INSATIABLE CRAVINGS
Insatiable Cravings – Episode 136
Subtitle; {Loving You Is A Loosing Game}
TAGS: Age-gap, Mafia, Forbidden Love, Drama, Tragedy and Betrayal.
Settings: United Kingdom, Russia and others.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
~ Genevieve ~
By the time the sun had properly risen, casting a soft golden glow across the London sky, I was already up, dressed, and ready to head to my fiancé’s house.
What? I missed the man.
He even rang me just as I was about to fall asleep last night—our usual nightly check-in—but this time, it was also to let me know he knew I was in London.
Those loud-mouthed miscréants I call my guards clearly fear and respect Dominic more than they do me. I practically begged them not to tell him. And what did they do?
They told him.
Absolutely betrayed me and ruiñed the little surprise I had planned. And while I was ranting about how upset I was, what did he do?
He laughed.
That infuriàtingly gorgeous jerk.
I shut the fridge with my free hand, a bowl of raspberries balanced in the other, and leaned my back against the island. Soft, hesitant footsteps padded down the stairs, their echo bouncing gently through the quiet kitchen.
“Oh, hi,” I called out, spotting the owner of those dainty steps. “Sleep well?”
Decent enough greeting for a six-year-old, right?
She stood a few feet away, wearing one of Xavier’s oversized T-shirts—so big it practically swept the floor around her little feet. Her deep blue eyes gave me a once-over before a small, tentative smile broke across her face.
“H-hi,” she whispered with a nod, her ponytail bobbing gently. “Yes, I did.”
“Ah, good.” I nodded back. “Want some fruit?”
Her eyes dropped to my bowl of raspberries, and she shook her head. “No, thank you.”
“Is it just these you don’t want? Or you’re not hungry at all?”
“I don’t like raspberries.”
“Oh. Fair enough.” I turned back to the fridge and opened it again. A neat bowl of mixed fruits sat in one of the compartments, bright and colourful. “What would you like instead?”
“Nothing,” she muttered so softly I nearly missed it.
I spun around to face her properly. “You didn’t eat anything yesterday. You’re absolutely sure you don’t want something now?”
She shook her head again, but not with much conviction.
“Would you come here for a second?” I asked gently.
Uncertainty flickered in her eyes, a shadow of fear threading through her expression. But slowly—so slowly—she took a step forward.
“May I pick you up?”
It was the briefest flash, but I saw it—gratitude shimmered in her gaze before she nodded. My lips curved into a smile, and I lifted her easily, settling her on my hip so we were both level with the fridge.
“Which one do you fancy, sweetheart?” I asked as softly as I could, keeping my tone warm and careful. “You can have any of them.”
I picked up a blueberry and held it near her lips. Allyssa stared at me as if trying to read my intentions, and just when I thought she’d refuse, she opened her mouth.
My heart… honestly, it lit up like a lantern in the fog.
She chewed, slowly and thoughtfully, then swallowed, glancing up at me once more.
“Nod for yes, shake your head for no.”
I waited, holding my breath.
She nodded.
“That’s lovely. Want a few more mixed in?”
Another nod.
I mirrored her expression, then turned my focus back to the fridge. “Strawberries?”
She shook her head.
“Bananas?”
Another shake.
“Dragon fruit?”
This time, her whole face scrunched in protest, not just a shake—a full-on grimace.
I chuckled, unable to help myself. “I hàte it too. It’s vile.”
And for the first time since yesterday, Ally’s entire face lit up in a grin. It was beautiful—warm, real, a little piece of sunshine.
“What about—” I trailed off, scanning the fridge again with a low hum. “—apples?” She nodded eagerly. “Good choice, sweetheart. Green or red?”
“Green.”
My smile widened. “Hey, same! I love the green ones too.”
“They’re the best.”
I nodded in full agreement, feeling a surprising warmth fill my chest. This—this moment—was something special. Connecting with the little girl who’d soon be my niece. It felt… heartfelt.
“I’ll chop one up for you.”
She nodded, and I gently set her back down on her feet before slicing the apple into bite-sized pieces. After rinsing them again—just because—I placed them in a fresh bowl alongside the blueberries. Her big blue eyes followed every movement until I finally handed her the mismatched fruit combo.
