Valerie's POV

I woke up very early the next day and did my business in the bathroom. I picked out a white knee-length pencil skirt with a Royal Blue tank top. Today is officially my first day as Mrs Skavinski and I need to look presentable. I looked in the mirror to see faint marks of Leonard's grip on my neck. I covered it up with makeup on and checked the mirror after I was done dressing, and I was proud of myself for the results.

The ride to school was a chaotic one as Layla and Landon wanted me to meet their friends and teachers. They introduced me to their teachers as their mother and a few of their friends. I gave them the goodies I bought for them.

I took a quick stop at a shopping mall to get a few things. I walked into the mall and was going to the toys section when I heard the voice I despised the most. My mood changed instantly, I could feel my anger rising when I saw Tate walking towards me.

“Well, who do we have here? I thought you moved out of the country. I checked everywhere for you and Monica refused to tell me where you were.” Tate said, coming closer to me, but a huge man dressed in an all-black outfit stepped in between us.

“Excuse me! Who are you?” I said to the stranger who was looking at me like I'd grown two heads.

“Ma'am, I've been following you since you left the house this morning,” he said without any expression. “You didn't answer me, who are you?” I asked again, looking around to see he wasn't the only one following me, they were two others standing behind me with their Stoic expression.

“We are your bodyguards. The boss asks us to always protect you” he answered, with a little bow.

What! He didn't discuss this with me before asking them to follow me around. These only fuel my anger the more.

I looked the guard in the eyes and he stepped aside. I turned to Tate, to see him looking like he had just seen a Ghost.

“Nice seeing you again, I hope we don't run into each other again in the near future”. I walked out of the mall angrily.

I rushed inside the minute the car was parked, I saw Mrs Smith in the sitting room.

“Hi dear, welcome back, should I serve your food?” she greeted me with a smile, but I was too pissed to smile back.

“Is Leonard home?” I impatiently asked her. “Yes, he's in his home office” She replied reluctantly, I guess she knew something was wrong. “Is everything okay?” I ignored her question and marched up the stairs, taking them two at a time.

“Wait, now is not a good time to go inside his office”, Mrs Smith warned, but I didn't stop. I barged into his office without knocking, “what was that?” I screamed as soon as he turned from his chair.

“Why do I have bodyguards littering around me? You didn't even inform me, you just imposed them on me. I don't want or need anyone to protect me. I'm sure you don't trust me, but I don't care. I don't want the unnecessary stress and attention they come with, so please I don't need them, tell them to stop following me around!” I screamed at him in annoyance when I saw the smirk on his face.

He rested his back on the chair, swinging it left and right, “Well, I can't do that.”

“What do you mean by you can't do that? Don't they answer you, you just have to tell them to stop” I said, trying not to scream because his actions were driving me crazy.

“Yes, they do answer me, but you can't go anywhere without bodyguards.” His expression changed from normal to scary. Why did he look like that?

“Because you are my wife now, and I have so many enemies that want to get revenge, I'm not a good man. I'm sure you've heard about me. The rumors are true, so don't you dare go out without bodyguards or else you'll be in trouble. You either get kidnapped and killed or you get dealt with by me. I can't say which one is better”. He threatened, raising his voice a little more than normal.

“But nobody knows we are married, we can keep it like that. That way, I won't need to be guarded, and you won't have to worry about your enemies getting through to you using me”, I reasoned with him in a low voice.

“Are you sure they don't know? There are spies everywhere. You took Layla and Landon to school today and were introduced to the school as Mrs. Skavinski. You know what spreads faster than fire, right? So tell me”. He stood from his chair and stalked toward me. The closer he got, the more steps I took backwards.

“You don't know anything about our world, Val. And I'll have to show you sooner rather than later, all this pretense of acting innocent won't work for me. I know very well the type of person you are” he said with a sinister smile when my back hit the wall. He caged me to the wall with his huge body.

“And what type of person do you think I am” I asked, my heart racing fast as I waited for his reply. The sweet smell of his Cologne filled my nostrils as he placed his nose in the crook of my neck, sending signals to my brain. His hand trailed my face down to my jaw then ran them back up into my hair. He gripped my hair tightly and pulled it back harshly as he placed wet kisses on my fully exposed neck. I closed my eyes at the sensation running through me. I feel what I was not to feel.

I let out a tiny moan when he bites my neck a little.

“This is what you are, a wh*re, always want to get laid by a man, huh? You're not angry because I didn't tell you about having bodyguards, you're angry because the plan to f*ck that little ex-boyfriend of yours was ruined by them”. He said, and I winced when he pushed harshly into the wall before releasing my hair.

And without thinking twice, I slapped him “F**k you”. I shouted in his face before running out.

