GIULIAI'd never had this much fun in a while. Kenzo knew the right way to treat a woman. He let me choose whatever I wished and took me to see a movie when I begged him to take me. I had as much ice cream as I wanted and almost had a brain freeze.We would have gone to a park had that devil in human flesh not interrupted us with a call. He undoubtedly had such bad timing. Kenzo couldn't defy orders, so he asked me to get into the car and drove us back to the compound.“We can start the lessons tomorrow,” he announced when he packed the car.“The lessons?” I knitted my brows, confused.“Have you forgotten already? Who was the one that asked to be taught how to wield a gun and self-defence?” He raised an eyebrow, chuckling when I widened my eyes, realizing what he was trying to say.“That's true!” I almost jumped with joy. “You are at the best, Kenzo! Thank you so freaking much!” Removing the seatbelt, I leaned forward to place a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you so much!”“…it's no worry.
MARKIt went better than I expected.I was thinking I'd have to beg and roll on the floor before she agreed, but it seemed the universe was on my side. She agreed! And I didn't have to stress myself too much.Though it was with a condition, one that I was ready to abide by. "... Get yourself checked every week..."That was all?! Of course, I could do that! It wasn't like I'd even have the sexual appetite for anyone else when we finally got intimate. I was excited. So excited that Kenzo noticed it immediately he stepped into my office. I'd called him to meet me there. "You look happy," he stated the moment our eyes met. "Close the door," I ordered, hiding the grin that threatened to grace my face. That would have given out too much. He slowly closed the door and turned the lock into place, then settled on one of the sofas opposite me.At first, I continued tracking the names and amounts in the payroll on my system, but eventually remembered that someone was waiting for me. Someon
GIULIAI stood in front of him with brows raised in questioning. Mark summoned me a few minutes ago because he had something he wanted to tell me. I pretended not to perceive why he asked for me. It wasn't difficult to know why when the bulge in his trousers was as clear as the day. The horny man could only want one thing from me: SEX.Folding my arms, I knitted my brows at him. “So?”He sat back on his bed, leaning on it like a king resting on his throne. “You must realize why I called you here, don't you?” He smiled, his eyes getting dark as they wandered over my body.Had I not been putting on pants and a shirt, I would have thought I was dressed lewdly with the way his eyes hotly looked at me.“You want to have sex?” I blurted out, seeing no reason to be embarrassed about that.“Not only sex, Giulia. I'm craving rough sex.” He smirked when he saw my expression. “You have been with me once, so don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about.”“But—”“You promised, didn't you? A
MARKOOPS!I blinked at Giulia, trying to remember where and when I'd mentioned that name.JUNE...Or was it another June? I didn't know anyone in the street or city bearing that name. The June I knew was in Seattle, probably pregnant with a second kid. Or maybe a third, because it had been some long depressing years since I last saw her."Who is she?" Giulia repeated. The bitch wasn't backing out. Why did women always spoil a good nut with baseless questions? She just gave me one of the best blows I might ever receive in my lifetime and now decided to completely shatter my mood.I looked at my shrinking cock resting flaccidly against my lap with a fountain of cum gathering at the tip. Giulia's gaze followed mine."Are you even listening to me?" she asked in astonishment when it seemed the answer she wanted wasn't on my cock."Giulia, I heard you. I was just thinking of the name and where you must have heard it?"She slowly lifted herself to a standing position and stood akimbo."Are
GIULIAJune...That name plagued my days. I couldn't shake off the thought that there was more to the name than what Mark claimed. Though I tried to shrug it off as nothing, I couldn't help the feeling I got whenever I thought of her. June. Who the hell was the woman?“Hello.”I almost jumped out of my skin at the call, my heart ramming hard against my ribcage as I placed my hand on my chest to calm my racing breath. “Were you startled?” Kenzo chuckled, stepping out. “I assumed you heard me,” he explained when I shot a glare his way. "Didn't you see me approaching?" “Saw you? Why did you think I saw you when I was busy with work?” I folded my arms, still glaring at the man who took the wrong time to appear. Kenzo was dressed for work in a white suit tailored for him and black sunglasses he had hanging from the front pocket of his suit. He had his hair slicked back, the black curls making it more stylish. “Like what you see?” He teased, his eyes sparkling. “As if,” I scoffed, pu
MARKShe looked happy.Getting her a phone jumped into my mind at the last minute at the store. And, well, it would be in my favour, because it would be easier to get across to her from any location around the world.As long as she loved it, I was okay. It was one of the latest models the store attendant said they had, and it took some moments for me to appreciate the beauty.Well...I stood before the mirror in my room and exhaled. I looked a little stressed, but nothing a warm bath and rest couldn't handle. I took off my black Zara hoodie and flexed my biceps, noting how sweaty I was.My shower was quick and calming. But I wasn't at rest.Kenzo should have gotten across to me by now. He should have. I didn't envisage any form of threat, hence the reason I sent him out alone. What could go wrong in a club when all he was sent to do was ask questions?Tension prickled the back of my neck.Not a good sign.I picked up my phone and squinted at the screen. It took some seconds for my eye
