Alexa POV.
This last week has been painful. After I read that note from Morris, I ran to his room to find him, but I noticed some of his things were missing. I remember running down to the kitchen to look for Mrs. Roseline, and asking her if she saw Morris leave, but she only stared at me confused.
I showed her the note he left me and after she read it, we both started crying and hugged each other. She tried giving me food that day but I just couldn’t eat. It was not easy to wrap my head around what was happening, how I thought Morris was already warming up to me but he ended up abandoning me just like mum. I remember Mrs. Roseline calling my dad and telling him about what was happening, but he just shunned her and told her he was busy and would be back sometime this week. He hasn’t been back since the day I heard him on the phone in his home office.
I had to go to school last week, hoping to wake up from this nightmare but anytime I come back home I always come back to an empty house. Mrs. Roseline is the only person I speak to after the driver drops me off. Even in school I have no friends, I am just an outsider, the weird kid who is always alone. At least when Morris was still around he was my only friend and I was okay with that, but now I am left all alone and I have become an outcast.
When I came back from school today, I saw dad's favourite red car parked outside. I felt a little relieved because I thought he might be back with Morris. On getting inside I hear him on the phone, when he sees me, he speaks to the person and reschedules his call to thirty minutes.
“Dad, did you come back with Morris?” I say with a mean voice.
“Hmm, won’t you give your father a hug?” He asks, looking down at me.
I gave in and ran towards him, wrapping my hands around him, he squeezed me and gave me the comfort I needed. The hug didn’t even last ten seconds before his phone started ringing again. He dropped me down to answer the call and headed straight to his home office without looking back at me.
Mrs. Roseline saw the look in my eyes and quickly took me upstairs to take a shower. After I was done she brought me a tray filled with cookies and orange juice. I ate a lot because I was famished from school.
When I was done eating I had to go downstairs to the study room, to go over today’s class even though I was not feeling good. I spent some hours there making sure to follow my timetable.
The door opened and my father walked in wearing a black suit, obviously on his way back to work.
“Are you going back again?”
“Yes my love I have an emergency meeting, I will be back soon, make sure to be a good girl and always study.”
“What about Morris, where has he gone to?”
“Morris is already an adult and can take care of himself wherever he is, I started taking care of myself at a young age too, I am sure he is going to survive, take care of yourself okay and forget about him.” He says and stands up to leave. I look at his back and I just break down and begin to cry.
“I a-am all a-alone,” I say in between tears.
EIGHT YEARS LATER.
I am standing on the podium giving a speech as the valedictorian of this year. I look in the audience in search of him hoping, no pleading to find him there, but I don’t know why I bother, why I always give him the benefit of the doubt. I sent him over a hundred messages reminding him to be here today but as usual he has something better to do instead of being at his daughters graduation ceremony.
I finish my speech and I receive a standing ovation, Mrs. Roseline comes forward and takes a picture of me with my camera all while she screams at the highest.
“I am proud of you my love,” she says as we both make our way to our seats.
“I wish mum and Morris were here today to celebrate with us.”
“They are sweethearts, right here,” she says pointing to my heart.
I finally have the chance to leave this hell behind. I chose a school on the other side of the world and can’t wait to leave. Obviously dad has no idea, he signed all the documents I sent to his secretary, but I am sure he never went through any of them. I am going to be eighteen next month and by law I would be able to make my own decisions.
Everything was going according to my plan or so I thought. I remember the day dad came home, it was five days after my graduation ceremony. It was the first time I had seen him in five months. He came straight to my bedroom and asked me why I didn’t select the university that was an hour drive from home. I told him I called but couldn’t reach him. I remember how a call changed my life.
He called the Dean of the University and put in a special request and in less than two hours I was admitted without the need for any examination. He even had me reject my offer to the university of my choice. It was at that moment I realised how powerful my father was and how my life was going to be ruined forever.
