I held unto Florian's waist even as he gently parked the bike, then leaned back and removed his helmet. I reluctantly let go of him and got off the bike, and he got off too, taking my helmet from me as he gently balanced it on the bike. He turned, holding my hand as softly as the subset lights were resting in his hair, his eyes tender. "Is this alright?" I swallowed, my eyes slowly moving to the gate. "Will they want to see me?" He gave a small chuckle. "I am sure they will." I nodded, and he gently led me towards the gate. He pushed open and slowly started to lead me into the long rows of his family that have passed on. I held my breath throughout the short trip that took us to the side by side graves where his parents lay forever, and I immediately felt my heart drop. "Hi, Mum, Dad." Florian's voice was casual, and it reflected just how close he was with his parents, and it extended to even right now. "Sorry, I haven't been able to come around recently. I am all grown up, and I
The house was awfully quiet, and I lay in ned all alone, my eyes fixed on the chandelier hanging from it. My mind reeled with all of the inconsistencies that I hadn't noticed all these years.How I never realized just how bad these people were. How shameless they were, fighting for money that was never even theirs.I swallowed hard and turned on my stomach, burying my face in the pillow. It haunted me just how Florian had to stand by and watch it all happen. How he had to watch himself still want me despite everything.I gave a small grunt and sat up, my heart burning with anger. It all felt like it was happening right now for me. Like I was seeing my father threatening Florian's father for money that originally belonged to the latter. It haunted my soul that they could have spent that blood money in me, for something, and it felt like I owed Florian a bigger apology.I got out of bed and slowly went down the stairs. I stopped at the very foot of the stairs, however, as the sound of s
I walked down the long hallways that led to my father's hospital room. It was in the VIP section, hence it was much quieter than the rest of the hospital, and the only sound I could hear was the clinking of my heels against the tiled floor.I stopped in front of VIP room 8, my eyes cold as I examined the cold door. My fingers tightened around the printed will papers I was holding and all of the information Florian had regarding my father's mistress and her twenty year old son.It made me laugh just thinking about how I thought I was second favourite. I hadn't even been in the equation. Not even Ronan was, but he deserved that. He had been in the equation long enough."Hello?"I turned, and a nurse gave me a small smile. "Hello.""Who are you?" She asked, her voice polite. "I am his daughter," I said, a small smirk appearing on my lips. Of course, I was his daughter. Only one demon can take out another."Oh, sure, then. He has not had any visitors ever since he went into another card
I leaned away from Florian, my hands still loosely wrapped around his waist, my eyes looking up to his. "I meant every word.""Oh, I know," he said, gently stroking my face. "I know you did."I swallowed, then turned towards the room I had just come out of, my anger fuelling even more. I hated that he would have it so damn easy. That he wouldn't see his life flash in front of him like Florian's parents did. That he wouldn't feel the gruelling pain and humiliation that Ellinel felt before she died. That he would simply lie here and get away with everything."Let me treat you tonight," Florian whispered, causing me to turn back to him."Roast?" I asked, and he broke into his breathtaking smile that I knew for a fact that he reserved for just me."Roast, baby girl."He held my hand tight, and I felt my brain shut off as he led me out of the hospital towards his own car. The car that had driven me here was parked next to it, and Florian waved it away.We got into the car, and Florian lean
"Florian..." I whispered under my breath as we entered the lonely penthouse. It was dark, and he was carrying me bridal style, his body hot against mine.I leaned forward, wrapping my arms even tighter as he held me. He looked down, his eyes holding mine. "Scared?"I swallowed. "No. You are right here."He chuckled, his eyes lighting up even though the darkness. I felt my heart skip a beat, and I leaned up, the kisses from the car still living rent free in my nind, my body still needing a lot more of the passion that only he seemed to be able to give."I love the way you look when you smile."He slowly put me down to my feet, and I held on to him, afraid to let go of him."Are you falling in love with me?" His voice rose a slight octave, and a light suddenly came on to his left, bathing him in the light brown evening lights, his different coloured eyes looking like he captured the auroras in a small candlelight."Would it be wrong if I did?" I asked, triggering yet another light, and
I stirred, the warm streaks of su light slowly caressing my face. My brows slightly furrowed as I moved, my lips parting slightly, my chest heaving. My lashes fluttered as I opened my eyes, and the streaks of golden sunlight streamed through the drapes.The bed was empty. Slightly ruffled to convince me that Florian's presence here with me last night had not been a dream. I let out a small breath as I turned on my back, a small smile lifting my lips.The mete thought of him lit me up more than the golden sunrise that caressed the side of my face, and I closed my eyes, a laugh escaping me."Glad to see you woke up happy," came the beautifully familiar voice, and I looked up, turning towards the door.Florian was standing by the door, gloriously shirtless, with only a pair of black tailored pants resting dangerously low on his waist. I felt my breath hitch as I took him in, my eyes finally meeting the beautiful differently coloured pair of his.He had a small smile and a single stem of
