CHAPTER 31–NEW YORK

ELENA“You are where!?” I pushed my phone farther from my ear as Alessia screamed from the other end of the line.“On my way to New York.” I repeated myself as I dragged my suitcase in one hand and held my phone in the other. The Airport was busy, people strode in and out. Families hugging themselves as one of them departs. I dragged my suitcase to the checking point. “I will call you back.” I ended the call and stood to be checked. I knew it was a stupid idea to pack my bags and leave without informing anyone. But there was no turning back now. “Your bag ma’am.” The security demanded. I pushed my hand bag towards her and waited for the search to be over.Finally, I was cleared and I went to check in. Right on cue, Alessia called me back.“Why did you end the call?”“I was about to be searched,” I replied as I watched my suitcase being wrapped.“Wait. You’re not joking?” “No, I am not.” I can almost see her face right now. The shock on it would be so funny.“How did you pay for

Last Updated : 2025-05-17

CHAPTER 32–FOUND YOU

ALESSANDRO “Can’t this car move any faster?” I snapped at my driver, irritation gnawing at my skin.“Sorry sir, traffic is back.”Elena was testing me and I will make sure she gets what she's looking for. I checked my wrist watch for the thousandth time. I knew she was in New York, I just didn’t know where she was in particular. She had taken one of my credit cards with her. Smart girl. I was wondering how she was going to get by. The car finally pulled into the airport and I almost sprinted out of the car. My driver ran after me with my luggage in hand, he handed them over to the air hostess. “Let’s go,” I muttered and got into the Jet.I checked her social media to see if I could get a hint on where she was, but nothing. What was I expecting, she wasn’t a social media kind of girl.I had first gone to her house. If anyone should know where she is, it was her sister. But Alessia was stubborn. She had insisted she had no idea of her sister’s whereabouts, but I knew she was lying

Last Updated : 2025-05-21

CHAPTER 33–THE LINE BETWEEN US

ELENAThe text from Alessandro had disorientated my thoughts. I contemplated if I should answer it or just ignore it. I knew ignoring him was playing with fire but I did anyway.I was suddenly in the mood for a drink, so I got dressed in a casual gown. Nothing too much for a late night drink.I got to the bar, found a seclusive spot and sat down. My drink came seconds later and I sipped while looking around the bar.I had intentionally left my phone, I didn’t know what I was going to do if he had texted me again. “Is this seat taken?” A voice said behind me.I inwardly sighed. I just wanted to be on my own.I turned towards him, a smile plastered on my face. “Alex!” I stared at him, shocked to see him here. How is he here?“Hi, Elena. You can imagine my surprise, seeing you here, all alone.”“If I didn’t know better, I would say you’re stalking me,” I chuckled, but it wasn’t funny. There’s only so many ‘coincidences’ one can believe.“You beat me to it,” he said, half smiling. “ I w

Last Updated : 2025-05-24

CHAPTER 34–ONE STEP AHEAD

ELENAI closed the door behind me and leaned against it. My racing heart slowly calms down. I went to my room, changed into my nighties and went to the living room.I was painfully aware he was on the other side of the wall, not knowing if he was alone was killing me. I tried to listen, if I could pick up any sounds but I couldn’t hear a thing. I gave up and went to my room to sleep.The next morning, I got up to get ready for the event. I wore corporate pants and a buttoned up shirt. My hair was neatly packed up. I went in with mascara and lipstick. Nothing too much. I wanted to appear as professional as possible.A taxi was outside, waiting. I got in and gave him directions to the gallery.The gallery had an understated elegance. clean white walls, gentle spotlights and a quiet hum of conversation drifted through the space. I stepped inside, signing my name on the registration form with a steady hand. though my heart was racing a little.This was it. The first step to my independ

Last Updated : 2025-05-25

CHAPTER 35–CONFUSED

ELENAThe hotel room felt colder than it had before. “Ten minutes,” Alessandro said from the doorway, his hands holding his door open. “Don’t make me come back for you.” He didn’t wait for a response. The door clicked shut behind him, I stood there for a second longer, heart pounding. I clenched my fist in anger but still, I packed. Fast.I had no time to arrange them. Shoes, clothes, make ups. everything was shoved inside my bag. By the time I was done, I heard the elevator chimed. He must be out. I gave the room a last glance making sure I wasn’t forgetting anything. Before opening the door and leaving.I came and stood beside me as we waited for the elevator. He stretched his hands for my bag and I handed it over to him.The car was outside, waiting.We didn’t speak on the ride to the airstrip. On the jet, everything reeked of him. Leather seats, expensive cologne.I tried not to look at him. Failed.He was staring out the window, jaw tight, fingers tapping against his armrest

Last Updated : 2025-05-28

CHAPTER 36–RESURFACED PAST

ALESSANDRO I wasn’t supposed to feel this way. Not while I stripped her clothes, Not while I wrung the washcloth and brushed it over her arms, her legs, her back. Not while she sat there, limp from exhaustion, staring at me like she couldn’t understand the man in front of her.Hell, I didn’t recognize myself too.I rinsed the cloth again, jaw clenched tight, focusing on the slow rhythm of cleaning her skin. Her breathing had steadied, but her eyes stayed on me, wide and confused.Good. She should be confused. I was too.This wasn’t love. It was possession. Rage. My head was filled with images of her and Alex. I knew Alex was going to be an issue, I just didn’t know it was this soon. How were they coincidentally in the same place? Was it a planned meet up? What were they talking about that had her all giggling?If it wasn’t for public decency, I would have dealt with him right there. I hated that I noticed how delicate her skin feels under my touch. She was the daughter of my enem

Last Updated : 2025-05-31