I panicked under Enzo's hand and he looked at me, I was petrified and nervous. Enzo followed my gaze and his grip on my shoulder tightened. Alantino made his way towards us with an unreadable face. I thought it wouldn't take me much efforts to face him, I thought I have mustered that much courage but somewhere I was wrong and for a second I thought of running away from there. But there was no turning back now, I had to face him, if I had to survive here and most importantly, to seek my revenge. I would only survive in peace, once I'd made sure that none of my adversaries, rest in peace.
"I suppose you have your hand on my property."
Alantino said with a cold smirk to Enzo and then looked at me and the small hairs on my neck rose.
"Well, she is no one's property."
Enzo said, pulling me towards him and exerting the more pressure in the word:property.
"You can't stay that close to her, she is my wife."
Alantino stated as he tried to grab my hand but Enzo stopped him midway.
"It's her decision. She can be with whomsoever she wants."
Enzo made a point. I was glad for it as listening it from the mouth of a mafia man was one of the biggest deal as women are usually not given choices in our world and they are their husband's property, once they are married off. I don't know, if the things Enzo was saying, held any meaning for him or not, maybe he was saying all those things just to make better points before his enemy. But still those words made me respect Enzo all the more.
He pressed my shoulder gently and I raised my head to meet his gaze, he was giving me a motivating smile and I knew he was telling me, that I was brave enough to face all these, through his glare.
"Why are you here Alantino?"
Finally I was able to muster the courage but my voice wasn't as confident as I wanted it to be. But I think it would eventually improvise.
"Obviously to take you back, baby. Come let's go home."
He said, offering his hand. What did he think of himself? Why was he here, had he forgotten our wedding night when he asked some other man to teach me lesson by physically and sexually abusing me? Was it so easy for him to face me, after everything he had done? My heart ached at the sight of the man, I once loved and he was my biggest enemy now. Why did he had to ruin it all when everything was going perfect? I tried to hold myself together because I didn't wanted media or Alantino to encounter my weak point. I bravely tried to keep my confident mask on that clearly told Alantino that I was done giving shit about him.
"Which home Alantino? The neon nights?"
I snapped but somewhere the words left bitterness in my mouth and the images started flashing in my mind. I pushed them away and focused on how I could insult Alantino more with my words.
He chuckled but did not say anything and his expressions hardened and he forcefully grabbed my wrist, I protested but I was not powerful enough to fight against his muscular figure. Enzo removed his hand from my shoulder and jerked Alantino's hand away from wrist. The pressure was so powerful that even I felt it on my wrist.
"Stay away from her."
Enzo warned and his expression was colder than ever.
"Mind your own fucking business Amato.Since when do you have the rights of speaking in between my family matter?"
Alantino questioned and I felt disgusted at the word family. I wasn't his family, family was something you were ought to protect not to destruct, neither of all to betray in the worst way possible.
"Enough Alantino, don't you dare call me your family. I have nothing to do with you. The sole purpose of our marriage was to ensure the working truce and I suppose it had broken when I ran away, protecting my pride. And about our relationship, I am only married to you in those bloody certificate. I will apply for divorce soon enough."
I snapped it at his face. I couldn't take his shit anymore, I was tired of the same nuisance again and again. Why did he want me back? To humiliate me further? To complete the incomplete task he had assigned to his bloody soldier? I wouldn't let that happen, ever and now the feeling of destroying him was taking a much bigger shape in me.
"Stop spilling shit. You better come with me on your own or else I'll drag you back with me, which wouldn't be a pleasant sight for the whole Italy who'll be reading newspapers tomorrow."
Alantino said pointing at the paparazzis. They were making me nervous with the continuous sound of their camera shuttering. I swallowed in big gulp but still tried not to lose it. I was just there only a step ahead and I would finally move over Alantino but he wasn't letting me.
Enzo came in front of me and grabbed Alantino by his shoulder.
"I am warning you the last time. You better leave the place or else the people in Italy would encounter much more miserable news tomorrow."
Enzo said in a voice that made me shiver as well. But Alantino was as hard as a rock, they both weren't any less from each other. If they fought, neither of them would survive the fight, I was pretty sure about that. But I couldn't let that happen now. I had to stop them.
"Alantino I said it already and I am saying it again, I have no intentions of coming back with you. I am good with Enzo."
The words felt different as they came out of my mouth. It wasn't like I was exactly living in a relationship with Enzo but living under his protection felt way too better than my father's or Alantino's. Even Enzo was shocked at my words but he soon realised I did not had intentions of portraying something different and private through it.
"They are all watching us and you will lose your image once they will print about the ruckus you created in front of our hotel. I don't think it will be any help to your already screwed up reputation."
