Marianna's POV
The chirping of birds is what woke me from deep slumber. I feel too comfortable, more than I have in days. It must be the bed I'm in. It must be this soft mattress and the plush beddings. It must be Fendi. My eyes flattered open to a bright beautiful day. As far as my eyes can see it's a vineyard. It's beautiful just like the view from my bedroom window back at the Villa!Vineyard!
I snapped out of the dream. I rubbed my eyes realizing that I'm not in the motel. I'm not with Nate. I'm in a room, a big beautiful room I believe is in Italy because of the vineyard I see. I sat up promptly hurling the white bed sheets aside. This is not my room!
Where am I?
"Maria."
"Mom." I struggled with my tears. "Mommy!" I wanted to run to her but I tripped and fell flat on my belly. When I glanced back i saw my ankle restrained by a chain and metal cuff. This
Alexander's POVKosmos may not be my son but I am fond of him. I raised him to be better than his mother. He has his good points. He works hard and he is always truthful. Even if it's something no one wants to hear, he is truthful. I want to believe that I have somehow influenced his behavior. I tried not to get too invested constantly having to remind myself that I'm not his biological father. I kept a perfect balance between being a father figure and a step father without getting him involved in my indifferences with his mother.I just got news from Ophelia. She's pregnant and she wanted me to be the first to know. Ophelia is a good person. She has a pure soul and a kind heart. My hope is that she will influence Kosmos for the better. I sincerely hope so.Speaking of children, my very own is upsetting his mother. I have called him several times but he's yet to answer. Helena is worked up and stressed.
Rhea's POVI can't stop worrying about my son. He hasn't called home yet. He was supposed to report to me after he located Helena's son and after he got rid of him but no such communication has occurred. He hasn't said anything and it's troubling me. Did Nathan overpower him? He took several men to do the job. Nathan should have been outnumbered. It should be a quick job. It's not the first time he has helped get an obstacle out of the way. He knows how it is done. Why is it that it has taken long?Or do the Bales have nine lives? The hitman I hired to take out Helena missed. Apparently she dropped a pen and the moment she bent is when the bullet missed her. Her security got her out of sight immediately after."Rhea?""Ophelia! What brings you by? Is the baby alright?"We are waiting on a baby. She's four weeks along. I touched her stomach."Oh yes he's fine.
Marianna's POVA deal was struck.That deal got me out of Fabian's arms... literally. The godfather's own personal security stormed the house at three in the morning and when Fabian did not agree to the new order, they forcefully separated him from me. I was pulled out of his bed and I met the godfather. He is an intimidating man. Sadly they came too late. Speaking to my father cost me a night with Fabian. Another man was inside me. It was nothing like my night with Nate. There was no passion or heat. It was just a disgusting deed that almost made me throw up. That's how much I hate Fabian. He had his fun and he better savour it because it will never happen again.This deal also frees my parents from any obligation to the Beluccis. They are free to carry on with their lives but will continue to serve the Mafia. That hasn't changed. I owe it all to Nate's father. I owe him my freedom and my father's life becau
Helena's POVWhen my father passed away, Alexander came to the funeral. He couldn't get close to me and it killed me that I couldn't get his comfort... Just to rest my head on his strong shoulder and have him whisper 'it's going to be alright' but that night, he came to me and he comforted me greatly. He risked everything to just be with me that night.Again when my mother passed away, he was there to comfort me yet again.Who will comfort me now that he's dead? Who will let me rest my head on their shoulder and offer the same solace he did?Should I stay away or should I attend the funeral?Alexander didn't have many friends but his funeral has all the important people. Politicians, celebrities and other strangers he wouldn't have wasted a second of his time with. All of them are here to bid farewell to the legendary billionaire and Admiral who preferred the shadows to the l
Helena's POV"There was a girl."The words he tried to utter before his death still ring in my ears. I tasked Castle to find out more.I paid immediate attention to him. I have been sitting in Alexander's old boat all day. As soon as I woke up this morning, all I wanted was to feel close to him and where else than in this old boat? I closed the book he was reading last. I'm going to finish it for him."What girl? Who is she?"The worst thought i have in my mind -actually two- is that she was hired by Rhea to poison him and second, he was having an affair with a younger woman. The last one is ridiculous but hell, he was a fine fine man! Young women loved him! Who won't fall in love with a silver fox with a mystery to him?"I don't know who she is. He brought her to the apartment. She lived there with him for a few days. But she is no longer there."
