MAFIA SUDDEN BRIDE

"How come the pictures they could get are blurry ones?" Francis ask, starring at the pictures put on his desk by Jerome, Francis friend since childhood.

"Do you want me to eliminate the investigators?" Jerome ask, pulling out his knife.

"For what?"

"For doing a bad job" Jerome reply.

"Put that back. There's no need killing him, I should have gone myself to check her out, afterall I'm the one getting married" Francis said, standing up to reveal the dragon tattoo he had drawn on his right arm.

"Do you really have to get married to her? You don't know her, haven't ever seen her, yet you want to marry her? I think you should reconsider" Jerome said, trying to persuade his friend.

"I already told you. It's father's last wish and I intend to fulfil it. How are the new recruit coming along?" Francis ask.

"They are doing fine. Gray and Victor are helping them settle in and there's a guy coming from California today, once he arrive, their training will begin" Jerome inform.

"About this marriage of yours, I still think you don't have to do it" Jerome added quickly.

"My mind has been made and you can't change it. Send a word to the Lopez family that in five days time our marriage will take place and I want Cassandra here" Francis order.

Knowing he won't be able to change Francis mind, Jerome left to do his bidding.

Francis stood alone in his office, looking coldly at the garden when a lady barge in.

"Have you made your decision?" The lady ask and slowly, Francis turn to give her his attention.

"I'm getting married in five days time" he said coldly.

"So you've chosen to discard me, right?"

"You've known all along that our relationship is a temporary one, Sugar" Francis said, his voice hardening.

"Why? Is it because you are the boss and I am just a f**king slave?" Sugar ask, feeling hurt that he choose to marry a stupid girl from California over her.

"Do you want the truth?" Francis ask and when she said nothing, he continued.

"You are no wife material. Yes, you are good in bed and we had wonderful s*x but that's all. You aren't someone who can stay with one man for long, I know that for a fact, Sugar or do you think I'm a fool who doesn't know how you f**k around with my men?" As soon as he said that, Sugar got pale.

"Those men don't mean a thing to me. You are the only one I love" Sugar said quickly.

"Love? I think you should stop kidding yourself by saying you love me. We are two of a kind, Sugar. We take pleasure from each other but never give out our heart, so when you say you love me, I know it's a lie"

"But Francis I...."

"Enough! I'm getting married in five days, you've heard my answer and so, I want you to leave" Francis said with his usual authoritative tone.

Knowing she couldn't disobey him when he is in this strict mode, Sugar left his office.

__________

<< U.S ~ CALIFORNIA ~ AIRPORT~ THREE DAYS LATER >>

Twenty two year old Flora Martin could be seen seated beside a guy as tears flow down her cheeks.

"I told you to stop crying, you know it breaks my heart when you do" Christopher Blake said as he crouch in front of Flora to take hold of her hand.

"I want to stop the tears, I really want to but the thought of you going to Italy for a year breaks my heart" Flora said, wiping her tears as more came rushing.

"You do know that I'm leaving to earn money and make a future for the two of us. Once I get to Italy I will make sure I call you all the time and when I do make enough money, I will come take you to Italy to live with me, you do trust me, right?" Chris ask softly.

Flora nodded.

The two give each other a fierce hug, Christopher pulled back, wanting to kiss her when the call for Italy passengers was made.

"This is it" Chris said, standing to his feet with Flora by his side.

" Make sure to stay save and promise me you won't get hurt" Flora said, doing her best to hold back her tears.

"I promise " he said, giving her a hug once more before turning to leave.

Flora stood watching him and suddenly, he stop, running towards her.

"What are you...." Flora words died off when Chris claim her lips.

They kissed passionately and if it wasn't for the announcement which was made again, they wouldn't have let go.

"I will come back for you, I promise" Chris vow, tears glistening his eyes.

Flora knew how painful it is for them to stay apart while he go to his new work place in Italy. If she had her way, she would have made herself rich and have Chris by her side.

But as it is, they are both poor and Chris believes that he has to make money for them if they intend to build a life together.

"I will be waiting for you" Flora mutter, watching Chris walk off till he was out of sight.

__________

<< LOPEZ MANSION >>

"I feel bad, mom" Cassandra Lopez said as she sat on her bed while her mom, Crystal stood by the window, watching her.

"Bad? Do you want to go in her place, then?" Crystal ask.

"You know I don't"

"Then why feel bad? You have no intention of marrying Francis King but we found a solution. A solution which is by sending Flora in your place, so quit feeling guilty and start coming up with a lie for Flora" Crystal said.

"You are right and about the lie, I could ask her to help me deliver a parcel to someone. She will have no idea who she's going to meet until she gets there" Cassandra suggest, already imagining the scene.

