My relationship with Clarissa ended on my stepbrother’s wedding day. It was a shock to me when the bride was revealed and Clarissa was unveiled.
We had been dating for two years, and we were still in a relationship when she appeared as my brother’s bride.Lumbar Leonardo, my older brother- jealous, greedy, self-centered, always wanted everything I had.Maybe it was because I was born from an affair my father had with my mother that he constantly hated me.Everyone, including my father and stepmother knew about this marriage, except me.My father came up to me and said,“You’ll always find love, don’t create a scene. The whole Italia is watching.”There at the aisle, I cut ties with my family and relocated from Italy to Washington and rebuilt my life away from those toxic people I called family, avoiding women like a plague.Five years later and a message from my father chimed through the phone;Not that this was the first, but this time, it was dire.“If you don’t come home for the FAMILY THANKSGIVING, I won’t include your name in the will, mark my words, Navy, I won’t. This will be the last time I call you.”My father’s words sounded more like a threat than an invite, I could tell that he was tired of giving excuses to the Italian public about my absence in the family Thanksgiving pictures every year.As Mayor, Leonardo Alessandro had a lot of work keeping his family image clean and he couldn’t possibly let his citizens find out that his youngest son had cut ties with the family.The mere thought of seeing Clarissa and Lumbar together made me sick.Worst still, the part of the message that said;“You can’t possibly still be mad that your brother got your girlfriend. It’s been five years…” made me more upset than I expected.“I just can’t go home” I raged.I was pacing restlessly in my office when a knock echoed on my door, I opened the door and the blogger appeared in front of me, messing up my mind with her elegant 80s outfit.She looked nothing like Clarissa, effortlessly beautiful, graceful even in her speech.And I realized just then, the right way to get back at them.Someone more beautiful and younger than Clarissa introduced to the family would make my brother’s stomach churn, and of course, drive Clarissa to insanity and jealousy. I knew them too well.The mere imagination of their jealous faces blurred the lines between my sanity and dignity and before I could think properly about my revenge, the words were already out of my mouth.“You’re going to act like my girlfriend, just for tonight.”“I’ll pay you, you look like you need the money anyway.”The room hung in silence for what seemed like an eternity. I suddenly seemed crazy for suggesting something like that.Fake relationships only existed in the movies, and in imaginations.What was I thinking?!My heart trembled as the blogger’s mouth opened agape, and I could feel my face burning up in embarrassment.“Is this part of my job?” She finally managed to mutter.“Fuck!” I cussed under my breath, feeling humiliated by my own words. I opened my mouth to apologize for my inappropriate behavior,“Consider it as a privilege, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to be my girlfriend and get paid for it.” I heard myself say.“What is wrong with me?!” I mentally scolded myself.“How much?” The blogger replied.My eyes nearly popped out in surprise.By asking how much, was she willing to work with me? I wondered.“Any amount you want… we will talk about it when you have completed your task successfully.” I replied, regaining my composure.The blogger had a look of contemplation on her face for a moment, I unconsciously crossed my fingers and prayed silently for a positive response.Rosé’s POVOur gazes locked on each other and our desperation connected us in a sizzling moment of impulsive decisions that we would probably regret after, but the offer was juicy.“What do I have to lose?” I thought to myself.“One day of pretense in exchange for an open cheque that would clear off my debts once and for all.”I contemplated for a moment, taking a deep breath,“I’ll do it…” I sighed.Mr Leonardo adjusted on his seat, extending a hand to me. I instinctively took the hand.As I shook Mr Leonardo’s hand, a smirk crept across his face and I instantly realized, I had just signed a contract with the devil.