>>>ARETHA'S OUTFIT
I took a deep breath in and out.
I could do this.
After listening to Rafe further explain to me about the situation with the company, and his suspicions, we agreed that while I had my own task to do, I'd come with him to meet Shelby first. That's not what had me so nervous though.
I hadn't fully digested Raphael's offer, despite understanding where he as coming from. I've always wanted to do something greater with my life, and in a week, I went from being an ex-hotel employee, to owning a hotel.
And a whole lot more.
The papers would be coming in this afternoon for me to sign. I was freaking out, despite the cheerleader in my head who was telling me I could do it. It wasn't so much the whole ownership thing that had me freaked out, but rather the responsibility that comes with it.
As much as Raphael trusts me, I'm afraid. His company is an established multibillionaire company. Granted he isn't leaving it in my hands, he is leaving some hefty responsibility on me, and I guess I just need time to truly adjust to such a great shift in my life.
I became a mother, wife and business woman in less than a week.
"You look like you're about to pass out," my husband whispered in my ear. The effect was visible on my skin.
"I'm not going to pass out, but I am a little overwhelmed. She wont respect me Rafe, and I know that much already. She probably thinks that I scammed you into this marriage," I sighed.
"Which you didn't do," he scowled.
"We both know that, but it doesn't look that way to her. She wont take my presence seriously and you want me to be respected. How can we start when not even Shelby will respect me?" I asked.
"Mi amore, I'm not sure what you want me to do here. I know you and I know you don't want me to put her in her place, but at the same time you don't want her disrespecting you. What's a man to do exactly?" he groaned, making me laugh.
"I love you Raphael," I smiled.
"I love you too Mrs Maestri," he said before kissing me. Shelby walked into the conference room just as we pulled away.
"Oh? She's here?" she squeaked.
"Hello Shelby," I smiled at her.
Kill em with kindness!
"Good morning Mr Maestri," she greeted.
"There are two of us in the room Shelby," my husband said in warning.
"Morning Aretha," she sneered my way.
"Respect Miss Callaway. Is this how you treat my clients?" he asked. She looked like she was swallowing rocks.
"Good morning Mrs Maestri," she said, saying 'Mrs Maestri' like it burnt her tongue.
"What do you have for us?" I asked, taking charge of the meeting.
"I was under the impression that I would be meeting with Mr Maestri alone," she said.
"Why? Was there a particular reason you wanted to be alone with him?" I asked innocently. She squirmed uncomfortably while my husband hid a laugh beside me with a cough.
"There's no particular reason why," she mumbled.
"Good! Then this meeting can get on. My wife is the unofficial co-owner and Chairman of the Board for The Maestri Empires and all businesses associated with it, so her presence is of great significance," my husband bothered himself with explaining to her.
If her eyes could roll out of her sockets, they would've at that moment. Adrienne chose that moment to walk in as well, and she took her seat beside a still stunned Shelby. I was about to question her presence until I remembered that she was now in my old position.
"Good morning Mr Maestri, Aretha," she greeted.
"What? My wife doesn't deserve the same amount of respect because of your past familiarity with her?" my husband asked with an intimidating raised eyebrow. Adrienne looked panicked.
"Good morning Mrs Maestri," she corrected.
"Good morning Miss Smith," I nodded her way.
I wasn't too chuffed about her presence since I found out that she had a role to play in me getting fired. Apparently she's the one who ran to Shelby with the preposterous claims that were behind my dismissal. I learnt that she'd been after my position for a while.
So much for best friend.
I'd always considered her and Rhonda my best friends, but I'll admit that before I was fired, I was closer to her than Rhonda. For some reason however, I could never open to her about serious matters, which is why Rhonda is the only one who knows every single detail about my relationship with Daniel.
"If you don't mind me asking, why does Shelby look so pale?" she asked.
"I was just telling Miss Callaway that my wife is the unofficial co-owner and Chairman of the Board for The Maestri Empires and all businesses associated with it. She'll be signing the papers later on," Raphael relayed. Adrienne basically had the same reaction.
