Chapter 7 The Mafia Pursued Her

She turned to face the man in the elevator. He looked back at her, and an idea crossed her mind. When she told Oscar he was her lover, she overheard him chuckling. He confronted Oscar, whose ears grew pink, and then strolled away to demonstrate his point by coming to her side and bringing her closer to him. When she overheard him speaking to someone on his mobile phone, she realized he was gay. He grinned broadly as he extended his hand to her.

Rafaella hoped that her steadfast relationship would enable her to escape the terrible circumstances she had found herself in. She had no idea why she had a stalker all of a sudden.

As he held the elevator door, Luigi reassured her, "Complete discretion." Starting with that hallway encounter, she and Luigi became best buddies.

After she unexpectedly called him for security protection, he became her excellent buddy and was ready to assist her and treat her like a VIP at his friend's business.

As she and Luigi started to stroll down the thickly carpeted hallway, she agreed, happy that her voice came across as calm and steady. When she glanced to the left, to the row of windows there, she could see the killer view. The main office was in Milan, in one of the enormous skyscrapers. Did you let your pal know about my needs, um?" She recalled questioning him.

"Avoid worrying-no doubt about it. You are not the first client to request covert security. The agents in this room are familiar with the procedure. They are all focused on crafting a strong cover story."

Although she quickly exhaled in relief, it was how it began cooperating with the secret agent squad. She underwent rigorous training to work in an office. She attended college at night even though Luigi offered financial assistance, particularly after learning she was divorced from his half-brother, whom he had only met once. She instead requested his help in finding employment. Since then, they have grown to trust one another through life's ups and downs.

Rafaella was startled from her miles-away thoughts when she heard a spoon strike the floor. She discovered her daughter Lucy laughing while holding her brother's nose with spaghetti sauce-stained fingers.

Her aide said, "They're finished eating and teasing one another."

Her son tilted his head at her as she giggled and reached for the tissue to wipe his swollen lips. He received a kiss from her.

He enthusiastically exclaimed, "Love, mommy."

"And mommy adores Josh, too," she added with affection. "Do you love Libby, too?" She inquired about his nanny from him.

The tiny child nodded, "Yes, but I love you more, mommy."

"Me, too. My darling Lucy and sweet Joshua are the finest. The love of my life. " Her hand softly stroked her daughter's long brown hair. "I love you as much as I love Lucy."

The little girl gave her a flying kiss.

"I'm delighted, Lucy. Alright, everybody. Let's go to our suite; it's time to wash."

"And watch the animation," Joshua said with a smile as he encircled her neck.

They headed to the elevator that Libby had pressed to take them to the 18th floor. Rafaella was carrying her son, and Lucy was with Libby. When the twins landed on the floor, they ran down the hallway. At the same time, she walked with Libby to their hotel suite entrance. They were alerted and quietly exchanged looks when the door opened before the card was inserted into the keyhole.

Rafaella's palm stopped her from exhaling when she saw the dirty things in the bed from the open doorway. She looked at her kids and indicated with her index not to speak as her gaze swept the empty hallway from the entrance. Her instinct overrode her as she slowly moved backward, pulling Libby.

She quietly told the children to stay calm and picked up Joshua. She swallowed forcefully as her heartbeat began to tremble. And she softly pushed the door going to the stairway.

She motioned for Libby to take the stairs as she entered the 16th floor of the elevator.

She added, "Listen closely. You must proceed first, strolling idly as though just relaxing. We must leave this place as soon as possible. And you and Lucy go first. I don't believe this place is secure."

"What about you? "Libby asked with a nod.

"I'll stick with you. Get a cab and head to the next hotel as soon as possible."

"Okay. Take care, Rafa." And turned away when Rafaella nodded.

As the elevator door closed, she nodded and continued to observe them both. Rafaella tried to distract herself after leaving the ground level by making fun of Joshua until she reached the door.

She heaved a deep sigh as the wind hit her face when they were outside the hotel. She felt like she had just emerged underwater and started walking toward the road, wondering if Libby had made it safely. And was startled to see two guys holding Libby and Lucy.

She was scared of what could happen to them. And why some men trailing her started from the airport. But she tried to bury whatever she felt and acted normal as she walked towards the men.

"What is going on, Libby?" As she walked, she casually asked.

"Give up worrying. We want to ask you a specific inquiry, "The chubby man continued. She's being closely watched. Then grabbed Rafaella's shoulder bag, inspected what was inside, and kept holding it.

"I'll return it to you once we inspect your luggage."

She answered with calm, "Okay. What is it about?" Then she looked at Libby and her daughter for a moment. "What's going on?"

"We would like to check your luggage," said the large man in a black jacket holding Libby.

"Our luggage is at the airport," She replied calmly. This scenario is nothing new to her because of the nature of her job. "Why do you want to inspect my luggage?"

"We are looking for a lost suitcase. And we want to check your luggage for contents. You'll soon be alongside your friends if you cooperate with us."

"All right. I'm with you. Let's go to the airport then, "Rafaella comfortingly replied. "As we are bound to leave in five hours."

The two men exchanged glances.

"I don't think we understand each other, madame," he said. "We want the boss's suitcase," was the request.

"I'm not sure what you're saying, but you can check my luggage," she said.

"That's good, then. I'm glad you understand our objective."

"But on one condition. Let go of my companions. It's time for my kids' nappy."

The man glanced at his pal and then nodded.

As she handed her kid over to Libby, Rafaella stated, "Bring them to their uncle, where I directed you since I'll be going for a couple of hours, I guess." The instruction she gave to Libby.

"Mommy..."

"Josh, mommy has to go with them. I'll soon join you, okay? For the time being, go with Libby. It won't take me long." And nodded at the two men. Shortly, she started walking with the two men.

"Do you have a car so we can reach the airport quickly?"? Rafaella queried as she followed the two men down the side street.

The taller man with a scar on his right face and a baseball cap picked up the phone and started talking to someone.

Rafaella looked around when she heard Joshua's voice.

"No!" She exclaimed in panic. "Josh, reverse yourself. Go back to Libby."

"Mommy...!"

"Go back!"

Her son ignored what she said and continued walking towards her.

Rafaella panicked and ran to meet her son when she saw the car behind her son. The car is running fast.

Meanwhile, Timothy's car approached the hotel where he last saw Rafaella. When Timothy heard Alexus groan angrily, he quickly turned to face him.

"One disadvantage of managing a firm is that your actions are influenced by a lot of sharks around acting like a parasite. You decide which side you're on, though. Is that what you desire, though?" He asked, darted a glance at Alexus.

He said coldly, "She was asking for a divorce so she could be with another man."

"Oh, and you find it annoying, right?" Timothy provoked him. " If you decide to side with the vindictive shark lawyers. Moreover, she was humiliated, preventing her from receiving anything from the divorce process. And you permitted them to undermine her because she desired another man?"

"No. I disagreed with the attorneys. In addition, she wasn't wholly to blame for what had occurred. I also can't hold the attorneys responsible for the company's security. You are aware of how the business operates."

"And, more or less, their pockets. However, that will rely on you. If Rafaella, who represents half of the corporation, battles for her rights, there is nothing they can do."

"I'd prefer not to discuss the case. Can you get there quickly?"

"Be tolerant. We'll be at the hotel for five more minutes," Timothy informed him. "And until you speak with your wife, stop drawing assumptions."

"If they haven't already left the hotel, that is," Alexus remarked dryly. "My life is in chaos every time she's here," he said grimly.