Ablaze

The forest was ablaze.

The night was as bright as day.

The trees paid the price for the light.

It took a little spark to bring the great forest down.

So was the fire in our hearts.

Capable to bring light to our eyes

And destruction to our soul

She smiled as she admired the lovely view of the sunset from her bedroom window, it had become a habit. Watching the sun's rays beam down at her family's beautiful mansion sort of gave her a thrilling feeling which brought calmness and ease to her troubled mind. she saw the mansion's premises become full of people. It was one of her family's usual balls. Generally, Elle loved balls she hated those held by her Family "The DeAngelis". As grand as they always made it seem, there was still nothing worth looking forward to. After all, It was more of a gathering of Mafias with some few political dignitaries to mask their evil activities to look noble, a charade.

What troubled her the most was her father's intention behind holding these balls recently, The old man had made his intention as clear as day to her and her sisters that he held the balls to find them, suitors. If not for the fact that he was the Don of the Family and the only parent she had left she would have pressed that fat neck of his.

Lately, the old man seems not to mind handing her and her sisters over to whatever available suitor he deemed fit including the Devil. After all, he already arranged to hand her over to t

The Wesley's Don to be his bride. A frown crossed her face, and the idea of being handed off like a sacrificial lamb did not sit well with her, she will never allow herself to be bullied by her father into marrying a man she didn't love.

She turned to look at her younger sister Elena sitting on the bed and reading a novel. Nothing seemed to ever bother her.

Don DeAngelis has three daughters, Elle, Elena, and Elizabeth. Elle and her sisters were known as the DeAngelis sisters. Her father had no son so the name "DeAngelis Sisters" was better used to describe all of his children. It was probably based on the fact that he had no son and that he was keen on marrying them off to notable suitors the moment they came of age.

He made arrangements to Marry Elena and Elizabeth to responsible men in England. But for Elle, it was a whole different ball game. He wanted to marry her off to the worst Don in England, One feared by all in the underworld for the position he held, The king of west London, Ralph Zander Wesley.

Stories of how the Wesleys and their Dons were ruthless were no news to anyone, yet her father has decided to send her off to them 'A sheep to the slaughterhouse'. She thought

"Elle" she heard her youngest sister, Elizabeth, call out from the door

"father wants you to come downstairs".

"Tell father I'll be downstairs when I am done". She sneered with her expression hardened. She had a quick temper and this was the fourth time the annoying man had sent Elizabeth to call her out.

"You should go easy on her". Elena said while she watched Elle comb her hair.

"I don't feel like attending this ball ." Ella said as she attempts to wear her mask in front of the mirror." I don't see the reason why father can't leave me alone".

"Well, you're the first of his daughters. And his ticket to expanding his territory". Elena said giggling as though mocking Elle who throws a comb at her. They both burst into laughter.

"How come the old man couldn't find me one responsible man or at least a Mafia who isn't as ruthless as the Wesley Don in all of London ?" Elle asked.

"Well, the last Wesley Don was his best friend so Daddy loves the Wesleys and You don't know if the current is Ruthless or not," Elena said as she walks over and begin to help Elle fix her hair.

"Trust me all Wesley Dons are born and groomed to be ruthless". Elle replied.

"You have seen him. I know you sneaked to his uncle's funeral. What does he look like?" Elena whispered to her ears.

Ella gave her a sign to keep her mouth shut then looked around to confirm no one was around before speaking, she had sneaked to Vadaly Wesley's funeral. Her curiosity made her do that, she wanted to see what the man she was going to be offered to look like. and she had seen him that day, the face of Ralph Zander Wesley.

"Not bad, "she said as her mouth curved into a smile. "But he's still a Wesley and a Don"

"You like him already," Elena said giggling while rolling her eyes funnily, she was mocking Elle.

No. She replied in refusal.

Miss Elle, Miss Elena!

What is it? Elena asked the person who had knocked and called out for them.

