There's been couple of times that I felt like my world was coming to an end. The first time was when my papa informed me that my mama would not be coming back anymore. The second time is when my step brother threatened to rape me after beating me to the brink of unconsciousness.
And the third time is father announcing that Leonardo Voss is getting married to My step-sister, Isabella.
After father made the announcement, everyone cheered so much except the future brother-in-law himself. He just smiled with that same bored expression on his face.
I still can't believe this is real. Maybe this is all a bad dream and I will wake up soon. But I've pinched my skin enough to blister to know that this is in fact, real life. In just a few months, Leonardo Voss will be a part of our family. Father's words.
Their engagement will happen in a few weeks and they will get married in two or three months. The decision lies with Leonardo himself. For once in a long time, I'm glad that I am not my father's favorite daughter. I would be in Bella's place considering I am his first daughter. Thank God for I'm not.
Although, judging from my step-sister's reaction, she is elated to be married off without her consent. After we finished our dinner, father proposed a mini-party to celebrate the announcement and since then, my ear has not had a moment of silence from Bella's chatter.
I take a sip out of my wine as Bella continues to bore me with her words.
"Can you even believe it?" I will be getting married to the richest and most handsome man in all of New York! What could be any better for a princess like me?" I don't answer. My eyes roam the hall Instead, looking for my friend. I haven't seen him in a while and I wonder if he is alright.
"People say that he is not the committed type, he is never seen with the same woman twice. But he wants to marry me. Doesn't this show how exceptionally special I am?" Bella continues.
I force myself not to roll my eyes because the moment I do, she will report it to her mother and she will tell my father and then I'll be in trouble. So I nod as if I'm Interested
in whatever my sister is saying. "Oh, I can't wait to be fully his, Nana. Imagine the beautiful babies we'll make?"
"That's great, sis." I respond absentmindedly, my eyes still roaming around in search of my friend.
"Oh, shut up Nana. We both know you're burning with jealousy right now. You don't have to pretend you're happy for me. After all, he could never choose someone like you to be his wife." I cut my eyes from the crowd to face Isabella. She regards me with a sneer, watching me judgementally. Her dark hair is tied so tightly that it brings out veins around her forehead and neckline. She has a perfect face and a perfect figure, much like her mother. I don't know why the beautiful ones are always so bitter. Isabella and I were cordial in the beginning, but after one of her crushes in high school showed interest in me, she became bitter and angry towards me. Most times she just ignores me, but some times, she attacks me unprovoked.
"Dear sister, Why would I be jealous that you are getting married off to someone you don't even know if he genuinely likes you?" I smile sweetly at her. Her face blazes in anger.
"Bitch it's not your business if he likes me or not, as long as that hunk of a man is mine. Besides, who wouldn't fall in love with a goddess like me?" without waiting for my responses She turns on her heels and walks away, Leaving me alone.
Finally.
I look across the room and heave a sigh of relief when I don't find Leonardo standing with my father anymore. They've been talking to each other all night. Bella served as a distraction for me but now that she left, I'm forced to remember him again.
Leonardo Silas Voss. People call him Leo. twenty-seven years old, six foot four, American/Italian. His family is known to be very small. Just his father, uncle, and I think a cousin somewhere.
How do I know so much already? Well, I have a phone, and I have google. I should feel ashamed for stalking him so fast, but I don't care. I have to know everything about the man who knows my darkest secret. Apart from one incident where it is said that Leonardo had an accident, there is nothing shady to find on his online profile.
Talk about sneaky.
I have to find something on the Man. I refuse to be the only one at his mercy because a part of me is not fooled by his quiet exterior. Something tells me he is vindictive and merciless.
I try to calm my nerves and turn on my heels but run into someone.
"Woah there, sister, watch where you're going, will you?" My stomach drops when Luca's sinister voice whispers in my ear. I instinctively put my hands on his chest to create distance because he is standing too close to me but he doesn't shift backwards. I look up at him to find him grinning like a maniac, his gaze trained on my cleavage area. Pervert.
My eyes flash with anger. "Can you excuse me, Brother?" I snap, Using more strength to push him away from me. Thankfully, he budges.
"I will let you run that mouth anyhow just because we are in public but you dare not speak to me that way in private, sister. You will be punished." I can tell he's angry. Luca doesn't like when things do not go his way. I try my best to avoid him but Luca just never lets me be. He always wants to lord over me and have me at his beck and call. He is the number one reason why I can't wait to leave this place.
Without saying another word, I start to walk past him, but he grabs my under arm and yanks me to him. I gasp in shock at his strength.
