My heart raced as I struggled to find words, my mind reeling with a whirlwind of emotions.
I blinked my eyes twice, hoping it was not her. It can never be my Sarah that was before me. Never! But as I gazed into her eyes, I saw the truth reflected back at me. “Sarah, what are you doing here?” I asked her in disbelief. “Lorenzo,” she muttered. “What are you doing here?” I asked her again because that was all that mattered to me at that moment. “I…I…” It suddenly became clear to me that she was there to have sex with Michael, given her stuttering and appearance, although I had initially hoped for a different reason. “You must be kidding me.” I scoffed. I could not believe my eyes as my world fell apart before I realised that the very woman around whom my life revolved was cheating on me. With that jerk, for that matter! Then the devil himself showed up. “I guess everything has been revealed.” He chuckled as he appeared from behind the door. Both I and Sarah were surprised as our gaze fell on him. Sarah lifted her chin up in confusion, furrowing her brows in confusion. “What is going on here?” I asked him, scrunching my face. “Well, since you haven't fully realised..." He chuckled and shifted his gaze to Sarah. “I'm sorry, darling. I planned everything to show him that poverty-stricken jerks like him cannot possess treasures like you. It is never possible.” He grinned satisfactorily. I could not believe my ears; instantly, my mind flashed back to a few weeks ago when Sarah came to meet me at the company. She brought me my lunch because I had been eating out for days due to being busy. I noticed that while we were conversing, Henry, who was talking to the manager, was busy ogling at her ass, which fit snugly in her gown, making me uncomfortable. Yes, Sarah was indeed a treasure to possess. Aside from the love I had for her, her body was stunning and could make heads turn wherever she went. She had a curvaceous body that didn't need her to try her best to reveal itself in whatever fabric she wore. After she left me, I saw her conversing with Henry outside the company, but she did not give him any attention. His expression etched defeat as she left the scene, leaving him standing with his jaw dropping as I observed them from inside. She told me everything that happened between them even before I could bring up the issue when I returned home, recounting how she embarrassed him with words, leaving him speechless. We laughed it off as she claimed that she would never have anything to do with someone like him, which made butterflies churn in my belly. That night was the day I realised that I had found the other piece of me and that her heart could not be bought with money. Little did I know that I was bluffing, because how did someone who seemed to be my heaven-sent lover turn out to be cheating on me with someone I least accepted? Thinking of the worst treatment I received from Michael since that day broke my heart more. I had expected her to flare up at the fact that Michael played her, making her get caught in his web of ridiculous game, but she didn't. She remained calm instead, maintaining her usual expression. Seeing that I was motionless and speechless due to the shock from everything that had happened, Michael collected the delivery bag from me, spread his arm around her shoulder, and finally, with a derisive wink, closed the door while I remained frozen. But before the door could finally close, I wanted to call her name—a plea for her to have a re-think of her decision and return to me—but word failed me as it ended up being a whisper. Even though I was heartbroken and never expected to catch her in such an act, I earnestly hoped that she would return to me. I was willing to accept her back into my life if she apologised, but she did not. She did not even show any sign of remorse or redemption. I turned to leave in defeat after seconds had passed of me standing in front of the door like an uninvited guest. That was when I realised that it had been raining. As I entered the rain to leave, the ominous clouds overhead seemed to mirror the heartbreak raging within him. The rain poured down in torrents, drenching me to the bone as I walked, each drop feeling like a heavy blow, echoing the weight of betrayal and heartache I carried. “What could be her reason for cheating on me?” I halted, trying to reflect on what could be her reason. “Did he offer her a huge amount of money?” I shunned the thought because she was not the type to be won over with money. “Fuck it!” I turned with determination to leave with her so that we would talk it out, discuss extensively about it, and settle it. I just could not live without her. I could not picture myself without her. Finally, I reached out a trembling hand and pounded on the door. “Micheal, you motherfucker. I dare you to open this door if you have the balls. I am not leaving here without Sarah. She is mine!” I screamed at them, especially him, to hear me regardless of the rain and thunder, not bothered by the threat the action posed to my job. As the door swung open after some minutes, it revealed Michael's smirking face, and the tempest of emotions brewing within me was nothing compared to the storm raging outside. “Well, well, well, Did you forget something?" He taunted, his voice dripping