GIULIAExcited shivers ran through my body as I left my room and skipped down the stairs, calling for Kenzo. I couldn't tell what his surprise meant when he asked me to have my bathe and meet him downstairs, but I could tell it was something important if it had him grinning from ear to ear when he urged me to get ready. “Kenzo?” I called out for the third time when I didn't receive a response from him. My slippers made sounds on the marble floor as I hurried to the sitting room, thinking he would be there, but he wasn't. “Kenzo!” I yelled, loud enough for him to hear, should he be in Mark's study. “Here!” His cheerful voice boomed from upstairs as he rushed down, smiling. “I'm sorry I kept you waiting. I had some things to take care of for Mark,” he explained, grinning sheepishly. “Have you been sticking around for long?” “Nah, I just came down.” I skipped towards him, the excitement I felt when I raced down the stairs returning. “So…. What is it you wish to show me? I'm ready!”
MARKThe evening was just perfect—almost. I was in the comfort of the romantic setting of our home, sitting some steps away from her, and basking in the joy she fed my soul by just being present.Despite this, chaos ravaged me. The visitor. Our visitor, because Giulia was going to find out sooner or later. Pardon me, sooner than later. I still couldn't wrap my head around the events that led me to that point.For fuck sake, I wasn't even going that fast. On numerous occasions, I'd gotten a speeding ticket from cops. And, I won't lie, it helped me regulate my speed. How was I so careless?"Mark?"I raised a brow at Giulia, then blinked. "Yes, baby? Are you enjoying the food?""The food is just perfect." She flashed me a smile over the rim of her glass. "But I am forced to wonder if there is another surprise you have in store for me.""Why do you say that?"She looked down, blushing to herself. "You have been kind of silent since we started dining. Like you're hiding something. What is
GIULIAI looked from Mark to the strange woman, who was surprisingly staring intently at me. Her piercing green eyes drilled hard into me, filling me with a sense of recognition like I had met her somewhere. How else would someone I hadn't met before gaze at me with such contempt? It was a deep vile stare that should only be shot at an enemy. Frowning, I gave her an appraisal. Starting from her raven black hair to the bandage on her forehead, down to the red nightgown she was putting on before my gaze returned to Mark, who had yet to respond to my question. Sighing, he rubbed his palm on the back of his neck. “Can you sit? This will take a while,” he said after a brief moment of deliberation, his tone showing he wasn't thrilled about this. Glaring daggers at the intruder, I walked over to a loveseat and plopped down on it. “So? Who is she?” I demanded again, not in the mood to wait for him to sit. Having a stranger call an end to what was supposed to be the best date ever wasn't so
MARKWhat an end to a perfect date...My head still throbbed. I aimlessly walked around the house, restless and at a loss for what to do.If only Giulia would understand. Argh!"I am so sorry about this."I didn't bother turning to look at Kenzo. "It wasn't your fault." I shrugged, looking through the balcony at the abandoned dining table. Such a perfect date. She would have basked in the happiness till the end of the week. I had great plans for us. This was just the first step to proposing.I was supposed to spoil her throughout the month with outings and gifts—and a big vacation I was planning in Cuba—before going on my knees here, back at home, and begging her to stay by my side forever.Why did the universe never allow my plans to scale through? Like, can I get a break?"I need to sleep," I confessed. "It's been a fucking long day.""Um..." Kenzo looked at the stairs, beckoning my gaze. "Do you think Giulia will allow you to sleep in the room tonight? She locked the door."I sighe
GIULIA I tossed and turned all night and only slept at the crack of dawn. Even at that, the slumber wasn't a peaceful one. I had nightmares of that bitch taking over everything I had worked for, while Mark stood behind her, watching without saying anything. Groaning in frustration, I rolled out of the bed and walked towards the door, not bothering to wash my face. The smell of brewed coffee, strong in the air, led me towards the stairs. “You look like a zombie!” Kenzo exclaimed when I trudged down the stairs, walking like a tortoise with its heavy shell. “Zombies are way better right now.” I strode over to him and accepted the steaming mug of coffee, downing it in one go despite how hot it was. “Thanks.” Wiping my lips, I passed the empty cup to him. “I needed that.” “Glad to be of service, miss.” Mock bowing, he walked towards the kitchen to return the mug while I strode over to the couch I sat on last night, careful not to sit on the love seat that bitch rested on. Kenzo app
MARKJudy wasn't gone. Not yet. And Giulia didn't hear anything I said after that. Neither did I sleep in the room that night. The couch was my option because I wanted Giulia to see the suffering she was putting me through.But she didn't step out of the room the next morning. I paced the house a little, then decided to check on the men at the gate, perhaps a conversation with them would lighten my mood a little.I stepped outside, the warmth of the morning sun brushing against my skin, but the tension in the air was distinct. Judy was in the front yard, sweeping the fallen leaves into a neat pile. She worked with quiet determination, her movements fluid and graceful, with her back turned to the house. The broom brushed rhythmically against the stone path, a soft, persistent sound that broke the stillness of the morning.My boys were standing near the gate, their eyes wide with confusion as they watched her. They didn’t say anything, just stood there, a silent audience to the strange
JUDYI had everything set in motion. It was going smoothly— if you exclude the mad woman Mark kept in his house. Eric didn't tell me much about her when he sent me on this mission, aside from her medical situation, that is. I guess I would have to build more layers of patience, while acting like I couldn't kill a fly, to amass Mark's sympathy. From the little I knew from watching him, acting weak would be more than enough to get him to succumb to my charms.Grinning at my thoughts, I sat up on the bed and walked over to the mirror by the door. The woman that stared back at me looked different. Dull green eyes stared back at me, letting me know how much I had to give up to act the part. It was all for the money.Exhaling, I touched the plaster on my face, wincing from the throbbing pain. The lousy doctor did me dirty, all to create an illusion.Everything was a gamble. From the time I ran in front of his car, to having him take me to the hospital we had hoped he would rush to, down to
MARKThe house was ghostly silent. Giulia avoided me like a plague. I'd met her with Judy—Initially, I thought she was trying to make peace—after I got back from one of my outings, but when she stormed up the stairs, I knew it was possibly another confrontation. Judy stayed back, welcoming me as she asked how my day was, something I hoped Guilia would have done.I knew I caused everything. Having promised to let Judy stay for just a day, I had to extend her stay to a month, despite Lia's stony glares and defiant gazes. I had to do that, for Judy. Sending her out in her state was inhumane, something I couldn't condone. I just wanted her to stay for a month while I arranged a place for her, something I had already done. By the end of the week, Judy will be out of the house. For good. With her gone, I will have my Lia back. After dinner, Judy came to keep me company. We spoke of nothing in particular. Just jokes and some side talks and funny shit.She was basically the only one giving m
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