Crimson Roses

Chapter 5

"Like Romano would kneel to you and beg for forgiveness!", Reigna exclaimed, resulting in Sofia letting out a little chuckle as her face turned red.

"To be honest Reigna...you know this life isn't for me.", Sofia mumbled softly.

Reigna gestured to the staff members to leave.

"I feel pathetic for acting like this...my family is working hard while I'm moping. Sometimes...I wish I could just run away...from all of it. It's not even about Romano anymore! I don't like the business my family is in ... don't you feel the same way too?", Sofia asked as she took a hold of Reigna's hands.

"It's not our choice to make...even if we were to back away. We would always have to look behind our backs because anyone would love to kill the next heir even if we don't want to be...", Reigna muttered as she pulled her hands and began to walk away.

"Come on! You have a party to attend, Cinderella!", Reigna winked.

"There's something I didn't tell you about the time I confessed to him...", Sofia blushed.

.

.

.

"He did what!?", Reigna shrieked in the car as ice-cream was still in her mouth.

Sofia had chocolate flavoured while Reigna had strawberry flavoured.

"Sofia...why the heck did you not tell me this earlier on?!", Reigna groaned.

"He did say I'm not my type and he threw the box in the pool. It doesn't matter anymore.", Sofia shrugged.

"Sof, I'm going to need you to be completely honest with me, Sof?"Reigna stated, causing Sofia to nod.

"You're still in love with him, aren't you?", Reigna asked softly.

Sofia opened her mouth to speak but no words came out.

"H-he makes me feel...different...", Sofia mumbled softly.

"Sofia, after they left, I began to go through all our pictures and found something common. Romano had always had his eyes on you and had his hand on your back, waist or shoulder. Not only that...Romano never touched any of his girlfriends, let alone give them a kiss.", Reigna said.

Present

Sofia's POV

I turned my head to the right to see a familiar figure staring at me with shock, as if I was never meant to be here. I immediately tensed up as my smile faded away to an unfamiliar yet longing feeling to hug him and to tell him that I missed him. Just then I felt Ryker's hand draping over my shoulder causing me to turn my head to face him immediately.

"Non dirmi che hai dimenticato cosa fare così presto. Sto rischiando il collo per te.", Ryker whispered softly in my ear causing me to laugh at feeling ticklish. (Don't tell me that you forgot so soon. I'm risking my neck for you.)

"Salve Ryker!", Romano greeted his younger brother in his deep husky voice causing me to get cold feet. (Hello Ryker!)

I quickly pulled myself together as I took a glass of champagne that the waiter offered me and gave a light smile. I had put my back straight and I held my head high. I could feel someone's piercing gaze on me but I couldn't care less. Or maybe I did...just to get revenge, it does sound childish thinking about it but...I'm past that point of caring. I gulped the drink down in one go.

"Vado fuori a prendere una boccata d'aria fresca.", I told Ryker softly. (I'm going outside to get some fresh air.)

I turned my back to walk away but stopped in my tracks and turned halfway.

"Hello Romano.", I greeted as I gave my formal smile before I could walk away, not willing to hear his voice anymore.

I continued to walk away until I met Reigna.

"Oh my gosh, Soph! You did it!", Reigna exclaimed as she pulled me into a tight hug. "I'm so proud of you! You have absolutely no idea how his eyes were all over you! He looked more shocked than anything else! I'm going to get a drink! Do you want anything?",she asked.

"Nope, I'm good.", I laughed.

I began to really walk away for some fresh air. I went to the balcony where no one was and tried to calm my heart which began to hammer causing me extreme pain.

"You're no good for my heart, Romano Giovanni.", I whispered softly to myself as I teared up from the immense pain.

'Click.'

I turned around quickly and gasped in shock preparing a loud scream until I saw a familiar figure. None other than Romano, who just closed the door, latching it. Leaving no one else there except the two of us.

"W-well...I should get going.", I began to stutter as I got flustered.

"You really have a knack for testing my patience, don't you?", Romano muttered, but loud enough for only me to hear.

"I-I..I don't understand what you're saying...", my voice trailed off.

I began to back away as he came closer to me until my back hit the guardrail. Feelings of nostalgia came back as I could feel my face burn up. Romano placed both his hands on the guardrail leaning on it yet caging me in. Something's not right....I just knew it, he would have never ever tried anything like this. It felt as if I was facing a completely different man who is no more aloof.

"Do you have a fever, Amore?", Romano asked as he tilted his head to the side and inched closer while emphasising on his nickname for me, putting his hand on my forehead.

I began to bite the inside of my cheeks, unsure of what to do or what to say. I just looked away.

"Or do you prefer being called...", his voice trailed off and he placed his face next to my ear to whisper. "Libelle?", he whispered softly before pulling away to look at my expression which was giving away.

I clenched my teeth and took a deep breath. I gave a sly smile as I tilted my head to the side as well as I took a step forward, even though I knew he wouldn't budge. Tsk. Stubborn mule. I raised my head to meet his deep gaze. I gently placed my hand on his shoulder to his collar.

Romano quickly grabbed my hand and pulled it away from his collar.

I stood on my tiptoes to reach his height and whispered in his ear.

"My name is not Amore or Libelle. It's Sofia.", I whispered before pulling back and scoffing.

I then walked over to the door, I reached out for the handle to unlock it but it never reached it. Instead I was turned and pulled to face Romano with his hand on my wrist while the other was on my back.

Romano took a deep breath in then out.

"Stop it or you'll regret it.", Romano muttered.

"Stop what? You're in no place to make threats to me. I'm not a child anymore, don't act like you know me or own me-"

I was cut off as I felt his lips crashing against mine hard.

"Don't say I didn't warn you."