"Wow! You looked fabulous, Gwen," Rafaella remarked excitedly when Gwen changed into an above-the-knee emerald green fitted dress with a pinch of spandex that had been selected for cocktail parties. It had a boat neckline, short, fitted mesh sleeves, and a tucked narrow waist.She could tell a hint of nervousness when Gwen laughed."I'm not sure what I look like now...""Cheer up, Gwen. You look fine, trust me. I'll tell you my secret," she said. "When I wear sexy clothes like what we are wearing now, I don't try to think about it when I'm not facing the mirror, so I don't feel conscious about what I wear. And I smile to cover my nervousness though the person interested in you will know how you feel.""Yes, I know. That's why boss Malcolm sent you for the sexy outfit undercover to chase those mafias, but it worked well with you. We easily caught those thugs.""Yes, but you have no idea how I shivered for our undercover missions together.""I like your guts, Rafa," Gwen commented. "I b
When Alexus and Giovanni shook hands and faced each other, Rafaella thought they had made a decent first impression. Between Gwen and her was Alexus, who was secretly smiling.The two exchanged a joking look as Giovanni said, "Gwen and I thought you two forgot we were here.""I'm sorry, but I can't trust having her away from me, especially after so many people have tried to take her life. This is the first time she's been gone for so long since she returned to me after a five- year of separation.""You seemed to have a rough life together but to get stronger," Giovanni remarked. "It's good you made it after that serious car accident."Silence reigned as Alexus glanced at his wife.When Alexus and Giovanni faced each other and shook hands, Rafaella thought they had made a decent first impression. Gwen and Rafaella exchanged a heartfelt grin. Then she turned to Giovanni as the two exchanged a joking look. Giovanni remarked, "Gwen and I thought you two had forgotten we were here." Ale
Colleen's eyes widened, and she growled in a high-pitched voice, "What are you two doing here? Even here, you're engaging in lewd behavior."Alexus mumbled, "I kiss my wife wherever and whenever, Colleen," with restrained rage but not in his frigid voice.Giovanni said, "Don't be such a bitch with my friends, Colleen. I invited them here.""Your friends?" She suspiciously stared at her ex-husband. "Since when Giovan?""Alexus has been my friend since we used to be neighbors."When Rafaella spotted two guards approaching, she grabbed her husband's waist.And he looked down at her before dropping a kiss on her temple."Are you all right?""Of course. I'm tough, remember?' She grinned.He chuckled and pulled her closer in a protective embrace."What's going on?" One of the guards inquired.Just then, they heard a police siren."I better check outside. It could be the sheriff. Go with Gwen to our table," Alexus whispered to her.She saw Gwen give a sympathetic look before wrapping her in
Before Alexus could get to her phone, Rafaella's fingers snatched it up. Her head hit the cushion as she turned, releasing a deep, heavy sigh."Babe... Let me talk to her," Alexus said when she pressed it.Rafaella hesitated momentarily before quietly handing her phone to her husband. And he dropped beside her."Hello," Alexus said complacently. He heard the woman gasp as she heard him."Oh. I was calling for--""My wife is already sleeping," he cut in. "Can I take a message for her?""You sounded relaxed, Alex, but you were there when they handcuffed me before I closed my eyes.""I'm not interested to hear what's happening with you, Colleen. If you have no message for my wife--""Wait," Colleen interrupted him. "I managed to escape with the help of some friends.""Is that what the message you want me--""Damn it, Alex. Stop that cold-blooded attitude with me.""Alright, I'm listening. What do you want to say?" Alexus's eyes met his wife's. His hand started to fiddle with her long bla
Rafaella and Gwen were momentarily taken aback, but Giovanni's emotions of even greater astonishment could be seen as he glanced at Alexus, who appeared unsure of what to do at the time. But according to good manners, he stepped closer to the older woman, politely reached for her hand, and gently shook it. Signorina Fontana smiled and seemed satisfied with his act. Alexus addressed the mother of Giovanni, who appeared to be grinning, saying, "My pleasure to have met you, Signora Fontana." Giovanni interrupted, perplexed by what he had just seen, "Wait, Mammina. Do you know Alexus?" Signorina Fontana gave her son's question some thought. "Si. I know this gentleman..." "I'm sorry, Signora, but I don't believe we've ever met. I will always remember if we have." "I am sorry to hear that you have forgotten me, Alessandro," said Mrs. Fontana. "How could I forget you? You look so much like your father. And your mother, Alessia, is my best friend. You're named after your mother."
