-Mia-

I hadn't seen Vincenzo in over four days.

Dante said he was doing some business that needed him to be away but Valentina said that Dante was lying. They ended up having a small argument over this and it took a while to calm them down; they both liked to have the last word.

Cat was back. Dante had spoken to Vincenzo and arranged some things. As Cat had no where else to go and wanted to stay for a while, Vincenzo had told Dante to tell Cat that she could stay. She still stayed at the maid's house with Bambi but once she was in maternity, she had to stop working to rest.

She went shopping with me and Val for baby things. If she was going to stay for a while, she needed things for Bambi and her new child.

I missed Vincenzo.

I missed his presence and was starting to get worried. What was he doing?

April had gone back to her grandma's and I found out that Bianca, her mother, lived on the second maid floor. I bumped into her once and apologised, going back to clean but she called me names and talked in Italian to some of the girls. I chose to ignore her, fighting with her wasn't going to get me anywhere.

We were in Mothercare, looking at small outfits and prams. Cat was pushing one gently, her hands seemed to travel at each part of the pushchair. "Not this one." She said. I spluttered, "what? It's great, it's so cute!" She shook her head, "nah. .too big."

"What about this one?" Val asked, walking around it. Cat went over. "Ooh, it's Slivercross." A minute later she said, "no, too low."

I groaned at this. Cat wanted a double buggy so she could have Bambi and the unborn in one. We had looked at loads and she still wasn't satisfied. "These things take time, Mia. Has to be perfect to fit your style," Valentina said as we walked along to see some more. "Wait till you become a mother."

"Urgh. .why does everyone say that?"

"Because," Cat said, pushing a stroller backwards and forwards. "It doesn't make sense until it actually happens."
"I like this one," Cat murmured, playing with the toy that was displayed on the hood. "It's cute."

"And it's iCandy," Valentina added. It was lovely and would be great for Cat. Wasn't too big or too small. Nothing too extravagant. "It's perfect," I complimented, visualising what it would look like with children in it.

We brought the pushchair with Vincenzo's card and were on our way back to the parking lot. I had bags filled with toys, outfits and baby bottles in my hands. Valentina was holding the car seat and practically dragging a high chair. I was wondering how she was able to carry it all. Cat was pushing the stroller with a baby bath on the top and a few baby needs like bottles, blankets, soap, nappies, etcetera.

We filled the boot with all the stuff. Valentina opened Dante's side. "Couldn't you be a man and help us?"

"Couldn't you be a woman and call for help?"

"Shut up."

"Shut up."

I almost laughed at this, but Cat did as we went into the back and Val went into the passenger seat. We started driving and I wondered, "aren't you going to inject us."

"Nah. ." Dante shrugged, "what's the point?"

The journey was long and I couldn't see what was outside so there was no point looking. We all talked during the time we had together, all laughing at Dante's ridiculous jokes and puns.

We came back and Dante got a few people to take the stuff to Cat's room and set it all up. We went back to Vincenzo - Well, Dante and Vincenzo's home to be greeted by a maid and Valentina's two toddlers, Aria and Alex.

I decided to call Faith and went into the upstairs corridor to speak. It ring four times before she answered.

"Bitch, where the fu. ."

She started swearing, yelling and shrieking at the phone. I pulled it away from my ear. It sounded like it was on speaker. I groaned. I expected the conversation to start like this.

". .and then I get a freaking note saying-"

"Faith, Faith, Faith, Faith!" I yelled, sighing once she stopped. "I'm sorry for not answering or calling. Things have been busy."

"Too busy to reply to me. Well-"

"Shut up!" I rolled my eyes before continuing, "I'm sorry, okay?" She sighed, "I've missed you."

I seem to get that a lot.

"Yeah, I've missed you too. I'm sorry for not properly explaining or saying goodbye." Licking my lips, I continued, "I needed a job that required me to go away and I had to answer quickly or I wouldn't get it. The pay is good, Faith and I promise I will come visit. I'm just not sure when." I couldn't tell Faith all the details, I mean how would you tell your friend that you are working with the Mafia?

