Beyond Reasonable Doubt

Prologue

"Uncle Marco, where is Francesca and Alejandro?" She was on her way back to the garden when Frankie heard the voice that she was waiting for all evening. Liam. She felt her heart beat thrice as fast as she peeked at the door to the receiving area where her parents and Godparents were standing. Her 16th birthday is finally complete.

She was frozen in place as she watched him and his sister Luna hug her father, Marco and her mother, Alessandra. She got back to her senses when she heard her her mother's response.

"They're at the garden. Go on and join them." She pretended to come in from the garden and went straight to the new arrivals. Soon enough, her twin brother is right beside her and they went straight to their Godparents, Lance and Cassie to greet them. They met Luna and Liam along the way and they hugged each other just like they normally do on occasions.

"Hey, princess, Happy Birthday!" Liam handed her a small box wrapped in gold and red ribbon. When Liam pulled her for another hug and kissed her cheek, she almost fainted.

"Thank you." She stammered as he smiled and stared at her. Her trance was broken by his brother who almost pushed her out of the way to catch Liam's attention.

"Where's my gift, Bro?" Alejandro, her twin brother shook hands with Liam. They have this weird handshake that only the two of them knows about.

"Here you go. I designed a new game just for you." He gave her brother a flash disk and they bumped fists.

"Cool! Come on, Frankie."

She playfully pushed her brother then gave Luna a hug and a knowing glance. They giggled before they approached their parents.

"They grew up too fast. They're even taller than me!" Cassie exclaimed and Lance just laughed as he teased his wife. "Babe, everyone is taller than you." Liam's father earned a slap on the arm as they banter playfully.

"Sometimes, I feel old when I look at the four of them." Frankie had to roll her eyes at her Dad's remarks. He doesn't even look old. He and her mother doesn't even age a little.

"You are old. See how many gray hairs I found on your head the other night?" She almost gagged when she saw her parents kissing in front of them.

"Eeew! Mom, Dad, enough with the PDA! Our friends are looking at you." Francesca said as she greeted her Godparents by kissing their cheeks. Liam who was just behind her laughed. She closed her eyes to enjoy the sound of his laughter.

"They always do that. Too cheesy. . ." Alejandro whispered to Luna after he hugged his Godparents.

"Don't worry, Mama and Papa are just like them." Luna rolled her eyes and Alejandro smiled.

"Kids, go back to your guests."

They were almost dismissed when she remembered one thing.

"Dad, will you please tell Uncle Denaris to quit staring at our guy friends? It's pretty creepy."

Alex just shook her head as Marco just waved his hand at Francesca.

"He's only protecting all of you. Go on. . . have fun."

"Fine." It took too much self-control not to stomp her feet. She had to prove that she is no longer a child who throw tantrums each time she would not get what she wants.

The four of them went back to the garden where the party is happening. Luna went ahead as she saw their classmates and friends laughing at one of the tables. While Frankie went to the far side of the garden behind a tall statue which was hidden from other people's view. She wanted to pause for a while and admire the decorations that she designed. She helped her mother prepare for the party. The yellow and blue pin lights, the glittery but rock and roll themed stage where a band was playing looked hip and classy. She even chose the blue and gold tablecloths and table wares. Even the guitar and ballet shoes ice sculpture was her idea as well as the small dancing fountain at the middle. She asked her parents to install one just for the party.

"You really have nice taste. I heard from Aunt Alex that you helped conceptualize the decorations and party theme. Who would have known classic ballet and rock and roll would jive." She almost dropped the small box that she was holding when she heard him approach her. He was too close for comfort and her hand trembled with the way his breath fanned her neck as he whispered to her. "You look pretty in your dress, by the way." He playfully bumped her shoulder with his. She was not prepared so she almost fell. It's a good thing his reflexes kicked in and he pulled her towards him. He was holding her bare back with her chest pressed to him. With her high heels, he was just taller by a few inches and their nose almost touching. She looked at his worried face while his minty breath invades her nostrils, adding to the dizzying effect of having him near her.

"Princess, are you okay? You look pale." Frankie tried to utter a yes but she couldn't speak. There was something with the way he was holding her and how their bodies were pressed together. She acted on impulse.

