JADE
The day went by in a blur and once again, the estate was thrown into darkness by night.
After my talk with Luciano, he went off to work and I never did set my eyes on him up until now.
I never knew he worked this late.
I did a great deal of reading today. Luciano had a huge library up stairs and I delighted in exploring its books, the entire library oozing of vast knowledge and ideas.
After that, I ate launch, watched a bit of television before dozing off in the living room and waking up again.
I had expected to see Luciano back though. And for some reason, it saddened me when the maids and guards informed me that he was not back yet.
I ate dinner, showered up and retired to my bed but yet still no sign of Luciano.
Hours had passed as I laid on my bed, my eyes observing the skies. Lightning flashed across the dark horizon, signalling a storm approaching.
Was that a bad sign?
Quickly I picked up my phone from where it laid. It was close to midnight. Just few minutes away.
I need to call him.
Thankfully he had written down his number for me on a piece of paper and laid it on our bed before he left for work.
I tried dialing Luciano’s number but he was not picking which only worsened my anxiety.
What sort of a job does he do that will cause him to stay up this late out at night?!
It is dangerous out there! He could be accosted by thieves or worse murderers!
No. I will not solve anything by lying on my bed and imagining the worse.
I should get across to his brothers. Hopefully they will be around and they will offer help to me.
Swiftly, I got up from the bed and went for my closet, tucking out my brown coat.
I wore it over my night gown and trudged down the stairs.
“Signora, where are you going to? It is late and cold outside” Jane, one of my maids called out to me on seeing me downstairs.
I stopped in my tracks with a sudden anxious ridden heart, “Luciano is not back yet. I am so worried right now. I want to go meet with his brothers so probably we can know where he is” I responded rapidly.
“But you can call him, why stress yourself and walk all the way to meet master’s brothers?” She inquired.
I was getting fed up with her questions and I am sure my expression mirrored my restlessness.
“Don’t you think I have done that? I have tried doing that Jane! But he is not picking. And I have to stress myself when it comes to my husband’s safety. If I do not go then who will?” I angrily spoke.
“I will. Or probably the guards can. But I do not think you should. Master will not be happy with you going over to his brothers without his permission” Jane replied.
That does not even make any sense! “What is with you all and these weird rules?! And even if he does not like it, who is going to tell him? Will you sell me out?” I pointed my forefinger at her.
“Never. I will never do such” Jane refuted my words whilst shaking her head simultaneously.
“Good. I guess we have a deal now. Seal your lips and shut your eyes. I want to go inquire of my husband’s whereabouts” I ordered before briskly walking out of the living room.
The wind howled at all corners of my ears, slapping me across the cheeks and ruffling up my hair.
The sky thundered a little, drawing up flashes of lightning across its black hues. I removed strands of my hairs from my face and tied it all at the back to keep the wind from whipping my hair across my eyes.
I do not even know which mansion belongs to his brothers but atleast I know that whichever house I knock on, they will offer me help and proffer solution to Luciano’s sudden disappearance.
The street lamps in the estate provided quite a measure of light to my pathways. The security guards seemed to be awake too as they were all patrolling the area. As I passed them in numbers, they each bowed their heads to me as if I was some sort of queen.
I ponderously walked until I had finally approached a mansion which was almost as big as Luciano’s. It had a bright yellow painting unlike Luciano’s monochrome white.
I quickly went towards it and knocked anxiously on the huge metal doors.
I stood there for some minutes and got no response.
Gosh. Is there not a doorbell of some kind here?!
At that moment, my eyes landed on the doorbell by the wall of the mansion.
I did not hesitate to press it. It rang loud and clear, punctuating the night’s silence.
The door slowly creaked open and one of the armed men that accompanied Luciano’s brothers to our house answered the door.
I recognised him at once. He stood behind Raffaele. So I am guessing this must be Raffaele’s guard.
“I want to see Raffaele” I stated with an air of authority.
“Who is at the door Pablo?” A male voice from within called.
“Signora Luciano” he instantly replied, allowing me walk in with a slight bow.
I was right after all. Seated on a broad velvet sofa was Raffaele with Aurora resting her head on his thighs.
They both seemed shocked to see me, Raffaele more in bewilderment than his wife.
“Wow. Look what we have here!” Aurora smiled maliciously, raising her head up from his thighs.
I ambled further with a stoic expression and an aura of boldness.
“Think of the devil and she comes. What a lovely surprise” she snarled, sauntering towards me with a gloaty smile.
“I am not here for you. I am here to see your husband” I replied, flashing her a glare.
“Well I am his wife and he does not….–”
“That is enough Aurora. You may go upstairs now and take care of Enzo and Riccardo” Raffaele cut her short.
Embarrassment coated her features and she inclined her head towards her husband who approached her from behind. “But they are both fast asleep. Do you really want to give a listening ear to whatever this whore will say to you?”
