VICENTEFew months later….“Calling out of the blue to pick you up , eh? Do I look like your manager or driver?” Marco asked Vicente who occupied the back seat, while he drove, his eyes on the road.“Must you complain about everything, Marco? I just called this once and you can let it slip.” I replied, my eyes out in the window as I take in the afternoon view of Venice, it wasn’t like there was anything fascinating about it, I just wanted to be distracted.“Plus my Manager is on a break….”“A break you let him have. And now you’re being all grumpy towards me. I still think it’s unfair.” He looked at me through the rear mirror but I didn’t spare him a glance.“You don’t look good, Vicente .” He said again after a moment do silence.“It’s feels so empty.” I mumbled to myself as I reminisce on how the recent days felt like hell….all because of the absence of one person.“What?” Marco asked, completely confused.“I wonder if they feel it too.” I said again. “My brothers.” I looked throug
VALENTINO“What the hell is this?” I raised up the file the head of strategy department in the New York just brought in, as I stared at the blonde with a pissed expression.“Sir, it’s the….”“Fuck this.” I muttered under my breath as I stood up, the other man’s head slightly bowed in fear.For the past three days here in New York, I have been on the edge. Every single thing got me pissed. And this was bad, it got worse everyday as the project we are working on was being hindered due to lack of progress.“Leave now.” I cupped my face in my palm. “Until you find a better plan.” I raised up my head to look at him, so he could understand the gravity of the situation from my expression.“Alright sir.” His American accent came out calmly. They were used to it. Or maybe they forced themselves to just bear with my cranky attitude.I rested back on the leather chair following the sound of the door closing and closed my eyes, took in a deep breath and her image mirrored in my head.My eyelid fl
ROSE"What’s with the face?” Renata turned to the passenger side to look at me.“Marco said to come in now,” she said as I sighed, nervously tucking my fingernails into my mouth.“How will he react when he sees me?” I turned to look at her; she smiled. “I mean, I just left like that without a real goodbye, like a selfish….” The words hung in my mouth as she placed a hand on mine.“Don’t… this is for your happiness. These past few days have been hell for you. I won’t let you leave here without meeting him at least once,” she said. When I still seemed hesitant, she continued.“I heard he has been combing the whole world trying to find you. Imagine how he is going to feel,” she said with a reassuring smile, and I gave her a tight smile.I would fool myself if I said that served as any comfort. “Well… I guess I have to go now,” I said as Renata nodded.“Yeah… Go on, don’t keep your man waiting,” she teased, and I returned a tight smile.Now in front of Valentino’s office, the door suddenl
Rose’s POV"Hi, Marie," I greeted immediately as I walked into the single room that my best friend and I shared. As I walked to the wardrobe and began packing my clothes, Marie stared at me in surprise."What are you doing?" Marie asked as she stood up from the bed where she had been lying, watching me with a worried look."Some people are after me, and I need to leave," I said as I zipped up my suitcase and turned my attention to Marie."Oh no," she shook her head. "Who did you scam this time?""Some person," I shrugged as I picked up the bag."I can't believe this. How long are you going to keep conning people and running away, ugh? Why can't you just find a legitimate business, Rose.""I am not doing this with you, Marie. I need to leave right now. They know I stay here. If they come for me, you will be in trouble," I said to her as she watched me with a worried expression.I sighed and started again. "Come on," I said calmly. "It's fine, Marie. I'll be fine.""Just return their mo
Rose’s POV"What?! The Sabatini brothers who are known not to stand each other?" I asked in shock as Marco nodded slowly, as if scared that I would change my mind. I sighed deeply and studied the man for a while. What the hell am I getting into?"What exactly is my job?" I asked."To teach them how to love each other," another voice interrupted as a man in an electric wheelchair rolled in from an adjoining room. Though he looked sickly, an aura of authority was visible around him."Mr. Giovanni Sabatini," I said almost in a whisper as I stared at the old man. The owner of the largest conglomerates in the country. Everyone in the county knew him."Nice to meet you, Miss Renata Arturo," he said with a smile on his frail face. Although this man was retired due to his rumored illness and now has one of his grandsons running the company, he still exudes that charm of authority."Hi—" I said quickly as I realized I was beginning to stammer. I must not give them the idea that I wasn't Renata
Rose’s POVValerio chuckled, obviously pissed by Valentino’s statement, while Vicente scoffed. “I can’t believe you gathered all of us here, Marco.” He glared at the secretary whom he was supposed to scare, but he didn’t budge. “I am just following Mr. Giovanni’s orders. He asked me to gather you all here to make an important announcement,” he said as he looked from one brother to another. “What is it now?” Valerio rolled his eyes at Marco, who pressed his lips in frustration at being cut short, while Vicente narrowed his eyes at me with a seductive smile. “Does it concern our pretty doll here?”“Can you both shut up?” Valentino glared at them. “You don’t get to call the shots… brother,” Vicente said in a degrading manner as Valentino stared fiercely at him as if he could kill him.Are these people even related at all? The news didn’t elaborate on how much hatred presides among them, I thought, as I felt my palm become sweaty with someone's hand wrapped around my shoulder. I shudder
Rose’s POVVicente’s lips curved into a smile as he stared at me cunningly."What?" I asked with a chuckle, slowly finding myself getting used to this man, though I often told myself it was a bad idea."What do I get in return?" He raised a brow with folded arms.I chuckled. "Ask away.""Sure? I don't like being told no for an answer. You should rethink it." He stared at me carefully as I studied his expression. He was flirting, and what's worse, I was falling for it."Never mind. I'll just go for it later. Nothing's coming to my mind. Uhm, about those brats, just use their favorite food to entice them," he said as I nodded slowly."Do you think it will work?" I asked, not sure if mere food would get them to eat together."Just a guess. I don't know," Vicente shrugged."I guess you're right," I rubbed my chin thoughtfully. Having meals together would allow the brothers to form some kind of bond."Mr. Valerio can't resist barbecued beef and tomato," the housekeeper chimed in. She stood
"Miss Rose? Miss Rose?" I snapped out of my reverie when I realized Ms. Carla had been calling me."Ugh?" I replied quickly."You don't need to do this. It's the job of the maids to help me out in the kitchen," she said with a smile as I looked down at the towel in my hand."Besides, you are doing a bad job," she added with a nervous chuckle as I smiled.It was obvious my mind wasn't on cleaning; I was thinking about yesterday with Valerio. If I don't do anything, I will be thrown out. No money. Nothing!I had come downstairs to help her take care of the kitchen so I could clear my mind, but I was just snapping every now and then.And the thought of losing such a huge amount."How was dinner yesterday?" Ma Carla asked with a careful gaze."With the young master Valerio?" She added as I sighed heavily and shook my head."It ended up in ways I didn't imagine, Ms. Carla. Valerio is quite hot-tempered," I said in frustration."Ah…" She chuckled. "If you see Valerio as hot-tempered, how wo