《A Night With The Ruthless Mafia Don》 Chapter 1: How it all started A ck Ferrari elegantly parked in front of a penthouse, its engine purring to a halt. From the car emerged a woman, a wide smile gracing her features. She was wearing a ck leather on ck trousers, matching it with a pair of ck boots.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Under the bright moonlight, her oval face was cast in a gentle glow as she walked toward the entrance of the luxurious penthouse. The penthouse emanated an atmosphere of understated elegance, its soft lighting casting a serene ambiance. This was the domain of her lover, Alejandro Gambino. Thedy whose name was Marisa, stepped into thevish penthouse. Her heart quickened, and her breath caught in her throat when her gazended on her lover, Alejandro, who was sitting on a ck couch. Alejandro sat on the couch, dressed in only a pair of ck trousers. His wavy, chestnut hair was neatly styled, adding a touch of charm to his otherwise rugged appearance. His piercing eyes, a deep shade of hazel, were focused intently on his phone, reflecting both intelligence and concentration. His abs were well-defined, showcasing his dedication to fitness, with just the right bnce of strength and tone. Immediately Alejandro heard someone walking in, he took his gaze off his phone, and his lips curved into an handsome smile when he saw his girlfriend, Marisa. Marisa, on the other hand, remained utterly transfixed in her ce, her gaze locked onto her strikingly handsome boyfriend, as if she¡¯d never seen him before. Actually, that was the first time she would be seeing his face in five weeks. It was as if the world had faded away, leaving only him to captivate her senses. Alejandro dropped his phone beside him and rose up to his feet. He stood at an impressive height, around 7 feet tall, giving him amanding presence in the room. Tears welled up in Marisa¡¯s eye as she felt the intensity of Alejandro¡¯s gaze. The air around them crackled with palpable tension. ¡°Alejandro,¡± she whispered, quickening her steps and embracing him tightly. ¡°Missed me that much, did you?¡± Alejandro¡¯s chuckle resonated as he returned her embrace. ¡°More than you can imagine,¡± Marisa confessed as she tightened the hug, showing how much she really missed him. ¡°I missed you to, sweetheart.¡± Alejandro said, slowly stroking her hair. They held each other in that warm embrace, feeling the rhythm of their heartbeats sync as if they were two halves of a perfect whole. Time stood still as they shared the most beautifulnguage of all ¨C thenguage of love. After five minutes, Marisa slowly broke the hug while keeping her arms draped around his neck. Her gaze lingered on his handsome face, her affection evident. ¡°Words can¡¯t express how much I missed you, Alejandro,¡± Marisa said in a soft voice as she stared directly at his face. Tears were still rolling down her cheeks as she spoke in a soft voice. ¡°I missed you too, Marisa,¡± Alejandro said, wiping the tears on her face with his thumb. ¡°We¡¯ve been apart a month apart, yet every call I made went unanswered. I was truly worried, not knowin for your whereabouts or if you were safe.¡± His concern was palpable in his voice. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Alejandro. My parents kept me confined, denying me the freedom to leave the house or even use my phone. It was beyond my control, and I deeply apologize.¡± Marisa said softly in an apologetic voice. ¡°Speaking of your parents, I haven¡¯t had the chance to meet them, but they must be quite strict if they can keep you so sheltered,¡± Alejandro mused. ¡°Yes, they are rather strict, but I still love them,¡± Marisa replied with a genuine smile. ¡°On another note, you haven¡¯t shared much about your parents with me either. I¡¯m quite curious to meet them someday.¡± Alejandro said, ¡°I tend to avoid discussing my parents. By the way, you also haven¡¯t shared much about your parents either, so I suppose we¡¯re in simr positions.¡± ¡°True enough,¡± Alejandro agreed with a chuckle. ¡°Let¡¯s set aside parental matters for now and focus on more enjoyable activities,¡± Marisa proposed yfully, her lips tugging seductively at her bottom lip. ¡°What kind of enjoyable activities?¡± Alejandro inquired, though he already had a fair idea of what she meant. ¡°Activities along these lines,¡± she replied, her hands moving to rest against his chest. Her touch sent a shiver through him as she pressed her curves against him. ¡°Shall we retire to the bedroom, Alejandro?¡± * * Marisa stood before Alejandro. In his bedroom, both of them bare, their gazes locked on each other¡¯s bodies, admiring the contours, curves, and muscles that defined their forms. Alejandro initiated the movement, lifting her effortlessly and cing her gently onto the bed. ¡°Alejandro,¡± her voice, a whispered melody, danced through the air as their eyes locked, igniting a fire that had smoldered beneath the surface for years. ¡°Marisa,¡± his voice, ¡°I¡¯ve yearned for you, Marisa,¡± Alejandro¡¯s admission, a velvety murmur, resonated against her ear as he held her close. Their bodies pressed together, fingers tangling in his hair as hearts raced in unison. ¡°Your absence tormented me as well,¡± Marisa confessed, vulnerability and desire trembling in her voice. His lips brushed her neck, setting aze a fire that consumed reason. ¡°And now, in here,¡± she murmured, surrendering to the tempest of emotions he stirred within her. * * Three weekster, Marisa could be seen discreetly entering an hospital, ncing over her shoulder to ensure no one followed her. d in a ck cardigan, tight jeans, and a face cap, she donned a nose mask as well. Upon reaching the receptionist, she received directions to the doctor¡¯s office. Upon entering the office, the female doctor motioned for her to take a seat across the polished ck desk. ¡°Good afternoon, doctor,¡± Marisa greeted without removing her cap or mask. ¡°Afternoon, ma¡¯am. How can I assist you?¡± the doctor inquired, curious about Marisa¡¯s attire. ¡°I¡¯ve been feeling rather strange since two weeks ago, and I¡¯m growing concerned,¡± Marisa revealed. ¡°In what way have you been feeling strange?¡± the doctor probed. Marisa started exining the ways she had been feeling strange. She exined that she has been dealing with nausea, dizziness, breast tenderness, swelling, and frequent urination. ¡°I¡¯m not sure what¡¯s happening, doc, and it¡¯s kind of scaring me because I¡¯ve never felt this way in my entire life.¡± Marisa confessed. ¡°Ma¡¯am, these symptoms you¡¯re experiencing are indicative of pregnancy,¡± the doctor exined. ¡°What?!¡± Marisa eximed in shock. ¡°You mean I¡¯m pregnant?¡± ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am. You¡¯re indeed pregnant,¡± the doctor confirmed. Chapter 2: How it all started (II) ¡°Are you serious or is this a joke?¡± Marisa questioned. ¡°I assure you, ma¡¯am, I¡¯m being serious. If you¡¯d like, we can conduct a pregnancy test to confirm,¡± the doctor offered. ¡°Yes, let¡¯s do the test. I need to be sure,¡± Marisa agreed. ¡°Very well. Please follow me,¡± the doctor stood up, leading Marisa to the area where the test would be performed. After conducting the test, Marisa was taken aback by the results that confirmed she was three weeks pregnant.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡°Oh my god!¡± she whispered in astonishment, staring at the test results with disbelief. ¡°Congrattions, ma¡¯am.¡± The doctor congratted Marisa. ¡°Thanks.¡± Marisa replied with a fake smile. ¡°You don¡¯t seem happy about your pregnancy.¡± The doctor said after studying Marisa¡¯s expression. ¡°No. I¡¯m actually happy, ¡± Marisa lied. ¡°It¡¯s just that I¡¯m nervous because this is the first time I¡¯ll be getting pregnant.¡± She added. ¡°Alright then. Congrattions once again.¡± The doctor said with a smile stered on her face. ¡°Thanks.¡± Marisa said, maintaining her fake smile, then she walked out of the room Leaving the hospital, she climbed into her car and rested her head on the steering wheel, sobbing quietly. As tears streamed down her face, she muttered, ¡°What am I going to do? My parents must not find out about this, or I¡¯ll be in grave trouble.¡± She sobbed quietly, deeply concerned about her situation. From her statement, one would know that her parents were kind of dangerous or cruel. Her phone rang beside her, and she nced at the caller ID: Alejandro, her lover. She ignored the call, continuing to cry. Despite her phone¡¯s repeated ringing, she didn¡¯t answer. She didn¡¯t want to answer the call because she wasn¡¯t ready to tell him about her pregnancy even though she knew he¡¯d be happy to hear the news. Maria¡¯s phone started ringing again, and when she saw her her father¡¯s name on the screen, her heart raced in fear. Her heart banged soo hard against her ribs she feared it might break through the bones. She continued staring at her phone screen as it ringed. She hesitated but eventually answered the call. ¡°Hello, dad?¡± ¡°Where are you, Marisa?!¡± her father¡¯s thick voice boomed, causing shivers to run down her spine. ¡°I¡­ I went out for a moment,¡± she lied. ¡°And you didn¡¯t take any guards with you?¡± Her father inquired. ¡°Yes¡­. I mean no.¡± Marisa stuttered. ¡°For heaven¡¯s sake, Marisa! How many times have I stressed the importance of guards, especially given who we are? We are mafias, and we have a lot of enemies out there who are waiting for the perfect opportunity to bring down our empire! Don¡¯t you understand?!!!¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, dad.¡± She apologized in a soft voice, trying her best not to break down in tears because that was on of the things her father dreaded the most. ¡°Return to the empire immediately. I have a Mafia meeting to attend, and you¡¯re apanying me,¡± her father ordered in a cold tone. ¡°Understood, dad,¡± Marisaplied before the call ended. Tossing her phone onto the backseat, she sighed heavily, leaning against the headrest. With tears streaming down her face, she contemted the consequences of her parents discovering her pregnancy. Actually, her parents were ruthless mafias who¡¯d never think twice before pulling a bullet in anyone¡¯s skull. Her mother had always warned her not to fall in love with anyone nor have a boyfriend, but she disobeyed her mother by falling in love with Alejandro. Although, Alejandro knew nothing about her mafia family, nor did her parents knew about Alejandro. Each time Alejandro asked about her family, Marisa would always change the topic. Knowing that her parents might force her into an abortion or take even more extreme measures weighed heavily on her, intensifying her tears. ¡°What can I possibly do?¡± she muttered, ovee by distress. Suddenly, an idea struck her. ¡°I know what I must do. I¡¯ll go to Alejandro¡¯s ce and I¡¯ll tell him everything about my mafia family, then we¡¯ll run faraway together,¡± she resolved, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. Starting the car engine, she zoomed away from the city, heading to her boyfriend¡¯s ce, her thoughts consumed by her dilemma. After driving for thirty minutes, her phone rang again, and she reached for it in the back seat. However, in doing so, she lost control of the steering wheel and nearly collided with an oing Range Rover. ¡°Damn it! Watch where you¡¯re going, jerk!¡± she yelled at the Range Rover driver who ignored her, driving on. It seemed like a divine warning to focus on her driving, a message Marisa failed to heed. Reaching for her phone once again as it rang, Marisa managed to grasp it this time. With the intention of answering her boyfriend¡¯s call, she was oblivious to the truck rapidly approaching from behind, its headlights shing as it tried to overtake her. Unbeknownst to Marisa, the truck¡¯s driver believed he had caught her attention with the shing lights, leading him to honk once and elerate, aiming to pass her. As fate would have it, Marisa had arrived at an intersection where she needed to make a right turn to continue on her route. Caught up in the moment and distracted by her phone, she turned the wheel to make the right-hand maneuver, not realizing the truck was dangerously close. In the split second before she spotted the truck, her reflexes kicked in, but it was toote. The car was already halfway into the turn, and the truck was too close to brake in time to avoid a collision. In the blink of an eye, Marisa¡¯s world shifted from one of life to one of chaos. She found herself sprawled beside her mangled car, which had been irreparably damaged in the impact. Blood flowed from her wounds with a frantic urgency, draining her body of its life force. The rapid loss of blood proved too much for her weakened body, and she slipped into unconsciousness. Herst moments were a blur. Through her fading vision, she managed to glimpse the truck driver¡¯s efforts to navigate the massive vehicle past her wrecked car in a desperate bid to escape the tragic scene. There was no opportunity for her to utter her final prayers or bid her farewells. Just as suddenly as the ident had unfolded, darkness enveloped her, the world fading away as she sumbed to unconsciousness. Chapter 3: Dream, but it鈥檚 real Marisa¡¯s eyes fluttered open, and she groaned as the sunlight streamed through the open blinds, casting bright rays onto her face. Attempting to focus, she squinted, her gazending on the white ceiling above her. Her vision shifted to the right, where she noticed a needle discreetly inserted into the back of her right palm. Tracing the thin, straw-like tube connected to the needle, her eyes followed it to a transparent bag suspended in the air by a metal hook, containing a yellowish liquid. Her observations were interrupted by a voice, breaking the silence of the room. ¡°Seems like you¡¯re awake, Marisa Russo?¡± Marisa shifted her attention toward the source of the voice, finding a youngdy standing by the window. ¡°Who are you?¡± Marisa inquired, raising a questioning eyebrow at thedy, who appeared to be around her age. ¡°My name is rabelle. And you are Marisa Russo,¡± thedy, rabelle, responded. ¡°Me? Marisa Russo?¡± Marisa questioned, her hand instinctively reaching to touch her chest. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s your name. Or do you not remember?¡± rabelle¡¯s brows furrowed with concern. ¡°My name? I don¡¯t remember my name,¡± Marisa admitted, her confusion evident. ¡°It¡¯s possible that the ident caused damage to your brain,¡± rabelle exined, walking away from the window. ¡°ident? What ident?¡± Marisa¡¯s confusion deepened. rabelle sighed softly. ¡°I found you unconscious next to a badly damaged car, and brought you here. It appears you suffered a brain injury during the ident.¡± ¡°ident? When did this happen?¡± Marisa¡¯s voice was tinged with bewilderment. ¡°One hour ago.¡± rabelle answered. ¡°I had an ident one hour ago?¡± Marisa asked, still confused. ¡°Based on what I could gather, it seems you¡¯re experiencing a form of amnesia,¡± rabelle exined. ¡°Amnesia?¡± Marisa echoed, uncertainty etching her features. ¡°Yes, a condition where you can¡¯t recall anything about yourself or your past,¡± rabelle rified. ¡°How then do you know my name? Who are you?¡± Marisa¡¯s curiosity persisted. ¡°I found your identity in these,¡± rabelle replied, extending a stack of papers toward Marisa. Taking the papers slowly, Marisa scrutinized the contents. Her confusion deepened when she realized they were pregnancy test results. ¡°These are pregnancy test results,¡± Marisa remarked, lifting her gaze to meet rabelle¡¯s eyes. ¡°Am I pregnant?¡± ¡°Yes. The doctor confirmed you¡¯re three weeks pregnant, and fortunately, the ident didn¡¯t harm the pregnancy,¡± rabelle exined. ¡°How did youe across this information?¡± Marisa inquired. ¡°That¡¯s the only piece of your past that I managed to find when I discovered you unconscious near your wrecked car. It was tucked inside the jacket you were wearing,¡± rabelle answered. ¡°So, I¡¯m going to be a mother?¡± Marisa¡¯s tone was a mixture of amazement and uncertainty. ¡°That¡¯s right. You¡¯re going to be a mother soon, Marisa Russo.¡± rabelle¡¯s response was gentle, offering reassurance in the midst of Marisa¡¯s disoriented reality. * * * Marisa¡¯s eyes snapped open, and she gasped for air as if she had been holding her breath for an eternity. She nced around and she realized that everything was just a dream. The room around her was shrouded in light as the bright rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains. Her heart pounded in her chest, the remnants of her dream still haunting her. It was a dream that shook her to the core. For the past five years, ever since she woke up in the hospital, she kept having the same dream. As the adrenaline slowly receded, Marisa struggled to bring herself back to reality. She could feel the sweat clinging to her skin, the sheets twisted around her limbs, evidence of her restless slumber. Her trembling hands reached for the rm which was ringing on the nightstand. With each slow, deliberate breath, she began to piece together the fragments of her dream. While everyone in the dream appeared as a blur, she alone remained sharply defined. She couldn¡¯t help but wonder if there was some deeper meaning to the dream. Marisa swung her legs over the edge of the bed, her bare feet making contact with the cool, hardwood floor. The dream still clung to her like a shadow, but she knew she couldn¡¯t let it define her day. She needed to shake off the remnants of the dream and confront the new dawn with courage. Marisa rose from the bed, determined to dispel the lingering unease. She padded softly across the room to the window, where she parted the curtains and gazed out at the serene, bright cityscape. The gentle glow of the sun bathed the world in a tranquil light, and in that moment, she found sce. As she stood there, the morning breeze ruffling her nightgown, Marisa realized that the dream had, in a strange way, given her a new perspective on her life. It was a reminder of the things left unsaid and the wounds left unhealed. Marisa nced at the wall clock, and her eyes widened when she saw the time ¨C it was almost eight o¡¯clock. ¡°Oh no! Jeffrey will bete for school.¡± She murmured, walking away from the window, and she slipped into her bedroom slippers. Emerging from her room, Marisa discovered her best friend, rabelle, assisting her five-year-old son, Jeffrey, in preparing for school. The sight of Jeffrey already dressed and ready eased Marisa¡¯s tense shoulders. ¡°Good morning, rabelle,¡± Marisa greeted, a blend of gratitude and weariness in her voice as she approached the duo. ¡°Morning, Marisa,¡± rabelle responded, deftly adjusting Jeffrey¡¯s uniform. The young boy chimed in with a cheerful ¡°Good morning, mummy,¡± prompting Marisa to crouch down to his level and ce an affectionate kiss on his cheek. ¡°Morning, sweetheart. Have you had your breakfast?¡± Marisa inquired, her motherly concern evident in her smile. ¡°Yes, mummy. Aunt rabelle made toast and eggs for me,¡± Jeffrey beamed, his innocence and contentment shining through. Turning to rabelle, Marisa¡¯s lips carried a grateful smile. ¡°Thank you so much, rabelle,¡± she sincerely conveyed, the weight of her words reflecting their deep connection. rabelle¡¯s response, however, mirrored her characteristic straightforwardness. ¡°Marisa, I¡¯ve lost count of how many times I¡¯ve told you not to thank me every time I do something for you,¡± she admonished, though the warmth in her eyes betrayed her affection. A yful exchange unfolded, underscoring the familiarity and fondness between the two friends. ¡°You and Jeffrey are family; gratitude is unnecessary,¡± rabelle emphasized, her words resonating with genuine care as she embraced her role wholeheartedly. With Jeffrey¡¯s school belongings attended to, Marisa retreated to a corner of the room, seeking a moment of respite. She grabbed a bottle of water from the mini fridge, finding sce in its cool touch. However, beneath herposed exterior, the challenges of her morning weighed heavily on her mind. ¡°But on a more serious note, ra, you truly deserve a heartfelt thank you,¡± she remarked after taking a sip of water. rabelle raised a quizzical eyebrow. ¡°And why, exactly, do I merit such gratitude?¡± she inquired, arms folded across her chest. ¡°Despite your usual 7 AM work start, you managed to prepare breakfast for Jeffrey and ready him for school, all while runningte,¡± Marisa responded appreciatively. ¡°Your kindness doesn¡¯t go unnoticed, rabelle. Thank you so much,¡± she added warmly. rabelle yfully shot her a teasing nce before saying, ¡°Marisa, the next time you thank me, I might just¡­¡± The sound of a bus honking interrupted rabelle¡¯s unfinished sentence. ¡°Jeffrey, the school bus is here,¡± Marisa announced, moving toward her son. ¡°Goodbye, Aunt rabelle,¡± Jeffrey waved. ¡°Take care, sweetie,¡± rabelle blew him a kiss from her spot. Marisa took her son¡¯s hand, and together, they headed out to the roadside where the waiting school bus awaited. ¡°Bye, Mom!¡± Jeffrey called as he boarded the bus. ¡°Goodbye, cupcake,¡± Marisa waved back, a wide smile on her face. She continued waving until the bus disappeared from view before reentering the house.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. rabelle was in the midst of cing her wallet and phone into her handbag. Fully attired for work, she was preparing to leave. ¡°You look quite fatigued, Marisa. Consider taking a day off to rest,¡± rabelle advised gently. Marisa shook her head, responding, ¡°I wish I could, but an unscheduled break might jeopardize my job security. My boss, Mr. Lance, isn¡¯t very amodating.¡± ¡°Why not exin your situation to him? I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll understand,¡± rabelle suggested optimistically. Marisa¡¯s expression grew solemn. ¡°Unfortunately, Mr. Lance isn¡¯t as understanding as you think. Obtaining a break from him seems unlikely.¡± ¡°Remember, you worked until midnight yesterday, causing you to oversleep today. Pushing yourself without rest could harm your well-being,¡± ra said with genuine concern. Marisa offered a reassuring smile. ¡°Thank you, ra, but I¡¯ll manage. Don¡¯t worry.¡± With a tinge of sadness, rabelle sighed, adding, ¡°Okay, but promise me you won¡¯t overexert yourself.¡± ¡°I promise,¡± Marisa replied with a smile, and they shared a brief hug. ¡°Take good care of yourself,¡± rabelle urged as she left the house, shutting the door on her way out. Marisa let out a loud sigh immediately the door closed. The thought of going to work that morning weighed heavily on her mind. Working as a waitress had never been easy, but she had no other choice because she had to fend for herself and her son, and she also had to support rabelle in paying for the house rent. For five years, she had been working as a waitress. If she was offered any decent job apart from her current one, she¡¯d have dly epted it because the stress of working as a waitress was taking a toll on her. Especially the previous day when she worked from morning to night. The job¡¯s stress was too much than the sry she was receiving, but she had no other choice. She had no school degree that¡¯d get her a high-paying job, neither did she know anything about her past. ording to her best friend, rabelle, she had an ident five years ago which resulted into amnesia. Sometimes, she¡¯d always wonder who she was before she had amnesia. Was she rich or poor? Was she from a rich family? Did she have a boyfriend? Was she married? Who impregnated her before she had amnesia? What did her son¡¯s father look like? Who exactly was the father of her son? If there¡¯s something Marisa had always prayed for, it was to regain her memories so that she¡¯d have the answer to all these questions. These questions bothered her every single day, but no one had the answers, including her best friend, rabelle. Sighing out loudly, Marisa tied her hair into a messy bun. ¡°Time to get ready for work,¡± she murmured, making her way to the bedroom. Chapter 4: Fired Immediately Marisa got to the bedroom, she got undressed and wrapped a white towel around her wless naked body. Stepping inside the bathroom, Marisa loosened the towel, hanged it then stepped under the shower. Marisa was done taking her bath five minutester, and she stepped out of the bedroom into the bedroom, draped in a white towel. Sauntering towards her make up table, she picked up a lotion and started applying it on her skin. When she was done with that, she dressed up for work. Picking up her handbag, she strolled out of the apartment, locking the door on her way out. She then walked to the roadside where she boarded a cab which took her to the restaurant where she worked. Arriving at the restaurant minutester, Marisa paid the cab driver and she got down from the vehicle. She strode purposefully into the restaurant, waving at some regr customers before entering inside the changing room. Marisa emerged from the dressing room two minutes, donning a waitress uniform, then she began attending to the customers alongside other waitresses and waiters. ¡°Table 24!¡± A masculine voice called, prompting Marisa to swiftly approach the table. Four young men, elegantly dressed in ck tailored suits, were engaged in conversation. As they noticed Marisa¡¯s arrival, their chatter subsided, their attention drawn to the poised waitress. Presenting menus, Marisa awaited their meal selections. ¡°This menu doesn¡¯t have what I desire,¡± remarked one of the men, cing the menu on the table. Politely, Marisa inquired, ¡°May I ask what you¡¯d like then, sir?¡± ¡°I want you,¡± the man said with a wide grin, causing a frown to appear on Marisa¡¯s forehead. ¡°I apologize, sir, but our menu doesn¡¯t include a dish named ¡®YOU¡¯,¡± she retorted with sarcasm. The other men burst intoughter. ¡°It seems you¡¯re pretending to be ignorant,¡± the man retorted with an angry smirk. ¡°It¡¯s clear you¡¯re not ready to order. When you are, please ask another waitress for assistance. Excuse me,¡± Marisa replied, turning to leave. As she turned, one of the men spanked her, leaving her wide-eyed. Anger rushed through her venis immediately and her blood began boiling. Swiftly turning around, she delivered a resounding p to the man¡¯s face, prompting gasps from the restaurant patrons. ¡°Did you just p me?!¡± the man she pped eximed, holding his cheek in pain as Marisa red at him. Rather than responding directly, Marisa pped him again, temporarily blinding him.Bystanders pulled out phones, recording videos and taking pictures. The scene was just too shocking to ignore. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± the manager, Mr. Lance, inquired from behind Marisa, his shock evident upon seeing the men. ¡°This disgusting man inconsiderately spanked me,¡± Marisa spat angrily, pointing at the man she pped. ¡°Marisa, are you out of your mind?¡± the manager angrily questioned, bewildering her.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡°What do you mean?¡± she retorted, staring at the manager in bewilderment. She was bewildered because she was expecting the manager to support her and not the other way around. ¡°Do you not recognize them?!¡± the manager shouted. ¡°These men are the owners of the biggestpanies in Russia.¡± Marisa swallowed hard, slowly averting her gaze to the foir men who were now grinning widely like fools. Infuriated by their grin, she scoffed and dered, ¡°Being wealthy doesn¡¯t give him the right to touch me without consent. He can¡¯t im ownership over my body. That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s assaulting.¡± The man who spanked Marisa turned his gaze to the manager and asked, ¡°Are you the manager?¡± Nervously, the manager affirmed, ¡°Yes, Iam.¡± ¡°Good. Fire her now, or I¡¯ll shut down this restaurant,¡± the man threatened, ring at Marisa. Hopeful that the manager wouldn¡¯tply with the man¡¯smand Marisa gazed at him, but her hope shattered when he uttered the words she dreaded. ¡°You¡¯re fired, Marisa,¡± the manager¡¯s words cut through the air with a cruel edge, his icy gaze locking onto her. ¡°What?!¡± Marisa eximed in disbelief. She couldn¡¯t believe her ears right now. It felt as if her ears suddenly got dysfunctional and she didn¡¯t hear the Manager¡¯s words clearly. ¡°I said you¡¯re fired, Marisa!¡± The manager repeated in a cold voice. His cood expression showed how serious his statement was. Marisa scoffed in disbelief without taking her gaze off the manager. She just couldn¡¯t believe she was getting fired for defending herself. For Pete¡¯s sake, she was the one who was assaulted, and instead of the manager defending her, he fired her without thinking twice. This hurt her so much, causing tears to well up in her eyes.Swallowing back the tears that threatened to escape, Marisa redirected her focus towards the quartet of men still wearing grins that contrasted their mean-spiritedness. As if echoing the manager¡¯s harsh deration, one of the men who had earlier harassed her taunted, ¡°You heard the manager, bitch. You¡¯re out of here. So take your sorry ass and find yourself a new gig.¡± Chapter 5: Heartbreak This hurt her so much, causing tears to well up in her eyes. Swallowing back the tears that threatened to escape, Marisa redirected her focus towards the quartet of men still wearing grins that contrasted their mean-spiritedness. As if echoing the manager¡¯s harsh deration, one of the men who had earlier harassed her taunted, ¡°You heard the manager, bitch. You¡¯re out of here. So take your sorry ass and find yourself a new gig.¡± The other men erupted intoughter, the glint of their gold teeth sparkling in the midst of their jeers. Marisa clenched her fists as the four men continued mocking her. A simmering rage reced her initial shock. She felt like pping the men and even the stupid manager himself, but she managed to suppress her anger in order not to cause further drama. With a defiant re, she sidestepped the manager, disappearing into the changing room. Emerging minutester from the dressing room, d in her personal clothes, Marisa¡¯s anger transformed into a fierce determination. She strode up to the man who had assaulted her and also arranged her firing, her eyes ame with fury. ¡°What the fuck are you still doing here¡­¡± The man¡¯s inquiry was cut off by a p so potent that it echoed throughout the restaurant, stunning everyone in its vicinity. The man, caught off guard, stared at Marisa in disbelief, his lips parted but no words escaping. ¡°That¡¯s for demeaning me,¡± Marisa dered, her voice holding an iron resolve. She followed up with another p that split the man¡¯s lip, his expression morphing from shock to pain.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Storming out of the restaurant, tears prickled at the corners of Marisa¡¯s eyes, a blend of pain and anger coursing through her veins. The injustice of losing her job for defending herself gnawed at her soul. That waitress position had been her lifeline, the only avable option for her. Tears traced the path down Marisa¡¯s cheeks as she wiped them away, her resolve growing stronger. Determined to keep her emotions in check, she walked on, her thoughts turning to Marco, her boyfriend, as a potential source offort. Her heart was in pain and she badly needed someone tofort her and tell her that everything will be fine. The only person who could do that was her boyfriend, Marco. Fumbling her phone from her bag, Marisa dialed Marco¡¯s number, but he was not picking up. She dialed his number repeatedly but he was still not answering her calls. ¡°Why is Marco not picking up?¡± Marisa mummurred, perplexed by her boyfriend¡¯s unresponsiveness. She dipped her phone back into her bag and started walking to Marco¡¯s ce. Luckily for her, Marco¡¯s apartment was just a few blocks from where she was so trekking there wouldn¡¯t be a problem. Marisa arrived Marco¡¯s apartment a few minutester, and her concern mounted when she saw his door unlocked. She began wondering why Marco would leave his door unlocked. A missing phone call was one thing, but an unlocked door was another. Worry was evident on Marisa¡¯s face as she stood in front of the slightly parted door, still wondering why the door was open. ¡°Why did Marco leave the door open? Is he at home? If he¡¯s at home then he¡¯d have picked my calls when I called him. Or did he perhaps step out for a while?¡± These questions ran through her mind. ¡°Maybe he didn¡¯t go far. I¡¯ll just wait for him inside.¡± She concluded in her mind. A confused expression appeared on her face when she stepped inside the apartment to find takeout containers strewn about and a half-empty bottle of expensive wine. ¡°Did someone visit him?¡± She muttered confusedly as she nced around. Her brows furrowed when her gazended on a pink bra which wasying on the couch. ¡°What¡¯s a bra doing there?¡± She thought to herself, gazing at the bra curiously. Marisa¡¯s curiosity doubled when she saw a pair of high heels on the ground beside a couch. She began suspecting that there¡¯s something fishy going on inside the apartment. Marisa then decided to check Marco¡¯s bedroom. Curiosity turned to disbelief as sounds emanated from Marco¡¯s bedroom ¨C unmistakable sounds that shattered Marisa¡¯s heart into a million pieces. Tears blurred her vision as she realized the truth, that the man she¡¯d loved and trusted had betrayed her. The moans of pleasure pierced her like a knife, each gasp a twist in her gut. Even though she heard the moans, she still didn¡¯t want to believe that Marco would cheat on her. So she gently twisted the door knob and pushed the door. Her face instanty went pale like the belly of a fish she when she saw what was going on inside the room. Right on Marco¡¯s bed was he and ady, fucking each other aggressively like their lives depended on it. Marisa¡¯s eyes widened in shock when she saw the familiar face of thedy Marco was having sex with. Thedy was Natasha, one of her college friends. ¡°Marco?¡± Marisa muttered and tears welled up in her eyes as she stared at her boyfriend. Her heart shattered into million pieces that moment. Chapter 6: Pain Marco and Natasha¡¯s bodies glistened with sweats as they immediately stopped their unholy act when they saw Marisa standing by the doorway. ¡°Fuck!¡± Marco cursed and he immediately got down from the bed to put on his pants.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Natasha sat up on the bed and hurriedly covered her nakedness a white duvet. ¡°Darling, it¡¯s not what you think. I swear.¡± Marco said as he slowly approached Marisa who had tears welled up in her eyes. Marisa slowly moved her gaze from Marco to Natasha, who was sitting the bed with a frown on her face. She was inaudibly cursing Marisa for interrupting the blissful moment she was having with Marco. Marisa shook her head in disbelief, then she turned around. She quietly made her way out of his apartment with tears flowing out of her eyes badly. ¡°Marisa!! Babe wait¡­. Marisa!!!¡± Marco called out loudly as chased after Marisa. Marisa quickened her pace, wiping the tears on her face with the back of hand as she continued walking without looking back. Marco caught up with her and he held her right hand, stopping her on her tracks. ¡°Don¡¯t¡­ don¡¯t you dare touch me! Leave my hand alone. Let go of my hand!!¡± Marisa¡¯s voice trembled with each word, her anger palpable as she wrenched her hand from Marco¡¯s grip. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, babe. Please just hear me out,¡± Marco¡¯s voice pleaded, a note of desperation underlying his words. ¡°How could you, Marco? Just why? Why did you cheat on me?¡± Marisa¡¯s cry echoed through the air, a mixture of pain and betrayalcing her words. ¡°Marisa, I¡¯m sorry¡­ I swear, I¡¯m truly sorry,¡± Marco¡¯s voice wavered, his hand reaching towards her only to be met with her flinch. ¡°Why did you cheat on me, Marco? Just tell me why!¡± Her voice shook with emotion, a mixture of hurt and anger. ¡°Marisa, I¡¯m sorry, okay¡­ I tried to stay faithful in our rtionship, but you wouldn¡¯t let me have you¡­¡± Marco trailed off, attempting to exin amidst the turmoil. Marisa¡¯sughter, bitter andden with hurt, cut through his words like a knife. ¡°I never knew you were such a¡­ jerk. You¡¯re an ingrate, Marco. What haven¡¯t I done for you? I work and pay our bills since you lost your job. I shared everything with you, gave you all of me¡­ The only thing I wasn¡¯t ready for was sex yet¡­¡± Her voice cracked as fresh tears streamed down her cheeks. ¡°We¡¯ve been dating for five years, Marisa. Five years, and you¡¯re not ready for sex?!¡± Marco¡¯s shout echoed in the charged atmosphere. Unable to contain her fury, Marisa¡¯s hand met Marco¡¯s face in an angry p, her pain and outrage fueling her actions. ¡°You are the worst thing that happened to me, Marco. I feel so foolish right now. I had nned to give myself to you on our anniversary this year, but I¡¯m grateful you revealed your true colors,¡± Marisa¡¯s voice held a mixture of anger and vulnerability, her gaze meeting his eyes briefly, catching a flicker of hurt. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare put the me on me, Marisa!¡± Marco¡¯s voice growled, his anger mirroring hers. ¡°I was doing you a favor all along.¡± ¡°A favor?¡± Marisa scoffed, disbelief tingeing her tone. ¡°Yeah, right. Dating a single mother without sex is a huge sacrifice, I guess. I should be proud of myself.¡± Marco ¡°Yeah, it is. I could¡¯ve walked away, but I didn¡¯t,¡± Marco replied defensively. ¡°Dating you, a single mom, without sex? I deserve credit for that.¡± ¡°Come inside, baby. Let¡¯s continue,¡± Natasha, still half-dressed, emerged from Marco¡¯s apartment, prompting Marisa¡¯s re. ¡°Have fun with your stupid mistress,¡± Marisa¡¯s tone dripped with disdain as she turned away from them, her emotions overwhelming her. After getting fired from her only job,fort was what she came to seek from him, but instead she got heartbroken. She started regretting her decision ofing to his ce. She didn¡¯t know whether she should be happy that she came to his ce or sad that she did. Well, she should feel happy and sad. She should feel happy because she wouldn¡¯t have found out about his unfaithfulness if she didn¡¯te. And she should also feel sad because he betrayed her love and trust in him. As Marisa walked away, her emotions spiraled, tears streaming unchecked down her face. She struggled to reconcile the reality of Marco¡¯s betrayal with the love and trust she¡¯d ced in him. Marisa loved him so to the extent of giving him everything she had. She gave him her trust, her love, her time, her affection and even her money. Yet, he chose to cheat on her just because she wasn¡¯t ready to have sex with him. How dare him do that? How dare him cheat on her after everything she gave him? Why are men so wicked and greedy?! ¡°Why is everything turning against me today?¡± Marisa muttered between sobs, her frustration mingling with her pain. Kicking at objects in her path, Marisa released her pent-up anger. The pain was just too much for her to bear. First, she got fired from her job just because she defended herself, and now, she caught her boyfriend cheating on her. All these sad events happened to her in just a few hours. This caused more tears to stream out of her eyes as she continued walking home. Her phone¡¯s ring broke through her turmoil, and she wiped her tears with a shaky hand before retrieving it from her bag. Seeing an unfamiliar number, she hesitated but decided to answer, hoping for a glimmer of good news amid the chaos. ¡°Hello?¡± Her voice cracked, still raw from her emotional outburst. ¡°Is this Mrs. Marisa?¡± The masculine voice on the other end was steady, but its gravity hit her like a punch. ¡°Yes, who¡¯s speaking?¡± Her voice trembled, a sense of foreboding settling over her. ¡°I¡¯m the head teacher at your son¡¯s school. I¡¯m afraid I have some bad news,¡± the caller¡¯s words hung heavily in the air. ¡°What bad news?¡± Marisa asked, her heart beating fast in anticipation of whatever bad news the caller was about to tell her. ¡°The school bus which was conveying the kids to school this morning, had an ident on the way, and your son is part of the victims of the ident.¡± Dread tightened around Marisa¡¯s heart as she listened, the news of her son¡¯s involvement in a school bus ident shattering her already fragile world. ¡°You mean Jeffrey was in the bus¡­ during the ident?¡± Marisa¡¯s voice quavered, her fear and anxiety spiking. ¡°Unfortunately, yes. He¡¯s in a critical condition,¡± the caller¡¯s somber words added to Marisa¡¯s overwhelming turmoil. Marisa¡¯s world crumbled in an instant as the caller confirmed the devastating news. Tears flowed uncontrobly from her eyes, her phone slipping from her trembling grasp in shock. Her body quivered violently, and her legs gave way beneath her, causing her to copse to her knees. With her head bowed, Marisa sobbed, her tears falling to the ground as she choked out, ¡°What¡¯s going on with my life, today?¡± Marisa¡¯s pain was intense, a deep ache that came from her heart. As she knelt on the ground, she yelled loudly, ¡°Why? Why is all of this happening to me?!¡± Her voice carried all the agony she felt, a desperate plea for answers, as if she wanted the world to understand the immense suffering she was going through. Chapter 7: Chance Encounter After crying her eyes out, Marisaposed herself and she boarded a cab which drove her to the hospital where her son was admitted. The cab got to the hospital fifteen minutester, and Marisa rushed out of the cab after paying the driver. She didn¡¯t even wait to collect her change because her son was the only thing on her mind. Upon receiving a call from her son¡¯s school¡¯s head teacher regarding the ident, she rushed to the hospital with a pounding heart, fervently praying for her son¡¯s safety. Worry etched across her face as she entered the hospital. Inside the hospital, she encountered a distressing scene ¨C dozens of women, fellow mothers of the students involved in the ident, wailed loudly. Some sat on the ground, sobbing unabashedly, while others stood with sorrowful expressions. The atmosphere was permeated with sadness as their cries filled the space. Marisa stood rooted, overwhelmed by waves of fear coursing through her as she observed the grieving mothers. A nurse approached her, guiding her to the doctor¡¯s office. A nurse walked up to her and she was led to the doctor¡¯s office. The doctor was a middle-aged man who was putting on a white coat. A pair of sses stood at the bridge of his nose and he was busy working on some files. He dropped his pen immediately Marisa stepped in. ¡°Have a seat, ma¡¯am.¡± He said, pointing at the chair in front of Marisa. ¡°Wh¡­ where is my son?, What happened to him?¡± Marisa threw questions at the middle-aged man who was seated behind his ck polished desk. ¡°What¡¯s the name of your son, ma¡¯am?¡± The doctor asked, calmly. ¡°Je¡­ Jeffery¨CJeffery Russo.¡± She answered immediately. The doctor picked up a file from his desk and he nced through it before dropping it back. Marisa¡¯s worry was evident as she anxiously inquired, ¡°What happened to him? Is he safe? Is my son alright?¡± The doctor, gesturing for her to take a seat, replied, ¡°Please, have a seat, ma¡¯am, so we can discuss this properly.¡± With hesitation, Marisa settled into a ck leather chair, her expression filled with concern as she gazed at the doctor. The doctor removed his sses and ced them on his desk before delivering the news, ¡°Ma¡¯am, your son is fortunate to be one of the twenty students who survived the ident.¡± Relief washed over Marisa as she let out a sigh, whispering, ¡°Thank goodness,¡± her hands instinctively resting on her chest. However, the doctor¡¯s next words brought a chilling reality. He paused briefly, and Marisa fixed her gaze on him, asking, ¡°But what, doctor?¡± With a heavy heart, the doctor revealed, ¡°Your son¡¯s neck was injured during the ident, resulting in paralysis.¡± Marisa¡¯s face paled, and tears welled up in her eyes as she stuttered, ¡°Y¡­ you¡­ you mean my son is now paralyzed?¡± The doctor nodded somberly, sharing in her anguish. ¡°Yes ma¡¯am.¡± Marisa¡¯s eyes, once bright with hope, now mirrored the depths of her concern as she heard the devastating news about her son¡¯s paralysis. Tears welled up in her eyes, and her voice quivered with anguish as she grappled with the grim reality. ¡°Isn¡¯t there any way to cure him or treat him?¡± She asked as the tears streamed down her cheeks. ¡°Yes, there¡¯s a way to treat him.¡± The doctor replied. A glimmer of hope illuminated Marisa¡¯s face instantly. ¡°Really?¡± She asked. ¡°Yeah, we can perform a surgery which will enable him to be able to walk again, but this surgery has to be done within twenty-four hours or else your son will be paralysed forever.¡± The doctor replied. ¡°That means the surgery has to be done before eleven o¡¯clock tomorrow morning.¡± ¡°And how much will this surgery cost?¡± She asked, even though she didn¡¯t have a single penny in her purse and bank ount. ¡°One million dors.¡± The doctor replied. Marisa¡¯s eyes went wide and her mouth went agape when she heard the amount. ¡°One million dors?¡± She asked with widened eyes. ¡°Yes.¡± The doctor nodded, and Marisa started crying.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be crying, ma¡¯am.¡± The doctor said in a soft voice and Marisa looked at him with teary eyes. ¡°Most of the women you saw crying outside lost their children to the ident. Your son survived so you should be grateful.¡± He added. ¡°But where am I gonna get one million dors for the surgery within twenty four hours?¡± Marisa muttered, and more tears streamed out of her eyes. ¡°I believe a miracle will happen before twenty-four hours. You should head back home now. We¡¯ll do our best to keep your son¡¯s health stable ¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± she whispered, using her palms to wipe away her tears as she stood up. She then exited the office. As Marisa walked out of the building, her mind raced with the daunting question: ¡°Where will I get such a huge amount of money within twenty-four hours?¡± Lost in thought, she inadvertently stepped into the path of an oing truck. Its brakes had failed, and it hurtled toward her at a dangerous speed. Marisa¡¯s eyes widened with shock as she realized the impending danger. Paralyzed by fear and shock, she stood frozen, unable to move a muscle. The truck red its horn loudly, closing in rapidly. Marisa closed her eyes, bracing for impact. Her life had taken a devastating turn in a single day ¨C losing her job, discovering her boyfriend¡¯s infidelity, and now her son¡¯s paralysis. In that moment, she felt like surrendering to fate. ¡°It¡¯s over,¡± she muttered, tears streaming down her closed eyelids, resigned to whatever fate had in store for her. As the truck hurtled dangerously close, on the brink of impact, a miraculous intervention urred. A mysterious hand, seemingly from the depths of nowhere, yanked Marisa to safety just in the nick of time. Marisa¡¯s eyelids fluttered open in gradual astonishment, and the first sight that greeted her was a wlessly tailored ck suit. Her senses were awakened by the subtle, pleasing aroma of the cologne that lingered in the air. With an almost hesitant movement, she raised her head, and her gaze locked onto a figure that appeared almost otherworldly ¨C a man resembling a modern-day demigod, a vision of strength and poise. The man standing before her was the most impressive male she had ever seen: slim, but powerfully-built, with his curly ck swept-back hair, his long face, an eagle-like nose and dark prating hawk eyes. He had three piercings on his right ear, and two on his left ear. He was putting on a ck suit and he also wore a Cuban chain around his neck. His right hand was firmly wrapped around her slim waist while both her hands were resting on his chest. He stood a full two feet taller than her, casting an imposing presence. His narrowed eyes met hers in silence, their faces very close. Marisa furrowed her brows as she looked at him, sensing familiarity but unable to recall where she had seen him before. The more she stared, the more he seemed like someone she should know. ¡°Who are you?¡± Marisa finally broke the awkward silence between them. The man stared down at her without saying a word. He just kept gazing at her with a cold look on his face. ¡°Is he incapable of speaking?¡± Marisa wondered silently as she received no response from the man. She redirected her attention away from him and her eyes caught sight of ten ck jeeps swiftly advancing along the boulevard. The vehicles came to a halt several meters away from where Marisa stood. From the sleek ck jeeps emerged a group of men adorned in dark coats and shaded sses. They quickly moved towards the man who had been in front of Marisa, surrounding both him and her with a protective stance that seemed to emanate from all directions. Marisa¡¯s gaze darted around in a state of bewilderment, her mind struggling toprehend the sudden appearance of these enigmatic figures. They exuded an aura of intimidating power, emanating an air of toughness and menace unlike anything she had ever encountered before. ¡°Who might they be?¡± Marisa inquired of the reticent man who continued to fixate his gaze on her, resembling an observer captivated by a rare exhibit within the confines of a museum. ¡°Alejandro,¡± Marisa heard a resonant masculine voice from behind her, causing her to turn and find another man advancing toward them. Strikingly simr to the man who had previouslye to her rescue, this man had an uncanny resemnce. As he made his way down the road towards Marisa and the man who saved her, his features mirrored the other man¡¯s, except for the crimson hue of his suit, which contrasted against the ck attire of the one who had saved her. Marisa oscited her attention between the two men, noting their undeniable likeness. Their appearance was so uncannily akin that the sole distinguishing factor seemed to be their attire-a ck suit on one and a red suit on the other. The simrity between the two men was so profound that they could easily be mistaken for twins. As the man in the red suit approached, his gaze fixed on Marisa before he turned his attention to the one who had intervened in her ident. ¡°Scusa per essere arrivato in ritardo. Chi ¨¨ lei? (Sorry foringte. Who is she?). The man in red suit said in Italian. ¡°Lei non ¨¨ nessuno. Andiamo (She¡¯s nobody. Let¡¯s go)¡± the man in ck suit replied in Italian, and he unwrapped his hand from Marisa waist, then he turned around to leave. ¡°Wait.¡± Maria¡¯s voice stopped the man in ck on his tracks and he turned to look at her with a cold expression on his face. ¡°Thanks for saving me.¡± Marisa said with a smile. The man said nothing in response, instead he turned around with his twin brother and they began walking towards a restaurant with dozens of men following them from behind. She remained on her spot, staring at them till they entered inside therge restaurant. ¡°Who is he?¡± Marisa muttered as the image of the man who saved her appeared in her head. ¡°He looks so familiar and I¡¯m sure I¡¯ve seen his face somewhere. But where and when?¡± She muttered. Chapter 8: The Ruthless Mafia As Marisa stood there, the image of the man who had saved her reyed in her mind. However, the reality of her son¡¯s critical condition began to weigh heavily on her heart, and a deep sadness crept over her. She realized that time was running out, and she needed to find a way to secure the money for her son¡¯s surgery within the next twenty-four hours. Her thoughts grew increasingly somber, and she couldn¡¯t help muttering to herself, ¡°Where will I get the money for Jeffrey¡¯s surgery in such a short time?¡± The weight of the situation bore down on her, and her face reflected the profound worry that had consumed her. In search of a quiet ce to gather her thoughts, Marisa decided to head to a nearby amusement park. She walked through the entrance, the sound of children¡¯sughter echoing in her ears. The park was alive with the joyful energy of kids ying alongside their parents. As Marisa found a bench and settled onto it, she couldn¡¯t help but watch the children with a mix of emotions. There was happiness in her heart for these kids, their smiles, and the carefree way they yed with their parents. As Marisa sat on the weathered park bench, the passing hours seemed to blur together. The park was a tapestry of life unfolding around her. Children chased each other with boundless energy, theirughter ringing through the air like a sweet melody. Parents watched with bright smiles, asionally joining in the fun. Marisa couldn¡¯t help but be drawn into the vibrant scene before her. She felt a bittersweet mixture of emotions as she watched the kids frolic. On one hand, she was genuinely happy to see the kids¡¯ innocent joy, knowing that these moments were what childhood was all about. On the other hand, her heart ached with the stark realization that her own son, Jeffrey, was missing out on this simple pleasure. His health hung in the bnce, and he couldn¡¯t run,ugh, or y like these carefree children. Tears welled up in Marisa¡¯s eyes as she thought about Jeffrey lying in that hospital bed, his young life interrupted by a cruel twist of fate. She wished she could turn back time, protect him from harm, and grant him the chance to experience the joys of childhood like the children in the park. As the clock ticked away, Marisa¡¯s determination grew stronger. She knew she couldn¡¯t afford to wallow in despair. She had to find a way to secure one million dors for Jeffrey¡¯s surgery before the twenty-four-hour deadline passed. With renewed resolve, she began brainstorming. She thought of reaching out to friends and family, but her social circle was limited, and she wasn¡¯t sure if anyone coulde up with such a staggering amount of money in such a short time. Meanwhile, at the city¡¯s fanciest restaurant, something interesting was happening. Alejandro, the man who had bravely rescued Melinda from a speeding truck, was now sitting in a private room. Across from him, his identical twin, Alexander, indulged in a haze of weed smoke, emanating an air of nonchnce. There were more than a dozen big and intimidating guards standing nearby, dressed in dark suits. They had guns hidden under their suits, just in case something happened. Sitting at a fancy table filled with untouched food and drinks, the two brothers took charge. One of them, Alexander, broke the silence and asked in Italian, with a smoky exhale, ¡°Alejandro, Chi era que signora che stavi abbriando prima del mio arrivo?¡± (Alejandro, who was thatdy you were hugging earlier before I arrived?) Alejandro, his voiceced with a cold, masculine edge, downed a ss of wine before responding. in Italian, ¡°Alexandro, ti ho detto prima che que donna non ¨¨ nessuno e non stavo abbriando.¡± (Alexandro, I told you earlier that that woman is nobody, and I wasn¡¯t hugging her.) Alexander persisted, teasing, ¡°Allora perch¨¦ eri in una posizione cos¨¬ romantica con lei quando sono arrivato? (Then why were you in such a romantic position with her when I arrived?)¡± ¡°Don¡¯t ask me stupid questions, Alexandro. Let¡¯s focus on why we came here,¡± Alejandro retorted in English.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡°Speaking of why we came here, Bruno, where is that damn manager of this restaurant? Didn¡¯t you inform him of our arrival?¡± Alexander directed his frustration at Bruno, the imposing figure behind Alejandro. Bruno, Alejandro¡¯s trusted right-hand man, responded with a deep, resonant voice, ¡°I informed Delo Sanchez about your arrival ten minutes ago, and he said he would be here in a few minutes.¡± Alexander¡¯s anger red, culminating in a furious fist mming onto the table, shattering some ss onto the floor. ¡°That bastard thinks we are here to joke! How dare he disrespect us! He should be here by now, so why the fuck isn¡¯t he here? How dare he make us wait like some random motherfuckers?¡± ¡°Calm down, Alexandro, and let¡¯s give him just two more minutes,¡± Alejandro intervened, his demeanor remarkablyposed as he took a sip of wine. ¡°If Sanchez doesn¡¯t get here within two minutes, we¡¯ll do things the hard way.¡± Alexander scoffed, taking another drag of his weed. ¡°Alejandro, sometimes you make me wonder if you¡¯re really my twin brother. We are fucking Mafias, Alejandro, and we don¡¯t do things the easy way. We should have done things the hard way the moment we got here. We¡¯d have gotten what we came for and gotten the fuck out of this ce.¡± ¡°I¡¯m the boss here, Alexandro¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m also the boss, Alejandro!¡± Alexander interjected forcefully. ¡°I have the right to make decisions during missions.¡± The room fell into an uneasy silence, punctuated only by the tension between the twin brothers as they red at each other. ¡°Alright then,¡± Alejandro¡¯s voice was firm, ¡°Sanchez had his chance.¡± He exchanged a grave look with his twin brother, who responded with a sinister grin. ¡°Bruno,¡± Alejandro instructed his trusted aide, ¡°when two minutes are up, inform me.¡± Bruno, the formidable figure, acknowledged with a nod and fixed his unwavering gaze on his Rolex wristwatch. Time ticked away, and as the two-minute mark approached, he finally spoke, ¡°Boss, it¡¯s already two minutes.¡± Alexandro¡¯s face transformed, his grin revealing a dangerous edge. With a contemptuous flick, he extinguished his cigarette on the floor, crushing it beneath his boot. Rising from his seat, he drew a sleek firearm concealed beneath his crimson suit. In perfect synchronization, Alejandro too stood, revealing a deadly pistol hidden beneath his own ck attire. Simultaneously, the other men who had surrounded the brothers followed suit, drawing their weapons. With their pistols ready and their entourage of formidable men in tow, Alejandro and Alexandro moved with a menacing grace, their strides confident as they exited the private chamber. The atmosphere crackled with tension as they made their way through the restaurant, a shadowy procession following them closely. As they walked down the silent corridor of the big restaurant, their presence had a profound effect. A waitress,ing from the opposite direction, nearly stumbled as she caught sight of the brothers and their armed escort. She gasped, her face draining of color, her heart racing at the ominous sight. Alexandro, his grin never faltering, leaned in towards the trembling waitress, his voice dripping with authority and menace. ¡°Take us to the manager¡¯s office,¡± he demanded. The waitress quivered, her voice barely audible as she stammered, ¡°Y-yes, right away, sirs.¡± Shaking with fear, she led the way, her every step hesitant. Her pulse raced, her breaths shallow, as she moved through the restaurant¡¯s plush corridors. The mere presence of these Mafiosi seemed to warp reality, transforming the once-elegant surroundings into a dark and foreboding ce. Finally, they arrived at the manager¡¯s office door. Alejandro grinned at the waitress who was shaking in fear, and he pointed his gun at her. ¡°Thanks for bringing us here, but this is where your journey ends.¡± He said, and pulled the trigger without thinking twice. A loud gunshot echoed throughout the ce as a bullet flew into the skull of the innocent waitress and she fell on the floor with a loud thud. Chapter 9: The Gambino Twins Alexandro¡¯s patience had worn thin. In a sudden fit of rage, he violently kicked the door open, sending it crashing against the wall with a deafening thud. Without hesitation, the brothers and their entourage marched into the manager¡¯s office. As Alejandro, Alexandro, and their menacing guards stormed into the manager¡¯s office, Delo Sanchez¡¯s initial reaction was one of stark terror. His body jerked in his chair, causing him to flinch involuntarily. His eyes, wide with shock, met the chilling gazes of the twin brothers. With trembling limbs, he hastily rose from his seat, his normally confident demeanor shattered by an overwhelming sense of dread. His voice quivered as he tried to form words, but fear had mped down on his vocal cords, rendering him nearly speechless. Sanchez¡¯s terror was so palpable it seemed to seep from his very pores. His skin turned an ashen hue, and his hands shook uncontrobly, as if caught in a never-ending tremor. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, gleaming with the intensity of his anxiety. It was unmistakable that he grasped the direness of the situation, and the menacing aura emanating from Alejandro and Alexandro only served to magnify his fear. As he stood there, the room appeared to constrict around him, a ustrophobic grip tightening with every passing moment, leaving him paralyzed by dread. His mind raced, weighed down by the impending consequences he might face in the presence of these ruthless Mafiosi. ¡°Well, well,¡± Alexandro taunted as he advanced toward Sanchez, whose shivers were now reminiscent of someone struck suddenly by a fever. ¡°If it isn¡¯t Sanchez, the motherfucker!¡± Alejandro, meanwhile, approached a chair and settled into it with an air of ownership over the office. ¡°G-Good¡­ good morning, bosses¡­¡± Sanchez stuttered in fear, his voice quivering, while Alexandro continued his predatory approach. Sanchez was on the verge of speaking when a deafening gunshot rang out, causing the room to reverberate with its menacing echo. ¡°Arghhh!!¡± In agonizing response, Sanchez let out a piercing scream as his arm was hit by Alexandro¡¯s bullet, causing him to clutch his already bleeding limb, his face twisted in anguish. ¡°That¡¯s for making us wait as if we were mere casual customers,¡± Alexandro sneered, a devilish grin on his face, as he lowered his firearm. ¡°Let¡¯s forfeit with formalities, Sanchez,¡± Alejandro dered, his voice dripping with impatience as he spoke from his position. ¡°You¡¯re well aware of the purpose of our visit. Simply surrender the package, and we can conclude this affair.¡± ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t possess any package,¡± Sanchez stammered, his heart racing. ¡°Enough with the nonsense, you scoundrel!¡± Alexandro bellowed, delivering a brutal blow that shattered Sanchez¡¯s tooth. ¡°We don¡¯t have a moment to spare in this cursed office. Fork over that package you received from Bernie Russost night!¡±All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I swear, I¡¯mpletely empty-handed. There was no package from Bernie Russost night, I swear,¡± Sanchez pleaded, his wordsced with anguish. He continued to endure excruciating pain, with his arm still oozing blood and now his mouth tainted with crimson. Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, Alejandro, seething with rage, coldly fired a bullet into Sanchez¡¯s leg. ¡°Aaargh!!!¡± Sanchez¡¯s anguished scream pierced the air as he copsed onto the floor, his trembling hands instinctively clutching his wounded, blood-soaked leg. ¡°This is your final opportunity to surrender the package, or you¡¯ll find yourself in the realm of the deceased in no time,¡± Alejandro dered with chilling finality. He rose to his feet and strode purposefully toward Sanchez. Standing shoulder to shoulder with Alexandro, they both aimed their gun at Sanchez, who was sitting on the floor, holding his leg in pain. Even with guns aimed at him, Sanchez refused to utter a single word. His unwavering silence made it clear that whatever was in the package held great importance. ¡°I¡¯m gonna count from one to five, and if you don¡¯t produce the package, you¡¯ll be in for a world of pain,¡± Alexandro threatened with a menacing tone. Sanchez trembled on the floor, overwhelmed by fear. ¡°One,¡± Alexandro began the countdown, ¡°Two¡­ three¡­ Four¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ll tell you where the package is!¡± Sanchez blurted out in a panic, interrupting Alexandro¡¯s count. ¡°Good,¡± Alejandro smirked. ¡°Now, where¡¯s the package?¡± ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s inside the safe hidden in that wall,¡± Sanchez stammered, pointing nervously to the wall behind Alejandro and Alexandro. ¡°On that wall, there¡¯s a red button. Just press it, and the wall will open,¡± Sanchez added, trembling with dread. ¡°Bruno, retrieve the package,¡± Alejandro ordered, and Bruno swiftly approached the wall. He located a small red button and pressed it, causing the wall to slide open like a door, revealing a ck suitcase. Bruno picked up the suitcase and returned to Alejandro and Alexandro. ¡°Open the suitcase and confirm if the package is genuine,¡± Alexandro instructed, and Bruno ced the suitcase on Sanchez¡¯s desk before unlocking it. A wide grin spread across the faces of both Alejandro and Alexandro as they gazed upon the contents. The suitcase was brimming with stacks of pure gold, worth billions of dors. ¡°Bene (Good),¡± Alexandro whispered in Italian as he admired the golden treasure. ¡°Close the suitcase; let¡¯s make our exit,¡± Alejandro directed Bruno. Then, he turned to face Sanchez, who was still on the floor, nursing a bleeding leg and groaning in pain. ¡°If Bernie Russo learns that you¡¯ve taken the package from me, you won¡¯t live to regret it,¡± Sanchez warned, but Alexandro scoffed and retorted, ¡°I can¡¯t fathom why the leader of the Russo family entrusted this package to a fool like you. Perhaps he¡¯s a fool himself for choosing such an inept guardian.¡± ¡°But¡­ how did you discover the package¡¯s existence? How did you even know I received it from Bernie Russost night?¡± Sanchez asked, his curiosity getting the better of him. ¡°Are you seriously asking us such a foolish question?¡± Alexandro retorted with a sardonic grin. ¡°We the Gambino¡¯s are everywhere, and we have eyes all over the world. Don¡¯t ever underestimate the power of the Gambino family, or you¡¯ll find yourself in a world of regret.¡± ¡°We¡¯ve wasted far too much time here,¡± Alejandro dered, a nce at his wristwatch emphasizing the urgency. ¡°Let¡¯s get the hell out of here.¡± With that, Alejandro aimed his gun at Sanchez, whose terror was palpable as he stared down the barrel. ¡°Are¡­ are you going to¡­ to end me?¡± Sanchez stammered in fear. ¡°Yeah. Is there any reason I shouldn¡¯t?¡± Alejandro replied, a malicious smirk dancing on his lips. ¡°I provided you with the package you requested,¡± Sanchez pleaded. ¡°And you squandered our precious time, sealing your fate,¡± Alejandro retorted coldly. Before Sanchez could utter another word, Alejandro squeezed the trigger twice, sending two deafening gunshots echoing through the room. Two bullets found their mark in Sanchez¡¯s forehead, instantly silencing him. ¡°May your soul find no peace,¡± Alexandro murmured with a sinister grin, as they concealed their firearms beneath their suits and departed the room. Alejandro, Alexandro, and their men briskly exited the office, leaving behind the lifeless Sanchez. The atmosphere was tense, charged with the echoes of the gunshots that had shattered the silence. As they moved through the office, the dimly lit corridor seemed to grow darker, the shadows concealing their grim departure. They entered the restaurant¡¯s lobby, which had been bustling with patrons moments ago. But the sound of gunfire had sent shockwaves through the room, and now ity deserted. Tables and chairs were toppled in haste as customers had fled, leaving behind half-eaten meals and abandoned drinks. Outside, they were met with a surprising sight. A fleet of police cars had converged upon the scene, their sirens ring in the noon. Uniformed officers had their weapons drawn, ready for action. However, their expressions shifted from aggression to reverence as they recognized Alejandro, Alexandro, and their men. The head of the police force, a distinguished officer with years of experience etched onto his face, took swift steps forward. With a respectful bow, he greeted the notorious figures before him. ¡°Good afternoon, Mr. Alejandro, Mr. Alexandro, we did not expect your presence here this afternoon. How may we assist you?¡± Alejandro¡¯s piercing gaze met the officer¡¯s, and he spoke with authority. ¡°Officer, we¡¯ve had an unfortunate incident inside the restaurant. We trust you can handle it discreetly and ensure that the mess is cleaned up swiftly. No need for any unnecessary attention.¡± The head of the police nodded solemnly, affirming hismitment to the task. ¡°Of course, Mr. Alejandro. We will take care of everything.¡± With that assurance, Alejandro and Alexandro¡¯s men opened the door to a sleek, ck limousine, a symbol of their power and influence. The two crime lords entered the luxurious vehicle with an air of dominance, while their loyal associates slid behind the wheels of their jeeps, engines rumbling to life. As the limousine glided away from the now eerily quiet restaurant, the police officers began their meticulous work inside, erasing any traces of the deadly encounter. Chapter 10: Uncanny Familiarity The limousine smoothly drove away from the restaurant through the bright city streets, leaving behind the chaos they had caused. Inside the vehicle, Alejandro and Alexandro sat quietly, smoking devilishly like the devils they were. The dangerous atmosphere around them showed that they were top figures in the criminal world. Their loyal henchmen followed in separate vehicles, and the streets were empty because word had spread about the restaurant incident, making people stay indoors. Everyone in the city knew to fear and respect the Gambino brothers. Meanwhile, back at the restaurant, police officers worked swiftly under their leader¡¯s guidance to hide all traces of the violence. They understood the consequences of disappointing the Gambino brothers, so they collected evidence, cleaned up the mess, and silenced any potential witnesses. Soon, it would seem as if nothing had ever happened in that peaceful restaurant. The Gambino family had every police force in various countries under theirmand. They had connections and organizations all over the world which made them invisible and powerful. The limousine carrying Alejandro and Alexandro vanished into the city¡¯s winding streets, leaving behind an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear. In their world, power meant everything, and they had just reminded everyone why they were the ones to be both feared and respected in the shadows. ¡°I can¡¯t wait for Bernie to find out that his package is gone,¡± Alexandro mused, exhaling a long puff of smoke from his cigarette that dissipated into the night air. ¡°This should serve as a harsh lesson to the Russo family,¡± Alejandro added, his tone filled with a mix of satisfaction and menace. As Bruno skillfully navigated the city¡¯s dimly lit streets, Alexandro turned his gaze toward him and inquired, ¡°Bruno, who¡¯s our next target?¡± Bruno, focused on the road ahead, chimed in when Alexandro asked about their next target. ¡°Salvador Morello is the next target,¡± he stated firmly. Alexandro¡¯s displeasure was evident as he remarked, ¡°Damn! We¡¯ve been chasing that bastard for almost fourteen years, and he still eludes us.