SCARLETT'S POV.The sound of soft music hitting my ears had me opening my eyes slowly to find that my cheek was planted on the window. And then with embarrassment, I pulled away from the window and winced with regret when I saw a smudge of my makeup on the widow. I knew Luca was watching me all the while and I managed to ignore his heavy gaze until I whipped out my phone and checked to see that my makeup was still okay. I let out a sigh of relief at that and then decided to face him with an awkward smile on my face. His lips were pulled into a tight frown and i could tell that he was highly disappointed. "We're here you know?" He said, gesturing towards the fancy looking building ahead of us that I now realised was where the soft music was coming from."I'm sorry, I haven't really been sleeping well," I grimaced at him, feeling the embarassment all the way down to my spine. He shot me a nasty and disgusted look before looking away towards the window where some nicely dressed people
SCARLETT'S POV.I was completely right. The party was boring as hell, and from the looks of things we weren't even near done here. And then even worse, the annoying as fuck MC who thoughts his jokes were so funny but they were obviously not, had been wasting so much time on the third segment of the programme which was jokes and riddles, that I almost threw my shoe at him.If I heard one more uncle joke coming from his mouth, I could just do it right there, damning all the consequences. In my opinion, I saw no reason for anyone to add jokes and riddles to their birthday party programme, but anyways who was I judge? I didn't have as much money as John and I certainly had never thrown a birthday party for rich people alone before so...Anyways I was bored beyond comprehension and my darling husband was doing nothing to help, in fact he was more interested in focusing really hard on what the lame ass MC was saying than me. I wouldn't have minded the silence between us on any other day, b
LUCA'S POV.I was enjoying the conversation about stocks and business with the men around me when all of a sudden I got a leading to look over to Scarlett at our seat at the far end of the room. And when I did, I swear I almost took a wine glass from the waiter and smashed it against the wall.The only thing that stopped me from doing that was the fact that I respected John too much as a business partner to cause a crazy scene at his party. What the fuck was Scarlett doing with Penelope Cruz? That woman had screwed me over and messed with me in ways that I hadn't even thought were possible. It all started when I was still an upcoming CEO and we'd met at a fundraiser her father had invited me too. I'd been so honoured and glad that he'd invited me to such an important event, that I'd been ready to do anything to please him and that meant sucking up to his daughter.Penelope however had turned out to be really good company that night and in no time we'd made a connection that was so s
SCARLETT'S POV.Luca was the biggest asshole to walk this planet and I knew he was aware of that. What the hell was all that about? Why would he drag me away from the party just to tell me not to talk to Penelope?And then how did he know her? Well, of course he is a billionaire and from what I'd noticed, billionaire's tend to be familiar with other billionaires. But that doesn't explain why he was so angry back then when he saw us talking. He looked like someone who'd just seen someone from the past that brought back bitter memories, and that made me insanely curious to know what had happened between them.Penelope was obviously beautiful and everything any sane man would ever want, so it could possibly be that she and Luca used to be an item. Yes,that just had to be it.She was classy and elegant, probably the type of woman that a man like Luca would be with. It made sense.But if it was true then what could have happened between them that made them to break up? Gosh, why did I e
LUCA'S POV.As I stepped into my sleek black sedan, a surge of anticipation filled my veins. An I thought of how the events of the day were going to go if I did things right as I drove towards the upscale restaurant where I was scheduled to meet one of my esteemed business clients who hadn't worked with me in over five years now. When this client's secretary had contacted me, saying he wanted us to have some food at a fancy restaurant while we talked business, I'd been frustrated because I wondered why it had to be on the same day I was supposed to be meeting with Mr Richardson. But then the gods above had decided for the first time in a million years to work in my favour, and then magically, Mr Richardson himself had called to reschedule the meeting for later in the evening. Which meant I could see this guy and also see him too, without the two clashing. That was just so mind settling.My mind went back to that birthday party and the few exchanges I had with Scarlett, and a weird f
SCARLETT'S POV."Okay, you take care alright," I said with a weak smile on my face. Kevin had called me three times last night and I hadn't been aware because I'd switched off my phone so I could focus on my studies. It was only right for me to call him back the next morning when I was free and had no classes to attend."Yeah, talk to you later," he replied before ending the call and immediately my mood went even more sour. He didn't even tell me loved me. Although I didn't say it myself too but still...It was very unlike him, and it had happened three times now. I'd been trying to deny it ever since we got back to each other after the Luca incident, but I had to admit it to myself. Kevin had changed, really changed. He used to be all sweet and kind, and just able to make me blush with any simple action of his, but now he was just so different.I didn't want to admit it, but to me it felt like he was more interested in hating on Luca and planning to ruin him than he was even in our
