"How do you know Seagal? Lucas asked causing me to freeze.

"I don't" I said trying to cover up my surprise. I guess I should have expected this question.

"Don't lie to me Amy. I hate liars" Lucas said seriously. "I'm going to ask you again. How do you know Marvin Seagal?"

"I-I... He uhm... I met him while I was still at Alfredo's" I confessed. "He was a frequent patron there at one point"

"What happened between you and him?" Lucas asked.

"Nothing" I replied looking down.

"Amy, I'm starting to lose my patience. I told you already I don't like liars so I suggest you answer me honestly when I asked you something" Lucas said to me.

"Alfredo had sent me to entertained him once" I said not looking at him "I didn't have a choice, and it wasn't only to perform for him...there was more... He wasn't a very patient guy and he was...he was abusive...physically".

"So that means he's familiar with you? Is that why you were holding unto me because you were scared he'd recognized you and try something?" Lucas asked in an angry tone.

"No! And I don't think he'd recognize me now. Back then we were usually always required to wore masks for the men we entertained" I told him honestly. "That night when you were there, was the first night I wasn't allowed to wear one... Alfredo was scared you wouldn't go for a mask girl. Seeing Marvin there tonight just brought back bad memories"

"So basically during your time at Alfredo, he wasn't the only one that would put his hands on the girls there?" Lucas asked.

"No. Some of the men that visited there would...." I trailed off.

"Seagal is a pig. And a sloppy business man who spends most of his money paying for women. That's the only way he'd ever get a woman to willingly sleep with him" Lucas scoffed. "He'll get what's coming to him soon enough"

I was feeling embarrassed by the information I had just disclosed to Lucas. He already knows about me and my past but it doesn't make it any better or different that each time I had to relay any other information or talked about my time at Alfredo, it caused me to feel cheap amd embarrassed all over again.

"Is that all you want to know?" I asked hugging my arms. "Can I go to my room now?"

"There's actually one more thing I'd like to discuss with you before you go" Lucas said to me.

"Okay...what is it?" I asked him.

"Its about that job I'm offering you..."

"You're actually going to offer me a job?" I asked in surprised cutting him off.

"Don't interrupt me while I'm talking, or I'll just change my mind" Lucas said to me.

"I'm sorry" I apologized.

"You're going to be one of the waitress at one of the club" Lucas said to me "The catch is, thus club is exclusively for members of the family and their VIPs. You don't try anything there because I'll be able to see and know everything.

Know your place and never disrespect any of the guys there. Only deliver to where you're being sent or requested and never interrupt any of the guys there when you see like they are in a meeting or discussion. Gio and I are also there most of the times so I'll be keeping my eyes on you. You'll be starting Monday evening and anything else you need to know I'll inform you about. Don't worry about the transportation to and from, that will be sorted as well"

"Oh uhm... Thank you" I said to him unsure of what else to say.

He had considered my request for a job and offered me one and I was thankful for that but did he really have to put me in the heart of the mafia. I'd be working in a club that was mostly occupied by members of the Cavelli mafia? Would I be able to handle that?

"One last thing" Lucas said regaining my attention "You'll be allowed to go out and visit your mother a few times a week or whenever you're free but all those outside opportunities will be supervised and you'll be back here immediately after. One slip up or you ever make me regret my decision and that's it, you're going to be facing serious consequences. Do you understand?"

"Yes, yes I understand. And don't worry, I won't try anything or make you regret your decision I promise. Thank you" I said to him honestly.

"Right. Goodnight Amy" Lucas said walking away.

"Goodnight" I replied.

It mat not be total freedom but its a start and I even got a job as well. If this was what it takes to eventually gain Lucas trust enough for him to let ms back out on my own, then I definitely won't mess it up this time

If I'm being told to jump by him, I'll most definitely be jumping or asking him how high.

~|~

Last night I had a good sleep, even though the start of the night wasn't all that pleasant to me, the news I got at the end made the remainder of my night good. I would no longer be on strict confinement to the apartment and I could go visit my mom from time to time, that was great news for me. I was just hoping Lucas doesn't change his mind anytime soon, therefore I was definitely going to try to stay on his good side.

I was hoping I could go visit my mom today. I didn't want to seem too quick or anything but I was hoping I'd be allowed to go after breakfast.

