Chapter 4 TRAGEDY

MORNING

LA

Bff's Apartment**

"What are we having for breakfast?" Zara asked, walking into the kitchen.

"Toast and egg." Ayden answered.

"Hmm, yummy."

"Come to think of it,,,why am I always the one cooking?"

"You've been cooking for three years without complaining...so why now?"

"That doesn't give answer to my question."

"That question is dumb. Ask something else." Zara sauntered to the coffee machine. "Do you want coffee?"

"I do." Diamond suddenly said, storming into the kitchen.

"Good morning, Diamond." Zara chirped.

"Good morning, you two." Diamond said breathlessly, buttoning up her shirt.

"Good morning." Ayden mumbled. "Going somewhere?"

"Yeah. I have a business meeting with Miss Donna."

"Miss Donna? Your editor, right?" Zara quizzed, brewing coffee for herself and her friends.

"Yup."

"Damn girl, you are finally done with the story." Ayden squealed.

"I'm so happy for you, girl." Zara added with a wink.

"When is the celebrati_"

"I'm not done." Diamond cut Ayden off.

"You haven't set up a date for the celebration? Really?"

"No, not that. I am not done with the story. Yet." Diamond muttered the last part, lowering her gaze.

"Sh*t." Zara murmured, exchanging glances with Ayden.

"Oh f*ck." Ayden scratched the back of her neck, guiltily.

It was awkwardly and uncomfortably quiet for a moment.

Zara loudly cleared her throat. "It's fine. You need more time to think and that's okay."

Diamond plopped down on the island chair. "It's definitely not okay and I know you are saying this now so I wouldn't feel bad. It's obvious you are both disappointed in me."

"Disappointed?" Ayden waved his hand on the air. "Nonsense."

"What are you saying, Diamond?" Zara passed down two mugs of steaming coffee to Diamond and Ayden and then set the last one down for herself. "We are not disappointed in you, trust us. You are our best friend and it's okay to take your time in writing. Besides, you are determined to give your fans the best story ever and that's what matters."

"Stop trying to make me feel better, you two." Diamond groaned, taking a sip of coffee. "I feel like a failure and I hate it. I've been on this work for like forever."

"Actually, you've been on it for only seven months." Ayden said.

Zara threw a hard glare at his way, condemning him for saying something like that.

Ayden bite his lower lip, realizing his mistake.

"You are right."

"Don't listen to Ayden. I know of a writer who have been on a particular work for close to two years."

"Wait, that writer is me." Diamond whispered.

"Oh." Zara picked up her mug of coffee and took a sip from it.

Ayden shook his head at Zara.

"You are both right. I'm a total failure."

"No way. We never meant it that way." Ayden said. "You are a successful writer and I'm sure your fans love you just the way you are."

"I am losing fans. And honestly, I don't blame them." She sighed. "Miss Donna requested for a business meeting but I know for a fact she didn't call me over to praise or worship me...she definitely wants to scold me."

"She dare not." Zara bellowed. "Does she think it's easy to think of words to construct, huh? If it's so easy being a writer then she should have been one instead of an editor."

"She's not at fault here, you know. She needs money but I'm not doing a good job which is affecting business for both her and myself."

"Here," Ayden handed Diamond a plate of toast and egg. "Eat before leaving."

She shook her head. "I'm not hungry."

"You haven't eaten." He pointed out.

"Obviously." She stood up. "I will eat when I return, okay?"

"Diamond, you have to eat now." He insisted.

Diamond gulped the last drop of her coffee and glanced down at the time on her wrist watch.

"I will, daddy but when I return." She smiled. "See you two later!" She waved them off before rushing out of the house.

"Miss Donna or whatever her name is, won't scold her, right?" Zara asked, staring at the closed door.

"Is that what you are even bothered about?" Ayden clicked his tongue. "Tsk. I hope they don't fire her."

Zara gasped. "That would be worse."

"You see, it's better they scold her than to fire her."

"You are absolutely right. Where's my food?"

"Here." He handed her the plate of toast and egg that was meant for Diamond.

"Thank you but can you add more eggs?"

"You are so greedy."

"Jerk."

