Serafina's Pov“I can't believe, Sera, that you didn't even get dressed. How about the clothes I bought you? You know those were beautiful,” my best friend Isabella Moretti said bitterly; she had invited me to a masked party. A Halloween party, I had come from work and didn't have the chance to change into something.Yeah, I wasn't prepared like every other person with pretty clothes and fancy masks on their faces. There was loud music while some spoke at the corner; some made out while the rest drenched themselves on alcohol, swindling their bodies to the beating of the song that played. I kept wondering why I was here; I felt out of place. This wasn't the kind of place I wanted, but with Isabella whines.I happened to be summoned to her pressure. She was my best friend, but we were two best friends from different worlds. She lived her life to the fullest with zero worries, like it was going to end that day.Silly, she enjoyed the life of the party while I worked my ass out at the ba
Carlos Gotti's Pov“Search everywhere for him.” I heard a voice coming from behind the door; the girl who helped me out had run back to get some bandages.Staying here was becoming more dangerous; I had no men by my side and came unarmed to get some groceries when Gambino men surrounded me. Someone must have given off my location. After I didn't sign a business deal with the Gambino, they have been on my neck to desperately kill me and have their way. My guards were left downstairs, where I walked into the grocery shop, shopping like every normal person. Nonna was coming to visit me, so I had to get the things she wanted myself.Yeah, it was a stupid mistake. I had read the contract, and it wasn't as pleasing as I had thought; all proposals were in their favor, and I wasn't going to sign that.Disrespected at the gut of them tracing me in, I received an axe wound on my chest and managed to escape through the backdoor. As I kept running, my chest throbbing within me, I heard distant mu
Isabella Moretti's Pov"Yeah,” I raised my hand in victory as I got the jackpot of the video game I was playing. The tingling sounds reverberated on the walls of the room. I could see Sera occasionally stealing glances at me like she had something to say, but she shook her head off and continued whatever she was doing. I still wondered why there weren't any customers at that time of the day. If not for the deliveries made, I would have concluded that starting this business was just a waste of money.Yeah, she was my best friend, and we both started this cupcake business together.“Hey, what are you doing?” She etched a brow, coming closer to where I sat at the corner of the coffee restaurant. Our team was desert; she made the best cupcakes in the world while I assisted the little way I could.“I heard this game takes tons of money from people,” she blurted, dropping her hand on the chair where I sat as she paired her eyes at my phone.“You heard wrong, it is actually the best; the che
Seraphine's Pov“Are you okay? Isabella," I asked her over the phone after the call finally went through. The delivery never got to its owner, and I had received tons of calls. For that reason, I began to worry. After calling her with no answer, I became agitated. Maybe something happened to her; I shouldn't have sent her for the delivery; probs she lost her way.I was worried, continuously calling to know whether it would go through.“Yeah, I'm fine,” she said. I breathed a sigh of relief, knowing she was fine. If she was fine, then what happened to the cupcakes?“The cupcakes didn't get delivered, why?” I could feel her roll her eyes at the end of the phone.“Sera, I quit.” “What do you mean?” I managed to ask; it was the bad time for her to do so; the business wasn't going as smoothly as before, and I needed every support I could get from her, no matter how little.“I quit Sera; I'm done with those shenanigans.”“You own part of this business, so what'm I supposed to do?” My heart
Carlos Pov Those perfumes—why does it smell so much like Isabella? I thought sitting opposite the girl I just saved. I had finished up the cupcakes given to me by Isabella. I thought of checking out the store; it reminded me of my Nonna. She didn't fail to bake one for me when I was younger. I wanted to know the location of the stores so I could easily order one. Getting into the shop, I met a beautiful woman. I made my order before some mafia gang came. I was wearing sunglasses, so no one could easily recognize me. I knew that those boys must have been sent by Frank. I helped her send them away. Hearing her talk about Mafians in such a manner, she must have had personal experience with them. I don't know, but it feels like I have met Seraphine somewhere. She seems so familiar with those pairs of eyes. I am able to hide my identity, but I don't know how long I was going, but the way she is acting so nervous. Oh my! Has she fallen for me just this instant? I wanted to confirm my
Seraphine Pov I kept on staring at the necklace, caressing through it over and over again as I stared out through the window of my apartment. He is handsome and charming. I never thought I was going to see him again to ask him those questions of who were the people chasing after him. Why was he running from them? He doesn't even recognize me, which makes the questions useless. I couldn't get his face off my mind; can't he recognize me again? The girl who saved him at the Halloween party. It pained my heart that He couldn't recognize me any more, but I am grateful he is right on time to save me from those uncultured mafia. I wonder what could have happened to me if he didn't come. I'm already about to close down the business. Just then Isabella crossed my mind—what might have happened if she decided to back out at me? Is it because business isn't going fine anymore? Could it be that? But now I have an investor just like God sent. I'm going to give her a reason to come back. I can
Carlos' Pov I felt a sense of purpose watching her laugh heartily. Her laugh amazes me. I don't know why I am doing this, but it feels so right; it feels like I'm supposed to be here. It's been ages since I played and laughed with someone. My life is programmed to kill, to work till my knuckles, to be impatient, ruthless, mean, name it—I qualify all as a mafian don, but here I was laughing like a child. Something I was deprived of while growing up was all about being serious and being trained like someone is chasing after you. I was all my family got, but I wasn't given any breathing space. I was taught how to fight at the age of 15, and that was my life, but being with this girl feels so good, like a lost piece of me has been found by a treasure hunter. “This is so hilarious; I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard this way,” she said, playing with her fingers. She is nervous, and her eyes look down on the pool of mess we just made. She is avoiding eye contact with me.
