THE MAFIA’S HEIR

MANUEL’S POV

I woke up to an empty bed, yet dark room. That was weird. Whenever Bianca woke up before me, she always put the lights on. I sighed in mental exhaustion as I thought about the possibility of speaking with her this morning. A lot of things had influenced me, not being able to speak with her and let her know the truth about what she saw yesterday. Irregardless of the fact that I was drugged, I did sleep with Francesca and I guess that was were most of my guilt came from. Also, after hearing Bianca talk about her feelings for me, it felt like I couldn’t breathe anymore. For the life of me, I never thought possible that the man Bianca had spoken about on the island was me. It was me! Oh, how she would have felt when I suggested that Francesca and I raised our unborn child together, after she bore it. I was such a pathetic and unfeeling fool. I don’t know why the new information that Bianca loved me, made me feel extremely lucky and special. So it wasn’t even Anthonio? Neither was it Kyle. It was her damned husband all along. I was supposed to have treated her better.

‘But you did!’, said my subconscious. Did I? I tried to treat her kindly, but I know I could have done better. I really need to explain myself to her, I feel like I’m slowing dying inside of me. ‘Then what are you waiting for? Go look for her already!’. Okay, yes! I shouldn’t waste anymore time. I don’t care if she continues to yell at me, or if she hits me, or curses at me, all I know is that I must explain myself to her.

I hurriedly hopped down the bed and turned on the bedside lamp. I would have failed to see the note there, if not for my extremely active senses at that point. I gave a small frown before pulling the note from underneath the lamp. I very well knew it wasn’t a random note, because we didn’t just casually drop notes in our bedroom. Why did I feel scared looking at it? Was I beginning to get paranoid? Why did I feel like Bianca just did something that was going hurt me real bad? No no no. I wouldn’t open this note, I’d have to look around for her first.

“Bianca?!” I called out, walking towards the bathroom, and opening the door. I looked inside to see no one there. Okay, she had gone for a pee. She was definitely fully awake then, maybe downstairs eating some food. I rushed out of the room, the note still in my hand as I made my way to the living room. Just as I got there, I was suprised to see my parents and our security guard. What was going on?

“Bianca! Where is Bianca?” I asked my parents who seemed too calm for my liking. I was more irritated when all they did, was to stand and look at me. “Can any of you answer me please?!”

“Good morning Don.” Emiliano, the security guard greeted. “The madame left during the mid hours of this morning.”

“Excuse me? What do you mean she left?” I asked in a mix of confusion and plain irritation.

“This morning, she drove out of the residence.”

“What?” I muttered to myself, before I opened the note in my hand to see what was written in it. Oh no, oh no!! I was right, she had left me. Oh God, no! “And you let her leave?!!” I thundered in annoyance and frustration. I was already frustrated and deep within, I knew it was just the start of my frustration.

“Asides the fact that we really do not have the rights to stop her, we received a call from Mr Anthonio.”

“Anthonio? My cousin? What did he say?”

“He told I and the other guards on duty, that she was leaving under the instructions of your grandfather.”

“Nonno?” I asked, looking at my parents who just remained silent. I guess what annoyed me more, was the fact that I didn’t understand the reason for their silence. How could they be calm in such a situation? Was it as a result of the shock, or did they not just care that my wife had decided leave me?

“Why did Anthonio have to call then? Can you both just say something already?!” I directed my question to my parents.

“What can we say?” My father asked, finally looking worried. “We are just as shocked as you are. You both came back and had what seemed to be a huge fight yesterday, and you’ve refused to say anything to anyone. It’s more shocking to see things turning out this way.”

“Okay, Manuel be calm.” I found myself whispering, as I made my way back to my bedroom. I looked at my phone to see that it was still the early hours of morning. If she went to Nonno’s place, then I could as well go and plead with her to return home. I quickly went through our wardrobe and thankfully, her clothes were still there. There’s hope.

I went into the bathroom for a bath, before rushing out. I had to be in Nonno’s place as soon as possible. At least, I felt a lot better knowing she was with him. In the blink of an eye, I was already dressed and making my way out of the mansion. Luckily, the road was still very unoccupied, making it easier for me to get to Nonno’s place without any traffic delay. As soon as I got to the hotel, I was literally running out of my car like a rat being chased. I just couldn’t push away the thought that Anthonio was the one who had called, for my security guards to let her leave. ‘Calm down Manuel’.

The moment I was up at the penthouse, I punched on the doorbell. I guess I pressed on the poor doorbell like 5 times in 10 seconds, which made Aggie to quickly come for the door and usher me in.

“Bianca!! Bianca!!” I yelled, making my way in, not even remembering to greet Aggie. “Bianca please come out and talk to me.” I pleaded.

