For some reason, he felt like sweat trickled from his forehead. He peered from around the hallway as he spotted Timothy walking towards him. "What's up? Were you able to find out if she would be released today?" Alexus asked while trying to calm himself. "Yeah. Done," Timothy replied. "Why do you look agitated?" Alexus let go a deep sigh, and he shook his head incredulously. "It's my wife giving me this panic attack. I always thought she was calm and always cautious. But not this version of Rafaella that's worried me like hell." Alexus released a profound sigh after telling Timothy about his wife's plan. "Don't take it in a hard way," Timothy remarked. "She has the reason to consider it in her way. She must feel at the edge of what happened to her and realize that the only way to finish the issue is to face it rather than be cautious in the corner." "I know, but it's too dangerous what she was planning to do," Alexus said, somewhat upset. "Just put yourself in her situation. How
Alexus felt the movement as his wife fell asleep, leaning against his chest. They were being carried through the air, and he expected Rafaella to wake up at any moment. And his eyes narrowed at the slight movement of Rafaella's eyelashes. She looked so tame. That's what he thought. Her eyes steadily stared at his chest until they opened furiously and twisted her head, and their eyes met. A smile slowly gaped at her lips. Then it widened as it seemed realization hit her. "Where am I?" "Easy..." he said when Rafaella moved to sit down, and her eyes widened when she saw the flight stewardess gliding the trolley. She then turned back to look at her husband. "Yes, we're already boarded as you went to sleep..." "Oh... I'm sorry," Rafaella said softly. Her brows were slightly furrowed. "I wasn't aware that I was dozing off." "I'm not surprised at all. It would be best if you had it," Alexus remarked. "How's your head?" She stroked the part of her head almost at her nape wrapped in a ba
Rafaella felt relieved after a long soak in the shower as she thought about the issue of her married life. If she was honest with herself, she knew she didn't know what to do now that she and Alexus were alone in the main bedroom. So, she came out of the bathroom while patting her chest. Alexus was leaning against the bed's headboard with the laptop on his lap. It was the first time she saw him wearing reading glasses. The aura on his face looks serious. Maybe the man felt his eyes on her, so he raised his head. Their eyes met momentarily before he wandered over to her outfit, a pair of dark silk blue pajamas. Her face warmed when she noticed his eyes resting on her chest. "Can you not look at me like that," she scolded, pulling the bath towel around her head so it won't reach the water on her head with a bandage. The smiles that appeared on Alexus' lips. "Come here, Rafa..." he said, patting the side of the bed. "Why?" She asked as she approached the bed. She sat down, and the tw
Rafaella awoke slowly, burrowing into her plush cushion and keeping her eyes closed. She was alerted that she was awake later than usual by a warm beam that caressed her skin via the bedroom window. She rolled over as the orchestra, primarily bass drums, started playing a symphony in her thoughts. When the bright sun blinded her, she slowly opened her eyes before closing them again. She twisted to look at that side of the bed and found Alexus facing her sideways, but she stopped when she realized he appeared asleep. Rafaella fixed her gaze on his serene demeanor. She was trance-like. She moved gently, leaned closer to the man's face, blowing on his eyelashes to ensure he was still sleeping, then lowered her head back onto her plush cushion. Not even the slightest shift from what she did. She didn't look away from the man. When the person next to her sighed, she felt her stomach ache to tighten into a painful knot. No. God, no. That groan was one I recognized. Even worse, it brough
Alexus looked at him. He was looking over his profile. The older man was busy formulating ideas. Then Mr. Jones returned to the table once more while still standing. He waited for the older man to speak as he lifted both hands to the table."I'm not as heartless as their father, but even if I squeeze my brain at these times, I can't think of a way to solve the problem I'm currently facing. I now recognized what a huge error I had made. When I accept that course of action, I depend on material things. If she marries him, their lives will be happy and content. So tell me, how can I escape this predicament? Nothing at all." While looking at Rafaella's father, Alexus's emotions were torn between sympathy and wrath, but he was also considering ways to save the older man and his daughter. "Yeah, I admit it. I made a terrible mistake, and I did it because I was fixated on gambling. But the truth is, I am too weak to get out of it." "However, Mr. Jones, do you understand the implications o
Rafaella watched her father and Alexus as she murmured, "Mum claimed you've been together long inside this room.""Hey, sweetie. You surely beat the investigator with your questions," Alexus was purposely attempting to catch her attention. " The truth is, among other things, your daddy and I were just discussing your debut."Her joyous eyes expanded as she said, "Oh. Alexus, are you coming?""Naturally, I'll be your second dancing partner, just like your dad would be."You won't get lost that day, promise me."He cheered, "Sounds like an ultimatum. I also want to see how men snatch my gorgeous adoptive sister so that I won't miss it for anything," he joked."That's fantastic, but where have you been? It seems like you've been away for a while.""Oh, you know, I was doing an undercover thing.""Difficult situation?""You may say that, but I must conduct my inquiry as usual, or else my client will be in serious trouble.""But what if your client is the guilty party?""I hate to entertai
The picture frame slid to the ground, and Alexus grabbed it up. It was broken. He fixed his gaze on the people he was within the group photos, which also included Rafaella's father and other friends. The picture was taken at an inauguration they both attended, where he had the opportunity to meet Sandy, one of the speakers since she was a shareholder in the newly established business. Now that he was secretly married, Alexus questioned what might have happened. When a peculiar cold sensation overcame him, he gazed around carelessly. Why am I experiencing this? Why am I the only one feeling this way? Which does this imply? He chose to leave his study space. When he saw his sister rushing toward him, he was still perplexed about what was happening to him. "What's up, Marla?" Oh, brother," she murmured with a hint of worry. "What I'm about to tell you is something you won't believe." He was impatient and said, "Tell me straight, Marla." "Something happened... Mr. Jones died. Mrs. W
A succession of taps on the door of their chamber cut short Alexus' explanation to his wife of what had happened to her father and why he had married her by proxy.Mommy? Daddy?The twins' cheerful voices could be heard as they entered their room."Oh, where have they gone?""On the balcony," Alexus yelled, "In here, Josh," before glancing briefly at his wife and vanishing, leaving Rafaella to wipe away her tears swiftly.The twins gave him a bear embrace as soon as they saw him."Daddy, we have a question for you."He observed their glances at each other and inquired, gazing back from Joshua to Lucy.Joshua was ready to get started. "May we go swimming, Dad?""Okay, but just a little swim."The twins became animated.Joshua asked as he took a glance around. "Where is Mommy?"He turned to the twins and stated, "Mom and I were just conversing," before looking up at Libby. "They've eaten, right?"Sure, Daddy," Lucy promptly replied. "Let's go to the pool!""Well, go ahead. Mom and I wil
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