Big Novel

 

"Well, you f****d that up," Marcus said as Stefan stormed into his Study and glared at Marcus in response. 

"Marcus, I love you like a brother but I am seriously pissed off right now and if you continue to try and wind me up I will shoot you," Stefan growled and Marcus laughed in response. 

"You've been saying that for years and haven't yet ... but I will stop winding you up- not because of your empty threat but because I can see you need to talk," Marcus said as Stefan paced back and forth. 

"There's a first time for everything Marcus...admittedly I won't kill you as a good second is hard to find...even if they are as annoying as you but I might follow Mr. Gambino's lead and shoot you in your leg," Stefan said banterfully and calming down a little. 

"Drink? " Marcus asked after laughing and Stefan nodded. 

"I don't know what to do next..." Stefan finally said opening up to Marcus. 

"It's certainly a complicated situation to be in but it's a situation you couldn't control. At least the council's investigation has been concluded in your favor meaning Mia is no longer a threat and Lilly is safe...they are the most important things, Stefan." Marcus replied trying to comfort his friend. 

"Your right Mia has been neutralized- she can never act against us or she will face the council's wrath and yes Lilly is safe but...will she forgive me and still love me, after what must happen next? " Stefan asked with sadness in his tone. 

"Lilly loves you, Stefan, anyone can see that and she is an intelligent 

woman- talk to her and explain the situation I am sure in time she will forgive you," Marcus replied knowing exactly what Stefan had to do next and praying what he said was true for Stefan's sake as if he lost Lilly's love Marcus wasn't sure how Stefan would cope. 

"Thank you, Marcus, I will," Stefan said turning abruptly and reaching for the study door desperate to apologize to Lilly and explain to her what must happen praying that when he did she would forgive him, take the news well and he could salvage their relationship. 

"WAIT! Not now you idiot...Lilly is very intelligent and I am sure she will understand once you explain but she is a woman and no doubt furious at you right now. If you go to her now it may be the last thing you ever do...women especially strong ones like Lilly are more dangerous than any remember of the Mafia when angry, wait until the morning and give her time to cool off first," Marcus suggested. 

Stefan hesitated for a brief moment he was desperate to see Lilly and apologize but Marcus's words made sense, still, it was Lilly how angry could she really be ...yes she had a temper but she was so kind and loving... 

door. 

KNOCK, KNOCK. Stefan's indecision was interrupted by a knock at the 

"COME IN!" Stefan shouted annoyed that his thoughts and conversation with Marcus were being interrupted. 

"I am sorry to bother you, Boss..." Aiden said as he came in and looked at Stefan nervously. 

"What is it? and why did you leave your post? I told you to stay outside Lilly's room," Stefan asked in a tone thick with anger and dominance. 

"Well Boss I left my post because there's a situation with Lilly...she's 

smashing things in her room and throwing things by the sounds of it and she 

has locked her door ...I am unsure how to respond so thought I better ask 

you what you wanted me to do..." Aiden said as he looked down at the floor 

avoiding making eye contact with Stefan. 

" f**k!" Stefan groaned, looks like he had an answer to his 

question. 

"Do nothing, stand outside her door and leave her to it she will calm 

down eventually...hopefully. Let her express herself and get her anger out 

and if you think she is in real danger you can access her room through a 

secret door in my room, that's behind the Picasso painting on the back wall- 

it connects mine and her room," Stefan instructed. 

"Yes, Boss," Aiden responded before he left quickly to do as 

ordered. 

"See, I am always right," Marcus chuckled " as I keep saying you should 

listen to me more often," Marcus said ducking as Stefan threw a book at him 

in frustration. 

Stefan and Marcus spent the rest of the evening debriefing from all the 

events of the day and making future plans on how to deal with Mia, the 

council, and the added complication of Jason's recent return whilst Lilly spent the evening changing from crying over the events of the day and breaking things in anger over the events of the day and the way in which Stefan spoke to her. 

KNOCK, KNOCK" Lilly it's Stefan...can I come in...please? 

Stefan's plea was met with Lilly's silence making Stefan pause and think hard about his next words, "Lilly, I am really sorry for the way I spoke to you last night...and I know everything that happened is 

overwhelming...will you please let me in so I can apologize properly and we can talk so I can explain the situation we are in...please." Stefan asked regret and sadness filling his tone. 

