Stefano SicilianiRide For You "Hi Uncle Micah, Dad." I glance at Niyler then back at the two men who stood by the door. The one who shared the same eye colour as Niyler, glares at me.Ofcourse they are a bit of similarities between him and Niyler. If I wasn't screwed before, I'm definitely screwed now. I would have never thought that I would one day meet Ace Ambrose and that he would be the father of the girl I have developed feelings for. Lorenzo words that night confused me, when he told Niyler like mother like daughter, but now I understand. My dead beat father showed me pictures of Ace Ambrose. He was apart of the Mc Mafia Clan and Ace Ambrose was his idol. Ace killed his own father and took over the Mafia. He married Joeniya Allison who my father said was living in the warehouse where Ace killed his father. She thought that he would kill her too, but he ended up falling in love with her instead. Apparently he changed his last name and moved away to start a fami
Niyler Rostov As soon as I descended the stairs I was greeted by Mom who just returned from work. She was dressed in her tight pink scrubs, her brunette hair tied into a neat low bun and her work bag hanging on her shoulder. My mom is really beautiful and did not look her age, she wore forty-two so well that people mistake us for sisters. “Hi Mom, where’s Hazeem,” I say taking her work bag from her. Mom gives me a side hug and kisses my head like she usually does. “Hey sweetie, your brother wanted to spend the evening with your aunt. She’s stopping by the children’s home today to get the number of children there and all the things they require so we can get everything together to drop them off.”Every month my family finds a different home or charity to donate to. This month they plan to donate to Superstars, home of hope. That reminds me that I need to go shopping with Kendra and Liam soon so that we can get gifts for them. Hopefully, Liam cooled off by then, although I doubt he wo
Joeniya RostovRide For You I watch as my daughter took Stefano's hand and pull him from the kitchen. She had feelings for him and by the looks of it, he also cares for my daughter. It was beautiful and sad at the same time, my baby was growing up too fast.My intuition told me something happened between them, something she only shared with her cousins. It hurt that she did not want to talk to me about it. I always put her in a position to know that she can speak to me about anything. Even though I am glad she has Maddie and Harp to talk to, I wish she was comfortable enough to talk to me.I did not fail to notice the tattoo on Stefano's neck and the moment Ace mentioned his last name I put two and two together. It was a bit frustrating that my daughter found herself in a similar position as I did, but Niyler is smart and Stefano seemed as if he did not want anyone to know about that part of his life. I could tell by his reaction when Ace said his surname. I wonder if Niy
Ride For YouNiyler Rostov “What is going on, babes? Did someone die?” Madison asks on the other side of the screen."Not yet." Harper snorts.I can't help but roll my eyes at the dramatics of Harper and Madison. My cousins and I were on FaceTime, which was rare, considering the time difference between Madison and us. Family gatherings or holidays were the only occasions we saw each other.. Harper and I reached out to Madison to discuss what we found out. Initially, I hesitated and preferred face-to-face communication. Harper persuaded me to go for a three-way call. "I'm getting nervous. Can someone please tell me why we are all gathered here on this rare occasion? I mean, I love you babes, but a girl needs her beauty rest.""We—""Niyler's new boyfriend is probably part of a Mafia and we believe our family is also involved," Harper says in one breath, cutting me off before I had the chance to drop the news on our cousin slowly."Jesus, Harper, why did you h
Niyler RostovRide For You “Are you okay? You are usually not so silent. Should I be worried?I take a quick look at Hazeem, who is sitting in the backseat, gazing out the window.. He didn't say anything for fifteen minutes while we were just two minutes from St. John prep school..“Is mom angry with dad?” He spoke sounding sad.Mom and Dad have never been angry with each other before, so it's strange that she left early this morning. Why would she be upset with him? “Why would you think that Hazeem, is there something you are not telling me?” “I went by their room last night to ask Dad if we could spend the weekend together, and I heard Mom yelling at him.” That was strange. I didn't want to concern my brother, so I chose my words carefully as we approached the school. “Maybe you heard wrong, Hazeem. I am positive that Mom isn’t angry with Dad.”“I know what I heard, Niyler.” Hazeem says stressing my name."It was about you. Mom told him that he needed to tell you what was
Stefano SicilianiRide for you As soon as I reach the school entrance, I notice a black BMW waiting. Mr. Rostov was revealed in the back seat as the tilted window rolled down. His eyes, resembling his daughter's beautiful ones, stare at me as if he's pondering his decision.."Get inside." I have an aversion to being ordered around, but I obeyed him nonetheless. Mr. Rostov raised the window and signaled to the man who Niyler gave her car keys to yesterday the moment I closed the door. “What is this about? Is Niyler alright?” I ask when the silence was starting to suffocate me.The man smoothed out the invisible wrinkles on his expensive-looking blue and white suit before turning to face me.“It is your lunch break, isn’t it? We're going to a drive-through for a bite to eat and then have a conversation about your past and future if you want to be a part of my daughter's life. As for Niyler, she had to assist my niece with something important.” So Niyler was alright, that
