''J-jasmine…'' Antonio stuttered, horrified.
Before him on his bed was Jasmine, and on top of her…Antonio's body trembled, registering who it was. Alessio?Antonio felt his whole world crumble into dust, his heart, shattering into tiny fragments, broken forever in the endless cycle of agony.Alessio was his bosom friend, they had been friends since they learnt how to talk, and they barely parted, unless when necessary.It was to the point where people often mistook them as real siblings, since he was even closer to Alessio than he was to Michele.Both Alessio and Jasmine were stark naked, and he watched as his bosom friend pounded his wife while fumbling with her tits as though they were his long, lost toys.They were both lost in ecstasy, each in their dreamy world of pain and pleasure, and they hadn't even noticed his presence.''JASMINE!'' Antonio's shrill voice thundered all over the room, making the two culprits come to an abrupt stop.Alessio and Jasmine turned in his direction, and their eyes widened, surprised at whom the intruder was.Surprised, but that was it.''Uh… A-antonio.'' Jasmine called out to him, in between soft and heavy moans.Alessio only spared him a glance before drifting his attention back to Jasmine.They had entirely ignored him, not even caring about the fact that he was watching them.The heavy moans that echoed against the white walls were so unbearable that Antonio felt he might die of a heart attack, should this continue.No longer able to bear it, he stumped forward with heavy steps. His veins bulged, and his pale face was flushed red.Bam!''You bastard.'' Antonio's blow connected with Alessio's head, sending him rolling on the large, brown bed.''Shitty asshole.'' Alessio gnashed his teeth, his face grimaced with pain.''If you come any closer, I'll call the police.'' Jasmine's stinging declaration pierced his ears, making him freeze.''J-jasmine.'' His body kept on trembling, and even his mind felt like it would collapse at any moment from now.''W-why?'' His voice fell into a whisper, as he lost the strength to even speak audibly.Both of them gave him derisive looks, Jasmine's deadpan face, meeting his.''After all the things I've done for you guys?'' Antonio took a step back, muttering in a hushed tone.''No, this is a prank, right? This can't be real, no it's not real…'' Antonio let out a frenzy chuckle, as he paced across the room.Suddenly, he snapped out of his acute mental breakdown and faced the two people who had refused to let go of each other.''Y-you, when you lost your parents and couldn't continue high school, I fucking shoulder all the financial responsibilities.'' Antonio's voice once again switched, booming in the room with madness as he pointed at Alessio with trembling fingers.''From high school to college, I fucking paid all your tuition fees, even when your sister was dying of stroke, I-I…'' Antonio trailed off as he felt himself choking on hot mucus.''And you.'' He turned to Jasmine, ''You were nothing but just a mere waitress at an old restaurant.''Antonio's voice was a rollercoaster of emotions. Sometimes it was sinister and cold, sometimes it echoed with anguish, and other times it was just devoid of any emotion.''Here he comes bragging about his stupid wealth.'' Alessio retorted.''So what if you paid all my tuition fees.'' He shrugged.''So what if you flew my sister abroad to receive the best treatment.'' Alessio, who was now in a blue boxer, climbed down from the bed, facing Antonio.''You're too pompous, when I asked for money, you gave me triple, when I tried to mind my business, you kept asking me shitty questions about whether I needed money, all in the guise of seeing my pathetic self cling to you.'' Alessio snickered.''Even when I told you I liked her, you stole her from me, because of your shitty money.'' He pointed at Jasmine, who was relaxed on the bed, watching the drama unfold while fumbling with her hair.''But see who's giving her the best moment now.'' Alessio's smile was layered with mockery.Antonio's eyes widened in utter disbelief, not daring to believe what he just heard.Him? Pompous? Steal someone's girlfriend?True, whenever Alessio asked for something, he always made sure he gave him several folds of that thing. He even gave him three oil refineries, and two tech companies, soon after they graduated, and that was because of his pure intention.Alessio had stood by him when his parents died at ten, and even though his parents were rich as fuck not to allow him and his brother to suffer after they were deceased, the emotional support he received from Alessio had brought him a long way.Hence, the urge to always please his friend.As for stealing Jasmine from him, he had zero idea about this.Both of them had visited an old restaurant