Alexus jerked from his reverie when he felt a hand gripping him on his shoulder and met the eyes of his Physical Therapist. He didn't realize tears were falling down his face. He quietly ran his palm on his face to wife it.
"Are you alright?" Timothy enquired. He studied the distressed CEO intently, a look of worry on his face.
He took a deep breath and shook his head. He was watching the emergency entrance with concern.
"Did you hear anything from the doctor that examined her?"
"No, and that only makes it worse. I'm going insane while waiting here, anticipating the worse."
"Alex, you can't be acting like this. Be upbeat and consider the children's feelings."
"What, children?" He inquired, appearing perplexed.
Timothy stared at him and shook his head. He realized Alexus was not in the right mind to handle another issue.
AFTER MIDNIGHT, the surgeon informed Alexus that his wife's procedure had been completed and was a success. Within twenty-four hours, she was supposed to be awakened. That made him feel better, and he was grateful that his wife was safe from the emergency.
While waiting for his wife to be brought to the specified ward, he noticed two men with a woman eyeing him subtly. He caught them looking in his direction several times. And he wasn't shocked when the brunette-haired woman drew nearer. But she would stop when he would go to the emergency door, trying to check if his wife was ready to be transferred.
The woman smiled demurely when he stood for a while, facing the ward where his wife would be transferred from the intensive care unit.
"Hi, good evening. I'm Gwen," the woman introduced him.
"Yes?" He arched one brow. |You've been aiming to approach me. Any help you need?"
The woman smiled broadly at what he said.
"We were informed that this would be Rafaella's ward."
"May I know with whom I'm speaking?"
The woman identified herself. "I'm a friend of Rafa from Italy."
"And I'm her spouse, Alessandro but feel free to call me Alexus."
"Oh. Alessandro Latimer, "The woman responded by grinning. "I've finally met you," she said.
He quirked his eyebrow at her and accepted her hand. After shaking hands with the woman, she called her two companions.
'I assume you know who I am.'
"Sure, a bit," the woman replied with a smile. "I'm glad you're together now..."
Alexus was stunned for a moment before he beamed, "Yes."
"Glad to know that you’re back together. Where're the twins?"
"At home. " Tomorrow, they'll be here, "He replied, gazing back at the woman. He was aware that she was using these inquiries to test him. “How did you come to know my wife?”
The woman cast a glance at her two companions. The two men around him were busy checking the premises he observed. Their eyes were pointing out the positions of the camera along the hallway.
"Can we talk in private?" The big-size man in his forties talked.
"What are you, detectives?" He bluntly asked in a low voice before looking around them. "Who hired you?"
The three looked at each other before barking with laughter.
"I'm Ruslan," said the man who wanted to talk to him privately. "And off the record, your wife used to work with us. I was supposed to be trailing her, but after she used the restroom at the airport, I could not find her."
"What's the deal?" Alexus attempted to conceal his disbelief. "What is it about?"
Gwen said, "I was on her team, and she worked with us."
"What?" He lost the ability to conceal his amazement.
"I'm Leo. It seemed like you've no notion yet," the tall skinny man with the glasses broke his silence, "Did you notice anything odd around this area?"
"Yep. Two men, I think, the same men I spotted where the accident happened. Libby explained that she was supposed to accompany them back to the airport."
"For the suitcases," Ruslan tacked on.
Alex gave the nod.
"Do you mean Libby's here?"
"Ah, the nanny. At home with the kids," he replied, watching the woman. He knew what she was doing—still checking the credibility of what he said.
"Alright, that's cool."
He inquired, "May I see your identification?" He kept an eye on each of them.
When Ruslan showed him his ID, he opened his hand.
"And you mentioned Rafa was your coworker? “He queried.
"Yes, but she gave her notice two weeks ago. You know, I followed her from a distance."
He did not appear astonished, even though he was. "Does Lambert remain in charge in Milan?"
"Nope. No longer," Gwen retorted but could not hide her surprise. "He relocated to the Washington headquarters six years ago after receiving a promotion. And how did you come to know him?"
"Ten years ago, we were together," Alexus stated. "I knew he was going too far with his endeavor."
"Oh. It's a small world, huh?" She grinned. "And then, three years ago, Rafa joined us."
"How did that occur?"
While eyeing the hallway subtly, Gwen explained, "She came to meet us with Luigi, our head's friend. Rafa needed an assistant because she frequently faced attempts in her life. And she decided to work with us after graduating from college."
Alexus nodded. He realized that there were too many things he did not know about his wife since she vanished from her bedroom at that last moment with her.
"How about the con artist? Did you manage to pin him?"
"How did you know about that?"
"You can't just expect him to leave her alone," Leo butted in while Ruslan chuckled.
