JASMINE POVNico chuckles, his voice deep and filled with amusement. I look away, feeling a flush rise up my cheek."Well, you can certainly call it that," he says, and I catch the tiny smirk on his face.I wish that I could glare at him and prove to him that I wasn't so caught up in his spell as much as he thought. Eventually, my better judgment overshadows the irrational need to protect my pride, or at least what is left of it, and I follow him through the glass doors that mark the opening of the restaurant and bar.The inside smells like baked bread and roasted chicken. I breathe in the sweet savor, feeling my appetite come back even though I had just had my breakfast only half an hour ago.Nico laces his hand through mine as he leads me through the numerous rows of tables, some round and transparent while others are rather rectangular, and some even rubber.It looks much like a mini ballroom, well furnished with flowers on tables and chandeliers hanging overhead, reflecting differ
Nico's POVThe day was going well enough for me. I wasn't exactly sure what I was driving at or if I was on to something at all, but I liked where the talk was going. That was until I saw him. With a perpetual frown on my face, I looked at him with pure hostility. This man did not hesitate to make advances at my girl, even though I had made it quite clear to everyone that she is mine already. Now, here he is again, appearing out of nowhere. I don't know what to think at all, but one thing is for certain—it can't be a coincidence.I see them make eye contact for a while, and my blood boils. She immediately averts her gaze, but I had gotten the message already. There it had been, pure recognition in her gaze. There was no mistaking it this time—it is clear that they know each other at a level much deeper than the surface. My frown must deepen because she now shivers a little. I couldn't care less as I am deep in thought. "Can I be right?" "Could they really know each other better than I
Jasmine's POVI have no idea why a billionaire like him would actually take a liking to dancing. What's more, he's pretty good at it. I find it very surprising, but what I find even more surprising is why he took that dance with me.When I couldn't come up with a reasonable explanation, I assumed it was because of the drink he had previously. That was the only reason I could think of why he suddenly broke out of his shell of complete formality and started acting like a normal person for once.I decided to actually enjoy myself for two good reasons. I didn't know when next I would come to a place as fun as this, and he also seemed to be in the mood. He’s not going to criticize me or laugh at my moves—I could see it in his eyes already. For some reason, I think he wants me to be happy, so I decide to want the same thing for myself.It looks like he said something all of a sudden, so I look at him, waiting for him to speak again. His lips move, indicating that he’s trying to say somethin
**Chad's POV**I am not stalking her. At least, that's what I tell myself as I take out my phone and call one of my good friends, telling him directly that I will need his help in finding one certain lady. I do my best to keep calm the moment I learn that she is with her new manager, my partner. He takes some interest in her; I know about it already. It makes me sad, as I know for certain that she is soon going to get into something with him if I don't do anything about it.I hurry into my car, not knowing exactly what is going on with me and my emotions. It is taking control over me to a large extent, and I know that if I don't do something to curb it, it's going to be a pain that will lead me to do something I would probably regret in the future."What am I going to do when I get there?" I ask with a frown on my face as I start the car in the first gear. It is of completely no use if I can't or don't do anything about them when we eventually meet, so I need to make a plan for that i
Chad's POVI go with a beating heart as the waiter takes me to the private booth section of the restaurant. I don't know exactly what to expect, neither do I know whether they are actually there or not. However, I feel scared of what I might find out if I let myself actually go.I check myself and find out I have enough money on me to pay for it, no matter how exorbitant it is. It doesn't matter though, because that's not the point. I need to make sure he's not able to do anything with her and stop him right in his tracks. But I don't have the means to."Thank you so much," I said to the waiter after a couple of seconds. I give him a generous tip with a smile. After he settles me into one of the booths, I feel a sudden sense of frustration and loneliness being in a place like this without anybody to have a drink with or do anything with at all. If anybody sees me, they'll know how pathetic it is for me to be in such a place without anybody. I think of Amelia, but more than that, I thi
Nico's POVShe controls me to a large extent. She makes me lose my well-developed composure over absolutely nothing. I feel a sense of vulnerability as I try to stop myself from blushing. Try as much as I can, but it's impossible. The prospect of it is frightening. All my life, I have pretty much been in control of absolutely everything. This is a complete shocker to me, and I don't know what to make of it.I see the amusement in her eyes. It's clear she doesn't even try to hide it. The fact that she knows what is happening just as much as I do makes me wonder and makes it a lot more scary for me than it already is that she has that kind of power."Well, she's actually my mate, so..." I tell myself as I try to shake it off. If it were any other person, I would feel completely lost and frustrated with being so powerless. But since it's her, it's not that bad, though I mind it an awful lot.Finally, I manage to get control of myself. I don't know what to say, don't know how to start a c
