The Alpha Mafia King
Chapter 14

Taleela thought she had heard somebody knocking on the door, and she looked at it without bulging a muscle in an attempt to know for sure. She was putting on an earpiece and making a few sketches on her drawing pad. The knock grew louder, and she took out the earpiece, surprised to hear Mazza calling her name.

“Taleela,” said Mazza for the umpteenth time as he continued knocking on her door. “It’s me, Mazza; open up. I know you’re in there. Taleela!”

She unlocked the door quickly and said, “Mazza, I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you because I had my earpiece on.”

He entered and sat on her desk. “Sure, sorry about earlier. You need to understand that Eureka has been in Alonso’s life for a long time, and she feels threatened by your presence. That’s why she is acting up.”

“You never told me that he had someone in his life Mazza,” Taleela said calmly. “You said that he would be interested in me and that he is single. Mazza, I don’t mind being a maid, and you should treat me as one instead of making me feel brawled about my position in the Marcovic family. Am I a maid or your grandson’s future lover, like you put it?”

Mazza cleared his throat, and inside he was struggling with the weight of uncertainty as he clearly could not explain to Taleela why he was confident that Alonso would fall in love with her. Well, almost inevitable, ninety-nine percent sure to be exact, and it was because she was his mate.

“You’re not a maid, Taleela; I want you to understand that Alonso isn’t in love with Eureka,” he began.

“He got himself involved with her because of a business deal, but things escalated because she never gave him breathing space, and he didn’t want to hurt her feelings. She loves him, but he doesn’t feel the same way.”

“Then why doesn’t he just ask her to back off?” Taleela said, almost sounding angry.

“On several occasions, he has done that,” Mazza said with an air of frustration. “She has gone through several lengths to make him feel entrapped. He’s fighting a battle to get her to leave him alone, but he is cautious. The last time he was too hard on Eureka, she threatened to kill herself.”

Taleela’s eyes widened in shock, and she said, “What kind of emotional blackmail is that Mazza? Well, she should go ahead then. At least she will spare him the troubles of her toxic love or whatever this affair between them can be called.”

Such fire, Taleela must be feeling so much love for Alonso already. Mazza thought.

“I don’t dispute that,” Mazza said, laughing. “But we Marcovic’s are gentlemen, especially towards women.”

Taleela scoffed outwardly to make it sound like a mockery, and she said, “You’re a gentleman Mazza, but Alonso is a devil.”

Mazza laughed heartily. “Right! I see, okay then. Taleela, will you escort the gentleman to a party tonight, and uh Eureka will be accompanied by the devil?”

“Forget it, Mazza,” she said, laying flat on the bed. “I will rather be alone in this big mansion without guards or anything than go where those two go.”

“Come on, Taleela, please,” Mazza pressed. “I’m too old to replace another date, and people must go to a ball with a partner. Also, remember what doctor Eren said? He said that you need to have a lot of experiences which may trigger your memory to come back to you.”

She heaved a sigh of defeat. How can she refuse to go? For one reason, she did not want Mazza to feel disappointed. Then the second was that she wanted to see how Alonso acted in public. She wanted to know if he genuinely did not think of Eureka the same way or if Mazza was blabbing.

“Okay, fine, I’ll come along, but I don’t have a dress.”

“I knew you wouldn’t let an old friend down,” Mazza said, rising. “Don’t worry about a dress, and we have several! I have made arrangements for the beauticians to come and handle your looks tonight, sit tight.”

Mazza, you cunning fox! Always one step ahead of the game, I see. Taleela thought.

—

It was quite an eventful Saturday night at the ball party of one of Alonso’s business friends. The hall was beautifully decorated. Colorful ribbons were cutting across their heads high above the ceilings. The tables were mixed up in square and rectangle shapes.

The tables were decorated with beautiful floral linen tablecloths. On top of each table was at least one candlelight spotlighted on the middle. There was some slow jazz music playing in the background. Voices heartily cheer, and roars of laughter could be heard blending sweetly with the music.

“This is by far a very great thing you’ve pulled,” Alonso and Eureka heard one of the men at the table they were approaching voice out.

“Oh, come on, this is nothing,” another argued.

Alonso had brought Eureka along with him, and it was the first time he was to be seen with a woman in a public setting like this, let alone holding hands with one. Eureka’s head was swelling ten times over, and she instinctively touched it to check if it had grown visibly more prominent. They were butterflies fluttering in her stomach as Alonso introduced her to his friends.

“Eureka, these are my friends, and that’s Mr. Hayes Reynolds, our host,” he said, swinging his left hand gracefully to the handsome Mr. Reynold, who was smiling politely at her.

“It’s a pleasure meeting everyone, and thank you, Mr. Reynolds, for hosting such an excellent ball,” Eureka said, sounding very cherry.

“Sure, I bet you can’t wait for the dance to begin, right?” Reynolds asked. He was the only one without a woman.

Alonso and Eureka made it as the third couple sitting at their table. Two seats were currently unoccupied, reserved for Mazza and whoever he brought tonight.

“Yes, I’m eager to move my feet,” Eureka responded as she and Alonso took their seat side by side.

“Don Alonso,” another of Alonso’s friends called. “Where is your grandfather?”

“You know him, and he likes to make an entrance at the last minute!” Alonso replied, briefly wondering where Mazza was. “Oh, but I’m sure he’ll be here soon.”

“Baby, I need to make use of the Restroom,” whispered Eureka into Alonso’s ear, and he nodded. He watched her talk to someone to offer her direction.

