It's been almost a year since Abigail lost all contact with Damon and returned to her daily routine. She left the phone he bought for her inside the nightstand beside her bed and returned to her previous device. She hid all the clothes that the drug lord had bought for her in the back of her wardrobe. Abigail had forgotten them here and a few months and continued living her life with Mason by her side. Everything was going great, even if Felix was lowkey concerned lately. You see, Damon was starting to get more powerful again slowly, and they had to find a solution. Felix couldn't risk it by sending her to him again. Damon had more powerful ties with the Italian and Russian mafia now, and every small drug dealer in Great Britain was scared of him.

There were citizens who loved Smiley, though. Public hospitals were underfunded by the government, and lately, Damon made some considerable donations to a couple of them across the country. He also made a significant donation towards London Bridge Hospital as that's where his mother spent most of her time. British people started looking at Smiley from a different point of view. He was more than a kingpin in front of their eyes; he was a saviour that cares more about health than the government. The hospital never managed to find out who was Smiley's mother as there were so many patients passing through the last years with brain cancer.

And as the straps around Felix's hands were getting tighter, he had started understanding that he couldn't fight Damon with guns but had to find out other ways to manipulate him.

It was a lovely evening, at a luxurious restaurant in the centre of London. Smiley enjoyed his dinner with his sister, her boyfriend, and an old friend of his in one of the restaurant's private VIP rooms. His minor deals worked out perfect lately as he was rising in the black market quickly with determination. He was in a drug rehab centre for five months, and now he's almost drug-free. According to him, a little weed never harmed anyone. He had already started following a healthier lifestyle, working out, and cutting on alcohol. He wanted to celebrate tonight with all the people he loved.

"It's been so long since I had such a lovely evening with the two of you! Also, James, welcome to the family!"

Brianna raised her glass of expensive champagne with a smile as James laughed, mumbling "Thank you" back.

"You really got the best girl. You are so cute together! Deetra's a good friend of mine; I hope you will work out things!"

"Oh, of course! The twins' friends are my friends, too."

James grinned from ear to ear, sipping some of his yellow-gold wine. Deetra leaned on her arm with a happy expression when Brianna turned her attention to Damon.

"You barely talk! How's my little playboy? You look good, not gonna lie!"

"It's because I was at the drug rehab, and now I follow a better lifestyle, Brianna."

"Wow! That's good, Damon! I'm proud of ya! How's your little girlfriend?"

"Girlfriend?"

Deetra raised her eyebrows, glaring at Damon and then at her. He looked as confused as her.

"Oh, what was her name...? Hm... Oh! Abigail!"

Damon laughed, hearing the name having a sip of his drunk before gulping in bitterness. Deetra turned to James, who was starring at Damon with a sad look.

"I'm not with her anymore. She turned out to work for... people who want to see me burn alive...."

"Oh, sorry to hear that, playboy.... So, you're single, hu?"

Brianna smirked, leaning on her arm with a flirtatious look as Damon laughed softly, holding her free hand between his. He kissed it softly while glaring into her shiny eyes.

"I am indeed, but I am not looking for a relationship currently. I am more focused on the work. Anyways, it's a blessing to have around a woman like you, Brianna."

"Once a charmer, always a charmer, hu?"

"Of course."

"You were born a gentleman, Damon."

"If you say so."

Damon laughed, standing up, fixing his suit and the Rolex around his hand with a soft smile before glaring at his sister.

"Now, excuse me, but I'll go out for a smoke. I'll be back soon."

The evening was chilly, but he liked the cold weather. Smiley pushed a cigarette between his lips and lit it up before looking across the road. He moved his free hand in the pocket of his pants before hearing the restaurant's door open again. The restaurant was filled with people, and there was so much noise and chatting inside. A woman stood beside him in a black dress and heels with a cigarette in her mouth. The man turned his chin, only to see the only person he didn't want to. His heartbeat got faster, his pupils widened, and the cigarette almost fell on the pavement. There was Abigail in front of him, in a tight dress in all her glory. He cleaned his throat, receiving a glare from her. He could see the panic in her eyes, along with a lot of gulping. She scratched her arm with her pine green eyes.

"Damon Hopkins...."

"Abigail Miller.... It's nice to see you here."

She scoffed, searching for a lighter in her purse in annoyance. Smiley handed her his as she looked at him with a hurt face. "Thanks..." she mumbled under her breath before giving it back. She smiled, feeling his fingers against hers for a second.

"So, how are you?"

"Been to drug rehab; I exercise now and eat healthier."

"Oh, that's nice...."

"What about you? Still with Cox?"

"Oh, um... Yeah... Been together for... almost a year."

"Music to my ears."

She crossed her arms and looked down, puffing the smoke out with a sad look with the cigarette between her thin fingers.

"I have to go. Congrats to the two of you."

"Thank you, Damon...."

Damon returned back to the restaurant and to his table, leaving her behind outside. She sighed and finished her cigarette feeling terrible. His replies were short and cold. That wasn't Damon in her eyes; that was a total stranger she had a small chat with. She played with the ring on her finger and sighed for the last time before returning inside. She should have told him about her boss, about how he was in danger again. Abigail said nothing, though. She even wanted to ask him if he's with someone new but didn't have the courage to.

"Deetra, can I talk to your privately? It's about a job."

Deetra just had a sip of her drink as she stood up, sighing nervously. Damon took his sister away from the table and started whispering while looking at her in the eyes.

"Abigail is here."

"What? How do you know?"

Deetra whispered back, furiously lifting her arms in distress.

"I met her outside while I was having a smoke. Pretty chill conversation, nothing unusual. She's still with Mason."

"Damon, we don't need her between our legs right now; everything's going wonderful!"

