OCTAVIA Two months laterI cleaned the last of the tables, my hips swaying to the song from the radio. I moved out of my former neighborhood the week after I stopped working at the casino and moved to one apartment that Nile owns. I don't plan on staying there long because I would like to have a place of my own. "I'm so excited I can't wait for us to start having customers." Rose squealed as she came in from the kitchen. I met Rose about two months ago at a real estate office. I sold out my coffee shop and I was planning on opening another one in another neighborhood. We started talking and clicked almost immediately. I haven't been close to any female my age since high school. I was skeptical at first, but she has such a strong but positive personality that just makes it hard to say no to her. It turns out she just graduated from a catering school and wanted to open a bakery. We decided to pool our resources together and open a café that serves both coffee and pastries. We got a p
OCTAVIA The weather today is perfect; it feels like Mother Nature's way of telling me good luck, a perfect day for our cafe opening. I can't help but feel excited. The door is already opened, meaning Rose is already here. I meet her in the kitchen, already making dough. "Just when did you wake up that you are here already?" I said as I hugged her over her apron. "Good morning, Octavia, I couldn't sleep for long, you know, first day jitters, but you are one to talk; you are here early too." "I know right, I couldn't sit still too." "I was thinking you would take your time, you know," she said, winking mischievously. I covered my blush with a laugh. "He left for work before I woke up." I was surprised when I woke up and didn't see Nile, but he left a note on the kitchen table that he had to go in for work early due to an emergency. I mean, I find it a bit strange, but then I can't say.It is finally time for the grand opening. As I stood behind the counter, I took a deep breath, t
OCTAVIA We fall into a routine quickly; Rose and I come in early to make the pastries together, and then one of us goes home and comes back later in the day for an afternoon shift. I put out a sign this morning that we are hiring. I am hoping we get three students that can work part-time, one to man the counter and two more for waiting on tables. We have not had as much crowd as we did on the first day, but the turnout has been impressive, from old couples out in a stroll deciding to stop for snacks to excited middle school students coming after school. We can even afford to pay for more than three employees. It's four p.m. in the evening and the afternoon rush hour is over, so just a few tables are occupied. I took over from Rose earlier. I'm sitting behind the counter and going our supply orders next week and keeping an eye on the customers in case anyone wants a refill. I look up as I hear the jingle of the door opening. A lanky-looking boy walks in. "Hello," he said. "Good af
OCTAVIA I smooth down imaginary wrinkles in my dress as the elevator door opens, and I instantly recognize his black Ferrari. He comes out of the car; he is wearing a black suit as usual; his hair has this tousled look, a perfect blend of carefree and stylish that makes my heart flutter. He walked towards me with a grin and pulled me into a hug. "I've missed you," he breathed into my hair. I breathe in his scent; he smells amazing and familiar. I feel the flutter in my stomach again. "I missed you too." He takes my hand and walks towards the passenger seat. He holds the door open and guides me in with one hand on my lower back. I miss his gentlemanly sweetness and admire his profile as he walks toward the driver's seat. As we walked into the restaurant together, I felt a delightful mix of excitement and nerves bubbling inside me. The atmosphere was vibrant, with laughter and clinking glasses creating a symphony of joy around us. The warm glow of candlelight danced across the table
OCTAVIA'S POV "Okay, spill," Rose said. The breakfast rush just finished, and Rose and I are sitting at one of the tables and having coffee and cakes. "Spill what?" I'm not surprised she suspects something is wrong. "You have been moping around day, and don't try to deny it. I saw you staring into thin air several times like someone stole your puppy." "It's nothing serious; I just have a lot on mind," she gave me a deadpan look. "That's the whole point of you spilling.""It's Nile," I started. I tell her about everything that happened last night. "Are you guys officially in a relationship?" She asked; she knows all about my life in the casino and how I got out.Red rose my cheeks; I haven't actually thought of that; I just assumed. How could I have been so stupid? But it can't be like that. We have been like a couple for the past few months, though we haven't exactly defined our relationship, but he has been doing everything a boyfriend does. "No," I said. "I feel like he's hid
Heat fluttered in my belly, I shouldn't be feeling like this but then this is a sweet gesture and he feels sorry about it, maybe something actually came up. I open the door, as I walked in phone rings. It's Nile "Hello," I said as I picked "Hi Octavia, did you get the flowers." He asked"Yeah, I did but I don't get the point, what you did was not cool, at all." "I'm sorry baby, let me make it up to you." "How?" "There is a pouch in the bouquet of flowers." I look down at the flowers in my hand, truly a rose coloured pouch hung rested in the middle of the flowers, I put my phone on loudspeaker and placed it on the table, Sitting on the sofa, I felt a mix of sadness and confusion. I picked up the box, feeling its weight in my hands, and curiosity began to replace some of my anxiety.As I carefully opened the box my heart raced. Inside, I found a delicate silver necklace, its chain glimmering in the light. The small heart pendant caught my eye, and I could almost feel his presence a
