❤A
NANNY
FOR
AURORA????
{The Mafia’s little princess}
By Precious Pinky
Chapter 113&114
★★★★★
(NIGHTMARES OR MEMORIES)
****
ZODIAC CLUB★VIP LOUNGE**
“Long time no see, Ca-ssano.”
They both shook hands.
“Yeah.” Mikhail gave a firm nod and sat down. “I didn’t expect you had come here.”
Gregory chuckled and sat down opposite Mikhail.
“What can I say? I’m a man full of surprises.”
“Hmm. Fortunately, I wasn’t surprised.”
“I can see that.”
“So tell me, Why are you here?”
“Uh-uh.” The older man shook his head in disapproval. “We should order drinks first.”
“Drinks?”
“Yeah. I mean, we haven’t spoken for like what,” He pretends to be de-ep in thought. “Five years. Come on, Ca-ssano. One shot won’t hurt.”
“Are you here to drink with me or talk business?”
“Actually…I’m here for both.” He smiled.
Mikhail snapped his fingers to Marcello, the young man bowed and walked away.
“I can see he’s still a loyal dog.” Gregory said, referring to Marcello.
“Be watchful of what you say.” Mikhail warned.
Gregory raised his hands in the air as if in surrender, chuckling.
“I crossed the line, my bad.”
“While they get the drinks, tell me why you are here.”
Gregory hesitated. “I heard you found Octavius.”
Mikhail scoffed darkly. “So rumors still fly around.”
“Hey, there are no secrets in the mafia world.”
“Is that what you think?”
“That’s what I know. I have been in this business for over sixty years. And one thing I learned is that your business can be my business too.”
Marcello returned with the drinks and dropped them on the center table. He was going to pour the drinks inside their glas-scups but Mikhail stopped him.
“Leave it. I don’t think Gregory will mind pouring his shot by himself.”
Gregory laughed and nodded. “Of course, I don’t mind.”
Marcello bowed and took a step back.
“Did you do that on purpose, because I called him a loyal dog?” He asked in a low voice.
“Oh, don’t be petty. Besides, you said you don’t mind…or do you?”
“No. I really don’t mind.” The old man said and started pouring himself a drink of tequila.
“I was quite busy with something back at home when I heard of your arrival. I just hope whatever brou-ght you here is worth forfeiting what I was doing at home.”
“Trust me, you won’t regret being here.” The man guaranteed, taking a sip from the glas-scup.
****
DIEGO’S HOUSE**
“Wow. This meal is so delicious. I can’t get tired of your amazing cooking, babe.” Diego said, smiling.
“Hmm.” Layla hummed absentmindedly, picking at her food.
“But I prefer Daria’s cooking,” He said watching her closely.
“Hmm.” She hummed again.
“What’s wrong with you?” Diego asked, dropping his cutlery down. “Are you okay?”
She looked up at him, forcing a smile onto her face. “Of course, I’m okay. Why do you ask? Don’t I look okay?”
“What was my last sentence?” He questioned.
Layla thought for a while. “You asked if I was okay?”
“I’m not asking you about that. I mean… You know what, never mind about that. Just tell me what’s wrong with you?”
“I’m fine, babe.”
“No, you are not. Stop lying to me. You seem to be lost in thought. You didn’t even touch your food and everything I was saying, you were just humming in reply. Is this about Felix?”
Layla choked on her saliva and started coughing, hitting her chest.
“Are you alright? Here, drink this.” He handed her a glas-sof chilled water.
“T..thank you.” She collected it and took a gulp. “Oh, gosh.”
“Are you okay now?” She nodded her head. “I’m sorry if I_”
“Don’t apologize.” She quickly cut him off.
“Why not? You got choked because of my countless questions. I should apologize for that.”
“If you are apologizing over something as little as this, what do you expect me to do then?” She snapped before she could stop herself.
“What?”
Layla bites her lower li-p, mentally scolding herself for spilling all that.
“I’m tired. I will be retiring for the night first. Good night.” She got up.
“Babe, you barely touch your food.”
“I’m not hungry.” She turned around and left the dining room.
****
ZODIAC CLUB★stri-pPER’S DRESSING ROOM**
Rosa walked inside, breathing heavily as sweat glistened on her body.
Her close friend, Lexi, approached her with a bottle of chilled water.
“You were amazing on stage, babes.”
“You always say that whenever I get down from the stage.”
“I can’t help it. Your awesomeness is too much for me to handle.”
“Ugh, stop pulling my legs.”
“I mean every word, trust me. Anyway, here.” Lexi gave her the bottled water.
“Thanks, hun.” Rosa collected it. She uncapped it and took a gulp. Ah, this is refreshing.”
“Water is life.”
“You can say that again.”
They heard a soft knock on the door.
The door opened and a guard peeked his head throu-gh.
“Lexi, you are up in five minutes. And Rosa, some guy requested your services.”
“A private dance, huh?” Lexi winked.
“Is it…a private dance?” Rosa asked the guard.
“I don’t know. You will find him at the bar.” With that said, he left.
“What kind of a guy request a private dance at the bar?” Lexi asked no one in particular.
