Chapter 45

The heavy weight pressing upon my shoulders instantly vanished as soon as I reached my bedroom. I blew a breath, feeling the overwhelming relief. I flopped down on the king sized bed while pondering over what happened these past few days.

I had totally forgotten about Vassily. With all the things going on here, I forgot that I proposed marriage to him.

I invited him out today with the purpose of canceling the agreement. Vassily, however, wasn’t usually himself and had been distracted. When he admitted that he didn’t want to resume with the agreement and told me he had something to do. I knew he was bothered not by bringing up the proposal but the plans he had in mind. I have a feeling it involves what he had done three years ago.

It seems Vassily isn’t done with his revenge.

My concern is irrelevant for now. Ever since he came to New York a few years ago to visit Sol and had provoked him for meddling with his love life, we promised to each other that we do not interfere in each others’ affairs. That explains why he never reacted when he met Dylan and claimed him as my boy toy.

In his defense though, he had come here back then with an unstable mind. He was angry, vengeful and bitter because his father, whom his everything, was murdered in cold blood. Eventually, he had calmed down when he had his revenge and he was back to the way he was.

Vassily told me that he originally came here to break the news. He didn’t tell me right away and gave himself more time to think about it before finally bringing it up, which only made my suspicion all the more possible. The man is like a brother to me. I know him from head to toes. The only thing that loses his composure is when his family is involved.

Regardless, I didn’t expect it to come smoothly with no effort from me. No matter what the reason, I would still understand him backing out. After all, it was merely a plan for me since I am now in a marriageable age. If we were to become husband and wife, it was because it’s convenient.

Dylan, on the other hand… he’s the reason that shook my resolve. His face when he found out Vassily and I are soon to be married, it had engraved in my mind everyday and had resided there ever since. I felt guilty and as hypocritical as it may seem, I felt his hurt. I tried to ignore the feeling of watching him like that.

He had avoided me as much as he could and I let him be. Ignoring his emotions would then be easy on my part. Truth be told, I don’t know how to handle that… how to handle him. I know how to handle my family but with the opposite sex whom I had physical relationship with, I am lost. I let him have his own space for now. I need it too, especially with the agreement that I unintentionally have slipped through my mind. But then his actions had irked me when he went out on a date with that little mouse. The control I have was slipping dramatically. Not only that, but he had bravely confronted me and assumed that I harmed the girl, knowing the full extent of my wrath. It’s as if he wanted another one of my insignia.

He cares for the woman. I had a hard time fighting for control. I suddenly wanted everything bathed in blood. Despite the only girl in the family, I have a reputation of being ruthless and intrepid. It was one of the reasons why my father didn’t want me to lead. He wanted me to remain the princess that he loved and adored.

It came with being young and reckless but time has let me learn a lot of things. I learned to rein that in. And besides, I was natural at being calm and composed. In contrast to my father’s decision, Sol believed that it’s all the more reason that I should be the one who’s leading the mafia, aside from the fact that I was the real heiress.

Dylan seems to know how to rile me up in more ways than one.

Their kiss was my breaking point.

He’s mine. Dylan Ross is mine.

I wanted to murder the girl in cold blood. I wanted to torture her. I wanted her to feel my wrath for even touching my possession. Franco had managed to bring me back to the ground when he said to calm down when he saw my face filled with rage- cold and blank but eyes reflecting fire.

I was not in Italy. I was in my cousin’s domain. Though Uncle Marco treated me like a princess too, that doesn’t mean I won’t get punished for breaking the agreement. And if I killed her, Dylan would never forgive me. Ever.

After regaining my composure, I decided to visit her and made sure to send her away by offering her a deal which she can’t refuse. Problem solved- only to be faced with another.

Dylan Ross.

The realization of wanting him this much had made things complicated. I suddenly wanted to back out with the marriage because of regret and guilt. I didn’t want to see him in pain and even when I haven’t seen him these past few days, I could still feel his pain. I couldn’t concentrate, my mind was filled with him. I tried to be the normal Cara but deep inside, I’ve recognized my heart was as a mess as my mind.

When my fury dissipated after the last confrontation we had, I realized that his anger was only justified. I didn’t see that because I was angry as well that he disrespected me for that girl and for going out with someone who wasn’t me. I was blinded for a moment but the rational side of me always brought me back to reality.

And reality is I have hurt him for letting him feel like a toy. With everything being settled, it’s high time to lower my pride and explain things to him.

I texted him the time and meeting place. He will be out from work in two hours. I don’t think I could take another day with him filling all my mind. I wanted to get things done and back where they used to be.

—

Dylan

My head was resting against the steering wheel as I stared at the phone on my lap, mindlessly scrolling it while having second thoughts about whether I should inform her that I couldn’t come or not.

It’s embarrassing, really, because I’m still in the parking lot for almost half an hour, the restaurant was right in front of me. I wasn’t brave enough to even step out of the car. My nerves are racking. It’s clouding my mind.

I don’t know why I feel scared of facing her. Maybe because there’s a part of me that still wanted her, assuming that this night might end with the both of us separating. I mean, what reason could it be that she wanted to meet me. She probably wants to stop our affair in the most formal way.

The restaurant screamed expensive and high end. I wouldn’t dare to imagine that she invited me here to date knowing she has a fiance. He probably told her to stop seeing me. On the bright side, she’ll finally let me go, right?

I sighed. Maybe I should just face her, explain and apologize so I could end this suffering. I can’t stay here forever and definitely, I can’t let myself feel this way any longer. My nerves are eating me alive. If she wants to end things, then I’ll accept it and move on. Perhaps things are better that way.

I jumped in surprise when the door on my side suddenly opened. A woman in a red dress held the car’s door. I was stunned for a moment how hot she was. The dress reached her mid thigh. Her cleavage was on full display with spaghetti straps on his shoulders. She looked so sexy.

“Do not let my men drag you out of this damn car, tesoro.” My eyes widened, shocked that it was Cara. “Now, get out.” She snapped, obviously in rage.

I slowly stepped out of the car. As I finally see her face, my heart dropped and went back up only for it to beat like a fucking drum. It was deafening. She never wore anything but the color white. Seeing her in red… she looks so… god, here I am falling for her again. When will I ever learn?

“You dare to let me wait for thirty fucking minutes. What do you think of me?”