Cassandra ReidStrawberries exude an incredible aroma and look just as appetizing... but not more than my husband. I stand in awe as he cuts them into small pieces and picks one up with his fork, bringing it to his lips extremely slowly.'How can a simple movement awaken so many sensations in me?'Suddenly he fixes the blue of his eyes on me before popping the fruit into his mouth. Then, he chews slowly without taking his eyes off me in a provocative gesture.'Since when has food become a sexual instrument?'I shift restlessly on my spot to combat sudden burning feeling, then wince.A simple movement and every muscle in my body aches. I have been sleeping very little for two days, since my husband does not give me any respite.Not that I can complain either. If I had known pleasure that awaited me when making love, perhaps I would not have expected so much... Although something tells me what I experienced with Adriano, I will never experience it with any other man."Is everything okay

Cassandra ReidI look at him and I am not able to believe he is in front of me.I feel a tension in my abdomen that does not let me breathe.In the beginning I thought to be hallucinating, but he is him. The paralyzing voice, indecipherable face next to the voluminous body that makes me feel tiny and diabolical appearance of him always.His ambering eyes observe me restless from head to toe, making me feel naked.A little tremor is installed in my hands and intersects them so as not to show weakness I feel.He is here! Dean is here."Mrs. Di Lauro, are you still there?", I hear my secretary's voice on the other side of the line very distant as well as the noise of the party. I am like in a kind of trance. "Doctor?"I hang without even having awareness of my actions. I think I've stopped breathing."How...?""Happy New Year, Love". He doesn't let me finish. "Did you miss me?"I want to talk, but my mouth refuses to move. What has he come for?"I ... ". I am interrupted by my husband's

Adriano Di LauroAs soon as the car parks, I rush towards house's entrance without even waiting for security protocol.My instinct tells me that her attitude is related to that idiot's arrival and if she doesn't tell me, it's because she's hiding something.I hear a noise behind me and I turn on my feet to find my wife whiter than a sheet of paper.I see the damn phone on the floor and I rush to pick it up. So, I come across an open chat full of messages.As I read on, rage grows until it becomes a ball too big to control.It's him, it can only be him.I hear my name in a whisper far away and I see everything red. I'm going to crush it, I swear I will.I clench my jaw until it trembles as I shatter the phone with my hands. "We need to talk" I don't like that words at all.Yes, I am made of steel, but even the most powerful metal melts with fire and I am burning with flames.I roar as I walk through the door and head straight for the mini bar in lounge to pour myself a cognac without

Cassandra ReidI throw the door as I enter my room resonating throughout walls. Fury, fear, bewilderment, desire and other emotions I don't want to put a name. They all mix up with each other until they make my head explode.Too much for one night.Why did my ex have to show up right now when I was starting to adjust to my new reality?The text message is drawn in my mind and I shudder inside.'If you don't come I'll get mad and go find you and you know I don't behave very well when I get mad, love'A part of me was always afraid of him. Although with me he behaved differently from the rest of the world, I witnessed his cruelty, his aggressiveness and his lack of compassion. Dean Frost doesn't give second chances, he doesn't care about collateral effects and above all, he doesn't threaten in vain... However, I was his weakness. I became his obsession from the day he met me.During these two years I have not stopped thinking about him, about how my flight affected him emotionally as

Adriano Di Lauro'Damn it! She found out a way of going to the meeting. I arrive at the place and I immediately get down to burst in without paying attention to anything else than my wife. "Cassandra!"I find her standing, nailed to the ground and...Rage shakes my body from head to toe until I feel spasms of pain when I see the American place his hands on my wife's delicate skin. The metal that covers my appearance vibrates and the beast inside me escapes.Killer instincts take control of my body, propelling me toward them in a hurry."Get your hands off my wife!"I land a punch that knocks him to the ground, taking a table with him.I kick him before he gets up and hits me in the stomach.Then I bring his back against the wall and slam my knuckles into his jaw. He may match me in strength, but not in rage, and a raging beast is unmatched. With an unexpected movement I fall on a table, however, I compose myself in time to prevent his next attack, kicking him in stomach and then he

