ROSE"Oh my God," I gasped as Marco walked towards me with a bouquet of flowers and handed them over to me."Is this for a party? What about the chairman?" I asked, staring at Marco."How could you think of attending a function with the chairman when it's your birthday?" Vicente asked, and I turned to him with a wide smile on my face. "Oh my God, Vicente, I'm so touched," I said genuinely as he walked over to me and opened his arms. "Happy birthday, Rose," he said, and I chuckled and walked into his arms without a second thought. On the other side stood Valerio, staring at me like... I could make a thing from his contemplation."That's okay," Valentino walked up to us and separated us with a smug smile, as if they had promised not to nag. Vicente let go of me without much pressure."You look beautiful, Princesa," Valentino said with a smile and held my shoulder as if trying to get a better view of me. "Let's go eat. I'm hungry," Valerio rolled his eyes as he passed through our midst an
ROSEโWhat do you-" I turned to look at him as he watched me, as if I had lied and there would be an issue.โI believe I know you to some extent, Rose,โ he said, as the song in the background continued, but my soul felt cut off when Valentino popped that question.โAnd there is something going on between you two,โ he added, his eyes on Vicente. โAnd it seems my little brother is crazy about you, but you're so invested in Valerio that you don't notice anyone else,โ he said, as I bit my lower lip.โIt's nothing,โ I said, but my voice didn't even sound convincing to myself.โI don't care anyway. I took your advice and want to keep this family together. Your wish was that this family stayed together and loved each otherโฆโ He turned to look at me.โDon't ask me how I knewโฆ you are literally obsessed with keeping my brothers and me together. That will be my birthday gift from me to you, Rose. I will fulfill your birthday wish,โ he said as he watched me, devoid of emotion. โI hope your relati
ROSE "When you say 'leave,' you meanโฆ""Leave the mansion," the chairman clarified as my heart sank.I watched as it appeared he breathed a sigh of relief. "The brothers are now getting along with each other. What I didn't expect to see, but you made it happen. I'm just so enthralled that I don't want to burden you any longer, Miss Arturo.""What? No!" I stood up abruptly, staring at him in fright. "It wasn't a bother, I promise. I enjoyed every moment of my time with them." I said absentmindedly, the chairman looking at me in confusion as my words seemed somewhat out of line. I quickly corrected myself. "I mean, helping them to love each other," I said, praying he wouldn't read any hidden meaning into it, as he had always been suspicious of me before."Right? They were lovable as kids," the chairman said after a moment of silence following my statement. "I thought if they were less cranky as adults, they would be extremely lovable," he chuckled, and I struggled not to breathe a sigh
ROSE"I was expecting you," he said after watching me for what seemed like an eternity."I know," I bit my lower lip as I continued towards him, then stopped when there was a considerable distance between us."The chairman-""Told you everything, didn't he?" He asked with an arrogantly raised tone."Yes," I replied with a lower tone, not sure what my motive was, whether to garner pity..."Yes, he did.""You should be happy. That's what you've always wanted," he continued, and as I patted my lips to say what I didn't even know, he continued."Oh... it was what you were paid for. Of course, you were passionate," he said with a smile, which didn't look like a true smile because the look he kept giving me was void of emotion. If hate was not such a strong word, I would have used that to describe it."We were just a job to you," he said again with a bitter smile."I'm not-""How would the others feel when I tell them that.""It was the chairman's orders, Valentino. And trust me, as time we
VALENTINO"I retrieved the TV remote from Marco and turned off the television. Glancing at Rose, she appeared pale, as if she had just witnessed something deeply disturbing."Rose," I called out, reaching towards her, but she quickly moved away in shock."Damn," I muttered quietly."Marco," I beckoned, and understanding my intent, he moved towards her."Let me take you home," he offered. As I expected, she accepted, and they departed, not acknowledging Valerio. Valerio, in turn, knew better than to approach her.Initially, I thought he might follow them, but I hurried ahead and met him, only to receive a firm, dismissive look."Go away," he said calmly, but his tone betrayed irritation."Don't talk to her. This isn't her fault," I insisted, staying composed as he scoffed, ran his hand through his hair, and advanced, locking eyes with me."When you came to my room the other day, suggesting we set aside our differences and live as a family for Rose, I couldn't believe I fell for your de
