Althaia Since I had to attend an event that was taking place tomorrow, we had to spend the night at Nonna’s place. This also meant we still had to sleep in separate rooms because they didn’t know we were married yet. Now, I was in bed, tossing and turning as I couldn’t seem to find a comfortable spot. I was used to having Damiano sleep next to me. I sat up, let out a sound of frustration, and got up from the bed. An idea came to mind when I looked at the wrapped ring box I had. I grabbed it and shoved it in between my breasts since I had no pockets, and made my way to the door. I carefully opened the door and peeked out in the hallway to see if the coast was clear. It was as quiet and I thought I would take this as my chance and carefully closed the door behind me. I moved silently through the dimly lit hallway and made my way downstairs. I stopped at the end of the staircase and took a look around in case Nonna was up. I almost wanted to chuckle at how two adults had to sneak ar
AlthaiaI stared at the phone in my hand, not too sure if I should take the call or not. I didn’t have anything to say to him but I kept thinking maybe something happened to my father and he was calling to let me know. I took a deep breath to calm my pounding heart and hoped there wasn’t anything serious.“Hello?”“Althaia! Are you okay?!” Michael asked frantically,“I’m okay.” I said, confused why he was reacting like this.“Why didn’t you answer your phone? I thought something happened to you!” His voice was laced with frustration but also relief.“I was getting ready and didn’t have my phone on me… Is everything okay? Did anything happen to my dad?” I asked nervously.“Listen, I need to talk to you. Can I see you tonight?”“We can’t.”“Thaia, please… I know I said some fucked up shit to you and I’m sorry. I really am but I need to see you.” He sounded almost desperate.“I can’t, Michael. I’m not in the states right now…” I muttered.“What? What do you mean you’re not in the states?
Damiano “All preparation is ready.” Antonio informed me once we got inside the office. “Good.” I said and took a seat on the couch. I looked at the different files and pictures spread out on the table. I was now convinced each attack was connected with the other. But the question was how and why. “So, you’re confident he’s got something to do with this mess?” Rafaelle asked and sprawled on the couch. “I found a microphone in the pendant of her necklace.” Rafaelle sat up straight and looked at me. “And you think it’s him who did it?” He asked in surprise. “I know he did it. He told her she forgot it in the hospital. That’s fucking bullshit. She wasn’t wearing the necklace once we got to the hospital. She either left it at their house before they got chased or she lost in the woods. That’s what I was thinking. But when we went back to clean the house, it was nowhere to be seen.” I explained. “And suddenly it just happened to have a microphone in it.” Antonio commented and shook hi
Damiano I walked fast through the house until I heard muffled voices coming from the den. The door was already slightly open, and I saw Althaia sitting on the couch with a doctor attending to her hand. Her gaze was on the floor, her usually bright green eyes seemed dull and her expression was blank. I stepped inside, her head snapped in my direction and I watched her take a sharp breath and got up, ignoring the doctor as she quickly walked up to me. I immediately wrapped my arms around her, holding her close to my chest and I felt the tension slowly melt away. I leaned slightly back and put my hands on her cheek, looking around at her face to see if she was hurt. “Damiano, I’m sorry… I didn’t -” “Shh..” I shook my head as I saw her eyes glisten with unshed tears. “Don’t apologize for anything.” I told her softly. “Are you hurt anywhere else?” I gently took a hold of her hand, examining i. She had a few pieces of glass stuck to her hand, and she had several deep cuts, but nothing
DamianoI had taken Althaia out to eat after she complained about how she had a long day, not only training in the morning but also having an extra workout in fucking up Miciela, and she still hadn’t gotten anything to eat besides breakfast. After eating to her heart’s content, she fell asleep in the car as I drove us to the mansion at the vineyards to get some peace.I gazed at her sleeping form in the passenger seat, smiling when her lips were lightly parted and let out a faint snore. I found it too endearing, and it let me know she was having a good sleep.I carried her in my arms and went to the master bedroom. I tucked her into bed, caressing her cheek as I admired her, memorizing each of her features. It took everything in me not to lie next to her and hold her in my arms. Instead, I got up and made my way back to the car once again.I drove off once one of my men pulled up to make sure Althaia was going to sleep with no disturbance while I was gone. The mansion was a safe place
Damiano Someone is in a playful mood. I took my shoes off to move silently while listening to movements in the house, but it was quiet. I searched the top floor, but she wasn’t there. I made my way downstairs, checking every room before I got to the living room. She was still nowhere to be found. Just as I was about to move again, I stopped and I looked out of the floor-to-ceiling window. Althaia was on the other side, grinning sheepishly before making a run for it. I quickly made my way out, loving she wanted me to chase her. She laughed and ran to the other side of the pool, creating as much distance between us. I tilted my head at her, smirking as I took a step, and saw her take a step at the same time in the opposite direction. “I’m going to catch you.” I told her while slowly taking a few steps in her direction. “We’ll see about that. If you do, you will be rewarded.” Althaia winked, and a particular body part of mine was getting quite excited about the idea. “Deal.” I pret
