Natalie yawned and stretched sniffing the air and trying to locate where the sweet-smelling delicacy was coming from.
Her nose directed her to the kitchen and she looked around the room but didn't see Dante. She headed towards the bathroom for a quick toothbrush.
She couldn't have Dante trying to kiss her in the morning and thinking she had morning breath. The scent kept tickling her nose and she hurried downstairs.
She saw Dante standing by the gas cooker, a frying pan in his hand. She tip-toed to the dining table where she saw the plate of muffins and pancakes with jam and strawberry syrup.
Doing a happy dance she took Dante unaware and hugged him from behind.
Dante jumped out of fright because he hadn't expected her to be awake by this time but here she was wide awake and grinning at him.
"Good morning, sunshine," he said when he finally caught his breath.
Natalie chuckled. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you like that. Good morning.
Faustino glanced at his granddaughter and chuckled while he continued cleaning his gun."Grandpa!" Natalie exclaimed.Faustino sighed. "I'm not in the mood for your games, Natalie. I have something urgent to attend to."Natalie shook her head at him wondering when her grandpa became so moody."What's wrong, Grandpa?""Ricco's gone, Nat. It's just me that's running my empire and other small chains of business," he replied. He sounded so weary and his face was exhausted. He seemed to have aged ten times his normal age.Natalie furrowed her brow in concentration as she thought about Noah's request to go with him. Maybe the kid had been here and seen what her grandpa was going through."Grandpa, I know you've had Ricco for a while now," she began."Yeah, I have. Now, I don't know who I'll hand the company over to when I'm no more."Natalie chuckled. Death is still far from you grandpa.""But we have to be prepared for all
Dario stood up from his bed, stretching and yawning as he checked the time. It was 9:05 am and he was still in bed. He couldn't believe that ever since the wedding and his sister had gone off for honeymoon he still hasn't found his purpose in life.Now, he realized that he was following in the footsteps of others while trying to make out something for himself when there was nothing.He had helped them when they needed it but now, there was nothing he could do because everything was in order.He picked up his phone and sighed when he saw the text messages he's been receiving ever since the bouquet toss. The stalker woman had gotten his number thanks to his sister.His phone rang and Dante's number flashed on the screen. He picked it up immediately."Dude, how have you been?" Dante's voice echoed on the other side of the phone.He sounded so happy and full of life. Dario thought he deserved it after all the troubles he's been through with his family
Dario stepped into his office and smiled when he saw his name decorated on the glass nameplate as the CEO of his parents' company.He had just arrived in Italy two days ago and now he was ready to do what his parents never achieved before they died.He was taking the Esposito Empire public, they will be launching an IPO before the end of next year. He has called for a board meeting where Faustino would introduce him as the new CEO.His smile widened when he thought of how proud his parents would be but he didn't let that get into his head. He had to focus and finish up the task he had at hand only then can he rejoice.He stared at the polished mahogany table with the recliner chairs in his office. The plush red rug felt soft in his legs as he wiggled his barefoot on it.His office was large, neat, and tidy and he loved the fact that he could watch the entire city from the balcony in his office. The next glass door in his office was that of his P.A
"She's avoiding me!"Dante chuckled at Dario's outburst. It's been a week since Dario and Noah left for Italy and now due to his wife's request they had come to Italy to see them.Dario snorted. "It's not funny, dude. I've asked her out to dinner four times this week and she turned them down with silly excuses.""If she's avoiding you then she has every reason to do so," Dante shrugged."Yeah. You ignored her when she was interested in you so what makes you think she still wants you?" Natalie asked.Dario groaned. "You are both taking this the wrong way. I only want to discuss business with her and nothing else."Natalie chuckled and nodded. "Sure. We hear you loud and clear."Dario shrugged. "I don't know what you're thinking but it's not that.""Relax, dude. Let's go for a swim or something so you can cool off," Dante suggested."Yeah, it's one week to a new year, and I dunno about you but I'm ready to relax," Natalie sighed so
"New Year Celebrations In Italy! Count me in!!"Natalie chuckled at Trish's excitement as she ended the call. The way she had jumped around the house, she was on the verge of breaking her water bag."So, Carino is coming?"Natalie looked up from her tablet and saw Dario standing by her doorway."Yeah she is but you look awful," she replied assessing him. His eyes were bloodshot and he looked like he hadn't slept in days."It's nothing. Where's Dante?"Natalie cocked a brow at him. "What is the matter, Dario? And Dante went out with Noah.""I can't understand Cassie anymore. One minute she's sweet and loving and the next minute, she's moody," Dario sighed running a hand through his hair. He plopped down on the bed and Natalie noticed a day-old beard on his chin."What happened Dario? You guys have been together for only a couple of days and now you're having issues?"Dario shrugged. "Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to ask her out
Dario adjusted his tie in the mirror, a small smile was playing on his lips as he stared at the mirror."What's funny?" She asked.He shrugged. "I'm just admiring how beautiful you are."Cassie blushed as she grabbed her dress from the hanger and wore it."I can't believe you stayed away from work all because of me," she said.He stepped away from the mirror and held her waist. "For you, I can do anything."Her heart swayed at his words and she looked at him with adoration in her eyes."Thank you, Dario.""Stop thanking me, I didn't do anything," Dario chuckled.Cassie chuckled. "Okay, now hurry up let's get to work.""You're the one who's still wearing your shoes," he replied.His phone beeped and he saw a text from his sister. She was coming to Italy for the new year holidays. He chuckled and texted her back."New year is next week, Cassie. Do you have any plans?" He asked."I don't think so, why?"
