Chapter 7 CHANGE IS CONSTANT

LA

FIVE YEARS LATER

Bff's Apartment**

"I'm tired." Zara sighed as she stepped inside the house, taking off her shoes at the doorstep.

"You are back." Ayden walked out of the kitchen, eating from a bowl of cereal.

"Mm-hmm." She hummed, massaging her temple as she dropped her bag. "Please tell me you prepared dinner."

"Me?"

"Isn't that a dumb question?"

"Your question is the dumb one. Have you forgotten that it is Diamond's turn to cook?"

"Oh." Zara walked to Ayden and snatched his spoon from his grasp. "I'm famished. Where is she?"

"She stepped out this afternoon but hasn't returned since then." He replied.

Zara took three spoons of cereal and then gave them back to him. She yawned, strolling to the kitchen.

"Ugh. Where the f*ck did she go to? I'm f*cking hungry."

"You can just prepare dinner for tonight and then tomorrow, Diamond will take your place." Ayden suggested.

"Are you kidding me? I'm really tired and hungry. How can you suggest a thing like that?"

"I'm trying to be considerate here. The least you should do is to be grateful."

"Considerate?" She scoffed. "If you were then you would have prepared dinner for those who went out to hustle."

"I hustle too." Ayden pouted.

"Did you go to work today?" She raised a questioning brow at him.

"Uh...today is my day off."

"Exactly."

They heard the sound of the doorbell.

"I will get it." Ayden offered. He handed his bowl of cereal over to Zara and left to get to the door.

Seconds later Ayden returned with a young man of their age.

"Look who we have here!" Ayden smirked, winking at Zara.

Zara rolled her eyes as she gave him back his bowl. "Babe," She hugged the guy and they both kissed. "What are you doing here?"

"Can't I come over to see my beautiful damsel?"

She giggled. "Of course, you can. How was work?"

"Hectic but it's worth it." He gave her a white plastic bag. "I brought you something."

Zara collected the plastic bag from him and took a peek. "Food!" She squealed and immediately ran into the kitchen.

"Okay, I've never seen anyone that excited because of food."

"She almost ate me whole before you came along. Trust me, you just saved her and me." Ayden said.

Sean laughed loudly. "Why? Is there no food at home?"

"Nope. Diamond plan is to kill us but she will never succeed. I mean, where the f*ck is she? It's not like she left for work because sadly, she's jobless."

"You could have just made dinner instead of waiting for Diamond."

"I said those exact words to him," Zara said, coming out of the kitchen while eating like a hungry lion. "You are such a lifesaver, babe." She blew a kiss in his direction.

Sean dramatically caught the kiss in the air and placed it on his chest, winking.

"This is my way of telling you that I am always with you wherever you are."

"Aw." Ayden cooed. "What about mine?"

"Your what?" Zara and Sean asked at the same time.

"Wait, you only brought food for her?"

"I am his girlfriend and not you."

"What?"

"You can call Lake to get you food." Sean shrugged.

Zara laughed. "That's it."

"Are you two ganging up on me?"

"Are we?" Zara and Sean asked each other before laughing.

Ayden shot them a glare. "Stupid." He pulled out his phone and dialed his boyfriend's number. "Hello?"

"Hey, babe." Lake's voice filled the other line.

"Don't babe me, where are you? Why can't you feel my connection, huh? I'm hungry and_" He walked away, still speaking to Lake on the phone.

Zara and Sean stared after him until he disappeared out of sight.

"You have weird friends," Sean commented, smiling.

"I know, right?" She shook her head. "If Ayden isn't being stupid then Diamond is. And guess what, I am one of them."

Sean chuckled, wrapping his arms around her tiny waist. "And that's one thing that drew me to you, darling. I love you so much."

She blushed. "I love you too but," She put up the plate of food. "I love food more."

"Ouch." Sean feigned hurt, staggering back. "That hurt."

*****

Hotel Room**

"Yes...f*ck!"

Loud moans and body slamming against each other filled the room.

A man can be seen mercilessly pounding into a girl like she was no human.

Her face was dug inside the pillow, and her a** was up in the air as she got f*cked from behind.

"Ah...yes." She moaned, clutching the mattress like it was life.

The man squeezed her b*tt cheeks, pushing her hard against himself repeatedly.

