"Don't come closer." I said, moving away from him in fear. My heart beat in trepidation as I stared at the men he had just shot in front of me, lying in a pool of blood. "Let me explain, Emily." He pleaded but I didn't want to hear him. He is Alejandro Russo. The man that everyone avoided. All this while, I thought he was just an ordinary man named Alejandro. A man who loved to read novels just like me but I was wrong. "I won't hurt you." He said, but I shook my head. All I wanted was to run far away from him. He is nothing but a monster. A cold-blooded monster. My father always told me to stay away from the mafia because they were dangerous and I couldn't believe I had fallen in love with one. ā What happens when she finds out that the person she fell in love with is no other than the mafia? An enemy her father is solely against? Find out in this suspense-filled romantic mafia novel about the journey of Emily Garcia and the ruthless Alejandro Russo.
Tears rolled down my cheek profusely as I hugged my knees. I feel betrayed. It hurts so much that I cannot take it. He lied to me. Everything with him has been a lie all this while.
He is a Mafia but I never knew. When I first met him, he looks like every normal men and the best part of it was, he loves to read book.
It was an instant connection and attraction from the both of us but when I found out my real identity, it felt as if my whole world came crashing down.
How did I find out? Let me tell you how it all started.
-----šµšµ-----
"No, no, no; you are doing it all wrong." My ballet instructor Gigi huffed. She walked over to me and adjusted my hands, "Keep your hands light but firm. You should be doing an arabesque. Au lieu de cela, Vous Vous debates comme un poulet."
(Instead, you thrash about like a chicken)
Gigi has been my ballet coach since the first minute I took an interest in it. Her dark hair is always pulled in a chignon at the base of her neck and she has sharp hazel eyes that can bore into your soul.
She used to be a dancer at the Paris Opera but a bad injury to her back ruined her career. Now she trains girls like me; a lot of people don't like her because she comes across as mean and bitter but she is just a perfectionist.
"Je suis desole, Gigi." I mumbled sheepishly, she hasn't reprimanded me like this in years and I feel bad for upsetting her.
(I'm sorry Gigi)
She sighed, "Come here," I dropped the pose and made my way over to her, "What's wrong? You are usually my star student; what happened to you today?"
"I'm just a bit out of it today, that's all."
"Well, I think you are done for today."
"But-,"
"Don't interrupt me, girl," she held up a finger, "Go take a shower and go home. If you practice like this then you will hurt yourself."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize," she told me, "Just make sure that when you come back; you are at your best. Understood?"
"Yes, Gigi."
"Good, now go take a shower; you smell like a Parisian sewer."
I stifled my laugh and hurried over to the studio showers. An advantage of having a one-on-one class is that the showers are always empty and I can take my time.
I took a long hot shower and changed into leggings and an oversized sweatshirt. I don't have my blow dryer with me so I settled for towel drying my hair and pulling it up into a ponytail.
"Au revoir, Gigi," I called out.
(Goodbye)
"Au revoir mon Ć©tudiant vedette; prends soin de toi."
(Goodbye my star student; take care of yourself)
When Gigi first started teaching me she would speak nothing but French. I was so upset but she told me that if I was not willing to learn French then I should get out of her studio. A lot of people would say that is a mean thing to say to a five-year-old but it helped.
Now, I am proud to say that I am perfectly fluent. I stepped out of the studio and debated on going home now or finding somewhere to bide my time.
The latter won out and after putting my duffel bag in the car, I found myself at the door of Tina's CafƩ. I found it when I was still in college and they make the best lattes and scones.
I paid for my coffee and scones but frowned when I couldn't find an empty seat. It's not uncommon for the cafƩ to be busy but I have never seen it this full. I was about to leave when I noticed an empty seat at the back.
I made my way over and slowed when I noticed a man sitting just opposite. It's no wonder people aren't sitting here, he has serious 'get away from me vibes'.
