Till Death Do us Apart - Episode 71,72,73&74

 

TILL D£ATH DO US APART

Till Death Do us Apart - Episode 71,72,73&74

(The•Devil•I•Loved)

________________________

All rights reserved. 

No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, or reposted in any form, or by any means without a BOLDLY written permission from ME.

Copyright © 2025

Naomi Cindy B.

___________________

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Ivanna instantly backed out, taking two steps away. 

She literally just stepped away from his hand that's in her hair, so his hand stayed empty in the air, and he slowly dropped it, face twitching.

She acted like she didn't hear the nickname he just said and looked at the dress in the box again.

There are even shinny heels and accessories. The shoes share the same color with the crystal on the dress.

"LISSA WILL BE WEARING EXACTLY THIS DRESS TOMORROW." 

His earlier words re-echoed in her ears, and a sly but beautiful smirk pressed her lips softly.

She looked up, meeting his empty eyes which are currently eating her up like a scrumptious meal.

"I know my body proportions, and I recognize my fit just by setting eyes on it. This dress is going to fit me, but I'm not wearing it here." 

"And your reason for dropping this unappetizing sentence is?" He asked, stepping closer again.

She nearly stepped back for the second time, but he detected that move and snatched her hair, pulling her closer by the strands. 

He positioned his hand close to her scalp, so it didn't hurt much, but she felt a slight tingly sting as their faces stayed exactly in front of each other.

Just like earlier, their lips are an inch away from each other, but she didn't fold hers this time, she just returned his cold infringing gaze with a obstinately dark one.

"You've refused to let me meet my parents, so I refuse to give you the satisfaction of seeing this dress on me first. I will wear it tomorrow, and everyone will see it on me at the same time." She muttered.

For a careful minute, Leonardo noticed something new.

Her tongue—It's rare deep pink in colour, and it's cleanly beautiful.

Fûck. Tongue is beautiful now too?? He cursed himself inwardly.

He felt his thick brows curving, but he didn't release his hold on her hair.

"When you get boldly defiant like this, it's entertaining...Joy."

"Glad I'm able to entertain a daredevil like you. And once again, my name is Ivanna, or just call me pet like you always do, or... marionette. Joy sounds icky in your mouth." She muttered back, sneering.

"Joy...Joy...Joy." He said deliberately, lowering his lashes.

"You're insufferable," she muttered with enough grit.

He let out a quirky smirk before pressing his tongue habitually to his cheek. His hair fell over his face, and he roughly let go of her.

She staggered, but she was fast to get her bearings and straighten.

She hugged the box to her chest and smiled a fake smile, basically opening her teeth and closing it.

"Thank you!" She said sharply, leaving for the elevator.

After the elevator door closed, Leonardo went to Mommy's room.

This time, he didn't come for Vera's skeleton in the coffin.

He came for Ivanna's nîpple drawings that he made.

It's all scattered on the floor, so he picked one and stared tentatively at it, but he eventually pushed it aside and got a fresh blank paper.

He fetched a black pencil from inside the coffin, then he settled down and began drawing her tongue.

As he drew, he ate the bitter leftover wasabi peas on the table bowl like a creep, her addictive vanilla scent still lingering thickly in his nose.

He finished the first drawing in less than five minutes, and he immediately picked out his phone, dialling the estate kitchen staff line.

"The drinks?" He asked, rising up.

"All drinks for tomorrow are ready. Bourbon for you, Budweiser for the Don, Italian wine for the Padrino and the brigadiers, tequila and cocktails for your siblings and the rest of the mob." The staff read out.

"Add sugared tea to the list," Leonardo said, staring down at the tongue he drew and running his fingers through the edges.

"Sugared tea?" The staff repeated, the surprise in her voice so obvious.

"I didn't stutter," Leo deadpanned.

"Of course! Yes sir, we'll do that right away!" The staff quickly obliged.

--

[Training Hood]

Bacardi was rapidly losing her head. She's still standing by that door, and she still can't process anything as she stared at the two males.

Robert already broke the unwanted kiss with Bobby, and he boldly threw a punch at Bobby's lips.

Bobby's lips bursted, but he's smiling his menacing smile, wiping his bloody lips with the back of his palm.

"Why the hell would you even do that! Are you sick?" Robert demanded furiously, his eyes going from Bobby to Bacardi, and at the same time, he's wiping his lips with his thumb as if trying to wipe Bobby's kiss off.

"Sick? That shouldn't be a question, it's obvious." Bobby smiled again.

Robert threw the second punch at him immediately.

Bobby didn't dodge or try to retaliate.

"I'm not gay if you're one, you disgusting thing!" Robert panted.

"I'm not gay, Robert, I'm bixesual. I can do both." Bobby replied, getting serious as his smile disappeared.

"What!" Robert's eyes dilated.

Bobby tilted his head, and Robert's shock dissipated, then he drew closer and grabbed Bobby tightly by the front of his flannel shirt.

