Night to remember

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 am with and what I am doing. But I had underestimated how far she was willing to take it and to be honest, this woman would have gotten the worst of me at the suite, was Sophie aiming to anger me so I would return?

As I watched her for a while, I couldn't help but notice how she moved, she was hurrying, glancing over her shoulder. The look in her eyes was different from what I had seen earlier. A part of me felt it wasn't the look of someone who was there to have fun.

But it wasn't any of my business.

“ Keep an eye on her otto” I instructed Otto signaling him at the same time to get the door but I paused . Feeling an inexplicable desire to see if she was there on purpose. It was as if otto sensed my hesitation why i stopped, he suggested bringing her to me but I declined

“ I'll go and check her out myself, I have a feeling this night just got a lot more interesting”

If she was sent here on purpose, then what an amateur she is!

As I followed her from a distance. i noticed she seemed headed to no place in particular. Then I spoke to her from behind and it startled her severely.

“What establishment? “she asked so confused

She was definitely pretending and she wasn't so good at it.

“ just admit you were stalking me and I would spare you”

“Stalking you?”Her chin lifted and her eyes widened “why would I stalk you? I'm on my way back to the hotel”

“This isn't the way to the hotel” I chuckled. “ I think you are lying” I said sternly

“Just leave me alone alright” she retorted and walked out abruptly.

“She really got nerves” I laughed taking my phone out and dialing otto

“Bring the car around” I instructed before hanging up.

Otto was there in no second and held the car door open for me. “You know the direction she went?

I asked otto

“ she went east” he replied

“East?” I asked surprised, sensing trouble. I knew what was in the east, she had no business there..

I couldn't believe Sophie would stoop so low to put this stupid woman in danger, I don't know what Sophie games is but I'm not going to let her recklessness hurt someone else and damage my reputation. That would be bad for business. I need to do something

If she would have sent someone, she could have sent someone professional and not a fucking amateur.

“follow her” i instructed “when she is on sight, keep a distance but don't lose her”

I knew my instructions could have surprised Otto but then these could be one out of so many reasons I wouldn't go ahead with the arrangement.

He nodded as he navigated the crowded streets to find and keep her insight. With no view of her it was obvious she had walked further into the East. We kept scanning.

Until I finally spotted her through the shadows as a group of “backwoods”were already closing in on her.

She stood still, stopped at her tracks, like a lamb for sacrifice, glancing nervously from left to right unaware of what was about to happen to her. One of them had already gripped her elbow tight. Of course she wouldn't dare to scream cause she had already been threatened with a knife not to.

“Stay here” I told Otto before stepping out of my car, my bretta tucked neatly at the back of my pants. and approached them making sure I graced them with my presence.

“Let her go” I warned, my voice firm but controlled.

The men turned to face me, their eyes flicking between me and the lady.

For a moment i thought they would back down but their leader sneered

“ mind your own business luca, this doesn't concern you”

My eyes caught this lady's face who was watching the scene unfold with a great fear in her eyes, she was visibly shivering

“ I will mind my business if you deliver her to me, if you don't, then my ass will be in your business till I'm tired. You better think about it before doing something stupid “ I said, my voice firmer and colder than the first. “leave Now”

Like they knew it was the last chance I was given them, they knew better than even challenging me, everybody knows how deadly and cold blooded I am, I don't need no bodyguards guarding me cause I can take on any person I want, so everybody knows and would want to get o my bad side.

The men hesitated, then backed down, disappearing into the night.

I turned to this woman,who was shaking like a leaf.

I grabbed her hands and led her to my car,where otto was waiting unruffled.

“ Get in” I said, opening the car door for her “ I'm taking you back to your suite” and without hesitation, she obeyed and I got in beside her. As the car drove off the scene, her tears finally broke through and she sobbed uncontrollably. I Knew she was shaken terribly by what happened, but she didn't have to be so foolish.

“ How much did Sophie pay you to follow me?” I asked breaking the silence

She mumbled something I didn't hear so i ordered her to speak up

“ i– came— alone” she replied struggling between tears

“ what where you thinking walking around here alone at night by yourself” I was angry and I probably was scaring her but I knew I needed to be patient to get my answers from her.

I handed her a handkerchief and she took it with gratitude, dabbing her eyes.

“ what are you doing here alone?” I asked again this time a little bit calm

She sniffled, taking a deep breathe before speaking “ I was robbed earlier tonight, my phone, my keys everything, I didn't know what to do and where to go”

“And you ended up here” my face turned grim.

She nodded tears rolling down her eyes

“ I didn't mean to… I got lost…i couldn't find my way back to the hotel or the police..and then those men.. I thought they were going to…. I was scared”

She was scared? It was surprising coming from same woman who had challenged me fearlessly earlier today, she Probably might be telling me the truth. Even if she wasn't, I was going to find out

But seeing how vulnerable she was, My expression softened.

“Otto will make inquiries about your stolen items,you don't have to involve the police, we'll get your belongings back first thing tomorrow morning.i promise” I replied, I'm not sure why I promised her anything but It definitely because helping her looked good for me.

she whispered a soft “ Thank you “ while I nodded in return.

When we arrived the hotel, she was already asleep. I asked otto not to wake her. “ i'll take her to her suite” I said

But Otto revolted

“Sir, let me handle this, people don't need to see you carrying her”

“This is good for business, Otto” I replied, loosening my tie.

” get a new key and come give me a hand will you”

Otto reluctantly agreed and together we carried her to the elevator, as we ascended to her floor, I couldn't help but wonder how fragile she seemed in my arms. It was a strange feeling, one I wasn't accustomed to.

We reached her suite and I gently place her on the bed.

Otto handed a small key card he had opened the suite with and I took it and placed it on the nightstand

“Thank you Otto, you can go now”

Otto nodded and left, closely the door behind him

I looked at the woman. Her chest rising and falling with each breath, my eyes lingered on her face watching her as she slept peacefully. Not believing I did actually helped her. Maybe she is one out of few lucky people.

I shook head chuckling to myself

“ luca, you're getting soft”.