6. A SIT-DOWN
Lena woke up to the morning sun glistening into her through the window blinds. She quickly shut her eyes at once to deter the sun from reaching them.
She whined and remembered she wasn't in her father's house anymore, she groaned and yanked the blanket Tina gave to her the previous night, off her body.She let out a soft yawn, looking around the living room to feel someone's presence. Then, she remembered Tina told her she would leave very early. She must have slept for too long, she stood up and thought of where to go, her clothes were in the room she shared with Darian, she didn't want to see him that morning but she didn't have a choice.She huffed an annoying sigh, got off the couch, and walked toward the room, the door was left open, and she figured he wasn't naked again.She walked into the room but didn't find him, she heaved a sigh of relief and crouched down on the bed, she was still surveying the features of the room when she heard footsteps approaching her, she turned to check who it was and it was the almighty Darian, she closed her eyes in chagrin. She had hoped she would not see him that morning."Where did you sleep last night?" His deep baritone voice echoed through the room, loud and scary but Lena didn't jerk in fear.Staring at everything in the room but him, she shrugged and said. "You told me to sleep in the living room and that was exactly what I did." Darian said nothing, he stood straight, gawking at her but she made sure she didn't raise her head to look at him, she knew his eyes would be bloodshot from how raspy his voice sounded, but she cared less.He picked up the wristwatch from the cabinet and wore it over his wrist, he adjusted his tie and Lena secretly admired her husband. He looked so handsome in the black suit he wore, his shoe shone so brightly and she could bet it was worth thousands of dollars.She wished she could stand up and help him with the tie —that was the kind of life she fantasized about with her husband. But she couldn't, she sat down there and watched him do his thing till he left the bedroom.Darian strode to the garage and the driver was already waiting for him, he took the bag from him while he went to meet with the bodyguards."No one leaves or enters this house today aside from Tina and me." He said authoritatively.They nodded their heads in understanding and Darian left them, he went back to join Jay in the car.--
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A few hours later, the car arrived at his destination, he clutched his hands together in anxiety, and he raised his head slightly to check if everyone was around. Seeing their cars, he knew they were all waiting for him to show up, he whispered some words to Jay, and they hurried out of the car.
There was a sit-down at Dawson's secret chambers located at Park Avenue, and Darian's presence was highly demanded as the prospective don.He got into the dark room, and heaved a sigh —he was there again. He could easily make out his seat, and recognized everyone who was seated, even though the room was dark. As he walked towards his seat, Jay followed closely behind.He sat down and whispered to Jay to lower his gun, he stared at all the faces, and at that moment, a dim light came on."Darian is here!" A shrill voice beamed. "Shall we proceed with the meeting?" An elderly man who owned the voice asked them and they agreed without hesitation.There was decorum in the large room, as everyone awaited what he was about to say."Darian! You should be punished for getting married without inviting us." Gaius, the elderly man from before, rebuked him. His bodyguards pointed their guns at Darian but he curbed them with his hands."Yes, he should. You don't acknowledge us as family members!" Another one chirped in, and the bright lights came out at that moment. He was a man in his mid-forties, had a well-chiselled face, a body that fit for a model, and one that would make any lady bow to his feet, he had a pretty face and there was only a little difference between him and Darian.Darian turned to him with a heavy scowl on his face, he said nothing and just gawked at him as he spoke."The Dawson family should be respected and anyone who does anything without our consent is not fit to be in our midst." Another man concluded, Darian stared at his uncles and just shook his head lightly, a sly smile playing on his lips."I have got a wife, when would I be crowned as the Don of the Dawson Mafia family?" He demanded as he stared into their faces, trying to read their expressions but it was blank as they all seemed to be taken aback by his response to their words.When no one gave a response to his question, he slammed the table hard and had the wines arranged on it rumbling and almost falling to the ground.He stood up and stared at them. His finger moved from face to face. "This post rightfully belonged to my father before he died. It's so unfortunate, he wasn't able to mount it before he died...""Yes, because he died a coward and left behind an illegitimate child." Judson jibed, mainly to get on Darian's nerves."Watch your mouth, Judson," Darian warned, jerking a finger at him."And what would you do if I didn't? What?" He stood up and headed towards Darian. "Would that change the fact that your mother was a prostitute who your father slept with in his tipsy state?" Judson glared into Darian's eyes."Watch your tongue!" Darian roared and made for Judson, he clutched his cloth to his neck and almost suffocated him but Judson's bodyguards were quick