DAYS LATER

WEDNESDAY

Noa's POV

*Slap*

"HOW DARE YOU?!"

I was in front of the entire family when I went for summoning. Great aunt Parina and the elders were shaking their heads.

"What do you think you are part of? The mafia?"

"I mean, we do have involvement, no?"

"Noa!"

Grandma Alaina shouted at me. "What is that backtalk?!"

"I am simply being honest grandma. I mean, we have Ray being Head. Doesn't that put the rest of us in danger-"

"Since when do you use a gun on your fiance-"

"You mean ex-fiance-"

*Slap*

I laughed so hard, I walked to the Head of the M family - great grandma Jaria M. She looked rather intrigued than upset, unlike the other family members. I locked eyes with her, none of us refusing to back down. I then looked around at the other family members - my parents were there, including Kevin's.

I could not understand why they still remained. And that was the frustrating part. Selene and Ramiro were planning on lying low, and remaining in the office, I then sent Jana to fill in for them, since Ria was taking care of the company for the week in my stead.

"Is it true that you injured him?" Jaria asked. "Hmm?"

I nodded. "Yes, great grandma."

She turned to his parents to ask about the injuries and they said he is recovering well and sustained no injuries luckily.

"What would have happened if I really sustained serious injuries?" she asked. "You would have went to prison for murder!"

"As if no murder has ever happened to this family."

Some gasped. I looked at Beckham, who surprisingly decided to show his face at the summoning. 

"Right Beckham?"

Before anyone could question him, Jaria hushed everyone and asked me another question. 

"Noa, so tell me, what actually bothers you into marrying Kevin?"

I ignored the question. "Another one?"

"Just answer the question you-"

"Leave her be," Jaria answered calmly. "Second question. What would you like us to do in terms of your relationship with Kevin?"

***

Raella's POV

I heard about Noa's summoning being today - it was probably still continuing. Nothing in the M family lasts for a minute. Everything needs to be long.

"Noa M, you say?" my friend, Jamson said. "Sounds like a name I know very well."

"How so?" I asked.

"My son and Noa might have met in the past, but not for long, since Noa and her family moved to Lybe in the South while we are still living in the North. I believe he could be happy to help her."

"But I thought he wants nothing to do with matters of the M family."

"You never know," Jamson said with a smile. "Noa could be the exception."

BACK AT THE SUMMONING

Noa's POV

"I want the entire family to understand that my relationship with Kevin ended months back and I would greatly appreciate that no one pressurizes me to get back together with him. Please."

Everyone fell silent.

"If that is what my daughter wants, I expect everyone to follow through," my dad spoke for the first time since the summoning began. He never commented on the shooting and I figured he was waiting for Saturday to ask me questions. Now that I asked the family to accept the ending of my relationship with Kevin, who would be willing to help me get the family away from the marriage questions?

"So say we do accept. We need the legacy of the M family to live."

I widened my eyes. I never thought Jaria would go that far. I saw a smirk on both Alaina and Summer. They planned this. Smart.

"What's the next step?"

Before I could speak, someone walked into the summoning. I turned back to see a tall, handsome man, hair black and silky and in a suit. I thought this was one of Selene's plans but instead...

"I would like to court Noa M please."

I had a smile, both confusion and surprise on my face. I had no idea where he came from. They always say some things happen for a reason - perhaps this man is the answer to my plea.

"Who is this?" Alaina asked.

"I am Damiano Lanzo. Son of Jamson Lanzo."

Gasps filled the room. The name sounded oddly familiar. I looked at him once more before turning my gaze away.

"Damiano? As in the son of the man of turned his back on us?" Alaina added, to which the man nodded without a second thought.

"Indeed."

With everyone divided on me and this fine man, Jaria decided to cancel the summoning and overall, the hearing. Damiano walked me out and I followed through, though I too tried to make sense. Was this Selene's doing? Or Ria's?

He took me to the cars and told me to follow him, which I did.

RAELLA'S PLACE

Arriving at Raella's place, I saw Raella and whom I assumed was Jamson, waiting for us.

"Noa!" she exclaimed happily, giving me a hug. "How are you my child?"

"I am okay," I said. "How have you been?"

"Okay. Nothing serious mental-wise, thank you."

Offering me some coffee, she went straight to the point.

"I heard what happened to Kevin on that night."

I took a sip of my coffee, "I shot him."

"..."

I sighed. "Kevin is annoying. We broke up months ago. Why can't he just move on?"

"But, have you?" Damiano asked. "Have you really moved on from Kevin?"

"I would not have done what I did if I wasn't fed up."

Damiano looked at me intently, but I averted my gaze away. My heart was beating fast, he was threatening, or rather weakening my manipulative power - as much as I wanted an out with no plan, I never thought aunt Raella could pull strings to get me out of the summoning without making an appearance. I guess she learnt a lot from family...

"I can help you."

I froze. "Pardon?"

"Yes. While I do admit you are pretty brave princess to shoot someone, I share on your hatred on Kevin's personality. Even your grandma Alaina and aunt Summer know this but refuse to dwell on it. They love him for the resources and money, not that he was truly valued."

He handed me a document, along with a pen for me to sign.

"You can teach me your manipulative power, and I can help you with your retribution and exposure of the M family."

I smirked. "That's it? For me to teach you my powers?" I asked skeptically.

"Use me wherever needed."

I looked at Jamson who looked like he knew it was going to happen, then at my aunt who was waiting on my decision. I could use his good looks to my advantage, so I signed the paper and we shook hands.

"It's a deal then, Damiano," I smirked.

He returned the smirk back, "Likewise, princess."