"You are right and about an excuse, I could ask her to help me deliver a parcel to someone. She will have no idea who she's going to meet until she gets there" Cassandra suggest.

_____________

"The excuse is feasible enough" Crystal agree as she recall the very day her husband and Anthony King made the decision of marrying their kids.

"This wouldn't be happening if your foolish father didn't make the marriage deal with that terrifying Anthony King" Crystal said, stamping her feet on the floor in anger.

"They were friends and the two thought they could continue that bond by marrying their kids but their reasoning is old fashion. They should have put us their children in mind, not everyone likes the fact that she's engage to a man she knows nothing about except that he is the leader of a dangerous group" Cassandra burst out in anger too.

"She's here, Cass. Flora is back" Crystal inform, starring at Flora who walk into the house having no idea what they had planned for her.

"Then it's time"

Flora had just walk in when she saw Cassandra and her mother waiting in the sitting room.

It's odd since her employers are never around by this time of day.

"Good afternoon Madam Crystal and to you Miss Cassandra" Flora greeted, heading to the kitchen but they called her back, asking her to seat.

Are they going to fire her? Flora thought, clasping her hand.

"I have something to deliver to someone in Italy and I want you to do the delivery" Cassandra began.

"Italy? But I have never been out of the country and...."

"That's easy. You only have to give us the necessary document and everything will be done" Crystal said, cutting Flora off.

If she travel to Italy, she will be able to see Chris and it will also be her first trip out of the city.

"Okay, I will deliver it but for how long will I be there?" Flora ask.

"A week, a month or even a year since you can decide when to return but don't take it for granted" Crystal said, acting like she didn't want Flora to stay there for long when she knows that Flora will be staying a long time.

"I won't take it for granted, tell me what document I have to get" Flora said and when they told her, she quickly went to get it.

"What if Flora gets to know everything and tell Francis that we trick him, what are we going to do?" Cassandra ask her mom.

"Nothing. I'm sure that by then, Francis would have married her" Crystal said, smiling cruelly.

___________

<< NEXT DAY ~ ITALY >>

An excited Flora watch through the window as the plane land on the ground of Italy.

A while later with her bag pack in hand, Flora walk out of the airport.

She tried Christopher number for the twelvth time but he still won't pick.

Should she just deliver the package and leave? Flora thought as two men in black approach her.

"Welcome to Italy Madam" one of them said as they both did a bow.

Cassandra told her that two men will be waiting to escort her but she didn't expect this special treatment when she's just an errand girl.

"We will be escorting you to stone castle, if you will get into the car, we will be on our way, madam" The guy said again, his English faltering a bit.

"Errr, you don't have to be formal. Just like you I am also a worker, feel free to call me by my name " Flora said.

"Am sorry but I can't do that. You are very high and I am....low. So I can't call you that" The guy said, urging her to get in.

Flora got into the car and stayed quiet, starring at the buildings and streets of the city.

When they drive into the stone castle premise, Flora couldn't help but to notice the red roses attach to some of the doors and building.

"Is a marriage taking place?" A smile lit up her face as she ask the guards the question.

She read somewhere that whenever there's a marriage taking place in italy, red roses are attach everywhere since it symbolize love.

As soon as the car halt, Flora was surprise to see more guards waiting and as soon as she got down from the car, they all gave her a bow, saying.

"Welcome Madam"

What exactly is going on? Why are they giving her the queen treatment ? Is it the parcel she have with her?

Just before she left, Cassandra had warn her not to open the parcel and now, she's regretting that she didn't open to check it out.

"You are finally here. You look pretty in person, Come with me, I will show you to your room" a lady which Flora guess to be in her early sixties said as she pull Flora in.

"I don't need a room. I just want to deliver the parcel to Mr Francis...."

"Don't be in a hurry to see Francis, he should have been out there to welcome you but he's dealing with something, he will be with you soon and my name is Lolita but I prefer you call me Lita, let me take you to your room" Lita said, taking a confuse Flora upstairs.

While Lita help her unpack, Flora stood against the window starring outside.

"I saw red roses around. There's a wedding taking place, right? " Flora ask casually.

"Of course there is. It's your wedding after all" Lita said and that got Flora starring at her and at the same time, the door open revealing a very handsome young man.

"Thank God you are here, Francis. Your fiancee just arrive, isn't she pretty?" Lita ask the intimidating man standing at the entrance watching her.

" Seems like Dad chose a beautiful bride for me " Francis answer, his eyes twinkling with deep interest

STONE CASTLE ~ FIELD

The new recruits are ten in number with them being seven male and three female.

Chris being one of the seven male recruit stood against a tree, starring at Flora's picture which he brought with him when coming to Italy.