Niyler RostovRide For You Thankfully the week was over. It had been a long and confusing one. I even had to take time from work just to get my head straight, luckily my uncle is my boss. I had to make up a lie for him not to think too much of it since he knew I loved my job. Today Harper and I are going to the airport, in an hour we will be picking up Madison. I wasn't sure if I was ready for what she had to tell me. After learning that someone was searching for Stefano to have him killed it worried me what other danger was lurking around the corner. It seemed like just yesterday I was a normal teenage girl who trusted her family with her life. Now I wondered how much of what they told us was lies."Why can't you girls just stay here for the weekend?" Dad who decided to stay home and see us off, asks."Because you are here Uncle Ace," Harper replies. Dad who didn't realize that Harper was serious chuckles and ruffles Harper's hair, causing her to narrow her eyes at him in a playful
Ace RostovRide For You "You were right sweetheart and I am working on it. I will try my best to help him."Joeniya closes the distance between us and leans on her toes to peck my lips. "Thank you, honey, God knows that poor boy doesn't deserve to suffer similar faith as we did. We tried our best to prevent that from happening to our kids so I believe we should make it our point of duty to do the same for Stefan."I sighed and took a seat on the bed pulling my wife into my lap. "I should have done something about it from the beginning." After listening to everything Stefan told me, I felt guilty. My brother and I didn't have someone to save us from our father, but that does not mean it should be the same for him. He's been having lunch with me for the last couple of days and I must admit that he is a good kid. He reminds me of myself when I was his age. He acts tough, but he puts up that demeanor to protect himself from getting hurt by others.Joeniya caresses my cheeks. "The most im
Harper RostovRide For You "I really hope this is the one. I am so exhausted and I have a test to study for." Ophelia says as we walk up the driveway of a four-bedroom house with our realtor Xandra leading the way. We have been viewing apartments and houses from eight-thirty this morning and it is now three forty-four pm. Who would have thought that it would take so much time and energy to find a decent place to live? It made it even more difficult because we all had different tastes and preferences."I agree. My feet are killing me." Olivia says."I can guarantee you, ladies, this one is my favourite and I am sure you will like it too," Xandra says. She removes the key from her purse and opens the door. We followed her in and looked around. So far, so good. I thought as I looked around the big empty space."Didn't she say the same thing for the last two?" Tamia whispers to me as we continue to follow behind her."She said that for the last three." I correct her and she rolls her eye
Harper RostovRide For You As soon as the door closes behind us Parker turns to face me. His hands were tucked into the pockets of a jean jacket he wore. "Can I get a hug?"I roll my eyes. "Do you think you deserve a hug? You ignored me for days Parker, then you just show up here pretending as if everything is okay."Parker cast his gaze downwards and scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "I'm sorry Harp, I was in a tough situation." His eyes met mine. "Shouldn't I get a hug for facing my fears and going on a plane just so I can be with you?" He did deserve a hug. I was just being stubborn. He could have still replied to my messages to let me know that he was not alright. "You are such a brave boy, come here," I say playful with open arms.Parker smiles sweetly and pulls me into his arms. I melt away in the comfort his body provides and the amazing scent that comes from his body. It was just so intoxicating. "I missed you, Harper." He whispers."I miss
Harper RostovRide For You*Present Time* The girls and I were in a serious conversation regarding a book Ophelia's mom left her. She had confided in us after we promised to always remain friends. I would never have thought that Manny was so cruel and that Ophelia had gone through half of what she did. No wonder they say that you should never judge a book by its cover."I think you should forgive your mom. She was in a tough situation." Olivia shares her opinion.Tamia shakes her head while throwing peanuts in her mouth. "It is not my decision to make, but I wouldn't. My daughter would have been more important than money. The best thing she could have done was take you with her and run for the hills.""Right!" Ophelia says pointing at Tamia as if that was the best thing she heard all night. "That is what I said to Kain. What do you think, Harp?"I slumped further down on the couch and thought about the situation. Her dad wanted to harm her mom, so she left. Leaving