*****

ITALY

The Cassano's Residence**

"Dovreste prendervi una pausa per il resto della giornata." (You All should take a break for the rest of the day) Mikhail ordered as he stepped inside the kitchen.

"Non abbiamo preparato la cena, signore." (We haven't prepared lunch, sir) The head of the maids said.

"Non preoccupatevi, preparerò personalmente la cena per tutti." (Don't worry about it, I will personally prepare lunch for everyone) He said with a gentle smile on his face.

"Preparerai la cena per tutti? Compresi noi cameriere?" (You will prepare lunch for everyone? Including the maids?) She asked a little bit surprise.

She wasn't surprise with the fact that he wants to cook. He always does it for his wife because for some reasons as soon as his wife became pregnant, she prefers eating his food than the maid's. His food were one of her regular cravings.

But what surprised the woman more is the fact that he don't want to only prepare dinner for his dearest wife but likewise for everyone in the household. Isn't that surprising?

Yes, Mikhail is a nice and a good man but they've never eaten a meal made by him before except his wife.

He frowned. "Sì. E smettila di parlare così. Non siete solo cameriere, ma una parte della famiglia. Mia famiglia." (Yes. And stop talking like that. You all aren't just maids but a part of the family. My family.)

"Ma..." (But...) She began but he cuts he off immediately.

"Nessun ma. Ora Vai. Ho bisogno del mio spazio per preparere la cena." (No buts, now go. I need my space to prepare lunch.)

She sighed in defeat. "Van bene signore. Bene, se hai bisogno do qualcosa. Non esitate a chiamarmi." (Okay sir. Well, if you need anything. Don't hesitate to call me.)

He smiled. "Non lo farò."

She bowed her head in respect and left the kitchen alongside the other maids.

Mikhail let out a deep breath as he roll up his sleeve and began chopping the ingredients that need to be chopped into smaller pieces.

He is completely stressed after a long day working his a$$ out to correct the wrongs of his trusted friend who betrayed him twice.

All he needed right now was a rest and a long sleep but instead, when he stepped inside the room he saw his wife crying and when he asked why? She said she's craving a pasta made by him.

He couldn't say no even though that's all he wanted to say to her.

He love his wife so much. Tired or not, he's ready to do anything for her.

*****

The Cassano's Bedroom***

"Yummy!" She grinned from ear to ear as she shove some pasta into her mouth. "You are such a great cook."

"I know I am." He bluffed. "Here, drink this." He poured her some glass of water.

"Grazie." (Thank you) She collected the glass of chilled water and took a small gulp. "So," She dropped the glass on the table. "How was work?"

He shrugged, taking off his shirt and trouser. "Just stressful."

She frowned. "I made it worse by asking you to make lunch, right?"

Mikhail smiled. "Of course not, Amore. In fact I'm more than happy to cook for you."

"But you are stressed out from work and what you need is complete rest and enough sleep but instead I..."

He shut her up by placing a soft kiss on her lips.

"I said it's fine. I'm not complaining, or am I?"

"I still feel bad about it." She pouted.

"Well...you can make me feel better, you know." He suggested, smirking.

She smiled. "I will do just that. Go and have your bath, I will be waiting out here."

"Okay ma'am." He kissed her again before going into the adjoined bathroom.

Diamond call in the maids to help her take out the dirty plates while she arranged the bed rejecting the maids offer to do so.

Fifteen minutes later, Mikhail walked out of the bathroom, wearing just a black boxers and a plain white t-shirt.

Diamond was patiently waiting for him to join her on the bed.

He did after drying off his black soft hair.

"Come here." She commanded and he obediently went towards her and placed his head on her lap. She started massaging his head, gently. "How do you feel now?"

"Relaxed." He moaned lightly as he shut his eyes closed, enjoying the magic she was doing on his head. She always does something like this whenever he's stressed out.

"Mi dispiace." (I'm sorry)

He laughed softly, "You don't have to be sorry for anything, Amore. If you are craving for my food then it means my little princess wants to eat daddy's food and I will gladly prepare it for her whenever she needs it." He said.

"You sly man. You keep making me fall harder for you." She chuckled.

"It is only fair that way because I find myself falling harder for you with each passing second."

"Awww." She dropped a light kiss at the top of his head, earning a soft moan from him. "Have you thought about it yet?"