His hair is as black as night and I can't see his eyes because they are hidden in the pages of a book- a familiar book.
"Hi," I said softly, "Is this seat taken?"
He looked up and my breath hitched- he is beautiful. His face looks like it could have been sculpted from marble; with his sharp jawline and cheekbones and not to mention the intensity behind his dark eyes. It is almost like his eyes are searing into my skin.
"Not at all," his voice was like gravel and I forced myself to swallow as I took the seat opposite him.
"That's a nice book." I said not wanting him to ignore me for the book, "I read it a few months back."
He was holding a copy of 'The Fault in Our Stars by John Greene.
"I haven't gone so far in."
"It's heartbreaking but it's a good read," I told him, starting a conversation when I warned myself not to.
"So I heard," he stated, "Did you cry when you read it?"
I flushed pink at his words and nodded, "In my defense, I wasn't expecting the plot twist. You'll be surprised to see that you cry as well."
"I sincerely doubt that." He replied.
"Hmm. That's what some people said at first but ended up getting emotional," I replied, recalling how Steven, a friend of mine had lied about not getting emotional while reading the book until his younger sister Allison ratted him out and even showed a video she secretly took of him in that state.
"What's your name?" He asked suddenly and my brow rose slightly.
"Emilia; but you can just call me Emily."
"Well Emily," he began, "I'm Alejandro and it's nice to meet you. Also, I'm not like other people," he replied.
At that moment, our eyes met for some seconds and I felt a jolt of electricity run down my spine.
I immediately looked away, "Are you Spanish?"
"Oui," he replied.
"I could guess that from your name," I told him with a smile on my face.
"And you? Emilia is an Italian name is it not?" He asked, sounding interested.
"I'm not Italian," I chuckled, "My mum is a fan of books and she named me after Emily Bronte."
"Is she the reason you started to read?"
"Yes; she would read me stories in bed and while other girls got makeup as gifts, I would get tons of books."
"Did you want makeup?" He asked and I gasped.
"Hell no," I laughed, "I love to read."
"I can tell. I also love to read books when I'm not being me," he replied and I curled my lips to the side, wondering what he meant by that but didn't ask more about the meaning of his statement.
"Well it is refreshing to find me in the company of a fellow reader," he remarked
"No offense; but if I didn't see you with that book then I would have never guessed that you love to read," I told him the truth and I wouldn't have spoken to him.
"Looks can be deceiving; remember that princess."
My cheeks flushed crimson at the nickname and he smirked at my reaction.
The book is his hand falling on the table and I stretched my hands to get it for him, an action I did without thinking and my hand grazed him just as I reached for the book and it felt like the most perfect thing ever. His fingers stroked small circles over the back of my palm and butterflies exploded in my belly.
"What's your favorite read of the year?" he asked, effectively snapping me out of my thoughts, "I might just be looking for something to read when I'm done with this one."
"That's a really hard question. I... would have... to think about it." I stuttered, trying to comfort myself.
"Well, you can always tell me when you figure it out." He dug into his pocket and took out his phone, "If I have your number then you can just text me."
Even though it was a bit difficult, I took his phone with my left hand and punched it with my digits. I'm not ready for him to let go of my hand yet.
"I'll shoot you a text so you can save my number."
"I'll be sure to do that."
We continued to converse. We spoke about the books we have read and it turns out most of them he has read, and I have read them too. I do not know for how long we have been talking but I could care less and I was enjoying speaking to him.
His phone buzzed and he let out a small curse.
"I'm sorry, but I have to go." He said and disappointment filled me.
"It's okay; I should probably be heading home anyway," I replied.
"I wouldn't mind dropping you off at home."
"It's okay; my driver waits for me in front of the ballet studio." I cringed when I realized what I just said, "I sound like an entitled princess, don't I?"
"Not at all," he assured me as he led me to my feet, "Come; let's not keep your driver waiting."
I picked up my coffee that I did not end up drinking and my bag of scones and followed him out the door.