"You're bi, but I'm straighter than straight! Don't ever try this again,or I'll abandon the clan rule that says the low mobsters can't lay hands on the Esposito siblings, and I'll actually kill you... bastard!" He pushed him out of the way and spit on the floor before going for the door.

Bacardi is still there, but their eyes didn't even meet. He's looking at her, but she's not, cos as he's going out, she's coming in fully.

When Bacardi got to Bobby, she landed three consecutive punches on his face before slamming the back of her feet on his neck in a kick.

Bobby fell on the sitting area, and Bacardi tried giving him an additional jab to the jaw, but Bobby caught her arm and brought it down.

He dragged her to sit on that chair instead, and he stood in front of her, pressing her shoulders down.

Her punches left bruises on his lips, so he's bleeding slightly.

"Little sis, I won't entertain another punch again today. It's enough," he muttered, but Bacardi wasn't sold.

She tried headbutting him, but he pressed her shoulder's harder, gripping the bones.

Bacardi groaned.

"Know I wasn't so serious during our trainings, but I somehow managed to emerge as the best. Don't push me to hurt you." He warned, and that was replied with saliva from Bacardi.

She spit on his face.

"I was thinking Sandra escaped mum's smartness genes and she's different from all of us, but I was wrong! You're actually the rotten egg! Since we were young, you always want what belongs to others, and it's not because you really like it. "You are reading from www.mhiztaemy.com.ng" You intentionally do it just to make people know you're a menace! How could you kiss Robert!" 

"I kissed him cos i want him, I want to fûck him" Bobby whispered, the saliva crawling down his jaw.

Bacardi pushed his hands away and stood angrily.

"No! You kissed him cos you're bored! You always say you hate mum's ways, but truth is you're in love with it! Whenever Leo is bored, he gives people pains or try to inflict injuries on himself, he even shot himself once to kill boredom, but you...when you're bored, you annoy people intentionally, and I guess I'm your next victim cos you know what Robert is to me. You're not different from Leo actually!" 

"And what could Robert be to you?" Bobby said, picking a tissue to wipe the saliva on his jaw.

While on it, he was side-eyeing Bacardi with his grin.

"A guy you love and wanna spend the rest of your life with?" 

"I don't love Robert!" Bacardi snapped.

"Then why can't I f+k him? I'll drill the back, and whenever you're ready to leave your prude lifestyle, he's going to f+k you with his front." Bobby muttered.

"I hate you..." Bacardi said, disappointment roaming her eyes.

"Hate me all you want, but I'm only helping you save his life. He's already a Cooper, that's sin number one. Sin number two would be if granddad finds out you feel something for him, dude's gonna get pushed off a cliff mysteriously." Bobby grinned.

He dropped the tissue on the ground and started leaving.

"Aren't you missing something out?" Bacardi suddenly spoke, and he paused, looking back.

"Granddad doesn't want us getting entangled with feelings, so when you got entangled with Wendy, he probably did what he had to do.." Bacardi replied, coming closer.

Bobby frowned.

"What if Wendy didn't really cheat on you but she was set up to make you hate her madly?" Use your head for once instead of your d+k, bastard." Bacardi glared and slapped his shoulder before leaving the hood.

For the next one minute, Bobby stood there, pondering and wondering. His mind suddenly went cloudy.

He went back to sit at the sitting area, propping his elbows on his knees and inching his body forward.

"It can't be..." He muttered.

--

Outside, Robert didn't leave. He stayed by the corridor of the hood and waited till Bacardi appeared.

Bacardi saw him, but once again, she walked past him like a void.

"He instigated the kiss, and you saw how I pushed him off!" He quickly said, hoping she'd stop, and she did.

Bacardi turned with an expressionless face.

"Why are you explaining to me? You think I'm hurt?"

"No, I'm just—"

"Robert, don't get ahead of yourself. I planned to use you to mop my virginity, but as it stands now, Granddad is hunting for who to kill. It'd be fun to watch him kill you, but I'm not in the mood to see blood for now, so keep your distance, and switch back to calling me Bacardi, with Miss behind it." She cut him off.

She didn't wait for her answer, she resumed walking.

"And you won't change your mind later?" Robert said.

She stopped, but she didn't turn.

"I'll take heed to what you said; Keep my distance, switch back to your Miss era, and pretend not to see you whenever you walk past. I'll even make way for you." He said.

She looked back at this point and nodded. "Good."

She left, and Robert returned to the apartment.

He met the rest, including Tierney. They're all gushing over the box of dress on the table.

"I think tommorow is gonna be be lit, Robert! Look what Mr. Ghost gave to Anna!" Ginny gushed.

Robert opened the box, shocked at the dress and accessories.

"What's going on?" He blinked.

"According to him, Lissa is wearing this same shit tomorrow," Ivanna shrugged.

"Seriously? Then you shouldn't! It'd spell doom" Robert quickly sat.

"I shouldn't? What are you even saying? If we're going to prove ourselves worthy of taking revenge, then we'll start from somewhere." Ivanna frowned shortly.