After showering I got dressed into a plain v-neck black blouse and purple denim skirt and went out.

"Good morning dear" Greta greeted me with a smile. "Did you sleep well?"

"Good morning Greta. I slept okay, thank you" I returned the smile.

"Would you like some breakfast? I've made plenty of eggs, sausages, pancakes..." Greta said to me.

"That'd be great, thank you" I smiled as she starting dishing a plate of food for me.

"So how was last night's event? Did you have fun?" Greta asked me.

"Not really. I guess I wasn't really cut out for these types of events, I could hardly wait to leave" I told her.

"Wow, was it that bad?" Greta asked making a face.

"No, it was just me. I didn't want to be there for long, I just felt somewhat out of place" I told her honestly.

After I had finished eating, I helped Greta with the dishes, loading them into the dishwasher and cleaning up the kitchen though she kept telling me she could do them by herself. When I was finished and had nothing else to do, I wanted to talk to Lucas about me going to see my mom. Greta told me that he was out on the balcony outside his room. I've never been inside Lucas's room before so I was wondering how on earth I was going to get to him. I asked Greta if she could tell him I want to speak to him, I'm which she went and came back telling me that Lucas said I should come to him. Thanking her I went to Lucas room, passing through I did a quick scan of the interior, his room was the typical bachelor pad styling. The walls were a plain brownish color and his furniture were black and his bed was covered with rich looking royal blue satin sheets. I didn't get to do much admiring since I was on a mission, I went out the double door out on the balcony.

"Wow" I breathe when I stepped out and saw the view. It was absolutely beautiful and impeccable but I couldn't focus on that long enough "Hi, good morning"

"Morning Amy" Lucas responded from the lounge chair he was sitting on. "Greta said you wanted to see me"

"Yes, I actually wanted to ask you..." I began but my phone started ringing which cut me off. As I rugged out the phone from my pocket, I apologize before answering. "I'm sorry, can you give me a minute please.... Hello?"

"Hello there, good day. Is this an Amy?" An elderly sounding lady asked on the other end. "This is Sonia Stewart, I'm the manager of Stewart's variety diner. My husband and I was out of town for a few days and my granddaughter gave me this number saying an Amy left it asking us to get back to her"

Oh my God. I'm speaking with my grandmother-think.

"Oh, uhm...y-yeah. Yes this is she... I'm Amy. I-I was the one who called" I stuttered nervously with excitement.

I actually wasn't sure how to react right now. I know I left my number saying to tell them to get back to me but when I hadn't received any calls within the last three days, I just thought I wouldn't get one any at all.

"Mrs. Stewart, I uh...I'm actually glad you called back I...." I was at a list for words.

I saw Lucas raised a brow after hearing me say Mrs. Stewart. This was a conversation I wanted to have in privacy but I had came here to talk to Lucas, so could I just leave now to go have a private conversation. Lucas sensing my hesitancy to speak while being out here with him, got up and headed inside the doors. I was grateful for the little space even though I may have to relay this back to him sometime.

"My granddaughter Sanya told me, you said it was important?" Sonia pressed.

"Uh, yes it is. I uhm...I actually don't really know where to start but I'd like to ask you something first" I said nervously.

"Oh? Okay go ahead" she encouraged.

"Okay. Please, I'm searching for someone and I'm hoping this was actually the right person" I started saying. "Please, don't freak out or anything but...are you, are you the mother of Mariean Stewart?"

There was a gasp and a pause which confirmed my curiosity. I was indeed talking to my grandma.

"What? Oh my God" I heard her whispered faintly before clearing her throat and speaking again "Who is this?"

"You are?" I asked but it was more of a statement.

"Who are you? How do you know Marie? Is she alive, did something happened to her?" The lady asked frantically her voice filled with emotions.

I myself was starting to get a bit emotional too even though I tried keeping it under control. I need to be strong for my mom's sake. I was talking to my grandmother, someone I had never met in whole 22years. How could I not get emotional as well, especially knowing why I never gotten a chance to meet them and how my mom and them got separated. Would I ever be accepted or would I be blamed and shunned as the bastard child, the result why my mom could be considered a black sheep of the family?

