DON'S POVIt made no sense. Whoever had been shooting at me would have had to be part of the organization that was after me. Maybe even working under them . But who? And why? What did they want? Was it money? Revenge? Revenge was always an interesting thing.Sometimes they tried to kill me for no reason. Otherwise, it would be too stupid to pull such a stunt, especially with the amount of guards watching over me. I sighed deeply. It would be impossible to track down those bastards.Or something else altogether? None of those questions made any sense. I couldn't understand it.A soft knock interrupted my thoughts, "Hey boss." I opened my eyes and stared blankly at Enzo, "Is your wound alright?""What?" I gasped."Your wound is leaking rather heavily. Shouldn't we go to the infirmary or something?""Where's Luca?" I asked in annoyance as the pain continued to increase."I'm right here boss." Luca said as he walked in with his medical kits. Luca had always been the one to treat my wound
DON'S POV"We haven't been able to identify the assailant," Luca added, "All our security cameras failed to pick it up, and the ones we managed to capture weren't very clear. All they have is some dark clothing and the person was masked."I stared at the two men in front of me, confused."There hasn' been another attempt since then." Enzo concluded."Why would they come after us?" I asked. I was starting to realize that it must be someone from another mafia. There was no way a member of our family had done something like this. Besides, there would be more people on the case. This seemed random. The assassin was unskilled and not coordinated, well, that was except it was all a facade and it had been a warning shot to me. But for what? To warn me? Warn me that they had a new sniper? What the fuck could they possibly gain by doing such a thing? I couldn't believe they actually thought it was a good idea to try and scare me. I was no stranger to guns and death. Hell, I lived through bot
DON'S POVI stood up as well with my resolve for revenge hardening. "Remember boys, this is not a retreat. It's a tactical drive. We're going to come back stronger and ready to face whatever comes our way.""And gear up," I added. "Increase security around our operations. Double-check our shipments, especially the guns and drugs. I don't want any surprises. And keep an eye out for any unfamiliar faces. If someone is bold enough to come after me, they might try to hit us where it really hurts.""We're on it, boss," Luca assured me. "We'll tighten security and monitor all movements closely. No one will get through." They made to leave but before they could leave, a thought crossed my mind, one that had been lingering in the back of it even during all the chaos. "Enzo, Accalia... She is at home, right? Who's watching her?"Enzo turned with a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth, "Yeah, boss, she's home. Guarded like the crown jewels. She's with the other guards and Butler Roy is ho
DON'S POVI wasn't going to allow the threat of someone coming after me to dictate my life, especially since the threats came out of nowhere and started after me without warning. This time, however, the threats weren't from a gang but from people who hated me. They knew my identity, which meant that they knew about the Mafia. That meant they had been following me. Someone had gotten suspicious of my presence somewhere and tried to shoot at me. Whoever it was, it could have been one of my rivals for control of the organization; Maybe the same group who had tried to kill me several times already? Whoever these people were, they knew something. Something big. Which meant that this entire thing was bigger than my enemies had led on to believe. And they'd come after me sooner rather than later. But, what exactly was going on? There must have been more to it than they've told me.As my thoughts went through my head, I began to realize something else: It didn't matter how many precautions
BENTLEY'S POVI sighed in frustration as I continued listening to the man sitting across me talk about himself. I had agreed to attending a blind date after so much pressure from my family.I wasn’t really that good with people - especially those who weren't interested in me for any other reason than because of my looks or my money - but my parents had insisted that it was necessary for me to take some social classes.So here I am going on a date with a total stranger and not knowing what to talk about or even think about him. They insisted that it was a great opportunity to meet and maybe even get married and have children together. They didn't want another divorce on their hands. So here I was trying to make conversation. I was having such a hard time getting through his monologues that I barely even noticed the waiter setting down two cups of coffee next to us. The guy just kept talking. He never noticed when we finished our drinks. The waiter came up with our appetizers until
BENTLEY'S POVI stared down at the table while pretending to read the menu to keep my mind off of everything else. I couldn't stand this guy anymore, I couldn't even sit still long enough to finish my meal. My legs were bouncing uncontrollably underneath the table and I felt like throwing up every five minutes.This whole situation made me sick to my stomach - being stuck inside a restaurant with this complete and utter loser was not what I wanted.“What do you do for fun, Bentley?” the man said while taking a sip of his now cold drink. I looked up from my menu to see him gazing at me intensely.I tried desperately to find something interesting to say, but the words were stuck in my throat. What did one say when they were forced to listen to a complete stranger ramble about himself for hours? Did this guy even realize that I was only trying to enjoy my lunch?I decided to humor him. “I don't work or play sports or exercise as much as you seem to think I should.” I lied.“Well you can
