Chapter 3

TEN YEARS AGO

"Gianna."

"Yes, Mum?"

"You've been sitting by the window for an hour now. Are you waiting for someone?"

"No, Mum. I'm just watching the rain."

My mother smiled, her cherry-red lips drawing tight against her pearly white teeth. "It's a cold, beautiful morning, isn't it?"

"It is," I said softly and meekly before turning my eyes back to the road.

He would be here any moment, he promised.

My mum didn't press further. Not yet. But I felt the tension in the air. Her keen eyes were watching.

Then her voice came again, sweet and chilling. "Gia darling, Someone is here to see you."

And just like that, my blood turned cold, I turned to face her slowly.

No. He wasn't supposed to come through the front door. We had a plan.

"A boy," she added with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. She was eerily happy, too happy.

He was supposed to give the signal. One pebble on the roof and a whistle. I'd grab my bag and slip out the back, down the garden path, toward forever with him.

But I was still sitting.

Frozen.

"Come, honey. You don't want to keep him waiting," she said, extending her hand towards me.

Numb, I stood taking her hand. And like a marionette, let her lead me to the door.

When she opened it, my world caved in.

There he was.

My Rio.

He looked… defeated, sad. His usual mischievous spark and smile dulled into something lifeless.

"Hi," I tried to force a smile, which he didn't return.

"Gigi, I…"

He glanced at my mother, then back at me. His shoulders slumped. "I'm breaking up with you."

Time stopped.

The sound of rain, the soft wind, and my heartbeat all paused.

"What?" My voice was barely a whisper. "But… why? I didn't do anything wrong."

"I don't love you anymore." He said coldly.

A lie, it had to be.

I knew his love for me ran deeper than he'd always let on. And while in each other's arms, thinking I was asleep, he'd always whisper it softly.

"Rio…" I reached for him, trembling. But he stepped back like I was poison.

"I'm leaving. For good."

"Why are you doing this?" My voice cracked.

"Goodbye."

He turned and walked away into the rain.

I stood, paralyzed, shame swallowing me whole as a tear broke free.

Maybe this was a dream… it couldn't be real.

"RIO!!!" I screamed his name, clawing with hope that he'd turn back.

He didn't.

He never did.

When his figure disappeared down the road, my mother's hand clamped on my arm, pulled me back into the house, and slammed the door shut.

I collapsed into sobs, choking on grief and disbelief.

She stared down at me, arms folded and without sympathy. "You trusted a man," she said, a soft laugh bubbling under her words. "Big mistake."

Her heels clinked ominously as she stepped closer.

"I love him…" I cried, barely audible.

"And look at you now, weepy and pathetic, like a baby," she sneered, leaning towards me.

She brushed a strand of hair from my tear-streaked face with a mockingly gentle hand. "I can't believe you planned to run away with the Chanel bag I bought you," she said, almost amused.

"That cost me ten thousand dollars!" she shoved my head back harshly. "Stupid little child, after everything I've done for you," she sneered.

"If you're going to elope next time, leave without luxury." With a swift turn, she walked away.

And I stayed, drowning in tears and heartbreak.

Every day I waited by the window.

Waited for him to call, to say he was sorry and it was all a mistake, to say he loved me and wanted me back.

He never did.

---

Ten years later, I was sitting by the same window, staring at the snow.

I've moved on, but in the first few years, whenever it rained, I thought of us, of what could have been if that morning never happened.

The last time I saw him, I had snooped too far and stumbled on his Facebook profile.

He had graduated from college, smiling and holding his valedictorian badge, arms of his friends around him, he looked… fulfilled.

I stared too long, with hate, before I had clicked on the block button and slammed my laptop shut.

And never saw him again, I hope he was happy.

It's been years, and I never went back to that window, not until now.

The view hadn't changed.

"Fancy of you to come see your mother after ten years," came her voice, and my body tensed instinctively.

I turned and forced a smile. "Hello mum"

Her frown vanished, and she beamed with open arms. "Hey, baby, give me a hug, will you?"

I stepped into her embrace. Her warmth and expensive perfume were overwhelming—just like always.

"I missed you so much," she whispered, kissing my hair.

"I missed you, too."

We pulled apart with a big smile, my mum looked like she hadn't aged a day in the last ten years.

"I love you, baby," she said, long fingers caressing my hair and cheek.

"I love you too."

Her brow lifted sharply. "Not enough to invite me to your graduation? Or call me on my birthdays?"

"Mum, I—"

"Don't get me wrong," she smiled, "I loved all the gifts you sent. But I missed my baby."

"I'll do better," I said, and she grinned, satisfied.

"Come. The party's just getting hot, and I have a surprise for you."

And with that, she whisked me away, through a whirlwind of introductions, clinking glasses, forced smiles, and parading her accomplished daughter.

Classic Celeste.

Hours passed, and I was exhausted.

I finally got a break when she pulled me to a corner and said, "I prepared your room, you'll love the new decor. So tell me, is there a man in your life?"

How ironic.

"Not really," I said.

"Wait here, I'll go get us a bottle of something very special. We have all night to catch up."

Oh no.

"Mum, I really don't want to—"

"It's a rare alcoholic wine. Expensive and one of a kind. Don't move." She disappeared before I could protest again.

I palmed my forehead. How do I reject the drink without her suspecting a thing?

This was bad for my baby.

"Stupid fckng… f*ck." I muttered under my breath.

