The Lucifer's bride

🥀 The Lucifer's bride 🥀

{...Turn Of Destiny...}

CHAPTER 1

THEME; Unspoken Longings.

By,

Lizzy Writes ✍️✍️✍️

★

~ USA~ CALIFORNIA~

The thick smoke which filled the room woke a drowsy Camila.

She was tied on a chair like a thief waiting for her punishment.

The arrival of someone got her sitting upright. She knew who it was by his smell, she has always hated the smell since it reek of the blood of people he has killed.

Will her blood also smell on him too? She thought as the footstep grew closer till she was faced with the devil.

"You've taken something precious from me and it's only right that you die" he said,bringing out a sharp dagger.

"Don't kill me....don't kill me" But her pleas were caught short when he went to her back and slit her throat.

At that moment, Camila woke up from her dream, clutching her neck tightly.

She was breathing heavily as she realise that she's not in Italy and that she's in California, a place she's been at for the past ten years.

"Had that dream again?" Rose, a close friend and also Camila business partner asked as she walk into the resting room.

"This is getting frequent, why don't you just see a doctor?" Rose suggest.

Camila shook her head negatively.

"It will wear off" Camila said .

"You've been saying that for the past three months now and yet you keep on dreaming about it. I think this is a sign"

"What sign?" Camila asked and Rose shrug before saying.

"A sign that it's time for you tell Lucas father the truth. It's been ten years and he knows nothing about his son...."rose said

"And it will keep on being that way! I won't let that demon be aware of my son existence, not in this lifetime" Camila said hotly.

"With what you've told me about Lucas father, I can understand but then Lucas has been asking about his father? Will you keep telling him that his father is father Christmas and that he only comes during Christmas?" Rose said, Camila let out a sigh.

"I can't keep lying to him forever. A time will come when I tell him the truth but not now. Since it's time for your lunch break, I will take over" Camila said and left the rest room.

She got to the counter and was occupied when a customer walk in requesting for a book in particular.

Even while making conversation with the lady, Camila's mind kept drifting to ten years back, when everything began.

****

~ FLASHBACK~ TEN YEARS AGO~ ITALY

A young Camila was in the kitchen, preparing dinner when the door suddenly burst open and dishevel Sabrina came in, holding a small box.

"What's wrong?" Camila asked, taking in her friend untidy state.

"I...I...I...did something" said Sabrina, shakingly.

"What did you do?" Camila asked, hoping it hadn't been to kill someone.

She has always hate the fact that Sabrina work with the most notorious group in Italy but Camila could do nothing since Sabrina enjoyed working with them.

"I stole someone sperm box" Sabrina said, a smile curving her lips.

"You did what?"

"This sperm box belongs to Mariano and I intend to use it on myself" Sabrina said.

"You want to have that guy child?" Camila asked in total puzzle.

"After f**king me for so long, he wants to discard me now. I won't let him succeed, once he knows am having his baby, he will have no choice but to have me in his life, Forever" Sabrina stated with conviction.

"But Sab...."

"Don't try to stop me. I made up my mind when I stole the sperm box. So, come with me to the hospital" Sabrina said....

*****

~ END OF FLASHBACK~ CALIFORNIA~

Camila shook her head, trying to get the past off her mind and she succeed.

With the customer gone, she tried to read her favourite novel while she pass out time, waiting for her son to arrive from school but when it was time for him to return, there was no sign of him.

Lucas school is quite close to the book store and so, she often let him come by himself rather than to pick him up.

"He still isn't back yet?" Rose asked.

"He isn't. I will go pick him up myself" She said and left the bookstore.

As soon as she got to his school, she was told by the teacher that Lucas has been absent for the day.

"But that's impossible, I took him to school this morning" Camila said, remembering she dropped him off at the entrance.

After confirming that Lucas have been absent all day. Camila went back to the house.

"Lucas. My love, where are you?" She called, hoping he would be at home but there was no sign of him.

A worried Camila was leaving the house when she notice a piece of paper on the table. On it was written * To My Dear Mom*

As soon as she read the content, a gasp left her lips and she felt like everything around her is all crumbling.

"No, Lucas. No!" She yelled and ran out of the house.

