Elena's lips parted in disbelief. Was this bitch playing with her? “Sorry?” She asked the weight of Maria’s voice weighing on her. Maria let out a soft chuckle that was laced with pretense. “Joking!” She retorted with a glint of playfulness. But Elena wasn’t feeling it. It was evident in her feigned smile.“You do joke a lot, Maria. Do you know that?” Elena asked in an almost pissed tone. “I do get that a lot. That’s why I’m fascinating,” She shrugged. Elena nodded with a smile, she was starting to hate her guts. Because she was starting to feel insecure around her. She made to say something when her phone rang. She looked at the caller’s ID. Her lips curved into a mischievous smile as she picked it up and placed it on her ear.“Hey, Luca,” she said unnecessarily out loud enough to make Maria shift her attention to her. She could notice the change in her expression as her own eyes sparkle in victory. “Finally,” Luca said from the other side. “You picked up my call. I almost went….”

Elena considered leaving the restaurant after witnessing Luca's intimate interaction with Maria, but she decided against it. She was determined to prove that Luca belonged to her. Her anger propelled her towards their table, her demeanor resembling that of a wounded cat. She flashed a sheepish smile immediately she got there. By then Luca had noticed her presence. Maria quickly removed her hand on Luca’s when Elena’s gaze fell on it.“Hey, Babe. You’re finally here. Maria here was keeping me company,”“Oh really,” Elena muttered as she gave Maria a disdainful look. “Then stay with her throughout out the night,” Elena turned and walked out of the restaurant admist Luca’s call.Luca quickly followed her as she stormed out of the restaurant. He caught up with her when they were just feet away from the restaurant’s entrance.“Elena, Wait. Listen, Elena,” Luca called as Elena turned as she eyed him. He tried to catch his breath as he watched her. “It’s not what you think, I promise. Right

Rio turned to look at Ryan as he watched him with a careful gaze as if scared of the next word he would utter. “So?” Rio raised a brow.Ryan Parted his lips to say something but he closed it back and gave an incredulous laugh. “Nevermind. Pretend I didn’t say that,” Ryan said and turned to look at the window from where he sat on the hospital bed. He didn’t notice when Rio left until he heard the door knob twisted in a bid to get the door opened.He inhaled deeply as he battled with the myriad of emotion that he felt. What was he doing? Confessing his love to his enemy? This wasn’t the plan. It was never the plan but somehow, he found himself in the situation.*******Rio walked stealthily out of the hospital to the parking lot, as his conversation with Ryan weighed heavily in this mind. He entered his Porsche as he started the engine and hit the road. Love? Ryan loved him? Nobody had ever confessed their love to him before. Not even a man. He sighed as he made his way to Romano Group.

Rosa's restless footsteps echoed in front of the grand Romano's Mansion. Anxious anticipation coursed through her veins, fueled by her desire to catch a glimpse of Andrea. She had grown weary of Celine's manipulative games and was now resolved to expose her deceitful nature to the Romanos. Celine had made it abundantly clear during their last conversation that she had no intention of relinquishing her hold on Robert. Rosa's heart raced as her thoughts spiraled, until the sudden ring of her phone snapped her back to reality. Without bothering to check the caller's ID, she hastily answered."Where are you?" The voice on the other end sent shivers down her spine, leaving her frozen in shock."Where the hell are you, damn it!" Celine's irritated tone pierced through the line."I-I..." Rosa stammered, her mind racing as the sound of the mansion gate opening reached her ears. She hurriedly sought shelter, desperate to remain unseen. Closing her eyes for a moment, she took a deep breath and

"Tell me, Celine," Rosa began, her voice rising with anger. "Where is my boy?""It's Maria," Celine corrected her.“I don’t give a fuck about your name!” Maria fired as she glared at Celine who just watched her in silence.“Well?” Rosa pressed. “He’s in good hands,” Celine replied as Rosa watched her, obviously doubting her words.“I want to see him, I want to to take to him,” Rosa said as Celine pressed her lips.“Why aren’t you saying anything? I want to see my son!” Rosa fired as she breathed heavily.“Shut your fucking mouth, or you won’t leave to see your son again, that is if he’s still alive,” Celine said in a anger.“What?” Rosa asked in a lower tone. “Dead?”“It’s not confirmed yet, but If you don’t get your acts together, I’ll make sure I kill him myself,” Celine said as Rosa slumped on the floor.Celine rolled her eyes as she walked past her and walked out of the room.**********It has been exactly thirty minutes that Andrea and Lucia has been sitting opposite each other