Chapter 174 - A Mother's Love
They are done crying and pouring out their hearts from pain. Alessandro had already moved on years ago but seeing how his dad was holding on to the casket, he knew that he wasn't ready at that time to let his mother go. His father also knew that it's been years now and he has to let go. So, he put yellow roses with orchids over it and he nodded at the people and they started covering the tombstone.
"You are fine," Karmina told him as Alex nodded and hugged her.
Alessandro knew that Alex had fallen in love with someone else. But it'll never be the same as the love that he gave to his deceased wife. They waited until it was completely covered and they left the monument.
"You alright?" Keira asked him.
"Yes. I already stayed and saw mom for weeks now. I already said goodbye."
"Good." Keira smiled and leaned her head to his strong arms while their arms and fingers were intertwined together.
"And that's your uncle now?" Alessandro asked and glanced at the man who was waiting in Tracey's car.
"Uhuh,"
"He doesn't look the thirties."
"I know. Tracey might mistake him for the age of twenty-five. I guess that he wastes his money on beauty care." Keira giggled. "You should also go with me to the facial skincare spa. To the dermatologist so you'll always have that handsome face."
"Love, this handsome face won't ever go away." He scooped her jaw and squeezed her cheeks. He kissed her parted lips.
"What I mean is~~you have to go with me to have a facial lift."
"Alright… I won't look gay on it, right?"
"You'll look handsome… even more."
Then Keira looked at Alex who was currently speaking with Gena.
"I think your dad is ready to move on to someone else. Like Tracey's mom."
"Uh, I don't think so." Sandro shrugged.
"Why?" She asked. "Gena will be annulled soon."
"Uhuh," Sandro's mind was into Karmina who approached Ian and hugged him. Ian was so young and Karmina treated him like a baby. "Let's head back to the house now and get ready for later."
"Yeah," She nodded. She looked at Tracey who was currently speaking with James Mondragon. Alessandro's circle of friends is also here with their wives. Except for James who didn't bring any girls. "Jo," She called.
Johanna had the puppies' lace on her hands as they followed.
"Are you still coming with us back to the house?"
"No. I still have to pack up a few things for Hunter."
"Okay," Keira noticed that there's a small bump growing on her tummy now. Johanna always wore something loose and since she wore something a little tight, her bump was showing and it looked so cute.
Keira let go of Alessandro's arm and hugged Johanna. Then, Johanna gave Lovie's lace to her.
"I'll see you later." Johanna gently kissed Keira's temple and she held Connor's arm.
"Drive safely guys." She waved.
She eyed the other car that looked so familiar. She held Alessandro's arm tightly and smirked. Wendy Charles is even here, using the same car that she used when she almost killed her.
"What's wrong?" Alessandro looked down at her and rubbed her arm.
"Well, your ex-girlfriend is also here."
Alessandro glared at the car and held Keira possessively.
"Let's go."
Keira holds his arm tightly, feeling a little nervous.
"That's the same car that she used when she almost killed me." She told him and she wasn't surprised by his reaction.
"What?!" He exclaimed as his nose flared.
"Don't worry about it, my boo-boo. That would never happen again."
Alessandro looked at Connor's car who left the area. Then, Wendy's car followed. He observed as Keira quickly reached her phone. She's nervous that Wendy might do something bad to Johanna.
"Sandro," She looked up at him.
"Don't worry."
Alessandro took her to their car quickly. They followed Connor and Johanna's car. Somehow, Wendy's car went in a different direction that made Keira sigh in relief.
"Johanna and Connor can handle it," Sandro said to assure her.
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The time that they reach home, they have Sandro's friends around. Their wives are her friends too and although Tracey was a little shy, she introduced her to them. Although, Tracey already had a bad record in her friend's mind, seeing that Keira accepted Tracey as a friend is enough to befriend her too. Keira noticed that Harvey was looking at her from the corner. So, when he signed to her something, he left and she followed him after.
They entered a stock room.
"What's wrong?" Keira asked.
"Well, Ian just mentioned that Wendy's men put a tracker on Johanna and Connor's car. So, he switched it with a different car from one of your bodyguards as it was driven away. I think she's now targeting someone close to you."
Keira's heart squeezed tightly.
"I~I can't let anything bad happen to her."
"Don't worry. Uncle Ian is here with us to protect us."
