MasukDonato stepped out of the car and approached the entrance of the mansion.As he reached the door, Giulia's words came back to him.“I asked someone to check the recorded history of a few transport routes outside the city. There was a vehicle that passed through one of the checkpoints. It was registered to a company that doesn't appear to have any proper business operations. The route it followed suggests it was moving away from the city, not towards any of the locations you may have been searching.”Donato's jaw tightened.For two days, his men had searched different locations within and around the city. If Jesse had been taken farther away, then they had been looking in the wrong direction.The door opened, and he stepped inside.Silvano approached him almost immediately, followed by a few members of the household staff.“Welcome back, Donato.”Donato gave a brief nod as he began unbuttoning his jacket.One of the male staff members stepped forward. Silvano took the jacket from Donat
Jesse couldn't take his eyes off the woman standing before him.“Or should I say, hi, Signor Miller?”“You!”The woman placed a hand against her chest, a sly smile spreading across her face.“Me?”“Nerina.”She clapped her hands together, delighted. “Woo! Wow! You have a good memory!”Jesse could barely utter a word. His head was still aching, his body felt weak. He was having difficulty putting his thoughts together, but there was no mistaking the woman standing before him.It was Nerina. One of the maids who worked in Donato's mansion.Only, she looked nothing like the woman he remembered.Her black hair was now blonde, styled differently from the simple hairstyle she usually wore while working. She had on a short, black fitted dress, and a matching hand gloves, with enough makeup to make her almost unrecognisable.Nerina noticed his reaction and laughed.“I was beginning to worry. I thought my men might have smashed your brain with that crowbar they used on you. I'm glad you still
It was getting late, and Donato still hadn't seen or heard from Jesse.He glanced at his wristwatch. It was past eleven, and Jesse was nowhere to be found, not even Nicolas.He kept pacing around his office.A strange uneasiness rested in his chest. Jesse wasn't someone who disappeared without saying anything, especially when he knew Donato would be looking for him.Just then, the door opened, and Zane walked in and bowed.“Zane, what have you been able to find out?”“I'm afraid, nothing much. We're looking for Nicolas.”“Where is he?”“I haven't tried calling yet, although—”“What are you waiting for? Call him.” Donato barked in a firm voice.The idea of calling Margherita to ask about Jesse came to mind, but doing that would make her suspicious, and he wouldn't want that.Where could Jesse be? Or had he decided to spend the night there?He shook his head.No. If Jesse wanted to stay back, he would have told him.“Make sure you get all the CCTV camera footage from every corner of eve
“Are you seriously telling me you've spent all this time choosing one watch?”Jesse held up another wristwatch, examining its face before checking the strap.“It's a gift for my husband. I'm allowed to take my time.”“Of course.” Ginevra rolled her eyes. “Heaven forbid you buy him something he doesn't like.”Jesse glanced at her. “You know what? I should have gone shopping alone.”Ginevra laughed. “Too late. You're stuck with me now.”His lips curved into a smile as he returned the watch to its display.They had spent the better part of the afternoon visiting different stores, and Jesse had rejected more watches than he cared to count. Ginevra had offered her opinion whenever he asked.She had even managed to make him laugh a few times.He was still cautious around her. Their history hadn't suddenly disappeared because they had spent an afternoon shopping together. Yet, he couldn't deny that he had enjoyed her company more than he expected.Which is weird.“Donato would definitely kil
Diego glanced around Jesse's bedroom, taking in the neatly arranged furniture before looking at his friend.“I still can't believe your family kept a room for you even though you don't live here.”Jesse chuckled. “Why wouldn't they? I'm still part of the family.”“Yeah, we get it.”Jesse laughed.“Just so you know, I've decided to go back to painting.”Jesse's face brightened. “Really?”Diego nodded. “Yeah. I think it's time I gave it another shot.”“That's great! You're a good artist, Diego. You shouldn't have given up in the first place.”“I know. I just needed some time away from it.” He rubbed his palms together. “I actually got a gig.”“Seriously?”“Yeah. My mentor helped me get it. We reconnected recently, and he told me about a family looking for an artist. So, he recommended me.”Jesse smiled. “See? I told you that you shouldn't give up.”“You were right.” Diego said playing with his hair. “Have you heard from Andres after that day at the club?”Jesse tilted his head. “Why are
Jesse released a loud sigh for the tenth time that morning.His lips were pushed into a little pout that he made no effort to hide.Donato picked up on it while adjusting his cufflinks in front of the bedroom mirror.“What's wrong?”Jesse jerked upright. “You scared me.”Donato glanced at him through the mirror. Jesse was sitting on the edge of the bed, already dressed, with his legs folded across one another.“Why have you been sighing like that since morning?”“Have I?” Jesse shrugged.Donato finished adjusting his cufflinks and faced him. “Is it because of the event?”Jesse groaned, his head falling backwards.Donato had told him about the event two days ago, and apparently, they were expected to attend. And who was he to complain? It wasn't as if Donato hadn't explained that there would be occasions he would have to accompany him as his husband.He understood that. He just hated these events.The formal clothes, the endless greetings, the people who smiled at one another while sec







