Chapter 20 I stared at the woman that made Lola fume. She was tall with an hourglass body, her hair was bleached blonde and was styled to perfection, and she looked naturally gorgeous. I only noticed that her hair was bleached because there were some dark roots showing. Her eyes were dark blue, crowning sharp cheekbones, and a small nub nose, but her mouth was full and plump. She has a tall neck, and she has an impressive bust, a tiny waist, and generous hips. She wore an aqua silk dress that hugged her curves, and though it wasn’t suitable to be worn this early in the morning, it suited her. She was the epitome of beauty, the perfect picture of a model. Even her makeup was flawless. It looked natural; though I’m sure she contorted those cheeks. They were so sharp to be gods made. She spared me only one glance, her face turned into distaste and who can blame her? I was wearing one of Gabriel’s shirts and new boxers. Yes, Lola has bought me lots of clothes, but I enjoyed wearing
Chapter 21 I stood there, my chest heaving and my heart beating rapidly into my chest. The nerve of this woman to come here and speak as if she has every right to do so and above that, I still don’t know what she had said to Ariel and I can’t fucking follow her until I get rid of this garbage that stinks my house. I advanced on her, ready to finish this, but Leo held my arm, stopping me. “You are not welcome here, Lena. You better leave before anything would happen to that plastic face of yours.” She glared at him. Her face couldn’t conceal her hatred toward him. She was only angry because he was the only one to escape her charms and she couldn’t get him in her bed along with Michael. “Don’t speak to me, faggot. It still baffles me that you are a mafia and a faggot.” She turned to me again. “How could you accept such filth here? You should have thrown him away or get rid of him.” This time when I tried to walk, Leo didn’t stop me. I towered over her. My face was red because of ho
Chapter 22 When I saw Jason, I threw myself at his approaching figure. I really missed him, especially since Mom wasn’t here and I miss her so much. He was basically the second member of my genuine family; I have only these two. He hugged me tightly, and I noticed that there was a tremor in his hands. I hugged him back as tight, now worried I asked him. “Are you ok Jason?” He kissed my head and held me at arm’s length. “I’m alright I was just worried about you. I thought something bad had happened to you.” He glared at Lola, who just shrugged. Leo put his hand on his shoulder and turned him around. “C’mon, let’s splash your face with some water to freshen up, then come and spend some time with your friends.” My friend nodded and smiled at me faintly before leaving. I stood wondering about him. This isn’t just some worry about me. He looked unsettled. “Don’t worry, come here and choose some colors with me,” Lola said, sitting on the floor with Tyler and Jacob, while she spread so
Chapter 23 I paced the entire apartment while waiting for Ariel to get ready for our date; I felt giddy and nervous like a teenager. It has been a long time since I did this. My last date was in my eighteenth with Lena. I pushed the memory away when I heard the soft clicks of Ariel’s heels. The moment I saw her, she stole my breath away. She looked gorgeous in her red silk dress. Those red fabric drapes embraced her curvy figure perfectly, alongside that gorgeous V-neck that outlined her perky breasts. And lay across a banded waist, with a full maxi skirt that has a sexy side slit. Her long caramel leg showing, teasing my eye, and the metallic leather sandals were the best compliment to the complete look. My mind short circuit, I couldn’t speak or even breathe for a minute. Someone cleared their throat. “Ahem, from your silence and your stunned face. I think I did a good job.” Lola’s voice broke my trance. I cleared my throat. “Thank you, Lola.” She walked away, raising her hand
Chapter 24 I woke with a start. Someone was pounding on the door like there was a fire somewhere close. Gabriel grumbled all the way to answer it. He rarely sleeps and when that happens, he likes to wake by himself, not like this. He would be in a foul mood all day. I snickered; a pouting Gabriel is something worth all of this headache I’m getting right now. I yawned and stretched my body, loving the way the breeze caressed my naked flesh. We have been used to going to bed like this, after some rough, playful nights and it has become our routine so far. These few days have been my best since mom has left. It has been a full month now and we talk mostly every night, but she has been busy with her course and the work she could do alongside, but I’m happy for her. Last night, she looked happy and radiant, even though I could clearly see how tired she was. Finally, she was able to do something for herself and I’m not an obstacle which I was through my existence in her life. I have be
Chapter 25 We stood in front of the morgue’s wide doors; Ariel’s smaller figure so close to mine, as if she wanted to disappear from all those prying eyes. Since we arrived at the hospital, every nurse and doctor who wasn’t busy with something came to console her and she was on autopilot. She nodded her head in acknowledgment; she hugged back and said a few thank you. I was way out of my element here, and couldn’t do anything to make this better. My brother said that she has to face her reality to move on or this would turn ugly. I knew that he was right, but it didn’t mean that I didn’t want to help her. Like right now, she stood beside me with one shaky hand stretched out to the door handle and not moving. “We can go back home and come tomorrow if you are not ready.” She raised her glazed eyes to me. “I…I want to do this now or I will never do it.” Michael gave me a look and opened the door for us. Her knees buckled, but I held her tighter and walked inside. My brother
