TORN BETWEEN THE TYCOON AND THE MAFIA BOSS

PART 9: LET THE GAMES BEGIN

DANE’S P.O.V

“Hey Hunny, I got some good news for you. I just spoke to the Doctor, he said that the swelling has gone down and there is no sign of a concussion, hence you will be discharged tomorrow morning” my words made Mia’s face light up as I handed over her a cup of coffee. “That’s great news! I can’t wait to go home. The food here is terrible, I’m sure that they prepare it that bad so that people who are really ill will be happy to pass on, knowing that they don’t have to eat this life threatening food anymore” Mia complained making me chuckle. “Your knight in shining armour has come to the rescue” came a deep voice and I knew exactly who it was, making me roll my eyes. “XAVIER!” Mia screeched in excitement. “Hi babe” he said, walking into the private ward, with a bunch of flowers in one hand and a container in the other. “Flowers for the lovely lady as well as roasted chicken pie. I would have came sooner , but I wasn’t informed” he said the last part looking at me as he was about to hug her. “Er…the doctor said no touching” I said quickly. “When?” Mia and Xavier said at the same time. “When I spoke to him” I lied. “That’s okay, we will do plenty of touching once you are out of here” Xavier said to Mia, making my blood boil.

He sat next to her on the bed, opened the chicken pie and began to feed her. “She can eat on her own, you know?” I said, in irritation. “Yes I know Dad, but I like taking care of the people I love” said Xavier, not taking his eyes off Mia. “That’s sweet Xavier, but I’m not your father. Don’t call me Dad!” I said. “Okay then, Dad-in-law” he said, making Mia lightly laugh and making me groan in frustration. “Not so fast, Xavier” I said, a smirk in my face and they both turned their attention to me. “We will see Mr. Matteo” he challenged, our tension being oblivious to innocent Mia, sometimes I wonder if she could actually be related to Jeena. She has so much of her in her.

(A body of a 38 year old male was found in a dumpster next to Queet Mall. The man who looked like he has been butchered has been discovered this morning by an employee of the mall. Forensics are still running tests to gain more information on the person who has committed this murder as he made no effort to properly hide the body, leaving the lid of the dumpster opened. We have later identified the murder victim to be, private investigator Pilatte Bocard. If anyone witnessed this awful incident or has any information about the killer, please contact 091 569 23414. Your help will be highly appreciated) said the news reporter which caught my attention. Pilatte has been murdered! He was murdered while doing a job for me! It’s my fault!

I looked at the man who was feeding my daughter the last bite of the pie that he has brought for her and I wondered, how can a man act so loving yet be so evil? He is the one behind Pilatte’s murder, Pilatte was going to enter his house last night and try and get evidence for me. How can he just sit there, so calm, not even a twitch from hearing the news of the murder that he is responsible for. How evil can this man be? He is worse than I ever was! I need to save my Mia from the clutches of this monster.

“How did you know that Mia was in hospital?” I asked, breaking the silence. “Oh, er… the news. The break-in was on the news and I heard that the daughter of Mr. Matteo was injured and has been transported to hospital” he explained, I knew that he was lying. “Okay, how did you know which hospital?” shot my second question. “Well, this is the best hospital in the city, I doubt that you would have taken Mia anywhere else” he lied again. “And how did you know which ward she was in?” I shot my last question, my glare met his amused eyes. “Dad! That’s enough. Why are you being so mean to Xavier today?” asked Mia. “No Mia! I respect your father a lot and will answer any question that he has for me. Mr. Matteo I asked the receptionist for Mia’s ward number. It wasn’t hard to get it, you know I am as influencial as you are. Everyone who knows you, knows me and that is everyone” a hidden threat in his words, as he has as much power as I do. “You would answer all of my questions, right?” I asked, a smirk in my face. “Yes, I would” he said. “Were you responsible for the death of the man that they have just spoke about in the news?” I asked and was shocked to see that his smirk matched mine. Then realisation hit me hard! Pilatte would have never told who he was working for and that probably lead to his death. I made all his efforts go in vain as the smirk on Xavier’s face showed that now he knows everything. He knows that I was on to him! “Dad-in-law that man was murdered. How can I be responsible for his death? Dad-in-law I think that you need a break from all the events that took place recently” He said, in arrogance. “Mia, how about dinner in Paris tomorrow?” he asked Mia and my memories of Paris with Jeena played out in my mind.

‘He is so much like me. What if he manipulates Mia into sleeping with him like I did to Jeena? What if he asks Mia to marry him and abuse her like I did Jeena? What if he sucks the life and happiness out of my innocent Mia like I did to Jeena’ my heart pounded against my chest with fear but all was interrupted with Mia’s excited ‘Yes’.

“No! No ways! Absolutely not! Mia you are not going to Paris with this man!” I said to Mia. “You are not taking my daughter to Paris!” I said to Xavier, standing up from my seat I affirmed authority. “Dad-in-law can you relax, The name of my cruise boat is ‘Paris’. You didn’t really think that I was going to take Mia to Paris before marriage right? I mean that would mean booking one room in the ‘Grand Chateau Royal’ with a view of the Eiffel tower ,but, how can we spend the night together before marriage?” asked Xavier sarcastically. After composing myself due to the shock of his words I shot back “How stupid can you be to name a cruise boat after a city? And how did you know all of that” I asked, referring to the room and hotel that Jeena and I stayed at during out vacation in Paris. “I like the city so much that I named my boat after it, but now that you mention it, it does seem a little silly. I think I’ll rename it. How does ‘My Mia’ sound instead?” he asked, my blood boiled at his arrogance. “Oh my word! Really? You would have your cruise boat named after me?” Mia said in excitement. “Yes, anything for you my love. By the way, you asked how did I know all of that? All of what Mr. Matteo? What were you referring to?” he asked, amusement dancing in his eyes. He was enjoying this and it just made me more frustrated. “Nothing ! Forget it! Bye sweetheart, I’ll pick you up tomorrow” I gave Mia a kiss on her cheek and left.