Five hundred and fourteen hours.
Forty five minutes.
Six seconds.
That's how long ago I'd last seen or spoken to my husband, and it was hell. Outside, I had adapted his stoic superpower, taking up The Maestri Empire helm in his absence, while I was slowly dying on the inside.
Darkness had befallen us.
Our date night had ended abruptly, and Raphael had gotten on the jet to America. He's been travelling the world since, and that's all I know. He hasn't gotten in touch with me yet, and I wouldn't care, if it wasn't for the fact that-
"Happy birthday my angels!" I beamed.
"Thank you mummy," they smiled back, but I could see the sadness in their eyes.
While I'd pushed my demon back, having to try and explain Raphael's absence to the girls, was something I failed greatly at. They're too smart to be lied to, so I didn't bother. I told them that not even I know where he is.
This is the first time I've ever been so shut out by him, and it's the worst feeling in the world. I don't know if he's ok or not. He doesn't answer his phone, and if it wasn't for the media spotting him everywhere during this crisis, then I wouldn't know if he was alive or not.
Basically, The Maestri Empire had shut down for a whole week. Nothing was operational, but everything came back online after a week. I know for a fact that that's why Raphael hasn't come back, but I worry that he wont make it for the girls' birthday.
"DADDY!" the girls brought me out of my thoughts.
I turned, and there he was.
He was dressed in his classic all black look. He had a cut on his eyebrow, and I could tell that he'd recently injured his knuckles. His hair looked like he'd run his hand through it multiple times, and it was obvious from how stiff he was, that it was from stress.
He looked more exhausted than I'd ever seen him, but a big part of me refused to feel sorry for him. I may have been worried about him, but I was just as equally angry with him. He let me in on the company operations, and then he turns around and completely shuts me out.
I'm not having that.
"Hello angels," he said with a genuine happiness as he hugged them.
I walked out of the room, simply because I was overwhelmed. Seeing him again was more painful than I thought it would be. I'd missed him so much, and he'd abandoned me without a thought. He didn't even bother to check in with me at any point in time.
Me, his beloved cara.
I was fuming and it was confusing. You know when you're so angry that nothing makes sense? That's what I was feeling, and it was just growing. I thought I'd be happy to have him back, but actually seeing him alive and well sent me over the edge.
I got into my car and drove to the glass house. The girls were having their party there. I'd been worried that Raphael wouldn't make it, but he clearly only cares enough for the girls. Realizing that I don't mean as much to him as I thought was less infuriating, and instead more on the deeply hurting side.
I managed to make it to the house without shedding any tears. It's amazing what one learns to put up with when backed up into a corner. I'd become a completely different person in three weeks, and I didn't like it one bit. The only problem is that I don't remember how to be myself again.
When Raphael left, everything was a mess at The Maestri Empire Headquarters. As expected, everyone looked to me for guidance, and I very quickly learnt that my nice girl persona just wasn't going to cut it.
I didn't even need to face Shelby for me to grow a backbone.
In the past two weeks, I've become somewhat a replica of my husband. On the inside, I'm lost to my demons, so perhaps I'm an exact replica of him, and not just a slight replica. I just wish I knew how to find the light again.
"He's back," Jonathan said the moment I walked through the door.
"How'd you know?" I asked.
"I've spent the past three weeks with you Rita. You're my best friend and it's pretty clear that you're as pissed off as they come. I told you that you wouldn't be happy to see him," he sighed.
Jonathan had predicted this the moment Raphael stepped onto the jet without even alerting me. I had to find out from Bianca when they'd already landed in the States. I was furious then, but it's nothing compared to what I feel now.
I have never been this furious in my life.
And that says a lot considering my relationship with Daniel.
"I couldn't even wait for him to look at me because I knew I wouldn't be able to look him in the eye," I mumbled.
"He's turned you into something I do not like, and the sad part is that he's the only one who can bring you back, and yet it's clear as day that you're not letting him anywhere near you anytime soon," he sighed.
"It's not that I don't want to, but he ignored me for three weeks Jono. I'm justified to my anger," I pointed out.
