* Chapter 17 * Valeria looked up absentmindedly, unconsciously gripping the tray in her hand. She took a couple of big breaths before knocking on the door. A glint of concern flickered in her eyes." I brought the boss's tea" she announced, holding the electronic key. Miscellaneous heartbeats passed before he opened his mouth, "Come in Valeria " Valeria was in awe, disbelief evident in her eyes. Did he recognize her voice? She thought she had been successful in changing it. Nonetheless, she swiped the card through the keyhole. Opening the door, their gaze crashed prompting Val to instantly look away. " Set it on the table " he ordered without turning back to see Val. At this moment, she stared at Xander meaningfully. Bridging the silence, cold words escaped his thin lips as he looked over his shoulder " If that is all. Then you can leave " Valeria's jaws parted in shock. No apologies nor a look of guilt on his face. She felt a bizarre chi
* Chapter 18 * Support guys with gifts, comments, and following me. Love you!! * Bang!*. The glass of water which was holding fell on the floor. " When last did you see your period?" she heard him repeat. Valeria's cheeks became redder, this effect spread to her small ears. The question was very uncomfortable, could this man not see how uncomfortable she was now? How could he ask such a private question? Shameless man Rather, he was secretly enjoying seeing her being flushed. She played with her fingers as her lips quivered. " I am asking because I can not think of any reason why tea would make one throw up. "Xander inquired as he sat on the glass table. Val looked up guiltily at me with his empty eyes. She was not a virgin anymore so it could be a possibility. A possibility she dreaded at the thought, her responsibility was too much. She did not even have enough money to do anything at the moment. His lips curved into a dangerous smile
* Chapter 19 * He gently squeezed Valeria's hand. She turned as their eyes locked, the anger in her eyes faded away. " Carl! ``The name escaped her lips as soon as their eyes crashed. He badly wanted to hug her but the distance between them was too big. So he took a few steps before exclaiming " What pleasant surprise Val,why are you here? " " I came along with a friend..." She said casually, feeling a bit fuzzy. " With a friend?.." Carl quickly looked around, he spotted Liza strolling ahead and she was waving at him, plastering a huge smile. Val smiled faintly as she pointed at Liza " With her?" " Yes" Liza was the one who replied first while Valeria only nodded. His gaze averted back to Valeria and his voice softened as he asked " Are you heading home? I can drop you .." " Yes. WE are heading home" Liza emphasized the ' we ' to make her presence known. She stood in between Val and Carl and kept stealing glances of Carl. ' Val is so lucky alway
* Chapter 20 * At this point, he paused to look at her and continued to ask. She glanced at the expression on his face before turning her back to say " Two pink lines " " Congratulations " the doctor spoke out of formality. He saw the pale look on her face. " Don't worry! It will be difficult in the early months but it will all be worth it " Valeria smiled faintly. An array of thoughts occupied her mind. She did not want to get rid of the baby. It was against her morals. She could only stare as the doctor filled out some forms he stamped them. " I am a gynecologist call me anytime and make sure you come for every checkup marked in that document " Val smiled while taking the file. " I will " Truth be told, taking care of a baby will not be easy. However, the real problem was how to tell her grandmother this news. She imagined the disappointed look on her grandmother's face and it made her sad. She subconsciously placed her hand on her stomach and prayed silently
* Chapter 21 * " The file?" Xander asked for what seemed to be the umpteenth time. The lady he was referring to skipped out of fear from her daydreaming. She quickly handed the file sputtering apologies. Val was lost in thought regarding the controversy which will tag along with the release of her pregnancy report. It was something she wanted to keep private. However, this boss of hers had to ask for a fitness checkup as a requirement only at this time. They were in a board meeting with clients from abroad concerning the new bridge construction project in city Z. It was important to win over the project because it will earn hundreds of millions in return. Sam was giving a projection of brainstormed ideas to reduce the cost while sustaining the bridge quality for the citizens. The other board members including both clients from abroad began whispering to themselves. One client whispered" He should have hired brains not spread legs " It was so audible that Sa
* Chapter 22 * In the boardroom... Xander sat emotionlessly without saying a word. His AEs were confused about whether to go or stay so they just stood in the same position for an hour. The door creaked open as Jude came in holding a first aid kid. Sitting on the table he grabbed Xander's arm to treat his bloody knuckles. " Wow! You could not get a single scratch from beating Jeff to a pulp so you decided to punch the walls " Jeff scoffed with his gaze diverting to the stream of blood on the wall. Taking a glimpse of his friend,he scoffed " Did you come to treat my wounds or add more salt?" Jude smiled. " Both " taking his seat by his friend,he opened up a first aid kit. Xander sighed" Give that to me. I am not a baby, I can tend to my wounds . " he said while taking the first aid kit. Jude only stared at his friend. " .." He had a lot of things to say but did not know how to begin. Using hand gestures, Jude said, " All of you take a day off ".
