VALENTINA’S POV
I knelt in front of my parents and elder brother’s graves with tears rolling down my eyes nonstop as I reminisced about how life was when they were still alive and we lived happily.We were the Di Maria family living peacefully and minding our business. My brother Taviano Di Maria would always take me to a river on the outskirts of our city telling me that we'll get to see a mermaid because he knew I loved mermaid tales.My Dad was just a businessman who was benevolent enough to show my uncle who is his younger and only brother Santiago Di Maria his way of business and they both excelled together.When I was 5 years old, we were all going on a holiday and armed men ambushed us on the same bridge on the river my brother Taviano used to take me to, so that we'll search for mermaids and the armed men began shooting at us.My mum Rosalia Di Maria pushed me into the river to save me before they shot her. Luckily a woman saved me and took me to my Uncle Santiago when she saw the news on tv that they were searching for me. My uncle had been the one taking care of me since then.When I had no tears left to cry, I stood up and placed flowers at all their graves and left to the bridge where it all happened. This has been my routine on their remembrance day since I was 6 till now that I am 23.I got into my car and drove to the bridge. Memories began flooding back into my head about how my family died and I began crying. I packed my car a safe distance away from the bridge and began to walk through a path that led down the bridge to the riverside.I hadn't even reached the riverside yet when I suddenly began to hear the sound of gunshots at first I thought the sound was from my heart due to the flashback I got whenever I came here but then when I reached the riverside I saw a bullet hit the water, that was when I knew it was real.I ran to hide and suddenly there was an explosion, that wasn't what caught my attention, what caught my attention was that I saw a man fall into the river and that part of the water turned red so I knew he was hurt.Being an excellent swimmer, I dived into the river wanting to save this man at all costs. When I found him I grabbed him and pulled him out.I was taken aback by this man, striking handsomeness, his hair was dirty-blonde in color and packed in a low twisted bun, tattoos filled his hands and neck, and he had a sharply pointed nose and well-chiseled face and jawline.From all these he looked like a gangster, I began weighing in my mind, if I should save him or not and ended up saving him because why not, I'm a medical doctor and surgeon it's my job to save people's life.I took him to my lab at home and removed the bullets that were shot at him. I doubted if he would survive because the bullets were shot too close to his heart and he had lost so much blood already but I still tried.I bandaged his wound after I was done removing the bullets and left him, Not knowing if I should contact the police or not but I followed my gut feeling and didn't.*****************************It's been the fifth day now since I helped this strange man that is still unconscious and I transferred him from my lab to my guestroom.I always administered his drugs to him before I went to work and did the same whenever I came back from work.I went to check on him but got carried away admiring his handsomeness while I was checking his vitals, he suddenly opened his eyes, and oh my!! His eyes were green.It took me a moment to compose myself before I ran to get water, judging from the fact he had been unconscious for five days his throat would be dry.When I came back into the room he was trying to sit up. I see, he's the stubborn type. But he wasn't supposed to stress himself now since he was just waking up.All the while I was talking to him he didn't answer until I told him he'd been unconscious for five days and he choked on the water I was giving him.I found everything about him fascinating, from why he fell he got shot, and why he suddenly choked on his water, but It was his privacy and I wouldn't dare ask or interfere.He asked for my phone and called his friend, telling him to come to pick him up. I persuaded him to stay and finish his treatment but he was hell-bent on leaving so I gave him some painkillers and left feeling upset.After I had saved him he couldn't even say a simple thank you, what an asshole he was. A few minutes later I heard someone continuously blaring his or her car horn and checked through my window to see who it was I was surprised to see five latest models of parado jeeps lined at the front of my house.“ I guess they are here to pick him up, “ I said to myself, seeing them made me realize that this man I saved whom I didn't know his name and to be honest was no longer interested to know his name even though he knew mine already was wealthy.I went to my guest room and told him his friend was outside and he stood up even though I saw that he squinted his eyes due to the pain he was feeling, I kept quiet and decided to mind my business since he was after all ungrateful.I went to the door to wait for him and when he came out of my guestroom, our eyes locked and it took everything in me not to ask his name before he goes but instead I just opened the door for him and he stepped outside.I waved nodded at him and waved him goodbye for courtesy’s sake and went into my house. I watched them drive away as I peeped through my window.All the guy's who stepped down from the Prado jeep to greet the man I saved all had the same marking tattoo on their neck and they bowed at the man which looked spooky and weird to me.I flinched in fear when my phone started ringing and heaved a sigh of relief as I saw that it was just my phone ringing and it was Uncle Santiago that was calling.“ Hello uncle, how are you doing? “ I asked with my most sweet voice so that he wouldn't notice I was scared. Because if there was anything uncle Santiago was good at, it was being observant.