Never have I envisaged that life could be filled with so much rollercoasters. Is this the universe trying to pay me for all the evil I've done? Is it just me or other people go through the same or maybe even worse? Maybe someone foresaw my life unfold way before I existed and came up with the saying ‘Life is not a bed of roses.’My mind wanders back to J. Why am I depending solely on his help? It feels like too many hours have gone by. Rather than sit and wait for a saviour, why can't I save myself? But I don't know how guarded the place is or where Valentina is. It will be foolish to play saviour with no details of anything. I may have been trained by the Mafia lord but as it is, I'll leave the Vandam glory to him. For now, I really need to know that Valentina is safe.Just as I am thinking, A heated argument erupts. I try to strain my ears further but it seems like it's happening a tad bit farther from here. Suddenly the conversation appears more audible as foot steps approach towar
For several minutes, I stand like an outsider in the midst of the ensuing chaos, my mind blank while my head tries so hard to process what just happened. I remember hearing the gunshot but I didn’t got hit. Marco stands still for a moment, his face as white as chalk, then he falls to the ground clutching his arm. Understanding reverberates through me, Marco is hit."Marco!" I scream, rushing to his side just as blood slowly stains his shirt, a crimson river flowing from the wound in his arm. Panic grips me as I frantically search for a way to staunch the bleeding, to save the man who took the bullet meant from me. But even as I fight to stop the bleeding, I could see the color fading from his eyes, he’s losing so much blood. I blink back the tears threatening to fall in torrents.“I’ll be fine Valentina, it’s just a flesh wound.”“It’s a gunshot wound, you need medical care right now.”A group of men dressed in black crash into the room joining our rescuer, relief evident in their fa
Navigating the path to recovery alongside Marco has been a source of solace for me, each day bringing us closer to healing. Yet, amidst the progress, a pang of guilt tugs at my conscience for the brief moments I spent with my family before coming down here to ensure his recovery knowing the ordeal they've been through in my absence. I know in no time, we will all recover from this fully, however , the mere sight of burger now triggers memories I’d rather forget, serving as a stark reminder of the trauma we endured.Russell’s once formidable power now seems futile in the face of justice. The weight of his crimes has caught up with him, and he’s facing the full force of the law for his heinous acts. Attempted murder and kidnapping charges now loom over him, ensuring he’ll pay the price for his atrocities, a sentence I’m determined to see through to the end.The depth of Marco’s commitment, evidenced by his arranging our release and his willingness to take a bullet on my behalf, fills m
The sound of the door opening wakes me up from one of the most restful sleep I’ve ever had since the shooting, it’s the first sleep I’ve had in recent nights that isn’t med-induced. Without opening my eyes, I hear the faint footsteps of someone coming into my room, the lightness of the steps are obviously Valentina’s. I smile at her image that pops up in my head, I can imagine her walking on tip-toe to avoid waking me up. It is now a daily routine for me to wake up to her by my side and that reduces the pain of my wound and the grogginess of my medicines by a greater percent. I lie perfectly still as she pull the blinds off the window to let in the morning sun.“You know I can tell you’re awake right?” She says while walking towards me from the window. I open my eyes and smile at her knowing my ruse is up.“How are you able to tell?”“Because you’re a bad pretender.”I sigh.“You know me too well.”I sit up gently on the bed trying to avoid my injured arm, she walks quickly to
I continue my movement towards the dining table,when I got to Becca’s side, she flashes me a smile that looks full of an emotion I can’t place my hands on. I stare back at her trying to figure out what’s going on but she is already focused on the setting the table. Valentina, on the other hand, resolutely avoids my eyes.I take my seat on the chair directly opposite my father’s with my injured arm in an awkward position, ready to start asking my father a boatload of question but his voice stops me.“Everything smells nice,” father says while pulling his empty plate closer to himself, ready for the food. “It was becoming difficult to wait for you before eating.”Maybe I should focus on breakfast too, my questions can wait.“I’m sorry to have kept you guys waiting, it’s sometimes difficult to get dressed without help.” I raise my injured arm as a form of explanation.“It’s fine Marco”, it is Becca who replies this time. “It’s great to see you up and about the house already.”I smile
I walk towards Valentina's door, the air still feeling charged with the unresolved tension from earlier. Father's sudden appearance has thrown everything off balance. If I knew he was coming, I would have prepared mentally, physically and financially.Just before I knock, Father appears behind me.“Father, not now,”I say, my tone sharper than intended.“Can you at least hear me out?” he pleads, and I begrudgingly agree, leading him to a more private corner of the hallway.“Make it quick,” I say, my patience wearing thin.Father takes a deep breath “Marco, I'm sorry for how I acted earlier at the table, that was insensitive of me. I don't know what came over me. That wasn't fair to you, and I want to make things right.”I sigh knowing Becca must have put him up to this. I really need to have a word with him. There's no way I'm going to have my previous life play a repeat, not with everything I've been through. “You are not saying anything.”“Father, if we’re going to build any father
