Chapter 12

Skai’s POV

Maybe because I was in a haste.I rested against the bedframe breathing in and out. Removing my shoes, my legs are white, the shoes are a bit tight. I unclasped my watch and placed it on my bed- my evidence. Stripping myself afterwards, I entered the bathroom.

I open the faucet and splash water on my face. Weird. I don’t have that urge to scrub my hands clean. I had a cold shower to calm my nerves. I brushed my teeth and removed my wig.

Going back to my room in flip flop slippers. I walked over to my closet and pulled out a short and singlet.

I went to the kitchen and made something to eat, bread and scrambled eggs. I leaned against the kitchen counter looking directly at the clock.

You are lucky the camera in this area is down.

I wish Carlo never said those words because I can’t stop replaying them. I should have known they'd be CCTV. The scenario continues barging through my head like a symphony gone wrong.

Opening the hidden compartments under the floorboards, I pulled out my burner phone and checked if my gun was intact. What would have happened to it anyways

I've not been in contact with the agency since then.

I sat down relaxed and opened the laptop again. Punching in my username and password one more time. The laptop unlocked displaying the icon, a feeling of relief flashed through me.

Fumbling my hand through the tool box, I found a screwdriver. I need to remove the spy microphone from my wristwatch, connect it to my laptop through Bluetooth and then convert it into mp3 audio. I'm used to little technical solutions.

I dialed the number on the burner phone

“Hi, Mr Juliano, this is Enzo” I said

“Why were you seen with Giovanni’s son? Those people are not easy to joke with” . As if he wasn't interested in the evidence.

“Are you spying on me, Mr Juliano”, I said, surprised

“I have a private investigator and he owes me his loyalty”, he said with a cool voice

“I was just trying to use him as a stepping block to get closer to them, It’s part of the game. I'm capable of doing this Mr Juliano, don't be scared. Trust is to be earned”. I said, trying to clear his doubts.

“I thought you were getting involved in personal stuff. Just be extra careful and vigilant.”

“They’re trying to bring the company into financial ruin using your father as your weak point. They see you as an hindrance and I'm afraid they might come after you”

“I knew it. Those people are up to no good.”

“We should know how to handle your father, so that he doesn't fall for their trick and agree to the contract.”

“I was able to get the voice recording. I'll forward it to your mail for evidence. That's what I get for now. There are other hidden things to find out”. He doesn't need the full details.

“You'll let me know if another thing comes up”

“Yes sir, as soon as I know”.

Okay

Now. Everybody is spying on me. I'm the centre of concentration. Carlo, then Juliano. Who else do I not know about?.

I hung up feeling fulfilled. I rested on my back and with the laptop on my lap. Then I remembered that placing a laptop on your lap for a long time causes posture imbalance and heat exposure. Not aware of how sure it is.

I walked over to the desk, pulled out a chair and I sat with the laptop on the table. I was about to send the audio to Mr Juliano when my laptop went off. Why is everything going wrong today?

I figured I've not charged it for a long time, so I plugged it in and sent the audio to Mr Juliano.

Then , I remembered the issue with Carlo. The need to restrategize hits my nerve endings. I opened my laptop to get more details about him. He's not on any social media, only I*******m.

He's the only one with that username, so it's easy to identify. He has a lot of followers- mostly females. He has blurry and side view pictures. He has a horde of admirers. The multiple comments of ladies on his pictures.

His last post was a blurry picture of him holding a baseball stick and his car not showing his plate number.

With reluctant fingers, I pulled up g****e and searched.

Carlo Auder. The first articles that come out are about his upbringing and early life, height and a few unnecessary details I already came across in the files. Sitting opposite the laptop, I watched the details intently like a researcher would watch his lab rats.

The article reads: Carlo Auder is 28 years old. Born in Venice, Italy. Height is 6 ft 4 in. He's a social elite.

I stumbled on another page and discovered that he has a club in the heart of Italy- ‘The Den’.

I go back to the main search. It takes a few pages to find an article about other suggestions. I don’t know why I only keep seeing the technical details.

I fall into a rabbit hole and study all the articles, comments, and even the interviews. Then, my eyes caught a line “ His father is said to be a renowned mafia leader”. My eyes widened. I knew there's something else to who that man is.

I exit the article not wanting to read more, releasing a breath through my nose with my elbow on my desk and my hand resting on my forehead.

Checked my phone, I got an email from the LIAS group that they'll be hosting a networking reception party. That sounds decent for a dubious company.