Sabrina, the sweet, bubbly girl next door, never imagined being pulled into a world of danger. But meeting Julian, a captivating mafia member with a dark past, changes everything.
As she falls for him, she's torn between love and the dangerous secr...
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I'm lying back on the bed, letting the quiet sink in, when my phone buzzes. I see Mama's name on the screen, and for a second, I hesitate.
Do I answer?
Part of me wants to ignore it—to avoid whatever she might say or ask.
But what if something's wrong?
What if she needs me?
Finally, I pick up. "Hola, Mama."
"Hola, mija," she says, her voice soft. "I've been wanting to talk to you... I miss you." She pauses, as if she's waiting for me to say something back. "Can we meet? Just to talk?"
I glance over at Julian, who's settled beside me, giving me space but keeping his watchful gaze on me. Telling her I'm not even in the city right now feels like a risk I don't want to take.
"I... can't, Mama," I say, hoping she won't push it. I hear her sigh on the other end, a sound that makes my heart ache.
"Are you safe, Sabrina?" Her voice is low, worried.
I close my eyes and nod, even though she can't see me. "Yes, I'm safe. I promise." There's a silence on the other end that feels heavier than any words, and then she whispers a quiet
"Okay." I tell her goodbye, and she says it back, the sadness still lingering between us as I end the call.
Putting my phone down, I take a shaky breath and try to let it go. Julian watches me, his eyes soft with understanding but not pressing me to say anything.
I manage a small smile, then get up to change into pyjamas, needing to leave all of that behind for the night.
When I slip back into bed, Julian's there, waiting, pulling me close without a word. I feel his steady warmth next to me, grounding me, and I rest my head on his shoulder, closing my eyes as his arms wrap around me.
In the dark, he's a quiet comfort, the kind of peace I didn't even know I was searching for. I let myself sink into it, into him, finding a bit of rest in his presence, knowing I'm safe here.
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I wake up and immediately feel that something's missing. Sabrina isn't next to me. I sit up, glancing around, my heart picking up speed as I scan the room, but then I hear the sound of the bathroom door opening.
She steps out, already dressed, makeup and hair done, looking absolutely stunning, like she's ready to take on the world.
She smiles when she sees me. "Morning," she says lightly. "I woke up early and thought I'd get ready." She brushes a strand of hair behind her ear, looking effortlessly beautiful.
I let out a relieved breath and shake my head, chuckling a bit at my own reaction. "You look amazing,"
I tell her, then stretch and get up. "But how about today we keep it simple? Just a chill day, walk around, maybe find a spot to grab lunch... and then later we can order room service and hit up the hot tub."
Her eyes light up at the suggestion, and she nods. "That sounds perfect."
After I throw on a casual outfit, we head out of the hotel. The city is already alive, with people strolling along the sidewalks, street vendors setting up, and the morning sun casting a soft glow over everything.
Sabrina slips her hand into mine, and we start wandering around, talking, laughing, just soaking in the day.
Every now and then, I catch her looking at the buildings, the people, like she's taking in every detail. I keep sneaking glances at her, feeling lucky just to be here with her.
We find a small cafe, grab some coffee and pastries, and sit outside, just people-watching and sharing stories.
As we're wandering through the city, Sabrina's eyes light up when she spots a jewelry store. She tugs on my hand, her excitement impossible to resist. "Can we go in?" she asks, eyes wide, practically glowing.
I nod, smiling. "Of course."
Inside, the place sparkles with rows of diamonds and gemstones, and she's immediately drawn to a display of necklaces.
Her gaze stops on a particular diamond necklace, the light catching the stones just right. She stares at it, admiring its simple elegance.
"It's so beautiful," she murmurs softly, almost like she's in a trance.
I glance at the piece, then at her, and without missing a beat, I walk up to the attendant.
"We'll take this one," I say, and Sabrina's head snaps toward me, her eyes widening.
"Julian, no," she says, a mix of awe and worry. "It's too much, I can't..."
I just smile, leaning down to kiss her gently, silencing her protests. "It's fine," I say, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. "You deserve it."
I hand over my Amex, and within moments, the necklace is ready. I hold it out to her, and her face lights up, though there's still a hint of disbelief in her eyes.
"Turn around," I tell her softly, and she does, her hair falling to one side. I gently lift it out of the way, the faint scent of her perfume filling the air as I clasp the necklace around her neck.
It sits perfectly against her skin.
She turns back to me, her fingers brushing over the necklace, and she's beaming. "Thank you," she whispers, a bit shy, but her joy is all over her face.
She leans in and presses a kiss to my cheek, and it's the best thank-you I could ask for.
"Anything for you," I murmur, and together, we step back out into the city, the sparkle of the diamond on her neck a little reminder of this moment.
