Chapter 62

Laura's POV

I walked out of the boutique, feeling a sense of satisfaction wash over me. I had stood up for myself, and I had come out on top.

As I stepped into the mall's corridor, I noticed one of the attendants from the boutique hurrying after me. "Miss, wait!" she called, her voice urgent.

I turned, curious, and she caught up to me, her eyes wide with worry. "Please, be careful," she whispered, glancing around nervously.

I raised an eyebrow, confused. "What do you mean?"

The attendant's voice dropped to a whisper. "You just offended one of the Roccis. They're... not people to be trifled with."

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I remembered Stacy's words. "Victor Rocci's daughter," I murmured.

The attendant nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "Yes. You don't understand what you've just done. The Roccis... they have power. They can ruin people's lives with just one phone call."

I felt a surge of unease, but I stood my ground. "I'm not afraid of them," I said, trying to sound braver than I felt.

The attendant's expression turned desperate. "You should be," she whispered. "You should be very afraid."

With that, she turned and hurried back to the boutique, leaving me feeling unsettled and unsure of what to expect next.

Just as I was trying to process the attendant's warning, Kelvin popped out from a corner, shaking hands with someone and walking towards me. He was smiling, his eyes gleaming with amusement, and I felt a surge of rage.

"Where were you?" I demanded, my voice low and even. "I could have used some backup in there."

His smile faltered for a moment, and he raised an eyebrow. "Backup? What happened?"

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. "I made a new enemy," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Thanks to you, I might add."

Kelvin's eyes narrowed, his expression turning serious. "Who?"

I smiled sweetly. "Stacy Rocci. Victor Rocci's daughter."

His expression turned thoughtful, and he nodded. "I see. Well, that's... interesting."

I glared at him. "Interesting? You think making an enemy of the Roccis is interesting?"

Kelvin shrugged. "You can't blame me for not warning you. You're the one who decided to take on Stacy."

I felt a surge of anger, but his expression was calm, almost amused. I realized that he was enjoying this.

"You're not helping," I said, my voice tight with frustration.

He chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I'm not supposed to help.”

I snorted, shaking my head as I stepped ahead of him.

"You think this is funny?" I shot him a glare over my shoulder. "Maybe I should've just handed the dress over and saved myself the trouble."

He easily caught up, his long strides matching mine. "Relax, Laura," he said, his tone laced with amusement. "This is nothing but a little squabble between ladies. A trivial matter."

I stopped walking and turned to face him. "Trivial? You heard the boutique attendant. Stacy Rocci isn't just anyone. Her family can destroy lives with a phone call."

His lips curled into a knowing smirk. "And you think the Rocci family would dare take on the Aldoraccos over a dress?" He leaned in slightly, his voice smooth but firm. "If it escalates, trust me, we won't be the ones to lose."

His confidence was unwavering, and for a moment, I wondered just how deep the rivalry between these powerful families ran.

I crossed my arms. "So, what? I just wait for Stacy to try something and hope you step in?"

He chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from my face before I could swat his hand away. "No, you just keep being you. If Stacy wants to play, she’ll soon realize she picked the wrong opponent."

As we walked out of the mall, laden with bags and exhausted but happy, I turned to Kelvin and smiled. "Thanks for today. Despite the drama, I had a great time."

His expression remained neutral, but a hint of amusement danced in his eyes. "You're welcome, Laura. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself."

I looked up at him, searching for any sign of annoyance, but his mask of calm control remained firmly in place. I shrugged, smiling wryly. "I guess I owe you one."

His gaze narrowed slightly, his voice taking on a low, smooth tone. "You don't owe me anything, Laura. Yet."

A shiver ran down my spine at the subtle warning, but I just raised an eyebrow, trying to appear nonchalant. "Is that a threat?"

His expression didn't change, but his eyes seemed to gleam with a knowing light. "Just a reminder, Laura. Don't forget your place."

I was taken aback by his sudden coldness. His words hung in the air, a subtle reminder of the power dynamic between us. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I nodded, trying to appear nonchalant. "Okay."

The drive home was silent. Kelvin's eyes remained fixed on the road, his expression blank and cool. I stared out the window, my mind reeling with thoughts of the Rocci family and the potential consequences of my actions.

As we approached the outskirts of the city, Kelvin's gaze flicked to the rearview mirror. His eyes narrowed, and he muttered a low curse.

"What's wrong?" I asked, turning to look at him.

His voice was low and even. "We're being tailed."

My heart skipped a beat as I turned to look out the back window. A black sedan was following us, its tinted windows reflecting the sunlight.

His eyes locked onto mine, his expression serious. "Get down, Laura."

Before I could react, a shot rang out, shattering the rear window. I ducked, my heart racing as Kelvin swerved the car to the side of the road.

"Stay down!" he yelled, his voice low and urgent.

I crouched on the floor, my heart pounding in my chest. Kelvin's eyes met mine, his expression grim.

I might have just gotten us both into trouble.

I thought to myself, my mind racing with fear and adrenaline. This had to be the Rocci's doing. They were the only ones who had a reason to want me dead.

As Kelvin kept driving, weaving in and out of traffic, another shot rang out. This time, Kelvin grunted, his face twisted in pain.

"Kelvin!" I screamed, my heart racing with fear.

He didn't respond, his eyes fixed on the road as he continued to drive. I scrambled up from the floor, my eyes scanning his body for any signs of injury.

A dark stain was spreading across his shoulder, and I felt a wave of panic wash over me. He was hit!

He didn't as much as flinch, his face still twisted in pain. But his eyes remained fixed on the road, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a gun.

Without taking his eyes off the road, he fired a shot at the sedan's tires. The sound of shattering glass and screeching rubber filled the air as the sedan swerved out of control.

He took advantage of the distraction to speed away, weaving in and out of traffic with ease. I was whimpering and crying, my heart still racing with fear.

But Kelvin's voice cut through my hysteria, his tone low and menacing. "Shut the fuck up, Laura."