Nico's POVI return home that day feeling light. That is, of course, until I see my wife, Camila. She’s at home today for some reason, and her presence completely spoils my joy."Where have you been?" she asks me with a frown on her face. I look at her in annoyance before giving her my response."I don’t think I’m supposed to report my actions and movements to you."She frowns even harder now after my reply, raising an eyebrow at me. "You know I can find out where you’ve been if I want to, without asking you.""Then by all means," I say, rolling my eyes. The relationship between the two of us isn’t that rocky. We get by and along with each other because of mutual respect and the marriage agreement to keep the two mafia groups connected. But suddenly, I just didn’t want to be with her anymore. I have found my mate already, and therefore, it makes it very uncomfortable for me to stay with this lady peacefully like before. I can’t keep living each day in the previous manner, doing everyt
**Nico POV**When I hear his name, a lot of thoughts go through my mind. The news that he actually terminated his contract with me so suddenly only served to tell me that he actually has something to do with Jasmine. I can't think of another reason why he would do that, and it makes me more certain of my conjecture that he has some history with her that I need to know about."Did he give a reason?" I asked, with a frown on my face. I wanted to make sure that I knew everything about this matter. As long as he didn't have a solid reason, then it would be final confirmation that it's because of her. And if it's actually because of her, then I would really have to think about how to deal with him."No reason at all," he says from the other end of the line. I can tell that he's telling the truth just by the tone of his voice. Plus, there's actually no reason for him to lie to me, so I decide that the man needed to be dealt with."Thank you very much," I say. "If anything like this happens
Chad's POV He doesn't reply to me immediately but instead passes across some coded message to the rest of the men, and they take their sweet time circling us, forming a tight barricade around the car. I clench my fist, knowing that this situation is one that I won't be able to get out of easily.What do you want from me? I say, trying for another approach."You're asking unnecessary questions, man," the masked man says in a gruff voice. He raises his weapon, pointing the gun directly at my head. Anything that makes him pull the trigger at this point leaves me completely dead. The reality is enough to bring shivers down my spine. I purse my lip, thinking desperately for any means of escape. What is happening? My mind keeps on turning up completely blank, and honestly, it leaves me very much frustrated. What do you want from me? I find myself asking at this point. All I'm doing is trying to get the conversation going and stall him for as long as I can while waiting not so patientl
CHAD'S POV"It's not over yet," I tell myself as the car drives down the road. Now that I know for sure that I can't get Jasmine to myself, I dedicate my time to exposing Nico instead.It's not like I hate him, it's just that when it comes to Jasmine, I feel genuinely remorseful of my actions in the past, and I want to make sure she ends up with someone better than me at least. Nico, though well-dressed and handsome and all, didn't cut that aspect.I grit my teeth, my hands tightening by my sides. Luckily my driver doesn't take notes—or maybe he does—and he knows better than to talk unnecessarily or try to make up conversations.Fine, maybe I was a bit jealous of Nico, but that doesn't matter now. If I was to be completely honest, nothing much matters to me right now.I still have the car now driving down and arriving in the main road. There is only a tinge of satisfaction that I feel from seeing Nico's angry face. Now that will be a bonus that I will be sure to remember for a long ti
JASMINE'S POVAfter the episode with Chad, I don't know what to think anymore. Or more specifically, I choose not to think of anything. It's just too dangerous to let my thoughts move around unrestrained in my head after everything that happened.And I don't think that I've seen Nico so damn angry in my life. I shudder from the thought. I don't even need to evoke my senses to visualize his emerald green eyes spitting fire and the look on his face filled with pure rage.I can swear that he was ready to kill someone back there, and I can only imagine what would have happened if I wasn't there to stop him. I shake my head, chasing away the thought. I don't want to think that Nico has no self-control over the dangerous side of him.The car parks and I look up. "We are at the company, ma'am," Richard informs me. He steps down from the car and opens my side of the door for me. I give a nod. I was too preoccupied in my thoughts to even notice that we had long arrived back at the company.I s
