Ch. 146..150: Love Slave to the Mafia Boss's Passion Chapter 146-150

Chapter 146: Unexpected Visitor

Her tears also brought tears to my own eyes. I felt so proud that I could make her feel proud of me. It was the right decision to bring her here after all. I showed her the other paintings in my collection before the nurse reminded us that she should already head back. The hospital had booked an ambulance to drive her back along with the nurse. I went to send her off.

There were tears swimming in my eyes as I waved my hand to send her off.

Dabbing slightly at my tears, I returned to the exhibition. It was around opening time now and we needed to be there to man the show. The exhibition was open to the public, so in addition to the students from art universities, we were also expecting many art enthusiasts and critiques to turn up.

This was the first day of the exhibition and if I remembered correctly a couple of art groups from a few universities will be visiting today as part of their coursework.

"So many people are here. I should have worn flat shoes. These heels are killing me already…" Jenny complained with a pained look on her face.

"I have a bandage. Want one?" I offered.

"You do? You’re such a lifesaver…seriously…" Jenny said, and I quickly handed her a bandage that I had in my bag.

We split and took turns to take the visiting class around to our various exhibition. Jenny’s theme was rainbow and basically everything colorful and bright. It was very like her. The theme was a smart choice because she used it to showcase her various techniques from 2D to 3D works in sculptures. I had to admit that she was very talented.

While I was wrapping up one of my little tours of guiding a group of art students around, one of the staff quickly approached me. I could see that she was slightly flustered and seemed to be in a rush.

"Malissa, there’s someone asking to see you," the staff informed.

"Who is it?" I asked curiously as my heart skipped a beat.

"He didn’t give his name. He said that you’ll know. He’s a pretty hot guy…I must say. Is he your boyfriend?" the staff said excitedly.

"Where is he?" I asked, getting straight to the point.

"He’s probably standing in front of the painting of your grandmother. You know, the one that’s your centerpiece. He mentioned that he really likes it," the woman said as she looked like she was recalling what the man had said.

I didn’t listen to her finish what she wanted to say. My feet had already started moving and before I knew it, I was sprinting towards where that painting was. I always told myself that I was doing this exhibition for the sake of my future career and that I was doing it all for myself.

However, the way my heart was pounding loudly in my chest right now told me that I had been at least partially lying to myself all this time.

I remembered what Hayden had said when I asked him about the exhibition. Whether I wanted to admit it to myself or not, I probably decided to participate in this event because he wanted me to. Moreover, I probably thought deep down that this was the only way that we may be reunited. If I joined this exhibition, Hayden might come to see me.

I can’t believe that he’s really here and after many months, I’m about to meet him face-to-face again. My legs brought me closer and closer to where he was waiting for me as my brain worked hard to figure out what I should say to him when I meet him.

By the time that I arrived where I wanted and needed to be, I was panting hard, and many people were staring at me. Rightfully so, it wasn’t normal for anyone to be running in an art exhibition hall. I knew that but I just couldn’t stop myself. I just wanted to see Hayden as soon as possible…

I was standing in front of the painting where the man was waiting for me according to the staff; however, when I looked up…

"Sorry that I’m not the man you’re looking forward to see…"

The very hot and handsome man said but he wasn’t Hayden.

"…Ethan," I whispered in shock as my eyes widened in disbelief.

Why is Ethan here?

My initial excitement and gleeful happiness of getting to see Hayden quickly evaporated and in its place was a sense of slight fear. The smile that I had melted from my lips as my mouth hung open in shock. Once again, it was like my past had caught up to me. I haven’t seen or heard from Ethan since that incident at the gala on the cruise. So, why is he here now? What does he want from me?

"How have you been doing?" Ethan asked before smiling sweetly down at me.

My lips felt dry, and my face and hands suddenly felt very numb. I didn’t know what to say to him. For some reason, I felt very scared of Ethan. Although he had never been cruel to me except for when he suddenly broke things off with me. Before that he was the perfect boyfriend and I loved him so much. He never hurt me, physically or emotionally for all the time that we were together.

So why was I so scared of him right now?

