《Infatuation Of Darkness》


 Chapter 1 - One

    For further chapters, I ask you to be patient with both the development of the story and character''s.


    Also, please read the note.


    _____


    The ringtone of her alarm woke her up. She wasn''t a morning person but for sure was a workaholic. After shutting the clock off, she went towards the bathroom for her daily morning routine. After taking a shower, she wore a robe and walked into her walk-in closet, it wasn''t big but just enough for her. She took out a white blouse with red pants paired white stilettos and small white pearls in her ears.


    After applying the precise amount of make-up that she did on a daily basis, she walked into her kitchen where Diesel was waiting with his tail wagging from side to side.


    Patting him on the head, she continued scratching him which her husky enjoyed the most. "Good morning buddy. Had a good night''s sleep?" The black and white dog couldn''t help but purr at the attention and affection given to him by his owner. Opening the cabinet she pulled out his food and served it to him. She made herself a cup of coffee and had last night''s egg rolls. Finishing her food, she put the dishes in the sink and grabbed her purse and a few files that she brought home last night.


    Locking the door, she checked it one more time and walked to the lift, greeting everyone with a nod who came in the way. Coming out of the apartment building, she hailed a taxi and took off in the direction of walker and associates, deciding to not drive her car today. She was the Secretary to the owner who was an old man: old but sweet in nature and strict during work hours.


    The watchman nodded to the lovely girl who just walked in. Walking in, she went directly to Mr Walker''s cabin through the lift. "Good morning, Mr Walker. How are you today?" The girl asked showing her bubbly nature which the old man loved. He couldn''t help but just smile lovingly at the girl in front of him.


    "I am fine Alexis. How have you been doing?" The old man asked while adoring her. The young girl of twenty four took care of him as he was her own father. She walked to the cabinet and took out his medicines along with a glass of water and walked to him. "I''ve been better. I sorted out these files and pointed out the mistakes, please have a look on them." She said putting the files in front of him on his desk.


    "I will. You may look through my emails." After saying that, he dismissed her. Walking in her office she dropped her purse, logged into her account and she started working.


    A knock came at her door, glancing at the clock she realized how long she had been working for. It was the watchman who knocked. He was giving her a disapproving glance, "Ms Williams, you''re young blood. Go out. Enjoy yourself. Stop stressing yourself so much you''ll have wrinkles before you turn thirty."


    She couldn''t help but laugh, she replied, "I''ve been through a lot, Marcus, I''ve trust issues. But if I come across one I''ll let you know." Marcus left with a polite nod and a smile on his face. Getting up, she collected her stuff and walked towards the exit.


    It was dark and there were no taxis available at the moment, so she walked to the subway. As she was walking, thinking about the new proposal, she heard slurry voice of a man.


    "That ass looks right real tight in those pants." He laughed following her from behind.


    Turning around she saw a drunken man inching towards her fast. He came closer and pulled her closer to him and grabbed her ass in a painful rough grip. She couldn''t think of anything but kicking his jewels and running away.


    ''God no, I am so not getting raped or mugged tonight.''


    She took off, she didn''t know where she was heading to but she could hear the man chasing her. All she wanted was to outrun him at all costs and since thinking while running was never a good option, she bumped into someone. Before she could fall she had arms wrapped around her, looking up and she stared at the man in front. His eyes were cold but captivating. She held his biceps and could tell he was a really strong person. His jawline was well defined. She looked at him and saw him doing the same. He was taking in her features as well.


    They both were broken out of their trance when the drunkard guy approached.


    "I''ll have her first, you take the seconds." The man who held her stabled her on her feet and the rose of his original height on hearing that. He was really tall.


    He made by her 5''9 with heels feel small.


    Her saviour approached the drunken man who had a knife in his hand this time and pierced it in his left upper arm. Alexis gasped and took a step back in fear only to be stopped when a glare was thrown her way. The man pushed the drunkard and held him by his collar. He punched the man in the face and knocked him out.


    She could swear she heard a bone cracking.


    As if knocking him out wasn''t enough, the man kicked the side of his face making sure that he wouldn''t be up for a few good hours. As if knocked out of her trance, she saw the man turning around but she could see the crimson colour liquid flowing out of his hand, his arm was bleeding. She hesitantly approached him and spoke, "You''re bleeding, sir. Please let me take you to the hospital and-"


    He cut her off in the middle, not wanting to waste his time, "No it''s alright. You do not need to me pay back." The man spoke in a very heavy accent. His voice was heavy too.


    "No, please, it''s not payback you''re bleeding, I could patch you up. Please." At least the guilt won''t eat her up now for letting him bleed after saving her.


    ''And secretly pay you back as well,'' A cheeky smile came to her lips as she saw him asking her to lead the way. Her principles won''t allow her to let the man walk away after helping her.


    "Don''t you have a car?" he asked as she started to walk.


    "um no, not today." She answered. He looked at her weird, before taking out his phone and calling someone. A car came and he had opened the door for her, sitting inside himself, they followed her directions, home.


    She greeted the guard who was intimidated by the presence of the man next to her. Her naivety was something that he was intrigued by. ''How could she not tell?'' He thought. When she twisted the lock, she looked up at him and said, "Please, come in.." She smiled, inviting him in.

 Chapter 2 - Two

    He couldn''t help but be attracted to her naivety. He could always sense the motive behind other people''s actions but he couldn''t tell anything when he looked at her. So either, she was damm good at it or she was just plain stupid.


    "Please have a seat. I''ll get the first aid kit and if you want to use the washroom; it''s right there. And the kitchen is ri-"


    He cut off her rambling, "Its fine. Please, just get the first aid kit." Saying that he took off his suit jacket, on seeing him unbuttoning his shirt, her eyes immediately went wide.


    "Wha- why are you doing that?" She asked while inching away from him.


    The man couldn''t help but softly chuckle at her expressions. "Well, you are going to bandage my arm, so I need to take off my shirt and have you bandage it properly."


    "Ye-yes, I''ll the kit, yes, I''ll get the kit for you." He was charmed by her; for the first time he was cared by someone and without any other influence involved. He sat on the couch and it was comfortable. Looking around he was impressed for how she had decorated her entire apartment. Everything felt homely to him. Strange, he felt like that only when he was with his mother. She returned back with the kit in her hands. When she looked up to him she was surprised to see him shirtless. She quickly hid it but her flushed cheeks with crimson colour gave her away.


    She walked to him and sat on the coffee table in front of him. Bringing his arm forward, she opened the box and took out the bottle of antiseptic from it. She dabbed it on cotton and applied it on his cut, luckily it was a graze. Alexis never once saw him wince once rather she saw him looking at her.


    Keen amusement was visible in his eyes. She couldn''t help but gulp and bite her lower lip to concentrate. As if something happened, his eyes turned dark and flickered to her lips and back to her eyes. She copied his actions and eventually both of them started leaning in. She could feel his breath over her nose and lips. A mere inch was left for their lips to meet when they heard a bark all of a sudden, which caused Alexis to jump and pull back.


    "Jesus, D, quiet and go into the kitchen." Whining a bit the dog left but not before growling at the unknown man''s presence. The man himself was quiet amused by the dog yet agitated on the opportunity missed. As she finished dressing his wound he got up to thank her.


    "Well miss-" he waited for her tell him her name,


    "Alexis Williams," she immediately answered.


    "Miss Williams, thank you for your hospitality. I must take my leave now." He sent a tight lipped smile her way.


    "Oh no, it''s fine. You saved my life back there. Patching you up was nothing. If I could pay you back by any-"


    "You might as well." Muttering under breath, the man brought his lips down to hers. It was slow and gentle, truly showing that he was savouring the taste of her plump lips. Their lips moved in sync.


    After a while they broke apart. The man stared into her eyes and right into her soul.


    "My name is Angelo De''Alassandro and I am going to pursue you, Ms Williams. So, you''ll be seeing a lot more of me." He smiled which was something he wasn''t use to doing.


    Alexis couldn''t actually believe her ears. A man she didn''t know existed until later tonight was practically asking her for a relationship. An unknown man whose name she just came to know about, wanted to be in a relationship with her but it was her past that was holding her back otherwise she could have given relationships a chance long time back.


    But now she was terrified; both of the situation and the man who had very intimidating and dominating presence.


    "I''m s-sorry Mr Alassandro, I don''t-"


    Cutting her off again, he said, "Then go on a date with me."


    "Huh?" That caught her off guard.


    She didn''t reply because she was too busy thinking about what happened when she went out on a date last time and the guy turned out to be a freak but Angelo seemed like an intelligent man. He knew when which opportunity was to be grabbed and which wasn''t and that''s what he exactly did. He grabbed it.


    "Well then, I''ll inform you about the time and the destination, in fact I''ll be picking you up." With that said Angelo walked out of her apartment. As if the situation finally came back at her, she broke out of her trance.


    "W-wait but I didn''t give you any of my details or any such information."


    Angelo let out an amused chuckle and answered her, "You don''t need to, love. That is my headache. Good night, darling. We''ll meet again." She watched him walk into lift. Turning around a mere inch was left for the lift to close, when he winked at her. Being stunned was an understatement. She couldn''t understand what had happened. But she knew sleeping might help or she was just lazy.


    I should sleep. Maybe I''ll figure it out tomorrow.


    As soon as she put a step inside, she heard the lift ding. A man around 6 ft. in height walked to her next door apartment and stopped to talk.


    "Hello there. The names James; James bond and I am going to live right next door. " He said in a horrible British accent and a wonderful smile.


    Alexis couldn''t help but giggle at the cheesy guy in front of her.


    "Hi I am Alexis Williams and if you need any help do let me know." She politely greeted him as well.


    "Sure will." Smiling, he opened the door and walked in, closing it after him.


    Alexis walked to the kitchen, took out some snacks and turned on the TV wondering what tomorrow might bring.

 Chapter 3 - Three

    The usual morning routine followed but there was a slight change. As soon as she would open her door her new neighbour would pop out too. She met Angelo two days ago and hadn''t heard from or seen him since. It was something she was happy about. The routine was still the same, going on a walk with diesel, and getting work done and of course Mr Walker meds and it would have followed too, but someone showed up. Shaking her head, she focused on what she had to wear today to her office. She had to look her best since being a Secretary and the CEO''s personal assistant meant being dragged to luncheons or brunches and that meant to dress up like elite class.


    Brushing thorough and lightly tapping the fingers on the clothes hanging on the racks. She selected a blue suit with white blouse. She kept her hair straight and open and grabbed a white purse by Michael Kors. After feeding Diesel and fixing breakfast for herself, she grabbed her car keys and locked her apartment door. Even though she had a parking space reserved for her, she often took the Subway trying to make an environmental effort at her level.


    Reaching her cabin, she kept her purse and files on her desk and went to Mr Walker''s cabin. Knocking on the door, she heard a distressed ''come in''. By the tone he spoke in she knew he was troubled by something. Her suspicions were confirmed when she saw the old man was laid back in his chair and his head resting on the head rest. Breathing in and out heavily, it clearly showed that the man was stressed.


    Alexis walked to the mini fridge and poured him a glass of water and kept it in front of him.


    "What''s wrong Mr Walker?" She politely asked the old man, respecting his age and position.


    The man didn''t reply. He took the glass of water and emptied it and stared ahead. He worried Alexis. He was one who taught her everything because of which she was actually living in a society which was recognized as a good one and clothes that were straight from designer showrooms.


    "I ...Huh¡­What the fuck.." The old man muttered and shook his head. "Nothing," He mumbled a bit louder in the end.


    "Come on. Please, there is that''s something bothering you." Mr Walker shifted his gaze to her. His eyes softened looking at the genuine concern in the eyes of the girl who was like his daughter. He couldn''t help but share the problem he was facing.


    "I¡­You do know Alexis that I don''t have a child, regardless of the gender, I don''t have a child. So to speak of the future, there is no one to run the company." He breathed in before continuing again, after receiving a nod of encouragement from the girl in front of him.


    "I''ve had an offe¨D I''ve had many offers but this one just got me. It''s good. It has money and growth opportunities; a bright future too, since the offering party is pretty good in business and I''m familiar with them. Uh¡­I''m selling the company, Alexis. I can''t do anything else." He looked up at her, finally gathering the courage.


    Alexis was stunned. She knew of the future heir problem he was facing but selling the company? It was too soon. She nodded not knowing what to say and who was she to say anything to him? He was her boss. Their relationship was pretty much defined. Leaving his office, she felt like crying but why was she crying? It wasn''t her company. She was going to work for the new boss now. There was nothing she could do in it. Seated in her chair, she opened the file to get the work done.


    *****


    "What a lovely afternoon it is, isn''t it, love?" As soon as the door opened she saw Angelo walking in all his glory and charm. "Uh? W-what are you doing here?" She couldn''t help but stare at the man she hoped to never see again.


    "Well, I came here to take you out on a date. It''s actually time for lunch and I happen to know a fine place too. So pack your stuff and let''s leave." He stated. His voice clearly betrayed the fact that he would not take no for an answer.


    "I don''t think so, Mr Alessandro. I - my boss -" She was sure that he won''t allow it or she hoped so.


    "You have nothing to worry about. I have already talked to him about it and do not address me formally again Alexis. It''s Angelo for you; since we are going to see each other way more than you know."


    "I am not-" ''wait talked to him?'' she thought. "How do you know Mr. Walker?" If they had a scheduled meeting, she out of all people would''ve known.


    "You do not need to worry about that. Hurry up," Telling her off like that. His whole aura changed from warm to something that sent chills down her spine all of a sudden. It radiated power and dominance. It was impossible to say no to him.


    No doubt it scared her. Her legs were shaking badly under the table but he still seemed to notice it. "Come on, Alexis I am waiting for you at the entrance." and then he left. Alexis couldn''t gather her thoughts let alone she couldn''t believe it. He literally just left after scaring the life out of her but she didn''t want to anger him. Grabbing her purse, she walked to the entrance where he was waiting. He grabbed her hand in a tight grip and started walking to a Mercedes Benz. Opening the door for her, he helped her climb in and from the other door he climbed in as well. Driving through the roads to New York she couldn''t help but look at them. The car stopped at a high class restaurant; too much of high class for her. She was lucky that she liked to be dressed well. She was wearing a burgundy red blouse with a pencil black skirt and a necklace of pearls.


    But also it meant people, a lot of unknown people and crowds weren''t her thing. "Stay,", saying that Angelo hopped out of his seat and walked towards her. Opening the door for her he held out his hand which she took, both of them then walked towards the entrance. She noticed how his warm personality changed. It became dark, dominating and powerful. People were staring at them. As if what they were seeing, they couldn''t believe it. They didn''t stop there. Placing his hand on her waist, he walked her to a private room. It was beautifully decorated. Just to her liking.


    Angelo pulled out a chair for her and sat down in the one in front. He ordered the wine and a few appetizers and ordered the waiter to leave the room until called for. Alexis did hear a faint click when the waiter was on his way out. "So Alexis, I would like to introduce me to you again. I am Angelo De''Alassandro and I am a business entrepreneur. If you search for my name you would be able to find that out very easily. Now I am going to talk you my main purpose for calling you here." Alexis was listening intently to him. She somehow was thinking that he did have a purpose behind it after all.


    "Yes please continue," and then let me leave the hell out of here,


    "Since, I already told you that I''d like to pursue you, I wanted to clear the fact that if you''re dating any other boy, you should immediately put a stop to it. We clear?" he said as if he hadn''t just stated something outrageously stupid to her.


    Alexis couldn''t help but gape wide eyed at the man in front of her; a man who just out of nowhere asked her to be his girlfriend.


    "No! I won''t be. What do you even think of yourself? Being in a relationship is something based in mutual consent and understanding and I don''t need to explain this to you. I''d like to leave." As a switch turned, he stood up. Power radiated off of him. She could even feel his anger. He strode towards her, backed her up against the chair she sitting in. Keeping his one hand right beside her head and the other down on her waist, he spoke.


    "Alexis, I am a very powerful man and I have taken a very bad liking to you. I have the power to crush you and all around you until its left to nothing. So make use of that thing above your shoulders and think wisely. "


    Now she was scared, too scared to even look him in the eye, this situation was something she had never dealt with before. She looked down on the floor, knowing not to make an eye contact would make her feel somewhat better, because it only made them angrier than they already were but something caught her eye, it was hiding inside his jacket and it was black.


    A Gun.

 Chapter 4 - Four

    For someone who hadn''t seen a gun in real life, she surely was out of her wits. She couldn''t take her eyes off of it. It was one of the most dangerous things for her. It could kill anyone in a matter of a few seconds.


    "What are you looking at?" he asked her noticing that her attention was somewhere else.


    "The-that gun, Is it yours?" she answered and threw a question back at him.


    "Of course it is, love. Why would I carry it if it wasn''t mine?" he answered, finding her reaction amusing when she saw a gun. Alexis was thinking too deeply to even reply and probably why she didn''t even notice about how he took her to his chair and made her sit in his lap. Feeling his warm breath on her neck she jumped and looked at him with wide eyes.


    "What . . . h-how did I?" She asked, astound of where she was sitting. All her life she had maintained her distance from men because for her they were always trouble.


    "Don''t worry love, you''re exactly where you belong; in my world and with me." She didn''t know how but it sent unhealthy shivers down her spine. She gulped and looked up at him. She couldn''t understand why he was looking at her with such unknown emotions and a really creepy smile.


    "I want to go back. Please." She confessed. This was probably the most uncomfortable she felt in her life.


    With this confession of hers, Angelo''s grip tightened on her waist. He didn''t want to let her go. Hell, he didn''t want to be a second apart from her. Sighing, he thought for a moment and then answered her. "How about you eat first and then we go back to your office?" Alexis couldn''t be more relieved. Finally, she was going back. Not to mention she was startled when a fork came up in front of her mouth. He was even feeding her! She looked at him only to find him giving her a look that she knew meant, he wouldn''t take no for an answer.


    Opening her mouth, she started eating whatever he fed her. It was delicious. She knew from the taste that it was pasta and it was so cheesy! She loved how it tasted in her mouth. Soon it was them walking out of the restaurant. Again, Angelo opened the door for her and climbed in from the other side. Throughout the ride, Angelo had interlinked their fingers and kept them on his lap. He kept his thumb on her hand which was making circles there and it surprisingly wasn''t bothering her. In fact, it was calming her in some way. The way to her office seemed extended as it was taking more time than usual .The car came to a halt with a screech and that he got out and opened the door for her.


    He walked her inside to her cabin. He caught her wrist and turned her towards him. "Beautiful, wait for me after the office hours, I will be there to pick you, Yes?"


    This frustrated her. Alexis had gained control of her life after a long time and he just couldn''t barge in and take it from her. So gathering up her courage and strength she spoke, "That can''t be done, Mr Alessandro, also I am a grown woman so you don''t need to worry about me." Hadn''t a minute gone by and she saw his eyes hardening. The warmth, the softness that they had once possessed was replaced by hot boiling anger. All of a sudden her body was on the ground and she placed a hand on her cheek which was throbbing.


    He slapped her.


    "Don''t challenge me. I am not someone you want to mess with. Slapping you is the least of what I can do to you, yes there''s a lot more I can and I will do. Now be the little good girl that you are and go sit your pretty little ass on your chair. I will pick you up later." After completing himself, he went outside her office and closed the door on his way out.


    Alexis couldn''t help it when a sob broke out. It was happening all over again, someone was taking control of her life.


    It''s in our nature of pour out our emotions one way or the other. Be it in front of our dear ones or all alone, just with ourselves. In this case it was all alone even though she would''ve loved the warmth of her mother''s lap but how much of warmth could be provided from a woman who chose someone else over her.

 Chapter 5 - Five

No content

 Chapter 6 - Six

    Alexis woke up to soft whining sounds and a wet snout bumping her nose every now and then. These were the peaceful mornings that she always wished for; her special, personal alarm clock waking her up was the best part of it all. Raising the blanket higher, she patted the area to have Diesel climb up and lie down. Cuddling next to him she fell asleep, not caring about the arm on that had a firm hold on her waist and had her legs entangled with.


    Alexis woke up to the sun shining through the curtains. Yawning she stepped down, tied up her hair and walked to the bathroom. Brushing her teeth, she washed her face with room temperature water and walked out. She went for the bed to straighten it up, but noticed that both the sides were used.


    ''Oh my god,'' she realized. ''Wait ... where''d he go?''


    Events of last night came back and she realized that he wasn''t here but there was no harm in checking. Running to living room she checked if he was there but he wasn''t. She checked the kitchen, the guest room and he wasn''t there either. Concluding that he left she fell down on couch closing her eyes took a breath full of relief. Walking in the kitchen, she stood frozen when she saw a sticker note on the fridge.


    "I''ll be back by the time of lunch. Cook anything; I just want to taste your cooking.


    - A. A


    Don''t test me on this. "


    Alexis turned her back on the fridge with the note in her hand and slid down to the floor, the man just won''t leave her alone. She wasn''t worried; she was frightened out of her wits. Having a past of her own, she didn''t want to through it ever again. The pain that was inflicted on both her mind and her body was unbearable for anyone yet she bravely survived it. Yes, she was indeed a survivor but even if so, she didn''t want to go through it again. It was sickening. No one knew her enough to extent a helping hand. And no one does now. Sure she had some friends but she didn''t trust them enough to tell them about her demons.


    Sighing she palmed her face and rubbed her hands all over. Getting up, she got to work. She will survive again but for that she would need to calm down, nothing bad was going to happen. She made herself a healthy breakfast two sandwiches with vegetables and spices along with mixed fruit juice. She gave Diesel his food and ate her food whilst watching the economic news of the nation.


    Lunch time was at 2 and yet it was 10:30. Being a Saturday she knew she had to go out for groceries and of course cook for the uninvited guest. Alexis changed into a shirt dress with some vans, grabbed her purse and of course her car keys. Driving off to Wal-Mart, she parked her car and walked in. Grabbing a cart she went for the vegetables and meat first, spices and cereals, wine and of course sauces and a lot of cheese. In the end, she went to the candy aisle. Without giving it a thought she grabbed whatever she needed.


    Paying for the stuff, she placed everything in the trunk and headed home. She parked her car in the regular spot and now her main concern was how would she carry the groceries upstairs? She did load them in from the trolley, now how would she carry it up all alone? It was a task of two people. Alexis was facing towards the trunk of her car and pondering, when a sudden blow of wind came in her right ear. Yelping, she turned around with a yelp. To her surprise it was her new neighbour James.


    "Oh my god, James, y-you scared me." She shook her ear a bit with her finger; yet she found it continuing to ring.


    "Sorry, you''re too cute to be pranked on." Giving her a genuine smile, he apologized a little, he cared for life.


    "Oh it''s okay." She let it go. There was no need for her to hold a grudge on this.


    She was socially awkward where she couldn''t make business statements and related conversations. Yet James knew he had to get into her lifestyle to get her comfortable with him. Following the orders, he thought of how to continue the conversation. Noticing the trunk he knew his answer to it.


    "Hey! Let me help you with that."


    "No. Oh no, you don''t need to I''ll manage. Please, its fine." she knew you could never know what the person might ask in return.


    "Nonsense, letting a little girl like you do the heavy task would hurt my male ego." Keeping a hand on chest, he pushed her aside grabbed all of the stuff in his arms. Noticing he could not open the doors he looked over to her.


    "Honeybun, I''m going to need you to help me in opening the doors though."


    "Oh yes!" She replied being eager to help.


    Alexis was astonished at the man in front of her. How could he be so friendly with someone he didn''t even know? It was New York after all. Opening the door to her apartment, she led him in the kitchen and placed everything on the counter.


    "Thank you so much, James."


    "That''s fine and don''t hesitate to ask for my help next time okay?."


    "Yeah sure J- "


    "What the fuck?!"

 Chapter 7 - Seven

    Character Development will happen at its own pace. Each and every character will improve accordingly.


    ________


    Opening her mouth Alexis was already to ask him what he was yelling for but he pushed past her, bumping his shoulder with hers and making her stumble in the process.


    "Oh my goodness, you are so cute!" He shrieked in an attempt to sound cute. "Oh you little bundle cuteness. My little sunshine! You want me to scratch your belly. Oh there you go. Oh? Oh you like it, don''t you? Ohhhh you''re such a good baby. Good bubby."


    Alexis was gaping at the man in front of her with her mouth ajar. He was baby talking her dog! And surely her dog was enjoying the attention. He was getting his belly scratched and his tail wagging at very high speed.


    ''Bloody traitor.'' She shook her head at the two.


    Muttering under her breath, she eyed the lovesick couple in front of her. Shaking her head, she went for the groceries and started putting them in their rightful places. It was quarter to one by the time Alexis was done with the groceries. She knew lunch was going to take time even if she started right away. The guy was powerful and she knew it, she had heard his name in the business industry.


    She had made grilled salmon with crispy corns with music blasting through the speakers. By the time she was done, it was half past two. A faint smile couldn''t help but arrive on her lips. He hadn''t come. Moving towards the cabinet above on her left side she opened it to take a bowl. She walked to the cabinet and turned around only to scream and drop it.


    Gasping, Alexis placed a hand on her heart, "o-oh my god! Why are you standing there?" She whispered within the breaths she took to calm herself down.


    Angelo didn''t say anything; he was still watching her since quarter to two. She was so engrossed in cooking that she didn''t even notice James leaving or Angelo coming in or the whole commotion that was just caused. He noticed how happily she cooked and that made him happy but the fact that she was late was pretty infuriating. Angelo walked up to her, bent down to the level of her ear and whispered, "I''m delighted for that you didn''t test my patience but remember you are late and that will cost you." With that said, Angelo stood up to his original height and continued, "please, place the food into the crockery and meet me at the dining table."


    Alexis was silent but this had her speaking up, "But I don''t have a dining table." ''and also, I don''t need one.''


    His cold eyes stared into her own as he said, "I know and, that was very disheartening to know but you do have one now. So, hurry the hell up."


    Alexis looked at his retreating figure. How could a man just barge in and out of your life repeatedly? Even playboys didn''t do that. She shook her head and pulled out the respective bowls and plates along with wine glasses. Walking outside she saw a bottle of red wine on the counter.


    ''Really? He just brought wine?'' He did the easiest part where as she made everything from the scratch.


    Sighing she went out. A gasp left her mouth when she saw the dining table. It was in the living room but a little bit in the corner giving it the perfect look. It was dark brown wooden matte polished table with matte brown chairs. In the middle of it was a small vase of flowers with lilies in it. The table mats were already there. She placed the glasses and plates along with the napkins and cutlery on the table, went back and forth bring the wine and the bowls of food.


    She saw Angelo sitting on the couch working on a laptop as if he had no tensions in the world and it felt as if she had invited him over for lunch.


    ''Really? He couldn''t even help me once?'' If he didn''t have a gun, she would have strangled him and buried him in her own apartment and diesel would be playing with his bones.


    Just as she placed the last dish and Angelo stood up to hug her from behind and whispered in her ear "Serve me too." For a second, she thought he actually purred and she shivered but when his fingers danced on her skin, she knew he was waiting and nodded her head for him to let go. Breathing in, she grabbed the plate and served him along with wine and did the same for her with a bit lesser amount of food.


    He sat on the head chair with Alexis on his left. The only sounds that could be heard were of the cutlery clashing with the plate, the occasional sipping of wine from their glasses.


    This was the glimpse of what Alexis had wanted in the future for herself. If someone else saw them, they would automatically assume them as a mature couple dinning together in silence. Yet, she was confused and frustrated at the same time. He asked her to cook, because he wanted to taste her cooking which he hadn''t commented on. She wasn''t exactly good at it either, but she could cook to survive.


    Her thoughts came to an end when she saw him staring at her. He was looking at her as if looking at her soul. It freaked her out to the level of making her jump when he sipped his wine from the glass and put it down.


    "You aren''t much of a cook, are you?" He asked her. But this question was more like a analytical statement he analyzed in a short time for what they had known each other.


    "No. I do cook, but I''m not a chef or someone with magical hands." She knew what she said could be classified as disrespectful but she had used a polite tone full of generosity.


    "If I were to be honest here, it was not like you said ''made by magical hands'' but it was no less than that. It was one of the best homemade salmon I''ve ever tasted." He praised. "My mother uses spices and I have grown up eating her food. Yours could give her competition."


    Warmth flooded her heart and her face flushed, "Thank you."


    ''Stop staring at me. Stop staring at me.'' She chanted in her mind pulling her eyes away from his.


    "Now mind telling me, why were you late?" He asked, deeply staring into her eyes making hers snap back to his.

 Chapter 8 - Eight

    To say that Alexis was surprised would be an understatement. Yes, she was late but cooking took time and she had to go out for grocery shopping as well, also, preparing fish isn''t an easy job. She didn''t know if he would understand this. The man looked like he had never stepped into the kitchen, so he probably couldn''t even appreciate it. Weekends and holidays were meant for junk food and laying around, not for cooking fish, but here she was. She did her level best, but the man in front of her was just holding on to the fact that she was late after saying one sentence in her praise.


    Alexis gulped, inhaled some air and thought of being honest with him. "I h¨Chad to go for grocery shopping and making fish takes a lot of time . . ."


    There, she gave him her reason for being late. It should''ve been enough for him, because it was the truth. Cooking is difficult for someone who wasn''t up for it on a daily basis. But his expression remained unwavering. He had his poker face on, displaying none of the emotions he felt. One just couldn''t tell whether he was angry or satisfied and Angelo was definitely not satisfied. She did fear him but this wasn''t enough. He couldn''t even let go of the fact that she was late because it meant that she didn''t fear him enough to be on time. She had to come up to his standards of both the lives he was living. The one where he was a powerful business man and the other one where he ruled the underworld like a god.


    She didn''t need to know anything about him yet, so she shouldn''t care about his lives with which he felt satisfied with but he was going to make sure that she feared him, but it won''t be just fear, it would be respect too. He eyed her. He knew that she was telling the truth, her body language gave it away.


    But being late and disrespectful in any way, meant making him feel upset and even though she didn''t mean it still it only meant one thing.


    Punishment.


    Alexis watched how he pushed himself off the door frame that he was leaning on. He walked towards her and stopped, placing a gap of a few inches between them. She wanted to say something to him, but before anything could have happened, his hand shot up and smacked her across the face. The impact was too much for her and she lost her balance falling on the well-furnished floor of her kitchen.


    She placed her hand on her throbbing cheek. She could feel the heat radiating off of her cheek. He slapped her but for what reason? Was it because she was late? Or the food wasn''t made like that of a well-known chef. Angelo had made up his mind to teach her a nice lesson and for that he knew violence was the answer. A broken and already shattered girl who dealt with it once could deal with it again but then again, she wasn''t dealing with some puny teenager of her age. She was dealing with a mafia boss.


    Breathing in anger, he bent down on his knee and grabbed her hair in a death grip. Alexis screamed at the amount of pain she was facing. She was sure that if she resisted even a little bit, he would pull out a few of her strands. Angelo grabbed her jaw in a rough grip and harshly turned her head into his direction, the sudden movement caused her to scream in fear of the man.


    She could tell that the man was visibly snarling. His eyes; they  held darkness, which was something she had already seen yet looking into his, she couldn''t help but wonder that how much darkness were his eyes holding in them?


    "Alexis, do you fear me at all?"


    Alexis gaped at the man holding her by the hair and her jaw and yet he was asking her if she as scared?!


    ''Oh my god! I''m dealing with a psychopath. How can he ask me this question after giving me so much of pain?''


    She didn''t know how to react to the man in front of her. Yet, she knew that she shouldn''t do anything to anger him. So she nodded. But it didn''t please him. He squeezed her jaw so hard, it seemed he might be aiming to crack it into pieces. By now the pain that was being inflicted on her had brought tears in her eyes. Her hands were shaking desperately wanting to get away from the demon in front of her.


    "Don''t you have a fucking mouth? If you don''t want to put it to use for speaking allow me, I''ll gladly find other fucking use for it. Use it, woman!" He was seething his words in anger. He wasn''t anywhere near being satisfied, yet he couldn''t tell the feeling he was feeling. But he didn''t care. She was supposed to be punished.


    Alexis was frightened out of her wits so she said what came to her mind, "I am sorry, please¡ª " her words came out muffled because he still hadn''t let go of her jaw. It was throbbing in so much pain that she didn''t know how she was being able to tolerate.


    Angelo held her head back in the air and slammed it on the floor with a specified amount of force; he knew it would be sufficient to knock her out for hours. Alexis screamed in pain, but it was soon cut short as she had drifted off into darkness.. She knew that she''d be out of it again and back into the world where she would have to face him.

 Chapter 9 - Nine

    When she woke she realized that the pain she felt wasn''t like anything she had felt in the past. She felt a cool liquid on her forehead and not any gauze or bandages of sorts. ''Did he not bang my head? How am I not bleeding?'' Confused and in pain, Alexis tried opening her eyes slowly and patiently. She should''ve cracked her head open with the force had he used. Opening them slowly, she blinked them a few times to get rid of the blurriness. Taking in a deep breath, she sat up against the head board of the bed. She was feeling scared again even if she didn''t want to be.


    She kept on thinking about random stuff without considering how long had it been. Slowly, she turned her head towards the side table of her bed the clock showed 11:47 pm. She had been out for hours at once. Dinner time had passed away and she was in no mood to cook food, the obvious option was to order from a food outlet. Pulling off the covers, she placed her feet down on the floor. As soon as she stood up, she felt a wave of dizziness hit her making her stumble on her steps.


    The headache came again. This time she sat down on the bed to stabilize herself a bit. Alexis couldn''t believe that this was happening again to her, again someone was taking control of her life.. something she wasn''t supposed to let happen. Closing her eyes, she dropped back on the bed with her legs dangling off of the edge. Going through it the second time, she knew how to take control over such things. Since she wasn''t bleeding, relaxing her body would do her good.


    She didn''t know how much time had passed since she had been lying there, maybe because she wasn''t hungry anymore. She couldn''t help but ponder on the fact that this was happening again to her yet she couldn''t do anything. The mental scars she had from those times where still there.


    Haunting her.


    Taunting her.


    Telling her of what she had been through and how it would happen again.


    A sob came from her remembering the time when she was too scared to speak; speak for herself. For her own hygiene, her hungry stomach, her mental condition.


    Opening her eyes, thirteen years old Alexis''s eyes met with the fan on the ceiling. The fan might be there but she wasn''t supposed to use it. Her room was exactly how they wanted it. It wasn''t girly or decorated by an interior designer, it was normal. Plain.


    She was exceptionally happy today. Her mother was coming from her Nana''s house and her being home meant she won''t have to endure the torture. She got up and went downstairs, she had gotten thinner over time and it was still early in the morning so no one would be up. She was hungry, so very hungry that she won''t even mind eating stale food. She could eat or at least have a glass of milk. Descending the stairs, she made sure no voices were heard.


    Slowly walking toward the kitchen on her tip toes, she opened the fridge and took out the Carton of milk.


    "I hope you weren''t thinking of feeding yourself, now were you?" As soon as she heard the heavy voice behind her, she yelped and turned around only to be met by cobalt blue eyes of Ashton glaring at her.


    "I¨C¨C wasn''t...I sw¨C¨Cwear . ." She stammered in front of him. His fear was instilled in her mind to such extend that she couldn''t even think of her life beyond his control.


    "Did I say I wanted to hear your pathetic voice?" He spat his words at her.


    She screamed when her hair were pulled back. He was glaring down at her as if he was trying to murder her with his eyes. Her scream had woken up the other beast in the house as well and in no time he came out of his room. Aston had explained the whole situation to Thomas but adding more information that possibly couldn''t be true.


    But obviously Thomas believed him. He believed every word uttered by Ashton either lie or the truth. Thomas was now glaring at her as well but then he met the eyes of his son. They were having a silent conversation through their eyes and for her, it usually meant trouble.


    Both of them then turned to her and Ashton whispered in her ear.


    "It''s decided."


    "You wanted to eat, right my baby? Well now you will." Thomas told her. But she knew it meant something else. She couldn''t even speak in front of them. Fearing of what they might do. Ashton dragged her by the hair and Thomas picked up the Carton of milk. They took her to the washroom. She was curious, but the fear got the best out of her.


    Ashton dragged her in front of the toilet and angled her head right above it, facing sideways. Thomas came in with the carton and aimed it above her head. Then looked at her giving her the expression that said, whatever he was going to say, she had to do it if she had the will to live.


    "Now I am going to pour it down and you will drink it like good little bitch. Is that clear, my lovely? "


    She nodded. Not that she had a choice but she was delighted that she was actually going to be fed. She was desperate.


    Thomas started pouring the milk, but it was an inch away from her mouth. She moved her head forwards but was being pulled back by Ashton''s grip on her hair. She couldn''t move. She couldn''t drink. She was hungry and now she grew frustrated. She was jerking back and forth darting her tongue out to have a mere lick which she had once or twice by the grace of God.


    She was crying by now, both men on the other hand were laughing hysterically. It made them seem scary then they were. Their laughs were roars as is forcing themselves to laugh loudly on her yet it seemed genuine. Suddenly Thomas stopped laughing and poured the whole carton of milk in the toilet in one go. Alexis couldn''t believe he wasted food like that.


    The thirteen year old girl was happy that she had a chance of eating yet again she was deprived of it. She looked up to meet Thomas''s eyes who held the emotion of triumph.


    ''But what for?''


    What did he succeed by doing this?


    "Oops. It''s finished. What now?" Ashton taunted her situation, satisfied with what his father had done.


    "Hmm. Ashton did we flush yet?" Thomas mused.


    Aston laughed getting his drift. "No papa."


    "Well I guess Alexis could still have her breakfast then . . . From the toilet itself."


    Alexis''s eyes widen on their own. Even a thirteen year old child knew how disgusting that was. Yet she couldn''t do anything but cry. Ashton Snickered and whispered "bon app¨¦tit."


    And with that Alexis found her face being forced into the toilet. They did stop yet they didn''t let her die. They simply left her there on the floor to mourn about what had happened.


    Opening her eyes, she stared at the ceiling above her. Crying again on her weakness.


    Crying about the fate she had.

 Chapter 10 - Ten

    The weekend went by in a blur, mostly with Alexis lazing around. She cleaned her apartment and arranged her walk-in closet to pass time when she felt bored. Taking Diesel on long morning walks which were welcomed by the pup to the fullest. She didn''t hear from Angelo once past these two days after the incident. With him being in her life, she was remembering the hard and torturous times that she had to once go through. Shaking her head, she focused on what she had to wear today to her office. She had to look her best since being a Secretary and the Ceo''s assistant meant being dragged to luncheons or brunches and that meant to dress up like the elite class.


    Brushing her fingers, she lightly tapped her fingers on the clothes hanging on the racks. She selected a Grey pant-suit with a white blouse. She kept her hair straight and open and grabbed a white purse by Michael kors. After feeding Diesel and fixing breakfast for her, she grabbed her car keys and locked her apartment door. Putting the keys into ignition she drove to the apartment building and parked in her reserved spot. Perks.


    She nodded at the security guard and greeted her way through the lobby. She collected some files on her way and entered her office. She set up everything for today and marched towards her employer''s office.


    "Good morning," she wished and the man smiled back. She handed him his medicines and asked about the sale of the company.


    "Did you finalise a deal?"


    "Yes, yes, I did." He happily informed her. "I couldn''t have found a more suitable candidate, you know. I am waiting for my retirement. I never had time for my wife and family and I''ve paid dearly for it, now I am planning a world tour with her." His eyes were shining with happiness. He was truly happy about this retirement.


    "I am truly happy for you, Mr Walker." She smiled and excused herself. Alexis wasn''t happy because she wasn''t even sure if she was going to continue to be employed.


    *****


    Angelo was staring at the gun in his hand. He had killed another spy in his family. This was becoming more frequent and he was angry at the situation. He was going to set an example now which would tell them not to mess with him and his family. Getting up he made his way towards the nearest club for a drink.


    As soon as he stepped in, he attracted the stares of the guests and their partners and nods of respect from his men. In the neon lights flashing from the ceiling above him, found his way to the VIP lounge especially reserved for his men. He sat down in the seating area reserved for him and his top-ranking members. Angelo swirled his drink while looking at the stripper dancing in front of him. She was dancing more sensually knowing it might get her a night with her boss.


    A dip in the couch had him turn his head to the side.


    "Silvano. Vincenzo." Angelo acknowledged his second and third in command. His lips lifting from the sides in amusement even though he was tired.


    "Can I have the night off, with you not calling me till I come in tomorrow?" Silvano directly got to the point which something Angelo had valued him for.


    "Take it. You need it anyway. Send Charles for the casino tonight." Angelo answered his question whisky taking a mouthful of his drink.


    "Appreciated." He nodded and left.


    Angelo stared at his departing back. He was an asset to him and he would keep him till death. Silvano was the perfect man for any job, never had his emotions get in his way for any job and he was his brother.


    "Boss," Vincenzo called him. "What about the new club? The cops are buzzin'' around."


    "Let them. Invite the governor''s family and do not let the minors in at any cost." He warned. Minor''s often spoiled the game.


    "The police?" He raised a bushy eyebrow.


    "Hold it. They might want to bust us at any chance. So, pull back our suppliers."


    "Alright, boss. Have a good night." He nodded and excused himself. Angelo closed his eyes after he watched his back disappear.


    His attention was brought back to the present when felt the stripper grab his thigh and rub it near his dick, which because of her, was waking up for a fuck and relief. She kissed his jaw and neck, trying her level best as she seduced him.


    Grabbing her ass, he tossed her on his shoulder and spanked it hard earning a scream of delight from her in return. He carried her to the lift where he pressed the button to the private rooms. Closing the door with his foot, he walked into the room and threw her on the bed.


    "Turn around. Ass up." He ordered and his voice informed her that disobeying him would have consequences. Nonetheless, she obliged. He gave her exactly what she wanted but in his way, leaving her a bloody mess.


    Pulling out, he stared at the ceiling as he laid beside her. He wasn''t feeling content and he hated it. Hell, he felt disgusted. He got up and went to shower.


    "When I come back from the shower, I shouldn''t see your face." Turning his head away from the disgusting sight, he walked into his bedroom and had a shower of hot water with one thing on his mind.


    Alexis.

 Chapter 11 - Eleven

    "Do it fast. Quick, we don''t have the time. Hurry up. Faster. That''s like it. Yes!" she yelled out.


    Alexis was shouting at the people in front of her. They were too lazy to be called movers. Even with ten people handling the decor material that the new owner of the company had demanded, they were taking a lot of time. Alexis could only shake her head at the tantrums of him. It was rather surprising that a famous entrepreneur bought the company.


    Domenico Gotti. A private man. His dating life was practically hidden, yet he had a new girl on his arm at every party. Some said that he was paying them for a few hours of escorting and some said the girls were gold diggers. He was a man of word. Mr Walker had helped his father during the worst times of his life and Domenico had bought this company for him in return.


    Alexis had been warned about him by Mr Walker. He offered her any other job in the firm since she after some training could do wonders. It was Wednesday and he was expected on next Monday yet Alexis wanted to be ready and make a good impression of the office on him. The day went by with her yelling and commanding the people and organising his office. Never she would''ve thought that this would be a part of her job and the Watchman Marcus had told her to leave before it was dark. Packing her bags she climbed into her car and drove home. Stopping at an outlet she bought pepperoni and cheese pizza and coke for dinner.


    ********


    Holding the pizza in one hand and the coke squished in between her arm and stomach, she unlocked her apartment and locked it back. She kept the pizza on the dining table that she hadn''t bought and didn''t need. Yet she had to agree it was of good taste.


    She took off her heels and put them beside the couch and sprawled herself on it. While laying down, she took off her coat and tucked out her shirt. Putting her hands inside, she unclasped her bra and let her size C tits down while having a feeling of relief flow throughout her body.


    After a hard day of work, what could be better than to take off your bra and heels, lay on the couch, eat pizza and watch your favourite TV show? Closing her eyes she rested her head against the top of the couch. Breathing in and out she relaxed herself to the fullest. What she didn''t know was Angelo was watching her from the doorway of the living room. He couldn''t help but get hard when she took off her bra and let those soft and mushy tits flow down. Her white dress shirt was giving him a clear view of the pulpy skin with darkened nipples. Her breathing had caused them to move up and down, this was something that had gotten his lust for her magnified ten times of what he had before.


    He couldn''t stop thinking about them being groped and bitten hard by him. This little vixen was making him sexually frustrated. He could easily overpower her and rape her but what was the fun in that? Having sex with a willing person was more promising than listening to her cries of pain and not pleasure. Plus, he couldn''t imagine doing that with her.


    Closing his eyes and after calming himself, he pushed himself off the wall and walked towards her. He couldn''t help but look at her forehead and press a kiss on it. So he did it. He kissed her on the forehead. Alexis felt someone''s presence but ignored it thinking it was the dog. Feeling someone''s breath on her forehead, she was suspicious but when it kissed her she was sure that it wasn''t diesel. The dog couldn''t have possibly grown lips in the span of a few hours. Opening her eyes, she met with cold grey orbs. Shrieking, she got up and looked up at him with wide eyes.


    ''Oh my god for how long had he been standing there?! Was he here before I came?'' She panicked looking at the man.


    She was ready to question him but saw him raising the back of his index finger and beckoning her to come to him. Scared of what he had done in the past, she nervously gulped and walked to him. His intense stare had her squirming but who won''t be? His hand reached forward and before she could react, he pinched her right nipple painfully hard making her shriek in sudden pain.


    Stepping back, she looked down at her chest to find a thin cloth covering it yet giving a clear view of the perky nipples that were aroused by the hard pinch of a strong muscular hand. She covered them with her hands and ran from the living but came back running in remembering that she left her bra there. Hastily picking it up while covering her boobs she ran again and closed the door of her room, securely locking it.


    Her back was pressed to the door. She was breathing heavily from the embarrassing scenario that happened moments ago.


    ''How can I be so so stupid! Oh god, he saw my breasts. Would he force me to show him again? Oh god. Oh god. Oh god. Oh god. Oh god. Oh god. Oh god.''


    She couldn''t stop the blush of embarrassment spreading across her cheeks and neck. Never in her life had she imagined herself in this embarrassing situation. After Calming her nerves down, she knew she had to go out some time so she decided to do it. Walking into her closet she chose her nightwear not white so she went for black.


    A black tank top and pyjamas till the knees were perfect to sleep in the walking around the guy who saw her upper half and had no shame touching it. Unlocking the door she went into the kitchen and refilled the diesel food and water bowl. Grabbing two plates and glasses she went to the dining table to find him already sitting on the chair he was in when they had their previous lunch.


    She kept the plates and glasses on the table and served both of them a slice and covered it back and poured him some coke. Somewhere she did expect him to make a disgusted face at the food yet he ate it like any normal meal. They ate silently. Diesel came in and sat by her feet still wary of the stranger. She noticed he had not taken another slice whereas it was her second. During the meal, she had not lifted her head to look up at him but now she did only to find him staring at her with a dark look in his eyes. Sometimes she wondered if he had any other expression.


    ''What did I do now?'' She thought. Did he not know any emotion except anger?

 Chapter 12 - Twelve

    "What kind of women are you?" He asked, looking genuinely curious.


    ''Eh?''


    "I-I...Normal?" She answered, pointing a finger to herself. What kind of question was that anyway?


    Angelo internally groaned after listening to her reply. ''Normal? Really? Was that even an answer?'' He wanted to smack his head for that answer. Instead, he glared at her, thinking of how should he talk sense into her about treating a guest. He wanted to hit her hard enough to have her cry out in pain but he knew better. To take control of her, he had to make sure to win her heart.


    And to win it, he had to do it with as much as less fear as he could. He had to be calm and collected for it and not think with a raging mind full of fury. Looking into the chocolate brown eyes of hers, he spoke in the most gentle manner that he could manage.


    "Darling, when you have a guest over and you''re dining with them, you offer them seconds even if they decline you and make sure that they leave with an overfilled stomach. Do you understand, my love?"


    Heat rushed to her cheeks and Alexis felt ashamed. She didn''t have many guests over but now also lacked in hospitality skills. She could feel herself growing hot because of the embarrassment she felt.


    "Oh. I am sorry. I''ll take care next time." It wasn''t the reply that she gave pleased Angelo, it was the small nervous smile at the end. He had never seen her smile at him since the first day and yet the nervous one won his heart over.


    Alexis reached over and grabbed a slice and served him on his plate, also refilled his glass. She smiled at him, happy that he didn''t get physical for such a petty thing and explained it to her.


    They continued eating in silence. She served him more slices which he was happy to eat, she was at peace; for once she didn''t have to be scared in his presence. Once he had finished she grabbed the utensils and placed them in the dishwasher.


    Angelo followed her into the kitchen to inform her about his departure. "I''ll take my leave now." Saying that, he turned to leave, he stopped to look whether she had been following him to see him out not. That was a clear indication of what she had learned.


    Turning around he saw that she was a good seven to eight inches away from him. ''Good, at least she knows to walk someone to the door.'' Pleased with what he saw, he smiled and walked to her.


    Alexis couldn''t help but shrink in the place where she was standing. The giant of a man walking towards her with God knows what on his mind, truly sent shivers to her spine. He placed a hand on her shoulder lightly squeezing it.


    "It''s good to know that you''re following me out even though at such a distance but that doesn''t matter. That''s the sign of a good woman who''ll take care of the guests with me. Good night." He lightly kissed her forehead. Opening the door, he walked out and closed it behind him.


    The cold air of the night hit her warm cheeks and stopped as soon as the door was opened and closed. She stood there and thought about what he said.


    ''Guests? A good woman?'' She blinked.


    ''But I just came to lock the door.''


    Walking up to the door she stood behind it. She never had any ''friends'' mainly because of how she awkward was. She talked to people happily especially the old people, they might be thick sometimes but it was just out of loneliness. She had her colleagues and her neighbours but friends weren''t something she could do. She heard how best friends for a decade or two, broke up because of a guy or Girl or they were the ones who stalked you till the point of insanity.


    Locking the door, she walked inside her kitchen and handled the dishes. Grabbing a washcloth she wiped the dining table, she placed the collected crumbs inside the pizza box and threw them inside the dustbin. Looking around she checked for any garbage or waste material, finding none, she switched off the lights and went to her room.


    It was awfully quiet she was surprised that Deisel was not following her. Opening the door to her bedroom she walked in only to find Deisel on her bed.


    ''Great as if my hair fall wasn''t enough yours going to be there too.'' She sighed patted him.


    She had never really trained Deisel except for a few basic manners and she was content with it. He was an understanding dog. She didn''t know about how he did it but he just knew that today she felt lonely and having a warm bundle of happiness to cuddle with would be lovely. She washed up and changed.


    Getting in the covers she pulled the dog closer and he happily cuddled more into her. She was happy with what she had. Life was never easy on her. She wanted to have friends but who would be with her? A socially introverted person. Did people even talk to people like her anymore? This was what she was scared of. She wanted to fit in the society too but the vultures never let her.


    And one of them being her past.


    Closing her eyes she pulled him closer knowing that he''ll be there for her, listening to her ranting, narrating about her day and bad-mouthing her colleagues who did nothing but gossip.


    *****


    Waking up to a dog licking your face is amazing as well as irritating, especially when you slept late last night. Yawning, she patted his head and went to the bathroom to refresh herself. Coming back she saw diesel sitting on his hind legs with a leash in his mouth.


    ''Aww, you sneaky little bitch.'' She smiled, amusement dancing in her eyes.


    Sighing she walked into her closet and wore her tracks along with shoes. Chaining him to the leash she locked the door and went out. She always took stairs with Diesel as he preferred it more. The lift opened as she descended the last stair only to see her neighbour; James.


    She smiled in greeting and James in return flashed his million-dollar smile. Suddenly, out of the blue, he gasped loudly placing his hands over his mouth. Alexis could not comprehend and look around her surroundings in search of such a reaction. He charged for her in long strides and that made her petrified.


    She braced herself for the impact and closed her eyes.


    "Oh, my darling baby. Oh, look at you. Oh! Oh, you baby boy." He cooed in his baby voice that to her wasn''t appealing at all. He was coddling ber dog once again.


    She opened her eyes and looked down. That guy was babying her dog. Again! She shook her head in disapproval. He was going to spoil him if anything. She was enjoying it immensely on the inside knowing that a guy won''t usually portray his emotions in front of a lady like that and shredding his manliness away.


    Feeling her phone vibrate, she took it out to see that an unknown number was calling. Sighing she picked it up thinking that it might be from her workplace.


    ''Hello ?'' she answered her phone.


    ''Is this Alexis Williams?''


    ''Yes ''


    ''It''s Domenico Gotti. Are you busy at the moment?''

 Chapter 13 - Thirteen

    ''Ah. Yes, I''m sorry but I wasn''t expecting your call till-''


    ''- till Wednesday, I know. But I have some work which I find important to be done with my secretary. I''ll send you a list of tasks to be done before my arrival and I expect them to be done before Monday. Are we clear?''


    ''Yes, we are.'' She immediately agreed. That was her job.


    ''Good. I''ll email you right away.''


    ''okay, I-'' He hung up? Rude.


    "Trouble neighbour?" James asked looking suspicious of the sudden phone call. It was obvious that someone important had called that she was being continuously interrupted in between.


    Alexis looked in his direction a bit alarmed from the sudden intrusion. Breathing out and calming herself, she replied, "Yes, well no, I mean there''s no trouble, just my new boss and his new demands." She looked around and felt her phone vibrating indicating that she had received the mail. She breathed in and out again, this could be done later. Right now Diesel was her priority and she was going to walk him. Having a small talk with her neighbour she said goodbye to him. She took the leash again and they walked out of the building into the fresh air. They walked through their normal route of bakery shops, antique stores and people jogging past them. Diesel being the hungry puppy he was, always walked into the direction of the bakery shops which were baking heavenly goodies early morning for their customers, only for Alexis to drag the hungry boy away.


    Reaching the dog park which was their usual resting point, they both occupied their usual third bench. She sat on the bench and Diesel jumped next to her and placed his head on her lap. She smiled reaching over and gently running her fingers over his head. She thought of the situations she was going to face now. A new boss meant new responsibilities; either he was a workaholic or he was lazy and would put all the work and blame on her but by judging the tone of the voice he had, she was sure of one thing, he knew how to get the work done. If he knew that, then for sure he was a man of command and he would not hesitate to put someone in their place without a moment''s thought.


    ''Great.'' She sighed. ''It might or might work out in my favour. Also, there could be a possible downsizing.''


    She looked back at Diesel who was looking at her, feeling her distress.


    "What''s the wrong boy?" She eyed him.


    He looked in front and then back at her. He lifted his left paw and placed it over her right hand which was gripping the end of the bench. Her heart swelled, she didn''t know if it was true for everyone but dogs were truly the best gift to mankind from the almighty. She turned her hand and grabbed his paw and held it tightly. She swore with this action it was as if he smiled. He looked ahead and she followed the suit. She let out a long sigh feeling content.


    The moment had to be cut short. Looking after the new boss''s demands and needs was now the top priority for her on the professional front. They jogged back home and Diesel was more than happy to do that. She gave him food and water and changed into a nude shade pantsuit with a black blouse and matching black heels. Her job at times came with unexpected lunches or brunch which required her opinion but that was what Mr Walker felt, she had to be open-minded about the new one. He might or might not be a person who wanted a second opinion from an employee working under him. Walking down to the parking after locking her door, she started her car and drove to the building she looked forward to each day. She had seen the email and the work had to be done in the office itself. She was early anyway; rarely did it ever happen that she was late. She nodded at the guard in greeting and made a run for his office. She saw a man in the area which was the break room for higher-level executives but never turned his way to greet him.


    Entering her cabin first she laid down all her files and her laptop bag on her desk, grabbing her notepad and phone, she then dashed into his cabin. Starting with making a list of what he wanted to be done first, she copied it down. Then she started with what was convenient and quicker and the one which could be delayed. Starting with the files in the boxes, she took off her heels and got down to work. New projects, on-going ones and completed they all were placed date and alphabetical manner and date wise.


    Then the ones that can be delegated to the subordinates. Yet, the original files stayed with him. She placed the ongoing ones which he was currently focusing on his desk in a slanting manner. It showed the names of the file and then started with the other. The drawers filed with the stationery as he wanted, then the magazines and bank-related books. The bathroom stocked the products he used and the emergency suit and a pair of shoes that he had already sent.


    With all of it done, the lengthy task of filing in the adjacent storeroom came. Breathing in she grabbed her phone and called Anna; the receptionist on this floor and two interns Kristine and Celeste for help.


    ******


    She came back in, after thanking the employees for their time and work and double checked everything herself. She nodded to herself and then hurried out. Her hand reached for the doorknob but it had a mind to its own. It turned and the door opened. A man stood there and entered past her. She opened her mouth at the utter disrespect shown to her.


    She walked up to him and tapped him on the shoulder and then stepped back a few steps to have a proper conversation.


    "Yes?" he answered, turning around.


    She stared at his back, her anger starting to brew. "What do you mean by ''yes''? Don''t you know who this new office belongs to? I am politely asking you to leave because I just arranged everything and if something goes missing it will be blamed on me and I might get fired."


    This intrigued the man more. Didn''t she call two employees for her help? "Didn''t you call two ladies for help? They could be blamed too?"


    She shrugged and answered back, "Yes but then again, it was my fault to ask them to help me and once again please leave." She pleaded with a stern expression which was wavering anyway.


    He looked at her finally turning back, finding the beauty utterly beautiful, he spoke. "I like you."


    The feeling was mutual, he was no less of a man possessing more beauty that could ever be bestowed on anyone, yet she snapped back. "And I don''t care. Leave."


    "I think you should. People tend to make their boss happy at any cost and you my secretary have asked me to leave for the third time.." He said adding an innocent smile in the end.

 Chapter 14 - Fourteen

    Mouth opened ajar, eyes wide and her mind was running with various thoughts. She was very sure that her first impression was the worst one that ever happened in the history of employment.


    ''Great, lost the job already.'' She thought. ''And I don''t even have a rich sugar daddy on the side.''


    "I uh .." She stammered and why won''t she? She was on the verge of losing her job and possibly with a badly written character certificate.


    She was looking at him and he was smiling at her discomfort.


    "Relax," he drawled out, trying to ease her. "I like your dedication to your job and of course your loyalty and those are the two qualities every boss admires."


    ''Okay. So?'' She blinked and waited for him to continue.


    "So..." He answered her thoughts, clearly visible on her face, "let''s get to work."


    Blowing out a breath of relief, she followed right behind.


    ****


    Keys rattled against the key chain as she was opening the door to her apartment. She dropped the keys and her purse on the table on the side of the wall and closed the door shut. She was dead tired today. People thought secretarial work meant nothing but a few calls and bookings and of course appointments and there but it was nothing like that. The day was complete, the clock struck five and the salary was in her bank account.


    But that was a joke life played on you. The work of a secretary meant making the life of the employer easy by making your hell. That''s exactly what she did today. All that she needed was a warm bath with some amazing bath salts with a glass of chardonnay. Taking off her coat, she walked into the kitchen and served Diesel his food along with water. The bathroom was now the destination she headed next.


    ****


    "Boss," Silvano called from the door.


    "There have been various mutinies. I think it''s time we teach them a lesson once and for all." He told his brother looking directly into his eyes. Only Silvano had the guts of looking into his eyes and telling what he thought was right. None of the other siblings or relatives told him what to do. He was too much like his father or as the others said he was way more ruthless than him.


    All the capos no matter how aged and experienced bowed down to him, The Don of the Italia Mafisco.


    Angelo was in no hurry to reply to his brother''s statement. He opened the drawer in his desk and pulled out a cigar from the box and lit it with no concern regarding the world. He exhaled the smoke, breathed it in from his nostrils and relished the flavour of the cigar. He looked at his brother, annoyance being visible on his face for the lack of attention. He waited till the nicotine took its effect, handling the affairs related to the traitorous matters related to the family became a bit easy.


    "What do you want to know?" He threw a question at his brother knowing the answer he had would not satisfy him.


    "I want to know what are you going to do with these traitors, they have been selling out information for far too long than any boss would allow." Silvano harshly said, tired of the games his brother was playing.


    Angelo smiled he liked getting his brother all riled up. "I know who is selling us out and to whom I''m waiting to know why. Prolonging their deaths will inflict fear in them, brother. "


    Silvano smiled. He was now content knowing what his brother had planned with the traitors but now was the time he questioned the intentions for the girl he was pursuing.


    "You have a girl followed." He said not wanting to raise any unwanted suspicions about his concerns.


    Angelo''s expressions immediately hardened. He did not like someone else mentioning his woman. He wanted to slap him, yet he knew in the underworld his brother was the only one he could blindly trust.


    "I do," His reply was short but to Silvano, his expression gave everything away. He had chosen his woman; the future Donna. She was followed for her protection.


    "Congratulations brother, waiting for your word." He said leaving the room with his words ending in the hallway.


    He thought about his words. No one''s opinion mattered to him yet he wanted his brother''s opinion about Alexis. He took another drag of the cigar and blew the smoke out and inhaled it. He picked up the phone and told him about his plan this knowing that there will be hell to pay if he messed it up.


    *****


    The following weekend arrived pretty quickly. It was Friday evening and she was leaving her office. The early days are always hard. She had to get everything changed and approved by her new boss. The fact that he was here only for a few hours made it more difficult. However, he promised that she would not be needed Saturdays and Sundays and on days when he didn''t have any work for her, she would be informed around seven in the morning. She sighed happily that now it was the time to relax. Putting the keys into the ignition, she headed towards the market to pamper herself after a hectic week.


    Closing the door to the apartment, she expected Diesel to bark and compel her to take him for a night walk. "Diesel," she called out placing the shopping bags on the counter of the kitchen. She walked to the living room where he usually threw tantrums for going out. She gasped the sight as soon as she entered, her dog was being held down by a massive wolf in her living room. She ran towards him with a stick hidden behind the door and stopped when the wolf growled at her.


    "Behave, let go." In seconds the wolf was off her dog and was sitting by his owner''s feet. She looked up to notice that Angelo was sitting there with another man. The hell did he bring a wolf for?


    "Um..hi?" her greeting came out as a question since she was not sure about how to respond to them.


    The man next to him chuckled looking highly amused. He looked at Angelo as seeking permission to address his women. He wanted to seek it because all men in the family were protective of their wives. Men in the Alessandro family usually took one look at the women and decided if they wanted to be with them or not; if they wanted to marry, marriage happened after a year of courting indicating that the woman now belonged to him and he to her. He could discipline her and mould her according to his wishes.


    Angelo gave him a nod of confirmation and Silvano got up to introduce himself.


    "Good evening, I am Silvano De''alassandro, younger brother of the man pursuing you." He asked as he shook hands with her.


    ''Pursuing me? More like screwing with me.''


    Nevertheless, she greeted him back and sat where he pointed her to sit in her apartment. Both of them looked at her, Silvano''s mind was not settling down without asking her questions. Yet, he kept quiet.


    Angelo spoke to cut the tension, "Alexis, why don''t you cook dinner for all of us? We have the wine."


    And to avoid sitting there, she and her dog ran into the kitchen.. Literally.

 Chapter 15 - Fifteen

    There was something brewing in between Angelo and her second unwelcomed guest. She was cooking very leisurely, knowing she could avoid them by this way for some time but Angelo in no time told her to hurry up and come out.


    She threw in some salad and chicken since she did not know what was their choice. She took her cutlery out and laid it on the table; she then proceeded to give Diesel his food.


    "Hey Alexis," Silvano called her,


    "Yes," she replied looking at him and Angelo but was greeted by his absence on the seat he previously sat in.


    "Could you give Ares food as well? Raw meat would be fine." He smiled.


    ''Raw meat?'' Did he eat that? She hid her shock and nodded at that. He had talked to her nicely at least.


    Alexis desperately wanted to ask him a question but did not want to test her luck. One could never know when someone could flip, especially brother. So, in the end, she decided against it.


    "You named your dog after the god of war?" She asked him a neutral question. She hoped he won''t take it as an offence.


    He didn''t. On the contrary, Silvano laughed at her question. "Yes, I did. Because Ares is trained to take out men who may never return to life. He''s a mixed wild breed. Quite lethal, I tell you. Angelo''s dog was more lethal than him." He said, stating the facts like they were nothing but mere general facts which were common knowledge.


    Alexis stared at him, muttering a ''huh'' she left to get him raw meat. How could a dog eat raw meat? She would never do that to even a stray dog. She took out the leftover raw steak and grabbed Diesel''s spare bowl and served it to the dog, which ate it happily.


    She placed the food on the plates and grabbed a bottle of red wine.


    "Take white. It would taste better." She gasped and jumped in fright at the sudden voice. She turned around to see Angelo standing behind her looking with the forever cold look in his eyes.


    She turned back and replaced the red wine with the white. He stepped back and gave her way while he followed right behind. The seating arrangement was the same; Angelo in the head chair, Alexis on his right and opposite to her, sat Silvano. The three were enjoying their meal although Alexis was not enjoying as much with white wine as she would''ve with red.


    "So," Silvano called her putting his cutlery down and took a sip of the wine and wiped his mouth, then he continued "I take it, you''re a red wine person, is that not right ?"


    Alexis gave him a tight-lipped smile and agreed.


    "Hmm," he mused.


    Women in the family were usually red wine lovers. They had vineyards that they took care of themselves. Some had studios for paintings and greenhouses for kitchen gardening, growing berries and such fruits whereas some were good in cooking and called the family over for regular reunions.


    The woman was the heart of the family. Once the man married a woman that he loved and approved of, he would rather die than have another mistress. Others were the ones who were forced for an alliance and but didn''t treat women like dirt under the shoe.


    Silvano knew the facts yet he wanted his brother to have the best of the best. He also knew that Alexis had already been chosen by him and in due time she would bring me home.


    "Alexis, tell me do you know who we are?" He asked yet he knew the answer.


    "No. I don''t." ''What kind of question was that?'' No one told her anything and frankly speaking, she was not concerned. This was none of her business and she did not want to poke her nose in the business that did not concern her.


    "That is none of my business because your line of work is no concern of mine." She continued confidently to the man who asked her the question. She glanced at Angelo who was eating his food with all the calm and collect any man could muster.


    Silvano was delighted by her response. She was going to be the perfect mafia wife just like their mother; the ideal woman, a good wife and an Amazing madre. Brave and confident. He nodded at Angelo indicating his approval for her.


    Angelo understood and placed his cutlery down. He looked at her and then took her hand in his.


    "Do you have your laptop, Alexis?" He questioned her, to which he received a positive reply, he then told her to go get it.


    Alexis entered her room and grabbed her laptop bag. She opened it and logged in and waited for further instructions. To her, it must be some Secretarial work that he needed to be done with.


    "Search the name, Angelo de Alessandro." He said.


    Now she was doubtful, why would she have to search his name? She did it not thinking of seconds thoughts and over-thinking as they usually spoiled the smooth flow of work being done. The search was normal; it was like searching for any other businessman.


    Yet a few caught her undivided attention.


    ''Angelo de Alessandro linked with the underworld.''


    ''De Alessandro associated with the recent gunfire.''


    ''Another body found inside a dumpster, to be linked with the de Alessandro group.''


    The links did not stop. The more she scrolled down the more she read and the more gut-twisting they got. She did not know how to react to the situation especially when the man who was supposedly linked with them was sitting right next to her. She was reading them with so much attention that she did not notice Angelo standing behind her. He was enjoying her reactions and her curiosity to read more.


    He bent down to her ear, causing her breath to be hitched. He leisurely stroked her face and pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear.


    "Do you think that can be rumours?" Calmly, he spoke in her ear.


    "They could be," She spoke diplomatically.


    He chuckled, "well, they are not." He confirmed.


    Her eyes widened, her breath hitched and she looked at him. She wanted to say something to him, many things what were they? She was too confused to pick on one of the thoughts among the others running wildly in her head. She gulped and looked down again. Silvano on the other hand was watching the situation from afar because he did not want to be interrupting a conversation.


    Angelo was still looking at her waiting for a reaction. She was shocked to the core and he was enjoying it. He was looking at her till Silvano interrupted him.


    "Let''s give her tonight to think, brother." He said getting up, stipulating that he was done here. Angelo nodded in return and stood straight. Alexis raised her eyes to some level yet not looking at any of the men.


    Silvano walked up to her and turned her head towards him and leaned in.


    He kissed her head.. Presenting the decision he had made and followed Angelo out, leaving her alone in the apartment with her thoughts.

 Chapter 16 - Sixteen

    Never had it ever happened that marriage in the mafia household did not work out. The male was the head and led the life that he saw fit for his family until death. The women enjoyed the pampering if not, she had to choose to work under a few fields.


    Women belonging to mafia families were taught from the very beginning and often helped the ladies from civilian households that failed to settle in. A man did not marry a woman if he did not think that they would be compatible together. Yet whenever he did, the marriage never ended in a divorce. It was the death that did them apart.


    She did not know what to think of the situation. An hour had passed and she could not react properly. She was numbly completing all the chores and then changed into her nightwear and sat on the bed.


    ''Mafia, he said.'' A shaky breath escaped her.


    ''That means all the rumours are true. Oh my god, that is messed up.'' She ran her hands on her face and dragged them to her head.


    Alexis picked up her phone and dialled a number she never thought she would dial again.


    "Hello?"


    ******


    Angelo was drinking his scotch and going through the files to keep up with the usage of the ammunition order of the previous month. Pistols were the ones always in demand and he appreciated the use of it by the members. The more hands of arms were the lesser use of it. They were and should be in demand always. He felt his phone vibrate at the table. He saw the caller but didn''t want to pick it and spoil his mood talking to a crooked cop. When it started ringing again he knew it was important.


    "Talk," he grunted out.


    The cop knew who he was dealing with; he wasted no time in informing him about the latest happenings of events as fast as he could. Angelo was furious, to say the least, but he knew exactly what had to be done. What he had not expected was that it would have to be done soon, the sooner it was the better. He gave out a rough laugh and said, "Take care of your side of the matter. I will take care of mine."


    ******


    Alexis was ready. She wore a black buttoned-up shirt with checked pants and black heels, her hair was in a ponytail and earrings dangled in her ears. She was eating scrambled eggs and bacon with the glass of mixed fruit juice, Diesel was having eggs too and suffice to say that he was thoroughly enjoying himself. Alexis was reading the national and business news on her iPad.


    She finished her breakfast and walked into the kitchen and washed her plate. She then picked her laptop bag, purse and her car keys and walked out of her apartment locking it. The black rover was her eternal love, the only thing she ever dreamed about and achieved. She caressed the steering wheel with love and drove away. Today she left early, the new boss had demanded it. As she drove she noticed the road was way empty as it could never get on a normal working day and then she noticed the roads had been blocked by the government for repair purposes.


    She sighed, now understanding why the road was so empty. She turned around and drove through the deserted road she usually took on the day of heavy traffic. It had never been a victim of traffic as only a few people knew about it. A chilling sensation climbed up her spine as she drove, never had she been this unsecured. It almost felt as if she was scared. She noticed that now there were cars behind her but she drove and picked up speed when a car came out of nowhere and halted in front of her. Alexis slammed the clutch and breaks together, the car jolted stop and turned off at the impact.


    She saw men in black coming out of the cars, now Alexis was scared and even if a bird cooed she would pee her pants. Her heart crawled its way up her mouth when she saw Angelo walk out of the car behind.


    Angelo walked to her car and knocked on the glass of her side of the door. She fearfully shook her head. He felt the fear that she was feeling but he was numbed to it. He pointed at the lock once again and stared her down and mouthed a ''now'' to her. She finally did as told with her hands shaking in fear. He opened the door and grabbed her arm and dragged her to his car. Once they were seated, the men climbed in as well. The cars roared their way through and so did her heart in fear. Angelo suddenly turned to her making her flinch.


    He held her gazed and spoke, "Can you explain to me, that for what reason did you tell about our conversation last night to the police?"


    ***


    Don''t forget to vote!

 Chapter 17 - Seventeen

    A moment had not yet passed off her being forcefully pushed and seated in the car when Angelo asked this question. He was still looking at her waiting for an answer but Alexis couldn''t find one.


    "I- I uh.." she stammered which cleared the fact to Angelo and that she did not have an answer.


    Angelo scoffed lightly. He knew that she did it on impulse but the instinct after knowing about the mafia was running away or disappearing into thin air. She, on the other hand, did not do that which meant that she was brave or plain stupid.


    "We will talk about it later. For now


    Love, I want you to quench your thirst, can''t have you thirsty, now can we?" He pulled a chilled water bottle in the mini-fridge fitted in between the two car seats.


    Alexis did not think much of it. She practically snatched the water bottle and drank the water. She was not suspicious of the water given the situation she was in. She was sweating, panicking and scared.


    She was breathing more heavily and now her head started spinning. She was sure that she heard him chuckle before blacking out.


    "Isn''t she beautiful, lying on your bed, in your house, brother?" Silvano whispered to Angelo who was well mesmerized by the View.


    His love wrapped around the silk sheets, sleeping with no care of the world.


    "She is, brother," Angelo replied, yet gave him a warning glance.


    Silvano placed his hand on Angelo''s shoulder, squeezed it in assurance and walked out of the bedroom. Angelo clapped once and the lights turned off and he then sat on the black recliner in the dark after pouring himself a drink.


    ''The women I''ve seen have run away after knowing about my organisation yet you, you called the police.'' He huffed. ''You''ve got to be something else to attract me that much.''


    Her head was spinning around and she thought that this was the aftereffect of the drug. She had woken up but did not open her eyes. She was scared and knew that this was not her bed as she had never owned any silk sheets. She opened her eyes slowly and cautiously only to realise the room was dark. Getting up she went ahead to place her foot down only to realise that it was chained to the bedpost on the left side of the bed.


    Now she panicked. She was going to walk away slowly and carefully out of the place she was in but now it seemed impossible. The door opened and came in a woman, Alexis could tell she was in her late thirties as her face had a few wrinkles.


    "Hello, mistress." She greeted with a smile.


    "Mistress?" Alexis could not believe this. Never in a million years had she thought of becoming someone''s mistress! and she was kidnapped to become one. What was her fate now?


    "Yes, you are our mistress. The lady of the house." She smiled, clearing any misunderstandings.


    ''Oh. That mistress.'' She sighed a little but did not let her guard down. ''That one was definitely better.''


    "Oh." The only expression that came out.


    "Yes. Would you like me to unchain you? If you feel the need to be refreshed?" She asked, genuine concern dripping from her sweet voice.


    Alexis was confused and quite frustrated. She was treating her like a queen. She talked to her with the utmost respect and did not state her opinion at all. It didn''t make any sense to her which left her vulnerable.


    "Uh, yes please, unchain me. I''d like to use the Loo." She answered with as much as politeness she could muster up in this given situation.


    The woman''s eyes lit up in happiness. She immediately took the key out of her apron and unchained Alexis. She led her to the bathroom and poured the water inside the tub and threw a bath bomb inside. She lights some candles and walked out greeting her on the way.


    ''....I said loo, not the Bathtub, but okay..''


    After relieving herself, she shrugged off her clothes and stepped into the tub and relaxed. The bath helped her calm herself more. She needed to think.


    ''I''m kidnapped. A woman who does not treat me as a prisoner, anything but that. She has practically treated me like royalty and I am not panicking. Good, pat on the back Alexis.''


    She got out of the tub, unaware of the time and stepped into the shower. Washing off the foam, she grabbed a bathrobe and walked out knowing she had no clothes here.


    "There you go, mistress."


    Alexis jumped at the voice as she did not expect anyone to be in the room. She looked at the woman standing where she had first seen her.


    "Were you here all this time I was in the bath?" ''...because that won''t be creepy at all..''


    "Yes, mistress. I must look after you and your needs." Okay, so she was officially royalty.


    "Thank you but none of it is needed. I can take care of myself, so really thank you." She politely thanked her and silently dismissing her as well.


    "No mistress. I shall serve you to death. Now please tell me what do you need." She replied not ready to bulge of her position and why would she? Working in Don''s house was an honour, especially when you could talk directly to Donna.


    Alexis was not in the mood of butting heads so she simply answered her. "Could you arrange some clothes for me? If they''re unavailable I can wear the one I wor¡ª"


    "Oh no, madam. I have them ready," she then pointed to the double doors beside the bathroom, "there is the closet where I have kept a few items. The rest will come in tomorrow with your clothes."


    Giving her a nod, she walked in only to be awestruck. It was not less than a celebrities closet the left and right side were divided into different female fashion. She didn''t know what clothes was the lady talking about, there were like a gazillion clothes here already. She changed into the set of clothes given to her already and applied some cream kept on the vanity. Walking out, the women asked her to follow her into the dining room.


    Sitting down in one chair, she finally asked the women. "What''s your name?"


    The lady let out a surprised gasp as if she could not believe what she had done. "I apologize, mistress, I should have told you my name the first time I opened my mouth. Please, please forgive me. I was named Agatha George."


    "It''s alright." She smiled awkwardly. "I''m Alexis." She smiled a bit.


    Agatha George smiled in return and clapped her hand making a line of staff come in with food.


    "Dinner time, mistress, call out my name if you need anything." She bowed and left.


    Alexis picked up the fork and started eating. The food was good that she moaned out loud, she was pretty sure that it was cooked by a gourmet chef.


    "Enjoying yourself?"


    She jumped at how near the voice had sounded. When had Angelo come and taken a seat at the head chair she had no idea. She placed her fork down and sat erect and alert in his presence. He had already been served food and had begun eating.


    She, hesitatingly, asked him the question that had been bothering her all the time. "Why am I here?"


    Angelo ate another bite and chewed it slowly before answering her question. "Because I want you to be," he looked at her and then continued "that should be enough for now. Now eat your food." They ate in silence. None of them hurrying up to finish up the food. But as soon as he did he looked at her with an intense gaze and waited.


    "Go to bed early tonight. You will have a busy day tomorrow." He stood up and was leaving the room when Alexis stopped him by asking.


    "Why?"


    ''When will she learn not to question me?'' He sighed before answering her question.


    "Because we will get married after two days."

 Chapter 18 - Eighteen

    The mattress that she laid on seemed to be the softest one available to mankind. It felt as if she was floating on clouds, but that did not help her sleep. The word wedding was still dancing in her mind; it was performing tango while wearing a white dress. He had left after delivering the news leaving her staring with wide eyes at his back. Agatha came and took her to the guest room, saying that after marriage she will be staying in the master bedroom with the master and she spent the whole day thinking about it all.


    He said the rumours about him were true. What does that mean? Who am I going to marry? Maybe there''s an escape somewhere around?


    She could not just stay here and let it happen. She had to do something about it. He could not just carry on with it.


    Alexis immediately pulled off the covers, ran into the closet to wear shoes and opened the door to the bedroom. The corridor was silent, she swore that silence never gave her chills as it did now; it made shivers run down her spine. She stepped forward and walked towards the dining table, she was sure that she had heard a door opening there. How big is this house anyway? She thought as she walked through every turn. Finally, with a chair being visible from afar, she quickened her steps and reached the dining room. Okay, so the maids came in from that door and kitchen in big houses usually have back doors, or so she hoped. She moved towards the door at the right end of the room. Slowly opening it she looked around and closed it behind her.


    The room was dark which meant that no worker was working. She scanned the kitchen area for a door. She saw it. It was right beside the stove. She smiled and ran in its direction only stopping when she heard his voice as she was a mere inch away with her hand on the knob.


    "I won''t do that, you know." She heard as she went to open the door.


    Angelo, she gasped.


    She turned around and stared at him, shocked that he was hiding in the shadows.


    "I knew that you would try to escape but I''m happy you didn''t try the front door. That would''ve been incredibly stupid." He said shrugging his shoulders at the end. "I understand that you are scared but I promise you, you will live a good life and I am a loyal man." He explained. "Now come on, let''s take you to your room."


    What about love? Even though she had an abusive childhood, she thought everyone wanted a loving marriage. So she did the only thing she could think of. Opening the back door, she ran like her ass was on fire.


    *******


    Angelo knew she won''t be able to go far; his men were stationed outside for a reason. She was intelligent; he would have to give her that. She had chosen the kitchen entrance while the other women usually chose the front door. It wasn''t any late when he heard her screams to let her go. The door opened again and she was pushed back inside and the door was locked behind her again. She was breathing heavily, a sight that he would love to see underneath him but now he thought of how daring she had been to run away and completely disregarding him.


    "I told you not to run, didn''t I?" he spoke calmly, knowing it would make her fear him more and it did.


    Alexis knew she would start crying. "I didn''t know why I-" she cried but he cut her off.


    "Oh, you knew exactly why you did that and I was going to let you off for trying but you did it anyway." He walked to her, forcefully held her arm and dragged her to the room he had chosen for her. Throwing her on the bed, he locked the door and walked into the closet. Alexis was shivering, she was sure that she would have peed from the fear she felt. He came and when she saw what he held in his hands had truly horrified her. He held restraints, he came and tied her arms up and no amount of resistance from her affected him. He tied her limbs to the bedpost and stared at her.


    "I don''t want people to laugh at you at our wedding so, I''ll honour you the punishment on your legs, yes?" he snickered.


    Walking to the side table on her left, he slid it a little in the front and grabbed a whip1.


    "Please, please don''t!" she cried.


    "Hush now," he silenced her tears. "It''s only the beginning."


    With that, he brought down the whip to her thighs. She cried as the whole hit her and pierced through her skin. Her cries grew louder as the hit became sharper and more powerful. Angelo aimed to punish her and so he did.


    "Please, please I am begging you to stop!" she cried but he did not respond. She sure felt death with the pain inflicted upon her; this was something even the step duo had never done. They never drew out blood. What felt like hours to her had he stopped. Throwing the stick away he walked out or so she thought. She heard him coming back to her even though her crying. She felt something being pushed on her making her wounds burn and she cried out loudly. She had easily woken up the whole house but they knew better than to intervene. So no one even uttered a word.


    "Now, you won''t get infected." He said and walked out of the room after pouring alcohol on her wounds and Alexis cried herself to sleep not before hearing his next words, "Think Of running away again and I would cut your limbs or even better, I would kill


    the person that you love the most."

 Chapter 19 - Nineteen

    She could feel the blood dripping down her legs, the pain of the bruises made her legs go numb. The smell of alcohol made her cringe. She couldn''t feel them, she prayed for sleep but sleep didn''t come to her. Tears were flowing down her cheeks their own, sobs left her mouth. She felt helpless, once again. What was the life built by a woman when she was always going to suffer at a man''s hand? Sleep had its own mind; it came to her in the end, consuming her in it and taking her away from the pain.


    ********


    "Mistress.." Someone shook her


    "Mistress...Madam?"


    Groggily, she opened her eyes and looked at Agatha. She had a gentle smile on her lips.


    "I know what happened last night and I called a female doctor who bandaged you. Master poured alcohol on you to avoid infection. He cares too much." She spoke with a sigh but it almost felt sarcastic. Of course, working for the man, she couldn''t be open.


    ''If he is the one to care I wonder what Mother Theresa did.''


    When she looked down, her legs were bandaged when she looked at them and she couldn''t feel the pain anymore so that was a plus. She carefully turned around, dragged her body up and sat sideways. This was the most she could do without cringing on the slight pain she felt. Agatha had pulled a chair near the bed and a folding table was placed on the bed by her.


    "Come on madam," she gently said, taking a hold of her hand. "Starving ourselves from such delicacies for men would be a torture." She gently pulled Alexis out. The moment she stepped down, Alexis cried out in pain yet Agatha did not stop, she knew that if Alexis sat down right now she won''t get up again to walk. She gently yet firmly dragged her and made her sit in the chair.


    "Here," she served the breakfast on the folding table. "Enjoy madam, if there''s anything else just ring the bell." With that said, she walked out.


    Alexis ate as much as she could slowly, she was tired and the exhaustion demanded energy and the food was tasty. Later on, Agatha came in again with two other maids who cleared out the table. She helped Alexis take a bath and dressed her up. She also chose a simple sap green dress that stopped below her knees. Agatha had been taught how to please the mistresses and masters of the house along with hundreds of girls and she was luckily chosen, Agatha would die trying to make the house perfect for the power couple.


    Agatha felt a vibration, she knew what it meant; the master had paged her. Excusing herself she went to a corner and checked it.


    ''Bring her to the study.'' Sighing, she walked to Alexis and sat down by her knees.


    "What''s wrong?" She questioned when she noticed the gloomy look on Agatha''s face.


    "The master has called for you," she looked up.


    "Why?" she asked, her resistance visible on her face. She was scared.


    "I don''t know but you shouldn''t refuse, the men don''t like it. They hate refusal from their own. So try to listen to them as much as you can." She said.


    Alexis was surprised, how could a maid know any of this? She spoke from experience and Alexis knew that. Maybe by patience and learning, she could bargain something out of it, yes she sure could try. She nodded receiving a small smile in return. Agatha held out her hands and gently pulled her to her feet, Alexis bit her lip to stop her cries of pain.


    "There will be no need from that." Both of the ladies looked up and saw Angelo looking at her with empty eyes. He came in and stood in front of her. "Leave her," and Agatha immediately left her hands. He bent down and swiftly gathered her in his arms and walked ahead. "She belongs to me. I''ll take care of her." She heard a whisper in the air, shivering slightly. His taking care was the most dangerous thing in the world.


    Setting her down in a lush sofa seat, he sat in front of her with a coffee table in between them. He looked at his bride knowing she felt fear from his stare and why won''t she? He had seen grown men piss their pants at the sight of him. She looked at him again, the muscular body that could be seen through the outline of his clothes. The chest muscles visible to her through the two opened buttons. She knew that he was a man that could turn heads his way with the looks gifted to him but she only felt fear.


    "Answer me honestly, Alexis." She heard him say. "Why didn''t you stop?" He questioned tilting his head as if struck at the question.


    Alexis looked at him, knowing there was no use of lying. "I don''t know. I thought that I could run out of here." Shee shrugged at the end of it.


    He huffed out a laugh, "Let''s talk about that now." His stare, if possible, grew more intense. "I have the area surrounded, if not by men then by dogs and cameras, you simply cannot outrun me and even if you did, where would you go? If you go to your apartment, I will know, out of the country I will know about that too. I run a fucking mafia organisation and I do it successfully, a woman or a man is nothing compared to it." He hissed out the words at the end, making Alexis understand that he was not joking.


    "Anyway, this was not the reason I called you for."


    ''Really? You could''ve fooled me.'' She voice to out but continued to stare at him.


    He got up from his set and strode over to the door, opening it, he inviting someone in and nodded in greeting. A man came and sat on a sofa chair. Alexis looked at his greying hair and wrinkles; he had a scar on his left cheek.


    "Alexis," Angelo called for her attention.. "meet my father, Gabriele De''alassandro."

 Chapter 20 - Twenty

    Sensitive in nature.


    .


    This was perhaps the first situation in which Alexis didn''t know what to say. Meeting her potential father-in-law was scary especially if she did not want to get married to his son in the first place. She fidgeted with her hands, wanting to get rid of their gazes off of her. She was still feeling the pain from last night''s episode.


    "I take it you know about the family business," the senior Alessandro asked her and his voice commanded her attention.


    "I''ve confirmed the rumours, father," Angelo commented on making Gabriele chuckle at the humourless situation.


    "Ahh I see," he leaned in and clicked his fingers in front of Alexis''s face making her flinch and come back to reality, "do you wish to know more child?" He asked waiting for the answer that she was going to give him.


    "I don''t, I am fine with what I know." She softly said, loud enough to make them hear it.


    Gabriele laughed loudly making Angelo chuckle at his father''s happiness whereas Alexis jumped from the sound. "I like her. She''ll learn quickly in this world with that smart mouth." He looked at her, making her squirm, "The wedding, Angelo, push it back, the pain wouldn''t let her walk." He said, getting up and walking out after patting Angelo''s shoulder.


    She continued to look down, feeling his gaze on her. He quietly got up and gathered her into his arms and walked out of the study and to her room. Setting her in the bed, he called for the maid for assistance, kissed her forehead and walked out.


    Walking into the study again, he called for his men. The matters at hand were important and he wanted to take care of them as soon as possible.


    "Boss," both the men acknowledged as they entered.


    "Ramirez and Julio," Angelo nodded, "I''ve been hearing about the escapades of this street gang. I don''t have a problem with them spreading fear of their name but they are interfering in our business." He paused jerking his chin and asking them to sit. "I want them out. Tonight."


    Julio nodded excited for the action, "I''ll get the men out, boss. Just tell me when and where."


    "Boss," Ray started, "weren''t you supposed to get married this weekend?" He knew he was out of the way but he cared for such events and was often the one who cleared his public image.


    "No. She had to be disciplined." He muttered suddenly feeling tired. "Get the men ready."


    ******


    "Total men or fucking boys in the gang are 25. They said it''s a starting number and they''re going to grow. All of them are in, including the top dog." As the soldier finished speaking Angelo had decided that the original plan had to change. They were kids and he didn''t want to get his hands dirty in some good for nothing''s blood.


    He took his phone out and message ''C'' to all, indicating that he was changing plans. It was going to be a confrontation.


    Getting out of the cars, his men took their positions and he along with ten other men walked inside, knocking the door down with Julio, he led the men.


    Kids poured out, hands shaking with guns in them, his aura was what made them fear.


    "I want your boss," he said and then added, "just to talk." With a sweet smile that held dark secrets.


    The boy nodded, scrambled away giving way to the big burly men. Angelo huffed and followed him with his men leaving some on the watch. They entered a room with boys in it. They either had the foolishness of bravery or fear of the men that stood in front of them. Angelo walked a bit further, dragged a chair that made a screeching sound and sat in it.


    "Now," he spoke loud and clear, "I don''t have any problem in kids playing around but when you mess with my men, you mess with me. Get out of this state, go anywhere where you can''t cause any trouble to me." He stated his intentions.


    "No," a voice came in front of him. He copied Angelo''s actions making the made men laugh. "I said no. We''re gonna stay here and take you all out, one by one." He gritted his teeth as he spoke.


    "Oh, take out, alright," Angelo laughed in amusement, "I used to think of taking out men and you know what my father taught me," Angelo got up dragged a boy out and hit his head hard on the wall. "Ray sedate him," Ray injected a syringe inside his neck, putting him asleep for an hour immediately. Angelo watched as Ray finished and pulled out a pocketknife. "My father said, gut them in a way that everyone hears it and fears you. Let me help you now, boy," he flicked his eyes to Julio and men started to pour in, holding every boy down, Julio dragged the top boy to Angelo and made him kneel.


    "Now," he took another pocketknife and gave it to him, "you take him out..by hitting him," he dragged the pocketknife along his eye and with his fingers, he scooped it out showing it to the boys. A few of them vomited from the bloody sight. The boy next to him choked on something but Angelo didn''t let him go.


    "So boy, knife ready?" He smiled at him. The young one tried to get away but got kicked by Jim in return. Angelo got a spoon from a table a man passed it to him, "It''s your first time, try it with a spoon. It''s easier."


    Taking his hand in his, he scooped the eye making the boy cry at the ugly sight. The blood poured out of the eyes. The boy''s hands shook as he saw the blood and then the eye he pulled out the retina and eyeball now dipped in blood while crying.


    Angelo grabbed his neck and said, "that''s taking out someone properly boy. " He looked at the boy below and said, "he was brother, wasn''t he? The resemblance was uncanny." He looked at the boy crying loudly and yelled at Ray to wake him up.


    Ramez injected another syringe having the boy jerk away as he felt and burn in his body and then slowly as his senses came to life he cried aloud in pain. Crying to God about how much it hurt. His brother took him in his arms, crying with him, apologizing to him.


    Angelo stood near him and whispered, "look at that, you couldn''t even protect your own."


    The children were now onto the floor, all sedated as they made men walked out and as soon as they did. They lit the building on fire, making the place roar up in flames that reached the sky.


    Angelo and his men watched it burn and drive away home.


    Home.. Alexis, who was never going to slip away from his hands.

 Chapter 21 - Twenty-One

    Shiny black hair was scattered all around the pillow and her face, was the shine natural? He wondered, she was such a beauty and she belonged to him. She was sleeping and he was watching her as if obsessed. He was happy that she was of age when he found her.


    "Master," a voice came and a hand that held his whiskey. He took the glass and took a sip out of it.


    "Agatha," he acknowledged, "how is she doing?"


    "Fine, sir. Mistress takes all of her medicines on time."


    The word did not sig well with him. "Do not call her mistress, she is anything but that." He corrected her words immediately, eyeing her with seriousness.


    "Would Madam do, master?" She hid her smile.


    "Yes. It would." He sighed, still staring at her.


    ***


    Waking up with no alarm clock was another drawback in her routine. She washed up and walked into the wardrobe and selected a dress for today.


    "Good morning, madam." Alexis jumped when she heard Agatha''s voice. How could someone move so swiftly?


    "Oh I''m so very sorry to startle you, Madam, I didn''t mean to." Agatha bowed her head down, she wasn''t meant to scare her. She was supposed to make her life easier.


    "Don''t worry. It''s alright." Alexis felt a little awkward the way Agatha behaved. It was almost as if they lived in the ages of queens and kings.


    "Thank you, Madam," she whispered, gaining her strength back. "You need to be scrubbed clean, today. You will be meeting your mother-in-law. You need to look the part." She hurriedly grabbed her shoulders and took her to the bathroom. Agatha took off her robe, she stopped when Alexis slapped her hands away.


    "Stop taking them off!" Alexis moved away from her. "I already took one!"


    "That does not count!" She moved again towards Alexis. "Madam I need to! It''s necessary!"


    "Necessary to see me naked?" She exclaimed her eyes wide.


    "No, but I need to clean you and prepare you and make sure you know all the things." She explained as softly as she could.


    Alexis breathed out, no one was seeing anybody naked, period. "Listen to me Agatha, that can be done without seeing me naked."


    "Madam please," pulling the cry baby look," my life is online. The senior madam will kill me. Madam please, please.."


    "Fine fine," she sighed, she didn''t want her to cry. Thus was the only source of sanity she had."Turn around." Agatha did as told.


    Alexis got into the tub and hissed when the water touched her wounds. Hands gently showered her with water and she knew that it was Agatha.


    "Alright Madam, ready?" She asked for permission.


    "Yes," She drawled out.


    "Alright. Mafia wives want power, they love it in fact, but mostly the power isn''t for their shelves. It''s for survival. They want it to be shown this way, that they will put their foot down when necessary, no one will bow down to anyone but Donna, Don''s wife. She is respected the most, if any woman is having any problems with her household, she takes it up with her. The Don is the father of the family and the Donna is the mother." Trying her best, Agatha explained what she knew.


    "So that''s her job?" She asked the obvious, half-heartedly listening to Agatha.


    "I was going to tell you about that,"


    "Oh, do continue then."


    "The Donna also takes Don''s place when he isn''t available. She is more protected than the Don and also, she takes care of most of the legal businesses for the Don to relieve him of some of the stress. It''s the highest title a woman can receive and many responsibilities come with it. Also, you will have to set examples, advise the woman and also punish them when needed and remember when a wife is taken down, she is shot down in front of all by the Don, himself."


    By now, Alexis was wearing a light creamy pink colour dress with pearl earrings, her hair was slightly curled and was held up in a low bun. She looked regal. The heels were of the same colour. The dress was sheath in form and reached her knees.


    "Remember," Agatha turned to her for the last time. "Respect her, no matter what. She is an elder if not the former Donna."


    She followed Agatha into the room on the first floor, it looked more like a balcony. The sunlight didn''t reach enough to make it hot. A woman sat there looking all regal and poise, her back straight, chin up, she looked like a queen.


    "Good morning." Alexis wished her in a soft voice. Politeness never hurt anybody.


    "Good morning, child, have a seat." She smiled slightly.


    Alexis lightly nodded and took a seat in front of her. Angelos'' mother leaned in a little and served her tea. Alexis, grateful for the beverage, took a sip. It was perfect in taste.


    "How did he meet you?" She asked.


    "Oh um¡ª"


    "A Donna never says ''um'' or any other words that make her seem unsure. She should think before she speaks." She lightly chided her.


    Stunned, she looked at her. "Are you accepting me as his wife?" Didn''t she know that I was kidnapped? The whole family seemed crazy to her.


    She smiled, amused at her. "When a man decides, there is nothing anyone can do. Especially if it''s the Don, sweetheart. I''ll help you, so you do not make any more mistakes like you did the night you tried to escape. Also, a Donna should have her allies as well."


    "Oh," Alexis blinked, never excepting that much information. She heard what she wanted to and didn''t regard any other nonsense the woman spoke.


    "So I cannot leave, like ever?" She whispered, afraid she already knew the answer to her question.


    "No, my sweet child. You can make it easier by accepting it but you can''t leave, ever." She smiled down with slight sympathy in her eyes.


    "Oh and my name is Isabella," She smiled.. "Welcome to Donna 101."

 Chapter 22 - Twenty-Two

    "Donna 101?" Alexis shrieked at the top of her voice shock flooding through her. "I do not want to be a part of this crazy facade and you''re welcoming me into a class?"


    "Yes, I am, dear one and don''t be a fool to resist this. It will only result in more painful episodes. How''s the leg, by the way." Isabella sighed, she just wanted to help. But also, she could not resist taunting her for not accepting help when given.


    "Listen to me child," Isabelle cooed at her, "He has chosen you to bring you home and not to a brothel; respect that. If you want out, it would be in a coffin now because you know our faces and that is risky, given the profession we have. You will receive everything that you could ever imagine, here. You get to conquer the world with him, buy various luxuries that people could die for, avenge yourself against anything, reach new heights, do whatever you want. Now tell me, do you want to die or do you want to do things that people can just dream about?" Isabella whispered the last words wanting to make an effect but she didn''t hope for much. The girl needed to think for herself and get selfish.


    She hit a nerve, Alexis knew that. She did want to get revenge from her tormentors but she never had the guts to do so or even think about it up till now. Thomas had once said, ''I will torture you so much that when you finally escape, you will never think of coming back.'' And he was right, she never did come back. Not even to meet her mother.


    "What''s going on in that mind of yours?" Alexis jumped from his voice so close to her.


    Keeping a hand on her chest she tried to calm her heart down. "why," she breathed, "why would you do that?"


    "You were so lost in your thoughts that you did not even notice my mother leave the room," Angelo replied to her with a hint of a smile.


    "Oh ..oh sorry." She looked down and breathed again.


    "Do you want revenge?" He shot his words straight at her without any restraints and as always his eyes gauging her reaction.


    "Huh?" Did he know?


    "I am marrying you, I know a lot about you, if not everything then almost everything." She looked at him with a bit of uncertainty.


    "Come here," he held his arms out in front of her.


    "Why?" Hugging herself, she shifted back into the chair, trying to find some security in it.


    "I said come here, I didn''t ask you to ask me a question." He hissed back at her. Annoyed about why she couldn''t complete a simple task.


    "N-no," she spoke firmly but with a stutter, making her mad at herself.


    Angelo smiled but none of his facial muscles moved. He walked in front of her and leaned down. Caressing her hair for a bit, he held them in a tight grip and pulled them.


    "What is it with you? Do you want death to come to you?" He whispered pulling her down by her hair and made her bow down to him. "You don''t understand, do you? Make this difficult for yourself and face the consequences, accept it and enjoy." He pulled back and stared down at her.


    "But you know what I think?" He smirked as if he had figured the entire mystery, "you need to see what you are missing and how grateful you should be." Smiling, he pushed up and walked away.


    Alexis maintained herself for a moment, just in case he came back and then got up. Breathing in and out, she looked at the door as if he''d come out any second. She took little steps and went inside the house and took into random directions.


    Huffing and puffing, she wondered how big this house was. Finally, after a turn, the living room came into the view. She sighed and went to search for the stairs. How could a man, living on his own, have such a big house?


    The couch was pretty soft and she felt like she was on clouds. Now she just wanted a moment for herself. A moment for herself to relax.


    "Madam?" The moment was over.


    "Yes, Agatha?" She acknowledged but didn''t bother to open her eyes.


    "There is in total twenty members of staff in the house; five in the kitchen, two in gardening


    , seven for cleaning, three servers and the others are for your every beck and call since they aren''t given any specific duties and also-"


    "Woah Agatha," Alexis cut her off, "why are you telling me any of this?"


    "Because Donna told me too. You need to handle the household." She respectfully answered.


    "Agatha," she got up and held her shoulders, "I''m not going to be here for a long time okay? So quit telling me this for now." She sighed and walked away ignoring her calls.


    "Alexis," she looked up to see Angelo standing at the front entrance.


    "Come here," he held out his hand. No idea why but she took it and stood next to him, maybe it was the hope to have him drop her back home. It seemed stupid to hope so but that did not stop her from thinking optimistically about this drive and the destination it was going to take her to.


    He pulled her into the parking and pushed her into the car. When his door closed, they immediately started driving. She did not ask any questions because she was too busy enjoying the outside again. Who knew if he was going to shoot her dead in a jungle now? The man seemed to do anything with his opinions and thinking.


    When the car came to a stop she was pulled out and dragged along. All she saw was a building with neon lights and strippers.


    "W-where are we?" She leaned in and asked. Maybe, what Isabelle said had come true. Was he selling her?


    "Nowhere of importance to you. I''ll show you what happens when a woman refuses a man like me.." He smiled at her, the dangerous one that a man gave when he thought of something evil.

 Chapter 23 - Twenty-Three

    The scene in this chapter will be BRUTAL. So if faint-hearted do not read it, I will give the summary in the next chapter. *RAPE*


    ....


    "You are not leaving me here, are you?" Her eyes went wide when she heard him say that, making her question his intentions. Fear had already started crawling its way up her spine. ''Was this my end?'' she thought. ''Been bullied by two men and now dying at hands of one..''


    "Oh no no," he chuckled at the instant relief visible on her face. "We both are here till tomorrow. You need to know your place and also see the consequences of your actions." Smiling sweetly, he held her arm and roughly dragged her across the lounging areas and


    into a room. Taking a hurried look around she saw, neon lights dancing everywhere, glasses were being cleaned, tabletops were being wiped and floors were being swept. The place was getting prepared to open for the nights.


    Making her sit forcefully in the chair, he said, "Now this, is the other side of that room." He pointed to the room in front of her. Visible to her through a giant wall of glass. "The person there cannot see you but you can see everything happening in there." Leaning down to her ear he whispered, "which you will.." He pulled back and then winked at her.


    He left her in the room with her hot on his heels and he locked it before she could even reach the door. She tried forcefully pulling the door but nothing happened. Shaking with fear she looked around the rooms.


    ''How did I get into all of this madness?'' Alexis trembled with fear. ''Where had it all started? He had saved her! Why was he now trying to kill her?''


    She was almost going to cry with helplessness when she heard a bang. Expecting Angelo to unlock the door and take her away she looked to only find it locked. Rustling in the other room attracted her attention. She saw a girl with a man there. Was it his wife?


    "Fucking shut it. Your crying is making me angry now!" The man yelled at her, slapping her in the end. The girl yelled but quietened down immediately. Barely dressed, the girl still resisted.


    His hand''s were roaming around her body and pinching everywhere if not groping. To Alexis, he looked like a man who resembled a dog with spit filling his mouth when he saw a bone.


    Her eyes widened as she remembered that she had forgotten her companion at home and here she was being fed at all times where his bowls were empty. Thinking about him had diverted her attention when a scream was heard and made her jump.


    "Please slow! Slow!" The girl cried out. She looked merely Twenty to her. Yet the man without any concerns violated her.


    Pushing into her, violating every inch of the girl he started pulling her hair so hard that girl cried from the pain.


    Alexis ran forward and banged on the glass wall, hoping to make him stop. Both she and the girl could overpower him, somehow. She banged her fists and hands, pushed the wall to break it yet it did not make any difference.


    "Hey stop! Stop it!" She yelled at the top of her voice hitting the glass wall harder and harder yet no reaction came.


    "Please! Leave her alone!" She yelled again.


    She continued to hit and yell when she noticed that the door had opened and one more man had stepped in. The girl was crying loudly by now knowing what was going to happen.


    "Smith my man, enjoying her alone?" He smiled.


    "Nah," he pushed into her more forcefully if possible, "I don''t recall saying no to company." He grinned back.


    Before she could even comprehend what he meant. The man dropped his pants and shirt, stood naked and towered the girl.


    They both began their assault. Unbothered by anything telling and crying. They seemed to be enjoying their time regardless of Alexis yelling at them to stop, begging them for it.


    But no one stopped, the girl couldn''t talk or cry now and Alexis realised that she was not capable of doing anything. She slid down on her knees, keeping one hand on her mouth controlling her sobs and the other, she kept banging, hoping for it to make an effect while she was left traumatized. She did not stop and neither did the men. She banged and banged as much as she could, her cries increasing as she thought of what was happening because she did not have the stomach to watch anymore.


    How could anyone be so cruel, she thought. The girl was so young. She slid more and laid sideways on the floor and cried for the girl, how helpless she was to her and how possible it looked at she could be next.


    Her cries did not stop until she heard a knock. Greeting up she saw the girl, she looked dead yet she was smiling. ''How brave,'' Alexis thought. Alexis choked on a sob and placed her hand parallel to the girls on the other side, trying to give her some comfort.


    "Please say yes to him." She heard her say.


    "Why?" She whispered the word.


    "Because you can protect us. You would have the power." Smiling she limped out and took the hands of the girl who stood outside for her. The girls looked after each other from the kind and helpful gestures she could tell that much.


    She sat down on the chair watching the room it all happened in, the rumbled sheets, the strands of hair, the torn clothes. She looked at it all.


    Protect, something whispered in her mind. Change.


    The door after what seemed like hours had passed, opened and Angelo came inside. Maybe he came to ask her about it and now she had decided.. He could shove it up to his ass but she knew what she had to do.

 Chapter 24 - Twenty-Four

    With tear-stained cheeks, she looked at him, it felt as if life had been sucked out of her tonight. She looked dead as if everything that mattered had been taken away from her. Tired, drained.


    "Does it matter anymore?" She asked looking at him. "Does it matter what my opinion is? Does it hold any significance?! When you are practically pushing me into a corner!"


    "Of course it does. Do you think that I would bring my future wife here to a fucking Brothel? Make her see some men fuck? I have given you a chance to make it better than someone, so think about it and choose wisely. You''ve seen my face and been to my house, so there''s no way out for you." He scoffed at the end as if such himself.


    "You want my answer now?" She asked her chest heaving at the pressure she felt.


    "No," he seemed serious, "I am giving you till dinner to decide. Think fast and think wise. Now come, let''s go home." Pulling her back to her feet, he dragged her across the main lounge room and into the car.


    ''Home? That place is not my home.'' She scoffed lightly.


    He was on his phone whereas Alexis looked out. Who knew when she would be able to get a chance to be out in the open again. She was going to enjoy this car ride as much as she could. The whole event took an entire night, a whole night of torture for that poor young girl. Yet she couldn''t do anything.


    Angelo dragged her out again, a firm grip on her arm as if he knew that she could still run away. He made her sit on the dining table and then had a seat himself.


    "Have you decided?" He muttered lowly as he looked up to the ceiling.


    "You gave me time till dinner," she reminded him in a soft voice feeling physically drained.


    "I did but it seemed that you had decided." Taking his eyes off the roof he looked at her, "have you not?"


    "I do want some time.." This was mafia and she had to be practical, no one could change anything. So how could she do anything for that girl when she could not save herself?


    Breakfast was served and she ate all that was on her plate. Walking back to her room, she dreamt about good sleep. Pulling off her clothes, she went ahead to shower with water hot enough to soothe her muscles and not burn them. She scrubbed everything belonging to that place off of herself. Taking a silk nightsuit out, she changed into it and sat on the bed.


    ''How was I supposed to change anything when I can''t even protect myself here?'' Tears gathered in her eyes, she felt poor of herself as she could not even think about what to do when the girl had asked for help. The hope in her eyes made her feel something for an unknown girl.


    ''God please help me,'' she prayed to look above. By now she had fully covered herself by the blankets and became cosy enough to fall asleep any moment.


    *******


    Work had been done, files were signed and salaries were given, Angelo now sat in silence enjoying the fire burning in the cold of New York. He had a glass of whiskey in his hand and the bottle on his table. Watching the fire and having silence to listen to, were some of the few things that he didn''t get often and when he did, there was no one he could share it with.


    Alexis, the woman was qualified to be Donna. She worked for herself, did charity, knowing her money went the right way, she knew the importance of money and had a good taste in fashion; elegance. A woman whom he could imagine coming home to every day.


    Throwing back another shot, he stood up and walked out of his office and locking it behind him. He had plans for her, plans to make her powerful both physically and mentally. He wanted her to know how powerful she could be if she was with him.


    Taking out his phone, he dialled a number which was picked. "Is it ready?" No beating around the bush, he asked.


    "Yes, boss. Awaiting further orders sir."


    Hanging up he made his way to the room his future bride was staying in. Opening the door without knocking he looked at her in the bed. Cuddling to the blankets, deep in the sleep. She was adorable but he knew what time it was.


    Caressing her forehead, he gently woke her up, feeling to make her feel like a queen. Lightly pinching her cheeks, he kissed her forehead, effectively waking her up.


    "W-what?" Her eyes were still half-closed from sleep yet she could swear she saw him smile.


    "Wear a robe, I''m waiting outside." He got up and left.


    Without having him wait and pissing him off, she went ahead wore a robe and a camisole underneath as well, changed from shorts into pyjamas and wore a robe above it all. Clothes were important, especially while dealing with a psycho. She didn''t want him to misinterpret anything.


    She walked out to have him waiting on her. Placing his hand on her back, they made their way to the basement. The door to the stairs was something she had not noticed while she snuck around the house to find an exit.


    "This," he whispered, "is the first time you are entering here and preferably the last. Remember to never come here without me."


    Shivers went down her spine because of the coldness he spoke his words with. She was behind him as he led her down the stairs. Either it was her dress or the basement was cold. When the final step was descended, he turned around to look at her.


    "My darling bride," she cringed mentally, "I have something that might help you decide. Revenge is a powerful action which some can afford and now you decide what you want."


    He left her view to stand aside only for her to step back in fear.

 Chapter 25 - Twenty-Five

    Daemon H. Smith.


    Daemon Smith was a businessman with a long family line of riches. He married for money too and did not stop his extra marital affairs. Infact he was rumoured to have sugar babies as well. People often said that he abused his wife and harassed his staff, the later was true.


    This man who had haunted her dreams frequently. He was the one who had tried to sexually assault her and threatened her to downfall within moments if she told anyone anymore after the complaint to the HR. She left the company that very moment because she knew she could not go up against a business mogul like him.


    Now she was standing in front of him, free when he was tied down to a chair and had tears in his eyes. The man who had groped her forcefully, promised her whispers of promotions when she didn''t want them and cut her salary when she was barely surviving with the one she was already receiving. The cuts were so huge that she had to cut back on lunch and dinner.


    "Now," Angelo whispered in her ear, "Sooner and later everyone sits down to the banquet of consequences ." He said, "You didn''t like it when he touched you, did you? He had no right over you, like man has on his wife." His whipering sent shivers down her spine. She could even feel herself being a little wet at the closeness, but how, in this kind of situation was the question. Alexis could not take her eyes off the man, her tormenter. If someone had asked her years ago, she would have killed him in a second.


    "You were not the only one, Alexis. He has even raped many, many who did not have the power to go against him, suicided or left the company but he did not care, he went on while his wife and kids waited back home for him to arrive." Handing her a gun, he kept his hand on hers, pointed the gun at the man who was crying now, begging for forgiveness.


    "Shoot him, Alexis. Take your revenge." He was playing with her mind. Giving her the weapon but still controlling her hands, he clearly meant that she would always be in his control.


    She didn''t know what it was, was it the power in his voice or the vengeance of her own mind but she saw herself begging him to leave her alone, crying to bed on an empty stomach when she was working well but wasn''t being paid, laughed at by her colleagues who taunted her for being a whore and getting rejected by a family man. The very family man who couldn''t keep his hands off her.


    She took a firm hold, but angelo set the target. She shot and a tear left her eye, she shot another and a another tear leaked her eye again. The process continued till the magazine was empty yet she continued to shoot. When he took the gun away she turned around and in Angelo''s arms crying and wailing, finally having peace.


    He carried her out, like a bride and laid her down on the bed. Taking off his belt, jacket and shoes, he climbed up beisde her and held her while she cried. "There you go," he cooed softly into her hair, softly running his hands down her stomach. Lulling her to sleep.


    If life wasn''t tough already, then now was a whole new level of it. She was sitting on her bed, half lying on it but buried deep inside the covers. She had killed someone, someone who she knew had a family but she was also aware of the facts that he was no good to them or to anybody.


    But who was she to do anything about it anyway? That''s why she had left the company and started fresh but fate had a different plan. She had killed him and now she had to live with it. ''I have to live with it.''


    Angelo was snoring lightly, it could be missed if not paid attention to, but she did. After a little nap and now she was wide awake. Gently taking his arm off, she walked out of the room.


    "Mistress?" Agatha greeted her from downstairs. "I didn''t think you''d be up so early. A little snack?" She offered.


    "No, I''m fine. Thank you." Descending the stairs, she took a seat on the couch of the living room, she looked up at the ceiling.


    "Everything alright?" Agatha took a seat near her feet.


    "I killed someone.." she spoke in a low and lazy tone.


    "I know," she acknowledged, "but what you did was right."


    "How do you know that?" She mumbled, her eyes not leaving the ceiling.


    "Because you killed someone who made people suffer. We are in a criminal household but lives are valued here too. No civilian is ever injured in fact, the one who messes with us is messed back with." Agatha took her foot in her hands and massaged it. "His wife was going to leave him and walk away with nothing but now she gets his properties and their children too. You did good Madam. You saved many coming."


    Alexis never thought of that way, maybe because she did not know. She had killed her own demon, something not many people like her could do but she did.


    "Thank you, Agatha." She started to get up when Agatha interrupted her.


    "Madam, give master a chance. Live it all a little and then decide what you want to do, but first at least see it all." The look in Agatha''s eyes made her think about it. She did like the man begging for her forgiveness before killing him.


    "I will think about it." Maybe I will.


    She walked back to the room and laid back down with her back facing Angelo. She was almost asleep when Angelo pulled her back to him, hugging her close.


    "Where had you gone?"

 Chapter 26 - Twenty-Six

    The book and the characters progress in their own. I request you to be patient and I assure you that Alexis is no damsel in distress.


    ___________


    "I uh, I had gone down to clear my head a bit." She replied.


    "Hmmm," she felt vibration of his humming coming from his chest. The sensation went straight to her core. "Tomorrow morning when we wake up Alexis, I want us to start a fresh. What do you think of that?" He murmured in her ear.


    "I would like to try." She honestly spoke what she thought she could do. She liked having power over people like today, but the killing disturbed her. Closing her eyes, she felt her eyes dropping. Unknown to her behind her back, he smiled, for once a genuine smile after so long.


    *****


    "Good morning to my lovely madam!" Agatha chirped out loud as she slided the curtains to have the sunlight come in. Alexis groaned, she never wanted to strangle someone as much as she did now.


    "Come on now Madam, the sun''s up in the middle of the sky!" Agatha hinted that she had slept in late and it was the afternoon.


    "I assure you Agatha, I do not need sunlight to function anf I am certain that it is not helping me sleep!" She grumbled.


    "Come on, Madam. The ladies are coming today. We''ve got to make you look more presentable than them." But this time she was fully wake to question her about the ladies.


    "What ladies?" She asked, slipping onto her shoes and walking into the bathroom followed by Agatha.


    "The second and third in hand'' ranked men''s women; Nikita and Isobel. Do not worry, I think you''ll get along just fine." She assured her with a pat on the shoulder and helped her getting ready.


    Looking at herself in the mirror, she checked for any mistakes like she did every morning. She was wearing dark blue dress that came to her knees and nude heels, a thin line of eyeliner and a pair of earrings with her hair straightened behind her back.


    She looked back when she heard the door opening and two women stepped in.


    "Hi I''m Nikita and this is Isobel." The first one said and then to look at Agatha, "leave." She ordered. Agatha waited and she looked at Alexis for confirmation when she nodded, Agatha left.


    "Were forced into this too?" Isobel softly asked as she sat down on the couch.


    Alexis sighed. She had nothing to hide anyway so she shrugged her shoulders and sat down next to her. "I am. Hasn''t really been that long."


    "Oh," she looked away. "I- we were too." She breathed in for what looked like courage to Alexis. "I was waitressing at an event and Vincenzo, the third in command saw me. Let''s just say, I never went home after that." Then she looked at Nikita, "she on the other hand is the daughter of a capo. She has it a bit easy since- "


    "Since I know how to work it out." Nikita finsihed. She then added while looking outside from the window, "I was the only daughter of a capo and betrothed to him since I was thirteen. Let''s just say I''m a permanent possession of him that no one has an access to. Did you have any slip ups again Bell?" Nikita glanced her away when Bell lowered her head.


    "I did. I forgot that he had asked me to come to his office with lunch. I did prepare it but i feel asleep. I - he he didn''t even listen to me before dragging me to that horrendous room." She couldn''t help the tears that flew from her eyes. Alexis placed a hand on hers for comfort which Isobel was thankful for.


    "Piece of advice for you, Alexis," Nikita walked to them and sat down infront of them on the bed. "Do as they say, then think of what they would like. They know that they have the power and they use it to bend things to their will."


    "You were born in this life Nikita, should not you have it easy? You must know things better than us." Alexis let her curiosity flow through.


    "I did or so I thought. It''s just the higher the rank of the person the higher is his ego. They know to keep their woman grounded but they are high up in the sky. My Father never really thought of restricting us to something. Of course there were limits and we had the shame to even think before doing a few things we never thought of anything that could bring him shame. I did the same with Silvano, turned out his opinions were way different and at the first mistake, he whipped with his belt in his office. It wasn''t sound proof."


    Isobel had calmed down enough to be angry now. "I hate them. Hitting us until we submit? Do you know Alexis that your punishments are going to gruesome as compared to us all? Why? Because you''re the king''s Queen, that makes you a person who represents every woman, that is, if you rebel, all of us are thinking of doing it. Anything out of line you do will have us all in trouble whether you meant or not."


    Alexis got up and drank a glass of water. That was what it meant? She was so important that she had to be in line for other people? Now she definitely didn''t want all of this.


    ''This, all of this is way too much. I can''t do this, Nikita was whipped with people present, they knew what happened, they heard it. How pained would she be?'' Alexis had a troubled past that she had no choice in but future was full of choices and she wasn''t going to suffer again if she had the chance to prevent it.


    "Madam?"


    She looked to the source of voice and saw Agatha at the door. "The men are here. Please come down for lunch."


    Isobel gasped. She had cried and the tears were a proof of it. She ran into the washroom to wash her face. Nikita looked at her with a warning clear in her eyes.. "Whatever you do, don''t be an idiot down there and get us killed."

 Chapter 27 - Twenty-Seven

    Vote and Comment, tell me what you think.


    _____&_____


    After exactly five minutes, the three women were walking down the stairs, followed by Agatha. Nikita was in the middle, Isobel at her left and Alexis at her right but that wasn''t the same order of the men awaiting them downstairs. It was Angelo in the middle with Silvano at his left and Vincenzo at his right. Isobel walked forward to her husband; Vincenzo only to barge into Nikita who shifted to the left from the push and affected Alexis.


    Alexis smiled at them, bit taking nag offence and walked again and bumped into Isobel who had started walking at the same time.


    Talk about akward. Alexis thought and shook her head.


    Angelo was now annoyed, he took charge instead of Alexis, "Alexis come to me first, Nikita start after and Isobel, I am hoping you''d know what to do."


    Isobel nodded clearing embarrassed but not before glancing at Vincenzo. Clearly he wasn''t pleased with her clumsiness. Alexis had reached him and held out an arm which she was quick to catch onto. Nikita knew better and held Silvano''s hand on her own. Isobel softly ran upto her husband and stood by him. Angelo started walking to dinning table with Silvano.


    "Do you always have to make a fucking joke of yourself when you''re outside?" Vincenzo quietly seethed into the ear of Isobel who was shaking a bit.


    "I was eager to see you, I am sorry Enzo." Softly she replied back to him, looking into his eyes with her big blue ones.


    He melted a bit, "keep the bloody eagerness at bay." And walked forward. Isobel smirked a bit and scoffed in her mind, they don''t call women enchantress for nothing, squaring her shoulders she ran to catch upto him.


    The helping staff came in and served them the meals. The food looked like it had been cooked by a gourmet chef at a posh restaurant and not a homely kitchen. Sighing, she thought of her old job when it clicked Diesel! She could hope that James, her new neighbor had taken care of him but she could ask Angelo about it, right?


    "Alexis," Silvano drawled out her name, "what are you thinking so hard about?"


    She answered him by telling him the truth. "Deisel, I can''t believe that I forgot about him for so long. Can you bring him back here?" She looked at Angelo at the end of the sentence.


    "I am surprised you didn''t remember him for so long. He''s with Silvano''s dog, Ares." At the mention of his dog, Alexis was not that thankful now as she was the at earlier mention of him being safely housed. That wolf could eat diesel up and spit him out in a moment.


    Everyone continued to eat. The men were discussing business and the others kept quiet. Maybe because the friendship hadn''t been formed yet?


    Alexis now stood with Angelo on the porch waving them goodbye as he said good host''s should do and had dragged her to it. She had to take up many topics with him especially the queen one.


    "Can we talk?" She whispered to him as he stood next to her.


    Glancing at her, he nodded, held her hand and walked upto his study. Making her sit in front of him and then seated himself behind the desk.


    "Alexis" he pinched the bridge of his nose, looking annoyed much to her surprise, "you are to stand in front of the hundreds of thousands if not just thousands and command them and you were barging into people earlier. Your presence should have been enough to have them wait for you to go first. I can''t stand a woman who can''t even make her presence known."


    She scoffed at him making him look at her in surprise. "I- whoa!" She stood up. "I can not make my presence known? And just who am I to even stand infront of even ten people to have to command them? I never agreed on anything like that! I agreed to give you chance you idiot Man! And what''s this about becoming a queen? If all of this baggage comes with giving you a chance then I''m sorry but no, i can''t do it, in fact I won''t do it!" She was yelling at the top of her voice now and she didn''t even realise this. Angelo listened to every word and insult of hers in a calm and cool manner.


    "That''s not fair that you decide about what to do and I just follow your orders either that is to marry you or give you a chance or anything of sort! Then come these absurd things you say about what I''m supposed to do? Why should I do anything? I did not say yes to anything you idiot and I frankly don''t think that I will!" Alexis ranted on every thought that she had had in this household relating to this whole ordeal not giving a dam about the man sitting in front of her.


    "Open the door, Alexis." He asked which he had closed on his way in.


    Alexis looked at him as if he had grown two heads. Had he gone mad? She thought. She had expected an answer, a harsh statement or a yell from him. His determined and steel hard eyes made her do it. She went to the door and opened it.


    "Come here, now,"


    As soon as she reached him, he stood up and slapped her hard that the clap sound was heard till the end of the silent hall. Alexis fell down from the impact of the slap. She had involuntary tears in her eyes. The slap was hard enough to have her jaw ache in pain. Her hair was gripped tighly and was forced to look up.


    "I''m an idiot man, aren''t I Alexis?" He spoke right next to her ear giving her chills with his whispering.. "Well I''ll show you how deranged this idiot can be."

 Chapter 28 - Twenty-Eight

    Hello readers. This is a sensitive chapter.


    ___&___


    He locked the door himself after saying that to her. Now she was afraid. Now, she felt the same feeling of what she had felt the night she tried to escape.


    "I just told you how I felt." She whispered, eyes too fearful to look away and let the guard of sight down.


    "I," he pointed to himself, "am a man high above many people and if my wife does not know how to be respectful to me, how am I to be respected by everyone else?" As calm as he was looking Alexis couldn''t even think of how angry he might be on the inside.


    "I do respect you-"


    "Do you?!" He suddenly yelled at her face, cutting her off. "Because it certainly doesn''t look like it."


    A tear fell from her eye, showing how frightened she had gotten. God knew that she could pee her pants right now. She whimpered to herself, scared of the man standing inches away and yelling at her face.


    She gasped as she felt it. Angelo moved forward and held the collar of her dress and tore the dress away, leaving her in bra and panties. She hurriedly tightened her stance to the defensive as she had no idea what was coming. He tore her dress away and moved to his study table. She was too scared now to look at what she was doing or even think of an escape.


    He pulled her up as she sat on the ground covering her up. She was meant to fall on her face by the force he pulled her up with but didn''t as he kept his hold strong on her.


    Taking her hands back he cuffed them. She immediately knew that the chain wasn''t of many lengths as her arms didn''t even have a little movement.


    "What are you doing?" She whispered fearfully but tried to glance from the corner of her eyes.


    "Marking your mistake."


    He pushed her on the desk face front and again rummaged through his drawers, coming back she saw it in his hands.


    A lighter.


    She tried to move from the table, kicking her legs everywhere in a haze of fear not focusing on the fact that kicking around wasn''t helping. Angelo in return stepped forward and pressed his legs against hers, blocking the movements.


    Taking the tip of the lighter he ran it on her warm body making her shiver. He kept doing so in light gestures. Alexis couldn''t think straight, one minute he seemed to want to kill her and now he was playing her. He lightly grazed it on her panty, making her gasp out. This was not supposed to be sexual in her opinion. Is he trying to distract me? She thought.


    Enough play, he thought. Just as predicted she had closed her eyes when he touched her privates but playtime was over. Now was the time when he delivered punishment, a punishment that she deserved for not respecting him when she should have. How was he supposed to live with the woman who didn''t respect him and if he was not respected by his own then how were the people that meant to follow him going to do that?


    He was merely setting an example. A bitter one that was going to leave marks. Hitting the button, the fire appeared on the tip and he inhaled the smoke. He waved the fire around, playing with its power. He lowered it down to her lower abdomen, he drew a line by the fire making her scream out in pain.


    "Ahh! Stop please!" She cried out. Yelling at the top of her throat, feeling the burn. The pain was intensifying. She could even smell the burning of her skin. The horrifying smell went upon her nostrils making the sexual haze clear up. The smell was proof of the fact that he had burned her skin and had scared her through life.


    "Please please stop.." she begged, crying while coming to terms with the pain. She kept on begging him. Her voice dying down but it didn''t stop the pain which was increasing every second. "Please.."


    "Disrespect me once, I will give you another chance. Disrespect me again and I will make you face the consequences of it. It''s time you know it." He whispered looking into her eyes. Oh those teary brown eyes, he loved looking into. Perhaps they look better this way.


    "Please stop... Please." She begged, crying pathetically with the pain and fear that her mind was experiencing.


    "No," he whispered, "You''ve done this twice and you didn''t learn it the first time when Agatha told you. So now this is for the previous mistake that you made."


    Agatha told me what?


    She wanted to ask what but Angelo had already started his torture. He was playing with trying again bringing it close to her eye she yelled but he laughed and took it away. He played with it again but now on her flesh.


    And near the area of the previous burn.


    This was painful more painful than the previous one, maybe because the previous pain and this one had intensified the pain. She cried out again, yelled again, screamed and thrashed around, all she could think was someone save her from him.


    He was having a headache from her yelling. He agreed that this was painful but she was wasting her energy by screaming, clearly she had no survival sense.


    He took out the anaesthesia he had kept aside. Whatever the punishment was he didn''t want his bride to be affected. Pushing the needle into her skin, he watched her helpless eyes dart around before rolling back.


    Pulling her up, he went to her room and laid her down and left the room as the nurse and doctor went in. They had been on stand by as Agatha had heard the screams.


    That''s when he called her name.. Agatha had also made a mistake.

 Chapter 29 - Twenty-Nine

    Patience, people patience. Character Development takes time. I have point flaws first.


    __&__


    Agatha was getting her leg plastered. She had fallen off the stairs by a push but who was she to blame anyone. Her Employer had suffered and she could have ended up in worst situations than these.


    "Are you okay?" Her roommate, another worker asked her.


    "It was my fault. Oh my god, they could have killed and replaced me within seconds." She cried out, both from the pain and realization. "They have given me another chance. I can not m..mess it up.."


    "You would not, calm downs sister."


    "I can''t." Agatha spoke, "there''s more to come if I mess up again."


    ******


    "Madam," someone shook her, "Madam please wake up."


    A cringe came upon her face, she was dead tired and didn''t even know why. It felt as if her body could not even get up. Squinting her eyes open she looked at a frantic maid trying to wake her up.


    "W-what?" Her voice was scratchy from sleep. "I''m tired."


    "It''s Madam Nikita. Please-"


    "Leave. Now." Nikita ordered as the maid hurriedly walked away. Nikita closed the door behind the maid and walked to the coffee table.


    Alexis watched from narrowed eyes which were still heavy from sleep as Nikita poured water in a glass and kept it on the side of the bed table. She then helped Alexis sit up on the bed and fed her the water and placed pillows on her back to get her comfortable.


    "I heard of what happened," she looked towards the window, what obsession did she have with it?


    That''s when Alexis remembered, the burns, the torture but she couldn''t feel anything. Was she given drugs? She couldn''t feel anything about her body at the moment except being tired and sleepy.


    "The painkillers are pretty effective, so you won''t feel a thing till they are just minor injuries," Nikita spoke, sitting down on the bed next to her. "Alexis, mafia woman don''t usually challenge their husband''s decisions and if they do, it''s like this for them. Now, we are talking about a woman which is married into average ranks but we belong to the top three and top three cannot be thrown down or disrespected."


    "It''s easy once you figure them out and I''ll tell you Angelo''s deal." Nikita''s tone was still the same. No one could say that she was going to tell her the secrets of life.


    Alexis looked at her thoroughly. Why would she help her? What was her purpose in doing so? "Why is helping me so important to you?" She softly led out the words not wanting to offend the only person helping her.


    "My mother did so. She loves helping others and I''m pretty sure I want to continue it too plus I also think that you desperately need it." She laughed at the end making Alexis chuckle as well.


    "I want to leave. I''ll accept death too instead of this, you know. The torture he puts me through without mercy, without any remorse he just turns his heart into stone. Who can do that?" She had tears in her eyes, the glassy brown eyes that looked like they had been tortured to hell.


    "Their grandfather, Nicolai De''alassandro is responsible for this. He told them to abuse people forgetting what they wanted. It was like that man, because of who he was, justified everything he did. His wife is equally bitter. They always had children come over in the summers and taught them god awful things." Nikita sighed. "When Isabelle came to know about what was happening, she immediately took her kids away. The Grandparents did not get to have any contact without the supervision from either of the parents."


    "Why are they like that?" There had to be an explanation for that as well.


    "I don''t know but once Silvano had let some of it out by saying, they never wanted us to be vulnerable. I guess their grandparents simply chose a way that did not let their grandchildren look weak."


    "Why are you telling me this? I get it, his childhood was not perfect but I know for sure none of us had it like what we wanted it to be." Reason and logic came first to her and the reason out why Nikita was telling her all this.


    "Because they''re then weak points are our strong points, Alexis! You manipulate them with those, you show them love without anything in return and care for them! You know what, let''s have a deal. You give me one month and abide by everything I tell you to do and see how your life changes for good and if it doesn''t I will kill you and set you free, deal?"


    Alexis gaped at her and then yelled at her with as much as a loud voice she could muster. "I just said that I don''t want any of this and you''re talking about such nonsense!"


    "This nonsense will make you live through the toughest of situations!" She yelled back. "Don''t be an idiot Alexis, he''s not going to leave you after you have met all of us! I understand what''s happening to you is not normal and it''s not. But what about the benefits that come with it? It''s not all you being tortured, there are ways of revenge." Nikita told her, looking into her eyes. "if you learn to manipulate, you can outwit them."


    "I don''t. I don''t think I can.." she sobbed, she sobbed as Nikita hugged her, soothing her terrorised form.


    "Listen to me Alexis, one month okay? One


    the month you do as I tell you and you will love it here. There''s nothing wrong with wanting more or wanting luxury, it''s human nature to want the best and if you don''t want any of it, then I''ll give you relief forever okay? Deal?" She whispered to her while rubbing her back and soothing her.


    "Deal," Alexis whispered as well.. She was strong once and she''ll be strong again.

 Chapter 30 - Thirty

    Vote and Comment.


    _&_


    Alexis never thought that painkillers could be that effective. She did not feel any pain from the burns and the skin which was damaged lightly from the cuffs last night. The talk she had with Nikita felt like a dream if she had not found the piece of paper in which Nikita had written all the rules for her to keep a track of. Alexis still could not believe that there were rules in marriage, hell, there were rules in a house but marriage? Never heard of it.


    She was given a sponge bath as advised by the doctor for the burns and her medicines in the morning which were to be given before breakfast but she still had not seen Agatha.


    Another maid, Marry she was called along with two other maids to help her get dressed.


    A chair was pulled out by Angelo and back in place by him as she sat in it. "Good morning Alexis," he greeted with a tiny smile. "How are you?" There was sincerity in his eyes.


    ''Be grateful you are seeing another day and remember to behave like it.''


    "Good morning, Angelo. I am fine, Thank you." She looked at the server, selecting a cheese omelette and buttered toast for breakfast. She looked down as she didn''t know how to say it, "Angelo, I-uh I didn''t mean to yell at you. I didn''t realise how I was a voice raised and I was just stating my opinion. I apologize." She whispered, looking like a puppy who was wanting to be forgiven by her owner after pooping on the carpet. The living room carpet.


    "You were stating your opinion," he repeated. "Stating for an opinion means discussing a topic of choice but raising your voice makes it an argument. That''s where people, especially teenagers anger their parents. State your opinion all you want but do not create an argument with someone whom you cannot win against." He took a bite after finishing his last sentence as he drank coffee throughout the talk.


    Alexis looked down at her plate and started eating the omelette. It was so tasty and the chef had added cheese in it as well. She thought of what he had said and it was true. Arguments should not be made where you can''t win, it was true, he had a point there and she would give him that but she had noticed how he didn''t accept her apology. She most certainly won''t have noticed if Nikita had not told her.


    ''You''ll know, definitely and know that they have accepted it but if you don''t know and they haven''t.''


    She would think of something, maybe Agatha could help. For breakfast, the rest of it was a silent affair. He kissed her forehead and left like a lover would have done and from that, she remembered the wedding hadn''t taken place which meant that it must have been delayed far since she has another episode. That now seemed to better her mood.


    She continued sitting there as the staff cleared the table and then she stopped a woman who appears to be in her forties.


    "Where would this food be going?"


    "The chef''s will finish it, madam." Lowering her gaze, she answered the mistress of the house.


    "Not the chefs but invite the staff for breakfast as well. Make sure everybody eats and if someone wants more, the chef''s will cook, Any problems come to me okay?"


    ''Take charge of the house, the staff too has connections.''


    The maid''s eyes lit up. She was happy about the unexpected news and that was clear to Alexis.


    "Yes madam, I will. Thank you so much!" She nodded too hard for a moment Alexis felt as if she might drop her head.


    "One last thing," she held up a finger, "where''s Agatha?"


    *****


    Marry, the maid from morning led her to Agatha''s room. Every maid shared it with someone but not her as she was just for Alexis.


    She knocked on the door as Marry left. A faint ''come in'' was heard and she entered. She gasped out loud at the sight. Her leg was fractured and she had bruises on her neck.


    "Agatha! What happened?" She nearly cried out at her pain.


    "Madam, oh I didn''t know it was you! I would have opened the door myself-" she tried to get up but Alexis pushed gently her down again.


    "Sit. Agatha tell me, what happened?"


    "Madam Nikita came, didn''t she?" Alexis nodded yes, "I called her for you. Madam I was supposed to tell you all of that but I didn''t and it was my fault, I should have done that when it was the first time he tried to Abu¡ªDiscipline you. I''m sorry and I deserve what has been given to me."


    ''It''s good to know but sometimes not so good to go in the depths of it.''


    "I am sure you don''t deserve this, Agatha, no one does." She whispered, caressing her hair in a gesture of comfort and support. "Anywho, I need help, how do I make him forgive me?"


    "Like he means it?" She continued the other half of the sentence.


    "Yes," Alexis sighed, "as he means it."


    She had been slaving in the kitchen for hours because the forgiveness of Angelo was just damn important. She came to know that Angelo had a sweet tooth and know she was trying to make something even though she didn''t know-how. The chef''s were helping her but Agatha refused to say the effort would count more.


    She was already on her third try but it still wasn''t perfect. Patience was usually her good feature but today she had run out of it. The kitchen was full of flour and chocolate powder and mixing and baking equipment all around white she sat on the counter with her legs crossed, looking tired of life.


    The doors banged opened and she looked at Angelo barging in and looking around. "What the fuck is going on?"

 Chapter 31 - Thirty-one.

    greed


    /¨Àri?d/


    noun


    the intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food.


    (A basic human emotion.)


    __________


    When Angelo heard that Alexis was in the kitchen the entire morning, he couldn''t think of anything else but her escaping again from the kitchen door. The surprise hit him hard when he walked in to see white dust and dirty utensils everywhere.


    The dishes were placed in the sink and counters around it, ingredients were scattered around the entire kitchen. The kitchen seemed to have gone back and forth a storm to be looking this disastrous.


    Alexis was sitting on the countertop with her legs crossed and her head in her hands and a bowl of whipped cream in front of her. After causing this much ruckus, she seemed to be sulking about it.


    "What the fuck did you do?" He asked her again, standing on the opposite side of the counter, his eyes glancing around the kitchen. He subtly pointed out the mess that she had created. The entire kitchen was a mess, every counter had a dirty utensil on it.


    "Oh um.." she looked around, nothing would work except the truth. "I was baking." She mumbled, sliding down the counter, she sheepishly rubbed her arms up and down.


    "Well, I tried too and I did not exactly know how because I lived alone and I usually bought the readymade sweets s¡ª"


    "Baking? Why?" Much to his irritation, he had to question her again because she had not been clear.


    ''Be diplomatic.''


    "Well, I wanted to give this a chance and I also realised that you know, no one likes to be yelled at, so I was trying to make it up to you by trying to bake since I got to know that you have a sweet tooth." She rambled on, speaking of every reason that came to her mind.


    Angelo sighed. His lips twitched up a little but he looked away. She was cute too. Her brows went to thinking what he just thought about; cute? What made man ever said that. He took off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves.


    Walking to the cabinet he grabbed two bowls and set them aside.


    "This one is for the dry ingredients and this is for the wet ones." He pointed at the bowls as she nodded looking weary.


    He instructed her to get the ingredients and the measuring cups. They separated the ingredients and mix them in the end. Placing them together in a bowl they left in the refrigerator to freeze the cheesecake and decided to come back to work on it later. He led her into the living room and sat down next to her on the couch.


    "Do you want to give us a chance Alexis? Or you''re doing it because you think that one day when I trust you, you will be able to run away from all of this," he waved his hands around, "if so, you''re wrong about that. Once you''ve entered, you go out in pieces and if you can join them back, You''re most welcome to leave and never return."


    Busted, she felt her cheeks grow hot. But that had her thinking about what it was all about.


    "I know," or so I thought, "I am here now, so I''ll. I don''t know. I want to try." She whispered. What did she want to try? How come she didn''t know what she wanted, she had always figured out everything in advance.


    The man next to her nodded. He knew what she felt; hopelessness, which in return had blanked her thought process. But he did not mind that, she would figure it out by the end of the days and hopefully in his favour.


    He placed his finger below her chin as his elbow remained on the back of the couch. Gently he angled her face towards him, curious brown eyes looked up at him with a hint of fear which he disregarded. Leaning in, he placed his on hers. A peck.


    He pecked her lips and her eyes closed on their own. Her soft lips opened up on her own and she wanted a little more but he pulled away. Opening her eyes again, she saw him near her, already looking at her before leaning in and kissing her.


    That was all he needed. The lust that had was seen in her eyes was all he needed. She didn''t need to consent because it was clear to him that she didn''t say no and he wasn''t going too far from a kiss.


    Softly sucking on her lip and kissing them with leisure, he pulled her into his lap as she willing came to him, probably too blind to ignore what she felt.


    Pulling apart, he ran his hands through her hair and rubbed her thigh. She fit in perfectly. Angelo looked down at her and then stared back into nothingness. He felt peace, his heart did not care for the family right now. He did not think about the men he was supposed to torture or the men he was supposed to train. He thought of nothing and enjoyed the calm she brought him without even knowing it.


    He squeezed her thigh. He was never letting her go.


    *****


    Alexis woke up on the couch of her room. She did not immediately get up, instead, she just stayed there blushing to herself. She had kissed him and she was not supposed to go that far.


    Getting up, she looked at the coffee table in front that had an alarm set, she woke up minutes before it. Ten minutes to eight-thirty. She went to the vanity to straighten herself a bit but stood astonished.


    A pearl and Sapphire gemstone necklace were lying in front of her with a note expressing gratitude.


    "My..." Alexis could not even take her eyes off of it. Hell, she could not even think straight.. She had never seen anything up so close to touching without a salesman near her and now, she did not know what to do.

 Chapter 32 - Thirty-two.

    Felt like saying this, this book won''t be stretched. I would like to detail everything but not stretch it to a great deal. If I am brief or unclear somewhere, please point it out for correction.


    _________


    She moaned loudly. She was sure that she had never tasted something so tasty in her life. The cheesecake came out to be amazing and she was sharing it with Angelo. And as for the necklace, she had decided to deal with it later after her stomach grumbled and growled.


    He was having a little smile on his face as he saw her eating, he knew how to cook and bake but he was never this happy to cook for someone. She was visibly enjoying every bite of the cake and he was enjoying her reactions to it. It was a little awkward from her side as he hoped that she would be a little more open than before but if he comes to think of it now it was obvious that she didn''t know what to do.


    "Alexis," he called for her attention. "Would you like to go out for a change?"


    She sat frozen with her mouth open as she was going to have a bite when he asked her this question. Is he serious? Or was this a test?


    A snap of fingers in front of her brought her attention back to the present. She cleared her throat and reached for the water next to her plate containing desert. Sipping it a little, she placed it back and tried to form an answer that didn''t make her sound desperate.


    "Yes," as gently as she could, not wanting to give her desperation of freedom away, she spoke. "I would love to go out." She looked into his eyes. He had green eyes with little specks of yellow in them and she noticed them for the first time.


    A soft thud came on the table and she looked away, much to Angelo''s dislike. Two cups of coffee were placed in front of them. Angelo went to hold both of them and held out his arm for her. Lightly touching his elbow, she walked along with him as he let her out of the house. It was a silent walk to the front door from the dining room.


    As soon as the guards outside opened the doors, she looked up at the sky and saw the stars scattered beautifully, pleasing to the eye. The cold New York air that she breathed in. She now knew that nothing could remain within someone''s touch. Someday, things just.. disappeared.


    "Where are we going?" She questioned him softly as she looked around. They were in the garden area.


    "It''s the garden of your house and We''re going to sit on a bench to enjoy the night in peace." Which I feel only with you.


    Whereas in her mind, the words ''your home'' were ringing more loudly than church bells.


    "So," he said, "why hasn''t anyone filed a missing report for you yet?"


    Her eyes widened as she heard him. Why would he ask her that? Regardless of that, this meant that he had people from the police on his side. She gulped the worries in and thought of what made him ask her that. But of course, a mafia man who had every corrupted officer under him was probably making sure no one looked for her.


    "I don''t communicate much." She said looking at him once and then looking at the beautiful garden in front of her.


    "Oh is it?" He chuckled, his voice went from soft and gentle to a tone of malice and danger. "One thing Alexis," barely containing his anger he said, "lie to anyone you want but not me."


    He didn''t want to ruin the progress that she had made with him. A kiss in this situation and willingly felt too good and he did not want anything to ruin that, not even her.


    She shook slightly. Her hands held the cup tightly as her hands shook, the coffee was threatening to spill out and stain the beautiful dress she was wearing. But it didn''t matter because the man next to her was angry again and sounded like what he had been when he had punished her. This seemed unreasonable and she wanted to call him out on this but the fear of torment told her to keep mum.


    "I don''t have any friends." She whispered, looking at him hoping he won''t question her on the topic by looking at the sadness her eyes held.


    But he didn''t. Angelo didn''t look at Bambi''s eyes she was making at him. If he wanted to ask her something then he simply would and she couldn''t stop him.


    "Why?" He sipped his Coffee.


    She scoffed loudly. ''Couldn''t he see how troubled I am by this?''


    "Because," she was frustrated as she answered him, "I was bullied and those bullies bullied the others that talked to me. They did not care what effect they had on the other''s mental state just for their laugh. Is your laugh more important than someone''s tears? They judge all they want but can''t they do it silently? Because you''re hurting the other person! But no, you kill them every day, you make them lifeless before they can even step into living the life." She cried.


    Keeping the coffee aside, she rubbed her face to wipe away the tears. She hated how weak she had gotten for some mere human contact and now she didn''t need anyone to live her life. She huffed a little and looked back at Angelo who was listening silently. Keeping his coffee next to hers, he leaned in and kissed her lips and then her forehead.


    Looking deeply into her eyes, he asked what she knew was her deepest, darkest desire. Something that she had buried deep inside her that she had forgotten about it. Maybe because the biggest favour she could do on herself was to move on.


    "What do you think of revenge on them, my darling?"

 Chapter 33 - Thirty-three

    "Revenge?" Her face cringed a bit. Alexis, no matter, how much tortured and bullied before had never thought of revenge because simply she was content with her life and she wanted to forget about it and move on with life. But that was putting it in kinder words. The truth was, she had never thought of having the power to strike back. They had a good following as everyone wanted to be noticed and not bullied.


    "Yes, revenge," Gulping the rest of coffee in one go he continued, "tell me their names and batch year you were in. Trust me on this, not everyone would be as successful as they thought they''d be."


    Revenge, a strange nasty voice in her head whispered. What would he do by taking revenge? Make their lives miserable? But didn''t they make her life miserable too?


    Angelo could see the gears turning in her head as she was thinking about what he said. Maybe, it was too soon for her to give a decision regarding this. She had simply chosen to move on and this decision would certainly bring back unwanted memories.


    "Alexis," he lazily drawled her name out, bringing her back to the world of the living and not dreaming, "how about you sleep on it? We''ll talk about it sometime later?"


    She nodded, "Yeah, sure." Getting up, she held his mug in her hand and walked beside him. Her freedom was long forgotten after the conversation they had. A kiss was placed on her forehead she felt his goodbye, placing the mugs on the dining table she walked to her room. Changing clothes, washing her hands, arms a little and her face, she applied night creams and went to bed.


    Darkness surrounded her physically as it did mentally. ''Revenge? Why did I never think about it? Maybe because I never wanted it or that I. I what? What do I want? ''


    She was tormented and no one ever helped her stand up when she was tripped down or had a milkshake thrown at her head or when her locker had been destroyed and so much more. Would it be okay to take revenge on them after so long?


    ''Well, I could try on one maybe..?''


    *****


    Angelo had driven to his headquarters which was his construction company at night. No employee could enter the building at night and whosoever did, they weren''t seen again and they knew about it. That was given the job description.


    He was double-checking the shipments containing drugs and alcohol. Even though he had an accountant and another specific person for it, he never trusted anyone blindly so he randomly came in to check the shipments now and then. He checked everything and passed the papers ahead to the person responsible for them.


    Walking ahead he watched everyone work, this was his way, to even keep an eye on his trusted employees because anyone could betray you anywhere.


    "Boss," Vincenzo came to him, greeting him with the utmost respect.


    "Is something troubling you Vincenzo?" Angelo could tell by his expressions that it was.


    "Yes, I was thinking of letting the ladies spend more time together." He scratched his head and continued, "look it isn''t my expertise but Bel says it would help your woman more as she would have someone to tell her what''s right and wrong except the maid assigned to her." He frankly stated still looking uncomfortable. Knowing that it would be better to tell him than hold back.


    "Alright. I''ll allow it in my house till the time when I can trust her enough to make trips to yours." He agreed to what made sense to him and this did. Vincenzo left, nodding his head in respect.


    A chuckle left his mouth as he thought of her thinking hard about his question. He was going to take revenge for her anyway. He had already found out about the common and popular bullies in her batch and so put it out subtly, none of them was doing well in life anyway and it would be better to take the burden off the Earth.


    "Boss?" Looking up he found Ariel, a mistress, dominatrix and an assassin. The innocent look for her face could fool anyone and this mistake could end their lives.


    "What is it, Ariel?" Straight to the point, that''s how it should be with woman, said his Father once. You give hopes to no one, telling that no one here is special.


    "I heard you were getting married, sire," great, "I thought you might want me to interrogate her." Her expressions were well hidden like she was taught but not enough when dealing with him. Her words were out in a way that clearly stated that she did not think she was right or ''suitable'' for him.


    Then Angelo raised a brow at what she had chosen to say. Did she think that he was that incapable?


    "Ariel" he spits out the name, "Do you think I am that incapable to not realise the threats coming my way? You come to point out my errors now?"


    She gasped, fake, he thought. She was trying to be innocent which he knew she was not. No intention of hers was charity. Everything she did make a profit to her.


    "No no sir, I didn''t mean it that way." She apologized coming forward to him but one sharp look from Angelo and she knew she was pushing her luck. No matter how hard people tried Angelo would never touch a woman who worked for him and was not a hooker. He did not sleep with those who could be looked at special. So he chose to go to the clubs.


    "There is something I would like you to do for me." Ariel recognised the look in her boss''s eyes. Malice, revenge, spitefulness, vengeance, feelings she could die for.


    "How about you tell me who told you about her?" Angelo asked, nudging his hand to have the door closed behind her. She was not going to escape, he knew that she was not that Stupid. But it instilled fear in the person and he could see her building.


    "No one did, I heard¡ªoverheard the maids,"


    "Overheard the maids.." he repeated, looking thoughtful at what she said. "Two things, Ariel," he showed her his index and middle fingers as he gave her two options. "Either you are being heartless and blaming it on the maids or second, you talked to a maid about it. Both are the things I do not approve of."


    "I¡ª"


    "You do not interfere with my house! You stay where you are in the family!" He roared at her, angry at her unwanted interference. "You even had the guts to come to me about something that was not public, what is it that you think about yourself? You are not in the top tier and because of this you never will be."


    "I like¡ªlove you," she confessed.


    Angelo did not bother to reply. He took out his phone and texted a woman, calling her to his office immediately.


    "And I don''t care," he answered. "Learn to take rejection to certain things in a better way. Do not think of going against me and harming my wife." He warned her. "You used the word ''like'' first, so either you are nervous which does not suit a dominatrix and an assassin or you simply do not know what you feel. The latter is true." He even answered it for her. "People are attracted to opposite figures of power. It''s natural. But like¡ªlove me for afar."


    A knock came in and Ariel jumped up a bit.


    "Come in," Angelo allowed the figure to come in, "Ah, Sabrina, I was waiting."


    "I apologize. Is she troubling you?" Sabrina looked at Ariel''s face once and knew that she had done something.


    "Yes, and I want you to carry out two things for me." He looked at Ariel who looked shaken up with this whole ordeal. "First find the maid and look into it if she was forced by Ariel or not and then Punish Ariel for the scale of her offence for going against me."


    "Gone against you? May I know how?" Sabrina, when asked to punish did not like to be merciful but also not a tyrant.


    "Well, she wanted to know what was going on in my household." He vaguely put it in front of her.


    Sabrina immediately pulled her hair behind to give her a piece of mind. "You unmarried girls do not go after the married men when they are not allowed to cheat, so are you!" She yelled into her face. "for god''s sake, how many more lessons before you girls understand not to interfere in someone''s household!"


    "Get rid of her if it''s important, the lesson''s a high demand now. They think nothing of the top tier." He had begun looking at a file now, completely disregarding whatever was happening in front. "And get me her sister."


    Sabrina left with a shaken up Ariel. Ariel''s sister, Maya came in immediately after receiving the message. She was in the mood to kill tonight.


    "What is it you''d like me to do?" She purred, butterflies enjoying the warm feeling inside her stomach, she was going on another mission.


    "Manipulate, my Illusion, Manipulate."

 Chapter 34 - Thirty-four

    Let me know in the comments what you think. I love reading your responses and opinions.


    _&_


    Woken up and dressed for the day, she sat at the table sipping her cappuccino. This household had coffee Machines and a barista trained maid working here. Quite frankly, today she was enjoying her breakfast alone as she had done for the past few years. She didn''t miss his overwhelming presence right now. His Highness was at his office and had breakfast early as told by Agatha who felt the need to tell her or rather inform her, as she said.


    "Hi," startled by the purring greeting, she looked up.


    ''Wow, she''s pretty,'' was her immediate thought. The red hair and pretty silver eyes had invoked a feeling of jealousy inside her. Alexis felt like a peasant in front of the beauty queen.


    "Hello?" Unsure of why was she even here, Alexis greeted her back. Her words seemed to be unsure and unconfident in front of the woman who was confident enough to stand in a man''s house who claimed to be in the mafia.


    "Do you mind changing into a Gucci jumpsuit and bring a Louis Vuitton bag while you are at it?" She blankly stared at her, making demands. She took a seat adjacent to the one in front of Alexis. She had to respect Alexis even though she was not aware of her position.


    "Yes, I do mind. Why do you want me to do that and for whom?" Straightening her shoulders, she leaned back into the chair. If anything, Alexis had worked under the CEO long enough to know how to follow the chain of command.


    "Because the boss, Angelo De''alassandro has bought a new business and you, my friend are invited there for a lunch. Everyone would love to know that the new boss has a family too and would be liberal with a few somethings. Now chop," she clapped her hands, "off you go. We are going to have a busy day."


    "Did you not say lunch?" Alexis asked her in no hurry. "It''s hardly Eleven."


    "Well, I am not married, so I don''t know what he wants his fianc¨¦e there for. I am simply the messenger and you don''t kill them."


    Alexis leisurely sat back, enjoying her cappuccino and looking around. The power play was not new to her. Often higher officials tried to overrule her as she was just an assistant but Alexis knew how to handle the heat and to what level.


    After five minutes had passed, she stood up and said, "Some people do feel the need to shoot the messenger." The words just left her mouth. She was undermined by that man but God forbid if she would let just anyone push her.


    Going for a Valentino dress, she still chose the handbag because simply, it was too pretty to pass up. The one she owned belonged to seasons behind the one in her hand.


    Going down she saw the woman daydreaming. She could not help but clap her hands in return. The woman immediately broke her out of it. "chop, I don''t think we have time to waste." Smiling Alexis walked to the door which was for the first time as she had seen open.


    Maya nodded and walked behind Alexis, She understood what Angelo saw in her. Potential for a queen. Smooth and subtle, two qualities are not often seen.


    The roll''s Royce was smoothly running through the roads of new york. She noticed that the neighbourhood seemed to be a well established one. Of course, given his identity it was obvious he came from a long line of money makers and inheritance. Though Alexis could not help but wonder who the girl was and why all of a sudden she had appeared.


    "Who are you?" Alexis turned to her, putting an end to her questions running wildly in her mind.


    "Maya, I''ve been working under the boss for the past 15 years. Now, I''m a Dominatrix and I''m given assassination assignments as well." She, proud of profession and promotions talked about them with Alexis, expecting her to be happy about it as well. In "In fact, I am on the firsts to achieve it."


    "First?" Alexis questioned, surely there might have been more.


    "There were more but they start feeling things. You know the rules when you get into it and outsmarting is never the option."


    Merely nodding she looked out as the car came to a stop, the building was huge.


    "Tip, don''t open your door. They will survey around for threats and then open your door." Maya leaned in for giving her the advice, knowing she would need it in the future.


    Nodding, she got out as soon as the door opened and she was greeted by the guard. Led through the corridors and past the reception, she has rushed into the lift with Maya along.


    Now they were seated in his cabin, as Angelo''s meeting took a little longer.


    "Ah! Would you see that!" Maya shrieked with glee.


    Raising an eyebrow, she walked next to Maya in hopes of looking for something interesting. "Look at her," pointing a finger at the woman with massive amounts of documents on her desk. "She was my classmate, who made fun of me and look at her now, where she is! Earning in a year what I charge for one meeting. I just do it once in a while." Proudly, she told her, flicking her hair back.


    Her thoughts immediately went back to the conversation that took place last night between her and Angelo. She looked at Maya''s happy and satisfied face which made her favour the decision more.


    "So why did you take revenge on them? Just like what they did it for? For fun?" Alexis probed into the situation, more than she would''ve normally liked but couldn''t help herself. Thus was important. She did not want to pass up the opportunity for this.


    "I was dirt poor. So poor that I used to stink because we couldn''t even afford water for bathing. They all knew it and instead of leaving me alone with my problems they bullied me like anything. They destroyed my social life, my mental health, they just destroyed everything! What did I do? I just minded my own business and they, all of them literally tripped me down the hall, burned and tore my work and also stole my homework!" She breathed a little, calming down her nerves, "listen, Alexis, what they do is always for some harmless fun which it is not, and if you ever get a chance to hurt them back, even slightly, never let the chance pass up."


    "Never?" She mumbled, still thinking about something.


    "Never," Maya said in a firm voice. "Those regrets will always eat you. I can see that something is troubling you, tell me about it."


    Since they were sharing stories of their past and bullied childhood, Alexis felt the need to maintain the personal level with the woman. She seemed to share a little and in brief and so had Alexis decided to do.


    "I..uh," she hesitated a bit. "Angelo offered his ..help," if his offer for murder could be called that, "and I do not know what to do about it because frankly speaking, I have moved on. Like really moved on, I don''t care what happens in their lives now. I have mine to live and I am concentrating on that."


    "That''s impressive," Maya smiled her way. "but not enough."


    "But it is. Maybe not to you but me, it is." Alexis argued. She immediately noticed how defensive she sounded of her thoughts. She did not need to explain herself.


    "No Alexis, it''s not." Maya rolled her eyes at the absurd statement that Alexis had provided her. "You are not. People move on from things when there is no hope. What are you trying to convince yourself of? You have the opportunity yet you don''t strike."


    "No one is asking you two to hit them with missiles. You can simply give them a stab. A little harmless stab. No worries." She smiled at the end. It seemed that Maya had done this countless times.


    Alexis''s could not get over how she used that word. "That''s amazing and astonishing that how you deem a stab harmless."


    "You''ll get over it." She winked. "Bye." She turned and walked out.


    Humming Alexis went back to the chair she sat on before. Life was tough as it is so how was she to take revenge on anyone? But the satisfaction on Maya''s face made her think twice. She had never stepped up and thought of revenge before but what now when she was given the opportunity and the perfect one?


    A soft kiss on her temple made her jump in the chair. She looked found Angelo looking at her with a small smile. His eyes were different from the cold and calculating ones she saw at his house. Was this a ploy to lure her in? Could she trust him to not use Damon''s and this revenge thing against her in the future?


    "Hey there, jumpy," he chuckled.


    "Hi.." She whispered back.

 Chapter 35 - Thirty-five

    Thank you for coming this far. Kindly drop a power stone(the red one).


    ******


    "So you''re saying that one of my bullies work for you?" Alexis was shocked at the revelation or maybe she was shocked at the time he took to find her bullies. That meant that either he was planning on it way before he touched the topic or his resources were pretty good. The latter option seemed to scare her more.


    "Two of four. One is a stripper and the other struggling to make the ends meet." Angelo spoke as he continued with his files. He seemed to be least bothered to her for the topic he had chosen to give her worries about.


    She recalled as the conversation started. Maya left as she saw Angelo wanting her out of the room. The conversation had started as her asking him if he knew where her bullies were, to begin with. To which he said, he never would have started the topic if he didn''t know.


    "And the other three?" She asked.


    Her question made Angelo smile, "curious one aren''t you?" He huffed a little laugh as she looked down, embarrassed. Perhaps she shouldn''t just, "the boy- parker is a waiter in a restaurant and Noah is working under his father, getting ready for the future take over. The third one, Taylor works for a drug dealer, supplying them to teens and college kids." Leaned back in the chair, he told her everything she needed to know.


    "Oh.." she whispered. Was it going to be good enough? But she never thought of it. Maybe she could feel the satisfaction once in her life.


    "I am thinking of something, Angelo." She whispered.


    "And I think I will like it." He whispered back. "I have the evidence already."


    "Wait what?" She couldn''t help but give a bewildered expression at what he went with. She was thinking about Liza. "I was thinking about Liza. Does the Mafia, like you say you the head of does not happen to sell drugs?" Alexis knew one thing for sure. This guy was not going to sabotage his own life or plans for her. That simply seemed to be unrealistic.


    "I won''t have offered you that then," he immediately denied, which again made her speculations come true.


    "But since he does not work for me, I can have him arrested or whatever it is. He sells it to a bunch of kids anyway and given that he does not work for me, works in my favour."


    "How? How does that work in your favour?" She asked. If he didn''t work for Angelo then it was a given that Angelo won''t take a hit for it but how could it be possibly working in his favour.


    "I don''t think you should know that," he leaned back into his chair. "That information will do you no good."


    "But I want to know, is that now enough?"


    "Okay then," he agreed. "Marry me and I''ll tell."


    Stunned for a moment, Alexis''s mouth couldn''t help but open and close like a fish''s. She had not expected that from him. "I¡ªI um, I don''t want .."


    "To know now?" He completed her sentence. "Yes, it seems to be obvious." He opened a drawer and took a folder out, sliding it in front of Alexis. "Open it."


    Sighed, she dragged the folder across and the table and picked it up. She opened it and took the contents, the photographs as it seemed to be out. The photographs of Taylor exchanging money and drugs. The kids seemed to mostly college students which made them even angrier.


    Drugs were not a necessity, hell they were the opposite, so she made the call. Angelo gave her a phone with the photos attached as evidence. She hit sent.


    Half an hour later, this had made the news not a breaking one but enough to cover it for a few hours. Taylor was taken from his apartment in a drugged state and his handcuffs.


    Watching the TV in Angelo''s office she couldn''t help but feel extremely.. satisfied. Her heart wanted more of this. Because to her, now it seemed like harmless fun to laugh on. Just as they had done.


    ****


    "Hi," Liza looked up to a woman familiar to her.


    "Hello?" She hesitated.


    "I''m Alexis. We were together in high school remember?" Much opposite to her current feelings, Alexis very cheerily talked to her.


    ''Shit. I might or might not have bullied her. If yes which one was she?''


    "Hi, how are you?" Alexis felt bitter and bitter at every word. She seemed to either forget the fact or ignore it. Either of which was not going to work in her favour.


    "Oh! You cannot imagine but how are you? And also do you wanna stop by my house for a cup of tea or coffee?"


    "Oh... I can''t possibly impose and you know interrupt your life." Liza replied, for sure she couldn''t go to her house which would be better than hers, given the Louis Vuitton bag she carried.


    "Oh come on please for old times sake?" Alexis smiled with a hopeful expression.


    Is she that dumb? I could insult her ass right here, "No, Alexis. I''m sorry, I really can''t but some other day, okay?"


    Alexis nodded. She could let her go this time and come back with more later ...or not.


    "Okay." She sighed, looking dejected.


    Liza grabbed her stuff and walked along with Alexis to the parking lot which was a minute walk. They walked together, step by step and shoulder to shoulder. Liza felt the need to fill in the awkward silence but Alexis relished the silence in between them.


    Grabbing the handle of the back door, Liza put her stuff in and turned to Alexis.


    "So," she jumped a little to show some enthusiasm, "this had been nice and yeah. Catch you later?" She smiled.


    "Sure, but FYI your tyre''s punctured., Alexis said before giving her a tight-lipped smile, turning around and walking.


    "What?" Liza screeched as she jumped out of the car and kicked the tyre after inspecting it.


    Alexis wanted to laugh out at the tantrum she was throwing. Any rational person would have simply called help and waited but no, the Princess would rather kick and scream at the tyre.


    "Would accept my help or..?" Alexis yelled from where she was standing.


    "Please, I would take it."


    ''And not call help obviously.'' "Come on then."


    She took out her phone and texted the driver to come. Within seconds, the driver, Thomas or Tommy as everyone called him, came out and opened the door for her. Liza came through the other side and that''s when she noticed that she was sitting in a Rolls Royce.


    "Wow," she breathed out, "this is so beautiful!"


    Alexis smiled and showed her gratitude for her praise. The rest of the ride was silent. Liza was scared to touch anything and cause damage for which she knew she could not pay for. They stopped at some luxurious apartment building and she turned to Alexis for answers.


    "Oh yes, do you mind if I change first?" Before her bully could answer, Alexis was already out of the car. Liza couldn''t help but follow the lead as well.


    Opening the door to her apartment which felt like it had been years since she last came there, she turned to Liza, "help yourself at home, okay? And yes help yourself in the kitchen too." With that, she walked into her room.


    ''Apartment? It''s a condominium!'' Liza could not help but feel extremely envious.


    She looked around with wide eyes as she twirled around. Alexis was living the life she wanted for herself. Feeling sneaky, she followed into her bedroom and walked into her closet. The first thing she noticed was the handbags she had. Louis Vuitton, Micheal Kors, Gucci, Chanel and all the other high-end brands.


    The eyeshadows palette that she saw on the vanity were MAC, Huda and Dior. For Pete''s sake, Alexis was living the life and her closet showed it!


    She walked out and grabbed herself a bottle of water and drowned herself in it. Either Alexis had the right connections or she is a top dog or she was fucking someone good enough to provide this and Liza wanted to enter the game again and if it was through someone stupid then that be it. Alexis could be her new ladder.


    "Hey? Are you okay?" She jumped and looked back at Alexis, "you''re squeezing the life out of the bottle." Looking down Liza noticed what she had done. She kept the bottle near the sink and walked to Alexis.


    Taking her hand in hers she said, "Hey do you wanna go out sometime? I think I could use an old friend, you know?"


    Alexis smiled, something in her eyes danced that Liza mistook for excitement.. "Yes! Why not? I know just the perfect place."

 Chapter 36 - Thirty-six

    Don''t forget to use the power stones for this book. It would be highly appreciated. They help to increase the book''s power ranking!


    ******


    "How does it feel then?"


    Jumping at the intrusion Alexis placed a hand on her heart and looking the direction of the voice. It was Agatha, she was using crutches but at least she had gotten back to her feet which Alexis was grateful for.


    "Hey! You''re back!" She squealed in happiness and hugged Agatha making her laugh as well. Inviting her to sit, Agatha called in the maid who was waiting outside with the snacks in and sat with her mistress ready to hear all her gossip. Alexis took a muffin immediately, the chefs had a speciality for sweets.


    "So, did you enjoy it?" Agatha asked again as she sipped her tea.


    "Enjoy what?" Agatha immediately gave her a look, "oh that, well.." To be putting it in words was extremely difficult. Often so, the feelings in one''s mind are something considered to be easily felt and equally difficult to be spoken about. Something that Alexis was feeling.


    Taking in a deep breath she answered, "you know I understand that this was all possible because of Angelo like he told me to take revenge and I am very satisfied with it. I never thought of taking revenge on anyone because I thought it was better to move on but the feeling of Revenge is pretty satisfying, I will tell you that and if I had looked at them and the condition that they live in now and where I was living in I''m pretty sure I would have felt happy because of my hard work paying off and Karma getting to them. I think I would have been satisfied there but I may be a little bit happier to be able to take revenge."


    Honest feelings about the whole Revenge thing came out in front of her as well. Maybe telling Agatha about what she was thinking was asea self-reflection she needed badly. Revenge was one tasty dish but Alexis wanted something other than harming them. Harm was completely out of the equation. She was looking for harmless fun and laughs for herself and to be more truthful, she might be looking for their humiliation as well.


    But after realising what she had said to Agatha, she could only question her sanity with the given situation. "Why I am an idiot or mentally sick for doing this?" She asked Agatha looking for confirmation or possibly some sort of denial.


    Agatha leaned forward and held Alexis''s hand in her own. "Do not think much of it. Let it happen. I would not call it an opportunity but a chance." She tried to reason with what''s he had read on Google and Facebook. People were great advisors there, but just theoretically.


    "Chance or an opportunity is more or less the same." Alexis disregarded her opinions.


    "On the contrary," Agatha respectfully objected. "Chances are more of luck than anything. Your luck is needed there. But with an opportunity, that is a result of a situation that you might have or might not have anything to do with." She explained. "It is your luck here, to be provided with such opportunity(s)." She smiled at the end.


    "Wow," Alexis clapped. "That''s something I''d write on my grave."


    "Not if I die first and have my original words on mine." Agatha very cheekily replied.


    "Touch¨¨." She laughed gently.


    "That was a good chat, madam. I am very happy that you feel light about this and are not taking this to your heart. I think you should carry on with it to your heart''s content and also, I think it''s time you should go out with master for a lunch."


    Lunch?


    "Lunch but why? I did one yesterday."


    "I don''t know but who knows that maybe you could find something interesting there or rather, should I say a someone?" She smiled, hinting that she knew things as well.


    "But I saw Liza''s face after looking at my clothes and bags collection and mind you I noticed the add-ons in them." She pointed out.


    Agatha smiled. "I did what was necessary. Exaggeration to a given extend never hurt anyone." She shrugged.


    "Those wise words, where do they come from?"


    "The brilliant mind of Agatha." She smiled. "But again, she should get ready for your lunch with the master. Delays are not tolerated or perhaps, liked by anyone."


    "Why?" Alexis questioned and moved to the stairs.


    "People just need to express therefore dislike over things and this apparently, is one."


    ****


    Pearls.


    Pearls what something that Alexis always wanted to wear. Even with him,r it was something that she knew was a luxury. She had a lot of savings to do for them. She was a figure that was often seen with the CEO and for that, she had to be dressed the best. The pearls were something that she had separately saved for.


    Was it bad that she wanted a little taste of luxury? Without having to earn it? While Agatha was choosing a dress, she was sitting in front of the mirror and she played with the pearls that were out in front of her. As soon as she told Agatha, that she liked wearing pearls, Agatha made sure she had an endless supply of pearls and pearls. But now they weren''t as appealing as before. The thrill to buy them after saving had played as one necessary factor.


    "Here you go." She laid down the dress on the bed and looked at Alexis. The dress was perfect for the windy weather by being dark-coloured and attracting heat and also, a turtleneck.


    Nodding, Alexis understood what she wanted and went to the bathroom for a change. Coming out she noticed that Agatha had packed away the jewellery and kept what she needed on the table. Wearing the jewellery and applying a little bit of foundation on her face along with blush, Alexis was good to go. She would have done more but in this situation, she did not want to be seen opening up her kidnapper.


    Angelo had arrived and was still in the car as she went and sat inside. She saw him noticing her but what it felt like was him judging the choice of clothes she wore but he didn''t comment on anything. That was a positive sign and she couldn''t help but feel intimidated by his stare. The man surely had the most beautiful yet equally unappealing eyes ever.


    As they reached the restaurant, Angelo got out first and held the door open for her, holding out his hand as well that she took. He led her into the restaurant and the hostess followed them inside.


    "Do you like it?" His voice had a gentle note to it. He kept staring at her face. For any third party,y it would seem like he was in luck but she knew what he was doing. Staring at someone''s face was simply another method of catching a lie.


    "Yes, I do," and she truly did, "it''s not crowded and of course the decor is very nicely designed." She smiled as she answered him.


    Angelo smiled back. All his past companions ever did was talk about, who and which power person was sitting inside the building and how they could grow a connection. Sometimes what he needed was a companion for a company not a queen for power play and she was just that. A beautiful person, both inside and out but with a bunch of jumbled words.


    The hostess handed them their menus, "your waiter will be here shortly to take your orders for beverages." Finishing, she bowed a little and left.


    "What would you have Alexis?" He muttered as he went through his menu.


    She closed down hers and looked at him, wanting to have a little conversation. She owned that to him at least for what he had done for her.


    "Angelo, tell me what''s good here. Maybe then I could see a drink going with it?" Drinking at lunch was a bad idea but she wasn''t driving or paying.


    He closed his menu and looked at her as well, a small smile playing on his lips. "Do you want to take a risk?"


    "What risk?" She asked truly interested.m, leaning in a little.


    "Let''s allow the chef to choose the drinks and the food for us." He proposed and continued, "the one to finish it will owe the other one wish."


    "Hmm," pretending to think about it, she tapped her chin. " I can think of doing i. if I get. choose the dessert. Come on Angelo, give me that at least!"


    "Dessert?" Angelo repeated. "Did we not have a cheesecake day before? Some of it is still left."


    "What a stingy person you are!" She accused. "Just agree, come on." She pressured.


    "Alright. I think that could be a deal."


    "Good Afternoon, I''m Parker and I will be your waiter today."

 Chapter 37 - Thirty-seven

    Reminder to vote the red stone!


    Let me know your thoughts in the comments.


    ____


    Smack!


    She gasped loudly as she felt someone slap her behind. In an instant, she turned around and looked at the person who did it.


    Parker Jones.


    It was not the first time and not the last. She was just grateful that she was out of his sight for most of the day. She looked away from him smirking, grabbed her books, shut her locker and walked away with hunched shoulders and back. All she could do was run away because she knew for a fact that if she stood up and said anything Lisa and Madison would come forward with bricks and sticks for talking back to their friend.


    Speed walking into the class, she sat down on the second bench near the window. She kept her head down until the teacher came in, maybe she did it to disappear from the crowd or turn invisible to them. A push came and her head was banged into the books she had kept on the desk. It stung a little but she had endured worse this year.


    "Oh sorry, Didn''t see your ass there." Maddison sneered as she went to sit on her desk or rather on Parker. If anything Madison was jealous of Alexis about her ass. Madison was not as famous as the others but she tried to keep up and for that, bullying was the easiest thing. She turned a blind eye to almost everything. Even her boyfriend cheating on her.


    The current Alexis sitting in front of Angelo, Smiling at Parker as she recognised her bully the moment he said his name and the moment she saw the fake Christ earring on his ear. If anything he wasn''t a follower of God because if he was, he would have thought twice before bringing any harm to any other soul. She wanted to strangle him at the moment. It was the anger talking.


    She looked at Angelo, who looked pleased as she realised who Parker was, "Hi Parker. I''m Alexis from high school. How are you? Weren''t you gonna work for your father?" She asked as she looked him up and down with a confused look. That was what he always bragged about. His father is the best businessman alive.


    "I-I do!" He proudly stated as if her tone offended him, "This is my dad''s restaurant." He told her, looking quite confident.


    "Oh is it?" Angelo scoffed. How funny was that, after all, he bought this one.


    "Yes of course it is! Do you think I''d work for someone else?" A visible sneer came to his face as Angelo called him out. He had to show it.


    "Could you tell me the name of the man that owns this restaurant?" Arched eyebrow and a stoic expression greeted the boy. He surely looked like it had his facts right, why not test it?


    "Angelo De''alassandro," he stated proudly, "he is my father." He confessed.


    A snort came from Alexis''s mouth. She laughed out loud and covered her mouth as soon as she remembered the place she was sitting in. Tears came from her eyes as she laughed so hard. He had no idea about what he had just done.


    "Oh-oh," she teased, "I''m sorry, it''s been so long since I have laughed so hard." She laughed again a little and looked at him, pointing a finger at Angelo, "He is Angelo de''alassandro and I don''t understand how he is your father." She laughed again.


    Parker''s eyes widened. He had never met the owner and had only heard his name here and there. Now he was sitting in front of him and had heard him and on top of that, he had talked to the boss with a bloody attitude. He was going to get killed and thrown in an alley.


    "I''m so so fucking sorry! I-I didn''t know! Or I would''ve never said that.." Parker stammered. He knew what happened in the restaurant and which people came here and for what purpose. And if it took begging to steer clear of the man sitting in front of him he would beg on his knees if he must. He had to live.


    "That''s alright." The shock came through when he heard the ruthless showing him mercy.


    "I think I can spare Alexis''s friend once." He shook his apology off. He smiled at Alexis.


    "Wait what?" Alexis questioned, leaning in and wanting him to repeat. He was anything but her friend. "He isn''t my-"


    "Of course I am. I mean we are!" Parker cut her off, as Alexis watched him talk. He had squealed those words.


    "Oh, are we now?" She numbly looked at him with a doubtful expression. Was Angelo hinting at what she thought? Even if so, she wanted nothing to do with him.


    "Yes, we are. Don''t you remember that we use to sit together in the cafeteria?" His snake eyes were darting between the couple.


    You mean, when you threw your lunch at me or mine in the dustbin? How pitiful people could be?


    Alexis did not comment any further on the topic. So now she was least bothered by anything. How could someone lie to such an extent? Some things are just shocking.


    "Angelo," she softly spoke with a little tired expression, "I''m hungry, can we order now please?"


    Angelo nodded and his cold gaze returned and shifted to the waiter making him flinch immediately. He had never seen the top man in action and manage to offend him in one line. The first he spoke.


    "Chef''s choice. Drinks and food. We choose dessert, now get lost."


    Angelo leaned in and held her hand which was on the table. Caressing it lightly he tried a little to provide effort.


    "Alexis, if this upsets you then you can do either of the two; finish it off or speed it up." He squeezed her hand. "It''s your call."


    Alexis had an eerie feeling that finish it off was nothing like she wanted to understand.

 Chapter 38 - Thirty-eight

    "We should meet up sometime Alexis! I am sure there''s a lot to catch up on!" Parker said as he placed their desserts in front of them.


    "Yeah yeah sure," she said, dismissing him so that she could eat in peace.


    "So when are you free then? Or you know what? You could give me your number and I could call you." His persistent efforts of getting anything now were making her irritated because now she just wanted to eat.


    "Liza has my number and if you want, we three can go out together." She raised a spoon and went to dig in when he spoke again making her wince.


    "Liza, you met he-" he began swearing.


    "Leave." One word from Angelo and he was out with the speed faster than of light.


    Alexis shook her head and finally spooned out a bite. Her mouth watered at the sight of the chocolate bite and she went in for it. Moans slipped into her mind as she tasted it, it was amazing, to say the least.


    "Wow," she awed with a mesmerised expression, "this is amazing!" She chewed or rather let it melt in her mouth. "I swear to god, pure heaven this is."


    Angelo laughed a little. His chest shook silently and anyone could tell he was laughing. Alexis found herself laughing as well.


    "I get it. The chef, one of my school friends cooks well and here he is making people swear to God about food." He smiled as she said that. He had bought the restaurant, but he had invested money in it. Most of it did make him the owner until all of it with interest was laid off. Simple as that.


    Alexis chuckled as well. She could tell by the way as people glanced their way, that it was a rare sight to see him relaxed and laughing. The whole atmosphere of the restaurant had changed. It had turned into something light and the fear and uneasiness had disappeared.


    And there chatted their time away. It did not seem like she was held up somewhere, she felt nice talking to a guy likely somewhere in the back of her mind. There was fear of Angelo.


    ***


    Parker threw his bag away as soon as he came home. He couldn''t believe that little witch Alexis who he bullied all the time in High school was getting served by him and she was sitting with Angelo de''alassandro. If anything, he wanted to strangle her and take out every frustration he had till now. But this also could be his one chance and be back in the game; maybe if he played correctly he could be made man and if it dead all the problems of the past would go away.


    Now he had to do was arrange a meeting with Alexis and convince her to keep him by her side. Even if he had to pretend gay to become her best friend he would do that. Aggressively rocking his hand through his hair he changed his work shoes and pants then proceeded to get out of his house. Parker wanted to find a good place to take her out to; a place that would not offend Angelo and his beloved Alexis won''t get bored as well.


    He continued walking on the streets he lived in. It wasn''t a good neighbourhood and hoped that she would take pity on him and provide him with a better one or rather she would just give him a room in her mansion. He stopped walking when he heard a crunching sound, it was a pamphlet that was crunched beneath his shoe. Picking it up he saw that it was an ad for a strip club. It''s clearly stated that drink two girls with you and you have a 60% off on your bill. Now that meant something.


    Parker had already sent Liza a Facebook request and she had accepted, the moment she did he ask for her number which she sent immediately. Copying the number he dialled immediately standing on the street and walking along.


    "Hey, Parker!" Her ever to cherry and an irritating voice came through his ear.


    "Hi." He winced a bit. "Hey, you do have Alexis''s number, right? Could you forward it to me?" Straight to point and he didn''t really wanna talk to her anyway.


    "Why no, wait for what? Where did you meet her?" She felt betrayed and threatened. Parker could immediately charm his way through any lady.


    "I did, somewhere. Now give me the goddamn number Liza!" Yelling through the phone, he knew his patience was wearing thin every second.


    "Why would I give you that? I have this one chance to hogg a rich man for myself if I enter her social groups! Do you think I would let you ruin that fucking chance?" Screeching she answered him back. Who was he to think that she was going to let her chance go away?


    "Mother-" he breathed in and out. "Listen here liza, you and I both want the same thing alright and you''re a woman so you need a man and I need the money, hell we both do! So we don''t fucking clash each other''s plans anyhow!" His words started soft and polite but he had yelled at her in the end.


    "I know we don''t. But what am I supposed to do when you cut my ties with her so that you''re the only horse in this race?" She whimpered out, wanting to see herself better. Better than living with a lice infected apartment and surviving only ramen because of her shopping habits.


    "You know what. Let''s work together Liza, as a couple. A couple that will break people''s hearts for their bank balance. What say?"


    Liza thought of it. If it came to them, they looked nice to each other and Parker was a good fuck. "Fine. Do you have a place in mind?"


    "Place. Yes.." He grinned, "You should ask me what, my darling."

 Chapter 39 - Thirty-nine

    "Hey girl!" Liza wished her as she slipped into the car next to Alexis. She looked too cheerful for Alexis to even smile at.


    "Hi," with a nod Alexis greeted her back. Even though Liza behaved like a hyper active teen who was entering a club for the first time, she remained normal.


    "Tag," Alexis mutters as she held it out. Actually, it was dangling in front of her.


    "Oh!" Liza appeared bashful. "Sorry, I had forgotten about this one in my closet."


    "I''m sure."


    "So are you ready? Parker is taking us out like a real gentleman!" She squealed happily. For Liza, she wanted Alexis to feel that they were more than highschool friends which of course was not true. And she remembered what kind of gentleman Parker was.


    "Really?" She raised an eyebrow in concern, "where is he taking us? I''m sure I could get us into some last minute reservations." She mumbled. Angelo had told her that not raising your voice made you look like you are confident and a calm person by nature.


    "Oh no it''s fine Alexis. Parker''s taking care of it, I''m sure that it would rather be a good place!" Even if he has to use his bloody credit card.


    Alexis nodded. "Did he give you the address?" They had to drive there and Liza wanted to ride with Alexis.


    "What address?" She smiled playfully. She was not going to tell her the address.


    Dumbass. "If you haven''t noticed, the car hasn''t really moved till now because the driver does not know where to go. So the address?"


    "Oh," the bulb finally light up. "Yeah wait a second." She took a piece of paper and gave it to the driver.


    "You could have just told him the address, you know?" How dumb can you be?


    "Oh I know but the thing is, I don''t know where we are going or where the address is of," what? "And so whatever place Parker told me about, I wrote it down and thought of giving it to the driver."


    Alexis blinked a bit and sighed. She nodded to her and driver took off. As discreet as he wanted to be, Alexis saw that he texted the address to someone, probably Angelo. Or maybe he wanted to show it to her that his boss knew what she was up to at all costs and the cars following her around were a few examples of it.


    They stopped and just as they did, Alexis looked out. A strip club? Was Parker out is his mind? He instead of going to a good restaurant or a bar had chosen a strup club? Alexis would have preferred a diner over this.


    Liza who looked just as mad said, "I swear to god, I can''t really believe he did this! I shouldn''t have let him decide the venue, Alexis. I''m so sorry!" She explained with a pitiful expression. Liza had one chance and just as expected, Parker was going to be blow that up.


    "Huh," she let out, "you shouldn''t have." She agreed with a taunt.


    "Madam, do you want to step down?" The driver asked as he placed his hand on the gear, ready to drive away if said.


    "No dri¡ª"


    "Hey you guys!" Alexis jumped in fear as her door opened without a warning. It was Parkar standing there with a huge grin on his face. He was clearly excited wearing a black shirt and skin tight blue jeans which Alexis found a bit odd for a guy like him. He was a person who had worn leather throughout highschool.


    Parker open his mouth to say something else when Alexis''s security guard tackled to the ground. He was screaming like a Banshee yelling that he hadn''t done anything and that he didn''t have any drugs on him. Alexis in her mind, laughed a little at him and how he seemed like a little brat than a bully who hit people black and blue till they were ready to pass out. Alexis could not help but pity him, he was just a guy seeking attention and any way seemed desirable for him.


    "Hey, Liam," she whispered to her bodyguard who Angelo had especially asked her to treat as a friend. Later, she was told that he had two kids and wife, pretty self explanatory to why Liam was chosen. "Leave him be, he''s got a lot going on already." She told him. He looked like he could cry any second now.


    Liam nodded and then talked in hush whispers to the earphone that he had in an ear and every guard left and stood beside Alexis. Alexis didn''t know how to feel or if her judgement was correct or maybe not, but she felt powerful.


    "Are you alright Parker?" She stepped forward and bent only a little, even so a little centimetre.


    "Yeah," he coughed out and stood up.


    Hmm, she then remembered something. Looking around for a bit, the guards moved from her line of vision and she looked until she found Liza. Tilting her a head she studied her.


    "Are you not going to help him?" She said a bit louder. "Liza? I thought you two were together." she called out again as she did not receive a response in the first time. Alexis reminded her of what relationship she had with Parker or perhaps the one she faked.


    Liza looked at her and then at Parker who was lying down on the pavement struggling to get up. She muttered a yes yes hurriedly and walked to him and helped him get up. As soon as Parker stood up to his own two feet, she literally let him go, only for him to stagger again which was rather amusing to the bodyguards as they really knew that Liza was intermediated by the power Alexis held at the moment. She had a little army surrounded.


    "Why are we going to strip club?" she asked Parker. She had never been to one and had no intention to unless she was getting married.


    "Well," he cleared his throat a bit, "I was hoping it would help you relax and yeah you know every girl likes to have a little fun in a while." He pulled Liza by the waist and kissed her on the forehead, rubbing her sides as if to provide comfort. Parker was trying to give a vibe of a confused sexual person.


    "And what fun will I have with naked men with glitter rubbing themselves all over me?" Sarcasm and mockery clearly heard in the tone she was using. She found herself disgusted as she realises that he had taken the bait.


    "I guess we will have to find out then, don''t we?" Liza shakily said, trying to calm down a bit. "come on Alexis we can leave if you don''t like it."


    Which I doubt I will.


    Walking inside, the guards followed her and the couple inside. The bodyguards did not have to wait outside for clearance immediately allowed as soon as they saw the mark they held, indicating that they belonged to a very powerful organisation. Liza gestured her hand to the dance floor where as Alexa said that she was going to the bar.


    "A scotch, neat." She ordered. Parkar''s heart shook a bit, as she ordered the top alcohol available in the club which he knew that his  credit card could not afford any other bill, even with sixty percent off and he had to show that he was with two.


    "God Alexis" he yelled over the music, "slow down with the alcohol you don''t want to be drunk while enjoying some awesome muscle!" He winked.


    She tipped her glass as if to show him what she held in a hand, "I haven''t even taken a sip out of this one yet, Parker."


    "Oh," he grinned sheepishly, "I had not realised."


    "Yeah, I noticed." She commented.


    "Anyway, I have changed Alexis. I have changed a lot since highschool. I grew up and got my shit straightened out and j had to drop out of college because of funds but yeah, I''m saving and trying to get my life back on track." He told her.


    It seemed sincere, almost did if Angelo had not provided her with the facts already. She gave him a tight lipped smile, "That''s good to know."  She answered.


    "Yeah, Madison did not even make it to one. I have no idea where she is." He said, looking heartbroken by it.


    "Oh," Alexis sympathized with him. "That''s sad to wear." She took a lip and ordered another.


    Parker''s heart took a jolt of current. "let''s go dancing." He offered.


    "Don''t worry Parker, I am paying for my share." She easied of his worries.


    "It''s not that." He immediately denied. "I have to make sure that you and Liza get home safely."


    "Holy shit!" Liza shook Parker enough for him to bark out a what.


    "That''s fucking Madison!" She yelled, "Naked!"


    *** A little reminder to vote.

 Chapter 40 - Forty.

    "Now isn''t that interesting?" Alexis mumbled as she watched the girl dancing on the table topless and shaking her plastic boobs in a really small latex bra. She sipped on scotch and somewhat enjoyed the scenario in front of her. Madison seems to be relishing the attention that she was received from the crowd.


    "Oh my god!" Liza screamed. "what in the world is wrong with her?"


    Lack of money and brain, I guess. Or Maybe, perhaps just lacking a brain drove her here and not to her goddamn father''s business.


    Alexis remembered Madison well. Madison was one of those people that could retain things very well and she, out of all the people in her group scored well enough to be in the top 10 of the class. She had a brain for sure but she did not know how to use it and unless told to. Now Alexis was pretty sure that she had done something which must have led her father to cast her out of the family. Otherwise, that man would never let any rumour about his family run wild.


    She laughed watching Madison take off her bra and then just dance around in her panties. She sure knew how to give a good show and even a few bodyguards were uncomfortable. She shook her head, Madison was the target for today and the rest, she would think of something later.


    Parker looked like he could die at the moment from embarrassment and Liza just couldn''t take her eyes off her beloved friend. Madison was all prim and proper and now, well there was not much to say.


    "Enjoying the show, Parker?" Alexis spoke with hostility in her voice.


    "What? No!" He looked rather appalled to be enjoying this show. He quickly denied so too.


    "Really? Is this not the reason why you''ve invited me here?" She looked at him with unsettling eyes. Eyes that he felt death with knowing Angelo could kill him if that happened.


    "You said that you had no idea about her whereabouts. So what is this? Are you here to make fun of your friend?" She accused.


    Liza looked at him with anger. He was going to smash all her plans as well.


    "No no! I didn''t even know! I swear to god, I just brought you here for.."


    "For what, fun?" Completing his sentence for him, she kept the scotch down, collected her purse and was ready to walk away.


    "Hey, you guys! I wasn''t expecting anyone of you to come here!" Madison came and hugged her friends. "And why are your two here?"


    "And who are you?" She cocked an eyebrow at Alexis. Alexis then really looked at Madison. She had been a posh girl who now had cheek and a lot of ear piercings, tattoos from her toes to knees and her blonde hair were dyed neon green. People looked good with such changes but Madison then again had been trying to fit in and forgotten the limits.


    "Someone who''s leaving already," she muttered and turned around. She was not going to continue this anyway. This all now seems useless. She shouldn''t have taken the opportunity. Alexis knew that this had been a waste of time. She was satisfied with where she was and who and what''s he was. For a moment of satisfaction, she had disrupted her peace. Her peace for these nutcases.


    "She''s kidding!" Liza practically hugged her arm to stop her, "she''s Alexis Williams! Remember we were in high school together!"


    Of course, she did. Madison remembered everyone and everyone from high school. The main reason was that Madison had never made it to college and for that, she had no other classmates than the ones in high school.


    "Alexis? Girl, what the fucks wrong with you?" She cackled hilariously as she pointed at the former victim, "she''s a little daddy issue girl! Little I''m gonna cry if you push me or please don''t cut my hair! Oh my personal favourite, don''t shove me in the locker!" Madison continued to make fun of her as Alexis felt her cheeks growing hotter by the minute. Parker had now successfully shut Madison up and was whispering in her ear.


    She felt humiliated at the moment. Nothing was worth it in this whole revenge fiasco if she had to insulted again.


    "Madam," Liam came near and whispered in her ear, "you can get her fired. Boss does contribute a lot to this establishment for them to refuse anything that you demand."


    For a moment, she felt her chest rise in hope. Hope that she could make Madison beg her as she did in the past. She could and would turn the tables around.


    "Then Liam," she called the bodyguard, "where would I find the manager?" Even the men and staff knew who had come into the club today and it was obvious with the number of guards she had, she was the finance of De''alassandro.


    "Yes ma''am, please follow me," the bartender offered and cleaned his hands. He took off the apron and walked upstairs, followed by Alexis and three of her guards.


    He knocked twice and waited. He knocked again and then walked in with Alexis.


    "Madam De''alassandro, is something not to your liking?" He smiled and Alexis felt she could gag from the stench of perfume in his room.


    "Yes, or I''d say rather, someone." She said, taking a seat on the chair that she could find clean and without glitter.


    "Who just name the person, they''ll be fired on spot!" Spit came out of his mouth and she grimaced as she saw one come to the table.


    "Madison." She answered.


    "But she is a top player Madam."


    "You know, Angelo would be so disappointed when he knows how much I didn''t really like this place but then again the option to shut it all down is there too." She said wiping her face with the handkerchief given to her guards.


    His eyes went wide for a moment. Pretty sure that if this establishment was shut down there was no free booze or chicks for him.


    "Madam please just tell me the name and you''d surprised, I could spread the word around for them and they won''t be employed ever!


    "Madison." She breathed out again. "I want her out of here and out any business. Blacklist her fucking name."


    "Ah, with pleasure madam." He took his cell phone out and dialled a number, "Samuel, send Madison in."


    "Not for sex! No!"


    Hmm, sex Huh? A little devil whispered into her ear.

 Chapter 41 - Forty-one.

    "You called, Sir." Madison purred as she swayed her hips while walking towards him, completely ignoring Alexis''s presence on the waiting chair and licking her lips wanting to enhance her sex appeal more.


    "Stop." One word from the owner; Robert and she stopped immediately and in fact, she looked dumbfounded. Madison knew the effect she had on people especially men and rejection was something she had not expected.


    "Madison," he began, "your behaviour, is something not approved by our owner, so it has been decided that you will be fired."


    "M-me?" She pointed a finger at herself and watched everyone with wide eyes. "You''re firing me?" She spoke again, barely whispering.


    "Yes I am," Robert confirmed, "The investor or I''d rather say the owner has told me to do so. I would suggest that you go and talk it out with them." He had pointed at Alexis when he said that she was the owner and sat in his chair, completely ignoring Madison and focusing on Alexis again.


    "Madam, would you like to enjoy the club? I can suggest a few cocktails mixes here that customers love having. Would you like to try?" Robert wanted to impress her and he could do anything for it.


    Alexis merely nodded his way, got up and left, followed by her guards. Her job here was done.


    "What are you firing me for, because of her?" Madison yelled at the man who she had spent nights with to gain favours and now apparently none of those things was of use today.


    "Shut up!" He hissed, speed walking to the door, he slammed it shut. "Do you fucking know who she was? She has the power to kill your family no the entire neighbourhood you lived in!"


    "Who is she?!!?" She yelled back with more anger and hostility in her voice.


    "The man you''ve been dreaming to seduce, remember? She is his fucking wife!"


    Madison stepped back in confusion. Angelo De''alassandro had chosen a wife and the news wasn''t even known? Was her chance to power already been taken away from her? She had given up everything for it!


    "No that''s can''t be true. Please if can''t! I would die if it did! One night, one night is all I ask for, Robby I swear I would take you into new heights too!" She begged him. Tears came out of her eyes as she spoke. Everything she had worked for the past five years had gone to dust.


    "One night? You ask for that?" He scoffed loudly. "A made man would rather die than cheat on his wife with a bloody whore-"


    "Watch it, Robert!" She yelled.


    "Oh shut it! It''s been long overdue anyway, you think I don''t know how many times you''ve broken my policies? Compromised my employee''s security and the times you got others fired for your mistakes?!" He recalled everything that she had done. She had brought in lots of profits that could be written off the books and into his offshore accounts. But now she was created trouble and she had to be cut loose.


    "You never had a problem with it before? When I had legs spread in front of you." She sassed back.


    "You said it yourself, darling. You had something to give and so did I. It''s giving and take. You can''t do either, you''re of no use, that''s how the world''s works." He smirked back. A life lesson, he didn''t think he''d ever give one in this field of work.


    "I-I" Madison didn''t have anything to say. It was true whatever she said was true and she couldn''t be any more surprised.


    "What do I do?" At least he could help her with that.


    "Well to begin with and to end it as well, just lick Alexis''s feet. All that you can do is that because she is the steering the ship that you want in, in." He shrugged.


    "Huh." She whispered. If that wants she had to do.


    *****


    "So did you enjoy it?" Liza shyly asked her as she hid a little behind Parker. Shyness could be mistaken for embarrassment at the moment.


    Really? "Yes, I did. Wonder what could have stopped me from it?" She smiled a little. She hoped that Liza would understand the taunt.


    "See, I''m so happy that you enjoyed the night. So when are we going out next?" She hopefully asked Alexis.


    Alexis sighed, perhaps she had expected too much from a desperate soul. Liza was still in hopes of entering Alexis''s friend circle and it seemed that nothing could deter her of off it.


    "I''ll see and tell you when I''m free, Kay?" She smiled as she took a seat in her car and they drove away, without waiting for Liza''s answer.


    "So how was it?" Liam asked her from the front seat.


    "Good. I have more planned though. I''ll keep them around for some time, you know. It''ll be fun to play around." She shrugged and Liam laughed.


    Yet Alexis didn''t, she was rather shocked about this change. It seemed like the deep dark side of her that was buried inside, had chiselled itself and appeared on the top.


    She sighed, this was not her. Or maybe it was. Nothing made sense. Angelo had abducted her and she was behaving normally, dining with him and making routines. Was she not afraid any more or was this her fear of life making her do this? Maybe the fear of being sold or killed had made her chose the better option.


    Her phone pinged and she pulled it out of her clutch. Her phone was taken but she was given a new one and it was made clear to her that her activities were monitored.


    ''I hope you enjoyed it and I remind you again, you can do much more than this.'' -Angelo.


    The power that she felt with these words made her rethink all her theories. She liked the revenge, she liked having Madison fired and she lived it.. Alexis knew this but she did not have the power to acknowledge it.

 Chapter 42 - Forty-two.

    "Hey," Angelo softly called as he entered her room. "Are you alright?" He looked concerned.


    She had showered, changed and moisturized. She felt dead tired and was ready for bed. "Hi," she answered. Speaking felt tiring today too.


    Angelo softly chuckled, "what is it? Tired already?" He said. Alexis then noticed that he was in his sweats as well. Angelo unlike others always wore a pair of cotton t-shirt and pyjamas to bed, comfort mattered to him. According to Agatha, one could never be more secured and Angelo had to be ready for a night attack as well.


    "Yes. Drained." She got up and walked to the bed, getting under the covers, she got comfortable.


    "That tough?" He asked lying opposite to her so that they were face to face.


    "Very," she sighed. All she wanted to do now was to sleep. "I never expected myself to be so..so vengeful, you know. I was minding my own business and I was happy-"


    "You were not happy, my love. You, I think we''re not even content, to begin with. You were just living your life. You had no social life, now you do, you had no one for your back and now you do. You just have to open your arms and take it, that''s all."


    "That''s all?" She repeated.


    "Yes." He confirmed. "That''s all."


    Leaning in, his lips met hers. He kissed her gently, as much as he could he restrain himself. To her, it felt foreign. Years had passed since she had had male contact and sexually, it naturally felt foreign to her.


    Foreign but good foreign.


    She copied his movements, kissing him back, turning him on more. She ran her hand through his hair as he did on her thigh and back. As soon as he reached her hip, he would drag his hand back and touch her all over again.


    He is teasing me and I like it. She thought as she felt ripples of pleasure run down her body. Her feet curled as he used his tongue. Oh, that wicked, wicked tongue.


    ****


    "I don''t want to wake up!" Raising her voice didn''t help either as now, Agatha had snatched away from her precious adult version of a blankie.


    "Damm it, Agatha! Stop!" She yelled in frustration. Was why no one listening to her? She was still tired and she just wanted to sleep and disturb no one.


    "Madam," Agatha hissed, "That which Madison called!"


    "Don''t curse people," she chided playfully, "And what am I supposed to do if she called? Wash her buffalo self?"


    "No! But you''re supposed to get ready; all prim and proper and show her that what you have is all she can dream about." She immediately corrected her, not taking note of the sarcasm. If Madison was coming then Alexis had to make the best of this chance.


    Alexis didn''t reply.


    "Madam?" Agatha softly called.


    She didn''t reply again.


    "Madam?!" She raised her voice a little.


    Slowly walking towards her, she leaned a bit. Alexis was snoring away.


    "Madam!" She yelled. Agatha in anger raised her hand and hit Alexis.


    "What the fuck?" She yelled hurriedly getting up from the bed. "What did you spank me for?" She asked.


    "What did I..? You know what I''ll do more if you don''t get up!" She started hitting Alexis more on her side bum and as soon as she turned to leave, Agatha started going for clear targets.


