I was beyond glad and relieved when another knock came at the room door for the umpteenth time, making Luca pause in his lust-driven act. Pieces of what used to be my dress now hung in his hands.
A groan of frustration escaped his lips as he rose to answer the door, muttering curses in Spanish. The knock had refused to stop even when he had yelled three times that he was busy. "What the hell did you want?" He growled, swinging the door open. My heart raced, beating furiously against my chest as I held the bedsheets to myself. What would have happened if the knock had not come? Was I really about to throw all caution to the wind? Trevor's words replayed in my head. I was not weak. I wasn't sentimental. I forced the sadness I was feeling about letting Luca touch me back into a cage. I also shut the joy I was feeling away. I had to get this over and done with if I would complete this mission on time."Umm... We are going to be late for dinner, Luca," I mumbled when my back hit the wall, and he still kept walking towards me. "What are you doing?" I asked as he leaned closer, closing the space between us. My heart was about to beat out of my chest. His hands, however, just stretched out and tugged at my hair band. I gasped as I felt all my hard work of putting my long mass of hair into a good bun flush down the drain. My hair bounced on my shoulders. "Brush it and leave it down!" He ordered, tossing me a brush and walking away. I let out a breath I didn't realise I had been holding and did as he instructed, wondering how I'd eat with my hair down. The dinner was held in a very exquisite restaurant. I watched as the waiters came around to ask us what we would be getting. Everyone placed their orders, but I was a bit lost. This was my first time in a Spanish restaurant and I had never seen such a strange me
"Padre, ¿puede detenerse? Sus preguntas están molestando a mi esposa y a mí." Luca growled, making the table fall silent. (Father, can you stop? Your questions are upsetting my wife and I)Alonso's eyes darkened. "And how am I supposed to know that the woman you’ve gotten married to is not the enemy?!" He bellowed, equally annoyed as he glared at me. His Spanish accent made his words almost incomprehensible. "I don't trust you!" He pointed at me with long, slightly wrinkled fingers. "There's something about you, and I'm going to find it out. Trust me when I do, I'll kill you myself!"My heart skipped a beat at the cruel look in his eyes. From his angry outburst, I could tell he probably had some information about me or some hunch about me, but he wasn't sure of yet. I had to be even more careful not to slip up. I wondered why unshed tears again stung the back of my eyes."Padre!" Luca yelled, slamming his hands on the table again. He was obviousl
The way he bluntly asked the questions made me know that he was out to make me uncomfortable. He really had it out against me, didn't he?I wished Luca would appear to save me from such interrogations as he had done the previous day but he wasn't anywhere in sight."I'm waiting, Marta," Alonso drawled.I fiddled with my cutlery for a moment before setting it down. "My husband had something urgent to attend to last night so he wasn't around. Besides, sir, if anything did happen between us, I think that would be our business and not yours." I offered him a smile that was obviously fake.Alonso turned red in the face, unable to find what to say again for the next few minutes. I was so relieved to have escaped his question."As his wife, you should know where he went to, shouldn't you?" Rosa butted in. "Besides, a true wife of the family would know that she should respect her father-in-law and not speak to him harshly."The look in A
"I-I-I.." I trailed off, trembling like a leaf under his intense stare. If thought I had seen Luca angry before, it was because I hadn't yet seen him now. "Look, I'm really sorry. I thought I'd clean the room because it had some specks of dust, and I got carried away," I stumbled over my words, stepping backwards as he approached me with predatory strides. "What. Did. I. Tell. You. About. Touching. My. Things." He gritted out when he was now inches away from me. His hands were now curled into fists. "I'm sorry," I stated in a rush, trying to walk around him, but he grabbed me with brute force and slammed me into the wall. His eyes were as red as blood, and veins popped on his forehead. He was really pissed. Gosh, I had really messed up! "Please, Luca," I found myself pleading, my hands clasped together between us. The murderous glint in his eyes made a chill run down my spine. "
LUCAI stared at my reflection in the mirror absentmindedly, trying to calm myself down before stepping out there to face my family. I ran a hair brush my hair and strapped on a gold wristwatch. My family had always complained that I never related with them informally, but that was the whole point. I had to keep them out. Becoming too free with them and dressing all casual would only mean that I would not be respected, especially by that old man called my father.The past two days had been hell with him hovering all over me and Marta like a pesky fly, throwing the most absurd questions and shades at us.I was ready to put him in his place when he asked me any questions about Marta tonight.That damned lady. She was so stubborn that it pissed me off. She was lucky I didn't even strangle her on the spot for what she had done. I shook my head. Cleaning my room. Who asked her to? My brows raised in suspcion suddenly. I ha
