"Angelo, we left him there around that time" I say, my mind going haywire.

"Left him where? at the restaurant? You were at Sarovar Premiere tonight?" he asks with a look of anguish.

"Yes, we left around eight thirty and he stayed there at a meeting" I try to swallow but my mouth has run dry.

Mom stands up, and faces me.

"Am sure he left long before any of that happened. It seems pretty recent" she says softly.

"Why don't you call him, find out where he is?" Luke suggests.

"I can't, i don't have my phone with me right now"

Today is really a messed up day to not have my phone.

"You can use mine if you want" he suggests, handing me his phone.

"I don't know his number by heart. Can we go there? i need to know what happened"

"Mary, its past midnight now, i doubt anything is still going on anymore, besides, it's not really a safe place to be" Luke reasons.

"Well i can't just stay here and go to bed, i need to know if he is ok" i almost want to cry.

"Let me call Jared, and find out what he knows."

As he makes the call, mom starts to walk towards me and i put the small package i am gripping in my hands into my sweatshirt pocket. She reaches me and squeezes my hand comfortingly but doesn't say anything.

This must be the worst visit ever for her, at this rate i doubt she will ever want to come back here again, i think sadly.

I give her a small smile and try to listen in to Luke's conversation.

"Alright, yeah.....thanks man" Luke hangs up.

"The incident happened over an hour ago and there is still quite alot of action going on. But alot of information is being kept under wraps, and i guess it makes sense now that Nickolas Bishop and Angelo Morreli are involved." He says thoughtfully.

"But no one died, so relax." he adds.

Relax? relax? honestly is that even possible. What am i supposed to do, put on my pajamas and go to sleep.

I sigh in fustration. What should i do?

Maybe i can go to his apartment, even if he isn't there, atleast i can get my phone and check on him.

"Oh wait, Ally, Nick was there too, and i am sure she knows what's going on" I say rushing to where i had her phone number written down when we first met

....but then again, i haven't really told her Angelo and i have been seeing each other and if she is ok with it, considering i have somewhat of a professional relationship with her and Angelo is basically part of their family.

But i can't worry about that now.

I get Luke's phone and call her.

"Hey Ally, am so sorry to call you this late"

"Hai Mary, it's ok, i am awake anyway"

"I just saw the news about the incident at the restaurant and wondered if you know what happened, if Angelo and Nick are alright" i try to sound casual.

"Oh yeah, i spoke to Nick recently, and he is alright, i didn't know Angelo was with him and he didn't mention anything about him, we didn't speak for very long because he had to go."

"Oh, i see," i say faintly.

"I have been trying to call him back to get more information, but he is not picking up. But i will keep trying and let you know if i hear anything about Angelo" she says.

So she knows.

"Thanks, i will appreciate that....uhhmm, wait, do you think you can send me his number, i don't have my phone with me right now and i....."

"Sure...Don't worry, i am sure he is ok too." she utters warmly.

"Thanks, goodnight"

"Well?" Mom asks as soon as i hang up.

"She doesn't know anything about Angelo, but Nick is fine though......her husband.....he was was there too" i explain and keep adding information when Mom looks at me confused.

Ally sends me Angelo's number a moment later and like Nick's, it just rings.

Honestly, i don't know what to do.

"Hey, am sure he is ok" Luke says but even he is not convincing in his delivery.

"I know i am asking you alot tonight, but can we go there, to the restaurant?" i plead.

"Actually, there is something i want to check out myself too..Let's go" He says.

I turn to face my mom.

"Go on, i will be here. Just be careful" She smiles warmly.

*

After our little talk in the restroom, before they left, i couldn't help every once in a while, glancing over at their table and seeing her so at ease with her mother. Especially seeing her smile or laugh out loud, it unconsciously put a smile on my own face.

But now, with her gone, i can finally fully engage myself in the meeting.