Enzo said while pointing at the cameras and the paparazzi. Alantino shoved back Enzo's hand from his collar and gave me and Enzo a death glare and left without saying anything. The incident had shook me so much and I was sure that Alantino hadn't given up yet, he would do anything to get me back now. I needed to learn self defence more than ever. Enzo put his hand on my shoulder again and I felt confident as the paparazzi shoved their mics at me again with the same mixed voice questions.
"One by one everybody."
Enzo shouted and they all went quiet.
"Every will ask a question each. Starting from you."
He said pointing at a lady reporter from the Italy's top news channels.
"You are handling such a vast empire. How hard, do you think, it is gonna be for you?"
She asked and this question was expected by me. But I hadn't expected it to be the first question.
"I think this will prove every men and stereotypes that women are capable of handling anything whether a small household or such a big entity. I don't doubt myself for the job as it is handed to me by Enzo himself, so it's better that you shouldn't doubt my abilities, too."
I told them and I was confident enough as their expressions were much serious now and Enzo had a smile without any emotion on his face. The lady reporter went quiet and the other guy pointed his mic towards me,
"Ma'am, the Rexivo oriental was already achieving heights under Enzo Amato, do you think that sudden change of the chairperson would affect it, in positive or negative way?"
The guy questioned.
"I am pretty sure I have been assigned to it for some purpose and I could promise you it will never see the downfall because this empire, established is only meant to reach greater heights."
I answered simply and after the session of few more questions, Enzo called it off. And we headed inside the hotel where everyone greeted me with flowers and greeting and finally Enzo took me to my office in the sixteenth floor. It was a simple huge room furnished with couch and a desk with my name tag and a chair behind it. The feeling was so good and I didn't knew how to express it. I went near the desk and the touched the name plate with my name engraved on it with my position. CEO, was what my position was, it made me feel powerful and confident. I was on my way to achieve my name now. I didn't wanted my name to get fame or anything. I just wanted to publicise myself and my work to show my comeback.
"I loved it."I admitted to Enzo and he was still standing at the door, observing my expressions."I'm glad you liked it, but I'll take my leave here. Your assistant Chloe Winthrop will help you in everything. Also I'll be returning late today, so I have asked one of my best soldiers to not leave your side until I am back. He is standing outside."He told me and I peeked out to find a tall, muscular man, dressed in formals with a straight body posture, standing beside the door. He was as tall as Enzo, but I still didn't believe anyone or rely on anyone as much as I did on Enzo. But it was good to know that he cared for me and assigned me a personal bodyguards to my service. If he wanted he wouldn't have bothered about my life. He wanted to play games with his enemies and anyone could have done the help for him if not me. But it felt so good to know that he actually cared for me."Have a safe trip. I'll d
"That's a great news, Chloe."I said and there was a big grin on her mouth."I should call Enzo, first."I said and Cloe handed me the cordless phone, she was holding. But I kept it back on it's place because I wanted to call him from my personal number and for some reason it fascinated me to talk to him on phone, with my personal number. Crazy, wasn't I? I took out my phone from my handbag and was about to call him when the door flew open and Enzo's tall, muscular, beautiful body walked in. There was this formal look on his face which made him look all the more gorgeous. I pushed the thoughts aside. He was only my boss, in a way as he was letting me handle his hotel, nothing else... Right?He looked at me and said,"Congratulations on your first big achievement."He said and smiled. This time the smile reached his eyes that meant he was genuinely happy.
