SHADOWS AT LA ROSA NERA

Luca had just entered the penthouse living room. It had been a long and tiring day for him; he had been out all day handling a lot of family business. As he stepped into the living room, Bianca sat on the plush sofa by the window, which offered the best view of the city. She wore a blue velvet dress and black heels. On her lips, she had applied a thick layer of blue lipstick, and her long hair was left to flow freely down her back. The soft glow of the city lights filtered through the window, casting a warm light on Bianca's blue velvet dress. 'Why are you dressed like you are going somewhere?" Luca asked with so much curiosity in his voice. 'I think you should take me out," she answered, her face lit up with a smile. Luca was more surprised at the fact that she had asked him to take her out than by the way she was dressed. 'Take you where?" He asked in a calmer voice as he came closer to her. Luca and Bianca seem to have started getting along better with each other. They engage themselves more in long and meaningful conversations now. Bianca asks about his day when he returns sometimes and he will elaborate properly as he explains his activities of the day to her. The tension between them seemed lighter and they both enjoyed it although none showed. 'I want to go to the La Rosa Nera" Luca was taken aback, his eyes narrowed. 'La Rosa Nera?" She has not really asked him for anything before and all of a sudden this. He was too tired but he knew he wanted to do it. 'We can go tomorrow." He said trying to keep a mean demeanor. 'I have something to tell you about," she said curtly. Her face, was clear as the afternoon sky. She had this expression that told Luca that he didn't really have any other choice but to oblige. Luca stood looking at her for what felt like an eternity. 'There's no better place to have a discussion than right here where we are now." He maintained his ground. 'Marco was taken captive by Isabella Morreti," Bianca said in a steady voice while Luca froze. She got up from where she and started walking away from him. 'Go and have a shower, when you're done we will go out to any place of your choice, although I would prefer La Rosa Nera, but anywhere is good to talk about this." Luca's face shone with bewilderment. He was totally confused and did not know how to respond. 'How do you know this" he asked Bianca who was already walking away from him. 'Your betrothed, Adriana was here today. She came to seek my help, she said Isabella asked her to come to me for help" she answered without turning to look at him, as she made her way to the penthouse bedroom. 'Why would she do that though? Seems she has found out that you now work for me and wants you back or maybe she wants to kill you." Bianca stopped at the living room exit and turned to face him. 'Isabella does not know I was working for her boss. This is personal." She said and turned around and left the room. *********** It was 9:55 PM and Luca was getting ready to take Bianca to the club. She had managed to convince him to go to the La Rosa Nera by simply doing nothing let than telling him what she had told him already. The capture of his most trusted lieutenant bothered him a lot. His mood was a mix of anger and concern. He was genuinely concerned about Marco and at the same time angry. Although his anger wasn't directed explicitly at anyone, it was obvious Marco DeLuca was the origin of his fury. Even with that, Marco had been by his side since they were teenagers, weathering every storm together. Losing him wasn't an option. Luca adjust the cuff on his patterned red long-sleeve vintage shirt. He wore a pair of black slim-fit silky trousers, and Red and black Christian Louboutin Louis Spike Sneakers that complimented his Red and black outfit. His hair was packed into a short ponytail. He wore an expensive Richard Mille that made a bold statement. As he stepped into the penthouse living room, Bianca was already sitting waiting for him. She had changed the earlier fit she had on and now she wore a long black tight-fitting dress that hugged her body and displayed her curves in the most magnificent fashion possible. Her heel and handbag were a rare type that displayed modern luxury and exclusivity. Her lips radiated with bright red lipstick with matched her all-black outfit and even Luca's fit with no initial plan to do that. 'Oddio, sei assolutamente bellissima!," (oh my day, you look absolutely beautiful) Luca said totally unplanned. He had not given her any genuine ever since their contract agreement and this, well this was the first real compliment he had given to Bianca. 'Thank you" Bianca responded rather quickly. She was surprised that she had received a compliment that felt genuine from Luca and felt good about it. Her countenance did nothing to help in hiding her thoughts and emotions. She felt the urge to return a compliment to him, but before she could speak again, Luca's words interrupted her thoughts. 'Let's get going," he said as he headed for the door. Bianca and Luca got into the elevator together, and for the first time, the tension in the air between them was actually light. Bianca felt a rush of happiness in that moment and let out a gentle smile. Her smile quickly faded away when she remembered the root cause of their sudden outing, Isabella Moretti. Isabella was a long-time acquaintance of Bianca's. She was what you may describe as Bianca's mentor. Why has she now showed up all of a sudden into Bianca's life and why does it have to be at this same point in time. The elevator hummed softly as it descended, the silence between them was thick with unspoken words. Bianca's mind raced, replaying every memory of Isabella, her mentor, her betrayer. Bianca was so lost in thought that she didn't realize they had gotten to the ground floor. She was pulled back to reality when Luca made a move to leave the elevator. She followed him immediately behind, and tried to keep up with his pace. They got into the private garage and Luca pulled out the key to his Rolls Royce Phantom and activated the car. They both got into the car and drove out of the garage and into the street. Suddenly Bianca's phone vibrated and she pulled it out of her bag. She had received a text from Adriana, saying 'What was his response?" Bianca glanced at Luca, her breath catching as she realized he had seen the text. His jaw tightened, but he said nothing, his gaze fixed on the road.