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All Chapters of Flavours of love: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

92 Chapters

1

Camiela's Perspective:"Ms Rodriguez?" The rhythmic tapping of my fingers on the computer keyboard paused as I pulled out my earphones, turning my attention to the office entrance. My head tilted, and I raised a brow inquisitively.Olivia stood there, a friendly smile on her face. "It's getting late, and I was heading out. I thought I'd pop in and let you know."A sigh escaped me as I stretched in my seat, checking the wall clock directly in front of me. "Oh, damn," I exclaimed, "it's seven. Has The Fortress opened already?"She nodded. "They just opened a few minutes ago.""Then I should drop by on my way home," I decided, rising from my chair and collecting my belongings, neatly tucking them into my purse before shutting down the computer. "Don't give them a warning," I warned with a playful finger pointed at her."I'm sworn to your secrecy," she teased, putting a finger to her lips.Scoffing jokingly, I walked toward her. "Funny how you said the same thing last time. I just can't f

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Stefano's Perspective:The front door clicked open, and I pulled it ajar, blocking the entrance. "Tara.""Stefano", she greeted, "you should show up when your father asks to see you.""You shouldn't, though," I retorted, holding my ground in the doorway. "It's nine in the morning; it's only been a few hours since I got back to New York.""It's been long enough. Your father wants to see you; he's been asking since you landed.""Right... What was it, at four in the morning?"She sighed, giving me a pointed look. "Stefano.""Tara", I responded blankly, maintaining eye contact."Just do as I say, all right?""And why should I do that?""Mother's benefit," she shrugged.I raised a brow. "Good thing you're not my mother.""I'm your father's wife. Step-mother benefit," she smiled, reaching up to pat my cheek. "You've been gone for nearly eight months, and now you're back. At the end of the day, he's your father; come see him. Hmm?"My jaw ticked as I continued to stare at her. "Fine. I'll dr

3

Camiela's Perspective:"You're coming tonight, aren't you?" Shirley enquired, and Khan hopped off my lap, circling the table to sit beside his mother. She assisted him into the seat, handed me the menu, and then proceeded to fix his hair."Tonight?" I questioned, arching my brows."Don't play dumb and act like you missed the invite. I saw Nancy giving it to you myself," she snickered.I attempted negotiation. "I'll make you a deal. If you act like you never saw anything—""Nope. I would rather be anywhere else than at one of Richard Castro's parties, but if I'm going down, I'm taking you with me."I sighed in frustration and returned to reading the menu. "I have no interest in going to any party," I mumbled."Hmm, but your dad has all the interest in the world in showing you off as his little princess."I glanced at her over the menu. "I hate that word.""Princess?" she asked slowly, trying to provoke me further."Yes," I replied, snapping the menu shut in my hands. "Something about t

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Stefano's Perspective:"Stefano?"I carefully placed my glass of whisky on the illuminated crystal counter and released a sigh, pivoting around to confront the individual intending to test my patience tonight."I thought it was you," he chuckled, moving to stand beside me."And you are...?""I'm a bit offended you've forgotten," he retorted playfully. "Julius Smith", he introduced, extending a hand for me to shake."Stefano Castro", I replied, giving his hand a firm shake."We met last year when I worked with your father."I paused, attempting to recollect. "Smith & Co."He nodded with a small smile.I don't remember. Not at all. But if his last name is Smith, chances are the company is something along those lines."Last time, I was hoping I could get you to meet my daughter, but you left for Romania awfully soon.""Duty calls, Mr Smith," I responded dryly, surveying the room and taking a sip from my drink."You prioritise that often, I see.""I do, indeed." I glanced at him before re

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Camiela's PerspectiveI raised a hand to my mouth, letting out a yawn, and squinted in the living room as the morning sunlight flooded the space. The dining table was filled with lively conversations and the joyful sounds of Khan's laughter. Our family had a longstanding tradition of coming together for breakfast every Friday and throughout the weekends. Despite my exhaustion, I managed to drag myself here this morning.Having arrived early, I was the first one here. Too tired to change, I made my way to my old room and dozed off on the bed."Morning, Sleeping Beauty," Mom chuckled, manoeuvring around me and giving my cheeks a playful squeeze. She then passed a plate of pancakes to Dad before taking a seat beside him.Without saying a word, I settled into the vacant seat on Dad's other side and lifted Khan into my lap as he continued to run around the table, refusing to sit down and eat. Closing my eyes once more, I rested my chin on top of Khan's head, struggling to keep myself awake

