"Mom, I got a job." I cautiously looked at my mom as I dropped the news. Mom was dipping her chips in the mayonnaise. She paused and looked up at me. She looked a little confused. Lucas was staying over at his friend's.

"Yeah, I know you got a job at Aldi."

"Not that one." I stole some glances at her as I played with my mashed potatoes. "I got another job offer."

"At the hospital?"

"No. Something like a personal caretaker."

"Yeah, it's a nice job." She continued eating. "Are you going to commute from here or are you planning to find a place near your job place?"

"I will stay at their place. In their house."

"Yeah?" Her eyebrows crooked a little. "So, where is it? Too far?"

"A little far."

"Where exactly?"

"Italy."

My mom's fork dropped with a clatter sound on the plate.

"Where? Where did you said?" She asked me again as she quite did not get what I just said to her.

"Italy. You know, just next to France and Switzerland..."

"I know damn very well where Italy is located." Mom slapped the table hard. "I also went to school. What I am asking is why Italy, out of all places?"

"Mom! I just have a mere paramedic degree. Do you really think I have the privilege to choose a job in my favourite place? I just have to accept whatever I am offered."

"But you already have a nice job at Aldi. Near your house. You don't have to take that job offer. If you keep working hard I am sure you can get to the manager's post."

"Mom, I didn't work my ass off to get a job at Aldi. And Aldi pays me only two thousands per month. And if I accept this job they will pay me ten thousands per month."

"Ten thousand!" My mom started to laugh hysterically. "See, that's way more suspicious. Nobody pays ten thousand for a caretaker. You are not going anywhere with that job."

"Mom, I know those people. There's nothing suspicious about it."

"You know them." Mom looked shocked. "Don't tell me, these people are the ones who actually took you..."

"No! They are the ones who helped me to escape."

"But you never said anything about getting help to escape." Mom looked confused. My eyes widened when I realised that I said something that shouldn't. "Esme, what did you hide from me?"

"Mom, it's nothing important."

"I don't care, just tell me."

I sat down on my chair slowly as I finally gave up. I slowly started to tell her about the part where Alex took me hostage from Vincenzo. Of course I hid some small details to make Alex a little less villain in my story. I focused mainly on Bella as I told her my stay in Italy.

"Bella really likes me and I also think this...."

"Oh my god, those people are some gangsters!" Mom gasped in horror. "And you think I actually let you work for them?! No, no, no! Just forget it!"

"Mom." I took a very deep breath. "I am going to take this job offer. Yeah, these people do some illegal shits, but I don't care. Because I lived with these people and I believe they are not as bad as you think. And the danger you are talking about, mom people can die anywhere, anytime. Life and death are not something we decide."

"But those people basically carry death with their hands. Not only them, but their actions also cause damage to those who are around them. That's why we shouldn't get involved with them." Mom looked desperate.

"Okay, then can you explain why I got stuck in some gun fights, even though I was just working at a café in the countryside? And how was I able to get out alive after that intense gunfight? Can you please tell me why I was drugged and sold to some damn mafia when I was just a paramedic who tried to save people's lives?"

Mom just stared at me with tight sealed lips.

"Because, we can't beat our fate. And if anything happens to me while working there, you have to accept that....this is my fate."

"I refuse to do that." Mom said stubbornly. "And not in Italy. Anywhere, but Italy."

"Why do you dislike Italy so much?" I was confused and frustrated. Mom looked frozen for a short moment.

"When did I say that?"

"Do you really think I didn't notice how you flinched everytime the name Italy was mentioned."

"I...I just don't like the place because...because that place is full of gangsters." She looked away.

"Are you crazy?!" I looked at her in disbelief. "Where did you get that idea?"

"I....in movies."

"Italian and French people are the most romantic people on this earth."

"So what? I didn't say that gangsters couldn't get romantic at all." She was still looking away. "And their style of romance is very dangerous."

I sighed.

"Mom, I am going to accept this job offer." I said out very calmly. "You like it or not."

We stared at each other for a few moments. We were both breathing heavily.

"Over my dead body." She turned and stomped away from the room.

I tiredly sat down on my chair. That was going to be a tough war.

*~*~*~*~*~

"Hey Esme," Lucas greeted me as he walked through the door. "Where's mom?" He asked when he saw me eating dinner alone. Mom didn't even cook. I was eating heated ready meals, direct from the packet.