Isabella's Pov Incredible! My plans worked as I planned, but then when I was on my way to my date, I forgot something. I have come back to pick it up when I saw the image of Carlos and Seraphine at her doorpost. I was consumed with rage and anger. They were so close that their lips almost touched like they were about to kiss. Seraphine lived almost in the same street with me, but I have to walk past her street to get to my apartment. I hide myself between a wall and watch them. My fist clenched and my lips pressed into a hard line. What is Seraphine doing with him? Has she figured it out yet? I don't think so; she doesn't even have any clue. But how did they both meet again? Oh no! The cupcakes. I shouldn't have given it to him, but what was I supposed to do? I acted out of happiness, unknown the consequences with cost my charade. I waited for him to kiss her, but he didn't; rather, he brought out a necklace. What! That is supposed to be my necklace. I know Seraphine scheme
ISABELLA It was a good thing—watching from afar. Even though I wasn't sure what the news was, I knew there was no way the two would be together at the end of the day. Especially when I knew my once best friend hated lies more than her enemies. Or was she going to let this one be? No, she had better not. I snapped out of my thoughts when my phone rang. My gaze went to the phone and I nodded, smiling at the callers whose name appeared on the screen of my phone. Without any hesitation, I picked up the call. “Hello, Frank Gotti—” The man from the other end chuckled. “Good morning, Miss Isabella. You've done a great job and you don't know.” His words made the smile on my face widen and I nodded, happy that his suggestion worked after all. That was what we needed. “I'm happy to hear that, Frank. But how did you know? Did your cousin reach out to you so that you're told?” He laughed again, and now it annoyed me. Could this man go straight to the point? Could he answer my questions
SERAPHINA Life was difficult, more like different without him. I loved him enough and considered him my husband even though I didn't know his thoughts towards me. Arriving at the shop today, I had many thoughts running around in my head and one was how he was faring. Wasn't it better to pick up my phone and reach out to him, or maybe pick up his call when next he called? No. I wasn't going to do that. Not now or ever. The man had offended me and must live with it. How could he lie to me? What did he take me for? Obviously, a fool and only a fool was what I was to not try to check or confirm. But how would I know it was a lie? Sitting at my desk, I heaved a sigh and dropped my bag. Today was going to be another long day. I could not wait for it to come to an end so that I could be gone from the sight of neighbors who did nothing but ask if all was well with me since last week after the breakup. “Good morning, Miss Seraphina.” “Good morning—” I looked up. “Welcome to the s
CARLOSShock was on my countenance. What just happened? Before I could say a word, Seraphina turned and walked away from the table, her perfume filling my nostrils. So many thoughts ran around in my head as I thought about what to do and even how to do it. My gaze scanned the hall and I caught sight of people whose gazes were fixed on me and then I managed to stand on my feet. What was I doing here without Seraphina? I could not blame her either. One thing that bothered me was how she got to know about the real person that I am. I also wondered about who sold me out. While I led my way from the table, I turned around when I recalled my phone and pack remained on that same table. As soon as it was grabbed, I led my way towards the door of the hall, catching up with the lot and then my car. “Boss—” shock appeared on the countenance of Vito who did not and would not expect me to be back at this time. The man looked around before meeting my gaze with aid from a mirror in the car sp
CARLOSThe most awaited day came into existence. One thing I looked forward to was the evening. The same evening when I and the woman I loved more than another would meet after not seeing each other in a while. A knock on my door cut short my thoughts. “Jenny. What is it?” “Mr. Carlos. Good morning. I brought you ginger tea.” “Come on in then.” The door opened and Jenny walked in. Smiling, she caught up with the table next to the bed and dropped the mug of tea. “Is there something you'll be needing? I can get it for you before I go on leave.” Leave? Did she say leave? Oh. How could I forget? Twice a month, Jenny took leaves. Today was one of those days and I would be left with Nonna who would not hesitate to order me around—totally forgetting I was the head of the house. I shook my head. “Not at all, Jenny. There's nothing you should help me with unless you get back to the house as soon as you can. Seraphina and I have a date and you should be home early so that you can
