CHAPTER ONE: We meet again

[somewhere in ROME, 8:45 AM]

As Alessia Rivera emerged from the lift, her heels made a gentle sound against the immaculate tiles of the Rivera's Enterprises building, and she gripped the edge of her notepad. Her anxieties begged her to maintain a calm expression and even breathing, but she was unable to do so.

"Are you okay?" her PA, Mike, asked beside her while glancing sideways.

"I will be," she replied with a half-smile.

"It’s just a routine presentation," he whispered.

Alessia grinned. "Routine? Except for the fact that we will be meeting the company’s new majority investor."

"Just calm down already. You've got this like always. He whispered, and then she smiled.

"Well, thank you for motivating me, but just so you know, this is one of the newest yet biggest achievements, if earned, so I have to be nervous. I hope everything is set already."

She said as she swallowed hard while she applied her lipstick to the lip.

She'd heard the rumours about the shadowy figure buying up tech companies across Europe. No photos. No interviews. Just whispers of money, danger, and power.

She smoothed her navy-blue skirt and adjusted her blouse. "Let’s hope he’s impressed by our offer."

As they approached the boardroom, her phone vibrated with a notification. Her heart skipped as she read the preview: Ultrasound Results: Confirmed Viability. 8 weeks.

Her breath caught.

A wave of dizziness hit her immediately. The air shifted, and suddenly, the hallway felt like it was closing in. With one hand on her forehead, she hurriedly moved aside.

Mike immediately noticed. "Alessia? What’s wrong?"

She forced a breath. "I... I just need a moment."

The confirmation hit her like a truck. She was pregnant. It was real now. Not just a thought or a maybe. It was official.

"Can you handle the first part of the presentation?" she asked, her voice barely steady. "Just the introduction and financial overview. I’ll jump in after."

Mike blinked, surprised, but nodded. "Of course. Yeah, I got it. Are you sure you're okay?"

She nodded quickly, even though she wasn't. She wasn’t ready to face this. Not now. Not today. Not in front of all those executives in that board meeting.

[The board meeting]

Mike opened the door for Alessia as she composed herself while she entered the boardroom.

Inside, a dozen board members were murmuring among themselves, screens and files opening could be seen, and on top of the table were coffee cups steaming. She kept exhaling as she stepped forward and greeted the director. Just when she was about to sit on her seat, the door creaked open.

The air felt thick, the tension palpable, as a tall figure strode in with effortless authority; his presence alone spoke volumes. His tailored black suit clung perfectly to his broad shoulders, emphasising his lean, powerful build. The faint light from the chandelier made shadows dance across his tall, aristocratic face, which featured his high cheekbones, a chiselled jawline, and piercing grey eyes that appeared to suck the warmth out of the room. His hair, jet black and sleek, was combed back neatly, with a few rebellious strands falling onto his forehead.

Between his slender fingers, he held a cigarette, the tendrils of smoke curling lazily in the air, adding an air of dangerous nonchalance. His lips—full but firm—curled slightly in what could barely be considered a smirk. Yet his eyes told a different story.

Alessia turned to look at the presence, and her world shifted.

She staggered back; the shock was visible on her face. Her breath hitched, and her heart pounded so violently she was sure everyone could hear it.

No. No, no, no… It can’t be.

Before she could fall, she felt a powerful hand grab her elbow. Mike's worried gaze flickered to her as he whispered, "Are you okay?"

But Alessia could barely hear him. Her wide, doe-like eyes remained locked onto the stranger’s.

His gaze bore into hers, unreadable yet piercing, as if he was peeling away every layer of her existence. No emotion flickered across his face, no sign of surprise, but his fingers tightened slightly around his cigarette.

The silence felt deafening.

Alessia swallowed hard. Her sweaty palms trembled as they brushed across the fabric of her cloth, leaving small stains.

She cursed herself for not paying attention to the news recently. Was this the same man people wouldn’t stop talking about?

Slowly, she forced a breath through her trembling lips and straightened her posture. With effort, she brought up her hand, willingly ignoring the way it shook.

“Nice to meet you.”

He ignored her and walked slowly, like a predator taking his time. His cold eyes locked onto her, and she felt her knees weaken. He took a seat at the head of the table without breaking the stare.

"Let’s begin," he said.

No introductions. No pretence.

She sat, trying not to fidget, trying not to think about the image of that tiny flickering heartbeat.

"So I will begin," Mike announced as he turned the TV on.

Everyone turned their attention to him, as he explained in detail. "This goes beyond a 50% gain for everyone when you manage our company and...

"I would prefer if Ms. Rivera presented the projections herself," Dante said suddenly.

His gaze was dark, so dark that they burnt into her.

The room became tense, everyone staring at each other in surprise and confusion, but it seemed the man wasn't joking.

"O-of course," she managed. She stood, her hands trembling as she clicked the remote and began.

"Therefore, the shares were to be divided into two......

But he wasn’t listening.

