It's just getting started. I mean, the chemistry 💕❤️
Chapter sixteen.The drive was enveloped in a tense silence, broken only by the hum of the car’s engine. Alexa sat with her hands folded neatly in her lap, her eyes fixed on the window. Her thoughts were a whirlwind—Dr. Patel’s revelations, Julian’s oddly comforting presence, and the lingering sense of unease that seemed to shadow her every move.Julian sat beside her, equally pensive. His fingers tapped lightly on his thigh, his mind replaying Dr. Patel’s words. Finally, he leaned forward and spoke, his deep voice cutting through the quiet. “Stop by Bella Terra,” he instructed the driver.The car slowed, pulling into a gated lot with soft glowing lights. Alexa glanced out, her eyes widening. The eatery’s name, etched in gold above the entrance, radiated elegance. It wasn’t just a restaurant—it was an experience.Julian stepped out first, walking around to open her door. Alexa blinked in surprise. She’d never had anyone treat her like this before. As his hand extended toward her, she
The car rolled to a gentle stop in front of the villa. Julian stepped out first, his movements fluid and unhurried as he walked around to open Alexa’s door. His hand extended toward her—a silent offering. For a moment, Alexa hesitated, the weight of her secrets pressing heavy on her chest. But after a pause, she slid her hand into his. His fingers wrapped around hers, warm and steady, and for reasons she couldn’t explain, the small gesture offered a strange sense of calm. Inside, the villa felt cavernous and silent, their footsteps echoing faintly off the marble floors. From the hallway, Miss Yvonne appeared, as though she’d been waiting. Her sharp eyes swept over them, lingering on their interlocked hands before curling into a knowing smile. “Well, well,” she teased, crossing her arms in amusement. “Look who’s back from their *date*.” Alexa’s cheeks flamed as she hastily pulled her hand away. “It wasn’t a date,” she blurted, her voice sharper than she intended. Miss Yvonne ra
The dimly lit den exuded its usual foreboding aura, the heavy scent of whiskey mingling with smoke as shadows stretched across the walls like silent witnesses to Marcus’s simmering fury. A knock at the door barely disturbed the oppressive stillness before it creaked open. One of his men entered, his movements deliberate, as though stepping into a lion’s cage. “Sir,” the man said, clutching a tablet tightly. He hesitated before handing it over. “You’ll want to see this.” Marcus snatched the device, his fingers tightening as he swiped the screen. A series of photos appeared—Alexa at *Bella Terra*, seated across from Julian Salvatore. Her gaze softened as she looked at him, a smile barely touching her lips. Another image showed Julian leaning toward her, his expression gentle, almost... intimate. Marcus’s jaw clenched, a dangerous calm settling over him. “*Bella Terra*?” he spat, venom lacing every syllable. The tablet hit the desk with a loud *thud*. “Is this how she repays me? By
Alexa slumped onto the soft mattress, her mind spiraling in every direction. The day's whirlwind events played like an unrelenting movie reel behind her eyes—the doctor’s revelation, her unexpectedly enchanting date with Julian, and the haunting flashes of her mother. The pieces of her life felt disjointed, scattered like a puzzle she couldn't quite assemble. Her thoughts wandered to the jewelry tucked away in her wardrobe. The ornate pieces she had stolen for the sake of her mission now seemed more like a curse than a tool.Actually she had taken them for Julian’s sake. Despite her mission and the lies she carried, she had wanted to protect him, even if it meant betraying Marcus. Marcus, in his usual cunning way, had wiped all data and connections from the sleek device the moment he realized he couldn’t reach her anymore. A clean break, leaving no trail back to him.Alexa let out a bitter laugh. “Smart move, Marcus,” she muttered. “Maybe it's for the best,” she muttered to herse
The warm glow of the setting sun filtered through the large windows of Julian’s study, casting golden patterns across the polished mahogany desk. He sat in his leather chair, his fingers drumming lightly on the armrest as Madame Melissa's voice droned on over the phone."Julian, why are you treating me like this? I'm your aunt—your blood! Ever since your parents passed, you've been so cold, so distant. I only want what's best for you," her voice trembled, feigning emotion. Julian remained silent, allowing her to continue her charade. He knew better than to interrupt her rehearsed lines of self-pity. "Do you think this is what your parents would have wanted? For you to cut me off like this? I loved them too, Julian. Why do you act like I had anything to do with their deaths?" Julian finally spoke, his tone icy. "Madame Melissa, let me give you a piece of advice: tread carefully. Your luck might not last forever, and when it runs out, don't expect me to save you." On the other e
