I would be jealous too Support my book. xoxo
CLEO GARCIAEnzo turned around as soon as Isa said what she said."Baby, Marco explained it wrongly," Enzo said, explaining himself. He tried to sit down beside Isa but she was already getting up."I need to use the bathroom," Isa said and got up.She was visibly offended."Fuck you, Marco," Enzo found the time to say before he chased after Isa.r "babe, come on. Let me explain it,” Enzo called after her.Enzo's voice travelled up the stairs until we wren't hearing him again.I was a little offended and uncomfortable. I didn't like that I just witnessed their couples fight, or whatever that was.And Isa had just left like that. It was a bit too much for me. She wasn't over reacting. I would do worse if my man came home and his friend was making jokes about a wife that was given to him.His friend...Marco was still seated. His water bottle was on the side stool close to him."They left us to be alone," Marco said when i looked up."Yup." I counter to three, tapping my heels against t
ISABELLA GARCIA “Terry, I'm sure you can make an exception. Please can you just try more?” I rubbed my forehead in frustration. I already knew where this was going. Terry, Ethan’s father had become nothing but a monster to me. Last two years, I had a feeling he was cheating. He was already treating me like shit and blaming me for Ethan’s sickness then. I stalked him and found out about his mistress, Laura from his office meetings. She was a curvy red-haired and a meanie the first time I ever bumped into her at Terry’s workplace. Seeing them together broke me, so I filed for divorce. Since then, Terry has become nothing short of my worst nightmare. “Can we talk later? I have stuff to get to,” Terry replied sharply. Enzo got down beside me. He gave me the glass of wine and I threw it down my throat at once. My anger boiled but tiredness enveloped me. “When do I tell him you’re coming?” I asked Terry instead of picking the fight he wanted. “I don’t know
ENZO MORETTI Terry and Isa were fighting because of me.I could hear them going at it behind the car. Terry yelled the most. He lacked basic manners and I wanted to throw his face against a wall or something sturdy.“You brought my son with someone I don’t know? What was your plan? To humiliate me?” Terry went at it again.I tried to look from the rear-view mirror but the image wasn't sufficient.Isa said something. All I was able to pick up was Ethan’s name. Unlike him, she was trying to keep her voice low. We were at the parking lot of a movie theater.Isa walked back to the car.Ethan was in the back seat with me. He was almost falling asleep.Poor kid. We’d been out for almost an hour.First, it was a complete problem locating where Terry was. Every time we parked and called him, he would say he had moved to another place.The guy was apparently busy somehow.And now that we had made it, he was still wasting our time.Isa made it to the car. She opened the back door, dotting
ISABELLA GARCIA We arrived in a convoy of luxury, neat black cars. My nerves were a hot mess. I was this close to asking Enzo if I could return home. The closer we got, the more I wasn't sure if I wanted to be here. I was attending the funeral of the man who Enzo killed. What was more insulting than that? But I looked to my side to see Enzo with an impassive face. He was calm like he had everything under control. When he noticed I was looking at him, he flashed a smile my way. “Nervous?” Enzo asked as the car came to a halt. I nodded. “This is…a lot. Do we have to do this?” “Not really,” Enzo said in truth. “But this is the last chance to pay our respects. And you wanted to see his kid, make sure she's alive. She will be here.” I swallowed. It must be horrible for her to be here. I imagined Ethan having to attend my burial and my heart shattered. I shook the thought away and tried to gather myself. Someone opened Enzo’s door. Enzo got down and turned for
ENZO MORETTIThe ceremony came to a quiet end.Because Larry didn't leave any family who had the strength to wail at his grave, he was buried quietly.His daughter and niece watched and occasionally, they would clean their eyes.But they didn't scream and cry out like their heart had been cut off. To them, they’d lost someone they knew and not someone they needed to survive.When I told Isa that Lily was better off without her father, I wasn't lying. At least now that she was in the foster home, she could stay away from drug influences and the dirty life.I closed my eyes for a moment to say my last prayers.“Father forgive me for I have sinned.” A calm settled in me after reciting that.I squeezed Isa’s hand and kissed her cheek. It was the first show of affection all afternoon. People were asking questions with their eyes and this was me giving them answers.This was how I made claim of my woman.“Is it over?” Isa asked, looking up at me. I wanted to take off her hat and kiss he
CLEO GARCIAI received the email last night.I have struggled to not evaporate with joy, or let out a squeal in the office.I had to let it play out. I had to let my colleagues see my article get published in the New York Times before I burst.Only after then can I show my delight by jumping and shouting with glee.I had spent an extra thirty minutes getting ready today. My eyeliner had to be perfect, as well as my foundation and lipstick.When I walked into the office, I walked with my head high.It was around ten am that the publication got published. Five minutes later, there was a knock on my door.Debbie, a team member poked her head in.“Have you seen it?” Debbie asked, grinning.I played the oblivious game. “Seen what?” I asked.Her mouth hung open. Debbie walked into my office, giving me a look.“What?” I asked.Just say it already, Debbie. It’s getting harder to pretend.Debbie raised her tablet. “You got featured on this week's New York Times!” Debbie finally said.“Shut u