Hello reader, I would like to thank you for getting this far into the story. Part 2 is over What an ending! It's sad that Alexander has taken his final bow after trying so much to keep his family safe. Do you think he succeeded in saving his bloodline or is Nate the last Christos? You must wonder, what now? If you still have the heart to go on, the story follows the sixteen year old Marianna as she tries to settle into her new life in a town where she is on her own without her family and friends. Let's get to it then! So far we have covered Part 1: Helena's Contract Part 2: The Italian Belle Now we are in Part 3: The English Affair
Two years later...Marianna's POV"No no no! Not today!" Keller came around the counter to stop me from getting any further."He was just having a bad day! It won't happen again!" I pleaded.I have pulled off the craziest things while working this job but Keller being such a great boss has never gotten fed up with me. He's a patient man. He is keeps giving me chances and that is how I have worked here for the last two years. Without this job, I would be a street rat.When I found out about Alexander's death, some men broke into the house. They ransacked the whole place looking for something. The entire time I was under the kitchen sink scared out of my mind. I have never been happy to be fit in such a small space. My biggest fear is what would happen if they found me. After they left, I fled the house as he instructed me to. I ran and never looked back. I ended
Marianna's POVLife has taught me two important lessons. Lesson number one, to keep my head down and lesson my two, to mind my own business. Not meddling in people's affairs keeps me out of trouble. It keeps me separate from drama that could otherwise get my son and I in unnecessary trouble. I did promise his grandfather that I will keep him safe and that is the plan.I stroked the straight blond hair on his head. I have been asked severally if this is my son it I'm just the nanny. One time the police stopped me and asked me for the baby's parents. I had to show the birth certificate and identification for them to let it go. Nicko is pale like his father. My skin tone is a little darker and it's hard to tell we are related. Bluntly put, he's the white kid and I'm the one who looks like a nanny. It's offensive but I have learned to deal with it. I can't change how people choose to view things but I can change my attitude about
Marianna's POV"Rock-a-bye babyin the tree top.When the wind blowsthe cradle will rock.When the bough breaks,the cradle will fall.And down will come Baby,Cradle and all."I kept humming after her eyes became heavy with sleep. She can't keep staring at me. She's giving up. Her pretty brown eyes won't last. I hummed softly lowering my tone until i kept silent. I lay her down in her crib. She's really pretty. I'm truly blessed to have her.I straightened the picture frames on her dresser taking a seat in the rocking chair just to take it all in. It's been a crazy twenty five years. If anyone were to ask me to narrate it I wouldn't know which story to tell first because so much has happened since Nate proposed to this moment right here. My favorite story has to do with the simple go
Nathan's POV"Don't forget what we have agreed on." I kept up with her fast pace. "I'm getting him at sixteen. You have promised me that.""Why not eighteen?""You bend the vine when it's still young Nathaniel. Marianna and i have a deal. Honour it. Please honour it.""Consider it done mom. He'll be all yours at sixteen. We will still do our part."She squeezed my arm peering into my eyes. "Are you alright Nathaniel? You seem lost.""I'm just dealing with something. Nick is starting school pretty soon.""You can afford it, right? I'm aware of your financial limitations and I know I have made it impossible. You've risen to the challenge every step of the way and I'm so proud of you. You never asked for help. You never failed even if you gave up your comfort for your son.""I love that boy. I'll give up anything for him. Yes I'
Marianna's POVNathaniel and I can't keep our hands off each other. The night of the overflow opened up a new world for us filled with ecstasy and passion. It's hot as hell in this world and often as much as we don't speak we certainly sound our satisfaction. There's no limit as to where we have sex. As long as no one is looking, we carry on. Once daddy almost caught us. Nate couldn't find his pants in time so we had to stay really silent until he left. But we had a good laugh and yes, we finished.I can't get enough.It will never be enough.He's still residing in the guest house. I want him in my room. He's come up the window twice for the fun of it so that's we can feel like teenagers. He did it with ease. He's amazing not just in the way he loves my body but how he takes care of me before he goes after for his own release."Can I make a polite request?" Daddy spoke to me
Nathan's POVMy mother and I haven't had much of a conversation since she disinherited me. We only greeted each other the day Nickolas vanished. It wasn't even a greeting. It was more like:"Nathaniel.""Helena."She kept her eyes focused far into the distance. She has gotten much older. But she's every bit as difficult. "What?" She asked."Can we talk?"She glared at me. Helena can be a good mom but she can be a bad one too. Any onlooker wouldn't believe she is my mother. She's treating me like a stranger and it hurts. "What about?""May I sit?""No because you're not staying."Gio invited her to something he calls 'the overflow'. According to him, he gives away free wine to his neighbors because he has hit his profit margins. "I live here.""I still don't understand why Gio allowed you to."