Leonard POV:

I stared at the door she went through, she was bold enough to slap me when all I did was let her know I was aware of what she was trying to do. I thought to myself. I went back to my table, where the pictures of her and her ex were on display on my laptop.

She's proving to be who I thought she was. I need to get out of this house before I do something crazy in anger. I closed my laptop, went to my room to change my clothes, and left the house. I dialed Mateo's number while in the car, but it was not connecting. As much as I need a drink to clear my head, I don't want to drink alone. I was about to tell the driver to drive to my warehouse, so I'd drink with the boy when Molly's call came in. This is my best girl. I'm sure she's back in town.

“Hey, handsome! Guess who's back!?” She screeched. I moved the phone far from my ear before she damaged my ears.

“Where are you? I'm very sure you aren't at home because Mateo is not answering his calls or replying to his texts. I know you are always busy working” she said. I'm sure that's why Mateo is not picking up his calls.

“I'm on my way to the De'Leo.” The De’leo is like my baby, the first thing I built in my name. It's one of the largest clubs in the city right now.

“I'm coming over there, I was about to drive to your house to see my babies. Oh, I miss them so much” She's such a sweetheart, she's troublesome and annoying to top it up, and she's talkative.

I ended the call when she was done talking. I have a partner to drink with now. I checked out the goods that are to touch down today, and the location of the other shipments too.

“Hey Vance,” I said into the phone. “ Did you deliver the stuff to Mr Kalisto?” I asked him, Vance is one of my best men, he's in charge of delivery and payment, a silent killer, and a ghost.

“Yes, he sent his payment already. The Napals are yet to pay, so I sent my boys out to get the money from them. They exceeded the deadline they mentioned at the beginning of the contract”, he explained, “ Okay, that's good. Let me know the outcome and give me the full update on the Micapos with the new orders too”. I ordered him and hung up, not waiting for his reply.

I stepped out of the car and walked into the club with security using my secret passage to my office. I went through the files while waiting for Molly.

“Hey Leo, I'm back!” She barged into my office with a scream, rushing to hug me as she sat on my lap on the chair. I hugged her back, it had been a while since I saw her, as she's one to travel the world in sixty minutes.

We catch up on old times while drinking, “You're going to get drunk Mol”. It's not a surprise she's drunk, which is what she does best. I had to struggle to get her home, so I signaled one of my security guards to get her to my car as I finished up.

************

The next morning

I was in my study when Molly barged into my office, “who's she? And why does Layla call her mom? And since when has she been staying with you?” She asked with a little high voice and a scowl on her face.

“My wife, I forgot to inform you since we had a little ceremony,” I told her with a shrug.

“And you didn't inform me? Since when did you start keeping secrets? Do you even know her? How did you meet her? She might be a spy” she yelled, which I don't understand why she did that.

“Since when did I start reporting to you? And why are you raising your voice at me? When did that start?” I shouted at her, standing on my seat. She shrieked at my voice “You, don't tell me what to do, okay? And I don't report to you, neither do I have to take permission from you to do anything. Let this be the last time you'll ever question me or talk to me in that way”, I growled at her, watching her take steps back in fright.

I took my seat, she scurried out of the room before I could say another word to her. I went back to work and was about to finish when I heard screams and noises from downstairs. It's probably Malia and the maids.

I finish up before heading downstairs only to see Valerie and Molly in the kitchen, glaring at each other like they are about to stab each other to death.

“What is the issue here?” I said, walking into the kitchen. “You should ask your so-called wife why she chose to act like a witch. I only wanted to make your favorite coffee and toast to apologize for getting you angry, but she won't allow me to use the kitchen freely. She suddenly called a bitch for no reason, I………” Valerie cut her off.

“What do you say? Don't believe everything she says. I was here making cookies for my children because I promised them. Then she walked in and was telling me how you two are the best of friends and what's not. I didn't even say anything to her before she called me a witch and other names too”, Valerie said, while demonstrating with her hands.

“Leo, I swear, I didn't do that. You know me too well, you know I won't lie to you”, Molly said with watery eyes, she's not the type to cause trouble at all. But I know Valerie to be a big troublemaker.

“I'm sorry for whatever thing she has said to you, she didn't mean it,” I said to Molly, pulling her in for a hug.

“I didn't do anything, I swear,” Valerie said with seriousness.

“I wasn't talking to you, all you do is cause trouble ever since you moved in here, you met her today, and you've shown your true colors '. I walked closer to her. “Don't make me as angry than you already have, I'm only one inch away from showing you what happens to people that disobey me”. I warned her before walking out with Molly.

Valerie's POV

I've done everything within me to avoid Leonard for the last two weeks, Molly left the house that evening after causing trouble between me and Leonard. It was me, the children, Mrs Smith and Mateo. He doesn't eat breakfast or dinner with us. I guess he's avoiding me too, which is better like that.