"Jie-jie,I personally can't wait for you to wear the dress! I want to measure your beauty and Lissa's! Lissa is already madly beautiful!" Tierney gushed, shaking the bottle of chips he's holding.

"What do you mean? Of course my sis is prettier!" Ginny pushed his head.

"Agreed, that Lissa's br+sts and hips are bigger, but so what? Anna has hips too and her br+sts are rounder!" Ginny continued.

"My ears..." Robert groaned, covering his ears.

"Stop comparing our bodies, Gin." Ivanna cautioned.

"But I can't stand Tierney saying Lissa is prettier. Tsk!" Ginny grunted, and Ivanna smiled.

"Robert, are you ok?" She suddenly noticed his mood 

"Yeah.. just a bit under the weather." He smiled.

"Guys!" Nino entered the apartment, looking a bit cheerful.

"Oh, look who decided to grace our apartment with his presence! Did your girlfriend finally give you permission to visit?" Robert stood accusingly.

"Sorry about what happened in the kitchen the other day. Island has something on me, can't even smile if I want to." Nino explained.

"Iva told me bout it," Robert said.

"I knew it! I knew he was in a bind when I saw him in the kitchen getting fed by Donna's maid!" Tierney chirped in immediately.

"Stop talking, please..." Ginny pulled him back to his chair.

"I'm still investigating with Sandra though," Nino further talked.

"Sandra?" Robert said surprisingly.

"Did you find something yet?" Ivanna asked curiously.

"I was definitely poisoned, but we're still looking for the origin, I'll feed you guys the information as soon as it gets out. Damn, I missed everyone!" Nino groaned, hanging his arm on Robert's shoulder.

He hung the other one on Ivanna.

"Nice to meet you, Ginny!" He winked.

"I've been told about you. Robert said you're like his best friend in here," Ginny waved.

"Right," Nino smiled, facing Tierney.

"Food monger, you stay here too?" 

"Nope, I stay with Hilda!" Tierney winked back.

As if she was called, Hilda came in immediately, holding two dress boxes which she dropped on the table.

"One for Robert, and one for Ginny. Tierney, I dropped yours in our apartment, and Nino, yours has been delivered to your apartment too. I heard Ivanna got her box already." She said tiredly.

Robert and Ginny opened their boxes at the same time, and while Robert smiled at the suit, Ginny screamed, taking out her cute black dress.

"I've never seen a more beautiful dress all my life! It's the first time I'll be wearing a dress, this ceremony must be so important!" 

"You have a small skinny body, so I chose a cute dress for you, and of course the ceremony is important. It involves the brigadiers—the wolves, so all member of the mob will get a new dress." Hilda smiled.

"But every box dress and suit I've been seeing since morning is black—beautiful black." Tierney said.

"Are you slow? This is a mafia empire, of course black is the signature colour for any official ceremony." Nino replied.

"Nino is back to us?" Hilda said.

"Almost," Nino smiled.

Ivanna has been silent after hearing the black policy cos her own dress is white. This devil Ghost is really up to something disastrous tomorrow, and she can't wait to witness it.

"Can we get a briefing on how it'd go? I mean the ceremony." Robert asked.

"I've spent more than thirty years in here, and I witnessed four brigadiers ceremony, it comes with three important parts; They take the oath, Their family gets pronounced with a new rank on the calendar, so a new calendar is published, then..."

Hilda stopped at this point.

"Then?" They all chorused.

"The new brigadier will chose a weak member of the mob to kill, wet the ground with the blood, and he'd step on the blood before he can take his brigadier staff. It's a process that means the weak is food for the strong." Hilda said.

"The f+k! That's like a ritual! Holy hell!" Ginny gasped.

"Nothing has ever been normal in here, Ginny. You better brace." Hilda said like an advisory.

"But there'd be an after-party though," Nino said.

"Seriously?" Ivanna said.

"Yup, but the after-party will be the the day after tomorrow. The highlight is always a mud fight between two people to entertain the brigadiers. Mobsters will bet on who they think will win. It's like gambling with a life, cos two people enter the mud, but one will come out alive." Nino further explained.

"Intense," Tierney mumbled.

--

[Roses Sanctuary]

Sandra made sure Felicia isn't inside before she entered.

Like a thief, she looked around, watchful till she arrived at the middle where the roses clustered.

According to the doctor, the reason why the particles were still in Nino's sample isn't only because of the potency, it's also because the amount he was poisoned with is much, so whichever rose was used should reduce in quantity.

She knows Felicia hates unevenness in this sanctuary—the moment any of the roses or flowers wilt away, she's replacing it ASAP, so she'd have replaced it, but it happened like a week away, so the area she pruned should be brown somehow.

Using her fingers, she parted the shrouding roses, looking for any brown sign even in the least.

As she searched, Island peeked from one of the sanctuary windows.

She saw Sandra when she was coming here, and she decided to follow, wondering what her motive was, but now that she's watching, she couldn't help but grow suspicious.

"Did she find out about the poison?" She muttered quietly.

Sandra instinctively looked up from the roses, and Island quickly went down behind the window.

