– Lie on the bed

I woke up in a strange luxurious room with a painful headache. As if that was not enough, a man was in the bed with me.

Remembering the events of last night was a complete disaster, increasing the pain in my head so I sneaked out of bed, my heart heavy with fear making me wonder why my life always turned out like this.

Why was there so much pain in my life? This reminded me so much of what happened four years ago, I did not want it to happen again.

His face was buried in the pillow, but my heart rate was already uncontrollable. What if he was somebody’s husband like my former producer? How could I have allowed this to happen again?

I cursed myself internally, hating the fact that I had been foolish twice because of a strong drink. Checking myself, I knew there hadn’t been any form of intercourse, except that this time, my clothes had been changed.

Where do I begin searching for them, including my diamond necklace? That was a gift from my mother. Those two men, I wondered what happened to them and if they had taken my diamond necklace.

Still, what mattered was for me to get out of here before another scandal happened, but I could not help wondering where Nora was. I remembered her from last night, but most of the events after that were blurry, and I hadn’t taken her number either.

I almost thought I had escaped this one smoothly when my back was harshly pinned against the wall.

The swift movement scared me out of my wits, a familiar and yet fearful voice heated my ears, forcing me to focus my gaze on the man before me, his arms caging me, pinning my back against the door.

Strangely, his morning breath was rather minty, unlike the bad alcohol breath Wesley always woke up with. “Is this how you repay me after I saved your life?”

His voice was a little familiar but also mixed with power and dominion. I was trying to avoid eye contact, due to the shame I felt in my heart for allowing this to happen.

It seemed that I was indeed unhurt, and I could vaguely recall the shadow figure appearing before the two men before I lost consciousness. Determined to show my apology, I looked him in the eye but the realization suddenly hit me.

“Gianni?”

Memories from six years ago tentatively flooded my mind, the last part being the most painful.

It was during my high school days. I went to eat in a restaurant when I saw him. So handsome and so wild. His food was served, and he stood up to answer a call. It was brief, but one of his friends was pouring a whitish substance into his food.

I videoed it in time and stopped him from eating. When he returned, I showed the video to him, making him force his friend to eat the food. The rest was resolved at the hospital. He found me a few days later to thank me with a bouquet of roses.

His gesture touched my heart, and we fell in love. He told me how his friend confessed to wanting to get rid of him because of jealousy. He didn’t say more, especially when I asked about his family, but since then, he was always there for me, even during prom.

That was how he became my high school sweetheart, even when he was already in college.

I enrolled in college too, and during my second year, he came to visit, and that was when he took my virginity. It was an unforgettable night, but when I woke up, he was gone. There was no note or trace, and his phone was out of coverage area.

Ugly thoughts came to me when I realized I could be tricked. But who would spend years to do this, and make it so real, just to take a girl’s cherry? Especially for a charming man like him?

When my rage faded, I began to get worried. Hope failed me when I didn’t hear from him for months, eventually accepting that perhaps, he died in an accident or something worse because if not, then why would he leave me like that? Without a trace.

“I’m so sorry, Molly, I never meant to hurt you,” I heard him say, but all I felt was the anger boiling inside of me. His betrayal was the worst I ever faced, only living with it after accepting or should I rather say that I convinced myself that he was dead.

I don’t know what came over me but my hand lifted before I could stop it, and I stood on my toes releasing the hardest slap of my life, but the tall man before me was unhinged. Only my palm burned from the slap I gave him, it made me furious, and I began hitting him in the chest.

“So, you are alive.” Tears burned in the corner of my eyes, warmly flowing down my cheeks, as my punches began to weaken. He has grown stronger than I ever saw him as if he was made of steel.

My aching fingers forced me to stop, as I hugged myself in the end like the temperature in the room just dropped. Gio, or Gianni. He loved whichever way I called him back then, but my legs felt like jelly when I looked closely at him.