ROSEI got it. I finally got it. A mole. But what could I do about it when I was still trapped in this stupid cell. My stomach grumbled, and tears pricked my eyes. I had no idea how long I had been here, but it was definitely more than three days. I had also not eaten for that long.My feet now hurt terribly, as I had not treated it, and it reeked of a smell I didn't like.The pain was even more excruciating in the nights. It kept me awake, not that I could even comfortably sleep in the damned room. It was almost like the souls of those tortured in this room were watching me, waiting to appear in my dreams.The sound of footsteps suddenly reached my ears, making me jump up. I had not seen Luca since he abandoned me here.Every slight footstep sound made me both scared and hopeful. For one, it could be that he had come to free me, or he had come to execute me.I wondered which one my fate now. However, a figure
LUCA I had a hunch—and it was not a good one. Something was wrong somewhere. I looked through my records again, and everything seemed fine, yet I couldn't shake off the syspicion I was feeling. "What's the matter, don? You look tensed," Diego stated, pausing his typing on his phone. My eyes hardened as I ignored him, staring intently at the numbers on my screen. Nothing was wrong with it. Then what exactly was wrong? I needed to find out. I picked up the documents on my desk and began to go through them one after the other, looking for a clue but found none. "Hey. You're going to tear the documents if you keep flipping through them with such vigour. Talk to me," he insisted, dropping his phone. "Why did Ivanovshow up at the ball? He barely ever comes. He only sends his men," I stared, my fingers grazed my chin as I sank into my thoughts. Diego also mirrored my ex
ROSEFor the umpteenth time since I met Luca, my eyes fluttered open after yet another fainting spree. It seemed that around anything that had to do with him, all I did was faint.This time, it was the loud beeps of monitors that woke me up. My memory was hazy for a moment before I suddenly remembered. The meal. The note. The screams. Hugo's voice. I had been poisoned. But who was behind such a cruel act. Could it be the maid? Heck, I barely knew her. Maybe she was hired by someone. Rosa!I wouldn't put it past her to do something like this. My heart raced as I realised I was probably surrounded by so many people who hated my guts, but I didn't know them."It's nice to see you're awake now, ma'am," an unfamiliar male voice warmly greeted. It was a doctor. He ran some checks on me for a moment before asking, "How are you feeling now?"I sighed. "Like someone who is poisoned." I hadn't meant for my tone to come
I trembled as his bloodstained hands caressed my cheeks, my body weak from crying nonstop."Please, I want to leave here," I murmured, twisting my hands in the cords. "Please let me go." I begged.Something danced in his orbs—amusement. He said nothing for a moment, but his next words knocked the winds right out of me."The only way I'd let you go is by killing you, amor. You know too much now," he stated, and with that, he turned to leave.At his signal, Hugo untied me and led me back to my room. My feet wobbled as I walked. All I wanted to do was disappear. Luca hadn't shown it if he believed all that Ricci had said, so I didn't know what to expect.Thankfully, Hugo was a bit more patient with me and didn't drag me like Luca had. I winced at every junction, and he waited for me to catch my breath.When I got to my room, he opened the door and only gave a curt nod of solidarity before shutting the door behind
I gulped, shivering under his gaze. There was nothing in his eyes other than anger and betrayal."What happened?" He snapped. I held the sheets against myself more tightly, looking away from him. He obviously didn't care what happened to me. He was just looking for clues.I looked away from him, trying to stop myself from shivering like a drenched chicken."Answer me!" He demanded. His eyes were dark and held a dangerous glint in them. His hands were tucked in his pockets as he glared at me."You want to know what happened," I suddenly snapped, my voice coming out squeaky due to my screams. "You left me in the hands of a criminal who tried to rape and kill me."His eye darkened even more. "Don't you dare talk to me like that. Tell me what happened before I make you." The harshness of his words drew me back to reality. He wasn't some sort of knight on shining armour. He was the evil itself. And if I as much as let a loophole appe
Ricci was a pervert. He had barely shut the door behind him before he began to roughly touch me like I was some toy he had just obtained from a store.I did my best to hide my disgust and annoyance as I pushed him away gently."Slow down. I'm not running away," I murmured in a sweet voice that made me feel sick. "Are you sure there are no cameras here?" He frowned. "I know his house like the back of my palm. Do you think I'm stupid?"I chuckled, embracing him again. If only he knew how stupid he was about to be. His hands danced along my body, and he nearly sucked out the life from me like he was some kind of carnivore. I heard a loud rip as he began to take off my clothes and I paused him. "Are you crazy? What do you think Luca would say if he saw me walking around in a ripped dress with my bodyguard?"A cruel smirk appeared on his lips. "That wouldn't matter. Either way, you'll be dead before he can even realise it.
