“Elena!”Gianna’s voice is raw with panic as she skids to a stop in the hallway, chest heaving.Valentina throws open every nearby door, her bag forgotten on the floor, wild with fear.“She was right behind us!” Valentina gasps. “She was right there!”Students begin to glance curiously down the corridor, but no one stops to help.Gianna grabs a random guy passing by. “Did you see a girl get pulled into one of these rooms? Brown hair, blue hoodie?”He shakes his head, startled. “No. Sorry.”“Shit,” Gianna curses. Her hands are trembling now.Valentina paces, her eyes darting frantically. “They were following us. Those guys! Maybe they took her…maybe they grabbed her and….”“No. No, no, don’t go there.” Gianna cuts her off, trying to stay calm even though her stomach is twisting. “We would’ve seen that. It was fast. Like… like someone was waiting. Someone who knew.”Valentina stops, staring at her. “You think it was planned?”Gianna nods slowly, then starts checking the classrooms one b
Alessandro stands in the middle of his father’s office, tall and impassive, hands in his pockets, face unreadable. His black shirt clings to his frame, sleeves rolled to the elbows, veins prominent, tattoos peeking at his wrists. The room is thick with tension.Behind the heavy mahogany desk sits Don Luciano Bianchi, his salt-and-pepper hair slicked back. A half-burnt cigar sits forgotten in the crystal ashtray, smoke curling up.“I told you to stay in America,” Don Luciano’s voice is calm—but razor sharp.“I heard,” Alessandro replies flatly.Luciano leans forward, placing both hands on the desk. “Then you deliberately chose to disobey me.”“I chose to come home.”“You shouldn't be here. You shouldn't have come home. This is not your home anymore,” the Don snaps.A pause.Alessandro’s jaw clenches, but he doesn't look away. “This is my home.”Luciano stands up slowly, his towering figure radiating power and fury. “I sent you to America, Alessandro, for reasons best known to me. You
~ELENA~Lecturers keep trooping in and out of the class this morning but my mind isn't in what they're teaching about.Fuck! How did Alessandro ruin my first day at Aurelia University??This isn't what I planned. I wasn't expecting things to turn out this way.My first day in Aurelia is supposed to be fun. I am supposed to be having fun and mingling with people while enjoying the attention.But that bastard Alessandro ruined everything.Now, I just can't wait to get home.I just fucking want to leave school because I feel so tense, stressed and threatened with Alessandro's presence in my school.It's a good thing that he isn't in my class or my coursemate else, I would have lost it completely.My phone's screen comes up with a text notification.It's from Vincenzo.“Did you settle in well?” As simple as the question is, it causes so many emotions within me—anger, frustration, feeling of helplessness.I debate within myself if I should tell him about Alessan
~FLASHBACK CONTINUES~As I sat frozen on the floor of that dorm room, Alessandro rose to his feet without hesitation.He walked to me slowly, each step deliberate. My stomach twisted with nerves and curiosity as he reached out a hand to help me up.Everyone was watching us….smirking, whispering, giggling. I barely noticed.My palm slid into his, and warmth exploded across my skin.He pulled me gently to my feet, then led me to the far corner of the room, where we had a bit of privacy.The moment we stopped, he looked down at me.“Are you sure?” he asked, voice lower now, more serious.I nodded, barely.I could feel everyone’s eyes drilling into our backs, and my heartbeat was roaring in my ears.He leaned down slowly, his lips brushing mine.It was featherlight…barely there, but it sent tremors through my body.I gasped a little, and he took that as his cue.His lips came back, firmer this time, hotter. His hands moved to my waist, not rushing, just holding.I didn’t know what I was d
~ELENA~As Gianna, Valentina and I walk to our class, students continue to stare.But I don't care anymore. I don't want their attention on me anymore.I am still trembling from what just happened.I don't see Alessandro and I wonder where he might be and what plans he has next.Alessandro is someone who wouldn't back down till he gets what he wants. And he must get it, legally….or illegally.I remember the first time we met. ~THE PAST~It's our freshman night party at Yale university, America.I was standing with the crowd and watching some dancers perform on the stage when I noticed someone acting funny and trying to get my attention beside me.I turned to see who it was and I could swear I went speechless and knocked out of my senses at the very handsome face I was looking out.He seemed to have noticed the effect he had on me as he smiled triumphantly, before saying in the most deep, authentic and seducing voice ever, “Hi beautiful.”I didn't reply immedi
~ELENA~I can’t move.My legs are frozen, my brain stutters, and my perfectly glossed lips part in stunned silence.Alessandro fucking Bianchi.Here.In Italy.In Florence. In my space.In my school.I feel like the ground beneath me has cracked open. My pulse thunders.A rush of memories floods my brain….him pressing me against cold marble walls, his voice a whisper of seduction and destruction, the late-night fights, the broken promises, the way he kissed me like he was trying to claim my soul… then shattered it like glass.My breath hitches, my fingers tightening around the strap of my designer bag.Gianna grabs my arm. “Elena,” she whispers urgently. “Is that…?”“Yes,” I croak.Valentina’s eyes go wide. “Holy shit. That’s the infamous Alessandro?”The infamous Alessandro. The infamous ex.The one I told them about over endless tubs of gelato and bottles of cheap wine. The guy I said I would rather die than see again.The one I swore I’d never let near me a