Althaia The following day I didn’t have to do my usual training, and I could spend extra quality time with Damiano. We went on a long walk around the vineyards, and I got to meet more people from the village. I had never gotten so many hugs and kisses from people before in my life, and they were all so happy to see me and Damiano together. It gave me another opportunity to see how Damiano interacted with his workers. It was much more different than how he interacted with his men, of course. He was being a bit more gentle with them, and I knew it was because this place was close to his heart. It really was a village for itself with its own charisma and lovely people. And just beyond the vineyards, there was even a market with sales stands to buy vegetables, fruits, bread, and whatnot since it was quite a bit of a distance to the nearest store. A colorful stand caught my eye, and I stepped closer to see what it was. It was a beautiful stand with varieties of dry fruits and nuts. The
Althaia My heart was thumping faster, and my nerves were all over the place. But a soft smile from Damiano made me calm down and take a deep breath. “Come.” He spoke softly to me and led me to a stage that had been set up. We stopped in front of a podium, where a goblet, knife, gun, and card were present. My nerves started to spike once again. I had only heard about an oath one had to take, but I had no idea how it worked. To distract myself, I looked at the vast crowd where I spotted Nonna and his parents, giving me warm smiles as well. I wanted to drop my jaw when it hit me. All these people present worked for Damiano! And I knew this was not even all of them but those who mainly resided in Italy. I knew he was powerful and had many people working for him, but to see a glimpse of it just now was incredible. “Famiglia di Bellavia!” Damiano’s voice boomed out, silencing everyone and giving us their full attention. It took everything in me not to shuffle around on my feet, seeing s
Althaia“Maybe we should have gotten me a change of clothes before coming here.” I said as I walked out to them while looking down at the tank top I had taken from Damiano, pretending to be fixing it. I was actually fixing it because my nipples were almost showing.Damiano looked up from his phone. His eyes slowly trailed down my body and his gaze stopped at my barely covered breasts. Whatever he was doing on his phone could wait as he carelessly tossed it on the couch.He gave me a lazy smirk and motioned for me to come closer to him. With a gentle yet firm grip, Damiano wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me flush against his body.“What’s the need for clothes when I plan to have you naked the entire time?” He said with a mischievous grin on his lips. I blushed, not expecting him to say something like this in front of them.As if remembering there were other people in our room, he looked at them with a blank look.“What are you still doing here? Get out.” He told them sharply.
Althaia I huffed and looked at the time. It was a quarter to four in the morning, and I was wide awake. Feeling horny. I turned to look at Damiano, who was sleeping peacefully next to me. I wanted him, but I didn't want to wake him up just to take care of my needs. He had a long day ahead of him, flying out to a meeting with Mr. Roberts, and other high-end restaurant owners. They saw the custom-designed wine bottles for Mr. Robert's restaurants, and how they attracted more customers. Customers loved the whole idea of taking a unique wine bottle home with them as a souvenir. Some even started to collect them. The sales went crazy and landed us a few more deals. I suggested that each restaurant have its distinct design as a trademark, but with Damiano's wine business name engraved. And he was going to meet them all and show them my sketch ideas. I would have gone with him, but since I was heavily pregnant, I couldn’t fly. Maybe it was because I knew he would be gone, and wouldn’t b
Five months later The sun was high up in the clear sky, shining over the crystal blue water in the most enchanting way. Calilo was always a beautiful island, but today, it was even more breathtaking. The beach was elegantly decorated and rows of chairs lined up endlessly on the bright green grass. A mirrored aisle had been set up in the middle with either side decorated so stunningly with Angel’s and Devil’s trumpet flowers. At the end of the aisle was a grand gazebo with pillars decorated with colorful flowers. A crowd of people was present, chatting and finding their seats. By the gazebo stood Damiano, overlooking the crowd of their friends and families. Everyone had flown out to make sure to witness this special day. Damiano had a small crease between his brows, shuffling around on his feet for the first time in his life as he kept fixing his tie, double-checking to make sure he at least looked decent enough on such a meaningful day. “Nervous, brother?” Lorenzo walked up to him