"In her room." I replied as I put a spoonful of pilau rice in my mouth. He looked at my food.

"Why are you eating store bought food?"

"Because mom didn't cook today." I stabbed a chicken tikka with my fork.

"Why? Is she ill?" He threw his backpack on the couch and started to walk towards mom's room.

"Because she is angry with me."

"That's rare." He pursed his lips. "What happened? Did she catch you with your sugar daddy?"

"Who is my sugar daddy?" I asked confusedly.

"That guy with you at the Mc Donald's, in suits." He winked at me.

"Who, Robert?" I made a face. "God, no!" Then I smirked when I remembered something. "Well, he wants to be a sugar daddy, but not mine. Wanna know, whom?"

"No." He pointed at mom's room. "Anyway, why is mom angry with you?"

"I got a big job offer in Italy."

"And?"

"Mom doesn't want me to accept the offer."

"Why?" Lucas looked confused. "What's the problem."

"Don't know." I shrugged my shoulders. "Mom has some beef with the Italian people."

"Right?!" Lucas's eyes glinted with excitement. "I also noticed that mom gets some weird expressions whenever someone mentions the name Italy. Why do you think that?"

"No idea."

Lucas sat down on the chair beside me and glanced at mom's room. He leaned a little and whispered in a low tone.

"I have a feeling that Italy has something to do with our dad......"

We both got startled when suddenly mom's door burst open and she almost flew out of the room. My hand was in the middle which was holding the fork with a chicken piece.

Mom just looked at me and then Lucas and slowly sat down on a chair in front of us. Lucas just blinked a few times.

After a minute or two some awkward silence mom cleared her throat.

"So, what did you decide?" I sighed and put down my fork.

"Mom, there's nothing to decide." I crossed my hands on the table. "I already told you that I am going to take that offer."

"That's your final decision?"

"Yup." I pursed my lips.

Mom stared at me for a few seconds then hung her head low and ran her fingers through her hairs.

"Umm, I am going to take a shower." Lucas slowly got up to escape from that heavy atmosphere. Before he went upstairs, he signed me to take everything easy.

"Fine, if you are really going to go there, you have to promise me a few things." Mom finally looked up at me.

"What?"I asked cautiously as I straightened up on my seat. Was that some kind trap of hers?

"Just promise me." Mom demanded. I thought for a few moments then let my guard down.

"Okay, fine, tell me."

"When someone asks your name just tell them, it's Esme. Don't mention the full name Esméralda."

"But why?"

"Don't ask anything."Mom raised her hand to stop me. "And if someone asks about your father, tell them he died in a car accident. Do you understand me?

"No, I don't." I huffed.

"Well, then you don't have to. Just promise me you will do as I just said. Or else you really have to go over my dead body." Mom said sternly.

I really didn't get what she was trying to get with those lies, but if that make her let go of her stubbornness.

"Fine, I am okay with those conditions." I nodded my head in agreement.

*~*~*~*~*~*~

When I got out of the airport it was almost noon. My flight was delayed by forty-five minutes. I pushed my sunglasses over my hair and looked up at the sky.

Italy had such a beautiful clear blue sky.

"Benvenuta in Italia, mia signora." I looked down to see, Robert was standing there with his car spreading his both arms to the sides with a very big and bright smile on his face.

I didn't understand what he said, but I was sure he welcomed me.

"Thanks. Nice to see you too." I pushed down the sunglasses again on my eyes.

"How was the flight?" He asked as he reached out for my trolleys. I let him take care of them.

"Yeah, everything was alright."

After he put down my trolleys in the back of the car he opened the passenger seat door for me.

"Please."

"Wow," I chuckled and slid inside the car. "Why am I getting so much royal treatment?"

"Just practising for the future." He winked at me as he closed the door and left me confused.

After two hours of driving we reached our destination. Last time I didn't have a chance to check the surroundings because of the situation I was In. I looked around and fell in love. That place was beautiful. Our car drove through between big trees and vineyards. With so much green doses my eyes also turned green.

"ESME!!" As soon as I got out of the car I was engulfed in a big hug by Bella. "Oh my god! I can't believe you are really here." Mrs. Greta was standing behind her with a soft smile on her face.

