by Marian Tee
“Doesn’t this---”
“I remember---”
They both stopped, neither of them expecting to speak at the same time – and about the same thing.
Marcus was the first one to recover. “Fuck.”
She couldn’t help laughing, couldn’t help tightening the hold on her phone. “Oh, Marcus.” Him and his swear words. No other man had sworn so much in her presence – not even her brothers. It was as if she projected such a strong “good girl” persona that people felt like they were swearing in the Virgin Mary’s presence if they did. But Marcus had been different from the very start. And she should hate it – but foolishly, it only made her special, always had – and apparently, it still did.
Maybe she was meant to be always a little foolish where this man was concerned.
“I missed that,” he muttered roughly.
She blinked. “Cursing?”
“No, bambina.” He couldn’t help grinning at her naïve guess, even as his chest constricted at the same time. How adorable she was, and Dio, he had missed that, too.
“Then what?” she couldn’t help asking.
“My name,” he answered simply.
Oh!
“I missed hearing you say my name, so damn much.”
And that was when she knew.
What she was doing now – it was the most dangerous thing in the world to her heart.
Anneke took a deep, shaky breath. “I think I---”
But he didn’t let her finish, cutting her off, saying abruptly, “You asked me earlier what I was planning.” Because he knew it, too. Felt it, too. This was the most dangerous thing, for both of them.
“I want another chance.”
The words made Anneke want to cry and laugh at the same time. Crap. Oh, crap, crap, crap. She had a feeling he’d say something that crazy. And the crappiest thing was – she had also known such words would make her feel this way.
Light-hearted. Claustrophobic. Dizzy. Hopeful. Hopeless.
In one word: crazy.
“But this time, I want to court you, properly.”
And with every word he uttered, she just felt crazier and crazier. Court her? How strangely, wonderfully old-fashioned!
“Things happened too fast between us in the past, and it didn’t give us a chance to know each other properly. To understand each other.”
“Do I even get a choice with this?” she asked helplessly.
“No.” His voice was quiet, firm, but oh, the tenderness that underlined the word---
It killed her, and he went on killing her, in that same painfully tender tone.
“I want a chance to prove to you how much you mean to me. How you’re the only woman in the world to me---”
“Do you know how crazy that sounds?” she interrupted wildly. “Do you?”
“Yes.” Marcus’ voice was hollow. “I do. But it’s the truth.”
She laughed wildly, choking out, “And that’s all you have to say?”
Instead of answering her question, he went on an altogether different line, saying quietly, “I never tried to approach you the past year because I thought you needed time to heal.”
“A fucking understatement.” The words just burst out of her, and Anneke was appalled right after. She had never sworn so in her entire life.
But it was as if Marcus hadn’t heard the words at all or if he did, then he had chosen to ignore it as he went on in the same quiet, driven tone, “I also felt I didn’t deserve to approach you.”
“You still don’t!”
But Marcus ignored this, too. “So there were things that I did to…prepare myself. I wanted to be a better man for you.”
“You can’t.” She couldn’t help feeling snide and hated herself for it. She thought Marcus would ignore it, too.
But he didn’t.
“Maybe.” Marcus’ tone was unreadable this time. “But I’d still like a chance to prove myself even so. And I thought I’d let you know that, to give you fair warning.”
For several moments, Anneke simply struggled with her disbelief. “Do you really believe you have a chance?”
“I like to believe I make my own chances.”
Oh God. His sheer gall blew her away, and it just left her feeling crazier and crazier. “I’m not withdrawing my petition for a divorce.”
“Be my guest,” Marcus said politely. “But neither am I withdrawing from my intention to court you.”
“You’re insane.”
“About you, yes.”
“Oh my God.” She couldn’t help laughing. And a moment later, she realized that she couldn’t help crying either. “Oh my God.” It was the only thing she could say. “Oh my God.”
And to which Marcus only had four words to say---
“I love you, Anneke.”
Anneke laughed harder. Cried harder. “Says the man,” she choked out, “who left me on our wedding night – to fuck another woman.”
The pain in her voice nearly undid him, but Marcus told himself he had to stick to the plan. If their earlier meeting had taught him anything, it was that she wasn’t ready to hear what he had to say about that night.
He had to take things slowly.
He had to show her he deserved her, had to at least prove to her that no other man could love her more –
And only then he could he tell the truth about that night.
Only then could he reveal the sick truth about himself.
Only then could he risk losing her completely.
“Mi dispiace, amore mio.” His voice was harsh and bleak the same time. “I am so damn sorry I keep hurting you, but I simply cannot give up without trying one last time.”
The words were everything she used to dream about.
But not anymore.
“Oh, Marcus.” And she couldn’t stop laughing and crying again.
Marcus breathed harshly, knowing how close she was to shattering. Mi dispiace, amore mio. Mi dispiace.
“Can’t you see---” She gulped. “Can’t you it’s too late?”
He closed his eyes at her words, saying hollowly, “Even so. I’ll die trying to change your mind.”
“H-how melodramatic.” But her voice broke in the end, and Marcus wanted to smash something into pieces.
He said fiercely, “Tu sei l’unico per me.” You’re the only one for me.
