“So you’re saying you won’t listen to your father? Is that it, Grace?” Grace rolled her eyes exhaustedly as she walked out of the club. The nagging never ends.“Mum, I never said I wouldn't listen. You just have to make him understand that this club is like the highest-paying center in this city. I need to save up some more before I move abroad.” She explained again for the tenth time to her mum who had made it a life goal to always nag her about working at the club.“Grace, we know they pay well. But we’re worried about your safety. I’ve heard so much bad news about that place and it’s not safe for a woman.” Her mum said again, not about to give up.“But I’ve worked there for three years. Nothing has happened to me.”“And isn’t three years enough time to save up enough to leave? You’ve been saving for three damn years! Do you plan to become America’s president when you get there?!” This time, she couldn’t help but yell out.Grace winced and distanced the phone from her ear for a brie
“Is something wrong?” The man asked, raising a perfectly carved eyebrow.Grace struggled to find her voice as she took in his appearance.If it weren’t for his gray eyes, she definitely would have thought he had a close tie with Alessia.“No, nothing’s wrong. Thank you for saving me.” She said and gave a slight bow.The man scanned her body, seeing the arm she held onto, he looked up at her and sighed, “Your arm, let’s go to the clinic. There’s one a few meters away from here.” He offered, all the while maintaining a calm expression.Grace looked down at her injured arm and then looked up at him. For some reason, she felt fear just staring at him right now. A part of her screamed at her to run as far as possible from that man, but she stood her ground. He couldn’t possibly save her only to harm her afterward, right?“Miss?” The man called for her deviated attention again and she returned her gaze to him.“Oh, this…. Ok.” She finally accepted.He smiled at her and gestured for her to w
The party was in full swing by the time Alessia and Dante arrived.There were dancers already on the mini stage in the room and some men happily drank their brains away while watching those women on stage in skimpy dresses.Selena sat at the corner, dressed in a black-fitting dress that hugged her slim figure. If anyone was told that she was the same underboss that worked her ass tirelessly for the clan, the one who always looked strict as if she was just about to have a fight with all the forces of Reggio, no one would believe it.It was because Selena always had this poker face on, and her outfit was nothing short of a black T-shirt, black blazer jacket, black pants, and black boots. Most times she would pair it up with black gloves.She was always looking like the assassin that she was.But today being her birthday, she decided to dress a bit girly, not to attract anyone's attention. However, she ended up attracting the attention of everyone in the room.The guards who sat in the c
Earlier,Marco, who lay on the bed motionless, suddenly opened his eyes, feeling the drowsiness wear off slowly. He turned to the side to see a maid cleaning up the table where the doctor had placed his things earlier. He groaned, his hand going to his head as he tried to fall back to sleep.But with the noises the maid kept making, it was far from possible for him to fall asleep again.“Quiet down, woman." He muttered, but enough for the maid to hear and shudder.She hurriedly stood still, not even breathing to avoid angering him.Marco managed to stay still, his pounding head returning to normal again.Thankfully, the party room was a bit far from his bedroom, so he couldn't hear the loud music coming from there.But again, he recalled something. Dante had this look in his eyes when he came over to the room to check on him earlier.That look was awfully familiar, a look that spoke volumes, one he had always never trusted. A mischievous one too.Marco opened his eyes again, slowly s
Alessia stood before the machine while holding tightly to the microphone.Marco sat with the others behind her, his gaze fixed intently on her petite figure. He couldn't deny the beauty of her just standing there and doing nothing.Alessia cursed Marco in her heart for making her go through with this. She really didn't want to do this, but Marco was being persistent, plus Selena requested ‘nicely’.The machine soon came alive and the music she had to sing to happened to be one of her favorite songs which Simone often sang to put her to bed. A smile unknowingly crossed her features when she remembered the tone and how she would mock Simone for having the worst voice on earth.The lyrics were imprinted in her mind so much that she wouldn't easily forget them. She didn't even need to look at the flat screen in other to sing along.Soon, the song began and she immediately shut her environment out. Maybe this wasn't a bad idea after all.The entire room went quiet as she began. Honestly, t
“Pregnant?” Marco’s lips trembled at the word just now.The doctor closed up his items and gave a firm nod. “Yes, she is pregnant and I’m not interested to know the father of the child.” The doctor said sarcastically and turned to leave.Selena and Dante watched Marco, expecting the usual panic and denial he always dishes out each time a woman came with a report of her pregnancy.A playboy like him would never settle with anyone. But they all saw how he treated Alessia better than any of his previous flings, and they were sure as hell that he might settle with her finally. But then again, there was still Miracle Gonzalo in the picture and Marco’s father would never want him to settle with a woman who isn’t a mafia princess.Marco’s emotions were all over the place as he watched Alessia. Before anyone could understand what was going on, Marco yelled out in excitement and leaned in his kiss Alessia’s lips while she remained unconscious.He had prayed to God, (though that was a lie. He