Tamia LarsonBefore University I don't give a damn 'bout my reputationYou're living in the past, it's a new generationA girl can do what she wants to doAnd that's what I'm gonna do The song by Joan Jett was loud in my ears as I hopped around a few times. I didn't care that the music was loud, I would worry about being hard of hearing in the future. I punched the big brown colour bag a few times. This is what I do to relax and blow off steam. Gunner and I used to practice together, but he left a month ago to serve his country. I punch the bag harder a few times. Having a boyfriend who was in the army was tough. Not one day goes by that I don't worry about him. Boxing and beating on a punching bag helped me a lot, he taught me how to box. He said it would help to release the pent-up anger I had after my father left me, my mom, and my brother, for another family and he was right. "Mia! Tamia!" The distant voice got louder making me look in the direc
Olivia McDonald Going to University in another country was going to cost an arm and a leg. Luckily I have been saving for years, I did side hustles while going to high school so that I could pay for University. It was not legal to sell things on the school compound, but I did that just to get by. I sold snacks and sweets to my classmates so that they could have something to chew on during classes, even though we weren't allowed to eat in class. When the teacher started to suspect me, I had to find another way to make money so I started to sell pens and pencils. Then I upgraded to babysitting and washing cars. When I was in the tenth grade I started my small business called Liv's Collection, where I sell crochet swimwear that I made and also regular two-piece and one-piece sets that I brought from overseas vendors. That was a good business idea and I hope to expand in the years to come.Sometimes business was slow, but other times I received huge orders which was
Ophelia Keaten All of what took place led to this moment. My mother did not abandon me because she hated me, but she did it to protect me and secure what was rightfully hers. Manny Keaten threatened me with a marriage proposal and to take away all my possessions when the truth was that none of what he had belonged to him. My mother was the rightful owner of the oil company my father runs. She is the brain and the one who started it from scratch. Manny had been scheming against my mother to send her to a mental institution under pretenses, he wanted to steal all that she had and blackmailed her for crimes that he committed. When she found out she set her plans into place. As soon as I turn eighteen everything will go to me as long as I stay living with Manny. I'm not sure how to feel about my mother leaving me with a man who wanted to harm her, just so I can own billions the day I turn eighteen.The reason why Manny wanted me gone was that he could delay th
Ophelia KeatenBefore University I was unable to focus on the match. I kept replaying what Quin said to me and how she hugged me tightly as if she was not going to see me again. I was worried about her. She knew things that I did not and that scared me."Hello gorgeous, why do you look so worried?" I glance up at the tall and handsome guy in front of me. He held his jersey in one hand with sweat dribbling from his golden abs. My eyes met Kain's hazel ones before they moved down to his full pink lips that wore a smile. I snapped myself out of it and looked around me, People were leaving and the scoreboard had the scores 159 to 103. Miami Heat won and I missed out half of the game."Congratulations player. I would hug you, but you are all sweaty." I smile at him. He reached a hand forward and I took it, allowing him to pull me up."Thanks, baby, you know we bring the heat wherever we go." He grins showing his perfect white teeth.I roll my eyes and slap his torso. He t
Ophelia KeatenBefore University "Ophelia?" Someone says shaking me from my slumber. "Helia," The voice says again. I recognize that it was Quin. She is the twenty-four-year-old daughter of Leoni. The woman who took care of me. When my mother left she took over and treated me like I was her daughter. Quin and I grew up together. Even though we were not the closest she treated me like a little sister. Quin was strange, one moment we got along and the next she was distant as if she was hiding something and was scared I would find out. For my safety, I try not to get very close to her or Leonie. Sure they were there when I was a child, but as soon as I reached my teens I spent most of my time alone. The closer we were the harder it would be when they decided to leave me. "Leave me alone, Quin," I mumble and pull the blanket over my head. "Sweetheart it is noon and you haven't left your bed from morning. Your dad wants to talk to you, unfortunately, that
Ophelia KeatenBefore University If I had to sit through another photoshoot then I would go blind from the damn lights flashing from the camera and into my face. This was the worst part of being Manny Keaten's daughter. I only see him for a few hours every month and during those hours I was completely devastated. It was draining and nerve-wracking being around him. We might share the same last name and the same blood, but he felt like a stranger.We put on a great picture for the world to see. To them, my annoying stepmother, Camila, Manny, and I were the perfect family. My reality sucks, my life was far from perfect and there was only one person who made me happy. That is Ryan Johnson, my boyfriend. I met him two years ago at the grand opening of Vikings, a new club in Miami. We made things official six months ago and after leaving the shoot I will visit him at his penthouse. I had an early birthday surprise for him that just can not wait."Ms. Keaten th