LUCA'S POV.FEW HOURS AGO.As I stepped out of my sleek black car, the weight of anticipation settled on my shoulders. I took a deep breath, straightened my tie, and walked towards the towering glass doors of Richardson's company. The street lamps cast a golden glow on the polished exterior, somehow reflecting the optimism that pulsed within me. I was impressed. The surroundings exuded an air of professionalism, a testament to the success and ambition of the man and his company. As I approached the entrance, I dismissed my bodyguard and then the the security guard nodded in recognition, a subtle gesture that acknowledged my status as a visitor of importance and I appreciated that.Stepping into the pristine lobby, I was greeted by a bright, minimalist design that exuded sophistication. The hushed whispers of conversations and the clicking of heels on marble floors filled the air, creating an atmosphere of focused determination. I couldn't help but marvel at the seamless blend of fu
SCARLETT'S POV.The look on Luca's face as he stared at Matt and I said it all, he wasn't impressed at all, but it was obvious that he was trying so hard not to show much on his face. Embarassed, I quickly got up and straightened my shirt that had ridden up due to the fall."You're back ... Uhhh," I said, hating myself for actually sounding like a cheating wife that just got caught. What the hell was it with my breathing.I took a sideway glance at Matt and watched as he got up nonchalantly, not in anyway acting like me."We weren't doing anything, you know," I said, hating my voice for breaking at the end. Luca simply gave Matt a look before he faced me and said, "whatever it was, I don't care. I need to talk to you."I felt even more embarassed at the way he'd casually said he didn't care, which I shouldn't because actually he has no reason to care about it. Asides from the fact that Matt is his best friend, there was no reason for him to be mad."About what?" I asked, shifting in
SCARLETT'S POV.The moment Luca's lips touched mine, I melted into a puddle. My knees had gone weak and I feared they were going to buckle soon if I wasn't careful. Damn. The man knew how to kiss. He made sure that he ravaged my mouth with intensity, showing me with the kiss just how much he really wanted me. From my face, his hands travelled to my spine and then all the way back up to my hair and then he pulled. Shit, the force of the action caused a sting, but it was sweet. The pain was delicious. I loved it. He continued to kiss my mouth like his life depended on it until he decided that he'd had enough of it and wanted to taste my neck. Once his mouth touched there, I straight up melted into him, to the point he had to hold me up. "Woah," he laughed, amsued. "I haven't even touched you. You don't even know all the things I have planned for you.""Stop being cocky and kiss me," I demanded, pulling him back to my mouth and he let out a satisfactory growl."You're so damn sexy,
SCARLETT'S POV. THREE HOURS LATER. The party had started to get heated. People were popping in from every corner now. And the place started to get a bit crowded and tight. Many had decided to go out to the garden but it still felt like we were at a concert or something. It had been a bad choice Matt had made to organise the party at the house. The set-up was beautiful no doubt but it was becoming too suffocating. Or maybe it was just my body's reaction to Luca sitting beside me on our table.The rest of the guest looked like they didn't mind at all. Maybe it was just me actually. "So, how has therapy been?" Luca's voice sounded so close to my ear and I practically jumped in my seat, embarassing myself further. "It's been really good," I smiled tightly. "Uhh... The therapist has been really good and understanding. I-I feel like a totally different person now."I could remember giving him the same response some time ago when he'd asked. Shit. Why was I acting that way?And where t
SCARLETT'S POV. Abby arrived not long after and after we were both done getting ready and checking each other out, we said goodbye to mum and headed for the venue in an Uber. Matt's two storey house was flooded with people when we got in, it was crazy that the guy knew that much people. "Shit, this is way more than I expected," Abby said, looking around the garden that was filled with several cooperate looking people. "Yeah thank god that you convinced me to wear this dress," I said, looking at the dresses of the other women aroun. It was like we'd come for some sort of fashion show or something. "Exactly why you should always trust my opinions," she smiled, smoothing down the skirt of her royal blue dress. She looked amazing actually in that dress and her hair slicked back. We both looked amazing actually. "Come on let's go inside," I pulled her hand and we both walked with our heads held high into the house where soft music was playing from the speakers. "Sheesh, nice design,