“The wedding preparations are fortunately in full swing.” The voice of Ignacio Gonzalo boomed over the phone as he spoke to Ezekiel De Luca.Ezekiel sat in his study room, a glass of liquor in hand as he drummed his index finger on the arm of his resting chair.“That’s great, Ignacio. I can’t wait to have Miracle in my house.” He said in return, a smile spreading across his face.“We should meet up at the Country Club for a few games,” Ignacio suggested, but Ezekiel was quick to turn him down.“Oh no, I have a few issues to deal with for a while and won’t be available for a game now,” Ezekiel said in return.Ignacio at the other end, frowned, but he still didn’t push it and just hummed in response. He knew of the issues ongoing in the De Luca clan, and he didn’t want to get involved in it for now. Maybe after his daughter gets married into their family, he will find a way to help them sort things out.Once Ezekiel ended the call, a knock came at the door and a guard walked in to info
Dante dragged in deep refreshing breaths, trying his best to hold his anxiety together.When Alessia had found out about her pregnancy, she had cried herself to sleep, after throwing tantrums to kill Marco with her bare hands. Marco had felt so pained and bittered when she said a lot of hurtful words to him. She had cursed him even, said so many words, and ended up locking herself in the room. Alessia had refused to eat or drink, shutting everyone out completely.The only person who could get to her was a close friend and that close friend was Grace Franco.Marco had even collapsed after the struggles with her. The moment he arrived in his study room, his body gave up on him and sent him tumbling to the floor in pain.Before he closed his eyes completely, he begged Dante to go over to Devil’s Den to fetch Gracino, only she could get through to Alessia.The last thing Marco wanted was to harm Alessia or let her get harmed. He would do everything to keep her and their child safe. Dan
The next day, Grace arrived at the airport, ready to board the plane to her dream country.Everything she ever dreamed of was coming true, although it looked like everything was falling apart at first, it eventually came together.Standing at the airport gates and clutching her ticket tightly, she couldn’t help but look back over her shoulder. Sicily had been her home, the place where she had laughed, cried and grown. Her heart swelled with a mix of nostalgia and excitement as memories washed over her: moments of laughter with Alessia, sneaking out on wild journies, quiet nights where she and Dante would talk and cuddle until dawn. She had always dreamed of seeing the world, but leaving this life wasn’t easy. Yet, knowing that her best friend was now happy, married, and building a family of her own made it feel right. She had her dreams to chase, after all.Taking a deep breath, she turned to face the gate, trying to push aside the ache in her heart. Just as she took a step forward,
Grace was so excited that she couldn’t stop rambling on and on as she picked out the perfect wedding dress for her dear Alessia. A proud smile crossed Alessia’s face as she watched her best friend getting so excited about her wedding. She was surprised when Grace told her that Dante had also proposed to her. But Grace being Grace had rejected the proposal. To her, she wanted to go to school first.“Do you have to go to school?” Alessia asked as she glared at Grace who wouldn’t stop grinning. “Ali, we’ve talked about this before. You know I’ve always wanted to go to school in the US. Besides, it’s just 4 years.” She said and pouted.“But I don’t want you to leave,” Alessia pouted also.Grace teared up, moving to hug her friend. “Sorry my baby,” she muttered. “But if you’re happy for me, you’ll wish me well instead of crying.” Grace poked, earning a jab from Alessia.The manager of the mall watched them with a smile, wondering how these two managed to push through life to this day. Wh
A month later, Salvatore walked into Devil's Den to find Marco who had invited him there. When he arrived, he met with Selena waiting for him by the corner. “Welcome, please come with me." She said, knowing he was Marco's guest. Salvatore watched her face for a while and nodded. He followed her as they both got into the elevator and went up to the second floor. Ever since Marco and Salvatore made up, they rekindled their previous friendship. They would often drink and go for meetings together, it made Dante feel betrayed, but of course, they never left him behind. When Selena and Salvatore arrived at the top floor where the supposed Marco was supposed to be waiting for him, he found the place empty.“Where is he?" He asked as he sat on one of the couches in the room.“I presume he is on his way," Selena said robotically. Salvatore smirked, baffled by how she took this mafia work even more seriously than the men.He wondered if she ever smiled in her life considering she was always
