Masuk~FIORELLA~I don’t hesitate.I take his hand.And the second my fingers wrap around his, something shifts in a way I don’t understand… and don’t have time to question.His grip tightens instantly…….firm, unyielding… like he’s not giving me the option to fall apart even if I wanted to.“Stay close,” Lucas mutters, his voice low and controlled. It's like a command meant to be obeyed.And I do.God help me… I do.And then he moves first, not gently, not carefully, but forcefully.“Back the hell up,” he snaps, shoving a man aside as he pulls me behind him. “You don’t get to touch her.”People protest as he shoves past them, but he doesn’t stop.“Move,” he snaps again, sharper this time. “Unless you want to deal with assault charges on top of harassment.”There’s something in his tone… something dangerous enough to make them hesitate.And that hesitation?It’s all he needs.I stay close…..closer than I’ve ever been to him…..my hand still locked in his, my other clut
~FIORELLA~I'm more than excited that this case that took me two long, grueling months is now over.But I don't show my excitement or victory at winning the case.I badly want to sink in the chair and cry with the victim's family because I feel overwhelmed and tired, but my steely disposition won't allow it.I choose not to reveal the elation I feel at my unexpected victory nor the horror I feel deep inside.The proceedings has taken their toll on me physically and emotionally.I am exhausted but I won't let it show. I had worked my ass off for two months.And at last long, I'm done with my disturbing client.I take a good look at my client—Mr. Grant Trevor— celebrating with his elderly mom, and his equally creepy friend, with that familiar smirk of confidence spread across his thin lips.He's a bad looking man with a protruding potbelly, and greasing hair, but his personality is even worse.He's snide, condescending, with a nasty snicker that makes my skin cra
~LUCAS~I knew she wasn’t fully prepared the moment she walked out of that room.Fiorella Vincenzo doesn’t rush.She doesn’t forget things.She doesn’t leave doors open behind her like something……or someone…..is chasing her.But today?She did.And that alone was enough to make me follow her.Not because I needed permission.Not because I cared what she thought about it.But because something about the way her shoulders were set… too tight, too rigid… told me she was walking into a fight she refused to admit she might not control.And Fiorella without control?That’s dangerous.And yet… even like this, slightly off balance… she still carried herself like someone who would rather break than let anyone see her fall.That alone earns my attention.“What?” she snaps the second she notices me at her office door.There it is…..the fire, sharp, predictable, and immediate.I lean slightly against the doorframe, studying her instead of answering right away. Papers eve
~FIORELLA~I don't waste another second before I'm out of the room.I move too fast to my office…. grabbing documents, scanning pages, piecing together everything I need as I head out.For the first time in a long time…I’m not fully prepared.And I hate it.I hate the uncertainty. I hate the pressure.I hate the fact that Lucas is right behind me…. observing, watching, and waiting.“What?” I say angrily as I spin around to see him standing at the door like he's afraid to step into my office.I didn't close the door when I walked in because I was in a haste.But now, I regret not closing the door as I watch Lucas stare at me.“Why did you follow me? What are you doing here? Where are you standing out there instead of being in the conference room?” I ask all at once my voice filled with anger and great detest.“I offered to go with you,” he says calmly with a soft tone, a total opposite to mine. “And the director permitted me to go.”“I don't need you there wit
~FIORELLA~The next morning comes too quickly.I’m already awake before my alarm rings.And I just know something is wrong the moment I wake up.Not visibly, not logically, but instinct doesn't lie.And mine?It’s never failed me.I sit up slowly in bed, my fingers brushing against my temple as if I can physically push away the lingering thought that’s been haunting me since yesterday.And without permission, my mind wanders to Lucas.I exhale sharply.He's annoying, irrelevant, and dangerous.Not because of what he’s done…But because of what he’s starting to do to me.I get out of bed without wasting another second. to carry out my normal routine.Because that’s how I reset.Soon, I stand in front of my mirror, dressed impeccably, every detail perfect as always.My reflection stares back at me……flawless, untouchable.But my eyes….my eyes hold something new, and something restless.I tilt my shin slightly.“Pull yourself together.”My voice is calm, commanding, and just like that….the
~LUCAS~“I'll surpass her,” I told Charlotte. “In a month.”She stared at me for a second, then smiled….not mockingly, but impressed.“Ambitious,” she said. “I like that.”Then she added, a bit more softly, “Just… tread carefully with her, okay?”I didn’t respond.Because I already knew I wouldn’t.“And honestly?” she continued, brightening again, “I’m just glad she finally has competition.”I let out a small breath, shaking my head.She laughed lightly, then added, “I actually wish you were in family law.”I raised a brow. “Oh?”“Yeah,” she said with a grin. “A genius like you? I’d happily steal you.”That made me smile slightly.“I wouldn’t mind learning,” I told her.Her eyes lit up. “Really?”“Yeah.”“I’ll train you myself,” she said immediately, then paused, then laughed at herself.“God, I talk too much.”I chuckled lightly.“Sorry,” she added playfully, stepping back. “I’ll let you settle in. Welcome again, Lucas.”And just like that… she was gone.Charl
~NICO~The moment my fist connects with Alessandro’s jaw, the sound is louder than I expect. A sharp crack that silences even the shrieks around us.He stumbles, spits blood, and collapses onto the floor.The crowd roars….half in shock, half in awe. Phones are out, cap
~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, gi
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
~ELENA~His mouth crashes against mine, hot and urgent, stealing the breath right out of my lungs.I push at him instinctively, but his body doesn’t budge… solid, immovable, like the wall behind me. It's like pressing against stone. His hands cage me in, one braced beside my head, the other gripping







