The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life.

-Richard Bach

Rafe Moretti's POV

I still don't know what 'misfortune' was until I met this bold English woman in a certain bar the previous night. Since our paths crossed I have been plagued. Now early this morning I am driving her to their family home after madness possessed her and announced in broad daylight she's moving with me after just practically meeting her less than twenty-four hours.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. I seriously regretted that I have chosen that bar to forget my problems with alcohol. If I stayed in my hotel room-if I just went to another bar-if I just ignored her when she tried to make small talk with me-if...

"Hey," She said in the painfully silent car. "Don't you think our atmosphere is somewhat somber? It's like we're attending a funeral. Would you mind if I turn on the radio?"

I'm surprised to learn the fact that this woman knew how to ask questions. It was already on the tip of my tongue to refuse her because I like driving in silence but before I have a chance to utter a single word she turned on the radio and search for a station that has the genre for her taste of music.

I mentally cringed when she sings along with the loud music coming from the radio. She has a good timbre of voice but she sings the song at the top of her lungs like she's the only person on the planet.

I gave her a sideways glance hoping she would see my disapproval but she's too occupied with her singing that she hasn't noticed my disapproving looks. After a moment I gave up and focused my gaze back on the road. She reminded me so much of Leila Fiorenza and her wild days back in Sicily when Laila would come to our home and asked for my help in searching for her rebellious twin sister in Palermo. Laila and I would search club after club to look for her twin sister.

Most of those nights we have to drag the overly drunk Leila out of the bar and I have to threaten her date from stopping us from taking home the wild woman. On the ride back to Palazzo di Fiorenza Leila would sing a song at the top of her lungs on the silent car ride. I would thank my luck if she didn't throw up in my car after such singing. If she wasn't that drunk to pass out on her seat she would start lecturing us about life that her sister would not be able to get a decent husband if she stayed in Ragusa all her life.

That time I felt like Leila's words were like insults to me. I was there, in love with her twin. I was just bidding my time to profess my love until I was certain that Laila is ready. I guessed I was wrong and Leila had been correct.

My dearest love found her happiness outside Ragusa and with a different man. Despite my heartbreak in her marriage I tried to be happy for her. I would always be here whenever she needs me. I gripped the steering wheel tightly. If that man she married breaks her heart I would end his life with my own hands.

"You seem awfully quiet," the woman beside me had remarked. That's when I realized that she stopped singing and staring at me intently. "Something is bothering you?"

I schooled my features before looking at her. "What makes you say that?"

"I've been staring at you for quite some time now and I can see anger in your face." She answered. Her lucid blue-grey eyes were focused on me. "What's wrong? Are you disturbed because of my singing or perhaps, I am really such a bother to you?"

It was on the tip of my tongue to say that she's a bother to me so she could stop plaguing me. But I was surprised when my mouth muttered a different answer. "No, you are not bothering me, Signorina. Believed me I heard far worse singing than you. I just remember something from the past."

Really, Rafe? I asked myself silently. She's not a bother to you? That's what she is the moment you met her. This woman is very handful for you. You have to stay away from her to avoid more trouble. You have enough problems to add this woman to your list.

She smiled brightly in my direction. "Truthfully? I'm glad to hear that from you. I thought you see me as nothing but a hassle in your life. In time you get to know me I can assure you, you will like me as much as I like you right now."

I frowned as I fix my eyes on the highway. I don't think I like where this conversation leads again. She has this habit of navigating a simple conversation into the topic she likes to discuss so smoothly. Few more sentences and I were sure we're back on the topic of her campaign of marriage.

"I like you, all right?" I said after a moment of silence in the car. "You are a bright and intelligent woman. In a different circumstance, I would like to know you more but we met at the wrong time. I don't need a distraction right now. I'm so sorry, Signorina."

I looked at her and saw her pouting at me like a child. I prevented my smile from slipping on my face. "Why do I get a vibe that's your farewell speech to me? You don't like me even a bit, correct?"

"I do like you," I answered truthfully. "Like I said you are a bright and lovely woman but I am not looking for a relationship right now. To tell you the truth I just came from a broken engagement my bride-to-be married another man on the eve of our wedding."

Compassion showed in her eyes. I was surprised when she touched my hand, not in a seductive way but more of sympathy. "I am truly sorry for what happened to you in the past. But don't let this bitter experience in your past colored the way you view life." She smiled at me almost shyly. "Sometimes when you least expected it that when you will meet the right woman for you. I could be that woman, you know."

I thought if I reveal that personal information about my disastrous engagement and turn her down in her face she would go rage at me. I never expected sympathy from her. "You are not going to back down easily, are you?"

"Nope." She answered arrogantly. "I believe what Coco wants Coco gets and I happened to likes you more than you know. So I will not give you up without a fight."

Before I could answer her, she instructed me to turn right on the road and I saw an imposing manor down the road. For some unexplainable reason, I felt nervous as we were near the English manor. I parked my car in the courtyard and the Spencer heiress slid out of the car before I have a chance to turn off the engine of my car.

I expected that a maid would come out to get her luggage in the compartment of my car and I was wrong. The English woman bends down at the passenger's window of my car and smile. "I guess the maids are busy at the moment. Would you mind helping me with my luggage and carry them inside?"

"Sure," I unclasped my seatbelt and slid out of the car. I get her luggage on the compartment of my car as she ushered me inside their home.

