T E R E S A
"Say cheese"
Alejandro sighs as he rubs his stubble then fixes his face into a smile, I take the photo and look down at my phone. "Ai terminat acum?" He asks as he walks over to me, I swipe through the pictures that we have taken during the three hours we have been at the pumpkin patch. Are you done?
We have eaten the food, collected the pumpkins, played the games and we are now doing the photo ops. Alejandro who is not the biggest fan of taking pictures humours me as he moves on to stand behind the cardboard of a cow.
He smiles at the camera as I click and then he walks around it, "I ask again. Teresa Ylenia Antonia Stanescu, are you done?" He asks making me look at him and nod. "Yes I am finally done, thank you" I say as I lean up kissing him.
He places his hand on the back of my head as he kisses me back, I pull away and slip my phone into my bag as he grabs the handle of our wagon that is filled with the pumpkins I picked up.
He takes my hand in his as we make our way to the cashier and stand in line, I rest my head on his shoulder as he kisses the top of my head.
During the month of October we have done so much cute fall activities from a nice hike, a picnic, haunted house, staycation weekend and now our finally pumpkin patch.
"Don't you think that as someone as highly intelligent as you would not ride a motorcycle?" I ask making him turn his head to look down at me.
This has been a constant topic over the last few weeks, obviously I knew he had a motorcycle all those months ago but the haze of how hot he looked on it as worn off.
Now I don't like it.
Everytime we have this conversation he kisses me to distract me but this time I plan on standing my ground, "I have cars" He says making me raise my eyebrows. "That just sit in your garages because by default you go on your motorcycle. The weather is going to get worse Alejandro" I say.
"I could hold out till November" He responds making me stare at him, I let go of his hand and cross my arms against my chest. "Oh really?" He asks as I just stare straight ahead, he sighs as we just stand in silence for the remainder of the wait.
He pays for the pumpkins and I walk ahead of him until we reach his BMW XM SUV, I try to open the door but it's locked. I roll my eyes as I look at him, he smiles as he takes his sweet time and opens the trunk.
He places each pumpkin into the trunk slowly making me roll my eyes again, he closes the trunk and walk the wagon over to the designated area they ask customers to leave it on the parking lot. He puts it with the others and walks over to me, "What is the right answer here?" He asks.
"Of course Teresa. I will put away the motorcycle and only drive vechicles that have four tires and a steering wheel. You are right and I am wrong" He has to physically use his hand to wipe the smile off his face before taking a deep breath.
"Of course Teresa. I will put away the motorcycle and only drive vehicles that have four tires and a steering wheel. You are right and I am wrong" He says making me roll my eyes, "I want you to mean it Alejandro" I say.
"I do mean it. I swear to you I mean it, I promise for the next seasons no motorcycle." He says as I sigh, "I mean forever" I add and he just blinks at me as he opens the door "We will cross that bridge when we get to it" He says.
I get into the car and he closes the door, I put on my seatbelt as he rounds the car and gets into the drivers seat. I move my hair out of my face as he puts on his seatbelt and starts up the car, he starts up the car and I turn on the heat.
"Do you have all the ingredients?" I ask as I press my hands to the heat, "I do have all the ingredients to make you pizza" He says as we reach a redlight. "And it will be good right? Well it has to be good it's in your blood" I say.
He raises his eyebrows as he loks at me, "It's in my blood?" He repeats making me nod. "Full Italian father why wouldn't it be good?" I ask making him shake his head at me.
We make our way back to his apartment and I get changed into my pyjamas while he gets started on the pizza. I get started on gutting the pumpkins getting them ready for us to carve out and decorate them.
"You have your costume right? I brought it to you" I throw out the pumpkin seeds, "Yes I do" He says as I walk up behind him and rest my head on his back.
We will decorate the pumpkins, eat the pizza and watch halloween movies together until we fall asleep.
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I move my hair our of my face as I look around his bedroom making sure I am not leaving anything, I faintly smile at Alejandro who is still asleep on the bed holding onto the pillow thinking it's me.
I turn around and walk downstairs on my tippy toes entering the living room, I grab my coat off the couch and run to the front door. I put on my shoes then take a deep breath as I look at the front door.