Lilly listened to Stefan's speech and her anger slowly faded as she heard the regret and sadness in his voice, " FINE!" she huffed as she pulled herself from the bed and carefully navigated her way over the broken glass and various pieces of debris laying on the floor to open the door, " you can come in." 

"Thank you...Lilly I..." Stefan leaned in to kiss her and reached out to stroke her face but dropped his hand and stopped as Lilly glared at him. 

"You will not kiss your way out of apologizing to me... no matter how much I may enjoy your kisses the way you spoke to me was wrong and I refuse to allow you to treat me in such a way. YOU OWE ME AN APOLOGY." Lilly said as she poked him in the chest and stood her ground. 

Stefan looked at Lilly. She looked beautiful all the time but with her eyes flaming with anger and her aura radiating power she was glorious and he was highly aroused, although he didn't think it was wise to tell her so at the minute. "You're right love I do...I am so sorry for the way in which I spoke to you last night. The way I spoke to you was disrespectful and I make 

no excuses for it but I did so because I was angry that you ignored my note which told you it wasn't safe and told you to stay in your room...by coming downstairs you put yourself in danger and when you barged into the dining room and intervened you could have been hurt and I was frightened for your safety, the thought of you being hurt...it terrified me and I reacted badly. I am truly sorry." Stefan said looking deep into Lilly's eyes begging her with his expression to forgive him. 

Lilly could see that Stefan was truly sorry so she decided to forgive him but she would make sure he knew that she wouldn't accept being treated that way ever again first. "I can see your genuinely sorry and I understand what provoked your outburst but I swear if you ever speak to me like that again...you will regret it! I have been treated badly by lots of people in my life but I will not allow you the man I love to be one of them...you are meant to support me and love me unconditionally no matter what as I do you and if you can't do that I won't stick around to be treated badly. This is your first and last warning, do you understand? " Lilly said lifting her head and staring at Stefan in a challenge. 

"Of course love, I promise I will never treat you so again," Stefan said reaching out to take hold of Lilly's hand, and this time she allowed him. "Good. Now that's sorted I have to tell you...I never received any 

note." 

Stefan looked into Lilly's eyes and could see she was telling the truth, I gave a note to Gemma to pass to you along with the breakfast tray I instructed her to bring up to you, it said that Mr Gambino had not yet left and it was not yet safe to come down and to stay upstairs until myself, Marcus or Aiden came to get you." 

"I see, well I never received any note Stefan...but if you gave Gemma a 

note for me there is probably an innocent explanation. Maybe she 

accidentally left it in the kitchen whilst she was preparing breakfast or it fell off the tray as she carried the tray upstairs? Whatever happened don't be too hard on her it wasn't done maliciously Gemma is a trusted employee and 

my friend ...and to be honest even if I got the note I would have run downstairs anyway when I heard the gunshot after you killed Jason...like you were about to do when I walked in. In a way, Gemma's innocent mistake did us a favor, as if you killed Jason I would have understood why you had too but he's still my brother and my heart would have been broken. Please don't be hard on her." Lilly pleaded. 

Stefan was angry at Gemma, her mistake could have cost Lilly her life and he had an urge to strangle her. However what Lilly said was true, Gemma had been in his employment for years now and she gave him no reason to doubt her loyalty it was most likely an innocent mistake but he would speak to Marcus and have her watched just in case. Lilly was also right in a way Gemma had done them a favor as he knew in his heart Lilly would never have forgiven him if he killed her brother and despite his anger the way Lilly was looking at him pleading he couldn't bring himself to refuse her request." Okay, I won't be too hard on her ...I will have a word with her and give her a stern warning and dock her a week's wages for her mistake." Stefan could see Lilly was about to protest so he quickly added, " you may see that as harsh but her mistake could have put you in harm's way and anyone who endangers you- intentionally or not I have an urge to kill so consider this her getting off lightly compared to what my dark side wants to do to punish her." Stefan exclaimed and Lilly nodded her 

understanding. 

"Okay, so where do we go from here now you have apologized and I 

have forgiven you...that declaration you made last night about me being 

your s*x slave ...was it just for show? " Lilly asked nervously. 

First off I believe I said s*x maid, not slave there's this whole thing 

going on at the minute about people rioting and pulling down statues of 

historic figures who were involved in slavery..." Stefan said trying to lighten 

the mood and Lilly rolled her eyes at him, only he could try and make a joke 

in this situation. 

|| 

Stefan..." Lilly groaned raising her eyebrows and chastening him for 

injecting humor in a serious situation. 

