Chapter 1 Is It Him

Eighteen Years Ago.

Clack* Clack* Clack*

Aurora's eyes flapped open immediately she heard his footsteps clacking on the hard floor, her lips quivered, and her hands that were tied up at the back of the seat she's hunched on trembled.

Just the sight of him scared the little breath she had in her throat out.

She's scared!

Will he continue with his punishment again?

Hasn't he had enough?

Oh! She wishes Enzo is in town; at least her husband would save her from this power-thirst man.

The footsteps kept creaking on the floor until it stopped right in front of her.

She craned her head up and ogled at his horrible face. His eye patch was hitched up on his forehead, and she could see his lifeless eye.

Domenico Black has been a thorn in their flesh.

'My poor Zeta!' Aurora cried inside her as thoughts about Zeta flashed through her mind.

She was abducted on her way to the grocery store by Black's men. 'How would she be feeling now? Is she safe?' She questioned herself.

However, the ear-splitting laughter of Black cut through her thoughts. She looked back at him and wondered what was funny.

"Mrs. Moretti! Nice to have you here!" He squealed happily, making Aurora shudder.

"What do you want? Tell me? Why did you abduct me when you know my husband's not in town?" She bemoaned.

"Hahaha..." Black laughed out. He pinched her chin, looking her dead in the eyes.

"Look! A whole Mrs. Moretti is scared of me. Oh my...my." a fiendish laughter left Black's lips.

"Enzo knows what I want. And I will stop at nothing until I attain my desires. But...tsk...tsk...you obstinate husband doesn't want to acquiesce to my demands and don't blame me if anything happens. Aurora."

"No...no...please, don't do this please. Have mercy." She shivered the moment he saw him clamping a knife. "Don't please, Black. Have mercy!"

She knows Black is deadly. She knows he won't spare her even if she cries her throat out. He won't.

"Well, there's one word that doesn't fit in my dictionary and that's mercy!!!" Black howled and immediately lacerated Aurora's face.

Blood gushed out, and she screamed at the top of her voice.

However, the room is downright soundproof, so no one could hear her.

Her hands were shaky and sweaty as he trailed behind her and cut the rope she was tied with.

"Before I finish up with you, Mrs. Moretti, I'd like to have a little fun." His eyes flickered with delight as he spat this, but Aurora dreaded what he'd do.

"Black...please!" She straightened on her knees, hands clasped together as she pleaded for mercy.

But Black is one man consumed by darkness and hatred. Once he wants something, he'll work for it until the end.

Just then, his men trailed into the room and huddled Aurora on the floor as Black made his way with her.

Aurora couldn't endure the pains dripping from her body as she curled up in a heap around the corner afterward.

She heard Black speaking over the phone moments later and from the familiarity of the voice, she knew it was her husband, Enzo.

"I've one last surprise for you, Enzo." Black squeaked, and before long, he pulled the trigger on Aurora's head.

Her blood curtained the floor.

**

Years later.

Zeta graduated from high school, and the best way Enzo could keep her safe from the claws of his foes is by sending her to Singapore under the guise of furthering her education.

"But dad, I'll miss you a lot," Zeta said as her father clamped her in a tight hug.

"Don't worry Zeta. I want you to further your education in Singapore and join me in the business world, it's what you always wanted right?"

Zeta nodded, "yes, I can't wait to join you dad." She beamed.

'It's better I take you out of the country for your safety. I've to protect you.' Enzo mused inwardly.

"And baby girl, endeavor to take care of yourself while you're there. Hear me?" Rosa, butt in.

Hearing her words, Zeta smiled. Sure, I'll, aunt. I will." She pulled Rosa in an embrace.

Afterward, they trailed to the apron where Zeta entered the flight, bidding them goodbye.

Vsst. Vsst. Vsst.

Enzo's phone buzzed; picking it up, he saw his name flash on the screen.

"You think you could beat me on this game Enzo?" His voice, as cold as the night, resonated in Enzo's ears.

"Black." Enzo called.

"Worry not. I'll back soon! We ain't done with this business Enzo Moretti!" Black growled and hung down the call.

"Is it him?" Rosa asked, worried.

"Yes! The man I told you about." Enzo squeaked worriedly.

*

*

At Milan's international airport stands a lady waiting in the lobby.

Apparently, she's waiting to be picked up by her family.

She shoved her phone out of her bag and dialed a number. "Dad" appeared on the screen, and shortly, the call connected.

"Dad, I'm back. Right at the airport. Please hurry and pick me up." Zeta said and hung up the call.