Gwen smiled at him teasingly. "Yes, but not his first attempt, which rattled Rafa. The second one halted, and we got him."
"Have you learned what the hustler's motivation was?"
"Nope. While in custody, he killed himself."
"Or someone did..."
The three coworkers looked at each other in silence.
While there was only one person, Alexus could think of as a potential suspect in stalking his wife. He preferred not to divulge anything about that issue. Listening to the torrent of information he had gleaned from the conversation with the three spies, he was condemning himself.
"Are you okay with us watching the ward?" Leo queried.
Alexus took it, "I'd love it," he said. "What exactly is in that luggage, then?"
"At the time, we don't know. Since the searchers could not locate it inside the hotel, and those suspected Rafa could have gotten it, believing it to be her luggage."
"That might be the situation," Alexus said. "However, if the airport made no noise over it, it must be another little but valuable item, like diamonds."
The three looked at each other as the older one spoke.
"It's interesting to have met you, Alexus," Ruslan said with satisfaction.
"Likewise, men. It's an honor to have this conversation..."
Each of them shook hands again before turning their backs in different directions. Alexus's eyes followed them quietly when his mobile phone rang.
"WHAT'S UP, Sandy?" He greeted her casually when he saw on the phone screen who his caller was.
"You dared to ask me?" Said the woman sarcastically on the other line.
"What do you mean by that?"
"You left me because she suddenly appeared?" She explained. " And not even a phone call afterward?"
"I thought you knew what happened. Marla should have mentioned how busy I was dealing with them tonight."
"Well, yes. Thanks to her, though, I'd rather expect to hear from you when you left the part." She made it clear that she was not happy with what he did. "So, you're going to Las Vegas tomorrow?"
"No. I'm not going anywhere tomorrow because there are many things I need to do."
"But Marla said--"
"I'm sorry, Sandy. I won't be divorcing my wife. I desire her return."
"Aren't you losing your mind? How about me? Always be your mistress?"
Alex chuckled. "Sandy, come on. Be less theatrical. As I kept telling you, there is no us, but you continued trying. You need the sex you get from your backup guy to live with me, which doesn't tally with my lifestyle."
"What are you referring to?"
"Sandy, I don't appreciate this nasty talk. And let's quit skirting the issue."
"I'm not playing with you, Alexus," Sandy suppressed the emotion that wanted to burst out at the man's coldness, disregarding her feelings, but she knew better than to challenge him. "I'm expecting you to be honest with me."
"Great! Then let's drop the mask, shall we?" Alexus replied. "I'm aware of your relationship with David. I'm not surprised if you know the details we discussed in my study room because I've known your relationship with him for some time now. Sandy, though, need not fear. I know your needs, which I have been unable to meet for five years. I've already stated that I don't need a woman or a partner to grow the business. Whatever makes you happy, I won't be there to stop it. We're not that young anymore. No ill will exist between us."
"I don't dispute that. But Alex, it's just for fundamental gratification. Not enough for me to want to wed him." "Well, that's your issue, and I'd rather not be part of that. And never claim you wanted to be my fiancee because you love me. Then we have a different outlook on loving someone." "Alex-" "Sandy, no. Enough already. As you know, I am still married and would like to try it again with my wife." "Even when she betrayed you many times?" Hoarse laughing was heard coming from Alexus's mouth. "She didn't, in my opinion. And I chastised myself for assuming the worst. She might have, but I still want her back." "You're nuts!" "Spare me this name-calling, Sandy. Have a good time. Bye." And as if nothing had happened, he pocketed his mobile phone again when he saw Timothy enter the room. Timothy patted his shoulder and grinned at him, saying, "I'm happy you look better than the last time I saw you. Guess what." "You tell me, and stop seizing me with your eyes," he stated. He w
He commented, "That was quick service." Lance grinned, "Most folks here know me. One of my clients owns the business. " "Good business you have, but not to what you did though I wouldn't mind now that the hazy side of my messy problem started to put some light," he stated, veiling reference to what Lance said. "My sister told you why I wanted to see you, so I guess you knew. But make it brief and to the point because I don't have much time now." "So much the better, as I prefer it that way," Lance nodded. "But first, I wanted to apologize for waiting until today to meet you though I expected this moment when you discovered what I did. You'll learn I did not file your petition, which grounds my practice. I thought you would learn the truth quickly, and it bothered me, but I was waiting for you to confront me first." "Why?" At last, he asked that question that made him wonder overnight. "I was waiting for you to retract your decision." "Why would you think I will?" "I was aware of
