"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" Bianca asked worriedly.we were in a car parked outside the grande gate of a huge mansion."Yes, I got this" I took in a deep breathThis wasn't just a random mansion, this was the mansion I grew up in with my late parents. I got the keys to the mansion from Alonso, I was ready for some closure."Just know I'm a phone call away" Bianca assured me before I got off the car. I simply nodded before she sped off. I opened the gate and walked into the compound... I was expecting to see overgrown grasses but everywhere was clean. Alonso wasn't lying when he said he hired someone to take care of the compound. Everything was just nostalgic, I remember playing by the lawn with my parents. I looked around the compound holding the urge to cry.I walked to the majestic door of the building, inserted the key and it opened up... I walked through the passage to the living room. My parent's pictures were still hung on the wall."Mum, Dad" I sniffled
A few days later; present time.Have you ever felt that strong feeling of vengeance? When you desperately want those who hurt you to pay severely for what they've done, if not with their lives? That's exactly how I felt when I woke up this morning and for the past eight years of my life. All I could feel inside me was pure rage.Most nights when I fall asleep, I relive the death of my parents and whenever that happens, it's either I wake up with boiling blood or teary eyes but today, it's the former. If only I could do something to save them that day, I'm still not able to forgive myself for letting that man make me pull the trigger on my dad but I won't let it slide. I crave vengeance. I'm one who forgives easily but when you cross the limit I become impatient waiting for karma to take over. I turn into a vindictive person.Bianca barged into the room, cutting me short from my thoughts "Don't tell me you're still sleeping" she folded her arms "Can't you see I'm up already?" I grudgi
Lorenzo's POVI was at the gym in the warehouse, taking out my frustration on the punching bag which hung from the ceiling."You need to calm down" Raphael who was shirtless, sweating heavily with a towel hung across his neck walked up to me."This is my way of calling down" I threw a few punches at the punching bag, then continue to speak "otherwise, you won't be standing in front of me alive""Anthony's calling you" Alex walked in, informing me. We call our father by his name, simply because we never had any bond with him, I don't know about my siblings but I sure do hate Anthony."The old man's calling me" I smirked breathing heavily. I knew exactly why he was calling me. He returned from Italy with my mum and sister last night, he must've probably found out the niece of Alonso was here."Anthony didn't seem to be happy when he was yelling your name all over the warehouse" Alex spoke"Is there ever a time he's happy?, I'll answer him when I'm done" I continued punching the bag "Ju
Jacqueline's POV"I can't seem to find any dress that fits me perfectly" Melinda complained and she went through the dresses on the rack in the boutique over and over again."Just pick something" I groaned from one of the chairs in the boutique I was sitting on whilst using my phone"I can't just pick something" she placed an air quote on the something while speaking. "I need a hot dress, something that would drive the boys at the ball to me" she winked at me "you can't be serious" I chuckled still not looking away from my phone"I am damn serious... now help a damsel in distress" Melinda was quite dramatic "I haven't even picked a dress" I pointed out to her. I didn't know what to wear talk-less of what to pick out for her."Help me, then I'll help you" she suggested."Fine!" I put my phone in my pocket, got up from the chair and walked up to her.I took Bianca's advice and tried to get to know Melinda better, she was actually a nice person, I guess what they say is true; you should
I was in my room doing my makeup when Bianca and Melinda walked in, dressed in their fabulous dresses, Bianca had a purple gown on and Melinda, the red gown from the boutique. Today was the masquerade ball and it was half past ten in the night. Alonso had instructed me, according to his word; "be ready at ten thirty sharp", I was kind of late."You're still not ready?" Melinda face palmed because of the fact I was still dressed in my robe."I'm done" I dropped my red lipstick on the vanity table next to my mask and got up from the stool, I didn't feel excited about going to this ball, but I had to because of my uncle and because I didn't want to miss whatever fun thing that happened."Put on your clothes before Alonso barges in, yelling" Bianca shook her head.I hurried into my closet. In less than two minutes, I came out dressed in the black gown I had gotten from the boutique."wow," Bianca spoke softly."I told you" Melinda nudged Bianca's elbow.We heard a knock on the door, Bian
I pulled Melinda to the side and spoke to her almost whispering so that Leonard won't hear us."What are you doing with this guy? Didn't you have a thing for Kayden?" "Not anymore, Kayden doesn't pay attention to me, I can't waste my life chasing a guy that doesn't even notice me" she answered "Okay, I get you but do you know this guy? where did you meet him and what's he doing in this ball?" I interrogated her "That's Leonard, a rich boy I met on the internet, I invited him to the ball. He flew all the way from Australia to see me" she answered innocently"Hmm that's nice" I smiled evilly, Leonard has walked into his death trap... "Bianca and Warren are searching for you, it's urgent" I lied to her"Then I have to get going""Yes, you do.. in the meantime, I'll say hello to Leonard" I spoke politely"Nice, you two should catch up, I'll get back to you guys soon" she spoke as she walked away.I put on a straight face and walked to Leonard "So, you're the rich guy from the internet
