"When I found you, I had not found myself yet, but when I found myself, I had already lost you." ― Elmar Hussein

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Edited By: bomabenjy

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Rafael Alejandro Valiente's POV

Manhattan, New York

My plane landed at JFK at exactly 7 in the morning. I thanked my crew and disembarked from the aircraft and walked to where Roman parked his car, Darell and Garret were following me behind. They are my securities both are black belters and a shooters. They are both ex military. Two cars were waiting for us. Roman, was my driver since kindergarten. 

"Welcome back Rafael." The old man said as he smiled and opened the rear side door for me and closed it once I'm settled in. My two securities took the other car with other securities. 

Roman soon started the engine and we left the Tarmac. The SUV was discreetly following us.

"How was your parent's Rafael?" Roman asked happily? He is very close to my family. And he is like a second father to me. He and his wife are the only people who call us by our names.

"They are happy and both healthy Roman. I hope it stays that way for a long time." I replied casually.

"Have you heard yet from your wife about moving here?" I asked after. Janella, the wife didn't want to leave her grand kids.

"She has already made up her mind Rafael. I can't change it. That only happens when the pigs got wings!" he laughed momentarily. 

I laughed. 

His wife is a handful sometimes, but Roman loves her dearly that he only agrees to whatever the lady says.

"She can come and visit anytime Roman. Just tell me and Luke can come get her." I suggest. Luke was my private pilot and the captain. I had three private pilots and four flight attendants

The 60 year old man smiled. His eyes softened and looked at the rear mirror with grateful eyes and watched his master. Nobody knew him well but him. He and his wife were almost the ones who raised him. 

"I'll tell her when I talk to her Rafael and Thank you!" he exclaimed excitedly.

We reached the hotel building and Roman pulled into the underground parking lot and parked in the slot exclusively for him.

Not long, I'm inside my place. I dialed the manager's number right away.

"Send me Ms. Bennet and some breakfast." I ordered coldly as soon as it got connected.

"I'm so sorry Mr. Valiente but Ms. Bennet resigned two days ago."

"WHAT??" I yelled thunderously. My heart rapidly raced and I wanted to kill him at that moment.

"I..m so..r.r.y. Sir!" the manager stuttered in a shaky voice.

"WHY I HAVE NO KNOWLEDGED OF THIS?" I roared in a menacing voice. Gritting my teeth at the end as I clenched and unclenched my hands in fury, the thought of her gone frightened me tremendously.

"It was sudden-!" he trailed of apprehensively, but I cut it off.

"SAVE IT! YOU'RE FIRED JACOB!!" I yelled and I was about to slam the phone when I heard his words.

"SHE WAS A DUCHESS RAFAEL!" he dared say making me astounded and fell on a silent for a brief moment, trying to grasp what he just said, not caring for how he address me.

"What did you just say?" I asked dumbfounded, trying to make sure I heard it right.

"She is the daughter of the late Duchess of Russia, Tatiana Alexandra Markovich. The Grand Duke himself came to see her and left in the afternoon with her to Russia." Jacob elaborated trying not to miss any information.

"Nikolai Dmitri Markovich is Clara Bell's grandfather?" I uttered audibly, still bewildered with the news I just heard.

"She's Anzhelika Tatiana Markovich, Duchess of Russia, only heir of the Markovich left, Mr. Valiente!" he announced, awe laced in his tone.

"I heard you Jacob. That's all!" I said dismissively as I felt like I'm slowly melting like a candle and ended the line not waiting for his response. My world just collapsed. The Grand Duke was known as cruel and he never lets anyone touch his property. I've heard a lot about him. 

I walked to my bar and poured myself some rum; I was so devastated with the news. I was ready to win her whatever it takes and now she's gone.

She's a Duchess? Now, I felt like I'm not fit to marry her. 

Wait? I was thinking to marry her? When did this come up? 

Thinking of her being married to a prince or to anyone in the royal hierarchy was killing me over and over. I know that these noble autocrats had a tradition of an arranged marriage since birth. 

No! Just the thought of it is making me enraged and I wanted to kill every guy who dared touch her. 

