Mag-log inElena "Who's there?" a voice barked. It was one of the few guards in the compound. He was behind Rafael, and thank goodness I was inches shorter. Rafael immediately held me to his chest, covering my face. "It's Canto." Rafael had turned slightly, enough for his face to show, but he still hid my face in his chest. The man must have recognized his voice. "Oh, Boss," he laughed, and I could hear his footsteps as he started approaching. "Don't come any closer," Rafael half-yelled. I couldn't see anything, my face buried in his chest, but the footsteps ceased. "Is there a problem?" "No, I'm just here with someone, and she can't be seen." "Wave," he whispered to me. I stuck my hand out and waved to him. "Ohh," he didn't seem quite convinced. "You know how these women can be, whining all the time." Rafael laughed, a dry and insincere sound. "Ahh, understood," he half-yelled and turned back, heading the other way. I could hear him chuckle as he disappeared into the darkness. "Wh
Elena "What else did he tell you?" Rafael asked. He had been bothering me the whole time about what other thing Enzo had told me. "Can't we just enjoy this dinner? I mean, eat your food," I pointed to the dish in front of him. "No, I can't. I know Enzo, and I'm sure my birthday is not the only thing he told you." "Well, you're right about that." I smirked, face down and pretending to concentrate on the plate in front of me. "Oh no." He rolled his eyes and locked his fingers at the back of his head. "He told me all your scandalous and dangerous secrets," I said, now lifting my head with a sly smile. "I do have many scandalous secrets," he smirked. "Well, can you at least pretend he didn't tell you those things—whatever he told you?" "Are you really afraid of needles or were at least?" I suddenly whispered, invested as I locked my hands on the table and leaned forward. "God, no. I was a kid," he almost yelled, his eyes wide with frustration. I almost squealed at the vis
ElenaI stirred and sat up to meet the morning sun pouring into my room through the window.I had slept like a baby after what happened last night. Stretching, I got out of bed and rushed to the bathroom. Rafael was back, and I knew he would be outside, and I couldn't wait to see him.After rushing through my morning routine, I hurried out.I took a deep breath to contain my excitement in case Celine saw us. But as I opened the door, it wasn't Rafael I saw at the dining table. It was Enzo.My rushing feet stopped themselves and I calmly walked to the dining where he was sitting."Hi," I said in a nervous sing-song voice, calling Enzo's attention. Though I think he noticed me, he didn't look or acknowledge me."Hi. Good morning." He only glanced at me for a second this time."Um, how are you?" I playfully slid into the seat opposite him."I'm fine," he deadpanned. He seemed to steal glances at me from the side of his eyes, like he knew I wanted something else and did not come here just
ElenaHis fingers curled around my palms, and he pulled me to himself.With his hands on my waist and mine locked on his neck, we moved to the music. The flowers parted as my dress swept the floor with each turn, and the candles illuminated every step we took."When did you plan all of this?" I whispered against his chest."It wasn't hard to put together." I could sense he was looking down at me as he kissed my head.I lifted my head to meet his eyes."What?""You're beautiful," he whispered, kissing my forehead.A blush crept up my cheeks at his words."Thank you.""You don't need to. It's not just a compliment. It's a fact."I was speechless at his words. "Now I don't know what to say.""You don't have to say anything." He pulled me back into his arms and hugged me as we continued to dance, and as the song came to a stop, so did every sound around us. The only thing I could hear in that moment was the distant bustling of the trees in the night wind.As he pulled my face up to meet h
Elena The look on his face tugged at my heart. My words cut deep, too deep. "I shouldn’t have said that," I slapped the warm water in the bathtub. Looking into my distorted reflection in the water, I curled up and sulked for as long as I could. When I was done sulking and felt like I didn’t totally hate myself anymore, I wanted to get dinner from Celine, but I opened the door to find a box sitting at my doorstep. I picked it up and took it to my room, anxiously opening it. It was a dress, a sky-blue dress with rhinestones adorning every crevice of it. The sleeves were made of net and flowed down. From the way it was made, it was an A-line wonder that glimmered in the lighting of my room. As I lifted it properly from the box, I saw a pair of silver heels and a jewellery box lying at the bottom. I knew who sent them, but so soon? When was the engagement ceremony? A knock suddenly came on my door, and before I could respond, the door was pushed open and the Don was standi
Elena He drove to the park. "What are we doing here?" I asked as I stepped out of the car, closing the door behind me. "You'll see," he had a wide grin on his face. As we walked around the park, I realised it had been long since I had come there. The breeze, the children, the trees. I took a deep breath and savoured the moment as we walked. He led me around the areas of the park to a section where there were kids gathered with three adults, obviously their teachers. They seemed like they were in middle school. The area they sat was under a large tree, with a yellow banner nailed to the tree that read “Class Science Fair” in red and blue marker, with science equipment drawn around the letters. "What are we doing?" I hurriedly glanced around from the teachers to the students and back to the teachers. "Just come." He held my hand this time and pulled me along as we walked, and I fidgeted with my dress. One of the teachers smiled nervously as he noticed the two of us appro







