NADIA'S POVSunlight streamed through the window, casting a soft glow over the room, as I woke up from sleep. Luciano was gone already, I laid in a daze for a moment, trying to make sense of everything that had happened last night, between Luciano and I. The memories flooded my mind, his touch, his whispered words, the intensity of his eyes, my cheeks heated up as I thought about every detail. But as I came back to reality, a feeling of dread crept into my mind. How could I have let myself succumb to him, fall so deeply into his charms last night, knowing the darkness that lurked around him and his promise to make me succumb to him? The thoughts of how quickly he claimed me, possessively, rough and almost dangerously last night, as if making it clear and vivid that I belonged to him, sent a chill down my spine. And yet, I still couldn't deny the pull he had over me, the way my heart raced at the mere thoughts of him.It seemed like always fighting and struggling against him, made him
NADIA'S POVHis gaze flicked to the table where the food was and then, back to me, his lips curved up into a smirk, a small amusing smile. I know right, it's amusing, I thought.“You made dinner for me, hmm, interesting.”I smiled awkwardly and returned to sit on the bed, “I didn't literally make it, just heated it up. You're home late, so I assumed you'd be hungry.”He glanced at me again, before he carried the food and settled on a couch, which I just realized was there. “Next time, don't go over the stress to heat my food up or prepare food for me, that's not your duty.”“But I–”“That's not up for negotiation, do you understand?” he cut me off, his tone holding a hint of seriousness and warning. This is the first time he's talking to me in this manner.I nodded, knowing deep in my heart that I was going to do it next time, exactly the opposite of what he'd be expecting from me.“You should even be asleep by now, so, tell me, what are you still doing awake? Did you miss me that muc
LUCIANO'S POV Morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. I sat up quietly, careful not to disturb her as she lay beside me, peaceful and unguarded in her sleep. Her dark brown hair spread across the pillow like a halo, framing her face in soft, loose curls. She looked delicate, almost fragile in this moment, as though the fire she carried within her had dulled to a gentle ember.My fingers brushed against her cheek, and I marveled at the contrast between this quiet, sleeping beauty and the fierce, defiant woman I'd tangled with last night. She was something rare, a paradox of strength and vulnerability, boldness and gentleness. It stirred something in me, something I hadn't felt for a long time, a strange possessive tenderness that both intrigued and unsettled me.Her lashes fluttered slightly as she shifted, mumbling something incoherent. Even asleep, she seemed as if she was ready to fight against the world if she had to, I couldn't help but c
LUCIANO'S POV Damon leaned against the door frame, his familiar smirk never faltering as he surveyed the room, his eyes gleaming with that calculative look I'd come to expect.“You're always asking me what I want, what's with you? I can't stop by to see my own brother without wanting something? I know I've been bad to you, but come on, you're my big brother, act like one.” Damon said, his voice dripping with feigned innocence as he strolled inside. But I knew better, Damon always wanted something.“Out with it, Damon.” I replied calmly. “I don't have time to waste on games, what do you want?”Damon chuckled softly, though there was no warmth in it. “Fine, straight to the point then.” He took a seat across me, his gaze briefly flickering to the briefcase before returning to me, all traces of humor gone.“I'm here because I've heard things. Rumors. And I want to know if you're as involved as they say.”I raised my eyebrows, unimpressed. “You know, I don't entertain loose talks.”“Not j
NADIA'S POVI'd woken up the next morning to find his side of the bed empty, the lingering scent of him the only trace that he'd been there. I blinked against the early light filtering through the room, a feeling of quiet settling over me. My mind slowly brought back flashes of the night before, the intensity of his pressure, his touch, the way he left no room for resistance.My fingers touched the sheets beside me, it was faintly warm, as if he'd only recently left. I got up, brushing my fingers through my hair, my mind swimming with questions, though one echoed louder than the others. Realizing I was still in his room, I climbed down from the bed, taking a proper look at the entire room. It was indeed owned by Luciano.I exited the room to return to mine, Layla must have come to find me. I wandered through the unfamiliar hall, barely remembering the route back to my room. After a few minutes, I stumbled upon the dining room, pausing my lips into a deep thin line, as I met with Laila
AUTHOR'S POVLuciano was off from work and went to the city's mall to get a necklace which he placed a tracking device on, something that was tiny and could barely be noticed. As if the phone he got her wasn't enough to keep her security in check. Just like every other place he went, he always caught the ladies' attention. Their eyes were glued to his direction, as he walked out of the mall. Their murmurs echoing in the entire place. His expression remained cold and icy, keeping them away from coming too close.Two girls from across him were hesitating and contemplating on who should walk up to him first, as they were hesitating, the second girl adjusting her dress and decided to go up first, but before she could go, they heard a soft and coquettish voice coming from their back.“Luciano–”Their eyes couldn't help but widened as they turned to the direction of the voice. Words like alluring, irresistible, sexy, fell short of capturing her beauty.Tall and slender, her long silky blon