"I'm not saying you're not, trust me. I just wish your light hadn't been killed in the past three weeks," he argued.
"Me too Jono, me too," I said sadly.
We got to work while my phone rang constantly. When I'd had enough, I switched it off and continued to focus on the task at hand. Raphael would just have to wait, and anyone else who needed me would find me through Malia.
"Girly, what are you doing here?" my best friend asked me as she walked into the house.
I turned and beamed when I saw her. Her slight baby bump was beginning to show. She was glowing considerably, and it's thanks to the baby that Raphael is still alive. She wanted to kill him when she found out that he left without so much as a goodbye, but I had to remind her that it wasn't good for the baby.
I'd found out about the baby when I finally visited her new apartment and found her heaving. She had hidden the news from me because she'd wanted to tell me in person. I've already been appointed godmother, and my godchild keeps me going.
"Rafe's back," I informed.
"Did you talk to him?" she scowled.
"Nope! He was greeting the girls and I managed to sneak out and head here. He's been calling my phone since," I replied.
"Oh, so now he wants to call?" she scoffed.
"My thoughts exactly! Anyway, how's my little peanut?" I smiled.
"I guess she must be doing ok. I haven't thrown up at all today," she giggled. She's convinced she's having a girl.
"Well that's good. What did Fabius say about you taking leave in a few months?" I questioned.
"He wanted to know why, and I obviously had to tell him against my will," she said angrily.
"How is that a bad thing?" I laughed.
"It's Fabius. I'll let you figure that out on your own," she rolled her eyes.
"You're being as dramatic as always," I teased.
"Calling a pregnant woman dramatic is not wise sis," Salina said as she and Marcia joined us. They are both very much against their brother right now.
"She'll live," I shrugged.
"I'm going on a limb here by guessing that my little brother is back," Marcia commented.
"How'd you know?" I frowned.
"You paid a party planner a whole lot of money to put this party together, and yet you're here," she smiled sadly.
Of course she would pick that up.
"He is back, but I'm avoiding him," I sighed.
"We all understand. Did you at least see Sven?" Salina asked.
"Nope! I haven't seen Bianca either. The last person she spoke to was Fabius, and that was two weeks ago. He's been trying to track her down, but he and Lui keep coming up short because we all know she hasn't been with Raphael since the States," I replied.
"This is getting a bit scary. What if Ambrosi knows where they both are?" Marcia asked worriedly.
"The only way to find out is for Rita here to talk to him, something she's not all too keen on doing," Rhonda pointed out.
"Not that any of us can blame you really, but do you think you can try and find out?" Salina asked me.
"Now that Rafe is back, I'm sure Jono can get it out of him," I suggested.
"You have too much faith in Ambrosi and Joel's relationship. They're not that close," Marcia scowled.
"Well, that's not my problem. I'm not entertaining Raphael Maestri," I shrugged.
"And why not?" the man of the moment said behind me.
I hate how my body responds to his presence.
"We'll just be over there," Rhonda said, sparing my husband a glare before they walked off, leaving me with him.
"Cara mia," he said lowly, his breath fanning against my neck.
"Don't," I whispered. It was already taking everything in me not to turn around and kiss him with everything in me.
"Are you mad at me?" he sighed.
"What do you think?" I scoffed before walking away.
Unfortunately he stopped me, pulling me flush into his chest. I could feel his increased heart rate beneath my hand, and I willed myself to look up at him. I was confused and concerned all at once when I saw a tear leave his eye.
"Rafe? What's wrong?" I panicked.
"I- I need you," he whispered.
My anger disappeared in an instant.
"I'm here. What's wrong?" I panicked.
"Bianca's on life support," he informed.
"What?" I barely managed to whisper. He pulled me away, taking me upstairs to the room I stayed in on our wedding day.
"The past three weeks have been hell Ari, and I know you're furious with me, but I ignored you for your own safety. The shutdown at the empire was aimed at me in more ways than one. I was threatened from the moment I walked into the building that night, and I had to keep you and the girls safe. In order to do so, I had to ignore you. It makes no sense right now, and I can see that from the look on your face. As it is, I only came back because I couldn't stand not seeing my girls again. I missed you guys too much. I knew the girls would never forgive me if I missed their birthday, and neither would you," he rambled.
