CLARA“I… I don’t know, it could be. Who knows?” I stammered, still trying to make sense out of this.If this so-called Dominic is truly the father, then does that mean there’s a little hope for me? Would he be willing to accept our child? Would he be a good father and not the kind that brought trouble for his home? As much as I wanted to believe there was hope, I felt a bit disturbed.My mind was clouded with thoughts that I found it difficult to concentrate. This was actually the first time in years I felt this confused to make the right decision for something so dear to me. Somehow, I felt meeting Dominic was meeting the end of my child. No!I was brought back to the present when Lucaa snapped her fingers at me. I looked at her, then sighed. If only she knows what I was mentally going through, she would have given me more time to figure things out.“You’ve been out for minutes now. Do you realize how long I’ve been calling your name?” I could see the frown on her face and the hint
CLARA I couldn’t get myself to sleep, so I stayed awake throughout the night. Mateo was troubled, and the frustration in the way he breathed was suffocating. Not quite long after the call, he stormed out of the room like I wasn’t even there. I wanted to call Lucaa, to tell her what I think about Dominic, but when I checked the time, it was too late to make calls. “I’ll definitely tell her tomorrow.” I thought to myself. Morning came just as I expected. Mateo had left the house sooner, the case on ground wasn’t something he could let go. However, his concern could mean two things, either he didn’t want to lose Dominic, or just the fact that it’s something about the mafia world: “Never to watch your family die without a cause.” Then I met Lily sitting in the dining. Could there ever be a time I wouldn’t have to meet her like this? Especially not in the morning? For the first time, she didn’t seem interested in me. She only looked at me for the briefest second, shook her head, a
CLARA I knew it! I almost screamed, feeling my pulse rising. Mateo is the owner of the necklace just as I thought. But then how? How was I supposed to approach him and let him know I have his necklace? How was I supposed to tell him the child I was carrying belongs to him? “Urgh!” I grunted, slapping my forehead. “Come on, Clara, you've got to think.” I couldn't think of the right words, or the right way to approach him. What would he say when I tell him? He'd look at me and call me crazy. Or think I'm only taking this contract too far to probably gain much from him. Worse, I wasn't even someone up to his level, let alone, his taste. Maybe, just maybe, I'll keep it to myself. I sat back on the couch, staring at my tea. I had lost the appetite to drink it anymore, the reason I had stayed up this late was ruined. I quickly phoned Lucaa since she was the only one I who understood better. Thankfully, she was awake to answer. “Clara, any news?” she asked. “Were you able to find out?”
LILYI was so thirsty and needed something to drink. It was my routine to always have a glass of water or soft drinks with me in my room before I went to bed, but for some reasons I couldn’t tell why I forgot this time.I left my room to the kitchen, then, I began to hear faint voices., and they were two of them. I recognized one to be the butler’s voice, while the other was… Clara? What was she still doing out here by this time of the night? And what’s with the whispering voices I hear?I hid in a corner, stressing my ears to hear what they were discussing. I couldn’t get what it was they were talking about, but I sure did hear her mention a ‘cross’. What cross could they be talking about, that of the De Luca family?If that’s so, what’s her business with the cross and its significance? Well, I’ll get to know what it was with the whispering voice as soon as she’s out of here.I heard footsteps retreating from the kitchen and heading toward the staircase. I needed to hide myself or sh
MATEO The office was quiet except for the soft ticking of the clock on the wall, and the low hum of the ceiling fan mixed with the faint crackle of my cigar as I leaned back in my chair, my eyes fixed on the city lights glowing outside the window. It’s been a rough week, and I had barely had a good night’s sleep. Even with Clara lying next to me, I couldn’t get myself to close my eyes. Maybe that’s because I feel defeated. I softly tapped my fingers on my desk, letting my mind swirl through countless thoughts I couldn’t get myself to think of. They were just too much that I could barely focus. It wasn't just about Dominic and my men getting attacked, it was the fact that even till now, I couldn't find the bastard with my cross! It would be a shame to me if anyone should find out I've been wearing a fake cross. It would be a shame to my family's name. A knock broke the silence, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Come in,” I said, without asking who it was. The door opened, and thr
CLARAI’ve always thought with everyday that passes by, I was a step closer to finding the truth. However, I was wrong, I was never anyway closer. To make matters worse, life with Lily haven’t been pretty so far. It keeps getting bitter by day, and for a thousand reason, I just wanted to escape her life.But as long as she’s here, that was one impossible thing I can ever get.The morning sun streamed through the windows of the villa as I stepped into the dinning room. Lily was already there, sitting at the head of the table as though she owned the place. Her perfectly styled hair and her tailored dress gave her an air of superiority that she never failed to wield against me.“Good morning,” I greeted softly, constantly reminding myself who she was to Mateo. A childhood savior as he said.Lily barely glanced at me. “You’re late,” she said curtly, sipping her tea. “Breakfast is almost over.”I bit back a sigh and moved to pour myself a cup of coffee. “I didn’t know there was a set time,
