed early, and the simple clothes he had on were more than enough to turn me on. Everything about this man drove me wild.He wore a white long-sleeved shirt with rolled-up sleeves and baggy white pants to complement it. I couldn't help but gaze at his physique as memories of last night flooded my mind.“There's no need,” I replied, forcing myself to dismiss any immoral thoughts. I needed to focus on controlling this intense attraction I had fo
“Valentino,” I called in surprise. He narrowed his gaze at me and then back to Bella. “Isn’t that Valentino Sabatini?” “Is he in some clash with his step-mother?” “I heard it’s been a long they met each other.” The people around gossiped within themselves as Valentino's gaze lingered on Bella.“Not tired of causing trouble anywhere you go ugh?” Valentino asked with a mocking tone as Bella scoffed. “You haven’t changed much, Valentino. Still the cocky grandson of that old geezer.” She rolled her eyes and flapped her hair to spite Valentino while he just let out a soft chuckle.“Anyways, I have no business with you.” She eyed him and turned to me. “She destroyed my baby. She has to pay up.” Bella said as Valentino gave her a scrutinizing look and shifted his gaze to her bag.“You are worth more than this bag a thousand times, Bella. How can you be so petty and ask for money from others?” Valentino said in a degrading manner as she let out a mocking chuckle.“She did something bad, s
“Is she Vicente’s woman?” I heard Bella ask and stopped on my track as I walked back to the cabin in the plane that was now in the air. After the conversation with Bella, an hour later, we got on the plane back to Italy.“Ask him when you do see him. And don’t you dare bother Rose with questions?” He replied sternly as he looked out of the window, not sparing her a glance while I stayed hidden, eavesdropping.“You like her, ugh?” She continued despite Valentino’s warning but he didn’t answer her.“I guess so much happened during my absence.” She chuckled in mischief.“You talk as if you were ever around.” Valentino returned.“Don’t hold it against me boy, I couldn’t be stuck back in Italy as the wife of some chairman of a group. If he hadn’t died, I would have divorced him and gotten lots of cash from your father.” She grinned as I wondered what sort of person that woman was. Yes, I love money but not at the expense of my family…..not my family ever.“I wonder what he was thinking w
VICENTE As I stood watching Rose in my brother’s arm. I couldn’t contain the anger that coursed through my vein. I thought running away from this bloody house could make me forget her, forget the fact that I always want to see her, touch her.But it only increased the torture as I have placed my mark on her as my mate.I walked past them and walked to the kitchen cabinet and took what I came for fighting the urge to talk to them.“Vicente, I-“She started to explain but I left before she could finish her statement.I made my way to my room and sat on the bed fuming. As I brushed my hands through my hair it was as if reality dawned on me.A knock came through on the door. “Leave. I don’t want to see anyone.” I shouted at whoever was there.“It’s me baby. Open up.” My mum’s voice came through as I signed and walked over to the door. She stood there grinning at me.Although mum was back, I was both scared and happy. Scared about the true reason why she was here and happy that she was he
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
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
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
“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
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
“What is it?” I watched him,a little scared of what to expect.I wasn’t sure why. But when it concerns Rose. It was good enough to get me nervous.He sighed heavily and shoved his hand through his hair. “I shouldn’t be telling you this but….”“Go on Vicente.” I chimed in smoothly as he watched me with a nervous expression.“It was a setup.” He said as I raised my brow. “What is?” I asked.“The whole thing.” He said again.“Ugh?” I prompted, now feeling uneasy at the way he was breaking the words, mounting my fears.“When I visited Valentino the other day, I….”He started to shake his head as if trying to remember.“I overheard him and the doctor talking. About his blood pressure.” He said but I still couldn’t understand where he was heading to.“Isn’t it normal for a doctor to discuss the patient’s condition with him?” I asked with a slight chuckle, as I tried to cover my fears with a feigned smile.“Yeah. I think he told him to disclose it to your guys intentionally to….”“To get Ros
VALERIO “Fuck!” I muttered under my breath as I turned to see my brother staring at me and Rose as if he couldn’t comprehend what was right in front of him.Vicente closed the door as quickly as he opened it and walked away.“He looks pissed.” I turned to Rose who had her hand stuck in her head as if thinking of what to do, but was obviously stuck.“I’ll go talk to him.” I said and licked my lips in exasperation and stood up, watched as she crouched up her legs and folded her arms around him, her gaze away from mine.“Hey.” I started to move close to her but she moves slightly away from me as if she was tasked to stay away.“Go to Vicente.” She looked up to me quickly.“He would get things wrong.” She said with a worried expression.I sighed and nodded then moved away from the bed. “Tell him what?” I asked, my voice starting to sound irritated as she raised up her head to look at me in disbelief.“Anything!” She retorted angrily. “What if he goes blabbering to Valentino about this?”
VALERIO I moved closer and deepened the kiss, as if scared that she might change her mind at the last minute. I didn’t need any more confirmation from her as she held my head to her.Closely, as if I might withdraw.As we deepened the kiss as the minute passes, flashes of her rejecting me after all of this ends starts to come to my mind but I blocked out those thoughts as I led her instinctively to the bed.As we kissed, I placed her hastily on the bed, our panting breath, the only thing that filled my head as the urgency of the situation seized me.“Valerio.” She pushed me back as I stared at her flushed face, and maybe a hint of guilt starting to show.“This is the last time.” The words came out of her mouth and I didn’t even know how to react to it.She was looking at my lips like a snack that she has always wanted and has now gotten the chance.“Last time?” I asked, my voice choked with emotion as she causally shifted her gaze to my eyes.“I chose Valentino.” She said as if even
ROSE“Thank you, doctor.” I managed to say despite the huge lump of pain I was feeling in my chest at that point. But Valerio stood up abruptly and walked out of the room without saying a word as I shifted my gaze to gus retreating figure, watched as he banged the door following his exiting.“I’m sorry about that.” I turned to apologize to the doctor who just managed a tight smile. Obviously, that didn’t settle well with him. And Valerio obviously wasn’t feeling what he said. I stood up and walked away, dragging my feet down the hallway.“Follow him or him….”Arya asked through the mind linked in my head.I knew who she was referring to as him or him.I didn’t reply that, just made my way out of the hospital, and if I was mistaken, I saw Valerio’s car pass in front of me, speeding up without a care in the world.I clenched my fist and swallowed, as I tried not to stagger due to how weak I suddenly became.This is extremely tiresome. And what’s worse, I can’t leave everything and leave