NICOLE
Silence hung in the air. It was heavy, deadly and suffocating. I took multiple glances at Raphael's sharp profile as he sat away from me. He was brooding with raw, bloody anger. I could feel and see it.
His lips were pulled to a scowl and his brows were wrinkled coupled with his fists clenched.
God! I'm finished.He was quiet through out the ride. Not a single word did he utter to me and it wasn't a good sign.But I still couldn't fathom why he was so angry with me?
The guard stole from me not him. It was my goddamn purse and the guard was just a young boy. How could I watch him kill that young boy all because of a purse?Why couldn't Raphael just see it from my own side.
My heart was already swimming in my stomach at this moment. Raphael's silence indicated one thing to me-- I was definitely in a lot of trouble. I could on"Nicole I'm so craving for some Nigerian dish right now"Sofia's cheerful voice rang through the living room as she alighted from the stairs. Nicole who was seated on one of the dinning chairs, turned to face a smiling Sofia. "Really?"she asked with a mouthful of pasta. Sofia nodded and Nicole quickly drank the glass of water by her side, almost choking on it. She was more than happy to prepare an intercontinental cuisine. A week had passed and she still felt sore. Raphael had truly kept to his word. He had dealt with her for a full week, taking her over and over again repeatedly. Overnight her husband turned into a sex monster, a vicious one.He had his way with her everywhere; on the floor, on the bed, in the bathroom, literally every given time they were alone. The night he began his ruthless punishment still sent shivers down her spine whenever she thought of it. He claimed her thoroughly until she couldn't even scream, taking her on
"Hope you all liked the African salad?"Nicole asked with a smile, her eyes scanning every one seated at the dinning table.Sofia was the first to reply. "Ofcourse I did. You know when you mentioned African salad, I had imagined I'll see cabbages and all but wow. This was amazing" Nicole laughed and her eyes darted to Aurora."Sofia is right. I loved it"Raphael sighed and stood up with a chuckle. "Hunny I loved it to be honest. I have to start going now ok. See you soon baby"He gave her a short kiss on the lips before dashing out of the living room. "Leila you should have tasted it you know? You definitely would have liked it"Sofia called out to Leila who sat on one of the sofa's.She had come with Raphael.Leila huffed within her and passed a farcade smile at Nicole. "I am sure it tasted exquisite but I'm not into African cuisine"
RAPHAEL I drove speedily on the highway like I had a second life, hands furiously manoeuvring the steering wheel of my car and honking at cars I felt were blocking my path. My heart was pounding so fast as I drove. My heart, my mind, my entire body; they were no longer in sync. It felt like my entire body was dying.Nicole's anguish and painful scream was still resounding in my ears. My entire world suddenly felt so bleak and dark. If anything happened to Nicole...God! I didn't just want to think of what would happen to me."Fuck it! Get the fuck out of the way!"I yelled in bitter rage at a car in front of me. I noticed the stares I got from other drivers on the road, some were probably cursing me but I could care less about their reactions. I needed to get to Viale Regina Elina. I needed to get to Nicole
RAPHAEL "Chest compressions now!" I heard the doctor command in a haste. They were all restless, doing their best to save Nicole. I almost forgot to breathe as I stared at was what going on. It felt like air had been sucked from my lungs. I cried more, my heart piercing into multiple pieces. I had never been this scared before in my life. The thought of not ever seeing life in those beautiful dark brown eyes got me quivering.This was the most painful experience I had ever gone through. Pain was an understatement of what I was going through. It felt like I was dying.My sanity was slipping out of me and my heart beat was increasing at a rapid pace. I watched a nurse place a resuscitator and mask on her face.The doctor instantly cut open her shirt and placed the defibrillator pads on her chest. The mac
Her hands tried moving across the satin white sheets of the hospital bed but it proved abortive. Every move from her partially numb fingers were been restricted by a severe pain that flowed through her battered body."Raph I'm scared. The car. I don't want to die please" Those words, like a dying cry, echoed through her mind followed by a vociferous crash which immedately made Nicole instantly feel a jolt like electricity pass through her body, shaking her entire being. In a flash, she flew her eyes open only to be welcomed by a bright light. The searing bright light felt like a hot steel on her skin. It was awfully painful yet hospitable. It took a moment for her blurry visison to adjust to the oddly white hospital ward. White ceiling, white walls, white bed, everything was white. Her breathing was painful with each rise and fall of her chest. It felt
