[ D O M I N I C O ] I shouldn't have thought of that bet. It was plain stupid. Juvenile. Clearly she's not thrilled about sleeping here. Sharing a room with me all weekend. Her face says it all. It's not the real problem, though. She's not the issue. I am. Like always. I'm exhausted physically, but my mind's not ready to rest. I just can't shut off my brain. Having been away from her has been messing with my head more than I want to admit. Before Seraphine moved in with me, I was perfectly fine with not seeing her every day. Apparently, some part of my brain's not convinced that this is nothing but a sham marriage. “It's eleven? Already?” I sigh to myself, scowling at the yellow numbers beside my head, my phone finally quiet on the nightstand. Sephie remains still beside me. Her back's pressed onto the pillows leaning against the headboard. She's frowning, sitting with her bare legs crossed, her creamy skin paler than my sheets. The thick book on her thigh holds her attention
[ S E R A P H I N E ] “Why? Is he threatening you?” Threatening me? I squint at Alina's nickname on my phone screen. Why does she think Dominico would threaten me? “N-No.” “Seraphine...” Alina sighs on the other end. “Don't lie. Okay? I just want to be sure you're safe.” “I am.” My voice falters. I take a deep breath as more tears warm my eyes. I'm not sure why she called me up at this hour, but I'm thankful for the distraction. “Really, I'm fine.” “You sound the opposite of fine.” Alina scoffs. “What shit did he pull this time?” “Nothing.” “I'm not buying it. You sound like you've been crying all day.” “What? No.” I lower my voice and switch the lights on. The sudden brightness makes me squint as I sit beside the sink. “I'm not.” “So he's still out of town?” “Dom just got back from his trip.” “What happened? What did he do?” Alina says louder, her annoyance still obvious in her slightly raspy voice. “Nothing. He didn't hurt me or anything.” “Stop lying for him, Seph
[ S E R A P H I N E ] “Tomorrow. I'll talk to him tomorrow.” Pierre will have to wait. He made me wait for years. He can wait another day. I stare at the unregistered number on my phone screen, mumbling under my breath while I sit on the cold tiles. I still don't know why he's been looking for me. I tried calling my parents, but no answer.They're probably asleep already. Or Pierre specifically told my mom and dad not to tell me that he's been trying to find me. Why, though? Just because he heard that I'm married now? So what? It's not like he knows the Tomassinis personally. A sigh escapes me. “I'm going insane.” The words echo in my head. I'm still alone here in the bathroom, talking to myself instead of preparing for that lengthy test. Besides the whole "my ex is in town and hunting me down" issue, my impulsive and self-absorbed, sometimes reckless side can't stop thinking about what I almost did with Dominico in his room. In his bed. The fault is mostly mine, tho
• ALL RIGHTS RESERVED COPYRIGHT © 2024 by M.Z.Mauve • DISCLAIMER • Scenes, characters, dialogues and events in this story are all invented. This story contains mature themes, profanity, violence, and sexual content not intended for young readers. All photos included in this book belong to the copyright owners. Full credits to the owners. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this story or plagiarism of any kind is prohibited by the law. | MAIN CHARACTERS | FL ••• Seraphine "Sephie" Lee Azur- 24 years old - receptionist at one of the Tomassinis' country clubsML ••• Dominico "Doni" / "Dom" Deschanel Tomassini- 29 years old - CFO of his father's new firm - founder and former CEO of a bankrupt fintech company Chapter 1 •••••••••••••••••••• [ S E R A P H I N E ] I'm a killer.I killed someone last night.Sweet old Sephie is dead. I murdered innocent little Sephie in more ways than I imagined. She died the moment I accepted the money. Gratefully. The biggest payment I'v
[ S E R A P H I N E ] "You good?" Dominico squints at me, then tosses back the whiskey in his second glass."Sì, Signore." [Yes, Sir.] The guy stares at me with furrowed brows. "Don't call me that." My heart drops at his emotionless voice. My shoulders tense up, and my cheeks feel like they're burning. "Pardon?""I'm not your boss." My gut clenches. Embarrassment heats up my throat and the back of my eyes. "Right." I try not to scowl as I put away the cleaning supplies. What the heck is this asshole's problem? Is it me? Because I didn't even try to look like I belong here? Is he disgusted by this outfit? Because I look too tacky for his refined tastes? According to some pictures online, he dated a 20-something Spanish model slash actress. Therefore he probably likes women with immaculate fashion taste.The jerk finally gets up from the stool and swigs the rest of his drink. As I keep my mouth shut, Dominico plops the empty glass back on the bar. "And I'm pretty sure you know my
[ S E R A P H I N E ]About 15 minutes later, I'm inside the cabin where Dominico told me I should "hide" if I want to avoid his father for the next couple of hours. I'm double-checking Dominico's injuries, making sure his nose isn't broken. I don't really need to ask whether it was his father's doing. My gut tells me I already know the answer. It's the WHY that's still bugging my sleep-deprived brain. Only, it's obvious what happened between him and his father is the last thing my companion wants to chat about.So far I'm 90% sure Dominico will live and won't need emergency rhinoplasty. The bleeding already stopped, and his septum doesn't look deviated, but the bridge of his nose does look swollen. My dad has taught me more than basic first aid over the years, and Dominico seems to believe me.We're still alone, still in the same clothes, exchanging awkward glances while I sit next to him on the left side of the bed. It's not too small for two people, but rather uncomfortable if he
[ S E R A P H I N E ] When I step out of the bathroom in an old cotton shirt and clean leggings, the curtains are lightly swaying in the early morning breeze. They cast dappled shadows across the bed sheets. Okay. Dominico bothered to cover up the windows. Maybe he can't sleep in a room that isn't pitch-dark.I take a deep breath. I feel a bit lighter, relaxed, and not that dizzy anymore. The lights have been turned off. Except one. I suppose he left the nightstand lamp on for my sake. The yacht sways ever so slightly, and I don't hear any strange noises coming from outside.Thank goodness. Ignazio hasn't found me yet.Dominico is still on the couch, sitting alone and...What the heck? The guy's half-naked? When did he take his clothes off? Where did he put them?I stand still and open-mouthed beside the bed, my insides already in knots. But maybe this is normal for him? Sleeping in his underwear... And to be fair, his dark boxers still hide enough of his private parts and a few i
[ D O M I N I C O ] Another sun-drenched morning on this thing. "Great." I sigh. It almost feels surreal after a long night of boozing and chaos. I shield my eyes from the blinding rays with my hand, wearing nothing but wrinkled pants and old boxers. I shut the door behind me. Right now Seraphine's much safer locked up in the bathroom. This shouldn't take a while. I step out into the quiet deck. Empty. Not a single soul. The waves look calm. Unlike my brain. Who the fuck woke me up for nothing? "Enzo?" I scratch my chest and head towards the stairs. I didn't order room service, and my father would've screamed his head off if it was him knocking incessantly. "Enzo," I call out, clenching my jaw as the throbbing pain in my nose intensifies. An unwanted reminder of my father's anger management issues. One of many. My face can still feel those two solid punches. It's a miracle I even fell asleep. Somehow those little pills Seraphine gave me worked their magic. The gnawing pain immed