VALENTINO"What do you mean?" I asked calmly, suppressing the unease churning in my stomach as fear took hold. My grandfather could be loving as a grandfather, but as Giovanni Sabatini, it spelled nothing but trouble."And you will stay out of this," he pointed at me, eliciting an incredulous chuckle from me."You know that's not possible. What are you planning to do? I told you she's gone! Let her be, Grandfather, I beg you," I pleaded desperately, observing him pull out a file from his desk and place it on the table.Upon opening it, I saw the compensation for breach of contract."We both know this is unnecessary," I remarked with an edge in my tone, attempting to maintain calm."Unnecessary? Yes, it is! Just like it was unnecessary for her to be involved with you and your brothers!""You're making this sound as if she killed someone. Cut it out!" I fired back. I came here to reason calmly with him, but it seemed the Sabatinis resolved things through violence."She killed me! She ki
VALENTINOโWhat?โ He raised a brow in confusion. I drew in a deep breath. It was better to speak the truth and get this over with.โRose is a fraud,โ I calmly stated, while he observed me as if waiting for me to continue.โActually, Grandfather hired her, believing she was a family psychologist. Her task was to live with us and help us bond.โโWhen I say 'us,' I mean... you know, all of us,โ I reiterated, unsure of what was running through his mind.โNo wonder,โ he muttered softly. โSo, what's false about her?โ he prompted.โShe isn't a doctor. She posed as her twin, Renata Arturo, a renowned psychologist,โ I explained, noticing Vicente's raised brow.โShe's a con artist,โ I said in a hushed tone. I had considered leaving that out or fabricating her real occupation, but it was only a matter of time before she found out. It seemed pointless to hide it.โSo, what...โ He began to say, but his question seemed to get stuck in his throat.โWhat was her motive for lying?โ I watched as his fa
VALENTINOโTalk about the devil.โ Vicente muttered while watching his immediate step brother while I just stood and stared at him like he was never meant to be here and also meant to be at the same time.โWhy did you stop? Come on, go on.โ Valerio said with a sarcastic tone as he watched me, with a feigned amusement.โIt wasnโt her fault that she tried to make you happy again.โ I could only say as I watched him shook his head.โRight? Not her fault? She was quite passionate even for a fake.โ He replied as I cursed under my breath. This was going no where. With the expression on his face, and him being this sarcastic, it would be impossible to break through whatever Barrier he had built.โWill you watch Grandfather hurt her then?โ I asked with a defeated tone as if that was my last card to play.โYou know how Giovanni can be when he quite passionate about something.โ Vicente chimes in as he narrowed his eyes to look at him.โYou too really did gang up.โ Valerio said with an incredulous
ROSE"Whatโs with the face?โ Renata turned to the passenger side to look at me.โMarco said to come in now,โ she said as I sighed, nervously tucking my fingernails into my mouth.โHow will he react when he sees me?โ I turned to look at her; she smiled. โI mean, I just left like that without a real goodbye, like a selfishโฆ.โ The words hung in my mouth as she placed a hand on mine.โDonโtโฆ this is for your happiness. These past few days have been hell for you. I wonโt let you leave here without meeting him at least once,โ she said. When I still seemed hesitant, she continued.โI heard he has been combing the whole world trying to find you. Imagine how he is going to feel,โ 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. โWellโฆ I guess I have to go now,โ I said as Renata nodded.โYeahโฆ Go on, donโt keep your man waiting,โ she teased, and I returned a tight smile.Now in front of Valentinoโs office, the door suddenl
VALENTINOโWhat the hell is this?โ 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.โSir, itโs theโฆ.โโFuck this.โ I muttered under my breath as I stood up, the other manโs 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.โLeave now.โ I cupped my face in my palm. โUntil you find a better plan.โ I raised up my head to look at him, so he could understand the gravity of the situation from my expression.โAlright sir.โ 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 laterโฆ.โCalling out of the blue to pick you up , eh? Do I look like your manager or driver?โ Marco asked Vicente who occupied the back seat, while he drove, his eyes on the road.โMust you complain about everything, Marco? I just called this once and you can let it slip.โ I replied, my eyes out in the window as I take in the afternoon view of Venice, it wasnโt like there was anything fascinating about it, I just wanted to be distracted.โPlus my Manager is on a breakโฆ.โโA break you let him have. And now youโre being all grumpy towards me. I still think itโs unfair.โ He looked at me through the rear mirror but I didnโt spare him a glance.โYou donโt look good, Vicente .โ He said again after a moment do silence.โItโs feels so empty.โ I mumbled to myself as I reminisce on how the recent days felt like hellโฆ.all because of the absence of one person.โWhat?โ Marco asked, completely confused.โI wonder if they feel it too.โ I said again. โMy brothers.โ I looked throug