Sitting before me to my left is Thomas Meraki, a business man and investor, he is quite shady in his dealings but he has an excellent business sense and is quite sucessful, next to him is Richard Branson, an older man probably in his seventies and one of Meraki's many lawyers.

Directly opposite me is Nick and next to him to my right is Maxwell Denning, the son of a close friend of my father and former French ambassador. Dad personally asked me to deal with this matter as a favor to his long time friend.

The thing here is that, Nick's grandfather, Tomaso, made a business investestment with Thomas who recently got arrested for transporting illegal substances across the border aswell as some other illegal dealings, but he is currently out on bail.

The problem now is that, because of Meraki's recent arrest, all his businesses have come into question and investigations, including his business with Tomaso, which Maxwell here is also a part of.

These new developments, have the potential to have a very damaging effect on the reputation and business value of all Meraki's associates, whether illegal or not, which is why we are here.

We are trying to facilitate a clean break, and seperation of assets and profits from Meraki before this becomes an actual problem for everyone, but he is making this process very difficult.

The food long abandoned, we argue back and forth on the best way forward long into the evening, long after Marianne and her mother have left.

Tempers high and no one satisfied with the actuall progress of the meeting, we call it off for the night to give all parties times to regroup and consider the requests brought forth.

Walking out of the mostly abondoned restaurant, we linger outside near the car park for last minute talks and goodbyes, when an unsettling sound is heard that startles everyone.

The area looks clear and it could have been anything, so we think nothing of it, until another sound is head and Max drops to the ground.

In just a few seconds, the site that was calm seconds ago, turns into a scene from an action movie, with both Nick and Merika's security teams springing into action and pulling out their guns.

Meraki's bodyguards quickly rush him into their vehicle and drive off, but with Max shot, we retreat back into the restaurant.

No one knows exactly what just happened, or who made the shot, except Max is hurt with a bullet through his shoulder, aswell as a waitress from the restaurant who is probably a victim of a stray bullet that made it's way into the restaurant.

Both are not fatal but Max's situation is a little more critical as he is loosing a lot of blood.

The past few minutes in my head are jumbled and quite frankly, i can't make sense of most of it, but i remember the whole gun scene caused a couple that was driving out of the car park to panick and reverse swiftly into the street and ended up hitting into incoming traffic.

We were in the restaurant when a car blew up, due to a gas leak am told and fortunately, no one got hurt from both vehicles.

The result, is a media frenzy and alot of disorder and chaos from Passerbys and spectators.

An ambulance arrives and quickly rushes the two bullet victims to the hospital, Nick goes with them.

The police arrive too and start asking and alot of qustions, especially since shots were fired and firearms were drawn too on our part on the public street. I have to remain behind to handle the situation and answer their questions.

This is not my first rodeo with the cops under such or similar circumstances, but that doesn't make it any easier or less annoying to deal with.

I stand watching all this disorder and silently take comfort in the fact that Marianne is not here when all this is going down. Atleast she is safe and happy at home with her mother right now.

The thought that this could have happened sooner when she was still here makes my skin crawl.

"Uhhmm, Angelo, isn't that Ms Wright over there?"one of Nick's security guys that stayed behind with me says, pointing in a direction.

I turn and see her on the other side of the police baricade lines, her hand intertwined with Luke's.

*

"Look, am sure he is not even here anymore, but we will just check it out, see what we can find out ok" Luke says as we park across the street.

I nod in understanding.

We arrive at the scene where there are still alot of cops and police lines securing the place, and there is still quite alot of people lingering around.

Luke, recognizes some other reporter friends of his and drags me there, my eyes are trained on the building. I don't know what i hope to see but i continue to look there.

Then i see him.

I don't know if he is a figment of my imagination that i have just made up out of desperation, but there he is, standing next to three people including a cop, his hands are in his pockets, his tie is now hanging loosely around his neck and he is looking down as he listens to someone talk.

"Luke, Luke, there he is" i tag at Luke's hand and point in his direction somewhat hoping for a confirmation that i am i did not imagine him.

