Isabella's POVIt was a stressful day at work. Five more days and I'll get my paycheck. I could barely wait to finally get paid because I needed to assist Mom and Dad. The debts were piling up and it was annoying."What's going on Dad, why are you packing our things?" I asked the moment I walked into our small apartment and saw him hurriedly packing our belongings into a bag."We have got to leave the city Bel, pack up the few valuable things you can and do that now!" he answered as he continued pacing around and grabbing some stuff.I froze at the spot, trying to understand what was going on. When I left home, I did not see any signs of this happening. Dad said he had most of the bills covered. So what was going on? "Dad, you need to stop and tell me what's happening," I said, more confused."We do not have time for that. I'll tell you everything on our way out of here," he said as he opened our drawer, picked up our international passports, and threw it into the bag where he had be
Isabella's POV"Marcello…" Dad said as one of the hefty-looking men threw a jab at him. I screamed as they dragged us away.The jab my father was given knocked him out and put him to an immediate slumber. It also gave him a black eye and made me so restless. I couldn't hide my hurt as tears began to rush down my eyes. I was threatened to keep quiet as they drove us to an unknown destination. Marcello told me that if I made a sound I would end up like my father. All I could do was sob quietly. My phone as well as Dad's phone was taken and worse, it was jettisoned. We were being kidnapped."Where are you taking us?" I asked, tears streaming down my eyes."Don't worry child, you will soon know," Marcello responded with a knowing smile as he blew a puff of smoke to my face. He was sitting next to me in the SUV they bundled us in. "I'm not a child!" I retorted, irritated by such the fact that he kept calling me that. I am twenty-one years old so I’m far from that."Feisty one uhn?" he sa
Isabella's POV"There is no way in hell I'm getting married to a devil like you!" I shouted immediately after the words left his mouth. “Who do you think you are? How much is the money that you want to force me into a marriage?” I shrieked at the top of my voice.I was so confused. What sort of proposal is this? Are these how shiny debt collectors were?If only I could find a way to dial the police…“Oh your father didn’t tell you?” Don questioned with a sneer. “You’re talking to the mafia lord of the Valentino cartel. You don’t know who you’re messing with.”What? Of all the people in the world…my father borrowed from a mafia lord?Then it hit me. Don Rodrigo. The notorious mafia lord of the Valentinos. No wonder his name seemed so familiar. He's the most notorious cartel lord in Mexico and nobody wants to mess with him. I’ve seen his name in various newspapers in Louisiana because of his rumored numerous links and connections there and now my life has become entwined with his.If he
Isabella's POV Jennifer returned the smile and started telling me about all the good stuff happening in Mexico. She could not stop talking about all the wonderful things she assumed we would do together and how she was happy to meet me. We arrived at a store called Carla Fernández and entered the classic-looking store. You could tell by the ladies in the store that this place screamed rich. I've always been a girlie girl who, even though was shy, loved looking good. However, this time, I could care less. Getting a wedding dress for a wedding I'm not happy about could not make me happy."Miss Jennifer, Hola," a 5ft tall lady approached us immediately as we entered the store with the most dashing smile ever. You could tell that it was not a fake smile. What is it with Mexicans and looking beautiful? I thought."Buenas tardes, Diana," Jennifer answered as they hugged, "Have you gotten our session ready?" she asked."Of course, you know you're my best client. If you ask me to jump, I'
Isabella POVWhat was he expecting? Did he expect me to be happy over a measly compliment that I'm certain is not sincere? I know I said I will pretend to be happy about my recent predicament to not let anyone suspect a thing before I execute my plan but I could not hold my mouth in front of this monster. Seeing him made me infuriated and slightly scared."You heard me right. Don't come here pretending to like how I look. We are both aware that this is an arranged marriage so do not pretend to care," I said as I started approaching the dressing room to undress."You stop right there!" He said making me halt in my track as he moved and stood in front of me. His words and actions have a way to command respect."You will not walk out on me until I'm done with you," he said, " I own you and as long as you are mine, you do as I command. If I say you're beautiful, it means you are beautiful and you appreciate my compliment," he added"You can not…" I said but was shut up as he used his hug
