Chiara's lips curled into a giggle as Megan, her best friend at work, shared yet another one of her crazy adventures. The bustling coffee shop in the heart of Manhattan was filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the joyful banter of friends.
"I feel like we can always count on Megan for good stories," Kyle commented sipping his caramel macchiato,
Megan laughed, her eyes twinkling mischievously, as they all voiced their agreement. "That's because two of you are married, and two are hopeless singles forever."
Chiara gasped dramatically, playfully hitting Megan on the back. "Not all of us are lucky when it comes to romance!"
"But you have to admit, Chiara, not everyone is as unlucky as us," James chuckled, patting Chiara's back. She couldn't help but laugh, nodding in agreement. James and her both had a string of failed relationships, with their former partners recently betraying their trust.
"It's okay, guys," Jesicca chimed in, her voice filled with optimism. "You'll find your lobster when the time is right."
"Ahh, there she goes again!" Chiara groaned, causing everyone to laugh. Jessica, the incurable romantic, had married her high school sweetheart and firmly believed in soulmates. While Kyle was the more laidback romantic, having tied the knot a year ago. The rest of them were still navigating the tumultuous world of love.
After a little more conversation, the group bid each other goodbye and parted ways.
The towering skyscrapers surrounded Chiara as she made her way through the busy streets of Manhattan. The cold evening air felt heavenly on her face as BTS's cover of Fix You played in her earbuds.
This was her favorite time of the day, a way to unwind and leave the stress of the job behind. But she did not enjoy it tonight.
Chiara had always been a bit paranoid, feeling like someone was following her. But tonight, the feeling was stronger than usual. She tried to brush it off, convincing herself it was just her overactive imagination. To reassure her brain, she looked around and found no one suspicious in sight but it didn't seem to work.
Putting her paranoia aside, she continued her trip to her studio apartment. Strangely enough, the feeling only grew stronger, and she increased her pace, almost running into her building. Ignoring the elevator, she climbed up the stairs, taking two steps at a time.
Her heart pounded in her chest, and her hand shook as she quickly tried to unlock her door. Once inside, she slammed the door shut and locked it behind her. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the door, trying to calm herself, but it didn't work. It was as if her body was hyperaware of some unknown danger lurking nearby.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped away from the door. "It's okay, Chi. You just scared the crap out of yourself for no apparent reason," she said out loud to herself, a habit she had developed when alone.
Letting out another deep sigh, she flipped the lights on, only to let out a scream when she saw a male figure sitting on her couch.
The man stood up, and it was then that her brain registered the face.
Alessandro Moretti, her brother's best friend and right-hand man.
She just stood there in shock, her brain unable to process all that had happened in the last five minutes.
"Wha- What are you..." she stammered like a complete idiot, unable to form a coherent thought, let alone a sentence. Her mind raced, trying to make sense of his unexpected presence, and she just stood there frozen as she took in the striking figure walking towards her.
Dressed in an impeccable Italian black suit with a white shirt underneath, Alessandro looked like a fantasy that had come to life. Standing at an imposing 6'3" with a powerful, athletic build, he possessed a rugged handsomeness that exuded an air of danger and mystery.
She hadn't seen him for five years, and clearly, those years had treated him well.
"Ciao, Chiara. You look like you've seen a ghost," he smirked as he came to a stop two steps away from her.
She stepped back, only to stumble before she balanced herself. She glared at him from her spot as he simply smirked in amusement.
"What the hell, Alessi! What are you doing here? And was it really necessary to break in and have me followed?!"
Chiara was livid at the audacity of the man in front of her. She nearly had a heart attack because of him.
Alessandro chuckled, seemingly unaffected by her outburst. "I have to say, I'm impressed that you figured out you were being followed. Good instincts," he nodded, impressed. "But on the other matter, your father wants to talk to you." His face turned serious as he said the last part while placing a call.
His words cut through the air, instantly dousing her anger and replacing it with a sense of foreboding. If her father had resorted to sending Alessandro, the underboss of the mafia, then something serious must have happened.
Chiara reluctantly took the phone Alessandro handed her, her hands trembling as she brought it to her ear. "Hello?"
"Chiara, my child. Are you safe?" Her father's voice carried a mixture of concern and urgency, instantly gripping her heart.
She struggled to find her voice, fearing the worst. "I'm fine, Dad. What's going on? And why did you send Alessandro?"
"Alessandro is there to bring you back home," her father explained, his tone weighted with sorrow.
Confusion swirled within her. Home? Why now? Why under these circumstances? "Why? What's happened?"
"It's Stefano, my dear. He's been in an accident."
The world around her seemed to crumble at her father's words, her breath catching in her throat. "No... What happened? Is he okay?"
"He's alive, but critical. It was a car accident caused by a drunk driver. Your sister is on her way with her husband. We need you here, Chiara. Pack a bag and leave immediately with Alessandro. I'll handle the rest."
Emotions surged through her, a whirlwind of fear, relief, and desperation. She clutched the phone tightly, her mind racing. "Okay, Dad. I'll come. I'll leave right away."
With a heavy heart, she handed the phone back to Alessandro, her hands shaking uncontrollably. The weight of the situation settled upon her shoulders, and she struggled to process the overwhelming torrent of thoughts and emotions.
Alessandro's hand gently rested on her shoulder, jolting her back to the present. She looked into his piercing blue eyes, seeking reassurance amidst the chaos. "Stefano is alive, Chiara. He will be okay," he assured her, his voice firm yet comforting.
Nodding weakly, she wiped away a tear that had escaped. "Yeah... Just give me a minute. I'll pack quickly."
As she hurried to her wardrobe, she gathered the essentials, her mind still reeling from the news. Alessandro's presence offered a sense of stability amidst the uncertainty. Deep down, she knew there was something more than what was being told to her, but whatever it was, she had to be there for her family.
Moments later, they found themselves inside Alessandro's sleek black car, gliding through the bustling city streets on their way to the airport. The rhythmic hum of the engine provided a backdrop to Chiara's racing thoughts, her mind consumed by worry and exhaustion. Through the tinted windows, the outside landscape turned into a blur, mirroring the chaos inside her.
When they arrived at the airport, they were escorted to the private hangar where the La Guardia family's jet awaited them. The aircraft stood gleaming in the moonlight, luxurious and impeccably maintained. They boarded the jet and soon enough were in the air.
As the jet continued soaring through the night sky, Chiara's exhaustion overcame her, and she drifted into a restless sleep. Her thoughts continued to swirl amidst her dreams, filled with images of her brother and the uncertain future that lay ahead.