Raphael rambling cannot be a good sign at all.
"Rafe, where's Sven?" I asked him.
"He's with Bianca in a safe house of mine. I had to fly in a medical team to operate on her without the enemy knowing," he sighed, sitting on the bed.
"What happened to her? And who's the enemy?" I asked.
"We don't know who the enemy is, but I know who injured Bianca. Celine was about to shoot me, but Bianca saw her aiming and jumped in front of me. She took four bullets for me Ari," his voice cracked at the end.
I had no time to react in any other way other than to comfort him. I sat beside him and brought his head to my chest as he cried. I, myself, was crying, but I couldn't even begin to imagine what he was going through.
"Rafe, did Celine say anything after shooting Bianca?" I asked him after a while of silence.
"She said that she would make you pay for taking me away from her. She wanted to make you suffer by killing me, but she failed, with the promise of making you suffer in other ways," he said, sitting up to look at me.
"Do you think she's working with whoever's behind the shutdown?" I scowled.
"I know for a fact that she is since she mentioned the shutdown. As you know, we didn't make it public knowledge, so only the people who work at The Empire, and those responsible for the shutdown would know about it," he explained.
"What did she threaten you with?" I asked, my anger simmering.
"She's not the one who threatened me at first. I was threatened by whoever is behind this. They sent me footage of you and the girls. They had a clear shot of you everywhere you went, which is why I couldn't reach out to you," he sighed.
"Which means they know that you're here right now," I said in realization.
"I couldn't not see you cara mia. I've been going crazy without you," he ended on a broken whisper.
I pulled him in for a kiss, and I felt everything from it. He had truly missed me, if the need in his kiss was anything to go by. I knew we couldn't take it further than that, but I also knew that we both needed this.
"Who's with the girls now?" I broke away, breathless.
"I left a whole team of twelve with them and Lui," he replied. I was quiet for a while as a certain question was gnawing at me.
"What is it mi amore?" he caressed my cheek.
"Could it be possible that this is your past demons catching up with you?" I dared to ask. He stilled before sighing.
"I could ask you the very same thing," he murmured, standing and walking over to the window.
"Meaning?" I asked in confusion.
"Someone called me a few days ago. They were using a voice chip, but I was told to tell my wife that Eva called. They told me to tell you that time's ticking," he turned to me, eyes emotionless.
I went cold to the bone.
If Eva was behind this, then it would make more sense than I'm probably willing to admit, except what does she gain from this? I mean, if she's working with Daniel, then I understand that this is his twisted way of getting my husband out of the picture.
But what on earth does she gain from this?
"Who the hell is Eva mia moglie?" Raphael asked, his tone deceptively soft.
"She's the demon that was awaiting me in the restaurant that night," I sighed. He walked over and sat back down next to me, taking my hand in his.
"And?" he prompted.
"I am anything but proud of my past Raphael, and you need to understand that. I did things I never thought I would ever have to do, but it was all for my grandmother, as disapproving as she was of everything. I would do it again if it meant that she'd live," I sniffed.
"I want to hold you so badly and say that it's ok, and that we don't have to do this right now, but this is becoming a deadly situation. I need to know who this woman is, and why she would want to bring you harm," he pleaded.
"Eva is-" I started, only for the door to open.
"There you guys are. Sorry to break up your reunion, but everything is ready, and the girls are almost here," Salina told us.
"We'll be right there," my husband told her. She nodded and walked out.
"We need to have this talk, but we obviously can't have it now. We'll talk as soon as we've seen the girls off on their trip to Disneyland," he sighed.
"They're still going?" I asked in confusion. Given recent events, one would think otherwise.
"No, they're not, but they don't know that. They'll be furious with us alright, but their safety comes first. We're sending them to the Caribbean and they'll stay there for the next month," he explained.
"Is it safe?" I asked.