* Chapter 23 * His conspicuous red Lamborghini quickly caught her eye. It shone as if it was just bought. " Are we taking that instead?" she asked pinning her hair behind her ears. She had the impression they would take the black Range rover. Xander nodded busily as he open the door for Val. Her face wiggled as she took a glance around. She wanted to avoid the rumors from growing. What will people think if they saw them driving around time add the Lamborghini was so eye-catching that it will make them the center of attraction anywhere they go. " What is wrong with this car? " She questioned pointing at the black Range rover. Rather than responding, he threw a question at her " I thought you were hungry? " he reacted as his face dimmed. She tossed her eyes draping her arms on her chest " I am fine. I will eat at the office canteen. You can go " " Really or conceivably you want to escape from treating me as you promised " Valeria's lips ma
* Chapter 24 * Her heart pounded as the policeman walked closer. She tapped on his shoulder in panic. " I don't have a license " A smile found its way on his cute pink lips. He wanted to tease her but gave up the idea when he saw her panic turning to anxiety. " Be cool. Just relax" his hand gently rubbed her shoulder. How can she relax when she was going to be caught? Valéry did not want to go to prison again, the first time was not pretty at all. " I have a plan " the latter interjected followed by silence. It felt like light finally penetrated her darkness ,she diverted her gaze to meet his green eyes " What's the plan ?" A wicked grin cropped on his lips causing her stomach to churn. This was not going to be good. The police officer arrived, and he tapped on the windshield with his baton. " Why did you stop suddenly? Let me see your credentials!" The car drove passed the policeman at speed. Valéria was on Xander's thighs while he wa
* Chapter 13; Getting her out of my system* "It is the third warehouse they attacked today." Giovanni, dressed in a white shirt matched with grey torn jeans, informs me as soon as we arrive at the destination. We can't take a look at my drug warehouse, as it is littered with fucking cops. This is getting out of hand. With the outnumbered list of enemies due to my father's lust, I don't know who is behind this. If I had, we would have played dentist, and I would blow up every tooth in his fucking mouth. I watched him bleed away. Fucker. I flex my hands on my thighs, something I do when I am stressed. I don't like to act out of the moment. A sober action is the longest-standing and most satisfying one.
