Pachi’s voice had been urgent over the phone, giving me no room to ask questions. "Don Chappo wants to see you," she’d said, her tone leaving no room for negotiation. "Come alone."
Now, sitting across from Don Chappo in this slightly dark room, I could feel the tension in the room. It looked as if I had been kidnapped though I came there myself. The smell in the air was different, smells of cigars and the rest, it looked like an interrogation room or something I couldn't quite place, but I knew something was terribly wrong.
The Don leaned forward, his face cast in shadow. His voice was low and rough, the kind that demands attention.
“Nathan is in trouble,” he began, and those words hit me like a punch to the gut.
As I walked into the classroom, the weight of the stares was immediate and heavy. The whispers began almost immediately, eyes widening and necks craning. I glanced down and realized that I was wearing the sexy, slit-revealing black dress.I had wanted to change into something more simple, but I had forgotten about all that was happening to me today.How could I have forgotten?The dress was costly with a low neckline. It was another daring, bold, and completely inappropriate thing for a classroom. But here I was, standing in the middle of the lecture hall in this provocative outfit, with the guys clearly enjoying their free show. I could feel their eyes tracing my curves, lingering on my legs, my hips, and the back of my dress as I made my way to my seat. Every step seemed to draw more attention, more whispers, and I could feel my cheeks burning with embarrassment.I hated this. I hated Nathan for this.I had told him I needed to attend class, but somehow, in the rush of the day, I’d
As Nathan drove, the tension from our earlier conversation began to dissipate, replaced by an unexpected sense of anticipation. He had insisted we go somewhere, even though I had protested, feeling exhausted from the emotional rollercoaster of the day. The city lights blurred past us, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of uncertainty about where he was taking me.After a short drive, Nathan finally pulled into a small, partially completed building tucked away on a quiet street. I raised an eyebrow as we parked, turning to him. “Where are we?” I asked, scepticism lacing my voice.“You’ll see,” he replied, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Trust me.”I sighed but followed him out of the car, curiosity piqued. We entered the building, and I was greeted by the faint scent of incense and the sound of soft music playing in the background. A sense of calm washed over me, but I still felt a flicker of apprehension.As we walked further inside, I spotted a tall figure stretching in a brightly lit
I could hear it in the way he spoke, the loneliness, the sadness that had settled into his bones like a heavy fog. He sounded tired, broken, and the alcohol only made it worse, amplifying the despair he always tried to hide.“Dad…” I whispered, my heart tightening. I knew he was spiraling again, sinking into the emptiness he couldn’t seem to escape since Mom passed. There was a silence that stretched between us, thick and painful, and for a moment, I wasn’t sure what to say.“I’m sorry,” he mumbled. “I just… I miss you. I don’t know what I’m doing anymore, kid. I feel so alone.”"Dad, you do not need to be sorry for anything, I will be there," I said, trying to calm him down."I
Nathan's eyes narrowed as he looked at Katrina sitting confidently, the keycard held up like a victory flag. I could feel the tension in the room rise, even as he tried to stay calm."Katrina, what are you doing here?" Nathan asked again. His voice was low but controlled, the calm before a storm. He turned around and started putting on some clothes, his movements deliberate, clearly trying to maintain his composure.Katrina gave him a smug smile, waving the keycard. “Still had the keys, remember?” she said lightly, though her eyes held something sharper. “I came by because I needed to discuss something important.”Nathan’s jaw clenched as he reached for the keycard and snatched it from her hand. “You shouldn’t have these anymore.&rdq
Katrina paused by the door, turning back to face me with a sly, knowing smile that made my stomach tighten. She narrowed her eyes and let out a soft, mocking laugh. “I see you're finally using your brain. Smart girl,” she sneered.Nathan, suddenly cut in, his face a storm of controlled anger. His eyes were on me, a mix of confusion and frustration showing behind them. “Why did you ask her not to leave?” he demanded, his voice low and tense. I could see how much this whole situation was getting to him, and it tore at me.I turned to him, gently placing my hand on his arm. “Nathan, can we talk for a moment, privately?” I glanced over at Katrina, whose sly smile deepened, clearly enjoying the tension she had caused.Nathan hesitated for
Nathan paced the room, his frustration growing more evident with each passing second. I could see the anger etched on his face, his body and muscles were stiffened with vexation, and the way his jaw tightened every time he looked at Katrina.I did not want to blame him for his reaction as I was also fed up with Katrina and her antics. Nathan had been patient, more patient than anyone in his position might have been, but it was clear that Katrina had pushed him to the edge. His patience was wearing thin, and her games were only making things worse.He stopped, turning toward me with a look that was both exasperated and accusing. “You asked me to give her a chance,” he said, his voice low but filled with tension. “You said we should hear her out. Well, I’ve done that. But this?” He gestured toward Ka
