8 Chapter 7.

January 18, 2016

Ophelia's POV.

The curtains were programmed to open and close at a certain time every day. They opened now, letting in the bright rays of the morning sun.

I opened my eyes, rolled over to the other side of the bed, away from the sun and dozed off.

When I woke up again, the sun rays were no longer in my room but they were shining high up and the sky was clear and blue like a certain person's eyes. As I young child, I would make him sit outside so I could compare his eyes to the sky.

I stood up from my bed and walked around my room, yawning. My arms were up, high above my head as I stretched. I felt refreshed and alive, it must have been the bath I had yesterday.

I checked the time on my bedside table, it read, 9:30 AM.

I really slept in.

I walked into the bathroom to run my bath. After getting the right temperature and the right amount of bubbles, I stripped and submerged myself in the warm Jasmine fragrant water. I washed my body delicately, scrubbing lightly with my bath sponge and played with the bubbles when I was done.

The water was getting cold so I rinsed off and stepped out of the tub, brushing my teeth in the sink.

I walked into my large walk-in closet as I dried off and stared at my collection of gowns, jeans, leather pants, t-shirts, formal wear, shoes and bags, they were of different colours, designs and designers.

"What am I going to wear today?"

My wardrobe needed an update.

But I browsed through anyway. I needed something light and easy to move in.

I picked a white crop top.

"Leather or jeans?" I looked at the two trousers in my hands. "Definitely jeans."

I slung the black jean over my shoulder and replaced the other on the rack.

"Now, over to shoes."

A black six inch heel ankle boot.

"Perfect!"

Took everything to my room and lay them on my bed.

After applying lotion to my delicate skin, I put on my clothes and walked over to my dressing table.

I brushed and braided my waist length hair, using my fancy hair pins to decorate the braid. I powdered my face, applied eyeliner, mascara and a little bit of blush to look natural.

When I was done, I got up from the dressing table and admired myself in the full length mirror.

"Cute." I said and my diamond navel ring couldn't agree more as it sparkled in the light. I picked up a small black clutch purse to put my phone in and exited my room.

The hallway was oddly quiet, I checked the time on my watch.

10:54 am

The bodyguards should be out here by now, unless... Unless the boss gave everybody a day off.

I shrugged and locked my door. My stomach growled.

I didn't need to go down to the general kitchen as our quarters had a well equipped kitchen of its own. Unlike the other mob members, the boss and underboss had a separate living quarter in the mansion. and as the only woman, I sometimes had to cook for my father and Luke.

"What to eat? What to eat?" I sang as I searched the cupboards in the kitchen.

The cupboards were almost bare. Proof that they hadn't been eating here.

I took note of the things we needed as I searched through the cupboards, I made a quick list on my phone and put it in my purse.

I opened the cereal cupboard to find my favourite wheat and fruit cereal. It must be expired by now but when I took it down to check to the date, it wasn't. It was recently manufactured.

As I poured it into my bowl, I noticed a very large amount of it was gone.

That's strange, no one could tolerate it.

I sat down on the island to eat and that's when I saw it.

A piece of dried fruit. I carefully looked around and saw pieces of bran flakes.

There's only one suspect.

Luke! But when did he start eating it, he never cared for it when I was around.

I finished my late breakfast, rinsed my plate and tidied up the kitchen.

It was 12:04 PM when I finished, I had to find Luke.

I went to the only place I knew I would find him. His office.

I knocked on the door.

"Come in." I heard him reply.

"What the hell do you want?" He asked after he heard the door close but didn't look up from his desk.

Someone was extremely grouchy this morning.

He was wearing a black dress shirt, with the sleeves rolled to the elbows, two of his shirt buttons were open. Typical Luke.

The reading glasses he wore gave him the impression of a headmaster.

A very hot headmaster.

I smiled.

"Good afternoon to you too, Luke."

He looked up and his face brightened. He leaned back on his chair and gave me a wide grin. "Hey."

I crossed the room, gave him a small peck on the cheek before making myself comfortable on his desk.

"So, what can I do for you?" he took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes.

He looked really tired. I felt pity for him.

I actually came to say hello but seeing his current state, I changed my mind.

"I came to help." I said as I picked up papers from his desk and peered at them.

"You know I don't need your help, princess." He snatched the papers from my hands. "Now, why don't you run along and do what women are supposed to do."

