The rain poured mercilessly, drenching the streets in a glossy sheen. Sebastian moved swiftly, carrying Olivia’s unconscious form in his arms. Her face was pale, her lips trembling from the cold. He ignored the water soaking through his clothes and darkening his hair; his only focus was getting her to safety. The ride to his luxurious mansion was silent except for the rhythmic drip of water from his coat. The luxury elevator’s polished mirrors reflected his composed yet intense expression. Once inside his mansion, he placed Olivia gently on the velvet couch in the center of the living room. The room was expansive, illuminated by soft, golden lighting that reflected off the marble floors and modern furniture. With precise movements, he removed her damp shoes and tucked a blanket over her, ensuring she was warm. Sebastian picked up his phone and dialed a number. The voice on the other end greeted him, but he cut to the point. “Dr. Moretti, I need you at my residence immediatel
Morning light filtered through the soft drapes, casting a golden glow across the unfamiliar room. Olivia stirred awake, her lashes fluttering as she blinked against the brightness. For a moment, she felt weightless, caught in the haze of waking from a dream. But as she turned her head, reality began to set in. This wasn’t her room. The bed was far larger and more luxurious than her simple one-bedroom apartment could afford. The room was pristine, with an understated elegance. A single abstract painting dominated the far wall, its muted colors blending seamlessly with the cream and beige decor. A glass door led to a balcony, where sunlight spilled onto the floor in soft, inviting pools. Olivia sat up, clutching the comforter to her chest as unease rippled through her. The events of the previous night were fragmented, flashes of rain and heartbreak mingling with the sense of falling into nothingness. She remembered leaving Alexander’s penthouse, her body trembling with anger and hu
Sebestian's POV I closed the door to her room gently, letting the faint sound of the latch echo in the quiet hallway. For a moment, I stood there, my hand still gripping the doorknob, unsure if I should go back in. The image of her lying there, so small and broken, burned into my mind. She had barely spoken, yet her silence said enough. Turning away, I walked down the hall. My footsteps felt heavier with each step. The soft glow of the rain outside spilled through the windows, streaking shadows across the floor. The storm outside matched the one inside me. I couldn’t stop seeing her face—her tear-soaked cheeks, the way she flinched when I tried to calm her like she expected even my kindness to come with a blade. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. She deserved better than this world. Better than him. Dropping into the chair in the sitting room, I leaned forward and rested my elbows on my knees. My head fell into my hands a
Sebestian's POV She’s here.The thought echoed in my mind as I sat in the dim stillness of my study, staring blankly at the tumbler of untouched whiskey on the desk before me. Olivia. After all these months of watching her from afar, she was finally within my reach. Not through my careful planning, but through a twist of fate.I should be elated. She was safe, under my roof, where no one could harm her. No one, especially not him. Alexander. My jaw tightened at the thought of that man—his arrogance, his cruelty. She trusted him, gave him her heart, and he crushed it without a second thought. If only she knew the things I’d seen him do, the depths of his deceit. He didn’t deserve her, but then, who did?Certainly not me.I pressed my fingers to my temples, trying to silence the thought. I’d wanted to protect her for so long, to be the person who could shelter her from the world’s cruelty. Yet here I was, lying to her by omission. She didn’t know who I really was, what I’d done. If she
Sebastian’s mansion was as grand as Olivia remembered from the night before, though she had been too disoriented to truly take in the details. The spacious living room, adorned with modern art and minimalist furniture, exuded an air of elegance. Floor-to-ceiling windows allowed the moonlight to pour in, casting silvery shadows across the polished floor." Umm, do you want a coffee?" Sebestian offered with a hope to spend more time with her. Thinking for some moments, Olivia finally agreed because she was also tired of resting. Sebestian left with a genuine smile, which he doesn't do often. Sebastian returned to the room carrying a tray with two steaming cups of coffee. He placed them on the low glass table in front of the plush couch where Olivia sat.“I thought we could talk here,” he said, settling into the chair opposite her. His Italian accent softened his words, making them feel deliberate and careful.Olivia picked up her cup, the warmth seeping into her hands. “Thank you,” sh
The morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains of Olivia’s bedroom, casting golden hues over her modest but cozy room. The faint hum of life outside—cars passing, birds chirping, neighbors starting their routines—was a gentle reminder that another day had begun. Olivia stirred under her blanket, her eyes fluttering open. For a moment, she stared at the ceiling, feeling the weight of everything that had happened pressing down on her chest. The betrayal, the humiliation, and now this confusing chapter of her life—her thoughts swirled like an endless storm. She sighed deeply, her fingers brushing strands of hair away from her face. How did it all come to this? she wondered. Alexander’s face flashed in her mind, quickly followed by the memory of Sebastian’s intense gaze. She didn’t know what to make of him yet. He had helped her when she was at her lowest, and while she appreciated it, she couldn’t ignore the peculiar feeling he stirred in her—a mix of gratitude and unease. Pullin