******

~ ITALY~ FLORENCE AIRPORT ~

Amongst the people going about in the airport.

A little boy of ten could be seen walking out of the airport, carrying his backpack which had his things in it.

A smile left his lips as he took in the scenery of Florence city.

Around this time last year, he only had this journey in mind and now, he's finally here.

"Need a lift Bambino? (Kid) " A taxi driver asked and Lucas gave a nod.

"Am going to sand castle. Can you take me there?"lucus said

"Now why will a Bambino like you want to go to sand castle?"

"I have to meet someone, someone very important to me, Can you take me there?" Lucas asked and the man nodded.

With Lucas safely tuck at the back seat, the driver left the airport.

Eight years ago, Lucas had been oblivious about his father existence. He had belived his mom when she told him that father Christmas was his father but the kids at school made things clear to him that father Christmas is not his father.

Lucas had cried a lot after finding out that father Christmas is not his father and then one day, he overheard his mother conversation with aunt Rose.

And it was then he decided to seek his father out since his mom won't tell him anything about his father.

"Here we are Bambino" the driver said and Lucas got out to give him money.

"It's five euro" the driver said when Lucas gave him the money.

"It's one euro sir, I did my calculation" Lucas replied with certainty leaving the driver speechless.

As soon as the driver drove off, Lucas approach two ladies to ask for direction.

"Hello, bellissima (beautiful) how are you doing" Lucas greeted the ladies who were both flattered by his endearment.

" How can we help you?"

"I need to get to sand castle. Can you tell me the direction?" Lucas said and surprisingly, they took him to the entrance themselves.

"Can I have your hand?" Lucas asked puzzling both girls.

One of them stretch forth her hand, thinking he wanted to shake it but then, he took hold of it and kiss it lightly.

He did the same with the other lady, adding a wink to it.

"Grazie bellissima (thank you beautiful)" Lucas said and they both laugh, charmed by his cute behaviour.

When they left, Lucas stared at the large building in front of him.

Very soon, he will meet his father,that he has been longing to see since his mother did not what to tell him who is father was he thought inwardly.

*****

~ SAND CASTLE ~ TORTURE ROOM ~

A naked man could be seen tied up with chain like an animal while being tortured.

"Still won't talk?" Bianca, known as Venom amongst the clan said as she use her pocket knife to tear his flesh once again.

"You keep cutting his arm, chest and leg while you leave a vital part of his body. Don't tell me you are planning on saving his d*ck for yourself?" Someone said from behind and Bianca stopped her torturing to glare at Stephan. Just like her, everyone called him Fox since it's his nickname.

"How about I cut yours instead and feed it to the dogs" Bianca said hotly.

"Fine, I will keep my mouth shut and let the witch do her thing" he said and immediately, she threw a dagger at him but Stephan was quick to react.

The dagger cut through the door and at that moment, the door open to reveal another man.

His presence itself got Bianca and Stephan standing right while the tortured man began shaking.

On the man right arm was a tattoo which goes all the way to his body. His hair was blond which made him more attractive and more younger.

He had a cigarette in his hand while his other hand was safely tuck in his pocket.

"Any progress?" Mariano asked, puffing his cigar.

"He is as hard as a mule, he won't talk" Bianca replied, her gaze staying on Mariano's body.

"That's because you've been taking it easy with him" said Mariano looking dangerous.

He walk towards the tortured man and put the burning part of his cigarette on the man eyes.

The screaming of the man got Mariano smiling.

"You won't have to go through this if you just tell me where those girls are" Mariano voice came out in a whisper.

"I swear to you...I don't know where they are?"

"You are involve in child trafficking and yet you claim you don't know where they take those children to? Have had enough" Mariano said.

On hearing that, Stephan pick up Mariano's favourite dagger and gave it to him.

"No please...I will talk" the man cried out .

"Too late" Mariano said and in one swift move, he cut off the man d**k.

Holding the dagger properly, Mariano began slashing his chest not bothered about the blood spilling on him.

"Cut him bit by bit,cut him like a animal ,and feed him to the dogs" Mariano ordered two men who came to take the corpse away.

"You never cease to amaze me" Stephan said as he passed a towel to Mariano to wipe the blood stain.

"I had something else to attend to and he was wasting my time" Mariano said, Stephan smiled.