Florian held my hand tight as he led me downstairs to a waiting limousine. I didn't bother asking anything about where we were going or what we would be doing. If there was someone that I trusted with my entire life, it was Florian.He sat right next to me in the car, his hand wrapped around my waist, his eyes occasionally darting between his phone, my face, and the scenery outside. We reached the airport soon enough, and Florian grabbed a bag that I hadn't even noticed, and a smaller one that seemed to hold our documents. "You took my documents too?""Of course," he said, his eyes meeting mine. "Why not?"I bit down on my lips. "I am sorry I shut off my brain once I am around you.""I will take that as a sign that I am doing my job as a man."I chuckled as he turned away to speak to someone on the phone, my cheeks heating up. He turned back to me two minutes later, then grabbed my hand and led me in. We went through to the private airfield, where a magnificent private jet was wait
FLORIAN'S P.O.V.I held onto her hand, more for the fact that I needed her to keep me grounded than anything else. I have always told myself that my world was pretty stable. The ghosts of my parents, the guilt that lingered, the demons in my mind, and the revenge I fully intend to go through with. Then her.She could, with one look, one glance, one word, ruin everything that I have worked so hard for, and I know, deep down that I would let her.When I told her that I was in love with her, I knew better than to expect it back. Someone who was in love with me would have seen all of it from the start.The stolen glances. The pictures when she wasn't looking. The obsession. The need in that first kiss. But she hadn't, and I simply believed, maybe this was what it was bound to be. Raw obsession on my end. Gratitude on her end.As long as it kept her with me, I would be satisfied.But now... I could barely breathe, and I can barely wrap my mind around the miniscule possibility that the u
FLORIAN'S P.O.V I took a deep breath and looked down at the suit I was wearing. It was the same one that dad had kept to attend my wedding in. It was Roxanne who had suggested it, and now that I am, I felt it all the way to my bones.I looked around. It was just me and the officiating priest, waiting for Roxanne.I have dreamed of this day my entire life. Watching her walk down the aisle to me. Her dress. Her smile.The door cracked open, and I straightened even more, my heart pounding hard as I watched the door. It opened wide, bathing the church in sunlight. I kept my eyes on it till I finally saw her. She was standing there, like she had materialised out of my most ambitious dreams. My heart pounded in my chest, and I found myself reciting the vows I had memorised ever since we started wedding planning. It's not like there was a lot to plan.She looked up to me, and even through the veil, I could see her smile. It reminded me of the reason I had never even looked at another wom
ROXANNE'S P.O.V I woke up with a start, my heart beating wildly in my chest. I immediately turned to the left side of the bed, already preparing my heart for the ultimate fuckery that it had all been a dream. The hugs, the kisses, the tears... that it was all nothing but me yearning.To my surprise, Florian was already awake, his body half covered by the sheets, his hand holding up his chin as he watched me, a soft tender look I his eyes.I let out a sigh of relief, my eyes slowly blinking as I savoured his presence.He gave me a smile, then reached his other hand out to me. "Did you wake up to check if I was real?" I nodded truthfully, then adjusted, so I was lying next to him, my eyes taking his. "I think I would really die if you weren't."He smiled, his hand reaching up to gently caress my face. "You are just as beautiful as you were a year ago."His voice was a small whisper, and I drew even closer."You are going to have to promise me something."He laughed, then brought my ha
I sat on the edge of the same hotel suite we had stayed in the we came here together a year ago for my birthday, my heart feeling rather heavy. I could hear the sound of the bath, and even though I had promised myself to be calm amd stay in here, it was hard to not want to barge in there just to make sure he really was back. To make sure my Florian really was alive.I took in the hotel room. It looked like he had been here for a while. Probably not the entire year, but still a bit of time. I walked to the dresser, and my heart felt even heavier. My pictures were sitting in glass frames all over, adorning the dresser.I swallowed, tears stinging the back of my eyes. There were lots of books to the side. Mostly about healing. Forgiveness. I wondered just how much he believed he needed to work on himself just so he could love me.I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath, just as the sound of the shower stopped. I held my breath, then slowly turned to him, my lips parting. He was by t
The kiss was slow, and I felt all of the parts of me that had broken over the last year slowly come together again. My mind fought the possibility that this man was really Florian, but my stupid, stupid heart was already fluid for him. Like he wasn't gone for a whole year. Like he didn't disappear for a whole year.When he broke the kiss, I found myself leaning towards him, needing more, begging for more with everything in my body except my voice.His thumb ran across my face, wiping the tears away. He then leaned close, kissing those tears away, like I always imagined he would during those late nights when I lay in bed, missing him."I am sorry," he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion. "I am sorry I put you through that. I am sorry, Rox."I opened my eyes, my chest heaving. "You... Are you really Florian?"He nodded slowly, a single tear falling off his cheek. "I am sorry."I swallowed, reaching for his hand. Like I needed to make sure. Like I needed to know. "You... you died.
