CHAPTER 10

ARIANA'S POV

This dinner is not something, l was looking forward to. My ex is there and his prick of a brother is there as well. The only people keeping me from turning away are the cute couple and Nia. I dragged Nia because l can not do this alone. I can kill, run a business, ruin families and live alone except face a blast from my past l was tryna forget. He was wearing the same suite l bought for him 5 years ago. I remember the day well.

"Come on. It's cute" l said. He was glaring at me and it caused me to laugh. It was yellow duck tie we had seen. It was weird but funny. I was daring Alex to buy it. He had said, "I never turn down a dare". I wanted to see how far he would go.

Today, l felt like it was the day to tell him about everything. Who l was and what l had done to live. We saw an Armani store and l fell in love with one particular suit. It was black and when he tried it on, it was a match made in heaven. He looked hotter than he already was. I was mentally drooling over him and he seemed to notice. He continued teasing me until we got to a point of chasing each other in the store. We made so much noise we got kicked but not before we bought the suit.

After that day, he staretd wearing it frequently and l just loved it.

I snap out of memory lane and notice Adam, looking at me. He was wearing a blue suit. His shade of blue was darker than mine. A couple of women eyed Adam and l felt some sort of anger. Why am l angry? He is nothing to me but a partner. In business that is. I will admit he is looking good tonight. I can see some of his tatooes.

"Good evening. I hope we are not too late" l say.

Mr. Auderrali Snr. says" Oh no, we just came early. We are thrilled you could join us with.."

"Oh hello. I am Nia. We are cousins actually"

"Oh well the more the merrier" Miss.Morreli says. She is quite a cheerful woman. I like her but again she is way to cheerful.

"So Miss Mendoza how is the project going" Mr. Auderrali Snr. asked. Even though his sons were handling the whole thing, he still kept a close eye on everything. I am bit offended that he would need to know about everything when l was there but it is business. You never trust anyone.

"It is going well sir. And with your sons helping me, it is a lot easier" l say. I am not lying. Adam is a cocky bastard and Alex is a monster from my past. But they still help.

"You know dad, l think me and Miss Mendoza should work CLOSELY on this case" Adam says. Where is he going with this?

"Huh. Adam you wish. Even though you help, you are still annoying"

"I think you find me charming"

"You charming? That is just degrading your father. He is charming not you" l say. Him and l bicker for a few more minutes without even knowing that everyone was now staring. They are like dead to us

"You are annoying. You are a f........". Nia stops me from saying anything when she loudly clears her throat.

"What is it Nia?" l am a bit annoyed. I was about to win this and she had to stop me

"A, Everyone is staring" she says. I quickly realise she is right. She ha s a grin on her face and Adam's parents are smiling. Why are they smiling? I look at Alex and he is mad. Why should l care? Miss Morreli has a sparkle in her eyes and says, "You two would make a lovely couple"

I almost spit out my wine when she says that. I look at Adam and he has a smirk on his face. How l wish l could remove that smirk on his face. Matter of fact, l should cut out his tongue. That way, l can never hear him talking.

"I am sorry. But what?"

"Oh come on BABE she is right"

"Adam, l can never date you. I'd rather date a frog than you"

He touches his chest and pretends to be hurt. I just roll my eyes and he says, "You wound me"

"Trust me, l wish l could" l say. The rest of the evening we talk about business but l get a feeling that Miss Morreli wants to say something. I steal a couple of glances from Alex and he seems distracted. He answers questions witha simple yes or no. I can literally feel the agner radiating off of him but l ignore it. For desert, l just choose some icecream and eat.

"I will just say it'' Miss Morreli says. She says it while raising her hands in the air. I almost laugh. All attention of on her

"Miss Mendoza.."