"And is the something you have to attend to very important?" Bianca asked as she joined them.

"It is "

"What about our thing tonight?" Bianca asked, referring to the illicit night they often have together.

"That would have to be some other time" Mariano replied and walk off.

"Seems like he's getting bored of you" Stephan mock as she threw a glare his way.

"Stop imagining you will ever be the boss lady. It wouldn't suit you anyway" Stephan said and turn to leave.

"Stephan " Bianca called and as soon as he turn to her, he received a punch on the face.

"Jerk" she spat and left him groaning in pain.

Mariano had just change into another shirt when he heard a knock.

"Boss, someone is outside,he siad he is looking for you " Cora, daughter of the head maid inform.

"And who is this guest?" Mariano asked, the moment he open the door.

"I think you should see him yourself ,cause he asked of you " Cora replied.

A while later, Mariano walk into his private study and met a little boy there smiling.

"Are you the guest that came to see me?" Mariano asked, feeling a bit surprise.

""Hello, Am Lucas Smith" The little kid said and an amuse Mariano took his outstretch hand.

"And to what do I owe this visit, Lucas Smith?" Mariano asked softly.

"I actually came here to introduce myself to you, papa" As soon as Mariano heard that, his brow raised in question.

"W.....what did you just call me?" Mariano asked in shocked he could not believe it that he called him papa.

"Papa. I believe the Italians call their father that way. Nice to meet you" he said smiling looking straight into his eye

🥀 the Lucifer bride 🥀

{...Turn Of Destiny...}

CHAPTER 2

THEME; Unspoken Longings.

By,

Lizzy Writes ✍️

★

~ ITALY ~ SAND CASTLE ~

"Papa. I believe the Italians call their father that way. Nice to meet you"

Mariano was lost for words. Knowing the kind of job he has, Mariano have always been prepared for anything but he didn't really expect this sort of thing.

"You think you are my son?" Mariano asked.

"I don't think. I know that am your son, I heard mother talking about it" Lucas replied.

Mariano came down on his knees so he could be on the sand height with the kid.

"Tell me more about your mother"

"She's Camila Carlos. She had been living here in the past but when she got pregnant, she went to California and also she mentioned someone that day...Err, Sabrina. Yes, she had called Sabrina though I don't know who she is" Lucas told him.

If it's the same Sabrina he knew then his mother will be Camila, Sabrina's close friend.

A girl who have always looked at him with contempt and disapproval. If he had slept with her then he will surely remember.

"I forgot to tell you something else" Lucas voice broke into his thoughts.

"What is it?"

"Mother has no idea that I am here, I kind of...ran away"

"What!"

*****

~ ITALY ~ AIRPORT

As soon as she took her back pack which had a few of her necessities, Camila left the airport in a rush.

"To sand castle, please" she told the cab driver who immediately drove off.

Why would Lucas do such a thing...she will admit that it's her fault for giving him space to do whatever he want but she didn't expect him to go this far....she thought inwardly.

Unfolding the letter he had left her, she went through it's content again.

💌 " By the time you read this, I will be gone. Do not be alarm mom, I just went to Italy to see dad. I heard you talking with aunt Rose and I know that my father is someone called Mariano Castillo and that he lives in Florence. Am sorry if my leaving has hurt you but I...really want to see my dad" 💌

Camila crumple the letter hoping with all her heart that nothing has happen to him and that once she gets to sand castle, she will find him there.

Just the thought of Mariano aware of Lucas existence terrify her.

Not only is he a devil, he is also a murderer. He had killed Sabrina after all.

"We are here " the driver said and after paying, she headed for sand castle.

*****

~ Sand Castle ~

Mariano stood against the wall watching Lucas play a game of chess with Cora who has been charmed by the little kid.

He will admit that there's a bit of resemblance there but then...Camila would never have had his child.

The incident which took place years ago have long been clarified. Sabrina had told him that she'd use the sperm on herself and he's sure that Camila would never have agree to having them inject his sperm in her or did she?

"Boss, the security guard just called saying there's a lady outside claiming to be the kid mom" one of his men said.

"Tell them to let her in" Mariano said and a while later, Camila was ushered into sand castle.