Olivia sat curled up on her couch, a soft blanket draped over her legs. The faint glow of the television illuminated her living room as the familiar soundtrack of her favorite series played in the background. She took a sip of her hot chocolate, trying to push away the swirling thoughts about her new job. Working for Sebastian’s company felt like a new beginning, but it also filled her with a mix of apprehension and curiosity. As she tried to lose herself in the show, her phone buzzed on the coffee table. Olivia frowned. It was an unknown number. She hesitated for a moment, debating whether to pick it up. What if it’s work-related? she thought, reaching for the phone. “Hello?” she answered, her voice tentative. “Olivia,” came the familiar voice on the other end, dripping with mockery. “So, you finally resigned. I have to say, I saw this coming.” Her chest tightened. It was Alexander. “I wasn’t sure you’d actually have the guts to walk away,” Alexander continued, his tone lace
The morning sun painted Olivia's small apartment in soft gold as she stood in front of her mirror. Her blazer was crisp, her pencil skirt fitted perfectly, and her hair neatly tied back in a bun. Yet, her hands trembled slightly as she adjusted her collar. Today was her first day as an assistant to Sebastian Massimo—a man whose charm and poise both intrigued and unsettled her. Her phone vibrated on the table. A message from Mia lit up the screen: "Good luck today! You’ve got this! Call me if you need a pep talk!" Smiling faintly, Olivia replied, "Thanks, Mia. I’ll let you know how it goes." She picked up her bag, took a deep breath, and stepped out of her apartment. --- Sebastian sat at his desk, his eyes locked on the monitor in front of him. The screen displayed a live feed of Olivia’s assigned desk, the angle discreetly capturing her workspace and the immediate surroundings. The camera was seamlessly hidden within the desk lamp he had personally arranged for her. He le
The soft clinking of cutlery against fine china had faded into silence. The dining room was dimly lit, the chandelier above casting a warm glow over the polished mahogany table. The scent their dinner and freshly baked croissants still lingered in the air, but Olivia could hardly focus on anything except the man sitting dangerously close to her.Sebastian.His presence was overwhelming, his body angled toward hers, his knee just barely brushing against hers beneath the table. The heat of him, the quiet intensity in his gaze, made her breath unsteady. He had barely touched his food, but his appetite seemed to be fixated elsewhere.Olivia lowered her gaze to her lap, gripping the napkin between her fingers. She knew what was coming. She had felt it in the way his eyes lingered on her, in the way his fingers toyed lazily with the rim of his coffee cup.Then, his voice—low, husky, laced with something dark—broke the silence."I’m completely fine now… and in a position to do anything."Oli
Olivia entered the house, feeling drained from the long day at work. She slipped off her heels near the entrance and let out a small sigh before walking further inside. The house was quiet, except for the low sound of the television coming from the living room.As she stepped in, she saw Sebastian sitting on the couch, one arm resting on the backrest while his eyes were fixed on the screen. The dim lighting in the room cast shadows on his sharp features, making his expression unreadable. A half-empty glass of whiskey sat on the table beside him.“You’re still awake?” she asked, her voice softer than she intended.Sebastian didn’t look at her immediately. He exhaled, keeping his gaze on the television. “Couldn’t sleep.”Something in his tone made Olivia uneasy, but she ignored it. She moved to the other side of the room, maintaining a bit of distance. “I didn’t expect you to be here,” she said after a moment.This time, Sebastian turned his head toward her. His eyes, dark and intense,
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air as Olivia moved around the dining area, setting the cups on the table. The morning felt quieter than usual, though she wasn’t sure if it was the house or just the weight in her chest.Sebastian sat at the head of the table, idly swirling the spoon in his cup. His movements were smooth but calculated, as if testing the limits of his recently freed hand. He hadn’t said much since waking up, yet she could feel his gaze on her—watching, waiting.She finally sat across from him, focusing on her plate, but the silence stretched thick between them. It wasn’t uncomfortable. It was expectant."How does it feel?" she asked, nodding toward his hand, though she didn’t really need an answer.Sebastian flexed his fingers slightly before resting his palm on the table. "Strange. Lighter. But it still aches.""You should be careful," she said, stirring her coffee, hoping the simplicity of conversation would keep the air from tightening around them