Dante heaved a sigh of relief when he finally up into Dario's house. He couldn't wait to be back in America so he could finally continue his business.He entered the house and saw Dario staring at his laptop, he smiled at him."I was wondering if you guys were never gonna come home," Dario said.Dante cocked his brow at him. "It's just me.""Oh, I thought you were out with Natalie and Chloe," Dario said."Natalie and Chloe aren't at home?" He asked surprised.Dario shook his head. "They left a note that they went out for a girls' outing but I figured since it was late they would have been with you.""Have you tried calling them?" Dante asked worriedly."No, I don't have any signal in here. I'll have to go out of the house, what about you?""I had a little accident and I lost my phone," Dante replied quickly."Okay? I guess we'll go outside and try calling her," Dario said eyeing him suspiciously.Dante prayed in
Ten Years Later.Natalie stared at herself in the mirror and smiled at the image she saw. She was dressed in a sparkling silver dress that hugged her body, the off-shoulder sleeves were adorned with sparkling diamonds.Her neck was adorned with sparkling diamonds, tiny earrings, and matching bracelets. Her hair was pulled up into a high bun and she wore simple makeup.In all, she was the epitome of a sophisticated and elegant wife of the most successful businessman in the country."Mom, it's time for you to be announced with dad!"Natalie glanced at the new figure standing behind her in the mirror and she smiled.Chloe has grown to be a beautiful woman with her long blonde hair and her sparkling blue eyes. She was dressed in a silk pink gown which stopped just below her knees and she matched it with a pair of gold heels and her gold purse.Now at sixteen approaching seventeen and almost done with high school, Chloe was her consolation for he
"Dante?"Her husband stared at her with a confused expression."Na—ruff!"The next thing that followed was utter chaos as she stood mortified.Natalie blinked. Maybe if she closed her eyes and opened it, the horrible scene would disappear but the shrill voices reminded her that it was real."He is crazy!” someone exclaimed."Call the asylum!" Another added.Natalie watched as her husband tore at people's trousers and skirts barking like a dog.Like an actual dog! A real dog!She looked around mortified as she tried to stop them from racing out of the house screaming their lungs out.
“Doctor, what is wrong with my husband?” Natalie stared at Dante as he lay down peacefully on the hospital bed, a small smile playing on his lips. She caressed his hair and kissed his cheeks softly. “He’ll be asleep for a while, Ma’am,” the doctor answered. “Did you find out what's wrong?” Natalie asked. The doctor nodded and she heaved a sigh of relief. She had worried that everything wouldn't go according to her plans and she would have to start afresh after ruining Dante’s image. “This is the document of Dante’s hospital reports,” the doctor said, handing her some papers. Natalie went through it and a smile formed on her lips. “Thank you so much, Doctor,” Natalie smiled. The doctor nodded, “You’re welcome, Ma’am. I wish you success.”Natalie nodded as the doctor left. A few minutes later Lee stepped into the hospital room, panting. “Reporters... Outside... Wolves!” he panted. Natalie shrugged, “Calm down, Lee. Did you get it?”Lee handed her a box and nodded, “Everything i
Natalie stared at Dante as she saw the speech he had written and she chuckled."What's funny?" Dante asked with a frown."You are writing a speech like you aren't a businessman again," she chortled.Dante's frown deepened. "What is wrong with that?"Natalie smiled. "I just don't think it would be necessary for that. You can do that without the speech."Dante furrowed his brows at her. "It's an impromptu speech, Natalie. I need to be prepared."Natalie noticed the way his muscles were tensed and she sighed. She knew he was nervous but she didn't know what was going on in his mind.She stood up and touched his biceps. He smiled at her touch and she smiled. "Why are you so tensed?" She asked.He shrugged. "What do you mean? I'm not tensed."Natalie smirked. "You are, Dante."Dante sighed and took a seat beside her on the bed. He massaged his throbbing temples and sighed again."Out with it!" Natalie exclaimed."I'm scared, Nat," he whispered.Natalie froze at the tone of his voice. Her p
She tried connecting the dots but at each point, she came up blank. Nothing made any sense whatsoever and Sophie had agreed to accompany Dante. It was only out of jealousy that she had decided to go with Dante. Could it be that this whole thing had been a trap to ruin her trust with Dante? What more can break a relationship except when they've lost trust in each other? First, she was made to lose faith in Dante by finding out about his affair with Sophie which wasn't so much of a big deal if she had just sat down to think about it. She massaged her temples as she felt the headache beginning to form. She needed to stay focused because that was what Sophie was trying to disrupt. For some reason, she knew that her coming here would do no good for either her or Dante. How could she have let this slip by so quickly? She picked up her pen and went to the board, there was a time when she had defeated Jared and Sophie, now was the same time to do just that. She examined the things that
