NICOLE
A week had passed after that torrential event that took place in the mansion.
Up till now, just the thought of what took place that uneventful night still shook me to my bones. I struggled to get the image of Raphael’s bleeding shoulder out of my head.
Seeing how ruthless Armani was to his own grandchildren made me realise how frightening Raphael’s childhood would have been.
I felt so sorry for Raphael. He grew up in harsh conditions. Though filthy rich, he was already burdened up with life responsibilities as a child.
Getting initiated into a mafia from a young age without having the tiniest clue of what he was getting himself into proved to be so fatal for his childhood.
I found myself praying so fervently for my dear husband. I truly didn’t like seeing him in pain.
It broke me into agonising pieces watching him bleed so much that night.
One thing I prayed for was for Armani to never visit us again. It was truly for the best.
Raphael took a week off from work, attending to his injury. I was the one who coaxed him into taking a week off.
Left to him, he didn’t mind working with a badly injured shoulder.
That man was so relentless.
I took good care of him within that one week, making sure he had all he needed in his beck and call.
I was his personal maid. In a way, I didn’t know if I was being selfish but probably it was a good thing Raphael got injured.
He got to spend more time with me instead of always leaving for work.
I enjoyed every single bit of it. Sleeping next to my husband every night, cuddling him and waking up in his soft, warm embrace was so thrilling.
Now he was out for work. I felt like a baby being denied candy. I grumbled all through, begging him to stay back but he insisted he had urgent things to attend to.
Once again, I woke up without meeting my husband in my arms. He had probably gone out before anybody woke up.
I sighed and swiftly came down from the bed.
My hair was so dishevelled. It looked like a bird’s nest.
I had gone natural since we arrived in Italy. I didn’t feel like braiding my hair again. I guess I would have to ask Sofia to show me a salon so I could make my hair and probably look more enticing for Raphael.
I smiled at the thought and was about venturing into the bathroom when I spotted a note on top of the little cupboard next to the bed.
I walked over with curious thoughts and I took the note, reading its content.
It was from Raphael. A smile crept to my face as I read it.
How are you sweetie?
I know you must be smiling reading this.
I rolled my eyes with a sigh. Cocky jerk.
I’m so sorry I am now leaving for work earlier than usual. You know if it were up to me, I’ll want to stay in your arms all day long and snuggle up close with you.
I’m so sorry my dear wife. But I promise to be back early today. I’ve missed falling asleep in your arms.
I love you.
A broad grin spread across my face and I pressed the note against my chest.
“I love you too Raphael”
He was so romantic. I drop the note with a blush and made way to the bathroom.
Minutes later, I was already out, seated on my bed and combing my tangled hair.
The warm, hot shower I just had truly did justice in soothing down my nerves.
Once done, I headed downstairs, beaming with smiles as my mind repeatedly wandered back to the note Raphael left for me.
“You look so happy like a pretty kitten”Sofia said on seeing me.
Ofcourse I was. Finally things were coming back to normal. Raphael’s injury was healing up and there was no grandfather or step brother fight again.
“I am. I am very much happy. I am so relieved Raphael is healing to be honest”I replied sitting down on one of the dinning chairs.
She gave me a long sigh and nodded her head. “Grandfather can be a pain in the ass. I’m truly sorry once again for the way he spoke to you”
“No you don’t have to apologise”I objected with a shake of my head.
I held on to her arm and softly caressed it. “You really don’t have to. With time Armani might come to like me. And if he doesn’t well then he doesn’t”
I pulled my hands away and exhaled deeply. She nodded with a faint smile.
“Sofia I truly need your help. I need to go to a salon and make my hair”I began trying to lighten up the conversation and our moods.
Her eyes sparkled. “Really? I know some salons where you could braid your hair. When do you want to go?”
“Today actually. Immediately after breakfast. We could head to the spar afterwards” I winked at her.
She giggled and nodded her head. “Count me in!”
I laughed.
“That reminds me sofia, hold on let me get something. I want to show you this cook book I got for you”
I immedately bolted up and noticed Sofia’s orbs sparkle.
I noticed she liked cooking alot and she had told me she wanted to learn how to prepare intercontinental dishes so I got her a cookbook that contained various recipes on how to prepare different Nigerian cuisines.
I instantly scurried upstairs.
I walked into my bedroom and headed towards the closet.