BENTLEY'S POV"Sorry about that. I'm sorry," the guy said as he attempted to hide his laughter.No, you're not sorry. You're enjoying yourself immensely, I thought bitterly."You've got to be kidding me..." I mumbled angrily under my breath. What was happening to me?He leaned back in his chair, "So... what do you think of it?" He pointed to the place that I had already been looking at twice in less than ten minutes.My heart sank. I didn't even know what he was talking about. "Um... the restaurant?" I suggested awkwardly. Why was it always restaurants?"Of course not sugar, I'm talking about us making things official." He said, pointing to himself as he raised an eyebrow.I shook my head quickly before responding, "We can't do that." I whispered. What on earth was wrong with me today? I couldn't believe I actually agreed to spend the rest of the day with this asshole who kept calling me sugar, but now he was insisting that we should get married? It was impossible.Even more impossib
MAX'S POVThe moment I saw Bentley walk into the restaurant, I felt my heart skipped a beat. She looked stunning and she was unaware that I was there and that I had been secretly trailing her on this blind date my mom had mentioned offhandedly a few days ago. I had not been able to resist; I had to see for myself who she was meeting. Was it wrong? Maybe. But love makes one do crazy things.From my hidden vantage point, I watched her sit down, her voice ringing across the room, making me fall even more in love with her. But as the date progressed, I could see the tension building. Her date was turning aggressive and my heart pounded harder with every harsh word he threw at her."You know what? Never mind -" I heard Bentley say, her voice was a mix of frustration and defiance. She stood up and was obviously ready to leave, but her date wasn't having it."Where do you think you are going to go?" His voice oozed with arrogance. I clenched my fists, feeling a rush of protectiveness."Let g
DON'S POV"I spoke with Bentley, her father is the police officer that ruled your sister's death as suicide." Luca said."So?""According to Bentley, Accalia family has no hand in it. Her father was threatened by the other gang and their new leader."I nodded slowly, understanding what he was saying. "We better get the truth out of Ken then, have you handed Florella over to the police?" I asked."Yes boss.""Good."We both headed down to the basement where Ken was being held captive, I needed to torture the truth out of his mouth.He was sitting against the wall with his arms tied behind his back, his wrists chained. His face bruised and bloodied, and his clothes covered in dried blood, he was still shivering, despite his cold exterior."What are you going to do with me?" He spat, spitting blood onto the floor of the dungeon."Well Ken Peterson , I'll give you an opportunity to answer a few of my questions and maybe I'll release you."Ken narrowed his eyes at me, "Why should I believe
DON'S POV "You need to calm down son, I have no reason to kidnap your wife!" My father screamed in annoyance as I held him by the collar, accusing him of being responsible for Accalia sudden disappearance. it has been two days since I've heard from Accalia or seen her.i recalled telling her to go home first after the press conference but when I got home, she wasn't there and no one knew anything about her disappearance.I was beginning to go crazy over her absence, I felt like something bad happened to her and I couldn't control it, I was scared shitless.I was furious that I did not know what had happened to her.who the hell dared to kidnap my woman?!!!"I won't let anything happen to her!" I roared while I tightened my grip on my dad's neck and squeezed harder.After I released my grip, my father gasped and began coughing loudly."What the hell are you?!" He questioned me as he took several deep breaths."Do you really think that I am a weak minded coward like you?!" I replied
ACCALIA'S POVI noticed alot of crowds at the company today but I had no idea why but for some reason Enzo seemed tense and clinged to me."Is the company doing something today? why are there a lot of people and reporters outside?" I asked but before I could hear Enzo's response, an egg hit me on the head."She's the one that hurt our kitten!" The man shouted and everyone's attention was turned to me, I was so confused but had no time to process that confusion because people began hurling insults at me and the eggs kept on flying.I tried to defend myself but people would not allow it, many people were throwing eggs at me and they kept on hitting me and I had no way to avoid the hits. One egg managed to land on my head causing me to stagger.I wanted to defend myself, the insults weren't hurting anyone they were just getting their point across.Someone picked up a bottle and threw it at me. The impact of the bottle hitting me made me flinch.Enzo guided me through and I finally made
FLORELLA'S POVI frowned as I watched the new model, Accalia walk into the studio. She had a radiant smile on her face and everything about her just screamed beauty and perfection, no flaws or imperfections in sight.Her hair was styled in perfect waves that framed her face beautifully, her makeup perfectly complimented her gorgeous olive brown orbs and bright pink lipstick.She looked good. So good! So incredibly good that she could probably win any contest she was in! I almost gasped in admiration as I saw how breathtaking she really looked.I hated how beautiful she was, I never understood why anyone could want to look like that, but she was definitely an exception. She had a unique personality that drew people to her in a different way than everyone else did.I hated the fact that she was pretty that me and could easily over take me in the modeling world, there was no way in hell I was going to let that happen. i have been bullying her for over two weeks since she came but she
ACCALIA'S POVAfter hours of modeling and posing for countless pictures, it was time for me to go home and rest before I had to return to the studio again for another day full of work. My clothes were all wrinkled and dirty after being used so many times for clothing shoots.But I was tired and hungry. So, with only mild hesitance, I walked out of the studio to head back home. my phone chimed and I looked at it and saw it was a text from Don asking me to use the back door of the company and meet him at the car park where he was waiting for me.I smiled weakly at the text before I took the elevator to the car park tiredly.I exited the elevator and walked out of the building and saw Don standing at the entrance of the parking lot, he waved as soon as he saw me approaching and headed over to the car to help me inside. Once I was seated, he walked around the car to the drivers seat."Where is everyone?" I asked curiously, noticing no cars."They had to go somewhere." Is all he told me.
