“I went back to uncle and did what father couldn’t. Back then, he was the Mafia Don. Mother got promoted to the Queen’s head maid so everything fell in place for your parents death!” He chuckled evilly like a bloodthirsty psycho.
“Then uncle retired and made me the mafia Don because I earned it! I grew everything to this level! By feeding my rage, I got everything I wanted!.
“Know thy enemy. Meeting you was all in the game. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses was the mission. You were, and still is, just a pawn in my game. The Queen I cornered and fell!” And he was right.
Natalia was literally cornered!
“And Arian? He did nothing! They’re all innocent!” She yelled with teary cheeks.
“He got involved with you. That was his sin! You’re mine alone, Natalia. Your existence is completely and totally mine! At some point I failed to notice, my hatred turned into an obsession.” Natalia shivered noticing the way the rage in his eyes suddenly shifted.
“An obsession to have you to myself. Remember?… doing everything I want?”
Natalia choked and dashed out of the room with the infamous Mafia Don slowly following behind like a predator.
“Be careful, Princess. You don’t wanna hurt your other ankle.” He snickered from behind as Natalia stumbled her way to nowhere in particular.
Tears blinded her eyes and her ankle hurt like hell but Natalia had to escape that torment! She kept limping away as he casually sashayed behind in a taunting way. Natalia sighted the exit and stumbled towards it.
The scary looking guards didn’t even stop her or bat an eyelid her way. They bowed in submission noticing the Mob boss and took their eagle gaze away, looking out for significant threats.
Natalia pushed open the huge doors and went down the flight of stairs. The bright sun blinded her but she kept moving. She needed to warn everyone! She had to protect them! She choked out more tears.
Suddenly, Natalia froze on her track. She cleaned her tears to see clearly and gasped when a mighty ocean wave rolled into the beach before her!
She backed away hastily. Her legs became weak and wobbly and she fell down. Water, water and water was all she could see! Her hydrophobia kicked in and her breath seized, feeling a frightened tremor race through her.
There was no escape.
Natalia was cornered and lost. Lost in the golden sands and blue waters.
.
.
She was lost on an island in the middle of nowhere!
***
( Beverly Hills, California. )
Damon looked at the flowers leaning on Bianca’s door. He was silent and lost in thought.
Bianca Wells was the most hardhearted girl he’d ever met!!
For days now, he’d been trying to get her forgiveness but it was all vain. Thousands of unanswered calls, mails, texts and voice messages were all useless!
He was ready to give up.
Damon longed for home all of a sudden. Far away from the country and her girls. His little heart had had enough. Absolutely enough! This wasn’t him. When did he get all mushy??
At that realisation, he became angry! What the hell was wrong with him?! His social life was a total mess! He no longer night crawled but spent his time…. during the day…. chasing a girl???
The international Casanova scoffed loudly and turned to go. But on second thoughts, Damon retraced his steps back to the door.
Who the hell does she think she is, huh?!
He mentally fumed and turned to kick the stupid flowers away when the door slipped open and Bianca stepped out.
Damon Lorenzo didn’t know whether to jump for joy or show his indifference. And so he froze. Bianca moved her cat-like eyes from his face down to his guilty leg and cocked a brow.
Damon unconsciously flushed and dropped it.
He cleared his throat and shoved his hands into his pockets. It was his moment to recite his long time memorised apology but nothing came out. His often blank mind was more than blank!
The hottie frowned and scratched his hair.
Bianca didn’t spare him another look before locking her door and sauntering over to the elevator, shuffling through her side purse in the process.
Damon couldn’t move either. He was lost staring at her pretty and confident legs in daring stiletto heels. It was a shame though, that the rest of her was covered up in a fancy coat!
Damon naughtily wondered what she was wearing underneath. A toothy grin graced his lips as his head helplessly fell on her door, imagining something little and sexy.
He continued grinning like the dumbass he was, watching her walk into the elevator.
While Bianca was focused on her phone, he was focused on stripping her with his sinful eyes until the elevator doors closed, caging her within and his stupidity vanished!
After days of waiting??
