XXVI

“Thank you.” Emerald thanked the taxi driver as he helped her with her luggage — a mini suitcase and her shoulder bag. She already had some of her things here and she wouldn't be staying for long, so there was no need to pack excessively.

The young man gave her a small smile and a nod before getting back into his vehicle and driving off, leaving her to stand alone before the gates of the average sized yet undeniably comfy home.

Her mother had never been one to savour extravagant houses or grandiloquent mansions. She was a simple woman whose tastes were modest yet intricately riveting and Emerald had inherited that beautiful trait from her, amongst many others. That was also one of the features that had pulled Luca towards her.

A warm smile graced Emerald's lips as she thought of the people living behind the closed entrance doors of the house. This house held so many memories — only good memories though, since Maggie, Emerald's mother, had wanted both she and her daughter to start afresh.

And starting afresh had included letting the old inflicted scars heal with time, leaving behind old memories to make new and only happy ones and ultimately, moving out of the house that had been a witness of a dying adolescent and a broken mother.

This new home of theirs housed nothing short of good people, felicity and blissful warmth that Emerald could even feel the warmth all the way from where she stood on the sidewalk.

Thinking about how impatient the two most important people in her life would be about her arrival, she snapped out of her thoughts and wheeled her suitcase towards the entrance.

Climbing up the little to no flight of stairs, Emerald chuckled as she could almost picture her mother glaring hard at her phone while circling it like a vulture circles its prey, wishing for it to ring anytime soon to deliver the news of her landing but that wasn't Emerald's plan at all as she rang the doorbell, brimming with excitement to see her mother's reaction.

“Coming!” a very familiar voice shouted from the other side before a series of footsteps followed immediately after.

‘One. Two. Thr—’ she hadn't even counted up to three before the oak door swung violently open with a squeal from the other side as she was engulfed in the warm embrace of a pair of arms.

Emerald giggled as she wrapped her arms tightly around her mother's small frame, inhaling her scent. She instantaneously relaxed into her hold as the overwhelmingly sweet scent of jonquils flooded her senses.

She had always wished to inherit her mother's sweet scent but she wasn't sure the natural body fragrance of a person could be inherited or passed on. What chromosome or gene would carry that?

Each and everyone came with their own scents. If we all had the same attar, then where would the uniqueness of our scents lie? Where would the undying curiosity to explore all possible existing fragrance of this world go to?

This thought calmed Emerald and although she didn't inherit her mother's scent, people around her always made comments about her own redolence being just as sweet and addictive. She was satisfied.

“How did you know it was me? It could have been another man, for all you know. We wouldn't wanna see Luca go all hulky, would we?” she laughed.

“I knew it was you. Sadly, you inherited my hardheadedness. I knew you wouldn't call until you arrived,” Maggie mumbled.

Her mother's arms tightened even more around her, making her grin. “Mother, what offense did I commit to deserve the punishment of being suffocated?” she teased, struggling to keep her voice serious.

“Oh, hush up Mar. Let me enjoy this moment in peace,” Maggie snuggled even closer to her, gingerly rubbing her head against Emerald's chest like a little kitten.

Emerald couldn't stymie the laughter that bubbled within her as she nodded. Her mother was acting like a toddler. “Ok, ok. If you wish to continue groping me in public, I won't stop you then,” she placed her hand over her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes.

The only thing stopping her from doubling over in laughter were her mother's arms which were wound around her. Maggie groaned in annoyance at her daughter's words. Creating a little distance between them, albeit reluctantly, she shot her a glare.

“You couldn't let me enjoy it, could you?” she deadpanned on seeing the grin dancing across her daughter's lips.

“I'm sorry, mom,” she laughed. “But you should know Lulu and I would never miss a chance to tease you.”

With a fake pout playing on her lips, Maggie unclasped her hands from around her daughter before making a move to walk inside, only to be stopped by Emerald who hugged her from behind while mumbling apologies.

“Alright. Fine. I'm sorry, mom,” she dug her nose into her mother's golden brown hair — another trait she had succeeded from her mother.

Both of them had thick and full ombre hair, ranging from the colour dark brown — almost black — dominating their roots to the lighter shade of brown — almost gold — subjugating their tresses.

The only difference between both their hair is that Emerald had her own lengths cascading all the way to her waist while Maggie kept hers just above her shoulder blade.

“How about we all just relocate to the front yard, since you both refused to come into the house. I don't see the use of a house then,” another familiar voice quipped and Emerald looked up to see the famous Italian boyfriend of her mother making his way towards them.