“Oh, M-Marcus.”
“Ti amo, Anneke.” A piece of his heart was carved out with every word.
“Goodbye, Marcus.”
Part IV
Chapter One
Coming back to DKE’s headquarters after a morning meeting at a nearby hotel, Anneke was surprised to see Serenity Raleigh, Willem’s eighteen-year-old PA, entering the building just ahead of her.
“Goedmorgen, mevrouw.” Greetings from the staff had Serenity turning around, and seeing her boss’ sister coming inside, Serenity automatically halted.
Anneke hurried forward when she saw the younger girl waiting for her. “Hallo, and you totally didn’t have to wait for me, you know.”
“It was no trouble.” Serenity’s tone was well modulated, her smile picture-perfect with just the right mix of courtesy and warmth. The younger girl was affectionately known as Willem, Jr. within DKE, and it wasn’t just because she was blonde, blue-eyed, and beautiful like Anneke’s eldest brother. Simply put, the teenager was more like the Dutch billionaire’s clone than a mere protégé. Polite to a fault, always unfazed, and pretty much perfect.
“Have you just arrived?”
Serenity shook her head. “I waited with Mr. Turner until his driver came up in front.”
Recognizing the name as one of their long-term partners in the States, Anneke glanced around, looking for her brother. “Where’s Willem then?”
Something flickered in Serenity’s blue eyes before the younger girl answered politely, “He has an engagement with my sister.”
Crap. Wishing she had just kept her big mouth shut, Anneke said hurriedly, “It’s probably about bu
siness again. I, umm, heard that Willem was thinking of getting your sister as the new face for this makeup company we had recently invested in.”
“I understand.”
Anneke bit back a sigh. Yes, Serenity no doubt understood that was a big, fat lie, but the younger girl was nice enough to pretend it wasn’t so. Joining the other woman inside the elevator, Anneke willingly took up the burden of conversation, chatting nonstop to give Serenity time to recover her composure. That Serenity was in love with Anneke’s eldest brother was open knowledge among her and her other siblings, but it was also one they never voiced outright to the Good-Hearted Tyrant. For one thing, Willem didn’t seem to be aware of it either, and even if he were, Anneke had a bad feeling it would only keep him further away from Serenity.
Love was so complicated.
No sooner than the thought formed in her mind did the elevator doors open to the executive floor, and the first thing Anneke saw was the huge bouquet on the counter and the receptionists’ grinning faces.
Oh, crap.
“Flowers for you, Ms. de Konigh.” Rachel then asked slyly, “Wonder who it’s from.”
Speaking of complications, here was her own, confronting Anneke regularly like clockwork. Throw it out. That was what her first instinct told her to say, but good manners eventually prevailed, and she said briskly, “Thank you.”
Andrea, the other receptionist, appeared flummoxed at her lackluster reaction to the bouquet. “Don’t you think it’s terribly sweet that Marcus Ravelli always sends you flowers?”
Anneke couldn’t help feeling a little exasperated. “You do remember I’ve asked him for a divorce---”
“But it hasn’t been granted yet,” Rachel quickly pointed out. “So maybe there’s a chance that you guys could get back together?” She knew she was being forward, and while she wouldn’t dream of saying any such thing to any other de Konigh, Anneke was different. In the receptionist’s private opinion, Anneke – despite her occasional display of reserve, which Rachel chalked down to Willem de Konigh’s training - was the most approachable of the bunch. There was just something about the blonde Dutch heiress that was unquestionably angelic.
Anneke shook her head. “No. It’s not possible.”
“Even just the slightest bit?” Andrea insisted.
“No---” Her blue eyes narrowed suspiciously at the staff. “Why are you suddenly being pushy about this?”
“Nothing!” The two receptionists were quick to protest at the same time.
Too quickly, Anneke thought, even more suspicious now. She crossed her arms over her chest. “Has he spoken to either or both of you?”
“No?”
But now, the two women looked flustered, and Anneke bit back a sigh of frustration. He was at it again! These two probably wouldn’t ever tell, but Anneke just knew – oh, she just knew Marcus had somehow found a way to bribe their receptionists into putting a good word for him.
“The next time you talk to him---”
“I’ve never spoken to him, Ms. de Konigh.”
“Huh? I don’t understand, ma’am.”
Ignoring their thoroughly unconvincing protests, she went on firmly, “Please tell him thank you for the flowers, but---” She grabbed the bouquet. “It’s not going to work.” She walked away, flowers in tow, and only when Serenity fell in step beside her did Anneke realize that the younger girl hadn’t yet left.
“I suppose you heard everything?” she asked with a sigh.
“I’m afraid so.”
“And you’ll tell Willem?”
“Only if he asks.”
Anneke released a glum sigh. “I suppose that’s the best I can get from you.”
“I’m afraid so again.” Unrequited love notwithstanding, Serenity’s loyalty first and foremost would always be to Willem.
Reaching her office, Anneke dumped the bouquet on the coffee table. God! She began pacing, hating that Marcus Ravelli could so easily affect her.