She crawled away with her palms and knees, then Sandra came out.

She looked at the opened end and dead end of that corridor, sighing, then she looked at her palm.

Right there, there's a taboo rose with brown edges, but that wasn't the only thing she found.

She also saw a tablet, and as she stared at the tablet on her second palm, she heaved.

"Seems mother is hiding more than meets the eye." 

--

[Penthouse]

"What are you talking about? Tommorow is my husband's big day, and you have to match dresses with me!" Penny said over the phone.

Felicia is currently talking to her, standing beside the cellar and checking the labels of the wine, looking for a new taste.

"I'm not matching dresses with you, Penny. Yes we're friends, but our husbands? I can't say the same. Thaddeus changed since he came back from prison, and I bet he wants nothing more than Thony's downfall." She replied.

"Thaddeus has always been competitive, you know it. And besides, our husbands aren't on good terms, should that affect us the wives? Felicia, Leo might not be your biological son but he's still your stepson and he'd be getting married to my daughter soon. We'll go from friends to in-laws, are you gonna continue keeping grudges?" Penny said from the other end.

Island entered instantly, and Felicia hung up on Penny.

"Any problem?" She faced Island.

"Donna, I think Miss Sandra found out about the poison. She was at the sanctuary just now and—"

"She probably went there to look for me," Felicia replied, finally picking a bottle of wine.

"No, Donna...she was searching the roses as if she was looking for something..." Island insisted.

"She has offered to help me prune roses a lotta times but I kept declining. She probably went there to do that in my absence." Felicia said.

"Donna I swear, she was—"

"Enough, Isla. You don't see Sandra trying to drive a wedge between me and you so why do you keep trying to drive a wedge between me and Sandra?" Felicia faced her.

"What! No! I know I'm just like a daughter to you while you see Sandra as your daughter directly. I wouldn't dare do that but—"

"Shh, Isla. Can you keep your suspicions till tomorrow after the ceremony? I'm too tired." Felicia cut her off and left her there.

"I dislike when she acts nonchalant like this!" Island stumped her shoes on the floor.

--

[Next Day, General Cyber-Hall]

Leonardo wouldn't agree for anyone else to enter that Citadel, so he fixed the session with Ginny and Tierney at the general hall.

The two got there before him,  but Ginny is wearing a nose mask and a hoodie which covered her head like she's here for a hunt.

He ignored the huntress and just got to work, going to Tierney first.

"Your capacity is 12?" He asked, clicking fast on the keys already.

"Yes, Ghost." Tierney smiled.

"You're increasing that to 20 today," Leonardo said, clicking the last key before turning the system screen to the young boy.

There's a game there—a difficult game of puzzles.

"Pu...zzles?" Tierney stuttered. 

Looking at it is already making his eyes dwindle.

"In Hydra forest where Monika and her fuckers are hiding, there are ground vaults which looks like puzzles. You have to push metals and rearrange formations before the vault opens. I built this game using that style. "You are reading from www.mhiztaemy.com.ng" Try to play and win, and hack the game if possible. But have it in mind that if you fail to achieve anything, I'll send you to join your grandpa." Leonardo instructed.

He pushed the snacks bowl on the table away, and the snacks scattered on the floor. Tierney swallowed,

"Yes... sir."

Leonardo left his side, going to Ginny's side.

Before he even arrived, her chest was already slamming, but when he arrived, she began panting.

When he dragged her laptop close and started instructing her, she only managed to listen.

"Apart from computer, you're also a mathematician, right?" He asked.

"Y--es...sir." she stammered, rubbing her palms together.

"Hydra forest is complex, but these fuckers know the nook and crannies and how many minutes it'd take for them to arrive at a particular point, not only because they've been there for a long time, but because they studied and mastered the length and breath and distances.," he replied, clicking the last button. 

The mathematical illustration of the forest appeared on screen, so complex and looking cumbersome already. Ginny gulped.

"Get it done..." He instructed again.

Ginny's tears fell on her cheeks, rolling down her chin, wetting her nose mask.

All she can imagine right now is Leonardo pointing his gun at her in the Sinners Assembly.

The scene is still fresh, so fresh that she began shaking so much, her chest slamming hard.

"Traumatized?" His voice came.

She couldn't speak.

Leonardo took off her mask and tossed it away, then lowered his face to meet hers.

She cried more and shifted back on her chair.

Eventually, he snapped his fingers, and a maid entered with a bottled water which he placed on the table.

"Drink," he said.

She took it, and it fell from her.

"When the f+k will you stop shaking like a fool!" He shouted, and Ginny bursted into full tears.

Tierney quickly came over...

"She.. she has a weak heart, so she gets scared easily, reason she looks younger than her age." He said.

"I know, and I never said you could come here..." Leonardo glared.

"Sorry sir..." Tierney apologized and quickly rushed back.

Leonardo picked the water and uncapped it himself, giving it to Ginny who shakily took it and drank.

"Your name?" He asked intentionally.

