This body of work is available exclusively on Wattpad. If you're viewing it on a different website or under a different username, it has been illegally stolen, and you may be at risk of malware. Please do not support these sites, as writing a book takes long hours of hard work and effort. Head over to Wattpad and let me, the original author, know if you encounter this situation by finding me @greenwitchwrites.

Niklaus

The movement behind me surprises me. Forty minutes have gone by since I left Allegra in her room. I hadn't expected her to be ready so soon. Most women I knew needed a lot more time. But then again, Allegra wasn't like most women.

I only sat down moments before, the glass of bourbon in my hands barely touched. Getting up, I discard my glass on the table. As I turn around, a breeze flowing through the house catches Allegra's perfume, the jasmine, and vanilla lightly engulfing me before it is carried away to the ocean behind.

She stands in front of me, eyeing me nervously, none of us saying a word.

Absolutely effortlessly gorgeous. She must have showered, the tips of her long hair slightly wet. She is wearing it in a stylishly messy bun, a colorful scarf tied around the base of the bun. Her eyes are accentuated by mascara and eyeliner, the only makeup on her face. She is wearing a flowing floral skirt, the slit ending mid-thigh, with a white cotton blouse tucked into the top. She has chosen flat slip-on shoes, perfectly suiting this stylishly laid-back outfit. She looks like she has stepped out of a magazine. People pay stylists to put together a look this woman had managed to throw together in under an hour.

"Is this appropriate for the venue?" She asks me, uncertainty in her voice as she looks down at what she is wearing.

"It's appropriate. You look gorgeous, Allegra," I say to her as a blush tinges her cheeks. "And even if it wasn't, you shouldn't care so much about what others will say. Just be yourself."

"That's easy for you to say. You're a natural," she says, breaking eye contact with me.

"A natural?" I ask, not sure exactly what she means.

"Charming, likable, confident, alpha male...you know." Her hand is indicating to all of me as she talks.

"So, I'm likable and charming?" I ask her, smirking as she glares at me in return, though a small smile is playing on her perfect pink lips.

"That's what the internet says about you," she huffs, looking out towards the ocean behind me.

"Don't believe everything the internet says, Allegra. You should know that." I take a step toward her, the movement causing her eyes to snap up and meet mine. "I googled you too, if it makes you feel any better. You've managed to keep a lower profile than I have. I could barely find anything on you. Are you hiding something?" I ask her, taking another step towards her.

"W-what – what would I need to hide? I'm an open book." Her tone is defensive, and her eyes will not meet mine.

She is definitely hiding something, and whatever it is, from what Aashiv had also said, was something painful. In time I would find out. But from her. From anyone else, it would be a watered-down version. I wanted Allegra to tell me. To confide in me. When I think back to the woman in the garden four years ago and the one now standing in front of me, the spark she had then has somewhat diminished. Not entirely, luckily enough. There was still hope.

"Mmm, you're not an open book, but that's okay. Neither am I. Shall we go?" I ask, holding my hand out to her.

She is clearly relieved that we have moved on from the previous conversation. Reluctantly, she takes my hand as I gently pull on it, leading her to the front door. Once outside, I head towards the Porsche that Sian arranged to be dropped off here earlier, opening her door for her to get in.

We would be dining at one of the twelve restaurants on the island, The One. Its three Michelin star rating made it a sought-after destination with a waiting list of two years. Many rich and famous flew in just to eat at the restaurant before jetting off to another destination. With only two hundred people being accommodated in the hotels on the island, Rosi Island was a coveted experience. The invite-only beach parties saw the accommodation filled up year-round. Those who couldn't secure a room in the hotel but who still wanted to attend the beach parties opted to sleep on their yachts and boat in for the occasion.

Rosi Islands' privacy was one of its appeals. No paparazzi were allowed, and the area surrounding the island was patrolled twenty-four-seven to ensure no one entered the island uninvited and no paparazzi snapped beachgoers from a distance.

"What time are Ade and Aashiv arriving tomorrow?" Allegra asks me, her hands lying relaxed in her lap. This was probably the slowest I had driven the Porsche ever, but it seemed to be paying off.

"Sometime in the afternoon." These are just words. I actually have no idea when or even if they will arrive. In reality, there was no set plan that Aashiv and Ade would be joining us. Aashiv and I had made last-minute 'loose' arrangements more as I way of getting Allegra on the island. Beyond that, we hadn't really thought everything out.

Allegra remains quiet the rest of the way until we reach the restaurant. The valet is ready to take the car, Allegra once again undertaking breathing exercises before I open the door and hold my hand out to her. She takes a final deep breath and then takes my hand firmly, a sort of resolution setting in that makes me curious about its trigger.

"I've heard about this place. Will we get a spot?" she asks, looking at me innocently, clearly forgetting that I own the whole island.

"It shouldn't be a problem," I say, smiling as we head toward the entrance. God, her innocence was endearing.

The hostess, Jennine, is standing at the entrance, a huge grin on her face.

"Wow, I can't believe it. When Sian said you would be coming here, and with a plus one no less, I nearly choked on my own spit," Jennine says, her arms encircling me before I even know what is happening.

I hadn't seen her in ages. We were good friends at university and even after we graduated, but that all changed a couple of years back when she got married. Unfortunately, her husband died tragically in a car accident a couple of years back. She was pregnant at the time with their first child, and the stress of the situation led to her miscarrying. When I heard about her situation, I offered her a fresh start. A job on this island. I thought it would be a great place for her to heal and, at the same time, she found love again. She was in a new relationship with one of my other friends who ran the management side of this island, Slovak.

"Nice to see you too. This is Allegra," I say as Jennine releases me from the hug. Curiosity and another emotion I cannot decipher are plastered on Allegra's beautiful face.

"Oh my god, you are absolutely gorgeous. I love your outfit! I'm Jennine, by the way," Jennine gushes before swooping in and hugging Allegra, her shocked expression morphing into a smile as the two women part.

"Thank you," Allegra says, taking a step back as if to create some distance. She was clearly not accustomed to strangers invading her personal space.

"Well. Let me show you two love birds to your table," Jennine says, winking at Allegra before turning around.

The softly spoken 'we are not love birds' coming from Allegra's lips is lost on Jennine, who waves at someone as we pass numerous tables littering the area.

She continues towards a secluded area at the rear of the restaurant, the VIP area where private tables are kept, available for very special guests.

"Thank you," I say to Jennine as I pull Allegra's chair out, her body lightly brushing mine as she sits down. Her hair smells like strawberries, and her jasmine and vanilla perfume wafts up to me, making me want to bury my head into her neck, where I think the smell would be the strongest.

"I'll bring your usual," Jennine says, looking from me to Allegra.

"What can I get you to drink Allegra?" Janine asks, her huge smile not faltering as she stares at the beauty beside me. I could tell she was surprised to see me with a woman.

"A semi-sweet wine. Any kind is fine," Allegra says, smiling back at Jennine, who leaves but not before giving me a wink.

Before I can say anything, Allegra speaks.

"I figured out why I am here," she says, and my heart skips a beat.

Has she finally figured out I am that man from four years ago? Has she finally remembered the moment I cannot forget?

Please don't forget to comment and vote!