"I...I'm..." I cleared my throat sighing as I prepared to break the news to her "My name is Amy Stewart... Mariean is my mom"

"Oh dear God" she said in disbelief when someone took the phone from her, a male "Hello, who is this? And what news did you just tell my wife about Marie?"

And now, this was my granddad. Oh god.

"Hi" I said trying to control my emotions "My name is Amy Stewart, I'm... I'm your granddaughter"

****

So much has happened in the short period of last night and this morning. I was now allowed to leave Lucas's apartment and visit my mom from time to time, I was offered a job and I had finally gotten a chance to spoke to my grandparents whom I've never met before in my life. I could hardly describe the feeling I currently have, I was shocked, surprise, overjoyed, relieved overwhelmed and the list goes on. After I had finally received that call

from my grandma I was really worried that I was going to be blamed and not being accepted for what had happened in the past causing my mom and their separation.

After I had introduced myself over the phone and explain some stuff, both grandparents were so emotional and in a state of disbelief. I was asked to I introduced myself over again just for them to make sure, they weren't dreaming or being pranked. Based on what mom had told me about what had happened back then and how she just left, I thought my Grandparents would have hate her and not wanting to hear anything about her or her bastard child but I couldn't have been more wrong. They were just so excited, wanting to know where and how mom was, they could hardly believe it, they just wanted to be reunited with her immediately that they told me they'd be flying her the first thing on Monday if they could get a flight booked.I don't understand how mom was able to hide away from them this good for all these years or what. I just didn't know how to react right now, it was like I couldn't sit still. I couldn't wait to find out how mom was going to feel about this news. I was just so ecstatic about the news I had to share it with Greta letting her know that thanks to her help I have found them and even Lucas. After my phone call I went to him and just told him everything as I practically begged him to allow me to go visit mom.

So here I was at the entrance of the nursing home where Lucas had just let me off. I couldn't wait to see mom as well. As I entered, I saw mom out in the socialization area with a couple others. The minute she saw me her face broke out in that beautiful smile as she stood up. I practically tackled her into a hug.

"Oh god mom, I feel like I haven't seen you in years" I said as I hugged her.

"Me too sweetie. Me too" mom chuckled kissing the top of my head. "I'm so glad to see you too"

"I wanted to be here before but... How are you feeing now? Are you having any issue? Do you think the procedure worked?" I asked excitedly.

"Woah, slow down dear" mom laughed. "One question at a time. I feel great, actually I'm starting to feel much better than before. But how about we take a walk out to the garden?"

"That'd be great mom" I smiled as I linked my arm with hers and she led me in the direction of the garden. "You honestly even looked much better than before... You look... younger"

"I do?" Mom asked beaming.

"Yes, you look so beautiful" I told her truthfully.

"Aww, thank you baby" mom smiled. "So, let's talk. How have you been? I see that Lucas allowed you to come see me or did you sneak out"

"Actually he brought me here" I told her. "And that's not all, he said I'm allowed to visit you more than once a week-with supervision. But he's also offered me a job at one of the clubs"

"Sweetie that's great but do you really think a club is going..."

"I believe everything will be fine mom, don't worry okay" I reassured her. "Now that you're getting better and I'm going to be having a job, I'm thinking of getting you out this nursing home and back in an apartment and you can still get your regular check ups and..."

"Hold up there sweetie" mom said cutting me off. "You'll be doing no such thing with your money, you've already done enough. I won't accept anything more of such..."

"Why not?" I asked upset that mom would say this.

"Because like you said. I'm getting better so I can try to find myself a job and try to take care of myself. You have your own life to worry about Amy. I know you mean well but you can't always want to take care of me" mom said.

"Mom, I should always take care of you as long as I can...and even if its just until you are able to find a job and get back on your own feet" I said to her "In fact, I'd love if I could find you an apartment this evening..."

"This evening? Sweetie don't be crazy. I'm not really in a rush to move out of the homes. They are putting me out you know" mom said chuckling to try relieving the tension.

"No but I'd much rather if you were living in an apartment, you and I-as family" I said to her.

"It doesn't matter where we are or if we're living together or not, Amy we'll always be family" mom said to me.

"I know but I just think family should stick together" I replied. "Speaking of families, mom how would you feel or react now if we were to be reunited with your family?"