**** 


Clara Bell Bennet's POV

Tsarskoye Selo, Pushkin, Russia

Markovich Palace

It's been 5 months since I arrived here at the Markovich Palace. I can't believe how greatly my life has changed. I was introduced to all the maidservants, Gannon, the butler with the wife Rosetta, the cooks and gardener. It's hard to remember their names for there are hundreds of them. The palace has 627 of rooms. These include 15 State rooms, 47 Royal and guest bedrooms, 115 staff bedrooms, 68 offices and 60 bathrooms. According to my royal obligations tutor Ms. Hendricks and how to be a lady 

For the three months all I did was learning the ropes. How to drink the tea properly, how to knit which I despised, how to curtsy and meeting all these gentlemen, balls here and there. My grandfather was too eager to have a heir soon and that's our main obligation to bring a heir, lots of heir. I irked just thinking of it. I was overwhelmed with the luxurious surroundings I'm currently living. It never dawned on me that I was a daughter of a Duchess. I felt like it was still a dream. 

The only thing that excited me about my responsibilities was attending charity functions and meeting all these foundations staff. I felt so honoured to be a sponsor in a few foundations. It's time to give back what I owe. 

"Lady Tatiana, It's time to go. Prince Phillip is waiting for you at the drawing room." Said Rhea my companion or lady-in-waiting as they refer them, I refused to have one since I'm used to being independent but my stubborn Grandfather insisted. 

"Call me Bell please" I said. I'm not still used to my real name. 

"As you wish my lady!" she bowed. I glared at her. I just said Bell and she even bowed at me.

"Please, just Bell! And no bowing or curtsying or whatsoever" I raised my eyebrow with growing irritation.

"Yes, Bell." she smiled. The politeness of the people here inside the palace was really irking me and I'm not really used to it. 

"I can manage Rhea. Please busy yourself. I won't tell my Grandfather." I pleaded for the nth times. 

"If you say so, Bell, please ring me if you need anything or a hand." She smiled again before she quietly left my room. I heaved a relieved sigh.

I remembered I had to see Phillip. He was very gentlemanly. Among the prince and other noble gentleman I've met, he was the most comfortable company I can endure, if I may say. 

I was happy at least I don't have to deal with Rafael's bossy attitude but I missed him. The kisses we shared were still fresh in my memory, engraved and tattooed. But that's just it. I keep forgetting that he is the Black hearted billionaire who changes girls like he changes his clothes. And I definitely wouldn't want to be just a flavour of the month.

I decided to head down to the drawing room before Rhea comes back and nags me about the Prince waiting and it's not appropriate because it should be the other way around. Sometimes this things about acting like a real lady, sucks. I have a different perception of being a real lady, so screw it!

I heaved a loud sigh when I reached the drawing room. It took me months to memorize every room in this Palace. I was lost quite many times before I get myself acquainted with every room. If I hadn't, I wouldn't have known every room. You have to fall before you learn.

The butler announced my presence and pushed the door open and I walked in. Prince Phillip stood up from his seat and smiled as he bowed regally and held my hand and placed a kiss on my knuckles. 

It still surprises me when this guys does that. Bowing, curtsying, kissing hands. Every move was so princely. He looks handsome but not as hot as Rafael. 

Why do I always compare them to him?

"How have you been, Duchess?" he inquired in his very manly voice.

"Oh please call me Bell." I rolled my eyes and I stopped when I realized I just rolled my eyes. 

Great! If my grandfather finds out he will be pissed.

"I'm sorry!" I apologized. 

"For rolling your eyes? Don't fret about it Tatiana. I spent almost all my years in the US so I'm used to it" he chuckled. That's the reason why I can endure his company. He's not as polite as those people around the Palace. He could swear too if he needs to.

"Would you like to walk with me in the garden?" Prince Phillip queried as he motioned his hands to the door. 

"Lovely! I really want to get out from this room. Sometimes, it's suffocating!" I uttered barely audible, trying not to let the Butler hear it as my eyes pried to Gannon's direction. He chuckled and he offered his arm. I linked my hand into his arm and he led me to the garden.

**** 


Rafael Alejandro Valiente's POV

Downtown, Lower Manhattan, New York

VSC Headquarters

"What do you have Bill?" I began with my icy voice. It's been 4 months and I haven't heard anything about her. Even the news about the new Duchess weren't aired only when she goes to any charity meetings, where I could get a glimpse of her. She looks more sophisticated, regal and stunning, oozing with self-confidence. I became a caveman for the last 3 months trying to forget her. Bedding every willing girl to quench my longing for her but the more I tried the more her face, her smell, her sweet lips was engraved and tattooed in my heart digging in deeper. So I called Bill the best investigator, who could get me any information of her. 

