VALERIO As I stared out of the window from my room, I stared at the winter snow, compounding my loneliness as I sighed for the umpteenth time. Today marked exactly two weeks since our grandfather locked up in this bloody mansion, with the intention of keeping I and Vicente away from Rose.I jerked abruptly as I felt a hand on my shoulder from behind to turn to see Vicente.“What the hell, man!” I asked in shock with a pissed tone.“I have been knocking for a while.” He said as I sighed and turned back to look at the window, basically on the peach tree.“I don’t feel like talking.” I said with the intent of making him leave.Even though we’ve come to the terms of being brothers, I still liked my privacy so much. Plus we were both trying not to hate ourself in order to acknowledge Valentino’s effort, who seemed to not be making any further progress to healing since the last time I saw him.Even though we didn’t talk about it, silently, we both acknowledged it.“We are both locked in h
VALERIO “What are you talking about?” I frowned, as I tried to keep my wolf in check who seemed to be excited at that statement alone.“Don’t pretend you didn’t hear me the first time, Valerio.” He cleared his throat and watched me carefully.“I know why the three of you are crazy over her. Wanting to protect her as the thing goes…”he gestured with his hand as if the situation he talked about irritated him.I pressed my lips together and rested back on the cushion trying to look guilty for pretending, as I shifted my gaze to my side and absentmindedly took my hand to my mouth, one of my fingers tucked in.“It’s because you all are mated to her.” He dropped as I shifted my gaze back to him.“And you don’t see any reason to stop messing with us?” I asked, not realizing how absurd that question sounded. Of course she can’t be with the three of us at the same time.“I mean, Valentino”. I felt guilt wash over me as if I was a man trying to take another person’s woman when he is fighting f
VALERIO“I don’t know… I…” I started to brush my hands through my hair, hating the fact I was considering this in the first place.“You know,” my grandfather's voice cut in again, like a tempter, determined to get me in her web. It was erratic and unrepentant.“Don’t think about any other thing, Valerio. We both know how much being with Rose makes you happy,” he started to shake his head. “Don’t deceive yourself. You will never be truly happy seeing her with your brother. You will want her till you die. Every day… night… your heart will twinge in regret that you lost an opportunity like this.” He stopped talking in that non-stop manner that did justice in trying to push me to the edge.“Just say yes,” he said again after a long pause. “The others will understand,” he said again.“What are you doing?” A third-party voice cut into the conversation as we all turned to find Vicente halfway on the stairs, staring at us like he caught us doing something bad.“Vicente…” I called almost in a
ROSEAs I sat on the cold bare floor of the jail, my head placed on my crouched legs, the other activity going on around me was nothing. I just couldn’t hear. Or maybe I refused to listen to anything that was going on around me.Even the talks between her inmate. In summary, it was as if I was both there and not.“Rose!” The sharp voice of the the warden thag always patrol their cell area cut into her ears and she knew better than to keep sitting there like that without acknowledging the older woman’s call.She raised her head and stood up abruptly as she unintentionally rubbed her hands on the orange ugly looking gown they wore in the cell, as he we eyes met the woman’s.“Yes.” I said barely in an audibe tone.“You have a visitor.” She said as the sound of the padlock persisted, while the woman unlocked it.“A visitor?” I blinked. For the last few weeks that I’ve been locked here, it was as if I have been cut off from the outside world, the one that hurts the most was not knowing wh
ROSE“What—what are you talking about?” I stuttered, completely confused, as I tried hard to comprehend what he was saying.“I made a deal with grandfather,” he said, and my brow creased in confusion.“In return for your freedom, we will be allowed to leave here,” he continued, and it felt like he lacked emotions at that point, as I stared at him. He looked completely different from the Valerio I knew—the one with that soft look that always comforted me. I was trying to find it.“Are you making any sense right now?” I asked with an incredulous chuckle.“No…” He shook his head. “No, I’m not,” he admitted, and I watched him in utter disbelief.“I’m not being rational because I can only think about you at this moment, Rose,” he confessed as I started to shake my head.“Don’t be ridiculous,” I said, trying not to break into tears again.“Inasmuch as I can’t question when you haven’t been here to see for the past few weeks, this sudden proposition seems totally absurd,” I stated, desperate
ROSEAs he rubbed my nipples, he moved his mouth to mine, kissing me with great finesse. God, he was such a good kisser. I wanted to resist, but I found myself doing the complete opposite. When he finally broke the kiss, we were both panting heavily, and he stared down at me, his eyes filled with deep passion.“You still want me the same way I do, Rose. Let’s not fight this, ugh?” he murmured, moving his mouth to my lips and teasingly rubbing it.“But—”“No buts,” he smoothly shushed me, and I found myself listening. He kissed me. “We aren’t doing anything wrong. You are my mate,” he cajoled.“And Valentino,” I replied with dreamy eyes, and I could swear I saw a hint of pain in his eyes at that statement.“We shouldn’t do this to him,” I said, almost in a pleading tone, as if the web he had wrapped me in was the only thing that could free me. It was useless trying to fight it.“Valentino is in the hospital because of us,” he held my face with his two hands, raising it up to look at hi
ROSE“Are you okay?” Valerio’s voice cut into my thought as I stared out of the window, as the sleek Bentley I was led into few minutes ago after coming out of prison as it drove along the street of Italy. And it seemed like a doom day to me as the clock ticked.I knew he was waiting for an answer but I didn’t reply.“Ignoring me like this won’t help any of us. You should try to understand me, Rose.” He said again and I heard him sigh as if this was all forced on him.“Rose…”He started again but it seemed the more he talked, the more irritated I felt.But then when he placed his hand on my arm….the sizzling feeling I felt for that brief moment as the thought of how I enjoyed the kissing back in that room came to me.“Talk to me….please.” He said softly as within me became so hot that I felt I was in a boiling water.I was caught in between my anger for him and wild desire.“Would you tell the driver to stop if I ask you to?” I turned to look at him as he removed his hand from mine slo
VALERIO "Do you expect me to repeat myself?" I snapped, completely irritated. I already regretted allowing Rose here and felt increasingly impatient with these men causing a delay.For some unknown reason, I felt compelled to make this work for Rose, especially with the way she fidgeted beside me. It was as if another voice inside me advised playing the good guy."Sir, we have strict instructions from the chairman not to allow anyone into this room," the one on the right said with an unsure look, hinting at his fear. Idiot, I thought."I am his brother. Do I need to write it on my face for you to see?" I retorted dangerously."Maybe we should go back, Valerio. The chairman was very specific..." she began to say."Stay," I cut her off sternly. "I won’t have some annoying lackey dictate when I can see my own brother. Besides, this isn’t just about you meeting him anymore. I want to see him myself." I turned back to them. "Move," I commanded curtly."We are sorry, young master," they bo
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