Lahat ng Kabanata ng Claimed By The Mafia Boss: Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 20

CLEO GARCIA I got an email from Human Resources when I was at the office. Dannie was walking over to me. He was a friend from work. We were also seeing each other romantically and sexually. “Is it me or you've been so distant?” Dannie said when he got to my desk. He pulled out a chair and sat on it. He twirled and I found the strength to come clean with me. If there was anyone that deserved to know of this, it was him. “I don't know which one it has been, to be honest,” I said and closed my computer. It was lunch break so a few people had gone out to eat. Those who had finished their tasks for the day were packing up to leave. “That sounds like a yes to me.” Dannie pulled out two servings of ramen noodles and a pack of chips. “I brought lunch,” he announced. “Tell me you're hungry, please.” I laughed, pushing one of the noodles to me. “You know me, Dannie. I'm always hungry.” Dannie laughed with me as he opened his meal. We toasted with our forks before we started eating.

ISABELLA GARCIA “Come on, Ethan. This is the most I can do for you,” I said to my son. Ethan and I were out at the park. Something that we haven't been able to do in ages. Enzo made it possible. “No. Tell Enzo I want to play with my agemates. Mum, please,” Ethan whined. We had two guards with us, Marcello and Scarface, along with two nurses. Nurse Kim and Nurse Peterson. Last night, during dinner, Enzo asked Ethan what he wanted to do and Ethan said he missed the park. We had not gone in months because of Ethan’s sickness. Ethan was so sick and weak that he could easily catch illnesses. His body lacked a functioning immune system. If someone has a cold and he was exposed to that person, Ethan would have a cold. And the worst part was something as small as a simple cold would destabilize him. Something as small as a cough or a runny nose could take his life. So in a way of keeping him safe, I've kept him away from activities as simple as playtime at the park. “If you’re

ISABELLA GARCIA “Terry, I'm sure you can make an exception. Please can you just try more?” I rubbed my forehead in frustration. I already knew where this was going. Terry, Ethan’s father had become nothing but a monster to me. Last two years, I had a feeling he was cheating. He was already treating me like shit and blaming me for Ethan’s sickness then. I stalked him and found out about his mistress, Laura from his office meetings. She was a curvy red-haired and a meanie the first time I ever bumped into her at Terry’s workplace. Seeing them together broke me, so I filed for divorce. Since then, Terry has become nothing short of my worst nightmare. “Can we talk later? I have stuff to get to,” Terry replied sharply. Enzo got down beside me. He gave me the glass of wine and I threw it down my throat at once. My anger boiled but tiredness enveloped me. “When do I tell him you’re coming?” I asked Terry instead of picking the fight he wanted. “I don’t know

ISABELLA GARCIA We arrived in a convoy of luxury, neat black cars. My nerves were a hot mess. I was this close to asking Enzo if I could return home. The closer we got, the more I wasn't sure if I wanted to be here. I was attending the funeral of the man who Enzo killed. What was more insulting than that? But I looked to my side to see Enzo with an impassive face. He was calm like he had everything under control. When he noticed I was looking at him, he flashed a smile my way. “Nervous?” Enzo asked as the car came to a halt. I nodded. “This is…a lot. Do we have to do this?” “Not really,” Enzo said in truth. “But this is the last chance to pay our respects. And you wanted to see his kid, make sure she's alive. She will be here.” I swallowed. It must be horrible for her to be here. I imagined Ethan having to attend my burial and my heart shattered. I shook the thought away and tried to gather myself. Someone opened Enzo’s door. Enzo got down and turned for

CLEO GARCIA I received the email last night. I have struggled to not evaporate with joy, or let out a squeal in the office. I had to let it play out. I had to let my colleagues see my article get published in the New York Times before I burst. Only after then can I show my delight by jumping and shouting with glee. I had spent an extra thirty minutes getting ready today. My eyeliner had to be perfect, as well as my foundation and lipstick. When I walked into the office, I walked with my head high. It was around ten am that the publication got published. Five minutes later, there was a knock on my door. Debbie, a team member poked her head in. “Have you seen it?” Debbie asked, grinning. I played the oblivious game. “Seen what?” I asked. Her mouth hung open. Debbie walked into my office, giving me a look. “What?” I asked. Just say it already, Debbie. It’s getting harder to pretend. Debbie raised her tablet. “You got featured on this week's New York Times