Months onwards

Rose

The mafia King came home earlier than I expected.

The house was silent and pristine after a day of myself cleaning the entire loft whilst he went out and dealt with business. We were the only residents left of the loft; the rest had moved out. The lights in the house were dimmed and the bright, neon Christmas tree decorations lit up, flashing around the room.

I stepped out of the bedroom and stood at the top of the stairs, locating him taking off his coat. I leaned against the wall, my eyes on my nails carelessly and I could feel his stare upon me. I looked down to see his eyes running down the outfit on my body; the red lingerie and a long, lace cardigan on hanging loosely on me.

A small smirk came onto my face and I turned, seductively swaying my hips as I strolled casually into the bedroom.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I crossed my right leg over my left, my body leaning back a little with my elbows propping me upwards. Then eventually, he came standing by the doorway, his eyes intently fixed on me.

Then he entered, pulling off his shirt as he closed the door behind him.

~~~

I thought I was going to cry when I told Cristiano everything.

'Everything' meant the truth.

The truth of what happened while being with Stefan.

But I didn't.

There was all kinds of things that Stefan did to me that were indescribable but the worst that haunted me scarred me the most.

He sexually forced himself onto me but I barely remembered anything because I was so drugged up.

That was all I had to say to Cris.

I lied when I said I killed him and all his goons. Dylan did it for me and he also helped me escape. I guessed I felt like I owed something to him, that was why I went back but I didn't. Although he saved me, he wasn't a good man himself so I vowed not to see him again.

When I finished confessing my troubles, a burden had been lifted off my shoulders.

I felt like I could finally breathe. I had been underwater for so long and finally, I was free.

Free from the pain I had been holding in for so long.

I lifted my head from Cristiano's bare chest and looked into his hazel eyes. He was always there for me, he didn't have to show me he had changed by showering me with gifts or begging for forgiveness everyday. He was just there. That was what I needed.

The pain had gone and the only thing left was love. My love for him. I thought to myself, why didn't I just let it out? Why did I let pain control me?

Just saying how I felt would've saved so much time and changed so much.

"So, I forgive you," I whispered, my eyes gazing down into his. "And I mean it this time." His hazel eyes mesmerised me, never leaving mine. I sighed, licking my lips as I moved my hair away from my face, continuing, "I'm gonna try and focus on me; stop seeing the bad out of the situations but seeing the good. I just wanna be me again."

"I want you to stop looking in the mirror everyday and seeing those scars as burdens because they're not. Stefano didn't win; he lost. Those scars of freedom make you you. Beauty isn't about having the perfect skin or the best curves - no, it's about how you are on the inside and baby, you're so beautiful inside and out. You just don't realise it. The more you show how beautiful your heart is, the more beautiful you will be."

"You're an angel," I whispered, my heart warming at his sweet words that meant so much to me. I felt like crying in gratefulness of his words; they were so important, each of them meaning the most to me. "You know that?"

A playful smirk came onto his face and I rolled my eyes, a grin forming on mine. "Well, it did hurt when I fell from Heaven," He joked, pretending to flick the imaginary hair over his shoulder. I laughed, gently slapping his chest and shaking my head.

"You still sold me, dick."

His face changed and I realised my mistake, licking my lips and sighing. I looked down, caressing his cheek and running my hand through his hair.

"It's hard but. . .I'm gonna try and put this in the past because I'm just so done with feeling. . .empty. This constant reminder around us is just breaking everything apart. It's gonna take some time but it's staying in the past."

Then my phone buzzed.

I looked over and smiled.

"It's midnight. Merry Christmas, Cristiano."

That morning, Cris was up and already prepping for the day. It was only us now so there wasn't any need for any huge arrangements and yet Cristiano still did them. He continued to add decorations around the house although Christmas was only for a day. He decided to make breakfast while I got myself ready.

I dragged myself out of bed tiredly and entered the bathroom. Sighing softly, I rubbed my eyes, stretching and yawning as I looked into the mirror with a small smile.

It's Christmas!

I hadn't really had the best Christmases; my whole life I spent Christmas alone and with no one to spread holiday love. I never got to experience the unwrapping of the presents, the laughter, the food, the partying, the snow fights and the decorating since my mother was alive. I missed her, dearly and wished for one more time where I could spend a happy Christmas with us all together.

The feeling of joy was quickly ruined by vomit spewing out of my mouth and into the toilet.

I coughed, spitting one last time. Thankfully, it wasn't too much and I groaned, grabbing a tissue and wiping my mouth before throwing it into the toilet.

All I had the night before was pasta. I sighed, cleaning and flushing the toilet before going over to the sink and beginning to brush my teeth.

I didn't think too deeply into the vomiting but hopefully, I wouldn't be sick again.

When I finally went downstairs, changed and ready for the day, I entered the kitchen were Cristiano was blasting classic and traditional Christmas songs whilst dancing around the kitchen merrily.

I laughed, beginning to take a video of him and he groaned, covering his face and stopping before wrapping his arms around me and taking my phone out of my hand, tickling my sides.

I squealed as he spun me around, making me laugh and giggle. When he finally placed me onto the counter, I rolled my eyes, pushing him away playfully.

"Go check the food then we can open the presents," I said with a grin, the Christmas spirit in me.

He took a bite out of the waffle, chewing and swallowing before saying, "you know, we had a Christmas tradition growing up."

I raised my eyebrow and his hazel eyes sparkled as they glanced back upwards into mine.

"Who can make the best snowman?"

I rolled my eyes again, flicking my hair over my shoulder playfully with a grin as I replied, "game on."

