"Liam has been looking your way all evening, are you guys fighting?" Odette asks."When are we not?" I chuckle awkwardly.He pisses me off most of the time, to be honest."What did he do this time?" She asks, genuinely intrigued.I shrug, "Nothing worse than before."She laughs and I join her.Out of curiosity, I can't help but ask, "What was his name?""Julian, if you're talking about my bodyguard, now ex-bodyguard," she smiles softly."What was it like?" I peer."Bliss, anger, passion, fear for what the future holds, altogether, it wasn't a bad experience," she reminisces, her face lights up.I nod and urge her to go on, "Talking about it might make you feel better.""He...he was assigned to me about two years ago. I hated having bodyguards, so, when my dad got rid of my former one, I thought that was it, because, I was free for a while. Julian was too serious, he took his job too seriously," she laughs."So, it was hard coming to terms with him, he was too damn stubborn, but, it tu
"What were you thinking?" Emma asks, still pressing on even after I told her I don't want to talk.I keep her silent throughout the whole ride, even in the helicopter, on the way back to the Hotel in Bora Bora.She eventually stops asking and I hate to admit, I'm glad.I'm glad because I also don't know why I reacted like that, because of something he said about her.The asshole was proud, satisfied with my reaction, that's what he wanted and I gave it to him. I've always hated that motherfucker, and I always will, I'll never believe a word that comes from that fucker's mouth.Fucking piece of shit.At the hotel, Emma doesn't stop at her door, rather she keeps following me."Emma," I warn. "Not now.""Bullshit, I won't leave till you tell me what's going on," she insists.Sometimes I forget how bullheaded she is.I ignore her and open my room with the key card, she comes in after me and I turn to face her."It's been a long evening, we both should get some rest," I suggest.She shakes
Liam and I decided to leave early, not staying for the last day and event of the Summer Soiree. I'm glad we made that decision, there was too much toxicity around.Now, back home, our plan to teach Marco and Serena a lesson begins to unfold. Is it safe to admit that I'm enjoying this and it feels like we're getting along? Like partners in crime? Perhaps that's the best type of relationship for us."What are you thinking about?" Liam asks, pulling me out of my thoughts."Nothing," I lie, trying to suppress a small smile creeping up my face."Anyway, I've pulled some strings with the investors I sought out, I used some blackmailing methods of course." He sips from his glass of wine, "I am my mother's son after all."I choke on my rice, that's funny, coming from him."I'm sorry," I apologize and wipe my mouth with a napkin after coughing into it."I just didn't expect you to have a sense of humor, that's all," I admit.He tilts his head, "Just being honest, sometimes, although it's a pai
She doesn't know about the plan I have for Serena. I've gotten some incriminating evidence that will pull Serena down for good, her pompous father, for a while maybe, or as long as I need it to to teach them a lesson.But, it may jeopardize Emma's newfound friendship with Odette, a friendship that seems to have blossomed too fast, and unexpectedly at that.But, Serena's downfall is a priority to her, one she's always wanted, it's obvious she detests her a lot, so maybe she'll come to accept my plan.I sigh into the steering wheel.Where am I driving to?The care center, to see Emma's mother. Yes, I know.I feel like a dutiful son-in-law, the backseat is filled with flowers and a gift basket.But, this is nothing too special. Regardless, she's still my mother-in-law, so I have to play the part. Although I take care of everything, a visit would tick off any suspicions.So, I step on the gas before I regret my decision."Sir," I am greeted by some of the staff who recognize me. Some movi
I agreed to this, so why does my heart still beat like this?Odette is my…friend, I guess. She has gone through some recent misfortune, but there's no guarantee that this could add to her catastrophe.I look like a fancy French mademoiselle. I even have fur draped over my shoulders, my hair styled by one of the best, in a pixie kinda do, encrusted with real rubies.Liam took my appearance tonight to the extreme, and, yes, I'm wearing red. There was no other color to choose from anyway. I was presented with five options, all red, and although what I had on wasn't my initial choice, the V-cut open-back dress suited me better, according to my stylist, Alberta Ferretti.Yes, I was styled by Alberta, the Alberta Ferretti, a prominent face of European fashion. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd ever meet her, not even be styled by her."You look elegant," Liam complements the moment our limo arrives at the destination.I give him a small smile, "Thank you."It's too late to change p
I didn't have to come to Marco, the arrogant asshole made his way to me instead. I conceal my small smile by raising my glass to my lips, oh, I hope I'll be able to hold my laugh when he hears the news. "Surprised to see you here," he begins, flashing me his Cassanova smile. I cringe internally at the sight of it. "I thought this wasn't your kind of event," he finishes. "You're right," I admit. "But, I have to be by my husband's side." "You two get along now huh?" He hints at an obvious poke to see if Liam told me about what triggered the event of late between them. "We just fight less, a called for a truce of some sort," I moderate. He says, "I guess nothing is impossible." I laugh softly, "So, you and Serena? What's that about?" I can't help but ask. "It's something alright. I enjoy her company, as she does mine," he glances at Serena, who's glued to her father's side like a kid to their parent in the mall on Christmas morning. I smirk, he thinks I'm some fool. Regardless
