ROSE"What are we doing here?" I asked the moment we got out of the hospital owned by the Sabatinis. "Is someone sick?" I inquired quickly as we exited the car in front of the hospital, and one of the security personnel collected the car key from Marco."The chairman asked to see you," he said to me, deepening my confusion as he led the way into the hospital lobby."See me? In a hospital?" I questioned as we entered an elevator."Yes, Miss Arturo," he replied, his tone indicating he wasn't prepared to answer more questions.We arrived at our floor and disembarked. Marco led the way to a room in a deserted-looking hallway. He pushed open the large door and walked in. A doctor and about two nurses were conversing with the chairman, who was lying on the bed and listening intently to the doctor."Miss Arturo, you're here," the chairman exclaimed as soon as he saw me, wearing a smile on his face, leaving me wondering what was going on in his mind. One moment he was mad at me, and the next,
"Valerio," I breathed calmly as I opened the door, trying not to look fazed or shaken."Hi," I managed a smile as he stood staring at me. "When did you get back?" I continued, trying not to show how nervous I was."You didn't leave," he said, as if he didn't care, but his eyes told me more.I shrugged and nodded."I came back that same night. There was nothing for me there when you weren't there," he said, trying to make a point, but I looked away from his eyes that held mine."Okay," I said, looking to dismiss him, but he didn't look like he would budge."I was worried," he started again as he stared at me with that intense gaze that broke all my resolve. "I mean you left like that and threatened to leave our—"He paused and parted his lips to talk. "The house," he said instead. Was he planning to say "our"?"I was angry and tired," I tried to defend myself, making him see me more as the victim here."My brothers are jerks, right?"I shrugged and sighed. Where was this conversation g
I jerked my hands away from his grasp as soon as the words sank into me. "What nonsense are you talking about?" I said, looking away with a frightened look on my face as I realized how the thought made my wolf leap in joy. It took a lot of self-control to not say yes. Wait? Did I even plan to say yes?"Rose?" He called, and I snapped out of my reverie to see him regarding me carefully."We can't deny the attraction we feel toward each other. The intimacy...""Not the intimacy," I cut in abruptly. I'm still trying to accept the fact that I have foolishly been intimate with one of the Sabatini brothers, and yet I still want the others. It makes me sick."Fine. If you don't want it, I won't pressure you," he said, standing up as I looked up to see him towering over me."My offer still stands whenever you're ready, Rose," he said and bent slightly to kiss me on my forehead, his expensive cologne filling my nose. I closed my eyes to take in the whole scent.When I opened my eyes, I was alo
"Thanks, Marco," I waved at him in the driver's seat as he gave me an appreciative nod."Remember what we discussed, Miss Arturo. It's better he doesn't know. Everyone would remain happy that way," he said, and started the engine, driving out of the mansion."I hope so, Marco," I murmured to myself and turned to look at the mansion. Even in the night, it still stood gigantic and beautiful."I wish it were as warm inside as it is outside," I sighed and walked into the house, only to see Vicente descending the stairs."Hey," I flashed him a smile as he watched me in confusion while approaching."You've been out? I knocked on your door earlier, but there wasn't any response; I thought you were asleep," he said, coming closer and then his face broke into a smile. "Went on a date, huh?" he asked with a teasing look as he scrutinized me."Don't I look too stressed for someone who went on a date?" I replied, and he nodded slowly."Makes sense," he replied."Marco took me out for dinner," I o
"Valentino, why..." I said, sitting up."You don't look good, Rose," he said in a calm, soothing manner that didn't do justice to soothing me. It's crazy how I go from looking like a touchy bitch to a desperate one if these brothers so much as smile at me.He made to stand up when I held his hand, stopping him as he turned to look at me. "Don't go, please." Every fiber in my body warned me not to do the opposite, to let go of his hand and be rational."Rose, I—""Please," I cut in desperately."Fine." He removed my hand from his and sat back on the bed. "No sex," he said, as I watched him say it with difficulty. It felt like he was saying something and his body was saying another."I didn't say we should have sex or something," I said shyly as he chuckled lightly. "Aren't you a little naughty brat?" He placed a finger on my forehead as I frowned."I don't see the reason why we should, though," I said, and I wasn't sure why that came out like that. I could swear I sounded like a slut.
Marianna led me to a moderately large room. I looked through the window, where children each had a painting board, all engrossed in their scribbling."That's Valerio, our benefactor who was once a kid here. He's an artist dedicated to teaching the kids to draw. Isn't that wonderful?" She said with glee as she pointed to a man standing by a child, guiding her through the process of painting.Dressed casually in brown slacks and a white shirt with rolled-up sleeves, he sported a gold wristwatch. A strand of hair fell on his face as he looked engrossed; I could see the glint in his eyes as he painted."Rose?" Marianna called, and I realized I had been caught in a kind of reverie as I watched Valerio."A fine young man, isn't he?" Marianna smiled with pride. "I don't know if it's okay to go in. Valerio doesn't like it when we walk in on the kids during their painting lessons," she said, completely oblivious to the effect the man a few inches away from me was having."Oh…how professional,"
ROSE"What are you doing out here, Rose?" Marianna walked up to me as I stood by the window, watching Valerio move from one kid to another, appearing affectionate. My thoughts drifted to the events of last night."Nothing," I shrugged, feeling a lump in my throat that resembled a burning anger in my chest as I watched him. I wasn't sure if he knew I was observing him. What mattered was that I was being completely ignored.After what he had said yesterday, he had turned his back on me. I had stood there like a statue for a while before I made my way back to my room. My night was terrible as I struggled to fall asleep, his voice haunting me repeatedly.Then, the next day at dawn, I saw him head to the garage as I was leaving the kitchen. He walked by without sparing me a glance. I had suspected he would come here and had called Marianna, who confirmed my suspicions. That's why I ended up here, as my restlessness continued to grow in the house, my mind consumed by thoughts of Valerio.Ev
ROSEI was fully aware that everyone had left the class except for me, who seemed engrossed in something I wasn't sure of. Even though I didn't excel in academics, I used to draw a lot as a kid, just like my dad, who later turned into a jerk. Since then, I had suppressed that part of me, not wanting to bring back bad memories of the past."You seem extremely busy," he started heading towards me when I stretched my hand. "Stay back. I'm not done," I said with seriousness as he raised a brow, folded his arms, and obediently stood away."So much for a person who didn't care about the art but the instructor," he said."Trust me. I'm very much interested in both," I said absentmindedly as he stifled a laugh. I turned to look at him with a confused expression, which later turned into a tiny bit of joy in my heart. This was the first time Valerio was smiling at me after days of ignoring and fighting."Done," I finally said as I took the A4 paper and turned it around for him to see. He approa
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