MINE TO CLAIM

TITLE: I WANT HER

Ava Moreles was sitted at the dinning table having breakfast with her parents. She had come over to spend the weekend with them.

“Ava, honey, pass me the ketchup.” Mrs Moreles said, Ava passed her the ketchup and resumed eating her steak, she has few minutes left to leave the house or she will be late for work.

When she was done eating, she stood up to leave, “I will walk you to the car.” Mr Moreles said, as he marched out with her.

“I know it’s overwhelming, pushing the wedding forward, I just want you to get married early.” Mr Moreles said with a hint of concern in his voice.

“I understand you dad, I will ……………… her sentence was cut short with the entrance of fleet of cars lined up in a parade in front of them, their engines purring softly.

The lead car, a luxurious Rolls Royce phantom, took center entrance, it’s tinted windows reflecting the Sunlight. The bodyguards step out from the cars, Rohan reached and opened the door, Dario stepped out of the phantom, in a slow, honorable manner, gracing them with his full glory in a tailored tuxedo, A crisps white button-down in tucked into his tailored black slacks, highlighting his sculptured waist. There’s an effortless elegance in the way he Carries himself, highlighted by a sharp presence and a sardonic smirk.

He c***s his head to the side and a grin curls his lips, provocative, sinful, but most importantly, dangerous.

“Mr Moreles, what a pleasant surprise.” Dario’s voice cut through their shock.

“Dario santos.” Mr Moreles called out with rage, as he pulled the shocked and dumbstruck Ava behind him.

Ava couldn’t believe her eyes, she never thought that she would ever cross path with this ungrateful stranger again.

“Is that how to welcome an old friend, Owen Moreles.” Dario said with a hint of mockery in his voice.

Mr Moreles was about to speak when he heard the whispers of his neighbors.

“What did Owen do this time to be confronted by the mafia lord?.”

“Did his family offend the Santos?”.

“Is he going to be killed?………..

Mr Moreles didn’t want to entertain more gossips, he paved way for Dario to enter his cozy home.

Taking a seat in the sitting room with his legs crossed and a deadly aura emitting from his presence, Ava and her parents stood before him. “What do you want from us Dario?”. Mr Moreles asked with a hint of annoyance in his voice.

I believe you know better than to raise your voice at me, Owen.” Dario said in an eerie voice, adjusting his cuff link, Owen Moreles went silent that instant, he knew so well how ruthless this man seated before him is, how he won’t bat an eye before snapping his head off, a beast that takes delight in feasting on blood and relishing it. Just a flick of his fingers, his entire generation will be wiped away from the face of the earth.

“To answer your question,I want HER.” He said, his gaze locked on Ava’s who was both stunned and speechless.

“Not my daughter, you can’t have her”. Mr Moreles objected in a state of shock, the sudden interest of this monster on his daughter sent shiver down his spine.

“Why?”.

“I’m engaged to someone else.” Ava finally spoke up from behind, as she walked up to Dario, her eyes laced with anger and disgust, the nerve of this lunatic before her, who fled after she miraculously saved his devilish soul without any appreciation, storms into her house to demand for her as a commodity was Absurd. “Who does he think he is?.”

“Engaged?”. His deep voice not concealing the animosity as he stretched the word, his eyes narrowed slightly with mischief.

“Yes, I’m getting married, so get your crazy ass off my couch and get the hell out of my house, you ungrateful prick.” Ava cursed, everyone was stunned, Rohan looked at Dario, but he didn’t react, everywhere was quiet, no one had ever raised their voice on Dario and lived, but after few minutes Dario laughed, he found her outburst amusing, he never knew she was a little firecracker.

“I knew you saved my life and I owe you one for that, so ……………

“Your appreciation is to lay claim on me as a property.” Ava interrupted with annoyance bubbling in her veins.

“Now let’s make something clear, little firecracker.” He took slow strides towards her, as she stumbles backwards in fear, his aura was domineering, his piercing blue eyes boring holes into her soul. “No interruption when I’m speaking, are we cleared?”. He whispered into her ears, his hot breath fanned her ears, sending chills down her spine.

She caught a whiff of his cologne— sandalwood and lavender, it made her dizzy and her knees trembling.

“I don’t repeat myself.” His voice calm and Ava nodded.

“Good girl.”

Dario strengthened his back as he assumed his position on the couch again.

“My son died in one of your operations, Dario and now you want to take my daughter away from me.” Mr Moreles said, with a deep sense of sorrow.

His son Brandon Moreles, a police officer was on duty as he was in charge of safeguarding a wealthy politician, there was a shootout between Dario’s men and them and he died protecting his boss.

Ava was speechless, she knew her brother died in line of duty but never knew it was because of this man sitting before them. Her hatred tripled, all she wants to do was to pull a trigger on his head.

“I’m telling you Owen, I was not in charge of that operation and my men were never at that ground.” Dario said, not trying to justify himself but to correct the misconception of anger and hatred he could see in Ava’s eyes. He wants to instill fear, dominance and respect for him in her not hatred and resentment.

“And for the record, that little wedding you are planning will never hold. Ava is mine.” Dario said with an air of authority as he stood up.

“And who are you to barge in and cancel my wedding?.” Ava asked in rage, the nerves of this monster was cracking her up.

“Mr Moreles, I will leave that to you.” Dario said with a sardonic smirk and marched of with his men, brushing past Ava without answering her question. Her opinion or opposition against him is null and void.

“What are we going to do Owen?.” Mrs Moreles asked in fear. She had been quiet the whole time and silently watching the Monster who caused her son’s death dish out orders, she knew well not to go against him or he will eliminate them without a trace.

Mr Moreles never thought a day will come when he will encounter Dario Santos again.

“Dad, I’m off to work, we will talk about this when I get back home.” Ava said concealing her fear and how well this situation had power over her. She didn’t want to remain here anymore or she will suffocate. She had planned to have a pleasant weekend with her parents and plan ahead of her wedding coming in three weeks time before going back to her house but the Devil chose the weekend to torment her soul.

“Dario must be out of his mind if he think he can coerce me into being his woman .” She muttered under her breath as she slid into her car and drove off.

~~~~~~~

“Mom, Dad, what’s going on?.” Leandro McCarthy asked as he walked into the house.

“Oh son, it’s nothing.” Mr Moreles replied concealing his worries, his wife glare at him for hiding the truth.

“Are you sure?.”

“Oh yes, didn’t you meet Ava on your way in?”. Mr Moreles asked changing the subject.

“No I didn’t, I came to see her so we could go for the cake tasting and fitting of our clothes.” Leandro said as his smile faded, knowing he didn’t meeet her at home.

“You can visit her at the hospital, during her break time, then you go check things out.” Mrs Moreles said.

“Yeah, that’s right, I will do just that, Thank you.” Leandro said, biding them farewell and zoomed off.