Chapter 33
Sergio: "Lilly, I am not proposing, all I am saying is you have two weeks and a few days left, spend them with me?"
Once Lilly has fallen asleep, I go to the balcony and call my right hand, Rafael. I ask him if he knows more or has any leads and he says he found the cartel who made a move against us and I know this is war. They are staking out their warehouse now and he confirms that I need to get out of the hotel now because they are coming for me and for the first time in twelve years, I feel fear, not for me but for Lilly. I grab a duffel bag, throw in some money, my gun and I wake Lilly. She's even more beautiful when she's sleepy but I can't think about that right now. We run to the elevator and I call Bernardo because he knows about my business, who I am and what I do and I know Lilly feels safe around him and once we're in the elevator she tells me she needs her stuff in the room. "I will send for it when we're safe, for now, please just trust me". We come downstairs and Bernardo is ready with the car and even I like him more now, she runs towards him and hugs him and I am a little jealous, is that normal? When we get to my safe house, my guys are waiting and I feel better, this is where we will spend the next two weeks.
Lilly's POV:
I was so stressed and scared, I needed a sleeping tablet that night and maybe therapy. I wake up the next day and it is already midday, wow, I never sleep late. Strangely I feel fine and relaxed, I wake up to a different scenery and I can actually take it all in. This house is beautiful, it's all glass and huge windows and located right on the beach. The waves crash against the rocks and I love the sound, unexpectedly Bernardo appears and this man is my peace, he brings me a cup of coffee and tells me Sergio is waiting for me to join him for breakfast.
The next week goes by and we have been shopping and went to the beach and it is like last week didn't even happen. We are having lunch at some local café and I feel off, strange, weird, I can't pin point the emotion, how am I comfortable with this bad boy? With this life-style? Sergio calls my name, he says he said my name four times already and asks me what was I thinking? How can I respond, what do I say? Suddenly the Television blasts with volume and my heart sinks, I jump up and almost throw over the whole table.
"The disappearance of 24-year-old Romeo Kale, has just been broadcasted all the way from South Africa. The kidnapping has come to light today Oct. 15, 2009 but it is now brought to our attention he has been missing for three weeks to date. After 26 days, Romeo was set free from captivity and got help from his father who had to pay a ransom to his kidnappers, the amount has not been disclosed to us but we are told we will know soon. Romeo had been held by 68-year-old man named George Smith and a 63-year-old woman known as his wife, they have not been found and are reported missing. This was said to be revenge for their late daughter, Jessica Smith. Footage was released of when Romeo Kale was kidnapped and he had to ask his dad for the ransom, watch this heart-breaking video with us now, for the first time.
"Dad,
As you can see, I am alive. The people who took me want money, your money. They need you to deliver the money, alone, no cops! Follow their instructions and they won't hurt me. Here are the details.
Five Million rand needs to be delivered to 14 Mel 562 Rose Avenue at 3am tomorrow, put the money inside a red duffle bag and put the bag into the trash can, once you've done that, walk around the corner on Parkers Road and you will find me. Lilly if you see this, I want you to know, I never left you and I love you. I will explain everything when all of this is over. Dad if you don't do this, a letter will be exposed and they will kill me.
Amy: I'm Amy Sivertsen, and you're listening to Endless Thread.
Billy: The show featuring Romeo Kale and his kidnappers, Mr. and Mrs. Smith is brought to you for the first time since his disappearance more the 26 days ago.
Amy: We're coming to you from WBUR, Boston's LMK station. We have no information regarding the letter that Romeo mentions in his plead to his dad but I must say Billy, whoever this Lilly woman is, she must be special.
Billy: Yes, I'm sure everyone is so glad, he is alive and safe. Unfortunately, he is not unharmed, we have just been informed that he is in hospital with two broken ribs and some serious injuries. This must have been so traumatizing for his family and friends.
