As Luca maneuvered through the labyrinthine streets of Venice, Elena found herself suffocating in the suffocating silence that had enveloped the car for the past thirty minutes. The day had started on a discordant note, and now they were faced with the prospect of spending the next three days together, that is, if Luca agreed to the arrangement.Breaking the stifling silence, Luca's voice cut through the tension. "There's a car following us," he announced, his gaze fixed on the rearview mirror. Elena twisted around in her seat and caught sight of a black Toyota tailing them closely."How did you...?" she began to ask, her voice trailing off in astonishment."For the past few minutes, it's been on our tail. My guess is that Dad asked someone to keep an eye on us, to ensure we endure this damn vacation together," Luca muttered bitterly. Elena's heart sank as she absorbed the weight of Luca's animosity."You don't intend to spend the vacation together, do you?" Elena spoke softly, her wo
Silence enveloped the room, but Rio was prepared for it. With a teasing smile, he asked, "What?" He watched as Ryan chuckled nervously, the tension palpable between them."Shocked that I like men?" Rio prodded, waiting for a response."No, it's just that you don't strike me as someone who would be interested in men. You seem like the epitome of every lady's dream," Ryan replied, causing Rio to burst into genuine laughter. It had been a while since he had laughed so freely and openly. The laughter died down, and silence once again filled the space between them."We first met when I was ten, and he was two years younger. Our fathers were business partners, which brought us together," Rio began, his gaze fixed on Ryan."My dad made it clear that I had to look after him, that he was my responsibility," Rio continued, his voice filled with a mixture of reminiscence and intensity. "But maybe I misunderstood and ended up making him the center of my world. I realized that my whole life revolv
"Ah..." The receptionist chuckled nervously. She knew she had been caught. Luca gave her a knowing look."Prepare another suite for me," Luca said in an urgent tone."Okay, sir," the receptionist said, giving Elena, who had been there the whole time, a sorry look. Great! Elena thought. Now everyone knows about their strained relationship, even a receptionist."Here's the key to your suite," the receptionist handed Luca a card that could be used to open his suite, and then gave Elena hers."Thanks," Elena mouthed and trailed after Luca, who had turned to leave earlier."Hey," Elena tried to catch up with his long strides."We aren't sharing a suite, Elena. Give me some space," Luca said, continuing to walk along the hallway that led to the elevator."We're married. You can't just treat me like I'm nobody," Elena said from behind him. Luca didn't spare her a glance as he advanced forward.Elena sighed in frustration. This was going to be hard. How would they make up when he wouldn't agr
"It's been a long time, Elena. I don't know why it started again," Andrew said."Tell me, father, what is it?" Elena asked impatiently."After his kidnapping when he was a teenager, Luca would always have nightmares. It lasted for a while, but stopped after he started seeing a psychiatrist," Andrew explained."Oh my God," Elena could only say. "I didn't know it was this bad. I never believed him at first when I heard him.""Now you do," Andrea said. "It was never easy for him because he had to deal with it all by himself.""Ugh? How? Were you not with him?" Elena asked."No, Elena. Luca's strong-willed. After the incident, he pretended everything was fine. He kept everything to himself, all bottled up.""Oh no," Elena gasped. "How did you find out then?" She asked when she got her voice back."From his psychiatrist, and of course, without Luca's knowledge. I still don't understand why he didn't want me to know. It hurts to know he hid something like that from me."Elena sighed and shi
"Oh..." Ryan uttered, extending the bar of soap toward Rio. His eyes remained fixated on Rio's every move as the soap landed in his outstretched palm."Good boy," Rio remarked, evoking a rush of warmth within Ryan. His heart pounded in his chest as Rio began to caress him, starting at his shoulders and trailing slowly and sensually down his hairy chest, taking his time before continuing towards his torso...Rio paused, his gaze meeting Ryan's. Ryan, who had been following Rio's hand, quickly raised his eyes to meet Rio's."Go ahead, we're both men," Ryan spoke, his tone wavering with uncertainty. Rio chuckled softly, the sound laced with amusement."I have a preference for men, Ryan," he began, piercing Ryan with his intense stare. "Aren't you uncomfortable with me touching you like..."Rio paused, anticipating Ryan's understanding of the unspoken implication. Ryan responded with a teasing tone, playing along with the game Rio seemed to initiate."Like what?" Ryan inquired, his voice
Luca gently withdrew from her embrace and moved inches away. He weighed the thought in his mind. Sharing his past, his painful past was something he had never dreamed of doing. The whole scene pictured in his head was dreadful. He had locked it away for years. From everyone. Nobody knew about this side of him, apart from Rio of course. "Luca," Elena called, her troubled expression catching his attention.Luca regarded her for a while, while deliberately frantically how to tell her. “It’s fine if you don’t want to talk,” She said after a moment of silence. She could sense an hint of pain in his eyes. She hated seeing him like this.Luca’s tensed face softened as he sighed and sat on the bed."My allergy," he began, his tone laced with pain as memories resurfaced. His heart twisted with every recollection. It was time to share, to let her in. Elena watched him intently, her eyes encouraging him to continue."It all started after I was kidnapped a few years ago," Luca finally revealed,
Elena quickly stood up from the bed and rushed to Luca. She took the phone away from his hand and cut the call. “It's nothing, Luca,” she smiled quickly, the look on Luca’s face told her he didn't believe her.She sighed as Luca gave her a probing look. “After the incident with Carlos, I would appreciate it if there was no secret between us, Elena,”“I promise you,” Elena said in a firm tone. “There are no secrets,” Luca gazed at her for a while, still not wanting to let the issue go.“Then who is Ryan?” Elena bit her lips. What was she supposed to say? Telling him about Ryan means exposing her plans. Her previous plans against him and his family. Now she was in love with him, and wouldn't want to destroy the thing they've got going.“He’s my brother,” she said finally. Luca arched a brow while showing his confusion. “We are not blood- related but Ryan is like my little brother,” Luca folded his arms and studied her. “Then why were you nervous when I wanted to pick up?” “I...I...
Luca's footsteps echoed through the grand hallway of the familiar hotel as he let out a weary sigh. His hands found solace in his pockets, seeking comfort as he embarked on a much-needed stroll. He had concocted an excuse to Elena about wanting information on the bonfire party scheduled for later that day, but that was only a fraction of the truth. Tonight, he craved a moment of respite, a chance to breathe.If Elena discovered the weight still burdening his heart, it would only add to her worries. He couldn't bear to inflict more pain upon her delicate soul. She had already suffered enough on his account. Retrieving his phone from his trousers, Luca realized he hadn't updated his best friend on the recent upheaval in his life."Hey, Rio," he said as soon as he heard the familiar beep on the other end, signaling his friend's response."Luca," Rio's voice came through, laced with a hint of tension."Hey, are you alright?" Luca inquired, pausing in the hallway that branched out to vario