Lahat ng Kabanata ng Business and Pleasure (Hamartia Trilogy Book 1): Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 20

The first thing I noticed is that he's ticking. I don't know why, nor how, it's just that he's uptight. I knew this the moment he fixed one of the knives on the table. I also saw the way his jaw twitched and the way he softly drums his index finger on the table. Or maybe the way he eyes me when I peek at him under my lashes. And when father gave grace, I opened my eyes to catch a glimpse of him and saw a small frown on his forehead. Yep, he's nervous alright. I mentally laugh. Lucas fucking De Marchi, a Boss, is nervous to meet his fiancèe. Shut it, Caterina, my insides seem to be screaming. You're nervous as well and I bet he's noticed it the moment you opened the door.

It was dark. That was the very first thing I noticed. And no, I wasn't closing my eyes. My heart pounded like a jackhammer and my chest tightened, making it difficult for me to breathe. My breath ragged as my instincts tell me to be careful. What the fuck is going on? Where the hell am I?I tried to focus on my senses like I was taught to do. But it didn't give me much hope for the situation. There was nothing to smell. But at least I can feel myself and assure myself that I'm still whole. And the solid ground I'm standing on proves that I'm standing upright. I tried listening. But still, the dark limbo gave me not a single clue. I take a step forward, reaching out my arms into the dark void surrounding me. The foundation clanks from my shoes, showing that it was metal. Holy hell.

You're lying about the only thing that is keeping you sane. Stop being a hypocrite, for once.Lucas' words linger in my mind as I finish the bath which took me only until 2:30 in the morning. I cannot believe Lucas stayed the night. My father isn't the thoughtful man I thought he was. Of course he would invite Lucas. The former was already kissing the latter’s ass, so I’m not even surprised. He would do anything to make Lucas be proud of him. That made me question why he can’t marry Lucas instead. I mean they already have a connection. And they both have so much in common. My father’s a widower, anyway so that wouldn’t be an issue. If he was expecting Lucas to climb into bed with me and cuddle, and get comfortable with our soon-to-be married life, then he’s wrong.I

Lucas~*~The woman just doesn't quit. She's so presumptuous, so full of herself. It showed only she needed to prove something. Confidence looks great in a woman, sure. But cockiness? It was just blatantly annoying. I remembered the way she cried in front of me earlier this morning and I'm completely sure that she had forgotten it since she didn't speak a word about it. That or she was too hungover to recall. And if she did remember, she was very good at hiding it. If I was some ridiculous man child, I would’ve reminded her of it just to make her uneasy.. But I don't roll that way. In fact, there was something painful that tugs at my stomach when I see people in an awkward position. I can find other ways to push her buttons. She stretches at the corner of the ring, waiting impatiently for me to get my as

At around three in the afternoon, I realized two things: one, Lucas isn't around the house. Or anywhere in New York. My father said he took a noon flight back to Boston for his parents. My future mother and father-in-law. As much as I was jumping in joy because Lucas wasn't in the house, I couldn't ignore the fact that he might be late and I would be embarrassed standing alone with all the guests and proposing to myself and making up some lame excuses as to why my fiance was MIA; and two, is that I might not finish getting ready by the time the guests start to flood the house.  As I sit in front of my bureau, my hair-dresser fixes my hair, ironing it as straight as it could possibly go. The one who does my makeup does as I requested; not too much but make sure the lips stand out. The two manicurists haven't yet arrived and as much as I want to throw a tantrum, I couldn't possibly because Chase hasn't