"Okay. I understand. Sorry for yelling. I hope it's all going well."

"It's okay. How's the new roommates?"

"Meh. .alright. By the way, they ate your cheese." I chuckled. I loved my cheese. "Can't believe you let them eat it." Faith laughed, "Well it was going to go bad anyway!" I laughed, missing her already. "Listen, I've got to get back to work but I'll call you soon, okay?" We both said good bye and hung up. I realised how much I missed my insane friend.

I turned to go downstairs when I was unexpectedly shoved onto the wall. I gasped, looking up to see Vincenzo. Smirking. "Oh. .hi," he casually said, his arms on either side of me. "Sorry, I slipped." I scoffed, shifting slightly, "yeah, totally," I went to push him away but I couldn't. "Vince, let me go." We were too close together, I could smell his minty breath as he spoke.

"Now, I believe a few days ago, we were in a position like this." I blinked, sighing, "you've been gone for four days and you really want to start with this? Please don't, Vince." He smirked, "aww, baby, you've been counting?"

"I - you know . .urgh, shut up."

He licked his lips, looking down at me, his eyes lustful. "You look so beautiful and you don't even realise it." I bit my lip and he instantly looked at them as I did this action. "Vince, this isn't a good-"

"You said you were scared to kiss me." Looking into his mesmerising eyes, I nodded slowly, in a daze. "You shouldn't be."

"You're not going to - mmh. ."

His lips. Mmm, his lips!
It had been so long since I had tasted them properly. They were sweet and intoxicating, I always found it hard to stop. My hands immediately went into his soft hair and he pulled me closer to him, our bodies pressed together. I moaned against his lips, never wanting the kiss to stop. Our tongues danced together, our saliva mixing. I missed this, the feeling of love whenever our lips touched.

His hands moved down my body, going lower so they were on my butt which he squeezed as his lips intoxicated me. It was getting intense, more hungrier. He lifted me so my legs wrapped around his waist, our pelvises rubbing against each other. "Oh, Vince," I moaned as he licked my neck, sucking on my skin.

He put me down, pressing me against the wall as he started kissing my collarbone, going lower onto my chest; licking the part of my breasts that were shown. I moaned as his hands squeezed my thighs before he lifted my dress, his fingers rubbing against the damp fabric of my knickers. "God, you're so wet." I took in a sharp breath, as he was about to pull down my panties when the sound of footsteps coming closer were heard.

I pushed him off me, not looking at him as I dashed into the bathroom, closing the door behind me and leaning against it, breathing heavily. There was no way I was leaving that room anytime soon.

I took a cold shower and used a spare towel before putting on my maid's clothes again. I rummaged around, looking for some makeup to cover up the hickeys on my neck, but there was none. I found some concealer in the cupboard and I was hopefully guessing it was Valentina's. I put some on before cautiously leaving the bathroom.

I went downstairs and smelt food being cooked. I walked into the kitchen to be greeted by Valentina and Cat. "Finally woke up, huh?" Cat grinned, passing me a wooden spoon. I tried to maintain a straight face, "woke up?" Valentina turned, "yeah, it's fine. Vincenzo told us you went to sleep in my room before he left." I nodded mildly. "What are we cooking?"

"Curry. You hungry?"

"Yes!"

I helped cook and was stirring the sauce gently as it simmered when Valentina sat on the counter, chewing gum and gazing at me curiously. "What?" I asked, playfulness in my voice. She innocently smiled, "nothing. .cheap concealer doesn't hide everything." I groaned, not even bothering to touch my neck, I already knew what was there.

"Yeah. Is there something going on with you and boss? He seems. .calm around you," Cat said, closing the fridge and standing beside Valentina as she too gave me a curious look. "I. .urgh. Nothing. We used to date-"

"Then he cheated on her with that lying skank, Bianca," I glared at Val who just shrugged. Cat gasped, her eyes widening, "you're her?"

"Guilty."

