Cara trailed behind Adonis as he pulled open one of the closed doors, a frustrated pout on her lips."I would not lie and say I've not thought about it, but is it really necessary?""Yes.""Why? No one would notice anyway." "Yes, they would. The mansion is like a chill house for the guys. Luca stayed over yesterday and he does that whenever we have pending work or his girlfriend is out of town. Moreover, the other guys would be suspicious if we claimed to be married but are staying in separate rooms.""Luca has a girlfriend?" Cara asked incredulously."Yes. Been engaged for over a year now." "Oh. Wow."No wonder he sounded like a sap the night before. She peeked at Adonis, a calculating look on her face. How exactly were they friends when they were totally different? A small ding echoed and she watched Adonis pull out his phone from his back pocket, scrolling through it. He looked up when she refused to go into the room."Are you coming in or what?""Coming coming." A gasp escape
"What do you mean your grandfather just landed on the estate?" Cara shrieked."Landed as in jet, airplane," Adonis stated with a stoic expression. "You don't know what it means to land a plane?" Cara grounded her teeth together, trying to maintain her cool."I don't mean that! I know what a plane is, thank you very much. You said I wouldn't meet him until the day after tomorrow.""I thought so too." He yanked the black shirt he had on over his head. "I thought so too, but he's here now, so get your act together and be ready to meet him." "What am I going to say? I know nothing about you. What if he doesn't believe me?" Her gaze followed his hand to the waist of his sweatpants."And what the hell are you doing?" She cried out quickly, averting her gaze."Changing as you should. Nonno is a very weird person, and he's all about first impressions. Wear something pretty. Not too flashy but elegant." "How can I change with you in the room?" She asked, still looking away from him, her eye
Cara's POVRemember when I said no luxury in this mansion could blow my mind away?I lied.The first thing that came to my mind the moment we walked into what looked to be Adonis's study was, 'what the actual fudge?'This wasn't a study; it was a freaking intelligence room. I wouldn't even be able to tell that it was supposed to be a study if it wasn't for the in-built wall library that held over a thousand books-I am definitely sure about that, and the big black mahogany desk and chair that was placed a bit further from it. On the desk was a big globe that had a map of the world. Even if I tried, there was no way I could ignore the five computerised screens neatly arranged on what looked to be a little conference table. They were of different models and styles and spread out around them were different gadgets, of which I did not even know their names.Was Adonis a secret spy or what? I thought things like this were only reserved for movies.One glance around the room, and I could
Cara's POVAdonis's grandfather released a deep questioning rumble."He's not?"With a glance at Adonis, I confirmed."He's not. But among everyone that I've ever been with, he's the only one I'd like to spend the rest of my life with. He might be strong-headed, stubborn, and adamant, but he wants the best for me. That is enough for me." I shuffled closer to Adonis, resting my head on his arm in hopes that his grandfather bought my story. It wasn't all lies; Adonis was really those things, and he does want the best for me, even if it might be because he wants the best for himself.Adonis's grandfather silently studied me for a minute. I felt Adonis pull me closer till I was practically sitting on his lap and his grandfather's already raised brow went higher. My face tingled with a warm feeling, blushing a bright pink. "Stop shuffling about; be bold!" I felt him breathe down my ear.Turning to meet his gaze, he nodded in encouragement. That was the push I needed for the nervous feeli
Dimitri spent over an hour listening to Cara's lies before he decided it was time to leave. Not that he knew they were lies. Cara found out that he was based in Italy and had visited the city to attend a function but thought to check on Adonis and confirm the rumour of him finding a bride.Frankly, she enjoyed spending time with the old man and might've wished at some point that this wasn't all pretence, but there was nothing she could do. The reality remained that it was. Adonis, on the other hand, was of no help as usual. He left the entire storytelling to her, only throwing in an occasional grunt and hum.The moment his grandfather left, he retired back into his study, leaving Cara to herself as she walked around the big empty mansion, receiving only subtle greeting nods from the bodyguards at their various stations.She had a lot of time to collect her thoughts. Antonio had yet to get back to her; well, he said in two days, so she'd still wait. But what if he doesn't believe an
Adonis's voice was like a calm before the storm. His words were barely above a whisper, but a lion's roar couldn't have been more terrifying than them."What? Did I touch a nerve?" Cara taunted with a wicked smile. "You heard your nonno. Your fathe—Bang!Adonis slammed his fist on the desk, the sound echoing throughout the room. He leaned back on his chair."How dare you? What do you know about me?" His voice wasn't raised, but his face was so hard that even a rock wouldn't hold a candle to it. Cara smirked. She was right about his father being a sore topic for him. The next question was, why?"I may not know a thing, but I know you're just an emotionally damaged man projecting his Daddy issues on people."The next minute, Adonis was out of the chair, his hand tightly clenched around her throat."Shut it!" He roared in her face.Cara gasped for air."No! This... this is... how it feels... to use people's weak... weaknesses against them." She managed to get out."Weaknesses? You know