SERAPHINA Another weekend came and passed. According to my calendar, it was three weeks into my relationship with Carlos and there was nothing I did not love about the man. He was everything to me, strangely as it sounded. I wanted him for a husband even though we were yet to get to that point and a part of me did not mind waiting. This Monday morning, I packed my hair in a bun as I moped at my new look in the mirror, all ready for the day. Even the week. Carlos and I had a date by the weekend. There was no way I would miss a moment with him for something else. Just at the right time, my phone beeped and I turned around to reach for it with a smile that came on my countenance as soon as the caller was sighted. “Hello, baby.” The thick voice of a man I loved sounded from the other end, making me wish he was right in front of me, and this way, we could share a kiss. “Are you there?” “Good morning, Carlos—” I said and realized this wasn't in any way the right way to say hello to
SERAPHINA “Wh—what are you doing?” I looked around to be certain it wasn't a prank. “Are you—” I looked around again. “Are you kidding me?” He shook his head. “No, Seraphina. I am not kidding you.” What then was happening? I did not stop looking around just so I could be certain I was not being pranked even though I wished for this to be real—especially because of the feelings I have for Carlos. How didn't I know he was in love with me as well? A smile came on my countenance as I got ready to confess. “There's something you should also know, Carlos. I have loved you from the moment in that party. You didn't have to know because you didn't ask for it and now, you've given me a reason to want this with you. I love you, too.” The happy man looked around. Instead of sitting opposite me so that he could see me clearly, he walked to my side and was seated next to me the very next moment. “Did you mean that?” “I mean everything, Carlos.” There was no need to feign ignorance. Not
CARLOSIt was the day when Seraphina would make it to the mansion so that we could spend some time together. Little did she know about my plans for her. Waking up this morning, there were more than a lot running around in my head and one was what would happen between Seraphina and Jenny who had wronged her weeks ago. I didn't know what to do about that. I got off the bed and caught up with the closet, snatched a towel from the closet before reaching the bathroom. It didn't take long for me to be done and when that happened, I caught up with the room again. Jenny needed to be talked to. One part of me knew I should have fired her because she caused more than a lot to myself and Seraphina who blamed me, instead of her. Why would she do that? A sigh ran out of my mouth and I fell on the bed to think before drawing a conclusion that should be of help. Then, I got back on my feet and reached the door of my room. In a short while, I was downstairs, inhaling the aroma of many dishes I c
ISABELLA So what? So fucking what? Does Seraphina get to live the life I've always wanted? Wasn't that the meaning of all these? I moped at the screen of my phone with anger evident in my countenance. One of the many things that still bothered me was the fact that the man I thought I bagged for myself, has foolishly given himself to another woman. How did I know this?It was all over the internet. Maybe Seraphina and Carlos were yet to have a relationship but there were signs that they could go down that path very soon. Or wasn't it obvious? Especially when I moped at the screen of the phone that stayed all day in my hand. “What do I do?” What should I do? There were no ideas at all. Another angry sigh ran out of my mouth this morning when I opened my eyes on the bed. One thing that annoyed me more than this was the fact that not a single dime existed in my account and there was nothing I could do. What could I possibly do? I picked up the phone I dumped a while ago so tha
CARLOS How could she be annoyed that I tried to rectify the situation? What would she have me do if not that? I had something to say but the call ended. Seraphina ended the call! Something I would never guess she could do. How was that even possible? I moped at the screen of my phone for a while, thinking about what to do and what was right to do—even how to go about it. “How dare she?” The woman didn't have the slightest idea about who I was and I could not blame her. I would not. Standing up on my feet, I knew I needed to see her. But I could not ask her to come over to the house or could I? She would not—not in the mood that she was in. Making up my mind at that instant, I promised myself to be there as soon as the next week would come. We could not carry on like this. I wasn't going to let that happen. A hand knocked on the door of my office. Looking up, I asked. “Nonna, is that you?” “No—” Jenny's voice sounded from that end. “It's me, Jenny. I—I'm here to—” “That's