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry about what I said-"

"No, this okay," I interrupted, giving her a small smile. "I'm over him."
"You keep telling yourself that, honey," Val teased, jumping off the counter and checking on the rice. "I hate to say that Valentina is right. I've seen you and him talking before. Seems cosy," they're voices were teasing and laced with innocence. I rolled my eyes, pouring the curry sauce over the rice.

"We - urgh. The guy thinks we have a chance together and we don't. He won't get that in that brain of his," I sighed. We weren't going to get together. Never again. I needed to move on with my life and survive the next few months with him. Cat gave me a sympathetic look, "I think you are secretly hoping you have a chance together. I've seen the way you look at him, Mia. Don't lie, you miss him."

I hated that she was right. I did miss him, so freaking much. But I couldn't be with someone who couldn't be responsible or willing or committed in a relationship. I couldn't see the commitment in him. He probably just wanted me because he missed me, not because he was willing to make amends. I needed to know that he wasn't just going to be with me for one minute and go the next.

"I hate what he did to you but maybe you should give him another chance. He has been through a lot without you. He was angry for weeks."

"He always was," I said bitterly. I sighed at the tone of my voice. "Sorry. .it's just. .I can't be with him. It hurts too much," Valentina nodded, "hurts to much. .to love him?" I bit my lip, looking away. I didn't want his conversation to continue.

"Food's ready,"

I was wandering around. I was going to maid's house. Usually, I would just go upstairs and not wander around downstairs; I didn't want to bump into any men but that day, I did. "Sorry," I said, looking up to see a man with black hair. He was slightly taller than me and had green eyes. He was handsome and was wearing a black Armani suit which he looked cute in. Wait, what?

"It's alright," his Italian voice said, it was deep and he rolled the 'r' on his tongue. I loved that. I smiled, about to go when he asked, "what's your name? I haven't seen you around here before."

I let out a soft chortle, "I never really hang around here, that's why you probably haven't seen me. I'm Mia, what's your name?" I replied as he smiled, "Donatello, but most people call me Don." I nodded, "nice to meet you, Don. Well, I better get going." He nodded, understanding, "nice to meet you too, Mia." I smiled at him before going upstairs.

Once I got into my room, my phone rang. "Hello?"

"Mia!"

Great. It was my mother.

My mother was beautiful. Long blonde hair, small freckles and lovely cheekbones. She was curvy and always wore dresses - well, before the incident. My mother got married again with a guy she met at work. He was kind and loving to her but always seemed to be edgy around me. Then, when I was in my last year in high school, he broke up with her.

My mother loved him so much but it seemed he was only there for her money. She got so upset that she couldn't take care of me anymore. She turned to a bad crowd and got involved in drugs and prostitution. I couldn't recognise my mother anymore. I would cry whenever I saw her.

She looked like a mess. Her hair was falling out and her skin was wrinkly and yellow. Her eyes were so dark and she was too pale and thin. I would always try and get her into rehab but she would never listen. My mother was officially gone. She changed, I couldn't live with her anymore. I tried and tried to help her but it wasn't working. She only came to me when she needed something.

"Mum. .how are you?" I politely asked, sitting on the edge of my bed nervously.

"I'm great, listen," she started. Her voice was loud and sounded slightly slurred and she was in a loud area. Sounded like some kind of club. "You see, I need some money."

Here we go. I wasn't surprised. Why else would she call me? My mother didn't even care about me. All she wanted was money for her drugs. "I need to pay off this guy. .I owe him-"

"Why don't you repay him with sex like you always do, ma?" I snapped, angrily. I was sick of being a doormat to her. She always needed money, always! She didn't care about anything else. Yes, she's my mother however she didn't act like one. I had feelings that she didn't seem to care about. Sex and money; that was all she wanted.

"Don't start, Mia," she groaned, as if I had done something wrong. I scoffed, "start what, mum? I'm not giving you money." She huffed loudly, "why are you always so rude and disrespectful? I need 5k, and I need it now, so say yes and I'll give you my bank details!" She exclaimed.

