All Chapters of REGINA NERA (Black Queen): Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

I open my eyes to find hazel orbs staring down at me. I'm caught off guard by the intensity in them but I can't bring myself to look away. How long has he been watching me sleep? Do I have drool on my face? What about eye boogers? Why the fuck do I care? It's not like it's the first time we've slept on the same bed. But that doesn't mean I want him to see what I look like first thing in the morning. Should I just close my eyes and pretend to go back to sleep? If he took photos of me drooling I'll set his house on fire. As if reading my mind, he reaches out and brushes my hair back saying, "You're perfect" My breath hitches. Yeah, that is definitely not what I was expecting him to say. Goodness, it's too early for this. My brain can't come up with a reply so I look around trying to compose myself while thinking of a way to start another topic. It occurs to me that there was another human who slept between us but she's missing. "Where is Ophelia?" "She went to get us breakfast"

I've only ever kissed one man in my life... No. There was a time when I kissed countless boys just to make Christian jealous and he had to forcefully pull me off them. Back then, it didn't matter who they were. I don't remember their names or faces. To me, they were only tools I used to get what I wanted. But what's more surprising is that now I've forgotten Christian's kisses too. Not just that but also his touch. The memories are there but the feelings behind them are gone. Now all I can think about is the way Federico kissed me. The way his mouth moved over mine and how he awakened feelings I thought were long dead. If he hadn't pulled back, I don't know how long I would have let him continue. Saying I didn't see it coming would be a lie. I think everyone knows there's something going on between us. The rumors about our relationship in tabloid magazines and social media weren't baseless. Even Rita, my secretary is always trying to set us up. And it's not like Federico made any eff

"REGINA! REGINA!" "We have a problem," Rita says stopping in front of my desk."What problem?" "Your... Mrs Valente is here. She says she's not leaving until she talks to you" "Then let her in" "Alessio refused her entry because she has a gun and insists on bringing it inside" I stare at Rita waiting for her to get to the point "Should we frisk her before letting her in? At the end of the day, she's still Mr. Gambone's mother and we have to show her some respect but we can't let her do whatever she wants or she will take advantage of you. There's also the fact that she's still mourning the death of..." She stops and lowers her eyes. Mentioning Federico and death in one sentence has turned into a taboo around here. I'll admit, I was shocked when the lawyer said I was to take over the Valente organization. I still am but deep down, I haven't accepted that he's gone. Every time the door opens, I hope he'll step through it and tell me it was all a dream then proceed to extor

"Would you like me to get you a car so you can drive yourself to and from school?" "I'm too young to drive" "You didn't think about that when you got in a stranger's car? Who was it?" She looks away pouting and any other day I'd think it was cute but not today. I'm still mad. We've been at this for an hour now. Ophelia refuses to tell me who drove her back or where she went. The cameras outside only caught her getting out of a black sedan with a covered number plate and tinted windows. I feel like shaking her until she answers my questions or she realizes how dangerous it was for her to leave school with a stranger. There's this nagging feeling at the back of my mind telling me it wasn't a stranger. She's not stupid. The problem is she won't tell me who picked her up. For someone her age, she sure is a tough cookie. I swear not even torture could get her to talk. Still, I can't let her get away with this shit "Ophelia, I'm talking to you. Answer me!" "How lon

"Mr. Gambone, glad to know the rumors about your death were just that. It would have been a shame to lose a great man like you" The chief of police says with a big smile on his face. What he actually means is that it would have been a shame to lose the money that hits his offshore account every month. Money he hasn't been working for since he can't seem to keep his subordinates in check. I nod, shake his hand, and try to leave but I almost bump into De Andrea. A well-known businessman who specializes in the construction sector. I've trusted him with a few projects before and he did a good job. But that doesn't mean I want to stand here and exchange pleasantries with him right now. Not when it looks like Regina is about to leave with Bianchi. I've never wanted to kill someone so bad. When I heard she would be here, it didn't cross my that she might show up with a plus one. She takes Tobia everywhere she goes and avoids other men simply because she's never been interested in them. Fo