I laughed, "Seriously Luke, what are women supposed to do? Remember this is my mob and I'll do these things eventually when I take over. So, why not start now?" I asked, as I snatched them back.

"True, but you need to enjoy your life while you can, you need to go shopping, go to the spa..."

I looked at him. Something about the way he said it made me remember that I was going to get married soon. That the little liberties of my life would soon be snatched away.

He frowned when he saw the change of expression on my face.

"What? What's wrong princess, did I say something wrong?"

"You're right, Luke." I laughed, bitterly. "I'll be getting married in three weeks, I have to enjoy my freedom while I can." I wiped a stray tear away.

Stupid tears.

"Oh, God. No princess, that's not what I meant to say, I never tried to imply it in anyway." He stood up from his chair and took me into his arms.

I sobbed for a while. Luke kept rubbing comforting circles on my back.

I disentangled myself from his arms and wiped my tears away.

"I better get going."

And do what women do, I wanted to add as I moved towards the door.

"Princess?"

I stopped but I didn't turn to face him.

"I'll really love it if you helped me."

"Really?" I looked over my shoulder.

He nodded.

"Thank you." I smiled.

"Yeah yeah, now come here, this what you have to do."

He explained things to me, most of them I already knew. I always worked with my father from a very young age. I would sit on his lap as he signed papers on his large desk.

It was very simple really, most of the work was already done.There were a lot of lists, most of them about shipments and paychecks, I just had review and cross check to make sure everything was in order before approving.

The other files were background checks on people and companies who wanted to become part of 'our thing' as the Englishmen referred to it. But Luke didn't want me to concern myself with it.

Other things I wasn't so sure of, I asked questions.

I sat behind his desk and started working but Luke was standing behind me, his hands on the top of the chair.

I looked up at him. "Why don't you sit on that couch and get some rest."

"I'm not leaving you alone."

"You're not leaving me alone, you're just going to sit on the other side of the room."

"No."

"Come on Luke, I promise if I have any problem I'll let you know."

"Fine." He raised his hands in frustration, walked over and sat down on the couch.

"Try to get some sleep while you're at it." Don't think I haven't noticed the bags under your eyes." I said as I typed away on his computer.

Luke had chronic insomnia, the really bad type that kept him awake for days or weeks on end. He tried everything, all kinds of treatment but they never solved the problem. Only heavy sedation pills worked and he hated them because his job as the underboss required him to be active and alert. Overtime, we had learnt to overlook it but tried to get him to nap whenever we could.

I worked for two hours before I hit my first obstacle.

"Hey, Luke? I've seen something that doesn't look right."

No answer.

"Luke?"

I looked up from the desk to find Luke asleep on the couch in a very odd position.

I shook my head and sighed.

---------------------

It was about 3:00pm when I finished the work and piled all the files neatly on his table. I looked around and noticed his office was a mess.

"Men." I muttered under my breath.

I picked up random stuff and placed them in their correct positions. I put the books back in his bookshelf and packed all his stationary into his stationary cup.

By the time I finished fixing little stuff the office was in order.

"Finally, keys in the key bowl."

Keys?

I wanted a ride into town.

Don't get me wrong, I had many cars in different colours, by different manufacturers.

But I was wearing a white and black outfit and my white Land Cruiser was a bit too big for shopping. So why not drive his expensive Lamborghini Aventador? I even get to look more fashionable.

I walked over to the couch and contemplated if I should set Luke straight before he broke his neck.

I decided against it. He was a very light sleeper. He would wake up if I touched him.

I walked out of his office and closed the door as quietly as l could.

Guards and other mob members had resumed work. They all echoed a 'Good afternoon, Miss Antonio' as I passed, I just nodded.

I made my way to the underground garage and bumped into Nicholas when I got there.

"Hi, Nick." I smiled at him, it was a pleasant surprise to see him today as I hadn't seen him in a long time. He was Luke's personal guard even though he was older than Luke. He seemed to have grown bigger than the last time I saw him. His arms were huge!

"Hello, Miss Antonio." he blushed.

I swear Nicholas had a major crush on me, and he couldn't even hide it.

"Look, I'm going out for a while. If my father asks, tell him I'm out and please make sure no one goes into Luke's office. He shouldn't be disturbed under any circumstance, am I clear?"

"Yes, Miss Antonio." He saluted and the other guards laughed.

"At ease, Soldier." I lightly patted his arm.