ISABELLA GARCIA“Congratulations!” Echoed in the room as soon as Cleo walked in.Cleo jerked, too startled. She rested her hand on her chest, trying to calm her raging heart.I was laughing, filled with joy and admiration for my sister.One week on the job and shs was getting featured already?That was huge!Cleo closed her eyes and bent forward, her hand resting on her knee.“Jesus,” she whispered, shocked“Congratulations,” Marco told her, placing his hand on her back.He helped her to stand up.Enzo was at the other side of the room, answering a call.He tucked his phone in his pocket and came to meet me at our table. “Congratulation, Cleo,” Enzo said.“Why would you guys do this?” Cleo asked. Her eyes shifted from one person to the next.I was still smiling. “Becasue we love you and are proud of you,” I said, stating the obvious.Her question had even tickled me. I had chuckled before answering her. “I didn't ask anybody to do this for me!” Cleo cried, offended. “A simple messa
ISABELLA GARCIAI fell asleep on the couch in the living room because I was waiting for Enzo to come home.I opened my eyes, a little confused at first.I had never slept in the living room so my brain took a little time to process where I was.As soon as I understood, I sprung up. I checked the windows and confirmed that it was dark outside. The wall clock told me that it was the early hours of the morning. Ten minutes past three am. Where the hell was Enzo?I went upstairs, taking the stairs two at a time. My heart raced and my mind wouldn't stop thinking of the worst.“Please be upstairs,” I whispered the prayer to myself. I did this as I climbed the stairs. Deep in my heart, I knew it was unlikely for Enzo to be upstairs. If he had come back earlier, he would have woken me up so we could move to the bedroom together.He would have never let me sleep on the couch. Just as I expected, he wasn't in the room. I went for my phone immediately and called.Taking breathing exercise
ENZO MORETTI It was going to be a busy day in the Moretti Mansion. Something that had not happened in a long while. I was so anxious about the day. Ethan was coming back home today, and Tatiana was coming for dinner along with Marco and Eloise, Marco’s closest cousin. It was going to be a feast, and right after that, it could be a disaster. I couldn’t let myself dwell on that when Tatiana’s convoy pulled into my mansion. Tatiana was Marco’s mum. She had also taken the role of being my mother after the incident. Tatiana was strong and fearless. She knew how to make an entrance and loved to be glowing from her skin to the jewelry on her body. But despite all this thirst for money and power, she wanted her sons to leave the drug business. It was how I knew she wasn't sure of what she wanted. One day, she would wake up and realize that getting us out was not the goal. Keeping us safe, untouchable. That was the goal. Today, we were using the second dining area, located
ISABELLA GARCIA Enzo kissed me like he couldn’t live without me, and I savored every bit of it. His face pressed against mine, his lips moving with a hunger that let him suck and bite, pull and hold. When he pushed his tongue in, my body melted, my eyes fluttering shut as his sweetness filled me up. Kissing him was an art. Loving him was an even greater one. But Enzo was weight to me. Sam had already said that Terry would like to talk about Enzo’s alleged involvement in some illegal dealings, as well as his approach of force against Terry. It was what Terry’s lawyer was using to build their case. They were telling the judge that I, Isabella Garcia, who has been there for my kid all these years after Terry broke our wedding bows and left me to fend for myself… They were saying I was no longer capable of doing my job because I was involved with Enzo Moretti, as though I wasn't allowed to have a life of my own. I had told Sam about that day at the parking lot. I also had to tell hi
ENZO MORETTI “You know Cruz is going to host one of his usual events soon, right?” Marco asked me as he signed off a few documents. “And we need to make an appearance,” he finished as his pen moved across the paper. “I’ve been thinking about that,” I said as I stood up from the couch. We were at one of Marco’s offices. Today was Isa’s first court hearing and I was obeying her wishes. She wanted me no where close to her. I was spending the whole day playing butler for Marco and getting him to drink a glass at least every hour. We both had good tolerance levels to work with. “Are you bringing Isa? I’m thinking of bringing Cleo,” Marco said and pasued to think about it. “She’s smart, efficient. She could be useful to the gang.” I didn’t like hearing Cleo’s name. She hadn’t earned my trust. Back at the house, she had pointed out the bloodstain on my wrist. The way she said it… I thought about it again as I grabbed a champagne bottle by its neck. It wasn’t just an observation