"How?" she whispered.
"What do you mean how?" my husband and I both asked in confusion.
That's an awfully strange question.
"It's just that, she was fired from this very hotel for corporate espionage against you, and she comes back a month later, married to you. I'm pretty sure you can understand our confusion here," she explained to my husband.
"It's simple. I don't believe that she's capable of what she was accused of, and I'm not referring to her mental capabilities either here. My wife is a smart woman that much I know, but corporate espionage isn't her style. As to why I married her, despite those very charges against her, well I'm sure you can understand when I say that it's none of your business," Rafe replied.
"She's got you wrapped around her pinkie finger," Shelby spat, finally having snapped out of her shock.
"Shelby!" Adrienne gasped.
"Miss Callaway, you would do well to know your place. My wife has told me against firing you because of this insignificant hatred you have towards her. She's tried the nice approach with you, but you can be damn sure that I will not tolerate your insolence directed at me. You will respect me, and you will respect my wife. I do not care what issues you have with her. Keep them to yourself. You will carry yourself in a professional manner, or I will get rid of you. Understood?" he said coldly. I could see the fear in her eyes as she nodded.
"What does the report say?" I asked, diverting the attention away from the hostility. When Shelby didn't look like she was saying anything, Adrienne took the folder from her.
"We searched through the files and found that the ones missing are based on Project Aries. The documents had been brought here by Mr Chen, and he had returned to retrieve them. As you both know, their final destination was meant to be Hawaii. We had a fundraiser's ball here when the heist happened and the files were stolen," she explained.
I'm not quite sure what Project Aries is. I found out about it when I was still working here, but Shelby wouldn't tell me all the details. She just said the files were important to Rafe and that they needed to be kept completely safe.
"That's highly strange. I don't remember telling Jin to retrieve the files in the first place. Was he here himself?" my husband questioned.
"No one actually saw him check in, but his secretary had called to say that he would be coming in to collect them. He was meant to arrive the night of the heist," Adrienne replied.
"And what do we know of the disappearance of the files?" I asked.
"We think that the heist at the fundraiser was obviously a distraction to keep us away from the bigger crime scene. We'd like to think that our competitors are our greatest suspects right now, particularly Daniel Hugo," Shelby said, looking directly at me.
"Why him?" my husband asked.
"He's been after your company for years now. Project Aries would finally put him on top," Shelby shrugged.
"I'll have my team on it. Is that all?" he asked.
"We guaranteed the guests that they would all get their belongings back," Adrienne said nervously.
"Why on earth would you do that? If we're not the ones who robbed them, how are we meant to replace their belongings? Are you in contact with the thieves?" I scowled.
"No, but we needed to tell them something," she panicked.
"And you chose that?" Rafe and I asked concurrently.
"It was a mess that night ok? And I was the only one duty!" she snapped before covering her mouth. Shelby looked ready to murder her.
"Miss Callaway, where were you on that night?" I turned to her.
"I was sick," she murmured.
"Do you have record of this? Did you call in sick? Did you submit a sick note?" Raphael asked her.
"I didn't think it was necessary since those things come to me in any case," she replied.
"You're the Manager Miss Callaway, but you are in no way above the rules of my hotel. You are an employee and I expect you to be leading by example," he warned.
"I apologize Mr Maestri. I assure you that it will never happen again," she said stoically.
"Miss Smith, may I please have a list of all the guests who had their possessions stolen by midday, and get in touch with Mr Chang Takeshi. Request his presence for lunch and tell him I'm the one requesting it at two this afternoon. Miss Callaway please get in touch with the security company and ask their rep to meet me at five this evening," I instructed.
"Got it," Adrienne nodded while Shelby just looked sour faced.
"Now, if you'll excuse us, we have other matters to attend to," my husband said before helping me up.
He took the folder with him as we made our way out of the building. He was taking me out for breakfast last I checked. He was silent the whole way to the restaurant and I could already tell what he wanted to know. It was just a matter of waiting for him to ask the question.
