ANYA
I choked on my drink, coughing uncontrollably at her unexpected confession. My face turned red, and I couldn't believe she was sharing such intimate details with me.
"It is not that surprising, is it?" she asked, eyeing me warily.
"You didn't have to tell me that," I managed to say between coughs, feeling flustered by her candidness.
Alessia leaned back, smiling like she hadn't just revealed something extremely personal. I was taken aback by her nonchalant attitude towards the subject. What a weird girl.
When we finished eating, Alessia drove us to the shopping mall – or should I say her shopping mall. It turned out that her family owned the place, which didn't surprise me given her status, but it was still impressive to see.
Alessia's dream was to become a makeup artist, so she insisted on doing my makeup. I was hesitant at first, as I wasn't a fan of makeup, but she kept nagging until I finally agreed to let her
VINCENZOI made the decision to do the last of my work in my room, feeling the need for some privacy and solitude. The day had been long and eventful, and I wanted to take some time to unwind and clear my mind. Besides, being in my room made me feel closer to Anya, even if she wasn't physically there with me.Once inside my room, I organized the files on my desk and set up my laptop. As I settled in, I couldn't help but think about Anya. She had a way of occupying my thoughts even when she wasn't around. I worried about her safety, especially after what happened earlier. The thought of someone targeting her made my blood boil with rage.Even Alessia too wasn't safe. I did not want them to go out today but i knew Anya needed a breathing space. I had four of my men follow them discreetly. If Alessia knew about it, she won't let me rest.After a few hours of working, I decided to take a break and relax. The events of the day had taken a toll
VINCENZO“I killed for the first time eleven years ago,” I began, my voice carrying a weight of memories and regrets. “The unfortunate person was my father.”I vividly remember the look of shock in his soulless eyes when I plunged the knife in his neck. It was a look that I really loved. That moment when he realized he was taking his last breath.She gasped, her eyes widening in surprise as she jolted upright. The shock on her face was palpable, and I couldn't help but miss the warmth of her in my arms. So, I gently tugged her closer to me, craving her nearness.“You killed your Dad?” Her voice came out as a whisper, disbelief etched across her features.I brushed my fingers against her dimple, tracing a gentle line along her hair. Her tear-swollen eyes didn't diminish her beauty; in fact, they added a depth to her gaze that drew me in even more. “Yeah. It was a necessary act, and I don't r
ANYAI woke up on a soft and warm surface the next morning. For a fleeting moment, the unfamiliar surroundings triggered a hint of alarm, but then the memory of where I was flooded back, and I relaxed.A soft smile touched my lips as I realized where I had spent the night. In Vincenzo's arms. It was a comforting thought, and I gently removed his hand that had been draped over me, careful not to disturb his peaceful slumber.Vincenzo looked different when he was asleep, so serene and undisturbed. It was a side of him that few were fortunate enough to witness.My eyes traced the contours of his face, absorbing every detail. I found myself drawn to his rough stubble, a stark contrast to the usually polished exterior he presented.My thoughts drifted, a mix of admiration and curiosity. Vincenzo had been nothing short of a perfect gentleman last night, something that both frustrated and intrigued me.A part of me wanted to shake
ANYA As Vincenzo opened the car door for me, his manners as impeccable as ever, I settled into the seat and fastened my seatbelt as instructed. I turned to face him, a question on my lips. “Where are we going?” A mischievous smirk danced across his lips. “You'll see when we get there.” That typical Vincenzo enigma, always keeping me guessing. Unable to resist, I reached for his hand once more, the connection between us feeling reassuring and comforting. I observed his profile as he drove, his features defined and captivating. His beard, which had been present earlier, was now gone, leaving behind a clean-shaven countenance that highlighted his sharp jawline. With a swift motion, he retrieved a wrapped gift from the glove compartment and handed it to me. I looked at him in surprise, the quizzical expression on my face surely evident. What was this unexpected surprise? He squirmed uncomfortably, his typic
AnyaI smiled victoriously as I stared at the woman who had thought she could flirt with my man. Her expression was a mix of horror and desperation.Turning to me, she begged with her eyes. “Please, help me change his mind. I had no idea he was the boss.”“Why should I?” I retorted, relishing in my newfound power. “Get out of my sight."She then directed her plea to Vincenzo. “Please, sir. Forgive me just this once.”“You heard her,” Vincenzo motioned towards me, his tone cold as ice. “Leave before I lose my patience.”Her eyes welled up with tears as she walked away. A sense of satisfaction washed over me. She deserved that.“Next time, be more careful about who you hire to work in my restaurant. If you can't do your job properly, I can find someone who can,” Vincenzo's gaze remained icy as he addressed the man.“I apologize, sir. I'll exercise more caution from now on,” the man stammered before retreating.The incident left me feeling oddly drained, my appetite waning. I didn't quit