It felt weird being in this place again. If it were up to her, she would never have set foot in sand castle since she knew the illegal things they did but back then, Sabrina had always insist she come along whenever a party was being thrown.

"In here " the man escorting her said and she walk into what seem like a sitting room.

She could hear Lucas voice and she felt relieve.

"Lucas" she called as soon as she saw him.

"Mommy!" He called and ran to give her a hug in return.

"Do you know how scared I was" Camila ask as she held him tight.

"Am sorry mommy but if I had told you, you won't let me see daddy"

"Daddy?" Camila asked a bit confuse.

Mariano chose that moment to show up.

"Yes, Daddy to be precise" Mariano answered her and on seeing him, Camila held Lucas protectively to her and Mariano couldn't help but to notice.

"Tell us why your son thinks me to be his father?" Mariano asked, waiting for an explanation.

"He is my daddy, right? I heard you talking to aunt Rose about him" Lucas said, staring up at her.

Camila pulled her gaze away from Mariano and force a smile on her face before crouching in front of her son.

"I don't know what you've heard but this man is not your father. I met your father back in the US" Camila said, hating the fact that she has to lie but its the best for everyone, most especially for Lucas.

"But you said..."

"Forget what you heard, okay" Camila cut him off and he nodded.

He move away from her and went to Mariano.

"It's all a misunderstanding sir, am sorry for the bother" Lucas said politely and Mariano couldn't help but to smile.

A frown replace the smile and he motion to Cora.

"Take him out for a stroll, I need to talk to his mom, alone" Mariano added and when Camila tried to protest.

Mariano took hold of her hand and pulled her into a room which could called a study.

"You are hurting me!" Camila said as she pulled her hand out of his.

"Care to explain what is going on?"

"There's nothing going on. I do admit that it's my fault for not watching over Lucas but you don't need to be bothered by it and you can be rest assured that he is not your son" She said crisply and notice the relief in his eyes.

"Are you sure cause I can't help but to think back to ten years ago"

"Ten years ago, you were dating my friend and ..."

"Dating? " Mariano asked in disbelief.

"I definitely wasn't dating Sabrina. What Sabrina and I had was just...a Passionate rendezvous. She knew the score just like I did and besides I don't do dating" he said callously.

"Wow....I knew you were a jerk but never till this extent. If you knew you didn't love her then why on earth did you get involve with her? Love blinded her and made her choose the worthless of all men " As soon as Camila said that, she knew she'd said the wrong thing cause Mariano was no longer in a good mood.

His face has darken and he looked like the devil himself.

"I...I didn't...mean that" she said, moving backwards while he kept cornering her till she hit her back against the wall.

"When I met you ten years ago. I knew you didn't like me and believe me when I say that I didn't like you too. I tolerated your contemptful gaze because of Sabrina but now, Sabrina is gone and I won't hesitate to put you in your place" his voice came out rough and menacing, making Camila shiver in fear.

"Am sorry...I never meant to say that, neither did I mean to show myself in front of you again. Have book a flight back to California tonight, I promise to leave and never come back" she said, her eyes closed.

Minutes went by and she heard nothing from Mariano, she knew he was standing in front of her then why isn't he saying anything.

Opening her eyes, she saw him starring at her. A look she couldn't decipher was there on his face but then he masked it quickly and move away from her.

Clearing his throat, he said.

"You are going no where"

"What?"

"Stay here for the night and you can leave tomorrow"

"But I... "

"It's late, think about Lucas. He's just ten" Mariano said as someone knock on the door.

"Boss, Lady Bianca said that should she begin the party preparation?" One of his men asked.

"Yes. As always, we will be having a party tonight but first, take this lady to madam Brooks, she will know what to do" Mariano said and left the study.

*****

~ SAND CASTLE PARTY ROOM ~

The room was filled with sand castle employee as they all danced and enjoyed the night.

It was a tradition of Mariano to always throw a party after conquering an enemy.

Amongst the people in the room stood two handsome twins.

They were well built and were handsome too but most of all they were identical.

"Tch! Why are staying by my side when I know you want to be with those girls over there?" Alexis, the more calm and level headed amongst the twin asked.

"Nah! Have had enough of those girls already. Have got someone else in mind" Paolo, the more crazy one replied.

