Okay guys
I just wanted to quickly do this.
I have another book up on my page
It's not a mafia story but it's a very interesting romance story.
It is an age gap story
The male lead is very much older than the female lead.
But they're both consenting adults
Do check it out 😁😁😁.
The title of the book is Silver Lining
Here's the cover and a chapter from the book
Zoey
I see how Karl looks at me and sometimes I see pity in his eyes but more than that I see guilt.
If I know Karl as much as I think I do, then he blames himself for what happened but it's not his fault
I couldn't sleep last night, I just kept turning and tossing on the bed, sleep was far from me.
Everytime I closed my eyes, I kept seeing his monstrous face and his sly smug look haunting me.
I really wanted to talk to Karl, to break down in front of him but I didn't want to add to his burden by being a bigger burden
He already had my mom to deal with and adding mine to it, would not be fair on him.
I got off the elevator and walked towards my work station, Maria was already there waiting for me, she had this sad look on her face
I know they all have heard what happened, I could see their stares on me and the hushed whispers they were talking in.
I walked towards her and gave her a smile I forced, before I could walk past her she pulled me into a hug.
"I heard about what happened, I'm sorry" she whispered and I had to resist the urge to burst into tears that moment.
She quickly let go of me knowing I hated all these sappy shit
"Are you okay"? She asks and I nodded
"I'm fine Maria" I tell her and I know she doesn't believe me
"I'm not buying that but I'm not going to push it, whenever you wanna talk, I'm here okay" she tells me and I nod before pulling her into a hug again
"Thank you Maria" I whisper before letting her go
"Aiden would have come but he is a bit busy" she said and I just smile.
"Maria, you don't have to cover up for him, it's okay" I tell her, I know he didn't even attempt to come.
Since our little fall out, he has simply avoided me like a plague and I've been too busy to go talk to him.
She gives my hands a tight squeeze
"I'll come check on you later, okay"? She says gently and I nod before watching her walk away back to her floor of the office
I sit down and sigh out
I would not have wanted to come back here but I have to, I'm not a weak girl and I definitely do not want to bother Karl with my problems.
He has done enough for me already and I'm really grateful for it.
I proceed to start working and pushing the rest of my thoughts in the far end of my mind.
_______________________________________
I wake up panting and my whole body breaking in cold sweats.
My skin is crawling with disgust.
This is why I've not slept since it happened, it's been almost a week now and I have barely slept, I have bags under my eyes but I always hide it with make up so Karl doesn't notice.
I've been having nightmares about it, since that night.
Everytime I close my eyes I see it happening, and this time Karl doesn't come to save me, he actually goes through with it
I get up and walk towards my bathroom, I splash water on my face, before looking at the mirror, my eyes are swollen and sleep deprived.
I can't keep going on like this.
I back my hair up in a bun before walking out of the bathroom.
I walk out of my room and downstairs, I need to get a drink of water.
I walk to the kitchen and turn on the lights.
I pick out a cup from the kitchen cabinet and pour myself a cold drink before taking a sip from it.
I hear footsteps and I look up to find Karl walking into the kitchen.
I take the cup away from my mouth and give him a small smile
"Hey" he rasps out, he still looks very sleepy "I heard noises and decided to come check"
"I'm sorry if I woke you up, I was just thirsty and wanted some water to drink" I whisper out to him
"It's okay Zoey" he muttered before walking towards where I was standing, he was looking down at me while I looked at my feet, I felt small standing in front of him
"Why are you up"? He asked and I looked up at him, to find him looking at me intently
"I was thirsty" I whispered out and he just smiled
"Zoey, why are you up"? He asked again and I gulped before looking down again
"I..... I.. I couldn't sleep" I whispered out feeling my throat tighten with a stiff pain.
"Nightmares"? He asked and I nodded
"Since when"? He asked and I swallowed hard before looking at him
"Since that night" I whispered and he sighed out before looking up
"Why didn't you say anything"? he asked gently looking at me
"I didn't wanna bother you" I muttered and he put his hands on my shoulders making me look up at him
"Zoey, there's nothing you'll ever say that'll ever be a bother to me, you're my responsibility and if I can't take care of you then why am I here"? He asks looking at me
I quickly look back at my legs
"Zoey look at me" he whispered and it took a while but I finally looked up, he cupped my face in his large, warm hands.
His eyes grew warmer if that is even possible, I had never been this close to Karl, I could feel his breathe on my face
"It was all my fault, I should have been able to protect you from him" he says and I start shaking my head
"No no..." He quickly cuts me off
"Listen to me Zoey" he says gently "I care about you, a lot and I don't want to ever see you sad, angry or hurt. I promised myself the first day I saw you that I was gonna take care of you with everything I have and I will keep that promised" he muttered huskily and I gulp lowly
I was lost in his eyes, those beautiful Azure orbs.
His eyes moved from mine and landed on my lips, I was watching his every move but I was lost in the moment to even move.
Before I could even think any longer than I already had, I felt his warm, soft lips on mine.
My eyes widened and I froze, I slowly started moving my lips the way he was.
I was copying his movements and then I closed my eyes, his hands left my face and rested on my waist, my hands fisted his shirt and I could feel my legs giving up beneath me.
My heart was beating so hard and loud, I felt like my chest was going to rip open.
I had never kissed a guy before.
This was my first kiss and it was with Karl
Holy shit
Karl is kissing me
My step father is kissing me
I suddenly used my hands to gently push his chest away, he pulled back and our eyes met again he was breathing hard and I could see the rise and fall of his chest.
What the fuck just happened???