Cassandra ReidSold...My parents sold me. Oh my God! I was only seventeen years old. In exchange of what? Why? I can't understand it, but worst of all, it doesn't surprise me.I go straight to my room and lock myself in there. I am aware neither of them deserve my tears, but I cannot stop crying. I'm not made of stone like them.I don't even know how I feel. I just want to lock myself in a Christmas crystal ball and never come out.I spend rest of the day in bed and at night I go to sleep without having dinner. Next day I wake up with a horrible headache and without encouragement. However, I must continue, although my body only works halfway. I eat what is fair and I play with children without paying much attention. Anyway, I don't think I'll ever dominate the Xbox. Also, they are happy when they win and they end up infecting me with their happiness.I hardly see my husband and I exchange few words with other ones. I don't feel capable of seeing or talking to anyone. Questions conti

Cassandra ReidGod! Why does he insist on chasing me? Will he ever leave me alone? I thought Adriano would keep him at bay. Where are those bouncers when you need them?"What are you doing here, Dean?". I plucked up the courage to speak to him. "I thought everything was clear between us"."Of course I do" although he affirms, I don't think we're talking about the same subject. "Do you remember my words?""Each one of them", I reply with a snort. I don't know why I feel safer now. Maybe it's because I have bigger problems than dealing with my ex's obsession. Considerations with him ended two days ago, "just as I hope you remember mine. You better get out of here before my husband breaks your other eyebrow”. I point to the noticeable cut."Are you threatening me, Cass?"..The devilish grin on his face makes me jump and fear returns. He was already late in showing up.I take two steps back ready to flee. Then, bodyguards finally appear, confronting Devil Frost's and causing a ruckus in th

Adriano Di LauroI remember all my ancestors as soon as I notice the image in front of me. The witch is here. I thought I got rid of her, but no, she's back."Adriano, dear". Although she treats me with familiarity, she doesn't even try to get closer. At least she still remembers her limits. "How are you?""Vivi!". My call echoes off the house's walls, causing my housekeeper to appear immediately. "Get Mrs. Francesca to her room"."Aren't you going to introduce us, dear?", old woman asks with hypocritical tone that characterizes her. "And your wife isn't going to introduce herself or welcome me? What rudeness!""I...""This is not time for welcomes" I argue curtly, interrupting my wife's babbling, "much less when guests show up unannounced. Tomorrow you can update".Francesca tries to reply, but noticing my steely gaze, she simply says goodnight and follows the housekeeper.'Damn woman!'Why does she have to show up at most opportune times? I just hope Cassandra knows how to keep her

Adriano Di LauroAs soon as she arrives at the hospital, my daughter tries to escape from her seat, but untying her seat belt becomes a difficult task, which makes her angry.Without realizing it, a smile appears on my face seeing her fight the difficult battle."Do I help you?", my wife asks, to which she desperately nods. It's the first time I've seen a child eager to visit a health center. "Ready"."Bye, daddy!". She leaves one of her childish kisses fleetingly on my cheek and takes bodyguard's hand to get out, but not before encouraging the doctor. "Hurry up, Cassie!""She seems excited" the blonde says in front of me."You think?". I raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "I can assure you that she won't let you work today"."I'll know how to keep her at bay", she assures me, making me want to laugh out loud. She still doesn't know her well."I tell you from my own experience"."Nonsense!", She huffs. "It can not be so bad"."You'll see for yourself", I warn as I listen to my daughter's

Adriano Di LauroFor a moment I don't think I'll make it in time, but my feet seem to fly and I stop her hand just a few millimeters from my wife's face.Blood rushes through my veins feverishly, bubbling at the boiling point of hers and as it boils higher, the chill in my gaze grows. It is a trait that characterizes me: hot inside, cold outside."Don't you ever lay a hand on my wife". My voice is barely a hoarse whisper. "Not even with your thought"."She offended me!" The old woman protests."I don't give a damn", I state. I've been too easy on you, Francesca, and you know why, but I'm still in control here. Don't tempt me because in this story you are the loser".She tries to retort, but she stops before she can. She doesn't have a hair of stupid and she knows what's good for her."Get out of my sight before I kick you out of this house" I order before giving my wife my full attention. The first thing I do is review her status in detail and then, I glare at her."Don't look at me