Melissa requested that Ryan be picked up and dropped off here,
With everything going on, she wanted all who are at risk to be near.

Sally and Shawn continued onto their honeymoon after Melissa made it clear that  David was now okay, dealing with his grief a little better and he was just out of town opening another one of his Pizzeria.

"Where is he?
What is this place?"
Ryan asked

"He's not in good shape!!
I'll explain all of this to you soon but for now, I just need you to be here okay?"
She stated

"Where is he?"
He asked

Down the hall, to the left."
She replied

He opened the door, he gasped at the sight,
David was covered in bandages, as if he lost a UFC fight.
Bullet shells by the night stand, bloody cottons in the bin,
What could have happened to his dear friend, who did this to him?

"What the hell happened to him!!"
He shouted

"I'm going to need you to calm down before I-"

"Don't tell me to calm down!!!!
I'm tired of being dragged around in this hellhole of a town, with all this going on with no explanation!!!
And what makes it worse, David is at the centre of it all!!!
Those wounds don't look like he got burnt flipping a pizza so don't even think of giving me any of that bs!!"
Ryan exclaimed in tears

Melissa sighed

"David is the Leader of the most secretive Crime Syndicate in Don Perico; the Delafrente Crime Syndicate."
She uttered

"What?!
What are you talking about?
What Syndicate? He owns a pizzeria!!"
He replied

"That's just a front Ryan!!
His real family are the Mafia, and his life has been a living hell since they included him!!
Now there's this psycho bitch out there who is my best friend, who wants to kill him if we don't give her some drugs he took when he took down the cartel!!!"
She shouted

"Listen I can't explain everything now, but I promise you I will; but right now I just want you to be here for David okay."
She asked

"Okay, I'm sorry I - I didn't know."
He replied

"It's okay, just keep this on the down low okay."
She stated

"Okay."
He replied

Days went by and eventually weeks,
David was showing progress but he still couldn't speak.
Melissa did everything she could to ensure he was okay,
She bathe him, clothe him,
Shaved him, watched movies with him,
Cuddled him, fed him,
Played games with him and above all loved him.
All from the comfort of his bed.

She came in the room one night to fluff up his pillow and he held her hand,
She smiled and sat beside him.

"Thank you."
He uttered

"David!! Your talking?!"
She exclaimed

"Shhhh, don't alarm the guards.
I just want tonight to be just us."
He replied

She smiled

"How are you feeling?
Any pain? Are you comfortable enough?
I can get you some water, I'll get you some water-"

"Babe!!
I'm fine.
Just sit with me for a moment."
He uttered

"You called me babe?"
She questioned

"I guess I did.
I just wanted to thank you, what you did for me back there;
The lengths you went to save me. I'm sorry I got you caught up in all this, you truly don't deserve to-"

"Shhhh,
Nonsense!!
I'm glad I'm able to be apart of all this;
I was confused at first but I see clearly now!!
I didn't effortlessly gave my all to save you, I did it because I can't fathom the thought of losing you!!"
She replied

"Are you saying what I think you're saying?"
He asked

She smiled

"I guess I'm trying to say that-"

"I love you Melissa!!"
He interjected

Her eyes gleamed,
She couldn't believe that he just said that!!

"I-can't-believe it!!"
She stuttered

"Usually I hear that generic phrase but-
Coming from you, it hits differently."
She said as she started to breath deeply

"Listen, ever since; well Claire, I don't usually have these conversations or evoke that side of me. Since we're having this conversation, let it be known, I don't usually love; I either lust or seduce and I'm talking exotic seductions."

Melissa slowly bites her lips

"What happened at the cabin was nothing that I've ever experienced before; and just so we're clear, this is coming from me, this guy!!
You've unlocked a part of me that I didn't know still existed.
I find comfort being vulnerable around you, and that's something that I haven't been able to feel around someone in a very, very long time.
I'm gonna be honest, other than my pistol; there's no one currently alive that I trust being around than you."
He replied

Melissa softly chuckled then she smiled

"I thought I was another girl who fell helplessly for you and I didn't wanna be that.
I thought I was betraying Claire.
I thought I was just another girl who was about to be dominated by David Delafrente;
And you know me, I don't stoop that low; but somehow, somewhere in the back of my head there was a part of me that wanted to be dominated by you.

