★JANIE★
“Please talk to me, dad.” I pled with him. “Tell me what's going on.”My dad took my hands in his and squeezed them softly. With a puzzled look, I searched his eyes for answers. This wasn't the reaction, I expected from him. Now that his wealthy and generous friend had been so nice to lend us the money, we should be smiling brightly. Not staring at each other with lots of sadness radiating from our eyes.“Janie,” He held my gaze. “No matter what happens, I want you to know that I love you....” he trailed off, avoiding my gaze.“I love you too, Dad,” I added quickly without letting him finish his statement.He sighed. “This is for the best. For me, for both of us.”Pressing my lips in a grim line, I replied; “Of course, that's why we came here to lend money from your friend. Isn't it? ” I asked.He inhaled deeply and exhaled afterward. The moment I saw tears welling up in his eyes, I jolted to my feet. Dad has been the strongest human I had ever met in my entire life. All through my nineteen years of existence, I can count the number of times I have seen my dad looking this depressed; with tears in his eyes.The first was during the period of my mom's death. It was a very heartbreaking period for both of us and we both had gone through the trials and tribulations that accompanied her death, all the way to her burial. Then, I saw him cry when I got into an auto accident.I think it happened six months after mommy died.On that fateful day, I was in a haste to get to the market and help dad. I was also going to tell him I made A's all through my papers. But my joy was cut short when a reckless lorry driver collided with the bus I was in. All I noticed back then, was the shattering glasses of the bus piercing my face as it tumbled over.Luckily for me, I sustained a minor injury on my left cheek, my elbow, and a concussion on my head. A lot of people died that day and how I managed to survive that accident, remained a miracle and a mystery to date.Dad stood to his feet too and he was now facing me with his hands on my shoulders.“You have to tell me what's wrong, dad,” I stated. “Or is it safe to say, these are happy tears? You know I don't like seeing you this way.”He pulled me into an embrace again. “I'm sorry, Janie. I'm sorry. I did this before I realized it, I hope you can forgive me.”He gently tore himself away from me and I stared at him with a frown plastered on my face. I was still fucking confused about this whole situation.With one last glance at me, he picked up the briefcase and walked out of the door. Panic surged through my veins as I stared after his retreating figure.Without a second thought, I ran after him but a strong hand latched around my waist, stopping me from taking any step further.Turning my head slightly, I saw Dad's so-called friend holding me down. “Let me go! Let me go, I want to go with my dad, please.”“I'm sorry, baby girl.” came his deep masculine voice against my ears. His warm breath fanned my neck and I stomped my right foot in rage. “Your dad just sold you out.”My heart dropped to the floor and my stomach sank.What did he just say?No! No! No! He can't be serious. He is a fucking joker and that was an expensive joke. It wasn't amusing. Rather it made my heart shatter into a million pieces.“My dad cannot do that to me!” I fired back at him. “He loves me. Dad loves me so much.” I said repeatedly, trying to believe what I just told myself.“Really?” Slowly, he slipped his hand out of my waist. Almost at once, I attempted to run again but with a swift maneuver, he caught me by my left arm.“Please, I'm begging you.” My eyes glistened with tears. “I think there is a mistake somewhere, just let me meet him. He loves me, he can't do this to me. He can't! ” I yelled at the top of my lungs.He clicked his tongue against his teeth. “Tsk tsk.....I wish I can say he loves you, baby girl. But I don't think so. Considering, the way he just chose money over you.”I glared at him with anger surging through my veins. “I am fucking priceless. No money on earth is enough to buy me.” I sneered.“A hundred thousand dollars just did.”He twitched his lips and pouted them afterward. I knew he was mocking me at this moment. But I don't fucking give a damn! All I wanted was for dad to come back to me; and tell me that, this was just a silly prank he pulled on me.Trust me, I would let this slide. Provided, it doesn't happen again.“I see you don't believe me.” He said, hardening his jaw. “Romano bring the paper on the sofa for the pretty lady. ” He ordered.Romano walked up to me, holding the wrinkled paper my Dad had given me earlier. However, I took it from him with a heavy heart.