My predicament didn’t even end there, he made it compulsory for me to go from home every day, he said the dorms were not conducive enough and that I would concentrate more at home. He even went as far as changing my major from arts to business. I have always loved drawing and reading books. I remember when I was still a baby, Mom would always read me a bedtime story. The last gift Mom gave me for my birthday was a novel and a set of brushes with acrylic paint and other painting supplies.
I have never hated someone like I hate my father right now. I no longer blame Morris for his hatred towards him, now I understand why Morris was always angry. I don’t blame him for leaving, I understand the choice he had to make and I forgive him. My father always claimed that everything he did was for his family, but what happens when you end up losing them one after the other.
I narrated everything to Mrs. Roseline and she just stared at me with pity. Her face is no longer how it used to be, she now has a few wrinkles, but she is still beautiful as always. She had decided to quit her job after I started college to spend more time with her family. She sacrificed a lot for me and taught me everything a woman should know, she was there at every painting class, every ballet class, every swimming lesson and every music class. I wouldn’t want her to sacrifice more for me, I would have to let her go but it means I would be all alone in this empty house, in this empty world.
IT HAS been over three months since I started college. I never knew it was going to be this hectic.
From having to wake up as early as six in the morning, just so I can prepare for school, to sitting in the car for an hour plus in traffic just to meet up with my eight am class that I absolutely have no interest in. It has been straining and emotionally stressful.
Mrs. Roseline left two weeks after my eighth birthday. She calls to check up on me from time to time but I miss her so dearly.
Projects are a pain in the ass because Business is not my strong suit. I have had to learn things from scratch. I haven't even been able to make any friends because I leave immediately after lectures.
Even during my free periods, I am stuck in the library trying to make sure I don't fall behind. Life hasn't been so smooth lately. The only thing keeping me together is the hopes of finding my brother.
I have decided to use the money I have saved up to hire an investigator to try to find Morris. I promise to find him no matter what.
Alexa POV.I remember the day I made my first friend. I was looking up the closest investigator nearby when I noticed someone walk up to my table in the library and take a seat opposite me.“Hi,” she said, looking me in the eyes. “Hello,” I replied dumbfounded. No one has ever spoken to me before except probably when they need me to excuse them or hand something over to them. I examine her. She has brown eyes, her nose is so perfect and her cheekbones, ohh they look so well curved. Her blonde hair is laying perfectly on her shoulder and she is putting on a black dress with a very bright shade of red lipstick.“I am Thelma.”“I a-am Alexa,” I responded breathlessly. My brain cells are screaming. I decided to calm down and not get ahead of myself.“Wanna hang out, there’s a frat party tonight?”“Hmmm, y-yess, n-noo, I have to get home today after school,” I reply painfully. The thought of my father finding out that I didn’t return home is scary. The new driver apparently has to report
Leonardo POV.You don’t get to where I am without knowing exactly what you want and taking it by any means necessary. I took over the family business after my father passed away five years ago. Although it's all rosy now, I still have to look over my shoulders. I was studying abroad when I heard about my father's death in an explosion. His best friend, Don Caro of the Rossi Cartel was also killed which led to the death of both cartel’s Don.After my return, the other Dons tried to take over my father’s position as the Capo Dei Capi, The godfather, the boss of all bosses. That time was messy because there was blood on the streets. I hunted down every Don that could have a hand in my father's death or any Don who wanted to take his place and ended them. I stop the treadmill, breathless, and head down to the shower ready to start another day.By the time I was done, there was a mouthwatering aroma coming from the kitchen. I headed straight down and followed my nose to the kitchen. I al
