Bernardi Hotel
Cara let out a small moan as she rolled over on the bed, taking in the unfamiliar room. She felt her ears prickle at the sound of the shower running in the other room and came to the conclusion that she wasn't alone.
Glancing at the bedside clock, it read 8 a.m. She sat up suddenly, which wasn't the best choice at the moment, as she felt a slight twinge of pain in between her legs.
She was late for work.
She moved to get off the bed when memories from the night before flooded her mind.
Adonis taking her on the wall of the club. In the car. In the elevator. At the door of the hotel room. On the bed. When she cried out she couldn't take anymore, he took her on the bed again. In the shower... and finally in the early hours of the morning.
He was a beast in bed, unravelling even the deepest fantasies she never knew she had.
Cara felt her face flush red with embarrassment; she couldn't believe she just had a one-night stand with a man she barely knew-not even his name.
She heard the shower go off. Assuming he was done, she hurriedly picked up her clothes, which were scattered all over the floor, and threw them on. Cara didn't think she could face him after last night.
What if he thinks she's a whore? She basically started it first with the kiss. What if he expected her to be gone by the time he returned to the room?
Enough with the what-ifs. She wasn't going to wait to find out. Just then, she heard the soft pitter-patter of his feet as he drew closer to the door. Cara, still in her underwear, glanced at the clothes in her hand. She dove back under the sheets, pretending to be asleep as the door was pulled open.
Catching a glimpse of her jumping into bed, Adonis walked past without uttering a word. Moving over to the table at the other side of the room, he picked up a brown file, then returned to take a seat on the sofa.
"Open your eyes." He instructed, his words laced with its usual Italian accent and so much authority, Cara couldn't ignore.
She was so caught up yesterday, she didn't notice until they got to the hotel room. He had that sexy, barely there Italian accent she can't help but swoon over whenever he speaks.
Slowly, Cara popped one eye open, and then the next.
"Good morning." She squeaked out nervously.
"Hmm."
Adonis hummed. He was never one to engage in silly chit-chat, and he had far more important things on his mind.
Like finding the bastard who tainted his drink.
He had gone for his biweekly checkup at the club last night, when he got some information about a snitch amongst his staff. He was sure that news of how he dealt with betrayals would've gone around, but some fool still decided to cross him.
Normally, going after a petty betrayer was beneath him, so he usually sends his best men instead. But Adonis has been on the edge lately. The time he has waited for his whole life was finally here.
He was going to be crowned Capo in two weeks.
It's old news to anyone who knows the Bernardis. They were one of the most feared and respected mafia families in the world, ranking second out of the seven. Everyone knew Adonis was next in line for the throne. With his father being long dead and his runaway gold-digging embarrassment of a mother,
He was the only heir anyway.
He had been trained and groomed from birth to be Capo. It's all he had ever been told. His entire upbringing revolved around being the head of the family. It's all he had ever known-he was more than ready. But with the recent clause attached to it, Adonis wasn't so sure anymore.
No one could imagine how surprised he was when his grandfather told him that the people weren't sure he was going to be a good Capo. All because he did not have a family of his own.
Where was he to get a wife in two weeks?
Adonis placed a finger beneath his chin in deep thought as he stared at Cara, who was still hiding beneath the covers.
He had never thought about settling down. Yes, his mother had a role to play in that, but to him, family meant weaknesses. He had a lot of enemies.
Hell! The aphrodisiac situation was just a glance into his everyday life.
He had a lot to worry about and manage as the head of the family; he didn't want to add a wife and child to that pile.
Adonis drew in a deep breath before speaking.
"I apologise for the night before; I had a situation and wasn't in my right mind." He started. Cara gave him a shrug in reply.
"I also apologise for kissing you without your permission. I'm sure you'll understand why; you can conclude that much from last night."
"I believe all is settled then... and I'm sure I was worth your time."
"You were more than worth my time." Cara murmured, giving him a once-over.
The corner of Adonis lips lifted in reply. If he heard her, he did well to hide it.
"I would not explain my actions last night, but I have a proposal for you."
