Rafael's Table Novels & Stories

Fire catching onto the fabric, but no one cares. Two more couples collide across the table and the sound of ripping fabric and desperate moaning fills the lodge. Rafael watches the chaos bloom around him with a satisfied expression, and then his golden eyes swing back to me and the grin that splits his face is pure feral delight — the last veneer of the charming gentleman finally, irrevocably gone. “At last,” he breathes. “We consummate.” His claws slip from his fingertips, and he stares at them for a moment with something like surprise, like the speed of the transformation has caught even him off guard.

“Ah! A jealous Romanov. Balance has finally returned to the world.” Rafael excused himself a few minutes later, after kissing the back of my hand with a Southern European flair far too dramatic for a business party—saying, “I must greet the ambassador from Milan. He likes to arrive late, like the truth.” Then he was off, floating through the crowd with the grace of a flamenco dancer disguised as a businessman.

'' Rafael asked me, and I didn't know what to say. "Deténgase!" we came here to eat Rafael and not to hear you speak,'' Xander said as he took hold of my hand again. '' Okay, right, let me get you two a table,'' Rafael let out as he led us to a table at the far end of the restaurant. '' Here is the menu, I am going to be serving you both myself,'' Rafael said. '' Come on, Rafael, there will be no need for that,'' Xander let out.

He smiled as he extended his hand toward me. “That’s lovely, but I’m fine.” “Come on, you need me, love. I can take you to a place where we can chill and get to know each other. This place has become dull for me, and I need a vibe,” he smirked as he took a wing from my plate and ate. I rolled my eyes and turned to leave when I came face-to-face with Rafael. He was scowling when we made eye contact. “Why are you leaving Mike behind?”

Rafael blinked. “No,” he said. “Not with me.” “Hmm.” Gabby folded her little arms across her chest. “Then I call you Rafa Lemon.” There was a pause. I waited for Rafael to take offense, or go cold. Or give her the look that used to make junior analysts in Milan consider a career in tomato farming. Instead, he slipped his sunglasses into his shirt pocket and crouched down until he was closer to Gabby’s eye level.

I had not eaten since yesterday morning, but I would not give him this victory either. Rafael opened containers beside me. Steak that smelled like heaven. Pasta in cream sauce. Bread that was still warm. "Eat," he said simply. I focused on counting the cars passing by outside. Red sedan. Blue truck. White SUV. Anything but the food that my body was begging for. "You are being ridiculous," Rafael said. "You are hungry. The food is here. Just eat." Black motorcycle. Silver van. Yellow taxi. He was quiet for a long time after that. When he finally spoke again, his voice was different. Softer but somehow more dangerous.

he said flatly. “What?” Karl leaned back slightly. “I’m trying to welcome her.” Rafael ignored him, he didn't seem too pleased to see his brother. “I think she likes me already.” he added and I nearly choked on my water. The nobles nearby looked horrified by how casually he spoke while Rafael’s expression somehow became even colder. Unfortunately, the lunch only became more stressful afterward because halfway through the meal, I realized I had absolutely no idea which of the endless silver utensils surrounding my plate I was supposed to use next.

Rafael shook his head. He took a small box of pie from the picnic basket and held it high in front of us. “Uh-hum! Welcome to our restaurant beautiful ladies! Before you eat, I would like to introduce you our foods for today. This one I’m holding right now is what you call Rafael’s Special Caprese Sandwich and the other one is what we call, Chicken mole Tacos made just for our two beautiful and big-eater guests.” He said while sounding like a real gourmet. “Hey, I’m not a big-eater!” Lucy protested. “Chef Rafael is a bad-mouthed chef so let’s not consider him as a good cook. Let’s now proceed to our next beautiful Chef, Angela Santos!” she said while pretending to be holding a microphone on

I didn't turn to check if Raphael was following but I could feel his presence behind me. I took my seat on my side of the table and Raphael took his seat at the head of the table. I didn't expect him to talk to me at all or even do as if he notices me. "You should keep in mind that you are currently carrying my children and..." "Get straight to the point, Raph." I interrupted him. I knew what was coming already. "Don't go around fucking other men, Renia. You have not only yourself to worry about now but you also have two more lives that are depending on you…”