CHAPTER THREE
1287 Words
The early morning sunlight filtered through the large windows of Rafa’s office, casting long shadows across the sleek, modern furniture. Rafa sat behind his polished oak desk, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the surface, a deep frown etching his features.
The city outside continued its usual hum, unaware of the quiet storm brewing within those walls. Rafa had not expected last night’s encounter to stay with him the way it had. Amara Salazar. Her face, her voice, her stubbornness—they all lingered in his mind.
He was used to controlling situations, to having the upper hand. But with her, there was something different. She was sharp, unpredictable, and for reasons he couldn’t quite explain, she had intrigued him.
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door.
“Enter,” he called out without looking up.
The door creaked open, and his trusted associate, Carlos, stepped into the room. Carlos was in his late thirties, with a sturdy build and a no-nonsense demeanor that made him invaluable to Rafa. He carried a manila folder, his face serious as he approached the desk.
“Boss, we’ve got news,” Carlos said, placing the folder on the desk. “About the Salazar woman.”
Rafa’s brow furrowed, and his eyes shot up to meet Carlos’s. He hadn’t expected to hear her name again so soon.
“What news?” Rafa asked, his voice low.
Carlos slid the folder toward Rafa. “We did a little digging. Amara Salazar is connected to a small family-run business in Divisoria. She’s been operating a local stall selling imported goods for years now, but what’s interesting is who’s been buying from her. There’s talk of her supplying some of the higher-ups in the underground market.”
Rafa’s interest piqued. He opened the folder and scanned the documents inside. Several names were listed—local crime bosses, corrupt officials, and shady businessmen. Amara’s name was mentioned several times, always in connection with goods that weren’t just sold on the open market.
“What’s her connection to all of this?” Rafa asked, looking at Carlos.
Carlos shrugged. “We’re not sure yet. But the people she’s been dealing with are dangerous. Whoever’s in charge of these operations might be keeping tabs on her.”
Rafa leaned back in his chair, his fingers still tracing the edges of the folder. His thoughts wandered briefly to the alley where he had first encountered Amara. She wasn’t just an innocent vendor trying to make a living. There was more to her than met the eye—something that made her stand out, something that made her valuable.
“I want to know everything about her,” Rafa said finally, his tone cold. “Not just her business. I want to know where she lives, who she talks to, everything. I need to understand what makes her tick.”
Carlos nodded, his expression blank. “Understood, Boss.”
“Also,” Rafa continued, his gaze narrowing, “find out who has been pushing her into this mess. If there’s someone behind her, I want to know who they are. They’re the ones we need to deal with.”
Carlos hesitated for a moment. “You think she’s in danger?”
“More than likely. But she’s not my problem… not yet,” Rafa replied, a faint smirk playing at the corner of his lips. “But she could be useful to me.”
Carlos didn’t ask further questions. He simply nodded and turned to leave the office. As the door closed behind him, Rafa sat back in his chair and exhaled slowly. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation stirring within him.
It wasn’t just business anymore. There was something about Amara that made him want to be closer to her.
The thrill of the chase was what kept him going, after all.
Amara was no stranger to hard work. Every day was a fight to stay afloat, to keep her business running, to keep herself safe from the chaos that surrounded her in Divisoria. She had learned to keep her head down and avoid the dangerous people who lurked in the shadows, but last night’s encounter had shaken her to the core.
She had tossed and turned all night, unable to stop thinking about Rafa Monteverde and the way he had handled the situation with Edgar. There was something about him—his calm, calculated demeanor, his ability to control everything around him—that both intrigued and terrified her.
But she had to push those thoughts aside. There was no room for distractions in her life, not when every move she made was fraught with risk.
Amara was in the middle of organizing the inventory for her shop when the doorbell rang, pulling her from her thoughts. She frowned. It was early for any customers, and she wasn’t expecting anyone.
She opened the door cautiously, and her eyes widened when she saw the person standing on the other side.
“Rafa?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
He was standing there, drenched from the rain, with that same calculated look on his face. He was holding a bouquet of flowers—an odd gesture, considering their first encounter had been far from romantic.
“You’re here,” she said, stepping aside to let him in. She wasn’t sure why she did, but something in the way he looked at her made her nervous and curious at the same time.
“I thought I’d bring you something,” Rafa said, his voice steady. “A peace offering, I suppose.”
Amara didn’t know what to make of it. He had saved her life, but that didn’t mean she trusted him.
“I don’t need flowers,” she replied, crossing her arms over her chest. “What do you want, Rafa?”
He stepped into the apartment and looked around, his gaze sweeping over the modest space. “I wanted to talk. You’ve got a lot of people interested in you, Amara. Some of them aren’t the kind of people you want to deal with.”
Amara’s heart skipped a beat. “What are you talking about?”
He met her gaze, his eyes sharp and calculating. “I’m offering you a deal. You work with me, and I’ll make sure no one hurts you.
You’ll have protection, business opportunities. More than you’ve ever had.”
Amara felt her breath catch in her throat. This was a dangerous offer. She had no idea what Rafa was really after, but the way he spoke made it sound like he could deliver.
“You think I need your protection?” she asked, though she couldn’t entirely suppress the flicker of doubt in her voice.
“I think you need someone who knows how to play the game,” Rafa replied, his gaze never leaving hers. “And I’m offering you the chance to play in my team.”
Amara stood there for a moment, her mind racing. She didn’t trust him, but there was no denying the power he wielded. If he was offering protection, it might be the only way out of the mess she’d found herself in.
But then again, making deals with men like Rafa Monteverde came with its own price.
“Let’s talk,” she said, her voice steady, though her heart raced with uncertainty.
Rafa smiled, the corners of his lips curling up in that cold, calculating way. “Good. We’re going to make a lot of money together,
Amara. But don’t forget—nothing comes for free.”
As Rafa took a step closer, Amara couldn’t shake the feeling that her life was about to change forever.
- Writer