"I want all the juicy details. Are you two getting back together? Does his father still glare at you with contempt? And what about his mother, is she back in the picture?" Chiara rattles off questions in rapid succession."Can I at least catch my breath? I just walked in, Chiara. The least you can do is help me unpack," I reply, half-teasingly.She rolls her eyes, opening my box. "Girl, spill the tea. I saw you blushing the minute you stepped out of your car. I knew something was up.""How did you even know I was arriving today?""You sound like you're not happy to see me," she says, pouting."I am, it's just that I wasn't expecting to be ambushed.""Quit the drama. I'm being helpful. I came to check up on your mom, and she mentioned you'd be coming in today, so I stayed back.""Well, I think Marco and I are back together," I announce, fanning my cheeks."No way! Now this is what I've been waiting to hear. It's about time. Tell me everything!"I recount the morning's events and our co
I check my reflection out in the full-length mirror on the wall of my room, my look was satisfying enough considering I had to do it with one hand. I can hear Giovanni’s car horn in my driveway, Mother’s flying into Italy and I need him to drive me to the airport. “Hold on to your pants, I’m coming!” I yell through the window towards the driveway, even though I know he can’t hear me from here but the yell relieves my burden a bit.The thought of my parents fully back in my life weighs heavy on my mind and has been keeping me awake since the realization. I know I have to take firm steps as soon as possible to avoid their undue influence over my life once again, not after everything I’ve been through.With a resolute sigh, I step away from the window, I exit my room and head downstairs.“Becca!” I call out once downstairs.She pokes her head into the room. “Yes?”“I’m headed to the airport to pick mom up.”“Are you supposed to be driving already with your injury?” “Of course not, G
6 years later………I roll up my hair, tying it into a bun as I prepare what the children will eat on their way to Mother’s place after Gabriella’s ballerina performance. Since the twins came along, our lives have been overwhelmed with intense joy.“Drop that floss, Gabriella!” I yell, running after her.“Daddy said I can have them,” she squeals, running outside with it.“I’ll go get her, Mama,” Gabriel says, running after her.“Thanks, baby.”Just then, Marco strolls into the kitchen.“Why are you giving me that look?”“We agreed on no sugar today, but you went behind my back and gave Gabriella permission to have cotton candy.”“What cotton candy?” he asks, trying to feign ignorance.“Marco, don’t play dumb.”“Okay, babe I’m sorry. When she asked, I intended to say no, but those big eyes got to me. It won't happen again,” he says, wrapping his arms around my waist.I gently push his hands away and reach for the children's food pack.“Baby, I said I'm sorry.”“Marco, this has to stop. Yo
As we gradually shift from autumn to winter, the smell of fallen leaves fills the air. The crisp, cool November breeze gently brushes against my bare skin as I stand outside our home, taking one final look at it before we move to our new place. I gather my last bag, smiling as many special memories here with Marco begin to play in my head.“I'm going to miss this house. We have so many good memories here.”“Me too,” Marco says staring at the house.“I know Becca is going to care for this place just like we did.”“I know she would.”“Look how far she has come. Buying her own cars and house.”“Business has been good and also, she suggested it was time to show my face.”“I agree with her. I know this isn't goodbye goodbye because we will obviously come and visit but it feels like it.”“Don’t worry, you will fall in love with this new place.”Marco drives us to our new place in Florence with our things already in place. With this new place, He went over the top. In this new home, it is l
Since Nonna learned about my bleeding, she has stopped me from going to work and instructed Mr. Thomas to step in until I give birth, which he agreed to without hesitation.Everyone went wild about the news, especially Mother and Nonna, and we all can't wait to find out their gender next month. Now that I'm showing, the general public now knows.With Mother’s wedding coming up, everyone aside from me has been super busy preparing for the big day, which is tomorrow.The only duty I’ve been given is to pick up Chiara’s dress because she wasn't around to take her measurements when we did. Once I pick it up, I drive down to the resort Nonna booked for the wedding.Nonna insisted she sponsor the wedding, and knowing Nonna, no one could argue with her. If you didn't know about our family history, you would mistake Alberto and Mother for her children.“That took you forever, sexy preggy,” Chiara says, opening the door.“Is this the thank you I get from crossing the Mediterranean Sea to get t