in the countryside, some years back, and that was where they met Jasmine.It was love at first sight, and Antonio had even informed Alessio about his feelings for Jasmine.In fact, Alessio was his wingman who made sure the relationship worked out, and he was his brightest best man at their wedding.Yet, this same Alessio dared to say that he stole his girl?Everything was happening too quickly, and Antonio's brain was running amok at the brink of madness.His chest was huffing and puffing, and his gaze soon shifted to the glossy, white-tiled floor.Jasmine had just scattered a paper on the floor, not sparing him a glance.Antonio gulped, picking up the paper as he felt a sense of deja vu.''A-are you kidding me?'' Antonio's heart sank.A divorce paper? Jasmine had filed a divorce?Of course, he didn't have the intention to get back with her, but to think she had actually filed a divorce, and was only waiting for him to come get it…''I can't busy myself too much to come to seek you in the prison to sign it, so please do what is required.'' Her impassive voice rang in his head, and he watched as her figure crept towards Alessio, under the latter's lecherous eyes.''Both of you, get out of my house.'' Antonio roared, finally regaining his reasoning.However, his roar fell on deaf ears as he watched the two figures who had gummed to each other size him up as though he were nothing but an idiot.That was when something clicked in Antonio's head, and he felt as though his heart was being pierced by tiny needles.''D-don't tell me'' His breathing ceased, as the papers in his hands fell to the floor.''D-don't tell me.'' The divorce papers fell to the ground, and Antonio glared at Jasmine with murderous intent.''Phew, I was afraid at first that the prison had turned you into a dummy, at least you're still smart as I used to know you.'' It was Alessio who replied this time around, amidst his fervent hot, deep kiss, as his tongue fought with Jasmine's.Antonio's face went blank, devoid of colour. He was momentarily frozen in one place, but soon, the heavy moans in the room jolted him awake.''I'll remember this.'' Antonio's whisper sounded as though it was from the deepest part of hell, making both Alessio and Jasmine shudder.Clenching his fist to stop himself from trembling, he collected the papers on the floor, and turned to leave. Glancing back at them once more, he nodded before walking out of the room.''Uh- uh, lock the door, please.'' Jasmine's voice trailed off, melting in ecstasy.It appeared that since all his properties had been confiscated by the government, Alessio h
''Excuse me… nurse, where's my brother?'' Antonio barged into the reception in heavy, fast strides.His gaze wandered from one angle to another, his eyes knitting in subtle apprehension.There were three nurses at the reception, two of them clad in white gowns, while the third who sat in the middle wore a green round-neck top and pants.The one in green had dark circles and eye bags hanging beneath her eyes, as she occasionally stuffed her mouth with popcorn.The other two ladies brimmed with more youthful energy. Their eyes, were sharp and unwelcoming as their gazes shifted towards the approaching figure.''Hey, I'm asking… where's my brother? Can you lead the way… he's not in the usual ward.'' Antonio blurted out everything without taking a break, his tone tinged with bafflement.The three nurses shifted their eyes away from Antonio, treating him as though he were a fart.The older lady in green went back to stuffing herself with more popcorn, while the other two had their eyes glue
A warm, amber light radiated from the chandelier that hung from the alabaster ceiling engraved with beautiful symbols, adding to the ceiling aesthetic.The spacious room was filled with soft light. Like the splendour of dusk, the glass and furniture glistened in the warmth.A man who appeared to be in his late fifties was sitting on a large, brown sofa, with the edges designed with gold and gemstones.He was clad in a jet-black suit, along with a matching pair of shoes. His silver watch reflected the warmth rays from the chandelier, and he breathed in and out softly, enjoying the aromatic fragrance that permeated from the room diffuser.Two, tall, muscular men in black suits were standing behind the man like statues.Their gazes were stagnant, only piercing forward without drifting across the room.The middle-aged man ruffled his short, wavy grey hair, which was styled in a modern quiff with a matte finish, before puffing out a thick smoke from the tobacco in his left hand.Besides h
