As expected, Sam is right on time when he arrives to pick me up. Angelo and i didn't talk about it, but i assume he expects me stay at his place during his absence.

Which reminds me that i haven't given him my answer about moving in with him, but the way things have been going, it's more likely that i will live there. Angelo is sure acting like i already do.

As the lift goes up to his apartment, i imagine the loneliss awaiting me, honestly, i would have been better off at my apartment, where i atleast have Luke and the two of us can hang out every now and then like we always have.

The lift opens and Sam walks out first and opens the door for me, i follow behind, and suddenly see a few more people than i expected in the apartment. Immediately, Mario, approaches us, accompanied by a woman in a uniform.

"Good afternoon Ms Wright......" he utters.

"Good afternoon Mario....and it's Mary. Please, can everyone just call me Mary" i mutter, glacing at Sam too briefly.

"Eehh, this is Seline Deluca , she will be helping me out around the house. Mr Morreli requested to have someone to attend to you specifically on a daily basis now that you will be staying here permanently." He explains.

Permanently. The thought bounces in my head.

"Good afternoon Ma'am" Seline murmurs with a thick accent i can't quite identify.

"Mary, please" i say and she nods.

"Well, we are just about done making sure all your things from your apartment are settled in, however, there are a few things in the guest room that will require your guidance as to where you would like them to go" he says, looking at me expectantly.

I fold my arms over my chest, trying to make sense of what he just said.

I look at Sam briefly as if hoping for a clarification, but he looks back at me blankly.

I am guessing Angelo has had my things moved here, without discussing it with me first? again another decision made on my behalf.

"Excuse me" i murmur and rush upstairs to the bedroom.

Everything looks normal and so i walk into the closet. There i find that my clothes are hanging in the closet, my shoes too have been accommodated.

Honestly, i am surprised to find that there is even enough room in here for my things, because Angelo has got a massive load of clothes and shoes, far much more than mine or he needs in my opinion.

I open a few drawers and see that my underwear and vanity items have been accommodated too and blush at the thought of someone touching my personal things, but it's here.

He did it.

He moved me into his place before i could even officially say yes.

A knock on the door interrupts my thoughts.

"Come in" i shout, going towards the door.

"Ma'am...uhhm...Ms Mary, is everything to your satisfaction..? There are a few other personal things in the guest room that i will need for you to tell me where to put" Seline murmurs softly and i feel guilty for having left them all without saying something proper, probably giving them the impression i was displeased.

"Every thing looks fine, thank you."

She nods.

"What would you like for me to make for your dinner?" she asks.

Wow, this is real.

"Uhhmm, don't worry about it, i am not really hungry, i will just make a sandwich later when i get hungry" i reply.

"It's no problem, i will make one for you now and put it away for you to eat later, anything in particular you would prefer?"

"Anything will be fine"

She nods again and leaves.

I remain staring at the closed door.

I can't believe how my life has changed, literally turned upside down, in the space of a couple of months.

With Angelo, it's all or nothing, no baby steps, no inbetween, no take backs.

I like how he knows what he wants and doesn't hestitate to take it, but i have been living my life on a whole different set of rules and all these changes are all so fast and scary as hell for me and he won't even give me a moment to catch my breathe.

*

Long after Mario and everyone has gone and left me alone, i walk around the corridors of my new home. The silence so loud, only yesterday these same walls echoed with mine and Angelo's voices and laughter.

I miss him.

When we are alone, i have no doubt about how good we are together, i am happy and content and nothing else matters or exists. But when we are surrounded by other people or leave the comfort within these walls, i start to get anxious about alot of things and i guess thats what Angelo is trying to get me to stop doing, overthinking.

Sitting down by the window overlooking the city, i make a call to his phone even though i know it will only go to voicemail.

And it does.

Well, a girl can dream.

Then i video call Luke, like i came out here to do all along.

He picks up, after a couple of rings.

"Hey you" i murmur.

He looks to have just come out of the bathroom and is shirtless, his skin somewhat wet. It's not a strange sight for me because i have seen him shirtless before, even down to only his boxers actually.

"I was just about to call you....I came by your place earlier. You haven't just arrived at your place have you?" he asks hopefully.

"No, i have not" i say slowly.

"Your boyfriends house?......the amount of time you seem to be spending there, you might as well just move in" he says sarcastically.

If only you knew.

I should tell him about my new living arrangements, but I would rather do it in person, i know he won't agree and quite frankly, Luke is one of the reasons i have been reluctant to leave my apartment permanently.

He has been such an important part of my life and i never expected to leave him so fast.

We talk casually and i promise to see him tomorrow. With Angelo gone, i am sure i can drop by his place like old times, that way i can also tell him about the new development.

*

The fight to Ukraine took off at 3:20pm, its been six hours since then. We made a stop that lasted about two hours, but now we are on the move again, with about four more hours to go.

Over the next hours I stare out of the window into space and think about... everything......The court cases i have going on, my family, this issue with Max and Meraki that has just come up and why exactly it has my father panicking so much as if it was his problem...and i think of her, Mary.