The ballroom was filled with blood-curdling screams and bloodshed. Those who knows they had betrayed their mafia in one way or the other started crying profusely, begging their leaders not to kill them.I stood there watching the horrific scene of brutal killings without flinching a bit. This was expected of Don Drew's ball, it's what keeps it exciting because you never know what he has in store. "Jacqueline I need your help" Melinda spoke with a shaky voice "With what?" I asked, still staring at a mafia underboss who was about to kill his traitor "Not here.." "You know we can't leave here now, the doors are sealed shut" I reminded her "At least, towards the door, we'll talk there"She dragged me towards the entrance door, we bumped into several people but Melinda didn't mind."MELINDA!!!" I heard Alonso yell out from the front of the ballroom.Melinda trembled in fear as we stood by the entrance door... She wasn't able to speak up, she just stood there, trembling, I could see th
It was a stormy night. The high speed of winds made the nature of torrential rain violent. I was running on the lonely street seeking shelter, I was far away from Scarface's warehouse and my uncle's mansion.I stood in front of a three-story building which appeared to be abandoned, shivering, the biting wind was becoming unbearable for me. I walked to the side of the building hoping to find some sort of shelter but there was none, I kept walking about the surrounding, I was tired of running. I needed to hide somewhere."Freeze!"I heard a masculine voice from behind, I quickly put my hands up in surrender."Good, now slowly turn around"I did as instructed only to see a red-haired man pointing a gun at me. "Please don't shoot, I'm unarmed" I begged."Who are you and what are you doing here?" The man questioned."I'm... I'm Jacqueline, I mean no harm... I just need a place to spend the night" "Wait a minute" The man looked at me from head to toe... "I know you, you're Jacqueline Catta
I felt rays of the morning sun hitting my face on the bed, I could hear Lorenzo speaking to his phone, his voice barely audible I opened my eyes slowly as I sat on the bed, I stared at the wall clock in our room which reads 7:05am. I lazily got up from the bed and walked towards Lorenzo, he seemed prepared, he was wearing casual shorts and an unbuttoned light linen shirt, exposing his six packs “Who was that?” I asked curiously, pointing at his phone as he hung up the call.“It's Athony..” he answered in a low tone, “he wants me to come back to the US.” He sat on the couch… “tonight” he added.“Tonight?” My face became gloomy, “it was supposed to be a five day vacation right? It isn't up to five days” I spoke in a sad tone, I wasn't ready to leave France just yet. “I didn't even get to see the eiffel tower” I muttered to myself“I'm needed back home Jacqueline, I have responsibilities at the Matrix” he got up from the couch and walked up to me, he placed his hands on my shoulders “I
It was the following day, my curiosity was piqued as Lorenzo drove to a secluded field just outside the town“What are we doing today?” I asked him as I stared out the window, watching the trees pass by.“Just wait and see doll, I've planned something special for you today” As we arrived, I saw a colourful hot air balloon being prepared for flight. My face instantly lit up with joy “I've always wanted to be on a hot air balloon since I was a child.. Thank you Enzo” I hugged him tightly “I thought you might like it, and I'm glad you did” he replied, hugging me back “Are you ready for an adventure?” He asked, stretching his hand out.“Heck yes!!” I squealed as I took his time. We climbed into the basket, and the pilot gave us a warm welcome in English.As the balloon lifted off the ground , I felt a rush of exhilaration, we soared higher and higher, the landscape unfolding beneath us in a breathtaking panorama of rolling hills, quaint villages and vineyards.“This is so amazing, I do
As we walked back to the car, the night air was cool and refreshing, the stars twinkled above us and the suddenly quiet town was magical under the soft glow of the streetlight.When we got to the car, Lorenzo opened the door for me “after you my lady” he said with a playful smile “Thank you, kind sir” I giggled as I got into the car.Lorenzo drove us to an Inn, it was a stone building covered in ivy, there were warm lights glowing from the windows. “This place is beautiful. I could stay here forever Enzo” I spoke as we pulled up.We checked in and were shown our room. It had a large, comfortable bed with soft, white linens, a fireplace and a balcony that overlooks the garden.“You really thought this through Enzo” I said, taking in the room.I felt Lorenzo's large arms wrapped around me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder “like I said before doll, I simply want you to be happy” I turned in his arms and kissed him softly on his lips “I'm more than happy Enzo”After a very r