**Chapter 22: Shadows and Revelations** **Dante’s Hideout** In a quiet suburb, hidden from prying eyes, stood a modest house. Time had worn down its façade, but its walls held memories of a family long fractured. Inside, Dante sat in a dimly lit living room, the flickering light of a single lamp casting shadows across his sharp features. A smile played on his lips, cold and cunning, as he imagined Marcus stumbling into the trap he had set. "Greed will always be his undoing," Dante murmured to himself, his voice dripping with satisfaction. The ping of his laptop drew his attention. He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he read an email that sent a chill down his spine: "Be careful. Someone else is trying to find out about you aside Marcus."Dante’s fingers hovered over the keyboard, his mind racing. Who could it be? Who else had an interest in uncovering his past? Quickly, he grabbed his phone and typed a message to an encrypted number: I don't think we should meet any
The dimly lit room reeked of sweat and decay, the flickering light from a lone bulb casting eerie shadows across the damp walls. Alexa opened her eyes slowly, every movement sending waves of pain coursing through her body. The metallic taste of blood lingered in her mouth as she struggled to process her surroundings.Then she saw him—Marcus. His tall, imposing frame was shrouded in darkness, but the gleam of his cruel smile was unmistakable. Her heart raced, fear gripping her chest like a vice."Well, well," Marcus drawled, stepping closer, his boots clicking against the concrete floor. "How’s the honeymoon going, Alexa?"His voice dripped with mockery, and Alexa felt her breath hitch. She clenched her fists, willing herself not to cry. She couldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing her fear."Boss," she managed to whis
Dante arrived at the secluded private caretaking home, a modest building tucked away from prying eyes. The place looked quiet, but nothing about it seemed unusual. He stepped inside, the faint scent of disinfectant lingering in the air. At first glance, everything appeared normal. But as he went further, it felt different.The house was eerily quiet, the usual faint hum of activity absent. Dante frowned, stepping inside. The main room was as tidy as ever, but the silence was unsettling.“Mia?” he called, his voice echoing in the stillness.He strode down the short corridor to her room, his chest tightening with unease. When he pushed the door open, the sight before him made his stomach drop. The bed was neatly made, as though no one had been there at all. Mia was gone.Dante spun around, moving quickly to check the other rooms. The caretaker’s office was empty, as was
Morning sunlight illuminated the polished surfaces of Julian’s private office, casting a golden glow on the tension that hung in the air. Julian sat at his desk, leaning forward with an intense expression as Mr. Lee, his trusted investigator, stood across from him.“Dante’s movements are peculiar,” Mr. Lee began, placing a file on the desk. “He’s been visiting various inns, hotels, and guesthouses. Quietly, but not without leaving traces.”Julian’s brow furrowed as he flipped through the file. Photographs and reports detailed Dante’s visits, dates and times meticulously noted. “What’s he doing? Could this be related to Alexa? Or the watch?”Mr. Lee nodded slowly. “It might be. From what we’ve gathered, it seems he’s searching for someone. And we believe it’s a woman.” He
Miss Yvonne sat at the edge of her bed, her frail frame leaning heavily against the pillows. Despite her discharge from the hospital, her body felt weak, her movements slow and deliberate. She was home, but her heart weighed her down even more than her illness.Theo had visited her that morning, updating her on the turmoil that had unfolded at the villa. His words painted a picture of chaos—Julian’s wrath, Alexa's situation, and the strange bond between Julian and Alexa. The news had shaken her deeply. She had always known Julian as a man of control and strategy, but this? This was personal, and it was tearing him apart.The thought of Julian suffering silently tugged at her heart, but it was Alexa who worried her the most. The girl seemed lost, burdened with secrets and sorrows too heavy for her young shoulders.With a soft sigh, Miss Yvonne rose, clutching h
Julian stormed into his command center, his face like thunder, his fury palpable in the air. His team of guards and security personnel scrambled to follow his rapid-fire orders. The betrayal had ignited something deep within him, a fire that would not be extinguished until Marcus was found and brought to his knees.“Have you locked down all exit routes?” Julian barked, his sharp gaze sweeping over his team.“Yes, sir,” Theo replied, stepping forward. “All international and local airports have been notified. Marcus’s name has been flagged, and any attempt to board a flight will be immediately reported. We’ve also intercepted multiple bookings under fake identities, all leading back to him. He’s grounded.”Julian’s eyes narrowed. “And yet you still haven’t found his location?”T
