GUILIA She didn't seem bad. I asked if I could stay with them until I got my footing, and she agreed without asking questions. To be on the safer side, I told her about the pregnancy, knowing she would realize that sooner or later. Surprisingly, she was cool with it. I could tell she wanted to know more about me and how I ended up in such a situation, but she didn't question me. She was true to her words, giving me time to adjust.It had been eight days since I woke up in the strange room. I'd gotten to know the rest of the household. She has 4 kids. Three daughters and a son, who looks so much like the father, Kristen. Like his wife, Kirsten had no problems with having me in the house. He was accommodating and so were their children. They never dealt with me like strangers, making me feel like I belonged here with them. It felt like I was a part of them. I never felt as close to anyone as I was with them, which was why I sought June out, knowing I had to tell one of them my story
MARKI didn’t know what to expect. Usman didn’t give out many details, and I wasn’t ready to linger any more on the phone asking questions that were probably going to take more of my time.I drew out some bills from my pocket after throwing my pants on and dropped them on the bedside table.“That is more than enough to settle the pay for the room. Leave whenever you are ready.”She didn’t move. I guess she was still trying to recover. A pity I didn’t get to nut. We were hardly halfway through what I had in mind. But that could wait.There would be enough time to nut, cum, cum again when I got Giulia back. For now, I just had to live through the agony.Driving through the city to Usman’s, I cast my mind to my time in Madrid. The streets were now familiar, but they weren’t then. Not when my uncle would send me out to deliver a “package” which I knew could put me in trouble. The fear was so much in me at that time that I would almost piss myself whenever I passed by any officer. It wasn’
GIULIA“Mark?” She placed her hand on her chest. “Bless my heart.”“Do you know him?” I acted as if I didn't know about her, asking a question I already knew the answer to. The reaction she showed was the one I was hoping to get from her, but when I got it, I felt jealous. She nodded, sighing. “He was my childhood friend. We separated 18 years ago when I gave birth to my first child. He left for Spain, and we haven't heard from him since then.” She looked sad, like someone who lost something precious and couldn't recover it. “I believed he would call for once, throughout the years, but he didn't. When I contacted his family, I learned they packed out five years ago. That was the last I saw any of them.”Nodding, I leaned back in my chair, not knowing what to say. I wanted to ask if she dated him, but knew the question would come out as odd. All I could do was nod as I watched her. “Mark isn't an awful guy, though.” She turned to me, taking my right hand in hers. She squeezed my fin
MARKKenzo will be in serious trouble should I find him. And I'll make sure it isn't pretty. It hurt more to know that he was the one that helped her out. If it was another of my men, I would have wasted them on the spot, not minding how long they had worked for me. But Kenzo? I was already having a mental breakdown just thinking about him getting dressed, leading Giulia through the gate and helping her with cash.And fucking hugging her before she left!!!As I raced down the familiar route home, fury coursed through my veins, fueled by Kenzo's betrayal. My grip on the steering wheel was vice-like, knuckles turning white with each passing second. Every slow driver in front of me became an unwitting target for my simmering rage. "FUCKING MOVE!" The incessant honking of my horn echoed my frustration, a symphony of anger against the lagging traffic.My mind was a whirlwind of hurt and betrayal, replaying the scene of Kenzo's betrayal over and over again. The radio played in the backgrou
EDITHStaring at the cold walls that had been my companions for years, the silence I had gotten used to, and the occasional screams from the inmates in the other cell were what I had done all these years. I was the only one locked in this four-cornered room. The first few years were the worst. I almost died from loneliness and silence. I couldn't count how many times I considered ending my life, but the thought of meeting the reason they threw me behind bars was enough to make me strive to live. 18 years it had been...Almost 19 years. Soon, they will let me out. And when they do… June better watch her back. After all, I was in this place because of her.I sat on the bed, looking at the markings on the wall before my gaze drifted to my nails, bloodied and ugly. Something that was once a pride to me was nothing but pain. Each night before I went to sleep, I scribbled dates on the wall. It was the only thing that kept me sane in a place like this. Otherwise, the darkness would have long
MARKNot the exact way I expected my night to go. My steam of anger towards Kenzo long dissipated. The last I saw of him was when two of my men carried his unconscious body outside to be rushed to the hospital. I was mad at myself. I shouldn't have hit him that hard. Though, it wasn't as hard at the news he dished out to me before passing out. Pregnant? When? How? "Shit!" I palmed my face, stopping my endless pacing right in the middle of my room where the bright glow of the glass chandelier was more prominent. I never used protection with Giulia. I never did. How careless! The whores I fucked were better since they knew to stay on contraceptives. But Giulia? I fucking took her virginity. "Jesus Christ," I muttered under my breath as the idea settled in my head. I took her virginity. Then I left her feelings to rot since I was a fucking crazy heartbroken dude who couldn't settle with one lady after losing his first love.Fuck!!!As I paced around my room, worry gnawed at my insides,
GIULIAIt turned out Mary was June's first daughter. I met her a week later when she returned for the weekend. It was funny how I ended up at her house after everything. Our reunion was emotional, with Mary hugging me like I might slip out of her fingers should she not do so. She was overjoyed to see me, that she spent the entire day conversing with me. If she thought anything about my pregnancy, she didn't show it. June was so happy to learn I was the best friend her daughter spoke of. Hearing those words made me guilty. I didn't consider her to be a best friend. It was more like a good friend. Learning she considered me to be more than a good form caused me to feel ashamed. “How are you feeling today?” Mary plopped down next to me on the couch, lifting a brow as she asked the question. “Mother said you slept through yesterday.”“Aren't you supposed to be at school?” I frowned, sitting up on the couch. Mary left for school on Monday morning, but here she was, on a Tuesday afternoo
MARKThere was a ray of hope, at least.James promised to get right to work and get back to me later that morning. I wish he didn't say that because I became too anxious to sleep. Every second of distress pushed my sight to the silver clock just beside the door, a continuously painful reminder that I still had six solid hours before the sun rose. Was this the universe's way of punishing me? Maybe if I hadn't hospitalised Kenzo, he might have given me a reasonable amount of solace. At least, I wouldn't be so lost in the eerie claws of anxiety. I stopped by the balcony's double-glass doors and peered outside. A deep breath followed my eyes involuntarily closing. The wind hit my shut eyelids, temporarily soothing my troubled soul. I needed a vacation. A long one. Somewhere far away. Somewhere not here. A vacation to an island close to the sea sounded nice, but a partner would go well with such a setting.If—When—I eventually found Giulia and apologized for my foolishness then successfu
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