GIULIAI paced the sitting room, occasionally looking out through the window whenever I heard sounds. It had been close to an hour since Mark left, and 30 minutes since 10 of his men drove off, but there had been no sign of them.I realized there was something wrong when I saw Mark hastening to his car an hour ago. His expression said it all. I couldn't help the fear I felt at the thought of anything happening to Kenzo, because I perceived he was the only one who could make Mark look so worried. I sat down on the couch, placing my hand under my jaw as my gaze went to the TV. I was nervous and trying to quell it by telling myself everything would be better. But deep down, I felt like that wasn't the case. My heart hammered against my ribcage, my throat dry. I stood up from the couch and started pacing once more. My gaze wandered to the clock on the wall, and I wondered how long I would have to wait until their return.This was the first time I'd been worried about someone and the fee
MARKBlood was everywhere: on my hands, on my shirt, and smeared against the walls beside me. The metallic smell of blood was strong in the air, and unlike what one would expect, it didn't repulse me.No, it didn't. There was a certain thrill that came with the possession and wielding of guns pointed at shooting targets, as I loved to call them.Just like the three men in pools of blood around me with bullets lodged deep into their guts.And just like Mateo who'd become a mass of cold flesh anytime soon.I was used to the bloodlust and madness. Whenever it came, an idiot was always ready to present himself or herself as a scapegoat."For the last time, Mateo, what the fuck—""I will speak!" he blurted out so fast I knitted my brows in suspicion.The cold metal of the gun pointed at him pressed against my palm, sending shivers down my spine. As I gripped the weapon, a surge of adrenaline coursed through my veins, creating a cocktail of thrill and anticipation. The rhythmic pounding of
THREE YEARS LATER Looking back at how far I'd come, I still marvelled at how a single decision changed my life forever. Had I not left Seattle when I did, I wouldn't have met Mark. Meeting him was the turnaround I needed. He became the angel I didn't know I wanted. Or more so, the demon I thought would hurt me. “Mum!” Chelsey yelled out as she ran towards me, her red curls flying around as she rushed over to my side. “Darling?” Squatting, I opened my arms for her to embrace me. “What's wrong?” “Uncle Kenzo is out to get me!” she wailed, hugging me tight. “He's a bad guy, mummy!” “Oh, darling.” Hugging her, I waited for Kenzo to show up, and he did. The big guy walked over to us, grinning as he looked at her. “Who would have thought the daughter of a Mafia Lord and his lady would be a scaredy-cat?” Lifting his brows, he plopped down on the chair, letting out a sigh as he watched us. I was outside, on the balcony upstairs, watching the men practice below us before the
MARKThe late afternoon sun filtered through the canopy of trees, casting dappled light across the shaded area where I sat. A light breeze carried the scent of the lake, mingling with the faint aroma of the chilled drinks arranged on the small table beside me. I leaned back in my chair, one arm draped lazily over the armrest, and my eyes fixed on the field ahead.Giulia stood a few paces away, her bright red hair tied back in a messy ponytail, glinting like fire in the sunlight. She was holding a sleek black handgun and her posture was slightly bent. Roberto, standing beside her, gave calm, precise instructions, pointing toward the marked targets set up at varying distances, and gently arranging her posture to receive the backfire. She looked incredible. She always did. Her slight belly protruded through her simple white shirt. It was a sight I could never get enough of. Giulia—my Lia—pregnant, glowing, and learning how to shoot. It was a surreal combination that filled my heart wit
MARK“What are you doing?”I bit my bottom lip and said into the phone, “Nothing, just thinking about you. What’s up, baby?”There was this suppressed excitement in her tone when she said, “I have something to tell you.”“What is it?”“When I see you. I don’t want to tell you on the phone.”I laughed. “You know, I also have something to tell you.” Giulia chuckled on the other end. “Don’t tease me, Mark. What is it?”“When we meet,” I said, imitating her tone.“Okay. You are coming over for dinner tonight?”“Yeah, but not in your house. I’ll text Roberto the address.” There was silence on the other end. I could picture her knitting her brows as she asked, “Have you discussed that with him already?”“No, but I will. Go prepare, baby.”She was confused, I could tell, but she still said, “Okay, baby. See you later.” *~*~*~*~*~*My heart was pounding as I called Kenzo again, checking my suit in the full-length mirror before me. “You sure it’s all set up?” I asked. Beneath the cool tone,
