Ava's legs barely skimmed the floor as she walked round the mansion.

It had been boring the last week with just being fed and left alone, no one to talk to.

Her hands caressed the walls as she walked through the walkway. She pushed a door open and walked in, it was a mini library but the books in there were about economics and business. Above the shelves hung a portrait.

A man - dressed in black, icy cold jet black eyes, a tattoo peeking at his neck and long black hair that was rare in urban times resting on his shoulders.

Her gaze lingered on it for a minute too long before she turned around and walked out of the room.

Back downstairs, a wooden door caught her attention. A dragon carved into the woods shimmering under the lights. She placed her hands on the door knob feeling the coldness and pushed but it did not budge.

She pushed again yet nothing.

"Ava" She heard her name being called and turned around to see Aunt Zena walking towards her. "What are you doing?" Zena asked and walked over.

"Why is it locked?" Ava tilted her head to look at Aunt Zena.

"I don't know, it's not open to us, you should not be here" Aunt Zena said and pulled her away.

"What's in the room?" Ava wondered.

Aunt Zena pulled her to the sitting room but she followed her to the kitchen.

"Aunt Zena, how long have you been working here?" Ava asked.

"About 30 years ago, I was Sandro's nanny before becoming his cook," Aunt Zena smiled.

"Do you know why I'm here?" Ava asked and Aunt Zena stilled.

"I'm not sure, he had not brought any girl home before, I think you are different" Aunt Zena said.

"I want to negotiate with him, maybe paying the debt slowly" Ava sighed.

"Don't," Aunt Zena warned.

"Why?" Ava raised an eyebrow.

"Maybe if you want to go to the casinos and throw away his little kindness of keeping you say from there, you can do it, he hates negotiation" Aunt Zena said and pulled Ava out of the kitchen placing a bowl of fruits and a cup of milk before her. "You should stay here," She suggested.

Ava shook her head as Aunt Zena returned to the kitchen. Anytime, she asks Aunt Zena a question about Alessandro, she was always tight-lipped about it.

She picked up a fruit and took a bite from it while switching on the TV.

The TV lit with recent news; Alessandro Moretti, CEO of Moretti holdings returns to US after half a year away. The reporter's voice echoed in the quiet house.

Ava's chest tightened as her breathing became rapid - he was coming home today. She had heard whispers from the other staff earlier but...it was still sudden.

Back in the kitchen, Zena looked over her shoulder to Ava munching on the fruits when her mind wandered to a memory she had buried deep.

Twenty years ago, Don Moretti was hosting a late night gathering, she had weaved through the crowd searching for him - Sandro. The air smelled of smoke, strong drinks and strong cologne with men talking in deep voices.

"Sandro" She whispered only to her hearing. And then she saw him, in the east wing of the building - standing over a groaning man lying in the pool of his own blood.

A broken wine bottle stained with blood was held by Sandro as his cold eyes were fixed on the dying man.

"Sandro" She called with shaken breaths.

The barely eight year old boy turned over to her.

"Zena," He whispered.

"Sandro, what have you done? " She questioned her voice below a whisper.

"He touched me, I told him to stop but he did not let go," Sandro said in a voice too icy for an eight year old.

"I know," She consoled holding him close to her. Her eyes found the almost lifeless man on the floor, he was Lucas, one of Don Moretti most trusted aides, with hands that refused to stay with him - all maids had complained about it.

" We should tell mom" Sandro voiced out. " But dad should not hear about this," He added. "I warned him" His cold voice sounded.

"You did nothing wrong but next time you should tell me first" She said, holding his trembling hands.

But he never did.

The voice of the reporter cut through her thoughts and she brought the plate of snacks to Ava.

"You should stay here" She repeated to the wide eyed girl.

She shook her head helplessly when there was no response and returned to the kitchen.

She was afraid for Ava, she should stay quietly at the kindness Alessandro already gave her by not dumping her at a casino.

Because Alessandro was never a man to negotiate with.

He was a storm you survived.

The house became even more quiet this night than every other night - Hushed whispers, the men walking through the house putting last touches to the house.

Aunt Zena walked over to Ava who was sitting on the couch after dinner.