"How do you know Takeshi?" he asked when the waiter had taken our orders.
Chang Takeshi is the multimillionaire system's designer that has women eating out of the palm of his hand. He's a renowned playboy, and his feud with my husband is one that is well known. Chang became successful because his anger fuelled him; anger caused by my husband's refusal to let him work at Maestri Technologies. His company is now Maestri Technologies' biggest rival.
"He's hit on me a couple of times. He himself wanted to make me his wife, but once I refused, we became friends. I know he's one of the people you cannot tolerate, but he's one of the people that can help us and you know it," I sighed.
"I know it, doesn't mean I like it," he said, annoyed with the very thought.
"Rafe, you're the one I'm married to and you're the one that I love, but Chang can help us here," I pointed out.
"How are you sure that he's not behind this in any case?" he asked.
"Just like you believed that corporate espionage isn't my style, I believe that this isn't his. Chang thrives on challenging you, and you know that. Him stealing something from you doesn't sound like a challenge, so I highly doubt he'd stoop that low," I replied.
"He's going to hold this over my head forever Ari," he groaned.
"Really? This is what it comes down to?" I giggled.
"The man is insufferable!" he mumbled.
"He's rough around the edges, and it takes a while to get over his personality, but he's not a bad a guy as you're making him seem. Wouldn't you rather lose some of your pride than your company?" I asked.
"I hate that you're right," he sighed.
"I know. What is Project Aries anyway?" I asked.
"It doesn't actually exist. It's a concept, but it doesn't exist as such. It's a bunch of worthless papers and a USB drive. As I mentioned to you, the Maestri Telecoms report showed that some activity occurred from this side, but I already had an earlier report that proved this. This is how I know that you were framed, and it's also how I know that Shelby is the mole," he smirked.
"What?" I gasped.
"When I contacted her about those files, I told her that they are confidential. The fact that you don't know what Project Aries is, means that she kept you in the dark, but that she also disregarded my words and went ahead and read it. The fact that she thinks that a competitor is behind the heist is what gave her away," he explained.
"I don't understand," I admitted as the waiter brought our food.
"You see mi amore, on the surface, Project Aries looks like it's big plans I have for the hotel's expansion, but it is really a virus," he said.
"A virus?" I scowled.
"Yeah! I planted it onto the drive myself. I programmed it to not activate if connected to a device in the hotel, but it will activate as soon as it's plugged in outside the hotel," he elaborated.
"And it will lead you straight to whoever Shelby's working for," I said in realization.
"Precisely," he nodded.
"You are so clever!" I beamed.
"Why thank you Signora Maestri," he winked.
We enjoyed our breakfast together as he told me more about everything he's actually found about what is wrong with the company. I was shocked to discover most of the things, but I was mostly shocked to discover just how intelligent and influential my husband is.
Some paparazzi caught some photos of us as we were leaving the restaurant, and apparently my husband wasn't bothered since he kissed me there and then. Despite the upcoming articles, I knew that the world would definitely be curious about me and my significance to him for now.
Everything would be clearer by then.
We made it back to the hotel and Adrienne handed us an envelope. She said Rafe's lawyers had dropped it off. We read the contents once back in our room. It was all the papers of ownership that had been drawn up, as well as the guardianship papers for the girls. All I had to do was sign where my husband told me to.
"Mrs Maestri, it brings me great pleasure to be the first to tell you that you now own half of everything that I do, and that you are officially the mother of the girls," he beamed before kissing me. The door opened before we could go further.
"She is so mean! She actually bit me!" I heard one of the girls say as they walked through the door. The four of them looked annoyed and angry, while a pale Lui looked horrified.
"Daddy, no matter what you need, we are NEVER going back there!" Caprice told her father.
"What happened?" Rafe and I asked.
"That evil girl bit Cat!" Camilla huffed. I knew it was a big deal because she was actually upset.