I bite my lip as I slowly start to turn the lock as quiet as I can before finally and very slowly open the door. I step into the hallway and close the dor behind me quietly before bolting down the hallway.
I take the stairs into the parking garage and run over to my car, I get inside and put everything in the passenger seat as I close the door then sit down.
I finally exhale out relief as I start up the car and put on my seatbelt, I make my way to the exit and it opens up for me allowing me to speed through. I told Jasper that I would be at pilates early morning which was an obvious lie.
He told me he would be home late last night and when he gets home late he typically sleeps in the one of the guest bedrooms so he doesn't wake me, and I know his sleep routine so he is not awake and won't be awake for the next hour and a half.
I make my way back to our house and change into pilates workout clothes, I run around the garage that has both of our cars parked inside making myself sweaty before finally entering the house.
I make my way into our bedroom to see it empty, I make my way down the hall and enter the first guest bedroom to see him knocked out asleep on the bed.
I peel off my shoes and lunge myself into the bed, he stirs before turning over to face me. "Energetic" He mumbles as he rubs his eyes, "Oh very" I say as he wraps an arm around me. "I need a new travel ring, I somehow lost it and now I feel like I am going to lose my actual one" I say.
"Okay honey" He says as he starts to slowly close his eyes, "Still tired? I was wondering if you wanted to shower together to save time and water...and whatever else" I say making him open his eyes.
I smile as he sits up and picks me up as he stands up, I giggle as I wrap myself around him. He leaves the guest bedroom and makes his way over to our room, "How is work going?" I ask as he enters the bathroom.
He places me down as he turns around and turns on the shower, "Stressful. I take it back, it's not stressful. What is stressful is my father in my ear trying to tell me how to run everything" He responds.
We both start to undress and step into the shower together as he keeps talking about Dean is just on his ass. "I mean he gave it to me for a reason, he talks about how he wants me to run it how I want to but he does not allow me to run it how I see fit." He says as I let the water hit my hair.
"What he needs to do is just make a book of whatever it is he wants to tell me then fuck off to start golfing or something" He says making me smile as he places his hands on my waist, "I know he is being annoying but think of it from his point of view" I say as he kisses my cheek.
"There will be a time when Florin is all grown up and it is time for you to pass over the reigns to him and once you do that it basically signifies that he won't need you as much and shows you how grown up he is"
"Now let's think is he really on your ass or is he just hovering around you?" I ask, he rolls his eyes as he presses his head into my neck making me smile.
"So reasonable" He mumbles against my skin making me wrap my arms around him, "You told me that was one of the things you love about me" He pulls his head away from my neck as he looks me in my eyes.
My body relaxes as I stare at the man who has loved me at my absolute best, worst and everything in between. "I love everything about you" He says as he moves his hands to my face, I wrap my hands around his wrists as I use my thumbs to rub them softly.
"I love you" He adds, "I love you too" I say as I lean up kissing him.
After spending some intimate time in the shower we have both gotten dressed, eating breakfast and just catching up together Jasper is now taking nap and I am catching up on work.
Tonight, me and Jasper have our annual halloween party. We typically rotate who hosts the party in our childhood friendgroup and last year it fell on us, I am so very glad we are not hosting that shit.
It falls into my career yes but dealing with aftermath and the cleanup made me lose my shit, so now it falls on Emma who is excited about it because she has hired a company to clean up after so all she has do is plan and have fun.
I typically plan and pick our costumes but Jasper asked to pick for this year and he did, we will be going as Barbie and Ken from the new movie and I really believe that is on brand for us.
I look away from my laptop and down at my phone to see Alejandro calling, I pick up my phone as I stand up and run over to my office door. I answer as I place my phone to my ear as I close the door, "Hi" I say as I lock the door.
"In the morning, you always flee like a rat" He says making me smile as I walk back over to my chair. "Can I assume you leaving had something to do with Emma's father dying?" He asks.
I freeze as the words register in my head, what is he talking about?
"What? What are you talking about?" I ask as I sit down, "Boyan Nowak is dead. He died twenty minutes ago" I physically recoli back as I stand back up again. "Alejandro are you sure?" The phone moves around on his end as I start to pace back and forth.
