Chapter 9

Estella’s pov

I laughed as Heather gave me details about her experience with her father while on leave.

“Sometimes I feel like he’s never going get used to the idea of me getting married someday”she said softly.

It was past 5am and we were in our sleeping quarters prepping for the day .

“Come on.You’re lucky to have a parent and one that cares about you so much”I almost wished I had taken back my words as soon as I said it.

I could see the pity in her eyes.She looked away and searched for something else to say.

“That’s by the way.So tell me all about it..how has work been?”

I shrugged wearing my apron.

“Good.Actually less stressful since Boss Pablo won’t be around for awhile and ma Esmeralda loves having her meals privately “

“And?”

“And what?”

“Oh please.I know you’ve been in contact with Simon an Arman.I overhead the maids saying so”

“Well I work for them?”

“And I know they hardly take notice of their workers.I had a crush on Simon but he never took notice of me so I bailed out”

“It’s nothing serious.They’ve just been around lately and I have to do my work for goodness sake”

I was scared she was going to talk about the kiss I had shared with Arman few days ago but she didn’t much to my relief.

She gave me a teasing look and turned back to the mirror in front of her.

An hour later or so,I ventured to the kitchen .I halted in my steps as I sighted Simon walking towards my direction from the garage.He held a bouquet of flowers and beamed at me as he approached me.This was the brightest I had seen him ever since I moved here.He was always serious looking.

I noticed his eyes smiled from end to end unlike Arman’s.Arman always looked at me like he wanted to punish me and I felt like I would looking forward to get punished afterwards.

I stopped myself from comparing and walked forward.

“Hi Estella “

“Hey”I said gazing at the flowers.

He followed my gaze to the flowers and laughed shortly.

“For you.I didn’t know if you’d like roses or dandelions so I chose both”

“Really”I said feeling pleased at his articulation and the fact that she got me flowers.I took them and took a large inhale.

He studied me in so much amusement.

“Thank you so much Don Simon”

“Just call me Simon and really you deserve it.Mum called to let me know about how helpful you’ve been.This is going to be one of your many awards”

I smiled deeply at him nodding.

“Really thank you.I really appreciate “

He searched my face and looked away after awhile

“I was thinking.Maybe we could go out for a drink tomorrow?”

I know he could see the surprise on my face because then he added”Just as friends Estella”

I couldn’t decipher why he was being so nice to me but like he said I’ve been nothing but competent.

“Okay.Sure.”

“Alright bet.I have to leave now because I have a busy day ahead of me.I’d just check on mum and Alda and be gone”

As I watched him leave ,I recalled the kiss with Arman and why did it feel wrong doing this when I thought of Arman .

💥Arman’s pov

I clenched my fist and punched hard on Colban’s face .My first victim ever since I got back or rather a snitch.I had followed up the investigation on knowing who snitched on us and realized it was a mole.

He whined in a painful tone but I was in power.I signaled Fabio to get me a hand towel.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg.You dare to go against the Mendez.Now I need to know if there’s more of it”

“Please Don Arman.It was a mistake.They gave a good amount…”

“You know that’s not an excuse because we pay you well”Simon said walking into the motel room we’d lodged at.

He accepted Fabio’s greetings and moved close to colban.

“You should be thankful that father isn’t here.He would skin you alive and feed you to the homeless dogs around”

Colban gave a sound of fear and recoiled on the seat he sat on.

“What do we do with him?”Simon asked looking impatient

“I’m sure he has somethings to say and then we may consider letting him go”

I saw the hope in his eyes and it only made me feel amused.

“Okay..okay..Please I’m begging.I have a daughter and she needs me in her life.”

“Don’t even piss me off ,colban “I snapped

“Okay.well..I..I was going home after a delivery when I got cornered by a mobster.I knew he was one from his looks and he issued a deal”

“What deal?”Simon said looking like he was going to continue from where I had stopped in giving colban a good torture treatment.

“They call them the genovese.He said he wanted me to give an information for some money and I…”he trailed off on his words looking downwards in shame.

I turned to the mobster that stood close to Fabio.

“Take him and do it quietly “I instructed

I turned deaf ears to Colban’s loud pleas .

“We have to let papa know about this.Now we know one of our enemies and we need to act fast”

“Right.Fabio prepare the car”Simon said and began to pace around

“This is bad Arman.We haven’t had such issue for years now”

“Well I think we have to hope on the routes at Albany and keep it low.”

He searched my face and looked away .I knew that look.

“What is it Simon?”

“We could try Albany but we shouldn’t be seen around Albany either so I suggest we lay low at home and tell the mobsters what to do after setting up the warehouse “

The sound of home kicked my thoughts to only one person.

Estella

I had been away from home ever since we shared a kiss and it was dreading.

“I look forward to that”

I knew our mansion was in a secluded area and off the grid.I also needed to make sure mama and Alda were safe.