(LEVANDER'S POV)
I walked out of the room and headed straight to my study. The house was cloaked in silence,everyone was asleep, and the air felt still, like time itself had paused. The quiet wrapped around me, offering no comfort, only space for the weight of my thoughts to press harder.
I sank into the leather chair behind my desk, running a hand through my hair, trying to calm the storm brewing inside me. Guilt gnawed at my insides like a parasite and I couldn't shake it off.
Did Gabriel ever feel this? I don't think he did!
He poisoned me,filled my heart with venom a potent one, I had no space left to reason or show empathy.
I would make her suffer,make her bleed. Not just physically,but emotionally, deeply.
I'm not a monster.Though,people often labelled me as a mafia boss, whispered dark stories about me in corners, painted me as the devil himself.
But I was never that man. I dealt with my own demons,yes,yet I never lost control.
Maybe this is it. Maybe I've finally crossed that line,the one you can never return from. The one that turns you into the thing you always swore you would never become.
I leaned forward,elbows resting on my knees, head in my hands. The memories I shared with Laura began haunting my thoughts.And if I dive into it, I'll lose my mind completely.
I called the kitchen for a bottle of wine and the maid served it immediately.
After she left,I uncorked the bottle of Amarone, the crimson liquid glugged into the glass,then gulped it.
The burn hit instantly and fiercely,it was a strong alcoholic wine. Another gulp again,it wasn't enough,I wanna drink till I numb all my sorrows.
____________
The commotion of footsteps and murmurs filled the hallway, breaking the once quiet mansion of the mansion.
"Hey, girl,be careful with that one!"Grenth snapped,despite her age,the housekeeper,an older woman with a steel-gray hair pulled in a tight bun,a very tight bun.
She was making the arrangements like a general in a morning war.
"That dress costs more than your monthly salary,be careful,don't crease it"She snapped.
"Yes ma'am"She replied, adjusting her grip on the beaded gown she was carrying.
Two maids behind her sneered, she's too much.
Inside the grand bedroom, soft sunlight streamed through tall windows, casting light on the now half-filled wardrobe. Hangers swung as maids bustled in and out with armfuls of Lorraina's clothes—dresses of silk and lace, fur coats, shoes in boxes too pretty to stay unopened.
Grenth turned, hands on her hips. The room was empty, Lorraina wasn't there.
"Place them by color, girls. She's not a village girl anymore, she is the master's woman now."
The room fell a little quiet at those words.
"Really?Grenth but who told you she was a village girl?"Dova said.
"Girl watch your mouth, I'm old enough to be your grandma"Grenth shouted back.
"Grandma?huh? I would rather die than let that happen"Dova made it clear and the other girls nodded in secret.Grenth was never nice, she's always authoritative.
"You bitch!"Grenth landed a slap on her face and she held her face.
"What's going on here?"Lorraina said in a low tone from behind.
Immediately they all bowed except Grenth who looked her straight in the eye.
"Lorraina..."
"Grenth,what did you just call her?"Georgia cut her off.
Instantly she gazed down, seeing Georgia glare like that.
"You've no right to disrespect her, she's Levander's wife so give her the same respect you give Levander. What has come over you Grench? Just because you're older doesn't mean you're above anybody, you work here, you get paid by this family and let it sink that you're nothing but a housekeeper here. If we're being nice to you doesn't mean you take it for granted, just like they're maids here, you're one too,no difference!"Georgia said,she had been quiet for too long but this time she crossed the line.
Lorraina blinked,she gazed at Georgia who glared at her. This is the first time someone would stand up for her after so many years.
"Apologize to her right now"Georgia added.
Grenth gritted her teeth before raising her head,it was so hard for her, Georgia said all those things to her because of Lorraina and she has to apologise.
"It's fine, madame"Lorraina uttered.
"Grench apologize right now!"Georgia stood on her ground.
"I'm sorry!"She blurted.
"Now continue your work"Georgia scoffed,she faced Lorraina who looks pale and weak, bandage wrapped around both her wrists.
Georgia didn't bother asking,she knew Levander did something to her.
"Get dressed and make breakfast"She said before walking out.
Dova winked at Grench mockingly,and she replied with a mad glare.
**********
TWO DAYS LATER
(Gabriel's POV)
I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. My lips curled into a slow, satisfied smirk. My eyes,once tired now flashed with a fire I hadn't seen in years.
Finally, after years of waiting and hoping my company won't crash,my business was back.Back on its feet. Back in motion and all thanks to my son-in-law.
Levander,even if giving out my daughter to him will do,I don't mind, call it selfish I cherished this business of mine.
He handled things,brutally, efficiently exactly the way I needed. Indeed,he deserved the award as the king of business.
The whispers in the city had changed,from pity to fear. Just the way I liked it. Gabriel is back, back fully in the world of business.
They thought I was finished.
"Gabriel!!"Jarnie,my wife screamed my name loudly,she barged inside my room raising a cell phone to me to show me a video.
"Gabriel,what the hell is this?"She yelled.
"What?"I snatched the phone from her to see why she was barking.
I watched the video and hissed, it's the sex tape of me and one of the maids. The maid was too hot to resist so I fûcked her so good.
"Gabriel,tell me this is not you because I wouldn't believe that you cheated on me under the same roof we're living in"Jarnie barked tears streaking her eyes.
"So what if I fûcked her,is it the first time or the second time?don't make a big deal out of this!"
"Gabriel, I'm your wife, you can't keep on doing this!"She shouted, sounding so hurt.
"Oh please, woman don't ruin my mood here. You're my wife doesn't mean i can't fûck any hole available"I retorted, it's not a big deal at all.
She grabbed my collar and I flinged her hand off roughly.
"Listen, don't forget I married you because of Penny,..."I push her out of my way before storming out.
Jarnie broke down in tears,she held her chest, weeping profusely.