This time Eliana wanted to dress nicely. Like not her. She wanted to look totally different. Sexy, elegant, stylish.

Thankfully, new things appeared in her wardrobe frequently. Plot twist - she didn't buy them. The walk-in closet of hers was being stocked in a similar manner to a fridge. It felt like something from Harry Potter when she noticed every few days a new surprise item appearing. And they were all unbelievably pretty. Eliana suspected it was Alicia who received an order to buy her new things for no reason at all. Eliana appreciated the gesture.

When she had first arrived at Rafael's house after unpacking her clothes the wardrobe looked empty. It was just too huge to fill in. Now, after a few weeks of living here her collection of clothes visibly expanded.

For today's evening, Eliana chose to wear beige heels with red soles, a side-slit long black dress, golden earrings, and a bracelet.

"Ready?" Rafael asked while buttoning his cufflinks.

"Yes," she replied.

After he looked at her, she concluded that she chose the right outfit. For a moment he was looking at her intensely, in silence.

"Let's go then" he finally said and grabbed her hand.

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Thanks to Rafael Eliana learned about amazing restaurants in the city. The place they arrived at looked really fancy.

The married couple was already waiting for them. They invited them to sit down.

Eliana recognized the woman.

She was the rude customer Eliana encountered on my first day of work. She looked at each equally surprised, but her surprise slowly turned into fear.

"Mr. Vincenti it's so good to see you," the man said nicely.

"Likewise" Rafael greeted him formally "This is my wife Eliana, Eliana this is Boris and Heidi Carter my good friends" Rafael introduced the couple.

It felt like the good friends part was added out of politeness only.

Rafael, like a true gentleman, pulled out a chair for her. As they sat down the waiter showed up within seconds.

When Eliana saw the prices she understood why the waiters here are so fast. "$30 for tiramisu?" she whispered before she could stop herself.

Boris and Heidi heard her well and they both started chucking "Order whatever you want the dinner is on us" Boris said.

Eliana thought Rafael will refuse but he looked like he was completely fine with their offer.

"How kind of you," he said in a quiet formal voice. "Beef Wellington for me," he said. "And one bottle of Sauvignon Blanc"

It was the most expensive dish on the menu. How much a bottle of wine could cost here? A fortune? Why would he order this if he knew they were financially struggling? Eliana met his gaze for a moment and she could swear the sparks of amusement were dancing in his eyes. What a troll.

Eliana ordered grilled salmon with miso. She had no idea what half of the ingredients listed on the menu are. And some of them she wouldn't be able to pronounce so she chose something random hoping for the best.

Somehow the conversation led them to speak about real estate. Heidi and Boris were in the process of searching the house and they were considering what location would be the best for them. But Eliana didn't expect Heidi to ask a direct question about her past. And yet she did.

"Where did you live before you moved into Rafael's place?" Heidi asked in a nice voice, trying to make a conversation.

Eliana told her the name of her neighbourhood and she really didn't have to make a scene out of it but she did. She gasped loudly, her eyes widened. She looked positively excited to hear that Eliana had been living in one of the poorest neighbourhoods in the city.

Then she looked as if she remembered something suddenly " Ahh, yes I've heard you're from humble background" she only made me realize that people were gossiping about her. This really made me feel self-conscious.

"Sort of, yes," Eliana said, feeling uncomfortable.

"And where did you hear things about Eliana?" Rafael asked suddenly interested.

"Oh you know, people are talking"

"About my wife?" Rafael asked in a dangerous voice.

Now she looked embarrassed. "I-I mean, you know. We have common friends after all. Your wedding was big, exciting news. Everyone has been wondering where Eliana came from ever since the engagement party. Our social circle is small so a new face piqued our curiosity" she started rambling.

"Naturally," Rafael said in an emotionless voice. It was impossible to say what he thinks but something was telling Eliana that he wasn't particularly pleased "Although I'm hoping this conversation here stays between us"

"Of course, it is, Rafael. You can trust us" Boris said eagerly and Heidi nodded.

"Since everything stays between us, how did you two meet?" Heidi continued her questioning.

"In my nightclub" e didn't develop his story any further the whole conversation felt forced.

"Well, congratulation I guess even Rafael had to fall victim to seduction one day, right?" Heidi directed her comment at Eliana. She was trying to be playful but what the hell? What a bitch.

"Right. Exactly" Eliana said trying to not sound sarcastic "Nice dress by the way," Eliana said sweetly changing the topic. Heidi knew perfectly that she's referring to the situation at the store and turned pale.

"Thank you. Yours looks stunning as well" Heidi choked out suddenly looking nervous.

"Thank you but I don't think it's very comfortable I've been thinking about returning it" Eliana continued trying to prolong her torture. She deserved it. Eliana wasn't even that mad about the situation at the store as she was at her for suggesting that she was some sort of gold digger who seduced Rafael.

"Y-you should if you don't like it"

"Yes, I will keep that in mind"

This meeting officially was about meeting with friends but in reality, it was a business meeting with small talk. Thankfully, after Eliana was done shutting Heidi up, her husband got straight to the point.

