UNDECIDED (Wisemen Series #1)

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RICCARDO
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As I watched Isabelle and Alessandro leave the hotel, a surge of jealousy swept through me like a tidal wave. Despite the crowd of partygoers milling about the lobby, I couldn't tear my eyes away from them, their laughter and easy camaraderie a painful reminder of what I had lost.

Determined to know more, I followed them at a discreet distance, my heart pounding with a mixture of apprehension and dread. As they reached the secluded pathway leading to the gardens, I saw Alessandro reach out to Isabelle, his hand hovering inches from her face.

Without hesitation, I lunged forward, my fists clenched tight as I tackled Alessandro to the ground with a ferocity born of desperation. "What do you think you're doing?" I demanded, my voice laced with anger as I pinned him down.

Alessandro's laughter cut through the night air, his voice laced with amusement as he looked up at me from the ground. "Easy there, DeLuca," he said, his tone mocking. "I was just saying goodnight to Isabelle."

I tightened my grip on his collar, my knuckles white with rage as I glared down at him. "Just stay away from her," I growled, the words leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.

But Alessandro just laughed, a smug grin playing on his lips. "Or what?" he taunted, his eyes gleaming with defiance. "You'll beat me up like some common thug?"

I wasn't about to back down. With a glare that could freeze fire, I tightened my grip on his collar, my knuckles white with rage as I leaned in closer. "Just stay away from her," I spat, my words dripping with venom.

Alessandro's bravado crumbled under my gaze, his confidence waning as he struggled to meet my eyes. "I was just saying goodnight to Isabelle," he stammered, his voice barely cocky anymore.

I held his gaze for a moment longer, the weight of my anger simmering beneath the surface like a coiled spring. And then, with a final shove, I released my grip on Alessandro's collar, the taste of victory bitter on my tongue.

As he scrambled to his feet and stumbled away, I watched him disappear into the night, his footsteps echoing in the empty garden. And as I stood there, alone in the darkness, I couldn't help but wonder if perhaps, just perhaps, I had finally shown Alessandro who was truly in control.

ISABELLE

As I witnessed Riccardo's aggressive confrontation with Alessandro, a mixture of shock and anger coursed through me like a bolt of lightning. Unable to contain my fury, I stormed over to where they stood, my voice trembling with rage.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Riccardo?" I seethed, my words dripping with contempt as I glared at him.

But Riccardo's expression remained impassive, his features set in a mask of cold indifference. "Stay out of this, Isabelle," he snapped, his voice like ice as he turned to face me.

I felt my blood boil at his dismissive tone, a surge of anger rising within me like a tidal wave. "You're insane, Riccardo," I spat, my voice trembling with fury. "You're acting like a psycho."

Riccardo's eyes flashed with anger at my words, a dangerous glint sparking within their depths. "You don't know what you're talking about, Isabelle," he growled, his voice low and menacing.

But I refused to back down, my resolve hardening with each passing moment. "I know exactly what I'm talking about," I shot back, my voice rising in defiance. "And I won't stand by and watch you act like some crazed lunatic."

With that, I turned on my heel and stalked away, my heart pounding with adrenaline as I left Riccardo standing alone in the empty garden.

And as I disappeared into the night, the echoes of our heated exchange ringing in my ears, I couldn't help but wonder if perhaps, just perhaps, our friendship was beyond repair.