Caught red-handed

(Alana)

I stared at Rocco sipping on water. His expression was bright, as if he were happy to see me. I took time from my busy schedule to see him. He chose the restaurant and I obliged

“So, you came to talk to me about your husband?” Rocco asked sarcastically and placed the glass on the table. His eyes narrowed coldly as he looked at me. I didn't care what he thought, I had an agenda for seeking to meet him.

“Whatever it is, stop it now…is this about hurting him or what?” I asked, trying to understand why Rocco was hell-bent on causing Ricardo so much pain. Rocco shifted in his chair a little and stared at me blankly

“Little angel, I want you to work for me… I'm not concerned about your husband….” He simply said and crossed his arms over his chest, the mischievousness in his eyes didn't sit well with me. He was a shrewd man. It wasn't hard to under him because he said his opinions openly

“I'm a married woman…if you are an honest man… you wouldn't do anything to ruin my reputation," I said, feeling irritated with myself. It was enough that I came to see him. I didn't tell Ricardo where I was going. What if he found out I came to see Rocco?

“Not everyone knows who you are…his employees don't know that…they don't give you the respect you deserve as the CEO's wife,” Rocco said more calmly and tapped his fingers on the table. Even if his words were true, I didn't care. He knew nothing about my relationship with Ricardo.

“A real man doesn't do what you do…you should know that,” I said, although I didn't know if anything I said made sense to Rocco. He was just staring at me.

“I'm not so honest, and I have a condition?” He said and leaned forward. I backed away and relaxed in my chair. He had ordered a lot of food, but I would rather not eat anything from him.

“And what could that be?” I wanted to know exactly what he was planning. His eyes narrowed into slits, and he gestured me down to my plate. I didn't touch my food, and I made it clear I wasn't hungry.

“Work for me, I'll release all the suppliers if you work for me,” Rocco remarked lazily, and I was caught off guard. He didn't smile, but had a stern expression plastered on his face.

“I'm not going to work for you… I already have a job Rocco…is it hard to understand," I was getting impatient, and Rocco was starting to be a pain in the neck. He didn't react, but averted his eyes from me. I guessed I yelled at him, but he deserved it

“I don't care… you know if he doesn't get those suppliers in time…his company and reputation will be ruined…” Rocco said shrewdly, with a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. Anyone would feel irritated by his behavior. He played a cheap card against Ricardo. This showed how influential and cunning Rocco was.

“So you decide to work for me in exchange for leaving Ricardo's company alone,” Rocco added with a tap of her fingers on the table, and I was rendered speechless. I did know Rocco would set such a condition.

“I shouldn't have come here,” I said, getting up and grabbing my purse. I was about to storm away when Rocco grabbed my arm and pulled me to him. My forehead bumped against his chest, only for him to wrap his arm around my waist and trapped me in his embrace.

“Let go of me now," I said coldly while trying to get out of his hold. He didn't listen, but tightened his grip even more. My arm was beginning to hurt,

“I won't Alana until you agree to be mine,” Rocco muttered and attempted to kiss me when I pushed him away and tried to flee, but again he held me back…this time he didn't let go of me.

“Let go, or I'll scream for help!” I warned him with a glare, both of us were sitting away from the rest of the people. The table he chose was hidden away. He let out a sarcastic chuckle and I used that opportunity to shove him aside and ran away from there. My heart was racing fast as I hurried towards the door. The only thing ringing in my ears was fleeing from the barbaric man

He was a psycho, who told him I was interested in working for him. I knew what a pervert he was, I wouldn't dare work for him.

“Ouch!” I came to a sudden halt when I opened the door only to bump into someone, the person held me before I could fall and secured me in his arms. I wasn't a fool not to realize who it was.

“Are you okay?” Ricardo asked in a soft, low tone when I glanced up. Cold liquid broke on my forehead, seeing him face to face. My heart raced even more and I panicked. It was late at night, I was supposed to be at home.

“Y-yes,” I muttered and quickly got out of his hold. I saw he was with two men and Dennis.

“Mr. Romero, is everything okay?” One of the men asked Ricardo. He seemed to be lost in thoughts.

“Yes,” he muttered and glanced at me. I was nervous, not sure why. But my heart thumped loudly. Why was he looking at me like that? I was caught red-headed. If Rocco came out and Ricardo saw him. Hell would fall on me.

“What are you doing here… I thought you said you were going home” Ricardo muttered the question as if he didn't want his acquaintances to hear him. I was hesitant to speak. I lied to him earlier. Who knew I would see him at the restaurant?

“I…well…” I tried to gather excuses to tell him. But before I could do so, the entrance door opened and the person I didn't want Ricardo to see walked out.

“Ah, Ms Mendoza… you didn't leave or do you need a ride home?” Rocco asked, smirking at me and coming to where we were standing. I stood like a soaked cat, like a kid caught stealing candy. Ricardo didn't seem happy to see Rocco.

“Mr. Romero, it's good to see you…did you come to have dinner here… I see you've got company. '' Rocco added and glanced at the two men in suits Dennis was ushering away at Ricardo's order.

“Let's go,” Ricardo muttered sternly, he grabbed my arm and dragged me away from there. He seemed angry, his actions spoke volumes. I needed to explain to him exactly what happened and why I came to see Rocco.

“I can explain… it's…” I tried to speak when he started dragging me to the parking lot where his car was.

“Explain what huh, a wife is seen wandering around the city aimlessly…having dinner with random men”, Ricardo said sarcastically, I didn't understand his statement.

“I didn't mean to…” I started, but Ricardo walked to his car. Opened the door and settled in the driver's seat. I was agitated, not sure what to do. But I gathered enough courage and walked around the car and settled in the passenger's seat. The man started the car without even waiting for me to get the seat belts, and he drove out like a madman. I was afraid he might cause an accident or something.

Once Ricardo's car was out of sight, Rocco emerged from the shadows, and so did his right-hand man Alessio.

“Alessio, make sure those two are separated,” Rocco gave his orders and walked away, leaving Alessio wondering.

____

When Alana and Ricardo returned home. she was surprised how cold Ricardo was acting toward her. She tried by all means to talk to him. But the man kept ignoring her. Like during dinner, at the dining table. he concentrated on talking to Santiago. He didn't even look at her. She was bothered. When dinner concluded. He spent his time in the study room. When she went to see him. He asked Mrs Marks to tell her he was busy.

"Sir is in Santiago's room...he's helping him with his homework," Mrs Marks I her when she asked where Ricardo was. It was getting late and Alana was agitated. Mrs Marks left and Alana sat on the bed but again rose to her feet. Shortly after, the bedroom door opened and Ricardo walked in.

He ignored her again, and climbed on the bed. Alana fiddled with her hands and waited for him to settle down. She attempted to sit on the bed, but Ricardo glared at her.

"Sleep on the floor," he remarked disdainfully and turned off the lights. A helpless Alana frowned and stormed away, he was acting like a jerk. Who cared, she was going to sleep on the hard floor.