I feel terrible, gut-wrenched.Is this how it feels to betray someone you care about?Odette isn't picking up any of my calls, or replying to any of my messages, and I have no one to blame but myself.Yes, indeed, I didn't expect the write-ups to be so cruel and equally criticize her, opening up a wound that was starting to heal.There's only one way to fix this, so I head to Liam's study and knock."Come in," he says and I open the door.He's wearing his glasses, looking ridiculously handsome and almost distracting me from what I have to say."Any problem?" He asks, his voice edged with a tint of sass and impatience."Take the article down, all the ones talking about Serena and Jeanne," I try to sound firm.He clears his throat, looking at me squarely."Please," I add.He takes off his glasses and places them down on the desk, "I can't do that.""Why not?""Because Emma, the damage has been done," he spells."Fine, if the damage has been done then just take them down, right?" I reaso
I predicted this, so when I heard from my assistant, James, that Marco was insisting on an urgent visit, I let him in.Now, he's seated in front of me, tapping his foot relentlessly, while I wait for him to have his first word.He needs a shave, he has a rough-looking stubble scattered across his chin, his hair is ruffled, his eyes red, and two of his buttons are undone. He didn't even bother to put on a tie, and he smelled slightly of alcohol.A good businessman always has his shit together, regardless. This just proves how incompetent he is, he's reckless, a sore loser, and had everything handed over to him.But not this time, the damage I made will be irreparable for a while. If only Emma were here to see this.He opens his mouth to speak, then rubs his chin instead and continues with the ceaseless foot tapping."Get to the point Mr. Giovanni, I have a meeting soon," I lie.I don't.I'm hardly busy these days, everything is going smoothly. I only came to the office these past two d
I glance at the clock and my heart starts racing. I'm late."Okay, stop fussing!" I scold my bridesmaids, but I can't help the nervous laugh that escapes my lips as Gia fluffs my veil for the third time. Natasha is running around, making sure every single detail is perfect, while Odette is already dressed and helping the makeup artist add the final touches to my lips.And then there's Rob. He's pacing back and forth, muttering under his breath, "You're going to be late for your wedding, Emma. Of course, you are. I knew it. I knew this would happen!""Rob," I groan, rolling my eyes. "You're not helping!"He stops pacing and dramatically places his hands on his hips, his eyes full of fake indignation. "Excuse me, darling. Who has been by your side through every single dress fitting, cake tasting, and meltdown?"I chuckled despite myself, the tension easing just a little. "I love you, Rob.""Yeah, yeah, yeah," he mutters, coming over to adjust my gown. "But seriously, we need to get movi
The darkness is heavy, but slowly, painfully, it starts to lift. I feel a strange tug in my chest, and I'm aware of the beeping sounds, the sterile scent of the hospital filling the air around me. My eyes flutter open, and the brightness of the room stings my vision. It takes a few moments for everything to come into focus.Where… where am I?"Liam?" A soft voice calls out to me, and when I blink again, I see Lilian, Emma's mother, standing by my bedside, her eyes wet with tears. "Oh my God, you're awake."I try to speak, but my throat feels like it's on fire. Instead, I groan, my hand instinctively reaching out to grasp hers. Lilian smiles through her tears, gently squeezing my hand."You've been in a coma, sweetheart," she says softly. "For a while now. But don't worry, you're okay. You're going to be okay." Her smile wavers for a moment before she adds, "Emma… she's at the station with your mother, confronting Serena. But she's fine. She's been by your side every day."My mind race
The silence in the room is deafening. Isabella stands before us, her posture rigid, her hands clasped together tightly as if she's holding on to a secret too heavy to bear. My mom and I sit across from her, the tension thick between us, suffocating."There's something you both need to know," Isabella begins, her voice wavering slightly. I glance at my mom, who looks pale, her fingers tightly gripping the arms of the chair. "I've held onto this for years, but it's time you hear the truth. About Enzo."At the mention of my father's name, my heart skips a beat. I feel my stomach churn as I wait for her to continue. Isabella takes a deep breath, then says the words that make my world tilt off its axis."I knew him."The words hang in the air like a weight, pressing down on me. My mom's face pales even more, her lips trembling as she absorbs the shock of the revelation. Isabella presses on, her eyes filled with a mixture of shame and regret."Enzo and I… we had an affair."The room goes co
