"Who do you think you are? Let me through, I'm her best friend."

I huffed and opened the front door knowing well who was being so loud. Samantha was standing there, but Mike was blocking her path.

"Let her." I said loud enough for him to hear me from where I was standing.

Mike looked at me warily and I nodded at him assuring him that it was fine. Samantha walked past him sending a glare his way. She made her way to the front door and pulled me into a tight hug when she got close enough.

"I missed you." She said and I nodded a little pulling back.

"I missed you too." I smiled mentioning for her to get in. she did and I closed the front door behind her. "Come I was making lunch."

I silently walked through the house to go back to the kitchen and she followed silently. We entered and I immediately went back to my task.

"You've been ignoring my calls." Sam said lowly as I moved around the kitchen.

"I'm sorry. I've just been really busy with my father and other things." I said and started slicing the vegetables, trying to pretend that I wasn't bothered by her presence.

I just wanted to see how far her hypocrisy could go. If she could be here and smile or pretend that she is not back stabbing me. Kaden might know that I talk to Nickolas because of the necklace and he might know that I found out about them. I'm sure that's the reason she came here today, to see if my behavior would change.

"You've made too much progress to let these people ruin my work. Just play with her mind. Drive that bitch crazy." That's what Frieda told me yesterday.

"Are you okay, Maya?" Her voice made me look up to see her sitting on one of the stools looking at me with furrowed eyebrows.

"I'm fine." I said with a smile, before grabbing another carrot and started slicing it loudly.

"You've changed." She then said and I fought the urge to scoff at her.

"How so?"

"I don't know. You seem so distant?"

"Do I?" I furrowed my eyebrows questioningly shifting my gaze to her.

"Why do I feel like you're mad at me." She kissed her teeth as an exasperated expression crossed her face. "Did I do something to you?"

"You're my best friend. What could you do to make me mad at you?" I asked placing the knife on the chopping board, to look at her seriously.

"I don't know. Just tell me if I did something wrong?" she said and the sad expression that appeared on her face sent shivers down my spine.

So that's how she has been doing things from the beginning.

"It's all good, really." I said, then decided to follow Frieda's advice. "I just miss my husband. I always wonder what he's doing, who he is with. If he's eating or not." I said looking at her face to see her expression shift a little once again.

I almost laughed as the sight of her fighting the sour expression that was creeping to her face, and it was almost similar to the look she had when she gave me the necklace.

Envy? Jealousy?

Does she have feelings for that man?

I really hope not, because she should know better. But then again, she met him before I did. She should know how bad he is, she can have him all for all I care. She would be liberating me.

But when I think of it, I just wonder if she really wanted a life with him. What kind of life would she have with a man like Kaden?

"I thought you hated him." She said before pressing her lips tightly together.

I lifted my shoulders a little before dropping them. "I never said that. I said he hated me when I wanted things to work between us."

She clenched her teeth looking at me with narrowed eyes. "How can you say that after everything he did? You saidhe hurt you."

"Yeah. But his absence made me realize how much he meant to me." I continued taunting her and I saw her rubbing her fingers together tightly. "I'm actually thinking about going to him."

Her whole body suddenly tensed up, and the fact that she was forcing herself to relax and calm herself made it even more noticeable.

Like I would want to go there. How can she even believe the words that are coming out of my mouth?

"Are you crazy?" She snapped standing up as her voice became louder. "Why can't you leave him alone. He left and that's what you wanted." She continued.

"But that's not what I want anymore." I said biting on my lower lip lightly.

She moved around the counter and stood in front of me, before placing her hands on my shoulders. "Maya, stop it!"

"Why are you getting so mad?" I asked feigning confusion, and she straightened her back before taking a deep breath.

"B... Because he hurt you." She said sitting closer to me. "Please don't go to him. Leave him alone."

Leave him alone. The more she talks now, the more obvious it is that she is not worried about me, she's worried about Kaden and her being together.

I clenched my teeth a little. My heart clenched at that thought. We grew up together, we've always been there for each other.

At what point has it changed?

When? How did I not notice before?

"If they pretend to care and hurt you, they are really not worth it. Just imagine all the good it will do once they get out of your life. The world is just made that way."Frieda was right. If Sam didn't care about me, why would I care about her?