ANYAAfter we finished eating, I washed the dishes while Vincenzo dried them. It was a simple domestic task, yet it felt strangely intimate.We moved to the sitting room afterward, and I found myself pleasantly surprised when he suggested watching a romance movie with me.I rested my head on his lap, savoring the comfortable closeness between us as I munched on a cup of tasteless fries.I could feel his gaze on me, our eyes meeting every now and then in unspoken understanding. It was a peaceful moment, and I felt a sense of contentment settle over me.“Anya?” His voice broke the quiet, pulling me from my thoughts.I looked up at him. “Yeah?”He took a deep breath, his eyes searching mine. “I've told you how I feel towards you. What are your feelings towards me?”A flush crept up my face, and I sat up, meeting his intense gaze. It was a question I had been both ant
VINCENZOI revelled in the sight of her, her stunning form laid out before me. My hungry eyes traced every curve of her body, unable to resist the allure she exuded.Our lips pressed together in a heated, passionate kiss, igniting the flames of desire between us. I savoured the taste of her, the way she responded to my touch, the way her fingers tangled in my hair. Her moans and whimpers spurred me on, pushing me further into a frenzy of lust.My lips blazed a trail down her belly, acknowledging the scars that told her story of survival. She was a warrior, a fighter, and her resilience only added to her irresistible allure. I couldn't help but marvel at her strength, my fingers caressing her skin gently.I removed her jeans, revealing her flawless curves and the delicate lace of her panties. Her beauty was staggering, and I couldn't help but admire the softness of her skin, the way it yielded beneath my touch. Her body was a canvas of des
VINCENZO“You feel so good…” My words were soft, a murmured confession as I pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. The aftermath of our passion was a beautiful haze, and in her presence, everything felt right.“Really? This was my first time so I am not sure if I did well.” Her voice held a hint of uncertainty, a vulnerability that tugged at my heartstrings.I turned onto my side to fully face her, my arm finding its place on her hips as my fingers continued their soothing caress along her lower back.“Why didn't you tell me this was your first time?” My curiosity was genuine, my gaze fixed on her as if trying to comprehend the depth of her emotions.Her eyes met mine, and she nibbled nervously on her lower lip before answering, “I was scared you wouldn't want to touch an inexperienced girl like me. I so much wanted you, so I couldn't tell you.”The confess
ANYAONE MONTH LATERI was incredibly excited today. I was finally going to become Anya Cassano. Since Vincenzo had asked me to marry him, I had been eagerly awaiting this day.I didn't need to call a makeup artist; I already had a professional makeup artist as my best friend. Alessia didn't allow me to see what she was doing until she was finished."You can look at yourself now," she said with an excited tone. With a shaky smile, I turned to the mirror and stared at my reflection.I gasped when I saw myself. I had never known that I could look this beautiful. One thing that stood out was my hair, which was packed into a low bun. White flowers were pinned around my hair, and an elegant crystal tiara graced my head.I looked at my face; shimmery mascara accentuated my eyes. She hadn't used false lashes but had simply applied mascara.The foundation matched my skin tone perfectly, and she had chosen a m
ANYATHREE MONTHS LATERI woke up with an uneasy feeling in my lower abdomen. My stomach tightened, and I moved around the room, trying to ease the discomfort.As I shifted, a sudden, sharp pain shot through me, causing my eyes to widen in alarm. My hand instinctively went to my belly, feeling the tension there. Oh, no. It couldn't be...The sensation of wetness between my legs confirmed my fears. My water had broken. Panic fluttered in my chest as I rushed to the bathroom, managing to keep my composure despite the urgency of the situation. I took a quick shower, changed into fresh clothes, and tied my hair up in a bun.Walking carefully, I made my way outside. The pain in my belly seemed to intensify, and I winced, my hand cradling the growing life inside me.Downstairs, everyone was gathered in the living room. Alessia, Cosima, and Blanca were sewing tiny clothes for my soon-to-arrive little angel. We had
VINCENZOFor days, I continued this silent vigil, finding solace in the mere sight of her presence. It wasn't easy to hold myself back, to resist the urge to wake her up and hold her in my arms. But I knew I needed time to heal, both physically and emotionally, before I could be the man she deserved.And then, after a week of watching and waiting, I finally decided that it was time. It was time to step out of the shadows and reveal myself to her once again.My heart clenched at the sight I met – my sweet angel was trapped in a nightmare, and this time, it was because of me. Her forehead was creased with worry, and tears streamed down her cheeks as she cried out in her sleep.I moved to her side swiftly, my heart aching at her distress. Gently, I shook her, trying to rouse her from the torment of her dream. Gradually, her eyes fluttered open, and she looked at me with a mixture of confusion and hope. She couldn't quite see me, yet.