¡± Alejandro, ever the optimist, reassured his brother, ¡°Don¡¯t fret, Alexandro. We¡¯ll apprehend that scoundrel soon. But this time, we need to change our approach. We¡¯ll begin by dismantling the organizations that operate under him. We¡¯ll hunt down every son of a bitch in his employ until we finally corner the bastard himself.¡± With a sinister grin, Alejandro continued, ¡°Step by step, we¡¯ll make that bastard pay for what he¡¯s done to us thirteen years ago, and the entire criminal underworld will tremble at the mere mention of our names.¡± Meanwhile, Marisa was still sitting on the bench in the amusement park, thinking of how to raise money for her son¡¯s surgery before twenty-four hours. She was lost in thought, as the hours passed into evening. The setting sun cast long shadows over the park, and Marisa¡¯s mind raced, desperately trying toe up with ways to raise the exorbitant amount of money needed for her son¡¯s surgery before the critical twenty-four-hour deadline. As she continued to ponder her options, darkness settled over the park, and theughter of children faded into the distance as families began to leave. Marisa knew that she had to act fast. With a heavy heart, she rose from the bench, her mind focused on how to race against the clock to save her son. Marisa started heading home, and she was surprised when she realized that it was already evening. She found it a bit hard to believe that she sat in the park for over four hours, thinking about her son health condition. As she approached the quiet street, Marisa couldn¡¯t help but notice an eerie silence that hung in the air, unusual for the bustling neighborhood she called home. She nced at her watch, her heart racing as she realized just howte it was bing. Suddenly, a desperate cry pierced the silence, pulling her attention towards a gruesome scene. A group of men was mercilessly beating another man, his pleas for mercy falling on deaf ears. The man¡¯s cries for his family were abruptly silenced as he copsed, blood oozing from a chest wound. Panic surged through Marisa as the horrifying reality settled in: he had been stabbed. ¡°Hey, you!¡± one of the assants shouted, spotting Marisa. Without a second thought, she turned and sprinted away, a silent prayer racing through her mind. ¡°I promise, oh Lord, if I escape this, I¡¯ll start attending church programs,¡± she muttered to herself, her breath ragged as she ran headlong into an obstacle and crashed to the ground, her face taking the brunt of the impact. She groaned in frustration as blood began to trickle from her lips, but there was no time to dwell on her minor injuries. Scrambling to her feet, she sought refuge, her heart pounding erratically in her chest. She knew that if she didn¡¯t make it out of this situation alive, she wouldn¡¯t be able to get the. Her son was the most important person in her life, and she couldn¡¯t afford to die and make him an orphan. Maria¡¯s phone started ringing in her back pocket, and she cursed under her breath as she fumbled to retrieve it. As she picked up the call, one of the men seized her wrist. ¡°Let me go,¡± she pleaded, wrenching her hand free from his grip. Determined to escape, she tried to make a run for it but collided with another man, sending her heart racing with fear. ¡°Don¡¯t panic, sweetheart, we¡¯ll be quick,¡± the man assured her, his sinister intentions clear. He attempted to grasp her, and she fought back, biting his hand in desperation.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°You little cockroach!¡± he howled in pain, retaliating with a brutal p that reopened her previous wound, sending fresh blood streaming down her face. Dizziness began to consume her, and her vision blurred. ¡°Release her right now!¡± amanding voice boomed from the shadows, snapping Marisa from her dazed state. Around fifteen figures materialized, standing between her assants and herself, filling her with a potent mixture of astonishment and optimism. Her eyes widened with astonishment as she recognized two of the men ¨C identical twins, one of whom had once saved her from an impending truck collision. Surprisingly, a sense of relief washed over Marisa as sheid eyes on Alejandro, his twin brother, and their men, despite their menacing appearance. Although she had no knowledge of their identities, she instinctively felt secure in their presence. ¡°I demand you release thedy right now!¡± Alejandro dered with an authoritative yet menacing tone, but the men gripping Marisa refused to yield, attempting to maintain a facade of bravery despite their trembling nerves. ¡°What will you do if we refuse?¡± one of the men dared to challenge. In the blink of an eye, a deafening gunshot reverberated through the surroundings, and the man who had challenged Alejandroy lifeless on the ground, blood seeping from his forehead. ¡°Arghhh!!!¡± Marisa shrieked in terror at the gruesome sight. The remaining men immediately released her, attempting to flee, but Alejandro swiftly dispatched them before they could take a single step. ¡°Ahhhh!!!¡± Marisa screamed once more, her terror intensifying as Alejandro turned his gun towards her. Falling to her knees, she sped her hands in a desperate plea. ¡°Please, sir, spare my life! I have a child at home, please don¡¯t take me from them! I beg you!¡± Marisa pleaded, tears streaming down her face. Alejandro regarded her with an impassive expression, his intentions shrouded in mystery. Alexandro and their men watched in silence as Alejandro pointed his gun at Marisa. They all thought he was going to shoot her, but he surprised them by lowering his gun. ¡°Go home,¡± Alejandromanded, and Marisa breathed a sigh of immense relief as she rose to her feet. She swiftly retrieved her handbag from the ground and made a hasty departure. She didn¡¯t know the reason why Alejandro spared her, but she held deep gratitude that he refrained from violence. Without casting a backward nce, she sprinted away with every ounce of strength her legs could muster. Alejandro¡¯s lips curled into a sardonic smirk as he observed her retreating form. Although the urge to pull the trigger tugged at him, there was an uncanny familiarity about her. She bore a striking resemnce to someone he cherished deeply, someone he had loved immensely, and that was the reason why he didn¡¯t shoot her. If Marisa had been anyone else in that moment, he might not have hesitated to shoot. ¡°Dude, why¡¯d you spare her?¡± Alexandro¡¯s voice broke through Alejandro¡¯s reverie, prompting him to face hispanion. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Alejandro responded in a dispassionate tone as he turned away, heading back toward their waiting limousine. Two of their men hurried to open the car doors for Alejandro and Alexandro. ¡°You mean you can¡¯t exin why you didn¡¯t shoot that bitch?¡± Alexandro inquired as they settled inside the vehicle. ¡°Quit probing, Alex, and smoke your cigarette in peace,¡± Alejandro retorted, his demeanor inscrutable. ¡°I hope you¡¯re not developing a soft spot for women,¡± Alexandro teased, and Alejandro shot him a withering re. As the limousine glided through the city, Alejandro¡¯s gaze remained fixed on the passing scenery, but Marisa¡¯s image lingered in his mind like a puzzle. She looked so familiar and he just couldn¡¯t shake the familiarity off his mind. ¡°Who are you?¡± he silently mused, his thoughts a swirl of confusion and curiosity. ¡°And why do you look so much like her?¡± The ride continued, and Alejandro¡¯s mind remained upied with these unanswered questions. Chapter 11: Solemn Vow The limousine continued its journey through the city¡¯s dimly lit streets, with Alejandro lost in thought and Alexandro asionally ncing at his brother, bemused by the mysterious turn of events. ¡°Tell me dude, what the fuck is bothering you?¡± Alexandro asked, breaking the silence that had enveloped them. ¡°I can¡¯t shake the feeling that I know her from somewhere,¡± Alejandro finally admitted to his brother. Alexandro arched an eyebrow, intrigued by his brother¡¯s confession. ¡°Know her? Who? You mean that woman we just spared?¡± Alejandro nodded slowly, his brow furrowed in contemtion. ¡°Yes, that woman. it¡¯s as if I¡¯ve seen her before, but I can¡¯t ce where or when. It¡¯s a strange feeling.¡± Alexandro leaned back in his seat, puffing thoughtfully on his cigarette. ¡°Well, we encounter all sorts of people in our line of work, but sparing someone isn¡¯t exactly our style. Maybe it¡¯s just a case of mistaken identity.¡± Alejandro couldn¡¯t dismiss the possibility, but something about Marisa¡¯s face kept haunting him, tugging at his memory like an elusive thread. He remained deep in thought as the city¡¯s lights flickered past the tinted windows of the limousine. Minutester, Alejandro¡¯s brooding thoughts were interrupted by a message on his encrypted phone. He nced at the screen and then turned to Alexandro with a grim expression. ¡°We have a situation,¡± Alejandro said tersely. ¡°Stacey has just reported that that bastard Salvador has resurfaced in the city. It seems he¡¯s making a move.¡± Alexandro¡¯s eyes narrowed with a sense of purpose. ¡°Finally, we have a lead on that slippery bastard. Let¡¯s make sure he doesn¡¯t slip through our fingers this time.¡± ¡°Bruno, how much longer until we reach the empire?¡± Alejandro asked Bruno, who was driving. ¡°We¡¯ve got fifteen more minutes, boss,¡± replied Bruno. ¡°Step on it, Bruno. I can¡¯t wait to get home and have a good time,¡± said Alexandro, exhaling a plume of smoke. Following Alejandro¡¯s request, Bruno pushed the gas pedal harder to increase the car¡¯s speed. As the limousine sped through the city, Alejandro and Alexandro began formting a n to track down Salvador Morello and dismantle his criminal empire piece by piece. The Gambino brothers were determined to exact their revenge, and nothing would stand in their way. After a thirty-minute drive through the dimly lit city streets, Bruno expertly maneuvered the sleek ck limousine to its destination ¨C the heart of the Gambino brothers¡¯ empire. The imposing structures came into view ¨C it a fortress of power and elegance. As Bruno parked the limousine under the car shed, the heavy wooden doors automatically closed behind them, guarding the prized vehicles that adorned the space. The rhythmic thud of the car doors signaled their arrival, and the air was pregnant with anticipation. The moment the limousine came to a stop, the hefty men who had been trailing them rushed to open the doors for Alejandro and Alexandro. The men¡¯s movements were synchronized and swift, which was a testament to their unwavering loyalty and discipline. Alejandro and Alexandro emerged from the vehicle with an air of undeniable authority. They were giants among men, their presencemanding respect and fear in equal measure. As they stepped out onto the marble floor of the car shed, the empire¡¯s grandeur unfolded before them. The Gambino brothers¡¯ empire contained five impresive skyscrapers that dominated the skyline. Among them, the middle one stood out as the tallest and most stunning. It was reserved for the two mafia bosses, Alejandro and Alexandro, who ruled with an iron fist from within its walls. The other four skyscrapers served as the nerve center of the Gambino crime family. Inside these towering buildings, members of the mafia went about their secretive business. These structures were more than just ces to live and work; they were hubs of illegal activity. One building housed aputerb where cybercrimes were plotted, while another had a meeting hall where shady deals were struck in whispers. The third building had a training area where mobsters sharpened their skills for their criminal endeavors. The third building was also the warehouse for storing weapons and drugs. While the fourth building had the dining hall for the mafia members. But there was more to these buildings than met the eye. They held hidden passages, secret rooms, and concealed spaces, all used for the secretive operations of the Gambino family. These structures were at the heart of organized crime, where various dangerous activities were carried out. As Alejandro and Alexandro made their way toward the entrance of the building meant for them, they were greeted by the mobsters who patrolled thepound. These formidable figures, dressed in tailored suits and exuding an aura of danger, were the enforcers of the Gambino empire. They all had heavily loaded guns tucked beneath their ck suits, both men and women. With heads bowed in a sign of deference, the mobsters acknowledged their leaders. ¡°Boss Alejandro, Boss Alexandro,¡± they murmured in unison, their voices low and respectful. The tension in the air was palpable, which was a reminder of the power and influence these brothers wielded in the criminal underworld. The twin brothers nodded in acknowledgment as they walked past their loyal followers, their eyes scanning the surroundings. The interior of the empire was just as opulent as its exterior. Intricate chandeliers hung from high ceilings, casting a warm, amber glow over the luxurious furnishings that adorned the grand hallways. Bruno walked behind Alejandro and Alexandro as they proceeded further into their building. The mobsters who crossed their path lowered their heads, offering words of greeting and reverence. It was a world where loyalty was paramount, and the brothers¡¯ authority was unquestioned. ¡°Go and call the top members for me,¡± Alejandromanded one of the mobsters, who bowed obediently and immediately walked out. As Alexandro settled onto a luxurious ck couch, he couldn¡¯t help but express his stress, ¡°Damn! Today is the most stressful day of my entire life. I just can¡¯t wait to screw some bitches tonight.¡± He groaned while a cigarette dangled from his pink lips, drawing each puff with an almost devilish delight as if it were the sweetest thing on Earth. Alejandro, with an air of authority, removed his suit jacket, and a female mobster briskly approached to collect it from him. He then took a seat on the opulent couch, positioned opposite his brother. With a sense of practiced elegance, Alejandro reached into his pocket, producing a golden box of cigarettes and a matching golden lighter. Selecting a stick from the box of cigarette, he ignited it with the ornate lighter and began to smoke, exuding an aura of both power and indulgence.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. A few minutester, the atmosphere shifted as five formidable figures entered the expansive living room. Their presence emanated an aura of lethality and danger. These individuals were no ordinary associates; they were the esteemed top members of the Gambino Mafia family, the superiors among the mobsters. First was de, a 27-year-old beautiful but deadly woman, who had a close rtionship with Alejandro and Alexandro since childhood. She was the most beautiful female in the family. Next was Stacey, the gang¡¯sputer whiz, always seen with her ckptop and a cute ck bag strapped on her back. She may act childishly sometimes, but she was exceptionally smart and skillful. The other three were triplets: Jason, Jace, and Jasmine. Jason and Jace were physically imposing, capable of taking down anyone with a single punch. In contrast, Jasmine, the only female among the triplets at the age of 28, emanated an air of arrogance and asional bitchiness. Nevertheless, she was a skilled marksman andbatant. Thest top member was ady named Dagger, who was equally as dangerous as her name and was also as bitchy as Jasmine. The top members were more privileged than the rest of the members. They had the opportunity to interact freely but respectfully with the bosses, and they were entitled to more benefits. But they were also the ones who embarked on the most dangerous and deadly missions. As the top members stood in front of Alejandro and Alexandro, they greeted them all at the same time and with great respect. They said, ¡°Wee, bosses,¡± together in a coordinated manner, showing their loyalty and recognizing the twins¡¯ authority. In response, Alejandro and Alexandro maintained a stoic silence, their cigarette smoke swirling around them like an ominous shroud. Alejandro, with a demeanor that matched his dark aura, took a deep, deliberate drag from his cigarette before addressing the matter at hand. ¡°Stacey, you mentioned having a lead on Salvador. Correct?¡± he inquired, his voiceced with a mixture of curiosity and authority. Stacey, the technologically gifted member of the group, stood there with her trusty ckptop clutched firmly in her left hand. Her steely resolve was evident as she replied, ¡°Yes, boss. One of our informants reported a sighting of Salvador Morello in Broadway this afternoon, but we can¡¯t be certain if it¡¯s him.¡± Pausing briefly, Stacey initiated herptop, her fingers dancing across the keys. ¡°I¡¯ve infiltrated the city¡¯s CCTVwork, but there¡¯s no trace of Salvador in Broadway today. His elusiveness is proving challenging, but I¡¯ll persist in tracking his coordinates until we have a solid lead. And I also have the location of the organizations working under him, but the location of Salvador himself is still hidden.¡± Stacey concluded her report with an endearing smile that contrasted sharply with the gravity of their situation. Alejandro, exhaling a plume of smoke through his nostrils, nodded in acknowledgment. ¡°Very well, Stacey. Continue your pursuit, and keep us updated once you pinpoint his location.¡± ¡°Yes, boss,¡± Stacey replied with a subtle nod, her dedication unwavering. With a chilling undertone in his voice, Alejandro shifted his attention to the remaining members of their group. ¡°Tonight, a shipment of cocaine is scheduled to arrive at 10 PM. I want all of you, except Stacey, to ensure its safe delivery to this location.¡± Alexandro interjected, emphasizing the magnitude of the situation, ¡°That shipment is valued at a staggering hundred billion dors, and I have no doubt that rival Mafia factions are aware of it. Failure is not an option. The consequences for any mishaps will be severe.¡± In solemn unity, the top members of the organization bowed in acknowledgment before departing, fully aware of the high stakes and the unforgiving nature of their the Gambino brothers. As the top members filed out of the room, the heavy silence settled like a shroud. Bruno, who had been concealed behind the couch upon which Alejandro was perched, seized the moment to address his enigmatic boss with a hint of anticipation. ¡°Boss,¡± Bruno began, his voice tinged with both curiosity and strategic thinking, ¡°now that we have the locations of the organizations operating under Salvador, should we considerunching attacks against them? It might lure Salvador out of hiding.¡± Alejandro, exhaling another cloud of smoke with an air of contemtion, met Bruno¡¯s gaze before delivering his response, dripping with the weight of experience and caution. ¡°Bruno, the time for action wille, but not just yet,¡± Alejandro replied, his wordsden with a sense of deliberate restraint. Intrigued and persistent, Alexandro, Alejandro¡¯s ever-inquisitive twin brother, couldn¡¯t resist chiming in with an arched eyebrow and a probing question of his own. ¡°Why not?¡± Alexandro queried, his curiosity dancing in his eyes. ¡°Why shouldn¡¯t we strike at these organizations now? Salvador has eluded us for thirteen long years, and finally, we possess the key to draw him out. Destroying these organizations would leave him with no choice but to confront us. This is our chance, Alejandro, our opportunity to exact the revenge we¡¯ve coveted for over a decade. Why hesitate?¡± Alejandro, his gaze unwavering, regarded his brother with a mixture of solemnity and wisdom before delivering a wise response. ¡°Why?¡± Alejandro repeated, the gravity of his words underscoring the decision at hand. ¡°Because, my brother, we must be patient. Salvador is a cunning adversary, and we can¡¯t underestimate him. Rushing in now might expose our intentions prematurely. We¡¯ll bide our time, gather more information, and strike when we are certain of victory. Revenge is a dish best served cold, and when the timees, we¡¯ll ensure it¡¯s as cold as the darkest depths of our past. We¡¯ll make that bastard pay for what he did to us when we were kids. He turned us into orphans, and we¡¯ll ensure he suffers just as much as we did back then.¡± With those words echoing in the room, Alejandro slowly pushed himself up from his seat, the glowing tip of his cigarette held delicately between two fingers. He strode with purpose toward the nearest window, each step resonating with the weight of their shared history. As he reached the window, Alejandro¡¯s piercing gaze fixated on the dark expanse of the night sky, which was a canvas adorned with countless stars and the full moon casting an ethereal glow. He brought the cigarette to his lips and inhaled deeply, drawing strength from the tobo-infused smoke. It was as if the night itself bore witness to his solemn vow. Alejandro¡¯s voice, tinged with an underlying fury, broke the silence. ¡°My painful past will no longer chain me,¡± he whispered, his words carried away by the gentle breeze. ¡°Salvador, I promise you, the day of reckoning is approaching. I will ensure you regret the moment you crossed our path. Revenge is an inescapable fate you will meet. I swear it, by all that is sacred. You¡¯ll die byy hands.¡± The dangerous resolve etched across his face made it clear that this was no idle promise. It was a vow, a resolute pledge he was determined to fulfill, even if it meant it would be thest thing he did. Chapter 12: Unconventional Approach Meanwhile, Marisa was still trekking home. She couldn¡¯t find a taxi because of the chaos caused by the Gambino brothers at the restaurant. Her journey home was fraught with a heavy heart and a sense of urgency. She walked through the dimly lit quiet streets, her steps quick and determined. The encounter with the Gambino brothers had shaken her to the core, leaving her with a sense of unease. She couldn¡¯t understand why they had spared her life when they had been so ruthless toward the men who had attacked her. The experience had left her both grateful and perplexed. Upon reaching the small, cramped apartment she shared with her best friend, rabelle, she wasted no time. Her son was the only thing on her mind. She entered her living room, the faded photograph of Jeffrey on the rickety wooden table catching her eye. Her emotions welled up as she thought about her son¡¯s critical condition. ¡°I promise, Jeffrey, I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to get you that surgery,¡± she whispered, her voice trembling with determination. ¡°Even if it means stepping into the darkness, I¡¯ll save you.¡± Marisa knew that time was running out, and she couldn¡¯t afford to waste a single moment. She had to find a way to raise the money for her son¡¯s surgery within the next twenty-four hours, or he¡¯d be paralyzed forever, and she couldn¡¯t bear to see her only son paralyzed. With renewed resolve, she sat down at her old, batteredptop and began scouring the inte for any opportunities or contacts that might help her secure the funds she so desperately needed. The clock was ticking, and Marisa was prepared to do whatever it took to keep her promise to her son. Hours passed as Marisa relentlessly searched for job listings, her eyes scanning through various websites. Her qualifications were limited, and she didn¡¯t possess a school degree, which narrowed her options significantly. Each rejection and job posting that didn¡¯t fit her qualifications weighed heavily on her. As the night grew darker, Marisa¡¯s frustration and worry mounted. She muttered to herself, her voice filled with anguish. ¡°Why is it so hard to find a job that could save my son? I¡¯ll do anything, anything at all¡­¡± Tears welled up in her eyes as the realization sank in that she might not find a job in time to secure the money for Jeffrey¡¯s surgery. The overwhelming fear and helplessness brought her to her breaking point, and she burst into tears, her shoulders shaking with sobs. Amidst her tears, Marisa muttered softly, ¡°I can¡¯t lose him. I won¡¯t lose him.¡± Her voice quivered as she uttered the words, her desperation palpable. Just then, the door to the apartment swung open, and Marisa¡¯s best friend, rabelle, walked in. She had just finished her long day at work and hadn¡¯t expected to find Marisa in such a state. Concern etched across her face as she dropped her bag on the couch and rushed to Marisa¡¯s side. ¡°Marisa, what¡¯s wrong?¡± rabelle asked urgently, kneeling before her friend. She reached out to gently wipe away Marisa¡¯s tears. Marisa, still sobbing, tried to speak through her choked sobs. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s Jeffrey, rabelle. He¡¯s.. he¡¯s at the hospital..¡± Her words came out in fragments as she struggled to convey the gravity of the situation. rabelle¡¯s concern for Jeffrey deepened as she sat with Marisa, who was still visibly distraught. After a moment of silence, rabelle gently asked, ¡°Marisa, can you tell me what happened to Jeffrey? Why is he at the hospital?¡± Marisa took a shaky breath, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand before exining, her voice trembling with emotion. ¡°Jeffrey had an ident this morning while the school bus was conveying the students to school. During the ident, Jeffery broke his neck bone which resulted into temporary paralysis. The doctors say he needs surgery as soon as possible to have any chance of walking again or else he¡¯ll be paralyzed forever. Without the surgery, his life is in grave danger.¡± rabelle listened intently, her brow furrowing with worry. ¡°I had no idea, Marisa. Why didn¡¯t you tell me earlier? We need to do everything we can to get him the help he needs.¡± Marisa nodded, her eyes brimming with gratitude for her friend¡¯s unwavering support. ¡°I never wanted to burden you with my problems, rabelle, but I¡¯ve reached a point where I can¡¯t do this alone. I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to save my son.¡± rabelle¡¯s determination shone through her response. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Marisa. While you go take a shower and rx, I¡¯ll reach out to my contacts and seek help.¡± Marisa hesitated, her exhaustion evident. ¡°A shower is thest thing on my mind right now.¡± With a reassuring smile, rabelle gently insisted, ¡°Trust me, Marisa. Taking a shower will help clear your mind and relieve some of the stress. We¡¯ll find a way to get the money, but first, let¡¯s ensure you¡¯re in a better state of mind to tackle this challenge.¡± Marisa was on the verge of protest, but rabelle interrupted her, ¡°Just go and take a quick shower, Marisa. It¡¯s essential for your well-being, and then we can brainstorm effective strategies to meet the deadline.¡± Reluctantly, Marisa sighed, her gratitude palpable. ¡°Alright, rabelle, I¡¯ll take your advice and have a quick shower. Thank you, once again, for being here for me.¡± rabelle yfully scolded her, ¡°Marisa, I¡¯ve said it before-no more ¡®thank yous.¡¯ We¡¯re in this together.¡± Marisa nodded, understanding the depth of their partnership. She managed a weak smile and headed towards the bathroom. The weight of the situation still hung heavily on her shoulders, but she couldn¡¯t deny that rabelle¡¯s presence provided a glimmer of hope in her darkest hour. As Marisa turned on the shower, the warm water cascading over her served as a temporary respite from the relentless worries about her son¡¯s life. She allowed herself a moment to let the tension drain away, if only for a short while. Meanwhile, rabelle wasted no time. She reached for her phone and began making calls to her contacts and friends. Each conversation was a plea for help, a desperate attempt to secure the funds needed for Jeffery¡¯s surgery. Her words were heartfelt, and her determination was unwavering. The responses varied. Some of her contacts expressed sympathy but couldn¡¯t provide the necessary financial assistance. Others promised to check if they knew anyone who could help. rabelle¡¯s determination never wavered, and she continued her calls with unwavering resolve. After what felt like an eternity of phone calls and negotiations, rabelle managed to gather a substantial sum of money, but it was far from enough to cover the cost of Jeffery¡¯s surgery. Her heart sank as she realized the enormity of the task at hand. Marisa emerged from the shower, the warm water having provided a brief respite from the relentless worry that weighed her down. But when she saw the look on rabelle¡¯s face, it was as if a heavy shroud of despair settled back over her.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡°Hey, rabelle,¡± Marisa said as she sank down beside her friend. ¡°Any luck yet?¡± rabelle¡¯s expression was a mix of frustration and sadness. She sighed heavily before responding, ¡°Not really. I¡¯ve only been able to gather a sum of $213, 000.¡± Marisa gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief. ¡°Oh my God! You gathered such a huge amount of money in less than an hour?¡± rabelle nodded, her voice tinged with sorrow. ¡°Yeah, but it¡¯s still not enough for Jeffrey¡¯s surgery, and I have no one else to call for help.¡± Marisa was about to reply, but her phone¡¯s ringtone suddenly pierced the air. She sprang to her feet and hurriedly retrieved her phone from her handbag. Her heart raced as she saw the doctor¡¯s name disyed on the caller ID. Without wasting a single moment, she answered the call and pressed the phone to her trembling ear. ¡°Good evening, doctor,¡± she greeted nervously. ¡°Evening, Mrs. Russo,¡± the doctor replied, his tone serious. ¡°I just called to remind you about your son¡¯s condition. We only have fifteen hours left to perform the surgery, or else he¡¯ll be paralyzed permanently.¡± Marisa¡¯s heart sank as she listened to the doctor¡¯s words. The gravity of the situation pressed down on her, and the relentless countdown to the surgery deadline seemed to echo in her ears. ¡°I understand, doctor,¡± Marisa replied, her voice trembling with anxiety. ¡°I¡¯m doing everything I can to gather the money as quickly as possible.¡± The doctor¡¯s response was sympathetic yet firm. ¡°I know you¡¯re doing your best, Mrs. Russo, but time is of the essence. I implore you to expedite your efforts. Jeffrey¡¯s future hangs in the bnce.¡± With a deep breath, Marisa hung up the call, her hands shaking slightly as she ced the phone back on the table. She returned to rabelle, her eyes filled with a mixture of determination and fear. ¡°We¡¯re running out of time, rabelle,¡± Marisa said, her voice quivering. ¡°I can¡¯t bear the thought of Jeffrey being paralyzed for the rest of his life. We have to find a way to get the remaining money, no matter what it takes.¡± rabelle hesitated for a moment before broaching a difficult subject. She knew that Marisa was already in an extremely vulnerable position, but their options were running out. ¡°Marisa,¡± rabelle began softly, ¡°I know this is an incredibly tough decision to make, but considering the time we have left and the amount we still need, there might be onest resort.¡± Marisa looked at rabelle, her eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. ¡°What do you mean, rabelle?¡± rabelle took a deep breath before suggesting, ¡°There¡¯s a way to make a substantial amount of money quickly, but it¡¯s¡­ unconventional. I don¡¯t want to pressure you, but it might be our only option at this point.¡± Marisa¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion. ¡°What are you talking about, rabelle? What kind of unconventional way?¡± rabelle hesitated, knowing that her words would carry a heavy weight. ¡°I¡¯m talking about joining a¡­ well, a hook-up site. There are people willing to payrge sums of money forpanionship, and it could help us raise the rest of the funds we need in a short amount of time.¡± Marisa¡¯s eyes widened in shock and disbelief. She couldn¡¯t believe what she was hearing. The idea was both startling and distressing, and it left her torn between desperation and the fear of crossing a moral boundary. Chapter 13: About To Meet Again (For The Third Time) Tears welled up in Marisa¡¯s eyes as she contemted the drastic step they were considering. She whispered, more to herself than anyone else, ¡°I never thought I¡¯d be faced with such a choice. But if it means saving my son¡¯s life¡­¡± rabelle gently ced a hand on Marisa¡¯s shoulder, her voice filled with understanding and empathy. ¡°Marisa, I know it¡¯s a difficult decision, and I would never suggest it if we had any other viable options. But I¡¯ll support you no matter what you decide. If you decide not to engage in this hook-up stuff, then we¡¯ll look for other means.¡± As the minutes ticked away, the weight of their situation pressed down on them, and they knew that the clock was ticking relentlessly. As the evening wore on, Marisa found herself making a decision she never thought she would. With a heavy heart, she agreed to go through with the n of using a hook-up site to raise the money for Jeffrey¡¯s surgery. rabelle, her loyal friend, wanted to make sure Marisa was truly on board with this drastic step. ¡°Marisa, are you sure you¡¯re okay with this?¡± rabelle asked, her concern evident in her eyes. Marisa took a deep breath and nodded resolutely. ¡°I have no choice, rabelle. It¡¯s for Jeffrey¡¯s sake. But remember, this is a one-time thing. After tonight, you help me delete that ount, okay?¡± rabelle nodded in agreement, understanding the gravity of the situation. ¡°I promise, Marisa. We¡¯ll get through this together.¡± Their first step was to create a profile on a popr hook-up site. rabelle instructed Marisa to put on a sexy bikini for a profile picture that would attract potential clients. ¡°Why a bikini?¡± Marisa questioned, feeling a hint of embarrassment. ¡°I mean, I only wanna take a profile picture, so why do I need to wear a bikini?¡± rabelle exined, ¡°We need a photo that grabs attention and makes you stand out. It¡¯s all about marketing yourself on these sites. A bikini will make you look sexy and attractive, so go put one on immediately.¡± Reluctantly, Marisa went to her bedroom and changed into the bikini rabelle had provided. She felt exposed and vulnerable, but the urgency of her son¡¯s condition pushed her to do what was necessary. She returned to the living room, where rabelle took a photo of her to use as her profile picture. rabelle then got to work creating the hook-up ount for Marisa. She filled in the necessary details and uploaded the photo they had just taken. With the ount set up, rabelle reassured Marisa that they only needed to wait for a few minutes before clients would start booking her services. Marisa couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of dread and regret about the path she was about to embark on. She turned to rabelle and spoke with conviction, ¡°I want you to know, rabelle, that after tonight, I¡¯m done with this. I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to get Jeffrey¡¯s surgery, but I won¡¯t go down this road again.¡± rabelle ced aforting hand on Marisa¡¯s shoulder and replied, ¡°I understand, Marisa. We¡¯ll do what we must to save Jeffrey, and then we¡¯ll leave this behind us.¡± Meanwhile, in thevish surroundings of the Gambino brothers¡¯ empire, Alejandro had just finished taking a shower and was stepping out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. His calm moment was interrupted when Alexandro sauntered into therge room unannounced, a cigarette in hand. ¡°What are you doing in my room, Alex?¡± Alejandro asked, his irritation apparent. Alexandro exhaled a plume of smoke and grinned mischievously. ¡°I¡¯m nning to have some fun with some hook-updies tonight. Interested?¡± Alejandro, usuallyposed and focused on business, was taken aback by Alexandro¡¯s proposition. He replied firmly, ¡°I¡¯m not interested in such distractions, Alex. We have more important matters to attend to.¡± Alexandro chuckled and yfully teased his brother, saying, ¡°Come on, Alejandro, you¡¯re like a neer in the Mafia. You need to rx and enjoy the lifestyle more. I can¡¯t even remember thest time I saw you screwing a bitch.¡± Alejandro responded with a scoff and began to dress up. Alexandro on the other hand settled onto one of the plush couches in Alejandro¡¯s room and casually began scrolling through a popr hook-up site, leisurely browsing through the profiles of avable women. It was then that something peculiar and intriguing caught his eye-a face that seemed oddly familiar. Marisa¡¯s sultry photo on the hook-up site triggered Alexandro¡¯s memory, and a spark of recognition flickered within him. He realized she was the woman Alejandro had spared earlier in the evening. Excitement surged through him like an electric jolt as he immediately rose from the couch to show Alejandro the provocative picture.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. ¡°Yo bro! Take a look at this hotcake!¡± Alexandro rushed to his twin brother and handed his phone to him. ¡°Get that phone away f¡­..¡± Alejandro stopped halfway his statement when he saw Marisa¡¯s picture. His usuallyposed demeanor shifted imperceptibly. His piercing eyes darkened with a newfound interest as he intently gazed at Marisa¡¯s seductive image on the hook-up site. ¡°Sexy, isn¡¯t she?¡± Alexandro remarked with a sly grin as he retrieved his phone from Alejandro. ¡°Yeah, she is,¡± Alejandro admitted, his voice betraying a hint of desire that was rare for him to disy. ¡°I¡¯m gonna book her ASAP and have a damn good time,¡± Alexandro dered with an eager expression, his excitement palpable. ¡°No, I¡¯ll be the one to engage with her,¡± Alejandro responded, shocking Alexandro with his assertion. ¡°What?!¡± Alexandro eximed in disbelief, unable to fathom that his typically reserved brother was showing such a strong inclination. ¡°You heard me correctly, Alex. Thatdy is mine,¡± Alejandro stated firmly as he moved toward his closet, preparing to dress. ¡°I¡¯m quite surprised you¡¯ve had a change of heart, Alejandro. However, unfortunately for you, I spotted her first,¡± Alexandro interjected. ¡°But, I¡¯d be willing to make a deal with you in order for you to have a good time with her,¡± Alexandro continued, a sly grin forming on his face. ¡°What kind of deal?¡± Alejandro inquired, his curiosity piqued. ¡°I¡¯ll let you have your fun with thedy, but in exchange, I want seventy percent of the weekly profits from our drug cartels. That means you¡¯ll have to relinquish twenty percent of your share for this week,¡± Alexandro proposed. Without hesitation, Alejandro calmly agreed, ¡°No problem.¡± ¡°Wait, seriously? You¡¯re agreeing to this?¡± Alexandro asked, visibly surprised by Alejandro¡¯s swift eptance. ¡°Yes. So, go ahead and book thatdy for me ASAP, and offer her two million dors for her hook-up services,¡± Alejandro replied as he continued to prepare himself. Alexandro wore a bewildered expression as he stared at Alejandro, who was nonchntly dressing. He couldn¡¯t believe that his twin brother was willing to give up twenty percent of their weekly profits simply for a casual encounter. Alexandro couldn¡¯t help but wonder if there was something deeper, a hidden connection, or even an unexpected attraction that had swayed Alejandro¡¯s decision. ¡°You¡¯ve been staring at me for almost five minutes. Is there an issue?¡± Alejandro inquired, breaking Alexandro out of his reverie. ¡°I just find it rather astonishing that you¡¯re willing to surrender twenty percent of your share just for a casual rendezvous with this woman,¡± Alexandromented, his curiosity and intrigue evident. ¡°Is there something wrong with that?¡± Alejandro responded with his typical icy demeanor as he donned a sleek ck suit. Alexandro, still surprised by Alejandro¡¯s decision, couldn¡¯t believe how enthusiastic his brother was about a casual encounter with Marisa. He had a feeling there might be more to it than Alejandro was letting on. ¡°Are you sure this is just about a casual encounter, Alejandro?¡± Alexandro asked cautiously. Alejandro paused briefly before replying, ¡°Yes, Alex, it¡¯s just that. Nothing more.¡± But Alexandro had his doubts. He knew Alejandro well and suspected there might be something else driving this sudden interest in Marisa. However, he decided not to pry further and respected Alejandro¡¯s privacy. ¡°Alright, Alejandro,¡± Alexandro conceded, reclining on the couch. ¡°I¡¯ll book her for you and make the arrangements.¡± As Alexandro handled the logistics of contacting Marisa through the hook-up site, Alejandro continued to prepare himself meticulously. The reason why he asked his brother to book Marisa for him was not because he wanted to engage in a physical rtionship with her, but rather, because he found her profoundly intriguing. There was an inexplicable allure about her that captivated him, an attraction that defied his usual indifference towards people and circumstances. Somehow, he felt a surge of excitement knowing that he was about to embark on this encounter. ¡°I¡¯vepleted all the arrangements,¡± Alexandro dered from his seat. ¡°I¡¯ve just forwarded her the location. You guys will be convening at Brandon club in just thirty short minutes.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Alejandro responded, adjusting the impably tailored ck suit that adorned him. ¡°Alenjandro, can¡¯t help but wonder if there¡¯s more to your desire to be with thisdy,¡± Alexandro inquired as he rose from his seat, moving closer to Alejandro. ¡°I have no ulterior motive other than desiring intimacy,¡± Alejandro stated bluntly. ¡°Just as you mentioned earlier, it¡¯s been a considerable amount of time since I¡¯ve had such an experience, so I decided to seize this opportunity.¡± ¡°So, you¡¯re telling me that sex is the sole reason behind your request to have her booked?¡± Alexandro probed further. ¡°Yes,¡± Alejandro confirmed with a simple nod. ¡°But why her?¡± Alexandro continued his line of questioning. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Alejandro responded, intrigued by his brother¡¯s curiosity. ¡°I mean, there¡¯s an abundance of attractive women on the hookup site, yet you specifically chose her, even willing to forfeit twenty percent of your weekly earnings. Is there something you¡¯re concealing from me, brother?¡± Alexandro¡¯s curiosity persisted. ¡°Why are you so intent on delving into other people¡¯s affairs, Alex?¡± Alejandro asked with a faint frown. ¡°You¡¯re not just ¡®other people¡¯; you¡¯re my twin brother. Therefore, I have every right to be concerned and inquire about your motives,¡± Alexandro retorted with a mischievous grin. Alejandro let out a resigned sigh, realizing that his brother¡¯s persistence was not going to waver. He walked towards a couch and sat on it while his twin brother sat on the couch from across him. Alejandro knew Alex was the inquisitive type and he was sick of his inquiries, so he decided to deflect his brother¡¯s inquiries. ¡°Look, Alex, it¡¯s really not that deep,¡± Alejandro said with a dismissive wave of his hand. ¡°I just thought she was attractive when I saw her picture on the hook-up site, and I wanted to have a good time with someone attractive. End of story.¡± Alexandro raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced, but he could sense that pushing further would only lead to a dead end. ¡°Alright, Alejandro, if you say so,¡± he conceded, deciding to drop the matter for now. With that, the conversation shifted, and was d it did because he was already getting sick of Alex¡¯s persistent inquiries. Alejandro then stood up from his couch, adjusting his sleek ck suit one final time. With a cold expression, he announced, ¡°Well, I better get going.¡± Alexandro nodded in acknowledgment. ¡°Have a great time, brother, and remember what I said about being careful.¡± Alejandro grinned and assured him, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Alex, I¡¯ve got everything under control.¡± With those parting words, Alejandro headed towards the door, his polished leather shoes clicking against the hardwood floor with each step. He emanated an air of confidence as he left the room, leaving his brother behind with a mixture of curiosity and concern. As Alejandro closed the door behind him, Alexandro couldn¡¯t help but ponder the enigma concealed by his brother. What mysteries were concealed within the connection between his twin brother and Marisa? Meanwhile, Alejandro strode confidently out of the building, his trusted right-hand man, Bruno, tailing him closely. ¡°Off to a destination, boss?¡± Bruno inquired as he trailed Alejandro. ¡°Yes, Brandon club,¡± Alejandro responded in a curt tone, prompting Bruno to signal to their gang¡¯s driver, stationed nearby, to prepare a car. The driver, well-versed in their unspokenmunication, swiftly made his way toward a magnificent Silver Wraith Rolls Royce, situated amongst a fleet of vehicles within the expansivepound. He courteously held the car door open for Alejandro, who settled into the plush backseat. Bruno joined him, upying the adjacent seat, and the driver took his ce behind the steering wheel. ¡°To Brandon club,¡± Bruno ryed to the driver, who nodded in understanding. With a swift turn of the key, the engine roared to life, and they smoothly exited thepound. Five obsidian jeeps trailed closely behind Alejandro¡¯s opulent Rolls Royce. These jeeps contained Alejandro¡¯s loyal and vignt men, dedicated to ensuring their boss¡¯s safety and preventing any harm from befalling him on this journey to the club. As the cars sped through the dark streets, Marisa¡¯s image upied Alejandro¡¯s thoughts. He couldn¡¯t deny the striking resemnce she bore to the woman he had loved so deeply five years prior. However, he was acutely aware that Marisa could never truly be that woman. He had heard of his lover¡¯s tragic demise five years ago, though the cause of her death remained shrouded in mystery. All he knew for certain was that she had passed away, leaving a void in his heart that had never been filled. Nevertheless, the striking resemnce between Marisa and his deceased lover piqued Alejandro¡¯s curiosity. He couldn¡¯t help but smirk at the prospect of spending the evening with her, drawn by the allure of her familiar yet distinct features. Chapter 14: Third Encounter At Marisa and rabelle¡¯s apartment, both of them found themselves seated in the cozy living room, eagerly anticipating a potential client to connect with Marisa on the hook-up site. Marisa upied one end of the room, sitting across from rabelle, her thoughts deeply ensnared in her concerns. Her mind was preupied with her beloved son and his debilitating condition. The doctor¡¯s grave words regarding her son¡¯s health had been etching themselves into her consciousness, relentlessly reying and perpetuating her anxiety and fear. Her son was the most cherished entity in her life, and the prospect of witnessing him endure permanent paralysis was an agonizing thought that weighed heavily on her heart. As she remained seated, Marisa harbored a quiet and profound hope that a client would indeed choose her on the hook-up site. It was worth noting that she had mixed feelings about engaging in this type of endeavor, far from being a wholehearted advocate for such encounters. Nevertheless, she had reluctantly agreed to partake in it, solely motivated by the desperate need to secure her son¡¯s well-being. Suddenly, rabelle let out an exuberant shout that rang through the room, momentarily overpowering all other sounds. With an infectious joy, rabelle eximed, ¡°Oh my God!!!!!¡± Her voice brimming with exhration, she nearly jumped from her seat, sending a jolt of surprise through Marisa, who was deeply engrossed in her thoughts. Marisa, caught off guard and momentarily frightened by rabelle¡¯s unexpected outburst, looked at her friend with concern and asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong, rabelle?¡± Her expression was a mix of worry and curiosity, mirroring the emotions surging within her. ¡°You won¡¯t believe this, Marisa,¡± rabelle responded, her gaze transfixed on her smartphone. Marisa¡¯s curiosity piqued, she pressed further, ¡°Believe what?¡± Her voice tinged with confusion. rabelle promptly rose from her seat and made her way over to Marisa¡¯s side. Close enough to share the news, she dered, ¡°You¡¯ve just been contacted by a client on the hook-up site.¡± rabelle settled down beside Marisa, and upon hearing this revtion, Marisa¡¯s face immediately lit up with a blend of astonishment and hope. ¡°Really?¡± she asked, her voice tinged with excitement. With an affirmative nod, rabelle confirmed, ¡°Yes, and you won¡¯t believe how much he¡¯s willing to pay.¡± Marisa¡¯s impatience was palpable as she inquired, ¡°How much?¡± rabelle tantalizingly revealed, ¡°Two million dors!¡± This deration left Marisa in a state of shock, her eyes widening in disbelief. ¡°What?!¡± Marisa eximed incredulously. ¡°Two million dors for just one night?¡± Astonishingly, rabelle affirmed, ¡°Yes.¡± With a healthy dose of skepticism, Marisa sought further reassurance, asking, ¡°Are you absolutely certain you read the amount correctly?¡± It seemed unfathomable that someone would be willing to offer such an astronomical sum for a single night ofpanionship. ¡°Absolutely,¡± rabelle replied firmly. Eager to delve deeper into this potential arrangement, Marisa inquired, ¡°Can I see his profile picture?¡± rabelle agreed, handing her phone over to Marisa. However, she prefaced it with a cautionary note, ¡°Bear in mind that he didn¡¯t use his real picture as his profile image.¡± Marisa harbored legitimate concerns about the authenticity of this client and her safety. She voiced these concerns, asking, ¡°How can we be certain that this client is genuine? What if this individual is using the site as a means to lure me into a dangerous situation?¡± In response, rabelle radiated unwavering assurance and responded confidently, ¡°Calm down, Marisa. This client is indeed genuine.¡± Marisa, her curiosity piqued and her brows arching inquisitively, probed further, ¡°And how have youe to that conclusion?¡± rabelle proceeded to provide aprehensive exnation, shedding light on her findings, ¡°After I set up your profile on the hook-up site, I carefully reviewed the terms and conditions. It explicitly stated that clients must first make a payment for the services. Following this, they select a designated meeting location where you will rendezvous with them. Once your¡­ ahem¡­ encounter is concluded, the site will facilitate the transfer of funds into your ount.¡± Marisa sought further rity, asking with a hint of disbelief, ¡°So, you¡¯re suggesting that this client is legitimate?¡± rabelle confirmed with a nod, ¡°Yes.¡± Intrigued by the imminent meeting, Marisa inquired about the rendezvous location, asking, ¡°Where am I meeting this client, then?¡± With a quick nce at her phone for confirmation, rabelle replied, ¡°Brandon Club, in precisely thirty minutes.¡± Marisa was taken aback by the impending time constraints, and she hesitated, ¡°Thirty minutes?¡± ¡°Indeed. That means you need to get dressed immediately; otherwise, you¡¯ll arrivete.¡± rabelle replied. Concerned about her attire, Marisa voiced her worries, stating, ¡°But what should I wear? I don¡¯t possess any alluring dresses.¡± rabelle swiftly reassured her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve got an array of enticing dresses that will leave your client utterly captivated.¡± Without wasting another moment, they hurried to rabelle¡¯s mini closet, which was filled with an assortment of stylish and seductive dresses. Together, they began selecting the perfect attire for the uing rendezvous. Marisa was amazed by the choices rabelle had at her disposal, and they worked together to find a dress that made Marisa feel confident and attractive. As Marisa changed into the chosen outfit, which was a tight ck gown, rabelle offered some words of encouragement. ¡°You¡¯ve got this, Marisa. Just be yourself and stay safe. If anything feels off or ufortable during the meeting, don¡¯t hesitate to reach out. Your safety is the most important thing.¡± Marisa acknowledged her friend¡¯s genuine concern with a nod. ¡°I will, rabelle,¡± she affirmed, her voiceced with gratitude. ¡°And thank you for always being there for me.¡± rabelle reciprocated Marisa¡¯s gratitude with a warm smile, her friendship unwavering. ¡°You know I¡¯ve got your back.¡± As Marisa carefully stowed her phone inside her petite fashion bag, rabelle took a moment to share her own ns. ¡°I¡¯ll head to the hospital to check on Jeffrey and see how he¡¯s doing,¡± she offered. Marisa¡¯s expression softened with gratitude once more. ¡°Thank you so much, ra. And please, let the doctor know that I¡¯ll gather the funds for Jeffrey¡¯s surgery as soon as possible.¡± rabelle assured her friend, ¡°No problem, Marisa. I¡¯ll make sure to convey your message. Marisa took a deep breath before stepping out of the apartment, onto the bustling city sidewalk where she hailed a passing cab. The yellow vehicle briskly came to a halt and Marisa settled inside. As she entered the cab, the interior seemed bothforting and foreign. The driver, a stranger with a friendly disposition, inquired, ¡°Where to, miss?¡± ¡°Brandon Club, please,¡± Marisa replied, her voice quivering slightly despite her best efforts to soundposed. The cab pulled away from the curb, and Marisa felt a growing sense of trepidation settle in. She watched the passing cityscape through the window, her thoughts a whirlwind of doubts and hopes. The neon signs and bustling streets blurred together as the cab weaved through the urbanndscape, carrying her closer to her destination. With each passing minute, Marisa¡¯s nervousness intensified. The nature of the impending meeting weighed heavily on her mind. Her palms felt mmy, and she couldn¡¯t help but fidget in her seat. The uncertainty of whaty ahead gnawed at her, causing her stomach to churn with unease. As the cab continued its journey to Brandon Club, Marisa clung to her resolve, determined to face whatever awaited her with courage and determination. Afterall, she was doing it for her son. ¡ï?¡ï?¡ï?¡ï?¡ï?¡ï?¡ï About twenty minutester, Marisa found herself seated at the Brandon club, sipping her drink slowly, anxiously scanning the crowd for her client¡¯s arrival. The snug ck gown she wore left little to the imagination, and she began to regret her choice of attire, feeling increasingly ufortable. Her nervousness grew as she observed the club¡¯s patrons openly engaging in passionate embraces and kisses. This was her first time in a club, having spent most of her days working tirelessly at the restaurant before her unfortunate dismissal. Suddenly, a masculine voice interrupted her thoughts, and she turned to see a man standing behind her with a sly grin. Marisa decided to ignore him, focusing on her wine. ¡°You look so pretty,¡± the manmented, his gaze lingering on her suggestively. Marisa responded with silence, rolling her eyes and continuing to sip her wine. Meeting her client was already nerve-wracking, and this unwee attention only heightened her difort. ¡°What¡¯s a lovelydy like you doing here all alone?¡± the man persisted, attempting to touch her. Irritated, Marisa pped his hand away and shot him a venomous re. ¡°Leave me alone!¡± she snapped, frustration evident in her voice. The man scoffed, then roughly grabbed her hand, causing her to panic. ¡°ying hard to get, huh?¡± he remarked with a lecherous grin. ¡°Leave me alone!¡± Marisa struggled to break free from his grip, but his hold was unyielding. A panicked cry pierced through the chaotic atmosphere of the club, slicing through the air like a knife. ¡°Alejandro Gambino is here!!¡± The words reverberated through the crowd, sending shockwaves of fear and apprehension in every direction. In an instant, the man who had been bothering Marisa released her hand as if it were on fire. His eyes widened with terror, and he turned on his heel, fleeing from the scene as though the devil himself were chasing him. He merged with the frantic throng, bing just another shadow in the turmoil. The club, once alive with music andughter, transformed into a cacophony of panicked voices and hurried footsteps. People scattered in all directions, desperately searching for a ce to hide, fearing the presence of Alejandro Gambino like a harbinger of doom. The sudden chaos turned the vibrant club into a maze of confusion, with patrons scrambling for safety, overturning tables, and knocking over chairs in their frantic haste. It was as though a storm had descended upon the once-celebratory atmosphere, leaving behind a trail of disarray and trepidation. Marisa stood there, bewildered, watching the chaotic scene unfold. She had no idea why everyone was in such a frenzy. Could it be because of the name ¡°Alejandro Gambino¡±?Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. The club¡¯s doors swung open, and Alejandro entered regally, nked by his loyal men. The once lively atmosphere fell silent in an instant, the tension palpable. Alejandro¡¯s piercing gaze swept over the crowd, searching for one person. When his eyes locked onto Marisa, a devilish smirk curved his lips, and he began to approach her, his entourage following closely. Marisa¡¯s eyes widened as she recognized Alejandro. He was the same man who had saved her life twice-once from a speeding truck and then from a gang of would-be attackers. ¡°Is he Alejandro Gambino? Is he the reason for the club¡¯s panic?¡± Marisa wondered in apprehension as she watched him draw nearer. Chapter 15: It鈥檚 Gonna Be A Long Night As Alejandro confidently approached Marisa, his tall andmanding presence stood out even more in the dimly lit club. His sharp features, entuated by a hint of stubble on his strong jawline, were striking. His dark, intense eyes locked onto Marisa¡¯s, sending a shiver down her spine. He was undeniably handsome, with rugged charm that carried a sense of danger. Marisa found herself captivated by his looks, a mix of masculinity and allure. His tall stature added to his imposing presence, making him seem even more dominant and mysterious. As he got closer, Marisa felt a mix of apprehension and a strange attraction she couldn¡¯t exin. Alejandro¡¯s gaze remained fixed on her, and his enigmatic smirk hinted at secrets and adventures. Marisa¡¯s heart raced as she couldn¡¯t take her eyes off him, wondering what would happen now that they had crossed paths again in the chaotic Brandon club. She couldn¡¯t forget the moment he had ruthlessly dispatched the thugs who had threatened her, and it dawned on her that he might be the cause of themotion. Her heart raced as he closed the distance between them, his dark smirk sending shivers down her spine. Even in her nervous state, she couldn¡¯t help but acknowledge his striking handsomeness. His handsome face, framed by those tousled curls that gave him an almost feminine allure, contrasted sharply with his dark, dangerous eyes. His pink lips possessed a maic quality that seemed to elevate him to godlike status. And indeed, to many, he was nothing less than a deity, as the mere utterance of his name sent shivers down everyone¡¯s spine, invoking an overwhelming fear that hung in the air like an ominous cloud. Alejandro¡¯s smirk grew wider as he noticed her staring at him, but he wasn¡¯t here for games; he had a business agenda in mind. Approaching her, he reached her front, and Marisa couldn¡¯t help but gulp nervously. ¡°G¡­ good evening, sir,¡± she greeted with a forced smile, attempting to walk past him. However, he firmly grasped her arm, pulling her back. Marisa shivered in fear, her gaze locked onto his dark, prating eyes. She hadn¡¯t realized that he was the client she had been waiting for. ¡°Where the hell do you think you¡¯re going?¡± he asked, his deep voice sending chills down her spine. ¡°I don¡¯t see¡­ see¡­ how that¡­ is any of your business,¡± she stuttered, fear evident in her voice. ¡°Is she attempting to escape?¡± he pondered, his nk expression tinged with a hint of danger. Without a word, he turned and signaled one of his men behind him. The man approached Marisa, and before she could blink, he carried her on his shoulder. ¡°What¡¯s happening here?¡± she inquired, fear in her eyes as she was suddenly lifted off her feet. ¡°Let me go!!¡± she screamed, hitting the man¡¯s back, but it was her who felt the pain as her blowsnded. ¡°Take her to the car,¡± Alejandro ordered, and they carried her out of the club and into Alejandro¡¯s Rolls Royce. ¡°Release me!¡± she yelled as the man ced her in the vehicle. ¡°Return to the empire and ensure the top members secure the shipment back safely,¡± Alejandro instructed Bruno before taking a seat beside Marisa in the car. ¡°Drive us to one of my exclusive hotels,¡± Alejandro instructed the driver.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡°Yes, boss,¡± the driver nodded and sped away. As the car elerated, Marisa began to panic. ¡°Look, I appreciate you saving me twice today, but I don¡¯t know who you are. Please, just let me go! I won¡¯t say anything to anyone!¡± she pleaded, but Alejandro maintained his cold, unyielding demeanor. Alejandro was about to reply when his phone abruptly rang. Retrieving it from his pocket, he answered the call without checking the caller¡¯s identity. ¡°Yes?¡± His voice was deep and menacing. ¡°Boss, we¡¯ve apprehended one of the mobsters attempting to smuggle drugs out of the empire. What should we do with her?¡± The caller spoke, and Alejandro¡¯s anger surged immediately. ¡°Terminate her immediately!¡± He responded, ending the call promptly. Marisa gasped in fear as she listened to his conversation. Were they going to kill her too? She wondered, her gaze fixed on Alejandro, who remained engrossed with his phone. ¡°Somebody help me!!¡± she screamed through the car window, provoking an angry growl from Alejandro. He forcibly pulled her towards him,pelling her to meet his intimidating gaze. ¡°Stay silent unless you want me to deal with you,¡± he snapped angrily. Marisa trembled in fear and nodded inpliance. Alejandro released her, returning his attention to his phone, while Marisa turned towards the window, where the night breeze brushed against her. She suddenly felt chilly, which was aggravated by the fact that she was wearing a strapless gown. Alejandro noticed her difort and turned his gaze towards her. He removed his jacket and extended it to her. ¡°Here,¡± he stated, his tone daring her to refuse it. ¡°I don¡¯t need it,¡± she replied, but Alejandro insisted. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t want you passing out when I get down to business, so take it,¡± he said firmly. ¡°Thanks,¡± she reluctantly epted the jacket, knowing she had no other option. She draped it around her shoulders and faced the window once more. Her thoughts wandered to her son¡¯s condition. The doctor had informed her before she left that her brother¡¯s situation had worsened. She wiped away the tears that had started to form in her eyes as she thought about him. Her reverie was interrupted when the car came to a halt. She looked around, trying to determine her location, but she had no idea. The driver promptly exited the car to open the door for Alejandro, who gracefully emerged, radiating an aura of royal authority. Meanwhile, Marisa remained seated inside the vehicle, observing her surroundings. It wasn¡¯t long before the car door swung open, and two of Alejandro¡¯s men approached her, lifting her from the car with a gentle yet firm touch, following Alejandro¡¯s priormand. Her gaze was drawn to the imposing building before her, a grand hotel named ¡°ALEN GAMBINO.¡± This establishment was, unmistakably, under Alejandro¡¯s ownership. ¡°Let¡¯s go in,¡± Alejandro instructed her, and they made their way into the hotel, trailed closely by Alejandro¡¯s vignt associates. The hotel¡¯s staff members, their eyes wide with fear, watched in trepidation as Alejandro crossed the threshold. As Alejandro and Marisa entered the opulent lobby of ¡°ALEN GAMBINO,¡± the hushed whispers and furtive nces of the staff intensified. They recognized Alejandro, the enigmatic and formidable figure whose mere presencemanded respect and fear in equal measure. Marisa couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of unease as they walked through thevish interior of the hotel. The grandeur of the ce was evident in its exquisite decor, chandeliers that sparkled like stars, and the plush carpet that silenced their footsteps. It was a stark contrast to the chaotic and dimly lit atmosphere of the Brandon club they had left behind. Alejandro led her to the front desk, where a nervous-looking receptionist awaited their arrival. Without a word, Alejandro handed his credit card to the receptionist, who hastily processed their check-in. As Alejandro received a room key card, he turned to Marisa and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Marisa slowly nodded, her anxiety building with each passing moment. She had no idea what awaited her in this grand hotel owned by a man whose reputation was shrouded in mystery and danger. With the key card in hand, Alejandro gestured for Marisa to follow him, and they headed for the elevator. The ride up to the upper floors was silent, the tension in the confined space palpable. As the elevator doors opened on the designated floor, Alejandro¡¯s men, who had been waiting patiently, joined them. They escorted both their boss and Marisa to their suite. The suite was nothing short of luxurious, with a spacious living area, a bedroom adorned with fine furnishings, and a beautiful view of the city through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Marisa couldn¡¯t help but be overwhelmed by the sheer opulence surrounding her. Alejandro¡¯s voice shattered the oppressive silence that had enveloped the suite. ¡°You¡¯ll stay here until I return. I have some matters to attend to,¡± he dered, his tone firm. Without wasting a moment, he turned around and exited the room, leaving Marisa in a state of stunned silence. Instinctively, she rushed towards the door, her desperation evident as she attempted to twist the doorknob, only to discover that Alejandro had locked it from the outside. Panic welled up within her as she grappled with the gravity of her situation. ¡°What the hell have I gotten myself into? My client must be waiting for me at Brandon¡¯s club by now. I need to escape from this wretched ce,¡± she fretted, her mind racing. In a fit of frustration and fear, Marisa pounded her fists against the unyielding door. ¡°Fucking let me out of here!¡± she screamed, her voice echoing through the room. Almost as if in response to her fervent plea, the door swung open, revealing Alejandro¡¯smanding presence. He entered the room with an air of self-assured authority, then closed the door behind him, isting them from the outside world. Marisa, fueled by a potent mix of anger and fear, locked eyes with him. ¡°Look, I don¡¯t know you, so just let me go,¡± she demanded, her gaze searing with defiance. Alejandro remained unperturbed as withdrew his phone and disyed a photo of her from the hookup site. ¡°Is this not you?¡± he inquired, showing her the image. Marisa¡¯s eyes widened in astonishment as she recognized herself. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s me. But who are you?¡± she inquired, her curiosity mixed with apprehension. A sinister smirk graced Alejandro¡¯s lips as he inched closer, bridging the gap between them. ¡°I am your daddy for the evening,¡± he murmured into her ear, gently nibbling on her earlobe, sending shivers down her spine. Reality dawned on Marisa, and her heart raced as sheprehended that the dangerous man before her was the very client she had been anticipating at the club. He was her client, her destiny for the night. Before she could even blink, Alejandro effortlessly scooped her up, sweeping her off her feet in the blink of an eye. In an instant, she found herself reclining on the plush bed, her body sinking into the soft mattress, with Alejandro looming over her, a wicked grin adorning his face. ¡°Tonight is gonna be a very long one, and I hope you¡¯re prepared for it because I¡¯m not gonna go easy on you,¡± he whispered, his voice dripping with a mixture of seduction and danger. Chapter 16: His Possession In the dimly lit room, a profound silence descended, nketing Marisa and Alejandro in an atmosphere thick with tension and desire. Marisa reclined on the bed, her heart racing in eager anticipation, while Alejandro, standing at the bed¡¯s edge, fixed his gaze upon her with an intensity that bordered on primal longing. With a calcted and sensuous grace, Alejandro began to lean in closer, his fingertips grazing delicately over Marisa¡¯s exposed skin, setting off an electrifying cascade of sensations that left her breathless and wanting. His attention then shifted to the exquisite ck gown that had clung to her like a second skin. With an expert touch, Alejandro¡¯s hands found the zipper of her gown, the metallic sound resonating through the room as he slowly, tantalizingly, lowered it. The dress gracefully slid from her shoulders, pooling at her feet, revealing the alluring lingerie she had chosen for this very night. Under the intensity of Alejandro¡¯s gaze, Marisa couldn¡¯t help but feel exposed, vulnerable, yet the maic chemistry between them was undeniable. Her pulse raced as Alejandro carelessly tossed her gown onto the tiled floor and methodically slid her panties down her legs, rendering herpletely bare before him. Alejandro¡¯s eyes smoldered with raw desire as they roamed over her naked, wless form. Marisa¡¯s cheeks flushed crimson, and she instinctively covered her face with her trembling hands, overwhelmed by her own bashfulness. A sly, knowing grin tugged at Alejandro¡¯s lips as he gently removed Marisa¡¯s hands from her face, his voice a seductive purr as he spoke, ¡°Don¡¯t be shy, sweetheart. Look into daddy¡¯s eyes.¡± Marisa¡¯s shyness was palpable, her apprehension evident as she hesitated to meet his gaze. This marked her first time exposed so intimately before a man. She was shy, nervous and scared at the same time because this would be her first time having sex ever since she had amnesia. Alejandro reveled in her innocence, and he slowly descending from the bed. His shirt was shed with an urgency born of desire, and his fingers worked swiftly to unbuckle his belt. As his trousers descended, Marisa instinctively closed her eyes, her cheeks ame with modesty. Alejandro¡¯s lips curled into a wicked smirk as he rid himself of his underwear, standing before herpletely nude, his masculinity unapologetically on disy. ¡°Open your eyes, sweetheart,¡± Alejandromanded, his voice rich with authority and desire. Marisa¡¯s eyelids fluttered open, and a sharp gasp escaped her as she beheld the impressive sight before her. She couldn¡¯t believe her eyes when she saw the size and length of his cock. It was big and long. It¡¯d be about eight inches or more. She gulped nervously as he started walking towards her, his hard cock dangling as he took each step till he got to the bed, then he lowered his head to her neatly shaved p¨´ssy. Lust darkened his eyes and he couldn¡¯t resist the urge to eat her up. Not when her raw honey scent flooded his nose, he had never smelled something so nice as her honeypot. He held her legs apart, and her limbs ached at the tightness, but it all became past tense when his tongue touched her wet s*x. He began teasing, running his tongue in circles on her cl*t as his warm ticklish breath hit her p*ssy. Marisa gasped loudly and her hands instinctively gripped the sheets as a new feeling surged throughout her entire body. She had never felt this amount of pleasure in her entire life. Her chest rose and fell, and she started gasping for breath at the torture she was receiving from the devil himself. Alejandro continued teasing her by running his tongue in circles on her clitoris, and his warm ticklish breath hit her pussy, making her body shiver. Her pussy started dripping as she couldn¡¯t endure the teasing he was giving her. She wanted more. She wanted to feel his tongue inside her honeypot, but he wasn¡¯t doing that. He was teasing her instead, and she could no longer endure it. ¡°Please!