"Why are you here?" I asked in a whisper.

"I heard you were displaying your work here. It’s your first proper exhibition so of course, I wanted to see it," he replied casually.

If that was really the case, then everything should be fine. I watched as Ethan looked around at my works that were on display, and I couldn’t help thinking if that was honestly his only reason for being here.

"Thank you for coming," I managed to say.

"This painting of your grandmother looks very good. How is she doing now? I heard that she’s sick…" Ethan said, his eyes on the painting.

I wondered where he heard that from but decided not to ask. It wasn’t important anyways.

"She’s sick and has been hospitalized for a while now. Thanks for asking but you don’t need to worry," I replied.

Chapter 147: His Desire

Ethan didn’t say anything, but he turned around to face me directly. I could feel his eyes on my face, and I quickly glanced down at the floor, scared to meet his eyes.

"You don’t have to act so formal around me. It freaks me out," Ethan whispered close to my ear.

Suddenly, he was so close. My body froze as his warm breath tickled my ear. Without knowing how to respond, I just nodded my head slightly.

"You’re free now, right? What about a coffee?" Ethan asked casually.

I opened my mouth to decline his invitation; however, the slightly tight grip of his hand around my wrist told me that I better reconsider my response.

"Ethan…" I said his name as I started to pull my arm away.

His grip immediately tightened, and I started to feel eyes on us.

"Come along, Malissa. You don’t want to make a scene here, do you?" Ethan whispered softly. His tone as calm as ever.

"We can just talk here…" I said.

"It’s just coffee…unless you’re expecting something more…" Ethan teased as he smiled mischievously at me.

It didn’t seem like negotiating with him would get me anywhere. I knew Ethan very well and if he hasn’t changed much since then, then he’s not going to take no for an answer. I was always following him around and doing everything exactly like how he wanted me to while we were together. Although Ethan was kind, loving and extremely adorable back then, he was very authoritative.

"Just coffee," I said firmly.

"Just coffee…" Ethan replied with a pleased smile.

I sighed loudly as I pulled my hand back and this time, he willingly let it go. Without saying another word, Ethan began leading me out of the exhibition hall. As I followed him, I couldn’t help remembering how we spent our days together back then. Just like those times, Ethan trusted that I would follow him just because he said that I should. He didn’t even turn back to look at me.

He just knew that I would follow him.

If I meet him in a public place like this popular café, then it should be a problem. He can’t do anything to me here so I should be fine. Nervously, I sat opposite him as I watched him sip on his coffee while I haven’t drank any of my lemon tea. How the hell did I end up here with Ethan? This is ridiculously strange…

"Umm…you had something that you wanted to talk to me about?" I asked softly.

Since he hasn’t said anything since we sat down, it made me feel even more nervous. I wished that he would just spit it out so that we can get this awkward talk over and done with for good.

"How are things with Hayden? Did you guys break it off?" Ethan asked casually like it was no big deal.

I wasn’t sure if he had always been this insensitive or he was intentionally asking me this to ram a nail through my already broken heart. Regardless of his intentions, his words cut deep, and it hurt like crazy.

"I guess so. I haven’t seen or heard from him for around three months now since the contract came to an end…" I replied as I tried to keep my voice from shaking.

I wondered why Ethan was asking. Silently, I prayed that he wouldn’t ask for us to get back together again. Getting back with Ethan was just impossible for me now and I doubt that he still felt the same way about me.

"Is that so…" Ethan said as he nodded his head slightly.

"Ethan…why are you really here?" I asked.

"To check up on my ex. You know, make sure that she’s doing ok with her new life and all…" Ethan replied before smiling gently at me.

"After all this time?" I asked, almost snapping at him.

"Oh…are you mad?" Ethan said teasingly.

"No…I’m not…" I muttered slowly.

Ethan put his coffee cup down before he threw his head back and laughed so loudly that the other customers in the café turned around to look at us. Ethan really does stand out and sometimes not for the best reasons.

"Why are you laughing…?" I asked.

"Because it’s funny. I like it when you’re mad and trying to hide it…" Ethan said, still laughing lightly.

