Damon ran like his life depended; the sound of his oxford shoes was echoing through the mansion as they were hitting with force against the marble floor. His eyes were wide open, and his pupils shrank like bright light hit his silhouette. Cold sweat was bathing him as he grabbed the sliding glass door in fear of the worst.

Damon looked around, panting with his half-destroyed lungs. Being a chronic smoker didn't help him at all. Deetra was nowhere to be found, along with James. The grass had turned greyish, and her beautiful flowers were destroyed down to ashes. All it had remained was some petals lying down; their bright red colour was a crimson one. The explosion was so big that it was a miracle how a fire hadn't started.

The drug baron felt cold metal against the back of his neck; he turned around with a sharp movement, not losing time. Soon, he faced a gun's muzzle being against his sweaty forehead. Alex, a young boy, was standing opposite him, holding a handgun with his right hand. His hands, along with his fingers, were trembling badly, and the anxiety was visible on his face. Damon knew it was the first time for him to hold a weapon. The man raised his hands slowly in the air, showing his palms to him and trying to talk to him calmly.

"Alex... I -"

"You lied to me. You said you'll meet me at Big Ben and help me get powerful. You never appeared, though."

"Alex... listen to me -"

"Where's Monica? I know she's somewhere here with that bastard. I followed your car when you picked her up."

Damon gulped, keeping his hands in the air, not wanting a bullet in his skull. Soon, Alex realized a couple of bodyguards pointing their guns at him. They were all aiming at his head and chest, ready to shoot him. There were tears in the corners of his eyes when he held the gun tightly with both of his hands. He couldn't aim straight.

"I-I just want to see Monica! I d-didn't want to cause trouble and destroy anything!"

Damon could see the tears going down his rosy cheeks. He didn't give a damn about the boy though, all he wanted to see was his sister and James right now.

Soon, he heard some coughing. The kingpin turned his head, and with wide eyes, he outfaced Deetra and James. Deetra growled, fixing her dress as James fixed his T-shirt with a groan before turning to Alex with half-opened eyes and murder in his mind.

"D-Deetra, you're alive!"

"Oh, thanks for caring for me too, arsehole."

James added after Damon's words rolling his eyes. He was ready to take out his gun and shoot the kid at the spot.

"How are you alive...."

Alex continued aiming at Damon but glared at James, confused. He was sure he had killed them with the bomb.

"I saw the bomb a few seconds before it exploded. Some seconds but enough for me to protect Deetra and myself."

James took his gun out and pointed at Alex's head. The young boy got stressed more, and his hands were trembling even more. His white T-shirt was half-wet now and stuck against his thin body. He gulped and tried to keep aiming at Damon, thinking it'll make him look scary and dangerous.

"I want to see Monica now!"

"Alex?"

A female voice made Alex start glaring around, soon seeing Monica standing beside the sliding glass door with Domenico. She was staring at him, shocked, seeing all these bodyguards encircle him. She was with Domenico when she heard the explosion, and both of them knew something was wrong. Another bodyguard stepped beside her holding Michael's hands tightly. Michael just groaned in pain and looked away.

"M-Michael! What was that explosion!? Did you two cause it!?"

"Monica, we can explain...."

Michael mumbled under his breath before glancing at his friend for a split second. Alex sighed and closed his eyes, trying to hide his tears. He didn't like to show his sensitive side, especially to Monica.

"I wanted to see you, and I know you keep hanging around with this rich kid! What are you doing here!? Why are you with these people!?"

"Alex, what do you mean?"

"This man is Smiley! The one that caused the scar on my face! The one that KILLED your dad!"

Monica's eyes opened wide as she turned her chin towards Damon with a half-opened mouth. Everything seemed blurry except Damon's silhouette. Her hands curled into fists as she tried to hold back her tears and sobbing. The drug baron looked at her, confused, grinding his teeth. He tried to take down his hands but instead kept them in place when he saw Alex cock the gun.

"I killed no one's dad, don't spread such lies for me, boy!"

"Are you sure, Damon?"

"Um, y-yes!"

Damon started giving his attention back to Alex shouting. Both James and Deetra were confused. Alex showed his teeth in anger as it was his turn to scream and cause a scene.

"And what about that cop that was found outside of a cemetery

s found outside of a cemetery, tewith three bullets planted in his skull!?"

The kingpin glared at him, distressed narrowing his eyes trying to remember.

"When you caught me stealing, you had a small talk with a woman before you leave this nasty scar on me,"

Alex glared at Deetra from head to toes and then back at Damon.

"She asked you what you'll do to me, and you answered as I recall "This time, I'll just let a bit of blood rush down his neck, but the next time he'll end up like that cop in the cemetery."

Damon gulped; he glanced at Monica for a split second before starting to yell.

"Y-Yes, I had killed that man; what has this to do with anything!?"

"That man was my dad...."

Monica added, receiving everyone's glares. Domenico's neck suddenly felt dry as he looked at Damon, not knowing what to do or say.

"Well... your father, Monica, wasn't a saint just because he was working at the police. He was just another corrupted cop that wanted more than I offered. When he said he'll give me away if I don't give him more money, I had to make sure he'd keep his mouth shut. It's nothing personal."

