Alessandro’s POV “And the prince and princess lived happily ever after. The end.” I uttered, flapping the story book close.“That was a nice story, daddy,’’ Liam uttered, as they both clapped their hands in unison. “But I have a question.”“What's that, sweetie?”“Does it mean all frogs are secretly humans and one kiss from a pretty girl can transpond them and they will become like us?” He asked, to which I chuckled, as I shook my head in awe.Trust Liam to always ask the funniest questions ever.“No, honey. That's why it's called a fairytale because it really doesn't exist,” I explained. “It's based on the author's imagination. An author is a person who makes interesting books like the storybooks mummy and I read to you every night. Also, it's not transpond but transform.”“Daddy, I want to be an author,” Leo declared. “I will make interestinger books than our story books.”“More interesting, honey,” I corrected, ruffling his soft locks. “You're no longer interested in becoming a la
Catherine’s POV I was getting ready to go home when my phone vibrated with a text message.Momentarily abandoning the documents I was signing, I grabbed my phone to check.A smile creased my lips when I saw that it was a message from Owen, which read:“Hi, Cathie. I have today off, and I was wondering if you are free to have lunch with me today.”I was as free as a bird today because I had the morning shift, which I had just finished working, and tomorrow was also my day off, which meant that I could frolic however I wanted today.“Sure. Text me the address.” I typed back.Almost immediately, the text bubbles appeared on the screen, indicating that he was typing, so I waited.“Let's meet at Macquarie restaurant.” He replied, and I nodded even though, he couldn't see me before liking the message.The twins had finally resumed school today after over six months of being homeschooled. While I was still as paranoid as a shell shocked soldier, I didn't want the twins to miss out on social
Alessandro’s POV “You smell wonderful, my love,” I muttered, pressing my nose to the crook of her shoulder, to inhale lungful of her pleasant, comforting scent.Huffing, she said. “I literally haven't taken a shower since I got back from work, and smell of antiseptic and probably blood.”“Nah, your scent is perfect,” I confessed, pulling her closer to me, and roping my hand around her small waist.My wife and I were basking in each other's warmth on a double swing chair on the balcony of our house.The twins were currently at Grandma's place for the weekend, so Catherine and I were the only ones at home.Today also happened to be our household staffs’day off.“So you love the smell of antiseptics, I didn't realize you had found a new fetish, or do you have a hospital kink?” Catherine teased, to which I chuckled.“Maybe, maybe not.”“Weirdo,” She huffed, and I leaned in to press a kiss to her cheek.“Only for you, my heart.”Darting me a done look, she said. “By the way, the strangest
Catherine’s POV “Do you care for pizza rolls?” Owen asked me, as I followed him into his newly-decorated kitchen.We were finally done decorating his house, and the outcome was perfect, just like I had expected.After some discussion with me, he had decided to go for a cozy yet minimal interior design, because he hatef flashy and obnoxious aesthetics.Thus, the walls of his apartment were painted white to complement the matte grey of all his furniture and window blinds.The whole place looked nice, like it was straight out of a Pinterest board.“You finally learnt how to cook,” I smiled, taking my seat on the kitchen island, while he donned a black apron.I could vividly remember how he used to shy away from the kitchen while we were in the orphanage, after he mistakenly burnt his palm by taking cake out of the oven, without cladding his hands in mittens.That incidence had given him some sort of PTSD, and ever since then, he never stepped into the kitchen again.He huffed but nodded
Alessandro’s POV “You are welcome to our humble abode,” Catherine grinned from ear to ear, as Owen stepped into the house, while scanning around him, completely in awe.“This is everything but humble, Cathie. You live in a palace.” Owen mused before steering his focus to me. “It's nice to finally meet you, Alessandro.” He said, outstretching his hand.Clasping his hands with mine in a handshake, I nodded. “Same here, Owen.”Owen was tall, but I was taller by some inches and more muscular than him. His hair was brown and he had a set of kind, hazel eyes.Pulling his hand away, his eyes gaped. “Shit, I forgot the wine in the car. I'll be right back in a jiffy. Please excuse me.”Before Catherine and I could react, he had bounded out of the house.“Owen is such a funny case, isn't he?” My wife nudged me, and although I didn't agree with her, I nodded in affirmation.I couldn't understand how being forgetful was funny, if anything, it was dumb.Get a grip, Alessandro, a voice from within
Catherine’s POV “So, I met someone,” Owen divulged, as he placed his suitcase on the sofa, before plopping onto an armchair nearby.Sitting on the armchair, my eyes gaped in a mix of surprise and glee. “Really? That's great to hear. Does she also work at the hospital?”“Yes, she's a dental nurse,” He said, reclining on the armchair. “She's really pretty and small, like an adorable bean. It's been barely forty eight hours since I saw her yet I'm so enthralled by her. Isn't it weird? I mean, for the past ten years, I haven't felt something so intense for a woman.”“That's great and not weird at all,” I said, smiling.“See, I told you that your special person will come when it's time, and you're already so smitten by her. That's cute.”“Yeah,” He beamed. “I'm thinking of taking her to the Michelin star restaurant downtown. I was initially planning on taking her to a seafood restaurant but she told me that she's allergic, so change of plans.”“What's her name?” I asked.“Lana,” He replie
