THE DON'S OBSESSION

rapidly, partly because of the exertion of running, but also bec

never wanted to set foot in that place again, I couldn't refuse that kind

si as much as possible. I couldn't deny that hearing his deep,

lly. This attraction I felt towards him. It was only because he was so good-looking. It was as if you walked down the road

backs that threatened me. I have had a lot of therapy since that night. Community therapists tried to help me come to terms with what had happened. Sex therapists tried to help me overcome my fear of going all the way wit

have to live with for the rest of my life sometimes becomes so great that it cripples me. There

as been tough, but I keep reminding myself that it is nothin

t it wasn't my fault. What Henry did that night was nothing to do with me. He had an illness. A disease. That's what the courts decided. He pleaded guilty because o

he was clever. Manipulative. So was his father who helped him get the most ruthless lawyer to sway th

as planned and train to be a teacher. Noah would not have wanted me to fall apart like I had and it was his spiri

d and kept myself to myself through university, ba

r freshers because of my two-year breakdown. Kelly was my rock. Without her, I wou

rden with a telephone cable in the middle of the night. He was out there somewhere, and I knew he was coming for me. The police offered me surveillance protection for a few week

ngs and a handful of cash from Kelly and my savings. I got a burner phone, hence the shitty Nokia, and the only numbers I had saved were Kelly, Giulia, and my lawyer. I hadn't called Kelly since I left.

kled down my chest and face from the heat of the afternoon sun and I pushed open the little green door that was barely

d she was looking for a roommate and lived in Verona. I jumped at the chance and felt so lucky that this opportunity fell into my lap.

smiled kindly at me, but I still noticed his eyes flic

vely day for it," I smiled back politely

rmed by his thick Italian accent as he spoke in broken English. I felt bad that I didn't know their language. I was in t

ey to spend in bars, but after today's events, I could d

heesy grin and he looked cute. "

nd the room and I saw Gigi's light brown hair bouncing up and down as she danced around the kitche

he was asking about you," she winked a

all going out tonight?" I perched on one of the mismatche

oup. And Luca will be pleased. You know he has the...how do you say it... 'Hots for you' right?" I gr

with anyone romantically right now," I tried to make my voice as stern as p

t home to get away from. I didn't go into the horrific details of what happene

ughed and I rolled my eyes at her. If only she knew. I was a sexual person. I wanted to have sex. Badly. But every time I attempted to go a

ld not risk getting close to anyone until he was safely behi

d she faced me with a curious expression. "I got t

cally in the air and started to shout in Italian. I was

Why? What

im I didn't want the job. But it t

onio Rossi himself?" she

nd I tensed my eyebrows, trying to

teased as she pushed the iPad towards me, and I glanced down at a picture of Antonio standing in front of a huge hotel. It was an article about him opening the larges

r those kids," I said flatly as I stared at his perfectly symmetrical face that was set in a

on your feet there. I'm jeal

ay to the bathroom. Lucky isn't th

ning atmosphere mingled with the soothing sounds of chatter and soulful music filled the a

the drinks flowed their mother tongue was creeping back in. I didn't mind one bit, as

, who smiled at me before grabbing his c

H

the extent of my Italian. I needed

ured to the group and the bar

normal," I replied, taking my straw between my teeth. H

s is not nor

ut much back home. But that doesn

ir, so he was a little closer to me and I eyed him suspiciously. Was he askin

better," he explained, and I looked down at my glass. I didn't want to upset him. He seemed

g for a relationship right now," I said honestly, but hi

ked, and I couldn't help but chuckle. The

new job to start. Many of Giulia's friends seemed shocked to hear where I was going to be working, some even seemed

businesses but there are also rumours that they are involved in some dodgy dealings. Drugs and stuff. But they are v

serenity of the backdrop of this city gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling. This ci

at the house all day, so I don't expect you will eve

as telling me, I was about to be seeing a lot more of Anto