    Smack smack smack smack smack


    "Stop! Stop it!" Alexis yelled at the top of her voice.


    In the end, she ran into the bathroom and slammed shut the door. She leaned against it and slid down.


    "You''re mad Agatha!" She yelled.


    "I know, now get super cleaned!" She yelled back, smiling.


    ****


    "I don''t get it. How did she have my phone number and even if she did, why did you invite her here for later?" She mumbled as Agatha applied mascara to her eyelashes.


    "Must have taken it from those two friends of yours. Shameless, they shared your number without your permission."


    "Not friends, Agatha. Mind it." She pointed it out, clearly offended.


    "We need to get you a lash lift," she murmured. "Anyway, I invited her because there is no best way to insult anyone than humiliating them in your own home!" She happily chirped.


    "That''s a bit sadistic." She commented.


    "What are you so happy?" Alexis, who felt sleep-deprived at the very moment. "It''s like still the morning." She grumbled.


    "That is because I slept through the night. You, on the other hand, I can''t say." She cheekily replied.


    "Hey! Nothing happened between us! Okay!" She immediately defended herself. Honestly, nothing had happened. Alexis felt stupid enough to lead him on for something that he was not serious about. Maybe it was just that she gave into and now had a guilty conscience for. She shouldn''t have done to, no matter how thankful she felt towards him.


    "Oh," she chuckled. "I didn''t say anything about two people. For all I could have guessed, it could have been Netflix and..chill with and s." (Chills)


    Alexis watched Agatha with her mouth open. Who would''ve thought of Agatha behaving like this? Gesturing a come on, they went towards the dining room where Angelo was waiting for them.


    "Good morning," she wished first as he read his newspaper.


    "A very good morning Alexis. Slept well?" He asked. Taking his eyes off the newspaper for a moment or two.


    She blushed red as she saw a small smirk play at Agatha''s lips. "Yes." She muttered and looked away. Nothing other than kissing happened by Agatha made her feel like a whore.


    Today, it was cheese omelette and a blueberry muffin for her with milk and Angelo was having bacon, scrambled eggs and a bit of spinach with ginger tea. He was a health-conscious man as far as Alexis had observed him. He did occasionally have sweets but most of the time he ate full meals.


    "So have you planned anything for today?" He asked and took a bite after that. Alexis noticed how his hands cut through food and his fork stabbed it. He applied no pressure and looked like a teacher of an etiquette class. She felt a little inferior to him on this. His clothing style, the grace and the power he carried himself with, all but made her feel insecure. He could kill her and get away with it.


    "No actually, I don''t." Madison could go to hell. And also, how was she, a hostage, suppose to plan anything for the day.


    "I had been informed of someone coming in to meet you," he said, "do you want to cancel your meet with her?"


    "Yeah. I never wanted to meet with her, to begin with, and I''m totally happy to keep her at an arm or two''s distance. She was still so centred." She shook her head thinking about it. "She could not think of anything but herself and how she out of all was fired."


    "But you liked it," he commented.


    "I..did." She agreed, still a bit hesitant. This still seemed like a dream come true to her. All of a sudden she was placed on the top of the food chain.


    "No need to be hesitant towards it. It''s human nature to be attracted to power and you have it now, it seems fathomable to be wanting to use it." He added. She needed support to deny the denial that she was facing with herself. She wanted it but she was not ready to grab it in the given situation. Angelo wanted to change things but her going to the police had caused the possibility of her creating troubles. He had to watch out for the family.


    "I know," and your words do not help me, she mentally rolled her eyes. "Anyway, I want to drop it for now. If they call, I will think of something."


    "That''s good to know." He commented not bothering himself with her decision.


    "What were you saying about plans for the day?" She reminded him.


    "I thought you could go for a good shopping spree, you know with the girls and my mother as well."


    She perked up a bit. Shopping with someone else''s money was a yes. But why was he offering?


    "Do I need to shop for an occasion?" She playfully asked, without any particular reason. She was to be out of the house.


    "Why do you ask that? The wedding of course. Have you forgotten? It was delayed not cancelled." He merely chuckled while saying that.


    _____ ____


    I wanted to get it cleared up.


    I have written ahead about why Angelo is abusive and how he changed by holding back little by little. Characters are meant to have flaws, major or not and not be perfect. That''s where you expect the development to happen.. It can''t be done if Angelo or Alexis had nothing wrong with them or couldn''t go crazy.

 Chapter 43 - Forty-three

    When the vibes of hostility appeared, Angelo always knew who was the sender. And he could tell that it was Alexis this time. She was angry but above all, she could feel the feelings of shock and disbelief the most.


    "I thought you agreed to give us a chance," He pointed out. Not exactly she had but then again, she did not have a choice.


    "I said yes to the whole revenge fiasco not to the marriage!" Her frantic reply gave away her anxiousness. She looked scared to death after his answer.


    "Alexis," he pursed his lips a little to think of what to say. "People all over the world, especially South-Eastern countries have arranged marriages and they work out fine in the end, I promise you that we will have our happily ever after too." His eyes seemed sincere. He was promising her the happiness that no one had ever talked about with her.


    "Marriage with a happy ending isn''t possible, Angelo." She softly gave away what she thought. It didn''t exist. "Happily ever after is a myth. So your promise means nothing."


    He scoffed, clearly objecting. "A happy ending doesn''t mean a marriage with no fights, because Alexis there is no marriage where you don''t fight or you do not disagree and honestly, I am fine with your disagreements but indiscipline and disrespect, in my line of work cannot be tolerated. It just cannot be. I have an image to maintain and I want to live too." He sighed and continued the fact, "The thing is, I won''t just die, Alexis. I would be fucking tortured to death. You will be killed, my family, hell my fucking staff too. No one would be trusted and they won''t have quick deaths as well."


    "What?" She questioned about his change in topic. He had drastically changed it and Alexis had no idea about what he was talking about.


    He leaned back in his chair, getting back to the topic, realising that he spoke about this a little too soon. "The thing is, a happy marriage is where we raise good kids, where we fight but know how to make it up to each other, where sex is not as important as we both are and whereby the end of the day, we sit together for a meal without the thought of malice in ours minds towards each other." Angelo didn''t talk much. He''d rather be commanding people about what to do and be done with it in a few words. But she was going to be his wife and he had to be open with her. The one person that he could trust with his life.


    She was thinking about it or at least appeared to be but that wasn''t enough. She had to be more decisive and Alexis was thinking about it. How could he be tortured to death? Was he not as powerful as she thought? That would help her escape even more. Alexis knew that she had to escape quickly, she was sure that if she stayed there a bit longer she would surely develop Stockholm syndrome. As if she was not troubled enough she would have to deal with this too.


    "At least go shopping okay? Go and buy a wedding dress if you like one. Yeah?" He gave a little alternative as well. The least he could do. She was concentrating so hard on this that gave Angelo the feeling of her thinking about the situation negatively which would not work in his favour.


    "Buy a wedding dress if I like one?" She questioned. "What is wrong with you? A wedding dress is symbolic, you want me to try and if liked, buy one? People save for it their entire lives, Angelo. I do not even know you to begin with, how can I choose a wedding dress then? I feel nothing towards this marriage, I don''t know what I want or who, even." She rambled on, running her hands through her hair, she finally had a needed break down. All of what was happening to date was catching up to her. The kidnapping, the torture, manipulation and of course, the whole revenge ordeal. Her sobs were heard as she covered her face and cried.


    "Hey," he pulled her up from the chair and brought her to his lap. He cuddled her close and let her cry. She needed it. The thing that impressed Angelo from this was the control of her volume. She had learned from the previous torturous punishment. She had not raised it and kept it low but fierce. That showed improvement. She had learned and it meant that he was right. She learned from her mistakes and kept herself in check. What more could he ask for his future queen?


    "Hey, hush now." He softly chided. "You do not look beautiful in tears, swollen eyes and a snotty nose but the red broad nose to dies for." He teased.


    "Shut up," she sniffed, pulling away from him and going back to her seat. She dabbed tissues all over her face.


    "Just give it a chance okay?" He pleaded a bit, given her condition it seems right. "I will always try my best, as I did now." He reminded. "I will change for you and with you."


    "Okay." She agreed, her voice softly faded into the thick, intense atmosphere around them and they continued eating.


    She was back in her room, where Agatha was selecting something better to be worn outside. She came up with a baby pink blouse and white pants with white heels. For accessories the colour was gold.


    "That''s it? Are we done now?" It had been hours since they had been sitting in the dressing room, playing house.


    "Yes. Perfect." Agatha seemed pretty satisfied with her work. "Come on let''s go. We''ll meet them at the mall."


    Both of them got up and walked to the front where the cars were waiting. Today the number of cars seemed less.


    "That''s it?" She looked around her, indicating the security around them.


    "Oh, we''re going to a public place, madam. So most of the guards will be dressed casually and scattered all around the mall. That''s the main reason why we plan out the places that we''re going to. So the security is there." She stood still as the driver opened her door and Liam stood right beside her. She sat inside and Agatha came in from the adjacent door. Liam took the seat in the front, next to the driver.


    She let the window down and the air in. Breathing the New York''s polluted air didn''t matter as much as being outside done at the moment.


    The moment was gone as soon as it came. The mall was right in front of her with Liam opening her door. She took his outstretched hand and got out of the car. She was given a purse to carry as well with no cash. She was supposed to just take out her credit card from it and keep her phone in.


    Rich people hacks, which she did not understand.


    She walked along with Agatha to Louis Vuitton where all the women had planned to meet. Isobel had been dying to look at the latest collection and she couldn''t wait anymore for it. So everyone had decided to meet there.


    On entering she had spotted Isabelle and nodded a bit with her greeting but she was immediately pulled in a hug. Isabelle had heard about the breakdown. She wanted to comfort the child, she had been through a lot and Isabelle had no idea how it felt to her. She was herself from a made background. Her father was second in command to a dying boss with no heir.


    "How are you my darling? I''m so happy that you''re giving him a chance." She said hugging her close.


    "Wait, I haven''t really..." she thought of a corrector more related to the situation word, "decided, per se, yet." She sheepishly gave her reason which now seemed unnecessary and unreasonable.


    "Well you should," Nikita came into the view with two champagne glasses. She handed one to Alexis and the other to Isabelle, "the thing is, you get money, your get loyalty from them then comes to a good house, a good status, you''re allowed to work but in particular fields, of course. You can stay in all day long if you want or socialize every minute. Your choice, your mood, you decide." She took a glass of champagne the maid dressed just like Agatha, had brought her. "Girl, that''s the life you can dream for and frankly, that''s better than ending up in a whore house or being dead."


    "Cuz you''re never getting out of it, Alexis. Never." She looked Alexis dead in the eye while saying that. Alexis felt shivers and goosebumps run through her entire body.


    "True true," muttered Isabelle from behind.. Nikita was right when she said that, for Isabelle had seen it happen.

 Chapter 44 - Forty-four

    Don''t forget to vote!


    _______


    After Nikita''s haunting words, Isobel had made her presence known by bringing in Starbucks. For Alexis, it was a vanilla latte, because she seemed like a vanilla latte person and to be honest, Isobel wasn''t wrong.


    "So wedding dress huh?" She teased Alexis with a mischievous expression.


    "Oh um," Alexis saying that just smiled a bit in return. Talk of being awkward.


    "Oh come on, let''s go to a wedding dres'' store next. From Louis Vuitton to wedding stores. What do you want? A Christina Wu, Marchesa Bridal, Naeem Khan, Jenny Packham, Reem Acra, Nicole, Lela Rose, Monique Lhuillier or oh¡ªoh! Vera Wang!"


    Isobel expectantly looked at Alexis. ''Was she expecting me to answer to all that?'' "Well," she started again, "we could pay a visit to Ralph Lauren as well, I mean we got the money and time for it." She leaned into a whisper as well.


    "Isobel, honey," Isabella, Angelo''s mum called from the place where she was standing at. "I don''t think Alexis is going a lot into details, like so deep to do some research. So we''ll just buy the one we find the prettiest of all. Okay?"


    "Okay," Isobel felt dejected. She wanted to go to all of them.


    "So let''s start with Vera Wang?" Alexis questioned them, "I''ve heard of her." She smiled.


    Everyone nodded and they entered Vera Wang. The ladies screamed money and immediately attracted the attention of the three salesgirls over there.


    "So who''s the lucky bride?"


    "You all are so pretty!"


    "What price range should we start with?" Ouch. Direct to point.


    Alexis for a moment just stood there and watched them. Why were they so eager for her wedding when she wasn''t? This was starting to be a headache.


    Nikita jutted her chin out, "You," she pointed to the first one. "She is the bride. Show us all the latest dresses of the season." Pointing at Alexis, she grabbed her hand started wandering around the shop.


    The salesgirl, Summer, was with the bride while the others were attending the ladies with the bride.


    "So what do you want?" Summer softly asked the bride, not wanting to intrude on her thoughts but also help her at the same time. She had been working in this shop for quite some time to know that the first thing to be kept in mind was the bride''s vision for her dress.


    "I don''t know," she breathed out. "I haven''t decided. It''s on very short notice." Alexis felt like an idiot when she said that. She had no idea about what she wanted. She was the bride or a girl, to begin with, and every girl had something in mind for her wedding dress. From lace to a ball gown design or from shear to a mermaid styled dress. So, she immediately gave a reason for her indecisive response.


    "Oh," Summer understood, maybe that''s why she was so clueless. "You must have imagined something as a child. You know, like um, lace or glitter or skin fitted or like a princess. Every girl wants to be a princess on her wedding day. Would you like to see one?"


    "Um.. maybe the flowy one? From the end?" Alexis didn''t sound sure about her choice but then again she wasn''t sure about the wedding itself.


    "Sure!" Summer immediately scurried away. A moment later she came back and took Alexis with her.


    "Okay." She brought Alexis to the trial room. "Please take off all your clothes but your undergarments, I''ll bring some dresses in for trial."


    The first dress she brought out, Alexis wore it with the help of two helpers. Coming out, she saw the ladies waiting for her.


    "Okay, so?" She nervously did a little twirl. Alexis didn''t even smile, she was nervous about the dress and the judgment and it was clearly shown on her face.


    "Well," Isobel started, "it''s lace at the sleeves that I like. But it covers all of your arms and it''s going to be in a church, where so you might want a little bit of um, skin to breathe."


    Nikita murmured her agreement to Isobel''s claims as well. "True, you don''t want to sweat out of nervousness like me." She laughed a bit. Isabelle simply said no.


    She nodded and came back to the trial room. She felt like crying a bit, her eyes stung all of a sudden. Was it all too soon? Or was it that she couldn''t look good in a simple white dress?


    She felt rejected a bit and that had made her mood turn sour. The other dress came and she changed into it but didn''t bother to look at herself in the mirror. She went out.


    "So?" She sounded a bit off.


    "I don''t feel it." Nikita bluntly spoke her truth and somewhat, Alexis appreciated it. The dislike was visible from the faces of Isabelle and Isobel.


    "You know what?" Isobel stood up handing the second glass of champagne to the salesgirl near her, "why don''t we look around and find something we like for her? Alexis could look for what she wants."


    Alexis immediately nodded and walked off, everyone following the pursuit. She walked through lanes of dresses and the store seemed bigger with every step she took.


    Her hand which was touching the dresses as she walked, stopped. She gently held out the dress to look at. It had a similar design to what her grandmother wore to her wedding. The dress was made of silk just like Gram''s but instead of the veil that was lace and there was a cape attached to the dress like a veil. It came to her mid stomach and stretched to her toes but a bit longer to the back but not the front and looked perfect to her. It was sheath with a slight, very little mermaid design at the end.


    This was perfect.


    She took it out and walked to the trial rooms to meet the other ladies.


    "Wow!" Isobel immediately said as she saw the dress. Nikita nodded as well as her eyes lit up.


    "Hmm," Isabelle looked with a little distaste or was it worry? "Honey, the elders prefer a little fluffy dress for a new bride. Something about reflecting of character, I don''t the reasoning. Even though the cape makes it modest and you don''t need to listen to them, I''d say as Don''s wife you do." She simply held a sympathetic gaze to the dress in her hands. It was pretty.


    If Alexis from two years ago had been told this she would''ve done what Isabelle said. She would have kept the dress back and gone for the one everyone liked. But Alexis did not choose to marry the guy, so she sure as hell would decide what she wanted to wear.


    "But I like it," she butted back into the conversation which Isabelle had ended, making all three of the ladies blink back in shock. If the maids, Agatha and the guards thought something about it, they all simply chose to stay still.


    "I want to wear it. It matches what my grandmother wore to her wedding and she lived a happy married life. I don''t know what I am hoping for but I want her there in some form, so I am going to wear this dress. It reminds me of her." She breathed heavily, she hadn''t talked since she came here anyway.


    She breathed a bit and closed her eyes. They didn''t deserve to be talked like this when they didn''t even know but had accepted her already. It made her feel guilty. "No offence guys, I''m sorry but I want to and this is pretty. And to not offend them, I''ve decided that I''d wear this one to the reception being a pampered bride for a little longer and then for the wedding I could choose a fluffy one. How does that sound?" She was not spending her own money or resource on it. So she could stretch a little more than necessary.


    "Not bad," Nikita said, liking the idea of pissing the elders one way or the other. They could not say anything when their wishes were met. "They can''t say anything about now wearing something traditional and common with the brides bride them. That makes no sense!" Nikita complained!


    "Yeah. I like it too. None of us wore two dresses and the Donna does. That makes a good and bold statement about you!" Isobel commented and all of them looked at the former Donna. Even the guards did so with a side-eye.


    "I think I like it too." She smiled. "Come on, people we have to find one more dress."


    Everyone cheered and even Alexis did so. Isabelle watched her. The girl had grown a spine, good lord gives her more strength. More than you had given me.. She watched her daughter-in-law disappear into the aisles of wedding dresses.

 Chapter 45 - Forty-five.

    Her feet ached. Like period cramps ache, it was that bad and as it turned out, Vera Wang''s store did not have the dress that she wanted so they all had to go to another one. Ralph Lauren to be exact, as Isobel chose.


    And there is was. Her perfect, satin silk, full coverage, beautiful church wedding dress. All of them had tears in their eyes looking at it, especially Alexis. She never thought that she could ever get over her fears and get married in a beautiful dress, nope, two beautiful dresses that she paid did for. Yes, Alexis ended up paying for her dresses and accepting the situation that she was dealing with. Plus, it was the least she could do, after all, Angelo was paying for every wedding expense. And to be fair, she did go all out, Alexis had liquidated one of her many fixed deposits.


    "Anything else, Madam?" Agatha asked from the door. She wanted to rest as well but did not say anything. Her tired face said it all. They didn''t only do the shopping for the wedding dresses but lingerie, shoes, casuals and outwear with lots of accessories.


    "Yes Agatha, I''m good. What about the dresses?" She drowsily asked with her eyes half-open. Her hot bath was easing her muscles.


    "Given for alteration. We would constantly check on them to avoid any complications for the wedding. Can''t afford those." She giggled a bit.


    "True," she chuckled. "What''s with the elders? Who are they?"


    "The elders are like..the elders of the family or organisation. The thing is they guide us through the difficulties and in return, we make sure that the traditions are carried through our generations."


    "So they helped Angelo and his father.."


    "Not really. The former Don stopped taking their suggestions as they were rigid. Don''s father understood what it meant when the times and trends changed. They had to change too." She shrugged her shoulders. "You have to change with the trend and preserve your original self, the Don did just that. He respected the necessary traditions and changed a few things."


    "Such as?"


    "Freedom for a woman. As women gained rights and freedom, the Don had given our women such privileges and necessities too. They worked if wanted or did business. Daughters studied more than their fathers and worked after marriages. For people of the older generation, it seemed like a bigger change. They didn''t accept it but we moved on."


    "Seems like a .... revolution," Alexis commented.


    "It was for many." Agatha smiled.


    Alexis then noticed how tired Agatha looked. She felt bad about starting an unnecessary conversation. This topic was something that Alexis could have talked about tomorrow.


    "Agatha, why don''t you go and rest as well?" She offered.


    "Yes, Madam. Thank you." She breathed deeply and walked out, her steps were slow and it indicated how she was dead tired after the day they had had.


    Alexis leaned back into the back of the tub. The water was hot and it had bubbles in it. Agatha had kept wine on the side table that she had ordered to be put and the candles gave the bathroom a good soft glow.


    ''It''s my wedding,'' she thought. ''Should I talk to mum? But Thomas and Aston would be there too. What if they spoil the wedding? Would our marriage even be successful? Or happy?''


    ''Am I having second thoughts?'' She concluded where the chain of her thoughts was running. If she said that she was not happy with the wedding she would be lying. With buying the wedding dresses, she had accepted the fact that she was marrying him willingly, there was no denying it any longer. If she was not marrying for love, she sure as hell could marry for herself. She could be selfish.


    She opened her eyes and sighed. Why was she having second thoughts after draining her savings? She picked the glass of wine and drank all of it. She picked up the bottle and poured herself some more. More than usual and necessary. Marriage was a big thing and Alexis knew that she was not going to go fall in love whatever. So maybe, going with the flow was the better option.


    Her head rolled back and to the side of the door when she saw Angelo standing there with a slight smile.


    "How long, you creep?" She teased.


    He chuckled a bit, "Too long to have you enjoying on your own. Mind if I join? It''ll just be a bath." He assured her as soon as he saw the frown appearing on her face. He was tired as well. For the honeymoon, he was going to take some time off and for that, he had to get the work completed earlier. So that he won''t be needed and his brother could handle everything.


    Be bold, Lex. For once be bold. She thought how it didn''t matter when after marriage they were going to have sex anyway.


    "Okay," she was wearing underwear and as for the boobs, he had practically seen them when she took off her bra and was wearing a white blouse.


    Angelo wasted no time in taking off his clothes having Alexis shyly lower her eyes and look away. Her cheeks blushed red making Angelo feel something but he didn''t dwell on it much. Sitting down in the tub opposite to her, he looked at her beautiful body exposed to him till the starting of her cleavage.


    "How was today''s shopping?" He started.


    "Ah! Don''t ask me that!" She immediately perked up a little making Angelo feel more invested in the conversation.


    "We found a dress but couldn''t wear it because of some elders and whatnot and then I did but then I wanted a ball gown dress so that one was cancelled-"


    Angelo chuckled at her babbling. Her hands went flying as she spoke what came to her mind. Sometimes in between she lightly splashed the water but after muttering a cute sorry she continued to talk.


    "Then Ralph Lauren''s store was the next stop and the thing was, again, we did not have anything in mind for the wedding dress which I don''t tell you anything about-"


    "That''s cute," he chuckled but immediately stopped smiling. ''Fuck what did I just say?!''


    "What?" She immediately questioned him, stopping her rambling in the middle. She didn''t catch whatever he said in the middle of her talking. Which seemed pretty rude.


    "Uh. I meant it''s cute how-what you had to..go through to find a wedding dress. I mean not cute but thought. Also, can I have a bit of wine?" Without waiting for an answer, he leaned forward and took her glass, sipped the wine and found relief.


    "Oh," she mumbled. That''s a bit weird.


    "How was your day?" She tried to continue the conversation even after his weird behaviour.


    "Good, no, busy actually. I had to round up some deals early to take a few days off work. They were hectic, given we wanted to complete them in half the time that they were supposed to be completed in." He decided to be honest with her.


    "Wow, sounds busy."


    "Was busy."


    "So you are like dead tired," she smiled with sympathy. He seemed tired too. This day was not good for anyone.


    Finishing off the wine, he placed the glass outside the tub, on the floor and looked back at Alexis. She immediately looked into his eyes as well. The intense grey eyes were staring into her brown ones. Those grey orbs now seemed to be holding so much more that she wanted to know.


    She lowered her gaze into the water, shying away. The water was clearing away. ''Should I make the bubbles again? Would he find that weird? Wait a minute I''m in a bathtub with him!''


    Fingers gently raised her chin and there she saw them, those beautiful grey orbs. Those intense grey eyes.


    He lowered his lips to hers meeting them with vigour and lust. Passion, an emotion that she felt for the first time and not just lust. Caressing his hair lightly, her other hand was on his chest and God, the muscles she felt had her feel tingles down. He was gripping her butt, squeezing it and kneading it like soft dough.


    She felt moans coming up her throat and only a moment away from slipping past her mouth.


    "I think," Angelo pulled apart as she tried to lean in for more, "We should stop. We''re going to get married in a matter of days, sweetheart. I think we can manage till them." He gently coaxed her.


    Alexis was still looking up at him with doe eyes that he could die for at the moment. "Good night sweetheart. Rest well, you''re tired." Kissing her forehead, he got up without covering himself making her bashfully look away as he walked out of the tub. Grabbing a towel on his way out.


    Snapping out of it, she immediately questioned him before he could walk out, "What about my mother?"

 Chapter 46 - Forty-six.

    "Now tell me," he proceeded, "what about your mother?"


    They had changed and were now sitting on the sofa set in her room with coffee, that was later brought in. Plus, this was better, at least they both weren''t naked anymore and Alexis could finally concentrate without being awkward.


    "I am getting married and I think that it''s only fair that my mum is invited as well." She shrugged her shoulders and took a sip of coffee. There were not that close at Alexis had always kept her distance from her more. She had never visited their house in New York because of her stepfamily but had often invited her mother outsider to caf¨¦s, restaurants and shopping as well.


    "Yes. It is." He took a sip of his, if Alexis looked at him with a bit more attention, it would seem as if Angelo was thinking pretty hard about it. "Know what, I think you should go and invite your mother but remember that the guards come with as well." He then drowned his coffee in one go, stood up and kissed her on the forehead.


    "I have some work to finish, you go ahead and rest." Kissing her forehead, he walked out of the bedroom, closing it softly behind him. He still seemed tired as he walked.


    She sighed looking at the closed door. She got up and walk to the bed, lying down under the covers and curling herself for warmth.


    ''Does mum even miss me? It''s been weeks since we last talked and we talked weekly not every day. But she does deserve to come to my wedding.''


    She closed her eyes. Sleep made its way to her.


    *********


    "Are you sure? You said you guys talk weekly, surely that means that you are not that close." Isabelle commented while sipping her tea. She made a bit of an uncomfortable face while saying that. She was going to live at her son''s house till the wedding. Angelo had to go live with his father.


    "But she''s my mother. She has to be invited." She shrugged. She felt defensive about their relationship. Even though her mother wasn''t there, Alexis felt the need to always love her mum no matter what.


    "Alright. Liam and the security will come with you." Isabelle smiled. "But remember, news travels fast. If anyone tries to put you down, you put yourself above them alright?" She leaned in a little when Alexis made a confused face, "Listen, child. The Donna can''t be looked down upon by anyone, not even the Don in the public. So if you feel insulted, speak up and back, Liam will be there to back you up."


    "Alright," this turns out good. What if Aston and Thomas try something and would get insulted instead? She smiled in her mind, the devil was already on her shoulder and started whispering things that would poke the bear.


    ******


    The cars were driving through the familiar lanes of her mother''s house. One ahead and one behind her car. Liam was in the passenger seat and next to her was Agatha. She seemed well-rested and ready to go.


    The cars stopped and they came to a decent neighbourhood. Better than what Alexis had left them in, she was nonetheless, very happy for them.


    Liam opened her door as Agatha stood beside him. She walked to the door and knocked on it and then rang the bell. She heard a faint ''coming''.


    "Yes? You are?" The woman with a bit of wrinkle questioned Alexis. She squinting at the sight of the younger woman.


    "You''ve got visible wrinkles now mum, did the memory problems start too?" She chuckled at the subtle jab she made.


    "How dare you!" Vanessa playfully scoffed, before hugging Alexis tightly. "I missed you, child. Why haven''t you visited?" Vanessa continued to hug her child. Cherishing Alexis next to her.


    ''There are demons in this house that hurt me mum'', "you know I didn''t have the time to, Mum. I did invite you to my place." She reminded as she made her way inside. Liam and Agatha came in with them.


    "Oh, and who are they? Friends of yours, child?" She questioned, looking at them with slight confusion.


    "Yes Mum," she confirmed, inviting them in.


    "So what do you want kid; coffee, tea with ginger or coke?" She said snorting with a hand resting on the nostril, indicating doing drugs.


    "Mum, no," she laughed at her mother''s antics. "No drugs, please. Milk with cinnamon, like old times?" She smiled at the memories.


    "I''ll make it," Agatha took the initiative, "please point the direction of the kitchen." She went her way as Vanessa pointed the way.


    "Find me friends like that," Vanessa whispered to Alexis making her laugh in return.


    "So," they sat down on the couch still facing each other, "What did you come here for? You usually call me over to your place. Oh, and how''s my DeeDee?" A smile came onto her face as she remembered the light, energetic furball.


    "He''s fine, great actually." I think. "Anyway, I am getting married." There, dropped the cherry bomb, she winced.


    "What?!" Her mother immediately stood up making Liam''s posture stiffen and immediately straighten up. He was ready for any kind of defending from anyone.


    "Yup," Alexis confirmed.


    "To this guy?!" Vanessa yelled again pointing at Liam.


    "What! No!" Liam got up immediately. He was in no mood to be in the dog house and his wife had eyes everywhere. Everywhere.


    "No mum, not him." She said in an exaggerated expression, asking him to take his seat. "it''s him," she showed her Angelo''s picture that she clicked when he was having breakfast. She took a sip of the milk that Agatha had brought in.


    "Wow," Vanessa said, clearly smitten.


    "I know right," Alexis whispered, leaning into her ear.


    "How''s his father?" Vanessa gave her a cheeky smile.


    "Married," Alexis replied shaking her head at her mother.


    "So where did you meet him?" She questioned giving her the phone back. She had to know about their story.


    "Um," she could feel Liam''s gaze on her, he was meeting Angelo before coming to get her. "He..well you know the company I work for had a gala and we meet there. Went on many dates and well life''s short so yeah, he proposed and I said yes." She quickly spoke her story that she had discussed with Agatha in the car.


    "Okay, kid, that''s too short to be true." Tightening her lip, the mother commented on her daughter''s not-so-realistic love story.


    "It''s the real world, there''s no flying me to the moon, mum." She shrugged saying her answer, "so, chill. I''m marrying him and I''ll be really happy if it turns out well," I really will be, "or even if it doesn''t." And we won''t meet each other ever again.


    "Are you sure?" Vanessa whispered to he daughter. She knew her daughter often felt inferior to others. Alexis never really told her why.


    "Yes, ma." She assured. "I am fine. More than fine."


    "Happy too?"


    "Yes," Alexis smiled.


    "Well, you''re an adult, more successful than me and more beautiful than me," Vanessa pinched her cheeks lightly, "I will definitely give you my blessings for it and also we''ll have lots of shopping to do." She smiled. Vanessa loved shopping.


    "Yeah for you," Alexis leaned back a bit, bracing herself for the attack, "I bought the wedding dress already." She made an uneasy face while telling her mother so.


    Vanessa made an outraged face at that. She immediately started yelling in anger. "What?! you bloody brat, ho-"


    "Hey, honey!" Thomas''s voice came and so did the sound of the front door closing. "Aston is coming in early for lunch."


    Great.


    "Oh," he looked shocked for a moment as he entered the living room and saw his victim. "Alexis, where have you been all this time?" His smile gave her creeps.


    ''Away from you.'' She thought.


    "I''ve been making my own life, Thomas. I am here to invite you to my wedding." She said as Agatha placed a wedding invitation card on the table.


    "Wedding wow!" He looked genuinely shocked. "Hey, honey, could you get me a glass of water?" Vanessa nodded and went into the kitchen and Thomas hadn''t noticed Liam there. Liam disappeared himself from the scenario.


    "You have gotten very brave, Alexis," now his smile had the real expressions he felt. "Showing up here. Well, I''m happy you''re not in any hurry. Have lunch with us; your mother, Aston and me." He had made a statement and Alexis knew that but now things had changed and she wanted to embrace that change.


    "Of course, Thomas." She called him by his name. Something she had never done before. "I''ll be having lunch so why don''t you order from outside. Mum needs rest plus there''s some catching up to do and your cooking is um..meh." His murderous expression made her insides swell with something more than content.


    Perhaps she was going to enjoy this lunch more than she had thought.

 Chapter 47 - Forty-seven

    Refer to chapter 13 for a flashback! Remember to comment on your opinions.


    __________


    "Take out?" Vanessa repeated what she heard from the conversation in the kitchen. "I''d love to eat something from the outside honey."


    "Sure thing. I''ll call the Thai restaurant." Thomas said while taking out his phone.


    "Actually," Alexis intervened making him look up, "I''m in the mood of Chinese and Indian and you gotta listen to the bride!" She said shrugging as if it was way too obvious.


    "Yes! We have to!" Vanessa cheered on seeing her daughter''s happiness. "Come on honey! Order now, we''re hungry!"


    He smiled tightly, "of course sweetheart. Be back in no time." And went out of the room.


    Her mother kept talking about something but Alexis kept her eyes on the stairs that he just climbed up. She felt something strange in her chest. Earlier when she saw him, it was anxiousness, fear, terror and for some reason, she immediately wanted to be on her knees and beg him to leave her alone even after all these years, she wanted that.


    But today when she looked at him in the eye, she remembered Angelo. He was a bully who was the most powerful one that she had come across, but even he now was making efforts for them. He had given her power, a feeling of comfort, knowing that if Thomas did anything the eight guys outside would gun him down. Power; he gave her power to talk back to her demons. And quite frankly she like the power, she liked using it, she loved using it to protect herself.


    "Hey," someone shook her shoulder, "what are you thinking about?" Vanessa asked, bringing her out of her thoughts.


    "Nothing mum. Just happy that I''m here." She smiled. She was happy for many reasons but this one that mattered the most.


    "Awe bub, come here," she hugged her daughter. Vanessa knew her child was troubled but couldn''t do anything about it. Alexis had long ago stopped including her mother in her life.


    "Hey, mind if I ask you something?" She quietly asked her child.


    "Yes sure," she immediately looked her way, "you don''t need to ask permission mum."


    "Okay, um, well now you''re getting married so I wanted to ask you a question. Why is it that you never include me in your problems? I wanted to be there bub, but you never let me." Her nose turned a bit red, "I swear I wanted to, no matter what-"


    "Mum stop," Liam and Agatha were long forgotten by now, "I didn''t do it for a reason, okay? Dad was the earning member and when he died, you worked jobs days and nights for us; for good food, good clothes and all those luxuriousness. When you had already taken that much of a load how could I possibly burden you with unnecessary stuff? I had to do what I was supposed to do. I studied hard and I got scholarships. I wanted you to rest mum. I was happy you married again because finding love once is difficult but twice is rare." She sniffed hard. It was difficult to get this out.


    "You had so much to go through daily, I just wanted you to have happiness from my side. Brightness, from me." Her throat felt constricted, raw maybe? She wanted to cry so bad and by looking at her mother, she did too.


    "Come here," Vanessa said, barely keeping it together. Sobs were heard throughout the room. They held each other tightly, crying their pain out. One for not giving enough time and repenting for it. One for being simply grateful.


    "Mum, you have no idea how happy I am and was. You didn''t turn sour or an alcoholic or be even depressed. You took charge and I had no problems living in the small apartment with you because it made everything more manageable for you!" Sniffing hard again, she continued, "I was so so happy that you found Thomas Johnson and you decided to marry again, to be happy again. I wanted you to have the good life that you sacrificed for me."


    "For us, baby," she pulled back and held Alexis''s forehead to hers, closing their eyes, feeling the love that the other provided with the warmth and comfort. "There''s nothing for you to be grateful about, dearie. That was my duty to you as a mother and stop sending me expensive gifts and putting money in my account!" She scolded her child at the end. There was no need for that money to her.


    "Oh please, old soul I have every right to be grateful to you and deliver my thanks. Anyway, what did Mrs Martin say about the Louis Vuitton bag for the latest collection and FYI why are you dressed up?" Her mum was dressed up in a white blouse and black dres''s pants. She changed the topic that had led both of them to cry. She wanted them to be happy now, only happy.


    "Ah!" She pulled away from her cuddling, yet holding the kid in her arms. "Oh her ears were red! She couldn''t get one since you know it''s New York and people with more contacts often get things for themselves and oh! It was so worth watching!"


    "Hey," they both looked up at Thomas standing there. "The food''s gonna arrive in a few minutes, wanna set the table, hm?"


    "Oh yes! I''ll bring the expensive cutlery out!" She immediately ran away. As fast as her age could take her. Well, she was in her fifties.


    "So, you just want her to be happy?" Thomas said sitting on the single-seat sofa next to her.


    "Yes, Thomas that''s what I want and if you''re wondering, that''s the reason why I never told her about the bullying because she was happy to find love again." She nodded a bit while saying so. Might as well get that out of the way, she thought.


    "And yet you still come here. Don''t you think that she was happy while you were maintaining your distance from her?" He practically sneered at her. Alexis could feel the fear trying crawl up to her spine again. She felt her cheeks grow warm, her chest involuntary tightened as well. Her heart, she could feel it would beat more and more quickly. ''Best get away from him.'' She thought.


    Getting up she headed towards the kitchen. When her head jerked back, making her stumble and lean towards Thomas''s body.


    "Why can''t you leave? Haven''t you had enough? Fuck, why do you have to come back for more?" He growled in her ear, pulling her hair. His patience was wearing thin. She always had to come back.


    She breathed in and out and remembered what she was taught. Pulling her elbows in front, she intervened her fingers together, making a fist. Leaning her left elbow in front, she with all her force of both her arms hit Thomas in the chest with her right elbow. He gasped out loud. Not enough, she thought. Turning around, she took one of his hands from his chest and twisted it behind his back, hitting his knee from behind as he tried to free his arm, she sent him down but before that she guided his body to the sofa. She wasn''t spoiling her clothes for the likes of him.


    "Now Thomas," she cooed gently, loving the way his face twisted in pain below her. "I don''t want any trouble for me and my mum when I''m here and when I''m not. Otherwise, if I hear anything about her being troubled, I swear to God I will kill you or even better I will burn you alive!" Digging her nails in his arms, her stilettos'' pointy toe was digging into the back of his knee. Thomas was in pain but Alexis was holding him down by the exact points that had rendered him helpless.


    "Fine," he gritted out the word. "I won''t cause any trouble to you or your mother." She could tell he didn''t mean it but on the bright side, he had admitted defeat. For the first time in her life, he had admitted defeat.


    She gave him a push and walked to the kitchen. He looked at her with an expression full of promises. Promises of revenge. ''Wait for my son to come'', Vanessa watched everything from a corner, she now knew her decision was right.


    Liam and Agatha smiled at each other. They knew when to be invisible and they had noticed the way Alexis dealt with the whole situation. The power she had without Liam. He took his hands away from where his holster was. He was ready to shoot the bastard down who dared touched his Donna but she took charge of the situation.


    "I guess," his voice was turned down a bit more than his usual volume, "Angelo will be happy to hear from us," he smiled at Agatha. She returned the gesture.. Yes, he would.

 Chapter 48 - Forty-eight

    "Wow, that does look expensive," Alexis commented at the cutlery her mother had especially taken out for her. Vanessa loved holding parties whenever she could. The line of a word often kept her busy so whenever she threw a party it was the best and that included the best cutlery sets.


    "Yes it is, come on have a seat." She pulled out a chair for her and sat in the seat in front of her. Liam came and took the seat next to her and Agatha went out, not wanting them to feel bad for the lack of seating arrangement as only five seats were available. Plus, Liam would provide her with more protection.


    "So," Vanessa sighed. "How''s Mr Walker?"


    It hit Alexis that she had not told her mother about quitting her job or unable to go there since she had been kidnapped. But that was not an option given Liam was sitting next to her and she was very sure that he was acting as a spy.


    "He''s alright." She answered. "He sold the company and since I was his staff I was asked to resign which was better than being fired."


    "But that''s not fair!"


    "Him not being blessed with a child is unfair too, mum," Alexis commented. "He had to sell it eventually and he did it while he was healthy." She then remembered and added. "He wanted to take Mrs Walker on a world tour." She gushed.


    "Ah, that lucky woman." Vanessa truly envied that woman. She was not blessed enough to have a child to make it into her, her husband had spared no expense.


    "Your friend.." Vanessa stated, wearily looking at him. "He.. does not talk much, does he?"


    Alexis hesitated a bit. What was she supposed to say here? She looked towards Liam who was already helping her out. He pointed to his lips and then shook his hand, indicating that he was mute.


    "Oh, shit I''m so sorry." Vanessa apologized while Liam simply shook it off with a smile.


    "Food''s here." Thomas placed the food on the table. Vanessa took the containers out.


    "Here, your Indian Currys and naan." She served her daughter and then herself, with lemonade and iced tea as beverages they started eating.


    "Started without us?" Ashton said standing next to Thomas.


    "Oh!" Vanessa looked up, "go on and wash your hands and then help yourself." She said gesturing to the food. Ashton went ahead and washed his hands while his father sat in the head chair, Ashton sat adjacent to Vanessa, the only available seat otherwise he would have taken the one next to his beloved step sister.


    Vanessa peeked at everyone busy eating. The whole family was here and maybe it was the best time to carry out the decision that she had planned.


    "So," Vanessa called for attention after some time. Everyone had been eating quietly till then. "I have an announcement to make." She wiped her hands clean and placed them on her lap.


    "What is it?" Ashton said, sipping the curry after asking the question.


    "I have decided to," she breathed a bit for some courage, "divorce your father."


    "What!?" A collective chorus ran through the walls. This was the most unexpected news ever.


    ''Did she see us?'' Alexis wondered. ''But if she did, she would''ve asked me about it or intervened.''


    "Yes, you heard it right. We have been going through some couple counselling but now I want to be on my own. I have saved up a lot of money, I want to enjoy the world or go cruising or tan myself in Hawaii. I don''t know, I just want to be free on this now." Vanessa tried to explain what she felt. But she knew they won''t understand her reasons to do so. She felt like it and she had the balls to do so and what she saw today made her decision more firm. He was mentally bullying her daughter, in her own house.


    "But why? Dad can go with you for... sightseeing and stuff." Ashton was disturbed by the news, his father, however, had not yet reacted which Alexis found quite odd.


    "Ashton, there''s a difference between just ''sightseeing and stuff'' from really diving into the country and understanding its foundation and culture. Your father can''t stay anywhere for more than a week whereas I want to stay at a place for months and I might decide to live there if I want!" She raised her voice a bit. Maybe slapping their faces with the papers would''ve been a good idea.


    Thomas slowly raised his head and talked, "Baby, I can compromise there-"


    "That''s all we have been doing!" Vanessa immediately cut him off, "This baby, sweetheart and honey endearments are just- I don''t know, I don''t want them! I am not having sex with you and instead of compromising with that you found a deal with Ashton''s girlfriend!"


    "What the hell?!" Ashton immediately got up. Azcona Nd his girlfriend were going strong for five years and he had even thought of proposing. Hell, now he was happy he didn''t buy the ring.


    "Yes and I''ll send you the pictures I took for proof. I have decided this and I don''t want anything from you, neither am I giving you anything. This is the last you will be hearing from me. Next will be from my lawyer." She got up and went to her room.


    ''There''s only some food on my plate,'' Alexis thought. ''I''ll finish it first and then follow her, she''ll probably cool off by then.''


    She quickly ate, Liam followed her. Both the Johnsons were quiet and in shock. They felt everything falling from their grasps.


    "Did you do this?" Ashton whispered looking at Alexis, who by now had finished her food and so had Liam, before her of course.


    "No honey, karma did." She smiled and finished her iced tea. She had enjoyed the spill today.


    Thumping noise came from the stairs and they looked there. What Alexis saw, she was proud of it. Her mother was coming down with five suitcases, managing them well without the help of any man.


    "You''re leaving?" Thomas whispered looking at her coming down from the stares.


    "Yes! You idiot. What part of it didn''t you get?" She yelled. Vanessa felt frustration for both of them. "And for god''s sake break up with that girl Ashton, will you? She fucked both of you whenever she was over!" She turned around, god knew how with those suitcases and walked to the door. "and do not touch my stuff, the movers will take them!" She yelled and banged the door shut after exiting.


    Alexis laughed a bit happier and then got up to follow her mum. She walked to the living room and snatched her wedding invitation from the table and walked back to face them.


    "And You guys are not invited!" She yelled at their faces, showing the wedding invitation. Laughing, she ran to the front door.


    Closing the door, she looked for her mother. The old bone won''t have made it too far or perhaps in this case, she was sitting on the curb.


    "Hey!" She very cheerfully greeted her mum.


    "Do you think he''ll take me back?" She whispered to her daughter. Shame washed over her for doing this as the realisation and gravity for the situation hit.


    "What?" What is she thinking about? "Why would you say that mum?"


    "I have nowhere to go! You came in today and then I thought that let''s go through this with everyone present but I didn''t think it through!" She sobbed in her hands. God, she messed up her life.


    "No you didn''t," the guards were standing in a circle facing outside, giving them privacy. She pulled her mum into her arms, "Mumma, that''s it? That''s what you''re worried about? I have moved in with Angelo," not voluntarily, "you can move into my apartment!" She happily informed her.


    "Really?" Vanessa''s voice held the uncertainty that she felt.


    "Yes mum, there''s a big closet that''s been cleared out," she was later informed. "It''s a two-bedroom apartment with a good bathtub, fully furnished kitchen, double door fridge and good neighbours too!"


    "Oh dear God, child take me away." She dramatically sighed making Alexis laugh. Liam came in, asking for her permission to take her suitcases for her with two more men, settling them in the trunks of the cars and the women sat in the first one.


    "I''m really happy that you took that decision mum." She smiled, holding her mother''s hand tightly. "You are gonna be okay. After my wedding we will plan a proper and long vacation for you, okay?"


    Her mother smiled through the tears, remembering what Alexis''s father said to her and how true his words were, "we made a good kid, indeed." She thought.


    Vanessa kissed her forehead and looked up into the sky from the window, ''thank you, god. Make all her wishes come true.''


    **


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 Chapter 49 - Forty-nine

    Help me in increasing the book''s ranking, please give this book a red power stone.


    _______


    "I don''t know what it is," Vanessa sighed looking around the apartment, "it seems bigger than what you told me."


    "It''s a new apartment for your mum, only you are gonna live here. Of course, it seems bigger now." Alexis sighed sipping her coffee. All of them were having it. She had asked Agatha to get more for the guards who happily took coffee with preferences as offered.


    "You are not gonna sell it?" Vanessa asked, raising a brow at that. "It would fetch a great price and you are getting married. There is no such thing as enough money for planning a marriage ceremony."


    "No, it was for a backup plan if anything didn''t work out and now you''re living here. Don''t worry it''s fine for two people to live in too." She shrugged. There was nothing to worry about. "Anyway, do you want help getting settled in?"


    "Oh no, I''m gonna put on some music and change it a bit to my preference and convenience. Give me some time." Vanessa could only imagine, some silence and a little me time. "It feels weird living in my daughter''s apartment." She winced a bit. "Or weirder because I am getting divorced the day my daughter tells me about her marriage."


    "Well for that''s that then, " Alexis didn''t tray know what to say to that. "There are face masks in the bathroom; the glitter ones too, sheet masks and serums and all. Enjoy." She happily informed her mum. "Also, my rovers parked down, use it too and I lived with you for eighteen years, you didn''t hear me complaining."


    "Gave you my finger, no need to hold my hand kid." She giggled. "Rover too?"


    "Chill mum, anyways it''s almost evening and I have to go. Angelo will be shifting to his father''s house and the ladies would stay with me there, do you want to come to stay too? It''ll be all ladies for like four to five days and all pampering and stuff. My bridesmaids prepared it for me."


    "Sure. When''s the wedding by the way," she took her mug along with Alexis''s for a wash.


    "Um, so today''s a Thursday," dammit she''s going to kill me, "And you will come to the party on Monday and I''ll be married by the next... Thursday.."


    "A week, huh?" Vanessa confirmed and immediately placed the cups in the cabinet. "Now where the hell is my shoe? I''ll tell you for a week! Come here!"


    "Mumma! Stop!"


    ********


    "I take it from the smile that it was a happy day?" Angelo asked. Today he was offering her wine that would be served at their reception.


    "A very eventful and happy day." She smiled, if possible it grew a bit more. She was the first woman to who he paid attention to. Could it be possible that he had lucked out with her? "For the first time, I didn''t hold back while talking to her. It was like a certain weight lifted itself and I feel. Lighter."


    "Lighter?" He repeated.


    "Yes, lighter. Happier if I use the correct word. I can turn to her any day without having to worry about being those two." She smiled.


    "Tell me about Thomas, Alexis and the whole part where you physically overpowered him." He sat back in front of her, in his office. The fire in the mantle was lit, providing a warm glow, accompanied by good wine. "I didn''t know you learnt kickboxing."


    Alexis seemed startled for a bit. Her eyebrows had reached her hairline or as close as they could get but then she lowered them. It was obvious that either Liam or Agatha had informed him about the event. Liam must have given him a detailed description of the happening then why was Angelo asking her?


    It was all figured out.


    It scared her. This meant that Angelo wanted her to know that his staff was going to report everything that happened with her to him and he wanted her to know about it.


    "Well," she sipped a few times for courage and then narrated, "he was a bully along with his son to me. Pretty much for five years, I suffered and when I turned eighteen with the scholarship I received, I moved to the dorms in New York and then after like three years due to mum''s job, they came here too from Florida but I didn''t stay with them and mum understood and for your second question, in college, a group of boys raped a girl and no one believed her, so that was when I decided to take kickboxing classes." She watched as he poured more into her glass. "The man at the gym encouraged girls for it."


    "Why didn''t you wait for Liam to protect you? That was the reason he was there for." He asked, genuinely curious.


    "Liam was, but my basic instinct was to protect myself since I had learned to do so. I wanted him to fear me and not Liam and what if Liam wasn''t there? He can''t always be for me. I wanted to prove myself stronger to him." She felt her throat tighten a bit, god she was gonna cry again and she didn''t want that.


    "I agree on that, Alexis," gently his voice washed over her, bringing relief of understanding. "I think we should kill them as we did to Damon, don''t you think so?" He offered.


    "No," she immediately denied, "there''s no need. My mum is divorcing that man. I am entering into a new life and she is free of him, maybe it''s not necessary now. He''s out of our life''s and I want it to stay that way. Though, if he tries to steer some troubles, then you might have your fun." A sneaky smile came up to her lips while saying so. "As I said, they''re gone now, in the past and I don''t want to tamper with it. Nothing good ever comes out of it. I just want to let it go."


    He chuckled, "Do you want to go and wash up for dinner?"


    "Yeah, see ya." She said, placing her glass on the table and walking out of the door.


    "That''s better than the last time when she was carried out of here," Gabriele commented coming out of the moving bookcase that was a secret room. "I think I like this one better."


    "I know papa and I do too," he sipped his drink and waited till his father poured himself a glass and sat down. "So what do you think?" His father had heard the entire conversation taken place between the couple.


    He pursued his lips and thought of what to say, "She''s not someone who has malice in her heart. She''s suffered yes, but she knows where to stop for revenge but I also feel like she wants to let go more than have a go at revenge. She can be manipulated, so watch out for that," he sipped his wine as Angelo nodded, "I like her. She won''t be much of work because she can reason well, just remember to keep her away from a few establishments where she might find herself wanting to do the right thing."


    "I think she''s the one for me, papa," he commented looking at the fire.


    "That''s a good child. Congratulations. Your mother would love to know that." Gabriel smiled genuinely. Something he did just with his wife.


    "Thank you, " Angelo smiled. "I am thankful for the almighty about it. She was the one I chose and she is perfect for me. I couldn''t have asked for more."


    Gabrielle smiled, chuckling at his boy being lost in love. This was a first for Angelo. "That is, again, very good to know." He commented. "I''m happy for you boy."


    "I have so many questions in my mind, " he muttered not really for his father''s ears but his own.


    "Well, love does make you question things." His father joked but that was not entertained by Angelo.


    "No, real questions." He corrected


    "What if one day she wants to leave? She wants power I know that she likes the feel of it. The rush of it in her vessels, but if she wants none of it or more of it that she can''t have?"


    "I liked her being in power, I can tell you that. But the sorry child, some rules don''t change for any descendent. You know what you''ll have to do," keeping his glass down on the table he walked to the door but turned to look back at him.


    "You''ll have to put her down. You will have to kill her." He said closing the door on his way out.


    Angelo continued looking at the fire till he heard the door closing. He closed his eyes on what his father said, he could only pray. He loved her or so he had concluded. He would do anything but not put her down.


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 Chapter 50 - Fifty

    Alexis had woken up smiling and happy. Her mother was getting divorced today or filing for one to be accurate. Nonetheless, she was at her happiest. Vanessa has asked for her to come along and needless to say she was there within an hour.


    "Is it okay for having some wedding jitters?" Alexis shakily asked her mother who sat next to her in the car.


    "Do you think," she leaned a bit more towards Alexis, still wary of the guards hearing them. "That it''s the right time to ask me this," she pointed herself, "when I''m getting divorced?"


    "Well, at least you''re sure about that. I''m having cold feet here." Sarcasm was visible in her voice.


    "You''ll be fine," Vanessa waved her hands around. "So how does this happen?"


    "Well, we''re going to meet their lawyers with ours because he refused to sign the papers without talking to you. Anyway, do you have the proof of him cheating on you?" It was finally happening. Now she could keep her mum close to her heart.


    "Yeah, I got them." She looked down for a moment as if hesitating. "Why didn''t you tell me?"


    "Tell you what?" She looked at her. What are you talking about?


    "The bullying that they did to you."


    Oh god, she wasn''t scared now but frustrated. Why would she notice it now out of all the times?


    "It''s done." Her voice was firm indicating that this conversation was not to be argued with. "You were happy mum, I couldn''t take that away from you and the majority of the time you were home and the other, I was at school or at the part-time job I had joined."


    Breathing in a little she continued, "It''s done now. You want a divorce and I did not affect your decision in any way. So all of that is in the past and let it be there." She held Vanessa''s hand tightly. Alexis tried her level best to provide some warm comfort to her mother. She knew that Vanessa was suffering from shock about what had happened in her house for years and how she had no idea about it.


    "The past is best where it belongs, mum, let it be there." She said and looked away from the words her mother was going to say, silencing her for the car ride.


    ******


    The law firm was a part of Angelo''s businesses but he was a silent partner here. For the deposition, a divorce lawyer along with the name partner practising law was seated with them. In front of them, were Thomas and Ashton Johnson, though it seemed that Ashton who be anywhere than here.


    "Why haven''t you signed it yet?" Vanessa couldn''t wait to get her hands off of him. "I told you I didn''t want this anymore so what was your reason for this?"


    "I just want to talk, okay." Running his hands through his unkempt hair, he hesitated to speak but gave in eventually. "We can make this work. I have no problems with you going around the world, I can wait for you at home or even an open relationship I am fine with it. I can-"


    "Mr Johnson," the firm partner; Claire interjected, "You have nothing to stop this divorce. My client has proof of your cheating and abusing her child in her absence and threatening the child into silence. I ask you that if you have anything to counter these proves, you bring them forward. If not, I would advise you to sign these papers, please. We don''t have to waste anyone''s time anymore." Vanessa looked at Alexis as the lawyers talked of abuse. She felt humiliated at the moment. The lawyer knew an out it and probably more than she did.


    Ashton gave out a harsh breath and took the papers kept in between them. He uncapped the pen and shoved it in front of his father. "Just do it," he whispered, "This is a losing battle that you don''t want to fight after fucking my girlfriend!"


    His father looked at him with an ugly expression. Vanessa wondered what her child had gone through without her knowledge and protection. Thomas snatched the pen at the jab of insult made at him and signed his name quite harshly and then walked out of the room.


    "Is there anything else left?" Ashton asked the lawyers when denied, he walked out of there as well.


    Alexis thanked the lawyers for their time. They had heard the news of marriage and congratulated her about it. After the exchange of pleasantries, to which Alexis noticed her mother looking quite sullen, they made their way to the cars downstairs along with the guards. Sitting inside the cars and checking the perimeters, they drove to the new apartment of Vanessa.


    "Where to now?" The mother asked her child with a little dead voice. Alexis wanted to question but according to Angelo, questions were meant to be asked in private which she low-key liked or maybe she had had enough of co the day.


    "To your new apartment and there''s a surprise there waiting for you!" She said in a sing-a-song voice. Vanessa didn''t smile neither did she say something in return making Alexis''s smile vanish.


    Looking forward, Alexis wondered. Was she regretting her decision? But then again, she seemed pretty sure about it. Was it the abuse that made her upset? Alexis sighed, for her mental health she did not want to touch the topic and her mother had to respect that.


    Usually, her mother loved the fact that someone opened her door, she even flirted playfully with him this morning, making the poor guy blush in embarrassment. But today, without waiting for them Vanessa banged her door shut making Alexis jump and run after her.


    "Mum, what''s wrong with you?" She asked as soon as she entered the house. The three guards stood outside and one closed the door.


    "What wrong with me?!'' Vanessa yelled. She never had to yell at Alexis and this came as a surprise to her. "Who else knows except me?"


    "Who- what who knows ?" Alexis felt as if her head would burst.


    "I mean, who else knows that my child was abused except me? Who does, everyone?" She started yelled again.


    "Nobody does! Thomas and Ashton themselves and then Angelo and he told me to tell the lawyers for leverage! I told you I wanted you happy-"


    "That''s a fucking bullshit reason!" She yelled at the explanation given to her. "That''s fucking bullshit reason and you know it. I am your mother I should have known!"


    "Mum it''s done okay! He threatened me and for the last time it''s in the past!" Alexis felt tired. Past couldn''t be changed, what''s done is done, why couldn''t people understand that there was no reason to cry over spilt milk.


    "You know what''s the real reason, Alexis," she talked in a voice that made it seem like it was very interesting to talk about, " you were a fucking coward as you couldn''t-"


    "That''s enough," Angelo''s voice boomed through the walls, making Alexis''s shoulders sag, this wasn''t gonna be pretty but her mum hurt her too. "I don''t want to hear another word about you talking shit to her. Your skills as a mother are to be questioned before questioning the courage of a thirteen-year-old."


    Walking towards Alexis, he held her waist making her unconsciously lean on him for support, "For your behaviour, you will only come to the wedding and not for these five days for fun." Saying that with so much authority that even Vanessa quietened down a bit. He led Alexis out.


    "Who the hell are you''re to make me stay away from my daughter?" She yelled at his back, walking after them.


    "I can easily-" Alexis immediately clutched his hand making him stop. Her eyes pleaded with him to stop saying hurtful words to her mother. She was overwhelmed and she needed some time to herself. "Please.." She whispered.


    He understood the need for her to protect her mother. They quietly went out of the apartment closing shut her apartment''s door.


    "She became vicious there for a moment," she shuddered at the tone her mother had picked up for the first time. "I could not recognise her there. She never yelled at me before."


    "Just give her time to figure things out. She''s overwhelmed." He squeezed her waist in reassurance. Alexis had left the house in high spirits and now she felt on the bottom of everything.


    "I can''t wait for all of this to be over," she whispered as she entered the lift with him. "You better surprise me with the honeymoon destination." She smiled, trying to lighten up the mood.


    ''Oh yes, I will.'' He smiled, kissing her forehead. Vanessa had upset his wife today and if she continued she surely would in trouble. No one could ever bother Alexis other than him.


    ________


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 Chapter 51 - Fifty-one.

    Angelo had dropped her home and gone back to his father''s house saying he had some work due to being completed. Alexis knew he wanted her to question him about his whereabouts but she didn''t. She nodded in return to the information he offered and said goodbye and then walked inside the house. Alexis had no right to question the man at least in her eyes till she was married to him which was in a matter of days now.


    She went up the stairs and towards her room. Agatha was already there with her nightsuit out. Changing into it, she left her skincare for tonight and went to bed.


    Alexis wanted to cry for how her mother had behaved. She wanted to yell at her too but she didn''t. Angelo was right, her motherhood was to be questioned and not the courage of a thirteen-year-old. Unable to sleep she went downstairs to the kitchen and warmed some milk for herself. She poured it in a mug and walked back to her bedroom. She lazily sat in her ned and sipped it.


    Where had she come? She wondered. And where from?


    *****


    Good morning," Alexis jumped a bit as she heard Angelo''s greeting. She was sitting on the vanity chair, facing the mirror.


    "Hey, good morning," she smiled and looked and him, before getting up and walking towards him.


    "How are you? Did you rest well last night after that episode with your mother?" He looked concerned about that but she''s didn''t want to talk about it.


    "It was okay. Some warm milk helped." She smiled a bit and informed him, "anyway, I thought we weren''t supposed to meet before the wedding." She teased him a bit. His mother had pulled his ear, saying he wasn''t allowed here anymore.


    "Well," caught me, "I came for some files, thought I''d meet you too on my way out." He showed the ones he had in his hands.


    "Oh," she made an understanding face, the mischievousness dancing in her eyes made him a little attentive.


    "Anyway," she cleared her throat and sidestepped him out of the room, creating some distance between them. "Isabelle! Isabelle! Angelo''s broken in!" She started running and yelling through the corridors making her voice echo. She felt like repeating the words.


    "You! Come here!" She ran as Angelo chased her around. She was surprisingly a fast runner.


    "Angelo stop it!" Isabelle came out in front of the kitchen as the younger couple ran through the entire house. Isabelle sighed and stood near the dining room entrance.


    "Ah!" As soon as Alexis entered, she pulled Angelo from his ear who wasn''t far behind.


    "I told you not to enter! You never listen, do you want me to call your father and Nonno?" She pulled his ear, twisting it with her fingers making him wince.


    "Mama, please," he tried to plead a bit but by his mum''s expression, it was better to leave. He raised his arms in a surrender motion and her mother released his ear in return. He stepped backwards, still keeping his hands up and eyes on them. Alexis''s happy expression made it all worth it for him. He wanted to imprint that expression in his mind.


    "I''ll get you, Alexis," pointing his finger at her, he turned around and jogged out of the house.


    "Oh, this boy," Isabelle sighed and Alexis laughed. The mother was surprised by her antics but a playful relationship could be a happy relationship. She could only pray.


    ******


    "Well enjoy while it lasts then," raising her cup of tea, Isobel tilted it as beer glass cheering to Alexis''s singlehood.


    Alexis smiled, "I know, I will no longer be single."


    "Oh no," Nikita hurriedly gulped the sip and spoke, "not a single baby. Get ready to deal with the pressures of living in a big family. Oh, wait for ''mafioso'' family sounds better."


    "Oh," Alexis looked a bit unsure. "what kind of pressure?"


    "Let''s not scare her away." Isabelle slipped into the conversation, "come on, Alexis we have to talk." She nodded at Agatha and walked up the stairs.


    "What is she going to talk to me about?" She whispered to Isobel who was sitting right next to her.m drinking tea and enjoying scones.


    "I think it''s the birds and the bees talk." She whispered back. Alexis blinked her eyes. Isobel blinked back.


    "What?!" Alexis spat the word out. She had her talk years ago and having one from her boyfriend''s mother? She would rather die.


    "Yes," she nodded. "She''s going to tell you how to please her son. Like a mother does when her son gets married." Alexis''s felt her eyes popping out. What the hell was this?


    "Really?" She looked at Nikita now.


    "Yes! They do that. But just listen and let them talk. She might show you books of Kamasutra and teach you things but don''t worry, it''ll be over before you know!" Nikita informed her, keeping her smile in check. She couldn''t laugh and ruin everything now.


    "Oh, God! Why?" If possible in this situation, Alexis wanted to cry. What had she gotten herself into? This was mortifying.


    "I don''t know.." Isobel looked like she was thinking about the answer. "They just do, you know, as mothers."


    "Alexis!" She jumped as she heard Isabelle''s voice. She seemed in a hurry to complete this. Isobel and Nikita whisper-yelled ''hurry'' to her, making her scurry up the stairs.


    "Yes," Alexis stood by the door.


    "Oh come on, inside the room please and close the door." Isabelle waved her hand.


    Alexis entered. Perhaps it was her secretarial habits of asking permission before entering someone''s office which came naturally the moment. She immediately halted when she looked at the desks. There were books covered in velvet martial. Was that Kamasutra?


    Oh god no no no no, she chanted in her mind. Sex Ed in school was better than this, even her mother''s talk was not this embarrassing. Isabelle sat on the couch and patted the seat next to her while holding the book. Alexis did as told, shakily but she did.


    "This is your office," Isabelle waved her hand around and Alexis for the first time looked. It was big, probably two rooms worth of space was taken and beautifully decorated. Must have taken a highly qualified interior designer for this.


    "Why is it so big?" She asked still looking around. This was a spacious office and it was at home too.


    "Well," she cleared her throat a bit, "the thing is if mafia wives have problems they are going to want to talk to you about it; so the couches are for that. Then Angelo would sometimes handover some legal businesses to you or investments so to say and the table and chair come in for that." The simple explanation was what Isabelle had given but Alexis was still focusing on the book. The dreaded book.


    "Okay so, let''s begin." She started opening the book only to slammed shut by Alexis''s hand. Who seemed to be shaking. Isabelle frowned at the behaviour. Alexis was not making this easy for her.


    Yet, with a comforting smile on her face, she asked her, "Are you, alright child?" She noticed something and questioned her about it too. "You also appear to be sweating.."


    "I''ve had sex before," Alexis blurted out. "I know things okay, you don''t need to teach me anything! I know about protection options for both female and males and-"


    "Wait what?" Isabelle''s shrill voice made Alexis shut up for a moment. "What in the world are you talking about?" what had gotten into her all of a sudden.


    "What''s in the book is what I am talking about." Her face gave a duh expression. Of course, she was talking about the book. What else we''re they here to talk about?


    "Alexis this books contains the images of all the living members of the family including the elders. You''re supposed to memorize the relatives and the relationships we have with them." She waved the book around. "What were you thinking about?" Isabelle asked.


    "Who me? Nothing." She immediately looked away. "Nothing at all." She muttered. She was trying her best to gain enough courage and ask her this. After some time she asked again.


    "So it''s not Kamasutra in there?" She asked to confirm, sneaking a glance from her side-eye at the book. She looked anxious.


    "What?!" Isabelle yelled, shock running through her bones. "No! There are family pictures in here! God! No! Not that!"


    Isabelle looked down for a bit and Alexis nervously looked at her. She cleared her throat and thought of starting afresh. "anyway, Okay, I''ll tell everything from who to ignore to who to be wary of."


    "Oh yeah, I''m free. I have got nothing to do." She ranted with a nervous chuckle at the end. She was pranked on.


    Except for revenge on two hyenas, she thought gleefully.. Oh, she was coming for their asses.

 Chapter 52 - Fifty-two

    After the humiliating episode, Alexis had focused on the book very rigorously. Mainly it was because she did not want to ponder on the joke that Nikita and Isobel had played on her. Worst now Isabelle knew too. Alexis could still feel the feeling of humiliation even while Isabelle chose not to comment on it.


    Learning about relatives was tough but that was nothing because she is was yet to memorize them too. According to Isabelle, she had to know everyone because if she forgot someone and remembered the other it would cause a whole new drama and rivalry. No one had known Alexis before she was chosen by Angelo so if Alexis paid any extra attention to anyone the family could come in suspicion. But that was only in rumours, the truth was she would seem forgetful and not to mention rude to others.


    When the who''s who was over it wasn''t dinner time. Nikita and Isobel had already eaten, so Alexis and Isabelle ate some and went to bed. But before going to bed, Alexis set an alarm for wallet Morning. There was something she had to do.


    Later, in the morning...


    It was four-thirty in the morning and she was up early, sitting in her nightsuit on the kitchen slab. The shinny silver, salt and sugar kit was kept on the dining table for meals.


    The classic trick was to change it and cause trouble to the daily users, especially when Nikita quite contrast to her usual bitter self as black personality liked her tea four sugar cubes sweet. Even Alexis felt that that was too much. She went ahead and threw the sugar in a bowl and replaced it with the salt the other shaker was already filled with it. After the exchange, she went up to the guest room where her dear friend Isobel was staying with a bowl of turmeric.


    Softly opening her door, she peered in to observe Isobel''s soft breathing. She was fast asleep. She silently walked to the bathroom where her body products were. She twisted open the handle of her moisturizer and the smell wafted into the air. It was very pleasant. Alexis quickly learned the name to buy it later.


    Emptying the bowl in her body lotion. She cleaned the shelf of any leftover turmeric and walked back closing the door, very very gently.


    As the door shut, she immediately perked up and walked back, fast-paced to her room. Falling back on the bed, she laughed a bit. But then she remembered something else too. She got up again and walked to her office. Agatha had stocked up every item of stationery and extras for her. She took some glue and walked back to Isobel''s room.


    Now, she listened through the door for any noises and then opened the door a little bit. She looked at her oblivious sleeping form and went to her dressing table. She swiftly and gently checked the prices of every cream and chose the most expensive one. She poured the glue into it and then with an earbud she mixed it. Closing the door, she went back to her room.


    "This is life," turning over, she smiled into her pillow and fell asleep.


    *******


    "Good morning," Isabelle wished as soon as Alexis came into her view. Alexis was dressed pretty casually for today and looked eager for something.


    "Morning," Alexis wished back as well all smiley. Breakfast was all baked goods today and she ate to her heart''s content because the scones, pastries and churro and everything else were to die for.


    "Oh my god!" A yellow Isobel came to the table. "Baked goodies, wow!" She smiled and took a seat. She also had wrinkles on her face, that seemed to be tightening every growing second.


    Isabelle and Alexis looked at each other with concern and at least one of them had genuine feelings of it. The other was hiding something underneath it.


    "Isobel," Alexis stated. "you''re a bit yellow in colour.." she felt the need to pause for a moment for dramatic effect but shut up in the end.


    "Oh," she looked at her arm, turning it to see more clearly, "It''s style, babe. A new tan colour in the market. It sets after some time, you have a lot to learn. I might go to the parlour today though," She informed everyone.


    She shakily dismissed the concern.


    "The beauticians would come here on the day of the wedding. Why do you have to go out to a parlour?" Isabelle raised her eyebrow while questioning her. Not that she didn''t want her to go but in festivities, the attacks were common as one couldn''t be careful enough.


    "Oh um, I had ordered a hair treatment. They are going to show it to me and discuss the details about it." A lie that was. But Isabelle shook her head. She was not in the mood for questioning.


    Alexis hid her smile, knowing that she was going to go out to get it corrected because she didn''t know that it was Tumeric, which could be washed off by soap, well after several items of washings eventually but yeah it would do away.


    "Hey," Nikita came in. The maid immediately set her tea in front of her like every morning. Grabbing the sugar container or salt, she started pouring it to her heart''s content. Alexis watched, dipping her vanilla scone in her tea, enjoying the show as the happy expressions of Nikita slowly turned sour.


    "What the fuck?" She spits the salty tea back in the cup. Gagging at the flavour, she immediately went for the water to wash it down.


    "Fuck, who did that?!" She yelled at the maid and Alexis took the chance to come in and rescue her.


    "Oh come on Nikita, it''s an honest mistake, chill. It won''t happen again." As soon as you don''t prank me again. She looked at the maid, clearly making everyone think that she was talking for the maid and saving her and not an ounce of planning was involved regarding anything.


    "It''s not an honest mistake!"


    "It is, sometimes people get confused."


    "They shouldn''t. It''s salt and sugar!" Nikita again yelled in anger. "It''s plain simple."


    "Either you let it go or you put them in their respective places from tomorrow onwards." Isabelle declares having enough of her foolishness.


    "Fine," Nikita gave in, looking at the maid she said, "go make me another tea and fix the containers." She sighed, her morning was ruined. Now, she had to take another nap to begin it.


    ******


    "you did what?" Angelo chuckled on the phone as Alexis was telling him what she had done that morning. She had talked to him about every detail and the precautions that she had taken with it.


    "Well, they started it!" She continued to laugh.


    "Anyway," Angelo cleared his throat, "how did you like your office?"


    "It''s pretty," she immediately said. "But do you think that I could visit my mother?"


    "No Alexis, I cannot allow you that. She yelled at you and me-"


    "Well, she didn''t know who you were!" She cut him off in between. "Just let me call her, you have the number blocked!"


    "Alexis shut it!" Words said in anger could be recognised by anyone. She went silent and was ready to hang up when she saw Agatha was showing her her hand. She was telling Alexis to stop.


    "It''s not happening. I am sending you some files; via email. Check and let me know your opinion on the investments." After demanding that, he hung up.


    Alexis spoke a hello and another one but didn''t receive a reply. On checking, she found that he had hung up on her.


    "Oh so he gets to hang up on me and I don''t?" She raised her hands and looked at Agatha.


    "Well, he''s a man." She simply shrugged.


    "And?" Alexis asked. "That does not answer my question. He doesn''t get to do things because of a penis." Hell, it didn''t answer anyone''s question. Agatha snickered.


    "You can''t throw a tantrum right now otherwise he will have to discipline you publicly because you''re not family but after marriage when you are officially his wife, you can throw as many tantrums as you like because that would be your and his business." She poured Alexis a glass of water.


    "No one can say anything then."


    "Why can they now?"


    "Because you are a stranger disrespecting the Don. They could kill you for that and they would be excused for it too. Disrespect is hardly tolerated and people are killed for less."


    She drank the water to calm her nerves. Maybe she should tone it down a little, she had her own life with mum now and two days didn''t matter. She was going to be there for the wedding anyway.


    Switching the screen on, she opened the files he had sent her when she realised that she after a long time had checked her emails. Should she try emailing her mum?

 Chapter 53 - Fifty-three

    Fire; rapid oxidation of a material in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products, she thought, looking at the fire blazing in the mantle. How could a single spark caused by friction of two stones have such a complicated definition?


    She wondered how there were always two sides to a situation, just like a coin. Good or bad, tough or easy. There were always two impacts. How complicated situations we''re and how more complicated did we make them? Did we even think before acting? And how stupidly did we act to escalate the situation to something far more troublesome?


    And to begin with, a fire burning in the mantle escalated her thinking to this. A fire caused by rubbing a matchstick or with a click of a lighter. Wasn''t life full of surprises?


    She sighed sipping her scotch that she took from Angelo''s cabinet. It was filled with good liquor and she was sure that we would raid it more often. The door opened and footsteps followed but immediately slowed down to a standstill. Seemed as Angelo had noticed her sitting and waiting for him.


    "I see you helped yourself to my scotch." He commented, standing behind her. "Did you close the cabinet?"


    Men, she rolled her eyes.


    "We are a couple, we share things." A tightened smile resided on her lips. "Things like liquor come into the sharing category too."


    "Is personal space then into the sharing category authorised by you, too?" Raising an eyebrow she asked. He had taken serious offence to this.


    "I didn''t come into your personal space." She frowned. She always maintained a respected distance from him.


    "You took my liquor which I saved for special occasions!" He accused. Looking at his face Alexis could not help but chuckle. He was like a kid.


    "Honey, I am marrying you after you kidnapped me and tortured me. I think I can help myself to some."


    "Whatever," he waved his hand around, dismissing the matter as he did not want to talk about it anymore. "What are you doing here?"


    "You have invested in a dying firm, Angelo and that too, recently." She started putting the glass down and pointed out her observation. "For your other investments, I noticed that you had acquired the one with profits."


    Angelo felt the need to clap for her. He wanted her to notice it and she did. But he knew she won''t be able to figure out why and that was where he came in. But it was commendable how she came to him about it and questioned it.


    "I didn''t hear your question." He sat down after pouring himself some. If anything, she had to be more communicative.


    "My question is, why? Surely you knew your investment would go waste there. No profits are going to come from it. The financial statements show the profits being lowered by 20- 40% every year. It''s a total loss."


    Angelo smiled after hearing her. She felt so hot in talking business, economics and investments. "Dying firms cannot be saved love unless you want them too and it rakes too much of manpower and money. So that''s extremely costly. But with dying businesses come desperate employees who want their jobs so they work harder than anyone else. I am a major shareholder and I plan to buy it back, eventually taking over the business and starting something new." He explained.


    "Why not just start something new?" And not apply so much brain. If it was going to take many em many terms of manpower and money then it was costly, especially when already in deep losses and debts.


    "Because my name and organisation''s business is often assumed to be illegal even if it is not. So, this particular method acts as a cover to what is happening underneath."


    "And what is happening underneath?" She whispered clearly in a trance of interest. Things that sounded forbidden were always so attractive to her.


    Angelo smiled, he''d love to tell her but some things were to be kept from many and many included her. She was an abused soul and given her morals and love to do the right thing she would try to either report things or try to correct them. Both of them were direct challenges to his authority as the Don and he could not have his wife stand against him.


    "Things," his vague answer made her frown. She had excepted him, to be honest, and open after the progress they had made. Or now seemed to have made. Reality asked her. He trusted her but that trust was not enough to have him tell her what happened in the mafia.


    "Huh," she commented. "So that''s it? That''s all you''re telling me?" He could tell her more. She was making efforts and she was marrying him after all the things he had done to her. It seemed fair that he could at least tell her what was going on. "I can''t leave. You would kill me for it and you can not even tell me what''s going on?" She slightly raised her voice but after realising, she lowered it where to where he could understand that she was angry or frustrated with his choice.


    "Yes, that''s it. I would suggest that you stop wasting your breath on it too. I am not telling anything on this topic."


    "An for how long?" She quietly questioned him. Something made is felt more empowered when she spoke in a calm and collected manner. "Or are you ever going to tell me to begin with?"


    He gulped down his scotch and slammed it on the table. "Finish your drink and close the door on your way out." After that, he got up and left without bothering to answer her.


    As if, she thought. The moment Alexis had entered his office she had thought of snooping but decided against it hoping that he would tell the truth anyway. She had trusted him.


    She drank her scotch but didn''t think of anything in particular. She got up from the couch and sat on his desk chair, then turned it around so she could skim through the rows and rows of files piled up on the wall behind the desk. She knew the ones that he could reach by hand were probably the ones more important. They were placed on the shelf behind him that meant that he didn''t want to waste time and that meant the files were important.


    "Madam?" A knock came through and Alexis jumped a bit. Damm, she knew that snooping was bad but the jumping in fright meant she was unprepared to get caught.


    Agatha was already standing there, watching Alexis. "Please don''t." She pleaded.


    "Don''t what?" She acted innocent. She was not going to agree on whatever was going on in Agatha''s mind.


    "Snooping is one of the biggest crimes Madam and if you do it, then the punishment will be very harsh. Come on, let''s leave, there are things to be done." She didn''t move rather she waited on her. "We can¡ªno we should never talk of it again."


    Alexis looked back to the bookcase longingly. Some other day then, she sighed, got up and left. Maybe it was for the good. What if she was caught by someone else?


    Agatha walked one step behind her which irked Alexis. They were walking towards the living room.


    "Hey," Nikita immediately greeted her on entering.


    "Hi. Are you going somewhere, you''re all dressed up." Alexis asked. Nikita was the one that didn''t get out of her pyjamas until truly necessary.


    "Silvano and Angelo came for a few things. He called before, meaning he excepted me to greet him." She explained. "I''m going to change into sweats now. Although, it''s too much work. Changing in and out of clothes."


    Alexis watched her walk away at a slow pace. Nikita was the definition of a human sloth. She gave a tired sight and decided to go to her room.


    "Would you like to see your room, madam?" Agatha asked, standing behind her.


    "I''ve been living there since the beginning. Did you change something?" She commented, still feeling a bit off. That might have been her chance to find leverage on him.


    "No I meant the room you''ll be staying in," she hesitated a bit. "You know, after marriage."


    "Oh," she hadn''t thought about that. "Do I necessarily have to shift with him? Can''t he give me some more time and space?" She could only hope.


    Agatha stilled for a moment. The woman had no idea about what was about to happen.


    "Madam," she breathed in deeply and held Alexis''s hand for comfort. "You have to move in with him, you can''t deny him anything, even the consummation of the marriage."


    "You don''t get a ''choice'' anymore." She whispered and Alexis heard it again and again.


    _________


    Don''t forget to comment and leave a review (no pressure).

 Chapter 54 - Fifty-four

    Enjoy people. It''s pampering time. (Not for you)


    *******"*


    It was after dinner when Alexis checked her emails again. Her mother had not replied to her email. What was she supposed to do now? Did she even see it or was it the dreaded option, did she choose to ignore it? Alexis had craved to eat something sweet and as she had walked out of her room, she had decided to check if her mother had replied or not. And she didn''t. She had wanted something sweet but the idea of her mother ignoring her made her mouth turn sour or if correctly put, it made her bitter. She had stopped in the stairs when she thought about it again and now, begrudgingly so, she went up the stairs to her room. She didn''t want anything anymore. It was all so stressful.


    How could her mother do that? She was ignoring her daughter when she had made no effects to reconcile in the past. When Alexis decided the date and time to meet, even if it was after months, Vanessa never questioned her whereabouts or even called her up to check on her. She just tried to make a presence in Alexis''s life but didn''t make any efforts for it.


    Sometimes it seems to Alexis that Vanessa was in denial. That everything was Alexis''s fault when it was not. Whenever she thought about it, she knew Angelo was right. Vanessa as a mother should have known and even if it happened behind her back, Vanessa should have asked Alexis about the happenings in her life. At least after gaining some courage, always would have eventually told her then.


    "Oh my god!" Gasping, she immediately said as she went into her room and snatched the sheets from him. "Leave it! Down boy!" Diesel in return playfully growled and gave another pull to them.


    "Diesel, drop it!"


    He gave another pull in return.


    "Diesel!" She now yelled.


    He started shaking and jerking his head back. The husky was trying his best to snatch away the sheets. And much to Alexis''s horror, he was going to tear them.


    "Diesel, I mean it. Drop it!" Her command was visible to him. She meant business and they were no longer playing, much to his disappointment. He looked up to her and when he saw the no-nonsense expression he dropped them.


    He dropped them immediately and looked at her with Bambi''s eyes again as if he was not chewing on the sheets at all. Still, he managed to meet Alexis''s heart and she hugged him. She hugged him as close as she possibly could.


    "Oh, I missed you so much, my baby." She spoke into his fur. Maybe, a tear or two slipped in as well. After hugging him to her heart''s content, she changed into her nightsuit and dragged him up to her upper waist and hugged him to sleep.


    Tomorrow is D-day. She thought before closing her eyes. Alexis did not necessarily believe in God but now she just wished he would show mercy on her or protect her. The works that she was about to enter was not the best one and she wanted to live, if not happily then just live.


    *********


    "Wake up Alexis!" Isabelle''s voice rang to her ears making her immediately get up in alarm. "Why are you still sleeping? Did I not send you to sleep early yesterday? I even had your furball brought in!" She was angry and her red face was a clear indication of that but a sleepy Alexis could only think about sleep. She closed her eyes and laid back on the bed and cuddled to her dog.


    A splash came through and both the dog and his owner yelped. The water had them jerking awake and diesel ran away. "What the hell?!" Alexis yelled wiping her face.


    "It''s your goddamn wedding day and you''re sleeping like a log of wood! People can''t even blink their eyes and look at you!" Isabelle threw her hands up in the air, frustrated to no end.


    "They marry for love, I''m marrying so that I don''t get killed. You see, there''s a land sky difference." She slowly talked to Isabelle, like a baby.


    "Haha. Aren''t you funny?" Isabelle sarcastically laughed. "Get up and come down." A stern command was issued out, yet Alexis struggled to keep her eyes open. When she figured that Isabelle might have left, she leaned over and looked at the clock.


    3:15 AM


    Should have chosen death, she begrudgingly thought as she got up.


    Walking down the stairs, she winced at how bright it was like every light had been switched on and the noise, felt like every loudest person had been invited into the castle of nightmares.


    "Hey," Nikita came next to her. She looked as if she would have stayed in bed too like Alexis. "What are you thinking about?"


    "It''s so loud and bright." She groaned out. She still wasn''t completely awake yet. " And too many people that I do know and don''t want to know." She mumbled.


    "Believe me," Nikita scoffed, "many are yet to come." She laughed looking at Alexis who had an already tired expression. "The Don is getting married. It''s like a festival itself." She muttered. "It is going to be a big fat wedding."


    She turned Alexis to face her and took a few steps back from their hiding spot from which they looked at people and stepped away. "Listen, down there are going to vultures, mostly if not all of them. They will seek any reason, no matter how small and try to make you feel insulted or belittled. They might be family but here power talks more than love. So whatever you feel like, do it. Talk when you wanna talk and ignore what you want." She held Alexis''s shoulders firmly, who by now was fully awake, this family had more drama than the Kardashians. "Show no weakness okay?"


    Alexis nodded. It wasn''t even dawn and the drama had begun. "Alright, but won''t they make something up when I don''t respect them?"


    "Why won''t you respect them?" Nikita asked.


    "Didn''t you just say, with all of that, that I can say anything?." She mumbled still sleepy.


    "No!" Nikita hissed. "Alexis, how sleepy are you"?


    "I don''t know you.."


    "Let''s just go."


    Both of them descended the stairs which led to attracting the attention of the ladies immediately.


    "Well well well, here comes the bride." A chubby lady came to her with a glass of wine, she kinda seemed drunk already and it was not even the morning.


    "Aunt Marie," Alexis greeted her with a nod. Now she understood why Isabelle gave her the book, it saved the introductions. And gave Alexis a somewhat advantage.


    "Oh you remember me already," she gave a loud cheery laugh. "come come, it''s manicure time." She slowly jogged up and stumbled a bit making the others laugh at her clumsiness. Alexis tried her best to stable her.


    "Good morning Madam," the employee greeted her. Alexis wished back while handing her left hand, to begin with. Immediately Agatha came in carrying a sweet cup of heavenly coffee for Alexis that worked miracles. She was waiting for the cup. If she had to deal with mean girls, she had to have her brain be wake and working.


    "Okay Bride to be, there''s a manicure and then hair spa and also a massage scheduled up for you. Remember to enjoy it the most. These men are a bit rough, you might have sore muscles after tonight." Elizabeth commented, making everyone laugh loudly. Even Alexis blushed a bit because of the number of people she said it in front of. That lady too crude.


    "Oh I remember," a young woman spoke now looking all excited, "I couldn''t even get up for the loo, Mario had to carry me!" She laughed, covering up her face with her hands in embarrassment. She laughed heartedly at it too.


    ''Why tell when you are ashamed of it?'' Alexis thought while she politely laughed as well.


    "Mine handcuffed me to the bed! He even made his initials with HICKIES Oh." She dreamingly sighed. She looked like she was reminiscing the night with a blissful expression.


    "I knew you were into freaky shit, Hailey!" Isobel loudly commented making everyone laugh louder.


    "Hey, you all should try it!" She immediately said. "It''s good once in a while." She winked making everyone laugh loudly again.


    "But whatever, I believe that you should enjoy this the most. This is the time when the realisation finally set in." Isabella said.


    "True, " someone added. "There is going to be nervousness and anxiety surrounding you. Especially cold feet, but don''t panic. Never panic." The lady warned Alexis. Her eyes widened as she talked and it spooked Alexis. The woman seemed to be speaking from experience.


    "So Alexis," that''s auntie Catalina, she immediately recognised. "When are you planning to have the first heir?"


    Yup, found a vulture and she targeted a good topic.

 Chapter 55 - Fifty-five

    Don''t forget to vote and comment.


    ******


    "So Alexis," that''s auntie Catalina, she immediately recognised. "When are you planning to have the first heir?"


    For a moment, Alexis stared at her hands as the cuticles were being cleaned. She thought of what she should say that won''t make anyone feel disrespected. Relatives were pain, especially the in-laws. Why would anyone without any reason out of nowhere feel the need to start taunting? And just for fun?


    "I think that this is supposed to be the decision of Don and Donna." She clicked her tongue, finally looking into the direction of the woman who had asked the question, "or do you not trust us enough to make the right decision regarding such an important matter?" She taunted like she was dying to have his children already.


    A faint blush appeared and Auntie Catalina stumbled for words. Alexis was not weak by any means, her taunt to blame the alpha couple for their incompetence regarding what she had asked, could cost her her life.


    "I didn''t mean that, child. I apologize for the misunderstanding." She muttered softly looking away. Isabelle was happy that Catalina at least knew when to back away in a corner and also, how Alexis stood up for herself without getting involved in an argument. Getting into Argument would have made her look petty and how she couldn''t handle the talks. Arguments were the worst to happen.


    Jokes; sexual jokes continued, making everyone laugh. This was enjoyed by Alexis, she loved manicure and the soft laughter that remained as everyone was talking about something to someone and soon, it was time for the hair spa. For this, Isabelle joined her.


    "Here Madam, keep the nails like this so that they are nice and dry." Agatha placed them at the edge as the hair steamer was plugged in.


    "I''m happy about how you handled the situation, Alexis," Isabelle commented, seated beside her. She felt like praising her child.


    "I know, it was kind of fun. It''s not every day that you get to talk back to your relatives and they can''t do anything about it." They both laughed.


    "Alexis, do you know why the men especially Angelo and Gabriel are harsh?" She softly asked making Alexis give her full attention as she shook her head no. They were men and men at times were too arrogant to think about and also, Alexis didn''t think about any of this if not necessary.


    She huffed. "When you are at the very top and leading people behind you, a single stumble can make your empire fall." She looked at her again, "But that''s what my mother-in-law told me. You remember what I tell you,"


    "Leading people is difficult, child. You make sure that no one goes to bed with an empty stomach and that you have enough left for yourself too. Taking decisions about revolving lives is not easy, child, they need someone with them. Someone to support them, to help them stand straight, make them realise their mistakes and help them in making amends." She sighed. Isabelle looked like she had tears in her eyes. Alexis realised something at that moment, Isabelle had seen things in her life. Things to which she has taken steps to improve and some to which she had turned a blind eye.


    "People, if not everyone, want to rule but they never think about how difficult it is. You''re eating something, there''s a possibility of it could be poisoned or you''re driving and the next thing you know is boom! The car is in flames and all you can think about is, this is it. No more..family. No more..life." Isabelle''s voice was hoarse. Yet, she continued, "They want their life a simple way, a wife that can be trusted and can give them a family. So, they get their share of love too. The cold heart yearns love too, no matter what kind."


    "They want things in a particular way so that they can have control over things. Control that would opt the enemies outside and stop them from entering our walls." She wiped her tears and maybe it was then that Alexis realised that their life was hanging by a mere blink. Blink and dead, never to be woken up again. Suddenly, her eyes felt moist too.


    "You kinda," Alexis sniffed, "dampened the mood there." She accused.


    Isabelle gave a little snort as a laugh. Then immediately covered her nose. "Excuse me, " She took a napkin and turned to the other side to blow her nose making Alexis laugh.


    Alexis sighed and looked into the mirror which was in front of her. Even though Angelo seemed to relish this life, she couldn''t imagine anyone wanting to be born into it. But then again, she didn''t want anyone dragged into this like her too. Being born into it seemed like a better option. "Anyway, I''m gonna head for a wash now." Alexis got up and moved across the hall and towards the sinks.


    The employee worked on her hair as she thought of what she said. Practically speaking, they did live in the moment and from what she deduced, Angelo wanted to have no regrets when he was in his final moments but they weren''t in love, so why did he want to marry her? Won''t be regret not falling in love?


    If his life was so short, why would he not spend it by actually marrying someone he loved? Why force her? By now, it was time for the massage and she was laying down on her stomach in her underwear and covered by a cloth. She felt a bit underdressed at the moment.


    "Madam?" A whisper. Alexis was feeling too peaceful and was wondering why no one had bothered her till now.


    "Yes, Agatha, " she turned her head to the side to looked at Agatha. The woman was worked in her back and it was awesome.


    "Here," looking up she saw the phone that Agatha had extended in her direction. As she took it, Agatha left without telling her who it was.


    "Hello?" She whispered into it lazily.


    "Hello back," his voice came through as a whisper as well.


    "You''re whispering." She called out, still whispering and her eyes closing with pleasure as the woman worked on the knots.


    "You started it," He smiled while talking. He liked this talk. No business and no hidden motives and intentions. Just talking.


    "And for some reason, Hitler tortured Jews but you don''t see people doing it cause he started it?" She retorted back, biting back a smile.


    "Hmm," he hummed inhaling his cigar, "that''s true." He agreed. "How''s your massage going?"


    "Oh fine," as the masseuse worked on her foot. "Wait- what? How did you know? It''s supposed to be all ladies! Sneaky boi!" She lazily drawled out. The Massage was way too good.


    "Alexis, sweetheart, my baby" he cooed. "I will always know everything about you, anything and everything, even remotely concerning you. That is for your protection and my sanity."


    His cooing felt like mockery to her. He was. He was just sugar-coating it and she knew that it was a mockery.


    "Not protection but more like Invasion of Privacy, Angelo." She corrected. "That''s not fair if you don''t tell me about your whereabouts." If this was a marriage then she wanted equal parts in it. There might be a difference given his upbringing and the power he held.


    "Arguing won''t take this anywhere. It''s the way it''s always been." He clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Stop talking about it." He had loved the conversation in the beginning. Why the hell did she have to change into this?


    "Well, I guess it''s time for a change then." She emphasized the word ''change''. Every generation meant a new change.


    "No." His simple answer made her mad or sad. The relaxing sensations from the massage made her thoughts a bit jumbled but she felt upset. Very upset.


    But she still tried to persuade him. "Angelo, you can-"


    "Stop it right there. I do not want to come to you to discipline you and have you disrespected already in front of those gossipmongers. The wedding is today so lift your mood, enjoy the massage and dress up pretty. Some things will be discussed after you are married into the family."


    "That''s not fair." She whispered. The upsetting mood was getting to her but the massage was winning.


    "I know," he sighed. It must the first time that he gave her hope. "We''ll work it out." He gave in.


    "Really? How?" Hope is a very strong emotion and she felt it. A little one.


    "I tell you later." He hung up.


    She looked at the phone for some time. The massage was so good that it was messing up with her brain. Did he give her hope? And then hung up?


    Son of a bitch, I hope his car goes up in flames.

 Chapter 56 - Fifty-six

    "Okay, so which one are you wearing first?" The make-up artist that had been specially called in, questioned Alexis when she saw the two wedding dresses. She looked appalled by the idea.


    "Well, the cape one is for the reception and the other is for the wedding." She happily answered. At least she was getting to wear wedding dresses without having her credit card carry the weight of two very expensive dresses. The only thing she had paid from her savings.


    The woman looked a bit annoyed by the fact and she made no effort to hide it. "Well," she clicked her tongue making Alexis feel a bit conscious. The judgmental vibe could be felt. "I hope, I won''t be called again, given the fact that I''m paid once."


    Alexis felt insulted a bit. Why would say that to the bride? Wasn''t she suppose to be at her beck and call? "I wonder why they did in the first place," Alexis snorted. The woman looked appalled by her words.


    "I can put on a primer, foundation, concealer and some bronzer on my face with some good neutral eye shadow without having a professional standing by my side. It''s basic, also honey, you weren''t called, you offered your services because you wanted to tell the world that you did my make-up." The woman looked like if she could cry and throw a tantrum, she definitely would if the most powerful families in the world weren''t watching. And what Alexis said was true. She could put on makeup by herself, without anyone constantly giving her the directions for it.


    "Excuse me, I am-"


    "I have no idea about who you are if that''s your attitude. You have been employed for my wedding and it''s my choice if I want to wear five wedding dresses or not." Alexis was sitting in front of the vanity and looking at the women through the mirror. But she got up and stared hard at the woman. She had annoyed Alexis to the level where she didn''t want to see her face. "Leave. I can do my make-up without a professional. I have no intentions of being a clown with neon colours dancing on my eyes. Out!" Her chest heaved up and down. It was her wedding and no one was spoiling it for her.


    The woman practically ran out as Nikita came in. "All okay?" She asked with a raised eyebrow. Alexis was pretty moody for her wedding.


    "Yes," she sniffed, sitting down with some force. "Am I acting like a... Normal bride?" She didn''t want this marriage. Why was she pissed at everything then? She felt like a bridezilla and she hated bridezillas.


    Nikita huffed out a breath, "Earlier, if you remember, You had the sitting arrangement changed for nothing because, in the end, you said ''Just put everything where it was like before then you called the wedding planner and asked her to change the ''sequence'' of the flowers on the tables and then this," she waved her hands around, "you made the makeup meanie cry." She moved around and stood behind her, looking at her through the mirror. "Honey, if anything, you''re worse."


    Alexis groaned loudly. Wow, for something I didn''t want I sure am throwing a good tantrum.


    "Why?!" She felt more and more irritated by the passing minute. Why was it suddenly so hot in here?


    "I don''t know," Nikita laughed. "You know the facts. I guess you''re brain''s catching up or maybe, you know that it''s the reality and reality no matter what should be accepted."


    Alexis looked at the mirror. They were at the church. Church; somewhere she didn''t think she would have her wedding but then again, she didn''t think of having a wedding. All Alexis thought was about her career then around somewhere in her thirties, she''d adopt a child and give ''em a good life. She didn''t think of having a man in her life. They were useless and had too much work involved whereas a child needed the care.


    "Well," she cleared her throat, "how''s it out there?" She changed the topic. Maybe the topic was depressing or the whole world was.


    "Fine but it''s still family. Don''t change into your dress yet since the guests would arrive after hours. You''re early, brides usually take up hours and are late but you are on time." She smirked. "You might be the first one in generations."


    "Oh," she slouched. This was no fun. Wait for an hour or two.


    Nikita served her some coffee and started talking about the wedding.


    Hours had passed by in a hurry and Alexis had no idea how. She was three hours ahead of schedule once but now the guests had started arriving and she was sitting on a plush sofa while wearing her gown. She was still looking at the clock. Where had the time gone by? Nikita was still sitting in the room with her even after the girls who helped Alexis dress up had left. She was silent and Alexis appreciated that. The silence was helping her calm her nerves better than talking.


    A knock on the door had their attention in a second. Nikita looked at Alexis before getting up to reach for the door and immediately greeted the person and inviting them inside. She was respectful than her usual self.


    "Alexis," she spoke a little breathlessly, "this is The Don''s Grandmother; Julia de''alessandro."


    The woman did not look as warm or comforting as Isabelle did. Isabelle emitted a homely vibe that invited people to her, however, this one looked cold and calculating. Come to her and she would eat you raw.


    Alexis got up immediately and pulled on a formal persona. This woman was not here for being family with the facial expressions she had. "Good Afternoon," she greeted. "I hope you had no troubles with your travelling." Even if you did, I won''t care. So, kindly don''t complain.


    She didn''t say anything. She merely kept looking at Alexis. "Do you know what you are getting into?" Her voice was a bit croaky, the guess was because of her old age but it was still firm.


    "To some extent, yes, but I haven''t been told anything yet." Her voice didn''t waver. She was holding on a strong front and Nikita was impressed.


    She snorted. "They never do." She smiled a bit but the coldness in her eyes didn''t change. "Ask what you want child, otherwise you might end up somewhere where knowledge is needed and you have none." The wisdom in her words was clear. Surely Alexis would take up on that.


    "Yes, Ma''am. Thank you." She nodded with gratitude. Cold and calculating but she was helpful. The life she lived might have turned her into this.


    "Don''t thank me yet, you have a lot to see." She moved a bit closer, "If you are scared by me then you have a lot coming when they include you in the business." She held Alexis''s hand hers, "I hope they don''t, for your sake. Now, jokes aside, let''s talk business."


    I''m sorry but they were jokes?


    "If you ever cause any trouble of my Grandson, I will not hesitate to have you removed. You might have the power but I pull the strings." Her grip tightened on her hand, "You will be the wife he wants or I might help you in this whether you want it or not and you don''t want that." She smiled again, this time her eyes had malice and promises of torture in them. They surely were twinkling because of them.


    "Now, I will like to help you. Since you are not family yet, I shall give you a way out to avoid any further troubles. Nikita, Out!" The pitch of her voice immediately went higher when she asked Nikita to leave and both the young ladies flinched. Nikita looked torn but chose to obey and Alexis won''t blame her too. She held the power in her hands and she was not afraid to use it.


    "Yes, Grandmother." She closed the door on her way out. Nikita felt like a traitor to leave Alexis alone with a vulture but she had to respect her too. So she chose the indirect option.


    "Alright then. There is a window," she walked to the sidewall and pulled open a window. "This is your way out. The only one you will ever get and you won''t ever hear from me again." She walked to the door and stood by it, her eyes held sincerity. "If you choose to walk away, you walk away from everything but if you stay, you recite the vows by heart in the house of God. Do you understand, child?" Seeing Alexis nod, she went out and closed the door with a thud behind her.


    Alexis slowly turned to the opened Window. For the first time here, she saw.. An opportunity to leave it all.

 Chapter 57 - Fifty-seven.

    Marriage; the legally or formally recognized union of two people as partners in a personal relationship.


    And today was the marriage of Alexis Williams and Angelo De''alassandro. Many of today''s attendants knew nothing about the girl. When searched nothing appeared on her which was just as Angelo wanted. He wanted her past hidden to make her more powerful. If no one knew anything about her then no one could find and hold any leverage on her.


    The dawn broke as Angelo watched it from the balcony. He was sitting on a chair and that he had dragged from a room. He just watched as slowly and yet beautifully the sun rose. How its rays penetrated the dark sky and made it a wonderful sight to see.


    But why was he watching it? He frowned. He was as busy as the president. He was busy managing everything, everywhere. He used to beg for a night to sleep where he would go to bed knowing that someone would handle it and last night he had the chance. And here he was, watching the sunrise. Which had always seemed like a stupid thing to do.


    As he watched the sky beautifully changing its colours he realised something. It just clicked in his mind and he knew why he was watching the sunset.


    ******


    Guests were stepping inside the church as the valet parked their cars into the parking a few blocks away. They were dressed in their best simple clothes since the church setting didn''t allow them to show the flashing of branded clothes. They were reserved for the reception as there was time given to change.


    Soft piano tunes flowed in the hallways as the guests mingled with each other. Hush whispers were used and were pleasing to the ears. Everyone was pleasant to each other. The smiles exchanged were fake yet they were passed. No one wanted to break into an argument at the most nefarious organisation''s boss''s wedding. That would be a clear death wish.


    Angelo looked down at the gates watching the guests enter. The dressing rooms were on the first floor and it overlooked the entrance. He was fully dressed, except for the bow tie that still hung around his neck, his hands were deep inside his pockets.


    He was alone in the room for the time being, given the time to dress. Why was the groom given time? He just had to suit up like usual.


    The door opened behind him and he didn''t bother to turn around. The person would have to speak up eventually.


    "You okay, son?" He asked as he took a seat.


    It was his father. But he didn''t feel like talking to anyone.


    "Hmm, " he answered.


    "It''s okay if you want to talk," Gabrielle said after some time.


    He frowned a bit. He turned his upper body around to look at his father and then turned it back. His father seemed fine to him. He thought that he might have been uncomfortable to talk to.


    "I thought you would be uncomfortable to talk to about to, " he mumbled still watching the people coming inside the church. "Did Mama put you up to this?"


    "Hah!" Gabrielle laughed. "She could but I chose to come here. I thought it was time to talk."


    "On my wedding day?" He questioned. "Is that not too soon for it?"


    "Don''t sass me, boy," Gabrielle warned. "And yes, it''s the time when the reality settles in. What do you feel Angelo?" At his words, Angelo turned to him?


    *****


    "Nervous, brother?" Silvano De''alassandro sipped his drink and asked him while sitting on the sofa set. He wanted to calm his words down before meeting the entire family.


    "Weren''t you?" He mumbled, he clearly remembered the nervousness Silvano felt.


    "Ah! Getting defensive." Vincenzo laughed along with Silvano.


    "Shut up!" He finally snapped, making them laugh even more. For the first time, Angelo appeared to nervous.


    He walked back and sat next to Silvano on the three-seaters. He looked pained for most of the part.


    "What''s wrong?" Vincenzo couldn''t help himself. Angelo was the leader and he was meant for it. Had never shown his concerns until extremely necessary to do so.


    "I want to think that nothing will go wrong but then again, it''s a mafia wedding." He gave them a tight-lipped smile. His reasons were legitimate.


    "Eh, well. As long as she walks down the aisle, I think everything will be fine." Silvano dismissed it with a shake of his head.


    Angelo felt tired. He wished for everything to be okay.


    "Boss," a knock came through the door as someone asked for permission.


    "Come in," answered Vincenzo.


    "Your grandparents are here."


    *********


    "Are you sure? I think you might need help." Julia muttered whilst checking Angelo again.


    "No grandma, I am fine and completely dressed." Exaggeration was visible on his face.


    "Well," she looked sad. "Of course, you don''t need your grandmother now. You have a wife."


    "Really?" Silvano questioned, coming to stand next to her. "You said the same thing to me!"


    "Me too!" Vincenzo butted in.


    "Yeah well, all of you are having wives. What about this old woman?" She wailed a bit or appeared to do so, melting the hearts of her grandchildren. "No one would care about me! I''ll just be an old lady who is pushed to the side!"


    "Grandma," Angelo cupped her face. "No one can ever push you on the side. They will have to get through us." Julia smiled happily. She kissed all three of her grandchildren''s forehead.


    "Well," she pulled them to the sofa-set and talked about everything. "How is this wife of yours? I haven''t met her yet." She pouted a little. Angelo was hurrying to marry her and Julia wanted to know why.


    "She''s good. She has the potential of becoming a good leader but she has consciences as well. So, father and I have decided not to let her in some matters."


    "Ah! Good. Good." She patted his knee lightly showing she didn''t have any physical strength contrary to what she held Alexis''s hand with. "Does she cook?"


    "Yes, she does. Not regularly but when she does, it''s good." He had not praised her but she did cook well.


    "Huh, is she a Virgin?" She asked. "It should be her first time." Julia had rigid thinking when it came to marriages.


    Angelo recalled what his mother had told him but it didn''t matter to him. He had sex many times before he met her and he excepted her to do so too. "Yes, grandma. She is." I know she isn''t but I will protect her.


    Julia smiled. This girl seemed to perfect and no one was perfect enough for her grandchild. "Well, I hope she can walk down the aisle given bridal gowns are quite heavy. She might fall and hurt herself¡ªoh how embarrassing that would be. " Julia tsked. "I would never be able to show my face to people."


    "I think she''ll be fine. She walks quite well in heels and gowns" Angelo smiled, trying his level best to ease all her worries. "How''s grandpapa? Was your journey okay?"


    "Oh! He''s fine, good actually and the journey was wonderful. The plane you sent had excellent couches!" She happily pointed out.


    "We''re glad you liked it, ma." Silvano smiled at her happiness.


    A sudden beeping sound came and Vincenzo jumped up and walked to his phone that he left on charge. Turning the beeping noise off, he looked at them. "It''s time, brother."


    Angelo sucked a breath in and stood in front of the mirror for a final assessment. Silvano was right beside him and stepped in front to tie his bow tie. On completing to do so, he dusted off his shoulders and by this time, Vincenzo had taken Julia out.


    "Ready?"


    "Yes,"


    **********


    The bridal song was played by the band which had been hired for this. The family didn''t want a recording to be blasted through the speakers. Everyone was silent now, except a little whisper here and there.


    The best men stood beside Angelo as he stood next to the priest.


    The doors that were closed after Angelo''s arrival were finally opened and the song danced in everyone''s ears. The doors made noise as they were opened by the men.


    Everyone turned as they heard the thud of the doors being opened. They waited and kept their eyes at the hallway from where the bride was supposed to enter.


    Isobel came into the view. Her golden dress with oval neck shimmered in the light. She held a small bouquet and walked down the aisle and stood on the third step. Nikita followed and stood in front of her on the second step. They were standing as their husbands did.


    Everyone turned their eyes to the hallway once again and waited for Alexis to arrive.


    So did Angelo. He waited for her to arrive.. He waited to see his bride, his other half forever.

 Chapter 58 - Fifty-eight

    Angelo could feel the sweat building upon his forehead, why wasn''t she coming? The bridesmaids were here that meant that she was ready too. Or maybe she was not? Angelo felt ananxietyike never before.


    After a moment, Angelo turned his gaze from the side view of the doors to the aisle to front of him. He recalled the conversations with his father.


    ''What do you feel boy?'' His father asked. Never had Angelo thought of having this conversation with him? Did he have this conversation Silvwith ano too?


    ''Angelo?'' His father called for his attention.


    ''Hmm?'' He absent-mindedly replied.


    ''I asked you, something child. This is your chance to back out if you want, but for that to happen, You need to be sure about it. So go ahead and talk to me. Clear your head.''


    ''I love her.'' He admitted. ''I loved her from the moment I saw her. And the irony of the situation was, I saved her from what she thought was evil. She had no idea how we defined evil and what kind of evil man I was. She hid behind me. She trusted me enough to protect her.'' He sighed, his words just slipped out. It made him feel like he wanted to talk. ''I loved that she trusted me with the fear but I just could not help myself.."


    ''Help yourself where Angelo?'' Gabrielle couldn''t help himself while asking this. This was important. He had to know what was going on in his son''s mind. Gabrielle could not depend on anyone for this, he had to keep his son sane. For now, Alexis was new to this world otherwise he would have trusted her as Angelo''s wife.


    ''I could not help myself and I captured her. I took her from her life to have her in mine. I knew somewhere deep inside me that I am wrong yet I did.''


    ''Why?''


    ''Because I didn''t want anyone else to have what I did. I made sure to know everything about her. I made sure to have her followed and then when I wanted her to be with me, I kidnapped her.''


    ''If you loved her then you would not have kidnapped her.'' Gabrielle commented. ''You would have pursued her or tried to woo her.''


    ''I wanted to.'' He confessed. ''But then I thought, in the end when she knew about what I did for a living she would end up leaving me anyway. So, I brought her in with full knowledge about my profession and lifestyle. She knows who I am and what I am capable of.''


    Gabrielle tiredly ran his hands hion s face. This was twisted but so was Angelo''s childhood. His negligence and over trusted nature was baring his fruit. After eighteen years.


    He got up and make neit xt to his son who was still looking out at the guests entering. Placing a hand on his shoulder, he said, ''I want to an wer me clhat did you think of when you kidnapped her? Why did you?'' Gabrielle wanted to hear his thoughts in the clearest way possible. He didn''t want any misinterpretation.


    An image popped into his mind. As soon as it came it vanished too. He was shocked for a moment but then he understood. That was his answer and it came to him in the house of God.


    ''Light, '' he answered. ''I want her to be the light in my darkness.'' Smiling at his father he said, ''I want her light to absorb my darkness.''


    His eyes closed as the conversation replayed in his mind. Her being nervous was understood but if she didn''t arrive and he was humiliated, he would kill her in the worst way possible. She couldn''t get away and she had to know that.


    Most of the Guests by now had turned to the front. They knew what wedding it was and as per the knowledge of their profession, it won''t the bride''s fault, if she didn''t want to get married. She was probably forced into it.


    Isobel was nervous. She had made this mistake because frankly, she was like Alexis and no one told her anything about this world especially since Vince kept her locked away. "Why isn''t she coming?" She whispered lowly into Nikita''s ear. Her worries were making her shake and sweat on the spot.


    She silently shook her head. A movement that could go unnoticed but Isobel caught it. Nikita didn''t want to attract any more negative effects if the people saw them worrying.


    Alexis was going to suffer a lot if she took the offer of escaping. No one would have mercy on her if she escaped and people were caught and as a matter of fact, she would get caught too. Everyone did and their end was not good.


    Julia De''alassandro smiled from where she sat. The girl had taken the bait and nothing more could make her happy as she was at the moment. She turned to her husband; Nikolai De''alassandro and said, "The girl acok the bait. Pity."


    He snorted, "and they said that she was intelligent." He had not been introduced to her as per customs. So he had to trust a few rumours.


    "What will you do if the wedding does not happen?" She couldn''t help but question him.


    "I won''t have to do anything, my dearest. The family will doubt the ruling Don and then I would come in. We sweep the opportunity, send Angelo to some exotic holiday destination for some self-reflection and rule instead of him."


    That''s it? She wondered. "Surely that can''t be it. You must have something else up your sleeves?" Her husband never left an opportunity. He struck even if the opportunity was not in his favour.


    He sneered at her. She was irritating him by that cogging of hers. Julia recognised that impression of his, she had been married to him for more than fifty years. She knew how to divert the topic.


    "He and his father changed our ways. They stopped the trafficking and now the others rule that domain that once we did. They keep on changing our ways according to the trends in the world. What are we if we''re not following what your grandfathers left us? They are spoiling and tainting our legacies." She leaned and whispered into his ears.


    "We should not have given the throne to Gabriele, especially after we knew he fell for that Isabelle. She made his heart soft which was once iron." She looked distressed, the change of traditions hurt her badly. She had suffered for all those years because of those traditions so why not let the young generation suffer from them too? Why did she have to? Also, from where she was raised, the traditions were what kept the family together.


    "Marcus keeps his family under his thumb, Julia." He muttered, holding her hand. "He was better but we also went the traditional way and gave our eldest, the throne. Look what that tradition cost us." He reminded her.


    "It''s not about changing the traditions. Some need to be changed after the times changed and what they did was the need of the hour." He said. "But, they have gone soft and that I agree on. Wives do not handle business and they both have given the wives the freedom to do anything legally." He clicked his tongue in annoyance. "We have to change that. We will wait till he reaches his destination and makes sure he doesn''t come back."


    "What about Gabriel and Isabelle?" Julia asked. She didn''t want her children to be harmed and if anything, knowing his plan would help her save them.


    "Dethroned." He simply answered.


    *********


    "Gabriele, why isn''t she coming?" Isabelle''s hands were shaking from nervousness.


    "I don''t know, Isabelle. How in the world would I know?" He harshly whispered. The tensions were getting to him as well. The girl was more stupid than they all thought. He was cut ready cut this life.


    She couldn''t have taken the bait, Isabelle thought. She is intelligent, she''ll figure it out.


    "Gabriele, why don''t you call the guards?" She tried again. Any contact if the information was welcomed.


    "I can''t," he looked as if he aged ten years. "They didn''t have any in front of her room."


    Isabelle sucked in a deep breath. Julia had planned that. Men outside a bride''s room were a bad omen. What bullshit, that woman spouted.


    She looked at Angelo. He looked emotionless and she knew that he was planning the tortures that Alexis would go through if she didn''t arrive. God, Isabelle prayed, please please guide her.


    The sudden sound of footsteps took everyone''s attention. The shoes banging across the floor were heard and everybody turned and saw a guard running to them and stop by the doors. James, Isabelle immediately recognised.


    "I''m sorry, sir," Was what he said as he bowed his head in front of everyone.

 Chapter 59 - Fifty-nine

    "What?" Silvano''s angry voice boomed throughout the church hall. His brother was being humiliated as the bride made him wait in front of the guests and if she had run away, even the national guard could not save her. "Speak, dammit!" He yelled again. The guard was taking too long to answer.


    "The bride can''t come, sir," James lowered in his eyes out of respect. As he opened his mouth further to explain the situation, he was already interrupted.


    "Why the fuck can she not come?" He asked again. Fucking hell, Silvano thought, someone was dying tonight.


    Out of respect the guard nodded and didn''t raise his dislike. The boss was not letting him speak. "The veil is torn and the designers are trying their best to fix it. It has been torn from the bottom to the middle where it reaches her knees." He bowed a bit as he explained the situation to the family.


    Everyone released a breath. Angelo''s posture visibly relaxed for a moment but he became stoic in a second. Nikita and Isobel smiled at each other and at the moment Isabelle could cry out of happiness and relief she felt. Everyone present in the hall released a sigh of release. The anticipation had nearly killed them.


    "She''ll be out in ten minutes tops, We are sorry for the delay but madam said that we should inform you all." James bowed a bit and then turned to leave. He closed the doors and jogged back.


    Julia''s face turned a bit red but she smiled. She peeked at her husband who was already looking at her. He leaned into her ear and whispered, "this might have been a chance but it won''t be the last one." Nikolai looked away after that. He had a stoic expression on not giving away any of his feelings.


    Julia looked back at the groom, her grandson. He was saved from the humiliation for today but then again, bs wanted the throne his wife was going to sit on. So, She nodded. It won''t be the last opportunity. And she would sure of it.


    For now, she could just wait for the opportunity and the bride.


    *******


    Meanwhile as the bride''s dressing room...


    "Are you sure this will work?" Alexis yelled art he designer. "Why can I not have a new one? Get any I don''t care at the moment!" Her tantrums were getting worse but with the given situation at hand. It was quite understandable why she was behaving like so.


    "Ma''am, calm down. This can be fixed and finding a new veil will take up loads of time." The girl tried her level best. But who was she to argue to a bridezilla?


    "Do it! Do anything!" Alexis cried as she sat down.


    ***********


    James came in again and nodded at the band who immediately started playing, it was the time for the bride to arrive and hopefully the last one. The doors were closed and opened again for a dramatic effect. So that on her arrival they have opened again on her arrival.


    They opened the doors and there she stood. With a bouquet in her hands, her head held high and her long veil flowing through. Her face was hidden by the veil yet it could be seen clearly. Her silk dress had made her look like an angel had descended from heaven. Angelo just couldn''t take his eyes off of her.


    She took her first steps into the chapel, all alone with no one on her side, yet she did it confidently with all the attention and judgement shown to her. She walked through the rows of guests sitting there and admiring her elegantly designed dress. The way she walked and stood tall and proud and what they had done with the veil, they admired it all. She was simply elegant. They had sewed it shut but for the design, they overlapped it again on each side and had created three rows of stitching.


    She walked to the steps of the chapel and Angelo came down, holding out his hand for her to take. She smiled and took it, firmly they both held onto each other.


    Angelo looked into her eyes deeply and she gazed back. They smiled at each other, well Angelo did a little but Alexis had a full-blown smile on her face. No one could tell if she was forced to go through it or not. Perhaps, she had developed a stockroom syndrome.


    The priest started the ceremony but Alexis''s eyes were busy scanning the crowd discreetly. She looked at everyone sitting. Smiled at the people she knew and looked at the faces of everyone else. It made her dad even think about this.


    Geo could do this? It was inhumane.


    She looked at Angelo again who sent a small nod her way. She smiled and looked down for a moment and that''s when she realised, she was shy! The warmth spreading on her face and neck was an indication of that.


    Colour bloomed into her cheeks and spread out to her ears, making her a naturally blushing bride. The priest continued chanting, the tight hold that Angelo''s hands had on hers did something. Something that made her feel..wet. Yup, it was definitely stockroom syndrome. There could be no possible explanation.


    "Angelo Leonardo De''alassandro, Do you take Alexis Valerie Williams as your lawfully wedded wife?"


    "I do," His voice was strong and his eyes were sincere. For a moment if She could forget the things he had done to her she would have seen the love in his eyes. But alas, she won''t believe it.


    "Very well then, repeat after me." The priest asked Angelo to repeat the vows he said which Angelo did dutifully. It seemed as if every vow he made was made from the bottom of his heart, his expressions seemed sincere and Alexis felt her heart-melting. The man certainly knew how to play with someone''s heartstrings.


    After the vows were spoken by Angelo the priest tinted to her. Alexis felt her heart hammer against her chest.


    "Alexis Valerie Williams, do you take Angelo Leonardo De''alassandro as your lawfully wedded husband?"


    With a little moment of hesitation she said, "yes, I do." She smiled at the end and beamed as Angelo smiled back. For a second, she saw a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes when she was asked if she wanted Angelo as a husband. The hesitation that she had shown for a nanosecond affected him.


    The priest asked her to repeat the vows after him and she did as told. Dutifully, she looked into Angelo''s eyes and recited every word. She said the vows with as much sincerity as she could muster. Alexis was mildly shocked at herself. She could fake it as she meant it. Damm, she was good.


    The priest nodded and continued the ceremony.


    "Does anyone object to this union? If yes, you may come forward now or forever hold your peace." The priest looked around when Vincenzo''s voice boomed in the air.


    "Boys!" Immediately the sounds of loading of guns were filled in the air. They held everyone at gunpoint, waiting for anyone to dare to stand up and object.


    "I think we''re good to go," Vincenzo laughed as he informed the priest, who seemed a bit sweaty. He nodded and patted his head a bit.


    "You may kiss the bride."


    Angelo nodded and held her veil in his hands, lifting it. "Careful, it''s the torn veil." She mouthed. Only he could understand and hear it as his arm blocked her face at the moment.


    He chuckled and pulled her closer by her waist and immediately met her lips. The crowd went up in cheers and blessings.


    He kissed her without using any tongue. It was innocent and a full of love kiss or so it seemed. He pulled back and smiled. Pulling her along with him, he walked down the aisle with her as the crowd threw flower petals at them. Alexis laughed in happiness at the moment. The petals were landing on them as they walked down the aisle as husband and wife.


    It didn''t matter if she didn''t want to marry the man, this was the reality and she couldn''t change it, so, it seemed that enjoying it was a better option especially when the other was dying. While she was watching herself in the mirror dressed in the bridal attire, she had decided that with Angelo she was gain power. The power that if not above him but would be able to make her stand next to him. Just as powerful.


    An option that she was offered by Fate or God, but whoever did, she was truly thankful.


    She looked at Angelo as he came into the limo from the other side. Her smile vanished slowly making him frown.


    It was time to face the bitterness of this happy reality with her husband.

 Chapter 60 - Sixty

    Leave a power stone and increase the book''s rating!


    *****


    While they were travelling none of them said anything. Maybe there were words to be said. Angelo had no idea about what had happened except the part knowledge of how the torn veil had delayed her entrance and to be honest, Alexis had no problems in correcting his thinking.


    They reached the hotel where Alexis was going to change. He opened the door for her as the car came to a stop and holding his outstretched hand she walked out. They made it to the room via lift and she changed and Angelo made a few calls.


    Alexis was changing eve jewellery when he came into the room again. Hugging her from behind he complimented, "I loved how you looked at the church." He kissed her neck. "And you look beautiful again."


    "The second one sounded like a complaint, " she replied, wearing her second earring.


    "For what? Having a beautiful wife? Never!" He smiled. "Come on, hurry up." He said walking out.


    Alexis finished touching up her look but did move her eyes off the mirror. They seemed like a married couple in love which had her thinking, what did he marry her for? Love, Lust or..something else?


    "Whatever it is, " she whispered, wary of anyone hearing in. "He married me, threatened me and tortured me so he better be prepared for everyone I''ll be sending his way." Because their marriage was going to make him pay for everything he did to her.


    *******


    When they arrived people had clapped and cheered for them again. Hurriedly Vincenzo made them sit down and gave an embarrassing speech.


    "Okay so first things first, keep your phones switched on and if you get any good jokes forward them to me." He laughed as he said that. "Also, I was lectured by my father and mom, see I''m doing it anyway, " he pointed it out making his parents laugh. "Yeah, they tried to drill this into me that I shouldn''t talk about his mishaps, mistakes or embarrassing moments and of course, ex-girlfriends. So that''s all from me, blame his parents they took the laughter material!"


    Silvano laughed hard at that, maybe it was the nervousness but now it was his time. He stood up and walked to the mike. "Okay, so I am the best man and it took my brother twenty-nine years to admit that." He pointed it out making Angelo throw his head back and laugh. "It''s usually the friends of the groom but then again, Angelo ain''t got any, " he shrugged. "Mama''s gonna kill me after this." He added.


    "I read it somewhere that the best man should take as long as the groom takes to make love, so I''ll cut it short. Brother, I talk from experience." He looked pointedly at Nikita. "To keep a marriage happy admit it when you''re wrong and shut the fuck up when you''re right!" Hiding his face he ran from the stage as everyone kept on laughing.


    They had their first dance and now they were just talking around, mingling with people. Alexis felt better and relieved after changing into the second dress that was less heavy. But to admit the truth, the satin one was more pretty.


    She was sitting in her chair at the family table while Angelo was talking to someone.


    "Hey," Isabelle said as she sat down next to her.


    "Hey," she greeted back. "Thank you." She smiled.


    "For what?" Isabelle had a coy smile on her face. "What did I do to help you?" She raised an eyebrow with a mischievous expression on her face.


    "You know for what, for sending James to help me." She confessed. Alexis would forever be thankful to Isabelle for that.


    "It wasn''t for helping you, Alexis. It was just for precaution. I expected better from you. I didn''t think that you would take the bait." She looked disappointed and it pinched Alexis''s heart. "You took the escape which was a trap."


    "I was... desperate. I didn''t think and I had my veil torn too. I''m sorry but thank you for the help. Also," she leaned in to say this, "his grandmother is a bitch."


    "Tell me about it," Isabelle scoffed, taking a large sip of her champagne. "She was¡ªis my mother-in-law and let me tell you, that woman did everything to remain on top of me but officially I held more power."


    "Old hag wants to remain in power or what?" She was confused, why couldn''t she just enjoy her old age?


    "Yes. Definitely." Isabelle answered as she took another sip. "Anyway, we''ll talk about this another time." She said, glancing around, clearly, this wasn''t the best place to talk.


    "Also, Isabelle, where is my mother?" She couldn''t hold back any longer. Where was she? Alexis could feel her eyes burning.


    "She isn''t here." She hesitated but there was no other way to say this. "She didn''t come, Alexis. We sent a car for her but she didn''t even open the door. On breaking it, fearing for the worst, they found that she wasn''t there with two of the suitcases and clothes gone." She held her hand to provide comfort. "She left."


    Huh.


    Alexis felt nothing. It was like before, her mother was just...busy but this time she could have thought of her daughter first, at least when she was getting married.


    She simply chose to feel nothing and now, she won''t call her until she did. No contact whatsoever. She felt that marrying Angelo was better. At least with him, she knew what to expect from this marriage.


    "Hello beautiful," Angelo stole a kiss from her as he came to her. "What are you thinking about?"


    "Nothing," she smiled. "Nothing at all."


    "Well, it''s time to leave now. We''ve had dinner, speeches and done mingling. Now, it''s time for our honeymoon." He leaned in and stood a kiss again. He seemed to be in a good mood.


    She smiled. "I''ll go check on a few things, then." For travel, she was going to make sure that things were available to her.


    She got up and walked out of the reception hall. She entered the lift to go up to the rooms. She clicked the button on the third floor when she felt someone enter as well.


    It was from Julia.


    Alexis didn''t react. She simply stood as the lift worked.


    "You didn''t take the bait," Julia stated.


    "Clearly." She replied.


    "Don''t talk back to me! Where are you going to go on your honeymoon?" She asked.


    Alexis stayed silent. She didn''t even bother to look at her. She knew by experience how to deal with bullies. The more you feed the fear, the more it wants.


    "I asked you something!" Julia raised her voice a bit.


    The lift came to a stop and the doors opened. Alexis walked out but turned around to give the old woman an answer.


    "You said not to talk back," She reminded her. "We did not have a great start but I hope we work it out." She had a smile on her face while she said it. Anyone who saw could tell that she was being polite and respectful. For her, she was bearly restraining herself from strangling the woman who had served her head on a platter.


    She turned around and entered the room by sliding the master card, she entered the rooms and closed the door behind her.


    She let out a breath.


    I thank mum for not keeping up with relatives.


    She opened the closet and took her time to check all her suitcases. She zipped them all shut and walked back. This time a few men were standing and they were going to take their luggage.


    She went down to the reception hall and stood next to Angelo as they farewelled everyone. Hugs and kisses, hugs and kisses. Alexis felt that she had been loved for an entire lifetime.


    They both sat in the car and this time it was Angelo in the driver''s seat. People cheered and blessed them as they passed the rows of the guests standing. She smiled and nodded her head as acknowledgement. Her neck was paining.


    "Did you enjoy it?" He asked, glancing at her.


    "Yeah," she replied, looking out. "I am so tired I think I won''t ever get married again." She yawned.


    He laughed at that. "Good to know that it''ll be the tiredness to stop you from marrying again."


    She laughed at that too. She was shocked that he didn''t take offence at that.


    "Where are we going?" She asked. He had led them to the airport and stopped in front of his private jet.


    "Wait you have a jet too?"


    "Yeah, but we don''t use it often. Usually, we choose to go by first class." He chose not to answer her first question which she noticed.


    He held her hand and led her to the stairs leading and connecting up to the door of the jet. "Are you ready for a new adventure with me?"


    She inhaled a breath and smiled, looking down and then at him. Was she?

 Chapter 61 - Sixty-one

    The drowsiness from sleep went away and she slowly became aware of her surroundings. She twisted from her side to her back and looked at the ceiling. They hadn''t reached their destination and it had been more than ten hours or so.


    She had changed into a silk nightsuit and gone to bed but that was with Angelo and now, he wasn''t there. She breathed in and out loudly and then rolled out of bed. Wave dizziness hit her and she cursed for standing up so quickly after that she made her way to the bathroom.


    She freshened up and went to the sitting area where she found Angelo. He had his laptop open.


    "When did you wake up?" She asked sitting down in front of him with her legs folded under her bottom.


    "An hour maybe," he seemed uncertain himself. After typing for a few minutes, he closed the laptop shut and looked at her. "Hungry?" His wife deserved all of his attention.


    "No, not yet?" She asked, not sure for it herself.


    "Still tired?" He chuckled. She slept for over ten hours.


    "From sleep," she groaned making him laugh. "My joints are paining now." She stretched her shoulders.


    "Just tell me where we are going." She then added for a thought. "Italy?" She joked.


    "Haha," he gave a sarcastic laugh. "No. Just because I am Italian doesn''t mean we''re going there."


    "Then where?" She whined. Not knowing about it was killing her. She always knew things.


    "Somewhere," he smirked. "Wanna eat now? You need energy after sleeping for ten hours."


    "Hmm," she nodded. "A little bit of something.


    Angelo pressed a button and a pair of male and female flight attendants came in.


    "Yes, sir?" The male with the name tag of August and June for the woman. Creative parents.


    "Breakfast, August. Lay it out." Angelo merely glanced at the attendant and continued looking at his wife. Wife. He still couldn''t believe it.


    Alexis noticed something about the woman but she didn''t choose to comment on it at the moment. The attendees came in with food after a few minutes. Eggs, bread, muffins, etc. Things that could be stored and cooked easily.


    They started eating and that''s when Alexis chose to talk.


    "You''ve slept with her, already joined the mile high club?" She mocked.


    "Whoah, the hostess. Yes, twice." He shamelessly told her the number. She appreciated it, kind of, since he didn''t lie.


    "Am I joining the club?" She said taking a bite. Hell at this point she might just do it out of spite.


    "Your first time with me won''t be on a plane. It would be a bit more romantic, Alexis. Give me some face." He answered with a deadly serious face. Something told her that he was not appreciative of the questions.


    "Anyone else that we might come across?" She asked. She wanted to be aggressive in approach but the past had taught her a lesson that she wasn''t going to forget. So she planned and proceeded.


    "No," he sighed. Angelo looked like he was holding back. And it was good that he was, they were married and he had to show some change. Change in his abusive behaviour as she now held the title of his wife. The highest title of all.


    She nodded and started eating again. This was one of the most awkward situations she had ever been in. Well, maybe this was one of the side effects of an arranged marriage; not know the past. She now regretted it. For all she knew, he could have kids littered around.


    She continued to eat. The silence made her more tired than she was when she entered the plane. Maybe, she could go to sleep again.


    Forgoing that though she took one of the books that Nikita had packed. She said something about a long journey and how reading sound help. It did to some extent but Alexis felt sleepy again. To she closed the book and help it to her chest, closed her eyes and tried to sleep.


    "Don''t go to sleep again." She heard him.


    Alexis opened her eyes and looked at him, it had been an hour or two since breakfast. "Why?" She asked. She was desperate to pass the time by not doing anything.


    "We are going to land in an hour or two. You should go and have a bath and then change." With his eyes, she could tell that he didn''t want a negative answer. Some things were not changing and she felt torn but now was not the time, so she would let it go.


    "Okay." She nodded.


    She sighed and got up. She took a white shirt and blue ripped jeans and went for a bath, enjoying the flow of hot water against her skin, relishing the relaxation it brought.


    Changing into her clothes, she applied a moisturizer and sunscreen and some brown eyeshadow with a lipstick of the same shade. The dude could never go out of style.


    "This is your pilot. We will be arriving momentarily. Please remain in your seats with your seat belt securely fastened until the aircraft has come to a complete stop." She put down and packed the rest of her things and went to the seating area and sat in front of Angelo and tied her seat belt securely.


    They landed successfully and went through the checking and collected their bags as well. Alexis noticed that there were guards here as well and a car followed them both in the back and the front.


    "Okay, tell me now? What is it? Bora Bora?" She felt agitated now. They had even landed!


    "We could go there next but this, my darling, is the Maldives." He stole a kiss from her as he told her the Destination.


    Her eyes widened and twinkled with a spark. She looked outside with an excited expression and made Angelo feel appreciated about his decision.


    They reached their destination for the stay; Cocoon Maldives. The moment Alexis entered the hut, she was amazed by the design. She looked at everything with her mouth open.


    "Wow!" She screamed. This was like a dream.


    "Happy to know that you like it." He chuckled, settling down on the single sofa seat and taking his shoes off.


    "Like? I love it!" She immediately corrected him. It was evening here and Angelo wanted them to have an early and good supper outside with the view.


    Both of them took their shirts out which were tucked in and shoes off. The meal they ordered was light and drinks with them were non-alcoholic but thoroughly refreshing. She looked into the sunset and realised how many mesmerising sights she had missed in her busy life.


    She relaxed at how beautiful it looked. Whenever it was time to leave the office they said they the suns down let''s go party but this truly meant that the sun was down and oh, how beautiful it looked. It was marvellous. Simply marvellous.


    She was sitting on the wooden deck and Angelo was sitting inside watching the sunset from the chair where he had eaten. He didn''t follow her to the outside as she went for some cool sea breeze. This just felt so good. So peaceful. Why did watching a sunset in a cool breeze feel so refreshing than a massage or a facial?


    She had changed into a nightie after a light shower as she sat in front of the vanity applying moisturizer. Angelo came in from his shower, closing the door behind him. Alexis looked at him and had a warm blush rising into her skin as she saw him in a towel but the look in his eyes made her swallow something. He looked hungry.


    Her breathes were shallow. She had a quickened breathing pattern and a tingling sensation in her private area. He slowly walked to her and she was dying in anticipation. If only he could walk faster, she thought. He was killing her and she knew she was close to getting a heart attack.


    Alexis didn''t know what came to her mind but she stood up and continued to look at him through the mirror. Angelo smirked a bit, knowing it would cause her panties to dampen a bit more and it did.


    He moved her hair to the other side and moved his nose along her shoulders making her sigh in pleasure. His warm breath on her skin made her wetter and she couldn''t wait for him to take it further. Lust, she felt lust.


    "Are you ready?" He asked but she knew that it wasn''t an option but she needed a release too as it had been too long. She just sighed as he sucked on more, letting him take it as a yes. I do want pleasure and he is merely giving it to me.


    She opened her eyes and stared at herself in the mirror. He took off her robe as it was already slipping away. Her head turned back wanting more of his assault.


    This was it, she thought.

 Chapter 62 - Sixty-two

    Only the one who sat in a hot water tub knew the effects it had on one''s soul. It brought relief and calm to the mind and body and after last night''s events, she needed it. Angelo was really gentle at first and considerate of her but after being gentle for the first few times, he at some point had lost control and it pained Alexis a but. He looked sorry when he realised but that wasn''t enough, he shouldn''t have lost control in the first place. But at least she had drawn her a bath and the gesture counted too.


    Yet the hot water help in reducing the sourness of the muscle.


    Alexis knew that she was unwilling to admit it but it hurt her that her mother did not come to the wedding. She could have at least made an appearance but she didn''t. Alexis, no matter what had never imagined that she would walk down the aisle alone but there she was. She was proud that she did not let that get to her. She was a confident and beautiful bride that walked down the aisle alone.


    But still, Vanessa could have come. Her only child was getting married and she chose not to come and Alexis would remember that. After all, she had to let go of those that wanted to go. If her mother could not even keep the past aside and attend her wedding then they clearly had issues to live and this time, Alexis knew that she won''t be the one to go to her.


    She got out of the tub as she felt the water''s temperature drop a bit. This seemed so unfair. She wanted to sit in it for some more time. Wearing a robe, she kept the knot untied in the front and stood in front of the mirror. She looked at the hickies and the handprints on her skin. The prints on her ass seemed sexy but the rest just seemed like molestation. She enjoyed herself, a little pain and roughness turned her on but this seemed extremely painful. She wondered how easily the marks could form when she mostly enjoyed the escapade.


    She remembered in flashbacks what happened. His hand held her throat, the heat of his rough hand as he lightly choked her. His soft thrusts from behind when he teased her, playing with her nipples and biting them making her gasp in pain and cry out, his tongue on the hollows of her collarbone, oh God. sex never felt so good before.


    Sighing, she tied the knot and headed out. Angelo was sitting on the dining table with breakfast laid out in front of him and with all the windows opened. She went ahead and changed in the dressing room but didn''t apply any makeup. She wore a simple dress with sandals. Her neck was visible and she wanted to show him what he had done last night.


    Taking a seat across him, she looked at him as he looked at her. "I got rough last night." He said eyeing the marks on her neck that were visible to him.


    "You did," she confirmed as if confirmation was required at this point. Things were visible.


    "I didn''t mean to Alexis. Eat your breakfast." He extended his arms and served her first. Once her plate was full, he served himself and started eating. Alexis had started to eat too but that didn''t mean that she wasn''t thinking.


    He said, ''I didn''t mean to'', and not sorry. So other than the fact, that he didn''t apologize, he also didn''t mean to lost control. She shook her head mentally, make up your mind, Angelo. I am not advocating for you.


    "Have you looked at where you want to go?" He asked her while eating. "I handed you some brochures in the morning." He reminded.


    "Yeah, " she remembered. That was this morning when he was drawing her a bath. "The beach I guess, I just want to unwind a bit."


    Angelo nodded and appeared to think. "That along with some sightseeing. How does that sound to you?"


    Sightseeing was not a bad option. To think for how long could she sit and relax on the beach?


    "Alright."


    Breakfast was done and they went out as tourists, well, Alexis did. She enjoyed every slight asked Angelo to click her photos which he happily did and so did the photographer, Angelo had them follow to capture her smile naturally but she didn''t know that. He couldn''t help but keep staring at her face. She shined and stood out from everyone. Her smile had made him obsessed with it.


    After a slight your through the small local market, they had gone to the beach as Alexis had wanted. Everything looked so beautiful.


    "The water''s so clear and the air just seems fresh and... different." She whispered, mesmerized as they sat on the sand and she gazed to the horizon on the beach. It was not hot rather pleasant especially with the drink in her hand.


    "Not different, you mean unpolluted air." He smiled, correcting her and kissing her forehead.


    She breathed in as she relaxed. Was she materialistic? She wanted to wear good clothes, she wanted to look nice and presentable, she wanted to live in a nice house and live a good life but did that make her materialistic? Greedy? Knowing that she could have it all with Angelo when there was no love? But did love exist?


    Nature did exist and the evidence of it was all around her. This was a simply arranged marriage if she didn''t consider a lot of things and this marriage could take her to new heights, offer her opportunities to do better. So why not take it? Was it not right to grab the opportunity in front of you?


    People could not realise the opportunities sent their way and she could feel one sitting right next to her. She wanted to fulfil her dreams and this man could help her with it.


    She turned around and looked at Angelo who was looking at her from the moment she turned. She leaned up and kissed him. She chewed on his lip, tugging it her teeth and rubbing it with her tongue. She sucked on his tongue slowly affecting his breathing.


    Her hands were pushed her away gently, indicating that he wanted it just as much as she did but the thing was, not here.


    "What''s got you so worked up?" He asked with his voice strained he was holding himself back. Yet, she was a modest person who wanted the windows closed and the curtains drawn.


    "Nothing." Just thinking about how reality, in reality, can be a bitch.


    "Hmm," he hummed, his chest vibrated with the sound and tingled her core. She wanted to take his clothes off of him and use him to her heart''s content. Imagine this; the big bad mafia man as her little plaything.


    "Can we go back?" She asked, lust swimming in her eyes and blush creeping onto her face. He knew what she was thinking and talking about.


    "There''s never going to be a negative answer to that question." He replied, getting up he spike again, "Shoot me if I ever say no."


    "Oh, I''ll remember that." She spoke.


    *********


    She was half on top of him or almost if talked about practically. Her chest, head and legs were on him, her back only touched the bed.


    They were sweaty even though it was drizzling outside. His hands were lightly grazing her skin which was soft to touch and he loved it. That''s when she remembered.


    "Angelo?" He hummed in reply. "Who do you trust the most?"


    Angelo stilled for a moment. What made her ask that? He wanted to answer honestly but he didn''t want to offend her as well. Maybe being brutally honest from the start would mentally prepare them for the harsh truths. He could not sugar coat everything and truths had to know to her given her position in both his family and his life.


    "I trust my parents and Silvano; my brother, the most. Then Vincenzo, then the captains." He finished.


    Ouch, she thought. He didn''t take her name. Hell, she wasn''t even mentioned.


    "And me?" She asked in a low voice still not looking up at him, fearing deep down that his answer would hurt her.


    He noticed that too. She was afraid but that wasn''t supposed to happen. He raised his arm and the sheets fell, he smacked her butt hard and had her yelp loudly as it was unexpected.


    "What¡ªwhy?" She asked, rubbing her bottom.


    "Stop fearing. If it''s going to happen then it''s going to happen, there''s no stopping to it." He stated. "I am putting my trust into you, Alexis; into this relationship as well but not immediately. I am going to walk into this with you instead of diving in. Do you understand?"


    Slow steps. That''s what he meant.


    "Yes. I do understand.." And I''m ready for it as well.

 Chapter 63 - Sixty-three

    After the relaxing time on the beach yesterday, for today they had gone to the market again and this time Alexis had gone a little Cray Cray. She had bought numerous necklaces, hats and weird decorative stuff that Angelo was sure about her regretting to buy it. Those things could not possibly be placed anywhere.


    "Oh, there''s another one!" She pointed to another jewellery shop. "Come on let''s go!" She took his hand and dragged him, tot, the shop. The market had shops aligned but there were no doors to any of them which made it easier to get into and spot anything from a distance. Which was something Angelo hated at the moment. Alexis after one shop would run her eyes and find something else to run to and buy some other useless shit.


    Was this all returnable with refunds?


    "Have you not bought enough from the previous shops?" He spoke into her ear as she looked too busy to carry out a normal conversation.


    "Hmm.." she hummed without paying any attention to what he was saying. "Yeah.."


    Angelo rolled his eyes and tsked. He thought she would be different from his mother but no. When they shopped, they shopped and did not pay attention to anything else.


    He paid a bit of attention to her body. She was wearing shots today and damm the hottie his wife was. She managed to take his breath away.


    "Alexis," he spoke to her again knowing that she won''t be paying any attention to him. "If you don''t say, Angelo, I love you, I am going to spank you is that okay?" He smirked knowing he was going to get his way.


    "Yeah..okay.." She offhandedly spoke again. Her focus was on the seashell necklaces. They were expensive but pretty cheap here. She was surely taking back some home.


    Angelo smiled. It was dirty, full of naughtiness smile. He tilted his head a bit and stared her ass before smacking it hard.


    "Ah!" She immediately jumped up.


    The guards hid their smiles witnessing what had happened.


    "Angelo!" She admonished him with widened eyes. His behaviour was awful in front of everyone. "What are you doing!"


    "Nothing," he smirked looking at her up and down. She knew what that look meant and hell, it turned her on. Her growing blush was evidence of it.


    "Can you stop it?" She hissed at him. This was a public area. "Let me remind you, we are in public."


    "So what?" He taunted, stepping closer to her.


    "W¡ªwhat? We ca¡ªcould get arrested." Her face and body felt heated up.


    "Really?" He raised a brow at that. "Well, that should be the least of your worries cuz'' I got money for bail."


    "Angelo.."


    "Come on baby," he pulled her close to his side and started walking towards the exit. "I think I know where we want to go."


    She was feeling hot and need for him. For now, all she wanted him. She notices he was walking towards the washroom. Damm, where had her standards gone?


    He pushed her inside and hurriedly locked the door and turned to her.


    His predatory hungry expression made her wetter. Fuck, she wanted him now.


    Jumping at him she kissed him with all her might. Angelo had started taking off her jeans and zipped his own.


    "Ah.." Gasps left her mouth as they moulded into one another again.


    *******


    Turns out, it was not enough for him to have once in a trial room. So, they did it again as soon as they came to the hostel room or hut. The man was a dog in heat. Anything could make him want her and now she was tired of it.


    She was lying down in bed after another late-night escapade. Angelo was still asleep and she had woken up a few moments ago. She got up and out of bed and walked to the bathroom. She needed some time alone from the horny ass man.


    After freshening up she walked into the closet with a towel and got dressed. Now, she had to wake that man up.


    "A boat ride?" Angelo scoffed at her in return. "Honey, I can buy you a private Yacht, why do you want to go for a little paid boat ride?"


    Alexis simply rolled her eyes. She knew that he would never appreciate the simplicity of it or even remotely try to understand it. She simply went to explain it to him.


    "Every couple is going for it. Come on, I want to go." She pleaded to him.


    "See, everyone else." He pointed it out. "I can do better."


    "Please please," she kissed his lips.


    "Fine." Now he rolled his eyes. What childish request was this?


    "Wear semi-formal!" She told him as he got up to get ready.


    "Wait what? There''s a ddres''scode?"


    "No... Why are you asking that?"


    "Then I''ll wear what I want."


    And he did. Angelo wore a sky blue shirt with white shorts that reached his knees. Alexis wore a cotton dress and sandals, looking beautiful in simplicity. He held her hand and walked to the deck where the chair was


    Of course, Alexis noticed that Angelo had paid extra and booked it for the whole day with special arrangements. She found it romantic but didn''t comment on it just yet. Booking an entire boat or yacht, she knew that he was making a statement here. The end word would always be his.


    The ride started at a steady pace. She kept her head on his shoulder. "See it''s so soothing," she pointed out.


    "Hmm," he hummed in return. His reaction seemed a little off-putting.


    "What''s wrong?" She immediately questioned, turning around and looking at him.


    "Nothing," he said but closed his eyes. ''Communicate,'' he remembered what his father had told him. She was the one he could trust. "I''ve never felt this before. Wherever we went for a vacation, it was just business and a little sightseeing that mother wanted."


    "Oh," she simply said. She had never gone on any so the feeling was not mutual.


    "Yes. It''s...good being able to enjoy it but also, refreshing. I can''t get used to it because I have an empire back home that I can''t take leaves from."


    "I can," she immediately smiled at him notbecauset who was she now.


    "No, honey, you can''t. If anything you''re going to be by my side twenty-four-seven." He smirked in return. She had not considered reality. Well, they were in the honeymoon phase, so the reality was miles away.


    "What? Why? Angelo, I didn''t ask for any of this." Alexis felt defensive. Why was she being restricted?


    "I don''t care. You chose this life over death and now, you live by it." He simply shrugged his shoulders. "There''s nothing that you can do about it but enjoy the power given to you."


    "What power?" She raised her voice a bit but immediately lowered it. "What power is it that comes with restrictions?"


    "Every power comes with restrictions, always remember that. Otherwise it''s a dictatorship." He chided. There were restrictions to everything.


    "Wait, but you are a dictator." Wasn''t he one? He was the one who took all the decisions.


    "I am but my powers my restricted as well. There are restrictions placed for a reason. There''s a reason why we no longer sex traffic or approach family men for work purposes or even kill policemen for a small mistake, hell, we leave them alone." He went silent as he poured whiskey from the side table.


    "Why?" She couldn''t help but ask. "Why restrict when you can do anything?"


    Angelo knew how interested she seemedon thee topic. She liked power and it was amusing to him how she seemed to deny it constantly. There was nothing wrong with liking power. But it was wrong in denying it. She had to learn how to control it as well.


    "Because boundaries, when set, often stops us from doing wrong things without thinking. For example, my father once said, never kill anyone but find their weakness, you never know what you might find and enjoy." He poured himself some more. "And he was right. Holding leverage is way better than killing someone." He laughed but his laugh seemed a little dark to her.


    "So technically you have unlimited power but you set rules so that you can...not make mistakes?" She understood the concept but she also felt that some more explanation won''t harm her.


    "Not make mistakes... but yes, that, in some way." He smiled, kissing her lips.


    *****


    They were lying in bed and Angelo was asleep. Alexis was too but she woke sometime ago and now she couldn''t sleep after all she had woken up late today and now the bitch sleep won''t come to her.


    She was thinking about his words. Was he being honest with her? Did he set the rules? Or the elders did? She couldn''t help but continuously think about it when her phone vibrated.


    Looking at it, she frowned.. It was a number belonging to her home country.

 Chapter 64 - Sixty-four

    As soon as Alexis noticed that the number belonged back to her home country she had gotten up from the bed and walked to the windows, she opened them and stood on the edge. She then answered the phone in hosted whispers.


    "Hello?" She softly whispered as she talked standing next to the giant windows. The view was beautiful.


    "Alexis? It''s me, Isabelle." She recognised the voice of her mother-in-law. She seemed to be rushed as well.


    "Hi. Is everything alright?" Her concerns were genuine and right. She was called in the middle of the night and on her honeymoon, so, it must be important. But the question was why call her? Alexis knew for a fact that she couldn''t be included in any of the matters concerning the organisation. Isabelle should have called Angelo and since she had not, the matter concerned her.


    "Yes, everything''s fine in general but," she sighed and Alexis heard that through the phone. "Listen, child, initially I was going to prepare you slowly and then practically... but it doesn''t matter anymore. We don''t have the time. You have to accept the reality of the life that haven''t until now because Angelo''s grandmother has already started her game and we need to step up." Isabelle''s voice sounded rushed. She seems to be in a lot of hurry.


    "Are you in a rush or some kind of hurry?"


    "Yes, I''m packing."


    "Wait and what game and..we¡ªwhat?" Alexis couldn''t grasp anything because now, she was feeling sleepy. Damm, that bitch sleep came to her now out of all the times.


    "Alexis, when you are the queen you have to be a part of the games played and remain on top of it. Because the others are to going to try and hold leverage over you and have the power that you have. Alexis, there''s a thrill that you receive when you play for power but you; you have it and his grandmother she going to do anything that she possibly can to make sure that her word holds more power than yours." Isabelle seemed stressed as she spoke yet she spoke. "Honey, I made sure that she was the former Donna and me, the present one. You need to do that too, otherwise, she can kill my son and you just to make sure she has it." Isabelle explained all of this in one go and had eventually become breathless. "Here''s the thing kid, you don''t let anyone take advantage of you and I know that you know this."


    "I know that," she mumbled. "I get her wanting to be my superior," Alexis explained, "but I don''t understand why she would kill Angelo." Trying to kill Angelo seemed a little far stretched.


    "Gabriele has a brother and he was the choice for the Don because he was more sinister and notorious but they went the traditional way of choosing the eldest. They regret it because Gabriele chose logic and reasoning more." She explained. "He is the one who wanted to be on the top of every crime list."


    "That''s it?" She questioned. "Because he''s not like...bad?" She cringed at that. Surely the guy couldn''t be that crazy.


    "Oh he is bad," Isabelle immediately corrected, he was the worst man ever born according to her. "But Gabrielle isn''t heartless or merciless. He knows when and how to show it but his brother is darker like enough that he could kill his parents to get what he wants." Isabelle wondered how the brothers were so different. Gabrielle was better but the other one was the exact opposite. He could kill anyone for any little thing. And they were raised by the same parents, maybe Julia was more same with the first child.


    "Wow." Alexis was completely blown away. The family was way more complicated. Then she remembered, "What did wrinkles do?" That one surely knew how to cause problems.


    "I don''t know, they haven''t told us yet. They are telling all of us to come to Italy as soon as possible, so expect Angelo to receive a call tomorrow. I thought of preparing you beforehand." Alexis had to be ready mentally. If anything, mental strength was needed more than a physical one. "Be prepared for anything."


    "I appreciate it. I do." She thanked her mother-in-law. "But what are we doing to do?" Sleep was making ber feel dumb. She could not focus on anything being said.


    "Simple, subtle blows. Never let anyone know that you''re targeting someone directly." That was advice anyone could ever give. If you were targeting someone directly the war seemingly involves everyone. And that was never good.


    Alexis sighed. She felt tired already. "This seems a lot of work." She complained. It hadn''t been a month of her marriage. Why did the husband''s family always have so much drama? Couldn''t for once she have a normal time?


    "Honey, your life has just started. Mine is finished but look, I''m still involved." Isabelle spoke. Her voice seemed tired too. She wanted to rest but alas, things just don''t go the way you want them to.


    She smiled at that. "Goodnight, Isabelle."


    "Alright. Good night, kid."


    ******


    Angelo was up early as usual and he kept looking at his wife.


    Wife. His legally wedded wife.


    He never thought that if he were ever to be married, he could adore his wife this much. He expected himself to marry for power but instead, he found Alexis and god how happy he was. But he could change anything format he passed, he would not torture her. She seemed too precious for that. His little angle.


    He just couldn''t stop thinking about her all the time. He knew that he needed this honeymoon, more than anything he did. Spending time with her was like a detox.


    He stretched his arms a bit and took his phone from the side table. He had a check-in on a lot of things. He could never just trust anyone. His father''s message was at the top.


    He got up and called his father standing on the deck. Gabriele had left him a message and now, he was calling him back. The air felt good.


    "How''s the honeymoon?" He heard his father grunt after picking up the call.


    "Great but without the interruption." He subtlely complained about the interruption.


    "Funny." His father gave a sarcastic laugh. "Your grandparents are planning something. They''ve called us back to Italy. You too."


    "What now?" He grunted back. It was his honeymoon. "I haven''t heard anything that means nothing major has happened and it''s within the family members them."


    "I''m afraid they are going to try to force your wife into submission. They tried with mine but Isabelle was clever. Yours is new and she has a past where she suffered and simply walked out." Walking out without revenge was weak. The option was worst than death and they were expecting her to bow down.


    "I know," Angelo agreed, "Grandmother would try to gain the upper hand. I can''t throw her down as she is a family member but Alexis can. That''s her power that grandmother is determined to keep." This was a mess Angelo wouldn''t get into. If his wife wanted to remain on the too, she had to deal with the problems. He would help but she had to crave her way.


    "I simply have no idea why my mother isn''t ready for retirement from this life. Your mother is begging me to take it and go to Greenland." Gabrielle complained and then sighed.


    "She talks about Switzerland." Angelo chuckled, correcting his father.


    "Whatever, smartass." Gabriele laughed a bit as well. He just wanted to take a long vacation and take his wife to her favourite destinations.


    "Get ready. There''s a cold war going on already." He warned his son. Don or not, Angelo was his kid and Gabriele would lay down lives if anything happened to him. His little ice-cream stealing boy. "It''s approaching fast."


    "I know. It''s been going on for a long time but my marrying has accelerated it." Angelo chimed in. He knew what was happening everywhere.


    "True." Gabriele agreed. "Listen, get on the plane soon. Isabelle and I would wait for you at the airport." He said. "We will go together from there and then Nikita and Silvano would join us."


    "Alright. Take care." He wished his father.


    "You too, kid."


    Angelo walked back to the bed and stared at his wife. This peaceful moment, he was going to be enjoyed because it was going to the last one for a long time. They and to fight to remain on the top and together. He was strong but without her he was weak. He would never let her know but Angelo was sure that when Alexis would rise to power she would be the strongest one of them all.


    And he would be standing behind her.


    But for now, he could only try his best to protect her from the outside world.

 Chapter 65 - Sixty-five

    He sighed looking at her sleeping form. She looked so peaceful and now, much to his dislike, he was going to wake her up. Well, he needed to.


    ********


    "That''s why you woke me up early?" She grumbled as she sat on the plane. For the first time, Angelo had taken pains to wake up a woman. Usually, he had a maid or a worker wake her up but for his wife, he had to take the pains. The woman didn''t wake up for the first ten minutes when he had used voices. He then woke her up by shaking to which she had opened her eyes, happy with that, Angelo handed her a cup of coffee and went to shower.


    On coming back, he found the woman dead asleep. Sighing he woke her up again but he turned his back on him which gave him a view of her ass. Well, what could he say, the morning wood could be blamed.


    Shaking his head he said, "You slept late." He pointed out.


    "You made me sleep late." She pointed back with a frown on her forehead. She hated being woken up from incomplete sleep. When she was in college and working for her boss, Mr Walker, she had always made sure to go to bed early and wake up satisfied. Which resulted in her being energetic and a lot less moody. She hated Angelo at the moment.


    "Guilty as charged." He gave her a panty-dropping smile that made her blush. "I just can''t resist you." He practically purred into her ear. Now she regretted sitting next to him. When was he not horny?


    "Have you no shame?" She hissed at him. One of the attendants had passed them when he had made that comment.


    "Did you? Baby, you''re the one who likes choking in the doggy style." He smirked, remembering how she begged him. That sight was going to make him hard like a teenage boy.


    "Hey!" Alexis immediately turned red. How could be so crude? "Stop it!" She said turning away from him. The man could start anywhere anytime.


    "Hmm," he pretended to think. "I think I heard that somewhere." He continued to think. He had his lips pursued and was looking down. Alexis frowned a little, what was he thinking so hard about?


    "Oh my god, that''s the exact opposite of what you told me to do last night."


    "Angelo!" She yelled, covering her face. This was so embarrassing! The man would not just stop.


    He laughed loudly, forgetting everything for a moment. Eventually, he sobered up and quietened down, making Alexis look at his quietened down self.


    "Is everything alright?" She asked. This was the cold and calculating Angelo that''s she had known since the beginning. The expression where he just didn''t trust anyone.


    "Ma called you last night." It wasn''t a question, he knew and he stated that fact. Alexis kept quiet for a moment. ''He knew,'' she wondered how but didn''t comment on it.


    "Yes, she told me that things were happening but I had to see for myself to understand." Alexis didn''t mention his grandmother because she didn''t know how he would''ve reacted. She was family and for all, she knew Angelo could not trust her at all. He had told her that every fact.


    Also, he just happened to know everything, didn''t he? He knew that his mother had called his wife, even though she was careful enough to not speak loudly and wake him up. But then again, he just knew. Either her phone was tapped or someone had informed him.


    His statement was clear. I know.


    "True. Don''t trust anyone except my parents and me." He nodded and continued to think.


    "..your grandparents, Angelo, what about them?" She softly asked. She had the right to know now.


    "It''s.." he thought of something to say. ".. doubtful about what they want." He didn''t want to scare her by telling her about the wars they had inside the blood.


    It was tainted and even though she needed to know, he just could not have her thinking less about his family.


    ''Liar.'' The first thought that came to her mind. He was lying to her. She knew what was going on. That''s when she realised, his statement had loops holes in them. And she could easily take advantage of them.


    She simply nodded. If it came to survival, she would use every trick known to mankind, given Angelo liked it or not. If she had not chosen death and married him, she sure as hell won''t be dying at the hands of his relatives.


    "It''s going to take time to land, isn''t it?" She groaned, feeling sleepy again. She leaned back into the chair and got comfortable.


    "Well," he smirked in her direction. "You could always join the mile high club." He got up and threw her over his shoulder and jogged to the bedroom in the back.


    *******


    "Okay," she panted. "There''s nothing special about it." She turned her head to look at him. He was out of breath too but was still not heaving like her. Damm, she knew that she had to work out.


    "I know." He agreed. "But not many have sex on the plane or a plane to have sex on."


    "True." She pouted. Still, there was nothing special about it.


    "Sleep. I have some work to do." Angelo got out of the bed and wore his clothes. Alexis simply turned the other way and slept she was snoring a bit. The sleepy bear.


    He chuckled and walked out. Sitting on the chair with a working desk in front of it, he called his trusted man.


    "Boss,"


    "Tell me, what is it my dearest uncle planning?"


    "Well, many things to be honest. First, you got married to a woman who wasn''t chosen by your grandparents like his daughter-in-law was and your wife, the Madam is far more educated. Second, for the sales have increased but his suppliers are getting caught and he is losing the favour of the police." He informed.


    "That is because he is hiring children who demand less money but they get caught easily and since the number of arrests has increased no one wants to do it as he does not bail them out. Yours, on the other hand, are being approached as a substitute."


    "Why is my family being involved?" These were common occurrence. Why were he and his family called back all of a sudden?


    "The Grandmother has called you all. She wants a family dinner and it''s just for the ladies." He said. His answer was still vague.


    "Ladies?" He repeated. "What for?"


    "I don''t know but the arrangements are just for the women." Of course, he didn''t know. The whole thing was under the warps then.


    "Alright." Angelo hung up.


    So it was a power game. It seemed clear to him that as the elders, they wanted to make sure that they always had the upper hand. Which they didn''t but Alexis didn''t know that.


    The game of power. It was always the messiest game of all. Fights, Bloodshed, Betrayal, it included everything. It was his family and Angelo didn''t want to kill anyone but if his immediate family was hurt, he simply won''t care. It would be an all-out war. And God, he would care who killed who then.


    ******


    "So this is ..Italy?" They had landed safely and now we''re going through the security check. She was looking outside wherever there were windows.


    "active airport." He corrected while laughing.


    "Oh, wow. I didn''t notice." Alexis made a dead face at him for his comment or correction.


    He simply smiled. He didn''t need to hold any bags as they being handled by the guards behind.


    "Oh look!" Alexis exclaimed, excitedly and started waving her hands. "That''s Isabelle! I know her behind! I recognise it."


    "You know my wife''s ass?" Gabriele asked standing behind her. He looked answered by the comment she made.


    Alexis yelled and jumped in fear. She never noticed him standing there. "..How?" She whispered, her heart was beating so fast. How was he walking so quietly? But then again, the airport was not the quietest place in the world.


    "So, my wife''s ass?" He questioned, gruffly. Angelo stood next to his more father, smiling at her who looked like a lobster ready to be thrown in hot water. She had no intention of what he thought that she had intended.


    "What no! Not that! Not like that" She immediately denied shaking her head repeatedly. "I meant like back. The whole back!" She explained. Her hands were giving actions of what she meant as the whole back.


    Gabriele looked hard at the girl in front of her. She was cowering in front of him and Angelo gave him a nudge. He finally cracked a smile and started laughing.


    "I know girl," he smiled, pulling his daughter-in-law for a hug. "Welcome home. And that''s not my wife''s ass.. You are mistaken. "

 Chapter 66 - Sixty-six

    "Hi, my babies!" Isabelle came into their line of view and hugged both of them. She then kissed their foreheads as well.


    "They were just gone for three days Isabelle, you could not have missed them so much." Gabrielle could not help but comment on that. She was behaving as if her newborn babies were sent to summer camp.


    "Oh shush." She said. "I just couldn''t wait for you to be back home." She told Angelo. "I missed you so much, did you miss me too?" She pouted a little.


    "I was at my honeymoon ma," Angelo made a face while saying so. "If I missed you having sex would be weird." He grimaced.


    Isabelle made a horrified face at what he had said. Gabrielle had barked out a laugh whereas Alexis seemed confused about what to feel. Should be giggle or gag? Gag seemed more appropriate at the moment.


    "That''s not what I meant! Idiot! Shameless!" She said as she hit him on the head. This boy!


    "Alright, alright." Angelo raised his hand in surrender. "You win. Won''t say shit like this again." He offered.


    "Good!" She hit him again. "You have a wife now, learn how to behave!" She admonished.


    "Excuse me, " Gabrielle came forward and hugged her from the side. He leaned in towards her and said, "When we married each other, did you not like my bad behaviour?" He whispered making her shy and blush.


    Alexis''s eyes again widened to what was being said in front of her. No that was completely crash and crude. She turned to look at her husband who was focusing everywhere else.


    "I think," she leaned in as well, "you should stop them before we God forbid, see or hear about how you and your brother were made." She nodded a bit firmly and pointed to the old couple. It seemed that the possibility of that happening was increased.


    "Alight, " he cleared his throat. "When is my brother coming?"


    They had waited at the airport for a while for them but they had not shown up. For the were due for more than an hour, Gabrielle had asked around only to find out that the flight was delayed by hours. So, in the end, they all had left the airport.


    "Are heading straight to their house then?"Alexis asked. They were all sitting in a car and Angelo was driving with Gabriele on the front and ladies in the back.


    "Well, we did in my time," Isabelle told her. "But lucky for you I, I had asked Gabriele to make a separate house for our family. So, we''ll be staying there and then go to the main house when needed."


    "One of the best decisions of my life," Gabrielle muttered.


    "It had to be since I took sex off the table."s she sassed back. Angelo and Alexis controlled their laugher.


    "What''s the best one, If you had to choose?" Alexis asked from the back seat.


    "Never letting that women drive." He pointed to his wife sitting back.


    "What? Gabriele!" She gasped. "I drive just fine."


    "Answer me this, if you are driving and Angelo and I were standing in front of you, what do you hit?"


    "You, obviously. Why would I hurt my baby?" Isabelle answered confidently.


    "Woman! The brakes! You hit them and only them and no one else!" Gabrielle shouted at her. Alexis and Angelo laughed and giggled. She looked mortified when she noticed that her husband had asked what and not who.


    "...Well, I don''t like driving anyway." Embarrassed, she muttered and looked away.


    ******


    "Why is every room of your dark-themed?" Alexis asked as soon as she entered her husband''s bedroom in Italy for the first time. This looked just like the one back in States.


    "No idea but if you want we can get it redone." He didn''t look at her once before saying that. Alexis''s heart fluttered as she heard him. He was ready to change things for her.


    "Naah it''s fine." She smiled. It was designed pretty well, to begin with. They must have hired a professional for it.


    "Are you tired?" She asked him.


    "Not really, " he answered. "I should be after travelling that much but... Maybe it''s the excitement of my homeland." He shrugged.


    "Ah.." She smiled. "When was the last time that you came here?"


    "Three to fours years ago I guess. That''s even my grandfather had his heart surgery." He answered. "The old bastard still drinks and parties like he is in his twenties. Hell, even Silvano and I were not that crazy when it came to drugs."


    "Drugs?" The old man did that too?


    "Yup, " Angelo replied. "He does. I am going to go for a shower. Why don''t you go for tour around the house?"


    "Yes, " she said rushing out.


    On a quick visit, around she found that the mansion had three master bedrooms. One each belonged to Angelo and his brother and the other was occupied by his parents. Two of them had balconies and all had a fully equipped master bathroom. The house over all that she saw while coming in had a warm vibe yet displayed the richness of the family.


    Angelo came back after a few minutes and saw his wife standing in front of the bed. Sneaking behind her, he hugged her waist from behind and whispered in her ears, "Do you want to Christen the bed?"


    "Didn''t we do it on the plane?" She whispered back, clearly aroused as well. The man certainly had great stamina.


    "Yeah but you and bed is a combination that I really can''t resist." He said, snuggling into her neck, making her giggle. He had started preparing kisses on her jawline.


    "Fine," she smiled and turned around and pulled him into the bed with her.


    *******


    "Sit and let me cook. You must be tired." Alexis entered the kitchen and said when she saw her mother-in-law cook.


    "No," Isabelle immediately denied. "You don''t know any Italian dishes and the men like to eat Italian when they are home." She smiled at her. "So watch and learn."


    Alexis sat on the stole provided next to the counter slab and looked around. "Isabelle, this kitchen is huge." She whistled.


    "I know," she smiled. "I had had Silvano; my second baby and I just couldn''t still, I had to just cook." She smiled at the memories. "The boys loved eating and my maternal instinct had me cooking every now and then."


    "So Gabriele had it remodelled?" Alexis asked.


    "Yes! The boys were always hungry so they use to run around and knock things over. I was scared that they might knock something hot off the stove, so we added space of two-room next to it." She happily told her. Gabriele usually didn''t concern himself about household things but when it came to family, the kitchen was done within days.


    "Where''s Nikita?" She was supposed to be here as well by now.


    "She is good at arranging things. So, She''ll meet us there." Isabelle seemed to be proud of her daughter-in-law. She might be in the claws of the vultures by she seemed to manage it well.


    "Isabelle," Alexis wanted to talk to her about Angelo''s lie but in the end, she was his mother. "Angelo lied about his grandparents'' intentions to me."


    Isabelle sighed. Turning the stove heat to low, she let it simmer itself. "Family, honey. He doesn''t want you to think any less of them." She went to sit next to her daughter in law with a cold drink in hand.


    "But that''s wrong!" Alexis immediately countered. "If I respect everyone and be polite out of it, people will put me down. I have had such experiences and I know when I should put my foot down or keep shut." She was enraged by the fact. This was plain stupid. He couldn''t protect get by keeping her in the dark. She had to know what was going on.


    "I know," her mother-in-law agreed. Keeping ber in the dark would give different ways to other people and allowing them to hurt the members of the family. "But you can''t blame him for this. As a Grandson, he wants you to respect them." She sighed. "I will tell you to do as you know. Respect them all the way but never let them put you down. That''s what I did." She said taking a sip of her drink.


    Looking at Alexis''s confused expression she knew what her daughter in law was thinking. Why would you respect them and not allow them to throw you down?


    "I meant, you have to respect them. Make that a rule in your mind that you have to follow." She firmly said that. "Because no matter what, you can never be called a disrespectful person. People then create situations and spread rumours, which of course the men don''t like. So you are a respectful and polite but also a badass bitch."


    Alexis raised her eyebrows at that. That sounded awesome. "That''s coo-"


    "Isabelle!" Gabriele came in and kissed his wife''s lips. "Mama called. You two are going there. The dinner is today." He smiled but his eyes held concerns which his wife could see. Julia De''alassandro had preponed the battle.. That meant that she was more confident than they had assumed.

 Chapter 67 - Sixty-seven

    **********


    Alexis was awkwardly looking at the couple in front of her. They were talking with their eyes or maybe it was telepathically. Whatever it was, she didn''t really like being left out.


    So, what should she do? Break glass or..?


    "Ahem." She coughed a bit and they broke apart looking down, here and everywhere else.


    "Anyway, " Gabrielle said, "I think you should get ready. You should um..." He moved his hands around trying to find a better word. "Uh.."


    "What?" Isabelle questioned. "You always do this. How am I supposed to know what are you saying by these expressions?" She complained. Gabrielle had a habit of forgetting words which he had picked up recently in retirement. He tried to make actions of the words that he wanted to say. Isabelle felt like she had been playing charades for years now.


    "Woman, stop." He grunted. "Show off. I wanted to say get ready to show-off." He said, kissing her forehead he said goodbye and then walked out of the kitchen.


    "Pre-owned?" Alexis repeated as Gabrielle was out of the kitchen. "Why? I thought it was days away.."


    "It was," Isabelle confirmed with a sigh. "But the thing is that it''s happening now. And we have to face it and forget whatever the reason was that the whole former was preponed."


    "Do you think," Alexis began to unravel a theory? If she had the signature hat of Sherlock Holmes. "That they knew that we knew?"


    "As in?"


    "Like knowing that someone had informed us. And they knew about it because of which instead of continuing with the original date they hastened it."


    "Could be." Isabelle agreed with her possible theory. "It could be. You never know who is on whose side." She shrugged.


    "So you have no theory?" Alexis had made a fact at that. Seemed like she wanted to unravel theories.


    "Hah!" Isabelle laughed. "You wanted to discuss the theories with me? Do you know why does that?"


    "Who?"


    "Gossipmongers!" Isabelle wandered laughing. "They love to discuss these controversies and theories."


    "That funny," Alexis replied with a straight face. She looked


    "Well, " Isabelle sighed. "You heard the man. Let''s get ready to kill."


    Agatha wasn''t here so Alexis was going to choose her clothes and accessories. She wanted to make a bold impression and also be herself. Going to her closet that had been set and some extra clothes which were sent by Agatha, she decided what she wanted.


    Taking a pair of black jeans and a black turtleneck shirt, she paired it with a Gucci black belt and purse. For shoes, she took leopard print heels and a nude colour coat. She had beach waves for hairstyle because it was the easiest and the less time-consuming. She looked at herself in the full-length mirror. She looked sophisticated and bold. A woman with a purpose, just how she wanted to look like.


    She walked down to where Angelo and her father-in-law, Gabriele were sitting. They both were watching the sports channel which she found quite odd. They looked like normal, civilian people and in total contrast to what they were original.


    "Your ready already?" Gabrielle asked as she saw her come down fully dressed. "Isabelle will come down minutes before the time you are supposed to leave." He shook his head.


    Alexis smiled. She was never the one to take time for getting ready. She always wanted it to be over as soon as possible and even Agatha knew it. She made sure that Alexis was ready in the quickest time possible.


    "Here! I''m done!" Isabelle came in a dress in pretty dress and heels. She looked at Alexis and her eyes sparkled with approval.


    "Come on, let''s go." She smiled and hugged her husband goodbye. Angelo came in and kissed her farewell even hugging her for a moment. "Be safe." He murmured into her ear. "And confident."


    The ladies sat in the back seat of the car with Liam driving them. Isabelle couldn''t help but comment. "I love how you''ve dressed. It''s power, elegance and fashion."


    Alexis smiled at that. "Thank you, Isabelle."


    "I can''t tell you how to behave in there because you know better. All I can repeat is, do not trust anyone and reveal anything that you don''t want to be known in public. People often just choose to not reveal anything about themselves."


    "Why not?" Alexis frowned. "You can''t be that mysterious to people." That even seemed suspicious to think about. How could someone be so unknown and if they were, would that not excite people to know more?


    "Mysterious was is better than people having to blackmail you for everything. They love airing each other''s dirty laundry even if they are sisters." Isabelle replied and turned to look out of the car window.


    "Wow, " Alexis whispered. Piranhas were better and more considerable than these people.


    They were silent for the rest of the drive, watching as the trees went by. Arriving in a huge villa, Alexis whistled at the decor.


    "I know," Isabelle commented. "But the people inside this glamorous home are equally hideous." She leaned in more and said, "Whatever happens, Alexis, do not let anyone put you down." Isabelle then held Alexis'' hand and gave it a firm squeeze.


    Both of them, after a moment, made a move to get out of the car. They were led inside and told that the dinner was held in the garden so retaining their coats would be a better option. From afar, Alexis could see that most of the ladies here were related by blood by blood to the family.


    Nikita had joined them in as well but Isabelle told them to catch up later. They all entered the garden together and made their way to the host; Julia, Angelo''s grandmother.


    "Mama," Isabelle came up to her and kissed her cheeks. "How are you?" She asked with a sweet smile.


    "Yes, yes. Everything''s fine." She answered. Julia then turned her gaze to Alexis, the new member of the family. The new lamb for the sacrifice.


    "Hello, Darling." She came forward to hug her. "I''m so sorry that we disturbed your honeymoon." Julia looked like she truly regretted it but Alexis wasn''t convinced yet she respected her.


    "It''s fine, grandmother. I hope all is well with you? We were worried about the sudden call." Alexis seemed worried about the onlookers. She looked like a granddaughter-in-law who had accepted this family as hers.


    "I am alright sweetie. I just wanted to meet you. I didn''t mean to sound like it was an emergency. But what can I say? My age does not give an indicator of what''s coming next. " Julia was also a master manipulator. She knew by now most of the ladies were looking at them and she wanted to act in a certain way that made her seem lonely and alone.


    "Oh no, it''s alright and doesn''t say things like that." Alexis chastised and hugged her once more. "Next time, we could plan our next meeting together."


    "Yes, we could." Julia smiled. The child was smart.


    "Mama, the place is beautiful and well decorated." Isabelle complimented, looking around the garden that was decorated with fairy lights and other decorations.


    "I know. Your younger daughter-in-law did it." Julia smiled. "She is a good decorator."


    Isabelle knew that already but she said that for Nikita''s sake. Julia wasn''t the one who would ever praise anyone for anything. Yet in public, she seemed to be the perfect elder.


    "Anyway, Alexis was there any difficulty that you faced while travelling?" Julia smiled, somehow to Alexis that felt nasty. The exact of what Alexis had asked her.


    "None. I''ve had a pleasant trip." Alexis smiled as she said so, she looked pleasant and sweet which she truly was, unless poked. Which she was sure about, it was coming soon.


    "I am so happy. Have you met Juliet?" Julia pointed to a girl who came forward and stepped closer to them. She looked Italian and Alexis knew that it was true. She was born and raised here.


    Alexis knew who she was. She was Angelo''s uncle; Marcus''s daughter-in-law. "Yes, we even talked at the reception." She smiled at Juliet, who looked rather unapproachable and cold. Was this how she behaved where people were watching and gossiping about everything they did?


    "Good evening," Juliet wished without a smile on her face. Smiling, Julia left them alone.


    Alexis nodded in return and hugged her for a brief moment. Juliet didn''t even move to put her arms around Alexis and it shows how cold she was to Donna which of course was an insult. Yet, Alexis didn''t take offence to that.


    "Well, I hope you enjoy the dinner." She smiled. Somewhere in her mind, she hoped that Juliet would reply to that.


    "I think I will," Juliet said. "The decoration, do you like it?"


    "Why yes, I do," Alexis answered. Nikita from behind her was making engaged faces and Alexis knew what was about to happen.


    "It could have been better." She shrugged.


    "I think I like that idea of yours." Alexis smiled at her. "How about you design it the next time? Personally, remember that. Nikita took the pains to get everything done."


    "Wait what¡ª"


    "Well," Julia clapped her hands, "come on, ladies let''s have food!"

 Chapter 68 - Sixty-eight

    Juliet looked like a deer caught in headlights. She had not expected Alexis to give her the responsibility of decorations and such for the next dinner. And the major disturbing fact was she had done so in public.


    And just as she went to defend herself, the chance was taken away.


    "Well," Julia clapped her hands, "come on, ladies let''s have food!" Juliet knew at that moment, that she was going to pay because otherwise she won''t have intervened.


    Everyone looked at the person who had made the announcement. Julia stood tall and proud with a smile on ber face. Murmurs broke out and people started moving.


    Julia, without any further ado, took her place by sitting at the head of the family chair. She thought she didn''t do it for Isabelle but she knew Alexis couldn''t ask her to get up.


    And she didn''t. Alexis found her action petty, to be honest, she found it simply childish. Every woman had stopped to look over what was going to happen now, Julia was challenging Alexis and to them, it didn''t look like she''d win. No one could ask someone to get up when done with a purpose without a catfight.


    "Alexis, where would you like to sit?" A lady close to Isabelle''s age asked her trying to diffuse some tension. "The head seat is already taken." She muttered lowly, trying to point out the obvious and avoid a fight.


    Alexis didn''t reply. She simply smiled gratefully and moved to the other corner of the table and sat there, face to face to Julia, yet ten chairs apart. Her eyes never left the one''s who had challenged her.


    "It happens at this age," Alexis smiled, now looking back at the woman. "Grandmother chose to on what was near to her. I can sit on the other side and we can sit accordingly, in order." She smiled, raising her hands and inviting the ladies to sit next to her by the order of their status. She had to turn the tables in her favour and indicated that she had accepted the role.


    Julia felt ugly and murderous. The former Donna and the second in command''s wife sat side to side and others sat as in order. Next to Julia, sat the wives of capo''s, the lowest of the scum, according to her. Even the old women like her sat nearer to Alexis. They had chosen sides.


    Alexis was smiling as the women talked to her. She was the centre of attention and her dazzling smile even attracted the capo''s wife''s sitting next to her. No one was looking at Julia for attention, they had all turned to Alexis.


    Alexis made sure that she talked to everyone at least once. She had never hosted a party herself but she had attended quite a few galas as her boss''s secretary. She knew that it was necessary to talk to as many people as she could. She maintained her smile and covered her face while laughing as if she was chewing by chance. Isabelle had a proud look in her eyes. Alexis didn''t need any help, she did it all naturally as if she was meant for it.


    "I heard that the Maldives is beautiful about this time of the year.." A caps wife spoke who was sitting near Julia. Her voice was low and not enough to reach everyone ears. Of course, she was not confident enough. She was just the wife of a newly appointed capo. She was a nobody and Julia was ready to remind her of that.


    "I''m sorry?" Alexis questioned the woman. "Did you say something? The ladies are just too loud!" She accused the woman around her.


    "Hey!"


    "Ouch Donna!"


    Beautiful laughter rang around as no kn took offence to that. They were all happy.


    "Oh, nothing.." She denied with a nervous smile. By now they had attracted the attention of everyone.


    "It''s fine, please. Don''t be shy." Alexis encouraged her.


    "Oh um, I am Kenna and I was saying just saying that I''ve heard that the Maldives is beautiful around this time of the year.." She looked out of place.


    "Oh you are right about that, " Alexis answered with a high smile on her face. "It was beautiful. I am going to tell you all to go there once and enjoy what the place had to offer!"


    "So does that mean you will talk to the Don about vacations?" A lady asked with a cheeky smile on ber face.


    Alexis laughed at that. Then she proceeded to lean in her direction and give a look as if telling a secret. "I''ll out in a word." She whispered.


    "What if the word does not get through?" The lady whispered as she stifled a laugh. She seemed happy to play along.


    "Well, then, " Isabelle chimed in. "I think we can steal a plane and book a hotel?" She winked making everyone clap and hoot.


    *********


    "It was a wonderful dinner, my dear grandmother." Alexis smiled and held Julia''s hand, patting it with little force.


    "I am glad you did. I wanted to introduce you, after all." Julia smiled.


    ''of course, you wanted that.'' Alexis thought. It was clear that she wanted to show Alexis her place or pick up a fight but Alexis had ''very'' gently pushed her to the side.


    "Well," Isabelle cut in between, "we should take our leave now. It''s getting late and Gabriele would like to eat with his family, even if it''s just a light meal." She smiled.


    "You''ve completely changed my son!" Julia accused her. Even though it sounded playful and a few women chuckled, the close family members knew what she meant. "He doesn''t have time for me anymore!" She continued.


    "That''s not true, mama," Isabelle smiled and grabbed her shoulders to show comfort. "Gabriele immediately left everything when you called. He has always been concerned about your health more than anything."


    "Isabelle," Nikita came in holding her phone. "Silvano called. It''s getting late, he says if we''re finished we should hurry back. They are expecting us."


    All three of them bid goodbye to the others. The three of them sat in the car and Alexis took a seat in the front letting the ladies take the room in the back.


    "Wow! Alexis like, wow!" Nikita said as soon as the car left the premises making Isabelle laugh. "I wish Isobel was here. I am so gonna tease her! You were awesome!"


    "You were." Isabelle gently chimed in as well, she patted her shoulder from behind.


    "Thank you," she lightly blushed. "She was a little petty though. I mean childish."


    "That''s what they do," Isabelle agreed. "They act like that to trick you. Some say, you should act mature if not them or that they are your elders so keep shut."


    Alexis hummed in return, turning silent one more time. She looked outside the window, realising something. She never had intended to be awesome. She was just being herself and the promise of never letting anyone walk over her. It came to her naturally. So was Angelo right in choosing her?


    That was one dilemma she never wanted the answer to. Because if that was justified everything that she had deemed wrong would be right. Because in the end, Angelo would be right in kidnapping her and grooming her to be a Queen.


    Yet deep down she knew that she wanted it answered. So, someone she had the clarity of right and wrong. Because she did not anymore.


    Because she was not ready to accept.


    ********


    "She didn''t even smile!" Julia screeched at her younger son. "Your daughter-in-law was standing there like a dumb person! She looked closed off, unapproachable!"


    "I apologize, mother." Marcus bowed his head and heard his daughter-in-law cry. She knew what was going to come.


    "Matteo," Marcus called his son in a harsh Voice. "Teach her better than being a stone-cold bitch!"


    "Yes, father." Matteo felt embarrassed. His wife had insulted Donna and looked unapproachable which the opposite of her future role if she wanted it. He held her hair and dragged her out of the room, making her cry in fear. She was already begging.


    "Marcus," Julia called gently in the voice of a mother. "Alexis is natural when it comes to thinking before doing. Your wife and daughter-in-law, both need to work on it."


    "I know mother and I agree with that." He smiled. "But I will make sure that they learn and do better."


    "If not better then make sure that they can copy those two at least," Julia said. "At least that would be worthy of something."


    "I know, " he agreed. "When are you going to call Angelo? He might not stay here for long."


    "Tomorrow or the day after." She answered. They both had fallen silent after that.


    Marcus couldn''t help but think about what had happened at dinner. "Is that all?" Marcus asked. Surely she had noticed something else as well.


    "No," Julia denied. She wasn''t going to agree to her defeat. "That''s all, son. Good night."

 Chapter 69 - Sixty-Nine

    Most of the car ride was silent. Although Alexis didn''t know about the women sitting behind they were tired as well. They had talked a lot during dinner to attract everyone''s attention and make sure that everyone felt involved.


    And that had consumed a lot of energy. Alexis felt that she had talked enough for the entire year. She just didn''t want to talk now.


    "Are going to sleep when we go home?" Nikita''s sleepy voice was heard. Alexis smiled at how tired they all felt.


    "Maybe," Isabelle whispered. "I had prepared their food but I highly doubt that they would have had it."


    Alexis frowned a little at that. That was a little too entitled. "Any specific reason?" Why won''t they eat? They just had to reheat and serve themselves. If not, then the maid was there to this as well.


    "Spoiled brats." Isabelle snickered making Nikita snort in return as well. She giggled a bit.


    "And here I thought that I had spoiled Silvano."


    "Oh please, " Isabelle commented with a tired sigh, "they are all spoiled. My fault though, so blame me."


    "I will hold you onto that," Alexis smirked.


    They entered the familiar driveway of the mansion that belonged to Angelo''s parents. No idea why, but now Alexis for too tired to even get out of the car and walk inside. Yet they did. Walking inside they saw the men sitting hand watching tv with beer bottles in their hands.


    Isabelle walked into the kitchen and clicked her tongue in annoyance when she saw the food as it is placed as she had led it. Spoiling these people were coming back at her.


    "Come on, I am eating dinner!" She yelled from the kitchen.


    "Wait, you had cooked?" Gabriele asked as he saw his wife bringing out the food from the kitchen. "We didn''t know." He frowned.


    "Yes, of course, I did. You never eat well at parties and whenever I am out." She placed a plate in front of him. Alexis and Nikita did the same for their husbands. They were too tired to think on their own, so they followed in Isabelle''s footsteps.


    "So, how was it?" Silvano asked sitting down. "Come on, we are family in here." He pushed.


    "It was a ladies night. Shh, can''t tell " Alexis whispered, teasing Silvano who hated secrets.


    "Yeah, but I won''t tell." He whispered back.


    "Really?" She asked, pretending to be happy. "But I still don''t want to tell it." She deadpanned in the end.


    "I don''t like you." He grumbled, making everyone laugh.


    "Eat up, boys. We have to go to bed, we are tired." Isabelle politely in her terms asked them to hurry to eat.


    "Really?" Gabrielle said. "What happened? Too much? "


    "Not really, " his wife answered. "It was just. a lot."


    "And that does not mean too much?" He mocked. He had practically said the same thing.


    "Oh shush."


    "It was, " Alexis chimed in. "Talkative."


    "We made sure to talk to everyone. No one was left regardless of their ranks." Nikita explained in a low voice.


    "Yup, I did as much as I could. There was a playful atmosphere, no one took any offence to anything and everyone was smiling at the end of the dinner. So, a win-win." Alexis added with a little shrug in the end.


    Angelo smiled at her as she talked about the dinner. Pride was bubbling in his chest. The woman behaved like a Donna, a woman with a diplomatic front yet she was with a purpose and she was not even aware of it.


    He knew what had happened during dinner. The clear challenge of authority that his grandmother had placed in front of Alexis and how his wife had turned the tables in return. Literally.


    Now his wife knew what people to be wary of on her own and that would help her in the future.


    They had eaten their dinner and a maid had collected the utensils.


    "Hey, what about the whole story?" Silvano asked. "When are you telling us that?"


    Alexis was sitting in front of him. She got up and started him down making him look at her with suspicion and uncertainty.


    Narrowing her eyes at him she whispered, "Never." Fliped her hair and walked away.


    *********


    "So, was everything fine? Did anyone or anything trouble you?" Angelo asked as he changed in the closet.


    "No, it was fine. Everyone was welcoming." ''or so they seemed.'' She thought.


    She wondered why he even asked. Angelo was a person who knew things better than her yet he asked her. She wasn''t going to let anyone bully her in the first place, so telling him wasn''t a necessity.


    Humming return, he came out while closing the door. Alexis got up from the vanity, which was in every room which was commonly occupied and lied down on the bed.


    "I feel bad that we had to come back from our honeymoon for this," Angelo said, hugging Alexis and kissing her neck. "I wanted to stay aloof a little while longer."


    "You think I don''t know about how you woke up for a few hours in the night to catch up?" She smiled, pinching him a bit but he didn''t show any effect.


    "Had too, love, had too." He murmured into her neck. "Work is really important and tough."


    "You can show me Italy," she compromised. "We still have three days."


    "That would be nice," he agreed. "Why are you not concerned about your mother''s absence?"


    She felt her heart stop for a moment. Why would he spoil it like that? They were cuddling perfectly! Why the hell did everyone think of asking her that particular question?


    "Why would you ask me that?" She groaned. "I don''t want to talk about it."


    "I''m curious," he nudged her. "Tell me, come on."


    "She''s never really been there, I guess. It was always me fighting my own battle, I did it with my stepfamily, my financial situation and now too, my wedding. She had such an arrogant attitude that she would not even go to her only child''s wedding. What and why would a mother do that?" She sighed, this topic had ruined her mood.


    "I just want to let go if she wants to go. I cannot keep her tied down with me. There''s nothing new to it."


    "Yeah?"


    "Yeah, " she replied. "And also, I don''t like to talk about it. So please, let''s not talk about it."


    "I''m sorry," he sighed, cuddling her close. "Let''s cuddle tonight. I''ve heard that it makes a person less stressful." She smiled a little. This wasn''t the man she met in her apartment. He was different today.


    "I have a headache too." She bitterly added. "I have them when I am more tired than usual." She complained.


    "Well, " he purred into her ear. His hand was going south and he pulled the gown up and cupped ber. "I have also heard that fingering helps with headaches."


    *****


    "What is this?" Alexis hummed in taste as she took another sip of the coffee that Nikita had made herself which was quite surprising.


    "It''s grown in Italy. I have it ordered back home. Do you want to order some as well?" Nikita asked. She loved the flavoured coffee made here.


    "Yes! Definitely!" Alexis was immediately a fan of this.


    Nikita giggled. Even Alexis looked like an addict now.


    "So, what are your plans for today?" She asked Alexis who was fully dressed for the day.


    "He''s taking me sightseeing!" Alexis spoke excitedly. "I''m excited but the main thing is I want to eat every dish of food available to me!"


    "Food?" Nikita laughed. "Not everything''s about food."


    "Italy is way more than food unlike what you have heard. It''s not just food but the place itself. Look for anything and everything, the people, the food, the scenery. Remember to enjoy everything. Like literally everything."


    "Were you born here?"


    "Yes ma''am," Nikita answered. "Remember to enjoy everything." She remained.


    "Says the one addicted to coffee flavours for different moods."


    "Hey, are you ready?" Angelo came and hugged her from behind.


    "Yup, where are we going first?" She asked.


    Angelo took her hand and walked out of the house. Opening the door for her, he sat in from the other side. Today, he was driving with her.


    "No guards?" She asked looking around. That had never happened before.


    "Tuscany is my area. Attacking me here would be plain stupidity." He laughed.


    "Oh," she didn''t know that. She didn''t know many things. "Angelo, we just have two days."


    "I know, we better make the most of it then." Stopping the car to the side, he kissed her lips hard and fast, savouring the taste.


    "I am happy Alexis." He said smiling. "I want to make the most of this." He wanted to. She made him happy, content and proud. He wanted to have her in life until death.


    "Me too." She replied.. This time she was sure.

 Chapter 70 - Seventy.

    *The information written here is taken from the internet. It may be incomplete or incorrect.*


    ___


    Angelo''s car smoothly glided on the roads. Since it was not a rush hour, there was no traffic. The engine purred as he presses on the accelerator for speed and she loved it. This car was a classic ''72 Ferrari and she fell in love.


    The convertible was back in colour and had a stick gear which had Alexis''s hand on it and then Angelo''s strong and warm one. His skin was rough but Alexis had figured that even in his privileged life, where he had wanted any and everything was received, he had done some hard work.


    As a traffic light in front became red, he slowly stopped the car. It was a long time for the light to turn green so he lazily switched off the car and looked at his wife.


    His beautiful wife.


    She was smiling while looking around. Angelo didn''t immediately call for her attention as her eyes were wandering around, he knew that her mind was occupied elsewhere too.


    And for the first time, he noticed. He noticed and he admired her beauty.


    She had deep brown eyes, not striking but something he could stare into for hours at once. Her black hair was below her breasts but they were not reaching her back, it was of the length from where he could pull them as he thrust into her from behind.


    Ah, that.


    Her face had tiny freckles. They were hardly noticeable given that they were not much and very light but since he was gazing at the beauty, he noticed. The lips were not full and pouty like those of the models he had seen, they were simple and natural. She was natural. There was nothing but perfection on her body. From the tiny little freckles on her cheeks to the chubby little feet of hers; by which she was very embarrassed and that was truly a sensitive topic.


    From little fat on her belly to the attached marks on her butt. Everything was perfect on him.


    *honkkkk*


    Angelo jerked on his seat and glanced in front. The light had turned green. He started the engine and started driving. Embarrassed enough he for a few moments did not turn around and look at her. But in the end, did.


    He peeked and hurriedly looked back.


    She was always looking at him.


    "What?" She sang, teasing him. "I know that you were looking at me.."


    "Well," he cleared his throat. "I have a beautiful wife and I have every right to admire her."


    "Now?"


    "Yes, ma''am." He grinned having enough of her reading he had decided to turn the tables around. "Can''t wait to go home and get rough and dirty. She likes me rough if you must know."


    "No, I must not!" She gasped at him with her eyes opened wide. "When did you get so crude?"


    "But baby, you like me like this."


    "No, I don''t." She immediately denied it.


    "How funny is that? You don''t remember." He wondered. "That''s okay. I will record our sex and replay it in front of you in the morning. I think I''ll get a good fair of sex in the morning then." He laughed loudly and continued to have a naughty grin on his face.


    "Angelo!" She admonished. "Stop it." By now she was sure that she was a red bell pepper. Forget the tomatoes or strawberry maybe she was crimson red.


    "Hah!" He laughed at that. "You started it." He reminded.


    "Well I regret it and I learned my lesson." She yelled. She had never blushed that hard!


    He turned the car to a building and still had a smile on his face. Ahead of them, she could see a helicopter and planes. He parked the car and got out, coming to the other side, he opened the door.


    "Where and why?" She asked muttering as she continued to look around.


    "An airport," he rose a finger as she was ready to question him again, asking her to wait. "We cannot tour Tuscany in two days, my love. We have to be quicker than a car if he aims to. So, here it is," he pointed to the helicopter. "Our ride for the day."


    She looked at the helicopter. Normally it seemed so..small and now it seems abnormally huge. Wow. Like really huge.


    "In that?" She hesitantly asked, looking at him and then back at the helicopter. "I can always come back." She offered.


    "Oh don''t be afraid. It''s totally fine." Taking her hand in his, he started drawing her to the helicopter.


    "Is it safe?" She asked still panicking a little.


    "Perfectly my dear. It flew someone yesterday and it was checked this morning. It''s safe and fine." Grabbing her head, he lowered it. "Now bow a little, the air is powerful. " It was. Her dress was flowing and if possible, she could have flown backwards.


    He had pushed her inside with some help as the guy held her hand and pulled her up. Angelo came in and sat beside her. He handed her a pair of huge headphones and checked her belt and did the same for himself.


    "We''re are ready." He spoke into his pair the pilot gave a thumbs up.


    The helicopter took up speed. Its blades starting turning fast than before and Alexis panicked.


    Fuck she was dying.


    She looked down and the airport ground was at a distance now. They were slowly getting into the air. She closed her eyes and leaned back, scared of looking down when she high up in the air. It was more dicy and dangerous than being on a plane.


    Fuck she was going to die.


    "Hey," Angelo touched her cheek, "it''s okay." He said.


    She didn''t react. Hell, she didn''t even open his eyes and he chuckled.


    She opened her eyes.


    And she glared at him. Well, that maybe won''t end well. He thought.


    "If I die," she yelled at him. Not knowing that with the headphones he could hear her. "I swear to got I will haunt your ass."


    "What makes you think that I would let you?"


    "What am I sitting in?" She yelled back and he winced. "This shakes more than a.. whatever!" She said. Not being able to find a better word.


    "We do have parachutes ma''am." The pilot dutifully informed her. His job was to make sure they went back safe and stress-free. Which includes telling them that they would not die.


    "Shut up!" She yelled making him wince too. She was dying. If it crashed or a fire started what the hell was she supposed to do, to wear a parachute or simply jump?


    "Babe," Angelo sighed. "Please." His eyes held a warning. He was not playing now and Alexis knew it.


    Breathing heavily she leaned back into her seats and closed her eyes.


    *******


    "That would be the devil''s vehicle I am telling you!" As soon as they had landed, that was the first thing Alexis had said.


    "Well, that thing flys and Angels fly too." He pointed out. "Wanna argue? We could go all day long or you could just enjoy the tour."


    She continued to look at him still breathing heavily. They were standing near the car and looking at each other. To think about it, he was right. There were two things that they could do and according to Isabelle, Angelo could not take vacations and this one she had to enjoy.


    "Alright." She relented. "Where are we going?"


    He opened the door for her and then went to the driver''s seat. He had started to drive when he answered her.


    "Piazza del Duomo." He answered. "It is like a square. It has various other monuments in it like the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, Giotto''s Bell Tower and of course, Museo dell Opera del Duomo." He finished.


    She looked at him dumbfounded. He seemed to know everything. But to be fair, he was a citizen.


    "That," she started, "sounds difficult to speak."


    "Ahah," he laughed wholeheartedly. "That''s true."


    He parked the car and she knew he had pulled some strings. A man was standing there and as soon as they got out, the man took the car and drive away.


    "Why?" She asked looking back and forth to the car and him.


    "There''s traffic." He shrugged and pulled her close. "He will drive back when we ask him to." He winked.


    He turned her around and there it was. The Pizza something building, wait it was Piazza del Duomo. It was written here.


    "It''s like a castle." She whispered looking at him. "Wow." She praised looking back.


    He smiled and pulled her to walk along with him. She had forgotten to do so. They walked to the free entrance but Angelo had the tickets which were required for other buildings.


    "Alright then." He spoke with a smile pulling her somewhere. "To the cathedral first."


    __________

 Chapter 71 - Seventy-one

    "It''s just so pretty." She gushed. "Look at the designs on the roof." She whispered.


    "I know," he smiled. "it is." He said looking up as well.


    "Where to next?" She asked him smiling. She was at her happiest. This had seemed to be wonderful. Angelo had told her about the history and she had shown an interest in it. There was something about this place that she had fallen in love with.


    They had toured around the whole square, eventually tired, they had taken a seat on the benches. Angelo was fine but Alexis had tired herself out and now, she was just wandering around walking lazily.


    "Next," he huffed. "Next would be Chianti Classico Wine Region. It has many fine wineries. You are going to love it." He smiled.


    "Wine." She repeated with a twinkle in her eye. "In the afternoon, I''m more than a ready sweetheart." She smiled and leaned up to him for a kiss.


    Pecking her lips twice, he couldn''t control his smile. "Well, look at that smile." He commented making her smile widen a bit more. "Wine out of everything, got you to smile like that."


    "Like what?" She denied. "I don''t know what you are talking about." She was still smiling while saying so.


    "Like I can see all of those thirty-two teeth you have." He commented making her smile that showed her teeth turn to a frown and a pout.


    "Hey," she stopped walking and pulled away from their joined hands. "That''s mean."


    "And that''s one of the nicest bad words someone has said to me." He commented. He didn''t stop as she did. He continued to walk making her frown.


    "Hey!" She called and ran up to him. "Why didn''t you wait?" She turned to him frowning, showing her disapproval.


    "I wait, I lag." He told her. "You have to keep up with me even if you have something going on."


    "That''s not fair." She said.


    "The world wants me dead and with me dead, you are dead. So, it''s better if you walk with me, where I can protect you." He pulled her close to his chest and kissed her head.


    "Come on," he took his phone out. "We have to go to the vineyard."


    The man came back with the car and Angelo started to drive with her in the passenger seat.


    The world wanted him dead. He knew it. But what melted her heart was him wanting to protect her. He could have easily let her go and protect himself and then remarry.