I'm not like this, you know me, this is not me!!
This is not the same little girl that came to you telling you that Claire was cheating on you, I never knew I had this side of me but I'm glad I found it in you."
She replied

He leaned in to kiss her,
She pulled back and smiled

"Oh not again!!"
He replied

She laughed

She kissed him and he kissed her,
No domination, just a mutual blur.
He held her tightly, she gripped his skin,
He ached in pain, from the scars within.

He laughed, she chuckled
As she lied on his chest,
And in the comfort of his arms, she peacefully rest.

~The following Morning~

Lazing around in crumpled sheets, sun streaking through the blinds,
Her eyes slowly blink open as her lips curl into a slow smile. She made some deep, grunting noises as she twisted her back and stretched her neck.

She smiled and enjoyed the soft and slow process of waking up after sleeping on the most comfortable pillow she ever slept on; David's chest.
But this pillow was not longer under her head,
She glanced casually to the other side of the bed, but he wasn't there,
She jumped up frantically, then it hits,

Nose twitching, brain sniffing, she caught faint fumes of sizzling bacon drifting up from the kitchen.
Freshly puffed pancakes, the aroma of coffee with a hint of cinnamon,
Could it get any better?
She came down stairs, wearing only his T-Shirt and hugged him from behind.

"Well someone woke up in a good mood."
David stated with a smile

"I almost panicked when I woke up and you weren't there!!"
She replied

"Awwww, guess I gotta do that more often"
He replied

She bums him

He laughed

"Aww, you placed the marshmallows on top, you remembered?"
She said with puppy eyes

"To be honest, they jumped in the moment I said your name."
He stated

"Then I guess you better stop saying me name now huh"
She replied

"As soon as you stop saying mine."
He uttered

"No gonna happen!!"
She laughed

"You know, last night was the first night I slept in a bed with a woman and we didn't have sex."
He stated

"Really?"
She asked

"Yeah!!
And I must say, I liked it.
Sometimes I wished I could just throw this life behind me and just move on you know!!
Live a quiet little life away from here, in a little cabin like mine, two little kids running around as I watch them from the porch."
He stated

Melissa smiled

"That sounds wonderful."
She replied

"I guess it's fun to fantasize."
He replied

"Well you're gonna need another bed."
Melissa commented

"What wrong with the current one?
Too small?"
He asked

"Well, we kinda broke it..."
She replied

"Oh did we?"
He asked

"Hmmm hmmm"
She replied

"Well I guess we won't use the bed next time."
He replied

She smiled and kissed him

"This might sound contradictory to how I'm feeling for you but, do you think we're moving too fast?

And I don't want it to seem like I'm not into you or I don't want this, trust me I do but I gotta know; are we doing the right thing?"
Melissa asked

"Hey hey, it's okay to think like that.
My first love was your best friend and that in itself makes everything awkward between us.
I just want you to think that I'm using you as a distraction to move on from Claire because I'm not, you're more that that.
This is not the life I want for us and if it makes you feel better I have no problem taking a step back, slowing down and getting to know you for who you truly are; which I already know is an amazing, absolutely phenomenal woman.

So if you're okay with us hitting the pause button until all of this is over, I'll be more than happy to ablige."
David replied

"Why would Claire waste such a man like you?"
She uttered

David smiled

"You got a little something on your nose there."
He stated

"Where?"
She asked

"Right, there!!"
He replied as he sprays whipped cream on her nose

"David!!!"
She cried

He began to laugh

She chased him around the counter, as he sprays more whipped cream,
She stops and burst out with laughter, as she now looked like a meme.
He walked up to her and kissed her on the lips,
As she replied-
"I've never seen you like this!!"

It was evident he was effortlessly happy, this she knew,
His happiness was genuine, his smile was true.

"Now I got whipped cream all over your shirt."
She flustered

"That's the least of your problems right now."
He stated

"But I liked this one."
She replied

"You like everything I wear don't you?"
He asked

"Nope, just the shirts.
And the boxers, there's just something about those boxers!!"
She replied

David chuckled

"Okay come on let's eat!!
He replied

"Should I call Ryan for a plate?"
She asked

"No, he already ate.
We had a long talk about my childhood and well, all of this."
He replied

"How did he take it?"
She asked

"He actually took it quite - maturity;
He understood how I got from there to here and what I've lost and now who were up against, but umm;
He seemed to be a lil concerned about Amanda."
He stated

"What do you mean?"
She asked

"When I told him her real name is actually Emily Garcia and not Amanda Reyes, he told me to give him a minute and well, he hasn't come back as yet."
He replied

"It's unlikely, but not impossible."
He replied

Melissa exhaled sharply

"Have you been on the third floor since you got back?"
She asked

"No, should I ?"
He asked

"There's someone who I want you to see."
She replied

He went up the stairs and opened the door,
Tears came to his eyes, he could contain them anymore!!

