“Where are we going?” Kara nervously asked a pis*ed-looking Nico Bernardi.
They are not going back to the Castiliogne Villa. They did not turn on the first stoplight like they used to.
She clutched the lapels of her jacket tighter when she saw his dark look.
“Mr. Bernardi, please slow down.” She said, beginning to panic.
But Nico Bernardi did not slow down. He jumped up on the gas, and the car almost flew along with Kara’s heart.
Then, they stopped in a lurch.
Kara looked outside. They were in an aband
“Y-you can’t.” She stammered and backed away.Kara hugged herself. She did not know what came over her.Then, the events that happened that afternoon came to her mind. Kara squeezed her eyes shut, willing to blot it out of her mind. But every time she closed her eyes, she would see David’s bloodied face, causing her to shudder involuntarily.“What is going to happen to David? Are you going to..” Kara swallowed hard.The words could not come right out of her mouth.She took a deep breath and faced Nico Bernardi bravely.“Are you going to kill him?” The question came out hoarse. She was breathless.So many gruesome thoughts ran through her head.Nico Bernardi’s expression grew chiller. “I do not have to explain myself to you or anyone else, Ms. Baxter.”Kara bit her
She was not his sister but his first love.Bruno flicked his thumb and index finger in front of her face, and that was when she recovered. “Are you alright, Ms. Baxter?” The two of them looked worried, Evan and Bruno when she reluctantly pulled out of her daze. “Oh shoot! I feel so stupid. And here I thought he was his sister.” She covered the awkwardness with a dry laugh. It sounded forced and hollow. Bruno eyed her. Kara felt stupid for misinterpreting. All along, she thought Nico Bernardi had been avenging his sister. It all made sense now. Nico’s revenge was for his lover. Kara felt a constriction on her chest. Bruno and Evan still eyed her worriedly. For their benefit, she smiled wanly to assure them she was okay before standing up. “Sorry, but I am tired. I’ll go ahead and rest.” She told them. They nodded and let her pass. Once she reached the safety of her room, Kara locked the door. She wanted to be alone. Kara went straight to bed, diving face down. H
Kara was stunned. Her mind went blank. “Kara, please tell me the truth. Are you in some kind of trouble right now? Do you need my help?” This time, there was urgency in Marco Bonacci’s voice. Kara closed her eyes. She blamed her mouth for being careless. She should have checked her caller before she let her mouth run loose. It would be too late to retract now. “Kara, are you still there?""Please, you had to tell me what is wrong so I can help you.” Marco Bonacci tried again. Kara did not know what to do.Should she tell him? What if Nico Bernardi gets wind of it? What other punishment would he mete for her?Kara shivered at the thought. In her mind, she remembered how Nico warned her off Marco Bonacci. How she was told that he was a dangerous man. His family owns Club Roman, which preyed on innocent young girls like him. But all these were just Nico’s words. Kara’s forehead creased into a frown. What if they are not even true?Nico Bernardi blamed Club Roman for th
Bernardi Hotel. A few hours earlier. “Evelyn, what is my next schedule?” Nico Bernrdi asked his secretary after emerging from the conference room. He had a busy morning, and Nico wanted to check on Ms. Baxter before his next appointment. He knew he had been harsh to her, locking her in her room, but what could he do? Kara Baxter is becoming a pain in the a*ss and his g*oin. She keeps on doing and saying things that test his patience. He walked briskly as usual, and Evelyn, his diminutive elderly secretary, walked faster to keep up. Her little legs worked double time. The clack of their shoes echoed in the hallway. While Evelyn recited his scheduled appointments, Nico Bernardi checked the time.Out of the blue, someone blocked his path and grabbed him by the shoulders before landing a blow on his right cheek. He reeled at the impact. “Oh!” He heard his secretary scream in fright. Nico shot her a quelling look that made her clamp her mouth shut. Nico Bernardi massaged h
Outside his office, Nico Bernardi met Bruno and Evan. They accompanied him to the elevator bay. “Who’s tailing Bonacci?” He asked them. “Frank. He took some men with him.” Bruno replied. Nico did not say a word. His two assistants exchanged looks but did not say anything. They knew that look. Nico Bernardi is pissed, and when in this state, they steer clear of him. Nico Bernadi’s had a reputation for having a bad temper. When the elevator opened, they all boarded. Nico’s phone rang, and he took it. He listened for a while, and then he started blowing up. “What do you mean I have to follow protocols? I am not doing anything wrong. The girl is fine.”It was a call from the organizers of the Night of the Virgins. Nico Bernardi gritted his teeth in annoyance. He knew he would not be receiving this call if Marco Bonacci did not raise the issue with the organizers.He must hand it into that a*s*ole. He sure was quick and sly. He asked a question, and this is how he talked bac
Nico paused, basking in on the feeling, the warmth that surrounded him like a glove.He took her hand and placed it over his chest. “Kara.” He breathed out her name.It was the first time he used her first name. He found the idea appealing but was hesitant previously. Now that he finally gave in to what he wanted, he felt a sense of satisfaction, a connection that was not there before.“Ah!” Kara cried out the first time he broke her barrier.She did not know that it could be this painful.Nico saw her pain but could not stop now. He had been dreaming about this moment for the longest time, and now that it was within his grasp, nothing could tear him away.He has to have her.He leaned in and kissed Kara’s tears.His lips showered her face with butterfly kisses until they reached her lips.His lips hovered ov
The next day, Kara dressed as usual, and before seven, she was going down the stairs and to the dining hall.The four men were already seated and were waiting for her.“Buongiorno” She greeted everyone before occupying her usual seat.Evan, Bruno, and Frank greeted her back, but not Nico Bernadi, who was busy reading the papers.The mood at the table was the same as before. Formal.The food was served and the maids left.Kara ate slowly. She tried to feel her way around her companions. They were all busy with their plates. She cast a glance at Nico’s way, but he was not looking in her direction. He was busy talking to the other three about business.It was a drastic change from the previous days when Nico would, from time to time, address her.It was unnerving that after what happened with them last night, Nico did not so much as glance
Kara bit her lip to keep herself from grinning. She was Nico's girl. She liked the sound of that.She stepped out of the elevator ahead of Nico, surprised when Marco’s sweaty face greeted her. He was panting.“Is it true?” He cornered her.Fear crept into her eyes. She did not like the way he was looking at her. Before she could respond, Nico already collared Marco Bonacci, to the shock of everyone. “I told you to stay away from my girl.” He said menacingly. “I won’t. Not until Kara confirms it. You are not going to intimidate me, Bernardi.” Marco Bonacci spat out.His chest heaved heavily after running two flights of stairs to chase them. There was a desperation in his expression that alarmed Kara.Marco's reply turned Nico's face cold. “You have been warned.” And before everyone could guess what he was about to do, Nico formed his free hand into a fist and leveled a heavy blow on Marco Bonacci’s face. Marco Bonacci flew at the impact. He landed on the floor, but he was qu