Chapter 34 My Heart
 
 
 
 
 
 
“I’m going to kiss you,” Antonio said softly, but he didn’t wait for a response. His lips pressed firmly against hers, capturing her breath. One hand cradled Rose’s chin, parting her lips just enough for him to savor the sweetness he’d been longing for. The other hand encircled her waist, drawing her closer against his chest.
Rose’s eyes fluttered closed as she surrendered to the moment. But as the kiss lingered, her breath began to falter, and she instinctively pressed against his chest. Reluctantly, Antonio pulled back, a trace of regret flashing across his face. His dark eyes lingered on her flushed, swollen lips before a satisfied smile curled at the corners of his mouth.
“Sweet,” he murmured, his voice low and teasing.
“I’m not talking to you anymore,” Rose replied, her voice laced with embarrassment. She turned abruptly to leave, but Antonio was quicker. He caught her wrist, pulling her back into his arms, his warm breath brushing against her ear.
“Are you blushing?” he teased.
“No, of course not. It’s just late,” she said, her voice trembling slightly.
“When will you call me Nix?” he asked, his tone shifting to something softer, almost coaxing.
“Um...” Rose hesitated, lowering her gaze to the floor. Antonio’s heart softened at her shyness, and he decided to let it go. He reminded himself that this was a process—one that required patience.
“Goodnight,” he whispered. “Dream of me.”
“Goodnight... Nix,” she whispered, before rushing into her room. Antonio froze, her words echoing in his mind.
A wide grin spread across his face as he stood in the hallway, basking in the unexpected warmth of her voice. When he finally returned to his room, his heart felt lighter than it had in years. He knew tonight he would sleep soundly—and dream of her.
 
The next morning...
Antonio stepped out of his room just as Rose was leaving hers. After breakfast, he instructed Rossi to accompany Rose to her rehearsal while he headed to his office at the Soph Company. Though the company specialized in luxury gemstones, Antonio’s position as a mafia boss meant juggling legitimate operations with covert activities. His recent decision to halt all arms transactions—legal and otherwise—had unsettled many of his business partners. Yet, it was a decision he wouldn’t compromise on, not when the risk to Rose’s safety loomed so large.
The atmosphere in the conference room was tense. Gathered before Antonio were key clients and business associates, many of whom were visibly displeased with his announcement.
“I’m suspending exports temporarily,” Antonio explained, his voice steady but firm. “The authorities are aggressively pursuing evidence against those involved in illegal arms deals. Until the heat dies down, continuing business as usual puts all of us at risk.”
While his rationale was sound, the room buzzed with murmurs of dissent. Antonio understood their frustrations—profit margins would shrink, and alliances might waver. But his resolve remained unshaken. For him, the decision wasn’t just about business; it was about shielding her from a world of danger.
Two hours later, the meeting adjourned. Antonio’s expression was unreadable as he exited the room, though an undercurrent of tension remained in his posture. Glancing at his watch, he realized he had a window of time for lunch with Rose before returning to work. He dialed Rossi’s number immediately.
[Yes, sir?] Rossi’s voice came through the line.
“How’s the rehearsal going?” Antonio asked.
[Everything’s on track. She’s still rehearsing. Would you like to speak to her?
“No, I’ll come by,” Antonio replied, calculating the time it would take to reach the venue.
“Keep her safe.”
[Understood, sir.]
Antonio hung up and quickened his pace.
 
The morning rehearsal went smoothly, thanks to Herina personally overseeing the session. With the annual gala fast approaching, she was leaving no room for error.
As the models dispersed for a break, Acia strutted confidently, her sharp gaze landing on Rose with barely concealed disdain. Though Acia was undeniably beautiful and confident in her skills, it infuriated her that Antonio treated her as nothing more than another model on his roster while Rose—an amateur in her eyes—was granted a spotlight.
Most of the other models exited the rehearsal space, leaving Rose momentarily alone. Seizing the opportunity, Acia approached her with her head held high.
“Sofph never should’ve let you walk this event,” Acia sneered. “Your walk is terrible. Do you even realize you’re holding everyone back?”
Rose stood calmly, letting Acia’s words wash over her without a flicker of emotion. She finally responded, her voice steady. “I understand.”
She began to walk away, but Acia wasn’t done.
“You’d better keep this in mind,” Acia called after her, stepping closer to emphasize her words. “You’re just a replacement. Sofph will never love anyone other than...” She let the sentence hang, watching Rose freeze mid-step before continuing, “...his first love.”
Rose hesitated, her heart constricting painfully at Acia’s cruel words.
His first love...
“Sofph probably hasn’t mentioned it, has he? That there’s something about you—something about the way you remind him of Vega. Do you know what it is?” Acia pressed, a satisfied smirk tugging at her lips.
Rose turned slightly, her expression calm, though her heart raced. “I don’t want to know,” she said firmly, her voice contradicting the questions swirling in her mind.
Acia chuckled coldly, her smirk deepening. “Of course you don’t.”
Rose took a deep breath, attempting to steady herself. She knew Acia’s words were designed to hurt her, to make her doubt the connection she had with Antonio. Yet, she couldn’t deny the unease creeping into her heart. Despite her composure, a part of her desperately wanted to understand the truth.
Acia’s voice cut through her thoughts like a blade. “You have the same mannerisms as Vega.”
The words made Rose pause, her breath catching. She tried to remind herself that Acia’s comments were nothing more than a ploy to provoke her. But the seed of doubt was already planted.
“Sofph might not see it, but I do. You’re just a stand-in for Vega,” Acia continued, her tone dripping with derision. “Nothing more than a replacement.”
Rose felt her chest tighten, the weight of Acia’s words pressing down on her. She didn’t respond immediately, afraid that anything she said would reveal the crack in her armor.
“Thank you,” Rose finally said, managing a small, composed smile. “Thank you for telling me.”
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Acia seething in her wake.
“Hmph!” Acia scoffed, watching Rose retreat. “How long do you think you can keep up this act?”
Even as she gloated, a pang of pain echoed in Acia’s own heart. She knew the truth—that her words about Vega were aimed at wounding Rose but also stemmed from her own jealousy and unfulfilled longing. In trying to hurt Rose, she only deepened her own suffering.