Cassandra Reid"Oakland?", I question with an unfriendly face. I thought we had passed this stage. "What does this mean, Adriano? And please don't tell it's what I'm thinking"."I have started to invest in hotel sector and this city seemed like a good option"."Yeah, sure", I laugh and snort at the same time. "Did you know that I'm Ella's age and I suck my thumb?""There is no need to use sarcasm, cara"."I'm just playing along", I say as my anger grows faster. He just had to screw everything..."You missed destination you've chosen for our Honeymoon attempt", I begin to rant as I jerkily unpack my bags. "Or maybe you did it on purpose".I stop to look at him for a few moments. He remains leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and his usual undaunted gesture. He's not good at lying, it's not his style. The answer is obvious."You planned it all", I rub my face with my hands as a bitter smile breaks through and I fell like an idiot."But what are you saying?""The truth!". Alt

Adriano Di LauroHow did they get in? I have no idea, but I'll charge the condo security staff for this. I don't know what they were thinking when they dared to disobey me. Even here in America they know my name and my reputation.Dinner is spoiled, my good humor too and my patience goes to waste with every word that comes out of their mouth.Gibson Reid is looking for me... and he's going to find me. His audacity will not go unpunished. However, now I must focus on my wife, who I feel about to pass out at any moment.I hold her in my arms as I feel her weakness while she unloads her frustration against those who call themselves her parents, but who don't have a shred of it.No matter how despicable a person may, children are sacred and they have done nothing but use theirs, harm her and harm her.Just remembering the result of my investigations makes me go crazy like some kind of caged lion. They gave her to that psychopath in exchange for a measly position as ambassador when with th

Cassandra ReidI jump up and put my hands on my hips. "I asked you a question, Leah Falco"."Is this your way of receiving me?", she questions. "If I had known, I wouldn't have come"."I thought you didn't want to come", I state."I didn't..., but I couldn't refuse to your husband's insistence. What a power of persuasion the Italian has!", she argues. "No wonder you fell for him. Also, he offered me a private plane trip with hot Pietro Varca. My God, what a man! And how he kisses!"Leah!", I screech in alarm as my eyes widen as if they're going to pop out of their sockets. "What have you done?""Oh, child of mine, it was just an innocent kiss". I take a hand to my forehead and then I pass it over my face. She has no choice, I should be used to her spontaneity by now, but hers is going to another level. "The important thing is that I am here as you wanted. Can I get my welcome hug now?"I examine it carefully. Anyone who doesn't know her would say she looks just like always, but I ca

Cassandra ReidI look at the clock one more time as my patient's mother chatters non–stop, as if we were lifelong friends. This is my daily routine. Women of Florence want to know me and like me for the simple fact of being married to Adriano Di Lauro. It's annoying and although on many occasions it's not hard for me to smile or keep thread of the conversation going, today I just pray her talk ends and she lets me go to the cafeteria. As usual, it's past lunchtime and I'm starving."Well, my husband is waiting for me outside". The long–awaited words finally arrive. "I guess we'll see each other at the next consultation... or maybe", she doesn't give me time to answer, "we could meet one of these days for a drink"."I sure do", I dismiss her a bit quickly without losing my smile. "I'll find some free space in my calendar and call you. Goodbye, beautiful". I place one last kiss on my laughing patient. Seeing that little face is worth resisting her mother."Perfect". Although her tone so

Cassandra ReidI check my phone one more time for a missed message or call, but my inbox is still clean. This is rare, very rare.When my best friend hadn't shown up for my consultation for days, I went looking for her. Then, they informed me she had requested a vacations time. She surprised me too much when she didn't warning me, so I asked Romeo and his words left me even more worried.Leah left without saying anything to anyone. She doesn't take calls, doesn't answer messages... it is as if earth had swallowed her. Two days ago I received a brief 'I'm fine' which did not calm me down not even a little bit. Since then I have lost count of how many times I have tried to contact her with no results.My head hurts horribly and I'm biting my nails. To make matters worse, I have to go to a meeting and listening to endless reports on statistics or budgets that I do not care about.I just wanted to be a good doctor, to have my own office with lovely patients who would be bribed by a lollip