LANAI thought that would make Pedro give up, but when I returned to school after the weekend, I was taken aback by what happened next.A young man approached me, someone I had never seen before. "After school today, youโre going to get a big surprise," he said mysteriously.โWho are you?โ I asked, but he simply turned and walked away, leaving me puzzled and unable to figure out what he meant.As I entered the school through the gate, I couldnโt shake off the feeling of anticipation.Later that day, after school, I began to hear music. A voice was singing, and I couldnโt quite make out the words.โHeโs so handsome! Who is he singing for?โ I overheard a girl whisper to her friend.A sense of dread washed over me, and I quickened my pace toward the exit. When I stepped outside, I was stunned to see a van parked nearby, surrounded by speakers and musical equipment. A whole band was set up, and there was Pedro, holding a microphone and singing.My heart sank when he spotted me. There was n
LANAThe car sped down the streets, and frustration bubbled inside me. I made a quick decision and booked a taxi on my phone. Just as I was about to get in, Pedro approached.โLana, look at how he abandoned you. He doesnโt care about you like you care about him. What did you do to make him ignore you andโโI spun around, cutting him off. โShut up!โI didnโt realize my eyes were brimming with tears until I saw the surprise in his gaze. I faced him defiantly. โWhy are you doing this? Itโs not just hurting me; youโre ruining my happiness. When I was at my lowest, he came to me. He healed me. He gave me a reason to smileโฆโI wiped my tears angrily. โWhat youโre doing is trying to come between me and the person who gave me a chance to live a normal life, a chance to love and be loved.โHe stood there, speechless. I couldnโt tell if he understood, but all I wanted was to see Maximum and explain everything.As I reached for the car door, Pedro grabbed my wrist. I turned to him, my expression
LANAAt that moment, I didn't know whether to feel happy or sad. Maximum's jealousy felt like both a blessing and a curse.As another A-list singer took the stage, the crowd erupted with excitement. I stood there, my emotions tangled, when someone nudged me. I turned to see a girl smiling at me. I didnโt recognize her, but her name tag suggested she was a classmate."Lana, youโre really something! First, a guy confessed his love for you by singing in the street, and now the whole crowd is buzzing again. How do you do it?" she asked, her eyes glinting with curiosity.I was at a loss for words."Lana, I think you should pick the richer guy," she said seriously.I looked at her, slightly baffled. "I have a boyfriend," I replied.She scoffed. "What does that mean? Can he love you and treat you like they can?"Frustrated, I decided to disengage from the conversation and made my way through the crowd. Finally, I managed to squeeze out and catch a glimpse of Maximumโs car parked down the str
LANAI sighed, unable to shake my worries. He reassured me, "I'll take you there. If you can't face her alone, I'll go with you."I nodded and replied, "I'll get dressed."Twenty minutes later, we were in the car, heading to the address my mom texted me. It was a newly established restaurant, and I was surprised she could book a premium-gold private room."I want to see her alone," I told Max."Go ahead," he agreed. "I'll wait for you."I leaned over, gave him a quick peck, and stepped out of the car. As I entered the private room, I was taken aback by how stunning my mom looked. Her simple outfit and jewelry made her appear incredibly sophisticated. It was clear she was doing very well."Lana, please take a seat," she said calmly, a smile on her face that spoke of a good life.I sat down across from her, a table between us."Let's have lunch first," she suggested."I already ate before I came. No need to go through all that trouble," I replied.She just smiled, not arguing. Moments l
LANAMaximum stared at me in silence, and I could feel my heart pounding. I'd never been this nervous before; my muscles were tense, and my heart felt like it was clenched tight.I swallowed hard, waiting for his response.When he didnโt reply, my panic grew. โIs the girl youโve been searching for all these years coming back into your life? Have you found her?โ I asked.He studied me for a moment and then said, โWho told you about her?โHis question wasnโt important to me. I was desperate to know where I stood in his life, so I pressed on, โThat doesnโt matter. Is she back?โHe simply replied, โWait.โI watched him turn and leave the balcony. I thought I could handle this, that Iโd be able to move on, but my emotions spiraled out of control. I realized how much I loved him and couldnโt let go.Before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face.Hearing his footsteps, I quickly wiped them away. I didnโt want him to see me crying.When he returned to the balcony, there was a smile on h
LANAAt that moment, my heart was filled with joy. I smiled and embraced him tightly, holding him close.He kissed my forehead, and we held each other for ten whole minutes before we reluctantly parted.After dinner, we were in our bedroom when Maximum brought up the topic."Have you made up your mind?" he asked.I turned to him on the bed, my arm around his neck. "I will return, but I have one condition."He looked into my eyes and asked, "What is that, baby?"I replied, "I donโt want to live under the same roof as the man who abandoned my mother when she was pregnant and who just reappeared, expecting us to welcome him with open arms."I expected him to disagree, so I was surprised when he readily agreed without hesitation. "I agree."Looking at his handsome face, I couldnโt help myself. I leaned in and kissed him, and he wrapped his arm around my back, deepening the kiss.I straightened up and tugged at my shirt collar. He helped me out of it, and we tossed it aside. I returned the
