Nico's POVIt doesn't take me much time; I don't even wait till the end of the day, but I immediately rush off in my helicopter, all the way straight off, head-first into Italy. Just like I instructed, Fabio already has the helicopter ready for me, and the pilots - everything was all set. All he was waiting for was me to step inside, and then we'll be off, which I didn't hesitate to do.He sits across from me in the helicopter, and I stare through the window. The memory and the scenery of everything feels like déjà vu, and I immediately remember the night after my one-night stand with Jasmine, when I was whisked off at the very next moment on a plane to Italy, back where I belonged, to finish up the business I started. Then at one of my most heartbreaking events of all time, I was expected not to show any hint of emotion at all.That was also when I was forced to another reality, that I had to go on with a marriage that didn't count, one that involved Camilla, and so she gave birth to
Jasmine's POVAt that moment, I knew that everything had been screwed up so finely that it was impossible for anyone else to pick up the broken pieces of an already shut out plant. I know that from the moment those heavy boots got into the A3 and the doors were slammed open, there was no going back.Even then, I couldn't escape from Nekonomasa Hawadera. However, that didn't stop me from bolting through the side doors at the first sight of him. I didn't even have to look back. His domineering presence was already very much visible to me.It's like my five senses had picked him up before I even knew what was happening, and my next instinct acted up immediately. I dashed away from the scene, closed the door behind me, and tried to even out my breathing, but nothing seemed to be working. I could only place a hand over my chest and pant repeatedly."I have to get out of here." The warning kept ringing clear in my head. "I have to get out of here now."I know that any moment from now, wheth
Jasmine's POV My heart is beating at an alarming rate, and it's even more scary now that I don't know what he wants from me, and I can't even read the expression on his face since he looks back at me with those cold green eyes and an expressionless look.Although I can see a lot of darkness in them, it's almost like he has something to say. No, I'll rephrase that - he has a lot of things to say, but for some reason, he remains silent and his eyes keep on boring straight into my soul.I feel like he can look completely through me. I'm very uncomfortable, but I can't show that he's taking all of my willpower to even maintain eye contact with him, and finally, unable to take it anymore, my eyes drop from his gaze.He keeps me in that position with my hands locked above my head, as though wanting a sort of confirmation from me that I'm going to follow through and not kick up a fuss this time.Finally, I nod twice, assuring him that I'm going to follow him. Only then does he slowly let go
NICO'S POVThe truth is, I don't even know what to do at this point. I have a good mind to follow after Jasmine and take her up to the room myself, but I withhold myself. I can't let my emotions get the better of me like that. I know that there is a lot at stake here.First of all, I have to calm down, otherwise I'm not sure if I'll be able to control myself and speak to her immediately. So that is essentially why I let Fabio do all the work and stand there in front of the mansion like a fucking idiot, with my hands in my pockets and my legs crossed at the ankles, waiting for nothing exactly.Finally, Fabio shows up, striding towards me, taking his sweet time, and after what looks like an eternity, he finally stops in front of me, placing his hands casually into his pockets."I locked her in," he says, as I stand there completely stupefied."You what?" I repeat, unable to believe what I'm hearing. I can't believe that he would have the nerve to actually lock her in a room."You'll giv
Jasmine's POV Nico fucks me against the wall, and proceeded to repeat the whole process in several other positions. I would have considered it punishment for running away from him like that if I wasn't enjoying it a little too much myself.The activities went on throughout the night, and by the time I wake up the next morning, I'm well spent and feeling extremely tired. I try to move, but there's a stinging soreness between my legs.Letting out a soft groan, I manage to sit up. Looking around, I see that the sheets have already been cleaned out, and I'm in a different state than I was the day before. That only means one thing, that Nico took the liberty to give me a bath while I was sleeping, and lay me peacefully on the bed to rest.If I wasn't already so on my guard and suspicious of him, I would have thought it was a very sweet act. Okay, actually, I don't think it's very sweet of him.I roll to the side and sit up, watching as the rays of the sun tear through the window, casting
Jasmine's POVI feel my breath hitch the minute he asks that question. Suddenly, the car feels a bit hot, and I find it hard to breathe. Nico, of course, seems unaware of what to say next. His question is direct; I can't possibly pretend not to understand what he's talking about or try to sidestep. He’s put me in a difficult dilemma this time.But the question, even though I don’t want to answer it, filters unbidden into my mind as I consider all the possibilities. Do I really think we can be together? It’s a tough question. He should know all the obstacles between us—he has a wife, for Christ’s sake.What does she mean to him? Does she mean anything?Nico, perhaps sensing the conflicted look in my eyes, pulls over. I look away, startled by the sudden stop. Our car is parked on the side of the road, and he opens the door. Unsure of what he’s up to, I step out of the car as well.“Please, Jasmine,” he says, taking my hand and looking intently at me. His eyes don’t leave mine. Though I
Author's POV Meanwhile, when the two lovebirds were chilling out in a random mall, picking out things for Michael and literally enjoying a good time, halfway across the world in Los Angeles was Diego Ferrari.He stood firmly against the rays of the window as he overlooked the city. From this position in the mansion, he could see down to the city's expressway as cars sped past. However, even though his gaze lingered in the distance, his eyes were not focused there. He brushed his hand over his leather suit and shoved his hand into his pocket, a tight smirk forming on his face. One could easily tell that something was on his mind.The door of the room opened, and a guard stepped in, taking a bow. "Boss," he called, stiffly, careful not to overstep his boundaries. Gago was well known as a very temperamental man, quick to make conclusions and not one to spare any offender. Everyone, especially the workers in the mansion, was very careful to stay clear of his rage, which had been increasi
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
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