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Althaia The banquet hall was set up to be as extravagant as possible, with towering centerpieces and glittering chandeliers. The room was bustling with the sounds of chatter and laughter as the swarm of people, dressed in their finest clothing, mingled with one another. I was taken aback by how many people were there, and I ended up playing a game with myself by guessing which ones were involved in a criminal organization, and which ones were... normal. Antonio and Luca disappeared off to somewhere to give us some privacy, and while we fell into a chat with too many people. Damiano was incredibly well-known, and the second we stepped foot inside, people practically rushed to have a word with him. His presence attracted a crowd of people, all eager to share their business ideas and hoping for a partnership. He pulled me close and wrapped his arm around my waist, and I smiled politely while they talked. “Is it always like this? Them trying to kiss your ass.” I asked after we had excu
Althaia “They must have a return policy.” I kept telling Damiano as we made our way out of the banquet hall. The auction had finished after Damiano’s bid, and then there was a long speech about how they were so grateful to see a full house. After that, people came from all directions to congratulate Damiano on his bidding and to express their admiration for the exquisite necklace. Then there was a long process where Damiano had to sign what felt like a hundred of papers and write a check. He wouldn’t get the necklace immediately, as the one on the stage was a replica, and the real one would be sent to him with top security. “That’s not how it works.” Damiano said, still completely unbothered. “I don’t think you understand how much money it is.” I tried to explain. “I do. I just spent it.” He let out a smug smile. I stopped and placed my hands on my hips. “I’m not accepting it.” “Too late.” Damiano replied in an amused tone. “You already gave me those earrings! Even I think is t
Althaia “Does my dress look all right?” I asked Damiano while I patted down my dress to make sure I wasn’t flashing anyone before I got out of the car. He took a quick glance at my dress and gave a subtle nod before opening the door. He offered his hand to help me out of the car, and I gratefully accepted as I held my heels. I refused to put them back on. “Are you okay to walk?” Damiano looked at my foot. “Yeah, I’m fine. Luckily, I don’t have to take the stairs here.” I said gratefully. “All I want to do is eat and sleep.” “You know, there is a time and place for everything.” Luca leaned against the car, looking at us with a playful grin. I blinked twice before turning to face Damiano with my face burning with embarrassment. “I thought you said it was soundproof!” “It is. We felt the car shake.” Antonio commented, also with a teasing smile. “Just great…” I muttered, walking away from as I couldn’t face them. I was more worried about them hearing us than thinking about shaking
Damiano Althaia's eyes widened in horror as she looked around, and her body trembled with fear at the sight of pictures of herself hanging on the walls. “What is this…?” It came out as a whisper, and her panicked gaze met mine. The sight of her like this flooded my body with a hunger to spill every drop of the fucker’s blood. “Enough. Let’s go.” I went to grab her to get her out of here when she suddenly gasped and put her hand up to her mouth and pointed behind me. Fucking hell. She saw it. I blocked her view when she paled, her entire body trembling. “Is that a heart?” She swallowed hard. “With my picture on?” Althaia swayed unsteadily before her eyes rolled back. I caught her in my arms before she collapsed to the floor. I held her small frame tightly against my body, carrying her to get her out of here. My eyes were fixated on the heart that was hung by a knife with her picture on it. Clenching my jaw, I walked out. “Get Ellie to the manor.” I told Antonio. On the way down
Althaia I blinked away the tears. I looked up to see Damiano staring at me with his hands in his pockets, his thoughts and feelings hidden, as usual. “Okay, you’re all set here.” I looked down to see Ellie had bandaged my foot. “I’s not broken, but I would like you to come to the clinic to do a proper check-up. Until then, do not support on your foot, okay?” I gave a small nod when she smiled and went back to grab a wipe and gently dabbed around on my brow. “I really need to stitch you up now.” Ellie said, and my nose scrunched up involuntarily as I imagined the pain of being sewn in the face. “Fine.” I murmured, feeling relaxed enough to agree. Whatever she had given me was working. She pulled on a fresh pair of gloves, picked up the needle driver and tissue forceps, and moved closer to my face. Out of reflex, I smacked her hands away from me, almost making her drop the things in her hands. “Try not to hurt my wife.” My eyes shifted towards the doorway where Antonio stood. “Sh
Althaia I let out a yawn as I woke up, carefully stretching my aching limbs. My entire body felt stiff, and my face was hurting from kissing the floor too many times. I looked over to where Damiano was sleeping, but his side of the bed was cold and empty. How does that man even function? He barely sleeps. I slightly shook my head and sat at the edge of the bed, trying to figure out how to get to the bathroom with my injured foot. I briefly considered hopping on one but immediately dismissed it as it would only make my body ache some more. So, with no other alternatives, I was forced to take the last option. To crawl. I tried my best to keep my injured foot elevated as I crawled on the floor, inching my way towards the bathroom like a fool. The room was literally the size of an apartment, and I was struggling. By the time I got there, I was out of breath, and I couldn’t tell if it was because of the condition I was in or if I was just really out of shape. Probably a mixture of both
Althaia “You don’t have an infection, which is great. Remember to keep your stitches clean and dry.” Ellie said and went to type into her computer once she was done examining me. “As for your foot, it’s a mild sprain. Are you keeping yourself off your feet?” “Damiano is carrying me everywhere and not letting me walk, so yes.” I lightly chuckled. “I’ve noticed. I'll get you crutches to use.” She smiled. “There is no need for them.” Damiano dismissed. “How am I supposed to move around, then?” I asked him. “You’re not supposed to. That way, I know you’re staying put.” He retorted with a raised brow. “But I need to move around at some point.” “I’ll carry you.” “…That can’t be healthy for me.” “She has a point.” Ellie backed me up. “See! You can’t argue with a doctor. She knows best.” I grinned at him. His eyes slightly narrowed at Ellie, but he didn’t argue with her. “Tomorrow then. You’ll rest today.” He said as a final order, which I agreed to. “Do you have any questions bef
Althaia “What did you do on your little getaway with Damiano?” Cara asked as she shoved her face with popcorn. Arianna and Cara brought a bunch of snacks as we all lounged on Damiano’s bed. I had planned on taking a nap after my shower, but since I wasn’t tired at all, they came to keep me company since I wasn’t allowed to move per Damiano’s order. “I don’t want to hear details.” Arianna said in a warning tone, and Cara let out a scoff. “I do! I want to hear every single bit of it. Tell me, is he big?” Cara’s grin was removed when Arianna smacked her face with a pillow. “Don’t be disgusting! He’s your brother-in-law!” “So? I want to know if big dicks run in the family.” She replied and Arianna gagged, which only made Cara smirk. “I will even start by saying Lorenzo has what I call a monster cock. It felt like he ripped my vagina in two!” I burst out laughing when Arianna put her in a headlock with her hand clamped against her mouth to make her stop talking about Lorenzo’s ‘packa
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