As the door clicked shut behind Katrina, Nathan stood there, staring at the door, his jaw still clenched and his eyes filled with a storm of emotions. After what felt like an eternity of silence, he finally turned to me, a mixture of frustration and disbelief on his face.“Katrina is going to go to court,” Nathan said, his voice sharp but edged with exhaustion. There was bitterness in the way he said it, like he was stating a fact that had already been inevitable in his mind.I crossed my arms, meeting his gaze without hesitation. “Good,” I said simply, my tone firm but calm.Nathan blinked, stunned by my response. His brows furrowed as he stared at me, clearly not expecting that reaction. “Good?” he repeated, incredulous. “You think
Nathan stood by the window, hands on his hips, taking a deep breath. His sharp features, usually so composed, showed signs of fatigue. I could tell he was worn out, not just from dealing with Katrina, but from the endless battles he seemed to be fighting from every angle.He turned toward me, his eyes softening as they met mine. “Let’s get out of here,” he said, his voice lower and more gentle now that we were alone. “You need to get dressed. We should go see your father like we planned.”I hesitated for a moment. The emotional rollercoaster of the day had taken its toll on me too, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready to face another difficult situation. My father had been in a bad state the last time I’d spoken to him, drunk and barely coherent. The idea of seeing him like that, knowing how far
I was silent for a moment, letting her words sink in. I had always known Katrina had a tough exterior, but hearing the raw emotion in her voice made me realize how much she had been holding in. She wasn’t just fighting for herself or Nathan or even the business. She was fighting for her place in a world that had never given her the respect she deserved.But this wasn’t the way.“I get it, Katrina,” I said softly, my voice gentle. “But this isn’t the answer. You’re hurting Nathan, and you’re hurting yourself. Don’t let Alex control you like this. Please, just think about it. Think about what you’re really doing here. Is this really what you want?”Katrina’s face twitched, and for a brief moment, I thought she might break down. But instead, she took a deep breath, straightened her posture, and walked toward the window. She didn’t say anything for a long while, and the silence between us felt heavy, almost suffocating.Finally, she spoke, her voice much quieter than before. “You’re right
I sat on the couch, the envelope from Katrina trembling slightly in my hands. I had known this moment was coming, the threats, the subtle innuendos, and Alex’s sudden reappearance in our lives, but seeing the court papers made it all too real. The words on the document were cold and clinical, and yet they felt like daggers piercing through my chest.Nathan walked into the room, his shirt slightly unbuttoned, his face betraying the weariness of a man carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. He took one look at my expression, and his eyes immediately darted to the envelope in my hands. Without a word, he crossed the room, sat down beside me, and gently took the papers from my hands.His jaw tightened as he scanned the document. His face, usually so composed, contorted in a mix of frustration and pain. “She’s actually doing it,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. He placed the papers on the coffee table and leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, his hands clas
The morning had arrived with a sense of urgency, and the office felt colder than usual. Nathan and I had just arrived, and the moment we stepped inside, I felt the weight of what was to come. There was a tension in the air that was hard to ignore, everyone seemed to sense that something big was on the horizon.I made my way straight to Rose’s desk, my heels clicking against the polished floor with each step. Rose looked up as I approached, her eyes sharp and focused, as if she had been expecting me.“Mel,” she greeted me, her voice calm but with an undertone of alertness. She was always on top of things, and I knew that she’d have something important to share.“Rose, I need to know everything. Have you heard anything about Steve and Jesse’s meetings with Alex?” I asked, my tone low but urgent. I couldn’t afford to waste time. Every second counted.Rose nodded, glancing around the office before leaning in slightly, lowering her voice as she spoke. “I overheard them, Mel. Steve and Jess
Even as Nathan drove, I could see the tension on his face. It was one of the rare moments I have seen him in this expression. His usually calm and controlled demeanour had cracked, revealing a side of him I hadn’t seen before, a rare glimpse of uncertainty.His hands, typically steady on the wheel, were tight now, his fingers gripping it almost as if it were the only thing holding him together. The silence between us was thick with unspoken thoughts, and I could feel my pulse quicken as I tried to process the situation. Something was off. Something more than just Alex’s arrival, something deeper was gnawing at Nathan’s nerves.Just as the silence became too much to bear, his phone rang. I watched as his eyes flicked down to the screen before he answered with a single word, his voice unexpectedly clipped.“Chappo.”I leaned back in my seat, instinctively quieting myself as I realized the weight of the conversation that was about to take place. Don Chappo was no stranger to Nathan’s bus