He had changed so much and I could not tell what it was. His hair color was still a dark shade like before, just like his eyes but there was a strange aura around him, that made me wonder what he had been up to.

“Did I do something wrong?” My voice came out as a whisper. I hated him so much after what he did to me that I tried to forget about him.

I succeeded, except that our paths crossed again in the most unexpected way.

Remorse shone in his eyes but I could not feel any form of pity for him, only hatred.

“It wasn’t your fault. There was something I needed to take care of urgently, but getting home was worse than I thought.”

That should be a tale for babies, not a woman of the 21st century. “Not even a phone call.” Sarcasm laced my voice. I could not believe a word he said to me because I was the kind who trusted only once.

It felt odd how his expression suddenly toughened. “Honestly, it’s best for us to be away from each other.” His words pierced my heart. I couldn’t see any remorse in his eyes whatsoever, making me regret the day we met.

How in the world did I wind up with him again? I gritted my teeth together, remembering my promise to myself.

My zeal to be strong and handle things on my own. “You are right. Thank you for your honesty, but I owe you no appreciation. We are even now.”

Adrenaline surged through me, and I garnered the strength to open the door, but it was locked.

“You have nothing, Molly, you can’t leave.”

His words intensified my headache, and I could not hold it in. “My head,” I groaned. He hastened to the drawers and took out some pills before pouring me a glass of water.

“This will make you feel better.”

I feared a little, remembering how I was knocked out last night and could not remember much of it, but if he saved me from those men… “What’s in this for you?” I asked suspiciously. His expression grew tighter than before.

Giovanni had changed so much, that I could not detect if his expression meant anger or confusion, but there was something so scary about him anytime our gazes met.

“You think I would drug you? G****e it.”

The understanding was clear that he was upset. I swallowed the pill and drank the water. If he drugged it, he won’t tell me to research it before drinking. “I know it wasn’t you. But why are you here?”

“Lie on the bed for a while,” he instructed, ignoring my question. It irritates me. “No. I have to go.” The headache was reducing anyway, but that was when he reminded me.

“You have nowhere to go, Molly. Let me help you, just to make up for old times. No strings attached.”

My heart stopped at the reminder. I indeed had nowhere to go, and those divorce documents were still in my email, so how could I forget Wesley and Kiara’s warning?

I needed a lawyer, but I did not know if it was right to take advantage of Giovanni. He hurt me before, so I don’t have to feel guilty using him to get back at Wesley and Kiara, right?

“How do you plan to help me?” I asked seriously, wanting to know if we were on the same page, but his revelation caused my heart to bleed.

- The worst mistake I ever made

“I want you to be my son’s nanny, and in return, I will help you regain all that you lost," Giovanni proposed casually, but for a moment, my heart seemed to stop beating.

I felt numb as his words registered in my mind. Giovanni had a son? Was this some kind of joke?

Summoning my courage, I locked eyes with him. It was evident from his expression that he was serious about having a son.

He had left me for another woman, and now he was asking me to be his son’s nanny. What an insult.

I couldn't shake the feeling of being foolish. Wesley had a son with my younger sister behind my back, and now my high school sweetheart was offering me a job as his son’s nanny.

"Where is your son’s mother?" I inquired, and he responded with a cold tone, his back turned to me.

"That's not your concern. So, will you accept the offer or not?"

I couldn't understand why I felt so hurt. I didn't want anything to do with him, but the way he had left me for another woman stung.

A bitter smile tugged at my lips as a barrier seemed to form between us, bringing back painful memories of our past.

He sat down, crossing his legs and pouring himself a drink, while I struggled to comprehend the situation.

"My life is complicated. My reputation isn't suitable for a nanny," I explained. I noticed a flicker of emotion in his eyes, quickly masked. "Your wife wouldn't approve either."

This was my polite way of declining his offer. Despite my resentment towards him, I couldn't help but envy his seemingly perfect life.