“Read it!” The boss commanded and my shaky fingers fiddled with the piece of paper. I was so scared of reading whatever was written in there. My heart was beating rapidly, at this rate; it might as well jump right out of my chest.To my lovely daughter,Janie.I know by the time you'd be reading this, I might have committed this grave sin. Daddy is so sorry for doing this to you. I never wanted this to happen and trust me, I want the best for you. But how can I give you the best when I can't even afford three square meals?I paused from reading the paper for a moment and tears slipped out of my eyes, cascading down my cheeks. This hurts. Dad shouldn't have betrayed me. I have never complained to him once that I hated the way he was handling us. Deep down, I knew he was trying his best to provide for my needs and fund each of our necessities.So why the fuck did he do this to me?I resumed, reading the paper once again.Please forgive me, Janie. That man right there promise me, he'd take care of you. I need to set up my life and pursue my dream. To be honest, I went there to lend money to him, but he said, he was willing to give me the money for free if I gave him something very precious to me. And before then, I had already confessed you were the most precious thing in my life. He said if I didn't comply, he would come after me and they look so very dangerous. Yet, despite this, I must spill a very deep secret I have kept hidden for a very long time. I AM NOT YOUR REAL FATHER!Rumpling the piece of paper, I dropped to the floor. What does he mean by he was not my real father? Is it possible for a child to be fathered by two?I rolled on the floor, crying my eyes out. Someone should please wake me up from this fucking nightmare. Because I might die from the heart attack this was giving me.“Take her to her room.” I faintly heard the boss, instructing Romano, and before I knew what was happening;He yanked me over his right shoulder like a piece of paper and carried me to god knows where!“Let me go! Let me go, you pervert! Motherfucking assholes! You can't keep against my will. I don't belong here! I fucking don't belong here! ” I yelled at the top of my lungs, struggling to free myself from his grip. But he was too strong.Opening the door to a room, he hurled me on the bed and pointed at me. “Do not let the boss reprimand me because of you. Because if you do....”“If I do, then what?” I spat, daring him to do his worst.With one swift powerful grip, he yanked my hair forcefully and I winced in pain. “Then I'd make your life a living hell!”“Romano......” The supposedly boss called from the entrance and the fucking asshole instantly released his grip on my hair. “Do not treat her that way. ” He warned.Romano scurried to his feet. “I am sorry, boss. She pissed me off.”He twitched his jaw and balled his fingers into fists. “If she pisses you off, fucking report her to me. Don't treat a woman that way, okay?”“Yes, boss.”“Now leave.” He bellowed.Immediately, Romano proceeded to saunter out of the room. His head hung low and his hands were planted behind his back. I watched him toss me a middle finger, away from his boss's view then he walked out of the room.“Janie, that's your name right?” He asked me, but I made no effort to respond.He walked up to me and tilted my chin to look into his pitch-black eyes. “I can save you from anyone here, but once I'm pissed at you, no one can rescue you from my hands. Don't. Dare. Me!” He warned between gritted teeth.Without a word, I stared back at him. My head was throbbing with pain and my vision blurred; probably, from crying too much. And before I knew it,Darkness consumed me, pulling me deeper into a world of oblivion.★LUCIANO★Hovering over her as she slept, I studied her closely; She had a sculpted figure which was twine-thin and her hand was placed neatly beneath her oval face. She must be a native, I thought to myself. Because her beauty was deeply mesmerizing. Her crescent-shaped eyebrows inclined slightly as she slept. I knew her mind was conflicted at this moment. Probably going through the phase of her father's betrayal all over again. Her delicate ears framed a pointed nose and her languid eyelashes of Velvet-black were tightly closed. It was a pleasure to see her flowing, midnight-black hair crashing over her shoulders. And to compliment all her pretty features, she had smooth white porcelain skin. Indeed, she was the epitome of beauty and perfection. Worthy of every dime I spent to acquire her and a part of me was somewhat delighted my money didn't go to waste. Now, she would be mine and mine alone. I would use her mainly, to satisfy my boredom. Plus, I could not wait for her to regain
★JANIE★My eyelids fluttered open and a wave of nausea hit me immediately. Struggling not to puke, I covered my mouth with my right hand and pressed my lip into a grim line. With every ounce of strength I had left in me, I pulled myself to a sitting position and almost at once, my instinct instantly became aware of my surroundings. Memories of what transpired between my dad, the scary but handsome mafia king and I flooded my brain. And that made my eyes glisten with tears. I couldn't believe the man I have known for years wasn't my father!Someone I had known and loved for the whole nineteen years of my existence! He was the one I trusted the most in this whole world. Should someone foretold he would betray me in such a manner, I would have placed a bet on my life that he couldn't. The man showed me so much affection and care. Especially during the period of my accident that almost took away my right to walk.I wiped off the tears from the corner of my eyes with the back of my hand.