¡± This word flew out of her lips, breathlessly. ¡°Please what?¡± Alejandro raised his head to give her a smirky look. ¡°Please lick my folds,¡± she begged cutely. ¡°Call me daddy!¡± Hemanded. ¡°Please daddy, lick my folds!¡± she begged desperately, and in the next minute, his tongue entered her clit, and she gasped as he started tonguing her like a devil. His tongue was not moving rhythmically this time, he wad licking her in and out, kissing and sucking on her cl*t, almost eating her up. She was just too sweet down there. ¡°Oh! Yesssss!!!¡± She moaned softly and shut her eyes in pleasure before diving her fingers in his hair, pulling him closer. ¡°Deeper Daddy! I want it deeper!¡± She moaned senselessly as she was enjoying every bit of it even though it was all new to her. He shoved two fingers in at once, his tongue was still working on her though, and her body started shaking on the bed as his fingers and mouth worked on her at the same time. She started inching, closer and closer as the fingering and tonguing went wilder. ¡°Fuck!, Daddy I¡¯m going to pee!!!!¡± She screamed. He smirked at her words and increased the movements of his fingers. He knew she was about to cum so he tripled the speed of his fingers, and her eyes widened as she grabbed the sheets. ¡°Ohhhh!!! Gosh!!! Daddy yes! Yes daddy¡­ da¡­ DDY YES!!!!!¡± She screamed in pleasure. ¡°C*m for daddy¡± he finally said, and she finally exploded and rained orgasm on his fingers which he licked up cleanly. Her legs were still shaking, but she surprisingly craved for more, more and more. Alejandro stared at her face, wearing a devilish smirk. Marisa suddenly grew shy, avoiding his gaze, attempting to hide her face with her palms. However, he held her hands firmly and gently ced her arms around his neck. Before she could even blink her eyes, he leaned in, closing the distance between them, and captured her lips in a passionate kiss. Marisa¡¯s eyes went wide as Alejandro kissed her. She didn¡¯t reciprocate the kiss at first, but she remembered that her job was to satisfy him sexually, so she shut her eyes and started kissing him back. Alejandro¡¯s right hand found it¡¯s way to her honeypot, and he inserted two fingers into it, making her moan into the kiss. He started fingering her slowly as they engaged in an intense kiss. Although, Marisa wasn¡¯t a good kisser, but she managed to kiss him well. Alejandro broke the kiss a minuteter, and he squeezed her gently, like a delicate flower, as he enjoyed the feel of her br¨¦asts against his chest. The softness of herps on his c¨®ck filled him with a s¨¦xual urge. To make love to her, to f¨²ck her. ¡°Oh god, daddy,¡± she eximed after the kiss ended, ¡°I need you. I need your big c¨®ck.¡± She wasn¡¯t herself anymore. She was just too horny, and she couldn¡¯t think of anything else apart from sex. Alejandro didn¡¯t know why but he broke into a big smile. He wasn¡¯t himself anymore. He was suddenly possessed. Possessed by an unforeseen force called lust. His hands explored Marisa¡¯s sexy body from her tight, firm ¨¤ss to her smooth p¨²ssy then up to her big br¨¦asts. He then opened her legs, and his c¨®ck protruded high above her legs. Marisa gave hus c¨®ck onest squeeze. He could tell she was measuring the length of my c¨®ck, wondering if she could take it all in. ¡°My god, you¡¯re so big, daddy!¡± She eximed as she stared at his erection. ¡°You¡¯d be gentle with me, won¡¯t you?!¡± Alejandro smirked and leaned closer. ¡°I¡¯m gonna f¨²ck you like I want to kill you,¡± He whispered gravely into her ear. ¡°And I won¡¯t be nice.¡± Marisa stiffened instantly. One look at his face told her she was done for. ¡°Wait!¡± She ced her hands on his chest and tried to stop him, but he didn¡¯t wait. He grabbed her by the throat and push her backwards on the bed. Marisa¡¯s eyes sh wide open, and her red lips part to scream. But he choked on her throat, stopping the scream from escaping. Guiding his c¨®ck with his hand, Alejandro pressed the tip of his cock to her frothing slit, and pushed all the way in without warning. Marisa dug the back of her head into the bed. An exerted growl flew from her lips, and she flexed her vaginal muscles around him.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Oh my f*cking goodness!¡± She shrieked immediately, and her walls started tightening around him as he started fucking her. ¡°Please stop!¡± She begged as he was too big for her tight honeypot to contain. She was just too tight because she had never gotten intimate with any man ever since she lost her memories. ¡°You¡¯re so f*cking tight, sweetheart, and I love it.¡± Alejandro groaned, taking turns to suck on her light red n*pples. He then took a moment to savor the wet, tight heat of her p¨²ssy clenching about his c¨®ck. She was so warm and sweet around his dick. He then grabbed her hips, pulled out to the tip, and rammed all the way into her. He released her throat, and this time, she cried out, but that didn¡¯t stop him either. He squeezed one of her br¨¦asts in retaliation. The supple flesh protruded around his fingers, and the n¨ªpple stood firm against his thumb. She began moaning as he guided his thumb and finger to pinch her. He twisted her n¨ªpple and pulled it from her body, and she squealed a muffled tone of approval. He thrusted again, and again and again, always pulling out to the head, and then driving until his balls pped against her fat ¨¤ss. Her body lurched back and forth across the bed, her breasts jiggles to the beat of his drives, her thighs rippled with the impact of his lust. Her eyes bore nothing but submissive desire, and he stared into them with his domineering possessiveness. She¡¯s his, his toy. He¡¯d ravish her. He sneered at her as her voice rose higher and higher around his head. Marisa cried something out from her mouth but he just squeezed her cheeks. He grinned as she screamed out in pleasure from his rapidly-driving cock. As he continued banging her harder, he also sucked on her nipples simultaneously. Her nipples were already swollen red in the next minute, then he kissed her cleavage, corbones and neck. He continued trailing kisses till he reached her earlobe, then her face. He then pulled out half of his dick, but he mmed into her pussypletely again, and her head spun. ¡°Fuck, Daddy! I love this!!!¡± She screamed out in pleasure. He then imed her lips, and their mouths started eating up each other as their s*xes met. He was screwing her so fast that hermon sense evacuated her body that period, her brain refused to work with her mind, and her honeypot was feeling hot and warm at the same time, but she kept widening her legs for him, wanting more. He kissed her lips for three minutes straight, so her moans halted, but the moment he broke the kiss, he held up her legs and started moving crazily inside her. Like it was his harem, like it wss his kingdom, his empire where he could do and undo. His hips were so fast, almost as fast as the speed of light, and she was getting indescribable pleasure from it. ¡°I love this so much Daddy!, Please don¡¯t go slow daddy! Fuck me harder, daddy!!!¡± She moaned senselessly as his cock moved in and out of her at a very fast pace. Pleasure was released into her bloodstream in folds, and when she couldn¡¯t control it, she started saying rubbish, saying strings of incoherent curse words as she felt herself reaching climax. Alejandro covered her mouth with his hand, and he doubled his speed, going deeper and deeper till he felt the tip of his d?ck hitting her womb. Marisa¡¯s eyes were starting to roll back in her head, and her jaw was ckening. Alejandro took his hand off her mouth and listened to the sweet chorus of her desperate, moaning breaths. They were growing faster and shorter, until they were nothing but pants mixing with squeals. He grabbed her other br¨¦asts and pinched the free nipple, f¨²cking her faster and faster, harder and harder, until their pelvises were smacking together in fury of pping sts. It was crazy. The bed was shaking dangerously. Alejandro growled and plowed into her harder and harder, not caring if he was hurting her, but hoping he was. His c¨®ck drove through her tight wetness; parting her inner resistances and breaking her in. She was thrashing now. Her screams were rough and exerted, as though she was in the midst of great physical strain. Then he thrusted onest time. Her entire body contorted, her back arching dramatically away from the bed, her shoulders forced back, and her thighs tightly ensnared around his hips. A singr, almost inaudible gasp escaped her parted lips, followed by a moment of intense release as she reached the peak of ecstasy, squirting all over him. Simultaneously, he unleashed his passion, letting out a deep, guttural roar of satisfaction as he released himself within her. As the waves of pleasure subsided, he slumped down upon her, spent and tired, while she finally recovered her voice. Theyy together on the bed, their breathsbored, in a moment of profound intimacy before locking eyes. Alejandro, wearing a mischievous smirk, gently traced Marisa¡¯s perspiring face with his thumb and posed a question. ¡°Do you love the sex, sweetheart?¡± he inquired. Marisa, thoroughly exhausted, found herself unable to muster the energy for words. Instead, she offered a simple nod before drifting off into a deep slumber. Alejandro¡¯s smirk deepened as he fixated on her tranquil visage. Tenderly, he ran his fingers through her hair, his eyes never wavering from her face. He then spoke with an undertone of possessiveness that would send a shiver down anyone¡¯s spine. ¡°You belong to me now, sweetheart, solely mine. Any man who dares toy im to you will incur my relentless fury. No one will take you away from me. Not even God himself.¡± Chapter 17: Stalking Her Marisa¡¯s groans of pain filled the room as she slowly opened her eyes, finding herself beneath an unfamiliar white ceiling. Confusion swept over her as she nced around the room, her memory returning in waves as she recalled the events of the previous night. Summoning her courage, she attempted to rise from the bed, but a powerful hand encircled her waist possessively, restraining her. Her gaze locked onto Alejandro, whose eyes held an intense possessiveness, causing her to gulp nervously. Her struggles to stand were futile, as he firmly pulled her back onto the bed. ¡°F***ing leave me alone; I need to go,¡± Marisa demanded, her eyes locked with Alejandro¡¯s, who continued to gaze at her with icy determination. Alejandro had no intention of releasing her; he despised the fact that he would eventually have to let her go. But eventually, he reluctantly relented, allowing her to stand. She swiftly wrapped a sheet around herself, trying so hard to avoid his gaze. His eyes never left her as she made her way into the bathroom, a wicked smirk ying on his lips as he recollected the intensity of their encounter. It had been an unforgettable experience for him, especially considering she still had a tight honeypot after iming that she was a mother. The thought of possessing her again consumed him, and he was willing to go to any lengths to make it happen. Alejandro had never been drawn to any woman like this before, except his lover who died five years ago. Ever since then, no woman had been able to fascinate him or attract him. But Marisa just did, and he refused to let her slip through his fingers. He made a dangerous decision to im her as his own. His thoughts took on a dark and dangerous edge as he contemted what he would do once he imed her entirely. His eyes held promises that ventured into dangerous territory, promises he was more than willing to fulfill. Marisa emerged from the bathroom minutester, wearing the same dress from the night before, and Alejandro¡¯s gaze remained fixed on her. Her movements clearly indicated that she had been thoroughly affected by their passionate encounter the previous night, and he couldn¡¯t help but want her again. His dark eyes traced every curve of her enticing body. He felt like ripping the dress off her tempting body and have sex with her that moment, but he managed to control his dark desires. ¡°I need to go right now,¡± Marisa dered, tossing his jacket towards him. It was the jacket he gave her the previous night when they were heading to the hotel. Alejandro picked up the jacket, and he closed his eyes momentarily, inhaling deeply as he caught the scent of her on the jacket. It was a scent he desired to keep with him always. ¡°It smells exactly like her,¡± he thought to himself, clutching the jacket close to his chest.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Marisa watched him with a puzzled expression, unaware of the dark thoughts swirling in his mind. If only she knew the dark intentions he harbored at this moment, she might have run out of the room. She took her gaze off him and grabbed her handbag. ¡°Wait!¡± Alejandro eximed just as Marisa was about to leave the room. Marisa halted and turned to face him. Alejandro stood up from the bed, dressed only in a singlet and boxers. Her gaze instinctively averted from his imposing figure. ¡°You forgot this,¡± he said, extending her pink panties toward her with a sly smirk on his handsome face. Marisa gasped in embarrassment, attempting to snatch it from him, but he resisted. Instead, he brought the panties to his nose, inhaling deeply, and held it close to himself. ¡°I like the smell; I¡¯m going to keep it,¡± he dered, breathing in the scent again, which made Marisa frowned in humiliation. ¡°Good thing this is going to be thest time we see each other. You can keep it for as long as you want, asshole!¡± she asserted, trying to regain herposure. Alejandro chuckled darkly, a sound that sent shivers down her spine. ¡°That¡¯s where you¡¯re mistaken, sweetheart, because we¡¯re going to be seeing a lot more of each other soon,¡± he stated, his smirk taking on an even more sinister edge. Marisa stared at him, realizing that he was deadly serious. His words were not idle threats; they were a promise of something far more ominous. ¡°What¡¯s with the dy, sweetheart? Don¡¯t you want to leave anymore? So you wanna spend another day with daddy?¡± He arched an eyebrow, and she let out a scoff in response. She took a few steps away, but her path was abruptly halted as she was pulled back into the embrace of a solid chest. Looking up, she found herself locked in a gaze with dark, prating eyes. ¡°Be careful swaying your sexy ass around because I can¡¯t stand other men eyeing what¡¯s already mine,¡± he dered, his words carrying a weight of seriousness and a hint of menace. She cautiously distanced herself from him and made her hasty exit, not daring to nce back at those intense eyes. ¡°He seemed so intimidating,¡± she thought as she walked outside, her movements slightly self-conscious as she noticed people¡¯s stares due to her peculiar gait. Without hesitation, she hurriedly left the building, and almost immediately, two of Alejandro¡¯s bodyguards approached her, bowing respectfully, which left her puzzled. ¡°Please, ma, the boss instructed us to take you home. Would you please get into the car?¡± one of them requested, and Marisa tried to walk away, but they held her gently, their tone imploring. ¡°Please, ma, don¡¯t make this difficult for us. Let us take you home or else the boss will punish us severely,¡± he added, and Marisaplied, stepping into the waiting vehicle as they quickly zoomed off towards their destination. Marisa rested her head against the car window, gazing out at the breathtaking cityscape of New York. A soft sigh escaped her lips, and her eyes drifted to her phone¡¯s wallpaper, a picture of her and a little boy, both radiating happiness in that captured moment. ¡°I¡¯m doing all of this for you. No regrets,¡± she whispered to herself, brushing away the tears that had welled up in her eyes. Everything she had gone through the previous night had been for the sake of her son, Jeffery. She had promised herself that she¡¯d take care of him, and she was determined to keep that promise, no matter the cost. ¡°Ma¡¯am, where are you living?¡± one of the suited men in the car inquired. She looked around, sighing deeply. ¡°Just stop here,¡± she instructed, though the men seemed reluctant, reminding her of her boss¡¯s orders. ¡°Ma¡¯am, our boss specifically instructed us to drop you at your house, so if you could please-¡± ¡°Can you just stop the car?!¡± She interrupted, raising her voice slightly. Almost immediately, the car came to a halt, and she stepped out. ¡°Thank you for the ride,¡± she said, offering a polite farewell before she ventured onto the bustling streets of New York. As she walked, the curious gazes of passersby couldn¡¯t escape her notice. She knew that their attention was drawn by her unusual gait. Young men stared at her with a familiar interest, causing her to lower her gaze shyly. As Marisa continued her walk through the bustling streets, her phone suddenly emitted a familiar beep, signaling a new notification. She quickly retrieved her phone from her bag, her heart pounding with curiosity and hope. When she unlocked the device, her eyes widened in disbelief at the sight that greeted her. It was a credit alert for a staggering two million dors. Her fingers trembled as she read the apanying message, and realization washed over her like a tidal wave. ¡°Is this¡­ is this the payment for the hook-up service I offered?¡± she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible amidst the noise of the city. It all became clear now ¨C the intense encounter with Alejandro. It was the payment for the night they had shared. Without wasting a moment, Marisa¡¯s mind raced as she knew exactly what she needed to do with this money. Her thoughts immediately went to her son, the little boy in the photo on her phone¡¯s wallpaper. He was in the hospital, desperately in need of surgery that she couldn¡¯t afford on her own. Determination filled her, and she hailed a passing cab, her heart racing with a mixture of hope and urgency. She was determined to reach the hospital as quickly as possible. ording to the doctor, she had just twenty-four hours to pay for her son¡¯s surgery and time was running out. She only had less than an hour to get to the hospital. As the cab sped through the city streets, Marisa clutched her phone tightly, hoping the cab would arrive at the hospital in time. The cab swiftly arrived at the hospital, and as soon as it came to a stop, Marisa paid the driver before rushing out of the vehicle, her steps quick and determined. She pushed through the hospital¡¯s entrance doors, her heart pounding with the urgency of her mission. Amidst the bustling hospital corridors, her hurried pace led to an unexpected encounter. Marisa, lost in her thoughts and focused on her destination, collided with a handsome stranger. The impact was forceful enough to nearly send her tumbling to the ground. Instinctively, the man wrapped his strong arms around her waist, preventing her from falling. Their faces were suddenly mere inches apart, and both of them found themselves locked in a brief but intense gaze. Marisa couldn¡¯t help but notice just how handsome this stranger was. His dark hair framed a chiseled jawline, and his deep, kind eyes held a warmth that immediately put her at ease. He had a rugged charm about him that was hard to ignore. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m so sorry,¡± Marisa stammered, realizing she had nearly caused both of them to fall. The man smiled gently, his grip on her waist still secure. ¡°No worries, idents happen.¡± Breaking the momentary silence, he extended a hand and introduced himself, ¡°I¡¯m Dave.¡± Marisa offered a grateful smile, feeling a sudden connection with this stranger who had just saved her from a potential fall. ¡°I¡¯m Marisa.¡± However, just as they were exchanging pleasantries, a sudden rush of anxiety gripped Marisa as she remembered the reason she hade to the hospital. She couldn¡¯t linger any longer. ¡°I¡¯ve got to go,¡± she hurriedly exined, her voice filled with urgency, and she bid Dave a hasty goodbye. Without wasting another second, she resumed her determined stride, making her way to her son¡¯s ward. Meanwhile at a corner in the hospital, am hefty man dressed in ck suit had taken a photograph of Marisa and Dave, the stranger she bumped into. The man sent the picture to his boss, Alejandro. Actually, after Marisa left the hotel where she had a passionate night with Alejandro, Alejandro instructed one of his men to stalk her and find out where she¡¯s headed. The man stalked Marisa, and he followed her to the hospital. He also captured the moment when Dave wrapped his arm around Marisa¡¯s waist to prevent her from falling. Upon securing the photograph, the operative expeditiously transmitted it to Alejandro. Momentster, a call chimed through the operative¡¯s phone. He scrutinized the caller ID, confirming it was Alejandro, and promptly answered, holding the phone to his left ear. ¡°Greetings boss?¡± ¡°Who is that individual who dared to encircle Marisa¡¯s waist?¡± Alejandro inquired, his voice simmering with anger. ¡°His name is Dave, sir, just an ordinary individual whom Marisa collided with while rushing into the hospital,¡± Alejandro¡¯s operative responded. ¡°Are you sure he¡¯s just a random guy or her boyfriend?¡± Alejandro probed further. ¡°Yes, sir. They introduced themselves, implying they¡¯ve just met today,¡± the operative rified. ¡°Keep a close eye on Marisa, and don¡¯t hesitate to kill any man who touches her or gets close to her,¡± Alejandro instructed with a strict tone. ¡°I repeat, eliminate any man within a ten-foot radius of her. Is that perfectlyprehended?¡± ¡°Crystal clear, boss,¡± the operative acknowledged, as Alejandro severed the connection. The operative then scrutinized the hospital¡¯s lobby for Marisa¡¯s presence, spotting her on her way to a room, and promptly resumed his discreet pursuit. Chapter 18: Unexpected Companionship With a heart full of anxiety and hope, Marisa swiftly walked to her son¡¯s ward. As she entered, she was met with a heartwarming sight that momentarily eased her worries. Her best friend, rabelle, stood by her son¡¯s bedside, engaged in a lively conversation that filled the room withughter. Unable to contain her relief and joy, Marisa couldn¡¯t help but break into a warm smile. She approached the pair, and rabelle turned around, her eyes lighting up as she saw Marisa. ¡°Marisa!¡± rabelle eximed, her voice filled with genuine delight. She rushed forward to greet her friend. Tears welled up in Marisa¡¯s eyes as she embraced rabelle, feeling the familiarfort of their friendship. It was moments like these that reminded her of the support and love she had in her life. After the heartfelt embrace with her best friend, Marisa turned her attention to her son, who was now looking up at her with a mixture of surprise and joy. She hurried to his bedside and enveloped him in a warm, loving hug. ¡°Good morning, mummy,¡± The little boy greeted cutely as he wrapped his tiny hands around Marisa¡¯s neck. ¡°Jeffrey,¡± Marisa whispered, her voice filled with love and relief as she held her son in a tight, heartfelt embrace. Tears of joy welled up in her eyes as she clung to him, unable to express the depth of her emotions in words alone. Marisa, filled with a deep love for her son, gently leaned down to give him a soft kiss on the forehead. Her kiss wasn¡¯t just an expression of love, but it also made him feel safe and protected, like nothing bad could happen to him. In a calm and soothing voice, she whisperedforting words to reassure him. She reminded him of the promise she had made, that she would always be there for him no matter what. Their connection as mother and son was incredibly strong, and in that moment, it felt stronger than ever. ¡°Did you get something to eat?¡± Marisa asked her son. ¡°Yes, Mom. Aunt rabelle brought us spaghetti with meatballs, and she made sure I had a good meal,¡± the young boy replied with a smile. Marisa was grateful for her friend¡¯s help and continued to hold her son close. She spoke to him in a gentle tone, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Jeffrey. We¡¯ll be leaving this ce soon, and we¡¯ll go back home together.¡± ¡°Okay, Mommy,¡± Jeffrey replied, his trust in his mother evident in his smile. Marisa got up and turned to her friend, rabelle, who had been a supportive presence throughout their difficult time. ¡°So, how did things go?¡± rabelle asked with a mix of curiosity and concern. Marisa hesitated for a moment, thinking about her encounter with Alejandro. Finally, she answered, ¡°It¡­ it went well.¡± Her voice carried a hint of secrecy, but she quickly shifted her focus to the urgent matter at hand. ¡°I need to see the doctor to arrange the payment for Jeffrey¡¯s surgery. We want it to happen as soon as possible.¡± rabelle nodded in understanding, showing her unwavering support. Marisa looked back at her son, her determination and love evident in her eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll be back soon, Jeffrey,¡± she assured him, and he nodded in reply. Marisa released a soft sigh as she left the room, her thoughts still centered on her son¡¯s well-being. With each step, determination fueled her purpose as she made her way to the doctor¡¯s office. The corridor seemed longer than usual, and every second felt like an eternity. Upon reaching the doctor¡¯s door, she hesitated for a moment, her hand trembling slightly as it hovered over the doorknob. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the conversation ahead, and then gently knocked on the door. ¡°Come in,¡± the doctor¡¯s voice called from inside the office. Marisa turned the knob, pushing the door open slowly, and stepped into the room. The doctor, seated behind a cluttered desk stacked with medical files, looked up from their work as Marisa entered. She closed the door quietly behind her, muffling the sounds of the bustling hospital corridor. The doctor, a middle-aged man with kind eyes and a reassuring presence, extended aforting hand, inviting Marisa to take a seat across from him. ¡°Please, have a seat, Marisa,¡± he said, his tone gentle and understanding. With a nervous interlock of her fingers in herp, Marisa settled into the chair, burdened by the weight of her responsibilities. Her eyes met the doctor¡¯s with a blend of hope and anxiety. ¡°I¡¯m here to discuss the arrangements for Jeffrey¡¯s surgery,¡± Marisa began, her voice steady but tinged with concern. ¡°I want to ensure that we can proceed as soon as possible.¡± The doctor nodded, his expression filled withpassion. ¡°I understand your urgency, Marisa. We will do everything in our power to ensure a swift and seamless process.¡± Marisa then proceeded to handle the payments for the surgery and meticulously signed all the necessary documents, ensuring every detail was in ce. With the administrative formalitiesplete, the doctor leaned forward, and his kind, reassuring eyes were unwaveringly locked onto hers, conveying a sense of understanding and urgency. ¡°Marisa,¡± he began, his voice gentle yet resolute, ¡°I understand the urgency of Jeffrey¡¯s situation. We won¡¯t dy. I¡¯ve just received confirmation from our surgical team, and I¡¯m pleased to inform you that we can begin the surgery immediately.¡± Marisa¡¯s heart danced with relief, and her eyes filled with tears of gratitude as she whispered, ¡°Thank you, Doctor. Thank you so much.¡± The doctor¡¯spassionate smile remained constant as he continued, ¡°We have ten more minutes before the surgery starts. I rmend you spend that time with your son while the nurses prepare him for the procedure.¡± ¡°Of course, Doctor,¡± Marisa replied, her smile reflecting her immense relief and gratitude. With renewed hope, she left the doctor¡¯s office, knowing that her son¡¯s paralysis would not be permanent, and headed towards her son¡¯s room with a heart full of anticipation and a smile that refused to fade. When Marisa entered her son¡¯s hospital room, she saw Jeffrey looking nervous, but he managed a faint smile when he saw his mom. Her presence made him feel better, even though they didn¡¯t need to say anything. Marisa¡¯s best friend, rabelle, was sitting beside Jeffrey. She was telling him stories to help him forget about his fear of the uing surgery. Her stories were like magic, taking Jeffrey to exciting ces and making him forget about the scary thoughts. ¡°Hey, Jeff,¡± Marisa said with a gentle smile as she walked over to Jeffrey¡¯s bedside. Jeffrey looked up, a mix of fear and uncertainty in his eyes. ¡°Mom, Aunt rabelle told me they¡¯re going to do surgery really soon,¡± he said, his voice shaking a little. Marisa shot a quick, disapproving re at her best friend rabelle for revealing the impending surgery to Jeffrey. rabelle met Marisa¡¯s gaze with a look of apology, realizing that she may have made things more challenging for the young boy. Turning her attention back to her son, Marisa knelt beside his bed and took his hand in hers. She smiled reassuringly and spoke with a soothing tone, ¡°Jeffrey, I¡¯m sorry you had to hear about the surgery that way. I was nning to tell you myself. But it¡¯s going to be okay, sweetheart. The doctors are going to help you, and I¡¯ll be right here with you the whole time. You¡¯re brave, and I know you can handle this.¡± Jeffrey¡¯s anxiety began to ease as he felt the warmth andfort of his mother¡¯s words. With Marisa by his side, he started to regain his confidence, ready to face the surgery with a bit more courage and optimism. As they shared theseforting words, the nurses walked inside the room to prepare Jeffery for the surgery. Marisa stayed by her son¡¯s side, offering words of love and encouragement, helping to ease his anxiety. Time seemed to pass quickly, and before they knew it, the nurses informed them that it was time to move Jeffrey to the operating room. Marisa kissed her son¡¯s forehead and whispered, ¡°You¡¯re strong, Jeffrey, and you¡¯lle out of this stronger.¡± With a newfound sense of hope and resilience, Jeffrey was wheeled towards the surgery, and Marisa and rabelle watched until he disappeared from view, their heart filled with love and unwavering support for him. As Marisa and rabelle made their way to the waiting area, the worry etched across Marisa¡¯s face was palpable. Her steps were heavy, and her eyes bore the weight of the concern she felt for her son. rabelle, walking beside her, couldn¡¯t help but notice the deep lines of anxiety that creased Marisa¡¯s forehead. In the waiting area, Marisa took a seat on a two-person chair, her posture reflecting the turmoil of her thoughts. She sat there, her gaze fixed on the floor, her hands tightly sped in herp, her anxiety nearly overwhelming. rabelle, sitting beside Marisa, could sense her friend¡¯s distress. She gently ced a hand on Marisa¡¯s shoulder and offered soothing words, ¡°Marisa, I know this is incredibly hard, but Jeffrey is in capable hands, and he has your strength to guide him through. We¡¯re here for each other, and we¡¯ll get through this together.¡± Marisa nodded, her eyes glistening with tears, grateful for rabelle¡¯sforting presence. rabelle¡¯s phone unexpectedly rang, and she retrieved it from her bag, noticing her boss¡¯s name shing on the screen. Worried about potentially losing her job, she quickly answered the call, her voice tense as she listened to her boss¡¯s stern words. Her boss didn¡¯t waste time and told her, ¡°rabelle, you need to get to work within the next thirty minutes or you¡¯re fired.¡± rabelle, in a hushed tone, tried to exin that she needed time off due to a family emergency, but her boss hung up abruptly, leaving her with a heavy heart. Turning to Marisa, rabelle gently ced a hand on her friend¡¯s shoulder and said, ¡°Marisa, I¡¯m so sorry, but I have to go to work. My boss is giving me an ultimatum.¡± Marisa, understanding the situation, managed a faint smile and replied, ¡°It¡¯s okay, rabelle. You have to take care of your job. Thank you for being here with me.¡± rabelle hugged Marisa tightly and assured her, ¡°Jeffrey will be just fine, and the surgery will go well. Don¡¯t worry too much.¡± With those words offort, rabelle left the waiting area, and Marisa watched her go, feeling a sense of gratitude and understanding for her friend¡¯s predicament. As Marisa sighed softly, her thoughts once again drifted to her son¡¯s surgery. Lost in contemtion, a masculine voice suddenly jolted her out of her reverie. She raised her head and saw Dave, the man she had bumped into earlier when rushing into the hospital. Dave greeted Marisa with a friendly smile as he approached her in the waiting area. ¡°Hi Marisa,¡± he said. Marisa returned his smile, appreciating the gesture during this trying time. ¡°Hello, Dave,¡± she replied softly. Dave gestured to an empty seat beside Marisa. ¡°Mind if I sit here?¡± Marisa shook her head, her gratitude evident. ¡°Not at all. Please, feel free.¡± As they settled down, Dave couldn¡¯t help but notice the worry in Marisa¡¯s eyes. Concerned, he asked, ¡°Is everything okay? Why are you at the hospital?¡± Marisa hesitated for a moment, contemting whether to share her family¡¯s situation with this stranger. But something in Dave¡¯s friendly demeanor made her feelfortable, so she decided to confide in him. She took a deep breath and then said, ¡°My son is having surgery today. It¡¯s a bit of a difficult time for us.¡± Dave¡¯s expression shifted to one of profound understanding and empathy as he nodded gently. ¡°I¡¯m truly sorry to hear that. I genuinely hope the surgery goes well. If there¡¯s anything I can do to assist, please don¡¯t hesitate to ask.¡± Marisa took a deep breath and looked into Dave¡¯s eyes with a sense of gratitude. ¡°Well, there¡¯s something you can do to help,¡± she said. Dave leaned in, his curiosity piqued. ¡°And what¡¯s that?¡± he asked with apassionate tone. A faint but sincere smile graced Marisa¡¯s lips as she replied, ¡°You can keep mepany while I wait for my son¡¯s surgery to bepleted.¡± Dave nodded and replied with a warm and reassuring tone, ¡°Of course, I¡¯ll be here with you. You¡¯re not alone, and we¡¯ll get through this together.¡± Marisa foundfort in his willingness to offer hispanionship during this difficult time. As they sat together in the hospital waiting area, Dave started a conversation. As Dave and Marisa chatted andughed together, a man who had been instructed by Alejandro to watch Marisa from a distance observed them without their knowledge. He took out his phone and called Alejandro. ¡°Hello, boss,¡± he whispered. Alejandro replied in a deep voice, ¡°Yes?¡± The man told him, ¡°Marisa and the guy she bumped into earlier are sitting together and talking. What should I do about the guy?¡± Alejandro¡¯s response was stern, ¡°Follow my orders for anyone who gets too close to Marisa.¡± The man acknowledged, ¡°Understood, boss,¡± and hung up.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. He shifted his attention back to Dave and Marisa, who were still engrossed in their conversation andughter. With a feeling of impending danger, the man muttered quietly, ¡°I hope you¡¯ve had your fun, because it¡¯s about toe to an end.¡± With a swift and silent movement, he pulled a hidden gun from his waist, cocked it, and aimed it at Dave. Despite the joyful atmosphere, Dave had no idea that his life was in grave danger. Chapter 19: Danger around the corner Marisa and Dave¡¯s conversation in the waiting area continued, theirughter and shared stories momentarily providing a wee distraction from the anxiety that loomed over Marisa. They talked about their families, their interests, and even shared a few jokes. Dave couldn¡¯t help but be impressed by Marisa¡¯s resilience and her unwavering dedication to her son, Jeffery. He admired her strength and the love that radiated from her as she spoke about Jeffrey. Above all, he was captivated by her beauty and character. In turn, Marisa found sce in Dave¡¯s presence. He was a stranger who had offered his support without hesitation, and that meant the world to her during this difficult time. As they talked, Dave mentioned that he had a sister who had gone through a simr surgery as Jeffrey¡¯s, which gave Marisa some hope and reassurance. They continued talking, and Dave kept doing his best to make Marisa feel less worried about her son¡¯s surgery.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. At the same time, the man sent by Alejandro had his gun aimed at Dave. He was ready to shoot, and his gun had a silencer, so it wouldn¡¯t make much noise. He hesitated, though, because he realized that if he killed Dave, people might think Marisa did it, and if Marisa got arrested, his boss would kill him. So, he just needed Marisa to leave Dave for a moment before shooting Dave. Luckily for the man, Marisa felt the need to go to the restroom, so she excused herself and she headed to the restroom. With Marisa out of the way, the man finally got his chance toplete his mission. But as he was about to pull the trigger, his phone started ringing, and he cursed as he lowered his weapon and brought out his phone from his pocket. Checking the caller ID, he saw Alejandro¡¯s name on it, and fear gripped him immediately. He knew his boss was calling to ask if he had killed Dave like he had instructed. The man summoned courage and he answered the call. ¡°Have you eliminated the bastard who dared to touch my possession?!¡± Alejandro¡¯s thick voice boomed through the phone immediately the man answered the call. ¡°N¡­ No boss.¡± The man responded with his voice filled with fear. ¡°And why the fuck is that motherfucker still alive?!¡± Alejandro asked, angrily. ¡°If you fail to kill that bastard within the next ten minutes, I swear to the devil, I¡¯m gonna feed you to my crocodiles.¡± Alejandro said, threateningly. His voice was filled with danger, and it sent shivers down the man¡¯s spine. ¡°And don¡¯t forget to get rid of any man who tries to talk or get closer to Marisa. Make sure nothing happens to her till she leaves the hospital.¡± Alejandro added before disconnecting the call. The man exhaled sharply as he returned his phone back to his pocket. He knew Alejandro was serious about feeding him to his crocodiles if he failed to carry out his orders. Alejandro had about ten crocodiles as pets, and he had fed lots of people to his crocodiles. Mere thinking about being a meal for Alejandro¡¯s crocodiles shook the man to the core, and he decided to eliminate Dave before Marisa would return from wherever she went to. But to the man¡¯s disappointment, Marisa had returned and she was now talking with Dave. ¡°Fuck!¡± The man cursed. A woman¡¯s voice caught the man¡¯s attention from behind, prompting him to swiftly conceal his firearm beneath his hoodie before he faced a nurse standing there. ¡°Sure, how can I assist you?¡± He skillfully wore a feigned smile as the nurse scrutinized him closely. The nurse firmly stated, ¡°Hospital policy dictates that loitering in the corners like you¡¯re doing, is prohibited. You must either proceed to the waiting room or locate a suitable seating area.¡± The man couldn¡¯t help but feel slighted by her tone, yet he maintained a forced smile in response. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I¡¯m waiting for a friend who¡¯s in surgery right now. I¡¯ll make sure to find a proper ce to wait, though. Thank you for letting me know.¡± The man tried to maintain a calm and polite demeanor despite feeling a bit disrespected by the nurse¡¯s tone. The nurse nodded and walked away, leaving the man with his thoughts. As he watched her go, he felt like shooting her for being so disrespectful, but he had an urgent matter to settle which was eliminating Dave. Turning his attention back to Marisa and Dave, who were sitting far away from where he stood, the man knew that it would be hard to carry out Alejandro¡¯s orders with Marisa sitting beside Dave. He needed to find another way toplete his objective without involving or implicating Marisa. Marisa and Dave kept chatting andughing. One look at them and you¡¯d think they¡¯ve known each other for a long time, whereas they just met today. Aside from the fact that Dave was handsome, he was really good at making peopleugh, even in dangerous situations. And because of this, Marisa found herself drawn to him. Time seemed to pass quickly as the both of them kept on, and soon, a nurse came out of the surgery room and walked over to Marisa and Dave. On seeing the nurse, Marisa and Dave stopped talking and they both rose from their seat immediately. Marisa¡¯s heart was racing with anticipation as the nurse approached them. ¡°Are you Jeffery¡¯s mother?¡± the nurse asked, confirming the name of Marisa¡¯s son. Marisa nodded, her voice filled with hope. ¡°Yes, he¡¯s my son.¡± The nurse smiled warmly and said, ¡°Congrattions, ma¡¯am, the surgery went well. Jeffrey is in recovery, and the doctor will update you soon. He¡¯s a really strong young boy.¡± Marisa¡¯s heart¡¯s leapt for joy and her eyes welled up with tears of joy, overwhelmed with gratitude. ¡°Thank you so Lord,¡± she whispered with her eyes closed in relief. ¡°The doctor will be out of the surgery room soon, so wait here for him.¡± The nurse said. ¡°Alright,¡± Marisa nodded affirmatively. ¡°Thank you so much.¡± ¡°Congrattions once again.¡± The nurse said with a smile before walking away. As the nurse left, Dave turned to Marisa and said, ¡°I¡¯m so d the surgery went well. Your son is a fighter.¡± Marisa nodded, her voice filled with emotion. ¡°Yes, he is. I can¡¯t thank you enough for being here with me, Dave. Your support has meant the world to me today.¡± Dave smiled and replied, ¡°I¡¯m just d I could be here for you and share this moment of joy. If there¡¯s anything else I can do to help, please don¡¯t hesitate to ask.¡± Marisa felt deeply moved by Dave¡¯s kindness and support, finding it difficult to believe that a stranger could be so caring and understanding. While they continued to wait for updates on Jeffrey, an unexpected friendship blossomed between them, filling the atmosphere with joy as they exchanged stories and sharedughter. Meanwhile, Alejandro¡¯s henchman remained watchful from another part of the hospital, growing increasingly impatient. He was desperate for Marisa to leave Dave¡¯s side once more, giving him the opportunity to eliminate Dave. He understood that if he failed to get rid of Dave, he¡¯d face a gruesome fate at the jaws of Alejandro¡¯s crocodile pets. Just the thought of being devoured by dozens of crocodiles sent shivers of fear through the man¡¯s entire body. Consequently, he made a resolute decision to kill Dave, disregarding whether Marisa might be med or not. Without wasting a moment, he produced his gun and took aim at Dave, ready to finally finish him off for daring to touch his boss¡¯s possession which was Marisa. Chapter 20: Shock With the gun aimed at Dave, the man was all set to pull the trigger. As he pressed his finger onto the trigger, he took great care to aim straight for Dave¡¯s head. However, it appeared that fate had other ns for Dave because just as the man was on the brink of squeezing that trigger, a doctor suddenly emerged from the surgery recovery area. Marisa and Dave, who had been nervously waiting, rushed towards the doctor together. Alejandro¡¯s henchman cursed loudly in frustration as he missed yet another opportunity to eliminate Dave.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Doctor,¡± Marisa began, her voice quivering with anticipation, ¡°Can I go and see my son now? Is he alright?¡± The doctor, a kind andpassionate individual, smiled reassuringly at Marisa and replied, ¡°Yes, you can go see him. Jeffrey¡¯s surgery went well, and he¡¯s currently in the recovery area. However, he¡¯s still asleep due to the anesthesia. You can be with him, but it might take some time before he wakes up.¡± Marisa nodded with gratitude, her heart feeling lighter with the news of her son¡¯s sessful surgery. She turned to Dave and said, ¡°Thank you for being here with me, Dave. Would you like toe with me to see Jeffrey?¡± Dave smiled warmly and nodded, ¡°Of course, Marisa. I¡¯d be honored to meet your son.¡± Together, they followed the doctor as he led them to the recovery area. Marisa¡¯s heart raced with a mixture of excitement and anxiety as they approached the room where Jeffrey was resting. Inside the recovery room, they found Jeffrey lying on a hospital bed, connected to various monitors and machines. Marisa rushed to her son¡¯s bedside, her eyes filled with tears of relief and love. Jeffrey looked peaceful, a small smile gracing his face even in his slumber. Marisa gently touched his hand and whispered, ¡°My brave boy, you did so well. Mommy is here.¡± Dave stood beside Marisa, a silent but supportive presence. He watched the tender moment between mother and son, knowing that he had been part of this journey and had made a difference during a difficult time. After a few moments, Marisa turned to the doctor and asked, ¡°Doctor, when can Jeffrey be discharged? I want to take him back home as soon as possible.¡± The doctor, still wearing a reassuring smile, replied, ¡°I understand your desire to take him home. Considering how well the surgery went, Jeffrey can be discharged in the evening. We¡¯ll need to monitor him for a few more hours to ensure he¡¯s stable, and then he¡¯ll be ready to go home.¡± Marisa¡¯s eyes welled up with gratitude. ¡°Thank you, Doctor. You¡¯ve been amazing, and I can¡¯t express how thankful I am for everything you and your team have done.¡± The doctor nodded, his kindness evident in his words, ¡°It¡¯s our pleasure, Marisa. We¡¯re here to help. I¡¯ll check on Jeffrey¡¯s progress, and you¡¯ll be updated when it¡¯s time for his discharge.¡± The doctor then excused himself to attend to other patients, leaving Marisa and Dave to continue their watchful presence by Jeffrey¡¯s side. As Marisa sat by her son¡¯s bedside, holding his hand and silently watching over him, a soft ringing broke the silence of the room. Dave¡¯s phone had started to ring. He apologized to Marisa with a reassuring smile and said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Marisa. I need to take this call. It sounds urgent. I¡¯ll be right back.¡± Marisa nodded understandingly, her focus still on her son, who was resting peacefully. ¡°Of course, Dave. Please take your time.¡± Dave stepped out of the room to answer the call, leaving Marisa alone with Jeffrey for a few moments. As he spoke on the phone, Marisa couldn¡¯t help but reflect on the unexpected friendship that had formed between them in this trying time. She was immensely grateful for the support andfort Dave had provided. A few minutester, Dave returned to the room with a somewhat solemn expression. Marisa looked at him with concern, and he exined, ¡°Marisa, something urgent came up at work, and I have to leave. I¡¯m really sorry, especially at a time like this.¡± Marisa nodded, appreciating Dave¡¯s honesty. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Dave. I understand. You¡¯ve been a tremendous help and support. I can¡¯t thank you enough.¡± Dave smiled, his eyes reflecting genuine care. ¡°You and Jeffrey are in my thoughts. Here¡¯s my number. Let¡¯s exchange numbers so we can stay in touch.¡± Marisa dly exchanged numbers with Dave, feeling a sense of gratitude for the friendship that had blossomed in the midst of adversity. As they finished exchanging numbers, Dave reassured Marisa, ¡°I promise to give you a callter to check on Jeffrey¡¯s progress and to see how you¡¯re doing. Please take care of yourselves.¡± Marisa, with a heartfelt smile, said, ¡°Thank you, Dave. Your kindness has meant the world to me today.¡± Dave bid Marisa goodbye and walked out of the room, leaving Marisa with a sense of deep gratitude for the unexpected friendship and support she had received during one of the most trying days of her life. Meanwhile, in the heart of the Gambinos¡¯ Empire, Alejandro stood at his window, wearing only a pair of ripped out jeans. His muscr tattooed arms, his broad chest and his sexy biceps were all in view. He was holding his phone, and his ocean blue eyes were fixed unwaveringly on his phone¡¯s screen. His countenance was etched with a profound frown as he gazed at the image of Dave, enfolding Marisa¡¯s waist in a desperate attempt to prevent her from tumbling. This photograph had been sent to Alejandro by the individual he had tasked with the duty of surveilling Marisa. For well over an hour, Alejandro had remained transfixed by the image, and the longer he stared at it, the more his fury raged within him. A burning desire to exact revenge upon Dave welled up within him, for he dared toy his hands on what Alejandro considered to be his possession-Marisa. The urge to cut off the arms that Dave had wrapped around Marisa¡¯s waist in that photograph consumed him. Ever since Alejandro woke up after his passionate encounter with Marisa the previous night, he couldn¡¯t get Marisa off his mind. Her beautiful face, her big sized breasts, her sexy body, the way she moaned when they were having sex, and the melody of her voice; Alejandro just couldn¡¯t get any of it off his head, and that filled him with another desire-to have sex with her once again. Mere thinking about his passionate encounter with Marisa, aroused him greatly, and his dick bulged instantly in his jeans. Just like clockwork, the door opened, and Alejandro turned around to see de, one of the top members and his childhood friend. Lust rushed through de¡¯s veins as she stared at the sexy man in front of her. Her eyes slowly moved from his chest to his biceps, then down to the bulge in his jeans. She got wet immediately she saw the size of his dick through his jeans. The room fell into a grave silence as they stared at each other without saying a word. de¡¯s eyes were fixed on the bulge in Alejandro¡¯s jeans. She got more wet by just staring at his bulge, and she couldn¡¯t help but to start fantasizing about him. She had always lusted after him, but she only had sex with him once, and that was five years ago. The reason she was able to have sex with him was not because he agreed to it, but because he got really drunk. Ever since then, she had always wanted to have sex with him, but she didn¡¯t get the chance to because Alejandro only saw her as a friend and Mafia member. In the past, de made lots of attempts to have sex with Alejandro, but she always failed. She even tried seducing and drugging him, but none worked. Even though she had failed a countless number of times, she didn¡¯t give up. She knew that someday, Alejandro would surely fall for her and would no longer see her as a friend or Mafia member. ¡°Why are you here, de?¡± Alejandro¡¯s deep voice snapped de out of her thoughts, and she took her eyes off the bulge in his jeans. ¡°Alejandro, I came here to check up on you.¡± de started walking towards Alejandro with a smile ying on her seductive lips. Don¡¯t be surprised that de addressed Alejandro by his name and not ¡°Boss¡±. de had been friends with Alejandro and his twin brother since childhood. She grew up with them so she had the privilege of addressing the Gambino brothers by their names and not ¡°Boss¡±, like the other members would do. Being the childhood friend of the Gambino brothers also gave de the rare privilege of talking casually with them without getting killed or having a bullet stuck in her head. In short, de was more privileged than every other members of the Gambino family, and that earned her lots of respect among the mobsters in the Mafia family. Back to the present, Alejandro watched as de approached him with a smile on her face. ¡°You came to check up on me?¡± Alejandro asked with a frown on his face. ¡°Yep.¡± de nodded as she finally closed the distance between them. ¡°Do I look like I need to be checked up on?¡± Alejandro questioned with an icy expression on his face. ¡°Yeah. You do because you haven¡¯t stepped out of your room ever since you arrived in the morning.¡± de replied. ¡°Just get the fuck out of my room, de.¡± Alejandro turned around, and he gazed out the window. Instead of leaving like Alejandro had instructed, de took a bold step and she encircled her arms around Alejandro¡¯s waist, resting on his bare back. Alejandro was a bit taken aback by de¡¯s action, but he got angry almost immediately. ¡°And what the fuck do you think you¡¯re doing, de?!¡± He asked, angrily without moving an inch. ¡°Why Alejandro? Why can¡¯t you just see me as a woman for once, and not your childhood friend or a member of the Gambino family?¡± de asked with a soft tone as she hugged him from behind, her arms firmly wrapped around his waist and her head resting on his back. de¡¯s action were starting to get on Alejandro¡¯s nerves, and the fact that he was still aroused doubled his anger, but he did his possible best to keep his anger in check because he didn¡¯t want to harm de. He knew how dangerous he could be when angry, and he didn¡¯t want a situation whereby he¡¯d kill her out of anger. Even though he was cold and ruthless, he had a soft spot for her considering the fact that they grew up together, and they spent lots of time together. Alejandro was silently hoping that de would get back to her senses and leave his room because he could lose his cool at any moment and kill her. Killing her was thest thing he wanted because apart from being his childhood friend, she was also a valuable asset in the Gambino family, and killing her would count as a loss for him. ¡°I think you¡¯re high on some crazy weed. Now get your goddamn hands off me before I lose my shit!¡± Alejandro said, and took her arms off him, but she hugged him again, and he folded his hands into tight fists. ¡°Get your fucking hands off me, de, before I cut off your fucking hands!¡± Alejandro said with a low threatening tone, but de still hugged him even tighter. Alejandro finally lost it, and he angrily picked up a gun on the table very close to him. Without wasting a second, he swiftly turned around to shoot her, but the moment he turned around, his eyes widened in shock and his gun fell from his grip. Why was he shocked? He was shocked because of what he saw, and it was difficult for him to believe his eyes. He found it really hard to ept what he was seeing. Chapter 21: Mind Tricks As de refused to unwrap her arms from Alejandro¡¯s waist, his anger reached its breaking point, and with simmering anger, he grabbed the gun resting just inches away on the nearby table. When he grabbed the gun, his intention was clear: he aimed to shoot de, the source of his anger. But the moment he turned around with lightning speed, his mind, which was overwhelmed by the images and thoughts of Marisa, momentarily yed tricks on him. The vivid memory of Marisa which was deeply imprinted in his mind, suddenly oveid the present reality. Instead ofing across de¡¯s familiar face when he turned around, he was met with the spectral image of Marisa. His shock was evident and he couldn¡¯t believe his own eyes. His grip on the firearm faltered as his confusion deepened. He squeezed his eyes shut, fervently hoping that it was just a trick of his own mind. But when he reopened them, the image of Marisa persisted, refusing to yield to the physical presence of de. It was as if Marisa herself was the one standing in front of him instead of de. But he didn¡¯t know that his mind was just ying tricks on him. Slowly, the shock on his face began to give way to a sly, mischievous expression. On the other hand, de, equally puzzled, gazed at Alejandro. She was left wondering why he had abruptly abandoned his weapon and was now staring intently at her. The sight of his mischievous smile perplexed her further. ¡°How did you get here, sweetheart?¡± Alejandro inquired, leaving de even more bewildered. Little did she know that her face was not the one he was beholding, making her wonder what was going on. de¡¯s confusion deepened as Alejandro¡¯s words echoed in her ears. She couldn¡¯t fathom why he referred to her as ¡°sweetheart¡± or why he seemed so amused. Something was clearly amiss, and de couldn¡¯t help but wonder if Alejandro was high on drugs or something.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. With a hint of skepticism in her voice, she replied, ¡°Alejandro, what are you talking about? And why are you asking me how I got here?¡¯ Alejandro¡¯s grin widened, an enigmatic glint in his eyes. He stepped closer to de, his demeanor oozing charm and mischief. ¡°Sweetheart, you¡¯ve got some exining to do. How did you manage to get here?¡± de¡¯s bewilderment grew, and she took a step back, her hand instinctively reaching for the holster at her side. ¡°Alejandro, what the fuck are you saying? I¡¯m de.¡± Alejandro let out a heartyugh, his earlier anger now reced with amusement. ¡°Oh, de was in my room some minutes ago, and now you¡¯re here, sweetheart. I¡¯m quite surprised you found me after our encounterst night. ¡± de furrowed her brows in a bewildered state, her gaze fixed on Alejandro. If confusion were a person, de would have embodied that person because her mind was a whirlwind of perplexity. One moment he addressed her as de, and in the next breath, he called her sweetheart. What was happening here? Her thoughts swirled like a storm, and a sudden gasp escaped her lips as Alejandro unexpectedly encircled his arms around her waist, pulling her closer. Her eyes widened in utter shock as she gazed directly into Alejandro¡¯s face, struggling toprehend the sudden turn of events. ¡°Let¡¯s put aside the mystery of your presence, Marisa, and let¡¯s have some fun,¡± Alejandro whispered into her ear, his words sending a shiver down her spine as he lightly nibbled her earlobe. Her pussy got wet instantly, and her heart started racing because the only time she had been in such intimate position with Alejandro was in her fantasies and wild imaginations. ¡°Who¡¯s Marisa? And why does he thinks I¡¯m Marisa?¡± de though to herself as she stared directly at Alejandro¡¯s face with a confused expression on her face. de¡¯s heart raced, caught in a whirlwind of emotions she couldn¡¯t quite grasp. Alejandro¡¯s sudden change in behavior left her both flustered and intrigued. She felt a mix of excitement and fear, unsure about how to react to this surprising turn of events. A flirtatious smile danced across Alejandro¡¯s face as he continued to hold her close, his eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that sent her heart pounding. His actions were as confusing as they were electrifying, and de¡¯s curiosity got the better of her. All at once, Be¡¯s perplexed expression transformed into a sly one as she grasped that this was the moment she had dreamt of her entire life. Even if she didn¡¯t know what was going on with Alejandro, she recognized that a chance like this might never reappear. With a yful smile, she wrapped her arms around Alejandro¡¯s neck and drew herself closer to him, stating, ¡°Why don¡¯t we have some fun, Alejandro. I¡¯m your sweetheart afterall.¡± Alejandro¡¯s grin broadened, and he lowered his voice to a sultry murmur as he leaned in closer. ¡°You¡¯ve be quite bold all of a sudden, sweetheart. It seems like you¡¯re eager for some fun, just like I am.¡± ¡°Yeah, I am. So, let¡¯s stop talking and get to it,¡± de responded impatiently. Her desire was palpable in her voice, and she was eager to take things to the next level. With an even wider grin, Alejandro, in the blink of an eye, scooped her up and carried her to his spacious bed. As he positioned her on the bed, herughter filled the room while he loomed over her with a devilish grin with only one intention in his mind: to fuck her mercilessly. de¡¯sughter bubbled forth as Alejandro began to slowly remove her clothing, all the while his lustful eyes locked onto her visage. She couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something was amiss, yet in that moment, the thought of being intimate with Alejandro outweighed her concerns. She found herself entranced by Alejandro¡¯s ocean blue eyes, losing track of time and not noticing that she was nowpletely naked beneath him. Those piercing blue eyes had always held a spell over her ever since she firstid eyes on him. Alejandro¡¯s eyes darkened with pure lust as he gazed at her nakedness. de bit her bottom lip seductively, and she gave him a seductive look before saying, ¡°I want to feel your dick inside of me, Alejandro. I want you to fuck me very hard.¡± ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I¡¯m gonna do, sweetheart,¡± Alejandro replied with a grin as he started unbuckling his belt. ¡°I¡¯m gonna fuck you so hard and make you scream my name till you lose your voice. I¡¯ll wreck your pussy till it gets hot like a volcano, and by the time I¡¯m done with you, you won¡¯t be able to walk for days.¡± de giggled and a wave of excitement rushed throughout her body as Alejandro dragged down his jeans alongside his underpants, and his nine inches cock came into view, making de gasp in shock. ¡°You like what you see, sweetheart?¡± Alejandro asked with a cocky smile. ¡°I love it.¡± de whispered as she fixed her gaze on his unbelievably long manhood. ¡°Now, get ready for it.¡± Alejandro said, and without warning, he parted her legs and drove his cock into her moist honeypot, earning him a loud gasp from her. Chapter 22: End Of Mind Tricks ¡°Now, get ready for it.¡± Alejandro said, and without warning, he parted her legs and drove his cock into her moist honeypot, earning him a loud gasp from her. A loud moan escaped her lips when he bent her into two, making sure her knees were touching her shoulders before plunging his dick into her already moist pussy again. He did brutally this time, pushing it in till tears of pleasure filled her eyes, there¡¯s almost too much of him to take. She squeezed around him, and her toes curled instinctively. ¡°Go deeper, Alejandro¡± she moaned, though her pussy was on fire already even without any move from him. The first thrust came immediately, and she let out a scream. She was forced open, and he slid in and out of her pussy faster, a beautiful smile is on his face as he brutalizes her body. There and there, she admitted it that his beauty mystifies her, how someone so dangerous could have the face of an angel. She returned the beautiful smile, and a hard thrust entered her p*ssy, causing her to gasp. She felt his c*ck hitting her womb already. She released another loud moan before diving her hand between their legs to feel them. She was spread impossibly wide to fit him. She touched her own cl*t before wrapping her fingers around his c**k as it slid in and out of her. A mutual moan of pleasure left their mouths at the same time as their c*m dripped down her c*nt onto the bedsheets. As Alejandro continued fucking her harder and deeper, all he was seeing was Marisa¡¯s face, and that boosted his vigour, making him double his pace. He went deeper into her and he felt the tip of his dick hitting her womb. ¡°Fuck! I love this so much, Alejandro! Fuck me harder! Give it to me harder!¡± de¡¯s loud moans rented the whole room. Alejandro smirked devilishly, and he decided to take it to the next level by raising both her legs and cing them on his shoulders, giving him a wider ess to her moist honeypot. Without giving her a warning, he buried his whole nine Inches cock inside her, and she gasped, her eyes popping wide open and her hands instinctively gripped the bedsheets as her pussy tightened around his cock, trying to take it all in. ¡°Fuck! Alejandro¡­ you¡¯re too huge!!¡± She moaned as he slowed down and started fucking her slowly so that she¡¯d adjust to his huge c*ck. He loved the beautiful expression on her face as he rode her slowly, making sure he was hitting her G-spot. ¡°You¡¯re so beautiful, sweetheart,¡± Alejandro whispered, and de smiled, thinking that statement was meant for her, not knowing that her face wasn¡¯t the face Alejandro was seeing. She didn¡¯t know that Alejandro¡¯s mind was just ying tricks on him, making him see de as Marisa. When Alejandro was sure that her pussy could take all of his huge cock, he started picking up the pace. de shut her eyes as waves of pleasure started running through her body in multiple folds. It didn¡¯t take long before she stared inching closer to orgasm. Alejandro felt her pussy tightening around his dick and he knew that she was about to cum. He grabbed her hips, tripled his speed, and made sure he was hitting the right spot. Truly, he was hitting the right spot because de was already moaning more loudly than before, and she was spitting gibberish from her mouth as the pleasure she was feeling was too much for her to take in. Within a few seconds, she had an orgasm, which got her body trembling greatly as her juice flowed on Alejandro¡¯s cock. ¡°I want more, Alejandro.¡± she whispered, even after having the best orgasm of her entire life. Alejandro grinned and continued sliding in and out of her juicy honeypot, and she touched her own cl*t before wrapping her fingers around his c**k as it slid in and out of her. When she removed her fingers from his sliding d**k, they were already wet with their juices. It fascinated her so much that she licked some of the cream from her fingers. Alejandro watched her in delight, and she decided to share with him. She slid the fingers into his mouth, and he licked it off thoroughly, sucking her fingers into his mouth. Immediately her fingers fell from his mouth, he pulled out of her, his d**k glistening with her c*m as he shoved her forward. Her face met with the mattress, and he pinned her down by her neck so her ass was up for him. He mmed his long length back inside her in one full thrust. Her eyes rolled back, and her mouth fell open. Alejandro took the advantage to hook his fingers into her mouth, forcing her back to his hips where there¡¯s nowhere to run. He wrecked her bones, the strength of his next thrust making her spines twinge. He gave it to her hard, all off him rough and skilled. Alejandro f**ked her violently from behind, and she f**ked herself on his d**k, giving him back as much as she takes. He spit on her exposed ass, Letting it drip down her c*nt. She got to hold the sheets, and he grabbed her wrists, bringing them behind her back. The p of his hips against her ass builded. She was trapped, and the sheets soaked her cries of pleasure. ¡°You loving it, sweetheart?¡± Heughed above her, and she shook her head, blinking back tears when he hit her g-spot. He picked up another mad pace immediately, growling into her ear. ¡°I¡¯m sure you love it because your pussy is dripping with rivers of cum¡± The room shifted, echoing the sound of Alejandro f**king her mercilessly. She suddenly heard the poundinging from the wall. He was fucking her so hard that the bed began tearing into the wall. ¡°Fuck!!!¡± She finally let out a cry as he wrapped himself around her, arms moving underneath her arms and over her chest. Hey himself over her, using one hand to capture herrge bre*sts while the other hand held her throat. The hole in the wall became deeper as the bed kept hitting it, squeaking under the weight of his brutal fucking. She was definitely the only thing keeping him from tearing a hole through the mattress. He sucked her sulent breast into his mouth so hard, fucking her harder again under the steamy heat. Her vagina tore apart. He then grabbed her hips and began mming into her harder. ¡°Oh yes, Alejandro,¡± she moaned. ¡°Pound me with that huge fucking dick.¡± ¡°I guess you¡¯re really loving this, sweetheart.¡± Alejandro smirked as he continued pounding her recklessly. ¡°Oh yes I am,¡± de moaned loudly, as she began bouncing back on his cock, meeting his forward thrusts. Her moans were getting louder, and after a couple minutes of Alejandro fucking her with reckless aggression, he could tell she was close. Then she did something he¡¯d never felt before. She somehow tightened her cunt around his cock while still being excessively wet. This sent an electrifying wave of pleasure throughout Alejandro¡¯s body. ¡°Don¡¯t stop fucking me, Alejandro,¡± she said, furiously bouncing back on his cock with a lust he¡¯d never seen or felt before. ¡°Oh God, fuck yes, fuck, you¡¯re fucking amazing, fuck me, shit, yes!¡± she screamed, as she was inching closer to orgasm. ¡°Fuck you Alejandro! Fuck!¡± She cursed, biting through the bed as her pussy shed tears of cum. ¡°I¡¯m gonna enjoy filling your little pussy with my cum, sweetheart,¡± Alejandro groaned, pressing his dick harder into her. ¡°Do it!¡± She managed to scream, spreading herself open for him as he prowled over her. ¡°Cum inside me, Alejandro¡± she muttered, and he obeyed, fucking her deeply as she felt his cock pulse inside her hot pussy. She weed him, falling into the abyss of pleasure as he released inside her. His still-hard dick fell out of her, but then she tossed them, and she came on top. She still wanted to have more sex with him because she knew an opportunity like this might nevere. Alejandro smirked when she pushed his dick back inside her, epassing all of him as she sat regally on the throne. ¡°Fuck!¡± Alejandro moaned when he shifted an inch, his long, hard dick brushing her far wall. She was hot and tight, filled to the brim like she wanted. ¡°I have always wanted to fuck you again ever since we had sex that night.¡± she smirked, and a gasp fell out of her when her pussy sucked in more of his dick. She moved her palms to his chest, holding herself steady as his cock slide out of her then went back in, stroking her pussy so good that she moaned his name. ¡°Yeah, Alejandro!¡± Sweats fell from her lids, and she mmed herself deep on his dick again, tearing herself apart once again. ¡°Yes sweetheart¡± Alejandro groaned as she started increasing her pace. She rode him faster, causing her bug sulent boobs to bounce on her chest. She bent to his neck and kissed the skin she found, finding pleasure in giving him mark with her mouth.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. The hoarse groan from his mouth brought her to the edge. He growled against her lips, feeling her get close. ¡°Wanna feel your cum on my dick again, sweetheart.