Tuesday, July 16th, 2019

Jayce's POV

Why me, oh why me? This can't happen.

"Jayce, anyone with eyes can see that Ms. Padmore is attractive. Why are you just now figuring it out?" My flight attendant asked.

"I didn't just figure it out. I made a mistake and saw her birthday suit. And, three words to describe it is a full, course meal."

"Mistake my foot. See, that's your problem right there, thinking with the wrong body part. You don't respect her, and you showed it by the way you treated her and just described her as a full, course meal. I'm telling you as a friend, women deserve to be treated with respect. And, they certainly are not sex objects or full, course meals."

Joseph is right, but it's hard. It's only two days, but so far, I don't need a bodyguard. I'm good. However, I do need a new agent, so I'll work on that this week.

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Friday, July 19th, 2019

Kina's POV

Dario and I spent the rest of the week with his family. His relationship with his brothers is strong. He started teaching me Italian too.

Pops says several people have inquired about me being their bodyguard. He told them I was on vacation for the next three and a half months. So, when we get back to Miami, we are going to rest for a few days. Then, we are packing and traveling to Italy to prepare for our October wedding. I am really excited about that.

The plane we flew in just landed safely in Miami. Our luggage was already in the SUV's, so Mike and Josh sat in the Maserati. Dario and I sat in the Cullinan. Once the plane door was opened, we drove off to my house.

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"You all had an eventful trip to California. Did he really say that to you?" Rick asked.

"He sure did. I'm glad to be free of him. He caused me more stress than I needed. Oh, if you guys didn't know already, Dario and I are engaged. We are getting married in October in Italy."

"Josh texted us the good news. Congratulations, Kina."

"Thank you, guys. And, I want all four of you to come. We are traveling to Italy for two months to pick out what we want and for vacation."

"We absolutely will be there. We have some news too. With us no longer being Jayce Sterling's bodyguards, we have been reassigned to another detail. We all start on Monday," Mike says.

"I had a feeling about that, but not this soon. I'm going to miss you all. When do you all leave?"

"We are going to miss you too. Our flight leaves on Sunday. Josh and I are flying to California. Mike and Rick are flying to London," Kevin says.

"Well, tomorrow I am fixing all of us dinner to celebrate our engagement and your new assignments. Today, I am going to get some rest, so I'll see you guys all tomorrow."

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Saturday, July 20th, 2019

I'm going to do something I haven't done since I moved to Miami. I have never just cruised around so I can find some of the more popular spots - like shopping malls, clubs, restaurants, etc.

I called Dario and told him I would be home in time to fix dinner for the crew. It will be our last time together. I really am going to miss them.

I went shopping for myself. I went to a lingerie store and found my wedding night attire. Well, for the time it will be on. And, some jewelry. I bought some more casual clothes as well. Needless to say, I had a ball shopping.

As I was walking out of the last clothing store, I turned to my left to see Mr. Sterling. He saw me. I tried my best to walk away fast, but I heard footsteps following me. So, I stopped and turned around. Of course, the paparazzi are following him.

"Leave me alone, Mr. Sterling. You said what you had to say, no matter how horrible it was."

"I'm not asking you to come back. I don't need a bodyguard, especially a woman."

"Trust me, you couldn't afford it if you tried to even ask me to come back. Goodbye. And, take your media posse and harem with you." Seriously, it was several people from the media and about 6 women with them. I started walking again. This time he ran over to me to stop me and had the audacity to put his hands on me! "Get your hands off me."

"Look, I'm sorry for what I said. It was out of line."

"You look, I said leave me alone. I don't want a scripted apology from you just because the media is around. You just don't get it. Now, if you will excuse me, I have a fiancé and my friends at my house to cook for." I started walking away again but immediately stopped.

"Hmm, I just thought of something, Mr. Sterling. I have wanted to do this since the first day we met back in Italy with that whiny girlfriend you had." I walked up to him, stood in his face, and punched the phony off it! I must have hit him really hard because he fell to the ground. The girls ran to help him up.

"Take your apology and shove it where the sun doesn't shine."

"Hey, you can't hit Jayce Sterling like that!!!!" Several of the girls screamed.

"I suggest all six of you shut the heck up, so you don't get punched too! Now, like I said, leave me alone!" After putting my bags in the trunk, I hopped in my Escalade and drove to get things for dinner.

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"He tried to do what?!" Dario asked with an irritated tone while I was finishing up our dinner. I fixed a little bit of Italian and Caribbean - baked ziti with sausage, risotto, plantains, Jamaican patties, jerk chicken and red beans with rice. Hey, I love to cook.

"Yes, he tried. But I wasn't hearing it. Anyway, let's not talk about Jayce Sterling. In three months, I will be happily married."

"I am so going to miss your cooking, Kina. Everything is delicious," Josh says while scraping his plate.

"And, I am going to miss cooking for you guys. I learned so much from observing you guys."

"Josh, Rick, Mike and I will be a phone call away whenever you need us. You are the sister my parents never had. I have 3 brothers. Wipe those tears. This may be goodbye, but not forever. We'll all be there for your wedding. That's a promise."

"Thank you, Kevin." I gave each of them a huge hug. I feel like I am losing my brothers.

