She turned to face the man in the elevator. He looked back at her, and an idea crossed her mind. When she told Oscar he was her lover, she overheard him chuckling. He confronted Oscar, whose ears grew pink, and then strolled away to demonstrate his point by coming to her side and bringing her closer to him. When she overheard him speaking to someone on his mobile phone, she realized he was gay. He grinned broadly as he extended his hand to her.
Rafaella hoped that her steadfast relationship would enable her to escape the terrible circumstances she had found herself in. She had no idea why she had a stalker all of a sudden.
As he held the elevator door, Luigi reassured her, "Complete discretion." Starting with that hallway encounter, she and Luigi became best buddies.
After she unexpectedly called him for security protection, he became her excellent buddy and was ready to assist her and treat her like a VIP at his friend's business.
As she and Luigi started to stroll down the thickly carpeted hallway, she agreed, happy that her voice came across as calm and steady. When she glanced to the left, to the row of windows there, she could see the killer view. The main office was in Milan, in one of the enormous skyscrapers. Did you let your pal know about my needs, um?" She recalled questioning him.
"Avoid worrying—no doubt about it. You are not the first client to request covert security. The agents in this room are familiar with the procedure. They are all focused on crafting a strong cover story."
Although she quickly exhaled in relief, it was how it began cooperating with the secret agent squad. She underwent rigorous training to work in an office. She attended college at night even though Luigi offered financial assistance, particularly after learning she was divorced from his half-brother, whom he had only met once. She instead requested his help in finding employment. Since then, they have grown to trust one another through life's ups and downs.
Rafaella was startled from her miles-away thoughts when she heard a spoon strike the floor. She discovered her daughter Lucy laughing while holding her brother's nose with spaghetti sauce-stained fingers.
Her aide said, "They're finished eating and teasing one another."
Her son tilted his head at her as she giggled and reached for the tissue to wipe his swollen lips. He received a kiss from her.
He enthusiastically exclaimed, "Love, Mommy."
"And mommy adores Josh, too," she added with affection. "Do you love Libby, too?" She inquired about his nanny from him.
The tiny child nodded, "Yes, but I love you more, Mommy."
"Me, too. My darling Lucy and sweet Joshua are the finest. The love of my life. "Her hand softly stroked her daughter's long brown hair. "I love you as much as I love Lucy."
The little girl gave her a flying kiss.
"I'm delighted, Lucy. Alright, everybody. Let's go to our suite; it's time to wash."
"And watch the animation," Joshua said with a smile as he encircled her neck.
They headed to the elevator that Libby had pressed to take them to the 18th floor. Rafaella was carrying her son, and Lucy was with Libby. When the twins landed on the floor, they ran down the hallway. At the same time, she walked with Libby to their hotel suite entrance. They were alerted and quietly exchanged looks when the door opened before the card was inserted into the keyhole.
Rafaella's palm stopped her from exhaling when she saw the dirty things in the bed from the open doorway. She looked at her kids and indicated with her index not to speak as her gaze swept the empty hallway from the entrance. Her instinct overrode her as she slowly moved backward, pulling Libby.
She quietly told the children to stay calm and picked up Joshua. She swallowed forcefully as her heartbeat began to tremble. And she softly pushed the door going to the stairway.
She motioned for Libby to take the stairs as she entered the 16th floor of the elevator.
She added, "Listen closely. You must proceed first, strolling idly as though just relaxing. We must leave this place as soon as possible. And you and Lucy go first. I don't believe this place is secure."
"What about you? "Libby asked with a nod.
"I'll stick with you. Get a cab and head to the next hotel as soon as possible."
"Okay. Take care, Rafa." And turned away when Rafaella nodded.
As the elevator door closed, she nodded and continued to observe them both. Rafaella tried to distract herself after leaving the ground level by making fun of Joshua until she reached the door.
She heaved a deep sigh as the wind hit her face when they were outside the hotel. She felt like she had just emerged underwater and started walking toward the road, wondering if Libby had made it safely. And was startled to see two guys holding Libby and Lucy.
