Olivia’s eyes flutter open, slowly adjusting to the soft sunlight that filters through the sheer, gauzy curtains. The golden light casts a warm glow across the room, illuminating the exquisite details of her surroundings—a lavish suite decorated in muted neutral tones, with gleaming gold accents that catch the eye, and an opulent crystal chandelier that sparkles overhead. Every inch of the space exudes luxury, yet it feels oddly foreign to her. Her head feels heavy, a dull ache pulsating through her temples, and her limbs are burdened as if weighed down by invisible chains. As she sits up in the plush bed, the soft linens whisper against her skin, and she takes a moment to process the disorienting strangeness of it all. The events of the previous night come rushing back to her like a tide, bringing with them a particularly chilling memory: Sebastian’s disquieting words echoing through her mind: “Now, I’m not going to disturb you.” A shaky exhale escapes her lips, the silence in th
Olivia sat frozen, her heart racing as she locked eyes with Sebastian, the weight of the situation hanging heavily in the air. The dim light of the room cast shadows across his face, highlighting the tension that radiated between them. “Did you do this?” she asked, her voice trembling, barely more than a whisper but tinged with an undeniable sense of disbelief that hung like a thick fog.Sebastian, perched beside her with an unsettling calmness that sent shivers down her spine, turned to meet her gaze. His expression was a mask of neutrality, but Olivia could sense something dark simmering beneath the surface—an unsettling flicker in his eyes that hinted at depths she had never dared to explore. “He got what he deserved,” he said, his voice steady and devoid of any hint of remorse, as if he were discussing the weather rather than the fate of a man she could only imagine in the depths of her mind.A wave of nausea swept through Olivia as the implications of his words crashed over her l
Olivia sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers absentmindedly twisting the hem of her shirt. Her mind replayed the events of the previous night on an endless loop—the cold edge in her voice, the frustration she had let slip, and the way Sebastian’s expression had faltered, even if only for a moment. She sighed deeply, burying her face in her hands. Was I too harsh? Maybe I misunderstood him… The thought unsettled her. She couldn’t deny that Sebastian’s behavior was strange—obsessive, even—but there were moments, fleeting as they were, when he seemed genuinely concerned for her. She hated how complicated it all felt, how her emotions kept tangling up in ways she didn’t understand. She stood abruptly, trying to shake the thoughts away. “I need to stop overthinking,” she muttered under her breath. But the gnawing guilt wouldn’t let go. Maybe I should do something… something to make up for last night. The idea popped into her head before she could second-guess it. She frowned at h
Olivia meticulously positioned the plate of steaming pasta in front of Sebastian, her hands trembling slightly with a mix of excitement and anxiety as she adjusted its placement on the table. The rich, mouthwatering aroma of freshly sautéed garlic mingled with the vibrant scent of basil, all enveloped in a creamy sauce that seemed to shimmer under the warm, flickering candlelight. The inviting bouquet of fragrances filled the intimate dining room, wrapping around them like a cozy blanket on a cool evening. She discreetly wiped her palms on her apron, her heart pounding in her chest as she observed him lift the silver fork that lay beside the plate, its polished surface gleaming.Sebastian commanded the head of the long, elegantly set dining table, his expression inscrutable as he scrutinized the dish before him. The soft lighting cast playful shadows across his chiseled features, enhancing the intensity of his piercing gaze, which seemed to assess not just the food, but her as well. H
They both have woke up and are now in an awkard silence on the breakfast tableThe soft clatter of cutlery echoed through the quiet dining room, the only sound breaking the stillness that enveloped the space. Sunlight filtered through the large windows, casting gentle beams on the polished wooden table, but Olivia found little warmth in their glow as she sat at the far end, her fork listlessly pushing her scrambled eggs around the plate. The vibrant yellow of the eggs contrasted sharply with her growing unease, making the meal seem even more unappetizing. Across from her, he sat rigidly upright, a picture of composure. His sharp features were framed by tousled dark hair, but his focus was entirely absorbed by the stack of documents he held in his hands. The way he meticulously adjusted his glasses and brushed a finger across the pages suggested a deep commitment to whatever was printed on them, as if the very fate of the universe lay within those black and white lines. Olivia stole
The soft morning light filtered through the delicate lace curtains, casting a warm golden hue across the room as Olivia gradually stirred from her slumber. She blinked several times, allowing her eyes to adjust to the gentle glow of the sun that enveloped her. Just as she began to fully awaken, a sharp, authoritative knock echoed through the stillness, causing her heart to race as she sat up quickly in bed, her mind racing with questions.Before she could gather her thoughts or muster a response, the door creaked open. In stepped Sebastian, impeccably dressed in a tailored dark jacket that accentuated his athletic frame, paired with sleek black boots. His presence was as commanding as ever, exuding an aura of confidence that filled the room."Good morning, Little Bird," he greeted, a sly smirk playing at the corners of his lips, eyes sparkling with mischief.Olivia frowned, rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she took in his perfectly styled hair and the sharp lines of his suit. "Sebas
The evening sky blushed with vibrant shades of pink and orange as the sun began its slow descent, casting a warm glow over the landscape. The golden rays filtered through the trees lining the winding countryside road, illuminating the sleek black car that glided along with a low, soothing hum from its engine. Inside, the ambiance was serene, allowing the comfortable silence between Sebastian and Olivia to flourish. The gentle breeze wafted through the slightly rolled-down windows, tousling Olivia’s hair and carrying with it the fresh scent of blooming wildflowers and rich earth.“You know,” Sebastian began, his voice measured and calm, laden with a hint of nostalgia, “this reminds me so much of my childhood back in Italy. I used to spend long, sun-drenched summers in this charming little town where the sunsets bathed everything in hues just like these.” His eyes sparkled with the warm flicker of memories.Curiosity piqued, Olivia turned her head toward him, a small smile curling at th
It had been a month since the idyllic warmth of Olivia and Sebastian’s wedding, a day filled with laughter, love, and the promise of new beginnings. In this short span, their relationship—once fraught with tension and unarticulated boundaries—had blossomed into something profoundly more natural and comfortable. Gone were the days of navigating the complexities of a new bond like cautious explorers in uncharted territory; instead, they had forged a seamless rhythm together. This new cadence allowed for playful teasing that brought lightness to their interactions, shared smiles that felt like secrets only they understood, and fleeting moments of flirtation that ignited sparks between them. Though their dynamic wasn't devoid of imperfections, the emotional walls that once separated them had started to crumble, brick by brick, revealing a deeper connection underneath. On this particular morning, the sunlight streamed through Olivia’s office window, filling the space with a golden hue tha
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