I pace up and down Giovanni’s corridor, seething with anger at what I witnessed hours ago. I had planned to surprise Valentina by picking her up from Nonna’s place for dinner, but I got surprised instead. I was so confused about whether to reveal myself or not. In the end, I turned around and headed for Giovanni’s place.Just a few nights ago, I was appreciating how well our marriage has been going and how open we are with each other, but what I saw today casts doubt on that belief.“So you saw her with James and?”“I didn’t like the way he was all over her. To make matters worse, she told me she was going to greet Nonna and Mother but didn't mention James would be there too.”“Okay? What if she didn’t tell you because she knew you would react like this?”“You are supposed to be on my side.”“Marco, tell me what you want me to say or do. Beat him up? Besides, you knew about his connections with the Matteos before you went in. Why do you have a problem with him all of a sudden? If you
Maintaining my pregnancy a secret till I start to show ended the moment I walked into Nonna’s place. Mother and Nonna simultaneously chorused it the second I stepped foot inside the house. Ever since Marco, Nonna, and mother found out about my pregnancy, I've been treated like an egg. With Marco, it's even worse. This man won't let me do anything at home. Mother and Nonna have made it their sole mission to stock up my house with food. Now all I do is go to work, peruse documents with my legs crossed and eat junk.It's a miracle that my clothes still fit. Preparing for the Pure Beauty Award global ceremony tonight, I put final finishing touches to my look before I slip on my heels. I wish father was here to see to witness this moment. His beauty and skin products were nominated for the Pure Beauty Award ceremony. “How do I look?” Marco asks stepping out of his closet.“Handsome as always.”“You look ravishing my love and I know you will bring home all the awards. You've shown nothin
I'm amazed at how much progress my parents and I have made. Visiting them frequently and vice versa without anyone bickering. Valentina and mother's laughter erupts from the kitchen filling the entire place as they organize lunch. “Marco, how has business been going?” Father asks, stretching a plate towards me.“It's been good, and how are you adjusting to your new line of business?”“Adjusting fine. Never knew I could do so well in supervising building projects. I'm taking that class you recommended.”“That's beautiful.”“Enough of business talks,” Mother announces, walking in with Valentina as they set the rest of the food on the table.“This smells so heavenly,” Father compliments, and I nod in agreement.“I can't take all the credit, your wife also assisted.”“Thank you both.”As we dish our food, I notice Valentina dishing a smaller portion of what she would normally eat, an occurrence that's been consistent for the past two weeks now. Also, lately, she has been easily irritated
“See that glow, you weren't this good-looking before you stepped on that plane last week. Despite the workload you came to handle after you got back, you are still looking flawless. Hmm, must be the marriage glow and the other reason why women glow,” Chiara gushes, offering me a plate of cake.“Your place just keeps getting better. I love what you did to the wall.”“Thanks, it is sad no man is surprising me with an aquarium in my home simply because I can’t get over moments from my trip.”I flush, remembering how I came home from Bora Bora to a gigantic aquarium nestled in a corner of our living room. A gift from Marco because I couldn't stop talking about our glass-bottom boat tour.“Stop being dramatic.”“I want my man too. Is there something I'm not doing right?”“Soon, you'll find your perfect match.”“I know, I just need to know how soon. I may have noticed you’re overly bubbly these days? Are you pregnant?”“What? No. Chiara, you are way too observant for my liking. You used to
These past few days in Bora Bora have been some of the best moments in my life so far. I can’t get over the beauty of the underwater world. The beautiful, colorful fishes and the coral reefs were breathtaking. I took so many pictures to last a lifetime.The thrill, fear, romance—everything—we experienced it on this trip, and I hate that we have to leave tomorrow. I don’t want it to end. My highlight has to be seeing Marco scream like a child when we went skydiving. Who ever knew that a day would come when I would see Marco Lorenzo scared of something?The lingerie Chiara and I shopped for has been nothing short of a game-changer. Chiara was right when she said they had the power to make a man lose his senses.Can the world just pause for another week so Marco and I can continue having so much fun without coming back to a truckload of work on our desks? I shudder at the thought of the workload piled on my desk right now.Cristos! Yesterday was Mother's date with Alberto, and I forgot t
Surrounded by lush greenery and the stunning beauty of the coastal waters, I feel completely refreshed and renewed. The peace here is unmatched, providing a perfect escape from the usual hustle and bustle of Tuscany. I’m still yet to get over the Mahi Mahi and rice from yesterday—so divine.After our long flight yesterday, we chose to relax and unwind for the rest of the day. I place a gentle kiss on Valentina, who is still sleeping soundly.I connect to the resort’s Wi-Fi and just as I'm about to start preparing for the day, Giovanni’s call comes in.“I’ve been away for how many days and you suddenly can’t breathe?”“Good day to you too, and last I checked, you are not Flora. Unlike you, I’m a good brother always wanting to check up on you and you, on the other hand, forget your brother once you are lost in love. How’s the honeymoon going?”“Wonderful, it’s such a beautiful place to be.”“I’ve been told. How’s your wife?”“Sleeping soundly. Yesterday’s flight was a bit overwhelming.