All Chapters of The Pensive Gentleman: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Angelica “There is no such reason,” Nicolas says, his voice tight with annoyance, then he leans back into his seat, his dark eyes trained on Marciano. “Though now it seems you came looking for something.” My eyes widen, shock filling my whole body. I don’t turn to see the look on Marciano’s face because I can already imagine what it’d be; nothing short of angry. “I picked this restaurant to suit your taste, but it looks like I’ve offended you by changing the location,” is what Nicolas says, but what he really means is ‘You’re in a sour mood because you didn’t get what you want.’ Movements from beneath the table beside me catch my attention. Marciano clenches his fist tight. Call it intuition, but something tells me if we don’t get out of here now, all hell will break loose, and I’ll suffer for it, so with all the courage mustered in me, I grab my wine glass and down its entire contents in one go. My throat itches, but I don’t dwell on it as I push my chair back, standing. “I

Angelica“My mama said I shouldn’t bother you, but she’s just trying to have you all to herself,” Lily says with a little huff. I force a smile, even though my lips still feel… wrong. “She can say whatever she wants but I know what she’s thinking.”I take her hand in mine and give it a little squeeze.I’d taken the first opportunity to leave the apartment when Marina called asking if I was free. She’d sent Gabriele to pick me up shortly after, and even though I’ve been dreading seeing him since my drunken night, I didn’t relent. It’s a plus that he acted like that night didn’t happen throughout the ride to her mansion.“Good thing she’s not here then, right?” Her eyes sparkle as she nods excitedly. Dealing with Junior for as long as I have, I didn’t think I was someone kids liked, especially teenage girls, but Lily is an absolute sweetheart. “To celebrate that, I’ll tell you a secret,” Lily says and leans forward, cupping her mouth, “I had my first kiss yesterday.”My entire body goe

AngelicaMy eyes snap open.I’m in a bedroom surrounded by six—no, seven—men I don’t recognize.Click.I blink, shielding my eyes from the quick flash.“Ah, she’s awake,” a familiar voice says and then giggles. My eyes are heavy and threatening to close again, but I’m not having it, not when a hand is driving up my chest. I swat it away, but it’s not enough.There are too many hands—on my arms, my waist, pinning me in place while someone forces my chin up.Click.The flash again.“Hold her still,” the voice orders.A hand presses into my thigh. Another tugs at the hem of my top, pulling it higher. I twist, but my body won’t cooperate.What’s happening? Where am I?“Smile, Angelica,” the familiar voice finally registers. “Nadine?”The second I say her name, everything else falls into place. How she’d lured me to an apartment, how she… drugged me‘I’ll never let go. Not until I’ve ruined this little life of yours,’ she had said those words to me and now, they somehow ring in my head

(Double POV moment) Angelica Over the last few days, I’ve been more confined than I ever was in Brown Hill. At least then, I knew what was happening. Here, I don't. I would've preferred for Marciano to lock me up in my room and tell me directly that I cannot go anywhere, rather than give me a false sense of freedom—letting me move around, yet not even allowing me to sit on the balcony without being ordered back inside. Men now stand guard by the door outside, and Marina even let me know when she came by yesterday that guards are now manning the entrance as well. But that's not all. Marciano has refused to take a step out of this house in the past three days, taking whatever calls and having his meetings from right here. That's still not the worst of it. He went as far as to reduce my interaction with Marina and revoke her ability to take me out of the house. He'd even sat right next to her when she came yesterday, and only left after she declared she wasn't having it. We were

Angelica“Nadine?” Her eyes meet mine and they widen, raw fear evident in them. She tries to stand, but I unconsciously take a step back at the same time Marciano takes a step forward, folding his arms, his hard gaze on her.I blink up at him, shocked, but also worried. What kind of reaction is that?“Come.” Marina pulls me to a couch. I sit, looking around the spacious living room if there are any other surprises lurking. Like Nicolas.“What’s going on?” I whisper to Marina who is seated right next to me. She taps on my hand that’s still linked with hers and lets out a breath.“I think we’re waiting for your father,” she says, her voice low. So I wasn’t wrong.“Though I’m not sure. Marc’s been trying to reach him.”At the mention of Nicolas, Nadine’s head snaps towards our direction, her eyes popping.“Please don’t let him come here. He-he’s not even available. He went on a trip,” she cries.Just from her voice alone, I can tell she’s scared of the outcome.Specifically Nicolas’s r