''What do you mean, something between us?' I couldn't help but laugh at his question. "We're married," I remind him.''Au contraire Emily, how pray tell did you two meet? and from what I've gathered, my brother also worked for your father, Jamie Rivera," he states. "Yes, that is correct". I fold my hands, tilting my head slightly. What exactly was he implying?"Haven't you ever wondered exactly what kind of work my brother did for your father?" He asks with a sly smile.I look at him with confusion. What was he trying to say?"I-I…"I stutter, not sure how to respond.He laughs, and the sound resonates through the room "No? it's never crossed your mind? You've never wondered what exactly the relationship between your father and Giovanni was?"Well, I admit I have thought about it but I confined the thought to the back of my mind because I didn't think it mattered anyways but now that I'm being asked. What exactly was between my father and Giovanni? Why did my father trust Giovanni so m
Diana! What on earth is she doing here? A young woman with hair as dark as midnight done up in a bun walks in. She had an emotionless expression, a rigid jawline and a piercing gaze that made her appear quite unapproachable. She seemed to exude a sense of sternness that made me feel uneasy. She looked very self-possessed but despite her seemingly emotionless appearance, I had a feeling that she would be someone I could talk to.She must be one of the new maids Giovanni was talking about, she was rather peculiar. "I'm Darva Aronov. It's a pleasure meeting you mistress." She says bowing slightly. I observed her impeccable appearance, noting how every detail, from her meticulously ironed clothes to her perfectly groomed hair and nails, exuded an air of precision and sophistication.It was clear to me that she was someone who was strong-willed and not easily intimidated. She had a presence that commanded respect and radiated resilience."Nice to meet you too." I say to her. She looked t
"Nam-son?!" I say in astonishment. Diana's eyes widened with fear as her hands wrung together anxiously. "But...what about Giovanni?" She had mentioned earlier that Talia wanted to kill him. She moved closer, gripping my hand tightly as if her life depended on it. "My cousin doesn't want to interfere with anything. He doesn't trust me." Her gaze dropped to the floor for a moment before locking with mine again, desperation etched on her features. "But I know you would...please."I was at a loss for words, taken aback by the fragile vulnerability she was displaying - a side of Diana I had never witnessed before. "What makes you think I can help you? What exactly is going on with Nam-son?" I'm unsure of whether to trust what she is saying. "I don't know for certain," she admitted, her voice trembling slightly, "but I think he's been taken..." She paused, taking a deep, steadying breath. "A few days ago, I received a message that Nam-son had been taken b-" She stopped abruptly as if t
"My apologies, Master, but you have a phone call," Darva announced, appearing almost out of thin air. "It seems very urgent."A flush of embarrassment crept up my cheeks as I instinctively tried to use Giovanni's broad frame to shield myself from Darva's view. Giovanni sighs deeply, pressing one more tender kiss to my forehead before reluctantly extracting himself from my embrace. "I'll see you later love" he murmurs ruefully.As he hauled himself out of the pool, rivulets of water streamed down his chiseled physique. I couldn't help but stare, transfixed for a moment by the tantalizing display. Giovanni shot me a roguish wink over his shoulder before turning to Darva."This had better be important," he stated firmly, wrapping a plush robe around himself. Darva simply inclined her head in response. "Of course, Master. Right this way."Giovanni paused at the door, turning back to me with those warm eyes that could so easily melt my doubts. "We'll continue this discussion later, try no
Dressed in the finest silk that money could acquire, I felt like a vision of pure indulgence. I was clad in a long spaghetti strap dinner gown with a slit, that embraced every curve of my body, stiletto heels graced my legs, and I wore a gold arm bracelet. I wanted to wear my mother's necklace but decided against it and put it back in the drawer, instead, I went with a simple gold necklace with diamonds encrusted on them. My lips were painted a deep, enticing red, and my usually tamed brown hair hung in silky waves cascading over my shoulders. Darva had helped me with my clothes and makeup, although she was strange, it was obvious she had impeccable taste. With the way, her hands moved as she did my makeup, full concentration. It was obvious she was skilled in the craft. I don't know Darva very well but there was something about her, a quality, about her. A kind of precision with her movements and whatever she was doing. Almost like she was trained or something. I laugh to myself, w
An aura of quiet power and self-assuredness seemed to radiate off Gabriel as he bends and kisses my hand tenderly. "The pleasure is all mine, Emily Rivera". His features were strikingly handsome - chiseled cheekbones, a strong jawline, full lips perpetually curved into a borderline smirk. But it was his eyes, dark as midnight, that were the most arresting. Hooded and glittering with a cunning intelligence. Not a single strand of his hair appeared out of place atop his head.He was impeccably dressed in a beautiful suit. The suit strained slightly across his broad shoulders and chest, hinting at the powerful physique lurking beneath the razor-sharp lines of the tailoring. A silver hoop earring graced his left earlobe. When he angled his body a certain way, I caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a small tattoo of a coiled snake on his chest, just peeking out from the crisp vee of his dress shirt collar. "It's so good to see my baby cousin again, although the last time we met, th
"I must say you're looking extremely fabulous tonight," He gives me a once over. I managed a polite courtesy. "Good evening Mr. D'Errico. It's good to see you again"He nods, that wolfish gaze sliding over to settle on Giovanni with a hint of sly amusement playing about his lips. "I'm glad you finally agreed to bring her along. What's a family gathering without her, hmm" He says. A tremor of unease went through me at his words. But I schooled my features into a neutral smile as Russo continued speaking."Julia, unfortunately, is unable to come, she sends her regrets for this evening," he stated, almost as an afterthought.Thank heavens for that! I grimace at the remembrance of the words she said to me the first time we met. That's one less pair of scornful eyes to endure. "A pity. My warmest greetings to her," I replied smoothly, unconsciously straightening my posture under the subtle weight of Russo's sharp gaze."I see you've met Gabriel, you two looked like you were about to st
I watch as Diana shifts uncomfortably. "It was…a random attack. A random person." but her tone lacked conviction.I scoffed. "You're lying again, aren't you?", Frustration welled up inside me.Before Diana could respond, I whirled around, heading for the door. "You know what? I don't care anymore. I'm done with this charade."Suddenly, Diana's hand clamped on my arm, stopping me. Her grip was surprisingly strong. "Emily, wait! You have to listen to me." Her voice took on an urgent tone. "You can't trust anyone here. This whole gala is a trap. You need to get out, now!"I jerked my arm free, glaring at her. "And why should I believe a word you say?""Because I'm trying to protect you!" Diana hissed. "They're watching you, Emily. If you don't leave-"An earsplitting bang on the door made all of us freeze. The sound reverberated through the room, laden with menace. Diana's eyes went wide with fear, and Nam-son instinctively stepped in front of her in a protective stance.The atmosphere w