(Fives years later)Five years.Five years? Yes! Five years! Jasmine reflected on the changes that had transpired in her life these past five years. She was a completely different person than the naive teenager she had been five years ago. Now she was an entrepreneurial woman raising her digits daily through her own braids brand she called; Raldine, after her mother. She hadn't seen any member of her family ever since she'd ran away from home, ran away from Cameroon, started her life; alone; with the money Marcello had left her as consolation; and, with her baby boy.Yes. Money wasn't the only thing Marcello had left her. He had scarred her for life: but he had also given the most precious gift she had; a baby boy she named Mars. He was almost five years old and while his mama hustled, he stayed home with his aunty Aisha. Aisha was ano

Something rang inside the silent room and Marcello shot someone an instant death glare."I will shove it down your throat if it doesn't quiet down while I think!""Sorry boss." One of the boys rushed out to answer his call.Marcello thought, for long and hard: Where could she have come from? How had she ended up there? Why was fate fucking a trick on him.In the last five years he'd used to build his empire, his world, his life, Marcello thought he had prepared himself for anything and everything that could possibly be thrown at him. He was positive he could face all obstacles, any threats: he was the biggest and most ruthless gang leader of the time; nothing could possibly bring him down: well, until a human being who had so much affected his buried innermost feelings at a certain point of his life which he had chosen to bury; until the girl named Jasmine, a split second romantic interest turned out to be his priso

"He hasn't slept this peacefully since you disappeared." Aïsha told Jasmine who half slept, half laid beside her sleeping boy."Neither have I, and I wouldn't be able to Aï, not until we get the hell out of here. We are not safe!""I am not detective Mc-model Jones so don't lie to me now. What happened? Why didn't you tell them what really happened to you,""I can't tell you, not while we're still in this town. Its dangerous. These people, these people..." Her hands were already trembling on the back of her son as she still patted him to sleep, "They killed... They are very very dangerous and might come back for me if we don't go.""If it is dangerous then you don't want to say it here." Aisha placed her own small hand over Jasmin's. "Everything is going to be OK. We will get out of here if we have to.""Thanks Aïsha. Thank you for being here for me always and for taking care of Marsy."

Compared to the few times she'd been sick, woken up in a white room with the scent if antibiotics feeling her nostrils and leaving her almost nauseous, Jasmine felt a sense of calmness as the bright rays of sunlight brush across her face. For one she was aware she'd been in a life threatening situation and most likely would be in a hospital. But she knew she wasn't; not just because she'd been constantly drifting in and out of consciousness while being transported from the hospital to an unknown location. She caught sight of a man holding up the curtains to let in more sunlight, a natural remedy for quick recovery. Her body still ache and her breathing heavy, but Jasmine still found enough strength to call out,"Hey," a croaky weak sound left her mouth,"Chicca?" Marcello immediately runs to the side if her bed, "Ciao bella ragazza, how are you feeling?" He smoothened hair from her face to the back of her ears, giving her a small genuine smile,"Hi. Are

Three weeks had gone by, Jasmine, Aisha and Mars hadn't left the beach house. Jasmine had gotten better and strong enough to go out exploring and playing with her son and friend. That was literally all they did. Marcello had promised them a time when they'd be able to go out explore the world outside that island, but that time wasn't exactly then. But even so, no one could have gotten bored, he made sure they had everything and anything the needed. Mars had an entire room of toys and video games, he was the only one still most likely to get bored; but he couldn't. This time he had both his mother and father. Their family seemed almost perfect. Marcello would pay them visit every now and then, Serena would too but not as often as him since she always ended up in an argument with Aisha. Their chemistry was undeniable but the kind that blew the roof off the lab."So, you wanna grab that diner with me?" Serena asked Aisha, her accent making the latter giddy,