CHAPTER 5

Caterina stares at herself in the mirror as she tries to recall the last time she got all dressed up. She isn't the type to go out and even when she did, it wasn't to a fancy restaurant like the one Sebastian was taking her to tonight. 

The sound of her phone ringing brings her back to reality.

"Hey, I'm outside." Sebastian's voice comes from the other end of the call.

"I'll be right out," She picks up her purse and takes one more glance in the mirror. Her gown is made of luxurious silk fabric, a rich, royal blue. The gown is sleeveless, with a sweetheart neckline that softly frames the face and accentuates the décolletage. The waistline is cinched with a sparkling gemstone belt, which adds a touch of glamour to the gown. The bodice is fitted, accentuating the hourglass figure, and the skirt flows gracefully to the floor, with a gentle train trailing behind, adding an air of regality. 

Nodding in approval of her look, she exits her house. 

Sebastian smiles as she spots her. He remembers buying her this gown a few months back. She said she wouldn't be wearing it since she had nowhere to wear it to.

"You look stunning," He says as she gets closer to him. 

"Thank you," A beautiful smile blooms on her lips, warming up his heart. Acting like she meant nothing more than a friend to him has never been easy for him.

"We should get going," He helps her into his car and drives off. 

The ride to the restaurant is long and quiet. Neither one of them says anything, as they were both lost in a world of their own. Caterina was lost in thought about Stephano while Sebastian was trying to figure out how he would convince Caterina to quit her job for a new one.

"We're here," He says.

"It's beautiful, " Caterina says as she climbs out of the car. They enter the building hand in hand only stopping to give the valet the car keys. Soon they are all settled in and ready to order.

"So, why all of a sudden?" Caterina asks.

"What? I can't take you out for no reason at all?"

"You know what I mean,"

"I just wanted to do something nice for you. You've been under a lot of stress lately,"

"Thanks, Seb. You're the best."

"Now, tell me all about that asshole boss of yours. Do I need to beat him up?"

"Oh! There's no need for that. You won't believe what happened today,"

"No, he didn't..." Reading the meaning her words held.

"Well, not completely. Some guy came to my rescue."

"What happened?"

She tells him everything, oblivious to how his blood pressure keeps rising as she talks about this 'Stephano'. He at least has a more solid ground to stand on when he tells her to quit her job.

"Caterina, you know I care about you, right?

"Yeah, I know." She takes a sip of wine as she looks around the restaurant.

"And you know everything I do, I do for you, right?"

"Okay... where's this heading to?"

"I need you to quit your job."

"No." 

"Catty, that man is dangerous. Imagine what could have happened if Stephano didn't save you. And by the way, what was a customer doing in that part of the casino?"

"Why do you have to be so negative?"

"Why do you have to be so unrealistic?"

"Can you blame me? My reality sucks!" Catty yells in a silent whisper. 

"Catty, I'm... I'm just looking out for you. I care about you way too much to watch you get hurt."

"There's no way I'll go back to being unemployed."

"You won't be unemployed. I have a friend who is looking for house help. All you have to do is tend to his younger sister."

"Ohh..." She takes a while to think about it. "How far is their house from mine?"

"That won't be a problem since you'll be living there with them."

"So, I'll be going there during the week and coming back on the weekends?"

"No...you'll be staying there for as long as you work for them."

"So, what's the point of working if I don't have the time and freedom of the closing hours?"

"Look at it this way, Catty. You've always wanted to open your massage studio, right? Work there till you save up enough money and then you can quit."

"You know I hate living with others,"

"I know, but it's for a good cause."

"Can't I get a job elsewhere?"

"Caterina, I need to be sure you're safe wherever you are and I trust this guy with my life."

"I'll think it over."

"Okay."

A few hours later, the duo are parked in front of Catty's apartment. Sebastian hugs her good night and watches as she walks into her house. He waits till he sees the porch light come on before he drives off. He soon drives into a beautiful street of an estate and parks in front of the biggest mansion. Exiting his car he walks up to the entrance of the mansion and knocks in a specific pattern. The door comes open and he is greeted by a tall man in his mid-twenties.

"Sebastian Riccardo," He is pulled into a giant hug and ushered inside.

"Alessandro, my man." They exchange pleasantries as they make their way up a flight of stairs and into an office. 

"So, how did it go?"

"Just as I predicted. She doesn't suspect a thing."

"Good, good. When would she be arriving?"

"I don't know yet. She is a hard woman to convince, but she should be here before the end of the week. If not I'll have to find other ways to convince her."

"I heard her boss is missing,"

"No doubt the work of 'Stephano',"

"Who?"

"Giovanni,"

"Oh, he is deceiving that poor thing even about his name?"

"I'm sure his name should be the least of our concerns. If he took her boss for messing with her, he would be on my tail the moment she disappears."

"Which is why you would have to disappear too.”