"I'm sending them down with a team of thirty, and Luigi wants to go with them, so I'd like to think that they will be," he nodded.
"I trust your decision making, and I promise to tell you everything when we get the chance to talk," I traced the cut on his eyebrow.
"Good! I've missed you so damn much," he growled before kissing me.
"I love you Raphael," I said on his lips.
"I love you too Signora Maestri," he said before claiming my lips for a second kiss.
We managed to make ourselves look presentable before heading out. Everything was ready as Salina had mentioned, and by the looks of everything, everyone save for the girls and Lui, was already here. I was eager to know if the girls would like what I'd managed to get planned for them.
"You did a wonderful job cara mia. They're going to love it," my husband whispered in my ear.
"How did you know?" I giggled softly, looking up at him.
"Give me a little credit mia moglie. I may have been gone for three weeks, but I still know the woman I married," he smiled.
My heart fluttered.
I hadn't seen that smile in so long, and a big part of me had been afraid that I would never see it again. It was relieving having him back, despite the impending danger facing us. All I wanted was to be in his arms, but I knew that couldn't happen yet.
And I know I sound like a super emotional person right now.
"Later," he said lowly, eyes darkened. I guess my face gave away my thoughts.
"I'll hold you to that," I blushed just as a fuming Fabius walked over to us.
"Ambrosi, where is Bianca?" he demanded to know.
"She's safe," was all my husband said.
"Ambrosi, I'm not five. Tell me what I want to know," Fabius said angrily.
"Fabs, we're not doing this here ok?" I told him softly.
"I need to know Rita. For someone who was pissed off at him, you've forgiven him quite quickly," he cocked his head to the side.
"Only because I know the truth, and once you know too, then you'll understand. For now, can we please focus on the girls until they've left?" I pleaded. He shot Raphael a glare before looking back at me.
"He's lucky he married you," Fabius mumbled before walking away.
"I didn't think he would care so much," my husband scowled.
"He's in love with her mio caro. He's always been. Two weeks ago, she called him. He told me that she sounded like she was dying, so I'm guessing it's after she'd been shot. He's been a mess since," I sighed.
"What else have I missed?" he asked in confusion.
Before I could reply, the SUV with the girls, together with three other SUVs arrived. I could only laugh in disbelief as thirteen men, Lui included, stepped out of the SUVs, before my daughters stepped out.
You'd think the girls would be afraid with all the security on them, but they instead looked like they were revelling in the attention. You could easily tell that they were feeling like very important people, and they are- at least to Rafe and I.
"SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE DEVILS!" everyone jumped out from their hiding places.
"Hey!" the girls giggled before squealing happily.
"Happy birthday princesses," Rafe bent down to kiss their foreheads.
"Thank you daddy!" they chorused as they hugged him.
"I already said happy birthday, so I wont say it again," I smiled.
"That's ok," Calinda giggled.
"Mummy, did you see our security squad? Daddy said we're real princesses who need to be protected," Caprice told me excitedly.
"Is that right?" I replied.
"Yep! He said you also get a squad because we are very important people," Camilla added.
"We are daddy's girls," Caterina beamed. I could see the concern on our guest's faces as they hid it with smiles.
"That we are. Are you guys happy with what you see?" I diverted the topic.
That set off a chain of squeals as they pointed out all the things they love. The girls unfortunately don't have any friends their age, but that didn't seem to bother them. We did however manage to pull together some children their age, from our different families. They were a total of twenty.
Enough for a party.
I could see how that also made the girls happy, especially how awed the other kids were. We let them go ahead and enjoy themselves while I went around checking if the guests needed anything. Giuseppe was still busy with the food, so we played music while everyone got to mingling.
My husband was back to himself, or at least he was doing a good job making it look that way. Of our guests, our family members and best friends looked highly concerned, if the looks they were sending us were any indicator.
I was about to head to the kitchen when my phone went off.
"Aretha Maestri speaking," I said as I answered it.
"Look at you embracing who you think you are," that chilling voice said into the phone.
"Eva," I murmured. Raphael caught my voice and he followed me when I headed outside.