SCARLETT'S POV.FIVE MONTHS LATER. This was the fifth time I'd checked my appearance out in the mirror and I was still nervous. God, why did the thought of him still make me so nervous? I finally made up my mind that I looked really good in the dress. It was a red dress that Abby had picked out for me two weeks after I'd been discharged from the hospital. It had been crazy expensive and I'd wanted to abandon it because I couldn't pay, but then Abby had offered to pay, saying that it was a gift to me, celebrating my release from the hospital and the fact that I could finally walk on my own two feet. I'd been discharged from the hospital way earlier than the doctor had expected. The doctor had told us that my case was very special and unusual, and he'd never seen anything quite like it before. He'd made sure that I'd spent another two weeks extra in the hospital just to make sure that there were no further complications. And finally after a whole month and a half of being in the hosp
LUCA'S POV.After Belle left I stayed for a while outside, watching the sky as it got darker and darker. I kept thinking about Isabella and dad, and everything that had happened, but this time I found that the more I thought about it, the more I started to see Belle's point clearly. That was the problem, I was holding onto the pain and bitterness for too long, I didn't even know how to stop doing it. I'd thought I was ready let it all go for Scarlett, but today had made me realise that there was still a part of me that wanted to be mad at her, at somebody for everything. It wasn't fair at all to Scarlett. She didn't deserve to get hate for something that she knew nothing about. After a little more time reflecting, I slapped my palms and decided that I had to go talk to her. About everything. Just let it all out. And see where we can go from there. I made my way back to the room where I saw Marilyn and Scarlett hugging from the glass doors. Abby just stood watching them with tears i
LUCA'S POV. On getting outside, I bumped into a nurse that was carrying a tray and we both let out string of curses. "Shit I'm sorry," I said, getting down to help her pick up her tray. "I'm so sorry."She picked up the last piece of equipment and looked up at me. "It's fine. Why are you in such a hurry anyways? Is the hospital on fire?"I turned down my lips. "No of course not.""Then why did you almost knock me all the way to hell?" She asked, smirking. "And why do you look like a wounded puppy?""I'm just in a really shitty mood, I don't even know how to feel," I said, wondering after I'd said it, why. Why did I just tell her that? The nurse balanced her tray and gave me a look of sympathy. "Do you want to tell me what happened?" I thought about it for a long while and decided, "no, not everything at least."The nurse smiled. She had such kind eyes and an equally kind smile, funny enough, she kind of reminded me of Isabella so much. They had so much similarities in their facial
LUCA'S POV. I wasn't sure if I'd heard properly. Had Marilyn just talked about Isabella? Isabella, my sister. How the heck did she get to know."How did you?" I started but then trailed off, stunned. "You know about Isabella?""Yes I do," Marilyn offered me a sad smile. "Wait... Isabella?"Scarlett questioned, she and her friend looking completely lost. "That's... What did he to her?"I couldn't respond. I couldn't say anything more actually. It was like my throat had gone completely tight and no sound could come out. What the heck was with that reaction?"What he did to all the other girls," Marilyn answered. "She used to work as an intern at the company, and your dad he... h-he was abusing her for the longest time.""Fuck," Scarlett gasped, voice shaking. "How? W-why was she? Oh my God... Dad is such an asshole."Abby looked horrified by the news too, she went over to offer Scarlett some comfort when she saw the was her friend was reacting. This was not good for Scarlett. She didn
LUCA'S POV. "Thanks so much for your time, officer," I reached out to shake hands with Raymond and he reciprocated. "It was my pleasure," he smiled. "I'm kinda pissed though, that that turned out so easy."I smirked at him, thinking the same. "Yeah, that was a waste of so much planning. I thought I was going to get my movie scene moment, but I guess not ..."Raymond chuckled. "Go back to your wife now. You don't want to miss anything, do you?""Yeah, sure I don't," I threw him a salute. "I'll see you when I see you then."I was about to leave but then he stopped me by saying,"Hey hold up."I turned around and rose an eyebrow. "What's up?"He gave me a weird look. "Aren't you a little bothered about what happened though, I mean you guys are related because of Scarlett.""What do you mean?""Ramson Damien?" He questioned. "You haven't heard yet? He's been arrested after several charges that have been pressed against him.""What?" I gasped. "How the fuck did I not hear of that yet?""
LUCA'S POV. "Why are you not scared?" Penelope asked, eyeing me from head to toe. I just shrugged. "You're not really very scary now that I know you're the one.""But you saw what I did to Scarlett," she sounded really pissed. "Wasn't that scary enough for you? I'm pointing a fucking gun to your head actually.""Yeah, I know," I stuffed my hands into my pocket and bounced on my toes. "I'm still not scared of you or that guy. Who is he anyways? Your lapdog?"The guy behind her growled at that and came towards me so fast to throw a punch. He landed the blow, but immediately he did, I got mad and decided that I could actually beat the shit out of him.He landed another blow to my cheek and then he tried again, but I dodged and realised that if I wanted to have the upper hand, I had to find a way to take him down. "You stop that now, tiger," Penelope warned, pointing the gun at the two of us, confused. I used the opportunity I got once the guy turned to look at her to my advantage. Ti