"Carlos!!"
David uttered

Melissa smiled as she slowly sips her coffee

"I'll let you two catch up."
She replied as she closed the door behind her.

"Your not calling me Johnny anymore!!
That's a first."
Carlos replied

"When? How?"
David asked

"Melissa found me down by the bay, just a few moments before she came to rescue you.
Emily has changed, she's hungry for power but she's also confused and lost.
She tried to kill me when I tried to get her in line but she shoot me in the back, I fell in the water and well the rest is history."
Carlos replied

"I sent Roberto, Samir and -"

"Juanita, yeah she killed them all.
Took them out with a sniper long before the reached the outpost."
Carlos interjected

"I don't know how many more I can lose; with Caesar gone I just can't-"

"Caesar is dead?!!"
Carlos exclaimed in shock

"You didn't know?
She slashed his throat in his pizzeria!!"
He uttered

"No no no!!
Not Antonio!!!"
Carlos cried

"If she killed Antonio, then she's beyond saving!!"
Carlos added

"Look, I know she's your daughter, your very own flesh and blood; but if I get choice and the opportunity presents itself, I'm going to snuff her out!!"
David replied

"I can't allow you to do that; yes there should be justice for Antonio but if there's another way to bring justice to his life and save that of my daughter then I implore you to take it.
Lock her away, turn her in something!!
Just don't kill her, please!!
I beg you."
Carlos asked

David walked out the room and took a deep breath,
He turned to head down stairs and with Melissa's presence he met.

"How much of that did you hear?"
He asked

"Enough.."
She replied

"What do you plan to do?"
She asked

"I don't know!!
I really don't!!
But something tells me we're about to find out"
He replied as he notices a guard approaching him

"What's the matter?"
He asked

"This was delivered at the gates two minutes ago."
The guard stated

"Thank you, as you were!!"
He replied

He opened the package, it was a voice recording from the Russians-

"Syndicate of the Delafrentes!!
We have been rivalry for years, yet we've never attacked your domain; what gave you the right to inflict harm on ours!!
You silenced the Briscoff twins and we did not retaliate,
But I assure you this will not go unanswered!!
We received your message and understood it was the doing of one Emily Garcia, but regard of who commenced the strike, the damage was done; turn her over to us or suffer the consequences when you least expect it!!
You have 3 days."

"Congratulations, we're officially at war."
David stated

He finished his breakfast and took a shower,
There was a break in at three of his warehouses, he didn't waste another hour.
He knew it was Amanda searching for the merchandise,
But he did not fear as he ensure to relocate it twice.
Coming out the third warehouse, he spotted a police officer outside one of his pizzeria,
He walked over and in a soothing tone said "Buenos Dias"

"David Delafrente?"
The officer asked

"That's me, can I assist you with something?"
He asked

"Actually you can, we've received video footage from a Anonymous source that you are responsible for the murder of Mr. and Mrs. Cortez on 1221 Seaview Avenue.
The evidence is to be reviewed by our team but whoever this source is, it needs your finger print to decrypt the video file.
Do you mind coming down to the station with me for questioning?"
The officer asked

"I assure you, I did not murder Mr and Mrs. Cortez but if questioning me helps to shed some light on this killer, I'm happy to cooperate."
David replied

"Thank you for your cooperation right this way."
The officer replied

They drove down to the station,
He was placed in the interrogation room,
He was told to wait a few minutes,
A detective will be with him soon.
David sat relaxed and maintained his composure,
As a detective walked inside to provide some closure.

"Good Morning Mr. Delafrente,
I'm Detective Robinson; I've been assigned to the Cortez case.
Just for clarity, could you tell me where were you at the night of the Cortez murder?"
Detective Robinson asked

"On the night of the Murder, I went to the Cortez household, delivered their pizza and went on with my deliveries."
David replied

"So you admit you visited the Cortez on the night of the murder?"
He asked

"Yes"
David replied

"Did you see anything unusual during you time of delivery?"
He enquired

"Not that I'm aware of, no."
David replied

"Okay, enough of these probing questions, could you place your finger on the scanner?"
He asked

David stood up, his finger began scanning,
The video file was now decrypted, but the machine started lagging.

