007

DAMIEN ALESSANDRO ROSSI ️

“What are you doing?” I asked Caterina after we retired to our bedroom.

She was taking off her clothes and standing in front of the mirror. Her shoulders shrugged, and she sounded completely clueless.

“What?”

I did all I could to remain calm. But I’d seen the look on Isabella’s face, the way she’d tried to hide her expression after Caterina asked her to plan the wedding.

“Why would you hire Isabella for the wedding?”

Caterina faced me slightly, her hands wrapping her hair into a messy bun.

“Did I do something wrong?”

“I don’t want Isabella planning my wedding.” I said firmly.

“Why?” She retorted, her eyes narrowed. “What’s so wrong about Isabella planning the wedding? Isn’t that her job?”

I stepped forward, my eyes glaring at her. Caterina was up to something, and I knew it wasn’t anything good.

“You could’ve found someone else—anybody else here in New Orleans. But for some reason, you’re giving Isabella the job.”

Caterina snorted, glanced away briefly, then folded her arms. My jaw clenched, and my hands balled into fists while I held myself back from doing something violent.

“She accepted. So, obviously, she saw nothing wrong with that.”

That was because she was trying to be nice. She didn’t want to stir up any drama.

But deep down, I knew Isabella wanted nothing to do with the job.

And I respected that, understood perfectly well.

“Stop what you’re trying to do,” I warned. “Whatever it is that’s running through that mind of yours, stop it.”

I didn’t wait for her response. I turned around and stormed out of the room, heading straight to the west wing of the estate where Salvatore was.

I contemplated going after Isabella, but after everything that had happened, she wouldn’t even give me the chance to talk to her.

Five years…

I’d spent five years wondering where she’d gone after walking on me making nasty remarks about her.

I’d pretended not to be bothered by her disappearance, kept a straight face when Olivia and Elizabeth cried about her departure.

But late nights found me seated alone at the rooftop, in secluded corners, away from the world… smoking, drowning in alcohol, carrying the heaviness that lingered in my heart.

Unable to bear it anymore, I searched for her secretly, sent my men everywhere looking for her. But all that came back to me were…

“Sorry, Boss. We couldn’t find her.”

“Nothing was found.”

“We tried all we could, but she’s nowhere to be found.”

So, I went on with a heavy heart, trying to find solace in the fact that Caterina was there to fill the void.

But I regretted every action, every word I’d said, and I hated that I had to lose her before realizing how much she meant to me.

“Salvatore,” I called immediately as I stepped into the council room. “You won’t believe what happened.”

He sat on his chair, flipping through documents and barely looking at me. I walked closer, dragging my palms over my face.

“What is it this time, Damien?”

“It’s Caterina,” I responded without hesitation. “She’s lost it.”

“Lost what?”

“She entrusted our wedding preparations to Isabella. Hired her as the event planner.”

That was when he finally raised his head. Salvatore dropped the documents in his hands while I paced around.

“And you allowed her?”

“It happened so quickly. And Isabella accepted before I could even say anything.”

“This isn’t good, Damien.”

“Like I don’t already know that,” I snickered. “I just want you to tell me what to do.”

He furrowed his eyebrows. “Why?”

I shrugged. “Because you’re my brother?”

“It’s your problem, and your mess,” he glanced back at what he was doing. “Fix it.”

I scoffed in disbelief. “That’s all you’re going to say?”

“All these wouldn’t have happened if you’d just left the girl alone,” he rasped. “But my jerk of a brother just had to keep following her around.”

“That’s not… helpful.”

Salvatore shrugged. “Good luck finding something helpful.”

I groaned in frustration and walked out of the council room without another word. ‘Find something helpful’, he’d said.

Sure.

I was going to find Isabella.

I got into my car and drove straight to her hotel. My thoughts ruminated all through the drive, and I pondered whether or not to see her again.

The moment I arrived at the hotel, I headed towards her room, my heart pounding violently in my chest.

She responded after I knocked twice, her soft voice ringing out in a questioning tone.

“Who’s there?”

I said nothing. Knowing Isabella, she wouldn’t open the door if she heard my voice.

