The Mafia & The Billionaire

Alex

“So, you’re Alex McGregor.” Serene’s grandma asked. I looked at the old man sitting beside her and noticed that he had not said anything since we arrived at their mansion.

“Yes, ma’am,” I replied respectfully. My mother is very intimidating, and so is my father. But looking at this old woman, even at her age, she was oozing with confidence, just like my wife. The old man beside her is not an exception. Although he hasn’t said anything, I feel he’s not easy to deal with if I am on his bad side.

“And you’re a billionaire.”

“That’s not a secret.”

“Arturo,” the old woman said,

“Yes, dear?” the old man replied, his eyes not leaving me.

“What do you think?”

“I’m sure our granddaughter had already looked into him, but I trust your judgment.” What the? Did I hear him correctly? Is he relying on Serene’s grandma?

“Don’t be too shocked,” Serene said as she approached us. After we arrived, one of the guards took me away from her and brought me to the lanai. “He’s always like that.”

“Like what?” the old man asked, raising a brow at her.

“Like following and saying yes to grandma all the time?” my wife replied as she sat beside me.

“Is there something wrong with that?” her grandma asked. “How about you, Alex? Do you think there’s something wrong with my husband following me?”

“No, nothing at all,” I replied, smiling. Then I looked at my wife and found her creasing her forehead at me. “Didn’t I do everything you asked me to do last night?” I asked, and that made her face red. Her grandparents gasped in shock before laughing.

“Does that mean my great-grandchild will be coming any time soon?”

“Grandma!” my wife exclaimed.

“Why? Is it wrong to expect cute little Serene and Alex with you?”

“Little Serene and Alex? Where did that come from?”

“Oh, my dear. You know how much this old lady wants to have cute babies to cradle.”

“I know you’re still healthy, but I don’t think you will want to care for little kids when the time comes. I mean, you’re impatient!”

“Serene, dear. Your grandma is the most compassionate and loving woman in the world. Don’t you know that by now?” Her grandpa chimed in,

“Yeah, right,” my beautiful wife replied, rolling her eyes at her grandpa so I couldn’t help but smile at her. She leads a bunch of men, and she is acting sweet and cute. I never thought that I would be able to see another side of her.

“Tell me, Enzo and Princess dear, don’t I deserve cute great-grandchildren?” the old woman asked the newcomers.

“Of course you do!” Enzo exclaimed and sat on a vacant couch while Princess took Grandma’s right side. I guess they’re both close to my wife’s grandparents.

“Hear him, dear?” the old woman asked, looking at Serene while grinning.

“Yeah! Yeah! I get it. Everyone here is in the palm of your hands.” We all laughed.

“Dear boy,” Grandma said suddenly. I wanted to continue laughing with her endearment, but I held it in because I didn’t want to offend her.

“Yes, ma’am,” I replied,

“Oh, you can call me grandma and him grandpa,” she said, pointing to the old man beside her. I nodded my head in agreement and replied,

“I would be happy to do that, grandma.”

“Such a sweet boy,” Grandma said happily. “If only our Serene here is as sweet as you, I wouldn’t look as old as I am now.”

“Oh, come on!” Serene exclaimed and got up from her seat. I wanted to stop her but noticed Grandma stopping me, so I didn’t.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“We’ll just go with her,” Princess said. She got up from her seat before looking and nodding at Enzo, who did the same and left the lanai.

“Since she’s pissed, we won’t be able to talk to her properly. I will ask for their report about the incident yesterday later.” Grandpa said, looking at me intently, and I could tell that he was serious now. He looks more intimidating than earlier, and I think the interrogation starts now.

“Serene is our only granddaughter, and because of what happened yesterday, I know you already knew what kind of woman she is.” It’s Grandma this time, and I think she will always be talking.

“She’s a strong and independent woman,” I replied, and they both smiled,

“I’m glad you see her that way,” Grandpa said, sighing. “She’s difficult, but when you get to know her, you’ll discover what she truly is.”

“I know that, Grandpa,” I replied, smiling. “I perfectly understand what kind of person my wife is, and I know what she does. I want to tell you that I don’t care what other people might think when her identity unfolds.”

“As much as possible, we try not to expose her as our organization’s leader. But we also know that our enemies, known and unknown, have already figured it out. Although Serene is strong, she’s also vulnerable. My daughter, Marissa, made her that way.” It was Grandma. She looked sad, but I could tell it was because of my wife. She loves Serene so much.

“It’s because Lorenzo neglected her, that’s why,” Grandpa added. “We discovered that she’s not his real daughter, and it breaks our heart. For a long time, Serene had been dying to feel the love and affection of a father, and yet it turned out this way.”

“My wife is a very strong woman. You already know this, so don’t worry about her. I’m sure that she’s more worried about your health than the father’s love she couldn’t get from Lorenzo, which is undeniably unattainable since she’s not his daughter. But I promise you this: no matter what, I will do everything I can to find her father.”

The old couple sighed in relief, but worry was still evident on their faces. “If I had known that Marissa didn’t love that bastard Lorenzo, we would not have taken her for granted. But she’s too secretive; where does her protection for Serene lead our granddaughter?” Grandma said,

“It’s because our daughter didn’t want Serene to live the way she’s living now,” Grandpa replied as he held his wife’s hand and squeezed it. The old woman looked at him with teary eyes. The old man looked at me and smiled before he continued,

“Alex, as much as we want to stay beside our granddaughter forever, we both know that it’s not possible. I am relieved that the man she married is like you. Someone who’s not afraid of her and what she is.”

“I am also relieved that you didn’t hesitate to meet us. Being able to face both me and my husband will take a lot of courage. And even after finding out what we are, you still hold yourself high and don’t let yourself get intimidated. Not to brag, but my husband and I have this authoritative aura that could make anyone shiver. Still, you’re different,” Grandma added.

“Thank you so much for thinking that way,” I replied, giving them a little bow. “But I think it was because I know my feelings for my wife are pure and sincere. I have nothing to hide and don’t intend to hide anything from her, either. Rest assured, Grandma and Grandpa. I, Alexander McGregor, will give Serene Portico the happiness she deserves. I will protect her even at the cost of my life.”

Everything I said was true, and I hope that I conveyed my sincerity to them. After seeing them, I instantly felt connected, and just like Serene, I wanted to protect them as well. I made a promise, and I intend to fulfill it to the best of my ability. From this day onwards, Alexander McGregor is part of the Portico family, and I am ready to serve and protect them with everything I can.

“No, thank you so much for coming into our granddaughter’s life. I entrust her to your hands, and I expect you to protect her at all times and in any situation. At least now, we can breathe easy knowing that besides Enzo and the others, there’s you who will be there for Serene,” Grandma replied sincerely.

“Yes, rest assured, grandma. I am here for my wife, Serene.”