Underworld Unions

e a battleground than a home on this fateful morning. Inside the mansion's study, where generations of Verez leaders had plotted their ascensions, Santino Verez stood rigid by

h of the Verez dynasty, entered. His footsteps, each ca

id the father as h

scuss business with you. But it look

s you follo

meant. His father was getting serious. Without another word, Don Verez lit up a cigar and took a large d

t you think?" Asked Don Verez as his eye

be. Now it seems a l

waiting for the main event. The decorations all around the Verez estate garden were extraordina

need to get ba

you time and time again. I

your feelings on the

avoid at all costs. He did not want to be tied down. He did not want to comm

"Fathe

he slammed his fist on the table. "Unless you want to sleep at the bott

it meant to defy his father. And that was one line he was not going to cross. At least

's future. Your future. The Verez family has been the strongest for generations because the Verez patriarchs have made the neces

his fists and t

much as I hate this, as long as the Verez family

frican black market, I wouldn't have agreed to an alliance with these people." Said the fathe

was still seated, but he could tell that they were all

. Let's get th

e saw them coming, they all straightened up and got back in their positions. Don Verez gave h

oing to show up anymore. That maybe

y, my brother. In fact, I already consider us

ot want this alliance to start off badly, eh?" Sm

as not to end up in a potential conflict with them in the future, he knew he had to secure an alliance. One that would not only give him proper assurance that the John family and Verez

She was as beautiful as the rumors said. Everyone stared in awe at the young woman with smooth dark skin, enveloped in a gown so white, it would make snow look black. All eyes were on her. All except for her groom-to-be. His

o much about THE Santino Verez. How handsome he was, how tall he was, how rich he was, but most importantly, how cruel he was. She thought she knew what she was getti

s voice echoing softly through the outdoor speakers. "Marriage is a sacred union, a covenant that should not be entered into lightly but reverently, advisedly, and

id, his eyes betraying none of the

together in the holy estate of matrimony, to love her, comfort her, honor and keep h

"I

live together in the holy estate of matrimony, to love him, comfort him, honor and keep

no's hand, trying to forge a connection, a sig

, I now pronounce you husband an

couple then walked down the aisle, hand in hand, as guests showered them with

ers cast a soft light over the room, and tables adorned with ivory linens and towering centerpieces of peonies and rose

eir entrance to cheers, their first dance a graceful waltz that drew admiring glances. Du

hat didn't reach his eyes, and whisp

lity was thick in the air. Santino's body was tense, his

eet, his voice strong a

ng a powerful union." He lifted his glass. "To Santino and Ann, may

f glass clinking filling the air. After that, Chief John

ing this marriage will stand strong against any storm." He looked at his daughter with a gentle expressio

pproval, clearly moved

soothed by the joy and beauty of it all. Santino, too, played his part perfectly, smiling at the

ay's enchantment faded swiftly. Santino's demeanor changed as soon as the door closed behind them. Th

f the expansive hall. "This whole arranged marriage mess is because of you. Because of

ng as his harsh words sliced thro

ntually...," she stammered, her voice break

ou. And as for making your life hell..." Santino leaned in closer, his eyes flashing with cruelty. "Let's just say you'll

s was going to work from the very beginning. But she was still a girl. A girl who had hoped and dreamt of her fairy tale ending. Unfortunately, those dreams were crushed, and th

to make this

my duty. I married her. What

beginning. Like it or not, this is your life now. The alliance was formed with those two little words. Such a small phrase that

all. He had to devote his life to this now. All hi

father with a stern voice. "Not only will we lose our leverage in the African black market, but it could also start a long war between our two familie

ouse with a girl he had zero intentions of loving? He had better things to do than

r and make things righ

ince the wedding. His father's words kept repeating in his head. He thought hard about what this marriage really meant. Everything changed. She would have to

ion. The familiar clink of bottles echoed in the hollow space as he poured and drank, each glass a vain attempt to silence the storm inside him. With every swallow, the wine loosened the

room. He had a vague plan to apologize, to make things right, but the alcohol twisted his intentions into a tangled mess. He reached her room and pushed the door open without a thought of knock

slurred and rough. His presence loomed

m before returning her a

"What

ung, fueling his si

e? Now?" His words were

d, pausing the movie with a sigh.

nto the room. He po

t you care about?

