Don Alessandro Hernandez sat behind his massive desk, his eyes fixed on the file in front of him. The file contained information on Gabriella Maria Lorca, the charity event organizer who had somehow managed to capture his son's attention. "Lorca" He didn't like the fact that she shared names with their longest standing revival. He really hoped she was nothing like them. He dismissed the thought of her last name casually.He had first heard about Gabriella from Rafael, one of his most trusted associates. Rafael had been tasked with keeping an eye on Alejandro, making sure he didn't stray too far from the family's interests. Fascinatingly, Victor had reported back to him about Alejandro's encounter with Gabriella at the charity event.At first, Don Alessandro hadn't thought much of it. His son was known to have a string of fleeting relationships with women from all walks of life. Despite this, Alejandro had never glanced at a lady twice except it was for business communication. Alejan
Alejandro stood outside his father's office, taking a deep breath to prepare himself for the conversation that was about to ensue. He had been summoned by Don Alessandro, and he knew that it couldn't be good. Especially with his father's awareness of his involvement with Gabriella.He pushed open the door and stepped inside, his eyes locking onto his father's imposing figure behind the desk. Don Alessandro's expression was stern, his eyes narrowing as he gestured for Alejandro to take a seat.He couldn't remember the last time he or anyone else was asked to sit when summoned by the Don. Somehow, he father liked to assert dominance in weird ways. He preferred his subordinates not being at eye level distance when they were summoned. Except they were in a meeting, they stood. So, the Don asking him to sit, sent a feedback that he needed to be alert for whatever was to come."Alejandro, I've been hearing some disturbing reports," Don Alessandro began, his voice low and menacing. "Reports
Gabriella's eyes remained fastened on the black SUV. Her mind was racing endlessly with worst-case scenarios. She tried to shake off the feeling of unease, telling herself it was just her imagination playing tricks on her but, the memory of the attack at the charity event was still fresh in her mind, and she couldn't help but wonder if she was in danger again.She took a deep breath and tried to focus on her work, but her eyes kept drifting back to the window. The SUV was still there, parked across the street.Finally, Gabriella couldn't take it anymore. She picked up the phone and dialed the number of the police station, asking to speak to the detective who was handling her case. When her call was answered, she was told that the detective in charge of her case had just stepped out, and was asked to call back in ten minutes.As Gabriella waited for Detective James to respond, she kept glancing out the window at the black SUV. As she watched, a well-dressed woman stepped out of the bui
Sofia sat at her desk, staring at the business card Alejandro had handed her that evening. It was a simple, elegant design, with his name and contact information engraved on it. She turned the card over in her hand, her mind wandering back to their brief conversation.Alejandro had seemed polite, but distant, and Sofia couldn't help but wonder if she had misread the situation entirely. He was in haste as he tried to leave the event but he still found time to exchange business cards with her. That could mean something right? She smiled sheepishly as she reasoned.It had been almost three weeks since the charity event, and Sofia had yet to hear from Alejandro. She had tried to brush it off, telling herself she was being silly, but a part of her couldn't shake the feeling that she had been dismissed.Sofia's eyes narrowed slightly as she thought about Alejandro's behavior. There was something about him that didn't quite add up, something that made her curious, and she intended to get to
Victor was released after one week of his supposed vacation. He took two weeks to refresh himself until he started looking human again, with his bandages removed, and his bruises less of a eye sore. He had been behind closed doors for almost three weeks and he decided to step out this evening to get fresh air.His subordinates had not seen him since he came back so, he decided not to visit the club he manages under the Lorca group. His driver made a final turn as he arrived one of the most popular clubs in the city. As he alighted from his car, he adjusted his cane to carry his weight before he started moving. The cane has been his third leg since he returned, helping him to support his movement until he could walk fine without an external aid. He looked up at the club's sign, the neon lights reflecting off his face: "Club Eclipse". His gaze lingered for a moment before his cane slipped as he was about to move forward. He bent over to pick it up when he winced. As he stood up after
Rachel burst into Gabriella's office, a look of utter despair on her face. "Gabriella, my world is crumbling around me! Gabriella rolled her eyes as she watched Rachel. "What is it this time?" She asked looking at her uninterested."My cousin's birthday party is tonight, and I've completely forgotten to get her a gift. I'll never forgive myself if I don't make it up to her." Rachel went on not minding Gabriella's look.Gabriella raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "Rach, you're being dramatic again. The last time you were this way, I performed on a stage surrounded by a large audience."Rachel fired back in her mind. "I also remember you enjoying it." She mentally shook herself as she returned to character. She clutched her heart. "I'm not being dramatic, I'm being desperate! I need your help to save my reputation as a good cousin. Please, Gabriella, help me find a gift and drop it off at her place.""Rachel, I don't think you need me to do this. I don't sell gifts neither do I render cour
