Opulent ~Rafael Solano

Chapter 10

Eva's Pov

The storm started. It is very hard to get cell service, I try again to call Jane after she told me that she would keep me updated and that I was needed at the hotel. Not to make matters worse my brother has the Miami P D here because they have a lead on Sin Rostro.  I am sitting on the sofa with Rose in her and Emilio's room.

"Lachlan is stuck in Key Largo." Emilio says. Good we don't have to take care that problem yet.

"Oh that's too bad." Raf says with a straight face.

"Yes it is because I have to head out." Emilio says.

"The storm's really picking up darling. Maybe you shouldn't fly." Rose says concerned.

"I have to; it's important." He says as Rose nods in understanding.

"Then don't worry. I can handle the Marbella in your absence." Raf says as Emilio looks at him, eyebrows raised. "Come on dad. I've done it before." He says

"And your tenure wasn't that successful." Emilio says

"And I've learnt from my mistakes. Come on you have proven your point. Just give me a chance. There's a lot to do right now. The storm is picking up. We got to prepare the hotel, we have relocate patients to their recovery suites to the hospital in case our generators fail. Just let me get started. Please." Rafael tries to convince him.

"All right." Emilio gives in. "One thing. Lachlan was about to institute 15% layoffs across all departments to offset our losses. Now you can do it. It's only fair since it's your mistakes that put us  in this spot in the first place. Will that be a problem." He says as I stifle my laughter. Raf looks at me sighs and looks back at his father.

"No not at all."

We walk into Raf's office figuring out a list of employees who haven't been pulling their weight. Not noticing the blonde woman sitting on his office couch.

"Hello Rafael, Eva." Petra says

"What do you want Petra or whatever your name is." Raf replies.

"Look I didn't come here to fight." She says getting up and hands him a package. "The divorce papers. I signed them. You won. And I'll leave as soon as you pay out my prenup. She says. Okay now it's just getting desperate.

"Here's the thing about the prenup. Petra Andel signed it. You're not Petra Andel." Raf points out.

"Rafael, please. I have nothing." She begs.

"And you deserve nothing." He says

"Yes, I know. You're right. Let me at least tell you the truth about everything." Raf shrugged silently telling her to speak. "I lied about my identity because I've been running for a very long time from a very evil man." She says. I don't know wether or not to believe her.

"Yeah so here's the problem. I don't believe you." He says speaking my mind.

"It's the truth." She says.

"Should we go over all the crazy lies and the things you've done just in the last six months? Cause we can." He says and I start let counting in my head.

Suddenly an announcement blasted as to the storm.

"Attention guests and staff. Tropical storm Florentine's has gained speed and is now a category 2 hurricane. Authorities tell us the roads will be closed. For your safety please stay indoors."

I leave Petra and Rafael to do a safety check of all the hotel as well as question my brother. As it turns out he brought Lia to the hotel hoping I could watch her. Rafael let us use his room, she is in there with her headphones on watching something on my laptop.

I meet Rafael in the lobby and we discuss safety protocols with the staff.

"Make sure all the outdoor furniture is moved inside. The wind will toss everything. And get those shutters up, and remember, first sign of flooding, we kill the main breaker." I say as Jane tries to walk out.

"Whoa, Whoa, Whoa where are you going? I thought you were at the hospital." Raf asks

"No, no, I came to grab my grandmother's rosary. I have to get back." She says and we immediately shut that idea down.

"No, the roads are bad." Raf says

"No, but it's close." She says

"You are pregnant." "Your car could slide down the road." Raf and I say at the same time when the doors flew open and the chandelier fell down just as Raf pulls both me and Jane into his chest shielding us from the glass.

I gasped. Did I lock the doors in Raf's penthouse? I run up to the room and see the door locked and Lia still engrossed in my laptop. I feel someone behind me. I turn my head to see my brother sighing in relief. When the P.A goes off saying the Marbella is on lockdown.

My brother and I leave to help. I get downstairs to see Michael and Rafael getting in each other's faces and I roll my eyes and sigh as I walk over. But by the time I get there the conversation is seemingly over and Rafael and Jane walk away. Michael and I look at each other awkwardly before I turn around and walk away, he does the same.

I try calling Xo but the service is out because of the rain. I'm worried, I don't really like hospitals I had to stay in that one room with my Father plugged in on life support before we had to take him off.

Later through the night Jane is stuck in an elevator with Michael. That has to be awkward for both of them. We finally get the elevator open to see Michael and Jane hugging. I look at Rafael who had an expression somewhere between anger and...betrayal?

"Are you guys ok." I say breaking the silence. They both get up and Jane wipes her tears and I immediately understand what she was talking about. Michael walked away. Jane updated me on Alba and I couldn't believe they were threatening to get her deported. She has been in this country for over 40 years. There should be a law where if you're living in a country for over 35 years you should just get citizenship.

I walk with Chris and Raf to his room. We walk in to see the laptop closed and Lia asleep on the couch. Chris picked her up and we packed up her stuff and them to his car before they left.

The next morning the Hurricane was over. Jane and I went to see her Grandma. As soon as we walked in Jane went upto her grandma while I hug Xo. She looks at me and smiles. I'm glad she's okay. Soon the doctor checked up on her and told us that Alba cannot get deported.

I'm back at the hotel in Raf's room when someone knocks on the door. Raf opens the door and Rose walks in.

"Rose? What's going on? You sounded upset." Raf questions

"I am." She replies. "Rafael it's your father. I'm worried he's involved in something criminal." She says as I look at her with wide eyes.

"Wait what?" Raf asks her explain

"I heard him on the phone taking five million out of his account and secretly planning to move to Allegria, his house in Croatia. I think he's going to try to flee the country." She says as I look at the table in front of me. Eyes still widened

"Whoa, wait, wait,wait. Why do you think he would try to flee?" Raf asks dreading the worst.

"What if your father is Sin Rostro?" She says and we start thinking about the possibility of it being true.

Holy crap.