MasukWeeks had rolled by. I was basically in hiding with my daughter. My supposed wedding day came and went and I found myself crying because that should have been one of the happiest days of my life but everything fell through.On the positive side of things, my daughter was hale, hearty and alive and that gave me more happiness than anything ever could. Sometimes I wondered if she had been traumatized by her abduction. Inasmuch as she seemed alright to me, easing back into a somewhat normal life and playing with her cousins, I could not help but worry about an inherent trauma that she was not grown enough to fully express.To make up for all that, I gave her most of my time, loving up on her in the best way I could and constantly reassuring her of how I would never let her out of my sight ever again. Maybe I was overdoing it but I could not fathom any other way to go about this.Xander's calls were the highlights of our days. I was always eager to hear from him, more so his daughter who
Rome. The place I had known as my place of origin but I could never really call it home.Sometimes it felt strange to come here. I stuck out like a sore thumb, looking a lot different from everyone else here. I sounded different too. Apparently, this was why they hated me. I was too different to be the one who would take over. I was almost tempted to forfeit everything but I had worked too hard for this.I napped all through the ride from the airport to the family estate. I was that exhausted, especially after a very eventful night with my wife. My wife...The title still sounded strange to me. It was even stranger because I was yet to reveal my marital status to the rest of the world. But soon, sooner than anyone would expect, I would.Red eyed from the short sleep, I got out of the vehicle and made my way into the mansion only to see the last person I wanted to see, standing in the living room. Jutting his chin, he had the guts to give me a greeting."Hello cousin."In a fit of r
I was in disbelief that Xander's family would go that far. I immediately began to wonder if I had married right.Almost as if he read my thoughts, he said, "They're not me. You're married to me, not them.""But they're still your family. We all share the same name." Inasmuch as he did not have a good rapport with most of them, it did not change the fact that they were all bound by blood. Xander thought otherwise."You're my family. You, Arya and my nonna are the only family I know. No one else." "I can't believe Antonio finally gave in to his father's demands. I thought you two were like brothers." I said with a long exhale. The facts kept slapping me in the face.He shrugged. "Even brothers betray one another. His father betrayed mine too.""So what do we do?" I needed to know what our next line of action would be. If we were gonna sit back and let it slide or confront them."You and Arya have to stay here for a while until everything is sorted. You're much safer here." He said, s
~ Olive~I had paced the floor so much, it felt like I would burn holes through them. "Olive relax." Maya said."Why hasn't he returned any of my calls or texts? It's been twenty four hours!" I exclaimed. I had done everything in my power to reach him but it was a dead end all through."Maya, do you think something happened?" I looked at her, ready to cry."No no, let's think positive thoughts only. He's alright and I'm sure everything is fine.""Okay." I nodded, heaving deep breaths. Positive thoughts only.~Day Two...It had been two days. Two hectic and gut-wrenching days without a word from Xander."Someone has to know something." I wept loudly as I dropped my phone yet again."Olive you have to eat something," Roy said. He had tried calling too."I don't know what I'd do if anything happens to them. I won't be able to live.""Were you able to reach his assistant?" Maya asked her husband."Yes. All he said was that Mr Giovanni is currently unavailable." He shrugged.I shuddered,
"I'll kill them both." I gritted out angrily."Er erm." The detective cleared his throat. "Not literally." I corrected myself immediately. "But we have to get to action now.""We have to ensure your daughter's safety and we need more proof than word of mouth before taking them in.""What?! She lives in the same house as that beast!""I only spent the night there." Chloe interrupted, raising her hand like a school child."Same difference." I shrugged. Nonna's call came in just then. "Alexander," She sounded breathless and I immediately panicked."Nonna what's wrong?""You have to be careful. Your enemy is closer than you think." Her voice sounded eerie and distant, almost like she was talking from the other side."What do you mean?" I asked, fighting off the feeling of trepidation that was slowly making its way to my heart."Just be careful. Trust no one. Not even me. I do not know what your plans may be but do not disclose it to anyone." She said.I nodded, swallowing hard as I sh
Nothing could beat the fulfillment on Tasha's face when she saw the news. Now they just had to wait for the transfer. Her phone rang just then."You kidnapped her too soon. If you release her now, how are you so sure they would not go ahead with the marriage?""You worry too much." She laughed. "They would be too scared to do anything. I have a reliable source who tells me that they are not in good terms and she is preparing to move out of the city. No girl wants to be with a man that comes with so much drama. And there's no way he would be married by his thirty fifth birthday."His deep rumbling baritone filled her ears once again. "Your plan had better work. Release the girl two days from now.""Yes I will." She smirked.What he didn't know was that she was waiting on the cash transaction so she could give Malik his cut and then they would let the girl go.~"Tasha I just want this to end already." He growled lowly, trying to not wake Chloe who had stirred in her sleep a few times.