Alexa POV.It has been some days since I was drugged and kidnapped by someone who I called a friend. I remember waking up on the first day, disoriented and scared. I was bound by a rope on both my hands and legs to a pole. I try to remember what’s happened, the water, the water was poisoned. “Help, someone please help me!” I screamed.“Ohh would you shut up,” a voice said walking towards me.I tried adjusting my eyes in the dark so I could see clearly. It was Thelma, she looked different, more fierce.“Thelma, what’s wrong, where are we and why am I tied, what happened,”“Ohh Alexa, Alexa, you poor girl, I never thought you would be so stupid.”“I don’t understand what's going on, please Thelma, untie me so I can go home.”“My little princess, there is no going back,” she says with a smirk.“But you are my friend, why are you doing this?” I ask, beginning to realise I am in danger and the Thelma I know is gone.“Friend, friends?” she screams and throws her head back laughing.“My lov
Leonardo POV.As I stare out the window, the familiar boredom seeps unwelcome into my consciousness. My mood is as flat as the weather. My days are blending together with no difference, and I need some kind of deviation. I've worked all day and now in the confines of my office, I'm restless.I frown, the annoying truth is that the only thing that captured my interest recently has been my decision to end the life of the man that tried to smuggle in a child with my shipment. This reminds me, Natalia, my secretary wassupposed to come back to me with logistics regarding my new purchase. What the hell iskeeping her?. I head back to my chair and go through the documents that require my signature.“Natalia, where are we with those logistics?” I say into the intercom.She knocks at the door and comes in with files. She hands me the documents and runs through my schedule for the day reminding me of Dante’s party tonight, well I could use the distraction. I head to the conference room for m
Alexa POV. Fifty million dollars, I was just sold for fifty million dollars. If someone would have told me that I would be happy to be sold for that amount of money, I would have spat in their face, but here I am happy that at least I was worth more than a mere thousand dollars. At least I wasn’t worth pennies. Whispers erupt from the other side, although I couldn’t see them, I bet they are also shocked at the extravagant amount I was paid for. The bodyguard standing by the door walks up to me and leads me to a door by my left. We enter a room filled with ladies, if eyes could kill, I bet I would be six feet’s under. They all stare at me like I just stole their treasure, eyeing me up and down and watching my every move.“Don’t mind them, they are just jealous,” a lady said from behind me. She walks up to me and hands me a dress to put on. “Jealous, why would they be jealous? I just lost my freedom, I was drugged and kidnapped, what could they be jealous about ?” I snap.“Your beau
Leonardo POV.My eyes narrow on the brown haired bombshell up on stage and a feral growl rolls off my lips causing the men in the chairs closest to me to turn and shoot me a look.Mine. She. Is. Mine.I turn and give them a death stare, letting them know if they even think about bidding, I will unscrew their heads and fuck through it."Do I hear three million dollars," the announcer says.“Fifty million," I announce, standing up so the whole room knows just who they're fucking with if they're stupid enough to try and go over the top of me.The announcer clears her throat, disoriented.“Fifty million dollars, going once, going twice and sold!”The Circle prided itself on its exclusive, invite-only memberships for the underworld’s wealthiest and most powerful. A good number of those members, including myself, engaged in different illegal activities. I have heard tales of what these old Dons do to their slaves and I wouldn’t want them to breathe close to her. My Jewel. My Isabella. Mine.
