NICOLE"Nicole""Nicole"I felt a familiar voice probing into the abyss of darkness I had fallen into accompanied by mild tappings on my shoulder.It slowly drew me out of my unconscious state. I yawned on the back of my palms and I rubbed my eyes trying to regain my full consciousness"We are in italy my love"Raphael gently said as he gave me a tender kiss on the forehead.My eyes immedately shot open and I sat up straight, excitement bubbling within me."Are you serious!?"I practically screamed.He chuckled and nodded his head at me, brushing off strands of my scattered hair from my face and combing it downwards with his hands."We just landed my love. Now I'll lead you to the air hostess while i go make some arrangements ok"I nodded my head at him, my face beaming with smiles as he took me out of the cabin.The beaut
NICOLESoon enough, I noticed our limousine had come to a halt. I took a cursory glance at Raphael who didn't seem suprised or confused. Slowly our limousine began moving. I couldn't see anything at first until we came in front of a huge iron black gate. I stared at the magnificent iron bars that opened for our limousine to drive inside, jaws dropped. I peered through the tinted glass and I could see guards almost in every nook and cranny. They looked so anxious.Probably because Raphael was back. I couldn't see anything infront as other cars drove slowly ahead of us.I decided to keep on peering outside the glass. The environment was so captivating. A large lawn decorated by colourful flowers and well trimmed grasses spread across everywhere. Mini-fountains oozing pure crystal clear water were spotted at almost every corner. I spotted some lovely picturesque buildings at th
NICOLE I watched Sofia babble on and on about herself and how nice Raphael was. I was so astonished on how she held him in high regards. The way she spoke off him, one would actually mistake him for a philanthropist. Didn't she know what he was into? It was impossible to leave in the same house with him and not know the shady things he was into. But she spoke of him so elegantly, so heroically. Wow. I was the most suprised person on earth at the moment.So far so good, I actually loved their house. Sofia literally took me on a tour round the house. It was as huge as it looked. We explored down stairs before facing upstairs.. There were many hallways upstairs. Some were dimmed making it looked so gothic and scary whilst some were so bright with radiant lights illuminating the pathway. We
Raphael walked into an unhabited two storey building, the chilly wind whipping his hair across his face. The guards immedately straightened their spine once they sighted him coming out of the car in the stark, dark night.He had flew from Rome to Begarmo, a small Italian city, northeast of Milan.This was his home town. It had been so long he stepped his feet on the cobblestone streets of Bergamo.But he wasn't here for a vacation, he was here for one purpose--to kill."Capo" the guards greeted with their heads bowed down, none of them daring to look him in the eye.Raphael entered inside with his entourage of guards and headed towards the underground cellar of the building.There were three guards standing outside the huge iron door at the end of the staircase. They instantly went stiff, fear and dread coursing through them on spotting Raphael.They bowed their heads as a sign of respect to Rap
NICOLE I felt empty and light. My eyes squeezed tightly as I stretched my hands to feel the warmth of the body I had cuddled up with last night. I felt nothing just a ruffled duvet. I tapped on it about three times, stretching my hands to touch Raphael but I couldn't feel his body. I immedately flew my eyes open and sat up straight, eyes roving around the room as if Raphael would immedately appear out of thin air. I stared at the sheets in blank amazement then my eyes narrowed to the windows, the awe inspiring sun rays dancing in through the curtains."Fuck where is Raphael?" I inaudibly grumbled. I came out of the bed and went towards the curtains.Separating them, I poked my head outside the window observing the beautiful garden behind. "Hello italy"I murmured with a smile
NICOLE I and Raphael walked down the cobble streets of Rome. Everything felt so amazing and surreal; the brilliant sun shining down happily, the cars bustling and people flowing like a tide.This was how I wanted it to be, we were spending time together like a normal couple. Raphael had asked if we should take a car but hell no. I insisted we walked. How would I enjoy my tour if we don't walk hand in hand and relish the moment? He brought along two disposable cameras that each had space for about sixty photographs. That way we could capture the moments of our beautiful tour. The street we were in had a lot of old Italian apartments, balconies that had people's clothes and rugs hanging out of it. The road was cobbled and it added to the beauty. Loud chirpings from men and women both young and old filled the air. I looked around with a beam on my fa
NICOLE Yesterday had been such a blast. Our tour, the bonding, tasting of different dish; it was so exquisite and beautiful.I wished our day wouldn't end.I saw an entirely different side of Raphael on the water taxi. He wanted to know all the Disney fairytales he had missed growing up. It was like I was telling a child a story. His eyes always seem to glint up and sparkle with life with each story I told him.I truly loved that.I was so tired when we arrive back home. The moment my body touched the soft sheets of our bed, I totally slept off. I'm sure Raphael must have cuddled me because I woke up in his arms. He slept so soundly.He looked extremely beautiful. His features were all relaxed, his chest gradually heaved, his long hair was ruffled up and some strands covered his forehead. His eyelashes were truly so lon
NICOLE He just pulled out a gun!I stared jaw ajars at it and trepidation seized me. I tightened my hold on Raphael and closed my eyes, pressing my body against his. "You aren't the only one that knows how to use a gun Dante"I heard Raphael say. My eyes flew open and I saw Raphael slowly bringing out a gun from his pocket.This was getting scary.Raphael immedately cocked it and twirled it around his slender fingers."Raphael.."I whispered in fear.He looked down at my frightened self and kissed my forehead. "Shhh Bella. I'm here ok"I heard his grandfather falsely chuckle. We both then trailed our gaze to him as he stared angrily at us. I don't get it. Why doesn't he like me? He just met me so why the dislike?"You have the guts Raphael to go to Africa and pick a barbarian as a w
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