Sebastian's p.o.v
I had personally gone to pick up my cousin Luisa from the airport for an upcoming family event when she insisted on getting a particular dress from an apparel booth somewhere around the market area in the traffic. She dropped from the car and I had to watch her go into the store while I waited in the car for her. As a high-ranking member of the Mafia, I didn't usually handle tasks like this. But Luisa was family, and family is everything to us.
I got bored and tired of waiting at some point and decided to get some fresh air. The sun was scorching on my skin and I put my shades on. As I got out of my S.U.V., my gaze caught the attention of someone. A girl so beautiful her beauty is breathtaking. I smiled and waved at her as she looked back to confirm if I was actually waving at her.
I had received a message from an unknown number who turned out to be Guzman; he sounded so tense and told me about the Morales making a move against him. I told him to meet me at the "pink hole" club which isn't a common club to find mafia bosses, not the influential or popular ones at least. I dropped my sister and commanded my escorts to dismiss. I personally drove my way to the pink hole club and on getting to the lounge I had booked, I couldn't find Guzman. A man came to me and apologized about the situation and that there was actually a change in reservations.
As I walked pass to go to the new lounge I had been assigned, hoping to meet Guzman, I heard a cry from a lady, she seemed to be in distress. I followed the cry and was welcomed by an infuriating scene as I arrived at the spot where it came from.
Coincidentally, I was surprised to see that the face behind the cry was the girl, the enchanting beauty from the market the other time. I freed her from the claws of the monster holding her and got to introduce myself.
"Thank you, Sebastian. I'm Jasmine." She took the cosmopolitan drink on the table in the lounge and left.
I finally got to the new lounge and there I saw Guzman already waiting with a bandage on his head.
"What the hell, Guzman?" I exclaimed at the sight of his bandage.
Guzman's voice was laced with a hint of desperation. "Sebastian, I need your help. I've got a big problem on my hands and I don't know who else to turn to."
My instincts kicked in. I could sense the gravity of the situation. "What kind of problem?"
"I've got an enemy who's been making moves against me," Guzman explained.
"Someone who's been finding me, and won't back down until he sees the end of me. I need your protection, Sebastian."
I clenched my fist knowing Guzman wouldn't ask for help unless the situation was dire. "Tell me more," I said my voice low and even.
"It's Mateo Morales," Guzman said. "He owns and runs the Morales territory. He doesn't want to pay his dues and wants a free passage in and out of territory instead. He sounded arrogant, just like his father, but I had had another plan for him.Unfortunately, I was caught and now he won't stop until he finds me. He had killed majority of my men and I had narrowly escaped."
I had known Mateo to be very ruthless, and he wouldn't hesitate to use his underhanded tactics to get what he wants just like his father. Although, the Morales are very powerful, but run only about thirty percent of the territories, while we run thirty-one percent in the country with the Gonzales running the largest part. However, their influence is greater in Italy, having the greatest territories. They are certainly not the type to cross, but I certainly would if need be especially if it concerns a friend of mine in dilemma.
"Don't worry, Guzman," I said. "I'll take care of it. You're under my protection now."
Guzman's sigh of relief was audible. "Gracias (thank you) Sebastian, I owe you one."
Even though Guzman is older, I couldn't overlook the fact that he had saved my life and restored my family's honour, and now it's my turn to repay that debt, no matter the cost.
I smiled. "You don't owe me anything, Guzman. This is what friends are for, but you'll need to come over to my territory. It's won't be safe for you to stay in your territory, henceforth."
"Very well then, but first I must try and get my belongings," Guzman said.
I nodded. "I'll send one of my guys to escort you there. They'll keep u safe until get there and return."
As Guzman stood to leave, my mind was already racing with plans and strategies. I know that protecting Guzman wouldn't be easy, not with Mateo Morales. I picked up my phone, dialing a number.
"Marco, I need you to send some guys and go with Guzman to his territory," I said. "He's got a problem with Mateo Morales and I need him to be brought back safely. I'll let you know where to pick him up."
"Consider it done, boss," Marco said.
I nodded and a sense of satisfaction washed over me. I knew that with my men on the job, Guzman would be safe. And as for Mateo Morales, I just have to come up with something. I went outside the lounge and head to the bar to get some drink and there I met Jasmine.
"You work here?"
She felt startled for a minute and smiled as her gaze met mine.
"Hmm," she nodded.
"You need anything?" she paused with the bar table she was cleaning to faced me.
"Why don't you give me your best shot," I winked teasingly at her.
She smiled and I watch as she expertly poured some drink into a small glass cup and passed it to me. "Bottoms up!"
We laughed and after about three more shots, I just knew I couldn't take it in any longer.
"Thank you so much, Sebastian," she said to me with a deep sense of gratitude. "I honestly don't know what would have happened if..."
"It's okay, Jasmine. I assured her." You must have to be very careful around people like that next time.
She nodded and then breathe out aloud. "Right"
I studied her for a second as she attended to other patrons and I just couldn't fathom the presence a beauty like hers standing right in front of me. "It must have been really hard working two different shifts a day."
Her eyes darted on me. "What did you say?"
I'd gone to pick my cousin today when I saw you at a cloth store. You looked so confused that you had turn back to be sure you're not going crazy.
Her eyes opened wide in shock however, she manage to speak. "Have you been following me?"