ROSALINDA.
When we entered the pub, I immediately spotted Oliver sitting alone at the bar, and a wave of relief washed over me. "Where are they?" Antonio asked, scanning the pub intently. I yanked my hand away from his grip and shrugged. "I don’t know what you are talking about. I came here alone." "I know you didn’t come here alone." He firmly grasped my shoulders, intently staring into my eyes. "After you followed her into that room, I followed you and overheard your conversation." He admitted, and I shot my brow at him. How creepy. I shrugged again, trying to appear nonchalant. "After you warned me about sneaking out, I changed my mind about going with Sofia. I didn’t want to get her into trouble." "Where is she?" He persisted, emphasizing each word. I looked around the room, desperately hoping Sofia wouldn’t show up until he left. Where the fuck was she, by the way? "I told you the truth." I stood my ground as I started walking away from him. "Where the fuck are you going?" He growled. "What I came here for. I am going to get a drink." I responded as I continued walking towards the bar. I needed to warn Oliver and let him know that he had to leave that place as soon as possible. Fortunately, Antonio didn’t know what Oliver looked like, so he couldn’t recognize him. I took a seat next to Oliver and began to speak. "Oliver, don’t look at me and don’t reply. Listen to me; wherever Sofia is, you need to get her and leave this place as soon as possible." I quickly said, discreetly signaling the bartender to come over. Without hesitation or asking for explanations, Oliver leapt to his feet and dashed out. "A glass of Martini, please." I told the bartender, and a smile curled on his lips. "You’ve got a good taste, Miss." The bartender grinned before heading toward the shelf. I turned my head and noticed Antonio had already taken a seat beside me. I squinted my eyes, expecting him to drag me out, but to my surprise, he called for the bartender and ordered a shot of vodka. After our drinks were served, an uncomfortable silence settled between us as we sipped slowly from our glasses. "So, how did you know I was coming here?" I finally asked after a while, breaking the uncomfortable silence. He turned his head to meet my gaze. "I turned on your phone’s location." He said, and my eyes narrowed as realization hit me. After we left Lily Bridals building, he borrowed my phone to call my dad, claiming he forgot his. That must have been when he activated my phone’s location.Asshole. "That's an invasion of privacy, you asshole." I muttered under my breath, but loud enough for him to hear. I anticipated a reaction to my rude comment, but he remained calm. Instead, he averted his gaze and signaled for the bartender to come over. Suddenly, an urgent need to use the restroom surged within me. I swiftly rose from my seat and started walking away. "Where are you going?" He questioned, causing me to stop in my tracks. I half turned to look at him. "To respond to the call of nature." Without waiting for his response, I continued walking, making my way to the restroom. As I pushed open the restroom door, I subconsciously turned to see Antonio approaching, and I gasped. Had he been following me all along? "What are you doing?" I quickly asked. "You think I would allow you to leave my sight?" He shook his head slightly. "I am only allowing you to remain in this pub because I am with you, and I have to be by your side at all times." Did that mean he was acting as my bodyguard? I thought, feeling heat radiating to my cheeks. Clearing my throat, I slipped inside the restroom, shutting the door behind me.… ANTONIO A few minutes after Rosalinda went into the restroom, I suddenly heard a short scream, and worry consumed me as I inched closer to the door. "Rosalinda, are you okay?" I asked as I impatiently rapped on the door. But there was no response. Without a second thought, I yanked the door open and hurried inside the restroom. The second I slipped inside, I stopped in my tracks, my mouth falling open at the sight before me. Rosalinda had taken off her white tank top, leaving her in just jeans and a white bra. I gulped, mesmerized by the sight of her exposed upper body. She was absolutely stunning. "What are you doing inside?" She yelled, snapping me back to reality. It was then that I realized that I must have stared for too long. I averted my gaze and took a sharp breath in attempt to cool off the heat that rushed to my groin. "I heard you scream," I said, subconsciously returning my gaze to her. "Are you okay?" "A fire ant stung me." She said in frustration as she rubbed her chest. "I fucking don’t know how it got into my top." I trudged further into the restroom, getting closer to her, and she instinctively lifted her top, attempting to cover herself from me. I didn’t hesitate to yank the top off her body and rest my gaze on the red spot that was just below her neck. "What—what—are you doing?" She stuttered. "Shut up and let me check it," I muttered, lifting my hand and gently rubbing my thumb over