~~~

I felt dizzy.

I wasn't sure what it was or where it was coming from but I felt dizzy and tired.

My head was against the window as Cris drove. I squeezed my eyes closed, pain throbbing my head. "Where are we going?" I murmured, a soft yawn then leaving my mouth. I held back from rubbing my eyes, not wanting to mess up my makeup.

I heard Cris exhale before finally responding, "Vincenzo's house."

My eyes flew open and I stared at him in shock. "Did he invite you?"

Cristiano shook his head, licking his lips and keeping his hazel eyes on the road. "No."

I sighed. "Cris, what if he wants to spend Christmas with his family? We can't just go in there without him knowing. No, I don't wanna ruin it. Let's go home."

Cristiano shook his head again. "No, we practically there and I'm sure he'll be fine." I rolled my eyes and sighed, knowing that he wasn't going to listen to me.

"I wouldn't of gone into the car if I had known we weren't going to a restaurant or something," I added, shaking my head to myself.

"I'll make it up to you," Cris responded as we began driving down a familiar street. He glanced over at me and added quietly, "I guess Christmas is a good enough excuse to spend some time with him. . ."

My heart warmed and automatically, I felt for him. "I understand," I softly said, my eyes on him.

He drummed his finger against the steering wheel and silence rose again.

After a moment, Cristiano asked cautiously, "what are we. .Rose?"

I hesitated.

What are we?

He parked and I looked out to see what we were outside of Mia's house. His hazel eyes flickered over to mine as he turned off the engine.

I leaned forwards and pressed my lips against his, leaving a small yet sweet kiss on his lips.

When I pulled away, I locked eyes with him asking rhetorically, "does that answer your question?"

I opened the car door and exited, walking up the driveway, him in tow.

Walking to the door, Cris pressed the doorbell, knocking twice too. I adjusted my hair and exhaled shakily, beginning to feel nervous. Then Cristiano slipped his hand in mine, giving me a gentle and reassuring squeeze. I gave him a small smile just as the door opened by an unfamiliar woman.

She was beautiful wearing a satin, red, wrap dress that showed off her hourglass figure. She had her long, curly brown her on one shoulder like me and amazing makeup on her face. She licked her coated lips, her balance on one hip as her eyes landed upon Cristiano.

"I know you," she said, folding her arms. Then she chuckled, pulling a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Ooo, this is gonna be interesting. Come in."

She let us in, shutting the door behind us as she began to lead the way to the living room.

"Are you Maria?" Cris asked, curiously.

She chuckled again, shaking her head and glancing at us. "No. I'm Valentina," she replied, opening the door to the living room and stepping in, leaving us alone at the doorway.

Wow

A lot of people

Keep calm, Rose

Don't panic

Do not panic

My eyes scanned the room, my breath hitting as I felt as though my heart had stopped thumping. I could barely breathe and for a moment, I couldn't catch my breath.

There was Mia and Vincenzo by the sofa and aside from them, I didn't recognise anyone. My eyes landed on a few male faces that looked extremely similar to Cristiano; his other brothers. But then I silently gasped distinctively at the sight of two people; Blaze's parents.

Now, they didn't recognise me but I recognised them and all I could think was: oh shit.

"Hello, family!" Cris boomed with a smile, his confidence way too much for the situation. The atmosphere felt so awkward; I wanted the floor to swallow me up. I was too embarrassed. I felt my face heat up and I was sure my cheeks had reddened.

"I can't believe you gave him the mafia," one guy said bitterly. My eyes flickered to him. Hazel eyes, muscular and hot - definitely Cristiano's brother. He had his arm around Valentina so I was guessing they were together.

"Can't believe you got married - to this sexy lady too. You could do so much better, baby, come to papa!"

Mia snorted, coughing and hiding her laugh as she buried her face in Vincenzo's chest. My eyes widened and I gave Cristiano a look, wishing he would stop.

"Ah, mademoiselle sexy, still want me?"

"Cris, leave them alone," I warningly said, giving him a deadly stare.

"What are you even doing here?" Vincenzo asked irritably, his eyes glaring at his brother. He wrapped his arms around Mia lovingly.

"It's Christmas and I'm a part of this family," Cristiano sanguinely announced with a charming smile.

"Sadly," Blaze's father muttered, rolling his eyes.

"Come on, Leo! You know you love me."

Cris, shut the hell up

"Do you ever shut up?" Valentina asked, rolling her eyes. "And stop eye-ráping me!"

"I'm sorry, who are you?" A girl asked. She was sat on the sofa with a guy, her silky hair with pink highlights in. I noticed Cris's gaze on her and I almost groaned at loud.

I'm gonna slap him so hard that he's gonna forget that he even irritated me

"Hey, pal, she's taken like all the other women in this room," the guy beside the girl said, putting his arm around her shoulder.

I wanna go home

I wanna go home

I wanna go home

"Hey, ma!" Cris yelled.

"You back, traitor?" A woman yelled back from the kitchen.

"Yeah! Better than ever!"

Then she entered and that was when it realised that it was his mother. She held a tray of food in her hands and Cris took some, eating quickly as she walked in, sitting down.

"This is gonna be a long Christmas night," Valentina sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Indeed," Cristiano said, his voice muffled from the food.

"Give me strength, Lord," Vincenzo murmured, giving his brother a deadly look.

"I think we're all gonna need it to survive the night," Mia added with a small chuckle, her head against Vincenzo's chest.

"Start praying, baby," Cris replied, cracking a playful smirk on his face.

_______

Ahh, Cris

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