Chapter 14: Chapter 14

I couldn't understand my grandfather's way of thinking. He called Mabel and said it all. He was really good at concocting lies, and deserved a nomination.

"It's very easy to melt this woman's heart. Why don't you go a little deeper to get her to accept your marriage proposal?"

I sighed, remembering how Mabel thought about accepting the proposal. But instead I made her rethink her decision. I knew that even if we did get married, it would mean nothing to me. But I was selfish, I didn't want her to love another man when she's with me. I didn't want her to think about another man while sleeping with me. I don't share what's mine.

"I'll try harder," I replied lightly.

"Harder what? You should've been there with her and act like a very considerate boyfriend. You should have brought her food and gifts. Do I need to step in again for this?" My grandfather approached me with irritated look. "I told you to be more gentle with her. I should have known you're this lame,"

It's not a new thing for me to be called weak, lame, overly emotional. Since childhood I lived with my grandfather, and I have often heard that kind of words. It numbed my feelings now. I was just a weak boy who was forbidden to cry when I fell, not to give up when I lost, and not to show any pain when I was hurt. But several times I failed to do it all...

I had always been considered weak for a mafia. And I knew, I didn't deserve the Moretti family. No matter how hard I tried.

My grandfather then left the room by slamming the door. He was obsessed with getting my revenge, but here I was starting to feel like what I was doing wasn't right at all. Since when did I think like this? I never had second thoughts after deciding something.

I massaged my forehead. My head felt dizzy. I also still hadn't received any further information regarding the people who were after Mabel. I had to take care of her, because she was also my target from the start. I wouldn't let them hurt her. Never.

I didn't know why I ignored Mabel. The last time being by her side so close made me anxious. I was worried because I started to feel one thing with her; comfortable. I didn't get close to new people easily. It wasn't easy for me to trust them.

My phone was always with me, in my pocket. So it was impossible for me to skip a single call. I always checked it for information too, so of course I knew Mabel's calls. I didn't run away from her, no. I was still monitoring her through my men. I told them to monitor her from a distance, as well as continue to monitor the security around her mansion.

I was sure there would be a second attack, to a third and so on before they got what they wanted. Better be careful before they gave us a terrible surprise.

I checked my phone again. My recent call history was Mabel. My men told me that she was not in any trouble or danger, so why did she keep calling me? I was even told that Ashton was with her a lot. Isn't that what she wanted? Then why did she call me...

I sighed, knowing I couldn't run away from Mabel forever. She didn't understand anything, and probably thought she was wronged me. Oh damn, why am I thinking what she's thinking about this?

I needed a refresher. Maybe a glass of alcohol tonight wouldn't hurt.

I got up from where I was when my confidant came to see me.

"Sir, you won't like this..."

I raised an eyebrow. "Did something happen to Mabel?" My instincts somehow went straight to her. I felt myself wishing that the information presented this time wasn't about her.

"No, Sir. Miss Mabel doing just fine. She doesn't come out of her room, seemed to be asleep."

I breathed a sigh of relief. Mabel was fine. I was grateful for that. "Then what information do you bring me?"

"About the men sent to harm Miss Mabel,"

I smirked with murderous glances. "Tell me his name,"

"Actually, Sir. It's her, not his."

My smirk disappeared from my face. "Her?" I repeated unexpectedly. But then my mind went to the only woman I suspected all along.

"Miss Mabel's future half-sister, Rainy."

I snorted and then laughed strangely. "I already guessed it,"

"We got information that she got help from a man. Her ex-boyfriend,"

I listened intently while narrowing my eyes.

"Her ex-boyfriend is a family member of one of your grandfather's good relatives," My confidant immediately lowered his head. "He is Anthonio Blake. You know his family is very supportive of yours, Sir."

"Wow, what kind of plot twist is this?" I rubbed my forehead in desperation. The Blake family, I had known them since childhood. Their demeanor was cold and indifferent. I didn't like dealing with them at all, especially with Anthonio Blake. Even so, we were still acting normal when we saw each other. Back then, I just didn't want to get into trouble. Because if I did, my grandfather would definitely punish me.

I didn't know it would be any worse than I thought. "Did my grandfather know about this?"

"Of course, Sir." My confidant stuttered.

"What's his plan?" I wondered how my grandfather would get out of this dilemma.

"Your grandfather actually has a plan to cooperate with the Blake family to kidnap Miss Mabel. He thought that we and them both have the same desire,"

"What the fuck?" I snapped. "Has my grandfather lost his mind?" I was sure my face was already red, because I was so damn angry. My muscles tightened at my grandfather's decision. All this time I had always obeyed him, but this time my rebellious spirit struggled.