"You killed my dad...."

Tears were covering her cheeks as she brought her fingers to her cheeks. Domenico tried to wipe them away with his thumbs, but she pushed him away in anger and hate.

"And Domenico is his cousin, Monica!"

Monica turned to Domenico; her hands were still into fists. "Is it true?" she mumbled under her breath as the boy sighed and nodded slowly. "Well... not biological cousin, but yes..." he answered back, looking down, ashamed.

"I can't believe this...."

She talked to herself, crying and holding her head between her hands. Domenico decided not to try to touch her again for his and everyone's safety. Right now, she didn't look emotional stable, and every move of his could wreck her.

"Monica, please, I want you back... I stopped going around selling drugs, and I started working at a local bakery... I'm slowly fixing my life and getting back on my feet, Monica... Please, give me another chance...."

Alex pleaded nearly in tears; Monica just wanted to tell him to shut up. She took a big breath, trying to calm down as she glared down. Her eyeliner and mascara were ruined, and her cheeks were redder than usual.

"Domenico, please tell your... cousin to just let Alex, Michael and I go home...."

"W-What!?"

Domenico jumped, grabbing both her hands and rubbing them gently nervously. He didn't want to let her go.

"M-Monica, please, I like you a lot! I-I am sorry about your father, but I am not a bad person; I swear -"

"NO!"

Monica screamed back at him, taking away her hands with a quick movement, furious. She tried to look at him but couldn't. There was so much pain hiding behind her eyes.

"I want to go home. The two of us can't be together knowing you have such... family. We don't belong together, why can't you see it!? We're two way different people!"

Damon looked at them. Monica's face was redder than before, and Domenico glared at her like a walking dead man. He looked cold and emotionless. He didn't know what to say back; he was just hanging from each of her words. Damon had a strange déjà vu that moment.

"I... Fine... Okay..."

These words were everything that managed to escape from Domenico's mouth as he turned to Damon.

"I'll go pack her things, please, let them go...."

"Only if he takes down the gun."

Damon answered back, looking at Monica with a severe face. She sighed, glancing at Alex as he lowered his handgun. After a while, Domenico returned back with her bag. He offered it to Monica, but she just snatched it hurt. The bodyguard let Michael. The boy growled, holding his wrists still in pain before standing beside Monica. Soon, Alex was by her side.

Damon stood in front of them with his arms behind his back and an emotionless face.

"If the police or anyone finds out my real name or the location of my mansion, you'll all end up meeting her father, got it?"

The drug baron chuckled, pointing at the girl. They all nodded in fear as the man glared at two bodyguards, making a signal with his fingers.

"Take them and let them outside Hyde Park."

They nodded; the one grabbed Michael's and Monica's arms, bringing them out while the other held onto Alex's arm, dragging him away. The last thing Domenico saw was Monica looking at him from head to toes before lowering her head.

When they were out of their sight, and away from the mansion, Domenico turned to Damon. He was angry, but it wasn't visible. Damon sighed and rubbed his eyes, not wanting to deal with his cousin at that moment.

"Damon -"

"I am not in the best mood to hear your sobs and cries right now, Domenico."

The man growled, but it only fueled Domenico's anger. He pointed his finger at him, talking loudly, mad.

"You destroyed my relationship with Monica!"

Damon glared at him narrowing his eyes. He took a few steps towards him with his hands in the pockets of his pants. Domenico stared at him without blinking, listening to the noises his cousin's shoes were making. The boy was taller than Damon, so he had to slightly lift his head to look him in the eyes.

"I destroyed nothing. My job is to make money and keep my family safe. It's not my problem if you fell in love with a pig's daughter."

Damon spoke loudly, showing his teeth. Domenico bit his tongue, trying hard to not talk back.

"Watch your tongue, Damon -"

"And you watch your attitude. I don't know how you act towards your father back in your homeland, but this is London, and this is my house, so you better watch your tone, kiddo."

"Fuck off."

Domenico swore and went to his room; his hands had already curled into twists. The drug baron sighed and sat down, rubbing his head distressed. Soon, he felt someone sit by his side and rub his back gently.

"Are you okay, brother? Are you hurt?"

"I am fine. Are you two alright? That's all it matters...."

James stood in front of him with crossed arms and chuckled.

"WE'RE okay; thanks for caring, mate."

Damon leaned on his knees thinking, Domenico would be mad at him for a couple of days, but it wouldn't matter. Soon, he'd have to travel to Italy for the meeting and bring Domenico along. His little "holidays" would end soon.

"Thankfully, you didn't end up with a bullet in your brain."

"Thankfully."

Damon rubbed his eyes and leaned back. Deetra glared at James for a second and then back at her brother.

"I just need some time alone. This day was already too exhausting...."

Deetra nodded, mumbling, "of course," before walking out of the room along with James.

Damon closed his eyes; he hissed, feeling a sharp pain across his neck. Soon, he remembered the familiar scar on his skin. He pressed his fingers over it, feeling its rough texture. He sighed and stood, deciding it was time for some sleep.

"I don't need to recall any memories right now...."

he mumbled to himself before walking upstairs, going straight to his bedroom.