"Let's put them in my room after that I am setting you free-at least, for today." The Spencer heiress had said as we ascend on the grand staircase. She led me on corridor after corridor and finally to her room as she claimed.

Her room was what I expected, a queen-sized canopy bed, vintage lamps on each side of the bed, a huge chandelier on the high ceiling, a sturdy study table on the side with a laptop that forgot to shut down on the top of it. A sofa sets on the other side and vintage floral wallpaper designed on the wall.

"Thank you for your help," She said genuinely. "Come let me show you out." I followed her silently on the corridor before we reach the staircase she faced me. "Oh, now I know the reason why the maids are busy. Everyone is gathering for the memorial service for Grandfather. Come let me introduce you to my family before you leave."

I started to shake my head. "That's not necessary. That's a private affair..."

Sadly, my protest fell on deaf ears. She grabbed my wrist and pulled me in the opposite direction. For a woman like her, she has a good grip. She led me to the far end door of the hallway and announced our presence with style. "Hello, everyone."

Several pairs of eyes swung in our direction. The woman advances into the room even further. She's enjoying the attention we're getting in this crowd.

"Where did you go?" The woman meticulously dressed in black scowled in our direction, holding a teacup in her hand. "I thought we made it clear that we will have a service for Carlisle this morning you arrived half an hour after the service ended is this how you repay the man who gave everything to you? And who is this man with you this is a private affair."

"Oh, right. How rude of me I forgot to introduce him, Aunt Clarissa." She smiled brightly in my direction and with our brief eye contact, I saw the devilish glint in her eyes. "Everyone this is Rafaelle, my fiancé. Rafe, this is everyone."

The room was filled with painful silence about her brass announcement. This woman knew how to shock her family. "Fiancé?" The woman repeated the word with scorn.

"Yes." The woman beside me smiled devilishly at her Aunt. "Don't you think even if I miss his service Granddad will be glad that I surrender to his demand, Auntie?"

The woman's face darkened visibly. She was about to retort when a blond woman cut her off. "Aren't you working too fast, cousin? The will was read two days ago and here you are announcing that you are now engaged. Aren't you going to introduce us, Coco?"

She encircled her hand around my arm as she smiled at her cousin. "Zoe, I'd like you to meet my fiancé, Rafe. Rafe this is my cousin Zoe and her pet, Blair."

The man's face filled with rage the way she introduce him. I suddenly felt the urge to protect her from this man. I don't know why I instantly felt dislike towards this man maybe because of the fact his pale blue eyes resemble the Greek man who stole away Laila's love for me. Before my dark thoughts about Laila's husband filled my brain the rebellious English woman next introduce me to her parents.

"When is the wedding?" Her father's asked conversationally.

My eyes widened things move faster here I need to step in. I forced myself to smile for her parent's benefit. "Excuse me, sir. Would mind if I have a word with my f-fiancée for a moment?"

"Of course," Her father replied with a smile and left us alone with his wife.

"Let's go somewhere private now," I muttered to her ear once we were alone.

She merely raised an eyebrow in my direction and led me outside the room filled with her relatives. She led me to the other drawing-room. "What do you want to talk about?"

"Are you crazy?" I fired my question angrily. "Why did you introduce me as your fiancé? I haven't agreed on anything yet, woman! Now everyone in your family thinks we're betrothed. What are you thinking?"

"It was just a spur of the moment."

I glared at her vehemently. "This is not a game, Signorina! For the last time, I will tell you I will not marry you. Find another man who is willing to marry you."

"Coco?" A knock sounded on the wooden door. We both look in the door's direction. "It's Blair. Can we talk for a moment, Coco? Please?"

The Spencer's heiress cursed when she saw the door wasn't locked. "It's Blair. Zoe's fiancé."

I frowned why her cousin's fiancé would like to chat with her? That's when I realized our first conversation at the bar. Her ex cheated her over her cousin. That man was her ex?

Another knock sounded again. "I know you are inside with your so-called fiancé. You are making a mistake. Let me talk some sense to you. Coco? I'm coming in."

"What shall we do? He will come inside."

"Nothing," I replied calmly. "We are not doing anything wrong."

She looked at me straight in the eyes. "Send him away and I will do whatever you want without a question. I promise."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes!"

Just when the door was about to open I swept the woman off her feet and placed her bottom on the mahogany table and kissed her senselessly. I invaded her mouth like I have every right in doing so. She answered my kiss after kiss with equal intensity completely forgetting the main reason I kiss her in the first place. I ran my hand at the side of her upper legs before I completely lose control of the situation.

I forcefully remove my mouth from hers and look at the man who just entered the room. "You need something, my friend? Can you see you are disturbing me and my fiancée?"

"I just want to talk to Coco if I may." He said after a moment. I could see jealousy in his eyes.

I looked straight at Coco Spencer's eyes. "I believed she's busy. In fact, she will be very busy from now on, right?"

She just managed to nod. I glanced back at her ex. "Please close the door when you leave. I need some time alone with my bride-to-be."

I didn't wait for his reply and reclaimed the mouth of the woman in my arms. When I heard the door firmly shut behind us I lifted my mouth from hers and stared at her passion clouded eyes. "I send him away for you. Now about your promise, Signorina."

"Oh my God," She muttered softly. "My mind went blank. I can't remember anything. Help me remember it."

Before I could answer her. She pulled me atop of her on the table and kissed me again...