Chapter 47

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Kara’s POV

*

“I’m just going through a phase...”

“Okay, now I don’t know what is wrong with you but your behavior on Friday was totally out of it.” I signaled to Mimi and she continued her search for vegetables while I spoke to Adrian. After calling her several times since Friday which was Christmas, she was just calling me five days later — on the thirtieth for that matter. If not for one message she sent on Boxing Day, I would have thought something bad happened and called her brother and even her parents.

“Yeah, I figured. Don’t worry, I was a bitch that day and my behavior was uncalled for.” She laughed awkwardly.

“I’m talking about Diego babe, Diego.”

“Uh...okay?”

“Cut the guy some slack. You don’t even talk that much with him yet you’re always acting as if he did something so horrible to you.”

She did a harsh breath intake. “I...I don’t like him, okay?”

“Why?!” I laid a strong emphasis on the question.

There was no reason why she would suddenly decide not to like someone she didn’t really know.

A little girl, who was clutching the hand of this pregnant woman waved at me, showing me her beautiful smile with her incisors missing. Chocolate was smudged on her chubby cheeks and I gushed, restraining myself from swiping the edge of my sleeves on her cheek to wipe the smudge off.

There was no handkerchief with me. Fawning at her cuteness, I waved back and watch them leave for another row. She was still smiling. So cute.

“I don’t know.” Adrian’s tone was nonchalant, bringing me back to the discussion at hand. I bit on my lower lip to restrain from saying something horrible to her because irritation was slowly beginning to eat me up as I thought back to how ill she treated him on Christmas. For goodness sake, that was his birthday and she had made me almost regret bringing her along.

Diego doesn’t even joke where Adrian is because she’s always so rude to him and being the polite guy was, he’d never want to embarrass himself.

“Well, you need to sort that out. And I mean it, Adri-”

“Look Kara, I only called to say I realized I went out of line with my behavior with Mr. Stephano on Tuesday. Especially because it seemed I interrupted something from the beginning and made him displeased. Can he forgive me?”

Her voice was pleading.

I was suddenly tongue-tied. One only saw this side of my best friend on rare occasions and that would be maybe when she was talking about her boyfriend, Lucas or her father. Adrian was a total cuddly, daddy’s girl beyond all those hard exterior of hers.

I puckered my lips. “I’ll tell him on your behalf. Still, stop hating on Diego.”

“Argh, fine. You really like this guy Kara.”

I held myself from laughing at her ridiculousness. Was this why she had been so concerned? So her so-called love ship wouldn’t sink?

“What are you talking about?”

I shifted on the spot I was standing. Then I started walking closer to Mimi and looking at what she wanted to pick. I nodded at Mimi who signified if those carrots were fresh enough for the preparation of the New Year’s Eve meal.

“Can’t you see Kara? He...I think he likes you...” She groaned.

“It’s-”

“No, he doesn’t just like you. That Diego guy seriously likes you. He’s so into you but you’re just so blind an-”

A tired sigh escaped my lips. “You’re over thinking Adrian. Yes he likes me, like a sister. I’m like, the first person he met when he first came here and became friends with.”

“Oh.” Her tone was mellowed.

“I know you love me Adrie but I can deal with him okay?”

“Fine.”

“Should I come over later?” She was sounding cranky. Maybe she felt lonely or bored because she didn’t travel home place this festive season.

“Uh, no. I’ll be over tomorrow morning with Lucas. Been long I saw mama and she showered me those kisses.”

“Okay. Please take care of yourself. I love you babes.”

“Love you too.” She sighed as I ended the call.

Mimi smiled at me. “Another girlfriend fight?”

“No. Adrian is just acting weird nowadays. Maybe something is wrong with her or she’s going through so much boredom and to think she comes over regularly…I need to be there for her more than I am right now.” I smiled tightly. It was rare of my friend to sound that way over the phone.

“You really should be there for her too. She probably misses you or something and doesn’t want to seem overboard by always coming over to our place.”

“Right?” I grimaced as I thought about it. She was right. I didn’t go to her place often but Adrian would be over if I made the slightest of complaints. I sighed, suddenly feeling like a horrible friend.

