🦋 Regina's p.o.v 🦋
The little one had finally fallen asleep after what felt like hours of crying, kicking, and acting like she had a personal vendetta against sleep itself.
I tucked the duvet gently around her tiny body and exhaled.
"Don't wake up... please don't wake up... I beg you," I whispered like my life depended on it.
Because it actually did.
I straightened up slowly, stretching my sore back.
God... motherhood-fake motherhood-was not for the weak.
"I deserve an award for this," I muttered under my breath as I tiptoed out of the room.
All I wanted was water.
Just water.
Simple....Peaceful...Harmless.
Or so I thought.
The mansion was unusually quiet as I made my way downstairs, the soft sound of my footsteps echoing faintly.
Then...
A sound.
A... very unholy sound.
I paused...
"...What the hell was that?"
A soft moan followed...then another.
Louder this time.
Oh.
Oh no.
My eyes widened.
"Jesus Christ... don't tell me-"
Curiosity.
That stupid, dangerous curiosity dragged my feet forward.
Slowly...Carefully....Silently..Until I got to the kitchen.
And then....
I saw it.
"Oh my God-!"
I gasped, immediately turning my back like my eyes had just committed a crime.
Because WHAT THE HELL?!
Antonio.
Rosselia.
Kitchen counter.
Legs wrapped around him.
Him thrusting into her like rent was due.
WHAT. THE. ACTUAL. HELL.
"Jesus Christ!" I whispered harshly, covering my eyes.
"I'm blind. I'm officially blind."
Why me?
Why today?
Why THIS house?!
"I-I'm sorry!" I blurted out awkwardly, still facing away like I might turn into salt if I looked again.
WHY AM I APOLOGIZING?!!
But did they stop?
Of course not.
Oh no.
That would require dignity.
Which they clearly left somewhere else.
I heard Rosselia's soft, breathy whimper... on purpose.
From the corner of my eye, I saw movement.
Rosselia.
Looking straight at me.
Biting her lower lip and holding him tighter.
Like she was putting on a damn performance.
Her expression said it all.
'Look properly. He's mine.'
And then....
"Mmnh-Antonio..." she moaned louder.
ARE YOU SERIOUS?!
My eye twitched.
"Don't they have shame?" I muttered under my breath.
"And is this why she's been acting like a possessed witch around me? Because she's getting premium membership access to the boss?!"
I rolled my eyes hard.
"Ugh! C'monnnn!"
I pushed myself away from the kitchen like it was cursed.
"I could've just stayed in my room... but nooo, Regina, professional problem finder...you wanted water. Now you've seen a full episode of 'Kitchen Nightmares.. Adult Edition'."
I groaned, dragging my hand down my fface
"Is there any problem?"
I nearly jumped out of my skin.
"Jesus!" I clutched my chest, turning to see Michael standing in the dim light.
"Do people in this house just... appear out of thin air?!"
He glanced toward the kitchen, clearly hearing the... activities.
Then he sighed.
"You needed something from the kitchen?"
I blinked.
"Needed? Past tense. Very past tense."
"I think my thirst evaporated the moment I saw that."
He didn't react much, just nodded like this was a completely normal Tuesday night.
Of course it was.
Why wouldn't it be?
This house was insane.
He walked past me into the dining area and came back with a bottle of water, handing it to me.
"Here."
I stared at it for a second.
"Uh, thanks...," I muttered, taking it.
"Because clearly, I'm not going back in there."
He gave a small nod.
"Have a good night rest."
"Yeah... you too," I said.
He walked away, leaving me standing there with my bottle of water and a brain full of things I did not ask to see.
I took a long sip.
Then another.
Trying to wash away the memory.
But nope.
It was still there....
Crystal clear.
"Great," I muttered.
"Now I can't even look him in the eye again."
I paused.
Then scoffed.
"Not like he cares anyway."
But for some reason...
My chest felt... weird.
Tight, uncomfortable....annoyed.
I frowned.
"Why do I even care?" I whispered to myself.
I shook my head quickly.
"Nope. Not my business. Not my problem. Not my man."
Even if he kissed me back.
Even if he looked at me like....
"Nope!"
I cut myself off immediately.
"Absolutely not. We are not going there."
*
Morning came too fast.
Way too fast.
I barely slept... and honestly? I blame Italy.
And Antonio.