"You have to go to your room and stay there throughout the night" Zena said and pulled her up, supporting her to her room.

Ava could not see that always smiling Zena, she just saw a nervous faced woman.

Ava sat on her bed, her mind flashing to the images of Alessandro that were shown on TV. She cleaned her eyes but sleep was not forthcoming and then she heard it, the sound of a car driving into the mansion.

She quickly shoved the blanket out of her body and walked over to the window looking down. A black car drove in with tinted glass closely followed by another and several others.

And then they began alighting the cars - men on black suits hurried over to open the door of the third car - a pair of black shoes entered her line of view before he alighted fully from the car.

The man in the portrait.

The man in those images.

The man in control of her fate.

Alessandro Moretti.

Ava looked down feeling drawn to this man dressed in black, whose name alone was enough to instill fear in many.

Suddenly, Alessandro looked up and locked eyes with her. Her eyes widened and her heart stopped for that moment as her eyes collided with his several heights away.

He coolly tore his gaze away and walked in with his men behind him.

The door of the sitting room was pushed open and Alessandro walked in followed by his PA, Ethan Wallace.

"Sandro" Zena called.

"Aunt Zena" Sandro whispered and walked over to her.

"How have you been?" He asked.

"What do you want to hear?" She asked back.

"Maybe good news" He said with a light smile gracing his lips.

"I'd been good, how was your stay in Italy?" She asked.

"The usual" He replied coolly as he handed his coat to one of the maids.

"Did mother come by?" He asked.

"Visited twice," Zena said.

"Mother" Ethan called and walked over to Zena hugging her.

"How have you been?" She asked as she took a look at him.

"I'd been good," he replied.

"You both should eat dinner" She suggested and walked into the kitchen.

The next morning.

A knock on the door woke Ava up from her sleep and she walked to the door opening it wide to see Aunt Zena.

"Good morning Zena" She greeted yawning.

"You look a mess," Zena commented with a light smile.

"Yeah, I was tired yesterday, I will freshen up soon" Ava said.

"He wants to see you" The smile disappeared from Zena's face.

"He...Who" Ava stuttered as her eyes shot open.

"Go freshen up" Zena nudged her and Ava nodded mechanically returning into the room.

"You can come in" Her voice sounded from inside the room.

"I'm okay here," Zena said.

Ava reappeared all freshen up and dressed up.

"Follow me" Zena cast a glance at her.

Ava followed her quietly through the hallway, her eyes stopping on the dragon door for a moment before walking over to Zena who had already stopped at a door.

Zena raised her hands to knock on the door.

"Let her in" A cold detached voice sounded, making Ava flinch.

Zena nodded at Ava who pushed the door open, her eyes adjusted to the darkness inside the room that looked so much like a study room in an ancient palace.

"Ava" He mentioned her name.

Ava raised her gaze to him and her eyes widened for the umpteenth time since she came to this house as she caught sight of his face - Not in images or portraits.

Long fan-like eyelashes, long silky black hair laying on his shoulder, jet black eyes, a dragon tattoo on his neck trailing into his shirt, the light flickering on the tattoo made it more life-like.

"Sit" He instructed and she slowly sat down.

"You were the one that tried running away" He said with a voice devoid of emotions, and Ava nodded.

"Stupidly brave, I would say, don't try that next time" He said.

"I would like to negotiate with..."

"No negotiation" Alessandro cut her off his voice cold.

"You can leave" He said and she stood up, hurriedly walking out of the room.

She rounded the corner and held her chest breathing heavily when she heard footsteps behind her.

She turned back and saw a man also dressed in black with shorter hair walking down the stairs - eyes locked on her.

He had a sharper gaze, a black bag in his hands and a star tattoo on his neck.

" You must be Miss Ava" He stretched his hands, his voice deep.

Ava took his hands in a handshake - his hands felt rough to shake.

"Enjoy your stay here" He said and turned walking away just like that.

She walked up the stairs pushing the door of her room open. Moments later, Aunt Zena came to invite her to breakfast. She nervously walked into the dining room but she could not find him.

She took a deep breath before sitting down.

"You should stop by the company, I will go alone" She heard a cold voice coming from up the stairs.

Footsteps followed the voice and Alessandro and Ethan came into sight followed by a bunch of men on black.