I found Luke's Lamborghini park at his designated spot. I traced my finger around it's shiny black exterior. All I had to do was ask my father to get me one. Luke always had the fancy toys.

This one was all mine today.

I beeped it open and got in. I started the car and listened to the magnificent sound of the engine. I drove out of Empire grounds and zoomed into the heart of the Rome.

I drove for about ten minutes before I noticed something weird. I was being followed.

Three black sleek SUVs. I wouldn't have noticed if they were spaced out, the fact they were in convoy was what drew my attention to them.

Just to be sure I pulled off the road. The cars practically pulled up behind me.

I watched them using the Aventador's back cam. The SUVs weren't Empire cars. All our cars had little antennas or dishes that were disguised, they allowed us communicate via satellite. If you didn't know what to look for, or where to look for it, you would know. These cars didn't have that.

Then it occurred to me that this was Luke's car and whoever these people were, they wanted Luke and thought he was the one driving.

I reached for the glove compartment where I knew I would find a gun. I also knew there was another one stashed under the seat. I took out a .42 Glock. I checked the magazine to make sure it was full before I pulled back the slide and chambered a round.

Then I waited.

When no one came out, I put the car in drive and moved from the shoulder back to the road.

I continued driving whilst keeping an eye on the cars. I was going to find out who these motherfuckers were.

To do so, I parked Luke's car on the curb, in front of my favorite lingerie shop.

I came out and slipped on Luke's shades that were on the dashboard. I brought out my phone from my purse and started tapping on it.

A normal person would see a girl using her phone but I was using the screen of the phone to look behind me.

The owners of the cars had come down, they were males dressed in suits. I couldn't see their faces or any distinguishing features but I knew they were in the Mafia, definitely made men. What surprised me was that they made no move to approach me.

I unlocked my phone and used my camera to zoom in. One of them moved to open the door of the car in the middle of the convoy and the devil himself stepped out.

Daniel.

What was the idiot doing here?

I shut the door and beeped Luke's car. I walked into the shop to make some purchases, luckily the store had a one way glass. I could see out, Daniel and his buffoons couldn't see in.

Nonetheless I wasn't going to let the fool ruin my plans for the day.

I waited for them to enter the store but it seemed the idiot had brains after all.

I payed for my purchases using the card I'd found in the glove compartment, took my bags from the cashier and walked out the door, moving towards my car, Luke's car, watching Daniel and his men from the corner of my eye.

I stepped into the car and started the beautiful machine, I drove to my favourite hair salon.

They still followed me but this time they beat me in exiting their cars when we parked, they were heading for my car.

This was it, I was going to get kidnapped but I wasn't going down without a fight. I still had the element of surprise. I put the gun in my purse.

I exited the car and locked it. I stood still as I felt somebody approach me. Ready to unleash hell.

"My, my, Ophelia what a pleasant surprise."

Daniel.

I ground my teeth as I turned around to face him and answered.

"I can say the same, Mr Baddo."

"It's Daniel. I've told you before, call me Daniel." He took his shades off "Now, what brings you to this part of town?"

Hello! I was parked in front of a salon. Wasn't that proof of what I was here to do?

"I'm here to relax and have my hair styled, Daniel. After all that is what a beauty salon is for." I replied through clenched teeth.

He closed the distance between us and took my hand in his.

"I love the way you say my name. Now come on, Darling, there's no time to waste."

With that he led me into the building.

_____________

Two hours later.

I came out of the building feeling relaxed and pretty. A new hair do, French tip nails not to mention my glowing face after my facials. I did not regret the trip.

Daniel, on the other hand might, since he did nothing more than watch me and I did leave a big hole in his wallet.

I wanted to foot my own bill but he insisted.

As I got to my car, he grabbed my arm.

"Let me take you out to dinner."

I looked at the hand that held my arm. I musterd all the politeness I could, to say, "I'm sorry Daniel, I did promise my father I wouldn't stay out long."

"Okay. Then let's do lunch, late lunch since its almost 5pm.

"I really need to..."

"I Insist. Please." He cut me off.

His brown eyes and pout would make any woman melt in a puddle. Any woman, not me.

"Alright." I sighed deeply, seeing no other way out of it.

"Great! I know a place just right around the corner."

We walked in silence, he held my limp hand in his until we arrived at a little country cottage that had an English setting. The restaurant that had a nice homely feel to it.

'WELCOME TO ANNIE'S'. the sign read.

"Would you like to sit inside or outside?" Daniel asked.