Mostly Antonio.
I adjusted the little one in my arms as I stepped out into the open space, heading toward the poolside.
My new found favorite spot.
"Good morning, troublemaker," I murmured, tapping her tiny nose.
She blinked up at me like she actually understood.
Yeah... this one definitely understands me. I'm convinced.
I sat down at our spot, dipping my legs into the pool.
Peace, finally.
I exhaled softly... letting my shoulders relax.
My eyes drifted, against my will...toward the glass house.
The gym.
I froze for a second... then sighed in relief when I saw that it was empty.
"Oh thank God..."
No Antonio.
No awkward eye contact.
No flashbacks of...
"Stop it," I muttered, shaking my head. "We're not thinking about that. Nope. Never happened."
The little one let out a soft sound, like she was laughing at me.
"Don't start," I pointed at her. "You weren't even there, you saw nothing. So don't blame me....we mind our business, okay?"
"Is that so?"
My heart skipped.
I slowly turned...
Antonio was standing right behind me.
Oh great! Fantastic!
Kill me now.
I stood up immediately, holding the baby tighter.
"I didn't see you there," I said quickly.
He smirked.
"I noticed."
His eyes lingered on me... amused.
"You seem to wander into places you shouldn't be," he added casually.
I scoffed.
"Oh please. If you're referring to last night, that was an accident."
"An accident?" he repeated, stepping closer.
"Yes," I murmured. "Believe it or not, I don't make it a hobby to watch people-"
I stopped myself as my cheeks burned.
He caught it.
Of course he did.
His smirk deepened.
"So you admit you were watching."
"I did not-!" I stopped, exhaling sharply. "I walked in. Big difference."
Why am I even explaining myself?
He chuckled lowly.
"And stayed long enough to form an opinion."
My grip tightened around the baby.
Why is he like this?!
"I wasn't interested," I muttered.
"Hmm," he hummed, clearly not convinced.
I rolled my eyes and turned.
"I'm going back inside."
And just as I took a step, I froze.
Damian was walking out of the building.
Oh my God.
No no no no...
I turned immediately and walked straight back to Antonio.
Close.
Too close.
My back now facing Damian.
Antonio's expression changed instantly.
Suspicion woven in his eyes...
Shit!
đź–¤ THIRD PERSON'S P.O.V đź–¤
Antonio's brows furrowed slightly.
Something wasn't right.
The way she ran back to him, the tension in her body....
"What is going on with you?" he asked, his voice low.
Regina blinked up at him, feigning confusion.
"What do you mean?"
His eyes narrowed.
"What is going on between you and my messenger?"
Her heart skipped, but her face remained composed.
"Nothing," she replied. "Why would you even ask that?"
A lie.
And Antonio could see right through it.
Before he could press further...
"Boss."
Damian approached, holding a tab.
"There's a message for you."
Antonio didn't take his eyes off Regina immediately.
"Speak." He ordered.
Damian hesitated.
"It's confidential... I was instructed to deliver it directly to you."
Antonio finally shifted his gaze, then gestured.
"Come."
He turned toward the glass house and Damian followed.
Regina didn't wait.
She slipped away instantly.
Antonio stopped mid-step, causing Damian to halt too.
Antonio's eyes drifted toward Regina's retreating figure.
"Does she seem strange to you?" he asked.
Damian stiffened, caught off guard.
"...Sir?"
Antonio didn't look at him.
"Answer the question."
Damian swallowed.
"Pardon me, Capo. I'm not in a position to judge your fiancée."
Antonio exhaled slowly, sliding his hands into his pockets.
Something was off.
And he hated not knowing what it was.
"Look at her," he said again.
Damian glanced.
Just for a second longer than necessary.
"Are you familiar with her?"
Damian's heart pounded.
"No, sir. This is my first time in Italy. I wouldn't dare-" His voice faltered.
Antonio turned slightly, a death glare taking over.
"Finish your sentence."
Damian swallowed hard.
"...She just reminds me of someone."
Antonio's gaze sharpened.
"Who?"
"My girlfriend," Damian admitted quietly.
"Same build... same hair... it's just a resemblance."
Silence followed..
Then, Antonio nodded slowly.
"And you said you came to Italy because of her."
"Yes, Capo."
Antonio scoffed lightly.
Everything was starting to align.
Interesting.
Very interesting.