I wonder what she is doing right now, Probably mad i moved her stuff to my place, but the move was inevitable.

She is indecisive and thinks too much, worries about the opinions of people who she shouldn't be worrying about.

I know deep down she really wants to do it, she is just scared of the unknown and prefers to stay in her comfort zone, so i gave her a little push.

If only she could understand how much i care for her, how much she means to me, then she wouldn't doubt my intentions.

Flashback

"Have you made a decision ?" i ask, as i sit with my back against the headboard, staring at her as she sits across from me, in our usual manner when we want to talk after making love...

Even after spending the whole day together, neither one of us wants to call it a night yet.

"About?" she asks casually.

"Moving in"

"Oh, that!" She says dismissively.

"Well?"

"I am still thinking about it"

"It's been more than a couple of days. What's there to think about?"

"It's a big decision" she murmurs.

"Let me make it simple for you, Would you like to live with me, yes or no?"

"I......."

"Yes or no?" i press, losing my patience.

"Yes, but........."

"Ok then. That's all i wanted to know"

She frowns, throwing a pillow at me.

"What does your mother think about you and me?" i finally ask the question that has been lingering on my mind since that night at the restaurant.

I am sure they must have talked about us.

End of flashback

I shift slightly in my seat at the memory of her honest response.

Her mother doesn't like me for her, sort of anyway. But how could she, when Marianne's reception towards me at the restaurant that night was very poor, her mother probably fed off of that same energy and immediately disliked me. I blame Marianne completely for that and i told her that.

The idea of the person most important to her not liking me unsettles me, more so because Marianne is a people pleaser and desperately wants her mother's approval and acceptance, and so her mother not supporting our relationship will have an effect on the way Marianne herself views our relationship and how far she will be willing to go with me.

But i will have to win her over, i know i can.

"Hey, we are here" Ben brushes my shoulder and i realise the plane has just landed.

By the time we are settled in our hotel rooms, it's just past 8am, which means it's slightly past 1am in Harford and Marianne must be sleeping already.

I write her a quick message to let her know we landed and have already checked into our hotel, and that i will call her later.

I throw my phone on the bed and join it for a short nap, so i can finally stretch my limbs properly and kill off the jet lag.

*

I wake up and reach for my phone and see a text from Angelo, which i quickly open up.

I took the time last night to google and find out more about where he is and the time difference, so i know, by this time, it's already afternoon there.

I text him back to tell him i will wait for him to call when he has the time, then i try to put the phone down so that i can go to the bathroom, but it immediately rings in my hand.

'Hey' i sit back down on the bed.

'Goodmorning....' his voice sounds deeper and inviting, or maybe i just miss him.

'How are you?' i ask.

'Good, just crazy busy and tired' he responds.

'Yeah, i can imagine' i lie down more comfortably on the bed.

'And you? Have you settled in alright?' his voice is teasing.

I sigh, what's done is done, what's the point in arguing.

'Yeah, i am surprised you have room for me in your closet' i chuckle.

He laughs.

'Always for you......We are going to be fine you know. You and i, we are going to be very happy living together.' he says suddenly.

'I know. I miss you' i find myself smiling and i picture him smiling too.

A small silence transpires.

'Me too babe.....Look, i have to go. I will call you tonight, after 8pm'

'My time or yours?' i ask.

'Mine.'

'Ok, but make it a video call, i want to see you' i find myself saying.

'Ok' he responds and i can picture his smile again.

Later, i have issues going out of the house, because apparently, Angelo didn't mention it to neither Sam nor Elijah and they will need to comfirm it with him first. Sam tires to explain that it's only for a few days, then i will have my freedom back.

So the days pass with me basically on house arrest. Sunday finds me bored and fustrated. On top of that, Angelo and i have only spoken twice after that first day we spoke, so i am completely loosing my mind here with boredom.

I find myself making unnecesary conversations with Seline whom i have come to know quite well now, as she is the only person i can converse with in the house.

Mario is like a ghost, even when he is here, it's like he is not, unless he wants to be seen, however he always get things done.

Seline reminds me of my mom a little bit, since they are closer in age. She is also very warm and kind which makes talking to her very easy. It's only been three days, but i find myself completely comfortable and at ease with her, and even though she is quite respectful, i can tell she feels the same way.

I didn't expect Seline or Mario to be working today, but they both came in and so i try to stay out of their way, until Seline comes looking for me upstairs.

"Will you come down for a moment please"

"What is it?" i frown internally.

"You will see in a minute." she insists with a smile.

I follow behind her, my phone clutched to my chest, hoping for it to ring and for me to finally hear from Angelo.

As i start to walk down the stairs, i finally look down.

The whole bottom floor is covered in flowers........ red, white, yellow, pink......roses, lillies, tulips and daisies.

Mario is there directing the deliver guys, who seem to be bringing in more flowers on where to put them.

Oh my God!

I watch in awe as decorated gift bags and boxes are brought into the house.

