The Message

CHAPTER 6

"I'm telling you, Rafa, it's time to take action," Lorenzo said, his voice low and urgent. "We can't let them think they're free of what they did".

"I agree, Don," Rafa replied. "But we need to be careful. We don't know who we can trust."

Valeria's ears perked up at the mention of trust. What were they talking about? And who were they referring to?

Valeria's mind racing with possibilities, she heard footsteps approaching and they stopped right behind her.

"Snooping again?". 

Valeria turned only to find Sasha again. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

"Or...is it eavesdropping this time around?".

Valeria pulled Sasha away, "what is your brother always doing? Does he sleep?". She asked in a whisper.

Sasha sighed as they got to the dinning area for breakfast. "Work". She stated simply. "And no, he never sleeps".

The maids served breakfast and they sat and started eating. Valeria peered towards the direction of Lorenzo's office.

"That's why you should get him to rest up, sleep and also eat during the honeymoon". Sasha said lattering butter onto a slice of bread.

Valeria stiffed. There was no way Lorenzo would agree to go on that honeymoon. She recalled the dinner and how Lorenzo's expression had remained neutral. She hadn't expected Sasha to suggest a honeymoon, and she wasn't sure if she was ready for that level of intimacy with Lorenzo.

Sasha's laughter brought Valeria out of her trance, "Chillax girl, you look like you've seen a ghost or something". Sasha bit into her bread and chewed, taking a sip of her orange juice.

Valeria gave a small but uncomfortable smile and they both ate in silence. Lorenzo did not leave his office even as they finished having breakfast.

"I have a pole dance class to attend". Sasha said getting up from her seat.

Valeria's eyes widened.

Pole dance?

Sasha laughed again, "Don't give me that look, I'm an adventurous person". She pulled up the front of her armless crop top.

Valeria also got up.

"Just because I'm a mafia princess does not mean I don't get to have a bit of fun. I mustn't be dressed in ball gowns and sit in the palace like a distressed princess".

"I cannot even imagine you in a ball gown, Sash". Valeria said. "Just be careful".

Sasha waved her off and blew her a kiss before walking out of the front door. Valeria immediately went to her room, checking the vicinity before closing the door and finding her cell phone on the lamp stand.

"Angelo, I need to talk to you," Valeria said immediately he picked up the call,"I overheard Lorenzo and Rafa talking, and I think something's going on."

"Hold up sis, let's switch to video call". Angelo did so and Valeria sat on her bed. Angelo's expression turned serious. "What did you hear?" he asked, his voice low.

"I don't know exactly," she said. "But it sounded like they're planning something. And they mentioned trust."

Angelo's eyes narrowed, "I'm not sure what it might be about but I keep telling you to be careful, Valeria. How did you find out?"

"I snooped around and eavesdropped".

"And how did that end for you?".

"I got caught. Twice". Valeria pouted.

"You've always been bad at snooping and evesdropping". Angelo said but got serious immediately. "If Lorenzo finds out you're snooping around, he won't hesitate to take action."

"Rafa would tell him for sure".

"I think the De Luca family is hiding something". Angelo stated simply, reminding Valeria of all the subtle warnings he'd been giving her prior to the wedding.

She wanted to say something but a knock came at the door.

"How's Marco, Mum and dad doing?". She switched topics as a maid came in with fresh robes for her and greeted her before walking to the bathroom.

"Be very careful Valeria. I don't trust Lorenzo, he gives me bad vibes".

"Okay, I will. Thank you". Valeria said nodding thank you to the maid who walked out of the room and closed the door behind her.

As the call ended, she fell onto her bed, dropping the phone beside her. 

...

Later that night, Valeria lay in bed thinking about everything Angelo has ever told her even before she married Lorenzo and her heart skipped a beat at the warning he gave her earlier.

Valeria's phone buzzed with an incoming message and she hesitated for a moment before opening it, wondering who would be texting her by that time of the night.

The weight of what she read as she opened the message pressed down on her like a physical force. It made her blood run cold.

From an unknown sender...

"Little one, the price for sin is death. Isn't it?"