Cara paced across the room. Her phone in her hand as she waited for a call. She looked at the message displayed on the screen.Wait.Just one word. She had repeatedly checked it to be sure since she got it yesterday, but it still was one word. It didn't change. It was her last day before she was to return to the Bernardi Mansion. After her passionate moment with Adonis, she packed her things and left early the next day, found a simple hotel near the funeral parlour where her father's remains were and logged in there for the day. It was an emotional time, but she finally got to pay her last respects. It was a reminder about why she was doing all this. Revenge. Revenge for her father who died unjustly.Adonis hadn't allowed her to leave the mansion without a car and the card, even if she didn't want to. She still had some spare cash saved up, but it was either she took them along or stayed back. She'd visited her workplaces to inform them of her resignation and cleared out most thin
The moment Cara stepped into the mansion, she knew she wasn't alone, as muffled voices could be heard coming from the dining room. Leaving her suitcase in the living room, she headed over to see who it was. Six pairs of eyes stared at her as she pulled open the door.Four were familiar faces she had seen a least once, while the other two she felt no sense of familiarity for. One was a pretty young lady who had her hair in a high ponytail, and the other was an elderly-looking woman who looked to be no less than sixty-five years old. Luca was the first to speak, waving energetically with a big grin on his face."Hey, Cara. Welcome back."One of the ladies spoke up and snapped her head towards him at the mention of Cara's name."Cara?" Her face lit up in recognition. "Adonis's Cara?" Luca nodded, and she jumped to her feet to grab Cara by the hand, pulling her in for a hug. One would think they were close friends."Hey! I'm Cecelia, Luca's fiancé. He's told me so much about you. I c
Cara's POVAll through the drive to the hospital, I couldn't stop imagining the what-ifs.What if his case had worsened? What if his case was already beyond the point of recovery? What if he doesn't regain consciousness at all?I didn't know what to expect, and the fact in itself was sickening. Literally speaking.At the hospital, we found my father and Doctor Bruno talking at the reception and were immediately escorted to Adonis's room."What happened? He was fine before I left." I asked, my eyes zeroed in on my husband's unconscious form. "I don't understand either. We stood up to see Diavolo out when fluid suddenly began to leak from his nostrils—My face contorted, "Excuse me, what? Fluid?""I wouldn't say it was sudden. The fluid is from his brain. I believe there's a leak somewhere." Doctor Bruno cut in, "Remember, we have left this untreated for long, so adverse effects like this are bound to occur."My heart skipped a beat. At the end of the day, it was due to Adonis's stub
"To warn you." Was all Cara said, but those three words were enough to get his full attention if it was still divided. "Diavolo's at my father's." Luca leaned forward, clasping his hands in concentration."The time has come then?" "Yes, it has." She confirmed. Both were speaking in parables... half words. Despite not using complete sentences, they understood each other."I'm surprised Adonis let you leave the house at all." "He didn't have a choice. My presence there would only cause chaos. It was better for me to be away, believe me." "Still, you could've sent someone. It's not safe for you to be moving around unprotected. Adrian had recruited a lot of people. The threat would be too overwhelming for a mere dozen guards.""I don't have a dozen and have you forgotten what I said?" Cara stressed. "I needed to warn you." "Yeah. From what? Adonis couldn't come himself to do so?" He scoffed, rising to his feet to get his pills.One of the few things he was grateful about for Cecelia
Cara's POV One would think arriving at the mansion I'd missed so much would bring me joy, but it only made my anxiety turn sour.What are the odds that I'd meet Tina at the door just as I was about to walk in?"Well, well, look what the cat dragged in..." she taunted.As usual, I was taken aback; it would take a million years for me to get used to this version of her. She used to be the only reason I looked forward to working at the restaurant... one of the sources of my rarely enjoyed happiness. Now she was... different.She gave me a once-over, her face scrunched up like she was disgusted. "You look fat... I must say. And how is life treating you, now that your rich husband is not so rich? Did you think all your problems would go away when you married him?" Tina laughed mockingly.I eyed her outfit, composed of the latest pieces of Louis Vuitton from her head down to her feet. "Are you sure you're not projecting yourself on me?""Excuse me?""You're the one who changed because you