"And not forgetting her clingy sister! Poor Uncle Lui almost died from suffocation," Calinda added.
"Lui, are you ok?" I had to restrain from laughing.
"That woman..." he trailed off.
"Did you guys get anything?" Rafe asked them.
"Louise knows nothing," Luigi replied.
"Delia doesn't know anything either, but I did see her parents holding a Hugo Construction folder. I had to wait for them to actually leave the room after putting it down. It was a building contract for a mall," Caterina informed.
"And I take it this is when Delia bit you?" I asked her. She nodded.
"She said her parents don't like her going through their stuff, so she bit me when I wouldn't stop reading," she elaborated.
"I'm sorry baby," I hugged her.
"It's ok! I'm a big girl and at least I got some information for daddy," she beamed.
"You did good princess. So we know that the Fischer's aren't behind it," my husband pondered.
"But it doesn't clear Daniel," Luigi pointed out.
"That it doesn't," my husband nodded.
"Well, let me go and find out if Chang can help. I'll see you guys later," I said as I got up. Adrienne had just texted me to tell me that Chang's car had just pulled up outside the hotel.
"You're meeting with Chang? As in Chang Takeshi?" Luigi asked in shock.
"Yes, and I've already spoken to Rafe about it. I can just see your mind ticking away," I giggled.
"Must you go dressed like that? You're a walking temptation," my husband grumbled, jealousy clear as day on his face.
"What would you suggest I wear then?" I asked.
"A trash bag," my husband and our daughters said simultaneously.
"She'd still make it look good," Luigi chuckled.
"True," the girls giggled.
"I'm flattered, but I'm not changing. Caro, I would take you with me, but you hate the man and I need him to cooperate if we're going to get anywhere," I explained.
"If he hits on you, do I have the right to hit him?" he asked.
"No," I giggled.
"You're not giving me much to go with here cara mia," he sighed.
"Girls, I'll see you later ok? Daddy's going to walk me down," I told them.
"Kay! We love you!" they smiled.
"I love you too my angels!" I said before I kissed their cheeks.
"And I'll just be here on babysitting duty," Luigi smirked.
"Thanks Lui," I smiled before taking my husband's hand in mine.
He was actually pouting the whole way down to the lobby. Sometimes I fail to understand what people find so scary about this man. He can be such a child that it's almost scary. We eventually reached the lobby, and Chang was at the receptionist area. When he saw me, he beamed, but scowled when he noticed the possessive arm around me. I stopped walking to face Raphael.
"I'm all yours, mio marito" I caressed his cheek.
"I know, and I believe that, but I don't trust him Ari," he admitted. I could see the fear in his eyes.
"Do you truly believe I'd leave you for him?" I frowned.
"No, but that doesn't stop me from being afraid. I just got you," he sighed, his forehead resting on mine. I reached up to kiss him.
"And I'm yours, and only yours, until the end of time. I love you Signor Maestri," I said on his lips. He claimed them for a second kiss.
"I love you too Signora Maestri," he smiled.
"There's my assertive and confident husband. Now go back up so that I can do my job. My boss is kind of scary and I'd like to impress him," I joked.
"Technically I'm not your boss since we are equal partners," he smirked.
"Just go away!" I rolled my eyes, making him chuckle.
"As soon as he gives you any trouble, you call me," he warned.
"I promise," I smiled. After one last kiss, he left.
"Well I'll be damned! I've been after you for three years, and now I find out that you're dating your boss?" Chang smirked as I approached him.
"Husband actually. I'm married to the man, it only took him a day to get me, and I don't work for him anymore. I work with him," I replied.
"How is it possible that you get more beautiful every time I see you?" he flirted.
"You've just witnessed my encounter with my very jealous husband Chang. Must you be like this? Can you please respect that I'm happily betrothed?" I sighed.
"You have to allow me to be wounded Aretha. I truly do have feelings for you, and now I find out that the very man whose existence I cannot stand has won you over," he said seriously.
