CHAPTER FOURTEEN: SOMETHING ABOUT HER

Rafael woke up with a heavy pounding in his head the next morning and a little cramp at the back of his neck. His vision felt hazy, his memories slightly scattered. He rubbed his eyes as he carefully lifted himself off the bed.

Slowly, the memories began to flood in. He had been with Natalie through the night the previous day. He did not fail to recall the disturbing sense of déjà vu that had enveloped him in her presence.

A cup of coffee would be needed to clear this hangover.

It was a beautiful morning, and the day already promised to be bright, especially with the soft hues of orange that was already beginning to sip into Rafael’s room through the half open window. Rafael casually strolled to the window to have a glimpse of the city outside, and that was when it occurred to him that he had not changed from his party outfit. He had been too wasted and had gone straight to bed last night.

He needed a cup of coffee, but before that, he needed to change into something more comfortable. As he began to walk towards his wardrobe, rubbing his already ruffled hair, his phone’s screen lit up.

Natalie.

I got home safely last night, thank you and good morning.

He couldn't help the smile that graces his face as he reread her text over and over again, not missing the obvious sarcasm in her text.

If it had been just the smile, though uncontrollable, it would have been fair. But the shock waves that accompanied the feeling of warmth that spread through his veins seemed unsettling at that point.

Rafael deliberated if to reply to Natalie's sarcastic text or not, but realising that not replying could be rude, he typed a simple reply.

Good morning, sunshine. I'm so sorry, I was so wasted that I slept off.

His thumb had hit send before he realised how intimate the text sounded.

“Sunshine.” He mused to himself as he got out of his suit and changed into a pair of sweatpants with no shirt.

Matteo was standing outside his door as he stepped outside.

“Thank goodness, you are awake.” He said, looking him over, taking in his ruffled hair and worn out look. “I was wondering if you aren't going to the office today, there are some documents for you to sign.”

With a low grunt, Rafael brushed through his hair and began walking ahead of Matteo who immediately tried to match up his pace.

“Prepare my suitcase, I would be leaving a little late for the office.” He said.

Matteo took the instructions and reversed his direction to the adjoining corridor, leading to Rafael's study.

As always, like a mother hawk, with eyes as sharp as an eagles, she wouldn't stop looking out for what she thought belonged to her.

As Rafael approached the living room, he noticed a slender figure moving around in his living room, hills clicking against the tiled floor with calculated moves, just like the thoughts going on in her head—Isabella. Always business minded as usual.

She looked up as Rafael descended the last step and their eyes met. She took in Rafael's features, noting his hungover eyes.

She had her phone in her hand, and with the way she peered into it, one could tell that something was up. Either there was unpleasant news on the papers,or there was a client of hers pissing her off.

“Good morning, Isabella.” Rafael's voice filled the room.

“I see you attended the ball last night.” Her voice came out more like an accusation than an observation.

“Yes,” Rafael cleared his throat, instinctively avoiding Isabella’s gaze, and walked instead to the kitchen. “I was invited.” He added as he reached for the coffee maker

Isabella had followed after him and was standing by the door, arms folded across her chest.

“And you had to go with her?” She huffed.

“It is business, Isabella, just business.”

Although he had expected this confrontation, he didn't think Isabella would be at his house this morning to question him for attending a ball with Natalie.

Even after her seemingly harmless meeting with Natalie, Isabella had still stood her ground on not trusting Natalie.

“Business.” Isabella scoffed.

Her hills clicked on the tiled floor as she walked effortlessly on them, like they were a natural extension of her legs, she approached and stood by Rafael's side.

“This,” she began, referring to the pictures that had been published on the papers—pictures of Rafael and Natalie that were taken by the photographers at the ball “Look more like lovers, than business partners.”

Her voice dripped of obvious accusations and controlled anger.

“And that is what most of the reporters are saying.” She pushed further.

“People can say what they want, Isabella.” Rafael shrugged his shoulders as he reached for the steaming cup of coffee and walked out of the kitchen.

Isabella followed after him, throwing her both hands onto her waist.

“Not when it affects business.” She pushed further.

With every confrontational statement from Isabella, the atmosphere around them grew awkward, especially since Rafael could not rid himself of the accusations laid on him by her.

“It affects nothing, Isabella. And it's too early to show up here to confront me about who I chose to attend a ball with.”

Isabella raised her brows.

“Okay, then. Maybe it's just the perfect time to talk about how you should stay away from that woman. I am deeply disturbed about your sudden closeness with her, Rafael, we should be careful.”

“I've told you, Isabella,” he set his coffee on the oak dining table and walked over to take a seat. “I am on top of my game, I have everything under control. After all, you already ran a background check on the woman and found nothing, it's your skepticism at play here.”

Isabella’s eyes grew dark.

No matter how Rafael tried to exonerate her, no matter how clean the background check on her had been, Isabella still stood on her ground that Natalie could not be trusted. She was a threat, and what do you do with threats? Get them out of the way.

Rafael had better made the right decision quickly, or else, she might be forced to make it on his behalf.

As the tension grew thicker between them, as the silence gave way for more awkwardness, Matteo showed up in the living room.

“Your briefcase is set, Mr Rafael.” He announced.

Abandoning his coffee, still unable to get rid of the gnawing at the back of his head, Rafael lifted himself from his sitting position and ran a hand through his hair.

“I'm going to take a shower, Isabella.” He said. And just like that, he disappeared through the adjoining corridor.