“Yes. Also she might just want to talk to someone about some girl issues.” I stared at Mimi.

Sometimes she would speak to me with fondness in her eyes, like a loving mother, as if forgetting she was just two years older than I was.

“Thank you Mimi.” She merely placed one hand on my lower arm, looking at me with adoration which made me cringe. Yikes, I’m not your little boy.

I internally cringed. Even though she was talking to me, she seemed far away. Maybe I should invite Andre to tomorrow night’s party. Her mood was solemn and I guessed she’d have missed him.

“Maybe I should go see her?” I raised a brow as I mentally calculated my movements and plans for the day.

One— Invite Diego. Send him the house address so he can come over for New Year’s Eve dinner.

Two— Call Andre and invite him to the house as well.

Three— Check on Stephano immediately you get home...try not to get into his pants.

Four— Call Danielle and invite her to the house as well. Or not...the green eyed monster piped in bitterly but I pushed it aside.

Five — Talk to mama, it’s been long since we just sat and talked randomly, like mother and daughter that we are.

Six— Pay Adrian a short visit and spend some time with her. Have some girl time.

Seven — Come back home and rest!

All planned out.

“You should go see her. Now let’s get these home. It’s been almost two hours.”

We left Market Ballaro, with her filling me in on her son’s recent escapades on hiding behind the curtains of her room or under her chair while she would search for him. I snickered at the sneaky little thing.

~°~

“Aren’t you going to invite your family over for tomorrow’s dinner celebration?”

“Hmm. Do that for me. The party is the least of things I have on my mind right now.”

I rubbed his scalp softly, relishing in the comfort I received when he heaved a comforting sigh. Kneeling, I slowly massaged.

“What do you have on your mind Stephano? Tell me. Who knows, I could lend some advice.” I looked around his room randomly. This wasn’t the first time I’d be here but the first time I would be kneeling by his side while he was in this brooding state. He had a king sized bed, a chair and table, a large wardrobe and a shelf filled with books; along with some other room necessities.

Even though my room was large, Stephano’s room was far larger. The theme of absolutely everything in the room was coffee brown and cream— coffee brown bed, curtains, wall painting, wardrobe, shelf and table, and cream bed sheets and tiles. So many other things were coffee brown. Very manly.

“I want to make a business expansion.” He brought my attention back to him.

“Hmm. That’s great. Then what’s the issue in that?”

He took my left hand and absentmindedly played with my pinkie. “Benito doesn’t think it’s a good idea to open a branch in New York since the competition will be very high.”

Benito was Stephano’s friend since freshman days. Or maybe even before that, since I’d known him for so long. His parents were Puerto Ricans and used to visit the Alfonsi’s while I was growing up.

I knew he would be business associates with Benito. I mused. New York would be a good choice even though the competition was truly high, but this wasn’t a vacation. It was business expansion and he would have considered the pros and cons. Also, he would need to have an expert business plan with a dope strategy.

“Why don’t you bring it to your board meeting and know what your share holders have to say about it?” He pulled himself lower so he’d lie on the bed and I sat.

He rested his head on my thighs. One hand went around my waist, the other one playing with my navel through my baggy shirt. I tried to ignore the tingles spreading over my body while he was staring at my stomach with heated concentration, his brows furrowed in adept determination as he focused intently on his current activity.

He was carrying out the activity as if it was a million dollar deal he had signed and had to work on.

“I like being sure of a move before I make it. The branch in New York will be focusing on mostly fashion designs and later branding two new hair extensions with another fashion company.” He explained.

I frowned, not getting his point.

“-and my board members may not see it the way I see things. Their main goal is to make money, while mine is focused mainly on getting the trust of our customers to put their faith in us and get the desirable outcome. The board members might think we’ll have too many competitors if we pursue the project, that is, without connecting with the brand and designs since the gain is quite their main priority.”

“Oh. Now I get.”

“Exactly...” He trailed off. Planting my palms on his head, I began to massage slowly.

“You could seek advice from Mr. Alfonsi Snr. He’ll have so many experiences at things like this.”

He thought for a while, then mused. “Why didn’t I think of this before?” A smile crept onto his good looking face.

“Well, maybe because I’m a genius instead.” I smirked.