Rafaella felt Alexus tighten his grip on her hand, but she didn't even bother to glance at him since her eyes were set on the person she wanted to see and hoped she would never see again. The man's gaze lingered on Alexus's face rather than hers, which surprised her because he didn't even seem surprised to see them both.Then his mouth broke into an amused laugh, "Alexus Latimer, what brought you to this part of the world?"Rafaella silently regarded him. She was optimistic that the old man had no malice toward her spouse."My blood has recently started to turn sluggish. Perhaps it needs some direction, Lombardi," Alexus replied. There was no politeness in their words or how they greeted each other."Uhm," Lombardi smirked, bobbing his head, his right brow lifted, and his eyes somewhat grinning. "I guess you're right and seem to be steering in the right direction.""I don't agree with what you said, Mr. Lombardi," Rafaella's stern face interrupted the conversation between the two. "Yo
Rafaella laughed loudly as she ran away from her husband towards the shore, but Alexus caught her, and they both fell into the water, laughing. But when Rafaella tried to get away from him, he just shook his head and watched her hit the ground with her arms dropped around her head. Alexus eyed the kids having fun quite a distance from them which made him miss their twins. And as he looked around, he realized he was spending a lazy afternoon at Sardinia's most exclusive resort. He was in the VIP section, adults-only, where there would be no children to watch the intimate moments with his wife. He loved children wildly when they shrieked, laughed, and splashed in the water. Alexus stayed in the water. Rafaella could see the muscles in his back and arms moving smoothly with each stroke, the fabric of his shorts billowing around his legs, his water-dark hair slick. She closed her eyes but could still see Alexus' body, l, the length, and strength of his limbs, the stream of bubbles com
"Hold on," Rafaella said as her eyes narrowed at her husband. "What are you thinking?" "There was no evidence, but it's how my father died," Alexus stated. "I didn't tell the investigator but saw everything that happened that night. I hid like a coward when I saw his gun as panic surged in my chest. I hid in the corner of the living room. The assassin bore enough battle as he launched himself at the guards. He struck precise and devastating. Despite their best efforts, the hall was too small for more than a handful to surround him at once. I heard the gunshot when my father managed to flee to the balcony and was followed by the assassin. "Oh, Alex...." Rafaella mumbled as her hand rested across his belly. "That must be hard for you at that moment..." "Yes..." "But why didn't you tell the police what you saw?" "Because I realized that the assassin may pursue my life. I was a weakling then, as I said. Just like what happened to the guard crashing to the floor, all three died fro
When they reached their bedroom, he grabbed her arm roughly, yanking her out behind him. And the moment the bedroom door shut behind them, he pushed her back against it. Her clutch bag hit the floor. His mouth covered hers, missing her taste. They were gentle at first, slowly stripping each other out of their clothes as they got to know each other's bodies again. It wasn't as if it had been ages since they had one another, but it had been long enough. Two weeks were long enough for him. Damn, he'd missed his sunshine. "God, it's been a long time..." he rasped. " As she pressed her body into his. He deepened the kiss, tasting her lips, then parting them with his own. His tongue drove between her lips. She moaned as their tongues mingled, then lifted her hand and ran her fingers through his hair. He moved one hand between her legs, and his touch immobilized her as he slid his fingers back and forth along the smooth seam of her center and circled them gently over her clit. S
Alexus couldn't sleep that night when Rafaella confessed her intention to join the syndicate as a victim. And he worked with Gerald to ensure his wife's safety. Gerald agreed since his team would also be there to get the syndicate's mastermind. While contemplating the critical mission Rafaella wished to do as an auction bride victim. Alexus could not help but sigh frequently. He found it hard to imagine his wife performing such an undercover role. It worsens the pain in his stomach more than the medication she gave him. But there he was, in front of her, smelling of flowers and wanting to reach out and touch her tender flesh. With their twins playing in the kitchen and the three agents keeping an eye on them, he was close enough to kiss her but didn't dare. Not until they had a chance to converse. She pulled a few soft drinks out of the fridge and handed one to him before following him into the living room she'd decorated with a few colorful accents from Milan before she had a
Rafaella was ecstatic as she watched her mother with tears in her eyes and a smile on her face as she hugged her only sibling, Cindy. Despite having concerns about what would come next in their lives now that the authorities had apprehended Colleen, Jasper, and their gang, she felt blessed despite these misgivings. It was a joyful moment since Rafaella's only sister had returned. She felt so much happiness in those moments. And even her mother could not hide the happiness and security of her will to see her two daughters together again. She quietly studied the profile of Cindy sharing her mother's happiness and tears while Gerald extended his hand to hold her mother's hand and kissed it. What a sweet man, she thought with a smile, but it vanished from her lips as she met her husband's facade, somewhat scowling. She strolled to join him, seated in one of the chairs with Ruslan and Leo nearby. "What is ailing you?" She asked in a whisper. "Nothing," his evasive reply and avoidi