"Oh please call me Ariana. You are older than me"

"Okay then Ariana. I was wondering if you would like to join us for Easter this year. You can stay at the house until Easter then you can go". I do not want to spend 48 hours with Alex

"Oh no. I would be intruding. This a time for family. I am just a business partner nothing more"

"Oh please. You look like a woman of power. Having you around could help and this year you do not have to work"

'But l can not. My cousin is leaving and the house is a mess as he has kids and l would feel like a burden''

"Nonsense plus this gives you time to discuss business with the gents and still have some fun. I would really like it if you came" she is persistent. I can not say no to her and end up agreeing. She is smiling as if she has worn the lottery. We enjoy the rest of the night. We decided that l came in the morning. As we are leaving Adam pulls me and says, "If you like food poisoning then come but You will die. Mom does not know how to cook"

"She is not that bad"

"She is but l know you will come. You want to be near me"

"As if" l say. Just as l am about to leave Alex pulls me to the side and says, "I am glad you are coming. I will prove to you that l love you and made a mistake"

"I don't give a fuck about what you do" l bark. I do not need him in the my life. He hurt me and broke me but l will not give him the satisfaction of knowing that. I leave and go home. When l arrive, Nia bombards me with a whole lotta questions about me and Adam and Alex. I just leave and go to pack. I need all my files since we need to discuss some serious business. Later at night me and Nia discuss on what to do about the warehouses we found in James and Yuri's names. I think it is time to say Goodbye to some ware houses.

I go to sleep after blowing up two ware houses. Tonight l will have a good night's sleep.

ADAM'S POV

Well the dinner was interesting although l was getting a vibe from Alex l did not like. Today, l had fun though. Ariana Mendoza was smiling. But was till a bit mad. I will never understand. Until l understand her, l won't leave her alone. She is a puzzle, only l can solve it. Why am l so interested in her and her alone? She brought a friend but l was but l could care less. She was the one my attention was on

I snap out of my thoughts and head to Alex's room. It is right next to mine so l don't put on a shirt. What am l saying? I walk around the house half-naked all the damn time. I knock on his door and there is no answer. When l open it, l find him wide awake.

''Hey Alex, you might wanna answer next time''

''H..Huh. Oh hie Adam. What do you want''

''Nothing just checking up on you. You seemed a bit distracted during the dinner''

He mutters something under his breath but l don't hear it.

"Is it about the girl again?" Years ago he was in love with this girl. He never told me her name but she seemed like a pretty big deal. He said he was in love with her but broke her heart and when he tried looking for her to fix everything, he was told she died. He always blamed himself and l think he still does.

"Yeah' is all he can say''

"What was her name?''

''I can not tell you that. Now leave

"But l am............

"Adam leave me the fuck alone. Get out'' he said. He seemed to be broken and angry. I have never seen my brother like this. I can not tell mom because she will get worried. I will have to find out for myself. I need to know what exactly happened and who the mystery lady was. I go to sleep thinking of Ariana and Alex.

JAMES' POV

I was sitting in my office when one of my men came to me. He was literally panting and sweating.

''Sir we have a problem". Oh no. What is it now?

"Dimmelo"

"Due dei nostril magazzine sono stati sacchegiati"

''Che cosa. If you are fucking playing with me, l will kill you''

''Non signore. They left the place deserted and blown up. We don't know who did this''

''I do. Get the backups ready. Looks like l will be visiting again soon''

I go to where Yuri stays. He has been with me since l was a child. He believed in me unlike my parents who apparently wanted Ariana to handle everything. When l enter his room he is covered in blood. I think he finally finished that family.

"Good evening grandfather''

''Good evening James. Anything wrong. You look a bit pale''

''No grandfather. That bitch Ariana just raided two of our ware houses and blew them up'' l tell him. He does not at all seem angry at all. He is calm and that is never good.

''Why aren't you saying anything grandfather?"

"Because l knew she would do this. My informat on the inside tells me that this was their plan''

''Your informat? Who is that"

"James remember when l told you that my grandfather was a magician? He told me that a magician never reveals their secret. Just like him, l will not tell you but they will do me good. I was also informed that Alex is back''. Alex is the guy who was in love with my sister. Or that is what my sister wanted to believe. She was so weak and she still is.

''Oh'' is all l can say. Where is he going with this?

"James keep him as a backup plan. I know for sure he is still a weakness for Ariana. Mostly now that they are working together.