My breathing came in rough spasms as I coughed repeatedly. I slapped my palm on my chest repeatedly.Ricci’s eyes were dark, and his arms remained folded across his chest as he glared at me. My eyes widened. How would I get out of this mess? What did he even know? How much had he overheard?"I have no idea what you're talking about," my voice came out raspy. An evil smirk spread across his cheek. "Don't play dumb with me, Rose!"At this point, I felt like my world was quickly turning black. Who was this guy, and why had Luca left him in charge of me? Was this some kind of trick? Was this some kind of investigation?"Excuse me? Who is Rose?" I snapped, letting anger take over me. "How dare you even enter my room without my permission?"He smirked, reclining against the door. "Drop the act and speak. Who are you?"My heart was racing frantically, but I painstakingly maintained a calm expression. "I believe you m
ROSEI was getting to the brink of losing my sanity. How much longer could I bear with having a traitor outside my door and guarding meFor all I knew, he could be the one who would open the door to my enemy and have me killed in the middle of the night.Every time I slept, I was always partly awake to keep a lookout for whoever it wanted to take my life.Slowly, I was missing Luca. He was terrifying and disgusting, but at least his presence gave a form of assurance that no one could harm me. At least, not it he didn't approve of it.Could that be why he had left for over a week? Could he have told Ricci to kill me?Gosh, I was going crazy with these thoughts. I knew I couldn't do this anymore.Trevor had barely even spoken with me after the last time. I had not even been able to sneak out to meet him because I couldn't afford to arouse Ricci’s suspicions.As the night fell again, tears stung the back of my eyes
LUCA "So talk to me, hijo," my father stated in clear English with a smirk on his face. "Tell me about this mole in your territory that I'm hearing about and what you're doing about it."I took a deep breath. This old man would not have the satisfaction of seeing me break... not ever.Adjusting my suit, I reclined in my seat opposite him. "I'm working on it."His jaw ticked slightly. "I want to know exactly what you're doing about it. You can't just sit here telling me you're working on it. I need results to be sure I didn't make a mistake leaving the mafia in my son's hands." He was getting riled up. Good. He could give himself a heart attack for all I cared. I had never met anyone as selfish and insatiable as he was. "Yes. I am working on it. You'll get an update when I'm done fishing the mole out."He slammed his hands onto his desk. "Are you in your right senses? For all I know, the stupid lady you randomly brough
I stared at the diva looking lady at the door whose face had a cruel smirk plastered on it.With just a sweep of her eyes, she sect Sophia scampering out of the room. I felt anger rise in me towards her."You..." I mumbled, packing up the untouched cookies. So much for bonding time with Sophia. I had even hoped to get a bit more information about Luca from her.Her smirk grew even wider. "Yes, it's me."I rolled my eyes. "And what do you want this time, Rosa?!" I snapped. Ignoring her, I walked over to my vanity stand. I didn't have anything to do there, but I just wanted to ignore my physical nemesis in the room."I thought you and my baby were staying in the same room," she smirked, strutting over to the bed. Annoyance swirled in me as I watched her through the mirror while brushing my hair."Well, your baby is my husband," I bit back, just to spite her. She wasn't the only one who could be petty. She was yet to meet
My pulse shot to an abnormal rate. I tried to read his eyes as I collected the slip from him, but it was completely neutral.It was almost hooded, and that sent shivers down my spine."T-Thank you," I muttered in a barely audible voice as he led me down the hallways.He said nothing. "You know, if you'll be my personal bodyguard for the next couple of days, I'd have to know your name," I mumbled, lost in thoughts. His face was gard as he stared ahead for a long moment before answering, "Ricci."I forced a smile. If I was going to be stuck with this man for who-knows-how-long, I'd have to at least talk to him and try to dig up some things he might now. He was connected to Ivanov after all, and Ivanov appeared to be an important person in this mission for the time being."Nice to meet you, Ricci. I'm Marta. Why have I not seen you around the mansion for a while?"He face seemed to grow distressed by the second.
Luca didn't return home for the next two days, and a part of me felt worried.As a matter of fact, I was worried about many things. My dress with the recording device, which I was yet to find. The maid who had spoken to me and how I'd meet her again. Trevor's suspense and how I'd not seen him in over a week now. Sofia's fright. And now, Luca's absence.I just wanted to complete this mission on time, but without all these things in place, it seemed like I'd have to be here for a while.I raked my hands through my tangled hair. 'Think, Rose, think!' I screamed to myself mentally. Brushing it into a much neater wave, I struggled with putting the whole hair into a bun. Not having the strength to try again after a number of failed attempts, I gave up and tied a scarf over it. I was just going for breakfast after all.I'd also ask Hugo for some books. This boredom was getting toxic.Before I could knock at the door, it swung open, and