Page 6

Iris couldn't move. The food she had ate seem to cause indigestion and her breathe was now coming out in a rasp. Maximo realized what happened, he knew perfectly well how konstantin play his game. But to iris, she only thought Konstantin blow up western Hall rent just to kill her and whoever that was with her since she disobey his order. She only thought everyone around her would never survive unless she succumb to the Russian Mafia Boss's request.

Maximo's cellphone rang out, interrupting the tensed atmosphere. The ID caller provided Marco, the underboss of the Santinos family. With a gentle nod towards Iris who was staring at him oddly, Maximo walk out of the room and headed towards the terrace of the building to answer the call from Marco.

Upon reaching the rooftop where too much breeze was blowing, Maximo answered his cellphone and waited for a while.

" Boss? Boss! " Marco was calling urgently. He had heard the news about western Hall rent and nothing more would have shock him more than Maximo's demise. Thankfully Maximo had called him earlier and explain how iris passed out and all. Indirectly the illness of Iris had saved Maximo Santino from a cruel death. Without being told, Maximo Santino knows konstantin Dmitri means business this time now that it has comes down to the woman he love.

" I'm here " Maximo responded gently. He was thinking, very deeply. He was sad somewhat and he was angry.

" Boss Konstantin knew you are in new York. "

" That crazy guys I knocked out must have return to tell him "

" What men are you talking about? The one you told me wanted to take Iris by force? "

Yes " Maximo replied while gritting his jaw. " I left them alone when I rush Iris to the hospital. I can't just think clearly when she passes out "

Marco didn't reply for some seconds Because he overheard Maximo breathing hard at the end. He keep quiet to honor the silence of his boss . Finally he said.

" Boss this is serious. Konstantin Dmitri really thought you are in western rent hall at the moment so he have that building blown up. That man is crazy. You have to return to Italy "

" Why should I return when I never get the job done? "

" Because ... " He was hesitant for some moment because he dread the anger of Maximo. " two members were missing. Aldo and Allesio are missing. Their wifes has been to Your villa already. "

" What? " Maximo asked dangerously. He couldn't believe what he just heard. " I can't believe this, just some hours without me and you can't even maintain peace in my organization? " He thunder loudly, ignoring the echoes of his voice. He was dangerously furious when he learnt about his missing members. Without a doubt, he knew it must be Konstantin Dmitri's doing. But how come he was so fast? The Russian Mafia Boss only learnt about his presence in new York a few hours ago.

" Pacify their wifes, tell them I will be with them later in the day. Now , send one of my private jet. I will be waiting at the airport in just an hour " Maximo ordered sternly.

" Yes Boss, I will do as you have said "

The Mafia Boss didn't reply for he was angry. He only disconnected and sighed dejectedly. Just only by his absence, his associates has been missing. Now he had to return back to Italy whether he likes it or not. It's in the rules in santinos family.

Never leave any member for dead when they can still be save. Never ignores the cry of any member's wife when they ask for help.

Maximo clenched his jaw tightly at the news. He had just merely escaped death and now he had to journey back to his country in search of his men.

Konstantin! Maximo swore inwardly as he makes his way back to the room of Iris Saint. His head and mind were already in turmoil. He doesn't know what else to think about at the moment. All he wanted right then was to smoke his cigarettes and take in a woman.

He rarely did the latter though. Maximo Santino was known as a man of principles when it comes to women. Being allergy to dirt never allows him to flirt around too much. Finally he pushed open the door to iris's room and walks in slowly but however, he stopped abruptly. Why? Because he saw Iris already dressed up, ready to leave. The look on her face told him she is already determine to leave him and her face showed that she had been crying. With a distant look, iris made to walk pass Maximo but she was out of luck. With a small grunt Maximo grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her backward in anger.

" And where are you off to ? " He demanded calmly.

" I just need to go. I'm not sure where. Anywhere aside from being with you "

" What? " He asked in awe and she stare up at him.

" I just want to go away from you. Anywhere you won't be "

He saw the horrified expression on her face. He knew she had been startled by the news. He knew she couldn't forgive herself for being the culprit of everything.

" Iris calm down " He was saying but the lady wasn't listening. She was only trying to wriggle free from his grip but maximo is just too powerful.

" Let me go max "

" But I can't! " He yelled out loudly. Gently he released her and walk towards the window where he took a deep breath to calm down himself. He doesn't want to lash out at Iris.

She is still recovering. He thought to himself.

Slowly he turn towards the lady who only stood transfixed on the spot.

" I can't leave you. Not now and not ever. Don't you see your life is in danger ? "

" That exactly is what I mean. If you continue to linger around me you are bound to get hurt "

" Iris " He breathe out but the lady wasn't answering. She continues anyway, frustratedly.

" I can't do this. All the residants in western Hall rent has been put to death and sorrow just because I live there. All the hopes of their families has been shattered just because I remain adamant. I can't do this anymore max. I won't forgive myself ever if you get killed because of me "

" I'm not gonna get kill " He gritted out .