Three days have passed since Rafaella was saved from the hands of Colleen, who kidnapped her as a ransom for Alexus to sign their divorce papers, but Alexus disagreed. Instead, he saved Rafaella from the hands of Jasper, who wanted to take advantage of her physically. They found out that Colleen was still in the clinic because she was high on substances when she was arrested, along with Jasper and some staff who hid in an abandoned farm that used to belong to one of her friends. And according to the investigation at the said location, the FBI group led by Gerald obtained two boxes of substance and some informative documents they did not divulge publicly. Alexus's stomach ache had also healed due to taking diet pills which Rafaella used as an accessory not to have intimacy with his ex-girlfriend, which he claimed was adequate but not good for his health as he felt deteriorating and weakling. So, the incident became a joke among the group. Rafaella felt even happier because t
Rafaella leaned her head against his shoulder and asked, "Can we just go to the woods?" He echoed in her ear, "I told you we couldn't. The woods are the worst area to flee to because doing so would be a suicide mission, and I also want her off my back. And that is to see her off to prison." Rafaella frowned at his remark, but she didn't need convincing—literally or figuratively—because she sensed she was about to enter a minefield. The area was eerie. She wanted to get back to her children to ensure no one was there to snap them away. That's why she was impatient in being in this place when she wanted to be home. She was never like this with her covert mission, but she had no idea this was how people with kidnapped family members felt in restless turmoil. Suppose there was compensation for being in this abandoned area, that was to be with Alexus. Having him beside her could make her forget her restlessness for at least a while. "Do you have a plan while we're hiding here?"
With a look of fear and determination, Rafaella struggled to untie her hands. Despite her fear, she hurriedly untied the duct tape holding both hands together when Colleen screamed and threatened her husband. She's just an unbelievable freak," she shook her head and thought. How could she get Alexus's feelings if she kept threatening him? She knew it would not work with Alexus. Was she that desperate to get his attention or something else? She figured out before that she might be desperate for lack of cash. And he thought Alexus was his only hope to help him. Rafaella got off the bed and sat on the floor. She looked around the room, wondering how she could get out of the room she was in. As fear registered in her brain, she tried to figure out how many of Colleen's men were so that she could estimate and know where they were located in that farmhouse. She remembered earlier that he didn't see anyone standing outside the house when they arrived, so she guessed that Colleen's men w
Rafaella awoke to heart-pounding panic. She finally managed to blink her eyes open as her senses slowly woke up. She realized she was in the back seat of the SUV. Suddenly, her forehead collided with the back of the driver's seat."Damn, that was close. Stupid animal crossing the road" said the man's stern voice in front of the steering wheel.She twisted wildly on her right side when she became aware of heavy breathing and found herself beside a man bent over as if he was sleeping inside the SUV.Instinctively, she grabbed for the door handle."Nice, try, but you shouldn't," snarled the voice beside her and grabbed her hair.She swallowed hard as she looked at him. Even in the dark of the backseat, she couldn't even see his eyes ultimately, but she knew. She'd seen the murder in his eyes earlier. When the time came for her to die, she knew he would kill her himself and relish the process. He would have killed her by now if it had been up to him. It wasn't up to him, though.Rafaella
Oh, I can't breathe. That thought quickly crossed her mind when Rafaella woke up. Her eyes widened as she struggled to get enough air into her lungs. Something covered her mouth and nose. And her heart beat faster as she glanced around the unfamiliar small room with a foul smell. She could hardly move as her hands were tied up behind her. She closed her eyes again and thought about what had happened last and how she ended up in a dark, unfamiliar place. The last thing she remembers was someone hitting her on the head when she came out of the comfort room of the cottage that belonged to Gwen. She rested her head against the bed's headboard and closed her eyes again as many images played through her mind. She remembered Alexus and their children. Oh, what's going on? Her thoughts were jumbled. I shouldn't freak out. She told herself that she needed to think clearly. as she leaned back, starting to remember what had happened. She remembered having amnesia, but now she could re
Rafaella stared at the laptop on her desk for the hundredth time facing the window. She had been checking Colleen's latest media update but found nothing, and she considered the fugitive woman not using her real identity. But she found out that someone was also digging into her records since many articles popped up that were not there two months ago. The publications claimed that Colleen had been institutionalized at a for-profit facility. Later reports mentioned her disappearance from the public eye. She wanted a calm life without being involved in the commercial matters of her family. What the hell kind of person lives like that? Rafaella asked. She looked at the Grant Pharmaceutical company's finances while still in shock. It combined with another profitable medical business while experiencing a decline in profits. Rafaella shook her head as she processed the new information. Given the business's financial stability, making money would have been tough when she last remembered