She doesn't care about our friendship, why should I? That was easier to think of, because the last I wanted was for her to be in the situation I've been with that man.

"Maya don't go to him." Sam's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

"I just want to fix my marriage, that's what I always wanted."

"There is nothing to fix, because there was nothing there in the first place. He doesn't love you." She snapped, with her eyes filled with anger.

I looked at her with a small frown. "You don't know that. I'm sure he does." I said and she took a step back.

"If you want to keep being so desperate with a man, that's your problem. Call me when you come back to your senses." She said angrily grabbing her phone from the counter top and leaving the kitchen.

I watched her disappear and I couldn't help the smile that came to my face. I chuckled to myself as the front door slammed shut before grabbing the knife and continued cutting the vegetables.

"Drive that bitch crazy."

That's exactly what I'm going to do.

****

At what point in my life did I start thinking that it was okay to be around the mafia? I thought as he opened his car door of me to get in. I thanked him and got in as he went to the other side.

I don't know, but I'm sure it's better to be his friend than his enemy. That's all that could be on my mind the moment Nickolas told me that he would pick me up for his night drive and I just agreed and was actually excited about it.

There was no warning bell in my head, but even if there was, I don't think that I would pay them any mind. I actually like his company. And I needed to think about things other than Samantha because she's all I've been thinking about since her visit this morning.

"Where are we going?" I asked closing the front door behind me.

"Dinner. I'm hungry." He said and I nodded tightening my stomach when it wanted to start making noises.

So am I, apparently.

We silently got into the car and he started driving. My mind again went back to my conversation with Frieda. She told me about the people in their organizations. And I was surprised to see how many people that were part of it but used normal and legal jobs as a Disguise. It actually impressed me how organized they were in everything they did.

"So, you guys have people from the government in your organization?"

"You had a chat with Frieda, I see." He said and I shrugged. "The reason they make deals is to make sure everything always goes well for us and I help them when needed, mostly money."

"And the judges and doctors?"

He smirked briefly glancing at me. "We always need people in different positions. You seem to be really interested in this business, when you should be running away."

"I'm curious." I smiled before turning my head to look at him. "And you're telling all this. I'm gonna tell people." I said knowing well that I wouldn't dare.

"You're a smart woman, Maya. You know better."

"You were helping me, and now you're threatening me?" I said placing a hand my chest.

"You'd know if I was threatening you." He said.

All these people work for him and have something to give him one way or another. What would I bring to the table?

He doesn't want my money.

"We always need people in different positions."That means he needs businesses.

What if-?

"My father's business is not for sale." I said the words not even trying to stop them from leaving my mouth. "He may have financial problems but he is still the major shareholder."

"I don't want your father's business." He said and I looked at him warily. "Why would you even think that?"

"You're doing all this. I don't know why you are and it is really starting to scare me Nickolas." I said seriously. "Why are you doing this? Don't tell me it's because you can. That's not a valid answer anymore."

"I don't want to tell you yet." He said stopping at a red light and turned to look at me.

"Why not?"

He didn't say anything, but just stares at me, not saying anything. I held his gaze for a few seconds, hoping he would break it, but looked away when he didn't. I know I ask a lot of questions, but it makes sense for me to ask. Nobody spends so much money without expecting anything in return.

I shifted nervously on my seat when I felt his gaze still boring on the side of my face.

"You ask a lot of questions Maya."

"Because you don't answer any of them." I said, trying to hide my frustration, but obviously failing.

"How is your father?" He asked and I crossed my arms over my chest looking at him, displeasure written all over my face.

I need to know. Being grateful doesn't mean that I should just keep quiet and not ask what the price would be.

"You were stuttering and shaking the first time we talked and now you're practically glaring at me. That's a proof that I don't want you any harm." He said and started driving again. "If you were anyone else, you would be dead." He said, without an ounce of amusement or joke in his tone.

"He's fine." I said and I remembered that he was the one who changed the doctor. "Thank you. The doctor told me that you told him to take care of my father. And he's doing better because of the new treatment."

Treatment that costs way too much money.

"You're welcome." I heard him say.

He doesn't want money.

He doesn't want my father's company.