"I believe this is for you" Mario hands me a single rose with a card attached to it. He is smiling widely and this is the first time i have ever seen him show any emotion on his otherwise serious face.

I stare at the single rose in my hand and fail to decide what color it is, i have never quite seen this color before, but one thing is for sure, it's beautiful non the less.

I open the card.

Marianne,

Please accept these gifts, as a token of my growing affection for you.

There are many things i cherish about you, our conversations, our passion, and your devotion and commitment to the things you care about...

But this single flower, represents what i cherish most about you.....Your unique, humble, delicate and yet sparkling personality. Don't ever change darling.

Like this flower, you are special and rare and you stand out in room full of beauty, and i only see you.

P.S. Welcome home baby.

"Awww, Miss Mary....you should be smiling, not crying" Seline whom i have tried to get to call me 'Mary' but she insists on the formality much like everyone else does.

She gives me a gentle squeeze on my shoulder and i realise, i just dropped a few tears.

"It's happy tears Seline" i murmur, as i walk around the room.

"What. The hell. Is going on in here?" i turn around and see Rita, Ally and Sienna, standing with their mouths open.

It could only have been Rita who spoke i guess.

"Surprise!!"Ally murmurs cheerfully.

"It looks like the surprise is on us" Rita mutters walking around the room with Sienna.

"Hey" i smile, giving them each a hug.

The last time we were together like this, Angelo and I were not a thing, and i didn't even like him then. Now they find me living in his house, completely and absolutely in love with him.

"Nick told me you were here and that Angelo was out for sometime, so we thought we could hang out today, and keep you company" she murmurs warmly.

Looks like my day has just been turned upside down, and for the better.

The rest of the day, i spend with the girls checking out the gift bags and eating the chocolates that came with the flowers.....And answering some of the questions they are asking me about my relationship with Angelo.

*

Late Sunday night, as we gather in my father's hotel room, i lean against the glass wall and stare at the evening lights, as talking and arguing continues around me, much like it has for several hours now.

We have been trying to figure out a solution for Max and his involvement with Meraki, which as it turns out, is alot worse than he initially let on. He is far more involved and consentually for that matter, in Meraki's illegal businesses and to make matters worse, he put his father's properties and assets as part of the investment.

So not only does he face possible jail time, there is a risk of his family losing most of the family assets, which his father Richmond, spent years accumulating with his hard honest work.

Which is why we are here, Richmond asked my father, for help, my father being a judge and having several connections and all.

Meraki's contract with Max is airtight, and so we are looking for loopholes, and information to use as liverage. We have made some investigations and met with several connections and contacts concerning Meraki but none of it is enough to get the impact we want.

Which means, when Meraki goes to trial, Max will possibly go on trial too and the family will be reduced to possible bankruptcy when everything crumbles.

"We have exhausted our options, maybe its time for that last option Ivan, there is no other way" Richmond, who also happens to be the former ambassador to France says, and it peaks my curiosity.

Richmond also happens to be Claire's father, Max being the younger and more reckless of his two children.

I turn around and watch my father look down, his hand rubbing his face in a tired and fustrated manner.

"Ivan??" Richmond repeats.

"What's going on? What's the other option?" Ben asks impatiently, taking the words right out of my mouth.

Dad continues to remain quite and his silence becomes a source of concern to me.

"Look, there might be a way we can try to secure our assets.....tie them to someone else, so that Meraki or the government if it comes to that don't touch them" Richmond utters.

"Didn't we cover this angle already? If your transfer your assets to someone else at this particular time, it will be far too obvious and Meraki will slap a lawsuit so fast, it will give you whip lash. He is a smart man and he knows he has you exactly where he wants you. You are his liverage. He wants you to use your contacts in order to keep him out of jail somehow, otherwise, if he goes down, so does shithead over here" Ben mutters, throwing his hands in the air in fustration and refering to Max on the last part.

I supress a smile at Ben's ranting, but i couldn't agree more.

"Unless maybe through marriage" Dad finally speaks looking at me.

You could have heard a pin drop in the silence that follows.

"You have got to be fucking kidding me" I laugh sarcastically, understanding what he means.

"Listen Angelo...." Dad speaks.

"No!" i growl. "This is not my problem and neither is it yours. We have done our part and whatever else they need from us, we will do, but you are not about to complicate my life like that" i shout.

"What are you guys talking about"? Ben utters confused.

"Look, Angelo..it could be the only way....." Max, has the audacity to speak after all the shit he has done.

"You shut up, you stupid piece of shit! You don't get to speak here." I yell, pointing a finger at him.

"I am going to my room" i utter, walking towards the door.

"Angelo!" Dad calls.

I stop and turn around, and see him clutch his chest....his breathing hard and laboured.

Ben gives me a 'Don't you dare be the reason dad gets another heart attack'

"Richmond, can you give me and my sons a moment alone." Dad murmurs.

They walk out, leaving the three of us behind.

"Just listen" he says, catching his breath.

"Meraki's case will be going to trial next week and will probably last a couple of months, maybe three months at the most, which gives you enough time to file for an annulment if you choose too.