Chapter 1

Lily Pov 

“What?!” 

My eyes widened in shock as I looked at the man in front of me. I couldn't believe what he had just told me. How do I believe this nonsense he just said?! 

“What do you mean by Dante has a fiancée already?! That's impossible!” I yelled out in disbelief, my eyes widening and my chest stuffy with nervousness. 

I wish the man in front of me would tell me he was only joking, that all he said was lies, but as I met the serious and pitiful gaze of his, the only hope left in my heart was shattered. 

How could it be? How did this happen? I was only gone for two years and now you tell me he is engaged?! 

“Lily… Can you forget him now? This man is not worth your obsession, he might not even remember you!” Kelvin, a friend I had known for a long time and someone who had helped me keep an eye on things here in the country since I travelled out said.

I closed my eyes to stop my tears from falling. 

He asked me to forget him? But— I tried to. I really did try to forget him after he rejected me four years ago, I also tried to forget him while I was abroad and I even dated some guys, but… 

I opened my eyes and looked at Kelvin who had a worried look on his face, “No one can be like Dante.” 

“You—” He gritted out but glared at me speechlessly. Suddenly, he stood up while pointing his fingers at me. 

“Is he really that good?! Why keep doing all this?! This man is someone you can't afford to offend! And worse, he is older than you by so many years and he is old enough to be your uncle! He is also your father’s best friend, Lily!” He yelled, while throwing his hands in the air. 

I could see the frustration on his face and I knew my friend was so pissed off, but what can I do when I can't extract myself from him? 

So what if Dante was older than I am? So what if he is my father’s friend and so what if he’s the mafia boss everyone fears? 

I don't give a fuck about that as long as he can accept me! As long as that man can make me his and love me too, but… 

My heart clenched tight as I remembered the news that Kelvin had brought to me. 

Dante, the man I loved and was obsessed with, had gotten engaged to a woman. This just shows everything I had been doing,  the longing, the love and also the lessons I had been taking while I was abroad with the hope that he might see me as a woman and not as a kid like he had said when he rejected me years ago after confessing to him.

I snapped out of my daze when I heard the loud and helpless sigh. I looked up and found Kelvin staring at me with annoyance.

“You’re still young and can be with any man you want. Don't lose yourself for someone who clearly doesn't love you.” Done with his words, Kelvin strolled out of the room without even waiting for my response.

I stood there with my fist clenched tightly and my body weak. 

***

I walked into the washroom and stepped under the shower then let the water pour on me without a care. 

The water from the shower rained on me and I stayed under it for so long without a care for getting a cold. 

As the water poured on me, I couldn't help but remember the first time I had met Dante. My lips curled up at the memories.

It was my 18th birthday and one which was supposed to be a joyful one but unfortunately, that day turned out to be one that caused my traumas. 

That day, the party had been prepared and even my always busy Dad came back from the military just to celebrate my day but who knew I would get kidnapped by my father’s enemies in the hotel where the party was supposed to go on.

I could still remember the fear, the darkness, the hunger and thirstiness, and also the feeling of being beaten and even almost raped. 

That day had been the seventh day of my kidnap and even if I once had hope that my father who was a military man would soon rescue me, but when those kidnappers laid me down on the bed and held me down to have their way with me, when my eyes had almost lost it shine and hope, the one who had burst into the room and saved me was the man I

Loved—Dante Salazar. 

And from that moment, the love and obsession had seeped into my bones. He is my hero! 

Sigh. 

At the thought of all this, I looked at the mirror and stared blankly at the beautiful and mature woman in the mirror. Four years had passed since I confessed to him, and I had now become mature, sexy and more beautiful! 

“Dante, I'm sorry, even if you have a fiancée, I won't give up!” I muttered with determination to myself. 

My eyes flashed with excitement as a thought appeared in my mind. My eyes narrowed with sensuality and shyness. 

Dante, Dante… 

I chucked at the mutters of the name that enchanted me and made me weak in the soul every time. 

“A fiancé?” I scoffed, “Let's see if you can resist me when I sneak in and make you see the woman you rejected years ago. You said you don't do kids, so now that I’ve become a full adult and even learnt how to pleasure you, I want to know who you would choose.”  I said and mischievousness filled my brain.

But the problem was;  how can one sneak into Dante’s home easily?! 

KNOCK!! 

The sound on the door snapped me out of my daze, and I immediately finished with my thing in the washroom, then walked out.

“Who is there?!” I asked in confusion since it was late and I was not expecting anyone in my room tonight. 

“Lily…? It's father.” 

My body stiffened and then, my eyes lit up with happiness. Without wasting any more time, I rushed to open the door and then I met the smiling eyes of my dad. 

“Why did you come, Dad? I thought you were busy and would only arrive tomorrow?” I asked with curiosity. 

Well, don't blame me. I’ve always been proud of my father who is a military personnel,  but I also had to get used to him not being around me all the time. I had no mother and my dad never talked about her.

Dad’s chuckle rang out in the room and then a tight hug followed, “How could I not rush home to meet my beloved daughter after not seeing her for two years?! Welcome home, daughter!” He said and my heart pounded against my ribs. 

Now sitting on the couch, I faced my dad who had a serious expression on his face and a bad feeling crept into me. My tummy rolled with nervousness when he held my hands and I just knew what he was about to say would be something that would change my life, and finally, Dad began;

“Lily, Dad has something to say to you.” He said and tightened his hand on mine. 

I didn't say a word, or should I say I was just too nervous to speak? 

He continued, “The truth is that I called you back home because I couldn't stay reassured with you there. I was recently given a mission, and it will be something dangerous but I also can't reject it.” He said, and my heart dropped in my stomach. 

I waited, my heart beating so fast like they were about to burst out of my chest. 

“To protect you, I called you back home because from tomorrow, you need to go stay with your uncle Dante, because only he can protect you and also make me feel reassured wherever I am!” 

Boom! 

My mind went blank with shock. 

“What?!” I cried out in shock with my wide eyes staring at my father.

My father sighed, then nodded heavily. “Don’t argue with me, Lily. I already talked with your uncle Dante, you’ll live with him from tomorrow, so pack your bags and get ready. Good night.” He said and walked out immediately without waiting for my reaction.

I sat there blankly, my head repeating the words my father had said.

“You’ll be staying with your uncle Dante!” 

Dante..? The same Dante I love? The man I want?! 

Suddenly, my heart exploded in happiness. 

“Ahhh!!!”