Clarisse just settled comfortably into the passenger seat when an idea pop into my mind and a mischievous grin spread across my face. An impulsive thought crosses my mind, and in the moment, I cannot resist the temptation to add a little spontaneity our drive and without warning, I step on the brake and expertly swirl the car around, veering onto a different path. The sudden maneuver send an immediate jolt of adrenaline through Clarisse, causing her to grip onto the armrest tightly. A blend of surprise and fear glow from her face as she struggle to make sense of my impromptu decision."Grazie, what are you doing? Where are we going?" Clarisse ask, her voice sprinkled with concern as she desperately seek answers, wanting to understand the reason behind my spontaneous change of heart. Ignoring her questioning, a mischievous sparkle dance in eyes and I continue to drive with determination, taking us further away from my initially planned destination. The wind rush through the windows, pl
I sit across from her, the air between us feeling heavy, as a storm brews silently beneath the surface and I take a sip of my coffee, trying to calm my own growing annoyance. I observe her closely, her eyes darting nervously around the room, avoiding my gaze. "Clarisse," I finally speak up, leaning forward slightly. "Do not lie to me. I knew you had some alternative motive from the moment you came back into my life and now is the time for you to tell me the truth. What are you not telling me?"Clarisse fidget with her coffee cup, her fingers tracing patterns on the ceramic surface. Her voice wavering slightly as she respond, "Grazie, it's complicated. I've been going through some things, and I'm just not ready to talk about it yet." I feel a mix of frustration and anger bubbling inside me. At a time I was the one Clarisse turned to when she needed support, but that is also a long time ago, now she seems closed off, shutting me out and I can understand why she wouldn't confide in me, b
I do as I promise bending over the table after Simon has thrown out some of the white powder onto the mirror like glass table. I have never done this before, but I have seen it been done many times. This is how Clarisse first started long before she moved onto injecting herself with cheaper drugs. I gatehr a small amount of the powder to one side, before shaping it into a line of around three cenitmetres. I do the same with the second line using the card he handed me and once I am done I remove a bill from my own pocket role it into a staw like object and sniff the powder right into my nose. The burning effect quickly replaced with a feeling that feels to me like I have snorted all the self confidence, not that I needed any of it. He have heard stories of people experiencing profound changes in their mental state after taking cocaine, but to me other than feeling like myself, but a hightened I dont exactly feel very different until I did the second line. The cocaine started to take ef
I stand in the crowded and vibrant nightclub's kitchen, music booming in the background when I take out my phone and dials Achille's number. "Ciao, brother. What's up? Why are you calling me when you know it is time for my novela and what is that noise in the background?" His voice ring into the phone laced with some humor. "Brother, you won't believe it, man. I'm at the club, and something incredible has happened. I need your help, and I have some new information to share with you regarding Mia.""Woah, slow down, Ben." He interject. "Take a deep breath and start from the beginning. What happened and are you okay? You sound... Different." Even over the phone Achille notices that I am not one hundred percent completely myself."I can't explain it, Achille. I'm not feeling like myself tonight. It's... It's something I cannot explain." I lie, and poorly at it too."You don't say?" I can hear the judgment in his voice, maybe mixed with some concern. "That's...unexpected. Are you sure ev
Achille appears to be very frustrated and determined as he takes a step closer to me as I take in a deep breath in an attempt to get my breathing under control. "Ben, listen. I phoned Manfredio. I had to try to reach Mia, to know if she's safe. But he denied my attempts, he wouldn't let me see her." "Are you out of your fucking mind, Achille? What were you thinking? You've put Mia in danger by contacting Manfredio! How could you do something so reckless?" Anger burst through me and my voice rise as a result. "I know, Ben! I know I took a risk by reaching out to Manfredio. But I had to try! We've exhausted all our options, and I couldn't just sit back and do nothing while Mia is missing." Achilles tries to defend himself taking in a deep breath as he acknowledges my anger."Did he say anything? Is Mia okay?" I question him hopefully. "No, Ben. He didn't say a word about Mia's well-being. But I'm telling you this now so that you know Manfredio might be expecting you. When you do deci
I storm out of Dr. Reynolds' office, my face twisted with anger as I yank open the car door and slam myself inside. Achille, sitting behind the wheel, I imagine, notices my intense demeanorand bracing himself for what's to come. Tomasso, sitting in the backseat, is all too eager to join in the action. "Achille, get everyone ready. We're going on a saving mission. We're bringing Mia home, no matter what it takes." I order my voice mirroring my anger and Achille accustomed to my strong-willed nature, nods with unwavering determination."Understood, Brother. I'll assemble the team right away. We're with you, every step of the way." He nod as he starts to scroll across the screen sending our a broadcast message.Tomasso, unable to contain his excitement, chimes in with a hint of humor and an enormous grin on his face. "Finally, a real adventure! I've been waiting for this moment, Ben. Ready to rescue damsels in distress!"Achille chuckles, realizing the gravity of the situation yet apprec
Me, Achille, and Tomasso stand in the concealment of the nearby woods, our breaths masked by the rhythmic rustle of leaves. The time has come to execute our plan to infiltrate the estate where Mia is being held captive. We anxiously watch as my security team move stealthily towards the imposing gates. With the team's well-honed expertise, they approach the perimeter of the estate. Their mission is to disable the security cameras, rendering the enemy blind and creating a clear path for me and my allies to enter undetected. It is a critical moment, one that requires precision and agility.As we approach, the security team divide into smaller groups, each assigned to different sections of the estate's electronic surveillance system. They move swiftly, their movements synchronized like a well-rehearsed dance. Carefully avoiding any motion sensors, they expertly disable the cameras one by one, their actions seamless and silent, while me, Achille, and Tomasso remain still, our hearts poundi
Achille's entrance is abrupt, catching me off guard as I release Maya from her pain. My eyes meet Achille's, and in this brief moment, we share an unspoken understanding. Achille approach me, his steps echoing in the room as his gaze never leave Maya's lifeless body lying on the bed. Without a word, Achille places a supportive hand on my shoulder, offering me both physical and emotional strength. We stand side by side, when I break the silence. "She looks so much like Mia, doesn't she?" My voice is filled with a blend of sorrow and recollection, reminding me of the parallel journey we had all been on and he nods, agreeingly, my eyes briefly dart towards him, before returning to the bed where Maya lies."Yes, Ben, she does. Seeing her like this stirs unwanted feelings of Mia, and how she suffered. But Mia is safe now, with Tomasso," he whisper, desperately clinging to the image of hope. Our shared connection deepen as Achille squeezes my shoulder, silently conveying my support and unde