GIULIADr. Sheldon listened intently, his expression unreadable. “I see,” he said finally. “Let's run some tests, okay? I can't give a diagnosis without proper analyses.”“Sounds good to me.”Dr. Sheldon led me to an examination room, where a nurse took my vitals and drew blood samples. I tried to distract myself by scrolling through my phone, but my mind kept going in circles, thinking about the test and what might be wrong with me. I couldn't think of anything, though. Dr. Sheldon returned with a warm smile, carrying a clipboard. I sat up the moment I saw him, gulping as I watched him sit opposite me. “Guilia, your vitals look good. But I want to discuss the blood test results.”"Okay?" I sat up straighter, gulping as my stomach tightened. “Everything looks normal,” he began, “except for one thing.” I leaned forward, my palms growing sweaty. The suspense was killing me. I just wanted him to get it over with, but I knew urging him wouldn't do me any good. “Your hormone levels
GUILIAIt had been a month since I got back together with Mark. Roberto flew me back to Spain, so I could be able to date Mark. I wasn't allowed to return to his house, though. Roberto made me stay in the mansion he has in Madrid. I could only see Mark thrice a week. And to think he gave me a damned curfew. Yeah. To him, I was still the little girl he lost after my mum's death. He's yet to recognize me as the young adult I was. To him, the teen after the nine in my age spoke volumes — I celebrated my birthday two weeks ago. This time, it was the right date, not the one my foster parents decided on.“Where are you going?” Roberto asked, giving me an appraisal. He seemed to like my outfit because he didn't comment on it. I smiled, adjusting the straps of my sundress. The bright yellow fabric hugged my curves in all the right places, and the floral patterns added a playful touch. I had my hair up in a loose bun, with a few stray strands framing my face. “I'm —” “I hope you are not go
MARKHolding Giulia close, I buried my face in her hair, inhaling the familiar scent that grounded me. Fuck, I missed this. It felt like I’d been drifting for so long, waiting for this exact moment to feel whole again. Just holding her, feeling the gentle rhythm of her breath, was enough to make the world outside our embrace fade away. As I sighed, she slowly pulled back, her beautiful eyes searching mine, sending silent messages only the two of us could understand. Her gaze softened, and I felt an ache that I recognized as much in her expression as in myself.A single tear slipped down her cheek. My guts twisted. Her lip trembled slightly. “I missed you,” she whispered. Despite how beautiful she looked with the silent stream on her face, I couldn't bear to see her this way. I reached up and brushed the tears away, lingering my touch on her cheek to enjoy the warmth a little longer. Without saying a word, I leaned in and pressed my lips softly to hers, savouring the taste of her l
GUILIAEverything happened in a blur after that. From the time Roberto told me I was his daughter, to his conversation with Mark before he took me with him. Within a month, I had changed from a girl who had nothing to a princess of a damned villa. It was surreal. Like a dream, I would probably wake from if I pinched myself hard. But I dared not do that. The dream was one I didn't want to wake from. A month into living in the villa, and getting dotted on, I started picking up titbits of memories I'd forgotten. More intense was the one that hit me last, one that caused tears to stream down my eyes.I had lost a baby. Not only that, but it would be difficult to conceive again, if not impossible. Though Dr Sheldon promised it would happen.Roberto tried to console me, but I refused to be consoled. Oddly enough, the thoughts of so many things at my disposal didn't ease the heaviness in my heart. Wealth couldn't fill the hole, couldn't mend the broken heart. I cried myself to sleep last n
MARK"What the fuck is going on?" I murmured to myself, my brows creasing at the parked cars out front. My gates were flung open, men in black lining the sidewalk and driveway. I clocked my gun and fixed it into the waistband of my jeans. I fucking told Kenzo not to let anyone in!I literally took only twenty minutes—okay, it was about thirty or so—to get some things from the store and clear my head. Giulia had incessantly whined for biscuits and candies like a child, so I decided to do what was best for us all: get a basketful of those things she wanted badly. I'd present them to her like a gift."Hey, what the hell is happening here?" I asked the men outside the gate, but they said nothing. Gripping my gun through my shirt, I walked into the compound.The scene was chaos: bloodstains on the ground, men ducking for cover, and bodies lying still. I saw Kenzo near the gate, pinned down behind a wall. But what really set me off was the sight of Giulia in the presence of a strange man, s
GUILIAMark left immediately after Kenzo showed up, promising that he would be back with my parents the next day. I didn't trust those words because he didn't seem like he was telling the truth. I could tell from his gaze that there was something he was keeping from me. Oddly enough, I didn't feel scared about it. Though I kept on yelling for him to get my foster parents back, I wasn't that eager to meet them again. I just wanted to keep him on his toes, so he wouldn't think I was ready to embrace a life I couldn't remember. After meeting my foster parents, I realized something. Mark wasn't lying when he said I wasn't sixteen like I thought I was. Not only that, but Kenzo brought my phone back last night, and I had gone through the pictures.Though I couldn't recall any of them, I knew they couldn't have worked on such convincing pictures, not even with the help of an AI. With those thoughts in mind, I went to bed after having dinner — I had to sneak into the kitchen to do that afte