“Yes you’re a genius, my genius.” He exhaled slowly, stopping his movement on my stomach and going back to just staring up at my face. I still had some time to spend with him before going to see Adrian so I relaxed and just smiled down at him, feeling awed at the love-struck gaze he was bestowing upon me. My mind slowly drifted to my to-do list and I nodded in accomplishment.

Number one, two, four and five were out and after number three, I would get on to number six. Seven was the easiest so I had no issue with it.

I massaged his forehead, then his temples.

“You’re doing it so well.” He groaned. The sound pleased me, so I adjusted him on my thigh with the determination of bringing him nothing but ease and relief.

“Do you have a body massage cream somewhere? Or maybe coconut oil.”

“Yes,” he breathed contently, “it’s in the drawer over here. Second.” He pointed. I got the cream and scooped a little amount, rubbing it on my palms.

He took off his wife beater and I shamelessly checked him out. My tongue darted over my lips in desire to have him writhing below me while I kissed my way over his skin.

I got back to work and he quickly snuggled his nose in my baggy shirt but I adjusted his head with inflamed cheeks. If that nose moved lower, it would be sniffing my sex from my Harry Style’s pajamas!

“Move lower love.” He groaned softly.

The crinkles on his forehead eased as I trailed my hands lower, down to his sculpted cheekbone and to his chiseled jaw. I couldn’t restrain from caressing it while feeling the masculinity of his face and I giddily did, before moving my hands down to his neck.

“Here?”

“Hmm...Kara, your hands are magic. They’re doing me so good and I need more of it. Ungh, yes love. Ohh.” He drawled dreamily, groaning softly. Making pleasurable sounds that had pleasure rippling through me in my nether region.

My breathing got intense. “O-okay. Thanks.” I mumbled. I ogled his perfectly sculpted body,  with my tongue hungry to lick him and suck on him. My voice was shallow and I recognized heaviness in my tone. Crap. I was getting turned on with his hands that were hung over his head and also possessively grabbing my waist, kneading on it slowly while I massaged his face.

“Yes, -oh babe. My shoulder, rub my shoulder, love.”

I went down to his shoulder and slowly massaged it. Massaging mama’s shoulders and waist whenever she was complaining of an ache had made me perfect at the activity. My papa used to massage my back and legs when I was a little girl too.

I would run around and get chased by the children of the estate workers at the Alfonsi Estate, sometimes even make them angry because of a prank. Then when I felt pain at night due to hours of running from them after causing so much trouble, my papa would massage my feet and legs while scolding me for being so troublesome. Ah. The good old days.

Stephano hissed when my hand touched a spot on his back. I frowned. I touched it again. He hissed.

“Lie on your chest Stephano. You should have rested a little. Sitting in your room for a whole of five days and getting lost into your work is what caused this ache.” I scolded softly. The fact that he was in pain made my heart clench.

He slowly eased off my thighs and laid on his chest without complaining, making my cheeks inflame. It was like he’d do anything I asked him to. He was obedient, like a little boy patiently receiving his mother’s scolding. His breathing was calm but his body was tense, as if he hadn’t rested in days, which was true.

Stephano had not left this room in five days, just occasionally giving himself a few minutes break to quickly eat whatever I brought up to him or shower.

This was no festive season to him. It was like every other day where a hardworking billionaire would drown himself in nothing but work. Even I had given him space, so as not to cause distraction.

I climbed onto his waist and slowly began to massage his shoulders. He occasionally released groans and grunts.

“Lower Kara...” Obliging, my hands went lower but I avoided moving too close to his waist.

“This feels so good, just like home. You are home.” He moaned.

“Uh, th-thanks.” I replied in a pitchy voice, blushing at the erotic feeling I derived from our current position.

I got off his back and went back to kneeling beside him as I scrutinized his face. The spots where my skin touched his back still tingled but I fought to concentrate.

“How do you feel now?”

He looked straight into my eyes, getting on his side, looking content and well rested.

“There’s just this little ache remaining. It’s dull but...oh goodness, now it has suddenly increased.” He gasped as if in serious pain.

“Where?” I went back into doting mode, moving my hands to cradle his good-looking face.