This bitchy scoundrel!
“I am no whore Aurora. I am Jade Greco. And you will accord my name with respect” I gritted my words out.
I took side glances of Raffaele and he was amused by my reaction.
“Aurora go upstairs now. I will join you later. Since she came here so late at night without her husband, I am guessing what brought her must be of utmost importance and needed to be handled with such urgency” Raffaele spoke, his eyes not drifting from my exasperated orbs.
Aurora huffed in annoyance and marched up the stairs angrily leaving me with just her husband.
“Pablo leave us now. It might be quite private” Raffaele commanded his guard who left us as well.
It was not that private, I did not know why he was sending everyone away though I loved the fact that Aurora left. She would have incited me to anger with her rude tongue.
“So tell me Jade, what brings you here?” Raffaele asked, his eyes having a mischievous intent in them as he spoke.
Creepy as hell.
“My husband Luciano is not yet back from wherever he went to and this is past midnight already. I am honestly worried”
“So you came here why?” Raffaele asked, interrupting me.
“He is your brother! And I presumed you know his whereabouts or atleast you know how we can get across to him. Possibly a second phone number I guess”
“Sweetheart forget about your husband” Raffaele gave a derogatory smile at me. The way he spoke gave me a spine chilling feeling.
“You are too beautiful to be stressed by the wayward brother of mine” he added.
“Do not call my husband names Raffaele!” I shot back.
“Oh please. See you here worried sick about him but he could be in a brothel or with one of his whores having the time of his life” Raffaele mockingly spat.
I let out a gasp, “He would never do such. He promised me himself. Why would you even make such foul remarks about your own brother to his newly wedded wife? Are you trying to undermine the foundations of my marraige?”
“Oh please sweetheart. Your marraige to Luciano was bound to be crumbled anyway” he unapologetically stated.
I glared at him. “I made a mistake coming here” I pivoted to leave when his voice stopped me.
“You know if you were with me, I would never treat you like this. I will respect you and honour you as my woman” Raffaele huskily said, gripping hold of my arm.
“Pardon? Are you nuts? Do you know the gravity of what you are saying?” I attempted to yank my hands from his but the intensity of his grip proved my efforts to be futile.
“I do and I mean every word of it. Give me a chance to have you Jade. You were meant for me and not for Luciano” he tried hauling me against himself.
“Let go of me you brute!” I yelled trying to push him off me.
“Just keep quiet and we can do this without you creating a scene” Raffaele tried lifting me up the ground.
“Somebody!…” he instantly tried using his hand to suppress my screams. Fear sank in me and horror was written all over my face.
He was trying to rape me.
It felt like all my efforts were feeble because the more I hit him, the more he pressed himself further against me.
“Quit resisting bitch!”
“Raffaele!” The horrified voice of Aurora as she stood by the edge of the stairs instantly brought to a halt his abominable act.
I quickly freed myself from his hold with my chest heaving so fast.
“I thought I told you to stay upstairs!” He lashed at the distraught woman.
“So you could have fun with this whore!” She yelled, matching down the stairs.
I did not need to be told, I quickly walked away, fighting back tears which were on the verge of spilling.
“Where are you going to you whore?! You bitch! Sneaky hoe!” She yelled all sorts of curse words at me but I did not say a word in return.
Instead I ran as fast as my legs could carry me towards my own home.
Oh God.
I could have been raped today. Words can not describe how horror stricken I am!
God please, save me from this troubled family. I prayed fervently within me, my heart heavy.
I snivveled, pushing open the doors of my home only to be welcomed by the angry icy blue orbs of Luciano as he sat on one of the dinning chairs.
I noticed my three personal maids where all arrayed before him, shivering like leaves in a terrible storm.
What is going on?
I ponderously walked in, my heart still beating in my chest.
“And where are you coming from?” He stood up.
“Did you say anything?” I faced Jane who shook her head in fear.
“Answer me Jade!” He demanded which almost made me jump out of my skin.
“I-I was just coming from your brother’s place. I was worried about you so..”
“So you decided to go there? You could have decided to go meet my stepmother but you chose to go meet my step brother for help! Why are you never submissive and always disobedient!” Luciano had never been this angry with me.
“I went because I was worried about you!” I fought back. Why is he this mad at me? I have not even told him about the rape incident yet and he is this mad because I sought help from Raffaele for his own sake!
What sort of animosity runs in this family?
“If something did happen to me then you would have been notified! You are not permitted to go there Jade do you understand!?” He roared with such an uncontrollable fury.
“And why! What gives you the right to make such decisions about my freedom!?” I was at the verge of crumbling into tears.
“Because I am your husband!”
“Oh…” I sunked in breath at once, tears streaking down my cheeks. “I thought you were also my friend” I quietly whispered before walking away.
I guess I was wrong about us and this marraige.