"I understand, but I am not a trophy, and I am married. I understand that wounds you, but I'd appreciate it if you at least respected that, despite who I am married to. I'd like to think that we're better friends than that," I pointed out.
"Alright, I respect that. I just had high hopes when I was told that you'd requested my presence for lunch. Since it's not what I thought it was, I am highly curious," he narrowed his eyes.
"Can we sit?" I asked.
"After you Mrs Maestri," he said, showing me to lead the way. I made my way to the restaurant of the hotel and Adrienne was waiting at the entrance.
"Mrs Maestri, Mr Takeshi, your table has been reserved. If you would follow me," she said before heading inside. We followed her and she got us seated before the waiter took our drink orders.
"Isn't it awkward? Just over a month ago when I last saw you, you were working with these people, and now they're serving you," he asked.
"You don't know," I said as the realization dawned on me.
"Know what?' he scowled.
"Shelby fired me from the hotel for corporate espionage. She believed I was giving Daniel information about The Maestri Hotels," I explained.
"That's stupid," he scoffed.
"Yeah, well she believed it," I shrugged.
"And what about Raphael? How did the two of you end up together if you were fired for something that big?" he asked.
"It's a long story for another day," I sighed as our drinks arrived.
"Fair enough! I take it with me being here, you didn't exactly call to catch up, especially considering the fact that your husband hates me. I take it you need my help with something," he said once the waiter had taken our orders.
"I do, but it involves helping Raphael. I own half of everything he does, which means if the company is in trouble, we're both affected," I replied.
"It's ok Aretha, you don't need to guilt me into anything. I'd do anything for you, including helping my enemy," he said.
"You don't have to Chang," I argued.
"You really have no idea the impact you have on people. We may not be together, and we will clearly never be together, but I care about you greatly. You see me for who I am. Even when we first met; you refused to see the person who was in the media and got to know me for who I am. I can count my truest friends on one hand, and you're one of them. I'd truly do anything for you," he reached out to hold my hand.
"Thank you Chang," I smiled before politely pulling my hand away.
Don't want people getting the wrong impression.
"It's a pleasure. Now, what do you need?" he asked.
I spent the next few minutes explaining the situation to him. I know that Luigi is an I.T genius, but I also think he'll need Chang's tech and expertise as help. Chang seemed to understand what I was asking of him completely, and even asked me to ask Raphael to join us.
"Takeshi," my husband said before sitting beside me.
"Congratulations Maestri! You managed to settle down with D.C's finest gem. You're a very lucky man," Chang said sincerely.
"Thank you," my husband actually smiled. Even Chang looked shocked by the sight before regaining his composure.
"Right! I just wanted you to be here to hear this, just in case you don't believe your wife. Raphael, before your jealousy gets ahead of you, I just need you to understand that your wife is a very dear friend of mine, and I respect that she is now a taken woman. In that light, I will help you, and I'll expect nothing in return. I will not hold this over your head either. If anything, I'm making peace with you for Rita's sake. I'm agreeing to help you because she is my friend. Are we clear on that?" Chang asked my husband. For the first time in a long time, I was seeing Chang's serious, business side.
"Crystal! I agree to bury the hatchet as well, and I thank you for helping, even if it's only because of my wife," my husband said genuinely.
Wow, they are actually being civil!
"Good! Now that that's done, how come I didn't get an invite to the wedding?"
The three of us laughed at that, and I was honestly shocked that the two of them could get along. Raphael ended up joining us for lunch as we discussed the plan, the way forward, and possible future collaborations. By the time Chang left, my husband was in high spirits again.
"I think we need to sit down and figure out all of the influential people you know and are in connection with," he said as we sat in our room while he massaged my feet. The girls were watching TV with Luigi in the lounge, and Bianca hadn't returned.
"Are you insinuating pimping me Raphael?" I feigned seriousness.
"That's not at all what I'm saying. I'm just saying that it would be beneficial to know for future use," he replied nervously. I giggled and he mock glared at me.