"I know. Don't worry, I'll take care of it this time."

Damon seemed sure of himself as he fixed his tie and was ready to return to the table before feeling a hand on his shoulder. He turned around and looked at his sister, who was smiling too him.

"I am proud of you, brother. You've come a long way."

"Thank you, sister."

"Mom would have thrown a big party for you."

Smiley laughed and pushed his arm around his sister's neck with a grin. "I know..." he mumbled before they both returned to their table along with their friends.

On the other side of the restaurant, a bunch of men were talking, having drinks and enjoying the food. Abigail had returned to her seat here, and a couple of minutes, she fixed her dress and smiled.

"Glad you're back, Abigail."

Felix smiled back, having some more red wine. All those men were more than just familiar; they were family. Felix was really close with some of his workers. Today was a good day, and he wanted to take out his friends for some good dinner. Abigail never questioned how she was the only woman at the table or how Sophia never tagged along.

"So, what did I miss?"

"I was asking about the two of you! Almost a year together, hu?"

"Oh, yes! Such an amazing year!"

Mason answered Felix's question before Abigail. She sat with her hands on her knees; everyone's stare was on them now. Mason was holding her hand while leaning his arm on her thighs.

"I know it's early but have you thought anything about marriage yet?"

Mason's and Abigail's reactions were the two different sides of the same coin. Abigail was stuck on the chair, unable to move or talk. She was frozen in her position, and her neck felt sour. She didn't like the idea of marrying, almost hated it. She felt too young and independent of having a wedding. Plus, she was with Mason only for a year, even if she knew him her whole life.

On the other side, Mason had a big smile on his lips, and the excitement in his eyes was real. The idea of a wedding with Abigail wasn't bad at all, a life with her. Eventually, one or more kids and a wonderful life. Abigail was trembling at the thought of a kid, though. Pregnancy seemed a hundred times worse than a wedding.

"I don't know, Felix... Only a year together- "

"I knew Sophia for about four months, and I already knew she was the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with."

Felix smirked, and Abigail gulped at her comment. She wouldn't know what to do at a potential marriage proposal. Abigail couldn't say no to Mason; she would feel embarrassed. She clenched Mason's hand; it was her way of showing she felt uneasy. Mason's smile disappeared as he coughed and looked at her.

"You and Sophia have different boundaries. We'll think about it, though! I think it's time we go."

"The night's young, Mason, stay a bit more!"

"Abigail wants to go home; she doesn't feel that good...."

"Well, I'll call a taxi for her."

Felix's lips turned into a smirk as he took out of his pocket his cell phone, ready to call one. Abigail gulped and played with her thumbs before turning to Mason, who had stopped giving attention to Felix.

"C'mon, Abigail!"

Felix had already grabbed her arm, making her stand up and dragging her outside to the road. She barely managed to kiss Mason goodnight as she left a yell, almost tripping. He had called a taxi here and a couple of minutes, and he could see it coming in the distance. He brought her closer to his chest while holding her arm in the air. Her breath was long gone, and her stare frozen. His grip was painful, and there was a dark mark on her pale skin already. Felix brought his mouth closer; Abigail had lost contact with her environment and was lost in his icy eyes by now.

"I know that you talked with Damon."

His up and bottom lip moved in sync; she gulped and looked away, trying to pull away. His other arm was around her waist, keeping her close.

"I don't know what you are talking about- "

"I am not a foul like Mason, Abigail."

The taxi had stopped in front of them as Felix opened the door, pushing her inside and kneeling down. She looked at him with a growl fixing her dress as much as she could.

"It's not my fault he decided to dine in the same restaurant as us, Felix! Mason is not an idiot, be careful with your words!"

"Or what? You still haven't told him that the junkie never touched you without your consent."

Abigail gulped and brought the purse closer to her body. Felix grinned, rolling his eyes before eyes the driver.

"Take the lady wherever she wants to go."

He handed him a couple of pounds before closing the car's door and walking back into the restaurant. His hands were in his pockets, and his silhouette was the last thing Abigail saw before hearing the taxi driver asking for directions.

Felix returned to his table; he couldn't find Damon. Mason moved his chair closer to his and whispered.

"Is everything alright, boss?"

"Oh, of course, Mason. Nothing can go wrong tonight."

Felix spotted some rooms in the back of the restaurant. He raised his eyebrows, leaving his seat and going towards them through the tables. Mason's brownish eyes were following him in confusion. He stopped in front of one of those rooms and eyed a waiter. He pointed at one of the rooms.

"Can I help you, sir?"

"Are these some kind of VIP rooms?"

"Yes, sir."

"I am looking for a man named Damon Hopkins. We were supposed to dine here, but I'm afraid I can't find him in this huge restaurant."

Felix laughed deeply as the waiter smiled, nodding so he'll follow him. The waiter stood in front of a room; he slid open the door facing emptiness. Felix stepped inside, looking around grinding his teeth.

"There's no one here!"

"Oh... I am afraid he left, sir."

"Was he alone?"

"No, sir. I can't recall how many people were with him exactly."

Felix pushed the waiter away by the shoulder with force and walked outside the restaurant with an angry face. The waiter almost hit the wall as he lost his balance. He took a breath, thinking Felix was some kind of mad man and returned to his job.

Felix lit up a cigarette to calm down. He felt his pocket vibrating and checked his phone, finding out Sophia was calling. He declined the call and pushed the phone back. The man wasn't in the mood to talk with anyone right now, not even his colleagues or wife. He let the cigarette down and pressed it with his shoe's sole in anger.

"I'll get you next time, Smiley."

Felix frowned and returned to his table, a smile on his lips. He would do anything to have him between his fingers.

A/n: Remember to comment, like and add the book to your libary if you liked it :)