SLEEP BESIDE YOU
Luca Guzman looked relaxed this morning, enjoying the morning air while basking in the courtyard of the mansion where he lived. Listening to classical music, an underling approached him.
“Mr. Luca.” The man reached out his hand to Luca, then kissed the back of his hand with reverence. His manner was polite and respectful. “There’s an important guest who wants to meet with you.”
Luca removed his sunglasses. As he sipped on his caramel macchiato, he nodded, allowing his subordinate to lead the guest inside to meet the homeowner.
“Mr. Luca,” greeted a guest who had been invited to sit. Judging by his appearance, the man, likely around 60 years old, was tall and imposing. From his attire, it could be inferred that he was a high-ranking official or held significant influence.
“Alfonso Walters. Why go to the trouble of coming here?” Luca asked. The middle-aged man straightened his posture.
“I’m just concerned about what has been happening with us lately. That’s why I decided to come here,” he revealed. “Just so you know, the top brass at M16 has deployed their best agents to investigate Giorgino’s current whereabouts. They’re even trying to find evidence of my involvement in the illegal arms trade and money laundering.”
Luca gave a sardonic smile. His facial expression remained calm. He was accustomed to dealing with pressing issues like this.
“I’ve instructed my men to search all of Italy and England for Giorgino. I’m very confident I can locate him before your government’s intelligence agents. I can assure you of that.”
“It seems you should broaden the search area,” Alfonso suggested. “It’s possible that he’s hiding in a remote place that we’ve never realized before. Giorgino is a special agent. His skills are likely above average.”
This time, Luca nodded.C0ntent © 2024 (N/ô)velDrama.Org.
“But my gut feeling tells me that it’s not Giorgino who’s holding the chip containing our business transactions.”
“Then who?” Alfonso furrowed his brow. He hadn’t considered anyone else besides Raul who might have helped Giorgino hide copies of their organization’s confidential data.
“It could be a friend, relative, or another associate.”
Alfonso also nodded. What Luca said was indeed plausible. But if it came to involving family, it would require careful consideration. Otherwise, his family members might end up getting caught by enemies in vain.
“Do whatever you can. Mobilize all your men to resolve this issue promptly. I don’t care about the funds that will be spent. As long as my position remains secure in the parliament. You also need to ensure that our business continues to run as it should.”
Luca lit a cigar in his hand. He took a deep drag of the Cuban product before exhaling it slowly into the air.
“Don’t worry. I’ve never let down my business partners. I’ve dealt with situations like this many times before, and everything can be handled smoothly.”
With thousands of members spread across the globe, Luca found it easy to manage his entire business. Not only that, he could easily incapacitate any enemies who dared to disturb or obstruct him. His business partners came from various backgrounds, including members of parliament, military officials, and other prominent entrepreneurs.
After a lengthy conversation, Alfonso finally bid farewell and left the residence of the Sicilian mafia boss. Meanwhile, Luca promptly reached for his phone, dialing a trusted contact he had specifically assigned to locate Giorgino’s whereabouts in the UK.
“Mateo…” he called as the phone was picked up on the other end. “Do you have any recent updates?”
“I’ve gathered some information,” Mateo revealed. “But, I apologize in advance if what I’m about to say makes you uncomfortable.”
“What do you mean?” Luca muttered.
“According to a reliable informant, before he disappeared, Giorgino had a meeting with someone believed to be his child. It’s highly likely that he handed over the organization’s secret chip to one of his offspring.”
“And have you found out where the two of them are located?”
There was a long exhale on the other end before a response.
“For Giorgino, I haven’t been able to pinpoint his hideout yet, Sir. But as for his daughter, she’s currently in England.”
“Well then, prepare for their capture. Bring his daughter here. Even if she’s not the one holding the chip, we can use her as leverage later.”
“Unfortunately, Sir, we need to know the exact location of Giorgino’s daughter first.”
Luca’s eyebrows raised as he gripped his phone.
“Where does she live, then?”
“At Kaivan Maximilian’s Four Seasons Hotel.”