“What’s going on here?” I heard my Nonno say as he made his way down the stairs. I had expected to see Bianca coming after him, but when I didn’t see her, my heart did a little flop. ‘Patience Manuel’.

“Nonno.”

“And to what do I owe this early visit?” He asked, looking indifferent. Oh, I forgot for a moment that we had an exchange the last time, and hadn’t really been communicating since then.

“Please, I just came to see Bianca.” I went straight to the point.

“Bianca?” He asked, making me frown slightly.

“Nonno, please I just want a minute with my wife.”

“What do you mean by that? Is my nipotina supposed to be here?”

“Wha….. but you…. she wa…” I found it difficult to make a sentence as more fear creeped into me. I guess it was more disturbing because he didn’t look like he was jesting. In fact, he looked concerned.

“What’s with all the stuttering? Is my angel okay?”

“Wait? She’s not here?”

“My question again! What is all these about?”

“Oh my God!” I whispered to myself as my eyes widened in shock and realization.

“Is my nipotina missing?” He asked, walking closer to me. “Answer me!!” He thundered, and I found it difficult to say another word. The only emotion that filled my mind at that moment was rage. Where the hell had Anthonio taken my wife to?

“Fuck!!!” I rushed towards a wall and punched my hand against it continuously. “Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!”

“Enough!” Nonno thundered, making me look back at him in exhaustion. “Where is she?” He asked again.

“Anthonio took her.”

“Why? How?” He asked again. Scared to tell the man that she thought I cheated on her, because he may not let me even explain myself before biting my head off, I decided to say something else.

“We had a misunderstanding Sir.” At hearing my words, he narrowed his eyes towards me and shook his head in disappointment.

“I am giving you until the end of today to find her!” He thundered. “I don’t care if Anthonio took her, make sure you find her! If you fail to, do not show your face around me, because you wouldn’t like the outcome. I warned you! I warned you Manuel! You rotten child, I warned you never to hurt her!”

“But I swear it was a…”

“Another word from you, and I may forget the fact that you’re an adult. Get out of here this instant! And don’t come back until you’ve found Bianca!” He yelled out his orders, before turning back and making his way upstairs. God, I’m fucked!

Not having any other choice, I walked out of the penthouse and went into my car. I turned on the car and drove off immediately.

I wasted no time in calling Alex, who wasn’t picking up. Not now, I needed his help. I kept calling and calling until finally, he picked up.

“What the fuck man?” He muttered into the phone, sounding almost inaudible. “Calling my phone 17 times because of Bella won’t….”

“Alexander, Bianca has left me!” I yelled out, cutting him off. His brain seemed to have taken half a minute to reboot, before he finally spoke up.

“What do you mean?”

“My wife just left me this morning. I can’t find her, don’t know where she is.”

“Calm down, that’s not possible. Bianca wouldn’t do such, are you serious right now?” He chuckled. “You got me, alright!” He laughed all the more. “Your prank is actually the first thing making me laugh in a couple of days.”

“I’m not joking Alexander!” I was so busy yelling, making it impossible for me to see the incoming vehicle in front of me. I had missed that vehicle by a thin stroke of luck. “Fuck!” I violently stepped on the car brakes and came to a halt in the middle of the road.

“Manuel? What’s that chaotic noise? Are you alright?” I was still in so much shock, and tried to calm down. Did I almost have an accident right now? I could hear a few cars horning behind me, making me slowly drive to the corner of the road and park there. “Manuel, don’t get silent on me now. That didn’t sound good.” Came Alexander’s worried voice.

“I nearly got into an accident a moment ago.” I rushed out.

“What’s happening? Where are you?”

“Alexander,” I sighed. “What’s happening is that Bianca left home this morning.”

“Bu… but why?”

“She caught me cheating yester….”

“What the fuck?!” He caught me off.

“I promise, it’s not what you think at all.” I rushed out.

“You just told me that you cheated on Bianca. What am I supposed to think?” His voice finally raised a notch higher since our call began.

“I didn’t really cheat, Alex. Please believe me. It was all a misunderstanding.”

“Did you sleep with another woman or not?” He went straight to the point.

“Francesca drugged me.” I answered.

“Francesca?! Great!” He hadn’t expected it would be Francesca. “Manuel, it’s hard to believe you’d fall for such a cheap trick. What was the reason you were even in a close proximity with her?”

“She told me she had information on Bianca’s attacker? I had….” I paused my words, releasing a deep sigh. “Look….”

“Manuel, where are you?”

“I don’t even know.” I looked around to see where I actually was. Where had I been driving to then?

“I am at your apartment, come meet me there.” He said, before hanging the call. So that was where he had been all these while? The apartment I went to, whenever I needed a break. That was the same place I had gone to after my wedding. Immediately, I kickstarted my car and made my way to the location.