LANAI smiled sweetly at him, my heart heavy with emotion."I'm going to miss you even more," I said, my voice thick with tears. We embraced tightly, and I didnโt even notice when my eyes began to redden, warm tears spilling down my cheeks.The thought of spending days without him felt unbearable; I had grown so accustomed to his presence.He placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. "I will come for you, baby," he promised.After we left the swimming pool, we shared a quiet dinner together. Once we finished, I headed up to my room while he stepped out.Sleep eluded me. I lay in bed, eyes wide open, tossing and turning, unable to find comfort.Just then, my phone rang. Without glancing at the screen, I answered, "Hello?"To my surprise, it was my mother on the other end. "Lana, when do you say youโre coming to New York tomorrow?"I replied, my impatience bubbling over, "Iโll be on my way to New York in the morning.""Well, I already bought a fligโ"I cut her off, hanging up and tossing my
LANAI was taken aback, unsure of who might show up at my door besides the driver and my mom, who already knew I was back in New York. I didn't have any friends here; Bernardo had made sure of that.Another knock echoed, and curiosity got the better of me. I opened the door, and my eyes widened in disbelief."Pedro!" I exclaimed, my voice a mix of shock and surprise.He flashed a grin and replied, "Lana, you didnโt mention you were coming back! If I hadnโt been keeping tabs on you, I wouldnโt have known."I stood there, speechless. Pedro was the most stubborn person I had ever met, and his determination was something to behold."Can I come in?" he asked, noticing I hadnโt invited him inside.I shook my head firmly. "Of course not."I closed the door slightly but stood in front of it with my arms crossed, demanding, "Why are you here?"He grinned, his expression shifting to seriousness. "To see you, of course."I had anticipated that response, so I shot back, "Now that youโve seen me,
LANAI thought that by staying silent and ignoring him, my dad would just leave. Instead, he shut the door and strode over to my bed. He sat down and remained quiet for a while, and I hoped he wouldnโt say anything. But then he broke the silence."Lana," he began, "I know you might suspect meโthink Iโm behind the kidnapping, that I set up Mark for this."He paused, taking a sharp breath. "Iโll admit, I wanted Maximum dead. But not at the cost of your life. I wonโt put you in danger to achieve my goals."My heart raced. I had never expected him to confess that he wanted Maximum dead. I wanted to pretend to sleep, but I couldnโt keep my composure any longer.Then, to my shock, he continued. "I know youโre listening and questioning why I want him gone. He hasnโt told you, but that bastard did something unforgivable. I wonโt rest until he pays."I froze at his words, feeling a chill run down my spine. He sneered, "He killed my brother, and he has to die. Goodnight, my princess."In that m
LANAMaximum didnโt finish what he wanted to say, but I could sense his meaning, and it shook me to my core.He turned off the television and walked toward me, pulling me close and kissing my forehead. โDonโt be scared, Lana. I promise Iโll come for you. Weโre going to get married.โI looked into his eyes and nodded. โI believe you,โ I replied softly.A smile spread across his face, and he kissed my forehead again before saying, โYou can leave now.โI felt a wave of reluctance wash over me, but I knew that staying would only provoke my father further. I turned toward the door, glancing back more times than I intended.As I descended the staircase and stepped outside, I was met with a scene of chaos: rows of police cars lined the street, and helicopters hovered above.A small smile tugged at my lips; I never imagined such a grand display was all for my return.My gaze swept over the crowd until I spotted my dad, deep in conversation with someone. When he noticed me, he abruptly halted
LANABefore I could escape, Mark grabbed my arm. I tried to push him away, screaming, "Let go of me!"He turned and slapped me hard across the face, leaving my head buzzing. "If you don't want to get hurt, you'd better cooperate and behave."My ears rang from his fierce warning, and I struggled to keep my eyes open as he dragged me down the mountainside.When I looked around, he was already pulling me into a cave. Armed men with guns surrounded us, and I knew I had to plead for mercy. "Mark, think of your friendship with my dad. Please let me go."He laughed, looking at me with disdain, then ordered his men, "Tie her up."He shoved me to the ground, pain shooting through my body from the impact. I looked at him with resentment, but he ignored me and walked away.Once I regained my senses, I found myself being tied up with ropes. No matter how much I struggled, they easily restrained me and forced me into a corner.I had lost track of time in the dark cave. My body ached, and exhaustio
LANAI didn't completely trust what Maximum had said about my father, but in that moment, I realized it was crucial to help my mother break free from her one-sided love for him.I took her hands, and for a brief moment, she seemed present. To my surprise, she smiled brightly, and I felt a flicker of confusion at the sudden warmth in her expression."Mom," I said softly.Suddenly, her eyes filled with tears as she replied, "Iโve been waiting for this moment, Lanaโthe day you finally forgive me."I was taken aback, momentarily at a loss for words.I squeezed her hands gently and said, "Mom, what if youโve been living a lie? What if everything you believe about Dad isnโt true?"Her expression shifted to one of confusion, and I realized she had no idea what I was trying to convey. I pressed on, "Consider this: what if Dad doesnโt love you? What if heโs been using you to achieve his own goals? What ifโ"Before I could finish, she jerked her hands away, her eyes narrowing with fury.She lea
LANAAfter living with my mother for so many years, I could easily tell when she was lying; her body language gave her away.I sneered, "Stop trying to fool me, Mom. The Lana you knew is gone. If you think Iโll fall for your lies, youโre dreaming."My mom wasnโt shocked. Instead, she became furious and snapped, "What kind of daughter are you? Arenโt you worried that your father hasnโt kept his promise? He hasnโt even introduced me as his fiancรฉe to any of his friends, but heโs been flaunting you around?"I shrugged nonchalantly. "Not my problem, Mom. Youโve spent years in street fights and passed out drunk in bars. Do you think Dad wants to show you off with that history?"She froze at this, and I realized sheโd either forgotten her past or was choosing selective amnesia. Did she think her past actions were forgotten just because she claimed to have changed?With a sigh, she asked, "Lana, are you going to judge me like everyone else?"I yawned, stretched, and replied, "Mom, Iโm tired.