Chapter 26 I sat in the corner, my eyes seeing nothing. Sometimes I feel numb, other times I feel angry. But most of the time, I’m just paralyzed. I think I shed all of my tears by now. It doesn’t matter how hard I try, I can’t shed a single one. I hugged myself, trembling. The dark room wasn’t cold. Nevertheless, my body started to shake. I screamed when the pounding behind my eyelids intensified. “You left me, mom. You promised that you would be beside me when I graduate. You said you would help me choose my wedding dress. You said you would name my first baby.” I wailed. This is too much. Why did she have to leave? And like this! Someone knocked on the door, but as usual, I refused to acknowledge them. I have been here for almost two weeks now, or I think it has been more. I have lost count after the first ten days have passed. I stink, I’m hungry and I don’t feel well. But my mind chose to ignore all of that and had only one thought. “Why am I still alive? I should be the
Chapter 27 I put my arm above my head and closed my eyes. I was exhausted and tired, but for the past few days, I didn’t sleep a wink. I couldn’t. After seeing Ariel fall apart right in front of my eyes, my heart broke and there was a big hole in my chest. With all the money and influence I have, I could do nothing. I can’t bring back the dead. I wish that she could wake up from this nightmare and tell me what to do. I miss her voice, her smile, and her warmth. I miss having her between my arms. I miss my little one, like air, and I’m terrified that I will never get her back. I gritted my teeth and suppressed a curse; the place was full and because today was a weekend everyone was here in the den. I knew I should have gone to my apartment and stayed away from all of this racket, but I didn’t want to be alone. I didn’t want to be in a place where Ariel wasn’t aware of me or this world. Michael has told me she was fine, and this is how she was processing the loss of her mother.
Chapter 33 Epilogue Michael, They think that they can take her away. They think that they can take her from me. Do they think that I would sit still and allow it? Lola has been mine since the day she was born on this earth. She belongs only to me, and not even god can claim her. Not even death can take her away from me. I would follow her to the depth of hell and I would never care who will get hurt in the process. I have watched her since the day she opened her beautiful eyes. I watched her grow into this amazingly beautiful young woman. I was about to tell her that she was mine after her eighteenth birthday in a few weeks. But then this shit happened. Those bastards had taken my Lola away, thinking that I would stay still and watch. When people look at me and see my smiling, cheerful face, they think of me as weak and naïve. Unlike my brother, who is evil and ruthless, but they don’t know the truth. It was me who chose to forsake this life, not because I was afraid of it,
Chapter 32 Pregnant?! Ariel is pregnant with my child, and she is eight weeks already. How come I didn’t notice the signs? We have been together every day ever since her mother passed away. I had my doubts that she was sick, but I had never thought that she might be pregnant. But to think of it, we have never used protection before. And it is all my fault all over again. I have ruined her future by making her pregnant so young. And after what had happened, this would be too much to handle. She is fragile and weak emotionally and physically. What if she decided to have an abortion? Do I have the right to tell her no and I want to keep that baby? I don’t want to be selfish again. I looked at Ariel as she slept peacefully. The frown on her face looked permanent and her expressions were ones of pain. I caressed between her brows and she sighed softly, making me smile to myself. Then I looked at my brother as he breathed deeply. Michael patted her hand after making sure that her
Chapter 31 “Are you going to be like that all day long? They are out doing some business as usual. Nothing new here, trust me.” Lola huffed as she dropped onto her bed and closed her eyes. She yawned, and I rolled my eyes. I don’t know how she could be as cool as a cucumber even though she knew that her brother and Gabriel were out seeking blood. Yes, I knew about that even though he had been trying to hide it from me, but I could see the signs. His insomnia, him watching me all night, then hugging the shit out of me while I was sleeping. Then in the morning, he got out walking on his tiptoes, not wanting to wake me up. As if I have slept a wink that night. He wanted to leave quickly, so I wouldn’t ask about his plans. He didn’t know that I would pretend to be asleep and not disturb him. After he went down, I went to Lola, and she has been bitching around since. I wanted to slap her, but I refrained. I was frustrated and worried at the same time. Gabriel is doing what I have a