o. It's not a big deal," she tried to keep

eanor, Santino reached

d thing is more i

r laptop, trying

us, Santino, you're drun

and crashed to the floor. The screen cracked, splintering light across the dark wood. A brief flicker of guilt

e do?!" he shouted, his vo

finally realized the ext

antino. You're drunk and yo

ted with fury as he

In my own house?! You've grown some ball

tension, Ann held her ground, th

ecause you're not y

her across the face. The slap rang out, sharp and

e shock and realization of what her life had become. All along she thought she prepared herself for this, but she now saw she was wrong. Forget loving her, this man

t even he was taken aback by it. Quietly, she stood up and began packing her things swiftly and methodically. Clothes, essentials, her shattered laptop,

he demanded, his voice a m

," Ann said, her voice stea

?" He said with a slightly surprised

her suitcase with

that we cannot live together. But in the future, if there's ever an event, a family gathering where we must appear to

tino's voice cracked, a blend of frus

other women, go ahead. You have total freedom. You won't have to bother with my ow

and with two and a half bottles of whiskey, stared in disbelief as she headed for the door. Nobody turns their ba

YOU ARE TO LEAVE ME?!! I AM SA

oken shard grazing her other cheek. A red streak dripped from the small cut

ans to turn the other che

behind her on the gravel path. The cold night air bit at her cheeks. She felt a mix of relief and anxiety as she approached the taxi that would take her away from the place she had briefly called home. This was meant to be her fairy tale. Her happy endin

the proprietor of this sanctuary but most importantly, she was just what she needed on this hellish night. A cherished friend. As the daughter of a high-ranking Yakuza leader, Mei-Mei chose a different path. To use her yakuza lineage to

ck. Her presence was immediately comforting, a strong support for Ann in her troubled time. Mei-Mei looked at Ann cl

o I?" Mei-Mei asked with a tone th

le, her eyes reflecti

e fairytale is over. Can

Mei responded without hesitation

howed Mei-Mei's cultural background, soft ink paintings, and detailed woodblock prints that made the place feel warm and welc

oom that mixed Japanese and Italian styles. A big window looked out into a quiet g

nn's suitcase by the wardrobe. "Stay here as long as you want

eyes laying on a small Zen

"Thank

ed, her eyes

Ann. I'm here for you. You're safe

of the bed, and Ann let ou

ng behind. I just coul

med kit and began patc

at to do next, you'll figure it out. You're strong, Ann. Stronger than

the truth and comfor

this. I got married just three days ago and

for now." Mei-Mei assured her, her tone determined. "For now, rest. Y

. Really, I don't know wh

Mei as she hugged her friend tightly. "And

oom, Ann felt the weight of the day start to lift, replaced by a little bit of optimism about the future. In the silence

e at Mei-Mei's inn. The soft and serene sounds of the countryside were soothing compared to the tense sile

did you sleep?" Mei-Mei asked c

eace washing over her fo

n't felt this well-rested in age

s twinkled wi

countryside air and escaping your so-call

tly, grateful fo

"Exa

of the bed, Mei-Me

t happened? You know, besides escaping

began to recount the eve

ike he turned into someone I didn't even know. Co

tently, her express

tay blind to anything else." Said Mei-Mei as she scoffed. "You've made a brave choice, Ann. I

reciating Mei-Mei's attemp

thought I'd be running away

g," Mei-Mei said. "And you did it in st

a, comforting her

, to figure out what to d

inn isn't just a refuge from the underworld. It's a place to find yourse

each step further affirming her decision. The contrast between this peaceful sanc

night on high alert, his desperation growing with each silent hour. Each passing second without word of Ann's whereabouts added a new

ate one night, his voice sharp with fru

ng solid, boss. We've checked every lead and all her kn

ng, Marco. And keep this quiet. If my father hears of this, the

o assured him, though the reassurance did

ed his gut with regret. Every night, his solitude was haunted by memories of their last encounter. The harsh words, the c

a move of desperation, Santino reached out to his top-secret agent, a man

the phone, his tone urgent, almost pleading. "Use w

rstood, M

ough, offering a glimmer of hope i

, with the management of his family's vast business interests, but his thoughts constantly drifted ba

one rang with a call from the agent. Santino answer

tell me yo

t an inn in the Italian countryside, well out of our u

I should have known that schemin

ino, so intensely it nearly

this personally," he instructed, his mind racing with plans

im. He walked over to the window, gazing out into the night. The stars seemed to shine a

d to himself, a newfound resolve steadying his voice. He coul

er, given the delicate nature of their families' connections, and the secrecy that covered their alliance. Not to mention the fact that he had to