She was scared of what could happen to them. And why some men trailing her started from the airport. But she tried to bury whatever she felt and acted normal as she walked towards the men.
"What is going on, Libby?" As she walked, she casually asked.
"Give up worrying. We want to ask you a specific inquiry, "The chubby man continued. She's being closely watched. Then grabbed Rafaella's shoulder bag, inspected what was inside, and kept holding it.
"I'll return it to you once we inspect your luggage."
She answered with calm, "Okay. What is it about?" Then she looked at Libby and her daughter for a moment. "What's going on?"
"We would like to check your luggage," said the large man in a black jacket holding Libby.
"Our luggage is at the airport," She replied calmly. This scenario is nothing new to her because of the nature of her job. "Why do you want to inspect my luggage?"
"We are looking for a lost suitcase. And we want to check your luggage for contents. You'll soon be alongside your friends if you cooperate with us."
"All right. I'm with you. Let's go to the airport then, "Rafaella comfortingly replied. "As we are bound to leave in five hours."
The two men exchanged glances.
"I don't think we understand each other, madame," he said. "We want the boss's suitcase," was the request.
"I'm not sure what you're saying, but you can check my luggage," she said.
"That's good, then. I'm glad you understand our objective."
"But on one condition. Let go of my companions. It's time for my kids' nappy."
The man glanced at his pal and then nodded.
As she handed her kid over to Libby, Rafaella stated, "Bring them to their uncle, where I directed you since I'll be going for a couple of hours, I guess." The instruction she gave to Libby.
"Mommy…"
"Josh, Mommy has to go with them. I'll soon join you, okay? For the time being, go with Libby. It won't take me long." And nodded at the two men. Shortly, she started walking with the two men.
"Do you have a car so we can reach the airport quickly?"? Rafaella queried as she followed the two men down the side street.
The taller man with a scar on his right face and a baseball cap picked up the phone and started talking to someone.
Rafaella looked around when she heard Joshua's voice.
"No! Josh, reverse yourself. Go back to Libby."
"Mommy...!"
Her son ignored what she said and continued walking towards her.
Rafaella panicked and ran to meet her son when she saw the car behind her son. The car is running fast.
Meanwhile, Timothy's vehicle approached the hotel where he last saw Rafaella. When Timothy heard Alexus groan angrily, he quickly turned to face him.
"One disadvantage of managing a firm is that your actions are influenced by many sharks around acting like a parasite. You decide which side you're on, though. Is that what you desire, though?" He asked, darted a glance at Alexus.
He said coldly, "She was asking for a divorce so she could be with another man."
"Oh, and you find it annoying, right?" Timothy provoked him. "If you decide to side with the vindictive shark lawyers. Moreover, she was humiliated, preventing her from receiving anything from the divorce process. And you permitted them to undermine her because she desired another man?"
"No. I disagreed with the attorneys. In addition, she wasn't wholly to blame for what had occurred. I also can't hold the attorneys responsible for the company's security. You are aware of how the business operates."
"And, more or less, their pockets. However, that will rely on you. If Rafaella, who represents half of the corporation, battles for her rights, there is nothing they can do."
"I'd prefer not to discuss the case. Can you get there quickly?"
"Be tolerant. We'll be at the hotel for five more minutes," Timothy informed him. "And until you speak with your wife, stop drawing assumptions."
"If they haven't already left the hotel, that is," Alexus remarked dryly. "My life is in chaos every time she's here," he said grimly. "So you would prepare that you don't see her around?" Alexus opted not to respond, but his demeanor was anything from happy. "How come you got married to her in the first place?" He gave him a scathing glance. He could not talk about his relationship with Rafaella without feeling regret, especially what went wrong after their marriage. "I've previously questioned whether the events in your marriage are still impacting you. Your current state of agitation proves that everything in your life is spiraling out of control. Since you engaged me to take care of your injury five years ago, I have only learned a little about your marriage. And most often, when you're angry and complaining about how foolish you are." Alexus let out a long sigh. "I wed her by proxy just a few days before she became 18." "What?" He gave him a stern look. "For this reason, I
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 awa
"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