“Damn it!” Luca couldn’t hold back his frustration. His jaw tensed due to the emotions that had been stirred up upon hearing the news from Mateo. “Why does it have to be him protecting our enemy’s child?”
“I’m not sure how it started, Sir. But what’s certain is that we can’t attack Kaivan, especially when he’s clearly residing in Neutral territory. And don’t forget, he’s under the protection of the witch hunter clan. We can’t underestimate that particular enemy.”
Witch Hunters were a major mafia group with networks all over Europe. In the past, they were known for engaging in various illegal activities. They were even brutally ruthless toward rival businesses. However, under new leadership, Witch Hunters now focused solely on the arms trade. And Kaivan had a close friendship with their current leader.
Luca closed his eyes dramatically, pondering what course of action to take in order to execute his plan.
“You need to find a way to take the woman away from the Neutral territory. However you do it, that chip needs to be destroyed as soon as possible.”
Mateo didn’t object.
“I will utilize all my capabilities, Sir. I’ll update you if there are any new developments.”
****
Kaivan felt his left hand cramp as he slowly opened his eyes. Turning to the side, he found Anne still sound asleep, clutching onto him tightly.
For a moment, the athletically built man spent time just gazing at Anne’s peaceful sleeping face. Her state was far different from last night, which clearly displayed a fearful expression.
Upon closer inspection, Anne did possess a beautiful countenance and an ideal body shape that men would desire. But for some reason, Kaivan tried to deny this fact. All that was in his mind and heart was annoyance because a certain Anna Maria Lopez had disrupted his life. Suddenly appearing out of nowhere, claiming to be carrying his child. If her parents were to find out about this, they would surely be shocked.
For a moment, Kaivan thought back to Edward and Kenzie’s words from last night. Did he really have to marry her for the time being?
He pondered for a long while, attempting to convince himself of the decision he should make. This only led to further frustration.
“Ah, why does my life have to be this complicated!” he muttered.
Slowly, Kaivan tried to extract himself from Anne’s embrace. Instead of releasing her grip, however, she tightened it even more. This forced Kaivan to wake her up.
“Anne…” he whispered. “Wake up,” he commanded.
Anne paid no attention. She remained lost in her deep sleep. Kaivan was reluctantly forced to touch her and occasionally pat her cheek softly while continuing to call her.
“Anne… move away from me a bit,” he requested.
Anne stretched and opened her eyes slightly while murmuring softly.
“Kai… I’m still sleepy.”
“Ugh!” Kaivan exclaimed. “I’m not stopping you from sleeping, but please move away from me right now. I need to get up and prepare for work.”
“Goodness, Kaivan. You’re really annoying.”
Anne sighed lazily. Gathering all her consciousness, she tried to sit up, shifting her position.
“Feel free to shower. Or do you want to invite me along?” she teased.
“No need!” Kaivan immediately retorted. “Now get out of my room quickly,” he ordered.
“Are you sure? I won’t refuse if you want to invite me to shower together.”
“Anna Maria!” Kaivan raised his voice intentionally.
She chuckled softly at the mention of her name. But before deciding to edge down from the bed, Anne brought her face closer to Kaivan’s. She gave his cheek a brief peck and whispered,
“Thank you for letting me sleep beside you.”
Then without a trace of guilt, she simply left. Leaving Kaivan once again helpless. What Anne did had caused his blood to rush instantly.
“Oh my, I might go crazy if this continues,” he muttered in frustration.
Kaivan was used to being close to many women. He even changed his dating partners frequently when he got bored. However, as far as he could remember, no woman had ever made his heart race like it did now. Even with Veronica, he didn’t experience anything like this.
“No… no…” he suddenly shook his head. “Anne isn’t your type, Kai. Remember that! It’s better to focus on Veronica. A woman who’s clearly suitable in every way.”
Kaivan kept repeating those words in his mind. Strengthening his resolve and reaffirming his stance to not be swayed by the temptations that Anne deliberately directed at him.
“I just can’t lose!”