The waiting room was buzzing softly with voices, but I felt like the odd one out. My hands rested on my growing belly as I sat on the corner chair, trying not to meet anyone’s eyes. Around me, pregnant women sat with their husbands or boyfriends—laughing, holding hands, whispering to each other. I could feel their strange glances, the whispers that came with the way they looked at me. “Is she here alone?” I heard a lady asked. “Poor thing. Do you think the mother abandoned her?” I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, pretending I didn’t hear anything. I’d learned to ignore it, but today, it hurt more than usual. Maybe because Lucaa wasn’t here like she usually was. The door to the clinic opened, and I glanced up briefly, not expecting much. But then I heard his voice. “Clara.” I froze, my heart skipping a beat. I looked up fully this time, and there he was—Mateo. Striding in like he owned the entire clinic, dressed in an expensive suit that made every other man in the room loo
CLARA“She’s pregnant with your child, Mateo. You need to father up!”I stood frozen outside the study door, my breath caught in my throat. I had no idea what to do, if I should run or just keep listening. However, my curiosity wouldn’t let me leave so soon.“I’ve already done what you said,” I heard him say. “I went with her today, and I’ll go with her again whenever I can.” There was a pause before his mother responded. “Good. That’s the least you can do, Mateo. She’s carrying your child, and she needs your support.” I didn’t hear what he said next because my mind was already spinning. So that’s why he showed up today. It wasn’t because he wanted to; it was because his mother told him to. The joy I’d felt earlier began to slip away, replaced by a heavy weight in my chest. I stepped back quietly, careful not to make a sound, and went to my room. I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at my hands. The earlier warmth I’d felt, thinking Mateo had come because he cared, now felt like a
CLARAWhen Mrs. Antonia put her mind to something, there was no stopping her.I had barely gotten home from my appointment yesterday when a courier came to collect the envelope from me as per her request.She also informed me that she had spoken to Mateo about using the family room for the gender reveal and he didn’t object so things were on track.The family room was unrecognizable by the time I walked in. The room had been decorated in a tasteful shade of pink and blue. I wondered how they were able to get all this work done without making any noise.I retreated and went into the kitchen to find, Mrs. Antonia sipping a cup of coffee.“Good morning,” I greeted.“Morning dear. You’re up earlier than I expected,” she replied.“I had an early night,” I explained.“Well, I the guests would be arriving in a few hours so have some breakfast and go get ready,” she said.I opened my mouth to respond but someone else beat me to it.“I didn’t expect you here this early,” Mateo said.“Good morn
CLARAThis time round, I was driven to the hospital by one of Mateo’s guards. I had tried to protest, but he wasn’t having it.It’s more like he didn’t even give me the chance to argue, so I just went with the flow.I was lying down in the exam room waiting for the doctor to arrive. I read that at this stage, there was a high chance for me to start dilating since I was dangerously close to term.All in all, I just wanted everything to be okay.The doctor walked in a few moments later, saving me from my mental torture.He smiled at me and asked, “How’re you doing today?”“A bit uncomfortable, but overall, I feel quite good,” I answered.He nodded. “A little discomfort is to be expected since you’re in your third trimester.”“Well, I’m about ready to evict this baby from my womb, so let’s get on with this appointment,” I replied.“Very well then, lift up your shirt for me, please,” he said.I raised my shirt, exposing my huge belly.The doctor squirted the cold gel on my belly and ran t
CLARAI was officially in the awkward phase of pregnancy where I could no longer walk properly. Instead, I waddled like a penguin.And the discomfort, God, I was so uncomfortable. My feet were swollen and I had taken to wearing crocs and slippers because I could no longer tie my shoes on my own, also because those were the only footwear I owned that were comfortable enough.Not to talk about the fact that I was in a constant shitty mood so I was grumpy. Christopher had taken the brunt of my bad mood and he had been gentle, calm, and understanding through it all that I felt really bad for snapping at him.Let’s not talk about how I’ve been actively avoiding Lucaa and Mrs. Antonia because with them it was always something new. Ever since they began planning my baby shower, I haven’t known peace.Did I mention that Lucaa changed her vision board three more times?Yes, she did because she wanted everything to be perfect and the previous ones weren’t doing it justice.Now I was hiding out