“Oh, Lexi. The guard never said it was a private dance.”
“Then why did he request for you?”
“Stop getting pissed over unnecessary things, Lexi. Moreover, you should be out there on stage.”
“In five minutes,” Lexi added, rolling her eyes.
“Whatever. I will go and see who this guy is.”
“Do not do anything for free. If he claims not to have cash on him then ask for a transfer.” Lexi advised.
Rosa chuckled awkwardly. “Yeah. I will keep that in mind.” She quickly stepped out of the dressing room.
****
AURORA’S ROOM**
“Why does this child’s face look so familiar?” Diamond asked herself, staring at the picture intently.
She could feel slight headaches and it was as if a memory bottled up in her head was fighting to free itself.
“Where have I seen this face?” She closed her eyes, hoping to remember but got interrupted by the opening and closing of the door.
She opened her eyes and found Aurora staring at her with her brows furrowed.
“What are you doing here, nanny?” She asked.
“Uhm, I came to call you down for dinner but didn’t find you. Where have you been?”
“I was with aunt Lottie.” The kid answered.
“Oh. I didn’t know you were this close to your aunt.”
“We settled our differences. And guess what?” She smiled. “My aunt is not a bad person like I thought. She was just going throu-ghthe pain of losing her only sister and family. She really loved my mother.”
“Was that what she told you?”
“Yeah, and I believed her.”
“Hmm.” Diamond remembered the picture in her hand. “Uh, kid,”
“Yes?”
“I found this picture on the table.”
“Oh.” Aurora collected it.
“Who are the kids? Your friends?”
Aurora shook her head. “No. Aunt Lottie gave it to me.”
“Aunt Lottie? Like your aunt?”
“Is there another Aunt Lottie?” She raised a questioning brow at her nanny.
‘Shit, that was a dumb question.’ Diamond scolded herself mentally.
“No, of course not. I just…” She waved her hand in the air as if shooing a housefly. “don’t mind me.”
“Hmm.” Aurora placed the framed picture on the exact table Diamond had picked it up from. “You are acting weird.”
“Am I?”
“Yeah. Come to think of it, this is the first time I’m seeing you after you refused to pick me up from school and sent Paige instead.”
‘Oh fuc-k , I forgot about that.’ Diamond thought.
“I’m so sorry, kid. I had something very important to take care of.”
”Was that thing more important than me?” The kid pouted. “Was it?”
“Uh…not really. You see, it’s my dad.”
“Your dad?”
The nanny nodded her head. “Yes. He doesn’t stay here in Las Vegas and I miss him so much. And then he suddenly came over here to pay me a surprise visit. Tell me, kid, should I have stayed back and not gone to him?”
“Of course not. I’m glad you went to him. I can’t imagine not seeing my dad for one day. How long have you stayed away from your dad?”
“For years. I even lost count.”
Aurora’s eyes wide-ned. “You must have really missed him.”
“Hmm…”
“I’m sorry for getting mad at you. You had a good reason for not coming to get me from school. I should have asked questions first before judging.”
Diamond smiled. “It’s alright.” She glanced back at the picture again and sighed. “Although, I’m curious.”
“About what?”
“The brunette girl,” She pointed at the six years old smiling girl. “You said your aunt gave you the picture, are the kids hers?”
Aurora laughed and shook her head. “No, silly. Aunt Lottie is yet to get married and talks more about having kids. Although, she said she’s working on it.”
“I don’t care about her marital status.” Diamond blurted out.
“What?”
“I mean, who cares about marital status? If you are married or single…life goes on.” She said.
“Uh.., but my parents got married.”
“Yeah. Whatever.” Diamond dismissed. “If the kids are not your aunt’s then who are they?”
“My mother and Aunt Lottie.” Aurora answered. “The blonde is my mother and the brunette is my aunt.” The child differentiated.
(A/N: Do not confuse yourselves, y’all. Diamond(Ca-ssano) is blonde while Lottie is brunette. You can go back to read the previous chapter where I mentioned it. It’s quite unfortunate most of you don’t remember ????)
“Lottie is the brunette,” Diamond mumbled under her breath, knitting her brows.
“What did you say?”
“Eh? Nothing. Let’s go downstairs.” Diamond held the little girl’s hand.
‘Why do six years Lottie look so familiar? Have we met before when we were kids? No. That’s not possible. I would remember if I’d really seen her. Yes, she looks familiar but that doesn’t mean I know her, right?’ She thought.
****
ZODIAC CLUB★VIP LOUNGE**
Mikhail leaned back into his seat, taking a long drag of the cigarette and puffing out rings of smoke.
“You want Octavius dead,” He repeated. “Why?”
“That bastard betrayed me. He took my shipment and disappeared into thin air. I fuc-k ing want him dead.”
“And what,” Mikhail shot up his brows. “You want me to help you with that?”
“Yes. That’s why I’m here. Since you found him_”
“Who said I found him?” Mikhail asked.
“Huh?”
“Yes, I was able to track his location but I can’t locate him anymore.”
“Why not?”
“He probably turned off. You must have gotten the wrong information, Gregory.”