I was lying down in my room when Monica's call came in, “Hey girl!” I answered the call with speed and screamed happily into the phone. I missed her terribly.

“Don't you dare! Don't you dare, hey girl me like you know me.” She snapped at me, making me wonder if I had done something wrong. Her voice sounded pained and strained.

“Are you okay? Is something wrong?” I asked at alert. It's rare to see Monica like this, and I was worried because we're far from each other.

“Yes, everything is wrong. Who leaves their best friend for weeks and does not text or call them? Fine, I know you are married, and you have children now, which is an additional responsibility, but I'm also your child, right? I'm all alone here, and I'm tired. I don't have anyone to talk to. I eat alone, drink alone, and now I'm crying alone. I hate you Val, I hate you so, so much. I hate your husband for taking you away, and I hate Tate more for making you leave the city”. She choked on her words.

I feel like the worst person on earth right now. Monica has always been there for me when I needed someone to talk to, even when I didn't need anyone. She'll try her best to make sure I'm fine, and now I'm nowhere near now that she needs me.

“Calm down, okay, tell me what happened, I'm here. So talk to me please”. I pleaded with her to open up to me on the phone, but she refused.

“There's no need, you're not here anyway. I'm sure you are busy and have things to do. It's nice to hear from you too” She hung up on me before I could tell her I was not busy. I couldn't help the tears flowing down my eyes.

I tried calling her back multiple times, but she switched off her phone already. I don't know who to call to get through to her. I curled up on my bed thinking about how broken and sad she sounded on the phone. I think I'm the worst of all. She won't blink twice before crossing the ocean for me and here I am crying and can't do anything.

I cried myself to sleep thinking about how I lost my freedom because I got married. I felt someone tapping me from my sleep, only to see Mateo inside my room when I opened my eyes. “What are you doing here?” I questioned, sitting up from my sleeping position.

“Nothing, I've been here for a while and didn't see you around, so I decided to check up on you,” He said sincerely, how could I not fall for someone like this? I thought to myself.

“I was just resting up before those little devils came back from school,” I said with a smile as he took his seat on my bed, but was shocked by his next question.

“Did you cry?” He touched my cheek and wiped my eyes to be sure, I couldn't help but lean into his palm on my cheek.

“No, I didn't” I lied to him, his eyes darkened at my words. “Of course you did, why are you lying? What's the matter umm?” He asked, cupping both of my cheeks in his hands. I couldn't help but feel comforted by his touch. I leaned more into his hands and closed my eyes, letting the feeling sink.

“Talk to me” he begged, and I found myself telling him everything about my friend, how I missed her and feeling bad for not being in her corner when she needed me. I was crying hard by the time I finished explaining, he hugged me tightly, allowing me to cry on his shirt.

“There are times when you feel like the worst creature, like you've betrayed your loved ones. But the truth is that we are bound by circumstances. It would have been a different story if you were living freely and not the wife of a mafia boss. But you didn't choose to ignore her, and I'm sure she's aware of that too. She's just hurt at the moment, she'll come around. Because you're not there for her right now doesn't make you a bad friend, okay?” He assured me, I raised my head from his chest as his words made me feel better.

“Thank you,” I said with gratitude. I stared directly into his eyes, to see he was staring into my soul too. I watched his eyes move from my eyes to my mouth and so did mine. I licked my lips unconsciously as I wondered how soft his lips would be, and before I knew it, his lips were already on mine.

I closed my eyes at the overwhelming taste and intoxicating smell of vanilla filling my nostrils. I kissed him back and wrapped my hands around his neck, pulling him closer with butterflies running around my stomach. His hand moved down my back as he deepened the kiss. I moaned when I felt him use his tongue too. We were so deep into the kiss when we heard Leonard's voice coming up the stairs.

Our lips made a pop sound as we moved apart. Mateo stood up instantly, gripping his hair hard as he paced to and fro. “This shouldn't have happened, we shouldn't have done this”. I felt my heart sinking deep into my stomach.

“Mateo, I………..” He cut me off

“ I'm sorry, I should not have come here in the first place. Let's keep this mistake between us and I promise it won't repeat itself” He didn't even allow me to talk, he walked out when he was done talking.

“Hey, wait”, I ran after him but met Leonard almost at my doorstep. I tried to walk past him, hiding my teary eyes from him, but he pulled me back and tightened his grip on my arm. I looked up to see his bloodshot eyes, his eyes darkened and the color of his eyes changed.

I could feel his anger just by standing in front of him. I tried releasing my arm from his tight grip, but he only tightened it more. I was a crying mess already. Did he hear our conversation? Did he know that I kissed his friend? Everything I felt minutes ago has been replaced with fear.

He pulled me into my room and threw me on the bed aggressively. I knew I was finished when he said…

“Why did you do it? Have I been so easy on you that you've decided to mess with me?”