JADE I sat in the dinner hall in expectation of Luciano. It had actually become a custom for both of us to eat together on the days he did not zoom off to work early. I still could not believe I wasted my priceless energy in going to that gathering only to be labelled a villain and have multiple accusations thrown my way.What sort of mother does that? That was an unfair judgement that she passed. She said it herself that she favoured Aurora the most. Was that not partial of her?Luciano is her son too and she ought to listen to both sides with discernment. Or was it because Luciano is not her biological son?A feeling of pain washed over me. Was this how Luciano grew up? Always sidelined and judged unfairly in every argument with his brothers? His childhood must have been very lonely after the death of his mother.And he does not speak about his father alot. I guess he is not close to him.I could honestly begin to feel the lonely void Luciano must have had to cope with grow
Two weeks later "Signora would you like us to use the coriander leaves in this food?" A maid asked Jade.Jade looked up at at her and dropped the knife in her hand, "Sure. My mum loves it" she smiled back.Instantly she began chopping the vegetables again. Momentary her eyes would glance at the wall clock, hoping time could just slow back for a bit."Signora I think you should rest. Allow us do the work so you can prepare for tonight" Elizabeth advised trying to take the knife from Jade. "Nonsense. My parents are coming over today. This is the first time I have seen them since I got married. Why should I make you all do the work when they are my parents? Besides I need today to be so perfect so I want to join hands in the preparation" Jade replied.Elizabeth flashed her a warm smile. "You are really humble Signora. Master Luciano is so fortunate to have you" "Stop flattering me please" Jade giggled. "But thank you still. Please go make sure the dinning hall is neatly arranged wil
JADE"They loved it. Yesterday was a real success" I giggled to my ladies, as the three of them sat around me in the living room."I honestly prayed within myself that nothing should go wrong. I know how much you wanted to impress everyone especially Signora Gabriela" Jane said to me.The others concurred with a nod. "She can be quite hard to deal with at times. I have seen that first hand. But I am just glad she loved my food. Everything went on so smoothly. I never even knew my parents could be so friendly with the Grecos considering the situations surrounding my marraige" I sighed.Suddenly the door to the living room flew open and Mother walked in briskly with a bevy of ladies behind her."Oh mother.." I quickly stood to my feet and so did my maids. Her arrival had halted our discussion.I wonder what brought her here."It is such an honour to have you here. You did not inform me that you would love to see me. I would have taken the liberty to go to your house instead of you comin
LUCIANO I sat on the swirling leather black office chair, a stick of cigarette twirling in between my slender fingers while I puffed out white foggy smoke from both my mouth and nose. A huge mahagony brown table which was capable of hosting about fifteen people seperated me from my capos and also brothers."Wow Jose and Valentine are still in Ecuador?" Petro asked upon sitting down."Yes. Apparently we have more issues on our hand than we know" I replied.We were currently having a meeting concerning the various shipments of our drugs along the coast of Mediterranean. "Jose informed me that you had instructed for Estaban shares in profits gotten from the sales of Crystal metamorphine to be reduced, may I know why? Because it is really puzzling Luciano. Estaban has been one of our most loyal underdogs and he oversees the distribution all the way from New Mexico to Argentina" Petro lamented.I rolled my eyes at his words. I loved Petro more than I actually loved the rest of my b
JADE"Have you seen your husband lately?" Elisa asked me. We both sat on one of the benches deposited around the garden of my home. She came over for a visit and I was more than happy to get her company. It has been awfully lonely around here whenever Luciano was not around. Only my maids kept me company but sometimes they were so busy and I hate distracting them from their work."Not really. It has been like two days now. I hardly see him these days. I think he is so busy with work. He comes back very late and leaves very early in the morning. I kind off miss him" I replied shifting in my seat.Elisa sighed and gave me a sorry look. "I heard the brothers had a fight""Really? What brought it up? I never knew. Luciano never informed me" I replied, shocked.Another fight again? All these discrepancies and fights were getting too much."We really can not get a moment of peace in this family can we?" I rhetorically added, chortling a bit."I doubt. Probably Luciano does not want to bo
JADE "Luciano..." I cleared my throat a little before attempting to speak.It had been approximately an hour since I saw Luciano walk out of his study room fuming and livid.I did not have the guts to even approach him or ask what was wrong. He was too terrifying and angered to speak to. But hopefully now as we had our lunch, he would open up a bit."Yes Jade?" He normally called me wife not Jade. Was he in a mood to speak? I fought myself within for the answer, my heart beat increasing with each passing nanosecond."I believe you called me Jade. Are you not speaking?" His tone was calm but had an agitated or should I say an impatient undertone.It totally snap me out of my daze as I had forgotten that I was even sitting on the dinning table with him."Oh sorry a-about the pause. Please is there anything wrong?" I inquired with a worried face."Oh nothing is wrong why would you ask that?" Luciano replied my question with a question before taking small bites of his food."Lucian