"Why are you here?" I asked again.

Ethan’s green eyes narrowed at my suddenly sharp tone as he stared deeply into my eyes and leaned closer to me across the small table. After a few seconds of silence had passed by between us, Ethan smiled a little and broke eye contact.

"Why do you think I’m here?" he asked instead of replying to my question.

I hated it when he did this. Ethan wasn’t someone that was easy to talk to. He’s also very tight lipped about things that he doesn’t want to talk about.

"Listen, I’m not getting back together with you if that’s what you wanted to ask…" I said with conviction.

"Who said that that was what I want?" Ethan asked with an innocent look on his face.

"You said it! On the cruise…" I said in frustration. How dare he make me remind him?

"Oh, that…I’ll tell you about that later. For now, why don’t you come a little closer…" Ethan whispered as if he was about to tell me a deep dark secret.

He’s always been so secretive and back while we were together, I’d always found him to be so alluringly attractive because of it. I sighed before I let him get close enough to me to whisper into my ear.

"I want to reunite and form a union between Torex and Silva…" Ethan whispered.

"…what?!" I exclaimed loudly.

What he had said was so unexpected that I literally jumped up from my seat. I felt the eyes of the people around us on me and I turned to shyly apologize to them before sitting back down on my seat.

Did I hear that right just now?

"What did you just say?" I whispered back in shock.

"I said that I want to reunite and form a union between the Torex and the Silva gang," Ethan repeated.

 

Chapter 148: Lingering Feelings

Wait. Did he just say reunite? Does that mean…

"Torex and Silva were in a partnership before?" I asked in wonder.

"You’re a fast one. That’s right…" Ethan said before grinning at me.

"Really? How long ago was that?" I asked in wonder.

From what I could tell now, the two groups were not on good terms at all. I didn’t have to understand mafia politics to figure out why that is. However, if they were in a partnership before then something must have happened…

"When Hayden and I were kids our groups were quite close. Hayden and I go way back. He probably doesn’t want to remember it but, we grew up together. We were childhood friends, I guess you could say…" Ethan said as if reminiscing on some distant memories before he chuckled to himself.

I blinked my eyes rapidly a couple of time to clear the image of a small blond boy playing around with a dark-haired boy. The idea of these two guys being childhood friends was just difficult for me to believe and comprehend. Although now that I look back at it, Hayden did mention that he knew Ethan and he seemed to know how Ethan spent his childhood.

Why didn’t I catch onto this before this?

The thing that I didn’t get was…

"Why…are you telling me this?" I asked, clearly confused.

Whatever happened or will happen between the two gang has nothing to do with me now. I was no longer connected to Hayden or the Torex gang anymore and beyond Ethan being my ex-boyfriend, I wasn’t connected to Silva either. This issue has nothing to do with me…or so I thought.

"Maybe because I’m just bored and had a lot of free time on my hands that I could come all the way here to share an old story with you?" Ethan replied sarcastically before he smiled amusedly at me.

I hated it when he spoke to me like this. It was like he always knew everything, and I was the one who didn’t know anything at all.

"I’m listening…" I muttered, not willing to play his little game of chase.

"Hmm…where should I start..." Ethan said, and I knew that he was teasing me.

"I don’t have all day. If you’re going to waste my time, I’m going back to the exhibition," I said curtly.

"Then what about I pick you up for dinner when you’re done for the day?" Ethan quickly suggested.

He’s always like this…

"No…" I replied firmly.

"You’ve gotten more difficult. Is this because of Hayden, I wonder…" Ethan before faking a loud sigh.

"Listen, Ethan. I don’t know why you told me about your little plan, but I don’t see how it’s related to me. I’m not part of the mafia…ok?" I said, feeling tired all of a sudden.

"Hahaha…you’re the one who doesn’t see or get anything," Ethan said with a laugh.

"There’s nothing between Hayden and me anymore…" I said.

"Oh…so there was?" Ethan said with his eyes narrowing at me.

I narrowed my eyes at him in return. My temper was clearly boiling over, and it was taking all I had to control my anger just so that I wouldn’t cause a scene in public. If only this wasn’t my art exhibition…

"It’s got nothing to do with you…" I said defensively.