Cara ran her fingers through the tangled mess of hair on her head, trying to hide the smile on her face.
Was he thinking the same thing she was thinking?
Though it's embarrassing to admit to herself, she felt a small flutter of hope at the thought of having a repeat of last night.
"I want you to marry me." Adonis deadpanned.
The silence in the room stretched on until Cara burst out in uncontrollable laughter. When she was done, she returned her gaze to Adonis, who had been watching with an unamused expression.
"Oh my God! You are serious!"
"I never joke bellissima," Adonis replied.
"I don't know anything about you."
Adonis raised the file in his hand, "I have every piece of information about you here, so it's only fair I tell you about myself. What is it you want to know?"
Cara sat up in all seriousness, her underdressed state long forgotten.
"I thought you said we were even. You can't force me to marry you."
"Who said anything about forcing you?"
Cara raised an eyebrow in question.
"So you want to use me?"
"No. You get something in return. Like I said, I know everything there is to know about you." Adonis waved the file again.
Cara grumbled. "That doesn't mean I can just decide to spend the rest of my life with you."
"Not the rest of your life. Just a year."
She quietly watched him for a minute; he seems to have given this a lot of thought. She wondered if she just had a one-night stand with a mentally ill person.
"Look here, Mr.-"
"Adonis."
"Sorry?"
"Adonis Alessandro Bernardi."
"Well, look here, Mr. Bernardi. This doesn't make any sense to me, so I'm going to leave now." She pushed the covers away, pulling on the skirt she had picked off the floor earlier as Adonis approached her.
"It doesn't have to, bellissima. How about this? Agree to marry me for a year, and I'll f*ck you into oblivion after."
Cara's mouth fell open.
Holy shit.
****
Italian Vocabulary
Bellissima means gorgeous
"La ragazzina arriva sempre alle sue conclusioni" means little girl always jumping to conclusion.
All heads turned at the ding of the doorbell. They watched the young woman, who could easily pass for a high schooler, hold tightly to the tote bag on her arm as she skipped into the cafe with a big smile on her face.Multiple faces tried to stifle their laughter as she walked up to the counter in clothes that looked to be three times her size, but she couldn't be bothered. It hadn't even occurred to her that she was the centre of attraction."Good morning. Two cups of caramel machiatto and one walnut pie, please." Cara ordered as she thought back on the last time her family had walnut pie. It used to be a tradition. Whenever there was good news to share, they always had walnut pie.She decided it was time to renew the tradition. It seemed like only good things would happen from now on."Your coffees and walnut pie." The attendant said, and Cara received them with an overly excited thank you.She pulled up the tote bag on her shoulder for the third time since she'd reached the cafe as
Gone was the carefree girl with light eyes that showed happiness; a minute was enough for Cara to understand what was happening. Staring at the men through blazing bloodshot eyes, she whispered."Is that my father?" Silence reigned in the room, and Cara's eyes drifted over to the body on the floor. She closed her it in pain, and a single tear rolled out.Followed by another and another until they were gushing, yet a sound didn't come from her. She raised her head to look at the man with the bloodied knife in hand."Is that my father?" He smirked, his eyes crinkling at the side."Mine is six feet under, so he definitely isn't mine."His subordinates snickered, and suddenly, All hell broke loose."You bastard!" Cara screamed as she lunged for him, but was blocked by one of the men.Was her life a joke? Her father's dead, yet they seem to be acting like nothing happened. Is murder a joke to them?She clawed at the air, thinking of a way to free herself from his subordinate's hold. Th