"Now who is this poor girl you plan on f**king and dumping?" Alexis asked slowly.

"Madam Brooks daughter" Paolo replied.

"The girl who just came back from California a week ago?"

"The one and only. Her name is Cora and she's....quite stunning. I have a feeling that I will enjoy whatever f**k we both have"

"That is if she falls for you" Alexis said.

"She definitely will, I will make sure of that" Paolo said and raise his glass at Bianca who just arrive.

On the dance floor was a plain girl in glasses, who kept stepping on the foot of her partner each time she dance.

"My God! Can't you do without stepping on me!" Matteo spat out in anger.

"Am sorry. I told you already that I can't dance but you insisted and..."

"So now, I can't ask my girlfriend to dance with me again? You prefer I dance with someone else?" Matteo asked and Luna quickly shake her head.

"You know what, I think it's best I dance with someone else. Seeing you alone makes me mad" Matteo said and right in front of her, he went to dance with someone else.

Luna went back to the counter only for someone to pass her a glass of whiskey.

"Had a fight again?" Enzo asked as Luna push up her glass.

"It's my fault. I kept on stepping on him"

"He knew about it and still insist on you dancing, it's definitely not your fault"

"It is, Enzo. I lack everything a woman has but yet, Matteo chose me to be his girlfriend and that's something am grateful for"

"Grateful? Is it gratitude you feel towards him?" Enzo asked.

"Not just gratitude. I love him and he loves me too, he will never do a thing to hurt me" Luna said with certainty while Enzo felt sad.

"Hey bitch" Lenora called as she went towards Bianca.

"Have told you severally to stop calling me that!" Bianca half yelled.

"Okay! Am sorry. Seems like you are in a bad mood. Is it really true that the kid who came here today is Mariano's son?" Lenora asked.

"Of course not! The stupid boy just lost his way. Mariano isn't the type to have a child, if he were, I would have been pregnant by now"

"Wow...you are willing to have Mariano's child , you must be hopelessly in love with him"

"It's not a crime to be in love and as for having his child, I plan to work on it tonight. Can you help me " Bianca asked just as Lenora got a message.

💌 " The duck is acting out again. Bring your @ss to the back room, I need a little f**k " 💌

On reading that, a smile appeared on Lenora's face and quickly she excuse herself, heading to the back room.

*****

~ SNEAK PEEK TO THE FUTURE ~

The car drove out of Sand Castle and Camila could finally breathe in peace.

She pulled a sleeping Liam close to her and was starring out of the wind screen when their car suddenly break to a halt.

"What's wrong?" Camila ask.

"Someone over took us " the driver replied.

At that moment, the door open and Mariano got out of the car with two men in toll.

The two men open the door and took Lucas from her.

"What are you doing! Why are you taking my son?" Camila yelled as she came out of the car.

"It would have been better if I didn't know of his existence and now that I know, there's no way In hell I will let my son go" Mariano replied and she gasp out in shock.

"Lucas is my son! You can't separate him from me" Camila yelled at him.

"And who said anything about separating you from him" she gave him a puzzle look.

"You won't be separated from him since you are coming along. You need to pay for hiding my son from me for ten years" he said and carried her over his arms,heading to his car...

🥀 The Lucifer's bride

{...Turn Of Destiny...}

CHAPTER 3

THEME; Unspoken Longings.

By,

Lizzy Writes ✍️

★

~ HOURS EARLIER ~ SAND CASTLE~ PARTY~

"Ahhh! F^ck! Keep digging that shit into me" Lenora moan out in satisfaction while Matteo kept f^cking her.

They were at the back room while the party kept going on in the other room.

"Oh my gosh! Am gonna cum!" Lenora said and Matteo lifted her off the floor and against the wall, slamming hard into her.

They both released and for a while, they stood that way, trying to steady their breath.

"As usual you were great" Matteo compliment while buckling his belt.

"Great enough for you to dump Luna for?" Lenora asked and Matteo sighed out.

"Are we going to talk about Luna again?"

"Yes. You keep f*king me while you go around with that duck, introducing her as your girlfriend. I also want to be introduced as your girlfriend"

"What's funny?" Lenora ask when Matteo burst into laughter.

