LUCIANOI laid Jade on the stretcher as the nurses pushed her towards the emergency room. I squeezed her arm gently, “You're going to be alright,” I said, looking down at her. She swallowed, blinking rapidly. “Sir you'll have to wait here for her,” a nurse said, blocking my way as they closed the door to the emergency room.I nodded and stepped back, “she's pregnant, please save her,” I pleaded. The nurse nodded and entered the room, shutting the door behind her. Another stretcher rolled past me, one carrying Raffaele, his almost soulless eyes locked with mine for a fleeting moment before he was whisked into the emergency room. Aurora, her eyes puffy and red let out a cry as she pressed her back against the white walls, sliding down. I clenched my jaw, swallowing the lump that formed in my throat. “Code red! Code red!” A man screamed from inside as the life support machine started beeping. Aurora and I jumped to our feet, plastering our faces against the glass.It was Raffaele, h
JADEA WEEK LATERThe smell of waffles sifted into my nose as I cracked my eyes open to find Luciano packing some food in a flask. A smile formed at the corner of my lips as I looked up at him. “What are you doing?” He looked back at me, “we're going to the beach, let's have a picnic there.”I gasped, excitement bubbling within me. I threw off the blanket covering me and got on my feet as I hugged him. Then, realization struck. “Didn't you say I can't go outside for now because…” I trailed off, but he knew what I was insinuating.It wasn't safe, even with Raffaele still hospitalized, a man like Luciano wasn't short of enemies now was he? Especially since Arturo threatened him a week ago, he's been paranoid ever since. He turned around and grazed my chin with his fingers. “I won't keep you inside forever my love, this isn't the life I want for you, I'll be there to protect you, and they'll be men on standby in the distance okay?” I nodded, my smile faltering. “Now go get ready,” he
JADE"Shh you are making too much noise" I chided my cousin who lurched over me as we both eavesdropped on theclosed door conversation my parents had with two strangers.Father did announce to us yesterday that we would be having some very influential guests today and we all ought to be on our best behaviour. I really did not take it to heart until I was opportuned to take a sneak peak of our guests when they drove in with their convoy today.It was an elderly man and woman. They walked with an extreme air of authority and the multitude of muscular armed men that flanked around them was so intimidating.They seemed very dangerous, like people you would not want to mess with. And it got me wondering what sort of business father and mother had with them.I pressed my ear further into the door, my curiosity to hear what was going on biting down on me. "And the marraige..........has she been informed yet?" I could barely even make out what they were saying."What are they saying?" Mel
LUCIANO The large living room was as silent as a graveyard. Even the sound of a pin drop could be heard. The only sound that echoed throughout the intricate designed walls of the living room were the ones made by my shoes as I walked into the expensively furnished sitting room of my uncle, Luca. There him, my mother and two of my other relatives were seated like a panel of judges, their eyes stationed at my approaching profile. "Buon pomeriggio, è bello vedervi tutti" I greeted in Italian.They all nodded their heads at me.Ofcourse I greeted with my tongue in cheek, I was not pleased to see any of them especially not after the reports I got back yesterday concerning my would be wife--Jade."So I am guessing you know why we called you?" My uncle Tommaso began. He was the oldest among them all, my late father's elder brother.And he was the mouthpiece of the group."I do. I am also wondering why plans for my marriage have not yet begun" I spoke underneath my breath."Luciano plea
JADE I stood with my toes pointed, arching my back and twirling momentarily as I faced my reflection in the vertical standing mirror that was placed in my room.I practiced ballet and I was quite the dancer. It helped in relieving me of stress. As I danced away to the soft classical musical that flowed from my phone, I could not help but fill my thoughts with the handsome but mysterious stranger I met yesterday.I bet I will not see him again till maybe after seventy years and we stumbled upon each other in some sort of old people's retirement home. I tittered at my silly thoughts and kept on dancing but suddenly the door to my room flew open bringing my dance to a halt.Melinda scurried inside like someone that had seen a phantom. "Why would you interrupt me like that? Couldn't you knock Linda?" I chided her with a hiss. "Quit dancing goody two shoes. Your parents need you downstairs" Melinda informed me, catching her breath and laying on my bed."Why?" I asked pulling off my
JADEONE WEEK LATEREverything all happened like a dream before my eyes. I did not even know what got over me but I just had to accept the marraige proposal.Hearing the terrified tone of my mother speak about how ruthless my said groom was got me so trepadised with fear. I would not even dare go against his words if he is as bloodthirsty as they paint him to be.God. What is going on in my life? The more I thought about what took place in my life in just a space of less than three weeks, the more confused and worried I became.I mean one moment, I was single, planning to open up my very own cosmetic line and do something useful with my life and then the next moment, I was thrown into a marraige alliance and my life went upside down.As my thoughts dwelled on it the more, tears trickled down my cheeks."Stop crying baby so you will not ruin your makeup. We do not want your groom to notice your pale features" my mum whispered in my ears, using a white handkerchief to brush off little dr
JADE I propped myself in the black limousine that was expected to convey I and Luciano to my new home. We sat few metres away from each other and for some reason, my heart was palpitating so badly.Aurora's and Mariposa's taunt kept on replaying in my head like a song on repeat.Why were they calling me all sort of derogatory names like whore and a slave? And what did they mean by hopefully I can bear Luciano a son before he tosses me away?Was that the main reason I was to marry him? To become a baby making machine?! I literally had a life ahead of me before all these now these people are trying to subjugate me and turn me into a housewife!A thought roamed at the back of my mind as we both drove in silence. Would he force me to consummate the wedding though? My parents had made sure no man had carnal knowledge of me right from the time I was little but tonight he might.....No. If he does it then it would be rape because I will not consent to it.But these people seem like
JADEI did not stop the maids from ushering me out of Luciano's presence. I needed him out of sight to think properly.To think about my fate tonight. I can not do this with someone I do not love or know. I barely know him. This is not the fifteenth century where girls have no say in their affairs. This is my life and I will not not let anyone pressure me into having sex with him.The maids led me to a spacious bed chamber. I stared dewy eyed at the room I was in. Everything from the rug to the bed to the walls were oozing of wealth, bloody wealth.What do these people do that gives them so much money? Do they own a tech company? A fashion line? Nope. That is absurd.But still, it was not impossible.I sat on the bed as the maids helped me undress from my wedding gown."Is this I and Luciano's room?" I was tempted to ask as they took of my earrings."No ma'am. This is your private bedchamber. Your bedroom. When you desire peace and away from your husband you can come here. We got e