Chapter 38
November 8th, 2016.
I awoke the next day to see Ophelia staring at me.
"You stayed." She said softly, making me wonder if she slept throughout the night.
"Yeah." I said as I extended my arms above my head, stretching my muscles.
Newton said, every action has an equal and opposite reaction. I couldn’t shake the feeling that some dire consequence would be waiting for me back at the Mansion. I looked into her pretty brown eyes, eyes that were the same colour as honey left in the sun and knew any consequence was worth staying here.
She rolled off the bed to use the bathroom.
"You can walk now?"
"More like hobble." She tested her injured leg, showing me then she gathered some clothes and walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
I took the opportunity to bring out my gadgets: laptop, tablet, phone, etc and plugged them into a power source. I switched my phone on, as well as my system and let it boot. As soon as they turned on, each device pinged as it was flooded with notifications: text messages, voice messages, emails.
I sighed deeply, already feeling the stress of the day before I started. There was no turning back now.
I called Brandon first, since he had sent the most text messages and emails.
"Hello?"
"So nice of you to return my calls, Valentino."
"What do you want?"
"What do I want? You were supposed to sign off on an alliance from our side in place of the boss!"
One of the things the Mob side of the Empire did was to provide protection for businesses. Whether it was clubs, brothels, hotels or little cartels, we didn’t discriminate. However, there was always a formal agreement stating that they would pay a stipulated sum at a certain time and we would take them under our wing. Anyone who posed a threat to them indirectly posed a threat to us and they were eliminated immediately, even if the assailant was on the defensive side.
"My apologies, I was on vacation."
He snorted.
"You call frolicking with women being on vacation?"
Raymond. I forgot turning my phone on would tell them my current location, this idiot must be at the Mansion.
"I'd watch my tongue if I were you, or did you forget who you’re talking to?"
"You're not denying it, Valentino."
I geared the topic away from my vacation and discussed the alliance, the pros and cons and important terms of service, making sure he had done everything right to help them understand what they were getting into because some people went straight to the signing and when we came to collect what was duly ours there were problems.
By the time Ophelia was out of the bathroom, I had responded to three missed calls.
I put my finger on my lips, signaling her to keep quiet. No good was going to come out of someone recognising her voice as they listened to my tapped conversation.
She understood and mouthed she was going to get breakfast, then she hobbled out of the room.
I slipped on my Bluetooth earpiece and switched out my phone for my laptop, multitasking.
She brought a big bowl of cereal, enough for two. We ate together but that didn't stop me from answering my calls and replying to emails.
I got so engrossed in work that I forgot about breakfast for a moment. She spoon fed me, only pausing to let me reply to the person at the other end.
After breakfast, I settled comfortably on the bed, two pillows behind my head. Ophelia took the dishes out and came back to retrieve our dirty clothes for washing.
Time passed slowly as I worked. She brought back our clothes, clean, ironed and folded.
It was only when she walked in with a steaming plate of risotto I realised how far the time had gone.
It was 15:23.
I put down my gadgets, including the Bluetooth and took the plate from her. I was starving.
"Aren't you hungry?" I asked when I noticed she wasn't eating with me.
"I had lunch with the girls."
My phone pinged with a new notification.
I stretched to get it but Ophelia beat me to it.
"Eat."
I'm glad she took it away or I would have skipped lunch.
"Are you sure you're on vacation, Luke?" She asked as she scanned through my phone.
"Considering what's been going on, yes. Your father isn’t doing anything anymore so his work automatically falls to me, you're nowhere to be found so I have to do your work too, I also have to do mine as well. I work double duty everyday, Empire Enterprises work and Empire Mob work. Its a surprise I'm still sane, I can't share the work with others because I don't and can't trust anyone. Everyone is feeling the pinch because there's an overload of work and I'm sure my desk will be buried under piles of paper, files and documents by the time I get back.'' I answered between mouthfuls.
I skillfully left out the part about leaving tomorrow to clear those documents.
I passed the empty plate to her and drank from the glass she placed on the nightstand without looking at her. Ophelia could read me too well.
I went back to my former position, resting my back on the headboard with my tablet in hand.
She climbed the bed, hovering over me, staring deeply into my eyes. Who am I kidding? She was staring into my soul, reading my deepest thoughts.
She lay down, her head on my chest, wrapping her arm around me. "I wish we could go out." She said sadly.
She knew today would be our last day together.
"Yeah, me too." I stroked her hair gently.
I went back to work when she had fallen asleep.