As Nathan and I settled into the car, the hum of the engine barely audible over the quiet tension that hung between us, my phone buzzed in my hand. I glanced at the screen. Ali. My stomach tightened as I answered.“What is it now, Ali?” I asked sharply, not bothering to hide my annoyance.His voice was unsteady, almost hesitant. “I just thought you should know... Alex Sommer is in town. He’s been asking questions. Serious questions.”I couldn’t help the scoff that escaped me. “We already know, Ali. You’re not exactly delivering groundbreaking news here.”There was a pause on the other end, and I could hear him exhale deeply. “Look, I know I screwed up earlier, but this is serious. You need to meet with me. There’s more to this than you realize.”Before I could respond, he hung up, leaving me staring at the phone in frustration. I turned to Nathan, who was sitting next to me with his arms crossed, watching me closely. His expression was unreadable, but his sharp eyes told me he had bee
The car glided through the quiet city streets, the hum of the engine filling the silence between us. I stole a glance at Nathan, his jaw set tight, his fingers gripping the steering wheel with an intensity that told me he was deep in thought.I have rarely seen him this way. He was more concerned with his thoughts than with the beautiful lady sitting next to him. I know his brain is running through every option but I also know this must be about what Rose had told him.“Nathan,” I began cautiously, breaking the silence. “What did Rose say?”His eyes stayed on the road, his lips pressed into a thin line as though he were debating whether to tell me. Finally, he sighed, his grip on the wheel loosening slightly.“She came to warn me,” he said, his voice measured. “Alex Sommer is in town.”The name hung in the air like an uninvited ghost, chilling the space between us. I frowned, searching my memory. “Alex Sommer... your friend from years ago? The one you’ve mentioned a few times?”“Frien
The hotel was bustling, a hive of luxury and importance, but all I cared about was the man waiting for me inside. When I knocked on the door, Nathan himself opened it. His shirt sleeves rolled up, and his tie slightly loosened, evidence of a long day.“You’re here,” he said, his voice warm but laced with the weariness of his meetings. He stepped aside, motioning for me to enter.As I walked in, the faint scent of his cologne filled the air, grounding me after the chaos of my day. The suite was immaculate, a blend of modern design and subtle luxury. A small conference table at the corner of the room held scattered files and a half-empty glass of what looked like scotch. He must have just wrapped up his meeting.“I thought I would have met you at the lounge,” I said.“Nope, finished the meeting my dear,” Nathan replied.“Sit down,” he said, gesturing to the plush armchair near the window. “You look like you’ve had a long day yourself.”I didn’t sit. Instead, I folded my arms and got str
As I stepped out of the café, the late afternoon sun momentarily blinded me. I adjusted my eyes and moved to the sidewalk, but I froze when I saw Carlos leaning against a sleek black SUV with his men flanking him. His presence was as commanding as ever, and though his face held a faint smile, his eyes carried a weight that set me on edge.“Mel,” he said, straightening up and taking a cautious step forward. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here. But since you’re here, I guess fate gave me an opportunity I didn’t have before.”I crossed my arms, narrowing my eyes at him. “What do you want, Carlos?” My tone was sharp, with no room for pleasantries.He sighed, his shoulders drooping slightly. “I wanted to apologize,” he said, his voice surprisingly soft. “For everything that happened. I never got the chance to say it properly. I know I hurt you, Mel.”I stared at him, waiting for the rest of his speech. Carlos wasn’t the kind of man to show vulnerability unless he wanted something.“And?” I
The moment Katrina walked out of the café, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. I needed a moment to collect my thoughts, but that reprieve didn’t last long. No sooner had I taken a sip of my coffee than I spotted Steven striding into the café, his eyes locked onto me with unsettling intensity.“Mel,” he called out as he approached my table. His voice carried a mix of sarcasm and disdain, enough to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.I sighed, setting my cup down. “Steven, what are you doing here?”“I could ask you the same thing,” he said, sliding into the chair across from me without waiting for an invitation. His gaze flickered toward the door where Katrina had exited moments earlier. “Funny seeing you here with Katrina.”I tensed, immediately on edge. “Were you following me?”Steven gave me a silly smile, leaning back in his chair with a casualness that belied his intrusive behaviour. “Call it what you want. I like to keep an eye on things, especially when it co