ROSALINA'S POV It seemed like ages since I soaked up the once accustomed scent of leather and faint traces of Sebas's cologne, sitting in the passenger's seat—the smooth, cool surface beneath my fingertips."Yes, Signora, I've picked her up. She'll be home soon; you have nothing to worry about."Seeing Sebas softly comforting my Nonna made my chest tighten. This was how Sebastian spoke to Nonna, expressing care for her as if she were family, while the irony was that it was my family who made him take his brother's life, the only family he had left. It was hard for me to believe he didn't hold any grudges against us.Against ME.Because all that warmth ceased to exist as soon as he hung up the call. He shot me a look, showing me how pissed off he was about all I was up to behind his back. Sebastian only showed this mean, bitter side of his to me, and it was his most authentic self. At least I didn't get the charade that the rest of the world sees. I saw Sebastian for who he was."Yo
ROSALINA'S POVOne year.Just have one year to prove myself.To seal my faith. "So tell me about him."Shaking myself off my self-sabotaging thoughts, I frowned at Nonna in skepticism. "Who?""Oh, you know who I am talking about!" Nonna exclaimed, stirring the pot of hot chicken stew for tonight's dinner with the wooden spatula she used for more than just cooking. I still get flashbacks looking at it. Unsure, I gulped. "Leo?""Of course, I'm talking about Elena's favorite grandson!" Nonna's eyes lit up like she just bought a long-lost family member whom she shared fond memories with. "How do you know he's the favourite," I asked. A nostalgic smile made the corner of her mouth wrinkle deep. "She used to talk about what a sweet boy he was."YEAH, sweet as a belladonna. Leonardo's charm was that he was too good at showing off his warmth. It made him shine like the sun, making you want to bask in its golden light, but the closer you get, you risk getting burned to dust. I knew for a
ROSALINA'S POVWhen it came to rude interruptions at the most inconvenient timing, my cousin Isabella was the reigning champion. I hissed at the loud banging on the door, which made me want to scream my lungs out. My skin turned red with a different emotion this time--piping-hot anger. "Go hide inside the bathroom! Now!" I pulled Leo's arm to get him out of my bed, which was as effective as trying to move a boulder with a feather. "Leo! Stop laughing and GO!" "Alright, alright," He got off my bed, throwing me a flirty wink over his shoulder, tickling my humor out of the pile of frustration Isabella's persistent knock at my door put me in. "Rose! Open up! Why are you taking so LONG!""I'm changing!""Then let me in!"Why this little...I swung the door open, shooting Isabella a glare that could melt steel. "What's your emergency, Izzy? World-ending crisis or just your usual dramatic entrance?"She fluttered her lashes at me, seemingly unfazed. "Important? What could be more importan
ROSALINA'S POVHis laughter rumbled throughout my Barbie-pink room, he was caught off guard by my sudden attack. I clasped his mouth, making a loud 'shushhh'. I didn't want his deep voice to draw anyone to my room, especially my annoying cousins.He retaliated by trying to tickle my sides, but I squirmed and wriggled, using my agility to evade his playful advances. I managed to grab a nearby pillow and threw it onto his face. Leo mumbled something under his breath, probably how he was going to spank my ass red when he catches me. Oh no, you don't! I turned to my heels to flee.My breath hitched as Leo's strong arms caught me mid-escape and hauled me to his lap, flipping me to my stomach. His breath brushed against my ear as he whispered, "Where do you think you're going, huh?"I struggled, pretending to put up a fight, but his firm grip only tightened. That predatory look on his face held a promising game I was eager to play. Eyes locking onto his, I smirked. "Maybe I like a little
ROSALINA'S POVWhere are my white shoes!" I yelled, my voice echoing through the marble-floored hallway of our massive mansion. The clock was ticking, and Nonna was getting more impatient by the second.Frantically searching through my closet, I muttered to myself, "In a house this big, my shoes decide to play hide and seek. Classic."The dress, a soft pink and white A-line beauty, lay elegantly on the bed, patiently awaiting its footwear companion. My cousin Isabella waltzed into the room, dressed like a time-traveling fashionista from the '70s, bellbottoms swaying with each step. I shot her a sarcastic grin."Nice time capsule you got there, Isabella. Did you borrow those bellbottoms from Nonna's secret stash?"Isabella giggled, "No, silly. I found them in the attic. They're super cool, right?"I rolled my eyes, "Cool, sure. But seriously, have you seen my white block heels anywhere? I need them to complete my ensemble."Isabella scratched her head, her brown curls bouncing. "Um, no
LEONARDO'S POV"You know, Sasha, I'm thinking of making her mine."Sasha crossed her heart. "Ridicolo! Matteo Russo would never agree to another alliance!" I leaned in, lowering my voice to a conspiratorial whisper, "Ah, but you haven't seen the full extent of my charm. I can be quite convincing."She harumphed. "You can't charm a cranky old man."What's the harm in trying?Other than risking a bullet through my heart.As the priest droned on about repentance and salvation, my mind couldn't help but wander back to the captivating Russo. Her presence disrupted the solemnity of the church, injecting a dose of vibrant energy. My eyesight remained fixated on her, like a moth drawn to the flame.Sasha shot me another scowl, probably sensing the thoughts running through my mind. But hey, a man can appreciate art, right? And in my book, Rosalina was a masterpiece.As the choir sang hymns, I continued my subtle game of eye contact with Rosalina. The pink and white dress clung to her in all t
LEONARDO'S POV"No." No?Anger rumbled like distant thunder, gradually getting louder until it exploded in a deafening roar. Grabbing her elbow, I dragged her down the aisle, our footsteps resonating through the sacred quietness of the church, followed by Sasha's gasp. "Leonardo!" "Let go of me!" Rosalina tried to tear away from me, but my grip only constricted around her, cutting off her protests.Let go? NEVER. If I was going to end up in hell, I would drag her with me.The hefty wooden doors creaked open, revealing the blinding sunlight outside. As we stepped into the brightness of the courtyard, the cool breeze and the distant sounds of the city greeted us."You're hurting me!" My steps faltered, the reality of my actions sinking in. The chill breeze that had once seemed refreshing now carried the bitter bite of remorse. Slowly, I released her frail elbow, my fingers uncurling as I let her go. Rosalina stumbled back, rubbing her arm where my grip had left an unintentional mark
My ballet instructor Madam Marisha used to say, that love is a beautifully tragic dance, where every step is a delicate balance between ecstasy and the agony of a thousand heartbreaks.I debauched in the ecstasy that love granted me, it was blinding, passionate, kind...It was everything I missed in life. But I wasn't ready for the heartbreak, a sudden pirouette that spun me into the dark abyss, where the music of love abruptly changed its tune, and the once graceful movements became a chaotic choreography of misery, leaving me stumbling on a stage of shattered promises.This... pain of separation. It resonated with the one I had eighteen years ago when I was five. When my life took the most tragic turn. ***ROSALINA'S POV(5 years old) "Who is he?!"The vicious roar rattled my little body with fear, freezing my sock-clad feet that stood just outside my parent's bedroom door. Cold perspiration prodded out of my pale skin like little poison syringes of dead. With my breath caught i