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"Camiela," Shirley called out."Yeah?""I know it frustrates you, having so many rules to follow, so many obligations to meet. But everything your parents do is for your sake. Trust me, you'll miss it once you're married and away from them." Her eyes fell to her empty plate as she traced the edge of it. "My parents never cared until I met Derek, and even then, they were always unsupportive, always trying to cage me in. Your parents don't do that with you, and in this circle, you're lucky with that."I know it's a tough situation in general, being sucked into a lifestyle you don't want, forced to play a part you don't think you can. I know you're grateful for your parents and everything they do for you, but maybe... show it sometimes," she shrugged. "They try their best to keep you happy. You're their little girl," she chuckled softly.Shirley's words hung in the air, carrying a sense of wisdom earned through her own experiences. She reflected on her past, comparing it to Camiela's sit

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"On my way there, I received an unexpected call. Derek's name flashed across the car screen, prompting me to answer, "Derek.""Stefano," he replied mockingly, "how are you doing?""Just as well as I was doing when you asked me last night at the party," I said dryly. "Why did you call?""I need a favor from you. Is there any chance you'll be around Wall Street tonight?"I glanced at his name doubtfully before turning my attention back to the road ahead. "Why do you ask?""I need someone to drop by The Dove. Shirley went out with some friends."I scoffed, "Am I her personal security then?""She has security with her, I just... I need to be safe.""What deals are you making out there?""None that should put her in danger, but I worry about her. If you have any time—""I'll see what I can do, Derek.""All right. Thanks." He hung up, and I released a breath, rolling down my window and resting my elbow on the frame, tracing my bottom lip with my thumb.As the call ended, I found myself cont

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Camiela's Perspective"I stabbed him," I repeated, standing behind Stefano as the man approached us."You go around stabbing men often, Ms. Rodriguez?" Stefano mused, grabbing my arm and bringing me in front of him, holding onto my arms from behind, using me as a shield."Only when they try selling me drugs and then sexually assaulting me," I shrugged, looking at him over my shoulder, tilting my head back to meet his gaze."Where's your weapon?""In his leg."He stared at me, something indistinguishable swirling in his eyes. "Call the police?""No. I don't want to go to jail," I said innocently before flashing him a grin."You fucking psycho bitch!" I closed my eyes, turning my head the other way, waiting for the blow to come from that creep... But it never did.Stefano caught his hand, twisting it back towards his palm until he yelled in pain. "I think you might be going to jail anyway," Stefano whispered in my ear from behind before taking my arm in his free hand and pulling me to t

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Stefano started the car and sped out of the parking lot without a second look in their direction, and before I knew it, we were out of there. I released a frustrated breath, rolling the window down and resting my elbow on the frame, holding my head in my hand. He remained quiet as well, driving down the city roads, past other cars, past all the skyscrapers. "You're even worse outside of those parties," he said to me. Without looking at him, I responded, "Feeling's mutual." "What were you doing at the club?" "Are you asking because you want to know or because you want to report it to my brother?" He paused and let out an agitated huff. "First of all, I don't report to your brother. And I'm asking because I just saved you from getting caught and going to jail. You don't even have an attorney." "I have you," I snickered, rolling my eyes to myself. "Pay me and you might, sweetheart," he replied. "Why were you outside the club?" "I went to get some air," I answered, letting out a s

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Stefano's PerspectiveI glanced at Camiela as we approached her street and found her fast asleep, her head leaning against the window, and her arms loosely folded across her chest. Releasing a soft sigh, I shifted my focus back to the road.The last thing I wanted during my trip to New York was to encounter Camiela again. I had convinced myself that it wouldn't happen, yet here I was, assisting her in evading the police after she stabbed some drugged guy in the leg. It was typical of her to do something like that, and it didn't surprise me much.Camiela had the ability to defend herself when it mattered, and I couldn't deny that it was a terrible situation for anyone to be thrust into, especially Camiela, who despised the world her family was entangled with. Fortunately, she possessed enough knowledge to keep herself out of such predicaments.Whether trouble followed her or she sought it out, being in her presence could lead most people to their own downfall. She knew how to make peop

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