“I have never seen you at any of the Gala’s Aliyana. Thought a young woman like yourself will be on the prowl for a dashing man.” We are sitting in the lounge area, eating breakfast, the men are getting ready to leave beside Marco.

Yesterday was eventful and I have no idea what happened after I went to bed, but whatever it was has left everyone rather on edge and quiet. To be honest a quiet breakfast is exactly what I need but Camilla has other plans when she opens her mouth.

“I thought this was a breakfast not an interrogation,” I say as I stop what I am doing and look at the woman who cannot seem to keep her opinions to herself

“Interrogation, breakfast is all the same thing we are Italian are we not,”

“Actually Camilla, if you must know I'm only half Italian, another part of me which you seem to forget is Russian and the Russians believe an interrogation is an interrogation.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“Well now you do,”

Deno walks in interrupting us by clearing his throat. Camilla has the audacity to look surprised. I don't even look at him I keep my eyes on her.

“Aliyana a quick word.”

I get up putting my half-eaten eggs on the coffee table and go to Deno,

“I see you have an enemy, which makes Camilla a problem since she happens to be close to Michel.”

“The same Michel who told me she was paying people to get information about me? Yeah, I doubt it. What can I do for the almighty Deno?”

He smiles, “I spoke to Dexter, he said he can help with our little problem. I told your father I need your help at Azure tonight and my sister said she’ll cover the evening for you. If Marco finds him before you...” He leaves the words hanging in the air and I already know what I am going to do. And Dexter did just as I asked.

“Got it.”

sure you give it back.” He winks and walks down

Deno walk away and somehow, I know things are going to be different after the nights over. Sometimes in a world ruled by trust, we

the lounge and stop. I can’t believe my eyes. Camilla and Guilia hug, I say

and Guilia.” I am shocked, at her quick turnaround. How did 2 minutes change a person? That doesn’t just happen. Dislike is like a disease, if you find

give us a moment?” Camilla asks and Guilia leaves

you want

“To say I’m sorry.”

should be sorry to, my sister has a mark on her arm with your fingerprint.” If I were any other female, I would feel an ounce of forgiveness toward the woman who now is stripped of any false bravado. Only I am not.

I think I loved him even then. After my parents died, I left America, and Marco along with it, with no intention of returning. I missed him, cried for him, but life with my grandfather...”

to the question is strong enough as my need to understand why she’s

my curious one, “Well, you don’t survive this long with a man like him without learning to adapt fast, and adapting at 8 meant giving up all of those childish dreams, including the boy

childhood, I’m sorry, but it doesn’t explain your behavior toward

bar. But one night with him was all it took to give my heart to him again and I forgot for the evening that my heart wasn’t mine to give away. He asked me to stay the night and I promised I would but I couldn’t, so I left him in his hotel room waiting, with no intention of ever seeing him again. But faith gave us another chance, an arranged marriage through my Grandfather. A sealed deal, until death. I expected a lot of things. Namely, anger, hurt, pain,

are you getting at?” My shoes are silent as

jealous. But it was never her, I didn’t know it

“Know what?”

I didn’t know he wanted to marry you, or that you and him were even a thing.” I am shocked and a bit skeptical to

never a thing. AND it still doesn’t explain

arrived. I never saw you, and although I heard you disliked Alice just as much as I did,

basically, you got

“I love Marco, Aliyana. I’ve always

dressed too impressed. She is wearing normal jeans and a t-shirt just like I normally would, except today I am the one with the power suit on. What happened to the woman in the fancy dress and 5-inch heels? Is that the real Camilla, or is this

have him, his ring on your finger. He is yours, forever. There is no need to be

firm believer of faith

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