It was difficult working with the tablet one handed instead of using the laptop and answering calls with a low voice because I didn't want to wake her up. It was very rare for her to cuddle of her own free will and it was an opportunity I wouldn't miss for the world, so I didn't mind the inconvenience at all.
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It was dark now, 18:54 and Ophelia wasn't up yet.
I'd done enough work for the day and turned all my gadgets off.
The room was illuminated by the bedside lamp. I ran my fingers through her hair when my eyes locked onto her neck, I moved her hair aside and stared at the wounds, tracing them lightly with my fingers.
They would leave scars and that thought alone made me angry. The more I stared, the angrier I became, I reminded myself I had to make one quick but necessary pit stop before I left for the mansion tomorrow.
I gently rolled her off me and put a blanket around her, then I went into the bathroom to shower for the first time since the day began.
I got dressed in a white tee and blue denim.
I walked out of the room, closing the door behind me and made my way to Desmonda's office.
On my little journey down the hallway, I took in all the sights and sounds. At least some people had the decency to close their doors, I shook my head, this was a whore house after all. At least some people had the decency to close their doors, was this what Ophelia saw everyday for four months?
I reached Desmonda's office, knocked and entered when I was told to come in.
"Valentino! What a pleasant surprise! I heard you were around...." She came out from around her desk to give me a hug.
I skillfully dodged her out, looking around the room. More upgrades than I last remember, most of them expensive and useless. Desmonda lived like a Queen, surely even with the money I've been dropping off for Ophelia, she wouldn't be able to afford this lavish lifestyle.
I had a working theory, Ophelia’s assault and the new men I'd been seeing around confirmed it. Desmonda was using these girls as her personal business empire.
"Why don't you have a seat?" She said, getting over the embarrassment.
I turned to face her.
"I didn't come here to sit." I said.
I came here to vent my anger, I wanted to add.
"Oh?"
I took a deep breath, a plan formulating in my head. "Can we go out?"
"Like on a date?" She asked, her head cocked to the side. Her alluring tone disgusted me.
"Call it whatever you want." I shrugged.
"Give me a second.." She picked her purse and car keys from the bowl. "Alright I'm ready."
I held the door open. "Ladies first."
She walked out and we made our way downstairs to the lounge where we ran into Arabella.
"Arabella dear, take over for me okay? Valentino here is taking me out for a treat." She linked her arm in mine, fluttering her lashes.
"Oh?" Arabella asked, somewhat disappointed.
I could see the thoughts flitting through her mind as her eyes flitted from Gruwero to me, I did have the reputation of being a swinger.
I let her lead me outside to her car where I swiped the key from her before she could get in.
"I'll drive. I've made reservations at a special restaurant."
She smiled, from my perspective it looked like an evil grin, then she got in.
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We arrived at the parking lot of a five-star restaurant called La Monet's. I got out of the car and walked a few steps before releasing Desmonda was yet to get out.
I rolled my eyes and walked to her side, yanking the door open like she wanted me to.
She got out and linked her arm in mine. Technically I was underdressed for a place like this but looks weren't my main concern and I could get away with it in this place, I would accomplish my mission and breeze out of here as soon as I was done. That's why I put up with Desmonda's nuisance.
"Good evening Mr Valentino, it's nice to finally see you again." The hostess greeted me with a wide smile.
"Hello Beth, its nice to see you too."
"Please follow me, we have our best private booth at your disposal just like you requested." She led the way to the back but not before raising her brow at Desmonda before looking at me.
She knew I didn't do old women.
She handed out the menus and stood, ready to take our orders.
"I'll have the tomato and caper linguine and your best vintage red wine."
"And you, Mr Valentino?"
"Just a glass of water."
"Are you quite sure?"
I nodded.
She dashed out to get our orders.
"Are you too shy to eat around me, Valentino?"
"No. I'm just not hungry."
Time passed and no one said a word, I occupied myself with my phone while Desmonda tapped a beat on the table with her lacquered nails.
About 20 minutes later, Beth walked in with another man in tow, wheeling in a trolley.
They served Desmonda in grand style, only placing a cup of water in front of me.
When they were done I waved them away, indicating that we wouldn't need anything else.
Alone, I placed my hands on the table, watching Desmonda eat.
"So... how's the house fairing?" I asked in a casual tone before taking a sip of my water.
She wiped her mouth delicately on a napkin before talking.
"Oh everything is going great, the girls are okay, your men are satisfied, we threw a big party last month, everyone was so happy." She said smiling.