I looked at the clear sky, the sunset would be pretty.

"Outside."

"Outside it is then." He said with a smile.

He was trying to charm his way into my heart but I could see right through his facade.

He still did not pull out my chair for me to sit, typical.

A young blonde waitress walked up to our table and handed us menus.

"Good evening, what can I get for you today?" She said, with her eyes on Daniel.

He smiled at her, showing her his pearly white teeth. "What would you like to have Ophelia?"

He asked me but he wasn't looking at me.

Ophelia now, not darling?

"Something light, preferably a bowl of fruit salad." I said without taking my eyes off Daniel.

"And you kind sir?" The waitress placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Just a cup of coffee."

"I'll be back very soon with your orders." With that she sauntered off.

True to her word, the young lady did not take more than five minutes.

She placed the bowl of fruit salad in front of me and placed Daniel's cup in front of him. I did not fail to notice his cream was heart shaped or that some of her buttons were undone flashing her plastic boobs that seemed to have caught Daniel's attention.

"If there's anything you need, don't fail to call for me." She turned to leave.

If I was a crazy female, I would jump on her and pull out her fake extensions for flirting with my fiancée or slapped the man sitting in front of me for continuing the act of disrespect by checking out her backside.

I cleared my throat and picked my fork, that seemed to snap Daniel out of his hypnosis.

"Lovely girl, isn't she?" He asked with a smile.

"I couldn't agree more." I matched his smile, sarcasm dripping off my words.

I ate in silence. Daniel tried, believe me he tried to engage me in a conversation. Sensing my interest in my bowl of fruit instead of him, he stopped.

I was almost done with my food. He had finished his cup of coffee long ago.

"Oh! You don't have a glass of water." he said, like it was an atrocity.

"Its alright, I can get one anytime."

"No, its not. I can't have you dying of thirst or stand the risk of choking, I'll get one right away from Imogen."

Without another glance at me, he dashed inside the restaurant.

Imogen.

He wouldn't know her name unless they knew each other.

10 minutes later, Daniel walked out of the restaurant with glass of water in his hands.

I took the glass from him, I drank the water while watching him.

His dress shirt was rumpled, a few of his buttons undone, his hair a disheveled mess and the icing on the cake was the red lipstick smudge at the corner of his mouth area. No doubt Imogene's.

I chuckled.

Daniel thinking I was checking him out smiled at me. "I paid for our meal, we can leave when you're ready."

I dropped my half glass of water on the table and leaned close to Daniel, close enough to speak without being heard the others seated around us.

I smiled, sweetly. "You missed a spot." I wiped the corner of his mouth with my napkin. "In fact, you missed a lot of spots. You have lipstick all over your face and your hair is a mess."

With that, I pushed my chair back and stood up from the table. I picked up my purse, heading to the direction of Luke's car.

"Ophelia, Ophelia wait. Please love, let me explain."

He was behind me.

I didn't stop, I continued walking.

He stood in front of me. "Its not what you think."

"And how exactly do you know what I'm thinking?" I asked still walking.

"When I went into the kitchen, she was all over me." He said, ignoring my question. "She's just a social climber.

I ignored him and continued walking. The faster I got to my car the better for both of us because somebody was about to lose some teeth and it wasn't going to be me.

"Ophelia please, I'll make it up to you. Anything you want." He was using those eyes again.

Maybe I could tell him to get lost.

I stopped. I just had the perfect punishment in mind.

"Come shopping with me." I stopped walking, waiting for his reply.

"Shopping?" He said eyes wide in disbelief.

"Yes, shopping. Do you have a problem with that?" I said crossing my arms.

"I just thought that...I mean...you know..." He sturtted refusing to make eye contact with me. "Do I have to pay?"

"For this type of shopping, no. Do we have a deal, Daniel?"

He looked at me still unsure. "Yes, I'll go."

He looked around us making signals with his hands. No doubt alerting his guards to follow.

"I assure you, Daniel, this is neither a trap nor an ambush. There's no need for your guards to follow."

Wide eyed, he stared at me. I walked passed him, slightly brushing him out of my way. I guess he didn't think I knew about the guards.

----------------------------

The look on Daniel's face was priceless when we arrived at the shopping mall.

"I thought you said we we're going shopping?" he held my hand, tightly.

"Where exactly are we?" I said waving around.

"You know what I mean. Clothes, shoes, jewelry."

"You misunderstood me, now be a dear and grab a cart."

