Chapter Three: Your Place is with Don Diego

"Hey Santiago, I need you to do something for me. Arrange  the exact amount in cash,"

"But Don, you don't get it. I said she owes you, not the other way round."

Ortega became furious.

"When did you start questioning my orders?" His voice was stern, firm, and fearsome. His voice was not friendly when he was not with his best friend Matoe and  drove fear and turmoil. His cartel feared him when he spoke .Even though his look was dangerously handsome,  many ladies desired him  but gave no heed to their desires. No matter how dangerous Ortega may seem to be, ladies longed to be found warming his bed. Even though Ortega didn't fancy any of the other ladies, he always had a lady at his beck-and- call to fulfil his illicit desires.

At the stare that brought back his sanity, Santiago hurriedly left his sight.

Ortega went back to the smartphone in his hand and focused on the number that was displayed on the screen. Caught in between the quagmire of either dialling her number or just forgetting about it. He made up his mind to call her.

Ravenna was the same girl that Nickolas was bringing in exchange for his other daughter Mariana since he had not been able to raise the money that he owed.

Somehow, he just could not concentrate or think straight without her figure appearing in his subconscious. 

"Why will i be fidgeting over a mere girl?" he pondered. In a split second, she picked up the phone.

"Hello, you're speaking to Ravenna. How may I help you." Her voice came from the other end gentle, sweet and almost musical. She still had the professional undertone of a customer care representative. She lost the job two months back because of her Papa, who constantly nagged about how disturbing the calls were to everyone's peace. So she quit.

Ortega didn't know what to say. He panicked upon hearing her voice.

"Hello!" Came her voice again. Ortega ended the call as his hand trembled ,he had an ackward smile on his face.

"Why will I lose focus for a mere girl? What's going on, Ortega? you're better than this." He stared at the phone in his hand and decided to send a message.

"Hey Ravenna, it's Ortega. How about dinner tonight? I will send a chaperone to pick you up." She replied almost immediately.

As his phone beeped, he had a wide grin that no one had seen before. His cartel was shocked but dared not utter a word for fear of his next reaction.

"Why will I want to have a date with you?"

"Because I am charming and one of the most attractive men you've met."

Ravenna's expression wasn't any different as she sat on the bench waiting for her next shift.

"You seem really intriguing, or do I say rude in an admirable way, I would have loved to, but I have to work, and I have two shifts left."

"How about I double your payment for a month just to have dinner with me."

She sent two smiling emojis and ended the chat.

"This is really interesting, I only see these things in the movies. How could it be happening to me?" She said to herself. Ravenna made up her mind to give it a try....she might as well have the fun she was missing for years now, simply because she has been working hard to fund her education. Soon, if she doesn't come up with the $200,000,000, she will be going to Diego's house as his slave or sex toy . He had no feelings for her and likewise her. She might as well take the time off to do what she wanted, at least for the first time in her life.

"Okay Ortega...surprise me." She typed now smiling at her phone.

At exactly 6:12 p.m., just before Ravenna was to go in for her shift, a polished looking man walked in.

"Please, I want to meet with Ravenna Nickolas." Ravenna was already dressed for the night shift, which was to begin in 18 minutes.

"Any problem?" Came her voice  with all a lot more questions than was uttered.

Not exactly, I was sent by Ortega to give you this and to wait for you to get dressed. I will be your chaperone for the night." The middle-aged man handed over the designer's pack to her.

"In there is all you need to be ready for the date with Don Ortega." Ravenna took the Johana Ortiz bag from him carefully.

"I will be with you in a bit."

Ravenna had never worn a designer's outfit before. This will be her very first date, and it was screaming luxury already.

"How could you be so lucky? The best clothing I have had would be from St. Victorino. If this is a dream, don't wake me."

She said to herself as she went into the dressing room.

"Isabel, please could you cover for me? I will pay you. I have a date." Isabel's eye widened upon hearing Ravenna was going on a date, after many failed attempts to hook her up with some of her friends to no avail.

"Raven, you? On a date? With whom exactly?"

"Okay, which do you want me to answer first?" Isabel eyes fell to the bag in her hands.

"Wait, Raven, that is Johana Ortiz in your hand, or am I just dreaming? This shit is expensive. How did you get it?"

"Ohh, this yeah you are right it is Johana Ortiz and my intended date got it for me, to wear for our first date." 

"Don't worry, Raven, you don't have to pay me, I will definitely cover up for you."

"Thank you so much, Isabel."

"But hold on, Raven, how did you meet this guy, and what is his name?"

"His name is Ortega, I met him at my new job he is my boss' friend. I will give you full details when I am done from my date. Let me hurry. Let's not keep my chaperone waiting."

"Did you just say chaperone? No way! You got yourself a billionaire."

Ravenna laughed as she took out the clothes from the bag it was a limited edition. She put it on with the help of Isabel.

Ravenna looked stunning in the red dress, and her beauty radiated along with the evening moon. The beautiful stars scattered scantily in the sky complemented her beauty. Her dark, silky long hair cascaded down her shoulders, her blue eyes sparkled along with the candles that were strategically placed in an artistic tone. Ravenna looked perfect. Her hips were the right proportion, nothing too elaborate, she dazzled along with the city light. Ortega could only stare when she walked towards him, swinging her hips.

"You look more stunning than i thought, I must say." Without taking off his eyes from Ravenna, Ortega took her hands and pulled out a seat for her.

"Thank you." 

Ravenna looked around, and only then did she discover that they were the only ones in the enormous hall.

"Where is everybody, or are your plans to kidnapp me?" Don Ortega replied only with a one-sided smile.

"If I could, I would in a heartbeat. Have you seen how drop dead gorgeous you really are tonight? Thank God my instinct wasn't wrong to come after you."

"You don't look bad yourself." Don Ortega wore white short-sleeves shirt that revealed the large black mamber snake tatoed on his left hand. To others,  it instilled fear, but soomehow, Ravenna found it attractive.

"I like your tattoo. It looks really nice."

"Really, you like it?" With shock in his eyes, as Raven trailed the tattoo with her middle finger, sending shivers down his spine.

"Of course I love it...whats there not to like?" The hotel's choiced meals were spread across the table. 

"If you don't stop what you're doing, you will have to calm him if he finally awakes,"

Don Ortega said, shifting his hand slowly from Raven. He had to pull himself together before he lost it.

The evening was calm and gentle as they spoke about everything and nothing in particular.

The dinner date finally came to an end, and Don Ortega cleared his throat as he beckoned on one of his men to bring the box that he had kept. He handed the box over to Raven.

"What's in here?" She asked.

"Maybe if you open it, you'll find out yourself what is there." He said 

"Wait before you open it, promise you won't reject whatever it  is that you find inside." Ortega said, placing his hand firmly on the large box.

"Okay, I promise."

Ortega slowly took his hands off. After a little hesitation, Ravenna opened the box and was shocked to see that much money. She had never seen such an amount her entire life.

"Ortega! This is too much! I can't accept it." She said, swinging her head from left to right.

"Ohh, come on, my Ravenna, it not much it just a token for your time. "Remember I promised, and you also promised not to reject."

After much bargaining, Ravenna took the money. It was the exact money she needed to pay off Diego.