Writer's Note The story is slowly undergoing edits.
AlthaiaI quickly sat up and wrapped my arms around his neck. Damiano held me tightly in his body with his strong arms as I sobbed into his neck.I couldn’t believe he was here. Right in front of me and holding me.He caressed my back as we were in each other’s arms. Something I had missed so much for the past three weeks. Something I desperately needed right now,“Althaia…” Damiano spoke softly and had me look at him. He cupped my face, wiping the tears away. He looked around my face with concern before meeting my eyes. “Tell me what’s wrong.”I looked at him with teary eyes, not knowing how to even tell him. Where do I even start? This whole thing had gotten out of control, and I didn’t know what to do.“I -” I bit my lip when my voice cracked and I looked down, trying to breathe before I continued. “I had a fight with my mom…” I decided to say, and I let out a breath before I looked back at him.He looked at me with furrowed brows, waiting for me to elaborate, but I didn’t know how
DamianoI couldn’t stop smiling as I continued to gaze at her as she slept in my embrace. Finally, after so long, she was back where she belonged, in my arms, where she fit so perfectly.Althaia went to sleep after I made sure she ate something, and I made sure she ate enough. Another thing I noticed was her decreased appetite. She could barely finish her plate.One of the things I adored about her was her love of food. Her eyes would dance with excitement every time she was about to savor something she loved. The way she would close her eyes and wear an expression of sheer joy when it exceeded her expectations.It never failed to bring a smile to my face. And, fuck, it frustrated me endlessly that she hadn’t been looking after herself, whether she knew about the pregnancy or not. But I was here to take care of her now and make sure she was safe and happy. Not like how I found her.I had to take a deep breath to calm down as I remembered that phone call.“Luca.” I said as I accepted hi
Althaia“Trust me, Damiano. I’m fine to go to work. I’ve even slept so much that I’m awake this early.” I said as I got dressed in a pair of black leggings and one of his t-shirts.I had to get back home to grab clothes for work because what Damiano packed was not work-appropriate. We didn’t have a dress code per se, but we definitely needed to be properly dressed as it was still a high-end boutique.“Keep it closed.” Damiano had a frown on his face as he sat at the end of the bed, watching me get dressed.“You’re a businessman. You, out of all people, should know that it’s bad for business if I just keep it closed.” I raised a brow and walked towards him. I stepped in between his legs and his hands rested right on my ass.“I will write a check for your losses. Keep it closed.” He insisted.“Look at you; throwing money at the problem.” I laughed.“Usually works.” He smirked.“Yeah? Well, it doesn’t work for me. People have their orders ready, and I kind of need to be there to hand them
AlthaiaAfter staying in bed for two days, I could finally get the boutique open. Damiano wasn’t happy about it and insisted on covering any losses so I could stay in bed and rest.Guess who won that round?Then Damiano insisted on staying with me in the boutique, and that started another round of discussion. I couldn’t have him or my assigned bodyguards in the boutique because I knew they would make my customers feel uneasy. I had to remind him he looks scary as fuck to other people.“Good.” He said.“Good for you, but not for my business. Don’t you have a Mafia to run or something? Go do that so I can work in peace.” I told him.That may or may not have resulted in him spanking my ass until it was as red as a cherry, saying I need to be fucked into obedience. A reminder that I was also dealing with a Mafia Boss.Damiano chose to do some work, while Luca and Giovanni stayed close, but not too close to the boutique to not look shady. I promised I would call if I needed anything.Luckil
AlthaiaI handed Laila a bottle of water after she had calmed down a bit. We were still sitting on the floor, under the desk, as it was better to stay down here so she wouldn’t have to witness the awful sight of that man.“Are you okay?” I asked her quietly. She clutched the water bottle to her chest as she kept glancing at Damiano but would quickly look away again.She nodded, taking a deep breath before speaking.“You have blood on your face…” She whispered.“Oh…” I said in surprise and blindly tried to wipe my face with Giovanni’s jacket.“Did…” Laila swallowed hard, then whispered. “Did he do this to you?” Her wide eyes darted quickly to Damiano. I followed her gaze, forgetting his hands were covered in blood.“Oh, no! No, he’s with me. He won’t do anything to harm me. Don’t worry, we’re safe with him.” I promised with a smile.She let out a breath of relief, and her whole body seemed to relax. I forgot Damiano looked intimidating if you didn’t know him, and she was probably fright
Althaia“Please, take care and stay safe. Call me when you land and remember, you can always call me no matter what, okay?” I told Laila as I hugged her tightly.We were at the airport, and I had packed a bag for her with money and all the necessities she needed. I didn’t want her to worry about anything so she could be with her family.“Thank you so much. I don’t know how I can ever thank you enough for everything you have done for me.” Laila hugged me tightly as she cried.“No need to. Just promise me you will stay safe.” I leaned back and smiled. She promised with a teary smile.“Giovanni will be with you and make sure you get to your family safely. I know he looks scary and grumpy, but trust me, he is harmless.” I grinned at Giovanni, and he looked at me with a scowl.“I’m just happy I get a break from your annoying ass.” He scoffed, making me pout at him.“I know you will miss me.”“I really won’t.”“It’s okay, Gio. I know you will. I will miss you too, Uncle Grumpy.” I teased.“U
AlthaiaI walked out of the bathroom after a quick rinse. Damiano was still downstairs on the phone with Lorenzo.The black jewelry box on my desk caught my eye, and I opened the box carefully. Once again, I found myself entranced by the breathtaking and opulent necklace.I still couldn’t believe he spent that much money without blinking an eye for someone like me. I didn’t feel worthy of it. Not even one bit. But it was so damn gorgeous I couldn’t keep my eyes off it.This was worth more than every single house on my street combined.When was I ever supposed to wear this? I snorted when I imagined myself just casually walking around and doing grocery shopping with this around my neck.I bit down on my lip as I thought of what Damiano said to me that night.“I want you to wear it. And nothing else.”I listened for any movements coming toward my bedroom. When I heard nothing, I pulled my nightgown over my head and carefully took out the Tiffany Yellow Diamond necklace.I let my hair fal
AlthaiaI jolted up in a sitting position, feeling my heart beat faster, and looked at Damiano with wide eyes. Fear and panic took over my body. Damiano sat up, his brows furrowed with concern.“Breathe, Althaia.” He reminded me, and I drew in a shaky breath.“She’s home early, and–and you’re here!” I suddenly realized, now feeling the blood drain from my face.“I need you to calm down, baby.” Damiano placed his hands on my cheeks, and I immediately clung onto his arms as I felt myself panicking like the day before she left. “Slow down… breathe… that’s it…” He guided, and I closed my eyes and focused on steadying my breathing to calm down my hammering heart.I kept listening to his soothing voice, focusing on the way his thumbs were lightly caressing my cheeks and slowly calming me down.“I’m okay.” I let out a breath and opened my eyes again.I groaned as I plopped down on the bed again, wondering why she was home so early and if she had calmed down. Or if we were going to fight again