Cara's POVI didn't go down immediately. Adonis wasn't a child or a stupid man; the fact that he brought Diavolo to our home meant that he was trying to achieve something.Whatever it was, I was not interested. As we had indirectly decided months ago, he could do as he pleased. I was already doing the same.Diavolo's acceptance of the invitation made me uneasy. Living with men who had mastered the act of manipulation and psychology in their work dealings had taught me more than a thing or two.He wasn't here to play.Making my spine as straight as possible, I began heading towards our room."Come along with me. I'll need your help." The maid didn't argue and silently followed. One of the attributes one must have to work for a man like my father.Never ask questions.I went straight into our dressing room, moving over to the section of clothes I hadn't touched for months. Adonis's side of the dressing room seemed to be more comfortable than mine, so I lived wearing his clothes.Not to
Cara's POVThere isn't much to say. Literally, there isn't. I'd never been to a theatre to watch a play, but I've read tons of novels where the saying, 'The show must go on' was used. That was the best description of our current situation.Life took unexpected turns, the unusual becoming the new normal... and in my case, the lines between what's real and unreal become distorted, yet we live.Two months have passed since that day... the day the first group of Adonis's men was taken. Since then, more have followed.Now, we're just living like things are normal; life at the mansion was crumbling. Luca barely shows up at my father's home anymore. He calls only when he has important information, and the call is never two-way. Day and night, I'm surrounded by complaints about his unavailability. Even when I tried to reach him, I was met with the same silence.'The number you're trying to call is busy; please try again later'.I think we broke him. Although Cecelia seems to believe the 'w
Cara's POV I watched with worried eyes as Adonis shrugged off the two pairs of supporting arms that prevented him from falling face flat as he found his footing—to my utmost disappointment, he didn't pass out."I'm fine." He grumbled.I was reaching my breaking point. How long could it take a man to lose consciousness?Was his brain truly in control of his body system like all normal humans, or was he the one controlling it?However, my patience was wearing thin, and the limit was soon reached."We should get you admitted." I deadpanned, ready for the disagreement that would spring up."You know my answer to that." He rasped, taking a seat. "I have a few days more to go.""Nothing is likely to change. You heard the bombshell Luca dropped. The symptoms are worsening." My mouth stated points I believed were valid enough to get him to change his mind, but this was Adonis.He was as stubborn as a goat. "All the more reason why I should be home."Despair washed over me. I looked at him,
Cara's POV The cutlery, halfway to Adonis's lips, fell from his hand at those startling words. Slowly, very slowly, he lifted his gaze, once emotionless, now hard, pinning it on his second-in-command."What the fuck are you talking about?" His voice was deadly calm, yet I felt the chill in them.Luca began to pace, unfazed by his friend's shift in emotion. "My phone had been blowing up with calls and texts from the guys." He ran a hand down his face, a flicker of something that looked like regret crossing it. "I didn't get to check it until a few hours ago, but I dashed to the mansion immediately after I got the news."Adonis narrowed his eyes at him, a brewing storm in them. I could hear his teeth grinding together, the sound clawing at my skin.He was mad! Extremely... mad.The rest of the people in the room were just as shocked as I was. They stared speechless, peering eyes watching the movements of both men. All except for my father, who pushed away his almost empty plate, taking
Cara's POVAfter leaving Doctor Bruno's office, I spent the rest of the day stuffing myself in the hospital cafeteria while I waited for Adonis to be done with his examinations.At the end of it all, we left in separate cars, a stark contrast to our arrival. The emotions, the atmosphere, everything down to the littlest details was different.The heavy tension, born of fear for the news we might receive at the hospital, gave way to an awkwardness neither of us wanted to acknowledge.Talking about it meant compromising, which we weren't ready to do. Not he, nor I. It was better that way."I'd be back," Adonis said in a low voice as he drove off with an extra car packed with about five guards behind him. The dark circles underneath his eyes spoke volumes about the stressful poking and prodding he'd endured all day. His usually proud posture had a slight slouch yet I acted oblivious as I was escorted to the other car, surrounded by my guards,"I'll be waiting back at the house." Was my o
Cara's POVSilence hung heavily in the room, the thick smell of antiseptic, suffocating despite being in an office. The leather chair felt as cold as the diagnosis made me feel as my husband and I took in Doctor Bruno's last words to us. Our lives felt like a labyrinth of chaos; with every step we took forward, there was more trouble waiting to jump in our faces.It seemed like there was no end to this.Adonis's sickness seemed too convenient, just like the other unplanned and unforeseen problems. One after another. Yet I couldn't show how I was feeling. I was always the dramatic one—the one amongst us who couldn't hide her emotions and would display exactly how it was, leaning on my man's broad shoulders.Not this time. Adonis did his best to hide it, but I could see how shaken he was about losing his memory. He had taken the crown from me. It was my turn to be there for him and support him as he always did me. It was like wearing his suit, too large and heavy, but necessary.I sup