"What?"

"A name for our child? Few weeks from now and we will bring her into the world."

He smiled as soon as she said those words.

"I can't wait."

"Me too. I'm sure she's going to be a daddy's girl being the fact that she loves daddy's food more."

"Of course she will be daddy's little princess." Mikhail slowly opened his eyes, staring up at the ceilings while Diamond kept massaging his head. "What do you think about Mika?"

"Mika? Nah, that sounds too boyish."

"Uhm, what about Tessa?"

"Tessa doesn't sound like an Italian name." She complained again.

"You want an Italian name for her?"

"Of course."

"What do you think about Louisa?" She suggested.

"No. I don't like it. I would like it if she bears an English name."

"Well she can but the acceptable one will be italian."

"Okay. I will choose the English name. Tessa."

She fake glared at him. "What's with you and that name?"

"After watching the movie 'After' I fell in love with the name." He smirked. "Ow!" He whined just as Diamond gave him a knock on his head. He raised his head from her lap and turned to look at her face. "What was that for?"

"How dare you daydream about another girl's name, huh?"

"Are you jealous?"

"Pfft. Jealous? Me? Of course I am jealous!" She pointed a finger at him and said, "Diamond should be the only name you daydream about, okay? I am your one and only Diamond."

He laughed. "Of course you are my one and only Diamond. But what if some other girl name is Diamond, huh?"

She rolled her eyes. "The name Diamond is rare. And besides who cares? I am still your only Diamond."

"Of course you are. I don't care if 1million girls are bearing the name...nothing changes the fact that you are the only Diamond for me." He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her lightly on her forehead.

"I'm glad you know that." She blushed.

"Now that you hate the name Tessa, what English name should we give her then?" He raised a questioning brow at her.

She thought for a while, gradually a smile appeared on her face.

"I've found the perfect names."

"Names? Including the Italian name?" She nodded her head, looking very excited about it. "What is it?"

"Rosa Melody Cassano."

"Melody?" He repeated.

"She is our Melody. Our happy tune."

He nods in approval. "I like it. But instead of Rosa, how about Aurora?"

"Aurora Melody Cassano. Perfect."

He faced his wife's big belly. "Cosa ne pensi del tuo nome, mia princessa?" (What do you think about your name, my princess?)

The baby kicked making her parents very happy.

"I think she likes the name." Diamond stated.

"I think so too." He placed a light kiss on Diamond's belly. "I love you both." He held his wife's hand and kissed her knuckles lightly.

"I love you both." She said, kissing his knuckles as well. "Always and forever."

*****

LA

Miss Donna's office**

"Eight months, Diamond! Eight!" Donna yelled angrily.

"It's actually seven." Diamond corrected in a whisper.

"Oh, so you know how long you've been writing just one story?"

"Listen, I'm sorry. I know I should be done with the story by now but...it's really not easy."

"It's not easy to make money. You need hard work and determination." She sighed. "You need to make effort to achieve greater things in life."

"I know."

"No, you don't. Because if you do, we wouldn't be here right now."

Diamond fiddled with her fingers, biting her inner cheek.

"How many chapters is left?" Donna asked calmly.

Diamond hesitated. "Twenty."

Donna's eyes popped wide open. "Twenty!? What the h*ll?"

"I will be done with it by tonight. I promise."

"No." Donna shook her head, coming up to her feet. "I can't keep doing this."

Diamond frowned. "What are you saying?"

"If you don't finish the story by tonight...it's over."

"Wha....what?"

"You heard me. I will terminate the contract and this isn't a threat, young lady." Donna walked down to the door and opened it. "Meeting is over, you can leave my office."

Diamond nervously stood up to her feet an stepped out of the office.

"Miss Don_" Before Diamond could finish her sentence, Donna shut the door in front of Diamond's face.

*****

Along the Road**

Diamond kicked peebles stone on the ground, her head lowered as she walked down to the bus stop.

Donna's words kept playing over and over again in her head.

She doesn't want to lose this job. It was her only source of income.

She let out a depressed sigh as she finally got to the bus stop and stopped walking.

Her head was still lowered while she waited for a bus to arrive.