Meeting Emerald's eyes, he gave her a cheeky wink as his lips were spread in a wide grin. “Mimma!” His Italian voice called out the Tuscan dialect.

Emerald grinned before she rushed towards him and wrapped her arms around him as he did to her in return. “Mi sei macanto così tanto, piccolo.” he hummed into her ears as they continued to hold on to each other whilst purposely ignoring Maggie — who was starting to grow aggravated by their behaviour.

“Me too, Lulu,” she laughed.

“Oushhh, you're so soft, piccolo. I could cuddle you all day long,” Luca whisper–yelled, just loud enough for Maggie — who was now glaring at them — to hear.

“I'm still standing right here. You know that, right?” Maggie finally spoke up, earning a chuckle from Emerald while Luca feigned an expression that displayed sudden realisation.

“Oh my goodness, baby!” he exclaimed. “I totally forgot about you,” he pouted, eliciting a laughter from Emerald as Maggie's glare sharpened even more, just enough to cut through diamond.

He released Emerald from his embrace and took steps towards Maggie with outstretched arms, motioning for her to move closer.

With a loud hiss, Maggie pushed him and walked away just as he was about to scoop her into his arms. Emerald could hear her mumble, “I wish Mani was here,” before disappearing down the hallway.

Emerald and Luca burst into fits of laughter at her reaction. For years now, this had become a usual tradition between the both of them — to always tease her mother until she had had enough. They continued to wonder how she hadn't adapted to it yet and still allowed them to crawl underneath her skin.

Since they had commenced this little game of theirs, Armani had become Maggie's favourite because she was the only one who didn't tease or torment her and she would always advise her to ward off Emerald's and Luca's chaffs.

But this time around, Emerald noticed that her mother had been easily peeved. It always took some time to finally annoy her but today, under a few minutes, they had achieved something that normally took hours, if not the whole day, to achieve.

Not to mention how her mother had clung to her like a second skin. No matter how much Maggie missed anyone, her hugs — albeit deathly tight — never lasted more than a minute or at most two minutes. But today, she had gone as far as sniffing and snuggling up against Emerald.

‘Something fishy was going on,’ Emerald could tell.

“Oh, how much I've missed doing that,” the six feet two inches man with brown hair which was starting to thin out chuckled as he shut the door and wheeled in Emerald's luggage before she could grab hold of it.

“It's always much more fun with you and Mani around,” he smiled as they walked past the living room and headed towards the stairs.

“Speaking of which, when is Armi gonna get here?” Emerald asked as her eyes took in the familiar surrounding, her fingers gliding along the polished surface of the wooden banister.

“Soon, mimma. And then our plan would commence stealthily.” They both shared a grin as they ascended the stairs.

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Jordan continued to stare unwaveringly at the brown paper file seated on the desk in front of him. He had been experiencing an inner battle between both his heart and mind since the day the file had been delivered to him.

Formerly, he had been able to dodge its existence by busying himself with work and leaving the office way earlier than usual in anticipation of what the night held for him. But now that he wasn't looking forward to anything, he couldn't escape its claws anymore.

The file contained all information there was to know about Emerald Pearce. This wasn't the first time he had asked for the data on someone's life but this was the first time he was hesitating.

He was curious — even more than curious — to know every single thing about her. To know if she had always been how she currently was or if something had happened and had shaped her into what she was today — just like him.

For some reason, he wanted to know her pasts, her fears, the dark secrets that were hidden securely behind her barely expressive green eyes. Jordan wanted to know it all and the thought was driving him crazy but he had only summoned the courage to have a glimpse of some of her recent pictures.

‘What is wrong with me?’

He ran his hands down his face, releasing a heavy sigh as he looked down at the file again. Now, he had the opportunity to know all he wanted to but a part of him was hesitating so stubbornly, almost drowning out the voice of the other part that encouraged him to open the document and get it over with.

Finally succumbing to the part whose words seemed to feed and expand his curiosity even more, he moved his itchy and suddenly, heavy hands towards the brown paper.

But as he made a move to open it, his door suddenly burst open, making him snap his head up at the abrupt disturbance. Who dared to— Oh. . .

He groaned loudly when he saw who it was. His one and only sister, Carol had barged right into his office without bothering to shut it back and was now standing in front of his desk with arms crossed and a disapproving look on her face.

Jordan didn't have time for this but seemingly, that was his punishment for not immediately returning to work after he had just concluded a meeting with some landowners who were more than willing — they had no other option — to sell their land to him for the expansion of his clubhouses.