"It has everything to do with me. After all, you’re the key to bringing Torex and Silva together," Ethan said before he smiled at me.

"I don’t understand a thing that you’re saying…" I muttered.

"Look around you. Can’t you see?" Ethan asked.

"Huh?" I said in confusion.

However, just like Ethan had suggested, I started looking around me. For the life of me, I wasn’t even sure what I was looking for. There were people in the café, waitresses walking around to serve the customers. Outside, through the clear glass display for the café, I could see people standing by or walking along. There was nothing suspicious or anything that seemed out of place at all.

"They’re buzzing around you like flies," Ethan said before a look of disgust appeared on his face.

"What?" I asked in confusion.

"You’re being watched, and you have no clue. Maybe they’re evening listening to our conversation as we speak…" Ethan said before he shrugged his shoulders.

"What are you talking about? Who are you referring to?" I asked in panic.

"Who else? That man standing over there leaning on the pillar. That man there in the white shirt and black suit. That man there who’s just sitting there and drinking coffee…" Ethan said as his eyes glanced around the people who he had just mentioned.

My eyes followed his glance although I couldn’t see why those people were out of the ordinary. Whatever Ethan wanted me to see or understand, I just wasn’t getting it.

"I don’t understand…" I said softly.

"Torex gang members…I can smell them from miles away…" Ethan said with a shrug of his shoulders.

Torex…

Hayden’s men are here?! What does that mean?

"You look so shocked. Don’t stare at them," Ethan said casually.

"What is going on?" I asked, more confused than before.

"You said that there is nothing between you and Hayden but I wouldn’t be so sure. Hayden wouldn’t keep a woman under such heavy surveillance if she meant nothing to him no matter how many free men he had to spare," Ethan said with certainty.

"It can’t be…" I whispered.

"You probably didn’t realize anything, but he’s probably been keeping tabs on you all along. He probably doesn’t want me to get close to you either…" Ethan explained casually.

"Then…why are you here?" I asked sarcastically.

"Did Hayden tell you about Amelia?" Ethan asked abruptly.

"Yes. I also visited her…" I replied.

Ethan nodded seemingly satisfied. I didn’t want to tell him everything that Hayden told me though because I was quite certain that he knew already.

"Amelia was my fiancée. We were engaged since she was born. When she was young, she had a lot of health complications. Her body was frail and because of that she was sent to live abroad where it was warmer and where the air was cleaner," Ethan started explaining.

 

Chapter 149: True Colors

"I see…" I said softly.

"We didn’t meet much when we were young and even less so when we grew up. I definitely wasn’t thrilled at the idea of having my life partner decided for me and I bet she felt the same way. We both tried our best not to get involved with each other’s lives and not to get in each other’s way. That was like our silent agreement.

Everything was fine, until Hayden turned up…" Ethan said before his tone darkened.

"Hayden?" I said questioningly.

"Yeah. Do you want to see Hayden again?" Ethan asked.

"I…" I began saying but then I hesitated.

I did want to see him again, but I wasn’t sure if I should tell Ethan that.

"Do you, or don’t you?" Ethan asked.

The way his evil green eyes were looking at me told me that he already knew my answer and he probably had everything figured out already. Ethan would never approach me unless there was something that he wanted. That was just the person that he was. He’s handsome, charming, kind…and extremely manipulative.

"Why do you want to know?" I asked cautiously.

"Because in the unlikely case that you do…I can make it happen…" Ethan said as he smiled knowingly at me.

"What would you want in return?" I asked directly as I narrowed my eyes suspiciously at him.

"I want you to seduce Hayden and make him yours. No matter what, you must marry him and become his wife…" Ethan said decisively.

"…huh? That’s not what you said when we met on the cruise at all," I said in confusion.

"Did you honestly think that I would want you back?" Ethan asked with a small laugh.

Honestly, I didn’t care what he wanted…

"That’s not the issue here…" I said through clenched teeth.

