Vanessa's POV

"Jack knows about us. He had been coming to the nightclub the last two weeks. He provoked me, but I managed to control myself. I thought he was just some spoiled brat, but when I saw your photo together, I understood his intention," Rick informed me firmly.

"Shit!" I ruffled my hair, panicked. "I am sorry, Rick. I hope he didn't give you any trouble with your boss," I added, giving him an apologetic look.

"I handled it. Don't worry." He stroked my cheek tenderly. I nodded and hugged him tightly, resting my head against his chest, thinking what I could do to keep him safe and away from my father and Jack's ruthless behaviors.

***

When I found out Jack was waiting for my father in the living room, I went to talk to him. He had to give me an explanation why he leaked our photos.

"Why did you leak the information that we got engaged?" I asked him angrily, clenching my fist as soon as I walked into the living room.

"What a welcome! Can't you be more polite?" he said sarcastically and smirked.

"Cut the crap, Jack! I know it was you who leaked the photo and information,"  I stated angrily.

"I didn't do anything, honey. However, I don't find it necessary to hide our engagement. I am proud to be Vincent Campbell's son-in-law," he commented wickedly and gave me a devilish smirk. I gritted my teeth while trying to hold myself from strangling him. "I don't understand why you wanted to keep it a secret. Are you afraid that your bartender lover finds out that you are an engaged woman?" he added mockingly.

I stared at him without knowing what to say. I hoped he just thought I and Rick were interested in each other, not that we were dating, but after his confession, my last hope vanished. So he knew everything about us. Did he order to his men to follow me?

"Has the cat got your tongue? Did you really think I wouldn't find out that my fiancée fools around with some bastard?" he said sarcastically and gave me a death glare.

"Watch your language!" I warned him angrily.

Jack cupped my chin tightly. "Don't raise your voice at me, you little bitch! If you don't want your father to find out what his beloved daughter is doing behind our backs, behave," he threatened me and pushed me back onto the couch. Then he hovered over me, cupping my chin, and lifted my head up without releasing his grip as much as I wanted to pull away. "And if you think I will let you disgrace me, you are wrong." He gave me an intimidating look.

"Let go of me!" I snapped, trying to push him back.

"You little bitch!" he exclaimed between his gritted teeth and grabbed my arm tightly, making me wince in pain. "You..."

"Is he in the living room?"

Jack released me instantly as he heard my father's voice coming from the hallway and pulled back quickly.

"Oh. Vanessa, you are here too," my father commented, surprised as he walked into the living room. Then he turned his gaze from me to Jack. "Let's talk in my study room," he stated firmly and walked away without waiting for him to say anything.

Jack gave me a disgusting smirk and followed my father. I clenched my fist in frustration and cursed under my breath while fighting back my tears.

Rick's POV

I yawned, opening my eyes, and looked at Vanessa sleeping in my arms. We spent the night in Jasmine's apartment. Meanwhile, she was out of town.

I pulled my arm away carefully without waking her up and leaned against the bed. Then I grabbed my phone and bit my lower lip, staring at it, lost in my thoughts. Today was the birthday of a woman who was so precious to me. I hadn't seen her for a few years, and I missed her so much.

I sighed, running my hand through my hair, and got up, placing my phone on the bedside table back. Once I put on my boxers, I went to the living room, grabbing my phone.

I nibbled my lower lip, staring at her number on my phone, hesitating to call her.

"Rick? What are you doing here?" Vanessa asked sleepily, approaching me.

"Nothing," I mumbled, forcing a smile, and placed my phone on the table.

"Let's have breakfast together," she suggested, placing a tender kiss on my bare chest as she wrapped her arms around my waist. I nodded and kissed her lips, cupping her cheeks.

After having breakfast with Nessa, I left the apartment first, using the fire escape stairs while my sweatshirt hood covered my face slightly. As soon as I approached my bike, I put on my helmet quickly and got on my bike.

After driving for a while, I stopped near a phone booth and got off the bike. I approached the booth and grabbed the phone. It would be better if I called her without using my phone.

"Yes?" My heart started pounding as I heard a familiar soft voice.

"Mom... Happy birthday!" I said nervously while my eyes welled up.

"It is you... My boy..." she mumbled happily while sobbing. "Are you fine? Why didn't you call me? Where are you?" she asked between sobs.

"I am fine, Mom. Don't worry," I assured her.

"Why did you leave without telling us anything? I was so worried about you."

"I... I had to..." I mumbled sadly and leaned my head against the booth.

"When will you come back? I miss you," she asked, crying.

"I don't know."

"Please come back," she pleaded.

"I can't... No. I don't want to go back to that life again," I said, determined.

"Caro mio, please. Come back. Do you know how worried I am about you?" she insisted hopefully.

"I... I have to hang up. Take care!" I mumbled and hung up the phone without letting her say anything.

I leaned my head against the booth while tears ran down my cheeks uncontrollably.

"Fuck!" I cursed furiously and punched the booth again and again.

Vanessa's POV

"Welcome." I grinned happily and greeted Rick with a kiss on his lips.

My parents went to Italy yesterday, and I gave the maids day-off. So I was home alone, excluding a few security guards. Most of them went to Italy with my parents. Jack and his father went with my parents as well. They had a meeting there. Meanwhile, my mother accompanied my father, using the opportunity to do shopping and enjoy the Italian sightseeing.

I grabbed his hand and led him towards the kitchen door quietly. Then we went to my bedroom. As soon as I closed the door, I breathed deeply in relief. Now no one could see us here.

I gave him a mischievous grin and threw myself into his arms, kissing him feverishly. Rick wrapped his arms around my waist, kissing me back, and lifted me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist while kissing him passionately. He carried me towards the bed while our tongues were fighting for dominance.

My Italian claimed my lips and slid his hand under my crop top. I shivered in anticipation and ran my hand through his hair.

He sat up on the bed, pulling me with him and took off my crop top and bra. I moaned, gripping his hair as he attacked my nipple and squeezed my breast.

I slid my hands under his shirt and pulled it over his head. After throwing the shirt away, I smashed my lips against his lips, wrapping my legs around his waist. He was caressing my bare back while he was devouring my mouth.

Rick pushed me onto the bed and unbuttoned my shorts and unzipped my fly impatiently while devouring me with his eyes. After throwing my clothes onto the floor, he got up and took off his black jeans and boxers while I was watching my handsome man in desire. My body was craving for him so badly.

As soon as he grabbed a foil, he crawled on the bed and locked our lips in a passionate kiss.

I arched my back, moaning, and squeezed the sheet tightly while closing my eyes as he inserted his finger into me.

I pursed my lips together, trying to hold my moans as much as possible, and I gripped his hair tightly while his fingers were blowing my mind. Meanwhile, my Italian was sucking, biting my neck. Once he hit my sensitive spot, I came, crying out.

Rick sat up on the bed as he pulled his finger out of me and sucked it seductively, looking at me, full of desire in his eyes. Meanwhile, I was looking at my devilishly handsome man in daze. I was on fire. I needed him so badly. I wanted to feel him inside me.

"Please..." I pleaded, looking at my handsome Italian in desire.