Romantasy Novel-8

Chapter One Viviane’s POV Five minutes. That’s how long I promised myself I’d stay at this godforsaken place before I called a cab and hightailed it back to my apartment. I might not have anything to do there but it was way better than sitting here downing drinks while music that was meant to be a lullaby blasted in the room. Classical music. Ugh!! It beats me how these people were not dozing off right where they stood. I knew I was. As if mocking me, the live orchestra decided to pick that moment to take it up a notch as their music increased in volume. ‘Kill me now’ Slumping dramatically onto the bar countertop, I let out a loud groan that had the immaculately dressed barman eyeing me oddly through his mask. I raised a brow at him in challenge as well as a glare and then flustered, he turned back to making drinks for the others around. Good call. Although getting dragged out of her for assaulting a barman had a whole lot more appeal than this boring ass masquerade ball. I can’t believe I allowed Daphne to talk me into coming here. My mouth puckered into a scowl when I recalled her promise of “one last crazy night”. I shouldn’t have believed her bull because so far, the craziest I’ve seen all night is the way people danced to the infuriating music while dressed in fancy attires and masks expensive enough to buy thirty of my apartment building. I raised my head and took another sip from my champagne flute. I would have preferred something way stronger but sadly, I couldn’t get it. Just the way the barman looked at me when I asked for vodka made it seem like I was crazy. Fuck! “You look so miserable.” My roommate and best friend’s voice echoed from behind me and I rolled my eyes before sitting up and swiveling to look at Daphne. “Miserable? I could never. Not when I’m surrounded by such wealth.” My voice was filled with sarcasm despite my lips curving into a sweet smile. From under her mask, I could see her roll her baby blue eyes. She naturally flipped her luscious blonde mane which went perfectly with her pristine off shouldered cocktail dress. She looked fucking good and I wouldn’t expect less since she had put in a lot into getting both her and myself ready for this party. “Could you not be so….” “So what? I don’t know what you’re on about. I for one am enjoying myself. It’s not every night you get to attend a party like this. One where even the waiter has a gun jutting out of his pants.” She scoffed. “And? You’re talking like it’s something so special. I mean, have you seen your father’s place? Even the dogs back there own a gun.” Hearing her mention my father, my smile dropped into a scowl. Yes. How could I not know. Being born into a family like mine where violence speaks before words, a gun was quite mundane compared to the other things I’ve seen growing up. That’s one of the reasons I ran. I couldn’t take living another moment in that luxurious cage. Too bad I had to go back. My time as a normal person was up – my father made that glaringly clear when I received my boyfriend’s shredded finger in the mail alongside a note that said “YOU HAVE UNTIL NEXT WEEK. COME BACK” Not that I wasn’t expecting it as I knew that he was always watching me but I just hoped for more time. That was one of the reasons I followed Daphne when she tried to make me come out. If I knew that it was such a party she was bringing me to though, I would have gladly burrowed into my bed and slept. “Besides, this is not just any party, it’s a Morello’s party for heaven’s sakes so security has to be tight as hell. The Don will not allow any mishaps at his events.” I raised a brow at her. The way she said the name like it was an easy know just threw me off. “Forgive me for not being up to trend on who this Don is.” “How can you not know the Don Massimo Morello? I mean…” She started to ‘educate’ me but trailed off when the music seized, followed by all the lights dimming save for the one in the center of the large ballroom. Both of us immediately looked towards that direction only to notice that a large spherical shaped item was now there. It was covered totally with a red cloth which made my brow furrow even more. I parted my lips to ask Daphne what the hell was happening only for my words to come out as a loud gasp when I saw what was beneath the cloth. Turns out that what was being covered was a large silver bird cage and inside was a human being. An actual human girl was in the cage stark naked save for a collar which was leashed to the bars. On multiple parts of her body, wounds and scabs from a whip could be seen. Her eyes were glazed over as she smiled foolishly like a looney, an obvious sign of drug intake. The crazy thing was that asides from me, no one acted like what was before us was bizarre. Instead, they laughed and pointed at the girl like she was a walking attraction. The heck? I was going to be sick. “Ladies and gentlemen, let me be clear on who this little bitch is.” The man that was standing in front of the cage started; his face lips curved into an easy smile beneath his mask. “This right here is Slut 112 and the reason she is here is because she made the mistake of trying to spy on the Don.” The