DANIELLE'S P.O.V.I ended the call.I said what I had to and pressed the red button, displayed alongside a green button on the phone's screen, to end the video call, but not before revelling in the shocked expression that had been painted so clearly on Adrian's face. I guessed he had not expected for me to call him out with just two words.For the upteenth time, at that moment, I felt the nearly overwhelming urge to plant a stinging slap across my own face, although I also wished I could plant a much more damaging slap across one of Adrian's cheek- maybe even both of them.How could I have made the mistake of getting carried away?When my heart had started to flutter, and butterflies had started to fly in my belly, and my cheeks had started to grow hot and red; when all of these things had started to happen, why hadn't I cautioned myself?Why hadn't I berated and cautioned my heart when it started to feel things that it had no business feeling?Why hadn't I given myself a severe pep t
DANIELLE'S P.O.V.I was nervous.That much was obvious with way my hands shook, and my legs quivered. My face was not exempted, as it was hot and reddened from the uneasiness that stemmed from deep down in my mind."You look like you've seen a ghost." Alisia said, "Or you're about to see one.""I wish I were merely on my way to see one." I said, causing her to erupt into a fit of laughter."Don't tell me that you are scared." she teased, a jestful twinkle in her eyes."Me? Scared? No, not at all. I'm not scared- I am terrified." I said, wringing my hands in my lap."Oh My God!" she exclaimed, erupting into another fit of laughter."My predicament must be funny to you, but trust me. It is not in the least bit a comic experience for me at the moment." I said."You're really scared of my father?" Alisia asked, unbelief lacing her tone."Point of correction, Alisia. I am terrified of your father. If there were another word that described fear beyond being terrified, that word would be bes
DANIELLE'S P.O.V.The mansion was even more beautiful than it was the first time I had visited it for dinner. It felt more welcoming and homely than when I had first been there, and from the moment that Alisia led me through the front doors and into the house, I could say I had fallen in love with the Valentino home.The walls on the house were high, very high, but they were not as intimidating inside the house as they were outside. Alisia led me through a long hallway, teeming with household staff, into a large living area. The walls in the living room were painted a glorious cream color while the furniture and devices were in elegant shades of royal green, giving the room a sophisticated look.Alisia pulled me past this living area, allowing me only a few seconds to take it all in, and led me through another hallway, this one shorter than the first one. I wondered why the architect had put in so many hallways and why the family had gone with the design; not that the house's design w
DANIELLE'S P.O.V.The mansion was even more beautiful than it was the first time I had visited it for dinner. It felt more welcoming and homely than when I had first been there, and from the moment that Alisia led me through the front doors and into the house, I could say I had fallen in love with the Valentino home.The walls on the house were high, very high, but they were not as intimidating inside the house as they were outside. Alisia led me through a long hallway, teeming with household staff, into a large living area. The walls in the living room were painted a glorious cream color while the furniture and devices were in elegant shades of royal green, giving the room a sophisticated look.Alisia pulled me past this living area, allowing me only a few seconds to take it all in, and led me through another hallway, this one shorter than the first one. I wondered why the architect had put in so many hallways and why the family had gone with the design; not that the house's design w
DANIELLE'S P.O.V.After the tour with Alisia, I had come to a conclusion that the Valentino Mansion was indeed just as impressive outside as it was inside. This opinion of mine was solidified at the presence of not only Alvida's impressive garden, but also the mini playground that Alisia dragged me along with her to visit."This is the second most beautiful place in the entire compound." she had said before pulling me with her into the open space which was confined by a small black gate.On our entry into the compound, I realized that it was a children's playground. Although it was like most playgrounds in town as it had the basic things found on any other children playground, it looked unlike any other playground."This looks like an extension of Alvida's garden." I gushed, looking and admiring the colorful flowers that littered the field and beautified the place."It sort of used to be her practice grounds." Alisia said, "She first started planting her flowers here on this strip of
DANIELLE'S P.O.V.Following Alisia through the back door, I entered the kitchen and was met with an astonishing sight. Unlike a few hours ago when it was just Alisia and I in the room while she was giving me a tour of the big kitchen space, the room was now filled up with several household helps.They scurried in and out of the kitchen, bearing trays of food.A man stood at the kitchen counter, giving orders to the helpers. He was a huge person with broad shoulders and biceps that strained through the material of his chef clothing. I guessed that he must be Etienne, the Valentino family chef that Alisia had always mentioned."Bon soir, Etienne. How are you doing this afternoon?" Alisia greeted."Very good, Ma'am Alisia." he replied before barking an order to another help as she scurried out of the room with a tray."Etienne, we have a special guest amongst us in the house." Alisia said to him, drawing his attention to where we were standing."Oh really?" he asked, curiosity twinging
DANIELLE'S P.O.V.I woke up with a start.My chest heaved, rising and falling rhythmically; my breath came out of my nostrils and lips in breathless huffs; my throat constricted, squeezing and pressing together painfully, and I felt the sweat that coated my forehead and brows. I quickly ran the back of my palm across my forehead and brows, wiping away the cold sweat that covered them in small balls.I had awoken from a dream, I knew that, but what I did not know was what it was about exactly. I knew that it was some sort of nightmare because I felt fear coursing through my veins, causing my heart to beat faster, and the blood in my body to rush, but I could not for the life of me recall what it was I had dreamt about.I heaved a deep sigh before looking around at the unfamiliar cream walls of the room, my brain struggling to process where exactly I was. It took me a few seconds to recall that I was in my assigned room in the Valentinos' mansion. I closed my eyes, squeezing them shut t
DANIELLE'S P.O.V.For the first time, since I started attending the Leonard N.Stern School of Business, two things, that were usually not an occurrence, happened that Monday morning.One, I wasn't behind the wheels of the car driving me to school, andTwo, it was dead quiet in the car. Even the sound of the engine, which was usually soothing for me to hear, was blocked out my the closed windows while the only sound in the car was the one produced by the air conditioner vents.This quietness allowed me to think- an action that I wanted to do away with for the moment. Thinking would allow my mind to explore thoughts and happenings that I wanted so badly to avoid as I could not afford for my imaginations to soar towards places that would furthermore instill, in me, the fear of being wanted dead.I sighed, placing my forehead on the closed window glass which had been made cool by the fully blasting air conditioner, and watched in silence as the trees passed by in a blur. It took us nearly