Alessandro walked past her without uttering a word and she was too dumbstruck to say anything.

"You are not staying from breakfast again" Zena sighed.

"There's a whole lot of work to do, Zena" He said and walked out the house.

Ava finished breakfast and requested a canvas and painting materials.

Getting to work, she started painting attentively.

An hour later, she brushed the paint off and turned it to Zena who was watching her attentively.

The painting was in a dark hue. A girl looking out into the night, in a virtual cage, longing for freedom and a grave behind her.

"This is what I feel," Ava sighed. "I miss her"

"It's alright" Zena patted her back.

Ava nodded and walked to the back of the mansion where a garden was located. Sitting on one of the swings, she closed her eyes recounting memories to keep herself busy but all the memories were about her mother and she shot her eyes open as a tear rolled down her eye.

It was getting late and she stood up, pushing the door to the house.

"Aunt Zena," she called.

"Dear, I'm here" Zena's voice sounded from the kitchen and she walked into the kitchen.

"I'm so bored inside this house" She whined.

"Can you play chess?" Aunt Zena asked and Ava nodded.

Placing a bowl of fruits on the table by Ava, Aunt Zena brought a board of chess, and they both started playing.

The door flung open and Ava stiffened thinking Alessandro had returned.

"Ziven" Zena shrieked and threw herself into the hands of the newcomer.

"Aunt Zena, how are you doing?" Ziven asked.

"I'm fine, and you. You just came back from France?" She asked and Ziven nodded.

"So why are you here?" She asked again.

"I'm here for Draco, he was shot and I had not had the time to meet him" Ziven said.

"What do you mean he was shot?" Zena rose from her seat.

"Wow, you don't know about this, he was shot four months ago in Italy and that was why he postponed his return, Aunt Camila knows about that" Ziven said and turned to look at Ava.

"You must be the new girl," he said with a smile.

" Sandro was shot and I was not informed, I'm calling Camila" Zena said angrily.

"I think this was why you were not informed, you worry too much," Ziven said and made himself comfortable on the sofa.

"You've said enough right" Alessandro said from his back making Ava flinch, maybe they were all used to this but she did not feel his presence nor did she hear the door opening.

"Hey, I was trying to console Aunt Zena," Ziven said with a grin.

"Sandro" Zena called.

"I'm sorry" He said and walked to her holding her in her waist.

"You did something wrong right?" She asked.

"I did not want you to worry that's why" He said.

"Where's Ethan?" Zena asked.

"In the office," Sandro said.

"Draco, we have a lot to talk about" Ziven said.

" Zena, would you mind getting us coffee in the study room?" Alessandro said and Zena left.

"You should return to your room" Alessandro said to Ava who had been quiet,and she nodded walking to her room.

"Quite obedient," Ziven commented as he followed Alessandro to the study room.

Ava walked the stairs and pushed the door to her room open.

He had been shot. And they all acted like it was normal, he showed no sign of pain, what had he been through to be able to act unbothered even when broken.

She let out a shaky sigh and laid on her bed closing her eyes before drifting to sleep.

The next morning, she woke up quite early and freshened up, before walking downstairs. At the dining table, Zena, Alessandro, Ethan and Ziven were seated.

"Dear, come over" Zena gestured to her and she nodded, walking over to her and taking her seat.

The silence felt awkward as she felt like a prey being watched by a group of predators.

Alessandro stood up followed by Ethan and Ziven.

"Ziven, when are you leaving?" Zena asked.

"In two days time," Ziven said.

"Then why did you come here if you were not going to spend time here?" Zena asked.

"I came to take a new batch of arms" Ziven said and Zena nodded.

"You should visit more," Zena commented.

"Yes ma" Ziven laughed.

"Mum, we are leaving," Ethan said.

"Go well" Zena muttered and kissed his forehead.

Alessandro and his group disappeared through the front door and Ava looked up from her food.

"Arms?" She asked.

"Yes, he is a legal arms dealer" Zena said and Ava nodded.

Back in the car.

"The new batch of arms would be transported by tomorrow" Alessandro said and Ziven nodded.

" You sure are efficient , Draco" He said but Alessandro did not respond, instead he turned his gaze to Ethan.

