Chapter 10: About To Meet Again (For The Third Time)

Tears welled up in Marisa's eyes as she contemplated the drastic step they were considering. She whispered, more to herself than anyone else, "I never thought I'd be faced with such a choice. But if it means saving my son's life..."

Clarabelle gently placed a hand on Marisa's shoulder, her voice filled with understanding and empathy. "Marisa, I know it's a difficult decision, and I would never suggest it if we had any other viable options. But I'll support you no matter what you decide. If you decide not to engage in this hook-up stuff, then we'll look for other means."

As the minutes ticked away, the weight of their situation pressed down on them, and they knew that the clock was ticking relentlessly.

As the evening wore on, Marisa found herself making a decision she never thought she would. With a heavy heart, she agreed to go through with the plan of using a hook-up site to raise the money for Jeffrey's surgery. Clarabelle, her loyal friend, wanted to make sure Marisa was truly on board with this drastic step.

"Marisa, are you sure you're okay with this?" Clarabelle asked, her concern evident in her eyes.

Marisa took a deep breath and nodded resolutely. "I have no choice, Clarabelle. It's for Jeffrey's sake. But remember, this is a one-time thing. After tonight, you help me delete that account, okay?"

Clarabelle nodded in agreement, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I promise, Marisa. We'll get through this together."

Their first step was to create a profile on a popular hook-up site. Clarabelle instructed Marisa to put on a sexy bikini for a profile picture that would attract potential clients.

"Why a bikini?" Marisa questioned, feeling a hint of embarrassment. "I mean, I only wanna take a profile picture, so why do I need to wear a bikini?"

Clarabelle explained, "We need a photo that grabs attention and makes you stand out. It's all about marketing yourself on these sites. A bikini will make you look sexy and attractive, so go put one on immediately."

Reluctantly, Marisa went to her bedroom and changed into the bikini Clarabelle had provided. She felt exposed and vulnerable, but the urgency of her son's condition pushed her to do what was necessary. She returned to the living room, where Clarabelle took a photo of her to use as her profile picture.

Clarabelle then got to work creating the hook-up account for Marisa. She filled in the necessary details and uploaded the photo they had just taken. With the account set up, Clarabelle reassured Marisa that they only needed to wait for a few minutes before clients would start booking her services.

Marisa couldn't help but feel a sense of dread and regret about the path she was about to embark on. She turned to Clarabelle and spoke with conviction, "I want you to know, Clarabelle, that after tonight, I'm done with this. I'll do whatever it takes to get Jeffrey's surgery, but I won't go down this road again."

Clarabelle placed a comforting hand on Marisa's shoulder and replied, "I understand, Marisa. We'll do what we must to save Jeffrey, and then we'll leave this behind us."

Meanwhile, in the lavish surroundings of the Gambino brothers' empire, Alejandro had just finished taking a shower and was stepping out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. His calm moment was interrupted when Alexandro sauntered into the large room unannounced, a cigarette in hand.

"What are you doing in my room, Alex?" Alejandro asked, his irritation apparent.

Alexandro exhaled a plume of smoke and grinned mischievously. "I'm planning to have some fun with some hook-up ladies tonight. Interested?"

Alejandro, usually composed and focused on business, was taken aback by Alexandro's proposition. He replied firmly, "I'm not interested in such distractions, Alex. We have more important matters to attend to."

Alexandro chuckled and playfully teased his brother, saying, "Come on, Alejandro, you're like a newcomer in the Mafia. You need to relax and enjoy the lifestyle more. I can't even remember the last time I saw you screwing a bitch."

Alejandro responded with a scoff and began to dress up. Alexandro on the other hand settled onto one of the plush couches in Alejandro's room and casually began scrolling through a popular hook-up site, leisurely browsing through the profiles of available women. It was then that something peculiar and intriguing caught his eye—a face that seemed oddly familiar.

Marisa's sultry photo on the hook-up site triggered Alexandro's memory, and a spark of recognition flickered within him. He realized she was the woman Alejandro had spared earlier in the evening. Excitement surged through him like an electric jolt as he immediately rose from the couch to show Alejandro the provocative picture.

