His Collateral

Chapter 31

As I wrapped myself in a plush towel, the warmth of the bath still lingered on my skin. Mary had thoughtfully brought breakfast upstairs, as I didn't think I had the time to come down.

Today was a big day - I would be representing Alessandro at the company. It was still hard to believe he was behind bars, but I knew I had to snap out of it. Sulking wouldn't change the situation, and I needed to focus on finding a way to fix things. I glanced around my room, my eyes landing on the trouser suit hanging confidently in my closet. It was a reminder of the role I was about to take on. I was going to do my best to manage things until Alessandro was released, no matter what it took. With a newfound sense of resolve, I finished my breakfast and began to get dressed.
I styled my hair into a sleek high ponytail and carefully put on some Jewelry Christy had so thoughtfully included with the outfit- a pair of dangling pearl earrings and a gold bracelet adorned with tiny pearls. I slipped on the black leather stiletto heels and grabbed a small clutch.

With one final glance in the mirror, I was ready.

I left my room and made my way downstairs, my heels clicking on the stairs. As I reached the foyer, I noticed Marco and Mary engrossed in conversation. The sound of my approaching footsteps caught their attention, and they turned to face me.

Marco's eyes scanned me from head to toe, a hint of approval in his gaze, while Mary offered a warm smile. "You look lovely, Bella," she said, her voice encouraging. I returned her smile, feeling a sense of gratitude for their support.

"Shall we?" Marco asked, his eyes sparkling with a hint of determination. I nodded, and gave Mary a small hug before following him out the door.

A black SUV was parked right outside, and a man stood beside it, his eyes fixed on us. "Good morning, Mrs. Rossi," he said, his voice crisp and professional.

"Good morning," I replied, smiling politely. I turned to Marco, my eyes questioning.

"He's your chauffeur." Marco explained, his expression reassuring.
"I'll be following right behind in my own car." He added. At that point I noticed another black car parked closer to the gates.

"Okay," I replied.

The chauffeur promptly opened the door for me. I entered the SUV, and he closed the door behind me. As I settled into my seat, I observed Marco giving the chauffeur a brief nod of acknowledgement before proceeding to his own car. The chauffeur then entered the car and started the engine, its gentle hum filling the air and with a smooth motion, we began to move.

As the car glided through the city streets, my fingers fluttered restlessly and my gaze drifted over the passing buildings in an attempt to calm my nerves. I was so absorbed in my thoughts that I didn't even notice the driver had turned on the radio until a familiar tune caught my attention. The lyrics resonated deeply, and I found myself drawn to it:

"I'm unstoppable today."

It was as if God had sensed my anxiety and was offering a gentle reminder of my inner strength. As the music filled the air, my fidgeting hands stilled, and I began to tap my fingers to the beat, the tension slowly unraveling. The rhythmic motion was soothing, and I felt a sense of determination rising within.

I really needed this.

****************

The drive to the office was a lengthy one, spanning about half an hour. Eventually, the driver turned into a long, winding driveway that led to a towering high-rise building. He pulled up to the entrance, and Marco's car came to a stop right behind us. Marco quickly got out and made a brief phone call, while our chauffeur opened the door for me. I smoothed out my suit and stepped out with confidence.
Marco finished his call and gave me a nod of acknowledgement before gesturing towards the entrance.