<p>CHAPTER ONE: Ghost Of The Past.</p><p><br/></p><p>Somewhere in country M, under the dim light of the moon flashing through the window of his study, Antonio sat behind his black desk in his study with a hint of melancholy in his aura as his eyes darkened staring at nothing in particular, his mind lost at a distant memory surged</p><p><br/></p><p>"Antonio, RUN!" Mia screamed to her eight-year-old son as they desperately tried to evade the charging car behind them.</p><p><br/></p><p>"Just a little farther into the forest, my love. You can do it. I'll lead them away." Mia panted out, breathless from the chase, the rustling of leaves as wind carries them about creates a sense of melancholy.</p><p><br/></p><p>Breathless and panting, they halted behind a building, the distinct roar of cars reminding Mia that it's life and death. "Mum, no! Don't leave me!" Antonio cries, tears filled his eyes as his panic is shown clearly on his face, clinging to Mia as she hugged him </p><p><br/></p><p>" It's gonna be ok my love, we'll scale through this ok" she tearfully wiped his tears</p><p><br/></p><p>Before she could push him away, they were surrounded by the cars chasing them. Mia held her son tight as she screamed at them " Don't come closer"</p><p><br/></p><p>"Boss...we've got her..." The man said as he walked towards her with a Pardini sport pistol in his hand, while his followers dragged her son from her arms</p><p><br/></p><p>"No! Please! Don't you fucking hurt him" she screamed as they held her down from chasing him</p><p><br/></p><p>"Kill her" the faint voice commanded through the phone.</p><p><br/></p><p>"Yes boss" he replied and pointed the pistol at her</p><p><br/></p><p> Antonio screamed and thrashed as he tried to get to his mother with no avail</p><p><br/></p><p>"BANG" </p><p><br/></p><p>The gun shot rang, blood poured from Mia's body as she slowly dropped down to the ground, her expression stiff as life leaves her</p><p><br/></p><p>"NO....." </p><p><br/></p><p>Antonio is drawn back to the present by Gianna's voice, the ghost of his mother's scream lingering in his memories</p><p><br/></p><p>"Hey, what's eating at you?" Gianna's voice cut through Antonio's thoughts, she smiles, a playful glint in her eye.</p><p><br/></p><p>Antonio's gaze locked onto Gianna's, with a perfect poker face expression masking his emotions</p><p><br/></p><p>"Nothing, just men stuff" he replies as his eyes scan her outfit. Clad in nothing but just a red lingerie nightie Gianna straddles Antonio and whispers softly in his ears</p><p>"I want you..."</p><p><br/></p><p>He immediately carries her towards the bedroom and tosses her on the bed.</p><p><br/></p><p>"Strip!" He commands as he undo his belt, she immediately did as he commanded and stares lustfully at him.</p><p><br/></p><p>His trouser drops along with his draws as his long hard cock comes to view "You know what to do baby" he says and she draws closer to him to take him in her mouth.</p><p><br/></p><p>Just as he thrusts into her mouth, his expression neither one of satisfaction nor delight, completely masked and unreadable, his mind drifting between the action and his memory</p><p><br/></p><p>He pushes her back and immediately thrusts into her without care and Gianna seemed to be enjoying it</p><p><br/></p><p>"Oh god! Antonio!!" Gianna screams, her hands tightly gripping his biceps "Harder!!" she screams and smiles moaning </p><p><br/></p><p>Just as he twists her to lie on her stomach, his phone rings and he answers </p><p><br/></p><p>"I'm busy!" He says harshly into the phone without care while continuously thrusting into Gianna</p><p><br/></p><p>"Boss, there was a breaking into at the warehouse and the Diego's raided our tanks" the voice says through the phone with urgency </p><p><br/></p><p>Antonio pushes Gianna away, wears his clothes and march downstairs </p><p><br/></p><p>"Antonio....where are you going to?" Gianna calls from behind but he ignores her</p><p><br/></p><p>And just immediately after Antonio leaves, Gianna calls a number and immediately the phone is answered "He's coming to you, get your men to leave immediately. I'll check for the stuff" she says and ends the call</p><p><br/></p><p>As she lay sprawled in bed, the messy bed and room hinting what just happened, she smirks to herself </p><p><br/></p><p>"Antonio thinks he's so powerful, he'd never imagine it was me behind the scenes" </p><p><br/></p><p>But never would she imagine that her luxury is about to come to an end</p><p>........</p><p><br/></p><p>Antonio's footsteps echoed through the deserted warehouse,</p><p>The smell of alcohol and gun powder wafts through the air as he walks, his presence commanding attention. Louis, trembling, knelt before him.</p><p><br/></p><p>"Boss, please forgive me! One more chance..." Louis begged, crawling towards Antonio.</p><p><br/></p><p>Ben and Lucas, Antonio's loyal guards, grasped Louis's arms, halting his desperate advance.</p><p><br/></p><p>"Explain," Antonio's voice dripped with venom, his eyes narrowing.</p><p><br/></p><p>Louis stutters his eyes panicked, his palm sweaty with anxiety, "I-I didn't mean to betray you, boss. I have a family to feed..."</p><p><br/></p><p>Antonio's gaze never wavered, his expression unyielding.</p><p><br/></p><p>"Continue," he growled.</p><p><br/></p><p>Louis's words spilled out in a frantic rush. "It was ma'am Gianna, boss. She promised me a share of the profits... I didn't know it was a setup..."</p><p><br/></p><p>Antonio's eyes flashed with fury. His hand instinctively went to his gun.</p><p><br/></p><p>"Finish it," he snarled.</p><p><br/></p><p>Lucas stepped forward, gun drawn.</p><p><br/></p><p>"No, boss! Please!" Louis shrieked, struggling against Ben's grip.</p><p><br/></p><p>Antonio raised his hand, pausing Lucas.</p><p><br/></p><p>"Tell me more," Antonio's voice dropped to a menacing whisper.</p><p><br/></p><p>Louis's words tumbled out, revealing Gianna's betrayal.</p><p><br/></p><p>Antonio's face twisted in rage.</p><p><br/></p><p>"Find. Her," he spat out</p><p>"But I want her alive" His aura lingering with bloodlust, his jaw tightening</p><p>Lucas nods and turns to make a call</p><p><br/></p><p>Just then shuffles around the back of the scene and a muffled moan could be heard and all the men raised their head in slight apprehension </p><p><br/></p><p>Antonio raises his head and shot a look at Lucas who immediately moves forward, his hands slightly gripping his gun by his waist band</p><p><br/></p><p>"Achooo!" A small tiny voice echoes from the same direction and their apprehension somewhat decreases but the wariness remains </p><p><br/></p><p>Just as Lucas reaches the spot, a small lady wrapped in pink bunny onesie pops her head out looking clueless </p><p><br/></p><p>Antonio steps in front to further examine the 'specimen' only for the 'specimen' to kiss him on the lips and run</p><p><br/></p><p>His eyes filled with shock and disbelief, his men stare at him speechlessly, no one was expecting cute little bunny to even kiss and run unless....</p><p><br/></p><p>By the time the men got to their senses, she was nowhere to be found and so was Antonio's gun</p><p><br/></p><p>"Find that bunny and don't stop till you do, plus I want her alive" Antonio dishes out his order still reeling in the shock from the unexpected kiss</p><p><br/></p><p>Getting into the car, he turns to Louis </p><p>who felt he had been forgotten </p><p>"I'm not done with you yet; you just get to live longer"</p><p>He bangs the door and drives off.</p>
BLOOD ROSE
By
Praise Agunna