He mightily cussed at himself and groaned before sprinting over to the six flights of stairs…
***
( In the middle of nowhere. )
Natalia kept trembling on the beach, staring into the endless ocean till Leonardo De Luca walked up to her…. pleased with his stroll and her helplessness.
He stopped beside Natalia with his hands deep in the pockets of his fancy pants. Natalia felt the sand under her sticky fingers move slightly. She was unable to take her frightened gaze away. She thought she had gotten over her fear.
Where was Arian when she needed him?
The Mafia Don took a quick look at her then at his limited edition wristwatch.
“Are you gonna sit there all day?” He asked. She took several shaky breaths, trying to stay calm.
“Don’t you wanna go back home?” He asked again. Natalia remained speechless. But her breath hitched when he forced her up and pulled her towards the terrifying water!
She screamed and forcefully tried to break free but his grip was firm. The wind blew and flapped their hair and clothes as he pulled them over to the shore.
“Go! Run away!” He yelled and shoved her closer to the water. “What are you waiting for?! Go!” He yelled again but her legs couldn’t move.
They were frozen.
“If you don’t Natalia, you’ll never EVER get another chance!”
“Let go of me! You’re hurting…”
“You might be smart but you’re weak!” He yelled above the seaside noise, cutting her off. His hair whipped around his stone grey eyes.
“You lack guts! That’s why a nobody like me will always be ahead of you!”
“Let go!” She cried, trying to loosen his tight grip and at the same time, moving away from the waves.
The wind became stronger. A storm was coming but the Empress was too occupied to notice. Leonardo easily threw her over his shoulder and turned back towards the fort.
She screamed and fought but he was rock solid. He didn’t stop walking until he was back in the bedroom and roughly threw her on the bed.
Natalia’s headache doubled. She whimpered and tossed her hair behind.
“Will you stop crying?!” He snapped. “It’s getting on my damn nerves!”
She dashed out of the queen sized bed in a heartbeat.
“You’re nothing but a bastard! You can torture me a million times over but you’ll NEVER lay hands on Astheria! In this life or the next!” She was red from too much crying.
“I hate you with everything in me! Just wait and see! You can hold me prisoner and eventually get rid of me but that won’t stop my people from fishing you out and putting a bullet through your…” He slapped her!
Natalia fell on the bed. The pain stung deeply and a tingling vibration echoed through her ears. She choked out burning tears and palmed her sensitive cheek.
“Princess, you keep forgetting that I’m already dead!” His icy voice sliced through her senses…
***
( Beverly Hills, California. )
‘What in the world did Arian mean?’ Selena Lorenzo wondered and walked down the Argent’s grand staircase.
Was the bitch really missing?
Selena really had no business with Alexis. But she had scores to settle with her prostituting twin!
Back at Minji’s suite, she’d only played along because she was mad at Arian and had enjoyed seeing the look on his face when she told him she’d done much worse to Natalia.
Selena pushed away the thoughts. Wherever the bitch was, she wished she’ld just die and leave them alone!
“Hang up if you wanna remind me to confess to Arian.” She stated when Lee Minji called.
“Are you crazy?! What else!” Her best friend blasted at the other end.
“If my celebrity crush is missing for real and Arian thinks you have a hand in it, then you’re screwed, Selena! You’re friggin’ screwed!” She yelled in a full blown panic, restlessly pacing around her hotel suite.
“Lee Minji, thanks for the love. I really feel it.” Her voice dripped with unhidden sarcasm. “If that’ld be all, please hang up before I do.”
“Not until I get through to you!. Lena, this game is on another level…. and you’re not even a player! If the cops link you to her disappearance then I fear for you. She’s royalty! No amount of influence can easily sweep THAT under the carpet! At least, think about your dad. It’ld ruin him!”
“Let’s talk later. I’m not in the mood.” Selena muttered and hung up, refusing to admit she was slowly getting frightened.
She ignored Minji’s following calls and walked down the remaining stairs. At the main living room, she noticed the maids rushing around in haste.
“Nanny? What’s going on?” She stopped the old but elegant De’ Argent’s long time nanny…