ROSEI stared uninterestedly at the TV series airing, seeing a sharp resemblance to the dynamic of the relationship between me and the Sabatini brothers.I sighed for the umpteenth time, realizing the overwhelming sense of loneliness. It had been two weeks, and the solitude seemed never-ending, deepening with each passing day, making me more miserable than ever. Yet, I couldn't shake off the guilt, thinking about what my presence would do to the brothers.“You deserved it, Rose. You deserved it,” I muttered to myself, sighing again.“It’s not our fault,” Arya cooed as I rested my head on the sofa I sat on.“Don’t try to pacify me, Arya. You are also hurt. Don’t pretend you’re fine,” I murmured, sensing her pain too.“I hope they are fine,” I fought back the tears, recalling the tense scene with Valentino, the clash with Grandfather, and the ensuing drama.A knock on the door cut through my thoughts as I walked over, wondering who it could be.Had the chairman found my location?Had he
VALENTINO"What do you mean? Stop speaking in riddles, Valentino. I beg you," I asked desperately."It seems your friend didn’t give you a heads up. I am supposed to occupy Marie’s place. I mean her room since she won’t be coming back anymore," he explained, as if I was supposed to take the news calmly."What did you say?" I asked, blinking in an attempt to make sense of what he was trying to convey."You heard me," he replied with a cocky smile, causing me to stagger, as if hit by a stray bullet."I’ll be right back," I said almost in a whisper, and I moved away, noticing him standing up. "Sit," I commanded through gritted teeth and a tight smile, and he obeyed, watching me as I rushed outside. I fumbled to retrieve my phone from the back pocket of my pants and dialed Marie."Start talking, Marie. Don’t make me ask," I said immediately upon hearing the beep signaling she had picked up."Oh… yeah. He asked me not to tell you and–""Are you kidding me right now?" I shouted angrily, try
ROSE"As I tasted her lips, it did nothing to calm the hunger, the burning need to have her. The urgency only intensified as I held her close, nibbling, then locking our lips in a passionate kiss.“I won’t let you out of my sight again. I won’t,” I murmured, almost entranced, as I kissed her neckline, her soft moan encouraging me to continue.“Princesa…” I whispered as I did unpredictable things to her.“Hmm…” she replied absentmindedly, focusing on giving me enough space to take her, her hands delving into the fullness of my hair, effortlessly guiding me to herself.“What’s your choice?” I asked as she mumbled something in Italian that sounded like, “God help me.”I didn’t bother to delve further because I knew it was a done deal before I even arrived. She wouldn’t be able to stay away from me, even though her feigned harshness felt like it was for my benefit.“I couldn’t even imagine how I survived without you all these days, Rose,” I murmured against her lips as they drew near agai
VALENTINO“Never,” I strained the words, held her shoulder, turned her towards the door, and pushed her out.“Excuse me now,” I smiled sheepishly and closed the door in her face. Turning back to look into the room, I muttered to myself, “How the hell am I going to survive in this place? Did Valerio set me up?”I fumbled with my phone, dialed Valerio while pacing to and fro the barely managed compact room.“Did you set me up, you brat?” I seethed under my breath, trying to control the loudness of my voice. I wouldn’t give Rose the satisfaction of knowing how dissatisfied I was.“You sound angry, brother,” Valerio replied as Valentino chuckled to himself.“You’re making fun of me now, yeah?” Valentino asked with an outraged voice.“I did it for your good. Staying over there with her is the best thing you would ever do,” he replied.“Do you bloody know the state of this place?” I asked through gritted teeth. “I won’t be able to survive.”“Ah… I forgot. You’re the golden grandson of the c
ROSEI was so immensed in the kiss that I forgot every words exchanged from our previous banter. All that mattered that moment was him in my embrace.As he pinned me to the wall in my room, he kissed and explored those places in my body that he knew turned me on. And like an insatiable fool, I surrendered all over again.He stopped abruptly and looked at my face, his hair tousled as he smiled. I could also see how his eyes glinted.“Say you want me.” I said as our breath both ragged rhymed with each other, both staring at each other but rather have the other person’s mouth in theirs.“I need you, Valentino.” I said shamelessly as I raised my hand to his face.I just couldn’t say no. I could never tell him no.Those times I did in the past, it was all a facade.At first when I saw him at the door, standing there like a package sent for me for my birthday wish, I was dumbfounded. But then reality dawned on me that same moment.We would have a rough future together. He would.And as if w
ROSE"Valentino... I can't." I forced myself to stand up from the bed, guilt washing over me.He also sat up and looked beside him to see me trying to avoid his gaze, aware of how much I was hurting.“Why?” he asked as I glanced to the side.“I know you don’t care about my grandfather and stuff. Something else is holding you back,” he stood up and adjusted his pants while watching me intently.“It all still falls on Valerio,” he said, standing up.“No... it’s—”“It’s fine.” He took a deep breath. “I mean, situations like this frustrate me.” He muttered under his breath and walked out of the room, even as I made to run after him.“Valentino. Wait, listen to me,” I said when we got to the living room, as he was making his way to his bedroom.He stopped in his tracks and hesitated before turning to look at me.“What?” he asked sarcastically.“Valentino... I...” I started to explain, but suddenly it felt futile.“I won’t be able to live happily with you, knowing how much hurt all of you..
ROSEWe stood staring at each other for what felt like an eternity as I began to nod my head. “Fine, your anger and hate are warranted, but I won’t have you accuse me of throwing myself at you, Valerio,” I said calmly, trying not to sound desperate.“I didn’t think that you were,” he drawled sarcastically, tucking his hand in his pocket, his gaze fixed on me. “I mean, I don’t care what you do...” He chuckled bitterly. “I'm just pissed that my brother played some trick to bring me here,” he completed, pausing, seemingly waiting for me to respond with more hurtful words.“But he just ruined my mood by bringing me here,” he said, his eyes filled with disdain, leaving me swallowing hard.“Do you hate me that much?”“I don’t have time for this,” he replied, still staring at me, contradicting his words by his unwavering attention.“I did everything for your happiness, Valerio,” I started to say desperately.“I didn’t think you were an expert to decide what was good for me and what wasn’t,”
ROSE"Valentino. No... please don’t... Valentino!" I gasped as I sat up, waking almost immediately from my nightmare."It’s a dream. It’s just a dream," I reassured myself, taking a quick glance around the room where I lay, surrounded by all-white walls and a bed. I noticed the hospital clothes I wore."What the hell..." I felt a throbbing headache and instinctively moved to hold my head, realizing a drip was fixed to my hand."Valentino..." I muttered, the dream and the memory of the last call I had flashing back to me.As I placed my leg on the floor, the door opened, revealing Valerio walking in."Valerio..." I called, almost seeking comfort from him.He rushed towards me as I attempted to reach out."Valentino," I said, trying to catch my breath. "Where is Valentino? Is he fine? I need to see him. Please, I beg you. I had this crazy dream where..." I started to babble as he held my hands, looking at me carefully. I fought back tears, feeling stressed, hot, and irritated."How are
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