Don? This was the second time I had heard this title and I was coming to hate whoever held it. He paused and then pulled harshly at the leash making the little girl let out choked grunts that made my stomach churn. “She should have been killed but since the Don is feeling kind because of our young master’s birthday, she will be sold off to the highest bidder instead to do as he they see fit.” Waves of nausea hit me and it took all my sheer willpower not to throw up right there. Sold? This was a human for heavens sakes. I wasn’t a good person neither was I a hero, so I didn’t raise a protest as I watched people fight over another human’s worth but I felt disgusted. My disgust only amplified when I noted that Daphne didn’t give a shit either and she was even flirting with one of the men nearby – saying something about an afterparty with drugs and sex. I stood there and watched utterly appalled as a chubby, lecherous looking fucker eventually got the girl and then had the ‘privilege’ of leading her to one of the hotel rooms by her leash. That’s it. I’ve had about enough. Taking a deep breath to stop myself from going batshit crazy as my rationality was still intact, I dropped my glass and then I decided to leave but I froze in my tracks when I witnessed the fucker wringing the neck of the little girl. He laughed, a dark pleasure written all over his face as he loomed over the poor child that couldn't even struggle properly. Before I knew it, I opened my mouth and did what every sense of reason in my body screamed not to. Despite knowing that the powers behind this dark place was not something I could begin to imagine, I couldn't stop myself. I meddled. Within the blink of an eye, I was crossing the room faster than anyone in heels should be able to, and then, barely allowing the fat fuck to get a glimpse of me, I raised my hand and then punched in square in his ugly face. Although I had been away from the violence for so long, all the training I was forced to do growing up didn't go to waste. The man squealed like a pig and then stumbled backwards before falling flat on his ass. The moment I did it though, although I felt a tad bit of satisfaction, the regret far outweighed it because I soon found myself surrounded by different men “and all of them had a gun pointed at my head ready to take fire. Well, I'm screwed. Chapter Two Viviane’s POV I’m screwed. “Kill that bitch right now! How dare she punch me?” The fucker I had knocked on his ass screamed petulantly while clutching his now bleeding nose. If looks could kill, I would be six feet underground from the way he glared daggers at me but I couldn't be bothered by him. I could feel the eyes of the whole hall digging into my back and from the corner of my eyes, I even caught sight of Daphne but she bit her lip and looked anywhere but at me. My heart broke and although I already knew that she stuck around for her own selfish reasons, it still hurt to see her ignore me when I was in danger. Stop thinking about Daphne, Viv. You have bigger problems. I gulped my hand trembling by my side when I took in the cold emotionless eyes of the men who still had their guns mere inches from my face. The only reason I wasn’t falling flat on my ass in fear was mainly because the tiny shred of rationale I had, made me notice that the hands of these men were not close to the trigger at all. “What are you doing? Kill her! S..she tried to assassinate me.” He whined like a petulant while pointing at the men that had me surrounded. They didn’t even flinch or look in his direction making my theory even more correct. From the little experience I had, this was both a good thing and a bad thing. Good because it gave me time to think of how to explain my brief moment of impulse for a total stranger who didn’t even recognize me through the drug haze. Bad because since the men didn’t move an inch at the fat man’s provocation, they were waiting on orders from someone else. Someone in the shadows. The thought that someone I couldn’t even see was going to decide my fate made me crazily unsettled. Was it the Don? Did that mean that he was close by? “Wow. What a show we have here? I haven’t seen a more entertaining sight in a long while. Wouldn’t you say so too fa.. Don?” A soft masculine voice tinged with humor rang out and then slowly everyone turned in the direction it came from. Collective gasps rang out from people in the room followed by excited chatter that unintentionally floated to my ears. “Oh my. They came.” “Are those who I think they are?” “Yes. That is Don Massimo Morello and his heir, Federico Morello” “Ah? Really? God. I would kill for a little glance from either of them, Ahhh!! Thank the heavens I got an invite. I’ll have bragging rights for the rest of my life after this.” There was so much squealing and chatter from the ladies around and even some guys but I wasn’t focused on that. I wasn’t even focused on the fact that men holding guns to my head had placed their hand on the trigger, seemingly ready to shoot. Instead, my eyes and mind were locked onto one direction. Stalking down the grand staircase in the hall, two men, masked had appeared. Dressed in immaculate looking