Her phone beeped and she sighed again, taking it out of her bag.

She read the text message from Zara.

ZARA: HOW DID THE MEETING GO?

Another message came in again. It was from Ayden.

AYDEN: HOPE SHE DIDN'T SCOLD YOU TOO MUCH?

AYDEN: DON'T WORRY, I'M MAKING YOUR FAVORITE SNACK, OKAY?

Diamond was about to put her phone back into her bag when she caught a glimpse of a figure walking inside a restaurant with a girl.

Diamond squinted her eyes to get a better view of the familiar male figure.

'Why does that person look so much like Felix?' She thought to herself.

Fortunately, the traffic light turned red. Diamond straightened her bag and immediately crossed to the other side of the road.

She strolled into the restaurant and looked around in search of the familiar person. Seconds later, she shrugged in defeat.

'I guess I'm wrong.' She turned around to leave the place when she caught sight of a scene.

There he was chatting and laughing laughing with his female best friend, Layla.

Diamond let out a deep breath of relief. She thought he was with some other girl but now that she knows he's with his best friend, she has no problem with it.

She attempted to make her way to them when she saw a scene that almost paralyzed her.

They were both kissing passionately and hungrily.

'What's going on?' She asked herself, not taking her eyes off the scene in front of her.

She pulled out a phone and sent Felix a quick message.

DIAMOND: HEY BABE, WHERE ARE YOU?

Felix drew away from Layla and brought out his phone. He scrunched up his face in annoyance when he read her message.

FELIX: I'M OUT WITH THE BOYS. ANYTHING?

Diamond clenched her first and jaw as she read the message and then looked up at them. They've resumed with their make-out.

DIAMOND: WHAT ABOUT LAYLA?

This time around he didn't even care to read the message, he just continued eating Layla's face up.

Hot tears trailed her face as she watched them. Her heart shattered into million pieces and all she could think about was how much she loved this guy.

Why would he betray her like this? How long have he been doing something like this with his female best friend? Because seeing how they were so comfortable making out publicly like this, it seems like this wasn't their first time.

More tears streamed down and she began to hyperventilate. She rushed towards a table occupied by two guys.

"I'm...I'm sorry." She grabbed one if their glass of water and drank it.

"Are you okay?" One of them asked, worriedly.

She nodded her head, turning around to leave the restaurant without creating a scene.

As she got to the doorstep, she stopped and frowned.

'Wait. Why should I leave like this? He is the one cheating not me. He couldn't satisfy me in bed and never did I go behind his back to f*ck a random man. How could he do this to me? To us? How? Does he even love me? No. I can't leave like this.' With that, she walked towards them.

They were still devouring each other, ignoring her presence or the people around.

Diamond grabbed a glass of wine from a waiter who was just passing by and poured it on them.

Layla gasped in shock as she was the one who was more wet. She broke the kiss and looked up to see who dared poured a drink on her.

Her eyes popped open when she saw Diamond gazing down at the both of them.

"Babe?"

"I can see you are with the boys."

*****

EVENING

"Where are you now?" He asked the person on the other line.

"I'm close by, man. You worry too much." She laughed.

"I miss you so much. What do you expect me to do?" He whined.

"You have my pictures, right? Stare at them and talk to them as if I'm there...you will miss me less." She suggested jokingly.

Mikhail rolled his eyes. "Your pictures are nothing compared to the real you. I can't kiss you from the picture."

"I have lips on my every picture, don't I?" She laughed.

"That's not funny."

"I will be right home, handsome. Now stop being such a big baby."

"When will you be home? Damn, I wish I had followed you to the hospital."

"You were busy, remember? And I don't want you to forfeit your important meetings because of me."

"I will do anything because of you, trust me."

"I trust you." She said softly. "And_" A loud sound was heard in the other line, making Mikhail sit upright in worry.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"I don't know. I think...Arrrrrgh!" Her loud scream filled the line.

"Amore, what's wrong? Diamond, talk to me."

There was dead silent until...

"Mi...Mik...Mikhail" Her husky voice rung in his ear. "Sa...save o... our...baby." He heard the sound of gunshots and suddenly the line went dead.

"DIAMOND!!!!" Mikhail yelled at the very top of his voice.