Present Day

CHIARA (Age 21)

I slowly opened my eyes, my mind foggy and my body buzzing. I was out of breath, my chest heaving with ragged gasps. The sheets beneath me were tangled around my legs and my night gown had somehow slipped up my body.

I felt...different... like i had been feeling every morning for weeks, My skin was sensitive, my nipples strained against my night gown, and the ache between my thighs was a palpable, pulsing thing. As I sat up, my gaze drifted down my body, and I felt a blush rise to my cheeks. Did i have the same dream again ? The images were hazy, but the emotions lingered - desire, pleasure, and a deep, unfulfilled longing. For the past few weeks, I've been dreaming of a huge man with eyes as black as night making me feel.... things. His face has always been blurry but what he makes me feel are so clear and long lasting that my body is hyper all day.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the turbulent storm of my emotions, I am a 21 year old, why should I be having wet dreams like a hormonal teenager? It would have been a little bit better if the character in my dreams was my boyfriend Stefan, but no, it's a stranger.... someone I've never met... WTF is wrong with me.

I swing my legs off the bed determined to forget my dreams like i always try to every day.

I remember the sketch waiting in my office for me to work on and smiled, today will be good. I go until my walk in closet and picked an outfit, Blue pant trousers and a white chiffon blouse with a low neck line, white heels and my blue hand bag.

I graduated from fashion school at 20 and I immediately sought to start my own business. I officially launched ChiRosa Atelier earlier this year after taking my time to sort out the necessary things. It wasn't easy really and Papa offered to help severally but i am now a big girl, i shouldn't depend on him too much.... though, he still kinda did a lot. Papa always gave me excess allowance in school and I always saved up majority of it, and the savings helped me set up my brand. Being the daughter of a rich business mogul and USA's most successful business woman, my parent's popularity boosted my brand and now, i have a name of my own. My life is perfect.

I rushed downstairs because i decided to dose off in the tub and now I'm late, even the boss shouldn't get to work late.

"Morning Mama, morning Papa.... you guys are at it again?", Mama and Papa were on the long couch and she had her head in the laps of Papa who was leaning down and kissing every inch of her face....and they were giggling like teenagers.

"Morning daughter, go meet your boyfriend and leave us alone", Mama replies me amidst giggles

"Yes princess, go away and give us some...privacy", Papa winks at her and she playfully hits his shoulder.

I turn away from them and grab a toast from the dining, stuffing it in my mouth and taking a mouthful of warm milk. Mama knows when i always leave, so she prepares some food before then and I've never been more grateful for that.

"Alright, I'm leaving you lovebirds to do.... your thing, have fun!", i lean down to peck them both and hurry out of the house not waiting for their response.

I don't know how i haven't gotten arrested for driving way past the speed limit everyday, guess it's luck. I just hope I don't get into an accident and destroy my car, it's a Rolls Royce my parents gifted me for my 21st birthday and it's my baby. I drive into the parking lot and take the elevator that leads directly to my floor, only few people have access to the elevator asides me. I spent a lot of money in making my company look this perfect, there's glass everywhere, different mannequins with clothes that had prices that could buy a jet, i did a good job.

"Good morning ma'am, here's your schedule for today", Lyda my secretary greets and passes me her iPad. I don't have much today, i just need to get a new design out today and ....i have lunch with Stefan, my boyfriend. We met a year ago when i attended one of my father's meetings and we clicked. He is the best, sweet, romantic and manly... like i said before, my life is perfect.

"Here she is, the beautiful woman with my heart", Stefan says with a charming smile as he kisses me and i blush. I finished up from work early for our lunch date, and of course he brought me to one of the most expensive restaurants in USA and i have a clear view of the city.

"And you're the handsome man with my heart", he pulls out a chair and i take my seat then muttering a thank you.

The waiter brings in two servings of cheesecakes with truffle honey and i couldn't keep the smile off my face. Stefan knows i love having something sweet first and he's doing this for me again.

"Ohh, i love you Stefan!", he smiles and looks away. Stefan is very handsome, he has curly brown hair that he sometimes tames with gel and a lean but healthy physique....every woman's dream. I stop thinking and just dig into my food. I looked up to find Stefan watching me, " what's wrong? Is something on my face?"

He shakes his head," No, i just can't believe how lucky i am to have you," i smile at that but he continues, " I always want to be with you and I want your face to be the what i wake up to everyday, i want to have beautiful kids that look like us and i want to love you until my last breath.....Chiara LaRosa, will you marry me?", my lips part in surprise....this is not expected, he placed a box on the table before me to reveal a gold ring....it looks very expensive and i love that he got something so beautiful for me.

"Yes, Stefan Miller, I will marry you....i love you ", we both get up as he slips the ring on my finger and hugs me tight.

Everyone in the restaurant stands up and starts clapping and i try turn red. Suddenly, I feel a cold shiver run down my spine and the hairs at my nape stand on their ends, someone is watching me. I turn back, but there's no one....did i imagine that? Probably, everyone has their eyes on me right now

"Thank you for saying Yes Chiara, i promise to never hurt you ", Stefan has so much emotion in his eyes,i get teary

"I know you will Stef", i cancelled my plans today and staying with Stefan all day. It's a little late now but we went to his home... I won't be going home tonight. Right now, we're in the center of his living room, swaying slowly to a song, he leans down and kisses me and i kiss him back, wrapping my hands around his neck and pulling him closer.

Suddenly he stops moving...stops doing anything and i lean back to question him but his eyes are closed.... Did he sleep off? I let him go and he collapses to the floor, that's when i see it ...a needle sticking out of his neck... What the hell?

"Stefan! Are you okay? Stefan?!"

"He will be fine", that buttery, sexy as sin voice that sounds familiar...yet unfamiliar says, i look up quickly but i feel a sharp pain in my neck and my vision blurs, i only make out a man's physique and eyes....eyes so dark they could rival the darkness that was pulling me under....i lost my strength and collapsed on Stefan's motionless body.