Isabella POVIt was my wedding day, however, I was dressed as if it was my funeral. My eyes were puffy and red since I was crying all night. I couldn’t shake off the feeling that I was getting married to Don Rodrigo, a man I know nothing about and don't have feelings for. If it wasn’t for my Father and mother, I wouldn't be here, no, I would not have had anything to do with Rodrigo. Sitting on the vanity mirror while staring at my reflection through the mirror, one could say that I was digging my own grave. When I drew out the compartment, I took out a folded picture of Maxwell I always carry along wherever I went to so that he will be close to my heart, staring at it for a moment, running my index on his face imagining him walking into the room to look at me one more time before heading to the altar. We have talked so much about our dream wedding. Maxwell has always loved a simple wedding at the beach but that wasn’t my dream wedding, I have always wanted something classy with my be
Rodrigo's POVWhen I saw Marcello walking behind Isabella, a smile formed on my lips as I stared at her just thinking about what she said to me in the dressing room. With the manner Marcello walked very close to her, I had a feeling she attempted to run away and he caught her. He had a gun held very close to her but no one knew about that. With a smile plastered on her face, anyone would assume that she was happily walking down the aisle to meet her Prince Charming.This wedding was every socialite's dream but Isabella was not one of those women, she wanted nothing more than to escape from this world that I was dragging her into. But I will never let her go, she was my woman and I want to spend the rest of this year with her by my side. The first time I discovered that Issac had a daughter, I never wanted to meet her till I saw her portrait in his living room, Right there I decided that she was going to be the collateral if Isaac found it impossible to meet up with the deal that he si
Isabella's POVMy heartbeat pulsates as anxiety dwelled in my heart, Never did I assume that he would do such a thing. But who was I kidding? This was not Maxwell who was standing here or one of those noblemen, I was standing with the deadliest Mafia leader who was capable of anything. "What did you just say?""I have no interest in sleeping in the same room with you Don" As the latter left my mouth, his eyes darkened as he pointed his gun at me once again which made my heart jump. "What are you doing? That's a gun Rodrigo"He smirked lowering his gun down. "It's good you know when to correct yourself, Isabella, Now we are married and you will have to obey every one of my orders"The tears that I was fighting so hard not to fall on my cheeks poured down as I couldn't take it anymore. That was the ugly reality that has engulfed my soul and there was nothing I could do to fight this nightmare. More than anything, I tried to fight this nightmare, to get away from Rodrigo and run into Ma
Rodrigo’s povI stared into space standing at her doorstep and contemplating if I should just knock or ring the bell and then I finally settled to ring a bell. It was just as I expected when I rang the Bell, Jada opened the door with a smile on her face, with how she smiled widely, I had a feeling she was expecting someone, perhaps, the boy who had been flirting with her. I have been watching them since I lodged in the hotel that was close by, but I decided to stay away just to give Isabella some time before finally coming over to pick up my portrait that she had taken from my study, which was just an excuse for me to see her as well and talk to her. Jennifer told me that she was still confused about this whole Carmen's situation and I had to tell her the truth so that she does not think that I cheated on her because I never did.“ Are you waiting for someone?”“ No one” She shook her head and stepped out of the way for me to get into the house.“ Jada, who is it?” That was Isabella’s
Isabella’s pov“Mother” my eyes crowded with tears as I stared at the woman who had given birth to me, I thought she was sick and wouldn’t be able to get back with us but looking at her right now standing with my father it seemed as though she was already healthy.“ Isabella” she whispered and that was when I realized that she was really alright and nothing was wrong with her and me, my feet moved gently and I quickly ran into her arms and embraced her tightly as though she would disappear if I let her go.“ What happened? How are you alright? the last time that I saw your picture it seemed as though you were never going to make it, and you will never be healed again”“ That young man provided the best doctors for me and I had to go abroad with your father” What young man was she talking about? I was confused. no one told me about this and all the while I would ask for Rodrigo, he would ask me if I wanted to talk to them but I would say no because it would be too much for me to bear.