He was watching her, admiring her like the goddess she was.

After that one special night, he still doesn't know why he can't let go of this woman standing right here... He had tried really hard to get rid of her, but he just couldn't.

She was the only woman who made him feel that way.

He tilted his head to the side, a little smirk on his lips, checking her out with lust and desire.

She hasn't changed a bit.

Her brown eyes were still beautiful. She got that curvy shape that made him so crazy, and those full plump lips that he wanted to kiss so badly until they got swollen up.

"So what do you think?" His secretary whispered to his ear, but he was sure he didn't even hear what she was saying.

"Hmm, I agree. Ms. Alessia will have to come to my office to review the document. Don't you think?

The female nodded, trying to meet his gaze, but it seemed impossible, and slowly, her eyes met with his.

His intense gaze caused her to shake, and his lips slowly twisted into a cunning smirk.

They didn't know how long they stared at each other, but when Alessia looked around, there were only a few people left.

She gulped down and scrambled to pack her belongings... Just as she made for the door, that thick, deep voice rang through the room, and an intensive moan slipped out of her mouth.

"Ms Rivera."

She could feel herself getting wet already just from his voice.

"You haven't changed a bit." Those words rolled out of his mouth sinfully, and Alessia gulped, not even wanting to look at the man that was seated majestically like the temptation he was.

She didn't want to look at him, but she did anyway. She turned and pretended to grin at him.. "Thanks, but I don't know you, though," she said, struggling to walk out again, but his next words stopped her.

"Two months ago, Alessia, you were lying naked on my bed," his voice was low and dark. As he exhaled. "And you're standing here acting like you don't know me? His jaw clenched.

"Your guts annoy me so damn much."

He stood up and began to take slow, dangerous steps towards her, causing her to gulp in fear and step back as well.

He felt enraged. So enraged that his words are poisonous.

"I don't know you, Mr Dante," she smiled tightly, her eyes almost vanishing.

She made to walk away but was slammed against the painted wall; his eyes turned red as he glared at her while she breathed heavily, his strong scent filling her nose.

"Searching for you nearly cost me my life," he said, his jaw tight. "And here you are, pretending you don't know me," he laughed.

She couldn't even bring herself to look at the man at that moment, so his comments pained her.

There was fear because the man was different and more menacing.

"I...I..."

"I didn't ask for you to find me... You..." She gulped down, not even knowing what to say.

He chuckled darkly, scaring the shit out of the young lady, who held onto her cloth like it was her life right now at the moment.

He whispered, "This is your problem," against her lips. Alessia panicked and tried to push him, but he didn't budge. "You lack manners. Acting all innocent and cute, running that pretty mouth of yours, making even a dead man want to fuck you."

Alessia trembled, and a slick drop came out of her.

She was fucked.

Alessia stood frozen for a second. She tried to get away from him but was unable to do so while frowning at him.

She was weak.

"You look pretty, you know, and all I want to do right now is unravel you like I did that night, eat you up, fuck you against the wall, and make you moan like a little slut."

She shivered; his dirty words were making her sweat already.

"You are shameless," she cursed out.

"I'm engaged, just so you know." She raised her hand, showing him her ring while faking a smile.

The male rolled his eyes, a mocking smile hung onto his lips, and then he hitched closer, closing the little space between them, his hands around her waist, and then he took the strand from her ear to the side before he whispered huskily against her ear.

"Really! Does your fiancé know that I am the one who unravels those innocent features of yours?

"Does he know I was the first to get in between your legs? I could still remember how you cried, holding onto me like your life depended on me while I pumped your cherry."

He smirked proudly as if he was just thinking about that moment.

Does your fiancé touch you the way I did?" He whispered huskily, kissing her neck.

"Does he know that I have fucked you against the wall? Does he know you got chained to my bed while I fuck you roughly?" he said, his hand trailing to her nipple, while the female just looked down, shivering, going helplessly weak in front of him.

"Stop... She pleaded desperately while he just let out a smirk, not even moving away.

"I am making you mine, and I don't fucking care if you are married or engaged." As those words left his lips, she knew she was up for a challenge, in between two men already.

"Alessia?" Someone called from the outside, and her eyes widened when she heard her fiancé's voice calling her from the outside.

She tried to push him off, but he wouldn't budge..... She stared at him pleadingly, but he just smirked evilly.

Just then the door opened and Damon stepped in, and that was when the male moved away, his lips curled into a sinister smirk.

The male stared at the both of them suspiciously, while the female just gulped down fearfully, trying to avoid the two males staring at her.

"We were just discussing the document review. Right, Ms Alessia?" He spoke almost mockingly, and she nodded desperately.

"Oh! Thank you for really accepting to work with us. We are going to do our best." Damon smiled as he brought out his hand for a handshake, but the other male refused.

"I will see you again tomorrow, Ms Alessia," he said, his tone dangerous. His gaze is dark, holding promises, desires no one wishes to know about....