Marianna's POV"I need to talk to you."I paused my conversation nodding my head. Nate entered the bedroom. "Have you eaten? Has Nicko been eating?""The only thing he is happy to do is eat. We are okay. We miss you though, I miss you. When are you coming back?""Soon. It's just a few more days. Are you sure Nicko doesn't want to speak to me?""It's not just you. He's not speaking to anyone. I think Mr Bale broke him." He laughed in a mean way."I love you. Tell him I love him. See you soon. Put nonno on the phone.""Am I having a third grandchild?" He laughed as soon as he spoke.I paid attention to the handsome man sitting in an armchair. If we get back together and we are stable enough, I'll definitely consider a third child. "No you're not.""Good because you two have a lot to work out. It's not
Nathan's POV"Buddy, no no no!" Chris sighed. He placed the bottle of wine on the counter. His facial expression is borderline funny. I almost want to laugh but then I'm tired from not sleeping too well. The sofa isn't comfortable. I even tried the floor. "What are you doing there? Didn't you get any?""Sleep?""No blondie. Didn't you get laid?""Buddy you're the blond. I simply have silver hair.""Point taken but still..." He looked at me expectantly making weird expressions.I woke up six times to walk to Marianna's door but I couldn't bring myself to enter. It seems to them like I'm not trying but the battle I'm going through is intense. I want her badly yet after thirteen years, Nicko may be more experienced than I am. I have no idea where to start. I don't want to mess up the 'first time'."Nothing.""You need a drink."
Nathan's POVI feel stupid for thinking it would mean anything to her by showing up today. Perhaps I'm delusional for assuming that time heals all wounds. Even if it heals it doesn't change anything else. Maria will only see me as Nicko's father. Regardless of the kiss we shared, I'm just Nicko's father and I'm not allowed to be anything else. She's my everything. It hurts but I'm responsible for her decision to keep me at arms length. I did this to myself."Nathan! Nathan wait up!"Courtney hurried to catch up with me. I noticed the others as well. "Where are you going?""I'm going back to Italy. I have a troublesome teen to deal with.""So that's it? Wilton just leave with your tail tucked between your legs?""What do you expect me to do Court? She's fine without me. She has someone else in her life! I'm not going to get in the way.""I expect you to go back
Marianna's POV"What's all this for?"I smiled at my assistant. The whole dressing room is full of an assortment of flowers."A lot of people are congratulating you. The collection is beautiful." I closed the door shutting out the loud music from the runway show. A popular pop musician is singing as the models make their way down the runway. The audience is excited.I invited Court, Chris, Freya and Frank to see the collection. Nate stayed in Italy to watch Nicko and Tony. Raúl is also in the audience separate from my friends. The only thing giving me relief is Nate's absence. I can't introduce him to Raúl. Something tells me it won't end well. I picked up the biggest bouquet."These are from Raúl." I read the card. He is always sending me red roses. They smell divine."I think these are the most beautiful ones." She offered me a bouquet
Nicko's POV"We barely made it out." Lupe held a pack of frozen peas over my swollen face. She held her own pack over her face. The girl can fight! She held her own until Julio stepped in and finished the fight.There was the issue of the gun.That day nonno shot at dad, he dropped a gun. I picked it up and hid it. That's the whole reason I was locking my room and not the magazines. I wouldn't care if they found the magazines but the gun? Mom would go nuclear on me.I fired it but it wasn't loaded. That sacred them but it is Julio who really saved us. We got separated when the Belucci bodyguard started to pursue us. We got lost while passing through the estates and in the end Lupe brought me her home. It's not much."How do we look? Are we still beautiful?" I laughed."I don't know about you but I know I am."I set the frozen pack of peas dow