I suddenly lost my ability to speak. Why does Stefano have this effect on me?"Uhm…yay." I stuttered, tucking a lone strand of my hair behind my ears and looked away."Had a good meal?" He asked, putting away the cigarette.I nodded because my mouth chose to be silent on its accord. Stefano acknowledged my answer with a nod and he started walking up the stairs. I ran towards the direction and he halted, looking down at me and raising his eyebrows as if saying yes?"What about the party?" I asked, my voice low. "Isn't that why I'm here?""Guess?" He winked at me. Typical Stefano was at it again with his antics.I sighed and glared at him. I shook my head as if to shove the thought away. I was beginning to think that he had brought me here for another reason."What do you mean?" I asked, my brows furrowed."I said take a random guess."I shook my head. "Nah, you're not going to do this right now." With the mischievous glint in his eyes, it looked like he was taking me for a fool. I mea
While I sat beside Stefano at the passenger's seat, I couldn't help but wonder where we heading. No information had been passed regarding the nature of the event.I took a small glance at him. Stefano raised his brows at me. The words died in my throat as I took in his handsomeness -gosh he was so beautiful but I had to restrain myself for complimenting him. I wasn't here for that, and I would be gone soon."Where are we heading to?" I looked at him briefly."A party," he shrugged. "I told Katrina I needed an escort and she asked If I was okay with you.""So you use different escorts each time you attend parties like this?" I didn't why I asked that but I'd loved to know the answer. I cracked my knuckles while anticipating his response."I have never needed an escort, Bella.""What changed?""I'll say my old man has been pressuring me to get a girlfriend, I was afraid he might kill me in my sleep if I show up to this party without a woman holding my hands." The way Stefano said the wo
"Marry me." Stefano demanded, catching me off guard.My face scrunched, trying to understand. "Why?""Marry me and you'll be compensated handsomely while I give you a job at my charity owned hospital." Stefano proposed, no hint of playfulness in his tone. I thought of his words for a minute, my heart pounding. "And what do you stand to gain?""My father's happiness, and maybe his respect. He's been on my neck to get a wife and the marriage could be my ticket to a position I've been vying for." Stefano shrugged, the buzziness of the city filtrating into my ears. I hoped we could get to the venue soon. There was no escaping this conversation, I had to give him an answer soon."Are you offering me a contract marriage?" I enquired, the words feeling foreign in my mouth.Stefano paused for a minute, as if considering my words. "You could call it that. Our marriage is expected to last for two years and after which, we'll go our separate ways."This seemed like a deal I could handle. I didn
"Things are no longer the same, Robin." I whispered, moving backwards."What changed?" He moved closer to me, holding my hands.I wanted to say I had gotten married in his absence but my tongue was tied."I just can't explain it." I shook my head, the unsaid words placing a weight in my chest.Robin cupped my cheeks, his expression sad. He licked his lips, I used to find that very attractive, but now I just wanted to be away from him."Bella, make me understand."I understand he reasons for wanting to be aware of my thoughts. I mean, we were planned on getting marriage. Life was truly unpredictable, why was I finding Robin in the weirdest places and today of all days?"You shouldn't have left, Robin," I sighed, hitting his chest. My heart was splintering into tiny different prices right before my eyes.I had hoped to be content with knowing Robin was fine, even though the relationship doesn't work as planned. But now, Robin wanted the relationship more than any other thing and I could
My whole body froze when my eyes met his cold gaze. I wonder how much Stefano had seen. As he took powerful strides towards us, my heart pounded loudly in my ears.Suddenly, his firm grip pulled me in his direction. We stood opposite Robin who had an awkward smile plastered on his face."Glad to see you, I guess." Robin chuckled, stretching his hands towards Stefano as though they were old friends."You might not be glad to see me next time." Stefano's firm tone matched the cold gaze his eyes held.Robin chuckled, unfazed by his words. I didn't understand what exactly was going on, but I could tell that there was a quiet battle between them. I was torn between screaming and keeping mute. Before I could make any decision, Stefano's hard grip tightened around my wrist and pulled towards the direction of his car."What the hell is wrong with you?" I yelled, pain shooting through my hand."Protecting you! You can't afford to spend one more minute with him." Stefano spat, still not freei
Stefano CarloLuca Manno didn't know that he was biting more than he could chew. For some reason, the old fucker was pushing me to the wall. Why was he choosing to fuck intercept my goods and then disrupt our distribution?How dare he fucking take hostage of the goods and attacking my men? I couldn't wrap my head around the audacity. He had his territory and he had never trespassed before even though we were not exactly on good terms, so why did he suddenly grow the balls to walk into the lion's den?My jaw twitched as my fingers glazed over my moustache. I regarded Matteo with a dark look, then in a fit of anger, I slammed my fist on the desk. "How dare he?"Matteo flinched a little before taking his stand. "I don't know, the last time I heard anything from him, he was sick so I don't know why he's trying to war against us."Matteo was right. Me and my father had been running Sicily and UK borders for so long and no one had ever dared to interrupt our dealings. Or do I say the last p