"Ginny Jewel Cooper!" She quickly replied.

"Your go-to goodie?" He asked.

"Ice cream!" She said sharply.

Leonardo paused after that mention, then he continued...

"Your colour?"

"Lavender, my best!" She replied.

By now, she's already stylishly wiping her tears.

"Your biggest phobia?" He asked.

She paused, then talked...

"You...are my biggest fear."

Leonardo smirked, turning his face to the computer.

"Cos I shot you with a wooden bullet? Maybe I shoulda used the real one, you wouldn't be here fearing." He muttered, and she hiccupped.

"Did that calm you down at all?" He asked, still facing the computer.

"Yes sir...a little." She replied.

Then he gave her the screen, and she shifted the laptop closer to herself.

"Get to work..." He said, and she nodded.

"Yes... teacher."

"It's Sir Leo." He replied, cringing before standing.

Ginny used headphones, then she got to work.

Tierney smiled at his side, focusing on work too.

Leonardo stood behind the two, his eyes going from one laptop to another.

By the door of the hall, Ivanna stood, watching. She has been here since the start, witnessing everything.

She looked at Leonardo for a minute—his back view, and the way his hair shrouded his head.

He suddenly turned, and she quickly left before he could see her. 

Leonardo didn't see her, but of course he knew she was there. Her strong vanilla scent was enough to alert him

When he saw she's gone, he returned his stare to the computer brainiacs in front of him, his eyes glinting.

He followed every of their clicks, giving instructions till his private guard entered to whisper in his ear.

"Valon is here... The Albanian spies brought him." 

Leonardo smiled, dastardly.

--

[Crimson Cave]

"The ceremony is starting by 7, isn't it?" Bradshaw asked, looking at his suit that's hung on the hanger.

"You already know, I dunno why you're asking," Moo replied.

She's in his room, chatting after the morning spar.

"And you actually think Leo won't kill Valon before we get there? As much as I hate that bastard, I agree he's insane with plans and I won't underestimate him. His spies are too active and it's crazy. I only hope no spy is among the gang." Bradshaw replied carefully.

"You better not let Leader hear that," Moo replied, jumping down from the table she's sitting on.

"Besides,if a spy were here, Leader would have fished the spy out within a minute. You don't underestimate Leo? Well I don't underestimate Leader too." Moo said.

"And where the hell is Dumpling? I haven't seen him around since last night." Bradshaw said.

"Dumpling? Hayden?" Moo scoffed.

"That's what gangsters have been calling him since he got dumped," Bradshaw chuckled.

No further reply before Moo left the room, and when she got out, first person she saw was Hayden.

He's walking down the corridor alone, shirtless. He's obviously just returning from the training hall.

She stared for seconds she couldn't calculate, and when she finally moved to was about to follow him, she got a beep on her watch.

•Time to move• 

Hayden also stopped cos he got the beep on his wristwatch too.

Bradshaw came out of his room, looking at his watch like the rest.

"It's finally time?" He grinned.

--

[House Of Esposito, 7pm]

There was no extra time, no dilly-dally. The celebration started exactly 7pm as scheduled.

Even before 7, the ballroom was already filled. Lateness isn't condoned in gatherings like this.

Lots of faces are present already.

There's Bacardi and Sandra who both wore expensive brocades, short and cûnty. They're part of the first people to arrive, and they're both uncharacteristically silent.

Bacardi's mind swung from Robert to Bobby's insanity.

Sandra's mind stayed on what she found out yesterday. Should she expose Felicia's ploy and free Nino?

She's still waiting for results from the doctor cos she gave him the tablet to investigate what it's used for.

Maybe after that, she'd decide.

Bobby looks dehydrated, he just entered and picked a tequila glass, drinking as he walked past his sisters.

"Bastard," Bacardi said.

"Did he do something crazy again?" Sandra asked.

Bacardi hasn't replied when she sighted Robert.

He entered the hall with Ginny and Tierney, and he even styled his hair.

He braided it in one side and left the other side free. He looks perfect with the smile he's flashing around.

Ginny is hanging on his right arm, and Tierney is by his left, scanning the room for any sign of food already, but this ceremony is too official for food so there's only drinks.

Tierney groaned.

Nino and Island entered together, and though he's still not as cheerful as his usual self, he still looks better than two days ago.

At least, there's a lead to the rape case. He's choosing to trust Sandra.

Sandra was scoffing when she saw how happy Island is to be beside Nino, and she couldn't help but cuss.

"That desperate dog,"

Don Anthony and Donna Felicia entered when the room was already heavy, and as if planned, Thaddeus and his family arrived too.

Thaddeus wore the ceremonial suit, but Penny and Lissa? They're like the highlight of tonight's ceremony.

Penny's dress is even more cûnty. She looks like a teenager, younger and attractive, but Lissa's white dress stole the spotlight as expected.

It's a new piece from a well-known stellar brand, and it's the only piece in this country presently.

Also, her body curves appreciated the dress so much it's blinding. The hips and burst,, then the face card.

