TRICK OR A TRAP?

(Third person's POV)

"What did you say, Andrew?" Rachel looked at him with a confused expression to reconfirm the words she heard.

Andrew stood in front of her while grabbing her by the shoulders.

"But…you said he's a criminal." Rachel sweated profusely due to the heated conversation going on.

"So? Can't you sacrifice yourself for me?" He shrugged his shoulders and continued,

"Rachel, you should be ashamed of yourself. Where was your conscience when you spent last night with a stranger? You don't believe me?" His annoyed expression and angry tone made Rachel flinch and she moved back.

"Sorry…. Maybe I am overthinking." Rachel apologized for doubting her 'loyal' boyfriend.

Turning his back from her he continued, "I and my team have been after Vincenzo Siemens for two years. Every time we fail by an inch. Somehow that bloody arrogant mafia wins. I want him to be behind the bars and this has become my craze. I don’t care about my life anymore.”

Hearing the last sentence, Rachel hugged Andrew from the back.

“Your life matters to me. A lot.”

Andrew turned towards Rachel and held her shoulders for support.

He looked at her eyes which were tearing up. Giving her hands a little squeeze, he said,

“You have to be so close to him that you can predict his next step. So close that you can read his eyes and he thinks only of you as his partner. Can you become Vincenzo's love for me? Rachel?” Andrew whispered, leaning close to her ear.

“Andrew, this will be so tough for me. You don’t even realize what you are demanding. People want time, care, authority in love and you are-“ Rachel said while sobbing.

“Rachel, this is the thing I want in return for my love. I need to know how much you can sacrifice for our love. Do you agree?” Andrew asked again while hugging Rachel. Rachel took a deep breath and answered,

"Yes. I agree."

Andrew patted her back to stop Rahel from crying and pressed some light kisses on her forehead to call her.

"Get ready. You will be attending Vincenzo's party tomorrow. That's where the game begins."

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Next morning,

Rachel was dressed in a white off-shoulder dress with heels and sunglasses to hide her puffy eyes. A diamond hairpin was pinned to Rachel's hair which had an inbuilt speaker in it. Andrew was connected through it. She rubbed off the last teardrop and walked in through the staircase.

Vincenzo was on the railing enjoying some kiwi juice before the event while keeping a check on the guests entering. He never trusted his family's safety to the slackers in black and kept a close watch on himself.

"Rachel?" He rubbed his eyes and looked at the entrance scan again. It was indeed her.

"Last time I warned you. This time I will take you with me." A wide smirk spread over his face.

His heart was beating loud but Vincenzo couldn't show his emotions to anyone. He had to be rough to tame others.

"Be tough and don't smile. Don't let your heart melt." He kept repeating to himself and proceeded downstairs.

Rachel was too nervous and she profusely sweated until she bumped into a large man. Looking up, she knew who the man was.

"Why did you come here?" Vincenzo asked in his cold voice.

"Sir….I am the… party planner for today." She stuttered.

"Who the hell appointed you? I hate people like you who have a messed and disorganized mind." He nearly yelled.

"Sir..I.I have experience." Rachel was too nervous to form words.

"Don't you fucking stutter again. I will stretch out your tongue and pin it if you repeat that."

Rachel couldn't help but broke down and her eyes overflowed. The black glasses were hiding them well but the drops traced her cheeks and went down the chin.

Vincenzo rubbed a tear with his finger and continued, "Save these for later. Go and inspect everything. I have many officials on the board today. One mistake from your end and I will kill you with no regrets. Did you fucking understand?"

Rachel nodded continuously until Vincenzo left and heaved a sigh of relief.

She walked around while reporting everything to Andrew but suddenly bumped into someone again. It was Athea, the deadly verbal poison of the family.

"How dare you cheap folk bump into me? Do you know the expense of my dress? And this drink you spilled?" She wailed at the top of her voice.

"Sorry, miss Athea it was a mistake. I apologize for that." Rachel politely blurted. But Athea was having fun and she decided to stretch the situation.

"Waiter? Hand over the mop and polish to her." She said pointing out to a random waiter.

"And you…. Clean the floor and then my shoes."

"Miss what?" Rachel looked up with a terrified expression. What was this happening?

"Just do it, Rachel. It won't matter anyway." Andrew ordered from the other end.

Rachel shut her eyes tight to prevent them from bursting. The waiter came with a mop and held it out to Rachel.

"No. I won't do it. I am the party planner for this event. Not a servant." Rachel spoke with a stern expression.

"What? I didn't hear you. You are saying no to Athea Siemens?" Anger was instantly visible in her eyes.

"Yes. I won't do it."

Vincenzo was standing in a group and observing everything. He smiled a little watching Rachel being mouthy to Athea.

"Then I don't need you on board. Come out and leave." Athea screamed and dragged Rachel by her wrist towards the exit. Rachel was struggling but ended up falling. Athea still didn't show any mercy and continued dragging until she heard Vincenzo's voice.

"Stop. Leave her. Go back to your room." He yelled.

Athea stomped her feet twice and left.

Rachel's ankle had sprained due to constant dragging and she continued looking down. Vincenzo kneeled and offered his hand to Rachel. She looked up to meet a pair of troubled eyes. Taking the help, she stood up but stumbled again on Vincenzo. He immediately carried her in his arms and hurried to grab a seat.

"Are you fine?" The worry was evident in his voice. That couldn't be hidden behind the mask of ruthlessness he usually wore.

"Are you not Vince? Your eyes remind me of him."

"Rachel, mind your words. I am a dangerous man. If you don't keep quiet I will break your legs and throw you into the water."

As Vincenzo massaged the ointment on the wound, Rachel continued staring into his eyes, rethinking several times of Vince.

"Done starting? Don't stare at me like that. I will dig out your eyeballs." Here came the usual cold tone.

Rachel quickly shifted her eyes to the other side and bit her upper lip to hide the embarrassment.

"He is a ruthless mafia. Be careful at every step." Andrew's words rang in Rachel's ears.

"Now this is ok. Head to the main area on your own. I have ordered someone else to take a check on the arrangements. You can take a rest. And……Don't call me by that name. I am Vincenzo Siemens."

He leaned close to warn her and left.