โVicente.โ 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.โWhatโs with the look?โ He asked with a chuckle, while I stared in confusion.โUgh?โ I asked, blinking.โI should be asking you that.โ I licked my lips nervously, desperate to understand what was going through that head of his.โI pulled a little joke and you fell for it immediately? How cute.โ He played with my cheeks as I let out a sigh and forced a slight chuckleโฆ.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.โI need to go.โ I said, looking at him.โUgh?โ 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
ROSEโWhat were you trying to do?โ 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 wonโt let him.โI heard everything. The conversation between you and Vicente.โ I said as he raised his brow in a knowing stare while I pressed my lips.โIt doesnโt give any right to act out, Valerio.โ 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.โYou canโt keep supporting him in this bloody time!โ 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 couldnโt back down. I canโt go back on my word just because of the kind of emotion that was flowing through me at that point.โIt doesnโt matter anymore.โ I said and raised my head t
โWhat is it?โ I watched him,a little scared of what to expect.I wasnโt 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. โI shouldnโt be telling you this butโฆ.โโGo on Vicente.โ I chimed in smoothly as he watched me with a nervous expression.โIt was a setup.โ He said as I raised my brow. โWhat is?โ I asked.โThe whole thing.โ He said again.โUgh?โ I prompted, now feeling uneasy at the way he was breaking the words, mounting my fears.โWhen I visited Valentino the other day, Iโฆ.โHe started to shake his head as if trying to remember.โI overheard him and the doctor talking. About his blood pressure.โ He said but I still couldnโt understand where he was heading to.โIsnโt it normal for a doctor to discuss the patientโs condition with him?โ I asked with a slight chuckle, as I tried to cover my fears with a feigned smile.โYeah. I think he told him to disclose it to your guys intentionally toโฆ.โโTo get Ros
VALERIO โFuck!โ I muttered under my breath as I turned to see my brother staring at me and Rose as if he couldnโt comprehend what was right in front of him.Vicente closed the door as quickly as he opened it and walked away.โHe looks pissed.โ I turned to Rose who had her hand stuck in her head as if thinking of what to do, but was obviously stuck.โIโll go talk to him.โ 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.โHey.โ I started to move close to her but she moves slightly away from me as if she was tasked to stay away.โGo to Vicente.โ She looked up to me quickly.โHe would get things wrong.โ She said with a worried expression.I sighed and nodded then moved away from the bed. โTell him what?โ I asked, my voice starting to sound irritated as she raised up her head to look at me in disbelief.โAnything!โ She retorted angrily. โWhat if he goes blabbering to Valentino about this?โ
VALERIO I moved closer and deepened the kiss, as if scared that she might change her mind at the last minute. I didnโt 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.โValerio.โ She pushed me back as I stared at her flushed face, and maybe a hint of guilt starting to show.โThis is the last time.โ The words came out of her mouth and I didnโt 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.โLast time?โ I asked, my voice choked with emotion as she causally shifted her gaze to my eyes.โI chose Valentino.โ She said as if even
ROSEโThank you, doctor.โ 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.โIโm sorry about that.โ I turned to apologize to the doctor who just managed a tight smile. Obviously, that didnโt settle well with him. And Valerio obviously wasnโt feeling what he said. I stood up and walked away, dragging my feet down the hallway.โFollow him or himโฆ.โArya asked through the mind linked in my head.I knew who she was referring to as him or him.I didnโt reply that, just made my way out of the hospital, and if I was mistaken, I saw Valerioโs 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 whatโs worse, I canโt leave everything and leave