to rescue him from Darian. "Watch how you talk to me, you old fool." He warned him.Gaius stared at them and smiled, he had always admired Darian, he had a short temper and could easily pull a bullet to anyone's head, he had all it took to be the Don."Whatever happened between my parents is none of your fucking business." Darian cussed, his jaw clenching as he glared at Judson."We shall meet with your wife, and when we are satisfied with the woman you married, we shall start with the coronation rituals," Gaius announced to them, completely ignoring their banters."That was not the plan Gaius!" Darian frowned. "My father couldn't take the throne because he was killed...""Your father didn't take the throne because he didn't prove to be a responsible man, and he was a coward while he lived." Gaius corrected Darian.Darian loathed whenever his father was referred to as a coward, it hurt down to his spine and he just wanted to prove to them that he was largely different from his father."That was why we asked you to marry a wife, to have a home and avoid an illegitimate child the second time." His words hurt Darian, but he held down the pain, he couldn't disrespect Gaius. "I am not an illegitimate child, I am the real son of my father," Darian argued."All thanks to DNA. Your mother was never accepted by the family and you could as well be an illegitimate child." Gaius curtly stated.Darian exchanged a glare with Gaius and said nothing."Now that you have proven that you can be better than your father, we would consider giving the throne to you but that's after we've met your wife and asked her some crucial questions." He told Darian. "Schedule a date to bring her to Dawson's family house, that's where the meeting will be held." He finalized.Darian bowed to Gaius and took his seat, no matter how rude Gaius was to him. He had to respect him at all costs."The Antonioni family brought in some new weapons, and they asked that we come to check. As you all know that we need to restock the Dawson family warehouse, we do not have enough weapons anymore." Joe, who was the secretary and an uncle to Darian informed them, and they all agreed to pay some money into the family account to get the weapons."Darian, you are the youngest here, and you should respect your uncles before you mount the throne as the Don," Gaius said to Darian, his brows lashing against one another, and his eyes focused on Darian."You should tell Judson to watch his mouth and stop talking about my parents in such a disrespectful manner." Darian intoned.Gauis cautioned Judson, but that didn't change the fact that they loathed each, and would never agree on terms. Judson wanted the throne as much as Darian did and he would do anything to get rid of Darian."That would be all for today. But before we leave. I would like to issue a warning to you all." Gaius lit his tobacco for the first time, gingerly taking a drag. He looked up at them and smiled. "Enemies are lurking around. I got some information that they are on the lookout for the Dawson family. I want you all to tread carefully and watch your backs." He stared at their faces, wiggling his head as he spoke."Do you have an idea who's behind this?" Darian asked Gaius. "Any family you know about?""I don't know anyone but our men are out, and there are informants everywhere. They broke into the warehouse two days ago and went with some of our weapons. The bodyguards on duty have been held down though and they are still going through interrogation because they easily let them in." Gaius poured the blue wine into the small cup in front of him and sipped it gently, he dropped the cup and looked back at them."How come we didn't know about this?" Judson asked him."I got the report late and I wanted to thoroughly investigate before talking about it," Gaius answered him."They stole from us?" Darian asked with a scoff. "They must be some baby Mafia who don't have enough money to get their weapons. I suspect the guards on duty, they should be dealt with.""That's what we are doing and I hope they confess. No one steals from the Dawson family unless you are ready to die. We worked hard for everything we have today!" Gaius took a drag and sent the smoke to the ceilings. "That would be all for today." He concluded the meeting and they all vacated the venue.--Lena was scrolling through the messages in her email when she suddenly stopped at one. She opened the message, and it was a response from Mayfield High school —she had applied for the job as a teacher in the school, and even gone for an interview, she was waiting for a response before Darian married her, and there it was —a response from them, she was one of the few candidates selected to work at Mayfield High School.She jumped for joy when she saw the mail, she thought they had forgotten about her."Oh my God, oh my God!" She read the mail over and over again till she was too happy to read. "Oh my God, I got the job! I got the job." She genuflected, she was glad she wouldn't have to stay at home all day anymore, she read the message carefully and was meant to resume work the following week.She was still reading through when Jay and Darian barged into the house, she greeted them but only Jay responded to her.Darian ambled across the living room, heading into the room, while Jay stayed back, he spoke and had a chat with Lena before retiring to his duty post. Lena wasn't sure of what to do, she'd been home all day, and Tina prepared some food for Darian before leaving. She kept her phone on the table and stood up, she walked towards the room and stopped abruptly.She didn't want to bump in and see his naked body again, she stayed still for a while. Moving closer to the door, she gently knocked.He didn't respond to her, so she stayed in the hallway. Darian yanked the door open and looked at Lena, she pursed her lips and bowed her head to avoid his stares."Hmm," She raised her head to talk to him but he walked back into the room, she entered behind him.She sat on the bed and wasn't sure of what to say. 