The Joy of Revenge

CHAPTER 9 Confrontation Sebastian I arrived at Domenico’s with a heavy heart. The three of us have been fighting while Joy was away. She is scheduled to arrive tomorrow from New York. For the past two weeks, she ghosted us. She didn’t answer any of our calls and texts, not even emails, which put Xavier on edge and Cristos in a tight spot. I knew Xavier was in love with Joy the moment he met her. However, it didn’t stop me or Cristos from falling in love with her too. In high school, we practically f ucked anything with a skirt. Just as long as she showed interest and would willingly spread her legs, one of us would put their co ck inside her. In between classes, you would find one of us in a secluded spot for a quickie or a bl ow job. During the weekends, we would head out to the clubs to f uck older chicks. It was a wonder how we passed high school and got into college with all the f ucking. College was supposed to be a f uck fest for the three of us, but when we met Joy, we lost our interest to date other girls. One night when I was at Capo De Luca’s club having a drink before heading home, a tall girl in a tight black minidress, caught my eye. She had long silky chestnut brown hair that curled at the ends and was dancing so seductively with a man who couldn’t keep his hands to himself. I felt jealousy and rage swell up inside of me. I quickly left the bar and walked towards her. I pushed the man away and placed an angry hand on the girl’s arm. “Joy, what are you doing with that piece of sh it?” I shouted so she could hear me. The tall girl with the long chestnut brown hair turned to face me. I was shocked to see it wasn’t Joy. I let go of her instantly and apologized to her date. “I’m so sorry, I thought you were someone else,” I apologized quickly. Capo De Luca rushed towards me, thinking the man was an enemy of purs.

“Domenico, is this as shole bothering you?” “No. Give this man a drink as an apology,” I said, De Luca snapped his fingers at a waiter and yanked me to the bar. 1/5 27 Sat Mar 23 OMN CHARTER 9 Confrontation “What the f uck was that, Domenico?” He asked while gesturing to the bartender for another round. Once the shot glass was placed in front of me, I downed my shot of Absinthe, closing my eyes as the fiery liquid burned my insides. “I made a mistake. I thought the girl was loy.” I answered. De Luca laughed and hit me on the back. Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

The same Joy Taylor who until now is a complete mystery?! I have to say, she is a beauty. All thanks to you, Xavier and Cristos. So, are you in love with her? De Luca asked amused. “And does Xavier know?” “I don’t know. 1-” I paused. I couldn’t lie to myself any longer. “I think so, De Luca. I think I’m in love with her.” “Oh s hit! We need another round! Miguel, keep them coming!” De Luca ordered the bartender. “I heard from Cas sandra that Cristos may be in love with Joy too.” Cas sandra was Cristos younger sister. According to her, Cristos only speaks of joy.” He clapped his hands and laughed hysterically. “You three are a piece of work, you know that? Destined to be bosses while sharing one woman. If I were you, you better lay down all your cards to your two blood brothers. If not, whatever your fathers have worked so hard to build will be gone.” “I doubt an empire will come crushing down because we love the same girl, I said. De Luca looked at me, shocked. “Tell that to Helen of Troy, the woman whose face launched a thousand ships,” he said, quoting mythology. And how about loy? Who does she love?” I stared at him blankly. I actually didn’t know. She treated us all the same. De Luca saw my expression

and handed me another shot of Absinthe. “If you can’t answer that question, my friend, she may not love either one of you.” De Luca’s tone changed, sounding serious. Talk to your brothers. I hate to see you three fighting when it may be a lost cause. He tapped his shot glass against mine before drinking it. And here we are… fighting. I called them to meet me at Domenico’s. It was neutral ground e could shout and fight without interference. other was already waiting for me inside the restaurant. She pointed to the conference we used when the bosses had meetings here. Fix this, Sebastian,” my mother said. “Whatever this is…fix it!” 215 12-27 Sat, Mar 23 SIN CHAPTER 9 Confrontation “I will, Mama,” I promised her. Inside the conference room, Xavier and Cristos Were eyeing each other like they were daring each other to make the first move. I coughed and sat down with them. A waiter served us appetizers and some wine. After he left and closed the doors behind him, the confrontation began. “How could you, Cristos? Why did you tell Joy about us, about the Blood Disciples? She must feel disgusted knowing I’m the top assassin in the organization!” Xavier said through. clenched teeth. “I couldn’t lie to her anymore, Xavier. Being honest was the one thing I could give her,” Cristos argued. “Do you know I feel worthless compared to the both of you? You made her beautiful again. You gave her confidence. You gave her her life back. If I had only known I would feel this way about her, I would have asked to split the bill!” “What do you mean, Cristos?! Don’t tell me you love her too?” Xavier asked, his disbelief evident. I knew he felt betrayed. “I love her, Xavier, Cristos finally admitted. I fell quiet watching the both of them admit their feelings. “I

swear, I didn’t mean for this to ever happen, but it did. At first, I just wanted to help her, but now, I feel I can’t lose her.” I wanted to admit that I felt the same way, but I didn’t want to add to the stress. Xavier stared at Cristos like he had just taken his heart from his chest and squeezed it in his hands. “Xavier, I know you feel betrayed, but listen to me,” I said. “Why should I?! He stabbed me in the back!” Xavier roared “I’ve stabbed you in the back?!” Cristos yelled back. “How can you say that? Did she ever tell you she loves you?!” “No!” Xavier admitted. “What about you?! Has she told you she loves you?!” Xavier shot back. Before Cristos could on his mouth, I spoke. “No, she hasn’ to her par frien ‘I love you to either one of us. I’ve heard her say ‘I love you’ has she said she loves us. Not even collectively. Not even as 3/5 12-27 Sat, Mar 23 N. CHAPTER 9 Confrontation Xavier and Cristos sat back down feeling defeated. They now understood there was no reason to fight when the one woman the three of us loved may not share the same feelings. “So, what do we do now, Sebastian? I don’t want to lose her… not even as a friend,” Xavier muttered. He wasn’t angry anymore. He was now concerned that all three of us may not have Joy in our lives when she came back. “I know Joy,” Cristos said. “She’s not the type to turn her back on people who care for her. In my gut, I know she sees us as her closest friends. “Are you sure? Because these two weeks seem like she HAS turned her back on us. All thanks to you,

Cristos, Xavier said, gruffly. “Xavier, calm down,” I said. “Let’s give the space Joy needs. When she’s ready to talk to us, I know she’ll give us a call or send us a message.” Suddenly, all three of our phones pinged at the same time. There was only one person in the world who could make our phones ping at the same time.. All three of us quickly took out our phones to check her message. After two weeks of nothing, we were starving. “Hey guys! I’m back a day early. Let’s go grab a drink. Pick me up at 6.” “There’s a heart in her message,” Cristos said, smiling. “I’ll take that as a good sign.” “I’ll pick her up,” Xavier said. “Cristos just figure out a way to tell her. You know I’m not good with words. If someone has to tell her, it has to be you.” “What do you mean, Xavier?” I asked. Was I hearing correctly? Xavier was willing to share? “You are my brothers… that’s how it has been since we were kids. We were brought up together to forge the bond that nothing can break,” Xavier reiterated what was instilled in us by y our fathers. “The way I see it, maybe loving the same woman will make that bond permanent. We’ll meet you guys at Skybar,” Xavier said, leaving us. “So, what do you think we should do?” Cristos asked. I averted my eyes. I had something in mind. 4/5 N CHAPTER 9 Confrontation Chapter Comments Luna-Mom Delighted it’s all out in the open VIEW 1