Juliana's POV

Evening came faster than expected. I was home rather early as Becca went on another of her one week vacations, so I won't see her make up covered face for another week or two hopefully more.

That happy feeling is what I get once or twice every month. No one to nag me or make my life a living hell.

Now, I was enjoying my lonely Saturday evening alone.

As usual.

I was in my pajamas, lying on the couch with a bowl of the cheapest popcorn I could find in my neighborhood.

But the peace and quiet didn't last for long as Mercy came walking through the door.

"Hey girl!." She practically squealed as she walked through the door.

Drunk.

Again. Not shocking.

She wobbled around, almost knocking down the TV. "Hey, watch it!.." I yelled, catching the small flat screen TV in my hands.

"What's wrong with you?!." I placed the TV back to its original position.

"i-I'm v-very s-sorry.." She hiccupped giggling. "I sound funny!.. don't you think?!." She asked, slamming herself on the couch.

Mercy is a tenant living in my house.. and yes since my Mom spends majority of her time in the hospital I decided to rent her room out for the price of eighty thousand dollars a month.

"Yes, you do!.. but you also smell of alcohol and to be sincere you smell horrible.." I said, trying to hold my breath and at the same time removing her four inch heels.

I sighed watching her getting more comfortable on the couch.

"Ugh! Could you please k-keep quiet? I'm trying to sleep!.." she groaned.

"Fine, do what you want!.." I sighed. frustration clearly evidence in my voice.

I walked back upstairs to my bedroom, I slammed the door shut before climbing the bed. A breathy sigh escaped my lips.

Today was very stressful.. I've had other days that have more workload but today was what crossed the line.

Still what did I expect with Becca in the building? I closed my eyes taking deep breaths trying my very best to fall asleep.

I mean I had to wake up early in the morning so I could go to my job as a waitress.

All I could do was stare at the ceiling. Which wasn't very helpful as I was counting the dots and lines.. I groaned in frustration as I turned to lay on my side.

A few more hours went by before I could finally close my eyes. And I got swept away by sleep in minutes.

**

LOCATION:- MILAN, ITALY.

HOURS LATER

At RAY'S MIRACLE HOSPITAL

Dr. Valentino Rayfredo's Office.

The door was kicked open by a very furious Francis.

"Mr. de'Medici!." Valentino greeted with a silly smile on his face. He knew why Francis was here, he was expecting him.

Valentino Rayfredo a man of integrity, but unlike Francis, Valentino was fixed with honey brown hair and a pair of black soulless eyes with an expressionless face he pulls up wherever he goes, it was pretty hard for people to know his current intention, if he was happy or sad, surprised or angry he was just another mysterious hot cake for the ladies of Milan to drool over.

"What a pleasant surprise.. So what brings you to my office this fine evening?"

"Oh please Valentino, stop acting innocent you know why I'm here!." Francis hissed. "Why didn't you wait for me as I ordered.. I wanted my piccolo fiore (little flower) to hear the news from me, not you or anybody else!." His voice is more dominant than ever, the veins on his neck and forehead much more prominent.

Still Francis' bass voice did nothing but make Valentino laugh. "The last time I checked, this is my hospital and not your Multi Trillionaire company, so you can't order me around, besides your sister deserved to know, she was the one who even asked me what her condition was, and as her personal doctor I had no choice but to tell Roxanne the truth, plus it's not even that serious she'll be on her feet and cat walking like before in a couple of months so there's no need to worry.." Valentino sighed as he rubbed his temple.

Francis can be really unbearable sometimes. Valentino thought to himself.

"I wanted to tell her though!. I mean, what if she had a mental break down, I wouldn't have been there to–

"Oh please, Francis, you and I both know the true reason you wanted to tell her, you wanted to be the one to comfort her even though she doesn't need it!."

"Of course, I'm her grande fratello (big brother) what did you expect?!."

"She's a grown woman now, Francis , she doesn't need all this protection!." Valentino said, getting agitated.

"She's my sister and she deserves all the attention I give her right now, not you or anyone else can stop me from doing what I do for MY piccolo fiore (little flower).. I don't even know why I'm having an argument with you about this.." Francis sighed.

"We'll talk later today at the casino.. I have a meeting in an hour.." Francis said leaving the office.

"Your never going to listen to me.." Valentino smiled, shaking his head.

Minutes later after Francis left the office Valentino's secretary knocked on the door..

"Mr. Rayfredo?.."

"Come in Mirabelle, he's gone.."

"I'm really sorry to disturb you s-Sir, b-but the uhh operation for the birth of the McKenzie baby is due in twenty minutes.." Mirabelle stuttered out.

"Alright then.. get everything ready and I'll be there in a few minutes. I've got to check up on one of the patients first.." he said waving his hand in dismissal.

"Of course s-Sir I'll do that right away.." Mirabelle said, bowing her head before leaving.

**

WARDROOM 12, FLOOR 205.

Valentino slowly walked into Roxanne's room, closing the door quietly behind him.

He now stood beside her, his hand softly caressing her bandaged forehead.

She was already sound asleep, her chest raising and falling in a slow steady rhythm.

Valentino smiled.

"You know Roxanne, if it wasn't for your brother and his over protection for you.. we'd be together right now.." He muttered, taking her frail hand in his large ones.

"We both know your brother would rather go through hell before he lets that happen.." he giggled, kissing the back of her hand.

Interlocking their hands together Valentino sighed. "Why can't I get rid of my feelings for you Roxanne?.." he asked no one in particular.

Valentino finally stood up to leave but his wrist was held tight, preventing him from moving an inch. Roxanne was awake, well almost awake she was half conscious because of the sleeping drugs the nurse gave her hours ago.

That was until she heard a voice she was all too familiar with. Her eyes lids were drippy and hard to hold up, struggling to open her eyes. She finally got to see him and his masculine stature.

"Where are you going Lino?." Roxanne asked softly. That was her nickname for him since they were kids, she couldn't pronounce his name in full so she called him Lino and she stuck to it till this day.

"I have a surgery to prepare for but I promise I'll be back.. and you should get some sleep, you really need it.." he muttered, kissing her forehead. She wasn't going to remember what happened after all, she'd thought it was a dream so why let an opportunity walk by without taking it.

He walked out of Roxanne's room, closing the door behind him. And within seconds she was fast asleep without a worry in the world.