RINAI was late. Again. Thrice in a row. The reason wasn't far from 'Piccolo Maestro had shoved his disgusting self into my room and droned on about how I was his alone'. Clearly, I shouldn't be jumpy, except that he had been doing this since the night Amato almost assaulted me. To spell it out: four days. It'd been four freaking days since my demon possessed boss wouldn't let me breathe. His routine was: sneaking up on me, caging me in a wall or door and forcing me to stare at him while he talked rubbish. Thankfully, he'd stopped with his advances. Although, the scar he'd imprinted on my heart hurt still. It'd never heal. Honestly, I didn't get it. The whole weirdness he'd been exhibiting. I no longer worked like other maids. Everything I did had to involve him in some way. Mammà was beginning to get suspicious. She'd cornered me yesterday, wondering why I hadn’t been showing up in the assembly ground. What could I tell her? That the Alpha's son was a baby. Or rather, he needed to
RINAInstantly, senses flew to me. I snapped my eyes open, and for a moment, my breathing ceased."Rina, are you in there?"Shit. I looked down at Piccolo Maestro who was still at his sinful act. Didn't he hear that? Mammà was here!To taunt me, he rubbed my clit, sending me back to brain death. I threw my head back and bit my lips, trying to stifle the moan that threatened to spill out of me. "Rina?" The knock came again. "I know you're in there. Open up.”I shut my eyes harder, caging the cry that wanted to burst out. Running his tongue down my pussy one last time, he pulled away. I collapsed, battling with a throbbing clit and breathlessness. The fucking monster threw me a smirk, and mouthed the word, “ whore”.Then, he left through the other door. My eyes went shut. My throat bobbed as I swallowed. I braced up and rose to my feet. However, given how…sore and wet I was, I couldn’t stand well. I jammed my legs together and waited till the throbbing lessened. Walking with jelly-
VINCENZOLuigi dribbled the three guys surrounding him, each one of them hunched like a predator ready to claim its victim. He outmaneuvered them and tossed the ball to me. The hungry lions drew close, more eager than ever to snatch the ball. I slithered my way towards the basket, and gave a smooth throw. My teammates cheered as the ball slipped into the basket. Luigi, especially, was ecstatic. The dude was a fucking fanatic. We got back to the game and at the end of the day, our team took the lead with four points. My body was on fire. Sweat streamed down, leaving me looking like a snowman in Atacama Desert. I pulled a towel from my backpack and dabbed my face dry. "That was terrific," Luigi's voice drew near. We packed our things and headed out towards the locker room. I didn't think I could make it in there without collapsing. I needed to wet my parched tongue. Luigi carried on while I went to a soda stand. There were many of those here. Not surprising as the sports arena was t
VINCENZOWith my back leaned against a tree, I waited. My attention would occasionally slip to the students around, before agitation hit me again. Each time I felt like kicking back, thoughts about Rina rushed in. I was left wondering why she'd hesitated. Honest to the high heavens, I'd inscribe my dick on her forehead if that would make her understand she was mine. Vanilla whirled into my nose. Alerted, I pulled away from the tree and darted my eyes around, eventually landing on her advancing form. She looked…different. I squinted, immediately connecting the dots. Her hair was hitched up in a ponytail. So high was it that it snatched her face in some way. Dressed in tennis shorts with her shirt tucked in, Rina was nothing short of seductive. Especially her thighs that laid bare—exposed for every bastard to see. When would the bitch learn? She halted and looked around in search of me. Determined to make it known to everyone that she was mine, I marched towards her. She glanced at
VINCENZOI pulled up in front of the store. A side glance towards Rina revealed her staring out to the window. A strange feeling sat within me. I was oddly pleased knowing she'd shaken off her nervousness and had relaxed. That should explain why her eyes were on the window and not her laps. But then, I couldn't be sure. She hadn't focused on any other object throughout the drive. But then again… Ugh. Too many but's.Somehow, I liked this silent, submissive aspect of her. And I wished she'd be this way whenever I made the move. Her tears and pleas had begun to tear me apart. I was losing it. Madre or those noisy maids—especially, what was her name again? The assistant maid or something. There was something about her that wasn't right. And from all indications, she could employ her rather bulbous nose to good use and sniff out the truth. That'd be the end of me.I sought for my black card in the glove compartment; but on a second thought, decided against it. Reason being that Rina w
Rina Cracking my knuckles, I paced around the room. Piccolo Maestro. That guy would be the death of me. He'd bring about my end. I soon got weary of walking; I perched on the bed, my mind wreathed with anxiety. It didn't take long before I stood again. Nerves wouldn't let me be. Two hours ago, I got the shock of my life. Piccolo Maestro had yelled at Liliana and touched me in front of her! He didn’t care that I'd be in trouble. He didn’t care she'd notice and go tell the Luna or worse—The Alpha. And now, I stood on tenterhooks, not knowing what would happen should his parents come back. It was almost dark. Any minute from now, the Luna would be here. What was she going to do? What would she say? My eyes darted back and forth as I pondered. The drumming in my chest distracted me. I couldn't make a mental picture with all the noise. My bum perched on the bed again. It was pretty obvious. The Luna would be flaming mad, and I didn't think the bulk of her anger would be directed to
