Gio’s POVThe morning started like any other—calm, calculated, and immersed in the usual rhythm of work. The sleek interior of my office reflected the precise control I maintained over my business life, even as my personal world teetered on the edge of chaos.The only thing grounding me these days was Kei. Her unwavering belief in me had been both a comfort and a weight, reminding me of how much was at stake. And today, that weight felt heavier than usual, the air carrying an unspoken tension that I couldn’t shake.I was poring over a set of financial reports when the sharp buzz of the intercom broke through my focus. My assistant’s voice followed, tentative.“Mr. Moretti, there’s someone here to see you. She... uh... insisted on not being turned away.”I frowned, already knowing who it was. “Vanessa?”“Yes, sir,” she confirmed, her tone uneasy.I pinched the bridge of my nose, frustration flaring. Vanessa didn’t do polite visits or subtle discussions. Her arrival meant she was ready
Gio’s POVThe morning sunlight poured through the windows, casting a golden glow across the penthouse. Everything felt quieter now, as though the city itself had slowed its relentless pace, giving me a rare moment to breathe. Yet beneath the calm exterior of the morning, I could feel the undercurrent of tension—unspoken, simmering, and waiting to resurface.Kei stood at the kitchen counter, cradling a mug of coffee in her hands. Her hair was still mussed from sleep, her cheeks tinged with a soft flush, and she wore one of my oversized shirts, the hem brushing against her thighs. She looked at peace, and for a moment, I let myself savor the sight of her like this—unburdened, even if only for a moment.She glanced up, catching my gaze, and a small smile curved her lips. “Good morning,” she said softly, her voice still laced with the remnants of sleep.“Morning,” I replied, my tone softer than I intended. Crossing the room, I leaned down to press a lingering kiss to her forehead.Her han
Gio’s POV – FlashbackThe ballroom was filled with the murmur of polite conversations, the clinking of glasses, and the soft strains of a string quartet playing in the corner. Crystal chandeliers bathed the room in golden light, casting reflections off the glittering jewelry and polished smiles of the guests. It was the kind of event I had grown up attending—a room full of people pretending to care about each other while calculating who could benefit their ambitions the most.I stood near the edge of the room, my tie feeling like a noose around my neck, the glass of scotch in my hand doing little to dull the growing unease in my chest. Across the room, my mother moved through the crowd with practiced ease, her smile sharp and calculated, her words always perfectly chosen. Next to her, Vanessa stood, a vision of poise and elegance, her every movement designed to project control.She caught my eye and offered a small, knowing smile that made my stomach turn.“Don’t look so miserable, Gi
Gio’s POVThe note had been shredded, but its meaning was as clear as ever. “We will be there soon.” It wasn’t a threat from some faceless shadow or a rival in business—it was something far more personal. I knew exactly who had sent it, and the thought alone made my chest tighten.Vanessa.I leaned back in my office chair, staring out at the city skyline. Paris, with all its beauty and distractions, hadn’t been enough to keep my past at bay. Vanessa’s arrival wasn’t just inconvenient—it was dangerous. She wasn’t the only one who would come. My mother would be there too, armed with her disapproving looks and cutting remarks, ready to insert herself into my life once again.The quiet knock on my office door made my heart skip, but it was only Kei. She stepped inside, her eyes filled with concern.“You’ve been quiet,” she said softly, crossing the room to stand by my desk.I looked up at her, my chest tightening. She was the one thing I wanted to protect in all this chaos, but I could fe
KeiLeaving Paris felt bittersweet. The city had become a place of new memories, of quiet moments and promises whispered under the night sky. Gio and I had found something real here—something neither of us had anticipated. But as the plane cut through the clouds, I couldn’t shake the worry that back home, our delicate balance might shift, that the demands of his world would pull us back into a rhythm that was all too familiar and distant.When we landed, Gio was immediately pulled into work calls, his focused expression a reminder of the responsibilities waiting for him. His world was demanding, relentless, and for all that we had shared, a part of me worried that it might take over again.We exchanged a soft smile as we gathered our things. “I’ll see you tonight?” he asked, his gaze softer than the words.I nodded, squeezing his hand. “I’ll meet you at your place.”With
KeiThe next morning felt lighter, as if the air itself had softened with the promise that last night had left between us. Gio had shown a side of himself that I’d always believed was there but hadn’t quite seen until now. As we entered the sleek, bustling conference hall where today’s business was set to unfold, the warmth from the night before lingered, even as Gio slipped back into his composed, professional demeanor.The presentation was a success. Gio’s control over the room was magnetic; he had this natural authority, a confidence that turned every word he spoke into something important. I watched him, captivated by how easily he shifted from the affectionate man he’d been last night to the focused leader standing in front of a crowd. Occasionally, his eyes would meet mine, and in those brief moments, I saw a flicker of softness beneath his composed exterior—a private reminder of the man who had h