Frankie tilted her head and kissed him. The graze of her mouth on Liam's soft lips immobilized him. She didn't know how to kiss properly so she tried to imitate what she see's in movies and from her parents. He did not let go of her hold on her back or backed away from her body. He just stood there and let her kiss him. She could feel her heart beat erratically as she tried to deepen the kiss by teasing his lips with her tongue. The sensation of tasting Liam's lips and feeling it with her tongue felt like heaven for Frankie. When her arms wound towards his neck, and she tried to press his back to the statue beside them, that's when he snapped out of the trance and gently pushed her away.

"Where did you learn that?" His voice was hoarse and he had to clear his throat twice before he asked her again. He was holding her hands which seemed to turned from hot to cold in just a span of seconds.

"How many men or boys have you kissed?" She frowned and bowed her head. His tone softened as he tilted her chin so that she would look at him. "Answer me, princess." He looked worried and Frankie didn't know what he was thinking.

"Just you." She saw something flash in his eyes but it was just for a fleeting second.

"Good. Let's keep it that way." He pulled her closer to him then led her to lean on the statue. He looked around and when he was sure that there were no one around, he pressed his forehead to hers. "Your father, Denaris and my father will kill me for doing this. But what the heck, it's your 16th birthday and this will be our secret." He whispered before he cupped her face and captured her lips.

Kissing an unmoving Liam was bliss for Frankie, but with him kissing her as passionately as what she always imagined was heaven. She couldn't keep the moan that escaped her lips as she felt him explore her mouth with his tongue while his hand caressed her bare back. She kissed him back and weaved her hands on his silky hair. They kissed for what seemed like eternity, before she heard her name being called by the party host.

"You're a good kisser for a first timer." He smiled at her and then kissed her nose. She smiled back and dispelled the idea that being four years her senior made him a more experienced kisser.

"You're not bad yourself."

"Happy Birthday, princess. They're calling you. I'll stay here for a while." He gave her another short kiss before caressing her cheeks. There was something in his eyes that she could not fathom. Was it regret or sadness? She ignored it and smiled as she waved at him before going back to the party.

After that night, everything changed. She was dethroned from being his princess to just plain Francesca, a family friend.

1- The Distraction

Liam Montgomery lived a fast paced life. Being rich and influential made him too busy and preoccupied.

["Son, when are you coming for a visit? Your sister will be coming home next week and it would be nice if you could too."] His father tried to hide the disappointment in his voice but he failed. Liam dropped the pen he was using to sign the documents his secretary left on his glass desk. He massaged his temples before responding to his father.

"I'll try. I've been closing this deal with the Aussie's and I can't lose track of this now." He stood up from his swivel chair and walked towards the glass walls of the building his family owns. He tapped the glass and from it's hazy blacks setting, the walls turned clear and Liam stared at the glowing city lights below.

["Liam, I unloaded you with the weight of your mother's Financing firm as well as our Production Company, but now you're obsessing with making your new IT empire number one in the world. Can't you just slow down and try to have fun every once in a while?"] He sighed. This topic is wearing him off.

"Papa, I'm still overseeing Luna in managing the Financing Firm, so I'm not really hands off with that." The Bluetooth headset he was wearing beeped signaling him that there was another call waiting for him.

["Liam, there's still another thing I would like to bring up to you. It's about-"]

"Sorry to cut you, Dad, but I really need to take this call." His father sighed at the other end of the line and said goodbye. He answered the call waiting and spoke to the Australian investors via conference call. Their time difference made Liam stay at the office late at night. After the meeting that ended at 2 am, Liam headed off.

The drive to his condominium was fortunately short. When he parked his car at the garage, he saw a familiar car next to his. He shook his head and dismissed the thought. It couldn't be.

Liam went up the elevator to the Penthouse. His pad is as modern and techy as the buildings they own. The lights turn on and off with just a snap of his finger or his voice if not controlled with his phone. The furniture theme is black and white with touches of silver. The paintings that hang on his walls are all abstract in red and blue. These are the only color on his off-white walls.

He went to his bedroom that occupies one fourth of the floor. It is almost as big as the normal apartment in New York but with a roomy walk in closet and magnificent brass king sized bed with black and white fluffy covers.

He stripped down to his black Calvin Klein boxers and headed to his kitchen to get a glass of water. He stopped dead on his tracks at the doorway when he thought he saw some apparition beside his refrigerator. Liam had to squint his eyes to look closely. From the darkness of the room and the light illuminating from the hallway, he saw a silhouette of a woman that is drinking from a wine goblet. He racked his brains if he was expecting some guest but he wasn't. Only his sister has the key to his home and she is in Italy at the moment with her spoiled brat best friend.

