Secretly Mine

"Georgio Moresi, you are under arrest for engaging in human trafficking. There has been undeniable proof of your involvement as the head orchestrator of this human trafficking ring."

My father jumped up and nervously looked at all the uniformed men. "Who are you?! What authority do you have to put me in jail? Where is the chief of police?!"

The other man chuckled. "I regret to inform you that Mr. Anoly, the previous chief of police, has already been sentenced to prison for his involvement and collusion."

He walked forward, stopping just in front of my father. "As for who I am, I'm Andrei Fima, head of national security."

My eyes widened as I looked at the man. He was well-dressed and had blonde hair with hints of grey. He had a powerful aura that made his calm demeanor feel intimidating.

Looks like the government was called in. I shouldn't be surprised; human trafficking is a big deal.

Finally, my father's expression finally cracked. "You've got it wrong! I've been set up! I had nothing to do with this!"

"Mr. Moresi, spare me the tears. We've done an extensive investigation and have combed through all of your call records and emails. We have more than enough evidence to confidently say that you've been the one leading the efforts."

Mr. Fima let out a small chuckle and continued, "But I must say, it's also thanks to you that we finally found the whereabouts of the criminal organization that we've been hunting for months. We will be seizing all of your property and assets until the court hearing, but from what I can see, I doubt that any of those will be returned."

My father's face paled. He looked around the room nervously before bolting towards the small door on the side of the hall, closest to him.

Mr. Fima shook his head and motioned with his hand. Immediately, a group of armed police ran after him. They didn't have to run too far because my father didn't even make it to the door before they had him pinned to the ground.

"Please escort Mr. Moresi to the car," he said before turning his attention to Morgan and my mother. "Ladies, if you would be so kind as to follow me to the car, there are a few standard procedures we need to follow."

"No! We didn't do anything! Why do I need to follow you?!" yelled Morgan. "And her, should you be locking her up in jail?! Why aren't you taking her in for questioning? She was closest to Karl!"

Morgan pointed her finger at me, waving it wildly. She looked like she was ready to lunge at me at any moment.

"She doesn't need to come because Mr. Vittoria had already given us all of the information we needed about her," Mr. Fima explained calmly. "Now, please don't make this any more difficult than it should be. If we find that you've had no involvement, we will release you."

"But where will we go? If you're seizing out property and assets, how will we live?" my mother spoke up.

"Don't worry, Madame. We won't leave you to die on the streets. You will get enough to get by," he replied.

"To get by?"

Her face dripped in horror. She must've understood that her glamorous life was most likely over. She had her own funds, and I was sure that whatever they ended up returning to her and Morgan would be more than any average family could dream of having. However, I knew my mother enjoyed shopping, and she would most likely not be able to buy whatever she wanted, like before.

Morgan still refused to budge from her spot even after my mother walked forward.

"No! I'm Mrs. Vittoria! It's me! It was always meant to be me!" she screamed as a few police officers walked over to try and pull her off the altar.

As she was being pulled away, her eyes locked onto me. There was nothing but hatred and anger in them. "You whore! Christian is mine! Give him back!"

Suddenly, Christian lifted his hand, pulling my chin up to face him. The next moment, I felt his lips press against mine.

The kiss took me by complete surprise, and all I could hear were the gasps of everyone around me. When the kiss ended, Christian pulled away and got down on one knee.

"Leslie, from the moment I met you, I knew that you were something special. You entered my life like a blazing meteor, unable to be stopped. Now, I can't imagine my life without you. I am so in love with you that sometimes I wake up unable to process the feeling. From the bottom of my heart, I ask... will you marry me?"

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a black velvet ring box and opened it. Inside was the most beautiful diamond ring I've ever seen. It featured a large oval-cut diamond and a simple platinum band.

As soon as it hit one of the spotlights, it shone magnificently with all of its brilliance.