I opened the sliding door wardrobe and my eyes quickly narrowed to the wooden base floor of the wardrobe where I had kept the gift bag that contained the cook book.
My knees sunk to the ground as I shuffled and rummaged through the various little bags.
“Where is that cook book!?”I groaned out in frustration.
My hands ran through my hair as my eyes scanned the bags.
I then spotted it hiding at the far end corner. A smile appeared on my face as I took it out.
I was about closing the wardrobe when I noticed something shiny in between the numerous tuxedos that belonged to Raphael hanging in the wardrobe.
My eyes squinted and widened. I dropped the gift bag and pushed Raphaels tuxedos apart only to meet with a small metal compartment built into the wooden walls of the wardrobe.
“What the fuck?”I whispered with furrowed brows. It was like a secret little safe smartly planted into the wooden walls and covered by Raphael’s many suits.
My eyes scanned it. It seemed like a little calculator. It just had digits 0 to 9 on it and a little screen with two dotted lines beeping on the little screen.
I suddenly felt so curious as I watched it. One part of me wanted to turn away but the other bigger part was really curious, itching to unravel what hid behind the safe.
I bit my lips, trying to decipher the two numbers that could open the safe.
Our wedding date.
Probably it could work.
With sunken shoulders, I inputed the number 20. The safe opened automatically and a wide grin spread across my face.
A frown soon washed upon my face as I brought out what was inside the safe.
A flash drive. I was kind off disappointed. Probably I expected something more.
My eyes surveyed it, turning it over and over.
“This flash drive must be very important for it to have been kept here though. I’ll discuss it with Raph when he gets back”
I dropped back the flash drive into the safe and closed the little opening, inputing the figures back to lock it.
Raphael would have to explain why this flash drive was hidden in a safe.
I picked up the gifted bag and made my way downstairs.
* * * * * * *
Nicole sat on the bed, her eyes roving through the magazine she held in her hands.
The cold wind blew softly inside the room as the windows were thrown wide in hopes of a tempting breeze.
Raphael came out of the bathroom shirtless, his sculpted torso glistening under the soft rays of the moon.
His blue eyes glimmered in the dark making him look so sinful.
He climbed on the bed and laid next to Nicole , hauling her close to his warm body.
“Raphael careful. Your shoulder…”she chided with her voice wandering off.
“Is healed my love. Don’t worry ok”Raphael cut her short, planting multiple kisses on her forehead.
This man could be so sweet. She found herself wondering if he was still the same cold hearted mafia leader whenever they were together.
“I love your braids”he murmured with his nose nuzzling against her neck.
Nicole blushed. “Thank you babe”
Her mind then derailed off to the flash drive she found. With a longing sigh, she began talking.
“Raph, I found a flash drive in a hidden safe in the closet today”
Raphael gasped and faced her, wondering how she was even able to decipher the password.
“I know you are surprised baby. What is in that flash drive?”
“God Nicole!? How did you find it out? You are too inquisitive Bella. That flash drive is very important. It contains all the vital information about the Mafia, how it is being run, our trade partners, the various families and Capos, shipments of our goods round the coasts, income and all that. It is very important. If it gets into the wrong hands, all the confidential secrets will be exposed”He explained.
“Wrong hands? You mean enemies? You have enemies?”Nicole asked quickly.
Raphael noticed she had become somewhat scared. He pulled her close to him to alley her fears. “I do. The don of the Russia mafia hates me. And I truly have no clue why. He is a threat to my mafia but don’t worry Nicole. Nothing will happen ok”
Nicole gulped. Some dangerous dude out there hates her husband so much. Hasn’t Raphael suffered enough? Why must he have enemies?
Well he did belong to a freaking mafia.
Raphael knew she was tensed.
He then cupped Nicole’s cheek with one hand and claimed her lips in a soft kiss making Nicole focus only the addictive taste of his tongue moving slowly inside her, tasting all corners of her.
She felt knots tie in her stomach as the kiss became fiery, demanding and urgent.
Heat rose to her chest with her entire body tingling. She wrapped her hands around his neck at once, pulling him into her more as he claimed her lips in a hungry, passionate kiss.
Nicole’s one hand slipped from his neck to his torso, her fingers eagerly exploring him. Raphael gave off a throaty groan and rolled over on top her. He broke off from their kiss and stared at her, his stare making her weak in the knees, trembling in anticipation of what was to come next.
“I’m going to have you this night dear wife”