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2024-10-29 19:42:56Kaugnay na kabanata
The Alliance Sister-in-law
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
The Alliance Bad cop
[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
The Alliance Audition
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
The Alliance Ice Queen
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.
The Alliance New Home
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
The Alliance Video call
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
The Alliance Late!
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
The Alliance Weak link
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
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The Alliance Epilogue 2
5 YEARS LATER... LEONARDO'S POV I reclined in one of Enzo's plush office chairs, half listening to my cousins drone on about business. My gaze landed on Enzo's hands as he gesticulated, and I had to bite my cheek to keep from laughing. His nails were painted a glittery pink and decorated with Hello Kitty stickers. When he caught me staring, Enzo shrugged. "Gigi ambushed me this morning." "Daddy-daughter time looks good on you, brother," I teased. Enzo shot me a wry look. "We'll see how you handle it when your little hellion grows up." I chuckled thinking about my spirited son. "Adriano keeps things exciting, for sure. Just yesterday he finger-painted a mural on his bedroom wall using Rosalina's lipstick." My cousins howled. "Takes after his old man," Luca said. "In all the best and worst ways," I agreed. Right on cue, my cell phone rang. I didn't have to check the caller ID to know it was Adriano's teacher. "That'll be Mrs. Dawson now. Let me guess - he set off stink bombs in
The Alliance Epilogue one
LEONARDO'S POV(A few months later...)A piercing cry split the night air. I groaned, clinging to the last remnants of a pleasant dream as little Adriano's wails persisted."Your son is awake," I mumbled, still half asleep.Rosalina stirred slightly. "Before sunrise, he's your son," she quipped drowsily.I chuckled at the familiar Lion King quote, then dragged myself reluctantly from the warm bed. I shuffled over to the crib and gently lifted my bawling son into my arms. We had named him Adriano, after Rosalina's father."Shhh Adriano, go back to sleep," I soothed, rocking him gently. His tiny mouth rooted hungrily at my chest, latching onto my nipple. I winced. "Wrong nipple, buddy."I retrieved one of the bottles of breast milk Rosa had pumped earlier and offered it to Adriano. He sucked greedily, his cries subsiding as I held him close. I smiled down at my son, my heart swelling with love and pride. He had his mother's beautiful hazel eyes and my strong Salvadori nose and chin.I
The Alliance Just married!
ROSALINA'S POV I stared at my reflection, scarcely recognizing the radiant bride smiling back. The strapless gown hugged my body perfectly, the pink floral accents on the skirt matching my rose tiara."Oh, you look absolutely beautiful!" Lily dabbed at her eyes as she helped me smooth the skirt.I couldn't stop smiling, joy bubbling inside me. After everything, this day had finally come - my wedding day! My Nonna stepped forward, clasping my hands warmly. "Stellina, I'm so happy for you. You chose well, my dear. That boy loves you with his whole heart."I embraced Nonna tightly. "Thank you. For understanding, and supporting us." She stroked my hair lovingly. "Always, il mio tesoro."A loud commotion outside made us glance at the door. I heard Leo's voice rising insistently."Let me see my wife, damn it!"Isabella shot me a bemused look. "Somebody's impatient to get this show on the road."I laughed softly. Trust Leo to toss tradition aside. My heart swelled with love for my soon-to
The Alliance Mother
ROSALINA'S POVI clutched the address in my hand, the edges creased and worn from the countless times I'd unfolded it. Antonella DiMarco - the stranger who used to be my mother. "You sure about this, babe? No one would blame you if-""I'm sure," I cut him off, my voice tight. "I gotta do this, Leo. I can't..." My throat closed up for a moment. "I can't move on until I look her in the eye and get some damn answers."He nodded slowly, jaw tight. I could practically hear the argument raging in his head about why this was a bad idea. But one glance at my expression and he just sighed, holding out his hand.I shifted in my seat, trying to ignore the growing pressure in my bladder. The sun was starting to set, casting an orange glow across the desert landscape blurring past. Leo kept his eyes fixed on the road, one hand resting gently on my knee in silent support.I knew I should've gone to the bathroom again before we left the last rest stop an hour ago. But nerves had killed my appetit
The Alliance Revelations
