Aphrodite

Adan Leandro P.O.V.

"I'm telling, you should have seen her for once then you would have believed me, I'm not lying or exaggerating her. She is more beautiful than Aphrodite." Damien Sokolov, head of Bratva, my best friend spoke with dreamy eyes. He just came back from a charity function and currently highlighting more about Albert Gomez's wife rather than whatever went in that business deal.

Albert Gomez is the king of diamond merchandise and also has political influence in the country. A big shot man but has link with corrupt man like us. We are the hot collared criminals.

Although Albert and we were only acquaintance through business but whenever there was any party, we were always in the first preference on the list of invitation. Even he invited us for his marriage ceremony but at that time I was a little low because of my elder brother's decease. Even Damien didn't show up as he was with me during those though days.

"As if you have seen Aphrodite." I chuckled and remarked sarcastically at my friend while my eyes switch to my right hand in command, Ivan who has a small smirk before lifting the glass of whisky and sipping down. He mostly prefers to remain a silent listener in our conversation.

Unlike me, Damien has zero resistance whenever he spots any beautiful woman. Doesn't matter if she is single or taken. But on the other hand, I don't go down on women. Neither I go after married women. That's doesn't make me a saint. I do have my fair share with women and any beautiful women is nothing more than another means to my necessity.

"How the fuck did that ugly duckling manage to get such a bomb like wife?" Damien asked me with a question whereas his eyes showed his disbelief. I rolled my eyes.

"Seems like you are smitten by her beauty. Do you want her?" My last sentence rolled out teasing him as I poured some whiskey into my tumbler. After that I leaned back and studied his expression. He glared as if I was overstating the matter.

"Dude, she was the limelight of the party and that lucky bastard's arm candy. She was a woman that makes all other men envious. But..." Damien crosses his arms over his chest with a thoughtful look on his face, like he was trying to solve some kind of puzzle. I frowned at his mid-sentence and why but my interest peaked.

"But what?" I asked, interested.

"She doesn't seem happy. Why but I felt like she was a beautiful fairy caged in a tower." Damien muttered with a hint of emotion as he got lost in his thought for some time. Ivan cleared his throat

and he quickly went back to being my cocky friend and chuckled dryly.

Well, for some reason I felt like he was hiding something from me but didn't voice my thought. Albert was just my business associate and his private life doesn't concern me. Neither how his equation with his wife needs my attention. Every marriage has its own sweet and bitter issues.

We were silent for some time contemplating his words.

"Boss, tomorrow our shipments will land at the port. Santiago sends a message informing about the arrival time." Ivan spoke breaking the quiet atmosphere. My gaze shifted to him. He was reading the message from his cell phone.

"Everything under control?" I asked when I noticed a frown on his face. He lifts his head detaching his eyes from the cell phone.

"Yes. "Ivan answered with an annoyed expression. "Arrival time is 4 in the morning."

**

We were standing in my warehouse where all the goods were unloaded by the workers. It was early dawn and the warehouse is situated few miles away from the coast of Mediterranean Sea which is why the wind is chilling cold in this hour.

"Out of three cargo ships only two made its way down the port." Ivan notified standing beside me.

"Hmmm." I hummed; my gaze still rooted on each man carrying heavy cartoon packages but my mind contemplating over the information. Three arms loaded ships were meant to ride to the port and only two made its appearance. It never happened before. Khalil was the head in charge of the Algerian costal harbour route from where the materials were supplied. There's two possibilities. First, our shipment might get attacked by the enemies and secondly the ship my lost its track.

"Call Khalil. And also check GPS..." I was instructing Ivan what to do when my cell phone chimed. The screen displaying Sofia's number. My sister who lives in the southern region of Madrid with her husband.

"Hello, mom left yesterday night." She spoke, her voice filled with worry. I cursed inwardly and scratch my forehead out of frustration.

I didn't ask further because I understood what must have happened between my mom and dad. My patience at the verse of breaking as I tried to keep myself calm but to no avail.

They act so childish all the time. For fucks sake they are married for thirty years and still fight over silly issues like cat and dog and mom being the wife of former mafia of Spain, only to serve him punishment, each time she chooses to leave their mansion. Alone. Without guards. Even threatens them not to follow her, particularly the ones who were assigned to protect her from any lack of collateral damage. Not caring that someday she might actually get attacked by the enemy.

"Don't worry. I'm on my way." Saying I turned my heels off the store room. Mom's childish act always keeps us on edge.

"Bro, dad is so tensed." I exhaled hearing this. "He also sent a search team." I have no words to console when my own mind filled with tension and worries. Why do they do this?

"Trace mom's location." I ordered Ivan who got busy with the assigned work while I walked out briskly towards my car. Igniting the engine, I drove out of the warehouse and within sometimes I was on the road when a message dinged. It was from Ivan sending mom's location. A sigh of relief passed through my body when I read the location. It's one of our resorts in the outskirt of the city.

See, I told you. So...so childish.

****