“Again, no one must know about this.” He said,“That is the only condition for payment at the end of the night.”No one had to know about my desperate effort to make money, being a fake girlfriend didn’t make an interesting conversation with anyone, not even Paula, so I nodded in agreement and finally made my way out of his office.My first day with Mr Leonardo ended and I couldn’t be happier. Even though I had agreed to be his fake girlfriend, we didn’t suddenly become friends.“7pm, tonight.” He said as working hours came to an end.“I’ll pick you up at the Washington International Airport.”“Okay sir.” I replied, the anticipation of our evening plans filled me with apprehension and I struggled even to hold his gaze.“Your article, by the way… I liked it” he remarked.My eyes dilated at his compliment, astonished that he liked the sample article, even when I clearly had written against his idea.“Oh, thank God!” I exclaimed.“But your dress… not so much. Ever heard of “less is more”? You’re coming to work, not a wedding.” He quipped, his tone filled with subtle hints of disapproval.And just like that, he managed to remind me, how much of a jerk he is.“It’s worth it, Rosé. The salary is worth it.” I encouraged myself.He swiped his card and we stepped out of the Office. I was surprised to see a basket of roses waiting by the doorway.Navy walked over to the flower basket with a frown on his face, pulling out the card attached to it. It was addressed to me.“Can you keep your goddamn crushes away from my door?”“If you’re going to be indiscreet, do it outside my office.”Mr Leonardo bellowed angrily, but I can swear…I saw jealousy flicker in his eyes.Navy stormed away without a second glance at me. The bouquet of white roses looked beautiful and lovely but it was quite confusing from whence it came. I had no boyfriend and I hadn’t yet made any friends.Slowly, I advanced to the bouquet and picked up the card next to it.“Congratulations on your first day at work- Paul” “Who on earth is Paul?” I wondered aloud. If the card was not addressed to my name, I would have left it alone, just thinking about the size of it was discouraging.I shuffled into the elevator, wrestling with the oversized bouquet of roses covering my face and making it hard to see what was in front of me.The elevator dinged open and I stepped out, sauntering towards the exit by mere instincts.I had almost made it to the exiting door when I suddenly bumped into something- or someone. His phone fell, clashing brutally against the glass door before dropping to the ground. With a sigh, I slowly lowered my bouquet, wearing a regretful expression for the unintended
What was I thinking?!” I scolded myself, increasingly irritated and disappointed that it was thirty minutes past 7 and Navy was no where at the airport.“One more minute and that’s it.” I declared.Just as I decided not to wait any longer, my phone blared into life and I automatically dreaded having to lie to Paula again.“She’ll definitely catch me this time” I murmured.I reluctantly pulled out my phone and glanced at the caller ID. It was a strange number. Relieved that it wasn't Paula, I touched the answer button and placed the phone to my ear.“Where are you?” The caller asked, his voice deep and commanding.I immediately recognized it as Navy’s voice, no one else could be so brooding and cold, even on the phone.“I’m at the terminal, Sir” “Look up” he replied.I glanced across the hall and my eyes fell on a tall figure, waving stoically. My heart fluttered as I made my way to him.It was amazing how he managed to be so beautiful even with the frown he had on his face. He look
Rosé's eyes widened in surprise as we locked gazes and an awkward silence hung in the air. My heart raced uncontrollably as I searched in vain for the right words to break the ice that was fast forming between us."Should I apologize?" I wondered."Why should I when she's to blame for leaving the door unlocked?! I mean she was the naked one." "I...I'm s..." she paused, her trembling voice cutting through the silence."I'm sorry sir, I didnt know you'd return so soon" she finally said, her cheeks burning with apparent embarrassment.I swallowed hard and pretended I was unmoved by her curvy body, nor moved by her shocked demeanor when in fact, I was suppressing the urge to scoop her in my arms and kiss her. My body responded to her body in a way that I never imagined possible and I knew the right thing to do was to vanish before I did something stupid."I'll just..um, wait by the parking lot" I muttered, averting my gaze from her."Okay sir" she replied, her voice just above a whisper.
