Chapter 3

'Hey, waitress! Refill my coffee!'

'Where's my burger and fries?!'

'Tables 2 and 8 are looking for you…'

Another crazy Friday night at the diner. Viola felt like she could drop any minute, given that she has not been sleeping well these past few days. Damian was being his energetic self so she tried her best to keep him entertained and occupied so he would not notice her underlying stress and distraction. Doffy still has not made any contact with her and it was beginning to take a toll on her mental peace.

She considered calling Rosinante but hesitated because it has been years since she last talked to him. In any other situation, she would have let him be a part of her life, but she was only thinking of her child when she left.

He has a soft spot for me, and I know he likes kids which is why I let him take care of Rebecca. He did not want us involved but it was too late for me. He kept his promise to keep her out of the real 'family business.'.

As Viola went around serving the diner customers in autopilot, her mind drifted back to when it all began…

7 years ago,

Viola did not see him around a lot as he was always away on business trips, both for the façade and the actual. She was mostly aware of what went on during the days and the nights. Nearly all the men there had blood on their hands. She deeply respected Rosinante for his kindness and steadfastness but she still suspected his involvement in certain dealings.

She began studying 'the business' with Rosinante's help because it was the deal she had made. Apart from her blessed looks, it was soon discovered that she was so much more. She had played high stakes poker with some of the men and had cleaned them out of their money and clothes. It was a skill she had picked up when she had no roof to live under. She had this uncanny ability of reading her opponent's thoughts and moves just by studying their body language. She was sorry to say this did not apply to Doffy and his brother, though she could manipulate Rosinante somewhat. She always beat him in chess, but then again, Rosinante was much more merciful than he led on, as she knew first-hand.

Doffy had heard all the accounts and tested it for himself when he invited her to play with him. The wager they played for was her and Rebecca's fate. If she won, he would give her enough money to live many lifetimes comfortably and his prize would be the two of them doing his bidding. She agreed but asked to keep her niece out of it. That was the only clause she insisted on.

They began to play, and Viola discovered how unfathomable he was. She won two hands and he seemed unfazed. She lay down her cards triumphantly and looked up in surprise to see him smiling. He lay down his cards and she stared in shock. No one had ever beaten her at poker.

As she looked at him again, she realized HE was the one Reading HER!

'You have potential, Viola. I could use someone with your abilities. Take my hand and let us do great things.'

He offered his hand towards her again and she was reminded of the first time they met. She took it and felt the next change in her life on its heels.

Now that she was an 'executive' of the family, she began studying their allies and scouted prospective ones. She saw the business as a massive spiderweb connecting an empire. She mainly persuaded allies to join up or figure out who was having second thoughts and betray them in the process. Her people reading skills were further honed by Doffy and it only made her more fatal to those who were 'against' the Donquixote's.

Doflamingo also insisted that she learn hand-to-hand combat which she was deeply grateful for as it had saved her life one night. After an incident involving one of the 'allies', a drunken European politico who was staying at the mansion for one of Doffy's infamous poker parties. She was asleep in her room when she heard the door click open. Being a light sleeper, she heard this noise as loudly as a gunshot. She slipped a hand under her pillow for the knife she kept there as she felt fingers stroking her back and arm. She felt sickened as he continued, finally finding an opening and striking his left shoulder. He screamed in pain and held her down despite her vicious struggles. She started screaming and felt his weight lifted off her. Opening her eyes, she saw Doffy lifting him by his throat while Rosinante covered her with a blanket.

'No one hurts my family. It was your first and last mistake.'

Doffy smiled indulgently while he said this, but Viola knew he was anything but happy. A dark aura surrounded him and for a second, she pitied her attacker. He was taken away by one of the men and then he turned to her.

'Are you hurt anywhere, Viola?'

She shook her head and curled up within the blankets. Doffy instructed one of the maids to set up a new room and as he was leaving, he looked at her in contemplation.

'Gym. 6am. Be there. Your new education awaits.'

She was quite surprised at spacing out for so long and mostly, no one noticing except Benita. She mouthed 'I'm okay'.

He's driving me mad. I have no way of contacting him so I could ask what he's up to! Guess I'll have to wait for him to show up. Damian will probably have to move in with Rebecca and Cavendish permanently, with all the time he's been spending there.

She took her break and stood in the alleyway, musing scenarios of him showing up.

'Peseta for your thoughts, querida?'

She started at the voice, her heart pounding as he walked towards her. She wished it did so in fear, as even babies cried within his vicinity, but no. Of course not. It had to be anticipation and excitement. She could not believe she still reacted this way towards him after all these years.