"I guess I could sit and go through a list in my head, but a lot of influential people have been to this hotel in my time here," I pointed out.
"Well, since we're the owners of the hotel, we actually have access to the database of the visitors who have checked in while you worked here. We can go through it and establish who you know and have a connection with," he offered.
"We can do that, but only when we come back from our honeymoon," I sighed.
"Speaking of which, do you want to leave tomorrow?" he asked.
"Are you done here?" I asked.
"Well, I still have to look at the systems, but I figured that would take a couple of hours, so I was going to do it tomorrow, and then we can leave tomorrow afternoon," he replied.
An idea hit me.
"Can we leave the day after? There's something I want to show you tomorrow, together with Lui and the girls," I told him.
"That's ok with me. We'll do anything you want mia moglie," he smiled.
"Anything?" I raised an eyebrow. I didn't expect him to tickle my foot.
"Rafe!" I squealed in between giggles while he held my foot captive.
"I love it when you laugh. I have never seen a more breathtaking sight; except maybe you in that wedding dress," he said thoughtfully. It didn't take a genius to know where his mind was headed.
"Stop your thoughts right now. The girls are in the lounge," I warned.
"Well, the door is locked, and it would be an adventure to see if you can be quiet," he smirked, crawling on top of me.
"Rafe, I can't do that," I blushed, thinking about all the times we've done it.
I'm most definitely not quiet.
"Well, I could always gag you," he said onto my neck, peppering kisses down to my chest. My breathing was changing as I got more and more turned on.
"That's not happening," I moaned when he bit my breast through my dress.
"Then I guess you're going to have to practice to be silent," he said devilishly before disappearing under my dress.
All thoughts flew out of my head and it took everything in me not to moan loudly or scream out. I even drew blood from biting my lip so hard. It was undoubtedly one of the most confusingly pleasurable moments of my life, but I succeeded nonetheless. When he collapsed beside me, I couldn't believe I'd lasted.
"That was amazing, and you're amazing," he smiled before kissing me.
"I'm going to get back at you for what you did to me tonight, just so you know," I said breathlessly.
"It was fun and adventurous. At least now we know that you can actually be quiet when need be," he smirked.
"It was torture," I mumbled, getting off the bed. I wanted to take a shower.
"Well, they definitely wont hear you in the shower," he wiggled his eyebrows as he walked into the bathroom.
"Raphael," I said in warning.
Like that stopped him.
My husband made love to me in the shower, and it was pure bliss. I was ready to just pass out by the time we were done, but we hadn't had dinner yet, and I actually wanted to spend time with the girls. They had wanted to have another movie night.
Rafe and I were changed into our pyjamas, and we walked into the lounge to find that the girls had done the same. Luigi bid us goodnight before leaving. The six of us settled in the lounge after eating dinner, watching Frozen. Olaf is so adorable, and the girls and I couldn't get enough.
Unfortunately I wasn't awake long enough to know how the movie ended.
I woke up the following morning and I was alone in the bed. There was a note beside me:
Signora Maestri
It pains me that I wont be able to be there to see your beautiful face as you wake up, but I got a message from the team at Maestri Telecoms and I need to check the systems here more urgently than I thought.
Order in some breakfast and spend some time with the girls. I'll be back as soon as I can, or you can come to me in the operations room if you want to (AKA I'd really like it if you would).
Ti amo
Signor Maestri
I smiled to myself and got up to check on the girls, only to be met by a note with some childlike handwriting on it:
Mummy
We've gone to get something with Uncle Lui. We'll be back in the afternoon. We love you!
The girls
Ok, so I've been abandoned! I huffed and sent a text message to my husband.
Me: I've been abandoned. The girls left me behind.
Mi Amore: Check under my pillow.
I went to the bedroom and checked under his pillow. There was another note there:
Signora Maestri
If you're reading this note, it means that you've discovered that plans changed a little. I had no idea that the girls had already made plans, but they did give me a great idea. Sven will be waiting to take you to an exclusive spa. As you know, this hotel's spa is currently being renovated, so I had to pull some strings. Go and enjoy yourself and I'll pick you up from there for lunch.