"Sorry. I only said it in the heat of the moment to protect you. I knew 

Mr. Gambino was a sexist pig and I hoped he would think I was one too and 

would think I was thinking with my c**k and approve of the deal I made that 

spared your and your brother's life. Seeing me not as a weak but as a man 

taking control and making a deal to sake his lust- something I am sure he 

has done several times during his life and can relate too." 

"That was a smart move but why do I feel there's a but coming?" Lilly 

asked rating her eyebrows. 

"Because you can read me well," Stefan said pausing briefly and 

trying to find the right words to explain, "but Mr Gambino said he or a 

council member may stop by in the few weeks or months with paperwork to sign to officially close the investigation into Mia's allegation and although I trust my staff the council is powerful and has spy's everywhere so I think it would be smart if we postponed our exit plan and waited for a few months and pretended whilst we wait that we are following the deal I 

suggested." 

There was a long silence as Lilly thought about everything Stefan had said and Stefan grew more nervous as the minutes drew by. 

"I see the logic and I agree. " Lilly finally said surprising Stefan. "Don't look so shocked, I understand that being allowed to retire from the Mafia is practically unheard of so if you are going to be one of the rare people who are granted permission you have to wait until the right time to ask and make sure that your in the council's good graces when you do so they are more likely to grant you permission. Asking in a month for permission to retire and make a life with me after Mr. Gambino witnessed you make a deal with me for a years service will only prove Mia's allegations as true and the council will never grant you permission, they will see you as weak and may seek to kill you to protect the Mafia- I understand." 

Stefan looked at Lilly speechless, "Wow, I didn't expect you to be so calm about this...Marcus said I should just talk to you and you would understand...sometimes he gives good advice, although if you ever tell him I said that I will deny it." Lilly laughed and then pulled Stefan into a passionate kiss. 

"Sometimes for such a clever man you can be incredibly 

stupid...whenever there is a problem we will always sort it out as long as we are honest and talk it threw," Lilly said as she stroked his face lovingly. 

"I hope so love, I hope so," Stefan said as he looked into Lilly's eyes 

lovingly. "Speaking of talking through problems...this s*x maid thing, I want you to know I will never pressure you into s*x, if and when we do have s*x I want it to be because you want to and I want it to be special. However, as I said the council is powerful and has eyes everywhere so we must make it look like it is part of your one year's service by sleeping in the same room every night, I will of course sleep on the sofa bed so there is no 

pressure." 

Lilly blushed at the thought of sharing a room with Stefan- she had never slept with a man before platonically or in a s****l way, she prayed she didn't snore that would be really embarrassing. "I understand Stefan and thank you ...for not pressuring me," Lilly said as she smiled at Stefan." Now the maid part of the contract, what are your terms in that? 

"I was thinking I could employee you to do light chores such as changing the bedding in our room and cleaning our room twice a week and the rest of your time you can spend in the kitchen cooking and baking for me, Marcus, Aiden and the rest of my security detail? So the majority of the time you will be more of a chef/baker rather than a maid which I know will be hard work but I hope you'll be happier since I know you love to cook..." Stefan was interrupted as Lily pounced on him and kissed him excitedly. "Thank you..thank you ..thank you! That sounds wonderful I accept 

your terms, on one condition..."Lilly squealed. 

"And what's that love?" Stefan asked curiously. 

"No kinky maid outfit!" Lilly giggled and Stefan roared with 

laughter. 

Stefan and Lilly spent the past few hours cuddled on the bed and discussing in detail their next steps before Stefan had to leave to deal with business matters. During their talk, Stefan informed Lilly he was planning to 

send Jason to a rehab center to get help for his alcoholism tomorrow 

morning since the doctor had said he would be okay to be move then, and after a little persuasion, Stefan finally agreed to allow Lilly to speak to Jason which was where she was going now. 

Lilly followed Aiden down the corridor to the room Jason had been placed in and she took a deep breath and gathered her courage before she entered, " Jason?" Lilly asked nervously as she stepped into the room and froze in place as she saw her brother lying in bed with an IV in his arm and looking pale. 

"Lilly?!" Jason asked sitting up and staring at his little sister in shock. I thought I would never see you again...I am so sorry Lilly, I should never have got you involved in this mess...in my mess." Jason said guilt and genuine remorse reflecting in his eyes. 

