FLORIAN'S P.O.V
I could taste her tears on her lips, but she wasn't stopping, and sure as hell, I wasn't going to. The next forty-five minutes that it took to get to the mansion was an absolute pain, and I hated that I had to drive. I wanted to give her all of the attention she wanted, all the things she was looking for by pushing herself on me like this, touch her in all of the places she never showed anyone else so she is never tempted to feel anyone else. We finally got home, and I pulled her into me, her body fitting right in my arms, her legs wrapping around my waist. I opened the door, then turned to the wall, her back softly hitting the wall. She adjusted her legs around me, and I chuckled to myself, my fingers holding on to her. She was breathing heavily, her eyes closed, her fingers holding on to my shirt. I let my hand slowly tuck her hair back in, my eyes looking down at her. I wanted to take it slow. Understand her grief. Maybe. "Do you still want this?" She swallowed, then looked up to me, those beautiful blue eyes, big and filled with tears. She bit down on her full, red lips, and it had been absolute torture seeing her do that in the rare times I got to see her after that day and knowing exactly how perfect they tasted. How did she even think a man like Damien was good for her? A weak coward who couldn't love her at her worst? How did she think he deserved her at her best? "Yes," she whispered, her fingers slowly moving to rest on my shoulders. "Yes, I still want to do this. I am sorry, Florian." I didn't need to listen to the rest of it as I covered the distance, my hands holding her tight, kissing her as softly as I could convince my mind to go. At some point, I lost control, but I had driven her wild too, with eyes closed and heightening need for her, I led us to my room upstairs. I loved how seamlessly her clothes came off and how she never called his name, not even once. I pulled away, watching her naked in my bed, my lips parted. I slowly leaned, kissing her lips. Her fingers dug into my back as my kisses stretched to her face, then to her neck, and then slowly, lower. Her skin slightly reddened with every kiss, and when I pulled away again, I had an artwork that I had carved only with my lips, naked, and in my bed. "I want a few photos," I said, kissing her earlobe. She nodded, her eyes closed. I grabbed the camera I always kept next to my bed, like I knew I would have this masterpiece tonight. I took a few photos before I kept it back, then returned to the warmth of her skin, shaping every bit of her to accommodate me. I wasn't surprised to find that I was her first, and I sure as hell will be the last. My eyes closed as the hot water pelted down on me, flattening my hair. I chuckled to myself as I felt the sting from the places where Roxanne had dug her nails last night, the places in my neck where she had bitten. I opened my eyes to the mirror, and sure enough, I had her marks all over me. My smile darkened as I let my fingers caress her cute little teeth marks, knowing I had left more than enough on her for her deadbeat ex fiance to know a real man had graced her. I grabbed a robe and wrapped it around me, then stepped out to the room. Sure enough, Roxanne had woken up and was picking up her clothes from the floor. I was pretty sure they were ripped, but sure. "What are you doing?" She gasped and turned to me, her eyes wide as she brought the clothes to her chest. "I... I was..." "Were you planning on leaving?" She blinked rapidly, then swallowed. "I need to go home." "I will take you." "No," she said, taking a step away. "I... I don't know what came over me last night, Florian." I met her eyes, and my hands went behind me. "You regret it?" "No, but... I am sorry. This... this isn't going anywhere. It was just for last night, and I was out of it and..." "You used me?" I asked, making sure my voice carried that tinge of hurt to make it more believable. "Yes. Yes, I am sorry." I bit down on my lips, then nodded. "Still. I will take you home." She seemed to feel bad, and I turned away to go to the closet. My smile returned once I was out of sight, and my eyes thinned. So she thought she was using me. A small laugh ripped through me, and I grabbed a shirt. Oh, baby girl...ROXANNE'S P.O.V I turned slowly to Florian. My hair fell on both sides of my face, so I was hoping he wouldn't see the glances I was stealing. His eyes were focused fully on the road, his hand, adorned with two rings, rested between his thigh and mine.His other hand navigated the steering wheel, his hair falling prettily on his face. I held my breath as my eyes took him in. I remembered just how I had always seen him at least one tier above every other man around. He was that beautiful. He had the stainless charisma that turned girls his way.That's how I knew I didn't have a chance.I shook my head and turned, my knees trembling a little as if to remind me of the very thing I didn't want to be reminded of. I wasn't even completely sure how it had happened, but I knew I wouldn't forget it.I had never expected that I had been waiting so long despite all the times I had come close, only to finally be taken by Florian. Florian. That one man I never thought I would ever be good enough
"What the fuck, Florian? How could you fucking do this?""What did I do?" Florian asked, his voice deep, dark, and smooth. "Drive her insane with pleasure when you were planning to drive her insane with pain?""What?" Damien countered, his eyes wide. "What the hell are you talking about?"I swallowed hard, pulling myself away from Florian. "You were at..." I trailed off, blinking the tears away. In as much as Florian was right about his ability to make me forget everything, at least for last night, seeing Damien, those pretty eyes I had loved so much, that face I saw in my happiest dreams...It hurt. All over again. "Fucking speak up, Roxanne! What is yoir excuse for being this bastard's little slut?""Don't you dare call me names. You are the one who went around and broke the vows we didn't even get to make. You are the one who...""Shut up, Roxanne. Shut up." It was my brother this time, and I could see the nervousness in his eyes as he looked towards Damien.My eyes filled even fa