Ti amo
Signor Maestri
I have the greatest family in the whole world! I went to the bathroom and got ready for my day. I figured I was having a casual day, but I still needed to look like Mrs Maestri, without being completely uncomfortable in whatever I decided to wear.
I settled for a pair of black jeans, a fawn peplum top with matching heels and accessories. I curled my hair in big waves before grabbing my sunglasses and heading downstairs. I wanted to pass by the operations room first, but unfortunately I had to get past a barrier first.
"Look at you! You think you own the place now that you have that poor delusional man wrapped around your finger," Shelby sneered.
"I'm not getting into this with you Shelby," I sighed.
"Why? Afraid I'll tell you the truth?" she smirked.
"Pray tell what you think this truth is," I crossed my arms.
"You knew that you could go to jail for a long time now that I was onto you, so you went ahead and married the man for security. You started off by getting his daughters' trust and then you worked your way into his life. Now, he will never suspect you while Daniel gets ready to take his company down," she explained.
Which made me realize something.
"Despite what you'd truly love to believe Shelby, I actually love my husband and our daughters. This is no facade and I'm innocent of whatever it is you think I'm guilty of. I cannot help you if you cannot accept that. I can only pray that you do and that you move on from the bitterness in your heart," I said before walking past her, only for her to grip my arm. I could feel her nails digging into my arm.
"Oh no, you don't get to play that holier than thou bullshit with me. I don't know how you did it, but I'm realizing that you're a bigger slut than I thought. You have all these men worshipping you and they fail to see you for the witch you really are!" she spat.
"Let go of me Shelby," I said impassively.
"You're so pathetic! What do they even see in you? What would someone like you have to offer someone as powerful as Raphael Maestri? You are no one and you have nothing. He'll leave you once he realizes that much," she said menacingly before shoving me and walking away.
As much as I didn't want them to, her words got to me. She had me doubting myself as I ran back to the elevator. The tears were already streaming down my face, and I didn't care who saw me. I made it to our room and all I could do was fall onto the couch and cry. Minutes later, I heard the door opening, but I couldn't stop the tears.
"Ari," my husband called out. He must've found me from my crying.
"Hey, what's wrong? Harry called me saying that he saw you running into the elevator crying," he told me as he took me into his arms.
"I was coming down to see you before I left, and I bumped into Shelby," was all I managed to say as I cried. He held me, not saying a word.
"Why wont you let me fire her?" he asked angrily once my crying stopped.
"I want to be the better person Rafe. Besides, we can't let go of her when she's our link to whoever is messing with our company," I croaked.
"I don't care about the company. You're being the better person, but you're also the one getting hurt the most," he pointed out.
"I know, but what will fighting her solve?" I asked.
"I hate that you're so stubborn, but I love that you're such a good person. Your personality is the most frustrating thing," he chuckled a little.
"I know," I giggled.
"Are you ok now? Do you still want to go to the spa?" he asked.
"Are you done yet?" I counter asked.
"I still have a few more hours to put in before I figure things out," he replied.
"Ok, then I'll go to the spa and we'll stick to the plan with you fetching me," I said.
"Good, but I want to know what Shelby said to you," he requested. I was unsure about telling him, but I told him anyway.
"She called me a slut. Apparently having 'all these men worshipping me' is the reason for that label. She said I'm pathetic and that I have nothing to offer you. She figures you'll leave me once you figure that out," I sighed.
"She doesn't know a single thing she's talking about. I am nothing without you woman," he said possessively.
"I am your wife, lover and partner in life and business. I am a mother to four beautiful girls. I know that much. Her words just got to me, but I know where I stand in my life and in yours," I smiled.
"There's my assertive and confident wife," he smirked, saying my own words back at me.
"I love you Rafe," I told him seriously. He leaned down and captured my lips in an earth shattering kiss.