Alessandro’s POV “Good morning, sir,” Marco greeted me, as he walked into my office, clutching an iPad to his chest.“Morning,” I looked up from my MacBook. “Anything new?”“Yes, sir. I finally got something on Owen Garcia,” He divulged. “And it's bad. Really bad.”Immediately, I flapped mu device shut as all my attention was fixated on Marco.Although, I didn't find Owen that suspicious anymore, I still asked Marco to gather information about him for me, so as to be sure that he was as thoroughly pristine and perfect as he seemed outwardly.And now, Marco was saying he had found something bad.“Go on.”“Owen Garcia is a registered sex offender in New Zealand,” He divulged, and my jaw dropped, as I sprang up from my seat.“What? Are you sure you got information on the right Owen Garcia?” I asked, in utter disbelief.Owen, as in my wife's close friend of over a decade was a sex offender?“Yes, sir. I even crosschecked several times to be sure because I also couldn't believe it myself
Catherine’s POV The veins at my temples throbbed with an intense ache, as blinding rays of the sun shone on my closed eyes, causing me to instinctively reach beside me, to bury my face in Alessandro's massive biceps.However, I was stunned when I realized that the other side of the bed was not only unoccupied but also cold.Winking an eye open, I looked around the room, and let out a sigh of relief upon discovering that I was in mine and Alessandro's bedroom.I was about to sit up and recall how I had ended up in bed after work, when I felt someone grab my hand, forcing me to squeeze my eyes open.“You finally came to, baby,” Alessandro said, worry evident on his handsome face. “How are you feeling right now?”“My head hurts and my throat feels dry,” I croaked out, as he caressed the back of my hand softly, then pressed a kiss to it.“I'm so sorry this is happening to you, my love,” He said, pressing my palm to his cheek. “I'm sorry, baby. Please forgive me, I'll do a better job of p
ONE YEAR LATERAllison's POV “Dinner is ready,” I announced, bringing out the tray of rotisserie chicken from the oven. “Leo and Aiden, are you done setting the table?”“Yes, baby.”“Yes, mummy.” Father and son replied in unison, as they entered the kitchen.After our wedding, Leo bought a mansion in Canada, and it was there that our little family lived now.He had told me that he decided to make Canada his permanent place of residence because of me. Mu close friends were here, and he didn't want me to be apart from them.Plus, my winery was also here. About a year ago, I finally reisgned from Leo's company and took over running the winery.So far, the experience had been quite exciting and rewarding, albeit challenging sometimes.“Hmm,” Leo closed his eyes and nodded in approval. “It smells so nice in here, my love.”“I eventually made the rotisserie chicken,” I replied, to which Aiden cheered. “with fried rice.”“And I bet it's gonna taste nicer than anything,” Leo said, walking up
Allison's POV “Where are you taking me?” I asked, cuffing my hands around Leo's wrist, as he led me out of the house, with his hands placed on my eyes, obstructing my vision.“It's a surprise, baby.” He said, and I could almost see him grinning mischievously.Three days had passed since our wedding, and in another three days, we were going to leave the country for our honeymoon in Greece.“Here we are,” Leo said, taking his hands off my eyes. “Have a look.”A gasp forced itself out of my throat when I saw a new black Mercedes Benz parked in the driveway, with a white bow taped to the trunk and the headlights.“How do you like it, my love? Is it to your taste?” Leo asked, as I gazed at the car in surprise.“It's perfect,” I whispered, shaking my head in happy disbelief. “I love it.”“I'm glad to hear that, honey,” Leo said, hooking an arm around my waist. “You love the color, right? Or would you like me to get someone to paint it to your desired colour?”“No, I love it like this,” I b
Leo's POV “You have a message,” Liam announced, gesturing to the gift bag he was holding, as he entered the room.Today was D-day. After many years of challenges, trials, and tribulations, Allison was finally going to be my wife just like I had always wanted.I had to pinch myself thrice when I woke up that morning, in order to be sure that I wasn't dreaming and today was really happening.“From who?” I asked, as he handed me the bag.“Allison.”My face softened with a wide grin as I retracted a burgundy velvet box from the bag.“I wonder what this is,” I muttered to myself, as I flipped the box open.My grin widened, to the point where my eyes creased when I saw the contents of the box; it consisted of a golden wristwatch, a pair of golden cufflinks to match with a golden pen.On the three items, my initials–LDS–was intricately inscribed on it.I couldn't help but feel warm and touched by her thoughtful, sentimental gifts, so I decided to forgo my initial choice of cufflinks and wri
