Chapter 25 CHAPTER 25

Chapter 25 CHAPTER 25
ANDREA

The entire evening with Michelle went in a haze, and when I confirmed she was asleep, I walked back into my room after checking up on Emilia. She was still sleeping.

I woke up to release some fluid and decided to check on Emilia again, but this time she wasn’t in her room. Panic set in as I began running through the hall, stopping when I heard a faint sound coming from the kitchen.

I walked closer slowly. I didn’t mean to scare her, but I did. And it ended with me ordering her to make a cake.

I knew that was unkind of me. But I never said I was kind. I watched as she struggled, and that made a part of me bleed.

I couldn’t let her catch the slightest hint that I might be feeling something for her. I couldn’t make her get comfortable with me, because if she did... Michelle might just do the unthinkable.

I wished Rosa had come faster, but she didn’t, and she seemed shocked when she saw Emilia baking. “Get another cake.” I ordered, leaving the kitchen.


PRESENT

Today was Mine and Michelle’s anniversary. This marked our official four years together. We met at the university, fell in love, and the rest is history.

I smiled as I returned to bed. “Hope everything is set!” I typed into my phone.

“Si, Signore.” The reply came immediately. I tossed my phone aside as I walked into the shower.

I really felt like a monster right now. What was I thinking, making Emilia bake another cake?

Damn. Maybe Kelvin was right. I needed to get my head checked.

After my encounter with Emilia at the stairs, I returned downstairs. I couldn’t help but notice her change. She seemed sassier and more upset.

Well… I couldn’t blame her.
I was making her life a living hell. And I was just getting started.



The mansion now glowed with red petals and balloons littered everywhere. I had hired the top executive piano artist in the world. Today had to be flawless.

Katalina was also required to make a list of dishes Michelle liked.

Michelle came down after a while. Her ginger hair was styled in an updo, her face was done in a decent way that still seemed natural. Her tight, fussy dress accentuated her curves perfectly.

Simply put, she looked like an angel that had fallen from the sky.

“Happy Anniversary, Amore…” I smiled, holding the bouquet of fresh red roses I had gotten for her.

“Awwn,” she exclaimed, taking the bouquet. “You remembered.”

“Of course I do, Amore… I will never forget the day you said yes to me.”

She chuckled as she let me lead her to the dining area. Then the piano started to play. She smiled as she sang along to the lyrics.

“May I serve the food now?” Lady Katalina asked, with a curt bow.

I turned to Michelle, who nodded.

Katalina returned shortly with about four trolleys, each carrying a variety of meals. Some guards helped her push them in. She served, listing the names of each meals, and Michelle smiled.

The lady tasting meals came by, sampling some of the dishes Michelle wanted to have. Rosa appeared with the cake, quietly positioning it at the center of the table.

“Lisa needs to see this,” Michelle said, taking out her phone and handing it to the taster, ordering her to take quality photos.



The day went by in a blur, and that night we had sex.

“You are damn good, baby,” she complimented as she still struggled to breathe.

I only smiled, placing a kiss on her lips as I cuddled her to sleep.

I picked her up, returned her to her room, and before making it into my room, I sighted Lucas already on his way upstairs.

“Is there a problem?” I asked as he approached me.

“I don’t know what you might tag it as, boss, but you need to be in China in the next two days…”

My brows knitted together. That was the same day Michelle and I were supposed to leave Sicily for France.

“What? Why?”

“There’s a party being hosted by Maverick Vindeigo… and you were invited.”

“Turn it down,” I said, already walking away.

“We can’t do that, boss,” Lucas cut in.

“We need him to climb up the ladder, Signore. See this as a perfect starting point.”

I sighed, halting in my steps. Lucas was right. Vindeigo was a big bet in the Mafia world, and making an alliance with him might come in handy in the future.

But why did it have to be the same date I had promised Michelle? She might actually think I was doing this on purpose.

“Fine,” I turned to Lucas. “Get everything ready for us to leave.”

“Si, Signore,” he nodded, following behind me.

“And Marco?”

“I checked the guest list," he responded, his voice sleek. "He doesn’t seem to be on it.”

A sly smile crawled onto my lips.

“But boss…” Lucas chimed in, interrupting my barely alive excitement at the news of Marco not attending. That had to mean something for me, since I was invited and he wasn't.

“What?” I turned sharply.

“You wouldn’t be going alone.”

I sighed as I continued walking. “I know. You’re coming, Sanchez too, maybe with a few others. I’m not dumb to leave my territory without aids.”

“Not that,” his voice lowered.

I halted again. “Not what?”

“I’m afraid Don Vindeigo caught wind of you being married, and the invite was extended to you and your wife.”

The room went still I could hear my heartbeat.

“What are you trying to say?” My brows formed into a knot, voice deepened as beads of sweat found a space on my forehead.

“I’m afraid you have to take ma’am Emilia along with you and make your union with her public…“ his voice lowered a bit, as he studied my outlook. “...or you go alone and clear the air about being married to her, which you and I know your brother will use to his advantage.”

I sighed, closing my eyes. This wasn’t how I pictured my anniversary night ending.

“Is there no other way around this?”

“None, boss,” Lucas added. “The ball is in your court.”

I stood still after dismissing Lucas, watching his retreating shadow. My stomach formed into a pit, as fear crept in around me. I had a bad feeling my life was about to get a whole lot messier than it already is.