"My mother is the King. I am very sure, he was shot leaving a nightclub in Minsk. They rushed him to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, everything is in in full blown effect you know the procedure" He says.
"Oh my God....I uh um how long is your mother giving her?" I ask, "She liked Boyan and his off spring so she is giving a week-"
"I have to go, I will call you later" I hang up on him as I start moving my legs. I click on Florin's number as I unlock my office door and start running upstairs, "Hi mama-"
"Where are you?" I ask as I run into my bedroom. "I am actually in front of house literally about to unlock the front door" A weight lifts off my chest as I hear the front door opening.
I walk over to Jasper as I hang up then shake him, he opens one eye as he turns over facing me. He scans my face and he immediately sits up, "What's wrong? Who died?" He asks as he rubs his face waking himself up.
"Boyan. I don't know if Emma knows or not, I am going to head to her spot. Florin is-"
"Right here. Boyan died?" We turn our heads to see Florin walking into our room. I immediately pull him into my grasp hugging him tightly, he hugs me back then I pull away.
"No one is to leave without talking to me," I say as I look at my phone and call my dad. I place the phone to my ear as Florin sits on the bed hugging Jasper, I punch in the code for my safe as he answers and I stop moving.
Boyan was one of his best friends since childhood, "Daddy" I say as the tears start to swell in my eyes. "Shot twice in the chest. His men tried their best to stop the bleeding and he didn't even make it to surgery before he died. It was inside job is what everyone is saying now"
He sounds so broken. So monotone.
"Daddy I am so-"
"We can't reach Emma. Her location says she is at home but we can not reach her, I am sending some men to guard you and the boys. Petar is on his way to pick you up, if she doesn't know it would be best to hear from you"
I open the safe as I wipe the tears from my eyes, "There is a possibility that she was also harmed. Prepare yourself" I grab my gun and assemble it before putting it in my waistband, "How are you feeling?" I ask as I close the safe then walk back out.
"I feel nothing right now. I have to go, be safe Teresa I love you" He says. "I love you too" I hang up and immediately start calling Emma as I leave the closet to see Florin and Jasper sitting on the bed, "I will be back" I say as Jasper stands up.
He kisses my head as he grabs my shoulders then hugs me, I hug him back as my phone beeps. I look down to see that Emma hasn't answered and that there are people at the gates, I hang up then let them in.
"I will be back" I repeat as I pull away. He nods as he kisses my head and I pull away, I jog down the stairs and quickly put on my shoes before grabbing my coat. I open the door to be greeted by Petar who has a team of men securing the area, they are dressed in normal clothes as if they are just coming to visit.
"She's dead" I say making him shake his head, "She is not dead. We do not know that" I follow behind him as we start walking headed towards the car. I frown as the tears start to swell in my eyes again, "So why isn't she answering?" I ask as we get into the car.
"She is asleep. Her phone is dead. She is in a non verbal mood, I need The Planner not Teresa Anderson right now" He says as the car speeds off. I cover my face with my hands as the tears start to flow.
I wipe my eyes as I take a deep breath, I sit up straight as I wipe my eyes with the sleeve of my coat. No reason to assume she is dead until I see it with my own eyes, no reason at all.
It is not a long drive over to Emma's house from mine, so before the car can even come to a complete stop I opened the door and got out making Petar curse. I sniff as I reach into my waistband pulling out my gun, he and the others quickly catch up to me.
I look around to see her house doesn't look broken into, and she has decorated for the halloween party. I walk up to her front door as the other men go around back, I take a deep breath before changing my grip on my gun.
Petar taps my shoulder making me try to open the door to see it's locked, I reach down and pick up the fake rock that has her spare key under it. I pick up the key and start to unlock the door slowly, God please let her be alive.
I push the door open slowly and we start to make our way inside as Petar gives the command to the others at the back to let them go through. We make our way through her foyer that is decorated, we turn entering her kitchen and my whole body just relaxes.
Emma is alive and well.
She has her back facing us as I slowly lower my gun, Petar moves away from me as he heads further into the house. I place my hand on my chest as I move my hair out of my face, she finally turns around to return to icing her cake and she screams at the top of her lungs.
She yanks her headphones off as she starts to catch her breath, "What the fuck Teresa......what....who...why" Petar comes back and nods at me letting me know that the house is clear.