Leonardo POV.I have to leave here, get as far away from her as possible. I adjust my pants and pick up a key to my sports car and head down to the basement.“Did you change your mind?” Alberto says immediately he spots me.“Go up and protect her,” I say, staring him down.“I want to be alone, I will be back by morning, bring my brothers to the bunker,” “What about Carlo?”“I will handle that in the morning,” I say, stepping into the car. I get a message from Dante, “Enjoy your catch! My congratulations, can’t wait until the morning. Have fun ;) Ps. Drive her wide.” This pisses me further, the thought that I wasn’t going to spend the night with my new purchase. I tap the ignition and the engine growls, coming alive. The Audi R8 Spyder is my favourite. I drive down the empty streets and head to my favourite spot, the cemetery where my mum was buried. I lost my mum when I was ten years old, over seventeen years ago. Enzo and Dante were too young to remember her. I come here whenever I
This wasn't the fate that was meant for me, but I was made to believe it was. It wasn't the path I choose either. I guess luck wasn't on my side, it threw me away like that of an abandoned puppy who has nowhere to go.It wasn't my fault as I was left with no other choice, they took what I cherished and nurtured the most from me and made me this way. Some might say I'm stupid or I made myself this way, or rather call me a shameless woman left without a single pride. The day I had chosen this path, I never wanted to turn back because I couldn't understand why everything started at first. I never wanted to return and turn a new leaf and I knew I would end up becoming worse, but I didn't prepare for death. Maybe this was my fate and I chose to completely listen to the devil and request his advice on daily occurrences.My dear mother I lost to the cold hands of death, and later my dearest brother joined. I was left with only my father who believed that training a female child was something
Leonardo POV.I have to leave here, get as far away from her as possible. I adjust my pants and pick up a key to my sports car and head down to the basement.“Did you change your mind?” Alberto says immediately he spots me.“Go up and protect her,” I say, staring him down.“I want to be alone, I will be back by morning, bring my brothers to the bunker,” “What about Carlo?”“I will handle that in the morning,” I say, stepping into the car. I get a message from Dante, “Enjoy your catch! My congratulations, can’t wait until the morning. Have fun ;) Ps. Drive her wide.” This pisses me further, the thought that I wasn’t going to spend the night with my new purchase. I tap the ignition and the engine growls, coming alive. The Audi R8 Spyder is my favourite. I drive down the empty streets and head to my favourite spot, the cemetery where my mum was buried. I lost my mum when I was ten years old, over seventeen years ago. Enzo and Dante were too young to remember her. I come here whenever I
Leonardo POV.My eyes narrow on the brown haired bombshell up on stage and a feral growl rolls off my lips causing the men in the chairs closest to me to turn and shoot me a look.Mine. She. Is. Mine.I turn and give them a death stare, letting them know if they even think about bidding, I will unscrew their heads and fuck through it."Do I hear three million dollars," the announcer says.“Fifty million," I announce, standing up so the whole room knows just who they're fucking with if they're stupid enough to try and go over the top of me.The announcer clears her throat, disoriented.“Fifty million dollars, going once, going twice and sold!”The Circle prided itself on its exclusive, invite-only memberships for the underworld’s wealthiest and most powerful. A good number of those members, including myself, engaged in different illegal activities. I have heard tales of what these old Dons do to their slaves and I wouldn’t want them to breathe close to her. My Jewel. My Isabella. Mine.
Alexa POV. Fifty million dollars, I was just sold for fifty million dollars. If someone would have told me that I would be happy to be sold for that amount of money, I would have spat in their face, but here I am happy that at least I was worth more than a mere thousand dollars. At least I wasn’t worth pennies. Whispers erupt from the other side, although I couldn’t see them, I bet they are also shocked at the extravagant amount I was paid for. The bodyguard standing by the door walks up to me and leads me to a door by my left. We enter a room filled with ladies, if eyes could kill, I bet I would be six feet’s under. They all stare at me like I just stole their treasure, eyeing me up and down and watching my every move.“Don’t mind them, they are just jealous,” a lady said from behind me. She walks up to me and hands me a dress to put on. “Jealous, why would they be jealous? I just lost my freedom, I was drugged and kidnapped, what could they be jealous about ?” I snap.“Your beau
