Chapter 28: TWENTY EIGHT

RAFFAELE

"It's a sinking boat, Amadeo," I rubbed my temple slowly, staring down at the six-figure numbers.

A towering pile of workload mounted each day as I neglected to take care of the broad meetings and necessary sanctions—one that could only be approved by my signature.

"I agree, and that is why we are getting buying for such a low price. Otherwise, a casino in Las Vegas cost an arm and a leg," my brother reasoned. He was a calculative bloke who was rarely confident with business deals. Still, his insistence provided me with a specific relief.

Amadeo wasn't a person who would blindly build castles in the air. His reasons were definitely backed-up with future plans.

Leaning back comfortably, my fingers drummed against the table as I looked up at him. "Let's just say that we purchase the casino. Then what? We need a plan of action; otherwise, it is just a dead investment."

A knowing smile stretched across his face. Reaching out, he pulled out a paper and slid it towards me. "I already have a PR team shortlisted and ready to be hired—all power-hungry and bright kids. They will study the audience, deal with the innovation, and come up with an atypical branding technique. Whatever mistakes the previous owners did—it won't be repeated."

I glanced over the names vaguely and put it down. "Why are we hiring a bunch of fresher kids, and not the skilled lot?"

"You know how they say: the wolf climbing the hill is hungrier than the one on top?" I smirked lazily as he continued. "Right now, these are just a group of hungry wolves trying to make it to the top. They need motivation, and we need to get the job done."

"Impressive," I remarked. "I will take care of the final settlement, while you can—"

A sharp knock on the door interrupted us as Amadeo looked from the door to me. "Are you expecting someone?"

"No." Then, I called out at the door. "Come in."

The door opened to Cesar, who wore a rare conflicting look and quickly apologized for the interruption.

"What happened?"

"The girl wants to see you now, sir. She is quite insistent about it," he informed.

"The girl?" Amadeo gave us both a puzzling look.

"You mean Celestia?" I asked.

"Yes, sir."

Before my brother could send me another look, I quickly dismissed. "Tell her that I will see her later in the evening. Whatever it is, it can wait."

Undecidedly, Cesar stood there for a long second before tersely nodding. "I will give the message, sir."

It was odd because, until today, he had always taken my word like the rule of law, and not for a fraction of second doubted to execute them.

"Wait!" I called out when his hand froze on the knob, and he quickly pivoted. "What is it, Cesar?"

"She's standing outside the building, sir, with Lila," he said. "I tried to send them away, but she just wouldn't listen." Yeah, sounds like Celestia—I thought. "She would rather pace under the sun than be sent back."

I let out a loud exhale and shook my head. Knowing her, she would keep waiting outside until I hear her out. "Fine," I agreed disinterestedly. "Bring her in, but tell her that she would only get five minutes."

Cesar seemed relieved and quickly scampered off to bring her in. When the soft thud of the door resonated, my eyes clocked on Amadeo. "You told me that she was fine by the morning," he said. "What happened suddenly?"

"I have no clue! She was recovered from the shock and everything; I have no idea what happened between the morning and now."

The flashes of the morning scene floated into my mind as I shook my head to shrug it off. I couldn't let it affect me more than it already has because temptations like that worked like a drug in your system. You would think once would be enough until you are already looking for your next fix.

The second knock echoed. This time, it came much softer.

"Come in, Celestia."

She entered through the door, all flushed under the intense shimmering sun. Her eyes were pinned me on for a moment and then darted to Amadeo. She wasn't obviously expecting audience, but I had crossed too many lines for her already that raised the brows. I couldn't risk any more of that.

"Celestia, if it's so important that you couldn't wait until the evening, I suggest you make good use of your five minutes. I am hoping Cesar had already explained that part."

She stood still by the door, wringing her fingers nervously and bit onto the insides of her cheeks.

Amadeo slowly pushed back the chair and attempted to rise. "Err…I will give you—"

"Sit down!" I glanced her way, motioning to come closer. "Four minutes now."

