I finally returned home from a long night's work. They didn't call me a guy with demons for nothing. I needed them to fear me. In my line of business, to handle the cartel, you must learn to be fierce and deadly. Killing wasn't new to me; I killed bad people, and it felt good. It brought a sense of peace to my demons. They felt alive after it, like I was feeding them.
I went to the bathroom and removed my bloody clothes. I needed a good cleanup after that fool's actions.
After cleaning up, I lay on my large master bed, thoughts drifting to a certain someone.
"I miss her," I thought, "not for love or any feelings nonsense, but the way she looks at me." I chuckled. "I want to see her again; I wonder what she's doing. I hope she isn't with that man."
I needed a picture of her; I'd ask Carlos to find one later.
Then I slept.
In the Gómez mansion…
Aliyah snuck into her room, careful not to get caught by her father. She knew her mother was understanding, but her father was a different story.
She went inside, tired from her meeting, and quickly changed.
"Finally, I miss you, bed," she thought. "It's been a long day."
Her thoughts drifted to Gabriel and the strange woman.
"Who was this woman, and what's her role in Gabriel's life? Does she know about Gabriel's and my relationship? Why is she trying to help me? What will she gain from all this?"
Then someone clouded her thoughts. She blushed as she thought about him.
"What is he doing right now? Does he think about me too?"
"Ugh, all this is giving me a migraine; I'm blushing like a little teen girl whose boy crush just spoke to her. I'm supposed to hate this man, but why can't I? He's cold, proud, and so full of himself. I shouldn't associate with him."
Aliyah fell asleep with thoughts of Luis.
Aliyah woke from her deep slumber, checked her alarm clock, and saw she overslept.
"Gosh, I slept too much; it's already noon. I missed breakfast. But it's a good thing because I don't have to speak with Father and his weird questions."
"I'm so hungry; I'll tell one of the maids to get me something to eat."
She hurried downstairs to meet Mrs. Ella, her nanny.
"Afternoon, nanny," Aliyah said.
"Hi Aliyah, I guess you just woke up because you never miss breakfast. How was sleep?" Mrs. Ella asked.
"It was fine, nanny. Nanny, could you make something for me to eat? I'm so hungry."
Mrs. Ella laughed. "You and your large appetite. Just wait at the dining area for me while I prepare lunch."
Aliyah thanked her and went to wait.
As she waited, her mother walked in.
"Hi, mother."
"Aliyah, where were you last night? You were lucky your dad got back home late."
"I was with Gabriel, mama."
"Oh, Aliyah, you should be careful. You know your father won't be happy if he finds out you're still seeing that man," her mother warned.
"I know, mama, but you know I can't just leave Gabriel. I love him," Aliyah replied.
"You need to forget about him," her mother insisted.
"But, mama—"
"There's no 'but,' Aliyah," her mother interrupted.
Aliyah's mother changed the subject. "Hmm, seems you went out."
"Yes, I went a little shopping with my friends. Besides, the house needed restocking, so I used it as an opportunity to go out," Aliyah explained.
"Okay, mum."
"Why are you at the dining area?" her mother asked.
"I'm hungry, mum."
"You and your big appetite." Her mother chuckled. "Why is everyone saying that? First, Nanny Ella, and now you, mama?"
"Because it's true, my darling," her mother replied.
Aliyah's mother added, "Before I forget, your dad is on a business trip and he won't be back till after a week."
"Okay, mama."
Aliyah thought to herself as her mother left, "Finally, I'll get to work on my plan. It's like the universe is on my side. I'll eat lunch first before calling Gabriel so he can come over."
After Aliyah finished her meal, she quickly went to the villa, the mansion's compound, to call Gabriel. He picked up immediately.
"Hi, love. This one, you called again after seeing me last night. Did you miss me that much?" Gabriel teased.
"Whatever." Aliyah laughed. "I called to tell you that my dad is out of town, so you'll be coming over tomorrow so we can find those documents."
"Alright, that's good news. I'll see you tomorrow. But what about your dad's men? I'm sure he ordered them not to let me in."
"Don't worry, I'll handle them. Are you sure?" Gabriel asked.
"Yes, I'm sure. Trust me on this."
"Okay."
They both hung up.
In Luis's mansion, he was up later than usual and decided he wasn't drinking or smoking today. He went to the kitchen and asked one of his servants to make him coffee.
He sat on his expensive couch, sipping coffee, when Cruz walked in.
"Oh, my god! I can't believe my eyes. Is the great Mafia Lord drinking coffee?" Cruz exclaimed.
"Stop being dramatic, Cruz. I drink coffee too," Luis said.
"But not as much as drinking and smoking," Cruz pointed out.
"Whatever, man. Aren't you supposed to be at the warehouse?" Luis asked.
"I am, but I came to see my boss. Why? You didn't tell me about your woman," Cruz said.
Luis raised an eyebrow. "You keep forgetting your place. I'm not your personal hitman, and neither are you my best friend."
Luis rolled his eyes as Cruz spoke.
Back in Gabriel's home, he lay on the bed with a certain woman before Aliyah called. He ended the call, and the woman groaned as she woke up.
"Aren't you going to tell that woman about us?" she asked.
"What, and ruin my plans? No way," Gabriel replied.
"We're in a relationship, Gabriel. I can't keep sharing you with that girl."
"Sophie, Sophie, Sophie, you keep forgetting your place. You're nothing to me. And you keep forgetting. You're just here to warm my bed. So be careful and don't spoil my plans because of your jealous self. Aliyah is the one I love."