"What were you saying?" He asked.

"We've got a mole on our side" Ethan reported.

"A mole?" Ziven asked surprisingly, " Are they ready to die?" He added.

"Suspects?" Alessandro asked as the car came to a stop and they alighted.

"K and Hawk," Ethan said.

"Bring the evidence to my office" He instructed and walked into the elevator with Ziven.

"How's your injury?" Ziven asked when they were alone in the elevator.

"It's been three months, I've gone through worse," Alessandro said, his face calm.

"Draco" Ziven whispered his name like a prayer and Alessandro chuckled.

"Alright, it hurts a little but I'm fine" He said as they walked out of the elevator.

Ziven held him roughly and threw a punch to his chest. Alessandro took two steps backward as he grimaced in pain.

"What was that for?" Alessandro winced.

"You are not fine" Ziven said matter of factly. "It's just a little bit below your heart man, do you want to die?" He asked angrily, his face contorted into a frown. " I'm calling Aunt , does she know you are in town?" Ziven asked.

"You will do no such thing, I've a potential mole in my men, an enemy I know nothing about, I can't sit idle around" Sandro spat and Ziven sighed.

"You've to take it easy on yourself, Draco and you know aunt will get to know about this soon given her network" Ziven said.

"I know how to handle her" Alessandro said and pushed the door to his office open, meeting Ethan waiting for him with a tablet in his hand.

Alessandro sat down on his chair and took the tablet over from Ethan playing the two videos.

In the first video, Hawk walked hurriedly out of their base with a mask covering his face and a baseball cap, looking hurriedly around for any secret follower before discreetly boarding a cab.

In the next video, K, also wearing a mask, got into a black car whose driver was also wearing a mask with huge sunglasses that covered his eyes and a cap.

"Who owns this car?" Alessandro asked.

"It belongs to a low budget textile company," Ethan replied.

"Put extra focus on them and follow them to get more information about them" Alessandro instructed.

"Yes boss," Ethan nodded. " Boss, there is something else"

"Speak," Alessandro said.

"Two of the men that are under Mr Caleb 'The bull' had been spotted mining gold at Crimson Ore, the place you ordered no one to enter for the time being" Ethan reported.

"Let's pay him a visit" Alessandro muttered as he stood up motioning Ethan to go prepare the car.

The car came to a stop at a casino with blinding lights. The signboard read 'Bull Casino'.

The group of three walked in passing women dressed in scanty clothes. The air felt thick with smoke and cologne.

"Inform your boss I'm here" Alessandro said to a waiter and walked upstairs into a private room.

Moments later, the door of the private room pushed open and a pot bellied man in his late fifties walked in.

"Draco" He called with reverence. "Mr Ziven" He called and shook hands with him while nodding at Ethan who nodded back.

"So what do I hold this sudden meeting Draco?" He asked as he waved the waiter who poured them drinks away.

"We just got hold of information that your men despite my warning are busy mining gold at Crimson Ore" Alessandro said getting straight to the point as always.

"I don't know what you're talking about" Caleb said.

"Hmm..." Alessandro drawled, his eyes locked on Caleb.

"The men had been caught by us and they had revealed that they were working on orders" Ethan said.

"Maybe they are my disobedient boys, I won't order my men to mine gold when you instructed against it" Caleb said.

"Bring them in" Alessandro said, his eyes turning cold - he hated men that could not take responsibility for thier actions.

Ethan worked quickly and soon two battered men were led into the room.

"Who sent you?" Alessandro asked.

"It's boss here" One of the men said spitting out blood.

"I need names" Alessandro thundered.

"It's...its The bull" The second man said trembling.

"Are you still going to deny it" Alessandro asked his gaze slowly returning to Caleb.

"Draco, I'm sorry, I was just in need of money at that moment" Caleb pleaded.

"I hate disobedience" Alessandro muttered and...

Bang!

A gunshot was heard, a bullet piercing into the leg of Mr Caleb.

"You should have allowed me did that" Ziven whined.

"A warning" Alessandro eyes swept past Caleb's face.

"Yes.. Yes" He stuttered.

"Let's go" Alessandro instructed and stood up, Ziven and Ethan following him.