" How sure are you ? " She retorted hotly. " You do not know who this man konstantin is. He would do anything and everything to get me. He is ready to blow up the whole world just to have me in his bed. Do you think an innocent man like you can survive his wrath? "

Maximo didn't reply for some minutes and that was because he was thinking. She just called me an innocent man. He thought to himself sadly. He felt as though to tell her everything about himself but he can't. The plan is to use her to get the package and then return to Italy.

" I won't get kill " He replied gently but the surity was written all over his face. He knew he wouldn't get killed so easily by Konstantin. " Going off by yourself means death. I won't allow that "

Now to iris Saint, Maximo was only making the situation much harder for her to bear. Her sad heart doesn't want to leave him for any moment but she can't afford to cause him death. All his care and love was all visible to her and to pay him back,she need him alive. Iris Saw Maximo stared at her with careful expression, never desiring to see her leave.

" I have to leave. I'm sorry Max. Thanks a lot for everything and ... "

" I won't let you go. This hospital is mine, no one would let you out without my consent " He cut in. That was his final words before he walk Slowly to the couch and sat down heavily to do some thinking. He needs to start preparing for his flight and what to do with Iris. He couldn't leave her alone, not now when he is into her already.

Iris walk back to the couch and sat still besides Maximo gently. The latter had already turn off the TV, not wanting to see tears welled up in iris's eyes if she sees the ruin Konstantin had make out of western Hall rent.

None of them speaks for sometime until finally Iris sighed dejectedly. She lean closer to the edge of the couch, away from Maximo and then she began.

" It was just a year ago when I met Konstantin Dmitri. It was on a cold , wet night, just a normal one when I saw him. I was working late as at that time, trying to fend for my ages parents and myself. Without a car and working two shift, I get to the bus station late. As I was awaiting the next bus was when konstantin stop just beside me in his expensive car. He offered to help me and I agreed to his innocent offer. If only I had known, I would have ignore him that night but I didn't. He is such a sweet man at first and the drive to my home was just as nice as nothing else. He is courteous and respectful, understanding and so much caring or so I thought. We became friends alright and things goes rosy but stayed within the friendship zone. He never make any lustful move towards me and I felt nothing for him whatsoever that might indicate I love him.. I thought I have found a true friend but I was wrong, I thought Konstantin would be my friend forever but I was only disappointed. I found out he is a Russian Mafia Boss one certain day after I declined his lustful advances. With cruelty like anything I could compare with, konstantin killed my parents. He seem crazy and totally out of control. He seem more obsessed with me than In love. I hate him so much but not as much as I am scared of him. After the demise of my parent, I learnt he had been obsessed with me from the start, that he only smile in disguise just to have me and when I refused his advances he takes the lives of my parent, the only one I had in this world as a punishment. I tried to move on after the incident but I can't. Every friend I have , got murdered mysteriously, everyone nearer to me always meet their death prematurely. " She sighed after a while and then nuzzled closer to Maximo who was listening very attentively " Max, you are a good man. Someone I would love to be with forever. I only know you just yesterday but my heart and body felt as though you are the one I have been waiting for. I know this isn't right, I know I have no right to feel so safe in your arms. I know I dare not confess that my heart was now beating happily because you are here with me. It will be absurd if I tell you I love you and it will be more absurd if I tell you I can't survive without your help. I would hate to disrupt your life just by barging into it so... Please max, let me go "

Maximo Santino didn't reply for a very long time. The Italian Mafia Boss was lost for the very first time in his life. He couldn't breathe for some seconds and he felt his heart about to Burst from iris's confession. From her sad story , down to the indirect way she had profess her undying love for him. This was the actual plan. For Iris to fall for him crazily.

Who would have thought the Mafia Boss would achieve his goal in just some hours? Who would have thought his heart too will be drumming loudly in his ears just after hearing her confession?

Now iris was staring at him, waiting for him to reply. It is either he let her go, hence declining her request or accepting her by holding unto her forever.

" Iris " Maximo began after what seem like eternity for iris who was awaiting his response already. Gently Maximo held unto her hands and began " You are a gem, you are like a rare gem who deserves more than I could ever offer you "

" Max " She breathe, tears already forming at the corner of her eyes and she was shooking her head. Not wanting to hear his words any more, his rejection.

" Listen " He urged as he gave her hand a little squeeze as though to tell her not to interrupt " I know what you mean by those words. I understand perfectly well how you said you felt about me but ... But I can't accept it. Don't gasp, just listen. I don't wanna hurt you. Don't judge me only by my kind gesture. I do have my black deeds too but I am honest. I won't take anything you plan to offer me for granted. You don't need to offer yourself to me before I could help you. I can't promise you anything except for one single favour. Once I promise anyone anything, I would fulfill it even if it cost me my life "

" So , what will you promise me then? " I promise to keep you safe, I promise you Iris, as long as you are with me. Never would I allow konstantin to hurt even just a strand of you hair "

It was a fine line. It was a powerful words humans call promise. Maximo Santino promised iris he would keep her save even if it cost him his last breathe that early afternoon inside one out of many hospitals he owned.

With tears of gratitude, tears of joy that overwhelmed Iris so much, causing every hair on her pores to stand at the end. Making goosebumps to covers her shivering body,the Young lady Lean over to Maximo who pulled her in his arms more tenderly as if she is a goddess he wanted to worship.