Rekindled Rendezvous

Prologue

The palm of my hand caressed Francisco's smooth cheek and I stared at him adoringly. The moonlight cast a shadow above us, trees hiding us well in the chilly August night. His smile did wonders to me and every time we would meet up, a warm feeling spread across my chest.

"You know I have to go," he whispered, kissing me gently on my forehead. I closed my eyes, savoring the gesture. Francisco was moving to New Zealand under the order of his parents. He had tried convincing them to stay in Italy, but they denied his pleas.

"I know," I whimpered, feeling dejected. "I'll miss you," He gently smiled at me, before placing a feathery kiss on my temple.

"I'll miss you too," Francisco chuckled, his blue eyes shining. He looked as if he was carved by the Greek gods, with a sharp jawline, silver disheveled hair, reddened lips, and icy electric eyes.

"I wish we could tell our parents," I sighed, fumbling with his slender fingers. He frowned a bit before taking a step back. Instantly, I feel the warmth I yearned leave my body and I shivered.

"Honey," he said. "You know your or my parents wouldn't approve of this," he gestured toward the both of us.

He was right. My father refused to allow me to obtain a relationship. I had a long line of suitors waiting for my hand in marriage. If my parents were to find out, I would certainly be grounded and forbidden to communicate Francisco.

We fall into a comfortable silence for a few minutes, just gazing into each other's eyes, not saying a word. He finally broke the peaceful moment by sending me a sad look. "I have to go now," he said.

Water streamed down my face and I rushed toward him, clinging on to him tightly. "I love you," I said, my voice muffled inside his thick shirt.

"I love you too," He gives me a lingering kiss, before exiting the forest. I begin to sob, my vision blurring up with tears.

But I remembered my curfew ended at 9:00 pm, so I regained myself, wiping away my tears with my sweater.

The forest Francisco and I would meet up at was located in the woods behind my house. Even though it was a risky place, as someone could see us, we made sure we were far from my house and sheltered by multiple trees.

I dusted myself off before making my way through the woods. After months of sneaking out of the house without my parents noticing, I knew the path back home like it was the palm of my hand.

Two minutes later, I slipped back into my bedroom without a sound, quickly changing into blue pajama pants and a white tank top. I tied my hair into a bun and wiped off my makeup before grabbing a book and slipping into bed.

Halfway through the book, I could feel myself growing drowsy and my eyelids becoming heavier. Soon, I slipped into a deep slumber.

--

"Alessia Santos!" I hear someone roar. I drowsily open my eyes to see Father glaring at me, his face red. He threw something in my face and I lazily reach for it.

"What's this?" I asked, rubbing my eyes and groaning. I squint my eyes, trying to read the news article in my groggy state.

"Who is this boy you've been having an affair with?" My eyes widen in shock and I stare at the newspaper. Suddenly, my vision becomes sharper and I urgently read the words.

Tears flood my eyes and I stare at the headlines.

Rebellious Alessia goes against her father? Read about her latest affair and how it all went down!

I scan the article before my eyes settle on the pictures. I stare, horrified. I quickly look at my father, who's face was getting redder by the second.

"Who is this boy?" He roared at me. When I didn't answer, he forcefully grabbed my chin and slapped me across my face repeatedly.

"Francisco," I whispered. He glared at me. "Stop lying to me, girl! Francisco was the one who published these pictures!"

"What?" I shrieked, crying harder than ever. Francisco would never do this to me. But then I remembered how he would always insist on meeting up in the forest. And how he rarely talked about his job or family.

I stared at my dad; horrified and he aggravatingly stomped out of the room, muttering curses under his breath.

That day, I cried my eyes out. When I finally stopped, it was almost night.

I've been crying here for an hour? I wondered.

I trudged toward the washroom and yelped when I saw my reflection. Clumps of my blonde hair were strewn across my head and my eyes were bloodshot.

I decided to call Francisco and demand for an explanation, but when I attempted to text him, the number was unavailable.

I growled in frustration before stomping back into my room. I felt guilty for lying behind my father's back so I went to his office to talk to him.

However, before I entered, I could hear voices coming from his room. When I heard my mother's voice, I pressed my ear against the door to eavesdrop.

"She's only 19!" Mom yelled, sounding extremely upset. My thick eyebrows furrowed and I pressed my ear further to the door in order to hear, cursing the expensive, thick wooden door.

My father growled in anger and for a second, I feared he would hit my mother. But instead, I heard him say, "Because she disobeyed us, our family reputation is on the line! I'm losing 5% of my current investors."

My shoulders sagged and I slid against the door. He continued talking and I could feel my heart smash into a million pieces. "The media thinks she's a disobedient rebel, and they think we're not disciplining our child right!"

Even though I couldn't see my parents, I could imagine my father pulling at his white blonde hair and my mother nervously playing with her honey blonde strands.

I could hear footsteps descending to the door on the other side, so I ran as fast as possible back to my room. Unfortunately, I bumped into the butler, Adam.

"Why do you look like Hagrid?" he blurted out before laughing. Adam was a young butler at the age of 34. We were good friends, however, he would turn into a professional brat around my parents, much to my dismay.

I frowned at him. "Read the news," I shortly said before descending back into my room. My phone lit up, meaning I had a text. I clicked on it to see a text from an unknown number.

Sorry.

I immediately knew it was Francisco, but I didn't bother replying. Why would I? So he could screenshot it and send it to the whole world? Sorry to disappoint, but you've humiliated me enough. I blocked the number before letting out a sigh, flopping onto my bed.

I had to admit, Francisco was smart. I was never suspicious as to why he always insisted we go to the woods. He also made sure he was at an angle where he would be hidden and only my face shone clearly to the cameras.

I scowled. How could I have been so stupid?

Suddenly, I hear a knock and my father's voice asking me to open the door. Suddenly, I feel myself grow nervous and I can't help feel something bad's about to happen.

Nonetheless, I open the door.

Author's Note:

Hello and welcome to the beginning of this book. To start off, I'd like to say thank you for choosing this book.

I hope you won't be disappointed. Dedicated to MagicalWishes12 for the support. May you always be my brochacho.

Anyways, thanks for reading, don't forget to vote and comment!

-Nisha