"Hmmmm... I guess you're right, I did notice a lot of new things. New TV, new sofas, new interior decorations in your office. I've even noticed new men sitting in the lounge, they aren't part of the Empire cartel Desmonda, who are they?" I leaned closer, placed my arms on the table and intertwined my fingers.
She swallowed. "T-those men are my friends." She said with a megawatt smile on her face, I noticed she had stopped eating.
"Friends?" I leaned back on my chair, testing the word on my tongue. "They're your friends?" I picked my glass of water and took another sip. "Since when did you start entertaining your friends with our girls?"
"I'm not entertaining them with our girls." She laughed nervously, gripping the utensils in her hands so tight that her knuckles turned white.
"Oh, really? I walk into the house, find our girls on the laps of unknown men who touch them inappropriately and they are forced to do their bidding because you told them to. Am I missing something?"
"Valentino I-I can explain..."
I gave her a look that said shut it in capital letters.
"I've heard a lot of complaints concerning the house Desmonda, I never believed them until I witnessed everything. I never pegged you a liar but you've proved me wrong, you've turned these girls into a private business for yourself, forgetting that they belong to me and are exclusively for Empire mob members. Because of your greed and incompetence, I come back to find my girl molested..." It took a lot of control to keep my voice dangerously low when all I wanted to do was to shout at the top of my lungs.
Her eyes widened at the word molested.
"Yes Desmonda, molested, with scars and bruises to show for it...."
"Valentino, that girl is full of trouble! None of those men ever touched her, I can swear it! If she has injuries it is something she clearly deserves! She goes out very early and comes back late, God knows....."
"Shut the fuck up when I'm talking!" I banged my fist on the table, splintering wood, sending utensils flying and toppling over Desmonda's plate of food.
"Are you trying to blame her for something that is clearly your fault?! Indirectly admitting that you do give our girls out to strange men! Now, let me tell you something Gruwero, I'm not some pretty boy you can push over, I know you've heard rumours about me....they are very true. I can make life in hell seem better than the one you'll be living on earth. You let someone touch her when I said I wanted her untouched, you neglected your duties of providing her comfort, imagine my surprise when I walked into her room and found her roasting in heat, what do you have to say about that? Her wardrobe was also empty, what’s been happening to the money I've been sending to you? No, don't tell me. You swallowed it up too. Your cup is filled and overflowing Desmonda, now I've got my eyes on you, don't let me take any action."
I stood up with so much force that my chair toppled over. I walked out angrily but couldn't stop the evil smile that crawled up my face as I made my way to the entrance of the restaurant. The plan had worked perfectly.
The blueprint was simple: I practically owned that private booth at La Monet's and I had customised it to my taste. The lighting was set up in a way that made me appear more sinister than usual and the table...was a masterpiece.
It was made out of oak but some parts on the surface were replaced with a flimsy oak look alike material that would splinter if the right amount of force was administered. And if I located a particular point, I could break the table into two halves, frightening the other occupant of the room. I didn't want to break the table because it was the only thing keeping me from ripping Desmonda to pieces and she knew it too.
I used that booth whenever I wanted to intimidate someone and I wasn't done with her yet. La Monet's wasn't a five star restaurant for nothing, the bill for a single meal was equivalent to the salary of a highly placed government official. Good luck to her paying for her meal since I had swiped her purse on my way out. If she did eventually pay, Beth would push a button causing her chair to crash under her weight.
When she gathered herself up in shame and embarrassment, the manager of the place would bill her senseless for the damages done to their most expensive booth. Everyone would receive a cut for the job well-done and the extra money would be used to restore my booth.
Outside I stopped a taxi outside and got in.
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When I got to the room, I found the door open. Ophelia was pacing around.
"Is everything alright, princess?"
She looked up at the sound of my voice. "Where were you?"
Did Arabella tell her anything? It was hard to tell from the simultaneous emotions I could read in her eyes. Worry, anger, frustration, yet I couldn't decipher anything.
"I went to get pizza." I lifted the large cardboard box I held.
She placed her hand over her heart and sighed in relief. "Don't scare me like that again." She sat down on the bed.
I walked in, closed the door and sat down beside her. "What were you thinking?"
"I thought something bad happened. I just remembered that this house is rigged with security cameras. I woke up and you weren't here, your belongings were intact but you were gone. I thought someone had recognized you from the security tapes and dad had come to get you." She looked really worried.
I pulled her close. "I'm sorry. Next time I'll leave a note." I rubbed her arm. "About the cameras. I'm in charge of all the recordings, no one can get to them."