tuxedos that highlighted their superb physique, their whole demeanor screaming wealth and power. The one who had spoken was the slightly less muscled one, his lips curved into a playful smirk. His whole body screamed mischief and mayhem. He must be Frederico Massimo. That wasn't what made me unable to look away though. Instead it was the eyes of Don Massimo Morello. Under his intricately crafted silver mask, his emerald green eyes locked onto mine, albeit only briefly as he looked away, but it was enough to blare alarm bells in my head. An image of the exact same eyes flashed in my head followed by a whole lot of emotions I couldn't make sense of but before I could understand it, it was gone. What's going on? Why is it so familiar? Could it be that…. No. Don't be foolish, Viv. This Don seems like some sort of bigshot with that way everyone is tripping over their feet for him. There's no way I could have met him. Besides, I made it my mission to steer clear of dangerous men during my years out of my father's compound so someone who had so much bloodthirst, mayhem and murder in his eyes would have surely made me flee for the hills. I shrugged and attributed the deja vu to being tired. Whatever, I had way bigger problems than that. I need to figure out how to get out of here unharmed. “Boys. It's not nice to point weapons at a lady. She must be so frightened.” I was too wrapped up in my thoughts that I didn't notice that Fredrico had sauntered up to my side. It wasn't until he spoke that I jumped, raising my hand in a defensive position as I eyes him warily. At his words, the men immediately dropped their guns and then backed away. “Don't be scared princessa, your prince charming is here.” At his corny words, I almost decked him right there and then but thinking about my situation, I could only let my lips twitch uncontrollably. I kept silent and Frederico must have seen it as a reason to keep talking. “As you know, today is my birthday and like every other time, I normally hold an ordinary banquet. This time though is quite different.” His voice was neither low nor high. It was just enough for the crowd around us to hear. At his words, everyone began to mutter in hushed tones. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes in disdain. For a Don's heir, he sure did talk a lot. I mean, look at the Don, he hasn't said a single word since he came here. At that thought, my eyes couldn't help but stray back to the Don but I jumped the moment I noticed that he was also looking at me. I immediately looked back, flustered and I could have sworn I saw amusement in the Don's eyes but I was too chicken to turn back to check. Even though, I had an inkling that his eyes was boring into my back. For some odd reason, my face began to heat up and my thoughts became a bit scrambled. “This banquet was actually set up so I could pick a wife for myself.” Frederico announced pulling me out of my haze. The whole banquet erupted in excited whispers and murmurs at his announcement but I was just plain confused. What did his bride picking stuff have to do with me? When will he let me go? I parted my lips to ask him to let me go only to turn pale when I heard his next words. “I want her.” He said raising a hand to point at me. My brows knitted further. “Huh?” “You asked me to pick a bride, father. I pick her.” He said and then turned slowly to Don Massimo whose eyes had gone back to emotionless. “Father, I can have her, right?” I was way to stunned to speak as my eyes flitted from Don Massimo to this ridiculous heir claiming me like I had no opinions. What the fuck was going on? “Hmmn.” Don Massimo grunted in affirmation and my eyes darted to him, while with panic. His simple grunt did something to me but I couldn't be bothered as I was still trying to wrap my head around what was happening. My brain was still trying to reboot but what happened next basically shut it down totally. With a “That's settled then.” Fredrico suddenly clasped my face between his hands and when I was still confused, smashed his lips onto mine. W…wh…wh..what? My eyes widened even further as I was forcefully kissed by Fredrico in front of so many people. My ears were ringing and even then, I could hear the collective gasps of everyone. It took a while for my body to react but thankfully it eventually did. With the little defensive skills I had managed to gather growing up, I grabbed both of his hands that had begun to grope my waist wantonly and then with a hard thrust, I knees him straight in the crotch. With a groan, Fredrico doubled over, clutching his jewels while I took that chance to wipe my mouth frantically. Disgusting ass. Everyone began to fawn over him, asking if he was alright and all that. Seeing the chaos, I took that chance to flee, unwilling to stay here any moment longer. I ran and ran until my legs burned but even then, I dared not stop. I kept praying that they wouldn't give chase and thankfully, after a while, I noticed that they didn't. Panting with labored breaths, I finally stopped and leaned against a dark alley wall to catch my breath. I clutched my heaving chest, trying to still my racing heart. “Miss.” My heart almost went out of my chect as I all but flew into a defensive position. My stomach churned when I noticed that I was now surrounded by black suit clad men and all of them were armed. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I licked my lips, looking from left to right as I tried to think of an escape. “I suggest you surrender, little miss. We don't want to hurt you.” Little miss? The only people that call me that are…. Dread immediately filled my body as my eyes shot in the direction of the voice and truly, staring back at me with his ever stoic expression was my father's right hand man, Enrique. “W..hat? Why? Wh..” “Your time is up, Little Miss. I have orders to take you back. Your father is waiting so don't put up a fight and just come with me.” I considered still fighting but knowing how ruthless my own father was, I decided not to. My lips wobbled and I resisted the urge to cry at the thought of my freedom ending. It took a while but eventually I spoke, my voice trembling. “Let's go.” Chapter Three Vivianne’s POV “My good daughter. Finally you put that nice face of yours to good use. Who would have thought that my rebellious wretch of a daughter would secure such a prestigious marriage alliance. Good. Good.” The moment those words left my father's lips, my heart immediately took a deep dive. I had an inkling as to what he was on about but I prayed desperately that it was something else. “W..what. What do you mean by that?” He raised his brow, a smile that I had never seen directed at me blooming on his face. “Oh, don't act daft girl. Do you think I wouldn't hear about your engagement to The Frederico Massimo? I mean although I wasn't there, my men were there on my behalf.” My lower lip caught between my teeth as I nipped at it furiously. Ignoring the first half of his words, I focused on the second. “They were there? Why didn't you help me then? I could have died there!” The smile dropped from my father's face as he stared at me coldly. Scoffing, he said. “What? Did you think I was going to risk my neck for a mere daughter? Who asked you to go poke your neck in the business that didn't concern you? I raised you smarter than that yet you went on to cause trouble at the Don's party. Are you crazy?” His voice rose at the end of his speech as his face contorted into a frown. I could feel an arrow piercing through my heart at his words. How could he say such a thing? How could he be worried about his neck over his own child? Normally, I hated how cruel this man was at times but there was still a part of me that yearned for his care and affection. A part of me hoped that all these years, his constant surveillance and even his allowing of my rebellion had been a silent indulgence and care towards me. Today though, I could clearly see that I wasn't so important. My shoulders slumped tiredly. “Thankfully, things worked out in the end and you even bagged a marriage alliance to the Massimo's.” he said heartily. I sneered. “Do you think what that drunk heir said back then holds? Kill your pipe dreams father, I am not getting married to Frederico.” I said saltily hoping to cut into him as much as he did me. His smile bloomed yet again. “That's what I thought at first too, until a letter bearing the mark of the Don arrived at my desk.” At his words, I immediately felt a bad premonition coming on. “It confirms that the wedding will hold. In a week time, you'd be wed off to Frederico Massimo.” Alarms blared in my head and my whole body twitched continuously as my brain fried. I didn't know what to say or what to do. I just stared at my father like a gaping fish unable to wrap my head around what he was saying. It took a long while after that for me to able to think reasonably but when I did, the only thought in my head was No. Obviously, I was going to voice it. I refuse to marry that annoyingly rude Federico. Even if I had to go crazy, I will not marry him. “I refuse. Over my dead body will I marry that man.” ********** My protests went up in flames. My father had declared that this time, he would not condone my rebellious acts and that either by hook or by crook, I was going to get married. After that, he killed all the arguments I had built as he had asked his men to bundle me back into my childhood room. Everything was maddening and I was one step away from having a psychotic breakdown which was why I decided not to sit still. I'd escape the miserable life my father anticipated for me. Back when I was still in the compound and I was curious about the outside world, I had discovered a hollow part of my wall. I had broken it only to find that it allowed me to roam the mansion freely without being noticed. Of course I covered up the hold with my dresser, so thankfully, no one had noticed over the years or knowing my father, he would have barricaded it off. I crept into the hole and then ended up in a guest room which I had prepared as my way out of the wall, all those years ago. Right this moment, after evading a handful of my father's men as well as the CCTVs with all the skills I had gathered over the years, I was almost on my way to freedom. I couldn't pass through the main gate but thrre was another path at the far back