“Here.” He touched his shoulder, close to his chest, biting his lower lip. I struggled to keep my eyes off his toned abs and pressed the spot. I started rubbing the spot slowly when he grabbed my hand and pulled me down on him.

We didn’t say anything, just staring at each other— me with wide eyes and him with desire filled orbs. Then in a split second, he was kissing me. And his right hand reached down to grab my bum, pressing me against his masculinity and I moaned, loving it. Our tongues battled fiercely and his hand snaked over my waist to hold me down on him in a vice grip.

“Your sore shoulder.” I groaned, realizing I was indeed resting my head on his sore shoulder. He didn’t look disturbed, just amused.

He smirked. “It’s cool to know you care about my body. Let’s cuddle Kara.” He pulled me flush against him, our chests erotically pressed against each other. I could feel his arousal poking against my stomach and I tried in vain to stop the desire that was pulling at my core while he flipped us over.

It was pulsing with need, and yawning for someone’s attention. His grip was tight, not like that of someone in pain.

“No more ache?” I asked.

“The only ache I have is in my nether region.” He confessed with a smirk. My eyes narrowed as I tried to further interrogate him but his hand went into my shirt and instantly cupped my right breast. My breath hitched at the warmness of his big palm against my skin. He massaged it slowly. “Now it’s time for your body massage.” His eyes glinted with mischievousness.

He softly pinched my left rock hard nipple. A sultry moan escaped my lips and I arched my back into his warm touch.

I shut my eyes while he kissed me and sucked on my neck slowly. My hands went into his hair to tug at it.

“I love you Kara.” He roamed his hand over my stomach and close to my waist before bringing it back up to the well tortured and sensitive nipple.

“I know.” I breathed, holding back another moan.

“Do you-do you feel anything for me?” He questioned meekly, his eyes revealing nothing. But his tone had a hint of doubt, like he guessed I didn’t. I stiffened, trying to keep my expression neutral.

I love you Stephano.

I’m sorry if I can’t say it yet, but I do. I also don’t know exactly how to tell you but you’re all I have on my mind nowadays... I’m madly in love with you…

I don’t have much dating experience but I want to go on dates and have late night talks with you.

I want to go to Bali with you. That place where lovers go to enjoy themselves and show they love each other. I want to make memories with you, my Stephano.

“Yes, I feel something.” I merely stated, staring into his eyes. Those icy blues were pulling me in, urging me to say more, but I didn’t. I couldn’t.

Still, Stephano looked thoroughly satisfied with my response, before suddenly scowling. “I’m a jerk...and I know I was cold towards you all these years. But this jerk loves you.” He mumbled, his hand resuming its work on my aroused bud. I released a sultry moan, not being able to hold it in. He swallowed it with a kiss.

“Yes. I forgive you.”

“And this guy here isn’t perfect.” No one is, Stephano. No one is.

“I love you.” He kissed my nose and sucked on my lower lip, groaning.

“I know you do.” I grabbed his face. I kissed his eye lids, then his nose, then mouth. And over his face till he was cackling like a little boy, warming my heart that this big man could also have this fluffy, cuddly side of him. He got off me and lay on the bed, looking into my eyes as I did the same.

“You’re so beautiful.” His thumb caressed my lower lip. He moved closer while we lay side by side and hungrily sucked on my lips for some seconds while I giggled, basking in the attention.

“Thank you, love.” I dared to call him love. I never did before, except when he was sick and also when I was talking to him and making out, in my head of course. His breath hitched, then he groaned and got back on top of me, eyes glinting mischievously.

“I have a confession... no, confessions to make.” He peppered kisses on whatever sight he could spot on my neck and shoulder blades.

“Uh...okay...” I gave him an encouraging smile.

He positioned himself so his legs were beside me. The bulge in his pants was still there, because I could feel him rock hard and I couldn’t help but hiss in delight. It was hard, and pressing against my stomach. A horny, daring part of me wanted to stroke it. Just to get a hot reaction from him.

Haha! Like I would ever!

“You know I loved you since childhood, right?”

“What?” My eyes bulged. Even though Danielle had told me before, hearing him say confess it was still shocking.