"I expected her to go over-the-top for her dad's celebration, and she didn't disappoint," Bacardi muttered.

"I don't like her anymore, but I must say...the dress is s+×ily classy, and body is tea." Sandra replied.

"She's fineee..." Island commented from Nino's side.

Nino just shrugged.

"My gawd! Your dress is beautiful! And you look more beautiful, Lissa." Felicia complimented.

"Thank you, Donna." Lissa replied as politely as she can.

Emma is behind her, holding her purse securely.

"You blatantly refused to match dresses with me, Felicia." Penny said.

"Match this same dress you're wearing with you? It's too short, Penny. I'm not a single lady, I'm a married woman," Felicia replied.

"Congratulations on your feat, Thaddeus," Anthony said with a smile that's difficult to understand.

"Thanks, friend."  Thaddeus replied with the same dark smile.

They were still looking at each other when Leonardo walked past them.

He's just arriving.

"Won't the Ghost say his greetings to the brigadier-to-be?" Thaddeus said.

Leonardo turned, giving the bald man a blank look.

Normally, he'd wear white today cos it's a celebration he's not in support of, but he has decided to leave white for another person today, so he wore black like everyone else.

Even his undershirt is black, and his hair is still the way it was. It's even fuller now, shadowing his eyes more.

"Why should I greet?" He muttered without filter.

Thaddeus smiled darkly again. He knew he'd say that.

Leonardo gave his father a short glance before leaving to stand beside Bobby. He picked a bourbon glass and drank a little.

It tasted too warm, so he dropped it.

"Brother, what are you planning? You even wore black, first time you actually matched with everyone. Highly fishy," Bobby whispered.

"When you get pokey, it's unattractive," Leonardo replied.

Bobby snickered.

Lissa is still where she is, sitting and smiling at the comments she's hearing from the back.

"She's so damn attractive,"

"Seems she's gonna be announced as Ghost's future tonight."

"I'd take her if I were him too, she's a total package."

The mobsters aren't even holding anything back. They're throwing the comments, and she's enjoying it a lot.

She drank from a cup of wine which Emma handed to her.

When she lowered her cup, her eyes met with Robert's across the ballroom, and she gave him a smirk that says now that her father is climbing higher, they'd ruin the Cooper family completely.

A minute later, the brigadiers came in, led by Padrino Marko himself.

Silence descended in the hall. The silence is so loud that even the fall of a pin would clatter.

The old man held his walking cane savagely, walking upright—the cane is obviously just for decoration.

Not only the brigadiers are behind him, the old men are included too.

Merely seeing Marko, the mobsters felt chills in their bones.

It's not his first time in the clan, so it's not the first time they would be seeing him, but they get chills each time he comes.

"He's like an horror film villain," Ginny whispered beside Robert.

"Worse,, what's with that scar under his eye?" Tierney added.

"Shh, you both." Robert cautioned them immediately.

Renata and Hilda were the last to come in after the brigadiers.

The first part of the celebration—the oath, is usually done behind closed doors, so the guards started pushing the double doors towards each other.

Before it could close, a voice came from outside...

"Sorry I came late, it took too long to zip up my dress!"

The guards exchanged glances, even the brigadiers stopped the oath process and looked at the door like the rest of the people in the hall.

The door was pulled open again, and she showed.

Ivanna.

Bold. Dominating. Hot and Cold, all in that white dress which exposed her delicately gorgeous features, especially the small shoulders.

Her soft curves too, her soft face with soft make-up, but at the same time she looks domineering. Additional height with the heels, slightly popping br+sts in the front.

S+×y—yet graceful.

She stayed by the door, letting everybody have a feast of her appearance first.

They were dumbfounded—too dumbfounded.

Lissa is already on her feet, and her eyes are the widest they might just plop to the floor.

"I knew she'd nail it! My Anna!" Ginny gushed.

"I take it back, she's... prettier." Tierney muttered.

"Thank you," Robert smiled.

"Who knew something as entertaining as this would happen, look at that!" Bacardi smiled.

She retrieved her phone and took a picture of Ivanna as she stood in-between the double doors.

"She does unexpected things, and she surprised me this time. That minx." Sandra commented, unable to hide the admiration in her eyes.

Nino had to drop his wine glass to stare very well, and Island is already blazing with jealousy she could die right now if it kills.

"So this is what you've been planning? The chaos you wanted?" Bobby chuckled.

Leonardo didn't reply, so Bobby turned, and for the first time in his entire life, he saw Leonardo staring at someone without that emptiness in his eyes, without the zero emotions.

He's looking at Ivanna like a being he could go down on his knees and worship right now, like a newly discovered creature from planet Mars. Like a different breed.

Like he wants to shove kill-pins into the eyes of everyone else staring and take their sight away.

He's staring with otherworldly mystification.

Leonardo realized right there that he made a mistake. He should have made her wear this dress forcefully yesterday, then he would have felt this insanity in his Citadel, not now.

His head is hazy, rowdy, like all the noise existing is entering. Staring at her as she walked in made him dangle at the jagged edge. 