It had been a month since her disastrous little run-in with Marcus at Contini’s airport, and since then, Anneke had become an overnight sensation. Was she or wasn’t she still with the Italian billionaire? Her question-mark status, coupled with the discovery of their marriage – and the fact that they had been living apart for its entirety – drove the world mad with curiosity. Even worse was how, despite neither of them making any official statement about their relationship, Marcus hadn’t made any effort to conceal his actions.
And since actions spoke louder than words –
The flowers were just one of the many public avowals of his so-called courtship. He communicated with her regularly – texts, emails, calls, and there was even a time he had sent her a postcard of the Eiffel Tower.
It had been absolutely cheesy, but fool that she was, the postcard remained tucked between the pages of her diary.
As for the flowers---
Anneke stared gloomily at the bouquet. With every bouquet he had sent her, she had ended up pressing a petal from it in her journal, and wasn’t that another sign of how much of an idiot she was?
She shook her head forcefully. Well, that was going to stop now.
Deliberately forcing all thoughts of flowers and Marcus Ravelli out of her mind, she got behind her desk and dove right into work. She didn’t allow herself to stop, had Chinese delivered to her office for lunch, and only looked up when it was a little past eight and her stomach was rumbling.
Anneke stood up and stretched, kneading the muscles at the back of her neck. Deciding to call it a day, she grabbed her stuff from her desk but on her way out, she caught a glimpse of Marcus’ flowers---
And something caught her eye.
Was that a card? Frowning, she walked back to the coffee table and bent down, burrowing past the petals.
Oh!
Her finger came into contact with the unmistakable texture of embossed paper, and she pulled it out. Her eyes widened when she read the message.
I miss you.
Have dinner with me.
I’ve reserved a table at De Roos Kamer.
I’ll be waiting.
Marcus immediately stood up when he caught a glimpse of a familiar blonde head. She looked up, and his heart banged against his chest as his gaze clashed with her lovely blue eyes.
She had come.
Relief had him clenching his fists against his sides, but his gaze didn’t waver from her as Anneke made her way to him, a slim figure in her polka-dot dress and oxfords. Her every step conveyed grace and efficiency, something he knew only a rare few could achieve. He also knew most men would have found this intimidating, even a turn-off, but for Marcus – it was, always had been, hot as hell.
“I’m so sorry.” Anneke was embarrassed to feel and sound flustered as she reached Marcus. “I only saw your card a while ago.”
“It’s fine.”
Having expected Marcus to sound furious or offended, the calm tone threw her off, and her mouth opened and closed, Anneke not knowing what to do or say next. Thinking it was possible he was only being polite, she stressed, “It’s true.”
His lips twitched. “I know.”
Oh.
“You’re not the type to lie about this.”
Oh…again.
He pulled out a chair for her, and her eyes widened. Oh no. This was going to be embarrassing. Hadn’t she only come here to apologize and tell him that meetings like this weren’t going to do at all?
“Have you come here straight from the office?”
“Umm, yes. But---”
A warm hand pressed to the small of her back, and her voice trailed off. It was the simplest of touches, but also simply put – the heat of it took her breath away.
“You are in need of sustenance then, si?”
“Y-yes.” Anything to get him to stop touching her, Anneke thought anxiously, and so she took the seat he was offering. He finally moved away, and she started breathing normally.
A waiter immediately appeared by their side, handing them menus.
Both of them were quick to make their minds up on what to order, something that privately amused Marcus. Practically all the women he had dated had made the entire process seem as time-consuming as a Rubik’s cube puzzle.
She watched the waiter turn away and bit her lip hard lest she accidentally call out for him not to leave. She could feel Marcus’ dark gaze on hers, and although the restaurant was fully packed, having his eyes trained on her so intensely made it feel like they were completely alone.
Unable to bear it any longer, she muttered, “Stop staring.”
“I can’t help it, bambina.” Marcus’ tone was actually faintly apologetic. “I have missed you very much---”
“Stop saying that.”
When the entire restaurant fell silent, it was only then that Anneke realized she had said the words a little too loud.
Crap.
“I’m sorry,” Marcus suddenly said, just a little loudly.
Her head jerked up.
“I didn’t mean to offend you by saying I have a large cock.”
Anneke’s mouth dropped open while gasps could be heard all over the restaurant.
Marcus reached for her hand across the table. “Say you forgive me, cara?”
Realizing he had only done it to deflect attention from her, Anneke didn’t know whether to laugh and cry. Come to think of it, wasn’t it only Marcus Ravelli who could make her feel this way?
His hand squeezed hers. “Forgive me?”
She found herself nodding, and soon enough the noise level of the restaurant went back to normal. She pulled her hand back, and his fingers slowly loosened. “Thank you.” Her voice was stilted.
“Won’t you at least look at me when you say that?”
No. But knowing that was just being plain childish, Anneke forced herself to meet his gaze.
And in his eyes were things that she didn’t want to see, didn’t want to believe or understand.
“Why are you even here?” she asked helplessly. Netherlands was so very far away from Florida.
“I already told you.” His voice was matter-of-fact. “But it’s your choice not to believe me---”
“And I don’t.” She knew she was being rude, knew she was trying to provoke him into losing his temper even just a little bit, but she just couldn’t help it.