AUTHORIn a dark corner, a man lounged on a couch, one leg draped elegantly over the other. His face was obscured by shadows and a haze of cigarette smoke that drifted lazily through the room. He was completely indifferent to everything around him, his aura exuding an eerie coldness that could send shivers down anyone's spine. The faint red glow from his cigarette was the only light in his corner.A sudden vibration jolted him from his reverie, and he glanced at his phone screen, smirking as he read the message, he stubbed the cigarette ashes under his foot, straightened up and left the corner.****Nadia couldn't sleep peacefully, as she kept tossing around on the bed. At one point, she sat up, feeling thirsty, she climbed down the bed and went to the kitchen for water. While she was returning, she wondered if Luciano was back, but shrugged it off. If he was back, he'd come to her room, she thought and continued to return to her room.She hadn't taken more than five steps, when she h
AUTHORIt was already past Eight in the morning when Mia woke up, she slowly reached out her hands to her phone to check who was calling so early in the morning.She wiped her eyes when she saw the caller, she looked at the time and widened her eyes in shock. She brought her phone closer to her eyes to be sure.She looked at her side, but the man was not there.She furrowed her brows, when the images and scenes from last night came flooding to her head, her face became hot and she turned scarlette from blushing and couldn't help but smile and hide her face under the pillow, and rolled several times.He wasn't just handsome for nothing, he was everything a woman wants, and he was very good in bed, in fact he was perfect and perfect. Her imagination was running wilder when her phone vibrated again, and jotted her from her thoughts.She glanced at the caller ID and smiled."Where are you?" “I'm still at the hotel.""What?, was he that good that you can't get enough or you can't get up a
NADIA It's been weeks already, with Luciano and I barely speaking to each other, I barely see him not to talk of crossing paths with him. If he was avoiding me or was just too busy at work, I have no idea. These past weeks, I've been feeling a lot of things, tired, when I actually did nothing, sleepy and extreme dizziness. My sleep wasn't as peaceful as it was before. I kept seeing myself, or rather, the little version of me, as a kid, laughing and playing around in a huge mansion. The sounds of her laughter were filled with so much happiness and contagious playfulness. Amidst her happiness, a deep voice called out her name, his voice dripping with love and genuine affection, but then, the name he called wasn't Nadia. Vesper, he called her Vesper. He was calling her to stop running, but she kept running, her laughter growing louder and echoing in all corners of the mansion.I was desperate to see his face, to know who he was, but just each time, I failed. He either seems to disappe
NADIAThe house felt like a hollow shell without Luciano. For a month, he had left without a word, leaving me to wonder if it was because of that night. Although I still bore the scars, not on my body, but deep in my heart, and everytime i passed his closed bedroom door, the memory of his drunken rage haunted me.Yet, there was a part of me that couldn’t help but yearn for him, a part of me that couldn’t let go. Something in his eyes that night had looked broken,desperate and betrayed, and that’s what made it so hard to resent him fully.With Luciano gone, it was easier going outside, venturing beyond the walls of the mansion, although his men never ceased to follow me around wherever I went, but they gave me breathing space. On one of those outings, I met Damon, the man from the restaurant.I had just finished walking through a local bookstore, holding on to the small bag of novels, when he appeared. “Hi Nadia, we met again.” he smiled softly, waving at me.I waved back and looked aw
AUTHORLuciano's anger was triggered by his father and brother, at his mother's memorial service.A day Ago,Luciano stood at the vast, ornate hall where his mom's memorial service was being held. His jaw was clenched so tightly that it ached. He knew that behind the facade of those gathered belied the insincerity of their whisper. Not any one of them had a single sympathy for the woman who they claimed to mourn, they only cared about their power, appearance and no one was more obvious to flaunting those than Luciano's father, Silas Moterno.Dressed proudly in a black suit, Silas held court at the center of the room, a picture of a grieving widower. His words were laced with honey, his demeanor composed, yet the sight of him filled Luciano with fury and hatred, so intense it made his vision blur. Silas, standing tall, had stolen everything from Luciano, his mother, his childhood, Damon, and every semblance of his peace.Luciano's hand clenched tightly into fists by his sides, his rag