LANAStanding behind me was Maximum, my boyfriend, wearing an expressionless face. He reached out and pulled me into his arms, and I buried my face in his chest, feeling a mix of comfort and tension."Stop trying so hard. I will never let you have her," Maximum warned sternly, his voice low.I turned to glance at Mark. His face was dark, fists clenched tightly, clearly furious that Maximum had interrupted."Stop acting arrogant. Youโll never be able to marry her. The more you try to ruin my plans, the more painful it will be when I finally take her to the altar as my wife," Mark replied confidently, a smile creeping onto his face.I was taken aback by his stubbornness. Did he really think he could have me despite my relationship with Maximum? He certainly had a big heart."Really? Youโre sure I canโt marry her?" Maximum retorted playfully, a glint in his eye."Yes, you canโt," Mark shot back confidently.Then, in a shocking twist, Maximum dropped to one knee. The music in the backgrou
LANAWhen I heard the news, I was speechless. Though I had never shown much interest in my dad's business, I knew that Lionel's Corporation was publicly traded and ranked among the top twenty companies in the state."Dad, you don't need to do this..." I tried to reason with him, but he replied firmly, "You are my princess. You deserve this and more."I stood there, unsure of what to say next. My dad was incredibly stubborn; once he made up his mind, there was no changing it. I finally resigned myself to the fact that he wouldnโt be taking back the shares."Lana, are you coming home with me?" he asked.I hesitated. I didnโt really want to go back, but since he had made the effort to come to my place and made promises, I replied, "Let me just tidy up here, and Iโll come with you."He smiled and said, "Dress up! Iโll pick you up in an hour."Before I could ask where we were going, he had already left. I quickly cleaned my room, then headed to the bathroom for a shower, knowing my dadโs p
LANAI had no idea when I drifted into a deep slumber, and I couldn't recall if he had answered my question.The next morning, I was jolted awake by heavy footfalls and the forceful swing of my door.I sat up to see my dad bursting into my room, flanked by a team of security personnel. He looked down at me with a cold stare. "Where is he?"I rubbed my sleepy eyes, still groggy from sleep, and stammered, "Who?"Ignoring my question, he barked at the security team, "Search the room."Panic surged through me as I remembered last nightโMaximum had been with me, and we had sex. My heart raced when one of the guards opened the bathroom door."Dad, why are you invading my privacy?" I shot back, standing up in a mix of anger and anxiety.He glared at me, unfazed, and scoffed, "Where is he?"Frustration bubbled over. "Can you take a break, Dad? Heโs not here. Just stop this madness! If you donโt want me in your house anymore, Iโll leave!"With that, I stormed out of my room, hoping he would or
LANAI watched him narrate his struggles, his emotions palpable, and I couldnโt hold back my own tears. I broke down and embraced him tightly.โDad, thatโs enough. Iโm not blaming you for anything,โ I said, my voice trembling.He patted my back, reassuring me. โLana, I promise Iโll call it quits when the Wilson family shows no interest in settling scores with me anymore.โHearing those words filled me with relief and joy. No one had ever made such a sacrifice for me, and he did it without me even asking.โThank you so much, Dad,โ I said, reaching out to embrace him again.He stood up, but halfway to the door, he paused and turned to me.โLana, do you know why I donโt want you to end up with your boyfriend, Maximum?โ he asked, his expression serious.This was the answer Iโd been waiting for. โI donโt, Dad,โ I replied, eager to hear him out.He sighed, a deep, rueful sound. โI donโt want to end up a widow or be killed by a psychopath in the street. The life of a mafia is unpredictable.