I have asked the question several times. How would it feel for time to stop? How would it feel if... for a second, for a minute, time stops, and we breathe?I just realized that I was wrong about being able to breathe. Time froze in place for me, and so did everything as I know it. My tears, my trembling fingers, my beating heart, my breath.My fingers dangled off the door knob, and I just stood there, unable to think. Unable to do a thing. I swallowed hard, then blinked, a long tear running down from my left eye. Is it that I had been bestowed a minute from the heavens? To hear that voice before I go back to the emptiness that I am still learning to embrace?I bit down on my lips. That voice, that name... it belonged to a part of my heart that will probably forever carry pain. Probably forever, carry regret.I closed my eyes and took a step forward. My imaginations now have voices. Very beautiful voices, but I knew I wad going insane.I turned the door knob just as a small snicker
EXACTLY 364 DAYS LATER"You became an international violin sensation in such a short time. Of course, we know you have been playing ever since you were a child, but how are you coping with being a celebrity and also the CEO of a multitrillion dollar company like the Hunt group?"I nodded slowly to the last question of the interviewer. My eyes focused on her. The question reeled in my mind, and I blinked fast and hard in order to make sure the tears wouldn't come falling. I played around with the ring on my finger, then broke into a small laugh. "Trust," I said finally. "There is someone who trusts me, and even though I have let them down once, I am determined to never do it again."She smiled. "There has been gossip around the...""You said that was your last question."She smiled a little shyly. "How about one more?"I bit down on my lips. I knew what she was going to ask. Everyone knew Florian had died a year ago. Everyone knew I was here because he handed everything to me. And the
My eyes opened to the dim lights of a painfully familiar hotel room. My lips parted as a silent tear ran down the edge of my left cheek. I sat up slowly, my legs drawn to me. The room felt so ghostly. So empty. Like it had been stripped of everything that ever made it come alive. Like it had been stripped of what it used to be.I looked around. On the dresser was Florian's phone, a bouquet of flowers, a wrapped item, and his gun. I swallowed hard, my heart breaking all over again.Seeing the gun reminded me of just how real this was. That my Florian was truly dead, and I was the reason for it. That my Florian would never come back, and it's all because of me.I stumbled out of bed and walked towards the dresser, my eyes falling on my reflection. I looked like a ghost of myself. Nothing like the woman who had been so properly loved just hours ago.My knees felt weak, and I grabbed the edge of the dresser to keep stable, my heart pounding in my chest.I reached for the flowers first,
My world crashed and burned right in front of my very eyes. I leaned to Florian, my mind knowing exactly what had happened. He was gone. The bullet of my betrayal still embedded in his chest, the tears that I put in his eyes forever there.But my heart... my heart refused to believe me. We shared a kiss in bed just hours ago. He lay hid head on my lap and laughed like the entire world was beautiful. He told me that he loved me. That he always wanted to lay on my lap.I doubt this was how he wanted it to be. I doubt he wanted to be on my lap, dead. I doubt he wanted to see me cry."Florian?"There was no answer. The night was quiet, like even the world knew I had lost my heart. Not just a piece. Now, just a part of me. Roxanne, as I knew her, was dead with Florian. "We were going for dinner, remember?""Miss?" One of the doctors said, and I looked up, shaking my head. "Shhh, Florian hates noise. He also hates my tears, so why is he letting me cry?"I looked down at him. He looked
I gasped, my breaths stopping in my throat, my eyes flying open. Florian was still standing in front of me, his hand wrapped around the gun, his eyes wide. I almost didn't want to look down. Hell, I hated that it felt almost compulsive for me to look down.My chest heaved, and I felt my heart strings pull farther than I ever expected. I could feel the sticky wetness on my face. I could feel it on my hands, but hell, I hoped something had spat on me, and it wasn't what I was thinking.I slowly looked down, and I gave a small yelp, my eyes immediately filling with tears. I shot Florian. I really did shoot him.I slowly looked back up, and he was still watching me, his eyes darting across both of mine."Florian," I managed to say, taking a step even further. As if that was all he needed, his hands let go of the gun, and he fell to the floor at my feet."Florian!" I screamed, my hands immediately letting go of the gun too.I went on my knees, my hands cupping his face, the blood stains