Chapter 30 “We found him. A tip said that he was in Queens. And he was close to Ariel’s house.” Leo shouted from outside my bathroom frantically, and I burst out to meet him. “Where is she now?” Leo handed me a towel and rummaged through my closet to get me something to wear. “She is at her house with Lola and the boys. Jason, Jacob, and Tyler. I tried to call them and no one answered me.” I cursed under my breath as I was putting the shirt on, then ran downstairs while wearing my pants in the process. The house was in an uproar. Everyone was shouting and screaming, it was hectic. Someone bumped into me while holding his bleeding abdomen. He looked up at me and shouted. “We are under attack, sir. They are everywhere in the mansion. Without warning, we were swarmed up.” Leo gave me a concerned look and ran to the front door. He called out to someone outside, and then he disappeared. I ran upstairs, ignoring my men’s shouts and cries. I needed to call Ariel and make sure that
Chapter 29 I held my drink in my hand tightly as I watched my men moving around me like a beehive. Leo has been giving me these worried glances as if he wanted to tell me that there is some time to change my mind. But I ignored my close friend and watched my men gather, then call the ones who were still out handling business. This needs to be done now. I can’t wait anymore. It is as important to me as it is to Ariel. This is my vow to her as her lover and protector. And I have been failing to keep that promise. I downed my whisky and cleared my throat as it burned while it slid through my throat. Leo stood up and sat beside me on the couch, but I ignored him. I already knew what he was going to do. “Please reconsider this. At least till Theo is back. I need to be sure that there is someone who has your back. I will be busy to do that, Gabriel.” I stood up and went to the small bar in the den and filled my glass to the brim again. This isn’t from nervousness or cowardice. I ju
Chapter 28 I yawned and then opened my eyes. The room was still dark but I knew that we were already morning. Last night has been emotional on so many levels. It didn’t just heal me and make me snap out of that trance; I think it made my bond with Gabriel stronger. I know no one would understand this and would think me sick, but him promising me that I will get the revenge I seek was like a balm to my aching heart. Would I regret that decision? Yeah, maybe one day but now I want this to happen. No, I need it to come true. At least my mom would rest in peace knowing that this asshole was dead, too. I closed my eyes again trying to go back to sleep but couldn’t, so I went to the bathroom to take a shower. Gabriel has left me one of his t-shirts, clean boxers, and a towel. My heart clenched at his thoughtful gesture. He knows that I like wearing his clothes. Gabriel had been so kind and patient with me. That moment when I put the knife against his throat I thought about doing it.
Chapter 27 I put my arm above my head and closed my eyes. I was exhausted and tired, but for the past few days, I didn’t sleep a wink. I couldn’t. After seeing Ariel fall apart right in front of my eyes, my heart broke and there was a big hole in my chest. With all the money and influence I have, I could do nothing. I can’t bring back the dead. I wish that she could wake up from this nightmare and tell me what to do. I miss her voice, her smile, and her warmth. I miss having her between my arms. I miss my little one, like air, and I’m terrified that I will never get her back. I gritted my teeth and suppressed a curse; the place was full and because today was a weekend everyone was here in the den. I knew I should have gone to my apartment and stayed away from all of this racket, but I didn’t want to be alone. I didn’t want to be in a place where Ariel wasn’t aware of me or this world. Michael has told me she was fine, and this is how she was processing the loss of her mother.
Chapter 26 I sat in the corner, my eyes seeing nothing. Sometimes I feel numb, other times I feel angry. But most of the time, I’m just paralyzed. I think I shed all of my tears by now. It doesn’t matter how hard I try, I can’t shed a single one. I hugged myself, trembling. The dark room wasn’t cold. Nevertheless, my body started to shake. I screamed when the pounding behind my eyelids intensified. “You left me, mom. You promised that you would be beside me when I graduate. You said you would help me choose my wedding dress. You said you would name my first baby.” I wailed. This is too much. Why did she have to leave? And like this! Someone knocked on the door, but as usual, I refused to acknowledge them. I have been here for almost two weeks now, or I think it has been more. I have lost count after the first ten days have passed. I stink, I’m hungry and I don’t feel well. But my mind chose to ignore all of that and had only one thought. “Why am I still alive? I should be the
Chapter 25 We stood in front of the morgue’s wide doors; Ariel’s smaller figure so close to mine, as if she wanted to disappear from all those prying eyes. Since we arrived at the hospital, every nurse and doctor who wasn’t busy with something came to console her and she was on autopilot. She nodded her head in acknowledgment; she hugged back and said a few thank you. I was way out of my element here, and couldn’t do anything to make this better. My brother said that she has to face her reality to move on or this would turn ugly. I knew that he was right, but it didn’t mean that I didn’t want to help her. Like right now, she stood beside me with one shaky hand stretched out to the door handle and not moving. “We can go back home and come tomorrow if you are not ready.” She raised her glazed eyes to me. “I…I want to do this now or I will never do it.” Michael gave me a look and opened the door for us. Her knees buckled, but I held her tighter and walked inside. My brother