ROSALINA'S POVThe sound of my knuckles meeting the door felt like the echoes of uncertainty bouncing back at me, reminding me of the questions dancing in my mind."Come in."The metal handle felt cool against my skin as I opened it and as soon my eyes met Liora's steely blue eyes, something close to panic knotted in my stomach. Mr. Bennett on the other hand, gave me a look of uninterest as if I were merely a pesky interruption of his day. He focused his full attention on Liora, who sat on the chair beside him with her spine straight, face impassive but eyes eager for him. Mr. Bennett got up and cupped Liora's cheek. "I'll see you tonight."For the first time, Liora smiled and gave an obedient nod before getting up to leave. She cast me a glance as she reached the door as if she was... sorry for me. This little...After Liora left, I closed the door and faced Mr. Bennett head-on. "I'd like to speak to you.""About what?"I bit the inside of my cheek, curbing my resentment towards hi

ROSALINA'S POV The cityscape gradually transformed as we neared our destination. The neon signs of clubs and bars painted the night with vibrant hues, and the pulse of the city's nightlife grew stronger with every passing block. Stacy's silver car pulled up to the curb in front of a sleek, dimly lit nightclub that seemed to have sprung out of the heart of the city itself. The thumping bass and muffled laughter spilled out onto the sidewalk, a siren call for revelers. The bouncer at the entrance checked our names off a list, and we stepped into the pulsating heart of the party. The nightclub's interior was a sensory explosion. Strobe lights cut through the darkness, illuminating the dance floor like a futuristic disco. The music was an intoxicating blend of electronic beats and soulful melodies, driving the crowd into a frenzy of movement. Stacy, Nina, and I navigated through the sea of bodies, our heels clicking in rhythm with the music. The air was thick with excitement, and the s

LEONARDO'S POV"You messed with the wrong girl, Armando," I growled, my voice deepening with anger and a promise of impending violence. My muscles tensed as I cracked my neck and knuckles, taking a step forward."This is our turf, Salvadori. Leave while you still can," Andrae's threat fell weak as he stepped back out of fear. Such a little bitch."Your turf huh?" I tilted my neck, "Funny how you think you can send your rats to MY turf and think you can get away with it." Honestly, I hadn't come here tonight to start a brawl. My sole purpose was to find Rosalina and get the hell out of this place without any trouble. But when I saw Andrae preying on her, all reason went out the window. I really did not like it when someone messed with what was mine. "Leo, let's just go," Rosalina's voice trembled as she clung to my arm, her eyes pleading with me to defuse the situation. But the damage had been done, and I couldn't let this slide.Plus, it's been a while since I used my fists to good

LEONARDO'S POVI couldn't believe how quickly she fell asleep just after coming on my fingers.The car's interior was filled with a peaceful silence, broken only by the soft hum of the engine and the occasional sound of Rosalina's breathing. I glanced at her sleeping form, her features relaxed in slumber, and a swell of tenderness took hold of me.I couldn't deny that I cared for this girl. More than I ever did for any woman. She had become someone I wanted to protect, to keep safe from harm. No matter how hard I thought about it, I couldn't figure out why I was obsessed with her, she didn't even like me...As I continued to drive towards the hospital, my eyes occasionally darted to the rearview mirror to steal glances at Rosalina's sleeping form.It was rare to see her like this, to witness a side of her that wasn't guarded or brimming with fiery independence. In this moment, she seemed like a different person, one who trusted me enough to let her guard down.Our relationship had alw

ROSALINA'S POVAfter what felt like an eternity, Leo finally ended the call. "What did she say to you?" I asked Leo, hoping for some insight into their conversation.Leo grinned. "She said that time is running out for her, and I should marry you and give her some great-grandchildren soon."I blinked in disbelief, unsure if I had heard him correctly. "She DID NOT say that."He was obviously pulling my leg. "It's what she said," Leo said with a shrug. "I'm not marrying you!" I exclaimed, incredulous at the idea."Why not?" I stared at him, dumbfounded. "Why not? Are you serious? We don't even like each other."Then, without warning, he closed the gap between us, his strong arms encircling my waist, pulling me close. "I like you just fine," he murmured, his lips now tracing a path down my neck. "You're the one who always runs away from me." I forgot how to breathe. "That's not true, I... I..." I stammered, my voice faltering as his lips brushed against the sensitive skin of my nec