Chapter 8

Arman’s pov

I hung up on Simon and moved to dress up for the day.He called to let me know that papa wanted an urgent meeting.I made sure to check up on mama and Alda .Estella,lacing my mind even when I tried hard not to think about her.

It’s been two days since I raised my voice on her and I knew I shouldn’t have.

Few minutes later,I was on my way to the garage with my personal bodyguard and right hand man,Fabio.

“First we Head to the winery and then we also need to visit papa”I said,nodding to his greeting.

He nodded in understanding.

I paused in my tracks when I overheard a familiar voice from the garden .I moved to have a better view to see it was Estella talking to a trio of maids.

She stopped talking upon noticing me and dismissed them quickly.

I gestured for my bodyguard to give us a minute .

She gave a pout and folded her hands

“I thought you never wanted to set your eyes on me again”

I laughed shortly amazed at her being dramatic.

“You need to chill off.I was just having a bad day and sometimes I need my space also”

“Okay”

“Okay?so you’re not angry anymore”

“I actually moved on from it a long time ago”

Estella’s pov

“I actually moved on from it a long time ago”I lied in defense.

He smiled and moved close to me.

His gaze lingered on me for a momentarily before he raised his hands to graze my cheek.

“What are you doing?”

“You’re just something else,Estella.I want to do nothing else but focus on my family matters but at the same time I can’t stop myself from thinking about you”he growled,evident from hunger.

I bit my lips on purpose,dampening them in the process.

“I know I shouldn’t have raised my voice on you and you have to work on not caring at times”

“You know you have a funny way of saying sorry.”I said in distaste .

He pulled me close and I could feel his hot breath on my skin.

The familiar feeling I always got around him prevailed.

“Arman..”I started but he shut me up with his lips landing on mine.

I didn’t care if anyone was watching at this moment.I just wanted me some more of Arman.

The world did not just stop; it faded away, replaced by the warmth of his breath and the gentle pressure of his lips on mine. It wasn't a sudden collision or a frantic, cinematic encounter; rather, it was a quiet surrender to a moment we had both been waiting for, a slow-burning spark that finally caught fire.

Before our lips met, there was the silence. It was a comfortable hush in the bustling space around us, the kind that hums with unspoken words and anticipation. I remember the exact smell of him—a mix of cold air, pine, and something uniquely familiar that felt like home. His hand, warm and steady, cupped my jaw, his thumb brushing against my cheek with a tenderness that sent a ripple of heat straight through my chest. His gaze was intense, dark eyes locking onto mine with an honesty that left me breathless. It was a silent request for permission, a quiet promise that I wanted to keep forever.

. His lips were impossibly soft, a delicate touch that quickly deepened into something certain and fervent. It was a mix of hesitation and desperation, as if he was trying to memorize the exact shape of my mouth, to map out this new territory in our relationship. A soft sigh escaped my lips, immediately absorbed by his, a shared breath that felt like a secret whispered into the air.

His hands moved to the back of my neck, tangling in my hair, anchoring me to him in a way that made me feel entirely safe and completely undone. It wasn't just a kiss; it was a confession, an admission of love that spoke volumes louder than words ever could. All anxieties, all the worries of the day, dissolved, leaving only the sensation of him—the taste of him, the heat of his skin, and the overwhelming feeling that I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

In those few moments, I felt the sharp, exhilarating thrill of being loved, the butterflies in my stomach rising in a chaotic, joyful flutter. The kiss tasted like a quiet promise, firm and unshakable. When we finally pulled apart, both of us breathless, we remained with our foreheads resting against each other, sharing the silence and a shy, knowing smile that felt more intimate than the kiss itself.

“God Estella”he groaned

“What?”My voice faltered from the effect of everything that had just happened.

“You’re a temptation that I can’t resist”

“Then don’t”

I was tired of holding back.

I could still feel the touch of his lips on mine.

He guffawed and released me fully.

“I need to go now.You..you take care of yourself”he said after giving much thought to what he would give as a reply.

I watched him walk away from me ,third time in a row.

💥Arman’s pov

I cursed silently as I stepped out of the car and checked my phone to see a few missed calls from Simon.

My thoughts lingered on the kiss I had just shared with Estella.

Damn she was a wild one. The taste of our kiss still lingered on my lips decades later... The memory our first kiss lingered within my hears like a half-remembered duet.

I had seen the longing look in her eyes and damn It only made me want her more.I wanted to get high on the thoughts of her,of us.

But firstly,I needed to focus on the problem at hand right now.The bust at the warehouse.

I gestured to the mobsters that lingered around the motel papa had been staying for days now.

“I thought you wanted to bail on us once more”Simon said looking pissed as I walked into the room he lodged in.

Simon was counting some notes whilst papa smoked on his pipe .

“I needed to get to the winery “I said “Good day papa.”He hummed a greeting and set his pipe around.

“You did a good thing by showing up because we need to have a meeting”Simon said

“Take a Seat”papa ordered and I obliged.

“I’m aware you were at the warehouse two days ago .But we don’t have to wallow in the past and deal with the present”

“Father thinks we should pay up the cops so we could have a smooth operation henceforth.”

“There’s no need for that.I have a better idea”

Simon held an expression of surprise

“Speak”papa said calmly

“Well.During my stay in Albany,someone tipped off some new routes and it’s been nothing but solid.So I’d advise we open a small warehouse there and make fast deliveries”

“Where is it located?”Simon asked in hesitation

“Albany basically”

Papa gave it a thought for a moment

“Well I know they sell good beverages so we could use our wines still to smuggle the goods “He said

“Exactly.We don’t need the coverups tho.”I declared

“Why?”Simon threw at me

“I used them for my operations already so I know every crook and cranny of that area”

“You have it sorted out then”papa said giving me an intent look .

He didn’t insist “That’s okay.I’m glad we’ve come to a conclusion so Simon I need you to head to Albany by weekend with Arman.Give me full details on the miles and distance to outside states”

“Sure”Simon said and turned to give me a look that showed he wasn’t too sure.

“Relax bro.This is a private route so we’re so far from getting a bust down there”

I said giving him a reassuring smile