with mock. I squared my shoulders, refusing to back down. "I'm not leaving without Emily, Michael. Yes, you've won, but that's it!" I shot back, my tone laced with barely contained fury. Sarah appeared and hovered behind Michael, her eyes darting nervously between us. "Please, Lorenzo, just leave, please." She pleaded, her voice tinged with guilt. Although her utterance shattered my heart into fragments, I was determined to leave there with her, and nothing or no one could stop me. In determination, I tried to force myself in to drag Sarah out of there, but he kept blocking my way, which erupted the pent-up anger in me, prompting me to land a punch on his face, hence, making him fall to the ground. Sarah gasped and approached me. She stood in front of me as she held my arms, a plea for me to stop my raging display which was already beyond my control. Her gaze was filled with guilt as she looked deep into my eyes. "Please, stop this.” Even though her touch still sent electricity coursing through my body like it usually did, her pleas fell on my deaf ears. Michael cleaned the blood of stains off his lips. “Trust me, you will surely regret this.” He smirked. But I considered his threat a bluff because I was confident that he would be no match for me if we were to go fist-for-fist. The fact that he still did not see anything wrong with what he had done vexed me, prompting me to approach him and land a punch on his face again, but Sarah stopped me as she gripped my arms tightly. “I never meant for any of this to happen, but it has. Please just leave for now.” She muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. Michael's grin turned predatory as he stepped forward, closing the distance between us. "You never meant for what to happen, Sarah? Getting caught?" He sneered, his words like venom. I could not believe that he could still confidently speak, knowing fully well that I could end his life if I wanted to right there. I turned, standing toe-to-toe with him, and bristled, my fists clenched at my sides. "Enough of this, Michael. I am taking her with me whether you like it or not." I growled, my voice thick with anger. “You can't even stop me if you want to.” I chuckled as I held her hand to leave with her. But Michael only laughed. "You wish." Little did I know that his threats were not bluffs until two cops showed up before I could reply to him or leave with Sarah. "Hey, mister,” my attention was directed to where the voice came from. I was shocked to see them, not knowing their reason for being there. “You are under arrest.” The second cop said, which surprised me because they didn't even bother to ask what was happening. “For what?” I asked, furrowing my brows.“You are under arrest for physically assaulting Mr. Michael and for causing disturbance in his peaceful house.” The other cop replied.“What?” I was surprised that they did not interrogate any of us before coming to a conclusion. That is exactly what they were expected to do.“Just get him out of here.” That was when it dawned on me that that was the reason Michael said that I would regret my actions. He had obviously called them before he showed up behind the door.I could not believe the cops meant their words until one of them started approaching me.My eyes locked with Sarah’s as I expected her to plead with Michael on my behalf, even though everything that happened before me moments ago broke my heart, but she did not.She seemed not to take what was happening anymore and left, her eyes tinged with pity, leaving me with Michael and the two cops.“What the hell are you doing? This is a violation of my rights.” I wanted to call their senses into them as if they had been spellboun
As I was returned to the cell, I reflected on my conversation with Sarah. “Is it really over between us? That I thought I had found an eternal love and soul mate.” I shook my head.Devastated and heartbroken, I finally decided to agree to the terms set by Michael, as long as I would be set free.“I will make sure he pays for everything he has done to me in a hundred folds till this moment.” I swore under my breath, full of determination.I knew that I would still be ridiculed and humiliated by him—at least once—but I was determined that once I leave there, I will start working on my payback for him—for coming in between and separating me and Sarah.I asked to see the cop who arrested me since he seemed to be on his payroll.“Tell Michael that I'm ready to do as he said.” I informed the cop.Time slowly ticked by. As seconds become minutes, and minutes stretch into hours. Finally, when the sun was setting in the sky, the door to my cell creaked open, and I heard my name called out.“Y
"Hey!" I shouted, my voice ragged from the exertion. "Stop!"He did not react; he did not even flinch at my cry. With a few more strides, my legs pumping furiously, I reached him.Throwing myself at him, I managed to get a grip around his middle just as he was about to fall. With a grunt of effort, I heaved backwards, using every ounce of strength to divert his trajectory.The two of us went tumbling as we hit the ground hard with a bone-jarring thud. Gasping for air, I disentangled myself and pushed up on my hands to get a look at my would-be rescuee. He was already trying to clamber back to his feet, eyes wild and teeth bared in a feral snarl."What's wrong with you, man?" I wheezed, frantically scanning for anything that could subdue him without serious harm. "Snap out of it! Are you under some kind of spell?"He did not respond.Though his face was obscured in the shadows, I could sense the anger radiating off of him in waves. His body was tensed, fists clenched at his sides a