“What about his family?”
“What?”
“His family. I’m sure he has one. Maybe a son, wife, or even a daughter.”
Mikhail’s blood stopped flowing. He dropped the b*tt of cigarette on the ashtray set on the table and the glare on his face hardened.
‘A daughter…I have her wrapped around my pinky finger but no, no one is allowed to go close to her aside from me.’
“You said I won’t regret coming here but guess what, I regret leaving what I was doing behind to come here.” He stood up. “Always get your information right before seeking my audience, Gregory. The next time you call me for shit like this…I will kill you regardless of the consequences.”
“Why are you suddenly defensive, Ca-ssano?” Gregory stood up. “Is there something you are trying to protect?”
“Don’t,” Mikhail warned menacingly. “Don’t try to observe me. Because even if I was a subject and you get to study me for sixty years, you won’t still understand. I will pretend this meeting never took place.” He stuffed his hands inside his pan-ts pocket and walked away, Marcello tailing after him.
****
RHODES’S MANSION★MEXICO**
“We need to talk.” Elodie said.
Rhodes shook his head in disagreement. “No. I don’t have anything to say to you.”
“Well, I have a lot to say.” She insisted. “You have to listen to what I have to say, Rhodes.”
The man gro-aned, chugging the shot of vodka, and then poured himself another gla-ss. “What is it?”
“I’ve never seen you drink like this before.” She pointed out.
“Is that what you want to talk about?” He raised a questioning brow at her.
She shook her head. “No.”
“Then go straight to the point.” He said, downing the alcoholic drink and then pouring himself another shot. “I don’t have the whole time in the world.”
“What has come over you?” She asked. “I know you are pissed at me for siding with Felix against Diamond but I don’t get why you are drinking and yelling and…I don’t know, this is not you, Rhodes. This is not the man I married.” She said.
“You don’t know me, Elodie.” He said in a dark voice, coming up to his feet. “I don’t even know myself.” He shrugged. “I’ve done a lot of bad things in my past. I’ve hurt people, betrayed those who cared and supported me…I am not the best definition of a good man.”
“What are you saying?” Elodie asked looking very confused. “Who did you hurt? Who did you betray? I don’t understand any of the words you just said.”
He let out a small chuckle, leaning against the bar. “You won’t understand.”
“Then make me understand. I want to know what is eating my husband up. I want to help him. I hate seeing you like this in pain and funny enough, I’ve never seen you like this before.”
Rhodes ruffled his hair. “As I said, you won’t understand.” He began walking away.
“Rhodes,” She called back.
“Good night, hun!” He slurred and staggered his way upstairs.
“What is wrong with him? Why does it feel like I got married to a stranger?”
She remembered his last words…
★“I’ve done a lot of bad things in my past..”★
“What does he mean?” She wondered.
****
ZODIAC CLUB★BAR**
Rosa approached the bar and frowned when she saw Felix, leaning against a bar stool and drinking. His face was a total mess.
“Felix,”
He smirked. “Hi, babe.”
“What are you doing here?” She asked.
“This is a bar, isn’t it?”
“Ah, yes. That was a foolish question to ask. I just wasn’t expecting to see you here.”
“I know.”
“What happened to your face? Did you get into a fight?”
He slightly shrugged so as not to apply pressure to his injured arm. “Let’s say, my lies caught up with me.”
“Your lies? What do you mean?”
“Can we…not have the conversation here?”
“Uhm,” She hesitated.
“Please. I need a friend to talk to right now. My head is going in a circle and I’m fuc-k ing scared that I will do something crazy.”
“Sure. Where should we have the conversation?”
“My house.”
“Hmm. I will go get dressed after I meet the guy that requested my presence…” She began to look around.
“I think you’ve seen him already.” Felix said.
“I have?”
“I am the guy.” He gestured at himself.
“Oh.”
*****
Ca-ssANO’S MANSION**
Diamond retired to bed after having dinner with Lottie and the kid.
Her boss wasn’t back from the ‘business.’ Honestly, she missed him. It’s crazy but she does.
She lay back flat on the bed and stared at the ceilings.
Her mind went back to the picture she had found in Aurora’s room.
★“The brunette is Aunt Lottie.”★
Diamond was going to ask Lottie if they had met before when they were kids after dinner but she refrained from doing so. There’s no way she had met a little version of annoying and rude Lottie in the past.
“I think I’m going crazy.” She murmured, lying on her side.
“Stop thinking, Diamond. Just stop.” She gradually goes to sleep.
*****
It was dead silent.
No voices…
No face…
Nothing…
It was like a graveyard filled with dead bodies.
It was suffocating…
It was like motionless water with no fish.
How can the world be as silent as this?
Has the world finally come to an end?
She was proven wrong when she started hearing footsteps.
Someone was coming towards her.
Diamond didn’t know where she was standing nor could she see her face or body.
It was dark but she was able to see the brunette hair of the girl approaching her.
And then, she heard her voice…
“Hi, I’m Lottie.”
****
Diamond eyes snapped open as she woke up from the nightmare…or maybe memories?
TBC.