¡± ¡°I¡¯m cumming!¡± She cried out, matching his tortured groan as she buried her face in his neck, trying to muffle the scream that¡¯s leaving her. Alejandro grabbed her big ass, enjoying the moist feeling of her pussy. The veins on his muscr arms were bulging as he lifted her off his cock, both watching his fat dick leave her pussy before he dropped her back down, making his dick slid dangerously back in. ¡°Oh fuck! Yeah!¡± She moaned in ecstacy, enjoying the pleasure so much. His cock bumped her cervix, and she saw stars behind her closed eyes. He leaned up to take her boobs into his mouth. It felt so good, the tender flesh subjected to more torture as he buried his face in her breasts. While riding his dick, Alejandro wrapped his mouth around her boobs, tasting all of her. She rode him faster and she felt herself reaching orgasm. But before she could cum, Alejandro switched positions, and he loomed above her, his dick still buried deep in her pussy. He started mming dangerously into her and she began moaning louder than ever as she felt his dick hitting the right spot. This pleasure was just too much, before she knew it, she squirted all over his cock. Alejandro continued pounding her, but this time, his speed was unbelievable. He was fucking her very fast as if he waspeting with someone. The rate at which his dick was moving in and out of her pussy was unbelievable, and when he felt his dick twitching inside of her, he knew he was about to cum. Alejandro pinned both her hands on the mattress and he rammed deeper into her. de screamed out in pleasure as his dick went deeper and deeper inside her just like she wanted. ¡°You¡¯re just too sweet, Marisa!¡± Alejandro groaned as he inched closer to orgasm. His gaze was fixed on her face as continued fucking her. Before long, Alejandro sted his cum inside her with a throaty roar, and de also screamed out in satisfaction as his cum filled her pussy. Alejandro breathed heavily, and he had sweat running down his body as he pullrr from de. de, too, was catching her breath on the bed, lookingpletely satisfied. It had been the best sex she¡¯d had in years, and as shey there, she secretly wished for another one with Alejandro in the near future. With a proud smile on his face, Alejandro got off the bed. But the moment he left the bed, his mind stopped ying tricks on him, and reality hit him very hard like a ton of bricks. Confusion overwhelmed him when he saw de¡¯s face. He even rubbed his eyes, thinking he might be imagining things, but it was all too real. de was right there. His puzzlement grew deeper as he noticed she was naked on his bed. And when he realized he was also naked, he couldn¡¯t believe what he was seeing. He was utterly bewildered, struggling to make sense of the situation. ¡°Wasn¡¯t Marisa the one I was fucking? How the fuck did de end up in my bed? When the fuck did she even arrive?¡± These thoughts raced through Alejandro¡¯s mind as he surveyed the room, his confusion growing. Chapter 23: Obsession and Curiousity ¡°I thought I was fucking Marisa? How did de get here? When did she even get here?¡± Alejandro thought to himself as he nced around the room in confusion. ¡°That was intense, Alejandro,¡± de said, still smiling on the bed. Alejandro stood there, staring at de with a perplexed expression. Then it dawned on him that he had been intimate with her. The realization made him so angry that the shocked expression on his face instantly transformed into an angry one. ¡°What the fuck are you doing on my bed, de? And why are you naked?¡± Alejandro yelled, his deep voice filled with anger. Even though he had already figured out what happened, he needed confirmation from her, not wanting to believe that he had sex with her and not Marisa. de was taken aback and confused by Alejandro¡¯s sudden angry outburst. She slowly sat up in the bed, keeping her eyes fixed on him as her feet touched the cool tiled floor. ¡°I asked you a question, de!¡± Alejandro yelled, and she nearly flinched. ¡°Why are you in my room, and why are you naked?¡± de cautiously got up from the bed and tried to calm the situation by saying, ¡°Alejandro, let¡¯s talk about this calmly.¡± But Alejandro¡¯s anger only escted. He snapped, ¡°Don¡¯t tell me to calm down!¡± His fury filled the room as he moved closer to de. In the heat of the moment, de couldn¡¯t hold back and eximed, ¡°You initiated the sex when I came to your room to check on you. I didn¡¯t force you!¡± Her words were filled with anger, but they only seemed to infuriate Alejandro further. Regret washed over de as she saw the mix of emotions on Alejandro¡¯s face: anger, hurt, and disbelief. Alejandro shot de a fierce, threatening look, and he had a strong urge to react violently, but he managed to control himself. ¡°Put on your fucking clothes and leave my room right now,¡± he ordered, his voice stern, then turned to peer out the window. de stood there for a moment, puzzled by the abrupt change in Alejandro¡¯s demeanor as she started getting dressed. It was confusing; they had just been intimate moments ago, and now he was furious about it. Once de was fully dressed, she quietly walked over to the door without saying anything. However, just as she was about to open the door, Alejandro¡¯s words stopped her in her tracks. ¡°And don¡¯t forget to take birth control. I swear, I¡¯ll fucking kill you if you get pregnant for me.¡± de paused briefly, her gaze fixed on Alejandro, then continued to open the door. But when she did, she found someone already on the other side. The door swung open, revealing Alexandro, Alejandro¡¯s brother. ¡°Good afternoon, Alex,¡± de greeted, but her presence in Alejandro¡¯s room left Alexandro wondering. She moved aside to let Alexandro in and after Alexandro stepped in, she left, closing the door behind her. Alexandro¡¯s eyes fell on Alejandro, who was standing naked by the window. A quick look told him that Alejandro and de had been intimate. But Alexandro knew his brother well enough to doubt that Alejandro had willingly been involved with de. His curiosity was sparked as he wondered about the circumstances that led to this passionate encounter between his brother and their childhood friend. ¡°Bro, how did you end up fucking de?¡± Alexandro asked as he approached Alejandro. Alejandro didn¡¯t give him a response. Instead he walked away from the window and went to pick up a golden box of cigarette which wasying on a desk. He removed a stick of cigarette from the box and lit it up with a lighter. ¡°Alejandro, I asked you a damb question. How did you and de end up having sex?¡± He persisted, and Alejandro¡¯s frustration grew apparent. ¡°Stop asking me that fucking question because I don¡¯t fucking know!¡± Alejandro punched the nearest wall in both frustration and anger. Alexandro recoiled slightly at Alejandro¡¯s outburst. He could sense his brother¡¯s agitation and knew better than to push further. After a few moments of tense silence, Alejandro took a deep drag from his cigarette, trying to regain hisposure. The smoke swirled around him, a temporary shield from the barrage of questions and confusion. Alexandro, choosing his words carefully, finally spoke, ¡°Alright, Alejandro, I get it. I won¡¯t press you further. But if you ever want to talk about it, I¡¯m here, bro.¡± ¡°I think I¡¯m going crazy,¡± Alejandro finally admitted, ruffling his dark hair in frustration. ¡°And it¡¯s all because of one person.¡± ¡°And who could that be?¡± Alexandro asked, curiously. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Alejandro replied, avoiding his brother¡¯s question. Alexandro watched as Alejandro dressed up, and he couldn¡¯t help but wonder what his brother was hiding from him. Alejandro finished dressing up within a minute. He was now putting on a ck tailored suit which fitted him perfectly. He picked up his favorite handgun and tucked it beneath his suit before walking out of the room. His face was marred by a cold, emotionless expression as he strode purposefully towards theputerb. His mind was consumed by the recent encounter with de, and he struggled toe to terms with the fact that he had engaged in a sexual encounter with her. The more he dwelled on the situation, the more it fueled his anger, although he somehow managed to restrain his anger. After what felt like an eternity, he eventually arrived at theputerb, a journey that had taken nearly two whole minutes. As he approached, theb¡¯s doors effortlessly slid open, their facial recognition system granting him entry. With an air of regal authority, he stepped inside theb, exuding the confidence of a true boss. Theputerb was a big, well-lit room with a modern and simple look. The walls hadrge screens disyingplex data and coolputer models. It looked high-tech andfortable. Theb was veryrge, with rows ofputer setups all neatly arranged in a grid. Eachputer was top-notch, with big screens andfy chairs. Inside theb, there were manyputer experts; about fifty. They were spread around the room, and they all had their own jobs and skills. They were really focused on what they were doing, and their faces were lit up by theirputer screens. It was like they were in a trance, working hard on their tasks. You could hear the soft sounds ofputers and the clicking of mice and keyboards. Alejandro¡¯s gaze wandered to the room¡¯s center, where Stacey, the head of theputer experts, was busy at her workstation. She had a serious look on her face as she was busy operating about fourputers simultaneously like the expert she was. Stacey immediately rose from her seat when she saw Alejandro approaching her. ¡°Good afternoon, boss.¡± She greeted, bowing her head as a sign of respect. Alejandro simply nodded, and he brought out his phone. ¡°I need you to get me the address of thisdy.¡± Alejandro said as he showed Stacey a picture of Marisa. Stacey swiftly opened her favorite sleek ckptop and began typing with remarkable speed. Her fingers danced across the keyboard as lines of code and queries flew across the screen. In a matter of mere seconds, she had the address of Marisa disyed on her screen. Turning towards Alejandro, Stacey respectfully ryed the information. ¡°I¡¯ve found her address, boss¡± she said, her tone calm and professional. ¡°She¡¯s located at the 25th house in Broadway street. Is there anything else you need, boss?¡± Alejandro contemted whether he should ask Stacey the question that had been troubling him. Stacey was one of the few people he trusted, and she was more sensible than most of the members in the gang, so she¡¯d be in the best position to answer his question. Alejandro finally mustered the courage to address the nagging question that had been troubling him. He asked Stacey, ¡°Stacey, a little while ago, I had sex with de, but to my surprise, I was under the impression I was with someone entirely different. While I was having sex with de, I found myself envisioning a differentdy¡¯s face instead of de¡¯s. Can you exin what might have caused this confusing situation? Am I losing going insane?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, boss, you¡¯re not going insane. I¡¯ve read a lot about this type of situation, and it¡¯s quitemon among men.¡± Stacey replied with an assuring smile, then she began exining.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡°The reason why you saw anotherdy¡¯s face instead of de¡¯s while having sex with her is simply because you were thinking so much about that otherdy. Your excessive thoughts about the otherdy upied your mind and, in turn, affected your brain to some extent. As a result, your brain created an image of thatdy and reced de¡¯s image, leading you to believe you were having sex with her and not de. In summary, your brain was influenced by your intense thoughts. You were thinking about thatdy more than you should have, and this affected your brain, causing the confusion.¡± Stacey concluded her exnation. ¡°So, you mean what happened is because I was thinking a lot about the otherdy?¡± Alejandro asked. ¡°Yes, boss,¡± Stacey replied. ¡°This situation usually ur when a man is deeply obsessed with a woman. Obsession is the main cause of what happened to you, boss. You couldn¡¯t stop thinking about thatdy, and it resulted into what transpired between you and de.¡± ¡°Oh, I see.¡± Alejandro nodded. ¡°Have you gotten a lead on Salvador¡¯s location?¡± ¡°Not yet, boss. We are still doing our best to track him down, and I assure you that we¡¯ll get his location before the end of this week.¡± Stacey replied with a reassuring smile. ¡°Alright. Continue doing your job and inform me once you have a lead.¡± Alejandro said before turning around, then he walked out of theb. As Alejandro left theb, he couldn¡¯t shake off the words Stacey had said, which kept echoing in his mind: ¡°This situation usually ur when a man is deeply obsessed with a woman. Obsession is the main cause of what happened to you, boss. You couldn¡¯t stop thinking about thatdy, and it resulted into what transpired between you and de.¡± As he walked down the hallway, Alejandro couldn¡¯t help but question himself. ¡°Could I really be obsessed with Marisa?¡± he wondered. ¡°No, it doesn¡¯t make sense. I can¡¯t be obsessed with someone I only had a brief encounter with.¡± But a nagging voice in his head contradicted him, whispering, ¡°Yes, you are obsessed with her.¡± Alejandro argued back, saying, ¡°No, I¡¯m not.¡± But that inner voice persisted, ¡°Yes, you are. Your actions prove it. You instructed one of your men to keep tabs on her, even stalking her. And you got angry when you saw the picture of her with another man. Your obsession with her led to what happened between you and de. You¡¯re obsessed, Alejandro. You¡¯re obsessed with Marisa!¡± ¡°Just shut the fuck up!¡± Alejandro yelled in frustration, catching the attention of the men in the hallway. But they immediately took their gazes off him, fearing that they might get shot or punished. With a mix of irritation and anger, Alejandro couldn¡¯t help but scoff, and he continued walking. Suddenly, a crucial memory surged to the forefront of his mind. He had given a clear task to one of his men ¨C keep an eye on Marisa. Without hesitation, he reached into his pocket and retrieved his phone, dialed the contact he needed. ¡°Have you taken care of the bastard who was with Marisa at the hospital?¡± Alejandro asked, his voice dripping with authority. The voice on the other end of the line quivered with fear. ¡°No, boss. He got away before I could do it.¡± This response only fueled Alejandro¡¯s anger. He pressed on, his concern now shifting to Marisa, ¡°What about Marisa? Is she still at the hospital?¡± ¡°No, boss. She left with her son,¡± came the anxious reply. Alejandro wasted no time. ¡°Return to the empire immediately,¡± he ordered, ending the call. His mind drifted off to Marisa and decided to pay her a visit since he had her address already. As he left the building, he encountered his right-hand man, Bruno, giving orders to some mobsters. Everyone disyed respect and deference at the mere sight of Alejandro. ¡°Bruno, prepare the car. We need to go somewhere,¡± Alejandro instructed. Bruno promptly fetched the key to a luxurious Lamborghini and led Alejandro to the car shed. Alejandro settled into the backseat, and Bruno closed the door, sealing Alejandro¡¯s presence in the opulent vehicle. ¡°Where are we heading, boss?¡± Bruno asked. Alejandro checked Marisa¡¯s address on his phone and replied, ¡°The 25th house on Broadway Street.¡± With a nod of understanding, Bruno revved the engine, and they sped away from thepound. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Alejandro, his identical twin, Alexandro, watched from his room window. He observed the departure of the Lamborghini with growing curiosity and concern. ¡°Where are you going, Alejandro? What are you keeping from me? And what in the world are you up to?¡± Chapter 24: A Surprise Visit In the dimly lit, Broadway street of New York City, a yellow taxi cab came to a smooth halt in front of Marisa and rabelle¡¯s apartment. The soft glow of the streemp above cast a warm, amber hue on the taxi as it came to a halt. Marisa elegantly extended her slender hand into the depths of her supple, well-worn leather purse, the material yielding softly to her touch. With a sense of deliberate grace, she retrieved her wallet, fingers brushing against its contours, while the faint scent of aged leather wafted upwards to meet her senses.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. In a disy of measured consideration, Marisa kindly tallied the appropriate fare and a generous token of appreciation, folding the bills with deft precision. These notes were then gently ced into the awaiting palm of the cab driver, his hand extending toward her like an open book of quiet gratitude. A slight, but unmistakably warm, smile curled upon the driver¡¯s lips when he saw the tip given to him by Marisa. ¡°Goodbye, ma¡¯am. And thanks for the tip,¡± he uttered with a voice that bore witness to countless miles driven. With a kindness that showed their mutual humanity, Marisa replied, ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡± Her eyes then shifted, pivoting to rest upon her son, Jeffrey, whose recent departure from the hospital marked a milestone in their lives. ¡°Let¡¯s go, Jeffrey,¡± she said, her words both amand and a promise, as she firmly took his hand. She skillfully opened the back door of the taxi. With a controlled yet tender motion, she guided Jeffrey out of the vehicle, ensuring his safe and steady descent. As soon as they got out of the taxi, it quickly drove off, and all that was left behind was the memory of their ride together. Marisa and her son began walking towards their apartment¡¯s entrance. As they strolled, Marisa couldn¡¯t take her eyes off her son. Her face beamed with a wide, uncontainable smile as she watched him walk. The happiness she felt was overwhelming because her worst fear hadn¡¯t be a reality. When Jeffrey had his ident, she worried that she wouldn¡¯t be able to afford his surgery, and he would remain paralyzed. Oveing that fear by finding a way to pay for the surgery meant that now, her son could walk again. Although Marisa had taken an unusual way to get the money, but she didn¡¯t feel any regret. She did it out of deep love for her son, and it made it possible for him to walk again. Marisa and Jeffrey climbed the hard concrete steps to the entrance together. A gentle porch light above them made them feel warm and happy. It showed the immense joy in Jeffrey¡¯s eyes. He wasn¡¯t just happy about being able to walk again but also because he proved the doctor wrong. The fear of being paralyzed was now reced with hope for a future full of opportunities. Marisa put her hand in her pocket to find the apartment keys. She guided Jeffrey up the old steps to their apartment building. Their footsteps mixed with the far-off sound of traffic and the conversations of people passing by. They arrived at their apartment¡¯s wooden door, which had seen better days with chipped and worn paint from many years of use. Marisa used her key to unlock it with ease, and the door quietly opened. As they entered, a warm and weing feeling surrounded them. Their home was a cozy and familiar ce where they felt safe andfortable. The living room was softly illuminated by the soft, warm glow of tablemps ced strategically around the room. Marisa kicked off her heels, letting out a sigh of relief as she felt the coolness of the hardwood floor beneath her tired feet. Jeffrey, his eyes wide with wonder, took in the familiar surroundings, his favorite toys scattered around. It was obvious that he missed home so much even though he was admitted to the hospital for just a day. Marisa crouched down to Jeffrey¡¯s eye level and asked with a tender smile, ¡°Well, cupcake, what would you like to eat? I can make your favorite spaghetti, or maybe we can order pizza if that¡¯s what you¡¯re in the mood for. It¡¯s your choice.¡± She watched as his face lit up with delight, his little eyes sparkling as he contemted the delicious options before him. Jeffrey¡¯s face burst into an ecstatic grin, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. With boundless enthusiasm, he eximed, ¡°Pizza, Mom! I want pizza with extra cheese and pepperoni, just the way I like it!¡± Marisa couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at her son¡¯s enthusiasm. His choice was clear, and she couldn¡¯t me him for the excitement that pizza always brought. They usually eat it once in a while, but since things became a bit tough for Marisa, she could no longer afford it. But now that her son is showing such unbridled delight over a simple pizza, she can¡¯t help but feel a mix of emotions. In the past, eating pizza used to be a special treat, a little luxury they could afford. It was a time to unwind and bond as a family, and those moments were filled withughter. But as Marisa¡¯s financial situation grew more challenging, those moments became increasingly scarce. She had to make tough decisions, cutting back on things that were once considered staples in their lives. Her son¡¯s innocent excitement tugged at her heartstrings, reminding her of the simple joys that money couldn¡¯t buy. As a mother, it was painful to see her child¡¯s happiness limited by financial constraints. She wanted to give him the world, but sometimes all she could offer was her love and support. Marisa made a silent promise to herself, watching her son¡¯s beaming face. She knew that someday, when their circumstances improved, they would order as much pizza as they want. She would be able to make her son more happy. With a warm, loving pat on his head, she said, ¡°Pizza it is, my little pizza lover! Let¡¯s order your favorite and have a wonderful dinner together.¡± As Marisa reached for her phone to ce the order, her phone suddenly rang, and she furrowed her brows upon seeing it was an unknown number. After a brief moment of hesitation, she decided to answer the call. ¡°Hello?¡± Marisa answered the call with a sense of curiosity in her voice. ¡°Hey, Marisa,¡± a masculine voice came through on the other end of the line, and Marisa strained her memory to identify the caller. The voice held a touch of familiarity, but she couldn¡¯t quite ce it. ¡°Who¡¯s speaking, please?¡± Marisa inquired politely, hoping for a hint. ¡°It¡¯s Dave,¡± the voice replied, and Marisa¡¯s mental puzzle pieces clicked into ce. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry, Dave. I didn¡¯t save your number,¡± Marisa confessed with an apologetic tone, acknowledging thepse in her contacts. ¡°No problem,¡± Dave replied casually, his understanding demeanor putting Marisa at ease. ¡°Have you gotten home?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Marisa confirmed, nodding her head instinctively, even though Dave couldn¡¯t see the gesture. ¡°I was wondering if I could pay you a visit. Is that fine by you?¡± Dave asked, his words sending a sudden rush of excitement through Marisa. ¡°Sure. Yeah, why not?¡± Marisa replied, her voice betraying a hint of nervousness mingled with anticipation. ¡°Alright. Send me the address,¡± Dave requested, and Marisa¡¯s heart raced with anticipation as she contemted the uing rendezvous. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll do that,¡± Marisa replied before gently disconnecting the call. Her heart continued to race as she prepared to share her address with Dave, a mix of emotions surging within her. Ever since she woke up from amnesia, the was the first time a man would want to pay herbs visit, and this was the main reason why she was so nervous. Marisa quickly retrieved her phone and began typing a message to him. Her fingers danced across the screen as she shared her address with a sense of eagerness, adding a touch of excitement to her message. ¡°Here¡¯s my address, Dave: 123 Oak Street, Apt 4B. Looking forward to seeing you!¡± With the message sent, Marisa paused for a moment to collect her thoughts. She remembered that her son had been looking forward to pizza for dinner that evening. Realization struck her ¨C since Dave would be paying her a visit, she decided to order enough pizza to ensure that everyone would be well-fed. She dialed her favorite pizzeria¡¯s number and greeted the friendly voice on the other end. ¡°Hello, it¡¯s Marisa. I¡¯d like to ce an order for delivery, please.¡± ¡°Of course, Marisa. What can we get for you today?¡± the pizzeria staff asked. ¡°I¡¯ll take tworge pizzas,¡± Marisa responded, considering her son¡¯s appetite. ¡°One pepperoni, and the other, abination with mushrooms, green peppers, and extra cheese.¡± ¡°Great choices! Anything else for you?¡± the staff inquired. Marisa thought for a moment and then added, ¡°Yes, and please include an order of garlic breadsticks and a family-sized sd.¡± ¡°Absolutely, Marisa. We¡¯ll have that ready for you in about 30 minutes. Is there anything else you¡¯d like?¡± Marisa considered a moment longer before replying, ¡°No, that should be perfect. Thanks!¡± With the pizza order ced, Marisa decided to check up on her son. She made her way to her Jeffery¡¯s room, where he was happily engrossed in ying with his toys. She watched him for a moment, taking in the sight of his innocent joy. ¡°Hey there, sweetie,¡± she said, leaning down to ruffle his hair. ¡°Guess what? Pizza¡¯s on the way for dinner!¡± Her son¡¯s eyes lit up with delight as he looked up at his mother. ¡°Pizza? Yay! thanks Mom!¡± Marisa¡¯s heart warmed at her son¡¯s enthusiasm, and she assured him that it wouldn¡¯t be long before the delicious pies arrived. After a quick ytime update, she left her son to his toys, promising to call him when the pizza arrived. Just when she was going to return to the living room to clean up, she heard a clear knock at the door. It had only been a minute since she ordered the pizza, and she was impressed by how fast the delivery was. However, upon a second thought, she considered that the person at the door might actually be Dave. Marisa¡¯s heart raced with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. She took a deep breath, checked herself in the mirror, and then hurried to the door. But the moment she twisted the door knob and opened the door, her eyes widened with shock and her face went pale like the belly of a fish. Standing before her was not Dave, nor the delivery man, but Alejandro himself. ¡°Hello, sweetheart,¡± Alejandro said, his voice carrying a wide, disarming grin that was stered across his face. Chapter 25: Unexpected Intrusion ¡°Hello, sweetheart,¡± Alejandro¡¯s greeting resonated with a warm, endearing tone that reverberated through the room. His infectious, disarming grin had taken up residence on his face, stretching from ear to ear and casting a radiant glow upon him. Marisa¡¯s astonishment became palpable as her eyes remained fixed, unblinking, on Alejandro¡¯s face. A whirlwind of inquiries swirled within her mind, like a storm of confusion. ¡°What is he doing here? How did he even get here? How did he know my house address? Did someone tell him? Has he been stalking me?¡± These myriad questions raced through Marisa¡¯s thoughts, all while her gaze remained firmly affixed to Alejandro¡¯s face, paralyzed by shock. ¡°You look shocked to see me, Marisa,¡± Alejandro¡¯s deep, mellifluous voice abruptly punctuated the tempest of her thoughts. Marisa¡¯s astonishment doubled when he mentioned her name, an unexpected revtion. ¡°Wait! He also knows my name? When did I tell him my name?¡± she pondered, bewildered by this newfoundyer of mystery. ¡°What are you doing here, and how did you even know my name?¡± were the first questions that tumbled from Marisa¡¯s lips, the words escaping her lips as if propelled by the sheer force of her curiosity. ¡°Are you surprised that I know your name?¡± Alejandro responded, his smirk growing wider, a veil of enigmatic confidence shrouding him. Marisa, now somewhat less agog, scoffed and crossed her arms over her chest, maintaining a defensive posture as she replied, ¡°I¡¯m not surprised. I just don¡¯t remember telling you my name.¡± ¡°Well, I saw your name on the dating site¡­..¡± Alejandro began, poised to offer an exnation. But before he couldplete his statement, Marisa swiftly and stealthily silenced him, her hand gently covering his mouth. Alejandro¡¯s eyes registered a mix of surprise and curiosity as they locked onto Marisa¡¯s. Marisa¡¯s expression hardened, her eyes narrowing in a gesture of both caution and determination. She leaned in slightly, as if to impart the utmost importance to her next words. ¡°Shhhh,¡± she hushed him, her voice carrying an air of urgency and secrecy.¡±Don¡¯t mention that stupid site. My son¡¯s at home and I don¡¯t want him hearing such nonsense. Do you understand?¡± It was clear that Marisa had no intention of letting Alejandro divulge any more information about how he knew her name. Alejandro, now muzzled by Marisa¡¯s hand, couldn¡¯t help but let his eyes dance with intrigue and a hint of mischief. His eyes seemed to convey, ¡°Oh, what have we here? A woman who¡¯s not easily taken by surprise. How fascinating.¡± ¡°Mommy, who¡¯s that?¡± Jeffery¡¯s tiny voice caught Marisa off guard, prompting her to step away from Alejandro and face her son. As soon as Alejandro¡¯s eyesnded on Jeffery, his face lit up with astonishment. It was almost as if he had discovered a pint-sized twin of himself. Jeffery¡¯s eyes, his hair, and even the shape of his ears bore an uncanny resemnce to Alejandro¡¯s features. For a brief moment, Alejandro found it somewhat difficult to trust his own eyes. He couldn¡¯t help but wonder if Jeffery might somehow be his son. However, he swiftly dismissed that notion, recognizing it as impossible since he had only recently crossed paths with Marisa. ¡°Is he your son?¡± he inquired, taking his gaze off Jeffery. Marisa, forcing a smile, answered, ¡°Yes, he is.¡± ¡°Mommy, who¡¯s that?¡± Jeffery pointed at Alejandro. ¡°He¡¯s¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m your mom¡¯s boyfriend,¡± Alejandro interjected, leaving Marisa in shock at his announcement. ¡°Mommy has a boyfriend?¡± Jeffery¡¯s eyes widened inquisitively, while Alejandro sported a sly smirk. ¡°Yes, sweetheart. Mommy has a boyfriend, and that¡¯s me,¡± Alejandro dered, keeping a steady gaze on Marisa, who red at him with unspoken messages of disapproval. ¡°Come along, sweetheart, let¡¯s step inside,¡± Marisa gently took Jeffrey¡¯s hand, ensuring they entered before Alejandro had a chance to utter anything unwise. Alejandro followed them inside and discreetly shut the door behind him. Admiring the room¡¯s d¨¦cor, Alejandro remarked, ¡°You have a lovely home.¡± ¡°Jeffery, why don¡¯t you go to your room and have some fun with your toys? I¡¯ll call you when the pizza delivery arrives,¡± Marisa suggested to her son, whose gaze remained fixed on Alejandro due to their striking simrity. ¡°Mom, is he my dad?¡± Jeffrey questioned, diverting his eyes to Marisa. Taken aback, Marisa quickly responded, ¡°No, sweetheart, he¡¯s not your father. Why do you ask?¡± ¡°Because he looks just like me. We¡¯re so simr,¡± Jeffery pointed out, causing Alejandro¡¯s smirk to widen. Marisa nced briefly at Alejandro, realizing the uncanny resemnce between him and her son. ¡°The boy¡¯s correct; we do share a striking likeness,¡± Alejandro acknowledged, and Marisa scoffed before returning her attention to her son. ¡°Jeffrey, head to your room and enjoy your toys until the pizza arrives,¡± Marisa instructed, to which Jeffrey nodded and went to his room. Frustrated, Marisa ran her hand through her hair the moment Jeffrey left the living room. ¡°Your son and I undeniably share a striking resemnce,¡± Alejandro dered as he advanced toward Marisa. Marisa¡¯s voice brimmed with anger as she retorted, ¡°So? What if you do resemble my son? What significance does that hold?¡± Alejandro stood before her, reducing the gap between them, and replied, ¡°It makes me ponder whether he might be my child.¡± Upon hearing Alejandro¡¯s response, a deep frown etched onto Marisa¡¯s face. ¡°Are you out of your mind?¡± she eximed, the anger in her voice unmistakable. ¡°Simply looking alike with my son doesn¡¯t make you his father. Think before you speak, because if you say something foolish in my presence again, I won¡¯t hesitate to p some sense into you!¡± Marisa¡¯s face bore an expression of frustration and fury, every word charged with emotion.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Alejandro¡¯s smirk grew as he noticed Marisa¡¯s strong confidence and the anger in her expression. He found her boldness surprising because it had been five years since anyone had spoken to him so fearlessly. The only person who had ever dared to do so was his deceased lover. Since her passing, no one else had shown the same courage Marisa disyed now. ¡°And why the hell are you smirking, huh?¡± Marisa asked, infuriated by his smirk. Without uttering a word, Alejandro¡¯s strong arm enveloped her waist, drawing her nearer, evoking a gasp of surprise that escaped her lips. ¡°Do you know, sweetheart?¡± Alejandro murmured, his voiceced with a menacing undertone. As his thumb trailed along her oval face, he continued, ¡°Thest person who dared to speak to me in this manner met a gruesome fate ¨C his neck found itself severed by my hand.¡± ¡°And just who the hell do you think you are, huh? A mafia? A killer?¡± Marisa¡¯s voice quivered with anger as she forcefully pushed his hand away. ¡°It appears you¡¯ve forgotten how I killed those men who attempted to rape you the other day we first met,¡± Alejandro replied, his tone as cold as ice. Marisa¡¯s eyes widened as the memories rushed back, recing her anger with an overwhelming fear. She vividly recalled the brutal manner in which he had dispatched those who had tried to assault her. All this time, she had seen him solely as the man from a fleeting encounter,pletely disregarding the fact that he had once taken the lives of five men in her presence. The memory sent shivers down her spine, and a lump formed in her throat. She was left speechless, now seeing Alejandro from an entirely different perspective ¨C as a ruthless killer. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, sweetheart? Cat got your tongue?¡± Alejandro taunted, his smirk firmly in ce. Marisa desperately wanted to speak, but her fear of saying something that might provoke him into taking violent action, simr to what he had done to those men who had threatened her not long ago, kept her silent. ¡°Come on, sweetheart. Say something.¡± Alejandro whispered as he slowly guided her to the nearest wall. Marisa gasped when her back touched the wall, and Alejandro ced both his hands on the wall, caging her sexily. Marisa¡¯s heart started racing at their closeness. Her heart was racing so fast that she feared it might pop out of her ribs. ¡°I own you, Marisa,¡± He whispered dangerously into her ears as he fondled with her breasts, causing her to let out a soft moan which she tried so hard not to let out. He smirked devilishly when he saw the effect he was having on her. His right hand found it¡¯s way under her gown, and she moaned loudly when he shifted her panties. ¡°Yes,¡± He smirked darkly, ¡°Moan for me, Marisa, because I own every part of you, starting from your soft breasts, to your sexy thighs and your divine honeypot. I own everything, and nothing will ever take you away from me. Not even the devil himself.¡± ¡°S¡­ Stop this..¡± she said in the form of a moan as he inserted two fingers into her honeypot, and he started fingering her slowly. ¡°Please stop¡­. my son¡¯s at home.¡± Marisa said as he held his hand, stopping him from fingering her. As if on cue, the door swung open abruptly, revealing Dave¡¯s entrance. His face bore a warm smile, and he clutched a bouquet of roses in his right hand. However, the instant his gaze fell upon the intimate scene between Marisa and Alejandro, his smile evaporated, and the bouquet tumbled from his grasp to the floor. ¡°Dave?¡± Marisa¡¯s eyes widened with shock as she peered over Alejandro¡¯s shoulder, spotting Dave standing at the door. Alejandro, too, pivoted to face Dave, and his eyes darkened with anger at the unexpected intrusion. Chapter 26: Unexpected Searing Slaps The room was suddenly filled with an ufortable silence, broken only by the sound of the fallen bouquet hitting the floor. Marisa suddenly became nervous, and the tension in the air was palpable. Dave, his face a mix of disbelief and hurt, finally managed to find his voice. ¡°Hey, Marisa, you never told me your boyfriend was around,¡± he said, his tone a mixture of hurt and sorrow. Marisa stammered, struggling toe up with an exnation. ¡°He¡¯s not my boyfriend, Dave. And it¡¯s not what it looks like.¡± ¡°He¡¯s not your boyfriend?¡± Dave asked in confusion. ¡°Yes, he¡¯s not,¡± Marisa replied, silently hoping that Alejandro wouldn¡¯t say anything that wouldplicate the matter. Alejandro was seething with anger, and when he attempted to speak, the delivery man arrived with the pizza Marisa had ordered. Marisa¡¯s heart raced as she heard the doorbell chime, and she saw an opportunity to divert the escting tension. Without hesitation, she hurried to the door to meet the delivery man.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. With shaky hands, she paid for the pizza and offered a quick, appreciative smile. ¡°Thank you,¡± she said, her voice trembling slightly. The smell of the freshly baked pizza wafted through the room, momentarily easing the awkward atmosphere. Dave and Alejandro exchanged an ufortable nce as Marisa brought the pizza. As Marisa set the pizza on the table, she turned to Dave with a forced but warm smile. ¡°Why don¡¯t you have a seat, Dave? We can all enjoy the pizza together,¡± she suggested, attempting to ease the tension in the room. Dave nodded and, with an apologetic look, picked up the fallen bouquet of roses from the floor. He extended it toward Marisa, saying, ¡°I bought these for you on my way here. I thought they¡¯d brighten up the ce.¡± Marisa¡¯s eyes softened as she epted the bouquet, her smile genuine this time. ¡°Thank you, Dave. They¡¯re beautiful, and I love them,¡± she replied, her gratitude evident. Alejandro, however, red angrily at Dave. His eyes burned with resentment, and he could barely contain his anger. The sight of Dave offering roses to Marisa felt like salt on an open wound. The mere thought of what could be brewing between Dave and Marisa sent his blood boiling, and he couldn¡¯t help but contemte drastic measures. Marisa, ever perceptive, sensed Alejandro¡¯s seething anger. She quickly excused herself, saying, ¡°I just remembered I need to go check on my son in his room.¡± With the bouquet of roses in her hand, she hurried out of the living room, leaving Alejandro and Dave to face each other. Dave sat down, feeling a bit intimidated by Alejandro¡¯s intense gaze as he took a seat opposite him. Alejandro¡¯s expression was a blend of anger, jealousy, and a simmering menace that made Dave feel a bit tensed. The atmosphere in the room had grown increasingly ufortable for Dave, and he tried his best to avoid Alejandro¡¯s icy gaze, which was enough to unnerve anyone. Alejandro couldn¡¯t contain his mounting curiosity and, in a stern tone, he asked, ¡°Who are you, and what¡¯s your rtionship with Marisa?¡± Dave cleared his throat nervously before responding, ¡°I¡¯m Dave, a friend of Marisa¡¯s. We met today.¡± A puzzled look crossed Alejandro¡¯s face as he continued, ¡°You met today?¡± ¡°Yep,¡± Dave nodded, feeling puzzled about why Alejandro was suddenly asking so many questions. Alejandro continued to inquire, maintaining a cold demeanor. ¡°Can you tell me where and how you met her?¡± Dave replied, slightly uneasy, ¡°I met Marisa today, at the hospital.¡± Alejandro¡¯s eyes widened as the pieces of the puzzle came together, and he couldn¡¯t hide his growing anger. He remembered his informant¡¯s report about the man who had wrapped his arms around Marisa at the hospital, the same man he had instructed his informant to deal with. Realizing that Dave was the one who had dared to touch Marisa in that manner fueled Alejandro¡¯s rage. He had ordered his informant to eliminate Dave, but that order had not been carried out. Now, he saw an opportunity to take matters into his own hands. Dave, the man who had dared toy hands on what Alejandro considered his possession, was now in his presence, and he wasn¡¯t going to let this chance slip away. Alejandro¡¯s anger was about to boil over as he contemted drawing the concealed gun from beneath his suit, intending to confront Dave for touching what he considered to be his. But at that critical moment, the room¡¯s atmosphere underwent a sudden transformation. Marisa entered the room, her young son Jeffrey by her side. Her arrival had a calming effect, diffusing the tension in the room. Alejandro reluctantly withdrew his hand from under his suit. ¡°Hey, Jeffrey,¡± Dave greeted the young boy with a warm smile. Jeffrey, curious, asked, ¡°Good evening, sir. And how do you know my name?¡± Dave exined, ¡°I was with your mom while you were undergoing surgery.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Jeffrey¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°Yeah,¡± Dave nodded, then he extended an invitation, ¡°Why don¡¯t youe sit beside me, Jeffrey?¡± However, Jeffrey opted to sit beside Alejandro and offered him a friendly smile. Alejandro reciprocated with a warm but forced smile of his own. Dave couldn¡¯t help but notice the striking familiarity between Alejandro and Jeffrey, prompting him to wonder whether Alejandro might be Jeffrey¡¯s father. Marisa intervened, cing tworge boxes of pizza on the table and sharing slices between the four of them. She sat beside Dave, initiating the meal. Alejandro, still harboring a smile, fed Jeffrey a slice of pizza, asking, ¡°Is it sweet?¡± Jeffrey¡¯s face lit up, and he replied happily, ¡°It¡¯s sweet, and I love it!¡± They continued to enjoy their meal, and Alejandro yfully fed slices of pizza to Jeffrey. With a warm smile, Alejandro extended a slice of pizza toward Marisa and said, ¡°Sweetheart, you should really try this vor. It¡¯s incredibly sweet.¡± Marisa¡¯s re pierced through the room when Alejandro addressed her as ¡°sweetheart.¡± She refused with a forced smile, shaking her head. Undeterred, Alejandro rose from his seat and walked over to sit beside Marisa. Ignoring her reluctance, he gently fed her a slice of pizza, looking deep into her eyes as he asked, ¡°How does it taste?¡± Marisa, feeling a mixture of frustration and embarrassment, replied, ¡°It¡¯s sweet.¡± Alejandro¡¯s fingers brushed against a smudge on her lips, and he instinctively licked it off, a gesture filled with a sense of intimacy that didn¡¯t go unnoticed. Dave, though he masked his feelings, couldn¡¯t help but feel a twinge of jealousy and anger as he continued to eat his pizza. With a smirk on his face, Alejandro returned to his seat beside Jeffrey, seemingly satisfied with the effect his actions had created. Marisa nced at Dave and could tell that he was hurt by what had just transpired. Sensing the tension in the air, Marisa decided to excuse herself. ¡°Excuse me, everyone. There¡¯s something I need to check on in the kitchen. I¡¯ll be right back.¡± She said, then she walked to the kitchen. Marisa got to the kitchen, her hands resting heavily on the counter as she began to ponder the implications of Alejandro¡¯s actions. She couldn¡¯t help but wonder what Dave might be thinking after Alejandro addressed her as ¡°sweetheart¡± and fed her pizza. There was an uneasy knot in her stomach, worried that Dave might misconstrue the situation. As she wrestled with these thoughts, Marisa was startled by a pair of arms wrapping around her from behind. She immediately turned to find Alejandro standing there, a sight that filled her with anger. Alejandro, seemingly unfazed by her reaction, asked, ¡°What are you doing all by yourself in the kitchen, sweetheart?¡± Marisa, her frustration bubbling to the surface, retorted, ¡°Why did youe to my house? And why are you doing all of this?¡± ¡°I came to see you because you belong to me and no one else,¡± Alejandro replied with a smirk which infuriated Marisa a lot. ¡°You have no im on me, so get lost!¡± Marisa¡¯s furious voice reverberated through the kitchen as she forcefully pushed Alejandro away. Storming into the living room, she found only Jeffrey present, Dave conspicuously absent. She interrogated Jeffrey, ¡°Where¡¯s the guy who was here with you?¡± ¡°He just left,¡± Jeffrey responded with a pizza-filled mouth, pointing toward the exit, unintentionally adding a humorous touch to the scene. But Marisa was far from amused. She dashed out of the house, hoping to intercept Dave. Her prayers were answered as she spotted him opening the door of a white Jeep, ready to depart. ¡°Dave, wait!¡± She cried out, sessfully grabbing his attention. She then ran towards him as fast as her legs could carry her. Breathless from the sprint, she inquired, ¡°Dave, why are you leaving?¡± Dave¡¯s anger red as he retorted, ¡°Marisa, when I called earlier to arrange a visit, you should¡¯ve mentioned your boyfriend¡¯s presence. I wouldn¡¯t have bothereding here to witness your romantic antics.¡± Marisa calmly countered, ¡°Dave, that man isn¡¯t my boyfriend.¡± Dave responded skeptically, ¡°Stop lying, Marisa. He¡¯s clearly your boyfriend.¡± ¡°And what makes you think he¡¯s my boyfriend?¡± Marisa questioned, arching an inquisitive brow at him. Dave asserted, ¡°That man called you ¡®sweetheart¡¯ in my presence, and he also fed you with pizza. Isn¡¯t that enough reason to make me believe that he¡¯s your boyfriend, huh?¡± ¡°Dave, listen. He¡¯s not my boyfriend.¡± Marisa exined, calmly. ¡°Enough with the lies, Marisa because I asked my son who that man is, and your son confirmed that man is your boyfriend.¡± Dave said. Marisa¡¯s disbelief was palpable as she countered, ¡°And you¡¯re going to believe a five-year-old¡¯s words?¡± Dave retorted, ¡°Give me one good reason why I shouldn¡¯t believe your son. Give me one damn good reason why I shouldn¡¯t believe that the man inside your apartment isn¡¯t your boyfriend.¡± Frustrated beyond words, Marisa exploded, ¡°You know what, Dave? Just get lost! Get out of here!¡± She turned away and walked back toward her apartment. Entering with a furious expression, she headed for Alejandro, seated beside Jeffrey, chatting and smiling. Upon reaching him, she delivered two searing ps to his face, shocking the hell out of him. Chapter 27: The Devil鈥檚 Warning The room was filled with a deafening silence after Marisa¡¯s deafening ps. Marisa was still seething with anger and disappointment. Her heart ached at the sudden turn of events, and she felt Alejandro was responsible for it. Alejandro had an indifferent expression on his face even after the hot ps he received from angry Marisa. He slowly rose from his seat and buried his right hand in his pocket without taking his gaze off Marisa. Jeffrey, the young boy who was blissfully unaware of the intricacies of the adult world, sat there, puzzled by the way Marisa pped Alejandro. He looked from his mother to Alejandro, his innocent eyes searching for an exnation. Marisa, taking a deep breath, tried to regain herposure. She realized that she needed to have a serious conversation with Alejandro to clear the air. However, the storm that had just erupted between them and the aftermath of her confrontation with Dave still weighed heavily on her mind. The room was still charged with tension, and Jeffrey, sensing the unease in the air, looked up at his mother and Alejandro with wide, concerned eyes. Marisa, trying to shield her son from theplexities of the situation, gave him a reassuring smile and said, ¡°Jeffrey, why don¡¯t you go to your room and y for a while? Mommy and this man over here need to have a grown-up conversation.¡± Jeffrey hesitated for a moment, torn between the desire to understand what was happening and the instinct to obey his mother. Eventually, he nodded and left the room, his footsteps echoing down the hallway. Once they were alone, Marisa and Alejandro faced each other, both unsure of how to begin this difficult conversation. The anger and frustration from their recent encounter was still fresh in Marisa¡¯s mind. Marisa inhaled deeply before speaking, ¡°Alejandro, I¡¯ve had enough. I¡¯m fed up with this. I¡¯m fed up with you. Why can¡¯t you simply stop interfering in my life? Why can¡¯t you just stay away?¡± A sly grin gradually appeared on Alejandro¡¯s lips, and Marisa seethed with frustration, angered by his audacity to smirk despite his actions. She had the urge to wipe that smirk off his face with a p, but the memory of his dangerous dispositionpelled her to restrain her anger. ¡°Do you want to know why I can¡¯t keep away from your life, my dear?¡± Alejandro inquired as he began to approach her, his mischievous grin widening. Marisa¡¯s anger slowly transformed into nervousness as his smirk gave him an intimidating aura. The way he advanced towards her resembled a predator closing in on its prey, causing her to step back as he continued to approach. With his mischievous smirk, he continued approaching Marisa, inquiring, ¡°Marisa, do you want to understand why I consistently appear wherever you happen to be?¡± As he drew nearer, she continually retreated. He then took her by surprise by seizing her waist, drawing her nearer to himself. He softly uttered, ¡°You are my possession, sweetheart. This is the reason I cannot stay apart from your life. You belong to me, not any other man. You are mine, and you will always be mine.¡± Alejandro¡¯s words elicited a series of shivers coursing down her spine. Upon concluding his statement, he bestowed upon her a moist, lingering kiss on her neck, which ignited intense, electrifying sensations throughout her body. He proceeded to imprint her neck with passionate hickeys as he traced a moist trail of kisses down to her corbone. Marisa had to nibble on her lower lip to stifle any moans as the sheer pleasure from his kisses overwhelmed her. Alejandro was keenly aware of the impact he was having on her. With that understanding, he gently withdrew his lips from her neck and shifted his gaze to her lovely face. With a gentle tone, he spoke, ¡°Sweetheart, there are hickeys o your neck, and those hickeys on your neck are evidence that you¡¯re mine, and no one else¡¯s.¡± Marisa¡¯s face turned red with embarrassment, and she lowered her head in shame, fervently wishing that the ground would magically open up to spare her from this humiliation.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Right on cue, the door made a creaking sound as Alejandro¡¯s trusted associate, Bruno, entered the room, emanating an aura of perpetual danger. Bruno had something crucial tomunicate to Alejandro, but it was something he couldn¡¯t say in Marisa¡¯s presence. Instead, he used a precise system of signnguage that Alejandro fully understood to convey his important message. Alejandro understood Bruno¡¯s message, then he turned his attention back to Marisa and said, ¡°It seems like it have to leave now, sweetheart. But I have just one warning for you. If you truly care about that bastard called Dave, stay away from him, or else he¡¯ll face my wrath.¡± With that, Alejandro gently released his hold from her waist and exited the house, with Bruno following closely behind. A sigh of relief escaped Marisa¡¯s lips the moment Alejandro stepped out. She felt a sense of liberation from who she considered the the devil. Yet, her thoughts soon drifted to Dave, and she couldn¡¯t help but express her frustration with Alejandro for jeopardizing her blossoming rtionship with him. ¡°Dear God, if only you could deal with that devil, he¡¯s causing me so much grief. Now, I¡¯m uncertain if Dave would still be interested in me,¡± she murmured before proceeding to her son¡¯s room. Chapter 28: A Complex Dance If Emotions At that very moment, Dave steered his vehicle homeward, his anger palpable after leaving Marisa¡¯s residence. His emotions were swirling within him. He found himself deeply wounded and betrayed by Marisa¡¯s interactions with Alejandro. He couldn¡¯t help but acknowledge the profound connection he shared with her, yet he understood that he needed some time toe to terms with the recent events. Feelings of guilt weighed heavily on him for the way he had raised his voice at Marisa, and for behaving as though he were her boyfriend. He was acutely aware that his actions were unjust and that he had no right to question her. Nevertheless, he couldn¡¯t ignore the fact that he had already developed strong feelings for her. Witnessing Alejandro and Marisa together, as if they were lovers, had caused him considerable pain, which ultimately led to his overreaction. Dave recognized that he needed to address the situation with Marisa if he had any hope of establishing a meaningful rtionship with her. With this in mind, he resolved to contact her once he arrived back home. With every turn of the steering wheel, he grew increasingly anxious about the impending conversation with Marisa. Would she even want to hear from him after their heated exchange? Could he find the right words to express theplexities of his emotions? Dave finally arrived home after twenty minutes. The engine ceased itsforting rumble, leaving him in a silence that mirrored the uneasiness within him. Taking a deep breath, he turned off the ignition, determined to confront his feelings and make that pivotal phone call to Marisa. Stepping out of the car, he felt the cool evening breeze against his face, a stark contrast to the emotional tempest he had been weathering. Entering his home, he took off his coat and tossed it onto the couch, feeling a mixture of apprehension and resolve. He knew that reaching out to Marisa was the next step, regardless of the oue. He wandered into his cozy living room, where the soft glow ofmps offered a reassuring ambiance. Sitting down, he picked up his phone, his heart racing as he dialed Marisa¡¯s number. The anticipation built with each ring, until her voice finally came through the other end of the line. On the phone, Marisa¡¯s voice was a mixture of surprise and curiosity as she greeted Dave, ¡°Hey, Dave.¡± He could feel her hesitation, and the uncertainty in her tone mirrored his own emotions. Dave took a deep breath and began to express himself, ¡°Hi, Marisa. I want to apologize for how I acted earlier. I shouldn¡¯t have yelled at you or made assumptions about your rtionship with Alejandro. I understand that we¡¯re not in amitted rtionship, but I have developed genuine feelings for you, and seeing you with him just caught me off guard.¡± There was a brief silence on the other end as Marisa absorbed his words. Then, she responded, her voice softened, ¡°Dave, I appreciate your honesty. I didn¡¯t expect this either, and I¡¯m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression. Alejandro and I are just¡­. friends. I value our connection as well, and I want to talk to you in person to clear things up.¡± ¡°You want to talk to me in person?¡± Dave repeated Marisa¡¯sst statement as if he didn¡¯t hear her clearly. ¡°Yeah. I want to talk to you in person so that I can clear things up.¡± Marisa replied, and a smile graced Dave¡¯s lips.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Dave felt a renewed sense of hope as he contemted their uing meeting. He knew that deciding where to meet would be another crucial aspect of their conversation. With a calm voice, he asked, ¡°Marisa, where do you think we should meet?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t really know, Dave. Any suggestions?¡± Marisa replied, her uncertainty evident in her voice. Dave considered the options, wanting a setting that would allow for afortable and candid conversation. He thought about his own home, a ce where he felt at ease, and where they could have privacy without distractions. With a sense of determination, he suggested, ¡°How about we meet at my ce? It¡¯s quiet, and we can talk without interruptions.¡± Marisa took a moment to consider his suggestion. After a brief pause, she responded, ¡°Dave, that sounds like a good idea. I¡¯m grateful for your honesty and willingness to discuss. Let¡¯s meet at your ce. What time is convenient for you?¡± Dave answered, ¡°Six o¡¯clock in the evening. Does 6 PM work for you?¡± Marisa agreed, ¡°Yes, 6 PM is perfect.¡± ¡°Great, I¡¯ll pick you up at 6 then,¡± Dave confirmed. ¡°Alright, goodnight,¡± Marisa bid farewell. ¡°Goodnight,¡± Dave responded before ending the call. As he hung up the phone, Dave let out a relieved sigh, knowing that he finally had another chance to have a rtionship with Marisa. With the agreement to meet at Dave¡¯s home, he felt a mixture of nervousness and anticipation. He also couldn¡¯t help but feel a glimmer of hope that their face-to-face conversation would bring them closer together. Marisa, on the other hand, was really happy after talking to Dave. It felt like a heavy weight had been taken off her shoulders. But then, Alejandro¡¯s words about keeping her distance from Dave echoed in her mind. She began to remember his words and how serious he seemed when he said them. Marisa began to harbor doubts about her uing meeting with Dave. ¡°Should I actually go and meet Dave tomorrow? What if Alejandro suddenly arrives at his ce and poses a threat to Dave?¡± These questions swirled in Marisa¡¯s mind, prompting her to reach for her phone, contemting the cancetion of their meeting. However, at that very instant, another notion surfaced. ¡°Alejandro isn¡¯t privy to my n of meeting Dave at his residence tomorrow. Furthermore, hecks knowledge about Dave¡¯s address, making it highly impossible for him to appear at Dave¡¯s house.¡± As Marisa pondered this insight, she resolved to dismiss Alejandro¡¯s remarks and ce her trust in her own judgment. She couldn¡¯t ignore the connection she felt with Dave, and her heart told her that she needed to see where this rtionship might lead. With newfound determination, she made up her mind to meet with Dave as nned. The decision brought a sense of relief, as she was unwilling to let fear or external opinions dictate her choices. She understood that she needed to have an open and honest conversation with Dave to better understand their feelings for each other. Chapter 29: HIS LOST-LONG LOVER A white Lamborghini smoothly glided into the expansivepound of the Gambinos¡¯ Empire. As it parked in the luxurious car shed, its powerful engines quieted to a soft hum. Bruno, the loyal driver, promptly stepped out of the car and opened the door for his boss, Alejandro. Alejandro emerged from the vehicle with a lit cigarette in his mouth, wearing a stern expression that sent shivers down the spines of most of his men. He made his way towards the entrance of the central building within the empire. Inside the grand living room, he found his twin brother, Alexandro,fortably seated on a couch, holding a ss of wine in his right hand and a rolled-up cigarette between his fingers. Formidable-looking men upied every corner of the room, their massive figures twice the size of an average person, their well-fitted bodies entuated by their custom-made suits. Taking a deep drag from his cigarette, Alejandro strolled past Alexandro, who was also indulging in a devilish smoke on the couch. Alejandro was about to ascend the staircase when he heard Alexandro¡¯s voice. ¡°Where have you been, brother?¡± Alexandro rose from the couch and turned to face Alejandro. Alejandro exhaled a substantial plume of smoke as he fixed a cold, unwavering gaze on Alexandro. He retorted, ¡°And why are you so interested in my whereabouts?¡±All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Alexandro grinned and began to approach Alejandro with a ss of wine in one hand and a cigarette in the other. Alejandro mirrored his movements, both of them closing the gap until they stood face to face, exuding a menacing aura. ¡°Tell me, bro, where have you been all afternoon?¡± Alexandro inquired, his words apanied by a cloud of smoke. Alejandro drew deeply from his cigarette, blowing the smoke directly into Alexandro¡¯s face before replying, ¡°Alex, it looks like you want me to put a bullet in that empty skull of yours before you stop prying into my affairs!¡± His tone brimmed with palpable danger, but Alexandro remained unfazed, even sporting a sly smirk. ¡°Then go ahead, Alejandro. Take out your gun and shoot me,¡± Alexandro dared him. ¡°You¡¯re testing my patience, Alexandro, and the next time you meddle in my business, I¡¯ll put an end to you and reunite you with our parents, wherever they may be,¡± Alejandro warned sternly. He turned away and headed for the stairs. However, Alexandro¡¯s next question halted him in his tracks. ¡°You were with that woman, the hook-updy, weren¡¯t you?¡± Hearing this question, Alejandro spun around, his anger evident on his face. ¡°Are you spying on me?¡± Alejandro snapped in frustration, and Alexandro scoffed while taking a sip of his wine. ¡°Jandro,¡± Alexandro began, licking his lips, ¡°I wasn¡¯t spying on you. I simply made an educated guess about your whereabouts, and it seems my guess was urate¡­¡± He paused briefly and approached Alejandro, continuing, ¡°But, I am genuinely curious about your rtionship with that woman. So, I¡¯ll ask nicely. What¡¯s your connection with her? Have you fallen in love with her?¡± An angry smirk appeared on Alejandro¡¯s lips as he furiously tossed his cigarette onto the tiled floor, crushing it with his shoe. Closing the gap between him and Alexandro, he stood nose to nose with his brother, leaving no space between them. ¡°Alexandro, being my brother doesn¡¯t give you the right to question me. And being my brother won¡¯t stop me from taking your life the next time you ask about my rtionship with that woman!¡± Alejandro warned in a menacing tone. Alexandro simply scoffed in response. ¡°Quit the nonsense, Alejandro, and spill the beans about your rtionship with that woman,¡± Alexandro insisted, further infuriating Alejandro. In an instant, Alejandro angrily revealed the concealed gun beneath his suit and aimed it at Alexandro, squeezing the trigger. However, Alexandro¡¯s quick reflexes allowed him to dodge the bullet, causing it to shatter a valuable golden vase behind him. Mistaking the gunshot for an enemy attack, numerous mobsters, including the gang¡¯s top members, swarmed into the room, armed and ready to eliminate any potential threat. Yet, upon realizing that Alejandro was the shooter, the mobsters retreated, except for the top members. ¡°What¡¯s happening here?¡± de inquired as she approached the intense standoff between the twin brothers. Alejandro continued to aim his handgun at Alexandro, who nonchntly smoked as if his life hadn¡¯t just been threatened moments ago. ¡°Get out of here, de!¡± Alejandro ordered with an icy tone, his angry gaze locked on Alexandro. ¡°Why should I leave when the two of you are acting like children?¡± de retorted, persistently advancing toward the brothers. The remaining top members silently watched the tense situation unfold. ¡°I won¡¯t say it again, de. Get the fuck out of here.¡± Alejandro warned, but de remained resolute in her approach. Before de could take another step, a gunshot rang through the room, causing her to scream in agony as a bullet struck her leg. ¡°All of you, get out!¡± Alejandro yelled, angrily firing two more shots into the air. One of the top members, Mario, rushed to de¡¯s aid, helping her to her feet, while the rest of the top members exited the room. de cast one final nce at Alejandro before leaving with Mario. All the other guards also left, leaving only Alejandro and Alexandro behind. ¡°Now, where were we?¡± Alejandro redirected his attention to Alexandro, who continued to enjoy his unique cigarette, specially crafted for the twin brothers. ¡°Alejandro, it¡¯s unbelievable that you nearly pulled the trigger on me just because I dared to question your involvement with that hookup woman,¡± Alexandro remarked, shaking his head. ¡°This only intensifies my curiosity about your connection with her. Why in the world are you so interested in her?¡± ¡°That¡¯s a question you¡¯ll never receive an answer to,¡± Alejandro retorted firmly. ¡°You know me too well, Alejandro. I can easily find the answers I¡¯m looking for without much effort,¡± Alexandro confidently replied. ¡°I must make this crystal clear; you better not be anywhere near her, or the consequences will make you regret the day you were born as my twin,¡± Alejandro warned before reluctantly lowering his weapon. ¡°Alejandro, ever since you saw that woman you hooked up with, you¡¯ve been keeping things from me, and that¡¯s not like you!¡± an angered Alexandro eximed. ¡°That¡¯s not how we usually handle things, man. We don¡¯t hide stuff from each other, but you¡¯ve been doing that since you met that hook-up woman!¡± As Alexandro spoke, you could clearly hear the anger and hurt in his voice. ¡°I¡¯m not keeping any secrets from you,¡± Alejandro replied defensively. ¡°Yes, you are,¡± Alexandro retorted firmly. ¡°I said I¡¯m not!!¡± Alejandro yelled in frustration. ¡°Then prove it!¡± Alexandro interjected. ¡°Prove that you¡¯re not keeping secrets from me by telling me what your rtionship with that woman is!¡± ¡°You want to know why I¡¯m so interested in her?¡± Alejandro asked with a smirk. ¡°Yeah. I do,¡± Alexandro responded. ¡°That¡¯s good. Have a seat and listen carefully because this will be the first andst time I¡¯m going to tell you this,¡± Alejandro said, and they both sat down on opposite couches. ¡°Five years ago, when we were still underbosses,¡± Alejandro began, ¡°I fell in love with ady named Marisa, and¡­¡± ¡°Wait, you had a girlfriend five years ago?¡± Alexandro cut him off. ¡°Were you deaf when I was saying it?¡± Alejandro retorted sarcastically. ¡°Dude, that means you broke the firstw of the Gambino family,¡± Alexandro pointed out. ¡°So?¡± Alejandro replied nonchntly. ¡°Damn, you¡¯re lucky the godfather didn¡¯t find out about it, or you¡¯d have been dead a long time ago,¡± Alexandro remarked. ¡°Should I continue with what I was saying, or do you want to keep lecturing me about thews of the Gambino family?¡± Alejandro asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Yeah, continue,¡± Alexandro replied, ¡°I¡¯d love to know the end of your love story.¡± ¡°Like I was saying,¡± Alejandro continued, ¡°I had a girlfriend named Marisa, and we loved each other so much. But we couldn¡¯t see each other much because her parents were strict. Actually, I don¡¯t know who her parents were, nor did I ever meet them. In fact, I knew nothing about her family.¡± ¡°Not even herst name?¡± Alexandro chimed in. ¡°Yeah, I didn¡¯t know herst name,¡± Alejandro replied, ¡°I only knew her first name, which was Marisa.¡± ¡°Dude, you had a girlfriend, and you didn¡¯t even know anything about her?¡± Alexandro asked in disbelief. Alejandro frowned at him. ¡°Love is crazy,¡± Alexandro chuckled, and the room fell into silence. ¡°So, how¡¯s this long-lost girlfriend rted to the hook-up woman?¡± Alexandro asked after two minutes of silence. ¡°First of all, that woman has a name, and her name is MARISA,¡± Alejandro said, emphasizing the name. ¡°Yeah, whatever,¡± Alexandro scoffed. ¡°Just tell me how the hook-up woman rted to your long-lost lover.¡± Alejandro felt like punching Alexandro for addressing Marisa as ¡®the hook-up woman,¡¯ but he managed to calm himself before answering Alexandro¡¯s question. ¡°The woman, Marisa, is rted to my long-lost lover by name,¡± Alejandro exined, and Alexandro raised an eyebrow in question. ¡°So, is that the reason why you¡¯re so interested in this hook-up woman?¡± Alexandro questioned. ¡°No,¡± replied Alejandro. ¡°Marisa and my long-lost lover kinda look simr.¡± ¡°So, you¡¯re saying this hookupdy and your long-lost lover look alike?¡± Alexandro inquired. ¡°Not exactly,¡± Alejandro answered. ¡°Do you have a picture of your long-lost lover?¡± Alexandro probed. ¡°Nope,¡± Alejandro replied. ¡°Dude, I¡¯m starting to wonder if you truly loved this long-lost lover of yours, as you imed. Why wouldn¡¯t you have a picture of someone you were dating?¡± Alexandro questioned. ¡°She was the one who disagreed with the idea of us taking pictures because she was scared her parents would find out about our rtionship,¡± Alejandro exined. ¡°So, where is your long-lost lover now?¡± Alexandro asked. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Thest time I heard from her was the night we had sex five years ago. After that day, I couldn¡¯t even reach her. I would¡¯ve gone to look for her at her house, but I didn¡¯t know where she lived. I tried everything to find her, but all my efforts were in vain,¡± Alejandro exined, as memories from five years ago flooded back to his mind. ¡°Now I understand why you¡¯ve be more ruthless and heartless than me,¡± Alexandro remarked. ¡°You know, since we were kids, you were always the cheerful one. Even as we grew up, you were so kind-hearted that our godfather didn¡¯t think you¡¯d make a suitable Mafia leader. But then you changed. I guess the disappearance of your lover awakened the inner devil we never knew you had.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Alejandro acknowledged. ¡°It seems like you had aplicated love life with your long-lost lover,¡± Alexandro teased. ¡°But anyway, I¡¯d like to get close to this hookupdy¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t even entertain that thought, Alex,¡± Alejandro interrupted. ¡°Don¡¯t even let it cross your mind, because she¡¯s mine. Marisa is mine, and I won¡¯t hesitate to take you out if I catch you anywhere near her,¡± Alejandro asserted with a stern and menacing tone. ¡°Man, you¡¯re something else. First, you pretend like you were a virgin Mafia, and then you had sex with de, and now you want to im exclusive rights over that hook-up woman? For Pete¡¯s sake bro, don¡¯t be selfish.¡± Alexandro retorted. ¡°I repeat, Marisa is mine. And for the record, the sex with de was nothing more than a grave mistake,¡± Alejandro exined as he rose from his seat. He then made his way to the staircase, ascending to his room. Upon entering his room, he removed his jacket and casually tossed it onto the king-sized bed. He walked over to the window, gazing at the full moon for a moment before retrieving his phone from his pocket. Unlocking the phone, he opened the gallery app, scrolling through the images until he found the one he sought. The picture captured Marisa, taken secretly when he¡¯d surprised her with a visit earlier that afternoon. He studied the image with a smirk ying on his lips. ¡°Who are you really, Marisa?¡± he mused quietly. ¡°Are you the woman I fell in love with five years ago? Are you?¡± Chapter 30: A BOLD CLAIM The following morning, within the heart of the formidable Gambino empire, Alejandro strode confidently towards the heavily guarded entrance of the state-of-the-artputerb, with his loyal enforcer, Bruno, dutifully trailing in his wake. Alejandro¡¯s attire was a striking white tailored suit, perfectlyplemented by a pristine pair of white shoes. Around his neck hung a gold chain, meticulously engraved with the name ¡°Jandro.