Eli, one of the nurses in a white gown, was done with her morning ward round, and she was preparing to attend to their VIP patients in the special building.The special building was still a part of the hospital building, but it was in the back, and the facilities and services there were thousands of times better than the ones in the regular building.Even though the hospital was among the best in the entire state, the medical services meant solely for the VIPs could compete with other top hospitals across the world.Eli was giggling inwardly, her face revealing a brighter shade, thinking of how lucky she was to have been assigned to the special unit.The hospital management didn't just assign any Tom, Dick, and Harry… they had to consider the doctor's and nurse's experience.Their current standings in the hospital, and overall, which was also the most important, how well connected they were.To put it in a simple word, their influence, and backers.Eli failed terribly at all these cri
Feeling Leonardo's gaze from behind, Antonio didn't bother to face him before he murmured, ''You can proceed.''Leonardo and the other two let out sighs of relief, their muscles relaxing.They knew too well how stubborn this young man could be, and even though he had agreed on the phone… he was with the Chairman.He could, at any time, back out from the arrangement, or even force them to do something out of their wills, and that meant embracing death in full arms should the Chairman catch wind of it.Glaring at Sandra, Leonardo brought out a golden card with dark intricate designs at the edges.''Chairman said to give you this.' Leonardo tilted his head, bowing a bit as he handed over the card to Antonio.Richard, the second bodyguard who stood right behind Antonio, went forward.''I'll watch over him, and make sure everything goes smoothly,'' Richard muttered, his husky voice reverberating in Sandra's ears.From the beginning to this point, her heart kept pounding against her chest a
Antonio rose to his feet, his eyes turning bloodshot with incumbent fury.Yet, he didn't allow his emotions to get a hold of himself, as he soon masked the fury erupting from his face.However, his gaze had yet to shift from the approaching figure.Blue eyes, long wavy, brown hair that fell to her shoulder and a short, beige knitted bodycon that clung to her body, revealing her curves and cleavagesHer coffee brown long coat flowed to her knees, and her knee-length, black boots struck against the floor.Jasmine tied a thick black scarf around her neck, and her flora cologne drifted out, permeating everyone's nostrils.Leonardo and company had risen to their feet immediately after they saw Antonio's countenance fall, and their eyes pierced into the new arrival with cold intents.Leonardo and Richard knew a bit of the happenings lately, and they could already guess who this lady was, however, they didn't interrupt or utter anything.They only stood beside Antonio, ready to intervene sho
Antonio glanced at Michele with a heavy expression, but he soon let out a soft sigh of relief.'At least it's settled now,' he muttered to himself.They'd already been moved to the VIP building, and Michele's treatment had begun.His chemotherapy session was scheduled for Friday evening, afterwards the surgeries would follow.Skimming through the document for the last time, Antonio scribbled on it with an unreadable expression.''Pass it to her.'' He folded the paper and handed it to Leonardo.He didn't need to be told whom Antonio was referring to, he nodded with all seriousness as he received the document.Having finished his business here in the hospital, well, at least at the moment. Antonio stood up, pushing the white chair he was sitting on just now as he headed for the door.Leonardo and Richard followed suit, the former was a few steps ahead on the right while the latter was standing just behind Antonio on his left.They soon found their way out of the magnificent building as
''No, old man, you don't get it at all, huh?'' Antonio bellowed as he paced around the room.''Hey, boy relax.'' The Chairman, Diego Lancaster, replied from where he stood at the centre of the room.''Don't tell me to relax.'' Antonio snapped, his eyes turning bloodshot.''This is exactly the reason it decided to bow out of this whole game in the first place.'' Antonio's arm flared, slamming his hand on the long wooden table.''Now I decided to come back again, and just a few minutes after, I was almost assassinated.''''Assassinated for crying out loud,'' Antonio yelled.''Yet, you're here telling me to relax? Relax for what exactly, Old man?'' Antonio's gaze pierced into Diego's.''Boy, you need to chill.'' Diego's old, but vibrant voice resounded in Antonio's ears.However, he wasn't ready to listen to Diego's rant. He was fuming, and he needed somewhere to vent all his frustration.''I should chill?'' Antonio walked forward, moving closer to Diego, avoiding the furniture in the ro