He took me to the most expensive restaurant in Paris. The place screamed luxury and wealth, making me feel almost out of place in such grandeur. Meanwhile, Adagio walked in as if he owned it. His presence and aura are more powerful than any amount of money could ever provide. His ruthless gaze and dangerously controlled temper seem so fragile, it feels as though one wrong move could shatter it. His words carry such authority that even the law would bow to him. And now, this kind of person has invited me to dine with him? In this moment, I feel honoured and special, though I can't promise I'm the only one he's brought to places like this. I still don't know the reason behind his generous gesture, but I'm willing to accept anything as long as it involves him. I know I'm probably just being a fool for him, but there's a small hope flickering at the edges of my heart. I sat across from him as he ordered for both of us, nodding at the waiter before turning his gaze toward me. His intens
Adagio~ I've kissed countless times, and I've always had someone by my side when I wanted. Those kisses never held any meaning, and I've done a lot without any commitments. A kiss on the cheek shouldn't be keeping me up at night.Maybe it just caught me off guard, seeing her break free and act on whatever crossed her mind. I knew she was trying to get closer to me, and I knew I should protect myself from her, but my defenses crumble every time she’s around. I hated how, bit by bit, she carefully dismantled the armor I wore to guard my heart. I woke up the next day, determined to stay away from her, no matter what. I didn’t care if she thought we were building something—her high hopes weren’t my responsibility.As I walked downstairs, she came into view. Sunlight gleamed on her face, casting a soft glow in the shadows of the house. My gaze drifted to her rose-colored lips, and the memory of last night rushed back to me.Sensing my stare, she looked up from the pan. A smile spre
Aster~"Oh my gosh, Mom and Dad, I've missed you both so much," I exclaimed, pulling them into a tight hug. They smiled at me, and I could feel the emptiness inside me slowly start to fade. "How have you been, Mom?" I asked as I stepped back."It's just not the same without you, sweetheart," she said with a sad smile, though she finally seemed content and happy. "And you, Dad?" I waited for his response. The last time I saw him was on my wedding day, and his mood and expression from that day flashed through my mind.I was searching for answers, but all I could find was the same guilt that had surfaced during my wedding. "Dad?" I called out, and he looked at me for a moment longer than usual before smiling, pushing away the regret that had started to reappear."I've been doing well, love," he said, pulling me closer and kissing the top of my head. But before I knew it, he was gone. He walked away, disappearing into the crowd. What happened to Papa?I didn't want to ask my mother about i
Aster~It's been two days since the fight, and Adagio has retreated back into his cold shell. We haven't had a proper conversation since then; whenever I try to talk to him, he either ignores me or pushes me away, saying something really rude. I don't intend to address the issue between Adagio and Ace; I just want to be there for him. I know the effort it took to break through the walls between us, only for him to retreat and add two more layers on top. He’s been avoiding me like I caused the fight. It's absurd to see someone react so irrationally to situations like this instead of just facing it.In the past two days, he's completely shut the world out, and while I’ve tried to tell myself he might just need some space, I'm the one feeling suffocated by his absence.My heart is drawn to him because I caught a glimpse of his humanity—that small, vulnerable part of him that slipped through. It showed me the person inside who seems desperate to break free, but Adagio keeps him hidden. I
A smirk tugged at his lips. Aster intrigued him, yet memories of his darkest days kept resurfacing, erasing any hint of affection he felt toward her. Those memories reminded him he was only trapped here because of her.Countless times, he’d tried to keep his true self hidden from her, yet it always found a way to break free, as if it were desperate to escape. He was torn between wrapping things up quickly and dragging them out just a bit longer, savoring each moment with her before it all inevitably fell apart. The day when untold truths and unspoken words would surface, breaking down every fragile brick of the bridge she was trying to build to close the distance between them, was coming—but it didn’t have to be so soon, right? Right? "I love playing baseball." He smiled a little, and it surprised her. Beneath the guy who buried himself in work and took everything so seriously, there was someone who just wanted to enjoy the little things. When they first met, she thought h
Aster~The sunlight glistened on my face. I heaved a sigh as today was my wedding. Who would have thought I would be getting married at the age of 20? Definitely not me. I wanted to proceed with my higher studies but it all came crashing down on the day I was informed of my marriage.They basically signed me off to a wealthy man, Adagio Amato. I have known him since I was eleven years old. I would only see him occasionally. I hardly speak to him because he is too intimidating for someone like me. His brothers, on the other hand, are just pure gold. Adagio has a very quiet character; his cold, intimidating gaze could make anyone piss their pants. He gives the driest replies to whatever question it may be. People would give up trying to speak to him. Adagio and his family are engaged in a huge business, which makes them filthy rich. Whatever they owned screamed money and power. The amount of respect and power that family alone holds is ridiculous. It made me wonder why they would mar
We took pictures with our family and left for our reception. I had to change into another dress. It was one hell of a reception. The place was packed with people. People congratulated us.I pretty much stood in the same place that night. Adagio was busy with the guests and so was my family. My college friends came in and gave me company until they had to leave. I did tell them about the contract, though I shouldn't. I trust them. They consoled me and told me it would be fine. Of course, it will be... When we get a divorce. I can't get my head around the fact that this has something to do with more than just money. Or maybe just money but it seems to have a bigger story behind it. How do I know it? My guts tell me so.Just the look in my parents' eyes tells me there is something deeper than just this contract marriage. "Hello, Aster!" A voice chirped joyfully, breaking me out of my thoughts. It was an unfamiliar face that awfully looked just like mine. A silent gasp left my mouth in
As soon as we got to his mansion, I immediately went to bed. It is rather large. The mansion, with its ornate chandeliers and antique pieces. The flooring made of marble exuded opulence. It included a television and large couches.And he had a dog!Micha was his name, and he is a sweetheart. He's actually lying next to me at the moment. I could sleep for three more hours, but it was eight in the morning.Adagio hasn't spoken anything since we arrived. Although we were meant to share a room, I was too afraid that something might go wrong. What if he made me lie down with him?I'm craving food. I'd best head over to eat. I just pulled my hair back into a bun, gave myself a facial wash, and brushed my teeth before going downstairs. Micha came up on my heels.A few maids greeted me, and I politely answered. It appears that breakfast has been prepared. They made pancakes.I ate silently until I heard a blonde girl come down the stairs. I was slightly perplexed until I realized it was one of