"I see your husband decided to come back to you. I hope he delivered my message," she said sweetly.
"What do you want Eva?" I asked.
"For now, just to rattle your cages. I'm still waiting to find out why you have to suffer so much," she replied.
"And I take it you're still his puppet?" I taunted.
"Someone's getting braver. Perhaps I just need to bring you down a notch," she said menacingly.
Before I could ask what she meant, I watched as my husband's face changed. He clutched his shoulder, and I wasn't sure why, until he pulled his hand away. It was coated in blood, his blood. He'd been shot with a silencer.
"Rafe," I panicked, the phone still at my ear.
"Now, don't think just because you married that man, you're suddenly invincible. You forget who you're dealing with here. Dan will be pleased to know that you still know your place. Isn't that right pet?" she purred. My stomach churned in disgust.
"I am not your pet!" I spat, catching Fabius' eye from inside. He scowled at his hunched over brother, and I signalled for him to come over.
"Don't make me shoot your brother in law too now," she threatened.
"Stop!" I told Fabius.
"What's going on?" he asked, stopping instantly.
"Go ahead and get your husband treated, but remember where you stand Aretha. You'd do well to always remember," Eva said before the line went dead.
"He's been shot," I told Fabius as I helped my husband up.
"What? When? How?" Fabius panicked, rushing over to help me.
"About a minute ago," I huffed as my husband winced.
"We can't take him inside because it will raise questions, but we need to get this bullet out," he said.
"So how do we go about it?" I asked.
"Leave it to me," he replied.
He took Raphael away with him, and as much as I wanted to follow, I knew I couldn't. Luckily, I didn't have any of Rafe's blood on me, so I was able to head back into the house without anyone having to question it.
I had to go back in like my husband hadn't just been shot.
"Where's my brother?" Marcia asked as soon as I walked in.
"Which one?" I asked, walking towards the kitchen as I'd first intended.
"The both of them actually," she replied.
"They'll be back soon. They didn't say where they were going," I lied.
Something I'm not proud to say I've gotten exceptionally good at in the past three weeks.
"I hope Fabs doesn't kill him," she giggled.
I hope that bullet doesn't kill him.
"I doubt it," I smiled.
"Are you ok?" she frowned.
"I'll be fine. There's just a lot going on," I sighed.
"Ambrosi?" she asked. I nodded.
"Don't worry Rita. You guys will work it out," she said, hugging me.
"I hope so," I whispered, hugging her back.
"I need to head outside. Will you be fine?" she asked.
"I'll be ok Marci. Go ahead," I laughed.
"Alright! Love you sis!" she smiled.
"Love you too!" I returned the smile.
Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. The girls looked like they were having the time of their lives. Rhonda was having a ball with the bowl of chicken nuggets that Giuseppe made her. She loves them with jam, a sight that always disgusts Jono, Salina and I.
Speaking of Salina, she's now single. Apparently Marco wasn't all that discreet about his numerous flings. She'd decided that it was time for him to meet Lui and Fabius, and the two of them could only recount the different times they've seen the scoundrel out with different women. They didn't even know who he was at the time, or at least who he was to Salina.
She dumped him after they mentioned the second girl.
Not that they let her live it down.
They just went on recalling all the encounters, until I threatened to stop talking to them. They also had to remind her that she was lucky he hadn't met Raphael. We all promised we wouldn't tell him about it because of what he might do to the guy.
Luigi and Fabius obviously wanted to set her up with someone they think is fit for her, but I reminded them that in doing that, they are no better than her parents. That got them to shut up and leave her alone real quick.
"Rita!" Luigi said before squeezing me.
"Lui," I giggled.
"I've missed you so much! We don't hang out anymore," he pouted.
"I've missed you too, but you know why we don't hang out anymore," I sighed.
"Yeah, I know. Man, I'm so angry," he murmured.
"We're going to get through this Lui," I guaranteed.
"Oh, that much I know. What's got me so pissed off is the fact that they're targeting the girls. What have a bunch of seven year olds done to them?" he asked angrily.
"Nothing, but they know that harming them, means they harm Raphael and I," I pointed out.