I rolled my eyes, "me? Disrespectful? You're a hypocrite! Stop calling me for things that don't matter," I bitterly snapped back, "you said so yourself. You have your own life and I have mine. Quit begging me for money and get it you're own way. I'm sure you know how." She gasped, "you little-"

"No, just stop, ma. Stop. I don't want you to call or text me anymore. I'm not your slave; I'm not here to clean up your mess! I don't want your troubles in my life anymore. Leave me alone." I sighed, pressing the red button on my screen before she could say anything else. I didn't need that woman and her darkness in my life anymore.

I tossed my phone on the bed, sighing and rubbing my head. I sat for a few moments, pondering. Why was she like this? Why didn't she love me? Why couldn't she be normal and be there for me? She was a complicated woman and I never understood why.

There was a knock on the door that brought me to my senses. "Come in," I said as the door opened to reveal Aurora. I smiled, "hey."
"Boss wants to see you. .now."

I thanked her, following her downstairs and walked out the building. I started wishing I could forget about my mother and her stupid needs. I wondered why Vincenzo wanted to see me.

I was about to turn to go to his office when Aurora stopped me. "You're meeting him somewhere else." I furrowed my eyebrows as we stopped. She unexpectedly opened a small wooden door on the ground which showed some metal spiral stairs. I swallowed as she led me down them. The room was dark and I couldn't exactly see the path ahead until we stopped again, in front of a door.

"This is as far as I go," she said and I said goodbye and she walked back up the stairs. I bit my lip cautiously before pushing the door open.

I let out a small scream, moving backwards a little.

Vincenzo looked at me, a sickening smile stretched across his face as he stood beside a crippled man.

"Roberto, meet Mia. Mia, meet the man who is going to suffer a painful, poor death."

I covered my mouth in shock as I looked at the scene.

A man was on his knees, his arms and legs tied to his back and he had a piece of rope in his mouth. A tall, buff man was pulling a leather belt around his neck which was causing the man on the floor to cough violently. He had blood everywhere. His clothes were ripped and seemed just like fabric, hanging onto him and he only had his thumb and his pinkie on both hands. He had large wounds crisscrossing across his body and his eyes were bloodshot, tears streaming down his bloodied face.

I wanted to scream more, I wanted to vomit, cry and yell. What the hell was going on?

Then I realised that was him. The man who scarred Cat, the man who hurt her.

I shook my head, moving backwards more as tears came into my eyes. "Oh my gosh," I whispered, noticing that there was crimson blood splattered on the walls.

"Don't be scared, Mia," Vincenzo said, his voice playful yet sickening. "There's nothing to worry about. He'll get what he deserves." I looked at him in horror, on the verge of vomiting.

How sick was this man?

I didn't know what to say, what to do. I couldn't think clearly. This was the man I used to - still loved. He was kind, funny and brave. But he was also dangerous, cunning and evil. I always seemed to forget that - forget the darkness inside him. How could I love someone like him? A murderer.

He lifted his leg, kicking the whimpering man on his stomach. He cried out loudly, coughing out blood. A horrible sound of bones cracking filled the air as Vincenzo cackled, looking at me, his eyes dark and deadly. I was shaking, silently praying in my mind.

"Please. .stop. .I swear I won't-"

Punch.

I shivered, "V. .stop." I whispered but he wasn't listening. His soul was gone. He looked at me in the eye as he threw another punch into the man's poor stomach.

"V, stop!" I said, louder this time.

Kick.

"Vincenzo, please stop!" I cried, tears falling down. "Oh my goodness," I whispered as he continued to ignore me and do the opposite of what I asked. Roberto's pleading cries was burning through me. He was awful and horrible for hurting Cat but I couldn't see this. It was painful and awful.

"V, stop! Stop!" I pleaded as he grabbed a lighter from the metal table. He flicked the switch, turning to me. His face was pure evil, dark and dangerous. He scared me. My heart pounded against my chest as he said the next few words.

"Go get Cat."

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

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