I let out a small whimper as my eyes closed, my chest heaving hard. My face buried in my palm, and I let out a shaky breath. I was trying as hard as I could to not let Florian hear me, but I knew I had gotten loud at some point, and I was grateful that he hadn't bothered to say anything to me.I sighed, closing my eyes. Today would have been my wedding. Yet here I am. I have nowhere to go.I straightened slowly, sniffing hard as I tried to best to compose myself. I turned to Florian. His eyes were cold as he drove silently, his fingers resting between us, the other navigating the steering wheel."I... I will sleep at the office till I can...""You are coming home with me."I bit down on my lips. "That is hardly home, Florian."He turned to me, his brow lifting. "Okay? You have called the Roseville mansion home for twenty-six years. Surely it wouldn't hurt your soul to call my place home for now."I turned away, my eyes brimming with tears. He was right. I had never felt at home in the
I stood in front of the mansion where Florian apparently lived. It was at least twice that of my parent's, and was situated in a quaint, quiet place in the richest part of CA. I looked around. Nature was thriving here, and the mansion itself was victorian style and extremely beautiful."Let's go," Florian said finally as he came beside me. He had handed the keys to a man who had greeted me and said man was currently taking the car away."I..." I started to say, my eyes falling to my feet. I still couldn't shake off the heavy awareness of him that I felt. And the awareness of what we had done last night. "Are you sure this is okay? I could sleep in my office before I find a way to retrieve...""Stay here, Roxanne. Don't be stubborn."I nodded slowly, then swallowed as I felt his hand rest gently on the curve of my waist. Without another word, he pulled me into the massive entrance, his body heating mine up due to how close together we were.The interior was even more magnificent, and I
"Ma'am, please come with me to the bedroom. Sir has asked us to help you settle down before lunch."I tore my gaze away from the path where Florian had taken away from me and turned to the woman. She was young, probably around my age, and dressed in a very neat maid's uniform.I forced a small smile, then nodded. "Thank you."She smiled, then gestured with her hand towards the stairs. I took the path she directed me to, while she fell into step next to me, her fingers elegantly clasped in front of her.I looked around the house, as last night was a complete haze, and I could barely even remember that wr had climbed a stair case. There were dark pieces of art around the house and one on the wall at the very top of the stairs.It was a close-up of a hand. My brows furrowed. Those rings looked like Florian's, and the longer I looked at the painting, the more I saw.I could see the rest from what could have been there, and his fingers seemed to be wrapped around a... chin?I could see the
The bath took longer than I thought, and when I finally pulled myself out of it, the water had gone cold. I wrapped a robe around me and walked. The walk-in closet was just across from the bath, and I thought it was absolutely convenient.I braced myself for yet another discovery as I opened the door. This place had been a whole adventure all through. It made me wonder what else waited. What else could be in there.I opened up the doors, and my lips fell open. Rows after rows of comfortable clothes ranging from hoodies that looked at least two sizes too big, then shorts just like I loved to wear before the whole glow up thing.Now my wardrobe was filled with silk, and I wore them even when it got too hot or felt weird against my skin.I broke into a smile as I walked inside, running my hands on the clothes. This was an absolute dream. There was, for sure, an entire closet for formal dresses and shoes, but the comfortable clothes filled the entire space.I settled on a large Hoodie and
ROXANNE'S P.O.V I sat alone at the dining, my feet rapping slowly on the floor. My eyes roamed around the entire house, my chest heaving as I took in the space. Florian did have stellar taste. He always has. His clothes always stood out from my brother's and any other friends they had. He always stood out from all of them.Maybe that is why I still don't understand why he kissed me in that closet years ago.I shook off the thought as Florian appeared, carrying a white glass bowl in his hands. He was wearing an apron now, and I wondered if he had done the cooking himself.I bit down on my lips as he set it on the table and started to turn away without looking at me. My brows furrowed a little. He had brought me down here himself after complimenting this hoodie and all, but now he seemed distant. Aloof."Florian."He stopped, then turned to me. "Yes?""Maybe I should come help out?"He raised a brow. "The maids are here for that.""So why are you cooking?""Because I want to," he said
My lips parted, but no words could come out of it. I just sat there, my eyes fixed on Florian's smile, the TV in the background acting like some sort of reminder of what I had gotten myself into.I stood up slowly, then walked past Florian and towards the TV. It showed herds of reporters, and Damien tried his best to push through them. He was still wearing the suit I had seen him in earlier, and I wondered what my parents thought right now. What they would be feeling.Would they finally take me back? Would they believe everything I had said?I turned, and Florian was behind me, his hand tucked into his pockets, his eyes cold as he looked down at me."Did... did you do this?"He looked up to the TV, then to me. "I wish I had.""Florian.""Let's face it, Rox. He slept with prostitutes and then let them take explicit photos of him like that. What exactly was he expecting? Of course, one of them would end up blackmailing him or even leaking it. This was bound to happen."I swallowed hard.
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