"Jason ...I ..." Lilly started to reply as she took a few steps closer but was unsure how to respond. 

"I would give anything to go back in time and undo my mistake, I am a terrible brother Lilly and I failed you and Mum ...I am so sorry and I know I can never make it up to you or earn your forgiveness as what I did was unforgivable but I promise I will never hurt you again and I will spend the rest of my life trying to be a better person to prove to you how sorry I am." Jason said as he broke down in tears ashamed at what he did. 

"Oh, Jason..." Lilly said as she rushed over to him and cradled him in her arms as he cried. 

"1 

As Lilly held her broken brother in her arms the memory of Jason holding her and supporting her at their mother's grave on the day of their mother's funeral surfaced. He had once held her, comforted her, and pieced her back together when she was broken and now she would do the same for 

him she vowed, after all, they were family and that's what family did. "I can 

not forgive you right away Jason...it will take time but I love you Jason and 

no matter what and I am here for you. Stefan is going to send you to a 

rehabilitation center and when you are better we can work on rebuilding 

our relationship but I need you to promise you will accept the help given to 

you and commit yourself to become sober, can you do that for me?" 

"Yes Lilly, if there is even a small chance you can ever forgive me and I 

can have you back in my life and be given a second chance at being your 

brother...I WILL DO ANYTHING." Jason promised and Lilly looked deep in his 

eyes and could see he meant every word. 

Lilly moved to the chair at his bedside and She told him everything 

from what happened with Mr. Sinclair which made Jason cry even more in 

shame to the up to date situation with Stefan which made him sigh in relief 

that his sister was safer than he thought although he still apologized 

profusely for getting her into this sistuation. 

In return, Jason was honest with her and told her everything from just 

how low he had sunk when she was gone right up until when he realized 

what a terrible mistake he made and he went to their mother's grave to beg 

her forgiveness before he tried to fix the situation. 

The two of them spent hours catching up, laughing, and crying together and thanks to Aiden who thoughtfully sent up a tray they ate lunch together also. Jason eventually began to yawn and looked exhausted- which the doctor who had come in to change Jason's dressing said was due to the painkillers he was on. So Lilly gave him one last hug before they parted with the promise they would see each other again and this time it would be a happier and less dramatic reunion. 

Lilly left Jason's room and tears both happy and sad streamed down her face and blurred her vision as she walked towards the kitchen to see the next person on her list - Gemma. 

"Gemma, may I have a word ...please?" Lilly asked as she walked into the kitchen. 

"Of course Miss Thompson," Gemma said kneading dough for bread with her back still to Lilly. 

"Erm...a private one, please? " Lilly asked. 

Gemma didn't bother replying verbally but instead silently walked out 

of the kitchen and into the dining room and Lilly followed. 

"Have I done something to upset you? It's just recently you seem different, I thought we were friends but you seem...cold. If I have done something to upset you I am really sorry if you tell me what I have done we can talk it out and try and fix it and be friends again." Lilly said smiling at Gemma but Gemma didn't return Lilly's smile but instead just looked at her blankly. 

"You haven't done anything Miss Thompson," Gemma replied emotionlessly. 

"I clearly have because you're acting differently and you keep calling 

me Miss Thompson. I have just made up with my brother by talking things out...something I never thought would happen as mine and his relationship is complicated so maybe we can do the same, please tell me what's on your mind." Lilly said kindly. 

Gemma sighed, "Okay since you asked I will be honest with you. Whilst I am genuinely very happy for you that you have made up with your brother by talking, as I too know all about complicated sibling relationships and can empathize with you...I am afraid that won't work for us because, to be honest, we were never friends. Don't look so hurt it's not like I hate you or anything it's just that I am here to work and I don't have time to make friendships...I need to focus on my task and to be honest, I don't want to be friends with anyone so close to Mr. Marconi." Gemma said looking at her nails as Lilly tried not to show how hurt she was. 

"Oh, I see. I hope then if we can't be friends we can be colleagues as I will be working with you soon and I would like us to at least get along well..." Lilly said trying to hold her emotions together. " Thank you for talking to me I will let you get back to work, have a nice day Gemma," Lilly said stiffly before she exited with purposeful strides. 

When Lilly had left the room Gemma pulled out her mobile and dialed the number she did daily "Zdravstvuyte, missiya na khodu, " Gemma said before she hung up and deleted her call history.

Advertisement