SUSPICION

Luca's mood was completely ruined. He was eager to start the new role of playing lover birds with Bianca, but now he has other things on his mind, other things that he can't stop thinking about. He pulled up into his penthouse which was his primary residence at this point in time, apart from the Vincenzo estate. He handed over the keys to his car to a valet who took the car through a private entrance to access a private underground garage for the penthouse occupants. He went up to the penthouse through a private elevator and as he was alone in the elevator, he kept thinking and asking himself questions about the call he received earlier. 'Who could it be that called him earlier? What information could they have for him? Which of his lieutenants was involved in this information and why did the person ask for that amount of money?" Yes, one million dollars is not a huge sum per se, but what information could they have to make them ask for that amount? He was so deep in thought that he didn't realize he was already at the top of the building. The sudden stoppage of the elevator jolted him. He stepped out of the elevator and walked into his luxury apartment, where he partially held Bianca hostage. Using his keycard, he accessed the door and went into the apartment. Bianca stood silently in the corner of the penthouse, her gaze fixed on the view of the city through the long glass windows. The sleek black dress she wore hugged her figure perfectly, while her long, dark hair swept freely down her back. She was Barefoot, with her toenails painted a bold, vibrant red, she looked effortlessly beautiful, as if she had stepped out of a dream. She had heard him enter the apartment, but she didn't turn to face him or utter a single word. Her stillness spoke volumes. His return was a reminder to her that she was his captive. She hated him so much. So much that she always had to keep thinking of the things she would do to her when she breaks free and when she is in the clear. 'Hello Bianca" he started in a surprisingly calm voice. 'How have you been" Bianca slowly turned to face him, her face pale with confusion and showing nothing else but disgust. 'As you can see, I am perfectly fine" 'You know you also signed a clause to act like my fiancee even in private, so all these things you're putting up go against the agreement," he said sharply with a menacing voice. Bianca stood still, her face expressionless. 'You said I was going to go outside today when you returned," she said ignoring his initial emotional blackmail. 'So that is what you have been thinking of." He said with a menacing smirk on his face. 'Of course I did say that, but we won't have to do that again now. I have called for the expertise of a Fashion designer institution for a private consultation. They will be here shortly and we can have a one-on-one conversation about our fashion needs and preferences. Bianca was astonished. 'And you didn't think it would be necessary to share that with me?" Bianca asked her gaze still and firm. Luca looked at her face, her mood unreadable but didn't say anything. Maybe he thought it was not necessary to respond to her or that he couldn't find the right words to respond to her. Just then Luca's phone buzzed and he picked it up. He looked at the screen and the caller ID read out 'Re Marco" (King Marco). It was Marco DeLuca, his most trusted lieutenant and a rising star in La Mano Nera. 'Salve Capo" (Hello Boss) Marco greeted as Luca answered the phone "Tuo padre mi ha chiesto di chiamarti." (Your father asked me to call you). 'Why?" 'He said you would have work for me" Luca was taken aback 'Work for you?" Just then he remembered his conversation with his father about intercepting a shipment into their territory from La Fratellanza della Morte and how he had told him to not participate actively in the mission. 'Oh, I think I know what you're talking about," Luca said with clarity now in his voice. 'But that would have to wait for now, in the next five hours, I will call to tell you where to meet me so that we can discuss the details of the mission properly. Is that clear?" 'Sì don"(yes boss) …………..……………………..……………………..………… About an hour later, Luca was notified that the fashion designers he had called for were there to see him. He stood in the penthouse living room, hands in his pocket as he faced the entrance and watched steadily like he was expecting something exceptional to happen. The door opened, and three designers walked in. First was Madame Colette, elegant in a tailored suit, her silver hair perfectly styled. She led the group which consisted of Rafael Mortti, and Yuna Sato. A team of talented fashion designers from different nations found it challenging to make a name for themselves as individuals until they came together to form a group. Now they run the best fashion designing institution in Philadelphia. Luca greeted them with a nod. 'Thank you for coming. This is My fiancée," he said, gesturing to his Bianca, who stood nearby and watched with a clear expression on her face. Madame Colette smiled. 'A pleasure. We're here to create a wardrobe that will reflect your beauty and status. You will need to make a statement everywhere you go, Bold, powerful, unforgettable." Bianca hesitated. 'I want to feel like myself, that's all I want. I'm not interested in making a statement." Madame Colette nodded. 'Of course. We'll work with you to find that balance." Luca stepped closer to Bianca, his voice calm but firm. 'Rimani calma e collabora con loro, per favore. Si assicureranno che tu sia pronta per tutto ciò che ci aspetta."(Stay calm and cooperate with them, please. They'll make sure you're ready for everything ahead). He smiled and walked away. As the designers began showing sketches and fabrics, Bianca felt a bit of excitement, but was still unhappy and uneasy. She knew her life was changing too fast. In the bedroom, Luca looked at his phone's call logs and just then, something struck him. 'The call he received from the unknown caller in the morning" The woman claimed to have information about one of his trusted lieutenants. 'What if it is Marco" he thought to himself. He lay on the bed and allowed his thoughts to go deeper. He had no concrete evidence, but his instincts told him something was off. He tried to think of the possibilities that Marco might not really be who they all think he is. Marco has never been involved in any discrepancies within the clan, but what if this was his first or this was the first that would come to light. He thought of calling the unknown woman back, he would pay the money and get the information, after all one million dollars wasn't a lot of money for him. But then he realized she had called him with a private number and with no caller ID and there was no way he could call back. He tried to shake the thoughts off his mind, but he couldn't help but think Marco was somehow involved in the information the mystery woman had offered to give him…….