NILE'S POV I tap my feet impatiently as I wait for the elevator at Octavia's building to reach the ground floor. I have to get home before my wife and the kids wake up. I should not have spent the night here really. I know what I did last time hurt her, and she has been wanting me to spend the night, which is not surprising, and I have admitted to myself that I enjoy spending time; it's better than the silence at home. The parking lot is deserted; that is expected because no one in their right mind will be up and about by four am in the morning. I hear a sound to my right; I see what looks to be the figure of a man. I rub my hands together; it must be cold to sleep outside. I check my wallet and put the cash inside it under a bundle of cloth beside. I check the time as I pull out of the parking lot; it's four thirty already. I remember the argument Miranda and I had this morning; she has an issue with me coming home late; she probably suspected I'm seeing someone; I don't know what
OCTAVIA'S POVRose arrived before me today; the doors were already open as I got there, and the sound of Celin Dion's 'Heart Will Go On' drifted in from the kitchen. As I walked into the kitchen, the warm scent of vanilla and sugar enveloped me. Rose was standing at the counter, completely immersed in her task. She had her back to me, her hair tied up in a messy bun, and she was mixing a large bowl of batter with enthusiasm. I leaned against the doorframe, watching her for a moment. She was singing softly to herself; it was one of her favorite songs, and she was swaying slightly as she stirred the batter, completely lost in her own little world. Flour dust danced in the air, and I could see splatters of ingredients on the counter, evidence of her spirited baking session.Unable to contain my laughter any longer, I stepped forward and said, “Looks like I walked in on a baking concert!” Startled, she turned around, her eyes wide with surprise, but then she broke into a grin. “You caugh
Elena found out I was sleeping in Bree’s room a few days later. She came into Bree’s room one morning when I was still knocked out from the pill and found me sleeping in her bed.‘’Why’s Octavia in your room?’’ she asked. She had come to spend some time with Bree as she was leaving very soon.She shrugged. ‘’She likes my bed?’’She didn't believe the story because she was in the room the following morning, and Bree said the same thing. I was awake and just sitting on the bed, feeling down and upset.‘’Good morning, aunt Elena,’’ I said. She had a tray of different arrays of fruits that she had been feeding Bree with every morning. She said it would make her conceive easily and have a healthy baby.‘’Are you okay, Octavia? You look pale,’’ she said to me.I looked at her, my eyes heavy. The tablets were putting me to sleep, but I'd always wake up tired. I was feeling a bit more depressed daily.‘’Yes, aunty. I’m fine,’’ I said, looking at the tray of fruits in her hands. I
I turned around to the sound of his voice. ‘’Did I wake you up?’’ I asked, walking away from the mirror.He squinted his eyes and groaned. ‘’Where are you all dressed up to?’’‘’I have a very important meeting in town, babe. It was so sudden,’’ I said, walking over to him and kissing his cheeks. ‘’Good morning.’’He creased his brows. ‘’I can’t let you out just yet, Rory. You were attacked just last week and you aren’t fit to be going out yet.’’I laughed gently. ‘’I know you are bothered about me, and I love it so much. But you seem to be forgetting who you are, baby. You are Lionel da VInci.’’ I walked over to the mirror to brush my hair. ‘’No one can mess with you.’’He shook his head. ‘’I’ve been proven wrong one too many times,’’ he said.‘’Well, I am Rory Morano. No one can mess with me,’’ I said, chuckling dryly.He sat up. ‘’What is this urgent meeting about?’’I patted my lips against each other gently. ‘’My cousin,’’ I said. ‘’I have a meeting with the security chie
‘’You are a cat.’’ I laughed as I walked into the room with a tray of food. He leaned up to receive the food.‘’A cat with nine lives,’’ I continued.He winced and quickly masked it with a smile. ‘’It wasn’t really a good shot.’’Aaron had had a hernia when he was a teenager, and the surgeon had left a mesh frame when he did the repair. It was that framework that had trapped the bullet that had been fired at him, stopping it from hitting his liver. The doctor said it was one of the wonders of the world.‘’What life number are you on now?’’ I asked.‘’Should be three,’’ he said.The room became silent suddenly as our minds drifted to the event of that day. I had the opportunity of putting the lives of two of my enemies that day but I had hesitated. I wasn’t sure if I was not going to regret it eventually. Another concern was the man I had seen.‘’I saw the man behind the door, Aaron,’’ I said, looking at him. His brows were furrowed. I had a feeling he knew what I was about
