Chapter five
Cécile Garnier I slowly opened my eyes, sluggishly taking in my surroundings. I was in my hotel suite lying on the bed “What happened?” I muttered, my dry mouth trying to form words as I tried to sit up, a sharp pain shot through my head and I winced in pain. My muscles were aching. I looked around my suite,My clouded mind struggled to recall what happened the previous night especially how I got to my room. Suddenly the events came flooding back, the robbery, the men who tried to molest me and then Luca! I remember him saving me from those men, dragging me to his car and bringing me back to the hotel. “ Did he bring me up to this place?” I asked under my breath, rubbing my temple. I tossed off the blanket and got out of bed, stumbling towards the dresser. My legs felt like jelly. I caught a glimpse of myself in the dressing mirror. And I recoiled in horror! My eyes looked sunken, my skin pale and I was still putting on my dress and sandals from yesterday. God! I look like a ghost” I shuddered Taking a deep breath and retreating from the dresser, I needed to use the bathroom. But something on the dresser caught my attention. has it been there or I hadn't noticed it in the first place?. “ my phone!” I exclaimed approaching the dresser again cautiously,as if my stuff might disappear again. I picked my phone, feeling it in my hands, No broken screen. Everything seemed to be working just fine. My wallet and keys were intact too.I had a few missed calls from my mom and of course Chloe. They definitely would be so worried sick about me. I couldn't wait to tell Chloe about what had happened to me but of course, I also knew she would freak out and tell my mom. Then she would panic and talk non stop about how she was against my trip but I'm too stubborn to listen. “Maybe mom was right about how bad stubbornness could get “ I thought, shaking my head, still staring at the phone in my hands in disbelief. I never believed I was going to see it again. “How on earth did he even manage to get this back?” I asked. My eyes danced around like it searched for answers until it fell to my view, my favorite part of the room. The ocean beneath my window was at low tide,calm and peaceful. I felt a flutter In my chest, a mix of emotions swirled inside of me. I wanted to thank Luca so badly. To show my genuine appreciation for saving me from those men. “ But how?” I bit my lips. Just then an idea struck me. “ if I get to see him,I could offer to buy him a coffee.just a small gesture to show my thanks” I let out a sign, I Knew it might be a long shot, but I had to try. My stomach had started to send an SOS signal to me as I dragged myself back to sit on the bed still feeling very exhausted and weak. I haven't had anything decent since yesterday. I needed something to eat. A Cup of coffee was just what I needed to start. I picked up the hotel phone and dialed. “ Bonjour, I'd like to order some breakfast, please” I said my voice struggling to be clear enough. “ Bonjour mademoiselle, of course what would you like?” The cheerful male voice on the other end replied. “I'll have an continental breakfast with a cup of coffee please. And also may I ask if a guest named Luca Crovetto is still in the hotel?” “ I'm sorry Ma'am, but we can't give out information about our Top guest” the voice answered apologetically “ I know” I winced, my head still ached terribly “ it's just very important to me, I just wanted to thank him In person for retrieving my phone and keys, I lost them yesterday” “ I see,you must be the lady from yesterday night…” “ That should be me.” I nodded, feeling somewhat embarrassed. “Ah, zut! He's already checked out, I'm afraid. But I'll Make sure your petit dèjeuner is sent up right away. You look like you need a little bit rest” My heart sank,and my face fell in disappointment “Oh,Thank you.” I replied, suppressing a sigh. I hung up the phone Luca has checked out, how was I supposed to thank him now? I slumped back onto the bed in thoughts. Maybe he didn't want my appreciation but I was glad everything was over and I could begin the peaceful holiday I had imagined. The breakfast came quicker than I expected after I got out of shower. A friendly staff walked in with a tray laden filled with meals that smelt really good that it made my mouth water. “For you mademoiselle, would you like me to bring it over to your bed?”he asked. “ sí, Mercí” I replied and he nodded, placing the tray carefully on the bed. My eyes didn't leave the tray, I was ready to devour every content on those plates, but I noticed the staff was still standing ,a smile on his face and his two hands placed on each other in front of him , like he was waiting for something. “ oh sorry” I apologized remembering I needed to pay for my meal. I reached out for my wallet to take out my card. My hand closed up in the empty air, I frowned. Thinking I misplaced the cards. I vividly recalled not taking it out again after I paid for the suit. It had been in my wallet before I was robbed. I looked closely and I noticed not only was my card missing, my ID too! My spirit left my body. And my appetite vanished. I had been so excited about my phone that I had forgotten to check the most important things. “Could it have been that Luca took my card? And Why?” “Are Mafians thief's too?” “Mum was right” I sulked my teeth. this whole vacation was a bad idea. I never should have made this trip. I should have just stayed back, in a hospital bed surrounded by the few people I love. How can so many bad things happen to me at a time? I was visibly breaking down but it was as of the staff understood what was going on He looked at me sympathetically. “Don't worry mademoiselle, you probably misplaced it, rest and recover, you can settle the bills later” his smile never left his face as he excited my room. my family came to my mind. should I inform them what is going on? I was unsure if I was ready to involve them in my mess. I should go to the police. but this is Monaco, I'm not even familiar with the legal system here. Should I even trust them for help if Luca is involved? I needed to find Luca.Chapter SixLuca Crovetto “ I'm back to the ville as instructed,Father”I said firmly pacing the courtyard of my ville with my phone pressed to my ear.