NADIAI was already done with the business files Jeff returned home. I'd told him to increase it a bit more which he did, working on this file for a while. I could only say that Luciano was intelligent and professional with the dealings of his company. Time flew by and it was night already. Luciano wasn't home yet, so I returned to my room. Later in the night, I woke up because I was having a nightmare. Amidst my thoughts, I heard slow, and unsteady footsteps approaching my room, before I could react, the door burst open, revealing Luciano's imposing figure.He staggered through the door, muttering under his breath. The heavy whiff of alcohol followed, consuming the air, as soon as he walked into the room.Was he drunk? I frowned and got up to help him. “Luciano, are you okay?” I asked, for some reason, feeling deeply worried.He laughed, a bitter, hollow sound. “Am I okay?” his words slurred, his voice mocking. “Why wouldn't I be? My family's circus, my brother's snake, my father,
NADIAI still couldn't believe that Luciano would murder my adoptive parents and take Vanessa. Why didn't he kill Vanessa also? The more I thought about it, the more confusing it was. If I hadn't seen him kill Sophia, maybe I wouldn't believe it, but I was there when he killed Sophia.Logan might be my Ex and the last person I'd ever want to talk to, but he couldn't make up such a lie. He was sure about what he was saying, even over the phone.There's a way to find out.Luciano was in his study, when I went up to him. I wouldn't lie, I was scared, I was afraid, the courage I had managed to gather, all faltered in the face of his intense gaze.“This is my study, not your room.” “Luciano, did you kill my adoptive parents?” He paused what he was doing and turned to look at me. His gaze darkened, a flicker of surprise dancing in his stormy eyes, as he took a deliberate step towards me. His calm demeanor only served to heighten the tension in the air.“Who told you that?” he asked, his
NADIADespite Luciano's normal attitude, I still couldn't shake off the sight of Sophia's dead body. Few days back, he returned home very late and I happened to go to the living room to retrieve my phone which I left there earlier. The first thing I heard was hurried steps, I hid to see who it was, only to find out it was Luciano's men, Jeff and Luke. They were heading to his room. Their faces etched with worry, but what caught my attention was the blood stains on their hands.Once they had gone a very good distance, I made sure to not make any noise and followed them. The door was slightly opened and I could hear whatever they were saying. Luciano seemed to be deeply hurt, his voice was laced with pain, yet rage. He had a clash with his brother and some other groups, I didn't quite remember their names. It was because of Sophia's death. They'd attacked him, to eliminate him. At this point, I needed no more evidence or words to believe that Luciano was a Mafia boss and did shady bus
NADIA By the time I was awake, Luciano was already gone. After what happened in his study, he had come to the room last night, and only let me be, when it was already daybreak. I could remember that, plus when he cleaned me up and applied some ointment. Cleaning me up after intercourse, was something he never forgot to do, after which he'll tuck me back to sleep.The workload Jeff returned home was getting lesser each day. I'll have to remind him to bring back more work. Later, while I was watching a TV show in the living room, an idea popped into my mind. The sudden thought of it only made my heart race, since no one was at home, and Luciano might not find out, I headed to his study room. Maybe I could find something that'll give me more clue about who he really is, or what exactly he was into. I went into his study, checking out every document I saw there. I had no knowledge that there was a device installed in the office, which would notify him when someone apart from him went i
NADIALuciano didn't leave the house for the rest of the week. Jeff brought over some files for him, and he worked from home. Although he is not going to admit it, I knew it was because of my injury. The thought of it brought a warm feeling to my chest. I already told him it was gone, but he chose to act deaf on it, so I let him do what he wanted.This time, I was the one trying to start a conversation with him, trying to talk to him. But each time, he finds excuses to dismiss me, probably still angry about me trying to cook. But that doesn't make sense, I can't keep making food orders for a long time. I'd wanted to prepare a quick dish, to fill myself, who knew the knife was going to slip from my hand and slit my leg and who asked him to home to witness it?Feeling fed up with his cold shoulders, I decided I was going to talk to him, no matter his excuse this time, I'm going to find a way to talk to him. A part of me decided against it, but I shrugged it away. Despite his cold attit
LUCIANOAs usual, Nadia had begun avoiding me again. She only came down when she was sure that I've left for the office. When Luke told me about that message, I was furious. The phone I gave her was connected to one of my devices and I can access her phone through mine. Luke was in charge of that, although it had issues and was sent for repair, which he retrieved not long ago, before he saw the message.I tried to hold in my anger, not until Jeff Informed that Damon and his men had infiltrated the restaurant, meanwhile, Nadia had gone out to wash off the stain on her dress and was taking too long. I knew how extreme Damon could be, and I knew he had only come for her.But her replies when I'd asked her what took her long, infuriated me more. Maybe I'd been too soft on her, which made her overestimate herself and thought I wouldn't do just anything to make sure she remains by my side.Then again, I dislike that emotion that crawls into my chest, when her tears spill and it's painful.