Dante stepped out of the police van as he followed them to the cell where he would stay. "You will have to cool off here for the night, sir. Someone called us and suggested you spend the night here before you strangle your wife out of anger." Dante ignored the policeman as he thought about what Natalie had done. He knew he shouldn't be upset after what happened with Sophie but he was. In this frame of mind, he was willing to kill someone preferably Dario for touching her. And he has said he tasted his fucking wife! Those words alone had set his blood boiling with anger. He waited as the inspector opened the door and he entered his cell. His mind was reeling with lots of thoughts as he thought about what to do with Natalie. He didn't know if he should believe her when she said nothing happened. But the pictures... They were just too damn intimate for his liking and he wanted to strangle Dario for touching her the way only he could. How could she be so heartless and betray him li
He jerked away from her touch. "You've already embarrassed me before the media I don't care!""What nonsense are you talking about?" Dario asked."I'm talking about this!" Dante yelled shoving his phone in their face.Natalie gasped when she saw the pictures on his phone. It was when Dario had kissed her and when he had slipped her dress off her shoulder."Dante, this isn't what it looks like," she cried.He glared at her. "Yeah, then what does it look like?"Dario ran a hand through his hair. "Would you believe me if I say that I have no idea of how this came about?"Dante glared at him. "Try lying to someone else!""I swear Dante. The last thing I remembered was blacking out on the grass in the cliff before this whole kissing scenario after that blacking out everything is a blur," Dario stated."Are you trying to tell me that my wife is the one..."Dario interrupted him sharply. "Natalie would never do such a thing. I don't know what happened but it's not what you're thinking."Natal
His eyes narrowed into slits when he saw that she was still cuddled up with Dario while the media took pictures.How could she be asleep in this noisy environment?!Maybe because she had been so busy with something else, a malicious voice said in his mind.He noticed Natalie stirring and he glared at them trying to control his temper. "Get away from here!" He yelled at the media."She's waking and him too!"The media yelled ignoring him. He whirled around to see Natalie stretch and wake up before she froze at the flash of cameras.He saw the wild and confused look in her eyes and then she shook Dario awake. He saw how confused Dante looked and for some weird reason, he didn't believe a thing of what he had seen.Suddenly, the flashes of her naked body with Dario flashed in his mind and he gritted his teeth in anger."Mrs. Rodrio, are you trying to get back at your husband by cheating on him with his best friend?" One of the reporters asked.Natalie's eyes widened as he saw her grip Da
She froze. "Sorry for what, Dario?""Maybe if I hadn't encouraged you that day to go after him, If I had just slept with you that day then we would have ended up together," he murmured.Natalie frowned. "What are you talking about, Dario? Why are you bringing up the past?"He was looking at her but she was so sure he wasn't seeing her. She was sure he was in a reverie, probably transported back to ten years ago when she had gone to seduce him in his room."Dario?""If you had married me instead you won't be going through this pain. And I'm rich also just like Dante. Why did I ever push you away," he continued talking like he wasn't seeing her."Dario, what is wrong with you?" She asked sitting up.He ignored her and continued talking. "Perhaps, I can redeem that situation by making you mine. It's not too late."Her eyes widened. "The fuck are you talking about? It's fucking lat..."Her eyes were huge as she felt his soft lips on hers and his hands roaming around her body.She tried to
They stepped into the board meeting where the entire board of directors was waiting and the news playing on the television was the same news from earlier."Good day, Mr. and Mrs. Rodrigo," the assistant board chairman smiled at them.Natalie nodded as they hurriedly turned off the television.Quickly, they took their seats and she sat down beside her husband."The shares are falling drastically, Mr. Rodrigo!" one of the board members exclaimed."I think this video of you and your wife has gone viral!" Another added."Oh my gosh! This is a scandal associated with this company," someone chirped in."You need to address this matter as soon as possible, Mr. Rodrigo," someone added.Soon everyone was talking and he couldn't hear anyone again. He tried to calm them down but they were in full panic mode.Natalie wiggled out of his arms as she headed for the door."Where are you going, love?" He asked surprised.She shook her head. "I have to leave this place. I can't stay here any longer.""B