The beeping of the heart monitor is the first thing I hear, steady and rhythmic, pulling me from the darkness that has consumed me. My body feels heavy like I'm being held down by invisible weights, and there's a dull ache spreading across my chest and limbs. The sterile smell of the hospital fills my nostrils, and it takes a moment for me to remember where I am.I blinked, squinting against the harsh fluorescent light above, trying to make sense of my surroundings. As my vision clears, I notice my mom, slumped over in a chair next to me, her head resting on her crossed arms, fast asleep. Her face looks worn, more tired than I've ever seen her.I try to sit up, but a sharp pain shoots through my ribs, forcing me to wince. The memories hit me all at once—the truck, the crash, Liam's bloodied face. Panic rises in my chest, and I gasp, "Liam."My voice is weak, barely more than a croak, but it's enough to wake my mom. Her head snaps up, her eyes widening as she sees me. "Emma!" she cries
We're curled up on the couch, the flicker of the fireplace casting warm shadows on the walls. Liam has been quiet all evening, his usual playful mood replaced by a somberness I haven't seen before. I know something's wrong. The weight of his silence presses down on me, but I don't want to push him, not yet.Eventually, he breaks the silence."Emma," he says quietly, his voice strained. His eyes are red and teary, and my heart aches just seeing him like this. "We need to talk."I sit up, my chest tightening. "Liam, what's going on? You're scaring me."He doesn't look at me, his gaze fixed on the fire. His hands tremble, and I gently place mine over his, trying to calm him, to let him know I'm here, whatever it is."I'm a monster," he whispers, his voice breaking. "I've done terrible things, Emma. Things I can't undo."I freeze, my heart hammering in my chest. "Liam, what are you talking about? You're not a monster."He shakes his head, his eyes squeezed shut as if the memories are too
I lean back in my office chair, glancing out of the large windows that overlook the city humming with life. It's been a perfect week, just me and Emma, no distractions, no obligations. We've spent our days exploring the city, enjoying quiet dinners by candlelight, and getting lost in each other's company. For the first time in a long while, I felt completely at peace.But now, it's back to reality. Back to work. And as much as I hate to admit it, the tension in the air is thick. I've barely been at my desk for half an hour when my mother storms into the office, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floors. Right behind her, Serena follows with a face full of barely contained rage. Great. Just the pair I didn't want to see today."Liam!" my mother snaps, her voice slicing through the silence of the room. "We need to talk."I sit up, bracing myself. I knew this was coming. Ever since Emma returned, I've been waiting for the inevitable confrontation. My mother never approved of E
I step off the plane, my heart racing with excitement and nerves. It's been months since I last set foot in Italy, and the anticipation of seeing Liam again has my stomach in knots. He thinks I'm arriving tomorrow, but I can't wait. My internship is officially over, and now I'm here, ready to surprise him.Odette is waiting for me just outside baggage claim, her signature oversized sunglasses perched on her head, and a wide grin stretching across her face. Beside her, Natasha and Gia are waving excitedly, their energy contagious. The second I step through the doors, I'm swept into a whirlwind of hugs, laughter, and excited chatter."Girl, you look amazing!" Gia says, her eyes sparkling as she gives me a once-over. "Internship did wonders for you.""I agree," Natasha adds, her arm looped through mine as we start walking toward the car. "Liam is going to lose his mind when he sees you."Odette, always the ringleader of the group, claps her hands together. "Alright, ladies. Time to make
The phone rings, and Emma's name lights up the screen. My heart skips a beat. I pick up, trying to keep my voice steady, but as soon as I hear her voice, soft and warm, I feel a smile tugging at my lips."Hey," she says, and I can hear the smile in her voice too. "I just got the flowers. A hundred roses, Liam? Really?"I chuckle, leaning back in my chair. "Too much?""No," she says quickly, a slight laugh in her tone. "It was perfect. You know, everyone at work is completely jealous. Rob hasn't stopped squealing since they arrived.""I'm glad you liked them," I say, feeling the tension in my chest loosen a little. "I wasn't sure if a hundred was over the top, but... I needed you to know how serious I am.""I know," she says softly. "And I love them. They're beautiful."There's a pause, a comfortable silence settling between us. I close my eyes, just listening to her breathe on the other end of the line. Even through the phone, the connection between us feels so strong, so real. It's h
Monday hits me like a freight train. After a long, emotionally charged weekend, the idea of being back at work feels surreal. I sit at my desk, staring blankly at the computer screen in front of me, barely registering the flurry of emails that have piled up in my inbox. My body is here, but my mind is still somewhere else—somewhere between the memory of Liam's arms wrapped around me and the question that's been gnawing at me since we parted: 'Should I go with him?'Italy. Home. The idea stirs something deep inside me. I miss it—the warm cobblestone streets, the smell of my mom's hair, the laughter of my friends. But this internship is my dream. It's everything I've worked for, and it's not over yet. This is my life now. But, God, it's hard not to wonder what it would be like to be with Liam every day, no distance, no uncertainties. Just us."Okay, spill."Rob's voice breaks through my thoughts, snapping me back to reality. He's leaning against my desk, arms crossed, his eyes alight wi