She smiled satisfactorily; returning back to Italy after six years of departure gladdens her heart.

Now, she's back to take over her father's business which has clearly been her dream over the years.

Zeta loves business and wholly wants to venture into the business world like her father.

Right after dropping the call with her father, Zeta called yet another number. 'Babe' appeared on the screen, and a deep husky voice reverberated in Zeta's ears.

"Are you there?" The person on the other side asked.

"Yes, I have landed in Italy, Bryan. I'm at the airport waiting to be picked up by my dad this minute." Said Zeta sounding overly excited.

Coming back home hits differently for her. She had missed the soothing atmosphere of her home country, the way of life, and the street food she usually grabbed while walking along the road when she was young.

As these fleeting memories riveted her mind, Zeta smiled. A big heartwarming smile.

"Alright, babe. I'm glad you're home. Take care of yourself, and please do ensure you tell your dad about our engagement, okay?" Bryan's voice echoed in Zeta's ears.

Bryan's her boyfriend in Singapore; throughout the years Zeta spent in Singapore, she had been dating Bryan.

Last week when they graduated from school, Bryan got Zeta engaged.

However, Zeta's father, Enzo Moretti, isn't aware that Zeta had a boyfriend when she was in Singapore not to mention being engaged.

Zeta bottled the news up, waiting to spill the beans once she returns to Italy.

She felt there was no need for her to tell her father about her boyfriend; he should know she was old enough to have one.

She's twenty-three, and of course, someone at this age should have a boyfriend, isn't it?

"Don't worry, Bryan, I'll definitely tell him about us. And about our engagement, once I return home. "

"You know it's part of my reason for coming back so early, right? So I'll tell him about our engagement. I love you lots, Bryan, and I will endeavor to stick to my words." Zeta said reassuringly.

The happiness hovering over her body is very evident. She loves Bryan, and he, too, loves her. And as love birds, they engaged one another. So why wouldn't she tell her father?

"Alright, waiting to get a response soon. Good news, actually. After you spill the beans, I'll come over to Italy to meet with him and then we'll fix a date for our wedding." Bryan said, his deep and husky voice juggles Zeta's body with joy.

"Definitely. I'll hang up now. Bye." Zeta worded and hung down the call.

Right after she dropped the call, Zeta spotted a black SUV car trailing in front of the airport; she simpered and picked up her luggage, walking gracefully toward the entrance.

"Dad!!"

She squealed and rushed over to Enzo Moretti, encircling her slender arms around his neck giving him a warm hug.

It's been years. All the while she's in Singapore, Enzo never visited her.

He's a big tycoon seeking for more recognition and wealth.

Thus, he has been busy traveling for business purposes to different places and meeting with different business tycoons.

Consequent to covet for power and recognition, Enzo has signed a marriage contract with the Ferrari family - the richest family in Italy and Europe.

He's just waiting for his daughter to come back to announce this to this her.

Today, he saw his only daughter again snuggling in his hand with smile etched on her face.

"Ahem!"

"So I'm being left out here, huh?" A women's voice sounded beside them. Zeta broke the long embrace with her father and looked in the direction the voice pealed from.

"Aunt Rosa!" She hugged the woman. "It's been a while, aunt. I'm glad to see you again." She said.

Rosa is Enzo's mistress, who he stayed with after his wife's demise.

Rosa took care of Zeta like a mother. She loved and cherished her throughout the years prior to Zeta's migration to Singapore to further her education.

"Welcome back, baby girl. Italy has been waiting for your arrival". Rosa asserted whilst pecking Zeta's cheeks.

"Thanks, aunt. Shall we?" Zeta said and stepped into the car.

"So finally, you are now a graduate?" Enzo asked as he veered his head back at Zeta, who's sitting with Rosa in the back passenger's seat.

"Yes, Mr Moretti. Time to join the business world!" Zeta exclaimed.

"You never did relent pursuing your goals, do you?" Rosa chipped in.

"Wo! Never. It's still bubbling insides me. I want to pursue my dreams; that's one of my reasons for coming back to Italy". Zeta responded; her face looked daring. She knitted her brows while saying these words.

Coming back to Italy isn't just to announce her engagement to her father. It's also to join other tycoons and navigate the business world.

"Very determined, Zeta. Let's see what you've got." Enzo threw glances at her and said. He believes things are better now since he biggest foe hadn't shown up in years.

'Maybe he's dead. Good for him. At least I can have a semblance of peace and rest assured of Zeta's safety.' Enzo mused inwardly, looking straight ahead as he drove the car.