I longed for a loving husband and a child of my own, but instead, I was left barren by a deceitful husband.

The notion of good triumphing over evil felt far-fetched in this scenario. Giovanni had caused me immense pain, yet he was the one living a picture-perfect life, much like Wesley.

I watched him reach for a cigarette, only to put it back without lighting it. As he stood up and approached me, I instinctively took a step back.

Anger, pain, fear, and insecurity swirled within me, creating a tumultuous mix of emotions.

“Molly Campbell, you need a lawyer, but how will you afford one?" he reminded me, his words cutting deep at my lowest moment. He pulled open a drawer under the bed and retrieved my most precious asset.

"With your necklace?" he taunted, igniting my anger, but he wasn't finished. "And then what? How will you face the public?"

His questions cut deep into my heart. How could he exploit my vulnerabilities so mercilessly? I refused to be manipulated any longer.

"Why can't you hire a professional nanny for your son?" I questioned, wondering if he was simply trying to make my life difficult. His response did little to reassure me.

"I have my reasons."

A bitter smile played on my lips at his reply, the pain of everything he and Wesley had put me through resurfacing.

"I regret ever depending on a man to solve my problems. Not anymore. But how did you know I needed a lawyer?" I challenged him, feeling uneasy about how much he seemed to know about me after all these years.

"You shared a lot with me last night, though I understand if you don't remember. You even tried to seduce me," he remarked with a hint of a smirk, causing embarrassment to flood through me.

"Relax. I'm not looking to recreate the past. I just want to make amends for the pain I caused you."

I pushed aside memories of the previous night, the alcohol, and the entanglement with this callous man who was nothing like my Gianni.

I couldn't help but scoff at his words, hoping that whatever transformation he had undergone wouldn't turn him into a complete monster, as he seemed devoid of a soul.

My ultimate revenge on both men would be to use Giovanni to retaliate against Wesley. "I'll agree on one condition."

"Tell me," he replied, turning to settle back in the recliner, eliciting a sigh of relief from me.

"After this is all over, I simply want to live alone on an island free from the drama of men in my life," I declared. Before he could respond, I added a stipulation.

"You must not interfere in my personal life once I've regained everything. I will choose where I want to reside thereafter."

A flicker of emotion passed through his eyes, but he nodded, speaking with a calm authority. "A fair agreement."

Having reached a mutual understanding about my role in gaining his assistance to reclaim what I had lost, I took a seat on the sofa, facing him in the recliner.

"So, what is your son's name? Do you have a photo of him?" I inquired, unexpectedly noticing a smile tugging at the corner of his lips at the mention of his son.

“His name is Roger Dawson, and he's four," Giovanni said, showing me a picture of a boy with eyes similar to his own. I had to admit, the boy was undeniably cute, but Giovanni warned me that he was not as easy to handle as he appeared.

"He doesn't like nannies, so I have to be honest with you. It won't be as simple as you might think," Giovanni explained, his voice filled with warmth and love for his son.

Having little experience with toddlers, as Wesley's siblings were teenagers, I knew I had to give it my best shot. After all, Giovanni was my key to reclaiming what Wesley had taken from me.

"If you can help me regain control of the company as promised, your son will be happy. I'll rent an apartment and start working right away," I assured Giovanni.

Facing the need to sell my necklace for funds, Giovanni astonished me with a peculiar offer.

– The Strange Offer

“My house is spacious, you can live in one of the spare rooms." Giovanni said in a way like it was the most natural thing to say.

What exactly did he want here? Why the hell would he have , his ex living under the same roof as his current wife? Was he out of his mind?

"Why is that?" I inquired, wondering where this was heading.

“Roger needs a lot of attention, especially at night,” he stated as I nodded slowly, “To compensate you, I'll provide you with a top divorce lawyer to end your marriage,"

The idea of finding a lawyer was unwelcome at the moment. I had no intention of going back to Wesley, but my revenge required careful planning, and signing divorce papers didn't seem wise just yet.