Not for the first time in about ten years, the thirty-year-old Alejandro Hernández, Consigliere of the Hernández family, wished humans could have the opportunity to choose which family they were born into. At first, he had been proud of the power, wealth and connections that his family held, and was determined to be the next head of the family after his father. His determination had been unshakable until a couple of years back when an event that was going to be impossible for him to ever forget, occurred. It made him question a lot of things and wonder if the future he had always imagined for himself was what he really wanted. There was one thing that he was very certain about though. He didn't want to be in this particular meeting he was currently in. The familiar smell of Cuban cigars mixed with the scent of expensive whiskey, which hung in the air of the room and had not bothered him in the past, had somehow started to irritate the hell out of him. He w
The silent drive back to her house gave Gabriella the opportunity to reminisce about the events of the rather pleasant night. She had achieved all she intended to at the event, mingling with the guests, making small talk, exchanging a few pleasantries, and donating generously to the cause. All she was looking forward to was getting home, taking a warm bath, diving into bed and calling it a night. She smiled happily and contentedly as the thoughts crossed her mind. Not surprisingly, her thoughts strayed to the engaging conversation she had with Alejandro Hernández. There was something about him that had caught her attention. Maybe it was his piercing eyes or how sinfully handsome he looked; no one should be allowed to look that good; or perhaps it was just the way he carried himself with confidence and poise. Gabriela pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the cool night air pouring in through the passenger window of the cab. The ride home also gave
Rachel burst into Gabriella's office, a look of utter despair on her face. "Gabriella, my world is crumbling around me! Gabriella rolled her eyes as she watched Rachel. "What is it this time?" She asked looking at her uninterested."My cousin's birthday party is tonight, and I've completely forgotten to get her a gift. I'll never forgive myself if I don't make it up to her." Rachel went on not minding Gabriella's look.Gabriella raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "Rach, you're being dramatic again. The last time you were this way, I performed on a stage surrounded by a large audience."Rachel fired back in her mind. "I also remember you enjoying it." She mentally shook herself as she returned to character. She clutched her heart. "I'm not being dramatic, I'm being desperate! I need your help to save my reputation as a good cousin. Please, Gabriella, help me find a gift and drop it off at her place.""Rachel, I don't think you need me to do this. I don't sell gifts neither do I render cour
Victor was released after one week of his supposed vacation. He took two weeks to refresh himself until he started looking human again, with his bandages removed, and his bruises less of a eye sore. He had been behind closed doors for almost three weeks and he decided to step out this evening to get fresh air.His subordinates had not seen him since he came back so, he decided not to visit the club he manages under the Lorca group. His driver made a final turn as he arrived one of the most popular clubs in the city. As he alighted from his car, he adjusted his cane to carry his weight before he started moving. The cane has been his third leg since he returned, helping him to support his movement until he could walk fine without an external aid. He looked up at the club's sign, the neon lights reflecting off his face: "Club Eclipse". His gaze lingered for a moment before his cane slipped as he was about to move forward. He bent over to pick it up when he winced. As he stood up after
Sofia sat at her desk, staring at the business card Alejandro had handed her that evening. It was a simple, elegant design, with his name and contact information engraved on it. She turned the card over in her hand, her mind wandering back to their brief conversation.Alejandro had seemed polite, but distant, and Sofia couldn't help but wonder if she had misread the situation entirely. He was in haste as he tried to leave the event but he still found time to exchange business cards with her. That could mean something right? She smiled sheepishly as she reasoned.It had been almost three weeks since the charity event, and Sofia had yet to hear from Alejandro. She had tried to brush it off, telling herself she was being silly, but a part of her couldn't shake the feeling that she had been dismissed.Sofia's eyes narrowed slightly as she thought about Alejandro's behavior. There was something about him that didn't quite add up, something that made her curious, and she intended to get to