“Yes, baby. I’ve had this massive crush on you since I was a little boy.” His firm cheekbones tinged a red hue that made my heart clench in so much gladness that I would ever get to witness this side of him. Stephano was blushing!

“What age?” I rasped.

“Enough to masturbate...” he frowned, “almost fifteen?” He shrugged.

Mortified, I slapped his shoulder and tried to get away but he held me in place, planting his nose in the crook of my neck and kissing the same spot.

“Yo-you were masturbating... That isn’t a good thing to focus on at such an early age.” I scolded by even though part of me swooned.

That meant I had heard him correctly that day, when he mentioned my name while pleasuring himself in his room. He’d been pleasuring himself to the thought of me that day!

“Please don’t leave, and I don’t feel ashamed for telling you. I was having wet dreams about you and I would wake up panting...and hard.” I shook my head slightly. The image that created in my head would scald me if I didn’t take my mind off it. He was thirteen, for crying out loud! What did he know about love at such an age?

“It was scary at first, but I later got used to it. I made mom transfer me to the school boarding house one time to concentrate on my studies but left because I couldn’t bear not seeing you, my little Kara bear. My heart was in pain.”

“Stephano...” I groaned, short of words.

“I went to see a therapist because my mom thought that would be the best thing for me. Then I started skipping it. I hated sharing what I felt with anyone, it was sacred. Our love was sacred. Seeing you all those times, no matter what I was doing, I used to get emotional...I wanted to hug you, to peck you, to play with you all day and not attend to anyone or anything. And illicit thoughts sometimes came. I thought I was going crazy as I grew older, around fifteen years old. Your hips swaying and small buds kept me wanking at night.” He looked so serious. It was shocking but when he stated the last part, color filled my cheeks.

I slapped his shoulder again. “Isn’t that perverting? I was ten and you were fifteen!”

Stephano looked down with a shameful expression and shrugged.

“I don’t know Kara...I guess it is, and I wouldn’t advise any younger person to entertain those thoughts. I felt so ashamed that I would snap whenever you were around me. I wanted you to avoid me, dislike me so that I wouldn’t think of you that way or want to kiss you so bad.” He sounded pained.

I reached out my hand and stroked his soft hair, gently kissing him. If he hadn’t told me, I’d never have guessed. He rocked his hips against mine, groaning at the friction. As if possible, his hardness got even stiff than before.

“I’ve had sex Kara. Once and it was with Danielle. But I wanted to die of guilt after what we’d done that day whenever I remember the reason I did it. It was because I had seen you that evening. A boy was crushing on you and asked you out on a date and you even screamed ‘yes’ before jumping into his arms. I was filled with rage and you were flirting... I was so jealous of that stupid young lad.” He laughed softly. “Young Stephano really went through a lot of unstable emotions because of you.”

I kept quiet as he breathed on my neck.

“Kara....”

My head was reeling with the thoughts of him stroking himself, while thinking of me. “Yes?”

“Nothing.”

“Okay.”

“Stay with me.” He murmured. I checked the time. After spending close to an hour with him, the time was now twelve forty nine pm. Guess I could stay for a bit more time and head for Adrian’s place at past one or two o’clock.

I stared at him as his eyes fluttered close. His breathing got even. Feeling naughty, I looked down at his legs with lips parted in awe. The tent was still there but not as big as earlier. I snuggled into him and shut my eyes, allowing sleep pull me into her restful hold.

Before drifting off into slumber, I kissed him sloppily and heard him groan. Then he wrapped his hands tighter around me and pulled me closer to him. “Kara...I love you.” He mumbled softly in his sleep. I smiled and shut my eyes.

“Don’t hurt him. He’s become putty in your hands....” Danielle’s warning rang in my head.

I won’t hurt you Stephano. Never.

*

A/n: A bit emotional chappie for me. Was on it for over 5 hrs, editing a thousand times lol.

Stephano is stressed out and maybe horny...Lmao. So he explained why he was behaving cold towards her while they were younger.

Kindly click on the ⭐button below your screen to signify a vote and comment your thoughts. I love reading them.

Your girl,

Hephzibah.

Kindly click on the ⭐ button below your screen to signify a vote and share your thoughts with me. I love reading them.

Your girl,

Hephzibah.