of the mansion that wasn't heavily guarded. It took a lot of stress, grime and pricks from roses in the bushes but finally, I was outside my father's compound. I hadn't yet thought of where to go but anywhere was better than this place. The moment I was out, I staggered to my feet and then dusted off my body as much as I could. Turning, I made to start to run only to freeze dead in my tracks. Staring back at me with a bored look was Enrique, my father's right hand man. I immediately stumbled backwards but all I was met with was the wall. “H..how? Were you following me?" He didn't answer my questions but instead stretched out his hand to me. “This is for you, little miss.” My gaze went downwards and I noticed that he was holding a brick like phone, a typical burner. I was confused but I collected the phone and put it to my ear. “Zorra, go back peacefully. After all, I wouldn't want the bride-to-be of my family sporting injuries of any kind.” A very thick voice tinged with an even thicker Italian accent came from the other end and I immediately startled, dropping the phone. I had an inkling of who that was and for some reason, my spine tingled with all sorts of emotions. The expanse of the Massimo's information made me feel fear unlike no other, it also made me realize what kind of dire situation I had. Enrique reacted quickly as he caught the phone. He stretched it out to me yet again and although the voice sounded a bit faraway, I could still hear every word that came next. “You’re a smart girl, Mi Zorra. So, just sit pretty and wait for me to bring you home. After all, we're going to be family soon.” With that, he ended the call and I was left staring out into space as I realized with dread that there was no escape. Chapter Four Vivianne’s POV I had never thought of getting married. Well, I knew it was bound to happen one day but I never thought it would happen so soon and that too, in this manner. Don't get me wrong. This wedding was about the grandest I have ever witnessed in my entire life and with the way I travelled about, I had seen a fair share. It was like something straight out of a fairytale with magnificent lights and very classy decorations as well as a chapel that was times three the size of my father's fortress. Any woman would swoon and squeal if she were to be the bride. Too bad, I was the bride. Over the last week, I had experienced what it feels like to have all your freedom stripped away. I was pushed around for gown fittings, mock wedding meals, posture classes and about anything they could shove into a week to make me “the perfect bride”. Of course, I had tried to escape again but it was nearly impossible when my father, with the help of the Don, had barricaded all my exit points. Also, the security around me tripled and I even had a maid sleeping in my room now. At a point, I even considered slicing my wrists to try and sway my father but he had anticipated it. All the harmful objects in my room had been cleared out. Don't get me wrong. I am not suicidal in any way. In fact, I'm a bit of a coward and I don't want to die. The whole slitting my wrist is just a way I used to force my father into giving in to my rebellious phase since tantrums didn't work. Yeah, I know. I'm crazy. I also tried to refuse all those lessons but after a harsh waterboarding lesson from my father, I was left with no choice. Now I was walking down the aisle - more like being dragged down it by my father - and I was going to be wed off to a man I didn't know a single thing about. My gown itched my skin. The stilettos I was forced to wear dug into my heels and the make up made my face all stiff. Everything was all wrong and I couldn't help the frown on my face. The congregation was none the wiser as my veil obscured my unhappiness but even if they had an inkling of how unwilling I was, they didn't show it in the slightest as they smiled and cheered. Some of them were even crying while mouthing things like “she's so beautiful”. What the fuck? I don't know you guys so what's with stupid the waterworks? I decided to ignore them and instead focus on how to get through today. Eventually, we reached the end of the aisle and I was standing face to face with my soon to be husband. He was now without his mask and I could see his real face. He flashed a charming smile at me and if it were another scenario, at another time, I would have been into him. Now those grayish blue eyes and handsomely sculpted face just made me annoyed. He inched closer to me. “Hi.” I rolled my eyes, ignoring him but he didn't seem to mind. “I know you don't want to be here.” Well, the psycho finally had a smart thought. “I also know that you were forced into this and for that, I'm quite terribly sorry.” As he said that, his eyes seemed to take on a pitiful appearance that would make most people sympathize with him. I scoffed. “If you're sorry then call the freaking wedding off.” I gritted out, my teeth grinding ferociously together. What? Did he think I would be moved by his stupid ass apology? After he forced a kiss on me himself? What a dolt! His face twitched, clearly not expecting my words. “Well.. umm.. I…” “You don't want to right? Well I