When he arrive the other day, his phone had been taken and he hasn't seen any other means to call Flora, she must be worried about him?

"New recruits gather around " Gray, the man in charge of the new recruits said as ten of them surround him.

"Today, we will be learning how to shoot a gun. Have anyone of you killed before?" Gray ask, looking intimidating as always.

No one replied except for a girl who raise her hand.

"So you have killed someone?" Gray ask the girl who shook her head in answer.

"Then why raise your hand?"

"It's just that she's sick, she's been pale since morning" Beth said starring at the girl beside her.

Gray walk towards the two of them, starring at Beth then at the girl who is indeed sick.

"Being sick isn't an excuse for her to leave. The training continues" Gray said cruelly.

"But she's sick and...." Beth didn't get to finish her word because Gray slap her, startling everyone.

"First rule in Stone castle is that no one undermine their leader, there are consequences if you do" Gray said.

With bloody lips, Beth glare at him about to speak again but the sick girl stop her.

"Don't! I will be fine" the sick girl said but Beth was too angry to let it go.

"Consequence you say? Tell me what consequence will you face if anything happens to her?" Beth ask, blood trickling down her lips.

"Are you still talking back at me?" Gray ask, walking towards Beth who didn't cower in fear.

At that moment, Jerome arrive at the scene but instead of interfering, he stood back watching how Gray will handle it.

"She's sick and needs attention. Is that too much to ask!" Beth said in return.

"Then she should never have come here if she knew she will be falling sick. The job we do here isn't meant for weaklings!" Gray rasp in anger.

"She never wanted to do this job, she applied here to be a maid and nothing else" Beth said, standing her ground.

"Seems like you little bitch need some beating to know how to respect your superior" Gray said, pushing Beth which made her fall on the grassy ground.

"Put your head down! Put down your freaking head and stop starring at me" Gray said to Beth who kept glaring at him.

Gray pulled out his gun, pointing it at Beth who still didn't cower in fear.

He would have pulled the trigger if it wasn't for Chris who took the gun from him.

"What the hell are you doing?" Gray yell at him.

"Just because you are our superior doesn't give you the right to hit anyone most especially a girl" Chris said, glaring at him.

"Seems like you two are asking for it" Gray said, pulling out another gun.

"Gray!" Jerome call got Gray turning around.

"What's going on?" Jerome ask, approaching them.

"It's just some recruits trying to act smart but I have it under control. Don't worry" Gray explain while Chris help Beth up.

Jerome ignore Gray explanation and went towards Beth who was dusting dirt off her body.

"Why don't you tell me what's going on?" Jerome ask as Beth stare at him.

"If I tell you are you sure you won't take his side?" Beth ask, wondering why she found his eyes beautiful.

"Try me" Jerome urge, a smile splaying on his lips.

"A friend of mine applied to work here as a maid but they force her to join us which is something she's not use to. She's pale and sick and when I told him, he hit me" Beth said, glaring her hate at Gray.

"That's a lie, you know...."

"Is that your friend?" Jerome ask, cutting Gray off.

"She is. Come here, Velvet" Beth call as Velvet walk towards them.

Jerome signalled two guards and ordered them to accompany Velvet to the infirmary.

"A lady called Bloom will come see you but make sure you get enough rest, Velvet" Jerome said to Velvet who nodded and left with the guards.

"I think you should go to the infirmary as well" Chris said to Beth who shook her head, saying.

"I am fine"

"Your friend is right, you should let the doctor...."

"If I can't handle an injured lips then how will I be able to handle a gun injury. This is nothing compared to what I will be facing in the future" Beth said, refusing Jerome help.

Her refusal should have gotten Jerome angry but instead it intrigue him.

Taking out his handkerchief, he place it in Beth hand.

"Use it to wipe the blood. A lady needs to look pretty all the time" He said, walking to whisper to Gray to handle the new recruits with care before walking off.

He stop, wanting to have one last look at Beth and saw her pocketing his handkerchief.

She didn't throw it away, he thought as a smile tilt his lips.

________

<< FLORA'S ROOM >>

A beautiful bride? What are they saying? How can she be his bride when she only came here to deliver something?

It must be a mistake, they must think her to be someone else.

She better make it clear who she is before things get worse.

"Nanny Lita, can you leave us alone" Francis said to Lita who was still helping Flora to unpack.

Flora stared at him to see him looking at her, his eyes never for once leaving her which made her nervous.

"Make sure you don't wear her out, she just arrive and she needs to eat and freshen up, I will be back in an hour to help her" Lita said.

"An hour will be enough to get acquainted with my bride to be" Francis said this while starring at Flora.

Lita nod to his response and left them.