The Dinner

Anonymous p.o.v.

Today was the annual dinner for the Garner stats company and I was assigned as the leader of the team that would send warning signals to that Alex guy and warn him of the consequences of failing to or delaying the payments. That was the only way he would pay up without giving us a hard time.

I had to go and do this because if I delayed or skipped the mission, I was done for along with my family. The boss would kill me and my family if I did not pressurize that Alex guy to pay his debt. He had made me the promise and knowing him, he always kept his promises.

My boss was a good man and he was only ruthless to those who disappointed him. And I did not want to disappoint him. The boss had given all of us homes and he always listened to us whenever we had problems. You would think that he was our Jesus considering the way he cared for us.

We always felt at home and secure with him despite his reputation and we loved him. Our loyalties were unwavering and that was just enough to keep us alive, fed, and well taken care of. Anyone who thought of betraying the boss knew the consequence, mercy, for no one.

Despite being our boss, he loved us like we were his only family. He took care of us like a mother would her children and that was all the more reason I did not wish to disappoint him. That was why we were so loyal to him. Even though we had never met face to face, he was always watching us and watching out for us, the members of his cartel. He had built a big home it was more like a palace that accommodated us all.

And we felt safe.

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Third-party p.o.v

The whole family was here, well except for that madwoman Mr. Garner's mistress. Other than that, he was here with his family, including his bastard son, Crius who he had introduced as a friend's son. Alex did not know or even bother to question the relations his father had. He was too preoccupied with ensuring tonight was perfect.

This Garner guy was really something else, and the reaction on his face when he saw that hot woman, Lia, priceless. I mean no one really expected Lia to be Alex's girlfriend, not in a hundred years since Lia was the ex of his Bastard son.

It was funny, really.

And it was obvious what was going on in his mind but then who am I to say anything, I'll just let the night unfold. But still, damn.

Crius was too shocked to see Lia, he had not expected her here either. Considering the way they had broken up or rather the way he had messed up his relationship with Lia, he could not stay in her presence, at least not without flinching.

How they had gone from being the best of friends and lovers to him cheating on her to him ganging up on her with his homeboys till some random idiot ruined their fun. But maybe it was for the best because that night, her dignity was saved but it was still a shame that he was the one who had orchestrated it all. Really disappointing.

When Lia saw Crius, she wanted to make him pay, all the anger from all he had done to her came back and she was just a little step away from snapping totally and lashing out at him. The only thing that was stopping her was the fact that Alex had been planning for this night for so long and his efforts would not be wasted, not because of his bastard brother, who he did not even know of.

She wanted to hurt Crius all over, punch by punch, kick by kick, every single thing that he had made her go through, she was ready to make him pay, but tonight was just not the night.

He would pay, that she had sworn to herself.

If she hadn't been saved by Alex that night and even fallen in love with Alex, Crius would be no more,; his beautiful face would be worm food and she would make sure of that. But until then she had to be a nice little girl who followed instructions.

She was too trapped in her past to realize that she had broken the wine glass she was holding. Anger could make someone do so many things and Crius was on her list. He'd always been even before that stupid night.

Snapping back to reality, she realized she was bleeding and since Alex was not around, Crius offered to help. He was cautious around her. Very cautious because he knew her patience was thin but just like her, he hoped she wouldn't ruin the night.

Gently cupping her hands and cleaning her up, Crius remembered the first time he brought this lioness home.

******************

Several months ago.

Crius was excited. Very excited. Today was the day he would introduce Lia to his mother. He wanted the day to be so special that he had gone to church that morning to pray to God that his parents would behave. His parents had the tendency to fight over petty things and the fact that they were never going to be legally married was just oil to the fire that was already burning hot.

He just wanted tonight to be perfect. He did not want his parents to ruin his relationship for him since he was in love with Lia. So he prepared and set everything ready, left his parents with instructions not to ruin it all for him. He requested them not to fight just today and that they could resume their fights after Lia left.

He knew it was a long shot because fights were a usual occurrence whenever his father came home. He just could not understand why his family couldn't be normal despite the fact that it was broken. But even the most broken of families never fought daily.

He wanted the night to be special so that Lia couldn't feel uncomfortable. He was so happy and even though he did not know how Lia would take their first encounter he tried to appear less freaked out. Love could do that to a person no matter how strong.

Lia on the other hand was very nervous. She had never been introduced to any family and considering she had no parents, she could only hope Crius's parents wouldn't bring back the painful memory of the infamous accident that left nobody alive. But a woman could only hope as fate would later on decide and that the universe was always in control.

She was ready, though very scared on the inside but she wouldn't stay scared for eternity. At one point in life, she would have to face her demons. The night was epic for them and when Lia met Crius's parents, they were so good to her that she wished her parents were alive.

Her boyfriend on the other hand was so happy that his parents had behaved, but like they say good things don't last too long because his first wife just had to spoil it. And once again it was the fight for the company that his mother, Aiyana had no interest in.

Aiyana was a member of a motorcycle club, one that she had given her whole life to. But Crius's father's wife, Gauri, could not just understand that. And he even knew that his father had another son but was never interested in meeting him.

He had to talk to his girl just so they could have their dinner date somewhere more private the next time.

***************

Today

Carefully, Crius cleaned her hand. He was surprised at her silence but what got him nervous was the fact that she had not caused a tantrum and that he could feel the sparks he felt the first time he saw her.

He wondered whether she felt them too. But even if she felt them, Lia was a pro at hiding her feelings, that he knew and was very aware of.

The night went by so fast and it was getting late. Ryan had gotten himself a woman for the night thanks to his playfulness and the fact that he had beat Alex's ass in the game today. He had taken the woman and was off to a hotel. Lia on the other hand was getting ready to go home because she knew Alex would be here soon to take her home.

Some people had started leaving. The event had been a success and they were all thankful for that. The after-party though was going to be lit and the partyholics obviously stayed behind.

Alex had come by overtime to check on his princess and as much as he was denying it, he was definitely tired. But there was something behind those lazy eyes of his, especially when he came and told Lia his parents would drop her home, something that was very unusual.

Today was just full of uncertainties.

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