LA BELLA E LA BESTIA

Episode 1

"You're three minutes late".The manager shouted.

" I'm sorry sir". Sapphire appologised. "I had to run to the hospital. My mom woke up this morning".

"I don't care if your mom is awake or dead".The boss said . "You shouldn't toy with my business".

"I'm sorry sir". Sapphire appologised again." It won't happen again ".

" I hope so. cause there won't be a third chance".The boss said." Go change and get to work".He walked away.

Sapphire sighed and smiled at her colleague who was making jest of her , then rolled to the dressing room.

" Hey".She met another colleague in there."

"You're late too".Amelia said as she put on her skirt.

Sapphire smiled."Yeah.My mom's awake.. I had to go see her before coming to work".

"Oh!. How's she doing?".Amelia asked.

"Good". Sapphire replied."She badly needs the surgery as soon as possible“.She sighed as she pulled off her gown and put on her crop top."God. I'm drowning in debt. My home rent is due and I'm being given forty eight hours to vacate the house. I have twelve hours left".

"Oh my goodness".Amelia exclaimed."Saph. What are you going to do now?".

" To be honest with you,Mel. I don't know ". Sapphire sighed as she sat down on the chair. Tears dropped from her eyes." I'm confused".

Amelia moved to her and placed her hand round her shoulder." Oh dear. I wish there's something I can do".

" You've done more than enough for me. Melia". Sapphire said." I still owe you much ".

" It's nothing, sweetheart ". Amelia said as she continue to pat Sapphire's shoulder." You're my best friend and you're like a sister to me".

Sapphire and Amelia were friends since high school. They both dropped out of school at the same time. Amelia's parent died in a car crash and non of her family members were willing to take her in.

Ever since. Amelia would do all sort of jobs just to meet her ends. Even if it means selling her body.

Sapphire on the other hand had to drop out when her mother was hospitalized and was being diagnosed with Anemia, also spelled anaemia and sometimes called erythrocytopenia, is a decrease in the total amount of red blood cells (RBCs) or hemoglobin in the blood or a lowered ability of the blood to carry oxygen.

Sapphire works day and night to always to always pay when her mother needs blood and few years later her mother was diagnosed again with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and needed a kidney transplant.

Sapphire worked day and night to get the morning for the kidney transplant. She wanted to donate her own but it was not a match.

"Sapphire".The boss shouted as he opened the door. "You are getting on my nerves".

"I'm sorry . Mr Fred". Sapphire appologised. "I'll be out in a sec". she wiped her tears.

"And you. Amelia".

"I'm coming out now". Amelia said walking to the door. She turned and whispered. "Don't cry".

Sapphire smiled and nodded.

*******{×}*******

Anderson Lyon stepped out of his SUV Rolls Royce and removed his dark shadowed sunshade and looked around. He smiled and gave a bright seductive smile that would make all girls fall.

Anderson Lyon was the heir of the multi billionaire and he was also the mafia lord. He was rich and influential. He made his way to mafia as an instrument few years after he got to Italy and he finally made his way when he saved the mafia lord's life.

******{FLASHBACK}******

"Get cover".Timmy. The mafia lord said in panic. "We're being attacked. Find a way to save yourself".

There were gunshots and bombs exploding everywhere. Several people were dead and injured. The opponents team were over taking the other.

" And you. Boy".The mafia lord said to Anderson who was doing nothing but watching people die. "Go through that passage".He pointed to a dark secret passage. "Go and don't come back again".

"But sir". Anderson said. " You should come with me. You're badly hurt".

"I can't leave my kingdom".The mafia boss said as he pushed Anderson into the secret passage. He shot two masked men coming towards them. "A coward dies once but a brave man dies many times".He closed the door and ran to the battlefield.

Anderson was running as fast as he could. He could hear gunshots and bombs explosion. He could hear wails, shouts and then all of a sudden he heard silence.

Anderson stopped when he heard a gunshot and heard The mafia lord's scream. He turned back and started running.

"Macini" The other mafia called out puffing out smoke to his face. "I told you. I'll come back".

Macini groaned in pain. "You're a son of a b***h. Marcel".He spat on his face.

Marcel laughed. "You've gat no respect. Do you? That's our mother you just insulted". He stepped on macini's wounded leg.

Macini cried out in pain.

"I thought you'd have killed this moron".

Macini turned his head to the familiar voice and saw his wife coming towards him.

" Evelyn".Macini called.

Evelyn walked up to Marcel and kissed him on his lips.

" Are you shocked brother? "Marcel asked as he rocked Evelyn.

" Evelyn ".Macini called as tears rolled from his eyes down his cheeks. "Evelyn. You betrayed me. You b***h!".

Marcel ran several bullets into his legs and Macini cried in pain.

"That's what a motherfucker gets for calling my girl b***h".

Macini cried out loudly in pain as the bullets penetrated into his legs.

Marcel puffed his cigarette and sat on the chair. "I am the new lord here".He announced. "You all must follow my rules and orders".

The injured members bowed in fear and terror.

"Anyone who fails to follow my order will have to face the consequences which is nothing but death" Marcel continued. My brother is a weak man. That's why he's in this situation. But I , Marcel Marceau. I am not going to be like him. You all are going to witness the death of the former mafia leader. Macini Marceau and I will be crowned the new mafia lord immediately ". He stood up and pointed a gun at Macini's forehead." My regards to mum and dad in heaven".