"Oh yeah. Thats him alright" he says and I feel a sense of relief.

I start to pull Luke towards the police line and then Angelo looks up.

Our eyes meet and i almost want to run across the police line and wrap my arms around him. But he looks away quickly and walks inside the building, leaving me abit confused.

Did he not just see me?

"That was him, right?" Luke asks, abit confused too.

"Good question." i say absentmindedly.

"You know we can't cross the line right?" Luke says when i unconsciously walk towards it.

"Yeah, i will wait in the car, you talk to your guys" i say and turn back towards the car without waiting for a response.

I get to the car and realise I didn't get the keys and so i have to wait outside.

I see a man approach me and i start to feel anxious and look around me to see if there are other people closeby incase of anything.

"Miss Wright... My name is Ceaser, i work for Mr Bishop and Morreli." he says, leaving some space between us.

I recognise him as one of the men who was standing with Angelo a few minutes ago and reluctantly take the phone he is extending to me.

Luke must have seen him approach me because he quickly shows up, almost standing between us.

"Hello" i say into the phone."

"What are you doing here? You are supposed to be at home" Angelo's voice comes through the phone angrily.

"I saw the news and got worried. Are you ok?" i utter besides myself.

" I am fine. This is the last place you need to be Marianne, what were you thinking. You need to go home right now. Caesar wil......"

I cut the call and give him back the phone. I pull at Luke's car door and he gets the message and automatically opens it letting me in.

Angelo must have called back because Ceasar was waving the phone at me through the window but i close my eyes and lay my head against the headrest.

I can't believe him. He is yelling at me. Seriously?

Isn't it the most natural thing for me to be worried. And instead of appreciating and comforting me, he yells.

Ok!

"Luke joins me in the car and sits down with a smirk on his face

"What?"

"Nothing...nothing at all" but his smile widens.

*

"Well?" Mom asks when i enter the apartment.

"He is alive" i say nonchalantly, heading to my bedroom, but not before i see her and Luke exchange a look.

He can fill her in on any other information, but i am not talking about Angelo anymore tonight.

I slump down on the bed and look at the time.

1:47am.

After eventually saying goodnight to mom, i slump down on the bed and fall asleep much quicker than i expected.

*

She is mad, but it makes me smile.

I almost wish i had the time to go and tame that anger tonight.

Such a temper she has for someone so quiet and sweet. It almost matches mine unfortunately.

It's sweet that she was worried, and came, as late as it is.

But i can't have her here where God knows who is watching, can see her with me. I don't want to create a spotlight on her, especially when we are yet to find out who made the shots and who they were really intended for.

Right now, i need her to be as far away from here as possible. I would have prefered if she stayed at my apartment tonight, it being more secure, but that's an arguement i am too exhausted to pursue tonight.

"Done..i think we got what we need for now." One of the detectives says and i take that as my cue to finally leave, heading straight to the hospital.

It's 3am when i finally make it back to my apartment. Too exhausted to do anything, i slump myself down on the couch and pass out.

It couldn't be no more than three hours later when Ben shows up, worried for my safety, even though i assured him and the rest of the family last night, i was all in one peace.

But nevertheless, that's how my day begins, sooner than i am ready for. Ben's arrival setting the tone and one thing leading to another in a series of a perfect domino effect.

*

It feels like i slept for only five minutes, before i have to wake up again, my eyes are burning and my head is throbbing slightly.

I wake up mom and we both get ready for the day.

Just as we are ready to leave my apartment, the man from last night shows up with my phone and the intention to take mom where ever she needs to go and me to work.

I don't oppose.

With mom now safely gone, i expect Angelo's driver to take me to work, but we start heading in the direction of his apartment.

I grab my phone and quickly scan through the many missed calls i have accumulated since yesterday, then dial his number.

"Goodmorning" He answers casually.

"Hai....what about work?" i ask.