Isabella’s povRodrigo allowed me to go on a trip to Jada and even though that should be the best time of my life it seems as though it wasn't. Jada was at the beach and I was in the house watching a show that I wasn't really interested in so I kept thinking about him all the time. Picking up his mobile that I had taken from the study, I ran my index finger on his face and smiled, if there was anything about Rodrigo it was the fact that he was the only man who was capable of making me happy, and despite everything that happened between him and carmen I was still very much in love with him even without me admitting it. When the door closed right behind me I realized that Jada was back home, I thought she was going to spend all day at the beach.“ You are back”“ And you have been staring into space again, you know if you miss him so much, all you have to do is just say it out loud and then I'll have him come over here and the both of you can make up then having you staring into space t
Rodrigo’s povIt was late, and by the time Marcello returned home, I had to head back into the room to go be with Isabella, I could not bear to leave her alone even for a moment. She moved out of the room but then I could not let her sleep alone so I slept with her in the same room. hearing footsteps approaching she could tell it was only me and did not bother to look up as I drew closer to the door, she sat on the vanity mirror staring at the reflection of herself.“ What are you thinking?”“ Don't bother me and just go to bed” She was saddened and was in a state of upheaval, I could see that.“How many times do you want me to apologize for what happened? I'm really sorry for everything and wish that I could go back in time, and then I would never have done that. you don't know how bad I feel that you have to be the one who is suffering. I love you, Isabella” She does not say a word and I know that she loves me as well, but then this was not even the right time to make such confessi
Marcello’s povRodrigo was sitting on the stool in the bar sipping his favorite drink when I walked up to him, he was not happy I could tell by how he stared into space. It has been days since Alejandro and his Cartel fell apart, and that woman Carmen was killed. Everything should be back to normal but then it seemed as though it was falling apart and Rodrigo’s marriage to Isabella was slowly crumbling down, I had no clue what to do, and when Jennifer tried to talk to Isabella they ended up arguing. she has not really been herself ever since the attack with Alejandro. he left her traumatized and she had been in shock for some days that she did not eat or talk, but the doctor visited her and Rodrigo made an appointment with the hospital, she needed help and so he gave it to her. but then she was mad at him for having let that woman kiss him and could never forgive him, she saw what she saw but we all know that Rodrigo will never do that to her, he was madly in love with her when she w
Isabella’s povI've never been so furious in my life like the way I am right now. This man wasn't a monster, he was a beast for even admitting that he loved blood.“ You are sick, I swear that something is wrong with you” I quickly kicked him attempting to get away when he grabbed me and ripped apart my shirt. my eyes widened and I was speechless for a moment, but then I knew that if I did not fight him he was going to end up forcing himself on me. He lashed his lips on my neck, kissing me while I struggled pushing, kicking, and scratching, trying to get him away from him, but he was so strong that he wouldn't budge. I wondered what monster was this, I was sure that he was going to leave marks on my fragile body, the wet kiss that he laid on my skin made me so disgusted that I almost puked, but then I knew that I needed to concentrate on him and not get carried away otherwise he will be able to live up to his dream and make me be disgusted with myself.If he ever has his way with me I
Isabella’s pov“No! Please don’t do this” I pleaded with him but then he did not listen and was more concerned about taking me against my will. I have always known right from the first time that I set my eyes on him that he was a monster and capable of anything, but I never expected that he would go this far to try and get to me.“ Open your legs” he ordered and I glared at him even though I was still pleading with him with my eyes.“ I can't”“ You can't or you won't”“ I can't and I won't” I was firm and that made him grab my jaw and squeezed it so hard that I felt the pain right in my head. So many times I whispered Rodrigo’s name in my head hoping that he would come to my aid and save me from the hands of this monster, otherwise I might fall and never be able to get back up again.“ I told you to be nice and I will treat you nicely but it seems as though you don't listen. If you do that to Rodrigo and he tolerates it, don't do it to me, I will Not tolerate such an attitude from y
Isabella’s povI was terrified when he threw me on the bed, but then I knew that I needed to get rid of this fear to focus, damn it was going to get his way with me and that would not be good.“ You got some nerve saying that to my face don't”“ You are the one who wanted to know so I had to tell you the honest truth, did you want me to lie to you? You said I should be honest and that was what I did, why are you making a big deal out of it?”“ I want you, I want to have you right now When he said those words I wished that someone could come in and put a bullet right through him so that he won't try anything stupid.“I already lost everything but I cannot lose you as well. That bastard Rodrigo fought back and now I will have to do to you what I've always wanted. I don't care if I lose everything as long as I have you, I'm okay with that. But what I cannot take is to see Rodrigo with you. The last time that I saw you two together, I almost wanted to kill him, but then it wasn't a close
Isabella’s povIt was the middle of the night when I heard voices coming from the hallway, I was terrified as I grabbed the white sheet and clutched it against my chest, I was so desperate for him to appear immediately and save me from this nightmare, but then my thought was quickly interrupted as the doors were just flung wide and Alejandro stepped into the room, he was Furious. the look in his eyes was frightening and at that moment I was frightened as I saw those darkened pupils. if it was anyone else who had walked into my room, I would have asked them what had happened, but a man like Alejandro was the least of my problems, I know it has something to do with the war he had going on with Rodrigo or the fact that his business must be failing since he was a drug lord in the city of Mexico.“ Do you want to smoke with me or perhaps drink with me?”“ I don't drink and I don't smoke” I was wondering why he was asking me such a silly question when he was aware that I don't engage in dri