RAPHAEL
“Any info yet?” I asked my capos as we sauntered into a fairly dark room.
Thomas outstretched his hands for me,”see for yourself. Diego’s phone was accessed and truly he did get a phone call from the ghost”
A smile lit on my face. Finally we were getting somewhere. I was tired of moving in circles, unending frustrating circles.
“Is that all?” I asked, my voice a little louder.
My eyes accessed everything in the spacious room with a wily smile.
“We’ve gotten the best computer specialist and trackers to access the exact location of the ghost” Thomas informed me, his eyes on the various men who had the finger pads glued to the keyboard of the computers with the lights reflecting on their faces.
I walked towards one and he acknowledged my presence which I returned back with a nod.
“Fill me in” I ordered him.
“We’ve got a problem” his brows became furrowed at the screen.
Fuck. What again?
“What’s the issue?” I replied trying to swallow my annoyance.
“Diego was contacted through various numbers which were linked to one particular IP address belonging to the caller. We were able to trace the caller’s IP address from the numbers he used. We tried hacking into his data base using the IP addesss but we can’t because it seems he makes use of a virtual private network which doesn’t let us get access to his location” the blonde explained.
I brought a hand to rub my temples. Closing my eyes for a brief moment, I breathed out trying to calm this sudden anger brewing up within me.
“So we can’t hack into his Vpn?” Lorenzo asked.
“It’s not as easy as it seems” another replied.
“We can only hack using two means. Stealing the key to the vpn or breaking the encryption. And if you all know, breaking the encryption..”
“Demands time and it is complex damn!” I groaned.
“Then let’s steal the key instead” Marco suggested. “It’s far more easier”
“Yes it is” the blonde concurred.
“It also a bit technical but we should be able to hack into his Vpn and get his current location”
What followed next was absolute silence as we watched the men on the computer put their technical prowess to the test.
My thoughts ran far and wild. If we could get his location then we were a step closer in finding out who The Ghost really is.
A mild beeping sound cut into the air. My ears twitched to the sound and I wondered who it was that had their phone ringing.
“Can you hear that?” I whispered to Thomas.
“What?” He questioned.
“The beep noise” I sighed.
He was about speaking when the joyous tone of the men interrupted him.
“We’ve got it!” A young man with coffee brown hair exclaimed.
I was so relieved to here that. Finally we would know where this bastard is and may heaven accept his soul when I lay my hands on his filthy body.
“Finally. Where is he at?” I demanded urgently. My mind had already started conjuring the various methods I would have him killed.
“He is in Mexico” Luca said underneath breath. The uncertainty in the room rose as we passed each other glances.
Our attention on the screens surrounding us became more intense.
“He is following us” I realised. I passed another glance at my capos.
Then came that silly beep sound which got me irritated.
“Which one of you has your fucking phones ringing!” I scowled.
“None of our phones are ringing capo” the blonde which I presumed was the head replied.
Then where was the fucking beep sound coming from?
“Everyone search for whatever is making the noise” I ordered.
Seconds ticked away slowly replaced by minutes and the beeping seemed to increase in pace while growing louder.
“I’ve found it Raph” Lorenzo announced.
He briskly came over to me and in his hands held a device we all knew too well.
“It was hidden in a corner. It’s a timer” he added, his face contorted.
“A timer for what?” Marco asked, taking the device from Lorenzo hands.
Slowly it dawned on us and our eyes widened.
“Oh shit!” Luca seethed.
“It’s a timer for a bomb! There is a bomb here. Everyone get out!” I yelled my orders as everyone scampered their feet to get out of the room and its premises.
* * * * * * * *
NICOLE
I flopped my head on to the soft office chair I was seated on as my eyes narrowed to the clock on the wall. It was noon.
I just resumed work today and to be honest, I had never felt this happy in such a long time.
Raphael kept to his word of assigning a guard who followed everywhere.
Not only was Leila on my neck, now a guard was going to follow me about too. The measures Raphael was going through to keep me as secured as possible got me amused and also I felt special knowing he cared about me that much.
I greatly missed my husband and I didn’t stop praying for his safe arrival every single day.
“Hello miss” Miles greeted with a smile, entering into my office with his hands stuck in his pockets.
I sat up and straightened my spine.”oh hi miles. How are you doing?” I asked returning the smile.
“Well” he pulled out a chair from my table and sat opposite me.
“I am doing fine. How is your first day at work going?”
“Absolutely splendid. I am so happy I can finally work and stop being so idle” I bubbled with joy.
Miles stared at me intently and I could tell he was intrigued by my statement.
“You know you surprise me Nicole. Every other woman in your shoes who got married to some one as rich as Raphael would not even want to work again for the rest of their lives but you are so eager to work like as if you in dire need of a job”
I laughed. “I don’t like considering my husband’s wealth as mine. I want to have my own name, build my own empire the way he built his”
Miles nodded with a satisfied smile sitting on his lips.
“How’s Raphael doing anyways?”
I tilted my head to the side slightly and hummed. “He should be doing fine”
“Should?” Miles hinted a brow at me.
“He is doing alright” I corrected with a chortle.
“You seem tired. Let me take you out for a lunch. You don’t want to spend your lunch break all by yourself in here” miles offered standing up and stretching his hand out to me.
I thought of it for some seconds before accepting his hand and getting to my feet.
“Sure miles. I am famished”
We ambled outside, laughing and chattering on the way. This felt so good.
I was relating well with my fellow colleagues. I couldn’t wait to tell Raphael this.
A distinct figure came into sight and I knew she was looking at me.
Leila.
“Excuse me miles” I told him before going over to meet Leila.
“What are you doing here?” I asked her in a hush tone.
She gripped on to my arm and took me to a lone corner. Once alone, I yanked my hand from hers.
“You are really enjoying your new job aren’t you?” She mused, her eyes taking in my appearance.
“What lies will you tell Raphael this time?” I mocked her.
In a flash, her facial expression switched to one of contempt and she closed the distance between us by stepping closer.
“I won’t even pretend anymore because I am tired and sick of it. I’ll destroy you Nicole I promise you”
“I’ve always had this ominous feeling whenever you were with me. And now you just proved my suspicions right” I folded my arms at her.
“I care less about your damn feelings. Raphael is mine. And I’ll make sure I get him back” she seethed.
My lips became slightly parted and I gazed at her. “So you do have feelings for my husband”
“He was mine. He was meant for me before you came in and took him away. You ruined everything I had worked hard for” Leila spat at me whilst trying to control her tone from becoming too loud.
“Be that as it may, he is my husband now. He chose me not you. We were wedded legally and I’ll always fight to keep him from anybody that tries to take him away from me” I scowled back at her with rage dancing in my eyes.
My reply hit her like a fiery arrow.
“He is not as faithful and honest as you think he is to you. Do you know how many times your darling Raphael has been intimate with me? How many times I would always moan his name as he pounded into me?” Leila smirked.
My breathing caged in my lungs and my knees almost buckled to the ground.
“You are lying Leila” I retorted, choosing not to believe her.
“Go ask him yourself”
My anger soured within me and my heart slammed itself repeatedly against my rib cages.
In a flash, I held on to leila’s arm tighter than she did with mine. “Leila I swear on whatever you believe in, I’ll ruin your entire life”
“Do your worst Nicole. But I’ll get Raphael back” she smiled at me.
I let go off her arm and nodded. “Let’s see who wins then”