Gabriella's eyes remained fastened on the black SUV. Her mind was racing endlessly with worst-case scenarios. She tried to shake off the feeling of unease, telling herself it was just her imagination playing tricks on her but, the memory of the attack at the charity event was still fresh in her mind, and she couldn't help but wonder if she was in danger again.She took a deep breath and tried to focus on her work, but her eyes kept drifting back to the window. The SUV was still there, parked across the street.Finally, Gabriella couldn't take it anymore. She picked up the phone and dialed the number of the police station, asking to speak to the detective who was handling her case. When her call was answered, she was told that the detective in charge of her case had just stepped out, and was asked to call back in ten minutes.As Gabriella waited for Detective James to respond, she kept glancing out the window at the black SUV. As she watched, a well-dressed woman stepped out of the bui
Alejandro stood outside his father's office, taking a deep breath to prepare himself for the conversation that was about to ensue. He had been summoned by Don Alessandro, and he knew that it couldn't be good. Especially with his father's awareness of his involvement with Gabriella.He pushed open the door and stepped inside, his eyes locking onto his father's imposing figure behind the desk. Don Alessandro's expression was stern, his eyes narrowing as he gestured for Alejandro to take a seat.He couldn't remember the last time he or anyone else was asked to sit when summoned by the Don. Somehow, he father liked to assert dominance in weird ways. He preferred his subordinates not being at eye level distance when they were summoned. Except they were in a meeting, they stood. So, the Don asking him to sit, sent a feedback that he needed to be alert for whatever was to come."Alejandro, I've been hearing some disturbing reports," Don Alessandro began, his voice low and menacing. "Reports
Don Alessandro Hernandez sat behind his massive desk, his eyes fixed on the file in front of him. The file contained information on Gabriella Maria Lorca, the charity event organizer who had somehow managed to capture his son's attention. "Lorca" He didn't like the fact that she shared names with their longest standing revival. He really hoped she was nothing like them. He dismissed the thought of her last name casually.He had first heard about Gabriella from Rafael, one of his most trusted associates. Rafael had been tasked with keeping an eye on Alejandro, making sure he didn't stray too far from the family's interests. Fascinatingly, Victor had reported back to him about Alejandro's encounter with Gabriella at the charity event.At first, Don Alessandro hadn't thought much of it. His son was known to have a string of fleeting relationships with women from all walks of life. Despite this, Alejandro had never glanced at a lady twice except it was for business communication. Alejan
Alejandro Hernandez stood at the window of his high-rise office, gazing out at the city below. His mind, however, was elsewhere, lost in the tangled web of his family's past.Growing up as the son of Don Alessandro Hernandez, the notorious Mafia Lord, had been a double-edged sword. On one hand, Alejandro had been afforded every luxury and opportunity imaginable, treated as a king from a very young age. On the other, he had been conditioned to prioritize the family's business above all else, including his own happiness.Alejandro's thoughts drifted back to his childhood, remembering the countless times his father had lectured him on the importance of loyalty and duty. Don Alessandro had been a hard man to please, always pushing him to be more ruthless, more cunning, and more calculating. Somehow, his father always wanted him to be more. He wanted no stain on the family's reputation. In his much younger years, his father considered him too weak, and had gone extreme measures to toughen
Gabriella's eyes widened as she took in Alejandro's features. His broad chest, handsome face and his eyes, oh! that gaze that drew her in so well always making her wonder what was running through his mind made her froze for a moment. His eyes were piercing right through her soul making her feel like he could read her mind. She quivered as she tried to process her emotions. He was the one person she wasn't expecting to run into, at least, not yet.For a moment, they just stood that way, his eyes boring holes in her, his expression unreadable. Gabriella's hands were still brushing against Alejandro's chest, and she could feel the warmth of his body through his clothes. Her chest fluttered, and her face grew warm.She jolted as her senses came back and she removed her hands from his chest in a manner that an onlooker would think something pricked her.Gabriella's eyes dropped to the ground, and she took a step back, trying to create some distance between them. She felt like she was drow
As Gabriella slept, Rachel kept watch, making sure her friend was comfortable and safe. The next morning, Gabriella woke up feeling a bit sore but relieved that the night had passed without any further incidents. Rachel was already up, making breakfast in the kitchen."Good morning sunshine!" Rachel chimed, as Gabriella entered the kitchen. "How are you feeling today?"Gabriella smiled, taking a seat at the table. "I'm doing alright. Thanks for taking care of me last night."Rachel smiled, serving Gabriella a plate of scrambled eggs and toast. "Anytime, Gab. That's why you have me."As they ate, Gabriella filled Rachel in on the details of the attack, and Rachel listened intently with a look of concern etched on her face."For the first time in my life, I was grateful to my mom for forcing me to take those Taekwondo classes. I was able to hold my ground before the event's security arrived" Gabriella chuckled as she tried to make light of the situation to calm her friend down."I'm so