Chapter 19

Hugo looked at me with a worried expression as we both got ready to leave. At that exact moment Campani shouted, “Raf please wait for a second!”

I suddenly halted in the middle of my step and decided to turn around. I saw Don Campani who was in the process of lighting yet another cigar. The tiny flame from his lighter danced in the air as he looked at me with his eyes narrowed in concentration. He then began to speak saying “I need you to take care of the Giacomo Bellotti problem…”

“Yes, I will take care of it,” I said to him with confidence even though I could feel a tight knot of anxiety forming in my stomach. Bellotti had been a constant source of trouble for us for a long time making things difficult. I gave him one more nod but it was only a short break from my bigger worries. As I walked out into the hallway I couldn’t shake the feeling that the challenges ahead would soon take over my thoughts again.

The air outside felt fresh and invigorating while I walked toward the spot where my car was parked and waiting for me. However just as I was about to get to my car I heard a gentle and soft voice calling out to me. It said “Rafaelle?”

I turned around and saw Luiza standing there in front of me. She had a nervous smile on her face that seemed to come and go. “Hey I just wanted to say something.” she started to say but then she paused for a moment. It was clear that she was struggling to find the right words and her confidence seemed to be fading away.

“Luiza?” I asked while reaching out my hand to shake hers. “It's nice to meet you or at least I think it is.”

She reached out and took my hand in hers shaking it with a strong grip. Looking at me with curiosity she asked “What did he want to talk to you about?”

“Typically the news isn't anything particularly positive,” I said trying to add some humor to the situation with a small smile on my face. “However there's no need to be concerned. It's just the usual matters of business that we deal with regularly.”

“Oh is that what you refer to as arranged marriages in today's world? You call it a business deal?” She laughed and her laughter was like a beautiful melody. “I mean really how could anyone possibly resist such an arrangement?”

She tried to flirt with me and the atmosphere felt filled with a mix of lighthearted fun and genuine intent. “You have a way about you that’s charming,” I said in response. However, I felt I needed to make it clear that I was in a bit of a hurry. “It was nice to meet you.” I continued “But I have some other commitments and places that I need to go to.” I didn’t want to stay too long.

As I turned around I noticed that her voice carried a subtle tempting tone that made it sound a bit seductive. She asked me “Is it possible for me to have your phone number? We could perhaps make the effort to get to know each other a little better?”

I paused for a moment looking back over my shoulder to see her. She was very attractive and walked with a lot of confidence making her presence known. However, something in my gut told me that it wouldn’t be a good idea to get more involved with her. So I decided to respond carefully. “I don’t believe that would be the best decision,” I said trying to make sure my voice sounded polite but also strong enough to show that I meant what I said.

With a smile that stayed on my face for a little while I gently walked by her and then climbed into the back seat of the car. I turned to Hugo and said, “Hugo please start driving.” I settled into the comfortable leather seat that was behind the front seat where he was getting comfortable in his role as the driver.

As the car began to slowly move forward I found myself gazing out the window lost in a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts that kept coming and going in my mind. There was no denying that Luiza was an absolutely beautiful woman but deep down I strongly felt that I had no intention or desire to marry someone whom I didn’t genuinely love. The image of the life that Campani had drawn for me felt overwhelmingly suffocating and it seemed like there was no way for me to break free from that situation.

Hugo decided to break the quiet moment that had filled the room. He turned to his boss and asked with concern “Are you feeling okay boss?”

“It depends on what you mean by the word 'alright'“ I said softly while I was rubbing the back of my neck. “I honestly didn’t expect Campani to catch me off guard like that.”

“How do you plan to deal with this situation? Are you considering marrying Luiza? If you do decide to go ahead with that it will change the way power is balanced between everyone involved.”

“I have no intention of marrying someone who doesn't belong in my future,” I replied my tone becoming a bit somber. “And I honestly never imagined that I would be paraded around like an impressive prize pony for everyone to see.”

Hugo looked at me out of the corner of his eye and I could see that he was starting to frown. He said “But think about it—what if this is an opportunity for peace with Campani and the people who are with him? You have to realize that such a situation could help make your position more stable and secure.”

“You are talking about his position,” I said sharply feeling irritated. “This entire situation is focused on what he wants and it doesn't take into consideration what I want or need.” I let out a deep sigh and in that moment of venting my feelings, it helped to alleviate some of the pressure that was building up inside my chest. Hugo stayed quiet showing that he understood my frustration and chose to respect my feelings.

As we went deeper into the city I thought more about Luiza. I had felt a warm connection with her—something pure mixed with hope. But in the chaos around us, it seemed like a risky way to feel.