"It's hard to penetrate the wall the Duke had built in his property. We tried to sneak into the publishing and the broadcasting companies but none was brave enough to spill any details. The only thing my other man afforded to steal was this paper that was supposed to come out the next day but it was seized before it was contributed.

He puts down the magazines with all the pictures of her in a ball dancing with different gentleman who look like they're from the royal families. I recognized few. One of them was Prince Phillip of Monaco. I had dealt with his father before, when I acquired a shipyard. 

They were in a cafe having some tea. She looked so happy and it tore my heart thinking that she is happy in someone else's company but she never was with me. 

I didn't bother to read the article. My chest is about to explode. My pulses raced rapidly. I wanted to scream. My whole body is shaking in rage. 

"She's not married yet Rafael. You can talk to the Duke and negotiate." Bill suggested casually. I could see fear in his eyes. I knew at this moment with how I feel, I could kill. 

"The Grand Duke was very ambitious. He won't just let me take his granddaughter. It is what happened to his daughter. He wanted his daughter to marry the Prince of France that's why she committed suicide of which the Grand Duke was in denial until now. 

"You're stinking rich Rafael, what else would he not want from you?" Bill stated bluntly.

"When I said ambitious, he wants position in the royal hierarchy." I elaborated begrudgingly.

"There's no harm in trying Rafael!" He insisted. "That's all I could help Mr. Valiente. Good luck!" Then he left closing the door quietly.

I slammed hard my fist on my desk not caring with the growing pain that's slowly creeping in my senses.

I wasn't known as the black hearted, shrewd businessman for nothing. 

After a long silence, I snatched the phone and pushed the extension button. 

"Yes Sir?" Katherine's shaky voice rang in the speaker as soon as it connected.

"Call Aurelio to get the plane ready I will be off to Russia and I don't know when I'm coming back depends on how my trip will be. Keep me updated on any development on the new fleet in Panama." I ordered icily keeping my tone very low but with authority not wanting to scare her away. She's really good at her job and she can keep up with me. "And make an appointment to the Markovich Palace; I want to meet the Grand Duke for a proposition." I added steely. 

"R.. right... away Sir!" she trailed off anxiously, a bit caught off guard at my last request. And I ended the call.

**** 


Don Passini's POV

"What will we do with his body Boss?" The tall, lean and bald man asked Don, waiting for his orders. Don was very mad with his men. They all seem not to be thinking, they all leave it to him when it comes to decision. Even the slightest idea they got nothing.

"Take him where even the dog can't smell his body." he shouted unto him making the lean bald man cringed in fear and step back a little. 

"Yes Boss!" he replied shakily and swiftly turned on his heel and summoned his company to leave the Boss in peace and help him bury the dead body of Barry. It took them months to find him. He left his house and moved to an abandoned barn in the county farther from his house. They thought he moved to New York trying to find his daughter but they couldn't trace him there. Until they saw him at a gas station a week ago filling up his truck with gas and he was fully wrapped up trying to hide his face. But one of my men got a glimpse of his face and soon they followed him and ended at a barren barn in the middle of nowhere. 

"These idiots are not even thinking." He snorts angrily. "Jenkins!" he yelled loudly. The tall bulky dark haired guy came rushing to his room watching his boss pacing back and forth in rage.

"Bring his body back to the barn and burn down the barn, make sure it will appear as accident." he growled fumingly. "And burn those idiots too!" he added frustratedly. 

"Yes Boss!" Jenkins replied and smiled discreetly with his Boss' jokes and turned on his heel to find the group and execute the plan.

**** 


[Clara Bell POV]

I was getting bored and I wanted to go back to my friend Enna. I called her before I left and she was shocked and excited. Until now whenever I call her she can't still believe I'm a Duchess and how my life has change so abruptly.

I was pacing my room back and forth to think of how to ask my grand pa to let me visit my friend in New York. Then there was a knock at my door. I turned around to see and Rhea came in smiling sweetly.

"Lady Tatiana," she started. I glared at her reminding her about what I just asked her, and for the umpteenth time.

"I apologize Bell." she smiled and I smiled. 

"Your grandpa wants to talk to you, he's in the library." she announced politely and she was about to curtsy but I raised my hand to stop her. When she realized it, she grinned. 

I headed to the library at the west wing of the Palace and Rhea was following me.