It finally loaded, but the screen was blank,
Then suddenly a message popped up- IT'S JUST A PRANK!!

"You got to be kidding me!!"
Detective Robinson uttered

"So you brought me in for questioning based on a hunch, and your only source of evidence turns out to be a prank!!
Give me one good reason not to press charges right now!!"
David replied

"I do apologize Mr. Delafrente!!
It seems to be a minor in convenience, you may go."
He replied

As David walked out the station, he received a dropped call,
Followed by a familiar face waving to him across the mall.
He walked over, he couldn't believe who he saw,
He just left the police station and now being met by another enforcer of the law.

"Michael Anderson!!"
David called

"Hello David."
Mike replied

"And before you asked me what am I doing in your city, I think a thank you will be necessary."
Mike added

"Thank you?"
David asked

"You're welcome!!"
Mike replied

"No I didn't say -"

"It's such a common courtesy but coming from your I'll regard it as rare."
Mike interjected

"What are you talking about and what are you doing here, unannounced that is?"
David asked

"Who do you think intercepted your video decryption?"
Mike asked

"Wait that was you?"
David asked

"We learnt of the appearance of a Emily Garcia, which was out of our jurisdiction but we made a connection with the Briscoff case and what do you know, it lead us right here in Don Perico.
Although the location is uncertain, it shows that her last region of settlement is here; but seeing a video file that's encrypted to your fingerprint, I knew I had to step in, you're a good guy but Jordan wouldn't understand that."
Mike explained

"Thank you"
David replied

"Wait, did you just say- Thank you?
Are you sure you're okay?"
Mike questioned

David gave him the side eye

"It's just that I've never heard you said Thank you, well; express gratitude for that matter."
Mike uttered

"Just don't question it okay."
David replied

"It means a lot coming from you."
Mike added

David smiled

"Does the name Maria or Rozzetta ring a bell?
Sorry I but I don't have a last name."
Mike asked

"How do you those names?
David enquired

"That means you know who I'm referring to?"
Mike asked

"Knew. I knew who you're referring to.
Rozzetta was my father's wife; you knew her as Catherine Hendricks."
David replied

"Wait!! Catherine played your dad as well?
Rozzetta, that's a good one.
And Maria?"
Mike asked

David sighed

"Maria is -
Well, she was my mother before she was killed by Dimitri Castellano."
David replied

"I'm sorry to hear that man, I didn't know.
Who is the Dimitri guy?"
Mike asked

"It doesn't matter right now, he's dead!!
How do you know these names?!"
David exclaimed

"Oh jeez. We did a thorough research on Amanda's - well; Emily's digital background and we found two names that she kept tabs on- Rozzetta and Emily."
Mike replied

"Why?"
David asked

"That's what we're trying to find out."
Mike replied

"I gotta go, keep me posted if you find out anything."
David replied

"Does that mean I'm allowed to stay in the city?"
Mike asked
as David walks away

Why was Amanda keeping tabs on Maria?
He understood why she's keep tabs on Catherine since she's a member of the Russians but why Maria?

So much happening at once, David couldn't bother,
He was more concerned what Emily was keeping tabs on his mother.
On his was home, he thought long and hard,
She killed Caesar now she's prying into uncharted scars.

"Carlos!!"
David shouted

"David what's wrong?!"
Melissa asked

"Where's Carlos?!!"
David asked

"He's over by the pool, what's going on?"
She asked

"Is Ryan in?"
He asked

"No he hasn't gotten back as yet, what's going on?"
She asked once more

He furiously burst through the doors and went out onto the swimming pool.

"Carlos!!"
David shouted

"David what's going on?!"
Carlos enquired

"Why would your daughter be keeping tabs on Maria?!!"
David asked

"Maria? How do you know that name?!!"
Carlos uttered

"Answer the question!!"
David shouted as he pulls out his pistol

"Maria is her Mother okay!!"
Carlos exclaimed in fear

David staggered backwards, shocked to the core,
He started breathing heavily; his pistol fell to the floor.

"David, how do you know of my Maria?"
Carlos asked

David gulped, as a tear flowed down his face,
Stormed off to his car, as he drove through the gates.