The fucker didn't pick his call.I watched it ring until it went to voicemail. I pressed my hands together, attempting to keep my cool as my thoughts roamed.I shook my head. One fact remains the same: I had to treat Luca Manno as urgent. If not, he'd spiral out of control, and chopping him off would become impossible. I leaned into my chair, closing my eyes. All I saw was trouble, and then I rose, sliding into my car within a few minutes. As I drove on the road, I got certain information that made the whole situation interesting. I knew I was going to look at that later, but for now, I was heading home.As I got into my penthouse, my maid, Marianna, was standing next to the door. She had worked with my family for years and had eventually assigned her to work for me when I moved into my own apartment. Her services were well needed; I couldn't even do anything domestically for the life of me. Also, I didn't trust other people enough to let them into my space. All the other workers I'v
Now I knew he was definitely taking me for a fool. If he had an issue with my father, why didn't he just go all out for him? Why did he have to tamper with the territories that I had inherited?The worst part of this was that my father saw all of this as a joke. But I won't treat this as such; I won't let that happen. I didn't even need his approval to fight for what was mine. When I become victorious, he would applaud me himself. But for now, I couldn't just sit down doing nothing."Luca Manno would not stop at this; the fool will keep going at this shit if we don't fucking put this to an end." I spat, pacing around."So what are we suggesting we do?" Matteo asked. Usually, I brought the ideas, and he gathered the rest of the men to execute them."I'll inform you when I finalise.""We have to act quickly.""I don't need anyone to say that to me. I know." I snapped, anger coursing through the veins. This is what I hated the most about the mafia. There were too many inherited fights an
The next morning Tomasso insisted on sitting on the parlour with me while stefano had gone to the office. We didn't say anything, just glancing at each other from time to time.I texted Stefano to inform him of what was happening.S: Maybe you could engage him in a conversation, who knows if he might begin to remember somethings…I think he was right. One of the mistakes we were making was avoiding certain questions he was asking.Me: I'll try, I miss going to work.Stefano replied immediately.Do you wanna go back? We could employ someone to baybsit him.Then how is he going to recall faster?It could still happen. He just needs his drugs and need to be in contact with his environment that way he'll continue to have flashbacks.Thank you captain obvious. I teased.“So y'all said you are my guardians.” Tomasso asked and I paused midway the sentence I was typing on my phone.I raised my head slowly. “Yes you've been living with us.”“For how long?” He asked.I told him the accurate dat
The next morning, Stefano stirrred softly in his sleep as I watched the rise and fall of his chest.I got out of the bed with one intention in mind. i wanted to make him breakfast in mind. He has been going through hetic days and I suspected that he needed moments like this. Something that would make the corners of his lips curl with a smile.Heading towards the kitchen, I met Maria thre. I rubbed my eyes, suprised. I wasn't expecting to see her, she had been taking frequent breaks because she wanted to remarry. Stefano cared so much her and would always give her the breaks each time she requested for one.“Hey Bella.” She greeted, eyes glancing up.“Hey…” I hesistated. “Did you tell him you'd be coming today?”“No.” She shook head. “I wanted to suprise him.”“Hmm okay.” I replied. “I'll just assist you then, I'm trying to give him breakfast in mind. I hope he doesn't stand up from the bed soon.”“I promise you, he won't just yet.” she responsed and I laughed, holding the words with f
Stefano“Guess who I just saw?” I asked Bella other the phone.“I don't know.” She drawled.“Just think think.” I urged her.“I wouldn't know even if I tried harder, how about you just speak huh?”She was right. There was no way on earth she would have been able to guess Rosa's return..“I just saw Rosa.” I informed her, my mind still reeling from the shock.“Nah nah.” I imagined her shaking her head in disbelief. “You just saw her? Where? What was she doing?” All of these numerous questions were asked and I didn't even know which to answer first.My mind wasn't at peace… for some reasons, I knew Rosa had an agenda for coming back. I just hoped I was out of it and she wasn't thinking of hurting me or my family.“I saw her at the bar. I went to drink and she Sauntered to my direction saying she was.” I explained.Bella was short of words. She hesitated and that gave it away. “I can't believe it.”“I can't believe this either… if no one had told me she was the one I'd have probably miss