Leila was tongue-tied. Why was he asking her that? Her heart sank and panic rooted itself in her.Raphael observed her and wondered why she suddenly looked shocked like she had seen a ghost. Leila was quick to suppress her thrown aback state and cleared her throat to speak. "I have no idea Raphael. Why would you ask that? Are you suspecting me?"She knew Raphael was smart and sharp. He was also shrewd. Any hint of panic in her face would give her away so she masked her frightened state and quickly put on a smile.Raphael shook his head at her. "Look everybody is a suspect Leila. Some one tried to fucking kill my wife. It wasn't an accident. Somebody out there is after my wife's life""And you think it's me? Didn't you mention some weeks back that you recieved a threatening letter from Ivan and he promised to harm Nicole so...""It's not Ivan"Raphael
NICOLE My accident really hit me like lightening bolt. From going to the boutique to getting a major car crash and the next thing that fell upon my eyes was this hospital ward which had more or less become my temporary abode. It was a very scary experience. I had never been so scared like that in my life. I thought I was going to die noticing how the car kept on accelerating in speed and my inability to control it. I could only imagine how terror-struck Raphael would have been. He stayed with me all through the day of the accident and held on to my hand.My stay in this hospital was gradually climbing to two weeks and Raphael never left me. He made my ward his second home. I watched him abandon all work activities for my sake. I felt really bad because I knew it meant his work would be compiling and once I was discharged, he would have a lot on his plate
Raphael had his hand encircled around Nicole's waist as he supported a limping Nicole in her steps. They were heading to the other victim's ward. Nicole stopped walking for a brief moment and sighed. She felt she needed the short walk break.Raphael caressed her waist as if telling her she will be fine. She understood his touch and smiled at him."Why don't you just let me carry you Nicole?"Raphael asked once they began walking again.Nicole shook her head. "I need to exercise my legs by walking""If we keep walking at this rate we will reach the other victim's ward by sunset and before we get downstairs it will be midnight"Nicole tried to hold in her laughter at Raphael's reply. Raphael sighed and in one scoop, he picked her up bridal style.Nicole had her lips parted and encircled her arm around his neck as he began walking.
NICOLE I flopped my head back on to my sofa, tiredness oozing from my features.I had a very tiring day at work and all I needed now was just rest and peace. Peace in my married life too.In the past two weeks, ever since I confronted Raphael about his past affairs with Leila, we've been having issues upon issues over the phone. Why was he blind to the fact that Leila would destroy our marraige if she was still lingering around him?She herself made it clear to me on how much she despised me and how badly she wanted Raphael. That woman will do everything in her power to get Raphael back and I was trying to avoid it.I had specifically told Raphael to discharge her of her duties and just let her go far away from this mafia and from him but he wouldn't agree. He said it wasn't that easy to leave the mafia and Leila was one of his best assassins. I mean ain't he the capo?He makes the rules so why can't he change them? What is so hard in discharging her of her duties and sen
NICOLE I came down from my car, heading into a dainty pastry shop. I was on my way to work and I wanted to grab some snacks. Pushing open the glass doors, I trod towards the counter.The decor was comfortable. It wasn't too posh to feel out of place and also wasn't too plain either. Rounded wooden tables and soft chairs formed a pattern in the shop,the mild tone of classical music soaring in the air.The environment wasn't animated. It was peaceful and serene.Placing an order to go of two pancakes and some spring rolls by the counter, I ambled towards one of the chairs and waited for my order. My mind drifted towards Raphael. I missed my husband so much. It was already close to a month and he still wasn't back.Was it that serious back in Mexico?The only thing that comforted me was my assurance that he would come back and also our late night calls. A waiter brought my order to me wrapped up."Here you go Ma'am" a soft feminine voice called out to me.With a smile, I col
"I swear I'll shoot all of you right now and send gunmen to each one of your fucking families and have them pass through hell!" Raphael thundered fire and brimstones to his underbossess that formed a straight line opposite him. His nostrils flared and his eyes were so bloodshot, enough to scare the wits out of someone. Anger was an understatement of what he was going through. A bomb had been planted in one of his warehouses and they were very fortunate to had escape with their lives but in the process they had lost more than a million. His restless feet walked around the hall, his anger rising with each breath. A grenade was exploding in his head and he just wanted to kill somebody right now. The horror stricken underbossess stood frigid and also rigid. Nobody dared uttered a word in their defence. The incidence had left everyone stuperfied and lost for words. How was a bomb planted in the warehouses? It was heavily guarded so who was able to outsmart the armed guards and pla