¡± His fingers boasted an array of opulent gold rings, and upon his left wrist, a dazzling customized diamond wristwatch entuated his opulence. Their journey along the extensive corridor leading to the covetedputerb was anything but ordinary. At every step, the formidable duo received the respect they demanded from the hefty men in ck, stationed along their path. Alejandro¡¯s visage was cold, mirroring the ominous aura that seemed to emanate from his very being. The guards, though terrified, concealed their fear, knowing full well that any disy of fear could lead to swift and merciless consequences. The journey to the sanctum of theputerb consumed no less than two long minutes, with the impervious doors sliding open only after confirming Alejandro¡¯s identity. Stepping into the bustling chamber, Alejandro exuded an air of authority, while Bruno mirrored his boss¡¯s demeanor, his expression equally menacing.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. In this hallowed chamber, everyputer expert present promptly rose from their workstations, bowing respectfully to the ruthless Alejandro. These salutations, however, fell upon deaf ears, as Alejandro remained focused on the task at hand, making his way towards Stacey, a capable and alluring member of his inner circle. With a gracious smile showcasing her impably white teeth, Stacey greeted her formidable boss, ¡°Good morning, boss.¡± ¡°Stacey, I want you to perform aprehensive background check on thisdy,¡± Alejandro stated, disying an image of Marisa on his smartphone. ¡°Of course, boss. What¡¯s her name?¡± Stacey inquired, settling into her seat and unveiling her beloved ckptop. ¡°Marisa,¡± Alejandro replied sinctly, taking a seat on the plush ck leather chair beside her. Stacey dramatically cracked her knuckles beforemencing her diligent investigation. Her fingers danced across the keyboard with astonishing lightning speed, and her keystrokes were a testament to her expertise. A mere minute passed before she concluded the background check on Marisa, then she turned herptop towards Alejandro. ¡°Boss, there¡¯s not much to glean,¡± Stacey reported, her boss¡¯s unwavering gaze locked onto theptop screen. ¡°I managed to extract only a limited amount of information,¡± Stacey continued, ¡°Her full name is Marisa Russo, and she¡¯s twenty-five years old. She¡¯s the mother of a five-year-old boy named Jeffery Russo, residing with her friend rabelle.¡± Alejandro redirected his attention from theptop screen to Stacey, posing a probing question, ¡°Did you uncover any details regarding Jeffery¡¯s father?¡± ¡°No, boss,¡± Stacey replied, shaking her head, ¡°I couldn¡¯t find any information about Jeffery¡¯s father, and there¡¯s no trace of Marisa having a boyfriend in the past five years.¡± ¡°So, you¡¯re suggesting that Marisa hasn¡¯t been involved in any rtionships for the past five years?¡± Alejandro mused, a contemtive tone in his voice. ¡°Correct, boss,¡± Stacey affirmed with a nod, ¡°However, it¡¯s worth noting that all the information I could gather about Marisa Russo pertains only to thest five years of her life. There¡¯s a conspicuous absence of any data of her before giving birth to her son.¡± Alejandro fell into pensive silence, his mind awash with thoughts and conjectures. Stacey was on the verge of sharing her observations when herptop emitted a distinctive beep, signaling the reception of a new message. With an air of intrigue, she hastily opened the message, and upon reading the message, her eyes widened, brimming with astonishment, prompting her to turn to Alejandro with an expression of profound revtion. ¡°Boss,¡± Stacey began, a sense of urgency in her voice, ¡°I¡¯ve just received a message from Livia.¡± She said, and as she continued, Alejandro¡¯s brow furrowed, his curiosity piqued. ¡°You mean thatdy who¡¯s rumored to possess secrets about Mafia families?¡± He asked, and Stacey nodded in confirmation. ¡°Yes, but they are not mere rumors. Livia possesses an extensive knowledge about Mafia families across the globe, with the exception of the most guarded and dangerous ones like ours,¡± Stacey replied, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. ¡°Well, what does the message she sent contain?¡± Alejandro inquired, sensing the potential significance of this revtion. ¡°Livia said that she has information concerning Salvador Morello,¡± Stacey revealed, and Alejandro¡¯s interest was more than piqued ¨C it was electrified. ¡°Livia knows something about the old geezer we¡¯ve been relentlessly pursuing for years?¡± Alejandro rified. ¡°Yes, boss. However, she¡¯s expressed her desire to trade this valuable information for a considerable sum of ten million dors,¡± Stacey continued, revealing the steep price for this critical intelligence. ¡°No problem. Provide me with the location and time,¡± Alejandro asserted, disying his determination to act on this opportunity. ¡°The meeting is set at Brandie bar, scheduled for four o¡¯clock in the evening,¡± Stacey reported with a steady tone. ¡°Alright, then. Proceed with your responsibilities and ensure you keep me updated on any developments regarding Marisa,¡± Alejandro instructed, already nning his next moves. ¡°Yes, boss,¡± Stacey acknowledged, and as Alejandro rose from his seat, he left theb, with Bruno, his loyal associate, following closely behind. ¡°Bruno,¡± Alejandro called out as they made their way to his room. ¡°Yes, boss?¡± Bruno responded, ever attentive to Alejandro¡¯s directives. ¡°Inform Alexandro that we have a crucial meeting with Livia at Brandie bar this evening,¡± Alejandro instructed, delegating the task with confidence. ¡°Understood, boss,¡± Bruno replied, and promptly headed to Alexandro¡¯s room to ry the message. As Alejandro continued his stride towards his room, he came across de, who was visibly injured, a result of Alejandro¡¯s actions the previous night. In case you¡¯ve forgotten, Alejandro shot her the previous night when he was arguing with Alexandro. de stood before Alejandro, her expression a mix of pain and apprehension. ¡°Alejandro,¡± she began, her voice trembling, ¡°I¡¯m genuinely sorry for all that has transpired in these past few days. I was foolish to have defied your ordersst night, and I also apologize for our¡­ the sex we had.¡± Alejandro responded with a cold, unyielding tone, his indifference evident. ¡°I appreciate your acknowledgment of your foolish,¡± he replied curtly, ¡°Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me, I have pressing matters to attend to.¡± de stepped aside, her expression one of disappointment, having hoped for some semnce of warmth or concern from Alejandro. She watched as Alejandro continued on his way, unresponsive to her injured leg and her emotional plea. It was a stark reminder that in the world of a cold-hearted killer, there was little room for sentiment orpassion. ¡°I¡¯m surprised you apologized to the boss,¡± a feminine voice suddenly pierced the tension behind de, but she remainedposed. She recognized the voice immediately ¨C it belonged to Jessica, a notorious figure within the Gambino family, known for her role as a provocateur. Jessica, just like de, held a prominent position within the organization. She was the younger sister of a trio of formidable siblings who were all influential members of the family. ¡°I thought I was hearing things when you were apologizing to the boss,¡± another voice chimed in, belonging to Dagger, another formidable female figure in the family. Dagger had a penchant for causing trouble and bullying those beneath her in the hierarchy. de clenched her fists tightly as she turned around, meeting the mischievous smirks of the two troublemakers. Their smug expressions grated on de¡¯s nerves, and she felt an overwhelming urge to put an end to their taunts right then and there. Yet, she managed to restrain her anger. ¡°de, I never imagined a fearless and proud woman like you would stoop so low as to apologize to the boss,¡± Jessica taunted, her voice dripping with mockery, intensifying de¡¯s anger. ¡°And I overheard you talking about your intimate encounter with the boss. Is that really true? Did you have sex with Lord Alejandro?¡± Dagger joined in, her smirk growing wider. de drew a deep breath to temper her anger, attempting to walk past the two provocateurs. However, they blocked her path. ¡°Where the hell do you think you¡¯re going?¡± Jessica demanded. ¡°I asked you a question, so give us an answer,¡± Dagger added, her tone more confrontational. ¡°Did you really have sex with the boss, huh?¡± de¡¯s anger reached its boiling point, and it became impossible to suppress. In a swift motion, she drew two knives from her waist sheath and mercilessly thrust them into the shoulders of her tormentors. ¡°Damn it!!!¡± Both Dagger and Jessica screamed in agony as de drove the knives deeper, then forcefully yanked them out, intensifying their pain. ¡°F**k you!¡± Jessica seethed with anger,unching a punch towards de, but de deftly evaded the attack, seizing Jessica¡¯s arm and twisting it before delivering a precise kick to her stomach, causing her to copse onto the ground. Dagger, witnessing de¡¯s assault on Jessica, grew more incensed and attempted to attack de, but de anticipated her moves. Before Dagger couldnd a blow, de executed a spinning kick to her face, sending her crashing to the ground beside Jessica. Even with her wounded leg, de¡¯s kick was a testament to her strength and skill, resulting in a bruised and swollen lip for Dagger. de then crouched in front of the two women as they groaned in agony. ¡°This is the final warning,¡± de dered, her voiceced with menace, ¡°Do not speak to me as if we are equals. I surpass both of you in every way, and if you ever disrespect me again, I will personally ensure that you pay dearly, perhaps by cutting off your tongues and serving them to you.¡± With a menacing presence, de stood to her full height and began to walk away. However, she abruptly turned around, a sly smirk gracing her lips. ¡°And yes, I did have sex with Alejandro. Do you want to know why?¡± She asked rhetorically, leaving Jessica and Dagger writhing in pain on the ground. ¡°I had sex with Alejandro because he belongs to me,¡± de dered with an air of ownership. ¡°Alejandro is mine and mine alone. Don¡¯t be surprised when he crowns me as his Donna or when I give birth to his heir.¡± With that, de turned and walked away, leaving behind the two troublemakers still writhing in pain. ¡°Yes, Alejandro. You are mine, and I won¡¯t allow any other woman to take you from me. I¡¯ll make sure I get rid of any other woman in your life,¡± de muttered to herself as she departed. Chapter 31: Unexpected encounter at the bar In Marisa and rabelle¡¯s home, a calm scene unfolded. Marisa was fast asleep, looking as peaceful as a baby. She had stayed upte the night before, thinking about her uing visit to Dave¡¯s house. It was the first time a man had invited her over, and she was very excited, especially because Dave was incredibly handsome. As Marisa dreamt about a romantic moment with Dave, she was on the verge of a kiss when someone gently tapped her shoulder and called her name. ¡°Let me sleep,¡± Marisa mumbled sleepily as she turned away, hoping to continue her dream. But the tapping and calling persisted. Marisa groaned in frustration as she finally opened her eyes and adjusted to the sunlight. Once her eyes adapted, she saw the one who had disrupted her dream ¨C her adorable son, Jeffrey. Her initial irritation quickly turned into warmth when she saw his cute face. Jeffrey, with his bright, innocent eyes and a yful grin, stood beside Marisa¡¯s bed. Her frustration melted away as she gazed upon her son¡¯s endearing face. With a gentle and loving tone, Marisa addressed Jeffrey, ¡°What¡¯s so important, my little sunshine, that you had to wake me from such a wonderful dream?¡± Jeffrey¡¯s excitement was palpable as he stammered in his eagerness, ¡°Mom, guess what? Aunt ra and I made you breakfast! I told aunt ra we should prepare your favourite food and we prepared it together. I¡¯m one hundred percent sure that you¡¯ll love it.¡± Marisa felt a deep sense of love and pride as she hugged Jeffrey. She was genuinely touched by his considerate actions. Her heart was filled with warmth, and a broad smile crossed her face as she embraced him tightly. It was clear that their love and thoughtfulness extended beyond the simple act of making breakfast. ¡°It appears as though our sleeping beauty has finally awakened,¡± a soft, feminine voice chimed in from behind, prompting both Marisa and Jefferey to gracefully turn their heads in unison. It was none other than rabelle, who hade into the fancy dining room, holding a shiny tray with a crystal water jug and three beautifully made sses that sparkled in the morning sun. With an affectionate smile, Marisa acknowledged rabelle¡¯s arrival, ¡°Good morning, ra,¡± as she gracefully took her ce at the dining table, a seat thoughtfully reserved beside her precious son, Jeffery. ¡°Morning,¡± rabelle replied with an air of effortless elegance, setting the tray on the table with an almost musical clink. She couldn¡¯t help but yfully tease Marisa, her tone filled with a hint of intrigue, ¡°You woke upte today, and I¡¯m kind of curious to know why. Have you found yourself a boyfriend?¡± ¡°I wish I found one.¡± Marisa replied, and her mind instantly drifted off to Dave. They started eating and within thirty minutes, they all finished eating. Then Marisa helped rabelle in clearing the dishes and taking them to the kitchen. rabelle left for work afterwards and Marisa washed the dishes before going to get room to prepare for her uing visit to Dave¡¯s house. Mere thinking about it gave her goosebumps, and she couldn¡¯t wait for evening to arrive. * * Ten ck vehicles arrived at Brandie Bar, one of the trendiest spots in New York City. Numerous men, all dressed in ck, quickly exited the vehicles and made their way toward a sleek ck Lamborghini Aventador in the lineup. They promptly opened the rear doors of the Lamborghini, revealing the arrival of Alejandro and Alexandro, who casually had cigarettes perched between their lips. Under the bright afternoon sun, the gold chains around their necks glistened like a symbol of their opulence. The crowd couldn¡¯t help but watch as the twins made their way into Brandie Bar, their aura of danger and confidence radiating in every step they took. It was as if they owned the ce, and their entourage, like a pack of loyal wolves, followed closely behind, their keen senses alert to any potential threats. As Alejandro and Alexandro strolled toward the entrance of Brandie Bar, the atmosphere seemed to shift. A hush fell over the crowd, and the bouncers at the door instinctively made way for the imposing twin brothers. The doorman, a burly individual with a stern expression, quickly recognized them and nodded in acknowledgment. It was clear that the twins held a certain status in this ce. The brothers didn¡¯t speak much, but their mere presence was enough tomand respect. Their steps were purposeful, and the patrons inside the bar couldn¡¯t help but turn their heads to catch a glimpse of the enigmatic duo. As they crossed the threshold, the ambiance inside the bar seemed to change, as if a new energy had entered the room. Inside, the dimly lit bar was a hub of activity, with people chatting, sipping cocktails, and enjoying the live jazz music. Alejandro and Alexandro navigated through the crowd with a graceful yet determined ease. Their gold chains continued to catch the light, casting a shimmering glow on the surrounding faces. The bar¡¯s staff, from the bartenders to the waitstaff, were quick to attend to their needs, knowing that catering to the twins was a matter of priority or else they¡¯d not only lose their jobs but their lives. Alejandro and Alexandro took a seat at a reserved corner table, which offered a clear view of the entire bar. They ordered their favorite drinks and leaned back in their chairs, their vignt eyes scanning the room, ensuring that their presence did not go unnoticed by anyone who might challenge their authority. The bar, once buzzing with conversation, had now fallen into a watchful silence. ¡°Dude, can you remind me why we are here?¡± Alexandro inquired, taking a sip from the ss of whiskey in front of him. ¡°We¡¯re here to meet Livia, or whatever Stacey said her name was,¡± Alejandro replied, exhaling a plume of smoke from his mouth. ¡°And who¡¯s this Livia?¡± Alexandro asked, his curiosity piqued. ¡°Stacey mentioned that Livia has secret information about Salvador, and Livia wants to trade that information to us for ten million dors,¡± Alejandro exined. ¡°Well, where the heck is this Livia?¡± Alexandro asked with a tone of frustration. ¡°I¡¯m here,¡± a feminine voice dered from behind them. The twins turned their heads to see a woman dressed entirely in ck. She wore a sleek ck leather jacket, ck trousers, ck boots, andpleted her mysterious look with a ck face cap and dark shades. The room seemed to hold its breath as the enigmatic woman made her presence known. Her aura exuded confidence and a hint of danger, much like the twins themselves. Her identity was shrouded in secrecy, and the atmosphere around their table crackled with anticipation. Livia approached the twins with aposed demeanor, her every step exuding an air of confidence. She stopped in front of their table, her dark shades concealing her eyes, and greeted them with a respectful nod. ¡°Lord Alejandro, Lord Alexandro,¡± she acknowledged, her voice calm andposed. The way she said their names hinted at a familiarity with their world, a world of shadows and secrets. With a graceful, fluid motion, she pulled out a chair and sat down across from the twins, her movements as controlled as her words. Her apology was swift but sincere, ¡°I apologize for beingte. It wasn¡¯t my intention, but unforeseen circumstances dyed me.¡± The twins exchanged a brief, knowing look. They were ustomed to dealing with unpredictable situations andters, but Livia¡¯s presence had an intriguing quality that made them willing to overlook the tardiness. As the conversation began, Livia leaned forward slightly, the soft hum of the bar¡¯s activities surrounding them. The dim lighting yed off her dark shades, giving her an enigmatic allure. ¡°Let¡¯s get down to business, Lords,¡± she said, her tone businesslike. ¡°I have information about Salvador Morello, and I¡¯m willing to share it with you. But ites at a price.¡± Alejandro and Alexandro exchanged another nce, a silent agreement passing between them. They hade prepared for this negotiation, well aware that valuable information in their line of work never came without a price tag. ¡°Ten million dors, isn¡¯t it?¡± Alejandro affirmed. Livia nodded beneath her dark shades. ¡°That¡¯s correct. Ten million dors, and the information is yours. I assure you, it¡¯s information that will be worth every penny.¡± The twins leaned back in their chairs, their confidence unwavering. The twins regarded Livia with calcting eyes, fully aware of the gravity of the situation. To them, ten million dors was nothing, and they were prepared to pay the ten times the price if the information she possessed could give them an advantage over their long time enemy and rival-Salvador Morello. ¡°Before we proceed, we need to ensure the authenticity of the information you im to have,¡± Alexandro said, his voice measured as he continued smiling. Livia leaned back, her demeanor stillposed. ¡°I understand your caution. The information I possess is verifiable, and I¡¯m willing to provide you with a sample. However, the full details will be disclosed upon receipt of the agreed-upon sum.¡± The twins nodded in agreement. The offer of a sample was amon practice in their line of work. ¡°Show us what you have,¡± Alejandro said, his curiosity piqued. With a subtle, confident smile, Livia reached into a ck leather bag by her side. She withdrew a sealed envelope, and without uttering a word, she ced it on the table, pushing it gently toward the twins. The envelope bore no markings, and its contents remained a mystery. With a silent agreement, Alejandro reached out and took the envelope. His fingers deftly broke the seal, and he extracted a single photograph. It was an image of Salvador, a high-ranking figure in their world and their longtime enemy, engaged in a private conversation with a known rival. The photograph was a testament to the authenticity of Livia¡¯s ims. Livia¡¯s dark shades concealed her eyes, but her slight nod conveyed a sense of satisfaction. ¡°This is just a glimpse of what I possess,¡± she exined. ¡°The full information includes details on Salvador¡¯s recent dealings, alliances, and ns that could be invaluable to you.¡± The twins exchanged another look, a mixture of intrigue and calction in their eyes. The photograph spoke volumes, and the potential implications of the information Livia held were clear. Alejandro leaned forward, fixing Livia with a serious gaze. ¡°I see that the rumours about you having secret information about Mafia organisations is true.¡± ¡°Yep.¡± Livia nodded with a smirk as Alejandro returned the photograph to the envelope, which she promptly took back and secured in her bag. With the understanding that the deal was in motion, Alejandro signaled to his right-hand man, Bruno, who had been discreetly observing the entire meeting. Bruno, a burly and unflinching figure, approached the table with a sturdy suitcase in his grasp. Bruno ced the suitcase in front of Livia, and with a subtle nod, he stepped back, maintaining a watchful eye on the surroundings. Livia¡¯s gloved hands deftly unlocked the suitcase, and as she lifted the lid, herposed demeanor remained unshaken. However, the sight that met her eyes left no room for pretense. The suitcase was stacked with neat bundles of fresh dor notes, each bill crisp and unblemished.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. She nced up at Alejandro and Alexandro, who had been watching her closely, their expressions inscrutable. ¡°Impressive,¡± she acknowledged. ¡°It seems we¡¯re allmitted to seeing this through.¡± The twins merely nodded in response, their eyes never leaving Livia¡¯s face. Alejandro then leaned forward and fixed his gaze on Livia. His voice was deep and businesslike as he said, ¡°Now that we¡¯ve honored our end of the agreement, it¡¯s time for you to share what you know about Salvador Morello.¡± Livia closed the suitcase, her gloved fingers lingering on the stack of bills for a moment. She then set it aside and leaned in, her dark shades concealing her eyes. ¡°Salvador Morello,¡± she began, ¡°is the leader of the Morello family. He is involved in a series of ndestine negotiations with a rival syndicate. These negotiations have the potential to destroy his rivals, which includes the Gambino family.¡± As Alejandro, Alexandro, and Livia delved deeper into their discussion, Alejandro¡¯s sharp instincts picked up on a presence that made his blood boil. His dark eyes, usually cool andposed, now zed with anger as he recognized the figure entering the bar. It was none other than Dave, the man who dared to get close to his possession. Alejandro watched with a mixture of anger and caution as Dave took a seat in a quiet corner of the bar. Just like clockwork, a woman dressed in a striking red gown and ck sunsses made her entrance, heading directly for Dave¡¯s table. Alejandro¡¯s attention shifted entirely from the conversation with Livia and Alexandro to the unfolding scene across the bar. His intense curiosity got the better of him as he observed Dave and the woman in red engage in a hushed conversation. His eyes narrowed when he noticed Dave handing the woman a photograph of Marisa. Chapter 32: Unexpected Encounter at the bar (II) Alejandro¡¯splete focus shifted away from his ongoing conversation with Livia and Alexandro, his gaze unwaveringly fixed on the unfolding scene across the dimly lit bar. His intense curiosity got the best of him as he observed Dave and the enigmatic woman in the striking red dress engaged in a hushed conversation that seemed to be shrouded in secrecy. His eyes narrowed with suspicion when he noticed Dave discreetly handing the woman a photograph of Marisa. A whirlwind of questions and conjectures swirled through Alejandro¡¯s mind. ¡°Why in the world is that scoundrel clutching Marisa¡¯s photograph? And what devilish business is he conducting with that woman?¡± Alejandro¡¯s inner monologue was punctuated by a sense of unease as he continued to scrutinize Dave and the woman ensnared in their covert exchange. ¡°Alejandro, are you even listening to what Livia is saying?¡± Alexandro¡¯s voice jolted Alejandro out of his thoughts, pulling Alejandro back from the brink of his thoughts. Startled, Alejandro averted his gaze to face Alexandro and Livia, his sudden distraction palpable. ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m listening,¡± Alejandro replied, though his mind was still firmly entrenched in the cryptic scenario unfolding across the bar. Alexandro stared at him quizzically before resuming his attention to Livia¡¯s words. Livia, adjusting herself in her seat, continued her exposition. ¡°Salvador Morello has connections that span the entire globe. And when I say connections, I mean formidable ties, much like the formidable web woven by your own Gambino family. In essence, the Morello n is every bit as formidable and perilous as the Gambinos.¡± While Livia elucidated on the dangerous alliances of the Morello family, Alejandro found himself increasingly preupied with the strange dealings of Dave and the mysterious woman. His curiosity reached a fever pitch, his mind abuzz with a pile of questions. What was the significance of Marisa¡¯s photograph in Dave¡¯s hands? What were their intentions? Could they be conspiring against Marisa herself? As the minutes ticked away, Alejandro¡¯s mind remained fixated on the unfolding drama across the bar. His furrowed brows attested to his growing curiosity. And then, his intrigue peaked when he witnessed Dave produce a photograph of a young boy, unmistakably Marisa¡¯s son, Jeffrey. Alejandro couldn¡¯t contain his bewilderment as he watched Dave handing over Jeffrey¡¯s photograph to the woman in red. At this juncture, Alejandro¡¯s insatiable curiosity overwhelmed him. He signaled to Bruno, who promptly approached, and the two engaged in a hushed exchange. Alejandro whispered his intentions, and Bruno, understanding the gravity of the situation, nodded before taking going to a seat near Dave and the mysterious woman. A sly smirk graced Alejandro¡¯s lips as he watched Bruno blend into the shadows, strategically positioned to eavesdrop on the secretive conversation. However, Alexandro¡¯s voice,ced with anger and impatience, broke through Alejandro¡¯s focus once more. ¡°Why are you diverting your attention when we¡¯re discussing our long-standing mission to eliminate that old scoundrel named Salvador?¡± Alexandro¡¯s fierce words would have unsettled anyone else, but Alejandro¡¯s demeanor remained unshaken. Resuming his feigned interest in the conversation at hand, Alejandro responded, ¡°So, what were you saying, Livia?¡± His tone, thoughposed, masked the tumultuous whirlwind of thoughts that continued to captivate him. Alexandro, appearing exasperated, inquired, ¡°Livia just provided crucial information about Salvador. Weren¡¯t you listening?¡± Alejandro simply scoffed as he lifted a ss of wine from the table, taking a nonchnt sip, his thoughts still ensnared by the enigmatic duo at the corner of the bar.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Livia, her role fulfilled, seized the opportunity to leave, gathering the suitcase filled with cash. Rising from her seat, she bid her farewell, ¡°I must take my leave now. Good luck in your pursuit of Salvador Morello.¡± With that, she departed, disappearing into the dimly lit corridors of the bar. Alexandro, now with an usatory tone, remarked, ¡°I knew you weren¡¯t paying attention to Livia. Your focus was solely on those two,¡± gesturing subtly toward Dave and the woman. Alejandro remained silent, his attention still held captive by the unfolding narrative across the room. He couldn¡¯t help but wonder why he had sent Bruno to infiltrate their ndestine meeting. Alexandro, his patience waning, inquired, ¡°Do you have any business with those two?¡± His gaze bore into Alejandro, who was still fixated on the secretive exchange transpiring between Dave and the enigmatic woman in red. The bar¡¯s atmosphere remained shrouded in dim lighting, concealing the ongoing ndestine exchange between Dave and the enigmatic woman in red, which Alejandro observed with unwavering focus. Each passing minute seemed to stretch endlessly,den with the weight of the unknown. As Dave and the woman leaned in, their conversation remained veiled in hushed whispers, preventing even the most astute eavesdropper from catching more than a few fragmented words. Their faces bore expressions of seriousness, and their subtle gestures conveyed a sense of urgency. Alejandro strained his senses in an attempt to grasp any fragment of information, but the shroud of mystery remained imprable. Then, as if on cue, Dave carefully retrieved a discreet envelope from his inner coat pocket and gently slid it across the table to the woman. She epted it with equal care, her fingers barely touching the envelope¡¯s surface. Whatever secrets the envelope held remained hidden from prying eyes. Their exchange concluded with an unspoken understanding, and they both stood from their seats with deliberate and unhurried movements. As they prepared to leave, the woman secured the envelope within her purse, and Dave cast a final, vignt nce around the bar, ensuring that no traces of their covert meeting remained. Alejandro observed this concluding act with unbroken attention, his curiosity burning brightly. He pondered the information contained within that mysterious envelope. Dave and the woman in red navigated the maze of tables and patrons with an air of grace that masked the gravity of their discussion. Alejandro couldn¡¯t help but contemte the deeper implications of their actions. As Dave and the woman approached the exit, Alejandro exchanged a knowing look with Bruno, who had been vigntly observing the entire exchange. Bruno¡¯s discreet signal conveyed that he had gathered as much information as possible from the covert conversation. With Dave and the woman now outside the bar, the heavy wooden door closed behind them, muffling the sounds of the bustling city beyond. The bar returned to its usual, subdued ambiance, its patrons immersed in their own conversations. As the hushed atmosphere enveloped the bar, Bruno approached Alejandro with a clear sense of purpose. In a manner that was almost secretive, he discreetly handed his boss apact voice recorder, designed to capture audio without attracting undue attention. With the voice recorder now in his possession, Alejandro stood up, silently acknowledging Bruno, who continued to keep a vignt eye on the bar¡¯s activities. ¡°I¡¯ll be right back.¡± Alejandro said to Alexandro, then he left their table and embarked on his journey toward the restroom. Chapter 33: Upcoming Date, Upcoming Danger The narrow hallway leading to the restroom was dimly lit, adorned with vintage posters that harked back to a different era. Alejandro¡¯s heart raced as he tightly gripped thepact voice recorder in his hand, his anticipation growing with each step. Upon reaching the restroom door, he entered and swiftly locked it behind him. The peaceful solitude of the restroom provided the ideal backdrop for his covert mission. Alejandro¡¯s hands trembled slightly as he initiated the voice recorder, hoping to capture the elusive secrets that had transpired. As the audio ybackmenced, Dave¡¯s and the woman¡¯s voices emanated from the device¡¯s small speaker. Their whispers were low, but the recorder faithfully captured their words with rity. Alejandro¡¯s breath caught as he listened intently. Dave¡¯s voice resonated with resolve, ¡°Marisa will being to my house in the evening. That¡¯s when we¡¯ll carry out the n.¡± Alejandro¡¯s anger surged. The mention of Marisa and the ominous tone in Dave¡¯s words filled him with a blend of frustration and dread. The puzzle pieces were graduallying together, yet the revtion left him seething with anger over the betrayal and lurking danger in the shadows. Upon concluding the yback of the conversation on the voice recorder, Alejandro became infuriated that Dave had the guts to make dangerous ns for Marisa. ¡°I swear, bastard, today is the day I¡¯ll kill you with my own hands.¡± He said in anger before leaving the restroom. * * Back at Marisa and rabelle¡¯s apartment, Marisa was in her room, getting ready to visit Dave¡¯s house. She stood in front of her dressing mirror, applying some light makeup to her face. Marisa¡¯s outfit showed she felt confident and attractive. She had on a stylish ck dress that highlighted her body, fitting her nicely. The dress gave off a ssy vibe, and Marisa wore it with ease, her self-assured smile showing her excitement about having Dave in her life. While Marisa finished her makeup, her room felt full of excitement and love. Dave had won her over within a week, and their connection had her feeling giddy. Each stroke of her makeup brush showed how eager she was for the uing evening. However, the tranquility of the moment was disrupted as the door to the room swung open without warning. rabelle, Marisa¡¯s ever-supportive friend, entered the room. ¡°Hey, rabelle,¡± Marisa greeted her friend, acknowledging her unannounced intrusion. ¡°Are you going on a date?¡± rabelle asked as she sat on Marisa¡¯s bed, watching her apply her makeup. She couldn¡¯t help but notice the excitement radiating from her friend, and it was clear that something special was afoot in Marisa¡¯s life. Marisa nced at her friend rabelle¡¯s knowing smile. She couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at the uracy of rabelle¡¯s observation. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s a date,¡± Marisa admitted with a sparkle in her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m going to Dave¡¯s ce. He invited me for dinner.¡± rabelle¡¯s face lit up with excitement. ¡°That¡¯s amazing, Marisa! I¡¯m so happy for you even though you haven¡¯t told me who this Dave is.¡± Marisa continued to apply the finishing touches to her makeup, the anticipation building as she thought about the evening ahead. She had met Dave by chance, but their connection had been instant and powerful. In just a short time, he had be an important part of her life, and she was eager to spend more time with him.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. As Marisa put the final touches on her makeup, rabelle couldn¡¯t contain her curiosity. ¡°So, how did you two meet? It seems like things are moving pretty fast.¡± Marisa paused for a moment, a fond smile ying on her lips as she recalled the serendipitous encounter that had brought her and Dave together. ¡°It¡¯s a bit of a whirlwind, honestly. We bumped into each other at the hospital, and we just started talking. It felt like we¡¯d known each other for a long time, and one thing led to another.¡± rabelle nodded, captivated by her friend¡¯s story. ¡°Sometimes, the best things happen when you least expect them. I hope your date goes wonderfully, Marisa.¡± Marisa finished her makeup, and with a deep breath, she turned to rabelle, her gratitude evident. ¡°You know, rabelle, I appreciate your support and your friendship so much. It means the world to me.¡± rabelle smiled warmly, her eyes filled with understanding. ¡°Of course, Marisa. I¡¯m here for you, always.¡± Marisa¡¯s expression turned more serious as she continued, ¡°There¡¯s one more thing I wanted to talk to you about, rabelle.¡± She hesitated for a moment, considering how to broach the topic. ¡°I don¡¯t know how long I¡¯ll spend at Dave¡¯s house, so I was wondering if you could help me by looking after Jeffrey while I¡¯m gone.¡± rabelle nodded with a reassuring smile. ¡°Of course, Marisa. I¡¯d be happy to take care of Jeffrey. He¡¯s like a son to me.¡± Marisa¡¯s relief was palpable. ¡°Thank you, rabelle. I knew I could count on you. It means a lot to me. I¡¯ll be back as soon as I can.¡± ¡°No need to worry, Marisa. Spend as much time as you want with Dave. You can even pass the night at his ce.¡± rabelle said with a teasing smile. rabelle¡¯s reassuring words brought a genuine smile to Marisa¡¯s face. ¡°Thank you, rabelle. You¡¯re a true friend,¡± Marisa said, her voice filled with gratitude. ¡°I¡¯ll keep that in mind, and I¡¯ll make sure to let you know if I decide to stay over.¡± With a quick hug and a heartfelt thank you, Marisa left the apartment, feeling a sense of lightness and excitement as she embarked on her date with Dave. As Marisa stepped out of her apartment and into the evening, she couldn¡¯t help but think about the unexpected turn her life had taken. She was excited about her blossoming connection with Dave and grateful for her dear friend rabelle, who was always there to support her. She immediately hailed a passing taxi, and as it pulled up to the curb, she gracefully entered the back seat. The city¡¯s lights glistened outside the window, casting a warm, ambient glow that matched the joyous anticipation bubbling inside her. ¡°Eighth avenue street, please,¡± she told the taxi driver with a hint of excitement in her voice. The taxi¡¯s engine purred as they navigated through the city¡¯s bustling streets. Marisa¡¯s thoughts danced with visions of her time she would be spending wirh Dave, and she felt a mixture of nervousness and excitement. Chapter 34: In Danger When the taxi finally arrived at Dave¡¯s residence, Marisa paid the driver, thanked him, and then she stepped out. Dave¡¯s apartment building stood tall and inviting, and she couldn¡¯t help but feel a rush of excitement as she approached the entrance. She came to a pause before the building¡¯s entrance, taking a moment to inspect herself in the reflective ss of the door, ensuring every detail was perfect. With a deep breath, she gathered herposure andposed herself before raising her hand to knock. The rap of her knuckles on the door sent a tremor of excitement coursing through her. Seconds ticked away, building the suspense as she awaited a response. And then, like the grand reveal in a dramatic tale, the door gracefully swung open, unveiling Dave on the other side. He had an handsome smile on his face that made Marisa¡¯s heart skip a beat. ¡°Marisa, you look stunning,¡± Dave greeted her, taking her hand and leading her inside. ¡°Thanks.¡± Marisa replied with a smile as he ushered her to a ck couch. Dave gracefully settled onto the couch opposite Marisa, their gazes locked in a moment of shared connection. The atmosphere in the room was charged with a mix of excitement, nervousness, and a sincere desire to reconnect. Taking a deep breath, Dave began with a heartfelt apology. ¡°Marisa,¡± he said, his voice tinged with remorse, ¡°I owe you an apology for how I behaved yesterday. I overreacted, and I¡¯m deeply sorry for almost yelling at you. It was unfair and uncalled for, and I truly regret letting my emotions get the better of me.¡± Marisa appreciated his honesty and willingness to address the issue head-on. She nodded, her eyes softening with understanding. ¡°I appreciate your apology, Dave,¡± she replied, her voice gentle. ¡°I am also sorry for yelling at you and not telling you about.. Alejandro.¡± Dave sighed with relief, grateful for her understanding. ¡°Thank you for being so understanding, Marisa. I¡¯m really d you¡¯re here tonight, and I hope we can put this behind us and enjoy our time together.¡± Marisa smiled warmly, her earlier excitement rekindled. ¡°I¡¯m d I¡¯m here too, Dave. Let¡¯s make the most of this evening and focus on the positive moments ahead.¡± Dave, eager to set a positive tone for the evening, extended his hand to Marisa. ¡°Shall we?¡± he asked, gesturing toward the dining room. Marisa took his hand with a smile and allowed him to guide her into the dining room. As she entered the room, her eyes widened in surprise. The dining table was adorned with an impressive array of dishes, each one more tempting than thest. There were beautifully presented appetizers, a richly garnished main course, and an assortment of delectable desserts. Marisa couldn¡¯t help but be taken aback by the sight. ¡°Dave, this is incredible,¡± she eximed, her eyes twinkling with amazement. ¡°You really went all out for this, didn¡¯t you?¡± Dave grinned, a touch of pride in his expression. ¡°I wanted to make tonight special and show you how much I appreciate you being here. I hope you¡¯re ready for a culinary adventure.¡± Marisa was genuinely touched by his effort and thoughtfulness. ¡°I¡¯m more than ready, Dave,¡± she replied, her heart warmed by his gesture. ¡°This looks amazing, and I can¡¯t wait to savor every bite.¡± As they took their seats at the beautifully set table, Marisa couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of excitement and gratitude for the wonderful evening ahead, all thanks to Dave¡¯s thoughtfulness and the surprise feast he had prepared. The evening continued with an air of enchantment as Dave and Marisa enjoyed the feastid out before them. The dishes were a symphony of vors, showcasing Dave¡¯s culinary skills. As the meal came to a close, Dave expressed his feelings. ¡°Marisa,¡± he said, his eyes locked onto hers, ¡°tonight has been wonderful. I can¡¯t thank you enough for being here and giving us a chance to reconnect.¡± Marisa smiled, her heart full of gratitude. ¡°Dave, I¡¯ve enjoyed every moment of tonight. It means a lot to me that you put in so much effort to make this evening special.¡± Dave reached across the table and took her hand, his touch gentle and affectionate. ¡°Marisa, I really want us to move forward, to put yesterday behind us, and to continue building something beautiful together. I care about you, and I hope you can see that.¡± ¡°I¡­. I do, Dave.¡± Marisa replied with a nervous smile. As their delightful conversation continued to flow andughter filled the air, Dave seemed to be carrying a secret that was bing increasingly difficult to contain. He had been waiting for the perfect moment, and as the night progressed, he felt that this was the right time to take a leap of faith. ¡°Wait right here, Marisa. I¡¯ll be right back.¡± Dave excused himself with a gentle, somewhat nervous smile, creating an air of curiosity in the room. Marisa watched him, intrigued by his sudden departure. Dave returned, not with dessert or wine, but with a small velvet box in his hand. His heart pounded with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. He knelt down on one knee beside the table, the candlelight casting a soft, romantic glow around him. Marisa¡¯s eyes widened in surprise, and her heart skipped a beat as she realized what was happening. Her breath caught in her throat and her heart started racing. Dave, feeling excited, carefully opened the velvet box and showed Marisa a beautiful ring inside. The gem on the ring sparkled in the candlelight. He looked into Marisa¡¯s eyes and spoke with a lot of emotion. ¡°Marisa,¡± he said, his voice strong and full of sincere feelings, ¡°I know we only met a few days ago, but the connection we have feels like it¡¯s been there forever. I think about you all the time, and I can¡¯t imagine my life without you. You make my life happier and more fun than it¡¯s ever been. So, I have to ask you: will you be my girlfriend?¡± Marisa¡¯s eyes filled with happy tears, and her heart was full of different feelings. She had wanted to be in a romantic rtionship with Dave, but she didn¡¯t expect it to happen so quickly. Dave¡¯s proposal surprised her, and she wasn¡¯t sure how to react. Even though it had only been a few days since they first met, a strong connection had formed between them. Maybe it was because she had been single for a long time, or maybe it was a special bond she had never felt before. She couldn¡¯t deny that she had developed feelings for him in this short time, and she wanted to express her feelings in return. She nodded, her voice quivering with unadulterated excitement, and said, ¡°Yes, Dave, I would be honored to be your girlfriend.¡±Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Dave¡¯s hands trembled ever so slightly as he gently slid the exquisite ring onto Marisa¡¯s finger, sealing the moment with a kiss that expressed the profound depth of their emotions. Their lips met in a tender, passionate embrace, igniting a spark that had been building between them since the day they first met. The kiss felt timeless, as if the world around them had faded into insignificance. The seconds turned into minutes, and their kiss continued. Their hearts beat in unison, and in that shared embrace, they found a connection that went beyond words. Dave¡¯s hand rested on Marisa¡¯s cheek, and he caressed it with a tenderness that spoke volumes. When they finally, reluctantly broke the kiss, they were left breathless and entranced, their eyes locked in a gaze that delved into the very essence of each other¡¯s souls. In that moment, there was no need for words; their eyes spoke of love, devotion, and the promise of a future together. Dave whispered, his voice filled with sincerity, ¡°Marisa, you¡¯ve made me the happiest person in the world today.¡± Marisa, her voice equally filled with emotion, replied, ¡°Dave, I¡¯ve never felt such happiness in my life. I can¡¯t believe how lucky I am to have you. I.. I love you so much, Dave.¡± After the heartwarming moment of Marisa epting Dave¡¯s proposal to be his girlfriend, they remained locked in a tender embrace for a while. ¡°I¡¯ll be right back,¡± Dave excused himself, leaving Marisa with a sense of anticipation for what he had in store. Dave made his way to the elegant bar cart, which was discreetly tucked at a corner of the room. Dave then retrieved a bottle of wine to celebrate their newfound rtionship. With a skill that he had honed over time, he effortlessly removed the cork from the bottle, allowing the luxurious fragrance of the wine to waft through the room. He poured two sses, making sure they were perfectly filled. Meanwhile, Marisa was so absorbed in admiring the ring on her finger that she didn¡¯t notice Dave discreetly adding some mysterious substance to one of the sses of wine. Returning to the table, Dave held one of the sses out to Marisa. ¡°To us, Marisa,¡± he said with a loving smile, clinking his ss gently against hers. Marisa met his gaze, her heart still aflutter from the surprise proposal, and she responded with a tender smile. ¡°To us, Dave.¡± They delicately held the crystal winess, taking a sip that delighted their senses. The rich, velvety vors danced on their pte, like a symphony of taste. As the evening went on, there was a warm and cozy feeling in the room as Dave and Marisaughed and talked. But as time passed, Marisa started to feel strange. She got really tired, and her eyes, which were lively before, got heavy. Her words started to sound a bit funny because the wine was making her feel even sleepier. Dave, ever the attentive partner, noticed the change in Marisa¡¯s demeanor and expressed concern. He asked, ¡°Marisa, are you feeling okay?¡± There was a sly smirk in his expression, hinting at a secret he seemed to hold. Marisa struggled to respond through the veil of drowsiness. She managed to say, ¡°I¡­ I feel drowsy, Dave. Did¡­ you add something to the wine?¡± Suspicion colored her words as she made a feeble attempt to keep her eyes open and focused. Dave, maintaining his facade, responded with a show of faux concern, ¡°No, Marisa. I didn¡¯t add anything to it.¡± He wore an innocent air as he concealed any hidden agenda. Before Marisa could speak further, the drowsiness overwhelmed her. Her eyelids fluttered shut, her head lowered to rest on the table, and her breathing became slower and more serene. Unbeknownst to her, Dave¡¯s lips curled into a wicked smirk as he rose from his seat. He gazed at Marisa¡¯s peaceful, unconscious face for a moment before moving to the couch. There, he picked up his phone and dialed a prearranged number. As the call connected, he pressed the phone against his ear. ¡°The job¡¯s done,¡± Dave said with a tone of triumph, a hint of malevolence in his voice. ¡°You can nowe in.¡± Chapter 35: Dave鈥檚 Treacherous Encounter With The Ruthless Mafia Dave¡¯s triumphant words echoed through the room as he spoke with a hint of malevolence in his voice, ¡°The job¡¯s done. You can nowe in.¡± With that, he hung up the phone, tossed it casually onto a nearby couch, and strolled over to a table. His fingers closed around a ss of wine, and he savored the taste while his gaze fixated on Marisa, whoy unconscious. Suddenly, a man and a woman entered the dining room, causing Dave to shift his attention towards them. The man spoke with a smirk, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you toplete the mission so quickly,¡± as he approached Dave. The woman, on the other hand, noticed the ring adorning Marisa¡¯s finger and inquired, ¡°Did you propose to her?¡± Her arms were crossed over her chest, her face etched with a frown. Dave responded with a nonchnt, ¡°Yep,¡± which only deepened the woman¡¯s displeasure. She challenged him, ¡°So you proposed to this woman before proposing to me, your girlfriend?¡± Dave chuckled as he ced the empty ss on the table, then moved closer to the woman, encircling his arms around her waist. ¡°Babe, that proposal I made to her was nothing but fake. I just did it to toy with her feelings, nothing more.¡± ¡°But still, you shouldn¡¯t have put that ring on her finger,¡± she remarked. Dave reassured her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, babe. After we finallyplete this mission, I¡¯ll get a very expensive ring for you and propose to you in a grand manner.¡± Slowly, the woman¡¯s frown dissipated.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Interrupting the affectionate exchange, the man urged, ¡°The both of you should quit your lovey-dovey, and let¡¯s get this woman to the boss.¡± He effortlessly lifted Marisa and slung her over his shoulder. ¡°Wait, let me get my car keys,¡± Dave said hastily and rushed to his bedroom to retrieve them. Upon his return to the living room, he was greeted by a shocking scene. Alejandro sat on a couch, a devilish cigarette in hand, while Dave¡¯s colleagues; the muscr man and his girlfriend,id sprawled unconscious on the floor. Marisay serenely beside on the couch beside Alejandro. The shock on Dave¡¯s face was palpable as he attempted to process the unexpected turn of events. He wondered how Alejandro had incapacitated his colleagues within the few minutes it took him to fetch his car keys from the bedroom. Dave swallowed hard and reached for a concealed handgun beneath his shirt. He aimed it at Alejandro and shouted, ¡°What the heck are you doing here? And how dare you enter my house?¡± A sinister smirk danced across Alejandro¡¯s lips as he continued to puff on his cigarette, seemingly unfazed by the gun pointed directly at him. It was as if he were utterly indifferent to the lethal threat, a nonchnce that sent waves of infuriation coursing through Dave¡¯s veins. ¡°I asked you a damned question, Alejandro Gambino!¡± Dave¡¯s voice quivered with anger, his fury palpable. ¡°What in the world are you doing in my house?¡± His grip on the firearm was unsteady, a clear indication of the dread he felt. Dave was acutely aware of Alejandro¡¯s reputation, a man of formidable power and ruthless determination. Alejandro nonchntly tossed his cigarette to the ground and ground it into the floor beneath the polished sole of his shoe. Rising to his feet, he methodically adjusted thepels of his pristine white suit. His approach towards Dave was marked by a perilous glint in his eyes, an ominous aura that left no doubt about his intentions. Dave¡¯s voice quivered in fear as he stumbled backward, his warning punctuated by desperation, ¡°Don¡¯t you daree any closer, or I¡¯ll pull this trigger!¡± Alejandro moved towards Dave at lightning speed. His fist shot out with brutal precision, connecting with the side of Dave¡¯s skull and sending him crashing violently to the ground. Dave¡¯s head pounded with searing pain as he struggled to his feet, blood seeping from his split lips. In a desperate bid for self-preservation, he snatched up his gun and fired it relentlessly at Alejandro. But Alejandro moved with an uncanny grace, his body fluidly evading the hail of bullets. He closed the gap between them in a heartbeat, charging at Dave with unrelenting determination. In an instant, Alejandro executed an uppercut, channeling the full force of his weight beneath it, and itnded squarely under Dave¡¯s jaw. The impact was catastrophic, and Dave felt his jawbone give way. The blow sent him soaring through the air, crashing down onto a nearby table with a cacophony of splintering wood and shattering ss. There hey, unconscious and broken. As if on cue, the door swung open unannounced, and Bruno entered with four men in tow. ¡°Boss,¡± Bruno acknowledged, his voice steady as he approached. Alejandro wasted no time and issued his orders, ¡°Take Marisa to my hotel.¡± Bruno nodded in understanding. Turning his gaze to the three other men who stood behind Bruno, Alejandro continued, ¡°The four of you should transport these three to the empire.¡± He pointed at the unconscious figures of Dave and his two colleagues, whoy in a heap on the ground. Following Alejandro¡¯smands, Bruno and four men immediately sprang into action. Bruno gently picked up Marisa, cradling her protectively as they made their way towards the exit. The other men, well-coordinated and efficient, hoisted the unconscious bodies of Dave and his two colleagues. It was a surreal scene, with the room still bearing the marks of the recent violent sh-broken furniture, shattered ss, and an undeniable tension in the air. As soon as everyone was in their designated positions, Bruno exchanged a silent nod with Alejandro, signifying their readiness to depart. With Marisa cradled protectively, Bruno escorted her outside to a sleek ck jeep parked just beyond the threshold. The other four men followed suit, efficiently securing Dave and his colleagues within a ck van positioned nearby. With a purposeful stride, Bruno climbed into the driver¡¯s seat of the jeep, ignited the engine, and smoothly pulled away from the scene, embarking on the journey to the hotel with Marisa in tow. In the background, Alejandro¡¯s men upied the van, patiently awaiting Alejandro¡¯s exit. Left alone within the room, Alejandro cast one final, contemtive gaze upon the remnants of the tumultuous encounter-the broken furniture, shattered ss, and lingering tension. Then, with a sense of resolution, he exited the house. As he stepped out, one of Alejandro¡¯s loyal men promptly swung open the rear door of an elegant Bugatti. Alejandro settled into the luxurious backseat, and with a thunderous roar of the engine, they seamlessly elerated away, leaving the turbulent events at Dave¡¯s house in their wake. * * Dave woke up to find himself strapped to a pulley. ¡°What is this? Where I¡¯m I?¡± Suddenly, he heard a man struggling beside him. He turned to find his girlfriend, also strapped to a pulley beside him. She was crying and sweating, her eyes wide as she gazed down below her. Dave then slowly followed her eyes and he caught his breath sharply. They were both dangling in space over arge pond. It was thergest pond he¡¯d ever seen. But it wasn¡¯t the pond that cause a chill running up his spine. It was what were Inside the pond. The pond was filled with crocodiles. Tons of them. Dave screamed as the crocodiles snapped their fangs hungrily, gazing up longingly at him. ¡°Finally awake?¡± Someone said from across the hall. Dave darted his eyes to see Alejandro and his men staring up at him gleefully. Alejandro was smoking a cigarette and grinning at him. ¡°So,¡± he took off the cigarette off his lips and blew a cloud in the air. ¡°You¡¯re the bastard who dared toy with my possession.¡± Chapter 36: Dave鈥檚 Treacherous Encounter With The Ruthless Mafia (I The scene was intense as the hungry crocodiles lurked, snapping their razor-sharp fangs hungrily in Dave¡¯s direction. Their cold, reptilian eyes gazed up longingly at him, fixating on Dave and, to their apparent delight, his girlfriend, Sally, in particr. Sally, a picture of sheer terror, was as pale as the belly of a fish in that dire moment as she was tied to a pulley beside her boyfriend. Her fear was so palpable that Alejandro, who had experienced his share of life¡¯s hardships, had never seen anyone so utterly frightened in all his years. He couldn¡¯t fault her, for even the bravest soul would be rendered paralyzed in her shoes. In such a dire predicament, anyone would prefer a quick, merciful end to the impending doom rather than the gruesome fate of being devoured alive by crocodiles. The agony, they might experience, would be for a while, and the moment their eyes closed and they sumbed to darkness, it would all be over. Indeed, bing the unfortunate prey of a dangerous swarm of crocodiles was a fate no one in their right mind would willingly embrace. It was far from anyone¡¯s ideal way to meet their demise, and Alejandro couldn¡¯t help but empathize with Sally. She had every reason to be terrified down to her very bone marrow. Sally¡¯s panicked voice pierced through the tense air as she pleaded with Alejandro, ¡°Let me out of this thing! Let me out! Please I¡¯m begging you in the name of God. Let me out of this thing! Please!¡± Alejandro stayedpletely silent because Sally¡¯s fear was so evident that her voice trembled, sounding like a desperate, croaking frog. Finally, Alejandro broke his silence and raised a pointed finger toward Sally as he said, ¡°I¡¯ve got a few questions for you, shawty. What¡¯s your name?¡± Sally, her voice trembling but determined, replied, ¡°Sally! My name¡¯s Sally!¡± In the midst of all the chaos, Bruno, Alejandro¡¯s right-hand man, ordered one of Alejandro¡¯s men to bring a fancy,fortable chair for Alejandro. Alejandro casually walked over to the elegant chair and sat down, which was quite a striking contrast to the imminent danger all around them. ¡°Sally, huh,¡± Alejandro mused, his legs crossing as he fixed her with an intense and menacing gaze. ¡°That¡¯s a lovely name, don¡¯t you think? But now, listen closely, Sally. I need you to fully grasp the gravity of your current situation. Just below you lies a murky pond, teeming with relentless crocodiles. Crocodiles, my dear, are truly remarkable creatures. I once dedicated time to studying them. Did you know that scientists believe crocodiles have existed since the days of the dinosaurs?¡± Sally nervously shifted her gaze downward to the ominous waters, her throat dry, and admitted, ¡°I had no idea. I¡­ I had no idea they¡¯ve existed since the days of dinosaurs.¡±Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Alejandro allowed a sinister smile to creep across his face as he casually flicked ashes from his cigarette. ¡°Well, now you do. Crocodiles possess the incredible ability to endure without oxygen for a significant time, and they can go without food for extended periods. I can¡¯t recall the exact duration, but trust me, it¡¯s quite substantial.¡± Alejandro was well aware of his cruel game of suspense, savoring the mounting fear in Sally and her boyfriend, Dave. He wanted them to be utterly petrified. Seeing the fear on other people¡¯s face was something he enjoyed so much, and that was why he was making Dave and Sally utterly petrified He went on, his voice dripping with malevolence, ¡°You see, these crocodiles down there are my pets. And would you like to know how we nourish them?¡± He paused, deliberately drawing out the tension, savoring their horrified expressions. ¡°It¡¯s a rather straightforward matter. Humans happen to be their preferred delicacy. We exclusively feed them humans.¡± Sally¡¯s face contorted with terror, her eyes darting towards Dave, who surprisingly appeared somewhat less unnerved. ¡°Let me out!¡± Dave demanded urgently. ¡°Free me from this predicament. I apologize for my actions with Marisa. I yed with her emotions.¡± Alejandro¡¯s devilish smirk remained as he continued to smoke, taking his time. Then, he taunted, ¡°We¡¯ve deliberately withheld feeding these crocodiles for several weeks now. Just contemte how savage they will be once your body plunges into that pond. Picture it.¡± Dave erupted in frustration, yelling, ¡°What do you want from us?!¡± Alejandro slowly lit another cigarette, carelessly discarding the spent one on the floor. ¡°I want to understand why you chose to get close to Marisa. I wish toprehend your motives.¡± Dave exchanged a meaningful nce with Sally, their silentmunication revealing more than words. ¡°I didn¡¯t have a specific reason,¡± he replied to Alejandro¡¯s inquiry. Alejandro had anticipated this response. ¡°No specific reason?¡± Dave raised his voice defiantly, surprising even himself. ¡°I don¡¯t have a specific reason for getting close to her, and even if I did, I wouldn¡¯t utter a single word to you about it.¡± A heavy silence fell, and Alejandro¡¯s expression darkened. Sally, torn and deeply fearful, wavered between revealing the truth and maintaining her silence. In contrast, Dave exhibited unwavering determination and obstinacy. Alejandro sensed that attempting to extract information from him would prove fruitless. Bringing his hands together to form a triangr shape, Alejandro pressed them to his face and fixed a piercing gaze on Dave before dering, ¡°So, you¡¯ve made your choice to be crocodile food.¡± Fear instantaneously gripped Dave as his resolve crumbled, and he admitted, ¡°You want the truth? I don¡¯t know anything. I can¡¯t help you.¡± Alejandro signaled to Bruno, who was stationed in front of an array of buttons and levers, with a nod. Bruno promptly pressed a red button and pulled a lever, initiating the pulley system. Dave was released and plummeted into the pond with a resounding ssh. The following scene was profoundly chilling. The crocodiles lunged at Dave, their jaws agape, ready for a fatal strike. The pandemonium in the pond echoed like a ferocious street brawl in the dead of night, followed by Dave¡¯s bloodcurdling screams. In mere minutes, it was all over. The crocodiles dragged Dave beneath the water¡¯s surface, and he never resurfaced. The pond¡¯s once cid surface was now marred by a gruesome red stain, marking a haunting and cruel end for Dave. Chapter 37: The Turning Point: A Desperate Revelation Amid the chaos and fear, a desperate cry pierced the air, echoing the sheer panic of the moment. Sally screamed, ¡°Dave!!!!¡± as she looked down at the horrifying scene in front of her. Her voice was filled with terror, and her eyes widened in shock and disbelief. She couldn¡¯t make sense of the horrific sight before her. This moment shook her to her very core, leaving her on the brink of either screaming again or sumbing to the overwhelming darkness that loomed over her. When Sally looked at Alejandro, she felt a shiver of fear. His eyes were cold and unweing, and it was clear he wouldn¡¯t tolerate any defiance. In that moment, she understood that there was no room forpromise; Alejandro Gambino was the type of person who would not hesitate to harm her if she didn¡¯t cooperate. In a desperate plea, she implored, ¡°Don¡¯t drop me, Mr. Gambino.¡± Tears welled up in her eyes, their glistening trails reflecting the dim light around them. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you what you need to know.¡± Alejandro, seemingly indifferent, flicked ashes off his cigarette and raised an eyebrow, a silent invitation to divulge the secrets she held. ¡°Alright, what¡¯s Dave¡¯s real n?¡± Sally¡¯s lips trembled as she began to speak, ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Alejandro¡¯s gaze shifted to Bruno, a silent signal that suggested actions might be taken. But before Bruno could make a move, Sally¡¯s voice grew sharp and determined. ¡°No, listen to me. Dave doesn¡¯t have a n. Our superior is the one with the n. She¡¯s the mastermind behind it all. Dave and I work for her. We were hired to ry any secret information to her and carry out specific missions.¡±Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Alejandro¡¯s interest was piqued. ¡°Your superior? You mean the woman who wore a red dress this afternoon and met with Dave at Brandie Bar?¡± Sally was taken aback, her eyes widening in disbelief. ¡°How did you know?¡± Alejandro brushed off the question, urgency in his eyes as he saw the need for swift action. ¡°Never mind how I know. Tell me what you know.¡± Sally paused for a moment, collecting her thoughts. ¡°Well, this is how the system works. Thatdy in the red dress works for a Mafia leader named Salvador Morello.¡± At the mention of Salvador Morello¡¯s name, Alejandro¡¯s curiosity was fully ignited. He needed to rify what he had just heard. ¡°Thatdy works for Salvador Morello?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Sally replied with a hint of fear in her voice. ¡°She works for Salvador, the leader of the Morello family, who are the rivals of your family, the Gambinos.¡± Alejandro was determined to get to the heart of the matter. ¡°So, how is thatdy in red connected to your boyfriend getting close to Marisa and drugging her?¡± Sally took a deep breath, her voice trembling as she continued to unravel the intricate web of secrets. ¡°The thing is, Salvador Morello, the main boss, is mysterious even to us. None of us has everid eyes on him in our entire lives. Salvador has three front men, two women, and one man. These front men are our superiors. They go around, hiring us for various ndestine tasks, and we get paid for it. Thedy in the red dress is one of Salvador¡¯s front men and our immediate superior. She¡¯s the one who sent us to abduct Marisa.¡± Alejandro¡¯s piercing gaze remained fixed on Sally as he sought to unravel the intricate web of deceit and danger that had woven itself around them. ¡°And why did thedy in red send you to abduct Marisa?¡± he questioned, his voice steady and unyielding. ¡°Like I said earlier,¡± Sally began, her voice trembling, ¡°our superior is one of Salvador¡¯s front men. She conducted research on you and discovered that you have a connection to Marisa. She¡¯s been monitoring your every move and came to the conclusion that you seem to have an interest in her.¡± Alejandro pressed further, ¡°So?¡± Sally continued with a sense of urgency, ¡°So, she nned to use Marisa as a weapon to bring you down, making it easier for the Morello family to eliminate your family. She believed that once you were out of the picture, it would be a simpler task to dismantle the Gambino family. Marisa was to be the bait to lure you in because she noticed your interest in her.¡± Sally¡¯s detailed exnation began to shed light on the sinister plot that had been hatched against him. Alejandro¡¯s lips curled into a mischievous smirk. ¡°So, is this the tactic the Morello family wants to use to bring down the Gambino family?¡± Sally hesitated for a moment before answering, ¡°I¡­ I think so.¡± ¡°Then I guess Salvador is nothing but an old fool after all,¡± Alejandro remarked, his smirk widening. The pieces of the puzzle were falling into ce, and he was starting to see the bigger picture. Alejandro probed further, determined to uncover the truth. ¡°And speaking of Salvador, where is he?¡± Sally¡¯s reply was hesitant, ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t know where Salvador is?¡± Alejandro questioned, clearly skeptical. ¡°Yes¡­ I mean, I don¡¯t really know because he changes his location every day,¡± Sally replied, attempting to evade the truth. ¡°He¡¯s been changing locations every day?¡± Alejandro sought confirmation. ¡°Yeah,¡± Sally confirmed. ¡°I overheard my superior speaking on the phone with him yesterday, and he mentioned his next location.¡± ¡°What¡¯s his next location, then?¡± Alejandro demanded to know. Sally, realizing the gravity of the situation, relented, ¡°Saint Patrick Catholic church on Broadway Street.¡± ¡°Saint Patrick Catholic church?¡± Alejandro repeated, as if to ensure he had heard correctly. Sally nodded, ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°Why is he hiding out in a church?¡± Alejandro inquired, intrigued by this revtion. Sally exined, ¡°It¡¯s a long story¡­¡± Alejandro, impatient, interrupted, ¡°Cut the story short!¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Sallyplied. ¡°ording to my superior, Salvador is aware that you and your twin brother are looking for him for something he did to you years ago. So, he¡¯s been disguising himself and changing locations every day. That¡¯s the reason you haven¡¯t caught him until today.¡± Alejandro smirked wickedly as he contemted the cunning of his adversary. ¡°So, that old man¡¯s been disguising himself and changing locations all these years.¡± ¡°Tomorrow, which is Sunday,¡± Sally added, ¡°Salvador ns to disguise himself as a Reverend, and that¡¯s why his next location is the Saint Patrick church on Broadway Street. He¡¯s also using it as a way to keep tabs on you without your knowledge.¡± Alejandro absorbed this crucial piece of information, realizing the gravity of the situation. The cat-and-mouse game had taken a dangerous turn, and Salvador Morello¡¯s actions were bing clearer. Sally, her gaze momentarily drifting to the red-stained pond below, could not hide her fear. She turned her attention back to Alejandro and implored, ¡°Now that I¡¯ve told you everything I know, will you let me go?¡± Alejandro rose to his feet, the sharp lines of his tailored suit enhancing hismanding presence. He took a moment to adjust his suit with precision, a sign of his meticulous nature. Then, he addressed Sally, who had a look of palpable anxiety written all over her face. She was teetering on the brink of life and death. ¡°I¡¯ll let you go on one condition,¡± Alejandro dered, his voice unwavering. Sally let out a deep breath, relief washing over her, but she remained on edge, acutely aware of the gravity of the situation. Alejandro presented her with a choice, his tone deliberate and firm. ¡°There are two options here. You can either choose to work for me and be my ally, or you can choose to be crocodile food.¡± She didn¡¯t hesitate, recognizing the stark contrast between the options. ¡°I¡¯ll work for you,¡± she replied with a sense of urgency. A hidden grin yed at the corners of Alejandro¡¯s lips as he epted her choice. He walked over to Bruno and whispered his instructions, keeping his voice low, ¡°Lock her up. I won¡¯t need her until I¡¯m ready. She¡¯s one of us now.¡± Bruno, though not entirelyfortable with the decision, knew better than to question Alejandro¡¯s judgment. ¡°But boss, wouldn¡¯t it be best if we dropped her-¡± ¡°I know,¡± Alejandro cut him off. ¡°I¡¯ve got ns for her. It¡¯s not that I trust her. I don¡¯t trust her, but I believe she¡¯s willing to work for me. She seemed scared of the crocodiles. Let her live with that threat in mind. As long as she is haunted by the crocodiles, we can control her. Do as you¡¯re told. No questions.