Rosé's POV"Why?!""What is he doing with you?"Put him on the phone, or I'm coming to get you right this minute." Paula ranted, evidently frustrated by the knowledge that I wasn't coming home on my first day at Varde's."Paula, just hear me out. It's not what you think," I pleaded, trying to calm her down."It's just for work and I’m not complaining." I shifted away from Navy’s earshot and positioned myself at a corner in the Terminal while he went through Security Check."Well, I'm complaining for you, get the phone to him!" Paula replied."Paula, I can't just take the phone to him, you know I won't" I replied, whispering in a way."Why not?" "Is staying out part of blogging?""You have to follow him to Italy? For a job? Why is he making you do that? And within really short notice." She ranted."I agree that staying out isn't a part of blogging. I'm not just going to Italy for a job, its more complicated than that."I could sense her frustration and concern growing with every word,
Navy’s POVI got carried away watching her sleep peacefully, I couldn’t bring myself to wake her up even though we had arrived in Italy five minutes ago.Maybe it was a bad idea to make her change into the crimson dress, she looked uncomfortable in it and the sight of her discomfort made my heart ache.My eyes roamed the curvatures of her body and her naked body suddenly popped into my head.“Jesus, Navy!” I exclaimed, quickly averting my thoughts from that direction.Still, I couldn’t completely shake off her half-open lips, desperately calling out to me.I found myself trying so hard to keep away from brushing the strands of hair that were on her face. “Am I falling for Rosé?” I asked myself for the umpteenth time since we shook hands as friends. Or was it her dysfunctional family background that endeared me to her?“That was it and nothing else.” I told myself.Unexpectedly, she turned and swiveled in the chair, stirring up from sleep.She looked around and the surprise on her fac
The excitement on Navy’s face slowly faded away, shooting a surge of self-doubt surge into my head and my confidence waned slowly.My eye balls flitted from side to side, looking for answers to the inflow of questions racing on my mind,“Do I look awful? Unpresentable? Am I overdressed? Did I unintentionally make the statement I feared; ‘Look, Navy Leonardo brought me to dinner!’”The slow strides at which we approached the table added to my anxiety, my heart raced uncontrollably, echoing all the uncertainties of my thoughts.Navy's gaze and expressions remained unreadable, he seemed consciously focused and intent on hiding his thoughts, leaving me grappling with thoughts and assumptions, threatening to uncover my composure.The couple at the table stared at me with intensity, as if to strip me of my clothes and examine my real identity. The uneasy exchange of glances passing round the room only heightened my self-awareness, intensifying my apprehension.The rhythmic sound of my hea
Navy’s POVDinner felt it was dragging on forever, unfolding before me like a slow torture.My attempt to mess up the family gathering and get even at Clarissa and Lumbar with Rosé’s presence had completely backfired.Not that it didn’t work, but to my surprise, Maya and my Papà were inexplicably fascinated with Rosé…and so was I.The mere thought of my initial plan to present her as a “low-life” that would upset them made me cringe inwardly, drowning my anger and frustration with Clarissa and Lumbar, I couldn’t care less about them- not when my thoughts were consumed by Rosé and that unexpected kiss lingering in my mind like an unshakable spell.Well, not so much the kiss but the effect it had on me- it felt so real. Every attempt to shift my focus only brought the vivid image back and I couldn’t control the butterflies in my stomach.Yet, amidst the chaos, Clarissa and Lumbar’s faces stuck to my mind like annoying thorns, reminding me of a plan that had gone awry.None of us had bee
ROSÉ POVThe silence in the house slowly, yet increasingly became so loud and deafening, suffocating my presence. I glanced at Navy and strangely realized, Clarissa was right- Navy still loved her. At least, the expression on his face said so."Wow!" I blurted out, my exclamation breaking the icy feel of the moment, Navy shifted uncomfortably, as if my exclamation was calling out to him.One glance at Clarissa and the smug on her face confirmed my suspicions as the story began to really unfold before me."Clarissa got married to Navy's brother. Navy became heartbroken and left home. He came back home after a while but he couldn't come alone without looking like a loser...hence, me!""Wow!" I exclaimed, this time a little louder than before.The smirk on her face was really sickening, even more sickening was the fact that my authoritative, domineering boss was completely shrinking at the sight of the promiscuous lady.She was not worth his love and neither did she deserve it.May