Chapter six

Michael’s POV.

The letter reads: I need to see you!

Mother.

She never phoned me.She always sent hand written notes and had them mailed to me.Her desire to live off people waxed higher.

She sounded urgent. Like she was in trouble.

I drive slowly to the house thinking she may have heard about the engagement.Even though,she had no TV or internet where she lived,she still had newspapers sent to her every morning.

I arrive at the house.I see her sitting by the pool.

“What game do you think you are playing?”

“What game?” I said sitting beside her.

“You were dating Anna Basano all along?”

She confirmed my thoughts.She heard.

“Technically.”

“Michael,I know what you’re doing but you must know Basano is not that easy to crack.He took your father from us!”Her voice cracking loud,her eyes burning with rage.The memories had come to her.

“Mother, this man is the reason you live like this. You could barely tell who I was for months as you stayed in that hospital.I watched you turn a shadow of yourself.You are barely holding on now.”

“I am no longer depressed.The doctors ruled that out you know.”

“Really? So what about the pills?”

She froze.She did not think I knew. Pills scattered in her purse the last time I visited.

She tries to get a hold of her self, “They are for pain.I get this headache.”

“Sectraline?”

She turns away from me.

“That man took my family.I will not stop.”

“Your father’s assassination happened at the penthouse!”

“And so?”

“Does that not tell you this man is dangerous? the penthouse is one of the most secured properties we have but someone the killer manages to by pass security and make that shot.Someone who was never found.”She said with tears welled up her eyes.

“And that is why I want to make Anna a pawn. I can get more through her.”

“This is a dead end Michael.Call of that engagement,focus on living.Let your father rest.It has been years.”

“No. If I have to officially marry her to get my pound of flesh I will,”the thought burning my chest as I let the words out.

“Bella.”

“What?,”I blurted out. Not in a million years did I think my mother knew that I ever had a thing with Bella. And now she says her name out of the blues. As I aligned my thoughts,I heard steps walking in behind us.

I turned. I could not believe my eyes.

There she was. It felt like a scene from a movie I had seen a long time ago.She stood looking at me.

“What is the meaning of this? How did you get to my mother?”

“I never said sorry for that day Michael.You shut me out and I didn’t know what to do. I have tried to get to you all these years.”She said softly.

I could not stay,the memories were fresh. I left the house with every rage and anger burning inside me.I was going to the only place that mattered most aside the Mickeys.

I am warning you.

I walked into the penthouse. It was my resort after my father’s assassination.Where every bit of emotion and hate I felt I could express.

I see a piece of bloodied paper pinned to the door. I open it and it has the words I am warning you.

I scoffed.

The last time I received a threat like this was two years ago when I had struck a deal. And I never bother about messages like these. In a world like ours,death threats often came at intervals.Some do it to reclaim lost honour, to settle scores or asking me to back out of a deal.

I toss the bin into the trash and pour myself a glass of whiskey. I gaze at the buzzing city even at dusk. A tough city it is.

My door creaks.

Anna enters.

“Hey wifey.” I said enthusiastically

She frowns, “Don’t let it get to your head Michael.”

“But you’re in my penthouse.Does that not prove something? Not even my mother comes here.”

“You asked me to meet you here at six dummy. Why is it this hidden anyway?”She asked looking around.

I look at my watch.The day before, I had asked her to meet me here.“Everyone has a place of solitude,don’t you Anna.?”

“We have a couple of events to attend next week. There is a fundraiser and a bid,” She said handing out the invites.

I don’t take them.I move close to her.“Don’t you have a place of solitude?”

“Michael that is not your business. “

“Loosen up Anna. Don’t you think the fake engagement comes with some relaxation?”

“Those are your invites” she said tossing the tickets on the table.

“Why are you always uptight though? I only passed tests and got some kind of recommendation over you.What’s the big deal,You were good with you grades.”

“Don’t ever talk about me or my grades,”she said,her hands pointing to me.

She walks towards the door. Her hand already on the door knob,I interrupted her.

“You mean you came all the way here to just hand me invites? You said wanted to see me.”

She turned halfway, “Yes I wanted to see you to give you your invites.”

“We will attend the event together,you could have brought them there.”

She scoffs, “ Don’t get ahead of yourself. Those are the invites.”

“Wait.” I said stepping closer. She turns to me, her eyes flickering with annoyance,

“What?”

I caught her gaze,looking her straight in the eye.I leaned in close,she moved back resting on the door. “If we are engaged,we could still fake some parts of it.”

Her breathe hitched and that was all I needed. I move close to her lips,not to kiss her. To know if she was really that tough.

“Michael,” she whispered.

She pushes me slightly and I let go of her.She opened the door and left angrily.

As the click of her heels went farther and farther away, I took the last sip of my whiskey with satisfaction knowing that I had a chance to make her fall for me.