Maisie threw her clothes one after the other on her bed. Tess was sitting on the bed feeling fed up with Maisie.
“Everything you have tried on is beautiful. I do not get why you are making such a fuss about this dinner”Maisie stopped and glared at Tess for a second then looked back at the mirror looking at the dress she held in front of her body.“I don’t know,” Maisie said devastated, and sank with the dress to the floor.Clothes were laying scattered all over the floor.“Hey! Hey! “Tess called out as she climbed down the bed and crouched next to Maisie. “You can wear a plastic bag and you will still look gorgeous.”Maisie stared into Tess's eyes.“You're not helping you know,” Maisie said disheartened“Do you like him?” Tess askedMaisie looked confused at Tess then fell backward on the floor as she yelled out, “I don't know.” She sighed “We have been texting this whole week. He kept asking me to dinner and I kept declining him. Then he used the owed card on me…”“Okay, I am confused. What owed card?” Tess askedMaisie pushed herself up. “It’s all your fault!”“Don’t drag me into this,” Tess said confused at Maisie's words.Maisie smacked Tess on the arm.“Ow!” Tess looked stunned at Maisie, “You hit me. Why did you hit me.”“Because you keep acting all innocent. You took that drink from those strange guys and almost went home with them, oh and.” Maisie held her finger up at Tess. “No wait - wait. We! We!” she motioned her finger back and forth between them. “You drag me into your mess and who had to get us out of it? Me! I did. Luckily for us, Luca was there to help us. Who do you think helped me take you home? Oh yes, and don't forget the part that you threw up all over him.”Tess looked unbothered at Maisie. “How many times are you going to tell me this? It’s getting old.”“Tess!”Tess held her hands up in defense. “Okay, okay sorry I will stop, but you are confusing me. I thought you said Luca was supper hot and amazing and besides it is just dinner. I don't see why you are making such a fuss about it. What are you scared of.”“Three things,” Maisie showed with her fingers“Okay?”“Getting attached, he breaks my heart and Kevin.”“Not every guy is going to break your heart, Maisie. Uh and yeah, the Kevin part I can’t help you with. Your brother is a tough one.” Tess’s eyes widened “Isn’t this like your first date, dinner in like ever.”“Yeah! Every time Kevin finds out he sends his men to scare the guy away.” Maisie said as she looked with a worried expression at Tess."Then don’t tell him. How does he find out every time?”“I can’t hide stuff from him Tess. It shows all over my face when I don’t tell him something.”“Then don’t tell him and control your face.”“I don’t know how!” Maisie said then hid her face in her hands.“I got an idea. Why don't you come and stay with me for a while? You can go and meet Luca and get to know him. If you genuinely like him and he likes you, you can introduce him to your brother. See it like a test, if he likes you, he will not get scared off by your bother.Maisie looked at Tess as if she was crazy. “My brother is a scary person. Even I would run to the mountains if I were a guy. So, no. If I like him, I am hiding him far away from my brother.”“Good luck with that. Your brother knows everything.”“Yeah, I know. But anyway, I like your plan. Let’s do it.”“Okay. Now, let's get ready for this date first, then when you come back you can get packing and come live with me.”Maisie walked into the restaurant and was immediately greeted by a waiter. Maisie did not want Luca to pick her up at her house so they agreed that she would meet him at the restaurant.“Welcome miss. Do you have a reservation?”“I…”“She is with me,” Luca said from behind the waiter.The waiter bends his head when he saw Luca and took a step back. Luca smiled as he approached Maisie. He held his hand out for her to take. Maisie felt all gooey inside as she watched him approach her. She placed her hand on his and let him lead her to their table. Luca pulled out her chair, Maisie thanked him as she sat down. He smiled at her and walked around and took his seat.“I ordered for us in advance. I hope you don’t mind.” Luca said.“Of course not.”“Can I pour you a glass?” Luca asked as he picked up the bottle showing her the brand.“Yes please.”Luca smirked at her as he poured her a glass, making sure to glance every few seconds at her.“I wanted to tell you how beautiful you look tonight but then I thought it would not be the right word to describe your beauty,” Luca said“Oh, that’s a bit cheesy don’t you think?” Masie asked teasingly.