"Sorry for giving you false hope, but I just wanted to see Hayden’s reaction," Ethan admitted without sounding guilty.

"Don’t worry. I wouldn’t go back to you even if I could…" I said honestly.

Ethan was silent for a moment, and I started to regret my words. For a moment, I truly believed that I may have hurt his feelings. I may not love him anymore and there were many things about him now that I didn’t quite understand; however, back when we were together, he took care of me well and helped me in a lot of ways.

"Just for the record, I really loved you and enjoyed the time we had together. I really broke up with you because I didn’t want to get you involved in the mafia. Somethings happened and I had to return to Silva…and I decided not to take you with me," Ethan explained and for some reason, I believed him.

"Ethan…" I whispered his name.

"It’s ok if you don’t believe me but I’m going to say it anyways. When I left you, I honestly didn’t want to get you involved. I never thought that the Torex old man would find you and drag you into this mess. Now it’s too late, you’re so involved, and you can’t get out of this anymore…" Ethan said regretfully as he shook his head slowly.

"I’m sorry about what I said…" I apologized softly.

"You don’t have to be. So…can you do it?" Ethan asked as his eyes stared at me.

I knew that he was referring to me becoming Hayden’s wife. That’s just insane…

"Of course, not…" I replied resolutely.

"You don’t love him anymore? I didn’t know that your heart would change so fast…" Ethan said in such a fake regrettable tone that I wanted to smack him.

"Ethan…why are you doing this?" I asked suspiciously.

"I already told you, I just want a partnership between my gang and Torex," Ethan said with determination.

"What does that have to do with me marrying Hayden?" I asked, not following his thoughts.

"Everything actually…don’t you want the two gang to be at peace?"" Ethan said before he smiled at me.

I guess I do but I wasn’t sure if I could change anything between them. Hayden also wanted peaceful negotiations but I’m not sure if his view has changed on that.

"I’m not following. Why can’t you just explain everything to me?" I pleaded as my frustration started taking over.

"Jack Witman," Ethan said abruptly.

"What? Who is that?" I asked.

Something at the back of my mind told me that I’ve heard that name somewhere before but for the life of me, I just couldn’t remember where or when. Digging through my memories didn’t help either. I just couldn’t recall although I was certain that I’ve heard that name before…

"Ask Hayden. Find Hayden and ask him…" Ethan instructed.

"How do I find him? I don’t know where he is. He’s not someone that I can reach anymore…" I replied, feeling frustrated.

I didn’t know where he lived. The only place I knew was where he worked which was Torex’s headquarters but even there it wasn’t like I could casually waltz in and request for a meeting with him.

"Your little chat here with me just helped you with that," Ethan replied carefreely.

"How?" I asked.

"Hayden probably isn’t super pleased right now that you’re meeting up with me…he’ll come to you soon enough…" Ethan said.

"If only things were that simple…" I hissed.

"Haha…you’re right. Hayden’s a mystery, that’s for sure. Well, good luck to you" Ethan said before he stood up from his seat.

It was clear that our little coffee chat was over. I wasn’t sure if I fully understood everything that Ethan had told me or his intentions but if there’s a way for me to get in touch with Hayden and to learn more about the truth, then I would still like to try.

…

After Ethan left, I returned to the exibhition. Because of what he said, I was very conscious of the people around me. I wondered if the men from Torex were still following and watching me. They probably were. I had no idea that I was being watched. Have I been watched all this time?

Hayden, what are you thinking?

 

Chapter 150: Missing Each Other

When I arrived back at my exhibition, the same staff from before was there as if she was waiting for me. Once she spotted me, she came up to me excitedly and I wondered what she wanted.

"You’re such a hot artist or maybe you’re such a hot girl," she said teasingly.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Just now, another hot guy was here staring at that painting again. Maybe that painting attracts hot guys," she said with a laugh.

"What did he look like? Was he tall with light blond hair and blue eyes?" I asked rapidly as I put my hand up above my head to indicate Hayden’s height.

"Yup, I think so…" she replied as she rubbed her chin in thought.

"Where is he now?" I asked immediately.

"Too bad you missed him. He left already; he should be out of the building by now…" she said.