VINCENZOI ended up staying in Emiliano's house for several days. It was a respite from the constant turmoil, a space where I could heal and gather my strength.He was not behind the kidnappings. Once I had regained a modicum of strength, Emiliano and I returned to the place where I had been held captive, and I found out that it was Maksim that was behind everything.Emiliano was angry but my anger burned hotter than ever. I was so full of rage towards Maksim. I took him to Emiliano's basement and tortured him in ways that vengeance itself couldn't even comprehend. The pain he experienced was but a fraction of the torment he had put me through. Finally, when I had sated my fury, I ended his life.Following that grim resolution, I ventured to Russia. I systematically dismantled every element connected to Maksim, eliminating threats, and imposing the Italians' dominance over the Russians.Once I was assured that the danger had been n
VINCENZORage nearly consumed me. Their games were becoming increasingly infuriating. I was sick and tired of their mindless attempts to break me. But I couldn't let their taunts get to me. I had to hold on, for Anya, for our unborn child.After the last brutal session of torture, they brought me to a doctor. As my body gradually healed, a sliver of hope ignited within me. I saw an opportunity to escape, to fight back. In my weakened state, I attempted to run, to break free from this wretched place.But it was futile; I hadn't regained my strength and they swiftly captured me again. Their retribution was swift and merciless, a stark reminder of my vulnerability.I had lost track of time, days blending into each other in this grim captivity. My family, my loved ones, must believe I'm dead by now. The thought of Anya grieving, thinking I was gone forever, was more painful than any physical torture they could inflict.Now, I found mys
ANYADays turned into weeks, each passing day a painful reminder of his absence. My heart ached incessantly, yearning for him. My baby bump had grown noticeably, a constant reminder of the life growing within me.I wished he could witness this journey, be by my side to share in the anticipation and joy.I had exhausted every avenue in my pursuit to bring him back. My visits to Emiliano's house proved futile, met with his adamant refusal to help. He had even turned me away during my last attempt, his rejection a heavy blow to my hopes.Sometimes, the doubt would creep in – what if Vincenzo wasn't really alive? Why would he stay away for so long?The pain of his absence was almost too much to bear, my world feeling incomplete without him. I was living day to day, finding solace only in the life growing within me.Alessia's persistence wouldn't allow me to wallow in my sorrow. Reluctantly, I got up from the bed and headed
ANYAIt had been three months since we discovered that Vincenzo was still alive, and despite our best efforts, his whereabouts remained a mystery. Every day, his absence weighed heavily on my heart, and the longing to see his face again was a constant ache.The presence of our growing baby was the only thing that anchored me, preventing me from completely succumbing to despair. Nights were the hardest – the loneliness and grief seemed to intensify when the world was cloaked in darkness.I spent most of my time in the penthouse. It held memories of our time together, a place where our connection had deepened. It was where I saw him at his most vulnerable, and it was there that he touched my heart in ways I couldn't explain.The search for him consumed me, but no matter how hard I tried, his trail remained elusive.Standing before the mirror, I took in my reflection. My baby bump was gradually becoming more pronounced, a sign o
VINCENZOTHREE MONTHS LATERPain was all I could feel, a relentless ache that seemed to infiltrate every fiber of my being. The torment I endured was beyond anything I'd experienced before. Days melded into nights, a haze of suffering that blurred my sense of time.My body was a canvas of bruises, each one telling a story of brutality and torment. Dried blood streaked my arms and legs, a gruesome testament to the violence inflicted upon me. Nausea gnawed at my stomach, a constant companion in this hellish ordeal.I struggled to piece together the events that had led me here, to this nightmarish existence. The memories were fragmented, like shards of glass in my mind. One moment, I was driving, the world spinning around me. And then, I woke up in this wretched place – a grimy, dimly lit room that reeked of despair.The people responsible for my captivity were shrouded in masks that concealed their identities.
ANYAIn the days that followed, I worked on keeping that promise. I embraced the waves of sorrow when they came, allowing myself to grieve, but also learning to balance it with moments of self-care and determination.I had made a pact with myself – to ensure that our child knew about the incredible man who had filled my life with love. I would weave his memories into the fabric of our child's life, ensuring that Vincenzo would always be present in some way.But alongside the grief and the determination to honor his memory, there was a growing fire within me. A thirst for justice. Vincenzo's death had to be avenged. I was done with being a vulnerable pawn that others could exploit. I wanted answers, and I wanted those responsible to pay.And that began with finding Matteo. I needed to know where Vincenzo's body was laid to rest, to bid my final farewell. I searched for him, questioning everyone I could, until I finally found him down