"If I were to leave Luna, what exactly will you offer me? Your body?"

"The only thing you've got is your pretty face and good body and as for Luna, though she lacks with the face thing, she's more stable. You know am a new recruit and I don't know when I will be layed off but dating Luna has help me secure a strong hold since she's close to Mariano" Matteo added.

"So, am only good for s*x?" Lenora asked.

"Bingo. Now stop thinking hard about it, it will only wear you off. I need to go out there and play the sweet boyfriend once again, see you around" He said and left.

Lenora tighten her fist in anger.

*****

With two glasses in hand Bianca went to where Mariano was seated.

She glared at the two girls seated by his side and immediately, they stood up.

"Drink this" Bianca offered Mariano but he decline.

Though Camila had confirm to him that Lucas is not his son, he can't help but to think about it.

"This place is noisy, why don't we find somewhere more quiet" Bianca whispered into his ear before licking it.

"Am not in the mood"

"But am all prepared you know, have got no panties under this dress of mine" Bianca said trying to make him want her but he stood up and left.

At one side of the party room stood Mariano, who was trying to diminish his thoughts with a glass of vodka.

"Boss, just as you've request. The fence has been rebuilt again" A man in his late fifty, who is the oldest and head of security inform.

"Okay Martin" Mariano replied, turning back to continue with his solitude.

"You must be thrilled to meet your son " Martin said and Mariano turn to him.

"Son?"

"The little kid who came looking for you today. Though I saw him briefly, I could see the resemblance between you two, he looks exactly like you" Martin explain.

"You've got it wrong. He's not my son" Mariano replied, confusing the old man.

"Really? I thought he is, with everything that happen ten years ago I..."

"What happen ten years ago?" Mariano asked, cutting the man off.

"Remember back then that I had sprain my ankle, I went to the hospital for a check up and saw Sabrina with Lucas mother"

"They both looked nervous, especially Sabrina. I didn't get to ask more since they hurriedly went off but then I overheard the nurse saying something about A...how did she call it again...something about art" Martin said, scratching his head.

"Artificial insemination" Mariano said and Martin nodded.

"I don't know why it's hard to pronounce"

"Tell me something. Was Sabrina holding a little box when you ran into them at the hospital?"

"Yes! She was holding a box, I remember clearly cause I found the box weird" Martin replied.

"Thanks Martin" Mariano said and left a dazed Martin on his own.

Mariano left the party hall and was heading to the room given to Camila when he came across Cora.

"This is Lucas, right?" Mariano asked starring at the back bag with Cora.

"Yes"

He took it from a confuse Cora and pour out it content.

Taking Lucas tooth brush, he return every other thing in to the bag.

"Whatever happen, Camila must never know that I took this" he said to Cora before leaving.

Some minutes later, Alexis join Mariano in his study.

"You called for me, boss"

"I need you to get a DNA test done for me"

"Right now? "

"Yes and if it's possible, I want the result tonight"

"But that will be hard boss. Have often heard that it takes up to two to three days for you to get the re..."

"That will be too late for me. I want the result tonight, tell whoever is in charge that I am the one requesting for it. No one will dare refuse me" Mariano said with authority and Alexis quickly went to do his bidding.

*****

When Lucas finally slept off, Camila kissed his forehead and went to the balcony to stare at the night sky.

She could hear the music coming from downstairs but that didn't stop her thoughts from wandering off.

Once again, she let herself drift to ten years ago.

*

~ FLASHBACK ~ HOSPITAL ~

*

"Must you really do this?" Camila asked as she followed Sabrina into the hospital.

"I have to. I told you that there's no way am losing Mariano and if I have to get pregnant with his child then so be it" Sabrina said firmly.

They were led into the doctor's office who made it clear to them that it's impossible for Sabrina to undergo the insemination since she has a problem with her uterus.

"So, am destined to never become a mother right?" Sabrina said sadly.

They had left the doctor's office and were now seated at the corridor.

"There's always a chance for you to be a mom. So stop brooding over it and also, let's get rid of the insemination thing" Camila told her friend.

"I can't! It was hard for me to steal this and now, I should let it go just because I have a problem!"

"Then what do suggest we do cause there's no possibility that you will get pregnant even with Mariano sperm in you" Camila said, wanting her friend to be realistic.