Amy: And let's not forget Lilly. From the information that we have it was said that a 25-year-old woman, Jessica Smith tragically died in a car accident more then 10 years ago but her parents only surfaced now to take revenge. What we don't know is why Romeo Kale was kidnapped and why revenge was taken on the Kale family.
Billy: I think it could just be the money.
Amy: What makes you say that Billy?
Billy: Well Amy, Romeo Kale works for a well-established law firm and apparently, he has just acquired his own practice. His father is worth millions and they are and have always been known as one of the richest families in South Africa.
Amy: Well that is all for now folks, I'm Amy Sivertsen, and you're listening to Endless Thread.
Lilly's POV
I wake up and I am back at Sergio's place. I have a headache from hell and I see Bernardo. "Oh my gosh, Bernardo, what happened?
Bernardo: "you passed out at the café Lilly, after the news about that man, Romeo Kale."
Lilly: "wait, that really happened?"
Sergio: "yes, that really happened."
I get a fright when I hear Sergio's voice, he comes out of nowhere and Bernardo excuses himself and leaves us alone.
Lilly: "Sergio, I know you have so many questions"
Sergio: "yes, I didn't want to assume when that guy mentioned Lilly on the TV that he was talking about you but after you passed out, I put two and two together."
Lilly: "I'm sorry Sergio, I need to leave."
Sergio: "Leave?"
Lilly: "Yes, I need to get home."
Sergio: "Why? Is he your husband, boyfriend?"
Lilly: "I can't really explain that right now, there's no time."
Sergio: "Lilly you owe me that much, I have told you everything about myself."
Lilly: "Sergio before I left South Africa I was pregnant with Romeo's baby but he didn't know and I didn't tell him because there is another woman who is pregnant with his baby, her name is Kelly."
Sergio: "this doesn't sound like a good man senhorita."
Lilly: "I have known Romeo since I was nine years old Sergio, I have loved him all my life and I thought he left me but he didn't, he was kidnapped."
Sergio: "This is all so confusing; will I see you again?"
Lilly: "I don't think so; my life is in South Africa."
Sergio: "But I thought we had something special here."
Lilly: "I am sorry Sergio. I need to leave."
Sergio: "Can I drive you to the airport please Lilly?"
Lilly: "that would be lovely, thank you.
I call Bernardo and ask him to help me get all my belongings and within an hour, my things are packed and I am on my way to the airport. Sergio is holding my hand and he hasn't said a word since we left his house so I break the silence and say, "I know this shouldn't have been our last day and none of us wanted it to end the way it did, despite everything Sergio, this has been the best holiday I've ever had. The food was really good, the country is beautiful and the hotel, my gosh, you have a wonderful hotel. I am so glad I met you and that you made my time in Rio de Janeiro so memorable, we don't share a lifestyle Sergio but I will never forget you." He smiles and kisses my hand and I am glad we aren't going our separate ways abruptly.
We get to the airport and while they are loading my luggage into the private Jet Sergio arranged for me, I give him a small box, "I know you have everything you have ever wanted and needed but I want you to have something to remember me by, open it when you get home" I kiss his cheek and tell him to take care of himself and we bid our goodbyes. I walk over to Bernardo and I hand him a gift as well, he hugs me and now I am crying, I have met amazing people and I have had good and horrible experiences here but I will never forget this holiday. "be safe okay and please give this gift to Pedro" I am so sad I couldn't say goodbye but I hope my gifts is a gesture of how much I appreciate everything they did for me.
On the flight home, I am filled with emotion, I am sad to be leaving this wonderful place and it has been a roller coaster. I am anxious to get home and speak to Romeo, what will happen between us? is he ok? what about Kelly? do I tell him about our baby? there are just so many unanswered questions. After hours, I land home safely and I take an Uber to the hospital, the drive is long and I am so exhausted but I need to see Romeo, I need to know this wasn't all just a bad dream or bad media. I hope for my own heart's sake, that he really meant it when he said he loved me. I just can't handle another disappointment, not from Romeo. I came home for him and all I can do is pray that he is okay.