I leaned back in my chair, letting the memory of the morning replay in my mind. It hadn’t gone as planned, not at all, yet somehow, it felt perfect.I had wanted to surprise her with breakfast—her favorites, of course. I’d envisioned her sitting down, her guarded expression softening as she saw the effort I’d made for her. But instead, I’d ended up with burnt toast, overcooked eggs, and a kitchen filled with smoke.She had walked in just as I was waving a towel to clear the air, her eyebrows raised in surprise. For a moment, I thought she might laugh, but instead, she tilted her head, studying me like I was an unsolvable puzzle. Then, to my surprise, she’d suggested we cook together.I hadn’t expected her to offer, but the idea of working side by side with her was too tempting to refuse. So, I stepped back, letting her take the lead. She seemed more at ease as she moved around the kitchen, instructing me on how to whisk eggs properly and how much seasoning to add.Her movements were s
Sebastian walked into the living room, his footsteps soft against the hardwood floor. The glow of the television illuminated the otherwise dim space, casting flickering shadows on the walls. He immediately noticed Olivia, curled up on the couch, a blanket loosely draped over her. She had fallen asleep there, her head resting against the armrest, her body relaxed in a way that betrayed her exhaustion. The television played the final scenes of her favorite series, the familiar dialogue now a muted background hum. Sebastian paused, taking in the scene. Her face was serene, her features softened by sleep. A stray lock of hair framed her cheek, catching the faint light from the screen. She looked so peaceful, a stark contrast to the turmoil he knew she had been enduring. He moved closer, his eyes lingering on her. There was something utterly disarming about seeing her like this, so unguarded. She clutched the edge of the blanket as though it were a shield, a subconscious act of seeking
They heard the doorbell rang, their attention got diverted to it leaving Olivia's request " It must be the food delivery, I ordered your favorite. let's continue this discussion on the dining table" Sebestian said, making Olivia nod. Olivia entered in the dining room and settled on one of the chair of dining table, Sebestian also came after sometime taking the delivery. Olivia stood and served them both. The dining room was steeped in tension, every clink of cutlery against the plates amplified in the silence. Olivia sat stiffly, her gaze fixed on the table as she tried to summon the courage to speak."I need to go back to work," she said finally, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.Sebastian, seated across from her, raised his head slowly, his dark eyes narrowing slightly. He took his time setting his coffee cup down, studying her with an intensity that made her stomach twist."You can," he said, his voice calm yet commanding.For a fleeting moment, relief fluttered in
Olivia woke slowly, the soft light of morning peeking through the window. She was in an unfamiliar room, though it felt like the one she'd spent the night in. She turned her head and saw the bed was untouched beside her. Sebastian had given her privacy, sleeping in the room next door. She sat up, the heaviness of last night still lingering. She remembered everything clearly—the marriage, his cold ultimatum. You can go back to work, but on one condition: you’ll get special treatment, as my wife. The words echoed in her mind as she swung her legs off the bed and stood up. Her feet met the plush carpet, and she walked to the window, looking out at the sprawling grounds of his mansion. She could feel the weight of his condition pressing down on her. She didn’t want to accept it, but she had no choice. Special treatment, she thought bitterly. The idea of being treated like a trophy at work, her position tied solely to her marriage, didn’t sit well with her. But she needed to work. Sh
After breakfast, Sebastian led Olivia to the car. The ride to the office was quiet but charged with unspoken tension. She gazed out the window, trying to calm her nerves about the day ahead, while Sebastian occasionally glanced her way, a faint smile playing on his lips. As they entered the office building, the atmosphere shifted. Heads turned as they walked through the spacious, marble-floored lobby. Conversations paused, and whispers spread like wildfire. Olivia could feel the weight of everyone’s stares, a mix of curiosity, admiration, and jealousy in their eyes. Sebastian, unfazed, walked with his usual air of authority. Olivia, however, kept her gaze forward, her cheeks flushing faintly. She wasn’t used to being the center of attention. When they reached the top floor, he led her to a glass door beside his office and pushed it open. The cabin inside was stunning—sleek, modern furniture, a large mahogany desk, and floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of the ci
Sebastian leaned back in his chair, a rare moment of serenity washing over him as he glanced at the clock. It was finally time for lunch—an excuse to steal a few precious minutes with his wife. He turned his gaze toward Olivia’s cabin, where she was immersed in her work, oblivious to his plans. Smirking to himself, he reached for the intercom and pressed the button to call her. Olivia picked up without looking at the caller ID. “Hello?” she said, her voice distracted but soft. “It’s time for lunch,” Sebastian’s smooth voice replied. “So?” she retorted, not bothering to mask the mild irritation in her tone. He chuckled quietly, a teasing edge creeping into his words. “Can I get my wife now?” At that, Olivia glanced up, her eyes meeting his through the glass wall separating their offices. A slight blush crept up her cheeks, but she quickly tried to compose herself. “I’m not hungry,” she said, hoping to deflect him. Sebastian’s smirk widened, his tone firm yet laced with affection