    He had given her a life lesson and she knew it. That she appreciated and would remember.


    The car came to stop and looked in front. She immediately groaned.


    "Angelo," she cried. "Why?"


    "Oh come on," he said. "Nothing happened the first time."


    She kept on looking at the helicopter with fear in her eyes. "I don''t want the tour now " she whimpered.


    Angelo irritatedly looked at her and noticed how cute she looked with the widened eyes and the little pout.


    "I wanna try role play," he mumbled looking distracted with his eyes trained on his lips.


    "What?" Aghast by that, she questioned him. "What the hell? Where is that coming from?"


    "That''s a cute expression of yours." He answered. "that and you in a cute schoolgirl uniform."


    A gasp left her mouth as she looked at him blushing cheeks. "Angelo!" Saying that she ran in the direction of the helicopter.


    Chuckling he walked after her. She had been helped but the co-pilot when he had arrived. Checking everything they left got the destination once again.


    Shifting near her, he held her body and turned her to the side to which she hesitated but slowly did.


    "Look," he said loudly, pointing to the window that''s showed them the view of Tuscany. "that''s the Piazza del Duomo. Look how it all looks from the sky."


    She slowly opened her eyes. The view was simply.. breathtaking. Every detail of the monuments could be seen. "It''s so beautiful," she whispered, enchanted by the view.


    "It is," he agreed.


    "Just wow," she praised again.


    The view slowly moved out of her vision as the helicopter moved away and into the direction of the vineyard. She twisted her neck to see further but when she could no longer she turned her eyes to the front and leaned into Angelo.


    "We will come here again." He said. "I promise."


    She didn''t say anything but smiled.


    The helicopter after a while landed. They got off and a car was waiting for them.


    "How?" She asked looking and pointing at the helicopter and then at the car. "Everything is always ready."


    "I pay them to ready it." He winked.


    "And they don''t delay it?"


    "No," he opened the door for her. "And if they do, they pay for it."


    "Oh.," she mumbled. Ruthless, his answers to her questions too.


    He started driving again and the wheels inside her head started running too. Angelo had made efforts to make her wish come true. He was taking her to most of the famous sights in Tuscany. He had arranged for a helicopter to take them to the destinations in record time and then the cars that were waiting for them.


    He had made efforts and he didn''t even gloat about them unlike many other men that she had seen to do.


    "Angelo, what''s after the vineyard?" She asked him in a soft voice.


    He spared her a glance, looking her up and down and then back at the road. He sighed and then answered her. "You are tired. It''s already four in the evening. At the vineyard, we are going to be drinking wine and walk around which will tire you more. So, dinner I guess and then sleep."


    "Oh," that was a disappointed oh and Angelo knew it.


    "If you want to enjoy the tour then being energetic is the key." He told her. "If you are dragging yourself around, then it''s a matter of time before you drop." He parked the car and a man stood there already.


    "And here we are," handing the keys to the man they both walked into the building.


    "Sir, Madam," a man stood and greeted them. "I hope you enjoy it." He smiled.


    "Thanks, Antonio." Angelo smiled.


    "Yes sir," he bowed a bit. "I have made sure that no one disturbs you." After saying that, he walked away.


    "He was.."


    "The owner." He answered. "Come on,"


    He took her to the barrels when she halted making him stop too.


    "What''s wrong?" He asked.


    "Did you ever come here before?"


    "If you are going to ask me about my exes then no, I came here with my family."


    "And I didn''t ask you that," she rolled her eyes. "I asked if you ever came here before. I like your preference for alcohol so can you choose? I don''t want to do anything, just want to walk in the garden." She whined.


    "Alright," he agreed. They started walking in the direction of the barrels again when he leaned down a bit and whispered. "And do not roll your eyes at me again. You do not want to know what would have happened to the person in your place." Straightening up he greeted the man whereas she stood in silence.


    How was that any better? He threatened her every time, as soon as he found something disrespectful. That''s not fair.


    He handed her the glass of wine and took one himself. They walked to the gardens and she took a sip. "Mm, wow." She immediately said. "Wow,"


    "I know." He agreed. "It''s one of the best."


    "Mm," she sipped it again. "For a Reason."


    They walked through the gardens hand in hand, ignoring what had happened near the barrels. His clear threat has been forgotten or ignored by him. He gave his warning and he had dismissed the matter. But wasn''t she his wife? They were supposed to talk about this so should she?


    Taking a deep breath, she took the chance.


    She held his hand tighter but he didn''t react. She took charge and pulled him to a corner.


    "Listen, I know you drank some wine but you shouldn''t be that horny."


    "Oh shush." She said. "I want to talk."


    Hearing that he sobered up and gave her a go-ahead.


    "I didn''t like that you threatened me." She honestly spoke her mind. "You should tell me that you don''t like it but don''t say that, that what would happen to the person doing that to you. I am not him, I am your wife." Her chest moved up and down and she continued to talk, "I have been through hell and back for what you did to me and I know better than to disrespect you but when you threaten me, you make me scared of you. And I don''t want to be scared of you."


    "You don''t?"


    "No, I am married to you, by Hook or crook but I am." She answered telling him the reality of the unfortunate situation. "I want this to go somewhere and when you talk of killing me and that breaks my heart."


    He stayed silent and continued to look into her eyes. He contemplated telling something but who was he afraid of? She ain''t going anywhere.


    "I fell for you the very night I met you.." He revealed taking her by surprise.

 Chapter 72 - Seventy Two

    ''I fell for you the very night I met you.''


    She stood silently gazing into his eyes after hearing his confession not knowing how to proceed.


    "Wha¡ª," she cleared her throat, "really?'' She found that hard to believe. His behaviour never gave away any of his feelings.


    "Yes." He sincerely answered. "I do not know what it was, whether it was how you trusted me to protect you or the eyes I found staring back at me with hope."


    What? That''s what made him fall for me?


    "I am not finished yet," he said looking at her facial expressions. She was doubtful of his answer.


    "Oh, sorry," she gave him a go on gesture. She seemed to interested in this and that was something Angelo hated. Talking about emotions and feeling.


    They happened. What was there to discuss about them?


    "You look surprised when I told you what I fell for but trust me when you live a life where the expression of people is fear, surprise or... I don''t know but they know that death is coming. Your expressions made me want to protect you.


    "You could have done that from afar.," she mumbled. "You didn''t have to chuck me up out of nowhere and then uproot my whole life because you felt the need to protect me." She whispered. Her voice was firm, his eyes were accusing, she was showing all of those feelings that she felt and within the boundaries of reflecting set by him. She had learned and now she was careful.


    "I know and I''m sorry." He apologized.


    "What did you just say?" Aghast by that, she wanted it to hear it again.


    "You know what I just said," he countered.


    "I know I just wanted to hear it again." She confessed.


    "Well, I am not repeating it."


    "Why not?" She frowned. "You know that you did all of that to me and you just admitted it. What is the harm of repeating it? You have already admitted guilt."


    Angelo did say anything. He just silently stared into her eyes trying to make a decision.


    "Fine," he eventually relented. "I apologize for everything I did to you but do I not regret it." He admitted. "You were going to end up with me anyway, I just accelerated the process."


    Alexis did not say anything. She wanted to previously but look at how that turned out to be. He again had ended this in a threatening statement. Her mind mimicked what he had said just now.


    ''You would end up with me anyway.''


    ''I just accelerated it.''


    Bloody son of a b¡ª, damm, Isabelle was not a bitch.


    Breathe in. Breathe out.


    "Alright," she sighed. Maybe she was not ready for this talk. But then again, nothing could ever make her ready for this talk. Anything said could never justify what he had done.


    "How about we leave it?" She offered. "We can talk about it some other time." She turned around to leave and have h follow on the pursuit.


    "I want to say this though," he stopped her by grabbing her arm. Turning her around he looked into her eyes, "I don''t regret it because I wanted it to be with you. I never wanted to regret it or have you hurt in any way so I did what I had to. I became harsh with you so that you knew and never crossed the line which would have you killed."


    "I love you and I will give you everything. But everything I want is with you."


    Alexis heard every word of his. She didn''t know what to say and what was she to say anyway? Nothing could ever rectify any of this.


    So she did what she could this of.


    She stood up on her tiptoes and kissed him. A simple kiss and told him that she was over it.


    She wasn''t but forgive but not forget was a motto to live by.


    Pulling back she smiled at him. "Wanna take a walk?"


    Smiling, he answered, "I''d love to."


    ************


    They were driving again. Well, this time Angelo was not. He had passed the keys to the man and now he was drinking them to the restaurant.


    Alexis had wanted another glass of wine but Angelo told her that the hotel would have the same wine.


    He confessed.


    And if these were anywhere near normal she would have blushed and squealed.


    But right now these felt like an excuse. An excuse for everything that he had done which did not sound pleasing at all.


    She never wanted to talk about it again. It seemed like she was running away from her problems but she was not. She was simply avoiding it and there was a difference.


    "You all right?" He asked. "You seem to be thinking hard about something."


    She looked at him and he looked concerned. "I am fine," she smiled, shaking her head to rid of the remaining thoughts on the matter. "Just reminiscing about the monuments."


    "Ah, they were beautiful." He smiled.


    He knew that she was thinking about what he had said or rather how he had out his words to use.


    He let it go. She did not have to understand everything. He was there for that.


    He got out of the car when the man parked it. He didn''t wait for him to open it and when forward to open his wife''s door. Taking her hand in his, he led her straight into the restaurant where a woman stood and let them straight to the table he had reserved for him.


    Everyone was aware of who he was.


    "Here are your menus. A waiter will be here shortly to take your orders." She smiled down on them. Professionalism reeked from her.


    "Actually," Angelo took the menu from Alexis''s hand and handed both of them to the waitress. "The chef knows what I want for tonight. Bring wine first."


    "Yes, of course," she nodded in respect and then walked away.


    "Ho¡ªwhen did you think about all of this?" She asked him, leaning back into the chair.


    "Yesterday, today." He answered.


    "All alone?" She raised an eyebrow with doubt.


    "Yes," he looked into her eye and answer back.


    His tone was defensive.


    "Be honest with me who help you?" She asked again with a smile on her face.


    "My mother did." He revealed. "She is a hopeless romantic." He said with a grimace.


    "You say that as if it''s a bad thing?" She frowned yet there was a smile on her face.


    "The life we live had guns and action in it. There''s no romance for us because we don''t hope for seeing each other every time we come home."


    The waiter came and placed the bottle of wine on the table and poured in into the glasses.


    After he left, Angelo continued, "Every day, when we wake up to another day, is a luxury. A delay from death because it will eventually. So we live but don''t love it. Yet at times we find it."


    "..and you don''t let go." She completed his sentence. "Like you did with me."


    "Correct." He smiled. "You are getting a hand of it."


    "Why thank you," She smiled and took a sip.


    "And you can complete my sentences already. How fortunate to kidnap the woman I love and who turned out to be my soulmate." He teased.


    "Okay buddy, that''s a bit far now." She pointed at him. "Too far and too soon."


    "Is it?"


    "Yes," she said firmly but broke into a smile at the end.


    "I enjoyed it." She lazily told him. "I didn''t think that you would make such efforts for me."


    "That''s ..."


    "Hurtful?" She guessed with a cringe.


    "No." He denied. "Quite understandable actually."


    "I have never made any such efforts for anything. Even for a deal, I wanted."


    "Now I feel special." She smiled. And what a beautiful view it was.


    The waiter came in again and he placed down five to six plates of dishes.


    "Here; Caprese Salad with Pesto Sauce, Panzanella, Bruschetta, Focaccia Bread, Pasta Carbonara, Margherita Pizza, Mushroom Risotto, Pasta Con Pomodoro E Basilico. Enjoy your meal." He walked away.


    "Angelo," Alexis looked wide-eyed at the table. "I can''t eat this much!" She exclaimed.


    "And it''s not all for you," he replied. "Back in the states, you must have tasted these. Once or twice but this is from Italian hands. You should try all of these."


    And she did.


    Alexis ate every dish heartedly. She enjoyed it thoroughly. The flavours would dance in her mouth and her tongue would want to taste more.


    And by the end, she was stuffed. So he had to carry her to the bedroom. The restaurant we as a part of the hotel.


    "I can''t believe it," she said lying under the stars as Angelo had arranged a mattress outside. "It''s so unreal."


    Looking at her as she looked up at the sky, he agreed.. "yes, it is."

 Chapter 73 - Seventy-three

    She smiled as she felt his touch. He was caressing her back to wake her up and she loved it. She makes as she got more comfortable.


    "That feels nice," she whispered in a hoarse morning voice.


    "Happy to know that," she heard him say, "Come it''s time for a bath." He lifted her as she whined.


    "I was sleeping." She cried in frustration.


    "For the last nine hours."


    "What? So soon, I need more," she mumbled into his neck as he carried her to the bathroom.


    He raised his eyebrows in mock attitude as she looked between his beautiful, peaceful sleeping wife and the tub.


    Her or the tub.


    Her or the tub.


    The tub it was.


    Leaning her over the tub, he dropped her.


    "What?!" She struggled to get up as the water into her eyes, ears and nose.


    Snoring it out, she cleared her eyes and looked at him, Alarmed. "What''?!" She yelled.


    "Nothing," he bit his smile. "You were a little heavy and I dropped you by accident." He said as he took off his clothes.


    "Really? That''s what you are going with?" She glared at him.


    Leaning in with a smirk he whispered, "I have no idea what you are talking about," he spoke as he lightly brushed his lips over his. "Now move over."


    She did as told. He slipped in behind her and leaned across the back for the tub.


    "It was not nice to drop me, Angelo," she grumbled. "I was, am still tired yesterday."


    "Well, you asked for a tour and now you are getting one. My efforts are not going to go waste here."


    "Please," She whined.


    "We are just going to roam around today. Lazy and stress-free." He said as he took the showerhead and wet her hair.


    He ran his fingers through her hair, combing through them as he ran the water from above. She stayed still and let him, feeling special and cared for.


    She took some shampoo in his palm and applied it to her hair, massaging it well. The leathers it well and then washed it out.


    Taking some liquid soap on a sofa he then proceeded to wash her body. His touch was not harsh and neither hurried. It showed her that he wanted to be here, with her.


    He ran the shower head over her body and lightly ran his hand after it. There was nothing sexual about his touch, it was rather loving and intimate.


    "There you go," he spoke next to her ear and kissed the shell," all clean and fresh."


    Smiling she turned to him and kissed his lips. "Thank you."


    "Do you want a wash?" She offered.


    "I''d like a bl*w j*b more." He teased with a smile as she pushed him away and walked out of the tub.


    ********


    "Wait, what?"


    "We are going to Lucca''s Walls and Centro Storico. We will wake or cycle in the city. Or we could have a guide with us and know the history." He offered as ate his breakfast.


    "No tour guide," she denied. "I want to spend time with you not listen to someone talking about something I won''t even remember."


    "True."


    They ate their breakfast as they talked bait random things. Laughing and teasing each other in between.


    Soon they were in the car and today a driver was appointed. Angelo had her arm around her shoulders and leaned her head again his. This was peaceful but what ate her mind on the inside was, for how long was this peace going to be?


    They hoped out of the car and started walking in the streets. The locals were carrying on with their business and didn''t mind anyone staring at them, instead, they smiled back.


    Perhaps they were used to it by now.


    "Thinking something?" He asked in a low voice. Some people were talking yet there was silence around. Anyone could hear what the other person was saying.


    "Not really. My mind is wandering like me." She grinned.


    "Ah, that''s good." He kissed her forehead. "I like you smiling."


    "Thank you."


    "Promise me something. Whatever happens, you while always smile." He seriously said.


    She frowned and looked over at him. "When you say it like that, I have serious doubts."


    "Hah," he threw his head back and laughed and then sobered up. "I was just telling you something. This life is going to throw many things at you and it''s going to take away your soul even when I will try my best to protect it." He sighed and then continued, "your smile is what brightens up my day and I need that."


    She smiled and looked away. She was shy after what he had said.


    Light in his darkness.


    Blushing she looked back at him. Both at the same time leaned into each other and kissed.


    His lips met hers and the tongue collided. They battled for dominance and Alexis didn''t back down as she did usually. She fought and so did he.


    "Hey!" A voice jerked them apart. "No kiss here. Children watch!" An agent''s voice had them turning to the source of it.


    An old lady was glaring at them and was covering the eyes of her child.


    Alexis was shy and looked away from the scene. Angelo laughed and apologised in Italian. The lady left with her kid and she shyly peaked at Angelo who was looking at her laughing a bit.


    Hitting him in the chest, she glared, "shut up!" Hitting him one more time she ran forward as he chased her home.


    *******


    They were done for the day. After the walk, they had seen Piazzale Michelangiolo and San Miniato in Florence.


    The palace was the most breathtaking one by far. The views and structure were magnificent. She is was blown away by it.


    It was seven in the seven now as Angelo was taking her to a restaurant. He did not reveal anything but had was just over with the whole your thing.


    "Please just tell," she pleaded again like she had been doing for the past ten minutes. "How many times do I have to have to say this?"


    "My answer is the same and you do not have to repeat your question because you won''t get an answer to it." His face showed her how irritated he was but she didn''t care. She just wanted to know and there was nothing wrong with that.


    "Please," she pouted.


    He glanced over and shook his head. "You look stupid."


    Gasping she hit him again, "what was that!"


    "The truth," he shrugged. "You looked ugly."


    "People look cute in puppy faces!"


    "Honey, that''s for kids and you are one grown-ass woman."


    Gasping she made a face where she looked like she was going to cry. "I hate you."


    "How does a classic Italian pizza sound?"


    "I might begin to like you." She huffed with attitude. "I think."


    "I will take that chance." He smiled as he parked the car.


    Opening the door he pointed to the shop they were going to. "This is one of the oldest shops that had been making bread. The family passes down the recipes and runs it."


    Sniffing the smell around the palace, she said, "it smells tasty." She licked her lips a little.


    "It does," he agreed. "Come on," taking her hand he took her inside. He made her sit on a chair and went forward to order. He came back with a number.


    "I have coke in the car." He informed her with a wink, remembering the time when they have a pizza in her apartment.


    "I don''t want to, but what coke is it, the," she placed a hand on her nostril and snorted, "or the one that Coca-Cola company owns?"


    Angelo silently glared at her as she let a few laughs slips. "The latter." He said with a dead face not finding it funny.


    "Anyway, why do you have coke? I didn''t think that it would cross your mind." She honestly conveyed what was on her mind.


    "I remembered the time when we shared a pizza in your apartment."


    "Share?" She scoffed. "I wanted to eat it all alone as my cheat day and I had to share three slices with you!"


    "That''s a rude accusation." A bell Rang and Angelo looked back, he went ahead got their order and walked out with her in tow.


    "Where are we going?" She frowned. "I thought we were eating inside."


    "We are not." He answered and kept the pizza on the back seat. With her sitting in the passenger seat he drove somewhere.


    The smell of pizza made her more hungry.


    He stopped the car and they got out. He had brought them to a tower.


    "Why?" She turned to him again.


    "Just follow me." They walked up the stairs and Alexis complained the whole way. Angelo opened the door and she gasped. It was the view of the whole city.


    "Wow,"


    "I know, now come on," he said sitting down with the pizza on a blanket.


    Smiling she joined him. The more she saw, the more this man stole her heart.


    Both of them silently ate together as they looked over the beautiful city.

 Chapter 74 - Seventy-four

    Consciousness came a little to her and she was grateful that the curtains were still down. They had toured Tuscany for ten to twelve hours straight for two days and now she was dead tired and overstuffed from eating delicious food to which no one could say no.


    "Are you awake?" Angelo asked, still lying beside her. His voice didn''t sound like he was tired at all. Peeking up at him she saw him holding his head up by his hand.


    "No," she whispered, "I am sleeping." She cuddled more into the bedding eventually falling asleep.


    "Hey, I want to talk." He nudged her shoulder making her groan.


    "But I want to sleep."


    Angelo looked at his wife''s sleeping form with a sly smile. "Are you not suppose to get up when your husband says?"


    Her eyes flew open and turned in the direction of her husband. He felt success as he saw her blazing eyes. "How dare you! Those times are over and they should not have been there, to begin with! What man in today'' world would even think of tha¡ª" she closed her mouth shut as the realisation hit.


    Turning to her husband she narrowed her eyes at him. "Why?" She whispered at his smiling face. "And for God''s sake stop smiling!"


    Angelo laughed, "Took you a moment there to realise it." He pointed out.


    "Yes but it worked, did it not?" She sassed. "Now I am awake because His Highness wants to talk."


    "Happy to realise that, " he said only to be smacked in return. "I wanted to share something with you."


    "Go on, " she assumed it was something serious. Because otherwise, it could have waited.


    "When we go back, I will have a lot of work to keep up with I will overlook your needs at the time but I won''t forget you. By overlooking, I mean I will trust you to take care of yourself and come to me when you feel like you need me."


    "I wanted to say that I will make the best efforts to keep you happy and feel wanted but sometimes you will have to understand that I can not make it. I do not want you to feel embarrassed but to understand why I could not follow through the commitment."


    "Hey, " she touched his shoulder. "It''s okay, I understand where you are coming from."


    "No you don''t, " he denied. "I saw my mother left alone as my father expanded our reach. I have given you some share of the rok because I want you to be busy and feel involved in the work instead of just listening to what is happening. Ma understood because that was something she saw from her birth but you are my wife and I want us to work together."


    She smiled as he talked. It only grew until she had started to hurt her muscles. "I am so happy that you think so." She placed her hand on his cheek and kissed him. "I understand what you mean and I will remember it. Now let''s go to sleep." She kissed him again.


    Scoffing loudly at the words, in the end, he hugged her from behind. Sleep came to both of them on its own.


    ********


    "I still want to sleep more," she groaned as she slipped on a shirt. They were supposed to have much with the family.


    "You have taken a sleep of good eight to nine hours," he looked tired as well. "Come on, we have to go down." He sighed.


    "Fine," making a little face, she moved after him and entered the dining room.


    "Ah! The sleeping couple is here!" Silvano yelled as he went ahead to serve himself food.


    "So did you two enjoy?" Isabelle asked as she served food to Gabrielle who was busy reading the newspaper.


    "Yes," Alexis replied. "Everything was so mesmerising!" She replied happily.


    "Well that''s good," Gabriele cut it short. "Now, let''s talk about business."


    "Angelo your uncle had sent a proposal,"


    Angelo immediately cut in between, "Whatever it is, if I don''t get fifty per cent of the profit, reject it."


    "He sent it through your grandmother." His grim expression made it clear that it was serious. "He has made sure that you have to accept it by sending it through her."


    "Why so?" Alexis bravely whispered. Maybe, she was the only one who didn''t understand.


    Gabrielle didn''t wait to explain, he even seemed sincere. "My mother tends to, even if for the show, make sure that the family supports each other. She makes a whole ruckus if you deny anything and Marcus has done just that." He sipped his water. "Now, Angelo can''t refuse his deal."


    "But he can negotiate," she countered.


    "Why would I do that? I don''t want to take this deal, to begin with." Angelo replied after chewing a bite.


    "You do it for both the parties. Your grandmother can not say anything because she came with the proposal on his behalf but accepting it is your decision." She explained shrinking a bit.


    Gabriele looked relieved. "That is true. But it''s also simple."


    "Because sometimes the solution is simple," Nikita commented.


    "True," Isabelle said, smiling at the family that now felt complete. They were discussing business in the presence of Alexis and she was participating too.


    "Still, " Gabrielle spoke, "I want you to be prepared. I don''t want you to come in any deal with that son of a bitch."


    "Isn''t that woman your woman too?" Silvano winced at the crudeness of the situation.


    Instead of answering immediately, Gabrielle got up and buttoned his coat. "She is. But the way she lives, she turned out to be a bitch instead of mother." Turning around he left.


    Everyone was aware that that was a sensitive topic.


    Collecting the plates, the women moved to the kitchen. They were talking there whilst cleaning up as well. Alexis was washing the utensils, Nikita was drying them and placing them at their places and Isabelle was tiding the shelves.


    "Why aren''t any servants in here today?" Alexis whispered as it was too quiet in the kitchen.


    "I wanted it to intimate. Only family tonight." Isabelle answered as she sat down on the bar stools.


    She nodded. Even though Isabelle couldn''t see her reaction, she didn''t care to give a verbal one. The silence was golden at the moment and it was one of the main reasons why Alexis liked to live alone instead of applying for a roommate.


    "Marcus is intelligent but also petty," Isabelle said as Nikita poured some hot milk with cardamon for them. "Involving mother like that." She tsked. Discussing this with her daughters-in-law was necessary. She wanted them to be clever as well. One day she won''t be here and she had to make sure that her proteges were on the right path.


    "He has no courage to face his own family for help. Pride should never be filled that much within a person." Nikita added her two cents as well.


    "It''s kind of intelligent on his part though. He chose a method where he knew he wasn''t going to be denied." Alexis giggled a bit and was joined in by Nikita as well.


    Isabella then noticed What her husband had told her. Instead of gossiping and taking her family''s side blindly, which Alexis did, she also appreciated and observed the game of enemy. Even Isabelle didn''t do that in the beginning.


    This made her ansty. If Alexis knew this then she also knew how to play which was nice but to some extend. Alexis wasn''t born into this life hence she didn''t know many basics and that somewhere was going to cause her troubles.


    There were things that Isabelle had learned and many of them were to observe a situation and act accordingly. She had learned that there was a time to be brave and step forward and there was a time when you stayed silent.


    "Anyway," Nikita beamed with excitement. "Do you remember Nadia, my younger sister?" She asked.


    Alexis vaguely remembered her from the wedding and Isabelle knew the girl by heart. "What about her?" She asked.


    "She''s getting engaged!" She excited told them. "She''s 20 so just engaged as the capo asked for her hand. Marriage will happen when she''s ready for residency. She wants to work for the Don in the States."


    "That''s great!" Isabelle joined in with a huge smile. "She took a liking to the medical field? That''s difficult, I hope she does well and makes a name for herself." Isabelle wished the girl well. It was amazing that she wanted to take up such a great career option.


    "That''s great!" Alexis joined in as well. She didn''t know her so her enthusiasm did not match the level of the two ladies. "When is it, though?"


    "My family wanted the Don to attend it in Italy and since he''s here, preferably it would be the day after tomorrow. It''s a small ceremony but the wedding would be grand!" Nikita seemed happy. Alexis didn''t particularly feel happy about any of this but she smiled for a very happy Nikita.


    "That''s amazing!" She beamed in happiness.. "I can''t wait to attend."

 Chapter 75 - Seventy-five

    Alexis had walked back to ber room as soon as they had finished up talking about it. Nikita was like an overexcited sister of the bride who was ready to take on anything and make sure that her sister''s wedding was fantastic.


    She had found Angelo laying on the bed with his laptop on his lap and the files opened up.


    "I got to know about Nikita''s sister''s wedding." She informed him as she took a sit on her side of the bed which was clear.


    "Hmm, she must have gone on and on about it." He commented.


    "Wait you knew?" She turned to him. She had assumed that she would have been to inform him.


    "I did. I received the invitation." Came his reply.


    "Are you going to attend then?"


    "I don''t usually attend." Angelo sighed. They were lying side by side on the bed now as he had closed shut the laptop. Alexis was on her back with her head supported by her hand. She was talking to him about the engagement ceremony.


    "Why not?" She asked in a soft voice. It was just then and so much silence.


    "I receive everyone''s invite, Alexis. If I start attending then I would have to free every goddamn weekend." He sighed heavily. "And I mean every weekend."


    "But that''s Nikita''s family. Your sister-in-law." She made another effort. They were newlyweds, surely appearing at family functions alone meant many things.


    "I know and I will attend her sister''s wedding. Not the engagement ceremony." Angelo then looked at her and copied her pose. "What is truly on your mind? Tell me, I can answer you better and satisfy you."


    Alexis unknowingly blushed at it but in the dim lights, she hoped that he won''t notice. "We''re a newly married couple. Shouldn''t we make appearances together?" Alexis was not social before but she was certainly aware of the social norms. As a couple, appearing alone could mean many things and people always went with the most negative assumption.


    "Ah!" He smiled in victory, now knowing what she wanted. "That''s fine. No one spreads rumours about me or, now, you. There might be gossip but place yourself above it." He smiled again, leaning in and stealing a kiss. "For you, I''ll send a gift to the engaged couple."


    "You don''t even send gifts?!" She gawked at him. That was simply mannerless.


    "No, I send a card saying ''congratulations'' and wire some money into their account. They can choose to do whatever they want with it." He answered, lying on his back again and closing his eyes.


    "I want to go." She muttered, "Nikita seemed excited."


    "It''s her sister, so her excitement is a given. Rest for you to want to go, that''s your choice. Mother is going to go as well."


    Angelo wasn''t going to stop her. There was no reason to do so. She was her person and the only time he would ever stop her from going somewhere would be for safety reasons.


    "Huh," she muttered. "what are you going to do then?"


    Angelo chuckled, his na?ve little wife thought that he was free for a whole day if not going to a ceremony. "I''m not free sweetheart. I have to cover a lot of work since I took some time off for our honeymoon, I''ll have to look over it with Silvano."


    "That''s why you were getting up every morning?"


    "Yes, that and also, for talking to my side girlfriend, you know, the mistress." He whispered while narrowing his eyes on her.


    Gasping loudly, she widened her eyes at him and grabbed a pillow. "Mistress!" She threw the pillow at him and then smacked him, again and again, muttering the words ''mistress'' and ''girlfriend''.


    Angelo laughed while being smacked. Her jealously was still unknown to her. He grabbed her hand and pulled her underneath him, trapping her legs by placing the weight of his.


    Kissing her once, he said, "I only have my eyes for you." Saying that he kissed again, never stopping to touch her again for the night.


    "Also, " he pulled back to talk about something. "You going to the engagement ceremony alone will make a bold statement. You don''t need to make a headline about it."


    "Really?" She cringed that seem unreal.


    Instead of answering her, he focused on kissing her.


    ******


    Morning breakfast consisted of only the ladies of the household. The men had left early to target the overdue work. How much work was it?


    Alexis was drinking her coffee with which she noticed that it tasted familiar. ''Maybe it was the chef?''


    "More madam?" A soft voice made her smile immediately.


    "Agatha!" She went up and hugged her tightly. "I missed you!"


    "It is my honour, madam. And so did I." She smiled, placing her madam''s plate in front of her, she stood back.


    "It''s good that you are back, Agatha. Alexis will need your assistance dressing up for tomorrow." Nikita winked at her. "She looked like a clown without you."


    "Hardy har har, I dress just fine" Alexis mocked in return.


    "Do not worry madam. I have prepared the dresses already."


    "Ah, Agatha," Isabelle smiled, "just like your mother. Ever efficient."


    Agatha smiled in return.


    Isabelle then turned to Nikita. "Have you invited everyone?"


    "We did. But I did not expect Silvano''s grandmother to say yes."


    "She wants to continue the Battle." Isabelle sighed and that then Alexis spoke up.


    "What battle? There is none!" She claimed as she looked between the other two people on the table.


    "There is and even if there was not, there would always be a cold one," Nikita informed her. "She is aged, Alexis. Life was thrown things at her and now she is quite relentless about being on the top of the hill."


    "So what now?" Alexis questioned both the ladies who were sitting in front of her.


    "Now?" Isabelle repeated. "We fight back as well."


    "The Throne is ours to keep and we shall make sure that it is."

 Chapter 76 - Seventy-six

    "Won''t it be too much?" Alexis asked, twirling in front of the mirror.


    "No, you''re the Donna. This¡ª" she waved her hands at the gorgeous dress, "is expected from you. Dressing the best."


    "But then I will take the limelight from the bride." She argued.


    "Well, you are coming to the ceremony. There you took it from her already. People are going to fawn over the Donna because they will be seeing you in person and also, we all asked when each other, none of the dresses match." And that was true. Everyone''s dresses were discussed to see if they were having the same one.


    "Were they not at my wedding?" Alexis questioned as she sat down on the vanity chair.


    "No, only family." Agatha began with her beautification. She kept it simple as it was just a family-only ceremony.


    A pink dress with shoulder blades. Nude makeup looked good at her, paired with silver coloured high heels.


    She walked out of her room and met with Isabelle who had a black and white dress on. She looked beautiful even when she looked simple but still carried the aura of authority, attracting every eye her way.


    "Where''s Nikita?" She asked as she saw Isabelle sitting alone.


    "Oh, she wanted to get ready with her sister. Come on, let''s leave for the venue as well."


    ******


    The party was in a banquet hall but it was not less than any grand party. This was hosted in one of the best hotels in Italy and of course, no expense was spared. Visibly.


    "Alexis," Isabelle called her as they entered the lift. "Back straight, tummy tucked in and chest out. Stand as proudly as you can." She said, touching her back and getting rid of the slouch she had. "Chin up, My Queen." She smiled at her prot¨¦g¨¦.


    Alexis shakily smiled and did as told. The doors of the lift opened and smiled. Not too much to seem stupid and not too less to seem arrogant. She looked regal in her dress with a slit and blades highlighted cheekbones and high heels.


    "Welcome, Donna and Mrs De''Alessandro." Nikita''s father along with her came forward to greet them. Isabelle stepped toward and kissed the man''s cheeks and watching her, Alexis followed suit.


    "Where''s the bride? I would like to congratulate her." Alexis politely asked where she was. Nikita had once told her to always demand things; politeness was just an option. But her family was involved so She asked instead of demanding.


    Well, they couldn''t say no anyway.


    Nikita came forward, "of course. She would be delighted." Taking her hand, she excitedly talked about the ceremony while talking to her about her sister.


    Knocking at the door, they heard a come in and walked inside.


    "Hello," Alexis smiled at the bride that was surrounded and being fawned over.


    "Oh my god!" She got up. "Y-you''re the Donna."


    "Indeed, I am." She smiled and agreed. Coming forward, she hugged the trembling bride and offered her the gift she had been carrying with her. "I wish you every happiness in the world and I came to know about the career choice you made. I''m am happy that you have decided to practice medicine. It takes a lot of courage."


    "T-thank you." She smiled, accepting the gift given to her. "It means a lot."


    "Don''t mention it, sweetheart." Alexis touched her cheek affectionately. "Enjoy your day." Giving her one last smile, she walked out of the room and laughed when she heard the girls squealing behind her.


    She walked into the hall and found Isabelle. Standing next to her she warmly greeted everyone. People looked surprised by her attitude towards them. She was not snotty at all, hell she was respectful even towards the young as well.


    "Alexis looks," at Nikita''s nudge, she looked to the direction she had pointed to. Julia had entered and she looked quite arrogant as she looked the place up and down.


    "Madam De''alassandro, welcome." Nikita father and mother immediately went to greet her.


    "Welcoming me to this?" She scoffed. "It''s your daughter''s wedding, who did you hire for this¡ª"


    Alexis tsked as she watched Julia enter and ruthlessly slam insults on the parents who looked humiliated. They could not talk back and people were listening and watching. Isabelle who was watching Alexis knew what was going on in her mind. ''Go ahead,'' she whispered.


    "It''s beautifully decorated, is it not grandmother?" Alexis said. "Come, let''s have something to drink." Smiling she placed her hand on the back of the old woman and gently pushed her forward. Taking her to the seating area, she pulled out a chair for her and nudged her in its direction.


    Julia hadn''t noticed where she was sitting and continued to stare at the young woman who was appearing to be a pain now. When Alexis walked away she turned back to those sitting at her table and her face turned ugly.


    She was at a table where the old were sitting and that''s when the realisation hit her. Alexis had made a statement, a bold one at that. She had told Julia her place in front of everyone and she did not even realise it.


    She had officially declared that Julia was old and out of the race and what angered her was Alexis did not even know what she had done.


    Alexis watched as the couple now engaged had exchanged rings. She clapped as well. People came by and gave them wishes as Nikita made her way to her sister-in-law.


    "Alexis, thank you for doing that." She smiled. "My parents were worried about sending over the invitation to her and getting humiliated but not sending it would have thrown us off the cliff."


    "No harm is done. No one should insult a father who worked his entire life to give his daughter everything." Alexis smiled as she answered. "And you were family."


    "That''s right," Isabelle added her two cents coming to them.. "Family should always come first."

 Chapter 77 - Seventy-seven

    Julia was watching the ring exchange from afar. After she had seen where she had been sitting, she had gotten up from there as though the seat was in the fire.


    She could not believe it. A woman, no, a girl out of nowhere came up and showed the world how Julia had been to the sidelines. Respectfully done, no one could point fingers at the fact that the fight was dirty and humiliating. It was a blow. A squeaky clean blow that no one saw coming.


    Alexis chapped as the coupled smiled at each other. It felt like a happy scenario to watch and a bit too sappy but yeah. She liked it and smiled at them. They seemed in love.


    After the engagement ceremony had been completed, people mingled with each other or rather Don''s family. On one could believe that Donna had come to a ceremony and not marriage. It had never happened before.  Marriage, they had made appearances but to ceremonies? That had happened never before.


    Alexis and Isabelle went to the washroom for a while because the younger one thought that they were stealing the thunder from the bride. People were coming to her more and congratulating her on her marriage than the bride on her marriage. Of course, Nikita''s sister so not say anything but her expressions told Alexis what to do.


    Isabelle started laughing as soon as she entered the washroom. She had to sit down on the bench joined to the wall.


    But who would keep the bench there? In the washroom?


    "What''s wrong with you?" Alexis looked at her with suspicion. Was she roofied? She was laughing her off off. LMAOI can''t believe that you did that!" She laughed again. "I am just shocked that I never thought of it! I could have finished our power struggle long ago!" She laughed again. Isabelle could never forget her mother in law''s reaction. Hell, she had recorded it.


    "Oh," Alexis now knew what she was talking about. "Really? You are still laughing about that?"


    "Hey, I couldn''t laugh like a hyena there in front of people!" Isabelle heaved as she patted her chest to calm down. "That face she made when she realised. Oh my god." She started laughing again. "What made you think of that?"


    "I don''t know.." she let a giggle or two out. "But I feel that she won''t go anywhere anytime soon."


    "Oh, she won''t." Isabelle dabbed tissues under her eyes and touched her make up, up a bit.


    "I just made her sit at the table where the elder people were sitting." Alexis shrugged while explained what she had truly done. "I thought that since they were her age, She might enjoy sitting with them more." Which true. That was exactly what Alexis had thought when she did the so-called power move.


    "I had no idea, " Isabelle sly expression as she said so. "I thought you knew but that was unknowingly done by you, was it not?" She asked with a from expression, something told Alexis that her word was not trusted.


    "No, I did not. The logic was obviously to give her seat at the table where she knew people, her age group was my closest guess." She frowned when she saw no change in Isabelle''s expressions. "Do you not trust me?" She asked with some hostility in her voice. She had had enough.


    "I do, " Isabelle sighed and broke her posture where she stood tall and firm. "But what I do not believe is that you did not plan this. Because I have thought plenty and I could never do this." I saw once again stood tall and proud and it threatened Alexis. So she threatened back as well.


    "I don''t care what you believe kn and what you do not, but when I say I did not do it, means I did not do it and I want you to take my word for it." Her jaw was set and eyebrows were raised high. She was taller than Isabelle and she was towering her.


    "And pray to tell, " Isabelle stared into her eyes as well. "Why would I take hour word for it?" She raised one eyebrow at it.


    "Because this is a life where people die and like you said, I need allies. So if it came to telling you the truth, I will tell you that no matter what I have done because I believe that you will always be in my corner." With anger visible in her tone, she had made it known that she did not like Isabelle''s distrust in her.


    And that is when Isabelle broke into a smile. "That is good to know and if anyone ever challenges your authority that is what you do." She held her shoulders and shook her little. "The power you just spoke with is the one you have."


    "Excuse me?" She gawked at her mother in law. "What just happened?"


    "I gave you a life lesson." She winked. "Unexpected ones are the ones that we learn the most from. Now come on, it''s time to go back." She smiled and Alexis did too. Her mother-in-law was hell weird.


    Taking hold of her clutch purse again, Alexis walked out with her head high and a beaming smile. The attention was on her but not so much as before which she was grateful for that. The birds were being fawned over like she was supposed to be I''m the first place.


    When a waiter serving wine came ahead to offer some, she and Isabelle took one each.


    Taking a sip of it, Alexis could not help but make a face at the taste. "Wow¡ªhow? This so amazing!" She took one sip again. This was one of the best she had ever tasted.


    "These are made from grapes which are further grown at home. The fermentation process is formed by us too!" A woman near them answered her. "I am Chiara. many others help with this. We supply weddings and such. Small catering business we have."


    "This is truly amazing!" Alexis couldn''t help but praise them again and take a sip. "Have never thought of expansion?"


    "We did. But we are housewives and we tend to keep to ourselves. No one had offered an opportunity, to begin with so we cater to small businesses."


    Alexis liked the wine. It had potential and it did not seem like many alcoholics in nature. It could be a hit. "What if I offer you a Deal? I am just talking about it but if you are interested we can talk more after I go back to the states."


    "Yes, I could talk to the other ladies about it." She excitedly agreed. "Here''s our business card." Opening her purse, she handed two to Alexis in clumsiness but Alexis accepted them wholeheartedly not wanting to make the woman feel embarrassed.


    "Thank you but for now let''s keep it to ourselves." Alexis smiled in gratitude. The woman nodded and left to tell the other wives about it.


    "That could make a good business," Isabelle sighed and sipped another.


    "Why didn''t you think of it then?" Alexis asked her. "You probably knew about it before me."


    "Of course, I did." She looked at Alexis and smiled. "Everyone has a different fight sweetheart. Mine was to fight for them to be able to start one, your fight will be to take it to the next level." Holding her daughter-in-law''s hand tightly, she continued, "Change comes slowly. I knew what was not my fight and I left it there for you. Now you picked it up as your own."


    "That I did." She smiled. "How did you know that I would?"


    "I didn''t, I just hoped for it."


    "Also, ask Nikita to join. You never have enough allies the family."


    As the newly engaged couple entered the dance floor, suspicions in Alexis''s mind grew. Turing her back to the dance floor, she faced her mother-in-law. "Allies within the family?" She breathed heavily. "You that there are people who could betray me in my family?" Alexis could believe that.


    Isabelle smirked in return. Mirth danced in her eyes. "My darling, Betrayal can come from anyone; sister, brother, parents and of course husband." She spoke seriously, her facial expressions showed that she was not joking. "So you better keep an eye on everyone and make sure that you always have a backup." Her eyes held sincerity. She was speaking the truth.


    "Anyone?" She repeated just so she could hear it again and be sure.


    "Yes, anyone."


    Slipping away from the conservation, Isabelle went ahead to mingle more. Alexis sat down on a chair and sipped on the delicious wine. If anyone could betray her then why would she be collaborating with anyone? Hell, if the family could betray you then who would stand by your side?


    One thing was for sure, she was going to have a long talk with Angelo and lawyers were getting involved.


    **Should I do a character aesthetic?

 Chapter 78 - Seventy-eight.

    There were classic Italian dishes served. The Don''s family were served first and here Julia sat with them but she was mum and the mother and daughter duo left her like that. There was no need to poke someone unless needed to in an absolute emergency.


    The food was excellent and there was a visible relief on the parent''s face''s as Alexis and Isabelle had the expression of joy. No one had paid any attention to Julia and her sour expression which never changed.


    Everyone like the positivity that The Donna was sending. She smiled, all tall and proud without any maliciousness in her.


    On the way back Nikita had joined them. She was also going back to the states tomorrow with the family and her husband. Nikita had thoroughly enjoyed tonight with her family. She seemed a bit tipsy as well.


    Alexis had graciously led her a shoulder for support. Nikita, very drunkenly, had taken her offer and clung on to her. People seemed to stare at them, waiting for Alexis to snap at her and throw her to the ground but that didn''t happen. Instead, Donna laughed at her while taking her to the car.


    "It was a good event, Nikita. It was all beautiful." Isabelle gave a tired smile to a still beaming Nikita, drunk off her ass, have big ''Thank you with a toothy smile in return.


    A snicker came from Alexis as she watched Nikita mumble things to herself which were mostly the mimicry of the guests. The car came to a slow stop and the doors to both sides opened and Alexis helped Nikita again.


    "Here, let me help." Silvano came rushing out as he heard the car in the entry.


    Alexis gladly let him take over. He carried his wife inside and the other two followed him inside. Wishing each other good night, they parted ways. Alexis climbed up the stairs with slouched back, pouting slightly at how tired she felt. The dressed now seemed like it weighed a ton. A thousand tonnes.


    She opened the door and looked around while closing it behind her. Angelo was still working, he had his laptop set on the armrest and papers scattered on the coffee table in front. Mere glancing at her, he nodded a bit and continued his work.


    Alexis didn''t mind. That''s what you truly excepted from an arranged marriage or a forced one at that. She took a nice long shower and didn''t bother with her routine this time. She immediately changed into a long shirt and went to bed.


    Angelo shut his laptop and organised his paper. He lied down on the bed as well and pulled her closer.


    "How was it?" He whispered as the silence surrounded them.


    "Good. Lovey-dovey. Beautiful." She answered with a yawn.


    "So tired huh?" He kissed her forehead and snuggled a bit more.


    "Yes. You have no idea how hard it is to wear heels?"


    "Then why do you?"


    "Good night." She whispered instead of answering making him chuckle a bit.


    "We have to talk tomorrow morning." He said.


    ''That we do,'' she thought but didn''t anything as sleep took her away.


    *********


    The clouds of sleep finally left but Alexis didn''t open her eyes. If possible she pushed herself further into the comfort of the bed trying to bury herself there forever. Angelo snorted looking at her, making her open her eyes a little.


    "What?" With a heavy voice, she questioned him. Her expression had turned ugly too. If she was sure that he had not spoken she would she went back to sleep?


    "It''s like watching a stray cat snuggle."


    "A stray cat?" She pressured the word ''stray''.


    "Why yes, sweetheart." He kissed her lips, "you didn''t think I''d call you a little cuddle bug or little rabbit or a little kitten, now did you?"


    "Hah!" Giving a loud mocking laugh, she glared at him. Having no effect of her glare on him, he got out of the bed and went in for a shower. Alexis having no shame laid back down and went to sleep. Ah, sleep, some extra good sleep.


    ''Hi,'' Alexis tinted around when she heard a voice. Looking around she noticed that she did not know where she was.


    ''Where am I?'' She asked on one in particular because the voice she seemed to hear did not have any face, shape or form. ''Why am I here?''


    ''You were brought in,'' it whispered like a snake hissing at her. ''You will never be able to leave it.''


    ''Jul¡ª Grandmother, this is not funny!" She yelled.


    ''People might die for what you will do and you will never be able to undo it. You will regret it forever.''


    ''I am not looking for anyone.'' She immediately defended herself. ''That will never happen!''


    ''It will.'' The voice calmly replied. ''Because no one ever remains innocent.''


    A sudden force hitting her head had her jumping awake. With a startled scream, she looked around to see an unamused Angelo standing fully dressed and staring at her.


    "What?" She growled at him.


    "Get ready in half-hour. We are leaving for New York with Silvano and his wife."


    Alexis rolled her eyes were ready to tell him off when he grabbed a hold of her jaw and gave it a threatening squeeze. "Listen to what I say," his eyes bore into hers, "and fucking do it." Saying that he pushed her away and slammed the door shut on his way out.


    Alexis got out of the bed and numbly when to the bathroom. She took some toothpaste on her brush and looked in the mirror. Her jaw was aching and was starting to bruise. She would have to apply makeup. What had happened to him all of a sudden? Out of nowhere?


    ''Angelo always seems alright as long as what he wants happens,'' she thought about what had happened. ''The moment I either delay or refuse he can''t stand it and in the end, I have to do it.''


    That''s when the realisation hit her. Angelo had the power over her which was not given by her. He had it all whereas whatever she had, was given by him.


    And then again, he had the power of giving her power over him.


    He decided that.


    But what about the dream? Was she going to kill anyone? Alexis stared in the mirror where she saw herself breathing heavily and all over the place. She smoothed her hair and tangled with her fingers. Then she tied it up with a hairband into a bun.


    "You will not kill anyone, Alexis." She reassured her mind. "Ever. Because you know better."


    *********


    Stepping down the stairs in a burgundy dress while wearing nude heels, she went ahead to the dining room and wished everyone a good morning. They nodded at her as they had already begun eating.


    Alexis was served a plate. Isabelle chewed a bite and announced it to everyone. "All of your children are going back. Your father and I are staying here a bit longer. He will be available, so if you have anything to consult with him you can call." She smiled.


    "And if I don''t pick up, no need to call twice. I''ll be busy and I will call you back." Wiggling his eyebrows he said, "if you know what I mean."


    "We are going to be busy."


    "Use protection folks," Silvano winked at them with a nasty smirk. "I don''t want to play with my twenty-eight years younger sibling."


    Everyone snickered at that and Isabelle made a hushing sound. Angelo gripped Alexis''s thigh under the table and no one seemed to notice. He carried on with no care in the world.


    "Which reminds me," Gabrielle pointed at Silvano, "it''s been three years since your marriage, when is the grandkid coming?"


    "Please Papa, I will have to take care of two." Nikita teased not looking into her husband''s direction. "understand my plight too."


    Taking a hold of her cheek, he pulled her face to look at him. "If I may remind you, you were pretty adamant to get a bun in the oven last night."


    "Shush." She whispered.


    "It''s was harder, last night."


    "Stop the sex talk. I don''t want to hear my kids talking about it in front of me." Isabelle frowned at the crude topic they had picked up on.


    "If I may remind you," Angelo pointed at his mother and earned a laugh from Silvano, "You and father started it."


    "I started you too, you piece of shit." Gabrielle frowned with displeasure. "keep the finger down." He said and it was done.


    "All right children, board safely and land safely and do not get into any trouble while we are gone."


    "When has that ever happened?" Silvano raised his voice.


    "I pull you out of it before it escalates," Angelo told him. "And I am no longer doing it. You need more responsibilities."


    When he said that he had given her thigh a good squeeze, he meant that for her too. Maybe her decision at the engagement party was right after all.. She had to make sure that she would be safe.

 Chapter 79 - Seventy-nine

    So I added a little (*whispers* side) business.


    *******


    "Your coffee Madam," The flight attendant served Nikita in a gentle voice given the quiet they had around them.


    "That is your fifth cup Nikita," Alexis das commented once the attendant was out of earshot. "And it''s our third hour in the air."


    "Don''t remind me, this is too long and too silent." Nikita rolled her eyes as she continued to drink her coffee. It was her sixth cup, she had a refill when Alexis had gone to the bathroom.


    The flight was long and boring, even with Nikita seemed to be extra long. She could not wait to carry out her decision regarding her relationship with Angelo. Even though she wanted to work immediately after coming home, the jetlag had poured water over her plans and she had to rest.


    So here she was, day after landing, scrolling over the best law firms in New York, which of course were not owned by Angelo in any sort of way. They were her best chance and she found one.


    Parker Pearson Wilton.


    One of the best and have no connections of any kind to Angelo. Grabbing her cell phone, she dialled the number given on the website.


    "Hello?"


    "Hi, Am I talking to the reception of Parker, Pearson and Wilton?" She asked to confirm first.


    "Yes. How may I help you?"


    "Alexis?" Angelo came in without knocking.


    "Excuse me," she spoke to the lady on the phone. "I''ll have to call you back." She hung up.


    "You could have told me to wait," he said frowning. "It must have been important."


    "Non-sense, Angelo. Tell me what is it?" She got up and stood next to him.


    "You talked about bringing the winery business here." Walking to the sofa set in the room, he beckoned her to sit too.


    ''How?" She thought. ''He wasn''t there and no one except family was.'' She really could not trust anyone and it was like a door slamming shut in her face. Another door had closed.


    Yet she continued to maintain her posture and answered him. "The wine tasted marvellous, Angelo. I was thinking of investing in a restaurant and dividing the money earned."


    Angelo put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into a side hug. Even though she didn''t want it, she didn''t object.


    "My wife is not going to invest," he spits the word ''invest'' out. "I will buy you one." He kissed her lips.


    "You do not have to do that," she immediately denied. "It''s not needed."


    "Needed or not I don''t care." He declared. "You need to do something as well with your time and you talked about the proposal of expansion, now it''s is happening. You won''t give them further to someone, you will maintain their integrity because I trust you more than a lowly owner or his fucking manager."


    Alexis looked at him and tried to understand. He was being protective but the women could take care of themselves. "Why are you being so protective? Is something wrong?"


    "No." He sighed. "They have never been outside the country and it''s a dog eat dog world. How do you expect them to keep up with the constant change in business trends? They know how to make it in the best way possible but they do not know how to compete against the ones that are ready to play down and dirty for it."


    "You want to protect them." She concluded with a nod. His concern was appreciated.


    "And it''s not only that," he sighed a little before talking again. "It''s just like I said earlier, I don''t want you to wait for me and spend your days doing nothing. A restaurant is somewhere where I can protect you too and with your commitment given, it''s the perfect option."


    Alexis sighed and hen smiled."Well, I guess a thank you is in order then. Thank you." She said as she thought of something that he was doing.


    His phone rang and he clicked his tongue. Kissing her head, he bade her goodbye and left, closing the door when she stopped him.


    "Wait," she called. "Why are you saying commitment again and again. I never made any. I just talked." She shrugged.


    Smirking, he replied, "cuz'' your word is the law. So make sure to remember that before you talk." Winking at her, he closed the door.


    Alexis leaned back comfortably and thought of what had happened. She had noticed yet another characteristic of Angelo. He tried to make up after a fight. This was something that she could take advantage of if she was careful enough.


    Which seemed to be an upside to all of his mood swings. She could finally ask for something and he could not say no because he wanted to make peace.


    Walking back to her desk, she took out the card that the lady had given her. She dialled the number and was ready to put it through when it hit her.


    She didn''t have the restaurant ready and if she called them in advance with nothing on her side, it would be humiliating. Sighing she placed both, the card and the phone back. She had to wait for the restaurant, at least till it was in front of her.


    *******


    "She did?" Angelo asked the person on another side of the call. "Are you sure?"


    "And yet she did not say why?" He questioned again. "That''s alright. Continue to keep an eye."


    "Something happens?" Silvano asked. He was sitting in front of Angelo''s desk.


    "Alexis called a law firm.." he left the sentence hanging as he made a thoughtful expression afterwards. What and why did she, was the question.


    "A law firm?!" Silvano could not control the volume of his voice. "Why in the world did she do that for?"


    "Do you think I would not tell you anything regarding it if I did know?" He taunted Silvano who had an irritated look on his face. "I had entered before she could make any demand put through. Damnit! A lawyer? I was not expecting it so soon." Hitting his hand on the table, he cursed out loud. His wife was already going against him and that meant that she had never accepted the relationship.


    "No," Silvano countered, "let her call again. For all, we know it could have for anything thing, so it''s better to let it simmer itself until she makes another call."


    Angelo breathed in and out, trying to calm himself down before he made a rash decision. The fact that she chose a firm that had not been under his control was astounding and meant that something was fishy.


    "You remember Shaun Adams?" Silvano nodded as an answer. That guy owned money and was still delaying payment. "I talking it off his hands. Alexis wants a restaurant and something for that winery business, I thought this might be a good opportunity."


    "But he has potential," Silvano angry. The guy could pay back every penny if they had to.


    "Don''t talk back to me when you nothing," he hissed at his younger brother. "His restaurant is going nowhere. It''s in ruins already. The chef is leaving and sinks the wait staff." Angelo stopped the sentence as a knock came through his door.


    "Come in,"


    "Sir, Mr Paulsen is here." His receptionist peeked inside.


    Send in him,"


    "The lawyer?" Silvano frowned with discontent. "Why did you call me then?"


    Angelo''s eyes flashed but he remained calm. "Because you are the second man I trust after my father even though you happen to challenge me every time I make a fucking decision." He seethed.


    "Good morning, Mr Alessandro." Alex Paulsen wished as he came into both of them. "How can I help you today?"


    "We want to acquire the hotel on 5th Street, upper side," Silvano answered. "The guy will sell."


    Angelo smirked. That was an apology from his brother. Yet, a silent one but he accepted.


    "Alright," He answered and took the papers that Angelo passed him. "That''s not right." The lawyer disagreed as he flipped through the pages. "They would never agree. This is a bullshit offer!"


    "The Bullshit is what I pay you," Angelo pointed at him, unhappy with the blatant show of disrespect. "I can easily drop you and you know for a fact that when a big fish is on the market, people come running with desperate offers."


    "I apologize that was uncalled for," he conceded. "But for a restaurant worth tens of millions, he would never sell for just one million dollars."


    "He won''t," Silvano agreed with a sly smile, "but when ''unethical'' practices are found and he had to sell in even lesser numbers, I''m sure he will reconsider." He winked at the lawyer.


    "So you want it done." Paulsen nodded and got up.


    "Before you go and decide to something completely different," Angelo chimed in, "I want whatever is written in there. Nothing more and nothing less." He warned.


    "Alright," he nodded and looked at them both before walking out.


    Silvano turned to his brother with a smile."Include Nikki in it. She rots away at home, reading books and cooking feasts. She doesn''t complain but I know that she would love to do something."


    Angelo nodded. "I will bring it up." Straightening his back, he narrowed his gaze, "Now let''s talk about Our dearest uncle Marcus."


    ******

 Chapter 80 - Eighty.

    Angelo''s sweaty body fell on an equally sweaty body of Alexis. Both of them were breathing heavily from their morning workout session. Angelo was teaching her how to defend herself and she had finally seen a window and taken advantage of it but that also resulted in Angelo falling over her.


    "Well done, rookie." He got up and lend her a hand. "That was unexpected." He praised.


    "Why, thank you." She pushed her sweaty body against his, "Why don''t you reward me, coach? The shower is free." Fluttering her lashes at him, she could see him breaking through his control.


    Her glistening body which was reddened as well invoked a fire within which was pushing something ''else'' up. "I don''t know whether to fucking horny at this or be angry at you throwing yourself at your coach.."


    "Punish me then, why don''t you?" She whispered biting her lip and winking up at him.


    "As you say, babe." Throwing her over his shoulders he ran upstairs.


    "Shit," Alexis woke up, startled at the unusual dream which was very unlikely to happen. She looked to Angelo''s side, her cheeks reddened on thinking what had happened. "The hell.."


    She dragged herself to the bed''s back and leaned against it. It was around 2 at night around what she could tell at once glance. Putting a cushion in her lap, she thought about it.


    ''How could I even think of that dream? I like the sex as a need that he provides and is legal too but a dream like this?'' She felt puzzled at the moment. ''Did it mean that I should seduce him for stuff?''


    She wondered. Maybe, she could. It''s not like he ever said no to it when offered.


    Holding the cushion in her hands and then looking at his peaceful face, she felt like stuffing his face till death.


    Sighing, she threw the pillow across the room and laid down, praying that she won''t behave like that ever again. Ever.


    ********


    Waking up the routine followed. Angelo woke up half an hour before her to exercise for an hour and by the time he came in for a shower Alexis was already finished. Most of the time she was either doing her makeup or she was sitting and reading the newspaper.


    Angelo hardly took 15 to 20 minutes to get ready and when he did, they walked down together to have breakfast.


    "Have you thought about the proposal for the restaurant?" He asked as they waited for the food.


    Angelo sighed and sipped her coffee. Should she agree? To be honest it was the best she was getting out of this man to work. He would control everything given his nature it was obvious but at least she would have freedom. Unlike his father, he was making an effort to have his wife stay sane behind him. Suddenly denying him felt bad.


    "Yes," she smiled. "I would love to start something new."


    "Who have you considered for the Managerial position?" Angelo asked after taking a bite of the food now served.


    "Manager?" She said loudly. "Angelo, you practically threw the restaurant in my face last night. How do you expect me to get the staff ready the next morning?"


    "By making some calls," The way he answered, he didn''t seem to care about anyone''s sleep. As long as his things got done, he was satisfied.


    She sighed in return. Men were always this difficult. "No, I have to think about everything and make a call to the fine winery."


    "Consider a Nikita for the manager," He pushed, "Have someone you can trust for the first restaurant if you plan to have more."


    "Alright," she agreed, "but what about Isobel? She would want it too." To be honest, if she gave something to Nikita then Isobel came in too. She did not want to be seen favouring sides.


    "Trust me, Nikita would want to work. Isobel is someone whom you could call a trophy wife, so if you want publicity you can ask her to come to the restaurant. Thought a name of it though?"


    "How does ''Lexis'' sound?" She turned to him with a hopeful expression on her face.


    "Your name?" She nodded. "Fine by me. Submit the paperwork and I''ll have it down for you."


    "Okay."


    Getting up, he buttoned his jacket and leaned down to kiss her lips. "Bye," he whispered kissing her again. "Take care."


    "Yeah," she shakily muttered.


    Watching him walk out had somehow reminded her of the dream or nightmare yesterday. It was obvious that she needed some action and now she was getting some tonight.


    ********


    "There," the lawyer pointed to the space below the signatories.


    She signed.


    "And there," she signed again.


    "And here," she did. "And that''s done."


    He collected all the Paperwork and stood up. "I''ll take my leave now. Thank you" From the way he behaved, he knew who she was or rather her husband.


    Who had ever said that opening a restaurant was going to be easy? She had to go through tonnes of paperwork and yet, the employees and interior design was to be selected. Which of course, was going to be another hassle.


    "Hey," Nikita peeped her head in and entered as Alexis waved her in. "I thought you might be tired, so refreshments!"


    Agatha came in with iced tea and some macrons. Keeping them on the coffee table, she nodded and left.


    "Come on, you might be tired. Can''t let the Donna have early wrinkles." Nikita said as she took out the serving plates and napkins and placed the delicacies on them.


    "How are you here today? I was told by Agatha that you Silvano are here mostly for the family dinners on the weekends."


    "Felt like meeting my new friend," she winked.


    ''How sneaky can you be?" She shook her head at Nikita and took the plate as she took a seat.


    "Nikita," she lazily drawled out as she ate a bit.. "You are one selfish bitch."

 Chapter 81 - Eighty-one

    "What are you talking about now?" Nikita immediately frowned. "I have not yet been selfish with you anywhere."


    "Did you not have Silvano and Isabelle talk me into about giving you a job?" She kept the plate down and straightened her back to act firm.


    Nikita immediately felt angry. "Oh, come on! Do you have any idea how desperate I am here?!"


    "So boot-licking is the only option, now?" Alexis frowned at her behaviour. "You could have asked about it when I would have brought it up this weekend. I would not have said no Nikita."


    "It was the weekend," Nikita stressed the word. "I was going to die by then. Now I can help you with everything that comes your way." She, very merrily, said so.


    "I love flattery, I honestly enjoy it but Nikita you''re family now. So if, ever, you need something just ask okay?" Alexis went forward to hold her arm and give a light squeeze to it. "You helped once and I know that I avoided loads of horrifying punishments that were coming my way. I have more money in my account that I can dream of and it''s all because of you."


    "You helped men and I am not going to let you hang dry."


    Nikita''s shoulders slouched as she heard Alexis. "I guess, I became desperate." She sighed, this was the worst feeling. She sighed and looked down. Then she decided to let it all out.


    "My father had worked in the top tier all his life, so naturally, we never had to lift a finger for any damn thing. Till I was twenty-one, I had school so I busied myself there but now when we talk about it, I understood what my mother felt because she was busy in either making my father''s life perfect in every aspect or she makes sure that her children were perfect as well. She was just busy doing something." Her eyes felt glassy a bit. "I just felt like her. Lonely and useless. I cannot help Silvano because I would not have any deniability if I know things and other jobs were difficult if didn''t want to pull some strings. I''m after all an undergraduate."


    For the first time, Alexis felt pity for someone. Usually, she didn''t bother but today, she knew what Nikita was talking about. She didn''t want to end up like her mother.


    "I want to go out and do something worth it. Not throwing parties or going to lunches.."


    "..like Isobel." Alexis finished for her. "You two don''t seem to agree on this."


    "Many topics you could find there," Nikita gave her a scoff, "she was a waitress. Now she tips the wait staff, you see the difference in her behaviour now. Vincenzo''s happy, he wanted a trophy wife and he got one."


    "He wanted a trophy wife?" Alexis asked feeling intrigued.


    "Not really. He wanted someone outgoing and friendly. Isobel knew every possible high society couple and it helps him. She is a socialite but also, humble unless provoked."


    Alexis sipped on her iced tea which was now at room temperature. Not bothering for it, she drank it in one go. Wanting to change the gloomy environment, she broke the silence. "I am going to offer you a partnership of Twenty-five per cent profit. Are you in?"


    "Yes!" Nikita immediately jumped up. This was great for a start. "What about the rest?"


    "I was thinking about the winery women for it. But I do plan to expand it as well, so this is the only time they will be getting it." Alexis had a smile on her face. It wasn''t the one of malice but a professional one. She was dealing with a business like she was made for it. She had a gentle smile on her face but was rude while doing it.


    "When are you going to make the call?" Nikita asked Alexis who was paging Agatha to her the table cleaned.


    "Right away actually," she went back to her desk and took out the card. "Anything else? You might be bored, I don''t have anything decided of yet."


    "I can look the designers for the interior if you want." She perked up immediately, wanting to work immediately.


    "Sure," saying so, she dialled the number on the phone.


    "Hello?" Someone spoke in Italian.


    "Hello, it''s Alexis." She smiled as she talked but frowned when she heard Nikita.


    "Say your full name!" Nikita immediately whispered. "His name too."


    "I meant Alexis De''alassandro." She corrected herself not comfortable with her change of name yet.


    The woman on the phone gasped loudly and started speaking rapid Italian to each other. "Hello, Donna. I cannot believe you called! Is it for the business your talk about?" The grammar was rusty and the accent was thick, yet Alexis had not a problem understanding it.


    "Yes, yes it is." She agreed to smile on the other side. "Are you available for it?"


    "Yes! Donna we are." The woman seemed hyperactive and spoke loudly. "Oh, I am Catalina. I should introduce myself before."


    "Hello Catalina," she chuckled. "Are you head of the business?"


    "Si¡ªyes, I am."


    "I am going to offer you a profit percentage of twenty in the restaurant business. Would you like that?"


    "Yes, Donna that seems fair to us." She agreed. "but how will we do business? Like the signing and ..other things.." She hesitated. "We do not take partnership."


    "Isabelle is still there. I can ask her to assist us from there." She offered a solution. "I will send you the contract of both the wine supply and the profit percentage. We will talk then, alright?"


    "Yes, Donna. Good day."


    Saying a thank you, she hung up. Nikita was busy talking to someone on the phone. Alexis sighed and got up. Her phone pinged and she looked down at it. It was a message from Angelo.


    ''''Parker, Pearson and Wilton.'' My recently acquired firm. The lawyers will help you with the restaurant.''


    In that instant, Alexis had goosebumps. She felt her heart come up to her throat.


    The man was more powerful than she thought.

 Chapter 82 - Eighty-two.

    The goosebumps had pretty much caused a chill inside her or were it the message itself that did it? She was not sure.


    But Parker Pearson and Wilton had been acquired by him in a matter of hours and she was sure that the firm was costing more than a few million. So, she concluded, that the man was financial safe enough to spend this amount without any prior calls or notice. He was rich.


    He just acquired it.


    Yet she did not trust his word for it. How could such an amount of money be spent at a whim like at?


    ''He acquired it just because I called them?'' Alexis wondered about it while still standing as she did when she received the message. ''but how did he know about it? Did he trace my calls? Does he still?''


    For a moment, she just felt her heart beating and nothing more. The world for her had stilled because she was never going to be alone if Angelo could trace her calls and hear every word she said then he probably knew about the contract details already.


    She could feel a little relief over the fact that she had not talked to any one of them yet. Now even thinking about it made her shake for the unknown. This man couldn''t even trust her after being married to her. She had not given him anything to worry about but here they were, still having trust issues.


    Or were they..trust issues?


    She had to act smart and better and it started now. She was going to be one move ahead.


    Taking her phone from the office she was made her a call to the one person she knew would do anything to gain her favour. She went to the window and opened it, checking back she found Nikita busy herself.


    "Hello?" The person picked up.


    "Hi, this is Alexi¡ª"


    "Oh my god! Thank you so much for calling me!" The person on the other side squealed. "What can I do for you? Please tell me."


    "How about not interrupting me for one?" She pointed out.


    "Ye¡ª"


    "Anyway, forget that. I have an errand for you. A charity event where I make an anonymous donation. I want you to buy fifty iPhone 3s and send the bill to me. And remember do not get my name on the bill." She reminded and gave her instructions.


    "Alright, anything else?" She excitingly asked.


    "Yes, your additions to the donations are your own. Bill them separately." She added with a hidden smirk.


    "What?" Her voice came out panicked. She was clear not expecting that. "I have to make one too?"


    "It''s for charity. You loved doing it before did you not?" She taunted.


    "I did." She admitted. "I will have it done."


    "Thank you." She hung up the phone. Now, all that was left was to have him figure it out or question her.


    "Lunch is¡ª" Alexis jumped when a touch came to her shoulder. Trying around she saw Nikita.


    "What?" She questioned, not having heard what she said in the first place.


    "The lunch has been served. Agatha just came in to call us down for it. Everything okay?" A look of concern fell over her face when she noticed Alexis''s kind of looked pale.


    "Alexis?" Nikita questioned her again. "Tell me, I can help."


    "Do they trace you call too?" She whispered to Nikita. "And hear everything that you say?"


    ''they?'' Nikita felt confused at the moment but then it clicked. She was talking about their husbands. "Well," she gave a nervous laugh. "They like control for one and the other, we make sure that our calls are not being tracked. It happened once, a wife was taken for questioning. She didn''t know anything and that''s why she was released."


    "So for that, they hear what we talk about?"


    "I gave you both the reasons. It''s fifty-fifty." Nikita argued, she was frustrated with this habit but she couldn''t talk to him about it. "Come on, let''s eat."


    ********


    It was the evening now. Nikita had left after dinner and had taken it upon herself to find the perfect decor and design for the restaurant, saying it could give her something to do.


    Alexis had readily agreed as she had thousands of things to do and finding the wait staff and cooks were one of them.


    "What are you thinking about?" Angelo asked as he served her wine. They were sitting in the living room which in their room. The master bedroom was customised especially and had more features than a regular master bedroom.


    "Thinking about the chefs." She took the glass and sipped it. "I was thinking about whether to employ new chefs or with experience."


    "With experience, without a doubt." He answered her question without a moment of hesitation.


    "But I want to give a chance to the others as well,"


    "Everyone does, but does that satisfy your needs? You need profit and results and for that, the best things you can do is, have a great head chef and the newcomers can follow him."


    "I am assuming that you have ready too," she smiled and took a sip.


    "On standby baby, he''s one of the best." He winked making her blush.


    What was it with one wink that could make her blush? "I ask if I don''t find one." She swallowed the rest in her glass. "I need to talk to Isabelle though."


    "Leave a missed call. She will call back." Angelo repeated the same that had been said to him.


    "Okay," grabbing her phone from the table she emailed Isabelle''s number and hung up after two rings. "Why though?"


    "Trust me that old couple can go on and have hours of sex. Horny ass couple." He tsked.


    "You know that you are the same right?" She pointed out.


    "I don''t hear a complaint." He gave her a panty-dropping smirk making her cream herself a little. "Hell, I feel that is a compliment."


    "Wait," an idea came to her mind. Taking the phone she dialled the number again. "Just go with the flow."


    Angelo came to sit next to her and scowled. "Why are you calling my mother? I just told you they would be busy."


    "Hush! I know that just keep quiet."


    The call continued to ring but no one answered. In the end, she failed again.


    The third time.


    And the fourth time.


    And, finally, on the fifth ring, someone picked up. "What?!" A growl came from the phone.


    "It''s an emergency! Isabelle, please I need help!" She cried into the phone.


    She heard some shuffling on the other side and waited till the person spoke."okay, what is it?"


    "Are you dressed?" Alexis asked as Angelo looked at her with suspicious eyes.


    "Yes, I am." Isabelle firmly growled out her words. She was in the middle of sex and almost on the edge when she had heard the phone ringing. Gabrielle had asked her to ignore the first ring but when it rang again she had immediately understood that it was an emergency. "If you must know, I am wearing a robe and nothing else because you were ''constantly'' calling me!" She yelled making Angelo and Alexis wince.


    "Oh well.." Alexis lowly said. "The thing is, do you remember the ladies that owned the winery?"


    "Yes,"


    "The ones with the delicious wine?"


    "Yes, yes, I do," Isabelle replied with frustration.


    "The ones we met at Nikita''s family function? The one where her sister got engaged?"


    "Yes," a whisper came through the phone. A low voice could cause chills on the spine of the person.


    "The one¡ª"


    "Get to the fucking point!" Isabelle hissed in anger and frustration. She has it by now. "Speak what you want or so help me god.." she threatened and left the sentence hanging. A sane person would not; under any circumstances, engage.


    A smile came to Alexis'' face as she winked at Angelo. She knew what she was going. "Well, Angelo talked to me about owning a restaurant and I was like why not? But then, I knew about the responsibilities too, so then I thought maybe not. but then I remembered the promise and I was like I have to this but then¡ª"


    "I will kill you," she heard Isabelle growl, "get to what you want."


    "Really?" Alexis bit her smile. She loved hearing Isabelle frustrated. "Were you busy?" She innocently asked making Angelo scoff with a smile.


    "Wha¡ª"


    "Ah, you do sound busy, how about I text you the details? Text me if you have any questions regarding anything. Bye!" She hung up.


    Angelo stared down at her with a raised eyebrow. "What was that?" He squinted his eyes at her.


    She opened her mouth to say something but held it open for a minute. Then she closed it. "I don''t know," she admitted. "It didn''t go well as it was expected." She made an uneasy face about that. "It got..ruined."


    "Ah well," Angelo sighed wanting to do nothing about it.. "Let''s get to bed."

 Chapter 83 - Eighty-three.

    Alexis breathed out loud as she felt him beneath her. He was hard and she felt it, which made her way wetter than she already was. On the sweet, sweet feeling.


    They were inside the bathtub. Today was Saturday and since Angelo had married her he had decided to take a half-day and the whole day off on Sunday. He had felt the need to do so, thinking that in some way, they should spend time together and bond. She felt appreciated when she heard that. He also warned about a few abrupt calls and sometimes him having to leave.


    Such a powerful man and he made time for her. It made her feel.. invincible as well.


    "You are breathing quite heavily my dear," he lazily drawled out in a soft and husky voice near her ear, making goosebumps erupt on her skin. "That tells me something."


    "This¡ª" she wiggled her bottom pointed out the hardness she felt. "Tells me something as well."


    "Ah, I am sure it does." He said nibbling on her ear making her giggle a bit and sigh. He placed kisses down her neck and bit down making her hiss. His tongue then added more pleasure as it ran through the bites giving them a cool feeling. His hands under the water were playing with her. He often would just caress her thighs and the water would flow to the middle and it would create a sensation that made her crazy.


    Insane, it drove her insane.


    The pressure was building up and he was in no hurry much to her dismay. She could not think of anything other than this and the solution she thought of to get rid of this was a bold one but then again, the life she was now pulled into required boldness from her in doing anything. She turned around and came face to face with him.


    Holding him by her hands she led him inside her making her gasp. She continued what she wanted without as care of the world, feeling every bit of fulfilled pleasure.


    But he did not like that. His patience was running thin and he had to take the matter into his own hands. Grabbing her ass, he squeezed it tight which earned a yelp for her. He did not hold back. His thrusts got faster and sharper. She bit down his neck as she came to the edge, finally finding her realise.


    His head rolled back and his eyes closed with pleasure as he found his.


    She was still leaned up against him. Her cheek to his shoulder as she tried to catch her breath. They were silent and held onto each other without any words.


    "Look at that," she turned to him and saw him smirk. "I think this bath went waste. Do you wanna shower?"


    Looking at his face she knew what he was thinking. But then again, who cared. So with a sly smile on her face, she answered. "I think I do."


    ******


    Today, for the first time Alexis was leaving the house. But of course, it was with proper security, Liam and Nikita. She had chosen her clothes today because she had finally got out after Angelo had told her about visiting the restaurant and get things started. They had discussed it and finally, things were falling into place.


    She sat in the car fully dressed and excited. Nikita was going to meet her at the destination which was Lexeis. She didn''t let them turn on the AC instead she opened the windows and enjoyed, the polluted, yet outside air. Her eyes wandered from building to building as she looked at everything with eyes.


    The car came to a halt and she jumped out of the excitement. Liam would have chuckled but that would be disrespectful especially more so when they were surrounded. He had an image to maintain and that meant setting boundaries.


    Walking inside, she cringed visibly. She turned to Liam, who by Angelo''s order, was the only one who could talk freely.


    "How can anyone¡ªno, why would anyone come here?" She looked around once again. "There''s no colour on the walls, no taste with the table cloths. Different splashes of colours everywhere!"


    "True," Liam agreed, liking around. "Even teens wanting to impress on the first date would choose not to come here."


    "The floor above, what about it?" She asked him.


    "Not for sale.." He immediately said. "But the restaurant won''t be ready for a month or two, so if you want we can buy the whole building."


    At his very careless reply, she was quite a bit startled. Buying a floor was different from buying a whole building. "Why would I buy the whole thing?"


    "Because then, you can plan things differently. You do not need to open it right away. It can be whenever you want or when it''s completed." He held his earpiece for a moment and then announced. "Mrs Silvano De''alassandro has arrived."


    And on cue, Nikita''s voice could be heard through the halls. "Hi!" She came in holding two coffee cups, giving her one. "I brought us coffee, I don''t why people go to expensive star bucks coffee when others have better taste."


    "You are excited." Alexis smiled and blew the hot coffee.


    "Yes. Finally, I have work to do!" Saying so, she turned around and cringed visibly. She looked shaken to the core.


    Walking to the manager''s office Alexis told her, "Well then be happy, I might be buying a floor or the whole building." She repeated but in a sight taunting tone.


    "Let''s just go for the building." Nikita tsked. She seemed to care less about the expenses.


    "We''ll see, but for now we have to look into the kitchen. A chef from one of Angelo''s restaurant is coming to check it out." Deciding again after a moment, she said "but let''s look at it first ourselves. I need to know what we are dealing with here."


    Nikita agreed. The kitchen was at the very back. When entered, there was another hallway that led to the kitchen which seemed like a waste, space could be used for something else. The architecture along with the decor was at fault.


    The kitchen seemed to be cleaned. Too clean to be real. It had been cleaned at the end moment after the restaurant has been shut down or per day, taken over.


    "We can hire the previous chef, right? Why make them lose their jobs."


    Liam made an uncertain expression at that up Nikita had already spoken.


    "Oh my god!" Hearing her shout, two guards immediately went to the freezer she had gone to. Nikita popped out before they could go in there. "It¡ª that place has mould in it! Like in the corner''s where it should be cleaned regularly! It''s a fungus and that funky smell of rot!" Turning to the guards, she pointed at the door, "close it! Shut it!" They did as told but one coughed at the horrid smell making her accusation come true. As they closed the doors to the freezer, the smell had wafted in the whole room making them gag at the stench.


    "It''s a wonder that the authorities didn''t check or no one ever complained," Nikita commented the guards took their place again.


    "Great, good to know that now for sure we are not hiring them again, but check out the wait staff and see about those." Alexis started ordering about what had to be done with the kitchen from what she could conclude without a chef. "Check that mol¡ªjust get the professional cleaners to do it. We will get the whole freezer changed." Alexis changed to what she was originally saying. No way someone would clean that mould and fungus-infected freezer. It was in its worst condition and Alexis felt that buying a new one would do her better.


    "That''s better," Nikita commented. "Do you think we would rearrange? I cook for two but I know the stoves are not enough. If also, we buy the floors above then we have to have another kitchen so before that, we should probably have a look around."


    "True," Alexis quietly agreed. She wasn''t sure about the whole building issue. Also, the fact that people had their businesses on those floors and it would mean to rob them or their livelihood.


    "We need to find a designer and then an architect." She concluded.


    "Kitchen?" Nikita asked. She was still shaking from the horrifying smell.


    "The chef is coming. We will do whatever he says. He will know better."


    Her attention was drawn to Liam who was whispering into his earpiece. Finally, looking like had decided what to do, he turned towards Alexis. "Madam, the business owners are here. They are mouthy at the moment. Do you wish to meet them or I can have them removed?"


    "Meeting them would be okay." Alexis quietly agreed. Even though it didn''t seem like a good idea. Confrontation with people didn''t go that well.

 Chapter 84 - Eighty-four.

    Walking to the entrance again with Nikita and Liam with her, she stopped when she saw three people surrounded by men in black.


    "Hello," she politely approached. "How can I help you?"


    "You cannot help us!" One of the two women spoke. "Why are you buying this place? It is good for nothing."


    "Maybe, we should introduce ourselves first," the young woman standing amongst the three owner''s spoke. "I am Bridget. I occupy the second floor and I teach ballet to girls. This is Serena Williams, she is an art teacher and Mister Murthy is a ... YouTuber."


    "Why does he occupy a floor for that? Youtube influencers work fine from home." Nikita asked Bridget politely because she had been polite enough.


    "That''s none of your concerns!" He, snarling at the woman said, "I need the floor and I have already talked the seller into it."


    Either he was lying or was simply wanting to intimate her, both were things that she did not appreciate. Narrowing her eyes, she looked him up and down and stared him down.


    "Your statement does not seem convincing to me." Walking towards him, she talked in a low volume. "Either it is you who is lying or your seller. Because I have already bought this off his hands, now I am going to buy this building and decide what shall remain and whatnot." Throwing the words in his face, she turned around to Bridget. "Nice talking, Ms Bridget."


    "Yes, yes. Thank you."


    Alexis turned and walked inside. Liam in the cue as well. Another guard had texted the whole fiasco to Angelo, especially about the purchase of the building.


    "Where were we?" Alexis asked, sitting down in the manager''s office.


    "We are going for the look around," Nikita said in a dull tone, "no matter now."


    "The chef, Liam. Where''s the chef?" Alexis asked him, who was keeping a track.


    "He would be here in a few moments. How about you two look at the design of the place for a moment?" He offered.


    "That''s right. I think we should have something in mind, to begin with at least, and from there, the interior designer can have his vision match ours." Nikita agreed with him. Anything to get their minds off the confrontation that had just happened.


    Alexis nodded and got up again. This time she wasn''t as enthusiastic as she was when she came here. It seemed to be a burden at the moment.


    She walked back to the dining area. The table cloths were checked but every table had different colours which made it seem unruly in nature. Even a child would do better than this. Alexis took off the cloth and saw what was underneath only to grimace a bit. The tables seemed like they had not been cleaned from, apparently, the very start. Now the tablecloths made sense, they were used so that no one could see the real place.


    This restaurant was a disaster, she could definitely tell that. The chairs screeched when they were pulled which shouldn''t happen, they should make the least amount of noise possible, then again what could she expect.


    She leaned down a bit and examined the chair curiously. The polish seemed off and scratches could be seen.


    "What do you think about furniture?" She turned to Nikita, who was sitting in one of the chairs looking done for the day.


    "Awful, if not disastrous," she immediately spoke up as if waiting for the opportunity. "I don''t know how this place even survived let alone made profits. I don''t even think that the wait staff or chefs were paid enough. Even though I do not want to rehire them. The wait staff, especially, did an awful job." She sighed, looking tired and done for the day. "If anything, this place needs a lot of capital requirements. Thank gods we changed the name otherwise, I''m sure no one was going to look this way."


    "Hmm," Alexis simply hummed in return and turned to look on the walls. They were simply white in colour with no coordination to the furniture or the other decorations. Speaking of decorations, nothing was placed where it should be.


    "This is truly a disaster." She agreed to look around and sitting.


    "The chef''s here," Liam informed them, "we can leave now if you want." He said as he noticed that they were tired already.


    "No, let''s get it over with." Alexis sighed and go up. The chef came inside and greeted the two women who belonged the Don and the underboss.


    Leading him to the kitchen, she waited as he looked around. Even he looked at the place with disdain or rather a disgust. He slammed the drawers while muttering but looked at Alexis and apologized.


    "Madam," the man began. "I am Mathieu and at your service so I will give you the honest truth."


    "That would be appreciated." Alexis smiled at him.


    "It is rather shocking to me that how could any chef work here. The stove is not enough, if you talk about customers asking for one dish let alone a good three to seven-course meal, it is not possible." He then waved his hands around to get everyone look at what he was pointing at. "These drawers are not made goodly. They will break when heavy equipment is placed in it. The equipment is not enough. Everyone needs a spoon or a tablespoon to use to a pan. The stove is always on this site, this¡ª" he pointed to the stoves, "can be used by one person at a time. The food would be delayed."


    "Okay," Alexis cut him off, having enough of it." Do me a favour, be available. You can help me in designing the layout of the kitchen. This, obviously is not going to work."


    "Yes, madam." The chef hurriedly agreed.


    "Come in," Nikita side hugged her, "let''s go home."


    "Hey, " On hearing another voice, all three of the party turned to look at the source of it. It was Serena Williams.


    "I heard you were buying the place."


    Alexis sighed. She hated this about the city. Everyone thought that they had enough connections which could never be true and they always forgot the fact that everyone was disposal when the time came.


    "That makes sense," Alexis replied on a slight smile on her face. "Since I said it in front of you."


    Her reaction earned a snort of laughter from Nikita.


    "You think you are funny?" Serena took a step forward. "I have been in this industry for the last fifteen years and you come waltzing in and buy the place that was was not even for sale. You don''t think that I know?"


    "Know what?" Nikita frowned. "What we have money? Or the resources to do so?"


    "Money and resources." The woman repeated back. "You have them both which is not possible for someone who came out of nowhere."


    "Nowhere?" Nikita Scoffed. "Honey, you no idea who the fuck you are saying that too."


    "Do I?" Williams taunted back. "With that crude language, I''d say you a little country girl trying to make it big. But if you are making it big on the upper side where the rich live and prosper, you have to have the money."


    "I am warning you, " Nikita hissed, "whatever you say, think before saying that shit."


    Taking a step into Nikita''s direction, she smirked, "I ain''t afraid of a nobody. So I will go ahead and say it anyway, what did you do for the money sweetheart? Sold your daddy''s farm or slept with one?"


    "But¡ª"


    "Stop. Nikita." Alexis''s command froze Nikita from taking any steps forward. She had a murderous expression on her face and Alexis was sure that Nikita would murder someone today.


    "We don''t have to be crude." Alsjxs smiled. "I''m sure that we can talk it out."


    "You are intelligent." Serena smiled. "I like it. You are new here, you should understand to listen to those who have connections."


    "Thank you for the tip," Alexis said as she smiled. "Now, I know that you are not here to mainly threaten us. So tell me, what are you here for?" Crossing her arms, she stared at the woman showing no signs of intimidation.


    Serena flashed her a quick smile and opened her purse, taking out a cheque she handed it to Alexis. "I want you to sell it to me, for half a million dollars."


    "Half a million dollars for what I paid a million for? I think not."


    "That alright sweetie, " Serena smiled as she kept the cheque on the table. "I am side you will work your way through it. Just remember, I have a lot of connections that I can pull and you do not want me to do that._ she warned. "I left the amount blank, fill it up would you? Add a few thousands if you want." Smiling she turned around and left.


    "What''s the matter with you?" Nikita hissed as the woman went away. "She shit on us, Alexis!"


    "Your language really is crude," Alexis commented and ignored her question.. "Come on, we have a lot to do and I know exactly who can help us."

 Chapter 85 - Eighty-five.

    Instagram [ inara00_7]


    *****


    "Are you serious?" Nikita yelled as she saw Alexis walking. "You cannot just ignore me!"


    "I am not ignoring and walk with me," Sending a glare her way, Alexis did not stop walking. Instead, she let Nikita catch up. "I am not letting her get away with insulting me, especially when I have the power to mess back. I am merely evaluating what options I have and what I am up against."


    "And helps us how?" Sitting in the car next to Alexis she asked as the only emotion she could feel now was anger.


    "That, " Alexis heaved out a sigh. This was tough. "Helps us to work to the next step. Whether we attack or do we prepare for more. You never know who owes who."


    A few moments later, Isobel was on a video call with Alexis and Nikita and the current topic of discussion was Serena Williams.


    "Why her?" Isobel made a face at that. "I have the heard of her but she is literally a nobody."


    "So let''s not do something about it," Alexis commented, closing the case shut. "She is no one of significance." She shrugged.


    "Of course we have too!" Nikita immediately rebutted into the conversation. "Isobel, Alexis was insulted by her and so was I!"


    "Oh my god!" Isobel looked more offended than Alexis herself. "Alexis you have to do something about it."


    "And I have decided to let it go," Alexis replied with a firm expression. "There is nothing I want to do to her. She is not worth my time."


    "That should not be right. That is not right! Angelo De''alassandro got married and he was going to release a statement about it next week. How about a little revenge before it? You could be the new queen of New York, who would be better than two ones."


    "No," with a nonchalant tone, Alexis repeated the same answer.


    "So you would let them bully you? It''s like high school all over again." Nikita added her two cents to the conversation.


    "I am not bothering to reply, how can that be related to bullying?"


    "That''s what the victims say. They either don''t bother replying or be because cannot." Isobel tapped her phone repeatedly and her brows went up. "Also, bullies usually take onto social media to drag the person. ''I met a new businesswoman who had no idea how to deal with A-list celebs. Girl, go home, you ain''t gonna last long.''"


    Alexis had made an ugly face at that. "Where¡ªwhy would she write that?!"


    "It''s the Twitter bird. Want to go home now, Alexis?" Isobel laughed a little at how appalled Alexis looked.


    "Okay, that''s it!" She threw the interior design magazine on the table. "I did not take revenge on my bullies in high school for those pranks but this, this I won''t let it go!" Her face seemed red in anger and Nikita sipped her tea eagerly because the tea was going to spill.


    Taking her phone out, Alexis dialled the number given to her by Angelo. This was a priority.


    "Hi. I have been made aware of your services. Find out whatever you can about Serena Williams."


    *******


    "Serena Williams a rumoured to be sugar baby."


    "Williams slept her way to enter different art galleries!"


    "She had asked for money to give a positive response. Bitch."


    "God! People on Twitter do not stop!" Alexis hurriedly scrolled through the comments and retweets. There was so much to keep up with. "Oh, I got verified or whatever the blue tick means.."


    "Yeah that," Isobel corrected while sitting beside her. After the first word for out about that woman Isobel came running to enjoy it with them.


    "Wow," Nikita commented. "People are fast."


    "Look this one says, ''No one makes it this big, this soon with or without talent. Patience is a part of success. Bitch got caught.'' Wow, she must have wanted to use this from a long time because no way that j would believe she had that up in a second."


    "But that''s deep," Nikita commented to Isobel.


    "If you two want to start a restaurant, social connections are important. I will definitely bring people in but you need to have a few of your own." Isobel pursued her lips and seemed to be in deep thinking. "You know, I think Vanessa heavens and Audrey Hepburn are going to be best friends with you."


    "Ooh, I have heard about them," Nikita said. On seeing Alexis''s lost expression, she explained. "These two are the bullies of New York. Like those girls in school. They can make your life hell and drive you out. Since they come from money and now you too, the one with more power and money, they are definitely going to want to befriend you."


    "Do I need them?" If not, then why bother with them.


    "Nope. Not at all."


    "Then who cares," Alexis sighed, switching the screen of her phone off. "Do you want to stay for dinner? We all could eat together."


    "Sure." Isobel got up. "I will tell the chefs."


    "I could drink," Nikita said getting up as well but she stopped. "Hey, " She looked at Alexis. "I thought about what you said and I am sorry. I was being hot-headed."


    Alexis smiled as she nodded at Nikita, not saying anything at first. "It''s good that you are sorry." She smiled. "Try to get your favourite made this time."


    As Nikita walked away. Alexis turned the screen of her phone on, she started writing.


    ''No one can have enough connection and everyone is disposal. Here''s my advice, remember that.'' She hit send.


    ********


    Angelo, Silvano and Vincenzo arrived an hour before dinner which gave them a chance to drink. They had drivers and if not, they were open to staying for the night. They were informed by their wife for a collective dinner.


    "But why?" Vincenzo, who never understood what had happened, asked again. "That was not needed."


    "Exactly my point." Alexis joined in.


    "It seemed necessary," Silvano butted in. "She insulted Alexis and talked about A-list celebs when she did not even know who she was talking to."


    "True." Angelo agreed. "At times you have to make sure that people know you. I will have the wedding photos released by tomorrow, people will know the new addition to the family." He smiled at Alexis, kissing her forehead.


    His words should have struck a nerve or even melt her heart a bit but none happened. She simply smiled in return. Alexis realised that she did not love him enough to feel something in her stomach when he talked like that. She felt absolutely nothing at all.


    "Anyway, did you like that restaurant?" Silvano turned to his wife and occasionally glanced at Alexis too.


    "We did," Alexis spoke hesitantly.


    "If you talk about the structure and the street it is located at." His wife completes the sentence. "It will take a lot of renovations."


    "I believe the current statement would be, it needs to be renovated as a whole. There is nothing that is used again." Alexis replied.


    "Nothing?" Vincenzo asked. "As in nothing at all?"


    "Nope, dear brother." Nikita clicked her tongue. "We are thinking not to hire the same staff again."


    "Yes, apparently the tables and chairs we''re never cleaned. It had thick stains that obviously were never cleaned before." Alexis complained in a nagging voice making Angelo more interested.


    "Ah, that''s is clear negligence," Angelo commented as he kissed his wife who seemed agitated and cute.


    When they all made it to the dinner table Alexis noticed that all of them were slightly tipsy. She then decided to notice their habits.


    Isobel liked riches according to Nikita and it was clear to Alexis that she did too. Being an orphan, she did not have a good life and now when she received it, she selfishly took a grab of it for which Alexis could not Blame her. She nodded whenever a member of the staff served her and did not completely disregard them which made Alexis think that she had not forgotten her roots.


    Vincenzo was quiet by nature but seemed to have a lot of sarcastic comments which made everyone laugh. He kept an eye in what the servers were doing and nudged his wife frequently to eat. He clearly cared for her enough to do that.


    Silvano talked and often Nikita joined in and completed his sentences. They talked and Vincenzo commented on the sides making everyone laugh.


    But it was Angelo that caught her attention. He laughed at everything but was vigilant enough to know what was happening. When made sure no one''s plate was empty and their glasses as well. He made sure to include everyone in the conversation.


    "But¡ªbut," Isobel heaved from a laughter fit and tried to talk. "Vincenzo and I are going to try for a child."


    "That''s great!" Everyone immediately went ahead and congratulated them. Alexis felt Angelo''s eyes on her making her shiver a bit.. This was not something she wanted to talk about.

 Chapter 86 - Eighty-six

    After the dinner and congratulating the couple for their plans, they were changing for bed. Alexis was dreading the silence for the first time because even though Angelo was not talking she knew that he was thinking. And it was about what Vincenzo had said.


    They were having sex daily but Alexis was on the pill and she had a little thought that Angelo did not know about it or maybe he did but just did not bother to acknowledge as he never wore protection.


    Was he already planning to get her pregnant? Is that why he never bothered with the protection to begin with? She could not wrap her head around this as she applied some lotion to her arms.


    She slipped into the covers and attempted to fall asleep as she turned over to the side. Closing her eyes, she relaxed her body and fell asleep not caring for what was happening around her.


    *********


    Today Alexis was going out with Nikita to furniture shops. The interior was to be decided and the designer would meet them at the store.


    Silvano and Nikita had stayed the night but Vincenzo and Isobel had left for their own home. Nikita was down already having breakfast with Alexis when Angelo and Silvano joined in. It was silent except for an occasional talk about recent topics such as the restaurant.


    Alexis and Nikita were driven to the stores and they had pretty much decided on what they wanted.


    "Hello, I am Alexandra and this is Drew." The designer introduced herself and her partner. She had a bright smile on her face and Alexis genuinely liked her. Alexandra Brent was someone who Alexis had worked with numerous times before.


    "So, we discussed the budget and you wanting a retro look. Do you mind if we look at the blueprint while selecting the furniture?"


    "Sure," Alexis answered. "I have different ideas running through. I''d like everyone''s input on them."


    Moving forward to looking at the furniture and catalogues, she explained what she wanted. "I want to have a cafe like a restaurant on the ground floor. For the first floor, it would be great if it was a well-coordinated restaurant only. And for the top one, I was thinking about holding parties like a.."


    "..a banquet hall?" Drew completed her sentence to which she smiled.


    "Yes, a banquet hall." She repeated smiling.


    "And for the restaurant, I said I want a retro theme but of course, I am open to changes."


    "We can look and begin with retro itself, " Alexandra suggested. "But then for choices, I will present you with some designs of other categories as well."


    "That sounds reasonable," Nikita muttered as they all walked in.


    ********


    After visiting seven shops of furniture, they had decided on the tables for the restaurant and the cafe. This seemed like a way hectic task than it seemed. Alexis was sitting in the living room and drinking wine which seems like her new favourite thing to do. Sitting and drinking wine.


    Feeling her phone vibrate in her hand, she looked at it to see Isabelle calling.


    "Hey, finally had enough of each other?" She teased.


    "Haha, you''re so funny." Isabelle mocked her back. "Listen, Angelo''s grandmother is planning something I can feel it."


    Alexis felt like groaning. All the relief she felt from drinking had floated away when Isabelle mentioned the ''grandmother''. Why couldn''t everyone be Normal?


    Or should we rather be asking instead of everyone if anyone in this family normal? Someone who is living their lives and not planning and plotting.


    "Can you feel it or do you know what''s happening? The latter would be very helpful to know." Talking about feelings, Alexis knew that there might be a possibility of her being pregnant but here she was, sitting any drinking to relieve herself of the damm stress.


    "Well, I know because she wants to come to New York and have a family brunch," Isabelle informed Alexis in a stickily sweet voice.


    "What wait?!" Appalled but the news Alexis couldn''t help but raise her voice, especially when Isabelle started laughing. "Stop laughing! And what is that supposed to mean? Does that mean at where you live or where I live?"


    Isabelle''s snickers came to a stop and she answered her daughter-in-law, "Your place, honey. You are going to be the centre of attraction for a very very long time. You should start preparing. It''s Thursday and they will come in by Saturday for a Sunday brunch and I and Gabriele will be there by Friday evening."


    "Oh alright." She resigned. "I''ll get Agatha to do whatever is to be done. Also, you didn''t tell me when they were leaving?" She asked the most dreaded question.


    "Ha! Honey, leaches don''t leave till You sprinkle salt on them."


    "Don''t tell that to me. I''d make them eat salt after dessert." Alexis warned. She had never been around with relatives so she won''t care about these.


    "Don''t worry," Isabelle reassured her. "We will deal with it. Nikita, you and me."


    "Hope so. How''s the deal on your end?" Alexis enquired about the contract which Isabelle had to get signed.


    "It''s done. Instead of faxing as it is, I''ll bring it for you." Isabelle replied and it made sense. Since she was coming back, it was obvious that she could bring along the papers with her.


    "Alright, thanks. I''ll catch up with you when you come."


    "Sure, take care." She removed the phone and carelessly threw it on the seat next to her. Even if it broke, she had recently made aware of the fact that they were phones kept for emergencies and Angelo had given her enough money to not worry about working.


    "Agatha!" She called out from where she was sitting, knowing that woman travelled like a mouse, quickly and quietly.


    "Yes, madam, " she whispered standing behind her.


    "Angelo''s grandparents are coming on Sunday but I''m not sure if it''s not Saturday, so prepare accordingly." She thought of something, but well, she was new at this. "And whatever is to be done."


    Agatha gave a smile to her in return. It was understood that Alexis did not know much about it. "I understand and I will keep you in the loop."


    "And Isabelle will be coming in tomorrow, so it will be her leaking us through this." Alexis waved her hand in the air as she talked about the happenings around her.


    "Yes Madam, I understand."


    "Okay," she breathed in. Turning off the TV, she went out to the master bedroom where Angelo was sitting as he had decided to retire early at night.


    "Hey," greeted as she came to the room. He smiled and tipped his head in return. Alexis changed went to the bathroom and shower before changing.


    As she brushed her teeth she wondered if he would pick up the pregnancy topic with her tonight since he did not yesterday. After changing and brushing her teeth she went to bed.


    "So how was your day?" Angelo asked her as he pulled her closer.


    "Pretty tiring. I was in a bubble thinking that any kind of shopping was easy. We just did one-forth of what we were supposed to do today. And I had to deal with reporters, tons of them, because of the press release of us being married."


    He huffed at that. "There is a reason people hire decorators and for it becoming a profession. Let her deal with it, you have to give the final yes, that is what you are paying her for." He explained. "Let her do her jobs and give her a deadline for it. You worry about things." Continuing he added, "I would have done it sooner."


    "Other things as in?" She smiled to smile.


    "Me." He teased and pulling her closer and kissing her lips.


    "Aren''t you adorable?" She cooed at him, squeezing his cheeks together making him pout. A grown-ass mafioso pouting was one sight to see.


    Shaking her handoff, he commented. "Adorable was something my mother used to say and that was until I was three years old."


    "Really? Then what did your father call you?" She asked in curiosity.


    "Something...peculiar." He answered seeming unsure of the word himself.


    "What?" She pressured for an answer.


    "Fine, " he huffed. "He called me a c*ockblocker."


    "What?" Alexis yelled sitting up. "Why?"


    "Mama wanted me to sleep with them when she came here with me. She was...insecure and she didn''t let my father touch her with me sleeping with them."


    "Oh God, " cupping her mouth she started laughing.


    "Yeah, I know." He commented with an emotionless face. "Imagine some father saying, ''There sleeps my little c*blocker, my son'', cause mine did. My mother has a recording of it which she is never ready to hand over. She had copies of it. I think I might have to pry it off her hands when she is older and much frail."


    Still giggling from imaging Gabrielle doing so, she thought of something. "What makes you think she won''t take it to her grave?"


    The reaction is Angelo caught her off-guard.. He seemed more alert now, "Holy shit, that might have been her plan all along."

 Chapter 87 - Eighty-seven

    It was Saturday and a well-rested Isabelle had been panicking over tonight''s meeting and tomorrow''s brunch. She had landed on Friday night and slept through the night with a light meal. Now she was bursting with energy and making people go crazy.


    "But why so many?" Alexis had looked at the list of the food that was going to be made for the Sunday brunch. It was too much for hardly ten to fifteen people to eat. She was sure that in the end, she would have to distribute it to people.


    "Oh come on, it''s not going to go waste. The staff can have their fill and take the rest home. I cannot give that woman another chance to talk about how the traditions are not being given the utmost importance."


    Alexis couldn''t help but raise her eyebrows in that. She rose both of them on this. "So," she looked at Isabelle, "this is what tradition is? A Sunday brunch and the numerous amounts of dishes served? It would make a lot more sense if people were here to eat what I cooked. Happens in some cultures."


    Isabelle looked appalled. "How can you make fun of it?" She knew that Alexis was pulling her leg. "I am doing it for you! And we have to ready if they come in tonight and want some dinner." Isabelle began panicking over the new piece of thought. She started mumbling things and ran towards the kitchen.


    Alexis sighed as she looked at her retreating figure. That was one of the main reasons why she chose to live alone with a few friends. The friends she had were work friends who like her had little time to spare and never interfered with each other lived until asked to.


    She walked to her office and closed the door.


    "Good morning,"


    "Ah!" She jumped not expecting anyone to be inside. "Wha¡ªwho are you?" She asked. "And how did you get past my security guy?" Angelo had appointment men who came in shifts to guard the door to her office. His was guarded similarly as well.


    "Oh, I am your assistant, Nadine Smith. Mr Alassandro has one as well." The girl looked serious and no bullshit kind. She was someone Alexis would have preferred.


    "Why do I not know about this?" She muttered as she reached to her desk, not expecting the assistant to answer.


    "Well, I''m supposed to be a surprise. My brother is employed by Mr Alassandro and he handles all the legal stuff and I will for you. Thre is another assistant coming in for anything that shall be done out of legal bounds." Nadine held her head high while saying so. She looked proud to be having this job.


    "Out of legal bounds?" A playful smile danced on her lips. "Do you mean illegal? Or under the desk?"


    "Both, I believe so." She answered. "Our office will be through the door." She pointed to the one in Alexis office, the right end of the room. "I look forward to being working with you, Mrs Alassandro."


    "Hmm," She simply nodded and watched Nadine went to the door she pointed.


    Alexis looked at the handset on her desk. Angelo was on number two speed dial. She took the receiver, placed it to the ear and dialled his number.


    "Hello, how may I help you?" A male voice answered.


    "Hi, please pass the call to my¡ª"


    "How many times do I have to say? He is busy and not your boyfriend anymore Ms Uriah."


    That...was unexpected. "I am wondering who she is and why is she talking to my husband?" Alexis very calmly asked him. She heard some shuffling on the other side and then numerous apologies.


    "I am very sorry, Mrs Alessandro. We have been working nonstop for the upcoming merger. I will put you through immediately,"


    She did not answer him. She waited for her husband to answer the call.


    "Alexis?"


    "Angelo," she greeted."Who''s Uriah?"


    "Someone who I dated in the past. She is in denial about me getting married after the press release. Anyway, did you receive Nadine?"


    "Recieve? Yes." She answered a bit dazzled from the word receive. "But why?"


    "They are employed to relieve you of some of the burdens. I am going to handle some of the legal businesses for you and Nadine will help you with it. As for Blake, he will help you with everything else."


    "But you already have a team of professionals. Also, Nadine wanted to do everything legally. Why?" Alexis felt the need to question him for this. Nadine did seem the headstrong kind of woman.


    "Those are the security and other professionals that I want you to know. As for Nadine, She did Harvard law, sweetheart. She is also indebted to me, so she found a way for both things to get on smoothly." Angelo stood on a moment. "I will talk to you at home. I have another meeting."


    "Alright, Bye." She bid farewell and he hung up after saying his.


    Nadine and Blake.


    Alexis wheeled her hair to the side. The cabinet she had on the sides had mirrors on the exterior sides of them. She couldn''t help but stare.


    Where had she come?


    And how far?


    Was she even ready for any of it?


    She had been abducted by a man who called it love or for her, it was an obsession. But she knew that he lost herself in the fire of power. It was fun to play with and she was enjoying it thoroughly. But was she ready for the outcome?


    Nikita had once said that if she reached high enough, she could exact revenge for Angelo too whereas in reality, to par with Angelo''s power was not easy. He had way too many connections and if he didn''t, he knew how to make more.


    Do I want to reach that high?


    ''But even if I overlook it, I have received more than I have given. And he just does not want disrespect and it ends there. I am having more of a bargain than he does and if I am ready given the opportunity to live in a luxurious way, who am I to decline?


    Sighing she dialled a number who she knew would pick up. As the bell rang her hands for sweaty and she turned more nervous.


    Should she hang up?


    "Hey, "..too late.


    "Hi, " Alexis said. "Are you still alive?"


    "Why yes, "another person laughed. "What is it on your mind?"


    With a slight smile, Alexis asked, "Am I that readable?"


    "Hah, oh come on." The person laughed. "We never call each other unless we need an opinion."


    "The unbiased opinion and judgement is something I can count on from you." Alexis sighed.


    "So here it is, " she began, "I got married¡ª"


    "Which should be good, right?" An uncertain voice came through the phone and Alexis knew what she had deduced from it. She thought that Alexis was having second thoughts.


    "Yes, yes it is, " not really, "and I am not having second thoughts about that," Alexis reassured her. "So that''s out."


    "Sounds great, congratulations girl." She hooped and yelled making Alexis chuckle.


    "Thank you." She appreciates. "So he is rich and he owns several companies worldwide."


    "You know I don''t hear a problem, "


    "Because you are not listening, " Alexis contained as she tolled her eyes. "Stop interrupting."


    "Sorry, honey. Go on, "


    "Yeah so, you know how I worked hard all my life, right?" Alexis questioned but all she received was silence.


    "Are you there? Hello?" She asked again, pulling the phone off eve ear to check if the call was on or not.


    "...if I talk now, would I be interrupting?" She whispered to Alexis.


    Alexis sighed. "This is frustrating. I really wanna talk."


    "Sorry, you see the one person who I have talked to in English. I apologise. Everyone here is just so serious."


    "Okay, so here it is. I have worked for almost everything but with him, it''s all laid out for me. I have assistants when I was one and now I have a restaurant to my name when earlier, I was reserving in my boss''s name." She sighed. "Am I right in accepting it all?"


    "To be honest, you have it. So you can take advantage of it." Her friend replied. "It''s like you have an apple farm and you like apples so you just directly take them."


    "Is it weird that that makes sense to me?" Alexis winced. Was she going crazy?


    "Just take what you are given. Many would die for it." She stopped for a second. "Gotta go, bye!" She hung up immediately as a beep came through.


    "Bye, " Alexis said looking at the phone. She had it, did she not? Then what was stopping her? Her morals? But where did morals take a person in today''s cut-throat world?


    Till it''s given to me, I shall enjoy it.


    "Nadine," she called. "Come on, let''s talk business "

 Chapter 88 - Eighty-eight

    Angelo and Alexis were dressing up in the evening only to receive the guests. She was particularly against the fact that they were to be dressed well when his family was arriving at night. She was dressed in a purple stealth dress and silver coloured heels.


    "How was Nadine?" Angelo asked as he wore his shirt.


    "Nadine.." She muttered. "Someone who loves law and went to Harvard should not be a personal assistant."


    "I know not she owes me," Angelo said.


    "Is that what it is?" She asked. "Just because she owes you, you get to determine what her worth would be?"


    "I gave her the money she wanted for her education." He threw a sharply look her way. "Nadine could have easily worked for the fees of the hears to come but she decided against that. From Beijing expanses to food, I gave her all. Now, it''s payback time and she thinks this as a job but of course, she will pay in more ways than one."


    "What is that suppose to mean?" She made an ugly face at that.


    "That means, " he fixed his collar, "She would be to work her ass off for you. From bringing in coffees to having me for you and personally print files." He shrugged.


    "Madam, " Agatha knocked on the door.


    "What?" Angelo barked in the direction of the door making Alexis jump and glare at him. He was like a dog.


    "They are fifteen minutes away." She informed.


    "Ah great, " she muttered. Why did she have to receive them? Could they not just come in and sleep?


    This made total sense for not liking the in-laws. They were absurd, most of the times if not all.


    "Stop making that face," Angelo chided her gently. "You will get early wrinkles."


    "If get ugly, will you leave me?" She asked with a genuine expression.


    "I believe in Botox." He winked.


    "Funny," she spat. "If we have to receive them, why not go to the airport and properly do it?"


    "That seems a bit much and honestly, I am not much of a fan of having them visit us." He made an uneasy face while admitting it.


    "What?!" Appalled by his words, she turned to him. "Then why didn''t you say no?!"


    "And risk things back in Italy? That old man is one aggressive bastard, he could blow my people up and replace it with his." Angelo raised his voice at her. "Things are supposed to be thought through Alexis. Remember that."


    "Also, I had your mother investigated."


    Dejected, Alexis simply closed her eyes and slumped her shoulders. "Why? I want nothing to with her and for God''s sake, how many times do I have to say it?" That statement alone had ruined her mood altogether. "I don''t get it. She did not show up at my wedding after coming to know what kind of ignorant parent she was, to not know what was going on inside her house. She did not even apologize which I had hoped for after cooling down." She rolled her eyes. Why was everyone having a hard time believing her? If her mother wanted to do nothing with her then so did Alexis. She was not going to contact her mother unless Vanessa came forward to her self.


    That was decided.


    She looked at him with an expression of defeat. "Go ahead and tell me, if anything, it would just make me feel worse while receiving your family."


    "Exploiting the situation at hand," he mused. "That''s good, you are improving. But then again, I won''t tell you since you do not want to know."


    "Ah," she smiled back at him, "That is surely the only reason." She turned and started walked ahead with him following her.


    "Zip it," he slapped her behind making her squeal.


    ******


    The newcomers seemed pretty tired as came to the mansion, yet they sat down for a light supper. The Grandparents had not eaten anything or so they claimed.


    "Well, this has been nice," Julia commented. "The plane ride was too long and I thought of a few things that I would like to discuss."


    "Not now," her husband objected. "I''d like to go to bed."


    He got up and wished everyone a good night. Julia was left behind while men gave them privacy. They wished her good night and left.


    "Well, as I was saying." She continued, forgetting the little moment of humiliation. "Alexis, have you taken command of the household yet?" She smiled a bit at Alexis, it seemed like a pointer for hidden agenda.


    "Yes, I have." She answered.


    "And you review the financial documents of all his companies?" She lightly probed.


    "Financial statements, yes." ShHerolity corrected and answered.


    "Well," Julia appeared to be torn to say the words. "How can you manage it all? I say that you leave the responsibilities that were given to you to Angelo and the men and reign the household with the wives. You should not encourage these absurd traditions. What of when you become a mother?"


    "Excuse me?" She smiled a bit, "wh¡ª"


    "I meant, " Julia interrupted making Alexis shake her head a bit to calm down. "That when you become a mother, won''t you need to rest and then look after the child? What of the work then? The whole burden would fall on Angelo''s shoulders in the end, so why give it to you, to begin with when it''s going to fall back on him after some time." She then laughed a bit. "It''s like a little vacation for him."


    Alexis felt slapped in the face for a moment. That was humiliating, to say the least. Julia seemed to a caring old fashioned grandmother but to Alexis, the woman seemed nothing less than a snake.


    Pursuing her lips, Alexis was ready for a work battle."I¡ª"


    "She would think about it," Isabelle interrupted her. "She would, won''t you, Alexis?" She turned to her and asked with her eyes firm and glaring down at her.


    Isabelle''s eyes held a message and unfortunately, it was bigger than just communicating words. Alexis just continued to look at her realising that her decision was something they all were waiting for.


    She looked down for a moment and finally looked at Julia. "Yes. I will think about what you said." She very reluctantly agreed.


    "That''s wonderful!" Julia expressed and stood up. "Now, if you would excuse me, I''d like to retire to bed. It has been a long journey." She smiled as walked away.


    Alexis watched her retreating figure, still seated on the couch. As soon as her shadow disappeared she turned to Isabelle who was already looking at her.


    "What was the¡ª"


    "Let''s get this cleared up," Isabelle clapped her hands and gestured to the teacups and baked goods. "We can do that by ourselves, I believe." She ignored the glaring and furious eyes of her daughter in law.


    "Yes, but I believe that we can do much more," Alexis countered and taunted as well. "What''s the matter with you?" She hissed.


    "There are things that you talk about in private." Isabelle hissed at her. "Now help me with these." She handed the collected teacups to Alexis on a tray. Nikita had already picked up half of the eatables and was walking to the kitchen, Alexis followed behind.


    "Now, let''s talk." Isabelle declared as she kept the last of the cutlery.


    "Why now?" She muttered a but sassily.


    "Come on, she must have an explanation for that." Nikita defended, sitting on the countertop. "Don''t start a cold war."


    "No one''s starting a cold war." Alexis denied, "No need to when there is already one. "You interrupted me twice." She pointed out of Isabelle.


    "I know and I am sorry for that." She admitted and apologized. "But the answer that you were going to give her was going to be full of aggression and that would not have been good for you.''


    "But it should have been defended!" Nikita spoke up. "All her life had been revolving about was kids and husband. Why can''t she be happy for us?!"


    "Because some people are just bitter," Isabelle answered. "She liked her life the way it was because she saw and learned it like that but for us, change had already begun." She explained. "Julia hates had we have more power than her and that Alexis has a broader reach, connections and not to mention Alexis''s word is the law on the men when her word was not."


    "So that''s the only reason you did it?" Alexis asked. It still seemed incomplete.


    "The second thing I wanted you to know," she smiled and told the secrets. "Sometimes you must withhold the answers to a few questions."


    "And why is that?"


    "Because then you have something to tell that often lands people in trouble. I learned that from her." She smiled and talked out. "Good night ladies."


    "Whatever that meant," Nikita muttered to which Alexis agreed.

 Chapter 89 - Eighty-nine

    leave a red stone.


    ______


    After Isabelle had left, Nikita and Alexis had not bothered themselves to get up. They were just sitting there and l being lazy.


    "Do you find silence comfortable sometimes it?" Nikita spoke as she stared at the distance. "Like sometimes you don''t have to fill it?"


    "Yes, " Alexis muttered. That was true. Sometimes not talking was just as effective.


    Alexis thought of what Julia had said. How old and bygone her thinking was. Even if Alexis had a child, which was not anytime soon, she would take a maternity break and bounce right back into the game.


    She would be back in no time.


    But she wondered how Julia could not keep up with the change in times. And appreciate the opportunities that everyone now received as compared to the most. Yet, she could just sulk about it.


    Nikita sighed, "Isobel did not come tonight, she is not immediate family and she tends to avoid the grandmother."


    "Well, I am happy that some of us are lucky." She winked at Nikita making her laugh. Alex was glad Isobel could save herself.


    "True, " Nikita agreed with her with a smile on her face. "But she asked me to present you with something." Nikita looked at Alexis for reaction.


    Alexis asked, "what is it?"


    "There are some pro bono cases and at times no takes and by no one, I mean the firms that make the most money. She thinks that you should take them or more like to represent them."


    "Why? To write it off my taxes?"


    "No..not really." Nikita winced.


    "Then how? Because I married a millionaire and I am no one of huge amounts of net worth so I am already the gold digger. Now if I get into charity work, I would be every housewife of a rich household." Alexis snapped at her.


    "I didn''t think it through, " Nikita rubbed her forehead.


    Alexis chimed in. "Yes and neither did Isobel."


    She then thought of it. She had the money and the resources, so there was nothing wrong with helping someone out genuinely.


    "I will do it Anonymously." She announced, earning a smile from Nikita. "And I know just the person." She smiled and then walked out of the kitchen to her room. She was tired now.


    "Everything okay?" Angelo asked as he saw her come into the room with a dejected expression.


    "Yes," she grunted as she took off her clothes and changed in the closet itself. "why you ask?"


    "Nothing, your expressions convey that you are tired."


    "Maybe I am tired." She sat on the chair and combed her hair.


    Angelo placed the bottle back in the drawer and closed it. He then stood behind and kissed her forehead. "Come on, let''s get you grumpy baby to sleep." He picked her up and placed her on the bed, cuddling her to sleep.


    *********


    Angelo woke her up this morning for a quick work out which again had to help her a lot in burning calories. In the end, when Angelo went for a shower to get dressed up, she opened the drawer on her side table and grabbed a bottle of pills. Swallowing one, she drank a bit of water and went back to sleep for a nap.


    Freshened up for the day, she made her way to the kitchen knowing that Isabelle would be there. She would either be panicking herself or making the chef go crazy. But when carefully thought about it, it could be both.


    And she was in the kitchen.


    Isabelle was tasting the food before it was placed on the breakfast table.


    "Isabelle," Alexis cooed while gently pushed her out. "The chef''s will do just fine. Come on, let go out."


    "I''m just worried." She admitted. "Julia has been the worst critique ever! She never considers anyone else''s feeling and you had not met her as a Mother-in-law. She was one real piece of work."


    "Wow, some had had nice family time, I guess." Alexis teased.


    "Too nice to even remember." Isabelle quietly added. "Come on, they will serve tea first."


    They made their way out, meeting the family in the garden where there had been a dining table placed for brunch. The tea was served and they talked about things. Nicolai''s main concern seemed to be the business and profits.


    "So no troubles with the police? They corrupt?" He grunts.


    Alexis had noticed that the man never really spoke. He merely grunted or muttered. She had no more reason to wonder why Julia was so bitter. It was obvious that all her life Julia was just a means to end. So she craved attention and that attention had made her a bitter person in itself.


    Which she had failed to notice.


    She just wanted attention and she knew that the Donna would get it the most after the Don.


    "Yes, Grandfather," Angelo answered. "Not corrupt but I have been careful enough."


    "Just gather the corrupt ones and be done with it." He said. "Don''t care about carefulness, you are bound to go wrong somewhere."


    Gabriele agreed but he disagreed at the same time too. Funding corrupt politicians and cops would take too much money from their profits. So he preferred to stay diligent and careful. Mistakes could be avoided if he wanted.


    "Well," Silvano started, seeming a bit uneasy about it. "I heard you have invested in a new trade, Grandpapa."


    "I did." He agreed. "More money is always welcomed!" He laughed. Everyone joined in. Just to make it seem a little less awkward.


    Alexis could just pity Julia in life. The man she was married to at a young age seemed to be all but materialistic. He did not care for anyone and as Nikita had told her, he had taught his grandchildren abuse of both strength and power.


    They or he alone instead of Julia was the sole reason that Silvano and Angelo had used strength to assert their opinions on their wives. Nickolai had done the same and they did too. But what Alexis wondered was, why did they stop now?


    "Anyway," Nickolai continued, "give me a good vacation spot. I want to go and relax and spend the money on things."


    We all know what things, Angelo and Gabriele shared a look. It was not unusual of Nickolai to go on some exotic holiday destination without Julia. She had never accompanied her husband if not for official business where his wife was not seen.


    "Thailand seems once," Silvano commented making the old man laugh.


    "I know, I have a flight booked for the evening." He winked and read the newspaper.


    Julia''s face reddened a bit. He had again done this in front of family. Where she was humiliated for not upholding her position. She glanced around but stopped. Her composure was everything if that broke she would look weak.


    "That is good to know," She wished him well in front of people. "Gabrielle, son, how are you?"


    "Good, mother. Thank you for asking."


    "Angelo and Silvano?" She questioned her grandchildren''s health.


    "Good, " Angelo answered.


    "Living the best of it, ma." Silvano clicked his tongue.


    She sipped her tea and then asked again. "And how is marriage treating you?"


    That made Isabelle clicked her tongue in annoyance. She had a talent for alienating family members and making them stick up to her. If they wanted to be included, Julia was the key.


    "Well, Angelo has not made any complaint far." Alexis teasingly bumped her elbow to Angelo''s making him laugh a bit.


    "That''s true." Angelo agreed with a small smile.


    "Well, I don''t have ''em either," Silvano added, smiling as Nikita rolled her eyes at him. He leaned in and kissed his wife''s forehead.


    "Gabriele, would like to accompany your father?" Julia asked her son who was reading the newspaper as well. She had purposely asked him that in front of everyone.


    Isabelle stiffened at that and Gabriele noticed it too. He kept his hand on his wife''s knee, assuring her. "No mother. Thank you for asking or .. offering, whatever it was. But Isabelle and I had already been on one." He said vaguely but taunted her in the end.


    "Alright." She smiled. "Juliet has already begun taking care of Mateo''s home. She cooks and cleans for him. Such a perfect wife she is." She looked pointedly at Nikita and Alexis, which made them angry.


    "You doing find girls like that anymore, the one''s who care." Julia threw a glance in Alexis''s direction making her frown.


    Whatever Juliet did was her choice. If she wanted to be a housewife then she was most welcome to do so but the same could be said for Alexis and Nikita. It was now their choice.


    "Ah, the breakfast is served," Isabelle said as the dishes were placed in front of everyone. They helped themselves and ate peacefully. The talking rather seemed to be stressful in this family than having a positive effect.


    She could hope for this brunch to go well without a fight.

 Chapter 90 - Ninety

    "This is good." Nickolai praised the food as he took seconds making Alexis and Isabelle smile at the chef. They had done a great job.


    "Indeed."


    "It is."


    Silvano and Gabriele praised as well. Julia looked torn because the food was good and she couldn''t say that it was not. That would mean that her husband was wrong and of course, with her thinking that was termed as disrespect.


    "It does taste nice. You must have put some efforts into this." Julia smiled.


    ''Some?''


    Alexis felt frustrated with the woman. She had become so bitter that she could not even praise without saying something negative or without a taunt. Here she was, trying to work out this woman, giving her some empathy or ..pity even though she was not worth it. Not worth any of it.


    "Grandma," Alexis called for her attention. "I think I have the answer to your questions from last night then."


    Julia dismissively nodded but Alexis had already gained Nickolai''s attention in the matter.


    "What did she question you about last night, girl?" He asked, his eyes staring at her. They were observing her face to point out any lies.


    "She asked me about quitting the restaurant idea. She doubted my capabilities." Alexis presented him with the brief of yesterday''s talk.


    Then she turned her attention to Julia, who looked startled. "See if I could arrange a brunch within a day. I could perform other things perfectly as well." She smiled and then added more. "I am perfectly capable to work and carry out the duties of a Donna." She smiled wider.


    "And if I can''t, I would turn to you for advice." She smiled again at the end. The sweet smile that Julia wanted to tear apart. If only she could...


    "Yeah, Gran. Chill." Silvano added with a cheeky smile. "Don''t be an old soul."


    "That''s good to know." Julia smiled and continued eating her food. "Shut up boy." She said to Silvano.


    Everyone had smiles on their faces, especially Angelo. He was proud of his wife.


    Nikolai hated what Julia had done. It was not the first time that she had done something like this and he didn''t bother to comment on them. But he always intervened if his image was damaged by her wrongdoings. She knew better than that.


    His face turned to an ugly expression. They had talked about this. Alexis and the woman working meant more income which was always needed but no, Julia had to ruin everything.


    He raised his foot and slammed it in Julia''s.


    "Ah¨Dmm," she quietened down after realising what had happened.


    "Everything okay, mother?" Isabelle questioned, concerned with the sudden noise.


    "Yes," Julia cleared her throat. "yes, everything is fine."


    ********


    "You never stand up to your position. Behaving like a bloody whore!" Nikolai yelled. His words roared through the walls of the house. Julia was sure that many were listening in. "Like a whore who feels threatened when she knows that she is a fucking nobody!"


    "Julia, you dumb bitch," Nikolai growled as he pulled her hair. "I am warning you for the last fucking time! If you continue your stupidity and fail to carry out my orders, I can assure you that many women are dying to marry me."


    Throwing her face away from his, he walked out. Mariam; Julia''s maid came in with a nurse.


    Julia was sitting inside the house, in the guest room given to her. She was having her foot treated. Nothing major to be worried about but it was going to hurt like hell. She had taken some painkillers.


    "Madam," Julia''s maid Mariam stood by the door waiting to receive permission.


    "Come in," Julia nodded. "What is it?"


    "The master left for his.... vacation." She informed. "He said that you can take a commercial fight back or stay here."


    Marian watched her mistress''s reaction to the news very closely. Julia''s eyes got glassy after receiving the news. This was not the first time that Nikolai had done this but every time he did, her heart broke into pieces.


    But she had to be strong if she wanted to survive. Tears were threatening to spill but she closed her eyes. She was strong and could hold her ground without her husband.


    "Leave!" She hissed at the nurse who was done tending to her foot. She grabbed her wooden stick and walked to be bed from the couch. "And call Alexis on your way out."


    "Yes ma''am," The nurse nodded respectfully and walked out. She shut the door on her way out.


    Julia snickered to herself. She did not want to do this to her granddaughter-in-law but now it seemed like she deserved it.


    "Open the door Marian," Julia smiled. "It''s Showtime."


    "Showtime?" Marian questioned. "Don''t you think that there''s still time for that extreme step to be taken?"


    "I don''t care anymore," Julia said. "She knows how to get on my nerves and take revenge and advantage of opportunities. She needs to go. That''s it." She sneered.


    *********


    "But that was so cool!" Nikita squealed. "Her face was like¡ªpoof! Blown into the air!" She said while making the voices of a blast from her throat.


    "I know," Isabelle excitedly joined as well. "That''s the first time I saw her plan for someone''s downfall failing in front of my very own eyes."


    "You all seem very happy watching someone get called out," Alexis commented.


    They were lying down on Isabelle''s bed. Angelo''s parents and his sibling; Silvano had their bedrooms available in the mansion in case someone had to stay.


    They were lying down together after brunch, discussing the events that had happened. So far, it was Isabelle and Nikita gushing. They must have hated the woman.


    "Ugh, I hated how she asked if the men were happy with us or not." Nikita pointed out. She had immediately constructed an ugly expression on her face the moment Julia had talked about this.


    "I know! She does that every time. That bitch.." Isabelle muttered. "But you don''t call her that."


    "Why not?" Alexis objected. "I want the fun of name-calling too."


    "I dealt with her for thirty years. I get more rights than you who hasn''t been in the family for a year." Isabelle pointed out.


    "Touch¨¨," Alexis mumbled. "She feels like a pain in the ass."


    "She is," Isabelle muttered looking distracted.


    "Nikita told me about Angelo''s grandparents teaching him violence and stuff. What''s that about?"


    "Yeah," Nikita chimed in. "You said that you would tell me and Angelo''s bride together."


    "Hmm, I did, didn''t I?" Isabelle hummed.


    "Yes, you did." Nikita reminded.


    "Well, if that''s what you want. Do you form the beginning for the summarised version?"


    "I think we have time." Nikita sipped her tea hinting at the former option.


    "Alright, then." Isabelle began, "I think it was around when Angelo was twelve and Silvano was ten. They always went to Italy in their winter holidays to enjoy the sun or so we thought. I guess that was the time I noticed how those had started to fight things out. Everything was gruesome. They punched and kicked each other and the thing was Gabrielle and I had never taught them any of this."


    "Did he notice it too?"


    "He did but he said that ''they are boys. They will always fight it out.'' I trusted his words given I had no sibling and two boys of my own." She sighed her eyes numbing. "It was the worst when they s¡ªsaid.." A sob came from her as she recalled the incidents that happened in the past.


    "Are you okay?" Nikita came closer to her and held her hand.


    "Hey, you don''t have to tell us if it''s hard." Alexis joined in. "Please don''t cry."


    "I won''t have told you to begin with if¡ª" she took the napkin Nikita passed her and blew into it. "But I have to." She said with a more determined voice. "I have to so that you understand what my boys have done and why."


    "One day Gabrielle had taken a day off and we were enjoying the weather. I was watering the plants when he held me from behind and we started playing. Somehow or give or take I don''t remember but I splash a few drops of water on his face and he in return laughed. But Angelo and Silvano immediately started telling Gabrielle to discipline me. Their exact words were, ''She needs to respect you. You must make her submit.''"


    She closed her eyes and breathed again. "It was my worst nightmare. My kids had forgotten their mother to remember what their grandparents had taught them. Gabrielle stopped the visits immediately, he remembered whose words were those."


    "And they hit because.." Alexis murmured.


    "Because they know that if they don''t get respected by people, People would undermine their power. So they take control." Isabelle answered. "They take control of everything."


    ******


    Here, I want you to understand that Angelo was never taught to be abusive by his parents neither did he ever see them like that growing up.


    Someone else was responsible for manipulating the boys mind as you will read further.

 Chapter 91 - Ninety-one

    After Isabelle had said her last words, a thick blanket of silence had surrounded them. They all had quietened down. Her last words on the topic had made an impact on them.


    "That''s was.." Alexis began to talk but thought of a better word and cleared her throat.


    "..intense.." Nikita completed.


    "Intense was what I felt when my children were talking about punishing me." Isabelle sighed and commented. "I felt like dying at the moment. I had failed as a mother." She cried. For the first time, Isabelle did not hold back. She cried to her heart''s content.


    "I am their mother, I should have known. I should have noticed a change in their behaviour but I did no such thing."


    "Isabelle.." Alexis said trying to calm her down but instead of letting Alexis speak, Isabelle had started to shake her head no.


    "Gabrielle does not like to talk about it. He just avoids it and now I am talking you this so I need to cry." Said she. "I am at fault somewhere. How could I just trust that couple to take care of my children when they had messed up their own?" She sobbed but continued to talk. "I was just standing there, staring at Silvano who had said that and his elder brother who had readily agreed."


    She breathed in deeply and then closed her eyes. She seemed to be reminiscing. "Gabrielle had immediately taken them to the room for questioning where ad I just stood there. My kids were robbed of their childhood for years and their mother did not know." She cried. "How shameful it was on my part."


    "There was nothing you could have done. The life of a made man is harsh. They have to be ruthless." Nikita offhandedly spoke. She seems to reminisce about her past too. "They aren''t good. Because being good makes you real in front of people. "


    "The difference is the way of the life they live. They don''t live a happy life but one full of danger and deceit so they have to be strong but I wanted the values of Gabrielle in them. Not raising their hands on women, limiting the tortures and of course, family first."


    "The family is always first?" Alexis mumbled.


    "It is. But I meant not going to war over trivial matters. It causes deaths which could be avoided."


    "Oh¡ª" Nikita had started to talk when a knock was heard. She turned around as her back placed the door and said, "come in."


    The nurse that had been called for Julia''s foot had come to them.


    "Is she alright?" Alexis asked looking at the nurse, "is it something serious?"


    "No no, she would heal well. I have written the medicines." She answered.


    Alexis got up and took the cheque out of the bag. Taking it out for her to take, Alexis raised an eyebrow when she delayed.


    "Do you not want the payment?" Alexis asked with a raised eyebrow.


    "I do," she took the cheque from shaky hands. "The elder ma''am was calling Alexis."


    "Alexis?" Isabelle frowned. "Why? Did she say something?"


    "Not really," the nurse answered.


    "Alright, thank you." Alexis nodded to the girl. Agatha nodded from the door and showed the nurse out.


    "Why is she calling me again?" Alexis asked no one in particular. "I have nothing to offer her, to be honest."


    "Who knows, child. Just don''t lose your calm and think." Isabelle said. "Think before answering."


    "Even for tea!" Nikita chimed in. When Alexis and Isabelle looked at her suspiciously she answered with a shrug. "Who knows what she would go. The old hag could poison Alexis for all we know."


    Sighing heavily, Alexis nodded in return and walked out of the room. What would the woman want from her? Alexis kind of low-key but yes, agreed that she shouldn''t have taken pity or thought sympathetically towards Julia. That woman had become a bitter person and didn''t realise her allies.


    It was understood if Julia had made a hard shell on the outside that was given with the life she lived but instead of protecting herself first, Julia had started attacking everyone. One thing that Alexis had learned from life was to back out of a fight timely. The time where she won''t lose but also, would be brave.


    She walked down the stairs and turned to the side where Julia was staying in. From afar, Alexis could notice that the door was and open the sounds of yelling were coming. Julia sounded distressed and Alexis couldn''t help but overhear. She was a nosey gossiper after all.


    "That''s not how it is!" Julia''s voice could be heard. "I want to know what going on. So not make me involve my son into this."


    Ah, she cannot even play the and person without involving someone in it. She was trying to be a dominating person but she could not even hold her grounds.


    "But I can''t do anything about it too." The person on the phone yelled. The call was on speaker. "I do not know what you are talking about! My mother and I talked at times and she mentioned no such thing. I assure you the alliance still stands." The woman appeared to be begging.


    "Listen to Carina," Carina was Marcus''s wife. "You better get to know about what your father is planning against my family or I swear to god, I will have him killed!"


    "I was married into the Alessandro family, mama, I can''t be talked with my maternal one." She cried. "I have no connections with them now. You said so, I left them behind and this is my only family now.."


    "I don''t care, " Julia hissed. "If you find it out then you better be ready for the consequences." She warned. "No one stands against me in front of my family."


    Julia continued to threaten the poor woman who was on speaker. How daft did she think Alexis was?


    Walking forward, she knocked on the door and cleared her throat, alerting Julia of her presence.


    "Ah, " Julia said looking at her. "Hold on." She whispered showing her a finger for a minute.


    ''If I cut her finger, would she bleed enough to die?'' Alexis silently wondered from where she stood.


    "I don''t care about what you have to say." Julia hissed into the phone. "Get it done or I''ll have your entire family killed!"


    Taking her phone off her ear, she hung up. Alexis couldn''t help but roll her eyes at that. What was she even doing? And why?"


    "Is it something important?" Alexis asked her in a soft voice. She had to respectful to Julia at least for being her elder.


    "Oh no, I just wanted to talk to you." She said and moved to sit on the couch. "Come let''s talk.''


    When she said that, Alexis felt a strong urge to mimic her. But that was also really childish of her.


    Alexis walked to the place where Julia had patted on. She sat down and crossed her ankles. "Everything alright?" She asked politely. She knew that Julia planned something and she was currently executing it. Alex had to be sure that she knew exactly what it was so that she couldn''t fall in the road.


    "Nothing. I just wanted to talk to you. Lady to the lady." She smiled.


    ''How ironic''. She thought. Julia was the lady that had threatened her daughter-in-law.


    "I get it," Alexis said. "Do you have anything specific to talk about in your mind?"


    "Yes, I do." She smiled sadly. "I am just so helpless. I mean I feel so, so helpless."


    Wai¡ªwhat? Alexis felt helpless at the moment.


    "Why do you feel that?" If Alexis was given a notepad and a pen, she would look like a therapist. Maybe, that was what Julia needed. Yet, this time Alexis was not making the same decision. She was not going to show pity to her. Julia probably knew what she was doing.


    "I was married young. Listened to my father then and after marriage, it has been my husband that I have to listen to. My whole life has been all about others." She sighed. "I longer know what I truly want.."


    "I want you to help me, child. I need your help." She whispered hurriedly. As if she doesn''t want anyone else to hear the words coming from her.


    Alexis wanted to bang her face on the wall.


    What game is the woman playing? Did she consider others idiots enough to eat the shit out of her hand? Or was it that Alexis was the only one except for Isabelle who Julia felt challenged from?


    Either way, she was not getting her way this time. But after learning from the best, she knew that the trump card should always be shown in the end. To have leverage and win.


    And if she had to act stupid to win, she would.


    "Whatever do you mean, Grandmother?" She blinked.

 Chapter 92 - Ninety-two

    Don''t forget to vote.


    ****


    "Whatever do you mean, Grandmother?" Alexis innocently blinked her eyes and asked. Maybe, the blink was too much. She didn''t look stupid or naive, to begin with.


    Julia remained in character. She smiled as she said, "I just want to help, my child."


    Then kindly shut up, Alexis nodded. She has a thoughtful expression on her face.


    "What do you want to help with and who?" Alexis asked. The woman knew what she was doing and she was trying to stall Alexis.


    "With everything. I let many things happen because I chose to stay silent. But now I want to help. So I just had to say, if anything that you need help in please consider me in."


    Alexis raised a brow at that. How nice of her to ask. "I do need your help," she said smiling. "I have a question I would like you to answer."


    "Yes, anything please." She looked pleased for someone who was out convincing people of her niceness.


    "Do you remember the visit you made to my bridal room?" She asked. "Before the wedding." She reminded.


    Julia held back her smile a bit. "Why yes?" She answered.


    "Then why is it that you think that when your first offer of help to me was a trap and it threatened my life, why would I consider your help for anything now?" Asked she. "How do I trust you?"


    "I¡ª," Julia looked away for a second. "It was a test." That was what she settled with. "It was a test for you. I had to make sure that you were ready for this life."


    "I wonder what test would ever tell you the answer for that. My dearest grandmother, you should have helped me understand instead of testing me. I think that would have helped me more." Alexis had a fierce expression on her face. This facade of hers has ignited a fire in her core. She was a woman out for revenge. "If you need something you can directly ask me that Grandmother. I would honestly be happy to help. But if you are setting traps for me out there I might as well never come to you for anything."


    Alexis stared into her eyes. "Not even when you need help."


    Julia''s chest heaved. The girl was too intelligent for her good. No made man was home today to hear in the conversation that they were having, Isabelle and Nikita would never breathe a word out and of course, the servants turn a deaf ear to them and Alexis knew that. She was taking advantage of that.


    "I don''t need your help." Julia gritted her words. "I am fine with what I have."


    She then proceeds to humiliate Alexis. "I offer my help to you! I was ready to take you under my wing and make you the queen of everything and here you kick it all away. You will live to regret it all."


    ''How funny, her actions highly contradict her words.'' she sighed, ''if only she realised that.''


    "You offer your help to me when you have been trapping me from the day we met. If you wanted to take me under your wing you would have come to me about the whole test and explained it to me, which you didn''t." Alexis spoke in a calm voice. "I know that I will require help but I don''t need it from someone who would betray me at my lowest."


    "I wanted to¡ª"


    "Who are you kidding, no you didn''t." Alexis cut her lies off. "You don''t want to help me, you want to me do as you say. There''s a difference.'' she pointed it out.


    "That''s a lie." Julia immediately countered. "You need me."


    "I have a former mafia Queen to help me. The one that is your prot¨¦g¨¦."


    "Yet, I can help you better." She still argued.


    "Yes, I am sure you can." Alexis smiled. "But that would happen when we build that bridge of mistrust. I need to take my time on this."


    "There''s nothing to take time about!" Julia raised her voice. "You need to trust me!"


    Alexis reasoned. "And I need to find why to do so too."


    Julia threw her hand up. "Because you need me!"


    Alexis tsked in return, "not really." She then added, "but since you want to help me, I will come to you if I have any problems that can be helped with your expertise."


    "That''s it?" An appalled expression took its place on her face. "That''s what you say for when I am trying to help.''


    "You said that you chose to stay silent when Isabelle was the one to welcome change. Why is it that your help is to be considered first?" Alexis placed her points. They were everything that Julia had given to her. The woman spoke without her filter. No wonder why Angelo''s grandfather never involved her in the business.


    "I am elder to her!" She countered.


    "That does not prove you better. It merely tells me that you are older." Alexis calmly pointed it out. To be honest, it was low key funny.


    "Old?!" Julia yelled.


    "Please, you have grey hair. How much more can you deny?" She scoffed.


    Julia sighed and tried her best to calm down. She warned her again, "I understand that power gets to head yet you are new to this world. I understand the thrill, we can still sort this out."


    Alexis was ready to deny the offer again but then she realised something. Why would you deny any offer of help? No matter who it came from, help was help. Julia was trying to do something and Alexis knew that but why be hell-bent on helping her?


    She wanted something in return because she knew that Alexis was not a pushover.


    "Alright," she changed her words. "I think I might take you up on that."


    But she added after a thought, "But of course when needed."


    "Yes, yes I understand." Julia immediately changed her tone. "I have seen things and I know how they are dealt with. So trust me when you come to me with a problem, I will help you." She stared deeply into her eyes.


    Alexis smiled. She realised that Julia had no idea about Alexis knowing about it all along. She had okayed her into believing that she had won.


    "Well, if you would excuse me now." She smiled and got up to leave the room and closed the door on her way out.


    She has a lot to tell Isabelle. Or maybe not.


    Nodding, she walked out of the room. Blake Moran was coming in today and she was to talk about things with him.


    Closing the door to her office she was immediately greeted by a young man. "Ma''am," he nodded "I am Blake Moran and I am here at your service."


    Alexis looked at the slightly fidgeting man in front of her. "You seem nervous," she stated by observing him. "Or is it that you cannot sit still?"


    "Oh no! I can sit perfectly still. It''s just that.." he hesitated.


    "What?" She probed for more.


    "That I am a little intimidated by your husband." He winced as he said that.


    "Hmm, I get that," she mused. "But define a little intimidated."


    He nodded and answered, "I didn''t sit in fear of your husband walking in and being disrespectful to him." After a moment he hurriedly added, "Nadine directed me to sit."


    Alexis nodded slowly, lightly mocking his fear but not enough to embarrass him. She amused to have people behaving like this in front of her. "I am glad that she did." She smiled. "How will you help me, Blake? I understand Nadine but why would I need you?"


    He nodded, immediately his back straightened and his once nervous face became a hell of a confident one. It was obvious that he knew what he was going.


    "When you are in a high position, you need something on everyone because no one, I repeat, no one is clean-handed. We made sure that you have no history because of which people will always look into you and I will be there to cover your tracks. From anonymous leaks and donations to tracking the breaths of your allies, I will help you there."


    Alexis blew out a breath. "That was a lot."


    He nodded. "It is. You may not realise it yet. But you will need me at every step."


    Alexis pressed a button and called, "Nadine? Could you come in please?"


    "Yes ma''am," She said and immediately opened the door. "you called me?"


    "Yes have a seat." She said.


    Alexis pointed at Blake. "Blake and Nadine. You two are my assistants. I''d you ever feel that my behaviour based want you to come to me. I want you two to get along with each other and help when needed too."


    "And most importantly, Remember," she warned.. "Under no circumstances, you ever betray me because no matter what mistakes you make I will forgive you but for betrayal," she leaned in, "I won''t hold Angelo back. "

 Chapter 93 - Ninety-three.

    On her way out Alexis had chosen not to tell Isabelle anything. Well, for now. She would surely gossip about it later. But for now, she had to deal with the restaurant.


    It was around two in the afternoon when she had left with the guards. Sometimes it felt like she had a motorcade and to be honest, the feeling wasn''t bad. She liked it.


    "What are we going there for?" Nikita asked.


    "The chef called. He is helping me pick out the candidates for chefs and sous chefs and the wait staff. But I have to give the ad out for that one." Alexis dutifully informed her.


    "Oh, that seems a little too.."


    "Much and boring to do?" She completed Nikita''s sentence for her. "I know but it comes with. So deal with it, lady!"


    Nikita hummed and looked out of the window. It was rush hour and they were not reaching their destination any sooner. Alexis had told to the driver to not hurry and take his time. Driving was not an easy job.


    "Can''t we like to hire someone for this?" Nikita turned to her again. "In this city, people do things for you! You can hire them to do anything!"


    "Honey, I know, trust me on that." Alexis stared into her eyes to get the point across. "Here''s the thing, this is going to my first restaurant and I want to do everything for it. And it''s fine if you don''t." She offered Nikita an out.


    "It''s not that.." now Nikita felt bad. It meant something to Alexis and she didn''t want to ruin her mood especially after talking to the devil this morning.


    "It''s fine. I understand." Alexis immediately supported whatever decision she wanted to make. "But trust me if I expand I would give the work to someone else next time."


    Nikita laughed at that. "Understood ma''am." She nodded a little still smiling. "Anyway, what kind of staff you want?"


    "I have not thought of any specifics regarding that, so I guess I''ll call Angelo and ask for one of his managers. They can help me in deciding for a good staff and you better pay attention to it."


    "Wait¡ªwhy me?" Nikita immediately questioned. Were they not in this together?


    "If I ever decide to expand the restaurant then I am going to need my manager to hire people and get everything done." Alexis had a cheeky expression on her face while saying so. Nikita wanted to be the manager and Alexis had very subtlety and conveniently given her her duties.


    "No! I would have to do all of the work then!" Nikita whining immediately started. It irked Alexis but she found it equally funny too.


    "Honey, you have to do as the job entails.." Alexis laughed a bit as she said that. "You wanted to be my assistant and that means you practically make my life easier."


    Nikita kept on starting at Alexis. Her words her biting her back in the ass and it felt like a pure betrayal.


    "Do I? Really?" Nikita whined.


    "Stop worrying." Alexis gave in. She was tired of this whining. If she didn''t want to work then fine, Alexis won''t offer again. But that was not what she was going to say to Nikita. She was family and more of a friend. Hell, she had helped her through her early days when she was getting ''punished'' for everything.


    "We will see what it happens. For now, my focus is on the restaurant at hand."


    ********


    The chef who arrived from Angelo''s restaurant had simply suggested that they should remodel the whole kitchen. To which Nikita agreed, they had the money and resources so why not?


    Eventually, Alexis agreed and decide to have the entire place remodelled. Then it would have more scope as the place according to the interior designer was a land of disaster that happened and frankly speaking, she hated it too.


    They had decided in a new kitchen and to throw out everything which wasn''t of use. The tables and chairs were being donated along with many things.


    "So now the staff?" Nikita asked, flipping through kitchen designs. "That''s the thing left on the list."


    "Not yet," Alexis ran her hands over her face. She was tired and it was past six in the evening now. She had been here for hours. "we will decide that after the place is ready to go." Saying so she got up, ready to leave the place.


    "Wait what?" Nikita got up and followed her with her purse in hand. "What if we don''t find them on time?"


    "It''s new york. People will always need jobs and we can wait for a few weeks for them," she shrugged. It was better that way. Staff; people wanting employment were always going to be available but if they were asked to wait too long, they would take up another job to get by.


    Broadening the car, Alexis placed her head next to the window. She was dead tired. Nothing was easy in life.


    Her eyes were closed until the car came to standstill. Peeping a little she knew that they were home. Sighing she said, "two minutes." As she tried to sleep but couldn''t as the door opened and she fell out.


    "Ah!"


    Alexis''s heart thundered knowing that she was going to fall. Even though she didn''t reach the ground and was held by strong arms, she continued to keep her eyes closed.


    "Are they closed from fear or because you are just too lazy to open them?" A voice whispered next to her ear making her shiver in return.


    "Stop!" She whispered back to him. Angelo had caught her in his arms and had no intentions of letting her go as he already started to walk towards the entrance.


    "Were you the one to open the door?" She asked with a suspicious expression on her face.


    "Why, doubting your husband? I''m hurt." He teased.


    "Because I had said ''two minutes'' to the driver so it''s obvious he didn''t and you are the only one who could be this.."


    "This..?" He raised an eyebrow, "complete the sentence my dearest wife of all."


    "I am your only wife." Or so she hoped. "And the word could be.. nefarious." She offered as he threw her on the bed making her bounce.


    "And that''s how you treat your wife!" She complained. "You will have to find another one if this continues!"


    Angelo threw himself next to her, "See that''s why I said, My dearest wife of all." That''s earned him a slap.


    "Answer the question," she demanded.


    "What question?" He went in for a kiss which she allowed him. His tongue met hers and he sucked on it. Alexis knew what he was trying to do.


    Pulling away she asked him again, "the question, why''d you make me fall?"


    "Well, did it hurt then?" He asked, his face buried in her neck. "Fallin for me?"


    "No. wait¡ªwhat?" She laughed understanding what he meant. "That was so cheesy! Where did you hear that?" Alexis couldn''t imagine made men using these line on people.


    "Nowhere." He said. "I heard it, I think."


    His time came off as defensive to her. But why would he be so defensive? Unless.


    "Angelo," she sang his name out, "did you Google it? She giggled.


    "Shut up," he said, pinching her waist.


    "What''d you write? Cheesy lines for grown-ass man?"


    "Alexis," he warned.


    "Or was, i¡ªohm!''


    Angelo held her head back by pulling her hair and kissed her roughly. The woman was laughing at him and now he was punishing her.


    "Oh, you want to laugh at me, baby?" He purred into her ear. His hand went down from her breasts, to her navel and down the precious parts. He cupped her with some force. He started massaging her through her panties making her gasp in need.


    "Wanna laugh now?" He teased as her breaths came out quick and shallow. She was close.


    "Huh?" She murmured, unaware of what she had asked.


    And that''s when he let go.


    Her eyes opened and she saw him getting off the bed and fixing himself in the mirror. "Come on love, we have dinner with his family." He winked.


    She fumed with anger and frustration. Oh, this man was going down.


    She got off the bed and said, "wait here. We will go together." Her smile was sarcastic which was obvious, given her condition so he scoffed.


    She came back after refreshing herself a little and came between him and the mirror accidentally touching her behind with him in front. "Oops," she said with a sly smile and walked away with a wink. Angelo kept on looking in her direction but didn''t say anything.


    She came back and had changed into something less fancy of the dinner. He was waiting at the door. They walked out to the hallway together and as soon as the stairs came into the view from the hallway, she pushed him towards the wall.


    Placing her lips on his, she invaded his mouth. Perhaps the shock had not worn off him as he did not fight the tongue battle and let her continue.


    She sucked on his tongue and had given him a hard-on. As soon as she felt it, she pulled back a little and walked away after patting his hard-on a little.


    "Come on love, got a dinner to attend.." She gave a wink and walked away.

 Chapter 94 - Ninety-four

    Angelo had come down after five minutes. Alexis had hidden her smile when he came down and looked in her direction. She kept listening to whatever Isabelle was telling her but was still looking at where Angelo.


    "Anyway," Isabelle said. "Come on, dinner''s ready," Isabelle yelled for everyone to hear and gather around.


    The head chair was taken by Angelo''s father Gabrielle. As the son put it, he might be the former Don but he was Angelo''s father and he would always be the head of their little family.


    "Ma ain''t coming tonight?" Gabrielle asked as he didn''t see his mother but everyone else sit down. He didn''t seem bothered but he had to put on a show.


    "No, she chose to eat in her room and rest," Nikita answered. She was the one who had called her for dinner and was denied in a quite rude way.


    "Ah, well her wish." He left the matter alone. "How''s the restaurant coming along, my daughters?" He asked.


    "Good actually¡ª"


    "It''s too much work!" Nikita''s complaint took everyone''s attention. "Everything is being replaced and it''s not as easy as Google said."


    "Why is everyone googling things now?" Alexis spoke of an entirely different mystery to which Angelo grabbed her thigh. And tightened his hold pinching it making her jump a bit.


    "Let it be." Isabelle laughed a little. "But Google, seriously?"


    "It helped!" Nikita defended. "I knew what the basic idea was and what steps were to be taken and also, some idea about the legal system.. and stuff."


    "See," Angelo chimed in. "Google helps." He glanced at Alexis as she was already looking at him.


    "Heh," she laughed. Since they were sitting next to each other she leaned in and patted his crotch. "Does it?"


    Hiding his gaze she peeked down and then smiled.


    "Anyway," Silvano started. "Do you have any idea for how long it would take for the restaurant to go open?"


    "Maybe a month or two," Alexis had a rough figure. "But no, construction of the kitchen and the remodelling is supposed to happen as well." She changed her answer. "so maybe, longer than that."


    "Oh, it would be. Construction usually doesn''t work the way we want it to be." Gabrielle.


    "And you know that how?" Isabelle teased.


    "Hey, I know a lot of things." Gabrielle defended. "and how about you Leave the remodelling to me? I could give those guys a piece of my mind and keep them in line."


    Alexis smiled. It was not a bad offer. "Alright, I will inform you when the work would be started."


    "And he will love it." Isabelle smiled as she continued to speak. "He loved this about work and tell people what to do."


    "Which was exactly his previous job," Silvano added with a wink earning a laugh from everyone.


    "True!" Angelo raised his glass to that.


    "Which also reminds me," Isabelle turned Angelo, "my gift card."


    "I remember." He pointed at her. "I won''t dare to forget."


    "Good," a smug-looking Isabelle replied on.


    "For any special occasion?" Silvano thoughtfully asked. "Am I supposed to remember something that I do but I am just not talking about it?"


    Angelo immediately answered, "No-"


    "Hah! Don''t be smart with your mother!" Isabelle frowned upon Silvano and cutting Angelo in the process. Then she turned to her first child and smirked.


    "Mama, Don''t," Angelo pleaded. He knew what she was going to do. "Please, no."


    "Your brother," she turned to Silvano. "had planned a romantic dinner and tour around Tuscany for your sister-in-law."


    "Ohh," Silvano had a devious smile on his face and Angelo knew for sure that he was not coming out of this one.


    "That had happened..." Silvano in mocking had a thoughtful expression on his face.


    "When.." Alexis tried to probe in a little.


    "You remember that time when¡ª" Silvano immediately began to tell a tale like a tattletale.


    "No, I remember the time you did a lot of things. Don''t make me say anything " With anger, the elder brother warned the notorious one. When there was an order of business and Silvano challenged him in disapproval he was often warned and he heeded. He had to. But here, no way in hell he was going to be silenced by those eyes in the family.


    "You have nothing on me!" He frowned, glaring back at his brother.


    Angelo smirked, with his narrowed eyes he said, "Don''t I?"


    "You keep it shut," Silvano warned printing his finger at Angelo who did not look amused.


    Angelo rose a questioning brow at that, "You wanna say that again?" He openly challenged.


    Silvano immediately rebuked, "I sai.."


    "Gabrielle," Isabelle frowned at the man who was continuing to eat his food. "Talk to them." She nudged towards the kids.


    He glanced at them and then spoke, "Why? Let them die. Who cares."


    "They are our kids, you idiot." She hissed. "And they are fighting at the dinner table."


    "Fine," He hissed back.


    "Hey!" He whistled at them effectively getting the attention.


    "Fight it out, in the ring." He suggested as both of them agreed.


    "Gabrielle, god!" Isabelle cried as the man once again went back to eating.


    ************


    "Here," Nikita placed a magazine in front of Alexis. "The chef thinks that this is the ideal design."


    Alexis looked at it. It was different from the current one. There were added three more shelves in the designs which were in the middle of the kitchen, exhaust hoods and the space for sinks and burners were doubled.


    "Why are these doubled?" She pointed out to the sinks and stove.


    "Because we are arranging for more seating capacity which means more food needs to be made," she said. "The dishes will be required to be washed hence the sinks and dishwashers."


    "Ah," Alexis said and continued to look through the designs. "The flour above would have the kitchen of the same design?"


    Nikita nodded. "Yes, it would. That is cheaper cost-wise and the chef thinks this design is ideal."


    Alexis gave a heavy sigh and straightened her back. This was tougher than she thought. "I need to buy enough plates of the same design. Enough that if five breaks, we don''t have to stock as we souls have enough."


    "Isabelle knows a good company for that." Nikita leaned and kept her arms on the table. "I can have some catalogues sent over and you came to look at them."


    "I feel like sometimes I don''t have the time to look over anything." Alexis confessed. "there is just so much work."


    "You can look at them before sleeping." Nikita offered.


    "I can," Alexis mumbled. "I''ll share the designs we chose for the kitchen to the Architect first thing in the morning and then I will call Gabrielle when the given load arrives," Alexis informed her plan of action to the woman who had practically become her private assistant except for Nadine who had been given some work.


    "Alright," Nikita asked her next question. "what about the staff?"


    "Again, I would hire the staff once the restaurant is ready. They need finance and it cannot wait for four to five months as they get the restaurant ready."


    "What about the furniture? I have donated the previous ones to schools, Libraries and of course, orphanages. They have the most gone to then. The interior designer can have the designs ready, which I think they won''t .."


    "I think we can purchase the furniture for now." Alexis agreed. "And I am paying them for it. So if they cannot deliver, they should keep to themselves rather than approaching for business."


    "Then I will take it to the first thing in the morning," Nikita took the responsibility. "Also, I will have the catalogues sent over but the end of the week if not tomorrow."


    "That''s done then." Alexis clicked some things off of her list. "Now the bathrooms?"


    "Oh no, they have to go and be done again. I have seen a pub or a bar at the end of the street to be of more taste."


    "Alrighty," she noted down what Nikita had said. "I will have a catalogue sent over." She nodded.


    "Fine by me," Nikita got up and stretched a bit. "Now if you would excuse me, I would retire for the night."


    "Good night," Alexis flashed her a little smile.


    "Night," Nikita answered and closed the door.


    Alexis sighed and leaned back again. She had purchased something and since one bothered to check that she was sure that it would be safe for a couple of months at least.


    She had to it under the raps, at least till what she wanted was done. Angelo could buy any law firm with a snap of his finger and the previous one she called could not be trusted anymore.


    What she wanted could not get tampered with and she could not trust anyone for that.


    She opened the drawer in her desk and took out the principal item, she made the call.

 Chapter 95 - Ninety-five

    Hanging up she did not place the phone in the drawer right away. Instead, she kept it in her hand, Angelo was not coming to the office and the others always knocked. She sighed, looking up at the ceiling.


    She thought about what she had done. Was it time? If she was ever getting out of this life then it was going to be when she was dead then what was the point of it at all?


    She had seen glimpses of his power now and then. He had planned to show her and she did. Those were enough to tell her that when needed this man would leave no stones unturned.


    She couldn''t even fathom the depts that his power went to. The glimpses of his power which had left her shook, so how was she to behave when she would see it as a whole?


    What was the point in trying?


    Should she even try, begin with?


    But then she had learned something from Julia. She would not go down without remaining to fight on the top.


    "Madam?" Alexis immediately hid the phone as she heard Agatha softly knock and come in. "Do you need anything for the night?"


    "No I don''t," Alexis answered. "Retire for the day, Agatha."


    Nodding, Agatha closed the door.


    Placing the phone back in the drawer, she walked out of the office and locked it after her. Agatha had said to do that but given the security they had around the house, she doubted that anyone could ever enter. But locking it did sound a little reassuring.


    She entered the bedroom and immediately grimaced as she looked at Angelo. The man''s face was a mess. He had bruises almost everywhere.


    "What happened?" She asked as she rushed over to him.


    "Nothing," he dismissed. "Silvano and I fought. We don''t hit back but don''t worry, Nikita would have a more scared reaction for what I did to her husband." He grinned as he threw the cotton into the after he had padded his bloody injuries with more antiseptic liquid.


    "Have a doctor look over it. You should not risk infection." She suggested.


    "Nah, it''s fine." He waved it off and went to the bathroom.


    And sighed. Why could he not listen? Infection would happen because of anything and they could cause some real damage.


    Taking her phone, she texted Agatha. ''call a doctor in the morning.'' she sighed, placing her phone on the coffee table. How many things were to be done this morning. She could hardly find time to breathe.


    "Hey," Angelo whispered as he hugged her from behind. "What''s got you thinking?" He kissed her. His grip was rough. She knew that there was no romance here. It was just possession.


    And she was his possession.


    Twisting around, she tried to get free. "You are injured." She reminded him.


    Kissing her earlobe, he said, "My face is and my shoulder a little but my d**k is fine." Turning her around he kissed her. "Maybe you could be on the top tonight." He offered.


    That made her smile. "Deal."


    Throwing him back on the bed, she took off her dress and winked at him.


    *********


    Alexis was working her way through the catalogues of the sanitaryware. She had gone through the designs of the furniture first but they were all good and it had eventually become difficult to choose from. They were either all funny looking or too extravagant. She had to find the ones that did not look too plain or too much. Just the right ones.


    "Ma''am," Blake opened her door and looked sleeping as he asked, "excuse me but have you seen Nadine?"


    Alexis understood. Nadine and she had a private chat and he did not know about it. "Yes. She is a lawyer and I sent her on a case." She remembered the conversation they had had. Nadine was happy in doing so.


    "What case, if of course, you do not mind me asking." He fidgeted.


    "Is it something important?" She asked with a slight hint of irritation in her voice. "If so, I would rather have you tell me."


    Blakes expressions immediately worsened. "Oh no, it''s nothing. We were supposed to decide who was going to do what and I thought ..that.."


    "..That she was evading." Alexis completed for him.


    "Yes. That. I thought that." He muttered, swallowing something.


    Alexis sighed and thought of something. "She is on a pro-bono. I will ask her when she can finish it." She offered.


    "Yes ma''am. Thank you." He nervously gave her a huge smile, then immediately dimmed it and then just shut the door with a nod.


    She turned back to the bathroom catalogues.


    The bathroom choices seemed easy. She and decided on the class taps and sinks and then, the toilets and urinals. They were all basic in design, yet the features contained were the latest. She had also opted for keeping sanitary napkins in the stalls of the female washroom because an emergency could strike anywhere and at any time.


    She was turning the pages through and ticking the ones she liked, more like circling them. It seemed more effortless.


    "Madam," Agatha came in without knocking and she seemed perplexed about something.


    "No knocking this time?" Alexis taunted with a sight smile on her face.


    "Ye¡ªNo. I apologize." She bowed a little. "There is a lawyer outside and they are saying that you called them with some paperwork."


    "Ah, they are here," Alexis replied cheerfully. "Send them in, would you."


    "Y¡ªyou called them?" She stammered. "But they are not the ones that matter appointed for you. I have a file with me, they are different. Madam plea¡ª"


    "I don''t get it," Alexis said. "Are you just repeating what I asked you to do or you are confirming it?"


    "I, I.."


    "Call them in here," Alexis repeated her command. "Now." And she firmly added.


    Agatha nodded in a hurry and then scurried away.


    Alexis turned back and looked at herself in the mirror once. She looked presentable enough for this. Pressing the intercom on her landline she called Blake, "I need no assistance in this meeting. You could leave your office for a few or perhaps, take an early lunch?"


    "Yes," Shuffling and a door closing sounded. He had left immediately.


    "Good Afternoon, Mrs Alessandro." A man wished as soon as he came in. "I have your papers ready for signatures." His wide smile made Alexis feel a little uneasy. Even if he had to greet a client, that big smile was going to make everyone feel a little creeped out, to be honest.


    "Thank you. Please have a seat." She replied with a decent smile, not as big as his own. "What can I get for you, tea or coffee?"


    "Ah, no. Thank you for asking." He said as he took one in front of her. "I have to ask. What you asked for is what we call a prenup and it is usually signed before the marriage.."


    Alexis patiently waited for him to finish the sentence but when he left it hanging, she decided to talk. "I did not hear a question there." She pointed out.


    "Yes, my mistake, sorry." He quickly apologized. "Why did you not have it signed before marriage? This, what originally, is termed as a prenup will now be stated as a contract."


    "I have no problems with it being called a contract." She chided. "This is exactly what I wanted. And," she leaned on the table and stared into his eyes. "as a lawyer you should know better. This is still a prenup. Married couples can also enter in one."


    "I do know that," he countered.


    "Did you?" She titled her head and asked. "Because I can certainly tell that you did not. Or is it that you are trying to scare me into believing that you know way more and better than me."


    "I¡ª"


    "Leave." She hissed. "And do not break the client-attorney privilege or there will be hell to pay." She warned. "And remember to get your facts right."


    The man nodded and got up in hurry, left the door open as he walked out. Agatha could be seen standing out with a cart in her hand and ready to come inside.


    She came in with the cart and with an uncertain confused expression. "Madam, is everything alright?"


    "Yes, it is." She answered with a smile. "Tea, please." She nodded, pointing to the cart that held everything possible thing on it.


    Agatha immediately got to work. She poured the tea and added milk with a cube of sugar. The exact sweetness that her Madam liked. She packed the teacup along with the saucer in front of her with two macaroons, two biscuits and a scone.


    Sipping the tea Alexis said, "And I do believe that Angelo is on his way home." More like stating the fact. Alexis had expected him to be informed almost immediately.


    "Yes Madam," Agatha whispered looking frightened.. "He is."

 Chapter 96 - Ninety-six.

    Kindly drop a red stone. It would be highly appreciated.


    ___________


    "The fuck?" Angelo growled into the phone as he heard the other person. "Who entered by the house?"


    "A lawyer.." the person on the call muttered.


    "What. Fucking. Lawyer?" He growled again. "Speak up!" He yelled.


    "We don''t know sir. A background check is being done.."


    "What fucking lawyer, " he seethed. "This is the third time that I am repeating it and so help me God, if you are clear in what you say." He warned. He had had enough of this shit and God forbid if anyone came in his way now.


    The person on the other side of the firm was scared. He was talking to an angry boss. Angelo was always brooding but he was not angry. Now he was and the guard was sure that he was going to be executed.


    "This lawyer is not someone that had appointed for Madam. She was arranged for a different lawyer." He said. "Should we stop him from entering?"


    Angelo''s face twisted in anger. She had made a grave fucking mistake and he was going to kill her for it. She was wanted to not let any fucking body in this lifestyle and here she was involving lawyers who were directly linked to it.


    "No, " he whispered. "Let him enter. Let him talk to her." He hung up and threw his phone on the desk. He was going to rip something from his hands with how much anger he felt.


    He was angry, no scratch that, he was furious. she had been warned again and again and here she was involving lawyers and court in his organisation. How was he supposed to protect his people when their Queen was out to get them? They would consider him a joke for a boss.


    If he was going to be thrown it would become of his wife. The fucking irony!


    "Get the fucking cars out!" He roared. He was going to kill her.


    ***********


    As Alexis waited for the arrival of her husband, she stirred the soon around and round in the cup. Occasionally she sipped it and other than that, she stirred the spoon and ate a macaroon.


    A ping came and Agatha checked her pager. Her breathing trembled a bit and she read the contents of the message. Alexis had understood what it had written in it. There was no need to tell her what was written there. Yet, Agatha looked troubled to say the words.


    "What is it?" Alexis gently asked, nudging her to answer. "Tell me."


    "He is here. Master is coming to your office. He is on his way." She shakily said.


    Alexis chuckled. "Why are you so nervous? You said three sentences that have the same meaning. Chill, I am prepared for what is about to come."


    "How can yo¡ª"


    Agatha jumped up when she heard the door banging against the wall. He was here and she could feel it.


    Why was her Madam not afraid? She had involved procedures in this and the master would never let it go.


    But more importantly, why had she done this? What for?


    "Leave." He growled.


    Agatha immediately got up at his command, not bothering to take a look back and collect the stroller, she scurried out and closed the door. She stood outside with a guard, just in case.


    Angelo did not say anything as Agatha was walking out or rather running, as it appeared to be. He did not talk even after she had closed the door.


    "That was quick," She commented with a smile, knowing well that he was not in his right mind. Hell, he looked furiously calm at the moment and that calm came only before the thunderous storm. What happened?


    "Was it?" He said with a sigh as he slowly moved over to the sofa set.


    She slowly got up to follow with the contract to sit with him on the sofa. Maybe he would want some tea? She stopped and walked towards the stroller.


    When she got up and was about to take a step forward she looked at his back was heaving. "Wha¡ª"


    "How could you?!" He picked up a single sofa and threw it on the wall as she gasped harshly and took a step back. Alexis had never expected that reaction. All of her bravery seemed to vanish into thin air as she watched him throw things on the all. Also realising that she could be one of them. Thrown against the wall.


    "You¡ªdo you have any idea on what you have done?" He seethed as his chest heaved from the previous display of anger. He yelled at her from across the room making the choice echo and her legs shake in fear.


    "I¡ªI," she stammered. "I just wanted to have a contract signed amongst us." She whispered with tears in her eyes. She was really afraid at this point ''This could have been me'', she thought as she glanced at the broken pieces of the vase.


    "A contract?" He scoffed in a loud voice. "If you want a fucking contract, you come to me to get it done or the lawyers that were given to you for it! You don''t go to a roadside firm on some fucking random street for it! Who all we know was set up to dismantle my mother*cking organisation!" He yelled at the top of his voice. In such a big office which was given to Alexis, his voice was echoing making it roar against the walls.


    He had taken a few steps forward as he spoke or yelled at her making him stand face to face with just inches between them. He slapped her face. Hard. She took a step back as she palmed her face.


    What had happened? How did it escalate so much?


    There was a moment where he had just entered and now he was throwing things on the wall and roaring at the top of his voice scaring her shitless.


    Taking another step forward he left no space in between them. "Tell me, " he asked in a gentle voice, "did you think about it? About how they could fucking throw me into prison? Or was this what you wanted to begin with?" He had started hissing in the end. His eyes looked horrifying instead of the usual cold ones.


    "No, I did n-not want that," she answered with a slight stammer. "I just wanted this to be¡ª"


    Pulling her hair he pulled her face next to his making her yell at the suddenness and in pain. "You have no idea what you could have done! What this all could have led to!" He yelled at her. "All of this could have gone! Do you have any idea what could have happened if he was not a real lawyer and spy? He could bug the entire mansion. Did you fucking think of the consequences then?" He pulled her back and forth to get his point across. He was fucking furious and half of his being wanted nothing more than to strangle her.


    His roaring voice was sending shivers down her spine. Tears had gathered into her eyes. The way he liked into her eyes had sacred her very soul. He was being a maniac.


    "I am sorry," she whispered with a sob surrendering in fear and pain, "I did not think about it." She didn''t and she was stupid for that.


    His eyes flashed and his face became uglier than before. Pulling her head back, he slapped her hard. "Damm right you didn''t!" He yelled again and threw her to the other side of the room by her hair.


    Alexis yelled in pain as her hands which had immediately gone forward to stop the fall but had themselves fallen prey to the broken pieces of glasses. She immediately sat up and held out her hands and looked at them crying. She then looked at Angelo with fear in her eyes. "Please, I didn''t think but I aware to you that I would not do it again." She was begging for mercy. Alexis had no idea what more turn could it take and she might lose the life she had tried to fight the freedom for.


    Leisurely walking to her with his hands in her pockets, he said, "it''s funny you think that." Squatting in form of her fallen form on the floor, she watched as his hand went behind her coat and pulled something out and kept it in-between them. "Because you won''t have the chance to do this again." He got up and her eyes followed his actions. He walked towards the door and stopped to turn around and look at her.


    She glanced down once and a huge sob came out but she kept her eyes on him.


    "Because I would never give you the chance to make it again."


    Hurriedly moving her to the floor she gasped, he placed something down in-between them.


    It was a gun.


    He had made his threat clear and it was damm clear that he won''t hesitate to carry it out.

 Chapter 97 - Ninety-seven.

    Alexis looked down at the gun he had placed in between them.


    ''Because I would never give you the chance to make it again.''


    The gun and his last words had caused shivers to go down her line. His blazing eyes were proof of that, his venomous words were proof of that and his actions were definite proof of that.


    The gun kept in front of her, facing her was proof of that.


    His words held a warning and she was clear of it. As soon as her eyes lowered and she submitted he walked out of the room and closed the door behind him.


    She flinched at the sound of the door closing. What had happened? What had she done? Where had all of this gone wrong?


    In a moment the tables had turned and she had fallen on the floor, injured and bleeding from her seat where she was stirring tea.


    Agatha was waning against the wall and when she heard a crash she jumped a little. The lack of sight of what was happening inside was a real deal-breaker. She could just pray. Pray for Alexis to live through it.


    When Angelo came out of the room she looked at him and stood straight, ready for the commands that he was going to send her way.


    She addressed his presence, "Sir.."


    "Half an hour," he said raising his hand as a fist and showing his index finger. "Give her half an hour and then go inside and then call a doctor for her." His jaw was locked, his eyes were firm, he meant every word and crossing him now would cause Agatha an early death.


    She nodded as she watched him walk away to his own office and then slammed the door shut. She turned a little to look at the door of her Madam''s office. The guard that stood there immediately took a step and locked the door shut. He had heard the command and he was going to carry it out.


    She thought of what to do. Make a call to the doctor and arrange for light food. Agatha, shakily so, turned around and walked to the kitchen. The chefs were there.


    "Prepare light food for madam tonight," she informed them. "Not too much though. She might not want to eat."


    "Yes. I understand." The head chef nodded.


    Agatha nodded again and moved to the front door. She was sure that this whole fiasco had reached the ears of many and now she had to make sure that she was ready for the arrival and cue, the former Don arrived.


    "What happened?" He asked in a cold voice as soon as his eyes landed in Agatha. She was a reliable source and he knew that. The best characteristic about Agatha was that she knew when to speak the truth, when to filter it and when to lie. She also knew, when to keep it shut tight.


    She took a deep breath in, preparing herself to get ready for the interrogation. But she had to be honest.


    "Madam had contacted a lawyer and that was not one of Masters and he came in today with a contract." She said with her eyes lowered. People could be scared when angered. Especially when they made men.


    "Where is he now?" Gabrielle asked as he ran a hand over the face with a tired expression. The buy had messed up big time. He had to make sure that the news did not get out.


    "His office." She answered. "Should I send something for you?" She politely asked. She had to be a host when Alexis was not available.


    "No Agatha, I think he has whiskey in his office." He said and went to the stairs and his office.


    Gabrielle instead of knocking directly walked into Don''s office.


    He saw Angelo sitting on his chair with his eyes closed and his face faced upwards.


    "You are supposed to knock," he muttered.


    Gabrielle instead of answering walked to the chair in front of Angelo and sat down. Then he spoke, "If I look back and count, I would have to interrupt every meeting of yours to reach half of what you interrupted." He spoke as a matter of fact.


    Angelo didn''t comment on it. He kept his eyes closed.


    But Gabrielle did not like being ignored. So he picked a paperweight and threw it in the air and caught it again. Repeating the process as he passed the time.


    Eventually, he just began to look at it and measure its weight. "I am going to hit you with this if you continue to ignore me."


    Raising an eyebrow, Angelo replied, "Mother will be angry."


    To which Gabrielle shrugged, "Angry sex is a better form of sex, boy." He laughed as Angelo grimaced.


    "You are not supposed to discuss it with your kids." His son chided.


    "Sure I don''t," Gabrielle replied. "Now what I came here for, let''s talk about that. You hit her?"


    "We are talking about my wife. Mine." He pointed out.


    "And I don''t say otherwise." Gabrielle pointed at him. "Answer the damn question."


    Angelo lazily opened his eyes and looked at his father. His father was angry and he knew that but he didn''t give a shit about that. He didn''t give a shit about anyone right now.


    "I did." He admitted without any shame.


    "Damn it, boy!" Gabrielle slapped his hands on the table and got up. His yelling got him to anger Angelo.


    Gabrielle paced around the office a bit. His hands running through his face and hair. "Do you know what you have done by that?"


    "Does she know what she had done when he invited a fucking random man into my house?" He yelled back. His anger was brewing on the surface but now, it was ready to burst out. "The man could that could have destroyed everything! So you do not see where I come from? Thousands employed in our care would go jobless!"


    "And you tell her that but don''t beat her for that shit!" Gabrielle roared back. "Does your fucking ass know how hard I worked all my life along with your mother to have wives reach a higher and recognised status and that no-one would ever get abused and here, look at what does the Don do!"


    "I did what I was supposed to." Angelo hissed back. "What would you have done?"


    "You want to know what I would have done?" Gabrielle said as he walked forward and glared his son down. "I would read the fucking contract, that is what would have done and that was what you supposed to do!"


    His father looked frustrated to the end of the earth. "Had it been your mother I would have ended ber right then and there but she was from a mafia family. She knew better. The same cannot be said for your wife, she is a nobody from nowhere that you picked up from without a damn thought to anything!"


    "Hah, so you say, " Angelo taunted. "At least my first thought would have been killing her." He repeated his father''s words.


    "And for sure as hell I won''t have done what you did in the first place to have her go to another lawyer." Gabrielle continued. "The fuck did you, do, to begin with?" He asked. What had gone wrong that she had to contact a damn lawyer that Angelo knew nothing of.


    Angelo irritatedly ran his hand through his hair. He couldn''t think straight at the moment. She just had to ignore a direct com and from him. She was asked to not contact anybody except family. Maybe he had made the mistake of trusting her so soon. He should have rather waited for a while and met her to get a handle on things. The whole family would question him.


    But Gabrielle didn''t let him think. "Boy, you listen to me and you better listen good," his father growled. "You fucking fix this, I don''t know how you will do this neither do I give a fuck to care about this but you fix this. Give her a necklace or whip yourself to death for her, I don''t care."


    "Her? You care about her?" Angelo scoffed. "Her is the one who could have given the feds everything fucking thing we worked for our entire lives!" He roared. "Everything would have been home in seconds!"


    "And that was your goddamn job to make sure that she didn''t." Gabrielle sneered. "And I''d say that you failed there. You failed like a newborn at this, not a man who had been working for twenty years in this lifestyle."


    Angelo breathed heavily as he looked the other way. It was his responsibility to have her know about all of this and he failed there.


    And that''s when the realisation hit.


    It was somewhere his fault.


    Placing a call, he said, "Get me the contract that she had contacted a lawyer for."

 Chapter 98 - Ninety-eight.

    As soon as the time of half an hour given to Agatha was over and the guard moved away from the door after unlocking it, Agatha barged into the room like she was on fire.


    Her anxious eyes wandered around the room trying to find Alexis''s fallen and hurt form from the previous assault. From outside, she had heard what had happened and had no idea of what the original position of the destruction was.


    The vases were broken and shattered against the wall, the couch''s leg was broken and the pieces of glasses were shattered around. She had to get the room cleaned before anyone got home.


    There she was, her madam. Huddled up in a corner with a dead expression on her face breathing quietly and not bothering with her injuries. She was scared but now, Agatha could understand that she was numb. She was...


    "Come in, behind me." Agatha harshly whispered to the nurse who nodded and followed her.


    "Madam," Agatha whispered as she sat down. "Do you want a painkiller? I am sure it hurts bad." She said but winced in the end. Of course, it was obvious had it hurt bad. What was she even saying?


    "Leave me alone," Alexis muttered as she looked away, closing ber eyes. She had a lot of thinking to do.


    Agatha looked away. She knew that it would come to this, perhaps she was at fault too. Her Madam had no idea who and how many people were after her husband so how would she ever know that who was to be trusted and who not?


    "Alright," she sighed and stood up. She walked to the desk where a bottle of water was kept and poured it in a glass. Taking the glass with her she took it to Alexis and showed her her hand with a pill in it.


    "Just have this. It will help in avoiding the infections." She took out the had that she had placed the medicine in.


    Alexis glanced at her and then her hand. Begrudgingly so, she took the pill with some force and snatched the bottle of water from her hands and did as asked.


    "Leave me now," she spat the words and turned her face away.


    Agatha slowly moved back and with the nurse, closed the door.


    "What painkiller was it?" The nurse asked with a little curiosity. "For infection?"


    Agatha gave a glance at the curious nurse and then scoffed, "it was an asleep sedative." She smirked, walking away.


    **********


    "So," Agatha asked as she tried to get a better look. "Is it anything major? Did she lose a lot of blood? or¡ª"


    "It''s just a few scratches and scrapes. It is from the broken pieces of glass. Not too deep except two but I have stitched them up, so no loss there." The nurse interrupted Agatha''s concerns with her facts. "As for her face," she hesitantly pointed to the cheeks and the bump on the forehead thinking it was better to point than to speak, "I will leave an ointment for swelling." She murmured, "also, she was bleeding. Maybe it was her period."


    "Also," she continued, "please have her bump checked. Just to be sure that there is no concussion."


    "That is alright, that would be the first time tomorrow." Agatha sighed feeling relieved to know about the minimal damage and the short recovery that her madam would make soon. "Any medication? Write them down please."


    "The painkillers. I have written them down here." She handed Agatha the list. "And that''s it."


    "Alright, I will see you out." Agatha nodded as she helped the nurse pack her things up. They descended the stairs and Agatha opened the car door for her.


    "Remember," she said as she stared deep into her eyes, effectively scaring her soul too. "Not a word to anyone. As soon as you sit inside the car, this, all of what has happened, it just becomes a distant memory." Her ominous eyes scared the woman in front of her.


    "Yes¡ªyes," she nodded hurriedly. "I got that."


    "Good," Agatha smiled. "because I don''t think that you would be able to handle the consequences it would bring." She innocently smiled and then and turned to the driver, "make sure that you drop the nurse off at her house and nowhere else."


    Turning around she went inside the house and closed the doors. She breathed in and out as she placed her head on the wood. When she heard the car drive away she pulled away from the door and walked back to the master bedroom.


    On her way she was walking slowly knowing that her Madam won''t be up to anything soon. She entered the room only to stop when she found someone else in the room.


    "Master," she gave a respected nod his way. "May I enter?"


    He nodded and she entered, closing the door behind her.


    "Anything I can get for you?" She asked in a hushed tone.


    He shook his head and sighed. He was taking on the couch and staring at his wife''s form. She looked like someone who had an accident.


    She bumped on her forehead. A huge one at that and then there were bruises and scratches which were all from the push from him.


    Why did he push her? Did he have to?


    He knew that he had terrorised her. And all the trust and confidence that he had earned in the past month had gone in wild flames. She was never going to trust him and even if she did it would never be wholesome. She would always have doubts in her mind.


    "Injuries. Are they serious?"


    Agatha heard him and raising her head she answered. "No, only two of the wounds were deep and they have been stitched."


    He gave a deep sigh at that.


    "Doctor?"


    "No, she was out of the country for a conference. They sent over a nurse."


    "And her mouth?"


    "A nurse came, the doctor was out of the country. And her mouth is sealed shut. I am sure the driver made sure of that too."


    After a few moments of watching his wife''s face, he spoke. "Then why has she not woken up?" He asked.


    Agatha felt fear trickle down her back. That was something she should not have done but the circumstances were not in her favour.


    "She was not ready to get up. I had to sedate her." She whispered.


    "Sedate her?" He repeated and glanced at her making Agatha flinch. "And what made you do that?"


    "I¡ª" she breathed and straightened herself. "She was bleeding and you were busy with your father so.."


    "Just this once, even though I would have preferred you coming to me for it." He muttered.


    "I believe that you would be angrier than you initially were." She said and he knew that it would true.


    Then he popped the question, "Agatha, do you think I was wrong?"


    "I..uh..me?" She pointed to herself. "A-are you talking to me, Master?" She stammered. This was not a part of the job.


    "Is there someone else of the same name?" He muttered.


    "No," she whispered.


    "Then I believe I was talking to you, so answer the question. Do you think so?"


    Agatha shakily lowered her head. Was she to be honest or diplomatic? Her madam was asleep so maybe blame her? But someday she would come to know as well and then surely she would have Agatha''s head.


    "Well," she hesitated. "Do you want me to the honest?"


    He glanced at her, "yes, do not fear for your life. I have asked for your honest opinion, I''ll take it.."


    "Maybe you were at fault," she hurriedly talked. "Madam knew to stay away from the police but how was she supposed that there were spies in real life?" Alexis had no idea for which she could be held responsible.


    "True.." he muttered. "But she had the documents of the law firm in her name. She should have contacted those. I had everyone checked that fucking firm."


    "About that," she winced as she said so, "Madam did not read them. She was going to! But then the grandparents arrived and she was busy with them."


    "And that is her fault," he declared. "She should have read through them and if not that, then at least look at what was given to her." He huffed, "that is highly irresponsible."


    Agatha didn''t speak. She was not asked to.


    "Get the contract and keep it on my desk." He ordered. "Make sure that you keep it above the stack that is already there." He lagged for today.


    "Yes, Master." She nodded and left immediately.


    Angelo caressed her hair as she slept. She was stirred up some good amount of trouble and lord knew what about happen if people in his organisation knew about it. They would immediately go against her and many did not like her in the first place. She was an outsider.


    To be honest, he had thought about the damage he had done. But it seemed that it was far less than he had initially thought.


    "Oh Alexis," he whispered into the night.. "I might have to change my plans for you."

 Chapter 99 - Ninety-nine

    Damn the pain she felt. There was a tingling sensation in her wounds and she knew that they had been tended to.


    When did she fall asleep? Had Agatha or Angelo drugged her? Agatha could not do that, it had to Angelo. He had a history of doing it.


    Alexis opened her eyes and her sight met with the ceiling. She blinked once and then twice and again, trying to adjust her sight in the dark and getting off the blurriness. How long had she slept for? It was dark. Twisting her head a little without moving her body, she looked at the time displayed by the digital watch on the side table.


    It showed 2:33 AM. She had slept for an entire day. She had been drugged.


    She had slept through the whole day yesterday. She looked back to the ceiling and closed her eyes with a sigh. She felt the tears gathering in her eyes as she remembered it.


    She remembered how it all had happened. The slaps, the rage he had. Why Though? There was a contract that she had drafted and because of which this whole thing had happened.


    He didn''t even read it, to begin with, and he had attacked her brutally. He had not even considered why she had done so.


    What had happened?


    And how?


    And most importantly, why?


    Alexis knew that she did not know anything about this life but how had it been shoved back at her was something amazing. For a moment, she had thought that she was going to die and get killed by her husband. She was terrified of the man who had claimed to love her. Who had promised her power and position and she had believed it? There was no love in what he promised and she took it.


    Reality had hit back in moments. Like literally moments. Hell no, it had hit her back in seconds.


    He did not love her.


    And it had destroyed her.


    If this was his love, then she did not want it. She would rather be in a loveless marriage but look how that turned out to be.


    An abusive marriage. Every woman''s worst nightmare and had come true for her. And where was the abuser go begin with? It was the main contributor to her current situation here.


    Looking on another side of the bed, she found Angelo''s sleeping form. His calmed and relaxed sleeping form. The stress-free face had no frown on it this time. It seemed as if he had no tensions in the world. He was sleeping as if he had no idea what he had done to his wife.


    She let a breath in.


    A breath out.


    Another one in.


    Another one out.


    Lord was her witness that this time instead of wanting to strangle him she was feeling nothing.


    No hate, no love definitely and no ... admiration. She felt nothing towards this vile man.


    Something she had begun to feel lately and something only she knew deep down in her bottomless pit of a heart she had. The heart that did not understand how much at a disadvantage it was to tie itself to people without any reason.


    Especially people who you knew could not be trusted. This man had kidnapped her, to begin with, then professed his love like it was directed by a world-famous director and she had believed him?


    Just like that?


    She had believed that he loved her as a normal man would? That he would argue and yell rather than choosing to hit her?


    As she watched his sleeping form with her head twisted in his direction, a tear slipped from her eye and went to her hairline as she made no effort to stop it.


    Another one slipped and she made no move.


    Her view got hazy from the tears and another one slipped but she continued to look at his face.


    Her mistake.


    A stupid mistake.


    When she felt another one slip she finally closed her eyes and let a quiet sob out but immediately she placed a hand on her mouth, trying her best to quieten herself before the man next to her woke up. She would hate to talk to him as she was crying, No! She would hate to have him see her crying.


    Only one thing ran through her mind.


    She had believed him. She had believed herself to get a better version of the happily ever after bubble that she knew did not exist.


    Sighing courage, she got up very softly and tried her level best to not make any sounds while doing so.


    Her body spasmed in pain but she got up and walked to the bathroom. Peeping behind her at the man who was sound asleep, she breathed heavily as she felt the pain and adrenaline pumping from trying to be discreet and be away for the man just this once.


    She opened the door and turned around then She slowly slid it shut as she watched his face remain calm and asleep.


    After the door shut, she locked it very slowly and then moved away from it.


    She looked at herself in the mirror and then broke down. A sob kept itself free from her and she immediately hushed herself, it echoed and she hated the feeling of being weak. Especially when she could hear it herself and knowing that he could too.


    She turned on the tap only halfway through and it made noise as it clashed with the sink.


    And then she let go.


    Tears fell from her eyes as she heaved from her crying. Breathing seemed difficult so she stuck with breathing from her mouth. Sob after sob came out and so did her tears. She didn''t stop crying and neither did her tears stop. Lowering her head down, she cried in silence. Oh, how pathetic she felt.


    How could She be so stupid?


    "So fucking gullible?" She broke out the words as she looked into the mirror again.


    "Why?" She sobbed with her lips wobbling, a sob coming from her heart making a chest pain. "Why again, Alexis?"


    Staring at the mirror she talked to herself, "Did we not talk about this? About how we would not get our hearts broken? Then why are we here, going through all of it once again?"


    Sobbing more, she continued to talk even though now nothing could be understood from it. "why again crying in front of a mirror when we promised to be we do so again? Where did that strength go?"


    Closing her eyes she sobbed, "where the fuck did it go?" Her shoulders shook as cries escaped her being buried by the echoes of the water hitting the washbasin. Her hands were holding the tile slab for support or she would have fallen long ago. Her legs were shaking and so were her shoulders.


    Anger seeped into her veins as the realisation struck.


    She slapped herself once on the cheek.


    She then slapped herself in the same cheek again.


    She deserved it. It was her fault. He had never asked her to trust me. She had done so. She had chosen to do so.


    The slap that he had given her was something she could still feel and to remind herself so that Alexis had slapped herself. She knew that she deserved it.


    Whatever he did was what he did. She was responsible for herself. She was responsible for her faults like he was for his.


    Her eyes were red and so was her nose. Her lashes were wet. Her cheeks were swollen. Her lips were dry and chapped and now they hurt.


    What she was looking at now was the aftermath of her crying session.


    Something she knew that she won''t forget for a long long time.


    And something she knew that she won''t let him forget as well. He would pay for it. He would have to pay for it all.


    Picking up the hem of her shirt, she placed her hand on the marks that he had left. He had burned her in the name of punishment. Those burn wounds had left visible marks behind.


    The ones of torture, punishment and something to remind her of what she had done. Alexis pressed it a little, it didn''t hurt anymore. There were just scares left behind as Memories.


    "That is what he does," Alexis murmured, running her fingers over the scars. "Burn and cut. Slap and push. He cannot love. Obsession is not loved." She muttered to herself. "He does not love anything. Not even his organisation. That is another one of his possessions, like me. Just like me."


    She needed to hear it. She needed to hear it to understand it and to get the image of it inside her thick head.


    Looking at herself in the mirror again, she gave herself another slap.


    "Look at yourself and always remember.." She said before the Darkness took over and she fell with her eyes closing and her falling asleep for the second time.

 Chapter 100 - Hundred.

    Drop a red some or two, please.


    ******


    When the mattress shook slightly from a moment and Angelo immediately became aware of his surroundings. He was waiting for her to wake up after all and the movement had given him the indication that she was up.


    He didn''t have to open his eyes to know that his wife was awake. He did not open his eyes as he had portrayed the image of him sleeping. If she wanted him up, she would have made an effort to make him.


    She shook once and a sob came out. He heard it.


    He remained still, as still as he could.


    But then he felt mattress dip and then soft padding was heard, he knew that she got up from the bed. Moving slowly to the bathroom she closed the door very softly.


    And she did, he opened his eyes.


    It didn''t take an out of intelligence to figure out that she didn''t want him to wake up and it was not out of her love and concern for him.


    It was because of the confrontation that would come if he woke up. She was avoiding that.


    He swiftly got up and walked to the bathroom. On his way, he picked up a glass of water for her. Standing outside the bathroom like a creep, waiting for his wife to come out. But what would he say?


    How was he supposed to say anything to his wife after he had injured her in an anger episode? But that all came later, at first she had to open the door and come out.


    His phone pinged and he knew what was more important. He immediately reached for his phone and picked up the call.


    "What?" He barked into the phone. No one was to call him at night unless it was an emergency.


    "Sir, the feds are storming in the area. What do we do?" A straight situation was thrown at him and the answer was as clear as day but he could not understand. His attention was still at the door that was closed.


    "What? Where the hell are you?" This was fucked up. He didn''t remember a pickup tonight and if had did. He had to be available which he was not.


    He had made a mistake. And the feds are there.


    "The pickup for drugs was supposed to be next week and other than that it didn''t authorise any neither did any of the top tiers. The fuck are you?" He seethed.


    "The pick up was preponed. Did you know¡ª" the man stopped and then cursed, "We had received the message from the chain of command and if you did not authorize it, then it means.."


    "..that we have a mole." Angelo hissed as he finished the sentence. "Retreat immediately and this is the first thing I will deal with tomorrow." He hung up.


    Fucking hell, he still had shit to deal with. Had it happened the day his family had an episode? Was it his imagination or something was there to worry about?


    He could hear the water running, was she taking a bath? Her wounds would bleed again she touched or scratched them. They could get infected.


    The tap turned off and he sighed. Maybe she was just washing her hands. And went ahead to knock when he heard something.


    "Alexis?" He knocked. If he had heard it correct, she had fallen.


    This time he tapped the door loudly. "Alexis?" He said a little louder.


    And she did not reply. Which she would in any scenario even if she was ignoring him. At least to hold him at the door and not let him enter.


    Pushing the door he found it locked. Aiming his shoulder to the door he slammed himself to open it. The door rattled but didn''t open.


    The door slammed against the wall after repeating the process several times. His eyes immediately scanned the whole place to find his wife and he found her fallen form on the door.


    Running to her he gathered her in his arms and began to walk. He walked down the stairs in a hurry and yelled, "Agatha!" And then he yelled to the guards. "Get the cars out!"


    "Master," an unkept Agatha came into the view which was in much contrast to her regular form that did not have a hair out of her place throughout the day. "Oh my," she gasped.


    "Call my mother. Tell her everything." He said as he sat inside the car and then they drove off. He was breathing heavily. His first guess was that the wounds were infected or the fucking nurse didn''t judge correctly and Alexis had lost a lot of blood that led to losing consciousness.


    As soon as Angelo''s cars drove into the hospital grounds, a stretcher was brought out with a doctor and a nurse. They placed Alexis on it and wheeled her to the emergency room.


    Angelo stayed out. He was waiting outside with two of his men. He sat down the waiting Chairs without bothering to look at anyone present around him. His men knew better than to come of something unimportant at this point.


    "Angelo," he looked up and found his mother coming towards him in full speed with his father behind them. "My baby, how is she? What happened?"


    "Maybe it was the wounds being infected or that she lost a tonne of blood and the nurse did not judge her condition correctly." He answered with a sigh.


    Isabelle pulled a face at that. She sat down on the waiting chairs and covered her face with a sigh. She was not expecting any of this.


    Alexis was going to make some power move and she knew that very well. But what she had not expected was to involve in some kind of legal procedure without having to consult anyone. What disturbed home was the reaction that Angelo gave her, I had not thought this through while being angry about it.


    And now she had ended up in a hospital because of what happened. But she also knew that Angelo was at fault here because it was his job to make sure that Alex knows about such threats and the boundaries that she was not meant to explore beyond.


    "Angelo," she said sighing a little, "do you know how much you overreacted, to what extent? You could have handled it in a better way that did not land her in a hospital at 3:00 a.m."


    Angelo nodded not replying to her but implying that he had heard her and also that somewhere she was right. He had handled it in the worst way possible and now he had to bear the consequences of it.


    "The doctor come out yet?" Gabriella spoke to change the topic. He was trying not to be pissed. This was just as before, him trying to solve his kids shit at night.


    "No, not yet," Angelo said, sighed again. He had sighed enough for three days in today itself.


    "Mrs Alessandro''s family?" The doctor came out and looked at the family as they all got up.


    "Doctor, how is she?" Angelo hurriedly got up and questioned the doctor.


    "She is stable now," He seemed to be carefully choosing his words.


    "Was it because of her wounds?" Isabella asked with a frown on her face. She was panicking inside. The girl did not deserve it.


    Shaking his head, the doctor answered, "No, they were well-attended to but just to sure we looked at them once. They are fine and will heal well with time."


    "Then, why did she faint?" Angelo asked with the least bit of patience. He was losing it. Why the hell couldn''t they just answer his questions? Were they not suppose to know everything?


    The doctor stepped back a little, he had heard about Don''s anger and he was not going to be on the hit list. "We do not know that yet. A thorough check-up has been done, the reports will be here within a few moments." He nodded at them. "I will be back with them."


    Angelo sat down with a thud irritated with the time taken for it. With the technology they had today, were they not supposed to be fast?


    "Don''t be irritated kid," Gabriele muttered with his eyes closed. "It consequences of your doings that we are dealing with."


    Angelo sighed and didn''t reply. It would seem like a waste of energy anyway.


    He got up and walked to the bed of the corridor for the water cooler. Drinking some water seemed to cool him down. He took a plastic cup and filled it with water, drank it and repeated it several times.


    When he went back, the doctor had a sullen expression on his face. "If you would be kind enough to follow me to my office, I have some news.." And from his expressions, Angelo knew that it would be something he didn''t want to hear.

 Chapter 101 - Hundred And One.

    When Alexis woke up, her eyes found a different ceiling on the roof. It was white in colour whereas at home it was cream in colour.


    She moved her eyes around a little and found people surrounding her yet she did not say anything, not having the power to do so and went back to the dark world of unconsciousness.


    The next when she woke up was to an irritating beeping sound. She had a cringe her face and slowly opened her eyes.


    "Madam," Agatha whispered. "Are you in pain, should I call someone?"


    "No..lights," she muttered, as her eyes fell victim to the bright lights in the room.


    "Ah, yes." Agatha immediately shut them off since it was the day time and the certain did the worst job in minimising the light from the sun to come in.


    Agatha walked back to the bed and saw Alexis open her eyes and look around the room. "I must call master." She whispered to Alexis. She didn''t want to, but she had too.


    "No." Alexis whispered. "Tell me what happened first." She said. Alexis was not trying to challenge his authority or command. She had learned to from that. She was simply asking what had happened.


    "You..um.." Agatha hesitated a bit and looked away. What was she supposed to do?


    "Tell me," Alexis pressured in a hoarse voice. "And give me a bit of water too."


    "Yes, yes," Agatha hurried away, perhaps she liked the change of topic too. She got a glass of water with a straw and place it in the side table. Then she moved Alexis''s bed to a higher angle. Taking the water she placed the straw on Alexis''s lips. Alex drank her fill, slowly quenching her thirst.


    "Thank you," she muttered moving her face away from the straw. She looked at Agatha who was looking at everywhere except her.


    "Tell me," she said again. "And I serious Agatha. Tell me why am I here? And be honest."


    She sighed and then looked up, as if for strength and sent up a prayer to God. "You fainted. When you had gone to the bathroom, you fainted and master immediately took you to the hospital. He thought that you might have either lost a lot of blood or that your wounds had gotten infected."


    Alexis blinked. "and had they?"


    "No, fortunately not."


    "Then what happened? ''Why'' did I faint?" She asked again with a sigh.


    "I don''t know.." Agatha sheepishly admitted. "I was not told anything about that. So, I can''t tell you anything."


    Alexis stared at her in irritation and sighed at last. "Why did you tell me that from the beginning?" She muttered. "Anyway, hand me my reports." She said, pointing to the end of the bed where they were usually kept for the doctors to see.