The Bernardi Mansion.A heavy knock sounded on the door of Adonis's home study, and he ignored it as he leaned back, stretching his legs to get comfortable, his eyes not leaving the laptop screen on his black mahogany desk.It was footage of the club from the night before.Folding his hands beneath his chin, he narrowed his eyes as a young man came into view; he looked around twice before slipping into an office.Adonis's office at the club.The knocking continued, more louder and impatient than the first. Before Adonis could tell whoever it was to go away, the door was thrown open.A young, handsome man who looked to be no more than 35 years old strolled in with a teasing smirk and a bag of chips in one hand. Unlike Adonis, who always wore a simple black-brown, roughly curled hairstyle, he was a blondie with the same build.Adonis threw him a glance."I didn't say enter.""...but I don't care either way." Luca sang out, munching loudly on the chips.Adonis rolled his eyes at Luca. Th
It took Luca longer than he'd like to admit for the meaning of those words to register in his brain.I want you to meet my future wife.Oh, h*ll no!He sprung to his feet just as the door to Adonis's fancy study slammed shut, in pursuit of the man himself. "Tell me you're joking." Adonis paused in his steps, fixed him with a cool, then shrugged as if to say, 'If that's what you want.'"I'm joking." "Thank God." Luca breathed. "And for one second I thought you were actually serious about finding a wife." Adonis stopped once again. This time, he had reached the top of the grand staircase that led to the living room. He turned to Luca."I wasn't joking about you meeting my wife—well, fiancè for now." "You just said you were joking." "Because you asked me to." He retorted and resumed his journey down the stairs. Knowing Luca, it'd take another minute or two for him to fully grasp the situation, but that was just how he was. Whenever he was smart, he was smart to the core, and whene
Cara watched as Adonis-with so much unnecessary grace-lifted a spoonful of food into his mouth.She looked down at her still filled-up plate.Yes, she was hungry and had been the one to suggest that they had dinner first before anything, but she felt too uncomfortable to scoop anything down her throat. Everything about this place made her uncomfortable. She'd been walking on eggshells since she stepped into Adonis's home. Just the chair she was sitting on looked like it'd cost her home, and everything in it, including herself, to replace if she just as much as scratched it.She had caught herself glancing around more times than she could count since she walked into his home. The sofas, the rare antiques, the chandeliers, and even the grand staircase you'd see just as you step in through the big and expensive glass doors of his home.His home. Cara scoffed.No. This wasn't a home. It was a mansion.Not your typical modern glass see-through mansion. No. This mansion had a blend of b
Did he kiss her or did she pull him in? Neither was sure as they met in the middle.Like fire to ice, Adonis and Cara clashed against one another.He sucked in her bottom lips, giving it a painful nip, and earning himself a soft gasp. Taking his chance, Adonis forced his tongue into her mouth. He explored every corner of it, drinking her in like a man that has been starved of water for days.Suddenly Cara felt herself being pulled up. For a moment she was sitting; the next, she was roughly pressed against the wall with her neck in a choked hold.She pushed at him. Closer or away? She wasn't sure. Adonis gripped her tighter, his nails digging into the flesh at her neck, and Cara released a choked sound at the overwhelming feeling.She tapped on his arm as she struggled free, but he didn't let up. His chest was pressed firmly against hers. It took a great difficulty to pull her hands up and she pushed at him once again, but it was futile.He didn't move an inch.Adonis bit down hard o
"Sei pazzo?" Luca exclaimed."Dimmi Adonis! Are you crazy? Uhn? A war? Your coronation is just a few days away, but you want to start a war? You must be crazy." "Keep your voice down!" Adonis hissed."Keep my voice down. Are you even hearing yourself?"Adonis looked away.This was exactly why he wanted to keep it to himself."Your grandfather mustn't hear about this!" Luca concluded. "Forget it, Adonis. Don't start anything." He paused. "You haven't started anything, right?"Adonis remained muted."Mio Dio Adonis. Tell me you haven't done anything stupid and I don't mean literally." All Luca got in return was silence. He stared at Adonis, a disappointed and frustrated look on his face at his nonchalance. Adonis was sprawled out comfortably on the sofa, his arms folded to his chest as he avoided Luca's gaze like he hadn't just dropped a bombshell.This was bad. Very bad. Breaking the treaty could threaten Adonis's position in the family. He might not get a chance to be Capo anymore.