ACCALIA'S POVI smiled as I dressed up for my first day at work, yes, my first day at work. I was so excited when Don told me to dress up today that I would resume work at his company as a model.I wanted to make a good first impression so I needed to dress up nicely. A white button down shirt and a black blazer were the two pieces of clothing I selected from my closet after I finished dressing in bed this morning. I also wore some light makeup but it wasn't much. Not too much, just enough to look like I hadn't slept with it all off last night. That made me think about something else - Don's lips... I shook my head trying to get rid of those thoughts.I brushed through my hair once more then applied one last coat of lip gloss before leaving my room, closing and locking the door behind me. I took a deep breath of air and exhaled deeply, hoping to calm myself before I headed down the stairs to meet Don."Good morning!" Don chirped happily when he saw me. I grinned back at him and walk
ACCALIA'S POVDon squeezed my hand reassuringly, his gaze filled with unwavering determination. "We can do this, Accalia," he said, his voice steady despite the tremble in his hands. "Together, we can face anything."With a heavy heart, I nodded in agreement, drawing strength from Don's unwavering faith in our future. As we boarded the bus and took our seats, I cast one last glance back at the village of Arinthia, its familiar streets now fading into the distance.And as the bus pulled away, carrying us towards an uncertain future, I knew that it was time to go back to my old life.As the bus journeyed towards the city, the landscape outside morphed from rolling hills to towering skyscrapers, a stark contrast to the quaint charm of Arinthia. With each passing mile, my heart grew heavier, the uncertainty of our future weighing heavily upon me.But as we finally arrived at our destination and stepped off the bus, a sense of anticipation tingled in the air. For the first time in what fel
ACCALIA'S POVDon wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close as he felt my body tremble with suppressed sobs. "It's okay, Accalia," he whispered, his voice gentle yet filled with unspoken sorrow. "We'll be alright."But the dam had already broken, and I could no longer hold back the flood of emotions that surged within me. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I buried my face in Don's chest, my heart aching with the pain of leaving behind everything I had ever known."It's just... so hard," I choked out between sobs, my voice muffled against Don's shirt. "Saying goodbye to everyone, to everything..."Don held me tighter, his own eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I know, Accalia," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "But this isn't goodbye forever. We'll come back someday, I promise."His words offered little solace in the face of our imminent departure, but I clung to them nonetheless, finding comfort in the warmth of his embrace. Together, we sat down on the worn wooden b
ACCALIA'S POVWe climbed into the of the truck, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at the thought of leaving behind another dear friend. Kito had always been there for us, offering his help and support whenever we needed it, and the thought of saying goodbye to him was almost too much to bear.As we settled into the worn leather seats of Kito's truck, a heavy silence hung in the air, punctuated only by the soft hum of the engine. I glanced out the window, watching as the familiar sights of Arinthia faded into the distance, my heart aching with the weight of farewell.The ride to the bus stop was a somber one, the only sound the steady hum of the engine and the occasional sniffle from one of us. Kito tried to lighten the mood with some of his trademark jokes, but even he seemed to be struggling to find his usual cheerfulness.As we neared the bus stop, Kito pulled over and turned off the engine, the silence that followed almost deafening in its intensity. "Well, this is it," he