    Agatha played with her fingers before saying, "It''s not there."


    Irritated to the bone, Alexis aggressively ran her hand through her hair. "Agatha," she seethed, "can call you someone? Or just hand me my phone?"


    "Yes, Mada¡ª"


    "Alexis," Isabelle stood at the entrance as she let out a sigh. She came in, closing the door behind her. "How are you? Anything that you feel paining?"


    "What happened to me?" Alexis shot right back at her. "Why are my reports not placed there like they usually are for everyone?"


    Isabelle took a seat and Agatha stepped back. "Because you are not everyone else." She answered with her head held high.


    Alexis stared at her and Isabelle stared back. "Pfft," Alexis let out. "That is some bullshit. Could you not get your story set straight while I was out?" She taunted.


    "You should rest." Was all Isabelle said in return.


    "That''s it?" Alexis asked. "That''s all you are going to say? Get more rest?"


    "What do you want me to say?" Isabelle asked. "Tell me what you want to hear. I might be able to please you better."


    "To begin with," Alexis chuckled. "How about you ask about what had happened but you probably know about it, do you not?"


    "I do," she admitted. "But that is not what you want me to say. What you want to say is how it was Angelo''s fault and how wrong he was." Isabelle didn''t say anything. She practically stated what Alexis wanted.


    "So was it? His fault?" Alexis asked. She had turned her face up toward the ceiling. No one seemed pleasant to look at now.


    "It was," Isabelle admitted. "And I would not out it past him as both a Don and a husband. Whatever happens, he should have thought it through first." Said she. "That all want leadership is about. Thinking before doing."


    Alexis opened her mouth but then closed it. Should she ask it? Right now?


    "Does everyone know about this?" She asked in a low voice.


    "No," Agatha immediately said as she shook her head. "No one does. Your office is soundproof unless standing right outside you can hear something and we made sure that no one did."


    Alexis nodded. She did not trust herself to say anything.


    "Do you not know?" Alexis turned to her mother-in-law. "Is that why you are not telling what happened to me?"


    "Unfortunate as much as it may seem, I am afraid that is true." She looked away. "I was not told what happened. Only Angelo knows and if he has not told us, I doubt he would tell you any of this."


    "Why?" Alexis raised her voice a bit. "That is me, we are talking about. My health is my first concern."


    "I know but raising your voice will get you nowhere."


    "Why, thank you for telling me that." Alex smiled sarcastically. "And pray to tell me, what will help me then?"


    "Pay attention to everything that is going on around you," Isabelle advised. "Angelo is going to try to make up to you in the best way that he can and I want you to use that opportunity."


    "For what? He buys whatever he wants and now I can buy it for myself." She shrugged.


    "My my, don''t be that materialistic." Isabelle frowned.. "I want to you use that opportunity to strike, so that he would know better than to repeat this again."

 Chapter 102 - Hundred And Two.

    After some time, Isabelle had left. Agatha somehow had managed to make not a single sound. Not even a sigh. She was as quiet as a mice.


    Alexis was resting and she truly was. This time she was just not thinking about anything. No restaurant, no overthinking about something and no Angelo.


    She was just lying down there, very peacefully resting.


    The door opened, "Out," a voice said but she did not bother to open her eyes. She knew who it was the by the voice itself. And her rest was over.


    Angelo quietly sat on the chair and continued to look at his wife''s who was blatantly ignoring him.


    He ran a hand through his hair as he had for a number of times today. What was he supposed to say? Fuck, could he Google this?


    He looked at her again and then breathed in a deep sigh for courage. He raised his hand and held hers in his. She let him without throwing a tantrum or getting Angry. She did not even open her eyes once since he entered much less glance in his direction.


    "You are angry with me," he deduced. "So angry to not even look at me."


    She sighed loudly before speaking. "Try to have yourself beaten for a petty matter. So just think and be a little compassion for me."


    "It was a serious matter. There was nothing petty about it." He countered.


    "And how am I supposed to know that?" She bit back. "I was not aware of anything regarding this and neither did you make any such efforts to tell me about it." She muttered. Alexis did not yell at him or raise her voice even a little bit. She was treating this as a little gateway, to a hospital, but anyway. At least, it took her out of the damm house.


    "I know." He agreed. "I am at fault here."


    She nodded.


    "I would understand if you want to yell at me. I would not¡ª"


    "Hit me if I do yell?" She completed his sentence with a little irritation. "No, thank you. I do not want to spoil myself of that luxury." She added with a pinch of sarcasm.


    Angelo sighed. He hated talking. Could he ask her to shoot him?


    Hell no, she could aim for the worst.


    So he tried once more. "You need to let your anger out on me. It would bring you calm."


    "Would it?" She taunted in a whisper. "No Angelo, it would not bring me calm. Instead, it would bring you relief from the guilt as I would yell at you. That is what you what."


    Angelo closed his eyes and twisted his head upwards. He was walled in with nowhere he could push to go.


    "Alexis," he took both of her hands, "I am sorry. I shouldn''t have reacted in the way that I did. But I saw something, the fact that everything I and my family had ever worked for was going up in ashes. They would have thrown all of us into prison including you. You have to understand that you gave me quite a scare there."


    Alexis sighed and the nodded. "I didn''t know so I had no idea." Was all she said. No apologies, no taking the blame. Because she was not to be taking the blame.


    "Yes, I know." He muttered. "You will be discharged later today. So," he sighed, "I suggest you carry on resting."


    Alexis nodded in return and he walked away closing the door after him. Agatha came in immediately after. "Do you require something Madame?" She asked in a polite voice.


    "Yes, I do." She opened her eyes for the first time after Isabelle left. "Plane tickets. I want plane tickets."


    ********


    The car slowly came to a stop in front of the mansion. Angelo, who was sitting next to her climbed out and opened her door. She slowly turned to him, wincing at the pain and held out her arms.


    Gathering her in his arms, he picked her up in bridal style and carried her into the mansion. No one except Agatha was around and Alexis was thankful for that. She was ashamed for it as it is and the worst was to deal with people knowing about it.


    People staring at her, with some kind of pitiful emotion in their eyes which would definitely make her feel more anger towards him. He was slowly carrying her upstairs, trying not to cause her any kind of pain or discomfort and Agatha was following them closely behind them.


    Finally entering the room, he placed her on the bed. The doctor had instructed that she had to be on bed rest for the entire week or if possible two.


    "I am on bed rest when I was not even hurt that much." She said without looking at Angelo. "Why am I on bed rest?"


    "Because you lost more blood than we thought. You slept through the drip and now we have to give you a good diet."


    "I lost blood?" She repeated. "Must be it." She whispered looking away.


    Angelo was looking at her as he stood near the end of the bed. He looked down for a moment and then moved. "I will let you rest."


    He nodded and Agatha who followed him out.


    "Master?" She asked as he stopped near the stairs.


    "Take care of her." He said. "I have given the diet plan to the chef so make sure that she eats according to it. She shouldn''t get up from the bed. Also, if she has any kind of pain there is the list given with the medication." He said and then stared at her. "Remember, any kind of pain she has, there is a medicine written for it."


    Agatha nodded. She wanted to question but she also knew better than do so.


    "Should I look for something particular?" She asked. The pains that he was talking about seemed to be specific about something.


    "No, any pain." He dismissed her.


    Entering his office, he sat down in his chair. In front of him was a file that he didn''t want to open.


    He got up immediately, took the file and locked it in the safe in his office.. He wouldn''t have anyone know.

 Chapter 103 - One Hundred And Three.

    A few days had gone by since the visit to the hospital and her diet was taken pretty strictly. Everything that she now ate was healthy and rich in either proteins or potassium etc., Not that she had paid any attention to it.


    "Here," Agatha set up a folding table on the bed where Alexis was seated with her back touching the back of the bed. She then placed a bowl of fruits and one scone on the table.


    "A scone?" Alexis smiled giddily, rubbing her hands and getting ready to attack the food. The medication made ber hungry.


    "Yes, but it''s after you finish the bowl of fruits." She smiled at Alexis. "Like a treat."


    "Hmm," she hummed and began to eat the bowl without any fuss. For the first day after coming home, Alexis was hell-bent on not eating anything. She had abdomen pains which she could not bear. She just held her stomach and cried until Angelo came from the office to have her ear medicine for which, again, she had to eat.


    So after making her eat a banana because it was soft and chewable, she had eaten her medication and gone sleep.


    After that, she had not gotten up from the bed as the doctor had said. She had gotten the work of interior designing sped up. The bathrooms had been decided and so had been the furniture. Nadine had been helping her a lot.


    "Where is Nadine?" Alexis asked. She had a tonne of stuff to do which won''t happen while she sat in the bed.


    "Nadine is here." Her polite voice was heard as Alexis saw her standing was the door. "Good morning ma''am." She wished with a sweet smile.


    "Good morning Nadine. Come in." Alexis smiled at her. Keeping her fork in the bowl, she focused her attention on Nadine.


    "Yes ma''am," she said as she came in. "The orders for the sanitary ware and the furniture have been placed. The previous furniture has been distributed as well." She informed.


    A smile came to Alexis''s face. "Ah, thank you."


    "Ma''am I would like to thank you." She smiled a little. "I enjoyed fighting for that woman. She was very happy with me taking her case with the fee that she could afford."


    "I am glad." Alexis felt nice. Indirectly or not, she had helped someone by who she was.


    "How is Nikita doing?"


    Nadine answered immediately, "Ma''am she now targeting the employment issues."


    "Tell her to put that on hold," Alexis said. Nikita seemed to be obsessed with hiring. "We have to make sure that everything is up and running. Even the kitchen, which is now under construction. Anything else?"


    "No, Ma''am," Nadine took a step back ready to leave as Alexis nodded for dismissal and picked up the fork. "Ma''am there is something."


    Alexis stared at her but when she did not continue, Alexis motioned her to go on.


    "You have a Twitter account and Vanessa Heavens and Audrey Hepburn started following you." She said.


    "So?" Alexis asked with a frown.


    "Ma''am, those are the two most popular women of New York. They come from old money and if they are following you that I am sure that a meeting with them won''t be far from today." She winced a bit. Old money woman were bitches. "They are looking into you by now."


    "Huh," Alexis huffed. "Well, if it happens, then stall them till I am out of bed at least. Rest we shall see."


    "Yes ma''am. Thank you."


    Nadine closed the door on her way out.


    Alexis turned to Agatha. "Get Blake to find everything on those two."


    "Do you not want to meet them?" Agatha asked. "We can say no."


    "It''s not that. If they are where they are currently, then they must have done things that never reached the public eye. Which means they have things to hide." Alexis told her. "I want to know those."


    "Alright," Agatha noted it down. "Anything particular you are looking for?"


    Alexis smirked a bit, "I think Blake would know."


    *********


    Julia was sitting in the garden with Mariam. She was drinking tea leisurely.


    "Word has it," Mariam whispered to her. "The little Donna was taken to the hospital a few nights ago."


    Julia''s hand froze. She was not excepting that and also, they had been hushed about it.


    "What?" She hissed. "A few nights ago? Why was I not told of this before?"


    Mariam glanced around and spoke, "the Don has loyal staff and Agatha keeps a strict eye on them. They do not breathe out a word but I heard one of them talking."


    "Then get them to me," Julia said as she sipped her tea. "I will get it out of them."


    "You cannot do that," Mariam denied. "You have no jurisdiction here and family or not, Alexis can ask us to leave. Also, Agatha appears whenever I try to pry within the household issues."


    "Ah," Julia smiled. "She was a loyal staff but till when?"


    "Forever apparently," Mariam commented.


    "What does that mean?" Julia asked her frowning. In her lifetime, she had known this, no one was loyal forever.


    "Everyone one of the staff is either a runaway or an orphan. The pay is good so they stay, they never know anything and have food and shelter. Plus they were shown what happens when they tattletale."


    Julia sighed. "Great. That means I have to pay a visit to her highness myself." She tsked, "Do I nothing better to do? Why should I get to her? People usually inform about such things happening. Someone should come to me with what had happened."


    "True. But that means that they want to keep this under the wraps. So much so, they won''t even let the servants know." Mariam whispered. She was interested to know what happened but here''s no one was ready to tell.


    "That sounds true.." Julia muttered. "Call Marcus. I think I have something in mind.." Raising her pinky finger, she sipped her tea.

 Chapter 104 - One Hundred And Four.

    After staying in bed for two weeks straight, Alexis and finally put her foot down and decided that she wanted to come down to have food. She was no longer going to be treated as a sick person and have a food delivery to her room and eat in bed. There was nothing worst than feeling like a sick person when she was just fine. The made feel pity and sick which was the worse feeling ever!


    "Good morning," Angelo wished as soon as he saw her walking down the stairs.


    "Hi morning," she whispered and took her seat. Today he was not served as well unlike usual where he was given his food and she joined him with her plate. it was the same for that she was having everyday but the change of scenery had a big impact and she was ready to eat it with an unusual power.


    "Here madam," Agatha kept her down in front of her. It consisted of fruits, spicy oats and two muffins. For the last two weeks she was just eating a diet that repeat itself over and over again and her food testing buds dying to have something else.  Fruits and oats how healthy and how and taste.


    "Alexis," Angelo said as he kept his fork and knife down, "I want to talk to you about a few things. I should have spoken in the matter before bi I didn''t and I would like to give you a.. some sort of.."


    ".. introduction?" She completed but did not hope to be right or wrong. Apparently anything can happen in this world.


    "Yes that," he said snapping his fingers as if she got it right. "I would like to give you an introduction about it later. it feels long overdue."


    "Of course it is long overdue you were supposed to give me that when you marry me or even before," she agrued. "we had made progress and we still would have been on that but only if you would have told me certain things that I had no idea about."


    His eyes flashed and he was ready to defend himself. The irony, he always work fast when he had to defend himself.


    "I apologize," he taunted. "I did not know that my wife will not trust my judgement."


    Keeping of fork down she crossed her arms in front of her chest, "and what judgement I not trust?"


    Not giving him a chance to continue actively argued about her point, "if I was told about any of this about how people were going to play me for me there amusement or power," she spat the words out, "I would have been careful, I would have been careful of every damn thing I have done till now. But I wasn''t told any of it all I had was family sticks together and that organisations like these are loyal each other but here I am,"


    "You obviously have a lot to learn," he seethed as he gave his remark. "I am helping you with it, is so be grateful.*


    "And I am grateful I am wait for as I can be." She answered in a sweet tone which annoyed him to the bone, "after all you were the one that got me here."


    Her eyes burn and tears gathered yet she did not let them fall and held her ground as she spoke back to him, "you got me here, you kidnapped me and pushed me here. So I believe that you should help me survive in this."


    "It''s your fault."


    The dining room that was now blanketed in thick silence tow eyes stared back at each other. Green to blue. And blue to green.


    One staring at the other.


    One full of anger and accusation that watched the other''s eyes as realisation fell into them.


    ***********


    After the argument in the early morning angel who had left and Alexis had decided to go to her office. She was sitting for more like lying down on the couch that has been remodeled and your face look like how it was before the destruction that has been brought on it.


    She was waiting some files even though she was bored but the change of scenery was welcomed. A maid was standing next to her as Agatha had to to leave and carry out several tasks of the household.


    "Ma''am," Blake waved a file in front of her, "ready for gossip?*


    "Yes, always!" She grinned. After almost two weeks spent in bed doing nothing but rest and skimming to catalogues she was happy to gossip.


    "So I have the file on Audrey Hepburn and Vanessa Heavens." He held t out for her. "They are really someone interesting."


    "I will read them later," she took and kept the files aside, "for now tell me what you know I need some human interaction."


    "Alright," he nodded. "Those two you are really clean on the surface and polar opposite to each other."


    "Polar opposite on the surface," Alexis repeated.


    "Yes, Audrey is aggressive an approach where as Vanessa seems to be an angel. she respects, she is polite and ahe smiles all the time which is complete opposite to what Audrey does." He said and then continued, "those two can drive people out of New York for petty things and by petty I mean petty."


    Blake for some reason looked pretty pissed off. So just to tease and prolong, she asked, "How petty? Just to have a clear image,"


    "Well, Audrey Hepburn had an entire building demolished after buying it because it was spoiling her side view. Yes spoiling side view. It was not even in front of a but madam wanted a view with the central park and no poor building in sight."


    "Wow," Alexis was truly astonished. "That is just.. a waste of time and resouses."


    "Yes that is and I have everything else on the file." He pointed to them, "is there anything else that I can do?"


    "Yes look into Ashton Johnson if you can."

 Chapter 105 - One Hundred And Five.

    Alexis took some moisturizer in her palm and mindlessly applied it to her arms. She was thinking about what she had asked Blake to do for her. Why would she want to know anything about Aston Johnson, wasn''t it enough that he was in the past, why did she have to bring him in the future?


    Why did she have to ask about him? Now she wanted to change her decision about it but she also did not want the Blake to think that she was an indecisive person. What was worse than assistant thinking that his boss was and decisive and was going to change her decisions every 10 minutes?


    Sighing, she placed the bottle of moisturizer down with some more in her palm and applied it to her feet. Why would you want to know about Ashton why? why?


    Forget it. She could never know what she wanted.


    "They are healing...." She muttered as she ran she fingers over the scars the abuse from Angelo.


    There, she said it. Abuse, not punishment.


    This was the abuse that she had gone through and he would pay for this. Slowly and surely someday.


    She heard her phone ringing, it was Nadine but at ten in the night?


    Picking up she immediately asked, "Nadine is everything okay?"


    "Yes Ma''am," her calm voice came through the phone and Alexis breathed in relief. "I am sorry to disturb you at this hour."


    "No, it is fine," she excused Nadine. "Tell me what is it?"


    "It is just..Do you remember that you had asked me to pick up the unknown numbers?"


    "Why yes,"


    "I did and it was your mother who called."


    That had Alexis shut up. Her mother called?


    Why now?


    Making an irritated face at that. She asked, "Does she want money?"


    "Not particularly but she asked about the apartment being free and a meeting with you."


    "Huh," she muttered. How nice of her. "Did you give her a time slot?"


    "No ma''am. She informed me about being free this Sunday afternoon."


    What was she free for? Her mother had retired two years ago. For all Alexis knew no, mother was as free as a two-year-old.


    "No, I am not going on this Sunday. I will give her time when I want. She left and.." she stopped talking when she realised that she was rambling off to Nadine. "Nevermind that," she returned to the topic. "Dont give her time. Just tell her that I will get back at her when I want."


    "The same words Madam?" Nadine repeated. She didn''t want to meddle between family matters.


    "Yes, anything more?" Her irritated voice was carried out to the other person''s and Nadine understood the dismissal.


    "No ma''am. Good night." She wished and Alexis hung up.


    "Madam," Agatha knocked on the door and peeked in. "Master is calling you inside his office."


    She could not catch a break.


    The word office had her shiver. The memory of what had happened previously in hers was still fresh and warm.


    "Why?" She asked softly. "Any specific reason for it?"


    Agatha shook her head negatively. "No that I know of," she whispered.


    She knowledge with a sullen expression on her face. "Okay, tell him I will be there." She had no other option but to go there. She cannot refuse him, not after what happened and somewhere deep inside Alexis was afraid of what had happened could happen again and this time she might not wake up at all.


    She got up and picked a robe to wear over her nightgown. She walked to his office with slow and small steps trying to delay this confrontation for as long as possible.


    Reaching the door to his office, she knocked. "Angelo?"


    Please don''t answer, she prayed.


    Please don''t answer.


    Please don''t answer.


    Please don¡ª "come in."


    Damn it, she swore.


    Taking in a deep breath she opened the door and closed it behind her without having to look at him.


    Slowly she turned around and asked, "you called?"


    "Have a seat." He pointed to the one in front of him. He had a glass and a bottle of scotch in front of him. She nodded before doing as told.


    "You were drinking," she commented. "And your eyes are red. Are you drunk?"


    He patted his thigh, once and then twice before replying, "not really. I can have much more than this."


    Trying to keep the conversation steady and going she asked with a slight tilt of her head, "Are you planning to have more?"


    He pursued his lips as he thought about it, "no, " but added after another thought, "you know what, it does not matter."


    He straightened himself as he sat upright in the chair. "We are here to talk about you."


    "Me?" She repeated. "I thought you had everything figured out."


    "Ah, see that." He pointed at her. "That is what I am drunk for."


    Confused at that, Alexis frowned a little. "You are drunk because I am talking?"


    His chest moved as he laughed, "no, not that." He denied and poured himself some more. "I am drunk because I want you to talk to me openly. With no-bullshit of having me offended and shit."


    That and definitely with more curse words she thought. She watched as he got up and stood next to the window. Both of their offices and views to the garden.


    "What do you want to talk about then." She asked leaning a little on her chair. This was not going to be easy and she knew that. For all she knew, this might be the last conversation she had with anyone because of this man.


    "I saw the contract. The one you had found a non-existent lawyer to make for you." He said, "I read it thoroughly."


    "And? What about it?" She whispered.


    "There is nothing about it but when did you get so brave?" He asked in astonishment. "The content.." he Chuckled.


    "It''s funny that you think so." He laughed at her.


    Pursuing her lips, Alexis tilted her head. He was drunk and instead of getting Angry, the man was just laughing. Maybe she could try driving him in the future.


    "Think about what?" She asked with her chin raised. She did not like being made fun of.


    "That I would have given you a divorce."

 Chapter 106 - One Hundred And Six

    "That I would have given you a divorce."


    She stiffened at that. Her breathing had stopped for a moment. Her fingers had been tapping on the arm of the seat, and they too had stopped.


    Tilting her face a bit, she blinked and breathed. "what?" She whispered.


    "You heard it." He pointed. "Do not act like you do not understand it. You have more calibre than that."


    "And what do you know about my calibre?" She asked in an accusing tone. Alexis noticed that she had stopped yelling altogether. She talked in a calm voice with a cold expression on her face that she had copied from him and that made her feel more mature.


    Somewhere, she had to agree, it made her feel invincible.


    "Don''t I?" He taunted with a sigh. "I thought I knew that instead of surrendering to everyone, you would flourish in this lifestyle and look at you." His eyes looked at her up and down. "Have you not?"


    She didn''t reply instead she kept on staring. Blinking her eyes, she did not seem to challenge him. "Is it bad that I flourished? Should you not be happy about what happened and how you were not disappointed?" She asked in return.


    "I truly wish that there comes a day where you can fool me." He has a genuine smile. "But alas as it is, that day is not today."


    "So I repeat my question," he had a hint of a smile on his lips, "Was I wrong to choose you as my queen?"


    She didn''t answer. She turned to look the other way. Somewhere, it felt that if she would answer his question it would be her defeat and that thought alone had her realising that he was right.


    She had flourished.


    So much so that she was not ready to admit where she was wrong and Alexis was anything but that. She took pride in not being arrogant and not being egoistic.


    The worse had happened.


    So he answered for her. "Here it is, you stood up to the man that harassed you sexually and you do not even regret it. In fact, he shot him dead"


    That had infuriated her. "I am regretting it. I did not kill him to like it!" She hissed. She was not a murderer.


    Stepping towards her he said, "what have you done for it? To ease your regret for killing him, you have done nothing and that is a fact."


    Her eyes burned. Tears gathered and she sobbed out, "I am not a murderer." She whispered. "I killed because.."


    "Because? Finish your sentence." He softly ordered.


    She palmed her face and heaved. Why did she kill him? Because he had gropped her? A lot of women had gone through a lot more and they had taken the help of the judicial system of the country so, who was she to just murder him?


    She had killed him in the presence of Angelo who had promised to dispose of the body and never speak of it again. But why did he have to was the question, why did she have to murder him?


    She murdered him. She killed him.


    So what did that make her?


    A sudden wave of dizziness hit her making her fall off from the chair that she was sitting on, to the ground with her hands and knees touching the floor. Her chest and throat felt tightened and something was constricting her airflow, her mouth felt dry and she wanted to vomit. Gagging, she tried to vomit but nothing came out.


    Something heavy was placed at her chest and it was stopping her from breathing. She had to get rid of it. She had to breathe and for that, she had to get rid of the weight. Her sight was dizzy, she saw nothing on her chest. But something was there or was it her throat?


    Something was constricting her air supply and she had to breathe. She clawed at her throat, something had to be there. She clawed with her nails as desperately as she could, as Powerfully as she could.


    She and to breathe for she could die.


    Her head pounded. She could hear her heart beating in her head. Why, how could that be possible? Why was her heart in her head? Her head was bowing down, it was too much weight. There was no way in his she could handle it.


    She gagged again. Something wanted to come out but was not getting past her throat. What was it? The dryness was causing her tongue to taste something weird. Something metallic.


    She heaved and punched her chest. It was paining, her heart was beating quicker than before, her head got dizzier and her mind had one word going around it.


    She ignored it but it was there. She could see it in front of her eyes. She didn''t want to see it. How should she undo this? Scratch her eyes out? Poke them with needles? Or just kill her herself?


    Her arms and knees gave up and she fell on the floor to her side. She could not handle it. She wanted to die. The pressure was too much.


    "Here," he in a gentle voice cooed in her hear.


    God?


    Had she died already?


    Arms gathered her to a strong chest and the gentle voice lulled her to calm. "Calm, my love, calm." It said.


    Hands rubbed her back gently and swayed her side to side, gently as a mother did to her baby.


    "It''s alright," her head and dizziness went away. The heaviness was lifted. Everything became normal.


    How was everything falling apart in one minute and pushing itself back into place the other? On its very own?


    "Sweetheart," someone cooed to her. She was too afraid to open her eyes and look at who was it. Maybe, opening her eyes would bring those haunting feelings back.


    "You need to tell me what you think."


    "No," she violently shook her head. "No! No! No!" She denied, crying out loud.


    "That is the only way it would never come back and trouble you." The soft voice and affected her. Someone who must love her to talk to her like this.


    "Say it, sweetie." It cooed. "Say it."


    With wobbling lips, she finally broke her silence, "Murderer! I am a murderer!"

 Chapter 107 - One Hundred And Seven

    She cried as she yelled the word murderer. She was bawling her eyes out. It hurt her deep within. She murdered a man who had done nothing to her as compared to the torture she had faced by her very own stepfamily. Then why did she kill a man only for groping her?


    He had done a lot worse to many people and yet they had just complaint about him and not murder him. They trusted the judicial system instead of taking the law in their own hands.


    The situation finally weighed down on her. What had she done? What she had committed.. She had pulled the trigger. It was all her fault.


    Sobbing against his warm chest, she continued to think and her husband let her. She had to think to get it out of her system and if crying helped her, so be it.


    "It''s done sweetheart," he cooed as he caressed her hair. "It''s done. We cannot go back now."


    Finally, she opened her eyes and looked at him. "But I killed him!" She yelled. "Killing was not the answer and I don''t even regret it. I feel like a psychopath."


    Pulling her back to his chest he let her cry again. Her eyes her red from crying and if she had any discomfort or irritation in her eyes he would tell Agatha to let him know.


    She continued to weep and he consoled her. Her sobbing come to a stop and he had blown her nose for her then thrown the napkin away. As she stopped sobbing, he knew that thought had finally hit her.


    Gently, he asked, "What is it, sweetheart?"


    "I.." she heaved, "I do not want to go to jail."


    Tilting his head he asked with a curious expression, "But is that not what every criminal says?"


    "W¡ªwhat?" She panicked. The word criminal had brought her back to the reality one more time with her own image flashing in front of her in orange colour.


    "Yes, they always say that he didn''t mean to kill the other person." His sincere eyes were playing with her. She believed him.


    "But I did not want to! I swear I don''t know what happened!" She tried her best to explain. "I don''t who happened..and I just..pulled the.."


    "..the trigger." He completed. Staring off in a random direction he asked, "honey-do you often get urges to kill someone? Just like out of nowhere?"


    Alexis remembered the times when she was helping her mom other in the kitchen and she wanted to stab her stepfather for making her life hell. Another time when a professor did not give her the grade she deserved because she was not working up to her calibre and of course, how often in the night when she was up and she saw her husband''s peacefully sleeping face she would want to suffocate him to death.


    She turned her eyes to him. Her heart was pounding heart. What had she done?


    "Tell me the answer love, I cannot read your mind." He gently probed her to answer.


    "...yes.." she whispered. Not even whispered, she had mouthed the word and he had caught it.


    "Well," he looked tired and stressed at the revelation. "Are sure that you can control the urges?"


    She blinked in alarm, "what does that mean?"


    "There is something called a murder gene or some shit.." He looked up to remember, "a serial killer gene as they say."


    A sob racked her entire being. It shook her. No, she was a serial killer. Didn''t everybody have such thoughts? She was sure that she was not the only one. She couldn''t be.


    Looking at her worried face he immediately tried to calm her down, "don''t you worry, sweetheart. We can have you checked in and treated immediately." He offered.


    "No, no, no," she cried, "I am not a killer. Please believe me." Joining her hands inform of him, she begged, "please believe me." Her eyes were red from crying and so was her nose. She looked miserable.


    Angelo twisted his face at that. He seemed conflicted and Alexis saw that. It was visible that he thought about her as a murderer but she did not want that. She wanted anything but that.


    "Please," she begged with her hands joined in front of him. "Please believe me! Please, Angelo? I won''t ever kill anyone. Please!"


    He sighed loudly and she stopped talking. He looked away for a moment and her heart sank. Looking back at her he said,"I believe you, sweetheart." He smiled. "And I also believe that it is time for bed. You must rest."


    She nodded without a word of refusal. Gathering her in his arms, he picked her up and took her to their room. Before taking her to the bed, he sat on the bathroom counter, asked her to wash her face and went back to the closet. He doesn''t look at any of her clothes, instead, he took one his shirts and went back.


    She was splashing water on her face when he came back. He opened the door to the shower area and set a warm temperature. Not too hot and not too cold. Just lukewarm.


    He took off her clothes and his along with. Facing her under the showerhead, he ran his hands on her entire body. His touch as not sexual, it was gentle and comforting and that only made her sad. He was tending to his serial killer wife.


    Wearing her in a towel, he left her in the bathroom to wear sweats. He came back and she was just where he had left her. She didn''t seem to move an inch.


    He dried her with a towel and patted her hair too. Picking her up one time he played with her hair in the bed and cuddled close.


    She breathed on his chest and wrapped herself around him. He caressed her hair and it lulled her sleep.


    When she was dead asleep, he got up from the bed. He walked to the cabinet and poured himself some whiskey. Sitting on a single seat sofa he looked at Alexis as he drank.


    He had won.

 Chapter 108 - One Hundred And Eight.

    Scoffing he threw the contract on the table. Taking a sip of his whiskey, he thought about how brave his wife had gotten all of a sudden. She had drafted a contract very carefully and had left no loophole for the common eye to see.


    When had she become a fox?


    The woman had flourished with him and yet, she refused to admit it. Why does he care anyway, everyone who knew Alexis would have noticed the change she had in her.


    "Brother?" Silvano spoke in their mother tongue. "What are you laughing at? People might consider you going mad but the looks of it."


    "Shut up." He scolded with a frown. "Read this," he slid the papers in Silvano''s direction.


    "Alright," he muttered as he sat in the chair and read through.


    He scoffed.


    "Hah!" He barked.


    "What?" He shrieked shocked at the contents.


    Raising his eyebrows he threw the papers back on the table. "What?"


    Angelo smirked and nodded. "I know."


    With an incredulous expression on his face, he asked. "What in the world, made her think if this could happen?"


    Angelo sighed, "I have no fucking clue. It is great that she is feeling powerful and what not. But here, what this is," he pointed tot he contract, "tells me that she is delusional."


    "Like an airhead," Silvano added.


    "Yes," Angelo muttered. Looking bored with this already.


    "Like a Birdbrain,"


    "I think you have a clear image."


    "Fluffhead," Silvano added once again.


    "Silvano," Angelo immediately warned.


    "Fine." He surrendered, "silly person is another word for it to¡ªfuck!" He hurriedly duked from the glass thrown at him.


    "I am your brother!" He yelled looking offended.


    "And I said to shut up."


    "How could you throw something at me that could cut me?"


    "I have shot you before." Angelo reminded. "and stop yelling I need some peace."


    Silvano leaned back with a peaceful expression. "You wanted peace and for that, you are at the headquarters at 2 am?" He asked. "Is your home not up to the mark?"


    "My home," Angelo sighed. "my home is the one who is giving me pain."


    To which Silvano said as he pointed to the contract on the table, "because of the contract?"


    "Somewhere yes," he replied on invested in the conversation.


    "Tell me what''s the wrong brother," Silvano asked of him in Italian. "I might be able to provide you with a solution if not, at least it would be share and lessened."


    "I.." he hesitated. "I don''t know. What made her think that anything in that contract could ever happen? Even if she does not know anything, she would in the future and there would be no way out yet she is still looking for one."


    Silvano sighed as he assessed what he had been told. "I will honestly tell you this. Not as your brother nor the second in command."


    Angelo nodded, "That would be appreciated."


    Silvano nodded as he said, "whenever we feel trapped or stuck somewhere we like to think that we will have a way out. Some kind of another way. That is what keeps us going. Even though she likes this life, she looks for escape so that if one day she feels trapped she would have a way to leave."


    That had him thinking. His brother was right. She had been dragged in and maybe a way out would be appreciated in this relationship. The thought of it would calm her as she had some control in this relationship.


    Some control over him.


    Pointing to the contract, Angelo said, "That''s a real deal-breaker, ain''t it?"


    "You think Nikita gets what she wants?" Silvano scoffed, "It''s a deal. Somewhere she knows that there were certain limits that I won''t let her cross. But that''s different." He dismissed.


    Angelo frowned, "how is that different?"


    "My wife was the daughter of a made man. Yours is not." He smirked. "Mine was raised with certain rules, this whole thing won''t have happened with us."


    "I hate how fucking true that is," Angelo grumbled. "Maybe I would give this situation another thought and think through again."


    "Seems fair," his brother shrugged. "I would do that. Also, the feds are lurking around the docks, so I have pushed back the date of delivery."


    "That is understood." He immediately replied, "but also, if they continue, give them another location."


    "I will." Silvano took out his phone and showed Angelo something. "Old man is sending me some shit. Check it out."


    "Keep it to yourself." Angelo pushed back. "I have a few things to think about."


    "Alright," he sighed as he got up. "I am going home now. Good night."


    Angelo nodded as he watched him leave. His words had sense and he had to give him that. Alexis was always going to be feel trapped because of the way she was brought in. So it was a given that he had to adjust.


    And so he did.


    On the contract in front of him, he thought of what could be done here.


    Pressing the intercom, he spoke, "Call my lawyer."


    A few minutes later, his phone rang and he picked it up.


    "Mr De''alessandro, how may I help? Is it an emergency?" His lawyer, Daniel spectre''s voice came.


    "Not something related to court." Angelo dismissed his concerns. "I have a contract drawn for me and my wife. I want you to correct a few statements."


    "Correct or manipulate." The lawyer repeated and Angelo laughed. This was what he like about this one. He was not afraid to bend the law when wanted and he kept himself out of unwanted information.


    "Manipulate, yes," Angelo smirked. "I want you to make it so that she cannot escape me Even if I do cheat on her and all that bullshit."


    The lawyer was silent of a moment, "I will do my part but are you sure that she would sign it?"


    Annoyed with the meaningless questioning he cut if short. "As you said, you will do your part and I shall do mine.. I will have the documents faxed over."

 Chapter 109 - One Hundred And Nine

    When Alexis opened her eyes, she immediately winced. They hurt. Raising her hand she lightly touched her eyes, wondering why had happened that it hurt all of sudden when it all came rushing back to her.


    She had admitted the fact that she was a murderer. She knew that she was one. She was responsible for taking someone else''s life. The guilt weighed on her like a thousand tonnes and she was not sure that she could carry it. It felt like it would bury her under the ground with how much it weighed. How was she supposed to protect herself against it? What would happen when the whole world would know?


    She had pretty much killed a public figure. Who would defend her? And why?


    Her eyes were burning and it was a matter of time before her tears fell.


    Alexis took her phone from the nightstand beside the bed and sat up straight on the bed. She opened Google and googled the word prison.


    The word sent shivers down her spine.


    The first headline was Cruel and inhumane things in the prison.


    Her finger hovered on it. Did she want to know? She clicked on it.


    The post was written by a man, in which he said, ''I have been in the country''s prison for almost 45 years. All this long, I felt like I was dragging everyone behind with me. My wife fell in love again and she wanted a divorce, I mean who would not? It is not like I would have been there for her when she was alone.


    My daughter was married and had kids by the time I came out. Turns out, they knew her stepfather as a grandparent and nothing about me was told. This was all personal, now let''s get to talk about what it is inside the prison.


    No basic sanitary conditions and I mean that for both men and women and ladies have it worst. Guards don''t bother with anyone. Many times there are murders that are swept under the rug and brutal treatment is there.''


    Alexis shut it close immediately. Everyone had seemed to move on. She tapped on another site and hold her breath while doing too.


    ''They were f*cking brutal!'' was the first line and Alexis was ready to cry again. She read further.


    ''No prison guards care for you. If there is a fight, they enjoy it and then throw you to the infirmary. No sanitation facilities for us(woman). They don''t even remain human in there. No privacy and no humanity. They are ready to harass you for fun too! Yes, woman against woman and they make you their bitches and I mean it, you are their pet.''


    Shakily Alexis shut it as well. Harassment, no sanitation and the world moving on while she was caged in the four walls of the prison where she was going to be someone''s bitch was going to be devastating for. She was going to die in there and who would stop their lives for her?


    And no one would give her a job if she had years of prison time in her r¨¦sum¨¦.


    She was finished. If she ever went to jail, her life was over. As if the guilt weighing down on her was not enough, now she had to deal with this fear of looking behind her shoulder every day.


    "Alexis?" Angelo closed the door and walked to the bed where his wife was. She looked similar at the moment just like she was last night. Panicked and tear stricken face with her chest heaving and her hands shakingly holding her onto each other for support.


    "What is wrong my love?" He asked as he cupped her face in his hands. "Are you hurting somewhere?"


    Shakingly so, she looked at him. Her husband seemed concerned, his eyebrows were frowning and his eyes were focused on her and from his body language he seemed somehow nervous.


    Was he nervous that someday she would get caught for murdering someone?


    "I..uh.." she stammered forwards. What was she supposed to say to him about wherever she hurting, why was she feeling a sudden weight on her chest?


    But he knew, didn''t he? He was there when she had killed a man and he had not yet reported the crime so was he in with her or would he turn her in at the end?


    "I am..fine." she whispered and then nodded, "I am fine." She said but this time it was to herself, she could not tell him what she felt. She was way to insecure to do so.


    "Hey," he gently whispered and kissed her forehead tenderly. "It''s okay." He nodded with her and she, involuntarily, nodded along with him.


    "Yes," she whispered, trying not to cry but fat tears once again gathered in her eyes and were ready to fall off to her cheeks. She sucked in a breath and closed her eyes, letting her tears fall.


    "Why, my darling, why do you cry?" He brought her face her to his and let her weep for a few moments. This was necessary for everything that he was doing. It had to be, otherwise, he had to take the more harsh approach.


    "Hush, baby," he cooed as he caressed her hair. Gently like a princess, he made her feel loved and she liked it. Maybe Angelo won''t let anything happen to her.


    Prisons were ugly. Period.


    "Sorry," she nodded and pulled away. "I can''t stop, I don''t know why. Maybe it''s my period." She offered explanations. Alexis hated crying in front of anyone, no matter what the reasons might be and here she was, doing the opposite. She cried every time he came near, maybe it was him that had her crying.


    Side effects, he thought immediately. Mods swings and crying were the use effects of the Medication that''s she was being given.


    "That is quite understandable," he said as gently as he could and kissed her forehead.. "I understand that, however, I would likely to talk to you about the contract."

 Chapter 110 - One Hundred And Ten

    "That is quite understandable," he said as gently as he could and kissed her forehead. "I understand that, however, I would likely to talk to you about the contract."


    Alexis''s heart thundered. She had not expected him to say that and since he did, she was just staring at him like she had no idea what he was talking about or he had gone bonkers.


    "What?" She whispered. Her eyes indicated the message to him that she did not want the topic to be discussed. But then again had she ever had a say in what he wanted to do?


    "The contract sweetheart," he answered with a smile. "How could you not remember it?"


    Alexis, no matter how much he had been patient with her during her tantrums, felt the need to answer him back.


    "Because I do not want to remember," she answered him. She didn''t want him to feel bad and leave her alone. If she was left alone then she would start thinking and if she started thinking she would again search about the prison and how long sentences were and things related to the topic until she drove himself to the point of madness.


    She watched as his gentle expression turned into a frown on what she had said. It looked like he had not expected her to say something like that but what else could she say, that the whole contract was something that had started the whole ordeal and landed her in a hospital.


    "Really?" He asked. "I thought you wanted to have your demands or as stated in the contract, terms," he teased her a bit, "signed by me and agreed upon."


    Alexis looked away from his face. Yes, to be honest, she had wanted him to sign away her freedom if he ever went against what was stated and agreed upon in the contract by them. But now when she realised that


    he knew about what she had done, maybe keeping him close was going to be a better option.


    "Well," she thought of a way out of having him sign the contract. "I don''t want to have it signed now."


    It was obvious that given one day every man would cheat, only the lucky ones never did but she was sure that she was not one of them given the power and influence that man had he could easily hide an affair from her and continue it behind her back.


    "Why ever not?" He asked with a more prominent frown. "I want to sign it for you." He is set in a gentle expression and that broke her resolution. With all the patience he had shown with her tantrums and how gentle he was being right now with the consideration of signing the contract for her, he was trying to make up for the abuse.


    But wasn''t that the whole point? To stop abuse when it first happened?


    The contract seemed more than necessary right now. But what if one day she was caught and he was the only one who could protect her?


    "We don''t have to sign it. I trust you, I don''t even know why I did it in the first place." She groaned. She wanted to be with him because he would defend her.


    "Alexi¡ª"


    "We don''t have to!" She yelled desperately in the end. Why could he not understand what she wanted to say? she didn''t want them to sign the contract, that means it. Then why could he not leave it alone? why now?


    Tired of this conversation, she took the blanket off of her legs, letting her feet down she started walking to the closet.


    Angelo irritatedly clicked his tongue and looked to the side. She was not making it any easy and that meant that she needed some more of this.


    He got off the bed as well and followed her to the closet. She just stood there and staring at clothes. Taking a deep breath, he hugged her from behind, ignoring the jump she did when touched her for the first time.


    "You are my wife, Alexis," he whispered into her ear making sure that she heard and felt everything that he said. "My wife. Mine." He said Possessively making her heart stop.


    "I don''t know what is going on in your mind until you tell me about it." Turning her around, he held her shoulders and said, "I am trying to make it work honey, but if you do not tell me what the matter is, how would I do anything good to help you?"


    His voice made her a little guilty. He was trying and if anything, she had to tell him the truth someday. He had the contract that she had drafted for them and she was the one who now said that she had no intention of signing it.


    "I..." What should she say? She whispered in a sad and "I don''t want a Divorce. I don''t want to be a woman who got divorced and then married and then got divorced again.." placing her head on the wood of the closet she sobbed. It was not for the divorce. It was the fact that he was the one who could protect her better.


    "Hey, I get it." He turned her around. "but you also have to understand that I would never cheat on you." He told her that with a firm expression. His resolve was commitment and loyalty to her was visible.


    "I am a man of loyalty. My organisation is based on that word. I would never betray you." He palmed her face. "Loyalty is a two-way street. If I cannot give you that, then how can I ask that from you."


    "Angelo," she whispered shaking her head.


    "Come on," holding her hand he took her to the dresser and kept a pen and the contract there. "I have signed it for you." Then looking at her he stared as he stared into her eyes, "for a new start between us."


    And that broke her down.


    "Why would you want to be married to a murderer?!"

 Chapter 111 - One Hundred And Eleven

    "Why would you want to be married to a murderer?!" She yelled at him with her shoulders pulled back. She was ready for a fight.


    Angelo frowned immediately as he heard it. Was that what was going on in her mind all this time? That made him satisfied. He was banking on it all along.


    "Honey," he Chuckled. "What do you think I do for a living?" He asked with a small teasing smile. He would enjoy the expression she would have when she finally figured out what she had said and to whom.


    She looked away before arguing, "How is any of that relevant¡ªoh!" It hit. He did murder people daily. But he didn''t kill people for small things he killed them for business and that was the difference.


    "But," she tried to find the differences between the two scenarios. "You¡ªyou have to do it for what you do." it made no sense so she tried to explain further, "like to protect your organisation or yourself! And¡ª"


    "Stop."


    "But it has a meaning.." she rambled on.


    Angelo scratched his eyebrow with a cringed. By now she had no idea about what she was talking about, she was just rambling stuff.


    Taking a hold of her shoulders firmly, he shook her hard enough to get the point across and also to bring her back to reality. "Stop talking, especially if you have no idea about what you are talking." He said. "My murdering people does not have a meaning sometimes for the slightest mistake that I kill them but that does not ever give it a meaning and, you and I will be different."


    "Different how?" She asked with her voice wavering, "at the end of the day I killed someone."


    "That you did," Angelo agreed. "But accepting it is a part of reality. Now tell me what is it that you are thinking about it?"


    Alexis stared at him. Should she tell him or not? Would there be a point in telling him anything? He killed for a living, so how would her concerns be of any concerns to him?


    "I don''t want to go to jail," she admitted. "I do not want to go to jail after killing a man that harassed people and was immune to everything because of the money and power he had." She said as she sniffed a little. "Someone is going to say that I murdered him, please do not let me go to jail." She begged.


    With her fragile state of mind, Angelo sure as hell was not going to let her go. He was going to do just the opposite, he was going to keep her near him and take advantage of the situation she was in.


    "Never!" He said as he gathered her in his arms, "my love, never would I let you go to jail."


    Kissing her softly on the forehead and cheeks, he continued, "I love you and I would never let anyone send you to jail. I am going to protect you at all costs. Which is why I am asking you to sign this contract if I ever cheat on you, I think you deserve someone better than me."


    "Really? You will not let anyone send me to jail?" She asked. "And sign the contract too? why?" This did not make any sense. Why would he, out of all the people, be so generous?


    "Because I love you," he whispered, looking into her eyes. "Which is why I want the best for you. I am sorry that I was physical with you and that really it to gave me quite a scare. I am trying to make things right and all I need is your signature for it and your support."


    He stared into her eyes without any hesitation, his breathing was steady too. He gave her an answer that was seemed to be true.


    He was saying the truth.


    Loudly breathing for courage, she dropped her shoulders and her toughened facial expression dropped, "give me the pen Please." She held out her hand.


    Smiling, he did so. Wherever she found his signatures she signed her name as well. The contract was what she had drafted and she knew what was written in there so she did not bother to read.


    "Here," she closed the papers and kept the pen over it. "Thank you, Angelo." She looked like she was ready to cry again.


    Angelo closed the distance between them and kissed her lips. He hurriedly did so and she returned it with equal vigour. Bending down a bit he pulled her up and wrapped her legs around his waist and pushed her back against the vanity cabinet with her hands roaming and touching every part of her skin.


    ********


    Breathing heavily, she tried to calm herself down. Sweat lingered on her body and his chest. He was a little out of breath too.


    This time he had been hard and rough with her. To be honest she enjoyed it. She loves it.


    "I have to say," he huffed taking her attention. "Dad was right. Angry sex is the best."


    "What?" Getting up, she gawked at him as he was lying down. "You¡ªwait who discusses sex with their fathers?"


    He smirked making her a little more wet, "Honey, mine called me a co*blocker. I told you that." He pointed.


    With her mouth open from, she stared at him, "you truly are impossible.." she muttered. Shaking her head she crawled out of the bed.


    "Where are you going?" He pulled back.


    "I need to get ready," she pulled away. "And so do you." She gave him a pointed look and went to the bathroom.


    Watching her close the door, he got up and wore his boxers. Taking his phone he called a number and simultaneously opened the door and handed the papers to a guard.


    "Hello?"


    "Spector, it''s done." Angelo went straight to the point. "Have it legalised as soon as possible?"


    "You got it."


    And Angelo hung up. This thing was off the list and now he could take the next one.


    Going to the closet, he took out the gift.. It was time to be Charming.

 Chapter 112 - One Hundred And Twelve.

    Patting her hair dry, she came out wearing a robe and slippers. She had to get a trim as she looked at her hair. They were way too long now.


    She kept the towel on the vanity table and went to pick up a hairbrush but her hands stopped when her eyes saw something flashy. And good lord, how beautiful it looked, it was a proper set containing necklace earrings and along with a bracelet and ring.


    Oh, how shiny it looked. It had an alternate design of green and white diamonds and Alexis could not take her eyes off of it. It was just so beautiful.


    "Do you like it?" She had his voice from somewhere behind her.


    Still enchanted with how beautiful emerald set look she nodded but did not take her eyes off of it, "it is very beautiful."


    To be honest, she did not answer what he had asked instead she told him that it was beautiful and Angelo ignored the difference. Which was fine by her because that was beautiful.


    But then thinking about it she asked, "But why are you giving it to me?" they did not have their anniversary coming anytime soon and it was not her birthday as well. Surely, the set must have cost him a fortune.


    She cannot see but never the less he shrugged and answered, "Google set to give gifts to your wife to keep her happy."


    Smiling a little she turned around to face him and said, "I am sure that the list consists of a few less costly things than that." She pointed to the emerald necklace. "I would have been happy with a simple rose or something."


    "I know," he took her in his arms, "but I can afford to give you everything in this world and I will."


    Her heart warmed with what he said. He knew how to make her feel all blushy.


    "Also," he added as he took a hold of her shoulders, "do not worry about them anymore. I will take care of it, no one ever is coming after you, okay? I will protect you."


    Her heart pounded loudly. Those words were something that I wanted to hear from a long time. The words of reassurance that everything will be okay.


    "Thank you," she smiled which he returned.


    "Go get ready," he whispered, kissing her forehead he went ahead to take a shower.


    ***********


    Angelo was sitting in his office taking care of few legal files that he had to sign. His assistant had read them and then sent them over but he just to be sure. Therefore, he read them again.


    "How is the new bride?" Silvano came in without knocking. He was here on personal queries and not a business. "Did it work? What I had suggested."


    Angela scoffed as if that would ever work. The advice that his brother gave was either the only solution they had available or simply too illogical to be practical. And so was this one, just the same.


    "No way in hell did I use your approach in this," he pointed a finger at him. "It would never work."


    Silvano shrugged, "it works fine on my wife." He said.


    "Nikita is different from Alexis." Was all he said to the matter. "I did not want to be physical with her until very much needed I think the manipulation working just fine."


    "How?" His brother asked. "Tell me about it."


    "I deliberately picked up on the murder. I knew she would have a panic attack and that panic attack caused her to put this as that one thing she did and completely forget about my hitting her. With her fragile state of mind, she believes everything I said because she knows that I will protect her."


    He remembered her crying panic-stricken face of her in his office. She had completely exhausted to should focus on the fact that she had killed someone and that she would go to jail. She forgot that the man that was married to did it for a living.


    "Fragile state of mind?" Silvano made a face at that. That shit was that now?


    But then, it clicked.


    "Holy fucking Shit!" He cursed loudly. "You had it all planned out from the start, didn''t you?"


    Angelo smiled in amusement, "honestly I thought it would take a little longer for you to figure it out."


    "Answer the damn question," Silvano grunted out.


    "Alright," he huffed. "After she had killed her boss, I have immediately pushed the wedding forward that meant she did not have enough time to think about what she had done. And now when she thought of it realised what she had committed.


    And that is a fragile state of mind I am telling you about. She is scared of what will happen next I on the other hand will provide her with everything. She will mentally start depending on me. so much so that she would never question a decision as long as I say that it is for her benefit."


    "And it would work out all in your favour." his brother completed. "I have to say brother, that is one fucking master plan."


    "It is." He agreed. "no matter how much and what kind of love I show her she will always need me and that is all I want."


    "I guess the manipulation game is strong try it on my wife," Silvano added thoughtfully. He had ever thought of it with Nikita but whenever he would the chance, he would love to try.


    "Which kind of monsters are Angelo?" his brother questioned. "We are the exact opposite of what our mother wanted us to be."


    "We are, aren''t we?" Angelo repeated looking up towards the ceiling.


    "Yes," Silvano sighed. We are monsters."


    "We just are what we want and we want things a certain way. We don''t shy away from it and accept it as a reality that is what makes us monsters."


    With a smirk, Angelo continued, "but aren''t we all monsters? Some of us have just accepted the fact whereas the other the simply struggle."

 Chapter 113 - One Hundred And Thirteen.

    Alexis was smiling giddily while glancing at her hands. She was wearing the emerald ring and to be honest she did not take her eyes off it for a minute. It was really beautiful. She had to give it to his credit for choosing astoundingly beautiful things.


    But that got her to thinking, he had been patient, he had been loving so, should she judge him for one episode that happened because that could have endangered his entire business and family? She did not know so she would not blame her self and say that it was her fault but now when she came to think of it she should have known that there were people who were out to get that man. It was obvious yet she was oblivious to it. He had to have enemies out for him and she had blissfully ignored that.


    She had killed someone and he could have sold her out for it. Angelo was having no problems in protecting her but she knew that if it ever came to the LimeLight he will have to use every influence and connection he had to get her out of it. So should she not appreciate him for this?


    Sighing, she looked up. Why was life so difficult? Here the man had made one serious threat to her but he had protected her too, taken care of the body by disposing of it. Then he patiently dealt with the tantrums and he had supported her through so who was she to look over all of this and blame him for something? For just one thing?


    "Madam?" Nadine came knocked on the door. "May I?"


    Alexis nodded and pointed her hand to the chair in front of her, asking Nadine to sit.


    "What is it?" She asked.


    "The remodelling of the kitchen has been completed," Nadine informed her. "Your father-in-law made sure that everything was just as in the magazine and had it completed before time."


    Astonished Alexis replied, "wow he took that as a challenge."


    "Yes ma''am," her assistant gave a small smile at that. "The bathroom remodelling and their sanitarywares are in the process, still, and your father-in-law has volunteered to take care of this as well, so I am assuming that by the end of this week or the next it would be completed as well."


    Alexis smiled, "that''s great news. The sooner it is finished the better."


    "Yes, ma''am. Should I give the lookout for chefs too?" Nadien asked. "Since the remodelling, furniture and bathrooms have been decided that the next option comes for all."


    "Yes, that is what comes next," Alexis muttered thinking about it. "Have Nikita help you with it. She wanted to do the hiring."


    Getting up Nadine nodded, "Yes ma''am. I will contact her immediately."


    Watching the door being closed Alexis got to thinking again.


    What should she do?


    She got up from her chair and move to the window that was overlooking the garden. Maybe this might help her think. The change of scenery was appreciated. Alexis continued to think about what to do.


    She had committed a murder and the guilt was catching up to her. Someday so shall the crime itself. So was it immoral for her to stay with him just because he could assure her of not going to jail? that he would make sure to hire the best lawyer in the country to defend her?


    He was her one chance to win. The one chance that she knew would not fail.


    Well then to say it out loud, she was selfish. She was selfish from the beginning when she left her mother to make a better life for herself, away from those people who hurt her and she was selfish now too that she wanted to stay with someone who was going to protect her. She was one selfish bitch.


    And she was ok with that. She was okay with being selfish because that was how you survive in the world and she wanted to survive and sometimes for surviving at times had to crawl your way out instead of walking with your head held high.


    So in other words, if she had to stick it up to him, she will.


    Walking back to the desk she took her mobile phone and dialled Angelo''s number.


    "How may I help you?" His answer came straight away and she smiled a little.


    Alexis asked, "Are you free for lunch?"


    "I could be, I could have my schedule cleared if you want." He offered.


    Not wanting for him to postpone work she said, "If it''s not something important than I can book a reservation steakhouse if you like."


    "Ah, steakhouse." That glutton, she shook her head. "I don''t care what I have next, I am coming. Book it at two this afternoon."


    "Alright, bye." Hearing him give a farewell at the other side she hung up.


    She paged Agatha to book a reservation for them and she immediately gave her attention to it.


    Pressing the intercom she told Nadine for her change, "Nadine I am out for lunch. I won''t be available."


    "Yes ma''am."


    Alexis went ahead to her room to get ready. She had chosen a Burgundy dress with a jacket of the same colour. Pearl accessories and white shoes. A little liner and blush, and there, she was done.


    "How pretty," Agatha gushed from behind her. Looking at her through the mirror Alexis smiled.


    "Why thank you." She appreciated. "Is the reservation done?"


    "Yes ma''am, at the best steakhouse." She smiled. "I have asked them to get a table in the corner for privacy."


    That was not needed, she thought. It was a bit awkward to stick up to someone and now, she had to do it in a corner.


    "Thank you," she said one more time. "Tell Liam I''ll be out in ten minutes tops."


    "Yes, Madam."


    A dusting off her clothes she muttered under her breath, "god if you are listening to this, please do not let this go South."

 Chapter 114 - One Hundred And Fourteen.

    Just, as usual, Liam was sitting in the front and a driver was driving them at a steady speed. Angelo had reached there a minute ago and was waiting for her. There was no need to wait for Alexis as she was around the block. As soon as the car came to a stop Liam came out opening the door for her and she stepped out.


    There he stood. The handsome man who she called her husband. The man looked like he had been picked out of a magazine with a suit of Armani and a thousand dollars worth of Rolex.


    "Hi," she whispered as she was enchanted by his beauty. He had little stubble and it was looking amazing at him. The man was simply too handsome to be true or to be her husband.


    "Hello beautiful," he gave her the famous smile and damn, her knees went weak. Pulling her closer by her hands, he said as he held her waist, "how are you?"


    "Fine," she whispered and then realised she was shy. "Hungry?" She asked.


    Pulling back from her he has her a playful frown, "For steak? Honey I am starving." He started to lead her in.


    Dragging herself behind him she teased, "and here I thought you wanted to spend time with me."


    "It''s not that," he defended looking behind at her, "I just don''t have time to enjoy food and here with you having something favourite of mine is nice."


    Alexis stared at him as he had pulled her to walk next to him. She blinked and smiled before saying, "that''s a tad bit Romantic."


    "Don''t push it." He warned. Before talking to the maitre''d and have their table shown to them.


    Order for drinks was immediately taken and they were handed the menu for the steak.


    "When was the last time you had a steak?" She asked with a bit of curiosity in her voice.


    "Now and then I have them with my clients and business partners." He answered, "but to enjoy eating it, there has been quite some time to it."


    Leaning on the table with her hand on a chin she continued the conversation, "why not take some time off for an afternoon and enjoy yourself with someone?"


    Gazing at her up and down he said, "I don''t have to my wife just did that for me."


    Her cheeks immediately red and as she felt the blood rush to her face. She was shy again and he was deliberately making her.


    Which of course was not fair!


    She shook her head and sighed. "What are you ordering?" She asked. She would rather make a conversation then argue with the man. All he had to do to win was to make one dirty comment and there she would go being all blushy.


    "A well-done steak with stir fry on the side." He answered as he closed the menu.


    She frowned, "I don''t mean to taunt or criticise you but are you sure that you would be able to finish it?"


    "Might be, might not be." He dismissed. "But I am going to enjoy it with you. It would be our third lunch out."


    That got her thinking, "Angelo, did you noticed we have always gone out to have lunch. We have not gone out to have dinner alone."


    He raised one of his eyebrows at that, such a peculiar thing to notice and how quick she was to do so.


    Ah, women.


    "True," he agreed. "we will change that soon as well." He winked.


    She was ready to reply but was interrupted.


    "Good afternoon, I am Dean and I would take your order. Are you ready to order or would you like some more time?" Dean, very politely, and asked them and Alexis immediately liked it. This was a quality that she would surely have in her wait staff.


    "Afternoon Dean," Angelo nodded. "I would have the steak well done with stir fry vegetables on the side. For the madam it would be.."


    "..steak well down but with fries." She completed as she handed her menu to the waiter along with Angelo.


    Dean nodded and left. Alexis liked his politeness and manners.


    "Alexis." Angelo''s hand touched hers. He intertwined their hands and continued to talk. "What were you thinking about when you asked for a prenup?"


    Lost for words at the moment, she continued to look at him with her mouth open a bit.


    Blinking, she finally said something, "why are you asking about it now? We have already signed it."


    "It is," he said leaning back on the chair and her hand. Their fingertips touched, he had maintained some on the contact.


    "But I would still like to know. What made you think that I would cheat on you when I told you that I would be loyal to you?"


    "So did every other man!" She hissed at him unable to control her feelings. "Everyone after a while wants something new and that is no one''s fault. We are human. We get bored but we forget how the other person would feel when they are waiting at home for you."


    Angelo listened to every word she said. She had it all pent up inside her and it was obvious that this was all from personal experience. "What happened? Who cheated on you?"


    "Excuse me?" Not expecting that as a reply she stared at him with widened eyes. "Why would I be cheated on?"


    Waving his hand, he said "there is no need to be defensive about it. I am your husband. Tell me about it."


    Calming herself down, she sighed. "There is nothing to tell. Like you said I got cheated on. That''s it."


    "No, that is not it." He immediately disagreed. "If you have pent you frustrations because of it, which you were talking about right now, I need to know so that I can reach and address the real problem."


    She didn''t say anything. The hesitation and silence told him that he didn''t want to tell him.


    "Come on, my love," he said taking a different approach.. "Tell me about it."

 Chapter 115 - One Hundred And Fifteen.

    When Angelo had repeatedly asked her about her past, cheated-on, relationship, she was annoyed, to say the least. Why was he so hell-bent on asking her?


    She pursued her lips, having no intention to tell him anything. He had never discussed his, so why should she?


    "Come on, my love," he said taking a different approach. "Tell me about it."


    But when he said this, she realised that she had to keep him with her. That was how it would work.


    "He lied after cheating on me," she confessed, giving into him. "The thing was, I already knew that he was cheating because I had seen it with my own eyes otherwise I would have believed the shit he spoke."


    Nodding thoughtfully Angelo looked away for a moment to find Dean coming to their table.


    "Here," he kept their plates down. "Please enjoy your meals."


    Forgetting about the conversation they were having, Alexis sighed looking at her plate.


    Taking the first bite she moaned a little, "wow, I thought that it would be good but not that good." She kept her fork in the plate, "it''s amazing."


    Laughing a little, he agreed, "I know. They have a way of preparing it. They had initially explained it but I was more focused on eating it."


    "Spoken like a true glutton," she muttered looking at him and shaking her head.


    Pointing her fork as at her he growled, "I heard that."


    Smiling cheekily, she said, "I had no intention of hiding it from my husband."


    "Fucking tease," he remarked scowling.


    Enjoying their food in silence and with an occasional small talk, the afternoon was well spent. Alexis welcomed another change of scenery and lunch outside of the house and talking about Angelo as he seemed to enjoy steak with her.


    Placing her cutlery down she wiped her hands and mouth clean, she looked at him and spoke, "I need to make a trip to the washroom. I''ll be back in a moment or two." She smiled and got up.


    Walking to the restaurant''s washroom, she closed the stall door, finished her business and flushed. Then she came out and washed her hands. Alexis was not a neat freak in any particular way but after using the washroom she always liked to have her hands washed twice.


    As she was washing her hands to clean someone else came in the washroom but she did not pay any attention to it. What were bathroom conversations anyway if you did not know a person?


    "Hello," she looked towards the person as the public greeting might not to for her.


    "Hi," Alexis spoke reluctantly. Why was she talking to Alexis when she did not know her? The women did not seem remotely familiar to her.


    "I was wondering if you would like to come with me for a moment?" She asked with a sweet smile.


    That was shady as hell. And what did you do with people who were shady as hell? You run away from them.


    Taking a tissue and drying her hands Alexis asked the woman, "Is there a reason that you like to share with me for having me come with you?"


    She clicked her tongue as if bored with the conversation and said, "I surely would if you promise to come."


    That''s when Alexis glanced around the room. The woman was standing on the door that meant she did not want Alexis to walk out of the door without her and there was no other exit to the washroom and she had also not brought her phone with her.


    "Alright," saying so with a smile, she continued, "I have a Louis Vuitton bag of the latest collection, I will go get it and then join you."


    "Hah," the women gave out to dry laugh. "How much of an idiot do you take me to be?"


    Raising her eyebrow Alex''s answered back in the same tone, "I don''t know, you might be the idiot who is trying to get me to come with her." She scoffed, "what am I, a three-year-old in a park?"


    "I guess not," the woman shrugged, "but still it would be better if you just came willingly."


    "Yes, that would be a dream come true now wouldn''t it," Alexis muttered under her breath. How in the world has gotten herself in this kind of situation?


    "Why are you doing this and who are you doing this for?" Alexis took a different approach to get out of the situation. "If it is for ransom for whatever you are gaining out of this I am sure we can talk it out and I can give you much more than you were originally offered."


    "And I would love to accept it," the woman looked at her with a cats grin. She knew something that Alexis did not. "But alas the person I am doing at for would rather kill me then take money from you."


    Crossing her arms the women continued and repeated the question, "are you going to come with me or not?"


    Studying her footing on the ground Alexis straightened her back and held her head high before saying, "now walk away from the door, I would like to walk out of here."


    "Why make it so tough?" The women sang a word and swayed a little. Alexis thought that the woman was crazy.


    "You are trying to kidnap me and I am making it tough?" Alexis pointed to her as she pointed out the logical reasoning to the craziest woman she ever met.


    "Then the tough way it is," she snapped her fingers," let''s go."


    Alexis had no idea who got snuck behind her but then that woman fingers and get the command someone else can behind her. She was held forcefully and then someone placed a piece of cloth on her nose which had her fainting within minutes if not seconds. She struggled for as long as she could trying to kick the man but no vail. The man was stronger than her.


    She looked at the mirror to find who was it that had kidnapped but her eyes had founded the darkness of the unconscious world.

 Chapter 116 - One Hundred And Sixteen.

    Placing a napkin down after dubbing his lips, he asked for the cheque which he received within minutes. After paying for the meal, Angelo got up and left the premises.


    He was waiting to receive a message on his phone. He was shocked that it had been minutes and he had not received any notification what had transpired. That meant that Alexis was not easily giving in somehow made him feel proud.


    A guard opened his door and he walked into the office building. The receptionist greeted him as well as employees to which he nodded. The gate to the elevator opened and his office came into the view. Keeping his phone on the desk, he unbuttoned his jacket and leaned a bit on the chair. He was still waiting for the message.


    "Sir," his assistant came in, Angelo nodded allowing him to talk. "Ms Williams is here."


    Ah, that woman.


    He nodded. "Send her in." That Woman seemed to have different thinking. After not attending their wedding and simply choosing to run away from her problems she had decided to come back and contact both him and his wife. She had received the answer from Alexis who was pretty much straight forward in saying that she was not interested to meet her mother but he was, he had to make sure that she would never interfere in their lives again.


    The voice of shoes strutting the floor before the door opened was heard and he knew that she was deliberating making them. He did not know if the woman was trying to make an impression of her crying trying too soften whatever blow was coming at her or trying intermediate son in law. The irony, she had no idea who he was. And the guns lying around his office were proof of that.


    "Angelo," she said with a status not of her head as soon as she came into his office. By her body language, she was trying to intimidate him but for the sake of appearances he put up with her.


    "Miss Williams," he greeted still sitting, "what can I offer you?"


    She confidently walked to the chairs in front of Angelo, kept her purse on one and sat on the other.


    Crossing her legs with a back straightened she said, "how about you tell me why my daughter is not answering my calls and most important of all, why is her assistant picking them up."


    Tilting his head he narrowed his eyes at her. Trying to get to the point and still trying to intermediate him, if only he didn''t have to. "I believe you should ask your daughter that." He offered as a solution.


    "But then just like you said she is not picking up your calls," he pointed out. "So how about you give her time and let her calm down about the situation. She will eventually get back to t you whenever she wants."


    Her eyes flashed, she did not like his answer and the tone he said it in but who cared?


    "About the situation are you talking about, there is nothing that she has to be disgruntled towards me about." Then she pointed at him with eyes, "I bet it was you. I know what you boys are up to nowadays¡ª"


    "But you were not aware of who were married to," he scoffed. "You did not know about what was happening to your daughter. Which also reminds me of the fact, why did not show up for our wedding?"


    "I had prior commitments." Was all he said and by the look on her face, she was not going to say anything more.


    "Prior commitments that held more priority than your only child''s wedding." The man mused. "What a pathetic excuse,"


    "Pathetic?" She repeated. "Stay in your limits you have no idea who you are talking t¡ª"


    "You slept with one rich French man on your trip to Paris and he kept you around for the weekend and farewelled you with his card. Do you think that if you would called him now, he would pick up?" He taunted with a smirk.


    "Of course he would," she took her phone out and dialled his number. "He would pick up."


    "Then put it on speakerphone."


    She did. Oh, how gullible she was. She was nothing but a fling to a married man.


    The phone was dialling the number but the next words paled her face.


    ''This number does not exist.''


    "See," he commented. "A fling. That''s all that it was."


    "I..uh.." She stammered.


    "Now lose the fucking attitude or you and I are going to be having problems." He warned. "And you do not want that."


    With a pale face, where her shock was still visible, she said, "I just wanted to talk to Alexis."


    He gave an irritated sigh, "unfortunately, she does not want to talk to you."


    "But you can arrange a meeting." she desperately said. "Please."


    Titling his face, he examined her, she was not ready to apologize and admit that she was at fault yet she was adamant to talk to her daughter.


    "No," he immediately denied to her face, not even trying to sugarcoat the harsh words. "I will not do that for you. you were given a chance to be there for your daughter who was going to ask you to walk down the aisle and you choose not to come. She has every right to not have any contact with you and as long as it decided by her, I will support her."


    The woman blinked back her tears which had gathered when she heard the truth from someone else''s mouth.


    Taking a deep breath, Vanessa straightened herself. "She will forgive me. I know my daughter she will forgive me."


    "She may and she may not, that is her choice. I will make sure that she chooses the one that she doesn''t regret."


    It was a threat and after working for years in the corporate world, she knew what it meant.


    But she wanted to be sure, "What does that mean?" She whispered, her resolve finally breaking.


    "That means," he leaned in with a sinister smirk, "I will make sure that you never come back."

 Chapter 117 - One Hundred And Seventeen.

    "You are talking about separating a child from her mother. That is simply inhumane " Vanessa shakily pointed her finger at him. "She is my baby."


    ''Let''s not go towards inhumane,'' he smiled, ''you won''t like the conversation there.''


    "No, she is the baby you abandoned." He corrected. "Do you what happens to babies that are abandoned by their mothers in the big bad world?"


    Vanessa did not answer him. She had chosen not to answer him as the situation was going down on her and she realised that she was not in a position to demand something.


    "In the big bad world," he answered for her, " babies get eaten. So to protect them we give them guardians. I am the guardian of your daughter and I am sure that you would not have a positive effect on her life."


    Vanessa broke down at that, "I made one mistake and I was angry that''s why did it. I had every intention to attend my daughter''s wedding."


    He glared at her. "And now your daughter is angry. She respected that you did not want to come and now you should respect that she does not want to come to you." He explained the simple logic. How daft could this woman be? When she, her mother, had chosen not to come, Alexis, had simply accepted the fact and moved on with the wedding. She had not thought regarding the matter because she simply did not bother to but that was according to him. He knew deep down that she was broken by the fact that her mother had chosen not to come to her wedding.


    And to be honest what kind of mother was she? It was her job to make sure that her child was safe and sound, at least in her house and just the opposite had happened. Alexis was abused throughout her teens.


    Vanessa should have been trying to make up to her daughter and here she was, making her decisions while being in anger.


    Vanessa swallowed and then looked at him with a pleading expression, "please please you are her husband and my son in law you have to do something to get us together." She tried but to him, it was not enough. It was too late to even try and make up.


    "I was neither your son-in-law nor your daughter''s husband when you came in here trying to intimidate me." He then scoffed, "Do you even know who I am?" He did not want to play the power card but it always worked.


    "A businessman." Vanessa confidently answered. "you have a lot of resources and also, many businesses. Not only that, his babe invested in any more. I have researched that about you."


    "That is true, but only to some extent," his eyes twinkled with mirth as he continued, "but when you look below the surface you will find lost things about me they aren''t really.." He made an uneasy face, as I''d he pained him to complete the sentence."..legal."


    Vanessa breathing quickened, this visit was not going as she had presumed. "Why are you telling me that?" She felt her senses picking up the fact that this man was dangerous. He had no problem in admitting that if he had illegal businesses on the side as well. He must have a lot of connections to protect him.


    Shrugging, he replied, "it felt funny to me when you were trying to intimidate me as you step into my territory. Somewhere, where I can make you disappear and no one would ask about you. Certainly not your French friend."


    Blinking a little Vanessa wondered what her daughter had gotten herself into. Men like these who openly admitted to having illegal businesses but not afraid of anyone. And the horror, that her daughter was married to one. What had Alexis done? Was she even safe?


    "What do you want?" She got to the point. Vanessa felt that getting out of here was the best option. She must talk to her daughter instead of him. "There must be a reason that you are telling any of this to me."


    He grinned but it was a sarcastic smile. "There you go. I was wondering how long it takes you to figure it out."


    A stern expression dawned on his face, his jaws clenched and his stare hardened. He meant business, he showed it and people understood it and so did the woman in front out of him.


    Holding her eyes in a stare, he said the words loud and clear.


    "I want you gone."


    Vanessa blinked repeatedly. Was he serious? Want her gone?


    "What?!" Standing up, she yelled at him. "What do you mean by ''I want you gone''? I am not going anywhere! I am her mother!" Outraged by the words he said and the demand he presented she wanted to kill the man to even think so.


    She had made a mistake, scratch that, she had made many but now that she had realised it, she would try her best to make sure that she learned from them and stood with her daughter.


    Angelo watched her throw another tantrum around in anger, just like always. She had forgotten whatever he had said and what he could do to her. Amusement danced in his eyes, "Quite a temper for an absent mother." He commented.


    Upset with the accusations, she raised her voice, "I was not an absent parent!" That hit a nerve and this reaction had given that fact away to him. How convenient. Now he could use it to get on her nerves.


    It seemed to be fun.


    "Were you not?" He''s mocked, "I believe that your child was abused by your husband under your care. That makes it a felony, does it not? Because no one would ever believe that you had no idea about it. I''d say that you were ignorant of it." His held threats. He was not afraid to carry them out. "I am sure that the judge would think so too. After all, child abuse is a matter of importance in a country and everyone hates a mother who turns a blind eye to it."


    Staring at with tears in her eyes, she tried not to cry.


    "Those big tears to do affect me, " he laughed them off. "What would affect me is, his promising not to contact your daughter anymore."


    "If," she bravely started to talk, "I don''t stop. What will you do?"


    He leaned back into his chair with a sigh, "about that," he lowered his face and looked like he had not decided anything yet.


    "I think I would get a restriction order towards you. Something legal, something that can be quickly done too. After that, maybe a jury."


    Vanessa confidently whispered, "you can''t do that. She would not ever stand for it. She may be Angry but Alexis would never cast me aside."


    Swaying his chair left and right, he pursed his lips. "Perhaps, you are right."


    "I know my kid and I am sorry. But I will work for her forgiveness." She vowed. "Please don''t do anything to get us apart."


    "I won''t do anything," he said. "It would solely be her decision."


    If she gets to know.


    "Thank you." She said with a relieved sigh. Vanessa truly was not expecting him to give up so easily but she was happy. At least from his side, there won''t be any resistance and she would be able to talk to her daughter and making persuasive efforts but she would still be careful to not let him know.


    "I will be leaving now." She smiled a little and turn around and then left like a mouse.


    Angela watched her leave the office. He was quite surprised when she had shown up thinking that he would help her in reconciling with her daughter after she was the one who broke it off.


    Alexis might not agree but she had been hurt by her mother not being there. She was not even ready to speak on the topic itself and whenever someone talked about it to her she was ready to stop the conversation.


    His phone pinged and he took a look at it. He had received the message that said ''done''. Finally, he thought for a moment it felt like he had employed every idiot in his organisation.


    Pressing the intercom he called Blake inside. He was asked by him to come in today.


    "Sir?" instead of the usual fidgeting and nervousness of an assistant, Blake seemed to straighten himself up in the presence of the Don.


    Nodding at him to come in, Angelo started to tell him what to do. "Alexis wanted a little getaway. So put the work of the restaurant on standby make sure of the current work that she has been doing is completed."


    Blake nodded taking everything in notes. "Should I know when she would be back?"


    Angelo smiled at him. somewhere it meant that it was none of his business but still Angelo was entertaining it.


    "She will return when she wants to."

 Chapter 118 - One Hundred And Eighteen.

    When Alexis felt her consciousness return she also felt awful pain all over her body. All her joints were aching. She tried to open her eyes and get herself up but that''s when she realised something.


    She was bound. Her hands and feet were bound by rope. That''s when Alexis that she had been kidnapped. The lady entering the bathroom and practically asking Alexis to exist the bathroom with her and leave the premises altogether.


    Immediately she tried to open her eyes and look around but all she saw was white. Was she killed? She tried to set up but without her hands, she fell on the floor.


    ''Heaven, this you?'' She blinked looking around.


    Alexis with bound hands tried to support herself to sit upright but with the joints painting, it was difficult. She sat up and looked around the room everything was White. Carefully observing the room she found that they were speakers and a camera on the top corners and then an air conditioning vent there were no windows in the room or any source of entry for the exit.


    She could not tell what time it was. Day or night as the room had no windows.


    Should she speak into the camera? Wave like a maniac?


    But why was she here to begin? Angelo once said that he had people following her for protection all the time whenever she was outside the house so how was someone able to kidnap her right under his nose? With the power that Angelo had come enemies, so was it them?


    But as someone so stupid to kidnap his wife when he was out on lunch with her? Something did not sit well with her about this whole situation but what could she do? she was kidnapped or so she thought if it was not a surprise from her husband.


    She tried to open the rope by her teeth when she tried to will out of the bounds by wiggling her toes out of it no Vail. They were tightly wrapped around feet and hands and no amount of wiggling or trying to open them with her teeth was going to work. She had to wait for someone to come in and explain the situation to her.


    "Hey!" She yelled at the camera. "At least tell me why am I here!"


    Of course, she received no reply so Alexis turned away and tried to aggressively wiggle out of the bounds. And of course, she failed at this too.


    She looked back at the camera and then yelled, "why the hell am I here?"


    She closed her eyes and sighed. This was going nowhere. She had to do something...but what?


    *********


    Whenever Angelo set his eyes on something he either wanted or he did not. But when he wanted it, he makes sure that he got it by the hook or crook. His father taught him a lesson to what extent he had to go to for them and his grandfather taught him how had to make people do it for him.


    Frankly speaking, he liked his fathers'' approaches it was more logical and reasonable thinking but sometimes the dark power that his grandfather held made him feel invincible like a king in the night.


    Alexis was someone who he wanted when he first saw her. How she just came running into his arms and fit there as she was made for him. The big blue eyes of hers widened and sort some kind of protection from him from what was coming after her. Immediate attention to the wound he had on his arm just like his mother had cared for him something pure something natural.


    The concentration she had as she tended to his wound. She tried nothing sexual or an attempt to kill him, she just wanted to help him in return for what she had received from him.


    He just wanted her to be there for him every day. He wanted her to be in front of his eyes when he woke up and when he went to bed. To be there when he was relaxing and to be there when he was stressed. He wanted her to be his Shadow and follow him everywhere.


    He just wanted her in front of his eyes. Was he wrong to keep his beloved wife in his sight at all times?


    So he did what he found was right.


    He kept her close and slowly, he would take all the thoughts and ideas of her escaping. He would take them out of her mind and throw them away locking her in a tower. Where she would be safe and sound and just for his eyes.


    His Alexis. His wife. His love.


    She was not going anywhere and he had decided that and no one in the entire world could change that fact she was his, she will be his. End of story.


    He watched as she woke up and thrashed around. She noticed the room she was in and then the restraints that she had on her hands and feet. The panic was visible on her face she had no idea where she was and why was she here.


    Alexis was observing everything in this room but he knew that she could find if possible exit because there was no one. She noticed the cameras and stared at making him tilt his head and wonder what she was thinking about.


    And then she yelled, "Hey, at least tell me why am I here!"


    That made him laugh a little. She was so cute and also naive. but to be honest, her lying down in front of him with your hands and feet bound was kind of a turn on.


    Maybe you should try using restraints that would spice things up and for once he could welcome a change.


    I wanted to tell her but then that would ruin everything. And at this moment that he was so close to achieving what he wanted he was not going to let anything ruin his plan for her.


    Alexis was going to be his mind body and soul would belong to him and him only.

 Chapter 119 - One Hundred And Nineteen

    After receiving no reply Alexis was scared. She had no idea what was going on. No one had replied to her questions that she had directed to the camera on the wall neither has someone come in for a confrontation.


    She wanted to remain calm and think it through but as the time passed, all she could do was panic and become more and more anxious. She was kidnapped and she had heard no word from someone and contrary to his word Angelo had not found her yet. He had promised that no matter what happened he would find her and always keep her safe. Now it felt like he just had said it to her when they were having sex to make a feel better.


    So she had dragged herself up to a wall, leaned against it and continued to silently think and worry herself more. what was she supposed to do now? She had no communication to the outside world or to be honest, inside this building.


    Dejectedly she looked towards the camera and spoke, "Can you please please tell me why do you have me here?" As if that could answer all the questions but it would be something to begin with.


    She waited and kept her attention on the camera and the speakers. But she received no response just like usual she was ignored.


    Alexis sighed and looked away. She could do nothing about it and that is what frustrated had the most, at least if someone came to her to talk or to demand ransom or any kind of confrontation she would have a way to solve this problem and escape this.


    "Hello," a female voice from the corner of the room trapped Alexis attention in a moment. When has she entered why has Alexis not noticed anything about it? show the if you had entered the room there had to be a door and she would have noticed it being opened and closed and someone entering in.


    "Why am I here?" straight to the question and the firm expression she asked in the woman in front of her. She was different than the woman who had confronted her in the washroom of the steak house. That made that more than one person was involved and further it meant that this was a planned attempt to kidnapped her.


    "Why are you in such a hurry?" Women teased Alexis. "It''s not like you are going to go anywhere any soon."


    Completely shocked that the Alexis replied with no delay, "you are mistaken if you saying I am going to be here for long. Angelo and I are sure of the fact are coming to rescue me and it won''t be long before he comes."


    Giving a dismissive wave with her hand two women stood in front of Alexis, "I''m sure that he would come, I have no doubts in that. But the question is is he aware of where you are?"


    The question alone stuck with the Alexis. She was surprised that she did not think of how the Angelo know where she was in no time? That her rescue would be delayed because he had to find out where she was in the first place.


    Sighing, sign she resigned to her old question, "just tell me why and who is behind this."


    The woman squatted down on her knees and answered her question. "unfortunately I cannot do that because if I do that I will be giving up only chance to have leverage."


    "That makes no sense." Alexis shook her head negative. "he is going to know one day and there is nothing you are going to do about it. He will know who is behind this."


    "Are you sure about that," the woman tilted her head as she continued to get into Alexis''s mind. "there are many powerful people and powerful people have powerful enemies. those enemies are often aware of what''s connections people have and I think we are prepared for any kind of blow sent our way."


    Looking at her up and down, Alexis said," powerful people have powerful enemies and powerful people have powerful acquaintances. It''s funny saying that he just has enemies."


    "I don''t know about that," she said with her lips pursued. "But all I know is do you know who is the enemy here?"


    Raising a brow at her, Alexis said, "is it time, you tell me who you are working for?"


    Laughing the woman answered, "now that cannot happen soon. We have to have some fun."


    "What fun?" The fear kicked in possibilities of what could happen to her rushed into her mind and Alexis immediately collected herself. As brave as she might be she was alone here and that was a fact that she had to accept and tread accordingly to.


    "Nothing to worry about," the woman reassured Alex immediately. "It''s just some harmless fun."


    Looking into her eyes with disbelief, Alexis wanted to kill her. "It depends how harmless your fun would be on me. What is  that you want and why am I here?"


    "The fun Where you want anything which is to have some fun, as I said." The woman gave her a pretty smile. "Anyways I had bought you a few things."


    "What things?"


    The woman smiled and the smile was more creepy than the one before. She pulled out a syringe with a clear liquid. Alexis swallowed and look at the syringe and then back at the woman.


    "What?" She looked at the syringe with visible fear in her eyes. "what is that?"


    The woman smirked, "just like I said. It''s for some fun."


    Angelo watched from the camera footage what was happening inside the room. Alexis struggled as the women neared her with that the syringe. Even though she was bound Alexis tried her level best to save yourself from whatever the contents of the syringe were. She was afraid and she was showing it.


    He watched as the syringe touched her arm and the contents of it were pushed in.


    His face hardened.. Now was showtime.

 Chapter 120 - One Hundred And Twenty.

    Pulling up his pants and buttoning them up to his fixed his belt. Next came on the shirt as he rebuttoned them, he looked at Alexis who was lying down on the floor.


    Lily has changed her clothes and taken out her after bounds the rest Angelo had taken care of. He had to break her psychologically and that was a process of isolation.


    This was going to go for long. A week or two at least but Alexis won''t be aware of that. the room had no source of ventilation or any windows of such. She won''t even be aware of it were day or night. That would contribute a lot in breaking her in. When she won''t be aware of how long she had so can''t there, it would take a toll on her mind. Her mind would consider every day as a minute and those prolonged moments would have her thinking about things that she didn''t know existed.


    She was not going to wake up, for now, that was. She was going to be out for most of the night so he had no worries about getting dressed up and leaving in a hurry in fear of her knowing everything. But what he worried about was how long it would take. Would it take long enough people to start noticing her absence and if it did what was he supposed to say about it?


    He had to make sure that she was prepared before that and that, for someone like Alexis, would take time. She was a strong-willed woman. Even though had had no idea about her being abused he was known that she was an independent woman. However, when he knew of the abuse, he knew that a cycle of it repeating itself would be an easy way to break her in.


    But what about people and family?


    "Ah," he sighed looking at her form. ''How much longer are you going to make me do this why can you not just be mine and not think of anything else?''


    God, he realised how desperate he had become for this one woman. She had singlehandedly caused him to think about her twenty-four seven. If only his grandfather knew, he would have preferred to kill Angelo or break Alexis herself.


    Squatting down beside his wife, he caressed her face. ''How long before you finally become mine,'' he wondered again and that was all he wondered about. How much more would he have to take from her before she submitted to him. He hated it as much as he wanted it.


    Getting up he walked out, closed the door and locked it shut. There was no way that she could ever leave and he made sure of that. He had to make sure that everything was according to the plan.


    Lily was outside the room waiting for him and any commands to be sent away she nodded and respect as soon as she saw him coming out. She had not been good at picking up any skills but she was narcissist, so Angelo made her one. She usually was the manager and set the workers straight.


    She possessed no conscience and he used that in his favour.


    Pointing back to the door of the room Angelo said, "inform me as soon as she wakes up."


    Lily nodded and as soon as Angelo saw that his command was received, he walked out. He had to make sure of a lot of things and one of those things were keeping the attention away from her. To divert the attention Angelo had taken on new territory in Miami and Chicago. A new territory meant new war and new enemies for which he had the perfect excuse of keeping Alexis hidden. And by the time Alexis will be out she would be in the palm of his hand.


    For he had to keep his weakness hidden.


    ***********


    When Alexis woke up she immediately gasped and sat up. She looked around the room to find if anyone else was here and watching her but everything seen by her was white except for the camera and the speaker that was planted upon the world.


    Everything was white and she hated it.


    She believed that whatever was in that syringe had not caused any long term effects and that''s when she noticed that her bound had been taken off. Collecting herself off of the floor, she tried to stand up when antagonizing pain was felt in the lower abdomen. She immediately palmed the area and gasped out in pain.


    The haunting realisation dawned on her but she refused to believe it.


    This was not something that she had usually experienced. Yet the pain did not seem natural like her monthly mensuration. That pain was on and off at the time, it was bearable though sometimes she had to take a tablet with a hot water bottle.


    This was different. This was not her lower abdomen that was painting, it was something lower than that. It was something far more precious than that. She did not touch the area where she was feeling the pain instead she focused on her body to where she was paining. Her hands and feet hurt from the bounds, her forehead hurt from behind as if someone had pulled her hair and then she felt it went down there. It was not any normal vaginal secretion but it was something that she always felt after having sex.


    The word danced in her mind and she knew it. She was well aware of what the word was but she refused to say it. Maybe, somewhere and somehow, it would create an alternate scenario in her mind that it did not happen.


    But the realisation alone had caused a blow to her head so hard that she had no idea how to react. But she had to check with her shaking hands she palmed her core and press a bit.


    She immediately gasped as she felt the smearing pain.


    It was true. Something had happened and she did not want to name that something. She did not want it to become the reality but wasn''t it always a reality for humans when they wanted to face something that they felt unfamiliar to, unlikely to relate to named reality?


    She didn''t want to face what was in front of her and for that''s he had simply termed the situation as reality.


    She felt like not acknowledging the fact was going to turn the reality to something in her favour but of course it already had happened and she was experiencing the aftermath of it. It was in the syringe, something to Knock out and make sure that she felt nothing. They had drugged her for this.


    "Water, lovely?" The woman had come inside and once again Alexis had not had heard her. She quietly stood in a corner with a bottle of water in hand.


    "No thank you," in her hoarse voice Alexis answered her and looked away as she finished. She had no intention of staying on the woman''s face who was ready to let someone violate a woman just for fun.


    In an exaggerated tone, the woman spoke, "oh come on I am sure that you are thirsty. Do you not want to take one sip?" She took steps towards Alexis and held the water bottle out. Then she let it dangle.


    Rage ran in her veins, how could this woman be so insensitive? "And what makes you think that I would never trust your word?" She spat. If possible and not in dear of her life, she probe would have spat in the woman''s face.


    Smiling slyly like a fox, the woman tilted her head and said, "but I am just claiming that it''s a bottle of water I never said anything else."


    Alexis scoffed, oh how innocently clever that was. "I am not an idiot to know that this bottle is just plain water and has nothing mixed with it!"


    Then Alexis yelled at her, "get out and take your water bottle with you! You have violated me enough!" She never wanted to be here. She never wanted to be with Angelo, so why was this happening with her?!


    The woman tutted, "have we violated you enough? you still have a lot of fight left in you by the looks of it." She had the fire to look displeased.


    Alexis shook her head and chose not to answer her. She caught onto a word but did not react in the woman. for someone who was looking at the fight left in her, Alexis was not ready to let have fun by seeing her breakdown and shatter on the floor.


    She would rather become of steel and take whatever they gave her instead of submitting but that was until she saw the syringe in the woman''s hand.


    No, she whimpered in her mind. No again.


    After that, she paled thinking about what was to come.

 Chapter 121 - One Hundred And Twenty-one.

    Hunger.


    That was the first thing she felt when she woke up. She had no idea how long it had been since she had had food. They had been drugging her in and out whenever she woke up and no one had arrived in the room except that woman.


    Constantly she had been the person who arrived in the room dropped Alexis and then left. A for sure that they had some sort of plan that only that women would be in contact with Alexis and the rest of them would come and when she was unconscious by the drug.


    "Hello there," the women whispered next to the ear to Alexis which made her cringe in an instant. "Aw, you are cringing from me. Now that makes me feel bad!" She said in a sad and depressed voice making Alexis feel frustrated. Couldn''t she come in, do her job and leave?


    "Do what you want and then leave." Alexis murmured not having the strength to talk in a loud voice. She knew that she did not have enough energy and to waste it on this woman she would think twice.


    The woman laughed at that. "Well, aren''t you miss uptight," she huffed. "I will do my job and leave but I thought that you will like to have a conversation with the human."


    Alexis snorted in return, "nobody likes having a conversation with a despicable human being that is if you are one."


    "Despicable?" She confirmed.


    "No, Human being."


    the women did not reply. Alexis knew that she had taken her friends but she did not care. She would do her job and leave anyway she is not here to make friends with her captive.


    She felt the needle of the syringe is injected into her skin. She said the slight pinch of it but then the feeling of numbness spread throughout her body and put her in a meaningless sleep. Asleep where she knew there only would be nightmares.


    ******


    She could not sleep.


    Something was constantly disturbing her for a long time and the more frustrating thing was she didn''t know how long it had been since she was being disturbed.


    There was a sound of a bell ringing constantly. It would wake her up as soon as she would fall asleep.


    She had been violated again. She knew that as soon as she had woken up. The pain was there and it was more than before. So much that she had not bothered to get up from her position on the floor. She continued to lay down and tried to fall asleep on her own without that vile woman coming and drugging her. But alas, this was also not possible because there was a constant beeping sound that would ring as soon as she would fall asleep.


    Alexis huffed in irritation. All she wanted was sleep and from the deprivation caused by it, she was feeling herself slowly going mad. It was eating her away. Her eyes were heavy from sleep and all she wanted was to over away.


    It continued for a long time or maybe she thought so, she had no idea anymore of what was happening. But all she wanted was sleep. Sleep and only sleep.


    Slowly she tuned our everything. Her eyes became more droopy and her mind cleared of everything. She ready to let go and fall asleep.


    Ping.


    "AHH!" She aggressively yelled in anger. The sound came again. Just as she was going to fall asleep again and it had developed sudden aggression in her.


    "Would you like the sound to stop?" Someone said within the room. "I can make it happen, only if you talk to me. You do not even need to open your eyes for it."


    Still, sleepy Alexis did not pay much attention to it. For all, she knew it could be her mind playing games so she sleepily muttered, "why would I talk to you without opening my eyes?"


    "Do you think that you can get away from your husband?"


    he asked but Alexis chose not to reply. why we are asking that in the middle of nowhere? "Why are you asking me that?"


    "Because I happen to know about the murder and you have one person who would protect you from going to jail."


    She was silent. So he continued, "your plan to divorce him was not fully thought through. you could have easily ended up in jail and he won''t have bothered to look after you."


    "You are advocating for him," she concluded from her observation. "Do you work for him? Are you here to get me out?"


    The man gave out a loud sigh and she heard it. "No, I am not here to get you out. I am here to make you realise what you should do when you go out."


    The sound of the bell ringing came again and Alexis frustratedly grimaced. Her cringing expression had received no reply from the man in the room who had tried to talk to her.


    In an aggressive tone, she answered him. "Go away. If you cannot get me out then you are of no help to me."


    "I am off more help than you know but only if you realise it." His words were irritating her more but that did not stop him. "What makes you think that you will ever get out of here?"


    "my guess is someone had noticed that I am missing and my husband would come looking for me." She was mocking him and her last answer made that clear. "As obvious as it was, I understand that it takes time for some people to understand."


    The man immediately replied to her. "Ah, that is quite funny. Which means your mind is functioning properly despite having suffered trauma and starvation."


    "Starvation?" She questioned. "How long have I been here?" She couldn''t help but ask the man in hope that he would answer. The woman that came in whenever she woke up and drugged her seemed free up tide and sadist who never seemed to utter a word that she did not want to say. whereas on the other hand, It seemed like this man wanted to make a conversation with them so Alexis was going to use this to her full advantage. Otherwise, why would he be here?


    Unless...


    No, she would not think about it. Thinking about it would only make her worry about their situation that possibly might not happen.


    "Do you not think that if you know you will only panic more?" He asked with an underlying curiosity. Alexis almost wanted to whack him on his head. What situation was this to be curious about? It seemed like it was either life or death to her but life after this even seemed like death.


    Anywho, she explained to him in calm words as he was trying to make a civil conversation. "I am panicking about the fact that women can come in here at any time and then drag me. Then there would be someone who I do not want to know about would come in and then violate me. You think that I have other things like starvation to worry about?"


    "Ah, yes, that does seem.."


    She sighed. "I know what it seems like, please you do not need to finish that sentence. Just tell me how long have I been here."


    "A week. At most." He answered. "I mean, I do not know exactly when you were brought and but I have been here for the past seven days and I have been aware of your presence." He took the liberty to explain further as she did not comment on it immediately.


    "Hm," was all she said.


    He did not let the silence settle instead he continued to talk. "I am aware of your killing an innocent man."


    She snorted loudly. "I can assure you the man was no innocent."


    "And how do you get to decide that?"


    Ah, the little detective.


    "I don''t but do you get to decide that?" She threw his question back at him.


    He almost smiled. Knowing that she had not opened her eyes he did. She was soo interesting. No wonder the boss had taken a liking to her. Anyone in their right mind would.


    "Are you leaving?" She asked without looking at him. "If you are, then let that woman know I need her to drug me I cannot sleep."


    And wasn''t that what I wanted, he smiled. "But do you not think that human confrontation is better than sleeping?"


    "No," she growled. "I think sleeping is better than anything. I need the drug to fall asleep." She admitted it. She was addicted to it or maybe not yet, but the admission of it was enough to get her addicted to it.


    "I apologize for the noise but the speakers are defective. Maybe, I will get that lady here and she can drug you so that you can sleep."


    Frustrated by his lack of action she yelled, "Yes, get me the fucking drug! "

 Chapter 122 - One Hundred And Twenty Two.

    The next when Alexis woke up she had started crying because this was not the very next time she had woken up after meeting with the mysterious woman and that man. She had woken up numerous times and she had been drugged numerous times after waking up. Every time she woke up the women came and injected her with something and then Alexis woke up feeling more pain than she did the previous time. That was a continuous process.


    When Alexis was little or maybe around the beginning for her teenage, but sometime before her stepfamily had entered her life, she had been a happy kid. A normal kid. She had a crush on the boy next door and they had gone to have ice creams numerous times. Their mothers had been friends and family dinners and brunches were common which was a win-win for Alexis as she had dates with him.


    In her mind, of course. He was not aware of that.


    He had dimples and freckles on his face and Alexis could stare at them for hours.


    Then after her stepfamily came in she had retreated in because of the torture causing eve friendship to break and so did her heart.


    The next crush was her senior, Zack Daniels. He was a total hotty but Alexis only admired him from afar. She was focusing on her studies and nothing more. Sure she had gone on a fair amount of dates but there was nothing wrong in having a crush.


    Why was she remembering it anyway?


    She had given up on talking. She had given up on getting up, or more likely she had given up on everything altogether. Whenever she woke up, she would try to continue to sit in the position she had woken up in and then start crying but soon, ultimately the women would arrive and drug her again. It was the same process even when she tried to stay silent to avoid the woman knowing but the woman came in anyway.


    The fight had left the body. She knew what was happening to her after she had been given drug and this was something she had not ever imagined herself getting into. She should stop calling for Angelo, stop praying that he would come to save her from all of this and that he would whisk her away in his arms and she would be locked away because now she was willing to never step out of the house.


    The world was bad. No, it was the worst.


    She did not make a sound. There was no use though, the women always knew when she was up. And now Alexis felt that there was no strength left in her body to get up. She did not know when was day and when was night. There were no windows in the room and the lights in the room were always switched on. She had woken up a lot of times and been drugged again and now she had no idea if it was the same day or a week had passed. Or maybe, a month.


    She had not been fed and she could feel her stomach have hunger pangs along with the cheeks sucking in. She had lost weight her body was probably utilising the fat she had but what worried her was how would she survive after this. How long would this go in for? Shouldn''t Angelo have found her by now? For a man claiming to be powerful and full of connections, he sure had shown her what lies he told.


    What was happening? And why?


    Alexis closed her eyes and tried her best to not let a sob out of her. She did not want that horrifying woman to come back so she stayed as still as she could, trying not to indicate that she had woken up.


    "I see you are awake," the feminine voice of the god awful woman was heard. "No need to fake it."


    Alexis did not reply simply because she didn''t have the energy to do so. She just kept her eyes closed and let her do whatever she wanted to. After all, she was just here to drug her and then leave.


    "Well," the woman sighed, "if you don''t want to talk..."


    An involuntary scoff came from Alexis, "you say that as if you would answer any of my questions."


    The women hummed, "maybe I could if you ask the right ones."


    Alexis sighed. She didn''t even feel the anger towards the statement that the women made. What questions were the right ones at the moment? Every question was going to be revolving around when she could leave and why were they doing this. Every question was different and had its importance.


    "Just tell me why," she asked. "Give me one reason why you doing this and what would it take for you to let go of me." She prayed that the woman would answer her. Even though it seemed a bit difficult, she just prayed.


    The woman breathed loudly from her nose and then made a humming sound. She was delaying it. Vile woman.


    "Well, to be honest, we are kind of being paid to do so. If you want to know who is doing that you might have to find out about the buyer." She answered in an unwavering voice.


    "Did he tell you to take advantage of me after drugging me?" She could not resist asking that. Was that person even as are of what was happening with her? And what would she like to do with him when all of this was over.


    "Not really. Well, he might have made  the slightest of hint that we could do so and we are just enjoying it." She shrugged.


    "Enjoying? Is enjoying taking advantage of a woman after you''ve drugged her? What kind of woman are you?" She couldn''t help but throw the words at her face. She deserved that!


    The women smiled, "The one that is not afraid to get what she wants and just because I am not afraid and I don''t think about what people think of me I usually become the monster."  She sighed, "You can always fake it. But we all have them inside us."


    "You are a monster." Alexis agreed with her statement but made no comments on the rest.


    "True, " the woman agreed. "But that is not going to stop me from doing anything that I have to, in regarding you."


    "One day, when I am strong enough, I am going to crush you into the ground and there won''t be enough left after chiselling it," Alexis vowed. She would make sure that it would be true.


    "See, that there, is a lot of fight left in you and we are trying to suck it out of you." She shook her head. "Don''t worry we have plenty of days to go. Plenty of days to make sure that you will be nothing of a person you once were when you leave."


    When do I leave? When is that going to be? She thought and immediately wanted to cry.


    The woman continued, "And that only depends on what and how long is it going to take for you to stop fighting."


    Alexis did not reply this time. She simply closed her eyes and tried to save as much as energy as she could but what was the use of that very energy when she was going to wake up next time feeling the pain down and then wish that she were dead.


    She just wanted out. And now it didn''t matter of where... She wanted out of life. This suffering was inhumane.


    Why could these people not just kill her once instead of killing her every day by day and trying, little by little to suck every ounce of life out of her? She wanted to cry But she did not want to seem weak in front of the woman who was going to kill her one day and by the looks of it that day was not far.


    "Just get on with that, " Alexis said to the women, "but whatever is in that syringe and leave."


    "I will. I do not need you to tell me that but there is something I would like you to know. Whatever has been happening to you, now it''s going to double the level up." She warned.


    Alexis glared hard at her, "Excuse me, do you think you need to warn me of what is happening now? I have been through enough that I don''t think I need anything close to what will happen next it would be worse than those already is."


    She smiled, "Perhaps it would be worse than this because I am sure that whatever it is, it is going to rock your world," she said as she injected the injection into her skin. Making Alexis cry lowly at that.. Her words had caused her to fear her fate even more.

 Chapter 123 - One Hundred And Twenty Three

    Hallucinating.


    That was the first word she thought of when she opened her eyes. She was seeing the face of two people that she had vowed to never see again with the feeling of fear. But here she was as they were staring down at her and all she felt was fear and panic.


    ''I don''t want to look at them, '' she thought. She didn''t want to see them but they were standing right in front of her eyes and as much as she wanted to look away, her head did not have the power to turn itself around. She was drained.


    She felt exhausted. She felt exhausted from the whole ordeal of being kidnapped, she felt exhausted of breathing, she felt exhausted of living.


    Her body felt useless right now as she just could not move. It was not the first time she had woken up after a conversation with the women she had woken up by the number of times but she had been immediately drugged.


    She wanted to know how long it had been since she had been brought here.


    The Past few times that she had woken up, she was in and out, in and out and in and out of it. Now her body could not wake up after the effects of the drug were over. With the continuous use of the drug, her body had gotten used to the effects. In the early days, whenever she would wake up, she would feel some kind of headache, dizziness and nauseous. Now, she felt nothing.


    Her body was getting addicted to the drug.


    It wanted more.


    It was her worst nightmare coming true and she could do nothing about it no matter how much she wanted to stop it. She left so helplessly as she could not even open her eyes at her own will. Her body felt drained. It was on the verge of collapsing. Someone more days of pain and she would permanently lose all that she had.


    Alexis gasped out loud as she felt a blow to her back. Something had hit her. She let out a sound when someone again hit her leg. Alexis now felt blows thrown all over her body. They were hitting her now!


    Over the blows, she felt immediate pain over many and sometimes she felt it being number by the drugged. She laid there like a dead body taking every hit coming her way. She wanted to cry from the pain but the drug had her numbing her senses, so she just felt the pain and nothing less. She did not feel herself needing to excrete her bodily wastes. Maybe she already had. Since she could not feel anything.


    She felt like crying, maybe tears came or maybe not. She could not even feel them with how much she was being hit by people. Alexis was trying to stop them from hurting her but whenever she opened her mouth only screams of pain came out. She was not even sure if any sound was coming out of her mouth. Her ears had stopped to function. She could not hear the talking, yet she could see his lips moving as her eyes dared to open in instalments as they had no strength to remain open.


    Her mind felt blocked. It could not register anything.


    They were hitting her on the back of her thighs and legs. Maybe her back or her feet. She did not know as her body refused to feel something. She was numb. Maybe she felt pain in a few areas more than the others.


    She felt something wet on her face. Or were it her tears? Or was it her blood? she could not even open her eyes much less know what was happening around. All she knew was that she was being hit by someone she did not know or maybe she did know because she was not even sure if she was hallucinating or not.


    Was any of it real?


    Maybe it was not. She could always hear his manic laugh and today she couldn''t. He always alighted wjiel hitting her, torturing. So, why not today? Was it just hallucinations of her mind? Just some petty tricks making her think crazy scenarios which were very unlikely to happen.


    Why would they be back? They were gone for good.


    Another blow came to her chest and she knew that it was real. None of these were tricks.


    The two faces that she had imagined were of those that she would rather forget but they were in front of her and maybe they were the ones that were hitting her. What should she do but what could she do, to begin with?she was not in position to help herself much less command them to stop.


    Please stop, she begged in her mind not trusting her mouth to rely on what she wanted to say. Alexis knew that whenever she opened her mouth to yell from the pain she was suffering or when she wanted to tell them to stop, nothing was coming out. It felt as if she had lost her voice.


    Her body had no strength. No strength at all even to feel the pain sent her way from her assailants. Her body took her tumble when a strong Kick was sent to her chest. She heaved, struggling to breathe. The pain was dimming or increasing according to her mind. Her body no longer felt in her control.


    The dizziness returned making her mentally groan. She was going to be out of the conscious world and into the one of dark and scary sleep.


    Alexis did not want to sleep. She tried to focus on the pain to make the dizziness go away but who was she to try?


    Her eyelids, regardless of her struggles closed, lulling her into the world that she did not want to go to.


    *******


    "Well, I enjoyed that." Thomas Johnson commented as he left the room. "I am glad that you could find me for this."


    Lily squinted her eyes at him. "Yes of course," she dryly added to the conversation. The man had no idea what was going to happen to him.


    "Anyways," she smiled stiffly. "I have to take you to meet the boss. So, follow me."


    Thomas nodded and followed. When he was called, he did not immediately believe what was happening but he happily complied. He had been edgy since the divorce and she had been a good vessel to get it all the frustrations out.


    She turned to him, "Stay," she knocked on the door and went inside. "He is here." He heard lily say.


    Lily came back and nudged him to go inside. Thomas saw her smile but thought nothing of it. She was, according to him, being polite.


    He looked at the young man sitting in front of him. He looked to be in his late twenties or so.


    "Were you the one to call?" He asked as soon he was asked to sit down by the man.


    "Yes, I was the one to call," the man nodded. "And you came."


    Thomas, with an evil grin, shrugged, "couldn''t resist the temptation of it."


    "Ah," Angelo said. He was not shocked by the man coming in. He had expected him to come knowing well that the man would not be able to resist the offer.


    Thomas grinned, "Yes, I have enjoyed myself. Thank you for calling me." He was overjoyed by the looks of it. He had enjoyed more than Angelo would have appreciated someone hitting his wife.


    Angelo nodded again. "You hit my wife." He accused completely changing his tone and taking a three-sixty degree turn. Thomas had been foolish enough to have himself fallen in the trap. Now, Angelo would play the next part.


    Thomas immediately raised his eyebrows as he felt shocked, "Wel¡ª you called me for it." He defended himself. This situation had taken a turn so quickly that he didn''t realise how.


    Tilting his head, Angelo asked, "did I? There is no proof that I called you." He smiled as the realisation slowly hit the idiotic man.


    Thomas blinked back in shock. The man was nuts! He had called him to hit his wife. And to think of it, he had fallen for it. He had received a call from an anonymous number and immediately taken up the offer to relive the stress and anger caused by her mother; Vanessa to him.


    "You don''t even know me," Angelo took something out of the drawer. "Yet you came without thinking of the consequences." He raised the gun to the level of Thomas''s head. He was ready to shoot.


    "Look man," Thomas raise his arms in surrender, "I am leaving and I assure you that I won''t ever talk about this.." He helplessly tried to get out of the situation. The man had a gun pointed at Thomas''s head.


    Angelo aimed and took a shot.


    A thud was heard.


    Another bully of Alexis was dead.

 Chapter 124 - One Hundred And Twenty-four.

    "..broken ribs.."


    "Yes..that Al.."


    "Drugs found in.. blood.."


    "Cleansing system..."


    Alexis''s eyes fluttered. They opened and closed according to their wish. They were trying their best to stay open but without any strength, it was difficult for them to do so. She was drained.


    Alexis wanted to hear more. There were more people here now and she wanted to know what was happening. Why were they here? What were they doing?


    She was catching words. But her mind was not catching them, it could not figure out what words were being thrown around. She tried to talk. Opening her mouth she muttered the words out, she didn''t wait for someone to understand or to catch onto them. She just wanted to talk and tell them what had happened.


    She kept on muttering, her eyes were trying to stay open with as much as they could but she knew that they would fall shut eventually. She had no strength. Was she even talking or was it her lips moving in a slow-motion?


    With a heavy sigh, the remaining strength being used, she fell asleep.


    But this time she was not expecting anything, especially not waking up.


    She wanted nothing anymore.


    ********


    Angelo stood outside the operation theatre. The doors were closed. He knew that the doctors were trying their best to know what had happened. They were going to make sure that his wife was all patched up.


    He took a seat on the waiting chairs kept outside of the operation theatre. No one of his family was informed. He had kept this under the wraps. His mother would know and so with his father but they would know this after Alexis would have been taken home. Before then nobody was going to be informed about her whereabouts. Just like everyone else, they were told that she was on a vacation as he was occupying new territories and broadening his business.


    For a week or two, they all had been busy and no one had noticed Alexis''s absence because she was not involved in the business. For them, she was at home, safe and sound but Angelo new where she truly was and in what conditions but it was alright. Everything would work out in the end like it was supposed to.


    "How is she", he asked the doctor who had come out.


    "Broken bones, assaulted and traumatized from all of that," to which Angela nodded and then looked up for strength.


    "Call me as soon as she wakes up." He said and left.


    He left but not before leaving people behind. Agatha was there and so was Liam and a few guards. He had made sure that no one breathes a word about regarding this matter. Andrew was driving to the headquarters office organisation. He had traitors to take care of and he had to make sure that he had set his dominance in Chicago.


    "What does it look like," as soon as he entered, he asked the man he had left responsible. "are there acting as we want them to?"


    Adriano nodded. "yes sir. They are killing their own thinking that they are traitors."


    Angelo continued, "And our spies, what about them?"


    "They have been communicating now Everyone is doubting the second in commands family. There would be some time but we are sure that he would be executed as well." He reported.


    Angelo scoffed loudly. That was exactly what he wanted. He wanted the organisation to kill its own members and when it was at its weakest, he would strike. His men were ready for the attack and there was not much time left before they had to it carry out.


    Chicago organisation was almost at its edge of destruction and the irony of it all was they lead their destruction themselves. It all had been planned out perfectly. Every member was under severe scrutiny and the boss could not trust anyone because the second in command was busted with the contact information of many other enemy organisations.


    That was the best thing about criminal family organisations. You could never be too careful and as a matter of fact, they had not been careful.


    "What comes next, boss, what do we prepare?"


    "The next," Angelo said thoughtfully, "the next is wait. Wait for them to reach the peak and then strike. After that, it''s a smooth slope make sure that we have a firm footing there which we would have to shift to Chicago."


    Adriano nodded, "I should start looking for apartment buildings then."


    Angelo glanced at him, "remember to do it discreetly. They should not know about any such purchases. Buy one building and start buying apartments around it so that we all are in the same area yet scattered."


    "Under a false name?" The captain asked.


    "Yes, they should not know that we are moving in or it won''t take them a lot of time to figure out that we are behind the game."


    Adriano laughed softly. "but for that, they would have to realise that is. They know that this is just traitors coming out in the open."


    "Yes but not for long," they passed through the door of the weaponry and Angelo stopped there. He had to know if any more were needed.


    "Mario," Angelo called the man out. As soon as Mario stepped out and nodded at Angelo with respect shining in his eyes and he started to question him.


    "Are any more weapons needed? How is the supply going on, are the feds still on The docks?"


    Mario was prepared to answer every question, "weapons are being distributed equally and with the at most caution. The feds are no longer surrounding the docks. They have changed their location to Chicago with the number of dead bodies found there and you can order the next batch in a week or two we will be needing it after the attack."


    Patting his hand on Mario''s shoulder, Angelo nodded at the given information, "alright come to me if you need more or for any other requirement."


    Angelo walked to his office after the confrontation with Mario. He had lots of work today and Alexis in the hospital was a relief because no one would ever think that she was hidden there.


    Then he died a number on his phone. It was time for war.


    ********


    At times my autocorrect corrects ''Angelo'' for ''Anegles''.


    The irony.

 Chapter 125 - One Hundred And Twenty-five.

    Alexis was kept on a detox. Her body was being detoxed from the drug that she had been given constantly. The blood was being pulled out from her body into a machine for clarifying and then pumped back in.


    All this while she was in recovery, she was kept in a medically induced coma. The doctors had yet to decide when to wake her up because, given the physical injuries and the mental toll that it would take on her, they had decided that it would be better to keep her in a coma and then let her deal with all the problems in a professionally advised manner with her body almost recovered.


    Angelo came to the hospital daily. He came to visit his wife and also to get a daily report on how she was fairing. She had healed to some extent, the process was slow as she had to get the drugs out of her system first. With her body addicted to needing it, it was difficult to function but artificial machines they were barely managing her to stay alive. Which was why Angelo had suggested that she should be put in a medically induced coma till her body could function without being addicted to the drug.


    For a week she had been put on that forsaken cleansing machine. The doctors kept track of other injuries and wounds and continued to treat them as well. In this week Angelo had gone back and forth from Chicago coming to New York for an hour or two at most but his brother had now divided the responsibilities. So, Vincenzo and Silvano had taken the leads in Chicago where he was handling things back from New York.


    Which made complete sense as if Chicago organisation knew about Angela coming in and out, again and again, they would surely notice something fishy. But given their brain capacity, the head had taken long enough to figure out that their organisation which was crippling was an effort of an outer force. Instead, they had been executed every traitorous member that they could find without any investigation that was there really a traitor or not.


    There was a slight hum in the room. The humming noise came from the machine that was working on purifying Alexis''s blood. Wires were inserted in her body taking out blood and then pumping it back in her. Her hair had lost their shine and it seemed like they were carelessly thrown into a braid. She was quiet, her eyes were closed and he hated that.


    He hated seeing his wife that way but it was the only option he had. Alexis was different, she was not like his mother or like his sister-in-law. She was a civilian, someone who was not raised with the values and morals of made man''s daughter, wife or sister. She had been free of those rules and regulations the rest to follow and here to, she thought that she would be free.


    The world that she now had stepped in was dangerous and Angelo was trying his level best to protect her but that came to a cost of sacrificing her freedom. If she wanted to live through the stuff that he had just given her taste of, what it could be if anyone other than him as in his enemies had captured her. It won''t have been a taste, it would have been worse than what he had made her go through.


    He was standing beside her bed that she was lying in. With his index finger, he caressed her face. It seemed too much to bear. The one love he had was lying down on a hospital bed beaten and battered just to teach her Life lesson.


    He continued to trace the face of his wife. Her cheeks seemed to be a little dry, he remembered that when she laughed they would be full of colour, not just pale white. He wanted to see her dolled up in her favourite colours looking like a Queen. Dressed to impress. His queen.


    He went to the couch on the corner of the hospital room and sat there. He watched his wife from afar who looked like a fallen queen but that was far from true. She was going to rise from the ashes strong and powerful. The one who would rule beside her king ready to take down everything in her way.


    He would apologize to her if it would have been wrong but it was not it was all going to work out in her favour and in the long run, his.


    He just wanted her safe and he wanted her by his side.


    "Boss," a Knock was heard and his doctor Antonio came in. "I have the gist of the reports for you."


    "Go ahead," Angelo told him.


    "First of all, she has a few broken bones which are healing. Then, comes with the drugs given to her. Now they were sleeping sedatives so her body requires them to fall asleep. So for a few months, we would keep her on the those and then slowly try to reduce the dose so that, eventually, her body would start to function in the affected areas on its own. Then comes the mental trauma." Antonio sighed, "that is difficult to deal with. As soon as she wakes up, we must have a psychiatrist ready to treat her."


    Angelo exhaled loudly. He scratched his eyebrow with a grimace. "Find a psychiatrist then, immediately."


    Antonio looked shocked for a moment. Gathering his bearings, he asked a question for clarification. "You mean like..now? Find one now or like today?"


    With a deadpanned expression, he replied, "Do you need to get your ears checked? I think I was quite clear in saying that I find her today that means immediately."


    "Ah, yes," Antonio nodded. "I will have one found and discuss her condition with them." Antonio got up and was ready to leave.


    "One more thing," Angelo stopped him. "We are waking she up tomorrow.." He smiled.

 Chapter 126 - One Hundred And Twenty-six

    "Ah, yes," Antonio nodded. "I will have one found and discuss her condition with them." Antonio got up and was ready to leave. He had to make sure of the fact that he found the psychiatrist today itself.


    He had to make sure that the demand for the boss came first. The Donna was being treated by the best doctors and was the top priority for them, where he was to make sure of the Don.


    Ans taking care of that man''s needs and demands were not easy.


    "One more thing," Angelo stopped him. "We are waking she up tomorrow." He smiled. But of course, it was not a normal one. It was the smile was of a killer. Something that said, ''I know you would do it. You have to.'' He was well aware of the fact that he could not be denied and he took advantage of it.


    The initial feeling of shock was no longer the feeling that Antonio felt after hearing the words. The boss wanted to wake a traumatized and barely functioning patient without waiting for the doctor''s approval. This seemed like a disaster. Fuck that, it was a disaster. She was going to be a disaster. They had to plan it all out. The journey of her recovery.


    Alexis was going to go into a shock as soon as she would wake up. Nevermind the drugged up system she had. It was barely functioning and managing in its own. The blow of what had happened would intensify as she would see herself in a new light, the one of self-pity. Where all she could think about was why her?


    She was going to see herself being hooked to various machines which were keeping her alive. Then she was going to remember everything that had happened.


    Tough life.


    Now the question was whose life did Antonio value. His career made it clear that the patient; the boss''s wife was his priority but to have a patient ever again, he needed to live as well. And with this dilemma he had to decide what to do, care for the orders and do as told with which came neglecting the patient''s needs or defy the boss and get himself killed.


    "Um.." he nervously began to talk, "I will tell the doctors that we need to focus on what her body wants first." He tried to explain.


    Angelo raised his head with a slight tilt and that movement alone had Antonio pissing his pants. "Talk to me Antonio," Angelo said with a sigh, "tell me what you are talking about." He knew something that Angelo did not and it pissed him off.


    The doctor sighed in somewhat a relief. Antonio had expected anything but that. At least now he could explain where he was coming from which was going to be easy for him to hear. Only a doctor knew what he was talking about.


    "What I am saying is," he started to talk but kept in his mind about who he was talking to. "She is going to have major setbacks in her day to day life because of the trauma. For which we need to make sure that there is a psychiatrist which her but before that, we need to make sure that her body, at least, is functioning well. And that recovery would take time.."


    Angelo was listening to him. To some extent, he had heard the man but after that, he had tuned him out. When Angelo had started his plan for Alexis in motion, he had considered that it would have effects in the long-term but what he had not considered were the immediate effects on her mental health and her physical being would take so long to recover.


    She was traumatized, she had to be. She had suffered a lot and she had endured a few broken bones which of course, Thomas was punished for. But what after could he do about it? It was a recovery that she was supposed to make on her own, of course, he would give her the best doctors and psychiatrists in the world but after waking up. She had to wake up for it and start on the journey of recovery before people felt that she was missing.


    Angelo thought of what the psychiatrists could do for him but unfortunately, no psychiatrist would help him in his plan. That meant he would have to control the psychiatrist and what she was treating Alexis with. Her methods could not coincide with his and drain them down.


    ".. because of which, we wanted to be sure that when she would wake up the body will be partially healed from the injury she had experienced and that.."


    "Antonio," Angelo clicked his tongue in annoyance. "I don''t want the detailed version. Tell me when can I wake her up." He wanted to talk to her. Make her think that she had been found and was safe with him. Under his protection and with him, she would avenge her killers.


    "Preferably a week after," Antonio answered, injuries would be almost healed and we can find a good and reliable psychiatrist by then." He offered. He was a doctor himself but he did want to consult the other doctors over it. Sadly, it was not possible given he had to answer him now without making him wait.


    "A week," Angela repeated looking thoughtful. A week was too long as she had to get back on her feet before that and that too would take time.


    He just could not stand by any longer.


    "And if I wake her up now would she die?" He asked with any shame and fear. He just cared about talking with her. Where she would talk back and add something to the conversation. Where he could see those deep blue eyes of hers. Where her lips would be


    Antonio blinked a bit. The question was highly twisted to be asked. "No, she won''t.." he answered with a slight hesitation wondering if he was right about the direction where this was going to go to.


    Angelo clapped his hands. "Then it''s done. Find a psychiatrist and make sure that everything else that requires for her to be woken up is ready."


    Antonio did not move from where he was standing as Angelo had stopped him by making a demand of waiting for Alexis up. He continued to stand there with his mouth open. How was he supposed to prepare everything till tomorrow when the boss for having permitted to wake his wife?


    But what could a punny man like him do?


    "Yes, boss." He nodded meekly and left. He knew that with Angelo''s last words, he had been dismissed as well.


    As the door closed, Angelo was back to staring at his wife. Nevertheless, Alexis still looked beautiful even if was mom them theeee ents.


    Angelo stood up from the sofa and moved to the stool next to his wife''s bed to sit on. How beautiful she was. All he had to do now was to push her into the right direction where she would willing want him to protect her.


    Where she would surrender to his instincts of protecting her.


    Giving the fuel to his obsession for her.


    Taking her hand in his, he kissed it.


    ''My love I don''t know if I should apologize to you or have you thank me. I did it for us so that you understand what dangers are out there and what I do to protect you. I have built walls around us was that would never be penetrated by our enemies but for them to protect you you have to make sure that you stay within them.''


    Kissing her hand again he continued, "it''s going to be a tough life but for both of us. But living it together it would be easy because we both with love each other so much that none of these problems will ever bother us. These will be so little in front of our love, our castle of dreams that we won''t ever be bothered by them."


    ''I love you my dear wife and I will always make sure that we are together. We will be together forever and I will never let anyone come in between us.'' Leaving her hand he caressed her face, ''I am just making sure that so will you, that you can love me as much as I love you and put in as much as efforts as I do.''


    ''I am fine if you get obsessed with me just as I am with you. But if you ever think of leaving me, Alexis I would shatter the castle of dreams that we built together because you are my biggest dream and if that if taken away from me, then there is nothing left."


    ''It would be us just us forever and no one would ever come between us and I will always make sure that no one comes in between us..'' He promised.

 Chapter 127 - One Hundred And Twenty-seven

    She opened her eyes and looked around. Everything was blurry. Her eyes felt heavy and all she wanted to do was close them and go to sleep and by god''s grace never wake up. What good was life anyway if she woke up she was either in need for the drug or like right now she was suffering the after-effects of it? It would rather just let go.


    Alexis felt her body be numb and not feel any kind of pain which she was thankful for. The pain was the reminder of whatever had happened and with no pain, she was not reminded of what had transpired. She was ignoring it without having her body remind her of it.


    She continued to look at the ceiling, blinking her eyes as she tried to get her vision cleared. There was an ache in her head, it was dull but it made its presence known. It was annoying.


    Everything felt hazier. Where was she?


    "Hey," A soft voice had her head-turning into its direction. Who was talking to her?


    She looked at the man and blinked. Who was he?


    He smiled at her but she did not. She just blinked again.


    "I guess you are pretty heavily dosed up on medicines." He smiled. He was talking very softly. Alexa somehow liked his voice. It seemed to be soothing.


    "I¡ª" she coughed and he immediately got up. Bringing over a glass of water with a straw in it. He placed the straw near lips and she drank water through it. Having her fill, she moved her head away in a silent dismissal.


    "Do you want anything more?" He asked, again in the soft voice. Alexis has seen to grow in love with his voice.


    She shook her head. Who was this man?


    She did not open her mouth. It seemed that her throat was scratchy and whenever she tried to say something she would just cough it up.


    She looked up and down, her vision was still hazy so she had no idea who he was was. Her eyes were repeatedly opening and closing and it was a matter of time before she fell asleep again.


    "I love you, my wife," the man said holding her hand.


    His wife? Was she his wife?


    Wait, what is a wife?


    "And I am going to make sure that everything will be okay."


    Trying her best to say something to the man she opened her lips but instead of that, she licked her chapped skin. Her lips seemed to hurt as she tried to move them. "What is not okay?" she asked in a hoarse whisper and then innocently blinked. The man''s expression in front of her changed to a little more of adoring one.


    Who was the adoring?


    "Nothing for me but everything for you love," he said. "But I will make it alright."


    That sparked a curiosity in Alexis. She felt like asking him questions like never before. "If something is wrong with me then how would you be able to make it alright?"


    The man laughed a little. "True, that does sound a little bit confusing." He admitted. "But I will try my best because you are my wife."


    "Wife?" She repeated. "I am your wife? That means we are married?" She asked with a face full of curiosity.


    "Yes, we are." He smiled.


    Alexis felt like telling him the truth. He seemed so truthful and nice. She had to hit with him. So she confessed. "But I do not remember it."


    His expression faltered a bit but within a moment he pasted his lovely smile on and continued to talk and answer her question. "That''s quite alright, we have all our life for you to remember it. Also, you are heavily dosed up on medicines so I think we can blame them here."


    "Medicines? Why am I dosed up on medicines?" There was no panic in her voice. It was just plain curiosity.


    The man winced a bit. Why, did she touch a sore topic? Or pressed on a nerve? The man was so sweet to sit here with her and talk and here she was, upsetting him.


    "You had an accident." He finally said something to choose his words very carefully. "It was a bad accident. You got hurt a lot and that is why they had to give you medicines."


    Nodded without any particular interest Alexis then questioned him, "so I am okay now?"


    The man shook his head negative. "No, not yet. It would take some time for you to get back to your health."


    Tilting her head, she asked, "And for now?"


    "for now I am afraid you will have to stay here and let the doctors take care of you." He then smiled, "and I will visit you as much as I can."


    "So you cannot stay here with me?" She frowned. "but I think I like talking to you."


    He gave a hearty laugh at that, clearly not expecting her to say any such words. He seemed pleased and somehow that made Alexis happy with herself.


    "I feel glad that you like talking to me. " He smiled, "and for that, I will try my best to be here every time you wake up."


    She blinked and looked up. That was nice to hear. She liked him. He was..good.


    "Thank you then." She smiled a little with as much as her hazy mind would allow but then curiosity sparked a question in her mind. "But how would know when I wake up?" That was right, how would he know?


    "Ah, don''t I love that curious mind." He smiled making her heart flutter. "I love how you keep asking me questions."


    Innocently blinking, she said, "Oh." Her mind couldn''t function a reply. So that was all she said to him in return.


    Standing up beside her bed, he stood up and ran his finger on her cheek making them flood in colour.


    "I think I might keep you drugged."

 Chapter 128 - One Hundred And Twenty-eight.

    The haziness got more heavy causing her mind to haywire. She had no idea on what meant who.


    "I think I might keep you drugged."


    She didn''t understand. Her eyebrow shot up in a silent ''What do you mean'' or ''Whatever that meant'' which Angelo found too cute to be true. She was usually a tightly wound up person and was always prim and proper but right now, she was cutely blinking up and asking questions.


    "Hmm," she hummed not understanding what he had said. Everything went from one ear and out from the other. She was least bothered with whatever he was saying but she heard and replied as if she did.


    "I like it" she whispered, "I like you touching me," she said to his running his finger on her cheek.


    "I''m glad." He smiled but she didn''t see. The haziness seemed too much and now she had just closed her eyes. Feeling his touch and listening to him was enough to feel a part of this conversation.


    "I feel like minimising you in size." He mumbled.


    "Yeah?" She mumbled, feeling sleepy.


    "Yes," he confirmed. "That way I could always have you in my palm. Wherever I would go, you would follow. No questions asked." His voice lulled her into sleep more. How soft his voice is, how soothing it sounded. She just wanted to hear it forever.


    "Hmmm,"


    He took a seat on the stool given next to her bed. He left her face and started to play with her hair making her feel relaxed.


    "I feel my eyes heavy.." she mumbled with her eyes barely open.


    Smiling he engaged in the conversation, "Yeah?"


    "Yeah," she nodded. "I feel...hungry too."


    He huffed at that, "We must do something about that then. What do you want to eat?"


    Images of food came to her mind. Her brain focused on getting something to eat and she immediately answered his question. "Something tasty." Her mouth watered a little. Hunger struck and roared in her stomach making its existence known.


    Angelo knew she had not eaten and now the hunger pangs were coming in. They were making themselves known at present because her injuries were getting medical attention. She looked starved as well. Her body had used as much as it could to stay alive.


    Angelo continued to stroke her hair, "I think you would like greasy Chinese. I have heard women love it. After that, it could be KFC or McDonald''s, anything you like or want. I would have you to eat lots of sweet baked bread. Ask me why?" He knew that she merely awake because the supply of morphine had been reduced for today.


    So she was aware of what was happening but she would have no recollection of it after. This was their conversation. Something in between them.


    "Why?" She mumbled, her eyes half opened and closed again.


    "Because I would love to have you gain some weight. Sweets do the job just fine." He thought of something and then added it. "On second thoughts, I have no problems with you being overweight. You would look rather cute and chubby. Curves are always a turn on."


    "Hmm," she contributed. "I''m sure." She murmured or so she thought. For Angelo, she was just whispering into the air.


    "I want you so close to me that sometimes even I realise that I am obsessed with you and one thing I know for sure is that my obsession has no bounds." He sighed and pulled his hand away from her hair and took her hand in his. He held it tightly.


    "When I think of this obsession, I think of you wanting to be obsessed with me as well." He placed a kiss on her hand, "I want you to love and become infatuated with me the same way that I am with you and somehow, I know that I have to make it happen. So, I will use all means necessary."


    He used his other hand and continued to caress her hair again. She seemed to like it and he would make sure to remember that.


    "Just the thought of you being in love with me make feel as if I am on fire. Something yells at me from the inside to make sure that you are mine and I am ready to go to any lengths possible for that." Possessiveness flashed as he admitted what he wanted. It was obvious that he was infatuated or obsessed with his wife and now, he wanted to make sure that she wanted him just as much.


    How odd it was, he thought. Every time in the past when he thought of someone staying by his side, he thought of someone more demure, dependent and ignorant. Someone who would be fine sitting in a corner and with being ignored all day. But she was not that.


    He had not wanted her to be that. He wanted that Alexis would challenge him and explore the strengths and opportunities her position had brought her but he also wanted something for himself in return for it.


    Wasn''t that the way the world worked? Give and take?


    She was breathing peacefully, someone would assume that she was sleeping but he knew better. Her mind wanted to be awake. The traumatized part was seeking answers and was wide awake with jumbled thoughts.


    She still looks beautiful even with her hair scattered on the bed and her skin pale white. She looked eternal. That''s how beautiful his wife was.


    She was just heavenly.


    "You are so beautiful and you are not even aware of it," he whispered, finally speaking his mind knowing well that no one would hear them and she won''t remember them when she woke up next. "I am blessed to be your husband so why is it that I can''t be selfish and keep you with me?"


    "I am blessed by the gods or the almighty or someone and too selfish to share you with anyone.." He bent down to kiss her forehead, "I am simply human to be selfish."

 Chapter 129 - One Hundred And Twenty-nine.

    A week had gone by after their talk. It was slow and unsteady for him. to pass the time he worked continuously to make sure that the work was done by the time she was woken up and after that, he would be able to spend all his with her.


    To be frank, The only reason why Angelo had her woken up was that he had missed her voice. Now that he had heard, it was completely fine with her recovering.


    And since she had been in a medically induced coma, he had been in Chicago. The Chicago organisation was in Shambles and he had finished them. All of them. And after that, he had established his base there.


    Now he owned many buildings in which his soldiers resided but mostly they were scattered in different places. He had bought offices and houses. It had taken a long time for all of this to happen and he took all the precautions for it. Silvano had preferred to stay in a mansion in Chicago houses and he had brought it for himself.


    Angelo and Vincenzo had bought a condominium for themselves. As much as the liked their space, in new territory, they wanted to know what was happening in their space and to keep an eye on it and it was only possible to do so in smaller spaces with given exits.


    He had arranged for everything here. She would have a bed or a different room, a nurse twenty-four seven and everything else she would want.


    She was healing, her body no longer wanted drug immediately after it''s effect were over. He was assured that she would be woken up soon and that he could have her transferred to Chicago as soon as that happened. Angelo who had no worries of bringing her back to New York for checkups so he made sure that he would stay out of Chicago hospital as he had no connections there yet.


    He was in the headquarters office organisation. He had been taking out the members of the other organisation as they could not be trusted. It was true that if the could not be loyal to the previous bosses then they could never be loyal to him and even if there were and Angelo not going to take that chance.


    A captain was sitting in front of him having the reports of every other member that they had killed or captured. "What is Happening Adriano?" He asked as they were walking to the basement. "What are the rest up to," he clarified, realising that he had been vague in asking so.


    "The rest. Mr Silvano is rounding up the assets the organisation had. He had many accountants with him for it and soldiers too. Then comes Vincenzo, he is busy with finding the rest of the men who possibly could have escaped. We are making sure that no one is left. The rest of the capos have divided a lot of work, one-forth is having the properties the group owned transferred to us. Then the half is killing the rest of the living members and any other who were aware of their involvement and has the majority of people with them to take care of disposing of the bodies too."


    He breathed a bit making Angelo smile in amusement. "The rest are taking the kind of, miscellaneous jobs. They are having the apartments bought, lending them for rent or disposing of any other evidence that could have any person, law or not, come at us."


    Angelo nodded, having listened to him attentively. "So everything is taken care of," he concluded. "Good everything is according to plan."


    "Ah yes, it is," Adriano seemed to hesitate a bit. "When are you bringing Donna to Chicago?"


    Angelo halted at that making Adriano''s breath hitched. He had stepped far, he knew it. Damn.


    "Soon," The boss answered making the third in command go in shock. "Her initial recovery would be in New York but after a while, I would shift her to Chicago."


    Adriano nodded hurriedly. The Don had answered his question regarding his personal life and somehow, it made him realise that the Don considered him a sort of his inner circle.


    He finally made it.


    Adriano checked his watch, it was half-past three in the afternoon. He had to get many things done. "Boss, the Chicago building¡ª"


    "Sir!" A man running towards them had them halt their conversation. The quick strides that the man took to walk towards was not linked by Angelo. It was obvious that something had happened and the quick steps he took, the more Angelo''s dislike for the situation he had to present.


    "What is it?" He tiredly waved his hand around and asked as the man neared. His was going to be a handful. He could tell.


    "The Um.." he hesitated in how to present it, "Mr Alessandro from Italy is on the phone."


    Angelo frowned, "there are more than fifty Mr Alessandros alive, which one are you talking about. Be clear."


    The soldier hesitated again.


    Jesus, he thought, how much scared this man was of him?


    "Take the fucking name. Speak freely!"


    "Marcus Alessandro called. He said that he is expecting a callback."


    Angelo stared at the man before scoffing, "Expecting.." who the fuck did he think he was? The only man that Angelo allowed to have him order around was his father. No one else could ever question his decisions except his father.


    "Leave." To the soldier who scurried away. "We will have this conversation later. For now, excuse me, Adriano."


    The soldier nodded to the boss and then left. Angelo walked to his office and failed his father''s number. He had to be updated.


    "Do you think it could mean that we have a rat?" On being told what happened the first thing that Gabriel thought of was having a rat. Otherwise, how did the people living in Italy now what they were doing with your organisation when it was kept under the wraps?


    "Possibly," he answered.. "And I am going to drill the consequences into his mind."

 Chapter 130 - One Hundred And Thirty.

    To be edited...


    "Hello, Angelo," his uncle''s flooded through his ears in Italian. of course he was going to use his home language and not English. He was trying to show him how he has still not given up his culture.


    "Uncle," Angelo said in return. "if you could hurry with whatever you wanted to say, I would like to get back to various things that are more important and need my attention."


    "Ah, I understand." He said. "what are various other works would that be?"


    Angelo smiled a little. It was fun to think that is uncle thought that he was going to answer those questions. He was not afraid anymore and he knew what to say and whatnot.


    "If there is nothing of importance, I would like to hang up." He said instead. The immediate voice of his panicked uncle was heard.


    "It would only take a few moments of your time." He hurriedly said. "I wanted to talk about your recent expansion. I want to discuss a few things regarding it with you."


    Now the real matter had come up to the surface. And you wonder how daft he was considered by his uncle that he would just bubble out classified information.


    "What is the recent expansion?" He asked, appearing to be completely nonchalant. "I have no idea what you''re talking about."


    Marcus chuckled a bit. "Ah, son, I think you do." He then changed his tone. "What makes you think that I don''t know about your recent expansion of business to Chicago and Miami. I am well aware of it and everything that is happening inside your organisation."


    "My organisation, which is correct." Angelo mused. "and you just agreed having been a well aware of what happens in my organisation which is because you shouldn''t be that means I have a traitor."


    "I am going to fucking gut that traitor and make it an example for everybody else who would even think of spying on my family."


    Marcus was breathing harshly and Angelo heard it loud and clear from the phone. The man was losing it, just like Angelo and expected him to.


    "You watch your tone boy!" He wanted Angelo. "I am your elder¡ª"


    "Who instead of asking what is going on, chooses to soy on his son family." Angelo completed the statement for him. "I am well aware of who is telling you what. I am the Don for a goddamn reason."


    That seemed to trigger Marcus. It always did.


    "What makes you think you are better than all of us boy? You are the same field in the world That kills everyone else to be on top." His harsh words and curses had no effect on Angelo full stop he had heard the verse and endured much more than this.


    "I''m glad that you realise what scum we are. but the only difference between you and me as I am coming from the top and your grovelling at the bottom." He pointed. "If you want to know what''s going on talk and discuss with me instead of putting directors in my organisation because at the end of the day I will know who is giving you what."


    "If you knew already why didn''t you stop them. Why didn''t you nip the bud in the beginning?"


    "I wanted you to know," Angelo revealed. "No one knows about the silent expansion except those who had there more in my organisation, which you did because you know but no one is supposed to know."


    Marcus was silent. He was probably completing on what to do. He was had practically outted himself.


    "What are you going to do about it boy?" He taunted. "It''s not like you can have me beaten up."


    "Who knows what I can do," he lazily drawled out. "for all you know I have recorded this conversation for proof of your traitorous acts."


    "Traitorous acts?!" His uncle immediately roared. "Do you have any idea what you''re talking about?"


    Angelo immediately spat back. "I wonder if you had any idea when you committed them. I don''t want any involvement from your side in my organisation. if you wanted for yourself or your son you can ask me directly but if next time I find any more belonging to you, I swear to God I will do much worse then simply threatening you."


    Angelo did not wait for his uncle''s reply. He Hung upon him. I have no patience for any of his relative''s antics. All they wanted was power but never had they were considered the responsibility that came with it.


    Sighing, Angelo dialled another number.


    "Boss, good evening." Antonio greeted as soon as he picked up the phone.


    "Tell me how she is," directly cutting to the chase Angelo asked him. "Any improvements?"


    As much as Antonio wanted to give him the good news,  he did not have any. The recovery could take time and to notice a difference at times it would take days and one day he had no good news for Donna''s health to be given to the boss.


    "I am afraid not. We are still monitoring her vitals frequently and there is not much change in a condition however by the end of the week, we could tone down the dose and take her out of the coma."


    That sparked Angelo''s interest immediately. That meant that his wife would be woken up by the end of the week hopefully. "So she can wake up."


    "Yes she can," the doctor agreed. "But if her body allows doing so. It can go into a shock or a coma if not yet ready."


    Angelo sighed, that was not good news. it was the same as before she would wake up whenever she wanted to.


    He Hung up. There was nothing he wanted to hear now.


    Angelo wanted something else now. He had so much of pent up frustration and anger that he just wanted to take it out on someone.


    "Boss," Adriano knocked and came in when Angelo answered.. "The boss man from Chicago organisation is here."

 Chapter 131 - One Hundred And Thirty-one

    This chapter is supposed to be graphic but I changed it. So it would be just skimming through.


    *******


    Angelo had immediately gotten up and walked to the basement where there were temporary makeshift cells. Holding cells to be exact. They were in use for months at stretch but after that, they were vacant. Since the people in there were dead. Given the person was no longer alive. It was a headache to remove the stench of the dead and of course the remains.


    He did pay people good money for this. Removing those dead bodies and the stench of them was expensive to him but the work for his people was busy enough as it is and they focused on the work given instead of those left to die.


    His tie lost and coat taken off, Angelo was ready to torture. He had so much of pent up frustration and anger that this felt more than necessary to be carried out. He was going to enjoy ripping the man apart. Given it was a long time since he had been relieved of the stress.


    The Chicago organisation needed constant supervision. When an organisation fell apart, it attracted many bosses who were ready for the opportunity to expand and Angelo had to eliminate those threats. He had maintained a constant eye on the organisation from both the inside and the outside. Constantly being aware of what was happening and how the boss was telling the things. It was a poor order of everything and everything he meant everything. from the chain of command to the following of orders everything was just messed up no one followed in the commands seriously and to be honest he knew that the soldiers were not as delicious as they should have been otherwise the organisation definitely won''t have been in shambles.


    The poor excuse of a boss enjoyed the money and spent them on skirts and tits. his soldiers were barely getting by and he had no idea about it or he simply did not get which can lead to betrayal. And it did.


    The men had willingly given up information. So much so they had given the sensitive information which Angelo was shocked to know that they had access to. Some information was meant for the inner circle and not to be distributed to everyone.


    He entered and smirked as he saw the fallen boss. He looked angry and depressed at the same time. He knew he had fucked up big time and now he was captured and assured of the fact that he would be dead soon and it would be slow and torturous death.


    "They treating you good?" Angelo asked as he slowly dragged a chair in front of the man and sat down. The prolonged actions just made him afraid of the unknown more. Ah, the fear of the unknown often led to increases in fear.


    "Uh..I.." he stammered not expecting to just talk. He had imagined the torture to begin as soon as the boss.


    Angelo laughed a little. "feel free to talk. You are going to die anyway." He shrugged as he said the truth. It was a matter of time before he was given his death.


    With hearing the words that Angelo said, he felt a sudden burst if anger inside him. He had been played and betrayed to the level where he had no standing. From the crime boss of Chicago to a prisoner in the dungeon.


    "You fucked everything up!" He accused with his loud voice. He knew death was coming and he was afraid of no one. "You made it all fuck up! I was a king! A fucking king and now¡ª"


    "Now you are not even capable of being the dirt of someone''s shoes." Angelo completed his sentence for him. "I think you might not be equal to a minimum wage earners worth. Even they have more money than you at the moment."


    The man felt angrier but the growing seconds. He wanted to kill the man in front of him. "You think this is funny?" He spat. "Everything is destroyed by you. Stop thinking that you would reign forever. Everyone''s comes to an end."


    "Only a fool''s reign ends before it should." Angelo corrected. "being a king or a boss is never easy. It''s never just c*nt and cash. It''s never just luxury. You were a joke and it was about time you got wrapped up in it." Taking a plyer from the drawer, Angelo pulled three of his fingernails.


    Not swiftly and definitely not quickly.


    The man howled in pain.


    What a pity, Angelo bemused. He had not even started the real torture.


    He was sure that his wife could ensure more. And she had, very bravely might he add.


    He did not stop crying. Instead, his cries got louder every second and instantly made Angelo''s temper rise.


    He got up and punched the man straight in the eye and then held his mouth. "Not one more cry. Do you hear me? Take it like a boss going down and not a pansy!" He hissed with his eyes blazing.


    The man whimpered but immediately quietened down. He knew that the man in front of him was in the control of the situation and his life. The man could end it in seconds.


    He had to delay his death and get out of here. If he did, then he could plan the course of his revenge. If there was any member of his organisation was still alive he could count them in but he was willing to take the chance of finding them. But then it was a long shot. He might not even make it out today.


    "Why..why Chicago?" He questioned heaving slightly. "why not somewhere else. You have the power and the resources to conquer any organisation."


    "That I do." Angelo agreed. "but when you expand, you expand where you can reach. Also, your organisation was already in shambles. It was a matter of time before anyone tried to get and I just seized the opportunity."


    The man blinked. He knew of it. Everyone knew of it. His men were barely getting by and now they were being killed after a violent takeover. Who the hell was he Expecting to help him in revenge when he got out. They would kill him instead.


    If he ever got out. Because both looks of it, he was not going to anytime sooner.


    So he resigned from everything. "Just kill me. Kill me and be done with it. I''m sure that you have other things worth your time."


    Angelo clicks his tongue. This was boring. He never liked conversations with but the look on this man''s face as he wondered what was next was far more pleasing than anything else.


    He scoffed at the man''s attempt to get an easy death. It was not going to be quick and he could assure anyone of that.


    "Don''t tell me about what I am to do because I am doing it better." He taunted. "I am not going to kill you so soon." He said. "I will take my time with it. Someday when you won''t hope for me to come I will be right in front of you and when you want to receive dead, I might send a doctor over."


    "You won''t even give me death?" He had the fucking audacity to look appalled.


    "Why not?" The man whined. He fucking whined even after knowing that death was staring at him in the face. "Why waste your time and resources on keeping me alive when you can kill me right now?"


    The man was a kid or he considered Angelo to be one. Desperate enough to beg for it, he was suggesting it. Angelo wondered if he had the mental capacity of being a boss.


    Maybe the whole situation had just messed him up.


    "What time and resources are you talking about? No one is going to give you a moment of their time. You are going to rot in here, until then when we finally remember you exist or maybe you won''t until then."


    His taunts had raised a fear inside the man. He knew that death was coming but in the worst ways possible and starvation was one of the worst ones.


    "Please. I am begging you!" He cried.


    He sighed and then grabbed his fingers, breaking three at once, he rolled his eyes at the man howled again.


    Angelo got up and scoffed as the man flinched. He walked out and looked at Adriano. "Throw him in a cell." He then remembered something else. "And give him a bath before that."


    Adriano''s face twisted into something cruel as well. He wanted nothing more than a little bit of stress relief and here it was. A good relief.


    Angelo smirked as he heard the quick steps. Adriano was like a kid in a candy store when it came to killing.


    Ah, such a good chap.

 Chapter 132 - One Hundred And Thirty-two

    ''Hi, mom," A sixteen-year-old girl wished her to come as she sat on the porch. She sat next to her mother who sat on the porch since the dawn.


    ''Hey Kid.'' the woman wished back with a sigh. Alexis somehow got the hint that her mother did not want to talk. So she did the best thing she could, she continued to sit there silently, enjoying the proximity with her mother. Even in silence with her solace. She found her peace.


    They continued to surrender themselves to their thoughts. Completely different from each other''s yet unaware of it. The woman wanted to keep her family close, Alexis wanted to leave those behind.


    "Have you considered a college yet?" The woman asked her daughter.


    Many, she immediately thought buther answer was completely different. "Yes, I have I think I will go to Ivy League."


    "Ivy League?" The woman immediately asked as loudly as she could. "Wh¡ªwhat if I don''t have enough money for it?"


    The girl shrugged. "I''ll take a student loan. Seems like a great option."


    The distasteful expression on the woman''s face had the girl shrinking back. She was not in favour of it.


    "I believe that you should go somewhere near," she suggested. "Somewhere near your family, where we all can take care of you."


    Family? As if she had one. How could her mother even ask that? She had no family. "What is it really, mom?" She asked. "just tell me what it is."


    "Thomas and I are planning to expand. I was thinking the evening you could stay here and our whole family would be together."


    Alexis''s heart fluttered. She felt so happy. A wide smile immediately came on her face. "I would love to!" She squealed.


    "Yes,* the mother smiled. "I would have to get back to work sometime soon and I could use all the help I can get." She shrugged.


    Alexis''s smile faltered a bit. Did she just say help? All the help that she could get? That was what she was, help?


    Her smile and shoulders both fell. That made her realise something that she would never forget.


    Alexis breathed a large inhale of air and then released it lazily. She opened her eyes and immediately frowned at the colour. It was off white, maybe grey, but not white. The white and she had been used to all this item. Where was she? Who had brought her here?


    "My love," her husband''s voice immediately greeted her. A gentle touch of lips wad felt on her forehead and she blinked. "How are you?" He asked in a tender voice. His eyes looked at her face searching for any kind of pained expressions.


    "Fine." She whispered nodding to him. "I am fine. I feel fine." She blinked. She had no tears and what was she to do with them? Whatever had to happen would end up happening anyway.


    His eyes ran over her face and he held her hand, often lightly caressing it. "I am sorry that I was so late in finding you." He never apologized but maybe here, it was necessary. She suffered and for her, he was at fault.


    Alexis didn''t reply. She filters her head around to look at the room. She had been given a private one. The flowers were fresh and the floor was wiped clean. So it was obvious that the hospital knew who she was or most likely, who she was married to.


    "Hmm," she muttered offhandedly, not wanting to talk. She just wanted peace. Quite and safe peace.


    Angelo "I have your reports of whatever happened.."


    "I don''t want to hear it." She hissed in sudden aggression. What was he doing here now? Now, when she had no feed to him? "I do not want to know what happened. I have experienced it already."


    Angelo nodded. He had been informed of her sudden bouts of aggressions and crying as such. This was one of them.


    The Memoires and anything related to them triggered all the unwanted.


    He tried again to persuade her again. "Honey, we need to.."


    "No, we don''t." She interrupted him. "We don''t need to do anything. I am out of there and I want peace. Please. Just some please." She has a shaky sigh. Her breathing trembled a bit as she did not expect him to start talking like that. Why the hell had he started to talk head-on about it?


    Angelo sighed. Alexis couldn''t tell it was of Angry and frustration or helplessness. She hated all of them.


    "Alright. We won''t talk about it." He agreed. "but do you feel any pain or any discomfort? I shall call the doctor immediately." He looked firm about this. As if he cared.


    Doctor The doctor was going to tell her what was wrong with her in the first go and Alexis wanted to avoid that as long as possible. She just wanted to be alone she wanted to be lonely. She wanted to be in the presence of the one but silence.


    "No. I just want to rest in the quiet. Please if you want to call him then call him later but for right now I just want to sit and breathe in peace." She sighed and closed her eyes again. The last time she woke up she vaguely remembers about the pain. It was there but it was dulled, so it was obvious that she was heavily dosed up on medicines and pain killers. And she did not even want to begin thinking about what and how was the drug given to her reacting on her body. Surely, it was obvious that it would not work out in her favour. For all, she knew there was a chance that she was an addict.


    Alexis wanted to go to someplace else. Somewhere better. Where she would be alone and no one could ever bother her. She wanted peace. What would she do with that peace? She had no idea but all she cared about was the silence.


    The deafening silence.


    Her mind was blank and everything working on her mind. She was constantly thinking having no idea about how to keep a track of her the thoughts anymore.


    Alexis suddenly felt something entirely different. Different than usual. She felt the need to control everything. Somehow maybe that would help her in the future. She wanted to do something regarding what had happened and maybe it would make perfect sense if she started to control things. What if she had controlled the security instead of Liam she would have given better in protecting herself.


    She sighed. Regrets. They were something she never wanted. But here she was. Regretting not taking a responsibility that would have been in her favour and now she was not okay.


    As much as she said it, she was not okay. She was definitely not okay and anyone could see that.


    Angelo could see the wheels in her head-turning. She was thinking about something but from her expressions is could be seen that she was arguing about something. Preferably the pros and cons. Or how was she supposed to deal with all of those?


    Or was she plotting revenge?


    Now that was something he would like. It would be fin killing people with her.


    He started to caress her hair again immediately causing her frown to disappear. She immediately calmed done by it. He would surely remember that it would help her in calming down. He continued his loved assault in her and she did not seem to have any complaints.


    He had expected her to immediately spring into the actions of the aftermath of the kidnapping but she did not. Instead, she calmly told him what she wanted. She wanted to stay in peace. It was going to take long and now she was sure of it.


    Muttering a curse under his breath, he looked up for a moment. She was in denial. With her defence mechanism kicking in, it was going to be difficult given she was a stubborn woman. Also another fact about Alexis, she always tried to deny the truth. She would prefer not to think about what had happened if it was not in her favour.


    With the history she had of denying, it was easy for her to not believe in why had happened and continue to think of it as a bad dream. A nightmare that she had broken out of. Something she would give anything to never come across off.


    She had been breathing heavily and now, with his caressing her, she had stopped to frown and then had started to breathe peacefully.


    "I am right here." He gently told her. "I am right here and with you, always. If you need anything, you tell me. I am not going anywhere." He said in a firm, unwavering voice. "I am with you. Here." He held her had to get his point across and placed a firm kiss to her knuckles.


    Alexis wanted to scream and cry.


    Lair.. She knew.

 Chapter 133 - One Hundred And Thirty-three

    Moments after Angelo had fallen silent the doctor arrived making her mentally groan. He would come in and start with all the crap of what happened in the past few weeks.


    Yes, weeks. Shortly before the doctor''s arrival, she had asked how long had she been there for. She had to know.


    Eight weeks.


    It had been eight weeks since she had been kidnapped. She had been kidnapped for eight weeks. Angelo had taken eight weeks to find her, letting her suffer at the hands of those people who showed no mercy. Who hit her and who drugged her.


    Who raped her...


    Nope, not thinking about it, she immediately shook those thoughts away from her mind. There was no way that she was going to relive those memories. She had to forget about them, she had to just forget them and if that meant denying it and she would do it.


    "Mrs Alessandro," the doctor nodded in greeting and she blankly stared at him hoping that he would go away. "I have your reports."


    ''Get lost fucktard'', she blinked.


    The doctor as a yes. He held reports is and started reading those. "I don''t have any serious fractures that would take a long time to heal but I would recommend you bed rest for as long as you can where you can be completely moving without any pain. After that comes to bruises but they would fade away in a week or two at most. Then for the traum¡ª"


    "Stop." With raised eyebrows, the doctor meant mum immediately.


    "Uh.. pardon ma''am?" He looked uneasy as he asked for what she meant.


    "I said stopped. There is nothing to talk about. I''ll take care of the fractured bones and the bruises, rest there is nothing to talk about." She muttered in a low voice but everyone heard her loud and clear.


    The doctors immediately looked towards Angela waiting for his command. They had expected her to be nonchalant or simply ignore the matter as she was in denial but they had to ask him for permission.


    Angelo nodded as he continued to look at his wife was looking outside the window. He somehow knew that she would love the view of the gardens.


    "Anything else?" He asked the doctors.


    The doctor not has attained at first but in the end, he shook his head no. Whatever was left could be talking about it and office without the patient who at the moment wanted nothing to do with her reports.


    "No, sir." He immediately agreed to what the boss was hinting at. The two doctors that had arrived for telling her the analysis left and closed the door after them.


    Angelo turned to her and spoke, "If you do not want to talk about it then we won''t talk about it."


    Alexis sighed in irritation, "how ironic. That is what everyone is talking about."


    Angelo did not reply as he continued to caress his thumb over her hand. She was lashing back at them for various reasons over things and he understood why. She was pushing back at them, trying to be brave. It was only a matter of time before she had a breakdown. After that, she would become the exact opposite.


    From independent and fierce to needy and dependent.


    It was all a matter of time.


    He continued to look at her in silence. She was not even looking at him. She looked like she had many other things to think about.


    She did, indeed.


    Alexis was thinking about the little memory that she had had a flashback of. Her mother had completely forgotten about including herself in her perfect family. Alexis was sure that the new baby would have completely replaced her. In fact, at that time, she completely had.


    Her mother, nonetheless, could not get pregnant. Her eggs were too less and so were Thomas''s sperms. At last, they had dropped the idea altogether and after that, her mother never asked her about her opinions on college again. Alexis after that one morning on the porch with her mother who was ignored as usual and picked upon by Thomas and Ashton just as any regular day.


    That day Alexis realised how anyone with the closest level of proximity could turn their backs on her without feeling any kind of remorse. And there was nothing she could do about it.


    And that brought her back to the present.


    When her mother did not consider Alexis after when she was of no use to her who was Angelo to protect her when she could just be a liability on him. she was just his wife and as much as he claimed to love her there was no proof that it was her face in his heart.


    Once again Alexis realised that she was nothing but naive and stupid.


    Once again all she could do, was pity herself.


    Angelo wondered what she was thinking about. What he could give to know what as happening in there.


    She looked as if all the realisations were hitting her but what were they? He had to get his plan in action before the doctors could wash it done.


    Alexis was strong. She did not immediately break down as soon as she woke up. Most of the victims would. She bravely started to talk ask for what she wanted.


    That meant one thing.


    Angelo had to step in. He had to make sure that she would fall as he desired. He would make her feel what he wanted her too. It was nothing that he had not done before. He wanted her to have an anxiety attack and she did. He wanted to her watch her steps everywhere she went and she did. She was afraid of everything then and now, he would make her feel so that she won''t even think before flinging herself into his arms and kissing him.


    That was what he wanted.


    His wife is dependent on him.


    And what he wanted, he got.

 Chapter 134 - One Hundred And Thirty-four

    She wanted him gone. Yet, he continued to sit there like he had all the time in the world for her. She hated the fact that now out of all the times, someone had decided to stay with her when she didn''t want them too.


    Life never works in anyone''s favour, does it?


    Surely did not in hers.


    Alexis huffed in anger.


    Subtly she tried to hint at him. "Don''t you have something to do?" Not so subtle. "I am sure you have burdened your brothers to sit here."


    Angelo''s lips quirked a bit. How much was she quirked by his presence?


    "I have to. Vincenzo is going to have a baby soon and he would like to be home in time for that to happen, some of the work would be divided amongst us." He shrugged.


    "Baby?" Alexis frowned. She had completely forgotten about that.


    He smiled. "Yes, a baby. A little goody of mass ..or whatever. That would be the next edition of our family. His son." Angelo rattled on. He purposely focused on the word ''his''.


    His?


    Did he hint at something or was it her?


    A baby?


    Alexis was again thinking about all that had happened. Why would he say that? Surely the doctors had told him about the assaults then why would he say that? It was humiliating to hear all of that from him.


    His child? What did that mean?


    Was she pregnant from the rape? Or had she miscarried?


    Alexis could not feel herself anymore. She wanted to focus on breathing and nothing else but everything seems to be slipping from her hands. She tries to catch on, she tried to count but nothing happened she was hyperventilating.


    She wanted to stop everything happening around her hut nothing happened her way. She had lost control of our own body. As much as she tried to hold on everything was slipping from her grasp.


    What had been done to her?


    She was violated! She was ruined for anyone to have!


    ''What now?'' she wondered. ''What if he knew? Did he already know? But if he did, why would he continue to be here for me?''


    But then she realised.


    And that is when she turned and opened her mouth.


    Angelo had let a small smirk slip when he saw her thinking. With her lips parted, a frown had graced her forehead. She was thinking about what he had told her. That had surely got him to wonder why he had used the terms.


    And that''s when he heard it.


    Alexis had turned her head to the side and started to vomit.


    He immediately sprang into action and held her hair back which were already in a ponytail so he kept it on the side and then rubbed her shoulders and back in comfort. She continued to vomit and he continued to comfort her.


    Alexis heaved with a sour and painful throat. Angelo passed her the tissues in silence and she appreciated it. What she didn''t need was talking. She took them and wiped her mouth and chin clean. Avoiding the sight of her vomit she turned around and breathed heavily.


    "Are you okay?" He gently asked. "Water? Or should I call the doctor?" He had called the cleaners already but he had to make sure that she was okay first.


    She sniffed and shook her head no. She didn''t need anything.


    ''Pity,'' she cried. ''He is showing me a pity. He pities his wife which is why he is here. He doesn''t want me to feel abandoned.'' She closed her eyes forcefully as a sob broke out of her. ''This was not it. This was not how anything was supposed to be. Why would this happened to me?''


    She was having a full-blown cry by now and she was not ashamed of it. She wanted to cry, she had every reason to cry. Angelo sighed and pulled her close to him. She needed comfort.


    When she felt his arms gathered her to his chest, she had a full-blown breakdown.


    Why? Which was he shaking her do much of pity? She wanted to die. Why was he here? He could leave her here, alone in there four off-white walls. She could be leave rotting here with having her drag him back. He had a life and he could live it with someone who would not have suffered as she had.


    "Please..leave." she cried in a broken whisper. "It''s okay, please leave."


    His heart immediately sank hearing those words. What in the world made her say that?


    "Darling," he cooed pulling away. "Why would you say that? What is making you say that?" His frown made her feel worse. How much longer was he going to pretend? She could survive without him and anybody else, maybe not for long but she could.


    She shook her head with a little sobbing. She told him what she honestly thought. "You don''t need to. You can leave."


    He knew that she was talking about. But no way in hell would be ever leaving her away. The hell, this was all because he was never going to let her go.


    Firmly holding her jaw, he squeezed a little to make sure that he had her attention, "My love. I am not going to leave you. Never is that going to happen."


    She adamantly opposed the idea. "No! It''s fine. Don''t take pity on m¡ª"


    "What fucking pity are you talking about?"


    "The pity that you are showing me! Why are you here when you can move on with your life with someone better?!" She yelled in his face. Why was this happening to her?


    "Alexis stop." He tiredly ran a man over her face. He wanted to talk about it but now was not the time. She clearly won''t understand.


    "No, I want to. You shouldn''t be here with me.." she cried and tried to get her words out.


    "Shut the fuck up! Who am I supposed to be with if not my wife?!" He growled as he shook her hard.. "I ain''t going anywhere."

 Chapter 135 - One Hundred And Thirty-five

    His words shook her to the core. She felt as if her heart would stop. There was so much emotion in those words that he said. Deep inside her something whispered that he was speaking the truth, that he meant those words.


    But did he?


    Her husband was still hugging her close to his chest and Alexis wanted to bury herself in there. She wanted nothing more but to be in his arms forever but right now it seemed like the most impossible and logical thing to do. She could not stay with him, she could not stay with him and drag him back.


    She needed time. She needed time to recover from what happened and to become a better person because she was sure that she was not going to be the one that had been kidnapped.


    That part of her was gone.


    "You don''t have to.." in broken words she cried into his shoulder. "Please.. If it''s not what.. you want, you can go.." she offered again, knowing well that someday he would rather forget it.


    Angelo in return gave a tired sigh in return. She knew that he was wondering what was making of this again and again.


    He pulled apart and held her face in his hands. "Why do you have to say that and break my heart every time?" His eyes searched something on her face. "Do you have to say that even when I am assuring you that I do not want to leave you?"


    "For now you think that." She explained. "But when all I could do is cry and mop around, you will want to leave."


    Angelo was ready to snap at her for this. She had readily made her mind and was not ready for any change with even the reasons in front of her. He had done all of this to make sure that she would stay by his side and her she was wanting him to leave her.


    If only she knew.


    But she did not and he had to make sure that he was clear in carrying out his words which word he would not leave her. Period. It will have to be that to make them apart and he was not going to allow that to happen as well.


    So her with the fragile state of mind he knew that he had to take a different course. A course that would ensure that he would win this battle and his wife''s heart.


    Gently, he held her face in his hands and joined her forehead to his. His words were carefully put together to make the strongest impact on her mind. Because he knew that this was something that would influence her the most.


    "I love you, despite the abuse and troubles that I put you through I love you. And now when you need it the most and I cannot be there for you then what is the point of me loving you? I want to be there and I do not want to be there just because I pity you and the situation that you are stuck in but because I want to from the bottom of my heart to be there for you, to help you grow into a better person and take command of life your back again."


    He gave her forehead a hard case and then continued, "trust me Alexis if I did not want to be here, I won''t be but I want to be here but I am. so just so you know you are not getting rid of me that easily. You and I are going to stay together forever and I will help you no matter what the situation might be."


    His words stuck in her mind. He wanted to be where he wanted to be with her not because of it but he wanted to live here for her and that made her cry. Her heart jolted at his words. His expressions with the utmost sincerity without blinking his eyes as he held her stare while saying those words his hands were shaking and his facial expressions were calm. He was saying the truth.


    And for as long as she had known him he was going to carry his words and promises.


    He wanted to cry again. Tears gathering again in her eyes as she thought of what happened to pull away from her forehead from hairs she hid in the crook of his neck and cried. She cried for everything. she cried for the faith she cried for The torture that she had been through she cried for The torture that was going to come because she knew that recovery was not going to be easy. It was going to be very very painful and she was not ready for it. She was not ready for any recovery.


    Alexis is wanted to stay where she was. She was someone who just was in limbo. She wanted no movement because she had no idea in which direction should she go to.


    but in front of her was her husband who is arms around her and she was crying on.


    ''So should I tell him? Would he be able to help me?'' she wondered as her sobs gradually came to a standstill. ''but would that make me crazy? I don''t want any treatment from someone who would consider me a victim. I do not want to be effective I choose not to be a victim but the wall is going to make me one."


    "I.." she choked on her. "I have no idea where to go or what to do. Angelo, I just want to stand where I am and not move." She sniffed as she tried to stop crying. "I just want to stay.."


    Angelo knew what this was about and he was not going to be stupid enough to rush her. Whatever happened of his eyes otherwise she was not bothered so for her recovery had to make sure that was happening in the best way possible as well.


    "It''s quite an alright sweetheart. We will go through everything in the way you want. It''s just you here and nobody else.." He smiled as his words charmed her heart.

 Chapter 136 - One Hundred And Thirty-six.

    Her recovery had started and it had started with the physical one first. They had put Alexis through various exercises which had all-around body movements. A few for which she needed help but for the rest, she was slow but did on her own.


    For the drugs given to her, she was taken on the weekly cleanse as her kidneys could not function properly despite the medication given. She was given the drug in reduced amounts. It was helping but at times she had major setbacks by the various flashbacks and woke up in cold sweat for which, much to her comfort, her husband was there.


    And as for the husband, Angelo was almost all of the time there with her helping her throughout the entire time that she was in the hospital. Sometimes she found herself smiling and how he was just said an continue to do his work on the couch provided by the hospital in her room just be with her.


    As he was currently.


    He was sitting on the couch with his laptop open and files scattered around. His sleeves folded and God the veins in his arms turned her on. She wanted nothing more but to jump on his bones. He had a pen and his hand and after that, he would stretch that will make his muscles and chest flex making her swoon.


    She wanted him.


    Her legs almost healed as she has been here for weeks. 3 weeks were gone by as if it were nothing but slipping from her hands. It was the same monotonous timetable she followed where she exercised, ate and spent her time talking to him. She wanted to have him inside her and that thought alone had brought a blush to her face.


    The more she looked at him the more she wanted him to be with her.


    She knew that some man in the world war like Angelo but most of them would have left your have had an affair behind their wives back but here he was, spending all his time with her in a hospital.


    "Angelo," she sang softly in a bored tone. "What are you doing?"


    He frowned a bit while reading but then looked up after reading the sentence. "What?" He asked in a slightly confused expression.


    She sighed and repeated herself. "What are you doing?" She sang.


    "What?" He looked dumbfounded. "What are talking about?"


    She blinked. ''What''s wrong with him?''


    Was she not clear?


    "I said," she repeated, "what are you doing?" She didn''t sing it like previous times. Yet the time was still playful.


    The frown on Angelo''s forehead became more evident. "Alexis, sweetie, what are talking about?" He asked with a confused expression on his face.


    Alexis blinked and looked away for a moment. Did he not get it? Was something wrong with her? Was she dreaming?


    "Angelo can you not hear me?" She pointed to herself and then asked him that. She had been loud and clear and not once had she done that, she had done it numerous times.


    He tilted his head with a confused expression and blinked. "Honey, are you talking about something?"


    She immediately nodded. "Yes, I am!"


    "About what?" He asked. "I can''t hear you." He said.


    "I said something about what were you doing?"


    He leaned in a bit and repeated. "what I am I what? Honey do you need a doctor or a nurse?" He offered.


    "No, no!" She shook her head.


    What was happening?


    She cleared her throat and said in a loud voice, "I said, What are y-" she stopped as she saw his smile slip in a bit. It was tiny but she saw it.


    "Angelo!" She yelled out. Taking a cushion from her side she threw it at him. "How could you!"


    He caught it as he threw his head back in laughter, "How could I not?" He laughed a bit more as he patted his chest a little. "However, I wonder why in the world did you catch into this so late?"


    She thought so too. She had, very stupidly, fallen into the prank.


    "Well, I am on heavy medication!" She defended herself. "You can''t do that to a person who is dosed up on anaesthesia."


    "Oh yes," he scoffed. "Anaesthesia? Honey you have been on any heavy sedatives since the past two weeks."


    She blushed as she realised about her lie being caught on, yet the need to defend herself did not go away. "Well, what can I say? I have not had any human interactions except you and the doctors." She shrugged and then added after a second, "and the physiologist."


    "I agree." He saw her point and he knew that it would eventually come up. For which he had already readied himself. "I was not sure abouteatingingt to tell anyone. Your kidnapping from right under my nose had caught me off guard and the only thing that I could think of was what to do? I had to keep it under the wraps so that no one knew what was happening and I had the leverage. If I had told everyone about it there would have been panic around and if you have messed up the plans that I had to carry out to find you."


    He stopped talking and looked pained as if he did not want to talk about this. Alexis frowned a bit as she looked at him he looked like he had aged a lot in this past weeks.


    "What?" She whispered edging him to continue.


    "I didn''t know what to say to them." He grimaced a bit. "I don''t know what you would like for me to say to them. Something that would make you feel no less than yourself in front of them." He rubbed his forehead and continued, "I have not informed anybody about this but if you want I can. Just tell me what you want me to say to them."


    He was right, she bitterly thought to herself.. He right in thinking so.

 Chapter 137 - One Hundred And Thirty-seven

    "I didn''t know what to say to them." He grimaced a bit. "I don''t know what you would like for me to say to them. Something that would make you feel no less than yourself in front of them." He rubbed his forehead and continued, "I have not informed anybody about this but if you want, I can. Just tell me what you want me to say to them."


    He was right, she bitterly thought to herself.


    His words had struck a chord. She knew that he was right. Whatever had happened to her, if anyone knew about it their perspective for her would surely change. The respect that once held in the eyes for her would vanish and be replaced by pity. She didn''t want anything like that to happen and for that, she has to make sure that this was all wrapped up.


    So he was right, they should not tell anyone what happened. As much as the matter that should be given the importance that it needed it was also important that she did not feel any poor of herself.


    "You''re right." She nodded and agreed with him. "I suppose that is the best option we have for now."


    Angelo didn''t comment on it. He pursued his lips and nodded as well appearing to be thinking about the matter. It was her choice in the end if she wanted people to know about it they would but she chooses not to which he would respect.


    "Alright. Anyway, you what to eat something? It is your time to snack."


    She shook her head negatively. She was in no mood of eating. She laid her head against the bed and with a sigh, she closed her eyes.


    A similar situation had once happened back when she was fifteen.


    Alexis had been a quiet kid and often it was only the nerds who knew her. She had scored pretty well on the test and answered the questions in a way that no one had. The teacher had made her stand up and solve it on the board for everyone to see. That was the time when Alexis had gained the attention of everyone in the entire class. As embarrassed as she was to get the attention of a class of 50 students, she still hurriedly solved the equation and moved back, once again hiding in the Shadows.


    When Alexis was in the washroom, she found to girls of her class talking about her as she was inside the stall. As she heard and recognised their voice and she had held her pee inside.


    "Did you see her?"


    "Yeah," her friend replied. "She looked so..like a small mouse."


    The first girl scoffed. "Nah, she was more like a lonely soul."


    Alexis felt like crying. The pressure was also building up but she was too self-conscious to let the sound echo in the washroom and let them be aware of what she was doing. It was natural but she felt like they would embarrass her more.


    "I don''t know.." the second girl muttered. "I have seen her before. She is amazing to talk to and pretty helpful."


    Oh, so she had talked to that girl. It felt nice to know that someone was noticing her.


    "Hmm," the girl offhandedly agreed or just agreed for the sake of conversation. "I am sure she is. But what can''t she like to have friends."


    The second girl sighed out in irritation as if she could not believe that the girl was so it dumb. "Not every person on the planet is a social creature. Some like to stick to themselves and talk when necessary."


    "But why? Talking is like so much better.."


    How dumb was this girl, Alexis thought. She clearly did not understand the whole point of the conversation.


    The pressure was building up in Alexis''s lower half. She didn''t think that she could control it any longer an acid appeared to be the girls had no intentions of living quickly.


    "They are. But then again, not everyone is the same.."


    the girls kept on talking and they had no intentions of leaving any time soon and access could not hold on any longer. How would it feel if she started being in the middle of the conversation when she was in the bathroom before them?


    They would feel as if she was eavesdropping on them and from a lonely so she would become a complete freak.


    "You know what I heard about her. It''s related to her stepbrother. People say that she has been physical with him and every time that he denies her, she goes and complains to her parents."


    Ashton.


    He was behind this rumour. It did not take much time to figure out that her stepbrother was behind this rumour. now he was going on spreading lies about her to everyone even there she did not have any friends she was still ensuring that she had known.


    Why? She had no idea about it. it was just is mentality and thinking that were to be in question.


    "No way!" The girl immediately defended Alexis. "She might look like someone who is planning and plotting all the time but ration she is not like one of them."


    "of course you would say that one time you talk to her and all of a sudden she is the best person ever?"


    When were these girls leaving? Alexis was on the verge of letting go and if she dead Shiva show is helping to let go of the tears as well.


    "Hell no, I would stand on this. Anyway, come on we have to go to the cafeteria." they were collecting their stuff and zipping their bags and Alexis was the happiest at that moment. They were finally leaving and she could relieve herself.


    "But like seriously.."


    Ugh! Did that girl ever stop talking?! Alexis could feel the curses coming out of her mouth for that one. And then people wondered why didn''t she have any friends. Who wanted to have such talkative friends who just kept on rambling about stupid stuff? Alexis understood gossiping and at times she liked to hear but taking nonsense was completely different.


    "No like¡ª" the girl stopped immediately as she heard something and that''s when Alexis realised that she had let go. but she didn''t stop instead she continued to relieve herself without bothering to think of then and their opinions.


    "Oh my God!" The girl shrieked. "Someone was in all this time??" As she continued to hear the hiss.


    "What, were you are expecting them to warn and say, ''hey I am peeing in the washroom, could you come back later?''" the girl taunted. "Now let her pee in peace. Let''s go."


    Bless the girl, Alexis thought. She was a good soul.


    A knock came on her door and she flinched. "Hey," it was the first girl who had called her a lonely soul. "It reeks.." she whispered, laughing she went out.


    Reeks? Humiliation was felt throughout her entire body and her eyes watered. Her classmate closed the door with a slight DN didn''t care if Alexis wanted to die for it or not.


    The girl who defended her was Allie. She was in her maths and chemistry class and various times, Alexis had helped her and so did she. She was a nice girl but today she looked towards her with a pitiful smile.


    Why did she? Alexis was fine the way she was living life, friends or no friends she had to live for herself first and she understood that. they all sing to make friends so important as it was the only thing in the world that would be constant. The irony of it even her parents could not be there for her and expected friends to be.


    She had no idea why she was remembering any of this because she had not remembered any of their years before and here she was now thinking about it made complete


    relation to the situation at hand.


    Maybe it was the pitiful look that the girl; Allie had given her and she had immediately felt the need to run away.


    She did not want anyone to look at her with the expression of pity ever again and from then tried a very best to avoid getting herself into any such situations that could lead to the humiliation.


    ''but I want help. I want to be able to talk to someone about it without having them judge me about or have them naming me sick. I don''t want to be a traumatised victim and I don''t want to be someone that people pitied.'' she sighed and turned to look outside.


    ''do I even know what I want anymore? Should I continue to live? Even after the violation that I have had, would it still make sense I want to live? Should I just not die?''


    Her thoughts ran wild but they run wild in a particular direction and that the direction had one answer.


    So should she or should she not?

 Chapter 138 - One Hundred And Thirty-eight.

    Alexis was going home tomorrow. The doctors had finally given her permission to go home and also reminded her that her therapy would start as well.


    Therapy? She scoffed, she did not need any therapy. All she had to do was forget about it and move forward. That was all she had to do; forget and move forward and then slowly and steadily shift back into her old routine.


    But there were various questions in her mind still running around and most of them were from the last week.


    The situation of life and death.


    She wondered to what cliff of life had she been standing on now that she had to consider her choices between life and death. She had a healthy life before where she worked according to her will, got paid for the work she did and enjoyed her life on her terms. But now nothing was happening her way. Everything was slipping from her fingers and just as much as she tried to hold on, she failed.


    She just wanted to ignore everything and walk on with her head held high but every time she closed her eyes all she could feel was that she was back in the white room and there was no escape from there.


    She knew that therapy will help her into an erasing her fears and moving past and battling the problems in a better way but it also meant that she had to accept the reality which she was not ready to.


    She didn''t want to accept it.


    Today she had asked Angelo to go home and get her a good chance of clothes, saying that she wanted to dress up in appropriate clothes when she was going to leave.


    He had left her alone, very reluctantly, but he had. Alexis low-key thought that he had placed numerous guards outside but that was probably true. Otherwise, Angelo for sure after the whole kidnapping incident would never leave her alone and unprotected. if only he knew she did not even feel safe when he was there, after all she had been kidnapped from right under his nose.


    "Here," he entered her room with a bag of clothes, "Agatha packed everything that you thought you would like. From accessories to the shoes and that matching stuff too." He waved his hand around as if he didn''t get the whole match and match of fashion.


    How funny, she thought with amusement, this man had everything matching and well-coordinated and here he was, looking doubtful.


    "Thank you," she smiled and said instead. He had done it for her and she was sure that he would like to be appreciated instead of being taunted.


    He nodded with a small smile and placed a kiss on top of her head. Then once again took his seat on the couch and began to continue his work doing before he left.


    She sighed and took the Kindle in her hands. This was her new time pass.


    "Alexis," she looked immediately, watching him shut a file and direct his attention at her. "We would be moving to Chicago." He declared.


    She raised her eyebrows in a silent shock. She had no idea about what today.


    So she ultimately asked the common question, "What are you talking about? Why?" She was very, very shocked.


    "I said, we will be moving To Chicago. I have expanded my business there and it requires immediate attention so you have to shift there with me."


    Blinking twice she didn''t even understand what had happened, "what in the world?" She muttered.


    When the hell had he opened something in Chicago and it also required his immediate attention? As far as she knew, Angela never had any business establishment in Chicago or anywhere except New York and his home country.


    "Wait a minute," she gained his attention again. He looked upfront the files he was reading. "When did you open up something there?"


    "Excuse me?" He frowned, "be clear about what you want to say."


    "I mean, when did you open up a business in Chicago? You once told me that except for your home country and new York, you have no business in any other state."


    Angelo nodded thoughtfully and then closed the file that he was reading once again. He sighed and looked at her. "I recently made a few investments and a few more acquisitions." He answered which she realised was a little vague which again, was something he never did. Angelo was the cleared person she knew in stating what he wanted.


    She also noticed that he did not answer her question. "And when did you do that?" She repeated.


    He again gave out a sigh making her frown deepen. What was with he sighing?


    "I made them quite recently. They were happening along with the renovations of the restaurant you wanted to start."


    Alexis immediately gasped. She couldn''t believe that''s forgotten about it. There was no way that she should have when she had given it her all.


    "H¡ªhow is that going?" She hesitantly asked. Alexis could not believe that''s he had forgotten about it.


    "Good, just as you left it." He answered making her frown.


    "What does that mean? As I left it..?"


    He smiled a little and got up. Coming close to her and sitting by his side he said, "My wife put her heart and soul in something. How dare you assume that I could let anybody touch it?"


    That made her blush. It spread around her cheeks immediately as she heard it. The man could make her blush within seconds. And that was so thoughtful of him to consider her hard work and efforts towards the restaurant. She loved it.


    "Thank you." She shyly smiled but then remembered something. "wait what about Nikita?"


    "Nikita?" He repeated taken back a little with the change in topic. "She is safe and sound back in her home with her family."


    Alexis softly laughed and then corrected herself. "No, I meant what is she doing for the restaurant? She had efforts in it too."


    Understanding he clicked his tongue, "who gives a fuck? I care about my wife."


    Damn, she died there.

 Chapter 139 - One Hundred And Thirty-nine

    Understanding what she meant, he clicked his tongue, "who gives a fuck? I care about my wife."


    Damn, she died there.


    As she blushed again, he kissed her lips and she allowed him too. She had not been touched for a long while now.


    ..by him.


    But other people had touched her, violated her and harmed her very soul.


    She pulled apart and smiled nervously not wanting to hint at him that she was having a minor panic attack but that she did not want this right now.


    "Not in a hospital room," she shook her head. "At least of all places."


    "I understand." He kissed her forehead and cooed at her. "I will leave you to sleep now. I have a few calls to make."


    She nodded and watched him leave. He had closed the door and she immediately released a sigh that she did not know she was holding inside.


    She leaned on the bed and looked at the ceiling.


    Maybe she did need therapy after all. She could not be intimate with Angelo without having the flashbacks of what had happened. Alexis never wanted to admit it out loud but whenever she thought about it she knew that she had to say this to someone.


    The sedative had not knocked her out before the men came in. She had seen glimpses of what they did to her and how rough they were. At times when she felt the pain, she didn''t know how did she wake up from her sleep but her blurry eyes would try to make out what was happening and she would see one figure. It was always just one man on top of her now what she did not want to think about was, was it one at a time or not just a gan...


    Nope. She shook her head. Do not think about it.


    "Hey?" A knock came at her door and a young man entered. "um, I am supposed to be taking if you papers from here..?" Alexis in any other circumstances would have laughed the uncertainty shown. The man seemed unsure of what he was sent to do.


    She wanted to taunt the man in front of him but she refrained from it. There was no more pleasure than she could receive if she did not talk to any man. She hated men. Period.


    "Yes, go ahead." She nodded.


    The man came in with a smile and started rummaging through the papers that were set on a desk near her bed.


    "I am still in my 2nd year of residency," the boy started to talk, "I would love to become a doctor."


    "Are you not already one?" She raised her brow at that. "the second year of residency and you still are thinking of becoming one?" She cracked a little smile at that.


    The young man blushed at his slip of the tongue and slapped himself playfully on the head. "Damn, sorry. I get nervous about making any mistakes that I make them all the time."


    Alexis didn''t think any of it before continuing the conversation. "Why are you afraid?"


    "Because in my profession, I have the lives of people in my hands. Now don''t take me wrong I do want to treat people and take away all their pains but at it''s just, just so much pressure." He confessed. "It''s too much to handle at times."


    "And that is why you are given for years of residency." Alexis pointed out. "Also, don''t be nervous. You are becoming a doctor, not God. So some mistakes are bound to happen by your hands."


    The man shuddered. "True but the patient that I might or might not kill would not think of me as a doctor or a God but as of a killer."


    She shook her head. That was a common myth in a young doctors mind. "Stop worrying about it. Trust me in these four years of residency you will go through a lot and in those four years of residency you will see a lot of things that you would repeat every week and some that you have never seen before but for you as a doctor it would all be fascinating. So if you want my advice, do not panic. That just makes the situation worse than it already is."


    The man gave her a genuine smile. "Thanks a lot. You talk good given that," he pointed to the reports, "you were heavily dosed up on morphine for weeks."


    "Yikes!" She winced with a light laugh. "Wanna tell me how I am now?" She had not heard anything from her doctor but instead asked him this. She knew that he won''t sugarcoat it given that he had no idea who her husband was.


    "Just a second." He muttered and read through the files. He muttered as he read and flipped a few pages. With the amount of concentration he put in reading those reports Alexis was sure that he was going to be a good doctor.


    "Alright," he called the papers and smiled back at her. "You are almost healed and I guess I could send you home in a day or two. I would recommend you take your medicines on time and get yourself checked every week."


    "Thank you." She smiled. to be honest Alexis liked hearing those positive words that did not mention any offer injuries of the trauma she had faced. The short version that husband given to her was highly appreciated. "Did you shift start or is it just ending?" She asked with a little curiosity.


    "Ending, hopefully. I have a date tonight." He excitedly told her and Alexa smiled at him.


    She smiled and wished him well. "I hope everything goes well for you."


    "Thanks," he held up her resorts. "This was supposed to be my last task. I have to submit your reports for a copy for the hospital records and then give you your final intake of medicines."


    She smiled at that as he made a move to leave.


    He stopped as he looked at the door and Alexis followed his gaze.


    Angelo stood there and he was not looking happy.

 Chapter 140 - One Hundred And Forty.

    He stopped as he looked at the door and Alexis followed his gaze.


    Angelo stood there and he was not looking happy.


    "Are you okay?" She asked him innocently with a tilt of her head. "You look a bit red." She observed.


    "Do I?" He smiled as he taunted. "I do feel a bit uncomfortable." He said looking at her, hinting a bit. What had happened to her? Was the trauma too much that she had become to daft of a person?


    "Oh.," she mumbled, confused a bit.


    Angelo sighed a bit forcefully, then he looked at the doctor with a fake smile. "Excuse us now, Doc?" He asked in a polite voice.


    The man shook out of whatever he was thinking and nodded repeatedly in a hurry. He rushed past Angelo and her husband closed the door and walked to the side of her bed and stood there with his arms crossed.


    "Everything okay?" She asked with a slight change in her expression.


    "Yes, I believe for me, everything for me is okay," he said as he did so, he focused on a few words that make her immediately frown. For him? What was that supposed to mean?


    "I don''t get what you''re talking about.." she directly conveyed what she thought about this. "Can''t you just tell me what you''re thinking about?"


    And that is when Angelo realised something after which he completely changed his approach.


    "I was worried for you my love," he took her face in his hands and gently spoke to her. "I was worried about you having any kind of panic attacks."


    Her heart shook a bit. Panic attacks, what did he know about those? She had not conveyed anything to him about the panic attacks that she experienced whenever she slept or even when she closed her eyes. The doctor himself was not aware of it as well, so how did he know about?


    "What panic attacks?" She questioned in a way of defending herself. Even though it did not make a lot of sense to why she would have to defend herself, she did without realising that she had given herself away too.


    Angelo pulled back his hands and slouched himself a bit. He looked troubled and Alexis immediately felt bad. she wanted to know what was troubling him as he had been there for her in the journey of recovery and she want to do was take away all his pains just as he did for her.


    "I know what happened to you while you were kidnapped Alexis," spoke in a low volume looking conscious of anyone hearing them. "I was just conscious of what it would feel like for you to be in a room that the man that you do not know."


    When Angelo did not hear anything from her he looked and peeked at her from the corner of his eyes. She was silent.


    That did the trick. So, just for fun, he egged her on.


    "I was afraid if you had an attack or he attacked you but there you were laughing with him..all smiles.."


    *********


    Stupid.


    That''s what she was.


    She was plain.


    Again, like a bloody idiot, she had let someone enter her life and did not consider anything about them. For all she knew, he could have been one of her kidnappers. She only knew the woman by face and voice and for the others, she had no idea who they were, what did they sound like or whatever she had to know about them to identify them.


    In the early days of her recovery, after she had woken up from her medically induced coma, she had been wary of men. Angelo had been by her side and she had Appreciated it a lot. She had constantly been in touch with him. His presence had calmed her down. He was one of the men that she knew and was thankful for being present. She had been so constantly dependent on him for so long and she had not even realised it.


    She was once again comfortable with the species of men when they had destroyed her as a whole. She felt weak both psychically and mentally, at times she wondered if she had her soul intact or if she would have left her body altogether.


    She wondered what was wrong with her? How could she trust someone so easily?


    ''What if that man was not a doctor but a kidnapper? He could have easily killed me and moved on with it? He was just dressed as a doctor and I trusted him very easily whereas on the other hand he could have, with a swipe or a second of his time killed me.''


    ''once again I had stupidly given away myself to the outcome without any thinking.''


    It has been a long time since Angelo had confessed about his suspensions for her safety and after that, she had left for the night it and she has fallen asleep or at least she had appeared to be. After this whole incident and you had assured her that he did not trust her as she allowed anyone in without any thinking and had placed guards on the door who would only let in those doctors that they were familiar with.


    Her hands made their way to her hair and pulled them of frustratedly. ''how could I be so stupid? I want to live but why do I always have to get myself in trouble. I am so pathetic that I cannot even ask God to help me given that I cannot even help myself.''


    Alexis felt frustrated with herself. even before she met Angelo she had never been so naive. she was not so trusting and no one knew where her house was aur anything regarding your details that were not meant to be shared. Even if she went out on a date with someone or dated a man properly she would never share her personal information.


    So why now? Why has she become so stupid even after she had endured something soul-shattering and still she had not learnt her lesson.


    She turned her head to the side with a frustrated sigh and that is when something shiny appeared in her line of sight.


    ********


    I had a question, does it ever feel while reading that I write a detailed version that is not really needed or is it fine?

 Chapter 141 - One Hundred And Forty-one.

    SUICIDE IS NEVER AN OPTION. NOT THE LAST ONE AND NEVER THE FIRST ONE. PLEASE TALK TO SOMEONE IF YIU EVER FEEL THE NEED TO DO SO.


    THIS IS A BOOK. A FRACTION OF FHE AUTHOR''S IMAGINATION, THIS DOES NOT RELATE TO ANY REAL LIFE HAPPENINGS.


    KINDLY AVOID IT.


    *********


    So why now? Why has she become so stupid even after she had endured something soul-shattering and still she had not learnt her lesson.


    She turned her head to the side with a frustrated sigh and that is when something shiny appeared in her line of sight.


    She turned her body around and her feet touched the ground. She stood up on slightly shaking legs and hesitated.


    ''What am I doing?'' she wondered with confused thoughts and wild mind. ''Where am I going?''


    In what direction was her mind going, her mind? Was it even there now? She didn''t even know what was happening but all she could be aware of was what her feet reaching for.


    She held it in her shaking hands. Was she even ready for it?


    What was she thinking? She held the surgical knife in her hands and looked at it. She had raised it equally to the level of her head. Her hands continued to shake as she looked at the knife. she tried to get her thoughts in order but they were jumbled mess. no matter how much she tries to reign them in a particular direction all the did was run wild.


    ''What do I do? This is not a solution.'' She knew that. She was well aware of the fact but what more could she do? She wanted everything to end and it would all come to one when she would end herself.


    She had no one who would stand still for her. After she would die, everyone would feel bad for some time but after that eventually, everyone would move on. for a few years, she would remain in the thoughts and memories but then again after that eventually they were they can forget about her and she would just be a distant memory kept in someone bottom dresser drawer, never to be opened again.


    she was going to be that given that she had no social life that people will remember for. And how long would her husband remember her for? A year or maybe a decade? But what about the time after that?


    She would be long forgotten.


    He would be enjoying the embrace of his wife; his new wife and properly enjoying with the fatherhood that he would receive from her. Look at that, another thing that she could not do.


    whenever Angela tried to catch her she immediately thought of those thoughts that she had felt in the white room and that she had gone through, how in the world If we could not be comfortable with kissing her husband could she ever give children to him?


    She was a failure. And it was about time that she became one.


    Her hand at was holding the knife fell to her side. She walks to the bathroom and closed the door shut. She looked at herself in a small mirror provided and thought of what she was going to do.


    "It''s okay," she softly whispered to herself as if in a trance. "It''s going to be all alright." She whispered.


    "Everything is happening as it''s supposed to be.."


    "..No one would remember you.."


    "It''s just you.."


    Her whispers continued to roam throughout the walls of the bathroom. They echoed and reached to her ears again. Again and again, the same words were repeated and every time they echoed in her ears, they had a larger impact every time.


    Bigger than the previous one.


    She looked at the blade in her hand again and closed her eyes. A shiver went down her entire body. She was not sure if she had to do it but right now it seemed right.


    ''It is the right thing to do.'' Something ominous, deep inside her whispered.


    ''You cannot touch him much less give him a child. What would you do with him?'' she racked a sigh out. What was that voice? Where did it come from?


    She raised the knife to the wrist of her left hand. She shuddered as the cold metal touched her skin. Her breaths were shaky, she felt out of breath. What was she doing?


    ''But it must be done.''


    She closed her eyes. Something was constricting her to listen to reason. But to be honest, she had forgotten what reason was all together. She had no idea why she was doing it but she had to do it. She had to do it.


    She lightly caressed her skin and drew the lines over her skin where she could see the nerves.


    Could she do it?


    Should.


    Something inside her snapped and she with the knife pierced her skin. The initial pressure did not do anything but leave a mark but as the pressure gradually grew, it grew out blood.


    The crimsoned coloured liquid appeared on her skin and she gave a shaky sigh and continued the assault on her skin.


    It hurt. It hurt her badly.


    She looked at the line she drew and how her handiwork looked. She was hurting badly as the cut hurt her.


    Yet, she placed the knife on her skin once again and continued to draw the second line. It hurt. Both from the previous and fresh-cut. The pain was doubling but she had to do it.


    The third cut started.


    She did without any hesitation.


    Now, she felt nothing. She drew then without the feeling of pain affecting her decisions. She did it smoothly. She had to. It was necessary. Soon she had moved the assaults on her other arm and continued to the needful.


    She slid down, keeping her back against the wall.


    It was necessary. She would finally get her peace.


    That was what she had wanted all her life.


    Peace.


    Just a little peace.

 Chapter 142 - One Hundred And Forty-two

    "I don''t care about what they have to say!" Angelo growled into the phone. "Get it fucking done Silvano. It''s about time they know we mean business."


    ''They are not even ready to negotiate.'' Silvano seethed. ''I wanna teach them a lesson so fucking bad.''


    Angelo scoffed at that. Sometimes his brother was plain daft. "Get to it. Who the hell is stopping you? Change the supplier directly to us and eliminate him in the between. I can''t believe that you couldn''t do this on your own!" He cursed loudly. "I have other major things to take care of!" loudly talking into the phone, he hung after that. Conversations like these made him second guess his choice of choosing his brother.


    Silvano was not a good negotiator and Angelo be damned for that. He would never solve a problem rather he would provoke more and have more of a mess created instead. That would result in Angelo having to step in. He was the boss and was at times, negotiating for his brother''s faults and cleaning up messes since young.


    He was thinking to have Adriano come in and have the position of Silvano unofficially. He would be the third in command but after a while, he would give him the handling the negotiations as well. He would give the hot-headed tasks to Silvano and the rest of talking and negotiating to Adriano. He was better at that. Aggressive and assertive when he had to be and used mental traps instead. The person slipped and that often resulted in their failure.


    That would surely be better.


    But he could just hope when it came to his brother. He never did what he was supposed to. Always creating messes.


    He sighed and leaned back in his chair. It was tough being who he was. He had to leave a boss back in New York and he was thinking of letting Vincenzo be that man. He was rather one of those who thought that fighting was the last option which Angelo admired. His men were the one who was going to be sacrificed and that was the last thing he wanted. So he usually avoided sending Silvano.


    Everything was almost ready. All they had to do now was a shift in Chicago and establish their dominance there. His plan of expanding his organisation and business and finally lifted off The ground and was flying steadily in the air. He was still careful of the cops and other federal agents. After so much hard work, he was not going to let it go down the drain. Everyone had worked hard of this.


    He had left his wife in the hospital as she had fallen asleep. For today he thought he could go home and get some work done and spend the whole day with her without having to look at the files as she was coming home. Her recovery had been difficult but it had also so when intimate. She was always touching him when an unfamiliar man came inside the room, seeking comfort and protection which he loved. instead of making her stand on her own, he made sure that she had to touch him to feel protected. He loved it, every second of it.


    His hard work had paid off. All those planning had reached its destination and God is damned if any person tried to screw any of this up.


    Dialling another call he got up from his office and moved to the parking lot downstairs. He could have someone drive him to the hospital.


    "Boss, Good evening." Vincenzo greeted as soon as he picked up the call. "Everything alright?" He asked in his gruff voice, weary to why he had received a call in the evening.


    "Yes, yes, everything is fine," Angela put his concerns to bed. "I just had a few businesses to discuss with you and since you went early today I did not have a chance to do so." He spoke with a light aggressive tone. He had wanted to talk to the man but he had already left.


    The man gave a slight chuckle at that. "I understand the taunt boss but I have to start giving up a few habits if I want to have a good family at home." He wanted to raise a kid. Not the perfect one but someone who would have a sane head on his neck.


    Angelo nodded but of course, Vincenzo could not see that. "Yes I understand," so he said instead. "I have decided that I want you to stay back as a boss in New York." He revealed.


    Angelo understands why he did not hear anything from when him after this. The man was clearly in shock as he did not expect himself to be chosen for this.


    "You there?" He grunted out, now feeling annoyed at the lack of response.


    "Yes, yes. I am." He choked out. "Not that I doubt my capabilities but why me?"


    Angelo smirked in return. This was on the reason why. Vincent knew how to twist his words into something that could not offend the other person but also get his point across just as how a boss should be.


    A good commander and a good negotiator.


    "You don''t doubt your capabilities then I''m sure you can figure it out."


    Angelo let out a small chuckle as he Hung up the call. Vince and eventually figure it out he knew of that for sure. That man could be witty when he wanted to be.


    Reaching the hospital he immediately opens the door not waiting for the driver to do so and then made his way to the room his wife was in. He could not stay away from her for long. He had been putty in her hands and she was not even aware of her power.


    He laid his coat on the couch and made his way to the bed that she laid in, only to his shock find out that she was not there.

 Chapter 143 - One Hundred And Forty-three

    Reaching the hospital, he immediately opens the door not waiting for the driver to do so and then made his way to the room his wife was in.


    He laid his coat on the couch and made his way to the bed that she laid in, only to his shock find out that she was not there.


    For the next best option. He turned around and looked towards the bathroom. He wanted to respect her privacy instead of just barging in. So he knocked on the door.


    Hearing silence, he knocked again.


    He again did not receive a reply.


    ''What was she doing in there?'' he frowned at the lack of an answer. No water running so it was obvious that she would be able to hear him.


    Placing his hand in the knob, he twisted and pushed the door back.


    Looking around the empty room, he called her name, "Alexis?"


    She was not here, he concluded still frowning. He started to turn around and leave but something caught his eye. Or rather someone.


    He turned back around and walked to her taking quick steps for it. She was sitting on the floor and sleeping by the looks of it as her chest rose and fell while taking breaths.


    "Hey.." He bent down and went ahead to wake her up. His eyes had found something and his body went stiff as he saw the blood around her.


    Period? Please be...


    His eyes following are the source of the blood, they traced it back to her wrists and arms.


    "Fuck!" He swore out Loud. "Alexis?" He shook her hard making her head ram into the wall. "Alexis!" He yelled loudly.


    "Skmft. ..sjmabhw.," she muttered ambiguously making him immediately frown.


    The fuck did that mean? Is she dead or alive?


    He immediately gathered her in his arms and stood back on his feet. He carried her to the bed and then pressed the emergency button repeatedly and aggressively.


    "What? what?!" The nurse immediately arrived in the room and questioned them, annoyed with the constant, sudden and continuous ringing of emergency Bell. "Oh god!" She gasped as soon as she saw what was the reason and immediately sprang into action.


