When I woke up, I was lying on the sofa. I think I'm still in the apartment. I opened my eyes and the first thing I saw was Rafael.

"What happened? What are you doing here?" I asked weakly. I felt a dull pain in the back of my head and grimaced.

Ouch.

"Giovanni informed me that he found you unconscious outside of your apartment"

When Rafael said that, I took the time to look around. I was shocked at the sight in front of me. The whole apartment was trashed. I quickly jumped to my feet and I felt like my world is spinning for a good minute.

"Be careful," Rafael hissed, holding me in his arms. I blushed and mumbled a thank you.

"I have to check if anything has been taken from my room"

"You should lie down. Your head was bleeding just a minute ago"

"Please"

He sighed and picked me up, bridal style. I wrapped my arms around his neck and blushed. We were so close to each other.

Once we got to my room, it was easy to tell that the thief was there, judging by the mess he had left behind. Rafael put me on the ground and I immediately dived under the bed which probably made him look at me questioningly.

It's gone. My jewelry box disappeared.

"He stole jewelry. My parent's wedding rings were there," I said with tears in my eyes and Raphael hugged me immediately.

"Is there anything else gone?"

"My laptop, but it barely worked, so it doesn't really matter," I muttered still feeling devastated.

Then I froze.

My heart stopped.

Oh shit. Not that.

I looked at my hand. There was no engagement ring."Jesus," I whispered in terror and covered my mouth with my hand.

This ring symbolized Rafael's family power. He will definitely kill me for losing it.

Before I lost consciousness again, I felt Raphael catching me in his embrace once again.

❤️❤️❤️ ️

I woke up this time at Rafael's house. This time Rafael wasn't the only person sitting next to my bed. There was another man in the room, he was measuring my pulse so I assumed he's a doctor.

The moment he noticed I'm awake he started asking me questions about my well-being. He asked if my head hurts and I had to admit that it does. Then he asked if I feel nauseous or have a headache. The answer was a short "no". I was feeling okay, at least physically and the pain at the back of my head ceased after I received painkillers.

"She fainted twice" Rafael informed.

"The first time was because of the impact, the second I suppose it could be from an emotional shock. If she starts feeling dizzy or a headache won't pass until tomorrow you can bring her to the hospital for an X-ray"

"Thank you for coming so soon," said Rafael.

"No problem. If her state worsens or you have any additional questions give me a call"

"Of course"

As soon as the doctor left I said "I'm sorry", but Raphael didn't reply, it only stressed me more.

"You're sorry for what exactly?" He asked after a long period of silence.

"The ring is gone. It's my fault"

"It's the fault of the person who took it and my people are working hard on finding it. One thing you did wrong is to leave your work without informing Giovanni. He should be on the other hand better at monitoring what is going on in the store. So I'm angry at both of you"

Oh, shit.

"I'm really sorry"

"I want to know everything that happed after you left the store"

I described how I was informed that my apartment is flooded, how I had to leave the store and cleaned everything, how when I was about to leave my apartment someone hit me on the back of my head and I lost consciousness.

"Have you seen your attacker? Maybe you heard his voice? Saw a part of clothing, or the skin color?"

"No. Nothing. Sorry"

"Someone was waiting for you outside the door. He must have known that you would be home at this hour, or he was following you"

I shivered.

"But why would anyone do this? Do you think Harvey is behind it?"

"I don't know. It makes no sense to speculate without any useful information at hand. My last question is, why are you still renting this apartment? " He asked.

"I signed 12 months contract. I have to pay it"

"Give me your landlord number. I will settle this"

I gave him this number, not having the strength to argue.

❤️❤️❤️

Eliana often takes the night shifts, which means she sleeps it off during the day.

Casey had assumed she would spend the day harassing Milo and Remi, it was her favorite thing to do lately. But something surprising has happened.

Rafael showed up in her room.

"What did I do wrong this time?" Casey sighed as she saw him in the doorway.

"I came here because I wanted to congratulate you"

"W-what? Are you okay?" Casey asked, visibly shocked.

"Your behavior improved and you've received a positive test grade today. You deserve a reward. How about we go shopping?"

"Like together? Outside?"Is this the Stockholm syndrome already? Because to Casey the vision of going out, even if it was Rafael, was great.

"Okay let's go then," she said easily.

"Lorenzo had something to do at the office so you'll see him today"

Oh, the last Vincenti brother. Casey wondered if he's just as difficult as the rest of them.

❤️❤️❤️

Casey and Rafael went to the shopping mall. There, they entered the story which was not a single customer.

It was a shop with one seasonal collection and that's it so it was mostly empty with few overpriced pieces of cloth were taking all the spotlight. Everything was so chic and elegant. So not Casey.

"What took you so long?" Rafael asked Lorenzo who just entered the store.

His brother shrugged his shoulder in response "Being always late is a lifestyle choice. Hey Casey, I've heard a lot about you. It's nice to finally meet you" he greeted the teenager in a cheery voice.

"Um... hi?"

"I am Lorenzo, younger brother of this creepy guy right here" he pointed at Rafael who stared at him blankly "Did Rafael bring you here?" Lorenzo asked, confusion clear with his voice.

"Yeah" Casey confirmed to which Lorenzo started shaking his head in disappointment.

"What?" Rafael asked, annoyed. "It's a store with clothes. What is your problem?" Rafael asked crossing his arms defensively.

"Well, look at those pastel colors and floral patterns. Do you think she's having tea time scheduled with the queen of England or something?"

Raphael looked at his brother silently, not understanding.

"You can see immediately that his style is loose and prefers dark shades, saturated colors, and not that" he waved his hands.

"It's actually concerning that you're noticing things like that" Rafael said crossing his arms over his chest.

"It's concerning that you only wear black"

"Nothing concerning about having good taste"

"Casey's uncle will take you to some normal store," said Lorenzo rolling his eyes at his brother's attitude. He lightly pushed Casey towards the exit. The three of them ended up at the completely different store, and Casey's eyes sparked.

"What sort of music are they blasting here," Raphael said, clearly disgusted and Lorenzo tried not to burst out laughing.

Casey didn't respond because she was busy looking through all the available clothes. Two hoodies interested her one in a red shade, the second in a bottle green colour.

"I don't know which one to choose?"

"The one you like," Raphael explained, not understanding patiently

"I like them both"

"Then take both"

Casey ended up not knowing what to take, so Lorenzo, acting as a motivational coach, helped her make decisions and prohibited checking product prices.

❤️❤️❤️

Please let me know what you think about the chapter. Or the story as a whole. Someone commented they don't understand it I don't know why is there a problem with the plot?