I needed to strategize on how to reclaim everything before letting him have it all.

"You don't understand. If I do that, everything will go to Wesley," I explained. Giovanni appeared lost in thought before asking abruptly,

"Can I see the divorce papers?"

Without hesitation, I opened my email on my phone and handed it to him, but he declined to take the phone.

Instead, he wrote down his email address and instructed me to forward the documents.

After reviewing them, he was about to speak when my phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, I felt a wave of nausea but answered the call, seething,

"What do you want?"

Wesley’s voice remained irritatingly calm, and I braced myself for more hurtful words from his accomplice, who surprisingly wasn't with him this time.

Otherwise, she wouldn't hesitate to hurl insults my way, which I had grown immune to. "I'm just curious where you spent the night."

Memories of the video call with the two men flooded back. Wesley and Kiara had orchestrated it.

The headache I thought had subsided returned with a vengeance, prompting me to massage my temples as I noticed Giovanni's disapproving expression.

I wondered if it was because I had not excused myself before answering the call but since I already did, I continued the conversation like he didn’t exist.

After all, he had moved on after breaking me like I didn’t matter at all.

“Oh, I assumed you had received the video by now. Did it meet your expectations?" I replied to Wesley's senseless question with a hint of mockery, relishing in his evident frustration.

"Molly, please be cautious. I'm trying to be civil here," Wesley cautioned.

I chuckled in exasperation. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be in this predicament.

"Stop pretending. You want me to sign the divorce papers? Don't worry, my lawyer will be in touch," I asserted confidently, having reached an agreement with Gio.

Wesley, engrossed in reviewing the divorce agreement, seemed eager to deliver it to me.

"I can bring it to you," he offered.

I couldn't fathom why he thought I would want to see him again.

"What makes you think I want to see your repulsive face? I might just vomit. You, Wesley Thompson, disgust me," I retorted.

A chuckle emanated from the other end of the line, but I remained unfazed, except for the unsettling revelation that piqued my curiosity.

"I don't care, but in case you're unaware, the two men sent pictures of the three of you together. I can't reach them. I'm wondering where they are," Wesley disclosed.

Glancing at Giovanni, I pondered what he might have done to those men.

The events leading up to this moment were a blur and my anger towards Wesley for daring to ask intensified.

"Wesley, your audacity astounds me. You have the nerve to inquire about the whereabouts of the two men you sent to assault me?" I seethed.

Our conversation was surreal, and I suspected Wesley hadn't anticipated my response this morning, perhaps waiting for the final sex video.

I would have been immensely grateful to Giovanni if he were a stranger, but as an old flame, any gratitude I harbored for him had dissipated.

"Well, we've filed a report with your photo. Since you were the last to see them, if they don't surface by noon, the police will come looking for you," Wesley revealed his true intentions.

It cringed me to let Gio know how shameless my own husband was to use all sorts of ways to manipulate my life. But Gio gave me an encouraging nod to go on, which was somehow reassuring.

"Excellent. I look forward to meeting the police. How do you plan to explain your involvement in their attempted sexual assault on me?"

The silence on the other end of the line was expected, but after a moment, he spoke up again.

"Molly, this is more complicated than you realize. Let's meet somewhere, anywhere you choose."

I refused to be deceived again, not willing to compromise my safety for him.

"Wesley, you disgust me. Screw you." I ended the call and powered off my phone, unable to block his number until the divorce was finalized.

I couldn't shake off thoughts about the two men and how I ended up in this situation. Only Gio had the answers.

"Gio, what happened to those men? Did you have them arrested?" I wanted justice, but Gio's nonchalant demeanor troubled me.

"I suggest you focus on the divorce proceedings," he said, disappointment evident in his eyes.

Confused, I pressed, "What do you mean?" My heart raced as Gio delivered a shocking revelation.