    "Hello? I need a doctor in room 302 immediately, I repeat immediately!" She shouted into the phone she had. Her hands covered the bleeding and did the necessary actions.


    The other doctors arrived immediately as well having received her message, they immediately sprang into action as well. They covered the bleeding and the nurses took her bed and wheeled it to the operation theatre. Everything was done in a hurry and all Angelo could do was stand and watch it happen.


    He watched as the nurse came in and tried to stop the bleeding then as she called the others to help, he saw as the others arrived and sprang into immediate action.


    All he could do was see and then look at his blood-covered hands. Her blood, his wife''s blood.


    His wife who had just tried to take her life.


    As no one stood in the room with him, a sick smile made its way to his face.


    All had worked out like it was supposed to.


    **********


    "So all in all," Angelo gave a tired sigh as he spoke, "She is okay?" He asked one more time.


    The doctor nodded. "The cuts were not deep. There was not much of a blood loss so even if we do not give her the drip she would be fine in a few days but just for precaution we have." Her expressions told Angelo that she wanted to say something and was reluctant to do so. So, Angelo gave her a slight nudge.


    "Talk." He barked out. "Don''t keep anything from me when it comes to my wife." He warned.


    "Well," she looked uneasy to say this. "She committed suicide." She said.


    Angelo titled his head with a raised brow. "I think I am the one who found her. So I am well aware of that."


    "Yes, yes." The doctor blushed a bit. Embarrassed. "I meant that she committed suicide and we cannot declare that she is okay. Maybe, now she needs a therapist more than ever." She proposed. "I would advise that we still keep her in the hospital instead of discharging her tomorrow and have her recover in therapy here as well."


    Angela did not object but it did not mean that he won''t object altogether. She was a doctor and she could call the police on him for which he would have to trap her in her own words.


    "Pray do tell, why not discharge in her and keeping her here, is a solution?" He asked looking quite curious.


    She looked a bit shocked at the question but did not comment and on it and answered. "Because here she would be surrounded by doctors and we would be able to help her throughout her journey. Be it physical or mental we can help her better."


    "Ah, I am sure that you can, never objected it." He reassured. "but here is the thing, she was in a hospital where she committed suicide. The object was a surgical knife that you left in her room while she was recovering. I mean I just want to say that there was no reason that that surgical knife should have been there until unless.."


    "What are you trying to say?" Appalled by the accusation, the doctor on duty stood up. "Are you accusing me of trying to kill a patient? I am a doctor for god''s sake why would I eve¡ª"


    "So just because you are a doctor you cannot kill anyone?" He mused with a smile. He loved the play of words. "How convenient is that and how convenient would that be to use against you in a courtroom."


    "Co-court room?" She repeated with her eyes wide and full of disbelief. "But I am just trying to help your wife!" She tried to defend herself but truly help was all she was trying to do.


    "I am sure that you are trying to help my wife and you have by stopping the bleeding and tending to the wound.." He appreciated her but immediately after that his eyes turned cold as he spoke his next words, "but the end decision regarding my wife will be mine."

 Chapter 144 - One Hundred And Forty-four

    "Co-court room?" She repeated with her eyes wide and full of disbelief. "But I am just trying to help your wife!" She tried to defend herself but truly help was all she was trying to do.


    "I am sure that you are trying to help my wife and you have by stopping the bleeding." He appreciated her but immediately after that his eyes turned cold as he spoke his next words, "but the end decision regarding my wife will be mine."


    ******


    Alexis woke up with a gasp, her eyes darted around immediately trying to find where she was because the first thing that she saw was a white ceiling on her head and it immediately took her back to the white room. The thought alone had caused shivers running down her spine.


    As she glanced around she saw surgical instruments and sighed in relief. She was still in a hospital safe and sound but why?


    "Thinking about something?" Her husband''s voice made her jump a bit.


    "Wh-what?"


    He gave a harsh sigh before saying, "You looked quite thoughtful as soon as you woke up. What are you wondering about?" Then, he tapped his finger on his chin in a thinking motion and said, "Ah, maybe it was, ''How am I still alive?'' ''Was I not supposed to be dead?''" He taunted.


    She blinked and tried to think of what to say. This had not worked out in her favour and her husband was angry, to say the least. She did not like it. He was glaring at her with so much anger in his eyes that she wanted to look away.


    She could not handle the gaze in which he said that he was disappointed and angry with the course of action that she had chosen to get out of this situation.


    When she chose not to reply, according to him, so he continued further. "It must be so disappointing to you, after all, your plans did not work. Must I apologize, I was the one to find you and make sure that you made it out alive." He spat making her flinch. it was more of a spur of the moment decision and she had not realised what had actions what constitute to.


    "I.." as she began to give her explanation in her defence and Alexis realised something. What could she say here that would work in her defence? She had suicided and now she was stuck.


    "You what, huh?" He repeated and asked her in a harsh tone. "Be thankful to me because your ass is going to get discharged tomorrow instead of being tied down in a psychiatric ward with real fucking crazy people!" Coming closer he hissed at her making her flinch again. "do you want to be tied down to a bed with people who want to scratch their face next to you?" He taunted. "Because I can make it happen right now. Instead of being in a luxurious room you will be tied down to a metal bed and be deprived of basic utilities because no one is going to trust you with them!"


    As his harsh voice reached her ears she wondered what exactly she had done. She had tried to take her own life. She did not do that after five years of abuse and neglect from her family, should not do that man in the beginning still not have anything to eat and she did not do that when her father died, so why now?


    ''How could I do this? I took my own life something someone else would cherish having where is my who held in my hands tries to take it away... What have I become and why?'' her eyes glossed over as she thought about this. ''I am strong again this so what happened how could one thought result in me taking such a big step?''


    "What the hell is wrong with you? Why would you even think of taking a step like this?" He continued to yell at her full of where they were at. "the only reason why I was attracted to you was that you had a head and under and you thought before you did anything or you''re in restless all your savings day showed me what brain you had and this is what you do! Do you suicide like a coward? "


    Coming close, he stood next to her bed and took hold of her cheek gently caressing it as well. "Honey, was it because they violated you?"


    This was it, the one chance that she had to be honest with him where everything would make sense and have him understand the mindset that she was trapped in. so she nodded, a barely-there but a visible nod.


    He saw it and nodded back.


    "Then you are weaker than I assumed," he remarked.


    The shock was felt throughout her entire being. What was that supposed to mean, she was weaker than I expected? However she weak in the first place to begin, as this was something that made her weak, this was something that made her feel degraded of herself.


    "How can you say that?" She choked out as her sobs were threatening to come out and ruined the way she was going to talk so she had to convey what she felt before she started bawling her eyes out. "I just shared something with you that holds so much of importance to me and that''s what you say?"


    Angel sighed at that. "How can I not say that?" Giving her gentle look he continued, "you are a strong woman who showed my grandmother her place in her home. You were not scared of someone who came from a mafia background unlike yours. Teenager are raped and they instead if sitting around, turn there lives around. you''re telling me that this is what broke or made you weak? Honey, it will pass." He stressed. "And when we look back at it all you would remember is that you moved past it and now you are stronger than ever."


    His words made her cry. Her chest heaved and she got up to hug him. "I am sorry," she apologized. "I am just so scared." She confessed in a breaking voice full of pain and anguish.


    "Don''t be love, don''t be scared, because no one can harm you ever again."

 Chapter 145 - One Hundred And Forty-five.

    I want you all to focus on Alexis''s thought process here.


    *********


    She tried to talk but she choked and thought that it was better to cry. She had committed the worst crime and sin. How could she do that? The look on Angelo''s face told her how disappointed she was with her and she was too. How, just how could she do this? There had to be a reason why. This man and has been there for her and she had caused him so much pain that now it was visible on his face. This was too much.


    "I am so sorry," she cried into his shoulder not being able to stop those tears, ''I know that should not have done this. I had second thoughts regarding this and..and¡­"


    "Get it out and be done with it baby," he cooed knowing well that it was important for her to tell him what was going around in her mind.


    "I did not want to, I was having second thoughts about it and I don''t know why I did it." She admitted. "I just don''t know how I thought let to another and where did I find that surgical knife and how.." she choked and then started to cry loudly in his shoulder. "I am sorry." She repeated, again and again.


    He continued to comb his fingers through her hair, patting and caressing it, giving her the comforting presence that she needed. Just his physical being, his presence, was enough for now. She wanted comfort and a shoulder to cry on and he was giving her one. Just comfort as something she needed.


    "It''s okay, love. I am glad that you understand the consequences of your actions but sweetheart, never do it again." pulling apart from her he held her face in his hands and said, "I love you and I want to be with you nut that cannot happen if you are trying to kill yourself." He glanced at her bandaged wrist and kissed them lightly. "Please baby, never again?" He begged practically. "we will get through this together and my wife will be the strongest one after this and it going to be easy, do you know how?"


    Alexis shook her head. None of this was going to be easy but all she wanted was to understand where he was coming from.


    He answered for her. "because nobody is aware of what happened. So you will receive no special treatment. Your recovery will unadulterated no one would judge you or try to victimize you. We can put the restaurant on hold and you can focus on yourself." He smiled. "you can heal from every scar baby."


    "every scar?" she repeated.


    "Every scar." He confirmed.


    She could do that. She could heal herself again and never hold back from anything. She could heal a little teenage girl inside her herself who was hiding from the people outside, who was scared of the neglect and torture. She could make her better and avoid everything bad that would befall on her too. She could be better, Period.


    "I want to. I want to heal and I want to be better. I don''t want to be scared of anything anymore. I want to stand straight instead of thinking that that person could hurt me," she breathes in and out, withholding her tears and deciding that she won''t cry anymore. "I just want to be strong¡­For myself." She finished.


    He caressed her hair behind her ears and smiled at her. "That''s the spirit love. Well done." He praised. "It''s not going to be easy. It would take loads of crying and realisations and some of them would be life-altering for you but everything is going to work out."


    She nodded and hugged him once again. "Thank you for being there. You are truly my angel."


    Why thank you, he smiled.


    ************


    She was getting discharged today and she ecstatic for that. It was truly the best feeling the world. As much as the pretty the hospital could look, at the end of the day, it was the hospital. She wondered how the doctors did it.


    She was wearing a black blouse and khaki colour pants. She wore her pearl earring excitedly; they were a gift from Angelo. She smiled as she dressed herself up. After wearing the same coloured hospital dress every day she readily welcomed the change. She loved colours now, even if they were black. She hated white with a passion now.


    She walked out of the bathroom and to the door outside with a giddy smile.


    "It would be easy for her to heal though. I mean it should be."


    What? That was her doctor, she could recognise her voice.


    "How so?" Angelo asked.


    "Particularly the fact that she was drugged as it happened. She had no memories of it because she was not conscious which would help her to some extent. But it won''t be a smooth slope." He warned.


    "That I understand." Her husband''s voice was heard, making her smile. He was so concerned about her well-being. She made her all gushy and smiley inside. "But it has to happen soon." That made her smile falter, why would he say that? If she was going to recover it had to be with the time necessary. That was important too.


    "I don-I won''t recommend that. Therapies take time and they work and show better results. With time a person rebuilds themselves from the ground." The doctor advised.


    "I know but the world where I live in, if the news hits out, she would be committing another suicide and that one would be more fatal. I want her to be strong and no succumbing to those urges. With that fragile mind, she would become a puppet of people and I won''t be aware of what is happening her mind."


    That made her want to cry again. he might make her feel brave but she knew that he did consider her weak somewhere. She loved that he was worrying over her but this seemed to make her feel sorry for herself.


    Nope; not happening. She decided.


    She was going to be strong.. She was his wife after all.

 Chapter 146 - One Hundred And Forty-six

    Placing her foot on the first step of the three she entered her house after weeks of torture and medicines. She smiled a little and then immediately out on a blank expression. Julia stood there with a bright smile on her face but that was what a passer-by would say. For Alexis it was a sly smile, something that told her Julia, with all this time had Alexis was away had planned a lot of things. The grandmother sat at the sofa so Alexis decided to play safe.


    She turned and stepped in front of Angelo. "Would you support me no matter what?"


    She had an uncertain expression on her face and that tugged something inside Angelo. She looked really heartbroken by thinking about an answer that would not be in her favour.


    "Yes, of course." He immediately answered her. "Don''t question the obvious."


    She gave him an enchanting smile in return, "Thank you. Could you give me a few minutes along with your grandmother? I would meet you in our room."


    He nodded not thinking much of it and walked away. Nothing was going to happen to her inside her house.


    "Grandmother," Alexis greeted with a smile of her own.


    "Quite a long vacation that was," ignoring her greeting Julia drawled out. "Where did you go?"


    "It was gateway grandmother," Alexis corrected.


    "Yes, yes. That." She waved her hands in dismissal. "But why in the middle of everything?"


    Alexis did not reply and gave her for small smile. She moved past Julia and took a seat on the couch. "I am a life give you something as your granddaughter in law."


    Julia nodded you had no idea what it was going to be.


    Agatha came forward and handed Alexis two pieces of papers.


    "So,'' she smiled looking at the older woman. "I decided to take the reins of my life in my own hands."


    Julia scoffed. "About time that happened." She taunted more, "I was wondering when you would learn that."


    Bitch, Alexis cleared her throat loudly. "And that begins from taking care of my own home and also, I hoped that as my senior, you would support me this."


    "Yes, so good to hear that you know that." Julia intervened once more and the patience of Alexis was hanging by mere thread. "and yes, I would."


    "so," ignoring what the woman said, she placed the tickets on the table. "Here is my taking control."


    Julia, with a scowl, glanced at the pieces of paper and took them in her hand. a frown began to fro and deepened by time as she read the contents of it. "What is this?"


    "tickets back to Italy." Alexis answered with an obvious smile. "I thought that was written there."


    "It is wri-" she stopped, that was not the point where she had to argue at. "You cannot send m- You cannot do that!"


    Making a shocked face at that Alexis muttered, "but you said that you would support me.." she blinked back a bit and added, "I thought you wanted me to take control and you wondered when that would happen."


    "but that does not mean that you get to throw me out!" Julia yelled in return.


    Alexis scoffed. She wanted to do something else, she wanted to be angry. She wanted to just channel her feelings out and anger seemed to be the best option and Julia was just in front of her. Alexis wanted to pounce on her and bite down her neck.


    Her innocent and confused expression was no longer there, they were replaced by a blank expression with a hint of anger in her eyes as they were glaring at Julia. "You are not being thrown out. You are being asked to leave, very kindly might I add." She gave a tight smile. "But that won''t be the case If you choose to defy me."


    "you-"


    Alexis stood up and cut her off. "That in your hand," she pointed at the ticket, "is a first class ticket which it won''t be after tomorrow."


    She didn''t turn to look around and went upstairs to her room. As she had finished climbing them and was out of sight, she let out a huge sigh. She leaned her forehead against the cold wall. She needed support.


    ''I won''t let anyone throw me off and let them walk all over me. I won''t be weak. I cannot be a ladder and let people climb their way through me.'' She had to be strong. She did not know who had kidnapped her but she was going to take in Julia as in of her suspects. That woman was the worst grandmother ever.


    She pushed back and then walked back to their room with a slouched back that woman always ate every ounce of patience that Alexis had.


    "Hey," Angelo greeted her as soon as he saw her come in. "tired aren''t you?" he patted his lap and plopped down on it, cuddling close immediately.


    "Hmm, so tired. I want to go away." She whispered with her eyes closed and cuddling closer. "I just want silence."


    Angelo''s chest vibrated as he laughed and she felt it. "I am sure that you want that. You can have that in Chicago." He offered.


    Alexis did not know that to say. He was just casually throwing the move to another state in the conversation. So she just sighed and snuggled close.


    He didn''t comment on it rather just let her cuddle close to him. He loved the feeling of her being close to him. It was the best one in the whole world. He smiled again and let her. Such a lovely thing it was and the feeling too.


    He ran his fingers through her hair and noticed now full they rough and full looking now. Her over all being was all but weak. She had her life sucked out of her by all of this and now, his goal was to get her health back on the track, only off her next words to stop his heart.


    "Do you know who kidnapped me?"

 Chapter 147 - One Hundred And Forty-seven

    As he caressed her hair and combed his fingers through it.


    She enjoyed the feeling of having him close, it brought her a sense of comfort and security. Alexa sighed and thought of a few things and she was wondering about since she had talked to Julia.


    She wanted about the fact give me the strength that Angelo had throughout New York and maybe more did he not know who had kidnapped her or did he not tell her yet?


    She understood if it was the second option that he chose. Given her state of mind currently, she would not want anything to do with those people but on the contrary, Alexis wanted to hunt them down. So she would rather have him tell her about it and be done with it. Punishing those people what help her move on and she knew that so why would she delay it any longer?


    "Angelo, do you know who kidnapped me?" She asked in a soft voice as it was just the two of them in the room.


    She felt him stiffen against her thought nothing of it. Maybe he was just scared of what her reaction would be.


    Quite the opposite of that was happening in his mind.


    "I do know who they were," he admitted. "And I will take your revenge." He vowed. "I will make sure of it."


    Alexis got up and sat next to him on the couch so that they were facing each other. "why would you take my revenge for me? Should I not do that?"


    Angelo understood where she was coming from, he did. But that was not the point Alexis would kill everyone involved in a and he could not afford to lose any members of his organisation then he has to establish a new base in another state from the very beginning. He needed his top people now more than ever and he was not losing any to his wife. Everyone would know that his wife killed people in an organisation and people would never know why she gutted them would ultimately make her the bad Person and make her lose respect in the eyes of others.


    "I understand that my love, I do." She tried to calm her down. "but why now I want you to focus on your recovery more or and not on taking revenge."


    "But that would help me!" She argued with a pained face. "I want to them either in jail or be killed in front of me that is what I want them to be!"


    Angelo used to talk in a gentle tone. "Honey I want you to be moving forward not thinking about what happened in the past. You do know that past should be left in the past it''s not going to get you any benefit in the future."


    Alexis immediately realises what he had done. He had used her words against her in this argument. She had always said to leave the past where it was and now that she wanted to talk about it I just spend those words on her.


    "That''s not fair.," she argued in a low tone. "You are just putting where I said in a past in front of me now. That is hardly fair."


    "That is because you said it. You have said that to me on numerous occasions which means that you learnt to keep the past and past so why are you trying to bring up now?"


    Alexis felt cornered. She felt that he was trying to restrain her into a corner. "The past should be in the past as I said that because that is true and because I made my peace with that passed but I have not this one. This one makes me cry from the inside what happened to me and I wanted to have myself justified." Her voice was breaking in the between and she felt that she would let go anytime soon and damn of tears would break.


    "Honey.."


    "Now you tell me who did that!" She firmly family stood her ground. "you told me that you would support me in the image stand by my side in this recovery."  now she used his words against him. "And I want you to do that I want you to stand by me and help me recover. Help me in wearing the past I want because I want to do it with you."


    Either her words knew what they were doing or she was wanted his help. Either way, it was Angela had to agree and he knew that. His wife had asked him to do something twice for her and was about time he said yes.


    "Alright," he agreed. "But that is not coming now."


    "What?" She immediately blinked. "But you just sai-"


    "I know what I said." He pointed out. "And now I''m saying this as well. That will happen when I think the time is right. When you are ready to see them again."


    She scoffed at that. "when will I ever be ready to see those people who tortured me half to death?"


    "When I will know it." Was all he said with a small smile. "I want to recover is not easy and sure as hell have not short. So you have to hand tight."


    She leaned her side against the couch with a tired expression on her face. "how do you expect me to hand tight when everything is coming from my fingers?"


    "Oh love," he kissed her forehead. "That is just how shitty life can be." He teased a little before pulling her into a soft kiss. He makes sure than he was straining her or anything. He had to make sure that she did recover from the mental trauma.


    "Hm," she forced a sigh and then smiled at him. "I am going to change it. Put on some silk pyjamas." She patted his shoulder and then got up.


    Hearing that he immediately got up and walked behind her. "Ooh, want me to help?"

 Chapter 148 - One Hundred And Forty-eight.

    It was ten in the night and Alexis had asked for them to retire early for the night but Angelo had asked for half an hour tops to round up today''s work. Also, he had to make a few calls which he would rather take now and have a lazy morning with her tomorrow. She could wake up for another hour, so she said yes.


    She had sitting on the couch set in her room where she had had wine several times. But she could not drink any now since she was antibiotics which Agatha knew about. The woman had hidden every bottle of alcohol in the house and the only room where they were at was Angelo''s office. The guard on the door to his office was probably aware of this too.


    That''s when she thought of something.


    She stood and walked out of the room, on the same floor was a room that she had completely forgotten about. She stood outside the white door, never thought of coming here with so much anxiety and nervousness. She always felt confident about coming here.


    She placed her hand on the knob and twisted it. Slowly opening the door, she turned a little bit to the side and switched on the lights. Light flooded in and everything immediately was visible to her eyes.


    Her office; just as she had left it if not cleaner.


    But truly, everything was just as she left it and somehow the sense of familiarity had given her relief. Relief that a few things had not changed, that they were just as left with no changes and wear and tear from anyone. She looked around the room and breathed in everything. The sense of familiarity brought her cool and calm and she wanted nothing more.


    "Madam?"


    "AH!" startled she jumped up and turned to Agatha. "what?" she whispered a bit out of breath, still trying to calm down.


    "I am so sorry, I didn''t realise that I would scare you." She immediately apologised, "should you not be resting?" she asked.


    "no, we were going in an hour or so," Alexis answered, not looking at her but the room. "Did you ever move anything here?"


    "No, you were not here to approve of it." Agatha sincerely answered. "I would not do anything without your permission."


    Alexis nodded and glanced at her, "thank you for that." She needed some control and this was the perfect example of the control she wanted. The control over something, anything.


    Agatha had given her the control of her life in some way and she was going to hold onto it.


    "Madam," Agatha called for her attention and on receiving it she continued to talk, "I heard that you shifting to Chicago."


    Alexis closed her eyes with a sigh. Why would just assume that? "I have not decided if I want that yet." She said honestly.


    No matter what position Agatha held in the household she had always given Alexis what she had to know about the situation. There were no false hopes or promises when it came to this woman, so Alexis was honest when it came to talking to this woman.


    "it would not be an option. The Don has already begun the preparations of the takeover. He might be patient now but over time his presence would be required there and you would have to move ultimately." From the look on Alexis''s face, Agatha understood that It was the last thing she wanted.


    "I don''t want to," Alexis confessed. "I need stability. I am in dire need of it."


    "I see that." Agatha nodded, truly she xis searching for something. "But you could use this move." She offered.


    Nodding in her direction, Alexis asked her to explain.


    "As in, right now you desire control of a situation. This could be your situation from the choosing of you floorboard to kitchenware and the colour of your walls then the clothes you wear." She shrugged. "Take back the control you want, slowly."


    ''Chicago,'' Alexis took a seat behind her desk. ''Chicago.. maybe. but ..''


    She stood up and left the room. Walking towards the stairs, she descended from them and walked to the end of the other hallway.


    The guard stood at the door and nodded at her. He knocked one time and then opened the door for her.


    She immediately saw him sitting on his seat behind the desk and talking to someone on the phone. He had raised a finger towards her, asking to her keep quiet and give him time to finish it up. She nodded back and took a seat in front of him.


    ''Chicago could be the new start I want. It would be starting new and regaining the control and overall to the bigger loops. I could do it.'' she thought with a firm mind, ''I could use the new start.'' She repeated desperately. She wanted this so bad. She could move past what had happened. This all, this nightmare, could be over and she could walk out free.


    She had to leave, she realised. What she had been searching for was in front of her. She might not even need a doctor to treat her too. She could do it herself. No doctor to treat her like a victim. She could do it all with herself.


    "Hey," Angelo kneeled in front of her. "What''s wrong? What''s with the tears?" He touched them to show her the wetness and then wiped them. "You were fine when you walked in."


    "I was." She sniffed loudly cringing at the sound. "Guess my thoughts went haywire." She offered with a slight chuckle and smile.


    "They have been going haywire a lot these days." He sighed tiredly. "I thought you were going to bed."


    She smiled and looped her arms around his neck. "I did so too but then we could go in at the same time." She suggested. "I like having you close to me." She revealed with an an an admiring look.


    ''Dont I want just that,'' he pecked her lips once.


    "Oh, and when are we moving to Chicago?"

 Chapter 149 - One Hundred And Forty-nine

    She closed the jewellery box after wearing the pearl necklace. She loved this one in particular. Standing up, she gave herself an overall look in the mirror and walked out of the closet after. As she walked out, she noticed how most of the space were empty.


    They were shifting and she smiled at the change coming in. She had welcomed it with open arms.


    After she had hinted Angelo that she was ready for the shift, he had immediately hugged her making her happy about her decision. She could start anew and the possibility brought a smile on her face. She could do it.


    "Ready?" He asked, smiling at his wife as she came out full and well dressed.


    "Yes." She answered. "Are we leaving now?" It was around eleven in the morning and they were yet to leave. Also, they had not had any breakfast yet, so Alexis had not had any of her medicine too.


    "Not yet, first, we will have breakfast and then around one o''clock we will board a flight and then by 4 will reach your destination." He answered while running his finger on her face.


    She nodded readily for breakfast and already feeling hungry. in the hospital, Alexis had eaten bland food which had seriously deprived her taste buds of anything tasteful so now as she was back at her own house she had Agatha to give her some extra spiced food.


    She was served with crispy bacon and pancakes. However, she could not decide what she wanted to have first so she was taking alternate bites of the two making Angelo smile.


    The rest of the time at their house had been a blur. She checked if everything had been packed with Agatha and then moved the driveway where Angelo was waiting for her.


    The drive was smooth, not much of traffic given it was the middle of the day. Angelo had not used is a private jet and she thought that was nice given that it was just two of them and they could travel fine in a commercial plane for 3 hours.


    In the first class, of course, she shook her head. even though the man toned down a bit he still had to show his extravagance.


    Alexis felt some uneasiness in her chest. She tried to rub it there was something that was tightening or some kind of weight placed on her chest. she breathed in and out but there was nothing that she could do as it was just continuously making its presence known.


    What was it? Why was it there? She was making a new start for herself then why was there this feeling that something unknown was going to happen?


    "This is of no use to me," she grumbled looking out fo the window.


    "What now?" He muttered glancing at and then again closing in his eyes. Angela was in a complete resting mode, he even had a neck pillow with him for this.


    "Everyone is drinking alcohol and I cannot because I am on antibiotics." She explains hastily. A little aggrieved that he did not even notice this.


    He smiled a little and then said, "and I am supporting you in this by not drinking."


    "Hah!" She scoffed. "You think I don''t know that in the paper cup is vodka?" She accused, "the hell are you supporting me for? At least do it properly."


    He sighed. Angelo if anything did not love the cranky Alexis. all she had done was complaint after the moment she boarded the flight and he did not like it in the slightest.


    "What is wrong with you?" He turned to her and asked the question, no longer being able to take all of this from her. Her apparent crankiness calling to him was there for no reason because she had not encountered any discomfort.


    "What''s wrong with me?!" She looked appalled as she just repeated what he just said. "I got tortured and violated and here I am, moving to another state like everything is normal. Do you think that it is easy for me, that this or anything is easy for me?"


    "Keep your voice down!" He warned in a hiss. "I never send that this is going to be easy and I told you that the first day itself. Your recovery is going to be the most difficult thing that you ever do and if you don''t say it is going to feel more cranky and cranky day by day. You need to tell me what you are feeling for me to help you." He calmly talked to her. Being angry with her right now would not work in anyone''s favour so instead, he changed his approach.


    He could only wish that after dealing with this woman he would have some amount of patience left for his children too.


    Alexis closed her eyes and thought of it. Should she tell him what she was exactly feeling? It sounds ridiculous to him that day was just one feeling that she felt and because of it she was ruining his flight as well.


    "Nothing, it''s nothing." She denied and looked out of the window again.


    He took a hold of her hand and squeezed it a little. "Tell me, Alexis, it will help you more."


    She hesitated a bit, shaking her head around not wanting to talk. "It is. I just felt uneasy and I don''t know why I got cranky because of it." The explanation of her was very poor and she knew that. But somewhere it was the truth as she did not know why she felt so uneasy and maybe that was the reason behind her crankiness.


    "Alright," he relented. "We have to start your therapy sessions as soon as we settle in Chicago." He stated. "And no matter what you do to convince me, it''s a matter of time when we have to start your therapy and the sooner it is the better result will be."


    Alexis looked away from her husband.


    Maybe she should just start therapy to get it over with.

 Chapter 150 - One Hundred And Fifty.

    Safely landing and exiting the airport, the couple was being driven through the roadways of Chicago. It was really cold and Alexis was thankful for Agatha to have packed a coat for them. Angelo was busy taking a few calls, as soon as they landed and he turned his phone on it was bombarded with various texts, emails and calls. She had her head against the window and kept on peering outside. It looked like New York but so unfamiliar at the same time. One could not even notice the difference if not for the architecture.


    Her eyes moved to the people''s face often looking at what they doing or wearing. A few looked like they were in a hurry but then again, were everyone not? As she focused on two bodies, she noticed something happen to make her smile at it. The guy just got pickpocketed and for the first time, she watched it happen instead of just hearing about it.


    How many times had she come to Chicago before? Many.


    Did ever have time to gaze out of a window with such leisure? Never.


    She had been so busy with everything that she had never taken two minutes or even seconds out of her time to look around and enjoy herself.


    The irony; today she saw pickpocketing.


    Turning towards Angelo, she said, "I think I wanna pickpockets now." She winked.


    Hearing her say something Angelo turned to her, "What?" he asked not having heard her the first time as he attending to the person on call.


    Laughing softly she shook her head. "Nothing." She turned to look out once more. Alexis always thought that she did not have regrets, frankly, she had no one holding her back of anything so she did whatever she wanted but now seemed like somewhere or the other, she had forgotten to take care of herself, not that she did not have the perfect skincare routine or did not wear good clothes or anything like that. She meant to keep herself happy and she did not focus on that. But her in defence, when could she go for herself?


    Her childhood had always been full of bullying and torment, her college life had been full of studying and wanting to build her career and when her twenties came and also, more stability, Angelo had found her. So when was she ever supposed to have time for herself? To take herself outside to shop not for office purposes but herself or to go out for a coffee or mean and eat out.


    But she had never done anything like that, as she had leisurely watched the roads and do nothing else. It clicked that she had never really enjoyed it. She saved instead of spending crazily, always fearing for the worse happening.


    "Hey," Angelo touched her cheek and brought her out of her thoughts. "we will be reaching to Silvano''s place in ten to fifteen minutes."


    She nodded at the given information but then she frowned. "Did you not say something about our penthouse?"


    Angelo smiled and then teased, "why? Want to be alone with me?"


    A smack came on his shoulder and he laughed answering, "Yes, we will have our place. But for the beginning, we would rather have us all be in one place. It would be easier to protect all. Also, you could decide what you want in decorating the house and stuff." He shrugged at the end.


    She thought about it. Alexis had never paid attention to her apartment as well. Now that she realised it sure was mismatching a lot.


    "That is a nice idea." She praised. She could work on it and distract herself often. Ah, that seems nice, it would be like a new project.


    His phone rang and he looked away from the conversation was over. Excusing himself away, he attended the call and she went back to looking outside as if she had anything better to do other than constantly trying to distract her mind from going to a dark place. Sometimes she was afraid that she would never come back from it.


    It seemed like a dark corner just calling her in and imprisoning her in there forever. So she tried her best not to think about it. It just brought back more of the memories that she wanted to avoid. Sometimes it felt that it did not even happen as she did not experience it in full consciousness but at times when she woke up as her body fought for consciousness, she would see a blurred figured and she hated that. it would resurface and she would have a harder time distracting herself even further.


    She sighed and then glanced at Angelo who seemed to be speaking rapid Italian. He was quite furious by the looks of it. The car came to a stop and she looked out, expecting to be reached on the destination only to be disappointed. They were an accident ahead and the cars in front had not even had their engines running.


    Great, she sighed, another disruption for the day. As if it was going great, to begin with.


    She looked out, again, with a sigh was tiring, all she did for today was looking out of damn windows. Ah, what ha-


    She gasped silently as she saw him. It was impossible. He had to be dead. There was no way that he could be alive.


    He was talking to a person and Alexis watched the man with utter concentration. Something she won''t even see her children with. She could not believe her eyes. Should she pinch herself? But won''t he be gone by then? And that was the opposite of what she wanted.


    He was alive and in front of her, talking to someone with a smile on his face.


    Would he recognise her, after so long?


    But Alexis was ready to take that chance.


    The man waved a bit and then turned around to leave making her internally panicked. Where was he going?


    In that feeling of panic, Alexis opened her door and ran towards him.

 Chapter 151 - One Hundred And Fifty-one.

    Urgently opening the car door she ignored her husband''s calls behind as he called her out in shock, nonetheless, she ran into the direction of where she had seen him last standing.


    The horns were blasted as she skimmed through the cars stuck in the traffic. She did not watch out for the cars, she was randomly running in between the spaces between the two cars and often banged her hands on the bonnet. Even with the people having cursed at her she did not even once look back but she tried to reach towards the pole from where she could see where the man went.


    As all sorts of cars came in between her line of sight to the men often causing her to lose sight of the man. Whenever a huge truck or 6 seater car came in she won''t be able to see the man and she would immediately panic resulting in running more carelessly and in a quicker speed.


    The man was walking at a regular speed but for Alexis who was chasing him with obstacles in her path, it seemed like he was running off to catch a train. as soon as she will lose sight of him he would have gone ten to twenty steps forward where she was again met by a car and had to go in another way around to get by it.


    She was huffing and puffing as she ran through the entire road to the other half of fit. It was a double a night now she had to cross the whole other one too. The problem being this road was not having an accident and the cars were free to pass but Alexis did not have enough time to find a zebra crossing and safely cross the road. So she once again ran through the entire road having cars stop on their own for her. Once again horns were blared at her and many people cursed as well.


    Yet, she did not stop. She had to by any means get to that man. She just had to.


    Crazily reaching for the side lane she ignored the looks from the people. they were just going to stare at her for 10 seconds or more but after that, they were going to ignore her because it was an everyday happening at someone was in a hurry.


    She then tries to find a man in the sea of people. She walks where her first found him talking against people and often banging into them. but no one minded it ar all or turned around to yell at her because quite frankly everyone was busy with their own life to turn around and yell at someone was a far cry.


    with her heels, she could not she tried to move her feet as fast as she could. She had to get to that man by may means possible.


    She could not believe that he was alive. She had been shown his grave. She had wallowed for that man hell, she had had a funeral from him too. Alexis was not ready for therapy for a particular reason and that was that she had attended it in the past. and her high school bully had seen her there which are eventually led to the tag of her being a ''psycho freak''.


    he could not believe that man after all of us had been standing there in front of laughing as if nothing happened and working as if he was a very, very much alive which she just wanted to make sure it''s true or not.


    She was still chasing him and had crossed the road in this process. She didn''t know where and was supposed to take them but with all the twist and turns at were coming on the way she was sure that she had been lost in the process of finding the life status of a deadman.


    "Please..please.." She chanted under her breath. Just let him be alive, she prayed. He just had to be alive.


    She stopped and placed her hands on her knees as she tried to catch her breath from all the running. Still heaving she looked around to find the man he had to be somewhere near her.


    No, he was not. she stood on her toes she looked around she even walked around the area but she didn''t see him. He was gone with the wind just like before the same had happened once again.


    He was gone and she was unaware of everything.


    "Hey!" A hand tightly grabbed her arm and tugged her to the side. "The fuck is wrong with you?!" Angelo yelled at her face.


    She looked started not expecting him to follow her. As she breathed heavily from both the running and the fear of who had quarter hand she tried to think of what to say.


    "I saw.." She released a long breath and looked around in panic. She did not want to tell him.  "I thought..."


    "So what? Who?" He then seethed out the words. "What fucking celebrity was it that had your running on the streets like a car you know how many bones of yours would have been broken if a car or truck smashed into you? Or run you over perhaps?" He shook her. "Now you have to run around like a madwoman! Give that one more time and I swear to God I will have you tied up psychiatric ward!" He I warned and then promised. by the crazy look in his eyes Alexis for sure that he was not joking about it.


    She nodded with her lips thinned and understanding that he meant it. she once again her she pulled her arm and open the car door that she did not notice was parked in front of them. This time Angela followed her from the same side of the car.


    As he sat in and slammed the door shut in anger he asked a driver to lock the doors for safety.


    Harshly grabbing her chin in turned her head around and said, "Don''t fucking try to run again.. You won''t like the consequences."

 Chapter 152 - One Hundred And Fifty-two

    "Behave," he warned her as soon as they got out of the car. "I am not going to talk to you about the scene you caused on the street but we will talk about that sometime later."


    She nodded looking straight and not at him. That will only make her nervous.


    "Also for Nikita, you were on a vacation. We can tell them you are tired if you want." He offered. "it''s understandable if we do not want company." He threw a concerned look at her.


    She politely declined by shaking her head, "No, I have to get back to my normal routine anyway. So why not start it now." She shrugged a little, seeming unsure if it herself nevertheless wanting to try.


    Angelo nodded, understanding but not questioning it. She had to have a therapist and she would have one. He would make sure of it. He noticed that his wife would often space out and someone had to get her attention otherwise she won''t even realize what was happening around her. The key to becoming a queen was to be aware of whatever was happening around her and he could not afford for her to be so unvigilant. She would end up dead in a day.


    Pressing the bell on, they waited for a second before Nikita came running and opened the door. She immediately hugged Alexis making her laugh.


    "Someone surely missed me," Alexis commented as she continued to hug Nikita.


    "Ugh! You have no idea how much." She groaned loudly. Then respectfully so, she went and kissed Angelo on the cheeks as he returned it too.


    Moving inside they were greeted by Silvano. The two men went to his office which Alexis was grateful for. As much as she loved her husband''s presence, it was sometimes just overbearing to her.


    "So, how are you?" Nikita asked as they were along now and they could be more open with each other.


    "Good," Alexis muttered as she sat on the kitchen stool. They had ditched the living room to sit in.


    "So," Nikita who had made coffee for them turned around and asked, "Were you really on a vacation?"


    "No." Alexis answer truthfully. She found no reason for lying to Nikita as that women knew more than anybody. But she could not tell the entire truth as well, so she stuck to somewhere in between and somewhat true. "We had a little episode and the rest was at home." She shrugged it off not interested in talking about it.


    "Ah.." the woman nodded. "That explains a lot." With a confused expression from Alexis, Nikita went forward to explain. "I mean out of the blue you go on vacation and then you do not call anyone. It seems fishy, I don''t know brother Angelo came up with that and did not think about it thoroughly."


    ''He didn''t.'' She realized. ''He had just whipped it up.''


    The excuse was so fishy that she could not help but wonder about it. What in the world was it''s thinking when he said that she had gone on a vacation? He had said something about it being a getaway to her and others, it had been a vacation and she was sure of it. Before Julia and now Nikita, both of them had mentioned an out of the blue vacation.


    Instead of protecting her, he had made her seem irresponsible in the eyes of others and she could not believe that.


    She had been kidnapped he knew of that then how could he prance around saying that she had chosen to abandon ship for a day or two for her amusement?


    But maybe, another thought popped into her mind, It could have been him being stressed and not paying attention to this slight detail. Who was she to pin the whole blame on him?


    Shame washed over her. He had been there for her and all she had done was blame him for one detail. He must have been so busy with finding her and did not pay attention to anything else.


    "Hey!" She jumped up when she noticed a hand being waved in front of her. "What?"


    "Sorry, but you were somewhere else." Nikita frowned a little, "Everything okay? Do you want to talk about it?" She offered her help a bit. When Alexis had entered she was smiling as she usually would not. A little stretch of the lips and she was done with it. It made her think that something more ominous had happened.


    "No, nothing." She denied in a dry voice and then changed the topic. "How were your days?"


    "With the whole Chicago change?" Nikita confirmed. "I did not know about it in the beginning so I usually used to wait for Silvano to come in and it was quite late. But when he noticed that I was staying up for him, he told me everything and pretty much I went to bed without waiting for him. Want to know the bad part?"


    Suddenly interested, she nodded.


    "With all the Chicago takeover and shifting.." Nikita whispered leaning in making her do so too. Alexis sensed way too interested.


    She whispered in all seriousness."I haven''t had sex in months."


    Alexis blinked for a moment and then finally got it. "Wha¡ªWhy would you tell me that!" She yelled looking disgusted by the news.


    "But it''s true," Nikita whined, stomping her feet on the ground. "I am so horny. You know, he saw me once using a toy, and that sly bastard hid all of them!"


    Groaning Alexis palmed her face. This woman was sure as hell kinky.


    She got up, having her fill in the conversation. There was no way she was listening to the sex life of Nikita who seemed to have it endlessly going on.


    "Point me to the bathroom?" receiving the direction she turned around and walked towards the door closing and locking it shut behind her.


    She washed her hands first and then took out her phone.. She had a few things to do and the first one was to find out if the man was alive.

 Chapter 153 - One Hundred And Fifty-three

    Taking her phone out she dialed blake''s number. As she dialed his number she kept on tapping her foot on the floor in nervousness.


    "Good evening Ma''am," Blake, on picking up the call immediately greeted her. "It''s good to have you back."


    "Thank you." She hurriedly said not listening to whatever he said. "I need you to find something for me."


    "Yes, Ma''am." A bit of shuffling was heard.


    "I need you to find out about a man named Jayden Williams." Her voice was shaky and she was panicking inside.


    "Jayden Williams..a family member?" He asked with a nervous chuckle wondering if he was crossing a line or not. "I should look a¡ª"


    "Yes, she is a family member." She admitted, "find out everything you can about this man and every other person looking like him. I mean it, every man having the same face like his, you find out about him."


    "Yes, Ma''am. I will call you when I have something."


    Hanging up she looked at the phone in her hand. Was she right in digging the past? see her bearly escaped its clutches and she was ready to go in again but it was not her fault she could barely forget what had happened and if this man was alive that he had to pay the price.


    But what if it was someone else?


    That possibility made her realize how hasty and irresponsible she had been. What ie someone just looked like him? What would she do then?


    At that moment she realized that she should not have gotten her hopes up so high. It was a complete illogical situation as the man had been dead in front of her I was there was no reason for her to hope for anything else.


    But just for the sake of confirmation, she would still wait for Blake''s reports.


    Washing hands one more time she moved out back to the living room where Nikita was placing the dishes on the dining table. Offering help Nikita pointed to another dash that was supposed to be brought up on the table. Helping each other they both had completed the task and were sitting talking to each other.


    "But why at 6, dinner is not supposed to be for 2 hours more."


    Her sister-in-law shrugged, "yes what are you doing that after your flight you would want to retire early."


    After her flight, no, but after seeing that there are definitely yes.


    they were still thoughts in her head that could easily lead her to believe that he was still alive. But there was no way that he could have been, she had seen his grave and his dead body and attended his very funeral so how was he supposed to be undead?


    Har''s logical side initially answers that he was another person. Everything that mattered was just like Jaden. His walking, his laugh, and those dimples they were similar if not the same.


    Angelo and Silvano came in after a few minutes and they immediately began eating. Alexis noticed that here to Angelo had taken up the head chair. In fat, Silvano did not even seem to reach the chair as if it was understandable that Angelo was going to take it.


    Not that she loves this family or something but the level of understanding that this family had was commendable.


    "Anyway, I do apologize since my brother won''t do it," Silvana said raising his glass to both the ladies. "We have been awfully busy and it must have been keeping you too you feeling neglected which of course was not our intention."


    Nikita raised her glass in agreement making the other three chuckle.


    "For those four months, I ask for your forgiveness. An as soon as we settle down here I assure you that we will give you all our time." He promised and they drank to that.


    Before Alexis could stop herself self it was already out of a mouth and in the open. "Yes, thank you. Nikita was just complaining about her dry spell and how you took her ''Toys''."


    Silvano choked on his drinks and spilled it on his shirt. Angelo choked a bit and coughed but that did not deter him from laughing wholeheartedly at that.


    Nikita just sat there as a blush took over her face and her eyes widened on their own.


    "Toys?!" Angelo heaved as he said the word and then continue to laugh. He had a hand on his chest and his entire face was red.


    "Oh gosh.." Alexis groaned. "I am sorry." She whispered with her palms covering her face in embarrassment. "I do not know what took over me!" She cried a little as Angelo continued to laugh. "Stop laughing now!" She hissed.


    He shook his head and laughed harder. Silvano facepalmed himself and laughed a little too. Eventually sobered up they drank a bit of water.


    "Uff.." Angelo started, "that was a bit.."


    ".. unexpected.." Silvano completed the sentence with a blank face. He was speechless at that. But then his expression changed and he looked towards Nikita who had been watching him but discreetly turned away.


    "Only if someone had told me, there could have been a few quickies." He winked making her loudly groan out.


    "Stop!" She cried in embarrassment. She had not been this embarrassed even when we had been Spanked in Silvano''s office.


    "Anyway," Angelo put a stop to it as he cleared his throat. "Let''s eat. Lest some people may get more cranky."


    The clanking of the silverware was heard and the conversation went around. All of them talking to someone and eating. No manners needed with the family of Course. They enjoyed the well-cooked meal and especially Alexis. She loved the taste of species on the chicken. Taking a bit of rice out of politeness, she took seconds for the spicy chicken and complimented it frequently.


    where the dinner did they all settled down for a quick cup of coffee which was also almost over and they were all very to go to bed which Silvano initiated by saying, "My lady needs an asana a bit naughty time, excuse us, people.." Swinging her across his shoulder, he left the couple alone.

 Chapter 154 - One Hundred And Fifty-four

    Townhouse.


    That''s what the house that they were staying in was called.


    To be frank Alexis liked the layout of the house and maybe instead of the penthouse they could move in one like this.


    Climbing up the stairs they moved to the guest bedroom provided to them, they walked in slow steps, no hurry shown by either.


    Angelo was quiet because he wanted her to keep on thinking about what was going to come. She had completely scared his soul when she ran out of the car, into the world of traffic without caring for own safety. As he followed her and thought that it would be a matter of time when she would be hit by a car and be dead within seconds. So far this scare given to him, he had decided not to talk unless she wanted to and Finally, Alexis tried to break the silence. "I like the townhouse. How about we have this instead of the penthouse?"


    His eyebrows shot up in surprise. He was not really expecting her to say that. That was completely out of the blue yet kept his face blank. "Sure. We could do that."


    He open the door to the bedroom and let go in first. Closing the door he pulled out his tracks and went for a shower all while Alexis just stared at him.


    She could only blink at how Angelo ignored her. What was she supposed to do anything about it? in her relationships Alexis had learnt something and that was when someone wanted to be alone and they should be left alone, at least that is what she wanted so she would give him that. The clothes had already been set by a maid in the closet. She took out her nightware and moved to the bathroom in the other guest room.


    She was not going to wait around as he showered. She would be done with hers too.


    As warm water hit her skin she wondered why instead of talking with her like usuall, he was straight out ignoring her.


    She wore her clothes but skipped on moisturizing herself today. She didn''t feel like any pampering.


    When she came back he was still in the shower. So not thinking much about it she sat down on the bed and waited as she looked at the clock. The second hand ran around ticking away and her eyes followed it.


    Growing bored quickly she got up and paced around a bit.


    ''Why was he not coming out?''


    ''Was he avoiding me?''


    ''But.. should he not just come and ask me why i did it? Maybe I would provide..Oh my gosh! Does he think I am crazy?!''


    She stopped and ran her hands though her hair in anxiousness. Maybe she should go to a psychiatrist, if not for the trauma caused then for the anxiousness that she had lately started to feel.


    Alexis could just not sit out any longer, so she opened the bathroom door which to her surprise was not locked and took a seat the countertop.


    "Alexis?" Angelo''s muffled voice came in as he peeped out of the glass wall which was fogged up. "Everything okay?" He frowned.


    "You have been in there for more than fifteen minutes." She informed him. "You never take more than ten." She stated this like it was obvious.


    Tilting his head a little, he gave her a noticeably surprised look. "I didn''t know that you were timming my baths." He said with his wet eyebrows raised a little.


    Embarrassed, she looked away for a moment. Angelo smirked at that, slid the door open and continued to shower. "I thought of pampering myself. With this.. scrub.." he read it off with a slight frown and she giggled a bit.


    How very manly.


    She, in nervousness, bit her lip. What was she supposed to say here? She was not sure herself if the man was alive, so what explaination was she to give to him?


    So she decided, if anything was confirmed she would give him what he needed to know but for now, it would be nothing.


    "You are still here." He pointed out as he shampooed his hair. "Got something to say?"


    In a hurry she opened her mouth and said, "Yes. Um, do you have a therapist ready for me?" A cringe came on her face as she realised what she had said. Out of Everything, she had to day that.


    "I do. Why?"


    She breathed in and out, she had made her bed and now she had to get in it. "I was thinking of seeing one..from tomorrow. You know the sooner, the better." Alexis wanted to slap herself. The way she said it seemed like she was not sure of any of this herself.


    "Yes, I am sure." His answer seemed like a taunt to her. He turned of the tap and stepped out, all drenching and dripping in his naked glory, turning her on. Yet, she kept her cool.


    He took the towel off the rack and wrapped it around himself. "I will have an appointment booked for tomorrow. Rest, you talk it out with her and decide." He suggested to which she agreed.


    "Anything else?" He asked as he took his toothbrush out of the holder along with the toothpaste.


    "Huh?" She looked up processing what he said and she understood as she said, "Nope." She stood up and ran out.


    Angelo shook his head a little and began to tend to his oral health.


    She is one little cheek thing, he mused. She came to talk about the road fiasco but instead she had conveniently changed the topic. That had him thinking, was she really depending on him the way he wanted her to?


    With how conveniently she had changed the topic she had completely, she was still thinking about how he would view her problems. Even after drilling into her mind that he was a greatful husband for not abandoning her, her own thinking stated so, she still thought of him as a stranger.


    Spiting the paste out, he rinsed his mouth and splashed water on his face.


    Standing straight he looked in the mirror.. He had to take the harsh approach this one.

 Chapter 155 - One Hundred And Fifty-five

    "I''m glad I could help." Dr. Peterson smiled at a red faced, runny nose and sniffing Alexis. While telling her what had happened, Alexis has had a full blown crying session.


    "Now," she placed a notebook on the table. "We will meet after five days and I want you to write down every scenario where you feel triggered and what is responsible for it. No matter how small the thing might be, I want you to write it in this diary and I will look over it the next time we meet."


    Alexis took the diary, still breathing heavily with shaky arms. She felt so much lighter. All that weight of not telling any had gone away.


    She felt relieved.


    "What is it that you are thinking about right now?" The doctor asked in a gentle tone. She never raised it nor she lowered it.


    Alexis with any unblinking stare answered her, "I am thinking about how relieved I feel. Like if this is a memory and its not weighing me down." She tried to express but didn''t know if she was being able to get her point across.


    "I understand." Which felt surprising to her but then again, she was not the only client the doctor had. "I am glad that you have made such progress. If you want to share something else, please feel free."


    Feeling encouraged, she tired but won''t she judge?


    "I won''t." Dr. Chuckled. She answered at Alexis''s baffled expression, "It''s really obvious to me after so many patients. No, I would not judge you in fact let me assure you that I am here to help and if I discuss this to anyone else except you I would be committing a crime which I am looking forward to avoid." She winked with a smile.


    Feeling reassured Alexis began, "I have always tried to let go of the past and never really bring it in my present but at times I have glimpses of it and I do not really feel anything about it. Does that make me emotionless?"


    Nodding at the question, the Doctor Understood it. "Now, at times we have moved past a situation that we think we have not but we have,  is that what you were asking, correct me if I am wrong. You understand that this was in the past which is excellent but what matters more is if it affects you in your daily life."


    "It does not." She answered immediately. "Earlier it used to but it no longer does now."


    "Good to hear. We will have to talk about those memories and know more."


    Standing up she thanked that doctor. Taking the diary she walked out of the door. As she walked out, the gaurd on duty joined behind. She felt light.


    Free in some way.


    "The boss is here," the guard informed. "He is waiting for you."


    ''He is waiting for me?'' She felt a flutter in her heart. it was her first day of therapy and he was waiting outside for her. It made her feel so special inside.


    Hurriedly boarding the lift, she watched as the guard pressed the button. Tapping her foot for more patience she rushed out as the door opened and went straight into his arms.


    "Hi," she melted in his arms and he cuddled her close.


    "Hey yourself." He smiled. "Missed me that much?" To which she nodded.


    "Tired too. Drained actually." She added.


    He pulled apart and walked to the car with her. As the driver started the car and Angelo remember that he had to say something. "Theodore, remember to switch the child locks on. I have a kid who bounces out of the car every time she sees someone."


    Gasping at the outrageous claim, which was partially true, she smaked his chest. "Angelo!" She immediately chatised preminded. "stop!"


    "Really?" He taunted, starting at her with an unforgiving gaze. "That''s what you say after you got kidnapped and then you run into the most dangerous traffic?" His words were a taunt but she understood the concern behind them. What she did would have scared anyone.


    She turned her neck to the order side. That was wrong and she knew it.


    "I am sorry for giving you a scare." She apologized in the most sincere voice. "I really should have thought that through but I saw someone and I couldn''t.." She heaved a little. Past memories had been resurfaced and she did not want to talk about them.


    But Angelo did not know that. Infact, he had no idea about any of that past of hers. So he believed that there was another reason behind this. "Was it one of those men?" He stared at her face. Her eyes got mum and he knew that he had hit the bull''s-eye.


    "I..I.." she covered her mouth as choked on her tears. "No..I.."


    "What''s wrong?" He asked pulling her near. "Can you not recognise them?"


    ''Them?!'' Her mind screamed the word. Them; so there had been more..


    "Them?" She repeated once more just so he could confirm it or say that it was a slip of tongue.


    "Oh..him. I meant him." He corrected immediately but it was too late. She understood and caught onto his words.


    Them. It was them. She knew it before but she had ignored it.


    Was ignorance not supposed to be a bliss? She felt a tear drop on her cheek. She was crying thinking about it.


    "Hey sweetie," he hugged her close and she let him. She liked being hugged.


    As the car stopped in front of the mansion they got out and moved inside.


    She sat on the kitchen counter as Nikita prepared the tea.


    He kissed her temple in farewell and said, "I''ll see you at dinner, love." She smiled and watched him leave.


    Opening her purse she took out her phone to call Blake when she spotted the dairy.


    Taking it out with a pen, she briefly glanced at Nikita who was attending a call, she wrote her first trigger.


    Her husband''s words.

 Chapter 156 - One Hundred And Fifty-six

    "I understand a lot of things you have written here." The doctor Commented as she read through the contents. "But the first one is where I have my doubts." She tapped on the book and then closed it.


    Today, Alexis was leaning back on the couch sitting peacefully and without any restraints holding her back unlike the previous time when she was here sitting stiffly and alert of her surroundings.


    "Could you repeat what The first One is?" She asked in a gentle voice. To be frank Alexis did not once open the book after she wrote down everything.


    Nodding with a grave expression, the woman answered. "Yes, it''s ''My husband'' and what surprises me the most is that its number one which means it was quite recent to when you left here."


    With a little confused expression Alexis explained her a bit further. "It''s just what he says at times triggers a lot of memories and unwanted thoughts." She shrugged.


    With that shrug, somehow the doctor realised that Alexis was not as serious as she should be about the matter. It was a very concerning.


    "Alexis," the doctor started out a little hesitantly. She had done this a numerous times but this time, the victim had no idea or any doubts. Which pointed out to many different things, either it was that her husband didn''t say it the ways she was thinking or He was good at what he did.


    "I want you to observe your husband. I want you to judge why he said it and when. Then how does he say the words."


    A frown mirrored her face. She didn''t understand the sudden need to judge his actions which led to further questions.


    "Why?" Her negative tone did not take the doctor by surprise. "He is not wrong. He just reminded me to reprimand me."


    Leaning back the doctor schooled her expressions of any negativity or threats. They were going to have a conversation.


    "What did he reprimand you of?"


    Alexis dutifully answered in regard to defend her husband as well. "I thought I saw someone..and I jumped out of the car to chase them." She swallowed a bit nervously. "He was reminding me of that to tell me how scared I had him at that."


    The doctor nodded thoughtfully, understanding the concern. "That was very thoughtful of him." She watched a smile come to Alexis''s lips which led her to her next question. "However, why did he have to bring up your past in order to tell you anything?" The wheels in Alexis''s head started turning around. "I firmly believe that we learn your lessons ourselves. We cannot change anyone or help unless they want it. So why, when he knows that you are not over it, does he have to talk about it?"


    Alexis sratched her head as she thought about it.


    "You would feel worse if someone like your other half mentions it on a daily basis, yet he does. Does that not make you question his intentions?"


    "It does.." she muttered unknowingly. It just slipped out and she knew that it was true somewhere, he was not fair for doing this. He was hurting her more. But then..


    "Why does he says that when it hurts me more.." she whispered out to the doctor afraid of the reality.


    She shook her head in return too. "I don''t know, why does he? Think of the reasons why Alexis." She pointed to her temple and touched it. "Think. Somewhere you might find your answer."


    And Alexis did just that. She thought about it.


    ''Why why why.. why would he do that?''


    "But he saved me. He found me." She argued as the doubts flooded in. "Why would he save me if he wanted to hurt me?"


    Bailey Peterson knew what profession the man had. So she made it obvious that this woman would be one powerful queen when she left her services.


    "Point." She received a smile. "He saved you. So what do you feel something towards him, knowing that you were saved by him?"


    Alexis knew the answer. "I feel love towards him. Thankfull too."


    "Understandable. But there is one more." Dr. Peterson held her index finger up indicating that she was forgetting one more. "Think about what more do you feel."


    Love.. Then she felt greatful..then.. what more was it?


    It was right at the tip of her tongue. "Owe..like I o.."


    "Owe something to him." The doctor finished for her. "That is called beholden. That is a true feeling when we feel like it is our duty or like we owe them something and it happens in many cases where we do not realise that we feel being beholden instead of grateful."


    Shocked but still in denial Alexis leaned forward, kept her elbows on her knees and palmed her face.


    "What you need to do now is figure out that you are you beholden towards him or are you simply grateful and loving."


    Tears came to her eyes as she felt the burning sensation once more. She did not know what to say to that. What more could be said anyway?


    "Denial is necessary but what comes next is the truth of life. Acceptance."


    She knew that she felt like she owed him something instead of just being grateful to him for saving her and that just made her feel worse.


    Holding back her tears she tried to talk but voice could not hold back the pain. "Am I a bad person if I am feeling like I owe him? Should I not just feel grateful?"


    The doctor shook her head. "feeling beholden to someone and feeling grateful are two different things. when you feel grateful you will do things for him in honour of his help but you will have your limit which you won''t when you feel owed to him." She explained.


    Then she reassured, "You feel grateful, I know you do. But what you need to let go of first, is the feeling of being beholden."


    "Because it will, for sure, hurdle your judgement for his or anybody''s intentions regarding you."

 Chapter 157 - One Hundred And Fifty-seven

    "Because it will, for sure, hurdle your judgement for his or anybody''s intentions regarding you."


    She is right, something whispered. How can she be sure of anything?


    "But then how can I be sure of anything?" She asked the doctor. That was why she was here. To get her mind in the clear.


    "Do not do this to yourself." Was the first thing to doctor said in a very firm voice."You have worked with a top firms CEO and you are telling me that you cannot make your own decisions?"


    "I can.." Alexis agrued. "But how do I know that they are right?"


    "No one in the entire world can tell you that your decision is right. Only the consequences that you face in the future will give you the verdict of that."


    "Then what do I do next?" Alexis felt like she had been cornered. She knew now that she had to be grateful and that being grateful also came with certain boundaries and limitations but what she did not understand was what to do next?


    "Unfortunately, I cannot tell you that." The doctor took a step back as she said, "I can rather suggest you what to do but I would not do that as well."


    "Why not?" Now, Alexis felt betrayed. "First you tell me that you cannot tell me what to do and now you tell me that you can suggest me things but you won''t?"


    "Precisely." The doctor smiled.


    "Why?" Alexis all but yelled. "Just why?"


    "Because I believe that you can make that decision." That made Alexis shut up. "when earlier in this session we talked about your step family, you seemed to have moved past at it without any help. That means you are strong. so here I am not going to help you where you do not need my help and as for the suggestion, all I suggest you to do is observe."


    Observe, "I get it." Obverse is what she would do.


    *************


    Angelo waited outside of the building just like the first time. He had been watchful of her actions and so far she seemed to live in a dull environment where she had no idea what happiness was.


    And was where he came in.


    Her mental recovery would take time and by then he knew that he would have made enough of an impact to have her distrust anybody else that questioned him or his intensions for her because to her, they would always be in her favour.


    He had not told anyone else about the whole white room incident. That his idea and his whole. He was yet to have the results out.


    The doors opened and there came his muse.


    "Hello darling," he once again, took her in his arms. She cuddled close just like last time.


    "Hi. Home?" She asked breaking apart to look up at him.


    "I don''t see why not." He opened the door for her and went in after.


    She had her head on his shoulder the entire drive and sighed with reluctance when they reached their home.


    Yes, their home.


    As soon as Alexis had expressed her desire to be living in a townhouse, Angelo had found a house one door away from Silvano''s and bought it. They had not yet moved in but the basic furniture was there.


    They were either eating out or at Nikita''s kitchen as she called it.


    "How about I call a designer in tomorrow?" He offered looking at the bland home like he had done a number of times.


    "Why?" She immediately objected. "I am going to get to it. Slowly but yes! See I got the beds and furniture!"


    Walking past her he gave her bottom a hard smack and climbed the stairs. "Who are you lying to? These were already here when we came in."


    Wincing she turned around and marched away into the kitchen. Dramatics.


    Looking around she knew her answer. She had to go shopping if she wanted to choose. Angelo had mentioned to leave it to a stylist who Alexis could give her tastes to but she did not want that.


    Taking her phone out she texted nikita, ''House shopping tomorrow?''


    She had not even turned her screen off when her phone had pinged. ''Done!''


    Wow, weren''t they free.


    What was worse than that, she realised, they were housewives who were excited to shop.


    She also checked Blake''s contact but there was no text. He had not found something yet and the more delay he showed, the more anxious she got.


    "Nothing yet?" She wrote and waited for a reply.


    Nothing came and she turned the screen off. This was painful.


    She was not even sure about how long would she be in Chicago.


    What could she do? A smile came to her face as she found the answer.


    She climbed up the stairs and opened the door to Angelo''s office. That had been furnished to his tastes.


    "What are you doing?" She sang in a bored voice.


    "Work." Came his short answer.


    She continued to sing, "Why are you doing it?"


    "To earn for myself and others working for me."


    "Hmm," she hummed and thought of what to say. "So you are busy.."


    Damn, she had to get more creative.


    "Yes, I am." He continued to focus.


    "Very busy?" She tried again.


    "Yes, very busy."


    "Very, very busy?" She asked with a slight smirk having created another trap.


    "Yes. Very."


    "Too busy for a strip show?"


    "Uh-huh. Very."


    Alexis nodded with understanding and shifted on the couch to sit comfortably.


    "Wait what?!" He looked up her finally. "What did you say?"


    She shrugged in return. "Whatever is was. You denied it."


    "What was it? Repeat it!" He hissed.


    She teased more with a little giggle. "Why? Is something hard?"


    "Alexis," he warned. "Stop."


    "Oh honey.." she took a seductive turn. "Reall-ah!" She was pushed back on the couch with her husband on top of her.


    "You like to tease, don''t you?" He said, hovering his lips above hers. "What now?" He taunted as she whimpered in need.


    He pressed his lips to her and they had a full make out session.


    Her phone vibrated and she held it above his ear not letting him be aware of it. It must be Blake.


    It was her mother calling.

 Chapter 158 - One Hundred And Fifty-eight.

    As Angelo continued to kiss her she continued to stare at her phones screen, dazzled to why she was calling. Because to her it seemed like there was no reason for her call as she was the one to break everything off as usual. This was the same that continued; she would break all contact and then come running back with various calls and texts. Then came the gifts and parties. Her mother always tried her best to make up after leaving her without any notice.


    It was to calling each other every day to that one day that always came, where the robot would say ''this number does not exist''. She would always be devastated and angry at herself for expecting something more even after running through the same continuous cycles. They never ended, the only started and continue to play on.


    She swiped the the screen and declined the call. She was in no way picking it up. Happy or not, Alexis now have a family with no focus on the the circumstances she had been in but at least people cared. And she could judge their honest concern regarding her.


    She kept the phone back on the table and continued to enjoy Angelo''s kisses. But something felt different. It was as if she didn''t want to feel his touch as if her body was being repulsed against him. she did not understand a feeling but something in her heart told her stop touching him. She felt her skin burn.


    Her phone rang once again and Angelo pulled apart.


    "Who is it?" He growled still looking down at her. "there is the second time your phone rang." He noticed.


    "I don''t know." She shook her head. "My phone write on the coffee table. I don''t know who is calling me right now."


    Irritated, Angelo looked over at the coffee table and fell silent as you read the username. "It is your mother." He said in a grim voice. "Why is she calling you?"


    The way he called for the reason Alexis felt as if he was accusing her of something which somehow did not set right with her.


    "What are you trying to accuse me of?" She immediately sat up and defended herself. "you know I do not want to talk to my mother. I haven''t done that since our marriage so why would I start now in the middle of nowhere when she decides to turn up."


    "I''m not accusing you anything, I''m asking you why is she calling you?"


    Now she replied in a irritated tone, "And once again how would I know? I haven''t talked to her in six months."


    It rang again and silenced their arguments any further. They both unconsciously down of the phone ring and show the name ''mum'' on it.


    "Are you not going to pick it he muttered standing a further the from her and near his table.


    She shrugged. "I do not know and neither do I care to know the answer to that." Every time this cycle happened if she would give in and pick up the call and they would then become the best friends of all time but this time Alexis I decided that she would not give in. She would hold her ground.


    "I second to that," he gently said as he came to her and pulled her to sit down on the couch with him. He held her close as he talked. "You cannot let her in every time after she chooses to walk out on you. she should have been there for you at your wedding when you had chosen hurt what you down the aisle, that is a very big decision. Yet she did not come to the wedding and remained to be aggressive about me trying to stand up for you."


    His words were the truth that she never wanted to hear out loud and since she was now, she felt awful embarrassed and humiliated by her mother. She felt like crying and she already wad. "I know," he sniffed.


    And he continued, "I cannot understand how can a mother choose to abandon her child even after knowing that her baby was abused most of her life in her own nest." He stroked her hair, "don''t worry, I know that you do not want anything with her so I will make sure that she never contacts you ever again."


    That seemed right. Her mother had to get a taste of your own medicine. Whenever she wanted she would pack up and leave and no matter how hard Alexis try to reach out to her she was either blocked or unavailable. It suddenly became as if her mother never existed.


    So what Angela said felt right. she deserved this treatment from her daughter after deserting her every time she wished. If there was a given reasons and Alexis would have understood but there was not one.


    "Yes," she turned towards him and agreed. "I do not want her to contact me ever again. she cannot just choose to get up and leave every time she wishes to you and if she can do that and so can I in this relationship. As if this relationship stands anywhere anymore." She muttered in the end.


    "I totally understand where you are coming from." He kissed her forehead. "It is solely your decision and no one else can make that for you." He smiled on her making her feel content about it. "I am happy that you are standing up for yourself." He have her a proud smile.


    She blushed under thise grey eyes. "Yes.. thank you." She looked away to the table and at her phone. It had stopped ringing.


    "Anyway.." Angelo began once more but the phone started to ring again.


    With a torn expression, she looked at the phone and took it in her hands.


    "You can block her." He suggested. "That way, she won''t be able to call you and disturb us." He twisted her chin up and kissed her lips.


    She looked at him for a moment and then at her phone. Unlocking it she opened the contact and blocked it.


    "It''s Done." She locked the screen and looked at him. "We did it."


    He shook and his head and replied back to her with a smile.. "No sweetie, you did what you wanted to."

 Chapter 159 - One Hundred And Fifty-nine

    Alexis and Nikita had gone shopping. And they had been shopping for the whole day at mand for more than 6 hours for sure. It was Sholay because of the reason that Alexis wanted to take everything off of I list in today itself.So they had gone through furniture stores, home decorations and some other stories they just found attractive.


    By the end of their hands were full of bags and receipts of their shoppings.


    "That should be the last of it," The supervisor of the movers came to Alexis and waved around. "the furniture has been placed according to you. If there is anything else are you want to have done you can tell us or we may take leave."


    Alexis nodded and handed him a few bills which he took in immediately nodded at the man and they all moved out.


    Nikita glanced around the living room and nodded in appreciation. "The furniture actually looks good. I did not expect it to turn out this way."


    Alexis shrugged in smugness. "What can I say? I am just so good at things."


    "Smart ass." Nikita taunted. "Anyways I have to go it is 7 already and I have not even marinated chicken yet."


    Hugging each other goodbye alexus closed the door after nikita left. She turned around and looked at the empty house full of new furniture and kitchenware. She had left alone most of her life and never had once she felt lonely.


    What was the point of feeling lonely now when she had a husband and his whole family?


    She went to the kitchen slab and sat down on stool. Her Phone was kept on the slab in front of her and she couldn''t help but think about what happened yesterday. She picked it up and opened her mother''s contact. The word blocked appeared on the top.


    No matter how hard Alexis I try to resist her mother it was the love she had for her that it had a Lexus running back and forth. that love was justified because somewhere she felt that she never received from the other end. So what she right unblocking her own mother? She sighed and got off the stool to drink a glass of water. She raised the glass up high as she drank it''s a bicep and her eyes darted around the room. Her eyes went still when she noticed her bag.


    She immediately kept back down and went towards it, opening the back to the diary. It was the diary that the therapist had given her. The one where she was supposed to write her triggers.


    How ironic that this notebook triggered a memory.


    Memory of water doctor had said.


    She had completely forgotten about observing her husband''s behaviour and intentions for her.


    Doubts seed into her mind.


    the recent happening where she had listened to him was where she bye by his words had locked her mother.


    But had those been his words? she didn''t want to block her mother from a long time it was just the Angelo she actually held her ground this time. All in all he had just held her to stand up for yourself. So was he wrong or was she thinking wrong?


    She aggressively ran her hands through her hair. Where were her thoughts going, she had no idea.


    one moment it seems like she was on the right track and the other seemed like she had just returned the point where she has started.


    Did he or Did he not plot against her?


    But why would he to begin with? Alexis could not offer him anything except herself and he had heard. All of her to himself, so what more could he possibly want?


    she was just feeling confusion and nothing else. Where were her thoughts heading to?


    Were they even right?


    Alex''s felt head paining because of all the questions are running around.


    Where did she go wrong? was she even wrong?


    "Ah!" With a cry she fell down on the and cradled her face. She was feeling flustered, frustrated and all in all depressed.


    Her head felt heavy and she had no idea was her chest was feeling so constricted. it felt like she was being bound by invisible ropes holding her and pulling her back.


    "Hey," a voice cooed and took her in strong arms. She immediately recognised the voice and the smell. "Calm, my love, calm." He cooed and stroked her hair.


    She breathed heavily, in and out, trying to avoid stopping it altogether.


    "I don''t want to die," she whimpered. "I don''t know..what''s happening.." she confessed.


    "Shh, it''s alright." He whispered. "Stop thinking about anything else and just focus on your breathing."


    As his words washed over her, she realised the impact they had on her. She had started to breathe slowly and focusing on herself. She took a breath and then released it. She repeated the process again and again until she felt safe.


    "What happened love?" He asked as he noticed her calm down.


    "Don''t know," she shook her head. "I just don''t know."


    "Hmm," he sighed pulling her closer than before and placed a kiss on her head. "I believe that it had been too much on you. All of this. How about for a few days you just sit in and watch movies?"


    To be sitting in and away from everything seemed like running away but she also knew that no one could outrun their problems.


    So running away in the first place was not really running away.


    "Okay. That seems like heaven." She agreed. "I can get fat on junk." She added with a little sniffle.


    "Yes," he ran his hands on her sides, "I would love some chubby curves here." He pinched her side making her squeal.


    "What don''t you go and out a movie on now? We could watch one together." He suggested to which she nodded and went up to choose.


    Angelo watch disappear in form the stairs as he placed the popcorn in the microwave.. His plan was his action.

 Chapter 160 - One Hundred And Sixty.

    For the past week, Alexis had watched way too many movies then she had in her entire lifetime. She could not even believe initially about how many movies are made annually. Thus came to her challenge to watch at least half of them.


    But of course, she failed.


    She had been in the bed for days at a stretch and it had been continuously munching on Chinese. It has been a while since we had greasy Chinese and it tasted so much better now that she had some free time.


    She was so bored.


    She had not even changed from her pyjamas. The silk felt good against her skin as she did nothing but watched Netflix and chilled.


    As the movie finished, she turned off the screen and got off the bed. She lazily walked to the windows and squinted her eyes at the street night. She had no idea what time it was.


    ''What can I do?'' She had asked Blake for hurting up but then she remembered that her demand was a little absurd too. How was he to find some people with the same phase in a time frame of a week? He was going to take his required time for this and all she could do was wait.


    She opened her bedroom door and walked to where his office was. Bored out of a mind she knew nothing else than to irritate her husband for entertainment. She would often irritate him and bask in the attention and reactions that she got. It was fun until he got really mad.


    Five days ago, Alexis had irritated him by constantly singing let it go, let it go and in retaliation to that, he had locked himself in his study opening it when he had to come out.


    Three days ago she had irritated him so much that he had physically removed her. He walked quickly to her and then threw her over his shoulder as she laughed loudly. He had reached his level of tolerance. As he carried her over the shoulder to their room he also slapped her behind harshly, muttering curses and how he had irritated him so much. That had also caused him a lot of delay in work too.


    She nonetheless, did not care for anything. Rather she continued with it.


    She opened his door without knocking and with a huge smile that did not seem cute and adoring to him anymore. Instead, It looked highly irritable.


    "What?" He barked at her, already irritated to the bone. "Why cannot you just stay in your woman watch movies? People would die to live a life like this and here you are troubling me with everything you have!"


    she did not reply to his words and continue to grin like a clown.


    "Oh for god''s sake!" He slammed the file on the table. Her lack of reply and a wide smile had only irritated him further. Alexis felt so happy to receive such a reaction from him. She felt like she had completed the purpose of life, or at least for coming here.


    "Oh come on," she teased. "You know you love me, you always say so." She reminded.


    With a fake smile, he replied, "Yes and my love can only take so much, so do not test it." He gave her a curt nod in the end.


    She whined with a stomping her feet on the ground. "But I have nothing to do.." her throwing around of tantrums would have been nice and cute and all but now he was just plain irritated.


    "But I do and I would feel appreciated if you leave me alone to do it."


    She gave a loud dejected sigh and a defeated expression and turned around. Just as he was going to go back to his work she turned around and started to say something and he hissed loudly at it.


    "What if I stay quiet?" She pleaded. "like really, really quiet." She joined her hands to show him that she wanted this.


    His head was resting on the chair and he looks mighty displeased. This was not what he wanted.


    "Honey, I can''t." He shook his head. "I have to work and if I do not work many people depending on this livelihood would not receive the money and bonus which would not be fair to them. So please just your entertainment, do not take my work lightly."


    She immediately pulled her hands down to her side and sighed. She turned around and left. It was so boring and with that emotional lecture, she had felt bad too.


    Ah! It was all his fault. He had her feeling so bad!


    She tinted around to look back at his office and see if he was coming for her or not.


    She waited.


    She still waited.


    ..


    ...


    She was still waiting and he did not come after her.


    That bitch!


    She turned around and then walked down the rest of the stairs. He would pay for that. She would make sure of it.


    Make his food or whatever. She didn''t see but he would have to pay for it.


    She walked into the kitchen and then just stood there.


    What to do? What to do? What to do?


    She looked around thinking of what to do. she had rearranged the whole kitchen twice in the whole week and now if it had about it she was sure and there was going to put a lock on the kitchen.


    So what to do?


    "Psst!" She turned around as she heard the noise. Who was that?


    "Angelo?" Only him. There was no one else in the house.


    "Noo.." someone or something whispered again scaring her very soul. She had seen numerous movies and she knew what was responsible for the killing of the heroine.


    So..should follow it or not?


    She turned around in an instant to catch the so-called ghost but no Vail.


    Turning to the other side she did that same.


    "Whatever you think is going on.." what the hell was going on?? She was panicking not the inside.


    "What is it?" Something hissed in aggression.


    ''Mummy!!" Alexis yelled and was not the verge of crying.

 Chapter 161 - One Hundred And Sixty-one.

    So..should she follows or not?


    She turned around in an instant to catch the so-called ghost but no Vail.


    Turning to the other side she did that same.


    "Whatever you think is going on.." what the hell was going on?? She was panicking not the inside.


    "What is it?" Something hissed.


    ''Mummy!!" Alexis was not the verge of crying.


    "Who is it?!" She whimpered scared for her life. A ghost? She knew that she shouldn''t have moved into a new home without having it checked thoroughly. What was she to do???"Who do you think?" It taunted back.


    By god, Alexis hated that hissing sound it was talking in. It scared her more. Why were ghosts always talking in such ghastly voices?


    As if not just their faces and getup, they had to have scary voices too.


    ''Who could it be?'' the question ran around in her mind. Who could be in her house that she could know?


    "Agatha?" She tried. but she did not hear any answer for confirmation that if she was right or wrong.


    She was still rooted to her spot and her eyes darted around the kitchen trying to find the source of the voice.


    Who was it?


    "Ahh!" She screamed at the lights went out! With no light to see what was around her all she could do was pray.


    God. God. God. God. God. God. God. God. God. God. God. God. God. God. God. God. God. God. God. God. God. God. God. God. God. God. God. God. God. God. God. God. God.


    She continued to chant in her mind and search other her brain for any chants or possible hymns or even mantras that she could recite at the moment.


    The fuck!


    What the hell was she in a situation like this!


    Why always here?!


    She was going to kill Angelo for trying to get her to live in a haunted castle or whatever it was.


    "Please.." she whimpered with her lips shaking.


    It was not just her lips shaking, everything inside and outside her felt like it was shaking. She was quivering in fear.


    A ghost!


    A hol¡ªunholy freaking ghost.


    She had seen many movies and she was sure that it was not the friendly Casper neighbourhood ghost. It was Annabelle or call kind of ghosts.


    what effect was the sole of the person who lived their centuries ago like Bathsheba in the conjuring?


    Holy heavens and mighty Angeles what I''d she was going to be possessed by the ghost and torture herself or other people. What is the ghost made her kill herself?


    Did Lauren and Ed Warren come for her?


    Would Angelo know enough about to call them?


    Oh god, she did not want to die.


    "Booo.."


    "Mumma!!" She jumped from where she was standing and got banged into a cabinet making a sound of metal clashing and she started shaking more aggressively. She was gone for. She could feel her tears coming down to her cheeks from the fear she felt.


    She was dying tonight.


    Wait..


    Where was Angelo? Shouldn''t he have heard her or the clash?


    Was it true then, that whenever someone was having an encounter with ghosts no one could hear them or their cries for help?


    She slowly steps back and kept a firm hand on the counter so that she knew that there she was going. She was still shaking and on the verge of peeing in her pants. Never in her life, she imagined having a run-in with a ghost.


    "Where are you..." It sang and that too in a hissing voice with made Alexis fear it more. She made her steps a bit quicker but that was not possible as given the fact that she was shaking so bad front he does fear that she felt to think twice before keeping her foot down on the floor.


    "Oh..you are going somewhere.."


    ''Bitch stop singing!'' Alexis winced as the words almost left her mouth and we''re going to cause a big, big blunder. What if the host could turn aggressive and start hitting and abusing her? she had seen videos on Instagram with there was a presence in the room and after it aggressively turned on and off the light switch and then best light bulbs and such.


    She was sure that if this were the case and was going to happen to her Angelo won''t be even aware of what happened and by the time he came down, she would surely be dead.


    "Please.." she whimpered as she moved around and had no idea where to go.


    With the convenience of light gone, Alexis was not even sure of what turn or rather what direction to step into.


    Everything was just surrounded in Dark and all she could do was cry for help. This was not going to work. She had to get out of here.


    "Come back to me.." it hissed once again and it sounded way close to Alexis making her run in a random direction but away from the monstrous entity.


    The hell was it singing for? Could it not just get away with scaring Alexis and leave?


    And what was with calling Alexis to itself? Noway was that ever Happening!


    Like bitch No! Don''t be ridiculous!


    As she moved forward she heard footsteps coming in behind her that made her move quicker and in two random directions just to get away from it.


    What the hell was it a for?


    "Angelo!" She yelled as loudly as she could. "Angelo?" She yelled again as loudly as her throat could muster too. There was no way in hell she was dying alone!


    The light flicked and she looked up at them in horror. All of them were turned on my once and then shut off. Why¡ªwhat int eh world was this that in a playful mood for?


    Could it not just kill and get away with it?


    She had seen the stairs when the lights were on so she ran to them but didn''t expect to be running in a side table and falling and clamped on her Ankle and she is screamed.

 Chapter 162 - One Hundred And Sixty-two

    The light flicked and she looked up at them in horror. All of them were turned on at once and then shut off. Why¡ªwhat in the world was this ghost in a playful mood for?


    Could it not just kill and get away with it?


    She had seen the stairs when the lights were on so she ran to them but didn''t expect to be running in a side table and falling.


    A hand clamped on her Ankle and she is screamed.


    "Let go!" She yelled and tried to get it off of her. She screamed as the fingernails dipped into her skin. She yanked her foot back but it didn''t let go. Tears ran down her cheeks in fear as she thought that she thought that she was going to die tonight. She was sure of it. The whole incident was giving off killing vibes.


    Kicking its hands off of her foot and then yanking her foot away, she tried her all desperate any amateur attempts to get away from it. She was not thinking through and all she thought was just get away without any concrete planning.


    She didn''t even dare look back at the ghastly creature. She or he, or most likely it will be a horrifying creature that would scare Alexes living daylights out. There was no way that she was going to turn back and look at the horrifying creature.


    She would not dare to do so!


    "Let go!" She yelled again. She had questioned her speed of thrashing around to get her hand of an as much as she thrashed it seemed like the ghost only happened to firm its hold on her more. Just not ready to let go.


    "Come back!" A sudden roar chilled Alexis spine as the ghost roared its words and they bounced off the walls making them echo and Alexis nearly peeing her pants.


    She was scared shitless. It was not how she had imagined dying.


    She stops thrashing around and felt the ghost rumble in satisfaction as it''s hand vibrated and made Alexis feel it on her leg.


    She was not going to die, she vowed in her mind. She would live through this and then have people made a movie on her.


    She breathed in for courage and freed her foot of any strength. As expected the grape of the demon loosened on her foot eventually. Freeing herself of any resistance and such, she demonstrated that she had given up.


    Her body showed no movement other than the rhythmic and quicker than usual rise and fall of her chest. She had hoped for it to take the bait and it had.


    It''s grip loosened a little.


    As it loosened Alexis waited a bit more to be certain of it.


    The grip was loosened, the demon had thought that Alexis had given up as she did not put up any strength or resistance against the assaults.


    She breathed in a huge breath, placed all her focus on the foot that was gripped by the demon. She released the breath, yanked her foot out of the grip and lifted herself.


    She placed her feet firmly on the ground and lifted herself. Her body rose in the air and she slightly stumbling yet with all the power she had made run.


    With the knowledge of the fact that was most probably behind her running and trying to catch up with her, she had missed the stairs and continued to run around it towards the little hallway.


    She had nowhere to go to or maybe she did but in fear of what was ahead of her, she didn''t turn back around to look at what she missed. She just carried on to run and run.


    She remembered the time when she had had a similar run-in with something like this.


    A demon chasing her around and how she almost died that day.


    She had just come home from school and she was happy because today her mother was supposed to be taking her to her grandmother''s house for the spring break. Everything was perfect there, from the very paint on the walls to the people living around them.


    They were kind and generous. Thoughtful too. They were the people that Alexis wanted to surround herself with but often was faced with the opposite.


    People that had malice and deceit inside them. They were rotten to the soul. Like her stepfamily. She never understood why they did not like her. Alexis has never posed any threat to them or anything of a similar kind. from the very day that she was introduced to Thomas as a mother''s boyfriend she had always then warm and welcoming towards him. ready that day was now going to be a new addition to the family she was even happier when she knew that there was going to be a sibling for her, which was Ashton.


    Imagine her surprise when these two demons were going to be the people who were going to torment her to death.


    She had a huge smile on her face when she first saw Thomas, somewhere as her potential father and had helped him numerous times to help in wooing her mother. Perhaps now that she realised it was all her fault.


    She should have maintained her distance instead of trusting them from the very start. She had completely thrown herself into their arms and invited them to do whatever with her life as she had to welcome them in such an innocent way that had attracted the demon.


    The demons who had very gracious the accepted the invitation given and then taken the reins of the situation in their hands.


    After that everything went down for Alexis.


    Her school life, however, has to be maintained well because that would be reflected and her mother would have questioned it. Or at least she would have, now that Alexis noticed am mother won''t have even noticed.


    The corridor was which usually seemed like it was always never-ending seemed to have finished before it started. Her thoughts of escaping the demon immediately came to an end.


    Out of solutions and feeling hopeless, Alexis stopped and just stood where she realised what was happening.


    Where was she to go from where? The hallways had rooms but what rooms was she to hide in from a ghost?


    It could probably break any door in a snap or if not then most probably enter the room through a wall.


    It was not like the ghost was a vampire and need permission before entering.


    But that would seem better now.


    Her legs Felt like Noddles as she stood in the hallway waiting for her impending doom. It was bound to happen, who could ever be able to get away from a ghost.


    She waited with her feet stuck to the ground. Her legs were working on their own. They had given up but she had not. She wanted to move away but it was so difficult to move her legs. They were just stuck.


    The hallway sense empty.


    The hair on her neck rose. She could feel someone standing behind her.


    With all the strength left inside her, she closed her eyes and then turned around. She was face to face it by now. Her eyes were forcefully shut.


    She felt the shaking of her bones on her skin. That was how fearful she felt.


    She struggled to open her eyes as opening her eyes would take her to a horrifying reality.


    But according to bailey Peterson, the reality was what Alexis was in right now. even if Alexis chose not to open her eyes it was a matter of time before the reality caught up with her. It was better to just accept rather than letting it give her a shock of a lifetime.  She slowly opened her eyes. The amount of stress she had put up in closing her eyes it took a few seconds for her to regain the focus and she was not in a hurry for that.


    Her eyes rat the area in front of her. They were still trying to focus on one thing by what matter the most was not there.


    There was nothing in front of her!


    An as much as that relieved her it was just as scary as anything else!


    She swallowed in relief. At least that.


    She shook in her ground. Something was breathing on her neck. She could feel the hot breath being blown against her skin erupting goosebumps that had once been relieved when she did not see anyone in front of her.


    It was standing behind her.


    Right behind her and she could feel it.


    The sound of its breathing came louder by the second as it seemed to be coming closer to her ear. There was a slight growling as breathed.


    "Please.." the word slipped out of Alexis''s tongue unconsciously.


    The growling stopped and so did that panting. It moved away and what confirmed it was the hit breathe as no longer on the neck.


    Before Alexis could turn around and see a horrifying wail was heard and she wasted no time in sprinting away.

 Chapter 163 - One Hundred And Sixty-three

    She sprinted towards the stairs immediately as she heard the wretched wail. If she was dying tonight then so was Angelo. They were wife and husband till death.


    And death was after her, so it would be understandable if Alexis took him with her too.


    She climbed up the stairs with as much speed as her jelly legs could muster. They were on the verge of breaking apart. Yet, she kept going, she had too, otherwise...


    She did not want to think about that.


    The door to his office came in her line of sight and she sprinted faster. Her hair flew in behind her as she ran with speed and bounced on her back, her thighs ached with such pain that she did not even experience on her period.


    She did not stop as the door came in the view, rather she banged into it and door opened with the sudden force of her body colliding with it.


    As it opened on the sudden impact she fell face forwards without having any thoughts of bracing herself. Her body hit the cold hardwood floors and she cried out in pain. Footsteps were heard coming closer and she knew that he was coming to her.


    "Angelo.." she whimpered in calling him to her. Her whole body ached and she could not even move an inch.


    "Alexis?!" He twisted her body up and faced her towards him. "Honey, what-what happened?"


    His face gave away the worries and shock he felt as she barged in. He had almost taken his gun out and was about to shoot the person dead when he saw that it was his wife and she was falling on the floor.


    "There''s someone.." she started to talk but choked on her tears. "There is someone there! Angelo please!" She pointed towards the door and continued to chant. "Please! I don''t know who! But help!" She cried and didn''t stop talking. She was scared out of her mind.


    "What''s happening?" Gabrielle''s voice made Alexis turn to him. "What''s there?" He crouched down next to Alexis and Angelo. She wondered when he had come as she had not noticed him come in. What was happening? Was it even real or just a nightmare?


    "A ghost.." she confessed but changed her mind. "I don''t know. but there is someone." She cried shaking her head.


    Angelo was furious. Someone had made his wife cry and they were sure as the seven fucking hells paying for it and the payment was going to be rather unforgettable for everyone and a lesson for many to come.


    "Come on love," he picked his wife up in his arms and carried her over to his chair making her sit in it. In this situation, the thing that he needed most was patience.


    If he panicked here then everything would go downhill so he had to take every step with a calm mind.


    "Angelo.." she immediately whimpered as his touch left her. It was the only comfort available for her. "..Please.."


    "Sh, let me deal with it." He didn''t let her hold him. Instead, he pulled apart without any remorse. He would make up later but for that, she and he would have to be alive.


    He opened the drawer and took his gun out. Pointing it towards the door, he waited and thought of a quick plan.


    "Boy, what are doing?" Gabrielle asked as he stepped towards the couple. "Put the gun down!"


    Angelo glared at his father and spoke, "Are you out of your damn mind? Someone is out there threatening my wife and god forbid if I ever let that person live!"


    That made Alexis blush a bit.


    "Boy.." his father pinched his nose. "Put the damn thing down. You don''t know what is happening!" He tried to explain but didn''t know where to begin from.


    "The fucking hell is¡ª"


    "Angelo!" Alexis suddenly cried from next to him or behind him. He was shifted her stand behind. "Look! It''s like valak!" She gave her heart-wrenching cry making his blood boil.


    He looked towards the door and immediately frowned in shock. A figure in black stood and ghastly pale it looked, making him wonder about life because it sure looked like death.


    The horrifying teeth and the sharp, pointed nails which looked rotten and the red-blooded eyes with black pupils.


    He did not have to think. Holding Alexis who was standing as still as a statue next to him, he threw her on the floor behind him and aimed for a shot.


    "Angelo! No!" His father immediately came in between, seconds away from stopping him from shooting.


    Angelo, Outrageous at this, was ready to bark when his father turned to the alien.


    "Honey," Gabrielle''s tone softened but was still firm. "Stop this, you are scaring our kids."


    Alexis gasped. She knew that Angelo was too cruel to be a human but an Alien?


    And she had sex with him! A few times were without protection too. Nothing to her made sense anymore.


    As the realisations were going on in her mind with recounting the incidences of him being out of the world, Angelo fought in the front.


    "Your lover I might not be aware of?" He taunted with a highly aggressive tone to his father''s conversation.


    "Oh hush." Came a soft voice from the horrendous creature making Alexis look at it while standing on her knees, still behind Angelo and clutching his pants and skin underneath it.


    Its hands rose to make Angelo aim at it in alarm and Gabrielle throwing him a warning glance while coming in between.


    Its hands were searching something around its necks and then pulled...her face off? The tearing noise was cringing.


    "Happy Halloween!" Greeted his mother with a huge smile and Gabrielle turned to them with a guilty smile making them know that he was a part in it too. "Happy Halloween to my babies. How was my surprise?" Looking down at Alexis she winked, "Scared you, didn''t I?" She teased but that made Alexis''s stance stumble and fell to the ground with a gut-twisting expression while silently sobbing. It pained his heart to see her like this.


    He turned to his mother.. Raising his gun, he aimed and took a shot.

 Chapter 164 - One Hundred And Sixty-four

    Alexis jumped at the sound. She got up on her feet to see what had happened.


    Angelo had shot at her mother-in-law and he did not stop.


    He shot once more. Without a thought.


    And then one more time, the last hope.


    Everything was still, not a movement of a hair was made. Everyone in the room had been holding their breaths in anticipation of what had happened.


    No one could process it and their minds were completely blank.


    Gabrielle blinked and then snapped into action. He ran towards his wife and checked her thoroughly.


    "Any pain? Anywhere? Where?!" He yelled at her panicking and checking her body for any such injuries.


    Isabelle was in shock herself, having lived through the entire reign of her husband she was all but protected from every danger sent in her way. Be it her husband, his guards or her sons, she was always protected.


    And she was grateful for that.


    But today when a gun was raised in her direction she felt the fear of a threat made her to her life. Then when Angelo shot at her, she couldn''t move from the fear. She felt paralysed by it.


    "I..uh..I.." she couldn''t focus on anything. She felt nothing but numbness in her entire body. Nothing was going on inside her and it made her feel like death.


    "Honey.." He couldn''t check on her with a good eye Because of the clothes that she wore.


    "What the fuck?!" He roared at his child. "How fucking dare you shoot at your mother?!"


    Angelo clicked his tongue but didn''t reply. He turned to his wife and helped her stand then took her in his arms as her legs were quivering. He was afraid that she might not even be able to walk ten steps.


    "They were all blanks." He explained. He had no intention of hitting his mother.


    "What?" His father barked. "Do you think that it¡ªthis, any of this is a joke?"


    Angelo shook and his head and answered honestly. "No. But it is for you." He raised his wife a little higher to emphasize the point he was going to make. "My wife thought that she was going to die. You made her think that you made her fear her life in her home where people were there to protect her. I don''t believe in ghosts but they exist and we all know it. Yet, you scared the shit out of her. Look at her!" He watched as they glanced down at her but couldn''t hold onto and quickly looked away. "This woman is scared out of her damn mind. Do you think that it''s a joke? Huh?!" He threw his father''s words back at him. "Are life and death a joke to you?!"


    His mother intervened, "You made your point, we ar¡ª"


    "I know I made my fucking point." He argued further. "I knew it the moment I shot at you. The fear my father felt was what I did. And what you did, my wife felt it tenfold." He moved to the door as his father respectfully backed away from it.


    He walked a few steps out but turned a little and said, "I don''t think that my wife would be comfortable with you being here. Leave and go to Silvano''s place for tonight." Without waiting for them to say anything he turned around and walked forward carrying his wife to their room.


    He kicked the door shut and placed his wife on the bed, lying down with her after taking his shoes off, he pulled the covers on top of them.


    "Tell me what are you feeling," he pulled her closer and his heart broke as he felt her shivering. There was nothing that he could do about this. "Just talk to me."


    She immediately broke down into tears. "I was so scared!" She cried clutching his arms for comfort. "It all felt so real.. the lights! They are scared me to death. I was so scared, I was like staring at death and ..it was horrifying. I don''t ever want to be alone. It was just so scary.."


    He heard every confession of hers with pain in his heart. She couldn''t see his expressions and he was grateful for that. Her shivering had not stopped so to he kept on touching her, providing her with the comfort of touch. Telling her that he was here. With her, right here.


    "I know baby," he cooed gently. "I am sorry. I won''t let that happen again."


    She sniffed but didn''t say anything. "When did your father come in?" That was another question to be asked. He was there but Alexis had never seen him come in.


    He sighed and answered, "Probably sneaked in. He was there to distract me while my mother scares you. She did that all our life''s but it was never to such an extent and we knew that she was going to since it was Halloween. She must not have considered for you to be scared like that."


    Alexis scoffed and the sound came out as much as her stuffy nose would allow. "That''s funny. I lived alone for most of my life. Do you think that I won''t be afraid of such things? Everyone is."


    "True." He muttered, placing a kiss on top of her head and deciding not to argue. "If you are scared to be alone, then I can have Agatha''s brother come in. He is like the male version of her."


    She frowned a little, thinking about it seemed weird. "Male version of her?" She mumbled and then imagined her with a flat chest and bearded face.


    "Umm.." now she was not sure if she wanted him to come.


    He spoke with a sigh. "then maybe we could have Agatha come here and he could take her place at the mansion. Now go to sleep. I will retire early tonight." He kissed her forehead and played with her hair.. Pulling her close to him, he pulled her to a world where the world was safe but with him next to her.

 Chapter 165 - One Hundred And Sixty-five

    I have never talked to a therapist before. So, it might not make sense at times and excuse me for that.


    ******


    "So when happened, what did the feeling of revenge make you feel?" Asked Dr Peterson. "What was going on or what were you thinking about?"Alexis shrugged at that. They were talking about her history with the bullies and the recent encounter with them.


    "Nothing, go be honest." She admitted. "Nothing was going on. I just liked that I had something superior on them." She explained and admitted. "It just felt nice."


    Peterson nodded and added. "Like they did to you."


    Alexis blinked a bit and then asked, "what?"


    "You like having to be superior to them like they did to you." The doctor repeated and explained. "you are telling me that nothing was going on and you just liked being superior to them. Now is that what exactly those bullies thought about you. For them, you were a source of entertainment and a subject that they could mock about without having to feel the inferiority of any kind or some kind of rebellion from you, which as you told me, you never showed-"


    "Wait," Alexis held up a finger and a frown creased her forehead. She didn''t like what she was hearing and more so, she hated what she understood from it.


    "I agree that I never did anything but that should not have given them the go, to do anything they wanted, to humiliate me. Because I never dared to speak up then didn''t mean that if I didn''t feel.. what..." Alexis tried to bring up emotions into words that she could convey to the doctor but she could just feel those emotions inside her and did not know how how to explain them.


    it was difficult for her from the very beginning to the very end but she lived through and that was all that mattered to her.


    Nodding at her loss of words the doctor came to her rescue, "I understand what you are trying to say." But then placed her point on the table, "But your courage to speak up would have caused a difference."


    "I know it would have! But I couldn''t, I felt as if they were superior to me. People laughed at me because they make jokes and I''m sure they would not have stood up with me if I stood up to them."


    The doctor smiled and shook her head gently, "You can always take history as evidence, for that, when you start rebellion not many support you in the beginning because they do not see the reason to break the chain as you do. Your courage to stand up to them for something you want to do and you did not need anyone else for that."


    So all in all what the doctor said was understood by her. So she nodded, telling her that she understood the message.


    "Well then, moving forward I would come back to my point." They chuckled a bit at the sentence and the doctor winced at how nonsense it sounded.


    "Anyway," she cleared her throat. "When your bullies were trying to mock you, they did it because they felt superior. Now what I am trying to point out to you is that you did the same when you went out with them."


    That was not true. "But I did not insult them."


    "Was that not what you were there for then ? You did tell me you are you had gone there for the intention of insulting them."


    "And I had." Alexis agreed to her. "But I never really insulted them. They had realised the fact that what place I was in and where they were."


    "Now you see when you say that, you do tell me that you were feeling superior to them."


    She was appalled by the statement made by the doctor may be baffled at how true it was but she was not going to agree to it.


    "I was more successful than any of them it was a given that I was!" She defended. "and as it was all for revenge then I could have easily taken it but I did not. I never called any of them back."


    She smiled at the points Alexis was making. Somehow, they were being added to the file that the doctor was presenting as evidence. "I never said anything about revenge. I was never really talking about superiority."


    Falling silent at the moment, she realised what had happened. She had once more, not agreed to what was happening and rather chosen her own set of reality. The reality in which whatever she wanted was happening and nothing else was seen in another''s point of view.


    "It is no harm in admitting that you did want revenge. I do not know what changes came to your mind and you did not continue it, rather you left it which was good but my point is that, you never wanted revenge and when you had the chance of taking it you left it like it was nothing. Like it did not matter to you."


    "It did not." She agreed. That deduction was right.


    "Right," the Doctor nodded. "Then here comes my question, why did you decide to contact them when you did not want to have any kind of revenge or communication with them?"


    she has reflected her thoughts at the question and leaned back onto the couch that she was sitting on. That was true and she had never given it a second thought or maybe she had and she did not remember it now.


    But none of it made any sense.


    She knew that when she did not want to do something no one could make her do anything. That was her power, something that every human being was blessed with. then coming back to the doctors question why did she?


    The answer was on the tip of her tongue and it slipped out to reach doctors ears.


    "Because he said so," she did not like where it went and her expressions were the evidence of that. "And it just made sense when he did."


    Doctor Bailey Peterson continued, "and to the main question then, does it make any sense to you now?"


    A feeling of dread settled inside her as she answered it.. "No, it does not."

 Chapter 166 - One Hundred And Sixty-six

    A feeling of dread settled inside her as she answered it. "No, it does not."


    "And what makes you say that?" Peterson continued the conversation with a gentle voice. The flow of it had to be carried on uninterrupted.


    "I. I don''t know what makes me say that." She admitted.


    The doctor nodded. "Alright." She relented. "How was the rest of the week?" She changed the topic.


    She pursued her lips and thought of what to tell. Not much had happened except she had been scared to death by her in-law.


    "Nothing." She shook her head. "mainly it was all just. Netflix and chill with lots of greasy Chinese."


    "That sounds nice. A little time to yourself that do wonders." Peterson smiled. "Did you feel better?"


    Alexis answered with a smile. "Yes, I am. I have been wanting some time to myself given everything that has happened till date."


    The doctor frowned and probed further. "What happened in the past says to make you feel like that?"


    It shook her head. She had no idea how to talk about it. So she left it at that.


    "Nothing. Just a few crazy in-laws." She shrugged. She checked the clock on the wall, there were still twenty minutes to go.


    "That happens to the best of us." She joked to which Alexis laughed. "I do have to ask, do you realise you''re, forgive me for my lack of finding a better word, a mistake in their whole ordeal?"


    Alexis shook her head with a confused expression. Why and how was she the one to make a mistake?


    Peterson explained further, "You did what you were asked to but blindly so. What we do without thinking can often comebacks ms harm us, haunt us in many ways. Which leads me to ask this, when you knew that this is was not what you stood for, why did you do it?"


    The answer was simple. "Because he said so and I understood that it was important."


    "Important to who, him or you? Did you ever think about that?"


    "No, I didn''t." She did not. She just assumed that since he said, she really needed it but now, she as she thought about it, she had no need to do anything of the sought. Rather she wanted to move out of the very conversation about them.


    She hesitated a bit but eventually asked, "But what is wrong in that? He is my husband and somewhere, he would have suggested it for my well-being."


    "Well, honestly, everything." The tone that the doctor used was for the first time not formal and something that came from within. What Alexis felt was this was held judging a patient but she kept quiet on it. "You are given the right to de use what is wrong and right for you. You will make mistakes and that is obvious, very human to exact. It''s in our nature to make mistakes but it is obvious to learn from them."


    "But when someone knows better should we not accept the advice they offer?"


    "We should but only if we know that it would work out for us. If it''s of no use then perhaps not taking it is better."


    Alexis didn''t know what to say. To be out in a frank manner, she was not understanding it.


    "Angelo cares for me. So, what if he made a decision for me that he thought would be right?"


    The innocence there pinched the doctor''s heart. She had to convey the truth but in a way that Alexis would understand the importance of.


    "Alexis, People will always want to say nice things to us, give us fancy gifts and take us shopping but the real question is, do we need the truth or the nice words? Would those fancy gifts come to use, or can we afford to shop when we have loans to pay?"


    Alexis could feel the shock coming in but she wanted to hear it from her. "Say it in clear words."


    The doctor looked a little uncomfortable but nodded and said it. "Do you need his help?"


    "Yes, as a matter of fact, I do."


    She clicked her tongue and continued her questioning, "do you need him to help you in standing up?"


    Alexis frowned, "No."


    "In washing yourself or.."


    "No!" Came her immediate reply.


    "Well then, must be in communication." She concluded.


    "No, I can communicate her fine," Alexis argued.


    "Ah, Money. Don''t you have a degree?"


    Alexis hated that question too much. "I do have one. I have worked before Marriage and after too."


    The doctor smiled and nodded at that. She was proud of that. "Then are you indecisive? Do you need help in making decisions?"


    Irritated now, she sighed. "No, I can make my own decisions just fine."


    "Then why is it that you think you need his help anywhere?"


    Alexis fell silent at that question.


    The doctor continued, "I did not say, love. So yes, you can want love from someone. Seek companionship for life or till you decide otherwise but the main question is, why do you think you ''need'' it?"


    "I..love." she settled with it. "I am with him because I love him. I want to spend my life with him."


    Was it true? She had no idea. But she won''t say that she was stupid to say that she needs it.


    "Yes," she agreed but not to the lie that Alexis just said. "You don''t need it."


    "I don''t." Alexis firmly repeated.


    "Then why do you let him decide it for you?"


    That again! She was frustrated with it.


    "I don''t let him decide anything for me!" She hissed.


    Peterson continued, "He made this appointment for you. Patients usually come to seek therapy but your husband did for you. If it was a concerned parent then I would have understood it, but this means that you did not want therapy-"


    "And I initially didn''t!" She confessed as she threw her hands up.


    "Then why did you let me decide that? You decide to want help. It should co-"


    Alexis abruptly got up with her purse, "Screw this. I am leaving." She moved to the door.. "and I am not coming back."

 Chapter 167 - One Hundred And Sixty-seven

    As Angry as she was on what the therapist implied, she knew better than to tell anyone about it. So she kept it to herself and also decided for herself like the doc had said, that she won''t go to her again. She had certainly crossed her limit.


    He was still irritated and quite aggressive about how the session had gone. somewhere, Alexis is agreed that if the Doctor had taken a different approach would have understood what was the underlying meaning of the conversation but when she started accusing Angelo she had entirely lost it.


    closing the door shut behind her with a sigh, she plopped down on the couch and threw her bag somewhere near or far. That was the least of her concerns.


    "Refreshments, Madam?" Agatha''s voice flooded in as she offered refreshments.


    Alexis opens her eyes and peeked at her. She had completely forgotten about Agatha coming in today. it was decided that she would stay here and her brother would take care of the mansion back in New York. And by the looks of the house, she already had taken care of most of the things.


    "Yes, Lime juice, please." She sighed. This was getting tougher she did not know how to deal with the situation as she had no want to take her frustrations out on.


    The clicking of feet indicated that Agatha was walked away. Probably was going to be back in a minute with the drink.


    It had been a good week since she had called Blake and now she could not wait any longer. She had to know the results.


    Agahth came back after a few moments and placed in a glass of lime juice in front of Alexis on the table, leaving after it.


    Alexis took the glass along with her purse and walked up to her room.


    She hurriedly placed the glass on the table along with her purse and then locked the door shut from the inside so that no one could come and here on the conversation.


    She opened her purse and grabbed her phone out dialling blake''s number. She waited for him to pick up the call.


    "Madam, Good afternoon." He wished immediately after picking up the call.


    "How long was it going to take to have you call me about what you found out?" She directly jumps to the question she had inspired and completely ignored his greeting.


    "Yes, I apologize." He said. "I was waiting to see if there were any more-"


    "I do not want to know about any of that system you what you know of now. Is someone name Jaden Williams living around me?"


    She closed her eyes on the instant as she finished the question. The anticipation for the answer was really brutal. And she knew that any answer that he would say would only bring her the feeling of the disappointment or dread. Neither of which she wanted but were the only options she had.


    "Yes Ma''am, there is actually." He chirped. "I found out about him and one other."


    Alexis'' eyes flew open at that and she realised what had happened. She had not given the Blake any facial recognition regarding the man that she wanted to be found she had just given him a name. For which she wanted to slap herself for.


    "Uh.. the younger one." She stammered to talk about it as she thought about his age. "He should be in his late twenties by now."


    Shuffling came around and he spoke once again, "yes, I have two."


    "Two Jayden Williams? In their late twenties?" She asked to confirm once more.


    "Yes, Ma''am." His voice came through. "I am sending you the email."


    She nodded but closed her eyes as she remembered that he was not in front of her. "Yes, Yes. Thank you."


    Hanging up she placed the phone on the bed and went to the bathroom. It would take some while or a few nanoseconds for it to reach to her but she just wanted to prolong it. So, she went int the bathroom and to get rid of her anxiousness she turned the faucet on and watch her face.


    Splashing water once, thrice and then repeating it two more times, she finally turned it off. Patting her face dry, she wakes out of the bathroom.


    "Alexis?" Angelo knocked on the door. "Did you- why did you lock the door?"


    Her heart thudded her chest and was coming to her throat. She had forgotten to unlock the door.


    Hurriedly walked towards it, she unlocked it with only one thought on her mind. What would she say to him when he asked her about why had she locked the door?


    "Hey," she smiled at him, opening the door a little and peeking.


    "Hi..?" He frowned and tapped on the door. "Can I come in ..my room?"


    She nodded and smiled, pulling the door wide open, she let him enter.


    "So, how was your day?" She asked in a sing a song voice trailing behind him.


    "Good," he continued till his eyes spotted the lemonade. "can you ask her to make one for me too? Tell her to go less on the ice."


    She nodded and walked out. In the kitchen, Agatha stood and got to make the drink at once. Alexis decided to stay here and take up the drink with her. It would be better given that it was only going to take a few moments and she was going to have to check the mail when Angelo was not Around.


    She watched her make the drink with two or three ice cubes and garnished it with mint. She took the glass in her hand and walked back up. This was tiring, she wondered how Agatha walked up and down all day.


    The door to Angelo''s office was open and she noticed something. It was in his previous office as well and the same was here too. It didn''t make sense with the whole room.


    She shook her head and walked back, "Here you go." She placed on the table and turned to look at him who had his back at her. He came to her immediately taking the glass and also said, "so what did Blake send you?"

 Chapter 168 - One Hundred And Sixty-eight

    Here you go." She placed on the table and turned to look at him who had his back at her. He came to her immediately taking the glass and also said, "so what did Blake send you?"


    "what?" She asked having not heard d him or acting so.


    Taking a sip of the lemonade, he repeated, "Blake went you an email, did you not check it yet?"


    She shook her head and turned around to take her glass. "Nope, didn''t have the time. Must be about the restaurant and stuff.."


    He raised a brow at that but don''t comment on it. She did not want to tell him, fine. She shouldn''t.


    Didn''t mean that blake would get to refuse him too.


    Also, he had something else to talk to her about.


    "My mother was asking for a Halloween party. Given, the prank she played, she knew better than to approach the topic that was every night so she was asking if you want it to do it sometime near. Don''t worry I refused her on your behalf."


    Alexis frowned on that. "Why?"


    "Why ever not?" He rebuked. "She pranked you to death."


    "She did." Alexis agreed. "But she did not hope for what length I got scared too. She had hoped for a quick scream and run whereas pretty much.." She shrugged and did not say anything further.


    He sipped on his drink and did not comment on the topics for some moments. He chose to stay silent and nodded a bit before talking. "Are you sure? She scared you so much. I would see the reason if you wanted to do nothing with her."


    "No. No. No." She immediately defended. "I like Isabelle. She is d a prank is not something I want to break apart from her on."


    "So you want to go to the party?" He asked with a sigh and looked tired.


    "Yes, I would love too." She smiled. "It would be great to go out again."


    He leaned closer to her. They were face to face and their sides were against the couch. "Are you sure that you want to go out in public? After all, happened with you? tool too if you want to stay home. I have no problem to stay with you."


    His concerned expression about her touched Alexis'' heart. She wanted nothing more but to take away all these concerns and replace it will happiness.


    "No, it''s not that." She once again stood her ground. "I would love to go out and socialize with the people. Maybe you could show me off on your arm." She suggested.


    "Hmm," he hummed with mischievous eyes. "As what an escort or arm candy?"


    She smacked his shoulder. "As your wife!" Making him laugh.


    "Seriously, I want to go." She repeated once more with a firm voice.


    He looked into her eyes, looking for any kind of nervous or underlying doubts.


    "Are you sure?" He asked again. "Be honest with me. If you feel anything other than comfortable, you would tell me."


    "Yes, I will." He stressed on the words. "how does having our bat signal sound like?"


    "Shit." He said with a blank face, being brutally honest.


    "I could show you my boobs?" She offered.


    He smirked. "In front of every millionaire and press member?"


    Caught in the act, she turned her face around and then muttered, "well maybe not."


    "What? Speak clearly, I did not hear you." He teased, trying to make her turn to face him but she stubbornly didn''t.


    "Nothing. I aid forget about it." She finally turned to him. "Go have a shower." She patted his thigh. He gave a peck to her lips and then went to shower.


    As the door closed she immediately got up and talked to her phone. Opening it clic-


    "Hey!" she hurriedly his the phone behind her and turned to Angelo who had just come out of the bathroom or so she hoped. If he had seen her get up and run to the phone like that as soon as he left you would automatically know that there was something wrong.


    "Yes?" She asked him, being a little breathless about it.


    "if you want to go to the party you might want to decide what you want to wear soon."


    "Okay, I got it." she nodded hurriedly ready to dismiss him and check her email.


    He went back in and she turned around once again.


    She opened her male and searched for the name Blake.


    It was right on the top with a PDF attachment.


    Her hand hovered over the button. She was afraid of what had in store for her. Because if he was dead then she would just feel disappointed. But if he was alive then she would feel a lot of things in sat she would unravel huge secrets that she did not know existed.


    Open to the first and look at the first picture.


    the name Jaden Williams was attached to it but he looked in nothing like him. Hentirely different from him. From the very eye colour to the structure of his nose.


    She skipped him and hopped over to the other. He was not Jayden as well. even if Alexis has seen him more than five years ago she knew that if he had aged he would still look pretty familiar. And these people were nothing like him.


    She checked over the next two but did not find anything to her concern. This was it as she thought as she came to an end of the PDF.


    There were no more images and that meant just one thing.


    He was dead. He no longer existed in this world and whatever your whoever she had seen was not Jayden Williams.


    Her Jayden Williams.


    They were all others and hers was dead.


    With a sigh of relief, she fell on the bed.


    She was thankful that the dead had stayed dead and nothing would ever come back in her life again to cause problems.

 Chapter 169 - One Hundred And Sixty-nine.

    Alexis was anxiously waiting in the living room. Why was she waiting anxiously instead of patiently? She had no idea. Isabelle was going to come in and she was nervous about how this encounter would go after they had practically fallen out when Angelo had asked her to leave and also shot at her. The latter gave Alexis a good reason to understand if they did not want to talk to her.


    Shooting at his mother seemed a step too far.


    The bell rang and she looked up, walking to the door sheopened itt and there stood Isabelle.


    "Hi." Alexis greeted with a small, nervous smile.


    "Hello darling, Can I?" She pointed to the living room and Alexis jumped back, letting her in immediately.


    She followed her mother in law inside who took a seat on the couch.


    They both looked at each and has the same thought in mind.


    "I''ll begin first," Isabelle broke out. "I really shouldn''t have.."


    "No! No, I got really scared, I mean like how a could ghost get in the house.." she rambled on and on.


    Isabell shook her head. "Alexis. I was at fault. I didn''t know if you believed in the ghosts or not. Usually for those who don''t, their reactions and lovely to look at but I know I scared you and I apologize for that."


    "It''s fine.." Alexis smiled. "I didn''t expect it."


    A smile came to Isabelle''s face in an instant. "I knew it! Everything apart, this was so much fun!"


    Alexis winced a little and shook her head. "Maybe not for..me." she offered a bit hesitantly. "So, change your target next time..please?"


    Isabelle laughed at that. "Oh, you don''t need to tell you about that." She shook her head. "You are never going to be on that list."


    "I feel like that should make should make me feel back but it doesn''t." She shrugged. "I like that very much actually."


    "Well, I am glad for one." Isabelle mused as she took the tea from Agatha. "Anyway, how are you settling in?"


    Taking a sip of hers, Alexis shrugged. "Alright, I guess. I mean there is not a lot for me to do."


    "You have to ask for that. If it were up to these men, for your safety they would never let you work," said she. "It is a given. They have enough money and they would never suggest you work."


    She frowned at that, "Isn''t that a little egotistical?"


    "It is." Isabel agreed. "But women prefer it. I mean everybody does. If you are given a life where you don''t have to work hard, you will most probably take it up."


    "That''s gold-digging." Alexis pointed.


    "Then I believe everyone is a good digger. Because when given a chance, everybody wants an easy way out." She took the cup of its saucer and with her little finger pointing out, she delicately sipped it. "Now, is that not true? Does everyone not want the easy way?"


    Alexis thought about it a little. It was true. Even though people worked hard if they were ever given an easy option they would take it up. So she nodded, agreeing to it. It was true for most of us.


    "Angelo told me about your Halloween party." She smiled, "when it is?"


    Isabelle immediately smiled giddily, rubbing her hands together, she started to gush. "I do this every year. Now, I send out this exclusive invites and if you cannot dress up, you cannot come. These are amazing and most of the time you have to bring someone with you. This time Angelo would come too. What are you going to dress? Halloween to in two days."


    "Two days?" Alexis repeated with a shocked yelp. "what am I going to do by then? Even the malls won''t have anything!"


    Isabelle shushed her, "You knew about this!"


    "Wh¡ªI.." she breathed in and out, "How m I supposed to know about something when I did not even know that you existed?" And then after a second thought she also added, "also did you not just say that this party is our invite-only?"


    "Ah, yes." Isabelle winced. "I''m sure you can work something out. It''s not like you have to dress up like teenagers, you can make your costume."


    sceptical about it, she asked her to confirm but was immediately intervened by Isabelle. "Just don''t break the pairings."


    "Pairing?" Alexis rolled her eyes, "Did you not say that I could make my costume?"


    "yes, you can I said that, but that is not mean that you can break the whole spirit about the Halloween party." Her mother-in-law countered back. "That the whole part about dressing up. Also, send in your costumes early. We have it at a sight so that no one can have the same."


    "And now, I hurry more." She muttered Sarcastically. "What re you throwing an exclusive party though?"


    Isabelle sighed and looked up at the ceiling, seeming to be reminiscing about the reason.


    "It..when we first came here we were not accepted by everyone. It was always that we were the outsiders and the criminals. of course, no one could just blatantly point that out but it was aware amongst people what we did for a living and when you better than to mess up." She shrugged as if she knew there was nothing to be done about it. "so I thought that I would throw a good party once a year. I decided to choose that holiday. Of course, dressing up is a plus, everyone likes it." She winked.


    Alexis asked further, "so this was for networking and expanding your reach?"


    "No, not really. It was more so because I wanted us to stand somewhere and be known as something other than outsiders and criminals."


    she smiled. "So everyone likes it?"


    "Oh, they love it!" A smile graced Isabelle''s face. "And if they don''t, they know that they won''t be invited and that would be a tragedy"


    "A tragedy?" She frowned. "Why?"


    "Because when you are rich you are expected to be invited everywhere. That means you are with the correct crowd otherwise you can come and go like any other millionaire. Unless you want to go, you must be remembered and that happens through networking." She then added after noticing Alexis''s stare.. "Watch the frown Honey you''re going to add wrinkles to your face and don''t be shocked it''s the truth of life."

 Chapter 170 - One Hundred And Seventy.

    "No." Came his straight answer which he said without even bothering to look up."Wha- ugh! Fine." She groaned and continued to think.


    "Ariel and a sailor?"


    "No."


    "Angel and devil?"


    "Nothing out of the ordinary then." He shook his head.


    "So?" She probed further it getting it. Was it a yes or a no?


    "So, no."


    She continued to present. "Okay, Popeye and olive?"


    "No to.. whatever that is." He blinked and she felt the disgusting vibes coming her way.


    "Then.." What more could it be? She looked at him, unbothered and eating away his meal. "Why don''t you tell me something? You have said no to almost everything!"


    He nodded thoughtfully and then raised a finger while holding his cutlery. "How about you put on a lacy bodysuit and I wear a red heavy velvet robe."


    She frowned. What was that about?


    Then it clicked.


    Shock and embarrassment ran through her but she dare not show it. She was not going to give him that satisfaction.


    "Well," she made a delightful expression. "Okay. I think we can do just fine with. But I think instead of the lace bodysuit, I should try to see-through and umm..yes! Bunny ears!"


    With wide eyes, he repeated. "With bunny ears?"


    "Yes," she smiled. "With a see-through bodysuit too!"


    He looked caught in his own game. Not believe believing that she had said yes he stared at her for a few moments as she continued to eat.


    "No, I changed my mind." He grumbled. "We will do something else."


    "Nope." She immediately denied. "You never say yes to anything so I have decided to go with your choice."


    He rebuked immediately, "my choice will make you look like a damn hooker!"


    She shrugged nonchalantly, "don''t care. I''ll be a hooker with her husband."


    He blinked a bit and then straightened himself up. "No."


    "Why not? I want to." She shrugged. "We would look so good!" She smiled brightly, loving his reactions.


    "Yo-why?" He sighed for some reason but she didn''t bother to look why. She had heated him there for that suggestion.


    "Can you not?" He rubbed his hand on the back of his neck. "Please."


    "Hmm," she mused tapping her finger on her chin. "No. I liked the idea."


    She continued to eat after having said that, not bothering herself to look up and see what he was doing.


    She cut through the chicken and took a bite of it. Savouring the taste of the spices on it.


    her chair was pulled back and she held back at the table in alarm looking up at what had happened. Angela leans down close to her face making her lean back but there was not much of space.


    Stare into her eyes making her blush. Taking a hold of her neck from the back he pulled her face closer to his.


    "you are not going to wear a see-through bodysuit and in fact, you are not going to wear any bodysuit. Period."


    She blinked and shook her head silently. Denying him.


    He stared at her and as his stare tinted hard, she felt herself blush more. The proximity between them and affected her a lot. She was breathing heavily and the rise and fall of her chest had not gone unnoticed by him.


    "Now?" He whispered hovering over her. "Do you want to be a hooker?"


    "Y-yes, I want to be a hooker." She repeated swallowing. She didn''t pay attention to what was said by him.


    "Ah, then. I must tell you something of grave importance." His lips were touching hers and she wanted nothing more than to kiss them.


    "What thing?" She asked still looking at them.


    "I cannot allow the wife to dress like a hooker." His seductive voice reached her and she swallowed.


    She stammered a bit but kept her point on the table. "Why not? She can do it. She was d-do ever she wants."


    "She can. Yes." He agreed. "But if my wife wants to be a hooker, she would be one just for me."


    His words.


    Ah, her poor heart.


    And her poor..down there.. throbbing with heat.


    "Ye-yeah.." was all she came up with.


    "If she decides to be a hooker for me, I would hold her waist like this." His arms circled st. All tight and secure.


    "And I would pull her to me." He pulled her close. "So close than she would feel the beating of my heart and heat of my skin. All for her. Because of her." Pulling her up, he pulled her close to him and had her legs on either side of him. His other hand left her waist and held her thigh. He grabbed it firmly and ran his hands over it, Turning her on.


    "Then, I would engine the fire in her that I feel. The burn in my chest for her. For that one touch that I want from her every day, every minute." His fingers ran over her thigh slowly and she sighed in pleasure. They were firm in the hold, rough and surely knew what they were doing.


    His mouth went to her neck and sucked on her collarbone. She did nothing but to give in to those assaults.


    Those lovely, wicked assaults.


    "Then what?" She murmured, wrapped around in the pleasure.


    "Hm?"


    "Then what?" She repeated.


    "Then, I would let her feel..me.." his hand went down her waist and paused her letting her feel him hard and ready, making her shudder. His other hand when to her breast and enjoyed the touch of them.


    "Look at that, all nice and perky." He teased as he pinched her nipples.


    As much as she wanted his touch there was something inside her body that was running away from it.


    Something that wanted to be away from him and his touch instead of inviting it. She felt something clawing inside her asking her to stop him.


    But what was it?


    Why was there this uneasiness?


    ********


    The dresses would be on my Instagram!


    inara00_7

 Chapter 171 - One Hundred And Seventy-one

    Your comments keep me going!


    -----------


    Black walls and pink neon lights shined through the entire hall. The table had lightened pumpkins and skulls on them. Spiders webs danced around the walls and were truly sticky. Warnings to leave or be ready for death were plastered all across the entrance in neon colours highlighting them in the dark. Candles were placed on the entire way. The dining tables were long and had thick white candles on them which were half burned.


    Even the staff was wearing costumes hut they were all the same. They were dressed as vampires and they were hissing about everything.


    The chandelier instead of bulbs had candles on them.


    It had a dark aura, not the normal spooky one but something truly felt dark from the entire hall.


    Angelo in a white pantsuit, wore a cross across his neck and got off the car and opened his wife''s door. Her leg which shimmered in the light somehow was brought out first. The toned muscles had immediately attracted the attention of men around, especially with the heel. A blonde head popped out and slowly her body too. She stepped out and jaws were dropped.


    The green satin silk dress was just like a shawl on her body. It gave away everything. Every curve and muscle she held on her was there. It was deep necked and backless and Alexis was no better.


    She had a seductive smile on her crimsoned coloured lips. The small wig of blonde hair that she wore and the eyeliner had given her a complete vixen look.


    As he noticed the stares around them that she was getting, he couldn''t help but pull her closer to him. His grip on her waist pretty much told everyone that she belonged to him.


    With her tightly pressed to his side, they made their way inside and Alexis immediately awwed at the entrance.


    It''s was fabulous!


    She could tell why people would want to be invited and how every time they chose to come. This party had every right to be invite-only.


    "You had to wear this piece of cloth?" Angelo grumbled under his breath making Alexis giggle a bit.


    "Why, yes. It''s so soft against my skin." She purred. "Soft an-"


    "Shut it!" He hissed at her making her giggle again. The dress was certainly working its charm on him and unfortunately for everyone else too. Not that she minded it, it was kind of wonderful to be the centre of attention.


    "Whatever happens," he whispered in her ear, his lips touched her ear''s shell making her shiver. "think before anything."


    It was advice and she was sure that it came from experience. So she nodded and tied a knot to it.


    Think before anything.


    She had a feeling that something was going to happen and she definitely won''t be thinking.


    *********


    "February actually," Alexis smiled. "It was just close family and friends." She lied.


    "Why?" The woman asked with a soft smile on her face. "If I was marrying that man, I''d surely let the world know about it."


    The woman next to her gave a snicker, "You just got Married to your fifth husband and here you are thinking about number six already!"


    Everyone laughed softly and a few gave a witch''s laugh. Alexis didn''t understand if they were going according to the theme of the party or they naturally had a shrieked laughing voice.


    She nodded and moved forward, mingling with people and knowing them. Half of them she was not even sure were going to be there next time. Given they had married their way up and were most likely to get divorced too.


    Two ladies came her way and one immediately took Alexis in her arms. "Oh, hello, the new Alessandro bride. Now, aren''t you pretty!"


    Alexis laughed out of kindness. "Thank you for your kind words." She appreciated.


    "Aw! Look at those manners! They certainly pick the best women out there! If I had met you any sooner, I swear you would have been my daughter in law."


    A wide forced smile graced her face as she continued to talk to the woman. The conversation seemed neverending but fortunately, the woman saw someone else that she wanted to talk too. Or have her become her daughter-in-law.


    "Wine please," she spoke to the man behind the bar. She leaned on the bar a little and turned to her side. Her husband was talking to someone, around he age and he seemed to be enjoying the conversation, unlike the times as previously seen him. He looked annoyed and rather bored.


    He looked handsome in the white suit and the cross hanging across his neck.


    He looked dangerous. And that was attracting glanced from everyone.


    "Hi," a woman came to her with a small smile. "I am Kenna."


    "Hello," she nodded back at her but did not immediately introduce herself.


    "your husband is talking to mine over there so I thought that maybe we could talk too." She took a sip of her wine as she pointed direction where Alexis had previously looked in for her husband.


    She looked back to her husband and then nodded back at the woman."I am Alexis." She held out her hand which shaken immediately.


    "I know," she chuckled. "You have been the talk of the night. Every woman is discussing or more like gossiping about you."


    "Hmm," Alexis took the wine that the barman had served to her. "I cannot say that I don''t like that." She winked.


    "Hah," Kenna laughed a little but then she got serious. "Before you hear it from anyone else, I would like to tell you that I am a victim. Everyone here acts hush-hush about it and are quick to pull back."


    Alexis frowned a bit to which the woman answered, "Of abuse."


    Understanding, she nodded her head but observed something more. "Oh, but you don''t look.."


    "Embarrassed? Or more like victimised?" She finished but with a smile. "No, I am not either of them now. In fact with the help of my husband, I run my organisation to help girls and boys going through similar situations."


    Alexis nodded and fell silent with her. She looked around the room with dim lights and how everyone was talking.


    "How though?" Alexis turned to her. "the way you talk and hold yourself, I can tell that you are well educated and well brought up. So why did you not stand up to the abuse and get victimised by it?"


    Kenna nodded to what she was saying. it was a common interpretation about the abuse that people always assumed it to be physical.


    "I am not just talking about physical abuse. There are other, more dangerous kinds, one of them is the mental or psychological abuse because you can see what''s happening to you physically but what the other person is doing or how is he playing with your mind is something we notice very late." She glanced at her sideways. "With the parenting that we have had, our parents of often chastised us or telling us what to do because they know better, it leads us to just follow what is being told to us and that is where it all falls apart."


    Alexis couldn''t help but raise her voice in objection to that. "But they are our parents and does it not make sense for them to tell us what to do?"


    "It does. Yes, it does." Kenna agreed. "But only to a certain age. after that I believe that we should be able to make our own decisions because from them we will learn all lessons instead of listening to their experience. We will learn better with our own experience."


    "Hmm," she nodded for her to continue further.


    And Kenna did. "it''s just when you think about someone doing what''s best for you. You blindly start to believe them and that is where you are wrong." Kenna smiled as she stared at Alexis. "when you blindly start to trust someone you forget that you are your own personal and more of that, you just become a pawn that they play and you get played."


    "Slowly you start to get so much dependent on the person that you forget your existence. That is all about mind games you never understand until unless it''s too late and you do not know what to do."


    Kenna took a sip of her wine and said, "if I have to say anything from my abuse to you, never trust anyone blindly no matter how close they are to you. Everyone has intentions that we are never aware of."


    Alexis nodded to her understanding what she had said and from there she was coming from. But what hit her was that this was the second time someone had said the same thing to her and perhaps into the same direction.


    Mental games or mind games.


    Unconsciously so, but Alexis''s eyes could not help but wonder into her husband''s direction.

 Chapter 172 - One Hundred And Seventy-two

    The party was far from over. It has just gone to another level. As the snacks started to circulate with concocted cocktails everyone was more excited than before.


    It was a scene out of Harry potter''s book straight. Given how people were dressed and the food it was obvious that everything she had once seen in the movie was happening live for just one night.


    People were holding drinks in their hands, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic nature was being served the mostly it was alcoholic drinks that were being consumed.


    Isabel had told Alexis that if anyone misbehaved did any kind of undesired at they for sure, will never going to get invited ever again. no matter what relation they would have with their husbands in business they won''t be invited to any Halloween party.


    Angelo and Alexis have stopped mingling separately and had been joined to the hip ever since. She likes his company more as she met with more people. Many knew him from before and it was easier to get introduced to them.


    "But that is only in theory. We are still finding out the financial cost and other feasibilities. Only then we will be able to decide if you want to bring out this project or not?" The man Infront of her, Mr Bane, spoke to Angelo and she understood everything. She had worked for a CEO and it certainly was not easy to have a new product out every year. It was it difficult and needed a lot of thinking through.


    Angelo nodded. He didn''t seem very interested in any business talk but unfortunately for him, everyone that came his way was talking about it.


    as the most forward to talk to someone else, Alexis could not help but lean towards him and ask, "why does everyone always talk business with you? No one has even bothered to be a little less formal and given to the mood of the party." She clicked her tongue, annoyed at people for that.


    He sighed and answered. "I mostly invest in their businesses from the start. Whenever they want some kind of investment that involves an uncertain amount of money they always turned to me."


    "Is it because you are the one with illegal unlimited sources of finance?" Making a face she asked him that.


    "Yes." He agreed right away not finding any particular reason to deny it. "It''s funny that the thing I don''t care about my money and I spend it. I have never invested in a business that won''t give me my returns yet I''ve had the most stupid idea as coming from the most brilliant minds."


    "Hmm, gimme something."


    "Once a man thought that it would be better if women had in-built sanitary napkins in the garments."


    Shocked she glanced at him wide-eyed, "What?" She hissed. "Is he.." she thought for the words to use but did not find a word for it.


    "Hah, honey, you have no idea about how many men in the world are not even aware of the horrors that woman go through every month." He pulled her close and then kissed her temple. "My baby is so strong." He cooed making her smile.


    "What''s next?" She was tired already.


    It had always been so. Alexis was always excited to attend a party but an hour or two in and she would be tired and ready to leave.


    "Dinner is going to be late. So you better snack up on those," he took a price of chicken and handed it to her. "They are better than food." Which was found to be true as she ate it.


    They walked around and mingled. People flooded around him like a king. He was always sought and Alexis realised that even though he was never involved with any of them directly, they all needed him and were ready to do anything in return. Their antics told her that. The desperation in their eyes was feeling.


    She looked at her wine glass with longing. It was empty. Leaning over to his ear she whispered, "I need to get another drink."


    He cast her a glance, "Are you planning to get drunk?"


    She shrugged.


    Looking away, mildly annoyed he said, "We''ll go on then. Just don''t dance at a table."


    She looked at him appalled, "Honey," she sassed. "I am not going to dance on a table drunk." She assured. "With this," she looked at the dressed," I am gonna strip."


    Angelo looked at her with narrowed eyes. He snaked his arm on her waist and pulled her against flush against his chest. "I dare you to do that," he warned. "You do that I am going to spank you''re a** raw."


    watching her become speechless and blushing like a bride was the best feeling in the world. Hi smart and then tapped her bottom. "Go on, have your fill. and remember to keep yourself in check. Everyone is looking at you."


    She nodded and walked away. Once she was on her way to the bar, Alexis felt something which had immediately led her to the bathroom.


    Reliving herself she stood up and fixed her dress.


    "But she is pretty!" Someone gushed as they came inside. "Like without effort pretty and her voice is s-"


    "Shut up!" Someone hissed at her. A firm and toughened voice. It must be someone. "I was supposed to marry you off in that family. Do you know how much of an influence one member of that family carries?"


    The other sighed. "well, it''s common knowledge that you cannot force something on Angelo de''alessandro. He would attack and our fort would shatter."


    "Common knowledge," the elder woman scoffed. "It''s a matter of time till she gets discarded by them. You will move in then. She is too simple and plain. Who knows she was just chosen because she is demure and spineless."


    The girl raised her objects to that. "I don''t think so. She looked like a girl brought up in a well family. Sh-"


    "Hush your opinions!" The woman hissed once more. "Who cares where she was brought up! She is inside the doors as Nd married to one of the major influential men in the North, do you think that it''s not planned?"


    "Like a sacrifice?" Came her small voice.


    "Yes! Exactly! Otherwise, why would he even notice her? Must be from a middle-class family, she! Who knows what she did!"


    "Yes, who knows what I did," Alexis muttered in a bored tone and opened the door, finally making her presence known. "After all, who knows what kind of family I was brought up in."


    Her tone was calm and collected. This was not the first time she had even gotten accused of. It happened various times especially, given to how close she was to Mr Walker, people had assumed that something was going the calmer she looked, the more she was scaring them.


    "I-Well, I am sure that we are not wrong." That made Alexis smirk a little but she kept her face blank.


    "Maybe I can prove you wrong when the close of your back are snatched off and the house you live in is auctioned off." She shrugged, totally not bothered.


    The woman stammered but Alexis didn''t wait, she had already issued her next attack.


    "Next time, make sure the washroom is empty." She smiled, "Not many are as humble as me." She blinked twice and walked out.


    She didn''t even spare them a glance. It felt good to be powerful and it was certainly the best feeling the world.


    When she arrived back, she searched around for him. Going to the bar she took another drink and tried to locate him. It was very difficult in the dark but thankfully he was wearing a white suit and that stood out.


    She found him in a corner and he to be talking to someone. She raised her head high nevertheless and walked forward ready to introduce herself and carry on the conversation.


    She was not afraid. She how to make an impression on people that she was worthy of being his wife.


    As she neared she frowned. He appeared to be talking quite rapidly. Almost like aggressively or like arguing.


    She walked to them quickly, afraid of what was happening.


    "What do you mean? You haven''t, till now?! You have been married for half a year!"


    Angelo snarled in return and spoke, "I know that! I will tell her when I want and I think is right! Don''t you dare," he warned, "interfere in my family."


    The woman scoffed loudly and Alexis watched from aside. "As if! And what about it? You can''t kill me and you know why!"


    Why not? She frowned. She had always thought of Angelo as a man who could do anything that he wanted.


    "Really? You still think that?" He mocked. "I have a wife. A fucking wife. Our lineage would be way more powerful than that nobody!"


    The woman scoffed and looked away but as she did that her eyes found Alexis and shouted.


    "I believe your wife doesn''t know everything. Especially if the child that you have with me!"

 Chapter 173 - One Hundred And Seventy-three

    "I believe your wife doesn''t know everything. Especially of the child that you have with me!"


    Her eyebrows immediately shot up and she blinked twice. She was shocked at the revelation but shook her head and huffed.


    "Yes, I''m sure that''s true."


    "Oh I mean it," the woman looked pointedly at Angelo, "Tell her. Come on."


    Alexis was ready to rebuke her. How in the world could she say that in front of a man''s wife?


    But that was when Alexis realised something. With a sudden expression, she looks towards Angelo who had not moved an inch or even turned to look at her.


    His fallen courage to not even turn and look at her said something but she refused to believe it that way. She was not going to believe some kind of action rather she would have him say it from his mouth.


    "Angelo?" she calls in a gentle voice but loud enough that over the music could be heard. She watched carefully for any body movement that he made. His silence was deafening to her and all she wanted to do was break it.


    "Angelo? Is this true?" Repeated once more but received only silence and return which aggrieved her further.


    Why could he not just confirm or deny it? did he have to act so high and mighty that he could not even turn and answer?


    Stepping forward she placed her hand on his shoulder and tried to pull him and look towards her. Which he did, very reluctantly might she add.


    Looking into his eyes she asked a firm voice. "what is she talking about? Is it true?"


    He continued to look into her eyes as she did into his but he did not confirm or deny any accusation. When she tilted her head for a second to probe him further into answering it, he continued to look silent and then looked away from her eyes.


    As a sudden wave of shock barreled to her she stepped back a bit. Not expecting the answer he had given her.


    He was guilty.


    And he did not even dare to admit His fault.


    Anger and betrayal surged through her veins and all she could think of was how he had hidden everything from her when she was laid out open and bare in front of him. The level of hypocrisy that this man had shown was in front of Alexis and all she wanted to do was strangled his neck, murder or not whatever it was called she did not care.


    "You!" She growled as she rose her finger pointing at it at him. "How-" she stopped. She quickly glanced at the women and then back at Angelo. The woman was horrified at whatever she had done not expecting to have made that much of an impact or to begin with to make that mistake of telling Alexis.


    When she looked at Angelo all she saw was a blank expression that she could not believe that existed at the moment. He was expecting it, he was expecting her to throw words and curses his way maybe even slap him once or twice.


    So Alexis decided not to give him that satisfaction.


    Concealing her face of any emotions that she felt no matter how grave they were, She smiled and spoke in a gentle voice, "Excuse me for a moment."


    Then she turned to the woman who loved afraid, "enjoy the party."


    Smiling she left and once again and walked towards the washroom but this time it was to relieve herself of the pain and anger that she felt. As she walked in the washroom the first thing she did was to check that no one was in the stalls and then she locked the door from inside.


    Staring into the mirrors she not help but let her thoughts run through her mind.


    That bastard had completely cheated her! Alexis had no problem with loving a man who had children from before but the fact that Angelo had married her with her being unaware of the situation that he was in, made her furious! He was a father for god''s sake and he had conveniently left out that detail as if it did not matter.


    That slight detail which he thought would not cause anything, she was sure that was going to cause it to a rift in a between them.


    A child? A freaking child? Was he a child out of wedlock or was it a child from a previous marriage that she once again was unaware of?


    How was it that no matter what happened she was always the stupid one? That got fooled no matter what happened, no matter what the situation was, it was always her being hurt.


    She scoffed. The man had wrapped himself up in so many layers that she did not even bother to remove any of them and check what was it underneath them.


    It was rotting, lying bastard inside. And now she had no desire to even glance in the direction of the man.


    Lying was not the solution for the situation and hiding the fact that he was a father was something that he will have to pay for.


    She would not forget this humiliation ever and she would surely make him pay for it.


    Alexis as glanced in the mirror at her face she realised that she had not once cried. Which is good she had to learn it one way or the other that crying would get her to nothing.


    She fixed her appearance a bit and washed her hands. No idea why that happened but she did it anyway.


    Moving out of the washroom, she stopped for a moment just as her hand was on the knob and tried to give yourself some courage.


    ''Be brave and think through.'' She advised herself. ''Maybe, all of them were right. No one had any pure intentions. Everyone always had a hidden meaning inside.''


    Her eyes burned with unshed tears as she realised what everyone had been saying was true.


    So she would no longer trust Angelo for everything.. Instead she would search for the woman and men who had dared to take advantage of her on her own.

 Chapter 174 - One Hundred And Seventy-four

    As she moved out, her back was straightened and her head was held high. No one could tell that Alexis had just been revealed to a secret that could destroy her entire life. She looks like the woman who was proud of her being and was scared of no one.


    If arrogance was seen in her stance, then yes she was arrogant. No one was going to know what was going on in her mind, that was her power and she was going to wield it.


    She did not bother to look for Angelo anymore, she went directly towards the bar and this time instead of wine she ordered vodka. She took a shot not caring if anyone saw or not and then ordered scotch for herself.


    "Ah, scotch straight up. A woman after my own heart." A man commented from beside her.


    She immediately rolled her eyes and did not think twice before rebuking the man. "That would be a married woman after your own heart." Then she smiled and looked at him, "who certainly has no intentions of going after it." She blinked at him innocently.


    The man smirked, "well who does not love an honest woman who is not afraid to say what she wants." He then held out his hand, "Dominic West."


    She shook it while introducing herself. "Alexis." She would surely have said her marshal name but this time she did not even want to think about it. So just like Angelo had conveniently left out a detail, she did so too.


    A man snaked her waist and she knew who it was. "I see you have met my wife Mr West," Angelo commented as he smiled at them. "A peculiar one, is she not?"


    "She is." Dominic West agreed. "I had no idea that she was your wife."


    Angelo in return frowned and looked at his wife, "you did not tell him that?"


    She smiled and answered as she looked at West, "Well, he didn''t ask."


    Then she looked at Angelo and muttered near his ear. "Also I thought that missing out this one detail won''t cause much of an effect." The innocence which she said it was viewed as nothing but playful banter by the passerby but it was Angelo who knew that she was making a statement.


    He smiled at her but did not comment on it. This was no place to carry out the conversation and he knew better than to anger her further.


    "Anyway," she took his arm off of her. "Excuse me I have somewhere to be." She smiled and excused herself from the company of the two men.


    She had nowhere to be at the moment that she knew of but she just did not want to be with the Angelo.


    with the announcement of dinner being served it was obvious that the family search together and Angelo was sitting next to her.


    She was silent for most of the time but often, his hands were got close and she was quick to turn them down. He was not touching her at least till he explains himself in the very beginning it to the very end.


    "We have to talk sometime soon." He whispered in her ear.


    "About what?" She asked very innocently and just as he was about to answer she interrupted, "Ah! Yes, must be the child you''ve been keeping in the closet."


    His jaw was locked immediately. He was clenching his teeth so hard that anyone could see, he was angry.


    But she didn''t care. She looked away and talked to the people around her.


    She had no time for the man who couldn''t even realise the importance of secrets.


    She was talking to Kenna who was sitting behind them.


    "You should. You should come and see it. The children love learning from successful people, they feel inspired."


    "I will." Alexis smiled but it faltered as she felt a hand snake it''s the way in her inner thigh. By the touch, she could tell who it was and she did not like it.


    Maintaining the smile on her face she kept on talking with Kenna and took his hand off her thigh and threw it in his direction.


    She continued to talk but when it happened again, she couldn''t control her anger.


    She turned to him and hissed, "Don''t." She barked.


    "We will tal-"


    "It baffles me how you continue the thing that we won''t k about it. We." She assured him.


    "Until then, be my wife." He threw at her.


    She scoffed at his words. "So do I have an option to leave after the party?" She sarcastically smiled and then looked away as she was served with the second course.


    "I should have." He agreed lowly. "But no one knows about it."


    "So what?" She taunted. "Do I feel honoured about it? That I, your wife, of all the people you know now knows about this dirty little secret? It''s a child for god''s sake, own it at the very least!"


    He shook his and clicked his tongue. "I do. But do you know how difficult it is to take care of an heir?"


    A bright smile came to her face and she leaned in, "Well what a better reason to not have kids, right? Since you already have one and certainly can have another baby." She tapped his crotch that hardened immediately under her touch. "Ah, look at that, needy little thing. Better not come near me." She warned.


    He chuckled, "How long can you survive?"


    She took it as a Challenge. "Honey, don''t underestimate a woman. Especially the woman who suffered betrayal and is angry."


    He didn''t say anything back but continue to look at her. She stared back for a few minutes but didn''t bother to, as she had food to eat. She enjoyed every bite, ignoring the thoughts that came into her mind regarding the matter. The overthinking working itself in her mind. She just wanted to be free at this moment. Because a war was coming her way and she could feel it.


    This war was not the one she wanted to fight.

 Chapter 175 - One Hundred And Seventy-five

    She had discreetly clicked a photo of that woman. if she was up against someone for a fight and she was going to make sure that she knew everything about them. Every quality that they had and every liability that they could possess.


    Anything and everything that could be used against them, she would make sure to know of it.


    She sent the picture of her to Blake and asked him to get everything that he possibly could about her by the end of the night.


    Dinner was over and the guests were leaving. She stood at the entrance with the whole family as they waved goodbye to the guests. She often found Angelo looking at her but she did not even spare him a glance and looked away immediately. She did not bother to hold his stare and tell him that she was still angry because it was obvious that she was.


    A child? He had hidden a child from her and the entire world. She was shocked to know if he said that he was ashamed of this instead of being the man with balls and owning it.


    She entered the house and closed the door with a bang right on his face. In the car, as they drove to the home, she had earlier texted Agatha to set her things for a night in the guest room. So she directly made her way up there and completely disregarded route to his room.


    As she I entered her room for the night, she began to take off her makeup attend not even turn around when he entered the room with the furious expression.


    "I thought that we were going to talk." He grunted out.


    "Well, you thought right."


    "Then why in the hell are you running away?" He threw his hands up as he asked that.


    "Why do you think I am?" She asked and then shrugged. "even if I ran, you found me here. So the end of the story."


    He sighed and looked at the room. "Are you staying here tonight?"


    She nodded as she took off her jewellery.


    "Why?"


    Alexis scoffed at that question. "Because right now if I see that lying, cheating face of yours, I am sure I would suffocate you to death in your sleep." She smiled.


    Making a serious face full of concern on that what she said, he spoke in a grave voice, "are you, ok sweetheart? These murderous thoughts are not okay."


    She laughed and scoffed simultaneously at that. Look at that, the man was trying to distract her by using the past. Now that she wondered about it, how many times were there that he had conveniently used her thoughts against her and changed the situation.


    "Don''t you dare!" She warned him, glaring at him. "Don''t ever use that manipulation on me!"


    He raised an eyebrow at that. "So all of a sudden my concerns are manipulations?"


    She rebuked back immediately, "have your concerns ever not been manipulations?"


    "I can assure you that they have not. I do care for you."


    She swallowed and smiled a little. "I would have believed every word you said, until I came to know about the child you have hidden." She looked away and sighed harshly. "there is a certain limit to everyone and you crossed my mind. Have you ever thought of the consequences when I would have come to know about the child?"


    She waited for his reply to the question but he did not. He Instead stayed silent.


    "Oh you had just hoped that never come to know at all.." she muttered looking away. "So what now I going to tell me anything or do I have to dig in deep?"


    "You don''t." He took off his jacket and sat down on the sofa. "I don''t know where to start."


    She rolled her eyes. "how convenient it is to say that. Start from the very beginning of course."


    "Well, I met her, banged her and bam, the baby happened. I had the paternity checked and everything and he still came out to be mine." He shrugged. "still cannot accept the fact that I have a choice so I never told anyone about it but I am providing the child support."


    ''How generous of you,'' she rolled her eyes. "If you can accept the fact that you have a child why are you providing them the child support?"


    "I just am. And now that I think about it I am doing so without any reason." He shrugged.


    "Without any reason?" She laughed. "You just said that he is your child!"


    "The fuck do you want me to do about it?" He yelled in frustration, no longer being able to control himself. "Just tell me what to do you want!"


    She threw her hands up in frustration and yelled back at him. "What do you think I want? Huh?! I wanted to know about this before the fucking marriage which of course I was forced in and I wanted the truth then but no! You have never told me anything about you and here I am laid out bare in front of you! Have ever considered to tell me anything about yourself!"


    "Have you ever asked?" He retorted back. "If you had asked me perhaps I would have answered."


    "Yo- Wha- I.." she stammered a bit as he threw the blame on her. She blinked and looked away and then at the ceiling. She ran her hand on her bare face and breathe in and out.


    What the hell was that supposed to me? How can he say something so stupid in nature? Ask and tell?


    You could of people that the deepest, darkest secret and they will tell you that.


    "Ask and tell really?" She yelled as anger and frustration surged through her now. Everything came at her once and she could not believe it.


    She stepped closer to him with her hands on her waist and body said, "So if I asked, who kidnapped me, what would you say?"

 Chapter 176 - One Hundred And Seventy-six

    "So if I asked, who kidnapped me, what would you say?" She boldly threw the words at him.


    She was not afraid anymore. As the anger flute through her veins, she realises this was the only time that he would answer unadulterated and unfiltered. He was angry at her and was going to shout whatever he felt out.


    She stared at him daring him to answer the question. Her eyes were narrowed at his face and she sighed deeply shaking her head as she received in reply.


    "No answer?" She stared at his blank face. "That''s it? That''s your life for me? Everything had that you said you felt for me and whatever bull it was, that it? It''s finished?"


    She huffed and walked back. That was it? She couldn''t believe it. "Even a boy''s love in his teens would last more than that! Even he would tell more to his girlfriend and my husband, the fucking Don, cannot tell me what he can know by snapping his fingers?" Her voice is reduced to a mere whisper by now and her chest was moving up and down very frequently. Tears were on the verge of falling from her eyes.


    As she decided to speak about what was on her mind she choked on her tears, "Did you even care to know? To find out who did it to me? Or did you frankly just not care.."


    "I did give orders to find them." He whispered into the air. What now? Did he not want her to be found?


    She moved her hand in a circular motion telling him to hurry it up and get on with it. She just wanted to know and the faster it happened the better it was.


    "I.."


    "Oh my god!" She cried. "Say it, just say the words! Just say them!" She cried loudly. "You did not care to know." She broke down to sobs but didn''t let go float he matter. "You didn''t care about what they did to me or in what conditions were in there!"


    She shook her head and palmed her face wanting break down on the floor.


    They were right. Everyone was right about the watch they said.


    Everyone had second intentions that they always hid about from everyone. Those intentions were nothing but selfish and self-centred. And the reality about them was so bitter to her so she could not even think about how many times she has led Angelo to use her and for what may be the reasons.


    She had literary let herself to be a pawn in his game and got herself played by him, dancing on his fingertips just as he wanted.


    Everyone was right.


    "Have you.." she sighed. She couldn''t deal with this anymore. She had to toughen up.


    "Leave." She muttered.


    "What?" He asked, baffled at what she had said. "What did you just say?"


    She turned to him with her shoulders straightened and her back rigid. "I said," she repeated. "Leave."


    "This is my house." He argued. "You can''t ask me to leave!"


    Her eyes widened as she took in what he said. She never knew that she would feel this level of shock.


    She was flabbergasted.


    "Oh-so." She stammered on what to say. This was damn as hell shocking.


    "Now, it''s your house?" She nodded on to what he said aggressively. "Fine, I won''t stay here then!"


    He scoffed. "I didn''t say that!"


    "Didn''t you just say that it is your house?" She asked in a polite I - know - you- are- stupid tone. "You did."


    "What''s wrong you? You are behaving like a woman!"


    Oh, that''s it!


    "A woman?" She repeated in a whisper and the shouted at the top of her lungs. "The hell have you been having sex with, you retard! A man? Or a child you paedophile?"


    "A woman?! Seriously? That''s the thing you have to say to me! Huh?!"


    "I-" he sighed. "It slipped out of my mouth!" He gave a petty excuse to her and she blinked.


    "Wow.." she whispered. That''s like being racist and then calling it freedom of speech.


    She sighed and looked away. She ignored his existence and went to shower. She took her time. Tonight she wanted to bath with hot water not warm. The burn on her skin made it feel real and happening. Her ignorance had led her here. She had nothing now.


    Dr Peterson was right. Noe that''s he thought about it, she had realised everything.


    She had to know what the intentions were behind someone''s actions regarding her. No one had ever shown her pure and harmless actions.


    She wanted to smack her head against the walls for the mistakes she had been making so continuously.


    She walked out with a towel wrapped around her body. Not caring about anything.


    Especially the man who''s eyeing hungrily went up and down her body. She didn''t even think twice before dropping the towel and opening the closet to take her clothes tonight. She delicately wore the velvet panties and then the silk shorts on them.


    Ah, the heavenly feeling.


    She then proceeded the wear her shirt and loved the feeling of silk against her back.


    "You have not left yet." She observed and said.


    "It''s m-"


    "Then let me leave." She chirped as she continued to moisturize herself.


    He sighed. "That can''t happen."


    "Then you leave." She started again.


    "That''s not... Are you not bored of it?" He rubbed his hands on his forehead. Agitated.


    "Nope." She popped the ''P''.


    He sighed and stood up to walk behind her. "You have to tell me how to make it up to you. I cannot read yo-"


    She held her hand up to silence him. "That worked on me earlier but I can assure you that it would no longer happen. And as for me telling you what to do, I can''t do that."


    She looked in his eyes and said, "you have no idea how much you have hurt me here. Now, you''re leaving?"


    He nodded and finally left, closing the door softly behind him.

 Chapter 177 - One Hundred And Seventy-seven

    Alexis stood opposite to the windows and watched as the cars flew by. For the past week, she had completely ignored Angelo''s existence and he had also not bothered her that much. She was mildly surprised when he had chosen to give her space and time that she wanted instead of pursuing her.


    Space and time in which she had thought a lot of things in and most of them were just realisations coming to terms. She had learnt a lot of things in this while than she had learnt in the past 20 years.


    She watched as another car went by. He was not home, in fact, Angelo had left early without informing her and somehow she fell to relieved that his presence was not inside the house and that she was alone. Alexis wanted to do something about this whole situation, somewhere she wanted to hurt him, somewhere she wanted to have to one up on him that she could use any time she wanted.


    She drank her tea and finished it. Keeping the cup on the table she moved up the stairs and entered his office. With no fear as the guard was not here because the residence was new and not as big as he had back in New York, she was not afraid that someone would catch her and also Angelo did not have a camera inside his office.


    She closed the door and locked it. Then she turned around with her back against the door and looked at the room. Where was something that she could use?


    She started by opening the drawers in his desk. As she rummaged through them well but there was nothing of use that could be against him and if she thought about it, they had just shifted to Chicago so why would he keep his important files inside the house.


    But there had to be something in here. Something that he was hiding from everyone that she could use.


    She walked towards the built-in bookcase he had in his office. Carefully and keeping them back in their place, she was thinking of not getting caught too.


    Every file had something in it that she did not understand and if it continued then she was sure that it would take the whole day. Every file has something written in it that she did not understand and she was sure that if she got to reach there she would not have the time to find something so she placed them back in their original habitat just as they were left by him.


    His laptop was on the desk but she did not touch it. it would be obvious that it had a password on it and access for sure that she did not even know the man enough know or be able to guess it.


    So what was it? What was it that she could do?


    Could not even cause a little damage on her own?


    ''Ugh! This makes me so depressed!'' she groaned. Why couldn''t she think of something to make a damn statement about her rebelling Him.


    And that''s when it clicked her. It had been in her pocket all along and all she had to do was dial a number.


    ********


    "Who is it?" The voice with an exaggerated tone was heard on the phone making her roll her eyes at the person. she had always been like this and this time Alexis was not going to stand back rather she would insult this woman.


    "Who do you think it is? Your daughter. Can you not read the caller ID?" Alexis taunted her with no shame.


    "Alexis!" The woman gasped. "Oh, my darling! Wait what kind of way is that to talk to your mother?"


    Alexis could practically hear the frown in her mother''s voice over the phone. Usually, she would have a policy choice for this argued but she cares now? Nope, she did not give a damn.


    "There is not a way to talk to my mother. Yes." She agreed right away to her faults. "But this is the way to talk to a woman who has abandoned me more time than a stray cat."


    She had her mother become silent on the phone did not stop even then and continued to taunt her further over her mistakes.


    "And the most important point to be noted here is that is that with a stray cat you never expect it to come back but there you are entering my life again and again when you leave it on your own will."


    Vanessa had fallen silent and her daughters talking. To be frank, Alexis knew that we had not expected her daughter talk to her with such an open mouth.


    Alexa side and threw an ultimatum to her mother. "If you do not wish to continue talking I can hang up. We do not have to do this anymore than you or I want."


    "No, wait!" Came her mother''s immediate reply. "I have something to talk to you about but I cannot get my calls through."


    Alexis shrugged before answering. "Yes, I had blocked you." She admitted.


    "What?!" A speech came to her ears and she immediately winced.


    "How dare you even think of blocking your mother? Have I not done enough you where you dare to block me?"


    All her life Alexis had heard this dialogue. The one where her mother always said that had she not done enough for Alexis and this time Alexis could not hold back so she spoke her godamn mind without any respect for the women.


    "I applaud you. How can we know only can you ask me that question all my life? can you name three things that you have done for me by going out of the way?" All she heard was silence. "all you have ever done is leave me alone when I need you the most and never turn back to look at me. How many times has it been that you have abandoned me just for yourself?" She cried but kept her voice firm.


    "Yes I thought of blocking my mother and I did it.. Frankly, I did so because she was never a mother to me."

 Chapter 178 - One Hundred And Seventy-eight

    Only silence was heard from both sides. No one spoke a word and only their breathings were heard. This had been so tough, to take out every feeling that she had buried inside her and then spout them at the face of her mother. It was difficult but she felt free.


    This feeling of freedom was better than what she said when she had moved out of that house and shifted to New York to study. this feeling was better than when she thought of not acknowledging her mother''s absence at her wedding when she was supposed to give her daughter away.


    This was better than anything.


    "You have never tried to become a mother to me and all you do is taunt me. If you''re not ready for a child and make sacrifices for them then you should have said it to dad instead of having me."


    She choked as she continued, "instead of making me feel I was the one you were ruining your life for. You could have just chosen not to have me. No one was going to charge you for an abortion, mother. Instead, it would have been a brave decision to not have a child when you were not ready for it. Because I can tell you that the life you gave me was not worth living."


    "I have given you everything I could." Vanessa cried from the other side. "I have done everything that I could ever think of to do for you."


    Alexis shook her head as tears slipped. "No, you did not." She shook her head and sniffed. "This is not fair. the most important thing in our relationship was supposed to be the love of a mother that you had for your daughter but you never showed me any. You forgot that and that is like forgetting to put potatoes in the mashed potatoes." She sniffed and continued not caring if she was barely understandable. "It is like forgetting the main ingredient. Like that thing that everything is based on."


    "I.." Vanessa was crying too. Maybe not as much as Alexis but she was.


    "It hurt me so much that when I used to wake up you were gone. You would have made your breakfast and not even cared for mine; a ten-year-olds. Whenever you came back from work all you could say was ''I am so tired of work'', where-why was there a child in your house if all you were feeling was tiredness from work."


    Alexis wiped off her tears and got ready to ask her mother the ultimate question. "Do you even remember the last birthday that we celebrated? What do you even remember when my birthday is?"


    When she heard silence on the other side of the phone, Alexis could not help but laugh. there was nothing sad about this she had faced this constant disappointment throughout her life and now it just showed her how right she was.


    "That is the right mother." She smiled. "You have forgotten my birthday for more than 20 years of my existence. 20 years since dad has been gone. He was taken away from both me and you, yet you felt that you were the only one who suffered."


    "I love him.." Vanessa whimpered. "I loved him more than I loved me."


    "I doubt that you loved him more than you love yourself. Because to be frank that is impossible." Then she yelled at her mother, "you were in a relationship with him for 10 years! I was his daughter, I was born because of him. He was there all my life, do you not think that the blow to me would have been more than it was to you!"


    "Yet all you ever did was make me somehow feel that it was my fault for existing when he did not!" She yelled without any remorse or shame. This world was not worthy of those too qualities. "you cut me off all the time and then come back as we were the best of the friends. You changed your mobile number and then called me whenever you felt like it. Is that fair to your only child?" She whispered. A broken voice whispering of a daughter whispering complaints to her mother was hearing them for the first time.


    "I didn''t even realise..that ..."


    "..That you were so selfish." Sniffing and still crying a Little, Alexis completed the sentence the way she wanted it to end. "So selfish that everything you felt you did was for others. It was not. You said that you worked day and night for me, Tell me something mom, when you have kids supporting them financially is a given necessity or not? Even if you don''t have children you do work hard to earn promotions and have a successful career. That you do for yourself. Yet everything you did was for me?!" She yelled loudly and glared at the wall as if it was her mother.


    Vanessa couldn''t help but whisper as she heard her child''s accusations, "You have gotten so bitter.." she said. "I did do everything for you. everything."


    "Hah!" Alexis laughed out Loudly. "Did you shit for me too?!"


    "Alexis!" Her mother gasped. "What had gotten into you!"


    "What''s gotten into me?" She laughed as she said that. She started to laugh so hard that she had started to struggle in breathing.


    "I''ll tell you what," she snapped. "Everybody around me does everything for me! For my betterment, well being or whatever!"


    "And what''s wrong with that?" Vanessa snapped back. "If they are doing something for you, why can''t you be Grateful? Is not how it should be?" She growled out. "If someone does something for you, you take it as it is. You take the help!"


    "No, no, no," she tutted. "You take help of you to need it, mother. You don''t want it, you don''t take it."


    The next words slipped out of her mind as if an eel. "And how can you ever be sure be sure that it is for your betterment and not for their good?"


    She heaved after talking about it and the reality set in.


    She had been a fool.


    A big, big fool.

 Chapter 179 - One Hundred And Seventy-nine

    The whole argument that she had had with Dr Peterson was useless. In the end, Alexis knew that she was right.Not everyone suggested for our good, sometimes they did it for themselves. Their hidden intentions which no one could think about.


    But what were Angelo''s?


    "I .. am sorry.." Came a broken whisper to her ear.


    She tired around but saw no one but then remembered that she was on the phone with her mother. She had completely forgotten about that.


    "Wha-Why?" She whispered back. This seemed to be a little unbelievable.


    "I just.." A sob was heard and Alexis realised that her mother was crying. "I don''t know, to be honest. I just did not know, I was not aware of what I was doing to you. I was an orphan that climbed my way up so I thought that as a parent giving you a shelter on your head.. that you get to call your own and clothes and food in the fridge. I just don''t know.." She whispered and sniffed.


    Somewhere it broke Alexis''s heart. She didn''t intend to come out that hard. That was not her intension.


    "Mom-"


    "No, no," Vanessa stubbornly said. "I need to say this. Your father was supposed to be there. He said he would. He was to guide me through. He said so.. he would have helped me through it all as he promised when I first told him. He just..he was so happy and those promises. I believed him. Who would ever think about a disaster striking and taking him away?"


    "I worked hard because my salary was not enough for your college fund. I worked hard. Your father''s salary was much more than mine, so we thought to save mine completely for you and use his but..it.."


    "It just..didn''t happen that way.." Alexis completely in a soft voice.


    "Yes, that." Her mother sniffed again. "I am a sorry kid. I never realised that I was pushing you away. I was working for you so that you won''t have loans on your head. And for those holidays, I thought kids wanted to be alone. ..well.. to be honest, I wanted to make yourself independent. Life was for me that way. So I wanted to make sure that you knew that you could just depend on yourself."


    ''I know that very best.'' She looked down to her lap. ''I know that very well..''


    "Well. I guess it was just miscommunication then. I should have talked sooner to you about my grievances."


    Her mother continued, "And I should have been there."


    Alexis swallowed and nodded. They both had fallen silent. A few sniffs were heard and that was it. No one knew what to say.


    This had been just as overwhelming for her mother as it had been for her.


    "Mom.." She started hesitantly.."Do you want to meet up?"


    ''Please don''t say no. Please don''t say no..'' She repeatedly prayed to God as she hoped that her mother won''t say no.


    That would so, so disappointing and she would die from the mortification.


    "Why not." Unknown to her daughter, the mother was smiling. "Just tell me where."


    That made Alexis wince. She had forgotten where they were. She was in Chicago whereas her mother, to her current knowledge, was in New York. Or so she thought.


    "Yes, mum, I am in Chicago."


    "Chicago!" Her mother gasped. "Kid what are you doing there?"


    Lying eggs.


    "We shifted." Her answer, even the one was on the tip of the tongue, remained respectful. she had been respected for enough to her mother for the day and she could no longer wish to do it.


    "Oh, well, I think I can come down there for the weekend." She heard a bit of shuffling from her mother''s side. "Which is in three days, I can come on Saturday." She agreed.


    "Great," Alexis chirped feeling happy about it. "Its date then."


    Vanessa laughed softly at that. "Yes, it would be our date. A long-overdue date."


    "Oh, mum.." Alexis could not help but sigh at the tone on her mother said that in. "It''s going to be okay. We will take one step at a time and we would get back on track for sure." She promised.


    They talked about how life had been to them recently and Hung up pretty soon after.


    Alexis once again stood near the windows but this time she stood in her room. There was a feeling in her chest that made her feel content. Satisfied she would rather say. They were not afternoon chances where she could feel the satisfaction of her actions.


    With this one, she did at her own will. Something she is doing for herself, for her sanity.


    Without even thinking about it, har rebellion against Angelo I took her on a different journey. A journey in which she left for herself and felt responsible for her actions.


    "You are back," Angelo noted as the first thing when he stepped inside their room.


    "I am." She agreed. "I am back in the room."


    He nodded, not understanding what she meant by the words. "Well I for one, am happy about that."


    She smiled but did not reply. and so did he she went on to his routine of taking off his clothes and changing before taking a shower.


    "Angelo?" She called and soon had his acknowledgement to it. "Are we doing anything this Saturday?" Then without waiting for his reply she continued, "because I am busy for the whole day."


    "The whole day?" she could practically hear the frown in his voice as he repeated. "what is it that you''re doing is going to take the whole day?"


    She knew that her answer would take him off guard,  "I am meeting with my mother." she smiled as she answered and watched his expression for a moment but quickly collected by him.


    "Your mother?" He harshly repeated but then schooled his features. "I thought that it was you who blocked her contact."


    For the first time, Alexis noticed the play of words he had. A conveniently pushed the blame of blocking her mother from her life at her where as she remembered that it was their decision not hers alone. But since he had already decided that she had to be blamed then she would accept.


    Smiling once again at him she said, "well I realise my faults and now I want to correct them. We will be doing lots of stuff this Saturday so don''t expect me to join you in anything."


    "And pray tell what caused such a change of heart?"


    She could feel that Angelo was not happy. But she cares? Nope.


    "I don''t know. Perhaps knowing that you had a child hidden from me. It is made me question what else do I not know. So I decided that it''s time I and my mother had a talk."


    "And how was your talk?"


    She raised an eyebrow address intrusive nature but answered nonetheless. "Informative."


    if he thought that she will give away everything that she knew he was wrong. Alexis was going to maintain her secrecy and only tell him if it was necessary.


    "Informative?" He questioned with the sarcastic smile. "That certainly the does the trick, doesn''t it."


    "Your mother abandons you in the middle of nowhere and you yet, decide that like always you would readily let her come in your life. Do you not think that it is the time for you to cut her off?"


    Alexis lowered her head to the ground appearing to be thinking hard about what he said making him smile in triumph.


    She looked up to the son expression and shook her head. "No. I don''t think so." She spoke innocently.


    This answer certainly caught him off guard and he looked astonished at that. If the situation was not as it was Alexis would have laughed loudly at his face but she could not do that as she had appearances to keep.


    He turned to look the other way and nodded his head. "Well, I believe that you can make your own decisions."


    ''About time people started to believe that.'' she smiled.


    "Alright I''ll go see if Agatha has prepared anything yet or not." She dusted off her lap and walked out of the room.


    He felt furious. All his plans had got down the drain, they were washed away by that one stupid mistake. He would kill that woman and now that had a wife he no longer needed the mother for his child.


    If it had to be a motherless child that he would bring to his wife to appeal to her, then she certainly got that very child.


    But that would not happen right now, it surely would not.


    Angelo would let her enjoy her newfound freedom. She should have the ability to make her own decisions, it was important in her role as the Donna.


    But in the end, he would make sure so that it was his fingers that she was dancing on.

 Chapter 180 - One Hundred And Eighty.

    Chicago was a new state that she had stepped in. Not for the first time but definitely for the paparazzi. They had been aware of the fact that the bride of Angelo de''alessandro was up in Chicago from New York and she has to be snapped. Isabel had warned her that every dress she wore would show what kind of person she was and even though it made no sense, she knew that it was better to heed to it.


    So she wore a blue overcoat with a black sheath dress underneath with the same heels of colour.


    Her hair was kept open behind her back. She had to blow-dry them, not standing for the damage the iron rod caused.


    For as long as Angelo had been in the room, she was a confident woman knowing what she wanted.


    She wore her jewellery with steady hands and had her head held up high. She wasn''t afraid of him or intimidated by him in any way and she was going to show him just that.


    After whenever he left her side she would give a breath out of relief. His presence was becoming overbearing to her, with the pressure of her rebellion and yet the curiosity of the child, she was left in between where she had to choose between either.


    And she was completely stuck in what to do.


    "What time will you be back? Any idea?" He asked as he stood behind her, checking his finished look for the day.


    Just as impeccable he looked, he looked repulsing to her too.


    "In the evening..or maybe, around dinner." She answered in an uncertain voice."I am not sure about it." She honestly answered to which he nodded standing there not saying another word.


    Today when Alexis saw her mother for the first time it was as it a different dimensions that she had entered into. There was a little crying and a little arguing but by the end of the day, they were just fine and spending money. Alexis sure that she was not even going to wear half of the dresses that she bought.


    For now, they were sitting in a Chinese restaurant and having lunch.


    She noticed that her mother often would glance at her but then look away.


    "Alright," she kept her chopsticks down and stared at her mum. "What is it?"


    "Nothing." Vanessa denied quickly as she shook her head negative.


    But unfortunately, it was too quick of a denial that Alexis caught onto quickly.


    "Just tell me what it is." She stressed her words once more. If they were trying to rebuild this relationship then they had to do it right at least this time.


    Vanessa looked a bit hesitant, "have you ever told your husband what you felt about me?"


    Alexis went a bit off guard on that question but answer what was true. "I have told him about the abandoning but I have never you know, cried in front of him because of you." She admitted. "I had to tell him something so I have him the least." She shrugged.


    Vanessa nodded thoughtfully. "So was blocking me your decision?"


    Alexis was a bit shocked again by the sudden question but immediately realised the gravity of the situation. "I am sorry." She apologized with her head bowed a little. "I was just so done with all do that, that I could not help bu-"


    "No, no not that!" Vanessa shooting her head stopping her in between. "I know that you must have done it for some reason and I understand that I had it coming that is not what I meant. What I meant was, did you ask Angelo ask me to stop contacting you?"


    "Wait what?" She frowned. "no I never did!


    I didn''t want to but I never asked him to do that for me!"


    Vanessa frowned as she heard the whole thing. Things were not catching up.


    "Honey," she began, "he once called me to his office and told me not to contact you." She then leaned in to whisper, "I think he has a few legal businesses on the side."


    ''Well, nothing new there.'' She blinked and nodded. Not to what her mother thought if only she knew why she was married to Angelo.


    "I think you should leave him," Vanessa said in a motherly voice. "I know what I did was wrong and that you should have cut me off sooner to make me realise what I was doing but he was creating differences between you and your family and that is not....healthy."


    "Yes, I know." Alexis nodded. "I get that."


    But she did not get it. Alexis did not understand why was it any different than what her mother did.


    Frankly speaking, what Angelo did was somewhere wrong, but wasn''t her mother in the wrong too?


    Alexis could understand that what Angelo did you there was because he saw what their relationship did to Alexis, what kind of toll did it have on her. So naturally, if he decided to take matters into his own hands, then she was not blaming him for this.


    He was merely looking out for her.


    But when thought thoroughly, his intentions could be questionable at this point.


    Sighing, she left it alone. For now though. Rest she would think about it when she went back home.


    "Divorce..I''ll think about it." Alexis nodded to her mother. "I have to think about a lot of things."


    Her mother nodded at her words. Somehow Alexis felt as her mother understood where she was coming from.


    "Life is tough. It''s tough if you Dirt poor, it''s tough if you are a royal. It is tough. Period." She sipped her drink. "You have to be tougher or at least smart. Otherwise, you might not last as long as you think." She winked.


    The continue to enjoy the time together with each other. Alexis smiled as she thought about how many times we had earlier imagined this situation and how it was finally happening after years.


    *********


    Liam opens her door and she sat inside the car only to be driven away to the townhouse. She was done for the day and it was tiring. After years of being ignored by her, she was finally laughing along with her mother.


    Just like she had imagined.


    She kept her head on the window and looked outside. It was six in the evening and the world was retreating to its cave.


    "Hey, Liam. Stop at a Starbucks?" Nothing was going to be better than a goods cup of hot chocolate.


    He nodded immediately. "yes, ma''am."


    She looked back again outside and sighed. Her mouth watered and she could already feel the taste of the hot chocolate in her mouth.


    Liam parked the car when he saw an outlet and got out with her.


    She went in and ordered a hot chocolate with extra with cream on top. Since she had some time to spare, she did not ask for a takeaway.


    As she sat down on the chair she waited for order and continue to observe people around her.


    "Yes and then I would introduce you to my mother."


    Ooh, a love story. Even though she was is dropping on the conversation she felt thrilled to be read in any young couples conversation since she had no love life of her own.


    "I would love that!" The girl gushed and Alexis could imagine the smile on her face.


    Sometimes watching people be happy brought smiles.


    "Yes, my love." Her smile turned upside down. "She would love you too. I have talked about you at our last dinner together and she is waiting for you."


    She couldn''t believe it.


    How was it possible?


    Was it Come on, we are in public!"


    She gasped and drew Liam''s immediate attention. It was him. Right behind her. It was him.


    "Madam is everything okay?"


    Liam''s voice made her turn to him and shake her head. She was fine. Maybe, maybe not. Who knew now..."  Liam,"  she pointed to another table. "Let''s do sit over there."


    Not finding any reason to say no Liam got up and moved to the table following her. She took the seat where her back faced the counter and form where she could see if it was right not.


    The man turned around and got up to walk to the counter and Alexis immediately closed her eyes.


    It was him.


    Eyes followed him as he laughingly took the coffees and set them down back on their table.


    She winced as she saw him kiss a woman and then her lips. But that was something else that took the cake of surprising her. It was the ring in the hand of the woman.


    the small baby pink colour diamond that once she had on her ring finger.


    The family heirloom..or so he said it to be.


    Alexis could not believe ears he was not only alive but he was also engaged to someone else.


    Straightening of her back and holding her head hai she got up and walked to the direction. "Excuse me, Liam, I have to pay my respects to someone."


    It was about time that man you what he did was not ok to her.

 Chapter 181 - One Hundred And Eighty-one.

    With a stone-cold expression, she walked towards the new couple with intentions dark as midnight in her mind. Alexis could not remember the last time she had been so angry.


    Oh no, wait. That was when she found about the child.


    Ain''t her life just shit?


    "Hello There." With a beautiful smile on her face, she greeted the couple and immediately looks towards the young girl''s hand. "oh my God! that is such a beautiful ring!" She gushed looking at it and got a positive response from the girl too.


    "Thank you." She shyly smiled. "I love it. The colour is beautiful isn''t it?"


    Alexis laughed a little, "Yes, the colour looks amazing!"


    She then turned to the man. Her eyes had turned cold even though there was a smile on her face. "Whose choice was this colour?". Then she laughed, "you must have had some help from someone. I don''t see you choosing such a gorgeous ring."


    "Uh..umm.." Jayden stumbled for words and Alexis loved to see him that way. All while that had been dating Jayden, he had been the most confident guy that she had ever seen but seeing him here like a broken record playing with words she loved this more than the confident guy.


    "So?" She probed. "did you or do you not take any help?"


    She picked up the hand of the woman where she was wearing her ring and studied it carefully. "It must have been a girl who would have helped you with that. It''s too gorgeous."


    Of course, it was a girl. It had been Alexis herself who had chosen the ring. She had seen the same ring in a catalogue and clicked a picture of it, Jayden noticed that and he decided to make their engagement ring a baby pink coloured diamond.


    Now the emerald stone looked better on her finger.


    Opening and closing his mouth like a fish out of water he finally got the words out. "Yes.. it was my mother."


    ''Ouch,'' she winced, ''that hurt.''


    "Your mother?" She gave him a nasty smile that said she was out to get revenge. "What a wonderful mother that is. With such choice, I would tell you to not let her suffer."


    He nodded hurriedly wanting to her to you take her to leave. "Yes, yes."


    Idiot. He didn''t get the memo, she shook her head. Men could upgrade their laptops and girlfriends within seconds but when it came to their brain it was still in its infancy version.


    "Well then, when''s the wedding?" She smiled and gushed. "I am so excited to see the wedding dress! You will look so gorgeous and I can already much it!"


    The bride blushed and gushed back. "I know, I found one inside my budget and you''re so kind with the words!"


    Alexis laughed, yes she was kind with her words to the girl but with the man sitting next to her she was going to be as merciless as probably her husband.


    "Wedding?" Jayden spattered the coffee out and on the table making Alexis cringe at it and the girl immediately got to cleaning the mess while admonishing him. "Why?"


    "Why what?" Alexis to back the words at him with sudden anger. "Have you not told her?"


    That was the movement the bride stopped as she heard the word spill out of Alexis'' mouth but did Alexis stop?


    For dramatic effect, yes she did.


    "What?" The girl whispered and then hissed at Jayden, "I don''t understand jay. What is she talking about?"


    Alexis happily repeated her words. "Yes, Jayden tell her what I am talking about!"


    The woman could be seen getting angry every growing second as Jayden fumbled with the answer.


    And of course, he would fumble. Because he knew that if he lied Alexis would jump at him and if his spoke the truth than he was pretty much gonna get dumped by his fiance.


    "Oh my god!" Alexis hit his arm making him jump. "Just because I went outside of the country and our contact got minimised and then you forgot to invite me to your wedding?" She hit him again. "That is such a bad thing! You could have at least DMed me on Facebook!"


    "Oh.." the girl give a soft sigh as she finally understood what was happening. "I am so sorry for his behaviour. I had no idea about this too but I have an invitation in my purse." She picked up her bag and rummaged through it. Pulling out a piece of paper she handed it to Alexis as Jayden watched. "Here, please do come."


    Alexis took it with a smile and looked at her ex. "Of course I would come. I find no reason not to."


    "No, no, you don''t, shouldn''t." He said but immediately realised what he sounded like. "I mean of course that you should come. But if you have any sort of troubles or if you have to go out of your way. Then we understand. I mean it''s not ..that.."


    "That important?" His fianc¨¦e spat. "What is that supposed to mean? Our wedding is not important for people that we are inviting?"


    Jayden shook his head and tried to come up with an excuse. "No, I meant-"


    "What for me?" Alexis pointed at herself. "Honey, we have met after like five years. How can you not expect me to come to your wedding?" Then she gives him a mysterious smile saying, "I do have to give a speech at your wedding telling everyone about your embarrassing moments in college. I mean what is a wedding without that?"


    "Yes! Tots!" The woman kicked him under the table. "Don''t tell her what to do! And definitely, if she wants to come to a wedding do not tell her otherwise!''


    Alexis''s smile faltered a bit. she winced at how life threw the words at her face after she had decided not to let anyone tell her what to do.


    "Well," she glanced at the card. "I would surely come and send in my RSVP." She got up and so did the girl. "I cannot wait!"


    "I know!" The girl gushed back.


    Finishing Goodbyes, she walked back to Liam who had chosen to take takeaways.


    "I figured." He waved his hand. "We have to hurry though. The boss is expecting us."


    "Of course he is," she muttered as she rolled her eyes. He had to wait, after all, that he had wanted to avoid was happening.


    The ride home was rather fast. She slowly stepped on her drink and still had half a cup of it left as she entered the house.


    When she closed the door she immediately found Angelo presumably waiting for her on the couch.


    "How was your day?"


    Alexis could not help but raised her eyebrows for a second. That was the first time that he had ever asked that question when she had not initiated the conversation first.


    "Nice. We enjoyed a lot." She nodded and sat down in front of him.


    "That''s good to know." He nodded back. "Did you tell her about the child?"


    She scoffed. "I just made up from the rocky relationship that I had with my mother and you want me to tell her that I have entered another one with my husband?"


    He thoughtfully looks up, "Alright it was your call."


    Sure was. She shook her head at his words and then remembered. "Angelo, when did I ever tell you to ask my mother to stay away from me?"


    Something flashed in his eyes but it was gone quickly. "She told you." Was what his answer was and that infuriated her to no level.


    "What?" She spat out. "Of course she told me! How could you tell her anything like that?"


    "I did it for you." He had pointed out. "for your sanity."


    "For my-" she scoffed. "Even if you did that, did you not think that you should have run this idea through me first? What made you think that I would ever want to cut her off forever?" She argued.


    He sat there, all calm and collected, not a hair out of its place. Her rant did not affect her and she was made aware of that.


    He nodded, understanding her point. "I get it. I was wrong and I have no excuse or explanation for it."


    "Oh..okay." She stammered in return not excepting him to acting agree that he was wrong. "Yeah.." Was..did she hear it right?


    "I did what I had to. You were a mess and I wanted nothing more than to make sure that my wife was okay."


    That. Not okay. Misogynist ass.


    "I have been a mess my entire life and I dealt with it just fine." This time, she didn''t argue as she presented her time. Rather she calmly stated it.


    With Angelo, shouting or yelling seemed like a waste of time and energy.


    "That was your life. Now, it''s ours. Your life is linked mine. It''s just together." That nasty glint in his eyes couldn''t help but have her say this.


    "Then what if I don''t want that child?"

 Chapter 182 - One Hundred And Eighty-two

    Then what if I don''t want that child?"


    "Do you want me to kill him?" He asked in return with a blank expression.


    She gawked at what he said making her yell at him and question his sanity. "What is wrong with you?" She asked in a high pitched voice. "Do you even know what you are talking about? That is a child Angelo, a child you are talking so causally about to killing?!"


    He simply shrugged. "It is what you want. You would get."


    A terrible feeling ran through her entire being. She didn''t know what to call it but she knew that she never wanted to feel it again.


    "Angelo," she stressed on it. "I don''t think I want the baby. I didn''t say that I want it killed."


    What was wrong with this man? instead of understanding the whole situation and wrapping his head around, he has simply presented her with the solution that he deemed was fit.


    It was rather the most horrifying solution she had heard for anything.


    Killing a baby? How could he even a think about the thought of it?


    Alexis understood that where he came from killing was as easy as it was taking a walk in the park for him but people have their certain limits and she had always assumed that he would stop when it came with children or women. Perhaps she thought that he could be that human.


    But he was not.


    "If you do not want the baby then you won''t get the baby." He said. "If that is all you want then there it is."


    Baffled at his solutions she could not help but ask, "that''s it? What I want I get?"


    He looked at her with an incredulous expression. "Do you not want to have what you want?" He then frowned, "or would you rather have me force you to do it?"


    "No!" She immediately denied. "I don''t want either of that."


    He gave her an expression that said he had proved his point. "Then there that is. You are getting what you want but here you are questioning it."


    "I..uh.." she wants getting it. What was happening? Nevertheless, she shook her head and continued to ask the questions that were in her mind regardless of what he answered she had to look for them anyway.


    "Then what about the child?" She waved around and then continued, "he is going to be a part of your life and since you clearly said that my life is yours too that means he would be a part of mine."


    He shook his head very slowly. "He doesn''t have to be."


    "Excuse me?" She asked with her eyes a bit widened. "What?"


    "I said," he repeated in a more firm voice. "He doesn''t have to be involved in our lives. We stay here and he stays there."


    This whole conversation was baffling and now that was the major feeling that she felt for everything he said.


    "Angelo that is your child." She tried to inform him of the fact in case he had forgotten." you cannot possibly think of abandoning him."


    He waved his hand around as he answered, indicating that it was of no major concern. "I am not. I won''t be involved directly but I would make sure that he has a comfortable life."


    "He?" She repeated. "So it''s a boy. A baby boy." She muttered unconsciously.


    "Yes. He is. His mother named him Lucas." He then smiled as he told her something, "I remember when she informed me of his name''s, I heard it was Judas and I immediately wanted to tear his birth certificate. There was no way I would let her do that to a child." He shook his head and that brought a smile to her face too.


    When she looked at Angela reminiscing the past, she had a thought come in her mind. The thought made way to a realisation.


    But this realisation did not matter to her because it was supposed to matter to him.


    "Angelo, how old is the child?" She softly asks him trying not to break him out of the bubble of memories that he was in.


    "Two, in November." He answered looking at her. "Why?"


    She is not his first and continued to ask, "How many times have you met him?"


    "A handful." He answered her sceptically.


    "Have you not, ever, wanted him to be with you?" She probed into his mind. "He is your first child." Hopefully, "and don''t you saying that he should be here instead of staying with his mum."


    She had no idea how much he thought about it. She could not even fathom the number.


    And you did not know what being a good father was. He had no idea about that but he always made sure that he knew what was going on with his son every minute of the day. That was his caring.


    Lucas was not an Alessandro and that was for his protection. If he could not be with his child then he had to make sure that in his absence his childhood is protected and he won''t be hurt by anyone due to his name.


    The name alone made the boy carry a red flag with him everywhere he went.


    Angelo knew that he could not tell Alexis that because she frankly would not understand the gravity of the situation.


    The boy could die if he was made known to the world, especially as a bastard. his organisation would become a threat to the boy is Alexa did not take him under or being and he was not sure if she was going to do it.


    For all, he knew she could throw him to the world and act innocent about it.


    "No," he answered. "I believe that women know what is better about the child more than me."


    And also she could provide him with than I ever could.. Be closed his eyes and softly sighed.

 Chapter 183 - One Hundred And Eighty-three

    "Really? Not even a little bit?" She asked with a hint of astonishment. "Angelo come on, you must feel something towards the child."


    He huffed a little in irritation and spoke in a harsher tone. "Asking me again and again the same question would be to change the answer. You have an answer, keep it."


    "But he is a child. Your child!'' she stressed the words trying her best to make a difference but achieved nothing. The man was made of stone.


    So she resigned from the topic and leaned back on the couch. this day had been long and hard on her and now she wanted nothing more but to rest.


    She could even feel a headache coming away.


    But she still wanted to know more. So was a subtle tone she continued the conversation. "Did you never think of marrying the mother of your child?" It was logical. A child would have a better and more stable home and atmosphere to grow up in.


    "I did." He answered but said nothing more after that.


    She sighed but didn''t leave it alone. "I would appreciate it if you will tell me."


    He nodded.


    "There is nothing much to tell. She was the one who poked holes in the condom and I did not expect someone to be that desperate. She got pregnant and I had the paternity of kid checked. Came out to be mine and she did expect marriage." He ran a hand on his forehead with tiredness visible on his face.


    "But you did not marry her?" She frowned. "I thought you would be supposed to do so."


    He nodded, "yes I was but that was only if people knew and I make sure that they did not. She cheated in it and if it had been an honest mistake then  I would have taken responsibility but she chose to deceive me I made sure that she knew the consequences of that."


    With curiosity flooding her mind she could not help but ask, "what were the consequences?" Her voice was a bit dimmed as she asked him the question. For as long as she had known Angelo she was sure of the fact that he would not have given her an easy punishment. It would have been something to which thee woman must regret daily.


    "Nothing much. But she cannot marry or date anyone. She wanted to have my child so now, since she had him, I make sure that she would have to keep him above everything else especially herself."


    "Because of the act of selfishness." She concluded.


    "Yes." He agreed. "She wanted a life of luxury but now I would provide everything for my son and nothing for her."


    For a moment Alexis did not feel bad for the woman. It seemed quite justified. She had the strength to do something, to deceive such a powerful man so she should have expected some consequences if he knew. Which he would have, eventually.


    "Angelo, why did you not ever consider to tell me about the child? Even with the way we got married you should have mentioned if not told me about it." her voice gave away how heartbroken she was at the information. How many times they had tried to make this work this information has surely ripped them apart.


    "Does it matter?" He asked with a scoff. "You refused to accept the child now."


    How daft this man could? She scoffed. "That is all you have to say?"


    "I won''t accept as a child because you have kept him around behind my back when he should have told me about." She got up and paced around the room as she began to spout words at him not caring about the frequency or volume.


    "It''s not that I have a problem in accepting the child that is not mine. I can be just as human to him as I am to anyone else if not want to become a mother to him but I would have appreciated it more and welcome him with warm hands if I knew about him before." She massaged her hair and continued, "you''re not telling me about him makes him a dirty little secret which I am sure he is not. but what the problem is that you did not tell me about him when you should have in the very beginning!"


    She then turned around and looked him dead in the eye.


    "Do you understand the gravity of the situation here? I feel like I am separating you and the child why not giving the mother a chance to marry you and give him a happy family!"


    "It won''t be a happy family with her." He said in a calm voice and that made Alexis knew that he was not lying or joking about the matter, he was just a serious as her. "But it could be a happy family with you."


    "With me ?!" She scoffed loudly. "I told you I am not ready to accept the child is good for me when you could have told me about it before the forced marriage for the entire months that we have been Married through."


    "Then don''t." He shrugged. "I cannot offer you anything more if you are not ready to accept the child. I certainly cannot bring him here and make you deal with his presence constantly only to have you hate me more."


    ''Yes, thank you but I hate you anyway.'' She just stared at him and then turned to looks way. The man was ...a.


    There were no words to describe him.


    Perhaps she could just think of one and have the Oxford dictionary publish it.


    she still felt that somehow he did not understand the gravity of the situation so to make him feel the same.


    "What if I had a child and never told you about it? What if he exists and is it there but you, like my husband, have no idea about it?" She said, "How would that make you feel?"

 Chapter 184 - One Hundred And Eighty-four

    Vote and comment


    ******


    His face which had been as blank as a newly bought canvas immediately had splashes of along appear on it and the colour red was the primary one."The fuck did you just day?" He seethed. His jaw was locked so hard that she could imagine his teeth shattering any moment now. His face was red. Even with the naturally tanned skin of his, she could see it coming up to the surface.


    "Yes," she continued. "Why? I can''t have a child?" She taunted.


    "Alexis." He warned. "Stop."


    And she did.


    She had learned enough to know that at times, even though-provoking him was fun, he had his limits. Given the life he lived not many could taunt him and live with it, she did but that didn''t mean she was going to get away with it.


    Certain limits were not meant to be crossed. Pushed, yes but not crossed.


    "That''s how I feel." She spoke in a soft voice as she pointed out to him. "That feeling of anger and betrayal is what is running through my mind."


    She walked closer to him and cupped his face with both of her hands. "Concentrate on what is going on in your mind. You have no problem in adopting my children but what is hurting you the most is that you did not know about it." She lightly grazed her thumb over his nose. "That is exactly how I feel. we never had a good start and we are having problems in between and then comes this problem how do you ever expect us to work out?"


    "We will work out." He said but Alexis felt as if his mind was in a trance. "We have to." The emotions that she had once seen coming to his face and eyes had all vanished. As it did not exist anymore.


    "We can''t." She shook her head. "There are too many problems in a marriage that is just seven months old. Too many problems in such a less amount of time."


    He nodded, unfazed. "We will get through this. I know we will, we are strong enough." He then shoved his hands into his pockets and talked with a blank face.


    More blank than normal.


    Alexis shook her head negative and then sighed. "Not for me, we cannot. Too much has happened for me to even want to continue this relationship."


    "Boss!" A man ran in, giving Alexis a jump of fright and making Angelo glare into his direction.


    "Adriano has been kidnapped! We do not know where he is!"


    Under touch, Alexis could feel him immediately Stiffen on the information. He had immediately gone into his mob boss mode as she watches his expression grow stoic and cold.


    He nodded towards the man was dismissing him immediately and then looked at his wife.


    "I have to go. We will continue this later." Bending down to her he kissed her forehead and sad, "we will talk about this later. Rest well."


    Everything happened in a hurry as Angelo step out and closed the door guards came in and stepped beside her.


    Even the Alexis was a civilian she understood that this was an emergency and that the guards have been sent to protect her.


    Liam came in next and informed her, "madam Nikita is coming in a few minutes."


    She nodded and took a seat, waiting for the arrival which did not take long.


    Nikita looked as if she had hurried as well. Her hair was usually tied together but now seemed as if she had continuously run her hands to them and when Nikita asked if she knew anything, Alexis denied.


    She knew only a little but that would not suffice so she thought it was better to keep quiet.


    They had dinner together and then Alexis moved up. Nikita had taken residence in a guest room right next to her room.


    Alexis stood watching the cars drive by from the window.


    Angelo was in a trance as he talked about them working out. He was like a broken record repeating the same thing over and over again. It was as if he had nothing more to say. That it was it for him.


    How strange was that?


    Angelo, who had one of the most difficult jobs and was one of the most powerful men she had ever seen was talking like a broken record as if it had been installed into him.


    But then Alexis remembered something and maybe it could be responsible for the condition that Angelo had today.


    But there was something that troubled her even more. There were only two people who could tell her about it; one she did not have great contact our familiarity with and second, she did not want to lose because of her questioning.


    But she had to ask. His words were still running in her mind as he kept on saying the same words that they had to work out, that they would work out.


    Everything seems so difficult right now, not only difficult but ominous as well. Was she worried over nothing?


    Nikita was here today and she did not want her to hear any of the conversations that Alexis was going to have.


    So very discreetly Alexis opens her door and moved to Nikita room. First, she leaned in her ear against the door and heard for any sounds or movements.


    She had nothing.


    then she moved to open the door and her eyes scanned the area for the women who appeared to be on the bed sleeping in the night away.


    Without disturbing her all possibly breaking her up she closed the door very carefully and then moved away and back to her room.


    Taking hold of a phone she could not help but think over once more.


    Was she right in doing this?


    Maybe there was nothing to worry about...


    Shaking her head of those socks she failed the number and brought it to her ear.


    It was about time that she got the answer that she deserved.

 Chapter 185 - One Hundred And Eighty-five

    When she woke up, the sheets next to her had not been ruffled meaning he had not come home last night. She sighed, she had not expected that.


    Alexis had somewhat expected him to come in after she had had an hour-long call. She had expected him to make it at least by the early hours of the morning.


    But when she looked towards her side it was clear that he had not.


    She got freshened up for the day and then walked down as she remembered that she had someone in the house who could provide her with a good company.


    "Morning," she wished Nikita and received one back.


    they have their breakfast together and meet small talks about things especially their restaurant. The beloved restaurant at the had to leave behind.


    Alexis had also chosen to take one step for as she was not sure if Angelo had really chosen to share information with her or he had simply fabricated it.


    Fishing out the picture of the woman that he had a child with, she sent it to Blake and remembered to tell him she wanted the information by the end of the day but Blake reassured her that since it was just one person to find and reassured her that he would not have any troubles and it would be sent to her within hours.


    And all she could do was.


    ***********


    "It''s the afternoon and they still are not home." Nikita sighed as she talked with Alexis. "he has never been gone for so long and if he has then always called."


    Nikita slightly dependent behaviour and clinginess made Alexis cringe a bit.


    "He might soon." She offered. She wanted to slap herself thinking that she could ever be so cringing.


    Her phone pinged and she immediately reached for it earning an odd look from Nikita that she brushed off.


    It was a PDF file with Cassidy Smith written on it.


    Cassidy Smith. She had never heard of the name before.


    She was an average student or barely average student whose entire report card was based on just passing marks. Alexis shook her head at that of course she was the one to not work hard and take this easy way.


    Figured.


    She then looked at her parents. Both who had hardworking jobs and were now in retirement. They had apparently no idea who the father of the child was and Blake had not relayed the information down as well.


    That meant Angelo was right. He was keeping this whole ordeal wrapped up and no one knew about it.


    Her finger scrolled through the information but immediately came to a halt when she read the address.


    Alexis looked at Nikita who was watching the TV beside her. If she was here then surely she could leave.


    She got up and changed and then board out of the house only to be stopped by Liam.


    "I was not aware that you were supposed to go out today, Madam."


    Alexis smiled at his carefully chosen words. Out of all the men that she had been introduced to including her husband, she found Liam to be a genuine man regardless of his profession.


    "To be honest I was not aware of it as well." She laughed it off but he did not follow so she asked him instead, "is it the emergency from last night? Has it not been solved yet?"


    He shook he head, "it has. Adriano was found safe and sound but it is still not advisable for you to go out without any protection."


    She looked away with a sharp intake of breath. She had to. The sooner she knew everything about the child the better she would feel. Alexis had a feeling that after her talk, Angelo surely would not allow her to divorce over such an issue so she will have to somehow accept the child. Which she would have preferred to happen gradually but she showed that he would not tell her everything ever.


    "I need to go to Liam." She pleaded. "It''s still the daylight and I think that we can spare an hour or two for this."


    He looked torn but he had no authority here since he had not been given any direct instructions from the boss himself.


    "Where ever the address is I can just take you for an hour." He then further explained. "Both the journey to and from would-be counted within that."


    "Yes! Done!" She squealed. "I have no problem with that. Oh, Liam and so happy that I could hug you right now!"


    His face twisted into an ugly expression. "I I would suggest that you refrain from it. For both mine and your sake."


    Nodding she sat inside the car and was given away to the destination that she provided.


    her door was opened by the God standing near it and she soon by the left it reached the apartment of Cassidy Smith.


    She rang the bell and waited.


    Suddenly conscious of what she was wearing she gave her self a look and dusted off her clothes. she knew that she was dressed well but she did not want to come off as a woman did not want a stepson in her life.


    She had no problems with accepting a baby.


    Cassidy came to the door and opened it. "Ye-Its you." She said as her mouth hung open.


    "Yes, it''s me." Alexis confidently replied and rebuked back at the woman. "And I would also suggest you to close that mouth." There was an underlying meaning in her words.


    Cassidy immediately closed her mouth but still looked lost on what to do.


    Alexis gave an exaggerated sigh and pointed her direction forward, "Now is the time when you invite me inside."  What a woman this one who did not know how to receive guests.


    Cassidy nodded muttering yes over and over again. She moved aside and Alexis stepped inside the well-decorated apartment.


    Entering the first thing she saw was her husband''s son.

 Chapter 186 - One Hundred And Eighty-six

    The baby was sitting on the floor with a mat laid out, his toys surrounding him and scattered around.


    He was so small, barely he would reach her knees.


    He glanced at her and her breath hitched a bit. He had the same stony eyes. Oh, those beautiful eyes. They looked so pure and innocent on the baby and the exact opposite, malicious and devilish, on his father.


    She sighed and moved forward to sit on the couch. Cassidy entered the room and nervously sat down on the couch behind the baby.


    She waved around and directed her question at the young mother. "How do you afford all of this?"


    "Huh?" Cassidy blinked in return.


    Dumbass.


    Why was every dumb person sent her way?


    "I mean, what do you do regarding your occupation."


    "Oh," she nodded in understanding. "I work at a coffee shop."


    Alexis raised her eyebrows and asked, "as in the manager, I assume." if she was the manager in a coffee shop then Cassidy could afford the necessities of life.