Liam bit his lower lip as he stealthily walked towards the intruder who seemed to be oblivious of his arrival, and so he thought.

"Hi Liam. I didn't know you could look sexy and yet look stupid with the way you were silently walking behind my back." The woman turned around and he almost had a heart attack, not only with the skimpy red lingerie that she was wearing that peaked from her pink silk robe but simply because of her presence. She still looked gorgeous in fact she is the most beautiful woman he had laid his eyes on. He missed seeing her expressive green eyes, high cheekbones and pointed nose. He didn't want to stare at her soft inviting lips or the curve of her toned body but he couldn't control himself. He was not prepared for this at all.

"Francesca." He walked backwards as she placed the wine goblet she was holding at the kitchen counter near the fridge. She smiled at him but it was more of a smirk when she realized that his eyes were glued on her open robe. She tightened her robe and covered her body. That was the only time Liam's brain functioned.

"What the hell are you doing in here? Who gave you the access? When did you arrive? Where is my sister?" She laughed and looked at him like he has grown three heads. Well, he only has two and both are throbbing because of the crazy woman in front of him.

"You didn't even say you miss me. Didn't Uncle Lance call you? You were supposed to pick me up at the airport tomorrow, oh I mean, this morning. But I took the earliest flight I can to surprise you. Here I am! Surprise!" She walked closer and he backed away. "Oh, Luna is still in Italy with Alejandro. They'll be here next week I think. And of course, she gave me access to this wonderful haven of yours." He gulped as she leaned closer.

"What are you doing here, Francesca?" She was a temptress and he knew he needed to stay away from her.

"I'm also not sure. I have been thrown here in your mercy and care. They said I need you to teach me some things I need to run our company. Take note of the word, company. I didn't say organization like my brother would have." She said the word organization while rolling her eyes. He smiled as he watched her complain with her hands fisted tightly as if she wanted to punch someone.

"I am not aware that I would be doing some baby sitting." She noticed his smile and she smiled back at him. He was momentarily caught off guard when her smile turned into a smirk.

"As you can see and I think even your body recognizes that I am not a baby." He almost combusted when she approached and hooked her arms on his neck, pressing her body closer to his shirtless body. She was just a few inches shorter than him. Their noses almost touching as she tried to prove a point. "I am here not because I want to. I just want to be a good daughter for once in my life and follow the elder's orders. Will you help me?" She felt good and she sounded troubled but he knew better. She knew how to manipulate people and make them follow her every whim and Liam vowed never to fall for her tricks. But he could not deny his father nor Godfather if this is what they want.

"I have to confer with my father and Uncle Marco first. Go to your room, wherever that is. I'll see you in the morning." He said in a formal voice as he gently removed her arm from his neck and backed out of the room.

"Liam."

"Yes?" He stopped and looked back at her. She was leaning at the kitchen counter looking at him with a sad smile on her face and with her arms crossed on her chest.

"It's nice to see you again after all these years. This has been the longest conversation we've had since my 16th birthday. How long has it been?" Her words struck him hard but he did not let her faze him.

"Ten and you haven't changed a bit. Goodnight."

Liam locked his bedroom door that night. Not because he was afraid that Francesca would come to his room but because he had to force himself to stay inside and not go to her. Her presence will distract him and that is something that he could not allow. He had to do something and he had to act fast.

2-The Princess

The first thing Liam did the following morning was to call his father. It was already past 7 when he woke up.

"Dad, Francesca is here at my pad. Could you please enlighten me on why she's here?" He massaged his temples as he paced his bedroom, willing himself to relax as he waited for his father's response. A long pause and a few seconds passed before Lance answered, as if choosing his right words.

["Your Uncle Marco and I agreed to send her over to you for guidance and to teach her how to handle a business. How to behave in a corporate world so she could handle some of their businesses."]

"She can learn from Alejandro. He's doing well for himself isn't he?"

He stopped in front of his closet and took out his blue suit and pants and light yellow long sleeved shirt that he planned to wear for the day. He chose a striped black and white tie to complete his look. Liam placed them all on his bed.

["Yes. He is in fact doing so well that your Uncle wanted to give him more companies to run. But Francesca doesn't listen to anyone. She's been on her worst streak last week."] He and his father sighed at the same time.