'Was she to break the news of the job she just got to him, or ask him how his day went?' She was confused as she secretly stared at him."Get ready, we are going to the Dawson family house tomorrow." His deep husky voice sent chills to get skin, she looked at him and was about to talk but lost the words again. She just didn't know what to say or how to behave around him. "You should be on your best behaviour when you get there, and don't be too quick to give responses to the questions asked. Follow every instruction that I will give to you." He said authoritatively."Am I to meet with your family?" She was nervous."Yeah, you are meeting with the most important members of the Dawson family." He managed to respond to her question. "Oh my, I'm starving." He rubbed his tummy like a little child and Lena smiled. Lena smiled, he could be vulnerable too.She nodded and was about to ask a question when he wore a shirt and left the room to eat some food at the dining table.Lena huffed a sigh, plopping on the end. The questions could wait.7. WHAT IS YOUR NAME?Darian donned a white shirt, a pair of blue trousers, and a black suit jacket. He stood by the mirror side and checked himself. When he was satisfied with his look, he turned back to Lena who was still struggling with finding a decent dress to put on.She was ferreting the closet but she didn't like any of the clothes in there, she hadn't checked them until now, a small scowl marred her face as she rummaged through the closet. 'Why would Darian get her such indecent clothes?' She hissed inwardly, she was not used to exposing her body, and she won't start that now."Haven't you figured out what to wear?" His cold voice propelled quakes to her insides, but she didn't respond to him. She continued the search and got hold of a blue dress that looked longer and covered more parts of her body. She picked it up and heaved a sigh of relief. She dropped it on the bed, standing by the bedside, she looked at him, expecting him to excuse her while she dressed up. "What's t
8. MEETING THE FAMILYThe car pulled up in Dawson's mansion, and Lena's heartbeat intensified —this was the first time she would be meeting with someone from Darian's family, she hoped she would be treated nicely, and nothing like how Darian regaled her.As expected, it was a big mansion with lots of compartments. The outside was painted white and cream, and there was an orchard that beautified the house. Lena sighed, the Dawson family had a thing for flowers, it was evident from how they planted flowers all around the house.Darian pulled up in the garage that contained about ten more luxurious cars, 'They must be wealthy.' Lena thought as she got out of the car, Darian hurried to her side, and helped her out, he placed his hand on her lower back and walked her into the house.The guards welcomed Darian and Lena and accompanied them into the vast living room, as Lena stepped in with Darian, she tried to conceal her nervousness, she checked out the living room, and her jaw dropped, Da
Darian drove out of the garage, and hit the busy road, Lena stared out through the rearview mirror, the tiled road caught her attention, she wanted to talk to her husband but didn't know how to start. His eyes were on the road, and he didn't seem like he wanted to have a conversation with her. She wasn't sure how long she could keep up if he continued to have the cold and emotionless expression on his face.She sighed and was forced to speak out, "I didn't know you are a member of a mafia," she let out, "I have read about them in books but never really had an encounter with one. What do you do in your Mafia?" She asked, patiently waiting for a response.He tightened his hand on the steering wheel, and the car moved at an even higher speed, Lena mashed her lips together and wondered if she had done the wrong thing by asking him that question, but either way, she needed to know, he was her husband and she had to know some things about him."We kill people who don't mind their business,"
Darian crouched down tiredly on his mahogany brown office chair, cradling his head with his hand as he thought of Lena. A smile found its way to his lips; he waved off the thoughts and receded to the file on his table.He had heaps of them to deal with, and it was getting too much for him already. He had been away from the office due to the wedding and introduction stuff; he just had to deal with the files before they became too much for him.A knock at the door caught his attention; knowing who it would be, he gave the order for his secretary to come in.A young lady walked into the vast office. She wore a brown dress that revealed most of her back and stopped far below her knees; she had a yellow blazer hung over her shoulders. She was tall and had white skin that glowed with so much grace, she had long legs she probably liked to reveal. "Hi, Darian," her heels rattled on the tiled floor as she walked toward him. She dropped the files in her hand on the table."It's been a while."