'Seriously, Doffy mmph…'

A hand grabbed her nape and his mouth, soft and warm despite its hard edges, covered hers. She raised her fists but his tongue dueling furiously with hers, was heating her blood and lowering her defenses. He pushed her back firmly, just like he did last time in her bedroom, against the alley wall as she half-heartedly fought a losing battle. He grabbed her hands when she raised them to push him away and sealed them above her head as his lips tasted hers.

She stopped struggling so he relented and then, slowly, she slid her hands around him, one gripping blond hair at his nape while the other rested on his shoulder. His hands now found better use as they glided over her shape, relearning dips and crevices. One caressed her luxuriant hair, the fingertips dancing along her scalp while the other gripped her hip.

Their heated exchange seemed to last forever when a horn blared in the distance, breaking Viola out of her seduction-filled stupor. She firmly pushed him away to let air into her lungs. To her surprise and secret satisfaction, he did not look unruffled like he always did. His eyes still burned with things he wanted from her. Things she did not know she could still give.

'That's it! Doffy, you better answer or so help me...'

Doffy glanced at her in amused speculation while she heaved more air into her lungs. The area was not as quiet as she presumed. TV's blared from apartment windows while traffic noises filtered through the air. She could even hear a cat rummaging in the dumpster.

'I may answer if you ask the right questions.'

'Okay. Why are you here right now?'

'Isn't that obvious?'

'Puzzling, more like.'

'I missed you.'

'Nah, you miss keeping an eye on me and more than that, the successful deals I made on your behalf.'

'Don't sell yourself short, darling. Try as I might, and believe me, I have, but for me, there is no one like you.'

'Are you telling me you couldn't find another assassin/bodyguard/negotiator to train? You really are losing your touch.'

'It seems to be working magnificently in your case. Shall we have another demonstration?'

'Get to the point, already. I'm not in the mood for wordplay.'

'Ah, yes! That temper of yours. Still does me in...'

'Doffy, why are you in America, especially Miami?'

Violet burst out after reigning in her impatience at his intentional nonchalance. She still had to know why he was here. He had no idea he was a father, so what could he possible want? As she mused and he contemplated with long fingers interlocking under his chin as he sat on one of the cartons, she came to a tentative conclusion.

'All right, I'll guess, and you tell me if I'm right. You want a new 'business' HQ in this country. I know you've been wanting to make your mark here for quite some time.'

'Bingo! Still got it, huh? It's true I'm carving a slice of pie for myself here. After all, the 'family' needs to expand all over the world.

She gave him a look of supreme disbelief at the mention of 'family'. He had only his biological brother and the rest of the executives had their own stories. She knew he belonged to nobility once but due to a land dispute between the other nobles, his family was killed one night. He and his brother managed to escape with the help of their maid. The rest becomes more convoluted, as they say.

'How is Rosinante?'

'He's fine. He's here too, by the way.'

'I'd love to see him. You, on the other hand…'

'Come now, Viola, drop the pretenses. You do not hate me as much as you would like to think otherwise.'

'Not at all. I simply want nothing to do with you or anything involving you. I happen to like my life here.'

'You left behind a life of excitement, luxury and riches just so you could live with Rebecca and her husband? I find it baffling.'

At the mention of her niece, her hands went cold. How much does he know?

'Do not go after Rebecca and her family. You hear me?'

'I have no interest in her life. However, I do want you back.'

Viola went still at these words. She should have known. He was still the same. Running after more power and more money. All so he could have his revenge. She was an integral part of his business, but she had never wanted any of those things he did. Now, she understood why he kept up these impromptu visits.

'Read my lips, Doffy. NO!'

He stood up leisurely and walked to her. She stood her ground, not giving him an inch to intimidate her. When he was within her vicinity, he raised his hand and lifted her chin with one of his fingers. She looked into his eyes, trying to decipher what he was thinking but to no avail. His eyes were shuttered now, giving no clue what he was thinking. Her lips were now in a stiff line, pretending he was not playing havoc with her senses.

The moment was shattered with the ringing of a cellphone. He pulled it out of his pocket and turned away to answer. She watched his back as he laughed and ended the conversation.

Who is he talking to?

'Viola, it's only a matter of time before I have you with me. In every way possible. Count on it.'

With that, he walked away with a jaunty wave and left her standing just like the other night. She shuddered at the thought of him discovering Damian.

He will take the boy without a second thought. He has always wanted an heir. I cannot let Damian grow up into that life. I must protect him. Even if I must run. Again.