"Why? What did she do this time?" Liam pulled one of the drawers and picked up his favorite silver watch but after reconsidering, he put it back and chose a black Rolex instead.

["Denaris had to extract her from the Diaz's youngest son's home. She was hiding there for a week before they traced her."] He almost dropped the Rolex when he heard the name.

"Pablo Diaz? The bastard who-" His father cut him off before he could continue. Liam closed the drawer more forcefully than he intended to. The name had that effect on him.

["Exactly. That's why we had to ship her there for a month so you-"

"What?! A month?! Dad, that's too long! You know I am busy and have to fly to Australia to finalize this deal with the investors-" Liam sat on his bed and leaned on his pillow. He closed his eyes and took deep breaths to calm himself.

["I know, son. That's why we want you to take her with you wherever you go. You can handle her. Besides, you're the only one your Uncle trusts when it comes to his princess." Liam rolled his eyes at the last statement. He wondered how and when did that happen. Marco Garcia does not trust anyone to be with his daughter.

"Dad, she's a Mafia princess. She knows martial arts like the back of her hand, she can shoot guns, throw daggers, she can even leap from the top of a moving train for crying out loud! She can protect herself even without us hanging over her shoulders! Why would she need me?" He shook his head as he realized that what he said was true. Francesca Garcia is a dangerous woman.

["To protect her from herself. She's 26 and her parents as well as your mother and I are worried that her lifestyle will soon get her in deep trouble that even us can't bail her out. You know it would break our hearts if something like that would happen. Plus, do you want your Aunt Alex and your mom to bite our heads off if we don't do this?"] Liam groaned out loud. They knew how to make him agree.

"Fine! I'll take care of her, but you and Uncle Marco and especially Denaris can't interfere with my methods. Let me do this how I want to." Denaris, Marco Garcia's right hand man and best friend aside from Liam's father have that inclination to be overacting when it comes to Francesca. He treats her like his own daughter after he lost his own on a tragic accident years ago.

["Thank you, son. We knew we could count on you to help. She's like your younger sister, after all."] Liam snorted at the last remark. There was something on his father's voice when he mentioned the word sister that annoyed him. The thought annoyed him. As if on cue, someone knocked on the door and Liam was sure who that person is.

"I doubt that, Dad. I have to go. Your mafia princess is knocking at my door right now. Say hi to Mom for me."

["Say hi to Frankie for us too."]

Liam, wearing only his boxers walked towards the door where an impatient woman was relentlessly knocking.

"What?" She was about to knock again when he opened the door and instead of the hard wood, her knuckles touched his hard chest. She gasped as Liam took her hand and not so gently pushed her out of his room with him then closed his door.

"Breakfast is ready." He frowned as he stared at her flushed face. His closeness and the way his body lightly pressed on hers might have been the reason. He gently let go of her and nodded his head.

"Come on, let's see what you prepared." He didn't even looked back when he walked towards the kitchen where he smelled something burnt. He could sense her distress as she followed him to the kitchen. She even tried to pull his arm and lead him to the Dining area instead.

"I tried but I'm not used to your appliances, so I ordered breakfast from the cafe across the street." This made him turn and look at her. He noticed that she was still wearing her sleepwear and this made him groan.

"You went out wearing only that?" She frowned then smiled.

"Yes. You should have seen the faces of the people who saw me." Liam saw the sly smirk on her face and he knew she was just trying to piss him off.

"Whatever. Come on, have breakfast. We'll be leaving at thirty minutes past eight." It was his turn to smirk.

"What?! I only have an hour to prepare? Where are we going anyways?" She sat on the chair which Liam absentmindedly pulled for her before they started eating the bagels, croissant and assorted cheese Francesca bought from the coffee shop. Liam watched her as he sipped the brewed coffee. He smiled when he realized that she brewed the coffee herself and added just the right amount of sugar just the way he preferred.

"You'll be going with me to the office. You are now hired as my trusted assistant." She rolled her eyes and sipped her orange juice.

"I'm done here. See you in an hour." She walked towards one of the guestrooms and Liam could just stare at her retreating form, scolding himself not to stare at her backside and exposed legs. He wondered how he was going to do what his father and godfather wanted him to do.

How could he take care of her if what he really wanted to do was stay as far away from her as possible?