Each step she took felt like she was stepping on his sanity and burying it. 

He couldn't think, at all.

The fact that Padrino Marko is in this same hall with him and is watching is nothing to him.

He stared, like she's the first woman he has ever seen, like she's divine, and for the first time ever, he saw her as Ivanna—not as his mother.

Vera would rather swallow sewage than wear white. 

She hated that color.

"That's her, THE Ivanna." Hilda said beside Renata.

"I know, her presence introduced her before you did. I like her." Renata replied, smiling already.

When Ivanna arrived at Padrino's side, she did a small bow.

"I apologize for my lateness. I didn't mean to leave such bad impression on our first meeting," she said.

Marko who has also been staring at her since she entered remained blank in the face as her presence filled.

He stared at her for an additional minute before giving her a cruel smile...not hiding his hate.

"You're the Cooper family Senior Girl. You didn't beat the overdo allegations. Bold." He said.

"Glad I impressed the Padrino, and I hope I continue impressing you," she replied and stepped back.

Thaddeus looks disgusted, but it's his big celebration, so he doesn't want to ruin it at all.

Same with Penny, she's burning on her seat, but she dare not ruin things.

At this point, Lissa is ready to stand and go to Ivanna to slap her till she loses her face and tear that dress away from her body. She wants to get her naked in this ballroom, but Emma held her down tightly.

"This is your father's celebration, Miss. Remember the brigadiers rule; if any family member causes the slightest ruckus, the celebration will be cancelled. You can't ruin this for your father!"

Lissa started biting her tongue repeatedly again inside her mouth as a result of anxiety and fury.

Emma quickly held her mouth, pressing her lips apart so she won't hurt herself.

"Where did that trash get my dress from! Same dress, Emma..." 

"Calm down for now, we can't act rash till this celebration ends..." Emma cautioned.

The oath is already going on between Marko and Thaddeus.

Ivanna finally found a spot beside Hilda, but Hilda immediately left to get them drinks, leaving Ivanna with Renata on that table.

"Glad I met you this way, Ivanna." Renata said genuinely.

Ivanna faced her, studying her facial features. She hasn't seen her before, but she has a slightly angular face like the Padrino and Leo.

"You're...the former Donna's junior sister?" Ivanna said.

"Yeah... Renata, Vera junior, but I'm nothing like her." Renata replied.

"Oh...it's nice to meet you too," Ivanna wanted to give her an handshake, but Renata hugged her instead, surprising her.

"I like you, but that move you made is dangerous. Father hates people who come close without his invitation, and you even talked to him? He hates it." She whispered in her ear.

Ivanna broke the hug and nodded.

"What's life without risks?" 

"Is that really the case? Or you did it cos you're sure someone is on your side? You know who I'm talking about, I'm sure he gave you this dress, to spite Lissa. Lissa is already shaking." Renata chuckled.

Ivanna blinked, then smiled a little.

Renata lifted her hand to help Ivanna adjust her hair, but her phone fell in the process, and Ivanna quickly picked up the phone for her.

On the phone screen, sat the picture of a baby. A madly cute, chubby two-months old baby with big round cheeks and too fleshy body. But the thick brows already gave her a hint of who it might be.

She returned the phone to Renata.

"That's Leo," Renata said.

"It's a lie," Ivanna replied, and Renata chuckled again.

"It's him. He was born cutely big and chubby like this," she said.

Ivanna paused. 

So... The CHUBBY password, came from here?

She almost bursted into laughter. Oh, this is a pleasant trap, and she can't wait to call him Chubby.

"But don't call him Chubby to his face. His mum did something drastic to make him lose his chubbiness, so it's a sensitive topic." Renata said.

"Oh..." Ivanna sounded.

Hilda came back with their drinks, but Ivanna rejected wine.

"May I ask why? You drank it during your initiation" Hilda said.

"Yes I did, but that'd be the last time I'd drink wine this year. I dunno but too much intake of wine worsens my asthma. I take tea instead." Ivanna explained carefully.

"That's new," Renata said.

"Here's your tea, Ivanna." A maid came with a tray, containing a black glass cup, so black that no one will detect it's tea inside.

"Thank you..." Ivanna picked the cup, and the maid left.

"Why the hell is there tea in this celebration?" Hilda muttered.

"I dunno..." Ivanna muttered, her eyes scanning the hall till she saw him across.

Leonardo.

His eyes were already on her even before she saw him, so he looked away as soon as she sighted him.

He left the ballroom.

Ivanna looked at the tea, getting where it came from.

She drank, feeling the warmness carpet against her tongue. 

Renata suddenly covered her bare shoulders with a coat from behind.

"It's one week before Christmas, you can't catch a chronic flu. It's snowing heavily outside." Renata said 

"Thank you, Nata." Ivanna replied.

She drank her tea again, and this time, like an unavoidable death spell...her eyes met with Lissa's on the opposite angle.

Lissa is not only glaring at her. She's already killing her with her eyes.