NICO'S POV I watch her stumble back in shock, her eyes widening. She seems really surprised to see me.“What are you doing here?” she mutters, her voice shaking.I don’t give a direct answer but instead step inside the room and scan my eyes around the forum. Someone is there, sitting in the living room. I recognize his features immediately.The fucker, Chad, is here. But what the hell is he doing in the hallway? And why did she let him in?My eyes turn back to fall on Jasmine. There is a sense of fear in the air. I can guess that an argument has taken place here.“What are you doing here?” I speak directly to Chad.Chad stands up from the seat and stares back at me, his eyes defiant.“Well, I’m sure that I have my own freedom of speech and movement, Nico Ferrari,” he speaks, his voice full of malice.Like a glare, I glance through the corner of my eyes and see the way Jasmine is trembling. I’m sure that this motherfucker said something to her, and I don’t like him. His mere presence
Jasmine's POV The black sedan car was parked in front of my house, just a few feet away from the man who brings back unnecessary memories. I would want to tell the driver to slow down and say, "Look at it closely," praying against hope that it wasn't what it seemed to be.Finally, we stepped past it and came to park in the garage. I stepped out of the car immediately and searched around, however, to find this man leaning against the door of the house walls—none other than Chad himself.Hell no, why does he keep on appearing? I wonder to myself and walk up to him cautiously. I know that I have to be careful. I don't know what he wants.Frankly speaking, I've not been able to tell if he's appearing or not appearing at unpredictable timings. And not to talk of the way he behaved towards Nico—almost like he knew something I didn't.I shook my head. I'm not going to doubt Nico. Not now that I finally seem to be getting along and agreeing on something. He just has to step out of the way.P
Jasmine's POV Nico smiles lightly, but he doesn't tell you because he's going to disclose the information any moment soon. He stands up and kisses me lightly on the cheek. "I know, but you don't have to worry about it. I'm going to sort this all out in a couple of days." I know and understand that this is something that he has to do himself.In the meantime, I say equally, "That's enough. Since I'm already in the company, I might as well get to work."Nico looks like he is about to object, but I raise a hand, telling him, "I'm not going to just sit around and let you treat me like a princess."He smiles. "Are you sure you don't want that?"I roll my eyes and shake my head. "No, I would like to actually be useful and earn my position here."Nico sighs, knowing that he won't be able to convince me otherwise, since I have a pretty strong gut when it comes to finding my place. "I'll call you if I need anything."I nod and wave at him as I step out of the office. I appreciate the fact th
Nico's POV I look up and see my manager step into the office. He briefly graces us, me and Jasmine. His poker face faults us for a while, but he quickly masks it with another professional one. If he has his own reservations or questions, he doesn't ask any of them, but instead stands patiently by the door, waiting for me to acknowledge him. I raise an eyebrow at him, wondering what he wants with me now. I just barely stepped foot into the company, and personally speaking, I had hoped to spend some time with Jasmine in private. There's still a lot of things that she is yet to understand, and I want to make her do so to the best of my ability. However, of course, coming to the company, I could only have imagined that there would be work waiting for me. It's not like my manager could be here to see me go idle for more than half an hour. "I'll be right back," I whisper to Jasmine, and carefully remove my hand from hers. That also leaves me holding her in a tense grip. I regret it; ho
Jasmine's POVHe stares back at me without a change in expression. Suddenly, those deep green eyes that seem to read even my soul jump into the line of one beat. I find it hard to believe that I can ever do the case. I take it is worth trying to think of what to do. No one is ever prepared for this kind of situation, and what proves to come is what proves to remain.Finally, I take a deep breath. Even though I pretend that I don't know what's happening, and I'm entirely shocked by the way things are progressing, deep down, I seem to already know all the answers. I tend to question if I already decided to give him a chance, and don't want to go, then what's wrong with right now? That's the question that I ask myself."Well, he's your son," I point out quietly. "Of course you can't take care of him." He pulls me into a hug immediately. "Thank you," he breaks down on my shoulder. And only then do I realize that he has been holding his breath. It kind of makes me smile as well. Touching t
JASMINE'S POVIt's late in the night when I finally arrived back in Los Angeles. After bidding Nico goodbye and taking Michael with me to the apartment, I feel like I'm finally done for the day. It has been a very long one. First, I had to get Isabella and Michael ready for the information exercise. I still did not go here before, but all in all, I would say that they are much better than I thought. I feel a bit of relief now, even though I'm back in the enemy's lair. But for some reason, I do feel like Michael is actually here to take care of me this time. I feel if all they want is a second chance, then I might as well give it to him. After all, there's no harm in trying, right? Also, I thought I'm still on my guard, though.I think as I enter in the combination lock and turn back, watching as the bright red Ferrari zooms out of the compound, I try not to think too much about him as I push open the door. Isabella carries an already sleeping Michael inside the house. The house feels