ISABELLA GARCIA The court case was today but I was at Ethan’s bedside that morning. I looked to Sam for some help while Ethan waited for an answer. Sam shifted his gaze to the floor in a bid to avoid me. He was simply telling me he was here as my lawyer and only my lawyer. This was why I needed Enzo or Cleo. Since Cleo was tied up at work and I didn't want Enzo anywhere close to this case, I pushed the thought away. I could do this on my own. Ethan had improved significantly since his hospital stay. According to Dr. Smith, his antibodies were finally doing their job again. His doctors allowed him to have visitors, but only under strict supervision and careful preparation. And it was only for a few hours each day. We were trying not to overwork his immune system. “You got a hairdo,” Ethan said, his small fingers running through my soft curls. “Yup. Mama got a hairdo,” I replied with a smile. I wiped a smudge off his cheek with a washcloth, gently cleaning up the remnants o
CLEO GARCIAThe letter from the court arrived while I was in the kitchen, packing a bag for Ethan and Isa.Earlier that afternoon, around two, Isa and I had lunch together. She’d mentioned that Ethan had been stronger than usual that morning. They had spent some time together, and now, while he rested, she was taking a short break before heading back to the hospital for the night.I was still packing when a quiet knock sounded at the door. One of the house staff stepped in cautiously. It was a thin, tall woman dressed in animal print and black pants.Isa held the paper in her hands, her eyes scanning it in complete silence. A full minute passed before she finally spoke.“When did this come in?” Isa asked, her voice steady but tense. That was when I walked out of the kitchen. “Yesterday morning. A lawyer is coming to the house. He was sent by Enzo. He says you only have to answer some questions,” the lady said. She reached for Isa’s hands for a moment of comfort. The lady’s eyes s
MARCO MARTIN“Catch!” I called out, throwing the keys without warning.Enzo was caught off guard and spun around, but I had already tossed them farther than he expected.He twisted back, trying to recover, but misjudged the distance. His foot slipped slightly. It was just enough to make his attempt look awkward.Predictable.I jogged past him, quick and smooth, snatching the keys off the floor just before his fingers could reach them.Enzo was still crouched down, breathing heavily. He looked up at me, his expression showing visible annoyance.I leaned against the wall to watch him and draw up my conclusions.I already had them in mind. This was just a small exercise to assure me.With a sharp exhale, Enzo straightened his shirt and stood in one fluid motion. “How’s the kid?” I asked Enzo as I eyed him. Enzo walked up to me. “Still breathing,” he said trying to sound like he didn't mind. “Maybe getting better, maybe not. It’s still hard to tell.” Enzo and I walked side by side. We
ISABELLA GARCIAEnzo expected me to have an appetite. My son was stuck in a bubble and he expected me to be hungry.He brought a donut earlier and I turned it down because I couldn’t eat. It was nice to have him around but he hovered over me until I couldn’t stand it anymore. I wanted to be alone. I folded my arms around myself. My legs were on the couch as I curled in a fetal position. Enzo had asked one of the nurses to arrange for a couch. He did that right after he threw Terry out of the place. Enzo didn't have to throw Terry out. It was better not to put Terry in an angry mood, and that's what Enzo had done since he’d been here. Since he had come into my life.“I’m going to grab dinner. Do you want something?” Enzo asked seated beside me.“I’m not hungry,” I said without pause.I appreciated him and all he had done except the part where he threw Terry out. It was like he was making himself the controller of my life. He was letting his jealousy mess me up.“You have to eat,”
ENZO MORETTI “The police saw a gram of snow on her. They took her in for questioning,” Marco said over the call. I threw my closet open to find new clothes. “The fuck!” I exclaimed. I wanted something to distract me, but not something like this. I didn’t want to think of the fight with Isa. She was right. Ethan was not my business. What she wished to do with her life was not my business. “Do you know where?” I asked Marco. I quickly put him on my speaker. Then I tried to rush with dressing up. “Yup. Turner is already there,” Marco gave me more info. My hand froze over my button. “The slime,” I hissed. Mark Turner was nothing but a waste. He was well-feared in the province. He also came with a lot of problems so people avoided him. But the one that stood out more was how useful he made himself to us. He was an unofficial informant. Turner would sell his family for drugs. The only thing he loved more than drugs were women and he was good at subduing them. My ja
ENZO MORETTII pushed the front door open. I flung my necktie on the couch and marched up the stairs. The house smelled of lavender. The cleaners had just done their work.Isa stopped answering my calls this morning. I waited till it was bright enough to go home.I received news that Ethan’s doctor visited the house when I was about to leave Marco’s.“Isa?” I called out for her. I took the stairs two at a time.I got to our room first. When I saw that she wasn't there, Ethan’s room was next. Isa was folding Ethan’s laundry when I saw her.She looked up at the sound of the door. “Is Ethan okay?” I asked as I crossed the room to meet her.Isa looked up for a moment. There was a tiredness in her eyes. Last night, when we spoke, she mentioned falling asleep on the couch because she was waiting for me.I accepted I wasn't going to get anything from her.Isa wasn't going to answer me, and I had to know what was going on with Ethan before I buried myself in more guilt.“Ethan?” I called