It's now been two days after the wedding planning day and I feel like shit. I've been moping around for these last two days and have kept myself locked in my room. The only time my spirits would be lifted, is when either the boys, or any of the girls come here.

It's not like we were together, why the fuck am I acting like this. I need to get a grip.

So, I get up and go do my morning routine as well as showering, washing my hair and shaving and go and pick out an outfit.

I wanted to wear something that makes me feel like a rich boss bitch. So, I decided to wear a black blazer dress with some, black louboutin heels. Considering I'm going to go and have a whole mafia meeting back at my fathers house because that's where our base is.

And for my makeup, I done a full face to give myself that last bit of extra confidence I need after looking like shit for the past two days.

After I was finished, I made my way downstairs where everyone was - Romeo on the dining table by himself whilst everyone else was sitting in the living room (they've been giving him the cold shoulder ever since the day in the office). As soon a they heard my heels clicking against the hardwood floor, their heads spun around faced me, each of them looking more in awe than another.

All of a sudden, everyone in the room break out in whistles, claps and cheers - except Romeo, who was staring at me intensely - their cheers put a huge smile on my face and makes me feel more confident.

When their cheers finally die down, Christos speaks up "where are you going? Do you want me to come with you?" He asks worriedly, his eyebrows furrowed.

Matteo nodding in agreement, says "if you don't want him to go with you, I can go with you instead, I don't mind."

"No, it's okay guys. I just need to go and have a word with my men and put some things in place and I'll be back. Nothing life-changing, don't worry about me." I say, swatting my hand to show that they don't need to waste their time on me. "Don't waste your time on me, I'm not important, you guys have your own Mafia's to run." I say whilst chuckling.

"Amélie.." Matteo says in a warning tone, "how many times have we told you that just because certain Huevóns [dickheads] aren't worried about how you're feeling or doing, doesn't mean we don't. You're important to us, so fuck those people who don't prioritise you." He says whilst giving me a brotherly hug and a platonic forehead kiss, as does Christos.

I faintly hear a disgruntled scoff coming from you-know-who, whom I am still pissed off at, but decide to completely ignore it.

"Plus, Liyana's tagging along with me so I won't be lonely, right Liya?" I say, turning my head towards her.

"Yup." She says popping the 'p' excitedly "well, we better get going, it's getting late. Bye guys!"

With that, she drags me out of the front door and takes me to one of my many cars. When we finally get in, she squeals.

I wince at her high pitched squeal "Can you fucking not please?" I bite out.

"Sorry, I just can't sit here and watch him be so possessive over you and not be happy for you. I mean, just the way he looks at you like you're the only one in the room makes me hate him a little less for what he done. That's not to say you should forgive him or talk to him, but maybe you should make him work for it, you know?" She rambles out her suggestion.

"Yeah, well, he's the one that's made a whole new sprout of self-doubt grow within me, I'm sure he'll be fine with the cold shoulder we're giving him." I say, my mood souring a bit.

Liya looks at me guiltily "I'm sorry Mél, I didn't know how his actions made you feel. I just want you to know that you're perfect in every which way, regardless of the stupid choices that asshole makes. He doesn't deserve a powerful, loving woman like you, if he does things like that. Trust me, it's got nothing to do with you and everything to do with him." She gives a look of sincerity before giving me a tight hug over the centre console. "I love you, Mél, you're perfect, please don't let other people convince you other wise."

Once she finishes her speech, I pull back from the hug and look at her, teary-eyed "I love you more Liya, thank you, I needed the reassurance. But don't do that again, my makeup is nice today and I can't afford to ruin it." I say with a fake stern tone and a watery chuckle.

"Girl, you always look flawless, with or without makeup. Now let's get going, otherwise we'll be late and your men won't take you seriously." She said.

With that being said, I press on the gas and speed off to my mafia's base.

Upon my arrival, the guards open my doors for me, helping me out. Thanking them, I make my way to the door, Liyana following behind me, the guards opening the doors for us. I make my way to the meeting room, my heels tapping against the tiled floor. When I make it to the door of the meeting room, some of my men open the doors for me and I wait, pausing for dramatic effect, all my men's heads turn to me. I walk up to the head of the table as Liyana stays back - she doesn't like to get necessarily involved in the mafia world - my men bow their heads at me and I usher them to sit down.

"It's good to have you back patron [boss]" Gabriel - a very close friend of mine - says, as most of my other men smirk triumphantly.

These men have seen what my father has put me through these last couple of years, so most of us have naturally grown closer to one another.

Speaking of my father, looks like he's nowhere to be seen. Strange. I wonder where he's staying and what he's doing. He's apparently been M.I.A ever since he got shot at the ball. Who cares, at least I don't have to worry about him beating me to the point that he's nearly killed me.

"It's good to be back. I trust that Marc has kept thing in order around here?" They nod at the mention of my second-in-command.

"So," I begin "I have a very important mission for us all. I'm sure we all know my maman's murderer, Vincent Basilio - the previous Italian Mafia leader." All of their faces either harden/ become emotionless or their faces fill with sorrow. Everyone loved my maman, she was so kind and generous, her pure soul didn't deserve to be forced into the mafia life.

"He's been off of the radar ever since that night patron." A young man says - Pierre I think his name was.

"Correct, he has been. What I want us to do is, after I send the hackers what information they need to get and, I'll set up all of our Mafia to raid the place he's staying at. Tu Comprends [understand]?" I tell them.

"Oui patron [yes boss]." They answer in unison.