Darian woke up early in the morning, and Lena could feel that he had left her side; she opened her eyes when the lights came on but instantly shut them back when Darian looked toward her side.He strode into the bathroom and had a cold bath before getting out and changing into his workout outfits. When he was done, he donned black shorts, a black singlet, and a pair of red sneakers with black socks. He sat up and flexed his muscles. Lena watched from the corner of her eyes, pretending not to be awake, but she could see everything he was doing.He inserted his AirPods in his ears and grabbed a black hoodie, he wore it over his head, and it stayed on his body. He looked at Lena one more time before leaving the house.Lena flew up Immediately after her husband left the bedroom. She didn't know he worked out too, she loved doing that and hadn't gotten the inspiration since she got to Darian's mansion. Though there was a gym in the house and she had visited there a few times she needed to
After resting for a few hours, she went to have her bath and prepare for work. It was Monday; she was to resume her new job as a teacher at Mayfield high school. Though she hadn't told her husband yet, she was willing to say it to him after she was dressed and ready to leave the house.She shuffled back into the bedroom, and Darian wasn't in yet. She thanked her stars as she hurriedly dressed up before he could come in; she wore a long red skirt that stopped after her knees, a white shirt, a black blazer to complete, and low fast red shoes.She combed and applied her hair cream, which smelled like mint. She packed the hair backwards and let out a smug smile. She wasn't a makeup fan, but she rubbed a little bit of powder on her face and lip gloss on her moist and plump lips.She picked up one of the bags Darian got her and checked the mirror.She was still staring at the mirror when the door flung open; she composed herself and waited for him to come in.He didn't notice that she was a
"How was your first night with him?" Lisa asked Lena, and a naughty chuckle followed her question.Lena shook her head, "I haven't had my first night with him. Don't expect godchildren anytime soon." She chuckled back a response."Why?" She was disappointed. "Why haven't you two consummated your marriage?""I don't know Lisa, I don't think he's ready, and I'm thankful he's not in a rush too, because I don't think I'm ready as well," Lena said to her friend."Hmm, are you serious about that?" Lisa asked her."Yes, I am very sure about it. I'm just in this marriage, and I don't know where it would lead, I hope my father gets to pay him back, I want to return home." Lena whined, raking her fingers through her hair."Is it very hard for you to live with him? Is he not being nice to you?" Lena smiled, she easily detected the panic in her friend's tone."I don't know him, Lisa. I don't know the man I married, he's always busy with books if he's not in the office, and sometimes he doesn't ev
14. DON'T GO AGAINST MY WORDSDarian got back that night and didn't meet Lena in the room. He hurried out to ask his bodyguards but claimed not to have seen her, then he remembered he had told her to go into hiding if anything came up, but from what he was told, there was no attack in the house.He rushed to the secret room, entered the code, and the door slid open. He got in and saw her lying on the bed. He moved closer to her, sat on the bed, and watched her sleep peacefully. He wanted to stroke her hair, caress her fingers, or do other things to her but he held back.He hoped that she would wake up from sleep, and go back to the bedroom. He wasn't comfortable that she was in the secret room —it was built for a different purpose.He stood up and carried her into the main bedroom, Lena had no idea what was going on with her, she let out a soft yawn when she landed on the bed. She stirred on the bed, opening her eyes to glimpse Darian staring at her. She jumped up and grabbed his arm.