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
Seraphine's Pov "Isabella, I have been worried about you.” I said to Isabella, who suddenly showed up in my cupcake shop. She looked restless as she constantly tapped her fingers on the counter. “You back me out; you hardly pick calls, and you even packed out of your apartment. Isabella, what is going on?” “Hey Seraphine. I don't answer to you, so quit the fake concerns.” “Fake concerns!” I shook my head in shock at her words. She thinks I'm giving her fake concerns. This isn't Isabella, I know; what has come over her? “You went to deliver cupcakes; it never got to its owner, and you put me through the stress of baking another cupcake. Do you even know what that means? You’re chasing our customers away.” "Our,” she asked with a raised eyebrow. “I told you I quit Isabella. I made it clear.” “But why, Isabella, we promised to pull this out. Why will you back out now?” “This isn't your business. I'm here for something. I need your perfume.” “My perfume!” I sh
Carlos' Pov “Boss Seraphine has been kidnapped,” my pa reported. “I asked you to guard her; why didn't you do your job?” I slapped my hand on my office desk, frustrated. I didn't go over to the cupcake store because of an emergency. “I'm sorry, boss, but the guard on patrol was knocked out. There is nothing to panic about the girl; she is just a lowlife,” my assistant added. My face darkened at her calling Seraphine a lowlife. What up with me with this girl anyway? I'm already suffocated without seeing her face. “I will give you the grace because you're family. Nobody dares question my authority, or do you want to carry your head on your palm?” He shrunk away in fear. I'm ruthless, but you see, I'm loyal to my family. “Get who took her and report back to me.” "Yes, Boss,” he immediately disappeared and was left alone in my office, my fist unconsciously clenched with my feet constantly tapping on the floor. I knew who might have done this—none other than my cousins. H
Isabella's PovHe acts like he doesn't know what I'm talking about; telling him might make him suspect me; I can't let it out.But he stays with Seraphine all day in that stupid store. Why will he reduce himself to a Seraphine assistant? Is there something I'm missing out on? The last time I checked, Seraphine hates Mafia; she is so bitter about them. She doesn’t even want to associate with them because of what they did to her father, but why does she like Carlos? I could see it from her eyes that she is really into Carlos, or is there something I'm missing? From his tone, he seems not to like me much. I need to come closer to him, have a way around his heart, and make him like me. But Seraphine, the previous day I sneaked up at them playing at the store, I was consumed with rage and anger. My heart broke into pieces watching them throw each other flour. I wanted to stop them but I couldn't.But he won't let me; he doesn't even want us around. I can't sit with her and watch him have
Seraphine's Pov My eyes blurred. I placed a hand on my forehead, my head pounding in-between. The feel of my home was the same; I felt safe, my legs untied. I was lying on my couch before the doorbell rang. It's a cozy one room, which was separated nicely. I got space for my bedroom, which was demarcated from my small sitting room. My dining and kitchen are in the same place.“I'm coming,” I yelled, staggering to the door to see who was knocking. My body lumps.“Who are you?” I yelled, and my eyes fell on the black pants tracing from down up.I could recognize that voice; it sounds quite familiar.“I'm glad you're okay,” his voice came again. I held a hand on the doorpost to prevent me from falling."Carlos,” I called startled. What is he doing in my house? “You don't look too good.” “Yeah, my head is pounding so badly.” “Come on, let me see that.” He took my hands and led me into the room.I grumble at each step.“Let me carry,” he offered, but I protested.“No, I'm good.” But h
Isabella PovIs time to deal with Seraphine, I have tolerated her for a long time. I asked someone to follow Carlos that night and I found out that he went to see Seraphine that night.I'm consumed by hatred for her, I want to see her suffer.“Hey Seraphine. You have to pay me out” I snapped over the phone when I called Seraphine. I didn't care about the greeting or about how we used to be.“Just give me a little time” she said, but I wasn't having it. I just want to put her in so much pressure that it would be hard for her to come. Oh her parents too, I can use them to my own advantage, I smirked at myself holding up the pack I will use to bring her business down. I planned to take her to hell. Firstly, incur debts for her then use this to finish up my revenge.“I don't have time Seraphine” “I just got out from the devil's den, Isabella I was kidnapped. I haven't even gone to the store” “I don't care about Seraphine. I just need my payout. You can send it out asap” I didn't wai
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