"Have a glass of wine and take a seat. We'll take care of the dishes."

I grabbed the wine to pour myself a glass. I'll pack tomorrow for Italy.

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Jayce's POV

My nose is still hurting from that punch, and that happened in the afternoon. Once again, I have been embarrassed by a woman. That will be on the news tonight. I need something to drink, so I went to the bar in my living room. Nathan is off this weekend, visiting his family so I have the house to myself.

I kicked my shoes off and watched the television. Oh, and not the entertainment channel. I sincerely want to apologize. Both of my grandparents on my mom's side passed away. I should have never wished death on Ms. Padmore.

Suddenly, I heard loud banging on my front door. I ran to the security room to see who it was. At least that was a good investment. It was her boyfriend. I'm guessing she told him. Maybe if I am quiet, he'll go away.

Nope, that didn't work. So, I just went to answer the door. All I did was twist the door open. Next thing I know, I was grabbed by my shirt and shoved against the foyer wall.

"Leave Kina alone!"

"I just wanted to apologize. That was totally wrong of me to say."

"You think?! We have a wedding to plan in three months' time, and Kina doesn't need any stress from you! I am warning you - stay away from Kina Padmore!"

I threw my hands in the air. "That won't be a problem."

"Make sure you do. If you ever put your hands on her, I swear you will permanently disappear!!" He let go of my shirt and left my house. Note to self - turn on the electric fence after entering the house. That's the only reason he was able to knock on the door.

I need to talk to somebody, man. Reece is mad at me, but maybe he isn't anymore. It's worth a shot.

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Sunday, July 21st, 2019

After parking my SUV in front of Reece's place, I walked over to ring the doorbell. He opened the door, then tried to shut it real fast.

"Reece, wait!"

"I thought I told you our friendship was over?"

"I'm here to beg for our friendship to be back. I realized the moment it happened that what I said was absolutely wrong. Do I have to get on my knees and beg?"

I got down on my knees anyway.

"No media posse like that lame apology attempt you tried yesterday with Kina?"

"Reece, I didn't contact the media. Ever since the party, they have been basically stalking me. I sincerely wanted to apologize. I swear."

"Get up off the dang floor. You are embarrassing me."

I sure did crawl on my knees into his house.

"Jayce, you truly are pathetic."

"Everybody's mad at me and leaving me."

"Rightfully so Jayce. And, you got exactly what you deserved yesterday - a punch right in your face!"

"And, it still hurts."

"Again, you deserved it. You have a ways to go before you can say the friend word. My friends treat everyone with dignity and respect."

"I'll do whatever it takes to be friends again. I came because I wanted to talk about a, uh, developing issue."

"Like what?"

I mumbled, "I'm attracted to Ms. Padmore."

Reece spits out whatever he was drinking, right into my face. Geez.

After sighing, "I said I am attracted to Kina Padmore."

"That's what I thought you said. Again, you are pathetic. And, add hypocrite. You always told me to back off, which I did. Kina and I have even become friends. Plus, she invited me to the wedding."

"You're invited to the wedding?!"

"Yes, I am. And, no way you are going to be my guest. I already invited someone. Kina also made me promise not to bring you."

Dang. "I'll just have to find another way to apologize."

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Monday, July 22nd, 2019

Kina's POV

Dario and I are taking a yacht cruise to his family's estate on the Amalfi Coast. The town's name is Amalfi. The trip takes about a day, so we will arrive on Tuesday. We are on the deck, lounging together on the couch enjoying the view.

My family is going to fly Italy the beginning of August to help me with the wedding - dresses, decorations, etc.

This trip, I am going to meet Dario's mom's parents. He just caught me with a worried look on my face.

"What's wrong, baby?"

"I'm worried about meeting your Nonna and Nonno, as well as the rest of your family. What if they don't like me?"

"The only ones that are of importance are Pops, my mama, Nonna Ilenia, Nonno Donatello, Nonna Rosita, and Nonno Giovanni. My grandparents already can wait to finally meet you in person. They have been waiting for this day just like I have been. I have to warn you though - I have nosy aunts and some flirty cousins. Just let me know who bothers you. Calm those nerves down, love."

"That's reassuring to hear." That won't stop me from being nervous though.

"Oh, and be prepared for plenty of partying. My family is big on spending time together. They would party every weekend if they could."

"That's okay with me. I want to soak up as much of your culture as I can. I'm going inside for a nap."

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Tuesday, July 23rd, 2019

"We have arrived. I'll get the luggage. Go ahead and depart from the yacht."

"Okay." After yawning, I got up from the bed, grabbed my bag, and walked off the yacht. As I walked off the yacht, there was a white Mercedes limo waiting. I did not get in until I saw Dario walking off the yacht.

He had my suitcase and his. "It's okay to get in the limo. My Nonno sent it to us."

"Okay." While Dario loaded the luggage, I got the limo. About 5 minutes later, he joined me. We then drove off to the estate.

It took us about 15 minutes through winding roads to reach the estate, which was amazing!

As the limo came to a stop, I looked out the window and saw some of Dario's family waiting outside to greet us.

And, let the nervousness commence.

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The Italian estate is courtesy of Can Stock Photos - © Can Stock Photo / felker