I didn’t listen to her until the end once again. I knew that it was a long shot, but I decided to run after him. If he was headed to the exit of the building, then he must have gone this way…

At the end, after looking everywhere that I could think of, I couldn’t find Hayden. Deflated, I returned to the painting of my grandmother again. It wasn’t surprising that I couldn’t find him. That was simply because he didn’t want to be found. He came all the way to my exhibition, but he decided to avoid me completely.

If Ethan was right and Hayden’s men were watching me then he clearly chose the time when I was away with Ethan to come and see my work.

Why won’t he see me?

…

A few days later the exhibition came to an end without any further noteworthy incidents. The feedback that I received were positive enough and surprisingly, I had a few job offers for painting commissions.

Overall, it was the perfect way to wrap up my university career and open up a door for me to become a professional artist.

A day after the end of the exhibition, I got an unexpected call from my university professor. I was on my way back from teaching at the art school when my phone rang. Rumbling through the contents of my bag, I finally found my phone and quickly answered the call.

"Malissa, your professor here," the professor said in a friendly voice.

"Oh, hello…" I replied, unsure of what he wanted.

"You don’t have to sound so worried. I’m calling about some good news. You see, a bid came in for that painting of your grandmother that you displayed as the centerpiece for your exhibition," the professor said.

"Really? Someone wanted to buy it?" I asked in disbelief.

Of course, I was happy that someone wanted to buy my artwork; however, I had very mixed feeling about selling that painting in particular.

"Yes. The bid is also outrageously high. Like sky high…" the professor continued.

"How much is the offer?" I asked, not expecting very much.

"10 million dollars…" he stated.

"…What?!" I exclaimed so loudly that the passerby on the sidewalk gave me funny looks.

I nodded my head to signal that I was sorry before I clutched my phone tighter in my hand.

"That’s the reaction I first had too…not that I’m saying that your painting isn’t worth 10 million dollars though. It’s art, the value depends on the buyer…" the professor said, sounding impressed.

"Do you know who the bidder is?" I asked.

"Unfortunately, the one who submitted the bid is an agency acting on behalf of the bidder and they’re not willing to disclose the identity of the bidder…" the professor said.

"I see. Thank you for helping me out," I thanked him.

"Will you sell it, Malissa?" he asked.

"I’m sorry but I’m not sure. It is a painting of my grandmother and she’s…you know…" I said before trailing off. The professor knew about my grandmother being in the hospital because of her illness.

"I can understand," he said softly.

"I’ll think about it…" I said.

"No problem. Let me know when you’ve decided so that I can get back to the agency," the professor said understandingly.

"Thank you very much, Professor," I said.

"No problem. Have a great day," he said brightly before hanging up.

I stared at the phone in my hand for a long time after the line had disconnected. My mind was just too busy thinking that I couldn’t concentrate on anything else. I just stood there in a daze in the middle of the sidewalk. Although the professor didn’t know who the bidder was, I think I had a pretty good and accurate idea of who it might be.

Hayden…what are you trying to do?

It wasn’t money that I wanted or needed. Everything that he had given me has been left untouched. I was far from wealthy but with the job that I have, I can scrape by. His father is still paying for my grandmother’s hospital bills and that was more than I could ever ask for. It was then that I made up my mind not to sell the painting. I mean, 10 million dollars is just too much.

Plus, it wasn’t his money that I wanted…

…

**A Week Later**

It’s been raining quite often these days and on days when it didn’t, the sky seemed so gloomy and void of its usual rich blue color. The cloud in the sky looked grey and dirty instead of its usual puffy white. Overall, the weather made me feel very depressed. Looking back on it, perhaps I was already depressed and was blaming it illogically on the weather.

Ever since turning down the offer to buy the painting of my grandmother, I felt more relieved. I had expected Hayden to make some kind of move to get in contact with me, but he didn’t. Roughly a week went by with nothing from him, and I wondered if I was still being watched by his men. Then I realized that I probably was.

Lately, Hayden had been on my mind almost all the time and I was finding it hard to concentrate on other things.