Novels by Aquilla

LauraThe chandelier was still swaying above them, fractured glass glittering across the marble floor like spilled diamonds.Smoke curled upwards in spirals from the wreckage below, and the once-grand ballroom of the Rocci estate had turned into a screaming mass of chaos.My ears rang as I pressed a hand to the side of my head, blinking rapidly to clear my blurry vision. A sharp, metallic taste filled my mouth….I spat out and my eyes focused on the substance.Blood.Around us, men were shouting in Italian, Russian, Spanish….each tongue sharp and hostile, each voice laced with fear.Damian Rocci, his tailored suit marred with dust and ash, was already barking orders at his men.“It was the Aldoraccos!” he roared, pointing toward Kelvin and his father as if the explosion itself had risen from beneath their table.“Careful, Rocci,” Kelvin’s voice was cold as he stepped forward, brushing glass from his shoulder like it was nothing.His men had already formed a tight half-circle around hi

Laura…It all fell into place in that moment.Why the marriage ceremony was rushed and why Kelvin decided to get hitched to me in that moment.I was just a placeholder for Stacy.Or maybe an even better option.Fucking hell.Skye noticed the change in my demeanour, rising from her slight. “Oh, my gosh! I knew I shouldn't have said anything. I knew that my big mouth was going to gonna get me in trouble one day.”I could barely hear her. My ears rang with the weight of what she had just revealed.Stacy and Kelvin. They were supposed to be together. And when he realized who I was—what family I belonged to—he chose me instead. I was leverage. I was a only a move for him to up his gameMy stomach bubbled with shameMumbling weak excuses, I walked away from Skye and went back downstairs to find Kelvin.My pulse was beating wildly as I searched the crowd for Kelvin.He stood across the room with Antonio Jasquez, their heads bent together in low conversation. From their stance and demeanour,

LauraI sidestepped immediately, moving to the right.Of course, she blocked me. “How's your dress? It's looking much better I see.”“I don't have time for whatever high school drama you're trying to stir up right now,” I tell her point-blank.“Do you think that this is a joke?” Her eyes narrowed to slits.“Honestly, I don't care. I would just like to have some peace okay? Enough with the threats and petty play, I'm not interested.”“Whether you're interested or not doesn't matter, you stepped on my toe, you're just going to have to deal with the consequences.” She ran a finger down my chin before waltzing up, her hips swaying as she walked.Rolling my eyes, I went in the opposite direction, running right into Skye who nearly collapsed from relief when she saw me.“Finally, I think looking everywhere for you! I was starting to think that you left or something…are you okay?”“I'm fine,” I reassured her, but it was like pouring water on a rock.She turned to look behind me, wincing a li

LauraI whirled around to see Stacy's smug face behind the spill, surrounded by a couple of girls. “Stacy, what the hell?!”“Oh, sorry! Did I get juice all over your dress?” She cooed in a sickly sweet tone.I vibrated, anger bursting in my veins. “I wanted to retaliate but we were surrounded by her friends, not to mention, we're at a party.The last thing I wanted to do was cause another scene.Skye, however didn't care. “Stacy, that was fucked up!”“How? It was a silly mistake, I slipped and the drink splashed.” She batted fake lashes as if anyone was gonna believe her lies.“As if!” Skye scoffed, turning her nose up. “You should be better than this.”While they were going back and forth, the drink was sticking to my skin, travelling to regions that I didn't want to think about.Not to mention, my present company made me feel physically sick. “I'm just gonna go …” I mumbled under my breath, pushing past the ladies so I could wander in the direction of the restroom.Unfortunately, I

LauraAfter the disaster of a breakfast meeting, Kelvin disappeared to God knows where and reappeared when it was time for the ball.The dress that was prepared for me lay on the bed but I didn't feel like putting it on.It's just day two, but I was already tired, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally too.Being in this state of toxicity and constant emotional turmoil wasn't healthy for one's well-being.“You ready?” Kelvin's voice sounded over the door, snapping me out of the haze I was in. “We need to go, the car's already here.”“Just a minute.” That pushed me into action. Thankfully, the dress was easy to wear as I just slipped it on and I was good to go.Next up was my makeup and accessories but since the car ride would be longer than the one of yesterday, I just packed them up to wear in the car.When Kelvin saw me leaving the house, his eyes lit up and he pulled me closer. “You look beautiful.”My chest warmed up. That was the first time that he had given me a compl

Laura.Kelvin and I met up by the beach and he even looked more tired than I felt, making me wonder what they must have been talking about there.On the car ride home, he barely said two words to me, except to say. “My father and Dylan will be here in the morning.”Then he got into bed and promptly passed out.I followed suit shortly after, only tossing and turning for a few minutes before succumbing to exhaustion.I woke up early the next day, to prep and get ready for his father's arrival.Unfortunately, I wasn't much of a chef, and aside from snacks, the fridge and pantry weren't stocked up with much.I had to reach out to the kitchen, which was on the other side of the beach.I hated stressing them to come down here, but I hated the thought of meeting Mr Aldoracco empty-handed even more.They showed up on time, with the dishes I requested for and I got started on setting the table.Since Kelvin didn't give me an exact time, I placed most of the dishes in the microwave so they woul