✰ ✰

"𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡"

Pain.

That was visibly seen as I limped my way out of the room.

Yes, he was indeed a 'king' in the sheets. Though he definitely destroyed my little angel down there.

I was sure that the pain between my thighs was something normal even though I hadn't gotten 'it' in a while—I was surprised that this pain felt like my first time all over again.

Not that my first time was even as close to as good as this. It was practically a three-second fuck. The guy, unfortunately, came within five seconds of entering me—though he still rode until I was satisfied.

To which in those days I 'was'—until actually finding out what true pleasure felt like.

Roman, for example.

Back to reality, today was the day I was meeting Roman's family.

Yes, I was completely nervous. More than anything I've ever been nervous for—which wasn't many things.

Strolling down the stairs, I spot Roman from across the room—speaking with a guard. As he spoke, he talked blankly, with zero emotion—as well as his expression.

As I walked over to him, he spotted me and continued to mutter a few words to the man in his native language. Once I made it beside him, the man left and I took his current position in front of Roman.

Tilting my head, I stare up at him. Judging by the slight angry expression, I guessed whatever he was talking about wasn't very good.

"What's wrong?" I moved a step closer to him, now nearly chest to chest as I waited for him to do something.

He only stared at me, piercing my eyes with his. Shaking his head, he lifted one of his arms and pulled me to his chest.

I sighed, hugging him back. He rested his chin on the top of my head, pressing a kiss to the top and rubbing circles along my hip.

"You ready?" He asked me, I nodded and pulled back.

Smiling, I held my thumb up and turned around—about to walk towards the front doors but then he stopped me.

Frowning, I watch him come in front of me and then he kneeled. A blush appeared on my cheeks as he started tying my unlaced shoes.

Whoops.

Unwillingly, my hands came towards his tamed yet untamed hair. My fingers brushed through the curls and he tilted his head up while his fingers worked on the next shoe.

I pursed my lips as I watched his eyes lighten in their lifeless state—up until he was done, he stood easily and waited for me to take the lead.

As I did, I felt his eyes right on the back of my head—or something else perhaps... guess I'll never know.

After hopping into the car, Roman drove off while I cranked up the music—playing my favourites.

"I was like, good gracious ass is bodacious," I sang, using the half-empty water bottle in Roman's car as a microphone.

Turning to him I grin and start mimicking the lyrics.

"Lookin' for the right time to shoot my stream, you know, lookin' for the right time to flash them keys," I swung Roman's car keys in front of him and he chuckled—a small smile playing at his lips.

Giggling, I continued to be dramatic with the music and this continued for the rest of the ride.

We soon arrived at a large mansion, it wasn't as big as Roman's but it was still fairly large. Large red gates opened up, revealing the house itself.

I smiled at the interior. It was much more bright compared to Roman's. A peach colour on the high roof and for the building itself was a yellow-cream colour.

Roman stopped the car outside of the doors, security was held all around the perimeter. Opening my door, Roman held out his hand for me and I took it, exiting the car.

I looked down towards my feet, checking my tied shoelaces, nervously.

Breathe, bitch. You got this.

Suddenly, a hand came under my chin, tilting my head upwards. My eyes met his, emotionlessly staring at me.

Rubbing small circles along my jaw, he shook his head once and kissed the tip of my nose.

"Ti ameranno like I do," He whispered into my ear and I froze.

Translation: "They'll love you like I do,"

Before I could even react, the doors in front of us burst open. A tall woman with short brown hair stood at the door, a wide smile on her lips as she saw Roman.

But before she could get a word in, the sound of a little girl squealing and running right through the door, into Roman's arms.

I watched with a smile as he picked her up swiftly and propped her on his hip, her little arms wrapping around his neck.

"Mi sei mancato, Roman," She mumbled and my smile grew wider.

Translation: "I missed you, Roman,"

Roman looked over to me, his eyes highlighted under the sun still emotionless as he turned completely in front of me.

Fuck, this is a sight I didn't know I needed to see.

"Anch'io, Ashleigh."

Translation: "Me too, Ashleigh,"

Roman tugged on my hand—to which I didn't realise he was still holding. The little girl moved away from his shoulder, seeming to be smiling at him.

"Ashleigh, incontra Arabella,"

Translation: "Ashleigh, meet Arabella,"

Roman lifted her effortlessly off his hip and passed the little girl to me. Abruptly, I took her into my arms and smiled immediately as she hugged my neck.

"Nice to meet you," She mumbled quietly. I giggled and adjusted her on my hip. "Nice to meet you too, gorgeous,"

As she leaned back, I was met with the most beautiful pair of ocean eyes. They were as blue as the summer sky.

Her small hand came to my cheek, rubbing her fingers along it before smiling.

"Pretty," She whispered and I blushed, looking away at Roman. He smirked, before returning back to the woman from before.

"Fidanzata, hm?" The woman said glancing at me with a curious look and then looking back to Roman.

Translation: "Girlfriend, hm?"

He rolled his eyes and tugged on my hand as he stepped around her and inside of the home—dragging me with him.