The day’s work finally draws to a close, a quiet relief settling over the car as it glides steadily along the dimly lit road. Olivia sits quietly in the passenger seat, her gaze fixed intently on the rain-slicked streets outside, where reflections of streetlights shimmer like small stars in a darkened sky. The soft, rhythmic hum of the engine fills the air, mingling with the distant sound of raindrops pattering against the windshield. In this cocoon of muted sounds, Olivia becomes lost in her thoughts, a tangle of reflections swirling in her mind. Sebastian, seated behind the wheel, steals occasional glances at her from the corner of his eye. He feels a familiar knot of tension in his stomach, his fingers tightening around the steering wheel. The weight of the silence between them hangs thick, filled with unspoken words that seem to echo louder than the rain. He shifts uncomfortably in his seat, a subtle dance of nerves and determination as he tries to conjure up something—anythin
Sebastian's breath grew deeper and more pronounced as he advanced toward her, his dark eyes alight with an intensity that made Olivia’s heart race uncontrollably. Every inch closer seemed to electrify the air around them, and when his hand gently brushed against her cheek, it felt like a spark igniting. His thumb traveled softly along her jawline, and she couldn’t suppress the shiver that traced down her spine, a mix of anticipation and trepidation. They were so close now that Olivia could feel the warmth of his breath, ragged and uneven, mingling with her own in the charged atmosphere between them. His lips hovered mere inches from hers, and for a fleeting moment, the world around them faded away, time itself seeming to suspend as if holding its breath. But as if breaking free from a hypnotic spell, Olivia's instincts surged to the forefront of her mind. Adrenaline surged through her veins as she summoned all her strength and pushed him away, her palms pressing firmly against his
It had been a week since college began, and the city buzzed with excitement—tonight was finally the night of the Freshers' Party, an event that promised to be a whirlwind of introductions and new friendships.Salvatore stood in front of the mirror, his heart racing as he carefully adjusted the collar of his navy-blue shirt. The fabric felt crisp against his skin, and the faint scent of his cologne—a fresh blend of citrus and cedar—lingered in the air, filling him with a sense of confidence. As he gave himself one final look, he ran his fingers through his hair, ensuring every strand was in place.From the kitchen, the soft clattering of pots and pans accompanied Olivia’s warm, encouraging voice as she reminded him not to forget his wallet. Her tone was nurturing, a blend of motherly concern and excitement for the night ahead. “You’ve got your wallet, right?” she called out playfully.“I’ve got it!” Salvatore replied, his voice eager. He grabbed the wallet from the desk, feeling its fa
The next day at school, Salvatore strolled through the bustling hallways with his usual calm demeanor, the noise of excited chatter filling the air alongside the faint, lingering aroma of cafeteria coffee. He scanned the crowd and soon spotted his friends—Ethan, Liam, and a few others—gathered near their lockers. They were animatedly discussing the upcoming Freshers party, their voices rising and falling in enthusiasm.“Dude, it’s next week!” Ethan exclaimed, practically bouncing on his heels, his eyes alight with anticipation. “The theme's gonna be epic! Just picture us strutting around in bell bottoms and flashy shirts!”“Or picture you embarrassing yourself on the dance floor again,” Liam retorted with a playful grin, the banter sparking laughter among the group.Salvatore chuckled softly at their banter as he approached them, feeling a sense of belonging. But the moment was interrupted by an unexpected sensation that made him pause.Across the hallway, near the staircase, Isabella
The dining table was set as it always was, exuding warmth with steaming dishes, gleaming cutlery, and the gentle flicker of candlelight casting playful shadows on the walls. Yet, there was an unshakeable sense that something was amiss.Salvatore occupied his usual spot at the table, but his demeanor was noticeably off—his back rigid, and his gaze far away, as if he were peering through the window into another world. His fork moved listlessly across his plate, tracing circles rather than delivering food to his mouth.Sebastian, seated beside him, sliced into his meat with deliberate precision, studying Salvatore in silence. Across from them, Olivia offered a gentle smile, her eyes reflecting both warmth and concern.“Long day?” she ventured, trying to keep her tone light and conversational, but the tremor of worry underlined her words.Salvatore blinked, coming back to the present as if surfacing from a deep sea of thought. “Yeah. Just tired,” he replied, his voice a little too monoton
The class had commenced, but Salvatore's mind remained adrift. He sat at his desk, elbow propped up, his eyes half-focused on the front of the room, where the professor’s voice melded into a monotonous hum that played in the background, drowning out any sense of engagement. His thoughts clung to a moment that had unfolded just before—the moment she walked in. Isabella. She hadn’t made a grand entrance; there were no dramatic flourishes, no shaky nerves or bright smiles typically found among freshers. Instead, she had entered with an almost ethereal calmness, her posture poised and unyielding, her expression an unreadable mask that intrigued him. His friends were quick to notice her, as they always were in this first week of university life when the thrill of ragging was in full swing. They peppered the newcomers with questions designed to elicit embarrassment, but it was clear they were merely testing the waters, nothing vicious or malicious. Then, it was her turn. Just her voi
The laughter around the bench intensified, a vibrant mix of stories and ideas flowing among the boys, each tale more outrageous than the last. Their excitement seemed to sizzle in the air, building palpable energy with every second. Meanwhile, Salvatore leaned back, stretching his legs out and letting his gaze drift skyward, where fluffy clouds lazily meandered across the blue expanse.Ethan nudged him playfully. “So? You in or what?”Salvatore popped his gum, the sound sharp against the growing chatter, and replied with a casual flip of indifference, "If you guys want to, then fine. Do what you want."That reluctant permission was all they needed. With a wild cheer that echoed off the walls, the boys sprang up like wolves released from a cage, rubbing their palms together in eager anticipation as they made their way toward the row of benches near the auditorium—where freshers nervously gathered, unsure of their new surroundings and awaiting the assignment of their orientation groups.