RENZETTII slammed my office door closed, still fuming after the disaster of the meeting.What the hell was wrong with those fuckers!Didn’t they realize that I had the power to get rid of them if I wanted to?!I really needed to tighten my leash on them and make them remember who was in charge, and never forget it.How dare they challenge me when I was the one that called for the fucking meeting?Carlos, my second in command walked in and I turned my furious gaze to him.“I need to do something about those fuckers before they get any crazy ideas. They need to remember that I hold their fate in my hands,” I growled.He nodded. “I agree.”It’s not like he could disagree in the first place. That was why Carlos has been such a good right-hand to me. He knew when to shut up and do what he was told. I had also never questioned his loyalty.“But first I need to find the idiot who was stupid enough to order a large shipment of guns on my watch and he even killed my men!”“Whoever is responsi
BRUNO“You’re not going to offer me a drink?” Mateo asked and I glared at him.“Here I was thinking you were a hospitable host,” he added.“I’m only hospitable to people I invite into my home, you just decided to show up,” I replied.He nodded. “Fair enough, but what was that all about?” he asked.“Nothing important, she was just a girl that I brought home last night. But she seemed to have no idea what the concept of a one-night stand is. Somehow she got it in her head that we had something special going,” I explained.“And her accusation about you being gay?”“She heard our conversation and I told her I was expecting a guest. She interpreted it to mean that it was a lady and when you showed up, she made assumptions.”“Hmm… you sure do know how to pick them, Bruno. I never would have pegged you to be a player,” Mateo said.“Oh, please spare me the righteous act, like you don’t go chasing some tail from time to time,” I retorted.“Unlike you, I don’t sleep around and even if I did, br
BRUNOI ended the call and turned to look at her.“Oh, good. You’re dressed. Do you want me to call you a cab?” I asked.“I thought at the very least, you would be a decent human being but here you are propositioning another person when I’m still in your house,” she said, glaring daggers at me.“Last I checked, I don’t owe you any explanation about how I live my life. Who I do or don’t invite into my home is none of your damn business,” I replied.“I can’t believe this. You used me and now you’re just trying to dispose of me like trash?”“Now, I’m not going to let you continue slandering me and assuming things I never even said. I have been patient enough with you and accommodating your shit. There’s a limit to the amount of shit I can take so don’t even push your luck, Linda.”“My name is, Lacey!” she yelled. “Jeez, you can’t even get that right.”“And what does that tell you?” I asked. “Why don’t you do us both a favor and just go.”She pursed her lips into a stubborn pout and sat d
BRUNO“Is that supposed to be a threat?” Alfred asked.I was in no fucking mood to deal with, his antics. Alfred did not know what personal space was and worse, he did not know when to get a fucking clue.That was going to get him killed one day.“I don’t make threats, Alfred, and I was just giving you a subtle reminder of what happens to people who refuse to mind their business,” I replied.He looked to Mateo, probably expecting tobe backed up but, Mateo just shrugged and closed his car door.His driver took off, leaving me alone with, Alfred who has refused to get a fucking clue and move on. “You don’t want to make an enemy of me,” he said and I laughed.Oh, he was hilarious. Just because he held the title of a lord, he thought he could threaten me with the little territory he controlled.“I don’t bother about people like you, Alfred. And just so you know, Mateo and I might be enemies but one thing that’s constant in life is change. You just pray that this change does not end up get
MATEOEvery time I had to be in Renzetti’s presence, I always had to remind myself that I was playing the long game and not to do anything rash.That was why I hated these general gatherings. First, I couldn’t stand most of these lords and the feeling was definitely mutual but most importantly, this was just a colossal waste of my time.However, for the time being, I still answered Renzetti so I couldn’t decide to skip out on the meeting without putting myself on Renzetti’s radar, that was if I wasn’t already on it.This particular meeting was not our regularly scheduled one. No, Renzetti called this meeting as a matter of urgency and I had a good idea what he was going to say.Bruno also walked in and sat at the far end of where I was, not sparing me a glance because none of the people here must know that we were working together.As far as they were concerned, we both hated each other and I needed it to remain that way.“Hey, Mateo, do you know what this meeting is for?” Alfred, on
CLARAI parked my ass on one of the hard benches in the chapel and dialed, Lucaa’s number.“Hey, girl!” she answered in her usual chipper voice. “I wasn’t expecting a call from you today.”“Stop playing, Lucaa. Since when do I need to inform you before I call,” I replied.“I was just kidding,” she replied with a light chuckle. “And I’m going to guess and say you’re in the chapel so what’s up?”“I have news for you. In fact, I’m sure you would classify this as good news,” I said.“Ouuuu…I’m set. Now tell me what it is,” she demanded like a child and I couldn’t help but let out a little laugh.“Okay, I had a conversation with Mateo about the baby shower,” I started.“Okay….” She replied tentatively, obviously having no idea where this was going.So I went ahead and narrated the details of my conversation with Mateo. And in true Lucaa fashion, she listened without interrupting.“That seems to have been a very interesting conversation,” she said when I had finished giving her the details.