“Thank you,” she whispered, walking shyly to the tall island stool. It was, admittedly, too high for her little legs, and I watched with silent amusement as she struggled.
But only for a moment. Then I stepped forward and lifted her up, placing her gently on the stool.
“Thank you,” she said again, letting out a tiny sigh of relief.
“You’re welcome.” I reached a hand towards her head, then stopped—hovering—unsure if she’d be comfortable with the touch. “Would you like a glass of milk with that?”
She shook her head and glanced down at the bowl. A long pause followed. Something was off. She just… stared.
Then her gaze flicked to her hand.
Oh.
I turned quickly, grabbed a fork, rinsed it, and handed it over.
Her eyes lit up the moment our fingers brushed. “Thank you,” she said again, this time smiling wider as she took the fork.
I smiled back and returned to my own bowl. We ate together in silence, peaceful and easy, until I noticed her watching me again.
When I looked up, our gazes met and held—like two oceans colliding. Powerful. Quiet. Deep.
I tilted my head, a silent question in my eyes.
“Your hair,” she said. “It’s pretty.”
“Oh. Thank you.”
“What colour is it?”
I looked down, as if I didn’t already know the answer. “Strawberry blonde,” I replied. “Everyone else in my family is blonde, but apparently I’m stubborn.”
She laughed—soft and low.
I opened my mouth to speak again, but my phone chimed.
Mine: When you’re ready to leave, tell me. I’ll send a car for you.
A grin stretched across my face instantly. Ridiculous, but I looked like an absolute lovesick fóol.
Me: Sure.
Then I typed again.
Me: Be ready in thirty minutes.
Mine: Alright.
I placed my phone back on the counter and turned to Ally. “Still don’t want milk?”
She hesitated, then nodded.
“Juice?”
Another nod.
“So that’s a yes?”
She nodded once more.
“Right. What would you like? There’s…” I returned to the fridge, humming a nameless tune. “Apple juice? Orange? Pineapple?”
No answer.
“Strawberry milk?”
She nodded instantly.
Well then. Easy.
Still humming, I poured out a glass and handed it to her just as footsteps echoed down the stairs. Both of us turned.
Adrianna.
She slowed when she saw Ally, then looked at me. “You two…” Her eyes dropped to the fruit bowls. “Are you hungry? I can—”
“No worries,” I cut in gently. “I’ve got to get going.”
“You’re not staying for breakfast?”
“Afraid not. I miss Dominic too much to hang about.”
“Oh. Okay.”
“Yeah. I was just waiting for you to wake up before leaving.” I picked up my phone and walked over. “Gotta dash.”
“Alright, but let Xavier drive you.”
“No need. Dominic’s already sent a car.”
“Right.” She nodded. “Well, while you’re waiting, let’s eat.”
She didn’t wait for my response, just headed for the island. “How was your night, darling?” she asked Ally.
“Good,” Ally replied softly.
“Eggs, Genny?” she offered.
“Er…” I grimaced. “No, eggs sort of gross me out right now.”
“What? You love eggs for breakfast.”
“Not anymore.”
Adrianna gave me a look, suspicious, piercing. I held her gaze. She scanned me from head to toe, then shrugged.
I let out a slow breath, relief washing over me.
•••
Sal was the one who came to pick me up. As usual, he couldn’t shut up—chuckling through his own jokes as he loaded my bags into the boot.
“Why so quiet?” he asked as we pulled off.
“Because I don’t fancy competing with a parrot.”
“You calling me a parrot?”
“Yes.” I threw him a deadpan look. “What are you going to do about it?”
His lips twitched, but he didn’t let the grin win just yet. His eyes dropped to my hand. “Nice ring.”
“Thanks. Your boss gave it to me.”
“Ah, good. Because if it had been another man, he’d be dead.”
I understood him. But I looked at him like I didn’t.
“He’s m about you.”
“I know.” I smirked, unable to hide how smug I felt.
“Well done, princess.”
My smile dropped immediately. “You’ll never stop calling me that, will you?”
“Nope.” He shook his head with a grin that now stretched fully. “Never, princess.”
TBC📖✍️