★JANIE★The Lucifer king himself walked up to me with each stride delineating great dominance and pride. His gaze bore into mine and I could feel my whole body heating up as he finally stood in front of me. I swallowed hard, dreading his next course of action. His lips curled up in disdain and his nose flared in pure seething rage. "You!" He bellowed between gritted teeth and covered the distance between us. Almost at once, I took a couple of steps backward. My heart was thumping hard and fast against my chest. At this rate, it might as well jump right out. These people don't have a heart. He could order his men to kill me at once and bury my corpse in a shallow grave. Oh! Janie, what have you gotten yourself into? I thought to myself. "Follow me!"His deep voice resonated across the whole building as he ordered me. Casting a glare at me, he walked away and I had no choice but to do his bidding. With my heart in my hands, I turned to look at his men as if they could help apologiz
★JANIE★"Well if you're going to keep me in your house like a prisoner, you might as well provide something for me to eat!" I yelled, stomping my right foot repeatedly on the floor to express the rage seething through my veins.Luciano hardened his jaw and twitched his lips. However, he gestured at a direction with one of his fingers. "The kitchen is that way."Without further ado, I spun around quickly, squared my shoulder and sauntered into the kitchen to prepare something. But I could feel Luciano piercing gaze as I made to walk away. As soon as I got into the kitchen, I was simply satisfied and amazed on how tidy and well arranged it was. Momentarily, I was able to figure out where the utensils, ingredients and food items were kept. Although there weren't much to put together except from pasta, I was beyond grateful. Heaving a sigh, I took out the pot and rinsed it off then I added a water until it was half filled. Afterwards, I ignited the gas cooker and placed the pot on it. T
★JANIE★He wiped his face with his bloody hand. Then, he shot me a daunting glare. I braced myself for what could come next. I was ready to bear the brunt of my action. He could run a slap across my face. or perhaps, he might even kill me too. But instead, his handsome face brightened with a devilish smirk and he claimed my lips.Disgusted and aggravated in anger, I broke the kiss and ran a slap across his hard chiseled face. I pressed my lips together into a grim line and tossed a glare at him."Janie, I-"Tossing my hand in the air, I yelled at the top of my lungs. "Save it." Then I immediately turned on my heels and dashed back into the mansion, straight to my room.Fastening the latch on the door, I sprinted into the bathroom and switched on the faucet. Then I started scrubbing my lips and rinsing my face with the cold water. Images of all that transpired with that man surged to the forefront of my brain, bringing tears to my eyes instantly. My lips quivered as I wondered if I mig
★LUCIANO★“Quick question, Master Luciano. Please where is my son, Pablo? I haven't seen him around.”Casting a cursory glance at Romano, I clenched my fist. Beforehand, I had instructed him to tell her Pablo went on a long trip to Africa. So for her to be asking me that same fucking question all over again, meant Romano failed to do so. Romano dropped his gaze to meet the floor and I twitched my lips before returning my attention to Andrea. “Pablo is not going to be around for a long time,” I informed her. “I sent him on a mission to Africa and don't bother trying to contact him. There is no network in his location.”She stared at me quizzically but before she could think of saying anything else, I was already on the way to my room.Entering my room, I shut the door behind me. Afterward, I plopped on the bed and heaved a sigh. These past few days have been fucking stressful. Furthermore, I was expecting some merchandise from Russia tonight so I'd have to visit the seaport to wait f
★JANIE★Wiping off the tears from every corner of my eyes with the back of my hands, I expelled a sharp air out of my lungs.Breathe, Janie! Exhale! In out, in, out, I schooled myself. I knew with time everything was going to get better. I just had to make sure I calmly strategize my plan and figure my way around here. Then I can make a move. But all this wouldn't be possible if I don't eat, would it? Reluctantly, I dropped the knife on the floor and stared blankly at it. I could not believe I had set up my mind on killing myself a few moments ago. I still had a lot of life in front of me; I haven't attended college, and I have not gotten married. And to say the least, I haven't gotten someone to pop my cherry yet. So where the hell was I hurrying to? No, Janie. You can do this. Luciano is no match for you, just avoid him like a plaque until you can get the hell out of here, I thought to myself. Then I shuffled to my feet, switched on the faucet, and washed off my teary face. When
★JANIE★I bit down on my lower lip. Damn! Why would I offer to treat him? I could care less if he bled to death, that would make everything a whole lot easier for me.Somehow, my thoughts don't correspond with what my mom had taught me. Part of her lessons was to be good no matter the circumstances, or how much the person was bad to you. Luciano stared at me in shock, and he twitched his lips without uttering a word. He walked past me slowly and I followed right behind. I heard Romano clear his throat as we walked away. Perhaps, they might be as stunned as I was at the moment for offering to treat someone who caused me so much pain and ripped me of my dreams. Maybe, this might turn out well, I thought to myself. Alas, I could treat him in exchange to be set free. There was no damn way I was going to render such a benevolent act without expecting anything in return. I'd be damned. Out of sympathy, I walked up to him and encircled my arm around his waist, then we ambled into his roo