Jordan could very well, just claim the land and take over it but he was a businessman and there was a thick line between being a multi–billionaire businessman and being the Don of a Mafia empire. He was just and lawful with his dealings in the business world and he was very meticulous about following the right procedures.

He had diverse other files scattered across his desk of which had utmost importance, he had to do an overview of their contract agreement and get back to the landowners as soon as possible, he had to go through the sales data of the new Cabernet that had been released about two to three months ago and many many more things he had to control as the CEO.

But he had been consumed by the thoughts of the woman in whose house he currently abided. Looking down at his wristwatch, the clock's hands displayed 8:00 as the time — two hours thirty minutes later than the time he normally left work since they began having dinner together.

It seemed as though his body and heart knew that he wouldn't meet his gemstone at home so they had both shut down immediately after the meeting.

Emerald had informed all three of them that she would be going to Boston for a few days for her mother's birthday party and she had even gone as far as inviting all of them — including him.

He had been surprised that she had extended an invitation to him even after knowing who and what he was. But he knew he wouldn't attend the event. He couldn't. Not for his sake but for hers. Almost everyone — if not all of them — knew who he was. How monstrous and deranged he was. He wouldn't want to ruin her mother's party.

So he promised to stay away. No matter how much he yearned to see her — weirdly enough — he would stay away.

“Jordan? Jo? J!” A slam against his desk jolted him back to reality as he stared blankly at his sister whose hawk eyes were now scrutinising him scrupulously.

“What?” his voice came out gruffly.

She narrowed her eyes at him as she leaned closer to him over the desk, causing Jordan to furrow his eyebrows. “Are you ok?” she asked with an arched eyebrow.

“I am,” he cleared his throat. “Why?”

“You zoned out? You never zone out, J.” She observed.

“Well, there's always a first time for everything. Besides, if zoning out is the only way to escape the reality of having to face you and your questions that are sure to come, I would do it. Gladly,” he gibed.

Carol only rolled her eyes as she got comfortable in one of the black plush seats, much to Jordan's dismay. “Well, there would be no need to escape the reality of me and my questions if you have nothing to hide, J. Unless. . .” she taunted. “Are you hiding something, J?”

He could only react by rolling his eyes as he leaned back into his chair, completely masking his expressions. His sister was on to him.

“Why are you here, Carol?” his eyes moved to see that the door had been shut, probably courtesy of Skull.

“Where have you been?” she asked.

He frowned, “What do you mean?”

“You know very well what I mean, J. I came here at least three times last week just to hear from Owen that ‘you just left the office’,” she air quoted, “at around 4:30p.m. 4:30 in the evening, J.

And then, I went to your house and found it basically empty, other than a few guards here and there. I then called Keel who said that you haven't visited any of the clubhouse for close to a month now. He said he was just about to call me to ask if there was something wrong.

Call me! Who also is completely clueless about what the hell is going on with you. So please, big brother, could you perhaps shed some light on what is happening?” she concluded.

Moments of silence slithered across the room before Jordan spoke. “It was 5:30p.m, Carol not 4:30. Do not exaggerate.” He said no more.

“Is that all you have to say?” Carol clenched her fists, already feeling her anger rising. She was as impulsive as her brother.

“What else is there to say? I see no reason behind these suspicions or worry, Carol.”

“No reason? No reason? Everyone knows you basically spend your entire life commuting between only three places — the company, your house and sometimes, the clubhouse. Hell, you don't even visit my house,” she stated before taking a deep breath, willing herself to calm down.

“Clearly, you haven't left the city recently, J, so what have you been up to?” she squinted her eyes at him again, almost as if compelling him to spill his guts. It didn't seem to be working though, seeing as Jordan remained quiet.

“Alright, if you choose to be headstrong, I'll prove to you that I can be as headstrong as you, if not more,” she relaxed into the seat and crossed her legs over his desk, intentionally annoying him.

Jordan groaned and ran his hand over his face as he closed his eyes. “Leave, Carol. I have work to do.”

“Then let's do them together,” she said before Jordan heard her pick up a file from his desk.

The exact moment he opened his eyes, Carol was opening the brown paper that contained all of Emerald's information.

His eyes widened, “Carol, don't—” Before he could stop her, all the pictures the file contained came tumbling out onto Carol's laps while some fell to the floor.

With furrowed eyebrows, Carol picked up a photograph and examined it. Jordan watched as his sister's eyes widened to the size of saucers before her head snapped up to meet his gaze.

“Jordan, w–what is this?”

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Translations

Mi sei macanto così tanto — I've missed you so much.