She spread her legs further apart, granting him more access to use her as he so pleased.

She was so close and she knew the man was also close as well because she could feel the hardness of his d*ck.

Minutes later she come. The man pulled out of her and spilled his liquid on the bed.

"F*ck." He cursed, breathing heavily.

The girl lay down on the bed while the man lay beside her. They were both exhausted and out of breath.

She turned around to face the man and smiled,

"That was amazing."

"Yeah." He leaned over to kiss her but she pulled away quickly.

"Don't."

"Why? You don't let me kiss you and that's_"

"What? Annoying?" She sat upright, ignoring the fact that her bre*st is out in the open for the man to see. "I told you before we came down here that I don't kiss strangers."

"But we just f*cked. How can you still see me as a stranger?"

"So?" She chuckled. "This f*ck means nothing. People f*ck for pleasure and I am not excluded from them." She rolled her eyes. "And besides, I don't even know your damn name."

"Fine. I will introduce myself. My name is_"

"I don't care what your name is. After all, today will be the last time we will ever meet again."

"Why? You didn't enjoy the s*x?"

"I did but," She shrugged. "It is not really to my satisfaction. Don't feel bad though, I'm sure there are a lot of girls that will kill to have you f*ck them but sorry boo, I am not one of them." She got out of bed and went to pick up her dress. "And actually," She wore her dress, covering up her nakedness. "I don't do repeats. It was just s*x with no feelings attached." She winked. "Thanks for the night." She grabbed her bag and left the room.

The man remained on the bed, speechless.

*****

Cassano's Mansion**

👥Aurora!

👥Aurora!

👥Aurora, where are you?

👥Aurora?

"Oh God, where is this child?" Evelyn whimpered, trembling.

👥Aurora.

The house was turned upside down as they searched for the little girl of five years old.

Evelyn sauntered to Maya, Aurora's nanny.

"Where is she?"

"I don't know," The poor girl cried. "She was in her bedroom when I left to get something to eat."

"Gosh!" Evelyn face palmed herself. "We have to find her before Mikhail returns."

Maya cried harder at the thought of Mikhail returning to find his precious daughter missing.

They are all going to die if Aurora isn't found. Especially Maya.

The front door suddenly opened, grabbing the maids' and guards' attention. Mikhail and Marcello strolled in, looking very angry over something.

"Capo." They all bowed their heads.

"Oh no, this is bad." Evelyn whispered to herself, biting her lower lip as she lowered her head.

Mikhail surveyed them attentively, stepping closer as he tucked his hands inside his pants pocket.

His gaze moved over everyone present until they came upon Evelyn.

He walked over to her. "What's going on?"

"Sir?" She raised her head.

"You heard me the first time." He bellowed darkly.

"Oh. Yes. Uhm...the thing is...uh..."

"I'm sorry sir!" Maya fell to her knees, crying profusely.

Mikhail creased his brows, staring down at the girl.

"What are you apologizing for?" He queried.

She bowed her head deeply, almost kissing the floor. "I'm sorry sir. I'm so sorr_"

"Shut up!" He snapped, startling everybody. "F*cking start talking."

Maya gulped hard as she could already see her death drawing near.

"I...it....we...the thing is...I..."

Mikhail ruffled his hair, sucking in a deep breath. "Where is Aurora?"

The world seem to have come to a stop as he asked that question.

"I'm sorry...I'm sorry." Maya cried out.

"Where is Aurora?" He repeated, his heart beating very fast and at the same time slow.

"I'm so_"

"If you f*cking apologize again, I will kill you." He said menacingly. "Where the f*ck is my daughter?!"

"I swear I left her in her bedroom. I swear." Maya answered in tears.

"What?"

"Mikhai-" Evelyn began but he cut her off coldly.

"What did you just say?" He asked the poor nanny.

"I...I.."

In the blink of an eye, Marcello had his hand wrapped around Maya's throat.

"I...i..."

"START TALKING!" He insisted in fury.

She was sweating profusely and her heart was beating loud and fast.

"She...Aurora...she's missing?"

Dead. That was how he felt.

His heart seems to have stopped beating. He vowed never to show his emotions and fear to the world but the only one who makes him forget that promise was Aurora, his beautiful princess.

The thought of losing shattered his heart into billion pieces.