Some ten minutes later, Eureka returned from her bathroom break, and she saw Mazza walking right in. It was impossible to recognize the girl he was with. She pinched herself as if to be sure she had not slipped in the bathroom and was having an unconscious dream.

Taleela wore a black embroidered gown that clung perfectly to her body. Her hair was packed in a perfect bun, and her makeup was flawless. She glowed under the chandelier. Eureka gulped hard.

Hayes Reynolds spotted Mazza and forgot what he was about to contribute to the conversation; instead, he mumbled, “Wow, Don Palumbo sure knows how to make an entrance.”

Alonso’s head whipped backward as he saw Mazza with a vaguely familiar woman. However, he suspected it to be Taleela.

Wow, she looked incredibly breathtaking from miles away. The women at the table were already giving her a scowling look. Jealousy seemed to seep through the air like a poisonous gas. Mazza looked stunning in his all-white attire, but nobody paid much attention to him. He wore a hat and held a cane with a lion head handle. He and Taleela were joined at the elbow as they walked fashionably down to their supposed table.

“Alonso, you’re drooling,” Lance chided, and Alonso did a check but found nothing.

“Hilarious, Lance,” he said, composing himself. Eureka returned to the table first. Then Mazza and Taleela came to join them.

“Ladies and gents, my apology for the lateness,” Mazza said, pulling out a chair for Taleela. “Everyone meet Taleela and Taleela. This is Hayes Reynolds, Lance, and Mike, our American business associates.”

“Wow, Taleela, you look stunning,” Reynolds said.

“Thank you, Mr. Reynolds,” Taleela said, nodding courteously with a half-smile.

She mouthed a silent thank you to Mazza before sitting down. She was now in between Mazza and Reynolds while viewing Alonso and Eureka, Lance and his companion, sitting at the other end of the table.

“Good evening, fine ladies and gentlemen,” A shrill female voice interrupted everyone. “It is about that time where you pick a partner and stand up for the first dance of tonight.”

“Don Palumbo, may I have one dance with Taleela?” Reynolds asked.

Mazza did not think much about the request. He was never going to dance tonight in the first place. He brought Taleela just for formality’s sake, and now, seeing that their host was without a company and how beautifully dressed Taleela was, it would be a waste not to accept. Also, maybe his grandson will feel jealous. He whispered into Taleela’s ears.

“Well, of course, Mr. Reynolds, a dance with you will be perfect,” Taleela responded.

Everyone had a partner and was holding their partners, ready to dance. Eureka was backing Taleela, but Alonso saw her well. He saw the way Reynolds’s hand encircled her waist. She pulled the man closer and adjusted his hands to hold her better, and she smirked wickedly at Alonso. The dance continued for the next few minutes in silence. Although listless, Alonso kept staring at Taleela. He never took his eyes off hers.

Eureka noticed Alonso’s uncoordinated movements. She pulled out from his hold, walked to the table, opened a glass of wine, walked straight to Taleela, and depleted its content on Taleela.

Without much thinking, Taleela was furious and slapped her, and a fight broke out. Taleela was beating Eureka. Reynolds was trying to separate them, and he saw it as an opportunity to touch Taleela’s body in a dirty manner.

Alonso was watching everything. Before he could react to Reynolds’s hand grabbing Taleela’s breast, she twisted his hand behind his back and shoved his head down to one of the tabless that was closer to them, pinning him down. Instantly, the movement was so fast that it brought back memories.

It was a blurry memory of her and a man at a nightclub, and another man tried to caress her roughly, and he did the same stunts.

“That’s enough, Taleela,” Alonso said, touching her gently. She spun around defensively before realizing who it was. Mazza came to take her away.

It was needless to say that the party was beyond ruined after the showdown. Alonso walked away without a word. He was furious. Back then, when Reynolds had been touching Taleela, he had felt an uprising of anger and a protective instinct for her. If she had not defended herself, he wondered what he would have done to Hayes.

However, now he resents everyone. Finally reaching outside, the air met with his face, and he sighed deeply. Nicolasi Pentangeli had become his driver.

“Take me to Greco’s hotel,” Alonso ordered as he got into the vehicle.

“Yes, boss,” responded Nicolasi, and he threw out the stub of the cigarette he had just finished.

On their way there, Alonso’s phone rang, and he swore underneath his breath, thinking it was Mazza. At this point, he did not want anyone to contact him, but he checked and saw that it was Piccolo.

“Hello, Pico!” he said and then adjusted his tone. “What is it, Pico?”

“You sound like you’re at the battlefield with someone,” Piccolo declared amusingly.

“It’s worse than that right now, Pico. I’m seething!”

“I guess I have perfect timing then,” Pico said, sounding happy. “Where are you, boss? Are you home? See, I’m in Italy!”

“No, I’m not home,” Alonso said with a smile. “Pico, send me your coordinates, and I’ll have someone bring you to me. Welcome home, brother!”

Alonso looked out the window thoughtfully. He had instigated Eureka’s anger by allowing himself to give Taleela a lingering gaze. He could not help but marvel at her glamorous eyes and curvy body. More than Eureka could understand, he was not merely physically drawn to her. She was indeed his mate.

He had known it, fought with his wolf about the feeling, and tonight it was undeniable. They both felt some powerful forces at work. Up above the sky was a full moon.

“What are you up to now, Moon goddess?” He asked, looking up to the dark yet shimmering sky.