Your Father requires your presence. The voice from outside replied.

Tell him we'll be out in a min. Elena responded

Yes, ma.

Your hair is done. Let's go, Elle. Elena said.

Elle stands up to admire herself in front of the mirror. She felt beautiful, the black dress grabbed her slender body emphasizing her curvy shape, she snorted at the mirror, she felt satisfied with how she looked. She picks up her mask. Put it on and walks out of the room with Elena.

From the stair balcony, you could see everyone at the ball. Elle and some of her father's trusted aids stood there watching over the event. It was a perfect spot since it led to their dressing rooms upstairs and you could easily go down to dance if you wanted. but Elle preferred watching from up here rather than being in the spotlight dancing or mingling with the guests who were mainly Mafia's who came to the balls with their wives or lovers. She was certain that most of them wore their ball masks to avoid being recognized by friends of their spouses. She sighted the Mayor of London, talking to her father at one end of the ballroom. Other top political figures were in attendance too, but one figure got her attention. There was no doubt. At the center of the room, she saw Ralph Zander Wesley, the king of west London. She seemed to be the only one to notice him. She saw him move to a corner of the room, two men stood with him. They were probably his guard.

'Was he here to see her father?' She thought.

No, if he was coming to see the Don she would have been informed. Perhaps he was here for something personal. That must be the reason why he was sticking to a corner of the ballroom as though trying to stay unnoticed.

This might be her chance to speak with him and see for herself what kind of a man he is.

"Excuse me". She said to Elena and climbed down the stairs. She climbed down the stair and mixed up with the guests downstairs. The place was packed. She slipped through the crowd unnoticeably and walked through to the end of the hall until she was behind Ralph.

"You seem not to be interested in the ball". Elle said from behind him.

He turned to see who it was. The man was indeed 'drop dead gorgeous' her mouth fell seeing how handsome he looked up close. He oozed class, power, and elegance. His black three-piece suit did nothing to hide his muscular body. No lies, she found him very attractive.

"Should I be?" He asked as he tucked his hand into his suit jacket. Brings out a cigar and lit it begins to smoke. She couldn't help but fancy the way his lips wrapped the big brown cigar. He had great lips, she felt the Bible might have referred to him when it said 'Lucifer was the fairest of them all.

"Maybe. That's if you ain't terrible at dancing, of course". Elle replied.

"Dancing is not for the likes of us." He replied rudely as he turned away from her. She thought as much. He was a Mafia Don, there could be nothing gentlemanly about him, she felt like mocking him for responding to her rudely.

"Who would believe that the King of West London can't do something as simple as dancing?" She asked mockingly.

Ralph turned to face her, and his eyes widened. Her statement possibly hit a nerve. That made her happy. She didn't realize when a smirk moved over her face and she immediately turned to leave. There was no need to continue the conversation. She just wanted to be certain he was nothing more than a Mafia and she confirmed that, just as she turned to leave, she felt him grab her arms. His hand was cold but firm. A shiver went down her spine.

'Was he angry about what she said?'

'Was he going to hurt her?'

Will you like to dance? He asked.

"Yes, I will" She replied without thinking about it. Her impulse had made that decision for her.

As they walked to the middle of the hall she wondered why she said yes. She notices him looking around.

'Was he looking for someone?'

'Why did he ask her for a dance?' Lots of questions flooded her mind.

She could feel the gaze of Elena and some of her father's aid on her. They were probably wondering who she was dancing with.

They both move to the center stage to join the league of dancers.

He grabbed her waist firmly and brought her closer to himself, She could feel his arm around her waist. She could smell him and damn the man smelt of luxury. She could perceive his lovely and intoxicating scent. His wide arms were so comforting, Up close he looked more like a Prince than a Mafia, he had Lapis-colored eyes, his hair was pitch black and well-permed, and his broad shoulders matched his height perfectly, she could swear that the body beneath those torcs would drive any lady crazy.