¡± Bruno nodded in acquiescence, his loyalty to Alejandro unwavering. Alejandro strode away, leaving Bruno to handle Sally. He checked his wristwatch and noted that it was half past nine in the evening. With the newfound information, he felt confident that he and his twin brother were one step closer to fulfilling their longstanding vow: the assassination of Salvador Morello, their most formidable adversary. Leaving the gruesome scene behind, Alejandro walked out of the ndestine empire and into the moonlit night. He made his way to the waiting Rolls Royce, where the chauffeur stood at attention, ready to assist. Alejandro stepped into the luxurious car, and the chauffeur dutifully opened the rear door for him. Alejandro wasted no time and poured himself a shot of whiskey, the burning liquid cutting through the tension that hung in the air. His thoughts raced, driven by a sense of impending reckoning. ¡°We¡¯re finally going to kill that old bastard tomorrow morning,¡± he thought, his determination unwavering as he took another sip of whiskey. Interrupting his thoughts, Bruno opened the car door and took a seat beside him. ¡°The boys will take care of Sally, boss,¡± Bruno assured him. ¡°Should we head home?¡± ¡°No,¡± Alejandro replied without sparing him a nce. ¡°To the hotel where Marisa is.¡± With that, the Rolls Royce Silver Wraith roared to life, and it began its journey to Alejandro¡¯s next destination. Tomorrow was a new day, and it held the promise of long-awaited vengeance against their most formidable foe. Chapter 38: Undeniable Sex Appeal As the sleek Rolls Royce Silver Wraith glided through the dimly lit streets of New York city, the city¡¯s underbelly was cloaked in an eerie silence, save for the distant hum of the engine. Alejandro sat in the back, his mind consumed by the weight of the information he had just gathered. The revtion about Salvador Morello¡¯s ns and the dangerous game they were entangled in had only heightened his resolve. Beside him, Bruno kept a watchful eye on their surroundings, ever alert to any potential threats. The night concealed its secrets well, and in this world of shadows and deception, trust was a raremodity. The hotel where Marisa was staying loomed ahead, bathed in the soft glow of streetlights. It was a grand and imposing structure, standing as a testament to luxury in the heart of the city. The name of the hotel was Jandro¡¯s Hotel which belonged to Alejandro himself. It was one of the thirty hotels he owned in New York city. The chauffeur skillfully maneuvered the Rolls Royce to the hotel¡¯s entrance. As the car came to a smooth stop, Alejandro and Bruno stepped out with an air of quiet authority. The doorman, recognising Alejandro, held the door open and greeted him with respect. Alejandro¡¯s polished shoes clicked on the marble floor as he entered the opulent lobby, his every move calcted and deliberate. The hotel¡¯s lobby was adorned with chandeliers, its walls adorned with intricate artwork that spoke of a bygone era of elegance. The atmosphere was hushed, and the few guests who lingered in the lobby were engaged in discreet conversations. Alejandro approached the front desk, his presence drawing the attention of the hotel staff. A well-dressed concierge stood behind the counter, his expression a mixture of curiosity and trepidation. He knew who Alejandro was and that alone sent cold shivers down his spine. With an air of authority, Alejandro inquired about Marisa¡¯s room. ¡°I need to see Miss Marisa, thedy Bruno brought here,¡± Alejandro stated firmly, his voice brooking no argument. The concierge, though taken aback by the unexpected visit, quicklyposed himself and checked the hotel¡¯s records. ¡°Miss Marisa is in room 506, sir,¡± he replied, handing Alejandro a key card with a discreet nod. ¡°Thank you,¡± Alejandro said tersely, and without another word, he turned and made his way to the elevator, with Bruno following closely behind. The elevator doors closed, enveloping them in a small, mirrored chamber. Alejandro¡¯s reflection stared back at him, his eyes filled with a determination that bordered on obsession. The elevator ascended smoothly, and as the doors opened on the fifth floor, the dimly lit corridor stretched out before them. Alejandro¡¯s footsteps were purposeful, leading him to room 506. The anticipation of confronting Salvador Morello coursed through his veins, and he couldn¡¯t wait for the next day to arrive so that he¡¯d finally get the revenge he¡¯d been chasing for years. Room 506 was at the end of the corridor and when they finally got to the front of the room, Alejandro slid the key card into the lock with a swift motion, and the door clicked open. The room beyond was bathed in the soft glow ofmplight. Marisay sound asleep on the hotel bed, her form rxed and oblivious to the world outside. The soft rhythm of her breathing was the only sound in the room, providing a stark contrast to the tension that had just entered. ¡°Stay outside and keep guard,¡± Alejandro instructed Bruno in a hushed tone, his voice carrying a sense of urgency and caution. Bruno nodded in acknowledgment, positioning himself discreetly outside the door to ensure that no unwee guests would intrude upon this pivotal conversation. His vignce was unwavering, ready to act at a moment¡¯s notice. With a profound, lingering nod ofprehension, Alejandro gently and deliberately closed the door to Marisa¡¯s room, ensuring that he left behind an atmosphere of solitude and tranquility. He stood still for a moment, his gaze fixed tenderly upon the serene visage of Marisa as shey soundly asleep in her bed. The room was bathed in a gentle, hushed ambiance, allowing him to observe her undisturbed. Slowly, he moved closer, silently bridging the gap between them, his heart heavy with a mixture of emotions. Upon reaching the edge of her bed, Alejandro lowered himself onto the space beside her, his presence aforting and protective one. He couldn¡¯t help but be captivated by the delicate beauty thaty before him, the subtle rise and fall of her chest as she peacefully dreamt. His fingers, with a touch as gentle as a whisper, reached out to caress her face, brushing aside the stray strands of hair that veiled her features. With great care and tenderness, he revealed her countenance, as if uncovering a priceless work of art from a concealed masterpiece. As Alejandro continued to watch over Marisa, he felt an overwhelming surge of protectiveness. With a low and husky tone, he whispered to her, ¡°You¡¯re mine, Marisa. You¡¯re mine alone, and I won¡¯t hesitate to kill anyone who dares to get too close to you.¡± * * As the bright morning sun gently streamed through the open blinds in the room, Marisa slowly stirred from her slumber. She let out a soft groan as her eyelids fluttered open, and the world around her came into focus. The first thing she noticed was the warmth of the sun on her face, and then the realization of her surroundings began to set in. As her awareness increased, Marisa¡¯sfort turned to confusion and a sense of unease. She attempted to lift her hand to her head, only to discover that her right hand refused to obey hermands. Panic began to rise within her as she tried her left hand, only to encounter the same unnerving sensation of immobilization. Turning her head gingerly to the side, she cast her gaze down towards her hands, and her heart quickened as she saw the cause of her predicament. Her wrists were handcuffed to the bed frame, leaving her with limited mobility and a growing sense of helplessness.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Fear and uncertainty washed over Marisa as she attempted to recall how she had found herself in this situation. The memories of the previous night were hazy, and she struggled to piece together the events that had led to her being restrained in such a vulnerable state. With each passing moment, the urgency to understand her circumstances and to find a way to free herself intensified. Marisa¡¯s confusion deepened as she nced around the unfamiliar room. It was apparent that she was in a ce she didn¡¯t recognize, and the events leading to her current situation remained shrouded in mystery. Questions swirled in her mind like a tumultuous storm ¨C where was she, and how had she ended up here? The most pressing of all was how and who had handcuffed her hands, leaving her in this vulnerable state. As she wrestled with these unsettling thoughts, the bathroom door suddenly swung open, and in that moment, her breath caught in her throat. Alejandro stepped into the room, a white towel dangerously draped around his waist, his glistening, wet hair and chiseled chest leaving Marisa momentarily speechless. The sight of him, his toned physique and his maic presence, sent a shiver down her spine. Marisa¡¯s heartbeat quickened, and her earlier panic seemed to be reced with a mix of conflicting emotions. She was captivated, unable to tear her gaze away from the striking image before her, even as the questions of her situation continued to gnaw at the edges of her consciousness. As Alejandro moved closer to the bed where Marisa was lying, the room seemed to be filled with an undeniable maic energy. His wet hair clung to his forehead, and droplets of water sparkled on his tanned, well-defined chest, following a path down to his sculpted abs. With each step he took, he radiated a confident sensuality that was impossible to ignore, and every movement he made showcased his irresistible allure. His eyes burned with intense desire as they locked onto Marisa¡¯s, drawing her in with a maic force, much like a moth to a me. His strong, masculine presence was bothmanding and irresistibly alluring. Alejandro¡¯s broad shoulders and powerful arms hinted at a strength that was as captivating as it was protective. As he approached, Marisa felt a rush of heat surging through her body. Her cheeks flushed, and her breath quickened. The sight of Alejandro, with his tousled, wet hair and those tantalizing droplets of water on his sun-kissed skin, had an electrifying effect on her. His raw masculinity and undeniable sex appeal were impossible to ignore. Marisa¡¯s heart raced, and her thoughts were consumed by desire and anticipation. In that moment, the strange circumstances of her situation temporarily faded into the background. Her entire focus was on the irresistible Alejandro, who was approaching with an intensity that left her breathless. Alejandro slowly got on the bed and positioned himself over Marisa. He looked into her eyes with a lustful and mischievous smile on his lips. The room was filled with excitement, and the maic attraction between them grew stronger. Alejandro¡¯s presence held power, yet tenderness, and as he hovered over her, Marisa felt his warmth enveloping her. Her heart raced, and her breath quickened as they drew nearer. At that instant, it was as if time had frozen, leaving only the intense chemistry between Alejandro and Marisa. She couldn¡¯t find her voice; all she could do was gaze in awe at his godlike face. ¡°Good morning, sweetheart,¡± Alejandro said in a husky tone, his smirk growing even wider. Chapter 39: Striking a chord, breaking his armor ¡°Good morning, sweetheart,¡± Alejandro said in a husky tone, his smirk growing even wider. Marisa¡¯s heart raced as she gazed at his face, utterly entranced by his rugged handsomeness. She quickly pushed aside any inappropriate thoughts, realizing that she had fallen asleep at Dave¡¯s ce the night before. Confusion overcame her as she pondered how she ended up in Alejandro¡¯s bed instead of Dave¡¯s. A disturbing thought dawned on her, suspecting that Alejandro might have orchestrated this unexpected scenario. The idea that Alejandro might have harmed Dave sent shivers of fear down her spine, finally motivating her to speak up.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡°What am I doing here? Where is Dave?¡± Marisa questioned, her voice trembling with concern. Alejandro¡¯s lips curled into a sinister smirk. ¡°You mean that bastard who dared to get close to you?¡± Alejandro sneered. ¡°Where the hell is he?¡± Marisa asked, her apprehension growing as she feared the worst. ¡°I taught him a bitter lessonst night. He¡¯s probably chilling inside the bellies of my crocodiles,¡± Alejandro replied, his wordsced with a chilling nonchnce. Marisa¡¯s eyes widened in sheer shock. ¡°You¡­ you did what?¡± She stammered, struggling toprehend the horrifying revtion. ¡°I fed him to my crocodiles,¡± Alejandro replied, his smirk growing even more malevolent. Marisa¡¯s face turned ashen, her disbelief palpable. ¡°You¡¯re joking, right?¡± She desperately clung to the hope that this was some dark jest. Alejandro scoffed and climbed out of the bed. He walked over to the bedside table, retrieved his phone, and returned to Marisa, showing her a video that left her petrified. The video depicted Dave being dropped into a crocodile-infested pond, where he was mercilessly devoured, leaving no room for doubt. Marisa was on the verge of passing out as she watched the horrifying video. Tears streamed down her face uncontrobly, and her sobs were a testament to the shock and anguish coursing through her. Alejandro, his cruel smirk still intact, carelessly tossed his phone onto a nearby couch. He then moved closer, hovering above Marisa. Marisa¡¯s eyes remained wide open, reflecting the horror she had just witnessed. The video had confirmed that Dave was gone, and he hadn¡¯t met a swift or merciful end. He had met a gruesome fate, torn apart and devoured by the ravenous crocodiles. This realization only intensified Marisa¡¯s grief, and fresh tears flowed from her eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t cry, sweetheart,¡± Alejandro said, a sinister grin on his face as he wiped away Marisa¡¯s tears. ¡°That bastard doesn¡¯t deserve the tears of someone as precious as you.¡± The pain that had initially consumed Marisa slowly transformed into seething anger. She red at Alejandro, his smirk serving as a catalyst for her fury. The cuffs that bound her to the bed frame left her feeling helpless, unable to unleash the p she so desperately wanted to deliver to wipe the smirk off Alejandro¡¯s face. She couldn¡¯tprehend how someone as outwardly handsome as Alejandro could be so heartless, to the point of feeding another human being to crocodiles. ¡°What¡¯s with the frown, sweetheart?¡± Alejandro inquired, feigning innocence as he noticed the anger etched on Marisa¡¯s face. ¡°You¡¯re a monster, Alejandro!¡± Marisa yelled in a fit of rage, her voice quivering with emotion as more tears cascaded down her cheeks. ¡°You¡¯re a vile, heartless bastard, and you don¡¯t deserve to be considered human! You don¡¯t even deserve to coexist with civilized people. You should be locked away with the animals, because you are nothing but a savage beast!¡± Marisa¡¯s words wereden with raw, unfiltered anger as she raged against Alejandro¡¯s heinous act. Her voice quivered, but her resolve to denounce him remained unwavering. The tears streaming down her face were no longer a sign of sorrow but rather an expression of her deep-seated disgust for the man who hadmitted such a gruesome act. Alejandro¡¯s smirk finally wavered, reced by a momentary look of surprise at Marisa¡¯s outburst. It was as though he had not expected such a vehement reaction from the person he had kept captive. But his surprise quickly gave way to a sinister chuckle. ¡°You have spirit, I¡¯ll give you that,¡± Alejandro said, his voice dripping with mockery. ¡°But you don¡¯t understand the world we live in, sweetheart. Sometimes, the only way to survive is by being as ruthless as the world itself.¡± Marisa¡¯s anger only intensified in response to Alejandro¡¯s callous words. She was determined not to let fear or submission define her in this dire situation. With grit and defiance, she spat back at him, ¡°Survival doesn¡¯t justify being a sadistic murderer! You¡¯ve crossed a line that can¡¯t be justified by any twisted logic.¡± Alejandro leaned in closer, his face mere inches from Marisa¡¯s. His eyes bore into hers with an unsettling intensity. ¡°You¡¯ll learn, my dear. In this world, there are only two kinds of people: those who survive and those who be prey.¡± Marisa, despite her fear and anger, refused to cower. She met Alejandro¡¯s gaze with unwavering determination. ¡°If being a survivor means bing like you, then I¡¯d rather choose to be prey.¡± Despite Marisa¡¯s passionate words, Alejandro appeared unmoved by her emotional outburst. He continued to trace her face with his thumb, a gesture that only deepened her difort. ¡°Sweetheart, that bastard didn¡¯t deserve to live,¡± Alejandro asserted with a cold detachment. Marisa shook her head vehemently, trying to put an end to his unsettling touch. ¡°You¡¯re the one who doesn¡¯t deserve to live,¡± she shot back, her anger unabated. ¡°You¡¯re the one who should meet a fate like his. He¡¯s far superior to you in every way, and you¡¯re nothingpared to him. You¡¯re the one who deserves death, not him!¡± A shadow passed over Alejandro¡¯s face, and Marisa could sense the storm brewing within him. Her taunting words seemed to strike a nerve. ¡°Seems like my words hit a spot,¡± she taunted, a defiant glint in her eyes. ¡°But the truth hurts, doesn¡¯t it? You truly deserve nothing but death.¡± In an instant, Alejandro¡¯s temper red. He gripped Marisa¡¯s neck with a ferocity that stole her breath. Gasping for air, she struggled against his powerful hold. ¡°You don¡¯t have the right to speak to me that way!¡± Alejandro growled, his grip tightening, making it increasingly difficult for Marisa to breathe. ¡°I warned you to stay away from that bastard,¡± he seethed, his anger burning like a furnace. ¡°But you didn¡¯t listen. Your failure to heed my warning led to his death, and you are the one responsible for it.¡± With a final, furious release of his grip, Alejandro abruptly left the bed. The room hung heavy with tension, as Marisa grappled with the realization that not only was she a captive in a dangerous situation, but she was also being med for Dave¡¯s horrifying demise. In a moment of intense anger, Alejandro¡¯s hand mped around Marisa¡¯s neck, squeezing the air from her lungs. She gasped for breath, her vision starting to blur as the room spun around her. Alejandro¡¯s growl filled the air as he tightened his grip, making it excruciatingly difficult for her to breathe. ¡°You don¡¯t have the fucking right to talk to me that way!¡± he seethed through gritted teeth. ¡°I warned you to stay away from that bastard, but you didn¡¯t listen. Your failure to heed my instructions led to his death, so you¡¯re the one responsible for it.¡± With a final, angry release of his grip, Alejandro let go of Marisa¡¯s neck and stormed away from the bed. Marisa, gasping and choking, coughed violently as she fought to catch her breath. Tears streamed down her face, her sobs echoing in the room. A pang of guilt welled up inside Alejandro as he witnessed the devastation he had caused. Her tears had an unexpected effect on him, stirring something in his conscience that he hadn¡¯t felt in a long time. He reached for the key, unlocked the cuffs that bound her hands, and gently pulled Marisa¡¯s arms free. Marisa sat up on the bed, her body trembling, and wrapped her arms around her knees. She buried her face in her knees, continuing to sob as the weight of the horrific situation overwhelmed her. Alejandro, despite his ruthless exterior, let out a heavy sigh and moved to sit beside her. He didn¡¯t say anything as he watched her sobbing. The room remained heavy with tension, but for the first time, there was a flicker of something deeper within Alejandro, a hint of remorse for the brutality he had unleashed. Amid the heavy silence that enveloped them, Alejandro finally broke it, his voice quieter, though tinged with a cold resolve. ¡°You should understand, Marisa, that if you had only heeded my warning and stayed away from him, he wouldn¡¯t have met such a fate. His blood is on your hands.¡± Marisa, her face still buried in her knees, suddenly raised her head at Alejandro¡¯s words. Her eyes, once filled with anguish, now burned with a fierce, hateful re. Her teary eyes met his, and the unspoken usation was palpable. Tears continued to roll down her cheeks, but they were tears of anger and resentment, not remorse. ¡°You¡¯re ming me for what you did?¡± Marisa¡¯s voice quivered with a mixture of fury and disbelief. ¡°You¡¯re the one who fed him to those crocodiles! You¡¯re the one who¡¯s responsible for his death, not me!¡± Alejandro was about to respond when Marisa, consumed by anger and resentment, abruptly got down from the bed. Her eyes was fixed with hatred as she gazed at him, and her voice was trembling with a fiery intensity as she unleashed her pent-up emotions. ¡°You¡¯re a monster,¡± Marisa spat out, her wordsced with venom. ¡°I regret the day I ever met you. I hate you so much, Alejandro, and I hope you die a merciless death.¡± Her vehement words struck a chord, and for a brief moment, Alejandro¡¯s icyposure wavered. He didn¡¯t expect such a vehement and direct condemnation. He watched as Marisa, her face red with anger and eyes brimming with tears, stormed away from him. Marisa¡¯s vision blurred as she made her way to the couch where she had seen her handbag. She grabbed it with trembling hands, wiping away a fresh stream of tears with the back of her hand. Her heart was heavy with fear and anger, but her determination to escape this nightmarish situation remained unshaken. With her handbag clutched tightly to her side, Marisa stormed out of the room, leaving behind Alejandro, whose usual air of indifference had been momentarily rattled by her words. The unexpected impact of her anger and defiance had left a mark, and it was clear that he hadn¡¯t anticipated such a vehement reaction from her. Alejandro rose from the bed and walked to the standing mirror at the far end of the room. He gazed at his own reflection, his handsome features marred by the unsettling thoughts Marisa¡¯s words had ignited. Her usation, calling him a monster, echoed in his head, haunting him like a relentless ghost. As he continued to stare at his reflection, the lines on his face appeared deeper, the darkness in his eyes more pronounced. Marisa¡¯s words had struck a nerve, awakening a storm of anger and self-doubt within him. The image in the mirror seemed to mock him, reflecting not the confident and ruthless man he had always been, but a monster, as Marisa had used. The anger within Alejandro intensified as he felt the weight of his actions pressing down on him. In a fit of frustration and rage, he clenched his fist and with a powerful, furious swing, he punched the mirror. The ss shattered, shards flying in all directions, leaving his reflection fragmented and distorted. Alejandro¡¯s knuckles bled from the impact, but the pain in his hand paled inparison to the turmoil raging within him. Marisa¡¯s words and defiance had cracked his armor, and it was unclear whether this fracture could ever be mended. Chapter 40: Maria鈥檚 Determination Once Marisa swiftly exited Alejandro¡¯s hotel, she gged down a cab. Easing into the backseat, she provided the driver with her address, and without dy, the cab zoomed off. As the car smoothly traversed the road, Marisa began to recollect Alejandro¡¯s words and the disturbing video of Dave being eaten alive by a group of crocodiles. The haunting images from the video reyed in Marisa¡¯s mind, and tears welled up in her eyes, streaming down her cheeks as if trying to wash away the pain. The weight of the situation bore heavily on her, and the reality that just the day before, she and Dave had been wrapped up in the joy of a new rtionship now felt like a cruel twist of fate. As the cab moved through the city, Marisa¡¯s thoughts echoed with the memories of their budding romance ¨C theughter, the shared moments, and the excitement of exploring something new. It felt like a dream shattered by Alejandro¡¯s monstrous actions. The ache in Marisa¡¯s heart deepened as she grappled with the harsh truth that Dave, who had only just be a part of her life, was now gone. The promise of a future together had been brutally stolen, reced by the horrifying images of his demise. The injustice of it all intensified her grief, and she clutched her chest, as if trying to contain the pain within. The bright morning light blurred through the tears in Marisa¡¯s eyes, each one carrying the weight of sorrow and regret. The suddenness of Dave¡¯s absence was a harsh reality that pierced through her heart, leaving an emptiness that seemed insurmountable. She couldn¡¯tprehend how a night that began with joy had twisted into a nightmare of loss and despair. Amidst the city¡¯s bustling sounds, Marisa¡¯s silent sobs echoed, a poignant soundtrack to the overwhelming grief that enveloped her. She stared out of the cab window, as if searching for sce in the city¡¯s beautiful view, hoping to find some semnce offort in the midst of this heart-wrenching tragedy. In the solitude of the cab, regret gnawed at Marisa¡¯s soul. She couldn¡¯t shake the painful realization that meeting Alejandro was the catalyst for this devastating chain of events. The decision to engage in the hook-up business, a desperate attempt to secure funds for her son¡¯s surgery, now felt like a pact with the devil. As the cab continued its journey to her destination, Marisa¡¯s mind reyed the choices that led her to engaging in a passionate encounter with Alejandro that fateful night. The guilt weighed heavy on her, each passing moment amplifying the anguish. If only she hadn¡¯t decide to engage in the hook-up business that fateful night, Dave might still be alive, and her world wouldn¡¯t be clouded by grief. The memory of Alejandro¡¯s sinister smirk and the sinister turn of events haunted Marisa. The guilt of engaging in a transaction that paved the way for such tragedy tormented her. She couldn¡¯t escape the nagging thought that her actions, driven by desperation, had unknowingly unleashed a nightmare. Regret etched lines on Marisa¡¯s face, and her fingers clenched the edge of the seat as if seeking some anchor in the storm of remorse. The weight of guilt intensified with each passing street, as if the city itself echoed her inner turmoil. In the hushed confines of the cab, Marisa¡¯s whispered self-reproach mingled with the distant sounds of the city. If only she could rewind time and erase that ill-fated decision, sparing Dave from the gruesome fate that awaited him. The regret, like a relentless tide, threatened to drown her in sorrow. The thought that her pursuit of financial aid for her son¡¯s surgery had inadvertently be the catalyst for this tragedy pierced Marisa¡¯s heart. She questioned her choices, wondering if the desperate circumstances justified the means. The guilt of trading her well-being for her son¡¯s health now mingled with the grief of losing someone who had unknowingly walked into the crossfire of her decisions. As the cab pulled up to her destination, Marisa wiped away the tears, but the stain of regret lingered. Marisa swiftly settled the taxi fare, not bothering to collect her change as the weight of the night clung to her. The echo of her steps resonated through the hallway as she entered her apartment, greeted by theforting sight of her best friend rabelle and her son Jeffery engrossed in a movie in the living room. Jeffery¡¯s eyes lit up at Marisa¡¯s entrance, and he darted towards her, a bundle of energy and affection. Without hesitation, he wrapped his small arms around Marisa in a tight hug. Marisa, with a gentle, sad smile, bent to his level, embracing him as if seeking sce in the innocence of a child¡¯s embrace. rabelle, perceptive as always, noticed the subtle lines of distress etched on Marisa¡¯s face. ¡°Jeffery, why don¡¯t you go to your room and y with your toys while mummy and aunt have a talk?¡± Concern andpassion shone in rabelle¡¯s eyes as she gently told Jeffery to go and y with his toys in his room. Jeffery shed a cute smile at her before retreating to his haven of toys. As the living room shifted to a quieter atmosphere, Marisa took a seat beside rabelle on the couch. The weight of the morning settled between them, unspoken but palpable. rabelle, a friend who knew Marisa¡¯s heart intimately, observed the traces of sorrow etched on her face. Gently, rabelle broached the delicate subject, her voice a soothing melody in the midst of Marisa¡¯s turbulent emotions. ¡°What happened, Marisa?¡± she asked with a caring gaze, inviting her friend to share the burden that seemed to weigh so heavily on her shoulders. Marisa let out a soft sigh and fresh tears started rolling down her cheeks. Marisa¡¯s sigh carried the weight of the morning¡¯s turmoil, and as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks, rabelle instinctively moved closer. With gentle hands, she wiped away the tears that seemed to carry the anguish Marisa couldn¡¯t put into words. ¡°Marisa, please, share with me. What happened bring you to tears?¡± rabelle¡¯s voice resonated with genuine concern, mirrored in her eyes, patiently awaiting Marisa¡¯s disclosure. With a heavy heart, Marisa uttered, ¡°Dave¡­ Dave is no more.¡±All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. A puzzled expression crossed rabelle¡¯s face as she inquired, ¡°Dave? Remind me, who is Dave?¡± ¡°He¡¯s the guy I went to meet yesterday, the one I had a date with¡­ He¡¯s gone,¡± Marisa stuttered, tears streaming down her face. ¡°Oh my God!¡± rabelle gasped, her hands instinctively covering her mouth. ¡°What happened to him?¡± ¡°He was killed,¡± Marisa replied, sniffling. ¡°Killed? By whom?¡± rabelle pressed for details. ¡°Dave was murdered by a man named Alejandro,¡± Marisa revealed. ¡°Who is Alejandro?¡± rabelle questioned, trying to recall any connection. ¡°Do you remember the night we gathered money for Jeffery¡¯s surgery?¡± Marisa asked. ¡°Yes, I do,¡± rabelle affirmed. ¡°What does that have to do with Dave?¡± ¡°That night, I got the money through a one-time hookup arranged on the site,¡± Marisa exined. ¡°I remember,¡± rabelle said. ¡°How does that rte to Dave¡¯s death?¡± ¡°Alejandro, the man who booked me that night, is the same man I slept with. He¡¯s the one who killed Dave,¡± Marisa confessed. ¡°So, the man you had a hookup with was also Dave¡¯s murderer?¡± rabelle sought confirmation. ¡°Yes,¡± Marisa nodded, fresh tears flowing. ¡°That devil named Alejandro is the one who took Dave away for no sensible reason.¡± rabelle¡¯s heart wrenched with empathy as she observed her friend¡¯s tears. ¡°It¡¯s going to be alright, Marisa,¡± she reassured in a gentle tone, enveloping Marisa in aforting embrace that encouraged her to rest her head on rabelle¡¯s chest. ¡°Dave is gone and it¡¯s all my fault.¡± Marisa sobbed. rabelle held Marisa even tighter, offering sce as tears continued to flow. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Marisa. Stop crying,¡± she whispered softly, providing aforting embrace that allowed Marisa to rest her head on her chest. Amidst sobs, Marisa expressed deep regret, ¡°I wish I hadn¡¯t engaged in that hookup business that night. If I hadn¡¯t done that stupid thing, I wouldn¡¯t have met Alejandro, and Dave would still be alive.¡± Her voice resonated with the weight of remorse and pain. rabelle, with a gentle tone, countered, ¡°But if that had happened, then Jeffrey would be paralyzed today.¡± As the words hung in the air, Marisa looked up, her tear-streaked face reflecting confusion. ¡°What do you mean?¡± rabelle sighed,posing herself before exining, ¡°The money you earned that night, through that hookup, was crucial for Jeffrey¡¯s surgery. If you hadn¡¯t met Alejandro, you might not have had that opportunity. Jeffrey¡¯s health was at stake, and your sacrifice, though unintended, saved him from paralysis.¡± Marisa sniffled, contemting rabelle¡¯s words. Indeed, rabelle was right. If she hadn¡¯t made the choices she did that fateful night, her son might still be paralyzed today. Yet, amidst the rationality, a heavy burden lingered-Marisa couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that she yed a role in Dave¡¯s tragic end, just as Alejandro had imed. If only she had heeded Alejandro¡¯s warning and kept her distance from Dave, perhaps he would still be alive, spared from a cruel fate. With a soft sigh, Marisa sat upright, wiping away tears before turning to face rabelle. ¡°ra, today¡¯s Sunday, right?¡± she inquired. ¡°Yes,¡± rabelle confirmed, curious about the sudden question. ¡°Why do you ask?¡± ¡°Because I want to go to church,¡± Marisa dered, surprising rabelle. ¡°You want to go to church?¡± rabelle questioned in disbelief. ¡°Yeah,¡± Marisa nodded. ¡°And why the sudden desire to attend church after five years of not going?¡± rabelle probed. ¡°Because I have a request to ask from God,¡± Marisa replied. rabelle, intrigued, asked, ¡°And what might that request be?¡± ¡°I want God to take Alejandro¡¯s life,¡± Marisa stated with determination. ¡ª Within the formidable Gambino empire, Alejandro engaged in a discussion with his twin brother and the empire¡¯s top members. The twins upied separate couches, emanating an air of authority, while the esteemed members stood attentively before them. ¡°Last night,¡± Alejandro¡¯s voice resonated with a grave seriousness. ¡°We acquired vital information about the bastard known as Salvador Morello.¡± He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle before continuing, ¡°As you all know, Salvador is the head of our rival family, the Morello. We¡¯ve been pursuing him for years, but he always eluded us. Now, we have his current whereabouts, and this morning, we will put an end to him.¡± Rising to his feet, Alejandro adjusted his expensive white tuxedo, dering, ¡°Salvador is disguising as a reverend and is currently within Saint Patrick Catholic Church on Broadway Street. Today marks his final day on this earth. Today is the day he descends into the depths of hell.¡± Chapter 41: Marisa鈥檚 Perilous Encounter At Saint Patrick Catholic Church, the sacred space teemed with an overflow of worshippers, epassing a diverse spectrum of individuals hailing from varied socioeconomic backgrounds. In the midst of this congregational assembly, Marisa upied her seat, engrossed in the Reverend¡¯s sermon, her countenance reflective of a solemn contemtion. The Reverend sermon was centered on the theme of love, yet Marisa found her thoughts drifting off to Dave. The recent transformation of their rtionship into a romantic rtionship the previous evening inflicted a poignant ache upon her. This emotional distress waspounded by the realization that Dave held the distinction of being her first boyfriend in five years. However, the magnitude of her sorrow was furtherpounded by the fact that Dave¡¯s tragic demise was as a result of the decisions she had made. She felt a heavy burden of guilt because the choices she made were the ones that ultimately caused Dave¡¯s untimely death. Looking back, the lingering advice from Alejandro echoed in her mind. If she had only listened to his warning and avoided intertwining her destiny with Dave¡¯s, the tragic story might have been prevented. However, a conflict brewed inside Marisa, doubting if Alejandro really had the right to give such advice. Strongly disagreeing, she insisted that Alejandro had no business meddling in the fabric of her life or deciding how she should connect with others. Her feelings solidified into a strong im of independence, stating that sharing an intimate night with Alejandro didn¡¯t give him the right to limit her choices. Marisa firmly defended her right to choose who she spends time with and make clear decisions about those she prefers to keep at a distance. In her eyes, Alejandro¡¯s counsel was unwarranted interference, and she defiantly asserted her entitlement to navigate thebyrinth of her life guided solely by her own volition. As the reverend¡¯s sermon echoed through the sacred space, Marisa, in quiet supplication, began a silent plea. ¡°Dear God, though I¡¯m not a frequent visitor to Your house, Ie today with a painful request,¡± she whispered. A pause lingered before she resumed, ¡°There¡¯s a devil haunting me since I spent a night with him, and I ask for your intervention. I don¡¯t want to see him again; please, remove him from my life. Take his life¡­¡± Suddenly, a thunderous ¡°BANG!¡± shattered the solemnity as the church doors swung open in a rough manner, interrupting Marisa¡¯s unfinished prayer. In the sacred silence of the church, a collective hush fell as all eyes converged on the entrance. Marisa¡¯s heart raced, its beats echoing in the sudden stillness. The air thickened with tension as Alejandro and his menacing entourage strode in, their hands gripping sophisticated weaponry that gleamed ominously.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. As Marisa locked eyes with Alejandro, the source of her pain and fears, disbelief held her captive. It was hard to believe that the very devil she sought refuge from in prayer now stood in the same building with her. A gasp caught in her throat, suspended in the charged atmosphere, as Alejandro¡¯s gaze met hers, intertwining fate and fear in an unspoken connection. A dangerous smirk yed on Alejandro¡¯s lips, and he and his men walked right into the church in a majestic manner. Alejandro and his twin brother, Alexandro, along with some of their men, had cigarettes in their mouths, smoking inside the church like it was no big deal. The reverend remained standing on the altar, looking shocked as Alejandro and his men got closer to the altar. Without wasting time, the reverend ran through a backdoor behind the altar, like he was being chased by something unseen. ¡°Go after that bastard!!!¡± Alejandro yelled, urging his men to chase after the fleeing reverend. Alexandro also joined in the chase, and they all ram through the backdoor on the altar. As they sprinted in pursuit, Alejandro stayedposed, choosing not to join the chase. Instead, he calmly advanced towards the altar, reaching it without haste. Once there, he ascended the tform and confidently seized the microphone. The church members, gripped by fear and shock, fell into a stunned silence. Not a word escaped their lips; all they could manage was to gaze wide-eyed at Alejandro. He stood at the altar, cigarette in hand, an imposing figure that held the entire congregation captive as he took control of the microphone. ¡°Good morning, children of God, I suppose,¡± Alejandro began, a mischievous smirk lingering on his lips. ¡°I know most of you¡¯re wondering why we came here and why we interrupted your service. Well, we didn¡¯te here to worship God or whoever you¡¯re worshipping. We came here to KILL!¡± His ominous words hung heavily in the air, sending shivers through the already terrified congregation. The church, once a sanctuary of peace, now resonated with an unsettling tension as Alejandro¡¯s chilling deration echoed in the sacred space. ¡°Don¡¯t be scared. I¡¯m not gonna kill you,¡± Alejandro said, his smirk widening. ¡°And the reason why I¡¯m not gonna kill you is because my sweetheart is here.¡± His eyes locked onto Marisa, causing her eyes to widen in shock. Confusion spread through the church as everyone started looking around, trying to discern who Alejandro was referring to as his sweetheart. Alejandro continued, ¡°Now, I want you all to get the fuck out of this church within ten seconds!¡± The urgency in hismand hung in the air, propelling the congregation into a frantic scramble as they hurriedly made their way towards the exit, fear etched across their faces. The moment Alejandro uttered those words, a chaotic exodus ensued as everyone rushed out of the church, driven by a primal instinct to escape the looming threat. Marisa, too, joined the frantic stream heading towards the exit, determined to put distance between herself and the unfolding danger. However, just as she neared the church¡¯s threshold, Alejandro¡¯s authoritative voice resonated, freezing her in her tracks. ¡°Stop right there, sweetheart! You¡¯re not permitted to go out!¡± Alejandro dered, discarding the microphone with a dismissive gesture. Swiftly descending from the altar, he advanced towards Marisa, each deliberate step echoing in the now-empty church. Marisa, paralyzed with fear, stood rooted to her spot, her nerves intensifying with every approaching footfall. As the church emptied, leaving only an eerie silence in its wake, Marisa and Alejandro found themselves alone in the hallowed space. Alejandro continued smoking as he approached Marisa. Her back was facing him, so he could observe her posture. His attention, however, was solely fixed on her backside as he approached her. Mere staring at her backside gave him a strong boner, and he felt like fucking her right there. An ufortable tension hung in the air, and as he drew nearer, Marisa, still frozen in ce, could sense the intensity of his gaze. The atmosphere became charged with an unsettling energy, and Marisa felt a growing unease. The deserted church echoed with the hollow sound of Alejandro¡¯s footsteps, underscoring the istion of this ominous encounter. Alejandro finally got to her, and she gasped when she felt his arm wrapping around her waist from behind, and he pulled her closer to himself, making her backside rest on him. She gulped when she felt his erection, and her heart started racing at their closeness. ¡°Sweetheart,¡± Alejandro whispered into her ear, his warm breath gently caressing her neck and causing her to shiver slightly. ¡°I¡¯m quite surprised to find you here because I wasn¡¯t expecting you to be a churchgoer.¡± Marisa, caught in the disconcerting embrace, struggled to find her voice. The closeness of their bodies heightened the unease, and despite her instinct to push him away and flee, fear paralyzed her. The memory of Alejandro¡¯s ruthless act, feeding Dave to crocodiles without remorse, loomedrge in her mind, intensifying the grip of dread that kept her rooted in ce. ¡°Sweetheart,¡± Alejandro continued, his hand moving under her ck gown. ¡°Do you know why we always find ourselves crossing paths, even when it¡¯s unnned? Have you ever wondered why you encounter me everywhere you go?¡± Marisa, trapped in a turmoil of fear and difort, found herself unable to respond as Alejandro¡¯s right hand was already under her gown, and his fingers shifted her panties, causing her breathe to be unsteady and her body to shiver. ¡°Seems like you don¡¯t know the reason why we always encounter each other,¡± Alejandro said, his voice carrying a mixture of amusement and something more sinister. ¡°Well, I¡¯m gonna tell you the reason why, and the reason is because you belong to me. YOU ARE MINE, MARISA.¡± Chapter 42: Captivated Marisa, scared and uneasy, tried to understand what was happening. Alejandro¡¯s possessive words and actions made her feel stuck in a nightmare. The once-holy ce now felt like a battlefield where Marisa confronted the harsh reality of her choices. As Alejandro continued making unwanted advances, Marisa gathered courage to speak up. ¡°Alejandro, this isn¡¯t what I want. Please, let me go,¡± she begged, her voice shaky with fear and defiance. The empty church echoed her plea eerily. Alejandro, seeming unbothered, held onto her tighter, acting confident and menacing. ¡°You don¡¯t get it, Marisa. You belong to me, and I always get what¡¯s mine,¡± he dered with a creepy certainty, his fingers continuing their unwanted exploration beneath her gown. Desperate to escape, Marisa pushed away from Alejandro, creating a small but crucial distance. Her eyes, filled with fear and determination, locked onto his, silently telling him she wouldn¡¯t give in. The church, once peaceful, witnessed this disturbing confrontation. Marisa, fueled by inner strength, seized the chance to break free. With a burst of speed, she sprinted towards the exit, her footsteps echoing the tension in the empty church. As she neared the door, Alejandro¡¯s voice echoed again. ¡°Stop right there, sweetheart! You¡¯re not allowed to go out!¡± Themanding tone froze Marisa, frustration mixing with fear in her eyes. Alejandro approached with deliberate steps, casting a dark shadow over the deserted church. Marisa, remained on her spot, prepared for whatever sinister intentions awaited her. The air hung heavy with uncertainty, and the once-holy space now felt creepy and scary. In this vulnerable moment, Marisa¡¯s thoughts raced, weighing her options and grappling with the consequences of her past choices. As Marisa remained transfixed on her spot, Alejandro swiftly closed the distance between them. He caught up with her and, with a calcted move, turned her around to face him. His expression, a sinister smirk ying on his lips, conveyed a sense of malevolence that intensified the eerie atmosphere in the deste church. ¡°Running away, sweetheart? You can¡¯t escape me,¡± Alejandro taunted, his voice dripping with a disturbing mix of arrogance and possession. Marisa, now facing him, felt a surge of anxiety as his arm snaked around her waist, pulling her closer to him with an unsettling sense of control. Her heart began to race, the rhythmic beats echoing in her ears as fear and panic gripped her. ¡°Alejandro, please, let me go,¡± Marisa pleaded, her voice shaky and desperate. The once-holy space absorbed her plea, amplifying the tense exchange between them. Alejandro¡¯s smirk widened at her plea, and he casually used his hand to sweep a strand of hair off her face, tucking it behind her ear with a deceptive gentleness. The unsettling contrast between his actions and the sinister aura he exuded left Marisa unnerved. ¡°You think you can just walk away? You belong to no one but me,¡± Alejandro asserted, his tone possessive and unyielding. Marisa, feeling a rising sense of panic, struggled to free herself from his grip, but Alejandro¡¯s strength proved overpowering. As she wrestled against his hold, Alejandro maintained his control, his grip unyielding. ¡°You¡¯re mine, Marisa. Get used to it,¡± he dered with an air of dominance, and the hollowness of the church echoed his unsettling promation. ¡°Please, Alejandro, just let me go,¡± Marisa pleaded, her eyes pleading for mercy as she continued to struggle against his hold. ¡°Why did you evene to this church?¡± Alejandro questioned, his tone cold and demanding. Nervously, Marisa replied, ¡°I just came to pray, Alejandro. Please, I didn¡¯t mean to cause any trouble.¡± Alejandro smirked, a sinister amusement ying on his face as he noticed her unease. ¡°You¡¯re lying, Marisa,¡± he stated with certainty, his voice cutting through the strained air. ¡°You¡¯re lying,¡± Alejandro repeated, his gaze unwavering. ¡°You came here because you feel guilty, don¡¯t you? Guilty for the death of your boyfriend, Dave, or whatever his name is.¡± At the mention of Dave¡¯s name, Marisa¡¯s countenance suddenly changed. The pain and guilt etched on her face were impossible to conceal. Alejandro, reveling in her difort, continued, ¡°I know you feel responsible for Dave¡¯s death. If only you had listened to my warning and stayed away from him, he¡¯d still be alive.¡± Marisa, infuriated by Alejandro¡¯s usatory words, snapped, ¡°You have no right toe into my life and just kill the person I love! You¡¯re an animal for killing Dave!¡± Alejandro, unmoved by her anger, maintained his smirk. ¡°You should have listened, Marisa. Now you¡¯re mine, and there¡¯s no escaping it,¡± he dered, the echo of his chilling words lingering in the deste church. Marisa, a mix of fear and anger in her eyes, retorted with defiance, ¡°I won¡¯t let you control my life, Alejandro. You can¡¯t just take away someone I care about and expect me to submit to you.¡± Alejandro, undeterred, tightened his grip on her and taunted, ¡°You have no choice, Marisa. You¡¯re bound to me, whether you like it or not.¡± As Marisa struggled against his hold, Alejandro¡¯s cruel smirk persisted. ¡°You think you can resist? You¡¯re just a pawn in this game, and I always get what I want,¡± he dered, his voice dripping with sinister satisfaction. Marisa, fueled by a surge of determination, shot back, ¡°You¡¯re wrong, Alejandro. I won¡¯t let you dictate my life. I won¡¯t let Dave¡¯s death be in vain.¡± Alejandro, amused by her defiance, chuckled darkly. ¡°You¡¯re feisty, Marisa. I like that. But you need to understand ¨C I decide your fate now.¡± With an unsettling calmness, Alejandro continued, ¡°You¡¯re here because you¡¯re haunted by guilt. Every time you close your eyes, you see Dave¡¯s face, and you know deep down that it¡¯s your fault.¡± Marisa¡¯s eyes welled with a mixture of sorrow and anger. ¡°You don¡¯t know anything about me or my feelings,¡± she spat back. Alejandro, unyielding, pressed on, ¡°I know enough, Marisa. I know you regret not heeding my warning. But it¡¯s toote. Dave is gone, and you¡¯re mine.¡± Marisa became fueled by a surge of defiance, and she continued to struggle against Alejandro¡¯s unyielding grip. ¡°Let me go, Alejandro! I won¡¯t let you control me!¡± she eximed, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and determination. Ignoring her pleas, Alejandro pulled her even closer, his forceful embrace leaving Marisa feeling trapped. In a sudden and aggressive move, he kissed her, his lips pressing forcefully against hers. Groaning in protest, Marisa tried to break free from the unwanted kiss. ¡°Stop it, Alejandro! I won¡¯t let you do this!¡± she protested, her words muffled by the force of his advance. Undeterred, Alejandro persisted, his kisses growing more insistent. Marisa, in a desperate attempt to fend him off, bit down on his lips, causing him to break the kiss with a pained expression. Marisa, now freed from the forceful kiss, didn¡¯t hesitate. She pped Alejandro hard across the face, the sound echoing in the empty church. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare touch me like that! I won¡¯t be your pawn,¡± she spat, her eyes zing with anger and defiance. Alejandro, nursing the sting of the p, chuckled darkly. ¡°Feisty and defiant. I like it. You are giving me more reasons to like you more, Marisa,¡± he sneered, the menacing smirk still etched across his face. Marisa, undeterred by Alejandro¡¯s ominous approval, shot back with a fiery determination, ¡°Your liking means nothing to me. I won¡¯t let you make me into something I¡¯m not.¡± Alejandro, still smirking, traced a finger along the side of her face, a chilling gesture that sent shivers down Marisa¡¯s spine. ¡°You can¡¯t escape what¡¯s destined, Marisa. You¡¯re mine, and no amount of resistance will change that.¡± Marisa, fueled by a renewed surge of defiance, retorted, ¡°I don¡¯t believe in your twisted version of destiny. I make my own choices, and I won¡¯t let you dictate my life.¡± In response, Alejandro tightened his grip on her once again, his eyes narrowing with a sinister gleam. ¡°Stubborn and rebellious. But that won¡¯t change anything. You¡¯re bound to me, and you¡¯ll learn to ept it.¡± Marisa, her resolve unbroken, continued to resist. ¡°I¡¯ll never ept it. I won¡¯t let you control my life or my choices,¡± she asserted, her voice defiant despite the overwhelming sense of dread. Alejandro, with a dark chuckle, leaned in close, his lips brushing against her ear. ¡°We¡¯ll see about that, Marisa. Resistance only makes the eventual surrender more satisfying.¡± As Alejandro continued to assert his dominance, Marisa¡¯s protests grew louder. ¡°Get the fuck off me, you maniac! Let me go!¡± she screamed, her voice filled with desperation. Ignoring her pleas, Alejandro lifted Marisa effortlessly off the ground, slinging her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Her kicks and punchesnded on his back, but he remained unfazed as he carried her out of the church.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Stop it! Drop me!¡± Marisa yelled, her strikes bing more frantic as she hoped to inflict enough pain to make him release his grip. Undeterred, Alejandro continued his march toward a sleek ck Ferrari parked outside,pletely impervious to her screams and the futile assault on his back. Upon reaching the car, Alejandro was met by six of his men, standing in a calcted formation. He addressed them with a cold authority, ¡°Tell Alexandro I¡¯m heading back to the vi. Ensure Salvador Morello is brought to me, dead or alive.¡± The men bowed inpliance, and shivers ran down Marisa¡¯s spine as she heard Alejandro¡¯s ominous instructions to his henchmen. ¡°Drop me, you monster!¡± Marisa screamed once more, but Alejandro paid no heed. Instead, he ced her in the backseat of the Ferrari, mming the door shut. ¡°Unlock the door! Let me go!¡± Marisa demanded, rattling the door in vain realization that she was trapped. Alejandro, undisturbed by her protests, collected the car key from one of his men and assumed the driver¡¯s seat. ¡°You¡¯reing with me to the vi, Marisa. Get used to it. You¡¯ll be staying with me forever,¡± he dered, a sinister gleam in his eyes. As the engine roared to life, Marisa¡¯s pleas echoed in the confined space of the car. ¡°Please, Alejandro, let me go! Unlock the door! Let me out of here!¡± Ignoring her, Alejandro adjusted the rearview mirror with a cold smile. ¡°You¡¯re mine now, Marisa,¡± he stated before stepping on the elerator, the Ferrari zooming away, leaving the deste church behind and propelling Marisa into a perilous journey with no clear escape. Chapter 43: Marisa鈥檚 Harrowing Journey Marisa, trapped in the backseat, unleashed a torrent of desperate cries. ¡°Stop the car, Alejandro! I won¡¯t go with you! You can¡¯t force me to follow you to wherever the hell you¡¯re taking me!¡±All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Alejandro, his eyes fixed on her through the rearview mirror, responded with a cold, ¡°Shut up, Marisa.¡± But Marisa, undeterred by hismand, continued to resist. ¡°I won¡¯t shut up! Turn this car around right now! I won¡¯t let you control my life!¡± Alejandro¡¯s grip on the steering wheel tightened as Marisa¡¯s defiance fueled her determination. ¡°You¡¯re mine, Marisa. You¡¯ll learn to ept it,¡± he retorted, his voice cutting through the tension in the confined space of the car. As the Ferrari sped toward the Gambino¡¯s Vi, Marisa¡¯s desperate protests echoed in the air, each plea a testament to her refusal to sumb to Alejandro¡¯s oppressive will. ¡°Listen, Alejandro! I have a son to take care of! You can¡¯t just take me away like this!¡± Marisa shouted, her voiceced with desperation. Alejandro, maintaining his icyposure, smirked through the rearview mirror. ¡°Nothing will happen to Jeffery. He¡¯ll be fine,¡± he replied, his words oozing with a sinister assurance. Marisa¡¯s eyes widened with disbelief. ¡°And what the fuck makes you say that?¡± she demanded, her fear deepening at the thought of Alejandro bringing her son into the perilous situation. ¡°Let¡¯s just say I have my men keeping a watch on your son, Marisa,¡± Alejandro sneered, his gaze unwavering as he navigated the winding road. ¡°You stay away from my son! He¡¯s innocent in all of this!¡± Marisa pleaded, her desperation intensifying. Alejandro chuckled darkly. ¡°Your son won¡¯t be harmed. Just remember, Marisa, you¡¯re the one who chose this path.¡± As the Ferrari continued its relentless journey towards an uncertain destination, Marisa grappled with the chilling reality that her struggles were not only impacting her life but also casting a shadow over the innocence of her son. As the Ferrari cut through the morning, Marisa¡¯s worry for her son intensified. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she began to sob, regret weighing heavy on her heart. The decisions of the past few weeks haunted her, and the consequences of those choices now loomed over her like a dark cloud. Regret washed over Marisa like a tidal wave. Shemented the night she slept with Alejandro, wishing she had found another way to secure the money for her son¡¯s surgery, a way that didn¡¯t involve venturing into the dangerous world of hook-ups. ¡°Why did I ept that offer?¡± Marisa muttered to herself, the weight of her choices bing unbearable. She wished she had turned away when her friend, rabelle, introduced her to the perilous path she now found herself on. Amidst Marisa¡¯s sorrow, Alejandro heard her sobbing. He turned to look at her briefly, his face unreadable. ¡°Stop crying,¡± he ordered, his tone cold and indifferent, before returning his attention to the road. ¡°Shut your mouth up, Alejandro!¡± Marisa snapped angrily, her tears streaming down her face. ¡°You don¡¯t have the right to tell me to shut up or say anything to me!¡± Alejandro, unfazed by her outburst, continued driving, his expression unchanged. Marisa, fueled by anger and despair, yelled, ¡°I regret the day I met you! I regret the night I slept with you! I regret the day you came into my life!¡± As her words hung in the air, Alejandro suddenly brought the car to a stop. The abrupt halt startled Marisa, and a tense silence settled in the confined space of the Ferrari. As the Ferrari came to an abrupt stop, Marisa¡¯s heart raced with uncertainty. She wondered why Alejandro had halted their journey and what chilling revtion awaited her. Turning to face her, Alejandro¡¯s expression remained cold, his patience clearly wearing thin. ¡°You¡¯re infuriating me, Marisa. Shut the fuck up before I decide to end this right now,¡± he dered, his wordsced with a dangerous intensity. In response, Marisa, a mixture of mockery and anger in her tone, dared him, ¡°Go ahead, Alejandro. Shoot me if that¡¯s what you want. I¡¯m not afraid of you.¡± A flicker of anger crossed Alejandro¡¯s face, and without hesitation, he brought out a gun from under his suit, leaving Marisa taken aback. The metallic gleam of the weapon sent a shiver down her spine as Alejandro pointed it menacingly at her face. ¡°Don¡¯t dare me, Marisa. If you value your life, you won¡¯t push me further,¡± Alejandro warned, the gun a menacing extension of his control. The tension in the car reached a chilling peak, but Marisa decided not to let him see the fear in her eyes. Composing herself, Marisa smirked defiantly. ¡°Pull the trigger, Alejandro. Let¡¯s see how far you¡¯re willing to go. Pull the trigger if you have the guts, Alejandro. Come on, do it!¡± she challenged, her bravado masking the fear that lurked beneath the surface. Alejandro clenched his jaw, and then he did the unthinkable. With a sudden and shocking motion, he pulled the trigger without thinking twice. Marisa screamed in terror, shutting her eyes in anticipation of the gunshot. Slowly opening her eyes, relief washed over Marisa when she realized he hadn¡¯t shot her. However, as she nced beside her, the discovery of a gun hole in the seat sent another wave of fear through her. ¡°You¡¯re ying with fire, Marisa. Never dare me if you want to see your son again,¡± Alejandro warned, his tone cold and unforgiving. Turning away, Alejandro dropped the gun on the seat beside him, and with a determined resolve, he started the car once again. The Ferrari roared back to life, resuming its journey towards the ominous Gambino¡¯s Vi, leaving Marisa to grapple with the unsettling reality of her precarious situation. As the Ferrari resumed its journey towards the Gambino¡¯s Vi, a heavy silence settled in the car. Marisa, her bravado reced by a sense of dread, began to sob quietly. Each tear that fell bore the weight of her despair and the realization of the perilous situation she now found herself in. Her thoughts raced, desperately seeking a glimmer of hope, a n to escape the clutches of Alejandro. The seat beside her bore witness to the gunshot that narrowly missed her, and that was a chilling reminder of the danger that lurked within the confines of the car. Amidst her tears, Marisa clung to the fragile hope that an opportunity to break free would present itself. She silently vowed to herself that she would find a way to escape Alejandro¡¯s control, to reunite with her son, and to rewrite the twisted fate that seemed to be closing in around her. Chapter 44: Threatened After a thirty minute drive, Alejandro and Marisa finally arrived at the Gambino¡¯s empire. Pulling up at the parking lot, Alejandro turned off the car and stepped out. One of his men rushed forward to open the door for Marisa. Marisa remained inside the car, staring around the empire through the car window. ¡°Are you gonna keep sitting there all day or are you gonna step the fuck out?¡± Alejandro said from outside the car. Marisa rolled her eyes at him before stepping out of the vehicle. The moment she stepped out of the vehicle, she couldn¡¯t help but admire the beauty of the Gambino¡¯s empire. The tall buildings, the shiny, expensive cars, the surroundings, the hundreds of mobsters dressed in ck suits; she was marvelled by them all. As she gazed around her surroundings, she forgot about her problems; she forgot that she was Alejandro¡¯s captive. All she wanted to do at that moment was to admire the beauty around her. The Gambinos¡¯ empire was just too beautiful to be ignored. It was too beautiful to be owned by a Mafia family. As she checked out the scene, she kinda forgot she was stuck with Alejandro. The fancy surroundings overshadowed the problems for a bit. The big buildings, fancy cars, and all those mobsters ¨C it was like a scene from a movie. Alejandro, watching her reaction, smirked. ¡°Impressed, huh? Wee to the real world, Marisa,¡± he said, sounding kinda amused and superior. Marisa, caught between the beauty and her messed-up situation, gave a sarcastic smile. ¡°Oh, what a charming world you¡¯ve brought me into, Alejandro. Truly enchanting,¡± she replied, her words kinda dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Follow me.¡± Alejandro said with a cold tone. Alejandro adjusted his white suit jacket, then he began walking towards the entrance of one of the buildings in thergepound. ¡°I¡¯m not following you anywhere.¡± Marisa said, prompting Alejandro to stop in his tracks and turn around. ¡°Did you say something?¡± He asked, even though he clearly heard what we said. ¡°I said I¡¯m not following you anywhere.¡± Marisa repeated confidently. Alejandro smirked as he buried his right hand in his pocket, then he began approaching Marisa slowly. Marisa remained on her spot with a confident expression on her face as she watched Alejandro approaching her. She swallowed nothing as Alejandro stood in front her. ¡°Sweetheart,¡± Alejandro said, raising his hand to touch her face. ¡°You¡¯re in my empire, and as long as you¡¯re here, you¡¯ll do as I say.¡± Marisa angrily pped his hand off her face, ¡°I¡¯ve told you a countless times not to talk to me like you own me. You don¡¯t fucking own me, so I¡¯m not gonna do as you fucking say!¡± Alejandro¡¯s smirk widened, ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Marisa replied, trying to act confident even though she was so scared of him, especially now that he was smirking widely. ¡°Do you still wanna live to see Jeffery?¡± Alejandro asked with a mischievous smirk dancing on his lips. Marisa¡¯s heart skipped a beat the moment Alejandro mentioned Jeffery¡¯s name. Before Alejandro could blink an eye, Marisa delivered a resounding p to his face. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare say my son¡¯s name. An animal like you doesn¡¯t deserve to say his name,¡± she said with a fierce look. In a split second, dozens of men surrounded Alejandro and Marisa, and they all drew out their guns, then they all aimed their guns at Marisa. Marisa¡¯s eyes widened with fear when she saw the number of guns pointed at her. She started regretting the moment she pped Alejandro. Alejandro raised his hand, signalling to his men to lower their weapons. His men got the signal and lowered their weapons. A sigh of relief escaped Marisa¡¯s lips as the men returned back to their positions.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Suddenly, Alejandro grabbed her neck and made her look at his face, ¡°If you still value your life, then don¡¯t ever try the shit you just did! Understand?¡± He said with a dangerous tone which sent shivers down Marisa¡¯s spine. Marisa¡¯s heart began racing as she gazed at Alejandro¡¯s face which now looked dangerous and scary. ¡°I asked you a fucking question. Do you understand what I said?¡± Alejandro raised his voice, and she nodded fearfully as his grip on her neck tightened, making it hard for her to breathe properly. ¡°Good,¡± Alejandro said with a smirk as he released his grip on her neck. ¡°Now, follow me.¡± As Alejandro started walking towards the building, Marisa coughed and took a moment topose herself. As she rubbed her neck, she gazed hatefully at Alejandro¡¯s retreating figure. She couldn¡¯t believe that he almost choked her to death. Alejandro suddenly stopped walking, and he turned around to look at Marisa, ¡°Youing or not?¡± He asked, raising his voice a bit so she would be able to hear him. Marisa rolled her eyes at him before walking towards him. The both of them walked inside one of the buildings in the empire, and the moment they stepped in, Marisa¡¯s eyes went wide with astonishment. In all the years of her life, she had never seen such luxury as the one she was presently seeing. They were inside Alejandro¡¯s living room, and inside the living room, everything in it screamed wealth. The living room itself wasrge enough to contain over two hundred people. Everything inside, starting from the couch to the golden chandeliers, to the golden statues; they all looked shiny and expensive. Marisa remained on her spot as she gazed around in awe. She had never seen such wealth and luxury, not even in movies. There were about three dozens of mobsters positioned in every corner of the room. They were all dressed in ck suits and they all had dark shades on their dangerous-looking faces. Marisa was quite surprised to see the mobsters dressed in dark suits. She wasn¡¯t expecting mobsters to look neat and smart. The mobsters she had always seen in movies all looked rugged, and they always dressed badly. ¡°You like what you seeing?¡± Alejandro suddenly asked from behind Marisa, causing her to gasp and flinch. ¡°You fucking scared me!¡± Marisa eximed angrily as she turned around to look at Alejandro, who had two sses of red wine in his hands. ¡°You want some?¡± Alejandro asked, stretching one of the sses of wine to her. ¡°I don¡¯t want your fucking wine,¡± Marisa replied with a deep frown on her face. ¡°All I want is to get the fuck out of her and return back to my son.¡± ¡°I¡¯m trying to act nice to you, so the least you can do is to ept my kind gesture.¡± Alejandro said, and Marisa rolled her eyes at him. ¡°I didn¡¯t ask you to act nice to me. All I want is just to get the fuck out of this ce.¡± Marisa replied. Alejandro chuckled softly before gulping down one of the sses of wine. Then he began walking towards a couch with the second ss of wine in his hand. Marisa watched as he majestically sat on the couch, and he crossed his legs before taking a sip from the wine. ¡°Have a seat, sweetheart, and let¡¯s talk.¡± Alejandro said with a calm voice. Marisa gazed at him for a while before sitting down on the couch which was opposite him. Alejandro¡¯s lips curled into a mischievous smirk as he gazed at her body. Marisa noticed him staring at her body lustfully, causing her to clear her throat and adjust herself properly on the couch. ¡°Marisa,¡± Alejandro began, cing his ss of wine on the table in-between him and Marisa. ¡°I know you want to return back to your son, but thates at a cost.¡± ¡°And what is the fucking cost?¡± Marisa asked with a frown. ¡°You¡¯ll have to obey each and every of mymands throughout the days you¡¯d spend in my empire.¡± Alejandro replied with a wide smirk. Marisa red at Alejandro, a mix of anger and defiance in her eyes. ¡°You think I¡¯ll just obediently follow your everymand? Dream on, Alejandro.¡± He leaned back on the couch, swirling the wine in his ss. ¡°You don¡¯t have much of a choice, Marisa. I control the strings here. You either y along, or things can get a lot uglier.¡± Marisa scoffed, crossing her arms. ¡°Uglier? You almost choked me back there. What could be uglier than that?¡± Alejandro¡¯s smirk faded for a moment, reced by a hint of irritation. ¡°That was a consequence of your actions. Disobey again, and you¡¯ll see what real consequences look like.¡± Marisa clenched her jaw, suppressing her frustration. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll y your little game. But don¡¯t think for a second that I¡¯m doing it willingly. The moment I get a chance, I¡¯m out of here.¡± Alejandro chuckled, seemingly amused by her defiance. ¡°We¡¯ll see about that, Marisa. Now, let¡¯s discuss the specifics of your ¡®stay¡¯ here.¡± As Alejandro delved into the details of what he expected from Marisa, she listened with a simmering anger. The demands were unreasonable, and she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that this supposed deal was just a way for Alejandro to exert control over her life. Throughout the conversation, Marisa strategized, looking for loopholes and opportunities to resist. She knew that ying along was her only option for now, but she refused to let Alejandro break her spirit. As the discussion continued, Marisa¡¯s mind raced with thoughts of her son, Jeffery, waiting for her to return. Alejandro, seemingly satisfied with their ¡®agreement,¡¯ leaned back with a triumphant smile. ¡°Now that we understand each other, your new life in the Gambino¡¯s empire begins.¡± Marisa, masking her inner turmoil, forced a nod. ¡°Just remember, Alejandro, this is not over. I¡¯ll find a way out, and you won¡¯t control me forever.¡± Alejandro chuckled and signalled towards a maid. The maid approached them and she bowed respectfully. ¡°Take my sweetheart over here to her room.¡± Alejandro said to the maid without taking his gaze off Marisa¡¯s face. ¡°Alright, sir,¡± the maid bowed and turned her attention to Marisa. ¡°Follow me, ma¡¯am.¡± Marisa gazed at Alejandro for a while before rising from the couch, then she followed the maid upstairs. Marisa, while walking up the stairs behind the maid, felt Alejandro¡¯s eyes on her. Each step she took carried a silent promise to herself ¨C she¡¯d find a way to break free from the grip of the Gambino¡¯s empire. The maid guided Marisa through a maze of fancy hallways, stopping at a beautifully designed door. ¡°This is where you¡¯ll stay, ma¡¯am,¡± the maid said with a little bow. Entering the room, Marisa took in thevish surroundings. Despite the elegance, the room served as a constant reminder of her captivity. As the door closed softly behind her, Marisa found herself alone in what felt like a gilded cage. She walked to the window, looking out at the vast empire below. As she gazed out the window, Marisa thought about the challenges she¡¯d face. Determined not to lose hope, Marisa began to n. She observed every detail of the room, searching for any potential escape routes or weaknesses. Her mind raced with thoughts of Jeffery, hoping he¡¯d be safe with her best friend, rabelle. Meanwhile, Alejandro, still downstairs, reveled in the control he had gained. The smirk on his face lingered as he resumed his seat, contemting the power game he yed within the vast Gambino¡¯s empire. As Alejandro sat in his seat, his twin brother, Alexandro, stormed in with a fierce expression, followed by the top members of the Gambino family. de, one of the top members, dragged a man wearing a Reverend father¡¯s attire, visibly battered and bruised. ¡°Alejandro,¡± Alexandro called out angrily as he approached his brother. ¡°We were on a crucial mission, and you left midway. Why did you abandon the church? Why?