CARMEN'S POV

It's been weeks after I asked my beloved Larissa to be my girlfriend. My parents were as shocked as I was when she said yes. My sisters, well let's just say they both very happy I'm finally settling down and also because there's someone who can control me. I'm not going to hide it; Larissa can be scary sometimes, especially when it's that time of the month. Just make sure not to annoy her in any way possible. She will literally kill you. Her family accepted me. The thing is they accept me not by looking from the terms of wealth but from my sincerity. My first dinner with the Vincent's was weird. Mr. Vincent can be quite the intimidating man if he wants to be. He asked me various type of question. Thank God I can answer them all. Mrs. Vincent was sweet as ever. She only wants me to take care of Larissa.

I looked at the time from my wall clock and sighed heavily. Natasha said she have some info about Hope and Jake. It's been 20 minutes; Natasha is nowhere to be found. Just as I was about to walked out of this so call café a blonde lady in red came through the double door. I took my seat back and watched her walked gracefully towards the table. "Well, it's about time." I casually said. She scoffed. "You're lucky I even help you." She said and I smiled. She took off her sunglasses and looked at me with concerned eyes. She released a sigh. "This Jake person is bad news Carmen." She started. I motioned for her to continue. "From all his illegal doing, he's well known in the black market. In other terms, he's working for Pablo, the drug lord who controls Chicago area." She leaned in and pulled my hand.

"He's also dealing with human trafficking and adoption fraud," I furrowed my eyebrows. "Selling little kids or baby on the black market," she explained. "Any other news?" she handed me a file. "His recent activity.." I opened the file and examined every picture."From my trusted resources, he's been selling drugs in Grandpapa's territory. His main focus would be high school kids." I looked through all the pictures but stopped when I notice someone I know. It's Paul. Larissa's so call suitors. "So basically he's trying to be a drug lord in Grandpapa's turf?" I asked Natasha. She nodded. "I want to know why he's back here. Investigate please. Now about Hope..." Natasha smiled. "Will do. And about Hope," she handed me another file.

I took it and opened the file. It reveals a picture of a very cute little golden blonde hair just like Larissa and the bluest eyes I have ever seen. It must be from her so call dad. "Hope Lawrence." I smiled. "There's an address and also phone number. The family who Larissa choose was okay but the husband had has some drug history that need to be taken seriously," I sighed. I closed the file. "Is there any way for me to take custody of Hope?" Natasha looks as if she's trying to think. "Larissa is 16 years old. I'm afraid not. She has to be 18 to take custody of Hope," she explained. I leaned in. "Is there any way, any way at all. I have millions of dollars in my name. Come on, I can afford to take care of a two year old?" Natasha laughed.

"Yes, but you're 16 years old." I sighed again. I looked at Natasha. "Alright. Please investigate more about Jake." She nodded, stood up and walked towards the double door. It's time to meet some old friend...

***

LARISSA'S POV

It's Monday, the worst and hated day in anyone's life. Like always, I'll wait for Carmen outside my house. Moments later, a red sports car stopped in front of me. Before I walked towards it, the roof of the car move and it reveal a very sexy looking Carmen. "Come in." she said and smiled. I opened the door and took a seat. "Where's the roof?" I asked stupidly. She pointed at the back. "Let's take some fresh air today." she said and I smiled. She started the engine and drive towards school. The drive to school was okay. We talked about some stuff but mostly I just stared at her while driving. What? I have a very hot girlfriend. "Larissa..." her soft voiced woke me from my fantasy, my Carmen Fantasy.

"Yes?" I asked her. "What do you want to do in the future? Your ambition..." I took a moment to think before I answered her. "Well, I want to be a teacher." She took a glanced at me and refocused on the road again. "What grade? Kindergarten?" I lightly shake my head. "High School," I stated. "Why would you want to teach high school students?" she asked me again. "Because I think it will be the first step to make the world a better place." Carmen laughed. "What?" I questioned her sudden humor. "Oh nothing sweetheart. I support whatever you want to be." I leaned in and kissed her cheek. I can feel her smiling. "I love you Carmen." She smiled wider. "Love you too sweetheart." my heart melts every time she called me sweetheart.