Luca staredAdonis stared back.He raised an eyebrow at him.Adonis nodded"You've got to be kidding me. What is this? A Telemundo series?"This was too complicated for a girl living a simple life. H*ll, it was all too much for him to take in, and he'd seen worse.Gambling and the Grecos in one sentence? The Grecos would do anything for money. Their separation from the family is a testament to that. Surely it was going to be a catastrophe. The wheels kept turning in his head. He unconsciously cracked his knuckles. "How exactly did he get involved with the Grecos? I don't think gambling was the only reason they crossed paths." Adonis hummed in agreement."The gambling facade is just a major trick in reviving their plans. From what I found out, I believe Kane approached Cara intending to fuel her father's gambling habits. His past activity showed that he had always been a gambler, but it became worse when he lost his wife." "She's also not her biological mother?" "No. She isn't.""F
Adonis blinked."I was kidnapped as a child? Nonno never mentioned anything.""Not even in your tell-the-story journal?"He shook his head in disagreement, his grey eyes shining in utter disbelief."Hmm." Miguel shrugged. "I thought he would've explained that to you.""Well, you can, Dad." Cara chimed in, curious about the details as well. "Maybe it'll help us get a clue to solving the picture.""There's nothing much to solve corazón. It's a simple and clear story." He dismissed, picking up his refilled glass, "How old were you in that picture?" Adonis stroked his chin, refreshing his memory. From the picture, he looked grown, but still too young to be a teenager—probably in his preteen years so he threw the guess out,"...between twelve and thirteen?" watching as Miguel took a swig of his drink, the loud gulp making him wish Cara would allow him just a glass.His heavy gaze met his wife's, who—somehow could read his thoughts— gave him a stern look that left no room for negotiation.
Cara's brows furrowed, a deep crease forming between them as Adonis handed her the empty glass of water. "Do you feel better now?"He grunted, a wry smile playing on his lips, yet the bead of sweat trickled down his temple despite the cool air, and his clenched jaw told her he was just trying to be strong. "I think we should end this discussion here for now. You've done enough talking for one day."Miguel scoffed, pouring a shot from the whiskey that was brought to taunt Adonis. The ice clicked together as he swirled the drink around, eyes closing in pleasure at the strong smell."Don't tell me you're that weak?" "Dad!""What? He's out of the coma; the worst is over. He should be able to withstand any other pain. Just saying." He raised one hand in surrender, taking another sip to hide the mischievous curl of his lips.Adonis knew well what Miguel was playing at. Forget medication. He'd do anything just to get a glass of the whisky he was having. However, for some reason, Cara see
"You already know Sarah's history. Her infidelity and birthing two children for Sabestien." Adonis began. "She married twice right, but did she love either of them? The answer is no." That stunned Cara."Not even the first one?" Adonis's mind went back to the man he killed a few months ago, the memory touching the surface of the emotions he felt that night.Such a pity he died for a love that wasn't real."No." He replied. "Her one true love was Salvatore's son. I know you still don't get it, but hold on to that."Miguel arched his brow, fixating his gaze on AdonisSarah loved Adrian? But he didn't say a word. "My father knew of Sarah's dealings; that's also another fact, which resulted in everyone believing I wasn't his biological son; that," Adonis stressed, "...isn't a fact but a miscommunication— an intentional one at that."The elderly man couldn't hold back this time,"...intentional?"Adonis hummed, wincing as the vibration reached his ears, "Yes. Nonno and father told you
Adonis paused, an uncomfortable silence settling in the room as he gave Cara and her father time to process his confession.The way she stared at him, mouth agape and eyes wide with a mixture of disbelief and shock indicated she, in particular, would need a while to—but as her face pulled a look of horror and nose wrinkled, he knew she wasn't just surprised; She's got to be reeling on at least four emotions...Her face kept contorting and switching within seconds, unlike Miguel, who remained quiet, gazing at him with a calculative expression and steeples fingers."I am utterly and completely lost."He cocked his head, his lips parting to speak when a dissatisfied pout graced her lips."Seriously. Even a scriptwriter wouldn't add this much twist to his or her story. Why the hell is your family so complicated?"A soft snort racked out of Adonis when he saw he was right. He felt like a psychic on the seventh plough in the spiritual realm.First, confusion. Now, annoyance? How many more
