Rafael's was right next to me in a tailor-made black suit, something about him was refined, even aristocratic and completely different from the district in which I lived.

As we arrived at my apartment this time, Rafael decided to come in for a tea. The door were open, so I didn't have to pull my keys out. He sent me a questioning look.

"The lock broke" technically Ethan broke it "and I didn't have time to replace it"

"When?" He asked, seemingly indifferent.

"About a week ago"

"So you slept with the door open this whole time?," this time I could clearly heat that his voice was full of disapproval. I looked down, a little embarrassed.

"Maybe?"

"If you intend to continue being so reckless I'm afraid even with my help something bad will happen to you" he said drily.

"Sit down, make yourself comfortable," I said, trying to change the topic from my person to something else. I got lost in my own thoughts, but I came back to earth quickly as I saw Rafael being near the almost broken plastic chair.

"No, wait, don't sit here!," I yelled in panic. As I tried to stop Rafael from sitting and potentially breaking it and falling down, I grabbed onto his arm protectively. When I realized what I have done, I pulled myself away, but it was too late, my cheeks were tinted in pink color and Rafael smirked at me.

"You don't look like a type to throw yourself at a man. Noted"

"No I don't, I just... this chair can break any moment! I was trying to save, I had no intention to-"

"Eliana?"

"W-what"

"Stop being cute"

I- Um? What?

He shook his head, seeing my confused expression and sighted.

"Where should I sit then?" He asked patiently, but I could see his eyes were laughing.

"Sit on the couch, it will be more comfortable," I instructed. "What would you like to drink? Tea, coffee, water?"

"Tea, please"

"What about your bodyguard?" I asked, addressing the presence of a man in a suit. He did not react to my question at all.

"Marco, would you like something to drink?" Rafael asked.

"No, thank you for offering, ma'am"

I nodded and busied myself with making tea. For a moment there was complete silence.

I bet Rafael was judging my apartment, and it had no right to get a positive grade. Social services barely accepted it as a place for Casey to live. The biggest problem were the cracks and watermarks on the ceiling. The upstairs neighbor flooded my apartment at least once a month, and he never felt obliged to pay for the damages.

Ah right, while we're on Casey's case, she's not picking up my calls. Now that I had Rafael's phone, I could start bugging her more often with my calls.

The living room was connected to the kitchen, the sofa had an ugly raspberry shade that faded over time. Next to the sofa, there was a small coffee table cluttered with a pile of papers produced by Casey's custody and inheritance case there. I pushed the papers away to put the cup of tea in front of Rafael. Rafael completely didn't fit the scenery, he looked as if he was copy-pasted into my place as a joke.

The small period of silence was interrupted by the loud moans of my neighbors. I closed my eyes. Do they have to be this loud?

Okay, let's ignore it.

"My sister is temporarily out of reach, I have to wait for her. Just leave me your address, and I'll be there as soon as possible"

"I'm not letting you stay here. Marco will wait for her"

"There's no need, I will just wait, and we will take a bus..."

"It wasn't a suggestion. You let Casey be out of reach when you have Harvey Snow on your back?"

"I hope you don't have the same habit. You better always pick up when I am calling."

"Sir, yes sir" I said and did a mock salute.

"Eliana, be careful. It's a thin ice you're stepping on," he whispered into my ear, but it didn't sound like a threat. More like seductive promise.

♦ ️ ♦ ️ ♦ ️

Rafael's house was situated out of town. It reminded me one of these huge mansions you'd see in the horror movies.

"Oh shit" blurted out, and I immediately covered my mouth with my hand. How could I swear in front of him? Rafael laughed softly.

"Wait," he said, and in surprise I watched as he got out of the car, opened the door for me and reached out to grab my hand. He kissed the top of it and then lifted it slightly, which made me automatically get out of the car and begin walking towards the front door.

Web entered the huge hallway. The young woman greeted us. She was a blonde and her hair were wrapped in a tight bun. Her lipstick had a soft pink color, and she had a kind blue eyes. She was slim and tall and could easily be mistaken for a model.

"Alicia, this is Eliana. Eliana, Alicia works here as a housekeeper "

That hot blonde was his housekeeper? Oh.

"Nice to meet you, Alicia" I greeted her politely.

"Likewise" she responded, but her voice seemed to be a little dry.

"From now on, Eliana will live with us. Take her to one of the guest rooms, so she can unpack. In 20 minutes, I want you to fetch her and bring her to the living room," Rafael ordered.

"Of course, sir" Alicia bowed once more and looked at me with curiosity in her eyes. At the same moment, Rafael picked up his phone.

"I see. Get her to the house as soon as possible," he said, and hanged up. "My people found your sister"

"What do you mean they found her? How?"

I looked at him, surprised, I wasn't able to find out where Casey was at the time of her disappearances, and he found her in what? Two hours?

"In this city, no one can hide from me for long. You better remember that," Raphael warned, and something dangerous flashed in his eyes. I was paralyzed by these words. Why everything he says must sound like a threat? Did he just tell me that I will not be able to get away from him? Wanting to escape the gaze of this dangerous man as soon as possible, I followed Alicia.

The stairs were made from dark wood, the handrail craved into twists. As we stepped out into the first-floor hallway, I was worried about my boots dirtying the maroon carpet with an intricate pattern, but Alicia told me not to worry about it.

Finally, we got to a large, spacious room with large windows providing plenty of daylight. The walls were painted white, and the furniture was made of light wood, which brightened the room even more. The whole place seemed very neutral in its appearance, truly fitting for a guest room. It had a large sliding door that led to a balcony with the view of the garden and a private bathroom.

"If you'd like a different room this wing of the house is designed only for guest, you can pick whatever room you like"

"This one is great, thank you"

"No problem. I'll come for you in 20 minutes, if you need anything during this time, please call number 1" she pointed to the phone you'd see at hotels "at 9 there is Mr. Rafael's office, I advise you not to disturb him if the matter is not urgent"

"Thank you again for everything"

When Alicia left, I had the opportunity to look around the room with open amazement.

I once was used to luxuries and then my parents died, I got adopted and my life changed. Casey's parents belonged to the lower-middle class, they couldn't afford fancy things but for necessities money were never lacking. If they didn't die, Casey and I would be in a very different place right now. Sometimes I'd wish I asked then to not go on that trip. I should be more worried about them than I was back then.

I laid down on a huge double bed with white sheets, they were fluffy and smelled nicely. I closed my eyes literally for a moment and didn't know when I had fallen into a deep sleep. Apparently my body was still recovering.

I was awakened by the sound of someone's knocking at the door.

"Miss Snow, it's time" What? Oh, right now I remember. Rafael wanted Alicia to take me to the living room. I wonder what he wants to talk about.

"Of course, let's go" I quickly combed my hair through my fingers.

"Miss Snow um ... your cheek"

"Oh... wait. Did my makeup come off? "I quickly checked the mirror and unfortunately there was a huge, ugly bruise showing up on my face.

Dear Friends,

I hope you like how the story is progressing if you have any opinions, suggestions, likes, dislikes I would love to hear about them. If you have any questions don't be afraid to ask I will gladly answer :)

Oh and please let me know if you like the chapter zero with a title "meet the family" I'm still debating weather I should delete it or not.

Thank you for all of your votes. ♥️