JADE The whind howled against my ears, pushing my hairs across my face as I sat in the balcony. Thunder rumbled in the sky with the wind getting fiercer signalling a very heavy storm. I just wanted to enjoy and relinquish the beautiful fill of nature before going down to bed. It has been a week already since I had that terrible confrontation with Raffaele.Luciano was not yet back yet and I had grown accustomed to his late returns from work. It no longer bugged me though I was still a tad worried. But him always been not around gave me time to snoop around the house as to a clue on what job he is into.But I have been unsuccessful. The maids and staffs won't tell me anything but I know they know things which I do not.Apart from that, I was also experiencing an inner trouble myself. My mind was in turmoil as to if I should tell Luciano about Raffaele's threats on having me or keep them within myself. I do not want to be the cause of yet another fight. I am tired of being labe
JADE I pressed the doorbell incessantly, wondering what was delaying my parents in getting to the door. My anxiety and fear were grippling unto me, eating me up from the inside and causing me to become nothing but a deranged wrecked soul. A week ago, Luciano got shot in the arm by someone who definitely wanted him dead. I could tell that probably the shot to the arm was a mistake meant for probably somewhere else fatal like his head or heart.Weeks back, I stumbled upon a death threat in Luciano's office and nobody wants to tell me about what is going on as to regards to getting who shot my husband and why he was shot! Luciano keeps casting me away and his men are as vague and cryptic as their master! I feel so lost and I feel so scared. Is my life in danger too? Should I go meet the cops myself and complain to them?"Oh Jade it is you. What a lovely surprise princess. You did not inform us that you would be stopping by" Finally."Mother what took you so long in opening the d
JADEA WEEK LATERThe smell of waffles sifted into my nose as I cracked my eyes open to find Luciano packing some food in a flask. A smile formed at the corner of my lips as I looked up at him. “What are you doing?” He looked back at me, “we're going to the beach, let's have a picnic there.”I gasped, excitement bubbling within me. I threw off the blanket covering me and got on my feet as I hugged him. Then, realization struck. “Didn't you say I can't go outside for now because…” I trailed off, but he knew what I was insinuating.It wasn't safe, even with Raffaele still hospitalized, a man like Luciano wasn't short of enemies now was he? Especially since Arturo threatened him a week ago, he's been paranoid ever since. He turned around and grazed my chin with his fingers. “I won't keep you inside forever my love, this isn't the life I want for you, I'll be there to protect you, and they'll be men on standby in the distance okay?” I nodded, my smile faltering. “Now go get ready,” he
LUCIANOI laid Jade on the stretcher as the nurses pushed her towards the emergency room. I squeezed her arm gently, “You're going to be alright,” I said, looking down at her. She swallowed, blinking rapidly. “Sir you'll have to wait here for her,” a nurse said, blocking my way as they closed the door to the emergency room.I nodded and stepped back, “she's pregnant, please save her,” I pleaded. The nurse nodded and entered the room, shutting the door behind her. Another stretcher rolled past me, one carrying Raffaele, his almost soulless eyes locked with mine for a fleeting moment before he was whisked into the emergency room. Aurora, her eyes puffy and red let out a cry as she pressed her back against the white walls, sliding down. I clenched my jaw, swallowing the lump that formed in my throat. “Code red! Code red!” A man screamed from inside as the life support machine started beeping. Aurora and I jumped to our feet, plastering our faces against the glass.It was Raffaele, h
LUCIANOThe car tires rolled against the asphalt as I drove towards the abandoned factory, a scowl etched into my features. I was going to save Jade, no matter the cost. Petro and my uncle had managed to convince me to take a few amen along with me. After all, what good would it be if I went alone and got killed by Raffaele, what would happen to Jade and our baby? Who would protect them?The mission was impromptu, so most of my best men were not available, most where offshore handling other issues. So the available ones would do. Petro would arrive at the location later with some back up, it was now or never. I was going to make Raffaele regret ever crossing me, he would regret putting Jade in harms way. The gravel crunched under my boots as I stepped out of the car, the deserted factory looming ahead. Luca's gaze met mine for a fleeting moment, a silent understanding passing between us before he and the others melted into the shadows. Raffaele wanted this solo - a dance of blood
