Standing at the door to the balcony off the spacious kitchen, Timothy greeted Rafaella with a friendly "Hi, Mrs. Latimer." "I heard you want to see me," he said. "Yes, Tim." He smiled at the man and said, "And please call me Rafaella. Have a seat inside." They locked gazes. They never exchanged more than a few words except for a cordial hello. The fact that, upon her husband's return from the workplace, he would enter his study room and, shortly after that, Timothy would enter Alexus' study room made it clear to her that the two were relatively close. She had to wonder what they were discussing at times. Rafaella looked at him with interest. "I was wondering how long you've been with Alex. We grew up together. Or let me say I grew up with him around, and he never once brought you up." "Certainly, the last five years have passed, and maybe more like..." "I see. That happened after I left," she said to herself. 'Don't sugarcoat it, Tim. What are you, his caretaker or bodyguard? Why
Rafaella gave her husband a silent embrace as they stood in their bedroom after entering."While I understand your disappointment at his escape, I can assure you that he did not suffer torture or mistreatment at the hands of his captors. 'He should think about that before he strikes again, or I will be the one to bury him,' Alexus muttered softly.She sent him a quick look before saying, "No, I can't allow you to do that. Don't be a criminal like them, Alex.""If it isn't necessary, then no, Rafa. This state of continual fear is untenable. I miss the stability of our daily routines. Our kids are now a part of it, too. I don't want them in the line of fire unless they have to be there.""This whole situation wouldn't have happened if I hadn't returned to you, Alex...""What do you mean? The war began right before you abandoned me...""Alright. But did someone try to harm you after I left?"Alex remained perfectly still."I have no idea why this is occurring.""You're entirely wrong. Fi
Rafaella awoke at 3 a.m. because she had to go to the bathroom. She cautiously got out of bed. After turning on the light, she proceeded to use the restroom. She sat on the toilet while reflecting on those intimate times with her husband.Then she realized that her period was a week late and she needed to go in for a checkup. She considered that she was not emotionally prepared to have children again, especially since they had issues with the culprits who wanted her dead.When Rafaella finished using the bathroom, she closed the door and went to bed. She just stood there and looked at Alexus sleeping peacefully.Even though the vehicle accident nearly killed him, she found solace in seeing him resting peacefully in bed. Knowing what happened to Alexus, Rafaella's heart felt like it was being squeezed.She inhaled deeply again, then returned to the bed and ran a finger through his hair as her gaze traveled down to his rumpled, shirtless torso. She could take it no longer and leaned in
Rafaella's confession to Alexus three days ago was still fresh in his thoughts. Even after over six years had passed, the truth he had learned continued to impact him. Why not? He didn't trust Rafaella enough to challenge her for a divorce then, and he didn't think she would agree to their divorce without a fight. His thoughts were interrupted when he heard knocks on his office door. Lance cocked his head before smiling as he finally opened the door. "I received your message. However, I want to meet with you instead of contacting you because we had a briefing." "That's okay. Are you leaving for lunch?" "That depends as I'm free. What's on your mind?" He asked with a shrug. "Are you not expecting Rafa?" "Nope. She's with our guest somewhere in town. I'm curious about where they go, but I don't want her to think I'm making a fuss." "Yeah. Even though that is too blatant, I can understand you given how young your wife is." "Hey. I don't look my age." Lance laughed. "Alex, oh my.
Lance's eyes lingered for a minute on his wife's elder brother. A vision of suppressed wrath immediately enslaved Alexus. And he could not hold his brother-in-law responsible for what his wife did to the woman he loved; she attempted to take her life and made grandiose plans to push Rafaella away from her husband's life."Wow. You did well. You were able to get them to confess everything. You should go back to the court, man. You're good as a prosecutor. I salute what you did.""No. I can't return to that kind of job now that I'm a family man. And she's pregnant again and back to her risky job.""What, being an agent?"Alexus nodded, "Let's eat...""That is wrong timing. It's not good for her condition...""Yes, I know. That's why I'm thinking of a way to stop her from returning to that position. She was reinstated three days ago, so I was not in the office. We went to Italy, and then she had a checked-up which I demanded; otherwise, I wouldn't know she's pregnant.""Well, maybe she w
Rafaella was quiet while looking at her companions in that group. She wanted to laugh at what she was involved in. She did not think she would be among those kidnapped by groups selling young girls. They were assigned to search for the slave traders, but they had no such luck before she resigned from being an agent. And when she was reinstated, she was among those kidnapped.She quietly followed the kidnappers and was barely startled when the door was shut once they had been herded into the ship.Without a doubt, Alexus must have worried a lot about what happened to her. She remembered she dropped her phone when the slave trader grabbed her. He must have searched for her when she let go of her cell phone. He could have heard her screaming, which she did intentionally to alarm her husband that she was in danger.What did they do to Gwen? She thought because it suddenly disappeared next to the car.How will we sleep? Rafaella sounded frightened. She thought she shouldn't nap but knew th
"Geral-" The man said emphatically, "I said you don't know me." Without even glancing at her, "Shut up, please." He continued. "Your failure is my death…." Rafaella desired to express her regret. His earlier instructions had slipped her mind. She muttered an obscenity as she tried to feel less alone now that she had found someone she could trust, despite her best efforts to tell herself otherwise. From the corner of her eyes, Rafaella saw him standing, and he walked away to meet the newcomer with a hug. He chirped, "It's been a while, Adriano. "I had no idea you were based here." "Just for today since Matteo couldn't make it. Who's the beauty with you?" "Ah, Rina. She requests my assistance in locating her boyfriend. "Oh, have you got time to play that chasing game?" She heard him laugh. She still remembered how she laughed with her. "Come, follow us," said the newcomer riding the chopper earlier. When the phone he was holding rang. "Oh, I must answer this phone cal
"Get some rest, babe. This call might take a long while," Alexus said as he kissed her temple.“Who's that?”"Ruslan..." He replied with a casual tone."Ugh. Okay..." She spoke as she drew the blanket to her neck and buried her face in the plush pillow. As he opened a door, she turned to look at him.Even though the balcony was only big enough for three persons, Alexus welcomed the cool air."What's up? How is your wife, specifically?" that voice we recognize. Not even a greeting. Simply too keen to learn Rafaella's state."She's all right. As turmoil erupted within the yacht, I managed to save her. Thank you so much for your assistance."That voice interrupted him, saying, "There's no need for that, Latimer. I completed it for her. I want you to know that I will go above and above to help her.”"Alright. I concur with you, Gerald."He responded as if hearing Alexus' thoughts, "Don't ask me anything about why I am there. Look after her. Concerning the mafia that was pursuing her, don't