I smiled at the lady and removed my hand from Roman's, holding it out for her.

"Sono Arabella Malik, piacere di conoscerti",

Translation: "Arabella Malik, nice to meet you,"

Shock took over me as the tall woman embraced me in a hug, warming my nerves less. Ashleigh in my arms giggled as she wrapped her arms around the lady and myself.

"I'm Roman's Zia, but you can call me Daniela,"

Translation: 'Aunt'

A dark chuckle came from behind us, the girl in my arms dropped to the ground and went beside her mother.

I turned around—only to be surprised to see Lucien Agnello and banana, haired lady—whose name I have forgotten.

"Arabella, nice to see you again," He smiled warmly, and I returned it.

Banana haired chick smiled at me only and I looked away, towards Roman.

"We got here last night," Lucien explained to Roman's tensed body. He didn't reply, only staring blankly at him and then turning to me.

He nodded at me to follow him as he walked further into the house.

I smiled at everyone to excuse myself and started waddling up to Roman.

"You okay?" I asked, coming beside him after keeping up with his long strides.

"Mhm," He pulled us into a kitchen, immediately he went over to a cabinet and took out a bottle of alcohol.

I leant against the counter and observed him. I'm guessing he's a lot tenser because his father is here—not that I ever really thought he would be, since he seems to be with his father for business most of the time.

The drink he poured got drowned within a second, then he left it on the counter, looking up at me emotionlessly.

"Want?" He nodded towards it and I shook my head.

Footsteps were heard from behind us, Daniela came inside staring between the alcohol and Roman.

"Drinking already?"

Roman looked at her, a deadly glare set on his face that basically said 'ask any questions and I'll kill you'

She looked away, clearing her throat and looking at me with a smile.

"How long are you both here until?" She rose an eyebrow at Roman.

"Friday," He answered blankly and then turned to the running girl coming through the threshold.

"Rllenta Tesoro," Daniela exclaimed, scowling at Ashleigh.

Translation: "Slow down darling,"

Ashleigh ignored her and stood in front of Roman, seeming to sense him and she looked to his legs and patted them.

"Can you play cars with me, Ro?"

He sighed and I went over to his side, smiling down at the girl.

"Not today, Ash," He replied nonchalantly. I frowned immediately and picked up the girl.

"Of course he'll play with you," I grinned, Roman snapped his eyes to me—staring at me coldly though with slight amusement.

She clapped her hands excitedly and hugged my neck. "You can play too, we can all race!"

Grinning, I give Roman a look and put down the girl—her little hand dragging me into a room.

It was then I only noticed the white cane in her hand—one perfectly made for her small size. My heart softened more, easily remembering the girl's condition.

I felt Roman behind me as we made it into a very large playroom. It was painted light blue and white, painted little sunflowers on the walls too.

She sat down in a chair, once again made for her. My fat ass wouldn't even dare to attempt to sit in it, knowing I'd break it within a second.

So, I sat on the floor, in front of her and a large race track. I looked up at Roman, patting the spot next to me and he rolled his eyes—sitting down as I silently told.

"Okay," The girl mumbled, grabbing all of the cars she had—feeling them with each hand until picking the one she liked.

"This is Rossa?" She asked, looking up from the car.

Translation: 'Red'

"Sì," Roman replied, leaning back against the wall.

Smiling, she pointed to the other few cars and motioned for us to choose.

"Pick which car you like and then go to the starting line," She grinned.

I looked between the five cars and immediately went towards the sleek black one. Though, as I did, Roman reached for the same one.

My eyes snapped to him, playfully glaring at him as I snatched it and took it into my hold.

"Sorry," I shrugged innocently and placed my car next to Ashleigh's.

She giggled and Roman narrowed his eyes at me and took the yellow Ferrari.

"Everyone's cars ready?"

"Yup," I replied and rubbed my hands together.

The race track was long like very long—which, I guess, made it all the more fun.

"Roman can do the count down!" She giggled and readied her car. He rolled his eyes and started counting.

I adjusted my car as well, holding in my laughs from Roman's not very amused self.

"One," He said blankly, making me snort at his 'enthusiasm'.

He narrowed his eyes at me. "Two," he said again, and I shook my head retreating my attention back to my car.

"Three,"

Our cars zoomed off, they raced automatically around the track and unfortunately for both Ashleigh and myself—Roman won.

"Did I win?" Ashleigh asked us, excitedly. I looked over to Roman, nodding as we both had the same idea.

I clapped my hands together and watched as her smile widened. "Of course you won," I said with a smile.

She laughed and clapped her hands giddily. "No one beats me," she mumbled, picking up three new cars and lining them up.

I watched with a smile, glancing at Roman as our eyes meet. Suddenly the words from earlier come lingering in my mind, my eyes glancing away as my lip comes between my teeth—nervously.

I'm not even sure he meant to say it or not, or if he meant it—or if he regretted it. Questions of all sorts came to my mind—all negative assumptions.

Although the question that didn't come to my mind was did I love him back?

Did I feel the love he felt for me?

And honestly, the answer is yes.

I love him.