“ Bene” he wheezed, his voice still carrying its depth “Resta li, await further instructions”. “Father I have problem, I need to speak to you about the deal” I quickened my pace , frustration building inside of me.“What about it” he asked his breathing was laboured and faint “The consortium is insisting on seeing the United front of our families before they agree and seal the deal!”“And How is that a problem,son” he sounded reluctant and it made me scratch my head feeling the familiar frustration build up in side of me.“ Father, you know i can’t stand sophie, I know her, she's not exactly the most cooperative person” I explained Trying to keep my voice even.There was silence at the other end of the line which made me wonder if he was paying attention.I was getting restless, then he finally speaks again.“ Luca, we need Th
Chapter SevenCécile Garnier“I'm begging you!” I pleaded with the staff at the reception, my voice brittled in desperation while my two hands clasped together as I wrung them in a frantic plea. “I just need to find Luca crovetto, My ID and my bank cards are still missing” The receptionist, a lady dressed in a tailored navy blue uniform with a tight bun leaned in closely, her eyes seemed to hesitate, as if it was weighing the cost of helping me. She bridged her fingers together and her voice firm but gentle. “We still can't disclose any information about our guest mademoiselle, please try to understand” she repeated, She had been a little bit sympathetic at the beginning after I stormed into the reception asking about lucas whereabouts.The receptionist's gaze flicked to her colleague, a younger man who rocked back and forth with a little bit of impatience. his eyes rolled subtly before he looked away. I sensed a silent warning passing between them to maintain their neutr
Prologue My name is Cécile Garnier, and I've just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I just turned 25 two months ago and my life is supposed to be just beginning. Doctor Martins had said the cancer is advanced and it's likely that I will have a few months.his words the day he broke that sad news to me still echo in my mind like a death sentence. I remember the day at his office like it was yesterday. The look on his face, usually calm and welcoming, was lined with concern as he delivered the diagnosis and His gentle tone couldn't mask the gravity of the news. My mind raced with questions, but my voice was frozen with the sound of my heartbeat echoing in my ears. As Silence enveloped the room, the ticking of the clock became deafening. I never realized my body was trying to tell me something throughout those times I felt very tired and exhausted. But I kept brushing it off as stress from work. If only I had listened, I would have asked for help sooner Because I have a lot
Luca crovetto. I Stood outside the door of the imperial suite with three of my men, my fist still clenched from the force of my knock, the manager's nervous whisper still lingered in my ear “she said she's not interested, please forgive her” He knew better, he had to plead on her behalf But I wasn't there to make a scene , I was here to get what I want. And what I wanted was that suite. Just a little escape from “ a human tragedy” the daughter of a rival mafia family “ the Barralis” Our families had a long standing agreement. I was betrothed to her from birth, it was an arrangement that would strengthen our alliance and secure our families power ending the Turf war between the both families. if I refuse to carry on with the marriage, I definitely facing the wrath of my family and the Barralis. my father would be furious and I might be cut-off from the family business or even be exiled. Her Father Don Amario Barralis, is one of the few men that I fear. He treated me like
Cécile Garnier What the hell just happened! Did I just challenge a man who just clearly told me who he was, A mafia Boss! This doesn't look Good! “Should I apologize or should I leave” I thought to myself, fear began to creep in on me No” I said, shrugging it off. “these rich mother fuckers, He started it first, just because he had the power he just wanted to show it off on me “ but again my cell phone rang this time, it was Chloe. grateful for that distraction.I smiled picking the phone up and placing it on my ear “ Hey Chloe,” I answered, trying to sound casual. “Cécile, are you alright?, you sound upset, ? chloe asked “I just had a run in with a rich dude, says his name is Luca Crovetto” I said trying to mimic the lucas voice. “ and I may have challenged him” “NO WAY!” Chloe let out a deafening scream that made me quickly pull the phone far from my ear. “ LUCA CROVETTO! AS IN THE MAFIA LUCA CROVETTO ? “yesss” I replied surprisingly rubbing my chin “Since wh
Luca Crovetto Otto And I were just leaving the district, feeling quite satisfied with my evening entertainment, when I spotted her, the same lady from earlier today. I remember that face vividly. It kind of amused me seeing her in the streets. What was she doing In this neighborhood of all places? Maybe she was there for the same reason as me, to have a good time. I nudged otto who was about to get the car door for me and i nodded discreetly towards the lady “looks like we have a familiar face here otto, the lady from the hotel, what do you think?” Otto observed her “ I'm seeing her here for the first time,is she lost?” “Lost?” I scoffed, placing my hands on each side of my pocket. “In this neighborhood? Unlikely” “Then it's likely madame Sophie sent her” Otto's suggestion made a whole lot of sense. But it cackled me up “Then this lady either has a lot of balls or she's very foolish. I responded. I had expected Sophie to dig up information on where I am, who I a