When Salvatore walked in fully, everyone including Alessia excused themselves to give the two some privacy.Now left alone in the hospital room, Marco smirked and said, “So it's you? You're that one stubborn mercenary." “That's a wonderful way to apologize, Marco," Salvatore said, moving to sit on the chair by the hospital bed.Marco's brow creased in confusion, “Apologize? For what?" He asked.“Please don't act like you don't know the reason we drifted apart." The smile on Tore’s face disappeared, replaced by a serious look.Seriously, Marco didn't understand what he was talking about. “I still don't get you. We drifted apart because your father hated my family." “Are you kidding me? We were friends even after the rift began. That wasn't the reason." Salvatore reminded him, this time he could feel his anger building up in him.Marco stayed silent, trying to recall what exactly had transpired between them in the past. The only thing he remembered was that Salvatore had a girlfriend…
It took Marco two days to finally wake up. When he did, he felt a bit strange. This time, the thing on his face had been removed and his right there was someone else face.Alessia sat beside him, or more like lay beside him on the bed, her dark circles visible and a sign that she hadn't slept well in a while.Marco smiled, then reached out a hand to pat her hair.What happened when he was asleep and how long it had been?When Alessia felt a hand on her hair, she immediately opened her eyes.Her eyes met his and a surprised look consumed her face. “Marco?" She asked carefully, trying to make sure she wasn't hallucinating again.“Mia Cara." He muttered to convince her that she wasn't seeing things.Alessia jerked up instantly and called his name again. “Marco?" “You aren't hallucinating, Baby." Marco chuckled.And before he could guess her next move, she threw herself at him and hugged him tightly.“Oh my goodness! You're awake! You're finally awake!"Alessia pulled away slightly, her
Alessia stared at Marcel and Salvatore, especially Dante. She was confused as to why their faces looked so worried. “Alessia…” Delilah’s voice called from the side. Alessia turned to see who the voice belonged to. Of course she knew that familiar voice.When she saw Delilah, her eyes widened in shock. "Delilah? You're here?” She asked, unknowingly walking over to Delilah. Delilah smiled through the tears coming out of her eyes and immediately hugged Alessia. "It's so good to see you again, Alessia.” She muttered, patting her back.Alessia pulled away from her and smiled thinly. “Why are you crying? Did you miss me that much?" She teased, wanting to make the old lady smile.Delilah chuckled, wiping her tears. “Yes." She said, though it was a lie. She missed Alessia, but she was more concerned about Alessia's reaction if she saw the current Marco.Alessia was confused by the worried faces of everyone. Wasn't getting Marco out a good thing? Why did they all look sad?“What happened?" S
Getting Marco out of that place wasn’t easy, but Salvatore’s men were hellbent. They called Dante and handed the items back to him.Dante was surprised, he had initially thought that Salvatore would never agree. To top it all, he hadn’t even seen Salvatore’s face before.He only wished to see Double S, not that he would tell anyone of him.He received the items, took them back to the base, and informed a few of the family members about it.He even had to forge that Marco had them all those while but chose to hide and see what Francesco and his children would do. When the twins heard of this, they sent people after Dante, they aimed to ruin the items and maybe kill Dante off.Dante, being the ever so smart one, ran off. It wasn’t easy for Lorenzo and Leonard’s men to get to him.He was faster and better than they would ever be.Salvatore’s men launched an attack on the twins, destroying and eventually killing both of them. It wasn’t easy, but they succeeded.Delilah helped Marco to hi
Marcel called Salvatore over, taking his time to plead with his son to forgive Marco for the sake of his sister.Salvatore as usual wasn't easily pleased and he immediately rejected his father's pleading.Marcel didn't give up. For the next one month, he tried his best to get some men to locate where Salvatore had hidden the items he stole from the De Lucas. If he could find it, he would return it to Dante and have him save Marco. But no matter how hard he searched, he couldn't find it.Alessia spent the entire day and night crying nonstop in her bedroom. She even fell sick at some point. She would also starve herself often. Salvatore saw all these, but he didn't budge.On this day, Alessia actually slit her wrist, aiming to kill herself.Salvatore went to a meeting with his father. He was about to tell his opinion on the current matter they had at hand, but to his greatest surprise, a sharp pain shot through his left wrist. Because it was unexpected, he winced instinctively.Marcel t
Alessia hurriedly asked the guards to let Dante and Grace into the mansion.She couldn’t believe they had come, although she was scared that her father and Salvatore might come out and get angry at the sight of Dante since he was a De Luca.“Alessia, what are you doing here?” Dante lowered his voice and asked. Of course, he knew this place, Marcel Stefano Marino’s house, one of the most deadly mafia lords of Sicily. It was a place where the De Lucas family was certainly unwelcome.Alessia swallowed, throwing a glance at the looming hallway before leaning closer. “I… I live here. I’m Stefano Marino’s daughter.” Her voice was steady, but the fear in her eyes was unmistakable.Dante, however, merely shook his head, cutting her off before she could explain further.“There’s no time for that.” His voice was clipped, laced with urgency. “Alessia, Marco’s father is dead. Do you understand what that means?”Alessia’s eyes dropped, and she nodded solemnly. “I know. I saw it in the news right