A FINAL ESCAPE?

CHAPTER 9

Luciana stepped into the expansive fitting room, her eyes widening in awe. She twirled around, taking in the luxurious space. The contrast to her humble room in Columbia was stark – her small wall mirror barely revealed her waist, and the boutiques she frequented were modest in comparison.

Her eyes widened in shock as she scanned the price tags on the dresses and shoes. The saleslady handed her a stunning gown.

"Try this, ma'am. It's a limited edition."

Luciana checked the price tag, and shook her head.

"There's no way on earth, I'm wearing a dress this expensive." She said as she returned the gown to the lady.

"Miss, if you don't choose something, he'll take you to even more expensive stores." Ms. Grace reminded her of his authoritative attitude

Luciana sighed, resigned, and collected the dress. As she slipped into the gown, the saleslady couldn't hide her excitement.

"You look stunning, ma'am. We should show this to your husband."

"He's not my husband! I'd rather be a nun than marry that man!" Luciana's face contorted in disgust .

"Plus, I'm only 24; I'm not getting married now."

Ms. Sarah chuckled. "Well, I think we should still show it to him. He's paying, and he wants to see it."

Luciana rolled her eyes. "Fine."

As they exited the fitting room, Luciana overheard Antonio discussing a trip to California over the phone. Fear crept up her spine as she contemplated another flight.

Antonio ended his call and turned toward her. The saleslady asked, beaming with pride, "Well, how does she look?"

It doesn't look bad," Antonio said, struggling to conceal his admiration. His eyes glued to Luciana's figure, accentuated by the dress.

However, his eyes narrowed as he noticed the mark on her left arm, a reminder of the bullet wound.

"But don't you have any design that shows less skin? This one shows too much."

"It doesn't matter what you want. I like it, and I'll keep it." Luciana declared, turning to walk away.

Antonio's grip on her arm halted her escape. He pulled her close, his face inches from hers.

Luciana's heart plummeted, her stomach twisting into knots. Antonio's chiseled features, accompanied by his intense gaze, left her breathless. Her knees trembled, threatening to buckle beneath her.

Antonio's warm breath danced across Luciana's skin as he whispered to her.

"You'll keep only the ones I say you should. It's my money." The scent of mint filled her nostrils, an unsettling intimacy

Viktor's discreet grip on Antonio's arm served as a timely reminder.

"Boss, not here," he whispered, his eyes scanning the surrounding area.

Antonio stared at Luciana for a moment before he released her. With all the calmness in her, she retreated to the fitting room, her voice shaking as she instructed Ms. Grace and the saleslady to Wait outside.

As she entered the room, her mind began racing with thoughts of the impending trip to California.

Would she be forced to witness another horrific event, like the mass shooting she endured when she arrived here? She shook her head, determination igniting within her.

No, she wouldn't let that happen again.

With a resolute smile, Luciana emerged from the fitting room, still wearing the dress. Ms. Grace's eyes widened in surprise.

"Miss, you have to—"

"It's fine," Luciana interrupted. "I'll go have a word with him. I really want to keep this dress." She slipped her phone from her purse and walked away, disappearing from their sight.

Antonio stormed into the fitting room, running out of patience.

"how much time do we have to waste on one dress?"

Ms. Grace stood up, perplexed.

"I thought she was with you."

Antonio gave a confused look. "with me? You three just left my presence thirty minutes ago."

Ms. Grace shook her head.

"she took her phone and said she was going to talk to you about keeping the dress."

"she took her phone?" Antonio repeated, digesting what was happening.

Without another word, Antonio sprinted outside, Viktor close behind.

"That whore!" he seethed. "I swear I'll pull her brains out through her ears when I find her."

Meanwhile, Luciana ran for her life, dashing into a pizza shop to seek help. But the patrons only spoke Italian, leaving her frustrated and desperate.

As she continued her frantic escape, she heard Antonio's voice calling out her name. Fear gripped her heart, and she quickened her pace, weaving through crates of cucumbers and cabbages.

Just as Antonio closed in, a black car with tinted windows screeched to a halt before her. The window rolled down, revealing a tan-skinned man who urged her to get in.

Torn between the unknown stranger and the wrath of Antonio, Luciana chose the lesser of two evils and leapt into the car.

Antonio's face twisted in rage as he recognized the car's license plate. He waved down a passing car, pushing the driver out, and embarked on a high-speed chase.

Viktor was left in the dust as Antonio gained on the black car. He pulled out his gun, aiming at the window, but hesitated, remembering Luciana was inside.

Instead, he targeted the tires, but missed. The stranger returned fire, and Luciana screamed, her heart racing with fear.

The chaotic chase continued until Antonio's car was blocked by a waste disposal truck, allowing the black car to escape.

Antonio slammed his fist on the steering wheel, frustration boiling over. Viktor pulled up beside him, with Ms. Grace and the guards following in a second car.

Just then, a police car arrived, the owner of the car inside.

"We received a report of a stolen vehicle. Do you know this man, sir?" an officer asked Antonio, pointing to the car's owner.

Antonio's agitation deepened. "Do we have a problem here, officer?"

"As a matter of fact, yes. You'll need to come to the station with us for further questioning." one officer said, his face showing no emotions

Antonio's anger flared, but he restrained himself. "I don't have time for this." He said as he walked away

The officers drew their guns. "Take one more step, and we'll have no choice but to shoot."

Antonio froze. " officers. I'm just in a hurry for a business meeting." He said as he turned back. Today was already chaotic, he didn't want any more frustrations.

"is this your car sir?" the officer asked the man standing with them.

"Hai graffiato la mia macchina!(You scratched my car!)" the car owner exclaimed as he examined the body of the car.

"Mi dispiace, signore, pagherò per ogni danno (I'm sorry, sir, I'll pay for any damages)". Antonio apologized, and nodded at Viktor.

Viktor handed the owner three stacks of cash from a briefcase.

The police officers exchanged skeptical glances, their suspicions aroused by the sudden appearance of large sums of cash.

One officer stepped forward, his voice a mixture of confusion and suspicion.

"What's going on here? Where did this money come from? What business do you do, sir?"

"Buying and selling." Antonio replied curtly.

As the officers requested to search his car, Antonio nodded, and Viktor handed them two stacks of cash.

"Take this as a token of appreciation for your good work and… diligence," he said and entered the car.

Antonio entered the car, ordered Viktor, who was driving, to take them back to the villa as he pulled out a small box of cocaine.

"Who was that, boss?" Viktor asked.

Antonio sniffed the cocaine. "Alessandro De Santis."

Viktor slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to an abrupt halt.

Antonio's eyes widened as the cocaine spilled all over his expensive suit, the white powder covering his lap and dripping onto the floor.

"What the...?" Antonio looked at Viktor in rage.

Viktor looked back at his boss.

"They found us already?"