ADRIAN'S POV
Finally, some peace.
Chris and Ashley had retreated—for now. Weeks had passed, the world outside my control seemed quieter. Kiss and I moved through our days with relative ease, our stolen moments thick with unspoken desire, laughter, and subtle touches.
But peace, as I knew too well, was temporary.
I sat behind my desk in the villa, fingers drumming lightly on the polished wood. My phone buzzed—a message from Augustina.
"Time to talk about the next steps. You know what I mean."
I exhaled, tapping a response: "Yes. Gather Isaac. We do this quietly."
Minutes later, my loyal allies arrived, already brimming with ideas.
"Adrian," Augustina said, her voice tinged with mischief. "You're finally going to do it. Propose. But… it has to be perfect. It has to be epic."
Isaac smirked, arms crossed. "And you, Augustina, will argue over every little thing as usual. I can feel it already."
Augustina shot him a glare. "Excuse me? I have impeccable taste!"
"You have opinions," Isaac corrected dryly. "Big difference."
I leaned back, smirking. "You two are going to destroy my nerves before we even begin."
Augustina tilted her head, playful: "Oh, don't worry. That's half the fun."
Isaac rolled his eyes. "Fun? She's stressing the man out while he's planning the most important moment of his life. This is not fun—it's warfare."
I sighed. "Exactly why I'm sending Oscar to take Kiss away for a few hours. Let us handle the battlefield."
Oscar appeared with his usual calm demeanor, bowing slightly. "She will be taken care of, sir. And discreetly."
I nodded, giving the order. "Business talk. She doesn't suspect a thing."
Moments later, Kiss left in Oscar's car, leaving the villa in silence. I exhaled, stretching, and immediately Isaac and Augustina launched into a verbal duel over decorations, flowers, and lighting.
"Too many roses," Isaac complained, gesturing to a vase. "She'll look like a princess, not a queen."
"Too few candles," Augustina countered sharply. "Romance isn't about subtlety. Subtlety is boring!"
"I hate when you two team up against me," I muttered, pinching the bridge of my nose.
Augustina smirked. "Team up? No, dear Adrian, we are constructively arguing for the perfect outcome."
Isaac groaned, muttering, "Constructively? You're just bossing me around."
I rolled my eyes, standing, walking over to observe the setup. The villa had been transformed. Soft candlelight flickered, a grand piano waited in the corner, sheets of music arranged carefully, and roses cascaded elegantly along the walls and staircase.
Augustina waved a hand dramatically. "Behold. Romantic perfection!"
Isaac, arms crossed, muttered, "Romantic overkill, more like it."
I smirked, shaking my head. "This is exactly why I love you two… for all your chaos."
Augustina glanced at me, playful: "And don't forget the important part. He has to sing. He will serenade her. Properly. Emotions, tone, everything."
I raised an eyebrow. "You do realize you're giving her nightmares with this, right?"
Isaac chuckled. "I can't wait to see her reaction when Adrian belts out an Italian love song. She'll either faint or laugh hysterically."
I shook my head, smirking despite myself. "I don't care. She'll remember it forever."
---
KISS'S POV
The ride in Oscar's car was quiet. I tried to focus on the documents he handed me—business proposals, partnership updates—but my mind wandered. Something felt off, though I couldn't place it.
"You're unusually quiet," Oscar observed. "Is everything alright, Miss Hilson?"
I shook my head, smiling faintly. "Just… thinking. Work stuff."
He gave a knowing glance but remained silent. There was no way I could tell him that my instincts were screaming—something big is coming.
Minutes later, Oscar pulled up at a familiar place: Adrian's grandmother's villa.
"Miss Hilson, you are to stay here for a few hours. Trust me," he said, calm as ever.
I blinked. "Stay… here?"
"Just for a meeting," he replied. "Business. You'll understand later."
I sighed, reluctantly stepping out. The villa shimmered in the sunlight, elegant and intimidating. Before I could ask more, two maids arrived, motioning me to sit.
"Please, Miss Hilson, allow us to help you," one said politely.
"Help me… with what?" I asked, furrowing my brows.
"You'll see," the other replied with a wink. "Just relax."
Minutes later, I was dressed in a gown I didn't recognize, my hair styled impeccably, a subtle scent of jasmine lingering in the air.
I stared at the mirror, utterly confused. "What… what is happening?"
A soft voice broke the silence:
"Patience, my dear. You'll understand soon."
I spun to see Adrian's grandmother smiling at me, eyes twinkling mischievously. I laughed softly, a mix of nerves and amusement. "I swear… I never expected this."
She winked. "Trust me, my dear. He loves you more than you know. You'll see."
I shook my head, trying to digest everything. "I have no idea what's going on."
"Soon, my dear. Soon," she replied, walking away with a chuckle.
---
ADRIAN'S POV
I paced the villa, checking every detail. Roses, lighting, piano placement—every note had to be perfect. Augustina fussed over candle placement while Isaac muttered about color tones.
"You're hopeless," Isaac grumbled, eyeing a bouquet of red roses.
"I'm artistic!" Augustina shot back. "And I will make sure this is unforgettable. Even for you, Mr. Stoic."
I pinched the bridge of my nose, muttering to myself: "I've survived mafia wars, boardroom battles, assassins… and yet, I'm being defeated by wedding decorations."
Oscar returned, a small smile on his face. "She's on her way."
My heart thudded. "Finally."
I moved to the piano, brushing my fingers over the keys. The song I'd been practicing—every note, every word—I had to make it perfect. For her.
Augustina peered over my shoulder. "Sing it like you mean it, Adrian. Emotion. Passion. Not just notes."
"I am passionate," I muttered, smirking.
Isaac snorted. "Yeah, yeah. Let's just hope she doesn't laugh at your rendition."
I rolled my eyes, sitting, hands poised over the keys. My thoughts weren't on the piano. They were on her—Kiss. Soon, she'd see everything I'd planned. Everything I wanted.
And she wouldn't be able to resist.
---
KISS'S POV
When Oscar finally brought me back from the "business meeting," I found myself walking into Adrian's grandmother's main hall. The lights were dimmed softly, candles flickered, and the scent of roses filled the air.
And there he was. Adrian.
Standing by a grand piano, hands poised, eyes dark and intent.
I blinked, heart racing. "Adrian… what is—?"
He turned, a small, dangerous smile curving his lips. "It's… us," he said simply.
The realization hit me. My chest tightened. Every nerve, every pulse, every thought centered on him.
"I… I don't understand," I whispered, voice trembling.
He stepped closer. "You will. Just trust me."
Before I could say more, the first notes played. He was singing—for me, every word filled with raw emotion and power. I gasped softly, eyes filling.
Augustina peeked from behind a curtain, whispering to Isaac, "See? Told you. He's hopelessly in love."
Isaac groaned, muttering, "And now I have to endure this without fainting myself."
I felt my hands trembling, heart swelling, unable to look away. Every note, every glance, every word of that song—it was a confession, a declaration, a claim.
And for the first time, I realized: he wasn't just claiming my heart. He was claiming my world.