RinaShe bowed to the Luna before getting seated. "Rina, take your seat too." Just like her son, her face was blank which worsened my fright. It'd have been better if I'd spotted a frown. At least, I'd be ready for the worst. I threw Mammà a glance. Her eyes flicked from me to the Luna. The poor woman was confused, all thanks to my dumb self. I drew out the chair next to her and was about sitting when the Luna spoke up. "No, stay beside Vincenzo. You two are a pair." I didn't know what to make out of that statement. Holding my breath, I dropped next to my nemesis. His eyes flicked to me and I had the furious urge to gorge them out. The fool. He'd make it obvious that we—he…that something odd existed between us.I glanced at Mammà again. I could tell from how tense her brows were that she itched to know what was going on. The Luna rang the table bell and a maid appeared. Each one of us was served. It was surprising because Mammà and I weren't left out from the desert and sparkli
RINASwallowing, I knocked on the door. An answer didn't come, so I was forced to knock again. This time around, an exhale followed. I got this. Nervousness grilled me, and brought my lids down. I was determined to enter that lounge. All this had to end here and now. With still no response, I raised my knuckles again, but didn't get to rap them on the door. Piccolo Maestro's chest was the next thing I saw. Or rather, the phoenix tattoo on his left pec. The design was done with precision. I could tell, from how red the edges were, it was new. Did it hurt? Could it be why he was shirtless now? And why the hell had I thought that? I snatched my gaze away, landing it on his sparkling eyes. Kill me. He'd been watching as I stared. I bit my cheek both as a way of chiding myself and gathering courage. Silently clearing my throat, I said: "I'm here to re—" He hurled me in and slapped my back against the door. An arm above me, he leaned. Uncomfortable with the proximity —as always—I pre
EPILOGUE Vincezo Moreno They were removing her off life support today. Jaw clenched, straight went my gaze. At infinity. Thunder droned at a distance. Clouds, gray, were laden with rain. It'd fallen all night. I'd taken an early morning flight, fortunately, and so, had been able to make it here. I didn't know if I should be comforted that nature empathized with me. Mourning along with me. Or I should break more, knowing that Rina had been to be next Luna, the reason why the skies mourned her imminent exit. I gave out heavy, fervent sobs, fishing out some tissue from the armrest. I wept into it. No. Grief hadn't left. It never would. As long as I lived, this was what I'd be: a grieving man. Wiping my nose, I set out to the pearl white walls of Andrea Filemone International Hospital. My fingers curved around the tiny velvety box. I held back the tears till I got to ICU: Room 4 and shut the door behind. The heart monitor beeped. My Rina still laid like a corpse on the bed, not d
Vincenzo MorenoDay 3: post operation. White stark walls moved behind as I was wheeled into ICU: room 4. My system was asleep, with just my ears acknowledging the clomp of feet on the floor, muddled chatters and the squeal the wheelchair had as it rolled on along the tiled floor.The nurse pushed in the door. My heart throbbed the instant I spotted her. It wasn't good for my recovery, as the doctor had said; I didn't care. I couldn't, not when she was involved. Something washed over me. Hurt that clawed at my core. The nurse placed me next to her and left. I lifted a hand, then placed it on Rina's. My cloudy eyes moved to her face.It was unbelievable, so much, because I'd thought I'd lost her. Almost pushed to tears, I kissed her hand—my eyes shut tight as I communicated using my mind. We'd converse this way until she recovered.I cannot believe it: I'm holding you. You are here with me, life and direct. There's so much that's to be said. So much I should let out that I have th
Vincenzo Moreno When I'd gotten a text from Alessio, I hadn't done the expected. Rather than steam with rage, I shut my eyes in relief, for it was all over. I would get Rina at long last and eliminate that son of a bitch.I'd gone straight to Padre and stood my ground. I'd venture into the jungle of Valle del Teschio. It'd been clear Padre was too interested in the whereabouts of the moon statue to see the emergency at hand. He'd been too distracted to think clearly. And not only that. This was my fight. My mess. And only I could clean it up. Nearly twenty-four hours down the line, I was marching into the unwelcoming forest, accompanied by an army of soldiers. The only thing I saw good about my pack was the level of organization it showed. The soldiers who were armed to the teeth were proof. They made up the emergency tactical unit. Always on their feet at the snap of the finger. The undergrowth impeded our movement; our determination was the driving force that kept us going. The