"I love you too Ari. Now go and get your beautiful self pampered and relaxed. I'll pick you up in about three hours' time from now," he informed.
"Ok," I beamed. We got up and his eyes zoned in on my arm where Shelby's claw marks were visible.
"Breathe caro," I pleaded as I watched the fury cloud his features.
"I have never wanted to harm a woman as much as I want to harm that woman," he said through gritted teeth.
"I know, but you cannot do that. I need you out of prison," I joked.
"Death of me," he mumbled as he walked to our room.
I was wondering why, until he came back wearing a different shirt. He was wearing a blue t-shirt before, and he'd changed into a black Polo shirt. Apparently his t-shirt had my tear stains. We went downstairs together and as soon as he saw Shelby, he stormed towards her. She actually looked terrified.
"Rafe, there are guests around," I warned, but my warning fell upon deaf ears.
"Miss Callaway, I will say this once and once only. For whatever reason, my wife is against me taking any sort of action against you, but I will warn you right now that if you EVER lay a hand on her again, I will have you locked up faster than you can breathe. Am I making myself clear?" he asked coldly. Everyone around us looked afraid on Shelby's behalf.
For the first time since I've met him, I saw the man everyone truly feared.
"Y-yes S-sir," Shelby stammered before my husband turned to me.
"Enjoy yourself ok? I'll see you later and call me if you need anything. I love you," he said before kissing me.
"I love you too," I blushed since he'd kissed me in front of everyone.
He left soon after that and I turned to find Shelby glaring at me. I left before she could say anything and Sven was already waiting for me. I was surprised to find that we were riding in the Rolls Royce until he reminded me that that's the car he drives my husband around in when Raphael isn't driving himself around.
I got to the spa and it turns out my insane husband booked the entire place for me alone for six hours, an hour of which had already passed, but it was ok. All the ladies seemed excited to meet the woman whose husband had rented out the whole place just for her.
I got massaged and treated as though I was the most important person there, while the women wanted to know why I was crying. I told them some details and they gave me some advice on how to handle Shelby. I got my nails done, and even had my hair retouched. The hairdresser wanted to cut it, but I was against that, so we settled for putting highlights in it. By the time Rafe arrived to fetch me, I felt like jelly but I looked like a million bucks.
"You look like you're about to turn into Olaf in summer," he teased. He was referring to Olaf's song when he looks at a puddle as he said 'in summer I'll be a happy snowman'.
"That was the weirdest thing you've said to me by far," I giggled.
"You look beautiful cara mia. I especially love the changes to your hair," he smiled, twirling it between his fingers.
"Thank you for this caro," I smiled.
"Anything for the most gorgeous captor of my heart," he returned the smile. I blushed when the ladies in the spa cooed.
We thanked them once more before getting on our way to the restaurant. It was a different restaurant once more and the girls and Lui joined us there. We enjoyed our lunch together, until I remembered that I wanted to show them something.
The six of them weren't expecting me to take them to the cemetery, but I wanted to visit my family now that we were in D.C. I'd spoken to my grandmother about where she'd like to be buried, and she said in Italy. She told me that my family is already so far away from my new home, so she wanted to at least be closer for me.
"Guys, this is where my family was buried. My mum and dad were buried together here, my brother over there and my twin sisters over there," I showed them.
"Mummy, what happened to them?" Caterina asked me.
"They were in a car accident involving two trucks. They were crushed to death instantly," I replied, despite my tears and the lump in my throat.
"I am so sorry mi amore," my husband hugged me. The girls gathered to hug our legs, and Lui wanted in on the hug too. They held me as I cried, not saying anything.
"I wanted you guys to see this and meet my family. When they left, I was never the same. My grandmother helped me through it, and now I'm losing her too," I sniffed.
"You may be losing her, but you've got us," my husband said softly.
"Yeah mummy! We're your family now," the girls said together, and I believed it.
"We'll never willingly leave you Rita. We've got you," Luigi added.
I would never be alone, and for that, I would always be grateful to God.