Chapter 34: Raphael

I stood there, watching as Julliette's tears flowed, each one some how sends a pang of guilt down my throat . It was as if I had failed her, failed to protect her from this overwhelming burden. Her voice, once filled with frustration, had now been reduced to a broken whisper, and I couldn't bear the weight of that.

Maybe I had taken this whole matter a little too lightly.If I had helped when I could this wouldn't be a big mess

A mixture of guilt and determination surged within me. I should have had the resources ready when she needed them most, and now I was witnessing the consequences of that delay. But I wasn't going to let this stand. I couldn't let her face this alone.

I want to help

For real this time

With a tender touch, I used my thumb to gently wipe away the tears that still clung to her cheeks. Her vulnerability hit me like a punch in the gut. I had seen her strong and determined, and now she was shattered, and it was partly my fault.

I whispered softly, my voice a mere murmur in the grandeur of the living room. "You're safe now. I'll take care of this. Just rest, okay?"

Carefully, I scooped her up, cradling her in my arms. She was light, but the weight of responsibility weighed heavily on me. I carried her towards the guest room, each step taken with a sense of purpose. She needed to sleep, to find solace in the sanctuary of dreams.

Gently, I laid her down on the plush bed, tucking the covers around her. She looked fragile, like a delicate flower in need of protection. I wished I could shield her from all the pain, but the least I could do was try to make amends.

After ensuring she was comfortable, I stepped out of the room and closed the door with a soft click. I took out my phone and dialed a number, one that I knew could help in times like these. It was a favor I had kept in reserve, and now was the moment to cash it in.

"Hey, it's Raphael," I said when the call was answered. "I need you to do me a favor, a big one."

It's time to get serious

Rodrigo Benjamin and I go way back, to the days when the world was simpler, and our paths were aligned in more innocent pursuits. We were friends, comrades in adventures that tested our limits, and allies in times when loyalty was the greatest currency we possessed. But life has a way of steering us down divergent paths, and while I took a different road, Rodrigo found himself immersed in the clandestine world of the underground.

He had risen through the ranks of a feared mafia, an empire that controlled shadows and whispered commands, a world most wouldn't dare to acknowledge. Despite the darkness that shrouded his profession, Rodrigo remained true to the bonds of friendship that had been forged in our youth. It was this loyalty, this debt of camaraderie, that he owed me those significant favors.

In the past, I had been there for him when he needed someone to watch his back, to lend a helping hand when the world seemed against him. Our friendship had weathered storms, and those memories formed an unbreakable link between us. Rodrigo knew that I had saved him from a tight spot more than once, and when the time came, he was more than willing to repay those debts.

Through the years, he had kept his promise, his favor bank growing, each act of reciprocity etching a deeper sense of trust. He had facilitated information, provided resources, and ensured that my interests were protected when the world turned treacherous. The underground held its secrets, and Rodrigo held sway over them, and that was something he was willing to leverage for an old friend.

So, when I made that call, the connection was immediate. He knew the gravity of the situation, the urgency in my voice, and without hesitation, he offered his assistance. In this murky world of power and shadows, Rodrigo Benjamin was both a feared figure and a man of integrity, standing by his word, especially when it came to an old friend in need.

"Raphael, my friend," Rodrigo's voice was smooth, a testament to the charm that had made him so successful in his world. "What can I do for you?"

I didn't waste any time. I laid out the situation with Julliette, the urgency of the matter evident in my words. Rodrigo listened carefully, his silence a testament to the gravity of the moment. When I finished, there was a brief pause, and then he spoke.

"Consider it done," Rodrigo's assurance held a weight that was comforting. "I'll pull some strings, make sure the right people are on this. She'll be safe, Raphael, you have my word."

I couldn't help but let a smile curl on my face

Now we're talking.

Rodrigo was a man of his word, and his word carried weight in a world most people never even knew existed. He had come through for me more times than I could count, and I trusted him implicitly.

"Thank you, Rodrigo," I said, my voice filled with genuine appreciation. "You have no idea how much this means to me."

"It's not just for you, my friend," Rodrigo replied, his voice taking on a hint of seriousness.

I made my way down to the kitchen, a wave of weariness washing over me as the weight of the events from the previous night still hung in the air. As I entered the spacious kitchen, the scent of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the aroma of breakfast foods. I needed something to eat, to fuel my body and my resolve for the tasks ahead. I quickly put together a hearty sandwich, all the while keeping my phone within reach.

With the sandwich in one hand and my phone in the other, I dialed Rodrigo's number. The line rang, each ring echoing in the quiet room, carrying the weight of urgency. Finally, he picked up, his voice a steady presence on the other end.

"Rodrigo, it's me," I said, my tone carrying the urgency that underscored our situation. "I have a lead. I managed to get the plate number of one of the cars that attacked us last night. I need you to use your resources, find out who's behind it."

There was a pause on the other end, a brief moment of consideration, and then Rodrigo's voice broke through. "You got it, Raphael. Send me the plate number, and I'll see what I can find. Stay safe."

I rattled off the plate number to Rodrigo, my fingers moving quickly across the screen of my phone. This information was our best shot at uncovering the shadowy figures who had threatened us.

Minutes felt like hours as I awaited a response. The sandwich sat on the plate, forgotten as my focus remained locked on my phone, waiting for that crucial message from Rodrigo. And then, like a lifeline, a notification appeared on my screen. It was Rodrigo, and he had come through once again.

"Bingo," I whispered

I opened the message, revealing the location he had uncovered. My eyes scanned the details, my mind mapping out the route, preparing for the confrontation that lay ahead.

I took a sip of the orange juice I had poured earlier, the cool, tangy taste a welcome break from the intensity of the moment. The juice invigorated me.

I heard the soft, almost hesitant footsteps coming down the stairs, a sound that was familiar. Julliette had always been a morning person,I remember this from when we used to date in highschool.

Not that I care too much about it though.

I was just taking another bite of my sandwich when she entered the kitchen, her presence radiating a subtle grace.

She had that fresh morning glow, the kind that only enhanced her natural beauty. She wore my old black shirt, a familiar sight that tugged at memories from simpler times. The shirt was oversized on her, hanging just a few inches above her knee. It was a look that had me stealing a glance, a moment where my heart seemed to pause.

She looked really pretty

Our eyes met, a fleeting connection that held a world of emotions within it. But just as quickly, she averted her gaze, as if feeling awkward under my scrutiny. There was a vulnerability in that moment, a sense that our worlds had been shaken, and we were grappling with the aftermath.

"Morning," she murmured softly, her voice carrying a hint of hesitance.

"Morning," I replied, setting aside the sandwich

She moved to the counter, her hands fidgeting slightly as she prepared a cup of coffee. The silence between us felt charged, a reminder of the events that had transpired and the unspoken feelings that hung in the air.

I wanted to say something, to bridge the gap that had seemingly formed between us, but words felt inadequate. Instead, I walked over to her, standing a comfortable distance away, not wanting to intrude on her space.

"Raphael, about last night…" She began, my voice trailing off as I searched for the right words"Nevermind"she finally says

"Thanks for letting me stay the night"she says in a low tone making the atmosphere even more awkward

"I called an old friend"I said"he's skilled with y'know these type of stuff.He can help"

Just then her eyes lit up almost like something from a cartoon,it's been awhile since I've seen her expression.A genuine one

Something in me actually wants to protect it

She comes over to where I am and takes a high stool from the dining table and sits next to me.

"Well what did he say?"she asks expectantly as she brushed her hair to the back of her ear

Cute