That was how our relationship began.
āYou canāt tell men to stay away from me. You can tell me who to go out with. I own myself and you have no right!ā Diane chided. āYou are my wife so I can tell you what to do,ā he retorted almost immediately. She moved closer to him, āI was your wife, not anymore. Thatās the keyword.ā Desmond let out a small laugh, moving closer to her. āYou have always loved me Diane and you will forever be mine. You can fight it as much as you want but let me tell you this, you are mine, nobody else, and any man that makes a move towards you will be an enemy for life.ā Three months after Diane and Desmond divorced and went their separate ways, they meet again and this time, Diane is no longer the woman she used to be. Desmond had only realized how much he loved Diane after she left him and now he'd do anything to have her. Will Diane go back to the man who hurt her and constantly reminded her that he'd never love her and even cheated on her? Read to find out.
Adrian Castillo promised hell to Sophia Cox from the first day he met her. He was forced to marry her for his grandfather to help her father's company and so he disliked her. Adrian is who you'd describe as a sexy, arrogant, and intelligent man. He was one of the most wanted bachelors in the States and girls would kill to have him. Sophia is a timid, calm, and innocent twenty years old girl who had to marry Adrian to save her father's company. When these two get married, it's fire and ice combining to be one. Will Adrian be able to love Sophia or will Sophia be burned by Adrian's fire and no ship is formed? Read to find out how it was for Sophia to be married to one of the top billionaires in the State; Adrian Castillo.
Christiana and Andrew have been dating for over three years. Everything was going well for them until Andrew revealed his true identity to her as the heir to one of the biggest billionaires in the USA. Leaving her life behind in Switzerland to accompany Andrew and see his world turns out to be the opposite of everything she dreams of. With Andrew's mother not hiding her disdain for Christiana and his ex-girlfriend who would do anything to get her man, Christiana is in a fix where she has to decide her fate to avoid her fate decided for her.
"Love is blind!" Lucinda abandoned her beautiful and comfortable life because of a man. She married him and slaved off for him for three long years. One day, the scales finally fell off her eyes. She realized that all her efforts were in vain. Her husband, Nathaniel still treated her like shit. All he cared about was his lover. "Enough is enough! I quit wasting my years with an ungrateful man!" Lucinda's heart was shattered into many pieces, but she summoned up the courage to ask for a divorce. The news caused a stir online! A filthy rich young woman recently got divorced? She was a good catch! Countless CEOs and handsome young men immediately swarmed to her like bees to honey! Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. He held a press conference and begged with teary eyes, "I love you, Lucinda. I can't live without you. Please come back to me." Would Lucinda give him a second chance? Read to find out!
"Sign the divorce papers and get out!" Leanna got married to pay a debt, but she was betrayed by her husband and shunned by her in-laws. Seeing that her efforts were in vain, she agreed to divorce and claimed her half of the properties. With her purse plump from the settlement, Leanna enjoyed her newfound freedom. The constant harassment from her ex's mistress never fazed her. She took back her identities as top hacker, champion racer, medical professor, and renowned jewelry designer. Then someone discovered her secret. Matthew smiled. "Will you have me as your next husband?"
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Letās get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the companyās CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
"Never let anyone treat you like shit!" I learned that the hard way. For three years, I lived with my in-laws. They didn't treat me as their son-in-law but as a slave. I put up with everything because of my wife, Yolanda Lambert. She was the light of my life. Unfortunately, my whole world came crashing down the day I caught my wife cheating on me. I have never been so heartbroken. To have my revenge, I revealed my true identity. I was none other than Liam Hoffmanāthe heir of a family with trillions of dollars in assets! The Lamberts were utterly shocked after the big reveal. They realized what fools they had been for treating me like trash. My wife even knelt down and begged for my forgiveness. What do you think I did? Did I take her back or made her suffer? Find out!
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wifeās countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. āLetās get married again.ā
After three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon. Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"