WADE'S POV*10 years later*"Pa, the doctor said that you inhaled too much solvent paint fumes for a long time. No more painting for you," I informed him.He looked at me in anger and then slumped down on the couch and closed his eyes "Ignoring me is not going to change the fact that I value your health. You know how worried I am. I only have you, Pa." I hovered over him as the Milan sunset hit the vast villa windows. Picking up a nearby shawl and placing it on him, he snickered in response. Pa had been feeling ill since godfather Calisto passed away a year ago. It had been a tough time for both of us as his cardiac arrest came as a shock and mourning him was gruesome. We had lost a good man. Calisto had embraced our relocation from Malta with open arms and immediately put me and Auden in charge of the art collection business. Pa's younger brother, Mikael Malkiel, had been the legal advisor of the Calisto Art Collection LTD.The change in scenery and way of living changed. Mila

WADE'S POV"When I said I wanted a house with a view of the sea, I did not mean that I wanted to be near the sea," Pa complained. We arrived in Valetta in the afternoon via a private jet. The drivers picked us up at the airport and Pa kept scolding Auden since he had bought two flashy range rovers. He only smiled and rushed to the back seat and spread his arms, making Uncle Malkiel cringe and walk to the other car.The ride through the roads of Malta was nostalgic. It was good to be back home. We got to the villa and Pa looked at us in shock. The hired help welcomed us, and we walked into the villa.I had the villa built for us after my godfather passed away. With Auden's supervision, it had turned out great. The place was breathtaking. A large house overlooking azure waters, terraces with trees, and a pool. It had marble floors polished with mosaic and Maltese tiles, hand-crafted woodwork, and sweeping staircases leading off to vast rooms.Pa's room was filled with art, and we h

The whole week flew by as we got busy settling down in the office. I spent the better part of the mornings in meetings with the Milan office. And the afternoons catching up with the normal business of Valetta. The evidence had arrived, and Mr. Winston was now in custody. He must have spread the rumors that I was back for revenge. Auden informed me that the whole gallery was celebrating his departure as he had been oppressing the staff for a long time.To revive the gallery, we agreed to set up events connecting all the Milan galleries and the Valletta one. This way art would be exchanged, and we would get new art lovers. I contacted the former art suppliers from Gozo that Mr. Winston had fired and requested Damien to renew the contracts. We shipped Pa's art, and it will be displayed in the gallery. He had painted a portrait of godfather and we hung it at the gallery reception. We stood there and admired it and smiled. We made changes in the gallery's working hours and planned to d

VAUGHN'S POV It has been a quiet weekend. After the text I sent to Wade, there was no response though I could see it had been read a second after I sent it. I smiled and promised myself I would crawl back to him if need be. Ma had been quiet the whole weekend and Elaine kept checking on her as she spent it behind closed doors in her villa. At some point, Elaine saw her crying while she was drinking. I knew this had something to do with her visit to Wade's office. I had my mission to accomplish, and I did not want to be deterred.On Monday morning I sent another text to Wade.'I hope to see you this week.' It was a long shot, but I wanted to be near him. I waited and saw that the text was left on read and it made me happy.The week started busy and on Monday afternoon while I was reviewing the reports Elaine walked into my office and took the corner seat. I was used to her coming to my office often to hide from the world and relax. The elite society had been cruel to her sinc

WADE'S POVWhen Auden suggested visiting his new club, I was reluctant since it meant that Pa would be left alone for dinner. But Uncle Malkiel and Damien assured me that they would keep Pa company and Auden did a whole celebratory dance. We had not been out together since we came back to Valletta. An hour into the club, I was impressed at how modernized he had made it. He had borrowed a lot from the high-end clubs in Milan.We sat on the counter and suddenly the waiters' gossip passed by our ears. "Guess who has come in today? The Everette's are here." They giggle and then one of them said, "I swear if Vaughn would ask me to be his, even as his mistress, I would agree."My body burned with jealousy and before I knew it, I stood up and walked into the VIP area. Auden pulled me back before I walked in and said, "Let me handle this, please."I stared at him in a daze and then he turned around and walked in. "If it isn't the Everette's. Such high-profile guests are here at my club."