Leonardo POV.As I stare out the window, the familiar boredom seeps unwelcome into my consciousness. My mood is as flat as the weather. My days are blending together with no difference, and I need some kind of deviation. I've worked all day and now in the confines of my office, I'm restless.I frown, the annoying truth is that the only thing that captured my interest recently has been my decision to end the life of the man that tried to smuggle in a child with my shipment. This reminds me, Natalia, my secretary wassupposed to come back to me with logistics regarding my new purchase. What the hell iskeeping her?. I head back to my chair and go through the documents that require my signature.“Natalia, where are we with those logistics?” I say into the intercom.She knocks at the door and comes in with files. She hands me the documents and runs through my schedule for the day reminding me of Dante’s party tonight, well I could use the distraction. I head to the conference room for m
Alexa POV.It has been some days since I was drugged and kidnapped by someone who I called a friend. I remember waking up on the first day, disoriented and scared. I was bound by a rope on both my hands and legs to a pole. I try to remember what’s happened, the water, the water was poisoned. “Help, someone please help me!” I screamed.“Ohh would you shut up,” a voice said walking towards me.I tried adjusting my eyes in the dark so I could see clearly. It was Thelma, she looked different, more fierce.“Thelma, what’s wrong, where are we and why am I tied, what happened,”“Ohh Alexa, Alexa, you poor girl, I never thought you would be so stupid.”“I don’t understand what's going on, please Thelma, untie me so I can go home.”“My little princess, there is no going back,” she says with a smirk.“But you are my friend, why are you doing this?” I ask, beginning to realise I am in danger and the Thelma I know is gone.“Friend, friends?” she screams and throws her head back laughing.“My lov
Leonardo POV.You don’t get to where I am without knowing exactly what you want and taking it by any means necessary. I took over the family business after my father passed away five years ago. Although it's all rosy now, I still have to look over my shoulders. I was studying abroad when I heard about my father's death in an explosion. His best friend, Don Caro of the Rossi Cartel was also killed which led to the death of both cartel’s Don.After my return, the other Dons tried to take over my father’s position as the Capo Dei Capi, The godfather, the boss of all bosses. That time was messy because there was blood on the streets. I hunted down every Don that could have a hand in my father's death or any Don who wanted to take his place and ended them. I stop the treadmill, breathless, and head down to the shower ready to start another day.By the time I was done, there was a mouthwatering aroma coming from the kitchen. I headed straight down and followed my nose to the kitchen. I al
Alexa POV.I remember the day I made my first friend. I was looking up the closest investigator nearby when I noticed someone walk up to my table in the library and take a seat opposite me.“Hi,” she said, looking me in the eyes. “Hello,” I replied dumbfounded. No one has ever spoken to me before except probably when they need me to excuse them or hand something over to them. I examine her. She has brown eyes, her nose is so perfect and her cheekbones, ohh they look so well curved. Her blonde hair is laying perfectly on her shoulder and she is putting on a black dress with a very bright shade of red lipstick.“I am Thelma.”“I a-am Alexa,” I responded breathlessly. My brain cells are screaming. I decided to calm down and not get ahead of myself.“Wanna hang out, there’s a frat party tonight?”“Hmmm, y-yess, n-noo, I have to get home today after school,” I reply painfully. The thought of my father finding out that I didn’t return home is scary. The new driver apparently has to report
Alexa POV.This last week has been painful. After I read that note from Morris, I ran to his room to find him, but I noticed some of his things were missing. I remember running down to the kitchen to look for Mrs. Roseline, and asking her if she saw Morris leave, but she only stared at me confused.I showed her the note he left me and after she read it, we both started crying and hugged each other. She tried giving me food that day but I just couldn’t eat. It was not easy to wrap my head around what was happening, how I thought Morris was already warming up to me but he ended up abandoning me just like mum. I remember Mrs. Roseline calling my dad and telling him about what was happening, but he just shunned her and told her he was busy and would be back sometime this week. He hasn’t been back since the day I heard him on the phone in his home office. I had to go to school last week, hoping to wake up from this nightmare but anytime I come back home I always come back to an empty hous
Alexa POV.I haven’t seen so many people at our house before, it felt so surreal. They were all dressed in black suits and came back home with us in their various cars. When we got home, Mrs. Roseline had already made some food and the aroma made my stomach growl. I went straight to the kitchen, Mrs. Roseline understood because she was already putting some snacks on a plate for me. “Thank you Mrs. Roseline,” I said as she handed it to me.I walked out of the kitchen and I put a big muffin in my mouth and it tasted so delicious. As I was about to take the last turn out of the hallway, I heard some ladies whispering, they were talking about how my mom abandoned her children at such a young age. But I didn’t want to believe their lies, mom would never abandon Morris and I.The plate on my hand fell because I lost my appetite. I immediately ran in search of my dad, to ask him about what those people were saying, but both my dad and Morris were nowhere to be found. I headed to my dad’s ho