The DeLuca’s Obsession

Wrong Place, Wrong Man

Eliana's POV

​I think the universe hates me. Or maybe it’s just my stupid curiosity that got me into this mess. Either way, I barely had time to process any of it before everything spiralled out of control.

​

Everything happened in seconds. I didn’t have time to think when the shot went off, straight into the kneeling man’s head. Worse, the man with the gun didn’t even flinch. He simply tucked the pistol into his coat, pulled out a handkerchief, and wiped his hand, as if he had just finished a mundane task.

​

I tried to tell myself that it wasn’t real; it felt like a scene in an action movie.

​

Okay, Eli, time to go. If these people see you, you might be their next victim.

This was the moment when, just as I was about to leave, the streetlight overhead flickered, giving me a better view of his face. See, that’s why I say the universe hates me.

Dominic Deluca

It felt like my world stopped at that moment.

Who doesn’t know Dominic Deluca? He’s the richest man in the city and its most eligible bachelor. Now, my law firm’s most prestigious client had just murdered someone in cold blood.

A gasp escaped him before I could stop it.

His head immediately turned in my direction. Our eyes meet

There was no expression on his face, no guilt, no oh, you have just caught me doing something bad,

He stepped toward me, and in that instant, my body knew to run. The gift slipped from my hand and hit the floor, but I didn’t care. I fled as my life depended on it.

Well, it kind of did.

I ran through streets I didn’t recognise, not stopping to look back. At one point, I dashed across the road without looking; a taxi screeched as it barely missed me. That’s when one of my heels snapped clean off.

‘Not now…’ I cried to myself, kicking off both shoes without thinking and continuing my desperate run.

By the time I reached the train station, my lungs burned, and my hands shook uncontrollably. I ducked into a corner, pulled out my phone, and immediately dialled 911.

It rang, ‘Hello, what is your emergency?’

After a minute catching my breath, I finally managed to speak: 'Yes, help me. I am being chased by Dominic Deluca, who just killed a man.'

A second passed, then the respondent said.

‘ Where did you see this happen? ’

After glancing around nervously, I quickly told them the location, hoping they would believe me.

‘ Don’t worry, miss, I have sent men to check it out, and we will send someone to come pick you up. Stay where you are.’’

“Thank you… Thank you,” I gasped out, ending the call. For the first time in what felt like forever, I let myself hope the police would arrive in time.

(*)

Still trembling with fear, I forced my fingers to type an SOS to Lyon and my best friend, Zuri, and to send my location.

The image of what I saw replayed in my mind like a horror film on a loop. What was worse was that I couldn't get rid of his face from my mind, Dominic Deluca.

He looked at me like he knew me.

Before long, the police arrived, their presence both a relief and another wave of fear.

‘’ Mrs?

‘Ms Reyes,’ I quickly answered.

‘’ Okay, Ms Reyes, our men are at the location of the crime scene you mentioned you witnessed, but you have to come with us to the station. Your statement on what you saw needs to be taken.’’ the policeman said.

I nodded, about to enter the police car, when Zuri suddenly ran up to me.

‘’ Babe, what happened to you?’’ she let out, pulling me into a tight hug.

‘I was about to tell her everything, when the policeman interrupted us.

‘’ Ms, we need to get to the station,’’ he said.

Zuri looked at me, confused, then she asked.

‘’ What is going on? Did she do something wrong,’’

‘’ She witnessed a murder,’’ the policemen answered, and Zuri's eyes widened in shock.

‘’ Can we go now,’ the police asked again.

‘’ Can she ride with me? My friend is a mess.’’ The policeman was quiet for a bit, then he nodded.

‘ I will follow behind you.

Zuri quickly pulled me in the direction of her car.