“What if what?” Chris stared back at me intently, hungering for whatever I wanted to say.Pausing for effect, I drew in a long, measuring breath before continuing in a low, resonant tone. "What if there was a way to get back at those responsible? To make them pay for what they've done?"He scoffed in disbelief. “And what could that be?”I informed him that since his daughter was not yet legally eligible to succeed him, I should be his successor until then. "With that position, I can uncover those responsible and punish them," I added.He looked at me with scornful contempt, chuckling bitterly. "Do you think the world is a child's play? It is far more complex than people like you perceive it to be."Little did he know how determined I was to attain that position and become the person I now aspired to be.I tried to convince him that I could, even though I didn't know how. I was fueled by determination, but he still underestimated me."I don't need that," he said."I've accepted this a
Two years had passed since I, now known as Vicario, had shed my old identity and embraced a new life in the heart of Italy. The bustling streets of New York were a distant memory, replaced by the rustic charm of Italian villas and the sprawling estates that I now call my domain. Though my title was consigliere to Chris, earned through years of rigorous legal study, my reputation as Vicario struck fear into the hearts of many across the country. The man who was once looked down on in New York had evolved into a powerful force, amassing immense wealth and influence. My transformation was complete—not only in spirit but in body as well. My once slender frame, reminiscent of a man perpetually on the edge of starvation, was now powerfully built, thanks to years of intense training, and had been sculpted into a figure of power and intimidation. And my face, once soft and youthful, had hardened into a rugged visage with a thick moustache that masked any remnants of my former self.Contra
"Mr. Savino?" One of the two men called out as I approached.I immediately realised Henderson had sent them to pick me up from the airport, despite my instructions not to. This kind of action might have been what led Sophia's kidnapper to connect her with Chris."I assume you gentlemen are here for me," I said, stopping in front of them. I offered a handshake to the one who seemed to be the boss—a man with a wrinkled face and a scar on his forehead. He glanced at my hand sceptically before scoffing and ignoring it."Follow us," he ordered curtly, muttering something inaudible afterward.I felt slighted by the snub. Normally, I wouldn't have offered a handshake, especially in Italy, but I had hoped to be friendly in order not to arouse suspicion from any of them."What are you waiting for? Did your legs stop working?" The wrinkled man called out impatiently, raising his eyebrows after he had turned, seeing that I was still fixated on the same spot.His subordinate smirked. With a f
As I descended the grand staircase, the gang members and mansion workers who had assembled in the spacious living room fixed their eyes on my every move. The gang members dominated the centre, their tailored suits a contrast to the cowering workers huddling in the corner. The workers' nervous glances darted between me and their superiors.The air crackled with tension, thick enough to cut with a knife. Hostile glares bore into me, questioning my right to be there and the reason for the assembly.Reaching the far end of the room, I turned to face the expectant assembly, my back to the fireplace.My hand moved to my pocket, retrieving a cigarette and lighter with deliberate slowness. The click of the lighter cut through the silence, and the smell of tobacco filled the air as I took a long, measured drag.I exhaled slowly, the smoke curling around me like a shroud as my eyes swept over the assembled faces.Their gazes were hungry, impatient to know why I had summoned them.The cigarett
“Lorenzo, before you sign out, I want you to make one last delivery for the day.” I was walking to the staff room to sign out on the logbook when Ben's words, the manager's, prompted me to turn in frustration.I had been making deliveries since the company opened and even had to work overtime because one of the two other people that was meant to be on shift with me called in sick.The same Ben told me to cover the person's tasks, which I unhesitatingly did, but it seemed I could never satisfy him or the owner of the company, Michael Anderson, no matter what I did. I had been working for the fast food delivery company for two years, but I had never been rewarded for my diligence. Many people who were employed after me had been promoted, but I had never even been rewarded once.But I never cared about it. Even though I was nobody and had nothing, I had never sought validation from people and would never.Regardless of how Michael considered me and treated me like I was worthless and s