"You can do it then. You've got no problem carrying his child, right?" Sabrina said suddenly.

"What! There's no way am going to have that man's child. You know I don't like him"

"I know but can't you do this for me? You help carry the child and when it's born, I take the child and present him to Mariano as ours" Sabrina explained.

"This is insane. I can't do it Sabrina, I just don't see myself doing it, you will have to find someone else or you stop this madness once and for all" Camila said.

She stood up to leave but a hit on the back got her losing conciousness.

Camila woke up some hours later to find herself in one of the hospital room.

"You are awake" a nurse said, smiling brightly at her.

"What happen?"

"You fainted and was brought here to rest" the nurse replied.

"What about my friend?"

"The lady, she left a while ago. It was hard for her to watch the insemination take place and..."

"Insemination? What insemination?" Camila asked and the nurse looked a little confuse.

"Er...it's the one where a sperm is injected into one's body "

"Don't tell me the insemination took place in my body?" Camila asked, looking very pale.

"It did. I thought your friend told you about it before it happen" the nurse said.

"Well, she told me to give this letter to you" The nurse added before leaving the ward.

With shaky hands, Camila read it's content.

★ I KNOW THAT YOU WILL HATE ME FOR DOING THIS TO YOU AND AM SORRY BUT I JUST CAN'T LET IT GO WHICH IS WHILE I LET THEM DO THE INSEMINATION ON YOU. IF YOU END UP GETTING PREGNANT DON'T ABORT THE CHILD, I PROMISE TO COME BACK FOR THE BABY ★

Camila crumple the paper and hope with all her heart that she won't end up with a child but at the end, she did.

Finding out about the pregnancy some few weeks later. Camila went in search of Sabrina since they didn't see each other after the incident.

On getting to sand castle, Camila was told about Sabrina's death and she decided then and there to leave Italy and start afresh with her unborn child.

*

END OF FLASHBACK

*

A knock on the door brought Camila back to the present.

She was hesitant to open the door at first since she didn't want to see Mariano but when Cora told her it was her.

Camila let her in.

"I came to give you this. I found it in the sitting room" Cora said, giving to her Lucas back pack.

"Thanks" Camila said, expecting the girl to leave but then Cora turn to her.

"Can I please stay with you for a while. I don't want to go to the party since am avoiding someone" Cora said.

Camila could feel that she wasn't lying and so, she let her in.

"Mind if I ask, who are you avoiding?" Camila asked as they both settled on the sofa.

"Paolo"

"And who is he?"

"One of *The Savages* "

"And who are The Savages?" Camila asked.

"Mariano's men. They call themselves that since they are a group" Cora replied.

"And aren't you one of them?"

"No. Actually, I just came back from California. I was living here some few years ago but after getting a scholarship in one of the middle school in California, I had to leave"

"But I came back to stay with Mom and also to help Mariano. Am an accountant" Cora added.

Camila gave a nod.

"Then this Paolo guy took one look at you and decided to pursue you?"

"How did you know that? Your a genius" Cora said, Camila laugh.

"It's easy to guess. So, are you going to accept him or not?"

"Never! He's good looking and very good at what he does but then I don't like his personality. He's just not my type" Cora said.

"Have you told him then?"

"Countless of times but he keeps pursuing me and I know that he's only after sleeping with me which is why, I will never give him a chance"

"Was Lucas father like that too when he was pursuing you?" Cora asked.

"He was a bit gentle but let's not talk about him, let's talk about you instead. Tell me more about yourself" Camila change the subject and Cora was too pleased to talk about herself than to notice the nervous look on Camila.

The rest of the night was spent with them talking and bonding.

*****

~ MORNING ~

As soon as Mariano heard the door, he stood up from the chair, where he spent the night waiting for Alexis return.

"What took you so long!" Mariano yelled at him.

"They were all trying to get your work done" Alexis replied.

Snatching the paper from him, Mariano read it's content.

"It match. You are the kid father" Alexis told him having been told of the result at the hospital.

"Where's Camila right now?"

"I just saw her getting into the car with the little boy" Alexis replied.

"Get my car ready. Camila mustn't leave with my son" He ordered brusquely...