I continued to examine her feature. How can I be so lucky to have her in my life? She's like my wildest dream come true. My knight in shining armor, not even the strongest man can defeat her. I can say that because I witness it myself. "Sweetheart, we're here." She gently touched my face with her palm. I look around and yes, we're at school ground. She took my bag from me before I get to say no and get out from the car. I got out from the car trying to catch up with her. "Carmen! Do I really need to chase you?" I screamed at her. She stopped in her tracks slowly facing me. I cross my hands and tap my foot. She knows I really hate games. She slowly walked towards me. "Sorry. I was being an idiot." She said and handed my bag back.

She continued to look down on the ground. I slowly lift her head up. Why does she always like this when I slightly raised my voice? "I'm not mad." She smiled when she saw I am smiling. She took my hand and we walked the halls together, hand in hand. By now the whole school knows I am hers and she is mine. There's some attempt from the other girls trying to seduce her but she firmly say no and taught them a thing or two. The guys don't dare to talk to me because they know Carmen will seriously injure them. The thing is, she's not the jealous type. She will never act on something I do. Like when I was talking to my classmate for some school project. As long as that someone doesn't hurt me or make me annoyed, she will not tried to 'end' him or her.

That's how protective Carmen is. She will not let anyone hurt me or my feelings. I gently squeeze her hand. We stopped at my locker first. By the time I was about to closed my locker, my friends decided to say hi to us. Like usual, she's always on her phone when my friends talked to me. It's her thing. She hates conversation with anyone beside her sisters or me at school. As she was on her phone doing God's know what, a person hit her from the side and jumped on her while she's struggling on the floor. This guy repeatedly beat the living daylights out of her. It happened so fast this time Carmen on top of him and beat him to death. I looked at Carmen bloody face as she kept hitting the guy's face. "WHO THE FUCK YOU SUPPOSED TO BE?!" she yelled as she keep hitting the guy.

I don't know what to do if she's angry like this. She's not herself when she's on verge of killing someone. Moments later the twins ran towards her. Catherine stayed beside me. Christina touched Carmen shoulder and she stopped hitting him. "Move." Christina simply said and Carmen followed. Catherine grabbed Carmen's hand as soon as she stood up. Christina knelt and looked at the guy. "I'm going to ask you once. Who are you? Why are you here?" the guy struggled to talked. Christina was out of patients. She grabbed the guy's collar and slammed his back on the locker. "WHO DO YOU WORK WITH?!" she screamed at him. "Jake.. Bitch!" With that Christina stood up and kicks the guy's lower abdomen. Jake? He sent this guy to hurt Carmen? Carmen's face turned dark when she heard his name. Christina reached for her phone and calls someone. Catherine looks at Carmen's injury. "You okay?" Carmen asked me. Seriously she's the one who were being beat to death. I nodded.

"I called grandpapa. He will send some guys to pick up this bastard." Christina simply said. She turned to him and kicked his face to wake him. "You will know how near hell is soon enough." She looked around and scoffed. "YOU ALL BETTER GET TO CLASS NOW BEFORE I TEAR EVERYONE FACES OFF! GET THE FUCK OFF!" by now I know Christina is angry. Everyone flee the scene as if there's a plague invading the place. I can feel someone's hand on my shoulder. "You're shaking. What's wrong?" Carmen soft voice echoed in my head. I'm shaking? I didn't even notice it. I looked at Carmen and tears threatening to flow out of me. I looked at her beautiful face. I trace the newly formed bruise on her face.

I cause this pain to her. "I'm sorry." She looked at me confused. "Sweetheart it's not your fault. Look, I promise nothing will happen to you. He will know how low his grounds are. I promise you that." she assured me. She traced her thumb on my cheeks. "Don't cry." She said and hugged me. "I won't let him hurt you or Hope." I hold her tighter. Jake is out of control. I know him. He will never stop until I am in his possession. Carmen held me tightly. "I won't let anyone touch you and Hope."