With her mouth on her teacup, only Ivanna's eyes are visible. She smiled evilly at her with those eyes alone.

Lissa barged out of the ballroom.

By now, the third part of the celebration is just about to begin.

--

[A Washroom]

Leonardo opened water on his head when he arrived. 

He might just go rawly mad if he hadn't done that. 

He lost control totally in that ballroom and nearly dragged her out with himself to go kiss her till she dies in his mouth, but he had to pull at his control and come here after she made that eye contact.

His eyes are already so red—blood-red, and his head is still throbbing with haziness. His body is still tensed with toxic lust.

He opened water on his head again, then he heard whisperings from guards outside the hall.

"I wish she'd show me her nakedness, I'd love so see what it entails. Maybe her pûssy will be as beautiful as her face?" The first guard said.

"Are you talking about Ivanna? You must be insane, keep your voice low. Have you seen how Ghost looks at her? Do you wanna die?" The second guard replied.

Leonardo bursted out of that room, taking them by surprise. He grabbed the first one, and the second one quickly shifted back.

"No I didn't talk about her! He's the only one!"

Leonardo focused on that first one, using the hotness he's feeling right now to vent out on him.

A blow to his guts.

A blow to his chin.

 Punches to his two eyes.

A blow to his mouth.

A near-finishing blow to his nose.

The guard's face turned mashed like pounded potatoes. His teeth hooked on his jaw, his eyes disappeared into the sockets completely. His chin hung up, his lips tore apart.

Leonardo cut the guard's hair and shoved it down his throat for dinner, stuffing his destroyed mouth with it till he couldn't breath.

He begged for air with flailing limbs and failing tendons, but he got none.

His body fell with a drop sound like a wet cotton, and Leonardo took a needed breath to calm down.

His wet hair cobwebbed his face, and the water in the hair is already trickling from his head to his shirt, wetting it too with his suit.

Water was even dripping from the hair to the ground as he faced the second guard.

He's still by the wall, gluing there as a result of fear.

"Take his body away, to the reserve forest. Leave it in the open." Leonardo ordered.

His eyes are calm now. The redness is almost gone completely.

The second guard obeyed instantly, dragging the body away.

Leonardo twisted to leave, but he met Lissa behind.

She was actually in the second washroom, tearing off her dress.

The train of her dress is destroyed with a knife already. She tore it to ugly tatters, and she looks like she needs to be in a rehab presently.

"I don't wanna believe you gave trashvanna the same dress you sent to me," she muttered.

"I gave it to her," Leonardo casually said, head stilling. "And it's Ivanna."

"You realize you're pushing me to the edge, right?" Lissa said slowly, too slow it sounded like she was measuring her words like a starved maniacal girl.

Before Leonardo could give her a stabbing reply, Bobby rushed in.

"Felicia is in the hall, but reports just came from the main gate that someone entered using Felicia's fingerprint on the scanner. I think we've been infiltrated!" He reported.

"Infiltrated?" Lissa frowned.

"They're here," Leonardo muttered.

His phone bleeped, and he checked to see a text from Bacardi.

Cardi: Where the hell are you,? I swear to gawd, Granddad is planning something huge.

Leonardo started returning to the ballroom.

"I told you we've been infiltrated!" Bobby shouted.

"Let the infiltrators have fun, for now." Leonardo replied.

--

[Ballroom]

Last part of the ceremony is over. A weak-ass mobster has been killed.

His blood is on the ground in the front which Thaddeus stepped on before receiving his walking cane.

He's now a brigadier, properly, fully. With blood below his shoes, and authority below his tongue.

But the ceremony isn't over.

"Why don't I add an additional part to this celebration?" Padrino Marko said suddenly, dragging all attention back to himself.

"The part where I'll be taking in a new wife from this estate. My last wife jumped off a cliff, I deserve a replacement." he continued.

He's sitting high, and he's not even looking at anyone, but he's smiling so grotesquely it's hard to look at.

The silence in the hall is thicker now, darker with scraps of heat.

"Sick won't even start describing this man..." Felicia muttered.

Don Anthony stayed mute like he has been since the start of this ceremony.

Padrino Marko raised his silver walking cane, pointing it forward. It landed on the prettiest in the room.

Ivanna.

"Father, the hell!" Renata snapped.

Ivanna dropped her teacup. 

Umm, this took a turn she didn't expect.

"Anna won't marry that old frump..." Ginny said sharply, and Tierney quickly covered her mouth.

"This better be a joke..." Robert said.

The stick is still pointing at Ivanna, urging her to come forward...

But Ivanna didn't move, her eyes are as defiant as ever.

"Get over here!" Marko roared.

She stayed there.

Then... He entered—Leonardo, but he didn't go to the front to meet Marko.

He entered the crowd where Ivanna is standing, and he stood in front of her, covering her from Marko.

His furious eyes rolled up slowly, so......the old man's walking cane is pointing at him now, poignantly.

"NO. In capital f+kin' letters." Leonardo declared.

TBC.

Next Episode 

Previous Episode