He did without hesitation.

"You go shopping for your family?" he asked while we were going through the cereal section.

"Not for the whole family, just for myself."

I picked two boxes of fruits 'n' fibre, two boxes of frosty's; Luke's favourite cereal, I also picked a box of cornflakes for my father. He didn't eat cereal much but I picked a box just in case he needed it.

I picked two bags of flour, bars of butter, jars milk. Just major things, fruits, vegetables, supplies. By the end of our shopping spree, Daniel was exhausted and I still made him carry all the bags to the car which was a long way from the mall.

He put everything in the car.

"You know, Love, we could go to a bar to get a drink or better still go to my house." He said, raising his brows suggestively at me.

"No, thank you. I have work to do."

"Okay, maybe next time." He leaned in through the window for what I presumed was a kiss.

I acted fast, I closed the windows and drove away.

-------------------------

I arrived the mansion a little after 7pm and Nicholas was in the garage. He opened the car door for me.

"Welcome back."

"Thank you, Nick. Please help me take the bags to our quarters."

I walked up the stairs to our living quarters and into the kitchen . A few minutes later, a group of men walked in with Nicholas carrying the grocery bags.

I watched as he supervised the men, telling them where to put the goods. When they were done they left the kitchen leaving me alone with Nicholas.

"Is that all, Miss Antonio?"

"How's my father?"

"He has been in his room all day but he's had breakfast and lunch."

"And Luke?"

"Just as you requested, he has not been disturbed. He has been in his office without lunch."

Poor Luke. Did he still have work to do?

"Thank you, Nick, that'll be all for now."

He nodded and left the kitchen.

I dropped my purse on the island and setout to prepare dinner.

--------------------------------------------

Two hours later.

With the help of a maid from the main kitchen, I prepared a modest meal for dinner. I let her go when I was done.

The turkey was almost done, the potatoes were cooling on the island, I was setting the plates on the table when my father walked into the kitchen.

"I smell roast turkey." He said and grabbed me to place a kiss on both my cheeks, even though I was a young adult now, he still treated me like a child.

"Good evening." My mouth turned up in a smile. No matter what he did, I could never stay mad at him.

"My baby looks well, how did your outing go?" He patted my cheeks with his palm.

"Wonderful."

It looked like something was missing from the table, that's right Luke.

"Can you watch the turkey while I get Luke?"

"Of course, my love."

This was luck on my side. Going to get Luke meant slipping his keys back into his office.

I knocked on the door and got no reply. I pushed the door open, only to find Luke in the same position I left him this evening.

I sighed, dropped the keys in the bowl and walked up to him.

"Luke, Luke wake up." I nudged him.

He grabbed my hand and opened one eye. Ready to break it if need be.

"Ophelia?" he rubbed his eyes. "What time is it?" He frowned.

"It's time for dinner, come on." I held my hand out to him.

He took it, and we walked hand-in-hand to the kitchen.

Seeing my father, Luke separated our joined hands and walked to the island to sit.

What just happened?

"Good evening, Antonio." Luke greeted my father.

"Evening, my boy, how was work today?" My father inquired. "Ophelia, I think your turkey is ready."

I nodded, picked up my mittens and set the turkey on the table, I did the same for the mashed potatoes and gravy. I went to the cupboards to pick a new bottle of expensive red wine for my father and Luke. I would stick with the nonalcoholic one I'd been sipping on as I cooked.

We ate in silence. Not an awkward type of silence, it was an understanding silence, a comfortable one. No one wanted to talk, not to mention the fact that the turkey was juicy enough to keep everyone busy with their mouths.

This kind of companionship was what I'd missed the most when I was in London. Here, life seemed normal.

I finished first, I picked up my plate and placed it in the sink. I watched the men eat, my father finished next, I picked up his plates and put a hand on his shoulder, a signal that I didn't want him to get up. I put his plates in the sink and brought out bowl of fruit salad I'd made then I set cold glass of water. This would dilute the alcohol in his system.

After taking Luke's plate, I turned on the tap and started to do the dishes.

"Let me help you with those." Luke offered, standing up.

Before I could respond my father spoke. "That's not necessary Luke, I'll help. Go to bed, you've had a long day and you need to rest. I, on the other hand need to spend some time with my daughter."

He dropped his hands at his side and just stared at my father, then he nodded and left.

"Now, my love, tell me about your day." my dad said, picking a dish rag.