LEONARDO'S POVIt's been a while since I visited our family home, ever since Nonna passed away. The mansion was written off in my brother's name and for good reasons. He was a married man now, which meant he had one more responsibility placed on his shoulders.And I spotted that responsibility reading a book on the sofa. I couldn't help but notice how different she was from Rosalina even though they shared the same genes. Lilliana was like a shining light, always sticking to the rules and embracing her responsibilities, while Rosalina was the mischievous wildfire, constantly pushing limits and questioning those in charge.I could see why Enzo would choose her. She was everything she was looking for in a woman. She would be the perfect wife who would never question his decisions.I quietly made my way toward Lilliana. She was so engrossed in her book that she didn't notice me approaching. Just as I was about to reach her, I let out a sudden, exaggerated gasp. "Boo!" I exclaimed, my voi
[TRIGGER WARNING: Violence ahead.]LEONARDO'S POVI descended into the dimly lit basement of the nightclub, a stale odor of spilled beer and musty dampness filled the air. The flickering fluorescent lights cast eerie shadows dancing against the graffiti-covered walls. The sound of muffled music from the dancefloor above vibrated through the floorboards, creating a disorienting cacophony. Enzo stood in the center of the room with his eyes fixed on a figure huddled in the corner. Carlo, his consigliere stood beside him with his arms behind his back, his bald head shining under the light."We caught the rat," Carlo said as he turned his head at me. "We needed some information, but this rat is one stubborn son of a bitch."With every stride, I sensed the eagerness sizzling in the atmosphere, a shiver of exhilaration running through my blood. Tonight was going to be a different kind of interrogation, and I was ready to take the reins."Let me be the bad cop this time," I declared. Enzo l
ROSALINA'S POVI nervously adjusted my pale pink leotard as I stood outside the bustling auditorium. The New York Ballet Company was renowned, and this audition could potentially make or break my dance career. I took steady breaths, attempting to calm my racing heart and looked around the sea of confident dancers. Among them was a girl with her hair pulled up in a sleek and secure bun. I had always been envious of blondes and redheads because brunettes felt too ordinary even if I was brunette myself. The girl was pretty, with bright blue eyes and freckles feathered across her pale face.Spotting an opportunity to break the tension, I walked up to her and flashed a friendly smile. "Hi, I'm Rosalina," I introduced myself, extending a hand.She shook it firmly. "Liora.""Liora? That's a unique name," I commented, trying to strike up a conversation to ease my jittery nerves. Up close, I noticed she was a lot shorter than me, and for some reason, that detail made me feel even more self-co
ROSALINA'S POVA wave of relief washed over me as Mr. Bennett announced my name. This was it, my chance to be a part of the New York Ballet Company. I couldn't help but glance over at Liora, hoping to catch a glimpse of her reaction. But her face remained impassive, giving nothing away. How odd. She gave the most authentic-looking expression on stage, but off-stage, she was an ice-queen."Congratulations, Liora," I said.She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Thank you," she replied curtly, almost as if she was disappointed. "You were really good up there," she commented, almost grudgingly."Thanks," I replied, trying to keep the conversation light. "You were incredible too. Your performance was so... gripping. It was hard to take one's eyes off you," It was true. Liora had the elegance in her which I clearly lacked. I ought to aspire to be that cool, feminine part of me and Liora was her.She subtly rolled her eyes, seemingly dismissing the praise. "Yeah, well, we'll see what Mr.
ROSALINA'S POVStepping out of the car, I found myself immersed in the lively atmosphere of Manhattan's busy streets. The constant honking of taxis, the animated conversations of passersby, and the enticing scent of freshly brewed coffee wafting from nearby cafes enveloped me. The vibrancy and liveliness of this city was a stark contrast to the less chaotic streets of Brooklyn that had become my norm.I followed Sebastian, as he led the way towards my new apartment. Tall buildings loomed overhead, their glass facades reflecting the golden rays of the sun, which seemed to illuminate every inch of this concrete jungle.Carrying a few boxes in my arms, I marveled at the diversity of people passing by. It was a melting pot of cultures, each person with their unique style and story. Amidst the sea of strangers, I felt a sense of belonging, a sense that I, too, could find my place in this vast metropolis.When we reached my new apartment building, Sebastian held the door open for me and I e
ROSALINA'S POVAlright. I was done unpacking my stuff. At least most it.I wiped a bead of sweat from my forehead as I examined my new room. It was considerably big for a single person and I was satisfied with the settings. Although I did miss my pink heaven back in my home in Brooklyn, I had no objections to adjusting myself to my new room. It just needed a few Barbie posters and pink bed-sheets would do to bring that girly flair to my bed.After plugging my phone to charge, I decided to turn on the radio to fill the room with some lively tunes. I sauntered around my new room, my favorite pop song came blasting through the speakers. It was the latest and trending hit, "Good 4 U" by Olivia Rodrigo. The catchy beats and angsty lyrics filled the air, instantly energizing me and putting a smile on my face. I couldn't help but sing along as I continued exploring my new space, dancing to the infectious rhythm. My throat was parched from all the heavy unpacking, so I opened the fridge and
ROSALINA'S POVI shouldn't feel so relieved to find out that Leonardo hadn't actually slept with my best friend, but I did. What I couldn't comprehend was why Leonardo would lie about having been intimate with Selena. Although they technically spent the night together, they didn't actually go all the way. Damn it, why do I even care at this point? Leonardo and I could never be a thing.Plus, I wasn't planning to unblock him anytime soon. Because of pride.I resumed sorting through my belongings, deciding where to place them in the room. I carefully arranged my clothes in the closet, hanging them up neatly and organizing them by color. Some of my dresses were still a bit wrinkled from the move, so I made a mental note to iron them later.Next, I tackled my collection of shoes, carefully placing them in a shoe rack near the door. I had quite a weakness for cute sneakers and heels, and my collection seemed to have grown larger over the years.My Barbie posters were still in a box, and I
ROSALINA'S POVI knew I was late, and that wasn't a good start for my first day. I tried to shake off my earlier misadventure in the elevator and focused on the task at hand. I entered the ballet studio, feeling the eyes of my fellow dancers on me as I hurried in, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. The studio was filled with the delicate scent of rosin and the soft sound of classical music playing in the background.Liora was already in the studio, stretching silently in the corner. She glanced at me briefly, her red hair pulled up in a tight bun as usual, before returning to her stretches.I hurried to the dressing room, grateful that I had my ballet attire in my bag. I quickly changed out of my sneakers and slipped into a pair of satin pink ballet shoes. I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, adjusting the bun on my head to ensure it was neat and secure.As I stepped out of the dressing room, I saw Mr. Bennett, the director, speaking with a couple of dancers near the barr