LUCIANO I kicked the dirt beneath my feet as I let out a frustrated sigh, the sun had dipped and it was getting darker by each passing second. All my men had rounded up near the church. “We searched the area to the best of our ability, there was no sign of her anywhere,” Petro said. I stole one final glance at the cluster of houses in the distance. I couldn't help but wonder if there was a chance that she was inside one of these houses, tied up and scared.I looked around and arched an eyebrow, “Where's Jose?”As if the universe could hear me, my phone rang in my pocket, he was the one calling. “Hello, Luciano… You might want to see this,” his voice sounded over the line. I stepped into the abandoned wooden house, cigar sticks were scattered all over the floor and it seemed like some people had been here.Thuds met my ears as Jose descended from the stairs. We made eye contact and he tilted head upwards. “Upstairs, they left some things, it looks like Jade was here.”I followed
LUCIANOMy car screeched to a stop where the tire track vanished. I looked ahead, frustration clogging my reasoning. I couldn't find Jade like this, I had to think of a plan, come up with something..I let out a shaky breath as my anger rose. When I catch the person who took my Jade, I'll make them regret being born. The shrill of my ringing phone permeated my thoughts, I looked over at my phone, a scowl forming on my face. It was Petro calling. “Hello?”“Hello, Luciano, the cops are at the house and they want to speak with you since you're her husband.”“I'll be there in a minute,” I replied. I jammed the gear shift into reverse left this trail, the road went on and on for hours, there's no way I'd find jade like this. My automatic gates slid open as I drove in. A cop car was parked in front of my mansion, sticking out like a sore thumb. This was an anomaly for a mafia gang, but a necessary one. I got down from my car and made my way inside. “Good morning officers,” I greeted, plop
LUCIANO My shoes connected with the concrete floor as I stepped down from my car, banging the door shut behind me. Fatigue sat on my shoulders as I made my way into the mansion, it was still early in the morning, the sun was struggling to fully set. The only flicker of hope I had was that I'd meet Jade at home because I had left before she even returned back from her parenta house. Her presence made everything feel much lighter. I made my way into the house, my blazer folded against my forearm. As soon as I was in the hallway, my head was already swiveling around in search of my wife. One of the maids walked up to me, curtsying a bit before retrieving the blazer from me. “Where is Jade?” I asked.Elizabeth shrugged innocently. “I don't know sir, she hasn't returned since she went to see her parents.”My expression tightened, “What? Elizabeth, are you sure about this? Because I called her yesterday night and she said she was driving…”I facepalm myself, admonishing myself for not cal
JADETwo days later, I decided to visit my parents. Their house felt like a sanctuary, a haven of warmth I craved. As I entered, their smiles welcomed me, and I couldn't help but express how much I had missed them."Mom, Dad, it's been too long," I sighed, genuine joy lighting up my face as I hugged both of them tight. "Baby, how are you?" Mum replied with an even brighter smile. They led me to the living room and my eyes perused through the walls of my home.Everything was still the same. Nothing had changed."I am fine and what about you both?" "Well we are fine as you can see" Dad replied. My eyes tilted towards the stairs, expecting to see Melissa's bubbly profile come rushing downstairs to meet me."Mum, Dad, where is Melissa?" I inquired."Oh she traveled for her internship. She would be back soon enough. In a month's time I think" Mum replied, caressing my hair. A mild frown appeared on my face at her absence, "I miss her so much. I was hoping to see her""Cheer up princess.
JADE Love is really one of the most beautiful feelings anyone can ever have.It brings you with so much delight. Just the mere thought of your beloved and spending time with them is enough to keep you going and standing strong. Luciano has proven to be my rock, shoulder, companion and bestfriend. Getting married to him was indeed not part of the plans but I am glad I did. After the confession of my pregnancy, I saw Luciano change from being an overworking husband to a careful and compassionate father.He did go to work but he rarely ever came late. I wondered if it wasn't affecting the numerous workload in his office.But Luciano did not care to concern himself with that. He always cared for me, handled my tantrums and my cravings too.He would never even let me put a foot down without helping. I am pregnant not ill. His overcaring personality made me blush always.I am definitely lucky.As the day drifted into evening, Luciano orchestrated a lavish dinner at the mansion to c
JADE Days drifted by, turning into grain of sands and in the quiet of the mansion, I found myself in a conversation with the doctor.I had been feeling quite unwell for some days and indeed I was worried. The thought that I had eaten something poisonous, something meant to kill me slowly, wouldn't leave my head.I mean we are back in America, the den of our enemies.Luciano being a don has a lot of enemies and I'm no exception to the looming threats around his life.The constant nausea made me tensed and when it's sickly wave wouldn't stop, I just had to meet the family doctor.He ran a test on me yesterday but I couldn't wait to see the result and left quite immediately."You are pregnant Mrs Greco" the doctor told me with a warm smile, handling me the test results.Fuck! This was such an unexpected news – I'm pregnant. I am actually pregnant!But we had it only once, and ever since Luciano has been so busy. Was that one time enough to get me pregnant?Gosh I sound so much like a