JADEThree Weeks Later"Careful Jade" Luciano speedily admonished as he led me through the flew flights of stairs that were connected to his private jet."Thank you" I smiled at him once we had gotten inside the plane.Luciano kept on holding onto my hand, refusing to let go of me even though I could pretty much walk on my own.Ever since the rape incident, I noticed how extra careful and alert Luciano had been. For my sake, he stopped coming home late as much as before and even on the days he was forced to work late, he made sure I was tightly protected.Even in the walls of the mansion!He ordered his men not to let me walk around without them hovering over me like a barricade. I appreciated his concern and care for me but I just wish Luciano could open up to me and tell me what was actually going on in his life."Let us seat over there" Luciano pointed at a long wisteria sofa with fluffy pillows on it.Hand in hand, we went over and sat, my eyes staring at the breathtaking interio
JADE When we landed in Ecuador, it was already four in the morning. I thought we would never land since it seemed like we had been flying for hours but I am guessing I was just feeling so anxious and probably air sick. Luciano had us driven to one of his luxurious villa with a number of cars driving both ahead of us and behind us for protection.He had also taken the liberty to fly along one of my personal maids, Elizabeth, for her to attend to my every need rather than employing someone else who could also probably be a potential danger to me.I loved the fact that he was taking all necessary measures to protect I and him but it also gave me frightful chills that we had enemies out there, people who wanted to see us dead and wasted.Luciano did notice my apprehensive features and tried his best to alley my fears, promising that everything would be fine and nothing would happen to us.I just had to try and distract myself from my worrisome thoughts by focusing my gaze on the w
JADE Valerie would not stop passing glances at mine and Luciano's way as we ate breakfast. She seemed so uncomfortable and I did not know why. Just minutes ago, she was happy seeing us, well Luciano, and now that breakfast had kicked off, she would not stop taking side glances of I and Luciano. I tried not to focus on her numerous cursory glances but instead focused on the men talk during breakfast.They were talking about their business and shits like that which I did not even understand a thing."So you need your ummm...goods to be passed through Ecuador?" Damien passed me a glance before completing his statement.I did not need no soothsayer or mindreader to know that the supposed 'goods' they are talking of is nothing short of guns and probably hard drugs."Yes. I need to be passed through the boarders of Ecuador" Luciano replied plainly."Your men aren't situated in the boarders of Ecuador. And you know this is my...""Your territory I know Damien. Damien with my goods in Ec
JADE The sunset lamp in our room did little justice in shedding its light all over the dim room. But it was a good thing because Luciano would not be able to see my face and see how frustrated I am at this moment.Ever since our first encounter with the Valentinos, I have not been myself. Especially coming to learn that one of those sisters actually loves my husband and wants him for herself. She does not even care about being the second wife. All she is so concerned about is being Luciano's wife.I mean he is fucking married to me! Does she want to ruin our marraige to achieve this her aim?Why does it seem like the entire world is against my marraige?I did not even know want to marry Luciano in the first place but I was forced into marrying him and now it seems like the entire world just hates me for that.I had so many questions to ask Luciano concerning everything I overhead earlier.Valerie said Luciano was meant for her, does that mean they once dated or something? At tha
LUCIANO.The hell! Damien must be either drunk or he is just being plainly stupid, wicked and selfish. "Are you crazy Damien?!" I sprang up from my seat at once, my fists balling so tightly that I could feel the blood not flowing through my veins again."Now calm down Luciano. This is just another business. You need something that I can give you and I want something that you can give me" Damien smirked, drawing out white puff of smoke from the cigarette that twirled in between his fingers."How can you even suggest that? Are you sick? How can you suggest that I marry your sister?" I asked, my anger rising the more I played his unbelievable question in my head.The very thought of another man taking Jade away from me frightens me talkmore of me leaving her for another woman. I definitely can not and will do such. "I am not saying you should abandon your wife for my sister..." "That is how it sounds like to me" I sharply interrupted him.Damien sighed and dropped the cigarette he w
JADE The door to our bedroom was slowly pushed open, interrupting the silence of the atmosphere.Luciano walked in, his appearance gloomy but reserved. I sat up straight on the bed and pushed the duvet off my legs.I dropped the novel I was reading on the bed and scooted a bit for Luciano to take a seat."Luciano you came back quite early. I thought you would come back late" I smiled at him.His eyes drifted to the digital wall clock on the monochrome black coloured walls. It was one in the afternoon. "I guess I did. I just wanted to come spend time with you" Luciano simply replied, laying back on the bed.I wrapped an arm around his chest and stared at him, his icy blue orbs boring into mine. "At least you are beginning to enjoy me being around you" I teased him."I always enjoyed your company wife. I was just too busy to spend enough time with you back home" Luciano laughed, pulling me closer towards him.Our nose touched and our breathing mixed. "You smell so good Jade. I almost
JADEI strode determinedly towards the Valentino mansion, a look of frustration seizing my facial features.Luciano was not aware about my coming here. How could I tell him? He would ask me a million questions and when I finally divulge it to him on why I need to be here, he would probably try to dissuade me from stepping foot in this mansion.I made sure to leave immediately after he left for work. Fortunately for me, Luciano had gotten me a driver for my personal needs.I just made him promise me not to relay any of this to Luciano.After the discussion I had with Luciano yesterday about Damien's and Valerie's offer, I was taken by restlessness and anxiety.I could not concentrate on anything no matter how hard I tried to do so.I just had to do this and confront that woman. Probably she would listen to me woman to woman. Because what sort of entitlement did she have that she thought she deserved and could take away my husband from me?Isn't that absurd?There was no way I was going
JADEFIVE DAYS LATER "Must we really go for this event Luciano? Huh?" I mumbled watching Luciano get ready as he put on his Rolex wristwatch.Apparently, the Valentino's had invited us to a party of some sort days ago and Luciano insisted we attend.I do not want to go back into that mansion. Last time I was there, I had a fallout with Valerie and I do not even want to see her face ever again.I do not know how a woman can be so comfortable plotting the downfall of another woman's marriage!Luciano had a smirk on his face as he stood in front of the mirror, observing my annoyed features through the reflection.I dropped the pair of heels I was about putting on, irritated to even wear it."Luciano won't you even say something?" I snapped, standing up at once barefooted and coming to stand behind him.Taking a thin mouth comb, Luciano began combing down his hair slowly. "Jade you have asked me that question a million times and I keep on telling you that we have to attend it. What more
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