"Call in sick. I have to see you" he says.

Honestly, i am not feeling very well, i still feel the headache creeping up and i imagine all that movement last night and lack of proper sleep has had an effect on me.

I guess it wouldn't be a complete lie to call in sick.

Angelo's apartment is loaded with people when i arrive. His brother is here as well as a few other people i do not know.

He stands up when he sees me, and walks to me as i say hi to everyone.

"Hai" He says, his hands taking mine and leading me away from everyone.

His office is empty and he lets me in first, with him closing the door after he enters.

I start to move towards his desk but he turns me around, his arms going around my waist.

Though his gestures are rushed and inflexible, his kiss is gentle and slow, as his hands squeeze my waist and back, and then grabing my neck to put me at an angle to deepen the kiss.

My hand are trapped between us as he takes possesion of my body, like he usually does, pressing me hard against him and his other arm wraping around my upper back keeping me in his embrace.

He kisses me like we haven't seen each other in ages.

Coincidentally, i needed this too. To feel him right down to my bones.

It's my favorite place to be after all.

"Are you ok?" he asks, finally pulling away, his hands massaging my arms and shoulders.

"I should be asking you that." i mutter, catching my breathe.

"He smiles, i am fine now that you are here" he says, his smile widening and i roll my eyes at his corniness.

"Are you still upset about last night?" he raises his eye brow, his thumb rubbing my lower lip gently.

I sigh "I don't know" i admit honestly.

"What did you expect me to do? Hear about what happened and just go to bed like it was nothing? I went out of my way to find out how you were and you just made me feel horrible" i say and realise that i was actually more hurt by his actions than i initially thought.

"Don't be upset" He says huskily.

"It was just a really shitty situation that we were still trying to figure out. They were too many people out there and i couldn't risk having the wrong people seeing you with me, especially when all i wanted to do when i saw, you was hold you tight, i needed to protect you." He emphasises the last part by actually holding me tight.

He could have been abit nicer about it.

That doesn't sound much like an apology, but i guess thats as close to one as i will get from him.

"Did you get the pill?" he asks, causing my heart to do a somersault at the memory of that 'situation'.

"Yes, thank you for remembering" i murmur nervously.

"You are welcome. Did you take it" he asks, pulling my hair into a ponytail, using his hand at a tie.

"Yes i did" This morning.

After being alerted to the incidents at the restaurant last night, i ended up forgetting to take it right away and only remembered this morning, but i don't know if i want to tell him that though.

"You look tired" he says, studying me.

"I am, I didn't sleep much" i mumble.

I am sure he had a worse night but he isn't complaining, so i dont want to complain either.

Then i sneeze, twice.

"Why don't you go and get some rest, i will be down here for a while" he suggests and that actually sounds good.

He lets me go and i walk to the door but turn around abruptly and literally jump in his arms.

He reacts fast, wrapping my legs around him for another slow, soft kiss as his hands support my bum.

"Go, before you give me other ideas" he says against my forehead.

*

When i wake up later, the apartment is abondoned but there is a note from Angelo saying he will be out for most of the day.

Hungry, i go to the kitchen and find that there is food already cooked.

I know from the quality it wasn't Angelo's doing. Mario must have done it.

After lunch, i spend the rest of the afternoon in bed watching tv, and he calls me twice to check up on me.

Evening comes and i am still alone, i decide to check on some emails but i didn't carry my laptop with me, so i go down to Angelo's office to use his computer, i am sure he carried his with him.

I sit on his desk and turn it on but find that there is a password required to open it. I frown in fustration and throw my head back on his chair carelessly, pulling my feet up.

I surpress a laugh as i stare at his desk that is always messy with books and documents.

Feeling bored, i push myself back from his desk and almost flip over, causing my legs to fly into the air and i end up pushing onto the top drawer for balance, causing it to open.

It's one of those drawers where you have to push to open and on this side of his desk, all the drawers don't require a key to open.