"I love you both to death, but the two of you have some sick enemies, and apparently twisted pasts are something you both have in common," he said with a raised eyebrow.
"I know," I sighed shamefacedly.
"It's funny. That day when we went to fetch Rhonda from the airport, I asked you about your own demons. Little did I know how spot on I was," he shook his head.
"Rubbing it in much?" I rolled my eyes.
"It's not my intention. I'm just so angry, and I'm so worried for you and the girls, it's not even funny," he rubbed his face.
Only then did I realize just how exhausted he looked. His eyes had definite rings around them, and his always lively green eyes were looking rather dim. His stubble was borderline a beard, and I'm pretty confident that he'd run his hands through his hair enough times to comb it out.
"When was the last time you slept Lui?" I asked softly, taking his hand in mine.
"I can't sleep Rita. Not when you guys are in danger. You're my family," he said lowly, his eyes filling with tears.
"I love you to death Lui, and I understand your worry, but you need to rest. This isn't good for you," I said as I dragged him upstairs with me.
"I don't want you guys to end up like Bee ok?" he brought me to a halt.
"I get that, but how are you going to protect us when you're tired? You're no use if you're not on your best. You need to sleep and trust that the men Rafe hired can take care of us while you do," I argued.
I wanted to say so much more. I wanted to tell him that he couldn't protect us all, but this is Lui. He'll believe that he can for as long as he's breathing, and I have no right to kill his spirit. This is what he wants to do, and I wont be the one to tell him he can't.
"I can't sleep Rita," he said, a tear finally leaving his eye.
That's two crying men in one day.
"I'll sing you a lullaby," I offered.
I saw the indecision in his eyes, until he finally nodded. I led him to the room furthest from the party. He lay on the bed while I got a blanket for him. I covered him with it as he closed his eyes, before doing something I hadn't done in two years.
I sang him the lullaby my mother used to sing to me when I was younger. I have a great singing voice, and I was part of the choir at church, until my family died. I didn't sing as much after that, and it often makes me sad to, but I knew Lui needed this. In minutes, he was a goner.
"What were you doing in there?" my husband asked when I walked out of the room.
"Putting Lui to sleep," I replied.
"He's so stubborn. I knew you're the only person who'd get him to rest," he sighed.
"It took a while too. Aren't you supposed to be wearing a sling?" I frowned.
"A sling will raise questions I don't want to answer," he replied.
"But aren't you in pain?" I panicked.
"Fabius gave me a whole lot of morphine a few minutes ago, which should kick in soon enough, so ask me again in about three hours," he chuckled lazily.
"Rafe!" I scolded.
"I love you," he pouted.
"Stop being adorable right now," I folded my arms.
"So I should be kinky then?" he smirked.
"How? How do you jump from adorable to kinky?" I giggled.
"I could stand here and tell you, or we could go in there and I'd show you," he wiggled his eyebrows.
"You were shot three hours ago," I pointed out.
"And I have three hours of no pain to go," he countered.
"You're going to be in pain Raphael. Doing that will only mean more pain," I sighed.
"Firstly, it's it, not that, and secondly, you could always do the work," he smirked.
"Come again?" I raised an eyebrow.
"You heard me. You're in charge," he maintained the smirk.
"I think the morphine is working a number on you," I blushed.
I've never been in charge before.
"What are you so afraid of?" he stepped up to me, sandwiching me between the wall and his defined chest.
"I wouldn't even know how to be in charge," I mumbled. His head went into the crook of my neck and he inhaled deeply, before trailing kisses up my neck to my ear.
"Tonight Signora Maestri. Tonight you're in charge," he promised with a whisper, before heading downstairs, leaving me flustered. I had to gather my wits before following him.
"Why do you look so flustered?" Fabius smirked as soon as I got downstairs.
"I hate you," I glared at him while everyone else laughed. The doorbell went and Marcia answered the door.
"Rita, you have a guest," she announced before a beautiful woman made an appearance.
"Good evening," she greeted. We all responded.