Julian’s hands tightened into fists as he paced the length of his study, his jaw clenched so tightly it ached. The golden watch, gleaming under the dim light, sat on the desk, an unspoken reminder of the betrayal he hadn’t seen coming. His thoughts churned with fury. Someone was after his watch—an item that held an irreplaceable place in his heart—and it had to be her. He stared grimly at her. His breathing was heavy, his chest heaving with the effort to contain the storm of emotions swirling inside him. Of all the people in the world, why did it have to be her? His gaze flickered back to Alexa, who stood trembling near the door, her face pale and tear-streaked. He wanted to demand answers, to unleash the storm of emotions tearing him apart, but the lump forming in his throat stopped him. She wasn’t just another enemy. She was Alexa—the woman he had come to love, even if he hadn’t admitted it to himself. And that realization made her betrayal cut deeper. “You were sent to stea
Alexa sat on the edge of her bed, her trembling fingers clutching the mini phone Marcus had forced on her. She dialed his number repeatedly, each attempt met with silence. The call wouldn’t connect. Panic gripped her as the reality set in—Marcus must have figured out what was happening and cut her off.Her mind raced. What would he do now? If Marcus knew his plan was unraveling, he wouldn’t hesitate to abandon her, leaving her to face Julian’s wrath alone. She swallowed hard, her chest tightening as she realized she was truly on her own.---Miles away, in a modest apartment, Mia sat beside Roberto, her hands clasped tightly as she stared at the computer screen. Tears streamed down her face, her desperation evident.“I need to find my daughter,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “even if it means going with t
In the dim light of Marcus’s lavish study, a faint red light blinked on the recorder he had discreetly embedded in Alexa’s belongings. As the voices of Julian, Theo, and Alexa played back, Marcus’s face darkened. His jaw tightened with rage as Julian’s accusations thundered through the recording.“Idiota,” Marcus spat, slamming his fist onto the desk. “That girl is a liability now.”One of his men approached cautiously. “Boss, what’s the plan?”Marcus exhaled sharply, his mind racing. “Julian Salvatore is not a man to cross, especially when his guard is up. Block our location— I need to leave. Ensure no one can reach us for the meantime. And prepare the jet. We’re leaving the country tonight.”“Yes, boss.”
The secluded bar was dimly lit, the faint smell of whiskey and tobacco lingering in the air. Julian sat at a corner booth, his posture tense as he swirled the glass of bourbon in his hand. Across from him, Mr. Lee placed a thick folder on the table, his expression grave.“Mr. Salvatore,” Mr. Lee began, his tone cautious. “The information we’ve gathered about Alexa is... troubling.”Julian’s chest tightened. He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “Go on.”Mr. Lee opened the file, revealing photographs, documents, and transcripts. He pulled out a picture and slid it toward Julian. It showed Alexa being dropped off from a dark car near the villa gates. Her frail figure stumbled as the vehicle sped away.“This was taken the night she returned to your estate,” Mr. Lee explained. “The vehicle
The warm glow of the bedside lamp cast soft shadows across the room, but the weight of unspoken words darkened the space. Alexa sat upright against the pillows, her trembling fingers clutching the edge of the blanket. Across from her, Julian stood, arms crossed, his gaze piercing and unrelenting. For several moments, neither spoke. The silence between them was heavy, almost suffocating. Julian’s jaw tightened as he finally broke the stillness. “Who are you, Alexa?” His voice was steady but laced with an edge of impatience. The question struck Alexa like a physical blow, her heart hammering against her ribs. She had prepared for this moment countless times in her mind, but now, staring into Julian’s penetrating gaze, every rehearsed word dissolved. “I…” she started, her voice faltering. Fear clawed at her throat. She didn’t want to lie anymore—especially not to him. But the shadow of Marcus loomed large in her mind, his threats echoing like a sinister mantra. “Alexa,” Julian s
The stale air in Marcus’s darkened room suffocated Alexa as she stood trembling before him. Her ribs ached from his earlier blows, and her knees threatened to give out beneath her. Marcus’s sharp eyes bore into her, void of mercy."You have three days," he hissed, pacing in front of her like a predator circling its prey. "Three days to finish what you started, or I’ll make sure you don’t leave this world in one piece." Alexa’s breath hitched. She wanted to protest, to plead for a chance to escape his grasp, but Marcus cut her off with a sharp backhand. Her cheek burned as fresh tears spilled from her eyes. "Don’t even think about failing me," he continued, his voice cold and final. "This time, you’ll have no excuses. The golden watch will be in my hands, or you’ll regret ever being born." He motioned to one of his men, who handed her a small, cheap phone. "Morning and night," Marcus barked. "You call me for updates. Don’t forget, Alexa—" He leaned closer, his rancid breath makin