    "Oh no," she waved her hand and shook her head no. "I am just a waitress. I go in there for 3 hours a day."


    "A Waitress?" Alexis repeated. "Do you mean that you work for minimum wages while you are taking care of a baby?"


    "Yes, why?" Cassidy was not a bit insecure of herself or her future or the baby''s future. Her expression indicated pure curiosity to why Alexis asked that question and that made Alexis immediately wonder if she was serious about her life?


    But if she were not sure of where she was going in the future then Alexis thought that it was the right time to make a threat. It would take one off of her back.


    Leaning back on the couch Alexis asked, "Do you not ever think of where you''re going to go?"


    "Going to go where?"


    "From here." Alexis waved around. "My husband has given you an apartment for the baby. If we take the baby away, then you would not have an apartment."


    An expression of immediate panic and anxiety flushed in Cassidy''s face. "But I want the apartment!" Her desperate tone did not take Alexis by surprise as she had expected it.


    She smiled a little. Just a twitch of her lips upwards.


    "I said if the baby goes away, then your apartment goes away." Alexis told her. "but you said that you do not want the apartment to go away." She tilted her head as she observed to the woman. "Do you not care about the baby?"


    Realising of what she had done had her immediately deny and stutter on what to say.


    Rolling her eyes at the women''s desperate attempts to fix her mistake Alexis raised her hand and showed it to her, stopping her from talking any further.


    "I don''t care for any of those explanations. I know what I saw and I understood it." She then took her hand down and placed it back on her lap.


    She noticed how Cassidy was sitting and how quickened her breathing was. She was nervous about what was about to come.


    "The child is the only thing that is letting you keep the house." She turned her finger around, "This is an apartment where you have to be paying at least a thousand dollars a month as rent and I''m sure with your waitressing job you cannot even afford it with two roommates."


    With the small pause in between Alexis continued, "the baby is the only thing that is keeping you in this luxury and if you ever think that you can come into my house replace me, you are mistaken and this is the last time that I am telling you or rather warning you of not making it."


    Staring into her eyes with blazing fire she said, "because the next time when you come at me, yelling and screeching in that voice of yours, I will make sure that you do not even have a roof on your head much less live in a luxurious apartment."


    Without waiting for any reply from Cassidy side she got up and was ready to leave.


    "You come here all high and mighty but do you seriously think that I cannot come to your house and replace you?" Cassidy scoffed and Alexis halted. She turned around with warning flashing in her eyes. If Cassidy cared for her life or was even a little bit interested in living then she would use her brain and stop talking.


    "Because I can," Cassidy smirked.


    Well, she was not.


    "All I have to do is act like Lucas''s life is in danger and you know the next thing that he would do? He would care enough to put us in your house, under your care and constant presence." She stood up and met Alexis with toe to toe. "That is my baby and I will use him to my advantage as much as I can."


    "A child? You would use a baby to your advantage?" Alexis repeated pointing at the child. "Are you out of your God damn mind?!"


    Cassidy shook her head, "I want a life of luxury but he did not marry me so what, I will live it through his kid." She shrugged and then pointed at the piano.


    "Do you see that piano?" She looked at Alexis glancing at it. "It''s beautiful, isn''t it?" She laughed.


    Stepping more close to Alexis she whispered, "It''s erotic when he fucks me against it."


    Alexis expression immediately changed. She glared at the woman to repeat what she said, daring her to do so.


    "Ah yes," she smirked, pulling her shirt she showed the dark pigmented spots scattered on her neck and chest. "He had so much of frustration that he just can''t shake off. I, of course, come in handy for this." She shrugged and then straightened out her shirt. "Hard and fast, you know, quick fuc- Ah!"


    Before she could complete the offending sentence that she was going to say Alexis smacked her cheek as hard as she could making the woman turn a bit with the applied force.


    "Watch what you say to me," Alexis hissed. "And always remember," she pulled her hair and spoke in a loud and clear voice. "There is a difference between a wife and a damn whore." Throwing her on the ground, Alexis stared at her. "If any of that is true and you knew that he was married, then I am warning you, I will take away everything that you have." She seethed. "I will make you regret those words." She vowed and slammed the door shut as she walked out.


    Angrily walking towards toward the lift with two guards following her, she aggressively pressed the button on the left to the ground floor. She kept on breathing harshly as the lift went down. As soon as it opened she walked out and sat inside the car is door Liam held open.


    The entire car ride, she was giving out aggressive sighs as she thought about what that wretched woman had said.


    And it could be true now, could it not?


    When she had first opened her mouth and challenged Alexis she felt nothing but mockery towards the woman trying to even think of replacing her. Cassidy had no idea what Alexis had endured to the entire eight months and she had been with Angelo and if she thought that she could even come close and then live through it, then she could not be more wrong.


    Alexis knew one thing that she was strong and she was stronger than a woman who was waitressing knowing that she has a baby to take care of and there was no guarantee that Angelo would choose to continue to be in the life of the child.


    As soon as the car came to a stop, she got out without waiting for Liam to come to her door.


    She walked to the door and inside the house with a furious expression and a determined mind.


    "Where were you?" On the couch sat her husband who looked calm as if he didn''t mind her going out at all.


    Her facial expressions turned ugly and she opened her mouth ready to curse the shit out of him but then she remembered something and schooled her features.


    "Where''s Nikita?" She asked.


    He clicked his tongue as if it troubled his royal ass to answer.


    "She went home." And then pointed out, "With her husband."


    Ah, the lovely taunt made her smile.


    "You fucking bastard!" She roared.


    "Oh?" He merely rose a brow at that.


    "Who did you fuck with?" She asked with a raised voice.


    He raised his hand as he said, "With many people. Never kept..never could keep a count." He smiled. "Too many to be counted."


    She sighed in exaggeration. "Who did you fuck last night?" She asked in a toned-down voice, deprived of energy. Drained she felt.


    "Adriano''s kidnappe-"


    "No!" She cut him off.. Moving closer she stood in front of him, "Did you fuck Cassidy Smith last night?" She whispered looking into his eyes who darkened as he heard her.

 Chapter 187 - One Hundred And Eighty-seven

    "Did you fuck Cassidy Smith last night?" She whispered looking into his eyes who darkened as they heard her.


    "Do you know who you are talking about?" He hissed as his eyes observed for any indications of her lying about it.


    She huffed and took a step back, being too close to him was an inconvenience. "Do you think I would ask you if I didn''t know what I am talking about?" Her eyes glistened over as she talked further, "It''s not fair that you do not tell me about anything. So I have to see for myself."


    Even though he was angry he still talked in a calm voice. "What did you find? Are you happy with whatever you found?"


    "Oh, I am!" She chirped as tears threatened to spill over. The big bubble of water threatening to fall any second to her cheeks from her eyes. "I am so happy! So so happy that I cannot even begin to tell you! I don''t even know my happiness starts from!"


    All she got was a raised brow form him.


    Smiling at his lack of response she slowly told him the real reason for happiness, in a broken whisper than a confident voice. "I am so happy to know that you fucked her."


    And that broken Whisper broke his expression.


    "What?" He whispered as well. "Alexis what?"


    She nodded as she turned her back to him. "You did not come home last night and when I look at you I see you wearing different clothes than what you were yesterday. So tell me where did you change today, your office? Do you keep the same perfume that you use there too? The same brush that you used to achieve that perfect hairstyle you have every day?" She pointed to his hair which as usual did not even have a hair out of its place.


    So perfect as usual.


    "you did not come home last night and I know that if I''m looking at the bed and I know that because I asked the guards too." She took a seat at the couch. "I understood the fact that he had a child before marriage. Many do, so. I can''t say anything to that. but what I do not understand is over you have sex with his mother? Is being calibate for two months such an achievement that you have to had some kind of reward?" The tears fell and the dam broke. all this while she has served a little in-between as she spoke her mind. Not caring for anybody listening and the conversation which she was sure that Agatha had sent them to their rooms.


    "Alexis.."


    "What Alexis now?" She cried throwing her hands up. "What now can you say that prove anything?! She is an assured me the marks on her neck and chest which mind I am telling you, were quite fresh and dark."


    She closes her eyes and sobbed. She cried about her faith she cried about her past and she cried about the future that was unforeseen and was going to cause more problems.


    "It''s not fair.." She cried, her chest moving up and down and nose sniffing often. "One thing. I want one happy thing.." she muttered as she continued to cry.


    "She tell you that?"


    His voice brought her back to reality. The harsh, bitter reality. And the question he asked?


    Somethings never needed confirmation.


    "Yes, she did indeed." She answered wiping her tears away. She was stronger than this. Much, much stronger. She was not to cry Infront of the man who was nothing but a cheater.


    He was the worst kind of them. He was the cheater who cheated in relationships.


    "And you believed her?" His voice that had a hint of sadness and this believe had her face turning towards in. Is Alexis has to assume about this man she would say that he was shocked, to say the least. "You believed leave whatever she told you? You trusted her words without having to come to me "


    She gasped with a smile. "Yes, that is exactly what I needed to do. I have to talk to you about it and perhaps while we were at it, we could also discuss how you performed or if she was better than me or not." Her stare was angry and now it seemed to be full of humiliation. "Now that we talk about it, she does seem better." She muttered looking away from him.


    "Why are you considering her word to be true over mine?!" He yelled.


    His yelled made her jump a bit. Turning to him with blazing in her eyes. She roared back standing up. "Well maybe because you have not cared to deny it even once!" Her eyes were wide and already, once again, filling up to the brim with tears. "You have not once said that you did not do it. how have I supposed it was a true to word with all you asking me is how can I do that when you have not even the denied it once?" Her broke was barely left in whispers as the tears cascaded down the cheeks and her eyes and voice both told about the pain she felt deep within.


    The Whispers had shaken his heart and given him goosebumps.


    "Alexis," he took quick steps towards her, wanting to hug her to stop the tears. "My dar-"


    "No!" She cut him off. Getting up from the couch she moved away from her so that she was not in his reach anymore. "No! Do not come near me!" She yelled. "All this life I have received anything but my happiness and torture and hear you are telling me that you can give me everything in this world but here.. Once again I just have such a mess around me all over again.." She heaved.


    She stared into her eyes she cried, "if you had to give me sadness then already I had it with me. So Angelo de''alessandro you have given me nothing." She turned around and walked up the stair.


    She heard something but didn''t care to turn around and see.

 Chapter 188 - One Hundred And Eighty-eight.

    This chapter is bc y''all commented for one more. Enjoy!


    ******


    "I hate liers," He watched her climbing up the stairs or more like stomping her way up. He shook his head, he was going to fix this.


    He walked out of the house and climbed in the car. "Cassidy''s house." He said and Theodore; his driver, understood and nodded. Pressing the accelerator he drove to the apartments.


    Angelo had already made up his mind on what he had to do with this woman. Even with the warning given to her at the night of the Halloween party, she had still caused trouble to his wife.


    ''She cried,'' he thought closing his eyes for a second or two. ''She cried and is troubled because of that woman. She wants justice, she asked for it, so my wife would get it.''


    Taking his phone out, he texted. ''Where are you?''


    ''Buying groceries sir.'' Came her immediate reply.


    Knocking the on the door, he waited for the woman to open the door.


    She opened the door and gasped as soon s she saw his face. "Yo- oh!" She hurriedly stepped aside as he walked in, she closed the door.


    He immediately walked to his son''s room as he didn''t see him in the living room. He was sleeping in his cradle, very peacefully and somehow it made his mind at peace too.


    "I didn''t know you were coming. I was not expecting you." She whispered standing behind him and at the door.


    "The nanny?" He asked in return.


    "She''s gone for a rest." She answered, crossing her arms and pushing her breasts up a bit and making it a bit more prominent cleavage.


    "She is?" He muttered still caressing his babies face. "I wonder.." he turned to her. "Call her. Tell her that I am here."


    "What?" She repeated, stunned at the command.


    "Pay attention!" He snapped. "I said, go and wake her up. She has to get up and can sleep after meeting me."


    "I..oh.." she looked around. "She went to her house." She confessed.


    "Has she?" He scoffed. "Well, then I should call her. She isn''t supposed to until she gets direct approval from me." He moved his hand to his pocket, reaching for his phone.


    "No! I approved it!" Cassidy immediately came forward to say it. "I did. As the mother."


    "As the mother?" He repeated. "I don''t give a fuck to that. I employed her, I give her the salary, the hell did you approve it for?" He hissed, mindful of the baby sleeping. "You have no godamn right, mother or not."


    "I..." Cassidy had no idea what to say. Whenever Angelo came around, he always had a powerful aura around him that she didn''t want to mess with him. Not a word she said that was not supposed to be.


    "I? What, now you can''t say anything?" He questioned as he stepped closer to her caging her against the wall. "Because that mouth ran itself quite a lot in front of my wife with shit coming out of it."


    Cassidy''s eyes widened immediately. Now she knew why he was here unannounced. He had come here to punish her.


    "I did not mean a word that I said. I j-just. I felt so inferior to her and I said those..words.." a gasp left her mouth as his hand came to her throat squeezing it tightly.


    "What need you think that you could talk to my wife like that? You are inferior to her in all terms. The shit that you spotted out in front of her caused her grief and agony." He informed her so kindly. "You knew that you hold no importance to me even though you are the mother of my child and you are aware of the fact that in a blink of an eye I can take the custody of the child away legally. Yet you try to undermine my wife by spouting out in nonsense in front of her."


    Cassidy visible shook where she stood. Fear grasped her entire being and she had never been so scared. Not when she had to tell the man that she was pregnant with his child, not when he had told her to stay away from him and she was just his baby''s mother and not when he had to attend her to take care of his child needs first than hers. And all these times he had been anything but kind and gentle.


    "I won''t.." she shook her head, "I would apologize to her but please, please don''t." Tears came out of her eyes as she cried. "Please don''t I swear to God I would never do it again..No! No..please.."


    She pleaded as he held her arm and dragged her outside after closing his son''s bedroom door.


    "I warned you before to stay away from my wife and mind your tongue at the night of the Halloween party but you chose not to listen to me." His words sent a shiver down her spine. "I believe it''s about time you know that I mean what I say." He closed the door of her bedroom with both of them inside.


    ********


    Alexis was rummaging through the entire closet as she tried to find a bunch of papers that she did not remember where she had kept. They had to be somewhere near.


    She had already checked his side of the closet and had not found any. So now she was searching in her eyes.


    A smile came to her face as she finally found them and held them up to her eyes to inspect.


    There it was.


    Their agreement.


    Without opening documents, she just saw the first page and their signatures which had been signed on where they were supposed to be.


    As she held them up once more, she could not help but once more close her eyes and think. Every time she had started a new beginning somewhere and somehow she had always ended up with sadness.


    She glanced at the papers in her hand.. This might be her only chance for a new beginning.

 Chapter 189 - One Hundred And Eighty-nine.

    The papers laid in front of her as she sat at the dinning table. It was night now and he had not returned yet. It had been hours.


    She shook her head slowly, ''He was sleeping with that woman.'' There was no other possible explanation.


    She had never thought of getting married but if she did, she was sure that her husband won''t cheat on her.


    Well, that didn''t happen. She was sure that it was happening right now too.


    The papers were lying in front of her and the divorce was in the first paragraph.


    ''Do I want it?'' She sighed. Asking for a divorce and dissolving A marriage was not something to be joked around with. What if after this they ould surely make the marriage work?


    But what if she couldn''t?


    There were so many possibilities about what could happen with this one decision. They could either work on the marriage seriously or he would revert to his old ways after some time and she would have no idea about what went behind that curtain that he had drapped on his life. Then once again she had no idea what went on in the family after the curtains were closed.


    Alexis jumped to the bit as she heard her phone ringing, on checking she found that it was Isabelle calling.


    "Hello, Isabelle." She wished.


    "Did you talk to him?" Were the first words that Isabel said. "I told you something that nobody knows about my child. So did you or did you not talk to him about it?"


    Alexis scoffed a bit, "are you worried that I will tell him you were the one to tell me about it?"


    "Not what I asked,"


    "But what I understood." Alexis confidently replied. "And I can assure you of one more thing, there are many things that your son is hiding from you. Being a Christian is the least of them."


    "Of course he is hiding things from me. He cannot tell his mother everything that would make me lose the love I have for him." She could hear the pain of truth in Isabelle''s voice. So she thought that it was the right time to make hers known to.


    "Tell me Isabelle, has Gabrielle ever cheated on you?"


    For a second or two maybe Isabelle did not reply and all Alexis heard was silence.


    "No." She answered but her voice wavered and Alexis caught on to that.


    "No? Or not that you know of?" She repeated with a more clear question.


    A harsh sigh came from the older woman and Alexis heard it. "Tell me clearly what has happened."


    Alexis smiled at the command given to her. If Isabelle thought that now would be a great time for them to talk then it was not and she was wrong. Alexis was not going to tell her mother-in-law everything and then be pulled back into the world by her.


    She wanted to put her life back together and that would take efforts from her side and no one else''s.


    "No." She answered.


    "..What?" Isabelle whispered. "You need to talk to someone."


    There it was once again, someone telling her what she needed to do. if only she had been given a dime when someone said that to her she was going to become a millionaire by the end of her twenties.


    "Do I?" She said with a sarcastic smile. "Then why is it that you don''t come here to talk to me? you knew from the very start how difficult it was going to be for me when I was thrust in today''s life. The very first day you were there in your son''s house to give me Donna 101 but I ask you today where are the classes? After three to four classes you were literally out of the life I was living as your successor. You did not tell me about what I was supposed to do with the man of such dark capabilities and thinking. You left me on my own. What you did not tell me was what to do with my husband who has the possibility of cheating on me."


    A gasp was heard from her side and Alexis could imagine her shock. Yet, she said anything more.


    "No," Isabelle softly denied. "Angelo would not do that. He believes in loving his wife, he would never touch a girl and love someone else outside of his home. Someone who is not his wife."


    Alexis could not help but give a scoff at that. "how funny it is that you do not even realise the mistake in the words you just said. He cannot love someone who is not his wife but that does not stop him from making love to someone else." She gave small giggle at that. "Because we both are aware of the fact you don''t need love to fuck a person."


    "Alexis.. think about what you want to do. It might not be as you thinking about it. Angelo out of every person I have ever known is the most determined man that I have ever met. He is not the one that changes his mind so frequently and over just.."


    "Stop. It''s alright." Alexis left the conversation in between. "It''s understandable that you will favour your son on it. Like every other mother-in-law, you could just tell me that it is not what it looks like. Can you give me a guarantee that it is not what it looks like? That he cannot cheat on me, that he is the most faithful man that you have ever met."


    "..."


    She smiled as her eyes watered again. "Yes thank you, Isabelle. I think I have found my answer." Without waiting for her answer, Alexis hung up.


    She kept the phone on the table right next to the divorce papers. All she had to do it now was wait, wait for her husband to come and then wait some more, for the divorce to go through.


    ********

 Chapter 190 - One Hundred And Ninety.

    The door slammed shut and she immediately sat straighter in her chair. Somehow keeping her back straight and holding her chin up high make her feel more confident. Because confidence was everything at this moment.


    "You are back," was the first thing she said as he entered the dining room and kept his coat in front of her, covering the papers. "I was not expecting you tonight."


    He gave her glance and then pulled the chair out to sit in. "Yet you sit here and wait for me."


    "I had to." She answered. "how else were we supposed to talk? All for I know is that you have a house hidden somewhere where you have everything that you ever want or need."


    "Still taunting me, I see." He smiled. "Have you eaten?"


    She huffed and muttered. "My hunger died."


    He waited for a bit still looking at her but then smiled, "well I for one, am hungry."


    "Please, have your fill." She muttered. "I believe you must be tired and want to replenish that energy." Which he ignored.


    Agatha came in and served him food Alexis all this while Alexis sat straight without looking in his direction.


    "I did not do it." He confessed as he ate a bit. "I want to tell you that I am a loyal man and I intend to continue to keep that word. You are my wife and you are the only woman that I would ever sleep with."


    She looked towards him and once again her eyes felt as if burning. Tears were building up and she could not bear to cry again. "Angelo? that is what you say to me 5 hours after the conversation we have had?" She leaned forward on the table. "This is what you do? I sat here feeling every ounce of unhappiness that this relationship has given me. Then you come here five hours after I asked you if this was true or not and now you come and tell me that it isn''t."


    He kept his fork and knife down and looked into her eyes with the utmost sincere expression. "And I apologize for that. I had no idea of what you must be feeling but I had to take care of something that should have been done a long time ago."


    "Yes, something else had to be taken care." She muttered as she got up from her chair. "why is it to you taking care of everything else except for me is most important?"


    "It is only important to me because it concerns you." He answered.


    "Oh does it? Does it concern me?" She repeated with a hint of a smile which, for quite some time, was not out of happiness. "Then tell me if my being happy concerns about me being free would you... free me of this relationship?" Her body language gave away everything that she felt.


    His eyes which held a soft look in them went blank immediately after hearing those words. Staring at her for a few seconds he went back to picking up his knife and fork and then dug into this his meal.


    Confused at what just happened and Alexis stared at him for any kind of explanation offered. He continued to eat and that''s when Alexa decided to ask, "I asked you something, Angelo."


    "I know." Said he.


    "Then why are you not answering me?" She asked with a frown.


    After swallowing his bite he answered, "because I do not have an answer for that question so I just ignored you asking it."


    She scoffed. "Well isn''t that convenient? If only we could ignore the questions that we do not have answers to or do not want to answer at all."


    He glanced at her, looking her up and down. "Yes, I believe it would be very convenient." He gave her a quick smile and then returned to his eating.


    She gaped at him, open-mouthed and wide-eyed. The bastard''s audacity.


    "Angelo I meant what I asked." She stated in all seriousness. "I am not joking. I cannot be with a man who is cheating on me after he vowed to be mine forever."


    He placed his cutlery down once more. "and once again I am assuring you that I did not cheat on you. She was lying, she is lying, to be honest. She has my child to backup which she knows that I cannot kill her for but that does not mean that I would tolerate her trying to undermine you and your authority which surpasses any or whatever that she has and I made it a priority to make her understand that she shall never be able to repeat it."


    Somehow his words made her feel touched inside, that he cared enough to make sure that no one ever tried to undermine her authority.


    But one thing didn''t settle well with her. He said that she shall never be able to repeat it but should not it be that she won''t repeat it?


    His choice of words couldn''t be wrong and somehow it left an ominous feeling in her mind.


    "What do you mean by she shall never be able to do it again?" She asked. "It''s her mouth, she could do anything with that."


    He shrugged. "Yes I suppose, she could but once again I make sure that she could not." he looked up to her with a prideful expression on his face. "I made show that she would never disrespect my wife again. No one would ever think of this disrespecting you. What I have done with her would act as a lesson for everyone."


    Something was crawling up her spine and giving her goosebumps throughout her body. He had done something bad and she knew it. His words gave that away.


    "What did..you do?" she asked about with hesitance, not sure of what the answer was going to be or rather how scary it could be for her.


    "Check my jacket pocket." He took a bite. "The inner left one."


    She slowly moved ahead, nodding to his words and moving her hand inside his jacket pocket taking out something squishy in nature.


    She looked at it, closely inspecting it. "What''s the-AH!" She yelled as she dropped the bag on to the floor. Horrified she looked at him, who ate away without any care. "Angelo.." she whispered scared out of her mind, her hands shook wildly." Wh-what.."


    He gave her a bright smile as he looked at her. "It''s her tongue honey. She spoke disrespectfully towards you, so I made show that she would never be able to talk.. Period."

 Chapter 191 - One Hundred And Ninety-one

    Gasping she threw it away and covered her mouth with the other hand with a horrifying expression."It''s her tongue honey. She spoke disrespectfully towards you, so I made sure that she would never be able to talk. Period."


    She stared at him with horror written over her. "Wha.." she gasped but turned away not knowing what to say to him. Her eyes once more found the human organ lying on the ground with blood coating it. Looking away she was thankful that at least he had the decency to wrap it up.


    "What is wrong with you?!" She shrieked as she saw him eating without any concern in the world making her want to vomit.


    He looked at her with a slight frown and shook his head, "Nothing." He shrugged.


    She was not even shocked. There was nothing she had felt with his answer.


    Of course, it was her fault. There was nothing wrong with him, everything was worth with her. He was perfectly normal and fine.


    "I-I need to go." She shakily stood up and walked to the guest bedroom that she had stayed in previously. She chose it once more for the sake of her sanity and mental health.


    ...mental health.


    She walked to her room at a slow pace. She locked the door behind her and then took her phone with and stood near the window. Dailing a number she held it next to her ear.


    "Hell-"


    "Dr Peterson?" Alexis immediately asked in a panicked voice. "Is that you?"


    "Yes, Alexis. It''s me. Is everything all right?"


    Alexis gave out a breath of relief as soon as she heard her voice.


    In the verge of breaking apart, she talked with a crying voice. "I need help. I can''t do it..anymore.."


    She heard some shuffling around and the therapist''s voice flooded in. "Alexis, I want you to understand this, loud and clear, you don''t need anyone''s help."


    Alexis shook her head negatively even though she knew that the doctor could not see her. "I do." She stubbornly stood her ground. "I need it or I would simply die!" She whispered harshly. Tears were blurring her vision and her voice cracked. So much had passed and she just wanted to talk about it with someone. Someone who would not judge her and provide with the unbiased advice.


    "No, you don''t. You don''t realise the power you have within. With what you went through in your teenage you were strong enough to decide on having a better future. Now, you are stronger and now is the time when you prove it to yourself."


    "How do I do that?" She sniffed, feeling a bit stronger by listening to her.


    "I cannot tell you that. it is up to you to decide how you would achieve what you want and for that you have to be clear and understanding that what is it you want. You have to be clear in your decisions and it''s OK to take time for that."


    Alexis took in a deep sigh. This was though. "Why do you think that I am so strong?"


    The doctor laughed a bit, "everyone is strong, Alexis. We just need a little reminder here and there. You are strong enough to cause a storm."


    "Thank you." Alexis mild and she heard the reply of the doctor she Hung up the call.


    Looking at her phone she sometimes thought that a doctor Peterson was not a doctor but someone who advocated against every point where Alexis practically said that she was weak. The doctor would immediately counter and prove her wrong.


    She felt like a friend.


    Alexis placed her phone on charge and went to the bathroom. She is kept on shower today and just change into her nightwear.


    She felt too tired for doing anything except sleeping. She laid on the bedding, pulling up the covers above her head, she clapped twice and lights turned off.


    Slowly everything was long forgotten, including the papers that she had forgotten on the dining table.


    Angelo stood outside the door as he heard whatever was happening inside. The opening and closing of the bathroom door, closet and then the rustling of the covers. He nearly smiled when he heard the claps. She was getting up with the technology.


    He waited for a few minutes but heard nothing, she had fallen asleep. But he didn''t move immediately, he waited for some time.


    What was he supposed to say?


    He had never planned to make that child his official heir, a child out of wedlock would never be, but he had not intended to hide him.


    ...okay, maybe he had thought of hiding him but that was of this. He knew that it would come to this eventually, so he had just decided to give it up.


    The child would have had it easy, but he wouldn''t have ever known his true identity.


    A sudden burst of anger went through his body and he clenched his fists.


    Cassidy had ruined everything. He knew what he shouldn''t have cut her tongue. Maybe her ears had to be burned as well because she clearly could not understand basic commands.


    He moved forward and placed the key, twisting it, he unlocked the door. Walking to her bedside and sat in the little space that she had unoccupied.


    "Alexis," he whispered as he gently riches her forehead. "I do love you, it''s fucked up love, but it''s there. Sometimes I think that I am obsessed with you because I cannot even fathom the thoughts of letting you go but I feel something when you come towards me. Happiness, excitement, whatever shit it is, it''s there." He ran his finger over his forehead dragging it to her chin.


    "I won''t ever let you slip through my hands. You are my one true love." He held her jaw softly and tenderly, caressing it with his fingers. "And I know it. I feel it." He whispered. "Never before, but I do now."


    His lips stretched to what was called a genuine smile. Any onlooker would call it that. He smiled, which he rarely did, but when he did it was about her.


    The devil caressed her skin, the angel slept away, flying free from the shackles without a care of what the reality held.

 Chapter 192 - One Hundred And Ninety-two

    Thank you for bearing with me. This break actually (kinda) disrupted the flow but I am back!


    **********


    She wore an emerald green dress with shoulder pads. It made her feel confident and strong, it was always with the shoulder pads, they seemed to be like her armour. She straightened her back and squared her shoulders, trying her best to be confident and face the imminent doom or meet coming. She had to do it. She had to meet him.


    She slipped into the heels and caught hold on her clutch, looked at herself in the mirror and have herself a good check. It had to be perfect. At least from her side.


    She walked out of the room and then her house. This time she had specifically told Agatha to not come along with her and only Liam tagged along with a handful of guards.


    Liam knew the address which was given to him the night before. The drive was full of traffic but Alexis didn''t say a word. Maybe, she relished the fact that the meet was being delayed. She was not ready for it after all...or maybe she was.


    She shook her head aggressively, shaking out every thought of negativity. It was all so much that she had no idea to think of what had happened.


    One moment she didn''t even know of his existence and in the other..he was there...in front of her.. taunting her of what had happened and how she had lost everything in one night after deciding in haste and emotion.


    She was driven in a nice and moderate area which made her feel nice. At least she was living in good conditions and that took off a little bit of the guilt that was weighing down on her chest.


    The car took a turn and so did her heart knowing well that it was nearing the time when she would meet him face to face. Once again but in a completely different light.


    She blinked her eyes to get a rate of the slight blurriness that she had gotten due to thinking hard and staring at one point for a long time. She breathed in for courage and strength. Her nerves were all over the place and she was a mess. How had it all come to this once again? Why couldn''t she catch a breath?


    The car slid to a stop and she straightened up immediately, pulling away from the seat, she sat up waiting for the man to open her door.


    "Madam," Liam opened the door for her just like the usual and she nodded in thanks. With the level of panic that she felt, she knew that her words were going to be a jumbled mess.


    She climbed up the three stairs on the front and the door was opened. Something that Liam took care of.


    She stepped since the lift and felt claustrophobic. She knew of the phobia and took it seriously but TT the moment she would do anything to get out of the lift and be free. The restraints went in and held her limbs making her breathing crime heavier than it already was.


    She couldn''t do it.


    "Madam?"


    She was not ready.


    "Madam are you okay?"


    "I can''t do it.." she whispered, bending a but and holding her chest. Sweat built upon her face and she felt bile riding up in her throat. It was getting difficult to breathe for her.


    "Madam?!" Liam''s panicked voice came to her ears but her brain was too busy to process it and work.


    "Get the cars out!" He barked at someone. It sounded distant but it was there. She felt her head getting heavy and no longer felt that she had the strength to support it.


    Her legs fumbled and she fell. Someone held her but she didn''t know who, her eyes were shut and she didn''t bother opening them. She didn''t have to..as soon after she had lost herself completely.


    *********


    Liam stood outside the room, watching through the window as the doctors have her a quick check-up and eventually put her to sleep for a few hours. He knew the interrogation was coming and he was going to be grilled raw left and right. All of this happened in front of him and he had no idea how.


    He wondered how had it come to this. She was a bit nervous and he could tell that but the way she just started to sweat, pale and then faint was not normal and he was no doctor. So, once again he had no answered and he was going to get his skin peeled for it.


    His phone rang and he picked it up, knowing well who it was.


    "Boss."


    "What is it? You left the message stating ''This is of utmost importance''."


    Boss was pissed already. The message must have been given to him during a meeting and given that the Donna was out today, the boss must have guessed. "Uh..yes boss.." he cleared his throat. He had to strong even though he knew death and if not that, then torture was coming.


    The silence was heard and nothing more, not even the sound of the man breathing.


    Fuck, the boss was pissed.


    "TheDonnafainted." He blurted out.


    A harsh sigh came through the phone and he called his eyes in fear. "One more," the boss grunted out the words. "One more chance, be clear or I would cut that tongue out."


    Liam shuddered as he heard the words. He knew that it could happen, hell it had previously with many. That was a lesson for people to come.


    "The Donna fainted. In the lift of the building that we had entered. She was sweating and had a few breathing problems."


    "When?"


    "Thirty minutes ago."


    "Where?"


    "The lift int-"


    "Where the fuck are you?!" He yelled through the phone making Liam winced and draw the phone away from his ear for a few seconds.


    "The private hospital." He answered and waited for something for he heard a beep.


    The boss was coming.

 Chapter 193 - One Hundred And Ninety-three

    She swirled her spoon around in the bowl of oats. She had no idea why, but she wanted to try and eat these. Agatha had tried to make them look pretty and taste wonderful but no matter what she did, eventually everything became bland to her.


    She was having constant flashbacks about the horrifying sight of the pool of blood that the tongue was lying in and it made it difficult for her to eat. So she chose not to. She played around with until Agatha took it away.


    ''I am scared of him,'' She sighed. ''Hitting her as he did to me would have made more sense. He would be a man who felt to show his masculinity in physical terms but no, he flat out cut her tongue and was down with it.'' She sighed.


    "Agatha, I''ll be will going out today." She told the maid as soon as she appeared.


    "Any specific place in your mind?" She the maid asked casually. "I could look a few sights up for you. You know, recommendations." She shrugged.


    Alexis thought of it. She was not in any mood to enjoy sights or anything like that. She just wanted to wander around where no one bothered her and she bothered no one.


    So she shook her head, denying the offer of the maid. She wasn''t in any mood.


    Fast forward a few hours, she was in the mall doing exactly what she wanted.


    Wandering around aimlessly.


    Just as she did in her life.


    She had a cup of hot chocolate in her hands as you walk through the mall and browsing to the stores. Her sight caught the name Louis Vuitton and she could not help but go inside and buy a bag for self. Maybe some retail therapy would help her also given that Angelo had lots of money she could easily buy numerous bags without blinking at the price tags.


    She walked into the store and her clothes and dressing style immediately gave away that she was to spend money and loads of it if they could lure her into it.


    unfortunately for them, Alexis refused to have any company unless she asked for it and she made sure of that to let them know. She browsed through the latest bags but found nothing of interest.


    ''God I hate money. Earlier when I had to save I loved everything in front of me and now that I have an excess amount of it nothing pleases my eye.'' she clicked her tongue in anger. Talk about life and how it made everyone struggle both the one with money and the one without it.


    She shook her head and turned to leave without buying anything.


    She walked to the entrance when everything around her came to a stop, every second that went by ticked in her ear and she heard it all. she saw him once again in front of her eyes, laughing with the man standing next to him. Alexis had involuntarily widened her eyes in disbelief as she once again saw him.


    Happy and alive. With the same man which once he hid from, now he laughed with. Alexis felt shame wash over her as she recalled her decisions and the difference in their state. They were happy but she wasn''t.


    But this time she did not let this chance go. So she snapped a god damn picture just to be sure of his face and this time she would take her happiness back no matter what the cost be.


    ********


    Liam waited for his verdict as he knew that the boss was on his way here.


    He turned around to the entrance when he heard the doors being slammed open and there he was, his boss rushing towards him.


    "B-bo-" Liam didn''t get to finish his sentence as he was grabbed by his collar and dragged away. Pleading his case was going to be a mistake as the boss considered begging the worst weakness of all but fear had gripped him tight.


    He was taken in a storeroom of sorts and thrown inside. As Liam straightened up, he was pushed to the wall with his boss standing in front of him.


    "My wife fainted and you were just standing there?" He seethed. "She was fine when she left and in an hour she faints with having breathing problems?"


    Liam shook his head as he weeded out the words. "N-no. I don''t know how or what happened but the doctors are examining her I think we should go back." He suggested in a calm voice.


    Angelo let go by pushing him and straightened himself up. "Liam, my wife likes you as her guard and I hope for yourself that you were diligent in your duty because if anything were to happen to my wife on your watch I would make sure that you don''t have those eyes."


    "Yes, boss." He nodded. Knowing that it was true.


    Angelo left the man alone and walked out of the storeroom. He made his way to the door where his wife was staying in. The doctor nodded in recognition and respect.


    "What happened?" He asked as the first thing when he took his place beside his wife.


    The nodded and ran his finger through the reports thoughtfully. "From my side, it''s an anxiety attack."


    He frowned. "Anxiety attack?" He repeated. "How?" He asked.


    The doctor shrugged. "It could be various factors contributing and the answer could only be given by her." He pointed to the mistress sleeping. "I would come back in a few to check." He nodded.


    Angelo took a seat at the stool provided.


    Anxiety attack? He frowned deepened. He didn''t do anything to trigger it. So that meant one thing, something else was going on and he didn''t know about it. Agatha and Liam didn''t either because he would have been informed otherwise.


    His index finger ran delicately on her hairline, enjoying the soft, smooth skin. What is it? What is she hiding that gave her an anxiety attack?


    "I''ll find out." He whispered, "I''ll always find out."


    ******


    Vote more for the next update!

 Chapter 194 - One Hundred And Ninety-four

    "An anxiety attack?!" She shrieked. "Me?" She pointed to herself in all curiosity.


    The doctor nodded. "You described your feelings before fainting as dizziness, nausea, having difficulty to breathe and for all in all losing control. So yes that can be termed as an anxiety attack. Now what matters the most is how do you want to proceed from here? If they are getting more frequent then I would suggest you look for the concerned doctor and have the proper medication."


    Alexis had her mouth slightly open as she listened to the words of the doctor. She had no idea how she managed to have an anxiety attack. "I..uh.." she stammered looking for the words as the doctor seemed pretty firm in hearing her answer.


    "This was her first time to have an anxiety attack." Angelo immediately came to her rescue looking directly at the doctor with a hard stare. "and as for the correct medication and procedure directed from here, we will decide what to do on our own. Thank you for your input." He nodded curtly, immediately dismissing the doctor who left without a say but seemed to be holding back.


    As the doctor left Angelo took a seat beside her and sat on the bed, holding her hand in his. "What happened? I am going to be honest here, you scared me shitless."


    Alexis had no answer. Having heard the news of suffering an anxiety attack had shocked her herself as it had been completely out of the blue. she had never had a panic attack or an anxiety attack no matter how stressful the situation might have been but to be honest, the situation of knowing that Jaden was alive was once again very stressful for her and maybe somewhere all the pressure that she had been feeling lately had caused more to it.


    "I didn''t know.." she shrugged. "Maybe it is because of the pressure that I have been feeling lately."


    He frowned at that. What pressure? "What pressure?"


    Flabbergasted at that, she stared at him. "Are you being serious right now?"


    "Yes, I am." He answered earnestly.


    "Angelo I am talking about the situations that I have been going through the past few days." She pointed out. "I am talking about everything that I have been through since we got married or much rather as I should say since I met you. I have not experienced a moment of peace in my life since then." She blurted out the truth without a care or thought.


    Angelo looks shocked at outburst for a few seconds but then nodded and leaned back bed folding his arms across his chest. as Alexis stare at him she noticed how he appeared to be singing about what she said.


    "What?" She numbed asked him in a low voice, scared of whatever he was thinking and how she was not able to know about any of it. She felt highly insecure.


    "Nothing," he sighed. "I was just thinking about how to make it up to you." upon seeing her shocked expression to his words he chuckled and then continued to talk. "I am sorry for not noticing it earlier but you did not ever let it be seen that everything was getting into you. I am sorry if I cannot be the husband that you want but I have a whole world out there that I have to take care of otherwise everything that I have to offer to you would crumble to the ground and I would be left with nothing." He held her cheeks and kissed her forehead. "It''s just. I want you and I want this to work. For which..how do I do it..is the question.." he nodded.


    She nodded along with me and then asked, "And you want....."


    "Want your input-"


    She shook her head, "It''s not that,"


    Pissed, he turned away for a few seconds and then said in a low voice. "Help. I need you to help as well. I want to fix it with something we both can give and take."


    Hearing him make an effort always did lift her spirits in a positive direction. She smiled a little and then nodded her head. "I think a little vacation would be nice."


    He nodded after her, understanding the words. "I get it. Away from everyone?"


    "Yes." She huffed. "Definitely."


    "And hot or cold?"


    "Hmm.." They had gone to a hot destination for their wedding and Chicago was always wet, so maybe.


    "Somewhere snowy." She grinned. "I want to see snow." That made him smile too.


    "Ali-"


    "There," the female doctor who had delivered the news of the anxiety attack entered the room but this time she was not alone.


    She was here with two officers and one woman.


    "What is it?" Alexis questioned from the bed, her once the happy mood was now gone as she heard the answer.


    "These are officials against the abuse of a woman. Domestic and otherwise. I have called them for you."


    Once more, just like before, a shell shocked Alexis pointed at herself, "For me?" She shrieked.


    "Yes," the doctor firmly repeated. "I believe that this anxiety attack was triggered and that you might need help."


    "I...Uh.." Her chest heaved as she tried to figure out the situation. "Yes, the attack was triggered but not because of what you think!"


    The doctor shook her head. "No, I believe it was triggered. You have no idea how easily they can happen."


    "I know! But whatever you are in insulating at did not happen and is not the reason for it." Alexis firmly stood her ground. She was not defending Angelo simply because Angelo was not a factor here, the truth about Jayden was responsible more than he ever was.


    Angelo turned to the side a bit and said, "I believe that we have nothing to talk about. You have heard my wife, now please leave."


    But the doctor shook her head stubbornly. "Well, we need to hear it from her."


    "Well, if you would excuse us," the lady asked in a polite voice, "I think it would be better if us ladies could talk." She smiled.


    Alexis wondered if this was a chance. Police were there and so was an official. Angelo could not possibly have that much of reach into the government and maybe this was an opportunity presented to her.


    She turned towards her husband and met him eye to eye. Shrugging she said, "I don''t think that they are going to leave if I don''t.." She said with an innocent smile completely underestimating dept that of the situation and her husband''s understanding.

 Chapter 195 - One Hundred And Ninety-five

    Kindly drop a few red stones.


    **


    "But has there been, at any point in your marriage, a situation where you have felt the need to walk away?" The woman asked with a gentle expression, trying her best not to scare the woman in front of her.


    ''Oh won''t believe how many times that would be," Alexis smiled in amusement, ''There hasn''t been a day since the day I met this man.''


    Nevertheless, she composed herself and answered, "I believe that there are certain turning points in a marriage where everyone wants to walk away and if they chose every time to walk away then what would become of this relationship."


    A flash of recognition pass in the woman''s eyes and she knew what Alexis was doing. She was deflecting and defending. She understood what that meant, Alexis was not sure herself about what she wanted it to choose here. so she simply nodded and returned there was nothing that she could do if the victim has self-decided not to complain except for a persuading her to do so.


    "Alright," she tugged inside her jacket and handed Alexis a card. "this is a secured number. It cannot be traced and it does not show any record in your mobile history." She then firmed voiced out. "if there is ever a point where we know that you should walk out please do not hesitate before giving a call."


    Alexis nodded and understood the gravity of the situation that she was in. "Yes, I will give you a call immediately." She promised.


    The women nodded and then turned around and left with the officials. She stopped once more at the doorway only to nod at Alexis before going out finally. Alexis released A breath that you did not realise she had been holding. It had been a very overwhelming experience and she held the card in her hand with the utmost care. Taking her phone her from the stand next to the bed, she opened the cover and placed the card inside and then covered the phone once again.


    there was no harm in being safe and secure for the future.


    The door opened and she looked up. Her husband entered and he didn''t look happy.


    Well, he didn''t need too, it wasn''t as if she was at her happiest.


    "So how was your talk?" He every casually enquired about the conversation that had taken place in his absence.


    "Not well. Nothing of use to me to be honest." She shrugged simply.


    "Uh-huh," he tsked. "Really? Because I find that hard to believe."


    She sighed harshly and looked over to him. "There was nothing but the talk of how am I ever felt victimised in this relationship I could walk out." She waved her hands wildly in frustration. "That''s it!"


    He leaned forward and placed his crossed arms on the bed where her legs were. "Alright."


    She nodded for nothing and turned around to look nowhere in particular.


    "Are you feeling any kind of pain?" He asked once again. "Oh, any discomfort?"


    She slowly shook her head and continued to bask in the uncomfortable silence. she would have awkward silence around her for her eternity if it meant not talking to him.


    "Alexis," he sighed. "You need to talk to me. we are going home and since we live together you are going to see my face every day."


    "That is not mean that we have to talk every time We looked at each other''s faces." She countered.


    "What is this about?" He finally gave in to what he felt. "If this is about cutting her tongue in revenge for the disrespect then I am not apologizing nor making up for it." He stood firm in what he believed and he made sure to make it aware to her too.


    She clicked her tongue acting negatively to the situation. "It''s not that. I just want a few moments of peace and that is it." She muttered tiredly. "Just me and me alone."


    He nodded but she didn''t look at me. Still aware of his presence she turned around and closed her eyes.


    "Your discharge is in a few hours. Rest until then." she did not bother to open her eyes and acknowledge this statement but heard the scrapping of the chair against the floor and the closing shot of the door. She simply doesn''t have body around and took a nap.


    *********


    She had changed into a cosy sweater and jeans. Nevermind the people she was not in any mood to dress up.


    Angelo held out his hand and she took it Glady. He held it in his other and wrapped his arm around her waist providing support to her as much as he could.


    She leaned onto him and walked out to the lift. "What time is it?" She asked, leaning into him a bit more.


    "After nine."


    "What?" She looked up. "Discharge was in the evening."


    "Yes, but you took a long ass nap and I didn''t wake you up." He kissed her forehead and she sighed. Kissass.


    They walked out and she noticed how dark it had become. She could not even stand properly without having her eyes close up on there own. She was barely awake you do the medicines given to her.


    Sitting inside the car, she placed her head on his shoulder and fell asleep once again.


    Angelo smiled and placed his hand on her thigh.


    ********


    On reaching the destination, he gently woke her up.


    "What?" She mumbled with barely opened eyes that hated him. "Pick me up." And went back to sleep.


    "No," he pulled her out gently. "You need to see this."


    "See what?" She groaned opening her eyes and looking around. She frowned as she saw people standing there in the middle surrounded by men in black which she was sure were Angelo''s men.


    Her breathing immediately quickened as she couldn''t figure out what''s as happening. She tinted to him to stood behind her and asked in a panic expression. "What''s happening?" She pointed to the three faces that she had seen. "What!"


    "Nothing." He smiled. "A little lesson before your little vacation." He turned her around.. "Perhaps, I should say, a little reminder."

 Chapter 196 - One Hundred Ninety-six

    "Wha-Why?" She whispered painfully looking at him. "What reminder?" She whimpered.


    He shrugged simply. "I have too much going on within the new territory to even think about a vacation. So I have decided to let you and my mom along Nikita go on a little to get together to Switzerland." He smiled down at her. "Now where is the thing I am the most concerned about, my mother and Nikita are aware of how you deal with the FBI and had ignored and walk away from but on the other hand always seek help." He looked over to the officials as a proven his point and she immediately understood it. She knew where the conversation was coming and the outcome of it.


    So she hurriedly tried to gather it''s bits and pieces. "I understand but you are trying to say and I will keep this in mind before I talk to anyone official or not."


    He smiles once again this time it seemed full of mockery. "Yes Sweetheart, I know." His expression when vanishing and once again the dark mafia boss appeared. "But as your husband and the boss forces organisation, I have to make sure that you always remember it because whoever you talk to you hold there lives in your hands."


    "Angelo don''t.." she shook her head and muttered out in a pathetic whimper. "..Please don''t..."


    He sighed and turned her around. Holding her arms in place by her sighed as he hugged her with his arms made of steel. the matter how much she tried to resist she could not get out of his hold.


    "Angelo! Please, we did not even talk about it. Instead, I defended this relationship! Please do not use this!" She yelled looking at the people who were tied down and looked scared.


    "Shh..." He whispered. "Just watch the show sweetie." He mused and she hated it.


    The men black came closer to the three people turned down by ropes and tape and were also tied together to each other. Alexis cast in horror as the poured down liquid on them and she yelled when she saw what next happened.


    The men came near them with three lit lighters and threw them and the officials while staying for away from them.


    Alexis closed her eyes as tears fell from them when she''s always people screaming from horror being burnt alive. She cried for them and didn''t care to look at them. She didn''t dare to do so. It just her soul.


    "Why?" She whispered. As she opened her eyes and once again witnessed the horror taking place. She now understood why they work change together.


    "I told you," he spoke in her ear. "it was important to tell you that is going against would cost you, well not you given that you are my wife, but other people their lives." He chuckled a bit. "This is for you to remember that no matter how much power query official holes I will find a while to end it." He hugged her tighter making her cry out more. "so remember next time, what would happen." He tapped her temple.


    She winced at the screams of the victims and couldn''t help but cry more. It was because of her. All of it was on her. She was warned time and again by people for this and she had done just that. The exact thing.


    "Please," she pleaded to look at them. "End it for them. Please I got your point, they have suffered enough. Please.." she whimpered at the end.


    He sighed and she wanted to kill him. He acted as if this was all very exhausting for him. Like he didn''t want to even...


    "Well, I guess if I have made my point clear.."


    "You have!" She added sniffing, not wanting him to go back and make up his mind. "Please, end it. End the pain for them."


    "Okay," he relented and the expression on his face which was hardened muscles are relaxed a bit and she breathed in relief. "Shoot ''em dead!" He yelled at the men.


    "What! Angel-" she yelled as she heard three loud gunshots run out and the dropping of the noises was heard. She closed her eyes in utter helplessness. There was nothing that she could do or could have done. No matter how hard she tried Alexis new one fact for sure that she would always fall short and fail in front of her husband. There was always in one way or the other found out about what had truly happened and she always paid the price through witnessing the pain of other people.


    "What did you get out of it?" She asked in a helpless voice. Yelling or dreaming was not going to get her anywhere. All she felt was tiredness now, she felt drained of every bit of energy.


    "Oh I got nothing," he tsked. "It''s you who I wanted to have understood something from them and I hope that you have learnt your lesson because quite frankly I don''t think you have just friends to watch people burn." He winced.


    The fucking audacity, she thought but didn''t say a word. She had had enough. Now all she wanted was a good old break from everything.


    "Please.." she shook her tiredly. "I want to go. I assure you that I have completely understood what you wanted to say and please never repeat it." She begged. "I swear to God I would never talk to everyone in any way that could harm you ever." She vowed to fear for the life that she might take in the future just for a stupid conversation with them.


    He did not comment or reply immediately rather he seemed to be taking in whatever he said with a thoughtful expression that he was thinking it over.


    "Alright," he said after some time as he stared at her, "let''s get you to the airport."


    "Airport?" She mumbled as she sat into the car with tiredness taking over her mind. "I need to pack..to go ..away.." she mumbled sleepily.


    "Oh sweetie," she heard his taunting voice.. "When will realise that if I can burn people alive, I can surely get your bags packed."

 Chapter 197 - One Hundred And Ninety-seven

    ! The next when she woke up, she was on a plane and in a bed. They had used the private jet this time and Alexis couldn''t help the appreciate the fact. She wanted to be alone right now. She sat up on the bed with her back against the wall and covered herself to her chin with the duvet. It was so comfy. Her mind wandered back.


    ''I am scared out of my mind.'' she sighed. ''He always seems to prove that his power has no limits but how? How can it be that every time that he has the means to get what he wants?''


    She frowned as she continued to think about it. ''There has to be a certain limit. They always say that the sky is the limit and no matter how much it might be, the sky does vanish and space comes in. So he has to have limits too. Certain if not many.'' She rubbed her hands for warmth feeling the cold getting to her. The air had a chill around it and she wanted to wrap herself more in the covers. ''Should I find this limit? But what would I do even if I find it?''


    "Hey," a knock came to the door and it opened. Nikita came in, fully dressed in winter clothes. "How long have you been up?" She asked with a small smile.


    "Not much longer." She had no idea herself. All she had done was think about Angelo.


    By the rate that she thought about him, it could be easily assumed that she was obsessed with him. It was him and all him that she ever thought about. The man itself was a mystery that couldn''t be solved.


    "Whatcha thinking about?" Nikita took a seat on the bed and covered herself in the blanket too as she snagged a bit from Alexis.


    "Nothing..much." that came out wrong. Especially with the sigh at the end. The expression meant that something was wrong.


    "Aw, come on." Nikita lightly nudged her leg with Alexis''s. "Tell me, maybe I can help you."


    Alexis sighed, she was irritated by her attempts for an of conservation.


    When a person wanted to be alone, they wanted to be alone Period. There was nothing more that you could do about it and initiating a conversation was the worse thing to do.


    "Alexis," this time she looked at Nikita with frustration clear in her face but that didn''t make Nikita stop from talking. "When you came here, you were dead asleep. Angelo was carrying you. I know that you were at the hospital for an anxiety attack but you were dead asleep." Nikita stressed on the word dead.  I tried to wake you up before, for food, but you didn''t even move."


    Drowned in confusion, she frowned and asked, "How long was I asleep for?"


    "Well, we have a flight for ten hours and it''s just two left before we land." She muttered a bit sheepishly. "we did try to wake you up but you seemed.."


    ".. drugged." Alexis completed looking away from her. "I seemed drugged." She muttered.


    "Yeah.." Nikita sighed. "So what happened? I am sure that the boss is too busy to even think about drugging his wife out of the blue and so nothing."


    For nothing? She wanted to scoff loudly at that. He had done worst that this and Alexis couldn''t help but shake her head. She hated it when someone took his side. Were she and her plight not visible to them?


    "Why?! Why is it that he can''t do anything out of the blue and I have to be the one who has to do something!" She turned to Nikita and did not hold back on her words. "What do you mean by ''drugging his wife out of the blue?'' Is drugging her within a reason good? Or excusable at all?"


    Nikita looked offended, to say the least. She opened her mouth but closed it as Alexis continued but then her face reddened in anger too.


    "What? No! That''s not what I meant!" She defended herself. "It really came out wrong!"


    But Alexis was in no mood to listen. "Really? Cuz'' that is what anyone should make out of it?!"


    "Oh really?!" Nikita threw the overs off of her and stood in front of Alexis. "Anyone or you, Alexis? Who are you talking about ?"


    Alexis glanced around the room and tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Well since there is no one in the room, I think that I am talking about ME!" She yelled at the bed. "Who else would I talk about?"


    Nikita scoffed. "No one! Because all you think about is how you are suffering! How you this or how you that! Why the fuck are you so wrapped up in yourself!" She yelled at the top of her voice inviting Alexis to join in and raise her voice too.


    "Really? Then what the hell do I do? Cry all the time? Or wait for my husband to come home and play happy, happy wife?" She taunted Nikita knowing that''s exactly what she did. "Because I can''t ignore what they do or overlook it. It''s right Infront of my eyes!" She pinged to herself. "I saw it happen!"


    "And it''s going to happen again!" Nikita yelled at with a pointed finger. "Given that YOU never really learn. Always looking for an escape this here or this there, just looking for a way out. Do you know how many times has it happened that people think that Donna is weak-"


    "I don''t ca-"


    "Shut up and let me speak Damm it!" Nikita yelled at her. "You think it doesn''t matter but it does! It''s in front your eyes? Well, you could have avoided it from happening or have stopped it but no you didn''t. Pathetically pleading does nothing! But you''d don''t know that either because Alexis doesn''t need to ask anyone!"


    Alexis sat up straighter. "Well, who do I ask then?!" She yelled.


    Nikita pointed to herself. "Me! you fucking idiot! I have been there since literally, my birth. You should have asked for help! You need to live for yourself and only yourself not for some measly officials for would die anyway instead of living."


    Alexis gaped at her in horror. "What''s wrong with you? How can you be so twi-"


    "Really?" Nikita intervened again. " because if they wanted to live there won''t be involved in something that would demand their life at sone point!" Nikita reddened with anger. "At end it''s you for yourself!"


    Alexis gasped In horror. "What is-"


    "That''s enough of you two yelling and calling names!" A firm voice rang out through the bedroom and they both looked up to the person who had a furious expression on her face. "Nikita, cool off. Alexis get dressed properly and meet us out in the seating area." Isabella''s voice meant no disrespect and both of woman stood up at once without caring to spare the other a glance.

 Chapter 198 - One Hundred And Ninety-eight

    With a thick woollen sweater and jeans with a pair of good boots, she stepped out of the bedroom on the plane and moved to the seating area immediately spotting her other two companions.


    She thought of what had transpired between her and Nikita. To be honest it felt like they both had pent up frustrations inside and the argument for both of them was overdue. She had no choice to agree that she had done n some mopping around too and it was more than needed. When was the time coming when she would pick herself and move forward? It felt like she had been moving in circles.


    The same mistakes were being made over and over again and thus, once again the words of Nikita rang true. She was not learning and that made her see the conclusions of her mistakes over and over again.


    She silently took a seat and served herself a cup of tea as Isabelle observed her.


    "Now," her mother-in-law stared to speak, "would anyone of you take the immense pain of telling me what the two of you were arguing about or rather yelling."


    "Ask her." Alexis immediately muttered glancing at the woman sitting Infront of her.


    "What me?" Nikita pointed to herself. "You sure could talk there and wh-"


    "Did I ask you two to talk to each other?" Isabelle quietly pointed it out. "No, I believe I did not. I asked what happened and if none of you can tell me about it, I say we all are for ourselves." She shrugged and took a sip of her tea. "We all will enjoy ourselves until you two talk it out. Nikita and you would have to deal with each other for as long as you are alive."


    Nikita snickered and that caught Alexis''s expression. "Must suck for you cuz she took my name." She hissed with a smirk.


    Alexis gaped at her and then turned to Isabelle but upon receiving her glare she quietened down and just re-sorted to glaring at her emesis.


    **********


    The cold wind blew her away. Literally, it did. She was shivering with even a thick jacket on. Unconsciously, Nikita and she were huddled together. She now knew why the guards were wearing such thick jackets at the airport.


    They sat in the car and the heaters were turned on. Relishing the hot air they breathed in a sigh of relief.


    She watched the scenery outside as the world flew by. It was beautiful. Even though most of it was covered in snow, it was gorgeous. She leaned her forehead against the window and sighed. Why couldn''t life be this beautiful? It always seemed as if there was some kind of new problem arising now and then.


    In a blur, they arrived at the hotel, checked in and had their luggage unpacked. This was something that Alexis was had been told about by Isabelle that she had to unpack on her own or pay very close attention to the person doing it.


    Anything could be bugged and they would deep in trouble if that were to be recorded.


    Alexis did not bother to unpack most of her luggage as she was sure that she was just going to lay around, leisurely and do nothing. She was here on a getaway for herself and given the snow and the cold of this season, she was damn sure that is possible she would not even get out of bed.


    She changed another pair of a thicker sweater with the smaller one inside and then a jacket. even with the room heating on she could not take a chance also, she had decided to take a walk on the resort grounds.


    She opened the door to her room and walked out into the common area where Isabella was sitting.


    "I am going out on a walk." She pointed to the land outside the window.


    "Are you dressed well?" She asked in return. "I don''t want you to catch a cold."


    Alexis nodded. She was.


    "Alright then. Stay within the sights of the guards and also, come back in time for dinner."


    "Alright, see ya." She nodded and left.


    The grounds were clear of snow. Mostly they were except few patches which she thought had been there for decor and to make it seem more natural.


    There was a trail which wasn''t occupied but was now by her. She was aware of the fact that she was being followed by the guards yet she is not their constant presence as she had learnt to do so for the past year.


    Year.


    It was almost an that year that she had been married to Angelo. A year passed by and all she had received was trauma. Sometimes she wondered that if going to a psychiatrist have helped her or not? And the answer was not in the slightest but at least she learnt not to trust people without any reason. Everyone had ulterior motives.


    ''But that''s not what I should be thinking about. I want to do something that makes him wonder about my capabilities and how powerful I can be as well but how am I to do that when I don''t even know what the extent of his power is and how am I to know what any of that is?''


    She increased her speed as she thought about it more. ''and even if I do find a way, but if not approved and unequal hand in this marriage how would I ever do that? Also at this point, I need to consider if it would result in more people dying. To be honest but he can kill anyone that he wants without a blink of his eye whereas this hurts my conscience.'' She blinked her eyes repeatedly as she felt the tears firing in her eyes. She didn''t want to cry, at least not here of all places.


    She stood walking abruptly and sighed bending down, she placed her hand on her knees and huffed.


    This was supposed to be a happy place at now all she could do was think about what had happened and what more could happen.


    She took a seat at the nearest bench available to her and closed her eyes, leaning back leisurely.


    "Hey," someone took a seat beside her, she nodded but didn''t reply.


    "Umm. Chocolates?"


    "No thank you." She denied curtly still not opening her eyes.


    "Alright," the man sighed. Another man, yuck! She wanted to barf at his face.


    "Umm.. you wanna talk cuz'' I am really good looking.." She opened her eyes ready to hit but instead she gasped as she recognised him.

 Chapter 199 - One Hundred And Ninety-nine.

    Opening her eyes she gasped as she recognised the man in front of her. It was her cousin and best friend Elijah!


    "Oh my.." she whispered looking at him. "Is it you.."


    "Naah," he denied. "I''m just so pretty that you are dreaming of me even after five years since we last met." He replied sarcastically.


    "Shut up!" She hit his shoulder. "come here." She raised her arms and hugged him close and he did, just as tightly.


    "I missed you." He said slowly. "So much."


    She smiled and replied. "I know, I did too." She tightened her hold on him.


    Elijah had been her go-to a friend for everything. They were very close and he was in her maternal side but after the death of her aunt and his mother, his father had moved away for a better job opportunity and which would eventually provide him with a better educational opportunity.


    After that, they had gradually fallen out of contact. The time difference and their individual lives had pulled them apart.


    He pulled back and smiled. "I''m so happy to run into you."


    She laughed delightfully and nodded. She was too. Her full toothy smile was a symbol of that.


    Pulling apart and shoving their hands down in their pockets, both of them looked ahead at the scenery in front of them. Alexis felt her spirits being lifted and the mood became delighted. She had never imagined running into her favourite family member when she was running from life itself.


    "How have you been?" She asked in a soft voice still looking ahead.


    "I..uh.." he sighed. "Dad died two years ago but I am coming through it and as for the rest, I mean career-wise, I am at a good place." He sighed.


    "Ah.." she nodded. "I didn''t know about that."


    He nodded. "Dad wanted it that way. He had brought us to Switzerland so that he could distance from the other family members as he did not feel the same after my mother died. So for the funeral ceremony we had a small gathering, it was according to his wishes. in his last moments he was with people that he could trust and the ones that were real."


    She smiled a little at that. "I remember that. Uncle John was a person who I always loved listening to. I love it when he said that if you cannot trust people around you then it is better to live alone. I remember when he said, a lone wolf might not be as powerful as the one with a pack but he is a wolf nonetheless." She glanced at him with a smile. "That is the only lesson I have considered throughout my life."


    "I''m glad." He muttered looking sullen and it depressed her a little.


    Silence washed over them once again. But this time it felt uncomfortable for her. She glanced around the world laid bare of her but her mind was occupied but the fact that her cousins were sitting right next to her and-


    "You got married." She turned around and saw him looking at her lap.


    "Oh yes," she muttered picking up her hand and showing him the ring. "It''s been ten months." She smiled a little.


    "Ah," his hand left the ring and came to her face. Staring at her face he nodded as a finally understanding something. "Ten months of marriage and you still are not excited and giddy as a new bride?" He asked. "That is quite surprising."


    "There is nothing to be surprised about in it. Sometimes you just get tired of seeing the face of one human over and over again." She muttered looking away. Or that person trying to assert his dominance and power in one way or the other.


    "Yes, I am sure. That must be the reason that you got married right?" He Sarcastically said and called her out. "Is it not working?"


    "It''s fine working fine." She said stiffly and hurriedly. "Everything is fine." She repeated.


    "Is it? Is there nothing interesting about your husband or four married life? We have been sitting here for almost 20 minutes and I noticed the ring on your finger instead of you telling me about your marriage." He pointed it out.


    "Yes, so what?" She rebuked irritatedly as her eyebrows raised. "I am not a stupid person to go to everyone and tell them, hey I got married! Do you want to see the ring?" She said in a shrieking high pitched voice.


    He made a horrified face at that. "No please do not, please not you in that, especially, in the god awful voice." He immediately shut her down. "Seriously why would you even talk like that?"


    She huffed feeling tired already. "I do not usually talk like that or at all. I have been finding myself fighting people since the time I woke up."


    He asked in a soft voice, "who''d you fight?"


    "A friend." Wincing, she corrected herself. "I mean a former friend. there is no way that she would still want to be my friend after the way I yelled at her."


    He smiled and huffed, "If she could not stay around even know the reason for the fight then I believe she was not a true friend. A good friend would stick around no matter what and how many times he has pushed away."


    "I yelled at her badly." She sniffed. "I have never yelled at someone like that with so much hatred that I did not even have for her." She could feel her tears coming.


    "That is ok. Maybe it was your period responsible?" He raised his hands in surrender immediately after saying it. "Don''t mind me, I was just saying."


    "No, it''s not that." She denied. "I believe, I need to make amends with her."


    "You should. If you feel the need to, then you definitely should." He agreed. "And if you want, you can tell me about the marriage that has been eating you."


    "Eating me?" She Laughed.


    "Yes," he lightly punched her arm. "I can see it, whenever I''ll talk about something else you get happy, there''s a shine in your eyes but when I bring back the topic of marriage, you look like you are dead inside."


    She smiled a little and looked down. Maybe a good talk was what she needed.


    Looking up at him she smiled, "Here goes nothing."

 Chapter 200 - Two Hundred.

    "Holy fucking shit!" Elijah cursed. "For fucks sake?"


    Finding his reaction mildly amusing, she sighed a little but also answered him. "Yes."


    He stared at her for a few long seconds before shaking his hair and denying it. "Okay, I don''t know what Netflix show you watch but this, girl, that cannot happen in real life to one person." He raised his finger. "Like literally, it cannot happen to one person or anybody."


    She sighed simply in return and looked away from his face. "It''s alright. You will have a hard time digesting it but it''s all true. Do you see those man dressed in black around us? Those are my bodyguards and I am not kidding, if I get up and walk away they will too."


    "Really?" He asked and just forgot to close his mouth after saying that. "Like really? You have actual bodyguards with you?"


    "Yes," she smiled. "I have a real-life breathing and moving bodyguards." She then leaned into a whisper, "with real guns and killing bullets with them." She watched him shudder in return.


    "But none of it makes sense." He said after a few bits of silence. "You help him after he helps you but in return, he pursues you and forcefully had you marry him?" He was stating facts but by the end of his sentence, he had twisted his words into a question. "It does not make any sense. Why?"


    She shrugged. "trust me, if I had any idea about it I would tell you."


    "Oh," he murmured. "what did you not resist the idea of a forceful marriage?"


    "I did." She answered in a surprisingly calm tone. "I did but I did not have much to resist about. I think about it till now and I have no idea what I am still doing. I am just wandering around having no idea what to do with his constant presence hovering on me."


    "What?" He shrieked. "What is that supposed to mean?! You are so rich and with your husband you''re so powerful which means that eventually, you are powerful as well-"


    "Yes, but my power comes from him!" She intervened, pointing out the fact. "It''s like I am nothing without him."


    He tsked and hit her on the head. "Yes but you are with him and as you said previously, there is no scope of any separation or divorce, then it''s better that you remain within his favour."


    Her face twisted at how his words sounded. "In favour?" She repeated with a sneer. "The fuck? He''s not a king for me to be his favoured wife! Or a concubine!"


    "Yes, he isn''t." He agreed but only to disagree. "But a man that high up on the food chain doesn''t have any shortage regarding anything. Do you know how many women are probably ready to sleep with him because of the benefits? Or just to be someone he is remotely familiar with?" His words surely got her thinking. "You have no idea what you can do if you want. Because if anything, he would leave you if it came to the point of the limit."


    ''No, he would kill me instead.'' she sighed, shaking her head. A few times, here and there, she had skipped a few things from telling him. She found no reason to tell him her weakness.


    "Yeah.. that''s true.." she muttered. Elijah was an outside opinion who was not biased by anyone else except her. So maybe his opinion could be used. "So, what is it that you think I should do next?"


    He looked at her and then to the front, nodding a bit as he thought about it before speaking. "Like you just mentioned, this world is dangerous and I would say that you should have allies. Now, you can''t have many because you are, quite frankly don''t mind me saying this, Dumb." He winced as he was slapped on the back of his head. "And having someone who is rooted deeply into all of this would help. So, make amends with Nikita." He suggested and this was too, the first thing that Alexis had thought of.


    Making amends.


    "But ..won''t it.." she shifted uncomfortably, "make me seem.."


    "Small? Weak?" She nodded. "Yes, It would." He replied bluntly. "But honestly, you need her. More than anyone. A mother would occasionally side with her child but a woman would come to you to help if she is in the same predicament."


    "Hmm.." she hummed and stood up, he followed as well. "Where are you staying?"


    He winced a bit. "I work here." He whispered a but shamefully.


    "Here?" Alexis felt taken aback. "Are off duty?"


    "Yeah.." he rubbed the back of his head. "I am a..waiter.."


    Okay, she couldn''t help but blink twice at what he said. He was such a high ranked student and here he was, a waiter.


    "What happened, if you don''t mind me asking."


    "I don''t," he shook his head. "I don''t know. College didn''t work out for me. Too much pressure."


    She nodded even though she didn''t understand what he wanted to say but she didn''t want to intrude.


    "Alright, gimme your number so that we can meet here tomorrow too."


    Numbers were exchanged with another hug and kisses and then they parted their ways. Smiling to herself she moved across the gardens and towards the building where she was staying in. She took the lift and one of the guards came with her. Instead of knocking she directly went inside a suite and knocked on Nikita''s door.


    "Come in." She opened the door and found out that Nikita was unpacking her clothes leisurely. She stood up and she saw Alexis coming into her room and immediately took a defensive stance. "If you are here-"


    Alexis shut her up by walking towards her and hugging her tightly.


    "I''m so, so sorry." She whispered as she hugged her and after a few moments Nikita joined in too hugging her closely as well.


    "Me too." She murmured. "I should have just understood that you needed time."


    "No," Alexis disagreed. "What I needed was a good ol'' reality check."


    As the new queens of the house hugged each other, the older one smiled.. They were going to be just fine.

 Chapter 201 - Two Hundred And One.

    Happy New Year My lovely readers! I hope this year brings you happiness and health and many more good books to read!!!


    ******


    Isabelle slowly and carefully closed the door giving them their privacy and time to figure things out. She hoped that they did. Allies were important and if found in family, there was nothing better than that.


    It was amazing.


    Pulling apart Nikita smiled. "I was thinking to coming to you..but Isabelle told me that you were out."


    "I am happy that you did. I did do whatever you said." Alexis replied with a sleepish expression, admitting her faults. "And I know I won''t be any better from what I am now. I need help. Your help to be exact. You were right, I should have come to you. You knew so much."


    "I don''t want to gloat." Nikita winced, "but I do know much."


    "That''s GLOATING." Alexis deadpanned.


    "Eh." Nikita simply shrugged in return. "Anyway, are you ready to talk or do you want some more time?" Nokiat smiled a bit. She knew that it was difficult from alexis''s point of view.


    This made Alexis stop a little before talking. She was not hesitating but she simply did not know what to talk about or rather where to start from. Where to begin talking with and what to tell Nikita? Alexis was aware of the fact that she could not review everything but it was also necessary to tell Nikita all that happened for her to give their advice that she had.


    Yet she knew too much, she could give away a few the moments where she was at her weakest.


    Trust was earned but it also went down the drain in the matter of few seconds.


    "I don''t know what to say.." she honestly revealed. "So much had happened that I have no idea on what to.." she shuddered. "Like..I just don''t know.."


    "You are confused," Nikita concluded. She looked at the wall as she continued to talk. "There''s a fog surrounding everything in your mind. It continues to replay everything that happened and on such a continuous loop that you have no idea on what you think about first when an another one pops up. You have no idea in which direction to go to see, you just simply choose one offered to you and the tragedy of it all is, do you know who offers it to you?"


    Alexis had no idea so she shook her head. It all seemed vaguely familiar.


    "The ones who are torturing us." She gave a pained smile as she said her next words, "our husbands. Alexis, them. They do it."


    Her eyes moved up to the ceiling as she laid on the bed. There was nothing that Alexis wanted to say at the moment everything just seemed to come out in the open.


    "It''s right here." She muttered, her eyes fixed at one point and not leaving it. "It''s always right there and I fail to notice it."


    Nikita tsked in agreement. "it is." She muttered as well. "When first I was dealing with all of this, I realised that Silvano was one level above my father. My father was physical. He believed in physical training and I-if I think about it and now I relish it because I knew what he was doing but with him, my husband, I have no idea what''s going on."


    True. With Ashton and Thomas, she knew whatever doing but with Angelo, it just seemed as if everything was blanketed in a fog and she had nowhere to turn to.


    "Nikita I have no idea what to do." A tear slipped out of her ear and disappeared in her hair. "I am afraid no.. I am petrified...don''t even know anymore. I have never been a stupid person but I think that when everything is in front of me now. I was always the one to think about things and now. I  just.."


    Nikita concluded, "Don''t know. and that''s what they want."


    "Isabelle.."


    "..No." Nikita shut her down. "Don''t even think about it."


    "I.. thought.."


    "No, she would never."


    Alexis sighed in return. There was no hope? Or once again could she just not see it?


    "What do we do now?" Alexis murmured. "I met someone today and the first thing I hear is I look dead inside."


    "That''s nicer than what I heard. My mother told me that at least my husband stayed in my bed the whole night." With a confused look that Alexis provided her Nikita for the explained. "Most men go one round and then leave for the mistress."


    With furrowed brows, she questioned, "But there aren''t any mistresses allowed for I know. Angelo said that men do not have mistresses after marriage, they are loyal to the women."


    "Most men." She muttered. None of them was in the mood of talking but There was too much to be talked about. "No one bothers to know what is happening inside even the boss. He has to make sure that his men are also happy."


    "And mistresses do that?"


    "For masculinity, yes. A few things I believe we would never understand." She tsked.


    "I want to do something," Alexis confessed. "I just want to do something and tell him I can do anything I want that the power that he gave me."


    "You want to challenge him but not bluntly," Nikita concluded.


    "Yes, that." Alexis sighed. "something that would just make him there is a fact that I am there and I am powerful and it''s all because of him. So that he knows that I am not challenging.. but doing that at the same time."


    Nikita laughed. "I believe every wife dreams to do that." She chuckled once more. "Subtle power moves."


    "Don''t believe in them. It''s being a shakedown or not. I don''t want to do subtle power moves, those are merely hints." Alexis revealed her thoughts.


    "Maybe..you could." Nikita shrugged and continued. "I mean you are the Donna and you have some more liberties than us and you can...pave the way in some way."


    Alexis wondered about how this conversation had begun, in screams and threats and how it had them talking in low Voices and heart to heart.


    She gasped.


    Turning to Nikita with a wild smile on her face, she whispered, "I figured it out."

 Chapter 202 - Two Hundred And Two.

    Dinner was done and Alexis felt more sleepy than before. She wanted to sleep and preferably, never wake up again. Changing into a woollen pair of nightwear she placed her phone in charge and bundled herself up in the blankets as she continued to shiver. It was so damn cold.


    Sleep came upon her and she snuggled into the blankets and the warmth crept in only for her to groan out.


    Her phone rang.


    She ignored it. She could, couldn''t she?


    Sighing, she aggressively pulled herself, took her phone and once again buried herself underneath the covers.


    She read the name on the screen flashing as it rang. It was her husband calling.


    She sighed and clicked on it.


    "Hello." She muttered in a sad and tired voice. Maybe he would understand that she was in no position to talk and would delay it till tomorrow.


    "I hope that you had a nice day so far," smooth voice flooded in, "because I have to talk to you about something."


    She rolled her eyes. Why would he ever want to talk pleasantries if it was not up to His Highness?


    "I am tired, Angelo." She murmured once more. "I would appreciate it if you try and call me tomorrow."


    "Who was he?" He hissed.


    "Who?" She drawled.


    "The man that you fucking hugged in front of the entire world." He hissed.


    "Angelo there are only five people or so around us and I am not counting the guards." She sighed. "He was my cousin. if you look into my mother''s side you would find out that her sister, real sister, had a son Elijah." Alexis did not care to stop saying ''if'' when she said the word if he looked into his family history because she was sure that he would.


    "Cousin here?" He was frowning a little or for at least what they could tell.


    She snorted. "Why? Did you research a destination where anyone related to me won''t be?"


    He didn''t say anything to that.


    "Oh my god!" She gasped. "You did, didn''t you?!" She accused.


    "what I did was simply make sure that there would be nothing to make you feel overwhelmed." He explained.


    "Please!" She said. ''Take a look in the mirror.''


    And then it clicked.


    "Angelo," she whimpered almost in tears. "I.."


    "What? What''s wrong?" He immediately sprang into action and Alexis felt relieved a bit? It was working.


    "I..just feel so alone.."


    "Do you want me to come there, sweetie?" He immediately offered.


    ''If anything, not you.''


    "No, I didn''t mean you...I mean.." she took in a deep sigh. "Why can''t he live with us? I mean Elijah, my cousin." She blurted out the words finally.


    Her heart pounded loudly in her chest as she waited for his answer. Even his breathing couldn''t be heard.


    "Do you want that?" He asked in a calm and steady voice. His tone betrayed nothing about how he felt about the whole matter.


    "Yes, I do." Then she decided to take a huge leap forward and confess the feelings that she self sometimes. "It''s just... I feel like I am surrounded by your family and I have no one from mine and it makes me conscious. Like, I agree that your family is mine and they do think about my well being but I want someone that I have a known from the beginning as well."


    "I understand." He said after some time. "I do and if that is what you want then you can take it up with him."


    As he said yes a huge smile came upon Alexis face who was still covering herself with all the blankets. A sudden gush of warmth ran throughout her body and she grinned ear to ear.


    "Thank you." She said with genuine happiness after a long time. This might seem like a small win but she knew it was something that could be called as a winning the battle.


    "Alexis," she immediately stopped the grinning as his voice held a tone of warning underneath it. "I don''t know what you have told him about me or what I do yet but if you decide to do so, I would like to remind you of what happened before you left for your vacation."


    Shivers went down her spine as she remembered the scenario. as far as Alexis knew she would never forget how those three people were changed together and left to burn. They had done nothing wrong in fact, they were doing everything right. they were helping abused domestic victims. Their only fault was to underestimate and not research on what they were doing or who they were up against.


    "Yes I remember and I will keep that in mind." She muttered in a low voice, her mood suddenly dampened because of it and then frowned as she remembered something. "Angelo do the guard''s report back to you?"


    "Why?"


    "How did you know about me hugging Elijah?" She countered for her point.


    "Yes to report back to me. The report everything back to me."


    "But I am on a vacation!"


    "It does not matter if you are on a vacation or not, you are still the same person and you''re still my wife."


    And how she wanted to undo that.


    "You were spying on your wife all this time?" She whispered in shock as she figured out the after all this time why had she know about this.


    "I was not ''spying'', as you put it, on my wife before but now you have lost my trust." He said in all seriousness.


    She sprang up and the blankets fell as she talked. "Lost your trust? All I said was to talk to them personally so that they would leave quickly."


    He sighed, "I wonder What kind of idiot do you think I am. Do you think that I am not aware of the fact that the thought of escape crossed your mind? Once again I would tell you to stop underestimating me because I know what you are thinking about."


    "Oh so great, his Highness, can do whatever he wants, can he not?" She taunted him being unable to hold herself back any further. "you can do whatever you want but everyone including me has to be down in front of you and your wishes!"


    "Not what it is." He muttered sounding nonchalant. "Why don''t you rest? I think you are very tired to think straight. Good night, love."


    He hung up after that and left her in the fog of despair surrounding her.

 Chapter 203 - Two Hundred And Three.

    Her hair Lightly flew around her as she waited for her cousin to come. She was here early though. The surroundings were too beautiful to be ignored and not enjoyed. She had bundled herself up leaving no choice for the cold to slip in.


    "Hey." She turned around and watched him come closer. "What''s up?"


    "What do you think of a life of luxury?" She immediately came to the point no beating around the bush. "Where you don''t have to work and yet live in a luxurious house with staff ready to attend to your needs."


    Elijah gave her an incredulous look in return. "I don''t know about anyone stupid but I would say yes to that."


    She smiled a little and then turned to look forward. "Well, I can give you that if you accept my offer."


    "What?" He asked then shrieked. "Girl I don''t know what''s wrong with you but I am not murdering anybody or smuggling drugs. Wait I could smuggled drugs, I mean drug dealers are rich right?" He ended up asking.


    Alexis hit him on his head. "None of that. I just need your brain."


    "I wonder how am I supposed to live in a luxurious mansion if I don''t have my brain, to begin with."


    "Hardy har har," Alexis sarcastically replied. "I need a new perspective and you my cousin I want you to live with me and help me." Her expression was sincere and Elijah believed her.


    "Help you with what?" He threw his hands up in frustration. "I can''t even keep up with college and you think that I can help you?"


    She sighed. This was not how she had hoped that this would turn out to be. But if she thought about it Elijah was right. how was he supposed to help her when he had no idea what she was going through? This would be same as people expecting Alexis to be the Donna when she had no idea how to do about anything.


    She sighed once more. "How about you just come with me?" She offered. "You can even decide for a college course for the time being or research on them.." she offered but it was uncertain and Elijah understood that. She did not know how to tread on this road without trying to offend him.


    "I do want to come back." He confessed. "I have been thinking about it for a long time now but I needed to talk to someone but I had fallen out of contact with the family and at the end of the day, I was just stuck here." He shrugged. "But what do you mean when you say that you need my help?"


    She glanced at him and Angelo''s warning flashed in front of her eyes. She was warned to not give away everything but something and to be said. Some explanations were to be told.


    "Okay, here''s the thing. I need someone who is my family." She stressed on ''my''. "I know I have people on my side from Angelo''s side but it means nothing because I am not sure of when their preference might change. When they support me or they change it to him or even, that they are supporting me because of him." She gave her harsh shrug. "I don''t have any idea about anything and I trust you. So.."


    "But I could betray you too.." Elijah muttered.


    "I know and I assure you that my husband would kill you for that." She smirked in pride.


    "Woah, hold on a second." Elijah raised a second. "but he is the enemy." He presented his point.


    "He is." She agreed without a thought.


    "Then why would he kill me if I betray you? Won''t it be his gain?"


    "No.." she sighed. "It''s just like that. He can do whatever he wants to me but no one else can even think of it."


    "Wow.." he looked shocked. "That''s like.."


    "A lot messed up." She finished. "I know and that''s what I deal with daily."


    He nodded to that and then made across. He looked mentally disturbed.


    Silence fell over them and they continued to stand next to each other. It seemed as if both of them were thinking a lot of things and needed to be alone but Alexis can''t afford that. She desperately needed someone on her side even if it was someone who was just a little pawn in her again.


    "Think about it," she offered. "You could come back to the country and every expense of yours would be taken care of. It will be like a new start."


    "A new start is what I want." He muttered under his breath. "But at the expense of what?"


    She smiled a little understanding of what he said. That was the reason why Alexis wanted Elijah on her side.


    "You have to be with me, on my side unconditionally. You have to be on my side even if I am wrong, in public and you can correct me in private but you have to be my friend, ally, the only person I can trust who doesn''t violate it." She hinted at the warning. "I am not just saying when I talked of Angelo killing you. He even shot his mother for scaring me half to death."


    "More like. I do whatever I want but no one else can do it to my wife?"


    "Kinda.." she grimaced. "that is what I deducted when he shot at his mother. He isn''t afraid to tell people that no one can hurt make except him."


    Elijah nodded and swallowed a few times which she found quite weird. His habits were still the same.


    "I think I better go." He took a step back and Alexis closed her eyes. She was hoping to not be rejected here. "I''ve got loads to pack and also throw my resignation at my bosses face."


    "Yay!" Laughing she pulled him close and hugged him tightly. She was so happy. She watched him running to his accommodation and smiled at that. He was willingly coming.


    Her phone pinged and she looked down at it still smiling.


    ''Happy he agreed. I''ll have Agatha make the arrangements.'' Alexis''s smile vanished.. She wasn''t as discreet as she thought.

 Chapter 204 - Two Hundred And Four

    Having her bags packed, she placed them down and called in a guard to carry them out. This vacation was not for a week or two but for the weekend only. As Angelo said, ''it was for you to clear your mind not enjoy.''


    She rolled her eyes.


    Elijah was ready as well and he had been introduced to Nikita and Isabelle yesterday night at dinner. Frankly, Isabelle seemed a little suspicious of the sudden experience of her cousin but Alexis could not care less. Her mother-in-law should have known by now that Angelo had probably done a whole background check on Elijah and his existence.


    they had soon reached the airport with Elijah by her side and boarded the jet. Isabelle was feeling tired and had chosen to retire for the time being in the bedroom that Alexis had prior woken up in which left the three alone.


    "Psst.." Alexis looked with shocked eyes at Elijah. Psst? What was with him? She tilted her head a little to ask him.


    He pointed his eyes and face towards Nikita to who was busy on her iPad.


    Alexis tilted her head a bit further.


    He widened his eyes and returned and pointed them at Nikita with more force.


    "That''s Nikita." Alexis mouthed words to him only for him to facepalm himself which further attracted Nikita''s attention.


    "What''s up with you?" Nikita asked him with the raised eyebrow.


    "Uh.." he scratched his head, "nothing.." he squeaked out.


    Nikita turned to Alexis, "what''s up with your cousin?"


    Alexis in return glanced at Elijah and replied to her with a cheeky smile. "Nothing, I think he is just intimidated by you."


    "What?!" He objected immediately and turned to Nikita. ".. that''s not true." He squeaks out once again making Alexis laugh and Nikita shake her head.


    "What? Do you want to say something to me?" Nikita closed iPad and turned her attention towards Elijah completely making him turn around. "Oh come on I''m just as human as any of you." She laughed a bit.


    "It''s just.." He hesitated. "How are you so intimidating yet suppressed?"


    The laughter and shine which was once held by Nikita vanished and she was a mask of braveness. "If only I knew the answer to that. I assure you that I won''t be here." She smiled a little.


    "And that lady?"


    "Angelo and Silvano''s mother, our mother in law," Nikita answered. "You met us yesterday, already forgotten?" She teased making him blush.


    "No..it''s just.."


    "Speak freely." To be honest Nikita was aware of what Alexis had in mind by inviting her brother to the country and their home.


    "I meant why is she not involved with us."


    "because she is their mother and before everything else, she will always keep her sons above us." Nikita showed no shame another meeting such facts and Alexis somehow felt relieved that there was another person who knew about such thing as well. A mother no matter how wrong her child could be for her but always favour them no matter what and especially about strangers which Nikita and Alexis were.


    Nikita got up and took the seat in front of Alexis. "What are you going to do when you go home?"


    Sighing lazily she shook her head, "I have no idea. Maybe the restaurant.." she shook her head, "that''s a New York so I guess the next thing I do would be forcing Angelo to go back to New York."


    "The restaurant was a nice distraction." Nikita agreed. "How have you dealt with the baby situation?"


    Alexis breath hitched as she realised what she had forgotten about. After the anxiety attack, she had completely forgotten about Jayden and the baby. A sudden shudder of panic went across her and she paled making Nikita frowned.


    Turning to Nikita with a taut face and a stern gaze she answered. "I have a few things to do when I will get others first." Her tone and facial expressions left no choice for questions or arguing or questions as she made it clear that she did not want either. So Nikita nodded in return.


    "Alright. Need any help?"


    "No, I hope not." Alexis shook her head. this time there was going to be no panic attack of fainting or any kind of breathing problems that would hinder her from facing Jaden. She was now where of where Jayden was staying and the first thing after the days rest was going to be having a good straight conversation with him.


    She got up and took Nikita place, in front of Elijah. "Do you remember Jaiden?"


    "Him?" Elijah frowned. "Wasn''t he..?"


    "Apparently not and I am going to face him for it." Alexis hissed. "He lied and took my baby with him for which I will make him pay."


    Elijah knew of what happened between the two siblings and because of which he knew that it was better not to mind in between but that did not mean he would sit on his clear conscience and let things be torn apart.


    "But Alexis didn''t you-"


    She shook her head and looked at him with the sharp gaze making him stop. "No! What I did was done in exhaustion and emotion and he should have been there with me trying to figure it out and telling me to rest for making that awful decision but no instead he chose to behave like a coward and took the one most important thing from me."


    Hell hath no fury as a woman scorned, this had never become more clear him than now. Alex''s eyes wide and red was creeping in in them. Her face was red too and it was clear by the hands that she had fisted she was very angry.


    "But they are already living the life-"


    "That I was supposed to live!" She hissed still mindful of Nikita dropping in. "He had no right to force me to make a decision or rather guilting me into something I would never consent to. But here we are.." a tear slipped her eye, "once what he made me do I would make him do the same." She vowed.


    Not being able to hold back any further Elijah aggressively hissed at her as well. "And what good would that do to you?! You will be doing the same and what different could you be?!"


    "Enough." She stood up and stared down at him, "you can listen to your conscience as much as you want but we both know that he was wrong and he was not just wrong but he committed a sin for what he did..." She took a step closer to him and stepped down in his eyes with wrath written on her body language. "Now, you can either help me..or..."

 Chapter 205 - Two Hundred And Five

    They all boarded out of the plane and mood out of the airport only to stand still at the sight in front of them. all of the husbands waited outside with smiles on their faces and somehow that creeped Alexis out. Even Nikita seemed shocked at her husband smiling nonetheless however much you doubt they made their way to them.


    Alexis stood in front of her husband with Elijah standing next to her and reeking of nervousness.


    "Elijah." Angelo greeted his brother in law first. "Welcome." He moved in for a quick hug to which Elijah followed as well but still was in a state of shock.


    "Yes..thank you." He stuttered to which Angelo did not say much he knew of the effect that he had on people.


    He nodded and turned to his wife immediately noticing something about her.


    "How are you?" Saying that he pulled her close to him.


    "Good." She answered as she placed her chin on his shoulder.


    "Better I believe?"


    "Yes," she pulled away and smiled a bit at him. "Can we go home now?" She asked glancing at Elijah.


    Angelo noted and opened the door for his wife and slid in with her. Is Elijah tried slipping from the same side Angelo gave him a glare saying, "the other side?" As if it wasn''t obvious already.


    He nodded hurriedly and scurried to the other side. frantically opening the door he hardly started having a loud sound being emitted from the air and making Alexis wince and Angelo glare at him. It was true then, Angelo didn''t mind him but anyone else couldn''t even fathom the thought of his wife being heard.


    He swallowed and looked away. His appearance was neat but cold. It was impossible to approach this man for something. His exterior was cold and almost gave away nothing which led the others to run away from him. The penetrating gaze he had, it was obvious how no one wanted to go against him and he won''t even balms them. He looked like someone to was ready to kill at any moment.


    He glanced at them by his side-eye. Angelo had a hand wrapped around Alexis''s shoulder in a string hold as if to protect her from everything else in the world.


    Well good for him, no one wants too.


    His door was opened and he glanced at the couple who were already making their way out and into the townhouse. So he followed too.


    "So this is it," Alexis tinted around waving her hand around. "Your home for the time you are here." She smiled and left her husband''s side making him frown and Elijah gulp, hugging him close she whispered, "Thank you for coming."


    He hugged her a bit tighter. "Anytime girl."


    "Come on," they heard Angelo as they pulled apart. "I think its time for rest. Have something light, both of you, and then rest and sleep the jetlag off."


    They nodded and walked to the dining table and Angelo noticed the similarities between them. They had immediately fallen into a routine. They had very subtle habits which he noticed.


    Agatha had prepared the food and garlic bread and pasta were taken by both siblings where is Angelo was served a full meal of everything. He wanted to chastise his wife eating habit but at the moment he knew that he was tired so he didn''t push it.


    "What have you been doing Elijah, in your life I mean." He asked as he took a bite.


    "Umm," Elisa immediately turned to Alexis for help who had a small smile on her face urging him to continue the conversation. "Well I was supposed to go to college but my dad''s sudden death lead me to drop out or.. it kinda set me back." He admitted as he bit his lip. "I did give myself some time before going back to college but I guess I got too comfortable in grieving I forgot to come back to the real-life.."


    Alexis reached over and held his hand. "Grieving is important Elijah. Exercise important as any other feeling we have but you''re not coming back to reality was the wrong path." She then smiled trying to lift the mood, "but I am happy you are here. Maybe this could help you in deciding what you want to do further."


    Elijah nodded but did not say anything and Angelo knew that he did not like where the conversation was going so he deflected it. "Anyway, how was your vacation?" He turned to his wife. "Did you relax?"


    "Yes, I did." Not physically but mentally she did. Hi talking with Nikita repeatedly about all of the situations that she had been through helped more than they talk with therapies that she had. Instead of being a diplomatic therapist, Nikita had straight out told her faults and where she should have used her brain instead. She had been brutally honest and somehow Alexis appreciated that.


    The walked back to the room after showing Elijah where he was staying. she was happy that his room was well arranged and decorated. She went directly in the closet and it took out a night suit and went in for a shower. Coming out she sat on her vanity table and applied for moisturizer.


    "Did you relax?" She heard his voice from behind. He was standing behind her making her stiffen a bit and become self-conscious.


    Glancing at him she continued applying the moisturizer on her hands now. "Yes, I did." She repeated once again.


    He tsked, "then how is it that you did not attend any one of the spa or massages that I had booked for you?"


    She sighed looking mildly irritated as fear crawled up her spine. if she showed his fear that he would understand that she did not relax whereas something completely different had happened. "Angelo sometimes people like to Les around and that does not count having massages or spas. I will act and enjoyed in my way."


    "By coming out to meet Elijah and then going back into your room? You had practically locked yourself in." He pointed out.


    She raised her eyes and looked into his through the mirror, "How do you know that?"


    He smirked and leaned down, keeping his chin on her forehead. "I know everything.." He whispered and she caught it.

 Chapter 206 - Two Hundred And Six.

    Her eyes glistened to over with moisture and her lips trembled a bed. He had kept his eyes open and had ears all around her. His head was still on top of hers and she had an unbearing urge to raise her head and hit his chain hard.


    Don''t do it, she sighed thinking about the consequences.


    Jerking her head up she hit him hard.


    "What the fuck?!" He yelled and moved away. Cupping his chin, he glared at her. "What is wrong with you?!" He bellowed.


    "Oh, I''m so sorry!" She rushed to him and checked. "I don''t know what came onto me sorry.." she hissed as she rubbed his chin. "I just couldn''t resist. I''ve seen it in the movies.."


    He scowled. "Really what kind of idiot do you think I am?"


    She pulled the puppy, innocent eyes on him. "I''m sorry.." she whispered and hugged him closer, kissing his chest.


    He nodded and she felt it. Smiling she let go and pulled him onto the bed. Cuddling close, he put his head into her neck and she absentmindedly ran her fingers through his hair.


    He had no idea about what she did..had he?


    ********


    The clock went ticking and moving further into the night but Alexis stayed awake even the body screamed from the tiredness. She had waited for the Angelo to fall deep into his sleep and now she was sure that he had. Whenever he felt deep into he would often roll around and move away from her to sleep on his own.


    She swiftly got up from the bed and without putting on her shoes she took them in her hand and walked out of the room. She tiptoed across the hall to the stairs into Elijah''s room without knocking first.


    Still trying to get comfortable in the new bad which was waste soft than the one he was sleeping and before Elijah briefly opened his eyes and saw someone hovering over him.


    "Fmn!" Open his mouth to scream but was silenced by hand. Light flooded into the room and he closed his eyes in relief as he saw that it was Alexis.


    She removed her hand and he growled in displeasure. "What the hell is wrong with you?!"


    "Me?" She frowned. "This is the time to talk." She switched off every other light to the lamp. Its soft glow could be used as a night light.


    "At-" he glanced at the time. "Two-thirty in the morning?" He winced. "Alexis. I''m jetlagged girl please.."


    "Shut up!" She hissed and took a seat beside him having him move further. "Now is the time to talk because literally, everyone is sleeping. From Angelo to Agatha and the guards too. Everyone."


    He thought about it and a question popped into his mind. "Agatha too? She is your maid. Why would she tell anything to anyone?"


    Alexis sighed. "I cannot trust anyone. Who knows who belongs to which side anymore? For all I know, she is out to please me for Angelo." She didn''t like the thought but the possibility of it was pretty huge.


    "What now?" He asked running a hand thought his face as he yawned. "please hurry I want to sleep."


    She smacked him in return, "As if I don''t want to sleep right? Anyway, tomorrow we are going to go to Jayden''s house." She declared looking at him for his reaction.


    "The hell?" He hissed. "Why all of a sudden? Shouldn''t we wait? Won''t it be suspicious?"


    "No." She whispered. "I''ll take you out to some sights or so..and then you would want to see a friend." She shrugged innocently. "Like a family friend that I know too."


    "What family friend?" He asked as he brushed through his memory. "Do I know him?"


    She turned around abruptly making him flinch and stared hard at him. "Are you serious?"


    He looked down for a second, "yes." He confirmed.


    "Like seriously?" She asked again making him feel stupid. "I''m talking about Jayden!" She hissed.


    "Fuck.." he cried, "see I need to sleep. So please just lemme sleep."


    She sighed at his annoying crying. He was always like this. "Fine." She hit him with a pillow. "Bye."


    He grinned cheekily. "Bye."


    She sighed and moved out. Around round the stairs she moved up and came across Angelo''s office.


    Something beckoned her in, calling her towards it, inside and...


    She shook her head and herself out of it. There was no need for something like this and what is she thinking?


    ''He''s one hell of an intelligent man. There is no way that he would ever have anything kept inside the house that I could or anyone use against him.'' She bit her lip thinking about it. ''He would have it all locked in a safe or something of sorts.''


    Yet the door seemed way to inviting. She wished that she was not making a mistake like Hansel and Gretel. But she would walk into a house of chocolate any day so she couldn''t blame them.


    But..she is his wife, wasn''t she?


    Yes, she is.


    So that meant that she is allowed to know what going on, inside the bedroom and outside it.


    ''I''m his other-better half after all.'' she mused. She had half the right on his everything and at least she acknowledged it like that unlike him taking a hundred per cent of everything.


    Her right foot stepped forward and moved in a trance towards the door. There must be something that she could find. If nothing for her to use then some dirty laundry of his that she could air in front of people.


    Turning around the knob she stepped in.


    Elijah turned around and groaned in annoyance as the cold air seeped into the room and made him shiver. He had lived in Switzerland and it was cold there in comparison but he had a thicker blanket than this and also wore a thick night suit. Here he didn''t and had underestimated.


    He got up and cursed his sister for not closing the door. He looked out and around for people who might be watching him but there was no one, he sighed in relief. That man seemed paranoid and he won''t be surprised if his room was bugged.


    "Shit!" He swore.. He had to get to Alexis.

 Chapter 207 - Two Hundred And Seven

    She stood inside after closing the door with no clue on what to do. Where should she start? Plus Angelo was not a man to keep evidence which pointed towards him lying around for anyone to find.


    She sighed and looked around the room. Nothing was beckoning her towards it anymore and it hurt.


    She had hoped of it to turn into something useful.


    She sighed and turned around, left with firmly closing the door behind her.


    "Ah!" She gasped as Elijah practically rammed himself into her. "What is wrong with you?" she asked as she kept her hand on her heart trying to calm herself down from the sudden scare.


    "Me?" He hissed. "What is wrong with your husband?" He accused her instead of making her frown in return.


    "Really? You are asking me that?" She threw back. "If I knew that, hell, if I knew anything about that you want to won''t be here."


    "He has my room bugged!" He got to the point. "There''s that has a light going on and off, on and off and I don''t know if it records my voice or both audio and video and let me tell you personally I find that it creepy." He then muttered, "it''s not like I am doing anything wrong but some people just.."


    "Okay! Okay, stop!" She stopped him from talking any further. "But you saw a camera in there?" She felt terrorized a bit Angelo was wrong keeping his her cousin in a room that was bugged.


    somehow realising that he could know what had taken place in the conversation between Elijah and she, rattled her soul up with fear. There could be no possible way for him to know. No one knew about it and so would he until unless she wanted him to know.


    "Yes, and I am not sure if it recorded just video for both audio and video." He stressed the words repeatedly. "We need to get rid of that camera."


    this Alexis realised was not Angelo wanting to know everything but a personal attack on her family or at least what she felt about it. he had no right to bug the room of her family member staying in the house and it was of the us that he knew it otherwise Agatha or anyone else would never dare to place Elijah in a room where he could be watched.


    "No," she denied whatever he wanted. "what we need to do is get that type of where we were talking and delete it."


    "Are you out of your mind?" He whispered slowly so that she could understand what he was trying to say. "is anything even remotely is out of place I don''t think it''s going to make a good impact on your husband."


    "And I do not care." She smirked. "think about it it''s not like he can come to us and say I did you see whether recording went?" She mimicked him. "Cuz I placed your brother under the supervision and now I cannot find what happened to him between 2:30 a.m. to 3:50 a.m... I cannot ask us anything about the SOP or out of direct suspicion and everything else that we need to worry about is out of the window." She explained. "What she wants to keep us out of, he won''t include us in it just because he does not want us to know about it. Like he did in the first place."


    Thinking about it to some extent Alexis was right. It''s Angela did not want them to know about the cameras and the house being bugged then he won''t approach them if anything was wrong with so.


    "Alright he agreed." With a shaky and uncertain smile on his face. "I know a bit of editing and recording stuff maybe I can if phrase and copy and another recording altogether." He offered.


    She nodded and they once again entered Angelos office with her being first. she knew the password to attach she had seen him enter the password a thousand times and had never thought of breaking into it ever before.


    Just as she started and Elijah took her place tied in a few things and she did not understand and opened up and up to where every recording of the house was shown. She was mildly surprised at her class had a camera which directly showed who was entering and had a clear view of their expensive jewellery and watches made it clear why Angelo and her expensive accessories were kept together instead of on of their respective sides.


    Open up the recording to his bedroom clicked a few times and the whole night it shows that he was just sleeping. For Alexis, he did so that she was in the kitchen and came back. The hallway next to his office had no camera but one which had easily been changed to have Alexis walk in and back after 40 minutes that she spent in the kitchen.


    "I never knew that you would learn anything like this." She said in complete awe of his work.


    "You get to play with it when you work in the security department." He winked.


    She chuckled. He continued to adjust a few more recordings of previous times here and there and then closed the application with a few more changes.


    "Done!" He grinned. "every visible and hidden camera have had the setting that I never came out of my room and you went out for yours 40 minutes in which year driving ready in the kitchen and went back."


    She laughed happily. It seemed a little victory.


    "Come on let''s go back." She smiled and they left the premises. Both to different destinations but with wide smiles.


    Alexis entered her room hopping and skipping the way and close the door while making a show that it made no noise. She smiled as she saw him sleeping like a baby.


    Going to bed she snuggled into the covers and to him.. "Good night," she kissed head in excitement.

 Chapter 208 - Two Hundred And Eight.

    "Good morning." Angelo wished her as he kissed her forehead. "Wake up you have a long day ahead of you."


    She opened her eyes a little and glances at him with her face scrunched in disgust. She tinted around and pulled up the covers over her head. "Go away." She croaked.


    Angelo chuckled and shook his head. Cute, he tilted his head.


    *****


    Alexis was so happy. The warmth was getting to her and sleep once again when she felt wet.


    Opening her eyes, she yelled as she emerged from the water.


    "What the fuck is worth with you?!" She yelled at her husband who was laughing his arse off after throwing her in a tub full of cold water. "It''s not funny, Angel!" She yelled again.


    "Oh, it was." He sobered up. "Do yourself a favour and take a warm bath. I''ll be waiting downstairs for breakfast with your cousin." He nodded with a big smile on his face and left.


    His smile was gorgeous but this might be the only time that she was cursing it to hell and back.


    "Ugh!" She hit her hands in the water and got out of the tub and moved forward to take a shower.


    Hot shower.


    She heard laughter once again and her face twisted into an ugly expression, she was going to kill him.


    ********


    When Alexis entered the dining room Elijah and Angelo were already having their morning coffees.


    "Wow, I feel the love." She taunted at their attempts to wait for her and begin together. "From both of you." She corrected herself as she saw both of them ready point to each other.


    "I was just taking care of our guests." He shrugged.


    "Hey! You were hungry." Elijah pointed towards the half-eaten bowl of fruits in front of Angelo.


    "Anyway." She sighed and took her seat nodding at the server to serve them all. "Elijah and I will be going out, I''m not sure when will be coming back but probably before dinner."


    "Alright." He nodded. "Stay close to security." He reminded her.


    She nodded and glanced at Elijah, whoever so discreetly shook his head still denying whatever you want to do with the Jaden situation. Alexis family kept her head where it was not responding to his suggestion. He had no idea how bad it felt when she woke up still tired from the pain and suffering that she had gone through and finding out that the one thing should care about the most had been ripped away from her by her decision that she did not even remember making.


    It was all like a dream which had turned into a sad reality. A dream she did not even want yet it came true.


    "What''s wrong?" Angelo gently tapped her hand making her shake out of her thoughts and come back to reality.


    "Wha- Nothing." She looks at him. Did he say something?


    "Eat then." He pointed to her untouched breakfast. "even if you are going to be out of the house for the whole day keep an eye on what you eat." He then warned, "because if Liam tells me or any other god that you did not eat anything, I swear to God I am going to shove the food down your throat and then lock you inside the house."


    "Fine!" She rolled her eyes and began eating where is Elijah felt a shudder run down his spine.


    He wondered what was wrong with his sister not take his warning seriously and even if she did how did she continue to eat and function normally?


    Elijah his head, Angelo was the one man that could make him piss his pants anytime.


    ******


    "Are you sure about it?" Elijah asked as he waited for her Dinah her make up. "We can go back or we can go to a mall instead of a park anywhere you want." He offered.


    "Nope." She opened her eyes liner, "it''s not some petty cash that he stole from me or some inheritance left for me. It was my daughter he took away just because he thought that he would have a chance to become a father."


    Elijah swallowed and went ahead to explain from Jay''s side. "He was confused-"


    "Being confused in no way shape or form allows him to steal a child, now does it?!" She taunted, "otherwise every other person kidnapping a child could be excused for being confused in what he had to do with his life."


    "I am not saying that.." he still tried to take his brother side even though it was not making sense to do so. But Alexis had to understand what was at stake here. "He was gay and he just found it out. Your parents were not accepting him what was he supposed to do."


    "Move on, for all I care now." She aggressively pinned the cap back. "I stood with them I stood with him against the whole family. I was ready to help him out every way but what did he do instead of fishing and with me, he took away everything from me!" Red crept into her eyes and she looked deranged for a few seconds. "it''s not something I am going to forgive him for very easily, he is going to pay for it and he is going to pay hell for it." She vowed. "so I am asking your face once again are you going to stand with me?" She breathed heavily as she said the next words. "Because I need a brother will always be with me instead of running away."


    From her words dripped desperation. Desperation for some help, for support and companionship. Alexis and Jayden had been the perfect pair of siblings yet they were apart because of their mother. Where Vanessa worked and was out of the house almost all day long, Jaden never came inside and that left Alexis alone in the house. whenever Jayden came back in front of Vanessa it became the perfect sibling relationship and little Alexis could not help but play along. She wanted the tension she wanted the love and she got it this way so she accepted it.


    Now that she had been tricked into losing something so precious Alexis wanted revenge or not even revenge, Elijah figured she just wanted an answer to why did it happen to her. Maybe a confrontation was what she needed.


    "Alright." He nodded with a smile. "I would come with you.." He promised unaware of the fact that this would all lead to a great storm coming in.

 Chapter 209 - Two Hundred And Nine.

    Anxiety attack.


    That''s what she remembered the last time she was here which is why she had decided to take the stairs this time.


    "Stay with me, Liam." She whispered to the guard who was walking in front of her.


    Watching his back stiffen a bit, he turned his face around a little to ask, "Is there something I should know or be prepared about, Madam?"


    She sighed but her arrogance and newly found power didn''t let her speak the truth. "No. I just need the manpower." She shrugged. "Need to get set a few things straight."


    Something flashed in his eyes and he nodded. As if ready for it to come his way. "Yes, Ma''am. We won''t disappoint."


    Elijah witnessed the exchange happening in front of him silently. She wasn''t this brave always and he wondered if what Angelo provided her with was the reason if it. To be honest, he would not blame her, hell if his wife was even a little power as Alexis''s husband he would be taking advantage of it as well.


    Her steps slowed as she came in front of the door and it didn''t go unnoticed by Elijah that her hands were shaking.


    "Should I?" A whisper reached his ears and he knew that she was on the brink of crying. "I.."


    "It''s in front of you and you don''t know if you want it or not." He concluded. "I don''t want to give my opinion on this matter but I would like to ask home by he did so." He nodded in support, "so I don''t know about must but I think we should." That was true. If he had to imagine himself as her place, he couldn''t even imagine how she must have gone through such times.


    "Okay," she nodded with some certainty in her eyes. She was grateful for her support.


    "Liam." She pointed to the break.


    "Yes ma''am." Stepping back a few steps, he moved forward-


    "No! No breaking the door!" She hissed.


    "Oh," he mumbled. "That would have been fun."


    She rolled her eyes.


    He knocked on the door then. A bit aggressively but so, it caused a good effect.


    Someone came to the door, "What is-" Liam and one more guard barged in and then so did Alexis and Elijah.


    "Hey?! Don''t- I''m gonna call the cops."


    "Don''t make me call them." Alexis countered instead. "Jeff go call your husband please."


    "You-" he pointed at her. "You are his sister, right? What''s this about? Why are you barge-" Liam slammed him up against the wall and pushed his face up against his.


    "She said, call your husband. Don''t call a cop cuz'' I''d know." He gritted and pushed once more on the wall.


    "Yes, yes." Jeff nodded hurriedly. "I w-will." He whispered while being in a clear stare of panic and nodded again with wide eyes.


    Liam let him go and he fell on the floor. He got up and crawled away from the big, burly man all while Alexis watched the show.


    She should have gotten something to eat or drink.


    Silence washed over them as Alexis checked her surroundings. She found nothing that could belong to a baby in any way. There were no toy or playpen or even children books lying around but to be honest the child must be pretty grown up now it could be possible that Jayden had the child cleaning up after him to set early habits.


    "What the fuck?!"Jaden growled out as soon as he came into the living room and saw his siblings. "What is wrong with both of you?! Get out!"


    "Get out?" Alexis repeated with a scoff. "Don''t ask me to get out, sit your ass down and talk." Liam went forward grabbed Jaden by the collar and threw him on the couch. His husband Jeff who had already encountered the bloody man once immediately went to his husband and sat down next to him quietly and quickly.


    "What are you doing?" He hissed. "Elijah, when did you come back?"


    He scoffed in return. "Why did you not want me to?"


    "Let''s cut to the chase," Alexis cut their conversation in between and directed the attention to her self. "Where is she?"


    Her eyes did not miss how Jeff frowned and how Jayden Williams paled a bit. He glances around the room and asked, "Where is who?"


    "My daughter!" She growled out shocked by the fact that he did not know who she was talking about. "Who else could I ask about to a person like you?"


    "Like me?!"


    "Yes! What have you ever done for a family that you have started one with him!" She pointed at Jeff. "there is not one thing that you can do right yet here you are taking away everything that belongs to me and I want it back!"


    Jeff was listening in the conversation and he turned to husband whispering, "J, what is she talking about?" He looked scared especially with the men standing inside his apartment.


    "It''s okay," he whispered to his husband and then turned to his sister, "Alexis you have no idea what you''re talking about and I want you to leave."


    "Hah!" She barked out a laugh. "There is no way in hell I am leaving you without making sure that I have my baby with me!" She yelled while glaring at him hard enough to shatter his soul.


    Elijah ran a hand over his tired-looking face. "Jaden you know what you did was wrong and a crime. Let''s not go to court and drag this out." He warned, "because I can promise you this that you are not winning in any way possible."


    He looked around and shrugged his shoulders. "Listen there is nothing more to win about, you need to leave. We can talk another day." He joined his hands, "I am begging you, leave."


    Alexis got up expecting a reaction and she got it from Jaden who looked relieved for a second. she smiled and stepped closer to him enjoying that he was scared of what she was going to do. "How ironic that just like today, you join your hands in front of me that day."


    He pulled his hair, "please." He then glanced at his husband. "Not today, not here. It''s not the right time."


    Alexis''s glare became more prominent, her cheeks reddened with anger and her mouth pinched. "Well, I must have thought wrong. After all, you know what''s the best time for anything right?"


    "What?" A whisper came from Jeff.


    "Oh, of course, you don''t know." She cooed to him. "Your husband here stole my daughter. The moment I-I gave birth and was dying from exhaustion and pain he took her away-"


    Jayden stood up cutting her off, "Well she''s dead now so it doesn''t matter!" He yelled.

 Chapter 210 - Two Hundred And Ten.

    "Well it doesn''t matter anymore cuz'' she''s dead!"


    The words echoed in her mind again and again and she stepped back a bit from the brooding man who had tears forming over his eyes.


    "The fuck?!" Elijah yelled. "What the fuck is that suppose to mean?!"


    "W-w-" Alexis was at a loss for words. Small gasps left her mouth as she tried to breathe. Dead? Her daughter was dead? That meant she had never actually seen her daughter after she gave birth to her and now she was dead?


    ''Forever gone?'' the mother in her whimpered. ''But we never met her.''


    Her eyes burned and her vision fogged up making it difficult for her to see. She felt something drop on her cheek but didn''t wipe it away. Her brain has stopped working and she didn''t know what to do or feel.


    "Dead?" She whispered being on the verge of crying. "She is dead?"


    "Yes." Answered Jeff, who had figured out what was happening. "She died two years ago. It was cancer and we didn''t know..she kept on crying and crying and I t-thought she wa-was teething.." he broke down and Jayden immediately went to his side. "I tried but it was too late and we were..they.."


    "It''s okay, babe." Jayden smiled but the tears told everyone that he was suffering too. " We did try-"


    "But she isn''t alive!" Alexis yelled. "And that means you didn''t fucking try enough!" She yelled at the top of her voice.


    "Ale-"


    "No!" She yelled at him. Rage seeped into her eyes and face. Visible it was that she was angry but on the inside she was enraged. Eyebrows were pulled down together and her eyes glared the men sitting in front of her. "Do not tell me anything, do not even take my name from your mouth!" Her temper struck even more and her jaw clenched together.


    Jayden rose his hands up and slowly got up while carefully gorging her reaction. "I get it that you are angry-"


    "Angry? Angry is no word to describe what I am feeling." She threw her hands up yelling. "I-I''m not even close to the word infuriated right now. " She cried. Stepping closer to him and having him take a few steps back in return she spat in his face making him flinch.


    Revenge and torturous thoughts seeped into her mind as she eyed Jeff. Her daughter was dead and Alexis did not even know what she looked like, she never had a glimpse of the baby. she was dead, the words once again echoed in her mind and once again her anger spiked. She wanted some kind of retribution and revenge was the only thing on her mind.


    "Liam hold my brother." She smiled.


    He immediately moved forward and took hold of the man. Dragging him next to the wall right beside him so that he won''t be able to move.


    "Jeff," she smiled sweetly and sat down next to him. "Do you know where your daughter, what did you name her?" She changed the question, needles pinned her heart as she asked for the name of her baby. A baby that was hers as it should be with her and alive.


    "Lea."


    "Ah," she smiled pretty wide scaring him even more. "Hate the name." She commented, "see your husband can''t even give a beautiful name to my gorgeous daughter."


    She leaned back to the couch. The delay was scaring the couple more and she wanted that to happen. She had noticed that Angelo delayed confrontation and somehow how that spiked up fear and anticipation in a person.


    "Do you know where your husband got the baby from?" She asked with no expressions on her face.


    "A..a.." he stammered and turned to look at his husband who was struggling against the humongous bodyguard.


    "Answer my question!" Alexis reminded him in a curt voice reminding him not to keep her waiting.


    "A trash near..the hospital..the baby was crying and he.."


    "Trash?" She tilted her head and once again every emotion left her face. She turned to Liam who was waiting for orders, "Liam punch my dearest brother for me."


    Liam smiled and deliver a punch to his gut immediately having Jaden topple over and fall from the force. He held his stomach and he heaved and gasped in pain.


    Jeff immediately went to her up and help his husband. "Ja-"


    Alexis clamped her hand on his shoulder and pulled him back. "No. You are sitting with me." She threw him a quick smile. "after all you need to know the heinous crimes your husband has done."


    Jayden immediately looked up, "Pleas-Ah!" He turned over as he got kicked by Liam who held him down further.


    "Anyway," Alexis directed the attention to herself. "So a few years back I guess, around the time when I was 17, Jayden had just come out to my parents and that included my stepfamily. Now of course we did not have a good relationship with them which led to my stepfather worrying about my stepbrother that Jayden would hurt Ashton because of his "urges" which were now towards boys." She cast her brother a look knowing that it pained him but now she did not care. "And that was also the time when I had really good grades, had finished early almost a semester before and was free to do anything, so I had decided that I would enjoy life like every other teenager. Given that I had already worked hard and had my share of the result."


    She looked at Elijah who scoffed a laugh. "Quite a wild time it was." He commented.


    "It was." She agreed. "So much so that I lost my virginity and I also ended up being pregnant at the age of 17." She grimaced. "not the best of my decisions but I had agreed to take responsibility by the end of my pregnancy and also that now I have to work harder than ever before because my mum did not accept at the first but then she did." She pointedly told him. "Now, I had always kept communication between me and Jayden so that he never felt out of the family which led me to tell him that I was having the child and I also was considering the adoption of it. He talked about adopting the baby himself but I wasn''t ready for adoption yet so I brushed this topic of."


    She then smiled, "now it gets darker and more interesting." She smiled and leaned in closer to Jeff almost question who says into his which resulted in him falling down the couch. "I was drugged up in anaesthetics and painkillers, your husband had very graciously offered to fill out the birth certificate that very night and of course, I accepted because my brother was helping me out." A look from Alexis earned Jayden another kick from Liam. "Instead of my name as the mother he put his as the parent and took the baby away while I was lying there in bed half asleep and waiting for my baby to come to me to feed for the first fucking time!" She growled. "and the thing is, I never saw the baby because she was taken away after birth to get cleaned. So I only got a glimpse of the baby I gave birth to after keeping her in me for 9 months!" She yelled like a maniac.


    Jeff had not turned to his husband this time. He looked mentally disturbed for what he was hearing but it also seemed that he could not believe what was being told to him. "I.. didn''t know.."


    "Of course you didn''t," she smiled. "But that does not mean that you won''t get a fair share in this punishment I would grant him.." She smiles and this time it was the smile of a crazed woman.

 Chapter 211 - Two Hundred And Eleven.

    She smiled as she finished warning the couple about what was about to come to them. The second gaurd who was present in the living room from the beginning came back and shook his head.


    "B-but," Jeff spoke from where he was on the floor, "didn''t you try to find him?"


    Alexa scoffed at the stupid question. "What kind of question is that? Of course I tried to find him I had a police report after him but you know what he did?" She raised an eyebrow, "He said his death along with my baby." She answered with a sarcastic smile. "That''s what your husband and. That is what your husband is capable of."


    As tears streaked down jeff''s eyes he looked towards his husband was still on the floor and full of guilt.


    "Look at that, he is guilty now." She mused. "Why not guilty when you took a child in your hands and went away?"


    "I panicked.." he pathetically wheezed out.


    "Then you could have come back!" She yelled. "You could have come back and handed her over and I swear to god I would have pressed no charges whatsoever."


    "Really?" He laughed. "Are we going to ignore my perspective here?"


    "No criminals perspective is considered after he has committed the crime. What, do you want us to consider what Ted Bundy thought?" She threw back in his face.


    "I don''t mean that!" He yelled and Liam immediately went forward but stopped as Alexis told him to. she wanted to hear what he was thinking about. "I thought that I would never have a child or a chance at happiness Alexis." He pleaded, "I was again and no one accepted me. It hurt. It hurt me so much but I know I should not have done what I did and if I could take it back I.."


    "just because you thought that you had no chance at your happiness you decided to take mine, which does not excuse you from what you did." She clarified. "And what? if you have the chance to take it back, then what why did you stop?" She got up and crochet down in front of him. "Please do continue. Tell me, that if you have the chance to go back to that very day would you do what you did?"


    He looked into her eyes but kept quiet.


    "Jayden please." Jeff cried. The man looked divisibility shocked scared and disturbed.


    "I.."


    "Would." Elijah commented from behind. "He definitely would. His body language and lack of answer is telling us that."


    "Hmm," Alexis sighed. "Well, then." She got up and picked up her purse. "Don''t try to outsmart me, please not now." She shook her head. "Do not leave the town, do not be that stupid." She warned and walked out with people following her behind.


    This time she went in the lift and Laim entered with her and Elijah.


    "I didn''t take you to be a mother." Liam commented.


    "Didn''t you hear?" She spoke in an emotionless voice. "There is no mother without a child."


    He casted his eyes down but didn''t speak and Alexis felt the wave of remorse from him.


    "Not a word to Angelo," she told him. "I will decide what to tell him and when. Also keep an eye on him."


    He nodded. She had deliberately thrown in the last line knowing well that he would consider not telling him if Alexis was going to tell him in the first place.


    Moving out to the front where a car waited for them Liam to the driver''s seat and Alexis and Elijah sat behind.


    "I am sorry." Elijah said looking extremely sullen. "I don''t know why but we should have just.."


    "There is nothing that we can do now." She whispered. Tears once again gathered in her eyes and her voice trembled making her words break in between. "There is absolutely nothing that we can do now."


    "But how can you be sure about the girl being dead?"


    She sighed and with a tired smile and eyes full of tears answered him, "The God went in uncharted the entire house there was no baby stuff. Hell, even if there was a remote onesie a little sock in their house belonging to a child he would have told me." Running a hand on her face she sighed once more, "but I am going to have people look into it I still don''t trust him enough to believe his word."


    He nodded. "Yes, that.. would be reassuring."


    Something ran in Alexis''s mind again and again. How could she be dead? for whatever the reason Jayden could actually be a good father or if not him, then his husband left definitely could. Then how could her baby be dead?


    Unless she wasn''t..


    "No!" She yelled out all of a sudden which led to Elijah jumping out of his thoughts and making him look at her in concern. She turned to him in an instant and spoke, "no she is not dead!" She smiled. "He lied. He must have lied, there is no way that my baby could be dead!" She smiled tearfully.


    Elijah''s heart heavied at the sight. She didn''t like her at all. The all strong and line wolf had fallen apart. "Alexis.."


    "She''s there." She smiled wider in hope.


    "She must be there with them and they would have hidden her they could have done that after all that took my daughter from me." She tried to explain. "there is absolutely no reason for me to believe that my child could be dead in anyway possible." She held his face in her hands making it squish. "My baby is going to come back to her mama!" She cured happily making his eyes widen.


    "No, honey, maybe we should wait." He said not noticing that the car now had come to a stop. "She isn''t there like they said and they would not lie to you knowing that you have power in your hands." He shook his head. "please think about it how about we go back there after sometime." Shit, he didn''t know how to handle this situation what was wonrg with her?!


    "Oh no," she quickly denied and looked in in front. "We can''t wait. Liam drive back!"


    Liam made no move forward and kept his hands on the steering wheel. "I apologize madam but the boss has asked me not to move.. You clearly require his help."

 Chapter 212 - Two Hundred And Twelve.

    "Wh-what?" Elijah stammered. "The fuck? Didn''t Alexis tell you not to?!"


    He met Elijah''s eyes through the rearview mirror. "Yes, but my primary concern is Madam and that means going against her orders."


    "But he won''t be able to do anything. We have to get back before they hid her or even like-like.." in hysterics she aggressively tugged on her hair. "I don''t know they could take her away from!"


    "And the boss would help with that." Liam gently chimed in. "He could make sure that everything is just as it is supposed to be."


    Elijah witnessed the exchange happening and how immediately Alexis was being easily taken advantage of by the man.


    "Alexis ..maybe.."


    "No no," she cut him off. "Angelo''s is really powerful. Maybe he can help."


    He could. Angelo was powerful and she had seen the glimpses of it time and again. So if anyone could protect her daughter and bring her back to Alexis then it was Angelo.


    It Had to be Angelo.


    And what Elijah was thinking was the exact opposite of this. Angelo in no way, shape or form could know what was going on at least still she was in her right mind to do so.


    "Liam step out of the car." He ordered in a stern voice. "I''m pretty sure she''s going to lose it before he arrives. I need to to talk to her alone."


    Liam''s eyes flickered over to Alexis who was anxiously waiting for Angelo and was looking outside. He nodded and got out.


    As soon as he walked a few steps away, Elijah turned to Alexis and pulled her hair. Hard.


    "Ah!" She yelled holding his hand.


    "Bitch I don''t know what is happening to you but your better get out of it or I swear to god I''m gonna pull you off it."


    "What is wrong with you?!" She smacked him across the face making him pull her hair harder.


    "Me? Look for yourself!" He got another smack and this time he hit her back.


    "What?!" She cried. "Don''t hit me!" She said hitting him repeatedly.


    "You are hitting me!"


    "And you are pulling my hair!" She took a hold of his ear and pulled it.


    "To get you to get your act together!" He said barely dodging a hit around his eye.


    "Feels like pulling scalp! And you stop!" She tried to pull her hair out of his grip.


    "Will yo-"


    "What is wrong with both of you?" A sharp voice interrupted them and they looked over for the person slowly letting go of each other. "Are in your correct state of mind?"


    "Define correct," Elijah muttered under her breath and Alexis snickered before going to back to making a straight face.


    "Get out of the car Alexis. You are coming with me." Gabrielle spoke with a stern voice that had Alexis nodding over and getting out, leaving Elijah behind who looked grateful to be not involved in the conversation and the car ride with that scary-ass man.


    Her father-in-law opened the door to her side for her as she slid in, he shut it and walked away to his side.


    He silently drove to the house.


    "Liam called you?" She asked in a quiet voice feeling overwhelmed from the happenings since the morning and the hysteria of denial she had been in.


    "No, he did call your husband but I picked up, he didn''t recognise my voice over the phone." He explained.


    Alexis nodded. It was barely there but yes. Now she was worried about what he had been told.


    "So-"


    "Nothing." He interrupted. "Liam did not tell me anything, he just asked me to come. However, I would advise you to get one up on him." He glanced at him. "There are people who have their loyalty tied to both sides and you need to force them to one."


    She got it. She did and she knew what exactly to do.


    *********


    They had come an hour before dinner and Angelo arrived after half an hour. They all had dinner but the atmosphere was quiet. Her husband didn''t bother to ask as he was busy with his work so the didn''t bother to stick around for much longer and went back to his study to complete the work he had pending.


    Elijah and she didn''t bother to talk too. The loss was there and an overwhelming sense of guilt because she had never tried to find out where her baby was because if she had then she would have her daughter in her arms today.


    Alexis wanted to choose a path of destruction. A path where she was not held responsible for anything, where her worries vanished away. She had had enough of trusting people again and again and now she wanted to teach them a lesson to never mess with her. She wanted to let people know how much she suffered.


    Jayden would have his turn and it could be fun to watch him crumble down.


    She turned to meet Agatha, "Agatha have you eaten?"


    "Yes madam." She answered swiftly.


    "Then meet me upstairs." She got up and moved to her room with the maid following her.


    She took a seat at the vanity table and started taking off her jewellery.


    "Where do your loyalties lie, Agatha?" She causally asked taking off her earrings.


    "With you Madam." She answered immediately.


    Her eyes met with Agatha''s through the mirror. "And the boss? What happens when he asks you about me?"


    "I will answer what you want me too. We have never had this conversation before where you tell me what to say so I say the boss."


    "Really?" She smiled. "Then if he asks tell him everything is normal. Just me being me."


    She nodded. "Yes ma''am."


    She smiled once more and took off her necklace. "One more thing,"


    "Yes ma''am,"


    "Would you be up for it?" She raised an eyebrow mocking her.


    Agatha stepped forward. "Yes madam. I am up for anything."


    "Naah, let it be." Alexis teased her a bit further. "You won''t be able to."


    "Madam, please." She begged. "I want to prove myself to you."


    "Well if you say so," she sighed and giving in. Looking into her eyes she spoke, "Seduce Liam for me."


    "Liam, the guard?" Agatha asked.


    "Yes him," Alexis confirmed.. "And make a video of it. Tell me are you willing to do it?"

 Chapter 213 - Two Hundred And Thirteen

    Agatha agreed. The thirst to do something for her mistress shined in her eyes. She was ready to prove herself no matter what came her way and seducing someone was an art which she was taught from an early age.


    "You won''t be disappointed madam." She nodded. "Is there anything else I can help you with?"


    Agatha was asking for dismissal and Alexis understood it. So she replied to her wishes and Agatha left after closing the door.


    She swiftly moved to the kitchen and prepare a cup of hot coffee, slipping in a small tasteless tablet into the boiling water as well before pouring in the coffee. she knew how to brew coffee she was the best at it and often guards came around demanding it.


    Taking a mug in her hand, she moved to one of the many guest bedrooms to check on the locks and the windows. She smiled a little and then moved to the boss''s office where the soldier stood.


    "Liam," she stood holding out the mug for him to take, "I heard that you were out with madam all day, thought you might need it."


    he nodded and took the mud from her immediately taking a sip and appreciating it. "A good cup of strong coffee, thank you, Agatha." He smiled.


    And she smiled back. "If possible please give the mug back on your way out? The staff is retiring for the night." She smiled once more as he nodded.


    She went back to the room and set up cameras all around. Agatha made sure that Liam would not be able to tell about what happened or even figure there was one camera much less than many in the room.


    She moved out and into the kitchen. Starting with placing everything on it''s an original place and checking the maid''s work along with the supplies left, making a list of things which were to be bought.


    "Alright," she sighed and completed the list and glanced around once again for something to be done.


    "Here.." a tired-looking Liam came in and kept his mug inside the sink. "I..you told me..to.."


    She observed him silently. "You look tired."


    He nodded and sat down holding his head, "I think so too. Feel drained all of a sudden.."


    "Hmm," she stepped to him, "maybe you should spend the night here." She offered.


    "In the boss''s house? Without his permission, I think not." He shook his head. "I love my life enough to know when to stop."


    She laughed. Her soft, melodious laugh which immediately put him in a trance. "Don''t worry, I think the boss would excuse you this once." She walked closer and watched his pupils carefully. Waiting for them to dilate and as soon as they did, she leaned forward and kissed him.


    *?*******


    Hours had passed and the hustle-bustle of the city had died down. People had gone to bed but Alexis couldn''t close her eyes. The heavy feeling weighing of guilt and despair was lying down on her chest. She was lying down on the bed with her eyes wide as her husband slept beside her. Peacefully without a little idea of what was happening with her.


    Good, she wanted it to be that way. It was safer.


    She turned around to her side and sighed. Everything was-had fallen apart. There was nothing left. She turned to her back once again. The hollow inside her that she felt would be healed ....it won''t ever be. Her incompetence had failed her daughter. Someone who she never had the blessing to meet.


    How ironic it was that Alexis had given birth but never had seen the child.


    She turns on her side once more.


    "I swear to God if you toss one more time I''m going to throw you out of the bed." Her husband''s hoarse voice came in, "I''m not kidding I will kick you out." He warned.


    turning around once more to have a conversation with him she frowned as she asked, "You were up?"


    He opened his eyes to glance at her looking annoyed as hell. "No I was sleeping, must I tell you if it wasn''t obvious."


    "Wow, someone''s a cranky sleeper." She rolled her eyes.


    "What''s wrong with you?" He craned his head upon his hand with his elbow supporting it. "It''s 1 a.m. and usually around this time you are dead asleep."


    She shrugged, "I don''t know. Maybe it isn''t coming to me tonight."


    "That''s one shitty reason you gave me."


    ''Compared to do one''s you have told me? It thinks not. '' She shrugged once more.


    She was not going to open up so he asked instead, "What happened today?"


    She didn''t answer.


    "Alexis, there is an underlying sadness in your eyes which contrary to your usual sadness," she sent a quick glare his way, " which looks much more devastating. So either you can tell me how to help you or you dear that on your own until you crumble on it."


    "I don''t know what to do," she admitted. "I don''t know, not in the slightest and I never imagined to see even a glimpse of it happening."


    He stared at her and slowly muttered, "is there something that you want to do about it?"


    She turned to look at him, wary of taking his hand in help. Often it had come back to bite her in the ass.


    "I.." She hesitated


    He sighed. "You have to tell someone something."


    "How would that help? Lesson up the burden in my heart?" She mocked. "You know what, I''m fine." She turned around.


    He sighed, a long one this time. "Suit yourself. I can help but your choice."


    "Destroy two people." The words left her mouth before she realised it.


    "That is no big deal. It''s pretty easy."


    "How easy?" She asked a bit tempted.


    He smirked. "Very. But it also depends on how much you want to. Drive ''em out of the town of just..kill them."


    She chuckled. "It''s kinda scary how you easily talk about killing."


    He smiled. "Just like you will be.." He leaned closer, "when you find how thrilling it can be."

 Chapter 214 - Two Hundred And Fourteen.

    "You look good," Angelo commented as he looked at his wife who was getting ready in front of the mirror. She was dressed up in a pant-suit perfect for the office. "Are you sure that you want to do this on your own?" He asked once more. Yesterday night, as she had proposed the idea of revenge from 2 people and Angelo, had readily jumped in and called in the favours from people who owned him those.


    "Well for starters, I have nothing to do," Which was obvious, "And yes, I would like to do it on mine. It would make me feel better." She admitted without any fear.


    He nodded though not convinced fully he did it for her.


    She smiled and walked out ready for him to prepare for his day. Yup, she had gotten up before her husband today. Even though she had not slept as night.


    Walking out she followed to the room Agatha had texted her about. She stood outside the room before a few seconds trying to hear something but nothing.


    It was silent.


    She smiled. He was still sleeping.


    Opening the door with a bang, she entered the room startling them both to wake up and catch up with their senses.


    "Ma-Madam..?" Liam took in where he was and who stood in front of him. "I didn''t mean to stay.."


    She waved him off, "I have no problem with you sleeping in my house but I think I have a big problem with you are lying...or rather had sex with him." She said eyeing them both with a critical stare.


    She should go for an audition.


    "Wha?" He looked around him immediately and saw a body in the covers. "I..don-"


    "Save it." She harshly stopped him from talking any further. "Agatha! Get up and get to work immediately!"


    Her harsh and loud voice had immediately made Agatha get up and scramble for her clothes as her mistress left.


    "Ag-agat-"


    "Don''t!" She hissed at him with tears gathering in her eyes. "Don''t ever mention this night or my name much less!" She walked out leaving the man in a fog of confusion.


    Alexis sat in the dining area as she read the newspaper with food laid out in the front of her.


    She chuckled a bit as she realised that Agatha had still taken care of everything else. From her clothes and food to the plot they had talked about last night.


    Agatha did not have to prove herself every day or have a specific task assigned when she proved herself daily regularly.


    "Madam coffee." The chef had taken Agatha''s place today and was serving the food from the kitchen. Thanking her she took it.


    "Why are you eating that?" Elijah eyed her clothes and commented, "Not that I don''t like it, it kinda makes you look more.." he thought of the word, "sophisticated."


    "Funny." She spat. "Anything else?"


    He jumped at the opportunity, "yes, it''s more ...up to my standards now." He winced then, "sorry for the bitterness but the truth is said to be."


    "How you!" She growled and pointed her finger at him, "That''s it! I not telling you where I am going now."


    "Do you ever not fight?" Angela said with a sigh as he took his seat. "My father told me about the...The encounter between you to that he witnessed in the car."


    "Sibling things." Elijah winked playfully making her chuckle and have Angelo roll his eyes over them.


    Angelo glanced at home and caught her eye seizing the opportunity to ask, "Do you want me to drop you?"


    She thought about it. Her husband, no less than a boss, dropping her.


    It wasn''t a bad thought, to be honest. Exact to think about it Alexis could use the special treatment.


    "Yes, sure you can." She smiled.


    ********


    Her door was opened by none other than her husband whose arm she held as she walked into the building.


    A degree in Management could not come handy at a better time.


    "Ah, there you are." The CEO greeted them. "Mr Alessandro and Mrs Alessandro, might I say you look gorgeous." He greeted with a smile and praised making her laugh loudly and thank him.


    Small talks over she were led to her new office, which of course was temporary but no one has to know that.


    "I would send in an experienced secretary to you a few minutes. Then you can get settled in." The CEO advised and left with a polite nod in the end.


    She turned to her husband once the man left after closing the door behind him. "What is it that a CEO could owe you?"


    He had already taken a seat and answered her with the scoff, "honey, no one gets rich in this world without a few favours from the underworld."


    "Hmm," she hummed and rounded the desk, taking her seat and then looked around the room. This was going to be her scenery for the next few days or weeks.


    "Are you sure?" He asked once again as he typed something on his phone. "There''s nothing wrong in backing out."


    She shook her head. "I want to be involved in life indirectly enough to have their whole day directed towards me. Enough to have them thinking about me all the time."


    He squinted his eyes at her, trying to grasp the meaning of her words which had an underlying meaning that he had no idea about. Too much was hidden from him but he won''t intrude. No, this time.


    This time he was going to be observed.


    "Alright then," he got up and kissed her forehead. "Have a nice first day."


    She smiled and thanked him. Watching him leave, she turned around to the windows and took out her phone and called someone.


    "Hello, Madison? Yes, I am glad that you remember me. Anyway, can you come to Chicago? I think I have a good job offer for you. A desk job. Yes, not too long tho-" someone opened the door but she silenced them with a raised finger, "As quickly as possible, I have other waiting in line too." She hung up and turned around.. With a wide smile and dangerous glint in her eyes, she said, "Oh Jeff, you must be the assistant."

 Chapter 215 - Two Hundred And Fifteen.

    Recognition flashed in Jeff''s eyes the moment he saw Alexis. Even though he had not stepped inside the office yet, he did not back out either. There was no reply from his side rather he had resorted to silence.


    Alexis tilted her hair examining him further, "Are you not the secretary I was told about?"


    "Huh?" He shook out of his stupor. "Yes, yes I am."


    She smiled. "Well then get to work. I can tell you this I hate tardiness." She warned him with a smile on her face.


    "Yes ma''am," he nodded.


    "And Jeff?" He halted. "Bring me a diary. The one with a good, not extravagant cover and don''t bring it directly here, run it through Nadine first." Of course, Nadine went with her.


    "Yes Ma''am," he nodded and left.


    She smiled and swirl it around in her chair. This was going to be fun.


    *******


    ''Revenge is sweet.


    ... Within limits of course.''


    Was the first thing that she had officially written down in her diary. A diary that she was always going to keep and Nadine had found the one with a beautiful design.


    She closed the diary and placed it in her bag. Even though there had been one sentence and she did not want anyone reading it.


    The clock had already struck five and it was the time to leave for the employees for which Jeff came knocking in at her door.


    "Ma''am?"


    "Yes?" She called not looking at him as she was engrossed in the file kept in front of her.


    "Um. it''s a.."


    She looked up at him and then back down on her file once again concentrating, "when with those stumbling words you form a sentence, do tell me."


    He cleared his throat and began once again all over, "it''s 5 p.m. am I allowed to leave?"


    She closed the file and then kept her chain on her hands, with the smile she said, "I don''t see why not."


    A sudden shock flashed in his eyes as she knew that he was not expecting it. Nevertheless, he nodded and closed the door. Picking up her diary once again she wrote another thing on the same phrase she brought before.


    Do take your time with it.


    Closing a shut she smiled. A sudden feeling of relief flooded for the heart.


    ********


    As promised Angelo stood at the entrance of the building, waiting for her before going home. An involuntary smile great her face as she saw him waiting outside the car.


    "Hello there." She said softly with a small smile on her face that had lightened up his as well. He smiled back but without saying anything he opens the door for her ushering her in.


    "Now tell me, how was your first day?" He said as soon as he sat beside her and the car started moving.


    "Good but I took your advice and didn''t immediately start to bash the poor guy." She gloated making him smile. "I could see how shocked he was when I behave normally and did not show any signs of aggressiveness towards him."


    He laughed. "I love how your face has lightened up for it. And that is what I talked about the more you delay the impending decision the more the anticipation kills them."


    "And now I have seen for myself." She smiled and without any knowledge of on leaned into his shoulder keeping her head there and sighing.


    Their house soon appeared and the cars stopped in front of it. Angelo moved out first and like the regularity the door, took her hand and walked inside the house together.


    Today being the first day she worked had tired her enough to go for an immediate shower and change into a good silk night suit. She had forgotten how much of a tiring deal desk job was and was unfortunate to be reminded of it again. But somehow it had filled her empty days is with work.


    "Would you tell me now where you gone?"


    Startled she turned around and face her brother. "What is wrong with you?" She placed a hand on her heart trying to calm it down from the scare given to it. "And you''re not supposed to enter is not given permission."


    He clicked his tongue at that, "I am your cousin believe me I have seen the grossest possible about you. Do you remember the time when you had acne braces and glasses altogether?"


    She smiled as wide as she could, "Well if you could be so kind as to not remind me of that. I had gone to work for a company."


    He rose a brow at that, feeling quite astonished. "And your millionaire going billionaire husband allowed that?"


    She waved her hand at that. "Well, it''s only temporarily."


    "Temp-" he sighed, "what caused you all of a sudden to-to go and work out in a firm?"


    She felt that they were coming close to the point where she was going to tell him everything which is why she did not beat around the bush and told him straight forward what was going on in her mind.


    "Jeff?" He yelled. "What in the world was going on in your mind when you went on the attack in him personally?"


    "Hah!" She laughed once again feeling the anger creeping in inside her brain and mind. "if you haven''t noticed it before I''ll tell you now there is only the level of personal here. Nothing can be done about it. He took my daughter for which I''ll take away his husband and it would be just like tit for tat."


    He shook his head, his eyes full of disapproval. "When did you become like this Alexis? You were never a person of revenge in her nature. You were such a beautiful person."


    Her smile turned upside down. She was sad what he said and she did not hide it. "Alas my brother, it is the beautiful person always taken advantage of and turned into ugly.." She turned to look away as a tear slipped her eye, "It is the beautiful person who suffers the most."

 Chapter 216 - Two Hundred And Sixteen.

    The conversation with Elijah had dampened her the mood that she had come in the house with and her husband without any delay, took notice of it. He kept a supporting hand on her waist throughout the time as they watched television and glanced at her time to time to make sure that she was okay during the dinner.


    And now she was on the terrace drinking a hot cup of chocolate and staring at the sky above.


    "You are supposed to be in bed." Her husband said as the first thing when he took a seat beside her. A glass of amber coloured liquid was in his hand.


    "Don''t I know it." She commented not taking her eyes off the sky. "For the first time in the year I had the pleasure to look at the sky and look at that, there are no stars."


    "Does it matter?"


    She sipped her chocolate, "well to some people it might."


    He mirrored her action with his drink. "Well, I hope this some people know better and talk about what the matter really is."


    She looked at him, finally taking her eyes off of the sky and asked, "what does that mean?"


    He shrugged and spoke, staring at his glass, "Your mind is thinking of something else and you tell me something completely different and off track." He then looked at her with eyes so strong with determination in them that she shivered a bit. "I think you have to tell someone about it."


    "Why you?" Asked her.


    "Because you are on your way to revenge and might I remind you, I am the best-given person you know at it." The bastard gloated at it.


    She looked at him for a few seconds and then sighed. Turning back to the guard stationed behind, she pointed at her husband. "I''ll have what he''s having." He nodded and left immediately. Angelo laughed.


    "What," she defended. "I might need it."


    He shook his head and laughed taking another sip. None of them spoke anything as they waited for him to come back which he did after a short period, keeping the glass and a bottle on the table between them. He left to stand on his previous post.


    She sighed as she revealed, "I''m a beautiful person," Angelo rose a brow to that before she could continue.


    "Good with the self-praising, aren''t we?"


    She hit him on the arm and said, "My brother said so!" She told him. "He said that I was a beautiful person who was just.."


    "Nice hearted? Kind? Selfless?" He offered as if he knew where this conversation was going.


    "Yes," she looked down a bit sad from reality. "That."


    "Ah, those people are shit." He drank to that. "Why if you ask me," he took a look at her expressions and explained further, "Because no matter how selfless, kind or loving, you have to become a selfish, unforgiving bastard to move forward. And I don''t mean in any specific terms, I mean it everywhere."


    She looked at him talking and a bit shocked from what he said, "Surely it can''t be everything."


    "Oh, it is." He chuckled. "Everywhere sweetheart. I''ll give you two examples if you had the chance to the promotion and so did a mother of two, you would want the promotion just as much and be considered for it equally important because you put in every ounce of effort if not more. Similarly, even if you were standing in a grocery store counter, you wouldn''t let anyone get in front of you than the ones who were already there." He pointed out.


    Subtle examples of power and selfishness with a bit of ambition on the side.


    She took a small sip. "That is true."


    "They didn''t say, life is a race, for nothing my love." He smirked.


    So, everyone was selfish. That''s it? "So I am right in taking revenge?"


    He smiled at her. "Only you know that and It could turn out to be wrong, so when the consequences come. You have to deal with it."


    Today what she felt was strange happiness that she got as she thought of Jeff going and telling his husband about what happened today.


    There was a satisfaction, a strange sense of calm surrounding her about having a little control in her life. Control over something for a beginning. For the first time.


    A question popped over in her mind and she knew that given his mood right now he would answer her.


    "What happens when they best me?" She asked her grip tightening on the glass thinking of him figuring it out. "Like when they just outdo me and I standing there like an idiot."


    "Well don''t be one for first." He sighed. "Always analyse their body first, if they have something their body language would give out a confident vibe and the second no matter how long it takes, always analyse the situation." He finished. "Not everyone knows everything sometimes it''s just a bluff and we just give in to it making it come true."


    Completely in a trance of the conversation, she asked immediately as his sentence completed. "Have you ever done it? Set a bluff?"


    He nodded taking a sip of his drink. "More times than I can count."


    She nodded with a slight smile on her face. "So not everyone knows everything."


    He looked at her. "Yes." He answered in all seriousness.


    She nodded. "And just so I am sure, to what extent can I take my revenge?"


    He smiled and leaned closer, taking her hand in his examine his wedding ring on her finger. "For anyone else, I would say as long as you can afford it but for you my dear, I would say long as you wish."


    "I have that luxury?" She teased unknowingly taking in his dark humour as well. "So kind of you to grant me it."


    He scoffed. "Kind of me to grant it, yes, but it would be more intelligent of you to use it."


    She smiled a bit hesitantly as another question popped in her mind. Yet given his mood, she did not want to let the opportunity go waste. "This luxury I have, can I impose it on everyone?"


    The silence was all she heard from his side making her heart quicker than before. Did he understand what she was trying to learn? It would be difficult for him to understand.


    But the machinery of her brain was put to rest as he finally answered. "With stupidity, no one. But we with intelligence, everyone." She smiled and kissed his lips.


    With intelligence, yes.

 Chapter 217 - Two Hundred And Seventeen.

    A brand new day it was and she was sitting in her new office. So far she had no contact of any kind with aggressiveness towards Jeff making his life stressful every day at work and from the dark circles he had, she could tell that it was at home to.


    Madison had arrived and was given an internship in the company on the word of Alexis.


    She laughed gleefully as she sipped on her coffee, it was a matter of time before everything in Jayden''s world would once again fall apart.


    *********


    "You called me Ma''am?" Jeff knocked on the day and entered as Alexis permitted him to.


    "Yes, I did." She answered. "Jeff how long has it been that you have been working in this company."


    He thought of it. "give or take 6 years at least." He answered.


    She hummed at that seeming quite impressed. "Well, what do you think of a promotion."


    "Me?" if he was a cartoon character surely his eyes would have passed out. "But I do not have that capability or I would rather say the education for it."


    She nodded. "Yes, that but you can always take a leave of education. It''s in the company''s policy, you promise or rather sign a legal document stating that you will stay with the company after completing the education of the higher level."


    Statued for a second he then nodded hurriedly almost eager to please her. "Yes, mam I will sign whatever you say."


    She gave him a charming smile. "Perfect."


    *********


    Nadine made her way to the cafeteria in the office. She scanned the area around for the new intern who was making it obvious that she was somewhere where she did not belong especially by wearing jeans and t-shirt to the office.


    "Madison," Nadine smile as she approached her. "I hope you are having in knowledgeable time so far. I have been told that it is your first company to work for so far after your ...graduation?"


    Madison nodded hurriedly almost thankful that someone had finally taken an interest in her. "Yes ma''am."


    With a smile, Nadine continued, "well then if you would be so kind to tell me what did you do your graduation in?"


    "Oh," Madison Laughed, "no, no. I did not have graduation, I never went to a college, I was talking about my high school graduation."


    Nadine''s smile faltered a bit. "Ah," she commented looking a away for a moment.


    "Well then I can tell you one thing for sure but you must work very hard if you want to become something more than an intern." She confidently advised. "Do not look for the easy way out and if you do, please think about it."


    "Yes ma''am. I will." Madison answered as confidently as she could even the for a moment she felt that taking the short road would be more comfortable and easier for her.


    But then again what did she know about the future maybe the skills that she acquired from the strip club would come in handy after all.


    *****


    "Jayden," He looked up to find the manager hovering over him.


    "Yes sir." He got up in respect.


    The manager nodded and spoke in a grim voice. "We are cutting down on employees and branches and since we haven''t made a significant commission in the previous six months, we are having this branch shut down in the next three weeks."


    "Three weeks?!" He shrieked making the manager wince.


    "Well, you heard it right." He confirmed. "However we would be given the salary of two months but I suppose after this we will have to look for new jobs."


    not believe his luck and the words that man just said and continued to look at him with wide eyes making the manager sigh. "It is just not you, the whole branche''s shutting down that means even I am out of a job and going to have to look for it and unlike you, I have three kids to take care of." He huffed and walked away.


    Kids.. the word rang in his mind.


    *******


    Sipping her strong expresso, she looked out of the building to the whole of Chicago visible to her, thinking about what next to do. even though she was on the road to revenge and everything was just as planned. There was this emptiness inside her that she could never fulfil even though she knew that she would get pregnant one day. There was this loss of a child that could never be filled again.


    It was always going to be there whether she had twice as many kids. The question was what was she supposed to do to fulfil it even in the slightest way possible.


    Something that would satisfy the wounded motherhood inside her.


    But how could it possibly be when she did not even touch her husband. Would it make sense if she did now?


    Alexis sighed heavily. Even though when she lived alone and had no desire to be committed to anyone or be in a relationship of any kind she had an urge to become a mother. To nurture a child and take care of them.


    To have someone running around here, expecting her to come back home and giving her love back. Diesel had somehow filled that whole love but now that she realised it, she did want a proper baby. As for diesel, he was enjoying his stay with Silvano dog at the farmhouse but she will surely have to make time for him too.


    She laughed as she imagined diesel And The baby meeting each other for the first time.


    As the day ended, she packed her bag and was driven home back to the husband. Back to a home that she wanted to be filled with joyous laughter and the sound of little feet running around.


    She smiled a little bit as she ate her dinner making husband question her sanity about it. Muttering a simple later, they ate their dinner and retired to the bedroom.


    After she had changed her clothes and Angelo had retired to bed, she turned around to him and finally popped the words, "I want to have a baby."

 Chapter 218 - Two Hundred And Eighteen.

    Angelo had always refrained from showing whatever he felt, no matter how sudden or grim the situation was he was trained to never show it.


    But when his wife out of nowhere came up with such an absurd intention he couldn''t help but blank back in shock and shutter out a word, "What?"


    She laughed a bit before continuing, "I said I wanted to have a baby." She repeater in a firm voice and her body language indicated but she was not nervous nor lying about this intention.


    He turned around and looked to the sealing blinking back once again. "Do you know what you''re saying? Wh-what who did you meet today? Did you stop somewhere to eat something?"


    "No!" She protested. "I am completely fine." She assured him. "The thing is, next month is our first anniversary and I was thinking of taking one step forward and a baby seemed like something we both could.."


    He sighed, "could what, use? Play with? Or talk too?" He mocked. "I would have considered and taken any of the decision but when you do not even know what we could do with the baby- it baffles me how you could think of it." He sharply replied.


    She tinted to look away for a second but continued. "it''s not that I don''t know what we do with a baby I think that it''s time for us to have one." She presented. "I want someone else, I could take care of that I could nurture. I don''t want to a fluffy baby or something! I want an actual child, my baby." She forced.


    He sighed and tiredly ran his hand across his face, "well that does not convince me either."


    "But-"


    He rose a finger, silencing her. "it''s not that I don''t trust you to be a good mother but I see you at the moment you can''t be. You have gone through way too much and somehow that will be reflected upon on how you raise the child."


    A feeling rose in her chest. The idea of a baby was slipping away and she had to do whatever she could to grasp it. "But we could have a baby a-and Isabel could be there. She has the experience and I am sure that she could help us with it."


    "Help us with what? And why her?" He immediately objected.


    She threw a look, "she raised you and your brother I think no one else has more experience than her." And then pointed out. "Ashu what you said yes I am I try to force a few things on the child that was wrong with that what can I do about it? We are fucked up!"


    "Everyone is!" He confirmed. "Everyone is messed up in the head no one in this world is a pure whitewashed person from the inside as well. The world has portrayed ambitiousness is something that destroys thing whereas it isn''t it. Ambitiousness is what keeps us going, what thrives us." He got from the bed and paced around. "There is nothing wrong with us but with you."


    "Me?" She pointed to herself as she got from the bed as well. "If you would be so kind to tell me how." She folded her arms across her chest and waited for him to explain.


    "Oh well," he scratched his nose, "if you must hear it, do you saying I don''t know what kind of ambitious person you are? the highest-paid secretary in the country the most competitive student in the class? it does not even take one more than a moment to know that you are one competitive and ambitious woman. But you are like everything else are afraid to admit it."


    She threw her hands up. "I am not afraid to admit anything!" She immediately said in her defence.


    He laughed. "On the contrary, you are. You are afraid to admit almost everything out loud. You cannot agree that you are ambitious, that you want to be more independent and that you like power. And the fact is like every singer shown in the world, ambitiousness and willingness to gain more social status and thrive in the society, such qualities for only shown in the villains. What women expect out there is that there would be one Prince charming that would come with a broken shoe to them, asking who is the light of my life that I might have seen last night but I know nothing about."


    "It''s a single shoe, not a broken shoe." She meekly corrected.


    "Fuck it!" He yelled back making her jump a bit.


    She quietened down for a second and sat down on the bed, thinking about what was said. "Everything is not about power. You make me the queen of the country or the president I won''t know what to do. in the earlier days, you talked about me handling your legal businesses that how am I supposed to do that? You trust nobody, you don''t even trust me." She looked at him tears in her eyes, "you don''t even trust me enough to handle a baby with the help of a nanny or two then how can you expect me to take care of every legitimate business that you have."


    With his eyes closed and Angelo looked down as well. He had no good answer for that. "I am sorry," he started. "And I cannot make you understand it. but in this line of business, I can not trust anyone. This line puts sister against sister, father against son and brother against brother. Yes, we keep family close but not so close to as in anyone could poke their noses in the business anytime they want. I was born in a family of crime there I could be arrested and put in jail even if they get a little information against me and I will tell you this I have no desire to die or to go to jail." He came to stand next to her but bend down instead, "I want to trust you and I wanted to trust you with all my heart. but with you changing your mind now and then how am I supposed to trust you not keep you in my palm so that I don''t go to jail.." He cupped his cheek, "I have never said this before this is a first for me, I am begging you to consider my position here as well."

 Chapter 219 - Two Hundred And Nineteen.

    She stared down into his eyes with a sudden sadness. "But don''t you deserve to be?"


    With a sad chuckle, he agreed along with nodding his head. "Yes of course deserve it. It is a bit more than anyone as the head of the crime ring, the drug trafficking, human trafficking if I am not involved directly then indirectly I am, and in one way or The other, it always comes to one person that is the boss."


    "H-human trafficking?" She stuttered. "Angelo..that?"


    "That what?" He scoffed and paced around once again. "That is one of the ugly truth that you ignored wearing one of the finest clothes and jewellery, you ignored the ugly truth that of the life you were living. You know why you ignored them?"


    She shook her head. She had no idea.


    "Because you did not think of it and now that you have learnt of it happening, two things are going to happen. One; you will try your level best to stop it and to the other one, I suggest you did you forget about it and leave them there."


    Shocked to the very core she stood up and in front of him. "Forget about it?" She spoke in a loud voice. "How am I to ever forget about this? That girls are being sold and bought right under my nose?"


    He scoffed and mocked her further. "Says who? someone who cannot even take care of yourself and talks of bringing down a whole organised criminal business?" He pointed his index finger at her. "Sure sweetheart why not? Even if you say and I do shut down everything that I relate with, can you assure yourself everyone else in the world would do so too?"


    Reality never hit harder.


    Her eyes and face burn with humiliation as understood where he was coming from. It was a fact but she was incapable of taking care of herself and yet dreamed of taking a whole organisation down. Second, she couldn''t even stand up after being thrown down and here she was thinking of tearing about a whole organisation which was linked with many more powerful people than her.


    "You.." she shut up. What more could she say when he hadn''t done anything else and stating the facts?


    It was all in front of her, it was all because of her. but as she looked at her husband''s form which was overlooking at at at at at at at at at the window, she realised what he had unknowingly done.


    And that, first time that Alexis felt it.


    *******


    Alexis put herself a good cup of tea as her cousin who is sat exact opposite to her observed her keenly.


    "What?" She asked taking a sip.


    He shook his head. "Every day you are excited as hell to go to the dreaded office even though you have millions in your account but today that excitement in your eyes is quite dimmed." He kept his point forward and then further asked, "Did something happen?"


    She smiled and then huffed. "Just something I needed."


    *******


    A week later...


    "Appraisals are going through." Madison heard someone''s whisper. "They are judging the interns this week."


    "Us?" Madison rolled into the gossip. "But it''s just been a week!"


    The girl tsked too, "I know but the company judges you by putting you under pressure in the beginning so if you pass through it, it''s a smooth flow afterwards. As in, how much are you willing to work for the company or how much time you learn something that I forgot what it was.." the girl waved her hand off.


    Madison nodded thoughtfully, "Well, who''s taking the papers?"


    "He!" She pointed at a guy, who Madison had often seen running around Alexis''s.


    "Ah," she observed. Rummaging through the papers on her desk, she found the papers that she was supposed to fail but had eventually forgotten. It was showtime.


    She waited for everyone to leave knowing well that Jeff was one of the busiest assistants and was the last to leave the building. So instead of working today, she had decided to follow him around and observe his habits. At last, as he sat on his desk with his hands running through his hair in frustration she felt the best time to approach to the little pill in her hand that she had had access to from the strip club.


    She had taken it upon herself to take a few pills more, she owed it to herself.


    Having a cup of water with the pill in it, she walked towards him with a sincere smile on her face.


    "Hi, I''m Madison. One of the new interns." She introduced herself.


    Jefferson smiled in return, "Hello. Aren''t you supposed to be on your way home now? If you don''t have work to do you should leave, it''s dangerous at night." He cautioned.


    "As yes." She giggled, "I was on my way to leave after bragging myself a cup of water but then I saw you and brought one for you too. Thought you might need it." She placed the cup in front of him but away from the paperwork.


    She learned that the hard way.


    He flashed her a quick smile, "Thank you. I need it after Drinking coffee."


    "Hmm," she shimmed while laughing along. "Hydration is very important. Trust me you cannot miss out on that." She chastised him a little with a stern face making him reddened a bit and be embarrassed from it.


    "I just-just kinda forgot..like sometimes I do..is it just me or is it getting hot in here?" He tugged on the collar of his shirt.


    She shrugged and pointed at the bed of the hall. "Do you want to do washroom maybe? You look like you need it." And he did. He ran to it.


    The door slammed shut and she heard it, she took out her paper and shuffled around to find the appraisal documents. Sliding her''s in and someone else''s out, she stepped back and merrily walked to the door of men''s room.


    She had to ensure that he would stay in her palm.


    And she just knew how to do so.

 Chapter 220 - Two Hundred And Twenty.

    "Really?" Alexis smiled as she heard the news. "Everything is broken?"


    "Yes, Ma''am. It seems so." Nadine answered. "And I had checked the cameras, your assumption turns out to be true."


    She scoffed because it was not an assumption. "Alright then, forward it to the CEO and we will decide from what to do there."


    "Yes ma''am."


    Alexis hung up with a smile on her face. Her plan was falling into action.


    *********


    Jayden straightened his tie as he looked into the mirror and once again checked himself out for his interview.


    "You are going to do great!" Jeff, his husband cheered for him from behind and kissed his cheek making him smile even more.


    "Thanks, babe." He winked back at him.


    They both sat together and ate their breakfast with small talk in between, washed the dishes and then rose to work. The company that Jayden had an interview for was the one that Jefferson was already working for.


    As Jeff''s hands tightened around the steering wheel Jayden couldn''t help but squint his eyes as he noticed his husband''s fidgety behaviour.


    "Everything okay?" He asked his husband. "it''s ok if you don''t want me to work in the same company. I completely understand that."


    "Oh no, no." Jeff awkwardly laughed it off. "I am just tired a bit from work." Or last night, but he won''t dare to say that.


    Jefferson knew that he could never confess this to his husband otherwise whatever was left of this relationship would fall apart within moments.


    As they arrived at his workplace Jeff parked his car and both of them made way to the HR''s office. He passed a courageous and confident smile to his husband, wishing him all the very best of luck for his interview.


    "Jeff," the assistant came out and addressed him, "The boss has called you inside and the interviews have been put on a hold for now." She then looked at the man next to him," I apologize for the delay but if you could wait for a few moments, it would be appreciated." She smiled and opened the door for Jeff who walked in.


    As Jeff walk in for you noticed that Alexis was sitting on one chair, HR on the other and in the room the CEO of the company was present as well.


    "Good morning." He wished as confidently as he could. "Is everything ok? If it is about putting in a word for my husband in the interview then it''s all I have done. I assure you that I have not communicated any questions or answers to them with my husband."


    "Oh, he has a husband, alright." Scoffed the CEO. "That''s quite rich, ain''t it."


    If possible his eyebrows went higher than normal. Jeff thought of what to say which won''t be as disrespectful as he wanted to be. That man was the boss after all.


    "What is happening?" He asked looking at all of them.


    Alexis sighed and shifted comfortably in her chair, "What happened last night?" She went straight for the kill yet seemed like she was forced to do this.


    Red spread across his face and neck even reaching his ears. The man looked like he had been caught in the act and was guilty of it already which was something his three superiors have noticed immediately. "I-I.." He stammered not having a word to say about it. "I wa-"


    Alexis waved her hand at his pathetic attempt of making an excuse. "Please do not bother lying, we have had the camera checked and your lady partner confessed about it moments ago."


    "I.What?"


    "how many times do I have to make it clear to you about any kind of sexual relations in the office?!" The CEO''s voice boomed across the room as he yelled out his frustrations. "I cannot forbid human interactions but I talked about not having any relations that affect your work-life but there you are getting sexual favours in exchange for work done. How difficult can it be to keep your personal and private life separate?!"


    The horror on Jeff''s face amused Alexis to no end. It was in that thing in comparison to what was about to come.


    *******


    He sat outside in the waiting area tapping his foot in nervousness. Jeff and he had never really talked about every detail that happened in their work-life but the way Jeff was called in front of him into the office he couldn''t help but worry.


    But surely there was nothing to worry about was it?


    Look at the woman who had called his husband inside sitting in front of him on the desk reading a file.


    Not being able to wait anymore he stood up and walked towards her, "Hi. I am Jeff''s husband, could you tell me why he was called in?"


    The look of surprise was quite noticeable on her face. But then a sleepish expression tool to her face, "I think your husband would be out in no time. Maybe you should just ask him when he comes out." She suggested with a little smile that seemed fake.


    "Or you could tell me now," he smiled, "it could be a secret I just want to know if he is being scolded in there and I can have a good gloating moment." He was kidding, he was never going to be gloating in front of his husband.


    "Well..."


    ********


    "But... I don''t know what happened or how!" He panicked and in panic, he gave out the reason that was of no use and had no logical reasoning behind it.


    "Hah!" The CEO pointed his finger at him. "Even teenagers cheating on each other have a better reason than that. You had sex with her, you felt attracted to her and you did it right in the office of your superior. Talk about making a damn statement." He huffed.


    The door opened and a guy came in running making Jeff take a step back.


    "What?" The CEO barked at him. "This better be an emergency or I am going to fire you too you for your mannerlessness and inability to knock!"


    "He is the husband." The HR commented looking intrigued in the drama herself.


    "Husband, oh now this is good." He walked to the table, "Come here please, I have to show you something."


    Jaden came forward as he was told and the boss played a video which immediately had sounds occurrence throughout the entire room making both the ladies cringe and the man step back in shock.


    The betrayed partner looked at his husband and the guilty one had a horrified expression. He had not only betrayed their marriage but also himself and lied about numerous things for one his sexuality which Jayden was once confident in knowing about.


    "J-Jay. I swear to God I don''t know what happened. I told you I cannot even touch a woman with the sexual thoughts in my..mind.."


    "Oh I can tell, that was too many thoughts happening at once." The boss commented as he paused the video. "You''re fired. Get the fuck out and as for the husband," he turned to Jayden, "You want a copy to jerk off or put online? I assure you it would make you a good buck cuz'' that would be a good alimony and the only from his side." He taunted making thee HR snort.


    Unable to stand any more of the humiliation thrown his way, Jaden stormed out of the office with his husband following him crying his name out.


    Alexis once again swirled in her chair, she had to agree with Angelo.


    Power is addicting.

 Chapter 221 - Two Hundred And Twenty One.

    Today it was windy in Chicago, strong enough to make her hair fly everywhere so she had tied them down. With a hot cup of tea in her hands, she once again starts on the terrace overlooking the town.


    After the whole ordeal, she had decided to take a break and enjoy the day but that was what she had told her family about. The real reason behind her break was, she had taken time to figure things out.


    Alexis remembers that she could afford to have counselling or therapy of any kind when she had to move out of the house for college. She barely had enough money after rent for food and thinking about therapy sessions was something that she had thrown out in the drain.


    Her previous therapy doctor, Dr Bailie Peterson but not in the extent that Alexis would have wanted. So she was also a no go.


    She took a sip of her tea letting the warmth creep in and create a bundle of contentedness inside her. She had to get her priorities straight to talk of first. is anything if she had a goal to follow then it would become easier to get her mind straight.


    today when Alexis had arrived home after taking a half-day she had brought her bag upstairs with her to the terrace before telling about to get her a good cup of tea. She opened her diary and wrote down another quote like she had been doing for the past few days.


    If you ever feel confused about what to do,


    Make a list of what to solve first.


    She closed-ended diary and kept it back inside her bag. "That''s too bad," she clicked her tongue, "I don''t want to alive anything first." She sighed, life, that bitch.


    She put the pen down once she was sure after a thorough checking that she had written everything down. the list was not quite long as she thought that it would eventually turn out to be. They were a handful of things.


    Now, she had to figure it out slowly and steadily instead of being hasty and impulsive.


    ******


    "Aren''t you going to your office today?" Elijah munched on the macaroons next to Alexis who was watching the news.


    "No, I did what I wanted to." She muttered. She could ask him, couldn''t she? "Could you..find me a few things relating to the.." she hesitated a but her cousin was not as a patient.


    "Then..?" He snapped his fingers motioning her to hurry up.


    "Human trafficking." She squeaked and then looked away.


    He blinked once and then once more. Getting up he turned to look at her and held her hand. "Sweetheart do you have a temperature?" He checked by placing the back of his hand on her forehead which was immediately smacked away by her. "Do you know what you are talking about?"


    She rolled her eyes, "Yes I do. If I didn''t why would I say it?"


    He shrugged, "I don''t know probably the reason you do everything else for."


    Bastard. She glared at him.


    "Would you help me or not?" She snapped finally. "Just answer yes or no. x"


    He sighed in irritation. "What is it to you now? Every other day you think of something new to do and end a worsening your situation. Might I suggest cool down for a bit, Lay low and then go for the kill. Enjoy a few days, clear your mind it would help you."


    She shook her head slowly, "I was enjoying and clearing my mind when I was in Switzerland." And then she remembered. "You know what I think that agenda has to be pushed back for a bit." She smiled and left for the kitchen, knowing well that would be there.


    "Yes ma''am," she immediately left whatever she was doing and came to her mistress instead just outside the kitchen. "Something I may help you well?"


    "Yes, call Nikita for dinner tonight."


    She nodded but Alexis could see the reluctancy in her eyes, "but the boss won''t be coming for dinner." Angelo had informed an about his arrival which was going to be late at night and that he would be having his dinner outside.


    "Yes, that''s is a major reason why." She flashed her a quick smile and made her out, leaving her to finalise the details of tonight.


    ********


    Nikita instead of a gas that had been invited to someone''s house at taken upon herself to go to Alexis''s room and wait for her there. So when Alexis got out of the bathroom she was given a square of a lifetime.


    Alexis continues to stare at the woman who was lying in her bed and staring back at her. "Aren''t you supposed to be waiting down?"


    She shrugged, "Am I a guest?"


    "Yes," Alexis answered back firmly, "you are invited by me. To my house."


    "Hmm okay," she tsked, "but just so you know if I go back down I have some hot gossip that you won''t get to know as guests don''t gossip. Friends do."


    "Hmmm," Alexis forced a smile on her face and walked into her class that yelling on her way, "well then tell me whatever is happening!"


    "The wives are bitching Julia is indicating that you are not good Donna as you haven''t talked to any one of them."


    Alexis could help as a grimace came to her face. "That woman stops at nothing now would she?" She muttered.


    "True,"


    "Ah!" She turned around to find Nikita. "What the fuck? What''s wrong with you, get out I am changing in my clothes?!"


    "Oh shush," she waved her hand off, "you and I are the same, just different in sizes in a bit. Now change and I''ll turn the other way so we can talk."


    "Go on," Alexis nodded as Nikita turned around.


    "The thing is donna''s usually thrown a lot of parties and haven''t made a lot of public appearances except when you with Angelo. now rumours of flying around and I cannot tell you what Julia said for sure but she is creating the perfect image for her granddaughter in law instead of you."


    "As in the perfect donor and not me?"


    "Yes," Alexis heard a clap in agreement. "I was going to tell you this tomorrow morning and then invite Isabelle over but you invited instead that so here we are. What is it that you think you want to do about it?"


    Alexis sighed. A long, tired sigh. "I don''t know. It''s his grandmother and then the organisation that he knows everything about and me nothing, so what do you think I should do?"


    By now an Alexis had finished getting dressed up because of which Nikita had turned around. "Something that makes people see the don is wrapped around your finger even if he isn''t.. something that makes you untouchable that even Julia would think twice before opening her mouth next time."

 Chapter 222 - Two Hundred And Twenty-two.

    She sighed and pouted a bit. Lying on the couch in the living room in her night suit, she hmmed to a tone which had no connection to any songs or tune.


    Angelo was sitting next to her having her feet up on his thighs as he read the newspaper.


    She sighed once more and he had enough of it. Roughly closing the newspaper and folding and back shot he turned towards her, "What happened? Why have you been sighing all morning?"


    She clicked her tongue, "Nothing.." she said with a sigh irritating him even further.


    "Just get on with it." He snapped. "If there is something that you want to say, out with it. Now."


    She looked at him and then once again to the ceiling, showing clear hesitance in telling him whatever was on her mind. She then took her legs off of him and sat up straighter instead of lying down like before. "I don''t like it here... Can we not go back to New York?" She whispered as if she didn''t want to often him. "It''s been months that we have been here and I think it would be a nice change if you went back for a while if your schedule allows that." She offered as if it were up to him and she didn''t want to cause any more troubles.


    He nodded slowly still looking at her. Tearing his gaze away from he said, "I think I can get back to you on that later."


    She nodded grimly.


    *******


    "Oh, he is soooo saying yes! You just have to wait for it." An excited Nikita gushed over the phone. "and don''t worry about the party I will get everything done! So much so that everyone will remember it for years to come!"


    Alexis Chuckled. "What party? We are not even sure that is going to take us back to New York."


    "Oh, but he is." Nikita then explained, "I will tell you this, they do not give you false hope. So, if by any chance there was no way to take you back he would have said no or that he would have taken you back in some time but he said he would think about it, so he is probably clearing his schedule."


    "How can you be so sure?" Alexis couldn''t help but laugh a bit at her explanation. "It''s more like a guess that you just made."


    She clicked her tongue in return. "Not a guess honey, I talk from experience and observations I made in the past. the truly never give you fall so if there is something they cannot do this a no and if there is a slight possibility of them doing it, then they think it through, hence ''I''ll get back to you''."


    "Ahh." She got it now.


    With a beeping voice coming from her phone she checks that to see Angelo was calling her.


    "I''ll call you later and Angelo is calling me!" She hung after goodbye and picked his phone up.


    "Hi?" She said a little breathless but hyperactive about what he had to say.


    "You sound breathless, running?" Of course, he noticed.


    "Meh.." she answered with a shrug. "So whatchu call me for?" She jumped on the bed.


    "I wanted to inform you about something you wanted."


    "Ohhh, the new LV line?" She immediately grinned as she felt herself in a good mood.


    "No," he answered but paused a bit before saying, "did you want that?"


    She clicked her tongue. "Naah."


    "Then wh-" He huffed. "Anyway, moving forward, we will be going back to New York this weekend and stay there for a whole week. Is that okay with you?" He waited.


    Alexis couldn''t believe it. Her plan worked!


    "Yes! It does, but do you mind if I threw a party there?" She winced a bit as she waited. "You know, us woman and family getting to know each other."


    He was silent.


    "Hey? You there?" She frowned. "I won''t if it bothers you-"


    "No, it''s fine." He cut her off. "I glad that you took the initiative. If you need anything ask my mother and Nikita for help. They would be glad to do so."


    "I will. Now get your ass to be work!" She chuckled.


    "Really?" He teased back. "What are you going to do?"


    "I can do a lot. I am sleeping with my boss." She whispered. "Want any favours? Wink. Wink. "


    He laughed a genuine and boyish laugh which made her smile as well.


    "Oh dear," he tried to calm his breath down. "I have to end the call now."


    Saying a bye and receiving it back. She smiled and immediately dialled back to Nikita.


    Angelo smiled again as he looked at his phone where she was on his wallpaper.


    Such a sweet little deadly thing she was.


    "I have news." Silvano barged in the room making Angelo lookup in the ceiling in annoyance.


    "Can''t you ever knock?" He muttered. "It''s irritating."


    He sat down in front of his brother and shook his head. "That is not irritating. What''s irritating is Marcus trying to push in our territory." He snapped. "That man has no bounds. He''s even trying to push his daughter-in-law into The Donna''s circle," he pointed a finger at him, "Your wife, the Donna. God knows whenever she might die of food poisoning."


    Angelo nodded in agreement and spoke, "Then they won''t stay in my house. They would be at the guesthouse. Close hut not as much as they want."


    Silvano ran a hand on his tired-looking face, "It''s fucked up man. Here we consider family everything..and they.."


    He sighed, "I don''t trust anyone with my life," he repeated the words, "Grandfather said those words and those are the only I have ever heeded myself too." He added with a furrow in his brows, "I think one more.."


    "Which one?" His brother asked immediately intrigued by the conversation. That old bastard could teach them nothing valuable.


    He clicked his tongue, "It''s a bullshit reason."


    "He was a bullshit man."


    "True," Angelo Laughed, "He said, ''Dont let that bastard get in front of you. We are dictators. Dictate."


    Understanding dawned on Silvano as he confirmed, "So he..?"


    "Yes," with a dark look Angelo confirmed.. "And at the words of his father."

 Chapter 223 - Two Hundred And Twenty-three

    "I have a surprise for you." He smiled as he turned to her. "When we reach the house I promise you that there is going to be a dazzling smile on your face."


    She arched her eyebrow, "are you saying that my smile is not dazzling?"


    He clicked his tongue, "why are you worrying about it, we are married, are we not? Don''t you worry, no matter how ugly you might turn in the next 20 years, I will still be married to you."


    She smacked his arm repeatedly in return for that comment.


    As they reached the house, just like their normal routine Angelo got off first and then opened the car door for her. Holding out his hand which she told they both walked forward into the house in New York.


    Alexis stood still as she had a bark. Which only meant one thing.


    She turned around and a ball of fur barreled into her almost taking her down if her husband had not provided his support.


    "Diesel, baby!" She cooed hugging him close.


    But diesel unlike any other dog that she had seen did not plan on being hugged for long. so he pulled apart at started running around Alexis with his tail wagging at full speed. She laughed as she noticed happy and excited he was to finally see her.


    "So there is one thing, I''d like to tell my sister in law.." Silvano came forward with a big smile on his face. "For which I hope she would be happy to hear about."


    Alexis leaned a bit towards Angelo and whispered, "that is the first time I have seen your brother smiling and no offence but with that huge ass smile, he looks a bit creepy."


    "Don''t be ridiculous," he shot her a glare, "he always looks creepy."


    "Go on," she told her brother in law, "and my reaction depends on what you''re going to say." She was not going to make any fake promises.


    "Well, Ahem ahem," he cleared his throat, "Desielgotagirlpreggantandheisnowafather."


    She blinked. "What?"


    Angelo came on to rescue, "apparently there was a Siberian husky female who was in heat and diesel came to her rescue. Minded that rescue had an outcome of exactly seven puppies."


    "Oh!" She gasped in shock and then turned to Silvano. "You promised that you would take care of diesel!"


    He immediately raised his hands in defence. "See I did. I took care of his needs physical needs and sexual as well. I''m sure he appreciated it."


    "A Dog appreciates being the father of seven children?" She screeched. "Diesel cannot even remember the the-he route to my apartment!"


    Silvano turned to his brother and muttered the word help. Angelo snickered.


    "My darling, just make sure that Silvano does not even think of selling them. I''ll tell you he is quite a money-minded person and won''t think twice of giving the puppies away."


    "You!" She growled. "I swear to God you leave the puppies to me and my dogs and the bitch that my baby had...relations with!" She marched into the house, "diesel follow!" She yelled which the dog immediately compiled with.


    *********


    "Oh, he''s is soon cute!" Nikita gushed. "And look that one tumbled!" She squealed at the puppy who stumbled on his footing..or pawing.


    Alexis smiled happily. "I know, your husband didn''t even tell me about this and here they are." She tsked.


    "I know," Nikita agreed. "But I have to take his side on this. Acquiring a new territory is a lot of work but when you talk of acquiring a whole state the work in itself doubles to 10 times. So even he knew of it, it''s a detail that would have slipped his mind eventually." She shrugged, "I''m sorry but I feel keeping his people alive was more important and telling that your doggy became a daddy."


    Even if Alexis said that she should have been the first person to be informed Nikita was right. Being alive was a priority. So she nodded in agreement as well.


    The silently sat after gushing and squealing at how adorable the little puppies were being waited for Isabelle to come which she did after 10 to 15 minutes.


    "I missed you two." She came in and immediately hugged her daughters. "It''s so boring staying with one man."


    Alexis snickered and added, "How does a harem for your sound?" She wiggled her eyebrows. "Age; eighteen to daddy kink age and from different countries."


    Isabelle laughed. "I don''t think I can say no to that offer."


    "Ohh, but wait, didn''t you to decide that after Gabrielle''s retirement, you two would spend your time together?" Nikita asked, "it''s the first thing you did when Angelo took his position."


    With a sigh, her mother-in-law agreed, "yes yes that is true. But from spending nearly 2-3 hours with each other to spending the whole day, it certainly can get tiring to see the same face again and again." She grunted. "I think it was better when it was just come and go for him."


    Alexis silently agreed in her mind. "When is your mother in law coming?"


    "Ugh!" Isabelle threw her head back, "I have never seen someone as persistent and stubborn as she is. Not accepting defeat and failure is one thing but stubborn trying to achieve something that would never land to you is mere foolishness." She shook her head. "And now she is even making her granddaughter in law join the race as if the humiliation before was not enough."


    Nikita added in agreement, "You haven''t met her except that dinner by Julia but every time that I have gone to greet her personally which she should have done given that I am her senior, she is the same cold plain bitch and I tell you this for an appearance you have to smile, always."


    "I do remember her, she couldn''t even smile back and we had just met after our wedding." Alexis nodded remembering about the whole meet and greet. "And Julia called her to me."


    "And they expect her to the Donna. That woman cannot even be replacing my maid who smiles better and more beautifully than that woman.." Isabelle laughed. "But jokes aside, both of you tell me, what is it that you have decided would make them never want to come back?"

 Chapter 224 - Two Hundred And Twenty-four.

    "Might I say, I didn''t expect that well organized and thought through the plan from you," Isabelle added thoughtfully after processing the plan that she had been told which was very good.


    "Wow feeling the love here," Nikita grumbled.


    "No seriously!" Isabelle recalled the plan. "I expected something quick and precise not as prolonged and detailed that you''ve told me about. I guess constantly giving them something to be embarrassed about would surely put them in their place."


    Alexis couldn''t help but add, "do they even have any shame?"


    Isabelle snorted making everyone else laugh at her.


    "That was horrible!" Nikita look at her with wide eyes. "Oh my god, is that why you always giggle?"


    "With that God awful snort, I would too." Alexis shook her head laughing loudly.


    "Hush it!" Isabelle whispered harshly. "As if you both have it perfect. Anyway, get ready they are landing."


    "Already?" Alexis sprang up. "But I just landed!"


    Isabelle sighed, "It irritates me too but they had planned a surprise and thank god that we are already here to receive them."


    Alexis sighed heavily. This life...she wondered what more could come...


    ********


    "Airport!" She grunted as she got out of the car. "Not even the parking lot or that receiving area but here instead. What can''t we ever be normal?" She talked in a fast tone as she complained to her husband.


    His reply was quite flat. "Because we are not."


    She sighed and waited for the plane to land. "Do I need to smile?" She winced.


    "Yes, you do." He confirmed.


    "But I can''t always be happy.." she said as she looked up to him.


    He frowned, "What''s there not to be happy about?"


    She clicked her tongue, "Being married to you to quite a chore hon."


    The plane landed and a fake smile came to her face, naturally.


    She welcomed everyone with a hug, his uncle of course got a handshake. With a wide and beautiful smile that even his uncle stared at.


    Angelo had pulled her by her waist towards him.


    "My darling Donna," Julia came to Alexis. "You look so tired, why not take a vacation?"


    Ah, taunting now, are we? "Yes, expanding the business doubles the duties." She answered with a pleasant smile on her face. "Angelo had tripled the Territories from before, hasn''t he? You must be so proud." She gushed.


    Julia''s smile didn''t even falter. She was prepared for this kind of rebuke. "Yes, I am proud of my grandsons."


    But Alexis went a bit further. "I know, your grandsons Silvano and Angelo have proved to be commendable." She knew that it would pinch their uncle as she did not take his son''s name.


    She just nodded and moved forward.


    They all had welcomed and climbed back into the cars along with the guests. This time Isabelle and her husband was in the car with them.


    "Where are you keeping them?" Gabrielle asked as the first one to break the silence.


    "The guesthouse." His son answered immediately. "Close for my liking." He offered.


    "That is nice. I didn''t have a good feeling with Marcus being here especially that his son is back home." Isabelle sighed as worry laced her words. "He might be planning something."


    "He is," Alexis added taking the attention of the room which she felt even though her eyes were closed. "Why else would J-Grandmother, Him and a pawn; his daughter-in-law be here?"


    "Atta girl!" Gabrielle clapped. "That''s my girl!" His praise made everyone smile.


    "Thank you." She smiled back, opening her eyes.


    Silence once again fell over them as they were driven back to the mansion. She sighed looking outside as the familiar driveway came into the view. Angelo got out first then her and their parents.


    Angelo made his way to the car behind them which had the guests and Alexis followed behind.


    "Grandma," he spoke in Italian which she recognised as a foreign tongue, "I have prepared the guest house for you. Feel free to change it according to your wishes." He had thankfully shifted to English.


    "Oh baby," but this old hag didn''t, "you should not have! I could stay with you."


    "No Grandma, I am rarely home and I would hate to keep you waiting. The main house is always bustling from the activity and I want you to rest. You have done enough for all of us as it is. You deserve all the rest you can get." He kissed her forehead. "The maids are at your disposal, you rest, okay?"


    Well played, Alexis hid her smirk.


    "Alright, if you want that." Julia conceded with a loving expression. Alexis could show the volcanos erupting in her mind.


    They made their way inside having planned the evening together and then seeing them off.


    Sitting on the couch Alexis commented, "I don''t know why but looking at them is genuinely tiring.."


    "It''s always with certain relatives." Silvano shrugged. "You just hate them."


    Nikita tsked, "You hate everyone."


    He deadpanned, staring at her, "Their fault."


    "I think I am going to go for a walk." Alexis stood up walked out to the gardens.


    She walked slowly, leisurely without a thought of someone watching her. She had grown to ignore the eyes behind the shades of the guards.


    She no longer felt their stare.


    "Hello, Donna."


    Alexis turned around to find the owner for the voice. It''s was Juliette.


    "Hello, Juliette." She made no move to have her say her name. Alexis had corrected her before and given her the liberty to say her name. But if she didn''t want it, she won''t be offered again. "Settled in?"


    "On it." She replied with a straight face. "The time for dinner? We would like to be on time."


    Somehow that didn''t seem the case. Alexis pitied the girl who was trying to make a conversation.


    "Honey, we are family. Come over anytime, okay?" She touched her shoulder, "Anytime." She smiled. "Go on and rest for now. You must be jetlagged."


    "Yes, Donna." She nodded curtly and went away making Alexis stare at her retreating back.


    "Wow," she commented. The girl was a robot. Not a foot out of its place. So either she was going to be really cunning or plain stupid.


    She sighed and moved in with her walk.

 Chapter 225 - Two Hundred And Twenty-five.

    "So!" Silvano clapped his hands and rubbed them together grabbing the attention of Nikita and Alexis, "since we were all in Chicago, I thought that it was the right time to give you the perfect surprise." Both the women had exact opposite reactions. Nikita was excited but on the other hand, an irritated looking Alexis sitting beside her.


    "The last surprise he gave me was my baby becoming a father." She mumbled looking at Angelo. "If this is a surprise given by him I dont trust it."


    Her husband who was reading a file did not even look at anyone before muttering, "Good, I don''t trust him either."


    Silvano glared at him. "Fucking prick, I am taking serious offence to that. Anyway," he turned to the ladies once again. "Come on ladies I want to show you something." He walked out leaving the door open.


    Nikita got up with a sigh, "do we have to? Receiving guests is quite a pain and exhausting."


    "Amen to that sister," Alexis muttered with her eyes closed not even trying to get up.


    Her legs were once again on his thighs and he threw them down pushing her up to sit as well and said, "you are one of the laziest persons I have ever seen. Get up and go wherever he is asking you to." When a warning was made Alexis identified it which was why she nodded and without a word went behind Silvano who had already left the room.


    The ride was silent as Silvano drove the car and Nikita informed her that he never liked playing music except for soft piano tunes. Alexis did not remember roadways until and unless she had gone on it and used it daily and since she had gone on the same route numerous times it did not take her long to realise where they were going.


    But since it was a surprise she kept mum or it could have a different meaning than she thought.


    But it wasn''t.


    The stopped at Lexis.


    "Silvano, what''s this?" Nikita and immediately as she got off the car and looked at the building. "It''s completed." She concluded looked inside the whole place when they went in.


    "It is." New tables and tablecloth, new decor according to the preferences that Alexis and Nikita had chosen, they even checked the kitchen which was refurnished. Everything had been done according to what they had decided previously.


    "And you won''t believe who did it," Silvano interrupted their observations while smoking his cigar, "Dad did. He was the one who had taken on to this project of yours. Trust me the man''s a millionaire, almost a billionaire yet he made sure that we saved as much as we could on this restaurant."


    "Wow," Alexis looks at the restaurant as if it had been her dream come true. "But aren''t we supposed to return to Chicago next weekend?" confusion crossed her mind as she thought how was she supposed to manage her restaurant and be in Chicago at the same time. It was possible but then it won''t have the same meaning to her as it did now.


    He nodded explaining, "I know. But there has been a slight change in plans, Vincenzo chose taking over Chicago, there is a better doctor there for his wife since things have quietened down. Also, one of the reasons being she would be out of New York society for a while and that would give me some mental rest, as he put it."


    "She must be arranging luncheons then," Alexis concluded. "Why should taking that much of stress in pregnancy?"


    Nikita sighed turning around. "Only if I knew what people did and why."


    Alexis sighed and looked around the place once more. Almost everything was replaced with new and better products leaving her to feel satisfied with the furnishing of the place. Her Father in law had done a great job.


    "Ah, there you all are!" Julia''s voice flooded the walls of the restaurant making an Alexis look at her and considered if she was dreaming or not. She repeatedly blinked her eyes.


    "Wha.." she looked old wild woman with her granddaughter in law who still looked like a robot.


    "Oh! I came to New York and there was no way I was missing out on the new launch of my favourite brand and we just saw Silvano parking around. Initially, we thought that you were going to eat in a restaurant but might I ask did he rent it all out?" She found as she looked around and saw no one in sight.


    Alexis took a step forward. "No, I own it." She said it with her head held high and mighty.


    Julia feigned a look of shock and looked around. "Oh dear, then you must hurry and change to decor. It''s too outdated." She looked around in concern.


    Outdated, my ass. She gave her a stiff smile.


    Alexis smiled as she felt Nikita come in and stand one step behind her, Silvano had probably walked out or was somewhere in the building. "Choices change with time. It''s alright grandmother, these are according to the new trends in time." She focused on the word new completely throwing the women of the role that she was trying to put herself in.


    Julia was old and change had left her behind. That message was delivered loud and clear.


    And her smile, unlike the previous time, faltered and a crease appeared on her forehead.


    Her resolve broke.


    "What?" Julia said with a slight smile but Alexis understood that she was angry within and there was no way that Alexis was going to hold back on this woman. "I don''t think I understand, what did you say?" She asked politely.


    Alexis smiled a little. Something full of arrogance and power. "Oh, I think you got it perfectly well. I said, times change and according to that, this is the latest trend. I don''t know what you heard but that line was exactly what I said." She stood to her ground and even Juliette looked a bit scared.


    Julia laughed politely. "Yes of course. Trends change but I can tell you, previous trends often come back." She smiled but Alex has understood the warning that she had conveyed through her words.


    Alexis replied as well, "Only if the current trends allow.." The old warning no longer existed.

 Chapter 226 - Two Hundred And Twenty-six

    Until further notice, they were going to stay in New York. Angelo had given her this information and she knew that she could rely on it. At least until further notice, Vincenzo was going to stay there.


    After Julia her inspected her restaurant with her mouth shut after Alexis had practically snubbed her into her place, Nikita and Alexis had decided to change a few minor settings and then focus on its grand opening.


    And to be honest that was the only good news except for diesel''s entry in parenthood, that she had received in a long time.


    And for now, she had to worry for a dinner that she had no plans and interest in attending.


    *********


    Instead of having usual drinks before dinner, they all had decided to give the guests short and quick dinner as they were many about to come in the following week. Which was also having Christmas in it. Alexis was sure that Julia had thought this through and she was going to stay till Christmas if not the new years.


    God, don''t let her be here in the new years. She winced.


    They all had occupied the dining room and were enjoying the first-course meal.


    "Ah, it feels so good to be back." Julia clapped her hands in excitement and looked around the house. "It looks beautiful!"


    "It must have been long because it''s been the same since you left." Alexis laughed a little making the old woman feel embarrassed and change the topic quickly.


    She smiled again, "Ah, yes. You never invite me over. It feels like you have casted me out."


    Silence fell over all of the people in the room. This was a trick question; if answered Julia would immediately take to some responsibilities belonging to Alexis and if the answer is negatively then she would certainly cause a rift in the family.


    Everyone casted glances at each other about what to say as no one had thought that she would bring up such a question at the dinner table.


    It wasn''t something Alexis had not dealt with before and whenever it came to a certain person named Julia Alexis''s tongue was Quicker than the speed of light.


    "Whatever would make you say that grandmother?" She frowned. "I believe that you have done your part when grandfather was the don, now I believe that you deserve the rest that you are getting." She smiled as Angelo nodded in agreement. "You are aged now and travelling such long distances can prove against your health so if you want to meet your grandchildren you can surely tell us." But I won''t guarantee that we would come, she thought maintaining a smile.


    Julia tilted her face a little bit and smiled showing his teeth as if to snap at Alexis and tear her throat out. "Yes, you are correct." She glanced around the room ready to point out something and defuse the situation caused by her question.


    But that was needed as uncle Marcus came to her rescue. "Angelo when is it that you were going to tell me about your expansion to Chicago and Miami?" Making Gabrielle shake his head but swallow his scoff.


    Angelo narrowed his eyes a bit at the question thrown at him. Just who did this man think he was?


    "Why would I tell you about it, uncle Marcus? You are in Italy, you couldn''t have helped." Angelo took a straight yet diplomatic approach.


    instead of getting the hint that Angelo did not want to talk to him and had dismissed him in the first place, Marcus continued the conversation, "yes but if you had asked for my help I would have come here immediately." He countered.


    "Would you have?"Angelo repeated and looked at him in the eyes. Instead of looking at Angelo was staring at him, his eyes had turned talk and cold losing the warmth that he had at the beginning of the family dinner. he had passed on a message with his eyes and anyone even remotely using their brain would understand that Angelo did not want to talk further.


    But once again Marcus was not the don for a reason.


    "Yes, of course, I would have." He replied. He dared to reply and access can''t help but pass a worried glance into Angelo''s direction.


    A kick came to his leg and Angelo looked forward to the person who was sitting right in front of him. His mother. Isabelle had a slightly pleading expression on her face for a second which Angelo noticed before looking away to his uncle and answering him. "I would remember to involve you." He said and then looked at the chef. "Bring in the next course." Marcus could not say anything else because Angelo had officially finished the conversation.


    the clanking of the place was heard as the courses which changed and kept in front of them. Light conversations began as people started talking to each other.


    "Grand opening?" Gabriel had a piece of conversation between Nikita and Alexis and smiled. "I take it you like the restaurant."


    Alexis nodded with vigour and happiness shined in her eyes. "I will be honest with you. I was not expecting that result and to say the least, you have done a great job." She praised making him smile and thank her.


    "Oh please," Isabelle came in and pulled her husband''s leg. "Don''t praise him that much is going to get in his head."


    Alexis smiled at that too and casted a look next to her husband to see what he was doing. Angelo appeared to be thinking seriously about something and she could not help but act on the thought that crossed her mind.


    His reaction would be worth seeing.


    She but back her smile and leaned closer towards him. Within reach do his thigh moved her hand up making him look at her.


    She lightly scratched her nails as her hand made its way upwards. She then stopped and with her pointer finger, she dragged her nail towards his knee with a coy expression.


    His eyes narrowed at her.


    Game on, baby.

 Chapter 227 - Two Hundred And Twenty-seven

    He raised an eyebrow at her tilting his head as if mocking her. She had moved her finger away to his knee when he had looked at her and he had considered it to a cowardly move at her part.


    As if, she scoffed lightly.


    raising her head a bit she, once again, moved her whole hand upwards. As she reached his mid-thigh, she stopped lightly traced circles on his thigh making him grip the cutlery even tighter. He glared at her. His mocking eyes had gone and were replaced with slight anger and a tonne of excitement. He wanted this and she knew it.


    She dug her nails in making him stagger a bit.


    "Everything okay?" Isabelle whispered.


    "Ye-yes. It''s fine." He cleared his throat and nodded at his mother. "Don''t worry." He flashed her awkward smile she turned the same impression. Looking weirded out by him as well.


    Oh well, who could blame his mother?


    She bit back her smile and continued her assault.


    Taking her hand even further, she turned to look in his eyes and cupped him making him stiffen. He gave her a warning look. But who cared? Alexis was too excited to think about the consequences.


    She rubbed him lightly making his breath hitch and had him have an impossibly tighter grip on the fork.


    Poor fork.


    She leaned forward to get a better grip on him and unzipped him, doing so when no one was paying attention and were busy laughing. Gabrielle''s laugh could surely cover up anything.


    She pulled him out and didn''t even blink as she stared into his eyes which were filled with lust making his pupils dilate. He was hard, very hard. Probably the time in Chicago after she had been released from the hospital, she had seen him be this hard for her.


    She squeezed him. He squeezed his eyes shut. She lightly scratched him, every lightly, a feather-like a touch but drove him crazy nonetheless and she loved every moment of it.


    This was the first time that Alexis had done anything this bold and by god, she enjoyed every second of it. His reactions for totally worth it.


    She pulled back a bit making his c*ck fall against his slacks and turned to look at her mother-in-law.


    "Isabelle," she smiled as from the corner of eyes she noticed Angelo becoming more irritated. "I would need the numbers of a few event planners from you. I am thinking of having the grand opening around new years."


    She nodded. "Before or after?" She took one last bite as the courses were changed again and this time to the last one.


    Alexis shook her head negative. "To be honest I don''t know that yet, I would have to look up for certain things and then I''ll get back to you on that." To agitate him even further she turned to her siblings in law, "Nikita and Silvano, what do you think, I think the restaurant is ready for the official opening right? Isabelle and Gabrielle have even decided for the chefs and wait staff." She informed.


    Silvano nodded. "Yes, I guess that''s the only thing left."


    She nodded and turnted around to see a maid standing next to Angelo and changing his course plate with a blushing face and her eyes averted. Her eyes widened as she realised that she had left him out and this shameless man had made no move to put himself back in.


    She nodded to the maid who scurried off and Angelo continued to stare at her.


    "Angelo?" Julia called and his attention has thankfully been acquired by his grandmother and Alexis took full advantage of it. Taking a spoon she is scoped out two cubes of ice and kept it on the napkin which was on her lap.


    As he was busy in the conversation she once again reached for him and this time it was with the cube of ice in her hand.


    She placed it on his tip and his eyes widened for a fraction of second and went back to normal as a conversation with his grandmother. There was something truly sinful about it. She ran it across the length and he gripped the edge of the table.


    Alexis knew that she was making him lose control and there was nothing more satisfying than this in the entire world.


    She felt proud of herself and smirked.


    He was still in a conversation with his grandmother and Alexis had never felt more thankful for Julia''s intrusive nature.


    She placed the cube of ice on his tip and kept it there making him harder because of the sensation.


    She took her hand back as the cube of ice melted against his skin. She then smiled as he cast her a glance and took another one when his gaze returned to his grandmother.


    She, this time, placed it under his c*ck and above his balls making it sandwich in between them. He shivered.


    Angelo de''Alessandro shivered. He broke composure.


    More excited and motivated than ever she went on and squeezed him. Hard. And then began...


    Milking him.


    Rigorous and powerful strokes of her hand had him shiver and quicken his breathing with the ice playing its role. Alexis by now had turned to others and laughed along with them, playing normally and Julia had taken Nikita as her next target.


    "Ah-oh!" In a deep sigh, he came. Hard. Enough to make her hand dirty with his cum as she continued to pump him further and as he finished, she took her hand away and wiped it clean.


    Isabelle who sat next to her son, couldn''t help but worry about his sighing and shivering. "Are you ok baby? Do you need to see the doctor?"


    "No, no," he replied quickly with his hands moving and placing himself back in. "I''m fine. More than fine." He replied.


    Alexis took something from his plate making him look at her with a heated gaze, "Poor fork." She commented as she rose the fork to his sight which was twisted backwards.


    "I''ll tell you what''s poor.." He whispered back with a wink.

 Chapter 228 - Two Hundred And Twenty-eight

    "I''m so tired," Julia grimaced as she stood up from the chair after the dinner had officially ended and straightened her back. "I must go to bed now." She announced.


    "We understand that," Gabrielle said with a nod after his mother had just finished speaking. "All three of you have travelled for more than 10 hours and, understandably, you want to rest now. For brunch tomorrow, why don''t you all have a lazy day and we could have dinner again in the evening?" He offered.


    There was one thing in general everywhere no matter what field of family background it was, which was common sense. No one could refuse an idea if it did not have any complications just like this one. If the three of them had planned any kind of interaction for tomorrow they would have delayed it.