"I have a business proposal for you," Boris said speaking directly to Rafael who was slowly consuming his overpriced food, he didn't look very interested in whatever Boris is trying to sell him.

"You have my attention," Rafael said out of politeness.

This encouraged Boris to lay out his plan. He spoke about receiving a loan from Rafael who was supposed to become a part of the business opportunity, some hazy large investment that was in a making

Eliana didn't know anything about business but butl it all sounded like a bunch of bullshit.

"And why should I take that financial risk?" Rafael asked.

"I'm taking one as well" Boris pointed out.

"No. Your company is sinking anyway so the last thing you can do before drowning is to invest in another boat. The question is whether it arrives on time to save you and bring profit to your investors" Rafael responded. He was a hard person to fool.

"I assure you, Rafael, my company is doing fine. I don't know what you've heard but-"

"I don't appreciate being lied to, Boris" Rafael said in a cold voice.

"I'm sorry Rafael. I had no idea that you-"

"You thought I won't do my homework? I know exactly why do you need my money"

"If you know what my situation is then why did you agree to meet with me?" Boris asked.

"Because I see a chance of us working together if you don't bother with lying to me" Rafael replied easily.

"I-I see. Please give me a chance. From now on I will speak nothing but truth"

"I will consider it" Rafael said graciously.

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"You've met Heidi before" Rafael stated. They were sitting in the car and going back home. Eliana was thankful that this dinner was over.

"How do you know?"

"You were both surprised to see each other. And then you purposely pissed her off by mentioning the dress although I do not understand why was she so upset about it. Care to explain?"

"I don't know her, she was a difficult customer I've met on my first day of work. She made a scene and called the manager because I wouldn't accept a dress she wanted to return. But that shouldn't affect your deal with Boris "

"Cara, let me decide what should and shouldn't affect my decisions. You are mine and nobody has the right to disrespect you" he said, stroking my cheek. Eliana wanted to argue with him or at least escape from his captivating gaze but he held her chin and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

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For a few days now, Eliana has been suffering from a high caffeine deficiency. She couldn't drink while temporarily pregnant. However, it made her completely lifeless. With the upcoming scheduled meeting at the abortion clinic, she was more and more nervous about what is going to happen.

Eliana thought about a lot of things during the remaining days my fear and confusion grew because she didn't know what to do. What does she want? Does she really want to remove it? Or not? Does she want to tell Rafael or not? Every day was more and more stressful.

Eliana thought with a heavy heart about Rafael's sister. She died so young it must have been a shock for the whole family that changed their lives and their perception of the world forever. No surprise he doesn't want kids now.

This is how Eliana convinced herself that she need to do this not only for my sake but also for Rafael's sake.

As she was driving to work there was only one thing on my mind:

I have an abortion scheduled for today.

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"What? Oh my, I'm sorry Andrea can you repeat the last sentence?"Eliana totally wasn't listening to what she was saying.

"What is going on? Are you feeling alright?" Her coworker asked worriedly.

"Yeah, I'm fine don't worry about it. Remember, I've been telling you that I need to finish an hour early today"

"Yes, of course. It's not a problem at all" Andrea said.

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Eliana was so stressed she could barely focus on driving.

She knew Rafael will be pissed off at her no matter what because she's out without security. She just hoped Giovanni didn't notice her leaving earlier. In moments like this, she was grateful for having a driver's license. Thanks to that she didn't need to explain to Giovanni why she needs to pull up at the abortion clinic. As she was driving she was feeling nauseous. Eliana was acutely aware that at some point Rafael might learn about the pregnancy what is she going to tell him then? That she made my decision and he has to accept it? Well, he won't have another choice.

As she exited the car it was already dark. Because of the rain, she barely could see anything. Her clothes were completely soaked. For some reason this made her cry. At least now no one will notice.

Eliana started walking towards the clinic's door when someone grabbed her from behind.

She tried to pull away but his embrace was too strong. She tried to scream but the noise she was making was muffled as a wet piece of cloth was covering her mouth. The liquid had a sweet smell and the longer she was inhaling it the more sleepy she was. At some point, her legs gave up on her and half-conscious she could feel that the kidnapper is throwing her into the backseat of his car.

When Rafael mentioned that someone can kidnap her in 5 seconds she should've fucking listened to him.

Eliana wished she could stand up and try to get away, struggle at least. But it was only her mind that was still fighting my body gave up a long time ago. She was lying limp in someone's car ready to be taken God knows where.

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Eliana was engulfed by the darkness. She wanted to move but she couldn't, she couldn't speak or open her eyes. But she could feel someone's warm hand holding hers and it was reassuring.

"How is she?"

She recognized that voice. It belonged to Rafael.

"There's some bruising around her wrists but that's nothing serious, it should heal within a week. She inhaled chloroform but it didn't cause any lasting damage to her or a baby. She's going to be alright"

"Thank you, doctor," Rafael said relieved, and then paused "Wait. Did you just say a "baby"? What baby?"

Oh, fuck.

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I know y'all have been waiting for this moment! 😂😈