¡± Alejandro calmly rose, walking past Alexandro without uttering a word. He headed toward the cer in the living room, intent on fixing himself a drink. The room watched in silence as Alejandro prepared his drink, intensifying Alexandro¡¯s frustration. ¡°Answer me, Alejandro!¡± Alexandro yelled in anger. ¡°Why did you leave when we were going after the person who killed our parents?¡± Alexandro demanded, pointing to the Reverend father kneeling beside de. At that very moment, Marisa descended the stairs into the living room, capturing everyone¡¯s attention. Alexandro¡¯s fury intensified as heid eyes on Marisa. Instantly recognizing her as the woman Alejandro was obsessed with, he understood that she was the cause of Alejandro abandoning their crucial mission, heightening his anger. Alexandro directed his focus to Alejandro, demanding, ¡°Alejandro, is she the reason you abandoned the mission?¡± Alejandro remained silent, casually sipping from his drink, further infuriating Alexandro. Finally losing his patience, Alexandro pulled out his gun. Marisa¡¯s heart raced as she witnessed Alexandro pointing the gun at her, sending a chill down her spine. Alexandro¡¯s voice echoed through the room, demanding answers. ¡°Answer me right now, Alejandro. What is she doing here, and why did you abandon the mission?¡± Alejandro, seemingly unfazed, finally spoke, ¡°She¡¯s here because she belongs to me and she¡¯s under my protection. As for the mission, it became irrelevant when I saw her.¡± Alexandro¡¯s anger boiled over, his gun unwaveringly pointed at Marisa. ¡°Irrelevant? You mean that bitch over there is more important than capturing our parents¡¯ murderer?¡± Alejandro, impassive, continued sipping his drink, refusing to offer an exnation. Alexandro, fueled by rage, stormed toward Marisa. She gasped as Alexandro seized her by the neck, pressing the gun against her head. ¡°Since this bitch is more important than capturing our parents¡¯ murderer, I¡¯m gonna kill her right here and right now!¡± Alexandro¡¯s voice vibrated with a dangerous intensity. Chapter 45: The Gambino Vendetta ¡°Since this bitch is more important than capturing our parents¡¯ murderer, I¡¯m gonna kill her right here and right now!¡± Alexandro¡¯s voice vibrated with a dangerous intensity, sending multiple waves of fear down Marisa¡¯s spine. The room fell dead silent as everyone watched the ongoing drama. The air thickened with tension, but Alejandro seemed unfazed by his twin brother¡¯s threat. He continued sipping from the ss of alcohol in his hand with his calm gaze fixed on Marisa. ¡°It seems like you don¡¯t care if I pull the trigger and kill her right now!¡± Alexandro sneered as he pressed the gun harder against Marisa¡¯s head. Marisa¡¯s heart began racing fast, and she began hoping that Alejandro would intervene and rescue her from being shot by his twin brother. The top members remained silent as they watched what was going on. Alejandro finished the alcohol in his ss, then he carelessly threw away the empty ss, causing it to crash and break into pieces. Everyone watched as Alejandro began walking towards Alexandro and Marisa. His right hand was buried in his pocket, and he had a deadly look on his face as he approached them. Marisa sighed in relief when she saw Alejandro walking towards them. She felt a bit happy that Alejandro would finally intervene and she wouldn¡¯t be killed by Alexandro. But Marisa was surprised when Alejandra walked past her and Alexandro, and went to sit on a couch. She found it hard to believe that Alejandro just walked past her without saving her from the hands of his deadly twin brother. ¡°Come on, Alex. Shoot her¡± Alejandro said as he satfortably on a couch. Marisa¡¯s eyes widened in shock when she heard Alejandro¡¯s statement. Confusion and disbelief swept over her as she realized that Alejandro had chosen not to intervene, leaving her vulnerable to Alexandro¡¯s deadly intentions. ¡®Did he just tell his godforsaken twin brother to shoot me?¡¯ Marisa thought fearfully, and her heart raced faster when she felt Alexandro pressing the mouth of his pistol harder against her head. ¡°So you mean this bitch mean nothing to you? You mean I can kill her right here and right now?¡± Alexandro asked with a mischievous smirk, his finger brushing against the trigger. ¡°Yeah,¡± Alejandro nodded with a smirk as he crossed his legs. ¡°Pull the trigger and kill her.¡± As Alexandro toyed with the trigger, Marisa felt an overwhelming mix of betrayal and fear. She couldn¡¯tprehend how Alejandro, the man she thought might protect her, had callously thrown her into the clutches of danger. The room held its breath, a suffocating silence hanging over the imminent threat. Alexandro¡¯s smirk widened, fueled by the apparent indifference of his twin brother. Marisa, desperate for a lifeline, pleaded with her eyes for Alejandro to reconsider. Just as the tension reached its peak, Alexandro abruptly lowered the gun, a mischievous glint in his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re lucky, sweetheart. This time, I¡¯ll spare you,¡± he dered, withdrawing the gun from Marisa¡¯s head. Marisa, still in shock, struggled toprehend the twisted dynamics at y. She cast a bewildered nce at Alejandro, who remained seated, seemingly unbothered by the near-death experience. Alexandro, turning away from Marisa, addressed Alejandro with a scornful tone, ¡°You¡¯ve be weak, Alejandro. This obsession with a woman has clouded your judgment.¡± Alejandro¡¯s response was a cold chuckle. ¡°Weak? No, Alex. I¡¯ve just chosen a different path.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s leave that aside and face the bastard who murdered our parents.¡± Alexandro said, turning his attention to the Reverend father who knelt beside dagger. ¡°Ah¡­ yes,¡± Alejandro rose to his feet and adjusted his suit, his lips curling into a dark, mischievous smirk. Marisa stood among the top members and she watched as Alejandro and Alexandro walked towards the man wearing a Reverend father¡¯s attire. de, one of the top members, gazed at Marisa, wondering who she was, what rtionship she had with Alejandro, and why she was brought to the Gambinos¡¯ empire. ¡°Salvador Morello,¡± Alejandro said as he stood in front of the man who was dressed like a Reverend father. ¡°First of all, I¡¯d love to acknowledge your wisdom and smart moves. Who would have thought that you, the leader of the Morello family, has been disguising as a Reverend father just to avoid getting caught by us.¡± The room buzzed with a charged atmosphere as the Gambino brothers confronted the apparent mastermind behind their parents¡¯ demise. Marisa, still reeling from the recent threat on her life, wondered what was going on. ¡°Yeah, who would have thought so,¡± Alexandro chimed in with a smirk. ¡°We¡¯ve been searching for you ever since you murdered our parents, and to be honest, I sometimes thought you were¡­ invisible. But turns out you¡¯re just a stupid, old geezer who¡¯s scared of dying. So you chose to disguise as a Reverend all these years. Fuck you!¡± Alejandro¡¯s smirk widened as he crouched in front of the man named Salvador Morello. ¡°Salvador, I¡¯ve got some questions to ask you, and if you value your life, don¡¯t lie to me,¡± Alejandro warned, his voice carrying a lethal undertone. However, Salvador remained silent, staring at Alejandro with a nk expression. ¡°Firstly, why the hell did you kill our parents?¡± Alejandro asked, his gaze prating into Salvador¡¯s eyes as if searching for elusive answers. Salvador stared at Alejandro for a moment before bursting into a fit ofughter, a reaction that held everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°You want to know why I killed your godforsaken parents?¡± Salvador inquired afterughing to satisfaction. Alejandro¡¯s jaw clenched in anger, a visceral reaction to Salvador¡¯s insolence. Despite the rising fury within him, Alejandro restrained the urge to resort to violence, recognizing the importance of extracting answers from Salvador. ¡°You want to know why I killed your useless and annoying parents?¡± Salvador taunted with a mocking smile, intensifying the air of disdain that permeated the room. ¡°Well, ya see, your folks were kinda in the way of my Mafia family climbin¡¯ to the top, so I had to do what needed doin¡¯. I had to get rid of ¡¯em,¡± Salvador dered with a big ol¡¯ grin, his confession echoing in the room. Alejandro¡¯s eyes stared right at Salvador, a mix of mad and not believing what he just heard showing on his face. Salvador spilling the beans about his motive just made the whole family history and betrayal thing even more tangled. ¡°You wrecked my family for your own big ns?¡± Alejandro¡¯s voice, full of anger and feeling like he got stabbed in the back, sliced through the thick air. Salvador¡¯s grin stuck around, like he wasn¡¯t bothered by the storm brewing. ¡°Ambition needs some sacrifices, Alejandro Gambino. Your folks were just part of the n in the big picture.¡± The heaviness of Salvador¡¯s truth hung in the room, leaving everyone there dealing with the huge letdown and the shady reasons that brought down Alejandro and Alexandro¡¯s parents. ¡°You son of a bitch!¡± Alexandro growled furiously,nding a solid punch on Salvador¡¯s face, sending him crashing to the floor. Salvador chuckled mockingly, sitting up with blood dripping from his lips after Alexandro¡¯s powerful hit. ¡°You know what? Both of you are the real bastards,¡± Salvador sneered, wiping the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand. ¡°I mean, you¡¯ve both offed plenty of parents and wrecked countless families. So why the hell are you so upset that I offed your parents, huh? Why the hell are you in pain that I killed your parents when you two have murdered loads and loads of parents?¡± ¡°Why do we want to kill you for murdering our parents, even though we¡¯ve done the same to others?¡± Alejandro questioned, rising to his full height. He continued, ¡°Well, other parents weren¡¯t as loving and supportive as ours. Plus, others wouldn¡¯t tell their kids the truth about this wicked world, but ours did. They taught us everything we needed to know and how to survive. Our parents were special to us, and you had the damn audacity to kill them¡­¡± Alejandro paused, pulling a handgun from under his white suit. Alexandro also aimed his handgun at Salvador. Marisa¡¯s eyes widened as she witnessed the unfolding drama. Alejandro and his twin brother both had their weapons trained on Salvador. ¡°You know, the night you killed our parents, we were just ten years old, and the next day was supposed to be our birthday,¡± Alejandro stated with a cold tone. ¡°Despite our parents being heartless Mafia leaders, they took time to n our birthday. But you came that fateful night and ruined everything. You took away the only people who truly cared about us.¡± As Alejandro spoke, Marisa couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of pity for him, hearing the pain and loss in his words. The air crackled with tension as Alejandro and Alexandro held their handguns steady, their eyes locked onto Salvador. Marisa, on the sidelines, observed the scene unfold with a mix of horror and fascination. Salvador, bloodied but defiant, met their gaze with a twisted grin. ¡°You can point those things all you want, but you can¡¯t change the past. Your parents were casualties of a brutal world, just like many others. You¡¯re not the first to lose someone dear, and you won¡¯t be thest.¡± Alejandro¡¯s jaw clenched, the pain of his past colliding with the anger boiling within him. ¡°You think you can justify their deaths with your twisted logic? You took away the only family we had.¡± Salvador shrugged nonchntly. ¡°In this life, family is a liability. They slow you down, make you weak. I did what was necessary to rise to power.¡±Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. With a sudden intensity, Alexandro spoke, his voice cutting through the charged atmosphere. ¡°We don¡¯t give a damn about your rise to power. You killed our parents, and now you¡¯ll pay for it.¡± Before Salvador could say another word, both Alejandro and Alexandro fired multiple shots at him. Fear gripped Marisa as she witnessed the brutal scene. She covered her ears as the loud gunshots reverberated through the room. Before Salvador could say another word, both Alejandro and Alexandro let loose a storm of shots, the loud gunfire echoing through the room. Marisa, fear written all over her face, naturally covered her ears as the sharp cracks echoed around. The air filled with the strong smell of gunpowder as Salvador, caught in the rain of bullets, staggered backward. Each impact marked the end of a long-standing grudge. The room turned into a wild mix of violent sounds, a harsh climax to the story of betrayal and payback. When thest echoes of gunfire faded away, a heavy quiet took over the room. Alejandro and Alexandro, their handguns still smoking, stood over Salvador¡¯s motionless figure. Marisa cautiously uncovered her ears, keeping her eyes fixed on the aftermath of the intense sh. The twins, their expressions devoid of emotion and their eyes haunted by ghosts of the past, exchanged a meaningful look. Alejandro slowly turned to address the rest of his gang members. ¡°Now that Salvador Morello is out of the picture, we¡¯reunching an attack on the Morello family. We¡¯re gonna wipe ¡¯em out for good. Without their leader, they¡¯ll be vulnerable, and we¡¯ll crush them,¡± Alejandro dered with a cold and menacing tone. Shivers ran down Marisa¡¯s spine as she shifted her gaze to Salvador¡¯s lifeless body on the ground. It was at that moment that she realized she had unwittingly be entangled in a world of ruthless vendettas and merciless power struggles. She was gripped by fear when dhe realized that her life would never remain the same. Chapter 46: Forbidden Affection At an unknown location, a ck heep could be seen driving inside a veryrgepound. Inside thepound were dozens of guards with heavily loaded weapons in their hands. The Jeep pulled up at the driveway, and one of the guards went to open the backseat door. Ady dressed in ck jacket and ck trousers stepped out of the vehicle. On thedy¡¯s head was a ck face-cap and on her face was a pair of dark sunsses. She also made use of a ck nose cover. Thedy surveyed the environment, and she began walking towards the entrance of the mansion. She was respectfully greeted by the guards as she entered inside the mansion. Inside the mansion, thedy made her way upstairs as if she already knew her way around. Once she was upstairs, she walked down the wide hallway for about thirty seconds, then she stopped in front of a door which had two guards standing in front of it. The two guards bowed and greeted thedy, then one of them opened the door for her. Thedy nodded at the guards before stepping inside the room. Inside therge and luxurious room was an elderly man, seated on a couch with a stick of cigarette in-between his lips and a ss of red wine in his hand. The room was dimly lit so it was kinda difficult to see the man¡¯s face clearly. ¡°Greetings, boss,¡± thedy bowed as she greeted the elderly man. ¡°Any information on the target?¡± The man asked with a husky voice as he blew out smoke from his mouth. ¡°The target has been abducted by Alejandro Gambino, and she is currently in the Gambinos¡¯ empire,¡± thedy answered. ¡°What about her son?¡± The man inquired. ¡°Her son is under our tight surveince,¡± thedy replied. ¡°That¡¯s good. Make sure you keep a close watch on both the target and her son. The both of them are our secret weapons against the Gambino family,¡± the man said. ¡°Understood, sir.¡± Thedy bowed. ¡°You can leave.¡± The man said with a dismissive wave of his hand. Thedy bowed once again before walking out of the room. Once thedy was out of the room, the man rose from his seat and walked towards the closed window. He opened the window slightly, and he took a long drag from his cigarette as he gazed out the window. He exhaled softly, his lips curling into a wide smirk, then he said, ¡°Very soon, the Gambino twins are gonna bow at my feet and beg for mercy. Very soon, I will be the most feared Mafia lord in the underworld.¡± *** Meanwhile, at the Gambinos empire, Marisa was in her room, standing by the window, observing the bustling activities below. Dozens of gardeners meticulously tended to the lush flowers and nts in the expansivepound. Meanwhile, burly men in ck suits patrolled the area, their stern faces hidden behind dark shades, and earpieces securely in ce. As Marisa took in the scene, her thoughts involuntarily drifted to the harrowing moment when Alexandro had nearly shot her and the subsequent violent confrontation between the twins and Salvador. The vivid image of Salvador¡¯s lifeless body haunted her, triggering a sense of fear and uncertainty. ¡°Those men are ruthless, especially Alejandro,¡± Marisa muttered to herself, recalling the chilling moments that had unfolded in this dangerous world of mobsters. ¡°Will I even be safe here?¡± Marisa muttered again in fear. Her contemtion was abruptly interrupted as the door swung open without warning, startling Marisa. ¡°Fuck!¡± she cursed, turning to face the intruder. It was de, wearing a fierce expression that immediately conveyed she wasn¡¯t one to be trifled with. ¡°Hey,¡± Marisa greeted with a forced smile, keenly aware of de¡¯s no-nonsense demeanor. She understood the importance of avoiding trouble, especially in a ce teeming with mobsters. ¡°Who are you?¡± de inquired with a cold tone as she approached Marisa. ¡°I¡¯m Marisa,¡± she replied, maintaining her artificial smile. de, unimpressed, took a seat on the nearest couch. ¡°Marisa, do you know where you are?¡± she asked, her tone sharp. ¡°Ummm¡­ I¡¯m in a mafia house,¡± Marisa replied, nervously chuckling. de smirked and settled into the couch. ¡°Mafia house, huh? Well, I guess you haven¡¯t heard about the Gambino family.¡± ¡°Ummm¡­ I don¡¯t really know much about Mafia families,¡± Marisa admitted, her nervous smile betraying her uncertainty. de, maintaining her formidable demeanor, uncrossed and recrossed her legs, assuming a regal posture. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll enlighten you about the Gambino family,¡± she dered, her tonemanding attention. ¡°We¡¯re the most feared mafia family globally. Only the heartless and the strongest individuals earn a ce within our ranks.¡± de paused, then rose to her feet. Approaching Marisa, she stood squarely in front of her, a scrutinizing gaze fixed upon her. ¡°You look weak and¡­ helpless,¡± de stated bluntly, causing Marisa¡¯s fake smile to fade. ¡°So, I was wondering what brought you to a ce meant for the strong alone. What the hell are you doing in this empire?¡± de¡¯s words struck a nerve, and Marisa felt a surge of frustration at being perceived as weak. The frown that reced her forced smile revealed her displeasure. Despite her anger, Marisa decided to respond with a hint of defiance. ¡°Hey, youngdy. I don¡¯t know who the hell you are, and I don¡¯t wanna know. Whoever you are or whatever position you hold in this ce, you don¡¯t have the right to speak to me with that tone. You¡¯re in no damn position to call me weak or helpless!¡± Marisa asserted with a serious tone that caught de off guard. Before Marisa could utter another word, de delivered a heated and resounding p across her face. Marisa gasped in shock, feeling the impact, and instinctively touched her right cheek while staring at de with wide-eyed disbelief. ¡°It seems like you don¡¯t know me, bitch,¡± de dered with a deadly smirk. ¡°I¡¯m de, Alejandro¡¯s woman, and your worst nightmare.¡± The initial shock that gripped Marisa slowly transformed into seething anger. In a split second, she retaliated, delivering two consecutive ps that resonated through the room, a sudden burst of defiance against the perceived insult. ¡°Did you just p me?¡± de asked with an angry smirk. ¡°Yeah, I pped you, and I won¡¯t hesitate to p you again if you look down on me or call me any sort of useless name,¡± Marisa dered, her face fierce with determination. de¡¯s anger surged, and she angrily drew a dagger from her waist sheath. Marisa instinctively started shifting backward as de advanced, the dagger glinting dangerously in her hand. ¡°How dare you p me, you insolent bitch?¡± de seethed, her menacing expression intensifying as she closed in on Marisa. ¡°Hey¡­ look, I¡¯m sorry for pping you,¡± Marisa apologized, continuing to retreat until her back met the wall. ¡°I¡¯m gonna cut off your fingers and feed them to you; then, you¡¯ll learn to respect and obey me,¡± de threatened, fury burning in her eyes as she raised the dagger, preparing to strike Marisa. ¡°Touch a strand of her hair and consider yourself dead!¡± amanding voice stated, causing de to halt her impending attack. Marisa shifted her gaze towards the source of the voice, a wave of relief washing over her as she spotted Alejandro standing by the doorway. A stick of a lighted cigarette dangled between his pink lips, giving him an air of nonchnce that contradicted the tension in the room. Alejandro¡¯s presence injected an immediate stillness into the charged atmosphere. The air seemed to thicken as de turned her attention to him, her anger momentarily subdued by the authority exuded by the man at the doorway. Without uttering a word, Alejandro took a casual drag from his cigarette, the smoke curling around him like an ephemeral shield. His gaze, however, bore a stern warning that cut through the tension in the room. de, sensing the gravity of the situation, slowly lowered the dagger, her eyes locked onto Alejandro. Marisa, pressed against the wall, watched the silent exchange between the two with a mix of gratitude and caution. ¡°I don¡¯t tolerate internal conflicts,¡± Alejandro finally spoke, the wordsced with a quiet intensity. ¡°de, put the damn dagger away.¡± de hesitated for a moment, her defiance meeting Alejandro¡¯s unwavering gaze. Reluctantly, she sheathed the dagger, casting a final venomous re at Marisa before stepping back. ¡°Now, get the hell out of this room,¡± Alejandromanded, his tone leaving no room for argument and surprising de. ¡°Me? Get out?¡± de questioned in disbelief. ¡°Are you deaf or what? I said get the hell out of here!¡± Alejandro retorted, his voice elevated, emphasizing the urgency of his directive.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. de, visibly taken aback by Alejandro¡¯s forcefulmand, hesitated for a moment before reluctantly making her way towards the exit. Her earlier aggression seemed to crumble in the face of Alejandro¡¯s authority. As de exited the room, Alejandro redirected his focus to Marisa, his expression inscrutable. The charged atmosphere lingered, and Marisa could sense the weight of Alejandro¡¯s scrutiny. ¡°You¡¯re new here, and you¡¯re already causing trouble,¡± Alejandro remarked with a cold edge, entering the room fully and shutting the door behind him. ¡°You could have gotten yourself killed back there. You know that, right?¡± ¡°What do you care if I get myself killed?¡± Marisa replied, a slight frown creasing her forehead as Alejandro approached her. Closing the distance between them, Alejandro wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer while holding a cigarette in his other hand. He took a puff before speaking, his voice calm and gentle. ¡°You¡¯re my sweetheart, Marisa, and it would really break my heart to see you hurt or dead.¡± For a moment, Alejandro¡¯s words warmed Marisa¡¯s heart. However, the memory of him allowing Alexandro to shoot her earlier cast a shadow on the sentiment, and she frowned. ¡°I know you don¡¯t give a damn about me, so stop talking like you do,¡± she retorted, and Alejandro shook his head slowly. ¡°No, sweetheart. I genuinely care about you,¡± Alejandro insisted. ¡°You belong to me, so why wouldn¡¯t I care about you?¡± The distance between them was little, and Marisa couldn¡¯t help but shift her gaze to his cute tempting lips which seemed to beckon her. Alejandro smirked when he noticed her staring at his lips. ¡°You seem attracted to me, sweetheart,¡± Alejandro said, and Marisa embarrassingly took her gaze off him. Alejandro took thest puff from his cigarette, then he threw it out the window before averting his gaze back to Marisa. ¡°Sweetheart,¡± Alejandro whispered as he began tracing Marisa¡¯s face gently with his finger. He traced her face down to cleavage before leaning in, then he whispered, ¡°How about we do something more fun?¡± Chapter 47: I am a god ¡°Sweetheart,¡± Alejandro whispered as he began tracing Marisa¡¯s face gently with his finger. He traced her face down to cleavage before leaning in, then he whispered, ¡°How about we do something more fun?¡± Marisa¡¯s heart began racing fast as Alejandro¡¯s touch sent an electrifying feeling throughout her body. Her breath became abnormal the moment Alejandro leaned closer and kissed her neck. His kiss was slow, wet and electrifying that she couldn¡¯t help but let out a soft moan even though she tried so hard not to moan. Alejandro continued cing wet kisses on her weak spot which was her neck. Marisa wanted him to stop, but her body wanted him to continue kissing her. Eventually, Marisa overcame the allure of Alejandro¡¯s kiss, and she pushed him off her. After pushing him, she gave him a hot, resounding p. Alejandro touched his cheek, and he gazed at her with a mischievous smirk. Shivers ran down Marisa¡¯s spine when she saw the smirk on his face. She knew what Alejandro¡¯s smirk meant, and she instantly regretted her decision of pping him. ¡°It seems you¡¯ve forgotten what I said about disrespecting me,¡± Alejandro said as he once again closed the gap between them, and Marisa¡¯s back rested on the wall. Marisa¡¯s gasped as Alejandro ced both his hands on the wall, trapping her. Her heart raced faster as she gazed at his face which was just a few inches a away from hers. The tension in the air was palpable as Alejandro¡¯s gaze bore into Marisa¡¯s eyes. She could feel the heat emanating from him, and a mixture of fear and desire coursed through her veins. Despite the conflict within her, there was an undeniable attraction that kept her rooted in ce. Alejandro¡¯s mischievous smirk persisted, his confidence unwavering. ¡°You can¡¯t resist me, Marisa,¡± he whispered, his breath sending shivers down her spine. With each passing moment, the intensity of their connection grew stronger. Marisa, trying to regain control, mustered the strength to speak, ¡°You mean nothing to me, Alejandro, so stop talking as if you are some sort of god.¡± Her words were a feeble attempt to assert herself, but Alejandro¡¯s gaze held a maic power that made it challenging for her to break away.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. In response, Alejandro leaned in, his lips dangerously close to hers. ¡°You still don¡¯t know who I am, mi amor,¡± he murmured, his voice seductive. ¡°I¡¯m a god. I control the most powerful mafia organization in the world. I have hundreds of organizations under mymand, and I can do anything I want at any fucking time. So technically, I am a god.¡± The chemistry between them intensified, creating a maic force that seemed to pull them together. Marisa scoffed at his words and said, ¡°You¡¯re no fucking god, Alejandro. You¡¯re just an heartless monster in human body. You don¡¯t deserve to be human. Infact, you should be living among wold animals and not humans.¡± In a bold move, Alejandro lifted Marisa effortlessly, his arms securing her as he carried her towards the bed with a determined stride. Marisa¡¯s pulse quickened, her fingers gripping Alejandro¡¯s shoulders as she felt the undeniable strength in his hold. The room seemed to spin as he gentlyid her down on the soft bedding. Marisa gasped audibly, a mixture of surprise and anticipation escaping her lips. The sudden change in scenery heightened the intensity of the moment. Alejandro hovered over her, his eyes locked onto hers. With a breathless voice, Marisa questioned, ¡°What the fuck are you doing, Alejandro?¡± Her eyes searched his, seeking answers in the depths of his intense gaze. The air was thick with tension as they lingered in this charged moment. Alejandro gave no reply, instead he swiftly grabbed an handcuff from his backpocket and he cuffed Marisa¡¯s right hand to the bed frame. ¡°What the fuck!¡± Marisa eximed in shock. Alejandro smirked and got down from the bed, then he walked to the wardrobe closet in the room and he brought out another handcuff. Marisa watched him as he approached her with the handcuff glistening in his hand. ¡°What the fuck are you doing, Alejandro?¡± She questioned as he got on the bed and hovered over her. Alejandro said nothing in response. Marisa tried to hit him with her free hand, but Alejandro was fast enough to catch her hand in mid-air. The moment he grabbed her other hand, he also cuffed it to the bed frame, leaving Marisa helpless and vulnerable. ¡°What the fuck is wrong with you, Alejandro? What the hell are you doing?¡± Marisa asked in anger as Alejandro¡¯s hovered her with a smirk stered on his face. Alejandro, his expression unyielding, traced a finger along Marisa¡¯s jawline, his touch sending shivers down her spine. ¡°I¡¯m showing you who I really am, mi amor. I want to prove to you that I¡¯m a god, and I have the power and capability to do whatever the fuck I wanna do,¡± he replied, his voice low and hypnotic. His words hung in the air, tempting and provocative. Marisa had conflicted emotions written across her face, and she dared to challenge him further. ¡°And how do you intend to prove that? By raping me, huh?¡± she asked, her voice dripping with mockery and anger. Alejandro gave her no response. Instead, he began undressing her. ¡°Hey, are you crazy? Take your fucking hands off me!¡± Marisa yelled as Alejandro effortlessly undressed her. Alejandro threw her gown aside, leaving her in only her bra and panties. ¡°I missed seeing you like this,¡± Alejandro said with a lustful smirk as he gazed at her half-naked body. ¡°Stop this madness, Alejandro, and let me go!¡± Marisa yelled angrily as he tried to free herself. Alejandro began unbuttoning his shirt, and the moment he finished unbuttoning the shirt, he threw it away and focused his gaze on Marisa. Marisa swallowed hard as she gazed at his bare, broad chest and perfectly-built body. Even though she was angry, she couldn¡¯t help but admire him. His chest, biceps and abs were too sexy to be ignored. Alejandro smirked when he noticed her staring admiringly at him. ¡°Like what you see?¡± He asked teasingly as he began to unbuckle his belt, then he dragged down his pants and his hard dick came into view. Marisa came back to her senses, and she shot him a re. ¡°Uncuff me right now and let me out of this fucking ce!¡± She said, trying so hard to free her hands. ¡°I¡¯m not uncuffing you until I prove to you who I am,¡± Alejandro replied. ¡°Remember you asked how I¡¯m going to prove that to you? Well, I¡¯m gonna f¨²ck you like I want to kill you, and I won¡¯t be nice,¡± he whispered gravely into her ear, and she stiffened. One look at Alejandro¡¯s face and Marisa knew she was done for. ¡°Wait!¡± Marisa eximed, but Alejandro didn¡¯t wait. He grabbed her by the throat and pushed her backwards on the bed. Marisa¡¯s eyes shed wide open, and her red lips parted to scream. But Alejandro choked on her throat, stopping the scream from escaping. Dragging down her panties, Alejandro pressed the tip of his cock to her frothing slit, and then he pushed all the way inside her wet, tight honeypot. Marisa dug the back of her head into the bed. An exerted growl flew from her lips, and she flexed her vaginal muscles around him. Alejandro took a moment to savor the wet, tight heat of her p¨²ssy clenching about his c¨®ck, and then he grabbed her hips, pulled out to the tip, and rammed into her all the way. He released her throat, and this time she cried out, but that didn¡¯t stop him either. He squeezed one of her br¨¦asts in retaliation. The supple flesh protruded around his fingers, and the n¨ªpple stood firm against his thumb. Marisa began moaning softly as Alejandro guided his thumb and finger to pinch her. He twisted her n¨ªpple and pulled it from her body, and she squealed a muffled tone of approval. Alejandro thrust again, and again and again, always pulling out to the head, and then driving until my balls pped against her fat ¨¤ss. Her body lurched back and forth across the bed, her breasts jiggled to the beat of his drives, and her thighs rippled with the impact of my lust. Marisa¡¯s eyes bare nothing but submissive desire, and Alejandro stared into them with his domineering possessiveness. She belongs to him; his possession. He¡¯d ravish her. Alejandro sneered at her as her voice rose higher and higher around his head. Marisa cried something out from her mouth but Alejandro just squeezed her cheeks. He grinned as she screamed out in pleasure from his rapidly-driving cock. ¡°I missed this so much,¡± Alejandro grunted as he continued banging her at a fast pace. ¡°I know you also missed it as much as I do, so moan and scream my name.¡± Marisa moaned loudly as her eyes began to roll back in her head, and her jaw began ckening. Alejandro took doubled his pace as he listened to the sweet chorus of her desperate, moaning breaths. They were growing faster and shorter, until they were nothing but pants mixing with squeals. ¡°Hmmm¡­ Yes, Alejandro! Ahh!¡± Marisa moaned as she felt pleasure coursing through her body system. ¡°Yes, moan my name.¡± Alejandro grinned as he grabbed her other br¨¦ast and pinched the free nipple, f¨²cking her faster and faster, harder and harder, until their pelvises were smacking together in fury of pping sts. It was crazy. The bed was shaking dangerously. Alejandro growlwd and plowed into her harder and harder, not caring if I¡¯m hurting her, but hoping I am. His c¨®ck drove through her tight wetness; parting her inner resistances and breaking her in. Marisa was thrashing now. Her screams were rough and exerted, as though she was in the midst of great physical strain. Then Alejandro thrust onest time. Marisa¡¯s entire back arched from the table, her shoulders pinned back, and her thighs lock around his hips. A single, breathless sound passed her gaping lips, and then she squirted all over him. Alejandro sted his c¨²m inside her with a throaty roar, and copsed on top of her as she finally found her voice. She shut her eyes and screamed out in satisfaction orgasm hit her hard. Alejandro drove thest bit of himself into her, and her scream subsided to a whimper. They breathed heavily on the bed for a moment, and then looked into each other¡¯s eyes. ¡°And now, do you ept that I am a god?¡± Alejandro asked with a smirk as he gazed into Marisa¡¯s eyes. Marisa gave no response as he tried to catch her breath. Even though she said nothing, the expression on her face said it all: Alejandro is a god, and he just proved to her that he could do anything he wished to do at any given time. But would Marisa allow him to be her god? Chapter 48: BLADE Minutes after the intense passionate encounter with Marisa, Alejandro could be seen inside the bedroom, dressing up. Marisa on the other hand was inside the bathroom, having a bath. After dressing up, Alejandro nced at the bathroom door, wondering why Marisa was taking too long in the bathroom. Meanwhile, Marisa was sitting in the bathtub in the bathroom, thinking about her life and everything she had been through ever since she met Alejandro. She recalled the day she met Dave at the hospital. She remembered how Dave kept herpany during her son¡¯s surgery, and how he made her feel at ease throughout the hours she spent at the hospital during Jeffrey¡¯s surgery. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she recalled the little moments they spent together when he was still alive. More tears flowed down her cheeks when she remembered the day he proposed to her. That day marked the first day in five years that a man proposed to her. The fact that Dave was the only man she¡¯d ever fallen in love with caused her so much pain and grief that she started sobbing while seated in the bathtub. Ever since she gave birth to her son, Jeffery, Marisa never had the chance to be in a rtionship. Her son, Jeffrey, was her topmost priority, and she was always working day-to-day to ensure he had a good life. She loved her son so much to the extent that she was ready to give up her life for him, and that was what led her to making the decision of venturing into the hook-up business for a night just to get money for his surgery. But now, she regretted making that decision because she wouldn¡¯t have had an encounter with Alejandro if she didn¡¯t make that decision, and Dave might still be alive. Her life might still be perfect if only she hadn¡¯t spent a night with Alejandro. Marisa continued sobbing in the bathtub. All she was feeling at that moment was guilt, pain, regret and grief. At that moment, she wished she could travel back in time to correct her mistakes and make her life as perfect as it was before she met Alejandro. Seated in the bathtub, Marisa couldn¡¯t shake the heavy emotions weighing on her. The water around her couldn¡¯t wash away the guilt and sorrow etched in her heart. She kept reying the moment she decided to dive into the world of hook-ups to gather money for Jeffrey¡¯s surgery. Initially thinking it was a sacrifice for her son, the unintended consequences now burdened her conscience. Alejandro¡¯s presence in her life felt like a constant reminder of the different path she could¡¯ve taken. Regret wed at her, fueled by the belief that if she hadn¡¯t chosen that specific night, maybe Dave would still be alive, and life would be closer to perfect. Marisa¡¯s grief and self-me intensified with every passing moment. She wished for a time machine to rewrite her life¡¯s script, to undo the choices that led to this emotional web. The realization that her pursuit of financial stability had unintentionally cost her the happiness she once had left her feeling deste. Amidst her sobbing, Marisa grappled withplex feelings. Her love for Jeffrey remained unwavering, but it was intertwined with remorse for the unintended consequences. Her heart ached for the lost chance with Dave and the what-ifs that now shadowed her. Marisa yearned for redemption, a chance to rewrite her story, and restore the harmony disrupted by a series of choices leading her down an unforeseen path. Marisa heard the bathroom door opening and she immediately wiped the tears off her face with her hands. She turned her gaze to the bathroom door, and she saw Alejandro gazing at her with a stick of lighted cigarette in-between his lips. She immediately covered her breasts with her hands. ¡°As you can see, I am having a bath, so what do you want?¡± She asked Alejandro with a cold tone, trying as much as possible not to let him know that she was crying. ¡°Were you crying?¡± Alejandro asked as he stepped fully inside the bathroom while smoking devilishly. ¡°Me? Crying? I wasn¡¯t crying,¡± Marisa replied, wondering how Alejandro knew she had been crying. ¡°Then why are you spending too much time here?¡± Alejandro asked as he stood majestically in front of the bathtub Marisa was sitting in. ¡°I just wanted to take a long bath, nothing more.¡± Marisa replied, keeping her breasts covered by her hands. Alejandro said nothing as he took a long drag from his cigarette. He gazed at Marisa¡¯s naked body as she remained seated in the bathtub. Marisa felt embarrassed as Alejandro continued staring at her lustfully while smoking. Marisa felt really ufortable as Alejandro had his gaze fixed on her. The bathroom was silent, adding to the tension Marisa was feeling. All she wanted at that moment was for Alejandro to stop gazing at her and walk out of the bathroom. ¡°You don¡¯t need to cover your boobs, sweetheart,¡± Alejandro finally broke the silence, and Marisa averted her gaze to him. She frowned at his words, and she watched as he blew out a huge amount of smoke from his mouth. ¡°I own you, sweetheart, so I have the right to see them.¡± Alejandro added with a smirk as he crouched in front of the bathtub. ¡°You have the right to see what?¡± Marisa asked, her frown deepening. ¡°Your breasts, of course,¡± replied Alejandro as he took another drag from his cigarette. ¡°I need some privacy, please.¡± Marisa said, shifting ufortably in the bathtub. ¡°Take your hands off those precious boobs.¡± Alejandro said with amanding tone, causing Marisa to narrow her eyes at him. ¡°Excuse me?¡± Marisa furrowed her brows questioningly at him.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I said take your hands off your breasts,¡± Alejandro replied, his voice moremanding and authoritative. Mariss swallowed nervously and she shook her head in disapproval before saying, ¡°I¡¯m sorry but I can¡¯t do that because I am not your pet or your toy, so get the fuck out of here.¡± She had a serious expression on her face as she said those words. Even though she was nervous and scared as hell, she managed to put on a fierce facade. Alejandro smirked at Marisa¡¯s response, and he rose to his full height. He walked over to her and held her chin. tightly, making her look up at his face. ¡°Sweetheart,¡± Alejandro began. ¡°I love the fact that you¡¯re acting brave, but you seem to be forgetting something¡­¡± He paused and stared deeply into her eyes, then he continued. ¡°I own you, Marisa. I own every part of you, starting from your soft, sulent breasts to your sexy thighs and your divine honeypot. I own everything and nothing will ever take you away from me. Not even the devil; not even death itself. You belong to me alone.¡± Alejandro¡¯s words infuriated Marisa, and she angrily pped his hand off her chin before rising nakedly to her feet. ¡°How many times have I warned you never to call me yours? You don¡¯t fucking own me, Alejandro. I don¡¯t belong to you and I never will, so stop calling me yours. I won¡¯t hesitate to p you the next time you call me yours.¡± Marisa¡¯s words were filled with anger, and she didn¡¯t care if she was naked in front of Alejandro. Marisa angrily hissed at Alejandro before grabbing a towel, then she stepped out of the bathtub. The moment she stepped out of the bathtub, she slipped and was about to fall, but Alejandro was fast enough to grab her waist, preventing her from falling on the tiled floor. Marisa¡¯s heart began beating fast in fright as she gazed at Alejandro¡¯s face. She would have fallen on the floor and injured her head if Alejandro wasn¡¯t there to save her. And the fact that they were now in a romantic position caused her heart to race even faster. ¡°Careful, sweetheart,¡± Alejandro said with a smirk as he stared deep into her eyes. ¡°You¡¯d have injured yourself if I didn¡¯t catch you on time, and I hate it so much when you¡¯re in pain. I feel hurt whenever I see you hurting.¡± For a moment, Alejandro¡¯s words warmed Marisa¡¯s heart, but she immediately remembered that he was a cold-hearted Mafia boss who had no feelings for anyone. Marisa immediately stepped away from him and she quickly picked up the towel which fell on the floor, then she wrapped it around her naked body. She gave Alejandro ast nce before hurrying out of the bathroom. Alejandro chuckled softly, then he also walked out of the bathroom. Stepping inside the bedroom, he saw Marisa putting on her dress. She didn¡¯t spare him a nce, and he also didn¡¯t say a word to her before walking out of the bedroom. As Alejandro walked down the hallway, the guards bowed and greeted him respectfully. He didn¡¯t respond to their greetings. He just continued walking till he reached the training room. He stopped walking when he heard groans and noisesing from the training room. The guards standing in front of the training room opened the door for Alejandro and he stepped inside. Once he was inside, he saw fifteen men lying on the floor, groaning on the floor in pains. He saw de standing in the middle of the room, sweating and breathing heavily. From the looks of things, one could easily tell that de was the one who beat the men. ¡°Bravo,¡± Alejandro said, and he began pping as he approached de. de turned around to look at Alejandro. When she saw him, she frowned at him and she took off her boxing gloves. ¡°Who is that woman you brought to thr empire?¡± de asked as she wiped off the sweat on her face with an handkerchief. ¡°You all should get up and get the fuck out of this ce.¡± Alejandromanded the men lying on the ground. The men immediately stood up from the ground and they limped out of the room in pain. Once the men were out of the training room, Alejandro averted his gaze back to de, who had a frown on her face. ¡°You were saying?¡± Alejandro asked, burying his hands in his pockets. ¡°I said who was the woman who brought to the empire.¡± de repeated, her frowm deepening. ¡°Whoever I bring to this empire is none of your business, de,¡± Alejandro replied with a straight face, surprising de, but she immediately hid her surprise. ¡°Oh, is that so? So, I don¡¯t have the right to know who you bring to this empire?¡± de eximed, feeling pained and angry. ¡°Yep,¡± Alejandro simply replied, maintaining his straight face. ¡°Who exactly am I to you, Alejandro?¡± de asked, closing the distance between the both of them. ¡°And why did you ask that question?¡± Alejandro asked in reply, looking down at de¡¯s face since he was quite taller than her. ¡°I asked because I don¡¯t seem to understand who I am to you any longer,¡± de replied. ¡°I am your childhood friend, de. We fucking grew up together and lived together for more than seventeen years, and yet you treat me like I¡¯m an outsider? Who the fuck does that?¡± ¡°The fact that you¡¯re my childhood friend doesn¡¯t give you the right to invade my privacy,¡± Alejandro said with a cold yet dangerous tone. ¡°If you dare to cross your boundary, l won¡¯t hesitate to cut off your head and feed it to my crocodiles. Let that stick to your goddamn brain.¡± Alejandro turned around as he finished saying those words, then he walked out of the training room. ¡°Argh!!!!¡± de screamed angrily, and she punched the nearest wall with all her might. She continued punching the wall in anger till her knuckles began to bleed. After a minute, she stopped punching the wall. Her hand was now covered in blood but she cared less about that. She was too angry to feel the pain in her hand. ¡°I swear, Alejandro, it¡¯s either you choose me or no one else,¡± she muttered in anger as she breathed heavily. ¡°You belong to me, Alejandro. You belong to me alone and no one else. I don¡¯t care what it¡¯s gonna cost me to have you all to myself. I swear, I¡¯ll do anything to have you all to myself. I¡¯ll even kill anyone who stands in my way. You can¡¯t have any other woman apart from me. I swear with my life, no other woman will end up with you.¡± Chapter 49: The Deadly confrontation Before we begin this chapter, I just want to apologize for not updating this novel for a long time. I promise now that you¡¯re all going to get a daily update till this novel is over. Thank you, and enjoy reading this chapter:Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Chapter 49: After Alejandro left the room, Marisa began dressing up. As she wore the ck gown which she picked from the closet, her mind went back to the intimate moment she and Alejandro shared. Images of how Alejandro fucked her shed in her mind but she quickly shook the erotic images off her mind and finished dressing up. As she finished dressing up she heard a knock on the door. She diverted her gaze to the door before saying, ¡°Come in,¡± The door creaked open and a maid stepped inside the room, shutting the door quietly behind her as she walked into the room. ¡°Good evening, ma¡¯am,¡± the maid greeted Marisa with a slight bow. ¡°Is it evening already?¡± Marisa muttered with a surprised expression on her face. She was surprised at how fast time was. The maid noticed the surprised expression on Marisa¡¯s face and she wondered why Marisa had that expression on her face. Marisa nced at the clock on the table standing close to the bed and she checked the time. The time was 5:30PM. Marisa remained silent as she wondered how much time she had spent in Alejandro¡¯s empire. It had been more than ten hours since Alejandro captured Marisa from the church, and Marisa couldn¡¯t help but wonder how her son is doing. But Marisa¡¯s mind felt at peace because she knew her son was with her best friend, rabelle, and as long as he was with her, he would be safe. ¡°Are you okay, ma¡¯am?¡± The maid asked, feeling worried by Marisa¡¯s silence. Marisa nodded and chuckled. ¡°I¡¯m fine. I was just surprised that it¡¯s evening already,¡± she replied. ¡°Oh,¡± the maid simply muttered. ¡°By the way, what brings you to my room?¡± Marisa asked. ¡°Lord Alejandro instructed me to bring you to the dining room for dinner. He wants you to eat with him,¡± the maid replied. Marisa frowned when she heard Alejandro¡¯s name. ¡°He abducted me and now he wants me to have dinner with him? What aplicated man,¡± Marisa muttered under her breath, too quiet for the maid to hear. ¡°What did you say ma¡¯am?¡± the maid asked. ¡°Nothing,¡± Marisa replied with a fake smile. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Marisa said. ¡°This way ma¡¯am,¡± the maid gestured and led Marisa out of the room. The both of them walked through the dimly lit corridor which was beautifully decorated with portraits of beautiful flowers. Marisa nced at each portrait which was used to beautify the hallway and she couldn¡¯t help but admire them. As Marisa and the maid continued walking through the hallway, Marisa noticed the dozens of guards positioned at every corner of the hallway. The guards were all dressed in ck-tailored suits and they all had a dangerous look on their faces. Marisa quickly took her gaze off them as they walked further down the hallway. They descended the stairway and finally arrived at a the dining room. The maid bowed before taking her leave. Marisa was surprised to see Alejandro¡¯s twin brother, Alexandro at the dining table. A frown appeared on her face when she also saw de at the dining table. Alejandro himself was also present, and a smirk appeared on his face when he saw Marisa. He stopped eating and took a moment to admire Marisa in her ck gown. The gown clung to Marisa like a second skin and it fitted her perfectly. The gown also exposed her cleavage and it showed her shape and curves. Mere staring at Marisa, Alejandro began feeling turned on by her. He felt his dick rising gradually in his ck trousers but he maintainedposure. ¡°Marisa,e have a seat,¡± Alejandro said with his usual deep voice. Marisa gazed at Alexandro and de for a while and she hesitated for a while before proceeding to sit on the empty chair beside Alejandro. As Marisa took her seat beside Alejandro, de angrily dropped the fork she was eating to eat. She felt really pissed off that Alejandro gave Marisa the opportunity to have dinner with them. ¡°What¡¯s the meaning of this, Alejandro?¡± de asked with an angry voice. Alejandro ignored de¡¯s question and he began dishing out the meal for Marisa. de felt more infuriated as Alejandro dished out the meal for Marisa. Marisa on the other hand was surprised by Alejandro¡¯s action. She was surprised that he was dishing out the meal for her. ¡°Eat up, sweetheart,¡± Alejandro said after dishing out Marisa¡¯s meal. Alejandro¡¯s twin brother, Alexandro, observed the scene as he continued eating his own meal. He had an expressionless face and it was hard to guess what was going on in his mind. As Marisa began eating, de stood up and angrily took Marisa¡¯s meal then poured it on the ground. Marisa gasped in shock as her meal sttered all over the ground. ¡°Hey, what the fuck is wrong with you?¡± Marisa asked in anger as she rose to her feet. ¡°Did you just say that to me?¡± de asked, and Marisa moved closer to her with a furious gaze. ¡°Yeah, I asked you what the fuck is wrong with you. What are you gonna do about it, huh?¡± Marisa retorted bravely. Alejandro and his twin brother, Alexandro, said nothing as they continued eating. ¡°You just arrived here today and you¡¯re already feeling like the queen. You¡¯re already feeling like you own this empire, right? But guess what, I¡¯m gonna make you know your ce in this empire, bitch,¡± de said, and Marisa scoffed. ¡°You can¡¯t hurt me,¡± Marisa asserted confidently. ¡°Is that so?¡± de¡¯s smirk turned wicked as she swiftly delivered two sharp ps to Marisa¡¯s face, leaving a cut on her lip. Marisa winced in pain, holding her cheek. ¡°Now, think I can¡¯t hurt you?¡± de taunted with a sinister smile. Marisa attempted to retaliate, but de intercepted, delivering a punch to Marisa¡¯s face, causing her to stagger backward from the impact. Marisa¡¯s head throbbed with pain as she stumbled backward from de¡¯s punch. The room spun momentarily as she struggled to regain her bnce. Despite the shock and pain, she clenched her fists, ready to defend herself. ¡°You think you can juste in here and do whatever you want?¡± de¡¯s voice dripped with malice as she advanced towards Marisa, her eyes zing with fury. Marisa steadied herself, her jaw set with determination. ¡°I won¡¯t let you intimidate me,¡± she dered, her voice wavering slightly but her resolve unwavering. de lunged forward, aiming another blow at Marisa, but this time Marisa was prepared. With a swift movement, she dodged de¡¯s attack and retaliated with a quick jab to de¡¯s stomach. The unexpected strike caught de off guard, causing her to stagger backward. Marisa seized the opportunity to regain her footing, her adrenaline pumping as she prepared for whatever came next. Before de could recover, Alejandro intervened, stepping between the two women with a stern expression. ¡°That¡¯s enough,¡± hemanded, his voice cutting through the tension in the room like a knife. de red at Alejandro, her chest heaving with anger. ¡°Don¡¯t fucking interfere, Alejandro. None of this would have happened if you hadn¡¯t brought her here,¡± she spat out, pointing an using finger at Marisa. Marisa met Alejandro¡¯s gaze, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew that whatever she said next could have serious consequences. But she refused to back down. ¡°I¡¯m sick of all these shit,¡± she said angrily, her voice steady despite the anger coursing through her veins. Alejandro¡¯s eyes flickered with something unreadable before he turned his attention back to de. ¡°I won¡¯t tolerate this kind of behavior in my presence, de. Apologize to Marisa,¡± Alejandro stated, his voice cold and authoritative. de¡¯s face twisted with fury. ¡°What the fuck are you saying, Alejandro? You want me to apologize to this bitch?¡± de asked in anger. ¡°I said apologize to her right now!¡± Alejandromanded with a louder voice. ¡°I¡¯m not going to apologize to anyone,¡± de retorted. Alejandro became infuriated, and in a split second he brought out a gun from his waistline and pointed it at de. Marisa gasped at the sight of the gun and she gulped nervously. She wasn¡¯t expecting the matter to escte quickly. ¡°Oh, now you pointing a gun at me because of her?¡± de asked and scoffed in disbelief. ¡°I said apologize to her right now!¡± Alejandro said as he cocked the gun. de¡¯s defiance wavered as she stared down the barrel of Alejandro¡¯s gun, a bead of sweat forming on her brow. The room grew tense, the air thick with apprehension. Marisa, wide-eyed and trembling, struggled toprehend the gravity of the situation. She had never imagined things would escte to this point. Alejandro¡¯s grip tightened on the gun, his resolve unwavering. ¡°Apologize, de,¡± he repeated, his voice cutting through the silence like a sharp de. de¡¯s resolve remained unyielding, her defiance palpable even in the face of Alejandro¡¯s gun. She met his gaze with steely determination, refusing to back down. ¡°I won¡¯t apologize to her,¡± de stated firmly, her voiceced with contempt. ¡°I¡¯d sooner take a bullet than grovel to her.¡± Alejandro¡¯s expression hardened, his grip tightening on the gun. The standoff intensified, the tension thickening with each passing moment. Marisa, caught in the middle of the escting conflict, felt a knot tighten in her stomach. She had never anticipated such a vtile turn of events. As the standoff continued, Alejandro¡¯s jaw clenched, his patience wearing thin. But he remained silent, his eyes locked on de, waiting for her next move. de, undeterred by the threat of violence, stood her ground, her defiance unwavering. She was prepared to face the consequences, whatever they may be. As Alejandro¡¯s twin brother, Alexandro, rose from his seat, he attempted to defuse the escting situation. ¡°Lower the gun, Alejandro,¡± he urged, his voice calm but firm. But Alejandro remained resolute, his attention fixed on de. ¡°Stay out of this, Alexandro,¡± he snapped, his tone sharp. ¡°I won¡¯t lower this gun until she apologizes to Marisa.¡± de, undeterred by Alejandro¡¯s ultimatum, continued to provoke him. ¡°Pull the trigger then,¡± she taunted, her voice dripping with disdain. ¡°I¡¯m not apologizing to this woman.¡± Sensing the imminent danger, Marisa intervened, positioning herself between Alejandro and de. ¡°Please, Alejandro, lower the gun,¡± she pleaded, her voice quivering with fear and desperation. But Alejandro¡¯s anger raged unabated. ¡°Move aside, Marisa,¡± he demanded, his tone cold and unyielding. Marisa reached out, her touch gentle as she cupped Alejandro¡¯s face in her hands. ¡°Please,¡± she implored softly, her eyes searching his for any sign ofpassion or reason. As Marisa¡¯s touch softened Alejandro¡¯s resolve, a flicker of uncertainty crossed his face. He gazed into Marisa¡¯s eyes, torn between his anger and her plea for peace. ¡°Marisa¡­¡± Alejandro¡¯s voice wavered, his grip on the gun loosening slightly. He struggled to reconcile his emotions, the weight of the situation bearing down on him. de seized the opportunity to further anger Alejandro. ¡°Don¡¯t listen to her, Alejandro. Shoot the fucking gun and let¡¯s end this shit because I ain¡¯t gonna apologize to your bitch,¡± she sneered, her voice dripping with contempt. But Marisa remained steadfast, her gaze unwavering as she continued to appeal to Alejandro¡¯s humanity. ¡°Please, Alejandro,¡± she repeated softly, her touch gentle yet insistent. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Alejandro¡¯s rigid stance began to soften. With a heavy sigh, he lowered the gun, the tension in the room dissipating like a storm passing. Marisa released a breath she hadn¡¯t realized she¡¯d been holding, relief washing over her. She stepped back, giving Alejandro space to lower his guard. As the adrenaline of the moment subsided, Marisa couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of gratitude for Alejandro¡¯s restraint. ¡°Fuck you and your bitch, Alejandro!¡± de spat angrily before storming out of the room. de¡¯s parting words echoed through the tense silence, leaving a bitter taste in the air. Alejandro watched her leave, his jaw clenched in frustration. He really felt like killing de at that moment but he managed to keep his anger at bay all because of Marisa. Marisa, still reeling from the intensity of the encounter, nced at Alejandro, concern etched on her face. She knew that the fallout from this confrontation was far from over. Chapter 50: confession As the door mmed shut behind de, the room got real quiet. Alejandro turned to Marisa, his face all scrunched up. ¡°I¡¯m sorry you had to see that,¡± he said, his voice cold. ¡°I never wanted things to get like this.¡± Marisa reached out, finding his hand forfort. ¡°It¡¯s alright,¡± she said softly, giving him a reassuring smile. Watching them, Alejandro¡¯s twin brother, Alexandro, took a long look before leaving the dining room. Now, it was just Alejandro and Marisa. Marisa looked down at her spilled meal, sighing. She wondered who de was and why she seemed to hate her so much, even though they¡¯d just met. Alejandro turned to a guard in the room¡¯s corner, signaling him. ¡°Go fetch a maid to clean up this mess,¡± he ordered. The guard bowed and left, following Alejandro¡¯smand. Once the guard was gone, Marisa turned to Alejandro, curious about de and her animosity. ¡°Alejandro,¡± Marisa whispered. ¡°Who¡¯s that woman I shed with, and why does she hate me so much after just meeting me?¡± Alejandro sighed softly before replying, ¡°That¡¯s de, and only she knows why she despises you. Maybe you should ask her yourself.¡± ¡°I¡¯d rather not,¡± Marisa said, frowning. ¡°Maybe she¡¯s just jealous. Maybe she has feelings for you and resents me being here.¡± Alejandro scoffed, ¡°I don¡¯t care if she¡¯s jealous or mad about you being here. She can go to hell for all I care.¡± ¡°This mess wouldn¡¯t have happened if you hadn¡¯t brought me here. So, why did you?¡± Marisa asked, arms crossed. Alejandro was about to respond when two maids entered with cleaning supplies. They greeted Alejandro and got to work cleaning. ¡°Let¡¯s head to my room while they clean up,¡± Alejandro suggested to Marisa. ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere until you tell me why I¡¯m here,¡± Marisa insisted. Alejandro stepped closer, ¡°If you want answers,e to my room.¡± Marisa agreed but her stomach growled loudly, embarrassing her. Alejandro chuckled softly, earning a frown from Marisa. ¡°There¡¯s nothing funny about it,¡± she muttered, feeling embarrassed. Alejandro¡¯s chuckle subsided as he realized Marisa¡¯s embarrassment. ¡°Sorry, didn¡¯t mean tough,¡± he said, trying to ease the tension. ¡°Let¡¯s get you something to eat first.¡± ¡°Hey,¡± Alejandro called one of the maids who were cleaning the room. The maid hurried to Alejandro and bowed in front of him. Marisa noticed the maid shivering in fear as she bowed in front of Alejandro. Marisa knew Alejandro was a ruthless mafia Don but she never knew that he was feared to this extent. ¡°Bring some food to my room now,¡± Alejandro told the maid with a cold voice. The maid bowed in response before hurrying off to do what Alejandro instructed her to do. Marisa watched as the maid rushed scurried out of the room, then she returned her gaze back to Alejandro. ¡°Let¡¯s go to my room, sweetheart,¡± Alejandro said with a mischievous grin. Marisa wondered why Alejandro was grinning, and before she could ask him why, he swept her off her feet and carried her in his arms in a bridal style. Marisa gasped as Alejandro carried her effortlessly in his arms as if she weighed nothing. He began carrying her out of the room to his room which was upstairs. ¡°Drop me, Alejandro. I can walk by myself,¡± Marisa said as Alejandro carried her upstairs. ¡°Just shut up and enjoy this moment,¡± Alejandro replied with a smirk as he continued carrying her to his room. Marisa scoffed and rxed in his arms. As they approached his room, she couldn¡¯t help but wonder why he was suddenly acting nice and romantic to her. In the morning when he brought her from the church to the empire, he wasn¡¯t as nice and romantic as this; he was scary and cold hearted towards her. But now that he was acting nice to her, she found it suspicious and wondered the reason behind his sudden change of character. Finally, they arrived at Alejandro¡¯s room and Alejandro carried her inside the room. Alejandro slowly dropped her and Marisa couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the beauty and wealth of Alejandro¡¯s room. The room was super fancy, with fancy furniture and pretty decorations everywhere. Marisa¡¯s eyes got big as she checked out the room, seeing a huge bed with soft sheets and a big chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Alejandro moved around like he owned the ce, but Marisa couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something wasn¡¯t right. Even though the room was all fancy, there was this weird tension in the air. Alejandro told Marisa to getfy, so she said thanks even though she felt uneasy. While Alejandro took off his suit jacket, Marisa looked around, noticing all the fancy paintings and expensive stuff. But deep down, she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that there was trouble brewing beneath all the fancy stuff. Suddenly, there was a gentle knock on the door, interrupting the uneasy silence that hung in the air. Alejandro nced towards the door, his expression unreadable, before calling out, ¡°Come in.¡± Marisa watched as the door slowly creaked open, revealing a timid maid standing in the doorway. The maid held a tray adorned with delicious-looking food and refreshing drinks, her eyes darting nervously between Alejandro and Marisa. ¡°Here¡¯s your food, miss,¡± the maid said softly, carefully cing the tray on a nearby table. Marisa offered the maid a grateful smile as she nced at the tempting spread before her. The maid nodded in response before quickly retreating from the room, leaving Alejandro and Marisa alone once more. Alejandro motioned towards the food, a gesture of hospitality amidst the tense atmosphere. ¡°Please, help yourself,¡± he said, his tone more rxed than before. Marisa nodded, feeling a mix of gratitude and apprehension as she approached the tray. Despite the delicious aroma wafting from the dishes, she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that there was more to Alejandro¡¯s sudden kindness than met the eye. Marisa couldn¡¯t resist the enticing aroma of the food any longer. With a grateful smile, she eagerly helped herself to the delicious foodid out before her. As she savored the vors, she couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of curiosity lingering in the back of her mind. ¡°Are you going to eat, Alejandro?¡± Marisa asked between bites, her gaze flickering towards him.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Alejandro smiled softly, his eyes warm as he shook his head. ¡°No, thank you. I¡¯ve already eaten,¡± he replied, his tone gentle. Despite Alejandro¡¯s refusal, Marisa continued to enjoy her meal, savoring each bite as she mulled over the events of the day. Alejandro remained seated on the edge of the bed, his gaze never leaving her as she ate. As Marisa continued her meal, she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling of Alejandro¡¯s intense scrutiny. Despite his rxed demeanor, she couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of unease lingering in the air. With a forced smile, she pushed aside her lingering doubts, determined to enjoy the meal. Throughout her life, Marisa had never tasted anything as delicious as the meal before her. Being poor and responsible for her son, Jeffery, she rarely had the opportunity for such indulgence. But now, in Alejandro¡¯s empire, she felt like royalty, finally able to savor something truly delightful. Meanwhile, Alejandro continued to watch Marisa as she enjoyed her meal. Retrieving a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, he lit one and took a long drag, filling the air with smoke. ¡°Marisa, I¡¯d like to ask you a few questions,¡± Alejandro began, exhaling smoke as he spoke. ¡°Sure, go ahead,¡± Marisa replied between bites. ¡°How old is your son, Jeffery?¡± Alejandro inquired, causing Marisa to pause mid-meal at the mention of her son¡¯s name. ¡°Why do you want to know Jeffery¡¯s age?¡± Marisa questioned, setting down her utensils. ¡°I don¡¯t have a particr reason, I¡¯m just curious,¡± Alejandro responded, taking another drag from his cigarette. Marisa hesitated before answering, a hint of suspicion in her expression. ¡°Jeffery is five years old.¡± ¡°And who is Jeffery¡¯s father?¡± Alejandro asked, his inquiry prompting a slight frown from Marisa. ¡°Why the sudden interest in my son¡¯s life?¡± Marisa asked, her frown deepening with concern. Alejandro took a slow drag of his cigarette, his gaze steady on Marisa. ¡°I just like to know about the people who are important to me,¡± he replied casually, though there was a hint of intensity in his tone. Marisa studied Alejandro for a moment, searching for any clues in his expression. Despite his rxed demeanor, she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that there was more to his questions than mere curiosity. ¡°I don¡¯t know who Jeffery¡¯s father is,¡± Marisa finally answered, her voice tinged with a mixture of sadness and resolve. Alejandro nodded slowly, as if processing her response. ¡°You don¡¯t know who the father of your son is?¡± he asked, before taking another drag of his cigarette. ¡°I know it may sound weird but I really don¡¯t know who Jeffery¡¯s father is,¡± Marisa replied and she sighed. ¡°For more than three years, I¡¯ve been trying to find out who the father is but I found nothing.¡± A tense silence settled between them, broken only by the soft crackle of the burning cigarette. Marisa couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of unease lingering in the air, unsure of what Alejandro¡¯s true intentions were. As they sat in silence, Marisa couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that there was more to Alejandro¡¯s questions than met the eye. With a sense of unease gnawing at her, Marisa braced herself for whatever Alejandro had in store. After a minute of silence, Alejandro finally spoke, ¡°So, what you¡¯re trying to say is that you don¡¯t know who impregnated you five years ago?¡± ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t,¡± Marisa replied, and Alejandro became really curious to know more. ¡°This is one of the strangest things I¡¯ve ever heard,¡± Alejandro said with a smirk. ¡°Getting pregnant and not knowing who is responsible for it? That¡¯s unbelievable.¡± ¡°Have I ever told you my story, Alejandro?¡± Marisa asked. ¡°Nope, but I¡¯d love to hear it,¡± Alejandro replied. Marisa exhaled softly, then she began narrating her story. ¡°Five years ago, I woke up in a hospital and I couldn¡¯t remember anything. I couldn¡¯t remember where I was or who I was. It was ady named rabelle who told me my name and she told me that I was involved in a car ident which resulted into amnesia. rabelle also told me that I was pregnant and my pregnancy wasn¡¯t affected by the ident, then nine months after, I gave birth to Jeffery.¡± ¡°So you mean you¡¯re currently suffering from amnesia?¡± Alejandro asked. ¡°Yeah,¡± Marisa replied, nodding her head. ¡°I see,¡± Alejandro murmured before taking another drag of his cigarette. Alejandro listened intently as Marisa recounted her story, his expression shifting from curiosity to a mix of surprise and intrigue. The revtion of Marisa¡¯s amnesia added ayer ofplexity to the situation, one that Alejandro hadn¡¯t anticipated. ¡°So, you¡¯re currently suffering from amnesia?