    Which also meant cornering the house members individually. And Marcus in no time knew that Gabrielle knew about the strategy and was probably going to make sure that none of his family was left alone.


    Nodding, the extended version of the family left and everyone else retired as well. Angelo and Alexis''s room was upstairs and just as they climbed up the stairs and turned her around and tossed her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.


    "Hey-Ah!" She yelled as a spank came on her butt. "What the hell?"


    "You tell me, what the hell?" He rebuked. "I will tell you what, after the stunt, you just pulled you better be ready." He hissed and for a moment Alexis shivered too.


    **********


    She groaned as she opened her eyes and turned to the other side as her hand went out to touch his body. She frowned as she only made contact with the cold sheets, he had already got earlier and left.


    "Workaholic." She grunted not even opening her eyes.


    "I''m right here." He pointed making her open your eyes all of a sudden and make his figure out on the sofa.


    "Why''d you get up?" She grumbled once again turning to the side so that she could face him.


    He sighed and looked away for a second. She frowned, did he know something..?


    "You lying in the bed, tangled in the sheets, is quite an irresistible sight and I''m pretty sure after last night that you are going to have troubles in walking."


    She lifted half of her body on her elbows and stared at him with half-open eyes. "That''s not true." Answered back in a firm voice.


    He smirked with a little huff. keeping the file down he leaned forward and kept his eyes straight on her focusing his full attention, "go on then, walk to the bathroom and get ready for the day."


    She moved to sit up and challenged back, "I will." She looked for her phone and became red as she saw the handcuffs. Last night had been quite eventful and she had seen a different side of Angelo.


    She untangled herself from the sheets and then kept her feet down feeling a little tingling inside her but regarded it as nothing.


    She stood up with a brave face but fell with the whine. She cleared her throat and looked towards him who was already eyeing her naked body. "I don''t feel like getting up right now." She informed him. "And I am thinking of having breakfast in bed." She tilted her chin up a bit.


    He laughed. "I am sure. Don''t worry I already told Agatha to keep everything ready." He got up and pulled her into his arms, "and for you, my seductive siren, go to the bathroom and freshen up after having a breakfast we will go for a hot bath."


    Her face was so close to his as he had pulled her up in his arms that she couldn''t help but have slightly blushing cheeks. He placed her in front of the sink and said, "go brush your teeth, your breath stinks." With a tight slap on her ass, making it jiggle, he walked away after leaving his wife''s a burning mess.


    She sighed taking the brush in her hands and taking no offence for the comment that he made. His didn''t smell like flowers either.


    With slow and painful steps she walked out of the bathroom and climbed into the bed immediately. Sex was good but the after-effects were certainly better. He had left marks last night and she could remember everything from it. He took his place beside her on his side of the bed and Agatha had placed individual tables in front of them with food. She smiled and left.


    Feeling parched from last night, she immediately went for the water when Angelo stopped her. "Wait to try this instead." Give another glass of water which was hot in touch, she looks back at him with questions in her eyes to which he explained as he leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "after the screams last night, you would require a little something to bring calm to that throat."


    She cleared her throat, nevermind, and just drank the glass of water as fast as she could. This man was so shameless!


    "Here," a fork with a bite of pancakes came the to the helpline of sight and she looked at him, "have them." He sends her as she opened her mouth careful of not poking her tongue with the fork.


    He was taking care of her, she concluded. But this was the first time that he had shown her this love. It was intimacy.


    Something that she had never imagined getting into and had no problems with it now.


    "I was a bit rough with you last night. Tying you up and.." he stopped confessing as he saw her reddening more, "I had joined an exclusive club for some time, nothing out of the ordinary but I learnt something from it. Which was this." She was fed a strawberry covered in chocolate, "taking care of the woman I love.." He smiled.

 Chapter 229 - Two Hundred And Twenty-nine.

    After a lot of rest and another quick round of sex, life for them was back to normal. Alexis had been forwarded the numbers of many event planners who were excited to work with the name of the family yet Alexis could not decide which one was she to choose.


    She flipped through the pages and so did Nikita. They were good and it was a real chore to choose which one.


    "I don''t get it," Nikita closed the book with some force, "how is it that women like Isobel can choose so quickly and we, for the past two hours, have been just flipping pages to see which one is good. Mind you, everyone is!"


    Alexis muttered still flipping through her pages, "Isobel does not care about the money. If things do not go according to the way she wants to, she simply cancels the whole event. Which I do not want, neither can."


    Nikita tsked in return. "All I wanted was a place to go every day and just work. Be busy or something. Never had I imagined that it would be such a big and long process."


    Alexis merely nodded letting the woman continue her rant.


    "There is so much to do. Given that you would have to throw your party for the family, then a launch party and then Christmas party." That had Alexis''s attention. "Since the Don had been unmarried, the next in command; Silvano and I had been hosting the Christmas party, the duty''s on to you."


    "Woah, Woah, oh, hold up!" Alexis held a finger up closing for a book as she focused on Nikita. "I was planning for one and if not then at most two, how the hell am I supposed to plan all three parties in a month?"


    Nikita looked a bit shocked too but innocently shrugged her shoulders. "Well. it''s kind of a given thing..."


    "Which is?" Alexis gritted out the word and urged her to continue.


    "Which.." she laughed nervously, "I might have forgotten to mention.."


    Alexa stood up with a tight lip smile on her face. "Well, then I know who is going to help me with it all." She walked out of the lovely office in the New York mansion.


    She walked was the kitchen ready to have a good cup of coffee and awaken her mind even more. if she had three parties to plan, she was sure that she was going to get as many headaches as she had gotten in a lifetime or maybe even double.


    "Here ma''am," The chef placed a steaming cup of coffee in front of her and she moved out after thanking him.


    "Ah, there you are. I was wondering where you had gone." Julia called from the living room couch that she was sitting in along with Juliette and Isabelle on a single seat. Isabelle looked like she could be anywhere else rather than here.


    "I was working on a few things." She elaborated a tiny detail and took a seat after finally taking pity on her mother-in-law''s expression.


    "Well nevermind that," Julia waved her hand away and Alexis wanted nothing more but to stomp on it. "I was just reminding Isabelle of the party that Juliette threw for the ladies. It was I guess.. 3 weeks of your wedding," Juliette confirmed as she nodded to Julia. "Ah, see. One marvellous party it was, everyone was talking about it for weeks."


    "No, they weren''t," Isabelle mouthed the words as she shook her head making Alexis hide her smile under her hand.


    "I''m sure it was great." She threw a polite smile to Juliette which she returned making Alexis looked back at her in shock and then she noticed.


    Either she had applied to much blush or.. and her neck was not properly covered in foundation. She had done a quick job with no experience. A grave realisation settled in.


    "By the way, in two months, it would be your first anniversary right?" Alexis nodded as she felt her eyebrow twitch a bit, she had made her point but no, this twiddledumbass had to continue until she had made it too obvious.


    "Hmm, well must hurry then." She smiled.


    Alexis smiled back, god her cheeks hurt. How did this woman do it?


    "Good things take time," Alexis stated. "I''m sure you would see it too." She winked. The old hag wasn''t the only one who knew how to poke people. In Alexis''s line of work, she had provoked many people to get a reaction she wanted and information too. So a woman with no experience about how the world worked outside her petty household games was nothing but an ant that Alexis could crush anytime she wanted.


    The day moved on and they had continued to talk about the parties coming up. She had to find a new way to do something traditional yet with her touch of the modern being. And with Julia right at her door, this was going to be tough.


    "Agatha?" She called the woman who answered the call, "yes, tell Juliette I am inviting her to come for a walk with me in the gardens. Preferably with tea and snacks too. Take the order of her preferred snacks too." On Agatha''s acknowledgement, she hung up.


    "Ma''am," Blake poked his head in after knocking, "May I?"


    Alexis smiled, her tiredness going away for a moment. "Yes, how are you?"


    "Fine, ma''am. Good. I have the information you wanted and I confirmed it by looking into the system too." Alexis nodded at him to continue, "Jayden and Jeff are officially divorced and both are leaving the state. Jayden is going to Miami, it''s a different part, the opposite of where you stayed and the later to Tennessee."


    An unknown feeling ran through her heart but she nodded at him. As he left she stood up and once again looked into a mirror.


    ...What was it? This feeling was foreign...yet..


    "Ma''am." She turned around. There was no knock, she frowned. She knew that and no one came without knocking.


    "Liam?" She tilted her head a bit, not liking his stepping over the line. "Something that important?"


    He nodded with a sullen expression.

 Chapter 230 - Two Hundred And Thirty.

    "Go on then," she took a seat at her chair once more, "tell me what was so important that you can''t even knock before entering."


    He nodded and moved forward coming to stand in front of a table." I apologize for not knocking ma''am." He bowed his head, "but there is something of grave importance that I must ask."


    She nodded, a bit irritated by his constant deflection.


    He started out looking visibility uncomfortable, "Have you told the don about..." His expression said it all.


    "About?" She asked as she twisted her hand in a what gesture. "About my daughter? Of an event that I entrusted you to become a part of, anyway, you are talking of it while being against me."


    He bowed his head bit but didn''t move, "my loyalties are to the don and then the donna. I hope you understand that matters like these, all the ones that he should know of."


    Alexis would have agreed with him if her daughter was still alive and she was hiding her like a bastard child but the reality was her child had been long dead. after Jaden had faked his death and along with her child months after running away with her child Alexis had considered her baby to be that and with extensive therapy, she had moved on.


    So now that there was no child, it made no sense to Alexis as to why she would tell Angelo about her past which was buried deep inside her heart.


    But Liam was just an employee to her especially now that he had chosen to side with her husband and did not consider her opinion.


    She smiled at him and said, "pray to tell what''s the use of telling him of this anyway? Especially now? When my child is dead." She pointed it out once more for him to hear and understand where she was coming from, "I repeat, now that she is dead."


    He scratched his head and replied, "but he should know-"


    "Of what?! A child that is no longer alive? Or never was mine, to begin with? What am I going to get after opening a can of worms as big as this one, as hurting as this one?" She yelled, "you have no idea how it feels to carry a child inside you and then have someone steal it away, fake their death and when you finally come in terms to the reality the show-up and tell you that the thing that you had no longer exists. see even this does not make sense nothing makes sense and you want me to tell that man as if everything that makes sense?!" She hissed loudly.


    If anyone could hear Alexis at the moment they would know that this was a touchy subject and given her position they would leave her alone. As for Alexis, she would agree that she had gone a little bonkers with how this whole situation had played out.


    But she did not want to think about it at all.


    "Ma''am," she sighed in irritation but he continued, "you have to understand the position from which I am speaking."


    "What position?" She asked standing up and taking place across the window, enjoying the gardens and she could also see the arrangements being prepared for her tea with Juliette. "That position is not going to be yours anymore."


    "Excuse me?" The man look appalled as she cast him a glance.


    "The don doesn''t affiliate himself in men that are divorced out of adultery." She smiled as she so his expressions break and worry crowd his face. "Something wrong, Liam?"


    He opened his mouth off but closed it hesitantly he started again, "what do you mean, adultery?"


    She smiled and took her seat. "My child is dead now but you have three and are the sole earner of the family. Being so close to the don provides you with many benefits that you surely do not want to be stripped off of, then why is it even after making a grave mistake you turn up to my desk and the demand for me to correct it?"


    "Yo-you..know?" He whispered.


    She gave him a toothy smile, "how funny lit is that you don''t expect me to know what is going on inside my house. My husband doesn''t need to know about a dead child but I am sure your wife would hate to know that you have cheated on her. And if she knows that and you get a divorce you know you that the don with discard you with that he does with traitors." She opened the file, "close the door on your way out."


    Dismissed he was. As clearly as crystal.


    *******


    Alexis had first called Juliette to her room before going out in the gardens.


    "Ah come." She received her sister in law or as she came in with Agatha. "Sit here." She pointed to the chair of the makeup table.


    Juliette, with a bit of hesitancy, did as told. Alexis took a few cotton pads and with micellar water on it, she moved forward and took off Juliette''s blotchy makeup job.


    "Wha-''


    "Hush." was all Alexis said in return to quiet and down her protests. "There you go," she took all of it off and stared at the marks with disdain. "Why did they do that to you?"


    Juliette''s eyes glistened over as she shrugged barely keeping herself together. "Simply stating because I am not you."


    Alexis took some moisturizer on her hand and began working her job. "Stating this with great hardness, you will never be me." She turned Juliette''s face around to look into her eyes. "You are you, Juliette. No matter how hard you try, you will never come close to me. You become the best for yourself or the lowest."


    Juliette shook her head, "They don''t get it."


    "They never would." Alexis picked up a brush. "Because you never tell them that and even if you do, your words hold no power."


    "Because I don''t have any." She turned Alexis''s hand down and stared into the young Donna''s eyes, "but you do and you are the only one who can make the change. For people like us who have no power and just look up to you."


    Alexis, for the time, felt a rush of power run through her entire body.

 Chapter 231 - Two Hundred And Thirty-one.

    Alexis and Juliette were walking through the gardens. The weather had been pleasant and they were leisurely making their way through.


    "Are we going to talk about the weather?" Juliette asked Alexis as the continued walking. "Because we have been walking past fifteen minutes after our conversation in your bedroom and haven''t talked since." Taking a deep breath she glanced in Alexis''s direction warily. "Did I offend you?"


    Alexis noticed the immediate fear in Juliette''s eyes. That was a given after what she had seen Juliette go through, Alexis understood her fear.


    "No," she answered immediately with a shake of her head. "I was just thinking about what you said to me."


    Juliette released a sigh of relief one could say. She then nodded, "many people do not raise their hands on children and daughters any more even the in-laws too but I believe Julia and my father-in-law of old beliefs. Especially when it comes to drilling something and months mind they believe that it has to be physically done."


    Alexis scoffed, "who was the one to grab your throat?" Making Juliette stiffen immediately.


    "Julia did, why?"


    Alexis shrugged in return, "I can tell why she did it. I didn''t think that you are supposed to talk and ramble everything to me, are you?" Juliette shook her head negative. "see? That''s probably what Julia didn''t like and was out for your blood. Also, because you behave like a robot."


    "But that doesn''t mean that she would strangle me! She does not have that right!" She cried in pain.


    "I believe no one does." Alexis countered. "But why tell me about it? For all you know I could go and babble to your grandmother all about it." Alexis looked for a reaction but all she received from Juliette was a look of patience and determination.


    "You could but I hope you don''t. Like the previous Donna Isabelle. They reformed us but didn''t change the core values that we possess. Family above all and an image showing that we value everyone in the family, women, children and men.'' Juliette smiled, "I hope you would put your foot down against violence towards us too. Whenever the previous Donna and current Donna on the same page it makes it easier for us to survive." Her glistened over again as she revealed, "Julia thinks that I should be thankful and be happy but what is there to be happy about when all I go through is abuse and torture, mentally and physically." She shook her head sniffing, "my mother-in-law was abused for first two years of her marriage but after Donna Isabelle top notice of it and put her foot down she has had an easy way to it. At least physically she can''t be harmed and Therapy helps too." She whispered, "That''s a secret between the ladies. The ones with mental abuse often take therapy which is free of cost."


    Alexis nodded at her words taking every piece of information in. She understood where Juliette was coming from and what she was trying to say. Something came to her mind and she turned to ask bout it, "What your human trafficking?"


    "What about it?" Juliette shrugged, "I cannot say that we carry if out but the Don is involved."


    "Involved?!" Alexis shrieked, betrayed. "But he said that he had no part in it."


    "He doesn''t." She confirmed. "But it is more like, the president can decide on doing something but eventually it depends on the people to take it forward or not so, technically even the president is bound. Similarly, it is with the don, he is bound by certain rules and practices of the society which cannot be just...stopped. because at the end of the day it would show that he is weak and that is something that he cannot afford."


    Alexis sighed and completed the sentence, "because the traitors do not only reside outside the family but also within."


    Juliette nodded, "Yes and I believe that my father in law is looking for that opportunity." She sighed, "I am sorry if this conversation has not gone the way that you wanted to go talking about but this was important on our behalf. My mother in law asks me daily about it." She then grinned, "she is so excited to meet you. She loves the fact that you worked outside, in the world and she loved wedding dresses, both of them."


    Her cheeks felt hot and Alexis smiled a bit, "Thank you. I would love to meet her again." They came to the table where two maids waited, "Tea?"


    Taking their seats, they were served tea with macaroons, scones and pastries. Juliette''s eyes closed as she practically inhaled of all of them in her. She looked genuinely happy while eating. Making Alexis feel happy too.


    "Do you want me to walk you back?" Alexis asked as they stood up after having their tea.


    Juliette shook her head negatively. "No that''s alright. It would result in papa and grandmother asking me more questions than necessary." She informed further, "I am usually just in my room whereas they are plotting and planning. I don''t concern myself with them and I am usually just discarded in a corner until unless they needed."


    Alexis felt pity for Juliette. the girl was somewhere where she did not belong. what Marcus wanted his daughter-in-law to be was a leader but Juliette was anything but one. she was more of a follower like her mother-in-law who had followed Isabelle''s lead.


    She frowned a bit when she realised what Juliet had said first. "What planning and plotting are you talking about?"


    "Oh nothing," she waved her hand off, "it''s just that they think they know everything and it''s one of the most insane and absurd information that I heard. And to be honest Donna, I have no idea what it consists of because I am just given a role in it all. They don''t even tell me and my mother the whole conversation or plan."


    Alexis sighed. They were just walking to the gardens once again. It was a pleasant feeling especially when she had to talk about a topic so unpleasant that she''d rather keep mum.


    Alexis started to talk. "Juliette, what does your husband do in all of this?" Alexis is was important to know what Matteo was up to as well. As his father and grandmother were as involved as this seem to be then he must be just as involved.


    "He uh.." she has hesitated and gave out a nervous laugh. Somehow that made Alexis take an impression that their relationship is not even close to what somewhat Alexis and Angela had. "We don''t talk.."


    "Talk?" Alexis stopped walking and looked at her. "I know that it was an arranged marriage between the two of you. But you don''t even talk?"


    Juliette smiled as tears shined in her eyes making Alexis feel bad for the girl. "That''s just how it is." She sniffed. "I was his parent''s choice, his grandmother''s choice but not his." She looked away and wiped the slipping tear. "Come on, let''s continue a walk."


    Alexis nodded.. They continued to walk but this time silently.

 Chapter 232 - Two Hundred And Thirty Two

    Alexis came to her room and to her surprise Angelo was on the bed and he was resting."What''s up with you?" She checked his temperature. "Are you sick? Feeling a little under the weather?" She teased.


    He opened up one of his eyes only a little to watch her. "Even if I am sick, which I am not, what is there to tease me about it?"


    She shrugged with her lips thinned as she stretched them in a smile. "I don''t know to imagine a big bad Mafia boss sneezing and sniffing or going to loo 30 times in a meeting?"


    His eyes flashed. "That''s not funny."


    She shook her head a bit. "Well, I never said it was." She smiled and winked at him. "Scoot." She said and as he did, she laid down next to him.


    She told him everything that Juliette and she had talked about in the gardens and about the abuse she had suffered at the hands of her grandmother in law.


    As she looked at him for his reaction she noticed visible unsettlement for this matter on his face. "my mother had tried her best to make sure that this didn''t happen and that this didn''t continue but I guess as she retired from her title it became obvious that have word now holds no meaning and power."


    Alexis scoffed in disgust, "I don''t understand this. Why does everything have to come back to holding power? What about humanity? Isn''t it just simply being Human by not hitting someone else just because they not listening to you?!"


    Angelo smiled and propped his head upon his and which was supported by his elbow, "I like that feistiness. Could you also keep it for tonight?"


    "Be serious please." She smacked him with chest feeling his nipple underneath, maybe next time she could try pinching that.


    "Alright," he sighed. "Why do you think that the government gives in to protests?"


    "Because of the cause." She answered within obvious tone to which he shook his head.


    "Not the cause baby, it''s never the cause. It''s because the people have the power. It is the rule of nature that whoever has the power is always crowned the king. Power can come in many forms and with many threats. Like if you don''t give in to the protests you might not be elected president next time, and just like that the one who has power gives into the person who has the power. Like my grandmother giving into my mother." He explained.


    She didn''t immediately reply and continue to look up at the ceiling. Then slowly shook her head as a shock but not really, "it''s just everywhere? And for everything?" She murmured. A sad little murmur that reached his ears nonetheless.


    "Yes, my sweetheart." He agreed but then smile and complimented. "but I would say that you are fitting into your role well."


    "What?" She looked at him with a slight frown on her forehead that he eased with his fingers.


    He chuckled as his eyes shined with the light. "Even the Juliette was talking and practically revealing everything to you which could have been a strategy, you did not. You held your ground and played diplomatically which, to be honest, I had not expected from you this soon." He kissed her temple, "Well done."


    She smiled a bit as she looked into his eyes and then stopped when he rolled out of the bed and walked into the washroom closing the door after him.


    A strategy? She frowned as he thought about it.


    ''I had never considered the fact that Juliette revealing everything to me could be a tactic or a strategy by her family. If I had paid more attention to the conversation and not the meaning it had behind it I would have given a lot of details.'' She closed her eyes as she realises what could have happened. ''and the fact that I didn''t even realise until Angelo have pointed out makes me wonder what I could have possibly done?''


    She sighed but then another thought popped into her mind.


    ''If Juliette is being abused physically by her in-laws what proof do I have that she would be on my side while conversing with me and not tell Julia everything?''


    She closed her eyes as she felt tired thinking about all of this. Life of so much simple when she had just been working and spending money and that was it. now she had to figure out who was actually on her side and listen to her husband say time and again that he didn''t trust anyone when it came to himself.


    But when he did not trust anyone, why should she?


    She sat up as she thought about it. Angelo did not trust anyone when it came to himself and that was understandable. Anyone can throw him in jail and all they had to use was the evidence given by Angelo to them but that also didn''t mean that she was to trust him. Because to be honest they had not been any conversation about them where Angelo said that she could trust him with anything or where he would have taken her side even if it caused him harm.


    She shook her head and got up. Taking out the diary she was writing the lessons she learnt in, she wrote something new.


    Always trust yourself first.


    She closed and it and then decided to do something else.


    "Agatha?" She called her and received an acknowledgement. Agatha then appeared in front of her within a few minutes.


    "How much of our staff is in the guest mansion?"


    Agatha calculated for a second and then answered. "Five in total ma''am. We share the gardener. Other than that it''s just five working staff there."


    Alexis nodded. "And if I ask who would it be that you would trust the most to be a spy?"


    "A spy?" She repeated a bit shocked. Agatha front never expected anything of that kind from her madam nevertheless she shook out of it and answer her. "I believe Mariam would be a good call."


    Alexis nodded with a slight smile. "Well then, tell Mariam to get to work and keep an exclusive eye on Julia and Juliette."


    It was time for her to step into the role slowly and gradually.


    ********


    I hope you all are noticing that Alexis is gradually slipping into her role. I would say that she has always been a leader but the childhood she had, has unfortunately buried it somewhere but it''s coming to surface now.


    Thank you for reading.

 Chapter 233 - Two Hundred And Thirty-three

    The spy had started to work on the mission given to her. When Alexis saw Mariam for the first time she couldn''t help but observe the girl. even though Mariam was in her late thirties, she was of a built that someone would hardly notice. Mariam was good at blending in with people and not making anyone notice her.


    Now that she was keeping an eye on Julia and her family was done, Alexis came to the next task which was organising the parties.


    She huffed and close the file, slammed it on her table and leaned back into the chair.


    "What to do.." she muttered with a sigh. When it came to throwing parties and stuff Alexis was not as good at it as she might have initially thought.


    Picking up her when she called Isabelle. She could only hope that Isabel would be able to provide a helpful solution.


    "Hello?"


    "Hi," Alexis replied immediately. "Are you busy right now?"


    "No..no," she heard some shuffling on the other side. "I was just looking at designs for the kitchen. You know when you get old do remember to keep a hobby with you otherwise all you will ever do is remodel your house or paint it again and again."


    Alexis laughed a little at that. "Thank you for the advice. I would remember that. Anyway, I wanted to ask you about the party I am supposed to throw for the ladies."


    "Ah, yes." A sigh came from Isabelle''s side, "I apologize for not telling about it you sooner."


    "You should have," Alexis commented immediately feeling her frustration come out. if she had known about it sooner Julia won''t have had so much to talk about and the people that she had never met want won''t expect so much from her. "Not only I did not have any idea about it but those people have been expecting it for a very long time and I still had no idea about what to do."


    "I know child.."


    "No, you do not. I cannot just randomly throw a party out of the blue without any meaning. All of them would understand that I have just done this for the sake of doing it." She clicked her tongue in annoyance and leaned back in her chair. "They are going to hate me, Isabelle."


    "Ah.." now she understood where Alexis''s anger was coming from. It was the fear that everyone had except those who believe in a dictatorship. She sighed and smiled, it somehow relieved her to know that Alexis was looking forward to their opinions.


    "Child, I have been having a few health problems because of which I forgot to tell you about the party you supposed to through and I apologize for it. Don''t worry, in the short while that I have gotten to know you I know for sure that you''re going to figure out something amazing to do with it."


    This regarding everything that Isabelle said Alexis focus on one thing. "What health problems?"


    Isabelle laughed softly, "nothing of major concern darling. It''s just the problems that come with old age. Apparently since Gabrielle and I have been touring places and eating lots of food I have developed diabetes and because of which I have to get insulin and control my diet which is proven to be difficult since we still going to different places and eat a lot."


    "Isabelle," Alexis chided, "you are supposed to take care of yourself. You know better."


    "Uh-huh, look at who is chiding me, wait a sec hon," Isabelle talked to someone else over the phone as Alexis was told to wait and she once again opened the file in front of her which seemed to be hideous now.


    "Honey, I am needed somewhere right now and I''ve had to go. I''m sure going to figure it out. Best of luck, bye!"


    "But wai-"


    She hung up already.


    "Aish.." Alexis can''t help but just sigh. That was just one thing that she could do. "That was of no use." She muttered as she kept her phone down. She had noticed it often in life, at times no one was of any use. Sometimes they genuinely couldn''t and the other, they chose not to.


    "Madam?" Agatha came in and with a trolly that contained coffee and a few snacks. "I brought you a few refreshments. Would you like to have iced tea or coffee?"


    "Iced tea." It refreshed her.


    Agatha nodded and poured her some.


    Alexis kept on fiddling with her chair and swung it left and right. "So what extent does your knowledge go to?"


    Agatha looks up a bit thinking about the answer and then said, "just like there is a ranking here and no one can refuse a question asked by the Donna, there is also a ranking within servants and given that I am your''s, people genuinely answer to what I have to say." She placed the glass in front of Alexis who immediately to get and slurped on the straw. "What is it that you want to know?"


    "Everything. Everything that the ladies think about me no matter their ranking."


    "Hm," Agatha smiled a bit and answered alright then, "the ladies take you to be as someone mysterious."


    "Mysterious?" Alexis found it weird. "I''ll be honest I wasn''t expecting that."


    Agatha giggled, "but that is the truth. the ladies take you to be as a symbol of power because you were working outside and you even have a restaurant, I think that if you make it happen that women could work outside the family you would be greatly appreciated."


    "Huh.." Alexis nodded. "That seems easy."


    "But it isn''t," Agatha warned. "That is something that may look easy to you but on the inside, it would be a war. You would have to start it and also provide with the resources."


    "What more?"


    "you haven''t appeared in front of them since your marriage and it does leave a little bit of uncertainty amongst them. As you have never really met anyone outside the family that is Madam Nikita and Madam Isabelle. I think you should start doing it now, little by little."


    "Hmmm," Alexis hummed and swung in her chair.


    Her eyes fell on her to-do list and two items that were on number 2 and number 3 caught her attention.


    "I think," she smiled and placed the glass d


    own. "I have figured out what to do."


    ******


    Vote! Vote!

 Chapter 234 - Two Hundred And Thirty-four

    "The green one," Alexis spoke to answer the woman who held up different dresses for Alexis to choose from. "The sparkly green one." She clarified.


    She was wearing a bathrobe and had her hair up in a towel. It was time to get ready.


    People were bustling around her. Even though it was not an event where it would make headlines, she was excepted to wear it.


    With the recent estimation of Angelo''s net worth, it had come out to be that within a month or two at most Angelo would be a billionaire.


    And that was all from his legal activities.


    ''That means he is already A billionaire with his illegal one''s.'' She concluded. Which further just confirmed her suspicions that he didn''t have limited resources at his disposal. They were limitless.


    She sighed and sat down on the bed. It was a party that she had conducted for women. She looked around the room as it was being cleared from the dresses that she had to pick from. There were the most amazing and stunning dresses that she had ever seen.


    initially, she had wanted to go with something that was a little low-key yet stood out but with the dresses that had been presented to he,r it was obvious that she was supposed to do anything but.


    She sighed and looked at the dress once more. It was flashy, a column dress yet it was tucked a bit on the waist and was sparkling.


    Perhaps it was The sparkle that had attracted Alexis to this dress in the first place. The rest were flared and needed some room which Alexis was not in favour of as she wanted people to stand near her. It was a first time meeting them at if we had a dress on which purposely made people stand and step away from her, it won''t be as warm and inviting as she wanted it to be.


    Herself to be.


    "Give us a few." She looked up from her daydreaming and saw her husband standing at the door looking at her and then glancing at the dress.


    He closed the door and walked to stand in front of her looking down at his wife and observing, "You are not happy or excited I thought you will be."


    She tsked lowly. "I think I am nervous." She looked at him, "do you think I am doing the right thing?"


    He smiled a bit and then bent down, keeping his hands at her knees he spoke gently. "I understand that you think so because it''s your first time hosting a party and meeting a large number of people that expect a lot from you. But you are going to do great."


    "Nothing can tell you that or assure me about it."


    He squeezed her knee and then lightly rubbed it. "Nikita and my mother would be there. Also if you do not want to be there, you just have to say the word."


    "Hah!" She scoffed. "I would be a stuck up bitch." She shook her head. "That is the opposite of what I want to be."


    "I am counting the options in front of you that you already have." He pointed out. "And don''t you worry just as you''re dealing with the ladies of the family and I''m dealing with the man." He flashed her a quick smile, "the best part about it all as you have to get ready with people and I can wear a suit on my own."


    She gave him a stink eye and narrowed his eyes at his figure who was sitting at his knees, "you are so funny."


    Kissing her forehead, he wished her luck and kissed her goodbye.


    Alexis was alone for merely when 10 seconds when the people worked in a once again.


    The number of people even though the room was bigger than that of two whole studio apartments, made her feel stuffy.


    Something constricted the airflow and she felt nauseated.


    She opened her mouth breath and released a shaky breath.


    "Madam, are you alright?" Agatha came near her and whispered bending down. even though people inside the room and close to the Alexis none of them could hear words due to the noise.


    Alexis nodded but shook her head in the middle of it. She was not okay. Perhaps she had developed anxiety living with this family.


    "I-I feel real.." What''s the word for it? She rummaged around her head for it, "..like..stuffy." she answered honestly looking at her with burning eyes, blinking a few times she tried to clear the moisture.


    "Oh," Agatha looked around the room," would you like me to get you a glass of water?"


    She nodded hurriedly anything was welcomed at this point and Agatha immediately got up to do that.


    Her mouth salivated and she swallowed again, trying to get rid of it but nothing happened. It was the same as before.


    "Here mad-"


    She got and ran to the bathroom banging the door shut on the way in and vomited into the toilet.


    She retched and felt her throat burn, her stomach hurt and her nose wrinkled at the god awful smell.


    Someone held her from behind, probably holding her towel which was on the verge of falling as she bent over the toilet. Her throat continued to burn as she continued to vomit taking out all the contents that she had eaten during the entire day.


    "There there," Agatha murmured which surprisingly didn''t annoy Alexis. She had stopped vomiting but her throat still burnt and she mouth had a disgusting after taste in it.


    "Come in Madam," Agatha pulled her up and made her stand in front of the washbasin. First, she handed her the mouthwash and then the brush. As she finished, she gave Alexis the mouth wash once again.


    "Water?" She asked in a soft voice to which Alexis nodded. She drank from the glass.


    "I have no idea.." she thought about it as the stench lingered in the bathroom. "Did I..what did I eat today?"


    "Nothing to cause you that." Agatha pushed her to walk out slowly of the bathroom. "Though, I noticed that you are late."


    "For?" Alexis threw the word out in tiredness.


    She slowly spoke, "For your period. It''s been over fifteen days.."


    Alexis stilled.

 Chapter 235 - Two Hundred And Thirty-five

    Chuckling nervously on the spot that she had still on, she shook her head hurriedly with an expression of panic and said, "That''s not possible and how do you even know that?"


    Agatha answered with a determined face. She was not wrong and she knew it. "I am the one who keeps sanitary napkins on to the shelf every month and you have not used it in Chicago and since we came here." Her eyes flickered away, "With your visit to the hospital I thought that your body must be healing but it might be before your vacation to Switzerland or around it. A month or two ago because that''s how long it has been to your last cycle."


    ''And I practically begged him for a baby.'' Alexis closed her eyes at the possibility. Now that she realised she understood where Angelo was coming from. She had to organise three parties for three different events and Alexis had gone completely bonkers about it, imagine having to be a mother. It would be a complete disaster, she shook her head. She had to talk to him as soon as possible but she couldn''t do it tonight.


    For tonight her head had to be back in the game.


    Plus, this was not confirmed so there was a slight hope and this could be out of nervousness and anxiety and not from the bun in her oven. As much as pleasing a baby sounded to her, right now it sounded just as difficult and tiring.


    She breathed in for some courage and turned to Agatha. "Listen, I am not going to tell this Angelo right now and so are you. I need confirmation about it first after which he would be told."


    "Yes ma''am." She answered immediately. Confirmation was probably more important than just relying the news on to the Don.


    Alexis fixed her appearance quickly although nothing is wrong with it and then walked out as the room continue to bustle as if no one had noticed her absence to which she was thankful.


    As she took her seat in front of a vanity she was immediately surrounded by people. The first thing was she had been changed into the dress that she had chosen after which a bathrobe was thrown over her dress and then the makeup and hair artists came.


    All of this happened around her yet her only thought was that she had the possibility of being pregnant at the very moment.


    When she looked at Agatha, she noticed how that woman has involved with Alexis preparations more than her herself. But she was thankful for it is well, she did not have to care for what they were doing as Agatha had completely taken control of it.


    ''But why now?'' she continued to think. ''even if I am pregnant now, what is the possibility that I could take care of a child when I can''t even find where my daughter was? I could not even take care of her... So how am I supposed to take care of another one? And what about telling Angelo to tell about her?''


    She gulped down the thought. ''there is no possible way where I can explain to him what happened. Perhaps there is no need to explain it to him, that child is no more Jayden had already taken her before I could get her into the system because of which even if Angelo ever searched about her he would come up with nothing.'' Hope shined ahead, ''it means that I can hide the fact and also if he ever came close to knowing, there was no evidence to provide for the matter.''


    Makeup and hair were done, she had worn her wedding ring and an expensive watch. She got up and thanked everyone in the room. Smiling at them, she turns around and left the room. The car was prepared for her and Agatha. Taking the place inside Alexis breathed for courage and prayed for the night that she was about to get into.


    ********


    Minutes before they were going to reach the restaurant.


    "Most of them are already there. they are expected to be there before you reach because it''s not your house, you want to greet them as the host." Agatha spoke sitting next to her in the car. "being confident is the key and don''t be afraid to answer anyone back."


    She did not help but appreciate her efforts to calm her nerves down she nodded.


    The car came to a stop.


    "Ready?" Agatha asked behind her.


    Alexis shook her head, she wasn''t. She breathed in and out to calm herself. ''But it''s going to be alright. I have met bigger and worst bullies in the line of business and I have survived being nothing but a secretary. Here, I am the queen and as they say, Queen is the most powerful in the game of chess.''


    She nodded. "Yes," the unlocking of the door was heard and a full-blown smile came to her face and she got off the car with poise and grace and immediately she was met with flashes. A little of her hip swing, her chin up and her back straight she walked forward. Not stopping for the cameras as she was not prepared for it, she directly walked into the establishment but stopped a little, just for a few seconds. A girl''s gotta show off.


    "What happened there?" She asked in shock as her coat was being taken off at the entrance of the doors were closed. "I had no idea about that. N-no one said anything about that!" At the end and her words had turned to harsh whispers.


    After taking her coat, Agatha answered. "I had no idea about this happening either. This is completely unexpected and someone might have tipped them. Nevertheless, what you did was completely fine and I am sure going to have a million followers at least by tomorrow morning.''


    Alexis tsked and they made their way to the banquet hall a floor above. It was reserved for parties like these.


    She came face to face with the door and released a huge sigh.


    It was showtime.

 Chapter 236 - Two Hundred And Thirty-six

    The hall had cream and beige coloured theme. Small chandeliers hung over every table and a huge one in the centre of the room. The tables word decorated delicately with the finest crockery and flowers. Every woman who had entered the hall for the first time couldn''t help but admire the design of the hall and preparations of the banquet but that was not the only thing that admiring. their attention was immediately ceased by the women who had entered as the doors opened.


    Dressed in a sparkling green column dress that yet should of a figure came the women of the hour.


    Alexis de''Alessandro.


    Donna.


    The most powerful woman in New York.


    Her eyes weren''t calculating and cold but warm and welcoming attracting the women towards her. Her chin and backbone were not straightened up in arrogance but confidence and the smile on her lips were not taunting at all.


    All and all Alexis was very different from what they had imagined her to be. She seemed like someone that they could approach for problems.


    "A very good evening ladies," her soft and confident voice flooded in the hall and Alexis did not even yell for it. She simply commanded for their attention and she had it. "I apologize for the delay of this get-together but I hope that this is up to what you all had expected. Please enjoy to the fullest." She raised her hand and the music which had once stopped at her arrival once again began and so did the talk of the ladies.


    Alexis didn''t walk as she saw Isabelle and Nikita came to her. "That was good," Isabelle appreciated, "you bend your back a little but did not bow completely." Pride shined in her eyes.


    Nikita squealed lightly, "they all love it. The love the banquet and how we have set it. They love the idea that they would have to write in a review book."


    "The first step to their opinions is counted," Alexis confirmed her thoughts. "I hoped so, that they would like it and they did." She smiled.


    "Yes, yes," Isabelle waved them off hurriedly, "Now that''s it with us. Go and mingle. With the same smile, show the teeth."


    Alexis laughed and moved forward. With a bright smile, she took her hand forward and shook the hands of the woman who stood together, introducing himself and taking in their introduction. She nodded as she heard them there was no problem told to her Alexis could sense the underlying sadness whenever they spoke of something. She took notes of that.


    "But your dress is amazing!" Catalina, the woman with the wine business gushed. "I love sparkly!" She said in a bit of broken English but her bright smile covered it.


    "Thank you so much, Catalina. I hope your journey here did not cause you much trouble." She held her hand, "and people are in the wine." She looked around the room as everyone had a glass of wine in their hands.


    She blushed. "I am happy that the efforts of me and my women are being appreciated and we are honoured by the profit shares given to us."


    Alexis hugged her. not because she used the word honoured but simply because Alexis did not know what else to say.


    "Enjoy the night." She smiled and moved to the other group.


    It was Juliette''s mother-in-law; Helena.


    "How are you?" Alexis waste and did not raise your hand making Helena stiffen up a bit but that was only for a few seconds as Alexis engulfed her in a hug taking her in my surprise.


    "How are you, Auntie Helena?" She gave it a little touch as she rubbed her back a little.


    "I-I''m good. Thank you." She said as Alexis pulled apart. "You look so beautiful." She praised as she kept her hand over Alexis''s shoulder. "So pretty, like a doll." She patted her head and Alexis smiled, it was a little strained as she realised something.


    Helena was sick. She was mentally ill. She kept on repeating have words, like a doll, over and over again.


    Alexis took her hand which was patting her head into her hands and held it. "Helena are you alright?" She asked in a low voice. Helena''s eyes darted around left and right and in the meantime, Alexis beckoned Isabelle over to her.


    "I-I don''t re-really know.."


    "Helena, my darling, you were supposed to tell me when it started again." Isabelle jade hugged her in concern, her brows furrowed and her eyes became sharp. "Why didn''t you inform me about it?"


    Helena breathed a bit harshly and shakily answered. "Th-they took it fr-from me."


    "Took what?" In a low voice, Alexis asked equally intrigued by the situation as well. By the looks of it, Helena had suffered enough to let go of mental sanity and Isabelle was the only one who appears to know about it.


    "The took m-my phone away. T-they don''t let me come out of the room, then they give me foo-od, yes they give me food, I like the food but I don''t go out." She looked here and there as she spoke. Alexis for a second thought that Helena was searching for Julia but then the way her eyes darted around it was clear that she was doing it out of nervousness and fear.


    She took Helena''s hands in her own and squeezed them in comfort. "Auntie Helena, you do not need to be afraid. Tell me what happened." She said in all sincerity. Alexis did not feel pity for what I was going through in fact what she felt was anger. No human being should have been demeaned enough to have them lose their sanity.


    Helena shook her head with a little smile as she looked up at Alexis. "No, no. Now is not the time. It is your party and you need to enjoy it." Her words made Alexis''s heartbreak.


    This woman had given through too much. She watched Helena as she went back and stood next to a group of women and talked to them casually.. In her mind, she was vowed to bring that women justice.

 Chapter 237 - Two Hundred And Thirty-seven.

    The second course had already begun. Everyone sat in their groups and so did Alexis. But this time, Alexis had chosen to sit with the woman of the third and fourth in command. Instead of traditional family members. Merely because Julia had run her mouth and at the end moment, she had changed the seating plan.


    Plus, Adriano''s finance was sweet. Mia seemed to be a sweetheart and she was a doctor.


    "The food is really good." Mia complimented while talking about another bite. "For a place just launching itself, it''s really good."


    "Thank you." Nikita beamed. "It took a while to find the chefs."


    Alexis mailed a little as well. Her mind was still at the fact that Helena was that much troubled. She sighed, her appetite was gone.


    The dessert was a choice. It was self-service and that allowed women to talk and mingle once again.


    Alexis nodded as Cynthia said something about her daughter. "Yes and also, she scored among the top then of class."


    "That''s great." Alexis praised the girl who stood next to her mother confidently. "I hope you get a career of your choice."


    She nodded as a blush crept in. "Thank you, Donna." She whispered.


    "Oh look at that! She''s all shy!" Her mother teased and Alexis winced a little at how the child might be feeling. "She''s just going to be sleep after this. Her baby sheds all her time studying-"


    "Oh, that''s bad," Alexis commented immediately. She saw an opportunity and she took it.


    The mother looked a bit shaken. "W-what?" Her husband would kill her if she stepped out of the line in front of Donna.


    Alexis further explained with a concerned voice. "I mean, you cannot possibly be studying all day. You must find yourself a hobby or a..part-time job even. It would clear your mind a little and meeting new people always teach you something."


    "Part-time job..." The girl spoke and Alexis encouraged her to do so. "I was thinking about to but father says that it''s not a safe option."


    Alexis nodded thoughtfully, "Hmm, that''s true. How about here?" She smiled and took her hand in hers, "You could work here. My students do that. They earn their own pocket money."


    Her mother looked at the child who seemed happy. She turned to Donna, "I think she would love it. Do you mind if I take it up with her father?"


    "Take your time." Alexis said and then turned to the girl, "And you, invite your friends as well as you want. We can find some volunteer work." She smiled and moved forward.


    Two tasks on her lists what checked now. The one was to meet Juliette''s mother in law and the other to talk of jobs for girls outside their homes.


    She took one more mousse this time of butterscotch flavour and moved to sit with her mother-in-law.


    "This is tiring. My cheeks hurt from all the smiling and talking," she complained about a small smile to her mother-in-law as people were still looking at her. "It''s like I am the guest of honour here."


    Isabelle laughed softly. "That''s because you are a child and you are going to be the centre of attention till the time you are son and daughter in law take the throne."


    Son. Listening to that smile Alexis''s smile faltered a bit.


    Son. Child. She could be pregnant. Because of this possibility, Alexis had avoided drinking any alcoholic beverage for the night. She was not taking any chances until she received confirmation about her condition.


    But that possibility could... She shook her head. She was not going to think about anything negative tonight.


    "Ahem," she cleared her throat. "So did you like it all?" She waved her hand around the room. "I think ideas from various events."


    Isabelle, who had just taken a bite, nodded as she hurriedly chewed on it. "actually I thought I would tell you about it tomorrow but since you''ve asked, it''s all beautiful. I love how you have made desserts available for everyone so that they don''t have to limit themselves to one table and the food especially, was the best of all." She moaned.


    Alexis nodded and turned around you look at the room once more. She frowned when she saw Helen is being dragged out by Julia and what she hated the most was Helena was resisting.


    "I''ll be back in a moment." She told Isabelle and got up. She knew where Julia was taking Helena after all she had designed a layout of the building.


    The Washrooms. And they were the ones at the back which meant they were not as frequently used.


    "Why would you come here?! Did I not tell you to stay where you were?! Must spoil everything that comes your way, you have spoilt the life of my son and hey you are trying to take everything away once again!"


    Alexis looked down with sadness. ''It''s not a mystery why Helena''s mental condition is in such deterioration. Which such demeaning and belittling words anyone''s strong resolved with scatter within moments especially if they heard the word for over two decades.'' she sighed as she heard more yelling. ''do I intervene? I do not want to worsen her condition more than it is now.''


    Once again Alexis heard yelling but this time she closed her eyes and took a step back. What was she to do about it?


    She took another step back at halted immediately when she heard Helena yell in pain. Now that was something she did not want to hear about.


    She quickly raised steps back and open to the bathroom door banging it and then slamming it shut. Julia held Helena by her neck.


    Alexis walks forward quickly making her heels echo inside the washroom. She Helena out of Julia''s grab and pushed the woman back making her fall down.


    "Are you alright?" She turned to look at Helena who nodded with tears in her eyes.


    Checking for any and injuries and finding none, Alexis turned to look at the woman who was on the ground.


    It was high time that she showed this woman how to treat others with respect.

 Chapter 238 - Two Hundred And Thirty-eight

    "Are you even in your right mind?!" Julia screamed at Alexis. "I will let this go just this once! Now help me get up." She raised her hand for Alexis to take and help her get up.


    "Help you get up?" She scoffed and looked up for a second and back down at her. "I believe that where you are right now no one can bring you up." She stepped back and gave her a once over. "You are that fucking fallen down."


    "Alexis! Mind your tongue!" Julia screamed again and tried to get up. "What do you think you are doing? You think you can dominate me around?"


    "Hah! Dominate she says!" Alexis laughed. "Honey I''m not afraid to kill you right here and the condition that women is in no one is going to believe her even if she testifies against me," Alexis stated the fact with her shoulders rolled back, her footing firm and back straight. The woman was here to fight. "Who the hell do you think you are to raise your hand at another woman?!"


    "I''ll do whatever I want! That''s my daughter-in-law." Julia growled. "Don''t you dare think that you can get away with this, you are wrong! Don''t you dare think that I will let this go!" She warned.


    Alexis''s eyes flashed with more anger. Rage, it was, seeping into her veins after what that woman said. Somehow she had taken Helena as her childhood self who could not stand against the bullies out of fear. But only this time her current self would be there to protect her.


    "Julia, Julia, Julia.." she said with a sigh. "what makes you think that you can do anything with that woman?" She pointed at Helena. "Slavery times are over. She is an individual and demands respect like every other person out there. You are no one to take that away from her. You have no right to strangle her or even hold her hand without her permission-"


    "I will do whatever I wan-"


    "Don''t interrupt me." Alexis spoke lowly but it conveyed how serious she was about this making Julia shut up that very moment. "Don''t ever think of interrupting me. She is just as important to me or even more than you ever will be. Because of which, I warn you, never raise your hand again on her and if you ever do so, I swear to God you will never be able to pick it up again."


    Julia scoffed as she stared at Alexis. "A princess who just came in yesterday into the world where I have been living since I was born, thinks she can tell me what to do?"


    With all the disrespect Alexis rolled her eyes at her. "You think that you are living in a male-dominated society? Honey step out of the bubble that you are living in. This society is nothing compared to the one that I come from. I have worked in a society that was once dominated by men and here I am standing with my back straight and you lying down in front of me." She bent down and grabbed Julia but the collar, harshly picking her up. "There you go, that''s the effort I have to put into picking you back up, just as much as I did to throw you down." Alexis reminded her and then took a bold, bold step.


    She grabbed Julia''s neck. "Do you want to know?" She squeezed a little. "do you wish to know how it feels when someone grabs your neck and squeezes the life out of you? It would be an experience that you have inflicted upon others. I think you must get it, don''t you think so?"


    For the first time, Julia felt fear of another woman. Pure, pissing her pants fear. She shook her head, tears forming into her eyes and shakily she held the hand that had grabbed her neck. "Pl-please no."


    "Please?" Hearing that word from Julia almost made Alexis laugh out loudly. "Look at that I thought you were not familiar with such words. Thinking of it, you look nice saying them."


    She squeezed a little more making Julia panic as the woman in front of her looked deranged. "Look at you, shaking and panicking with fear in your eyes, fear in your bones. Why is it that you understand the predicament that you put others in and when it is inflicted on you? Must you have it done to yourself?" Her words came out as if she was possessed. Nothing was said out for the situation rather the past and Alexis did not stop.


    "I hate bullies Julia and I would appreciate it if you stop bullying people around me. Even if I am not familiar with them." She took her hand away and smiled, "I hope you understand grandmother. I am only talking about your safety and my sanity."


    She turned around and turned on the faucet. She washed her hands thoroughly and invited Helena to do so too. She dried her hands and looked back at the shaken old woman. "I don''t like using my power that much but if you do not fix yourself I won''t hesitate to abuse it."


    She walked out with Helena of course and whispered to her, "Use your brain, not power. Brain."


    Alexis walked to the deserts and handed one plate to Helena whose daughter-in-law came and helped her through. Isabelle looked at her worriedly as her smile was now gone and had been replaced with an angry look.


    "Everything all right?" She asked in a low voice to which Alexis nodded.


    "Yes, just a little..itch I had to take care of." Alexis gave a tight-lipped smile to her.


    "Ladies, my darling ladies," Julia spoke as she took the centre stage and spoke with a Mic. "I wondered when would the young Donna throw her first party and here we are finally seeing that day. Somehow I thought that it might be after I was dead." She laughed but no one else did.. "I want to see whatever my grandson found in you. But you think that it is time that we see it as well?"

 Chapter 239 - Two Hundred And Thirty-nine

    ''Think think think.'' Alexis chanted in her mind and with a smile on her face. ''think of something before you regret it.''


    And that''s when it came to her mind.


    "Whatever he saw in me, I don''t think it would be proper for you to know." She smiled and laughter flooded the hall making her continue taunting Julia a little more, "I mean come on grandmother, you must have been firm in your time too." she winked making Julia''s face redden more.


    Saggy tits, take that.


    But she didn''t back down. "I-"


    "That''s alright, calm down." Alexis did not give her another chance to continue and directly took the mic away from her. "Did you know according to your age it is not nice for you to stand for so long? Come on," holding her hand she dragged her to the table in a far corner in a hard grip making her realise the threat, "There you go. Sugar-free desserts would be brought to you." she smiled and signalled a staff member to take care of it.


    With Julia done and the ladies went back to their normal talking, Alexis relaxed as well. There was nothing more than Julia could do knowing that Alexis would kill her if she had the chance. Her warning a few minutes earlier had been clear about it.


    "She does that on purpose you know." A small yet clear voice rang out in the entire hall. "That women do this on purpose. She wanted to humiliate Our Donna because she is better than her." Helena came up and spoke out in the most confident voice she could have. "She abuses my left and right and makes me stutter out words. She strangles me and my daughter in law without any sort of knowledge of ho-how much pressure she is applying. That woman is vile and deserves no one''s respect!" Helena screamed and the entire hall and the people heard every word very clearly.


    Alexis gulped as she closed her eyes. Now was the worst time of all to stand up for yourself. Insulting someone more powerful than you in front of the public was the only worst mistake anyone could make.


    She went to her, taking her first step. "Auntie hele-"


    "No, no, you must let me speak. Everyone should know what kind of woman she is." She cried and then turned around to the people. "Our previous Donna had made sure that none of us suffers abuse from our in-laws and parents but this woman did everything to bring Isabelle down so much so..." A sob came from her but she didn''t stop. "..So much so.. that she even corrupted Isabelle''s children against her and when I informed Isabelle about it, she pushed me down the stairs making me lose my second child. My second miscarriage." She revealed and then yelled at the top of her lungs with a furious expression, "She made me embrace the child of my husband''s mistress. Yes! Matteo is not my child but of my husband''s mistress. She made me take that child in and treat him like my own which I did out of humanity but not only that she made sure that I would never get pregnant on my own. She took that from me," from voice broke, "she took motherhood from me."


    Unable to take it anymore Julia looked away as she breathed heavily.


    "Not even denying it, mother?" Isabelle taunted. "Even I know that she speaks the truth. Yet you are not brave enough to admit it that it is your doing?"


    "Why would she?" Helena chimed back in. "She does not need to admit it. Every person in this room knows well enough that this woman is full of deceit and lies. No one standing in this room has had any positive comment from her." She scoffed and everyone agreed verbally, "this woman has successfully driven me crazy yet she expects more from me. I would say the best decision that she has ever taken was giving the throne to her younger son."


    She turned to Isabelle, "because I don''t think that I will ever come close to being the person that you are."


    Isabelle smiled gratefully. "Thank you." She whispered and hugged the woman.


    "You are not supposed to hug that woman!" Julia growled out getting up. "How can you even think of praising her?!"


    "Don''t you get me started I won''t hesitate to hit you!" Helena yelled back.


    "How dar-"


    "Enough!" Alexis roared and shook everyone letting them know that she was still in charge and command of the room. "No one is going to talk about it now. We will solve the matter when we reach home."


    But Helena couldn''t wait until then. "Bu-"


    "I said and repeat, we will take care of this matter when we reach home. We will take care of it tomorrow morning not tonight." She delayed it even further making Helena understand that she was not anyone to interfere.


    So she nodded and once again everyone went back to what they were doing but this time way of what was about to happen.


    "Thank you for that." Nikita came to Alexis and held her hand. "It''s fascinating to see how even Isabelle lost her cool and for the first time Auntie Helena spoke up for herself."


    Alexis slightly shook her head. "I am glad that she stood up for herself but there are a place and time to do so. You do it wherever you know it would make a difference."


    "But it did, didn''t it?" Nikita countered. "Now everyone is going to openly acknowledge that Julia is in the wrong. Everyone already did but it''s is going to be in the open now."


    If Alexis gave it a thought, Helena standing up to Julia in front of everyone would only work in her favour. Helena had even paid her respects to Isabelle who had the respect of everyone hence, making everyone believe that she was not talking out of her mind.


    Alexis nodded. "Maybe so. But my party was not the place for it."


    "Ah," Nikita sang with a smile on her face. "You should have said it that way."


    "I didn''t need to." Alexis sighed and took a glass of wine.. "It''s just tomorrow that concerns me now."

 Chapter 240 - Two Hundred And Forty.

    At home, it would be an all-out war.


    That was the first thing Isabelle said when she sat in the car after the party was over. They were in a limo as the three of them were travelling together to the same place.


    Alexis didn''t reply. For her, she wasn''t at fault here, so she won''t be talking.


    "Nikolas is going to be furious that his wife and daughters-in-law were involved." She sighed. "For tomorrow kid, my only advice to you would be to stand your ground."


    She nodded.


    Nikita spoke up after some time, "I don''t have a good feeling about tomorrow."


    "Nothing major would happen." Alexis shook her head, she had been thinking about it. "As far as I can imagine it, bridges in this family are already there. So, they would just widen more and then for tomorrow, there is going to be a lot of yelling involved."


    Everyone understood and knew what Alexis was talking about. The rest of the drive was silent.


    When they first arrived, no one was waiting for them but the guest house was heavily guarded. Alexis saw a man standing on the balcony as well.


    That meant one thing, Angelo and others had heard about the incident and protection were being given to Helena and Juliette. That was something Alexis appreciated even though the thought did cross her mind that it had not even been an hour since they came back and the incident had occurred and Angelo already knew about it.


    His giving protection to them without her or Isabelle asking about it made one thing sure that he even had people around her when she was least expecting it. somehow she had expected him to know about what had transpired between her and his grandmother in the bathroom but to be honest she was not ashamed of it and no way she was backing down from here she stood.


    She shook her head. He had already gone to bed by the time she had arrived in the bedroom. It didn''t mean good and she knew that. He was always waiting for her.


    So she silently changed and got ready for bed. Lying down next to him for the first time, none of them touched each other.


    ********


    Dressed and ready to go, Alexis was dressed for the day which was in the afternoon after having a good rest. The only thing left to do was give the final touches to herself. She took a nude lipstick, opened the cap and twisted it, applied it to her lips, closed and placed it back in its place looking at herself the final time in the mirror.


    Her husband came behind and she noticed him through the mirror. "No matter what happens," he looked at her through the mirror, "even if you are in the grave wrong, do not let anyone throw you down."


    Hope flooded through her. He cared.


    "Because I would hate to have a weak Donna." He whispered.


    She gulped. Lowering her eyes she nodded pretending to be interested in the piece of jewellery on her wrist. She understood what he meant. It was a warning to not lose.


    They walked downstairs and everyone was there. And by everyone, she meant everyone was there. Even the grandfather and Matteo had flown in the previous night and had just arrived.


    They all were waiting for the power couple.


    "Now," His grandfather announced in mockery as the couple arrived late. "May we begin your highnesses?"


    Angelo did not reply. Taking his wife''s hand in his he walked forward and they took their seat are the couch that was placed in the middle of the sitting area.


    With no emotions in his eyes, he waved his hand nonchalantly and said, "now you may." He mocked back.


    Alexis watched the feeling of humiliation crawl his grandfather''s spine.


    He looked at Alexis and pointed at her. "Would your darling wife explain what happened at her party last night?"


    Angelo didn''t reply but Alexis took the lead.


    "I guess it might have slipped from your memory and at that age, I guess you have the advantage. Whatever happened last night was between your wife and your daughter-in-laws. If I speak as a witness and the Donna who attended the party last night, it was your wife who has been at fault her entire life to have received that much amount of humiliation last night."


    "And your opinion matters why?" He retorted. "To me? Does it seem like it does?"


    Fear crawled up Alexis''s spine of the unknown of what Angelo would do if she failed to achieve this task.


    "I don''t care if it does not," she spoke in and loud voice. "but after the commotion and humiliation that I have received last night on behalf of your wife, I would tell you that it should."


    He scoffed looking at her with his mouth open. He clicked his tongue and took a step forward as he kept his hands on his waist. "My wife did not cause humiliation to you. My daughter-in-laws did." He corrected. "And I apologize for what happened last night," he practically spat the words out, "but I would make sure that this never happens again."


    "No need for that." Alexis waved her hand at him. "and you are wrong. Your wife has committed many heartless and violent deeds for which she was called out last night and I am going to make sure that she and only she, is punished for it. Your daughters-in-law are not at fault here and they will not be punished for someone else''s."


    He raised his eyebrows and Alexis knew that it was all in mockery. Even though he had acted in front of everyone that he was taking her words as the authority she had she knew that that was not the case.


    He mocked her at every step.


    "My dear girl," insult thrown at her, "I understand that right now you will not know how these things wor-"


    "You''ve heard her." Angelo''s voice rang out.. "And that''s it."

 Chapter 241 - Two Hundred And Forty-one.

    Everyone was silent when Angelo spoke. For a moment Alexis thought that all of them had even held their breath.


    His voice was strong, firm and powerful.


    "But I was not at fault my child," Julia spoke with tears in her eyes. Perhaps given the situation and the outcome it was going to bring, they were real. "I do not even know what I did."


    No one spoke up at that. Isabelle scoffed and turned away. Gabrielle did not give this matter his attention and the other extended family was quiet. Matteo had not spoken a word and Juliette stood beside him silently.


    Helena stood tall and proud and her husband could be seen controlling his anger.


    "Wha-ah.." his grandfather released a breath. "I understand that this young generation seems to have an idea about going hand in hand and dividing their power and whatsoever that bullshit is." He waved his hand off tiredly as if he would do anything but not have this conversation. "But Angelo, you must know that you are the one who holds the final say."


    Angelo nodded half-heartedly in return. He wasn''t even listening to the men in the first place. "And I have said it."


    "But that''s the point." Marcus spoke up, "This is not what you''re saying, this is what is she is saying. There is a difference."


    Gabrielle scoffed. "I guess this is just like how you told us all that Matteo was your son whereas he is the product of you and your mistress."


    All eyes went to Matteo and it was obvious that he was uncomfortable with the attention given.


    "And that bothers you how?" His elder brother replied. "If anything, my son should be the least of your concerns."


    "Should he?" Isabelle spoke up visibly angered by the fact. "because I remember when I was about to give birth to Angelo, she," she pointed a finger at Julia, "came to me and warned me that if it wasn''t the product of this marriage she was going to kill him with her bare hands." Tears came to her eyes yet she continued, "How is it that if Angelo was not a product of this marriage he was going to be killed but when Mateo is not, Helena was forced to accept him as a part of her family."


    Julia glared at Isabelle. That''s not what Alexis noticed, there was something else in Julia''s gaze that Alexis could not figure out.


    "Wait, what?" Nickolas took a step back and looked at Julia and Marcus. "What?" He barked out.


    No one answered him. And that was the moment Angelo leaned forward. This had his interest.


    "What does she mean that Matteo was not conceived by Helena?" He yelled.


    "I''ll tell you what," Helena spoke up. "You do remember the first time I had a miscarriage?" He nodded. He remembered that he was informed about it. "That was the only miscarriage that happened naturally. The other three I had, your wife caused them. No matter how many times I try to hide my pregnancy from her she would always come and make me fall down the stairs or make me slip in the bathroom or force me to eat something that was going to cause me a miscarriage." She sniffed. "and that''s how she proved to all of you that I was incapable of becoming a mother and that worked perfectly because after that she sent me away while his mistress was pregnant and give birth to the baby that I brought back with me." She wiped her tears away. "Now ask them, is this true or not?"


    And he did.


    No one answered him again and frustrated by this, he walked to his first son and pulled him up by his collar. "Fucking answer me boy, I am asking you this for the last time after this my gun would speak, is Matteo your and Helena''s son?"


    He shook his son again as he didn''t answer the first time. Shaking his head at the pitiful child he had, Nikolas reached for his gun which was in his waistband making everyone alert and Julia get up immediately.


    "Yes! That''s true!" She yelled as she saw the gun in his hands.


    "And that''s a fucking crime!" He roared turning around and slapping her. Julia fell on the impact. "do you have the slightest idea about what you did?" He yelled at her making her cower back. "That''s a crime. That''s a traitorous crime and for that, you can be killed! And for me, you could be!"


    "Papa.."


    Nikolas turned around and slapped him as well. Harsher than what he did to his wife. "A mistress?" He spat the word out. "We don''t keep mistresses!" He yelled. "You wanted to be the don? That''s the fucking Don no one wants with his bastards littering around!" He breathed, this chest rapidly moving up and down and Alexis watched the whole thing with fascination.


    If only she and tea in her hands.


    "You cannot be the Don. Hell, you cannot even become my son first! I disown you. I take my name away from you, I take the money and the properties that were given to you under my name." He said bit this time in a calm and collected voice. "I thought that this mother and son duo used to include me in every stupid plan of theirs but here I am like a fool listening to what transpired behind my back." He laughed. "You are no longer my son. I have one and that''s it." Then he looked at Julia, "and you will get a punishment for that. Killing children?" He spat. "I would have understood disciplining people but killing an unborn child?"


    As Alexis watched the whole thing unfold. It was clear that Nikolas was not aware just as everyone else about Matteo being a child out of marriage.


    Well, the whole family had kids out of marriage. She shook her head. Angelo didn''t even react to all of this. She peaked at him. He was watching everything.


    Glancing at her once, without any expressions, he looked back in front of him.


    She frowned, what was wrong with him?

 Chapter 242 - Two Hundred And Forty-two

    Chaos had surrounded the whole house. One person was yelling, the other was arguing and then one was begging. Alexis was looking and random directions to figure out who was speaking to home and who was yelling. Also trying to figure out who was the one begging.


    "Angelo," She turned to him who was looking uninterested in everything happening in front of him. Even if it was his family falling apart. "Do something."


    "They are all adults." He shrugged.


    "Still, just do something!" She hissed looking at them.


    He sighed and looked away, his eyes glanced up for a second and after that he straightened up. "That''s it!" He roared and as everyone pointing down he continued in his normal voice which was chilling. "This is my house, not a circus show if you desire to fight and fight in your own home. Nikolas de''Alessandro has disowned Marcus de''Alessandro and we all have heard it, the paperwork would be delivered to you by this very evening." He then looked at Juliette, "I cannot say you have a divorce but I can offer you protection and wherever you want to go. As for Matteo and Juliet, you can come to talk to me personally after a few days after you have figured out what to do." He finished and stood up. Taking Alexis along with him they both work upstairs back into their bedroom.


    As he closed the door behind them, she continued to stare at his back. "That''s all you have to do? You just have to announce and that''s it?" She pointed at what had happened downstairs. "Why couldn''t you have done it earlier?"


    He sighed but didn''t reply.


    So she went to the next topic.


    "Matteo is technically... Child out of a marriage and that is a crime." She took a seat at the bed. "Is that why no one knows that you have a child out of marriage?"


    His back was towards her and whatever he was doing he continued to do so without bothering to turn to her. "Yes, why?"


    She shook her head. "Oh no, no reason. I was just asking."


    "Would be removed from your position of anyone ever came to know?"


    He didn''t reply immediately and she anxiously waited for his answer. "Yes, I would." Came finally.


    "Hmm," she sighed and didn''t speak any further.


    She got up and walked to the closet. Taking off her heels she slipped into comfy slippers and kept them back.


    A sudden push came and her face was flat against the closet.


    "What is it that you are thinking about?" A chilling voice came behind her ear. "your questions are pointing towards one conclusion and I am praying that you not thinking about that."


    Fear crawled up as fine as she understood where his words are coming from but right now she can''t help but play.


    For the first time she had recognised a weakness and she was just letting it go.


    "What? what are you trying to say?" Her eyes darted around to see him but he was directly behind her ear and her face was directly touching towards the cheek making her stay glued against the wall.


    He chuckled. The sound made her shiver and her panties dampen. His bone-chilling behaviour had made her both horny and scared.


    She had gone mental.


    Or it was Stockholm syndrome. Yes, it was that. She couldn''t be turned on by him.


    "-Are you even listening?" He hissed sharply making her jerk out of it.


    "W-what?" She blinked and in that second she was turned around and now her back was against the closet wood and her face right in front of his.


    "Don''t try to fool me. I''ve had people smarter than you try to fool me, Alexis. So a little warning, don''t try to fill someone smarter than you."


    She scoffed at his face and shook her head ever so slightly. "I''m not trying the fool anyone. I asked something and you answered. That''s it. End of story."


    The only thing that convinced him about this was the fact that Alexis''s voice was steady and firm.


    "Just asking?" He confirmed but with a tilt of his head. For her, it was as if he was mocking her.


    Why won''t he? He had understood her motive behind the questioning even though Alexis didn''t think of anything as of yet.


    "Yes," she repeated back firmly relaying H2 him that she understood what he meant by asking her again.


    "Alright then." He let her go and took a few steps back and left the room.


    She sighed aggressively and her shoulders fell as she did so. It was too difficult to do be with this man as he knew everything.


    "Madam?"


    "Ah!" She jumped up and turned around to see Agatha standing right behind her. "Make some noise, would you?"


    She nodded. "Yes madam. I would remember that."


    Alexis nodded and bent down to pick up her shoes that had fallen before. When she turned around again she saw that Agatha was in the same place.


    "Is something wrong? You have to say something?" She cheers to the little frown on her forehead.


    Agatha nodded a bit hesitantly. "I..uh.." she looked to the side and then gathering all her courage spoke hastily. "Please don''t take offence to this but I bought you something."


    "Ooh," Alexis took the bag from that she had offered to hold out. "I''ll be honest, I''ve never taken an offence to someone by me something- not pregnancy tests!" She hissed at the end. "What were you thinking?!"


    "I-I thought them discreetly." She squeaked out under Alexis''s glare.


    With wide glaring eyes, Alexis asked, "How discreetly, did you steal them and have no one know about it?"


    "..no..."


    "Then someone must have seen you!" She placed the bag on the closet shelf. "Did you with someone?"


    She shook her head. "No, but why are you panicking like that?"


    ''Why am I?'' Alexis thought about it.


    "No idea." She took the bag and walked towards the bathroom.. "Lemme just take it."

 Chapter 243 - Two Hundred And Forty-three

    "I didn''t mean too." She cried in a corner of the room they were staying in. "if I even had the slightest idea that it would come to this I would have never done anything like that in my life. I won''t have even thought about it." She shook her head, her voice breaking as she cried her words out.


    Her husband scoffed. "Of course you didn''t." He staggered to the nearest seat and took it. "Because if you did you would have done anything to cover it. That is who you are, you would have done it anyway."


    "But I just wanted to m-make sure that-"


    "That what?" He sighed taking a sip of his drink. "What he wasn''t a bastard? You know very well that we had kept our eyes on here 24/7. How could you ever is you that the child won''t be hers?"


    She sniffed and a sob came out of her.


    "Don''t cry!" Her husband roared and she jumped up from the voice. "What are you going to achieve by crying now?"


    "Nothing.." she answered taking a long sniff. "Nothing."


    "I am humiliated by what happened yesterday Julia and it wasn''t that young woman who humiliated me but what I was married to. You humiliated me by going behind my back time and again. I have punished you numerous times I have made you understand it by words then by wood but you have always to failed to understand. Where is that young women today when she had to assert her power, she knew what exactly to say. She did not step out of her life earthquake show that she had authority in the room. More than me. As to say that her opinion mattered to me." He laughed and it was out of sadness. "I have no words to tell you what I feel. I have no strength to make you feel, I have lost a son and a grandchild today because of what you did."


    Julia closed her eyes as tears slipped. She hadn''t hoped for this. She didn''t want this. This was the exact opposite of what she had wanted, the exact opposite.


    "I tried-"


    He cut her off. "Whatever you try to do you have just humiliated me at the end of it and not for now but whenever you try to do something I am always on the receiving end of it." He sighed. "I try to not eat you but what kind of Don would I be if you were never in my control. I had to hit you. When I first laid My eyes on You I had decided that I would never let u be an average woman. If I was the king of the underworld and you would be my queen but all you did was betray and step behind my back. Every fucking time." He spat.


    She didn''t comment on it. For the first time in her life, after a marriage of more than 50 years, she had heard these words come out of his mouth.


    Seeing her shock necklace continued with a smile on his face. "Why yes Julia. when I first saw you I was attracted by the luscious black hair you had which is why no matter what the punishment you received by me I never had you cut it. They were the most beautiful feature you had next to your eyes. Ah, those lying deceitful eyes. how many times has it been that you have looked me in the eye and lied?"


    She didn''t even meet his eye.


    He scoffed. Getting up slowly he walked and made himself another drink. "You cannot even meet my eyes." He muttered.


    "I just wanted our family-"


    "All family consists of every member that was down there in that living room. I cannot believe that you created differences between Marcus and Gabrielle. is a mother supposed to do that create a difference between her two sons?"


    "Marcus was the heir, the firstborn." She argued. "You should have had given him everything that you give Gabrielle."


    Nickolas his head negatively. "Gabrielle bye fore has done a better job than what you are child would ever achieve or even think of doing. We have had more money than ever. the jewellery you have has doubled since he took charge and yet you complain. Did you ever saying no whenever he brought back luxurious things for you?" She shook her head. "See? And you complain." He tsked and shook his head.


    Julia sniffed and looked at him finally meeting his eye. "Please do not punish Marcus for what I did. I just wanted him to be happy. He has always been jealous of Gabrielle for.." she stopped not completing her sentence making Nicholas laugh at her in return.


    "Because he simply did better and that made him achieve things greater than his elder brother ever did." He leaned his glass forward as if raising a toast. "Whatever you say I would agree with my choice always. Gabrielle was a better choice than what Marcus would ever be.." Julia slowly got up from the floor, ".. just because Marcus had a puppet of a wife which would have given you the control over the position of donor you decided that he was a better candidate."


    He slowly turned around. "Didn''t yo-Ah fuck!" He felled down and the glass shattered. He palmed his bleeding area and groaned as he looked up.


    His wife stood there. With the lamp in her hand which dripped of blood.


    It was his wife.


    "Why?"


    "Why?!" She spoke back her voice deeper than ever, all her feelings coming out. "Why you ask me? Out of 50 years of life is never told me anything that you loved about me, that you liked about me. When was this close to killing me you tell me that you liked my hair, my eyes?!" She yelled. "Now? When it means nothing, you tell me that you love me all your life?!" She scoffed and leaned down to whisper, "If only would have told me sooner.. You could have lived."

 Chapter 244 - Two Hundred And Forty-four

    "Do I go in now?" Alexis asked trying to slow down her breathing. "Now?"


    Agatha shook her head. "I bought from different companies so, we have to wait at least ten minutes."


    She nodded a bit dazed. "And how long has it been now?"


    "Two minutes, Madam." She tsked as if feeling exactly what Alexis did.


    "Fuck."


    **********


    Positive.


    "Agatha?" She asked the woman who was leaning over her shoulder.


    "Yes madam?"


    "Do you see what I see?" She asked pointing at the three sticks.


    "Two red lines in two and a plus sign in one. Yes, Madam. I do."


    "I think I am pregnant." Alexis nodded and cupped her stomach.


    "I think so too ma''am." Agatha nodded too looking at the womb. "There''s a bun there." She giggled.


    Alexis didn''t.


    She swallowed. "Sorry, Madam. Too soon for jokes, I guess."


    Alexis sighed and sat down on the toilet seat. "I..can''t think.."


    "About what?" Agatha took a seat on the ground.


    "Anything." She answered. "Where..like what is going to happen? In the future I mean. I can''t just think of anything."


    "Oh," she nodded, understanding what her employer was staying. "But, what is it that you want to think about?"


    She shook her head slowly. What was it that she wanted to think about? What about it.


    "I guess that''s exactly what I want to know." She answered instead.


    "I know my place and how much possibly I could help you which is why I am suggesting that you take it up with the Don. Because if not you, then he might have something figured out."


    Alexis nodded but a thought crossed her mind. How was it that she was depending on him?


    *******


    "Julia and Nickolas went back to Italy," Isabelle informed them. "Something about wanting to punish her the right way." She waved her hand off at that. "it''s been years but that woman hasn''t been showing any improvements."


    Alexis nodded. The last detail didn''t matter to her so she didn''t pay attention to that. "What about Helena and Juliette?"


    "Nothing much. Helena has chosen to stay here or with me. Says that she should have what''s a good treatment and free her mind of the nightmares. Juliette on the other hand wants to be with Matteo who has taken some time off."


    "He won''t be going crazy and start a mutiny?" Alexis shrugged, "Just saying."


    "Well," Isabelle sighed, "who knows. The whole family is fucking crazy."


    Alexis nodded, agreeing with her and patting the little puppies head.


    Diesel was surprisingly being a good dad. He made sure that every kid was here before sleeping and that none of them went out in the dark.


    And this boy had never been more efficient in chasing other animals away. The squirrels were the most dangerous enemy.


    Isabelle had left earlier and Alexis continued sitting on the ground and playing with the pups.


    Diesel came in and sat near her, touching her body with hers and letting his pups play with her.


    She smiled and patted him too. "I guess if you can be a good dad, I can be a good parent too." He growled and leaned in her touch. "Aww, my baby."


    "Hey," Angelo said standing at the door making Alexis jump up a bit.


    "Hey, you." She smiled a bit. "How long have you been standing there?"


    "Just came into your cuddling with the dad."


    Dad? Had he heard her?


    "Oh," she nodded slowly. "So what do you think?"


    "About?" He asked taking a puppy in his lap too.


    "The dad thing?" He stared at her and she realised it. "Like I meant in general. What kind of parent would you be?" She changed her question to a general term.


    "Hmmm," he played pushed the puppy and he came back to him, continuing to play he answered. "Strick. That''s I''m sure. I would have to be but also understanding. I didn''t have many options and so won''t he, if it''s a he, but I also understand how it felt so I would be lenient wherever I could be." He sighed and looked at her then placed his outstretched legs around hers and caged hers in. "I would give you the utmost priority just like my mother was given. You would be the ruler of the house and I, outside."


    That warmed her heart but she also realised something.


    The good that happened in Angelo''s childhood had positively affected him.


    "What''s wrong?" He asked frowning at her. Then got up and walked to her, pulled her a little and sat with his back to the wall and her back to his chest. He caged her in and hugged her front. "We don''t get to spend much time together and you are lost somewhere else." He spoke in her ear making her shiver.


    This was ...too intimate.


    "Nothing." She whispered affected but he closeness even though more than this had happened often. "Just thinking."


    "Huh." He placed a feather like kiss on the nape of her neck. "Keep on thinking. I''ll continue with something else."


    She laughed as she felt him kiss her again. It tickled her skin.


    "Angelo," she sighed and closed her eyes in pleasure as he continued, "I am thinking of going for a hospital visit."


    He immediately stopped and cupped her chin, turning her around a little. "What''s wrong? You are supposed to tell me about it. abou-about our-"


    "Hey, hey, hey!" She placed a finger on his mouth. "I am just saying. I have always gone for a checkup every six months. I have a few problems on both side of the family." She squeezed his lips a little making him pout and kissed him. "It''s just to be sure that you don''t get rid of me so soon." She turned around again and pulled the puppy into her lap who was now biting her dress. "Started already? You''re on your father." She teased.


    Diesel growled....or his stomach did.


    "I didn''t want to get rid of you." He confessed in her making her go still. "I can''t imagine my life without you now."


    She carried on without word but leaned into him giving him hope for something.

 Chapter 245 - Two Hundred And Forty-five

    "Give it to Nadine. Give her all for them." Alexis handed blake the files that Nikita had sent over. "They are all pro-bono and people here really need help but give her a limit. I''m not going to give her all the resources."


    "Yes ma''am." Blake nodded not and turned away to walk out.


    Alexis sighed and leaned back into her chair. This was tough. She closed her eyes and calmed her mind. Just a moment of sleep was all she needed.


    "Madam," Alexis hissed. Agatha knocked and invited herself in. "It''s the time of your appointment."


    "Yes, of course, it was now." She tsked in irritation. They said that one does not get any sleep after a baby is born and yet here she was.


    Her nerves were back as she sat inside the car, to be honest, the pregnancy test could be wrong yet a doctors observation couldn''t be. If he said that she was pregnant when she was pregnant. Period.


    They reached and took Liam''s outstretched hand. After the confrontation, he had fallen quite silent and Alexis was alright with that. Hell to be honest now she preferred it that way.


    "Hi," Mia smiled as she saw Alexis come in. "I was informed about you wanting to get a full-body checkup an-"


    "I am here to check if I am pregnant or not." Alexis broke the news and Mia''s eyes widen which was quite comical given Mia had a small-sized face.


    "Oh, does he.."


    Alexis shook her head as she caught the drift. "No, he doesn''t. I want to be sure that I am pregnant before telling him."


    "Ah, yes I understand." She nodded. "Well, umm...for before, do you want a full-body checkup?" She winced a bit. Alexis can''t help but chuckle at her wondering how was she going to survive in the world that she was going to marry into?


    "Yes, I''ll take that too."


    The check-up went on. She sat on various machines and whatnot, listening to the instructions and being introduced to the chairman of the hospital.


    Alexis found earlier as she registered how much importance she was being given but then remember who had she been married to. They were sticking it to her so that Angelo would bless them with something.


    And that ruined her day even further.


    "You are going to have to wait." Mia came into the room. "It usually takes us hours but we''re trying to round it up in 30 minutes."


    "That''s understandable." She nodded and walked to the reception with Liam and a guard behind her. She took a seat and Liam took it next to her, the guard left one between them.


    "What''s wrong Liam? You''ve been quiet." She couldn''t help but take a jab at him.


    He answered in a stoic voice, "I just wanted to talk to you about what was in the best interest of your relationship but as it turns out I am in no position to do so."


    "Hmm," a knowing smile came to her face her she didn''t let him on. "That''s all right as Agatha won''t say a word." She waved it off, "In fact, she asked me to tell you to do the same."


    "So she wants to do nothing with it?" He said a bit hopeful. "It''s forgotten right?"


    She laughed a bit. "Yes, Liam. As long as you stay in your line, we would stay in ours."


    "Hurry! Emergency!" She looked towards the voice. "Car accident! I got a teen here!"


    A rush of people came in and she had her attention towards them. Immediately straightening up as well.


    "She''s pregnant!" A girl running behind the group cried. "She''s pregnant! It''s her fifth month." She dutifully informs them that everyone making sure that the doctors got the information.


    The doctor heard her and his movements save the woman got even his hasty then before. "Hurry! Take her to the room."


    The people rushed into the operation theatre and the call that was left behind was her friends.


    Alexis watched as the girl went crazy from the wait seriously concerned about the well being of a friend and her child.


    Alexis looked over to the guard and took up the bill from her wallet handing it to him she said, "please buy her bottle of water."


    He nodded and did so. The girl smiled at him gratefully and took huge sips.


    She sighed leaning back into her chair once more, there was no hope after looking at the physical appearance of a mother. She was bleeding all over and it would be a miracle if the baby survived.


    "Madam," Liam stood up, "They are ready for us."


    She stood up and walked past the girl, watching her closely as she did so. Her concerns were making Alexis feel something different.


    Something new.


    She wanted that. She wanted someone to have a concern regarding her. Someone who stay outside and try to do everything they could to make sure that she would become better.


    That care.


    ''I''ve never had it. Why can''t I have it?'' she looked back at the girl who was still staring at the door with waves of anxiousness rolling off of her.


    ''Why Can''t I? I want someone like that too.''


    She took a seat in front of Mia who smiled widely and Alexis already knew her answer.


    She was pregnant.


    "You''re pregnant!" She squealed.


    Called it.


    "Thank you so much, Mia." She smiled and got up as Mia came to her hug her. "You should come over for dinner sometime. I''m sure Adriano and Angelo would love to join us as well." Mia giggled at that.


    "I would love to!"


    Alexis nodded and collected her reports. Just like the previous times, there was nothing of major concern in her reports except this time she had a little someone inside her.


    She unknowingly palmed her stomach as she moved out of the room.


    Would the baby be concerned for her as much as she was going to be for him/her? Was this was the right step in her life when everything was in chaos?


    She hoped that this time she could turn to Angelo.

 Chapter 246 - Two Hundred And Forty-six

    Alexis picked up her reports and walked out thinking of telling Angelo and if so, how was she going to?


    Anyway-


    "Ooh!" She glanced down and someone''s little body had crashed into her. "Honey, you okay?" She asked the child who was around three or four. His eyes were mesmerising. The light in them was refreshing.


    He nodded looking up at her bending his necks backwards.


    She smiled and asked, "Where is your mother? Father? Anyone you know and came here with?"


    He shook his head negatively.


    "So you came here alone?" He again shook his head.


    Now she had half a mind to abandon hers.


    "So who''d you come here with, point that person to me." He nodded and did.


    Alexis saw the girl who had come in earlier with her friend. "That''s the one you came with?" He nodded. "Alright let''s go to her."


    She held the boy''s hand already cooing at the small hand in hers.


    "Here," she handed the boy to the girl who smiled gratefully.


    "Thank you so much. I was filling out the form and didn''t even notice when he slipped out." She blooped on the nose. "That''s bad, baby. Stay with me, okay?"


    "Okay." He shyly said. The little voice.


    "How''s your friend?" She asked with a concerned laced voice. Alexis has seen this girl almost lose her calm when she was taken inside the operation theatre.


    "Oh," her eyes dimmed. "She didn''t make it. With the baby."


    Alexis nodded solemnly. "And this child-"


    "He''s hers. Or was." She shrugged. "Probably going to the system but I''m trying to take custody of him so that at least he can stay with someone familiar and not with a child abuser or a Predator."


    Alexis had expected concern regarding it but this was too much and Alexis couldn''t help but ask, "You want to get his custody? Are you sure?"


    "Yes," the girl nodded looking more determined than ever. "That girl who just died was like a sister to me and this is practically my nephew so of course I''m going to take his custody and we were both orphans anyway. So it''s always been us against the world."


    "Ah," the care.


    She nodded and placed her hand on the girl''s shoulder for support and then walked away.


    the boy was most likely going to end up in the system and would never be seen his aunt again unless he was 18 and chose to be with her again but that once again came with the condition if he remembered who she was. Which once again was highly unlikely.


    She shook her head and glanced back once. The girl was holding his hand and the boy seemed okay with it. She couldn''t look back. She had to do something. At least for the baby or the woman who was ready to take onto the world for him.


    But she could, couldn''t she? She had the power from which she had been constantly snubbing Julia but to be honest this would be more satisfying. The good.


    Putting on a determined mask as well she turned around and walked back to the child, Liam and the Gaurd followed her.


    "Here," she took a card from her purse. "If you are unable to attain the custody of the child I want you to call on this number and I will help you with everything I have."


    The girl glanced at it and shook her head. "No that''s okay-"


    "Please." Alexis nodded towards it. "You need it and I can provide the help that you want. trust me I''ve seen life more than you have and I can tell you this when you need help and you''re getting it from somewhere, take it."


    "Why?" She took the card slowly. "Why help me?"


    It was on the tip of her mouth and she said it.


    "Because I can." She answered it.


    And she felt more powerful than ever. Nodding at the girl she moved to the outside where the car was waiting for her and so was a giddy Agatha.


    "So?" She jumped a bit and rocked back and forth on her heels and toes.


    Alexis folded her arms across her chest and raise a brow in question. "Why are you here? Didn''t you have to take care of something?"


    "Nothing is as important to me as yo-"


    "Don''t." Alexis waved her off. "I didn''t like flattery."


    "I couldn''t wait Madam. I was so excited. Please tell me!" She practically begged on the spot and Alexis just moved forward to sit in the car.


    "There was a child, who just got orphaned and I wanted to do something for him."


    Agatha listened with the utmost concentration and nodded as madam stopped talking. "Did you do anything?"


    She nodded. "There was a girl who came in with the mother and was ready to take the custody of the boy so I offer my help to her. Legally." She sighed.


    "You could help her and you did. I think you should be proud of." Agatha smiled a bit. She didn''t understand what Alexis was thinking about. "Why aren''t you happy?"


    She shook her head lightly. "It''s not about being happy or whatever. It''s just I felt it. I felt the power I had and it was enough to change someone''s entire life." She leaned her head against the window, "Feels like just..too much."


    "Which is why the don set limitations. For a few things he needs the support of others so that he knows that he is right." She then leaned in and whispered as if a secret, "I think he knows that power gets to his head sometimes."


    Alexis snorted and then gave out a full-blown laugh.


    "That could be with him." She sighed and her sight caught the view of the apartments.


    That was where Cassandra and his child lived.


    The power rush came back. She knew the authority she had and now was the time to test its limitations.


    "Liam, turn around. We are going to the apartments. I have someone to meet and..."

 Chapter 247 - Two Hundred And Forty-seven

    Liam had turned the car almost instantly as there was a U-turn just ahead of them. Alexis felt a shiver of anticipation run down her spine as she saw the car approach the apartments within minutes.


    She had thought of a perfect game plan. The moment she has recognised the name of the apartments that Cassidy lived in New York, Alexa immediately thought of something that would make Angelo spellbound and something else.


    Which she planned on using later.


    "Madam," Liam opened her door and all of them moved up.


    Liam knocked on the door and the nanny opened up almost immediately she recognised the man in front of her. Anyone would.


    A made man had his introduction.


    She nodded for him to come and Alexis did first. She immediately saw the child playing with toys.


    The lovely two-year-old.


    "Where is his mother?" was the first thing Alexis said as she entered the apartment. She then proceeded to take a seat right beside the boy.


    "She is...out, madam." The nanny spoke with respect even though she did not know what Alexis exactly was, the power and authority that rolled off Alexis made her submit.


    "Out where?" Alexis muttered without any emotions on her face. "Be specific."


    As she saw the nanny open her mouth she muttered one more thing, "and truthful." Her warning was heard.


    "With a guy madam."


    She nodded and patted the little kid''s head. "Is the boy switched to the formula yet?" He was two, a working mother would so do or if not, then she would pump her milk out in advance.


    The nanny hesitated but a look from Agatha had her spilling the beans. "The baby has been switched to the formula since he has been 7 months old. Cassidy would not pay any attention anymore so I had to switch to formula."


    "Oh?" A small smile stretched to her lips, "So after 6 months of giving birth to the baby she has not paid any attention to him, in fact, she hasn''t even fed him her milk? She could not even pump It out?" Even though Alexis was not a mother yet her maternal instincts had already started to take over just as she was unconsciously rubbing the baby''s head in lightly she was also cursing mothers like Cassidy in her mind?


    How could she not give the baby a basic need?


    "Lucas?" She whispered and he looked over making her smile. Ah, the chubby cheeks. She wanted to eat them.


    "What does she do all day?" Alexis enquired from the woman. "Do not tell me everything but just enough."


    She nodded and spoke the truth. "to be honest madam and nothing. She does absolutely nothing. she wakes up around 11 am has her breakfast ordered, does not even look at the child because I''m there feeding him then she goes out for her waitressing job and most of the time she always comes back with a guy but thankfully the baby''s room is soundproof so we don''t hear anything. And that''s just the rest of the entire two years I''ve been here."


    "Hmm, I see." She hummed. Alexis had had a small hope inside her where she hoped that Cassidy would be just a miserable mother as she was for a person and there it was the truth. It has made everything much easier for her.


    "Frankly speaking Cassidy does not care about her child? Not even enough to glance at him or hold him once a day?"


    The nanny shook her head grimly.


    "Huh," she picked Lucas up and placed him on his lap. "What''s your name?" She asked the nanny.


    "Pam ma''am."


    "And what do you do except for watching Lucas?"


    She hesitated a bit. As if ashamed and looked away.


    "Be honest with me Pam. Whatever you tell me here, stays in this room." Alexis assured her.


    Pam nodded and spoke, "I was studying child psychology and I was engaged as well. But tragedy struck and I had an accident where I had my miscarriage and that resulted in somehow me being depressed and having broken off of my marriage too after which the accident also left me with brain damage so I cannot really... Work under pressure.." she sniffed in between, "this job was practically a bonus as I had completed my degree. I have my brother who is a soldier here and because of which I got the job. I have a roof on my head, I get paid well and I also get to eat here. So.."


    Alexis smiled at her showing emotions for the first time. "That''s understandable. There''s nothing for you to be scared or ashamed of."


    She looked at the baby who has somehow got a hold of her hair and was now busy chewing at it. "Aish, no-no." She tutted and pulled it out of his grip. Agatha tied her hair up and out of the baby''s reach. "How much clothes does the baby have?" She asked Pam, "if you have to pack everything relating to this baby how fast can you do it with the help of people?"


    "Umm.if it''s throwing people then probably two hours?"


    "Hurry up then." She nodded, "Along with your stuff too. You would have to shift with the baby."


    She nodded and left with the guards who followed her, Agatha stayed behind.


    "You have to help her with picking the stuff too." She pointed out to Agatha.


    "I know ma''am, I heard." Agatha nodded, "but why are you taking the child with you when you are going have your own. Don''t you want to focus on your baby?"


    She chuckled in return. Alexis smiled as she played with the baby who would giggle at her.


    "This baby is not as important as mine would be to the world but is going to play a very important role ahead."


    "How so?" Agatha asked confused about what was happening.


    "Because this one is in the heart of a heartless man."

 Chapter 248 - Two Hundred And Forty Eight.

    As Alexis entered the mansion taking her first step with the baby in her arms everyone that saw her was shocked out of their minds but she did not give them another glance and walked straight into her room. It was nobody''s business except Angelo''s.


    She moved inside and kept the baby on the bed. Agatha came in following her and placed his toys around with pillows surrounding him.


    "Get Pam settled in and make sure that the baby''s wants and needs in food are taken care of in the kitchen."


    Agatha nodded, bowed and then left.


    She sighed and looked at the baby as she took her heels off. Lucas was busy in his little world making her smile a little.


    "Hello, you." She smiled and sat down next to him. He looked up as Alexis took one of his toys lying around the bed. "You are such a cute baby." She poked his cheek. "I am sorry for taking you away from your mother but she was hardly one. Not that you''d understand but what I did was practically a favour to you." She poked his belly which invoked a small giggle from him. "Aww, aren''t you cute?" She praised him.


    He looked up again and blinked at her innocently and babbled something.


    "I want to promise you something," she spoke out of nowhere, "No matter what happens, whether I grow to love you like my own in the future or not, I will always treat you how I should treat a child."


    She placed a kiss on his forehead, sealing the promise. "I promise you that."


    *******


    "He''s here Madam." A frightful maid spoke in a hurried hush voice as she came to inform Alexis.


    She nodded in acknowledgement. "Thank you."


    She nodded and practically ran away from the room. Moments later he came storming in. "What''s the meaning of this?!" His voice bounced off the walls and made the baby jump.


    "Of what?" She asked as she sat next to the boy.


    "That! This!" He raised his hand towards Lucas as he asked in a raised voice, "What in the world are you thinking?!" His loud booming voice startled Lucas and his face twisted with huge tears in his eyes.


    "Angelo, be mindful." She immediately patted the baby and talked calmly to him. She didn''t what to do but the maternal instincts had already surfaced and she knew that she had calm the baby down.


    He watched the entire exchange with irritated eyes. Quickly walking to the outside of the room, he yelled, "Agatha get in here!"


    The baby had started to cry making Alexis hiss in irritation. "Get Pam instead!" She yelled as well making the baby cry even louder.


    She took him in her arms and kindly, gently started to pat his back as she swayed back and forth. "It''s an okay baby. Little one, it''s going to be okay." She cooed to him.


    "Ma''am?" Pam came in whispering as she noticed the atmosphere in the room was heavy.


    "Here." Alexis handed the baby to him and they left as Agatha closed the door.


    As the door closed he came to her and roughly grabbed her, "What are you thinking of achieving by doing this?" He seethed as anger flashed in his eyes making her cower away.


    This wasn''t the reaction that she had expected. this was more than that she thought he felt for the baby.


    "I am trying to rectify your mistake." still she stood her ground making sure that he knew what she was talking about so much so that she had started to blame him to make him guilty even further.


    "Me? My mistake?" He replied shocked at her words.


    "Of course it is! Matteo is 25 years old and just a few days ago it was found out that he was a bastard child. how long do you think that you could hide Lucas as well? because as long as he is moving between Chicago and New York and preferably Miami he is bound to be found out by people and I have no wish after being forced into this life to be chucked out the again." She gritted out as well. Her words held meaning and warning that Angelo understood but what he didn''t understand was what she wanted.


    He raised a brow and took a step back releasing her arms from the deadly grip that he had on them. "Alright tell me then what is it that you want. Go on, why are you doing this?"


    She smiled and turned around. "Now, what I am thinking of is that I have found the child on the road and adopted. Taken him in as my own. Now what you have to do is fill out every legal form and get to the procedure of him being my child as well." She has an aqueous smile. "The least I could do for that boy who is mother was not even glancing at her son. I can become a better mother than her and in fact I can become a good stepmother as compared to her."


    He scoffed, "Can you? What''s makes you think that in any way you will ever be half a good mother as Cassidy? For all, I know you have picked up the child and brought him here without thinking through and asking me about it."


    Not holding her tongue she taunted back. "I was brought here as well without you thinking through and asking me about it. Look how that turned out."


    He shook his head and started to pace around the room slowly. "This is not right."


    "What is, adopting a child?" She scoffed, "We are not answerable to anyone. Especially since you are the don." She reminded him. How often it was that he had reminded her since she was the Donna, she was on the top of it all and had access to almost everything.


    He sighed tiredly, running a hair through his hair and asked her in a defeated tone, "Why are you doing it?"


    Bracing herself for his reaction she spoke honestly, "became I am pregnant."

 Chapter 249 - Two Hundred Forty-nine.

    She took out the reports from her bag that she had previously kept inside in the hospital and placed them in front of him. "The proof. I am pregnant." She said once again.


    He blinked and stared at the reports then turned to look at her and slowly raised his hand to take them from her. He had them in his hands and checked them making Alexis wonder if he even knew what he was doing.


    "Ho-how long?"


    ''Damn,'' Alexis thought, ''he is shocked enough to stutter out his words.''


    "Two months. Exactly." She took a seat at the coffee and kept her hand on his knee. "What''s wrong?"


    He pointed at the place the baby was sitting in before that was on their bed. "I don''t understand why you brought Lucas here."


    She sighed and leaned back taking the support of her hand. "To be honest Cassandra was not the mother I expected her to be even after having been given a nanny she was not taking care of a kid. I don''t know why I don''t know if it was my maternal instincts come into action but whatever it was, I felt that I could be a better mother to Lucas than her. Instead of hiding and keeping his secret, we can make him look like he was adopted into this family have him call you dad and me mum and no one would ever even suspect that he is a bastard child." She once again placed her hand on his knee because somehow this all seemed to be unbelievable. "What Matteo felt in front of the entire family of the knowledge that he wasn''t really...I cannot even think or even imagine what kind of humiliation he must have been through. How immediately Marcus was disowned.." she sighed but a thought came to her mind, "I don''t know Angelo.. but I want for him is to be a part of this family."


    This was the first time that Alexis had ever realised that she had taken Angelo''s family as her own. She had accepted him, his flaws and his faults because she was into this Life away too long and it was inevitable.


    "You do?" He asked sceptically and she understood why.


    "Yes," she nodded sincerely. The child was innocent.


    He stared at her hard observing her body language and reactions before saying, "but he is my child with someone else. How are you ever going to take him in as your own?"


    She laughed a little at that. It was going to be an year to their marriage but Angelo underestimated her. "It doesn''t matter to me that you had sex with someone and popped out a child. Lucas has no-fault and part in this. He is your child, yes you will love him like one but for me, I will treat him as I will treat every child. With love and care and for his sake and mine, I hope that I would grow to love him in the future."


    He stared at her unblinking, looking at her up and down trying to figure out and catch her lies but found nothing of sought. "You are...going to?" He whispered in amazement.


    She scoffed. "I might look like a bitch but that is someone who is taking a stand for herself. I am a human being at heart and I am not a heartless person especially to a child."


    He sighed and pulled her into his lap. "Children are a big responsibility Alexis especially the one that you''re trying to adopt. He is not your baby and since we are going to have a baby of her own. How are you going to manage to give your attention to both of them equally?"


    She smiled and laid her head against his chest. "I cannot promise you that honestly. Lucas nevertheless is a grown boy and a nanny can handle him but the one that is going to be born is going to need more of my attention. So, I guess I can just say that I will try my level best."


    "Alexis.." he shook his head, "are you sure?"


    "Yes," she nodded. He nodded back and then palmed her stomach.


    "Cassidy had shown up at my doorstep directly with Lucas and I could not be there when she was pregnant. I want to be there for this one." He smiled, "I am so happy." He kissed her forehead with a huge ass smile making her creep out a bit. "You do know what this pregnancy means right?"


    "What?" She asked with a slight frown on her forehead. Was it not obvious what it meant?


    He chuckled, his eyes still glowing from the news. Both of them. "this means that you cannot ever try to get away from me because I won''t let you."


    "Angelo, you don''t let me do it now, so how does pregnancy matter?" She spoke about the fact that had been happening. Angelo did not let her out of his sight without any guard so how does it matter if she was now pregnant with his baby?


    He chuckled and kissed her forehead. "You''re so cute to think that. This means that you are now the mother of my child and that links you more to me than ever. I am never going to let the mother of my child go, especially the one I have fallen in love with." He smiled. "You, baby, are going to stay right here always."


    It did not seem like a love concession rather like a threat or a warning for the future. His eyes held happiness yet somehow due to his profession and line of business he had made a threat towards her without even realising it.


    For the person who had received it, it was obvious that he was threatening them.


    He got up and pulled her gently to the closet to which she followed without a word, curious to where he was leading her.


    He opened the drawers where he often kept some papers and took out something. "What''s this?" He handed them to her.


    She recognised them almost immediately.. It was their prenup agreement.

 Chapter 250 - Two Hundred And Fifty.

    "It''s the prenup agreement that I had drafted for us. What about it?" Something made her wary of the entire situation. His warning and his bringing up the prenup agreement pointed to a situation that she did not even want to think about.


    He sighed and took them from her. "They state that if one of us does anything unwanted agreed by the other spouse, we would immediately get a divorce and it would be mutually agreed."


    "Yes, mutually agreed." She stressed the word mutually. He would understand that she was trying to make sure that he knew what he was doing that he signed on them, wouldn''t he?


    "Here''s the thing," he folded the paper in half, "I have no intention of separating from my wife and the mother of my child. Because of which," he tore the papers in half making her gasp loudly at the audacity. "I will have these papers void."


    "Hah!" she asked in shock as she eyed the pieces of paper. "You can''t do that." She said looking up at him, "You cannot do that!" She yelled but this time he kept his calm.


    "I can Alexis. You watch me do it." He vowed. "I can-"


    "I don''t care what you can or you cannot! Everything you do has never reflected on what I wanted in that situation. I understand that there are many situations where you cannot ask for my opinion but where you can you never do it. Was is it that every decision is yours and never mine?!" She yelled at him with her tone hard instead of shrill. "This marriage was your choice, shifting to this house was your choice, making my pup a father, when I had in the intention of this, was your choice or your family''s choice without considering what I wanted for the puppy that I had adopted. Everything, it has been your choice and God forbid if you''re thinking that this is going to continue any longer."


    "And what do your think is going to happen?" He asked her very calmy which was so unlike him.


    She nodded and answered him, "What we decide together is what is going to happen. I''m not saying that I will take all the decisions or I''m going to let you take all the decisions, I am talking about us taking it together as parents, as a couple."


    "And what happens if it doesn''t?" He threw back at her. What were the most that she was going to do? "Because for what all I know-"


    "Fuck what you think you know or what you know!" She yelled. Her face reddened and with all the anger that she was feeling inside her. "That''s the thing Angelo I don''t care what you think!" She breathed heavily, "I have let you have all the control that you could have on someone and that''s it, that stops now." She pointed a finger at him. "And I mean it." she hissed.


    He watched her, her whole drama and scoffed.


    He scoffed and that took her by surprise.


    He stepped closer to her and took her jaw in a tight hold. "Are you done, baby girl? That was quite entertaining but I would prefer that you refrain to do so in the future. It''s not good for the baby."


    "The baby?" She repeated with a dazed expression. "So all that I said and you gathered from it was that it''s not good for the baby? That''s it?"


    Bloody dumbass man.


    "I did gather whatever you want to say but it''s of no use because I am the one who''s going to take the decisions outside the family and for our well-being." His hold got tighter and his eyes flashed with anger, "Got it?"


    She didn''t react. Her eyes just watched him. His actions and the meaning they held.


    When she didn''t react so he took her silence as a yes and left his hold on her cheek with a little push enough to make a stumble but not fall. "Remember." He warned and walked out at a slow pace. He had nowhere to go so there was no of walking out quickly.


    A blur went past his head and smashed into the wall making him duck his head for protection. He immediately turned to his wife for her safety.


    But she stood there with her shoulders locked, her jaw clenched and staring at him with blazing eyes. His eyes moved to the fallen item that had hit the wall and it was a vase that was kept in their walk-in closet.


    "Did you just threw that at me?" He whispered and the words were spoken in a quiet and low tone as we found that hard to believe that she had thrown a vase at him.


    "Yes, I did." She spoke with her facial expressions giving away the fact that she was furious at him. "and that is not the only thing that I am going to throw your way if you continue with attitude."


    "Excuse me?" He was taken aback. "You want to talk about attitude with me after throwing a piece of glass at me which would have me bleeding all over the place and die within seconds?" He scoffed before his anger took control. "You want to talk about attitude?!" He yelled and in the short space that they stood in his voice echoed but this time she did not jump.


    This time Alexis was prepared for it.


    She smirked. Something that turned him on and made him wary of her. She turned around and held the drawer that he had kept their prenup papers and pulled it out.


    Looking towards him this time she threw the drawer on the left side of him. The other wall.


    Angelo immediately ducked and moved to the other side.


    She calmly walked towards him and stared at him. "I meant it when I said that I am not taking the shit anymore. the only option you have now is to take me seriously or more things are going to come in your way and I promise you that after this I would aim to hit the target." She said and then poked his chest, "That''s the very least you can do after I accepted Lucas wholeheartedly."


    She walked out of the closet with her head held high and out of the room. She hurriedly walked to the other room right next to them and closed the door then walked into the bathroom closing the door there as well.


    She leaned against the door and slid down slowly. This was it.


    This was the very start of her taking control.

 Chapter 251 - Two Hundred And Fifty-one

    She remained in the same position against the door for a while fearing that he might come in banging on it and punishing her for her behaviour. But he did not and Alexis kept a track of time thankful that she was wearing her wristwatch. She didn''t eat for the whole day or what she thought it was. Feeling drained by the entire ordeal she closed her eyes and laid down on the bed.


    As her consciousness came back Alexis exhaled loudly and opened her eyes. A frown creased her forehead as she saw the familiar ceiling. Getting up with the support of her elbows she saw that she had been taken back to her bedroom and she remembered falling asleep in the guest bedroom. She sighed rubbed her eyes and moved out of the bed. Going to the bathroom the first thing should there was to wash her face and brush her teeth. She wasn''t sure if she wanted to get ready for the day immediately so she moved to the closet to get a hair tie and then go for breakfast straight.


    She came to a stop when she saw Angelo getting ready in front of the mirror. He was tying his tie and his waistcoat and jacket were laid out.


    "Good morning beautiful." He wished as soon as he saw her.


    Alexis nodded back and discreetly checked the whole closet. It had been clear of any broken materials that had been caused due to their fight. "Did you bring me back from the guest room?"


    He nodded.


    "I had no intentions of coming back." She confessed as she took a seat on the couch in the middle of the closet."I was going to continue to stay there until I knew about your opinions on what we forgot about last night."


    He looked at her through the mirror with the blank gaze that she was no longer affected by. Alexis wanted something to happen and this was within reason so she was not going to back down.


    He didn''t reply to her but silently pulled on his waistcoat and then his jacket completing his attire for the day. He walked to her and kneeled in front of her, taking her hand in his. "And I brought you back for this reason. I understand that you want a part in my life and the baby we''re going to have and many more. I am sorry I was so thick-headed that you had to use violence in this condition to make me understand something." He sighed and kissed her knuckles making Alexis notice something.


    "Angelo why is your left cheek so red?" She frowned and touched it.


    He laughed a little. "My father visited me last night. I think he would have hit me with a stick too but since I''m a grown-ass man he stuck with slapping me."


    "What?" She blurted out shocked. "He hit you?"


    He nodded. "It happens a lot when I refuse to understand something that makes complete sense to everyone else. Agatha might have told my father about your condition and the sounds coming from our room which had him visit me and raise his hand at me for troubling the mother of my child." He kissed her hands again, "I''m sorry Alexis." He stressed once again. "I should have understood better. Sometimes it''s just that what my grandfather taught me overshadows my thinking."


    She traced his jawline lightly as she asked, "What was it that he taught you?"


    He looked away, not replying to her immediately. He then stood up and pulled her to him. Taking her place on the couch he made her sit on his lap and hugged her close as he put his face in her neck making Alexis tingle all over.


    "My grandfather and his father practically learnt from each other as they started the whole organisation. That period was the time when women were not provided with a lot of ....rights which certainly affected their thinking about them making them believe that women were meant for domestic purposes. My grandfather believed in the same but my father did not, his thinking evolved with time. My grandfather had wanted for someone to think in the same believes as he did, so that his thinking also went forward. Long story short after a lot of mental torture and manipulation, it was drilled into my mind that everyone was beneath my shoe except for the Don." He sighed and looked into her eyes, "sometimes that thinking comes back given the position I have and I am grateful to my father who sets me straight." He winked making her giggle.


    "How many times have you apologize to people? One might say you are getting good at it." She teased earning a smile from him too.


    He shook his head and stood up. "Believe me sweetheart when I say you are one of the very few people that I can count on my hand who have received my apologies and are still alive."


    Wow, okay. She nodded.


    "What are you going to do for the rest of the day?" He asked and she realised what he was trying to do. He was trying to make a conversation with her as a normal couple would.


    So she answered him honestly. "I am going to ready a room for Lucas to stay in and I would like for you to take care of the paperwork today itself." She reminded him to him he nodded. "Because of which I think we would have to go shop for furniture and baby requirements."


    He nodded. "You do have my card, don''t you?" He nodded. "Go all out then." He kissed her forehead getting up and letting her take her seatback.


    silence once again blanketed them as he opened a drawer and pulled out leather gloves. Somehow seeing him wear those reminded her of how dangerous he was and what kind of liberty she had taken with him yesterday. He pulled out his gun from the holster and checked for the bullets putting them and put three magazines in his pockets as well. He then patted his socks once more and she knew that there were knives there.


    And somehow, something inside her knew that Angelo was making a point and she got it.

 Chapter 252 - Two Hundred And Fifty-two

    He had his breakfast with Alexis who was still in her silk pyjamas and looked like she would probably go to bed again after eating. Not that he minded, she was pregnant and all he wanted now was for her to rest and take care of herself. His car, Rolls Royce, waited outside with a man holding its door open for him. This job surely came with its benefits but sometimes Angelo felt that the responsibilities on his shoulders exceeded those benefits at times or most of the times.


    Even Alexis had now accepted his life, still didn''t trust her enough to show the brutalities that he inflicted upon people every day. But there was nothing that he could do about it. He was feeding people with the money he earned from those activities by people who did not believe in law and order any more, in the justice provided by the system and he understood that. Hell to be honest he did not believe in those life sentences as well.


    if a person lost his eye to another that person should suffer the loss of his eye as well. That meant compensation not some life sentence that the person got out of eventually for good fucking behaviour.


    He shook his a bit and rest his elbow on the window. As much as he wanted Alexis to know more and support his business he knew that her righteousness sometimes erupted within her would consume her and then him. So she had to be kept at bay at least for the illegal activities.


    His warehouse was bustling with activity. The crates of drugs and weaponry were brought in and smuggled. Accounts were being kept of everything.


    "Boss," Adriano greeted with a slight bow and when acknowledged went to business. "This month''s shipments have been received and order for next has been placed. As for the cops in Miami, we have taken care of them both financially and.." he clicked his tongue and pointed upwards making Angelo chuckle.


    He nodded at the information received. "What about that private investigator Louise?" He then frowned as a thought came into his mind. "Is that piece of shit French?"


    Adriano shook his head. "The private investigator knows how to hide and Louise is probably his alias. Probably the reason why we haven''t been able to find him yet."


    "That nerd is failing us." Angela shook his head as he walked down to the office of his computer genius who was failing them with repeated chances given.


    Adriano closed the door shut with a bang as the nerd jumped up from his chair and stood up nervously in front of the boss. He knew that he had delayed the information which he hadn''t been able to find.


    "He''s not.."


    "Been found. Yes, I think I figured that out when the report was not on my table." Angelo muttered looking at him with mild agitation. "What is it that I have not given you Noah? you wanted the latest software you have in front of you, wanted the latest computers it''s in front of you yet, you have taken weeks to give me what I want. So now you tell me how is it going to work because if you will be that incompetent I will replace you within moments." He warned and walked to him appearing in front of him within seconds and held up a knife to his throat, "and let me tell you this if you''re thinking you''re going to make out of this lifestyle alive, you are dead wrong.


    Get to work and give me the fucking results." He growled out in irritation.


    He moved back as the man nodded hurriedly and stumbled back quickly.


    Angelo turned around and walked out of the room to which Adriano followed. "Make sure that man does not have a moment of peace and till he finds the investigator who''s trying to hack into my files and stolen them." He growled out. The times with papers were better.


    He moved to his cabin where Vincenzo was coming his way. He nodded respect to the boss and stood outside waiting for permission to enter the boss''s cabin.


    "Come in," the Don grunted out. the day had barely started and he was dealing with idiots.


    "Good morning." Vincenzo purposely greeted him so doing that his morning was far from good. "First of all I would like to give you good news, things in Miami have settled down and we have established our territory there."


    "Fucking finally." Angelo sighed. That was good.


    "Though I believe you should pay a visit there." He suggested. "And as far as Isobel and I are r


    concerned we have settled well."


    Angelo understood what he meant there and nodded. "How is she? Is pregnancy smooth?"


    Vincenzo nodded with a slight smile on his face. "Yes. It has been. The first few months were a bit troublesome for her, morning sickness and whatnot, but now it''s a little on the smooth side." He then broke into a smile, "Its a girl."


    "Fuck," Angelo swore, "what did you do to deserve a baby girl?"


    Vincenzo laughed loudly, "I don''t know but I am so happy."


    Angelo smiled. A genuine smile that did not grace many people.


    "Which reminds me, where''s Silvano?"


    Angelo sighed, "He has been having breathing problems due to his asthma and wandering around gunpowder is not at all helpful. He has been asked to rest for a while. So far now he''s just looking at the paperwork."


    A knock came at the door and Angelo gave his permission to enter. Adriano came in with a look of excitement on his face. "I guess all he needed was some threatening from your side."


    "He found Louise?" Angelo asked with a raised brow.


    Adriano gave a haunting smile. "Even better, we know where she is currently and we are ready."


    She? Angelo found that hard to believe. Women usually steered clear when it came to business organisations as such. This one was going to be interesting.


    "Bring her back, alive."

 Chapter 253 - Two Hundred And Fifty-three

    Sammy was done for today. High school was tough but it was 10 times worse when it was senior year. She could not wait to get back home and get on her computer. Last time she had found some very interesting things about one of the most prominent crime families.


    This time it was going to get even better.


    Santiago''s weren''t as famous as the Martinez''s and de''Alessandro were. And this time she was going for the kill tonight.


    Sammy was a normal school-going girl who had an exceptional talent for hacking. Usually, she just fiddled with the computers and after stumbled upon the highly interesting stuff.


    She unlocked her apartment door and skipped inside. She lived alone. Her father left with her stepmother who was happy that Sammy lived out of the house and was paying her rent and giving her a separate allowance to do so.


    Honestly speaking if her father did not have the balls to talk to her stepmother about this then she did not have a problem with this either.


    She opened up her laptop and a message waited for her just as she had opened her portal.


    ''A warning kid, do not go any further than you already have.''


    Sammy frowned, what was the meaning of this? Nevertheless, she logged in and started fiddling with the dark web. Another message popped up.


    ''You don''t listen do you?''


    Stop it. She typed back.


    ''Funny. You should be the one doing that.''


    Sammi jumped up with the gas as she heard banging on her door and it was not the kind of banging in her landlord dead when her rent was due but something that seemed extremely fearful.


    ''Times up.'' popped up on the screen.


    The door banged open and she almost screamed but swallowed it in knowing that if the screen they would follow the virus and come inside her room. She for once was thankful that he had shut the door to her room. The first thought was to hide under the bed but that would be too obvious they could see her feet so she had in the class putting clothes in front of an in such a manner that they would see the clothes and assume that she was not there or so she hoped for.


    "Where is she?" Someone opens up her door and she could hear the footsteps coming and with a graph voice practically grunting out the words. "We saw her come in."


    A thud came and she jumped out again, a whimper came out. Her eyes widened as Sammy thought of the possibility that people noun new to where she was nevertheless she prayed to God.


    "Hmm, maybe she ain''t here anymore." She closed her eyes and sighed in relief. She heard the footsteps moving further from her and her room door being slammed shut.


    A couple of seconds later so was the apartment door.


    She joined her hands and thank God even though she was the worst religious person born, a selfish one to be exact, the one who remembered God only when she needed something from him.


    Shuffled around in the cupboard and open the door only to freeze in fear.


    A man who is tattooed on his face and was dressed in all black appearing to be her grim reaper sat on her bed looking directly at her.


    "Hello there," he purred winking at her.


    *********


    "So you''re telling me," Angelo dropped the file on the desk and stood up. "That the person who hacked into our files was not only a girl but a teenager? Is a high school senior to be exact? Someone who has not even graduated yet?"


    "Yes sir." Noah nodded.


    Adriano takes from standing behind me. "A child did that. A child better that you? You''re giving is reasons to dispose you."


    Noah looked at Angelo in horror who shrugged as well. "If you cannot give me what I want then I will dispose you. You knew that from the first day itself." He reminded. "And where is this girl?" Angelo asked his third in command.


    He immediately straightened up when addressed by the boss previously leaning on the wall. "Downstairs in a room. I don''t think that it would be nice for a young girl to be with are the prisoners in the dungeons. Though she is tied and gagged."


    Angelo nodded and Adriano moved out.


    Slowly, he walked to the room she was in. He was in no hurry because she wants to go anywhere. The door was opened for him and a girl not above the age of eighteen was tied on a chair with her mouth gagged. Her cheeks were red from crying and spit was covering the gag. The girl was blindfolded.


    He walked and stood in front of her. "You were the one who hacked into my organisation?"


    The girl flinched at the voice. It was dark, dangerous vibes that came from him to her. She knew that she was dying tonight.


    "Speak!"


    She jumped how again and a whimper escaped her. The man was going to kill her. She could feel the beating of her heart quicken. "I-I''m.."


    "The de''Alessandro organisation kid." Another man answered her. "You hacked into it and quickly glanced at the files even before your security could detect you. How did you do it?"


    That. Shit. They had found her. One of the top criminal organisations in the world had found her.


    "I have .. a talent for i-Ah!" Her head turned to the other side with the force of the slap she had been given.


    Someone then roughly grabbed her chin and squeezed it. "I don''t care for your fucking talents. Tell me how you did it or who paid you for it. Tell me everything or I swear to god, I am going to dig up your mother''s grave and bury you with her!" The voice that once roared of the walls was now hissing at her but the threat was clear.


    She was dying whether or not she answered him.

 Chapter 254 - Two Hundred And Fifty-four

    "Would another slap make you talk?" Someone pulled her hair back making her cry out. "Fucking speak girl. Do not test my patience."


    "I am not l-lying. I have been doing it for years. I have a talent for hacking, I can hack into literally everything I have also tried the pentagon and no one was even aware of my presence."


    "Hmm," the guy sighed. "That''s an interesting talent for an 18-year-old girl. You do know what you were doing when you were trying to crawl into my organisation, weren''t you?"


    She didn''t. If Sammy had even the slightest of the idea that she would be kidnapped by the very organisation that she was looking into for fun she would have never even touched her computer.


    She had heard about these guys they were merciless, ruthless and vengeful. They never let anyone off the hook.


    She shook her head.


    The man hummed again. "well then Sammy, I hate to break it to you but you''re not going back to your house ever again. You are going to be staying here and praying to God that we find a use for you so that we don''t end up selling you. Place the gag back on her mouth."


    Angelo turned around and left. He was followed by Adriano and Noah back to his office.


    He sat on his chair and pointed his finger to Noah. "Once the girl figures it out that she can work for us with her skills you will undertake the responsibility of grooming her as a perfect soldier and I am warning you since you were not able to become one, she should not be a failure as well." The man nodded and left.


    Adriano stayed behind for Angelo''s orders. "Make sure that the failure of a man does not mess up with that girl. She is going to be my perfect little soldier," he grinned maliciously, "ready to do whatever I tell her."


    **********


    Nikita and Alexis had gone to the mall for some baby shopping and were currently enjoying tea. She had not told anyone about her pregnancy except for her husband but she had informed Nikita of the baby which had come with them.


    Nikita also informed Alexis about Silvano''s visit to the hospital.


    "Why did you not call any of us there? You must have needed support." Alexis admonished her immediately. "Nikita I cannot believe this, you say that you consider me as your family and when you needed support from me you never called."


    Nikita smiled at her. It was sad and Alexis knew that there was another reason behind her not calling for help. "Silvano has somehow always felt inferior because he has asthma because of which he frequently visits the hospital alone, not even with me. If I had called you for his health he would have taken me as someone who sees him weak."


    Alexis stared at her before scoffing. "That''s one of the most stupid reasons I have ever heard."


    Nikita denied. "It''s just men that are stupid. That''s just plain and simple to understand." She placed her cup down and stood up. "Anyway, thank you for including me in your day. I will take my leave now." She hugged Alexis who stood up for her and then left.


    Alexis didn''t sit down after that and moved towards the dining table. "Tell Pam that I would feed Lucas today." She told Agatha who had come in to collect the utensils. She nodded and left as Alexis took her seat.


    A high chair was brought in and after some time so was Lucas. He was up and about for today and a small smile came to Alexis'' face as She watched him. "Give him to me, Pam. Eat your lunch and take the rest for the day. If need you, I will call you for you."


    She nodded and left. Leaving the baby to Alexis who made him stand on her lap. The previous fleeting thought that had entered her mine came back once again. "I will love you like my own Lucas I promise you that. Because somehow I feel that you..." are like the child I never had.. "deserve it." She finished instead.


    He giggled more as if happy for the outcome. She kissed his head. "Cutie cutie," she rubbed her nose with his.


    "That''s a sight I would love to home come to every day." Her husband''s voice came in as he stood leaning against the door.


    She smiled at him and Lucas clapped his hands. "Come sit. Food''s going to be right out."


    He nodded and went back up, washing his hand he came back down. This time the food was already there and Alexis was eating it.


    "Aren''t you supposed to wait for everyone?" He frowned at her as the chef placed his plate.


    She shook her head. "I''m a mom and a mom to be. I eat when I want." She shrugged.


    "That''s not a compelling argument sweetheart."


    She shrugged unapologetically, "Sorry, not sorry."


    Angela bit back his smile and took another bite of his food watching his son with his wife. Alexis took one bite of her food and then fed Lucas one wiping his mouth simultaneously of the access food. Anyone could have mistaken Lucas to be Alexis own child instead of someone that she had adopted.


    "Adoption process is almost complete. The lawyer will be bringing in papers in a few minutes." He informed her to which she nodded.


    "Alright," she nodded and focuses back on the child. "We went for nursery shopping today. This child has a strange fascination with the colour red."


    "One would say, its blood-" he shut up with the glare casted towards him. He cleared his throat, "Well, red is certainly an attractive colour. It kind of screams for attention."


    He fisted the fork. Angelo couldn''t believe that he was scared of Alexis glare. When did that ever happen?


    He sighed and glanced over to the duo. They seemed like the normal family. Mother feeding her child and the father lovingly glancing at his family.


    There was nothing more beautiful than what was in front of him.

 Chapter 255 - Two Hundred And Fifty-five

    He sat on his desk looking through the new list of weaponry. This was more advanced but he still didn''t trust the worthiness of the product. If he was ordering that, then he was ordering in bulk and he had to make sure that he got his money''s worth.


    He threw the file back on the table and called in his assistant. "Talio,"


    "Sir," he came in immediately and stood near the chairs.


    "I am not dealing with these suppliers and if they persist, ask them to send in bulk and if I find one even one item that does not work, I am sending the entire crates back and without paying them a single penny."


    The man nodded and left.


    Just as Angelo was ready to sit a knock came on his door and he growled in frustration. "Come in!" He yelled. He could not wait for Silvano to come back and take half of his responsibilities here.


    Noah came in breathing heavily as if he had a run. "That girl has locked the room from inside and is not coming out and I think she even trashed the room."


    If only there was something in his room that he could throw at this man''s head. "She trashed the room?" He seethed out the words. Did she dare to?


    He got up and walked to the room quickly, Noah catching up with him. "Break the door!" He yelled and the men stationed took the orders immediately. They pushed their shoulders against the door and within seconds it was down, a scream came from inside as the girl was probably frightened.


    Angelo stepped in and saw that she had broken her mirror. Practically snarling he walked to the girl and pulled her hair, "I have better things to do than deal with an insolent brat of a kid who cannot think straight even when death staring at her in the face!"


    She whimpered and joined her hands in front of him.


    But that didn''t please him. "What? You have wanted my attention now you have it." He threw her away and then walked to the couch. "Crawl to me."


    Sammy stared at him with trembling lips. She wanted to deny but she knew better.


    "Don''t. Make. Me. Repeat." He whispered with starting at her. His leg was on the top of his other knee and he was leaning back on the couch with his arms resting beside him.


    Sammy looked away form his daunting presence and to the door. No one stood there. She glanced back at the man who had a small smirk playing on his lips.


    She sent a quick prayer to the lord.


    *******


    Alexis smiled at the fidgeting girl in front of her. "Why are you scared?"


    The girl shook her head immediately. She was on the edge of her seat ready to bolt out of the door if needed. Alexis knew that she did not have a daunting presence like Julia''s did whose eyes look like they were piercing a person''s soul.


    She sighed and leaned in a bit, a gentle expression was on her face trying her best not to scare the little lamb. "Sweetheart we cannot move any further if you don''t tell me what''s on your mind honestly. Do you not want to volunteer job?" She asked instead. "it''s alright if you don''t, you can just say no to me."


    She girl shook her head slowly and carefully spoke, "It''s just that father and mother want me not to mess up in front of you and.."


    She smiled understanding her point, "I understand. You are worried that somehow how you will mess up. That''s an alright sweetheart."


    Alexis took a file and handed it to the girl, "here''s a list of volunteering jobs. I have the applications inside too. If you want you can in the field why you want to work in the future or just go for a normal minimum wage hour job."


    Nova nodded and took it. She opens it up immediately and her eyes widened. "Wow, you even have accounting and law firms in here." She did. She has pulled a few strings with she didn''t even know existed. "Oh my god, even libraries!" She squealed, "Donna, ma''am, can I take the file and circulate it amongst my friends?"


    Alexis nodded. "Today is Tuesday and you can give it to me by the next Monday."


    The girl nodded bowed a little and the cute smile left the room.


    Agatha popped in immediately, "All okay Madam?"


    She nodded. "the little bow at the end was a bit exaggerating but apart from that everything was alright."


    "Ah," Agatha nodded, "Master Lucas is up."


    Alexis nodded and got up her routine had been dealing with Lucas as his mother and the child seemed happy.


    "Hello, baby!" She squealed as went inside his nursery and immediately giggled raising his arms of blabbering nonsense as Alexis cooed at him. "Look at that, look at that, handsome baby," she picked him up and walked towards the bathroom. "I think someone''s stinky and needs a bath." She sniffed his neck animatedly making him laugh and wiggle around.


    She bathed him and even dressed him. For someone who was watching them by standing near the door, they could easily tell that Alexis was the child''s mother.


    She had easily fit into the role just as Lucas had accepted her.


    She took him to her room and laid him on the bed there. Right right in the middle and then laid down next to him.


    He looked at her as Alexis smiled down at him. This was something Alexis never had. Something that was taken away from her.


    "Hey," Angelo came into the room and took his place on the bed. He took her hand and kissed her knuckles. "How are you?" He whispered as Lucas was almost on the verge of sleeping.


    "Good," she answered. "Are you ready for the announcement tomorrow at the Christmas party?"


    Angelo sighed and nodded. "I worry."


    "For?"


    He looked into her eyes and spoke without any remorse. "I worry for the person who might speak out of turn for my family and get shot by me.." He sighed looking, "It''s the beginning of me starting a family, I am not standing for anyone''s shit."

 Chapter 256 - Two Hundred And Fifty-six

    Donned up in a deep red velvet dress with a plunging neckline, flaring at the end, coming short just below her knees with off shoulder design she stood in front of the mirror with applying red lipstick. She wore a delicate diamond necklace, her hair up in a messy bun with a few of her hair strands curled up and wore heels of the matching colour. All in all, she was ready and good to go.


    She placed the lipstick down and heard a rustling behind her. On checking, it was Angelo coming towards her but had unfortunately stumbled on a random shoe that she hadn''t selected. She chuckled and placed the lipstick in its place.


    "Everything is thrown around and she keeps a small item in its place," he tsked and came to stand behind her. He leaned into her neck and inhaled her scent, kissing her nape he murmured. "You should wear your hair up often."


    "Why so?" she murmured back, fully turned on with the closeness.


    "I''d like to assault this neck more often." He answered honestly and kissed her neck again, "You look so gorgeous. Guess, red isn''t just good on the son."


    Smiling she turned around in his arms. "Flirt with me later we have to go and announce the news to the family."


    That''s what Angelo didn''t get, ''Why do we have to tell them separately?"


    Because you aren''t as bright as you think. "Because they are family and they deserve to know before everyone else." She explained and took his hands off her waist, "Now, let''s go." Their close family was waiting in his office.


    A baby or technically two were huge responsibilities. She had had sex willingly with him and had no idea if she had not taken the birth control or was it simply not as effective as they had thought, didn''t hold any meaning now. She as pregnant and god or the almighty or the highest power had bestowed it upon her and she wasn''t just going to let it go to waste. Not after the past.


    Angelo was firm in his words. The prenup was never going to go through and his time and time again actins proved that. Now with a baby, Alexis knew what she had to do and the first step to that was accepting where she stood.


    That was with him, someone who clearly could give her and her children the best life with the best of facilities available to mankind.


    So if she had been selfish and need it to be reminded, that was the first step to survival.


    He had his hand on her waist as they walked to the study, a guard opened the door for them and as they entered, everyone was already there: his parents, her mother, his siblings and cousin Vincenzo with his wife.


    He walked to his desk with his wife and stood ahead of it. With a small hint of a smile, taking everyone with surprise, he said, "We have an announcement to make. Please take your glasses."


    Agatha came in with a server. Everyone took a glass of champagne but Isabelle didn''t miss the person who didn''t. "Wait," she stopped the helper and pointed to Alexis, "You left her out."


    "Oh, I can''t drink." She chuckled.


    "Nooo!" Isobel immediately spoke up.


    "What is the baby coming?" Vincenzo was up in seconds.


    "No no," she waved him off making him frown and then turned to Alexis, "Really, are you?"


    Alexis nodded with a giddy smile on her face making Isabelle gasp too. She knew too and Nikita excitedly clapped her hands.


    "You know," Silvano sighed, "now it''s just men that look fucking stupid for not figuring that out."


    Alexis revealed with a smile, "I am pregnant..and we''ve adopted a baby."


    "A baby?" Isabelle repeated as the door opened and Pam came in with Lucas who was wearing a shirt and black slacks with a matching black jacket like his father who took him in his arms.


    "Yes. His mother was .." Alexis searched for a better word, "neglectful and we got the custody of the child as our own. He''s Lucas de''Alessandro." She introduced.


    Silvano tsked. "That''s unfortunate that his mother was neglectful but that does not mean you take up every child that comes across you. he is not blood and will be a stranger all his life given that he will not have a right to being the don."


    Angelo glared at him. "That point will be made clear to him later on and this is not the place to discuss that." His glare directed towards his brother shut him up from detecting anything else at his brother but they both knew that the conversation was far from over.


    Gabriele stood up and pulled her into a hug. Patting her head, he kissed it, "congratulations child." He wished and then moved onto his son along with his grandson. The entire family followed in wishing them well. Hugs and kisses were given out and prayers were sent out too.


    "I am so happy that you decided to tell us before everyone." Isabelle hugged her again as everyone slowly moved out. "I know I should trust my upbringing and nit ask you this but this lifestyle, I believe, changes everyone." She sighed forcefully and then asked, "Did he..is the pregnancy a ¡­willing one?"


    Alexis stared at the woman and then blinked looking away. She could understand where she was coming from, given that her son was practically untouchable. "Yes, I was willing. I am honestly telling you that."


    Isabelle''s eyes watered slightly. "Really? He has never touched you like.."


    "He never did." Alexis knew that she was a willing participant every time they had intercourse.


    Isabelle sighed in relief and hugged her daughter-in-law. "Welcome to motherhood child. You are going to have many sleepless nights but it''s going to be worth it." She kissed Alexis''s forehead. "I hope that you do a better job than I did." She smiled with tearful eyes.. "Because you are capable of it."

 Chapter 257 - Two Hundred And Fifty-seven

    After Isabelle and Alexis talk alone in the office, the came outside and Angela was waiting with Lucas for her. Lucas and immediately taken a liking towards her and was making grabby hands while being in Angelo''s arms.


    She smiled and took her baby from him. "That went well." She commented.


    He nodded. "That did until Silvano opened his fucking mouth."


    She shook her head and said, "well we could not expect positive reactions from everyone so by a milestone everything went well." She then sighed and glanced towards the corridor. "We still have to announce in front of a hundred people at least."


    He scoffed. "that won''t be a problem. You see I cannot kill my brother but if anyone else has a finger towards my family I don''t think my mother would have a problem with me gunning them down." He shrugged. "Now come on, I don''t think anyone would have the guts to talk at my dining table anyway." Then after a few minutes, he spoke, "Keep an emotionless face. You might be a mother but your rational mind is still present."


    He placed his hand on her waist and guided her along to the living room where the guests have started to arrive. It was obvious that the moment Alexis stepped down the stairs everyone had noticed Lucas in her arms. She was aware of them but keeping an emotionless face help her because to be others it was visible that she was not affected by them even though on the inside she was shaking like a leaf.


    They walked towards the first couple that was standing near the stairs and mingled. Tonight families of the different crime organisations for also present as there was an announcement regarding the future of one. The allies were invited.


    Santino''s.


    Martinez''s.


    The Davis and;


    The Williams.


    Currently, Alexis was conversing with Davis''s. The senior ones.


    "But my, my, my. Look at this darling boy," Mrs Davis teased Lucas which resulted in the boy hiding his face into Alexis''s neck. "Someone is looking so handsome in that little suit of his."


    Alexis with the white smile glanced down at her son and then commented with a small chuckle. "And now he''s shy."


    "I take it that today is Christmas party has something to do with this announcement as well." Mr Davis pointed to the child. "Think you could tell me about it?" He winked making Angelo scoff.


    "You''ll get to know everyone else. Don''t worry." Angelo shook his head.


    "That man was kind of cute." She commented with a small smile. "Cute, short, bald man."


    Angelo huffed in return. "Callin'' a hyena cute will get you nowhere."


    "Wow," she raised her brows a bit but didn''t say anything further. That was truly unexpected.


    The couple moved next. The Saintino''s were Isabelle''s family so a long-standing alley of the de''Alessandro.


    "Ah, my boy," the older man came to him kissing his head. "You''ve grown well. Your cousin is here too. He is getting married in summer." He pointed at his son, Luciano, who Alexis remembered. He then looked at Alexis. "Ah, the new member..s." he looked at the child, "he does have Angelo''s brown eyes." He commented immediately, frowning at the boy.


    "I know right. That is what drew me to him." Alexis replied looking at the boy. "Drew me right to him."


    "Yes, yes. That is true." The lie was convincing especially with the cousin''s comment.


    "Yes, after all the fucking around that he did, he would have a litter of kids running around." He laughed. Even though is accent was heavier than Angelo''s, Alexis understood and smiled a little uncomfortably.


    How correct his brothers was, her eyes met his. A hidden taunt was passed.


    Alexis turned to Luciano to talk. "Congratulations Luciano." She wished with a smile and he gave her a small hug.


    "Thank you, sister. I hope you will come earlier as family. Italy is more to explore that the little time you spent." He then leaned in, "I know some good wineries. You will love them, muah." He kissed his fingers.


    Alexis laughed at his enthusiasm. "I would love too. Eggnog?" She offered as a server came to them. He took one, thanking her for it.


    They nodded and moved forward. They spotted next to Helena and Marcus, who had found a common ground. "Don, Donna." He greeted with a bow. Helena followed the suit.


    "How are you uncle?" Angelo asked as he looked around, I don''t see grandfather here. Did he not come?" He frowned. With a party and an excuse to drink away the night his grandfather was the first one to arrive.


    "Believe it or not, child. He and my mother are on a vacation together."


    Gabrielle having ears then talk, came in as well. "That''s not.. possible." He looked suspicious. "I don''t remember one incident in my life when they went on a vacation. All they ever went on were business events where they slept on different beds."


    That was a bit suspicious. Julia was kept at an arm''s length and everybody was aware of that fact.


    Agatha came and announced the food. They had mingled for hours as everybody had admired the decorations of the house as well. They had to after all the decorations had taken 3 days and weeks for Isabelle to settle on.


    They took their seats but this time Angelo and Alexis stood up with a smile on their faces.


    "Ladies and gentlemen," he smiled and raised his glassmaking everyone holds their glasses in their hands too. "I have had the opportunity to introduce you to a new member of my family. Lucas de''Alessandro." He raised his arms what''s the boy who was on the verge of sleeping and then continued his glass higher than the before. "Also to the member would arrive in a few months." That had everyone erupt in cheers this time even Silvano yelled at the top of his voice.


    Everyone seemed happy yet someone mournful was present amongst those.. Mourning for what they had started to plan.

 Chapter 258 - Two Hundred And Fifty-eight

    A full course dinner had begun and Alexis would do anything to not become the topic of today''s conversation at the dinner table as the announcement had made her and the baby in her arms the only target. Time and again she could see people glance at her and then we''re referring to themselves and the person next to them which further made her understand why Angelo insisted to stay within the emotionless face. For a boy who had just begin and simultaneously her it was the easiest way to hide their nerves from others.


    "It''s going to be alright alright darling," Isobel whispered to her like me patting her thigh away from everyone''s eye. "You haven''t been seen in public and only made appearances in the parties which is why the rumours circulating you are now coming to surface to see what''s right and what''s wrong."


    Alexis frowned. "I have rumours?"


    "Everybody does." Isobel sipped her water.


    "But I''ve they barely gone out of the house." Alexis countered, "How can there be any rumours about a person who has not been even seen by people?"


    Isobel shook her head. "That''s actually why you have the rumours."


    "Yes, bu¡ª" Alexis quietened down when she heard a small yawn from the little boy in her lap. Lucas was ready to go to bed as she had been said earlier and she knew that any time now he would get fussy.


    "Excuse me," she said to Isobel quickly, "Angelo," she called him and he immediately looked over. "Pam is not present for the party tonight which is why I''ll have to go and hand over Lucas to her. He is already sleeping and any time now he is going to get fussy."


    He nodded. "Do you want me to come with you?"


    She shook her head, smiled quickly and stood up to leave.


    Holding up the boy carefully in her trying not to awaken him any more than the movement are already caused him to. She patted him likely on the bad and silently slowly stepped upstairs at the end of the hallway.


    "Good baby," she cooed as he started to fuss a little. "Calm, baby. Calm." Back again and then quickened her steps to reach the room of the babysitter.


    She knocked on the door. Hearing slight shuffling from the inside within a few seconds she came padding towards the door and opened it. "Madam?" She frowned.


    "Hi," Alexis smiled. "I apologize for disturbing you but we have an event going on tonight and Lucas is already sleepy you have to take care of him tonight." She handed over him. "Also make sure to lock your door and have him sleep with you and not in his room."


    Pam nodded immediately. Having been born into the life of her parents and her brother working for the organisation she knew better than the question any safety measures are taken for the security of the family and her.


    At least Donna was considered enough to include her in the security measures as well.


    Alexis nudged her. "Lock, I''ll check."


    She did and Alexis pulled and pushed the door to see. It didn''t move. "Alright then."


    Pam wished her luck and retired with Lucas.


    Since it was dead winter, The silence caused Alexis to hear what was going on in the room. the soft padding of Pam''s feet as she walked to the bed, the rustling of the covers and her cooing at Lucas as she laid him there, she heard it all.


    Alexis placed a hand on her chest as she couldn''t help but notice the quickened breathing. There was something inside her instincts telling her that something ominous was going to happen. That odd feeling warning her of something.


    She turned around to walk, "Oh!" She jumped back a bit as she saw someone standing there. "I didn''t see you there. Are you lost?" She asked taking a step towards the girl.


    "How would you know if I am lost?" She asked in a slight daze. Her eyes are moist.


    Alexis smiled for appearance sake. "I know because this is my house and I can tell that a guest who is probably in search of a bathroom is lost. You should have used the one at the end of the hall downstairs." sidestepped the woman. "I''ll show you if you want."


    She shook her head. "Do you know who I am?"


    Alexis nodded. Her feeling of the situation grew negatively. "Yes, I am aware. You are Tatiana Ricci."


    She nodded with a small smile and her glossy eyes focused on Alexis yet appeared to be far away. "You got that right. My name Tatiana means to be the queen in Russian. Which means, the throne next to the king, was supposed to be mine." Her eyes snapped Alexis''s and she stepped closer. "Not you, not anyone else but me whose name had the word queen in it."


    She watched the woman with keen eyes very of watching the woman who was next to look like a crazy person. "Angelo means Angel. I think you can figure the rest out." She nodded curtly as her eyes turned sharp at the sight of the women now before how she was gently smiling at her.


    She went ahead to sidestep the woman but was met with the below as the woman post her shoulder against Alexis making her stumble back.


    "What is wrong with you?" Alexis glared at her. "Do you know by doing this for a man you are threatening the alliance and mocking the man who has invited you to his house to announce that his wife is pregnant!" She hissed.


    She shook her head. Her eyes dimmed I sadness and Alexis could make out that she was not in her right mind with the constant changes in her emotions and mood. "That''s not fair." She spooked around the Hallway a slight smile on her lips as if reminiscing the past. "I had once walked in these halls with people bowing and greeting me knowing that I was going to be the next queen." She smiled and pulled something out, "It is fair that I get it back, no?"


    She had a gun in her hand.

 Chapter 259 - Two Hundred And Fifty-nine.

    Alexis stared at the gun that was pointing right at her nose. She stared at it then her eyes flickered back to the woman who was with a crazed look holding it.


    She had to act quickly and think the whole situation through so that without making the woman panic, she would get out unharmed. "By doing this," she pointed at the gun, "You think that he will even remotely come close to you?" She scoffed, "If you kill me, his wife, you will be directly challenging him and he will never marry you much less kill your entire family for this."


    She didn''t reply but tilted her head to the side. "What makes you assume automatically that he would know that it was me who killed you?"


    "I believe there are only two people that have been missing from the dining table for the past 15 minutes."


    She sighed and shook her head slowly. She stepped forward, Alexis took one back. The whole event gives the feeling of a predator and prey. Tatiana, was here to kill her and she was not even discreet about it. She was delaying it which made her enjoy it even more.


    She had noticed Alexis from afar who was like a dazzling flower taking in all the attention and managing to stand tall and proud knowing that people were criticising the left and right with no care and without the knowledge of the truth.


    Even though Alexis''s eyes held the fear of her life and her Palm placed protectively on her nonexistent stomach she still looked beautiful. Even though she had plain brown eyes and black hair Alexis was one of the most beautiful women she had ever seen without a touch of science marking her skin.


    Even had stretch marks on her arms and had no Botox and her eyes and on her lips yet she had managed to capture the attention of one man who had been available while being on the top.


    "How did you do it? how did you make the one man fall for you that would never fall in love? That everyone knew would never love?"


    "What?" Alexis gawked at her. She was right, the bitch was out of her mind.


    She nodded. "I have practically forced my father and brother to ally with Angelo giving them my word that I would marry him and then you show up, we get the wedding invites and everything I have ever worked for..is just.." she sobbed. Her already moist eyes had started to produce tears and broke down in front of Alexis making her even more scared of the delusional woman. "He treated me like a princess. As long as you give him the respect th-hat he commands like every other man in the family he treated me like a princess. Fr-from Prada to Gucci I go-to everything." She cried her words barely made any sense. "Please.. oh god, it''s not fair."


    Her eyes snapped back to Alexis and she jumped from the fear as she saw her red eyes. Talk about crazed the woman looked unhinged. "You did it!"


    ''Fuck sakes woman, I was dragged into it. He did it!''


    "I..uh.." What was Alexis to say here? Anything she said could be taken and complete opposite sense and she would end up practically dying. "I could .. divorce hi¡ªAh!" Gasping she palmed her cheek that had been slapped by the woman. It was throbbing and Alexis could feel a cut.


    "You think that you are worthy enough of giving it that man a divorce?" She sneered looking like it dangerous animal. She stepped forward and held Alexis''s hair that was bunched up in a bun and pulled at it harshly making her cry out. She placed the gun on her temple forcefully pushing it against the skin.


    if Alexis had ever felt fear guarding something then this was tenfold of it. this was what people meant when they said that that was staring them in the face. One hand was holding the hand where Tatiana was pulling her hair and the other was still laid protectively in front of a belly hopefully trying to protect her child.


    "you are nothing in comparison to the man you are married to. You nothing and comparison to me. Yes, you are the one who has it all." She smiled as she smashed her victims face against the wall pushing her against it. "But don''t worry. I will make sure that he does not remember you, that you are so badly disfigured or mutilated I might say, but he won''t even think of you before shivering with disgust."


    A woman against a woman was nothing new for Alexis as she had had her fair share of women competing in the field of career. To be honest, everyone wanted a fair chance there and it was excused that they wanted their hard work to be awarded first but what she didn''t like was a woman against women for the man who did not care enough for either.


    That was an insult to both of them. that was it in search of their self-esteem and self-respect.


    Mutilated was a word that held a lot of significance and was full of horror and experience Alexis wishes that no one has gone through and if she was planning for Alexis to be mutilated then it was where Alexis could end up even dead in the worst of conditions.


    Which was unacceptable coming from a woman.


    "How can you even talk of someone especially of fellow woman mutilated for a man that you couldn''t have?!" She shouted, not at the top of her voice but it was raised enough to get the point across. "Do you not have any shame, any fear, any self-respect?" She pushed the woman forcefully making her stumble at the end of the gown get in caught beneath her foot. "Because if you don''t then I believe the lack of these three does not validate your existence enough on this earth."


    She halted down at the woman, fear no longer running in her veins but anger. "I believe you should be the one dying tonight.." She declared and for the first time instead of the crazed unhinged look, she saw pure fear.

 Chapter 260 - Two Hundred And Sixty.

    "M-Me?" The woman pointed to herself. "But you cannot do that because I am the one with the gun." her innocent look as if she was questioning how Alexis had the power when she had the weapon was astonishing.


    But considering her mental state of mind not so much.


    Alexis chuckled and smiled down at her. A motherly smile it was, wondering how could an innocent so like this be sent to the earth and grace Alexis with her presence.


    She walked two steps forward and slammed her foot down on the hand that held her gun making the woman screaming and scramble away from Alexis.


    Alexis bent down her legs no longer shivering but felt only the rush of power throughout the entire body. Shifting of the gun and scrutinized it in front of her eyes, keeping the gun in between them making sure that Tatiana saw it.


    "There you go," she cooed, "See I have it." She showed her the gun by placed his muzzle right in front of her face. "See?"


    She could act crazed too.


    "B-but.."


    "Don''t tell me Angelo gave it to you." She sighed hoping that it¡ª


    "He did." She whimpered as if the loss of the gun made her the saddest woman in the world. "He had it made just for me. Look at how it''s built.." she stared at the gun with the feeling of longing in her eyes.


    Alexis stared at it as well. It was a black gun just like she had seen everywhere and in every room of the house, there was nothing special about it.


    It was normal.


    "Does it shoot diamonds?" She asked tot he fallen woman who had not bothered to get a but instead had pulled her knees to her chest and had taken a seat on the ground.


    "No," she frowned.


    Alexis sighed heavily. "Accept the fact that Angelo the guy you are obsessed with giving it to you I don''t understand what''s so special about a black normal bullet gun."


    She talked about normal as if she knew about every gun in the world.


    "You dont understand. I love him." Tatiana told Alexis who thought that she had not figured anything about it.


    "I know," Alexis set with an irritated look, "but gunning me down, scaring me to the that does not give your love any kind of validation that you are seeking. " She sighed shaking her head.


    "But-"


    "And what is love?" Alexis didn''t give her a chance to speak. "How come loving a man that you just met exceeds your capability to think to rationalize and allows you to place yourself in a situation where you are deliberately putting yourself in danger. when I go down or tonight after all of this is over and I tell Angelo all of this happening, you know for a fact that he is going to come for you." Clicking her tongue irritatedly, Alexis snapped her fingers, "Look here! he would be coming to kill you not to declare his love for you!" The woman could barely focus.


    Alexis glanced away from the woman for a second. She knew that she had the power and the situation have been taken from there a woman who was sitting on the ground dreaming about something else as Alexis glanced at her. she had no concern for her life her love and yellow or her obsession exceeded all limits.


    She would have suited him better than Alexis on any given day.


    She sighed and stepped back. Her nerves had been right. She had almost been on the brink of death tonight.


    Alexis turned around and started to walk away from the woman. She had the gun in her hand but it was completely forgotten as she focused on getting out of here as soon as possible.


    "You''re stupid." She heard from behind her.


    "Ah!" Something hit her bard making her stumble and fall. A dribble would be felt on her arm where she had felt the blow. checking her arm she saw that there was a deep cut there and then turned around to see Tatiana standing above her with a knife in her hand repairing of blood.


    Her blood.


    And with this fall Alexis was not even sure that three months year old child was safe or not.


    "You''re stupid to turn your back on someone ready to kill you. All the more reason for me to end you and give someone more worthy of the position that you have."


    Tears came to her eyes as Alexis realised that she had completely forgotten about Tatiana''s existence and hand focused on getting out of here.


    She had made a grave mistake that can easily take her life. Because right now Tatiana held the knife and the gun had fallen far away from Alexis which even if she crawled to get Tatiana could stab her in the back.


    "That''s quite a powerplay here," someone commented from behind them. "But quite frankly, I am bored."


    Alexis turned and so did Tatiana.


    It was the senior Williams. Alexander Williams.


    The man behind the American mafia.


    "What do you want?" Tatiana growled. "Get the fuck out!"


    The man tsked. "When your father came to me with your hand in marriage to my son he said that you are a respectful and well-mannered girl yet here you are."


    "I said-" Alexis heard a thud. She was looking at the man and all of a sudden which she did not even process he held a gun in his hand with smoke coming out of it.


    The man was alright and stood straight staring at her. So it was obvious that the thud came from behind her.


    She slowly turned around, her fear crept back in. If not by the hands of different women than by the hands of another leader who was an ally of her husband.


    It was a clear shot as she saw blood seeping out of the wound right in the middle of Tatiana''s eyes.


    "I''m sorry for the inconvenience.." Came from behind her as she slipped into consciousness.

 Chapter 261 - Two Hundred And Sixty-one

    She woke up with her start. Sat up immediately after only to close her eyes at the pain caused by the sudden movement.


    Her body screamed fatigue.


    Nevertheless, she sat straight on the bed with her feet touching the floor. She tried to grab her thoughts and put them in order.


    Last night, the dinner party. Then Tatiana Ricci, her death and then waking up in an unknown bedroom.


    She instinctively covered her stomach with her hand trying to figure out if the baby was even there to begin with. After that nasty fall, who knew?


    She prayed that she was blessed with that chance.


    Slowly, she got and up and looked around the room. It was well decorated for sure but when a sudden wave of nausea hit she moved to the door that was right in front of her.


    She has hovered the toilet. The feeling of nausea was there but nothing came out of the mouth somehow making her feel grateful to not feel the acidic taste in her mount but also annoyed with it.


    But did this means that she was still the child?


    She hoped so.


    Nothing came out and as happy she should have when she was just as irritated. She moved to the wash besan and realised that there was a toothbrush with the toothpaste and some other necessary hygiene products present with towels. Wasn''t she kidnapped? Or apparently, she was on vacation?


    she did not use the facility of a toothbrush and a paste instead just rinsed her mouth wash her face with water and walked to the door.


    She knocked on the door first. Lightly, if someone was outside that they could hear her.


    "Hello?" She called out unsure of what to say. "Can you please let me out or at least tell me why I am here?" Should she threaten them of Angelo? But if they were scared of him in the first place the won''t have kidnapped her.


    She knocked again but no response.


    Alexis did not want to evolve any violent responses from them. So far they have not bothered to disturb or even come into the room to threaten or manipulator which was a bonus in the given situation and invite the last time that she was kidnapped. So this time she did not want the same to repeat itself and if that meant keeping to herself while being in a room that was fully stocked with everything that she could need that she would stay as quiet as a mouse in a corner of the house.


    She quietened down and took a seat on the couch. Hell, there were even books in this room! It had been prepared for her.


    She took one but didn''t open it. Let it be on her lap and stared outside the window, wondering when would her husband come.


    **********


    "Find her then!" Vincenzo yelled into the phone. "I don''t care where her ring has a tracker in it!"


    Angelo had not said a word since last night and neither had he slept. The only thing he felt right now was a disappointment. he was disappointed in his self and his ability to protect and provide for his family.


    Disappointed but there was one corridor where there were no cameras because it was not used as much and that was a very corridor that had led to the kidnapping of his wife.


    She would be found if not now then eventually and others knew better than to hurt her. She didn''t have a tracker in her ring and a tracker in the help in that Agatha had had you if she had not taken it off when she would probably be found quicker.


    "Boss," Vincenzo set but fails to gather the attention of his brother, "Angelo." He tried instead.


    "Hmm?" That was all he got in return.


    "We will find the. She will be found." He tried to reassure his brother.


    "I know she will." He said still want bordering to look at Vincenzo. "Her ring has attracted she has one inside her. So no matter where she goes she will always have a tracker inside her." He revealed. "So yes she will be found next to the person who dared to do so."


    After a small silence, Vincenzo began. "The dead body of the¡ª"


    "Tatiana Ricci," his father enter his office without bothering to Knock at the door. "I told you that she was trouble that she and healthy infatuation with you was going to land you''re in trouble someday. But you continued with her and look the way you are right now!"


    Gabriele de''Alessandro the one who had shown Angelo the power of an emotionless face. So naturally, Angelo has seen his father angry only a handful of times and this was one of those. His father was furious and his reddened face was an example of fat.


    He didn''t reply. Nothing from his side with being a situation any better where he knew he was in the wrong.


    "that doesn''t matter if he carried out with your words or not because she is dead and we have proved that she was a threat to our queen." Vincenzo sighed and took a seat in front of the seats of Angelo''s desk. "Pam, the babysitter, the conversation but could not tell who was the man that the galaxies. She had declared conversation between Tatiana Ricci and Alexis, she had given man. She pulled a fucking gun on her." Vincenzo shook his head. "The Ricci''s should know what it means."


    "Their daughter is dead," Gabrielle stated.


    Angelo shook his head pointedly. "it doesn''t matter if she is dead or not because she did not die by my hand and the disrespect she caused to my wife in my home demands to have an example set.. If they cannot control their women then they shouldn''t let them out!" He bellowed by the end. "That was what they did the treaty for and for that, they will fucking pay!"

 Chapter 262 - Two Hundred And Sixty-two

    She had a book in her hand, what was its name? She did not even bother to know. For the past five or six hours, she had the book in her lab opened at a random page.


    No one had bothered to come to her, for food or any necessities. She had concluded that being kidnapped at Angelo''s house was better.


    She sighed and moved to the window, gazing out of it. they had cleverly posted a man just below the window so that she knew that even though the window was small and would never say to her there was still a man standing there watching her.


    she had never noticed or observed things as much as she has started to do when she entered this life. These men like to make subtle threats.


    A sound came from outside and immediately turned towards the door. They had unlocked it.


    But should she go out? Staying inside seemed like a better option and safe too.


    so she continues to stand beside the window yet watched the door with an alert gaze. She waited for someone to come in in drag her out by her hair and probably shoot her in the head and end her life.


    Almost instinctively her hand palmed her belly. She was scared for the life of her baby of not for herself.


    Someone knocked on the door and she almost answered it but then remembered that she was the kidnapper one and she had no authority here.


    "Good afternoon," a mid-aged woman came in. "If you are feeling alright I would like you to follow me somewhere." She set with a sweet yet turn voice almost reminding her of Agatha.


    "Where?" She questioned stupidly. But it was worth a try maybe the women could answer.


    She smiled instead. "Just a few more minutes and then you would know for yourself. Come, come." She beckoned her and hesitantly so, Alexis followed.


    What could be the worse after last night?


    The woman store in front of a door and then knock twice waited for acknowledgement and then open the door for Alexis. one thing she remembered was never to cover in front of people because of which she walked in with her head held high as if she was not scared at all.


    There sat a man behind a desk looking exactly around the age of Gabriel that was, in his fifties.


    he was watching her enter his eyes following every movement of hers and somehow making her insecure about her self. His eyes were enough to make her consider all the life decisions she had ever made.


    "Why am I here?" She asked as soon as she entered the room and try to take a little bit of liberty along with the control that was much needed in this situation.


    The man smiled a bit, mainly his lips quirked up a little bit. "All in good time kid sit down." He pointed to the chairs ahead of him and she did so as told.


    He sighed and leaned back into his chair. "You are curious aren''t you?"


    She scoffed. "What could I possibly be curious of? That in the past 24 hours I have had a gun held to my head by a deranged woman then add my arm scratched by her with a nice and then I saw her get killed in front of me and then get kidnapped by the very killer who killed her." She nodded thoughtfully. "I think anyone would be anxious instead of curious towards coming next for them." She corrected.


    The man laughed. A jolly good one and then pointed his finger at her. "You''re a good one. I can tell you that that was what attracted me to your mother."


    "My mother?" She repeated. "If you were attracted by her humour than I am sure you left at the speed of lighting." She muttered. her mother could have good humour for a few seconds and then it turns into a dark twisted one. From praising someone she could go to taunting and humiliating someone within seconds.


    It was.... traumatizing.


    "Ah. I would not say that. All we had was a brief encounter." He said.


    "Did that brief encounter, by any chance, have..." She left the sentence hanging. God knew how much she was detesting it.


    The man sighed. "Maybe," he shrugged his shoulders.


    "Maybe?" She shrieked. "What does that mean, do you not know for sure?"


    "because to be honest, I was waiting for you to give your consent to the DNA test." He explained. "You were unconscious when you Vir brought here and I make sure to get a doctor check you and the baby," he said pointedly as if he had already taken Alexis to be his child, "both of you are alright but he did recommend a good bed rest which we did give to you."


    She stared at him impassively. How kind of h to provide her with that after he had killed someone in front of her and then kidnapped her.


    "Hold on," she grabbed another point, "do you take me for a fool?"


    "I''m sorry?" The man showed her a hint of astonishment.


    "I said do you take me for a fool? you just told me that the doctor visited me and you want me to believe that you did not have him take any sample from me to prove that I am your daughter?" Alexis did not wait any longer to help she confronted him headfirst. "The conversation was said that you said about me giving my consent was just for you to gain my trust. Which I can assure you are not getting until I return to my own house unharmed."


    He stared at her. Somehow, she realised this, there was this one tactic where every man''s death and try to analyse and observe the person in front of them. This was something that she had seen every man do.


    They were all the same which mean one thing for sure.


    They all crave respect and they all could be fooled because of it.

 Chapter 263 - Two Hundred And Sixty-three

    She stood in front of the bed, directly in front of her husband who was lying down in the bed half dead.


    But did she care? Not at all. After all, she was the one who had placed him there resulting in him being hooked up on a machine keeping him alive.


    He had it coming to him for a very long time. Probably the time since they got married which was 50 years ago. 50 years that she had spent while being tortured both mentally and physically, fighting to be on the top yet resulting to be the one on the bottom.


    The power had never been hers and only his.


    Nicolas de''Alessandro, the big bag Mafia Don who had once conquered the country along with his father was now lying in bed because of one hit to the head that his wife had delivered. If only he could ever wake up and she the power held as well.


    Even if he did wake up and see and realise what was going on, she was sure that within seconds he would die of a heart attack.


    She walked to the side of the bed where the heart monitors were placed along with other necessary instruments. She stared at his face. In his prime, this man was ungodly handsome but he was even was on the inside rotten beyond the cure.


    And she, his is a dedicated wife, had coloured herself in his colours without a second of thought.


    That was the only regret she had. That she had ruined her innocence for a man that was never truly hers.


    She leaned to his ear and whispered with a taunting smirk. "Tick tock, tick tock." She sang with a slight giggle. "Your time has come." She smiled.


    ********


    She got out of the car with her sunglasses perched up on her nose and a new Prada bag tucked underneath her arm. The woman who was in her seventies boost confidence as she walked to the entrance of the house that was once considered to be the enemies of the family.


    She did not wait for a god to come and take her inside the house. She knew her way around she had been here countless times.


    She opened the door to the office of the young Don and placed her purse on his desk taking a seat in front of him.


    "You don''t fear for your own life do you," Francesco said as he continued to look at the paperwork in front of am not bothering to give the woman in front of him a glance. "Maja remind you your family still considers me to be an ally so if I kill you no one would ever know."


    She smirked. "But are you truly?" She leaned forward and stared into his eyes. "you did not invite me to your sister''s funeral. I feel sorry for the way Tatiana died."


    The man did not even blink in return and Julia knew that the man had made his peace with the fact that his sister had been killed. "You don''t have any feelings for vengeance." She concluded. "Why?" She tilted her head in the utmost curiosity.


    He scoffed. "you mistake me to be your grandson when you ask me a question and expect me to answer it."


    She sighed and leaned back. "You must have something to say."


    He smirked. "I heard that Nicholas de''Alessandro has suffered from a heart attack. Sorry to hear that." He Titled has had just like she had done. "Mind telling me, that if anything ever happens to him what would your powerless self do?" He taunted with a smile.


    "Excuse me?" she remained motionless knowing that if she showed him but she truly felt that he would have the ball in his court.


    "Nothing." He shook had ever so innocently that no one would ever doubt his intentions being impure. "In this life, Julia as I suspect you might know, a woman usually derives her power from either the maiden family name that she had ordered the one should receive from her husband because usually, women don''t choose to work." Due to security reasons and what not but he did not mention those. "now as far as I remember your husband never maintained anything with your family and eventually the ties broke off. Now my question is your husband is almost dead and you come to my door expecting to be greeted with respect." He stood up and tower her coming around the corner. "Why don''t you tell me what is it that you have to offer me?"


    She smiled and replied. "Everything."


    ********


    Alexis had been traced. She had been traced an hour ago but in a completely different state for which Angelo would need to travel for hours. they had to take the roadways AS level would not allow as much as amination as he needed.


    Nothing had ever made him most furious than this and God forbid for the entire Williams family if his child or the mother had had a scratch on them.


    They had been driving at an unbelievable speed but the cops had been paid off informed so no one was going to stop him and given that it was the middle of the night no call dad to come out of his car when he saw a whole motorcade moving.


    This life certainly paid off but not in the way anyone wanted.


    His phone rang and he picked it up. "What?" He muttered saving his strength for what was about to come.


    "Betrayal makes us furious, doesn''t it?" Angelo immediately recognises the voice and the taunting tone that had to make him feel furious for the lack of a better word. "But what if I tell you a family member murdering the other for no apparent reason? No significant logic?"


    Angelo sneered as he answered, "Did the loss of your sister make your brain go Haywire?"


    The man Laughed, "Not really.. but your brain would go Haywire when I tell you that your grandmother is sitting in my house trying to sell me your secrets."

 Chapter 264 - Two Hundred And Sixty-four

    Alexis was right. The man and undertaken har samples and talking about consent was just a joke and something to gain her trust. Well jokes on him because she had learnt better than to trust anyone who walked her way. The first person was Angelo who she had met and had eventually trusted but time and again he had proved to be someone otherwise.


    So she stood up and watched the driveway from a proper window was this time instead of a small, grilled one office of the man who had kidnapped her.


    "Who are you waiting for? You have been staring at my driveway for the past 30 minutes." The man muttered with his eyes still closed. "Given that you are with the child I would suggest that you go to rest."


    "With the possibility of never waking up and thank you." She muttered under her breath. Then said loud enough for him to hear, "When is the doctor coming? I need to go back to my house and then rest properly."


    The man sighed. "You do know that nothing is as it seems right?" She nodded still looking outside. "and you must know that you are here because there are chances that remind me my child which I do believe that you are."


    She nodded again.


    "So what makes you think that when you turn out to be my daughter I will let you out of the house?"


    She blinked and took her time. Eventually answered him, "because at the end of the day I have the name of another family joined to mine and I also carry his child." She explained and then looked over to him, "I might not know much but I am sure that on these grounds you are already having a war brewing between you two."


    He nodded appreciating her knowledge like a father word making her cringe hard. The men had already taken the role of a father without having the results confirmed. "That''s right. It is but I am sure that your husband would understand and give his explanations then."


    "What explanations?" She hissed back tired of the vague answers that this man had been giving her since the beginning.


    He smiled lightly and stared at her. "You are learning but you are learning at the hands of that man which means that you trust him the most."


    "Your point being?" She hurried with an in the patient expression on her face. Maybe she should have gone to her room and have rested instead of talking to this man and practically getting nowhere.


    "Be patient." He advised. "Do you trust him blindly?"


    She scoffed. Angelo her time and again said that he trusted no one when it came to his own life given his reasons, she understood that but why should she trust him for the same?


    "No, after gaining the knowledge that my mother could have possibly lied about the existence of my father is I am evaluating my life choices." She gave him a sweet smile at the end. Full of cuteness.


    "There''s no need for that." He waved it off and did not understand her full of sarcasm smile. "Don''t worry I will make sure that you understand everything and question the right."


    She sighed and looked out again to the driveway a question plagued her mind and she hesitated to ask about it, worried about what kind of game-changer it might play as.


    Yet she did. It was important to know. "What if I am not your daughter?" She turned around to look at him. "What then? Would you be so kind enough to teach me about what has been happening around me and how should I proceed then?"


    The men glanced at her as if expecting the question to come anytime soon. "Then you go back and I remain here without a daughter. Going back to my life as if it maybe happened¡ª" his phone pinged and he looked at it. Frowning as if he had trouble while using it.


    "Ah," he smiled. "The doctor just sent me the confirmation email and the god is coming with the reports as a hard copy of proof. You are indeed my daughter my darling. Welcome to the family!" He bellowed and came over to her making her cower back immediately, hugging her with everything he got.


    "Ah, okay," she still tries to process what was happening. Had she found her father? Somehow she believed that her mother was the only one who could answer this. She was the only one who could confirm if this man was what he presumed himself to be.


    Also, much of a good a doctor could be while testing someone''s DNA report? There could still be chances of him missing something.


    "Could you let go?" She said in a timid voice never having received such fatherly affection from someone.


    He nodded and pulled back. Gazing at her face, he kissed her forehead. "Welcome to the family child. It also confirms my suspicions about your marriage to that family."


    "You have suspicions regarding what?" She stepped away from the man who patting her head like a dog. "What are you talking about?"


    His lips thinned grimly as he looked at her with the dejected expression. "What did he tell you when he said that he had married you for? How did you even meet him?"


    She didn''t bother to answer him as she began to think about what he had asked. Every time he has spoken about it she had lively taken her word for what he wanted to be conveyed across. For someone who trusted no one how could she trust him?


    "Lo-love at.."


    "Love at first sight?" Alexander Williams completed for the stuttering mess of a girl. "The biggest naivety you could have shown to that man. What makes you believe that in today''s world things like love at first sight exists? It was not loved at first sight child." He concluded. "It was the blood you had.. My blood."

 Chapter 265 - Two Hundred And Sixty-five

    Quickly walking to her room she closed the door behind her and leaned against it as she locked it shut from the inside.


    She did not wait for that man to finish his words or to explain further. To be honest she had not even begun to process the words that he had uttered.


    Had Angelo married her because he knew that she could be whatever she was, a long lost daughter or just an ignored one to the Williams family bloodline? But to be honest, how could he know?


    Then again in the past, she had learnt numerous times that he happened to know everything, so the question was why not this?


    Confusion had never felt to be this disturbing to her. If even made a list both sides would just where the same at the end because both of them would point out you do different things that she had seen happen in front of for the past year.


    She ran a hand anxiously through her hair and took a seat on the couch gently careful of the life she was carrying and the stress she was in.


    "Angelo," she groaned closing her eyes, "please hurry." She had no idea that for how long she could carry on with this.


    *********


    Angelo got out of the car slamming the door shut on his way out walking into the house. they did not even stop him at the gate meaning that they were expecting him to come with an army of men.


    Good for him, he saved his two people at the door. He scoffed, his security was shit.


    "There you are," Alexander''s voice bounced off the walls as a grated Angelo who was barging into his home. "I am expected you to come in later but then again you have used technology in many ways than one."


    Sam had come in use for this but Angelo didn''t answer him. Instead, he said, "My wife." He pointed.


    "What''s the hurry for you too," William''s started walking down the stairs, "Take my daughter away?"


    "I¡ª" wait what? "The fuck did you just say?"


    The older man nodded. "She is my daughter."


    Angelo stared at him. Could it be scientifically proven that in old age people after lost their minds? Because the man in front of him has surely lost his.


    He shook his head and explained to the man who already had one of his food in a coffin for kidnapping his wife. "Just because half of America has the same surname as you do does not mean they belong to your family. Second of all, this shit it is not a familiar that in a group of people you might find someone who looks similar to someone." He stepped closer to the man, "Now, I don''t care what game it is that you''re playing at but I want my wife right now and I want to get out of your house with her."


    "It''s her house." The man argued. "She stays¡ª"


    "If I want to," Alexis commented as she ran into the scene. Looking in between both of them she realised that she was on time and no one was dead yet. "If I want to stay here then I will stay here and that is my choice." She told the man who claimed to be her father. "But for now I want to go with my husband." She stepped closer to him involuntarily.


    The man sighed as he continues to stare at her with disappointing eyes. "I was expecting you to stay." He confessed in a dimmed voice.


    She shook her head. She had thought about it when she was in the room. thought about both the situations where she was his daughter over she was in and if she wanted to stay and whatever she did not want to. "I would have stayed if you found me before I was married to this man. Also, the DNA test was not done in front of me so I cannot be sure that is not one of your gimmicks to put me on your side."


    Angelo felt fucking proud.


    "Here," they both looked over to see that Alexander Williams was handling an envelope to Alexis holding it out in front of her. "Take this please." that might be the first time and Angelo had seen a mafia don''t say please for something.


    Alexis glanced at it and then frowned. She scoffed, "You were just saying about wanting me to stay and now you are shoving a cheque towards me?!" She scoffed again. "How could¡ª"


    "What no!" He denied, cutting her off. "It details what happened and the contact if you ever want to reach me."


    "Oh," she sobbed up taking it from his hands and tucking it her arm. "Alright, thank you." She nodded.


    "Come on," Angelo gently pulled her along and moved out his men going along with him. Making a show that she was safe inside the car he then took his seat and they all drove off.


    Still now was of what had happened in the past 24 hours Alexis hesitantly spoke up. "That interaction was way more peaceful than what I expected."


    He smiled and took her hand in his, keeping them on his thigh. "It was about to get bloody the moment you rushed in. I would have pulled a gun on him with all the stupid answers he was fucking giving me."


    She sighed and looked at him finally in her eyes from looking outside of the window. "I don''t understand how could you take so long to find me," her lips started to quiver as she barely held it in. "You promised that you would come for me no matter what will happen twice Angelo twice it failed to get to me in time."


    Twice she has been kidnapped, one bite him to toughen her up and the other by coming and claiming to be her father.


    He cupped her cheek and laid it against his shoulder, "Sleep, my love.. I am your criminal for this and when you wake up punishment will be delivered."

 Chapter 266 - Two Hundred And Sixty-six

    She was once again staring out of the window. The small grills did nothing for her. The more time Angelo took, the more she lost herself in thinking what could the outcome be.


    When would he coming-


    "Hello." Someone randomly walked in after opening her door that she had remembered she had locked from the inside. "Care to tell me why are you not gone yet?"


    Why is everyone around me a dumbass? She sighed. "I apologize for not being a ninja and get out of here undetected." She said with all sincerity that''s he could muster at the moment.


    "You don''t have manners." Said he looking down at her with a disgusted expression.


    She stared him down with an equally disgusted stare. "Says the one that came in without knocking and introducing himself." She knocked on her head, "Come sense? Do men not have it?"


    He scoffed and took a few steps forward bridging half of the distance. "I don''t want you here."


    "I didn''t want to be here."


    "We have an agreement then. You don''t come my way and I don''t come into yours." He nodded his head. "I am Xavier Williams."


    "His son?" She asked to which he nodded.


    "And as much as I love my father, I hate losing men. So you have to go down and stop the bled shed that''s bound to happen if my father continues to talk." He stepped back then opened the door wider. "Come on, get out."


    *********


    Alexis woke up and immediately looked around, calming down when she saw her husband. He was standing beside her and looking at her with a slight smile coming to his face when she woke up.


    "Hi," he greeted softly.


    She nodded and opened her mouth, wincing at the dry throat. "Drink?" She croaked out.


    Angelo nodded looking up and Alexis heard some shuffling.


    "Careful, they are raising your bed." He said and held her shoulders gently. She felt a push and the whole room came into the view.


    A nurse stood next to her with a glass full of water with a straw in it and moved it towards Alexis'' lips with an encouraging smile on her face.


    Alexis took it and drank the water greedily. Having her fill she leaned back and the nurse place the glass next to her on the table with the jar full of water after which she left closing the door behind her.


    Alexis glanced around the room lazy feeling tired. "Where am I?" She asked him to which he sighed and took her hand in his.


    "The hospital." He kissed her hand, "I had to make sure that you are alright and so was our baby. There was only one way of doing at and I immediately brought you to the hospital as soon as we entered the state."


    "How is everything?" She asked and ignored that someone had once again invaded her privacy when it came to getting her self checked. To be honest he could have waited before she woke up.


    "The doctor gives a priority and is going to come with the results within 10 to 15 minutes." He answered and his grip on her hands tightened. "Alexis, Be honest with me. Is there something you want to tell me that happened there? Anything, regarding it, please be honest and do not hide anything."


    She shook her head. "There is nothing to tell. I was locked in a room it had all the facilities and the only time I got loud was when he told me that I was his daughter."


    He frowned. "Are you sure? I''m talking if there was even a little scratch you tell me about that." He once again clarified.


    She shrugged. That was all that has happened. Alexander Williams had kept her locked inside a room and had not disturbed her, touched her or abused her in any kind of way.


    He nodded and that''s when the doctor came in. He had the reports in his hand.


    "I don''t have good news, except for the fact that the baby is healthy yet the disturbance has caused some distress." He began, "I would advise you to get that rest for the rest of your pregnancy because the baby does not look good. High blood pressure and stress during pregnancy are not good at all, especially in the third month. I would have to advise you once again to get that breast throughout the pregnancy and be on a specific good diet."


    He handed them the reports. "I have consulted with the gynaecologist and for the next ultrasounds you can have the appointments scheduled accordingly."


    He looked at Alexis who looked practically drained out of energy. "The one you had tomorrow has been pushed back because of the rest that we advise you to take immediately along with a few medications."


    Angelo nodded and the doctor left. "I have a nurse at the estate who would look at you because of which they have allowed as to go back home." He smiled as she chuckled.


    "Thank you for that I would have done anything to not in the hospital. I want to go and sleep in my bed tonight."


    Smiling he helped her up and into a wheelchair for her comfort. He wheeled her out of the hospital and helped her into the car.


    Once again that both side to side with her handheld in his on his lap and her head on his shoulder. They were intimate and somehow, it provided I will approve of reality that Angela was sitting next to her and everything was fine.


    "There is one more thing that we have to do at the estate before you go to sleep." He murmured into her hair as he leaned his head across hers.


    "What?" She asked as the car came to a stop.


    He didn''t answer and just gathered her in his arms bridal style and carried her inside to the bedroom with Agatha trailing behind them.


    He placed her on the bed and moved to the closet coming out with a belt. "We did talk about this. If you remember.." He said with a slight smile.

 Chapter 267 - Two Hundred And Sixty-seven.

    Was he going to hit her? That was the first thing that came to her mind.


    She glanced at the belt in his hand and then continued to stare up at him indicating that she did not know what he was talking about.


    He chuckled. "Come," he bent down and took her hand in his and gently pulled her into the closet. "I''ve failed you. Because of which you get to punish me."


    What the fuck. She frowned immediately at that. Where was he getting at now? She glanced at the belt in his outstretched hand and then back at him. "W-What do you mean? Angelo-"


    "I have punished you numerous times, physically-" he stopped at that, what she did not know won''t harm her. "And since I have failed you it only seems fair that get to punish me; physically." He handed her the belt in his hand. "Here, do it." He said.


    When earlier she had arrived, she felt drained of the energy she once possessed. Everything had seemed hazy but now, as she had a belt in her hand and Angelo''s neck bared in submission, she could not resist the temptation. It was finally happening. She was getting a glimpse of the power he felt whenever he hit her.


    Her mouth salivated for the taste of revenge, for the sweet taste of it. She shall receive it for the first time and that too from the person who was considered to the most powerful by her.


    Her hand rose from the anger of the past deep buried inside her rushed in providing her with the strength she needed for the task when a thought struck her mind. She lowered her hand down and a love-struck yet confused expression came to her face. "I. I don''t think I can do it." She whispered as a small sob escaped her. ''I can''t." she confirmed and moved forward and hugged his bowed, shocked form.


    He frowned but didn''t raise his head when he heard her because, for all he knew the hit would come when he would be expecting it the least but to his shock, it was only the small, petite body of his wife that came in contact with his. He didn''t hug her immediately as she had but when he heard her sobs he could not hold back. He took her in, gathering her to his chest and ready to protect her from the world.


    "Darling," he cooed, "it''s just a hit. You have to do it to get rid of the disappointments that you feel for me." He explained to which she shook her head.


    "I don''t have any." She sniffed, "Angelo you couldn''t have possibly known and that''s it. You can''t know everything and I don''t, cannot hold that against you. It''s fine and that you came after me as soon as you could matter the most to me." She pulled back and cupped his cheeks, "How can I hold that against you? You had everything ready at your side, what happened was purely coincidental."


    He wouldn''t have believed it if it were someone else but it was Alexis, someone he had fallen in love with. So if she was giving him that explanation then, maybe it was true. Or maybe¡­but if it was then he would know. Sighing on the conflicted thoughts he just pulled her closer and placed a kiss on her forehead. ''You should rest." He picked her up in bridal style and laid her down carefully on the bed.


    He palmed her belly. "They must be small right?"


    They? Did he want to have two spawns of the devils once? "Uh¡­maybe.." she cleared her throat, "I am just going to enter my third month, so we would know in the next ultrasound." The one where she would be conscious at least.


    He nodded and caressed it. "I want to be involved in every way."


    "You would be given that you out there," she sighed and closed her eyes. Men were impossible at times.


    He kissed his teeth in irritation. "Really? That must mean that I have every right to do as I please to feel involved with the babies."


    Now she was irritated, getting up from her position she towered his lying form and gave a sarcastic smile, "How about I just swallow you whole? You will be next to the babies. Try talking some sense into them, huh? Or maybe, try explaining to them my mother ate their father!" She growled, turned around aggressively, switched off the lights and then pulled the blanket on top of her.


    Just like the most loving husbands of the world, to irritate his wife even further, he didn''t stop the words from his mouth. "Swallowing me?" he hummed, "Nothing like you haven''t done before."


    *****************


    Julia stormed into the house. That bastard had called her grandson to her face and informed him about that traitor''s act she had pulled. The worst was going to happen when she would be summoned and the night had already started, so she had the time till the dawn of tomorrow because then Angelo''s men would officially stand out of the house waiting for her and they would also go through her stuff which would lead them to find the former don, his grandfather in a bed hooked up to machines then a doctor would tell him that the old bastard was kept from waking up on purpose and all of it would point to her.


    She had no one to frame any longer.


    She was on the losing side as soon as she had begun.


    She entered the side room where her husband was laid, breathing silently disturbing on one as he did so, so unlike him that was. "I drive my power from you," she whispered, gritting out the words in anger, "From you?! You piece of shit!" she hit his forehead with her bag with as much as she strength she could have after running from a boss and back into her territory.


    "You don''t deserve to survive after this," she shook her head, "Not this, not anything you have to die!"


    Through the silent mansion which was years old, after a long time, and an alone gunshot rang out, frightening the birds away and inviting the reapers once again to fetch the soul lost.

 Chapter 268 - Two Hundred And Sixty-eight.

    Angelo was tensed and in the course of their eight months of marriage, she had understood, observed and witnessed the house be on the edge whenever that happened. Quite frankly, no one came in his way and that was including his brothers. What it was this time? She had no idea which made it even scarier because usually, she did know. He would tell her a gist of it and made sure that she knew when to stop intervening.


    He never forgot to make it across that she was going to be involved to the bone.


    She sighed and folded her newspaper, keeping it down next to her plate. "How long has he been up for?" She asked Agatha who was feeding Lucas.


    "The past five hours madam," she tsked when Lucas spat the excess of food out and wiped it, "He had been up for the past five hours madam even before the help woke up."


    She sighed and finished her food in no hurry. That man was a grown-up and he knew that eating was important. So if he decided that he didn''t want to eat, his choice. After finishing her breakfast, she moved to the little one who was eating leisurely. Taking the spoon from Agatha she fed him slowly as the boy stared at her as if mesmerised. She took full advantage of that and he finished the entire bowl.


    Within minutes and she set a new record that way.


    She kept the bowl on the table and took a napkin to wipe his face clean. Kids were messy eaters and she hated that. Probably the only time she hated his cute face. Angelo stormed into the dining room startling Lucas and her, making them jump up in fright.


    "Pack up from bags. We leave for Italy tonight." After spitting out his order and not even sparing them with another glance he left.


    "Damn him to hell if he thinks that''s going to be enough." She turned to Agatha as she stood up, "Take him to his room." And then stormed upstairs following him.


    Angelo did not go to his office instead he chose to go to his room upstairs to which Alexis followed him. "What was the meaning of that?" She came and closed the door shut. "Do you seriously think that you can come in shout orders and then leave as you please?"


    "Yes, I can." He answers in a gruff voice.


    Alexis stared at him which faced her. Shocked at his answer she shook his head and replied, "Well, you are wrong¡ª"


    "Does it look like it matters to me that you saying I am wrong here?!" He yelled coming close to her and then stared into her face making her stumble back in fear. "I am not wrong and I get that privilege as a Don as someone who controls the lives of people as someone who can blow up the fucking country if he wants!" He threw up his hands and turned around to walk showing his frustrations but made her jump instead. "I didn''t know what you think about me neither do I care about what I care about the most of the people that work for me, that look up to me in loyalty and respect. you can think whatever you want but at the end of the day you are not going anywhere and you better be aware of that!"


    He stared at her through the mirror as he bent in front of it, his arms supporting his weight as his chest heaved up and down. Hers did too but for a completely different reason. He was breathing heavily from the anger and frustration that he felt and she was breathing from the fear of what he might do to her.


    "So," he grated, "your bags including Lucas''s by tonight I don''t care if you pack in fucking full or half that is your choice but get it done by 8 p.m. tonight." His whispering made it even scarier. More than ever.


    Alexis did not respond to him never bothering to acknowledge as she moved out of the room without looking back. Eyes burned as tears gather into eyes.


    The progress that they have made till now was once again down the drain.


    **********


    Agatha and the help had bags including the children. This time even Agatha was travelling with them and since Lucas was with them Angelo had readily agreed. No one wanted a crime child who was educated on a plane that was far more than 10 hours at least even Alexis at back a few books with her just in case.


    They had taken the private plane just like the last time and instead of sitting next to him or even in front of him, she had chosen to sit away. That upset him and she knew that.


    But did she care? No.


    She knew one thing for sure that when Angel helps a belt in his hand to have her hit him and she denied she had some kind of leverage over him that she was not going to let go of easily especially when he was made believe that she was in love with him.


    She tolerated him. Yes.


    She had sex with him, yes. The man was good. Way too good. Kinky and rough. Just to her liking.


    But did she live him? No. There was too much black blood in between them for her to love him.


    So she sat alone in a window seat and with a book in her hand and some good coffee that they had a coffee maker for. That was what she had made sure they had.


    "You aren''t sitting next to me. You know you should." He spoke in her ear and she didn''t reply and he didn''t even give her a chance to. "Make sure, you do when I come back. You don''t want any troubles with me, Alexis." He moved to the floor above and men followed him.


    She stood up to do the same. He wanted it, he got it.. She would be sitting right next to him.

 Chapter 269 - Two Hundred And Sixty-nine.

    There were times when she plain irritated but didn''t voice it out and the others were where she would think of the outcome first. Neither of the two was happening now. She was simply too angry to think about what outcome could it possibly have.


    The jet had a spiral staircase and when she had gotten up to follow him in anger the man had already climbed up. So she was quite behind and Angelo''s shouting could be heard already.


    "Are you fucking kidding me? How is it that a woman of seventy years, the one that needs a stick to motherfucking walk was able run away from all of you?"


    ''Don, Quando1 Siamo arrivati ??l¨¬ lei era gi¨¤ scomparsa-'' her eyes squinted at that. she didn''t understand Italian and there talking pretty rapidly.


    (Don, by the time we reached there, she was gone already.)


    "E dove poteva essere data ?! Trova la!" Angelo yelled at them, so much so that even she who was listening on the staircase could feel her legs shivering.


    (And where could have she gone?! find her!)


    She didn''t hear much after that. for a few moments, it was just silence. She couldn''t even hear someone breathing from the room. It was as if everyone was holding their breaths in fear of what he might do next.


    "Prepare everything for the funeral. Do not give anyone a chance to Dishonor my grandfather."


    Funeral and grandfather?


    Forgetting her plans, Alexis silently climbed down the stairs and took the seat Angelo had told her to sit on.


    She had been halfway through her book when she heard his footsteps. Giving her a glance he stormed into the bedroom and she followed.


    "What''s wrong?" She softly asked closing the door.


    "Nothing," he muttered, his thoughts wandering somewhere else.


    She walked to his seated form on the bed and stood in front of him. She held his head and made him up look, then proceeded to place his head on her chest and her head over his. "what''s wrong?" She asked, this time even more softly. "You know you can tell me. Perhaps, I am the only one who won''t judge."


    Give in, she prayed. If he did then whatever progress they had made, some of it was still there.


    "I.." he sighed. "My grandfather''s death. His wife shot him." His wife, not a grandmother.


    "Are you sure? That could be someone else. She must know of the consequences it would bring."


    Angelo shook his head, right in between her boobs, he had managed to snuggle. "I don''t know. She had a foot in the coffin anyway due to her age, I wonder what made her think of doing it."


    ''I think I know.'' She didn''t voice it out. It was obvious why she did it. Her mental strength for all these years had finally given in and she snapped.


    That was what her future seemed like. She looked down at the man who was bowing his head to her. The irony of it. He didn''t even see it from her point of view.


    He was bowing his head to her and she to had to make sure that it continued to happen without him having any kind of knowledge about it.


    Surprisingly look it had been calm during the entire flight or what looks like half of it. They have to stop for refuelling of the jet and since that was going to take hours and still had decided to stay at the nearest hotel along with his crew.


    Which honestly seemed like a better option to her.


    They stayed in three suites, all of which had at least three bedrooms and Agatha and to God stayed with them in their suite. Lucas was sleeping and between the both of them. The boy of 2 years was completely drained of energy and was sleeping in the middle of the bed unknown to the tensions rising in the room.


    Angelo had been on call relentlessly which has led Alexis to call his brother and ask him to take charge for a while. Silvano had readily agreed to it.


    "You shouldn''t have done that." He commented after Silvano had told him that he was taking charge. They were currently on the balcony drinking.


    She shook her head. "Your grandfather has been murdered by his wife. I think if anything you need rest to think tomorrow."


    He scoffed. "Watch do you take me for? I have dealt with more pressurizing situations than these, where I had to read my family into war."


    Alexis didn''t comment on that. She knew then to do so. Something, where she did not know about, was not to be commented on.


    "I think I know why Julia shot her husband." She chose to touch that instead.


    "Why?" He poured himself another glass.


    She smiled a little and turned to him. "Every woman has a level of patience, some have it more than others. In comparison to me, I would say that Julia had an astounding level." She then turned and looked up into the sky, "She snapped, Angelo. She snapped. Her patience snapped. Her strength snapped."


    "The fuck is that supposed to mean?"


    Clueless, just how men were. "Woman is full of wonders and one of those wonders is the level of patience and tolerance that we have. Julia tolerated the abuse both mental and physical and whatnot from her husband relentlessly through the years which made her power-hungry." She dared to step closer and stare back into his dark eyes. "Power-hungry because she wanted a bit of control in her life that everyone had except her. Do you know why should was not afraid of killing her husband? The one who was a former Don?"


    He just rose a brow at that.


    She chuckled and answered. "Because those women have nothing to lose." She topped even closer, stared into his eyes and spoke with her lips against his, barely touching yet causing sensations. "And for that, I would advise YouTube very of that woman. Because the one who has nothing to lose will play without any rules." Something flashed in his eyes and she knew exactly what it was.


    Score''s even Julia. Now the warrant''s out for you.

 Chapter 270 - Two Hundred And Seventy.

    The stay at Italy had officially begun. The moment they had landed in the country, all she had seen was security. If she considered what she had seen in the states as security Italy was the tenfold of it. Men awaited it and subtle bow of head no longer existed. It was a full bed the neck in respect bow. The entire family awaited them at home. No one else than the Don''s immediate family travelled with him.


    Charcoal was the colour worn by her. Black in mourning but that period had not begun yet. So she was indicating the early period of grief.


    It was all too traditional for her actually understand but the family had passed down generations of traditions and this one seemed royalty so she accepted to continue it. It made her feel like a Queen. The home country meant more, more tradition, more power, authority and respect. Just like Agatha had warned her in the airplane.


    ''You cannot question the don. He is the ultimate, epitome one could say, of power. If you disrespect him then so would the people of other houses and to be honest that would not end well in anyone''s favour. I understand that you don''t come from a family of this background but with the life inside you, you have accepted the reality that he is above you. Second, people expect things from you if not now then sometime later but you will be delivering the results.'' Agatha looked at her belly, ''That gives the respect in their eyes more than any other bride, he mother of an heir, legitimate heir.''


    She had her belly palmed the entire way and countless of times she had seen people eyes flicker to her belly more than her own face. They were surprised then. No one had expected hat news from her.


    The mansion was old but heavenly to look at. English ivy crawled on the walls. Cream coloured walls with a few cracks in it yet the building seemed strong was ever. The family ma from old money and now she knew why. The house probed her that. The house was even better from the inside. Vintage at its finest with a few touches of modern life here and there but could feel entering a different era when they stepped in. she knew what he meant when he said she was the queen, in this household, she surely was when everyone was bowing down in front of her.


    Agatha here was not the head maid here, different butler and maid were; Tonino and Caramela. She had been here before but with Julia as the mistress of the house Alexis was not even offered a tour. Julia in front of others had marked her territory Alexis now realised. Isabella and the others were staying at the mansion made by Gabrielle.


    She entered the room, the master bedroom of the castle that they were staying in. The apartment it seemed. When the former don had died the long overdue process that been started immediately by the staff.


    The changing.


    The room had been changed. Everything in it had been replaced, in fact the paint on the walls too. No one could tell that someone lived her before them. This happened every time the heir took its place on the throne but Nicholas had refused to move out until he dies Gabrielle, in return, had made his own palace especially after his kids were brainwashed by his parents. The room kept in fact the values and vintage vibes but also reflected the change in the times.


    "Are you tired?" Angelo asked her when she fell face forward on the bed. "The funeral is day after. Rest." He said getting up from next to her but she held his hand.


    "Why have you not asked about it?" she murmured as she pulled him done to lie with her on the bed. "I know you remember it."


    He sighed and pulled her close, hugging her to him. "Why did you not hit me? I thought you would be ecstatic at the chance given to you."


    She hummed and shook her head. "I was but then I realised something." That hitting you would make me another version of you, the one who hit people as punishments and that there won''t be any difference between you and me.


    "That?"


    His question brought her back to reality. "That, I couldn''t hurt the person I cared for." She answered and looked up to his face to gauge his reaction.


    He didn''t say anything and that gave her a go.


    "The people that you care for will often make mistakes and you cannot punish them every time. Sometimes you will have to forgive them like I did for you because you were not responsible there the circumstances were something that you had not expected."


    He exhaled loudly and she could tell that he was contemplating on what to say. "I¡­was not thought that."


    She chuckled dryly at that. "No one is taught that. We have to understand that ourselves, through heartbreak and tears you understand what values you look for in s person. The only on here who has is me."


    He gave her a stink eyes at that. "I have hardships too."


    "Uh huh, failing to kill someone isn''t hardship in the first place." He didn''t reply to that he knew that she was correct.


    "I just regret not having a normal childhood even Vincenzo had one better than mine."


    Alexis however didn''t agree. "Normal childhood or life is a luxury. Not many of us receive it and that makes us something else, something not mediocre." She realised the conclusion that she was going to tell him applied to her as well. "Because our experiences define our decisions."


    "Yet we make mistakes." He countered.


    She smirked knowing she was going to win again. "Human do, that''s why we are humans."


    He seemed to grow tired of the conservation and rubbed his hand on her shoulder, slowly brought it to her belly, where he palmed the slightly visible tummy. "I promise that with them. It would be the most normal childhood anyone could have in this lifestyle."


    With the sincerity he spoke with, she believed every word he said.. The children would have it better than their parents for sure.

 Chapter 271 - Two Hundred And Seventy-one

    The funeral would be held tomorrow and the new don, her grandson, would have arrived by now. She was no longer the member of the family but someone who was wanted by all of them. Someone who had killed the grandfather of the Don in his own house, i had struck him with a vase even before and now, had eventually killed him.


    She was a criminal to the entire nation.


    But did she fear what was going to come? No, she didn''t.


    Julia was aware of the fact that she could never take on the mafia on her own, especially at the age where her own bones couldn''t take her weight. But that also didn''t mean that she was out of options. Being the wife of the don meant that she was aware of a lot of things, things that people were not aware of; even his inner circle and she was to take full advantage of that.


    The most astonishing fact of all, at this moment would be the unawareness that people would possess. Some won''t know what happened and the advantage of it was unlimited.


    No many would know what exactly was the grandfather dead of especially that his wife had killed him and was still on the run. It would take time before the alliances would start in helping out too and till then she would have enough time.


    Enough time to sow the seed and enough time to watch ''em all go down.


    Staring at the fire lit in fireplace, she sipped her tea. "I am not stupid." She whispered, "Nicolas will see. He will see that I am too, a mastermind, even better than him."


    ****************


    The preparations for tomorrow''s funeral had been completed but since she didn''t have much knowledge about it she had taken Isabelle along with her. The funeral too was no less than that of given to a royal and everyone in attendance was supposed to dress like one. There was a particular dress code to be followed, an indication of respect to the house and in mourning too.


    So basically it was supposed to be black and white.


    "Thank you for coming in on such a short notice; I had no idea in particular on what to do." Alexis sighed as she thanked Isabelle for coming in. her house was not far but still.


    Isabelle only smiled with a little sympathy in her eyes, "That alright child. No need to mention it. I can only imagine how much overwhelmed you might be in this situation."


    "Very much." Alexis sighed. The whole world watched her, it seemed. Since she was soon to be the mother of who could be the next Don, the guards were always watching, the maids had taken upon themselves to learn basic English, one had started to have a British accent, and then came Angelo.


    He wasn''t really affected by the death of his grandfather and she could tell why. No one would ever mourn for their abusers, torturers yet he acted aggrieved enough that people knew to stay in their limits.


    "Well double, no triple it because when tomorrow he funeral is being hosted you have be like him." Isabelle laughed. "It''s going to be tough no kidding. You have to take care of a lot of things, especially what you eat. Only eat what Agatha gives you." she suggested.


    Be like Angelo that would be easy. She concluded.


    When arrived back at what she called the castle was met by no one but the butler, Tonino which was bad because that meant that everyone else was practically hiding from Angelo. Something new must have happened.


    He too her coat, a light one for the cold breeze as she asked him, "Where is he, Tonino?"


    "In his office ma''am," he hesitated a bit before saying, "May I advise you to not go. The Don does not look good at the very moment."


    He never looked good to me, she smiled at his concern. "Don''t worry."


    She walked to his office that once belonged to the don but like the rest of the house was teared down. She didn''t fear his reaction knowing that she was pregnant he could never hurt her. She knocked on the door but no one replied. She knocked again but the same happened. Sighing she just opened the door.


    He sat there, behind the desk, leaned back on the chair with his head facing the ceiling. He seemed to be asleep or at least wanted to give that expression.


    "What''s up?" she said loudly to get his attention and he cracked an eye open at that.


    "Go away. I am irritated Alexis, don''t trouble me more." He closed his eyes again.


    She pitied him. Time and again Angelo had mentioned how hard it had been and how she could see, with the scrutiny of so many he could not afford to make a mistake. She walked behind me him and ran her fingers through his hair gently. She massaged his head and his frown disappeared slowly.


    "Tell me Angelo." She whispered and he nodded.


    "There was a symbol on the bullet that was shot at my grandfather. It had a symbol of the Ricci family on it. I had it sent for authentication. Now I wait the results." He revealed as her hands continue.


    "The post mortem reports came?" after receiving the knowledge that he was shot, Angelo had given the go for medical examination immediately.


    He nodded once again. "Yes, the bullet was taken out and they noticed the house symbol of a grenade and nails on it. There was something else that confirms your words of last night to me."


    "What? To be wary of her?" he confirmed by a nod. "What did it?"


    He grabbed her hand and pulled her into his lap, gently being mindful of her condition. "There was a head wound on her nonno''s head. He was struck with something before dying, weeks at least which would explain why be was not there at the Christmas celebration. Then there were drugs found in his blood which tell us that he was purposely kept unconscious an while everyone else was told that he was on a vacation and he didn''t want to be disturbed but where they found a bullet with the symbol of another family on it that makes it way more complicated. So much so that.." his words disappeared after that making her look at him.


    "That?" she asked.


    "That you might have to witness your first war.." He completed and she wished she had not asked.

 Chapter 272 - Two Hundred And Seventy-two.

    Her heart stilled at his words. So much so that even he noticed it or maybe he knew it was going to happen. Alexis had not experienced a shoot out much less a war. It would be a devastating experience for the mother to be. He rubbed her back offering her the comfort no one ever offered him. "It''s going to be alright. Do not worry I will do everything I can in my power to not go to war."


    She wanted to believe him but the reality was far from it. Come to think of it, if that the Ricci family was responsible for the murder of former Don then it was only a given a fact that Angelo had to declare a war against them and if he had declared a war he was going to be the first one in the line to fight.


    She let out a shuddered breath. She had grown to be near him, his awkward attempts at providing her comfort and his stone-cold eyes. Whatever it was she had grown to be near and close to them.


    And now that they were having a child together it was going to be her first nightmare to lose the father of the baby.


    She nodded, having nothing else to say. "Come and have lunch. The reports would take time." She held his hand and got up, he followed and both of them walked to the bedroom.


    She turned around a little and glanced above her shoulder. It was the same painting behind Angelo''s desk.


    The painting with an upside-down reality.


    She shook her head and continued to walk out. It had been in his office in New York, in Chicago and then even here in Italy.


    Her chair was pulled out by him and after he took a seat, they began to eat.


    Silence blanketed them, but not enough for her to stay quiet. "What do you think Julia did it for? I told you my opinion about it but I never got to know yours."


    He sighed, his exhale was heavy. "I think that either someone made her do it or even 50 years of marriage together could not make her appreciate him enough which further makes me think that if 50 years of togetherness is not enough that how can we know each other in a year."


    Fuck, it clicked, this meant that he had believed her when she had portrayed to love him that night. It was Julia that had ruined her plans unknowingly making Angela question feelings for him that you developed during the year.


    Even though she was miles away from her she had still managed to ruin one thing that Alexis thought was going to be saving one day but power was nothing but a relentless struggle and she was in no mood to give up.


    "Angelo," her hand covered his on the table, "I''ll be honest with you here. When you came to meet at night what the belt in your hand I seriously thought that you''re going to hit me." Satisfaction flooded her heart when she saw a change in his expression. "I have to live with you for the rest of my life along with the children that we''re going to have and it probably does not give a good image of us if we can only think of hitting each other whenever we see fit as punishment."


    "So what do you suggest? Tell me what punishment that we give to each other as to see that we will never repeat the same mistake." Demanded Angelo.


    She sighed and leaned back into her chair. That was not what she had expected him to say. Nevertheless, she still kept the reins to herself.


    "Well since you''ve asked, for the first mistake I ever made I think we should forgive each other for that and then for the second one we can decide on minor punishments like who takes care of the baby for the whole day."


