Chase Me

21

Alteo

I never thought that I would be coming back here, especially to Nantes. This was my mother's birthplace and I spent a lot of time here as a kid while father was setting up base in Albania.

Life was somewhat normal for us back then. I was surrounded by family, I could trust the people around me and I even fell in love, or what I thought was love.

Stephanie, she was a childhood friend, we had gotten closer over the years because her family was in the business too. After my mother was killed, she tried to be there for me. Now thinking about it, she love-bombed me and made me feel for her. 

12 years later, I gave in and dated her. There was really no love involved but my life felt empty at that point and she was there. She got pregnant shortly after and I was forced by father to marry her.

"Don't bring shame to the family' 'Imagine the power we'll have with the two families joining.'

I never for a second believed that child was mine, the dates weren't adding up and I always wore protection with her for this very exact reason. I did not want to recreate with her or anyone. I didn't want to bring another demon into this world as I battled with mine. I wanted to get a DNA test while she was pregnant but the bitch refused. I should have known my father was in on this when he told me I should just accept my fate.

After the child was born I held a gun to its head. She left me no other choice. I needed to know the truth and that way I did. She agreed to the DNA test and I was right, the bastard wasn't mine.

I filed for divorce and told Stephanie that I wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger next time if she ever showed up in my life again.

My father was more upset than anyone. This was his plan and it was falling apart. He wanted me with the richest Gorski so that his empire could be stronger. Since that day he's been trying to sabotage me by making me heartless and lonely.

I had met a sweet girl in England a few years after, Emily, and things were going well but then she just disappeared.  All traces of her existence were wiped out. I knew father was behind it, everyone knew. I should have cut my ties then but I believed in that whole family first bullshit.

He wouldn't get that satisfaction this time.

_______________

I glanced over at her quickly as I pulled into the parking lot. Her eyes were dim but she had a subtle smile.

"Toulouse" I heard her mumble the name of the restaurant to herself. I cracked a smile. Her accent made everything seem so foreign and I loved it.

I got out and opened her door for her. She held onto my outreached hand as I gently pulled her out and into me. I took a moment to take a look at her.

"Are you okay Krystal? You didn't say a word for the entire ride here."

She rested her head on my chest and spoke "yea, I was just lost in thought"

I caressed her face briefly and then lead her into the restaurant.

"Je n'en crois pas mes yeux, Alteo"! (I can't believe my eyes,  Andrezj!?)

My uncle's wife Esme pulled me into a warm embrace. She cupped my face and kissed me on both cheeks.

"Tu es devenu si grand et si beau, quand George m'a dit qu'il était venu te chercher à l'aéroport plus tôt, j'ai été surpris."(You've gotten so tall and handsome, when George told me he picked you up from the airport earlier I was surprised)

"Esmé, ça fait plaisir de te voir, ma femme voulait venir en France et quel meilleur endroit que la maison pour la ramener"(Esme, it's good to see you, my woman wanted to come to France and what better place to bring her than home) I laughed, pulling Krystal closer. Esme's attention turned to her and her smile widened.