“ Come to my house now! '' Was the only thing he said and ended the call afterward. I became worried and rushed out of my house, getting into my car and driving to check on Uncle Santiago hoping nothing was wrong with him, he was the only family I had left.****************************************Getting to Uncle Santiago's house I rushed in only to find my uncle sitting in a wheelchair in his garden waiting for me.“ What's wrong uncle? “ I asked him with concern and saw the biggest smile on his face as he raised his head. I began to wonder what was going on but his next words shocked me to my very core.“ Get ready Valentina, you're getting married, “ He said. I just looked at him dumbfounded, not understanding where what he said was coming from.“ I don't understand uncle, you're joking, right? “ I asked and laughed nervously but his face told me he was serious.“ Look, before your parents died, they promised the Dicaprio family that you'll get married to their son Diego and the young man is back in the country rich and powerful so don't be afraid because you won't have to suffer at all “ Uncle Santiago said still with a big smile on his face.“ Uncle I respect you a lot but I can't get married to someone I don't know on such short notice. You told me you wanted me to study medicine because it was my parent's wish that I did so. I respected you and studied it but this one uncle I'm sorry I can't “ I said to him.“ Listen, Val, he has arranged for us to have dinner together at the most expensive restaurant that is in the city and you won't embarrassed me you hear me? You would dress beautifully and see the young man first before you judge him “ Uncle Santiago said, raising his voice at me slightly annoyed.I decided to do as he has said for now and look for another way to stop me from marrying Diego or whatever his name is called, just from the name I already disliked the guy.“ Alright uncle what time would be the dinner and location, “ I asked my uncle after I tried to put on a fake smile and hoped it looked convincing.“Don't worry I'll text it to you later, it's just 2 pm now, take from now till evening to plan and shopfor the dress that you'll wear, “ He replied with a big smile appearing on his face again.“ Alright uncle, are your legs paining you today do you want me to massage them for you a little, “ I asked him but he shook his head.“ No Val, I feel fine today just go and get ready, “ he said urging me to go. The way he was behaving right now confirmed to me that there was more to this marriage than he was telling me.I left his house, drove to my house, and entered my bedroom to take a nap since I took a leave from work yesterday because I was feeling drained and partly because of that strange man I saved.***********************************************I woke up from my nap only to find out that it was 6 pm already and damn It's been a long time since I slept well and comfortably like this without any bad dreams.I took my phone and saw series of texts and messages from Uncle Santiago. I rolled my eyes as I checked the time and location, after which I got up to prepare because the dinner would be by 7 pm.One hour later I got into my car dressed in a red strapless evening gown with thigh slits and packed my hair in a messy bun not wanting to look overdressed.Reaching the restaurant I went in and saw my uncle and my supposed fiance Diego, he was handsome but not compared to the stranger I saved. Shit, why was his thought crossing my mind.“Good evening gentlemen sorry I'm late, “ I said as I sat down facing Diego and Uncle Santiago.“ Women are always late, we understand and I must say that you look ravishing and stunning Valentina, “ Diego said and suddenly I felt the strong urge to pee.“ Excuse me please I need to use the convenience, “ I said to uncle Santiago and Diego.I made my way heading for the toilet but when I wanted to open the door to the toilet and go in, a handkerchief was placed on my nose and everything went black after I inhaled the content of the handkerchief.RICARDO’S POV When I got into the car Argo pulled into the driveway and drove off with my men in the other jeeps following suit.It hurt me to see my men hurt this way, especially Angelo whom I have taken to be like my younger brother, but the Mafia's code as a leader was never to show emotions in front of your men.So I buried all my emotions and kept my usual cold face as I asked “ Give me situation report “ I spoke, directing the question to Angelo.“ When you left that day at exactly 2 pm our alarms began blaring notifying us that someone had broken into our estate, before we even had the chance to check who, we began hearing gunshots, many of our men were killed but we fought them till we killed each one of them “ Angelo explained sadly.“ What happened to you, boss? “ Angelo asked and I discovered we were already pulling into my estate.“ We'll continue this discussion in my study, “ I said and we kept quiet till we reached the main house and got out of the car with Angelo follo
RICARDO’S POVThe person I saw sitting on the chair being mishandled and roughly tied to the chair was none other than Valentina, the woman who saved me.“ Boss, isn't that the lady whose house we came to pick you up from earlier today? I mean the one who saved you? '' Angelo whispered to me. Seems like Angelo also recognized her, so that means I'm not just imagining things.Before I could order my men to wait before removing the blindfold from Valentina, they removed it. Her purple eye which I oddly liked a lot popped open but she squinted it trying to adjust her sight.I stood rooted where I was utterly confused and not knowing what to do but still not even for a second did I remove my eyes from her. Her eyes widened with realization when she made direct eye contact with me.“ Mr? “ She asked as she scanned everyone standing around me with a gun and her gaze lingered on my bloodstained hands and shirt with fear. She then turned, seeing blood on the floor and the dead men with their b
