The Mafia & The Billionaire

Serene’s POV

“Juancho?” I asked, looking at his smiling face when he realized it was me. “What are you doing here?”

“It’s you!” he exclaimed, laughing before approaching me. He was about to hug me, but Alex got in between us. For a moment, I saw Juancho’s face hardened. “Who are you?”

“Ahm, Juancho, I didn’t expect to see you here,” I said, trying to get his attention back. I’m sure Alex will tell my friend who he is in my life and I didn’t want that. Oh, I hope he’ll get it.

“Well, I was on vacation, and I remembered you telling me about living here,” he talked casually, and I didn’t see anything wrong with it. But I began to wonder whether I had told him about where I live or not. Why? Because I’m not the type to tell it to anyone. Even if he’s my friend, another thing is, I didn’t want to put his life at risk as well. “Are you here for coffee? Let’s go in.”

I nodded at him, smiling before I looked at Alex, who had a creased forehead. He must not have liked that I didn’t introduce him to Juancho, but I’ll explain later. We all get in the shop and sit on a vacant table.

“What’s with these men?” he asked. I looked at both Hamilton and Alex, who chose to sit with us, giving Juancho a scrutinizing look; I thought my friend was uncomfortable because of the kind of smile he was giving me.

“My grandparents are very protective, so they always have someone looking after me.” I casually replied, making him nod.

Hamilton got up from his seat and asked Alex what he wanted to have before he asked Juancho. “Oh, I can order it myself,” my friend replied.

“Don’t bother; I’m sure Ma’am Serene wants to speak with you since you haven’t seen each other for a long time. It’s not every day that she meets any of her friends.”

“Oh, I see. Then can you get me Native Brewed Coffee and a slice of carrot cake?” Juancho replied, smiling before looking at me.

“I’ll come with you; I’m sure they need to talk privately,” Alex said before getting up and following Hamilton to the counter.

I knew Juancho when I was a teenager. He was the man I asked to give me a child to make my grandparents happy, and I consider him my friend. “So, how long are you going to stay here?” I asked.

“That depends on you.”

“Me?” I smiled, and I could see that he was comfortable. He nodded, so I creased my forehead, waiting for him to explain.

“Are you not going to show me around?” he asked, “If you’re busy, then it’s fine. I guess I’ll go back home instead.”

“Where are you staying?”

“Hotel nearby,”

“Which hotel?”

“The La Portico?” he answered, unsure. “Wait, I didn’t want to force you into this, okay? I didn’t expect to see you here either, and I planned to call you once I got here. But I feel lucky we stumbled upon each other.”

“And that made me want to show you around,” I said, smiling. He looked at me in disbelief, so I was confused. “Did I say something wrong?”

“I just didn’t expect you to agree.”

“Why not?”

“I came here without a notice.”

“Well, you surprised me. But that doesn’t mean I won’t show you around.”

“Really?”

“Of course!” I exclaimed. We had a few more talks before Hamilton and Alex returned with our orders. I wanted to raise my brow when I saw them acting naturally close when they had just met, making me realize they had caught on to the situation.

We started eating and having casual conversations. Juancho looked relaxed as if he’d been with us before. I never thought he was this confident since I’ve known him to be an introvert.

He was showing me a side of him that I had never seen before, making me feel wary of him, but I didn’t show it and acted like I didn’t notice anything.

My instinct tells me to be cautious; when it happens, I’m sure there’s something to be cautious of. “Where do you want to go first? I mean, what do you want to do?” I asked as soon as we left the coffee shop.

“I’m not a kid anymore, so I’ll pass on the amusement park,” he answered, making me laugh. “What? I’m telling the truth. I didn’t want to do idiotic things with you anymore.” He was laughing because he remembered what we did the last time we were together before I asked him to give me a child.

“Fine, if you say so,” I said, pulling him inside our vehicle. Alex continued acting and didn’t mind Juancho sitting with us in the backseat.

We toured Juancho around just as he wanted. He looked like he enjoyed it, but I felt it was only a facade-a fake happiness, and I don’t know where that doubt came from.

I remember meeting him in a very peculiar way. However, since I didn’t know him and we were still young, I kept our communication open and became close. It was so close that, as I said, I asked him to give me a child.

Looking at him right now, I see that something in him gives me goosebumps in a bad way. Whatever it is, I intend to find out about it. Instantly, I decided to stay in Portico for a few more days until Juancho left the country.

“I’m really happy I bumped into you. I tried to reach you but was diverted to a voicemail, so I thought I would leave here without seeing you.” Juancho said as we sat on a bench in the shaded part of the park. My men are everywhere, ready for whatever may happen, although I also think that there would be nothing.

“It’s because I’m busy, so I had to turn off my phone. I always do that whenever I walk around or go to places and don’t want to be disturbed,” I replied.

“Yeah, you’re right. Remember when we met in La Presa, and I thought you were missing?” He reminded me, so I nodded. Then it turns out you were just hiding from your friends, who were getting worried because they couldn’t contact you.”

“Yes. And when we met, they glared at me for keeping them busy looking for me.” I said, laughing.

“It’s nice to be young.” He looked out of nowhere and continued, “We don’t think about anything else as long as we’re happy and can get what we want. Grown-ups always think about getting all the best in the world.”

“I never think that way,” I said, not looking at him, although I could see him looking at me in my peripheral view. I only want my father to love me, and everything will be okay.”

I already know that Lorenzo is not really my father, but deep down, I know to myself that I longed for a fatherly love through him since I don’t know who my real father is.

“You never change, Serene. Are you still thinking about your Dad?” he asked, worried. I smiled and shook my head.

“It only made me feel nostalgic. You know, thinking about our younger days.” I replied.

“You make it sound like we’re old.”

“Are we not?” I asked, looking at him before we laughed together. “So, how long do you plan to stay here? Please don’t tell me it still depends on me.”

“Not sure, though I want to visit other regions for fun.”

“Then enjoy your visit. I’ll be leaving for the city, so don’t hesitate to call me if you ever find yourself stuck there.”

“Of course, that’s the plan,” he replied. Then we talked about other things, and even without saying anything to Hamilton, I’m sure he had already made his move.

We returned home after we sent Juancho to the hotel where he stayed. “I don’t trust him,” Alex said, looking at me.

“Neither do I,” I replied, making him crease his forehead. “Hamilton,”

“Damon and two others were staking out.” He’s dependable.

“That’s good to hear,” I replied.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

“Wait, you feel the same way?” my husband asked.

“Sir Alex, don’t you know, boss?” Hamilton asked as well. “She’s not easy to fool; she always sees through anyone,” he added and continued driving.