"You have a dual face. Since when do you know?" "From the start." Marla pushed her chair aside and took a seat once more. Marla's action roused her, but Alexus leaped to his feet, his leg yelling in protest. But this time, he focused on the suffering and invited it—anything to prevent him from encircling his sister's neck and strangling her to death. He positioned his hands on the table straight to keep them steady and bowed toward his sister. "Would you mind explaining why this would be your first time saying it? Why did you think I wasn't entitled to know about my children?" "Your children?" Surprised, Marla repeated what her brother had said. "How can you be sure those kids are yours?" "Don't try to poison my mind now, as I know, even without a DNA test, that those children are mine. Don't you dare question my claim? Or else you'll find yourself on the street empty-handed." The anger he couldn't control caused a blood vessel to pulsate in his face. As she thought about Alexus
"No." The legal advisor sat in one of the leather seats in front of the workspace. "She is unaware that I am here. Alexus, we need to chat. I don't want you to enter that situation blindly.""Blind?" As the new development caused fresh pain to emanate from his haven, he shook his head and retreated. "I believe this may be the first time in my life that everything is crystal clear.""Not if you believe that doing so will prevent your wife from divorcing you."Alexus smirked. " Oh, I realized she has the right to divorce me, but I'm not attending to grant her one."David faltered. "That's something else. With this trust financing, you'll prevent her from obtaining anything, but what about those around you? How will you survive in the unlikely event that you invest all of your resources in it?""That's my sole concern, David. I have faith that my wife is unique compared to those around me. Not a shark, Not at all. I need her to face all the blood-sucker parasites around me!"Alexus had a
What might have occurred? Was she involved in a mishap of any kind? When and where? These random inquiries flooded her head. As soon as she sensed her head was heavy, she reached out to touch the bandage covering it with her palm. She closed her eyes and tried to recall anything that could have helped her understand what had taken her to the hospital. However, the throbbing in her head and the murmur of people outside her door made it difficult for her to focus. Apart from that, everything seemed so hazy. Just a hazy memory of a man in a white coat waving his hand in front of her face, asking her how many fingers she saw, and so on to make sure she was doing okay. However, she was incoherent and screaming at something she could not understand, so she was given a tranquilizer while two nurses assisted the man in the white gown. When Rafaella remembered a man's voice from earlier, her heart began to race again. She thought momentarily about why the man's voice had such an unnerving eff
"Are you sure?" "Yes. I'm fine. Honestly." "I'm glad to hear from one of us," he said, giving her an apathetic smile. "I was scared when I saw you were hurt." He scoured a hand through his hair. "Keep doing that, and you're reaching to drag it out." He frowned at her comment. "I guess it's a reflex. I was stressed. It wouldn't astonish me to discover every hair on my head has turned white," he told her, another half-smile curling his mouth. "No," said Rafaella. His hair was dark brown as chocolate and tended to curl only at the edges. He looked and sounded so familiar. So why couldn't she remember who he was or how he fit into her life? "God. I was so frightened I was reaching to lose you," he said, his voice crude. All traces of humor disappeared. He pressed his eyes closed for a minute. "I thought… I was so afraid…." "Don't," she said, carried away by the sadness in his voice, in his eyes. Reaching out, she grabbed his clenched fists. "I'm fine." He stiffened for a moment in
How much should he tell her? She wouldn't recall that they split up if she didn't consider him and their marriage. That was the turmoil running in his head. She hesitated at his reply and cast her mind back. "I…I can't remember it now." Rafaella felt more lightheaded than she had all day when their eyes met and locked. This man stirred in her this breathtaking, toe-curling impact, the kind of response that overflowed her center with need and cleared out her shuddering like a half-set jam which she felt frightening. He deliberately slid his palm down his dark crimson silk tie as he unzipped his suit coat. His fingers were long and inclined as he contemplated the whole thing while he studied her profile. "What can you remember then?" He casually asked. Her look returned to his addressing expression, and she inspected the sterile but comfortable private room. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice fragile. She rubbed at the spot between her brows again. "Things are a bit fuzzy. And I…I se
Alexus took a deep breath, shook his head, and sped up his steps toward the villa's entrance. He saw his guest talking on a mobile phone and walking around the living room. "Oh, he just came in. Let's talk later..." Alexus heard what the woman said. He hadn't even figured out who Sandy was talking to when she immediately cut off the conversation and greeted him with a wide smile. "I've been waiting for you. Well, not that long. I just got here five minutes ago." Alexus moved his face away from his visitor as she wrapped her arm around his neck and prepared to kiss him. "I don't think you should do that, Sandy," he said gently. "And I'm not in the state of mind to talk to you now. You should at least call-" "Daddy," said the two children in unison. He was surprised when two children ran towards him. Lucy removed Sandy's hand, which was gripping Alexus' arm. Sandy exclaimed, "Hey." She appeared irritated by the twins' unannounced approach. "He's our daddy," Lucy said while hold