*

*

“This is crazy.” Alex muttered in disgust. “Francesca is such a….” He sighed, not having the right word to describe her.

“I feel the same way too.” I grounded my teeth against each other. Francesca was gonna feel so much pain for the pain she was currently causing me. But that was going to be after I found Bianca.

“But, did Bianca drive out on her own? I thought you made Massimo her personal bodyguard?”

“If Massimo had been with her, Emiliano could have mentioned it.”

“True.” He sighed. “Have you tried checking with her parents? It’s possible she’s over at theirs. If she isn’t with Nonno, and she isn’t with Laura like I have already confirmed, then she should be home with her parents.”

“I doubt. Anthonio wouldn’t get involved in this, just to escort her home to her parents. Moreover, she wouldn’t have left the mansion at such ungodly hour, just to go home.”

“We should turn every card please. I’m worried about Bianca as well, and these are the only people she would have possibly been with. Also, it is courtesy to let her parents know of the fact that their daughter left home.”

“That’s my fear.” I shook my legs against each other in worry.

“What do you mean?”

“Her parents would certainly think I’m not fit to be a part of their daughter’s life. And you know her father never really seemed to like me. I also heard Greta say the man used to really like Anthonio. They may probably think it’s best for Bianca to be with Anthonio after all.”

“My goodness.” Alex smiled at me, with tears in his eyes.

“Oh God! Alex, I’m sorry for bringing my problems to you, when you’re actively dealing with yours.” I muttered in remorse. “I haven’t even asked how you’re coping.”

“Don’t be silly Manuel. Finding Bianca is more important than anything else at the moment. And it’s my work to worry about you.” He lightly slapped my shoulders in support. “And as for whatever the case is with Bella, I’m slowly getting used to the realization of things. I would be fine.”

“But you know Bella loves you right? She may try to act strong in the presence of everyone, but she’s slowly becoming depressed. And the present situation with Bianca and I, seems to have her more worried.”

“After all she’s done to me, isn’t she supposed to be worried?” He smiled, but it clearly didn’t reach his eyes. At that moment, I couldn’t help but wonder why we were all fucked at the same time. I was literally going insane, and the day was yet to be over. “I’m more concerned about the fact that you have finally fallen in love with Bianca.” Immediately he said that, my heart did that silly flip again. I wanted to ask what he meant, but something within me told me that would be a foolish question to ask. It was hard to believe, but Alexander may have been right. “You have no idea how much this pleases me Manuel. I’ve always wanted you to know what that emotion feels like.”

“She loves me too.” I muttered, looking down at my shoes.

“I know. I noticed that the last time I saw her. She had this glow in her eyes when we spoke about you….”

“No, you don’t understand.” I shook my head slowly. “I mean to tell you that Bianca has always loved me. For years now.”

“What?”

**********

We walked into the Bianchi’s residence, and I was literally holding my heart in my hands.

“Breathe.” Alexander gave me an encouraging smile, making me nod in understanding. “You were never this worried about meeting Francesca’s father.” He teased.

“I never really loved Francesca.” I muttered underneath my breathe, my nerves not getting any better.

“Wow! Never had I imagined a day, when you would admit that you never really knew love until you met Bianca.” He smiled at me, but I wasn’t really paying attention to him. “I would ring the doorbell.” He muttered, before pressing on the doorbell. He didn’t have to press on it a second time, before the door flung open. I was suprised to see who was there.

“Laura?” Alexander called.

“Good afternoon, Mr Russo.” She gave a small smile, pulling the door open for us to step in, but we remained in our spot. She didn’t even look at me one bit, and I could tell she knew everything already. All I had done was have Alexander call her and ask if Bianca was with her. She had said no. So how….? “After our call, I had to put a call across to Bianca. I was worried.” She directly her statement and attention only to Alexander, now making it clear that I annoyed her. Clearly. She thought I intentionally hurt her friend, so why wouldn’t she hate me?

“It’s fine.” Alexander muttered. “So were you able to reach her?”

“No. But she did send a text message after I tried calling, letting me know that she is fine, after her husband cheated on her.” She turned to me and eyed me angrily. I deserved that. “She also asked me to assure her parents that she was safe.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“It’s not what you think.” “Her parents know?”

Alexander and I said at the same time.

“Yes, her parents know.” She nodded towards me. “You should come in.” She said, before turning and walking further into the living room. Oh, fuck! That invitation sounded so much like a threat. Alexander took the first step through the door, and I followed behind. The moment we got in and shut the door behind us, I regretted my decision to walk in. My eyes had locked with that of Bianca’s seething father. Never have I ever been so scared. My wife was truly the origin of fear in my life. Manuel Russo was never the fearful type. Now, look at me.