"You lied to me!" she blurted out with a slice of pent-up frustration. She marched over with stiff strides and stooped on the other side of the giant polished table. "You told me that you have no clue from last night."

"Where is this coming from?" I frowned. "Go back to the villa, Celestia. We will talk later."

"I want to know if it was my mother or not!" she demanded even though her voice trembled.

I was about to open my mouth when Amadeo beat me to it. A shrill tune rang out as he waved the phone and quickly added, "It's very important. I need to take the call."

I sent him a scathing look, knowing very well that it was an alarm and not his ringtone. But he flew out of the room in a jiffy. Sighing, I grabbed the glass of water and slid it towards her. "Sit down, drink it, and calm down."

I watched her defiance resurface until I matched it with a glare. Dejected, she did as bidden and gently took the seat. "Was it my mother?" she pressed.

"Most likely, yes." I scrubbed a hand over my face. "Who else is aware of your existence other than Kyla and us?"

"Why would she…" She closed her eyes momentarily to prevent the threatening tears as her voice came out softer. "Why would she send those horrible men to maltreat me like that?"

I had no intention to share the gory details with her, tried to shield her, but Celestia dug her own grave. Better, she lies on it.

"The men…they were hired. These are mercenaries who get heavily paid to get the job done by hook or crook. They don't care if you are a man, woman, or child—as long as they could complete the task and get paid."

Her eyes widened in shock, and a tremor shivered down her form. Whatever color she had arrived with, was gone.

"They dragged me…" she whispered to herself as her eyes flittered everywhere. It seemed like she was decoding the incidents of last night frame by frame in her head. "They almost tore my clothes off, and…push me to the ground."

I leaped from my seat and rounded the table as I jerked her back to present with a firm shake of her shoulders. "Celestia! Celestia, look at me." She didn't.

She was still lost in herself, mumbling incoherently as I cupped her jaw and forced her gaze on me. "Look at me!"

The deep command seemed to have pierced through her wall as she quickly blinked up. Those big brown eyes—they were fast becoming my weakness.

"You don't need to concern yourself with these things. It would be taken care of."

"How did they come inside?" she asked dazedly. "You told me the security is very high."

Pushing back off, I slowly sat back on the edge of the table. "According to my security team, they were hidden in the vehicle that comes in twice a week to deliver necessary food items and kitchen supplies." I raked a hand through my hair. "Rest assured: it won't happen again."

Celestia nodded slowly, taking in the details.

"Now, go back to the villa. I will have Cesar escort you back."

Again, she nodded mutely and abandoned the chair on her wobbly legs. She took two steps in the direction of the door and suddenly turned to me with unsure eyes.

"I heard you and your brother talking," she mumbled.

I crossed the little distance between us. "What are you saying? Amadeo was here—"

"Not today," she cut me off. "The day I ran to the room and fell down the stairs."

"What did you hear?"

"That you wouldn't hesitate to kill me to get even with my mother."

"Celestia…"

"If you ever have to kill me at all, please, I beg of you—make it quick and painless. I don't think I can handle pain."

The essence of her words hit me like a force and stunned me into silence. I have never, in all my life, felt so much sadness radiating from one human.

Did she really think that I would kill her?

The thought pushed an acute pain, piercing my chest as if someone just lodged a hot knife into my heart and twisted the bloody weapon only for the sake of unbearable agony.

Standing there like a numbed existence, I watched her turn around to leave. She was almost out, wrenching the knob to pull the door when I rushed over and slammed it shut with a firm hand.

Celestia gasped as she felt trapped between the door and my body, imprisoning her in entirety. When my hand reached out to stroke her skin, her eyes fluttered close at my touch.

She looked serene, almost angelic.

I didn't know what came over me again, and I could no longer suppress the urge—within a flash, my lips crashed against hers. The drug—that was the next fix I was looking for.