"Me too." I smiled as I hugged her back. Bella let me go and excitedly tugged my hand.

"Come, I will show you your room."

"Welcome, Miss. Esme." Mrs. Greta greeted me.

"Thank you." I smiled. "Please call me Esme."

My room was just beside Bella's. It was quite big for an employee. But then again I wasn't just an employee. I was there as Bella's friend, a companion. After I took a shower Bella came to get me for lunch. They arranged a feast just to welcome me and to be honest I felt so warm with their affections. We were happily chatting and eating our food. Robert and Mrs. Greta also joined us.

Between those chatting and eating my eyes started to dart around af if something was missing.

"Alex went to Abu Dhabi for a business deal." I looked at Robert when he said those words to me in a lower tone. He was sipping his wine with an amused expression on his face.

"I didn't ask." I made a poker face.

"No, but your eyes did."

"Shut up." I tossed a piece of cheese in my mouth. Robert chuckled and turned to Bella.

"I just remember Alex said he got some expensive champagne a few days ago. Why don't you open it to honour Esme's return?"

Bella's eyes started to glint in excitement.

"Just what we exactly need today." She clapped her hands.

"There's no need to..." I tried to stop her.

"It's in his room." Robert continued talking. "And you would find a few more expensive whiskies also there. Go and enjoy. I am sure Alex wouldn't mind." I glared at Robert to stop him.

"Let's go Esme." Bella got up and tugged my hand.

"You really don't have to.."

"Don't forget, it's your job to accompany her." Robert smirked at me. "Mrs. Greta you can rest today and let these lovely ladies have their own party."

"Sure." Mrs. Greta smiled and nodded her head.

"I'd love to join you guys." Robert got up and buttoned up his suit. "But I have to attend some business in the absence of Alex." He smiled at me playfully. "Oh, I forgot to ask, How is your brother?"

"He is fine." I made a face.

"I wish he could tag along with you." I glared at him and he chuckled. "See you later ladies." He kissed mine and Bella's cheeks and took his leave.

Bella started to walk.

"Come on Esme."

I didn't have any choice but to follow her.

Alex's room was at the very end of the second floor. It was a hotel suite style room, with a master bedroom, a bathroom almost the size of my room and a big walk-in closet, a vast drawing room with a fairy tale style huge balcony. The beauty of that room was that the drawing was covered all over with glass. I could see the vast vineyard and all those open green fields. The dazzling sunlight coming through those glasses made me feel like I was standing right in between the wild. I just need to spread my wings and fly away. I slowly walked towards the huge dark green couch as I was taking the room details in. Wouldn't he feel alone to spend his nights in this big room alone?

"Found it." Bella excitedly held up a gorgeous looking champagne bottle up high. She went to a tool beside the couch and picked up the landline.

"Please send some cheese and fruits to the Master's room." She instructed someone on the phone.

"Why did you call it the Master's room?" I asked Bella as I sat on that huge couch. That couch was so big that it could easily be mistaken for a king bed.

"This room only belongs to the Master of this house." Bella sat on the other side of that couch. "Before Alex it was our dad's room, because he was the Master of this house. After our dad died and Alex took over everything, he had to move to this room as per the rules."

"Wow." I looked around. I guessed that was why that room was so special.

Because it only belonged to the Master.

We drank. Until we couldn't find any more bottles in the room. By the time we finished the sun was on the way to set down. I picked up the last bottle we just finished a few moments ago. Alex would be so pissed when he would find out that we finished hsi expensive stash.

I chuckled at that thought and my head throbbed slightly. I should've probably stopped drinking when my vision blurred, but I guess it was too late now. At this point, I just wished I could teleport to my room and flop on the bed.

"I should've known that when Robert said he would choose the caretaker, he was up to something."

I looked up and saw Alex by the door.

Right, Bella said that was his room.

Alex stared at me for a few seconds then he looked down at Bella and walked towards her, who by the sound of slow heavy breathing, was already fast asleep. Alex squatted down and pressed the back of his hand against Bella's forehead, leaving it there for a couple of seconds. Then he picked her up from the floor with so much affection and care like he was picking up a small child. My heart felt warm, watching him treating Bella with such tenderness and care when he normally kept his stern composure at all times. Alex obviously cared for her. Then he went into the bedroom with her.