“Not if it is the truth,” Luca said as he picked up his glass of wine. He took a sip as he watched her reaction curiously.Masie felt her cheeks heating up under his gaze. She shook her head and smiled at him.“Why is it so hard to get you to have dinner with me? You kept shooting me off.” Luca asked.Maisie looked down at her hands that were on her lap, “It’s complicated.”“I like complicated, especially when it involves you.”Masie giggled. She smiled as she looked at him.“Now that’s settled tell me. What does Miss complicated do when she is not out clubbing?”Maisie tilted her head as she smiled at him and traced the rim of the wine glass with her finger.“I am a fashion designer, and you? What do you do when you are not chatting girls up at bars.”“It’s Complicated,” Luca said mysteriously.“Oh. Seems we are a perfect match then.” Masie teases“It’s like you read my mind,” Luca said as he picked up his glass and held it out toward Maisie for a toast.“Are you going to be like Cinderella?”Maisie looked at him confused, “Cinderella?”“Yes. Are you going to leave at the end of the night without me seeing you again? Then I have to go beyond measures to find you.”“It depends,” Maisie said then grinned“Depends on?” Luca asked curiously“If you make the night memorable.”Luca chuckled, “I will do just that then. I promise I will not disappoint.”When their night ended Luca insisted on walking Maisie back to her car. Maisie felt her heart doing somersaults inside her chest. As they walked next to each other their hands gently touched. Maisie had to contain the urge to take his hand in hers.“We are here, “Luca said pulling Maisie out of her thoughts.She folded her hands in front of her while swaying her body to try and get rid of the nervousness. She looked down at her feet trying to avoid his gaze.Luca was the first to break the awkward silence between them,“Will I see you tomorrow?”Maisie looked up seeing his sweet smile.“Tomorrow?” She asked confused.“Yes, tomorrow. But if you already have plans…”“No, no. I don’t have any plans” Maisie blurted out,Luca’s deep chuckle sends goosebumps over Maisie's body,“Am I allowed to pick you up at your place or are you still afraid of me meeting your parents?”“I - I.” She looked down embarrassed. How was she going to explain her family and her brother to him?“Hey.” He called o
After the meeting, Alice and Khan took the first flight back home. Alice was sitting in her apartment when she looked at her phone ringing on the coffee table in front of her. She had expected the call. Alice stared at the phone as it vibrated on the table. She let it ring until it went over to voice call. As expected the phone rang again. She leaned forward picked up the phone and answered.“Hello,”“Where are you?”“In my apartment?”“Is this some kind of joke? What gives you the right to think you can speak to me like this? Come home right this instance.”“I can’t,” The bitterness hearable in Alice’s voice.“Excuse me!” What do you mean you can’t? Alice, you better make sure you are here in ten minutes or I will send someone to come and drag you here. You know what will happen to you if I do.”“Father. How do you expect me to come to you when I can barely walk?”“Alice!”Alice felt her blood boiling. She hated this man to the core. But she had to contain herself until it was the ri
Kevin's eyes followed Alice’s. This was not the time for him to have an encounter with Khan, so he had to act fast. Kevin looked at Alice and continued“Think deeper Alice. Why are you trusting someone who killed everyone in the orphanage? He is using you. Wake up.” Kevin took a step forward not missing the confusion in Alice’s eyes. He reached out toward her hand. Alice's eyes widened. She felt baffled about what she wanted to do. Her body stood frozen as she watched him motionless. She looked stunned down at the crumbled-up paper he pressed into her hand. The warmth of his hand lingered a bit longer on hers before he pulled away.“It is up to you to figure out everything. I will always be here for you Alice. I never stopped loving you.” Kevin stared into her eyes saying nothing further. The genuinein his eyes telling her more than words ever could. She noticed him lifting his arm reaching toward her face but hesitantly stopped. He lowered his head then turned around and walked away
