LOCATION:- PARIS, FRANCE.

AT THE WALQUIN MANSION.

A fair skinned lady with short dark wavy hair could be seen in the living room with a cup of tea in her hands. Maids were at every corner waiting to be called on by their mistress.

The place was filled with total silence until she decided to break it. "Don't you think a cup of tea is a wonderful way to start the morning?.." she asked softly, taking another sip of her tea.

The young lady who looks exactly like her sighed in frustration but answered softly. "It's always wonderful to start a day with a cup of tea.. but you're still avoiding the situation". she muttered the last sentence.

"My plans are none of your business Harlin.. they shouldn't even concern you". She hissed.

Still Harlin pressed on. "You can't go in and out of someone like Marina.. I mean it's been five years, that 's about enough time to forget about someone".

"Not about someone you love". Marina smiled. "But about someone you ONCE loved," Harlin said.

Marina's smile turned into a frown in seconds. "Francis still loves me!." She yelled, slamming her cup to the ground shattering it to pieces.

"You aren't so sure about that.. what if he's already moved on?.. What if he's married with kids huh? what are you going to do then?!."

"Trust me.. he isn't married plus there's no way he has gotten over me, and if he is married, I'll just have to remind him of all our fun memories together."

"And of all the times he has taken me, like the beast he is". Marina sighed softly.

"Please sister, don't be disgusting.. you can't be thinking about things like that". Harlin said, rolling her eyes. "I understand what's going on here, you're just jealous of me because you haven't gotten the attention of Luke yet".

"My problem with Luke has nothing to do with this, we're talking about you!." Harlin hissed.

"Well then I refuse to continue talking about me.. I will not be explaining myself to you and as I said before, Francis is mine he has always and will also be mine, married or not!." Marina hissed storming away.

All the maids made way for their mistress to pass, she was already angry making it worse would only get them fired.

•••

LOCATION:- NEW YORK, AMERICA.

HOURS LATER..

AT THE TOWNS LOCAL HOSPITAL.

Juliana's POV

"Juliana?." I looked up seeing Dr.Farley walking towards me. I stood up from the ground immediately using the back of my long sleeve shirt to clean my already dry tears.

"Is my mom going to be okay?.." was the first question that left my mouth. I couldn't think of anything else.

"Your mother's going to be fine Juliana.. we did our best but I don't think that our best would be enough for her.." Dr Farley said softly. "Have you thought about the therapy in Italy?.. I mean if you're not comfortable with it I could always-..

"No, Dr Farley.. I'd take the offer even if it means going across the world, just tell me when my mother will be available to be transferred and I'll be ready." I said softly.

"Juliana look, I understand your situation.. I even admire you, I'll do as you've wished. I'll let my friend know and he'll set up a room for your mother there. All you have to do is bring the money to my office tomorrow evening and everything will be set." Dr Farley said smiling.

"Thank you so much Dr Farley, I don't know what I would have done without your help." I said sniffing back the tears that were about to fall.

"There's nothing for you to thank me for Juliana.. I'm just doing my job, now go home, get some rest and when the time comes for the transfer I'll let you know." Dr Farley said, placing his hand on my shoulder.

"Of course, I'll do just that." I muttered.

"Your mother's in good hands.." He said. "I've got to go now there's a woman due for delivery in a few hours I've got to get ready."

"Of course. Tomorrow then". I said as he soon left my side.

I sighed saying a silent prayer to the Lord in heaven. "I really need to do this, for my Mom.." I muttered softly to myself.

•••

LOCATION:- MILAN, ITALY.

THE de'MEDICI'S MANSION.

In Francis' Bedroom.

Early the next morning.

A knock came on the door making Francis groan in annoyance. "Who's there?." He asked. Sitting up with his back against the headboard, the blanket fell to his waist revealing his glossy chest and magnificent abs.

He's been up all night with Valentino, and came home early around midnight. He was hoping to get a few hours of sleep before he left for the office.

"m-Master breakfast is ready.. should it be served at the dining table or should it just be brought up here?.."

"Serve it down the stairs.. I'll be there in ten minutes" he muttered softly.

"Of course master.. I'll get it done immediately". The maid said. Her retreating steps slowly faded away.

Almost immediately, his ringtone blasted through the air.

"Seems like everyone wants me dead more than anything right now."

He held his head in annoyance, his hangover making it seem like needles were going through his temple.

Without looking at the name displayed on the screen, he answered the phone.

"Who's this?... " He asked.

"Ahh... I figured you'd forget about me, though I didn't imagine you would forget that fast." The man on the other end of the line said mockingly.

"Dad?.." The hangover left his system almost immediately.

"What happened?.. you're coming back?.. I thought you'd stay in Abu Dhabi for a couple more months?.. " Francis stuttered out quickly. His father can't find out about Roxanne's hospitalization, it'll send him to his grave.

Literally.

"Calm down chatterbox, I'm not coming back just yet.. still got lots of things to set-up over here. I might actually take longer than expected." Al-mando chuckled.

"I just called to check on you kids–..

"We aren't kids anymore.. there's no need for that." Francis rolled his eyes as he stood up from the bed.

"Sure whatever you say, that aside, how's your sister?.. she hasn't called for a while, plus she has not picked up any of her calls. Is there something wrong?.." Al-mando asked, concerning evidence in his voice.

"No.. no there's nothing wrong, she's just being really busy with some shows, events, you know how busy she gets." He was pacing across the room now. His Dad just can't find out, it was hard enough work to make sure the media didn't get anything on what happened.

"I'll let her know.. she'll get back to you once she's free. I will make sure of that.. Bye!." Francis sighed, ending the call before his father could say anything.

"Things are getting too close to the fire right now.”