Macini closed his eyelids. And three. Two. One. Boom!!!.

Macini opened his eyes and saw Evelyndropped dead beside him. He turned his body in pain and saw the last person he expected. Anderson with a riffle gun. He walked closer as he ran the Marcel's boys.

Marcel pointed his gun towards him and both of them fired at each other. The bullet hit Anderson's shoulder but Anderson targeted his throat and the bullet penetrated through Marcel's lungs and he fell down dead.

"Boss".Fred, Macini's second in command shouted as he ran to him. He was back with his troop. They helped Macini and the injured men to the home hospital.

******{End of flashback}******

Anderson glanced at his designer wrist watch.

He was back home after twenty years of being away. His father was still the top billionaire and with his help as the mafia lord. He helped his father get contracts in the Italy and his father was among the top five multi billionaire in the world.

Now his father wants him back home to come take over his company. No matter how hard he tried to tell his father he wasn't interested in his companies or properties. Andrew won't listen. Then he had no choice than to come home and do what his father wants.

And now. Here he was. In his own motherland. Coming to come and carry more responsibilities. Coming to control more people. Coming to commit his life in more business.

"Don't get too close". Anderson's bodyguard said as he stepped in between Anderson and his father's personal assistant.

"My bad". William appologised. "I'm sorry. My Anderson. I'll walk you to your father". He made the lead and Anderson's first bodyguard went followed by Anderson and his P. A then his second in command lastly his other bodyguard.

"Father". Anderson called as he went to hug his father.

"Son". Andrew dropped his cup of wine and hugged his son. "Oh! Look at how huge you look now".

Anderson smiled." You still look fit and strong".

Andrew laughed." Don't mock me".

"Come on. Dad". Anderson said. "I'm serious. I don't know why you want to step down. I already have lot of responsibilities on me. This will put lots of pressure on me".

"This is a must for you son". Andrew said. "This is why I sent you to Italy".

Anderson sighed.

He always respects his father and let him win all arguments.

"That's my son".Andrew said and patted his shoulder.

Anderson signalled his Second his command and P. A to excuse him and his father. And they did as instructed.

"Dad". Anderson asked as his workers went out. "Did you anything about mom?".

Andrew's facial expression darkned as he rose to the window.

"I did do anything to look for her". Anderson said as he suspected his father was angry. "I was jus asking if she-".

"The last thing I heard was that age was being diagnosed with ESRD and the little girl she adopted is drowning in debt".Andrew said.

"She adopted a child? " Anderson asked in surprise.

"There was an accident the night she left and she helped the mother and the kid. But unfortunately, the mother died and the girl was out in her custody when it was confirmed she had no family members".Andrew explained.

Anderson remembered that night. The plate number flashed back in his memory.

"Get some rest". Andrew said as he turned to him. "Tomorrow will be a stressful day".He walked up to him and patted his shoulder before going out.

He whistled and his second in command entered.

Justin was his only best friend after his father. That was why he made him his second in command. Justin knew all his signs and sounds.

Anderson saved Justin from his wife who plotted against him with his business partner and duped him of all his entire property and life savings. They didn't stop that they wanted to kill him , but he was lucky that Anderson as there to help him. Anderson did not hesitate to kill Justin's wife before killing the other man.

Ever since then. Justin was loyal to Anderson as a payment for saving his life. Anderson and Justin became best friends and Anderson made him second in command when Macini made him the Head of family.

"Find every dead and living information about this plate number".He said as he jotted down the plate number".

Justin nodded as he picked the piece of paper and dipped it in his breast pocket."Anderson. I have some information for you concerning the manager of your father's company".

Anderson looked straight into Justin's eyes." What's the problem? ".

Justin moved closer and whispered to Anderson's ear.

Anderson smiled and Justin understood the smile. He stood up and walked to the window. "Let him be".

"What!" Justin exclaimed in surprise. "Are you kidding?".

"We shouldn't scare him off too soon". Anderson said. "Implants some more employees and fire anyone that's blocking his way".

" Yes sir ".Justin said." I'm off".

" Thank you". Anderson said.

Justin nodded and went out.

"Do you notice the young master is handsome?".One if the maid said to another.

And he's richer than his father".Another said.

" I heard he's hostile".The third maid said.

" Says who? "The second maid asked." That man is so sweet. Gosh. I'm falling for him. He'll be good on bed. I jus wish for one night stand".

" Come on. Be sensible".The third maid said and went away.

" Don't mind that girl".The first maid said." She's jealous".

" I know ".The second maid said and blushed." I heard he's single".

" You think he'll go for you? ".

" I'll go for you both cause you're fired". Anderson said as he came down from the stairs.

" Sir".The two maids said and jumped in fear.

" Don't let my father meets you here". Anderson said in a low tone." Or you'll be dead". He walked away.

" I told you".The third maid whispered as she walked past the carrying the laundry basket.

Anderson got to his room and pulled of his shirt. There was a tattoo on his right breast. He fell on the bed and was hoping to get some sleep and get ready for the next day's stress but he was surprised that he couldn't not get his mind off the accident that happened twenty years ago .