Tears slid down my cheeks as I looked down at Christian. His eyes were full of love and gentleness. I could see how every one of his words was spoken directly from his heart.

"Yes!" I nodded, covering my face with my hand to prevent myself from breaking down.

I stretched out my hand, allowing him to slide the ring onto my ring finger. It fit perfectly, as if it were made for me.

After he put the ring on, he stood up and pulled me into his embrace. Our lips collided into another passion-filled kiss.

For me, all time had stopped. I didn't care where I was or who was watching. All that mattered was that Christian was right there beside me, and that I would be spending the rest of my life with him.

As the kiss ended, I suddenly heard hundreds of people clapping and cheering.

"Congratulations to both of you!" someone shouted.

As I looked around the room, I caught sight of Morgan's stupefied expression. There was a small part of me that felt bad for her, but she had long ruined any chance of reconciliation.

Perhaps we could be friends in another life.

Christian wrapped his arm around mine and squeezed my hand, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Let's go home."

I looked up at him and smiled, "Yes, let's go home."

A warmth spread through my chest. For the first time in my life, I was happy to go 'home'.

Christian nodded, then turned to the crowd.

"Thank you all for taking the time to come here today. I apologize for the series of events that took place today. Once Leslie and I take some time to process everything, we will send you all the invitations to our wedding. We hope to see you there."

The crowd cheered. "We look forward to the good news!" a man in the front seat said, as others nodded their heads in agreement.

"It was good to see the mask lifted off the Moresis. I've had an issue with their attitude for a while now," another person chimed in.

-

As the guests slowly made their way out of the wedding hall, Christian held my hand and pulled me over to a side door.

"My car is parked on this side. It'll be faster to go this way," he said in a low voice.

I nodded and followed him. There was this sense of excitement inside of me as if I were a high schooler running away from home. Except this time, I was going to my new home. A place where I belonged.

THE END.

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BONUS POV: LUCAS

My stomach tightened as I watched Christian kiss Leslie with such passion.

Everyone around me cheered, clapping happily for the two of them. I was also happy-- happy that Leslie could finally smile so brightly, but her rejection was still fresh in my mind.

She wore a black gown, reminding me of the one she wore the first time I laid eyes on her. Stunning, ethereal, like an angel. It was the first time I saw someone so beautiful, but I was too late; her heart was already with someone else.

I shook my head, trying to rid my mind of any negative thoughts.

I wish you all of the happiness in the world. I do not regret my feelings for you.

Just as I was about to stand up, I felt someone take a seat beside me. It was the lady that I met at the art gallery the time I went with Leslie.

"Looks like we both lost," she said calmly. There was even a small smile on her lips.

I turned to look at her, trying to remember her name.

"Eve. Eve Lombardi," she said, as if reading my mind. "We met at the art gallery. I could tell you had feelings for her back then."

My lips curved into a smile while my gaze dropped down to my hands.

I guess it was obvious, wasn't it?

"Mm, you're right," I replied softly.

"I also tried my best. Except to get to Christian. Even after his engagement with Morgan, I didn't give up and tried to chase after him, hoping that he would spare me a look. But I can tell that this is the end, he's chosen Leslie, and it's real," she said.

Her voice was soft and pleasant, and she also seemed more mature than her appearance suggested.

"I guess you're right. We both lost," I said, repeating her earlier words.

"At times like these, I wish I could escape into one of L.L. Lewis's paintings. Into the serene landscape where nothing can hurt you."

My eyes widened slightly. I turned to look at her, noticing the blissful expression on her face.

A place where nothing can hurt you....

I repeated her words in my mind.

"Eve. There's a gallery show coming up in a few weeks. Would you like to go with me?" I asked, surprising even myself.

She turned to look at me, giving me a clear look into her eyes. They were bright like the stars.

Raising her brow, she smiled softly, "If it's the one with L.L. Lewis's work, then absolutely."

I smiled in response.

It'll be the one with L.L. Lewis.