"Yo bro! Take a look at this hotcake!" Alexandro rushed to his twin brother and handed his phone to him.

"Get that phone away f....." Alejandro stopped halfway his statement when he saw Marisa's picture. His usually composed demeanor shifted imperceptibly. His piercing eyes darkened with a newfound interest as he intently gazed at Marisa's seductive image on the hook-up site.

"Sexy, isn't she?" Alexandro remarked with a sly grin as he retrieved his phone from Alejandro.

"Yeah, she is," Alejandro admitted, his voice betraying a hint of desire that was rare for him to display.

"I'm gonna book her ASAP and have a damn good time," Alexandro declared with an eager expression, his excitement palpable.

"No, I'll be the one to engage with her," Alejandro responded, shocking Alexandro with his assertion.

"What?!" Alexandro exclaimed in disbelief, unable to fathom that his typically reserved brother was showing such a strong inclination.

"You heard me correctly, Alex. That lady is mine," Alejandro stated firmly as he moved toward his closet, preparing to dress.

"I'm quite surprised you've had a change of heart, Alejandro. However, unfortunately for you, I spotted her first," Alexandro interjected.

"But, I'd be willing to make a deal with you in order for you to have a good time with her," Alexandro continued, a sly grin forming on his face.

"What kind of deal?" Alejandro inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"I'll let you have your fun with the lady, but in exchange, I want seventy percent of the weekly profits from our drug cartels. That means you'll have to relinquish twenty percent of your share for this week," Alexandro proposed.

Without hesitation, Alejandro calmly agreed, "No problem."

"Wait, seriously? You're agreeing to this?" Alexandro asked, visibly surprised by Alejandro's swift acceptance.

"Yes. So, go ahead and book that lady for me ASAP, and offer her two million dollars for her hook-up services," Alejandro replied as he continued to prepare himself.

Alexandro wore a bewildered expression as he stared at Alejandro, who was nonchalantly dressing. He couldn't believe that his twin brother was willing to give up twenty percent of their weekly profits simply for a casual encounter. Alexandro couldn't help but wonder if there was something deeper, a hidden connection, or even an unexpected attraction that had swayed Alejandro's decision.

"You've been staring at me for almost five minutes. Is there an issue?" Alejandro inquired, breaking Alexandro out of his reverie.

"I just find it rather astonishing that you're willing to surrender twenty percent of your share just for a casual rendezvous with this woman," Alexandro commented, his curiosity and intrigue evident.

"Is there something wrong with that?" Alejandro responded with his typical icy demeanor as he donned a sleek black suit.

Alexandro, still surprised by Alejandro's decision, couldn't believe how enthusiastic his brother was about a casual encounter with Marisa. He had a feeling there might be more to it than Alejandro was letting on.

"Are you sure this is just about a casual encounter, Alejandro?" Alexandro asked cautiously.

Alejandro paused briefly before replying, "Yes, Alex, it's just that. Nothing more."

But Alexandro had his doubts. He knew Alejandro well and suspected there might be something else driving this sudden interest in Marisa. However, he decided not to pry further and respected Alejandro's privacy.

"Alright, Alejandro," Alexandro conceded, reclining on the couch. "I'll book her for you and make the arrangements."

As Alexandro handled the logistics of contacting Marisa through the hook-up site, Alejandro continued to prepare himself meticulously.

The reason why he asked his brother to book Marisa for him was not because he wanted to engage in a physical relationship with her, but rather, because he found her profoundly intriguing. There was an inexplicable allure about her that captivated him, an attraction that defied his usual indifference towards people and circumstances. Somehow, he felt a surge of excitement knowing that he was about to embark on this encounter.

"I've completed all the arrangements," Alexandro declared from his seat. "I've just forwarded her the location. You guys will be convening at Brandon club in just thirty short minutes."

"Alright," Alejandro responded, adjusting the impeccably tailored black suit that adorned him.

"Alenjandro, can't help but wonder if there's more to your desire to be with this lady," Alexandro inquired as he rose from his seat, moving closer to Alejandro.