    His frown grew more at that, "I can''t take care of a baby when I am working."


    She smiled stiffly, surely he could fuck one any time of the day.


    She cleared her throat, "That was just a suggestion. We would decide about that later." She offers in Star and once again began eating.


    "Tomorrow is the funeral, Alexis, please." She stilled at the time he had, "My grandfather and father for a force to be reckoned with and I need to establish my kingdom here without the help of my father and grandfather without dam guiding me with my allies and enemies and I need you to be on my side."


    "I am on your side." She defended immediately. "I am¡ª"


    "Don''t try to fool me," he cut her off, "I am aware of the fact that you think of running away whenever you receive the chance. People are going to offer you one and then when they have you with them they going to kill you if not then torture." His lips thinned into a smile, "If you cannot think of my image then think of your home because if you agree you are forever portraying yourself as a weak and stupid woman who practically slapped her way to the top."


    The only thing she hated. "I understand." She murmured going back to eating.


    Stupid and a whore. That''s what he wanted to say and she understood.


    A war brewing, her image in front got the whole world that he grew up in, she was nothing.


    She had been reduced to nothing.


    She was laying down on the bed as it was her nap time. The pregnancy had made her feel sleepy in the afternoon when she had been full from eating. Plus, when she had worked taking a nap in the afternoon seemed like a luxury which now she was able to take.


    She looked over when she har her phone vibrate taking her phone in her hand from the citable she saw that it was Nadine calling.


    She had forgotten about the case that she had given her.


    "Hello, Nadine. How are you?"


    "Good madam. I wanted to get your permission on something."


    Alexis browse shot up for a second before replying, "What is it?"


    "The previous case that you sent me on was of sexual harassment and, to be honest there has been many in the state let alone the country so I was thinking if you could allow me to take on those cases while doing your work as well."


    Sometimes God had a peculiar way of showing someone something that they were meant for.


    Angelo had nothing to do with the civilians like he had claimed a lot of times, he simply did not harm innocent lives and from Nadine''s call, Alexis understood that her calling for helping out people where she could.

 Chapter 273 - Two Hundred And Seventy-three

    The casket was open and people were paying their respects. Alexis and Angelo had already done so and she had even shed a tear or two.


    She was never a person who had head crocodile tears but at the moment it came naturally.


    "Donna," The Saintino heir came to her talking in English, broken but she didn''t comment on it, "I am sorry for your loss. It must be hard."


    "Thank you, Don Saintino." She spoke warmly, a small smile on her face but the expression of grief remained. "Your presence is appreciated."


    He moved forward and someone else came. She had mesmerised their names and the family houses to know what it truly meant.


    Mrs Martinez came forward, "Child, that was so unfortunate." She said sorrowfully and Alexis pulled her in for a hug.


    Many had come and gone, the Ricci''s were invited as well which only made her wonder what the results were as last night and you''re had not come to their bedroom. She had fallen asleep without waiting for him as she cared for her health more.


    The funeral was held in a church and no expense has been spared. Just like the arrangements this funeral had been no less and royalty.


    The priest loudly spoke the prayer as the casket was lowered. The funeral came to an end and Alexis was still crying.


    The hormones were responsible.


    "Are you alright?" Angelo asked her coming close as the people shifted to Gabrielle to pay their respects.


    She nodded. The heaviness was there as she wore heels and the constant gaze of people was there on her.


    From the corner of her eye, she saw someone coming in their direction so she left for a glass of water. Taking the bottle she heard the crack of opening and sipped it slowly.


    the moment she had ended the crowd everyone had turned into a direction to know as a young bride and a mother to be. The attention she received had immediately and instinctively told her to Palm her belly. It made her feel protected.


    "Donna Alessandro," a woman, someone familiar, stood next to her dressed in black like many others. "I am so sorry for what happened. But the word is out that the wife killed him."


    People will try to pry, put them in their place. Isabelle''s advice for today.


    She stepped closer with a hint of a smile and fixed the collar of the woman which was creased from the corner. "You are Tatiana Ricci''s mother, no?" Something flashed in the woman''s eyes and she knew that she was right. "I understand your concern for my family given that your daughter was trying to kill me after being invited to our house." She stepped closer and stared into the eyes of the woman. "How about stick to minding your own business and I don''t have to make sure that you won''t see your family again?"


    Tatiana''s mother nodded, party ashamed of the fact that she knew her daughter had tried to kill the Donna of another family.


    "A reminder," Alexis stepped back and the woman looked at her with slight fear. War was on the doorstep. "Be careful," Alexis whispered and walked away.


    The funeral was going to be over in a few minutes and the people were leaving already. The casket was buried deep inside the earth.


    *********


    She watched from afar. The casket that held the man that she was married to for fifty years of her life being lowered into the ground as the priest sang his prayers blessing him for the last time.


    The tortures he had carried out his entire life on her made her want to strangle the priest for trying to bless him in the afterlife when Nicholas only deserved punishments.


    She smirked as she saw Alexis slipping a tear or two and wiping. "Your time will come." She sang her words making the person next to look at her.


    She stepped back and moved away from the crowd. "Don''t worry my children. I will make sure that you know what I can do." She giggled as she walked to the hideout.


    *********


    After the funeral was over, Angelo had not taken them home, instead oto a doctor for her health.


    She laid on the bed as the doctor was spreading some gel over her stomach making her shiver at the coldness of it.


    "It is your third months, right?" The doctor had spoken in her mother tongue and Alexis did not understand that because of which Angelo had replied to her and then translated the words to his wife.


    The doctor nodded and placed the device on her tummy skiing her giggle a bit. The screen then revealed a small creature.


    "There your baby.."


    Angelo with a bright smile turned to her and said translating the words, "That''s our baby."


    Alexis saw that too. The baby, too small to be held over but just as precious.


    "So small..." She mumbled as the hormones took over and her eyes glazed with unshed tears.


    "Hmm," the doctor squinted her eyes at the screen and then mumbled something as she clicks a few buttons. "It appears that you are carrying twins. It''s a common for one child hiding behind the other."


    "Hah!" He laughed and leaned back covering his eyes with a huge smile making Alexis smile too.


    There must be some good news.


    "What? Tell me?" She pestered holding his sleeve and tugging at it.


    He leaned over kissed her hard, sicking her tongue and then said with a huge smile after pulling apart. "I fucked twins into you." He grinned.


    "What?!" She yelled. Two spawns of the devil?!


    "Yes," he laughed in happiness not understanding that she was worried about the future they held. "I always knew that I had it in me." He grinned with a huge smile that irritated her.


    "Twins?" She cried and looked up to the ceiling, "What did I do wrong?!" She cried to the lord above.


    She observed her slightly purging belly that was now showing in the mirror after havingf dinner. Twins, she smiled, she was carrying twins inside her and maybe the daughter that she had once lost she could love again.


    "Hey," she smiled as the strong arms of her husband wrapped around her. "You look beautiful."


    She chuckled at that. "I was not admiring my beauty I was observing that I am showing now."


    He palmed her belly and nodded at the curve. "You are." He pulled her gently to the bed as the night has fallen.


    "Come on take off your clothes." He started to take in his shirt as she stared at him in horror.


    "What?" Maybe she had not heard him correctly.


    He raised his eyebrow as he repeated, "Take your clothes off. I want to feel them and be there as much as I can."


    "And me taking off my clothes would do that?" She scoffed, "Yeah no¡ªAngelo!" She looked away when he stood tall and naked proudly.


    "Don''t look away. This got you pregnant." He pointed at his dick. "Come on, I want to feel them."


    She sighed and did and when they laid down next to each other, it felt completely different.


    Together she felt, with the only family that mattered.


    "Alexis," he kissed her hair as he spoke but she was not on the verge of sleeping. "I am going to be the best husband and father to you. I promise you that. You, my queen, would rule my kingdom and me among with our children." He pecked her lips and sealed their promise forever.


    Her eyes reopened at that. Angelo wasn''t aware as he had closed his own.


    The children, they would have a sane mommy too, she vowed, someone who would not be me but myself from an year ago.


    She palmed her belly and sighed, ''you two are going to be the reason for me living my life once more.. And this time, it would be for me.''

 Chapter 274 - Two Hundred And Seventy Four.

    F I V E      Y E A R S     L A T E R


    Her arm shot out immediately to shut the alarm clock. She shuffled around to strech a bit in the bed making her husband awaken as well.


    "Its today?" He asked in groggy voice but ever too sexy as he cuddled close to her.


    "Hmm," she kissed his forehead and cuddled close too. "You do know you are going late to the office today. You are getting the kids ready with me." Her hand went to his taut stomach. "Where''d the abs go?" She asked with a mischievous smile but her eyes were still close.


    "Get the nanny," he grumbled, the sensation alone sent down shivers down her spine. "And don''t worry about those."


    She shook her had and pulled apart from him, "You know that we have talked about this various times. We did the same with Lucas too. I want us both to be there for their first day."


    "It''s seven already and¡ª"


    "Mommy! Daddy! Mommy!"


    Angelo groaned loudly and Alexis laughed at that. "There you go devil your two little spawns are up."


    "Come in," when she said that the maid that stood with the children openned the door and the two little one''s came running in and jumped onto the bed taking place next to their respective favourite parent.


    Alexis kissed her son''s forehead. "Had a good sleep Salvie?" She cooed and he nodded.


    "Yes mama. I woke up before the alarm clock!" He grinned at that achievement.


    "I did too!" The little baby from Angelo''s lap spoke up looking at her father for attention. "I did too, papa!"


    Angelo smiled at his angel, "Of course you did, my Bella Rosa."


    "Now," Alexis picked Salvatore up and stood up from the bed, "Who wants to go with me to wake up your elder brother?"


    "Me!" Both of her kids shouted making Angelo wince. She took them then walked out of the room to the one with a race car theme.


    Those were the twins. Salvatore, the name that she had chosen for her son; the eldest of the twins and then Bella Rosa the one that Angelo loved with all his heart.


    Lucas had been an easy child. When the twins had arrived and Alexis had to be on bedrest, he had been the one that was the most easy of the three. He would often come in her room and play with her on the bed and nap along.


    She knocked on the door and heard the wrestling of the sheets. Her first child opened the door while rubbing his eye with his tiny fist.


    "Good morning baby," she kissed his forehead as the younger ones made thier way inside and jumped on his bed.


    "When I grow up I am going to have a car just like this." Salvatore pointed to Lucas''s red car bed. "Mine will be bigger."


    Lucas nodded in agreement, "Sure you would. I want to ride it too."


    "Me too!" Bella Rosa raised her hand. "I would take it to the hills."


    Hills? Alexis Chuckled at that. She had learned that her kids had the most wide range of imagination.


    "Lucas, love, would it be ok if you have to get dressed to bit early today?" She held his waist and pulled her in between her legs as she spoke softly to him, "Your siblings have their first day of school today and your father and I have to get them ready and since it''s the first day it would take slightly longer than usual."


    "Kay mama." He nodded still half asleep. She kissed his cheek again. if she was being honest Lucas, out of all of a kids, was the most understanding one and reliable in a sense too.


    "Twins go wake your father up. Tell him to give you two a bath." They immediately sprang into action making her yell her next words, "And make sure to not let the nanny do it!"


    She took Lucas for a bath, they brushed their teeth together and then she watched him get dressed on his own.


    Agatha arrived by the time they were done and Lucas went down with her.


    Alexis moved to her twin''s room. She heard Angelo yelling and she immediately let out a laugh.


    "Damnit! Get in the bath Rosa!" Angelo''s yelling could be heard in the corridor. "Salv¡ª Bella Rosa get back!"


    Shaking her head she moved and stood aside the bathroom door watching the scene where her husband had bubbles on his hair and almost all of his shirt was wet.


    She shook her head and took charge. When bath was done they had gotten the twins to brush their teeth and then dressed them individually. Salvatore was a calm boy who had most of his father''s features. Bella Rosa on the other hand was a storm. She was sweet but she would get irritated soon than her brother and just like her brother she had most of her features from her father which only irritated Alexis further.


    Three kids, not even one on her.


    They made it to the dining table 45 minutes later where Lucas was reading a book with Agatha.


    Alexis had made it a point for her kids to watch TV for 1 or 2 hours at most and the focused more on reading.


    Taking their seat, they had the food served to them. Salvatore and Bella Rosa had their napkins attached so that their uniforms won''t get dirty which Alexis realise that she should have done the opposite of today''s routine.


    The parents after getting ready went along together to drop their children of the day academy. Salvatore was neutral to the whole thing where is Bella Rosa was excited and Lucas, for him it was just another day at school.


    "Behave," Angelo warned and Alexis kissed their foreheads. She did the same to Lucas every morning and now two more children were included.


    He kissed her lips and slipped into the car behind them and Alexis went to the one she had come in.


    She knocked on the door and the Doctor opened it. Her appointment was in the morning today.


    "Hello doctor." She greeted and took a seat.


    "Mrs, Alessandro," the doctor, Bailey Peterson who had shifted to new York, smiled back. "How was your weekend?"


    Alexis smiled before answering her questions but this time, therapy now felt like a friend.


    ********


    Her Royal Highness is in for Spirity! Do give it a read and vote please.

 Chapter 275 - Two Hundred And Seventy-five

    Bailey Peterson had been a gift in Alexis''s life for the past five years. She had built up her mental strength and accepted the reality in terms of what it was. She no longer looked for an escape instead she accepted that she could have done better to handle the situation that she had been in which forced her to marry Angelo.


    Nevertheless, it was the reality that she could not do anything then but that did not mean that she won''t use the situation to her advantage now.


    She had become a good mother and her children respecting and listening to her was proof of it. Angelo had become a good father he was strict as compared to her but also loving.


    "Hmm," Bailey wrote something down, "And was it all how you wanted it to be?"


    Alexis nodded. "Yes, the main thing I wanted from this day was Angelo and me as parents, together, getting the kids ready for today and that it happened which makes me happy for the morning."


    Bailey nodded and then she joined her hands which made Alexis know that she was going to ask her a question that was going to make her feel uncomfortable. For the past five years that Alexis had been taking therapy from her, she knew the habits that Bailey had before asking her a question.


    "What about your father? Have you thought of that?"


    Alexis shook her head. She hadn''t. There was no time to think about any of that in the past five years because she had been busy with her kids and her restaurant. After that, she also had a law firm opened to many pro bono cases offering her services to women who could not afford the legal fees and did it as her giving back to the society or more like having Angelo giving it back to society as he was the one taking a lot from it.


    The doctor nodded and their session for today was completed. Alexis went to Lexus where Nikita was there, heavily pregnant with her second child.


    "You should be resting." Alexis chided as she kissed her cheek in greeting. "You are in your last months of pregnancy."


    Nikita tsked, "After this, I cannot go out for months as the baby will need me and I need to step out of the house and my overbearing husband''s presence."


    Angela and Silvano had both been obsessed with the kids and their pregnancy. so much so that Angelo had made sure that they slept together naked so that he could feel every movement of the babies.


    She smiled at the memories. She said to Nikita with a straight and firm face, "That is alright that you want to stay and work but remember do not stand for a long period. Just sit here and let the manager do all the work."


    Nikita nodded as she leaned back into the couch. "You can go to the firm. It''s going to be alright."


    Alexis smiled and did so. She had to get back at her law firm. Even though she had no idea how to run one she had people for her to do so. People who wanted to be honest lawyers defending other people against harassment and frauds.


    Angelo had advised her to let him use the firm as a money-laundering service but she had denied it immediately. If anything, this was an honest practice on her part and he used the other company she had for money laundering.


    The other one was a grocery store. Easy and someplace no looked at.


    Finance and accounts Alexis knew very well because of which she often looked at the numbers of a firm and could easily detect if someone was committing fraud.


    Blake knocked on her door and she let him in. "Madam, you called for Ivan Adams?" She looked up and saw the man standing behind blake. Nodding, he was left in and left them alone.


    "Madam, it''s an honour that you could take time out for me." He was the youngest son of a capo, who had received the opportunity to work with the FBI and when Alexis came to know about it she knew that she could use this opportunity.


    She smiled at the nervous man. In the past years, Angelo had taken her to various business dealings. All the ones that she knew were humane and gave her a bit of a high to deal with. She had become like him, the businesswoman.


    "Ivan, how is work at the office?" She asked keeping it straight from the beginning. Even before she had met Angelo she knew better than to beat around the bush so just as always she hit the nail on its target.


    "Good Madam. They like my work because of which I am taking a promotion and I am on the middle level. I get to have access to a lot of classified information as well."


    The mafia had given her power and authority and so were her children going to get it from which made the next question come out to be quite automatic on her tongue. "And in that classified information what is it written about us?"


    He smiled with pride. "Nothing madam. Almost nothing. Even if it is, it''s just about a few warehouses that never have anything in them."


    She smiled stiffly at that. His reassurance meant nothing to her. "I don''t care about what you say. The next time you come and meet me here I want you to bring me the files and what is written in them."


    He nodded and their conversation was over. Alexis had to work and meet and greet people that had their cases being fought by the organisation.


    She also made sure that no one in her firm was committing fraud and she checked so for Lexus too. Husband had been sneaky, she realised she was looking through the files he had been using Lexus for money laundering too.


    She sighed, that gave her something to talk about for tonight.

 Chapter 276 - Two Hundred And Seventy-six

    Vote please!


    *********


    Ivan Adams had been a good worker and he somehow had enjoyed the life of the double agent that he lived.


    The thrill, he had mentioned to Alexis, was unbelievable.


    When Alexis went home Agatha stood at the door and waited for her to relay a message given to her by the Don.


    ''Be ready for tonight. We have someone to meet.''


    She knew who that was. Someone who was dating Adriano.


    Mia had decided that she was not cut out for Adriano because of the time that he was not able to give her. Even though Alexis understood what she was talking about she was not in favour of the breakup because both of them were making their career and it was understood that both of them would not have time for each other at the same time.


    It was something that they would have to work out with but instead, Mia cheated on Adriano and it was simply that she was driven out of town.


    Since she was a girl Alexis stood opposed to the idea of her being tortured. So keeping in mind what his wife wanted and Angelo had made sure that she worked in a small clinic where she could not get even a one-tenth of what she had earned at the hospital in New York.


    Jessica was the girl he was seeing and Angelo wanted to see her.


    They were going to Lexus. Her restaurant as she was a bartender there. "Get my clothes for tonight ready." She said to Agatha as she moved to the dining room to eat with her kids.


    *********


    Cleanliness was important and she made sure that the top counter was spotless. Time and again the owner Alexis de''Alessandro had told her that she would give cleanliness the topmost priority in this restaurant.


    The woman was daunting when it came to business she was so serious that no one could even breathe in her presence but if anyone wanted to talk about their problems in the workplace she was the loveliest woman.


    Jessica never understood her. She was like the sides of the same coin but opposite.


    "Hey," she looked to the man who stood in front of her with a smirk on his face. The man who could give anyone damp panties by just glancing at them.


    "H-hello." ''Why did I stutter?'' She started to wipe the counter even harder to avoid him.


    He stopped her wiping by placing his hand on the top of first. She stiffened immediately under his touch which made him even more confident than before.


    "I don''t think the owner would appreciate if her counter has scratches over it instead of being clean." He took the cloth away and held it out to her, "Keep it at the back, you have already cleaned the counter enough."


    Jessica eyed the cloth in his hands and took it from him not been meeting his intense eyes. They were way too scary for her even though she had been on various dates with him.


    She cleared her throat before asking him, "Do you want a drink? Or should I bring you the menu instead?"


    "The bar menu first," he pushed himself off the counter and stood straight. "And don''t send that man to my table. I want you to come."


    The command in his voice was clear and she could not do anything else but nod her head to it acknowledging the fact that she was going to do as told.


    When he took a table and she picked the bar menu and walked to his table. "Welcome to Lexus, I am Jessica and I will be your server for tonight. Would you like to get started on drinks immediately?" She had two menus in her hand one for the food and the other for the drinks.


    "Drinks please." She placed one in his and he stared at it for a few seconds, "You know what why don''t you surprise me instead?"


    Her brows shot up, "Surprise?"


    He handed the menu back to her. "Yes, whatever you want and put my order of Salmon with rice in."


    She nodded and did as told. The hair at the back of their neck stood up and somehow she knew that he was watching her.


    She glanced and there it was. The primal look, that one he gave her when he first saw her.


    She hurriedly looked away and finished his drink, placing it in front of him she waited to see if he wanted anything else.


    "That''s something different," he commented immediately after taking a sip and took one more. "It''s refreshing."


    She nodded. "Yes, its key ingredients are rum and fruit juices. It''s a Mai Tai."


    She could see the appreciations swirling in his eyes as he stared at her. She nodded and stepped back, "I''ll get your food in a few."


    She hurriedly walked back and she could feel the wetness of her panties. The man was smoking hot and the boss attracted looks from all over. Whenever the both of them arrived they attracted the heads of all the attendees in the restaurant including her eyes too.


    The men did not even look at the owner for she was the wife of a Don.


    No one wanted to wake up one day and see blackness around them.


    "Hey," Scott, her partner for tonight whispered, "I''ll take the orders for tonight. You are called to the VIP room. Number two."


    She gulped looking at him when she heard that. Everyone knew what was in there. The don was having dinner here tonight and it was a deeply traumatizing experience. Whenever someone else entered the room it would go in complete silence as no one would talk with civilians around and since no one spoke, they all would be focused on her.


    She hesitated, "My tables¡ª"


    "I''ll take care of it. Take the menus for four people. Go!" He harshly whispered not wanting to get into trouble.. Jessica scrambled to do so, she was cornered into because of the job.

 Chapter 277 - Two Hundred And Seventy-seven

    Holding the menus she knocked on the door and heard a come in. She sighed, quickly took in a breath and then what inside confidently.


    She saw the people inside. The don his wife, his brother and the second in command.


    "Good evening everyone, welcome to Lexus. My name is Jessica and I will be a server for tonight would you like to get started with drinks?"


    The wife, brother and the underboss stayed choir and she knew that the authority was in the hands of the boss. If she was someone else that might have had stared into his eyes but Jessica was a coward soul so she looked at the owner, his wife, instead.


    "For drinks," The Don''s smooth voice with an accent rolled off, "I want a whiskey straight, my wife would be having wine, one from her collection." He then smirked for a second before saying, "What''s your poison?"


    Her eyes widened at that. "S-sorry?" Did he just ask her?


    "What is the drink you like?"


    "A..a..shot." She answered but then blurted out right after, "I also do martini."


    "A martini too then."


    "Whisky for me," the brother answered.


    The man, underboss, stared at her before answering, "Wine for me too. Leave the menu''s." She did and ran out.


    Why were they here and more importantly why had they called her specifically? Only the ones that were related to the family somehow were called to serve the men when they were discussing business so she could not understand what possible reason it was for her to be called in.


    She punched in their orders and made their drinks then carried them inside only this time the guard standing outside knocked on the door for home.


    She served them and then kept the Martini in the middle of the table not knowing what to do with it.


    "Sit down darling," The Donna spoke. Her voice equally smooth and had the authority in it just as the Don did. For Jessica, both of them were a power couple that should never mess with.


    She did as told and took a seat in front of them. The nervousness was creeping in. Where are they going to kill her? She had heard about them and she had taken nothing from them.


    "You''ve been going out with my man." He looked into his eyes as he leaned to the table to get his drink, "Haven''t you?"


    She nodded immediately almost frantically not given the man a chance to take any offence from her.


    "Hmm," he gulped his drink, his Adam''s apple bobbing with it. "I heard around that you''ve never been in a relationship before."


    Heard was just a term that he had replaced for ''I had you researched''.


    She nodded again. She hadn''t. The money she earned was barely enough for her.


    "You must be aware of the fact that you cannot cross a made man, love. How is that I shall believe you that you would not cheat the man you going out with?" His is hardened and Jessica felled herself losing the grip that she had. She could barely think now.


    "I w-won''t." She stupidly said instead. "I really won''t."


    "That''s not reassuring enough." The underboss shook his head. He shifted and reached for the papers next to him and handed them to her. "This will be. Open it up."


    She did. She took it and took out the papers inside of it only to gasp at the contents of it.


    It was the pictures of her knees with her sister in different places. Which meant that they had been keeping an eye on them.


    "I..don''t..don''t get it.." she looked at them with tearful eyes. Fear had gripped her hard. "Why .."


    The don kept his glass down which was empty. "I am not telling you not to go out with that man I am just warning you of the consequences of double-crossing us." He pointed his finger at her, "Remember them."


    Her eyes glanced at the pictures and she nodded. A tear slipped down but she didn''t raise her hand to wipe it. "I do."


    "Good," he nodded, "I ain''t telling you to break up with them that''s your decision I am just telling you not doublecross or cheat on him."


    "Why don''t you go back? Simone will take over for you." Donna said this. Her voice was calming as compared to the dawn. She nodded and stood up on shaking legs doing just as they had told her to.


    When she went back another bartender with Scott was standing there waiting for her which made her realise that the Don had a full proof plan of cornering her today.


    She looked back and glanced at Adrian who wasn''t there. Maybe he wasn''t aware.


    ********


    They are aware. Julia wondered what did the men think of themselves. How could you think that they could be the most invincible creatures in the world?


    She had grown weaker and no will to live. She had woven her trap and now they just had to fall in it.


    What was life when people would talk about her in their deaths?


    She held the papers in her hand and walked to the bench where the man sat. She had noticed his routine and observes it daily. To be honest, he was a quite simple man who was divorced yet had no affair.


    "Is this seat taken?" She pointed to the empty side of the bench and he shook his head.


    "No ma''am, please have a seat." She smiled back and sat down while minding her back. The joints had started to pain now but she had the will.


    She sighed and glanced at her watch. It was just a minute left. She stood and walked away.


    She moved past the block and turned around to peep by the wall to the man who was looking around in search of her as he had the papers in his hand.


    In the end, after a futile search opened them and flipped the pages. She turned around and left.. The job was done.

 Chapter 278 - Two Hundred And Seventy-eight

    Drop a red stone!


    *******


    They arrived home later that night and Salvatore was up waiting for his mother. Alexis smiled and picked him even though he was very heavy for her.


    "You didn''t sleep?" She mumbled as she eyed her sleepy son.


    He nodded and a yawn sneakily escaped him. "I didn''t want to sleep without reciting our mantra."


    Alexis chuckled. "Reciting our mantra?" She repeated with a smile on her face. "If my baby is using such big words I believe he is growing up to be a big boy." He nodded firmly at that.


    She put him in the bed and side hugged him with his head on her shoulder, "Let''s recite it then, we do no-"


    "Do not hit someone as violence is not the solution. I hit when someone hits me. I should not let my anger control me. I am a good boy at heart and I must not forget it." He mumbled sleepily and she smiled with tears in her eyes.


    Alexis had been powerless towards a few situations in her life but that did not mean that she had completely let go of the control. If she could not make the situation better for herself than she made sure that when Salvatore was born, he would be a better man than his father.


    Strong but better.


    "Thank you, baby." She kissed his head and gently remove his head from her shoulder. She went to her daughter''s bed in the same bed and kissed her forehead too. Next, she did the same with Lucas who was in the adjacent room.


    She moved to her room and Angelo stood there changing into his night clothes after a shower.


    "Kissed them all good night?" He tsked. He didn''t her smothering them with love.


    She nodded and took her seat at the vanity table taking her Jewelry and makeup off. "In the past year when I had been attacked, my thoughts were the last thing I said to my children was eat your greens. I don''t want that to be it, so please let it be."


    He did. They didn''t talk about it after that.


    Alexis had fallen asleep pretty easily. For years after pregnancy, she had suffered from post-pregnancy depression which had taken away her sleep but therapy had helped a lot.


    In the middle of the night when the entire mansion except the guards was asleep when Angelo''s phone rang waking them both.


    She could barely open her eye and look, but was aware that he had picked up her phone.


    "What?!" He yelled making her wake up too. "How the fu-" he sighed harshly. "No! Don''t! Tell Vince to come in. I''ll handle the rest." He growled out and hung up as he got out of the bed.


    She got up too and watched him dress up hurriedly.


    "Go back to sleep."


    I will. "What happened? Too serious?"


    He nodded and loaded his gun. "They raided our warehouses. It was the one with the least amount of stock but still, they were not supposed to know about it."


    She had no desire to raise kids with their father in jail. "What are you going to do?"


    "I don''t know," he said, "Sleep," he said and closed the door behind him and all she could do was watch the door.


    ******


    She woke up on time and a new routine with the kids followed. She went to Lucas''s room first and got him ready as he recited his Mantra.


    "..do not hit someone as violence is not the solution. I hit when someone hits me. I should not let my anger control me. I am a good boy at heart and I must not forget it."


    "That''s a good boy," she kissed his head. "Go down with Agatha and read today''s newspaper, okay?" He nodded and kissed her cheek as he went out of this room.


    Next, she tackled the twins.


    "And?" She pointedly stared at Rosie who looked annoyed. "You know you have to say it."


    Stomping her foot, she did as told. "I must not hit someone and respect my elders and not throw tantrums."


    Alexis nodded. Bella Rosa had often changed the words but the core remained the same. Also, her future was going to be different. "Yes, thank you. Off you go now."


    She took a bath herself, a quick mommy one and then went downstairs too.


    "Alright kids, pack up the reading material. It''s breakfast time." And their father was nowhere to be seen. He had not returned last night.


    "Mommy, I think I forgot my case in my room," Rosie whined as she stabbed her egg with her fork.


    Alexis nodded. "Agatha, watch them, no one should eat each others food." She warned and went ahead to get her case. Instead of having the help, she preferred to do little things for her children.


    "Madam!" Blake meet her halfway from the stairs and was heaving from breathlessness.


    She frowned. "Blake. What''s wrong?"


    "It''s the boss madam," he breathed, his words barely getting out.


    With the situation that she had been made aware of last night, she could only imagine what could have had happened and it was not the happiest. "Say it! Hurry up!" She rushed him feeling all kinds of anxiety herself.


    "It''s bad ma''am, very bad." He muttered and gulped. Alexis had never seen him be this Disturbed and scared and it had the same effect on her too.


    "Blake, I am not joking when I say this. Tell me what is it?" She hissed still mindful of the fact that her children could hear her if she talked loudly.


    "He is in custody." He whispered. "The CIA took him for questioning and now they are in jail or taken by them but the lawyers are now their way! He told you to stay calm and at home, madam and¡ª"


    "Stay calm?" She blinked back her tears at that. He wanted her to stay calm and back at home?


    "Have the lawyers reached?" He nodded. "Good, then I will follow after dropping the children."


    It''s about time that man knew what to stay and where her priorities laid.

 Chapter 279 - Two Hundred And Seventy-nine.

    She had dressed up and dropped the children at the school. Now, she was on the way to get her husband out of jail if he had not already. Liam opened her door and she stepped out. The media was there yet her security made her way secured.


    She entered took off her glasses and her line of sight caught a man coming towards her with a mocking smile on his face.


    "Mrs Alessandro," he nodded in her direction, "Would you like some tea or coffee?"


    Holding his stare, she muttered, "I didn''t know your offices had started cafeteria services too."


    He ignored that. "It''s not usual for us to be graced by you and your husband''s presence. So, I thought I would use the opportunity to the fullest."


    She sighed, "Perhaps you should realise about the better opportunities out there."


    "Bu¡ª"


    "Now, where is my husband?" She sidestepped him and he did the same. "Stop that." She spat with her face blank.


    "Your husband is there for me now, but I can''t say for later. Well, most probably from a month now he would be in jail."


    "Would he?" She repeated and tilted her head.


    "Yes," he nodded, "and then perhaps so would his whole family which would be including his parents and you. I wonder What would happen to the little children that you have." That struck a chord. "I think you should do something about it."


    "Pray tell what would that be?" She glared at him and stepped closer. "After all as a mother, I should know what options do I have."


    He smirked. "I didn''t know. Maybe a few flavoured nights with me could help you decide on a few things."


    She scoffed. From Italian d*ck to white? This man was surely crazy.


    "Anything else?" She asked in a neutral tone. The man had no idea what was coming to him.


    "Yes, after all, money talks too." He leaned in to whisper that. "I mean come on people like us have a lot of offshore accounts."


    "Alexis." She looked from his shoulder and saw Angelo coming her way.


    "Let''s go." He said as lawyers walked behind him too. She nodded and they walked out together.


    As soon as they stepped out of the building a lawyer to the passenger''s seat and rode with them.


    "Here." she passed him the recorder that she had kept in her coat pocket and he thanked her for it.


    "What was that?" Angelo asked as he had eyed their moments.


    "Something that''s going to turn the case against him." That was all Alexis said?


    They drove home and Angela went for a shower whereas the lawyers waited for them in the living room.


    She didn''t wait for a him titi come out instead she went in and sat on the toilet with the lid down.


    "What happened?" She asked again. "The last thing that I was told by you was at the warehouse had been raided by the CIA. What happened after that and more specifically how did you end up in jail?!"


    He had bowed his head as the shower poured water on his head. "Is it necessary for you to know?"


    Normally Alexis would have thought twice before throwing this in his face but in the recent five years, she had grown to be more daring. "Yes, and you should have known that before you married me or dragged me into this life."


    "Now is not the time," he sighed.


    She scoffed loudly, "This is the time. Angelo, I would appreciate that if the father of my children does not go to jail while I am raising them over here! if I wanted that then I would have married A junk instead and every Sunday I would have gone to meet him there for an hour or two." Her chest heaved up and down from her rant but her glare continued.


    "We have married and if you have gone to jail then I won''t have minded it but now that we have three children together you better think twice before making any decision that would cost you your life."


    "If someone had a conversation then they would think that you care for me." Said he.


    She sighed and leaned against the wall. Did she? She had grown attached to him but love?


    "I am leaving and I will be waiting with your lawyers in your office." She stood up and left leaving him alone in the silent bathroom.


    *****


    They were having coffee and when he entered fully dressed and freshened up. He looked normal, his emotionless self but Alexis knew that he was angry inside.


    A raging beast, he was.


    He took his seat behind the table and she sat on the couch in his study. "What happened?"


    The older lawyer, William, began speaking, "Apparently they found an anonymous tip regarding the warehouse. there were coordinates of at on the paper and that''s it."


    "Just the coordinates?" Silvano repeated who had later joined them as Angelo showered.


    William nodded. "Yes, the sheet of paper just had the coordinates. they refused to show us the files of we do not know the exact contents of it."


    That was bad. If they refused to show it then that was bad.


    Angelo glanced at her and their eyes met, both of them had realised the gravity of the situation.


    "What your next move?" Alexis asked the man who answered it.


    "Turn the case against him front be evidence you provided. The warehouse was not in his name which has provided us with enough defence and we have a lot of dirt on the man." He sighed and looked at the Don, "It''s an easy slope for now."


    Angelo nodded. "Take care of it and keep me updated."


    They all nodded and piled out of the room. Silvano left too after all he had a pregnant wife at home.


    "I didn''t understand," Angelo stood up and walked to where she was on the couch, "Why would someone dot hat when they clearly would know that I can''t be thrown into jail that easily." He stared at her and she stared back thinking about it.


    "Maybe," since the possibility was there, "They didn''t want you to?"


    He stared at her before leaning down with his hand kept on the back of the couch that she sat on.. "Why would you do it, Alexis?" He asked her taking her in shock.

 Chapter 280 - Two Hundred And Eighty.

    "Must you always?" She gritted out the words in frustration. "If you think that I am going to betray you you better think that it would be death."


    "Oh?" He taunted, "Death?"


    She nodded stood up. Stepping closer she stared into his eyes, "yes, in fact from now on why don''t you sleep with one eye open since I am out to kill you."


    Tsking she went out of the room. Maybee, she had an inkling of who did it.


    But then, she turned around immediately to ask him and saw the door closing and from that small distance, she saw him taking off the picture frames and a sa¡ª


    "Madam?" Agatha walked to her hurriedly. "It''s the kids. Bella Rosa. . .hit someone."


    Her brows shot up. "Rosie did?!" She couldn''t hide her shock.


    Agatha nodded. "She. . .was not happy with something and said that her father would take care of it."


    Oh, that''s it. She barged into his office and saw him placing a few files where the safe was in the place of the framed art.


    "Angelo!" She growled out making him frown.


    "Sex?" She shook her head. "Ah, angry sex. Come here." He reached his buckle.


    "No!" She yelled. "Bella Rosa hit someone and then said in front of the entire school and staff that you would take care of the rest!"


    He shrugged, "I will. That''s my daughter after all."


    "They have called me to the school." She informed him, "And since it is you who taught her that, you are coming with me."


    He frowned and started to object but that didn''t matter as within the next half an hour he was there within the principal''s office.


    "Mr and Mrs Alessandr¡ª"


    "de''Alessandro," Angelo muttered as he glared at her.


    She glanced at him with a wary smile and then once again turned in Alexis direction to talk.


    "Mr and Mrs de''Alessandro, I apologize for having to call you Bella Rosa''s behaviour forced us to do so."


    "What did she do?" Angelo asked with a tired face and the ''I''m done with it'' expression asked for her.


    The principal answer, "Bella Rosa punched someone in the nose when they said that her name is not as pretty as it sounds."


    Alexis waited for more to be revealed bit the principal looked at her with the same expression. She sighed asked, "The child''s parents?"


    The principal nodded. "Yes, they want to have a meeting with you outside the school grounds."


    "Outside?" Angelo scoffed looking at his wife. He leaned in and whispered, "They think I''ll be scared. Bullshit." He looked to the principal, "eMail us the address. We''ll be there."


    For today Alexis had taken Bella Rosa home before her brothers. She looked guilty but the child refused to admit her mistake which only made Alexis madder.


    They sat in her office where Alexa sat behind her study desk and her child in front of her in a plush chair. "Rosie, what is it that we talk about daily?"


    "That I cannot hit someone and.."


    "And what did you do?"


    "I hit someone," she mumbled and sniffed.


    Alexis sighed and leaned forward, "Baby, it is not that you cannot hit someone instead it is that you must not. Hitting someone will get you nowhere."


    She looked up with defiance clear in her eyes and yelled, "but she bled!"


    "And if someone hit you and make you bleed, would you like that?!" Alexis threw back at her frowning at her behaviour. "all three of my children and all three have taught the same thing that you will not hit someone or abuse them in any way and today you did just what I asked you not to. So Bella Rosa what is your punishment going to be?"


    "I didn''t want to hit him..."


    "That does not cut it." Alexis firmly stood her ground. "From now on, for one week you will not watch your favourite cartoons and Disney films."


    "Mama!" She cried but Alexis firmly shook her head.


    "I am strict but not enough to not let you watch TV at all. You can watch what your brothers are watching. Now you can leave and sit in your bedroom."


    She did leave, sniffing all the way.


    One thing that she was going to make sure with her there of her children was that they would never think of hitting someone.


    She stood as Agatha came in and told her that the car was ready. She had to meet the small victim''s parents.


    She stepped inside the cafe and took a cosy seat, ordering for her herself a cup of hot mocha.


    She looked across the cafe. Life after having children had been hard but at least and Angelo had been there for her. She has then decided that her children would never raise their hands on anyone unless extremely necessary and she make sure to get the point across to Lucas and Salvatore, whom Angelo said would potentially carry on the next line.


    "Excuse me? Mrs Alessandro?" She looked behind her as a couple stood and her eyes narrowed at the similarity of their faces.


    "Yes..and you are?"


    "Lisa and Parker. We have a kid together. The one your daughter hit."


    "Ah, yes." She muttered and her eyes squinted at the two. "What is it that I can help you with?"


    "Oh, we are helping you with something first and then you will provide your help to us." Lisa sang and as her fingers drum on the table.


    Alexis stared at her impassively. "Is that what you are plan is? What is it that you need help with?"


    "Money." Parker spat. "We need money and you will give us that."


    "What''s the thing you will help me with?"


    "Madison." They both answered. "when you had Madison fired, you practically took away the source of income that she would most of her money from because of which she has teamed up with this old woman and now in her literal own words is out to get you!"


    Alexis''s ears perked up at that. "Old woman, who?"


    Lisa tsked and shrugged. "someone weird and probably and like...with an accent and a tan and hey!" She yelled.


    Alexis stood up and rushed back home.

 Chapter 281 - Two Hundred And Eighty-one

    "You mean to tell me what the fucking source was anonymous?!" He yelled, "How the fuck can no camera catch that bastard?!"


    He placed around the room and finally let go, "Just find it. That''s not possible. Then any-some camera must have caught him." He hung up.


    Nothing was making sense. How the hell did someone go by undetected by the cameras of the agency. . .unless. . . that were involved in it.


    That had to be it. They dared to attack him. Angelo knew he had to do something about it but with his adventure at the agency had the media covering it, there was too much heat that he had to take care of. If he took his revenge right now there would be chaos all around.


    He had to think it through.


    In his life of 30 years, none of his family members had gone to jail or even called to the national security service. It was him as the first man to ever enter one with handcuffs on him.


    The humiliation was real. How could-


    "Papa?" Salvatore and Lucas stepped in. "Can you help us?"


    He nodded and followed them out. Alexis had made sure to get the point across that they had to do some tiny things for the children as well. Even though it would make them dependent on the parents they would not at least hide their mistakes from them.


    "There!" They both pointed up to the tree their frisbee was stuck.


    Angelo nodded and turned to a guard to have him bring up a ladder. "How did it reach up there?" He turned to his kids then.


    Salvatore shrugged and looked at his older brother who took the fall as always. "We were seeing how high can the other throw because we had a lot of frisbees. . .but then. ."


    ". . .we got to bring another and the packet was empty," Salvatore mumbled with a pout on his face and widening his eyes a little bit.


    Angelo scoffed and looked away. He flicked Salvatore''s forehead and said, "That works on your mother, not me kid." He then pinched his cheek earning a cry from his kid. "Take care of how much is left before you use it, okay?"


    Both of them nodded. The guard came out with the ladder and he climbed it. Taking the frisbee from the branch and handed it to his children.


    "Go play and be careful!" He said loudly as they ran away.


    "Angelo!"


    **********


    The driver raced the car just as his Donna demanded from him. Three years ago when they did not find Julia they had declared her dead but if one frail woman were working with Madison and had practically sold out and the family it meant that it was Julia because no one else knew as much as she did. This had to be her.


    She got off the car and rushed inside. "Where is he?" She asked Agatha.


    Bella Rosa seeing her mother come in immediately went to her to apologize for today''s incident. She was sorry and she knew that she had her hurt mother with her actions. "Mommy¡ª"


    "Baby, not now," she kissed Bella Rosa''s head, "I am sorry honey, but I need to talk to daddy, okay?" She looked into her child''s eyes as she talked to her.


    Bella Rosa nodded and kissed her mother''s cheek as well who was kneeling to talk to her.


    She stood up and asked Agatha once again, "Where?!" She hissed.


    ". . in the garden. . ." Agatha mumbled in shock and then watched as her madam rushed outside. Gesturing to another maid to watch out for the child she followed her mistress out.


    She quickly caught up to the rushing lady and asked in a huff. "What''s wrong, Madam?"


    "I think I know who did it." Alexis huffed. The house so big without any reason.


    "Angelo!" She called as soon as she saw him.


    He stopped and turned her, even the boys next to him looked at her. Alexis was a parent who never yelled in front of their children. She walked quickly towards him and stopped only when the grass came. Her heels stuck to it so she walked on the stone path where he joined her too.


    "What''s wrong?" He frowned and looked behind her, "Bella everything okay?" Alexis turned behind her where her daughter stood shyly. Alexis understood what she wanted.


    "Salvie, Lucas! Play with your sister too!" Listening to his mother, Lucas immediately called his sister and handed her frisbee.


    "What is wrong?" He asked again frowning at her state. "You ran. Why?"


    She shook her head and said instead, "Think about it, how could they know which one had no stock in it? They warned you and they knew enough were and-"


    "Yo ho! Granny is here!" Isabelle came out too. A wide smile on her lips probably because of her grandchildren. She stepped closer to the new parents and clapped happily. "I heard about their first day, how was it?"


    "Is Gabrielle with you too?" Alexis asked instead which instantly had her receive a frown from Isabelle. She has to involve him too. Her heart thundered in her chest.


    "Yes," Isabelle nodded and stepped to the side a bit. "Is everything okay?" Alexis looked like she was highly stressed about something. "Ah, Look! There he com¡ªAh!" Isabelle gasped and clutched her chest. That hurt.


    "What''s wrong?" Gabrielle came to his wife her ready when he saw her bend a bit in pain.


    "Nothing," she grimaced. "Probably pulled a muscle." That had been happening a lot. She stood up but the pain remained and it was wet making her frown. She took off her shaking hand and a broken, teary smile came to her face as she saw blood. "That . . ."


    "Mother!" Angelo looked ahead, "Follow there!" He pointed to the area where the shot could have been clear from. The guards left their post immediately. e


    "Isabelle!" Gabrielle cried out.


    With a cry, she fell as Alexis panicked about what to do. Pressure the wound. She had to make sure that it didn''t bleed out. She pressured the wound to stop bleeding with her own hands shaking.


    The situation was so dicey. She was shot in the chest and none of them knew what to do.


    "Agatha!" Alexis yelled, her mind returning, "Call the ambulances, now!" She yelled at the top of her lungs. Her eyes went to her kids who were all standing together and watching their parents and grandparents with years in their eyes. "Mariam! Take the kids inside!"


    Mariam rushed in with a maid and took the reluctant children in.


    "I. . . Don''t. . " Isabelle could barely speak anything as she breathed from her mouth. It got more difficult for her and it was visible to then. The only sound left was cries of pain and nobody could handle that.


    What had happened?


    The blood was not stopping and Alexis was applying more pressure to it. She had to stop the bleeding. She had to do something.


    "Fuck it! Get the car out!" Gabrielle yelled and picked her up in his arms knowing that they could not wait any longer. Alexis remained to apply pressure to the wound making their position awkward but focusing on the task none the less. The main thing she had to do was not let Isabelle bleed out. Her heart screamed as her mother figure let out cried of pain. Gut-wrenching, those were.


    The car screeched to a stop and Angelo was in it and for the second time, he looked panicked out of his mind.


    The three of them took the backside and Isabelle started to cough. She heaved it out but a smile came to her face making Alexis''s heart sink.


    It couldn''t. . .


    "Gaab. . . Lov.." Isabelle heaved and a smile came to her face and so did the tears in her eyes. "Children. . . " she raised and held her husband''s cheek with eyes full of love even though she was in pain.


    Gabrielle shook his head at her attempts and cooed with tears in his own eyes, "Sh, baby, sh. Don''t speak. Save your energy."


    Alexis pressed harder as the blood did not stop. It should have by now. She gasped when she felt her jerk.


    Isabelle''s chest jerked up once. . . Twice and Alexis pushed it back down, crying out the words. "Please stop! Don''t!" She knew what was happening. It was too cruel to witness.


    A laugh spattered out of Isabelle, "Lo. . . Gabi . . ." Her chest jerked up a few times and she went still. There were no more cries of pain, choking on air and Gabrielle''s shushing.


    So did everyone in the car.


    Isabelle Gabrielle de''Alessandro was dead.

 Chapter 282 - Two Hundred And Eighty-two

    Italy; once again.


    Funeral, once again.


    Only this time the tears came from the heart. Angelo had been silent and so had been Gabrielle. The children did not even understand what happened. For them, she was just gone. Disappeared forever.


    It was too sudden. They flew back with the body, everyone together, Silvano broke down and cried hugging his brother''s shoulder and Nikita did too.


    The casket was open and she looked so peaceful. The smile and the warmth shine in her eyes were gone. They weren''t even open now. She was pale.


    Alexis hated it. A sob broke out of her as she covered her mouth. It hurt too much to be true. It looked like she was truly sleeping. . .Just an everlasting one.


    The priest came forward as the time had come. It was the time to lower the casket down in its grave.


    Angelo nodded. The sons, husband, brothers of Isabelle picked it up. All with the grimmest expression she had ever seen.


    Isabelle''s father; Peiro walked with Alexis to the burial grounds.


    The priest started to read from his book and Alexis stood but the side of her husband. She held his hand tightly.


    The death of his mother had broken many.


    ********


    "She received a grand funeral," Nikita sniffed and wiped her nose. "It was the last thing we could do for her. After all, she did for us."


    That was true. It was the last thing they did for her.


    An uneasy feeling came to Alexis and rubbed her chest. It had been there since the only mother she had died. Maybe because now Isabelle''s responsibility as the peacemaker was hers.


    "I''ll be back." She said to Nikita and stood up to walk out of the kitchen.


    They were in the mansion and the whole family was staying with the Don.


    She knocked on the door and waited. There was no answer. She knocked again.


    "What?!" He barked out.


    "Can I come in?" She asked politely. "Please."


    She did not hear anything for a few moments and considered knocking again when she heard, "Fine."


    She inhales a small breath for courage and twisted the knob, opening the door she entered inside.


    The room reeked of alcohol. She walked in and saw Gabrielle lying on the couch "I don''t think she would appreciate it." She waved around to the bottles that were kept on the table.


    "Well, she is dead." He spat. "So, she doesn''t get to do anything anymore. Not much you can do when you are six feet under."


    Her mood dimmed more. She had come to lighten his weight but comments like those.


    They had to stop.


    "Don''t make comments like that," Alexis ordered firmly.


    Gabrielle sat up and his dark, hollow eyes fell on her. "Really?" He taunted back.


    "Yes," she nodded, tears came to her eyes as she muttered the next words. "I am your Donna and I forbid anyone talking about my mother like that." Her voice cracked at the end and so did the hard look in his eyes.


    "Honey. . . " He whispered but instead of continuing the conversation, he looked down in defeat. He didn''t know what to do. His wife had been his number one supporter. From the beginning when he took the reins to the very end when his kids got married and the grand ones arrived. She had guided him through it all.


    But now she was dead, who was suppose to guide him through it? Through her dead?


    They had talked about it. He was supposed to go first.


    "Gabrielle," Alexis slowly walked forward and kneeled beside him on the floor. "Her last words were that she loved you. Gabrielle love. That''s what she said. You cannot do that to her."


    He shook his head adamantly. "I can''t. She left. She got shot, why the fuck did she get shot?! Why not me?! Why her?!" He bellowed and she watched him helplessly. "Why. . .h-her. . " He choked and Alexis felt relief rush through her veins. He was cracking.


    His walls broke down. He was finally letting it out.


    She stood up and sat beside him and then brought him close. "Let it all out." She hugged him sideways and he cried into her shoulder like a child. "It''s alright Gabrielle. Let it all out." She patted his back.


    The man did cry. He wailed for his wife and that was what love was.


    Something she had for her children, something this man had for his wife.


    Isabelle had been a mother to her. During the pregnancy, hers had just bothered to call once a week but Isabelle had shifted into the mansion.


    She had been there every minute for Alexis, the twins and even Lucas. She had been there was all and Alexis was a failure compared to her. Tears slipped her eyes too.


    "Why are you here kid?" Gabrielle grabbed a few tissues and pulled them apart from her. "Go to your kids." He said.


    "I will." She patted his shoulder, "But I need to take care of her most precious possession."


    "Her diamonds are safe." He said in a hoarse voice.


    She smiled sadly, "But the biggest one lost its shine."


    He sniffed at that and she held him close, allowing him to feel the pain, the hurt of losing someone so precious.


    "I loved her. I will always love her." He chanted. "I would never replace her with any."


    "She would be honoured." Alexis smiled and kissed the weeping man''s temple.


    *******


    After an hour of crying, she had forced Gabrielle to take a shower and then immediately called The help in to get rid of the alcohol bottles both empty and filled from his room and the house.


    Gabrielle knew what happened when he came out of the shower but did not comment on it. He just went to bed.


    She walked back to her rooms and checked on the kids. They had fallen asleep.


    Exhausted, they were, like her.


    She opened the door to her room and closed it shut. Waking to the closet she took of the ominous black dress along with her bra and pulled on Angelo''s black silk nightshirt. Something he never wore and she had since her pregnancy.


    She then plopped down on the couch next to her husband and rubbed his shoulder. "Are you okay?" She whispered.


    He sighed and leaned into her. "What. . . I heard what you did for dad and Thank you for that. I don''t know why you would do it. Why did you?"


    He did not want to talk about his mother and she understood that. So she answered his question, "Because I wanted to honour her. She was the peacemaker, the guide to all of us and I just . . . wanted to let her know that I would keep her family together too." She kissed his hair, "That I will take care of the man-children she left me with."


    He jerked a but and she immediately stiffened up remembering how his mother had. . .


    A sob was heard and it echoed out in the room. She felt something wet against her neck and she realised, that her husband was crying.


    Angelo de''Alessandro was crying.

 Chapter 283 - Two Hundred And Eighty-three

    "Angelo?" She whispered not sure if it was happening or not. His body shook and tiny sobs rang out.


    Her heart melted. "Angelo." She pulled him even closer and cried along with him. "I think it kno¡ª"


    "I don''t know what to do." He wheezed out and she frowned.


    "What?"


    He pulled back and sniffed. Standing up and he wiped his tears and she saw his reddened eyes. He looked at her and for a moment she felt her heart stop. "I don''t know what to do. I feel like I want to kill you." He whispered.


    "Me?" She gawked at him. "Me?! What did I do?" She asked in shock as her voice rose a bit.


    He laughed and shook his head. "The bullet had your name on it. It was meant for you." He revealed. "I checked the fucking tapes and guess what, the shot was meant for you. My mother stepped to the side and in front of you taking the bullet with her." He closed the distance between them and held her shoulders tightly making her wince. "You! It was meant for you!" He yelled at her face.


    Thousands of emotions went through her and she stared at him with wide eyes and her mouth opened.


    She could not believe it. A bullet for her? And Isabelle, of all, took it?


    "No. . ." She whispered, tears coming to her eyes. That couldn''t be true. Her fate was cruel but it couldn''t be that much.


    It would too much for her. She should have died.


    "I had Samantha check it. She did something and zoomed into her face. It was Madison, from years ago, your enemy killed my mother!" He yelled at her, glaring at the woman who was responsible for it all.


    "Get out!" He barked and then pointed at the door. "Get the fuck out!" She flinched at how high his voice roared and she looked away in fear. He was glaring at her with his red eyes and it scared the hell out of her.


    "Angelo," she tried to talk. "Pl¡ª"


    "Get the fuck out!" He charged towards her making her shift back. Grabbing her hand, he harshly dragged her to the door. "I have never regretted anything but I fucking regret marrying you!" He threw her out of the room making her fall on the floor and banged the door shut at her.


    She remained still on the floor not knowing what to do. Slowly she pulled herself up but continued to sit on the floor wondering what had happened.


    Isabelle took a bullet for her? But she couldn''t have known. So, it was fate or was she to blame here? This worsened the eight on her shoulders.


    "Mama," her breath hitched as she heard the small voice. She looked up to see Lucas standing there while being half-hidden by his door. When her eyes met hers, he came running to her and knelt to hug her. "Mama."


    She slowly wrapped her arms around him and gently cooed, "Hi baby. You are meant to be sleeping."


    She could feel him shake slightly, he was scared. "I heard papa being scary and then I saw you. I hate him." He grumbled with tears coming to his eyes.


    Damn it, he had seen the whole thing. She closed her eyes and sighed. That was her worst nightmare.


    After she had thrown a vase at him and stood up against him, it had been a smooth ride. He talked it out with her and had never come close to raising his hand.


    She felt another pair of small arms, barely covering her form, wrapping around her. She opened her eyes and saw Salvatore around her.


    "Baby, you too, are meant to be asleep." She frowned but hugged him. She didn''t know what else to say.


    "I saw it, momma," he sniffed, "I too hate papa."


    She sighed and pulled apart. "Come on babies, let''s get you to bed." She held their hand moved to their bedrooms.


    "Can we sleep with you?" Salvatore asked in a tiny voice and her heart melted. She needed a little comfort too. So, she nodded.


    She pulled apart and held their hands taking them to the guest room not wanting to even look at their father.


    "Sleep, children." She sighed as she laid in the middle with them cuddling to her. The lifelines she could hold onto.


    "Psst,"


    Alexis smiled as her eyes remained closed. "Come on, Rosie." The baby girl climbed in too and held onto her mother and brothers.


    "We must not. . . " A tear of happiness left her eyes as her kids chanted their night mantra on their own.


    *****


    Her clothes and belongings had been taken and put away in the guest room and it had tripled the feeling of her humiliation.


    Fine, if he wanted to go then she had no problems with it.


    "Agatha," the maid looked at her, "Change this room with the room next to my children. I don''t even want to look at his face."


    When Agatha unlike her usual self did not reply immediately Alexis turned to look at her. The resistance on her face was clear.


    "What did he say?"


    Agatha gulped, "That you would stay in this room only."


    Something was stuck in her throat maybe that is why she didn''t reply and simply left the room.


    Her children and shit of a husband are already at the time table waiting for her. Angelo was riding his newspaper and God forbid if Alexis did not make small jabs at him.


    "Good morning my babies," she kissed each one of them and then took the plate out of the maid''s hand and served her three children.


    A chorus of thank you, mama, rang out and her heart warmed.


    She took her seat and the chef served her as she looked around. "Where is Gabrielle?" She didn''t turn to her husband rather asked the maid about it.


    "He is in his room, Madam." She said.


    "Did he wake up?" To which the maid nodded. "And? Did he come out?"


    She shook her head negatively.


    Alexis who had earlier picked up her spoon to eat placed it down next to her plate and excused herself.


    There was one family member who was missing at the dining table and god forbid if she was going to leave him alone.. Also maybe it was the right time to tell Gabrielle about what Angelo had revealed to her last night.

 Chapter 284 - Two Hundred And Eighty-four

    She knocked on the door and waited just like the day before.


    "What?" She heard again.


    Alexis breathed in for courage quickly before saying, "Breakfast?"


    For a few seconds, she did not hear anything and rejection came to her mind.


    "Just come in child."


    And she did. As soon as she had the words she twisted the doorknob open and enter the room closing the door shut behind her.


    Gabrielle''s grim and gloomy face came to sight as he said, "Why are you here? You should take care of your family well. I am a grieving man and I will take care of myself, you don''t worry."


    She shook her head. "I don''t think it works that way." She took a seat at the end of his bed. "I have one member less at my dining table and I felt his absence."


    "Do people not do that when grieve?" He laughed and it felt sad to her.


    She nodded. "They do but you have your family to fall back on which is why I am requesting you to have at least two meals a day."


    "Just two?" He asked with an eyebrow raised knowing that there must be a catch.


    She nodded and a cheeky smile came to her face. "Okay, maybe those two meals could be with us at the dining table."


    A smile came to his face but disappeared just as quickly. Gabrielle shook his head. "I don''t think I am ready to have dinners yet but the child I assure you, I will come out soon."


    "Should I have them send it to your room then?" She asked politely to which he nodded and then she came to a topic of even more importance. "Gabrielle, Angelo told me something last night."


    He nodded for her to continue.


    Her eyes reached to the floor in shame as she revealed. "The bullet was aiming for me and Angelo saw in the cameras that Isabelle shifted to the side for which she got shot instead of me. " She gulped as her voice cracked, "So, she died when it was supposed to be me." Her voice died at the end completely and she looked up slowly.


    He had his eyes closed and was leaning against the wall of the bed.


    "I''m sorry."


    He tsked. "Don''t be." Then opened his eyes, looking at her he said, "I can be angry with you and yell at you throw things at you for the bullet was meant for you and not for my wife but it happened. I cannot go back in time and change it and also, it was purely incidental. I would say that I am proud of Isabella for taking the bullet for her family even when she did not know of the danger," he laughed slightly, "but I know if she was alive what would she have said about it, Alexis is a young mother who needs to take care of her family and three little children, on the other hand, I


    have made sure that mine can survive on their own."


    He smiled at her who had tears in her eyes and moved closer to her. Pulling her to him, he kissed her forehead. "It''s alright, child. It was not your fault but whoever it was I will make sure that the crime more than any of us are."


    Alexis nodded and revealed the truth further.


    ***********


    Alexis was folding the kid''s laundry and they were all talking with her. Messing around as they babbled about their day.


    Salvatore had been quiet and Alexis had noticed it.


    "I went to the gun range today," Lucas revealed. "Papa took me and we learnt how to handle a gun."


    "That''s a good baby." She kissed his forehead. "Try to do even better next time okay?"


    He nodded with a smile on his face.


    She turned to Salvatore, "Salvie, come with mama for a second?"


    He looked up with his big innocent eyes and followed his mama out as told to. She took him to her room and closed the door beckoning him to sit close.


    "What''s up with you? You are never that quiet."


    He shook him and she elaborated further. "Usually Salvatore my baby, is competitive with his siblings to make sure that his story is heard as well on the top of his voice and today, he was quiet while they were telling their stories, so what is wrong with him?"


    He sighed. "I just love you, mama." His voice cracked and tears came to his eyes as she pulled him close to her and hugged him.


    "What are you thinking baby, tell me about it." She hugged him and rubbed his back.


    He sniffed and cried out the words, "I did not like the way pa-papa yelled at you and it even pushed-d you out of the room. I w-want to take revenge for you mama."


    She sighed and pulled back. Staring into his eyes she said, "The best revenge you can take in this situation is to never be like him. Also, I want you to understand that at times people fighting and yelling can be okay. Fighting happens in couples, between mums and dads which is okay but like I said pushing someone out and using violence-"


    "-Is not the answer." He mumbled. "I get it."


    She smiled and picked his cheek. "Well done baby." She poked his tummy and Salvatore erupted into giggles. "There''s my baby!" She squealed as he did.


    His face read and she stopped letting him breathe and collect himself together. "Go on, enjoy with your siblings."


    They both stood up and walked back to the room where they had gone previously only this time, Agatha stood there for her.


    Salvatore turned to look at her but she nudged him inside. "Go inside baby, I''ll be there shortly." She smiled confidently and he took her word for it.


    "What is it now?" She turned to Agatha who looked grim.


    "The master calls for you."


    She raised a brow to that. What else did he know? "Let''s go then.." She sighed and moved to his office.

 Chapter 285 - Two Hundred And Eighty-five

    Without knocking on the door she walked inside and closed the door behind her and took a seat in front of him where he sat behind his desk.


    "You called?"


    He nodded. "You told my father but not me."


    She smirked. "Your father, even after losing the love of his life was sane enough to understand that I had no fault in it. You, on the other hand, were continuously blaming me for something I had no hand in and you did not even try to listen to what I had to say."


    He sighed loudly but didn''t reply which showed her that he didn''t trust her. "You think that going to my father behind my back will get you somewhere?" His eyes glinted with dark mirth in them. "If so you are wrong. You do not need his favour but mine and you do not have it."


    She merely blinked. "You did not call me for this." She concluded.


    To which he nodded. "You were excluding me today."


    "You threw me out yesterday." She rebuked back.


    "Alexis," he warned to which she shook her head.


    "Don''t do that." She wanted him instead, "You know I had no hand in it. I started taking revenge because of you, your suggestion and if it came back to bite you back in the ass, it''s not my fault. I understand that you had to blow off some stream but shouldn''t have done that." She told up and turned around to leave only to come to a standstill when she saw two elderly men sitting there.


    She now understood why Angelo had called her but now was the time to take a stand instead of looking back and apologizing or going with the play she chose to walk out on them.


    If Angelo thought that he had all the power in the world that he had forgotten that he was the source of her power.


    **********


    Humiliation. Shame. Mortification.


    Today he felt it all because of his wife. Someone who he had made sure would be docile and fierce when needed but on the other hand, she had the guts to turn the tables on him.


    The bartender placed another glass in front of him and he picked it up. What had he not done to make sure that Alexa stayed within her limits? He had no problem with her crossing those but in front of people, where he was humiliated was something when he drew the boundary to the danger zone that even she knew better than to not cross.


    But she did which meant he failed.


    And failure was never the option when you were the Don. A failure of a Don was thrown to the wolves along with his family.


    He shifted and took out his wallet. The picture of his family was inside. His kids and wide were baking and Alexis looked like she was done with life itself.


    No one had been aware of him taking the picture and watching them. Salvatore was doing as his mother said, a mama''s boy he was, and the other two had gone all out.


    He chuckled lowly as he remembered the scene. It was fucking messed up, his life but who did he get to complain to? His mother? She was long cold in her grave.


    His father? He wanted to die too.


    He had nobody to trust and after Alexis''s doings it made it difficult for him to do so.


    "Sir . . . " He snapped his wallet shut, the waitress placed another glass in front of him taking away his empty one with a sway of her hips. Big hips, he noticed.


    She had been eyeing him and he had noticed that.


    He picked up his glass once more and wondered when did he finish previously.


    From the corner of his eye, he noticed at the woman was eyeing him and had bent to do the work letting him know of the cleavage she possessed.


    He beckoned her closer who came immediately.


    If Alexis knew how to make a statement then so did he.


    ***********


    The children went to bed. Bella Rosa was being a bit difficult given that it was Angelo who used to do it for her but never the less she calmed down and went to sleep.


    Alexis closed the door to the children''s room and walked to her own she heard light padding of the feet. She knew who it was and immediately, all of a sudden turned around.


    "Salvatore," she chided, "Go to bed. Sleep baby."


    He shook his head, "What is papa comes in?"


    She smiled and laughed a little. "I told you that it was just a little fight. Everything Will be fine bubby."


    Salvatore did not look convinced. Nevertheless, he listened to her and left to his own. As soon as his door closes she heard thumping on the stairs in the silent house.


    She didn''t look forward to greeting him or even look at him but still stood there only for her heart to crumble up.


    He walked to his room not even glancing in her direction. He had her legs wrapped around his waist and held her up against his chest, pressing her breasts to his chest.


    They had locked lips and he was practically sucking her face with his eyes closed as if he had the route to his room mesmerised.


    Her chest felt heavier when they walked to her marriage without even closing the door behind them and she heard the rustling of the clothes.


    They were taking off their clothes.


    What she heard next hurt her more. Gagging noises. She was swallowing her husband and by the grunts she heard, he enjoyed it.


    Her face burned and something rang in her ears, she felt the humiliation to her core.


    Thud.


    She closed her eyes and the tears slipped down. He was fucking her and the thuds were proof of that. She should have excepted this. What more could she except a guy like that?


    She moved forward and stood outside the door. His lustful eyes met hers and she looked through her tears. Stepping in, she held the doorknob and closed the door shut.


    Closing the way to her heart as well.

 Chapter 286 - Two Hundred And Eighty-six

    She woke up in the morning and got her children ready. They were being homeschooled till they went back to the academy. She had served them today too and this time Gabrielle had joined them too, in his night suit but it was a start.


    Angelo had not joined them.


    But that did not affect Alexis as she had let go of all of her expectations last night. What shocked her the most was Gabrielle did not ask about his son''s absence from the dining table.


    Angelo came with a sobered up expression and dressed in a buttoned-up shirt and his slacks. Anyone could tell that he just woke up.


    The maid served him and the children talked wildly. Bella Rosa had the attention of everyone.


    Angelo moved forward and grabbed her left hand. "That''s not your ring. The ring I have you, why are you not wearing it?" His eyes hardened and Alexis tried her very best to control her anger in front of her


    children.


    "I don''t think she has a reason too." Gabrielle held his son''s stare, "I assume when she finds a good reason and not a blond one she will wear the emerald ring again."


    She was wearing a sapphire.


    So Gabrielle knew what had happened last night in this house but what matters the most was heated Alexis side on the matter and stood up for her with her.


    Alexis, in her stand, took her hand from his and continued to eat silently agreeing with Gabrielle.


    He did not continue the conversation after that and if Alexis wanted to take a chance to make an assumption she could say that Angelo was guilty of what had happened.


    After breakfast, Gabrielle and Alexis were out in the gardens watching the children play among themselves.


    Fear of death had left them knowing that one could die any time.


    Gabrielle was talking to her. "I apologize child. It is my fault for not taking care of my family properly. What his grandfather taught in Angelo''s mind is still there, in a dark corner and makes its appearance is when Angelo is at his lowest." He shook his head watching the children, "I know that it is not an excuse but it is all I can offer you except an apology."


    "It''s alright. I understand." A thought came to her mind and she took the chance for it. "Gabrielle, what have you thought of doing with your time now?"


    His notes furrowed and to her, he appeared to be thinking about it quite hard but in the end, he shrugged. "I have no idea. I had always known that I could die at any time of the day and not meet my wife again but losing Isabelle is losing My life''s purpose because I have nothing to do now."


    She bit her lip before saying, "How about you start training Salvatore?"


    Gabrielle looked visibility taken aback by that. Surely he had not expected anything like that from her.


    "What?"


    She sighed and boldly spoke, "Angelo, it seems as if at times values his grandfather''s thoughts and teachings more than your rules which I don''t really agree with and so do you." He nodded to that. "So I was thinking that it would be better if you embedded your teachings, thoughts and values into my son. Let him have a bit of moral in him as well in the life that he lives in."


    He looked ahead, thinking about it and Alexis did too. Salvatore was a pure-hearted boy what he felt and she appreciated that about him at such arrange. If anything Alexis never wanted him to become like his father.


    People had a dark mind but she never agreed with what Angela did most of the time which is why she had decided to let Gabrielle take the reins regarding her youngest boy who was most likely to take over.


    Lucas couldn''t because he was illegitimate and for the other, an adopted child.


    "Alright," Gabrielle agreed. "I will talk to Angelo and take over when Salvatore comes of age."


    She thanked him for that.


    *******


    Her wedding ring was tucked away safely in a safe which was in front of her. By his behaviour, she knew that Alexis could not file for a divorce but until then she was not going to acknowledge their marriage and just think of them as a couple who was co-parenting three children.


    A knock came on her door and she asked them to come in.


    The knob turned and Angelo came in.


    "You saw." Was the first thing he said.


    She wanted to laugh at his face but she knew better than to get him any kind of reaction. "What did I see?"


    "Last night." He stated and she wanted to slap him for that.


    She shook her head. "I have no idea what you''re talking about."


    He tsked irritatedly and looked away before saying, "You saw me fuck her!"


    "Ah, yes, that I did." She agreed as if remembering it all of a sudden, "and not forgetting to mention your father and I saw her leave in the morning as well."


    He didn''t reply after that and continued to take off her make up.


    "I''m sorry." He whispered, "I was just¡ª"


    "Do not take advantage of your mother''s death in this situation! When you were grieving and crying I understood but when you threw me out I drew a line and then you go out and bring someone out and then. . . . On our marriage bed you fuck her," she glared at him, "do not expect a sorry to fix it."


    He stepped forward and kept something in front of her. "These are my blood test reports¡ª"


    She hurriedly stood up and stepped away from him, looking at him disgusted. "If you have a sexual disease, stay the fuck away from me."


    He glared back. "I was drugged, Alexis. Drugged!"


    She laughed at his face for that. "Your dick did a fine job, Angelo! Now if that woman comes here claiming that she has a child, that it is yours do not expect me to adopt him wholeheartedly or at all!" She pointed to the door, "Now you get the fuck out!"

 Chapter 287 - Two Hundred And Eighty-seven

    Breakfast was over and so was her torture time to look at Angeles''s face. Now she was sitting on her desk reviewing the accounts of a firm and her restaurant while her children were studying. She tried her best to give the illusion and atmosphere of study around them by working on sheets herself whilst they studied.


    She looked at them her saw Agatha poke her head in and more come inside the room.


    "Madam, a soldier is waiting outside but he is not classified enough to enter the Dons office and they don''t need the file and Tonio is not available at the moment so you need to get the file from his office." She hurriedly whispered everything. "Please madam we need it."


    She glanced up from her sheets and nodded at Agatha. She placed a paperweight on her sheets and closed the laptop before following Agatha out to Angelo''s office but her eyes caught something.


    Bella Rosa was staring at her laptop. So being the best mother like kids had said Alexis was she took the laptop with her.


    Entering his office at the files before giving Agatha the one she desired as there were many kept on his desk. Thanking Alexis for her help an Agata hurriedly moved out to give it to the soldier they arise Alexis followed her out leisurely.


    When she turned around to close the door her eyes once again met with the painting that was right behind Angeles desk but this time there was no one inside his office but her. She partially turned around and look for anyone else who could be lurking in the hallway but found none so she hurriedly closed the door without making any noise.


    She crossed the room keeping her laptop on the desk again and the painting in her hands before moving it up and removing it from the wall. It was heavy as hell and she winced at the weight that her shoulders felt. Stumbling across she crystal tried her best and kept the painting safely on the ground.


    She huffed and looked up and sighed. There was a lock on the safe which had a passcode on it and suffice to say Alexis had no idea what it could be. She had no idea even remotely.


    Even though they had been together for the past 5 years he had lived a completely different life away from her where Alexis had no idea what happened. So if it came to guessing a password it could be anything.


    Still, she tried.


    The safe must have had secrets inside it so she went with the first one that she knew about Angelo.


    Lucas''s birthdate.


    ACCESS DENIED.


    She shook her head. Having Lucas''s birthday as his passcode was a long shot anyway as anyone could figure out that it was all I could be his children''s birthday. So technically she had to rule the twins birthday out as well.


    Could it be hers?


    Without it that it could be hers after last night''s escapade but he would not have changed it just after one night.


    She had no idea why her hands shook as she raised them to enter the letters of her birthdate in the dial.


    ACCESS DENIED.


    Fucking bastard.


    Even after relentlessly repeating that he had only love for her he could not even set her birth date as the password to a safe that hid all his secrets!


    What else could it be? She sighed and sat in his chair.


    They were going to be leaving Italy in two days and Alexis knew that she had to act while she was given the chance which was today.


    Lucas''s birth then the twins and before that Alexis coming into her life. Those were the three things that she knew as main events in his life and all three she had ruled out as possible passwords. To a certain degree, she agreed that all of these were very easy passwords for someone to guess.


    Then what could it be?


    She frowned as she glanced around the room. Could it be Isabelle''s death date?


    She stood and up and typed it. The machine unlike the previous times did not hurriedly give out the beep that her access had been denied.


    ACCESS GRANTED.


    And the safe pushed open its door to her.


    ************


    His daily routine now consisted of many walks daily. Earlier it used to be going out with his wife on lunches and dinners and different to countries enjoy their retirement. He remembered how his wife used to beg him to take a vacation from his job and take her somewhere nice and tropical. A sad smile reached his face as he remembered the replies that he gave way of saying he did not have the time or no one else could take over and do the job said.


    Now his son was there but his wife was not. The son who he had trusted to do everything right had done something entirely wrong that could never fix marriage back.


    When Gabrielle saw a woman barely dressed leave his house early in the morning he knew that it could be no one else other than his son who could invite her in for the night and a fact Gabrielle was aware that his wife and children lived in the same floor as he did.


    "Oh Isa. . . ." He sighed looking at his wife''s grave, "He ruined it for himself. What to do now?"


    He had taken a stand for his daughter-in-law in front of the whole house he knew that if Isabelle was on his side she would have asked him to do a lot more which he would have been capable to do but right now he seemed to be useless.


    "I . . .cacan''t think without you." He revealed with his eyes casted down. "I will kill that hollow of a woman who is going on a killing spree for no reason. She is a real psychopath and I will make sure that she is in the ground just where she belongs.." He placed a case on his wife''s headstone and then got up to move inside but he has started to train Salvatore mentally making sure that he understood his surroundings from an early age.

 Chapter 288 - Two Hundred And Eighty-eight.

    It was the worst breakfast of his life. Even though there had been times where he had been hungover as hell when he had breakfast with his family while his father was glaring him down they had still been better than the one he had today.


    A sapphire ring was what he had given Alexis when the twins were born and today she wore that instead of the emerald one that he gave her at their wedding ceremony.


    She knew what it meant and he did as well. It meant that she was not his wife but just the mother of his children that she acknowledged.


    She had left behind their relationship for what he had done last night. But had he? When he woke up today morning he was disorientated as fuck and he had no idea what happened last night tell a hand appeared out of nowhere which he thought was his wife but came out to be of a blonde woman who was naked in his bed. Marriage bed.


    Her heart sank at the moment.


    The blonde woke up and immediately started to caress his chest as if expecting him to wake up and go for another round but his heart had already stopped functioning especially when he checked the cameras of last night and got to know that it was Alexis that closed the door on them while he was literally inside an unknown woman.


    How humiliating must have been for her.


    If he ever kept himself in her shoes Angelo was sure that he would have murdered both of them on sight for that yet here he was having done exactly that and yet alive.


    He wanted to fucking die at the moment when he saw that he had entered the hallway with the women in his arms and Alexis stood there outside of his children''s bedroom in the hallway watching him enter and then closing the bedroom door on him and his flavour of the night.


    "Boss, the doctors sent the reports over." A man entered after knocking and kept the reports in front of him. He nodded, dismissing him and then read through the contents.


    A smile came to his face as he read through it. So it was confirmed he was drunk last night that blonde bitch have that too to drug him.


    Sending a quick text to Ray about finding the woman, he moved out of the cabin to where Samantha was.


    "Found something?" He got directly to the point like always.


    She nodded. "Julia isn''t as clever as she thinks especially Madison. Madison was the one who shot your mother, I zoomed in and found that already but it was Julia that has been keeping her. It was confirmed that you were going to come to their strip club where Madison was going to make her move on you but then Alexis fired her and made sure that she won''t get a job anywhere which I don''t think she remembers part because of which Madison''s life pretty much down spiralled."


    He could feel it coming. "But?"


    She sighed loudly before continuing. "What I do not understand is how come an old woman in her 70s can cause all of this trouble to you which is why I try to look into her and she has been meeting a man but she always chooses a place where I can see her but not him." She clicked a few buttons and pictures came on the big screens, many pictures and he took his time to look at them.


    "You see? In every picture, you will see Julia and that man meeting but you will never find him on any camera and he just disappears which is not possible!" She clicked a video and it showed him walking into the dark and the next camera did not catch him.


    "Now, if this happened every time I would have looked into the apartments somehow he could have gotten up or had a place they''re already but they always choose a different place and this is what always happens so he can not own an apartment everywhere. I have looked into it the whole day and night so, it''s not that." She concluded.


    Angelo understood where she was getting at. The assumption was of two things out of which he was sure of one which was Julia was getting the help of someone but who was he did not know and the second it could be a greater force than just one man and it might be a force to be reckoned with.


    He sighed and nodded. "Continue." And walked out.


    His hand reached to his back pocket and he pulled something out after his mother''s death he had started something back up that he had left when his children were born.


    Smoking.


    He lit up a cigarette and inhaled in the smoke, letting it take its effect on his body.


    March was due to be done. We have to find out where Julia was and who was helping her and how was it that one woman was able to rattle up his organisation.


    He had children to protect, his wife to win over and a mafia to run If anyone had his words they would automatically assume that it was not a big deal but if they were put in his job for one day they would already be sweating buckets.


    Angelo continued to smoke till the cigarette turned to ash and then let up another one. The stress was on another level today and the situation at home was adding more to it.


    He was a sinner for cheating on his wife. He had always talked of loyalty and demanded yet here he was drugged up and now with fucked up marriage.


    Fucking hell even his father knew.


    But he was thankful that his mother was in her grave when this happened because he knew how disappointed she would have been if she saw it with her own eyes.

 Chapter 289 - Two Hundred And Eighty-nine

    Miscarriage. A tear slipped her eye.


    She had a miscarriage that he had conveniently never mentioned to her. Even though she had asked him the question again and again no one from his family had ever answered her including Isabelle.


    The reports with the time and date written in the files confirmed that it was the time when she was on bed rest and Angelo did not even let her get up for the bathroom. They would act as if she was weak from something but on the contrary, she had lost something inside her. She had lost a baby.


    No one had ever bothered to tell her that.


    This was the first file that she had touched and it revealed something so huge.


    Her cheeks felt itchy when she sniffed due to the dried tears on them. She had had a full-blown breakdown when she saw that the name written on the documents was hers and the report only told her of one thing that was a miscarriage. No matter how the man she tried to look again and again to make sure that it it was hers and no one else''s The result only e seemed to tell her that it was belonging to Alexis de''Alessandro.


    The name that she hated.


    He was the cause of the miscarriage and he never bothered to tell her. It was him who had launched himself into her office and broken everything in her office along with something inside her. She had been physical and because of his abuse, she had lost a child that she was never aware of.


    She looked at the safe once again wondering what more could she find inside her about her self. She had only read one file and by far she had cried more than she had in the past four years.


    But once again curiosity was going to kill this cat as she stood up to pull out more files. A pen drive slipped and fell to the floor too. She picked it and made a note to go through it.


    Keeping that in the side she once again took a seat on has chaired and used the table. She opened the file and saw the names of various people in it and then looked for the details more specifically.


    Girls. Girls for the clubs.


    A flash came through her eyes.


    Her breath hitched as she remembered the scene from years ago, something forgotten. A promise.


    The promise that she has made to someone about making sure that she would make sure that their living conditions would be better.


    Her chest felt heavy as her lips quivered. Where was that girl be by now? How could she forget this for 5 years?


    She closed the file and moved to the next adding that to the to-do list on her phone.


    The next file she opened made her frown even more. It made her question his love that he claimed to have for her in the very beginning. It was a file that held her records and even a paternity test linking her to Alexander Williams.


    Which only further confirmed her suspicions that he knew who she was by her blood before marrying her just as her supposedly father had said.


    Once again Angelo had lied.


    She wanted to continue with the search but the Pendrive seemed to something far more interesting.


    She picked up her laptop and inserted the drive. Her leg bounced up and down due to nervousness and anticipation of what could be in the pen drive. When the pop up came there was only one file that you found thereafter clicking on it which only contained a few videos.


    Videos of what?


    She tapped on her knee, the anticipation was getting to her to find out what was it but she was too nervous to do it. One file was all it took for her to cry and break down for an hour so what could a few videos show her?


    It could either be the very end of the relationship she had with Angelo whatever it was or. . . . .


    There was no or. . . She clicked on the first video.


    ************


    Alexis, hours later came down from the office. Her children were out playing and she watched them for a while. She went out and greeted them with a smile on her face. Her behaviour was normal, not even a hair out of its place.


    She even cut out fruits for them and made a glass of freshly squeezed juice for them. She made sure to tell Agatha to inform her kids that she would be needing some time alone and would be down there for dinner till then Agatha was in charge.


    Numb of the whole situation. She went to her bedroom and fell on the bed with her face towards the ceiling and stared at him.


    He knew what happened. He was fully aware because he was there. He was the one who had kidnapped. He knew about the woman that she talked of in her dreams, in her nightmares, the one he promised that he would make sure to find out who she was and then bring her to Alexis.


    Once again until he had conveniently made her forget about it by throwing and another nuisance her way and she had dumbly forgotten about it.


    It was thrown to her to see about how fast she could move on from it and then he would throw new problems in her way to make her move on from the next one, constantly engaging her mind into battle mode. Never letting her settle.


    She sniffed trying her best to control the tears. The man she had grown to trust and had grown to attach herself with had have once again broken heart trust in numerous ways that she could not even count now.


    It was useless to place her trust in a man so. . . . Messed up.


    Fucked up as the word he used for himself and that was what he was. Exactly that.


    She stood and unzipped her dress, letting it fall on the floor. Moving to the bathtub in the bathroom she let the hot water flow and fill the tub as she took off her clothes. His touch disgusted her.


    She stared at herself in the mirror as she had done years ago.


    Just when she had a miscarriage.


    She slapped herself.


    She trusted him. Again.


    She made the mistake.


    She looked at the tub of hot water.. She made a mistake and she must pay for it.

 Chapter 290 - Two Hundred And Ninety

    New York.


    Angelo had taken her and the children back to school where she had gotten therapy and kept her mind sane.


    She had the whole house to herself but this time the silence ate at her. She had no idea where to turn to. The files and the pen drive contents were with her safe and sound and stored away in her laptop.


    She had no idea where to begin to.


    Never having come across such a heinous person in her life Alexis had no idea what to do. At every turn in her life where she had chosen to trust Angelo, it always happens that he had a hand in that very soon they brought down on her.


    It was a never-ending cycle that only saw-through and where she decided that she would never trust him again.


    She was once again in her bathtub. After knowing that what happened with her during the kidnapping she just wanted to get his touch off of her. Angelo''s touch now seemed to be disgusting and dirty.


    Hence, her baths had gotten more often and longer especially when she saw her husband around the house.


    It disgusted her.


    "Alexis?" She breathed sharply when she heard his voice. "Can you come out? I need to talk to you."


    She got out of the tub and pulled on a bathrobe her clothes were outside and she had no mind getting dressed in front of him.


    She opened the door and found him sitting on the couch, so she took a seat in front of him.


    "What is it?" She asked in a neutral tone.


    He placed a file in front of her. A file and when she looked at it we breathed hammered and her heart pounded loudly.


    Another file.


    "I did not have time to talk to you in the past two days and that we travel back to Italy and I did not want to do it in front of the children so here it is," He pointed to the file, "I was drugged that night, I felt it and the reports say so too."


    ''So was I,'' she stared at him, ''By you of all people.'' She glanced at the file in front of her and stood up walking away to the walk-in closet.


    "Alexis?" He called and followed.


    She gritted, "Don''t follow!" She hurriedly got dressed and was alerted of his presence.


    Numbness was alls he felt around her when it came to him. Maybe because nothing was there.


    He was waiting outside when she got out and as she carried her tasks she could feel his hard stare on her back.


    Not that she minded. Living with him had given her enough time to get used to people staring at her.


    "You are ignoring me." He concluded watching her walk around the room as if wasn''t there.


    ''You ignored my dignity when you raped me.'' She glanced. "No."


    "You are." He pointed at her. "It''s not my fault I was drugged. That stupid blonde will pay for what she did." He assured her.


    She shook her head at that. A smile breaking out. "You mean to tell me," she stepped closer to him and moved to lips right next to his. "that a blonde woman got through in drugging you and you had sex with her, in your marriage bed?" She tilted her head staring at him in wonder. "What a mafia boss. What a pity."


    His eyes flashed but she remained where use stood. She had leverage and she was never letting that go.


    She stepped back and moved to check her phone. There was still an hour to pick up her children.


    "You have a long way to go Angelo. Earning forgiveness after what you did will cost you dearly."


    When she glanced at him, he was already looking at her with determined eyes. "I am ready for it. I know what I did and I am will atone for it."


    She sighed and nodded along with his words. "A long way that is. . . ."


    "I will do whatever you say." He started.


    She kept her phone down and looked towards him with her arms crossed. "Then can you give me my right? The Donna needs to have her decisions too."


    He was stiff after that. She could see him maintaining the character and trying his best not to fall out.


    "What?" Said he.


    She smiled. "Do you remember? Five years ago, you took to a strip club cum brothel where you made me watch a woman, a girl, get fucked by multiple men to get the message across about my fate would be if I say no." She gave him a tight-lipped smile, "I want to change that."


    He huffed and looked away, mocking her words. "What about it do you think you can change?"


    "Oh, I can not change anything." She pointed at him. "You are," then pointed to herself, "for me."


    He shook his head slightly staring into her eyes. "Don''t cross your limits."


    "Should you be the one to talk about limits? Why you, not the one who crossed all of his limits two nights ago?"


    He looked away and clenched his jaw. "It was a mistake and I am assuring you that she will pay for that and it would never happen again."


    "What she did to you was what she did to you." She spoke slowly trying to make sure that he understood. "I don''t care if you drop kyu or not your fear should make people think twice before doing that. You can do it with her. What I want is you atoning for what you to me, to us."


    He stepped closer to her and held her shoulders. "I will make it alright."


    As I would trust you now. "That you would. But you would have to do as I said for that." She smiled and stepped away. "And what I would say in the future too."


    He hesitated in replying. "Alexis . . . ."


    "I am not asking for something unrealistic. Just something better for someone."


    And now for the masterstroke, "I thought there was love between us. All the time we spent together, I thought that both of us loved each other but. . . . " She looked down for effect and then stepped away from him Turing her back to him.


    "Please leave." She sniffed. The closed with a bang and she smiled.


    She had him in her Palm.

 Chapter 291 - Two Hundred And Ninety-one

    She came down after getting dressed up for the day after half an hour. The skin tingled a bit and was red given that she had repeatedly bathed in quite hot water for several days.


    His touch still lingered on her body.


    She stepped and down saw someone sitting on the couch.


    Usually, she would how to look the other way but she had grown to realise that it was her house and every guest that came in had to be attended to and greeted by her.


    "Good morning . . . ." The words were stuck in her mouth as she looked at the person in of her.


    "You look like you were not expecting me," She stood up in respect, "Like. . . alive."


    The words left her mouth sooner than she would have realised. "Yes, I was." The girl smiled and Alexis scrambled to get to her words right. "I mean that . . the conditions that I saw you in last time were . . ."


    The girl caught the drift. "Not liveable, yes." She then cheered up, "I can''t believe you are The Donna now."


    Alexis nodded not knowing what to say. She had been The Donna only in name.


    The real one was her mother-in-law.


    "With all the respect to you Donna," the girl slightly shivered, "Have I offended you in some way? I was told that you called for me."


    She breathed a bit for courage for the question that she was going to ask next. It was embarrassing.


    "What is your name?"


    The girl looked visibly taken aback but that. "Lola. But I honestly thought you would know."


    Now that was something Alexis could not possibly reveal so she settled a lie. "I do know but I wanted to make a conversation with you, to make you feel more welcomed."


    Lola nodded, understandable the attempt of making her feel at ease.


    "Now," Alexis straightened up and so did Lola but ended by sliding off the couch clumsily.


    "Sorry." She whispered with her cheeks reddening.


    "That''s quite alright." Alexis smiled back, "Now, I want you to write down on a piece of paper what problems have you been facing for the past 5 years. I remember you telling me that I can make it better for all of you and I want to. I do not have the power to completely stop at all . . . . But somehow I can try and make it easier and to someone else comes and picks up this fight."


    Lola nodded and Agatha handed her a notebook. "But what I did not understand from you was the fight. Why would someone else pick up your fight?"


    Alexis laughed at that. Those were Isabelle''s words. "I am not talking about someone else picking up my fight. I am talking about someone else picking up the fight for the greater good, for all of us." Alexis looked at her confused expression and explained in simple terms. "It means that you have to continue fighting your fights but there are a few fights that involve a collective effort and sometimes you do your part and leave it there. Then someone else, better and powerful than you with better resources come in and take the fight to the next level."


    "Like the women from our past started their fight and the others picked up!" Lola perked up understanding it finally to which Alexis nodded and then pointed to the notepad.


    Lola began to write the problems and Alexis leaned back into the seat and watched the clock.


    A minute passed away and the hand-kept on ticking.


    Another minute.


    And then another.


    Filled up with impatience, Alexis''s eyes darted towards the paper which was quite filled.


    Maybe, a lot more things were to be done by Angelo to ask for her forgiveness. But how would we get them all done?


    "Done!" Alexis jumped upfront from the voice and looked at her hurriedly and then to the clock. She had taken seven minutes to write it done.


    Alexis took it from her and read it over. Half of the things she understood that man would never take care of the other half was basic needs and she did not understand why was it happening?


    "Ahem," Lola cleared her throat to get her attention. "Donna, you asked me me to write down about the problems that we were facing and I did as told. But we don''t need everything to be done it''s just a few things that I underlined immediately need. . . " She suddenly fidgeted and pointed at the paper. "If you could excuse me I forgot to underline the main things . . "


    Alexis nodded and excused her mistakes. She handed her the piece of paper once again and Lola circled the items that she wanted to be done first. Alexis glanced at the list and knew that they were of the utmost importance and needed to be completed immediately by the looks of it.


    "Thank you, Lola." She smiled and placed the paper down. "I will make sure that this is all done with time."


    Lola smiled brightly. It was not something that happened regularly. Someone wanted to make a change for them and without having to ask them anything in return, it was a blue moon sighting.


    "Thank you. Thank you!" She rushed out to tell her friends.


    Alexis watched her run out with a small smile on her face. She didn''t want to Agatha who was already looking at a madam expecting the question.


    "Is he on his way?"


    Attach nodded and Alexis waited.


    This time to get the job done she was not going to turn to Angelo. Instead, she was going to make sure that his men knew that when she wanted something done they would get it done themselves.


    Adriano arrived and Alexis kept on sitting not even bothering to greet him.


    "Madam," he greeted and took a seat when she pointed at it. "You called for me?"


    She nodded curtly.. "Yes, I had a few things which are to done quickly."

 Chapter 292 - Two Hundred And Ninety-two

    Silence had fallen all over as Adriano stayed still listening to her words with the slight shock on his face. He had never talked to her without Don''s presence.


    "A few things to be run by me?" Highly sexist him but he was not supposed to work for Donna but Don himself.


    She smiled and nodded. "Yes I had talked to Angelo about this numerous times and whenever he has something to be done, you are the man for the job. Now I''d like to see that for myself."


    She handed him a new list in which he had written the words again. "Here are a few times and changes that need to be carried out. For brothels, the changes should be made first."


    He looked at her with wide eyes and asked, "You visited one?"


    "You think my marriage has been an easy one?" She threw at him.


    He was silent after that.


    "Donna I cannot do this without direct authorisation from the don." He did not hand over the last but his hesitance was clear.


    Alexis had no value to him if the Don was not next to her.


    But she wasn''t going to let that happen. "What makes you think I do not have to direct authorisation from the don? You think I''m sitting here giving you order without him knowing it?"


    "I didn''t say¡ª"


    She interrupted him, "I don''t care what you say. I care about how fast you will get that done and if you cannot say it to my face and I will find someone else who is more capable than you to get these things done which assume for a man of your position would be quite easy but never the less I understand." She held her hand out, "Be kind and hand over that list, would you? I think I can find someone else better than you can do this."


    He blinked at her words and looked down at the list. He had heard of Alexis being a wife that The Don needed but this was something completely bold and dangerous where he knew that if he challenged her she would not complain to the don instead she would take the matters into her own hands. Which by fore was considered more dangerous. "Madam, this is . . ."


    "Excuses is all you have." She tsked and anger came to her face making it redden, "I asked you to give a bad and here you are still making excuses. Give it back at you know I know someone who can do it better."


    He looked down for a quick second and then snapped his head back at her. "I apologize for my hesitance, Donna. I will get the work done as soon as I can and I will intimate you to review it." He stood with the paper in his hands, "I shall take my leave now." Bowing slightly to her, he left.


    Alexis had was sitting with her shoulders and back straightened with if the bold expression on his face but as soon as the men left and the front doors closed her resolution fell apart and she slumped down.


    "That was quite a brave Madam." Agath praised having listened in the conversation. "You were completely taken over by the role!"


    Alexis glanced and at her and then nodded slightly. Agreeing with the. She had been completely consumed by the role given to her and this time she was not ashamed to admit that she had used the power that she possessed and grow from him for the betterment of someone else.


    People would soon know what she had done especially in the Mafia family words travelled faster than light.


    With Isabella gone it only seemed fair that people knew Alexis had taken the new role of Donna and she was not afraid of anyone.


    *********


    If Adriano had told Angel about it then Angelo did not bother to mention it to her during the dinner when he came home. He had simply settled into the routine.


    She was still wearing the sapphire ring inside of the emerald one and she could see that Angelo was glancing at that every few minutes.


    This was a regular family dinner. Both of the parents were paying attention to all three of their children listening to the complaints and cries of the horrors they had seen inside the school. Shortening the words they hated studying.


    Bella Rosa had gone as far as to complain and declared that she was going to burn her books when the year was over.


    Alexis glanced at her husband knowing that the words came from him and that her husband had imprinted on his daughter.


    "Bella Rosa, you are not burning your books. We will be giving them to someone as fortunate as us." She sternly stepped in.


    Bella shook her head. "The books for giving me a headache now they have to feel my wrath!" She growled and held up her fork. "I will poke. Poke. Poke it."


    Stab. Stab. Stab it.


    "Dear God," she muttered before admonishing her child again.


    Now was the time for bed and Alexis was talking the children to bed. Lucas was a big boy as he claimed and changed into his night suit while she watches him do it and then he brushes his teeth in front of her whole 3 minutes. She kissed him good night and then closed the door to his room.


    Next, she moved to the bedroom of the twins. The wild ones.


    Bella Rosa had torn a page and was aggressively tearing it apart piece by piece making Alexis''s heart shiver.


    She had to consider talking to miss Bailey about child aggressiveness and what she had to do about it.


    She laid the twins down and moved to tell him a story but this time Bella rose of wanted in the new one and Alexis moved to the cupboard to grab a new storybook.


    She opened the door and her eyes met with something red.


    BASTARDS DIE.


    Was written in blood.

 Chapter 293 - Two Hundred And Ninety-three

    "Angelo!" She screamed and within moments guards entered and after a minute or two, so did Angelo. Alexis took the kids away to her room as she still listened to her husband as a dutiful wife and stayed out of his room. For which he had thrown her out for.


    She had the kids on the bed and looked out of the room to the hallway where the door to her kid''s bedroom could be seen.


    Angelo came to her and hugged her closely, "Don''t worry. It could be a prank for all we know. Sleep, for now, I''ll have the cameras checked."


    Alexis nodded and closed the door to her room with her children and side with them. She made sure to sleep with them make sure her mind was not at all calm. She did not even blink her eyes as she stared at her children sleeping on her bed safe and sound.


    When she had opened the cupboard her eyes immediately saw something red and she made out the word ''Bastards die''. She knew that it was talking about her children but how could someone coming to their house with the security that they had and enter into her children''s bedroom?


    The halls but never empty. There was always one member of staff roaming in them cleaning something and everyone was familiar with the faces of each other which is why it made it harder for Alexis to believe that it was an intruder.


    She sat up on the couch that she was sitting in. Just have to be an inside job because no one from the outside had the access to the house and whosoever there could not come into their floor.


    She stood up immediately and open the door in a hurry but only came to a standstill as she remembered that she still had the children in her room. If this was an inside job then the Intruder could be waiting for the opportunity to murder children any moment.


    "Alexis?" She turned around to find Angelo coming from the front of the hallway probably coming to his bedroom. "Why are you not sleeping yet?"


    She shook her head. "I cannot sleep knowing that there is someone out there who is going to murder my children and is considering them bastards."


    He took a sharp breath and peered into the room to his children."What do you think?"


    "No one could have come inside the house without having encounter one of the guards and his clearance level would have been checked. Angelo, only a handful of people that I can count on my fingers are allowed to come to our floor and even less into our children''s bedroom. So if it is not an inside job, what is it?"


    "Inside job . . . . " He muttered, "It would have taken even longer to write the words. . . "


    "Was it blood?" She asked, "Was it real blood that they wrote out the words in?"


    Angelo''s eyes scanned the women that stood in front of him like a mother who was ready to dash on to the person who had questioned her children''s security. The blood was real and belonged to a human but Angelo could not possibly tell her that which is why he lied. "Now it was pig''s blood."


    She nodded and her breathing visibly calmed down.


    Pig''s blood was certainly better than her own children''s.


    "Who was it, Angelo?" She asked and her breathing picked up again. "If I hadn''t opened up the closet then we would have never known that there was someone inside . . ." She sobbed, "They will kill my babies!"


    "Alexis, love, no." He gathered her shaking body in his arms letting her cry it all out. He agreed on all of her concerns, they were right after all someone had entered their children''s bedroom with the intentions of threatening their lives.


    He was furious too but Angelo knew that he had to act without panicking and letting the angry crowd his mind and judgement.


    He wrapped her arms back letting her cry it all out and lessen the burden on her heart while he tried to soothe her with his words.


    "Love, I will increase security around the house and they will be cameras installed in our children''s bedroom. If you want to add something more that can be done too but you need to stop crying and take charge." He cooed, "They cannot know Alright?"


    "B-but," she hiccupped, "What i-if someone kills them on the path-their way from the school or is it?"


    He smiled sadly at that, his own heart broke. "I am sorry then but a few things will always be according to fate no matter how many precautions I take sometimes what death wants to take, it takes."


    "Don''t say that!" She glared at him.


    He smiled at her. "My words will never change anything that is bound to happen. I will do everything in my power to make sure that my children and family are protected but Alexis I am no one and in front of God and his will."


    Her body shook again and he hugged her again. "We will find out who did this and I assure you that the people will think twice before targeting them."


    She nodded her head to his words. "Please do."


    He pulled her close tighter, enjoying the closeness he and with her. If Angela loved something that was consoling his wife when she was at her lowest. It made him feel responsible for her. Something they wanted to do.


    "Now, if you don''t mind, can I stay in the room too?" He pulled away from her. "I am a bit worried about what the kids too and I would like to sleep with them if you have no problem with that."


    She looked at him and then at the children. They were his too and she could not deny the fact so she nodded and let him through. Both of them taking either side of the bed with their children between them.. She closed her eyes and sleep came to her once again she had trusted him without having realised it.

 Chapter 294 - Two Hundred And Ninety-four

    The camera showed a hidden figure and Angelo and Alexis both stared hard at the screen. It was hard to swallow that someone had entered the house while crossing the barren halls. "How could someone know the exact time when the guards were changing positions?" She whispered and heard him sigh.


    "An inside job I guess. . " He said as he stared at the screen too. This was hard to believe.


    She turned to him with her eyes hard, "That''s all you are going to say?!" She screeched. "That is our house where a person happens to enter the room writing death threats like a kid doodling on the walls."


    He sighed harshly before rebuking back. "There is fucking extent to which I can do things. Sorry to say, but I ain''t god!"


    The tensions were getting to them. It was the life of their children on the line which made it even more essential to know who''s the hell did a person enter.


    "It must have taken a lot of precision," he tsked, "Julia cannot do that. Too old. Madison cannot be taught. ."


    "In five years?" Alexis intervened.


    He glanced at her wondering and then nodded. "That is. . . . Possible."


    They both sighed in resignation. This was going to take time.


    "Are going to find Madison?"


    He nodded. "I''ll give out the word. She can''t hide for much longer. Whoever is it, is acting with precautions but would get caught somewhere."


    It''s funny how he had gotten undetected after what he did for five years straight. No one had ever gotten suspicious of his mental capabilities.


    "Be careful Angelo," she wanted with a slight smile on her face. "You never know how one might turn out to be."


    He stared at her. His curiosity was a given reaction but Alexis wanted to continue hinting at him.


    "What is that supposed to mean?"


    She smiled gracefully and tilted her head slightly, "Why, it''s just advice. You have done all good things to me. What can''t I give you any advice?"


    She was giving him mixed signals. Taunting while advising him.


    "Alexis, what are you hinting at?"


    She smiled more at that. A Cheshire grin. "A few things that are done by you." She sang and stood up and walked out, "Tata." She waved him off.


    Next Alexis was driven to the law firm where she found Ivan waiting for her.


    "What can I do for you?" She asked taking a seat and pointed at one for him to take.


    He hurriedly did and looked panicked. "Madam, the file. The file that was given to them which led to the arrest of the Don!"


    She furrowed, "What about it? Do you have it?"


    He shook his head, "That is the thing madam. They usually let me read the classified files but this time that file is only read by all the higher-ups in fact in the office on the middle level are not allowed to even see it. It is locked away!"


    Then it was something to be worried about. If the file could not be seen by what Ivan claimed was anyone except the higher up then she has to worry about the contents in it.


    "No way you can get it?" She asked with a worried hint as well.


    He leaned back into the chair and thought about it. "I can . . But I need time. Also, if I get it then someone else has to come and give it to you I cannot be seen around anyone belonging to the family."


    She nodded. "That''s understandable. Take care of yourself Ivan and be patient."


    He thanked her and left.


    This was another issue for her to worry about. As if Julia was not enough now she has to deal with the file that a security agency had and which would lead to them squishing down the organisation within minutes.


    Alexis knew that she could not get out and that was not what she had learnt in therapy but that Angelo has started to include her in the business and Alexis could not stand being unaware of anything.


    She was involved and people had seen her.


    She took out a piece of paper and write down a few things.


    First of all, was Julia just as a suspect because she was not confirmed to be involved in any of the incidents.


    Then was the masked man or women who had entered their house and no one had paid attention to it.


    Then came the file which was given anonymously to the CIA and happened to be in the hands of just the higher-ups which no one was breathing a word about.


    She then wrote the 50-50 chance.


    There was a 50% answer all of this was being done by one person or organisation behind and a 50% chance that different enemies were targeting than at one point in time.


    A thought came to her mind should she have a few reserved funds for children if he ever went to jail for a crime she did not even commit?


    She opened her drawer and looked at the envelope she and never opened. Maybe, he could help.


    Maybe, this could be a better distraction. She unfolded the paper and read through the contents.


    Dear Alexandra,


    Yes, Alexandra, that was the name I had decided to give to my first child instead your mother choose the first four letters to mock my love for you. This may seem unfair and a mockery to you when I say that I have loved you from the very start when I was not even present at the moment when your mother birthed you. I wanted to be there hild, trust me I did. But your mother ran away into hiding along with her pregnancy.


    Vanessa has always been a messed-up woman who has craved attention and obsession with herself which is why she always found coming back to me but when she realised that my lifestyle was more than accession and showering her with gifts Vanessa, the very next day, was nowhere to be found.


    I apologize from the bottom of my heart but after some time, I had to give up looking for her because I was not aware that she could be with my possible heir or daughter. Now, here we are, with the daughter that I always wanted but whose life I could not be a part of.


    I truly wish that someday you would accept me as your father or even a father figure and we could spend time together. I would listen to you as I always wanted to listen to my daughter and protect you from any harm that would present danger to you.


    Please consider this someday and give me a call.


    Yours hopefully,


    Papa.

 Chapter 295 - Two Hundred And Ninety-five

    She placed the letter down and instead of feeling distracted, her heartfelt even heavier. Confliction was at its high in her mind.


    If she had not found her father''s name and him belonging to a different Mafia family in that very file, she would have trusted Angelo when he said that he was not aware of it himself. Instead, on the contrary, she found out that he was very much aware of the fact that she had the blood of another family in her veins which in some way made it easier for him to conduct business but there was another question about that into her mind.


    How was he going to take advantage of her blood without having her know of her father?


    Alexander Williams knew that he had a daughter then he would have to make sure to make contact with Alexis way before the Christmas party which meant that Angelo and had no plans to reveal her identity.


    But why?


    Why won''t he want to reveal her identity if it meant that he could have another ally sealed shut? An ally that could not betray Angelo because they would have become family after that.


    She leaned forward and drank some water from the glass kept in front of her. Nothing makes sense because if it had then Angelo would have revealed her identity but he did not so the question was why had he not?


    There was a number on the envelope. The number that belonged to her father and the one she was currently holding in front of the fire with her mobile phone ringing.


    She had dialled the number and now, it was ringing.


    She waited for him to pick it up but also a part of her wanted that he did not and she could avoid a possible awkward confrontation.


    "Hello, Alexis."


    She frowned hearing that, "You have my number saved?"


    She heard his laugh. "Yes. Do not forget where I come from. Having your number on my phone is the least of what I can do but from all that aside, what did you call me for?"


    She bit her lip and contemplated telling him about it. What if he chose to lie as well?


    "Kid?" He questioned taking her attention back. "feel free to ask me whatever you want to question. I will try my level best to answer it honestly."


    She sighed and took the chance, her chair swinging slowly. "five years ago you told me that Angelo knew about me being your daughter which is why he chose to marry me. Has he ever taken advantage of that?"


    "No, we have been on the same terms as before." Alexander Williams answered without a beat.


    "Then why would he marry me?" She whispered but her father caught onto it.


    "I don''t know child. I assure you that I have no mind-reading capabilities but about this scenario, my hint would be, keeping you helpless."


    "Helpless?" She repeated swallowing the uneasiness. "What?"


    She heard the man sigh, "Now, that I have you, a daughter, it makes it more difficult for me to talk about. Sometimes we like to make people helpless because that is in our nature as the leader. That is what helps us to lead." She heard some shuffling before the man continued again, "I think he wanted you to feel powerless which is why he did not intimate me about you be my daughter. If he had then it would have been obvious that you are in my protection till the day you died and that would have given you power against him to stand on your own."


    Her chest moved fast as she realised the extent of Angelo''s thinking. Her eyes were cast down but now her mind was awake. "Do I still have it? Your protection?"


    "Yes, child. Even your children do." He chuckled, "I do feel bad that you have to ask me about it."


    She smiled too, "Well, I couldn''t just assume it." She sighed as the silence blanketed them. She wondered what he was thinking about and what should she ask him next. She did not want this call to seem like it was just something for business because it was not. It was something on a personal level.


    "You said mom wanted. . ."


    "Ah, yes," he caught the drift, "I apologize for your childhood. I know what kind of mother that woman must have been."


    "Not the best one." She agreed, keeping it civil.


    "She was shit."


    She choked on her spit hearing that. Her father certainly did not mind cursing around her.


    "Where did you meet her?"


    The man sighed and she could tell it wasn''t good. "She banged her car into mine. A Toyota into her Mercedes and demanded that I pay her back. Naturally, I was intrigued."


    "Hmm," she hummed. Her mother certainly knew how to capture anyone''s attention.


    "We should meet some time," her father spoke up after some time. "You can bring the kids if you want. I would love to spend some time with my grandchildren."


    She smiled at that. It was the pure smile of happiness. "They would love that too."


    "You sound tensed about it."


    "Their life was threatened recently. I feel Angelo is not taking this as seriously as he should."


    "Hmm," the man heard her, "Because he is not panicking around like you are neither is he repeatedly checking on the children."


    "Yes," she muttered a bit surprised that he understood what was going on.


    "Because child, he is the boss and he cannot panic. It is his decision-making skills that are put into question And if he decides to panic and be anxious you might end up on the dangerous side of the bed. As a boss I can tell you one thing, he loves his children and he will do anything to protect them but that also means deciding their faith for which he cannot panic himself."


    "I never expected the conversation to be this useful," she revealed.


    The man laughed and said, "Tell the stories about your children and I might end up telling you even more."


    She said to do that.. Alexis that day connected to the parent that was making efforts.

 Chapter 296 - Two Hundred And Ninety-six

    Angelo and Alexis exited the premises of the hotel and climbed into the car, driving off. She had accompanied him to deal today and by all means, she could say that she was the centre of attention and Angelo loved parading her around. Before they were driven to the hotel, there was one more stop.


    The brothels but known as strip clubs.


    It has been a week since she had talked to her father and a week I had given Adriano the tasks.


    He had arranged them but Alexis has chosen to visit this one night after she was informed.


    Surprise visits were always better.


    "What made you think of doing this?" Angelo asked from her side, "You could have asked for a vacation in Cabo or a house in Cuba but here you are asking for the betterment of those who will not even remember you."


    She just shook her head. "I was capable of it. So I did it." Honestly, it made her feel better.


    The car came to a stop and Angelo and she stepped out of it. When she stepped out of the car Alexis gave a good look at the building and front of it. The very building that she was brought in five years ago in a condition that could have let people trample on her but today here she was, everyone that once did not spare her a glance was looking at her feet because they did not dare to look into her eyes.


    Five years ago, a girl who was brutally taken advantage of had asked Alexis that she could have the power to make it all better and today Alexis was doing it.


    All she hopes for us that she was right here in doing so.


    They both stepped in and the woman in charge of the girls along with the manager appeared in front of them.


    "Don, Donna," they bowed her head slightly, "We were not expecting you."


    Angelo was the one who used to have strict says whenever something was going on whereas, on the other hand, Alexis was the one who had a small taunting smile on her face.


    "I guess that is the purpose of a surprise visit. I am here to see if the work I had assigned is completed or not." She smiled and stepped into the establishment more, "call all the girls to a room where I can meet them alone."


    The woman and the manager did as told within 5 minutes every girl was brought down a few were barely dressed as they were sleeping and many had half a face make-up on them.


    The word had gotten out that the Donna of the organisation was here so it was obvious that everyone was excited to meet her and the anticipation was on another level.


    Alexis stepped into the room and from the corner of her eyes, she could see that so was the woman in charge of the day. "Alone." She repeated turning around a mere inch the woman know that she was talking to her and she immediately left.


    No one wanted to offend her.


    She turned around to observe the women. They were legal barely so but they were. All of them were pretty and many had assets to flaunt which attracted the man.


    "I hope you all know who I am?" Everyone nodded and then she continued. "I was here five years ago and one of you had made me promise that if I agree to marry the don I would make it better. I heartily apologize because I cannot get you out with this, but I can surely make your world a bit better."


    "Did you change the arrangements?" A small voice quipped up and Alexis looked at her.


    She nodded. "Yes, I did. Do you not like it?"


    The girl looked down and before talking bravely. "We do. It categorises us with those who want to have sex with people and those who just want to give a dance. Most of us have now been divided into into two categories by our choice and we cannot be more t-thankful to you. . " Her voice broke down as she started to cry, "It just makes it so much b-better that when we are in pa-ain you have even provided us with medical services. Thank you so much, Donna."


    "Thank you so much!"


    "We love you!"


    "Thank you for coming back!"


    Her own eyes had started to burn with the amount of appreciation she got. The overwhelmed heart was ready to bust in her chest and she sniffed as well making the women ''Aw'' at her.


    She wiped her a stray tear and sniffed, staying strong. "I appreciate that you love these changes, I would surely remember to make more. This has given me enough review to continue with the other strip clubs as well."


    She smiled and stepped back, "Thank you for your time ladies."


    Some stepped forward to shake hands and the rest just nodded and thanked her for the efforts that she had made.


    Everyone went outside from the same door and Alexis followed them out as well, going to Angelo and standing in her respective place.


    "How was it?" He said and she smiled.


    "They love it." She breathed and smiled wider, "I will have to continue coming for checks so that everything remains as it is."


    Angelo nodded and turned to the woman, "Maya, make sure that the changes Alexis has made continue the happen throughout the time this establishment continues to stand."


    She nodded and bowed a bit where Alexis''s eyes squinted at be a familiar face. "Yes, Don. The changes won''t be tampered with."


    "Come on," Angelo''s hand which her waist and pulled her. They both went out of the building and drove home.


    The car came to a stop in front of the gates of the house and Alexis and Angelo got out of the car. When Alexis got out, her line of sight saw someone standing near the pillar at the very end and squinted her eyes at the person who seemed familiar.


    Her eyes widened. "Angelo!" She screamed and pointed at the figure, "That''s him catch him!"


    Thundering footsteps could be heard as guards ran and their footsteps collided with the concrete with record speed.


    Alexis stood at the same stop as she continued to breathe heavily when she realised.


    The person was in the house and so were her kids.

 Chapter 297 - Two Hundred And Ninety-seven

    The Donna.The only woman that everyone in the mafia that everyone respected without looking at her achievements.


    The position of power was what she had been after.


    The Donna.


    How life had webbed its tail in the name of power and life she wondered.


    She was once the most popular student ever existed. People used to glance at her hoping to get noticed and everyone excused whatever the wrongs she committed then how had she gotten pregnant and thrown out of the house in one day was something she could never understand.


    Her father had loved her to bits and so did her mother, both of them dotted on their daughter and spoilt her rotten. Yet all it took was one pregnancy for all the efforts to go down the drain.


    How was then that a nobody like her had gotten what she wanted for all of life? A rich husband, who everyone feared the name of?


    It was such a mystery That one girl who was a nerd, who no one noticed and people picked on, got into the highest position of power in an organisations crime family that was practically untouchable.


    And with that face? She scoffed.


    The tale of destruction had begun and she was adding her own two cents in it.


    She was a part of something great and she was going to be the new true Queen.


    Who would stop her? Nobody.


    She looked at the old woman at the end of the room reading a few scrolls written in a probably old language. She had found her lurking around Lexus just as she was and they had clicked.


    The old women in her seventies wanted power now, Madison laughed at that. She was too old probably even think straight. However was she going to command a thousand men when she was not even going to live for a year or two for sure?


    That woman was dead anyway. She had resorted to using her to get what she wanted. She has become Julia''s pet for thought that Madison would never betray her.


    She hissed as her wrist pained. She had tried her level best to bandage it but the pain was still there no matter how many painkillers she took. At least the blood had stopped.


    She looked at the gauze longingly. It was one of the sacrifices she had made for a better future.


    She had to tell Angelo that those were the bastards and the children that she would give him would be the true heir of his organisation.


    She had already picked out the names of the children that she was going to have with him. Even more if possible he agreed she would make sure that he would never have to look out for any kind of pleasure.


    "Girl!" Julia and Madison looked her away.


    "What?" She barked at the elder woman. "What do you want now?"


    Julia stood up and with the help of her stick, she walked to the young girl. "Where were you last night? Do not tell me you went to their residence!"


    Madison scoffed. "First of all, it''s none of your concern and second, even if I went there what could go wrong?"


    Julia snarled and grabbed Madison''s hair, pulling hard at it making her cry. "What could go wrong?!" She yelled. "I will tell you what could go wrong. There are three cameras in each corridor after Alexis got kidnapped 5 years ago, every camera is positioned so that they can capture your face and every staff member knows who has classified enough to reach the resident floor of the don and his family. So if you, say even remotely that you can enter their house and think that they would never catch you, you are dead wrong!"


    "Leave me!" Madison gritted and pulled away massaging the sore area. "And I was wearing a cap whenever there is there was no chance that anyone could have seen me I knew that time where the guards were and the maids were eating food. I am well aware of the changing positions!"


    Julia raised her stick and hit the girl with it. "For merely 5 minutes that there are those guards change their positions and the hallways were empty and you used those¡ª do you have any idea what you have done?!" She hit Madison again, "They are going to get even more vigilant now which means that the guards would be doubled and with the securities around her children and there is no way that we could ever kill them!"


    Madison would have understood if she wanted too but the woman had lost too much to now consider anyone''s opinion but herself.


    So she simply smirked at the older woman who was hitting her. "That is what you think. I can still enter if I want, any time I want and no one will stop me."


    Julia laughed at the young girl. It made her pity those women who have not involved in The Mafia as those were truly stupid. They have no idea how to deal with people who have immense power in their hands.


    Madison was just one of those. She had no idea who she was dealing with especially when it came to the don itself. Even if Alexis and Angelo were no longer together did not mean that she was no longer under his protection. As his wife and the mother of his children, Alexis was always going to be under its protection no matter what happened.


    Julia had a bigger force behind her making her powerful than a whole big Mafia family. As compared to the one that she was married into it was still can small but as a force that backed her, it was quite packed.


    She had back up now so she had no use of Madison who had killed her family member and given her mental condition she would agree to kill Isabelle if anyone asked.


    Julia smiled at her, mocking her to do something which she knew Madison would. "Why don''t you do me a favour and go to the mansion again?" She turned around and started to walk away, "I am sure Angelo would love to see you." She closed her bedroom door and dailled a number.. The number of her biggest supporter.

 Chapter 298 - Two Hundred And Ninety-eight

    Alexis ran up the stairs and Agatha was behind her running to see what the whole commotion was about. Alexis banged open Lucas''s door and the boy fell from his bed and looked at the Intruder. "Mama!" He shouted and placed a hand on his heart. "I told Bella Rosa not to eat the last batch of cookies!"


    She would have smiled but seeing him alright she moved to the next door. The twins. She stood in front of the door breathing heavily knowing that something could be in the room and she was scared to death.


    She slowly moved to the door and stood in front of it. Gulping hard, she touched the knob with shaky hands and then firmly grabbed it, twisted it to the side and opened the door slowly trying not to alarm anyone.


    She was met with silence and the sleeping bodies of the twins but the mother inside her was not satisfied so she went ahead and check their breathing.


    They were alright.


    Breathing and not bleeding.


    She placed a hand on her heart. Her children were okay yet her heart thudded wildly.


    She sighed in relief and slid down the floor with her head against her knees as she curled herself to rest.


    The fear was making her body shake, her heart pound a million times a minute and made her feel hazy.


    But her children were okay and that was what mattered the most.


    "Madam?" Agatha kneeled beside her. "Is everything okay?"


    "I don''t know," she whispered with her hands still covering her face. "I have no idea what is going on and why but all I know is someone is endangering the life of my children!" She sniffed. Her voice was on the verge of crying. Alexis was on the verge of breaking down why were her children being targeted?


    She sniffed and heard footsteps moving up the stairs. Angelo stood at the door with Lucas right beside him.


    "Go to our room. Sleep there for tonight." Lucas nodded walked to his parent''s room as told.


    "Are they okay?" Angelo asked his wife who was still on the floor.


    She nodded and raised her arm to him. Angelo move forward and took the raised arm helping her to stand.


    "Why don''t you pick up one twin and I would pick up the other and we take them back to the room?" He offered in a soft voice knowing that she was not in a mental state and would immediately panic.


    Alexis nodded and went for Salvatore that was right next to her and Angelo took for Bella Rosa. Both of them took the twins to their room the one that had been used by them before Angelo''s night escapade. All three of them of that children were now lying on the bed sleeping comfortably where was the parents were wide awake. This bed was big enough for it.


    "What happened?" She asked him, both of when were nursing a glass of whiskey.


    He sighed and took a sip. "We got her. It was Madison."


    "Make her talk." That was all she said to which he smirked.


    "I will," he leaned forward and caressed her hair, "but for tonight all you need to know is that we have her in her custody and I will make her talk for sure tomorrow. She will sing like a bloody Canary."


    She sighed, a shaky sigh it was. Her heart was had still not calmed down after fearing for her children. Her legs were still shaking slightly from the fear that someone could have killed her children while she was away.


    She turned to him, "I don''t understand what is their problem. Madison met you and me after we were married so what is her problem. Where is the logic?!" She whispered tears coming to her eyes, "How is it that someway she thinks that another person belongs to her and then to top it all off your grandmother is helping her for what? After killing her husband she thinks that she still has a chance that people would accept her?"


    Angelo didn''t comment on it, letting her continue to get the fear out.


    "You have always portrayed that you are the level best when it comes to such things, that you know everything then how is it if that someone is targeting our children and you do not even know who is. Or someone killed your mother and you could not even punish that person instead you go out and you sleep with someone else?!"


    "Alexis." He warned, his own eyes blazing now.


    She scoffed right at his face. "Sorry to say Angelo but I am starting to believe that all you can do is torture me and suppress my voice but when it comes to others and protecting your family you fail at it." She kept her glass down and took the end of the bed on her side leaving her husband to brood on the couch alone.


    Angelo snarled but bite it back down. He realised that what Alexis had said was true because he had gone soft.


    There was a time when no one would speak in front of him and yet here he was with his grandmother and a bitch, out of nowhere, were standing against him thinking that they could ruin him and his family.


    It was the time for him to have a comeback and show all the others who had dared to think that they could take over what he had worked hard for.


    He stood up and walked out of his room and moved to the basement. Madison was tied up there, barely conscious but alive.


    "Water." He muttered and a guard threw a bucket of water on the woman.


    Madison gasped awake and thrashed around. "What- Angelo." She mewled in happiness, "Hi. You-Ah!" Her head jerked to the side at the impact of having his hand slapping her.


    "You think that you can come into my house and spy on my family?!" He roared his anger taking over. "What made you think that you can come into my children''s bedroom and threaten their lives?!" His hand on its own stretched forward and held her throat squeezing it to his pleasure.


    She gasped for breathes but he did not allow her any, for now, her breathes were in his control.


    "Ple-" she gasped but he only tightened his hold more not wanting to hear her voice.


    "I have had enough of people coming into my life and trying to mess it all up. You have no idea, even remotely, how hard I have tried to reach up and an easy bitch cannot come and ruin it all especially when you target to get my family and kill my mother."


    She shook her head and fears came to her eyes realising that now the matter was on her life. "That was all Julia. She taught me how to shoot, she was the one to take the shot!"


    That woman was mentally sick.


    "And?" He barked. "Someone else is helping her, I know that for sure. Who is it?!"


    She shook her head negatively, "I don''t know! She does not tell me anything regarding that!"


    He smiled at that. "Then I assume you are no longer of any use to either of us." He looked a buffed up guard, "get me the plyers.. It''s been long since I have had fun."

 Chapter 299 - Two Hundred And Ninety-nine

    Julia today woke up with a smile. Today was the day that she was taking her plan to the next level. That was Lexus. The place where Alexis went daily.


    Her phone rang and she looked over to the person who had been calling her.


    "Good morning," she wished to the person who had been helping her.


    She heard on her end, "It would be a morning that is good when you start to work. Were you not supposed to make sure that Angelo was dead by the months end?"


    She closed her eyes. Yes, she was. "I apologize this has been hectic¡ª"


    "This has not been hectic! Any of this never had to be hectic. It is you who has failed to do it!" He yelled making her pull the phone away from her ear. "You had the time to kill Isabelle who had nothing to do with any of this but not the person whom I had asked you to!"


    She closed her eyes and exhaled. She was irritated too. But this was taking time. "I want to make sure that no one ahead can handle any proceedings. I want to dismantle the organisation!"


    The man laughed at her making her blood boil. How many men were going to be that we''re going to laugh at her before she rose to power?


    "I don''t have a problem with you being a woman or a senior citizen," he laughed, "but for how long can you think that you can rule over an organisation that is going to kill you on the spot when they see you?"


    "I don''t want to rule." She barked, "I want to kill them all! I want them to fear me!" Like she feared her husband all her life. She had feared when would Nicholas would come home and in what mood would he be. She wanted them to have the same fear in their hearts every day that what was going to happen next.


    "And you have done just that." The man reassured her. "I know personally that you have instilled fear in them but if you overdo it Julia there it is only a matter of time that they will catch you and make sure everything that you have worked for would go down in the sewer."


    She moved closer to her bed and sat down in the corner forcefully. Her anger was taking over. "In that family, I know almost everything, so what do you think that you can do without me?" She challenged.


    "Oh?" She heard him repeat. "Darling, if you think that even remotely I need you, you are dead wrong."


    A shiver went up to her spine as she understood what he was trying to say.


    "Julia, my advice to you would be to never question me again because I will tell you this one more time, you are a wanted woman, that is, you are a dead woman walking." She closed her eyes in resignation, "if you think that you can have control over me rethink your existence all over again."


    "I¡ª"


    "Shut it women I am not done talking yet! If you ever question me again, I will drag you by that white hair and throw you to the wolves with my own hands if I have to come to it."


    "You think I can''t tell them that?" she threatened. The instincts to defend herself were rising and she pulled the barriers up.


    The man laughed, it was the same sinister laugh that she had heard all those years in her marriage and from her father.


    "And pray, do tell me, woman what will you tell anyone? Have you seen my face, no? Have you ever asked me my name? No. You have simply derived resources for me and that is it. Because at the end of the day you have been stupid enough do not know where your resources come from." He sighed lazily, "From where I come from." He finished.


    "Then I no longer need your help!" She declared.


    "Tsk, Tsk, Tsk," the man sighed, "I never offered it to you in the first place, it was given to you and you do not refuse my help. If you ever think to so let me tell you that my two men who have been placed as guards, will put a bullet in between those green eyes if you ever think of running away."


    Reality set in and as she realised in those five years when she had been crazy to get revenge she had forgotten to act rationally and find out who was on her side and who was in her corner for what they wanted.


    She was trapped.


    "You darling grandmother, are trapped."


    She knew that. Julia did not need to hear his words to understand the situation that she was trapped in the end because of her carelessness, because in the thirst of her wanting to get revenge on people she had forgotten the most important thing she had to take care of . . .


    A tear slipped her eye. Nicholas was better because of the very reason. He was vigilant and he knew where to stop, who to trust and where to take over.


    "What do you want?" She muttered, tiredness taking over. The man had her in his palm and if he wanted he could drag her to Angelo and throw her into the lion''s den.


    He scoffed, "I don''t need to tell you. However, if you must know I am going to combine our families and lead one of the biggest affairs and organised crime in the world and all of that what happened because of the sacrifices that you are going to make."


    "Sacrifice?" She repeated, "What sacrifice?"


    "Just like your companion. You will have the same end by the hands of your family."


    "What-" bleep. "Hello? Hello?!" She yelled and checked the phone when she heard nothing. The bastard had hung up on her.


    She growled and threw the phone on the bed.


    The guards, she thought, she would get rid of them first. She walked to the front of the house and opened the door.


    "You need to¡ª" she frowned. No guards were standing outside which further confused her because they never left her alone and she understood that now why it happened. They were keeping an eye on her but where were there?


    She further and saw something on the ground. On taking a closer look she screamed at what she saw and stumbled back. Stumbling on her feet that she fell and crawled into the house.


    She crawled back and closed the door barricading it with her own body.


    That was Madison, or whatever was left of that girl. A bloody piece of muscle and skin left out on her porch with the symbol of the family effect on her head.


    Which mean they knew where she was which is why the body was thrown in front of her purge which only meant one thing.


    As she realised the situation that she was in and the reality of it she stood up and all nervousness and fear left her body. It was done and now she knew what to do, so she made her way inside to her room and took the gun out of the safe.


    The hunt had started.


    *******


    When desperate, no one can predict a human mind.

 Chapter 300 - Three Hundred

    She paced around the room, rubbing her hands together as she waited for the man with something every important coming in. Ivan had called her about it and said that he would have it delivered to her by the hand of his parents or siblings since after touching that file he could not be seen near Alexis or anyone belonging to the organisation.


    Anticipation, nervousness and anxiety with the prominent emotions she felt along with a bit of fear that the file might never reach her for that he was found out.


    She was constantly sighing as she waited for the man.


    Normally Alexis would have been least interested in any such processes or exchange but this time If Angel went to jail there could be a huge change in the organisation and it could also lead to her children''s lives in danger.


    The fact that Julia had given the file to the CIA along with that she had killed Isabelle was enough reason for Alexis to involve herself in this. She had no wishes to kill Julia herself but she was going to make sure that old and psychic woman was going to get punished.


    And that made Alexis wonder even further that what happened to Julia for her to go completely psychotic and off the rails?


    She sighed and aggressively ran her hands through her hair. The wait for killing her. Yet, she had to wait patiently. Any calls now made could be used against her.


    "Ma''am?" Nadine came in, "Have you looked over the new case? Do you think that we should settle?"


    That could be a nice distraction.


    "Is the victim out there?" Alexis asked Nadine who nodded. "Then have her come in."


    Nadine disappeared behind the doors and came with a new woman.


    "Hi," she held her hand out, "I''m Rachel."


    "Rachel, I''m Alexis. Have a seat." She pointed to the ones in front of her desk.


    Taking her own seat behind the desk Alexis''s leaned back into the chair and asked Rachel everything about the case that she knew.


    "I have read your file and I have read about the previous case that you had and where you trusted to forgive him because of children."


    Rachel nodded. "Yes, I just did it because as you read it, I had children and I did not want him to be in jail . . . It just won''t have worked out for us. . "


    Aleix tilted her head a bit, "But how is it you have chosen to forgive him again when he hits you in front of the children? The very ones that are going to have the same values imprinted on them."


    "That''s why I am having a divorce and making sure that my husband goes to rehab." Said Rachel with a sincere expression. "I have always believed are there is a reason why a person accesses certain way. When I feel for my husband he was just as running a normal, handsome, confident and loving but then the police fired him and he was not able to get a job anywhere from which everything went downhill." Alexis passed the woman a tissue who took one and continued, "In the world, people change and especially men for their incapability to provide for the families which he was being. It took to his head and the next thing you know is taking out his frustrations on us."


    "Then came the alcohol and the drugs and the beatings."


    However, Alexis did not agree. "I do not understand and I don''t believe that. How is it at social pressures affect the mentality so much? And doesn''t a person have his reasoning?"


    "If men did, I believe we would have avoided a lot of wars," Rachel answered. "The social pressures that you talked of are the ones that usually put people in depression and that is not something to joke about just because you do not understand that. As for his reasoning," she sighed, "What can I say . . "


    Alexis thought about her own situation. What drove Angelo to be like that? His grandparents and their manipulations? But those should have been erased years ago by the effects of his parents.


    So what was it?


    Surely Nickolas won''t have torched the child to that extent for him to never forget.


    Male pride? Or the position he had?


    But to be honest, when Donna responsibilities from Isabelle had been placed on her shoulders she knew they could have crushed her which is why Isabelle never gave her everything.


    "Don''t you think of revenge?" The question had been on Alexis''s mind various times a day for the past two weeks after she had unravelled the secrets that Angelo possessed. "Like something inside you that is asking you to take revenge? To avenge yourself?"


    Rachel smiled tearfully. They weren''t there before as much as now and she didn''t bother to hid or wipe them away. "Every single day. Every minute shen I thought of this case I wanted to strangle him. I would never understand how hitting someone makes them feel superior."


    Alexis chimed in too, "That how hitting becomes the solution."


    Rachel chuckled, "I suppose in the past few years you have had your lot of cases to know these things."


    Alexis smiled but didn''t reveal the truth.


    She asked instead, "What if he Sobers up and pulls himself back together but one day he does the same thing that he did today? What would you do then?"


    Rachel sighed and thought about it. She was in a similar situation as Rachel who was married to a man of power. Even though he had been fired he still had the connection to the police station enough to make her life hell.


    "I didn''t know." She shrugged at the end. "I haven''t reached that far. It seems to be so difficult now that I cannot even say what would happen when he did sober up and one day just happens to repeat his mistakes."


    "Won''t you want revenge then?" The words came out of Alexis''s mouth before she realised it.


    Rachel nodded in all seriousness as her face hardened.. "I am not joking but he will never see the daylight again."

 Chapter 301 - Three Hundred And One.

    "I am joking when I say a shiver went up to my spine." Alexis cracked a joke to lighten up the atmosphere which had thickened up due to the last thing Rachel had said.


    "Forgive me," she blinked her eyes repeatedly, "It''s just . . . There is this overwhelming urge to give them a taste of what they have done and then there is . . I don''t know something inside me that wants to move on and-nd become a better person." Rachel, at the end of a ramble, looked at Alexis with a highly confused expression like she had no idea what she was doing. "Am I sounding right? To me, it is I don''t even know what I want anymore."


    "What is it you don''t want? Let''s start there." Now, she felt like her therapist Bailey Peterson.


    Rachel sighed and leaned back in her chair. She nodded as she thought over, "I don''t want . . . To ever see that man again or have my children ever come near him. I don''t want to ever come close to a man because now I am not sure."


    Alexis smiled sadly because it was sad but it was the truth. No one ever realised that when one made an impression it always stayed there forever. It tainted the trust, or more like shatter it forever.


    That was what Angelo had done time and again, he had repeated his faults and Alexis had no power but to forget about it.


    Even though he had hidden grave facts from her it felt like he should have told her about the miscarriage then and there. He never should have kidnapped her in the first place. He should have never raped her.


    He did not have that right. Nobody did.


    "Revenge would be taken if the mistakes are repeated," Alexis repeated to which Rachel nodded her head.


    "Yes ma''am. I know I''m never going to be in a position of power where I can snub an ex-police officer. But if it comes to protecting my children in any way, I will take the law in my hands . . . Because at times it can not give you what you want."


    Alexis and nodded as well. That was true.


    She looked to the wall behind Rachel and saw Ivan standing there¡ª


    "Thank you, Rachel." Alexis cut it short in a hurry, "The lawyers will talk to you about what needs to be done next and everything will be done according to your wishes."


    They both shook hands and Rachel left. As soon as Rachel closed the door Ivan barged in.


    Adrenaline rushed through as she saw him here, "Ma''am." He huffed out the words, "It''s . . . Bad." He wheezed out.


    "How bad?" She whispered as fear gripped her heart and made it pound harder. "What''s in the file?"


    "I couldn''t get the original but I could click a few pictures. Bless technology for that."


    "Yes yes," she made the Christian sign in a hurry.


    He handed her the file and placed his hands in his pockets showing his nervousness about the situation.


    She snatched it from him and hurriedly opened the file and fumbled with the pages she turned back to the first page and read through the contents with a shaking hand.


    She read through as Ivan watched.


    "Wait what?!" She snapped shut and looked at it, "That''s not even half of the shit he has done or even a fourth of it!" She yelled. "What is that?!"


    "A joke . . I guess . . "


    "A joke?" She repeated. "Do you see me laughing then?"


    He shook his head.


    "What is this Ivan?" She pointed at the fire that she had now kept on the table. It had significantly nothing if Angel had to go to jail than for these charges he would go for at most 10 years or 15.


    Ivan shook his head grimly, "That is what the CIA received. Technically this is a good start for all of them because it has significant proof and evidence to get him into jail and not just at the agency. That is why it is a big deal. Also, it is written on the last page that more will be provided later."


    She sighed and took a seat slowly and sighed. "More will come, huh." She mumbled looking away.


    How much information could Julia have or even if it was a hacker that she had how much information could they have? This only concluded that there was someone else, someone bigger and better and more powerful than Julia who was helping her.


    But the question was why was someone helping Julia?


    Because in the end, she was an old woman who was out for revenge which anyone could tell was off the rails so no one in their right mind would ever help and go against one of the more world''s most powerful organised crime organisations.


    That meant Julia was only a pawn and there was something bigger and much dangerous going on which they might have had no idea about.


    She should be a crime show''s writer.


    She turned to look at the man, "I thought you said that you couldn''t come."


    He nodded, "My cousin is a lawyer here."


    Alexis nodded and then asked, "Did anyone see you?" He shook his head. So further continued, "Alright then, is there any way that you can make sure these charges can be countered?"


    He looked down for a moment and then nodded, "There is but it is quite a lot of paperwork so it would take me at least two days. I''ll have it sent over."


    She nodded. "Send it directly to him." She would give the file to him too.


    Ivan Adams nodded and left. Alexis once again opened the file.


    Drugs. That was what he had been charged with and Alexis knew that with this much evidence hardly Angelo could take a sentence of 10 years.


    Not a big of a punishment for him but Alexis knew that it would Sure be something.


    Her phone rang and she picked it up.


    "Where are you?" She heard her husband say.


    "The law firm, why?" She frowned. Why was he asking her this all of a sudden?


    "Meet me at home. I have something important to discuss." Saying so he hung up.


    This had not happened many times in the past years of the marriage that he had called her home for some kind of emergency. So whenever he did she came running to wherever he said.


    Picking up the file, she moved out and drove home knowing that it was something of utter importance.

 Chapter 302 - Three Hundred And Two

    She stepped into the mansion and Agatha informed her that the Don was in her office. She entered the office and saw him sitting on the couch. Usually, she would have gone to sit next to him but given the circumstances and his disloyalty she chose to set in front of him.


    "What is it?" She asked with a concerned expression.


    "Madison was caught, as I told you." He revealed and she nodded. "Now the most important thing is, I know where Julia is and the message has been sent that she won''t be alive for long."


    She frowned, "Message?" Text message¡ª


    "Madison''s dead body." He answers immediately clearing all of the doubts.


    "Okay," she nodded clearing her throat and wondered why did she even get surprised at this point. "Now what?"


    He sighed and leaned forward, staring into her soul. That gave was something that she had not seen in the past 5 years. That was the stare of a cold Mafia boss and not her husband and a father.


    "Now, I am going to make sure that through Julia that sends out a message and whoever it is that it is backing her needs to understand who he is exactly trying to mess with."


    "Wait, you know that there is someone else who is. . Using Julia as a puppet?"


    He nodded. "Like a puppet, I''m not sure but I know one thing for sure that Julia must have gone to them first without realising that she has no power against us, just information."


    So she got used? That meant that Alexis was right in thinking that in the end Julia has been trapped in her web and her theory stood correct.


    "But," she raised a finger, "Maybe she isn''t the culprit here."


    His face contorted into an ugly expression as you remember that his mother died because Julia had killed her and if she hadn''t then it could have when his wife. "The fuck are you talking about woman?"


    She gulped at his expression but still explained, "I don''t understand for Madison but Julia, don''t you think that she has suffered all her life under a man that has been very abusive both mentally and physically. Isabelle was loved by people and Julia, I cannot even say the term respected. She wanted respect from people and wanted them to acknowledge the power that she had which led her to be a narcissist. The same thing happened, that instead of love if it was the fear that was going to give her what she wanted then she took it."


    "What are you getting at?" His leg bounced up and down in impatience.


    "All I am saying is, she is not the villain here, she is just . . Broken."


    "What?" He barked and then laughed. "You mean to tell me that psycho woman who has been going around killing people and selling information is just a little broken girl?!"


    "Yes," she nodded firmly. "Angelo, it matters a lot when it comes to your mental health. Because believe me or not, but a woman can be suppressed and made sure that she will only cook and do nothing but when she wants she can go out and conquer the world. It is the same for any person out there."


    He scoffed making her redden, she continued to talk with a pinched face. "Julia is a woman who is 70 years old, she can not do anything alright but your mother got killed by her and if not your mother it was going to be me. I think it''s time to start estimating people to their capabilities." Authoritatively she said.


    "Really?" He rose a brow, taunting her back.


    She nodded.


    "Pray do tell me, how is she just broken then?"


    She stared at him with a little dip in her forehead. Did he not hear what she had just said? "Broken, as in she is in an unwell and confused state of mind and if she was a villain then we would have found a pattern for which she is doing all of this." She explained, "I suppose the person that is using Julia as a puppet is it, true villain, here."


    Angelo nodded seeming interested, "But what if, they were a broken person too?"


    That''s when she realised that Angelo was not interested in the conversation rather he was just mocking her point of view for this.


    "Angelo! This is not funny." She spat. "Julia might not be the one who is responsible for all of this but just a puppet-like we are assuming!"


    "It doesn''t matter." He shook his head. "At the end of the day, she is the one who was responsible for a lot of pain that my family was caused and that of my mother which makes her enough guilty in my eyes to have her throat slit."


    Alexis shook her head. "No one is stopping you of that. Julia deserves punishment for killing someone." She leaned back into the couch with a tired expression on her face. "Just, it wasn''t her fault Angelo." She shook her head with a pitiful expression on her face. "Don''t punish your grand father tortured her to the level where she thought that taking revenge from the whole organisation of thousands of people a sane option."


    Come to think of it, if Julia still was in her right mind she would have never killed Nicolas or even think of going against an organisation that had the police and the politicians in their pockets. If given the chance that she would have moved very far away and left everyone alone but it was her mental state and irrational thinking which led her to believe that revenge was the only option to make herself once again respected.


    How cruel was life?


    "I don''t give a shit to any of that. I will what I want regarding the killer of my mother. Tortured before or not, she will be now. Just like Madison was." He stood up and stared down at her while buttoning his jacket. "Now, stay within your limits.. Don''t forget your place I am not going to tolerate this behaviour from you."

 Chapter 303 - Three Hundred And Three

    "Excuse me?" She gawked making him standstill on his way to the door. "This behaviour, what do you mean by this behaviour?" Angelo rolled his eyes and answered her with a bored expression on his face that only fuelled her anger more. "I meant about the nonsense that you spouted with me, all the mental torture and whatnot. I don''t care what happened to her, I care about what happened to my family and who did it."


    "Non-sense?!" She held standing up. "You think all of that is nonsense. That is the reason why your grandmother is doing all of this!"


    He continued to stare at her as if this conversation did not matter at all to him.


    She sighed. What was the point?


    "That''s the thing about you," he pointed his finger at her. "The shit you talk about has no importance."


    "Excuse me?" She glared at him. "What the hell Angelo?!" She felt humiliated. Be had never talked to her that way. After the twins, mutual respect had been set in between them.


    "No, no," he shook his head and stepped closer to her leaving the gap of an inch or two. "Please tell me what goes on in your mind when you tell me whatever happened with Julia mentally, physically, the torture whatsoever. What is the use of telling me that?" He spat with a disgusted expression on his face.


    She opened and snapped her mouth shut like a fish. Why? "Because I conclude¡ª"


    "And why does any of your conclusions matter to me?" He rebuked back. "You think that people do not know there was an assassination attempt carried on on my family and my mother''s succumbed to it? I am the weakest Don in people''s eyes out there."


    She shook her head. "Angelo that has nothin¡ª"


    "That had everything to do with it!" He yelled interrupting her again. "What do you think is going to happen when I tell everyone that my grandmother is mentally sick? Huh?!" He yelled. "You are saying I should call everyone home and explain the situation at hand. Do you think that they would even remotely try to understand what happened?!"


    She just stared at him in shock. He yelled like an animal and was glaring at her like everything was just her fault.


    "Whatever makes you think that any of that explanation would ever matter to me, get that shit out of your head." He ordered. "I don''t want any of these nonsense explanations from you anymore. So I guess it would be better if you stop thinking about them as well." He said firmly.


    "Really?" She scoffed with slightly teary eyes. This was getting to her. "You don''t care about anything. You do not care about my opinions, you did not care about me. You just don''t care!"


    "What now?" He asked tiredly as if he''d anywhere else.


    "What now you ask me?" She repeated and laughed a little. "Nothing, Angelo nothing at all. You do care about me, don''t you? Because you do, you would never take me against my will, since you do care about me, you would never drug me and like many others and of course, you have never . . " She sighed, "In any way, deceive me." She smiled shaking her head as tears fell and the dam broke. "You would never, right?"


    He stared at her with those scary eyes and said, "What?" He was understanding that she was talking about something else.


    "You know," she said with a smile even though tears were coming out of her eyes, "You would never be a Rapist."


    Her eyes hardened and he practically snarled, never expecting for her to say those words out in his face. "Alexis!" He stepped dangerously close.


    "What?!" She yelled back. "What more is that you can do after . . . " she silenced herself. The anger that taken over and she had forgotten her initial plans.


    "After?" He barked his breathing was quick. Alexis realised something. He was not aware that she had opened the sales and had been through every file of his. "After what?!" He yelled and stepped even more close. His hand went up to her throat and he grabbed it, squeezing it according to his delight. "I''ve had it with you. Why can''t you fucking stop!"


    "A. .g. ." She tried to talk but couldn''t. Her hands went up to his immediately.


    "What makes you think that you can challenge my authority out of everyone?! You think you can tell me what I should do regarding the situation?!" He growled as he squeezed a little more. "I have had with people telling me what to do. So here it is, never again will you tell me what to do." He left her throat and patted her cheek lightly as she flinched back in fear. "Now, go and rest up like the wife of the Don and never interfere again in my life."


    She shook her head and held her throat. "I think I need to see Bailey Peterson. I am not feeling well." She stumbled back onto the couch and held her head as if in pain. She was taking control instead of doing that he said out of fear.


    He scoffed, "You should." And left, slamming the door behind him making Alexis lookup.


    She leaned back onto the couch and cried silently.


    "How was it my fault? Julia''s mental health was the sole reason why she was doing any of this. I had never planned to involve Madison and the others into my life again and again but it was his revenge." She muttered everything having a faraway look in her eyes. "It was the thought of his revenge that led to this. How is everything at the end of today coming back to me, making me cry?"


    She sniffed and closed her eyes. She had to do something about it. She had had enough font.


    She wiped the tears and stood up. Walking to the desk she pulled out a draw and take a picture out of it. When she had found out what was in the contents of those safe and access at never thought that she would get to the day she would have to use this photograph.


    She clicked the picture on her phone and sent it to Liam. Who picked her call immediately.


    "Yes, Madam?"


    "This woman. How fast can you find her?"


    "In a day." He answered.


    She smiled, "Get to work.. She didn''t come back alive."

 Chapter 304 - Three Hundred And Four

    Lily was a torturer by heart she expected that her victim would never come back with such power have had tied up in a room and have her at the mercy. She left in a nice building and when she left for work she was blindfolded with a hit on her head and dragged to somewhere unknown because when she woke up she did not recognise the room.


    "Hello there," she heard a feminine voice and there she stood, the Donna that she had once tortured.


    "With all the respect Donna," she pleaded. "Whatever I did I did on the orders of the don."


    Alexis smiled. Look at that once she had that this woman to help her and she had weaved all the webs that she could to mess with Alexis''s mind.


    She had enjoyed it.


    "So? How does that affect what I am going to do?"


    Lilly licked her chapped lips before speaking, "I understand that you have hatred towards me for what I did but please try to understand I did what the Don told me to do."


    "Did he tell you to play with me?" Alexis taunted with a smile as she stood in front of lily. "Did he tell you that you can play with my mind as much as you want?"


    Lily looked away, choosing not to answer. But she did not have the choice of begin with.


    "Answer me!" The enraged Donna yelled at Lily making the women flinch in return.


    "N-no." She answered.


    "Then try to tell, what did he tell you to do?"


    Lily took in a huge breath before saying, "He told me that after he is done I am supposed to take care of you."


    "Done what?" She wanted to hear it. Admitting it would all justify what she was doing and the guilty feeling that she had would go away.


    "Rape you while you were drugged."


    She smiled as tears no longer came to her eyes.


    She had found out about lily after the third encounter with the safe and the files especially the Pendrive. Alexis knew that one day she had to send a message to Angelo and that''s was the perfect one.


    "Lily," Alexis cooed, "I hope you understand that you might not come out of this room alive."


    "Please Donna," she whispered tears coming to her eyes. "Please d-don''t do this."


    Alexis shook her head. "I don''t want to. I won''t have even cared to know about you but then again you decided to talk to me instead of taking care." She taunted.


    This was it. This was the one time she was going to get revenge and make sure that she would never get caught along with the fact that Angelo would receive a message.


    "I have so much anger inside me Lily that I cannot even begin to tell you how I feel." She revealed. "I never wanted to be in this life but I was flagged into it every time. I try to do anything, something bad happens and I always get caught on the bad side of it. Do you know what I want to do now?"


    Lily shook her head.


    Alexis bent down, "I want to kill your boss. I want to strangle him in his sleep. I want to do anything that would just take his life." She stood up and started to walk into the room.


    The delay was the best.


    "It''s just that in these five years, six-well, I have suffered a lot. Mostly I have been shunned into silence. Do you know what I did for that?"


    Lily shook her head making Alexis smile.


    "I threw a vase on his head making sure that I missed and the don did not die." She gave her tight-lipped smile, "It was smooth slope after that. He was understanding, we were parents but then like it happens in every story we got robbed of something that changed one of us."


    "His mother died and he decided to take a step back to what he was 5 years ago." She shrugged, "So I think I will do the same. I will do the same thing I did five years ago to change how he looked at me."


    She stepped in front of lily. "I will make sure that he remembers I can be just as dark as he is."


    Because of what Alexis had gone through the darkness she had subsided inside could no longer be suppressed and listen to Bailey Peterson''s advice.


    Alexis and always chosen to be the bigger person and move on as there was nothing good coming out of staying in the past. But she was in the marriage and she wanted to continue staying in one because of their children. Her biggest dream was to become a mother and now she had three children whom she would never allow to suffer in any way.


    So Angelo was going to stay and he was going to stay by giving her the respect that she deserved.


    The sign Alexis was taking the reins in her hands and no matter what happened she was never going to let go. If one Lily had to be sacrificed for it, it was alright after all the world was a garden and it had many lilies in it.


    "Now," Alexis smiled looking at her, "I hope you won''t mind."


    "Please, Ma''am. I came from toxic parents too. I have suffered just as you have¡ª"


    Alexis interrupted her, "How is it that you have suffered just like me and yet you did not think twice before torturing me as well?!" She yelled.


    No surprise when Lily became quiet again.


    "There you go, Honey." She smiled and stepped back to the door as Liam came in. "I am aware of what you have done and as betraying the don, you will be punished." She smiled as Liam picked up a knife and neared lily.


    Alexis took out a letter that she had written and kept it inside the box that was going to be used later.


    As Lily''s screamed even louder Alexis exited the room and walked towards her car. For the first time, she did not cry, instead, she felt proud.


    She had finally understood that the good could never change the bad.. That she had to take a little Infatuation for the Darkness to finish it.

 Chapter 305 - Three Hundred And Five

    The kids and Alexis were out for brunch. But the brunch was only an excuse to bring the children out to meet her father Alexander Williams. It was going to be a start and for which Gabrielle has volunteered mainly because both of the men were widowed and were old friends.


    Angelo had promised to be there but Alexis was not expecting anything from him, so she said no.


    "My God, you three are so little." That was the first thing her father said when he glanced down at the children. He looked at her, "Do do you even feed them? They barely come to my thigh."


    "But you''re so tall," Bella muttered, "I don''t think I want to be that tall. I''d be a freak."


    "Oi," Alexis slapped the back of her forehead lightly, "you''d never be a freak."


    Rosie nodded to her mother and narrowed her eyes to the man who kinda looked like her mother. "I am watching you." She hissed and bumped her shoulder with his thigh walking away.


    Salvatore looked at the man too. "Are you watching me too?" Alexander asked with a small laugh.


    "No," Salvatores answered, "That''s what the guards are for." He eyed him and walked away.


    "Ahem," Alexis cleared her throat and pushed people to the table who were still a bit shocked about what Salvatore had said.


    "Can we eat pancakes today?" Bella mumbled putting the spoon in her mouth.


    Alexis sighed. "We''ll see."


    "Well, that''s a no," Lucas mumbled, calling his eyes he placed his head on the table.


    Alexis frowned. "That was a lot of sass."


    Alexander laughed loudly catching everyone''s attention. "That''s quite funny. I missed listening to little children talking."


    Gabrielle gave him a stink eye. "You might wanna come over and babysit then. I think everyone will be relieved for a while."


    "I am not retired like you."


    "Why not?" Alexis frowned. "Xavier is on the verge of turning 30 this year. How is it that you have not retired yet?"


    The man shook his head but Garibelle knew exactly what it was. "You don''t trust the boy." He concluded. "You don''t trust the boy to the limit where you think you can hand over your organisation to him and he won''t mess it up."


    Alexander stared at the kids who were now in deep conversations. "I think that is the reason." He sighed, "Xavier has not shown any of those qualities where I can trust him enough for not trying to achieve things that are impossible."


    "What''s wrong with him?" Gabrielle asked and one could say that he was genuinely concerned which made Alexis think about it too.


    "He is extremely competitive. It is alright, coming to the world will it help him but that boy is having more people employed whom we cannot pay the income of. We have enough but he just does not understand."


    Alexis nodded understanding what the man was thinking. "He wants more without realising the impact of it."


    Alexander nodded, "Sometimes the boy frightens me at night because of the look that he has in his eyes when we talk about the families and how are they doing. He thinks nothing but competition which just takes you nowhere . . Instead of looking out for our own he tries to be better than others and I cannot have that as the next Don."


    "He can''t take over then." Gabrielle pointed out, "Who will be the next one?"


    Alexander shrugged. "Hell if I know. I''m thinking either my sister''s child who has been just as trained as my own or my second in command''s."


    He looked at Alexis who looked concerned but he smiled. "Don''t worry kid. I did not mean to burden you. Don''t worry about all of this."


    She wasn''t . . . He was her father, she had to be a tiny bit worried.


    Sometimes it felt to her that she should step forward and make sure that their relationship was going somewhere and that they both are trying to fit into the father-daughter role but at times it was like she had spent the last 30 years without one and she had been fine so how was it that having a father now would affect her in the least bit?


    Also, trusting men have gotten her nowhere. So why even try?


    "How about now," Gabrielle stood up, "I sit with the kids and you two talk?"


    "Yes, Thank you." Alexander nodded gratefully.


    Gabrielle took a seat at the end of the table and the kids had immediately attacked him. Alexis smiled watching him and Alexander kept on staring at her.


    "Don''t. . .you everything about . ."


    "You?" Alexis competed with a small smile on her face. "I do, honestly. But at the same time, I have spent that last 30 years without you, so your presence now won''t make a difference."


    "Then why here?" He asked with a grim expression on his. It would be the first time.


    She sighed and looked away for a second. "I do not know." She answered in all honesty.


    "I am trying my best to bridge the gap between but then time and again thoughts comes to me that why am I doing it? What am I doing it for?"


    "Connection?" He offered her helplessly. "Maybe it is the connection between a father and a daughter?"


    With a small smile, she shook her head and what he said. "I longed for a long ago and then my stepfather came along."


    "Stepfather?" He frowned.


    She nodded. "I was abused by him. Pretty much to extend of where I thought that leaving for university in New York would be better and staying back home in Florida." She gave him a tight-lipped smile. "I guess Vanessa and Thomas deserved each other because they always craved tension and somehow . . They were never there for anyone else."


    "I''m sorry child." He sighed harshly and rubbed his forehead. The regret was clear on his face. "I truly apologize for not finding you."


    "But why would you have found me. To be honest, you had no idea that Vanessa was was pregnant and you only knew that she left you so why would you search for her?"


    His lips quirked up a bit as he said, "You are nothing like your mother when it comes in terms of using your brain. Who raised you there?" He teased.


    Experiences did. She shook her with a smile staying silent.

 Chapter 306 - Three Hundred And Six

    "Why don''t you come to me in the future when you have any problems?" He suggested as the children played in the park with Gabrielle and the guards keeping an eye on them. "I think I can provide you with some suggestions." She smiled at the offer.


    The conversation today she had with him had been of a lost child reunited with their parent. Awkward and full of expectations.


    This time it was a parent that wanted to make an effort, unlike her mother.


    He had tried to make effort to know what were her favourite things and also try to get along with his grandchildren.


    By offering Bella Rosa his chocolate, he had begun a newfound friendship.


    She felt good to have a parent by her side once again but also did it bring second thoughts as to why would she try to do this again.


    "What problems could I have?" She asked instead. A slight hint of nervousness in her smile that her father recognised.


    He sighed slowly and moved back into the bench leaning his back against it. "If I may be honest here, there are a lot of things that you will need help with and given that you will have backing from your old mafia family there will always be a fear to your husband that he might be risking a war by killing or harming you."


    Is that one of the reasons why Angelo never went forward and made anyone aware from the Williams family that their daughter was found?


    "So I can call you anytime I might need your help?" She asked and he nodded immediately.


    "Yes, yes, please." He patted her head. "I''m not sure how long it is going to take for both of us to fall into the normalcy of a father and daughter but I assure you when it is going to be, it''s going to be worth it." He kissed her forehead. "I am not asking you to spend time every day with me or keep calling me every hour but I just ask you to once a week to give me a call or meet me up." He smiled as she noticed his eyes got a little moist. "That''s all I ask."


    She nodded, sniffed on her own. Why? She didn''t know.


    They all climbed into their cars and drove to their respective homes. Turns out, having a father might not be a bad thing.


    Alexis just has to make sure of one thing that was never to let it be an exchange.


    In this relationship, the only thing that would be exchanged would be felt and love. There would be no exchange of information, secrets or spying of any kind.


    She looked outside the window with a new hope. She had a father and it might work out.


    ******


    The kids were almost asleep by the time that they had reached back home. Gabrielle, Alexis and Agatha had carried the three sleepy children to their beds.


    Alexis watched twins sleeping soundly and went outside the room locking it shut. Then came Lucas, who had just gone to sleep too. She took off his shoes and socks along with his belt and kept them aside making sure that is left peacefully with comfort.


    Most of the time was either taken by the restaurant which Nikita had taken over, the law firm was her main target and her children were the priority.


    She sighed and moved downstairs, resting on the couch.


    Today had been an emotional roller coaster for her the one that she never wanted to ride again. But for the hope that she had now lightened in her heart, she would be ready to do it again.


    It was amazing how she had understood the role of mother and how important it was and today it came to light. Having a parent who was even slightly caring could change someone''s life.


    "Madam," Agatha came with a huge box with a bow on the top to her. Alexis immediately from looking at who had sent that?


    "What is it?" She pointed to the box where Agatha shrugged.


    "I do not know but it is addressed to master." She revealed.


    "That gift, in a huge box is for that man?!" She pointed to the gift having her thoughts of opening it. "Give it to me." She stepped forward but Agatha stepped back.


    "Sorry, Madam. But I have to make sure that the don gets at first. If you want you can ask him and if he allows you to open his parcel, there is nothing better!"


    Alexis stared at the parcel longingly. By its size, it was going to be a big gift for anyone.


    She nodded and Agatha both of them walked back upstairs to where Angelo''s office was. Agatha knocked on the door and when they heard a come in, they went inside.


    "What''s that?" He frowned as his eyes spotted the box immediately and Agatha the procedure to keep it on his desk.


    "This, apparently, came for you and whatever it is, I want to open it." Alexis pointed at the box with a sly expression. "Given its size, there is something very interesting in there."


    Angelo nodded and dismissed Agatha. He stood up and opened the drawer, pulled out a pair of scissors and stepped across his desk to open the box that was kept on the end of the table.


    "What?" She watched him stop and look at her. "I said I wanted to open it."


    "So?" He grunted.


    She blinked, "Why can you not let your wife open a parcel that was addressed to you?"


    He tsked and went back to work. He shook it and something thudded inside making him frown.


    What was it? It couldn''t be a bomb because that was checked on the gate.


    He cut through the ribbons and tapes and then looked at her stepping back. "There your go, have you fill. Open it."


    She giddily moved over while he kept a watchful eye and opened the box.


    She screamed and Angelo rushed to take her away, lull ing her behind him.


    A bloodied head was inside with an equally bloodied note.

 Chapter 307 - Three Hundred And Seven

    Angelo had pushed her to the other side of the room and had placed himself in front of her. Her eyes were still staring at the box and so were his. "Stay where you are." He said and stepped closer to the box where Alexis make no move to stop him or move on her own.


    His hand move inside the box and he pulled out the letter that she has seen was inside the mouth of the head. He read through the contents after opening it.


    "Fucking Damn it!" He screamed and threw the better away.


    Alexis stepped closer to it and read through the contents as well.


    " If I am off the rail,


    then so will she be.


    He as responsible then,


    And here you will be.


    Get ready.


    -love grandma."


    "Oh my god. . " She whispered and her hands covered her mouth in the horror of what the old woman had committed.


    "Angelo. . . " She turned to him to find me already looking at her. "This is. . she is way dangerous now . ." Tears came to her eyes as once again she glanced at the box where she could see the bloodiest forehead. "Whosoever that was, Julia, killed them out of spite. That could be us next or our children, you need to do something about that."


    Angelo closed the box when he looked back he saw that Alexis'' eyes were glancing at it again and again. "Don''t look at it." He said as he placed the lid on it.


    "I can''t believe it." He muttered, closing his eyes.


    It was daring. It was a declaration of war.


    Alexis looked at the letter. "What did she write that and why?" She had not read it according to him.


    "Nothing." He spoke immediately and quickly.


    "Angelo!" She hissed, frowning at his behaviour. "Now is not the time to exclude me out of this. Have to decide together what to do about the situation and¡ª"


    He stepped closer to her and got a hold of her shoulders and jerked her twice. "Listen, to me." He spat as he glared at her. "I have had enough of people coming to me and telling me what I should do and what I shouldn''t. I assure you that I will handle the situation in the best way and everyone will remember it." He grated and she nodded hurriedly, like a scared little mouse.


    He let her go and she stumbled back.


    She moved towards the door but stopped when she was directly in front of the letter and read it.


    "She mentions some else," Alexis concluded looking at him while her eyes while her hand style pointed at the paper. "Who is the other person to be?"


    His grandfather tortured his grandmother to which she became mad. His father loved his mother.


    So there was only one option left of someone who could be the next one to cause him so much damage.


    He shook his head, lying that he didn''t know. "Please check on the kids."


    She nodded and left.


    *********


    The kids had woken up and had drunk their chocolate shake which had made them super active and the energy from the sugary breakfast was back because of which the maids had taken them to the backyard.


    Glancing at her kids playing and screaming in the backyard one last time she went upstairs to her own office where she found the file from the CIA that Ivan had given her yesterday on the couch.


    Picking it up she started at it. She had every intention to give it to Angelo but what had happened last time in this very office had made her change her thoughts.


    How conveniently had he pounced on her when she had accused him of what he had already done. Had he no shame? Or conscious in admitting remotely that he had committed so many sins . . . and for what?


    What troubled her the most was she was taking therapy for what he had done and he was conveniently walking outside like a little pest unbothered by what he had caused to the others.


    She remembered Rachel; the woman who was taking a divorce from her husband and having and sent to rehab instead of jail.


    Weren''t their situations so familiar?


    Because whenever her husband did something she never dared to stand against him give that he wants an ex-cop and still had the right connections.


    The same was the case with her husband. Because he was even more powerful than the ex-cop and he had committed a more heinous crime than him.


    So, Rachel and Alexis were two peas in a pod. She frowned thinking about it, were they?


    Because she did not want to be someone who could not take revenge. She had taken the revenge and lily''s head was the beginning of the small game that she was going to play.


    How ironic it was that he had realised that Julia was talking about her in the note but he had denied knowledge of the answer.


    But it was alright because at the end of the day he knew who the next one could be and it all depended on him.


    She looked at the file and smirked.


    Angelo needed the file to know what exactly was going to be targeted by the CIA and also how was he going to avoid it.


    But if he did not have the file he would practically know nothing about what they had done at the end of the day it was going to be something very destructive happening.


    Should she be fear facing the consequences of what she was about to do today? Probably yes. But that sexist piece of shit would never think of a woman and his wife carrying out a small, tiny little mutiny against him.


    From where she was standing she could say the driveway and so Angelo''s cars leaving with someone holding the box.


    This was it.


    She turned around and exited her office moved to his, closing it shut behind her.


    She was in.


    She grabbed a piece of paper and wrote another riddle for him. The post was something we would never find the answer to.


    "Within your secrets.


    Lies another secret.


    Now it''s up to you,


    How you find it."


    Then she moved behind is desk where the painting was and stood directly in front of it. This was where his secrets were buried.


    And now where the irony of his life stood. She took the painting off the wall and placed it down open the safe that thankfully had the same combination.


    She took out every file and placed the CIA one on the very last before keeping everything back just as it was close to the safe and then placed the painting on it not before posting the post-it note on the back of the painting.


    He had been cruel to her and Alexis thought that she could be perfectly cruel as well.


    She sighed and looked at his organised desk when something else caught her eyes.


    It was a gun with underneath it wa¡ª


    Her heart thundered in her chest. She had just heard a gunshot.


    Without thinking twice she grabbed the gun and exited the door to his office only to find herself be face to face with Angelo who looked just panicked as she was.


    Her eyes moved when she saw something else happening and without thinking twice she raised the gun and shot.

 Chapter 308 - Three Hundred And Eight

    When his guards had called him that his ace of cards had disappeared early in the morning after watching the dead junk of mass kept in front of the porch, he had been enraged.


    How did women manage to disappear without having their guards be suspicious?


    He exited the car stood outside the porch where the bloodied body of her companion was laid. Julia was nowhere to be found so if she had run away she had taken nothing with her because they had checked every belonging and everything was where it was supposed to be. The guards knew everything about the house and they had reported that nothing was missing.


    He walked inside and saw the place empty of any human other than him. She could not play with him like that knowing that he would kill her and he had made it aware to her that he could do that with the snap of his fingers.


    So where could have she gone?


    If anyone looked at the chunk of mask that was laid on the porch anyone would be scared out of the mind and would have never stepped out of the house.


    So where was that old woman who was supposed to get him everything he wanted?


    "Find her." He barked. She was the trump card he had. The woman who was crazy enough to tell a rival Mafia everything that she knew and by the position that she had Julia knew quite a lot. "Find her!" He yelled again in frustration as people around him scrambled.


    She could not sleep from his hands without giving him what he wanted.


    ********


    A head was sent to him. A head to his every own house where he lived with his wife and children. Someone had enough guts to do that and that was his very own grandmother.


    Nevertheless, he was going to have the box and the head checked to see if there were any fingerprint available and left by Julia to confirm the fact that it was her and nobody else.


    He recognised who did the disfigured head belongs. It was Lily. A great worker.


    He would find her body and for sure give her a good funeral.


    But it still did not sit well with him.


    She as hell would have the guts to come inside his house and have a parcel full of blood delivered.


    Somehow his instinct said that it was not his grandmother as lily could have easily fought off the frail women.


    Then who?


    He closed the lid to the box again as he had taken it off as soon as Alexis had left. Then kept up the letter.


    He had made the connections when Alexis had asked him who it possibly could be talking of and Julia was talking of Alexis.


    His mother till her very end was one fine woman, both mentally and physically fit. His father had never even laid a hand on his bell and the only other men she could be talking about was his grandfather who had openly committed abuse on her.


    So had Angelo. Angelo had also committed abuse on his wife and everyone in the house and a few people in the Mafia for aware of it.


    "Fuck," he cursed. This was big.


    If another family had done this they would be declared war but since it was what his grandmother had done, he could do nothing but make sure that she was killed in the most painful way possible as if she had not already had decided for her.


    She had killed his grandfather and more importantly, she had killed his mother. In his eyes, Julia was a dead woman walking especially after she had killed Isabelle but not even that was enough.


    "Boss, the cars are ready." He nodded and the guard left after picking up the box.


    They were going to a clinic where it was going to be for sure that there were no other people involved other than Julia as Madison was long dead.


    His brother had been informed along with his father who was ready to kill anyone who could remotely be responsible for his love''s death.


    According to his father when he had known that it was Julia as his father said that it was about time that woman did something so dangerous that could endanger her life.


    All her life she had done things that would as the head of the family cause her troubles and she had long before stopped being a mother to him.


    She was just a woman who was finding a way for everyone to give her the validation that her position demanded just like Alexis had said it was about time that he understood that as well. Because Julia''s warning could not be ignored at this point.


    The point where he could lose his wife, his love and the mother of his children to the insanity that his grandmother held.


    Now he would never let Alexis suffer especially with the Sapphire ring on her hand instead of the emerald one that was the declaration of his love.


    He would win her back.


    He sat in the car and when the motorcade was ready they started moving. They rolled out of the house and on the way to the clinic where the head was going to be tested when he remembered something.


    The test was going to take time so it was the perfect opportunity to finish some work as well because the next time he would be free would be a long one. He also had to look at the papers that Ivan had sent.


    "Wait, turn the cars around. I need to get something from the mansion." He said and the driver nodded.


    At the next turn, he turned the car around informing the other drivers and they once again drove back home and Angelo got out once they reached and moved towards the office climbing up the stairs. Silvano followed him but only to go to the kitchen.


    He turned to the hallway and his door was right in front of him when he heard a gunshot.


    He waited for few seconds to confirm that there was a gunshot heard in his own home and he was not responsible for it.


    Fuck. Shit. Fuck. He cursed.


    The door to the office open and Alexis step out with the gun in her hand making him look at her in panic about what she had done.


    His heart stilled too when she was to the gun and shot at him.


    At least he did not die at the hands of the enemy but of the woman he loved.

 Chapter 309 - Three Hundred And Nine

    A thud was heard as the body behind him fell making Alexis lower the gun with heavy breathing.


    Angelo frowned and looked behind him only to see Julia''s fallen form with a bullet pierced through her shoulder as she cried lowly.


    He blinked back in shock at what happened. His heart had still thought that Alexis was going to shoot at him and she had.


    The love of his life, the only women his Fucked up mind and heart had ever loved had shot at him but only to protect them as it turned out.


    "Take her to our clinic." He told the guard. "Make sure to keep her tied and alive in the bed." He ordered. That woman was not dying without what he had in store for her.


    They nodded and with a stretcher that arrived after moments they picked her up and left.


    He turned to his wife who had a wary expression on her face making him aware of what he felt. He moved closer and hugged her.


    When she had raised the gun Alexis had not thought even twice before shooting Julia who had raised her gun to shoot her husband.


    It did not matter to her who Angelo was or what he had done, at that moment what she wanted was to save her husband from getting killed.


    The man whom she had attached herself to.


    When he turned to her the gun was on the verge of falling from her hands as he neared her. The fear that he would kill her for hurting his grandmother spiked up even more.


    But he came closer only to hug her and buried her in his chest.


    "It''s okay," he said. "She''s not dead. You didn''t kill her. She will live with that wound."


    At times like these, she wondered how in the world did Angelo know what she wanted to hear the most.


    They pulled apart as Agatha came running to them. "The children are up." She informed with a worried expression.


    Both of the parents nodded. "Why don''t you go first?" Alexis said to him who looked hesitant to leave her alone. "I need to take a few moments along to myself." She said pointing at herself and he nodded.


    "Hurry, please." He nodded and left followed by Agatha.


    Alexis watched them leave and when she was sure, she stepped back into the room.


    Underneath the gun had been the papers that were sent over by Adams.


    Even though she was disturbed by the fact that she had just shot at someone she could not let go of the fact that she had to teach someone a lesson who had been responsible for at all. At have been the final step for the plot.


    She took the papers and shredded them. After which she called Elijah.


    ************


    Silvano was shot and it was found out later because he had fainted.


    The man was alone in the kitchen when Julia had found him and she conveniently shot him in the spine for which the doctors feared that he might not ever walk but extensive therapy and treatments could work in the future.


    Julia had taken away the ability to walk, maybe temporarily, from her grandson.


    "I don''t care. What I care for is that at least he is alive." Nikita cried and sniffed. Her baby girl was with the nanny as they were in the hospital.


    "Don''t worry." Alexis hugged her tightly. They had been here for hours at a stretch. "But you must go home and rest. You have given birth just the previous month."


    She stood up and handed Nikita some tissue''s after which she walked to Angelo was leaning against a wall, stressed as hell.


    "Meet him before leaving?" He nodded and the three walked to a heavily drugged up man.


    "How are you?" Nikita cried as she looked at him.


    "Baby, rest." He croaked out. "Go . . ."


    "I will." She nodded to him, smiling tearfully "But you are okay now, so do not take that stress . ." She sniffed and started to cry again. He was in a hospital bed and all sorts of machines were on him. It was her worst nightmare.


    "Hey," he tapped her cheek very lightly as the other two watched. "Don''t worry. This means I get an early retirement which would be full of lavishness." He laughed and even Angelo chuckled.


    "I am going to take her home. She needs to rest. Why don''t you call us when Silvano is awake?" Alexis whispered to him?


    He nodded and kissed her forehead, briefly hugging her. "Yes, please. Take care."


    She nodded and they left together.


    The entire day had been way too hectic to be true. She had shot Julia and then they had been found out that Silvano had been shot in the back.


    For minutes it had been like Isabelle getting shot all over again but Silvano had thankfully survived. For now, Nikita and her children were going to stay over until everything had gone back to normal.


    And everyone was informed that Julia was dead.


    By tomorrow as Angelo has said Julia''s head would prove that to everyone.


    ********


    He failed.


    Julia was going to die tonight and if he even thought of going against everyone and bringing her back safely to his use he was risking war with the family.


    He was crushed in his mind.


    The bottles around him which were laid across the room could tell anyone that he was a boss that was defeated.


    But fuck, who knew that women would be stupid enough to walk into the lion''s den with nothing but a spike?


    He sighed and leaned back into the cushioned chair. He was out of tricks for now.


    He shouldn''t have trusted that psycho. Even though she was stupid for a don''s wife she was clever enough to not reveal everything that she knew and whenever she told him to her advantage.


    He shook his and watched the fire to which he sat next to me. He narrowed his eyes and watched the fire before throwing the contents of his glass inside it. The fire crackled and rose even more. The anger it held was what he had.


    He wanted something and this time failed to get it.


    Fuck it, he thought.


    More opportunities were going to come his way and for sure the three children he had were not going to live for long.

 Chapter 310 - Three Hundred And Ten.

    It was a partly sunny day.


    One would say that it was perfect for going out on a picnic so that''s what they were having.


    The entire family for one were together and were having breakfast outside in the gardens peacefully.


    The children were out playing and their laughter could be heard very well.


    "You do know that just because you are in a wheelchair does not give you an easy way out of work." Angelo pointed at his brother. "since you won''t be getting out much, you would have to take care of a lot more paperwork." He said with a blunt attitude.


    His mother would have glared at him.


    Silvano was uncomfortable with the topic. He had not yet made peace with the disability. He was not ready for the gunshot and he was not ready to have his grandmother shoot at him but it was real and it happened in a matter of seconds.


    His hopes were therapy and treatments.


    "I understand." He said and Nikita tapped his thigh.


    He saw it so he smiled at her but the truth was he could not even feel her doing it. He could not feel his wife comforting him yet it was the smile she had that was keeping him going. Her support mattered the most.


    Silvano knew it was going to take a heavy toll on him eventually.


    "Anyway, moving forward." Gabrielle cleared his throat and had everyone''s attention. "With my wife, I had decided that we will finally go forward to our world tour but since she is no longer there, I had no idea what to do." He then pointed towards Alexis with a small smile, "Alexis here gave me an idea. Since all of the grandchildren are of the age of training I was hoping that you would have no problem with me taking over that role."


    Angelo was stunned to silence a moment. To be honest he knew that his mother''s death had affected his father gravely and he had been thinking of what to do to make his father feel more at home But this was epic. This was the solution to all his problems.


    "Sure." He answered immediately. At a few things he had to agree that his father was better than him. Especially given at his fucked mind, filled with darkness for his grandfather''s thoughts, he knew that if his children were raised by his father it would be the best thing ever.


    The darkness he had in his mind along with the voice that always told him to remain on the top would be inside him and just stay and die with him.


    It won''t pass on to Lucas and Salvatore and that would be for the very best.


    "I guess it''s good for me too." Silvano nodded along with Nikita. "I was hoping to talk about that to Angelo but you would be a better choice than both of us."


    A smile stretched on Gabriele''s face. These are given him a new purpose to live. Something for the family and something for his Isabelle.


    *******


    Silvano and Nikita had gone to their own homes and it was just Angelo and Alexis along with their children that were outside as Gabrielle had too, decided to hit the bed. The man had begun taking naps.


    They were sitting on the grass as the children played amongst them and they watched. Both of them were in a similar position and were supported by one hand as they leaned on it.


    He glanced at her hand that was next to his. It was her left hand and it still has the sapphire ring on it.


    "When do you plan on wearing the ring?" He asked.


    He still did not know and she never intended to tell him. With leverage, she now had Alexis had realised that she was never going to reveal to him that she knew everything of the past.


    Rather she was going to use it bit by bit to her satisfaction.


    She was still going to drop hints.


    She sighed and pulled her hand back to the front and stared at the ring. "I don''t know," she shrugged. "I have no desire to wear that ring any more."


    He shifted and his hand no longer supported his weight. "I finished the love you had for me, didn''t I?"


    She shook her head and smiled at him. It was sad but what she was going to say was sadder.


    She cupped his cheek and said, "You have given me much-needed revenge on people and I appreciate that. You have given me the power to do that." She moved her thumb on his lips as she thought about it. "But I have to admit that I don''t think I can ever love you."


    "What?" He muttered and the ever-so emotional man displayed numerous of them that she had not even seen in the 6-year course of their marriage.


    She nodded and took her hand off his cheek. "I''m sorry. But I don''t know what you feel for me is what, either obsession or love, I truly don''t know." She shook her head and as the conversation continued she felt her eyes getting teary. "But with the time I have spent with you, I can only say that I. I am attached to you."


    "Attachment is love." He stressed. "You have attachment with the things you love!"


    She shook her head again without a smile on her face. "You are habit to me now Angelo. A habit that every other day. . . that sometimes you are so good to me that I want you so bad and sometimes you are so toxic that I want to walk away." She held his cheek again. "I don''t think I can ever love you because of what you''ve done to me and I know I cannot leave you because that would kill me, if not by you then by the other families who would make me the target." She pinched his cheek slightly and patted it as she forced a smile on her face. "So here I am," she sighed turning to her children. "Like you once said in a chapter of life that this would be like an arranged marriage. What I forgot was it isn''t necessarily for love to happen between two. They just grow on each other."


    "Grow on each other?" He repeated visibly disturbed by the fact.


    She nodded. "Grow on each other enough to depend on each other, to be attracted to each other but not to love." A sad smile came to her face and she sniffed.


    "One day, I''ll make you love me." He took her hand in his. "One day you would change this ring for the emerald one on your very own."


    I hope so too, but she didn''t voice it out.


    They watched their children. The only thing commonly loved by them.


    "Madam! Master!" Agatha came running out yelling at the top of her lungs with Mariam with her. "The CIA is here! They say that master''s warrant is out."

 Chapter 311 - Three Hundred And Eleven

    For a second or two, both of them were stilled at the spot.


    CIA? He frowned.


    Alexis looked at him. For a moment she had genuine and unadulterated fear in her eyes for him.


    "Angelo?" She whispered. She hadn''t expected it to be this soon. She wasn''t ready.


    "That''s alright." He reassured her. The papers had been sent by Adams and he just had to show them to get the police out of a house. "Agatha, children."


    The maid immediately walked the children and ran with them inside.


    "Don''t worry," he said to her and walked inside the house where the police stood as she followed him.


    "What is it?" He barked as soon as he saw them. His tone cold look had returned.


    The man smiled. Same from before. "You, my friend, are under arrest for the smuggling of drugs into the country." He showed them a page and stepped closer to Alexis making her take a step back. "Here, Madam." And then he looked back at Angelo, "Wanna call your lawyer''s? We can wait for ten minutes."


    Angelo without answering him stormed up the stairs to get the papers that Adams had given him with Alexis hot on his tail.


    He banged open the door and closed it short while telling Alexis to wait outside for a few minutes.


    He looked through the files but they weren''t there. He searched for them one by one with his heart thundering for the first time.


    He could go to jail. Fuck.


    "There aren''t here." He concluded while running a hand through his hair roughly.


    They were not there.


    Login to his computer and opened up the camera app. He had a camera installed in his office secretly to make sure that if anyone ever entered he would know. He rarely checked that but today he had to know who took the papers behind his back.


    He frowned. The gunshot was captured . . . But nothing was out of the ordinary here. It was like any other day.


    He stumbled back. Where did they go?


    He moved the tapes forward and back, trying to catch something but it all the same. His routine and the papers just fucking disappeared.


    "Fucking Damn it!" He yelled. What the hell was anyone thinking before taking on such a traitorous against him?!


    He turned around the room and his heart wanted to kill someone when he saw something. The very painting, with the upside-down world.


    The one thing that his mother had gifted him when he had taken on the title of the don.


    The upside-down painting represented the two words that they lived in and one, where he lived what his family and he was just a normal citizen, two, where he was the leader and everything happened according to him.


    He loved Alexis but this was too much. She was involved and he knew.


    But as he continued to look at the painting another thought walk into his mind. Had he not betrayed her numerous times? Broken her heart, broken her, taken advantage of her what had he not done?


    Yet, she never said anything when these grounds would have been enough for a divorce and she had the protection of her family now too.


    "Mother, is this a punishment I should take?" He mumbled and stepped closer to the painting. He shifted it slightly as it was a little tilted when something dropped down and caught his eye.


    A riddle.


    He read it, understanding what it meant.


    Maybe, he did deserve it. Maybe, she did love him to challenge him.


    Maybe he was just atoning what he was supposed to do for his crimes.


    Opening a draw he took the papers out. The same papers that Adams had given him only a copy of them that Angelo had made just for safety. He slowed walked to the Shredder and placed the papers on its mouth and he watched as it swallowed it whole.


    Opening the door to his office, he saw his wife standing there with nervousness in her eyes and slight fear. He did see a slight satisfaction too. She was enjoying his dear and he knew that he was right about her mind. Attachment she said, how nice of her to not understand that attachment only happened when there were feelings involved that she denied having.


    He stepped closer and kissed her forehead. "Maybe, all the problems I have caused you have brought me here. To atone wild the world watches me." He kissed her nose. "I have been all about that, haven''t I?" The world watching him fall.


    He looked at her and saw tears in her eyes, "It''s alright love. When I come back, we would start again." Saying so, he kissed her lips sealing the promise made. What his life wanted, she got.


    His way through her heart.


    *********


    " . . . The members of the jury find the accused, Angelo de''Alessandro, guilty. The punishment given to him would be of 10 years in jail." The judge banged his hammer, closing the case shut.


    Everyone from the family that had been sitting in the cold room closed their eyes. For the past week everyone, every lawyer had been on their toes trying to find something even remotely close to making sure that Angelo never went there but there was nothing.


    He was going to jail and the whole world knew it. For the man who never wanted to be humiliated, he was quite enough.


    Alexis stood up and walked closer to him. "I''m sorry." What for? She didn''t know. She knew that deep down this was the perfect punishment for him, that he deserved for hurting her time and again but the fact that he took it willingly and made sure that she knew he was aware that there was something she was not prepared for.


    It hurt her. He had a love for her. He was capable of it.


    "It''s alright love." He smiled. "Wait for me, yah?" He was pulled back and the cops took him through the adjacent door. She watched him disappear through a heavy heart.


    They all went home after that because there was no use in waiting anymore. Gabrielle had moved in and taken in the reigns along with Silvano and Vincenzo for the past week and it seems like for the next ten years too.


    The kids did not immediately come to her and she was grateful for that. She went to their marriage bed and this time laid there alone looking on the side that he slept in.


    "I''m sorry." She whispered again through tears as she caressed his space.


    How would they be treating him?


    Was it worth it? Deep down in her mind, she knew the answer to both the question.


    It was necessary for her sanity. She felt better. Relief, happiness, satisfaction all were there. Then what was this?


    Her phone rang and she declined the call. She was no need to pick up.


    It rang again, she declined it. This happened for the next four times and in irritation, she picked it up and said, "What?!" Or yelled.


    "Come on now love," she heard and sat up immediately. "Don''t cry for me."


    "Angelo?" She palmed her mouth as she felt mixed emotions run through her. "Is that you?" She asked.


    She heard his carefree laughter. It was rare and she immediately knew it was him.


    "Yes, it is." He answered and she could think of the smile. "I told you I am powerful. The jail''s got nothing on me." He laughed.


    She giggled and for the first time, she was happy while she talked to him.


    She felt free of the burden.

 Chapter 312 - Epilogue.

    SEVERAL-YEARS -LATER


    [Sequel- Chaos in darkness; Salvatore''s salvation.]


    ???? ????


    "What after that?"


    "Maybe another branch of Lexus over LA." She answered the question of her father. "The reaction to the first one was overwhelming. So naturally, another one would do us good."


    Alexander hummed. "Yes, yes. But LA?"


    Alexis laughed. The old made had retired and taken over to the countryside. He hated anything modern now, simply chose to not understand it. "Yes. Prime locations matter the most. Anywho, are you coming over this weekend?" Xavier had vanished and the son of his sister had taken over.


    Her father had retired happily.


    "Naah, Gabrielle and I are going fishing. We catch none but the silence and good beer are appreciated."


    Alexis tsked, "That lake is Man-made." It was about time they knew.


    "So?"


    "It has no fishes it in." She revealed, biting back a smile.


    She heard nothing from him and wondered if he was still on the call when she heard him yell, "Damn it, kid! It''s been six years for us trying to catch something!" He hung up.


    She laughed loudly as she looked at the contact picture of him. She would somebody bring a lot in and for them to catch.


    "We are done." Lucas and Salvatore came down from their morning workout with their grandfather. It had been a routine that had made her children stronger, both mentally and physically.


    They were doing good.


    She watched Salvatore''s walked away, out of the kitchen and to the gardens. He now looked a lot like his father. The same cold look in his eyes with others but with family, she could see it cracking.


    At least there he was better.


    "Mommy!" Rosie screamed. "You might want to hurry!"


    Alexis growled at the girl from the kitchen. Rosie has grown up for sure but her sass had grown with her.


    "Go on kid! I''ll be there." She screamed back. Her daughter''s habits had rubbed off of her.


    Bella Rosa de''Alessandro was a wild girl who had driven Angelo mad.


    So much so, she had gotten arrested at the age of fifteen with had nearly given the forty-year-old man a heart attack inside the jail.


    For the past ten years and Angelo still had been a virtual presence in their lives. Because he talked to the children daily and with her too. He knew what happened in their lives.


    He had been true when he said that jail got nothing on him because he called them whenever he wanted. Not only that Angelo had maintained his business from inside the jail and no one had even questioned him. It was like he was quarantined.


    What made her a bit wary was the fact that he knew she was the one who had destroyed in the papers and that she had found another copy of the same papers in the shredder. She had found them the day he had gone to jail and she was having second thoughts but she found out that he was the one to shred the next set of paper that he had. Alexis was more firm in her decision than ever because he knew he deserved the punishment.


    As he said he had to atone.


    Angelo had his eyes all around them, he knew what his children were doing and he knew what his wife was doing. All in all, no one has ever felt his absence.


    She prepared the charcuterie boards, one for cheese and wine and the other of junk food and as she was done she moved out knowing that the maid would get it out along with the other food.


    Her children were playing tennis along with their cousin Dante. Two against two.


    After knowing that had been Alexis that had shredded the papers and had been through the files Angelo had decided that she was not going to be as involved in the business. So she has just been given all the legal businesses to deal with in his absence.


    She knew that she had lost his trust in many fields but the end had been worth it. She felt better knowing that he had been punished.


    He was humiliated in front of the entire world. Everyone knew and it was known that he had been in jail for something as petty as selling drugs that even a teenager could do.


    "Hello you," arms wrapped around her and her back was against a hard chest. "How are you?" He whispered in her ear making her smile a bit.


    They had been better.


    He took therapy in jail where no one knew because Alexis had refused to stand by and watch his health deteriorated even more in the jail. At times, she could feel the coldness in his voice over the phone.


    "Fine. Thank you." She turned to look at him, craning her neck up. "How are you?"


    "I came from a long vacation sweetheart. I''m the best right now." He smiled. "However father and Silvano are buried deep in paperwork." He laughed as the two men were still working hard than ever.


    Even in jail, his empire had grown.


    Once again, like years ago, they stood, side by side with each other watching the children they loved.


    "We''ll be moving to Italy. Permanently." He revealed.


    Alexis frowned immediately and turned to look at him while being in his arms still. "What do you mean?" She said concern laced her voice. "Your empire is in New York." She stated.


    "And it still is." He confirmed. "But now, I want to go home. Rule from home. The original throne." He kissed her forehead. "There you are a true Queen." His smile was full of love. The darkness he once talked of was now buried deep inside him which he has never revealed to anyone.


    It was there but he could suppress it better.


    "Do we have to?" She asked. A small part of him was angry that she was defying him but his love won.


    The separation had won.


    "Yes," he kissed her forehead and held her hand which still had the sapphire ring. "Long way to go, huh?" He huffed a laughed and touched the ring. "I fucking regret the idea of this ring." He grumbled.


    She nodded and with glossy eyes, she looked at it, "Yes. A very long way to go." She confirmed. It was a new journey now.


    "I have made a lot of mistakes and shitty decisions when it comes to our relationship but I will make sure that we will have a happy ending." He promised as he held her cheek and his thumb caressed her skin.


    "There is no such thing as a happy ending." She shook her head holding his hand that held her cheeks. "No one ever has it. Especially people like us who have so much history. No trust and no love."


    "Trust love," he tapped her nose. "Trust is what we don''t have. You don''t trust my behaviour and I don''t trust you with the business. But we will work it out. Better than before."


    She didn''t know what to say. The future was always going to unknown.


    "Yeah." She just agreed as he pulled her closer. "Maybe."


    "Not maybe." Through the separation, he had known that he did love her the most. "We will have a happy ending and this time, I won''t mess up."


    *******


    Thank you for being a part of this story. This was my first story ever written and finished.


    Kindly leave a review!

 Chapter 313 - Bonus - I

    I don''t know what you are going through, but here''s a happy moment.


    ¡ªR18¡ª


    She had a huge belly almost to the point where it was difficult for her to get up and walk. So Agatha had has been her shadow throughout her pregnancy. Thankfully she had neared the end of it. A mere week or two to go and she would have her babies in her arms.


    Yes, babies. Twins.


    Late mornings were now common to her and everyone encouraged it. She felt him shift beside her and his hand came to her unclothed belly as he slowly caressed it.


    Someone of the twins shifted slightly and Angelo immediately palmed that area.


    "They moved." He informed her as if she didn''t feel it happen inside her. He was fascinated by every movement which is why they continued to sleep naked.


    "Hmm," she hummed in return. He shifted again and came closer to her. Their naked bodies were as close as they could be.


    "Did you sleep well?"


    "Yes." The twins did not disturb her in the night. A rare occurrence that was.


    He kissed her shoulder blade and she sighed blissfully.


    Everything had been great. The pregnancy, the business and their relationship. It was the best it could be and she could not imagine it getting any better.


    "I am free today." He said, as his hand moved down and cupped her hairy pvssy. "Really, free."


    She laughed softly at that. The sound was music to his ears. "Really, really Free?" She teased him again.


    "It''s been too long." He started her clit every slowly, awaking sensations inside her. "Too long for me." He grumbled.


    "Hmm. . . " She hummed not paying attention to what he said and let herself enjoy it. Next time that is going to be physically intimate going to be after two to three months.


    "I don''t think I am going to love the twins as much. They have cockblocked me more than ever." He tsked, "I think I know what my father thought of me and my brother."


    There she couldn''t hold her snicker. "I''m sure you do."


    His finger went in deep and even though it was just a digit, it was no less for her to feel the extraordinary sensations in her body that only came with him.


    "The nipples," he whispered, "Are they still sore?"


    She shook her head. Not sore, but they pained a lot. At times, they were itchy to¡ª


    A loud gasp left her mouth as his warm tongue circled her nipple. He played with her knowing well that her emotions were highlighted.


    "Angelo. . ." She mewled. "Don''t. . ."


    "You want it." After which, his entire mouth engulfed the boob as much as it could leaving her a hot mess.


    "Do it!" She cried. "I can''t take it anymore!"


    He smirked and just as the queen had commanded he did. Laying a pillow underneath her, he raised her ass and gave it a good spanking making her cry more in need.


    "Please. . ." She moaned.


    "If only . ." He positioned his truck on the entry of her love tunnel and entered making her gasp at the sensation. ". . I was not . . ."


    He trusted inside her, mindful of his children inside, remained a quarter out and took her as she liked. Rough and naughty.


    Pulling her hair back, trusted more and made her move by the pressure.


    "Oh! Oh. . .yes. . ." She gasped as she enjoyed it. "Ah!" She cried out as he hit her again, twice on the same buttcheek.


    "Fucking. . Marks," he traced the stretch marks that were his. "Mine." He growled. "Say it."


    "Yours!" As she felt the pressure rising and reaching peaked. "Yours¡ªAngelo!" She cried as she jolted and shivered from the intense orgasm, soon after he followed and pulled out of her.


    He breathed heavily just as she did and laid beside her. Both of them had their eyes closed.


    She turned to look at him, who looked mighty content. "Angelo,"


    "Yeah."


    "I think I didn''t come." She revealed as she palmed her heavily swollen belly.


    "What?" He barked and then scoffed. "That''s impossible." He rebuked. That had never happened and would never too.


    She shook her head slowly as she revealed. "I think my water broke instead."


    His head snapped his her direction and she feared that he might have broken it. "What?" He mumbled. "It''s happening?"


    She nodded with a smile. "I think so." She confirmed.


    He immediately sprang into action and got dressed. Bringing out a washcloth, he cleaned her and then helped her get dressed.


    "Wait a minute," he said on his way to the door, "I didn''t break it, did I?"


    "Your fucking ego!" She snapped as she felt the first contraction come through. "Call Isabelle, NOW!" She yelled at the top of her lungs and her husband ran.


    ******


    Twenty-five hours of immense pain, constant screams and contractions, two beautiful babies had entered the world.


    Salvatore Nickolas de''Alessandro.


    Bella Rosa de''Alessandro.


    Twins, perfectly healthy and with twenty fingers in their hands and toes each.


    Angelo had pointed each twice and had made the men outside as guards do so too.


    Her eyes fluttered open and she turned around to the two sleeping babies. They were going to be awake soon for their feeding.


    "How are you?" She heard her husband had from the couch as he sat straight and was ready to get up after stretching a bit.


    "Stay there." She mumbled, croaked out, "You are tired."


    He shook his head. "Not more than you." Standing up, he brought her a glass of water along with a Straw and angled her bed to help her.


    She drank her fill and they smiled at each other. It was over and they had entered a new journey.


    "I have something for you." He revealed and took out something from another bag, next to the baby one. He took out a velvet box with a sapphire ring inside it.


    "Angelo . . ." It was beautiful.


    He took her hand and slipped it on the finger next to the ring. "Responsibility, it''s said for this finger. But it''s for you to know that the mother of my children is always going to be you." He kissed her lip softly, "The crown of that would always rest on your head, even if you are no longer there. Thank you for giving two beautiful, cockblocking children."


    She sniffed gave him a teary smile. "I''ll ignore cockblocking." She said with a sniff. He smiled but at a small cry, they both looked to businesses.


    "I guess that''s official duty calls." Sighing, the young and new parents got to work.


    *********


    My other works:


    ~Chaos In The Darkness (Sequel)


    ~ The Lycan king''s human mate


    ~ The Princess dangerous vampire mate.

 Chapter 314 - Bonus - II

    ~Timeline : birth of the twins.~


    Giving birth, let alone to twins, was a very difficult and painful experience. So much so, she had not gotten up from the bed after one week of dilvery and since she had the luxury of resting, she did exactly that.Salvatore was nursing from her breast and she patted his back very lightly for him to go to sleep. She had even covered him up whilst feeding so that he would fall asleep more comfortably.


    Agatha very quietly drew the curtains and the room fell into a hushed environment. Perfect for the children to sleep in.


    "Little baby," she cooed at the suckling baby. His eyes were heavy with sleep.


    Angelo was laying on the foot of bed, sleeping on his stomach as he was not getting much of the space because she and the twins are occupied most of it. Yet his eyes were half close as he watched them.


    "He sleepy?"


    She nodded, "Yes, just as his father is." She she said pointedly. "Go to sleep Angelo. After Salvatore is done, I will go to sleep as well."


    He nodded but didn''t close his eyes right away.


    She looked down at her baby mesmerized by the fact that she had actually given birth and survived the excrutinating pain that came along with it.


    Two beautiful and healthy babies.


    Just perfect.


    **********


    She sighed and closed her eyes. Alexis felt pretty today. After the pregnancy and having twins inside her belly her stomach and not to the point where for the past 6 7 months she had remained at home trying to feel confident again about herself. She had also slowly started to exercise which had somehow brought her back to a new normal where she did have a slightly prodded belly but now she was comfortable and confident about it.


    She was comfortable addressed in a khaki colour pants along with the white blouse. She had paired it with dainty gold jewelry and other had brought out her shoes.


    "Where are you going?" She turned around to find if fully dressed Angelo back at home in the middle of the day.


    "I am going out." She answered. "I''m just going to go to the mall with Nikita and come back. We are having a break from the babies today. The nannies along with Agatha will take care of them."


    He stared at her and that''s when she noticed that he was not looking at her with the softness that usually dead. It was a mafia Boss that she was talking to. "No," he said, refusing her. "I will call silvano and tell him that Nikita and you are not going anywhere."


    She raised her eyebrows for a quick second when she heard that. In shock she did not even know what to say immediately. But she soon gained controll of the situation.


    "What!" She said back incredulously, making him hold his footsteps as he was leaving the room. "Why am I not going anywhere? And I have been inside the house for 6 to 7 months now I am going out for a day." She waved hands around in frustration not understanding his point of you. If it was about the Guards and Liam have prepared a team for her and there was nothing to worry about especially when they were going to public place.


    He cracked his neck to the side and she watched him. He walked clower to her, leaving a distance of two to three inches on in between them. She could almost feel his breath fanning on her face as he looked down on her.


    "Just because you have my kids Alexis, it does not mean that you will get to do whatever you want. Do not forget whose wife you are and what it entails. No Mafia wife steps out of the house until unless it''s a family function for one year after giving birth."


    " When did that happen?" She hissed in anger. "Isabelle told me no such thing!"


    He shrugged. "I don''t want you to go out. Thats it." He started to walk away and she scoffed again. "Stop!" She called out.


    "Don''t forget that I can take a divorce anytime I want. And look we have kids but that does not mean that I do not get a say in this relationship." She argued, "I get it that you ban most of the things I do but such small things, you have no control over them." She argued to whatever came to her mind for stop this was not done. How was it that he could even think of controlling such a small thing for stop she had been insecure all these months and he had been supportive of a full stop but when it came out to something that she wanted you certainly he was backing away into a corner.


    "Alexis," he sighed, as if tired already, "do not talk about taking the kids away for stall if I want without getting a divorce I can take them away from you. So far away that you will never be able to hear anything about them even with the connections that you will have as my wife."


    She blinked back at that and the straight and spine of her that resemble the tigris slumped down a little bit. He had trust her hope as he had heard the life of a kids in front of her. " You will take my kids away from me? Just because I don''t listen to you? Are you that hungry for power in such a. . . Small matter?" She could cry out. This was frankly unbelievable to what he was doing.


    He didn''t laugh along, there wasn''t even as small as it to which on his face or even his fingers. He was far from the man that she had called her husband for the past year.


    "I am in power, Alexis. You should get used to the fact that I am going to be the one who is always in power." He stepped closer and held her chin, "Next time, when you want to go somewhere, inform me first." Tilting her chin up slightly, he placed the small kiss over her lips before he walked out of the room and closed the door shut behind him.


    *****


    THE SEQUEL IS UP (check it out and lemme know) ¡ý¡ý


    ¡úChaos in the darkness; Salvatore''s salvation. ¡û