"My name is Katherine Hartley. I met with Raphael almost a month ago about helping me with something, but he seemingly forgot," she shot a look at my husband, who was apparently giggling.
"Oh yeah, I did forget about that. Sorry Kat!" he giggled. Everyone shot him a strange look.
"Did he just call me Kat? He wouldn't even call me Katherine the day we met," Katherine asked amusedly.
"Excuse him please. He's currently high on morphine. Did you say your last name is Hartley?" Fabius asked.
"Yes, and yes, my father is Gerard Hartley," Katherine smiled.
"Did you just say Ambrosi is high on morphine?" Marcia asked Fabius.
"Whether it's morphine or not, he's definitely high on something," Rhonda said in horror as my husband put his head on her lap and started sniffing her knees.
"Is he sniffing her knees?" Salina giggled.
"We have to get this on camera though," Katherine laughed.
"Way ahead of you doll," Jonathan chuckled, holding his phone up.
"You guys are so wrong," I sighed.
"Am I on candid camera?" Raphael looked up.
"Maybe," Jonathan said.
"Oh goodie! I have some matters to clarify! Firstly, I am not gay," my husband proceeded on his way to his doom.
"No one said you were," Salina commented.
"Secondly, I never stole Ralph's t-shirt. He burnt his and took mine, then got me in trouble," he scowled, ignoring Salina.
"Good to know?" Marcia said unsurely.
"Thirdly, I really didn't kill my brother, despite being arrested for it," Raphael went on.
"WHAT?" Jonathan, Fabius, Salina, Marcia and I all shouted.
Apparently this was news to all of us.
"Fourthly, wait, is there such a word?" my husband giggled.
"What do you mean you were arrested for Ralph's death?" Fabius asked him.
"I cheated on Gabi with Celine, but it was only a kiss," my husband continued to giggle.
What on earth?
"You're so twisted," Rhonda scowled.
"Fabs, did you know that Marci told that girl you liked Rachel, that you have a small penis?" my husband smirked.
"What the hell Marci?" Fabius scowled at her.
"She wanted in on your money," Marcia shrugged.
"I liked her," he defended.
"I didn't," she said emotionlessly.
"Marci, did Liam ever tell you about his secret bank account?" Raphael asked her. She looked stunned by the revelation.
"Fabs, did you ever tell Bianca about that incident at the pool?" Raphael turned to him.
"How do you know about that?" Fabius' eyes widened.
"I followed you. You should really tell her by the way. She has to know that you're the reason her son has that scar on his leg," my husband said.
"How the hell does the one person we've always thought didn't care about us, know so much about all of us?" Jonathan asked, the camera not stopping.
"Lina, Joel is the one who broke that diamond bracelet that you thought Deana broke," Raphael informed.
"What the hell Joel? I lost a friend over that bracelet," she smacked him.
"Sorry, but she wasn't a good friend anyway. She only wanted to get close to you so that she could get close to Ralph," he defended.
"Hey Joel. Did you ever screw that girl from London? You know, the one who wont stop calling so you saved her as Grandma Betty on your phone? You sly dog you," my husband poked him.
The look Jonathan received was enough to freeze hell over.
"We should gag him before he spills any more secrets," Salina suggested.
If only we'd acted then.
"Cara mia, did you know that Gerard is your biological father? I know you've always wondered why he's stuck around for so long. Turns out, he and your mum were lovers, but when she found out she was pregnant, she kept you from him. He found out about you because she died. With me, my own father chose another woman over my mother. Poor Anita had to raise me under the pretence of a nanny, just so that she could be with Ralph and I. Can you imagine? You and I have parent problems. We are meant to be together," Raphael said, his eyes fluttering shut.
Silence fell on the room, save for Raphael's light snoring.
"Did he just say that Anita is his biological mother?" Rhonda broke the silence.
"I know that much is true, which must mean..." I trailed off with a whisper, looking straight at Katherine.
"I'm your half sister," she said, tears glistening in her eyes.
Well then, that's the last time we let Raphael get high on anything.
**********
ELO SMURFLETTES!!!
I LOVE YOU ALL!
Katee (^^,)