I put my gun back in my waistband as I walk over to her, I pull her into my grasp hugging her as she just stands there. "You are scaring me" She says as she slowly starts to hug me back. "I love you so much Emma" I say as she pulls away.
"Who died?" I frown as the tears start to swell in her eyes, "Your father" Petar says from behind me. She turns to look at him as she furrows her eyebrows, "Your father was shot coming out of a club in Minsk. His men tried to stop the blood but he succumbed to his injuries an hour ago."
She smiles as she shakes her head, "No I just spoke to him a couple of hours ago. You are lying" She reaches for her phone and shows us the call log saying she did in fact call him a few hours ago. She tries to call him now but obviously there is no response.
"Teresa?" She whispers as the tears start to fall. "Толкова много съжалявам, Емa" Her breath comes out in gasps as she begins to sob, I grab her as she slowly starts to sink to the ground making me close my eyes.
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The last two weeks have been a blur.
Emma my sweet friend who couldn't harm a fly is now the leader of the Bulgarian mafia. The King gave her a week to fully greive and prepare.
After telling her that her father was dead, she cried until she threw up and was in a vegetative state for the next three days. On the third day, I left her side to go see how my father was doing and that was when the King visited her.
I don't know what Angelina Romano said to her but if she is anything like her son, I am going to assume it was a very motivational and heartfelt speech because by the time I came back she was gone and Emma was lucid now.
We flew to Bulgaria where she finally saw her fathers dead body, she cried for an hour before we went on to plan the funeral. The funeral took place six days after Boyan died, I planned it.
It was a small funeral but it was beautiful.
A day after the funeral, Emma had her first kill. She killed the man who killed her father, one of his underbosses who was desperate for more power. She shipped out parts of his body to his family before she had them killed.
Her ingauration took place four days ago, she now rules over Bulgaria with a cold look in eye and not the sparkle that use to be there. She told Brad everything and to her surprise, he stayed.
He has stood by her side these last two weeks, uprooted his life from London and now lives with her in Bulgaria. I suspect I will be planning a wedding for them soon.
My father is currently in Bulgaria as well, he will be staying there for the forseeable future. Emma, bless her heart knows nothing about running the mafia so my father is there by her side teaching her and helping her.
This is my fourth time in Bulgaria, it's so quiet here. I take a deep breath as I sit down on the bench. I look over as the man I called last night approaches me, I smile as he sits down next to me and takes his hands out of his coat pockets.
I turn my head as he wraps an arm around me, I snuggle closer to him as he presses his lips to the top of my head. "I love you. Don't die" Alejandro smiles as I look up at him, "I love you too. I will try my best not to" He says.
"I don't recognize her. I do not recognize the woman who has been my best friend for every single year of my life," I say. "In this very gruesome world my love, it is very hard to see the good in a world with so much bad."
"We all have different sides to us. You aren't the same Teresa when you sit in a control room, men who you tricked all come together in a room and drop a bomb on them."
"Emma will find a way to balance it. Everything still hurts for her, the pain is raw, she is now fully submerged into a very dangerous world that just killed her father like he was nothing. As long as you and your father are by her side, she will be fine and eventually the pain will pass"
I shake my head as I look at him, "How do you do that?" I ask. "Do what?" He asks making me raise my eyebrows. "The always knowing what to say, the heartfelt tone, everything like how do you do that?" I ask.
He shrugs, "My mother" And that makes a tremendous amount of sense. "My biggest cheerleader, my biggest fan, my biggest motivation and a woman who could talk anyone into anything" He says.
"She always gets her ways with her words, ask my father he'll tell you." I look at him as he stares at the lake in front of us, "And then my father taught me to listen. To listen before I speak and to really listen, so I am who I am because of my lovely parents" He says as he looks down at me.
"They did an amazing job, with both you and Damon" I say as he kisses my forehead, "I know" He responds making me roll my eyes. "I came because you asked me to but I can't stay for long." He adds.
"Well I have to leave at early next week for an event" I say, "So do I. I have a family event then some other work event" He says making me smile. "I will leave with you then" I say before kissing him.
a/n:
next chap is going to rock your world
lots of love, xiomara!