"Gigi?"

My breath caught, and I froze.

Only one person called me that.

"Is that you?"

That voice, I knew it anywhere.

I turned slowly and there he was, glass in hand and smiling softly.

He's changed.

Rio.

The boy I once loved was now a man. Older, hotter, subtle tattoos on his arms, a brow piercing glinting under the lights, his satin shirt sheer and open at the collar, he looked… Effortlessly s*xy.

He sipped his drink and passed the glass to a waiter.

My pulse jumped, was it my hormones or rage?, I couldn't tell.

"Hey," he said.

"Rio," my voice cracked with disbelief.

He was here.

His eyes soften. "You look… amazing."

After ten freaking years, how dare he return with a "hey" after what he did to me?

"I know," I said in a clipped tone, and turned, intent on walking away. But then he touched me—again. It was the first time in years.

He held my arm gently. "Gia, wait. Do you want to get a drink with me?"

"No."

"Can we just talk? I…"

I yanked my arm free. "You should go back and enjoy the party."

He smiled, trying to recover. "I didn't think I'd see you here after so many years. I thought… Maybe we could catch up."

I folded my arms.

He laughed nervously. "It's ironic, really. I see you again after ten years, and it's at my dad's engagement party."

My head jerked back. "What?"

"Jackson," he said. "He's my father."

Déjà vù

The name echoed in my head. I'd heard that name twice in two days.

But that wasn't what was unnerving me… Wait.

My mother didn't tell me she was getting married to the father of my ex? "Your father?" I asked, disbelief curdling in my stomach.

"Yeah. We don't talk much. He cut ties when I said I wanted to ride motorcycles instead of becoming a renowned corporate clone like him."

"Oh," I said flatly.

"How have you been? I heard you became a nurse."

I hate him.

"F*ck this," I muttered under my breath, walking away this time.

"Gigi, hold on, please. I promise I wasn't stalking you, I just saw your pictures online." He grabbed my arm again, and I snarled.

"Don't touch me again!"

He raised his hands in surrender. "I'm sorry," he said, voice lower. "I just wanted to say I'm proud of you."

"Of course," I forced a smile. "Excuse me, I need to find my mother."

"Do you think we could catch up later tonight?"

I mentally groaned, "No, I'm leaving."

"When?"

"Right now"

"Are you leaving because of me?"

"No."

"Really? Because you seem annoyed with my presence."

"And?"

"Gigi…"

"Don't call me that stupid name!" I stalked off.

He followed. "Gianna, we need to talk."

"I need to get away from here."

"Where? I'll take you."

"I'm not going anywhere with you."

"I have a bike…" I stopped by the stairs and turned to face him angrily. It was time to stop this madness.

"I don't want a d*mn ride on your stupid bike, leave me alone!"

He was about to say something before he paused, his eyes moved up, staring at the ceiling.

"Uh, Gigi…"

"What?!"

He pointed upward. "We have a problem."

My gaze followed his, and my soul plummeted; my jaw dropped open.

Oh no…

A freaking mistletoe.

Celeste's voice came out of nowhere while she smiled happily, "We found a match!" She exclaimed.

A small crowd had gathered, eyes everywhere, waiting.

"You're under the mistletoe. You have to kiss!" Mischief glimmered in her eyes.

Murmurs erupted as I stayed still, rooted to my spot.

"Gianna?" Rio whispered.

I swallowed hard, and my mother's eyes sparkled; this was all her plan. That conniving b*tch.

She wanted this, and if I didn't play along, I knew more havoc awaited me in the future.

Without thinking, I stood on my tiptoes and kissed Rio.

His hands wrapped around my waist, pulling me flush to his warm body, and he kissed me back, hot, urgent, and deep.

His lips were soft, sinful, and…. Familiar.

We broke apart, breathless, and the crowd erupted in cheers.

"Fabulous!" Celeste clapped. "You two look perfect!

I pushed Rio away, rage boiling inside me. "I'm leaving, Mum."

"What? Why?" She feigned innocence.

"I don't feel good." I grabbed my bag.

"But you haven't met my fiancé…"

I sighed, "Where is he? Maybe a quick hello."

Nonsense," she waved. "Jack's been dying to meet you."

Jack. Jackson. What was it with everyone and that d*mn name?

"He's been busy. He just got transferred to New York. I'm thinking of moving too".

"Well, Bon voyage, Mother," I said tightly, needing to escape her.

"We'll finally be together," she smiled. "After all these years."

Alarms blared in my head, "What? You're moving to New York? Why?!"

"Yes, I'm coming with Jackson, maybe we'll have the wedding there."

Oh God no… Please, no!

I ran away from her for ten years, never wishing to go back, not even once, and now she's going to be with me?!

Right now, a transfer application at work didn't sound bad, maybe I'd leave America for good, somewhere far from her and… Rio.

Her eyes scanned the room while I was having a meltdown in my mind.

"Celeste!"

"Oh, look, here he is." She let go of my hand and hurried to meet him.

"Gianna, meet my fiancé."

I turned, and when I saw him, my hand flew to my stomach.

Jesus Christ! What was happening?!

My stranger from two months ago.

"Jackson Romero," she said, laughing and kissing him. My skin crawled as memories of the night filled my mind, and I looked away.

He wrapped an arm around her waist, then turned to me with a smile so casual, and he said:

"Hello, Gianna. I've been dying to see you."