"I have no ulterior motive other than desiring intimacy," Alejandro stated bluntly. "Just as you mentioned earlier, it's been a considerable amount of time since I've had such an experience, so I decided to seize this opportunity."

"So, you're telling me that sex is the sole reason behind your request to have her booked?" Alexandro probed further.

"Yes," Alejandro confirmed with a simple nod.

"But why her?" Alexandro continued his line of questioning.

"What do you mean by that?" Alejandro responded, intrigued by his brother's curiosity.

"I mean, there's an abundance of attractive women on the hookup site, yet you specifically chose her, even willing to forfeit twenty percent of your weekly earnings. Is there something you're concealing from me, brother?" Alexandro's curiosity persisted.

"Why are you so intent on delving into other people's affairs, Alex?" Alejandro asked with a faint frown.

"You're not just 'other people'; you're my twin brother. Therefore, I have every right to be concerned and inquire about your motives," Alexandro retorted with a mischievous grin.

Alejandro let out a resigned sigh, realizing that his brother's persistence was not going to waver. He walked towards a couch and sat on it while his twin brother sat on the couch from across him. Alejandro knew Alex was the inquisitive type and he was sick of his inquiries, so he decided to deflect his brother's inquiries.

"Look, Alex, it's really not that deep," Alejandro said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "I just thought she was attractive when I saw her picture on the hook-up site, and I wanted to have a good time with someone attractive. End of story."

Alexandro raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced, but he could sense that pushing further would only lead to a dead end. "Alright, Alejandro, if you say so," he conceded, deciding to drop the matter for now.

With that, the conversation shifted, and was glad it did because he was already getting sick of Alex's persistent inquiries.

Alejandro then stood up from his couch, adjusting his sleek black suit one final time. With a cold expression, he announced, "Well, I better get going."

Alexandro nodded in acknowledgment. "Have a great time, brother, and remember what I said about being careful."

Alejandro grinned and assured him, "Don't worry, Alex, I've got everything under control."

With those parting words, Alejandro headed towards the door, his polished leather shoes clicking against the hardwood floor with each step. He emanated an air of confidence as he left the room, leaving his brother behind with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

As Alejandro closed the door behind him, Alexandro couldn't help but ponder the enigma concealed by his brother. What mysteries were concealed within the connection between his twin brother and Marisa?

Meanwhile, Alejandro strode confidently out of the building, his trusted right-hand man, Bruno, tailing him closely.

"Off to a destination, boss?" Bruno inquired as he trailed Alejandro.

"Yes, Brandon club," Alejandro responded in a curt tone, prompting Bruno to signal to their gang's driver, stationed nearby, to prepare a car. The driver, well-versed in their unspoken communication, swiftly made his way toward a magnificent Silver Wraith Rolls Royce, situated amongst a fleet of vehicles within the expansive compound. He courteously held the car door open for Alejandro, who settled into the plush backseat. Bruno joined him, occupying the adjacent seat, and the driver took his place behind the steering wheel.

"To Brandon club," Bruno relayed to the driver, who nodded in understanding. With a swift turn of the key, the engine roared to life, and they smoothly exited the compound.

Five obsidian jeeps trailed closely behind Alejandro's opulent Rolls Royce. These jeeps contained Alejandro's loyal and vigilant men, dedicated to ensuring their boss's safety and preventing any harm from befalling him on this journey to the club.

As the cars sped through the dark streets, Marisa's image occupied Alejandro's thoughts. He couldn't deny the striking resemblance she bore to the woman he had loved so deeply five years prior. However, he was acutely aware that Marisa could never truly be that woman. He had heard of his lover's tragic demise five years ago, though the cause of her death remained shrouded in mystery. All he knew for certain was that she had passed away, leaving a void in his heart that had never been filled.

Nevertheless, the striking resemblance between Marisa and his deceased lover piqued Alejandro's curiosity. He couldn't help but smirk at the prospect of spending the evening with her, drawn by the allure of her familiar yet distinct features.