SWNOVELS The Devil’s Fire by Mariam El-Hafi Chapter 12
Althaia
“Michael, relax. You’re hurting me!” I winced out as his fingers were digging into my side. He snapped out of his daze and immediately let me go, and I started to gently massage my side. This was so going to bruise. His eyes followed my actions, and instant regret showed on his face.
“Shit, Thaia, I’m so sorry.” He ran a hand through his hair, messing it up a little in the process.
“Are you okay?” I looked at him worried. I have never seen him like this before and Michael usually kept his cool but this time I feared him doing something reckless, resulting in him getting hurt.
“I’m the one who should be asking if you’re okay.” He shook his head and gave me a small smile.
“Don’t worry about me… He just pisses me off every time I see his stupid face.” He scowled.
“Or is it because he drives a sexier car than yours?” I teased and bumped my shoulder into his.
“You’re such a gold-digger, Thaia!” He jokingly accused.
“One minute you’re begging me to let you drive my car, and then you see his stupid car and forget all about mine.” This time I couldn’t help but burst out laughing. He just looked at me with an annoyed.
“Well, what can I say, I’m a sucker for cars I will never be able
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to afford on my own.” I sighed. I could only ever dream of owning such cars. Michael didn’t even bother replying as we made our way to the living room where talking could be heard.
“There she is!” My father said when he saw me, holding his arm towards me for a hug. I smiled and went to embrace him. Our relationship had grown much in such a short time since I had been staying here for an extra week. And this time, he really took the initiative to get to know me, and we would meet up for breakfast and lunch. He wanted me to stay at the mansion, but I was still hesitant about that. I didn’t want to rush and risk ruining our relationship. It was better that we just took one step at a time.
I also made sure he fixed the whole ‘Althaia Volante is dead’
situation. Since the people my father tried to hide me from now knew that I was not dead, there really was no point in continuing the lie. Also, it was very disturbing to know that your official papers said that you were deceased. He made it all disappear and even changed my name from Celano to Volante. He thought it was time for me to wear my rightful name as he had said.
I, on the other hand, thought people would actually start looking for me and maybe kill me if I went by the name Volante, but he assured me that no one would dare to harm me since I was now under the protection of both the Volante and the Bellavia family. If someone did, it was because they have a death wish.
Other than that, I was just happy about having a father in my life again.
“Althaia, you remember your uncle, don’t you? He has just
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returned from a business trip.” He gestured to the man in
front of me. Of course, I remembered him. I would never forget the only person I have ever truly wanted to kill with my bare hands.
I forced a tight smile as I looked at him with no intention of stepping closer to him. He looked so different and looked like he had aged at least fifty years with his greasy shoulder- length hair. His skin was greyish and too many wrinkles on his face. He looked like he just came back from death.
“Althaia, look how grown you’ve become. You’ve turned into such a beautiful woman.” Uncle said as his lustful eyes roamed my body, stopping for way too long on my breasts. Fucking creep, go die you sicko. Luckily, he tore his eyes away when Damiano and Lorenzo made an appearance.
I had been way too busy to admire his car that I didn’t take the time to appreciate just how fine-looking he was right now. Shit, he was even more handsome today than the day of the engagement party. I had actually stopped breathing a little when I gazed at him. I bit my lip as my eyes shamelessly checked him out. He was wearing a dark grey button-up that hugged his muscular, but lean, body. His shirt was tightening around his biceps as he moved, and his black slacks that showed off his strong legs.
My eyes went up to his face, meeting his golden-brown eyes that were already staring at me. He looked me in the eyes and slowly trailed them down and made a stop on my lips. I unconsciously licked my lip and his eyes snapped right back to my eyes. There was something so enchanting about his eyes. I felt like I was drowning in them.
“Gentlemen.” My father greeted them, and I looked at my
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father, breaking eye contact first.
Lorenzo didn’t say anything but just gave a short nod and Damiano shook my father’s outstretched hand, showing no emotion at all. I have come to learn that Lorenzo wasn’t much of a talker but he was one of the most feared men, and I could see that. His huge build and the mysterious silence around him screamed like a deadly assassin to me.
“Dinner is almost ready, in the meantime let’s head to my office and talk business.” My father started to lead the way, and they followed. Since they were going to the office I might as well make my way upstairs to Cara’s room. Before I had the chance to take a step, I felt a hand squeeze my ass. I gasped and turned around to see who would dare such a thing. To my fear, I was only met with my Uncle. He winked at me and quickly followed the rest of the men.
I stilled in shock, nausea overwhelming me.
I walked away from the living room as fast as I could with the need to sanitize my entire body. I rounded the corner towards the stairs when the most annoying high-pitched voice stopped me.
“Althaia, darling!” I cringed at the darling part. I turned around to see Morella making her way toward me. My father’s wife. We haven’t officially met because, well, the engagement party didn’t exactly go as planned, and my father and I would meet up at neutral places like restaurants and just get to know each other again. I have been trying to avoid meeting her but looks like I couldn’t get out of this one now.
“Hello, Morella.” I faked a smile. She caught me off guard when she suddenly grabbed my shoulders and kissed both of
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my cheeks with big kiss noises.
1
“Darling, how are you? Oh, darling, look at you in that dress!” I tried not to flinch as her voice got an octave higher for every word that came out of her mouth. And who uses the word ‘darling’ so many times?
“I’m good, thank you.” Her hair was blonde with a pixie cut, she had blue eyes, high cheekbones, and lips that has way too much filler in with bright red lipstick on. It kind of looks like a butthole that was about to explode. She was wearing a tight knee-length black dress with sleeves stopping at her elbows and red heels. I couldn’t help but think what a downgrade from my mother. She didn’t even come close to my mother’s beauty.
I snickered in my mind.
“Darling, have you had the chance to meet my son, Carlos?” I tried to keep my face neutral and not flinch at her voice. How was it possible to talk so high-pitched?!
“Oh no, I haven’t seen him around so…” I tried to walk away but she put her hand on my shoulder, stopping me.
“I see. Your father is always keeping him busy, darling. Even I barely get to see him nowadays.” Did she really have to call me darling in every freaking sentence?
“Oh well, gotta keep the business going, right?” I tried to leave again but she just kept talking and talking. By the end of this conversation, I was sure I would suffer from tinnitus. I looked over Morella’s shoulder as she kept rambling on about something I couldn’t care less about, and spotted Cara. A smile almost broke out as Cara was standing behind Morella, making gag motions with her finger and I had to try my best
ne
not to break out laughing at the sight. Cara walked over to us, the sound of her heels clicking made Morella snap out of her rambling and face her.
“Cara, darling! Don’t you just look gorgeous!” She did look gorgeous. She was wearing a tight beige-colored maxi dress with spaghetti straps. The dress was hugging into her waist and was tight around her hips, giving her the shape of an hourglass.
“Thank you, Morella.” She smiled. Cara was the best at faking smiles, you couldn’t even tell it was fake because she was that good.
“Isn’t dinner ready yet?” Cara asked before Morella started her rambling again.
“Oh yes, I was about to get the boys. Be a darling and tell them dinner is ready.” And she walked back in the direction of
the kitchen.
“Thank God she’s gone. I was about to break my own neck if you hadn’t come in time.” I said relieved and I wrapped my arm around hers as we made our way to the office.
“Oh, you’re so welcome, darling.” She mimicked Morella, and we both burst out laughing.
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