Lorenzo led me through the small airport, everything was written in French, I got very confused but I followed Lorenzo with no questions asked. When we got outside, an audi e-tron gt awaited us. The car journey was peaceful with rolling hills and charming villages passing by. Soon after, Lorenzo stopped the car at a lookout point that offered an amazing view of a quaint village below.“Welcome to your mother's hometown, Jacqueline” Lorenzo spoke softly, staring at me “No way! Are… are you serious Enzo? We're… we're in France?” I stuttered because of the overwhelming excitement I felt..“Yes,” Lorenzo nodded, smiling warmly at me. “I wanted to make you happy and I figured out this would be the perfect place to bring that happiness”“Oh my God” Tears of joy filled my eyes. “I really can't believe I'm in my mother's hometown… I've been dying to come here but it wasn't possible” I tried to control my tears by cleaning them but it wasn't working. I threw my arms around Lorenzo, hugging h
“Where are you going? Jacqueline for goodness sake slow the fuck down!” “Jacqueline!!” “Goddamnit Jacqueline!!”Lorenzo yelled out, walking as fast as he could, pursuing me from the rooftop. I refused to listen to him and neither did I slow my pace. What the hell was I thinking, allowing myself to fall for a man who's about to be engaged and married? I admit I made a mistake in trying to use my charm on Lorenzo and it has to end, whatever it was that's going on between the both of us has to end.I got to my room, quickly opened the door and slammed the door shut in Lorenzo's face, locking it from the inside. “Please Jacqueline” Lorenzo pleaded from outside the door “Just go away…” I yelled from inside the room. “I'm not leaving Jacqueline” Lorenzo angrily kicks the door wide open, breaking the lock. “Now you've ruined it” I rolled my eyes “that's not the problem here” he growled at me “What the fuck is wrong with you Lorenzo? Why are you still doing this? You're su
"How's everything going at the warehouse?" Lorenzo asked Alex who was sitting on a chair besides him "Bro, you just got out of coma and you're thinking about the crime family?" Alex shook his head. "that's lame, you need to rest and take a break from the matrix" "Dons don't do break" Lorenzo simply answered. "I can see you're so eager to take over from Dad" Alex Chuckled "Raphael and I are taking care of things over there, you just need to relax and focus on getting better" "speaking of getting better, you should eat something Enzo" I spoke as I wheeled the over bed table to Lorenzo after setting his meal on it "Thanks" he sat uprightly getting ready to eat "Do you know Jacqueline never left your side the whole time you were in Coma?" Alex askedLorenzo in surprise stared at me for a moment before turning his gaze back to Alex "No" he answered, shaking his head slightly I quickly walked out of the room before I hear more of Alex silly talks. I spent days in the hospital
Beep!Beep!Beep! The room will filled with the sound of monitors. We had taken Lorenzo to a private hospital. He was placed in a medically induced coma to stabilize his condition, allowing him to heal. Avery had shot him on the chest dangerously close to his heart, shattering a rib. The trauma to his chest caused severe internal bleeding and shock.I couldn't believe Lorenzo risked his life to save mine. I held his hand tightly, praying that he would wake up soon. I stared at him as memories about him came flooding through my head. I remembered the first day we met, how he saved me from the cops and treated me, all Lorenzo ever did was nothing but saving me; saving me from bad guys, saving me from the demons in my head. “Please wake up Enzo” I sniffed. My eyes were red and swollen from crying. “Jacqueline, you need to rest now” Alex entered the room his face filled with sympathy. “No, I have to be here till he wakes up… it's my fault he's in this condition” I replied still sta
“Let me out of here you scumbag!!!” I screamed at the top of my voice, banging the metallic door “Open this fucking door you asshole”“Let me out of here”“You fucking piece of shit”“Son of a bitch”“Fuck you!!!!”I rained curses at him as I kept on banging on the door.. I sat on the floor, crying when it dawned on me that I'm never get out of here“No, this can't be happening” I cried profusely. “I just wanted to clear my name and make Lorenzo believe me again” “You're hurting my ears, Jacqueline” I heard a weak male voice coming from the same room I was kept in “Who… who are you?” I quickly got up from the floor, wiping my tears. I didn't get the chance to scan the room I was kept in, I was so desperate for my freedom, continuously banging on the door as soon as Pablo and his men left. As I moved closer, I saw a male figure sitting on a chair, I couldn't see him clearly because of how dimly lit the room was.“It's me, Alex” he informed in a weak voice “Alex Hernandez?” I asked
“Excuse me, can you please lend me your phone, I need to make an important call” I asked a young man who was sitting next to me at a bar. I left my phone I used in contacting Alonso at the Hernandez mansion, going back there would be suicide. “Sure” the young man politely smiled at me, handing over his phone to me.I quickly dialed Alonso's number, I had memorized his number in case I ever find myself in a critical situation.“Speak” Alonso ordered from over the phone, it took a while before he picked up the call.“Uncle, this is Jacqueline” I informed immediately, my voice low as possible, I didn't want anyone to hear my conversation.“Jacqueline, I've tried reaching you several times. I have some informations and the whereabouts of the snake tattooed guy” he spoke amiably “Thank God!” I let out a heavy sigh. “I have a situation, uncle… I just escaped from Lorenzo and they're searching for me, I don't know how long till they track me down. I need immediate help to get out of here”