‘’I will never let what happened to repeat itself again,’’ i saqid, grubting as the pain hit my bones. He was bent over me, and i saw the look of confusion on his face.‘’Let what happen?’’ he asked.‘’For another Giovanni to be taken by a da Vinci,’ i said, my breath hitching.He tied a warp of cloth over my arms. ‘’The doctor is on the way,’’ he said.—-I had heard their arguments everry night when the doors were shut and the lights were turned off. Each day, as i rrolled on my bed wide awake, i heard them. The arguments got more heated, but the subject never changed. ‘’I love Elena, John. that’s someting you can never understand,’’ Antonio said.‘’She is a da Vinci,’’ my dad would yell and the arguments woould go on.Antonio had fallen in love with Elena while he was working as a spy. My father tried to let him see that such a union could nver work. Theyy would recognise that he was affiliated with us and they would dhave his head. But it was never easy to advise people
I had received a call from Nile that he had found my phone and wallet. When he said ‘found’, I knew he meant he was ready to return it. I was willing to let him keep the phone and wallet, but I needed some cards in my wallet and some files on my phone. So despite not wanting to see him again, I decided to return to the house.The first clue I got that something was wrong was the gate was not manned by any armed person. Nile never left the gate unmanned. I thought it was weird. So, I called him. His phone rang, but he didn’t pick it up. I became concerned. I hurried in, hoping nothing had happened.Then i saw the man lying on his pool of blood. My heart raced. There had been an attack. I searched for my phone, attempting to call the police when I heard a gunshot. I stood still. The gun shot had come from within the house. Whoever had come to attack my brother was still there.I wasn’t sure who to call for help. Calling the police was going to bring light to a lot of our affair
The third bullet hit the floor just a few inches beside him and he yelped out in pain. Aaron walked up to me and looked at me, asking me if he should finish the job.‘’Drag him downstairs,’’ I said to Aaron. Slow down the bleeding, and tie him to a pole. No clothes on.’’He nodded and gave instructions to the men. I enjoyed the show for only a few minutes before I decided it was time to leave. Even though I had a raging anger in my heart, I couldn't bring myself to kill him. But the humiliation was enough. He would leave the rest of his forsaken life in misery.I knew Aaron was concerned that I had let him live. ‘’Boss,’’ he said to me as we approached our car. ‘’We can’t let him leave. That is not the mode of operation of da Vinci.’’‘’It isn’t him we have to kill. It’s Nile,’’ I said.‘’But he gave the order too. Leaving him is a sign of weakness. Da Vinci does not forgive,’’ he said, anger creeping into his tone.In the last two years, my name had grown to become a sens
I put off the phone and hid it in one of the drawers. Axel was trying to kill me? It was unbelievable. I had spared him even though he deserved nothing from me, yet he wanted me dead. By an assassin.Even though I tried to justify my own attempt on Rory’s life, I could not anymore. I wanted Rory gone and seeing someone wanted me gone too was a blow that I hadn't expected. I had not been to Eleganz clubhouse since i left. It was a place that brought much trauma to me, but i knew it was the only place i could find Axel. i was going to personally pull a bullet through his brain. I took Aaron along with me, and three other armed men. I knew things were going to get pretty messy.Whenever he was at the clubhouse, he was always at the VIP section, either at a game or in a room with the girls. I knew he was at the clubhouse because I could see his truck and those of his entourage parked outside.‘’VIP section,’’ I said to no one in particular as I led the way.It was afternoon
There was pandemonium in the compound. For a minute, I thought the hitman had killed Rory and a mixture of satisfaction and regret overwhelmed me. Until I heard them asking for the family physician to attend to her. She was in labour.‘’What’s going on?’’ I asked one of the security men who was stained with blood.‘’Mrs da Vinci got shot and she’s in labour, ma’am,’’ he said, rushing off.Shot? Labour? Why wasn’t she dead? What kind of assassin didn’t give a fatal shot? I asked for that she should be killed, not wounded. The only thing i could hope for right now was that she and her baby would not survive the shot.‘’Oh my goodness,’’ Bree said, running into my arms. ‘’It’s gory. Someone tried to kill aunt Rory.’’I rubbed her back, my mind racing with uncertainties. Was it a bad decision to use this so-called agent? Was she going to survive? Would my father find out it was me? Would he forgive me? Would Rory forgive me? Was I wrong to doubt her?‘’Octavia?’’‘’Huh?’’ I lo
Rory Moraano. I remembered her too well. But who wanted her dead?It was in the policy of Sergio to meet with the clients while I had no contact with them. This was to ensure the safety of the clients, in case I got caught. But as I paced in the room, I found myself increasingly interested in who would want to kill Rory.I knew she was married to Lioneel da Vinci, and news had it that she was pregnant with a son for the mafia boss. It had been a very clever move on her end, to seal herself into such a place of power and wealth. Ii could only think of one person who would want her dead, and that would be Octavia.I walked around the room, thinking about what such powerful information could do for me. The cut I got from Sergio was usually half of whatever was paid. At least, that was what he told me. I couldn’t trust him with the truth and he could be receiving more than he disclosed. This was a good chance to make some good money, all I needed was the information of the client.