Althaia Ellie was already at the clinic, waiting for us when we arrived. The closer we got to the examination room, the more anxious I got. I was dreading it more than ever. To get that confirmation that it was another miscarriage. That another life was lost in me. I felt suffocated. Damiano, Antonio, and Giovanni were just as worried. No one bothered to mask their emotions as they were concerned for my well-being and what was going to happen. “So, what are we dealing with?” Ellie asked once she closed the door to give us some privacy while Antonio and Giovanni waited outside. “I took a pregnancy test, it was positive but… I’m bleeding and cramping.” I swallowed hard as Ellie listened carefully to me. Damiano stayed close to me, holding me as if I would collapse at any moment. What I loved about Ellie was that even though she knew us, she was still being professional and not letting us see if she was concerned as she listened to me. “Okay, we will do a blood test and do a transv
Althaia My eyes welled as I could feel the pain, and my heart ached for them both. The fact that my mother was going to tell them, maybe even holding onto the hope that they could finally be together. But no. For her own protection, mine even, she had to accept that was how her life was going to be. And I couldn’t even imagine what Alexei must be feeling now. To know he was close to being told he was going to have a child with the woman he loved. But his own mother stood in his way and took the truth with her to the grave. Nestor looked completely taken aback as he looked at my mother and followed Alexei once he came to his senses. I was sure Alexei needed some time to think it all through. I didn’t say anything, giving my mother some time to gather herself. I looked at Damiano, he was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, already looking at me. I couldn’t tell if he was truly interested in the story or not as he wore a straight face. Then I knew he wasn’t interested wh
Althaia As soon as Alexei drew out his gun, Damiano pulled me behind him and he and his men pulled out their guns as well, finger on the trigger and ready to fire. But then Nestor quickly pushed Alexei away when a knife flew right in between them, missing Alexei’s head by a hair. Surprised and confused, everyone turned to look in the direction where the knife came from. My mother had her brows pinched with her gaze locked on Alexei, ready with another knife in her hand. “Did you forget how she loved to do that to you?” Nestor sighed at Alexei. But he was too focused on my mother with a furious gaze. “Seems like her aim is off.” He sneered. “It’s not off, it was simply a warning. I got you once, and I can do it again.” My mother spoke calmly but had a whole different demeanor to her. My jaw was on the floor as I looked at them back and forth in pure shock. This whole damn thing had me completely dumbfounded. Wasn’t Alexei the one who had demanded to see her, and almost started a
AlthaiaI didn’t think it was possible to feel more miserable than this. But I kept being dragged down into an endless, dark hole while drowning in fear and pure devastation.I was exhausted.Exhausted from everything that happened and exhausted from every single piece of information thrown at me. I still haven’t even processed the fact that Gaetano wasn’t my father. And then everything else followed as if trying to give me a heart attack by exposing the brutal truth to me.That my entire life has been a fucking lie.Twenty-five years old and I was suddenly having an identity crisis that appeared out of the blue. For so many years where it has just been me and my mother, living life together. But it turned out I didn’t even know who she truly was.My mother, who I thought I witnessed die, was somewhere in this safe-house.Well, and alive.I thought I was hallucinating when I saw her. Or maybe I was seeing a ghost. Or maybe I ended up in hell and this was my punishment. To be tormented
Damiano“No. Stay here.” I stopped Jacinta when she tried to go after Althaia. I knew she would be shocked and in denial but I wasn’t prepared for this kind of reaction and run away.I gritted my teeth, walking as fast as I could in the direction she ran off. This fucking gunshot wound was limiting me too much.I stepped outside to the garden, watching her leaning against a tree to catch her breath.“Althaia.” I frowned, looking at the state she was in.“Stop! Just.. please stop. Don’t come any closer.” She closed her eyes, trying her best to control her breathing. I clenched my fists in frustration. Frustrated with me that I was the cause of this. I stood still, watching her cry and gasp for air. And I would rather get shot a hundred times more than see her like this.“How… How could you do this to me?!” Althaia shouted at me with so much anger than I had ever seen from her. Her innocent, green eyes turned into ones with a rage-filled storm.And betrayal.“I did what I believed was t
DamianoAlthaia was shocked.Shocked to the point her body gave up under her and collapsed to the ground. I grabbed her and pulled her into me, gritting my teeth as I ignored my own pain when I saw the state she was in. I didn’t give two shits about Alexei at this moment, only worrying about her. She looked numb, lost, as she tried to comprehend what I just said. For once, Alexei kept quiet and had his men stand by as he looked at Althaia.His daughter.He hadn’t expressed what he thought of the situation. About him having a daughter. But he was pissed at her mother for keeping away and not telling him. Twenty-five years had he lived on with his life without knowing he had a child out in the world. And to make it worse for him, his daughter thought Gaetano was her father.An Italian man who married his woman“Come on, breathe, Althaia… There you go… Breathe.” She gasped for air and I felt how her entire body was shaking against mine. I held her tightly, even though I was struggling to