He doesn't want me to work in his business.

Then...

"I am not going to be forced to do anything either." I found myself saying out loud, half regretting it.

Anything sexual.

I wanted keep a serious face, however my serious face dropped the moment I heard him let out a small laugh. A smile stretched on my face, because he always seems to force any sound, that is close to laughter, back, but this time it was clear.

"I know you're not, Maya." He said with a tiny smile. 

I've been doing some research of my own and I've found some their works. I've seen some pretty scary things too, things that, again, made me question my sanity. I haven't found any names or pictures about Nickolas, Frieda, Mike or Kaden. Since those are the only names I know. But the way Frieda explained things to me was clear, especially things related to people in the government.

"No way out? Even for you?"

He is the boss after all, right?

"Even for me." He said.

"Would you want a way out?"

He didn't hesitate before answering. "No."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm not a good person." He said, like it was the most natural thing to say. "I don't want to leave this business. I'm not hiding who I am to you."

I just stayed quiet, wondering if I've really lost my mind. The idea of chastising him never even crossed my mind.

"Does your mother know about it?"

"I told you it was a family business." He said and I nodded again.

He doesn't really mention his father, and as curious as I was, I stopped myself from asking.

The moment the word Family left his mouth, more questions came to mind. I know he is not married, but is he involved with someone? Is he the type of men to be in a relationship? Does he have a girlfriend?

If he did, he wouldn't spend so much time with me, right?

That thought caused an unpleasant feeling to creep to my chest, but I immediately pushed it aside.

*** Third Person ***

"She said she doesn't want to see you anymore. She doesn't even want to talk about you." Sam said over the phone chewing on her bottom lip.

"That's what we'll see." Kaden said lowly. "Did she say anything about you seeing me?"

"No." She said clenching her teeth.

Why can't he just stop worrying about what the fuck she does? She bitterly asked herself.

"That's because she doesn't fucking care. Why can't you leave her alone? She doesn't love you. She's fucking your boss." She said not being able to contain her anger anymore. "Baby please leave her alone."

"Go see her again tomorrow. I want you to be with her as much as you can. Keep an eye on her." He said before hanging up.

The sound of the call ending made her clench her teeth in anger. She let out a loud frustrated cry before throwing the phone away.

What does this bitch have that I don't?

****

On Kaden's side, he could only see red. He hung up the phone, not wanting to hear what Sam had to say about that bitch and his boss.

"When are you leaving?" He asked tightening his hold on his phone as he turned to look at X.

"I know what you want me to do, and I'll do it." X hissed, not liking the fact that this man was rushing like that. "I'll get you your wife. I'm just going to do it without ending up dead. I may like danger, but I still value life." He muttered closing his computer before standing from his seat.

"When are you leaving?" Kaden asked again, not really caring if the man didn't like being rushed, he just wanted his wife with him.

"I don't talk about my business. You'll get that woman, that's all I can say." X muttered briefly adjusting the mask on his face. "But after you get her, how are you going to hide her from Orsini? I'm curious."

"That's none of your fucking business. She's my bitch. Why the fuck would I hide her? He's gonna have to find another pussy to get himself in. The man doesn't care about anyone." He said angrily walking out.

He was sure that Orsini just wanted a good fuck, but couldn't he just find another woman? Why his? And that bitch must really be thinking that she got it all since she's been fucking his boss. Orsini would just use her and throw her aside, and when he gets her back, he's just gonna find another piece of ass.

He clenched his fists as his breathing became heavier. He stopped walking and placed a hand on the wall and he felt himself getting hotter, anger consuming his body entirely. The more he thought about it, the harder it was for him to breath. Rage consumed his body entirely.

If it wasn't for his own personal business he had with the Colombos, he would have left already, Nickolas be damned, since he wasn't even his boss anymore. He had gotten into business with the Colombos and he intend on staying exactly where he was and help them bring Orsini down.

That cheating bitch. Just wait until I get my hands on you.

He clenched his jaw tightly and before he could stop himself his fists repeatedly slammed against the wall. He wasn't feeling the pain, all he could feel was his anger consuming him completely, blinding him, making him immune to the physical pain.

She's going to regret it. I'll show her exactly who she belongs to.