The morning sun poured over the sprawling school grounds, casting a warm, golden light that danced across the cobbled courtyard. Students buzzed around in animated clusters—some engaged in lively conversations, others rushing to their classes, while a select few lingered in anticipation, awaiting the arrival of one person: Salvatore. Then, as if on cue, the heavy gates creaked open. Salvatore stepped inside, exuding a natural charisma that turned heads effortlessly. He stood tall, with dark hair slightly tousled by the breeze, lending him an air of casual sophistication. His crisp white shirt was rolled up at the sleeves, revealing strong, muscular forearms that could make half the school’s population momentarily forget how to breathe. The school blazer hung carelessly over one shoulder, and a leather strap from his backpack was slung over the other, accentuating his relaxed demeanor. Instantly, a chorus of gasps erupted from the surrounding students. “He’s here!” one girl exclaim
Salvatore Massimo was eighteen, yet he bore the weight of a man living a life much longer than his own. He was not the type to draw attention to himself; instead, there was an intense depth in his eyes that suggested he comprehended everything around him while holding onto every detail tightly. In the school's bustling corridors, he maintained a measured distance, embodying a kind of coolness that seemed effortless—an air of untouchable confidence that set him apart. Yet, within the tight circle of friends he chose to engage with, a different Salvatore emerged. He would share laughter, deliver witty quips, and wear a smirk that hinted at secrets he was unwilling to disclose. Beneath this facade, however, lay a palpable tension, as if he carefully curated parts of himself, denying even his closest friends access to the totality of who he was.Salvatore's childhood was steeped in a paradox—a home that thrived in silence, echoing the storms of conflict and passion that had long since sub
The soft light of dawn slipped gently through the sheer curtains, casting a warm, golden hue across the spacious bedroom. The room was enveloped in a tranquil silence, broken only by the rhythmic breathing of the couple nestled together in soft, rumpled sheets.Olivia was the first to stir, her lashes fluttering like delicate butterfly wings as she turned toward the man sleeping beside her. Sebastian's arm was draped protectively around her waist, his face serene and peaceful, softened by the remnants of sleep. The past two years had gently altered his features—his eyes held a gentler light, and his jaw appeared more relaxed—but the depth of his intensity remained, just redirected into a calm reassurance.As she watched him, a small smile crept across her lips, savoring this quiet moment. Then, a tiny sound shattered the stillness of the morning.A faint, muffled giggle erupted from the baby monitor resting on the nightstand.Olivia’s heart warmed at the sound. “Your son’s awake,” she
The soft rustle of the wind outside the grand window whispered gently against the glass, creating a soothing backdrop to the scene within. Moonlight poured into the room, casting long beams of silver that danced across the crisp, white linens and enveloping Olivia’s weary face in a tranquil, pale glow. Her eyelids felt heavy with exhaustion, yet her gaze remained steadfastly fixed on the tiny bundle cradled against her chest—his flushed cheeks glowed softly in the moonlight, his eyes barely open, and his miniature fingers curled tightly around her pinky, as if holding on to a lifeline. Sebastian stood at the foot of the bed, still and silent, his presence a protective shadow in the dim light. He observed them with a reverence that bordered on reverent awe, as if he might disturb some fragile moment of perfection with even the slightest movement. “He has your eyes,” Olivia breathed, her voice hoarse from the rigors of labor yet imbued with a deep sense of wonder. The corner of her li