I waited patiently for her to open after I remained silent. Just hearing her voice made my lips curl into a smile, and I braced myself to see her face as the door clicked open.

“D-Damien?” She stammered and went completely still after she saw me. “What… What are you doing here?”

I sighed in relief, my voice pleading. “Let me in.”

“Go away.”

She attempted to lock the door, but I stopped her, my throat tightening.

“Isabella—‘’

“—I was busy before you interrupted. And shouldn’t you be with your fiancée?” She glanced inside the room then muttered. “It’s past midnight.”

“I know,” I rasped. “But please let me come in. I want us to talk.”

“How many times do I have to repeat myself?”

“How long are you going to keep shutting me out?”

Her eyes glinted with annoyance. “Till you give up on whatever it is you’re doing now.”

“Then prepare yourself,” I murmured. “Cause I’m never giving up on us.”

“You’re crazy.”

“Yes, I am,” I pushed the door further. “And I’m not going to leave until you let me in.”

Isabella paused for a moment, kept glaring at me, then sighed heavily. I waited for her to usher me in, but instead…

“Suit yourself then.”

I grew weak for a second, and it was enough for her to gain the upper hand . She slammed the door forcefully in my face, making me stagger backwards.

I didn’t retreat, I pounded my fists against the door, my voice cracking and breaking through the thick silence.

“Bella,” I called out. “Please, open the door.”

Silence came from inside the room, and my heart sank into my stomach. I slowly retreated, making up my mind to remain there until she came out.

I was never going to leave until she talked to me.

Hours passed, and I grew tired of standing. I sat in a corner, my eyes heavy with sleep, but I didn’t dare to close them.

Isabella refused to come out, and I waited for her. The time ticked away, and soon… It was morning.

I had no idea when I’d fallen asleep, until the sound of the door opening echoed through my ears.

Heels clicked on the floor, followed by a soft gasp, then the loud scoff from Isabella.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

My eyes slowly opened, but I couldn’t move my body. I tried… yet my body refused to cooperate.

I shivered profusely from spending the cold night outside her door.

“Don’t tell me you spent the night here, Damien,” she whispered. “Why the fuck are you so stubborn?”

I wanted to say something but the words died in my throat. I raised my hand weakly, almost reaching for her… but my hand slumped down.

“Get up,” she grabbed my hand. “You need to leave, right now.”

Her body froze and she looked at me with concern, her eyes widening as she pressed her palm over my forehead.

“Damien,” she called fearfully, concern dripping in her voice. “You’re… you’re burning up.”

I didn’t respond, only remained there, inhaling her refreshing scent of jasmine and sandalwood.

Isabella dropped on her knees, fervently trying to get me back on my feet while fear danced in her eyes.

I found my voice amid the chaos that was brewing over us. I lifted her chin with my finger, her icy skin quenching the heat from my body.

“Does that scare you?”

She swallowed hard, tugging at my arm. “Get up.”

“Say you’ll talk to me.”

“No.”

“Then I’m not going anywhere.”

“Damien,” she reprimanded me. “This isn’t a joke. You need to get to a hospital now.”

I chuckled painfully. “Let me in, first.”

“Just stop talking and…” she trailed off after I made the move.

I found the strength to lean forward, my head tilting towards hers. Her breath hitched as she stared into my eyes, almost breaking eye contact with me.

God! She looked so beautiful up close. Her eyes widened slightly, and they were the perfect shade of hazel.

“I know what’ll make me feel better,” I whispered, and she understood exactly what I meant.

Her lips trembled as she pleaded, but she didn’t stop me.

“Damien… Don’t.”

I did anyway.

My fingers moved around her neck, pulled her closer to me, then I brushed my lips against her cheeks.

I felt her heart beating fast, like she already feared what was about to happen yet braced herself for it.

“Damien—‘’

I didn’t allow her to complete the words before leaning closer, claiming her lips before she could refuse.

She stayed still for me, a single tear running down her cheek while I claimed her lips like they were all I needed.

And yes, they were.

If there was one thing I’d dreamt about, looked forward to, and needed more than having Isabella Moretti back in my life…

It was kissing her.