Allison's POV“And I'm done,” Ophelia announced, after giving my face a final dab with the beauty blender. “You look ravishing, Allie.”Clasping my hands together to tame my nervous excitement, I breathed out. “So can I open my eyes now?”“Yes, most definitely.”Inhaling sharply, I flapped my eyes open and gasped on seeing my beautiful reflection in the mirror.Ophelia had hearkened my choice and instructions to the very least detail and had done a great job with both my face and hair.My makeup was a natural, dewy look that accentuated and drew more attention to my facial features rather than having a huge slab of foundation pasted on my face while my hair was tossed in a sleek, french bun with a diamond brooch inserted beside it.I looked like a princess who had just stepped out of a fairytale book, and I could barely hide my excitement as I assessed my face, a huge smile plastered to my face.“I look gorgeous,” I said. “You did a wonderful job, Lia, and I don't know if I'm ever gon
Allison's POV As I stepped out of the bathroom after taking a refreshing shower, my phone pinged with an incoming call.On seeing that it was Tasha calling, I smiled before answering the call and pressing the phone to my ear.“Babe, you have to come to the balcony right now,” Tasha started with a tone of urgency. “Something happened.”My heart did a back flip as goosebumps instantly crowded my entire body. “What happened? Is Aiden okay?”“Just come quickly, alright? We are waiting for you.” She said, before hanging up.Swallowing harshly, I flung my phone on the bed before making my way to the closet to grab a casual outfit, while hoping everyone was alright.Fuck, I genuinely hoped nothing bad had happened on the eve of my wedding.That would be a sign of bad luck and I didn't want that. I just wanted to have my happily ever after with Leo, Aiden, and possibly our future children.We were currently lodged in a hotel in Las Vegas, as that was the destination of our wedding.Leo, his
Leo's POV “Stop it, can't you see that Aiden is here?” Allison scolded me, as I slotted my hand beneath her shirt to cup her breasts.The three of us were sitting on a sofabed in the private sitting room of my beach house in Turkey. Three days had passed since I proposed to Allison and we officially became a soon-to-be married couple.The rest of our family were currently at the other side of the beach house. I had designed the building of the beach house in such a way that my little family and I could have our own private time whenever we wanted, without any disturbance.“But his attention is fixated on Mickey mouse. He can't see us.” I argued, sliding my hand in between her legs which earned me a smack on the shoulder followed by a glare.As I made to defend myself yet again, my phone vibrated with a message.Reading through the text message which was sent by my mum, I smiled. “Mum and Dad are going for a walk downtown and they want to take Aiden with them.”“A walk with grandma an
Allison's POV “Baby, you forgot to tie your shoelace properly,” Leo scolded, as we walked out of the garden to have lunch in the balcony.Along with Leo's parents, siblings, sister in law and Aiden, we were currently at Leo's vacation house in Turkey having fun.A week had passed since the twenty seventh wedding anniversary of Leo's parents, and in all honesty, the celebration had yet to end.After the huge party that happened that day, Mr Alessandro and Ma'am Catherine hosted an intimate dinner among thier close family and friends to mark the occasion.Truly, it was good to be wealthy in a classy manner.I had also gotten the opportunity to meet Ma'am Catherine's best friend, Rita, who reminded me so much of an older version of Tasha.Their friendship was really wholesome and cute, and I could only hope Tasha and I turned out like the both of them in the future.As I made to bend down to tie my shoelaces, a quick realization struck me; I was wearing beach slippers and not sneakers o
Allison's POV “Ophelia called just now. They are leaving very soon, so we have to be on our way now.” Leo announced, as I helped Aiden into his shoes.“Alright, we are ready,” I said then averted my gaze to Aiden. “Right, baby?”“Yes, mummy!” He beamed like a Cheshire cat. “We are ready to meet uncle Liam and Aunty Lia.”Today was the twenty-seventh wedding anniversary of Leo's parents, and so, we were currently in America to celebrate the beautiful occasion with them.To me, they were the most adorable couple that I had ever seen and met.They both loved each other so much and Mr Alessandro always seemed to be worshipping the ground his wife stepped on. He looked at her with so much adoration and love and it was just so heartwarming.“Fuck, I can't believe I forgot,” Leo said, moments later as he parked the car in the driveway of the event center. “What did you forget?” I huffed incredulously, to which Leo smiled before pressing a quick, chaste kiss to my lips.“This and I also for
Allison’s POV “You look ravishing, baby,” Leo complimented as he walked into the room, a smirk plastered to his lips as he regarded my body. “Thanks, babe.” I darted him a quick smile before returning my attention to my reflection in the mirror and putting finishing touches to my makeup. I was clad in a figure-hugging lilac dress that stopped past my knees while my feet were slid in a pair of violet heels and my purse was silver. “What do you say we cancel the date and just stay home?” He suggested coming behind me to lock his arm around my waist. “We can always N*****x and chill, my love.” “I'm sorry, horndog but that isn't happening,” I said, then pressed a kiss to the corner of his lips and eased myself out of his hold to grab my purse from the dresser. “By the way, I thought we were meeting at the restaurant. What changed?” “Nothing, I just decided to come pick you and Aiden up.” He shrugged. “And I don't regret changing my mind because I've got a lovely view of your ethereal