"Good. Any last questions before I let you guys go?" I ask.

One of my men raises a hand, I nod at him, willing him to go on "are you getting insider information?" He asks curiously.

"First of all," I begin in a timid tone, "don't question the things I do. And secondly, I'm sure all of you have heard by now that the current Italian mafia leader and I have been arranged to marry in 3 days time. You must all attend and try to get on well with the Italians because from now on you'll be working together. However, I do not want a word of this mission I have just set now to reach the Italians as this is something that only our mafia is doing. Oui [yes]?" I state.

They all nod their heads and leave when I allow them to. I tell Marc and Gabriel to stay back because I want to speak to them privately.

Once everyone has left I turn back to the two sitting in front of me "the reason I asked you to stay behind is because I need you two to do something important for me at the wedding." They both nod their heads telling me that they've understood "I want you both to try and get information out of Romeo's second-in-command, Luca Moretti. He'll loosen up after a few drinks, so I need you to butter him up and make him say something because I haven't been getting much with Romeo, we don't talk much, so this is our last hope. Got it?" I ask.

"Why don't you just tell the guy. Apparently his father killed his mother. Maybe he'll want to join in." Marc suggests.

"I can't trust him yet. And please. We all know that's just a rumour. Now get up and leave." I say dismissively.

"Yes ma'am" they say sarcastically.

I just grin and shake my head slightly, making my way out. As soon as I walk out, I bump straight into a hard, brick wall, and tumble backwards. Before I drop, I feel large, strong hands rest on my waist, keeping me upright (I guess it's not a wall). That calming cologne that's lingering in the air reminds me of-

My head snaps upwards, my eyes connecting with his. Ugh. What is he doing here.

"Get the fuck off of me, you freak. Do you regularly just stand in random hallways right outside of a door?" I complain whilst ripping his filthy, betraying hands off of me.

He makes a sound of disagreement, "Why have you been here for so long?" He asks gruffly.

"Why is that your business Mr. Basilio?" I fire back at him.

"Because I'll be your husband in 3 days." He shoots back at me.

"Well, what can I say Mr. Basilio, you're a very lucky man." I say whilst smirking. "Also, it didn't seem like you were going to be my husband when you were fucking the wedding planner."

"Just get your ass home Amélie, it's not safe for you to be anywhere other than at home, where I know there won't be any threats." He growls out.

"Are you forgetting that I actually have a job here as well as a mafia that needs running?" I question.

"I told you to leave that stuff to me, didn't I?" He asks whilst raising his eyebrows.

"I don't trust you to stay committed to running my mafia for me, considering you can't even stay committed to me for two weeks." I say pointedly.

"Amélie I already told you I was sorry-." He begins, but I don't let him continue as I cut him off, which seems to piss him off. Good.

"Uh, no you didn't. And if that's what you call an apology, I don't know how you've gotten this far in life. You're an inconsiderate, selfish imbecile who doesn't give a shit about others which is why I hate you. I hate that you acted so nice to me at the ball, but then you suddenly changed for the past 2 weeks, acting as if I'm not even a person, making me feel inferior to you. And let me tell you something, I won't stand here and allow you to mistreat me, because I deserve better. I deserve someone who will love me and care for me unconditionally. Not you! Because I hate you. I thought that we could at least come to a mutual agreement and become friends, but fuck that. Why would I want to associate myself with someone like you. For the last and final time, I. Hate. You. Mr. Basilio." I finally let out all of the thoughts that I had been accumulating ever since the day after the ball.

As my chest heaved up and down from rambling on and on yet forgetting to take a breath, I looked at Romeo deeply in the eyes, not breaking eye contact with him.

He lets out a small groan of pain, slightly fixing the crotch area of his trousers, lifting his head towards the ceiling, breathing deeply. Is he serio-

"Are you serious right now!? Tu t'excites pendant que j'essaie de te dire à quel point je te déteste [You're getting aroused whilst I'm trying to tell you how much I hate you]? God. You're insufferable Mr. Basilio" I shout at him.

He stops adjusting his slacks and his head shoots down towards me, making eye contact with me. "Walk" he commands "we're going home."

"No." I refuse.

He leans against the wall, smirking slightly "oh yeah?" He replies.

"Yeah." I say stubbornly.

"Just start walking Beaumont, it'll be better for you if you decide to start walking now." He warns.

His eyes lift and come in contact with mine whilst he rolls the sleeves of his crisp white shirt which is tucked into his black slacks. As much as my eyes want to take a peak at his beautiful, delicious, veiny arms, I don't because I can't seem to pull my eyes away from his beautiful hazel eyes.

The tension sizzles between us as I reply "Make me, Basilio."

He lets out a growl of disapproval and slowly makes his way towards me.

All of a sudden I'm elevated into the air as I'm thrown over his shoulder.

Banging against his back I complain loudly "Put. Me. Down Basilio. If I'm flashing everyone, I swear to you I'll slit your throat quicker than you can even bat an eye." I threaten.

He discreetly moves his arm up my thighs and pulls my blazer dress down and holds it there, covering anything that could have possibly been showing my ass. "Is that better baby?" He asks, causing butterflies to erupt in my stomach.

"I still hate you Basilio." I bite out, giving up on banging my hands on his back, and just laying limply over his shoulder.

"Don't worry Beaumont, the feeling is mutual." He says indifferently, leaving a feather-light kiss in the side of my thigh.

I hate him. He hates me. The feeling is mutual, Right?