LEONARDO'S POVThe dank basement reeked of blood and fear. My uncle Giovanni was tied to a chair, swollen and battered from the beating he had gotten. But I felt no pity for the traitor.My cousin Luca's eyes were wild with grief. Losing his twin Lucio had destroyed him. Now seeing his father Giovanni revealed as a turncoat was the last straw."Alright, talk," I said coldly to Giovanni. "Spill why you teamed up with Andrae against your own family."When Giovanni stayed silent, Alessio slammed a fist into his gut. Giovanni wheezed in pain as Luca flinched, choking back a sob."Last chance," I said casually as Giovanni fought for breath. "Give me the details, then you get a quick death for ratting out the family."Fear flashed in Giovanni's eyes. He started rambling about how Andrae had approached him and offered control of the family if Giovanni helped kill my brother."Lies!" Giovanni cried desperately. "He used me! I never wanted Vincenzo dead, you gotta believe me!"Disgust roiled t
The Alliance Ares and Aphrodite
LILLINA'S POVI cradled Enzo's limp hand in both of mine, pressing fervent kisses to his chilled fingers. The steady beep of the heart monitor was my lone comfort as I maintained my bedside watch. His chest rose and fell rhythmically, but he remained locked away in unconsciousness. "You have to come back to me, Enzo" I whispered, my vision blurring. "Our daughter needs her father." I swiped angrily at the tears streaking my face. I had to be strong for our child, though the effort threatened to shatter my fragile composure.A knock interrupted my swirling thoughts. Carlo entered, his expression carefully neutral. "Any change?" I shook my head mutely, a fresh wave of tears spilling over. Suddenly, Vincenzo's hand twitched feebly in mine. I gasped, leaning forward intently as his brow furrowed. "Enzo?" I choked out. "C-can you hear me?"With agonizing slowness, his eyelids fluttered open halfway, still clouded by anesthesia. But they locked onto mine with recognition that flooded my
The Alliance Written in blood
ROSALINA'S POVThe courthouse appeared all too soon, a hulking stone edifice that filled me with dread. Andrae dragged me forcibly up the steps, his grip leaving blossoming bruises on my arm. I scanned the empty foyer frantically, praying for some means of escape. At the far end, an elderly clerk sat stamping documents behind a high desk.Andrae strode toward him purposefully, shoving me ahead of him. "We need to be married immediately," he barked.The clerk's eyes widened at Andrae's imperious demand, flickering uncertainly to my tear-stained face. "I'm sorry, sir, but there are certain requirements..." he began weakly.In a flash, Andrae had a pistol aimed at the man's forehead. "The only requirement is that you do as I say," he growled. "Now."The clerk paled, raising his trembling hands in acquiescence. "Y-yes sir, right away." He fumbled with shaking hands to ready the license and certificate, the gun still leveled at his head.Once the documents were prepared, Andrae scrawled hi
The Alliance Brick by brick
VINCENZO'S POVChaos erupted as bullets flew in all directions. Years of simmering hatred between the Salvatores and Armandos had finally boiled over, transforming my brother's wedding into a bloodbath."Get the women and children to safety!" I bellowed. My men rushed to usher the terrified guests away from the hailstorm of lead.I scanned the pandemonium desperately for my pregnant wife. "Lily!" Where was she? There - a flash of her yellow dress across the courtyard. I sprinted towards her, bullets kicking up shards of brick at my heels.She stood paralyzed behind an overturned table, one hand instinctively cradling her belly. I shielded her body with mine and urged her towards the exit. "We need to move, now!"We scrambled into a sheltered alcove. Her eyes were wild, face streaked with tears. "Oh God, the baby-""You'll both be alright," I soothed. I peeked out - we weren't far from an escape route. I steeled myself. "On three, we run."I took her hand in mine. "One, two, thre-"The
The Alliance Bloody red wedding
ROSALINA'S POVI slipped into the marble restroom, the swell of violins and chatter fading behind the heavy door. Gripping the gold-flecked countertop, I steadied my breathing, willing my roiling nerves to quiet. Today Leonardo pledged himself to another while our unborn child grew in secret within me.The door creaked open and my reflection paled. Mia. An awkward tension thickened the air as we hovered, over the betrayed bride-to-be and the 'other woman'. To my surprise, her dark brown eyes held no malice. Only sympathy. "Hey, Rosalina," she said gently. "Are you okay?"I attempted a weak smile, my hands trembling. "A bit unwell, thanks." A massive understatement. I smoothed my dress self-consciously, the pink chiffon Leonardo adored. Mia's gaze flickered over it. "That color suits you Wanna rest a while in my suite?"Giving a weak smile, I nodded. I followed mutely, sinking into an ornate chaise lounge as attendants fluttered around Mia. The opulent chamber with its marble friezes