VALENTINA’S POVI tried to open my eyes but all I could see was darkness, then the last events that happened before I passed out came to my mind and I gasped.I'm I dead? I asked myself inwardly and wanted to try to lift my hands but found out that I was restrained. I began to struggle to free myself then I heard a voice.“ If you move one more time I'll kill you before we even get to meet the boss, don't test my patience young lady, “ a deep masculine voice said with warning.“ Who are you and where are you taking me? “ I asked not minding what the man said.“ Shut up, “ The masculine voice said again and tied my mouth while I struggled for him not to but it was all to no avail because he was stronger than I am.“ Drive faster Rocco, “ The masculine voice said, and only then did I realize I was in transit.Where the hell are they taking me to, I thought to myself as fear instantly enveloped me. I decided not to struggle anymore since I knew that they are dangerous and remained silent
VALENTINA POVWhen I looked to see who it was while I struggled to set myself free, I wouldn't say I was surprised to see that it was the lady with a lot of piercings who was trying to strangle me.As far as I was concerned I couldn't trust anyone in this gang that kidnapped me. So It didn't come as a surprise to me to see the lady with a lot of piercings on her face standing in front of me with hatred written all over her face as she tried to strangle me.I tried to shove her away from me but she was stronger than me. I began to gasp for breath as her grip on my neck became tighter, and my sight began to get blurry.I guess this is the way I’m supposed to die, I said to myself inwardly as I stopped struggling with the lady whom I didn’t even know her name yet. I gave up and just let her strangle me.Before I finally embraced Abyss, I saw Ricardo running towards me with blood stains on his shirt and then I blanked out.********************************************My eyes fluttered ope
RICARDO’S POVWhen Diego came to my estate with his men, without even telling Valentina she refused to go with him. I knew it was her stupid uncle who was forcing the marriage on her.Sometimes ladies always have to go through difficult times with this kind of stuff and situations like this always made me glad that I wasn't a woman.I knew Diego’s gang was no match for mine. The only reason I was shot on my shoulders was because and that was when I saw Rosalia trying to strangle Valentina.Even though I was shot I didn’t feel any pain at that moment due to rage boiling within me. Because as far as I was concerned I didn’t give Rosalia the order to do what she was doing.Since I was born I had the principle of never hitting a woman but I punched Rosalia out of anger. Before I reached there Valentina had already passed.“ You better pray to whatever God you serve that she isn’t dead because if she's dead, then consider yourself dead too, “ I said to Rosalia through gritted teeth after I
VALENTINA’S POVI didn't like how Ricardo suddenly left my room after giving me the pasta which he dished out for me by himself. I wondered what was so important that made him dash out of my room that way.Then I gasped when realization dawned on me. Could it be that my uncle had come to take me home? I literally jumped out of bed in happiness and walked to the door of my room.In movies and books which I read in the past about Mafia gangs. When a person is kidnapped, they are locked in a room. I became discouraged when I thought about that but then again, those were just books and movies.So I decided to try my luck and turned the doorknob in a bid to open the door. My eyes widened when I heard the shrieking sound the door made as I slowly opened the door.For him to forget to lock the door means he must have really been in a hurry. I peeped outside to be sure none of his men were in sight. I saw no one in the hallway where my room was located so I snuck out of the room.While doing
VALENTINA’S POVWhen I looked out the window and saw Ricardo talking to someone on the phone. Suddenly he turned to look at my window and that was when our eyes met. But it didn’t last long because several bullets began flying in the air. Ricardo ran to hide behind a wall using it to hide from being shot and began to shoot back. Thank Goodness that the window in the room I was kept in was bulletproof. I checked to see where the bullies were coming from and only to see that it was Diego and his men.There was a fierce shoot-out between Diego and Ricardo’s men. But what got me worried was it looked like Diego was getting the upper hand. Diego and his men were supposed to because this was a surprise attack.I stood and watched everything through my window as men on the opposite side of the gang got gunned down. It was like I was watching a movie, never in my life had I ever imagined that I would witness such a scene.What made me worried when I saw that Ricardo was shot twice. I gasped
VALENTINA’S POVWhen the guy and two men came to carry Ricardo up, Ricardo began gasping for air. As if that wasn’t enough we heard noises coming from the side of the house.I was too focused on helping the wounded to pay attention to what was the cause of the noise. So I rushed inside the house with the men who helped carry Ricardo’s body inside the house.Ricardo was still gasping for breath and I was worried that he would go into a coma or he might even die. So I told them to place him on the table in his sitting room. His men laid him on the table and I rushed to his side. “ Calm down Ric, you’re not gonna die today. Not while I’m here. Just try to take calm breaths okay? “ I said to him and he nodded his head frantically as he tried to take calm breaths.“ I am Angelo. Thank you for what you did out there. Please let me know whatever you need right now to stabilize him, “ The guy who came to pick Ricardo up from my house said to me with a look of gratitude on his face. So that wa