For a while, they both got lost in the dance. He wasn't moving and she mistakenly stepped on him, he was a terrible dancer.

"What is your name?" he asked before she could apologize for stepping on him.

"Why do you want to know? From what I've heard you're a man who won't mind putting a bullet in the brain of anyone with a name you do not fancy" She replied.

"So you know me?"He asked again.

She laughs briefly." Ralph Zander Wesley". The king of west London. I believe Everyone knows you.

"I see my reputation precedes me".He said pridefully with his gaze on her. His Lapis eyes could make a woman spellbound to his charms forever. The depth of his gaze made her heart flutter.

"It's not something to be proud of". She glared at him and said before stepping on him deliberately. For some reason, she hated how prideful he sounded. Almost immediately he steps on her, and she felt a brief pain, and her jaw clenched. she did not care if it was a mistake, she wanted an apology.

"You should apologize Zander?" She sneered.

His eyes widened. 'She probably struck a nerve calling him Zander' she thought

"No One calls me Zander, "You stepped on me earlier without apologizing and that just now was a mistake".

"You should apologize Zander". She repeated, her expression hardened, now that she confirmed she had struck a nerve, she was ready to piss him off more.

"You have lots of nerves referring to me as Zander".He said as his eyes glinted angrily.

"How childish. Did I  hurt the pride of the king of West London?" Elle asked as she gave a bitter laugh to spite him, she could see anger all over his face, and he stopped dancing

"Don't leave till I get back". He let out a harsh breath and said

"You should say please if you want to make a request". She replied angrily. She hated the way he spoke. Like a king talking to a peasant. He was mannerless.

"Don't you dare leave?" He commanded and walked off to a corner of the room to meet one of the men he came with.

Elle wasn't going to wait for him. He wasn't worth it. He was arrogant, rude, and annoying.

Who the hell does he think he is? She muttered under her breath and walked off the dance floor angrily. Elena seem to have left the stair balcony and everyone else seemed pretty occupied. She slipped through the crowd and went straight to her dressing room. She was going to take a brief nap as she felt a little exhausted and her head was spinning.

'The loud music at the ball or the annoying conversation with Ralph must have stressed her out' she thought

She shut the door behind her, took off her mask, and lay flat on the bed. Lying on the bed seemed to bring her more happiness than sticking in a ballroom with Mafias, Politicians, and arrogant brats like Ralph.

Elle dozed within a few minutes only to get woken by the sound of cracklings and fire roars.

As Elle opened her eyes she could barely see anything. The room was full of smoke. There was a fire.

She jumped off the bed and tried to find her way to the door. It was locked. She reached for the key which she kept on the shelf beside the door. She rushed out of the room the moment she opened the door. Everything was in a mess, The place was full of smoke. She could barely see a thing. She felt Suffocated as she could barely breathe. She knew the building well so she headed for the stairs. If she could get down the stairs, then it won't be so difficult to get outside.

As she climbed down, she slipped and stumbled down the stairs.

"Don, over there."  she heard someone say. She had lost consciousness for a few minutes, it was probably a result of the fall from the stairs. She heard footsteps approach her hastily, it was a man.

'Who was he?'

She felt a warm dress placed over her body. She tried to look at his face but could not see it. From where she lay she saw a piece of burning wood fall toward her, she was too weak to move, she was sure that in her present state if it landed on her she would die. but the mystery man used his hand to block it and flings it over.

'Was he an angel?'

She felt him lift her and begin to move for the exit, someone else was with them, she felt safe in his arms, and his broad shoulders seem to cover her entirely. He was sweaty and she could hear his heart beat so she was sure he was human.

He soon stopped and she heard him say something to the other person who was with them. They then moved quickly and dashed through the burning door.

She was safe. She could feel the fresh air on her skin now. The man who saved her walked a few steps before falling to his knees with her in his arms.

Just then she saw his face properly.

Her Saviour was Ralph Zander Wesley.

The king of West London.