"What are you all still doing here? Keep searching until you find her. If anything happens to my child...if she loses a strand of hair, I swear I will kill each and every one of you. And no one...no f*cking person is excluded." His gaze was on Evelyn when he said the last words. "And you," He pointed to the maid. "Pray to whatever deity you serve that I find my child or else, your family, and friends and you will pay dearly for the consequences." He rushed upstairs.

Marcello unwrapped his hand from Maya's neck and ran after Mikhail.

•••

Mikhail's Bedroom**

Mikhail stormed inside his room and was very surprised to find his child, sleeping peacefully on his bed.

No one dares enter his bedroom. Not even Evelyn. And that's why they weren't able to find her on time.

He approached Aurora quietly and heaved out a deep breath of relief.

He thought he lost her.

He lowered himself and picked her up from the bed. He carried Aurora in his arms and left the room.

He would die if anything happens to his little princess.

Marcello was standing in front of the door when he stepped out.

Relief washed through the man as he saw Mikhail with Aurora.

They walked back downstairs, Mikhail had Aurora in his large arms.

As soon as the maids and guards saw them, they sighed in relief.

Maya was still on her knees, crying her eyes out.

"You," He pointed at Maya. Marcello hit the girl very hard on her back. She winced in pain, looking up. "Come here."

"Si...sir?"

Mikhail shot her a hard glare.

Maya immediately stood up and stepped closer to him.

He raised his hand in the air, almost giving her a dirty slap but stopped.

Maya have her eyes closed, waiting for the big hit but seconds passed and she didn't feel anything. She slowly opened her eyes and found Mikhail's red eyes on her.

"Take care of her." He had his eyes on Maya but it was obvious he wasn't talking to her.

"Sí Capo." (Yes boss). Marcello and the other three guards grabbed Maya and started pulling her away.

"Sir! I'm sorry!" Maya's cries filled the house until she was finally taken away.

"Mikhail, she's sorry." Evelyn said calmly. "Can't you just forgive her? I mean she-"

"One more word, Evelyn." Mikhail cut the woman off angrily. "One more word and you will join her." He turned around and went upstairs.

*****

Bff's Apartment**

Diamond walked in, looking so tired and stressed out.

"I'm back!" She announced at the top of her voice, taking off her shoes at the doorstep and then dropping her bag on the couch.

There was no answer.

She shrugged and went into the kitchen, yawning.

Ayden strolled in. "Look who finally decided to come back home."

"Hi, Ayden."

"Don't 'Hi' me. Where the h*ll have you been?" He asked.

"Out?" She simply answered, pouring herself a glass of orange juice.

"You mean, you were out f*cking."

"I didn't say that."

"Oh please. You smell of sp*rm." He sniffed the air and then quickly covered his nose to prove his point.

Diamond rolled her eyes. "Stop being a jerk. You f*ck as well."

"Lake. I f*ck only Lake and not the whole world."

"Are...you judging me now?"

"Does it sound like I'm judging you?"

"Totally."

He dramatically bowed his head. "Forgive me, m'lady."

Diamond gave him a weird look. "Wait, do you have something to say to me?"

"Do I? I don't know. I mean, how can I even think on an empty stomach?"

"Is there no food?"

"Did you make one?"

"Oh, sh*t! I totally lost track of time. F*ck. I'm so sorry, Ayden. Now I see why you were being such a d*ck."

"You lost track of time...f*cking. Really?"

"Can you stop saying that? Yes, I went out to f*ck. So?"

"You've changed."

"Change is constant in life." She retorted. "I will make us something to eat real quick."

"Don't worry. Lake orders some food over for me." He said.

"Oh, really? Aw, he's such a gentle guy." Diamond winked.

"Hey, don't think about it."

"You know I will never stoop so low to f*ck your boyfriend."

"I can't believe you. I might have been able to believe the old Diamond but definitely not this new Diamond." He shook his head. "You are a complete wh*re."

"Okay now, that's very insulting."

"I'm being realistic."

"F*ck that. So, where's my food?"

"Your food? He ordered for only me."

"What? And you made me call him a gentle guy?"

"He is a gentle guy."

Diamond groaned. "Gentle, my a**."

Zara stepped in.

"Hey babes!"

"Hey."

They both blew each other a kiss, grinning widely.

"How was your day?" Diamond asked.

"Stressful. Where did you go?"