The moment we stepped into the house, Tomasso stood still. We noticed this because we were all seated while he was the only one standing."You should seat." Marco suggested, patting the space next to him.Tomasso shook his head. "Nah I'm alright." He continued to scan around the environment.I cleared my throat. "You can also do that while sitting." I said, my voice low."Not wrong, but I choose to stand." This version of Tomasso was rude but we'd have to cope and not take any offence."Okay would you like to get anything to eat?" I asked.He waved a dismissive flick of his wrist. "Nahhhhh." He dragged the words."I want to have a word with you." Stefano requested and we stood up."Excuse me." I said."Take the room at the left wing." Stefano insructed Marco and he nodded."if this used to be my house then why is he telling you where to sleep?" Tomasso asked."I think I need to ease myself." Marco said dismissing himself. He was tired as hell, having trapped with a bunch of question
"Doesn't seem like it."The words Tomasso had uttered earlier on made my heart skip a beat. I sucked in a deep breath, trying to hold my tears together.I couldn't afford to cry in front of these people.I stared at Stefano, and he squeezed my hands. "Try to keep it together." He whispered; he must have noticed the tears brimming in my eyes.I nodded.Marco visibly exhaled and then reached out for Tomasso's hands. "You think I'll lie to you?" He asked with a harmless smile. "They're your family, and they care about you very much. Think about it; they wouldn't have come again after you blatantly denied them."Tomaso seemed to consider Marco's words for a second. I held my heart in my hand, hoping that his response would be positive at least. Something we could work with."You're right." He shrugged, looking away."Or would you rather be somewhere else?" Marco asked arching his brows at him."Damn it!" Tomasso punctuated his sentence by slamming his fist on the bed. "Where would you wan
“It was the doctor calling.” stefano informed me the moment I opened my eyes. I met him tuckening into his trousers as though he was in a hurry.“What's the problem?” I asked, scratching my eyes and yawning.“I don't know. I didn't bother to ask him since he just said he wanted me at the hospital.” He explained as he wore his trousers.“How about I come with you?” I suggested. Right from the second I heard him say the doctor had requested to see him at the hospital, I had become worried. i knew i wouldn't be able to keep still while he'd be away. I would call life out of him. So i needed to be there with him“Sure I could have woken you up but I thought you needed the rest after how hard I made you scream.” He teased, a coy smile plastered on his Face.“Come off it bruh.” I waved a dissimive flick of my wrist as I made my way to stand up.I discovered I was naked.My hands flew to my palm. “What the hell?”He raised his eye brows in a questionable tone. “What's wrong?”“I'm naked.” I
Shock washed over Stefano. It was evident with the way his mouth gaped open at my statement.“Surprised right?” I asked and he nodded.“I never would have guess that.” He shook his head. “Maybe this was the reason you were naturally drawn to him, I mean he's your blood.”“I don't know how to feel about it. He can't even remember me. He doesn't remember anything, then how do I tell him I am his sister?” Tears misted my eyes. I haven't been so confused in a long time.I felt like I was surrounded by a maze of trees in a thick forest with no idea of the next direction to go.I wouldn't let Stefano decided for him. I had to solve all of this by myself.He stared at me, “Listen this isn't any of your fault. I mean blame your parents. They should have told you guy earlier on and to be honest I don't think it would be nice to tell him now. He's not even going to understand what you're talking about. Just keep the information to yourself till he starts getting back his memory.” Stefano advi
“Baby you don't have to talk about it now.” Stefano consoled me, patting my back.I nodded, pulling away from him. I was not still used to him seeing me cry. It felt like a sign of weakness on my oatt and I wasn't comfortable with the idea of people seeing me as weak.“You don't have to hide your pain away from me.” His voice cut through my thoughts as he pulled his handd back to laps, rubbing them offering both pleasure and comfort.“I'm trying not to hide. I'm trying.” I replied, my voice low.“I know how hard it is for you.” He replied. “But understand that I'm here for you and I want to continue being here for you baby. You deserve this and more.” He expressed his emotions calmly and at the same time the words held so much emotions.I yawned then sniffed. I tried sitting upright and he moved closer to assist me. Now we were just a few inches apart, I couldn't bare looking at him up close so I averted my gaze.“You're hiding again.” I could already predict his next words. Don't hi
I'm sorry.” He apologized for the umpeteenth tjme, “we were honestly going to tell you.”“Then why didn't-” I stopped just before I could continue my sentence. “We just-” he started. “I don't know. I just thought maybe you'll hate me more? Finding out that your mother had been right about everything.”“I've always knew she was right. Tomasso's mother wasn't the only woman you cheated with and that was clear from the onset.”He hands flew to his head, disappointment. “True.” He agreed without denying as I expected.“How can I make thing right my princess?” He asked and I shook my head.This wasn't the time he was talking about making things right and to be honest I was tired of having that conversation with him.Each time he tried to make things right, he ended up making things worst and again, it angered me. Also I felt foolish whenever my heart shatters from his misbehaviours.“Please, how can I make things right?” He asked again.“Just do nothing.” I answered and a flicker of supri