Alice never knew two days could feel like an eternity. The gates of the salt factory stood open so Alice could drive through. The place that was once filled with workers was now an empty deserted place. Alice looked over the rim of her sunglasses at the factory. She had read about this place in the newspaper once when the bank had foreclosed the factory and sold it off in an auction. Alice secretly bought the building knowing that it will come into use one day. Alice parked in front of the building and climbed out walking to the front of her car. A black luxury car stopped next to her. The driver's doors opened, and black leather sleek shoes were the first to be seen as it stepped on the ground. Jackson knew how to make an entrance so the more dramatic he made it the better. Jackson straightened his long black coat and took off his sunglasses. A slight smile formed on his face letting his light greenish eyes give off a glint in the sunlight. Jackson placed the sunglasses in front of h
"What? Why are you looking at me like that? Jackson asked.“Let's work together, from now onwards. I will only run things behind the scenes while you will be the leader.”“What do you have in mind?“First, I need your help to take care of personal business, but in the meantime, no one can know about our clan’s existence. We need to be like ghosts.”“What about Kevin? Don’t you think that poor boy will be heartbroken? Everyone needs a bit of love even you.”“No. After everything I have done… No. To avenge Kevin was my whole reason for living in the first place, but now that he is alive. I have to return the favor to those that betrayed me. I will pay them back in tenth folds in what they did to me.”Jackson stared at Alice's cold glare. Her eyes shone with pure hatred in them.“Who will fund our operation?” Jackson asked out of curiosity.“Me.”“Okay then. Sounds fun. I’m in. So, partner, what's the plan, and who is the target?”“The Berardi clan”Jackson’s eyebrows raised shocked by h
Alice glared back at him.“Don’t give me that bullshit. I will ask you again what are you doing in my apartment.”Khan leaned forward as his eyes were still focused on hers. His nose brushed against her. Alice stood her ground. She refused back down. A few seconds passed with the intensity rising between them. Khan pulled back and sneered.“You never learn do you.”‘Oh, I do, you just don’t know.’ Alice thought to herself.Khan turned around and walked back to the couch. He took a seat and crossed his legs.Alice leaned against the door frame while watching Khan.“Where were you?” Khan asked.“Why? Did anything happen at the company?”“ANSWER ME, DAMIT!” Khan screamed.It’s kind of intrigued Alice to see him get so wound up. She knew he felt like he was losing control over her and that pissed him off the most,“Khan. I went to see a client.” Alice said calmly showing him that the threats in his voice did not bother her in the least. She folded her arms as she walked up to him. Alice s
Alice was quite impressed with Jackson. He had managed to arrange all their men, start their business, and equipped the whole base in a manner of two weeks.It was Friday night. The night their first heist would take place. The day the LLC Corporations delivery was scheduled for. Alice felt confident as she stared at the motorcycles in front of her. Everyone was suited in black leather attire and was awaiting her orders. She wanted to be physically present when they take over the trucks. The plan was straightforward. They would take over the trucks and burn all the products inside.Alana secured the headset at the side of her mouth and put her helmet on.“Is everyone ready?” She called out over the headset.She was answered by the revs of the motorcycles. Jackson was watching everything from a drone in the air.“Let’s go.”Alice stayed at the back and kept an eye on everything from behind. They had gone through the plan numerous times. Everyone knew exactly what to do. She also went t
Alice's eyes traveled over the people.“You want a beer?” Jackson asked in a raised voice. The music was quite loud making it difficult to communicate in a regular voice.Alice nodded at him. Jackson climbed out of the booth and walked toward the bar. Alice liked to look at the people and watch what they were doing. She never could understand how people think. Her eyes stopped at a bunch of young girls in their early twenties, dressed in short skirts and high heels. The crop tops they had on made sure to cling as tightly as possible around their boobs which made them almost pop out.Jackson came back and caught her staring into the distance with a troubled expression. His eyes followed hers and spotted the young girls. He shook his head as he chuckled then slid the beer to Alana. He clicked his beer against the rim of her bottle before sitting down.“Cheers,”Alice raised her beer towards him and then took a sip. She placed hit down and motioned with her chin toward the girls.“Are th