Enzo took a seat beside me and across Duke. Chloe and I watched him in utter shock, as he didn't even cared to explain his sudden appearance and even Duke was calm on his seat. After settling down, he looked at my bewildered face and smiled."Would you bother to explain your sudden appearance?"I questioned."I called Duke to check on everything, he told me you were planning to dine here, so I came to join you."Enzo answered."What about Genoa? You didn't you go there today?"I asked."No, Valerie I don't go there everyday. I have businesses to attend in Milan too."He said simply and that's when I realised he must also have his illegal businesses going on in here. The waitress served us food and I was happy that Enzo joined us for dinner but I was cursing Duke in my mind for telling everything to Enzo. Of course, Enzo cared for me for
"Can you ever stop surprising me?"I asked with a laugh and Enzo smirked."No."He simply said and motioned to move towards the restaurant. I followed him and so did Chloe and Duke. It was becoming a nice routine to hang out with them.The restaurant was comparatively smaller from the ones I have been to. But the place was decorated in a very artistic way without much expenditure. We settled on a simple booth. The waitress took our orders and I ordered more food than others. I was a shameless foodie."All preparations done for Benjamin?"Enzo asked."Almost."I replied in a low voice, not wanting to extend the topic. Enzo, sensed it and turned to Duke to talk about business. They talked till our food came and it took a long time, their servicing wasn't much appealing but the aroma of the food made me forget about that and I o
Enzo and Duke performed as a good team and it didn't take them much time, finishing off half of Alantino's men. Even I hadn't expected that, I thought the night was gonna be end of us, it wasn't like, I didn't trust Enzo's strength but one could never underestimate Alantino too."Do you think, we can help them in anyway?"Chloe asked me."You think?"I said, gazing at the direction of those tall and muscular men. We wouldn't stand even a second."But we have to do something, we can't let them fight. They are so many and Enzo and Duke are gonna get tired up soon. We can't wait for that moment."Chloe stated as a matter of fact. She was right we couldn't just stand there and wait for men to complete their fighting. I was thinking of calling in the hotel to ask them to send more men when a car reached the spot and all of us were confused because, no-one took their ass
"Why don't you face it? Why do you always run away from it?"I finally asked him, I couldn't take this anymore. He always pretended like he was an emotionless monster without feelings. But at times, when I sneaked through his cold mask, he wasn't what he pretended to be. He was a different Enzo, who cared for people, he was ought to protect and sometimes even nervous, when things weren't going well for him. He declined to show this, but I have been close to him, enough to know about actual Enzo. I think that's why he preferred to live alone. He was afraid that people might know that he was capable to feel. But he didn't have to pretend that he was emotionless, just to show the world. He was still Enzo, the treacherous capo of southern Italy and a man who was capable of being a gentleman and a ruthless capo as well."What are you talking about?"He asked but he knew what I meant."Why are you afraid of sh
I went to my office and as usual Chloe was sitting on the couch, taking sips of coffee from her cup and working on her tab at the same time."Hey, good morning."I said and she realised my presence."Good morning, how are you?"She asked with a concerned face, yesterday's event has taken a deep impact in her as well,but I wanted to tell her it was okay and it happens in the mob world, but she wasn't one of us and the thought would make her even more petrified."I'm good. Are you okay?"I asked."Yeah, but when you were late I thought you wouldn't come, today."She admitted with nervousness, she was too innocent to understand all this."I am alright,Chloe. You don't have to panic, incidents like this are not gonna stop me from working."I stated and she looked convinced.
"Are you out of your senses? What the heck are you talking about. And how do you know so much about me? Do you have a death wish?"I shouted fiercely at him. Who did he think, he was ? Bloody teenage boy, showing me tantrums."Shut your mouth up, Valerie Monaro. You must really not know, who I am or else you wouldn't dare to talk to me in that loud tone of yours."He yelled back and anger shone in his dark eyes, they were identical. I have seen them before, but with some wrinkles around. What the heck? Why did his facial features resembles Benjamin Williams. Could he possibly be...."Yes, Valerie Monaro, you are right. I am Warrick Williams,the only son of Benjamin Williams."He said as if reading my mind, a proud smile covering his face. As if it is was something to be proud of! I've read his name in few articles of Benjamin, but his photo wasn't shown in any of them, so I didn't knew h
"You should be sleeping now, you already had alcohol and I remember you refused to have champagne in your wedding, saying, you don't consume any alcoholic thing. When did you start drinking alcohol?"She asked in a solemn tone. She was worried at my situation, I wondered how pathetic I must have looked for her to be this concerned for my alcohol consumption."I still don't usually drink alcohol, this was the second time I did."I told her and a realisation struck her as her expression changed and gave me an encouraging smile."You've been through a lot Valerie but you must choose your ways wisely. Alcohol will only make ugh distracted from your goals and attracted to it."She explained to me as she helped me wipe my makeup off and undo my hairs."Mrs Russo... ""Mom*"She corrected me."Yes, mom, do you suppo
"You should be sleeping now, you already had alcohol and I remember you refused to have champagne in your wedding, saying, you don't consume any alcoholic thing. When did you start drinking alcohol?"She asked in a solemn tone. She was worried at my situation, I wondered how pathetic I must have looked for her to be this concerned for my alcohol consumption."I still don't usually drink alcohol, this was the second time I did."I told her and a realisation struck her as her expression changed and gave me an encouraging smile."You've been through a lot Valerie but you must choose your ways wisely. Alcohol will only make ugh distracted from your goals and attracted to it."She explained to me as she helped me wipe my makeup off and undo my hairs."Mrs Russo... ""Mom*"She corrected me."Yes, mom, do you suppo
