~Zia~
I’m gazing over the entire warehouse. The once abandoned-looking, uninhabitable, and dead body harboring image of this building when I first laid eyes on it is now history. A past that will cease to exist, trapped in a wood gold-painted frame that hangs behind the bar of club Sky.
Xavier insisted I supervise the renovation of the warehouse. I knew he wanted me to have something to do while he’s working and who was I to decline the offer? And he was the one who named it Sky, a counterpart of club Cielo.
It might have been just a coincidence that it’s the same pet name he’d been calling me when we’re younger, or he could’ve named it after me. Either way, all I find is absolute contentment as I gaze over the empty dance floor.
A spacious, luscious white marble bar
Thank you for voting. I’m hoping to finish this book by September, so… hold on.
~Zia~“Zia?” Xavier called.I walked straight to the kitchen as soon as we’re inside the penthouse, opening the fridge for a glass of cold water.“Yeah?” I replied, my free hand gripping the countertop’s edge, drinking the glass of water, gazing at the Seattle skyline through the glass wall in our kitchen.His warmth followed me, arms snaked around my waist from behind, kissing my shoulder like he always does. “Are you tired?”My eyelids fluttered shut; I can’t believe I never noticed this before. He loved me? How long has it been? I thought these secrets were behind us already. What’s further bewildering is that he told me not to fall for him. He shut me out the mom
~Xavier~Playing fire is a dangerous game I knew all about. I could get burned any moment, or worse, it could burn everything I’ve worked for.“Tell me what I want to know, Anatoly,” I smirked, looking over the variety of random items laid above the metal table. From knives to screwdrivers, guns to hammers, we have it all. Running my bloodied fingers over the scalpel, I grabbed it and faced the annoying Russian capo with a scowl. A cigarette stick trapped between my lips, I raised my choice of weapon, letting it shine under the fluorescent light. I wanted him to see it.His eyes, bloodshot and wide, enlarged further as I took lazy steps towards him. Tied in a worn-out operation table, the straps that bound him to it left red blotches on his pale skin. One of his kneecaps already smashed; the sledge
~Xavier~You’d think that we’d be tearing apart our clothes the moment we said our confessions. Nope, not yet, at least.Still seated on the edge of the pool, Zia leaned her head on my shoulder. My arm snaked securely around her body, gripping her hips. She’s holding my left hand above my lap, running her fingers over my wedding band.“Can I ask you something?” She looked up; the path of her tears dried with the wind.“Hm?”“This engagement ring… is this really for Nadia?” I chuckled, humiliated for telling her that petty lie. “This is for me?”“Yes,” I replied, peering down at her.
~Xavier~ Gianna and Levi were very much delighted to have their daughter back. From my vantage point, I can see Zia trying to look past the secrets her parents kept from her. She wanted to reconnect with them. That’s why she didn’t want a grand celebration for her birthday, even though I insisted. All she asked was to have an intimate and simple dinner with our families. I’ll support her in what she wants to do. Anything for her, honestly. I’d give her the world if I can because she’s everything I ever wanted. Someone I thought I could never have her. Lounging on the ratan couch by the balcony, Zia’s feet rested on top of my lap while she sipped her tea, browsing through her phone to meet her friends later at club Cielo while I’ll be in a meeting with dad and Levi. I
~Zia~ Dinner with my family and the Lucianos was intimate and heartwarming, just what I hoped for. Mom prepared a feast of my favorite dishes, which I told her not to bother doing, but I guess it’s better than having a party. The reason I didn’t want a huge celebration for my birthday is the mafia. I don’t want to dine and mingle with people who only see me as the American mafia don’s daughter. The people around this table are who matter - less Calvin. I don’t bother asking where he is, but I’m worried about him. He might be an ass to me with the way things ended between us, but he never does this, leaving without telling where he’d come back, not even with Francine. ~~ “It’s a nice gift,” Xavier entered my walk-in close
~Xavier~ Before going into the field, all members of the mafia undergo a series of training. Not only to prepare our body from the brutal reality of this lifestyle and our mental ability to cope with every situation. Omertà is an oath of loyalty and silence. We all swore to die instead of betraying la Famiglia. Zia, however, didn’t receive that amount of training to strengthen her endurance in these circumstances. She doesn’t know a single thing about how the mafia works apart from the basic things I told her - mostly rankings and our businesses - nothing our enemies didn’t know before. Zia held permanent residency in my mind, but I shudder at picturing her right now. She’s all alone, uncertain of her tomorrow. Thoughts of all bile things her abductor might do to her crossed my mind. People in the underworld are
~Xavier~ Calvin let out a menacing chuckle, shaking his head. “Isn’t it enough that you stole Zia from me? And now you’re accusing me of plotting against the family? How low can you get, Xavier?” I scoffed. “Don’t give me that innocent act, brother. We both know I stole no one and nothing from you.” “I made a mistake, but we could’ve worked something out if you said no to marrying her,” he spat. “You just can’t accept that she loves me more than you.” I glared at him, amazed by how confident he was about Zia’s feelings for him. “She never loved you. The moment you agreed to marry Nadia, you lost your chance with her. And now you want to kill me?” he scoffed. “Are you that scared that she’d leave you?”
~Zia~ There’s this bellowing echo inside my head, locking gaze with Ashley’s almond eyes. I should’ve trusted my gut feel. A snake will change skin, but it’ll remain a withering reptile. “Is that Lorenzo?” I asked, scared for the child that hadn’t stopped crying since I opened my eyes. There’s nothing around that could indicate the time or place where she’d taken me. All I know is its daylight outside, coming from the small window twice my height up on the wall behind me. The clothes I have had since Club Cielo are still cloaking my body, but doing so little against the concrete ground where I’m seated. Ashley smirked, reaching into her jacket pocket for a pack of cigarettes, lighting one as if counting her movements. It’s like I’m staring into her other self. This w