**Chapter 12; His baby?** Halting at his tracks, he smiles again and informs me in the most soothing tone, "Yes, Sunshine, you are very lucky to die by my hands." Before I could make sense of anything, everything goes dark, and a force pulls me from behind. He grabs me by my hair, thrusting me into a dark room. "Who are you? What are you going to do to me?" "Nothing," he tells me, faking an innocent expression. I look around the empty room, breathing heavily. I can't find anything but boxes in this room. They are all covered in dust. "He got rid of his last wife, and I will get rid of you." "What?!" My face goes pale as he pulls out a knife from the pocket of his black suit. His steps are quick and heavy towards me. It doesn't take any effort for him to pull me to
**Chapter 12; His baby?** Halting at his tracks, he smiles again and informs me in the most soothing tone, "Yes, Sunshine, you are very lucky to die by my hands." Before I could make sense of anything, everything goes dark, and a force pulls me from behind. He grabs me by my hair, thrusting me into a dark room. "Who are you? What are you going to do to me?" "Nothing," he tells me, faking an innocent expression. I look around the empty room, breathing heavily. I can't find anything but boxes in this room. They are all covered in dust. "He got rid of his last wife, and I will get rid of you." "What?!" My face goes pale as he pulls out a knife from the pock
**Chapter 11: "To Die by My Hands"** "I still can't believe you are married now," Aiah says for the umpteenth time. Since I returned to this room with my best friends, it has been really quiet. "The truth is I can't believe it myself. Guys, I am scared," I whisper softly, afraid that the walls may have ears. I am now a mafia's wife. "You better, Rosé," Bali reminds me using my middle name, simultaneously giving Aiah the side eye. It has always been this way with them. Bali has no filter, whereas Aiah lives to sugarcoat situations. "As advice, you should get him on your side. Make him fall for you." "Bali!" Both Aiah and I gasp, widening our eyes in response. How can she suggest that?!
Chapter 10: My wife Renzo POV "What do you think you are doing, Storm? You are acting out of character," Giovanni informs me,sitting across me in the waiting room. He called me by my nickname, meaning he was serious. I just announced that I am going to marry Sunshine today itself. I am acting out of character. I am a planner; everything I do is structured ahead of time. But with this girl, I am being spontaneous. "I am acting spontaneously," I say, deadpanning, flicking through the document in my hand. He laughs, shaking his head. "There is something more to do with this. Why are you in haste to marry this girl? Don't tell me you like her. Or is it because she called you an asshole?"
Sunshine POV Chapter 9: Getting married "This is very important to note, okay? Some of the family members on the husband's side are vegetarian, so we need to know what to serve. Also, make sure--" I stand in the kitchen with my mother, watching her give detailed instructions to the staff about the likes and dislikes of my future family. I zone out during her second lecture because my mind keeps going back to what I said to that man. I'm rambling uncontrollably, and now I can't help but wonder what he will think of me. "The real question is, why do you care what he thinks of you?" a nosy voice in my head asks, and I have no answer. I find myself feeling something for a man I don't even know, while preparing to marry another man for whom I feel nothing.
Chapter 8; The groom is an asshole. Renzo's POV: I watch as she stumbles, her long legs elegantly poised in high heels and yet somehow completely out of balance. She has her eyes fixed on a lady making a call from the balcony. I can see the admiration in her eyes. Her outfit is far from traditional, and yet it suits her perfectly. The white mermaid dress trails behind her, sweeping across the floor like a graceful swan gliding across the lake. The dress is long, and yet there is a daring slit that ran up the side, revealing just enough leg to tantalize. Her blonde hair is styled to perfection, soft curls framing her face, like a halo of light. She looks every inch the goddess she is, even if she seems uncomfortable in the attire. I move to aid her, and she
Chapter 7: We all want bad boys The bride's room is like a fairy tale, with high ceilings and gilded mirrors. I can smell the delicate scent of roses wafting from the vase on her dresser. The heavy brocade drapes are pulled closed, casting the room in deep shadows. It's seven in the evening, and I find myself pacing around in my room, biting on my lower lip. I am nervous. Why wouldn't I be when I am getting engaged to the biggest mafia clan in the whole of New York? Ever since my parents confession a week ago, it has been a shopping spree for the marriage. And I still don't know what my groom looks like. I refused to see a photograph of him until today. Is he ugly or handsome? I wonder. What will his hands feel like? Will my heart beat fast like it did at t
Chapter 6: You're my everything I wake up to the sound of my alarm and noises from downstairs. It can't be. Last night... That man... What happened? My head hurts as I kick the Mickey Mouse quilt to my feet. My stomach churns, and it does not feel good. How can I be back in New York? Who brought me back, and why? Turning to my left, I walk to my stand, hoping to find my phone. I find my charger coiled but no phone. Weird. The noises downstairs grow louder, and I hear a sharp, devasting scream. " Mom!" The scream leaves my mouth before I can comprehe