the red spot. "You shouldn’t be in here." She muttered; her voice was low. "It’s a ladies restroom." "It doesn’t look bad." I continued rubbing it gently, my eyes fixed on the visible part of her fair breast. "It should heal soon." "Yes." She said, and I heard her gulp her saliva as she staggered backwards. I swiftly wrapped my hand around her waist, holding her in place. "Are you tipsy?" I asked as I subconsciously nestled in and inhaled her scent. Her sweet vanilla scent. "That’s…inappropriate." She muttered, her voice barely audible. "I already told you this before, Rosa. Don’t be delusional. I am only doing this because I love your scent." I continued sniffing her neck, unable to get enough of her. I wanted her. All of her. She reciprocated, wrapping her arms around my neck and pressing her body against mine, igniting a fire within me. "It hurts." She muttered and sound escaped her lips. It was a moan. "What?" I questioned, my hands still hovering near the affected area. "The sting." She clarified, and I reached for the spot, gently rubbing it with my thumb as I continued sniffing her body like a predator who was ready to devour its prey. The door suddenly creaked, and she jerked away from me. I turned to see two drunken girls—a brunette and a redhead—staggering into the bathroom. "You both have no shame at all." The brunette slurred, and the red-haired she was with squealed. "Get a room." The red-haired added. Shaking my head, I returned my gaze to Rosalinda, and she had already slipped her top on, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. What have I done? I berated myself as realization dawned on me. I wasn’t thinking straight and I went far. Too far. Now, my desire for her is evident, and that should have stayed hidden. "I should leave now." She said and quickly trudged out of the bathroom. I didn't bother to follow her because I didn't know what I would do if I caught up with her. With the heat licking every tissue that made up my manhood, I was certain I wouldn’t be able to control myself if I did. I had never felt as intensely attracted to anyone else as I did to her. That woman, my sister-in-law, was the bane of my very existence.ROSALINDA.Not even for a second before I fell asleep did the thoughts of what happened between me and Antonio leave my mind. I fell asleep thinking about him, and now that I’m up, thoughts of him were the first to cross my mind.Was he also attracted to me, or was I misinterpreting things? Did he sniff my neck so sensually only because he liked my scent?Could it be that he was only under the influence of alcohol? I kept asking myself endless questions. Questions I had no answers to.I could still remember the way I involuntarily pressed myself against him as I allowed myself to feel his hard, defined body. I could still remember how intense my arousal was as he rubbed his thumb over the red sting spot and sniffed my neck.As those memories coursed through me, I caught myself absentmindedly rubbing the same red spot, feeling my folds contrast as I let out a short moan.I quickly snapped myself out of it, shaking my head in disbelief at what I was doing. He was out of bounds for me, a
ROSALINDA. The past few days have been really overwhelming for me. I've been deeply involved in assisting with the arrangements for both Sofia's wedding and her Engagement party. Today, however, was the engagement party.I was dressed in a red lacy dress that boasted an off-shoulder neckline, gracefully revealing my décolletage and an enticing amount of my cleavage. The lower part of the dress had a thigh-high slit, exposing just the right amount of my legs. The entire look exuded flirtatiousness, but did I care? I simply dressed in what I felt beautiful in.The moment I stepped into the garden where the party was being held, I sensed the gaze of unfamiliar eyes upon me, which made me feel slightly uncomfortable.Everyone appeared cheerful, dressed in their elegant and expensive dresses and tuxedos.I looked around, anticipating seeing the one person that I had been longing for. The groom-to-be. It’s been a week since I last saw him in the kitchen, and not even a day has passed that
ROSALINDA.Antonio might be crazy, but I’m even crazier.He ruined my dress just because he wanted me to change into something more decent, but I defied that cause. I went back into my room, swiftly removed the ruined dress, and slipped into something even more daring—a silver sequin mid-thigh dress with striking waist-high slits on both sides.After I finished dressing, I stood in front of the mirror and spun around in a complete 360-degree turn, marveling at my own reflection. Boy, do I tempt myself?I looked so hot, and I was well aware that my father would disapprove of my outfit, but I couldn't care less as long as I got to spite Antonio.Grabbing a silver clutch, I made my way back to the garden. I looked around, searching for Antonio, and before I could figure out where he was, I heard a familiar voice call my name.Oh, shit. Not again. I had hoped to avoid encountering him again, but luck was clearly not on my side. I pivoted to face the source of the voice, forcing a fake sm
