Ivyrose’s POV "This is heavenly." I said through a mouthful of pizza. Ricardo chuckled before taking a big bite of his first slice. "I know," he said, chewing loudly, making me laugh. "Remember this place when you and Christopher come back here." "Definitely." I said, feeling guilty because halfway across the world my fiance had no idea where I was or who I was with yet here I was enjoying another man’s company. I took a long sip of my iced tea. “Can I ask you something?” “Shoot.” Ricardo said, taking another bite. “I…Uhm…Can you please not mention Christopher or my dad or anything about New York anymore?” “Can I ask why?” “No.” “Hmm, okay then. I promise.” “Thanks.” I said, smiling at him, glad he didn’t insist on knowing my reasons. We ate in silence for a moment before I decided to talk first. “So how many boxes of this pizza can you eat all on your own. Be honest. Be honest.” Ricardo laughed and shrugged before answering. “The most was… I think five boxes. But don’
Ivyrose’s POV Foxworth Mansion: 11 years ago “Mom. It hurts so much, mom.” I said as the pain creeped its way around my abdomen and all the way to my back. My legs were wide apart and a doctor was telling me to push. “I know honey. I know it hurts, but push. Bear the pain now and you’ll have him forever.” Holding her hand, I did as she told and pushed whenever I felt a wave of contraction. I felt my son come out, but didn’t hear any crying sound. My heart pounded as I asked them why he wasn’t crying. I felt so tired, but I kept talking until someone put an oxygen mask on me and another nurse injected something on my arm; Moments after, everything slowly started to blur. The last thing I remember was telling them to give my baby to me before blackness eventually took over. I woke up to the sound of someone sobbing beside me while squeezing my hand. The moment I opened my eyes, the brightness made me wince and I closed it back again. “Dad. I’m so tired. Where is he? Where’s my b
Milan, Italy Ricardo’s POV I looked into the man’s eyes. His dilated pupils told me he was afraid despite the words he was shouting— “Fuck you, Ricardo! I’m not afraid to die! My brother will avenge me. He will blow your brains out, you filthy—.” I would never know what kind of filth I was because the man’s mouth blew up in his face the moment I pulled the trigger of my .357 Magnum, the adrenaline rush from taking someone worthless asholes life making me feel alive. Seb, my right hand man wiped the splattered blood on his cheek. “Clean this up and make sure to burn every inch of him.” he said to the four men who stood behind us. “Yes, boss.” They chorused. I looked at Seb and chuckled. “I still think this is a mistake Ricardo. You’re just asking for war.” Seb said. I scoffed at him and walked out of the mansion’s murder room, Seb right behind me. “But you love wars, Seb. Didn’t you say the other day you miss killing your enemies? And called me a lovesick lunatic for going to
Christopher’s POVI laid down on my shrink’s couch and closed my eyes, trying to take deep breaths and letting it out. His question made my anxiety act up. My heart was pounding in my ears and I started to sweat. Relax. Relax. Think about Ivyrose. Go to your happy place. My Ivyplace.I kept repeating in my mind, while I pictured Ivyrose smiling at me, kissing me and telling me she loves me. I kept breathing, exhaling through my mouth until my nerves calmed down.“Why do you think your nightmares are back, Christopher?”Doctor Leo Adler, the best psychiatrist in New York, according to Times Magazine and to Rex Foxworth, repeated his question, but I remained quiet because I only wanted to tell him you’re the doctor here, so tell me why. When a minute passed and I still didn’t give him any answer, he added.“Do you think it has something to do with the unviable pregnancy?”“I’m glad that pregnancy didn’t happen, doctor. It was for the best.” I found myself saying before I realized how th
Ivyrose’s POV The caramel macchiato’s sweet taste lingered in my mouth long after my last sip and I smiled at Hailey as she said something I wasn't really listening to. The last thing I heard were her theories of why Hudson had ghosted her. I felt slightly guilty for only pretending to listen, but while Christopher and I were 30,000 feet up in the air flying back to the big apple, I promised myself I’d only focus on the good side of everyday life. The only consolation I told myself was that I already advised her to just wait and not worry too much because it's not like he's the only man left on earth and that she was too young to be moping around—she just won't listen. A part of my mind called me a hypocrite because deep inside me, I knew I'd never forget about Gareth nor have I totally forgotten how much I enjoyed spending time with Ricardo in Paris. "Are you even listening to me, boss? You're so sick of me aren't you?" Hailey said, disrupting my thoughts."Yep." I said, chuckling
Ricardo Sanguin’s POV Her moans were making things easier for me. Everytime I thrusted harder she’d also moan louder. I could tell she was having the time of her life. I laid on my back and squeezed her breasts as she lowered herself on me. “Fuck, you’re good.” I said, imagining she was Ivyrose. “Of course I am, baby. I’m the love of your life.” “Shut up! Don’t talk to me like that. Better yet don’t ever talk again and just keep moaning.” The whore rolled her eyes at what I said and I grabbed her neck forcing her to stop grinding. I pinned her on the bed as she tried her best to get my hand off her throat. I continued to fuck her and lessened my grip allowing her some air before tightening it again and fucking her even harder until I felt myself cumming. I pulled out of her and let her neck go so I could stroke my throbbing cock and squirt my cum all over her red face. She grasped for air, yet she still licked every last drop before laying back down on the bed. “Shit. That was s
Christopher’s POVI reread the contract Ricardo and I had. Basically it said after the one night stand he would not have anything to do with Ivyrose and me as long as I was able to pay him the money within a year. It was a good thing the project I funded with that money was going to triple in four months. If not, he was going to tell Ivyrose the secret he used to blackmail me with. I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair, untying the elastic band that held it. A headache threatened to erupt at any moment as I rubbed my temples. I thought about that number the guy put in my hands and I took it out of my wallet. Without thinking, I dialed the number with my cellphone. A man’s deep voice with a thick Italian accent said, “Mr. Christopher Standford, I’m glad you decided to call.”“Who is this?”“Hmm Who I am is not important. For now, let’s just say we have a common enemy so this makes us friends.”“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t have any enemies. And I certainly don’
Ivyrose’s POV“I’m really sorry about this. But I had nobody to talk to and no other place to stay where Chris didn't know.” I said, as my tears fell again. I kept wiping them, but the stubborn tears fell like waterfalls anyway. Hailey smiled and pulled me into a tight hug.“Don’t ever say you have nobody. You always have me, boss.” “Thanks, Hail. I brought ice-cream.” I said, showing her the big bag I was carrying. “Oh gimme!” She took the bag and told me to feel at home while she put the extra pints of Ben and Jerry’s in the freezer and got us each a spoon. I sat on the end of her purple sofa and laid my head back, sighing loudly. I’ve only been in Hailey’s apartment once, but I remember how cozy it was. She lived not far from the flower shop which I loved because she was always ready for work. I felt a pang in my heart remembering the first time Christopher visited me in the flower shop and brought me flowers–Tulips and Roses with Babies’ Breath that he bought from our competiti