After he left the room, I gathered all my consciousness and tried to get up.

I guessed it was time to give him back his room.

With much effort, I dragged my back up against the wall behind me for support and slowly stood to my feet. My legs wobbled and my head felt as heavy as a cement brick, tipping from side to side. Unable to keep it steady myself, I let it rest on the wall as I tried to find the direction of the door.

"Can you walk?" I turned my head to find Alex standing just right beside me.

"Of course I can walk. I can hold my liquor better than you." I slurred and bravely took a step forward but my legs instantly wiggled without the support of the wall and my whole body wobbled to the side, ready to slump on the floor when Alex swung me against him.

"Is that so?" He mused, his arm gripping me by the waist firmly.

"I can just sleep here on the floor and once I've sobered up, I'll walk to my room by myself." I countered, emphasising the by myself part, while shoving him aside so I could rest my back on the wall again. He sighed and slid his hands in the pockets of his trousers.

"Fine, you can rest here tonight." He turned and was about to leave.

He was running away again!

"You wouldn't dare-" And next thing I know, I lunged on him and wrapped my arms around him like some koala bear. With more strength.

"Cazzo!" He was startled by my sudden attack but his huge muscular body survived the attack of my tiny little form and was able to manage to crash on that big couch along with me, instead of the floor.

"Now, you can't avoid me." I muttered as I tightened my grip on him. His warm body released some kind of intoxicated scent, mixed with sweat and his bodily odour. Made me snuggle on his neck to take in some more of it. The muscles of my body loosened up by that comforting scent.

I expected him to undo my grip and leave but he stayed right there by the bed at first, until I heard steps followed by the door closing shut. Then I felt the mattress sink next to me, and soon after, gentle strokes on my hair.

Was he caressing my head?!

It felt nice.

I hated it.

I huffed and just let him do his thing. I was drunk anyway, when the next day would come I would just say that I didn't remember. It took only a few seconds for my eyelids to feel heavier and then I blacked out.

When I woke up, I had a mild headache and my mouth was drier than a desert. I looked out the window. The sky had darkened and only a mantle of soft moon light penetrated through the window, creating enough luminosity so I could make sense of my surroundings without turning on the lamp. Everything was silent except for the howling of a fox that could be heard at a far distance from time to time.

I shifted a little and my neck felt a bit sore, probably because of my bad sleeping position. I sighed and slowly turned myself to lay in a better comfortable position. I rubbed a hand on my face, and then let my arm fall to the side, but instead of hitting the soft mattress, it landed on a hard surface. I quickly turned my head to see Alex. He seemed to be sleeping, one arm folded behind his neck, the other resting on his side.

My lips began to stretch into a smile. So he stayed.

Even asleep you could tell he wasn't someone to mess with. His posture was still perfect and that intimidating aura he always carried was still present. It was like even sleeping, he was on guard and at any moment his eyes would dart open and kill anybody who would dare to disturb him.

His shirt was slightly pulled up, showing a tad of his stomach, and hard abs. I pursed my lips, biting the inside of my cheek but it was useless, the urge was too strong to fight. I reached out my hand carefully and with the tip of my fingers I clamped the hem of his shirt and slowly slid the fabric up until the section tucked under his back didn't allow me to pull any further.

I took a moment to admire his bare toned stomach, and the set of muscles that endowed it. I couldn't take my eyes off of him. It was like my eyes refused to move from him and I had no say in it. That's how I felt when he was near me. The more I wanted to ignore him, the more I drew near to him.

I continued to secretly watch him, taking in the view of every inch of his skin. Then my eyes landed on a scar just near his naval. It was so vivid as if someone craved it with full hatred.

Who the fuck had done this?

I hesitantly drew a finger over the scar at first, then I traced the full length of the puckered flesh. Then I paused, squinting my eyes shut to inhale a breath as that strange feeling in the pit of my stomach grew more intense. And then I was touching him again. This time tracing the different sections of muscle that made out his abs, feeling its hardness and tracing its ripples.

Then suddenly, everything took a complete 180, literally.

I was pinned down on the bed with Alex on top of me, one of my wrists gripped above my head, and his lips crushed on mine.

My eyes widened with shock.

*~*~*~*~*~

A/N:~

Sorry for the late update. And to make it up I am updating a very long chapter. Hope you guys can enjoy.

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