Tangled with Fate | #1st Tangled Hearts Series

3. coconut and lilies

I wasn't particularly interested in hosting the party. They drain me, forcing me to engage in endless small talk and entertain people I barely know. I prefer solitude and quiet, where I can think and work without distractions.

 Most of it was being managed by my team, and Bennet and Daniel were looking after the details. I was sitting in my office, working on new projects to launch for our soccer players which cost around 400 million. The view from my window was spectacular, the city's skyscrapers lit up against the midnight sky, casting a glow over the bustling streets below. My office, with its floor-to-ceiling glass windows, provided a panoramic view of the cityscape, a constant reminder of the empire I was building. Daniel sat across from me, his sharp eyes observing me with a mix of impatience and understanding.

 "We should head to the party destination now," he said, breaking the silence with his usual calm, rational tone.

Without looking up from the files, I responded with a noncommittal, "Hmm." The model does not fit  in here ..

"You are the host. You should be there checking on everything," Daniel insisted, his voice firm but not overbearing.

"have i ever given a fuck about these?" I replied, my tone dry and indifferent. Hosting parties was never my thing; it was just another obligation.

"Probably," Bennet interjected as he entered the room, a grin on his face as he took a seat next to Daniel. Bennet, always the energy booster, added a dynamic presence to any conversation. "But seriously, Alex, you should be there. It's your party, and people expect to see you."

Before I could respond, Bennet leaned in with a playful smirk on his face. "By the way, what's with this coconut and lily scent from Victoria's Secret you made me buy? It's all over the place. Neither the fact you're gifting this to women, huh?" he teased, taking the bottle from his hands.

My heart skipped a beat.

It's her scent. Anika's scent—those lily notes mixed with the tropical touch of coconut, reminiscent of beach days and warm breezes. I tried to play it cool, but I couldn't deny the memories it stirred. I brought the bottle closer to me, inhaling deeply. Those coconut and lilies... fuck. The smell reminded me, my mind involuntarily drifting to the image of Anika. The way she had looked at me with those mesmerizing eyes, a delicate blend of lily and coconut, was like a breath of fresh air, a scent that brings me back to life. With each whiff, it's as if I'm wrapped around her , transported to a place where her smile brightens even the darkest of days. Her laughter becomes a soothing melody, and her presence, becomes a comforting warmth. In her fragrance, I find solace, a sanctuary where I am free to be myself. It's a scent that captivates me, a reminder of the love that consumes me wholly. I can't control myself from wanting to be around her and smell those coconut lilies on her. I opened my desk drawer and placed the scent inside, a secret I intended to keep.

 Daniel smirked, clearly picking up on my reaction. "It's Annika's scent, isn't it, fratello?" he said, using the Italian word for brother. Daniel knew me too well. He always did.

"Yeah, it is," I admitted, my voice a little softer and more reflective. I don't know, maybe I just liked the scent.  or  her , alex .

"Bennet chuckled. "Ah, so the great Alexander Meroni has a soft spot. Who would've thought?"

I shot him a look, but it was all in good humor. "Don't get any ideas. It's just a scent," I said, trying to maintain my cool and hard exterior.

Alessandro, sei ossessionato. that i am .

"Sure, sure," Bennet said, leaning back in his chair. "But seriously, we should go . People will start wondering where their host has gone, or maybe think you're off fucking some women."

Reluctantly, I closed the file I was working on and stood up, stretching my arms. "Fine, let's get this over with."

As we made our way to the elevator, I couldn't help but think about the night ahead...

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