The music came to a stop, indicating that dinner was about to be served. Everybody took their seats at the tables, and Rosalinda was sitting directly across from me."Antonio." Camilla, who was sitting beside me, called, and I swung my head to the side to look at her."Stop it. Your attention should be on your bride, not her." She scolded me, and I let out a sharp breath.Sitting across from Rosalinda and not staring at her was difficult, but Camilla was right. My attention should be on my bride-to-be, not her sister.So, leaning in, I rested my arm on Sofia’s seat but retrieved it almost immediately when she started fidgeting in her seat, showing her discomfort."My favorite wine isn’t here. And that’s the wine I want to make toast with." Roberto suddenly raised his hand to signal for one of the housemaids to come, but before he could do that, Rosalinda quickly rose to her feet."I would get it, Papà." She offered, and before her father could protest, she started walking away from th
ANTONIO. Yesterday, I crossed a line I shouldn’t have crossed. I almost lost control of myself, and it became clear to me that she was as attracted to me as I was to her. If not for Matteo, who interrupted, I would’ve fucking fucked her in her father’s office.He barged in, thinking I was hurting his sister. Like hell, I would never hurt that woman. As a matter of fact, I feel very protective of her.A knock sounded on my office door, pulling me out of my thoughts."Come in." I muttered, clearing my throat.I was in my office, working on some important documents, when I drifted off, thinking about Rosalinda.The door was pushed open, and Marco, my consigliere, came to view."Good morning." He greeted me as he approached me."Morning," I replied.He pulled the visitor’s seat out and settled on it. I studied his face, and the look he had on it indicated he had something to say.I raised a questioning brow. "What?" "You are treading on a dangerous path, Don." He suddenly said, and I cl
Ruby was already seated at a round table when Giovanni and I arrived at Tasty Haven, and her face immediately lit up as soon as she saw me."Hey, best friend." She beamed as we approached her, causing a smile to spread on my lips.She leapt to her feet when we came to a stop in front of her and embraced me warmly.Pulling away from the hug, she darted her gaze at Giovanni and raised a brow. "And who is this?""I’m Giovanni. Her favourite cousin." Giovanni introduced himself as he extended his hand for a handshake.Taking his hand, she muttered in a sweet voice. "Hi, Giovanni. I’m Ruby. Her best friend."A few seconds passed, and they were still holding hands while staring intently at each other."Giovanni, don’t you think the ladies would need some privacy?" I quickly interjected, snapping them out of their trances, and they quickly withdrew their hands.What was that about? They couldn’t have possibly fallen for each other at first sight.I looked around the restaurant, and when I sp
"You look like a mourning widow, bitch. Losen up and find yourself a man that would fuck you until you forget about your attraction for that cold human." Ruby slurred as she took a shot of vodka. I didn’t know how many she had taken, but she was clearly drunk.It was Sofia’s wedding eve, and me and Ruby were at the club as planned. The idea of coming here was to help me clear my head and lighten up my mood before tomorrow, but it wasn’t working. Ruby ended up being the only one having fun.Ruby gestured for the bartender to come, and I shot my brow up at her. "That’s enough, Ruby. I don’t want to have to carry your ass home.""I am not ordering for me." She grinned. "It’s for you."I sighed. "I’ve told you multiple times, Ruby. I don’t want to have to deal with a hangover tomorrow. It’s my sister’s wedding.""Right." She slurred, and a laugh emanated from her throat.How drunk was she?"Ruby. My precious gem." A voice suddenly said, and I turned to look at the source of the voice.Harr
Gazing at Sofia in her stunning wedding dress, the guilt on my chest from yesterday weighed even more heavily.I was supposed to have put an end to the inappropriateness that has been going on between Antonio and me a long time ago, but I didn’t, and I hated myself for that.When he called me a hypocrite, I wanted to be mad at him for calling me that, but I didn’t even have the right to be, because he was damn right. I was a hypocrite. Even worse, I was disgusting. When I caught him cheating, I didn’t even think of my sister. I only thought of myself, how insanely jealous I was, and how desperately I wished I was the one doing that to him. I disgust myself!I was never supposed to fall for him; I was never supposed to crave his touch; his mere captivating eyes weren’t supposed to do the things they do to me, setting my body on fire. And I definitely wasn't supposed to feed my attraction to him."A wedding day is supposed to be the best day of a woman’s life. But it is the opposite for