RAPHAEL "Any info yet?" I asked my capos as we sauntered into a fairly dark room.Thomas outstretched his hands for me,"see for yourself. Diego's phone was accessed and truly he did get a phone call from the ghost" A smile lit on my face. Finally we were getting somewhere. I was tired of moving in circles, unending frustrating circles."Is that all?" I asked, my voice a little louder. My eyes accessed everything in the spacious room with a wily smile."We've gotten the best computer specialist and trackers to access the exact location of the ghost" Thomas informed me, his eyes on the various men who had the finger pads glued to the keyboard of the computers with the lights reflecting on their faces. I walked towards one and he acknowledged my presence which I returned back with a nod."Fill me in" I ordered him."We've got a problem" his brows became furrowed at the screen. Fuck. What again?"What's the issue?" I replied trying to swallow my annoyance."Diego was contacted through
RAPHAEL"Thomas please that's absurd" I sighed, taking my eyes off him."But it's not impossible" Thomas replied unfazed."Why exactly would my dad want to harm my mum? For what reason? What would he gain from my mother's death?" I threw multiple questions at Thomas. Thomas went silent, slowly averting his gaze from my face. He opened his mouth to speak but no words came out."Exactly. Nothing at all links to my dad" I concluded with a hiss.I don't know why my mum would make such an absurd claim. It was so saddening watching her rage like an insane lunatic not to talk more of Nicole having to believe her words. Nothing linked to my dad. What would he stand to gain from killing my mother? If he was truly one of our enemies, why didn't he just kill us all since? He knows the in and out of this mafia--all our partners, the drugs, the politicians in our payroll, the ammunitions, our warehouses--name it all; my dad knows it all so why didn't he destroy us earlier. What would e
An agonising groan echoed around the steel walls of the cellar.Pain was evident in the voice that carried it; torturous and horrific pain. Strapped on to a chair was a bruised and disfigured Diego. He was held caged by a rope which seemed to squeeze his entire body into one piece. The pain from that alone was excruciating talk more of the cuts, wounds and broken bones he had gotten. The cellar was cold, extremely cold. Diego had his teeth chattering. A rat ran passed his legs causing him to curse in italian. Heavy thumping footsteps could be heard making its way towards his direction.Diego needed not to be told who it was. Cold and dangerous blue eyes carried his already swollen and weak green orbs in their formidable stare."Have you come back to finish what you started?" Diego asked slurry before spitting out loud. Raphael crouched down and gave him a sadistic smile."You know me so well diego" "Actually..."Raphael began."I'm not going to kill you now" he stood
NICOLE What word can describe how shock and confused I am right now?Raphael's bitter tone still played in my head. I could only imagine how furious he looked when he said that. I felt like screaming my lungs out. I planned on telling him this myself. Why would Leila go tell him without informing me? I thought so much about it that I didn't realise when tears had started trickling down my cheeks. With a sniff of my nose, I wiped my tears with the back of my palms. My phone rang a second time causing me to jerk immedately.Was that Raphael!? I checked the caller with the speed of light only to meet with a caller that almost got me screaming.Amarachi!"Amarachi! Oh my. How are you!?" I was as happy as a lark to hear her voice.I've missed my sister so much."I'm good sis. What about you?" Amarachi laughed."I'm so sorry I haven't been calling" I felt guilty immedately. Ever since I got married to Raphael, it seemed that I had less time to focus on my own side of the family
RAPHAEL My brows deeply knitted themselves while my restive eyes were focused on my phone which rested in my tensed fingers. I recieved a video from Leila. She didn't even send a call or a voicenote of any sort. She just randomly sent this video. I at first thought it was a video about how things were going on back home which was why I didn't want to open it immedately but now my eyes are eating up what I can't make out of. Where is Nicole heading with miles?Why doesn't that woman listen to me?! I assigned Leila to look after her because I know how unsafe it is right now. If one of my goddamn enemies couldn't reach me, Nicole would definitely be the next target. Her safety is so important to me.I specifically ordered her not to go anywhere without Leila. Even if she disobeyed me, I had at least expected it to be that she went with Sofia or Emilio and not with Miles. My face was disconcerted in anger, my fist balling up the more I focused on the video. "Fuck!!" I yell
The room was gloomy doom, scanty with just a sofa as the only piece of furniture decorating the dark room.A faintly lit bulb swung carelessly in the middle, evoking squeaky noises with each swing which was the only sound that befell the room. Ruffled brown hairs with large carouse hands that were combing through it, dishevelling it the more flopped on the edge of the sofa. With searching brown eyes staring up at the ceiling, the man blew puffs of cigarette smoke into the air, dragging the cigar out of his lips. A slow knock on the door was heard. A smile curved by the side of his peach lips. Loud thumping footsteps were accompanied by the deep chuckling of a young man."I've been waiting for you" came the hoarse voice of the man. "It's not easy doing this but I'm glad I'm back on track" the young man told him as he stood behind the sofa. With a sharp bolt from the sofa, the older man turned to face his counterpart before engulfing him in a hug."Maxim. Ivan must be