Sebastian’s lips moved against hers with slow, deliberate intensity, his grip firm on her waist as if anchoring her to him. Olivia could feel the heat radiating off his body, the possessiveness in the way his fingers traced her spine. But just as she was starting to lose herself in the kiss, he tensed.A sharp inhale. A hiss of pain.She felt it instantly—the way his body stiffened beneath her, the slight tremor in his fingers as his injured arm betrayed him."Sebastian," Olivia whispered, pulling back just enough to search his face. "Your arm—"His jaw clenched, a flicker of irritation passing through his dark eyes. "It’s nothing," he muttered, shaking his head as if dismissing the pain could make it disappear.But Olivia wasn’t convinced. Her fingers instinctively reached for his wounded arm, concern etched across her face. "You need to be careful," she insisted softly, her touch hesitant but firm.Before she could say more, Sebastian acted. With a sharp movement, he tightened his h
Olivia hesitated for a moment, her heart pounding as she processed Sebastian’s request. The dim glow of the bedside lamp cast soft shadows across his face, highlighting the sharp angles of his jawline and the intensity in his eyes. He didn’t say a word—just lifted his uninjured arm slightly, an unspoken invitation. Swallowing hard, she finally gave in, cautiously lowering herself onto the bed beside him. As she settled in, he guided her closer, his free arm curling around her shoulders. The warmth of his body was unsettling, both foreign and oddly comforting. “You’re tense,” Sebastian murmured, his breath fanning against her temple. “Relax.” Olivia couldn’t. Every nerve in her body was on edge, aware of how close they were. She wanted to resist, to keep her guard up, but exhaustion and the weight of everything that had happened drained her resolve. Slowly, her body eased, molding into his warmth despite the voice in her head warning her against it. A satisfied hum rumbled in
The room is enveloped in a serene silence, punctuated only by the gentle, distant chirping of birds outside the open window, their melodies drifting in like whispers of hope. Olivia stands by the weathered dresser, her fingers gripping its edge tightly, as if using it for support against a tide of swirling thoughts and emotions. She feels the weight of unspoken words pressing down on her. Behind her, Sebastian sits on the edge of the bed, the rumpled sheets a stark contrast to his stillness. His shirt hangs loosely, unbuttoned, allowing glimpses of the bandages that wrap around his torso, stark white against his tanned skin. The wound on his side is fresh, a dark bruise blooming around the stitches, a painful testament to the chaos of last night’s events still etched into the fabric of their reality. "You should be resting," she murmurs softly, her voice barely breaking the silence, her gaze fixed on the natural light filtering through the window. "I’d rather have you by my side,"
Sebastian sat on the edge of the bed, his posture tense as he adjusted to the weight of the plaster cast that encased his right arm. The stark white of the cast stood out against his tanned skin, a painful reminder of his recent accident. He had already summoned Olivia's help earlier, but now, as she hovered in the doorway, uncertainty crept into her expression. The sight of his injuries—a deep bruise spreading across his forearm and the sharp angles of the cast—unsettled her more than she wanted to admit. "Go on," he urged, his voice low but firm, laced with a hint of frustration.Nodding slowly, she moved closer, her fingertips lightly grazing the cold, damp buttons of his bloodstained shirt. With each careful tug, she undid them one by one, feeling the fabric's rough texture beneath her fingers. She fought to ignore the way his chest rose and fell—a steady rhythm that sent a jolt of awareness coursing through her. As she continued, the air around them grew thick with unspoken tens
The gentle clink of silverware filled the spacious dining room, mingling with the faint aroma of freshly prepared food. Olivia stood at the edge of the table, her brow slightly furrowed with concern as she watched Sebastian attempt to eat. He was still in recovery, his movements deliberate and uncharacteristically slow, but he bore the discomfort silently, a hint of determination in his eyes. “Eat,” she urged gently, pulling out a sturdy chair across from him. “You need your strength to get back on your feet.” Her voice was firm yet laced with warmth, underscoring the deep bond they shared.Sebastian lifted his gaze, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips, his eyes gleaming with a mix of mischief and gratitude. He raised his fork slowly, savoring every bite as if to savor the moment itself. Olivia had not even managed to take a mouthful of her own meal when the sudden chime of her phone pierced the serene atmosphere, shattering the comfortable silence that enveloped them. Both th
Sebastian let out a low grunt as he shifted, the sharp sting of pain radiating through his body, a harsh reminder of his recent injuries. The dim light of the room felt both comforting and disorienting, especially as he blinked away the remnants of sleep. Just then, the door swung open with a creak, and Olivia hurried in, a tray of food balanced carefully in her hands. The rich aroma of warm toast and freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, enveloping him in a sense of home. Yet, her eyes barely flicked toward the food; all her attention was focused on him. As her gaze locked onto his, Sebastian noted the way her breath caught in her throat, a startled gasp escaping her lips when she saw him attempting to sit up. "Sebastian—!" she exclaimed, urgency threading through her words. Without hesitation, she set the tray down on the nightstand, the clatter of porcelain contrasting with the stillness of the room. In an instant, she was at his side, her presence both soothing and ele