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One Step Closer
Last Updated:
2022-12-22 07:06:58
Mariam El-HafiWriter's Note The story is slowly undergoing edits.
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The Devil's Fire The Wooden Spoon
AlthaiaWe were preparing dinner in a full swing. Damiano and Lorenzo were in the living room, having refreshments, and Arianna was giving herself a house tour. I told her to try not to make fun of our normal-sized house, as I was pretty sure that our downstairs floor plan was the size of a bedroom in their manor.And that was without exaggeration. The manor was incredibly massive and beyond majestic.One thing that made my heart melt was that Damiano showed up with a beautiful bouquet of flowers for my mother. My mother was surprised but accepted it, and I hoped this was the beginning of them trying their best to get to know each other.Now, we were almost done making the perfect dinner. Well, my mother made the food while Cara and I helped. Actually, we were bickering more than helping make dinner.I suddenly craved mac and cheese, and we decided to make some at the very last minute. I put Cara on the job since it was the easiest thing on the menu.But somehow, she was screwing it up
Last Updated : 2022-12-24The Devil's Fire That Day
Althaia“What is it with you and having your way with me in bathrooms? Now that I think of it, the last time we had dinner with my family, we ended up in the bathroom together.” I told him as we went into the hallway.“I didn’t hear you complain back then.” He gave me a playful smile and pulled me in for a kiss, leaving me breathless.Damiano pulled back ever so slightly, gazing at me with his affectionate golden-brown eyes. Pulling me in like a magnet and completely captivating me with the depth of his mesmerizing eyes.“You have no idea what you did to me that day.” He whispered. “You had me looking at you the entire time, admiring all of your beauty, while you were oblivious as to what you were doing to me.”Damiano cupped my face, making me forget how to breathe with how he was looking at me.Like I was his entire world.“That day, you captivated me right there on the spot.” His eyes darkened, and his lips turned into a devilish smirk as he leaned in closer.His mouth faintly glide
Last Updated : 2022-12-26The Devil's Fire Tiny Red Shoes
Althaia“So, pregnant, huh?” Arianna started, spinning around in my desk chair. After my mother called it a night, we headed upstairs to mine so we wouldn’t disturb her.“Yeah, I know. I can barely believe it myself.” I smiled as I changed into a t-shirt I had stolen from Damiano. It was long enough on me to be considered a dress.“Were you not on the pill?” Cara asked, coming out of the bathroom.“Yes, but I forgot to take them with me. I thought I would be fine since I was only supposed to stay for a week, anyway. It was not like I was expecting to, uh, mess around with anyone during my stay.” I explained, feeling my cheeks get warm.“Really?” Cara shot me a mischievous look. “I thought you would hook up with Michael, since the two of you were constantly flirting.” Cara chuckled, making Arianna look at me with a raised brow.“You were flirting with someone else?”“No!” I exclaimed. “Okay, yes, but it was before I even got with Damiano.” I admitted and glared at Cara for opening her b
Last Updated : 2022-12-28The Devil's Fire Changed For The Better
DamianoHer stunning emerald eyes gazed up at me, sparkling with brightness, as she smiled with a touch of amusement playing on her lips.“Do you really not know how happy you make me?” She asked, her fingers intertwined with mine.“I want to make sure.” I told her honestly.She was happy now, but as her mother made clear several times, she would constantly be a target for my enemies. Especially now that she was carrying my child. The realization that Althaia would always be tied to me made me wonder if she would come to resent me for it.This was one of the reasons her mother left her father; to protect her from the brutality that comes with living this life. Yet I dragged her right into it because of my obsession with her.“I guess it’s my fault for not telling you enough.” Althaia chuckled, making me smile at the sound. Her face beamed with joy and innocence, swelling my heart with a need for closeness, a desire to protect that radiant happiness she exuded.“I wouldn’t mind if you t
Last Updated : 2022-12-29The Devil's Fire Back Off!
AlthaiaWe had been walking for what felt like hours, and Arianna and Cara still hadn’t satisfied their shopping thirst. My mother left a while ago once she had bought what she needed and desperately walked away from us; most likely from Rafaelle, who wouldn’t leave her alone.Eventually, we decided to ditch the rest because I got too tired. So tired that I even fell asleep in the car on the way to the hotel where Damiano was staying.When I woke up, I found Damiano sleeping peacefully next to me. I smiled as I took my time to admire him. He looked so boyish with a few strands of hair falling over his eyes. He looked so…cute, and I almost let out a chuckle at the word. I never expected to use such a word to describe him.“What are you laughing at?” Damiano's voice was husky and low, still heavy with sleep. His eyes were closed, and I realized my body had been shaking when I tried not to laugh.“You. You look cute.” I chuckled, and he scoffed at my choice of words. His eyes suddenly sna
Last Updated : 2023-01-03The Devil's Fire The Baby
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.
Last Updated : 2023-01-04The Devil's Fire Knock Her Up
Althaia“Watching you suffer like this is making me wonder if it’s really worth it to be pregnant.” Cara made a face at how horrible I was looking; sweaty and exhausted while I was trying to carefully sip some water to rehydrate.Thankfully, it wasn’t anything critical, and we were able to leave the hospital once I received IV fluids. Cara had been worrying and waiting since Lorenzo left in a hurry after he received Damiano’s call to drive us to the hospital. I usually don't see much emotion from Lorenzo, but tonight I saw a flicker of worry in his eyes for me and the baby.“One look at this, and it’s making me forget about everything else.” I handed her the sonogram and rested my head on Damiano’s shoulder. He flashed a small smile and kissed my forehead.“Funny how it’s the size of a pea and it can make you feel like that.” Cara's smile lit up her face as she looked at the picture.“Yeah, so funny. I’m laughing so hard right now.” I said sarcastically, which only made her chuckle.Lo
Last Updated : 2023-01-05The Devil's Fire Cracking The Code
DamianoAlthaia said her goodbyes to the others, and I drove her back to her house. Not ready to let her go just yet, I walked with her into the house. She greeted her mother, and she received a curt nod from me as we made our way to her room.“What time are you leaving?” Althaia stepped between my legs as I took a seat on her bed. She wrapped her arms around my neck. I held her tightly against my body, savoring the momen,t knowing I wouldn’t be able to hold her for a while.“Once the others are ready, we will leave.” I sighed, still not happy that I was leaving without her. But I knew I had to be patient and give her the time to sort things out before having her all to myself.“You’ll be fine.” She spoke softly before moving to straddle my lap and leaning in to kiss me.The moment her lips met mine, I was overcome with desire, and I eagerly responded, losing myself in the intensity of our kiss. I held on to her tightly, unwilling to let her go, and wondered how the fuck she had succes
Last Updated : 2023-01-06
Latest chapter
The Devil's Fire (BONUS) A Birthday To Remember
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.
The Devil's Fire Our Beautiful New Life
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
The Devil's Fire Forever & Always
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
The Devil's Fire Let It Burn
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
The Devil's Fire The Truth
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
The Devil's Fire An Old Flame
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
The Devil's Fire Let It End
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
The Devil's Fire No More Secrets
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
The Devil's Fire The Aftermath
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