Mrs Russo helped me reach my home and I was feeling much better in the silence. She put her hand on my head and smoothened my hairs. Then gently sat beside me on the bed."Are you okay Valerie?"She asked gently with a motherly love, that I almost felt like hugging her and crying all my problems out. The void was so filled with depression. I was tired of all this, I didn't want to fight anymore but I couldn't even step back now. How many things would I have deal to survive in this world? I wanted to live not just survive."Not really."I answered in a hushed tone. I wasn't sure what to say, to tell her his son was the ultimate reason of all my suffering? Or should I tell her that her husband was the worst man I've ever seen? I couldn't, she was being nice to me and I couldn't take that for granted. I know she could only help me till she saw no threat in me but if I started making her familiar with my rea
Mrs Russo helped me reach my home and I was feeling much better in the silence. She put her hand on my head and smoothened my hairs. Then gently sat beside me on the bed."Are you okay Valerie?"She asked gently with a motherly love, that I almost felt like hugging her and crying all my problems out. The void was so filled with depression. I was tired of all this, I didn't want to fight anymore but I couldn't even step back now. How many things would I have deal to survive in this world? I wanted to live not just survive."Not really."I answered in a hushed tone. I wasn't sure what to say, to tell her his son was the ultimate reason of all my suffering? Or should I tell her that her husband was the worst man I've ever seen? I couldn't, she was being nice to me and I couldn't take that for granted. I know she could only help me till she saw no threat in me but if I started making her familiar with my rea
"What are you doing Alantino? He's the son of one of our underbosses."Mr Russo reminded him but his expressions remained same. Deadly."He dared to touch Valerie."He said in a voice that would make anyone tremble out of fear and many of the people gathered around dance floor were already frightened. No-one would want to get their name associated with what that guy had been doing with me. And I could see many of them had already made a distance from me."That doesn't mean you'll beat him to death."Said Mr Russo as he gave a disgusted look towards the man lying on the floor drenched in blood. Then another disgusted look at my way."What did he exactly do?"He asked me and was he fucking kidding me, by asking me in what way did the man harass me, in front of everyone?"What did he do Valerie?"He asked again
"You look fabulous, Valerie!"Complimented Mrs Russo, who herself looked epitome of charisma. She always managed to look so effortlessly beautiful, she had a great sense in fashion."You look stunning! "I couldn't stop myself from complimenting her, she looked so gorgeous."Should we have something to drink, dear?"She asked and I knew her drink meant having to join other ladies, wives of mafia men."Yeah sure."I said despite the urge of not wanting to face those trophy wives who had poor ideologies of a lady and I certainly did not wanted to be their next target to have tea about. But then, Mrs Russo was the only person that would be easy to go with and I couldn't possibly be alone throughout the whole party.Mrs Russo directed me towards a group of ladies siting around the table, drinking and laughing and gossiping... Unt
we went inside the hotel and to the hall where party was meant to be."whose party is this?"I asked trying to know about the people I was surrounded with."It's the eighteenth birthday party of the only daughter of our enforcer."Alantino answered."Do mafia people even celebrate birthday of their daughters? I thought the only celebration for them was the induction day of their sons."I said the bitter truth of our world."True but our enforcer seem to love her daughter and he is not the only one who feels that way, there are many fathers in our world too who loves their daughters, sometimes more than their sons."His words made me think about a men that I have came across who loved his daughter as Alantino was saying, but I couldn't even remember of a single man with that quality. Daughters were only raised with luxury so that in future they can b
we went inside the hotel and to the hall where party was meant to be."whose party is this?"I asked trying to know about the people I was surrounded with."It's the eighteenth birthday party of the only daughter of our enforcer."Alantino answered."Do mafia people even celebrate birthday of their daughters? I thought the only celebration for them was the induction day of their sons."I said the bitter truth of our world."True but our enforcer seem to love her daughter and he is not the only one who feels that way, there are many fathers in our world too who loves their daughters, sometimes more than their sons."His words made me think about a men that I have came across who loved his daughter as Alantino was saying, but I couldn't even remember of a single man with that quality. Daughters were only raised with luxury so that in future they can b
we went inside the hotel and to the hall where party was meant to be."whose party is this?"I asked trying to know about the people I was surrounded with."It's the eighteenth birthday party of the only daughter of our enforcer."Alantino answered."Do mafia people even celebrate birthday of their daughters? I thought the only celebration for them was the induction day of their sons."I said the bitter truth of our world."True but our enforcer seem to love her daughter and he is not the only one who feels that way, there are many fathers in our world too who loves their daughters, sometimes more than their sons."His words made me think about a men that I have came across who loved his daughter as Alantino was saying, but I couldn't even remember of a single man with that quality. Daughters were only raised with luxury so that in future they can b