Keira bit the nail on her thumb.
"What happened now?"
"Wendy is inside the car and we can't just capture her when Sandro's friends are around. We can't capture her when your friends are around. Mostly when there are pregnant ladies." Harvey explained shortly.
A knock sign on the stock room caught their attention. Harvey opened it and let MJ enter. They turned on the lights as MJ showed Keira about the crash… their car was damaged too as the bodyguard had injuries.
"What happened to the bodyguard?" She asked.
"He's in the hospital at this moment. But we managed to kill Wendy's bodyguard." MJ said casually.
"That means that Wendy is also injured?" Keira asked again as her hands started shaking.
"Yes," MJ confirmed. "We had it covered, Keira. Johanna and Connor will be safe. The two are perfect for each other."
Keira exhaled as Harvey patted her head. The trio left the stock room and Karmina noticed them while she had a tray on her head.
"What's wrong, love?" She asked. Keira approached her and hugged her from behind. "Hey, what's wrong?" Karmina questioned again, she looked worried whenever Keira was like that.
"Everything is good, mom. I'll check on our security plan." Harvey kissed Karmina's cheeks as he patted Keira's head. The couple left and that left Karmina and Keira.
"Alright, tell me." She put the tray on the side table and turned to her daughter.
"Well, you noticed the red car a while ago?" Keira asked.
"Uhuh, I did. I also heard from Harvey on what happened."
"Mom, I don't want her to go after the people I love," Keira said, sounding sad and anxious.
"Hey," Karmina kissed her daughter's forehead. "Your brother, your husband, and your siblings are doing everything to protect you."
"But I don't want to be protected when their lives are also in danger." She pouted.
"My little love," she rubbed her back. "Don't worry, okay? I'll handle it for you too."
"No." She shook her head and exhaled frustratingly.
"Stop worrying. Let's finish this party so we can leave later."
Karmina took the tray and took her daughter back to the gathering. She noticed that Alex was speaking casually to Gena and he was smiling a little. She's glad that he's moving on. Although they are old, it's never too late for them to fall in love again. But for her, if she hasn't proved that her husband is dead, she will keep searching.
"Keira, we are leaving now," Sophia said and reached for Keira's hand.
"Okay…" Keira nodded. "But we'll see you at the resort?"
"Of course, I can't wait." Sophia grinned. "I'll meet you guys there. I have to shop for bikinis."
"It's fine if you won't wear bikinis," Adamson said and hugged her pregnant wife from behind. "As long as you are naked in front of me." He whispered to Sophia but still, Keira heard it.
Keira's eyes widened and shook her head.
"Oh, come on! She needs swimsuits!" Keira exclaimed.
"Whatever, Keira." Adamson hugged Keira and kissed her cheeks. "Mom Mina we will go now. We'll meet you at the resort."
"Sure, dear. Take care."
Karmina loved everyone, that's why Alessandro and Keira's friend treated her like their mother. Some girls would think that Alessandro was a lucky man who has a mother-in-love who takes care of them even though they are married. The gathering ended soon as the family friends left early. Then, Keira was tired when she went upstairs to their room to check the clothes that she's going to take with her.
The door was left half open and Karmina entered as she sat on the bed.
"Darling," Karmina called. Keira still looked melancholy. She hated when Wendy was trying to target her pregnant sister. "I know what you feel. But since the war had started, we won't back out now. The Charles Empire was the reason why you suffer like this."
"You are right mom." Keira sat beside her mother. "Johanna won't even back out."
"You know your sister. She loves you so much."
And it's just ironic that they adopted Johanna or Hannah Grace. The Natural Ultimate Killing Machine that the Charles Empire has been searching for years is the same person who is with them. Then, they have her to protect them. But since Keira loved her sister so much, she's still worried that she might get harmed by that Empire, mostly under that psychopath's control.
"Mom, why did you adopt her at first?" Keira asked.
"Because you love each other. She's lonely and I see how Johanna was happy around you. I can't take any kid's happiness."
"But do you know what she could do?" Keira asked again, even though she hesitated first.
"I know," Karmina said softly. "That's why your dad and I gave her the love that she needed."
"And Harvey?"
"Well, Harvey was a little harsh to her. But I know that he also cares for her." Karmina caressed her hair. "Let's pack up quickly. We are leaving.