Chapter 67

3RD POV

Alissa’s car sped through the quiet streets, her thoughts racing faster than the engine. The city lights of America blurred past her, a stark contrast to the old-world charm of Rome or the icy grandeur of Moscow. She pulled up to Asher’s huge mansion.

She stepped out of her sleek black car, her confidence radiating as she strode toward Asher’s mansion. The hem of her fitted red dress brushed against her knees, the heels of her stilettos clicking sharply against the stone driveway. She wasn’t the type to show hesitation, and tonight would be no different.

The door opened before she could knock. Asher stood there, his broad frame filling the doorway. Even in casual slacks and a button-down shirt, he looked every bit the king he was. His sharp features softened when he saw her, but the intensity in his dark eyes didn’t waver.

“Alissa,” he said, his voice low and steady.

“Asher,” she replied, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.

The door shut behind her with a soft click. The silence between them was thick with unspoken words.

“You’re here,” he said finally, his tone betraying a hint of surprise.

“I wanted to see you before I left,” she said simply, her voice as unwavering as her gaze.

“And you’ll still leave,” he said, studying her closely.

She nodded, her expression unflinching. “You know I have to.”

They moved to the living room, where a low fire flickered in the grand fireplace. The atmosphere was intimate but heavy, their worlds pressing down on them.

“Why?” he asked the obvious question, leaning against the armrest of the couch as she sat down.

She crossed her legs, her posture regal. “You know why. Italy is my home. My empire. I’m not just my father’s daughter—I’m his heir. Everything I’ve worked for, everything I’ve fought for, is there. I can’t walk away from that.”

“You could,” he said, stepping closer. “If you wanted to.”

Her lips curved into a faint smirk. “You know me better than that, Asher. I don’t walk away from responsibility. I don’t walk away from power.”

He sat down beside her, his knee brushing against hers. “And what about us? Are you walking away from that, too?”

She turned to face him, her eyes locking with his. “You think three days changes everything?”

“I think it changes enough,” he said, his voice steady. “Enough for me to know I don’t want this to be the last time I see you.”

Her heart stirred at his words, but she didn’t let it show. Instead, she leaned closer, her lips brushing against his in a kiss that was as deliberate and commanding as she was. When she pulled back, she said, “You’ll see me again, Asher.”

His hands rested on her waist, pulling her closer. “When?”

“Soon, and when that time comes, we won't have to part” she said, her voice firm.

The fire crackled softly as they fell into silence, their eyes holding a conversation their words couldn’t. He cupped her face, his thumb tracing her cheekbone.

“You’re not afraid of anything, are you?” he murmured.

She smiled faintly. “I don’t have the luxury of fear.”

He kissed her again, this time slower, savoring every moment. Her hands slid to his shoulders, gripping him as if to ground herself. For all her strength and composure, being with him felt like standing on the edge of something she couldn’t control—and she both hated and loved it.

When they finally broke apart, she rested her forehead against his. “You know this is how it has to be.”

“I know,” he said, though his voice betrayed his frustration. “But that doesn’t mean I like it.”

They spent the next few hours together, stealing moments they both knew would have to last until the next time. He poured them glasses of wine, and they talked—about everything and nothing—punctuated by more kisses and touches that lingered just a little too long.

As the clock ticked closer to her departure, they stood by the door, the weight of the moment pressing down on them.

“When you leave,” Asher said, his voice steady but his eyes dark with emotion, “I’m not staying here either.”

She arched an eyebrow. “You’re going back to Russia?”

He nodded. “There’s nothing for me here without you. Plus, I have a lot to handle, the mafia and stuff, I have been dodging it for dad to handle. The old man is tired now.”

Her smirk returned, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Since when did Asher Kingston let anyone dictate his moves?”

“Since I met you,” he said simply.

She reached up, her fingers brushing against his jawline. “Don’t wait for me, Asher.”

“I’m not waiting,” he said, leaning down so his face was inches from hers. “But I’m not giving up either.”

Their final kiss was a battle of wills, neither of them willing to let go, but both knew they had to. When it ended, she stepped back, her expression as composed as ever.

“Goodbye, Asher,” she said, her voice strong.

“This isn’t goodbye, expect my calls every night” he replied, his tone firm.

She gave him one last look, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips, before walking out the door.

As she drove to the airstrip where her father’s jet awaited, Alissa felt no tears, no regret. She was a queen returning to her kingdom, a force to be reckoned with. But deep down, she knew one thing for certain: this wasn’t the end of her story with Asher. It was just the beginning.

"Oh look, who was about to go without saying goodbye?" Visha, who was seated inside the jet, said.

Alissa looked at her dumbfounded "Visha?" She said

Visha smirked at her. "The one and only"

"What are you doing here?" Alissa asked.

"Well, your dad said there would be no need for me to remain here in America when you're leaving, so here I am, going to Italy with you," she shrugged and munched in the crisps.

Alissa, although surprised, she was happy that at least she was coming.

"Oh," she said.

"Yes, now tell me, you were really going to leave without a goodbye? I'm very hurt, you know, " Visha said.

"I didn't have time, I just came back from Asher's, but I would have given you a call, though," Alissa said and sat down beside Visha.

"Mm, so how did it go? I mean you and Asher?" She asked.

"It was fine," Alissa said and took the other pack of crisps from Visha and ate them.

"Where is my dad?"

"I guess he went out to answer a call." As soon as Visha said that, Alexandro came inside the jet.

"Sei tornato, vedo,"  he said and sat down on a single couch.

T: You're back, I see

"Sì. Non mi avevi detto che anche Visha sarebbe venuta" Alissa said

T: Yes. You didn't tell me that Visha was coming too.

"Pensavo fosse ovvio, intendo dire che devi stare con lei, quindi se te ne vai lei ti segue, è una cosa piuttosto ovvia" Alexandro said and took out his macbook to do business.

T: I thought it was obvious, I mean, you have to be with her, so if you leave, she follows you. It's a pretty obvious thing.

"Non è necessario papà, la mafia coreana non farebbe niente di stupido, quindi non c'è bisogno che io stia sempre con Visha, se vuole andarsene può andarsene"

T: There is no need dad, the Korean mafia wouldn't do anything stupid, so there is no need for me to always be with Visha. If she wants to leave, she can leave

"Okay, quindi vuoi sapere il vero motivo per cui volevo che tu stessi con lei?"  Alexandro asked Alissa, and she nodded.

T: Okay, so you want to know the real reason I wanted you to be with her?

"Ho pensato che ti sarebbe servito un amico" Alexandro said.

T: I thought you could use a friend

"Grazie papà, e hai ragione, ora è una specie di mia amica " Alissa gave him a smile.

T: Thanks, dad, and you're right, she's kind of my friend now

"È il minimo che potessi fare per te" he said, then went back to doing his work.

T: It's the least I could do for you.

Visha, on the other side, did not understand a thing Alexandro and Alissa were talking about since she doesn't know Italiano. She was scared of being around Alexandro considering the things she had heard about him, so she chose to keep quiet for the whole journey. Speaking to Alissa here and there.

______________________________

Vote and comment😊