Cara paled in realisation. This was the reason for his lack of attentiveness. Her heart dropped. "It's my fault." "Stop it." "No." She looked away. "You were fine before. I'm guessing it's a side effect, right?" "Yes, but— "Then it is my fault." She cut Adonis off, eyes widening when he didn't refute the claim. "It really is. I can't believe you'd have to live like that for the rest of your life." Miguel's face contorted in disbelief. "What are you talking about, Camilla? What is she talking about?" "I should've just taken the bullet." Adonis cursed, momentarily dazed at her stupid conclusion. "Are you crazy?" "Do not speak to your wife in such a manner!" "She's being illogical. It's just a temporary side effect that'll clear with time. So you would prefer to die with my children because of a simple discomfort I can manage?" He argued but even he felt the slight twinge of his eyes as he winced from the ringing sound that he'd gotten used to the moment he a
Leaving the mansion with Adonis was a bit more difficult than planned. Not the action itself but the 'convincing the rest of the people'.He was recuperating, and his grumbles were far more subtle than Cara expected, yet he didn't object to leaving. Not once.The problem, however, was the questions and scowls on his men's faces as they wondered why their Capo, who had only awakened a few hours ago, would be leaving his home with his wife, who had also left without a word a month back.After the surprising news from his wife, Adonis had quietly agreed with her. Cleaning up and packing all his necessary things. He didn't speak another word. Not to her or anyone else. Not even to his men, who lined up side by side on the ground floor, waiting to greet him with happy expressions until they realised he was leaving.Then it fell. The obvious confusion on their faces twined the chaos happening in the family; still, there was no one to give answers—no one had them.At least no one but Tina,
Cara yanked the covers away, hurriedly pulling on a coat over her robe.Adonis had woken up? God! That felt like the best news she'd received all her life.Her heart had nearly stopped in joy and relief until Luca's next words followed as did the increasing sound of metal clanging in the background.He sounded so urgent..."Talk to me, what's going on?" She hissed, rushing out of the room. "I'm on my way and will be there as quickly as I can. And what is that awful noise?"Luca kissed his teeth, "That would be the sound of your husband's tantrum. He's refusing treatment when he can barely stand on his own."Cara would've laughed if it hadn't been for the seriousness of the situation.Luca sounded more like himself than he had in weeks, and if she had any doubts about Adonis being awake, that had just cleared it up. The violence said more than enough..."We kind of delivered the news to him when he walked in on me and Tina in his study.""You shouldn't have done that.""I know! But th
Adonis's POVI was stuck in an unknown place—I'd been stuck there for a while. Living through the same horror over and over again.The crazed look in Natasha's eyes as she aimed for Cara and gow I jumped in without a second.The repetition caused me to keep reliving the pain.The pain and anxiety I felt when I thought Cara was going to die.The pain as the shot pierced through my chest.At first, it was all I kept seeing until that one time when I heard her voice. 'Adonis. I need you.'It reminded me of that night in the room. I wanted to go to her but couldn't. In the empty hollowness of my mind, I felt lost.Once in a while, I'd hear her voice and other times; it was just blackness. Then, the very day, I saw her in the void, and she reached out to me... the moment I took her hands, my eyes fluttered open. They lazily fluttered about the space. What I laid on felt extremely soft and comfortable.I recognised it as my bed; then my eyes took in the familiar sight of my room.Everyth
Whoever had said love doesn't bring pain had lied. After our intimate night together, I'd tried everything I could to get Cecelia to leave, but it just always ended in just a fight.We were both walking on eggshells around each other, yet she refused to leave.It got me thinking: Does she love me that much to stick by my side, or have I made her used to toxic situations?There was a sizzling tension between us that was threatening to explode anytime soon. The fact that I was also busy making arrangements at the mansion made it easier to avoid her, but that meant I had to see Cara.She, I knew, I had to avoid at all costs. There was no use acting like I was pissed at her; she'd see right through me. Unlike Cecelia who kept overlooking everything I did, and I couldn't be more glad when Miguel reached out to me to begin the plan.It was going to be the last straw for her, and as I anticipated—it was.Approaching Tina was overrated. I already knew it'd be easy, but it was too easy.How