"I went to have some fun."

"By f*cking a random guy, huh?"

"You mean a random man," Ayden said through gritted teeth.

"Oh, that's right. I mean, random man." Zara corrected.

"As much as I want to ignore both of you, I will answer that question. Yes, I went out to f*ck a random man. So?"

"Hope he isn't married?"

"How is that any of my business?" She scoffed. "It was just s*x and nothing more."

"What's his name?"

"Does it look like I care? Come on guys, you both know me better now. I don't care about the names of the men I hook up with. I don't even tell them my name as well nor do we kiss. It's just meaningless s*x."

"Wow. Look at what those worthless boys turn you into. I can barely recognize you." Zara clicked her tongue.

"They taught me how the world works, okay? I was so trapped in a stupid relationship that I forgot to tend to my sexual desires and needs. I won't make such a mistake for the second time."

"Are you trying to say, you will never fall in love again?" Ayden questioned.

"Love...is a predator. And I am not ready to be its prey. Again." She chugged the orange juice and dropped the empty glass in the washing sink. "And who cares if I get into a relationship or not? After all, I don't need kids."

"Five years and you are still hating on kids," Zara muttered.

"This is no news to you both. And I hope none of you intend to give birth."

"Why not? Sean wants kids and so do I." Zara shrugged lightly.

Diamond stared at her, mouth hanging open. "You promised never to give birth to a child for my sake, remember?"

"Did I? I can't remember." Zara lied.

"What about you, Ayden?"

"Lake and I want to adopt a child when the time comes. Although, we are not thinking about marriage. For now."

"Wow. My best friends want to betray me this way. I can't believe this."

"Children are blessings, okay?"

"They are terrors."

"You were once a child, Diamond."

Diamond gulped nervously and sighed.

"We shouldn't be having this conversation. Have you eaten?" She asked Zara.

Zara nodded. "Sean brought me food."

"Lucky you two." She smiled at them and was about to leave the kitchen.

"I kept your potion in the fridge." Ayden and Zara said at the same time.

"Aww," Diamond grinned, going to embrace them. "You two are going to make me_"

"Get away from me, you smell of sp*rm." Ayden stepped back.

Diamond shot him a glare.

Zara covered her nose. "I can't believe I'm supporting this idiot but... he's right. How many dudes did you f*ck?"

"Shut up you two!"

*****

CASSANO'S MANSION

Mikhail's Office**

Marcello stepped inside the office.

Mikhail looked up at him, puffing out rings of smoke. "How did it go?"

"She's unconscious."

"Good. When she wakes up, send her out. Do I make myself clear?"

"Sí." (Yes). Marcello bowed.

Mikhail took a long drag and then puffed it out.

"What about the spy?"

"He's refusing to talk."

"I see. Keep torturing him until he confesses. Octavius is around and I know for a fact that he's hiding in the shadows." He clenched his jaw.

Five f*cking years and they are yet to find that damn b*stard. Five freaking years and it feels like the idiot doesn't exist. But that didn't stop Mikhail nor made him give up.

He will keep searching for Octavius until he finds him and make him pay dearly for what he did to his precious wife. And even if Octavius is dead, he's ready to pull him out of the land of the dead just to kill him over and over and over again.

"We won't stop looking."

"Hmm." He hummed. "You can leave."

Marcello bowed his head and then left the office.

****

Mikhail's bedroom**

Mikhail sat on the floor, his back leaning against the wall. He was holding a picture of his beautiful wife. She had a big smile on her face.

Mikhail tried to smile but he couldn't bring himself to do that. The guilt was still eating at him.

He felt so helpless and defenseless. He was drowning in the darkness and he doesn't care because he deserves it.

What if he'd lost his daughter? What if he walked inside his bedroom but didn't find her, what would he have done?

He's so incompetent and will keep disappointing those that matter so much to him.

Mikhail kept his wife's picture aside and pulled out a pocket knife.

His chest was clenched tightly and he could hardly breathe. He was desperate for air and the only way he could get that was by punishing himself over again.

He rolled up the shirt sleeve and stared at the different scars on his wrist. He has been punishing himself for over five years and doesn't plan on stopping until he gets justice for his wife.

Mikhail put down the knife and sliced his wrist. He watched as blood gushed out but he felt no pain...instead, he felt relieved.