"You don't walk away while I'm talking to you" His face twists with fury. I look around and hope no one is seeing me get manhandled by my step-brother who is a psychopath. Luckily, the lights are not bright so no one is witnessing this weird encounter.
"Will you stop trying to make us look like we hate each other in public? We are supposed to be brother and sister!"
That seems to calm him down. He slowly releases my arm and fixes that disturbing smile back in place.
"I only want to know where you're off to sister, forgive my forwardness."
His eyes twinkle with excitement. I want to punch that smug look Off this face so bad, but I don't do anything.
"I was just going to get a drink for Franca as she requested." The lie rolls off my tongue easily. His eyes narrow slightly but he slowly nods before walking away. I let my hands drop and release a breath.
I need a break.
I take the opportunity to leave the party and find my way to a quiet terrace. I can still hear the faint sound of music but at least I have privacy.
I take a deep breath and squeeze my eyes shut.
Freedom.
When will I be permanently free?
The pool is just one of my escape from reality but even that is not permanent. You can only enjoy it for a few minutes before your lungs start to close up and your heart slows down. And then you're dead.
My mind goes back to the moment before I was caught by that man. I was almost gone until…
Lethal fury clogs my throat at him. Darn him for saving me just in time.
"I hate him!" I mumble to myself.
A quiet, amused chuckle breaks my thoughts. A shiver runs down my spine as I turn my head to the left side of the terrace and the blood drains from my face when I see who stands on the other side.
Why is he here? He's not supposed to be here!
Leonardo stands with his hands tucked in his pockets. I can't explain the feeling that is coursing through my veins or why my heart is racing absurdly. I can't explain why this man makes me feel scared and... Something else that I am unable to Identify. The weight of his stare presses down on me, making me feel like I'm going to melt into a puddle.
The silence between us is thick and suffocating. I find it hard to breathe in the same room as him.
What is happening? Why do I feel this way? How can I control it?
"um...uh..... I didn't see you there. I'm sorry" I whisper in a pathetic stutter. I have to leave here. Now.
So why am I unable to move my feet? It's like I'm stuck in quicksand.
His eyes darken with intensity, he takes a single step forward which makes alarm bells ring in my head.
I unintentionally take a step back and curse inwardly when my back hits the railing behind.
I'm trapped. Today is definitely not my lucky day.
Leonardo continues to advance towards me and I have to fight myself to stay put. I can't let him know how much he unsettles me. I tilt my chin up to glare at him when he reaches where I'm standing. His height doesn't even help.
"Excuse me." Despite how shaky I'm feeling, my voice Comes out steady.
I want to side-step him, but he doesn't move. What is it with people standing in my way today?
Leonardo Stays still, his eyes raking me with an expression I cannot read. This man is probably a robot. "Okay, what do you want?" I demand. I am speedily losing my patience. It certainly happens a lot with this man.
"What do I want?" His voice drips with annoyance. as if he expects me not to talk to him. Up close, I almost gasp at how unbelievably handsome he is. His face is all harsh lines and smooth texture. His eyes are so blue and beautiful. It is unfair how perfect he is. So disarming.
"You know what I mean. You keep looking at me like I stole your expensive wristwatch. What do you want? Do you want to tell my father about what you caught me doing?"
"And what did I catch you doing, Nayana?" He steps even closer to me till his chest touches the tips of my breasts. My throat closes up as I feel the hard planes of his chest against my skin. He pushes into me even more till my spine presses into the Iron behind me almost painfully.
What is he doing?
My heart is thumping wildly in my chest, I'm surprised he can't hear it. Am I about to have a heart attack?
Suddenly, his hand snaps up and grabs the side of my neck harshly. I yelp and put my hand on his wide chest.
"Let me go!"
But he doesn't. Instead, he pulls me into him and his delicious scent assault my nostrils. Heat pulls in between my legs and I try to Ignore how my body comes alive at his touch.
"Don't move" His voice is so commanding that I have no choice but to comply. Then I feel him pull something off my neck.
Is he taking my necklace? That's one of my mama's properties that I cherish!
"You dare not —" My voice cuts when his fingers leave my neck and I see what he's holding. My eyes widens in shock..
"This is considered a very poisonous spider. You seem to have a penchant for danger, Bubbles." He dangles the black spider between us before he swings it away. Blood rushes to my cheeks unbidden. He just saved Me.
Again.
His eyes dance with mischief before he takes a step out of my space. I'm suddenly able to breathe properly again.
"Stay out of trouble." He commands, already walking away from me. I stare at his muscled back in silence. He stops at the entrance of the terrace. "Maybe I'll keep your little secret, Bubbles." Then he disappears, leaving me standing alone in confusion.
Did he just say he will keep my secret?
And did he just call me Bubbles?
***