thought as much. Don't try to make me feel bad for you because it won't work. I'm not deluded by your looks or your power.” I leaned in closer till our faces were almost touching. “In fact, I swear to you that once you marry me, you can count your days because I will do anything in my power to make your life hell. I don't mind i0f I perish along the way.” He gulped, his eyes flitting from left to right like a weirdo. I rolled my eyes, stepped a bit back and then looked away from him. The priest had begun to read the unending sermons but everything drowned out once my eyes landed on blue. Don Massimo's blue eyes. Once again, I was hit by a sense of deja vu but I just brushed it asides. My whole body tensed and I noted that he had also been staring straight at me. He had no emotions whatsoever in those eyes and it unnerved me. He sat alone in the front row, in a dark silver tuxedo, his whole demeanor screaming king even without any effort. I noticed that he was still wearing that silver mask of his. For some reason, my fingers itched to remove that mask and see the face beneath it. I kept staring at his eyes, my heart starting to race in my chest and I was unable to look away. Not until I felt a touch on my arm that made me startle slightly. I turned back only to note that the priest was asking me if I take Federico as my husband. I wanted to say no. I badly wanted to say fuck this and hightail it outta here but I knew that it was not realistic. With my fists clenched by my side, I looked at my soon to be husband and said, “yes, I do.” The whole congregation cheered and I bit my lip as dread engulfed my every being. I had just all but signed my freedom away to this man opposite me. My hand trembled inside my gloves and I could soon taste the blood on my lip from biting too hard. I know I was all vocal about how I would wreck Federico and all that but the truth was… I was scared. Within the short span of a week, I was all but forced into marrying a man whose father controlled almost all the Mafia in this country. “If there are any objections as to why this couple should not be joined in holy matrimony, do speak up now or forever hold your peace.” The priest droned on and I began to zone out because I thought that no one was stupid enough to oppose. Oh, how wrong I was. “Fuck!” A low growl came from the side and my head darted sideways only for my brows to knot in confusion when I saw that Don Massimo was up on his feet, his hand reaching for his gun. “Get her out of here now.” He barked towards the hulking man standing a feet away from him and the man nodded before making towards me. Through my confusion, I couldn't help it when my heart did a somersault at his deep voice. Why the hell did he sound so intoxicating? Before I had the chance to slip into my haze, the sounds of gunshots rang out from about everywhere startling me awake. Screams began to echo from all over the chapel as people fled left and right. It was chaotic. I blinked, only for my eyes to widen into saucers when I noticed that the man Don Massimo had sent towards me was now laying by my feet, a gunshot wound to his head. Almost immediately, I scrambled backwards trying to escape but when you're in a stupid ass ball gown like this, that's only a pipe dream. Before I knew what was happening, I stumbled awkwardly, my back hitting the pulpit with a thwack that was hard enough to make me dizzy. I groaned, blinking the blurriness away from my eyes. It took a while but I could see clearly again and soon, I wished I couldn't because a man in a black ski mask was standing right before me, a gun pointed towards my face. I sucked in a sharp breath. My mouth parted and I made to negotiate but no sooner did I hear a gunshot making me flinch. I was still trying to process everything when the guy dropped dead right on my white gown staining it blood red. My eyes remained on the gaping gunshot wound in his forehead unable to process anything, well that was until rough looking scarred hand appeared right before me. Without a thought, I clasped the hand which pulled me smack into a hard body. A scent, a very familiar yet unfamiliar one assailed my nose and I finally looked up. I immediately let out a loud gasp. An arm wrapped tightly around my waist, I caught sight of that familiar silver mask Don Massimo always wore. Or what was left of it. It had been shattered in the tussle and it hung loosely at one side of his face. That meant I could see the face beneath the mask. God no. No. No. Tell me this isn't real. It can't be. The face beneath the mask was one I could never forget. Not even if I tried. It was the face of a man who I gave my first everything to. My first drink. My first dance. My first theft. And worse of all, my first time in bed. Staring back at me with an emotion so intense and wild, it threatened to drown me was not my father in law. It was the face of the stranger I slept with all those years ago and whose watch I stole as a keep sake right before I ran away from him. He seemed to see the recognition in my eyes as slowly, the visible side of his lips slowly curved into a smirk. “Mi Zorra, it seems my cover has been blown. Nice to meet you…. Again.”