¡± Alejandro repeated, his voice tinged with a newfound understanding. Marisa nodded solemnly, her gaze distant as she recalled the events of her past. ¡°Yeah,¡± she confirmed, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness. ¡°I see,¡± Alejandro murmured, his mind racing with newfound information. The pieces of the puzzle were slowly starting toe together, yet there were still many unanswered questions lingering in the air. As they sat in contemtive silence, the soft crackle of Alejandro¡¯s cigarette filled the room. Marisa couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of vulnerability, sharing such personal details with a man she barely knew. Yet, there was something about Alejandro¡¯s presence that made her feel oddlyforted, despite the uncertainty of their circumstances. With a sigh, Alejandro stubbed out his cigarette, the tension in the room dissipating slightly. ¡°You haven¡¯t told me the reason why you brought me here,¡± Marisa said. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you now,¡± Alejandro replied as he rose to his feet, then he went to sit down beside Marisa. ¡°Five years ago,¡± Alejandro began talking. ¡°I was just a young man who fell in love with the most beautiful woman on this.¡± ¡°You had a lover five years ago?¡± Marisa asked with a surprised voice. ¡°Yeah,¡± Alejandro nodded. ¡°So, how is your long time lover rted to my being here?¡± Marisa asked curiously. ¡°The name of my lover was also Marisa and she went missing five years ago,¡± Alejandro replied, fixing his gaze on Marisa¡¯s face. Marisa¡¯s eyes widened in astonishment as Alejandro revealed this unexpected connection. ¡°You had a lover named Marisa who went missing five years ago?¡± she repeated, her voice tinged with disbelief. Alejandro nodded solemnly, his expression clouded with emotion. ¡°Yes,¡± he confirmed, his gaze steady as he recounted the painful memories. ¡°She was the love of my life, and when she disappeared without a trace, I searched everywhere for her.¡± Marisa¡¯s mind raced with questions, the pieces of the puzzle slowly starting to fall into ce. ¡°And you think I¡¯m somehow connected to her disappearance?¡± she ventured, her voice barely above a whisper. Alejandro hesitated for a moment before nodding. ¡°Yes,¡± he admitted, his voice heavy with emotion. ¡°When I first saw you, Marisa, something about you reminded me of her. I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that there was more to your presence here than mere coincidence.¡± Marisa felt a wave of unease wash over her as she processed Alejandro¡¯s words. The thought of being entangled in a mystery that spanned years filled her with a sense of dread, yet there was also a glimmer of hope that perhaps she held the key to unlocking the truth of Marisa¡¯s disappearance. ¡°But why bring me here?¡± Marisa pressed, her voice trembling slightly with uncertainty. Alejandro sighed, his gaze drifting to the floor as he wrestled with his emotions. ¡°I brought you here because I needed to know if you were truly her,¡± he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°I needed to know if there was any hope of finding her again.¡± Chapter 51: Intimate Encounter ¡°But why bring me to your empire?¡± Marisa asked, her voice trembling slightly with uncertainty. Alejandro sighed, his gaze drifting to the floor as he wrestled with his emotions. ¡°I brought you here because I needed to know if you were truly her,¡± he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°I needed to know if there was any hope of finding her again.¡± Marisa¡¯s heart ached at Alejandro¡¯s admission, the weight of his words settling heavily upon her shoulders. Despite the overwhelming uncertainty of their situation, she couldn¡¯t ignore the flicker of determination that burned within her. ¡°I may not remember my past, Alejandro,¡± Marisa began, her voice steady with resolve. ¡°But I promise to do everything in my power to help you find Marisa. Whatever it takes, I¡¯m with you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m d to hear that,¡± Alejandro said. ¡°So how do you intend on knowing if I¡¯m truly your Marisa, the one you loved five years ago?¡± Marisa asked. ¡°We can start by doing a DNA test for your son, Jeffery, and if his DNA matched mine, then that proves that I¡¯m his father and you are my long lost lover,¡± Alejandro replied. ¡°Before I can agree to all these, I need you to promise me that if the DNA test doesn¡¯t prove that you¡¯re Jeffery¡¯s father, you¡¯ll let me return back to my son and you¡¯ll stay away from us forever,¡± Marisa said. Alejandro gazed at her for a while before replying, ¡°Alright.¡± ¡°Tomorrow morning, we can go to my house and pick Jeffery up then we¡¯ll head to the hospital for the test,¡± Marisa said. ¡°That¡¯s okay,¡± Alejandro replied, nodding his head. A grave silence fell between the both of them as they gazed at each other¡¯s faces without saying a word. The atmosphere became awkward and Marisa couldn¡¯t beat the awkwardness so she immediately rose to her feet. ¡°I need to take a shower,¡± she murmured before rushing to the bathroom. Once she was in the bathroom, she shut the door and rested her back on the door. Marisa started thinking about everything Alejandro said about his long-lost lover, and she couldn¡¯t help but wonder what would happen if she turns out to be his long lost lover. She also wondered what would happen if Alejandro turns out to be Jeffery¡¯s father. How would she react to the news? And how would her son, Jeffery, react to the news if it turns out to be true? These questions flooded Marisa¡¯s mind as she took of her ck gown, leaving her in only her bra and pink panties. She also took off her bra and panties before proceeding to stand under the shower. After switching on the shower, she closed her eyes and let the warm water flow down her naked body. In the tranquil embrace of the warm water, Marisa reveled in the soothing sensation, her eyes shut tight against the world around her. Suddenly, a pair of strong arms enveloped her from behind, sending a jolt of fear coursing through her veins until a familiar scent assuaged her terror, letting her rx into the embrace of Alejandro. Whispers of desire caressed her ears as Alejandro¡¯s words painted a vivid picture of his longing, his arms wrapped around her, their bodies pressed together intimately. The subtle yet unmistakable evidence of his arousal against her sent a shiver of anticipation down Marisa¡¯s spine, her senses alive with the promise of pleasure. With each tender kiss upon her neck, Marisa surrendered herself to the moment, her body responding eagerly to Alejandro¡¯s touch. The press of his fingers against her breast elicited a soft moan of pleasure, igniting a fire within her that burned with each passing moment. As Alejandro¡¯s exploration continued, Marisa found herself consumed by a heady mix of desire and anticipation, her body responding to his every touch with a fervor she couldn¡¯t deny. With each passing moment, the tension between them grew, the air thick with the promise of what was toe. With a silent understanding, Alejandro guided Marisa to the bedroom, where the dim light cast shadows upon their eager forms, heightening the intensity of their desire. Marisay upon the bed, her heart racing as Alejandro stood before her, his gaze burning with a hunger that mirrored her own. With a slow, deliberate grace, Alejandro closed the distance between them, his touch sending waves of pleasure coursing through Marisa¡¯s veins. As her inhibitions melted away, Marisa found herselfpletely vulnerable before him, her body aching for his touch. With a sly grin, Alejandro teased away Marisa¡¯s hesitations, his voice a seductive melody that echoed through the room. With each passing moment, their desire grew, until they were consumed by a passion that knew no bounds. And as Alejandro¡¯s lips descended upon her, Marisa surrendered herselfpletely to the ecstasy of the moment, her body alive with a pleasure that was all-consuming. In the embrace of the night, they became lost to the world around them, consumed by a love that burned brighter than any me. He held her legs apart, and her limbs ached at the tightness, but it all became past tense when his tongue touched her wet sex. He began teasing, running his tongue in circles on her clit as his warm ticklish breath hit her pussy. Marisa gasped loudly and her hands instinctively gripped the sheets as a new feeling surged throughout her entire body. She had never felt this amount of pleasure in her entire life. Her chest rose and fell, and she started gasping for breath at the torture she was receiving from the devil himself. Alejandro continued teasing her by running his tongue in circles on her clitoris, and his warm ticklish breath hit her pussy, making her body shiver. Her pussy started dripping as she couldn¡¯t endure the teasing he was giving her. She wanted more. She wanted to feel his tongue inside her honeypot, but he wasn¡¯t doing that. He was teasing her instead, and she could no longer endure it. ¡°Please!¡± This word flew out of her lips, breathlessly. ¡°Please what?¡± Alejandro raised his head to give her a smirky look. ¡°Please lick my folds,¡± she begged cutely. ¡°Call me daddy!¡± Hemanded. ¡°Please daddy, lick my folds!¡± she begged desperately, and in the next minute, his tongue entered her clit, and she gasped as he started tonguing her like a devil. His tongue was not moving rhythmically this time, he wad licking her in and out, kissing and sucking on her clit, almost eating her up. She was just too sweet down there. ¡°Oh! Yesssss!!!¡± She moaned softly and shut her eyes in pleasure before diving her fingers in his hair, pulling him closer. ¡°Deeper Daddy! I want it deeper!¡± She moaned senselessly as she was enjoying every bit of it even though it was all new to her.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. He shoved two fingers in at once, his tongue was still working on her though, and her body started shaking on the bed as his fingers and mouth worked on her at the same time. She started inching, closer and closer as the fingering and tonguing went wilder. ¡°Fuck!, Daddy I¡¯m going to pee!!!!¡± She screamed. He smirked at her words and increased the movements of his fingers. He knew she was about to cum so he tripled the speed of his fingers, and her eyes widened as she grabbed the sheets. ¡°Ohhhh!!! Gosh!!! Daddy yes! Yes daddy¡­ da¡­ DDY YES!!!!!¡± She screamed in pleasure. ¡°C*m for daddy¡± he finally said, and she finally exploded and rained orgasm on his fingers which he licked up cleanly. Her legs were still shaking, but she surprisingly craved for more, more and more. Alejandro stared at her face, wearing a devilish smirk. Marisa suddenly grew shy, avoiding his gaze, attempting to hide her face with her palms. However, he held her hands firmly and gently ced her arms around his neck. Before she could even blink her eyes, he leaned in, closing the distance between them, and captured her lips in a passionate kiss. Marisa¡¯s eyes went wide as Alejandro kissed her. She didn¡¯t reciprocate the kiss at first, but she remembered that her job was to satisfy him sexually, so she shut her eyes and started kissing him back. Alejandro¡¯s right hand found it¡¯s way to her honeypot, and he inserted two fingers into it, making her moan into the kiss. He started fingering her slowly as they engaged in an intense kiss. Although, Marisa wasn¡¯t a good kisser, but she managed to kiss him well. Alejandro broke the kiss a minuteter, and he squeezed her gently, like a delicate flower, as he enjoyed the feel of her breasts against his chest. The softness of herps on his cock filled him with a sexual urge. To make love to her, to fuck her. ¡°Oh god, daddy,¡± she eximed after the kiss ended, ¡°I need you. I need your big cock.¡± She wasn¡¯t herself anymore. She was just too horny, and she couldn¡¯t think of anything else apart from sex. Alejandro didn¡¯t know why but he broke into a big smile. He wasn¡¯t himself anymore. He was suddenly possessed. Possessed by an unforeseen force called lust. His hands explored Marisa¡¯s sexy body from her tight, firm ass to her smooth pussy then up to her big breasts. He then opened her legs, and his cock protruded high above her legs. Marisa gave hus cock onest squeeze. He could tell she was measuring the length of my cock, wondering if she could take it all in. ¡°My god, you¡¯re so big, daddy!¡± She eximed as she stared at his erection. ¡°You¡¯d be gentle with me, won¡¯t you?!¡± Alejandro smirked and leaned closer. ¡°I¡¯m gonna fuck you like I want to kill you,¡± He whispered gravely into her ear. ¡°And I won¡¯t be nice.¡± Marisa stiffened instantly. One look at his face told her she was done for. ¡°Wait!¡± She ced her hands on his chest and tried to stop him, but he didn¡¯t wait. He grabbed her by the throat and push her backwards on the bed. Marisa¡¯s eyes sh wide open, and her red lips part to scream. But he choked on her throat, stopping the scream from escaping. Guiding his cock with his hand, Alejandro pressed the tip of his cock to her frothing slit, and pushed all the way in without warning. Marisa dug the back of her head into the bed. An exerted growl flew from her lips, and she flexed her vaginal muscles around him. ¡°Oh my fucking goodness!¡± She shrieked immediately, and her walls started tightening around him as he started fucking her. ¡°Please stop!¡± She begged as he was too big for her tight honeypot to contain. She was just too tight because she had never gotten intimate with any man ever since she lost her memories. ¡°You¡¯re so fucking tight, sweetheart, and I love it.¡± Alejandro groaned, taking turns to suck on her light red nipples. He then took a moment to savor the wet, tight heat of her pussy clenching about his cock. She was so warm and sweet around his dick. He then grabbed her hips, pulled out to the tip, and rammed all the way into her. He released her throat, and this time, she cried out, but that didn¡¯t stop him either. He squeezed one of her breasts in retaliation. The supple flesh protruded around his fingers, and the nipple stood firm against his thumb. She began moaning as he guided his thumb and finger to pinch her. He twisted her nipple and pulled it from her body, and she squealed a muffled tone of approval. He thrusted again, and again and again, always pulling out to the head, and then driving until his balls pped against her fat ass. Her body lurched back and forth across the bed, her breasts jiggles to the beat of his drives, her thighs rippled with the impact of his lust. Her eyes bore nothing but submissive desire, and he stared into them with his domineering possessiveness. She¡¯s his, his toy. He¡¯d ravish her. He sneered at her as her voice rose higher and higher around his head. Marisa cried something out from her mouth but he just squeezed her cheeks. He grinned as she screamed out in pleasure from his rapidly-driving cock. As he continued banging her harder, he also sucked on her nipples simultaneously. Her nipples were already swollen red in the next minute, then he kissed her cleavage, corbones and neck. He continued trailing kisses till he reached her earlobe, then her face. He then pulled out half of his dick, but he mmed into her pussypletely again, and her head spun. ¡°Fuck, Daddy! I love this!!!¡± She screamed out in pleasure. He then imed her lips, and their mouths started eating up each other as their sexes met. He was screwing her so fast that hermon sense evacuated her body that period, her brain refused to work with her mind, and her honeypot was feeling hot and warm at the same time, but she kept widening her legs for him, wanting more. He kissed her lips for three minutes straight, so her moans halted, but the moment he broke the kiss, he held up her legs and started moving crazily inside her. Like it was his harem, like it was his kingdom, his empire where he could do and undo. His hips were so fast, almost as fast as the speed of light, and she was getting indescribable pleasure from it. ¡°I love this so much Daddy!, Please don¡¯t go slow daddy! Fuck me harder, daddy!!!¡± She moaned senselessly as his cock moved in and out of her at a very fast pace. Pleasure was released into her bloodstream in folds, and when she couldn¡¯t control it, she started saying rubbish, saying strings of incoherent curse words as she felt herself reaching climax. Alejandro covered her mouth with his hand, and he doubled his speed, going deeper and deeper till he felt the tip of his dick hitting her womb. Marisa¡¯s eyes were starting to roll back in her head, and her jaw was ckening. Alejandro took his hand off her mouth and listened to the sweet chorus of her desperate, moaning breaths. They were growing faster and shorter, until they were nothing but pants mixing with squeals. He grabbed her other breasts and pinched the free nipple, fucking her faster and faster, harder and harder, until their pelvises were smacking together in fury of pping sts. It was crazy. The bed was shaking dangerously. Alejandro growled and plowed into her harder and harder, not caring if he was hurting her, but hoping he was. His member drove through her tight wetness; parting her inner resistances and breaking her in. She was thrashing now. Her screams were rough and exerted, as though she was in the midst of great physical strain. Then he thrusted onest time. Her entire body contorted, her back arching dramatically away from the bed, her shoulders forced back, and her thighs tightly ensnared around his hips. A singr, almost inaudible gasp escaped her parted lips, followed by a moment of intense release as she reached the peak of ecstasy, squirting all over him. Simultaneously, he unleashed his passion, letting out a deep, guttural roar of satisfaction as he released himself within her. As the waves of pleasure subsided, he slumped down upon her, spent and tired, while she finally recovered her voice. Theyy together on the bed, their breathsbored, in a moment of profound intimacy before locking eyes. Alejandro, wearing a mischievous smirk, gently traced Marisa¡¯s perspiring face with his thumb and posed a question. ¡°Do you love the sex, sweetheart?¡± he inquired. Marisa, thoroughly exhausted, found herself unable to muster the energy for words. Instead, she offered a simple nod before drifting off into a deep slumber. Alejandro¡¯s smirk deepened as he fixated on her tranquil visage. Tenderly, he ran his fingers through her hair, his eyes never wavering from her face. ¡°I truly hope you¡¯re my Marisa,¡± He spoke with an undertone of hope. Chapter 52: The Ultimatum The next morning, Marisa was awakened by the gentle rays of sunlight filtering through the window, casting a warm glow across the room. As she stirred, she attempted to shift her body on the bed, only to find herself unable to move. A strong arm was wrapped around her waist, holding her in ce. With a mixture of confusion and curiosity, Marisa managed to turn her head and saw Alejandro lying beside her, his features softened in sleep. His dark hair tousled slightly, framing his chiseled jawline and sculpted cheekbones. Even in slumber, there was an air of intensity about him, a maic presence that drew her in. As Marisa gazed at his handsome face, she couldn¡¯t help but admire the way the sunlight yed across his features, casting delicate shadows and highlights. His full lips were parted ever so slightly, his long eyshes brushing against his cheeks as he slept. Lost in her reverie, Marisa found herself captivated by Alejandro¡¯s presence, her eyes tracing the contours of his face with fascination. She couldn¡¯t deny the undeniable allure of his features, the way they seemed to hold a myriad of secrets waiting to be uncovered. Suddenly, Alejandro¡¯s eyes fluttered open, catching Marisa in the act of staring at him. A fleeting moment of embarrassment washed over her as she quickly averted her gaze, feeling caught in the act. For a brief moment, the two of them locked eyes, a silent exchange passing between them. Marisa¡¯s cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she realized she had been caught admiring Alejandro while he slept. Quickly, she looked away, hoping to conceal her embarrassment behind a veil of nonchnce. Marisa¡¯s cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she shyly greeted Alejandro, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Good morning,¡± she murmured, her eyes fixed on the bedsheet beneath her. Alejandro¡¯s lips curled into a smirk as he observed Marisa¡¯s flustered demeanor. ¡°Good morning to you too,¡± he replied, his voice tinged with amusement. Marisa¡¯s heart raced as she felt Alejandro¡¯s gaze lingering on her, the weight of his scrutiny making her feel more self-conscious than ever. She swallowed nervously, desperately trying to maintain herposure in the face of his teasing. ¡°You were admiring me, weren¡¯t you?¡± Alejandro said, his smirk widening as he teased her. Marisa¡¯s cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of red as she struggled to find the right words. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about,¡± she stammered, avoiding his gaze. Alejandro chuckled softly, his eyes sparkling with mischief. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Marisa,¡± he said, reaching out to gently brush a stray lock of hair from her face. ¡°I don¡¯t mind being admired.¡± Despite her embarrassment, Marisa couldn¡¯t help but feel a flutter of excitement at Alejandro¡¯s yful banter. As she met his gaze, she found herself drawn to the warmth and sincerity in his eyes, a feeling of connection blossoming between them. With a shy smile, Marisa finally met Alejandro¡¯s gaze, her heart racing with a mixture of nerves and anticipation. As Marisa and Alejandro gazed into each other¡¯s eyes in silence, a sense of awkwardness settled between them. Marisa could feel her cheeks burning with embarrassment as she struggled to break the tension that hung in the air. Finally, unable to bear the silence any longer, Marisa cleared her throat nervously. ¡°Um, we should probably get ready for the DNA test,¡± she said, her voice slightly shaky. Alejandro nodded in agreement, his expression unreadable. ¡°Right,¡± he replied simply, though Marisa detected a hint of disappointment in his tone. With a sense of relief, Marisa quickly wrapped her naked body in the duvet, concealing herself from Alejandro¡¯s gaze. She hurriedly climbed out of bed, her hair disheveled from sleep, and made her way to the bathroom, eager to escape the awkwardness of the moment. Once inside the bathroom, Marisa took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart. She knew that the uing DNA test would bring about a whole new set of challenges, but for now, she focused on the task at hand: getting herself ready for the day ahead. Marisa stepped into the shower, letting the water cascade over her body, washing away the remnants of sleep and uncertainty. The soothing sensation of the water helped to calm her nerves, allowing her to focus on the task at hand. With gentle strokes, Marisathered her skin with fragrant soap, relishing in the sensation of cleanliness and renewal. The steam from the shower enveloped her, creating a cocoon of warmth andfort. After what felt like an eternity, Marisa finally emerged from the shower, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. She wrapped herself in a fluffy towel as she stepped out of the bathroom and into the bedroom. As she entered the room, her gaze fell upon Alejandro, who was standing by the window with his back turned towards her. With a hesitant breath, Marisa cleared her throat, hoping to gain his attention. Alejandro turned to look at her, his eyes meeting hers with an intensity that sent a shiver down Marisa¡¯s spine. A stick of cigarette dangled from his lips, the tendrils of smoke curling upwards inzy spirals. Marisa¡¯s heart skipped a beat as she caught sight of the smoldering look in Alejandro¡¯s eyes, a dark intensity that ignited a spark of desire within her. Despite her best efforts to maintain herposure, she couldn¡¯t deny the maic pull that drew her towards him. For a moment, they stood locked in a silent exchange, the air thick with tension and longing. As Alejandro¡¯s gaze roamed over her, Marisa felt a rush of heat flood her cheeks, her pulse quickening with anticipation. Unable to tear her eyes away from his, Marisa found herself captivated by the raw desire that flickered in Alejandro¡¯s gaze. In that moment, she knew that their connection went beyond mere coincidence. With a silent understanding passing between them, Alejandro took a step closer to Marisa as he puffed out smoke from his mouth. As Marisa stood before Alejandro, she couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of vulnerability under his prating gaze. Alejandro, towering over her with his height, looked down at her with a mixture of curiosity and intensity, his presencemanding the space between them. Feeling suddenly self-conscious under his scrutiny, Marisa found herself unable to meet his gaze. Instead, she shifted her gaze downwards, focusing on her feet as a wave of shyness washed over her. Noticing her hesitance, Alejandro¡¯s lips curled into a knowing smirk as he reached out to gently raise her chin with his hand. His touch sent a jolt of electricity coursing through Marisa¡¯s veins, causing her heart to race with anticipation. With a soft chuckle, Alejandro spoke, his voice low and husky. ¡°You look ravishing as always, Marisa,¡± he said, his wordsced with genuine admiration. Marisa felt her cheeks flush with warmth at hispliment, a shy smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Despite her attempts to conceal her feelings, she couldn¡¯t deny the flutter of excitement that danced in her stomach at his words. As Alejandro¡¯s hand lingered beneath her chin, Marisa¡¯s mind raced with conflicting emotions. She couldn¡¯t deny the undeniable attraction she felt towards him, the way her heart fluttered at his touch. But was it love, or was it merely the heat of the moment? Lost in her thoughts, Marisa struggled to make sense of her feelings. Was she truly in love with Alejandro, or was it just a fleeting infatuation? She couldn¡¯t deny the maic pull that drew her towards him, the way his presence seemed to fill the room with electricity. But as she gazed into Alejandro¡¯s eyes, searching for answers, she found herself grappling with uncertainty. Was it possible to fall in love with someone so quickly, or was she simply caught up in the intensity of the moment? Unable to find the words to express her inner turmoil, Marisa remained silent, her gaze locked with Alejandro¡¯s. In that moment, she realized that perhaps love was aplex and multifaceted emotion, one that couldn¡¯t be easily defined or dissected. As Alejandro continued to gaze at her with warmth and affection, Marisa felt a sense of peace wash over her. Whether it was love or lust, she knew that she was drawn to him in a way she couldn¡¯t exin. As Alejandro leaned in, Marisa felt her heart skip a beat in anticipation. Their lips met in a soft, tantalizing kiss, sending a rush of warmth coursing through her veins. Closing her eyes, Marisa surrendered to the sensation, her lips moving against Alejandro¡¯s with a fervent desire. The kiss deepened, bing more intense with each passing moment. Marisa lost herself in the sensation, her hands instinctively reaching up to tangle in Alejandro¡¯s hair as she pulled him closer. But just as the kiss reached its peak of intensity, Marisa suddenly broke away, her breathing in short gasps. Alejandro gave her a questioning look, his eyes searching hers for an exnation. ¡°We should go and get Jeffery for the DNA test,¡± Marisa said breathlessly, her voice barely above a whisper.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Alejandro smirked in response, a knowing glint in his eyes as he nodded in agreement. With a final lingering look, he turned and disappeared into the bathroom, leaving Marisa alone in the bedroom. As the sound of running water filled the room, Marisa let out a soft exhale, her chest rising and falling with the rapid pace of her heartbeat. Touching her chest, she could feel her heart racing beneath her fingertips, and that was a tangible reminder of the intensity of the moment they had just shared. Marisa quickly busied herself with getting dressed, selecting a simple yet elegant dress from her suitcase. The dress was a deep shade of burgundy, hugging her curves in all the right ces. She paired it with a pair of ck heels that added a touch of sophistication to her ensemble. As she finished buttoning up the dress, Marisa moved to the mirror to brush her hair, her mind still reeling from the intensity of the kiss she had shared with Alejandro moments before. Lost in her thoughts, she was startled when she heard the bathroom door open. Turning her head, Marisa¡¯s breath caught in her throat as she caught sight of Alejandro stepping into the bedroom. His tall, muscr frame was adorned with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist, droplets of water glistening on his skin. For a moment, Marisa found herself unable to tear her gaze away from him, captivated by the raw masculinity he exuded. The sight of him, so vulnerable yet undeniably alluring, caused her heart to race with a mixture of desire and uncertainty. As Alejandro¡¯s eyes met hers, Marisa felt a flush spread across her cheeks, heat pooling in the pit of her stomach. Despite the sudden rush of arousal that flooded her senses, she forced herself to look away, her cheeks burning with embarrassment at being caught staring. With a soft exhale, Marisa turned back to the mirror, focusing her attention on finishing her hair. But the image of Alejandro, standing before her with water dripping down his sculpted chest, lingered in her mind. As Alejandro began to dress, Marisa couldn¡¯t help but steal nces at him, her heart racing at the sight of him in the white tuxedo. The crisp fabric hugged his muscr frame, entuating his broad shoulders and chiseled features. With each movement, Alejandro exuded an effortless confidence, his every gesturemanding attention. Marisa found herself captivated by the sight of him, her gaze lingering on the way the fabric draped over his form, emphasizing his masculine allure. Despite her attempts to focus on her own preparations, Marisa couldn¡¯t shake the feeling of anticipation that simmered beneath her skin. The undeniable chemistry between them crackled in the air, a tangible reminder of the intensity of their connection. As Alejandro finished dressing, he turned to look at Marisa, a smirk ying at the corners of his lips. ¡°Ready to go?¡± he asked, his voice husky with anticipation. Marisa nodded, feeling her heart race as she locked eyes with Alejandro. With a shared understanding, they left the room and walked to the dining area. As they entered, they were greeted by a table overflowing with delicious dishes. Marisa¡¯s eyes widened with delight as she took in the feast spread out before them. There were tes piled high with savory meats, bowls brimming with colorful vegetables, and trays of tempting desserts. The aroma alone made her mouth water. With a smile of appreciation, Marisa and Alejandro took their seats at the table, ready to indulge in the culinary delightsid out before them. They began eating, and as they ate, Marisa couldn¡¯t help but wonder why Alejandro¡¯s twin brother and de didn¡¯t join them for breakfast. Nevertheless, Marisa was grateful that de didn¡¯t join them for breakfast. After finishing their meal, Marisa and Alejandro stood up and headed out of the house. They were greeted by a contingent of guards as they made their way to the car shed. With precision, two guards opened the backseat doors of a sleek white car for Alejandro and Marisa. They settled into the plush seats, and the engine roared to life as the driver started the car. As they pulled out of the expansivepound, Marisa nced out the window, noting the cars filled with guards that followed closely behind them. Despite the security detail, she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling of excitement and anticipation coursing through her veins. Today was the day they would finally get answers about Jeffery¡¯s paternity, and she was determined to uncover the truth, no matter the cost. As the car pulled up in front of her apartment building, Marisa¡¯s heart fluttered with a mix of emotions. She couldn¡¯t help but feel a wave of relief wash over her as she gazed at the familiar sight of her home. After the events of the previous day, she had feared she might never see it again. With a soft exhale, Marisa stepped out of the car, nked by the two guards who had opened the door for her and Alejandro. As she stood on the sidewalk, she couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of gratitude for being back in familiar surroundings. Looking up at the building, Marisa felt a surge of happiness swell within her. This was where she had built a life for herself and her son, where they had shared countless memories together. And now, after what felt like an eternity, she was finally home. With a determined stride, Marisa made her way towards the entrance, Alejandro at her side. She couldn¡¯t wait to see her son and her best friend rabelle. Stepping inside the house with Alejandro, Marisa was expecting to see her son or rabelle but she found no one in the living room. ¡°Jeffery? rabelle? I¡¯m home,¡± Marisa said as she moved through the living room. Alejandro nced around the room with his right hand buried in his pocket. Marisa went to the bedroom to look for rabelle and Jeffery but she didn¡¯t find them in the bedroom. She started panicking as she searched all over the house for them but she didn¡¯t find them. Marisa¡¯s heart raced with panic as she frantically searched every corner of the apartment for Jeffery and rabelle. With each passing moment, her anxiety grew, and she felt a knot tightening in her chest. Returning to the living room, Marisa¡¯s eyes widened with fear as she approached Alejandro. ¡°Alejandro, I can¡¯t find Jeffery and rabelle!¡± she eximed, her voice trembling with worry. Alejandro¡¯s brow furrowed with concern as he listened to Marisa¡¯s frantic words. ¡°Stay calm, Marisa. We¡¯ll find them,¡± he reassured her, his voice steady despite the urgency of the situation. ¡°Umm¡­ please lend me your phone so I can give rabelle a call,¡± Marisa said to Alejandro, her voice tinged with urgency. Without hesitation, Alejandro handed his phone to her, concern evident in his eyes as he watched her dial rabelle¡¯s number. Marisa¡¯s heart raced with anticipation as she waited for the call to connect, her fingers tapping anxiously against the screen. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, rabelle¡¯s voice echoed through the phone, breaking the tension that had settled in the air. ¡°Hey, rabelle, it¡¯s Marisa speaking,¡± Marisa said, her voice tinged with urgency. ¡°Hello, Marisa. I guess you¡¯re currently at home, right?¡± rabelle asked, her tone betraying a hint of concern. ¡°Yes. Is Jeffery there with you?¡± Marisa inquired, her worry palpable. ¡°Jeffery is with my boss,¡± rabelle replied cryptically, hinting at a deeper connection. ¡°Your boss?¡± Marisa questioned, her confusion growing. ¡°Hold on, my boss wants to speak with you,¡± rabelle interjected, signaling a shift in the conversation¡¯s direction. ¡°Hello, Marisa Russo,¡± a masculine voice boomed through the phone,manding attention. ¡°Hello? Who is this?¡± Marisa asked, her curiosity piqued. ¡°I¡¯m rabelle¡¯s boss, and just like rabelle said earlier, your son is with him,¡± the man on the other line stated matter-of-factly. ¡°What¡¯s your name? And why is my son with you?¡± Marisa demanded, her tone edged with concern. ¡°Pardon my manners. My name is Salvador Morello,¡± the man replied smoothly. Alejandro¡¯s eyes widened in shock when he heard Salvador¡¯s name. ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of that name,¡± Marisa admitted, her confusion evident. ¡°You might not know who I am, but your boyfriend does,¡± Salvador replied. ¡°My boyfriend? Who?¡± Marisa asked, her mind racing to connect the dots. ¡°Alejandro Gambino knows who I am, so ask him,¡± Salvador revealed, dropping a bombshell. ¡°I don¡¯t care about who you are. All I want to know is why my son is with you,¡± Marisa asserted, her focus unwavering. ¡°I am not much of a talker, so if you want to see your son again, tell Alejandro Gambino and his twin brother toe to the location which I will send to this number after this call. I¡¯m giving you just twenty-four hours, so make sure you bring the two leaders of the Gambino family, and make sure they don¡¯t bring their mobsters or guards whening. Goodbye,¡± Salvador exined tersely before abruptly ending the call, leaving Marisa with a sinking feeling in her chest. Marisa¡¯s heart pounded with fear and confusion as she listened to Salvador Morello¡¯s ominous words. She couldn¡¯tprehend why her son was with him or what he wanted with Alejandro and his twin brother. Turning to Alejandro, her eyes wide with worry, she ryed the chilling ultimatum they had just received. ¡°Alejandro, we need to find Jeffery,¡± Marisa said urgently, her voice trembling with fear. ¡°And we need to do whatever it takes to bring him back safely.¡± Chapter 53: Saving Jeffery After the phone call with Salvador Morello, the man who abducted Marisa¡¯s son, Marisa and Alejandro immediately rushed out of Marisa¡¯s apartment and they entered the car. ¡°Head back to the empire,¡± Alejandro ordered the driver. The driver nodded and started the car, then drove off at an insane speed. As the vehicle conveyed them back to the Gambinos¡¯ empire, Marisa was gazing out of the window with a worried expression on her face. She was deeply worried about her son, Jeffery. Deep down her heart, she was hoping and praying that nothing bad should happen to her son. Alejandro noticed her worried expression and he ced his hand on hers. Marisa felt Alejandro¡¯s hand on her then she turned her face to look at him. Tears were already rolling down Marisa¡¯s cheeks as she gazed at Alejandro. Alejandro sighed softly and said, ¡°Stop crying, Marisa. We¡¯ll get your son back.¡± More tears rolled down Marisa¡¯s cheeks as she thought about her son being in danger. If only she was at home with him, then maybe he wouldn¡¯t have been captured by Salvador Morello. If only Alejandro hadn¡¯t brought her to his empire the previous day, then all of this mess wouldn¡¯t have happened. As Alejandro reached out to wipe off the tears on Marisa¡¯s cheeks, Marisa angrily pped his hand off. ¡°This is all your fault, Alejandro,¡± Marisa said in anger. ¡°You¡¯re the reason why my son is with that man who I know absolutely nothing about. If only you hadn¡¯t taken me forcefully to your empire yesterday, then maybe my son would still be with me today!¡± Alejandro¡¯s expression softened with understanding as he listened to Marisa¡¯s words, knowing that she was speaking from a ce of anguish and fear. He couldn¡¯t deny the weight of responsibility that rested on his shoulders, knowing that his actions had inadvertently led to Jeffery¡¯s abduction. ¡°I know, Marisa. I know,¡± Alejandro said, his voice tinged with regret. ¡°I never meant for any of this to happen. I thought I was keeping you safe, but I only put you and your son in danger.¡±All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Marisa¡¯s anger red anew at Alejandro¡¯s admission, her heart heavy with the weight of uncertainty and fear for Jeffery¡¯s safety. She couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of betrayal, knowing that Alejandro¡¯s actions had jeopardized their lives in ways she could never have imagined. ¡°I don¡¯t want your apologies, Alejandro,¡± Marisa said, her voice trembling with emotion. ¡°I want my son back. And I want you to do whatever it takes to make that happen.¡± Alejandro nodded solemnly, his jaw set with determination. ¡°I promise you, Marisa. We will find Jeffery, no matter what it takes,¡± he vowed, his gaze unwavering as he met her tear-filled eyes. Alejandro¡¯s expression softened with understanding as he listened to Marisa¡¯s outburst, his heart heavy with guilt for the role he had yed in the situation. He knew that Marisa¡¯s anger was justified, and he couldn¡¯t me her for ming him for the predicament they found themselves in. ¡°I know, Marisa,¡± Alejandro said quietly, his voice tinged with regret. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I never intended for any of this to happen. I never imagined that bringing you here would put your son in danger.¡± Marisa¡¯s eyes brimmed with tears as she listened to Alejandro¡¯s vow, her heart aching with sorrow for the pain she knew he must be feeling. Despite her anger, she couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of sympathy for him, knowing that he was also grappling with the consequences of his actions. As the car sped towards the Gambinos¡¯ empire, Marisa and Alejandro sat in tense silence, each lost in their own thoughts and fears. Marisa turned her face to look out the window as they continued the journey to the Gambinos¡¯ empire. Marisa began wondering who Salvador was and why he abducted her son. She decided to ask Alejandro. Turning her gaze to Alejandro, she asked, ¡°Do you know who Salvador Morello is?¡± Alejandro gazed at Marisa for a while before nodding his head gently. ¡°Yeah, I know who that bastard is,¡± he replied. ¡°And who is he?¡± Marisa questioned curiously. Alejandro let out a sigh, then he began exining who Salvador was. ¡°Salvador Morello is the leader of a mafia group named the Morello family. The Morello family is our greatest rival in the Mafia world, and they¡¯ve been doing everything to take us down but they failed at every attempt.¡± ¡°What does my son have to do with all these?¡± Marisa asked after listening to Alejandro¡¯s exnation. Alejandro¡¯s expression darkened as he considered Marisa¡¯s question, his mind racing with the implications of Jeffery¡¯s abduction. ¡°It¡¯s possible that Salvador Morello sees Jeffery as leverage,¡± Alejandro exined, his voice tinged with frustration. ¡°He knows that by taking your son, he can exert pressure on me and my brother, forcing us toply with his demands.¡± Marisa¡¯s heart sank at Alejandro¡¯s words, the weight of the situation pressing down on her like a heavy burden. She couldn¡¯t believe that her innocent son had been dragged into the dangerous world of Mafia politics, his life now hanging in the bnce because of their rivalry with the Morello family. ¡°Marisa, I promise you that I won¡¯t let anything happen to Jeffery,¡± Alejandro said, his voice firm with resolve. ¡°We¡¯ll do whatever it takes to bring him back safely, even if it means confronting Salvador Morello head-on.¡± Marisa nodded in agreement, a flicker of hope igniting within her at Alejandro¡¯s unwavering determination. Despite the perilous circumstances they faced, she knew that as long as she had Alejandro by her side, they had a fighting chance of rescuing Jeffery and bringing him home where he belonged. As the car neared the Gambinos empire, Alejandro¡¯s phone beeped, signifying an iing message. He checked the message and saw that it was from Salvador. The message contained the location of the ce where Salvador wanted Alejandro and his twin brother to meet him. Alejandro¡¯s jaw clenched in anger as he read the message. The car containing Marisa and Alejandro zoomed inside therge empire and parked under the car shed. Stepping out of the vehicle, Alejandro threw his phone on the ground and smashed it with his shoe. ¡°Why did you break your phone?¡± Marisa asked with a confused expression on her face. ¡°Salvador might track us through my phone and I don¡¯t want him to get the location of my empire,¡± Alejandro replied. ¡°Oh,¡± Marisa murmured, and they both entered one of the mansions in thepound. ¡°Sit here while I go speak with my brother about the situation,¡± Alejandro said to Marisa as they stepped inside the living area. Marisa nodded and went to sit on a couch while Alejandro went upstairs to meet his brother in his bedroom. Arriving at his brother¡¯s bedroom, Alejandro entered without knocking. His twin brother, Alexandro, was busy having sex with ady. Alejandro ignored them and went to the mini bar in the room to make himself a drink. Alexandro on other hand pulled out of thedy he was having sex with and he ordered her to get out of the room. Thedy got dressed immediately and went out of the room while Alexandro came down from the bed and wore his trousers. ¡°I was having a good time, Alejandro. What do you want?¡± Alexandro asked as he approached Alejandro who was sitting on a couch, sipping a ss of alcohol. Alejandro¡¯s expression remained grim as he looked up at his brother, his thoughts consumed by the urgency of their situation. ¡°We¡¯ve got a problem, Alex,¡± Alejandro said, his voice tense with frustration. ¡°Salvador Morello has Marisa¡¯s son.¡± Alejandro¡¯s words hung heavy in the air as he waited for his brother¡¯s response, his heart pounding with the weight of their predicament. But instead of agreement, Alexandro¡¯s features twisted with skepticism and disdain. ¡°Marisa and her son are none of my concern,¡± Alexandro stated tly, his toneced with indifference. ¡°I have no interest in risking my life for some woman and her child.¡± Alejandro¡¯s jaw tightened with frustration at his brother¡¯s callous words, but he knew that convincing Alexandro would be no easy task. Ignoring the simmering anger bubbling within him, he attempted to reason with his brother, his voice firm with determination. ¡°Don¡¯t you see, Alex? If we don¡¯t act now, Salvador will use Jeffery as leverage against us,¡± Alejandro urged, his tone pleading. ¡°We can¡¯t let him get away with this. We have to do whatever it takes to bring Jeffery back safely.¡± But Alexandro remained unmoved, his expression hardened with stubborn resolve. ¡°And do you realize that this could be a trap? Salvador wants us vulnerable, Alejandro. He¡¯ll be waiting for us, ready to ambush.¡± Alejandro¡¯s mind raced with the implications of Alexandro¡¯s words, the gravity of their situation weighing heavily on him. But even in the face of danger, he refused to back down. ¡°We can¡¯t let fear dictate our actions,¡± Alejandro argued, his voice tinged with desperation. ¡°We have to take the risk, Alex. For Marisa, for Jeffery, for our family.¡± Despite Alejandro¡¯s impassioned pleas, Alexandro remained resolute in his refusal, his expression hardened with stubborn defiance. With a frustrated sigh, Alejandro raked a hand through his hair, his mind racing for a way to break through his brother¡¯s stubborn resolve. He knew that time was of the essence, and every moment they wasted arguing was another moment Jeffery remained in danger. ¡°Alex, please,¡± Alejandro implored, his voice tinged with desperation. ¡°I need you on this. We can¡¯t let Salvador win. We have to stand together as brothers.¡± Alexandro¡¯s expression softened slightly at his brother¡¯s plea, but his resolve remained unyielding. ¡°I understand, Alejandro, but I can¡¯t risk my life for someone I barely know.¡± Alejandro felt a surge of frustration welling up within him, but he knew thatshing out would only push his brother further away. Instead, he took a deep breath, attempting to remain calm in the face of adversity. ¡°I get it, Alex,¡± Alejandro said, his voice steady despite the turmoil swirling within him. ¡°But think about what¡¯s at stake here. If we don¡¯t act now, we may never get another chance to save Jeffery.¡± Alexandro¡¯s gaze wavered for a moment, torn between his loyalty to his brother and his own self-preservation. But as he nced at Alejandro¡¯s determined expression, a flicker of uncertainty crossed his features. ¡°Fine,¡± Alexandro relented, his voiceced with resignation. ¡°But if anything goes wrong, it¡¯s on you, Alejandro.¡± Alejandro nodded solemnly, acknowledging his brother¡¯s apprehension. ¡°I¡¯ll take full responsibility, Alex. Now let¡¯s go get Marisa and bring Jeffery home.¡± Alexandro nodded in agreement, his expression mirroring his brother¡¯s sense of urgency. ¡°What¡¯s the n, then?¡± Alejandro took a moment topose himself, his mind racing with potential strategies for confronting Salvador Morello and rescuing Jeffery from his clutches. ¡°We meet him at the location he provided,¡± Alejandro said finally, his voice firm with resolve. ¡°But we do it on our terms. No guards, no weapons. Just you, me, and Marisa.¡± ¡°But shouldn¡¯t we at least have a backup n?¡± Alexandro asked. ¡°We should at least involve de and a few top members of the family. What do you think?¡± Alejandro paused, considering his brother¡¯s suggestion carefully. While he understood the importance of having a backup n, he also knew that involving more people could increase the risk of Salvador catching wind of their intentions. ¡°It¡¯s a risk, Alex,¡± Alejandro replied, his brow furrowing with concern. ¡°But you¡¯re right. We need to be prepared for any oue.¡± With a nod of agreement, Alexandro made his way to the mini bar, pouring himself a drink while thoughts of their impending confrontation with Salvador swirled in his mind. Alejandro joined him, their silent camaraderie speaking volumes as they each poured a drink. ¡°We¡¯ll involve de and a select few,¡± Alejandro decided firmly. ¡°But we keep this operation tight. No loose ends.¡± ¡°Alright then, when are we leaving?¡± Alexandro inquired, taking a sip from his ss. ¡°Salvador sent a text earlier, asking us to meet him by 10 PM. So, we leave by 10 PM,¡± Alejandro responded. ¡°I hope everything goes as nned,¡± Alexandro remarked. ¡°And if it does, it¡¯d be like killing two birds with one stone. We save Marisa¡¯s son and finally dismantle the Morello family,¡± Alejandro added. ¡°Alejandro, I can¡¯t help but wonder why you¡¯re so invested in saving Marisa¡¯s son. Could it be you¡¯ve developed feelings for her?¡± Alexandro prodded, and Alejandro scoffed. ¡°No, I haven¡¯t sumbed to that folly called love,¡± Alejandro replied. ¡°Then what¡¯s driving you to do this? Why Marisa¡¯s son?¡± Alexandro pressed. ¡°Remember when I shared about my long-lost lover, suspecting Marisa might be her?¡± Alejandro reminded him. ¡°Yes, I remember,¡± Alexandro nodded. ¡°Well, Jeffery is the key to uncovering whether Marisa is the one I lost five years ago. He is the key to finding out if Marisa is my long-lost lover, and that¡¯s the reason why we must save him at all cost,¡± Alejandro exined. ¡°Finding Jeffery could provide closure, not just for me, but for Marisa as well,¡± Alejandro continued, his gaze distant with memories. ¡°If Jeffery is indeed the child of my lost love, it would mean Marisa and I shared something real once.¡± Alexandro nodded in understanding. ¡°So, this isn¡¯t just about revenge or justice. It¡¯s about finding answers and perhaps reiming what was lost.¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Alejandro affirmed, a sense of determination in his voice. ¡°But first, we need to ensure tonight¡¯s operation goes smoothly. Then, we can focus on unraveling the truth behind Marisa and Jeffery.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, bro, everything is gonna go as nned,¡± Alexandro said, and with a shared resolve, they clinked their sses together, ready to face whatever challengesy ahead. Chapter 54: The End After informing de and a few top members of the Gambino family about the abduction of Jeffery, Marisa¡¯s son, Alejandro led them back to the living room where Marisa was sitting with a worried expression on her face. When she saw Alejandro descending the stairway with his twin brother, Alexandro, de and other members, Marisa immediately rose to her feet with her gaze fixed on Alenjandro. Marisa had been thinking about her son and how he was doing. She was hoping that Salvador would not hurt or harm him. ¡°We¡¯re ready,¡± Alejandro said, and Marisa gave him a questioning look. ¡°Are they alsoing with us?¡± Marisa asked, referring to the other top members who wereing with them including de. ¡°Yeah, they¡¯reing with us,¡± Alejandro replied, and Marisa took him to a corner to speak with him privately. ¡°But Salvador said that I shoulde with you and your twin brother alone unless he¡¯d harm Jeffery,¡± Marisa said. ¡°I know, but the other members aren¡¯ting with us right away. You, Alexandro and me would first go and meet Salvador, then the others will track our location and discreetlye in case things go out of control,¡± Alejandro exined, but Marisa¡¯s mind was still not at ease with his exnation. Salvador¡¯s warning was still bothering her. ¡°What if Salvador senses that something is off? What if he discovers our n?¡± Marisa asked worriedly. Alejandro held Marisa¡¯s hands tenderly as he gazed into her eyes, then he asked with a soft voice, ¡°Do you trust me, Marisa?¡± Marisa sighed softly before responding, ¡°Yeah, I trust you, but¡­¡± ¡°Then be rest assured that this n will work out and we will rescue your son unharmed,¡± Alejandro said. Marisa gazed at him for a while before saying. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s go,¡± Alejandro turned to the others and said, ¡°Remember the n everyone. Fifteen minutes after I leave with Marisa and Alexandro, the rest of you will trail us and wait for my signal. Do you understand?¡± ¡°Yes, boss,¡± they responded, but de said nothing. She had frown on her face as she gazed at Marisa who stood beside Alejandro. de didn¡¯t want to join the operation, but she had to join because Alejandromanded her to, and if she disobeyed, he wouldn¡¯t hesitate to kill her. As Marisa walked out of the building with Alejandro and Alexandro, de hoped that Marisa would die during the course of rescuing her son from Salvador Morello. Marisa and Alejandro settled in the back of a Rolls-Royce, while Alexandro took the wheel and got the car going. They figured Alexandro should drive ¡¯cause Salvador might get suspicious if someone else did. As they zoomed out of the Gambinos¡¯ territory, Alexandro steered them to the spot where Salvador wanted ¡¯em to show up. With the car zipping down the dark road, Marisa couldn¡¯t shake off the fear creeping in. Alejandro noticed her fretting and pulled out a pistol. ¡°Take this,¡± he said, handing it over. Marisa stared at the gun, her eyes wide, hands trembling as she took it. ¡°If things go sideways, pull the trigger and don¡¯t hesitate to defend yourself,¡± Alejandro said, his voice serious. Marisa swallowed hard, feeling beads of sweat forming on her forehead. As the car rumbled on, Marisa clutched the pistol tightly, her mind swirling with thoughts of what might happen when they met Salvador. She tried to focus on Alejandro¡¯s words, telling herself she had to be ready to protect herself and her son at all costs. The minutes dragged on like hours, each passing moment adding to Marisa¡¯s unease. She nced out the window, watching the shadows dance along the roadside, her heart pounding in her chest. Suddenly, Alexandro spoke up, breaking the tense silence in the car. ¡°We¡¯re almost there,¡± he said, his voice steady but tense. Marisa¡¯s grip on the pistol tightened even more as they approached the designated meeting spot. Her palms were slick with sweat, and she wiped them nervously on her pants. As they pulled up to the meeting point, Marisa¡¯s heart leaped into her throat. She scanned the area, her senses on high alert, searching for any sign of danger. The air seemed to crackle with tension as they waited for Salvador to appear. Minutes stretched into eternity, each second feeling like an eternity as they waited in the eerie stillness. And then, suddenly, he was there. Salvador emerged from the darkness, a sinister grin spreading across his face as he approached the car. Marisa¡¯s heart hammered in her chest as she braced herself for whatever was toe. Salvador¡¯s grin widened as he approached Marisa, Alejandro, and Alexandro. ¡°Wee,¡± he said, his voice oozing with sinister charm. ¡°Where¡¯s my son?¡± Marisa asked, her voice surprisingly steady despite her fear. ¡°Oh, your son is right here,¡± Salvador replied, motioning for rabelle to bring Jeffery forward. ¡°Mummy!¡± Jeffery eximed, his face lighting up when he saw Marisa. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Jeffery. Mommy¡¯s here to get you out,¡± Marisa said, her voice breaking with emotion as tears welled up in her eyes. Salvador turned to rabelle, his tonemanding. ¡°Let the boy go. He belongs with his mother.¡± rabelle hesitated for a moment before releasing Jeffery, who ran into Marisa¡¯s open arms. She held him tight, tears streaming down her face as she whispered words offort to her son. Suddenly, dozens of men emerged from the darkness with weapons in their hands. They surrounded Marisa, Jeffery, Alejandro and Alexandro. As the men closed in, Marisa¡¯s heart pounded with fear. She pulled Jeffery closer, shielding him with her body, while Alejandro and Alexandro braced themselves for whatever was about to happen. ¡°Mummy, what¡¯s happening?¡± Jeffery¡¯s voice trembled with fear as he clung to Marisa. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, baby. Everything will be okay,¡± Marisa said, her voice filled with determination as she tried to reassure her son with a smile, despite the terror gnawing at her insides. The men closed in further, their weapons glinting in the dim light. Marisa knew they were outnumbered, but she refused to let fear consume her. She held onto Jeffery tightly, willing herself to stay strong for him. Alejandro¡¯s voice cut through the tension, his wordsced with a hint of desperation as he tried to reason with Salvador. ¡°Since you¡¯re after me and my brother, why don¡¯t you let the mother and her son go?¡± Alejandro¡¯s tone was calm but firm, his gaze locked onto Salvador, searching for any sign of mercy or reason in the man¡¯s eyes. Salvador chuckled darkly, his eyes glinting with malice as he regarded Alejandro. ¡°Ah, but where¡¯s the fun in that?¡± he replied, his voice dripping with disdain. Marisa held her breath, her heart pounding in her chest as she waited for Salvador¡¯s response. She knew they were at his mercy, but she prayed that somehow, Alejandro¡¯s words would sway him to show them somepassion. As Alejandro stood his ground, Alexandro stepped forward, his voice steady despite the tension thick in the air. ¡°Salvador, listen to reason. Let the woman and her son go. They¡¯re not part of this,¡± Alexandro urged, his tone earnest as he pleaded with Salvador to show mercy. Salvador considered Alexandro¡¯s words for a moment, his expression unreadable as he weighed his options. Finally, with a sly grin, he nodded. ¡°Very well,¡± Salvador said, his voice sending shivers down Marisa¡¯s spine. ¡°You can go. But remember, this isn¡¯t over.¡± Marisa¡¯s heart leaped with relief as Salvador motioned for one of his men to open the door to Alejandro¡¯s Rolls-Royce. She wasted no time in ushering Jeffery into the car, holding him close as she climbed into the driver¡¯s seat. ¡°Thank you,¡± Marisa said to Alexandro, her voice filled with gratitude as she started the engine. Alejandro nodded, his expression grave as he watched them drive off into the night. He knew that their ordeal was far from over, but for now, he was relieved that Marisa and her son were safe. As Marisa and Jeffery drove off into the night, Salvador¡¯s sinister grin morphed into a cruel sneer. With a flick of his hand, he signaled his men to surround Alejandro and Alexandro. ¡°Take them down,¡± Salvadormanded, his voice dripping with malice as his men moved in with ruthless efficiency. The sound of fists connecting with flesh filled the air as Alejandro and Alexandro found themselves engulfed in a whirlwind of violence. Despite being outnumbered, they fought back with every ounce of strength they had. Alejandro ducked and weaved, delivering swift punches and kicks to his attackers, his movements fluid and precise. Alexandro fought alongside him, his fists flying as he unleashed a barrage of strikes against Salvador¡¯s men. But for every blow theynded, more seemed to take its ce. Salvador¡¯s men were relentless, driven by their loyalty to their boss and fueled by a thirst for bloodshed. As the battle raged on, Alejandro and Alexandro found themselves pushed to their limits. Bruised and bloodied, they refused to back down, determined to protect each other at all costs. With a roar of defiance, Alejandro unleashed a flurry of blows, his fists a blur as he fought tooth and nail against Salvador¡¯s men. Alexandro fought alongside him, his eyes zing with fierce determination as they battled against overwhelming odds. But despite their valiant efforts, Salvador¡¯s men proved too much to handle. Overpowered and outnumbered, Alejandro and Alexandro found themselves overwhelmed, their bodies battered and bruised as they were dragged away by Salvador¡¯s men. As they were hauled off into the darkness, their fight far from over, Alejandro and Alexandro knew that they would not go down without a fight. As the sound of fists and grunts echoed through the night, signaling the intense struggle between Alejandro, Alexandro, and Salvador¡¯s men, the rest of the Gambino family arrived at the scene. They had been trailing Alejandro¡¯s Rolls-Royce, ready to provide backup at a moment¡¯s notice. With a screech of tires, the reinforcements pulled up, their headlights illuminating the chaotic scene before them. Without hesitation, they leaped into action, drawing their weapons and joining the fray. Gunfire erupted as the two rival families shed in a desperate battle for supremacy. Bullets whizzed through the air, shattering the silence of the night as both sides exchanged fire with deadly uracy. The Gambino family fought fiercely, their determination matched only by their loyalty to Alejandro and their desire to rescue Marisa and Jeffery. They unleashed a barrage of bullets, driving Salvador¡¯s men back as they fought tooth and nail to gain the upper hand. But Salvador¡¯s men were equally determined, and they fought back with equal ferocity. They returned fire with deadly precision, their guns zing as they sought to defend their boss and repel the Gambino family¡¯s advance. The scene devolved into chaos as the gunfight raged on, with neither side willing to back down. It was a battle of wills, a sh of titans as two powerful crime families fought for control of the streets. As the gunfire intensified and the chaos reached a fever pitch, Salvador¡¯s cold eyes locked onto Alejandro, his gun aimed directly at his target. With a malicious grin, he tightened his grip on the trigger, ready to end Alejandro¡¯s life and deal a devastating blow to the Gambino family. But just as Salvador prepared to pull the trigger, a figure stepped in front of Alejandro, blocking his path. It was de, her face a mask of determination as she shielded Alejandro from Salvador¡¯s deadly aim. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as the gunshot rang out, the sound echoing through the night like a thunderp. de staggered backward, a look of shock and pain etched across her face as the bullet tore through her body. Alejandro¡¯s heart stopped as he watched in horror, his breath catching in his throat as he realized what had just happened. de, his loyalrade and childhood friend, had taken the bullet meant for him, sacrificing herself to save his life. With a cry of anguish, Alejandro rushed to de¡¯s side, catching her as she fell. Blood seeped from the wound, staining her clothes crimson as she gasped for breath, her strength fading with each passing moment. ¡°de, hang on!¡± Alejandro pleaded, his voice choked with emotion as he cradled her in his arms. But de¡¯s eyes were growing dim, her life slipping away before his very eyes. With a final, trembling breath, de whispered, ¡°Protect¡­ the family¡­¡± before her eyes closed for thest time, her body going limp in Alejandro¡¯s arms. Tears streamed down Alejandro¡¯s face as he held de¡¯s lifeless form, his heart heavy with grief and guilt. She had sacrificed everything to save him, and he would never forget her bravery and loyalty as long as he lived. As the gunfight raged on around them, Alejandro vowed to honor de¡¯s memory by continuing the fight and bringing Salvador to justice, no matter the cost. With de¡¯s sacrifice weighing heavily on his heart, Alejandro¡¯s grief turned to fury. Anger surged through him like a tidal wave, driving him to his feet with a newfound resolve. His hands trembled with rage as he clutched his gun, his eyes zing with determination as he locked onto Salvador, the man responsible for de¡¯s death. In one swift motion, Alejandro raised his weapon, his finger tightening around the trigger as he aimed at Salvador. There was no hesitation, no second thoughts. Only raw, unbridled fury fueled his actions as he unleashed a barrage of bullets at his enemy. The gunfire echoed through the night, each shot a testament to Alejandro¡¯s burning desire for vengeance. Salvador tried to dodge and weave, but it was futile. Alejandro¡¯s aim was true, his shots finding their mark with deadly uracy. With a cry of anguish, Salvador stumbled backward, blood spurting from his wounds as Alejandro¡¯s bullets tore through him. The once-powerful crime boss crumpled to the ground, his lifeless eyes staring up at the sky as death imed him. But Alejandro¡¯s thirst for vengeance was far from quenched. With a grim determination, he turned his sights on the rest of the Morello family, his gun zing as he sought to wipe them out once and for all. His shots rang out like thunder, each bullet finding its target as he systematically cut down Salvador¡¯s remaining men. They fought back fiercely, but they were no match for Alejandro¡¯s relentless onught. One by one, the Morello family fell before Alejandro¡¯s wrath, their bodies littering the ground. The air was thick with the stench of gunpowder and blood as Alejandro stood amidst the carnage, his chest heaving with exertion. As the dust settled and the echoes of gunfire faded into the night, Alejandro surveyed the scene before him. The Morello familyy defeated, their reign of terror brought to an end by his hand. But amidst the victory, there was no joy. Only emptiness remained, a hollow void where de¡¯s presence once stood. With a heavy heart, Alejandro ordered his men to bury her body which they did. After burying de¡¯s body, Alejandro and the rest of the Gambino family returned to their empire, their faces grim and hearts heavy with the weight of their losses. As they entered the familiar surroundings of their headquarters, they were met with a mix of relief and somberness. Marisa stood waiting for them, her eyes scanning the crowd anxiously until theynded on Alejandro. A rush of emotions washed over her as she saw him alive and well, tears of relief filling her eyes. With a cry of joy, she rushed forward, throwing her arms around him in a tight embrace. ¡°Alejandro, I was so worried,¡± Marisa eximed, her voice trembling with emotion as she held him close. ¡°I¡¯m so relieved to see you.¡± Alejandro returned her embrace, his own emotions threatening to overwhelm him. Despite the chaos and loss they had endured, seeing Marisa safe and sound filled him with a sense of gratitude and warmth. ¡°I¡¯m here, Marisa. I¡¯m alright,¡± Alejandro reassured her, his voice filled with tenderness as he held her close. ¡°We made it through together.¡± ¡°Thanks for your help, Mr Alejandro,¡± Jeffery said to Alejandro with a smile. ¡°No problem, Jeffery,¡± Alejandro replied with a smile, then he led them to the dining room to eat. The next day, amidst the lingering sorrow and turmoil, Marisa and Alejandro made the decision to undergo a DNA test for Jeffery. It was a bittersweet moment, tinged with both hope and trepidation as they awaited the results. As they sat in the sterile confines of the testing facility, their nerves on edge, Marisa couldn¡¯t help but feel a glimmer of anticipation. She had always wondered about Jeffery¡¯s true parentage, and now, finally, they would have answers. The results came back sooner than expected, and as they gathered around to hear the news, a hush fell over the room. With trembling hands, Marisa opened the envelope and scanned the contents, her heart pounding in her chest. And then, she saw it. Alejandro¡¯s name, listed as Jeffery¡¯s biological father. A wave of shock and disbelief washed over Marisa as she processed the revtion. It was as if the ground had shifted beneath her feet, leaving her reeling with a mix of emotions. Alejandro¡¯s expression mirrored her own, his eyes wide with astonishment as he stared at the results before him. It was a moment of profound rity, a revtion that changed everything they thought they knew about their rtionship. As the truth sank in, Marisa felt a rush of emotions flood through her. Relief, disbelief, and overwhelming joy mingled together as she realized the depth of the bond between Alejandro and Jeffery. In that moment, they were no longer just a family bound by circumstance. They were connected by blood, by love, by the unbreakable ties that bind a father to his son. With tears of happiness streaming down her face, Marisa turned to Alejandro, her heart overflowing with love and gratitude. ¡°You¡¯re Jeffery¡¯s father,¡± she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion as she reached out to him. ¡°We¡¯re a family, Alejandro. Nothing can ever change that.¡±All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. As the truth sank in about Jeffery¡¯s paternity, Alejandro¡¯s mind raced with a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. Amidst the chaos of their newfound truth, a flicker of recognition sparked within him, a distant memory stirring in the depths of his subconscious. And then, it hit him like a bolt of lightning. Marisa. The name echoed in his mind, apanied by a rush of images and sensations. Memories long buried resurfaced, fragments of a past life slowly piecing themselves together like a jigsaw puzzle. He remembered herughter, her smile, the way she looked at him with eyes full of love and longing. He remembered the warmth of her embrace, the softness of her touch, the way she made him feel whole. And then, like a floodgate opening, the memories came rushing back in a torrent of emotion. He remembered their love, their passion, their shared dreams and aspirations. He remembered the pain of their separation, the ache of longing that had lingered in his heart for so long. In that moment of rity, Alejandro realized the truth. Marisa was not just Jeffery¡¯s mother. She was his long-lost lover, the woman he had searched for across time and space, the missing piece of his soul that he had thought lost forever. As the realization washed over him, Alejandro turned to Marisa, his eyes shining with tears of joy and disbelief. ¡°Marisa,¡± he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. ¡°It¡¯s you. You¡¯re the one I¡¯ve been searching for all these years.¡± Marisa¡¯s breath caught The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!