After endless hallways, I reached the library with Rhea still following me like a puppet.

Gannon just emerged through the door. When he saw me, he bowed and he walked back in as he announced my presence. He motioned his hand in an elegant way, beckoning me to step in.

As soon as I walked in, he quietly walked out the door closing it behind him. My Grandpa was sitting in his kingly chair and looking at me with all smiles.

I curtsied clumsily; I swear I will never going to perfect it. 

"You don't have to curtsy sweetheart." Nikolai laughed at my clumsiness. I was surprised he was looking carefree today, the glumness is gone.

For the past months I have come to love him, he was the only one left of my family.

"Please take a seat Tatiana." he smiled. I wanted to ask him to call me Bell but I know he'll get sad. He was so sorry for what he did to me and to my Mom, and I understand him. I took the polished leather chair across his desk. 

"Have you thought yet of settling down Honey?" he asked cautiously, with his eyes twinkling with the words.

"I haven't found the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Grandpa." I replied warily. 

If Rafael will propose to me, probably.. 

My face suddenly became solemn from the thought.

"What do you think of Phillip?" he asked as he smiled and he leaned forward with his elbows resting on his desk.

"He is nice Grandpa but I don't think I could see myself with him in any other way but being my friend." I replied casually. His smile faded and I saw a tint of disappointment in his eyes but he hides it quickly.

"Well, do you have any suitors back in New York that you like?" he asked curiously as he stood up putting his hands in his pockets.

"No grandpa." I replied. I wanted to say Rafael but I know that he's not interested in me.

"Then who is Rafael Tatiana?" he asked intently as he walked to the mirrored window wall and looked outside. I was shocked. How did he know him?

"He's my boss Grandpa." I briefly uttered.

"Ahh.." he mumbled audibly. Then he turned to me. "He's here to see you." he announced with curiosity laced in his words.

"HE'S HERE?" I asked frantically, not realizing my voice raises and I was standing now. The grand duke eyebrows rose quizically at his granddaughter's reaction. 

"Yes, Sweetheart, he is in the drawing room waiting for you." he declared calmly as he stifle a smirked when he remember how brave the young man to asked him for his Granddaughter's hand. He looks smart, but he will make sure if he fits her as his husband so he sent one of his man to check on the handsome and looking dangerous young man who wanted to claim her as his.

The grand duke was too fixed in his thoughts that he didn't notice his granddaughter was gone. When he realized it, he knew it, he smiled. He knew it that this guy was something to her. 

The Grand Duke wanted a heir soon, so if this guy is the love of his granddaughter then he won't make the same mistake again by meddling with their relationship. 

He smiled broadly. He wanted a heir, at the earliest if possible. And then a plan sparked in his brilliant mind.

***** 


Rafael Alejandro Valiente's POV

I was pacing back and forth at the drawing room. I just talked to the Grand Duke half an hour ago. I had to wait two days for my appointment. Katherine said it had to be squeezed in but she kept calling them and then finally, they gave her a schedule. 

I was agitated when I reached the Palace. I never felt so anxious before. I could feel a cold sweat breaking out of my chest and forehead. 

The Butler escorted me to the library where the old Grand Duke was awaiting. I bowed lightly and introduced myself. He just nodded his head in agreement and asked me to sit. I took the seat across his desk before I collapse. The unsettling feeling was slowly growing. As I looked into his cerulean eyes, I felt like I was looking at Bella. They had very strong similarities. 

"What is your purpose for this visit Mr. Valiente?" the grand duke asked without ceremony which I like. 

"I wish to marry your granddaughter, your highness!" I blurted out with determination before my whole senses will get blurry and I will lose the reason I was here for.

The grand duke burst into bits of laughter catching me off guard. I clenched my hands trying to control my temper. After a few minutes, his laugh died down. He looked at me intently, sizing me up. 

"Regarding that matter, she is to be asked. I have no control on her heart. And I'm depending on her decision." He explained solemnly. I could sense a deep wound laced in his words. Suddenly, the tough looking duke became fragile. He looked away to hide his emotions but I caught a glimpse of it. I knew it's about her daughter. 

"Can I see her?" was all I said to break the growing tension. 

He was quiet for a few minutes staring at me coldly with his impassive face. It's hard to read his eyes since he is really good at masking his emotions. 

Of course, he is a Grand Duke!

"Yes" Finally he agreed. 

****

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