2

A lump grew in my throat, and my eyes widened in both fear and shock. 

“You will apologize to me at once, and you must be as quiet as a mouse,” he whispered with severity in his tone. “Got it?”

I nodded, gripping my towel tight, hating the way my heart galloped because of the close proximity between our bodies. 

He let go of my mouth, and I pressed my lips together, tilting my head to stare at the floor. 

“I'm sorry, sir,” I apologized, and my stomach clenched in fear. Zaverio had never been this stern with me. 

His alcoholic breath fanned my face, and I pressed my back harder against the wall, wishing it would open up and take me. 

“You've grown so beautiful,” he said in a roguish voice, gripping a handful of my hair. “Damn, I missed you.”

I gulped, trembling. 

Who had Zaverio become? He wasn't the sweet teenager I used to sneak out to the waterfall with. 

His hand drifted to my neck, sending electric shocks down my spine. “Why aren't you saying anything? Didn't you miss me?”

“You're my boss. I can't talk back,” I answered. “And how can you miss someone you do not have any memories of?”

He sighed, withdrawing his hand from my neck. He pinched my chin and lifted my head to meet his gaze. 

“Look, I didn't mean to scare you. I was just stressed from the journey, and all I wanted to do was to spend time with a beautiful woman, my beautiful woman,” he spoke Softly, igniting a flame within me. 

“What beautiful woman?” I eyed his nose, unable to look into his eyes. 

“You,” he admitted, trailing his fingers up my cheek, stroking my earlobe. 

“I thought you said you can not remember who I am,” I whispered. 

“Come on, I just said that because I didn't want my mother to notice,” he announced, sounding convincing. “I missed you. I want us to catch up and spend sweet times like we used to.” 

He leaned closer to my neck and ran a warm tongue over my skin. My grip around my towel almost loosened. I stifled a gasp. His teeth grazed my skin, and my core tightened with a pulsating need. 

“Zaverio,” I called, gently pushing him off me. “I can't–”

“Look, I know you're upset because of how I acted earlier when I arrived, but you know why I did that. You know how furious mother can be,” he interrupted me, cupping my face, and resting his forehead against mine. “We have to keep this thing between us low-key.” 

“Why do we have to keep seeing each other in secret? I thought this would stop once you return from Italy like you promised.” I searched his eyes for answers. 

“Yes, but we have to lay low for now. I promise to let the world know about us soon,” he assured me, and after much thought, I hesitantly agreed. 

“I got you a bracelet,” he announced. “But you have to kiss me first to get it.” 

Excitement coursed through my veins. If he got me something, then he still loved and thought about me while in Italy. I grew giddy.

A blush peppered my cheeks, and I shyly peeked at him from over my lashes. He cocked his brows and flashed me a smug grin before wetting his lips. 

“Kiss me,” he ordered, wrapping his arms around my waist. 

“You kiss me,” I flirted, biting my bottom lip. 

He pressed his lips against mine, and I kissed him back, suckling his bottom lip. 

“Gosh! I've missed these soft lips so much!” I screamed in my head, adrenaline surging through my veins. 

He roamed his fingers up my neck, wrapping his fingers around it and sending shivers down my spine. 

A whimper flew out of my lips as he drifted his hand down my chest, teasing me. 

“Alma!” I heard one of the male, house helps yelling my name from the other side of the door. 

I jerked, breaking the kiss. My pulse raced, and I snapped my head in the door’s direction, and so did Zaverio. 

“Alma!” He exclaimed, banging on the door. 

“I'm–I’m naked!” I exclaimed breathlessly, hoping it would send him away. 

“Oh. Mrs. Zaverio calls for you. Hurry up, she seems angry,” he announced. 

“I'll be there soon,” I replied, and he left. 

I tiptoed to the door, and leaned in to listen for sounds. Once I was certain he had left, I glanced at Zaverio, saying, “You have to leave before someone sees you here,” under my breath. 

“Check if the coast is clear,” he said quietly, pointing at the door. 

I rushed to put on an oversized gown, and then opened my room door. I first poked my head out, checking if there were maids around. The hall was empty. 

I glanced over my shoulder, nodding at Zaverio. With that, he snuck out of my room. 

****

After attending to Mrs. Zaverio, who only wanted me to make her tea, I returned to my room, unable to stop thinking about Zaverio. My lips throbbed. I could still feel his touch and kisses. 

I smiled to myself as I put on my nightgown and straightened my dark hair, staring at the mirror, satisfied with what I saw. It was a silk material that hugged me in the right places, accentuating my curves.

“Let's finish what we started,” I said to my reflection. 

I hummed in satisfaction, propping up my breasts, watching them spill out of the dress, leaving a beautiful sight of my cleavage. 

“I hope this dazzles him,” I said to myself. 

Walking out of my room, I felt a little nervous. I didn’t know how Zaverio would react. 

What if he was asleep? I shrugged. If he was asleep, he'd wake up the moment I was in. He had always been a light sleeper, like a cat. 

I gritted my teeth as the air grew chilly. Winter was obviously approaching. I tiptoed down the hallway leading to his room and reached his door. 

My brows knitted into a frown when my ears picked up voices, and I could make out a female one. 

My heart sank. Was he… I shook my head to dispel the negative thoughts. Maybe he was watching a movie. 

Gently, I pushed open the door, and there, groaning, one of the house helps on top of him, riding him with her eyes closed in ecstasy. 

My chest constricted around my heart, and I ran back to my room. 

I slumped on my bed with a heavy heart. Tears spilled out of my eyes, and sobs wracked through me. 

Our previous taskmistress was right, men were scum, and they did nothing more than serve innocent women like myself heartbreak on a scalding plate. 

How could he do this to me?