Rina ZanteFire crackled in the background. It was one marker that showed the girl on the floor, whose legs laid sprawled and eyes closed, was alive. That, together with the occasional forcing of air into her nostrils. I hadn't seen my period in months; so the growing pain around my belly felt strange. It'd started yesterday with just a dull throbbing. Now, it came more frequently, resembling my period with its undulating intensity. A low and a high. At the onset, I'd worried something was wrong with the babies. And even as I'd figured what could be amiss, dread sank deep into my bones—chilling my blood. It wasn't supposed to happen now. I pressed my teeth into my upper lip as the painful wave waltzed across. It wasn't supposed to happen now. A tear of heartbreak escaped. I couldn't have the babies here. Not now. My heart wept out of disappointment. I'd had faith the moon goddess would come through for me. I'd been in Central Temple, in my dream, happy like never before as I ca
Leonardo (Alessio)Everywhere was soaked in green. Even the air. It oozed of the scent of herbs. I got out of the car, which was something I'd looked forward to since the journey began. Not just because my bones ached, but also the car had been suffocating in the figurative sense of it, and till now, I couldn't explain how or why I was subject to guilt. Leaves rustled and twigs snapped from the weight of my feet as I trudged ahead, stopping in front of a beastly truck. This was our new home for the meantime. Until we got to the endgame. The hood bore dust and leaves laid strewn over its surface extending to the bottom rim of the windshield, bringing to my notice a poster of Mario Domenico—a well-known survivalist. A wooden wall was mounted at the tail region of the car. The wall formed a convex hood above the windshield. I went to the side of the truck for further inspection. There was a door, a pigeonhole notched close to the back tyre, a large window towards the back. And a ch
Vincenzo MorenoI forced open the door, cutting Dr. Yolanda short. "See it now? They've fucking succeeded."Initially taken aback, Dr. Yolanda sent her gaze to the receptionist standing beside me, eliciting an explanation for why I had barged in from the dumb girl. Dr. Yolanda didn't show she was mad. Rather, she waved the receptionist away, turning to me. "I'm currently having a session, Vincenzo.""This is a matter of life and death. Definitely it's worth looking into with immediate effect." She paused, eyes fixed at me, and pressed back against her swivel chair. "What is it?"I frowned. "Yes. What is it?""You don't expect me to talk…now." I looked at the client seated across from her. "So, it's private. Surely, it isn't something too pressing you can't spare some minutes." I glared at her, the intensity almost lethal. Yet, she held my gaze, not at all intimidated. "Go on, Vincenzo. The longer you stand there, the less your chances of meeting with me." After several seco
UnknownA four lettered bitch. Something cruel and unfair. A tyrant who everyone feared. None questioned it. None could challenge it to a fight. That was what life was. Life wanted me to be like everyone. Accepting the shit it threw my way with open arms. It was an absolute impossibility for me to succumb because none of it made sense. How was it that one was favored, and the other person disposed of like garbage? Alessio Salvatore wasn't better than me. He hadn't been taller nor with more powers. In actual fact, we both—like other babies—had been born with zero abilities. He hadn't been more facially endowed, nor blessed with an angelic cry. We'd both had the potential to keep our parents up at night with our wails. Yet, he'd been chosen over me simply because he'd been the first to arrive. I had been seen as the lazy one. Belief had it that I still was attached to the other world, and so would have a negative impact on the true born and everyone around me.They hadn't blinked be
Rina ZanteBit by bit, the wardrobe came into view. I fixed my eyes at it for a while before finally heaving up. My arms bore the under of my belly. A huge yawn left my mouth. I was tired, even though the sleep had been long and peaceful. Then again, I didn't see myself fancying the idea of taking another nap. My gaze moved to the curtains. It was well lit. A clock hanging next to it stated the morning had long started. Some minutes to nine. Off to the bathroom, I couldn't say what would become of today. One thing was sure, however, I'd be out of town in a short while. As I brushed, a thought materialized. It was one that widened the soft spot that'd been attached to my heart ever since my belly became visible. The bathroom sink had inspired the thought. It looked just as cozy as the tub in my dream. Clean in its pale blue color and adorned with cloud patterns around. The dream had been lucid; I could remember details of it. The babies had been having their bath. Just me with the
Vincenzo MorenoHer room was a brown monochrome. Fairly furnished and with large panel windows. I couldn't stop myself from wondering if every therapist's office was this way. Depressing. Dr. Yolanda edged close and handed me a cup of coffee. "I'm going to be honest with you," she said while lowering to her seat. "I'm glad you called."Her gaze spoke volumes. She expected me to lay my worries bare—my greatest pet peeve. However I had no choice. I wanted none of these anymore: torn away from Rina, waking up miserable, and being in exile. "Do you want to talk about it?" I stroked my thumb over the handle of the cup, then sent the hot beverage sliding down my throat. "How much time do I have?" I asked. "Forty five minutes, but I'm willing to make it an hour."Why? Because I'd make an interesting study?My focus laid on the coffee as I mentally prepped myself to talk."I want all this to end. I just want to wake up and see this as part of the past." A short pause followed. "I don'