Author's note: this is from Duke's point of view

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After freshening up, I joined Sergio in the kitchen.

He brought coffee and a variety of breakfast items from the bakery down the street, and the vast amount of food was a warning that the news he was about to share with me is not good.

As I sunk my teeth into perfectly baked focaccia bread with baby tomatoes and herbs, Sergio was sizing me up with a knowing smirk. It was obvious that he was still guessing which one of our neighbors warmed my bed last night.

Sergio was my guardian, my best friend, my only connection to the life I used to have in Italy, but he is also a gossip.

At that moment, his face was perfectly punchable and I did my best to ignore him because I didn't want to start my day with a useless argument. There was no point in denying whatever he imagined and saying that I had a mysterious encounter with Sanya will only make me sound crazy. Not that Sergio will believe me; if I try to sell him that story, he will probably call me a liar.

I reminded him that he came to my place, and woke me up early because of some news.

He frowned a bit, took a sip of coffee, and started talking.

A minute later, my mouth was hanging open, and I was confident that my ears malfunctioned.

"What did you say?"

Sergio licked his lips nervously. "There are rumors that Magda is pregnant with your baby and that you are about to get married. To Magda. You and Magda. Baby. Married."

I couldn't believe this. "I never touched her and there is no way I will marry her. Who is spreading this nonsense?"

Sergio shrugged helplessly. "I heard it last night in the club. You will need to deal with this."

I didn't want to deal with this or any other nonsense.

Magda is psychotic to the point of bribing three girls to set up Sanya. My blood boiled at that thought. I didn't want to get anywhere near Magda because I feared that I will rip her head off and end up in jail before Sanya returns.

I'm not a guy to avoid problems, but you can't win against rumors. The more I deny it, the more people will believe that there is something going on. Besides, soon they will see that there is no baby and they will gossip about something else.

"Why should I deal with it? It's just a baseless rumor. It will go away."

"I agree with you that it's a baseless rumor. However, I'm not sure about the going away part. Did you forget who Magda's father is? If he believes that you played with his daughter…", Sergio's voice trailed, and I knew that it will not be good.

This was not about sullying Magda. Who cares about those things anyway? We are all grownups.

However, this might be about preserving the reputation of the Thompson family.

Richard Thompson, Magda's father, the CEO of the Giantshade Industries. An overbearing and powerful man with numerous connections and a seemingly endless amount of money. He is one of the main reasons why Magda is spoiled to the bone; he is overcompensating for cheating on Magda's mother.

Richard was always overprotective of Magda, shielding her and seeking vengeance even when she was obviously in the wrong, and if this rumor reaches him, there is a chance he will not sit still.

I don't want to be his enemy but how can I explain this to him without getting into deeper trouble?

Oh, right. I can get evidence and disperse lies with the truth. That will fix things. Even if Magda is pregnant, a paternity test will prove my innocence.

I don't need to get close to Magda. A phone call will do. If both of us set the records straight, it will all be fine.

"I will call Magda and see if she heard about this.", I said.

"Pft!", Sergio sprayed a mouthful of coffee on the table. "She is probably the one behind the rumors."

I watched Sergio cleaning up the mess he made with a handful of napkins, and I realized that he was right.

I am aware that Magda is deadset on claiming me as hers, but sometimes I forget that she has no limits to how far she will go to achieve her goal.

Considering that I am avoiding her recently, there is a high chance Magda started spreading these rumors and that she hopes I will reach out to her. Of course, if we meet, she will use that to solidify her story of how we are about to get married.

How exasperating. Magda is a walking headache. I dodged her for the last four years, and there is no way I will fall into her trap now that she doesn't have any leverage against me.

Sergio was of no help in figuring out how to deal with this problem. Actually, it's not a problem yet, and maybe it won't be at all.

The truth is that I didn't want to spend any brain cells on Magda or rumors about her. She is a socialite, always in the limelight. Other than a few outings which had a goal to expand my business network and she was tagging along, I managed to stay away from Magda and all drama that follows her.

No matter what Magda is up to, Sanya will return and the two of us will travel the world, just how Sanya dreamed of. I will take her anywhere she wants, and when we are ready to settle, it will happen wherever Sanya wants.

Magda can stay in London with her posh circle and gossips and find herself a man who is not me.

Yes. The wisest thing I can do is to avoid Magda.

Sergio was about to leave, when I remembered something, "How was the weather last night?"

Sergio paused, surprised by my question. "It was fine."

"Was there a storm? Rain and thunder?"

"There was no storm. Are you OK?" He eyed my expression like he is about to check if I have a fever.

I rubbed my forehead forcibly. "I don't know, Serge." I waved him off, like it's not a big deal. "Thanks for letting me know about the rumor."

"I will keep my eyes and ears open. As always, young master.", Sergio assured me and left my apartment.

I waited to make sure that Sergio is gone before walking back into my bedroom.

I threw myself on the bed and took a deep breath.

The hairs at the back of my head rose as the sweet scent filled my system. Jasmine with a hint of Japanese wisteria. Sanya.

Three deep breaths later, I told myself that I'm not losing my mind.

That is Sanya's scent, and the bite mark on my neck which faded already was her doing. She was here. Or maybe I was wherever she was. That would explain the storm outside.

I had no idea how it happened, but this was the second time I had this out-of-body experience where I was by Sanya's side, feeling her, and inhaling her scent. And both times she eagerly accepted my touch.

"Shit…", I cursed under my breath. She was upset.

Instead of asking Sanya about her situation, and assuring her that I am here for her, I ended up feeling her out. And if it lasted two more minutes, I would undress her and do more than just grinding. So much for not being a lecher.

Panic swelled inside me. How am I supposed to face Sanya now? She will probably avoid me, or slap me, or… what if she decides not to return?

I was so stupid! Why didn't I ask Sanya where she is?

She looked troubled. She cried and needed comforting. And what did I do? Despicable.

Yes, it was despicable, but it was also amazing.

I want to treat Sanya well. She is my Goddess. I want to worship every inch of her body, and ravage her, possess her, hear her scream my name, and say that she is mine. Only mine. Just how I am hers.

I buried my face in the mattress and took a deep breath, savoring the lingering scent Sanya left behind. My palms throbbed with the memory of her luscious skin, and I drooled a little as my tongue remembered caressing her taut nipple. She tastes amazing and her sweet moans are out of this world!

Shit! I'm aroused again…

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