I stifle a yawn, brushing a hand over my weary face as I stretch my aching limbs. Slowly rising to an upright position, the sound of chains rubbing together fills the small, elegant room. Clink, Clink, Clink… I shake my hand that is cuffed to the bedpost above my head. Turning my body in an awkward position, I knock harshly on the wall three times with my free hand. I pause. And then I knock another three times, but quicker and louder this time around. The door to the room flies open seconds later. And the early morning sun strikes me like a beam of light as it shines through the large window on the opposite side of my room—instantly blinding me. Riccardo had me brought to this room yesterday after I spent the entire night and all yesterday in the abandoned wine cellar. I believe Don Valentino uses the cellar for his enemies. Specifically, when his business deals turn gnarly. After I had called him an arse hole, Don Valentino crushed his lips against mine, stealing my breath
“Why not? She deserves to know that her mother isn't coming back any time soon to tuck her in at night.” I do my best to keep my voice down, so Savannah can’t hear me. “Don’t you think she deserves to grieve?” My voice cracks as my own memories of my mother dying at a young age hit me. I look over my shoulder and my eyes clash with Savannahs’. They are filled with sadness. Defeat and confusion. Her eyes are a direct line to her emotions, showcasing that she is struggling to conceal them at such a tender age.Her eyes should be filled with Joy. Curiosity, and pure happiness. My heartaches and for the life of me, I can’t fathom why Don Valentino hasn't sat Savannah down and explained everything to her in a way that she will understand.One of the worst feelings is waiting for someone who will never show up. You don't know what to expect, and it creates a hole in your soul for your anxiety to manifest. He casually takes another puff of his cigarette, removing his shades, and he nods
My eyes snap open.Dread seeps from my pores.Clawing at my neck, I struggle to fill my lungs with air. I sit up and ultimately realise that I'm no longer in the same room. I'm in another room that's been dimmed of its natural light as the large maroon curtains have been pulled shut. I concentrate on trying to elevate my breathing. In through the nose and out through the mouth.What kind of screwed-up dream was that? I think to myself, feeling like I’m going to be sick.I brush my hand over my sweat-coated face and groan. My body aches. My muscles are screaming in agony as if I've just completed a marathon. Which, is ironic. Because I've never run a day in my life. Well, not by choice anyway.I persist in the act of blinking. I flutter my lashes in a butterfly effect, basking in the first rays of daylight. Through the slender opening of the lavish drapes, a beam of radiant light filters in, casting a luminous white glow upon the foot of the expansive bed where I presently occupy.
***FLASHBACK*** ***Eleven Years Ago*** It was like any other day. A normal day walking home after netball practice. Well, that’s what I had thought as I took a shortcut home through our local playground with my headphones shoved deep into my ears. The sun was starting to descend, and I was in a rush to make it home in time for dinner, Mum was making her famous fish pie. Netball practice had run a little late due to Martha Simon showing up late and pissing coach Kirsty off, which meant we all had to run laps around the court once training was done, and Martha lost her captain title. What should have been a joyful moment when the captain title was passed on to me, wasn’t. Martha was pissed and made it clear as day that she was going to deal with me later. Unbeknownst to me, I had no idea that she meant she was going to get me that day. I didn’t sense them approaching me from behind. It wasn’t until I found myself falling face-first to the ground that I realised I was being a
“Oh, my god, Ivy…” Lowering her gaze to the ground, she whispers, placing a hand over her heart. “I am. I'm so sorry.” Her voice is raw and brimming with unsaid emotion.If I had a dollar for the number of times someone offered me their sympathy, I’d be living in a penthouse in the CBD.“Don’t be, you have nothing to be sorry for. It’s not like you were there.” I pick up the glass of water that remains on the bedside table. “It happened eleven years ago. It’s a distant recollection stuck in the back of my head, infusing itself with the rest of the bad memories I have.” I say as I toss the rest of the water back in one gulp. An awkward silence lingers between us. It’s the kind of silence that I expect every time I open up about my past. It leaves people speechless and occasionally, it’s the only kind of response I need.Because fuck trying to dive deep into my traumatised past, digging through the skeletons hidden in my closet. I knew from the moment that the tip of my sculpture knif
I remain silent as I suddenly feel like I’ve lost all ability to speakMy eyes dart between each set of eyes looking back at me, and I swallow thickly.Out of all the rooms in the villa, why did I have to end up here, in his office?He stands up by the grace of God. Buttoning up his suit jacket and his eyes never leave mine. “Clear the room!” He growls in a dark voice that sends a delicious line of chills down my spine. “As you wish,” I sigh with a gust of relief exiting my body.Quickly turning around, I yank the door open, ready to get the hell out of there. “Not you, farfalla!” He roars, compelling me to stop dead in my tracks.My limbs are being robbed of their strength, and I quickly find myself drowning in an endless sea of comprehension.'Shit!' I curse under my breath, and ever so slowly, I turn back around to face him, moving out of the way so his men can exit the office. The moment his men clear the office, he crosses the room, closing the distance between us like a hurr
ALESSANDRO, AKA DON VALENTINO: I bask in the cool water as it rains upon us. Ivys’ body temperature has skyrocketed, causing her skin to burn with fever and act out deliriously. “Please, stop… it hurts, it hurts…” She whimpers, clawing at my suit jacket fiercely. 'What the fuck is wrong with me?' I dare to question my own sanity. I shouldn't be here. I shouldn't feel compelled to hold her tightly under the cool shower to bring her fever down. She is the enemy. She has come to steal the only piece left of my brother, Savannah. If she were anyone else, she would already be buried six feet under, along with the rest of her bloodline. But she’s also vulnerable, and it strikes the beast within me every time I steal a glance at her. She looks so much like Rose, and it fucking hurts. Fate can be so cruel, and this would have to be her cruellest test for me. Like it wasn't bad enough that she made me sit back and watch my brother, Roman, marry the girl I loved with everythi
*** THREE DAYS LATER*** I step out of the black SUV that pulls up outside the clinic I’ve been asked to visit by Don Valentino. I wait for Riccardo to close the door behind me and lead the way. I am not entirely sure why I have been brought here and forced to see another doctor since Selena has been taking great care of me. I suppose I am fortunate; not many people get the chance to have a second doctor examine them. Following my consultation, I’d like to see my father at the hospital. I was made aware yesterday, that my father collapsed at work, and was whisked away by an ambulance. I was also informed that Don Valentino made it abundantly clear that my father was to be taken care of with the utmost professionalism. It shocked me to my core to learn this as I know my father and Don Valentino have never seen eye-to-eye, and if my father was given the opportunity, he would rob Don Valentno of his life with a giant grin on his face. As we exit the elevator and walk down a small