She disentangled herself. "What do you mean by that? Are you saying Desmonda doesn't know about the cameras?"
"She does but she doesn't have a copy of any recording, she thinks she does but, l am the only one with access to the server."
"Are you sure Luke? Because for the first few days of my stay someone was watching me."
"That was just my little way of keeping an eye on you." I pointed a finger at my eye and touched her nose demonstrating.
I predicted the slap before she set her hand in motion, I caught her wrist before it could reach my face.
"How could you do something like that without telling me?!" She tried to wriggle free.
"Calm down Ophelia." I said, unmoved.
"What about those goons, did you have something to do with that as well?"
"Yes. Extendable arms and legs to keep you safe and protected."
She swore fouly. "May the Lord have mercy on you."
"Amen. Did you expect me to leave you unguarded in a place like this? I knew you could protect yourself inside the house but not outside, I was wrong." I said as I stared at the wounds on her neck. "Maybe I should have provided inside security too."
She wanted to say something and If she did, we would argue. So, I turned away from her and opened the box.
"Let's eat okay, I want to watch a movie."
I took a slice of pizza, turned the bedside lamp on then turned the overhead lights off using the switch above the headboard.
The room was now engulfed in semi-darkness, creating a cinema-like feel. I turned on my laptop and picked an animated movie.
If Ophelia was going to stay here I might as well get her a large TV and a fridge.
I settled down on the bed and grabbed another slice of pizza. I was positioned in a way that Ophelia couldn't turn away from the laptop even if she wanted, it was childish but it would produce a desired effect.
After a while she reached out and picked a slice of pizza, leaning back on me.
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An hour and a box of pizza later, I felt very relaxed. It was obvious that the writer of the script had a good sense of humor, I had a big smile on my face. Ophelia however showed no emotion, she didn't even crackle once.
I stood up from the bed, causing her to lift her head and finally turn away from the laptop.
I wiped my hands on a serviette and climbed the bed hovering over her.
From her facial expression, I could tell someone was really mad and I was receiving the silent treatment.
"Hey." I poked her.
She didn't respond.
"Hey." I shook her shoulder but still didn't get any response.
"I'm talking to you." I turned her over, so I was straddling her.
Her eyes were cold. The only person I knew who could look at me like that was Antonio.
"Smile." I tickled under her chin. "I know you want to."
She didn't because her face remained unamused and her eyes cold.
"Look, we can do this the easy way or the hard way."
She looked back at me blankly.
"I don’t want to do this but you've left me no choice."
I pulled her shirt up so I could get better access to her ribs.
"Tickle tickle." I said, tickling her lightly.
She didn't move so I added a little force, I knew she couldn't hold it in for long.
"Don't touch me." She said moving to the side.
I ignored her, tickling her harder.
"Luke, I'm warning you." She said, shimmying but not smiling.
"Luke stop!" She said, wriggling like a worm.
"No can't do princess, unless you smile. Come on, smile for me."
I didn't see it coming until I fell off the bed. She had whacked me hard with a pillow.
I had to shake my head to set everything back in place. I got up on one knee and grabbed the pillow from the bed. "Oh it's on!"
"Leave me alone! You're going into battle with the wrong girl." She said, discreetly grabbing another pillow.
"This isn't just battle Ophelia, its war!"
"You'll be sorry, I'm giving you a chance to back out now."
"First rule of the game: never back out of a fight. Since you've refused to grow up, I'll play your little game and beat you at it because I never lose."
"Its your funeral." She said, ready for battle.
"Pillow fight!" Was my war cry before I charged into battle.
---------------
A few minutes and several senseless hits later, I finally had her.
Left, right, left, right
Went my pillow at the sides of her head until she backed into the bed and lost balance, losing her pillow and falling on the bed.
I wasted no time climbing the bed and straddling her, my pillow poised and ready to hit.
"Have mercy!" She screamed, laughing.
"Do you accept defeat, vanquished one?"
She nodded.
"I can't hear you."
"You beat me, do you want me to suffer more shame by letting the whole world know?"
I raised the pillow higher, ready to take a swing.
"Fine!" She covered her face. "I'll say it but only if you'll come closer."
"You will refer to me as your King, agreed?"
"Yes." She said breathlessly. It made me feel funny inside. She beckoned to me with her finger, calling me closer.
I dropped the pillow and leaned down.
She wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me closer until I felt the rise and fall of her chest. Her lips brushed my ear and her warm breath fanned my neck, sending chills up my spine, I shivered.
"You just got played..... Sucker."
The whispered words barely registered in my foggy brain until she flipped us over maintaining my position spot on with the pillow raised and ready to strike.
I aided my own defeat. I'd used the flipping move on her a lot of times until she had learnt it. Ever since that day, she had perfected the move and used it on me at every chance she got.
"Say it." She implored.
I sighed deeply. "I am at your will, do unto me as you please..... My Queen."
"As I please?" She thought for a moment before laughing. She tossed the pillow away and placed her hands on my chest to support herself as I wrapped my arms around her waist. "Stop looking at me like that."
"Like how?" I asked. Did she really know what I was thinking?
"Like the way you're doing now." She cocked her head to the side, studying me. "You look like a helpless puppy."
"You do have me at your will, I'm supposed to look helpless."
"You're insufferable." She laughed, lying on top of me.
"What's wrong?" I asked, when she sighed deeply a few minutes later, noticing the change in the mood.
"Nothing."
"Ophelia I'm not as dumb as you think. When you say nothing, it means a lot of things are wrong. Tell me."
"Don't go." She whispered.
"I'm not leaving tonight." I whispered back.
"Which means you'll leave in the morning?"
I let the silence answer her question.
She sighed deeply again, snuggled close and hummed a slow, sad tune.
If I had my way I would never leave your side princess. I felt hot tears soak my shirt.
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I tried very hard not to sleep, to treasure the last hours we would spend together, because I didn’t know when I'd be able to see her again.
It was raining. It started by 4am and it didn't look like it would let up soon. It was a sure sign that winter was coming. When I looked out the window, I saw that the sky was brighter now, telling me my time with her was up. It would be easier to slip away while she was still asleep.
With a heavy heart, I rolled her off me, taking a few seconds to stare at her angelic face. I brushed her hair away and placed a kiss on her forehead, tracing her features lightly.
I got off the bed and walked into the bathroom to take a shower.
Out, I dressed slowly trying to draw out time, memorizing every bit of her: the way her hair spread out on the pillows, her long tanned legs...this image would keep me sane for a long time.
I'd just donned on my leather gloves when she stirred.
I swore under my breath.
She reached out, running her hands over the bed, searching. She frowned then rolled over, sitting up in alarm when she found the bed empty.
I sat down to put my shoes on.
"Leaving without telling me, again?" She asked with a sleepy voice, rubbing her eyes.
I scoffed. "I wasn't going to leave without telling you."
She climbed off the bed and stood in front of me arms akimbo, giving me a knowing stare.
"Okay. Maybe I was planning on leaving quietly."
"Why is it so hard for you to say goodbye?"
I sighed deeply, not ready to have this conversation. I pulled my bag towards me.
"There must be something I can do to convince you to stay."
"Trust me when I say I want to stay with you but I've got to get back to work princess."
"Stay." She implored me.
I bit my lower lip, hating to reject her. "I can't. I've got to go back."
I stood up and held a hand out. "Come on. Come see me off." I said quietly.
She took my hand and I hung my bag over my shoulder.
We walked out of the room, down the stairs and into the kitchen. With each step we took towards the door, the more reluctant Ophelia was to move, it was like her feet were made out of lead.
When we got to the lounge, she didn't move at all. I turned back and the sight before me broke my heart. Her cheeks were streaked with tears. Before I could say anything she threw her arms around me as a violent sob shook her body.
This was why I liked to leave without telling her. Since the age of five she always cried whenever her father was leaving for missions that would keep him away for more than a week, the same thing happened when I had to leave the house too. She was yet to outgrow it.
I squeezed her tight, hushing her until the fit subsided then I disentangled myself, placing my forehead on hers.
"I'll come back as soon as I can. I'll leave early so we can spend Christmas and new year together, okay?"
She gave me a weak nod.
"Take care of yourself."
I wiped her tears but they continued falling. "I...I…."
I love you. I wanted to say but the words got stuck in my throat.
I swallowed. "I'll miss you." I leaned down to kiss her wet cheek and it killed me to know her lips were so close.
I pulled away before I could do something stupid but she pulled me back, resting her face in the crook of my neck spilling hot tears.
We stayed like that for a minute before I pulled away again, walking backwards to the door.
Outside and in the rain, I got on my bike but stared at her at the doorway.
I put my helmet on, It felt like someone was ripping my insides apart seeing her cry. I looked at her one more time before I started the bike and zoomed off.