"Obviously we have different desires with them! They want to kidnap Mabel to hurt her, and me? I just wanted to use her with no intention of doing that!" I chuckled coldly. "This is ridiculous,"

"But, Sir..." My confidant looked at me steadily. "I have a plan, but I don't know if you will agree for it or not."

"Just say it,"

"You should talk to Rainy," My confidant sighed when he noticed my reaction. "I know it's going to be tough, but please think about it. Rainy wants to get rid of Miss Mabel, because she's after Mr. Valley. And for you, you want to take revenge on him by using Miss Mabel. There's a draw here if you team up with Rainy,"

I laughed doubtfully that my confidant's suggestion would never be carried out. I had never teamed up with someone who was attacked me, because it sounded like I was begging for their help or need them to solve my problem.

"You've known me since I was a teenager. And obviously, that kind of plan isn't in my dictionary."

I really left the room this time. I was sick of so much drama in my life. But running from them didn't describe me at all. I stared at my phone screen and a text message caught my attention. It was from Mabel. The message was enough to make me excited to read it. Mabel told me about my grandfather's dinner invitation for her. And the last line contained an apology from her.

I sighed and put my phone back in my pants pocket. Of course, Mabel felt that way. I felt guilty for making her feel that.

Should I tell Mabel about Rainy? No, she wouldn't believe it. Even if she believed it, she would be sad and bother me for days.

I needed a calm atmosphere. And for that, I needed to see my angel, Selena. I couldn't wait to talk things over to her. She was my only home and my place to of peace from all painful things. It was very difficult to convince myself that she was no longer with me. I just didn't want to believe that.

I got there as usual, bringing her fresh and fragrant flowers.

"I miss you so much," I whispered hoarsely. "Every day I think of you. You must be happy there, right?" I smiled gently, feeling close to my woman. I talked a lot after that, including about Mabel. I didn't know why this woman had been on my mind lately. Even the problems that came to me were tied to her.

I sighed tiredly as my phone made a sound again. A text message came in, from Mabel again. Through her message, she explained that her parents' wedding date had been set. And after that, her words became really weird.

I had a feeling Mabel wasn't all right. It broke my heart to just imagine her crying in the corner of her room like what she did before.

"Selena, I'm sorry I couldn't be with you any longer. I can't leave Mabel alone for now,"

After that I rushed to my car and speed up as best I could. I was afraid Mabel was doing something stupid, or having an anxiety attack. No matter how she said she was happy for her father, she could never hide her feelings.

The car ride took a lot of time, not to mention the traffic jams I had to go through. As a result I got there in the late afternoon. I immediately got out of my car and entered the mansion.

I stopped when I saw Rainy smiled at me and greeted me very nicely. Did she already know that I knew she was the culprit of what happened?

"Hi, Adrian." said Rainy with a friendly smile. "Mom! Dad! Adrian is coming to visit,"

Sarah and Mr. Castello approached us with bright smiles. I could feel the deep happiness they felt.

"You came at just the right time, Adrian. We just..."

"I know," I cut in. I really wasn't in the mood to listen to their crap when Mabel was feeling depressed alone.

Mr. Castello patted my shoulder then glanced at Rainy, and Sarah. "So you see, Mabel told us you two are getting engaged soon."

I squinted my eyes, seeing how Rainy and Sarah were excited to hear my clarification. No wonder Rainy was so enthusiastic to see my arrival earlier.

And Mabel said so? Why didn't she tell me via message this part?!

"Yeah," I smiled anxiously. "And because of it, I need to see Mabel now."

"You must really miss her, don't you?" Rainy said so softly. She was designed to trick the people around her. With a friendly demeanor and a sweet smile, she managed to cover up her natural bad intention.

I just nodded and immediately headed for the stairs to the second floor, not wanting to linger with them even for a second. When I arrived in front of Mabel's room, I heard loud music coming from there. And that... rock music?

"Mabel!" I called her while knocking on the door.

I thought she wouldn't hear me, but she did. Mabel opened the door for me and told me to come in. I studied her figure from top to bottom. She didn't cry?

"You and me? We're getting engaged soon?" I smirked.

Mabel turned off the music and then turned to look at me sarcastically. "I deliberately used that excuse, so that my father called you to come here. I couldn't stand not being able to contact you. Where have you been to not respond to all calls until my short text?"

I chuckled quietly. "You babble like a wife worrying about her husband,"

"Shut up!" Mabel interrupted. "Answer me! And one more about your grandfather. What did you tell him about me?"

"Alright alright," I sighed. "Which one should I answer first?"

"Whatever, most importantly I want an answer right now."

Here we go again...