GIULIA“Fuck,” I groaned.Everywhere was quiet when I woke up. I expected to find myself in a torture chamber or someplace close enough, but that wasn't the case. The magnificent chandelier that hung on the ceiling, the subtle light infiltrating from the window on my right and the pleasant scent of Jasmine gave the room a homey ambience.My head hurt, but not as bad as it did when I awakened…Wait a damned minute! I swiftly sat up on the bed, only to recoil at the searing pain in my head. It felt like my skull was about to be split in two.I placed my right hand on my forehead and tightened my eyes to stop the pain. Had I known this would happen, I wouldn't have risen as fast as I did. “Fucking hell!”“Are you okay?” A voice inquired from the doorway.At the sound of the familiar voice, I removed the palm on my forehead and turned towards the pervert standing by the door.“You?!” I pointed at him, scrunching my nose in detest. “What are you doing here?!”“This is my house,” he respon
GIULIAThe Lord of the underworld?To claim it shocked me would be an understatement of the century. I was thunderstruck. Who would have guessed that the man I had a run-in with was a Mafia Lord?A knock came on my door not too long after the blabbing housemaid left. I didn't bother looking at the door because I perceived it would be the maid, since she promised to return.The housemaid didn't say a word for close to a minute. There was a conspicuous silence between us before I sighed. “What did you bring for me?” I turned to face her, only to freeze when I discovered who it was.The pervert stood with his back to the door and his arms folded. It had only been a week since I last saw him, but he had changed immensely. He looked colder compared to the last time, and his eyes were bloodshot. His hair seemed to have gotten longer and his scar more pronounced. The black shirt he was putting on had four buttons undone.I sat up on the bed, eyes focused on him. Somehow, knowing how dangerou
MARK"... YOU ARE STUCK WITH ME..."Huh?!I quirked my brows at her. "Excuse me?" I said after some seconds of thinking and concluding that she wasn't kidding. "What is that supposed to mean?"Now, she seemed to realize what her words implied, but she did nothing to explain herself or say when she was going to leave."I am not going anywhere until I pay my debt," she repeated stubbornly. "We are stuck together."Did I make a mistake buying her from Eric?? I had always been called stubborn—especially by my dad—but I wasn't prepared for this level of stubbornness.Giulia was a walking mass of trouble and madness. Mother Mary, help me, she was already taking my mind on my troubling day. "Giulia, you need to leave ASAP.""Oh, you called me by my name," she smirked. "That's a first.""I called your name before tossing you the ID," I replied with a scoff. "You were not addressing me. You were simply trying to rub my age in my face.""Are we seriously arguing about this?!" I exhaled, turn
MARK... to control humans, you need to be in control...The message came back to memory after breakfast. My uncle, Diamelo, who was the founder of the empire, always rang it in my ears like a reminder whenever I had issues with any of the men."Humans are like an excited dog," he would say. "A leash is all you need to keep them in place."And as much as I hate to admit it, the leash had either gone slack or had snapped.Either way, it wasn't a good thing.I had to remind them who ran the fucking empire. They needed a reminder of the ruler of Madrid.Even the police couldn't do anything if I wanted to fish out all my goons and raid the city. The entire police force dreaded me, anyway. It was worse that none of them had anything of evidence against me.Reliable witnesses were always taken care of by Kenzo."I'm ready..." Kenzo called from the doorway. I nodded at him in satisfaction after seeing him in cargo pants and a large cardigan—a fit that easily concealed guns."I'm ready too,"
GUILIAI couldn't tell how it started. It could have been because of the day I almost fell down the stairs but was caught by the same guy I called a pervert. Or it could be the time he helped me reach up the shelves because I was unable to reach it. Many things transpired between us, so much that it made me fall for the same man I once loathed. I couldn't even contain my emotions whenever he was next to me. I was always smiling like a moron. It was my first time being in love, you can't fault me for that. I thought I wasn't mapped out for such feelings until I got to spend time with him. All the maids feared him, though they admired him from afar. I was the only one who wished to be next to him. Call me an idiot, and I will answer. That was what I was, a stooge for falling for the mafia lord. I knew how dangerous his profession was when I chanced in on Kenzo torturing a man. Yet, it didn't change my mind. “Giulia?” the chief maid called out, startling me from my thoughts. I snapp
GUILIAI wouldn't mind the job at all if it meant I got to see the package down there. I could even imagine how huge he—“What the hell are you doing in my room, Giulia?!” He yelled.Startled, I raised my head to look at him. He looked pissed, with the way his eyes focused on the picture frame in my hand. I had to drop it back before turning to him, smiling like a fool.“Oh, Mark! I didn't see you there!” I joined my hands behind me and tried not to stare at the droplets of water on his chest. His pink nipples and light-brown areolas turned me on more than anything else. I had never felt a man was attractive before, but that was until I got to know Mark.The scar on his face added to the charm. He looked so much like the gang leader he was, and very much more. I never knew I loved dangerous men until I got to know him. “What. Are. You. Doing. In. My. Room?” He enunciated each word, still looking at me with narrowed eyes. “… I… I came to clean!” I raised the blue towel I came in with
MARKMy chest heaved like I had just returned from battle. Well, didn't I?There were so many questions that needed to be asked, and the answers my brain could provide weren't sufficient to sate me.My toes were curled. I took note of this when I looked at my feet, and—"FUCK!" I gritted my teeth. When the hell did I get hard?! That bitch did nothing but touch my nipples, and I was rocking a hard-on from that!Thank goodness my dick was wise enough to wait until the danger was well out of view.Yes, that was exactly the description I could give Giulia: DANGEROUS...And the danger was something I was accustomed to, after all, I literally exchanged bullets in close range with fuckers for a living, but when danger came with a mixture of a feeling I couldn't place my mind on, that was real DANGER!I was housing a stranger in my house, allowing her access to almost all the chambers (even my room!!!!) and now letting her get me up—and leave me unsatisfied?And why the hell would that fuckin
MARKLove?The word was almost strange, almost alien to me. I couldn't remember anything as little as an emotional connection with anyone after I left Seattle... and June.Just as I expected, over the years, I had women who were ready to buy a ring, help me propose, and sponsor a lavish wedding in Paris or any of the other mentally stereotyped lush locations women believed was a sign of abundant wealth, but the appeal wasn't there.There was a great difference between sex and love, and as far as I was concerned, I seemed to have only enjoyed the former."You have been throwing questions at me like a nagging wife," I said after a moment of deliberate thinking. "Or do you have thoughts of going after her?"I swear, if I hadn't heard Kenzo's soft breathing behind me, I could have sworn that he had disappeared into thin air.He didn't answer for some time. I frowned.Was he interested in Giulia?No, he can't be, right?The thought of him with Giulia, touching her, kissing her, smiling int
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