JADEMOMENTS AGO"Follow that car. Don't stop" I instructed the driver as we tracked down Luciano's black sedan that drove far ahead of us. Luciano had no clue I was following him. After the heated conversation we had earlier this morning, I had expected him to stay back with me and at least offer me his company.That was probably the least he could do to make up for the rubbish he did in that power crazy don's party wasn't it?But he just zoomed off. And to God knows where.When Elizabeth informed me of his departure, there was no way I could sit and fold my hands whilst watching Luciano dance to the tunes of Damien and his selfish sister.I had to do something. I had to stop him before he consented to another of Damien's crazy ideas. And one way I could do that was by for staters, track down his location and follow him to wherever he was going to. I had a feeling he was going back to the Valentino mansion.And unfortunately I was not wrong either.I watched Luciano's car drive i
LUCIANO One week later We both did not want to be here. Infact I especially wanted to be anywhere but here. But my hands were tied. Jade had made up her mind concerning my marriage to Valerie. I have tried and tried to talk her out of it but she still was unwavering in her decision to get me married to Valerie.What had come over Jade? I thought giving her a week would enable her to come back to her senses but with each day that passed by, she became only more firm and resolute in her decision for me to get married to Valerie. As we both ambled into the Valentino mansion, the air held an aura of uncertainty for the both of us.Damien was nothing but pleased to see me here. As if the very reason for my coming was inscripted bodly on my forehead."Luciano, Jade, have a seat please" He smiled. We sat down, Jade moving inches away from me. Her action did not go unnoticed by Valerie.A vain smile curled by the corners of her lips upon seeing Jade's countenance. Man that woman makes
JADEI laid with eyes wide open on the bed, unable to let my eyes close even for a second. It had been hours since I arrived from the Valetino mansion but Luciano was not yet back. He did not come back home with me. Apparently, he enjoys Damien's company more than he enjoys mine. I had no clue what they were both discussing but I could not stay in that mansion any longer and exchange glares and unspoken threats with Valerie. I just had to leave. It is so hard trying to be fine when you know your entire life is falling apart and there is nothing you can do about it. I never wanted to get married into the mafia but fate has a way of working out your life for you. And now that I am married to a mafia Don, I have faced murderous brothers inlaw's, jealous sister inlaw's, near rape incidents, threats to my life...As I recounted each frightful experience, tears brewed up in my eyes. Lord what is...A heavy knock on the door reverberated through the walls of the room, causing me to jerk.
Three days later Valerie sauntered towards Luciano's office, the click of her heels echoing in the corridor. Though Jade's unforgiving words of Luciano never accepting her still rang like an incessant alarm on repeat in her head but her eyes, veiled by a smoky allure, held a confident gleam. She came here for one purpose and that was to seduce Luciano and prove his stubborn wife wrong that indeed, Luciano would want her and find her attractive.And besides it was not a bad thing...Valerie thought to herself. After all Luciano had wilfully decided to marry her and Jade herself consented to it, they both had no objection to it.So what was the harm in seducing her would be husband? A devious smirk appeared on her face as her mind carved out so many unholy thoughts.On reaching his office, she knocked lightly, the door swinging open to reveal Luciano immersed in work. A subtle smile played on Valerie's lips as she entered, leaving a strong fragrance of perfume lingering in her wake.V
Valerie stormed into the house like a fiery comet, forcefully pushing the door open and barging in like an uninvited guest. Her body language and composure was threatening, her fists balling and unballing. "Valerie is something wrong?" Leila asked noticing her spiteful and angry demeanour. Damien was seated, his curious orbs watching his sister as she broke down in tears."Everything is wrong!" Valerie said amidst her tears. Yes she now knew that Luciano never loved Jade but he still wanted to be fateful to her despite the fact that he didn't have feelings for her.How could someone be faithful to whom they did not love?Did Luciano just detest her that much? "Everything is so wrong. Why am I so unlucky!?" Valerie bemoaned."Stop beating around the bush and tell us what is going on goddamit!" Damien demanded, her tears were getting him tensed and upset."You should be happy that your wedding preparations are underway yet you are crying and screaming that everything is wrong. What
JADE "Elizabeth is dinner ready?" I asked one of my maids the moment she walked into my private bed chamber.Life in the villa for the past one week since that dreadful encounter with Luciano and Valerie had indeed been awfully slow.Seconds would turn into minutes, minutes into hours and hours into days. Each new day the same cycle to repeat; I woke with swollen eyes from crying all night, freshened up, ate and spent the rest of my day reading a book.She nodded, "Yes and Master Luciano is around too" she announced to me. Slowly, my eyes left the book which I held and darted towards Elizabeth's unsteady gaze. Dropping the book on the bed, I slowly sat straight."Really? Wow what a surprise. I thought he had begun hating to come home" I chortled darkly. Ever since I walked in on Luciano confessing his true feelings for me to Valerie, I was left broken, not knowing the best way to handle and cope with such a sudden and bitter truth. It breaks my heart whenever my mind wanders to it.
JADE"No Elizabeth. That is a preposterous idea. I can't do that..." I threw away the idea, shaking my head vigorously."But why can't you? He is your husband" Elizabeth fought harder to convince me.I sighed deeply and bit my bottom lip down in frustration."I just can't. Won't that make me selfish just like Valerie?" I questioned no one in particular.The idea of having sex with Luciano just to secure my place in his life seemed outrageous.If he really wants me in his life then he has to make the choice himself and fight to keep me not the other way around."No. I can't do this" I said once more.Elizabeth sat on the bed, worried lines drawing on her forehead. "Why can't you exactly? How will doing this make you selfish? Valerie is the selfish one here. She wants your husband by all means. And she is going to divide you both if you actually let her into your marriage Signora. Can't you see that?" Elizabeth was practically pleading with me at this point."I know that..." I cried o
Her eyes, her smouldering eyes which drew him like a magnet or was it her milk skin that called out to him, dangling him over the precipiceof lust? Her dark wavy hair which seemed so silky and soft, he wanted nothing more than to sink his fingers into her warm scalp and pleasure her all the ways a man could pleasure his woman. Luciano was unable to concentrate. He was loosing his mind and his entire body was burning with such a fiery and pulsating hunger. A hunger that only Jade could satisfy. Even now in a meeting with Damien, he could barely even focus on anything else than how Jade had him drooling like a starved man last night. "Luciano are you listening?" Damien snapped his fingers across Luciano's hooded eyes.Luciano blinked, having been snapped out of his daze. "I am sorry what were you saying?" Luciano asked, he was clearly not paying attention.Damien crossed his arms over his chest and raised a brow, "We were talking bout the wedding preparations Luciano. I was telli
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