"Emilia?" Guila's surprise was evident, her face contorting with confusion, and her eyebrows furrowing."Yes," I nodded eagerly, hoping she would acknowledge knowing the name or the person. After a brief moment of rolling her eyes, she finally spoke."Yes, I know that name.""Oh, you do?" I questioned, my eyes widening with anticipation. I was completely dumbfounded when she confirmed it. I anxiously awaited her response, desperately hoping for some insight."Yes, I do. There are actually two people I know with that name. One was my classmate back in high school, and the other is also a classmate. Unfortunately, one has passed away, while the other is currently in Spain," she explained. It didn't quite make sense to me."Did Antonio have any connection to either of them?" I pressed, narrowing my eyes. I needed to uncover the truth, as my heart couldn't bear the weight of overthinking the potential links between Emilia and Antonio."No, there's no way Antonio knows either of them," Gui
"I apologize," I murmured, my gaze locked onto Kira's face. Her cheeks flushed crimson, resembling the fiery hues of the Red Sea.Emerging from Guila's room, I accidentally collided with Kira. I had managed to slip out of Ahi Oaks' rooms, providing her with the fabricated response she desired. Yet, as Kira stared at me in silence, she abruptly turned and walked away. I was taken aback, for the Kira I knew would never depart without unleashing a barrage of curses.I watched her until she disappeared completely, seeking solace in her own room. Bafflement clouded my narrowed eyes. Shrugging, I made my way to my own quarters, my mind still preoccupied with Guila's revelations. The more I contemplated them, the more a sense of discomfort engulfed me. It was unfathomable to believe that Antonio could inflict such cruelty upon another person simply because their eyes had grazed the threshold of a room. My curiosity was now fully aroused, and I yearned to uncover the contents within that nece
I felt a firm grip on my wrist, causing my entire body to freeze instantaneously. I couldn't even sense my own breath anymore. To make matters worse, I was unable to turn around, trapped in this pitch-black darkness. My nerves ceased to function, and the courage that had fueled me on this mission evaporated in an instant.With trepidation, I slowly turned backward, only to be confronted by the menacing gaze of Antonio himself. He stood tall, his usual frown etched upon his face, radiating intense anger and hatred. It was as if he had transformed into a shadow of his former self, the Antonio I had known during these past few weeks after the bomb incident.My lips twitched, but I struggled to find the right words to utter. My throat felt dry, and my lips stuck together. My heart pounded heavily within my chest as I trembled inwardly, my hands shaking uncontrollably. Even without a single word from Antonio, my legs quivered with fear. His silence alone spoke volumes, chastising me with a
"What are you talking about?" Antonio gawked at me in utter surprise. His eyes widened, seemingly bulging out of their sockets. It was as though my words had shaken the very foundations of his world. His face froze, and I could sense the tension building within him. Deep down, I was grateful that I had mustered the courage to finally unleash the questions that had been gnawing at me slowly."Are you impotent, and who is Emilia?" I asked again, tears now streaming down the sides of my eyes. His countenance remained inscrutable as always, but there was something different in the way he held me. It was a slightly looser grip, yet still firm, as if my words had caused him to die and be reborn."Why do you think I am impotent?" He responded calmly, his initial anger quickly solidifying into a hardened mask.My breathing became ragged as his question demanded that I divulge more than I had intended. I didn't want him to discover the existence of the mysterious texter, fearing that it might
"Is this how you treat Emilia too, or is it just me?" I confronted Antonio, my voice trembling with tears. In an instant, he ceased his actions, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity that betrayed something other than anger."Keep her name out of your mouth," he growled softly, his eyes narrowing like those of a predator observing its prey before striking."Why should I? Shouldn't I mention your other companion?" I challenged, hoping that by invoking her name, I could avoid his forceful advances. There was something about that name that always seemed to halt him in his tracks."Olga!" he thundered, his eyes narrowing further as he locked them onto me. Despite my tear-streaked face, I summoned the courage to confront Antonio with such words."No! Just answer me honestly. Do you treat Emilia the same way, or is it solely directed at me to prove my worthlessness to you? I'm well aware of my insignificance in your eyes, so go ahead and use me as you please. Indulge your beastly desires,"
I settled into the plush chair, the weight of a book firmly grasped in my hand. The surface of my palms felt slightly damp, a testament to the nerves that tingled within me. As I focused my gaze on the book before me, my eyes appeared weary, their usual vibrancy diminished. It was an Italian language guide, an essential companion during my stay in this captivating country. I had chosen to delve into its pages, secretly preparing to surprise Guila with my newfound linguistic abilities.With my legs crossed in the study room, I delved deep into the captivating content of the chapter. Italian, a language so sweet and melodious, presented its own set of challenges on my learning journey. One hurdle that often tested my perseverance was mastering the intricate verb conjugations. The myriad patterns of Italian verbs, dictated by tense, mood, and subject pronouns, demanded thorough understanding and diligent memorization. Even for a seasoned language learner like myself, this aspect proved d
I was rendered mute, my mouth agape, seething with an overwhelming mixture of anger and rage. Despite my intense emotions, a flicker of curiosity lingered within me, yearning to decipher his purpose for being there. His demeanor remained steadfastly serious, as was customary for him.In the most polite manner I could muster, I inquired, "What is it that you wish to discuss?" He stood aloof, his gaze penetrating deeper into mine with each step he took forward. Meanwhile, my heart pounded frantically, my mind racing to conjure various explanations for his sudden desire to engage in conversation. We hadn't exchanged a word for over a month, as he had been diligently avoiding me due to the Emilia saga."We are obliged to attend a function together," he spat out abruptly, his tone devoid of any warmth. "Ottaviano, my trusted advisor, is getting married in three days' time, and it is imperative that we present ourselves as a couple. We shall procure your dress tomorrow," he declared, showin
"Please wait," I hurriedly approached the woman, finding her collapsed on the floor. Her eyes were brimming with tears, and her body displayed numerous wounds and blisters. She lay there with her infant child, who appeared malnourished and visibly weakened, as if life had dealt them a cruel blow."Ma'am, how are you?" I approached her, gently placing my hand on her trembling shoulder. Tears welled up in my own eyes, but I fought to suppress them, struggling to find the right words. My heart pounded in my chest, its intensity overwhelming. It was an inexplicable attraction towards her, perhaps rooted in my innate sense of compassion."How are you, ma'am?" I softly spoke, my fingers tracing a soothing path along her back as I locked eyes with her. Her face bore a profound expression of pain, mirroring the hardships she had endured. Her frail infant seemed equally emaciated, as if they both shared the burden of destitution.She murmured a response, but her words escaped my quick comprehe