Michael was sitting in his office going over some paperwork as his phone rang. Looking at the caller id he was surprised to see it was Jo. It had been just two days since they spoke. As he took the phone his heart was racing in anticipation of hearing her voice.

"Uncle Michael," Ethan's soft voice came over the phone crying.
"Ethan. What's the matter?"
"Mama, she...she doesn't want to wake up," he sobbed.
"Where is Susan?" he said as he left his office, informing Parker to cancel any appointments.
"She went to the market with Morgan. Uncle Jonathan is not here too," he mumbled into the phone.
"I am on my way son, just keep trying to wake her up for me, can you do that buddy?"
"Okay..."

He told his driver to head to her house as fast as he could. Reaching her estate he jumped out of the car before it even came to a halt.
"Ethan!"
"Uncle Mike!" Ethan came rushing down towards him. "She woke up," he said worriedly.
Michael picked Ethan up quickly hugging him as they headed up to find his mom. Walking into the room they both found her lying down in bed.

"What are you doing here Michael?"
Just the sound of his full name on her lips shattered his heart into pieces.
"Ethan called me, what happened?" he said gently placing Ethan down and sitting down beside her placing a hand on her forehead.
"I am just tired that's all. I just passed out for a few minutes, no need to worry."
"Have you eaten anything?" he asked looking straight into her eyes.
She turned her face away from his intense gaze.

Tilting her head to face him, he asked her again rephrasing his question, "When was the last time you ate querida?"
A small tear trickle down her face as she mumbled, "The day before yesterday."
Running his hands through his hair in a frustrated manner he stood up leaving the room. She could see he was beyond angry with her. A few minutes he came back with a bowl of soup and handed over the bowl to her as he walked over to the window to look outside.

He turned around to see if she was eating, but found her staring down at the bowl with a worried expression.
"Is it not good, I will get my driver to get you something in town," he said pulling out his phone.
"No it's good," she said as she slowly took a spoonful of her soup.
"Mama. Are you sick?" Ethan said as he settled down beside her.
"No baby I am fine, don't worry," she said pulling him into a hug.
Just then they heard the door closing indicating someone had arrived.

Michael went down to inspect and found Susan, Morgan and Jonathan carrying groceries into the kitchen. He greeted them and told them he would be staying over for a while after informing them of the previous events.
"Ethan why don't you go find out what aunt Susan got for you?"
"Okay!" Said Ethan with a bubbly smile on his face as he left the room.

Closing the door he went and stood by the window staring outside. It was painstakingly quiet as they both remained quiet. She decided to break the silence.
"Michael," she whispered.
He remained silent ignoring her.
"Michael," she said slowly getting up from the bed.
Still nothing.
"Mickey," she sighed finally reaching him.
He turned to look at her.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled playing with her hands casting her eyes down.

"What are you sorry about. Is it the fact that you have not been taking care of yourself. Do you know how worried sick I was about you when Ethan called me?" he asked her angrily as he waved his hands up in frustration.
She flinched back afraid of this side of Michael she had never seen. His features quickly softened as he walked closer to her.
"Querida, forgive me. I didn't mean to frighten you," he said softly. "I was just worried about you and Ethan," he said wrapping his arms around her as she cried softly.
"I'm sorry Mickey," she mumbled.
"Sshh, it's alright. Just don't let this happen again," he said looking into her eyes for his answer.
All she could manage was a slight nod of her head saying yes.

Michael stayed over the rest of the day making sure she was well. They settled their differences and decided to start afresh.

------------------

"Would you accompany me to this boring function I have to attend this Friday querido?"
"If it's boring what makes you think I would like to attend?" she chuckled.
"It will not be boring if you are there," he said leaning down to place a kiss on her lips.
"Well, if you must know I have to attend that so called function too," she said giving him a sly smile.
"Great I will pick you up at six thirty."
"You know what why don't I meet you there, I have some things I need to take care of before the dinner."
"Alright chiquita."

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Michael's POV

As soon as she entered the hall, I somehow felt her presence, turning towards the entrance, my life seemed to flash before my eyes as I took in her appearance. I couldn't keep my eyes off her as she made her way to were my parents stood and the same went for every man in the room. Wait how does she know my parents? Then she greeted the couple beside them making everything clear.

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Joanna's POV

I felt the electricity in the air before he even reached me. He was looking handsome in a tux with a white jacket instead to the usual black.

"Querida," he said softly so only I could hear him. "You look breath taking," he said smiling down at me.
Before he could say anything else his father spoke up.
"Son, glad you could make it. This is Mr and Mrs Powell and their lovely daughter whom I see you have met."
"Pleasure to meet you sir, madam," he said shaking my dads hand kissing my mothers hand making her blush.

"Joanna, I would like you to meet my parents Mr and Mrs Raymond."
"Pleasure to meet you," she said shaking their hands.
"I can see you seem to know Michael already, we want you both to get married so our companies can be merged," his father stated bluntly.

A waiter passed by and she quickly took a glass, but found a note stuck underneath it and quickly read it out of curiosity.
"Please excuse me," Joanna said politely as she headed towards the balcony having forgotten about Michael's fathers' statement.

"Dad, I told you I would find my wife. Not for you to force me into marriage. Just so you know she is the girl I told you about earlier. Now if you will all excuse me," he said storming off towards his love leaving his father to explain everything to everyone else, with a proud smile plastered on his face.

"Querida, please look at me," Michael said as he stood behind her.
He shoved his hands deep into his pockets knowing that if he touched her, he wouldn't be able to control his emotions.
"Please, baby, let me see those beautiful eyes I love. I talked with my dad, he will not force us into marriage if that is why you are upset."
Turning towards him, he saw tears running down her face, in her hand she held a small note.

The rose, chose to wear red, such a shame your blood is darker than that dress. I wonder if you know where your little prince is, since you are out having fun...

"Jo, what is the meaning of this?"
"Someone has been threatening my family and I. Susan just called me saying she is in hospital. Jonathan got shot trying to protect Ethan. My son has been taken away from me Mickey," she sobbed.
"Wait how did you get this note?"
"I found it stuck to the bottom of my glass. I just want my family safe and sound, I don't care about me."
"But I care about you querida. We will find Ethan," he said pulling her into a hug.
"Promise Mickey," she mumbled as she continued crying.
"I promise pequeña."

----------------------

After saying goodbye to their parents using the excuse that she was not well, they left in Michael's car. The driver pulled out into the slow moving traffic.

Michael couldn't help but stare at her, her slit exposing her lovely legs as he held her hand rubbing soothing circles. She moved closer to him as if searching for warmth, which made him shrug off his jacket wrapping it around her.

"Baby, there is something I need to ask you. Your answer will not affect me helping you. It's just I need to know how you feel about us."
"Mickey I...."

Before she could complete her sentence they heard a loud crunching noise as their car was hurled off the road flipping over.
"Querida, can you move?"
"Yes, I think so."
As she tried to open the door, it was yanked open and as a pair of hands dragged her out of the car.

"Please you have to help my friend, I think he is badly hurt!"
"Shut up!" the man said.
Michael saw the man drag her away from the wreckage but couldn't do anything as he tried to free himself from the damaged vehicle.

"Please you have to help him!" Joanna screamed as they shoved her into the car.
"You have me already, you don't have to take innocent lives. Please I beg of you."
"Listen if you don't shut up on your own I will make you do so."

At the sound of the explosion Joanna looked behind to see the car go up in flames, as tears streamed down her face.
"Mikey," she whispered.

Oh no little Ethan has been taken and now Jo.
Who is going to rescue them??
Thanks for reading guys!

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Translations

querida - my darling
Chiquita - little one