Murder Attempt

IF THERE IS ONE THING that Chiara liked since she got married, it is the fact that Ezio is always all-out when it comes to giving her material things, just like what's happening today.

"Use this," Ezio spoke while handing a black card to her. "I'm sorry but I won't be able to accompany you while you shop."

"It's fine," she spoke. She actually preferred it that way. In public, they need to act like a happily married couple just to avoid being the topic of daily gossip.

She's actually quite uncomfortable doing those things, that's why she preferred to shop alone or go to public without Ezio.

"Wait," Chiara stopped walking towards the door and look back to him. "Didn't you just give me a black card last month?"

Ezio shrugged it off. "I don't remember, but even if I did, just take the new one. I won't be needing that, anyway."

"Okay," she responded. "Thanks. I'll get going now."

"Take care, cara," Ezio spoke, but Chiara wasn't able to heard it because she hurriedly left the house.

Ezio just blew a sigh before calling someone from his phone. After a few rings, the other person on the line answered.

"Signor, I'm sure it's not a call where you will say hello," the man said.

"Yes. I want you to follow and guard someone for me," Ezio spoke while looking outside the window, watching his beloved entered one of his cars.

The man on the other line nodded. "Is it your wife, perhaps?"

"Indeed," Ezio answered. "She will shop in my mall brach in Esquilino. Two female bodyguards and three male bodyguards are with her."

"I see, but why would you need my service if you already have bodyguards with her, Signor? I'm sure that they can do their job well."

Ezio took a deep breath and tried to relax his body that's starting to be filled with worries and fear. "You already know why, Dante."

Dante, on the other line, couldn't help but feel amuse and sad at the same time.

Amused, because his friend believes in his capabilities that he can put his wife's safety in his hands.

Sad for his friend, because he needs to experience this awful thing - constantly worrying about his and his love one's safety.

"I won't fail you, my friend," Dante spoke. "I'll make sure that she will come home unscathed. And because I'm a very generous friend, I will even report to you everything she did. Everything!"

Ezio, who knew his friend so much, couldn't helo but to chuckle. "How much?"

"You really know me well, my friend," Dante laughed on the other line. Even though he hasn't received the money, he's already happy. Of course, it's Ezio that he's talking about. That man will pay for anything that can get him what he wants.

Money is not an issue for him.

"I'm usually requesting for 5 million euros for this kind of service, but since you're my friend, I'll give it for only 4 million euros," Dante answered while grinning.

"I'll wore 10 million to your account."

"Yes! You're really my bestfriend!" Dante jumped and punched the air while talking.

"I'm you're only friend, dumbass," Ezio spat out while chuckling. "Just update me."

The two ended the call. Ezio stared outside before leaving the house for work.

On the other hand, Chiara already reached Luminosa, the mall that Ezio owns. Everyone who saw her entered the place stopped and bowed at her like she was some sort of royalty.

And when she entered the boutique where she will purchase her dress for the upcoming party, the sales ladies all turned their attention to her.

"Buongiorno, Signora," the sales ladies greeted her.

One of them - a woman with short hair - stepped forward. "What are you looking for today, Signora? Do you want to purchase a pre-made dress or you have a design in mind?"

Since the party is in a week, Chiara chose the first one. The sales lady is more than willing to assist her. She's the owner's wife, after all.

"Can I see this one?" Chiara spoke while pointing to one of the dresses hidden in a transparent glass.

Three of the male personnels worked together to open the glass container. Chiara walked towards the emerald dress: the first one that caught her eyes.

It's an off-shoulder dress with thin straps on both sides. A see-through fabric covers from half of the arms to the wrist. The neckline is in a shape of heart and the skirt reached the floor. There are silver flower designs on the skirt and a huge leaf design on the right side of the hips.

"You can try it on, signora, and let me know if you like it," the sales lady suggested to Chiara.

And indeed, she tried it on. When she left the dressing room, everyone that saw her was in awe.

"How is it?" Chiara asked when she saw the people not talking.

"You look perfect, signora," one of the female bodyguards commented.

"Stunning."

"Gorgeous."

"Everyone will worship the floor you walked on."

Chiara was flattered on every compliment that she received. Well, all of those are honest comments. She indeed looked like a goddess in that green dress.

Her skin is glowing and complements the dress well. The length is also perfect for her height. She looked beautiful in every angle.

Every person there has the same thing in their mind: there is no doubt that Signor Ezio is a good pair for Signora Chiara. They're both good-looking, afterall.

In the end, Chiara decided to purchase the emerald dress together with an emerald and sparkling stiletto.

As Chiara left the boutique, Dante gave an update to Ezio through a text message.

Scammer (Dante): Your beloved purchased a green dress. I don't know the correct shade. All I know is that it's green.

Ezio, who read Dante's message couldn't help but to chuckle in delight. He was a hundred percent sure that Chiara bought an emerald dress. It was her favorite color when it comes to clothes, aside from scarlet.

"Victor," he called his assistant. "Purchase an emerald suit for my investor's party."

The assistant didn't need to be told twice. He immediately looked for the best and highest quality emerald suit in Italy.

While Ezio was busy on finishing his work so he can leave early, Chiara was jumping in excitement.

"Nick? Oh my god! Is that you?" she exclaimed when she saw a familiar face waving at her.

"Chichi!" Nick shouted and ran towards her. They touched each other's hands and jumped in circles while smiling at each other like children.

"How are you? It's been a long time," Chiara asked while they sat down on one of the vacant tables in the resting lobby.

Nick shrugged. "Doing fine, I guess. I just have a lot on my plate right now, so here I am, taking a break."

The two order glasses of juice for the both of them. While waiting, they talked about their lives.

"How about you, Chichi? What's going on with your life?" Nick asked.

Chiara sighed. "Just so-so. I can't really say if I'm feeling fine."

"What? Why?" he asked, confused. "Did something happen?"

Suddenly, Nick's eyes fell on Chiara's hands. There, he noticed that she ks wearing a wedding marriage.

"You're married?" he asked. "Congratulations!"

Chiara gave him a fake smile. "Yes, I am. Thanks."

Nick smiled like he remembered something that makes him happy. "I still remember that Simone told me that he can't wait to marry you! I can't believe he will propose to you this soon! Wait, you're already seven years in relationship, right?"

Chiara shook her head and tried to stop her eyes from swelling. "I didn't marry Simone."

Nick was stunned when he heard that. He has known Simone and Chiara since they were little. Even though he lost communication with them when he migrated to the Philippines, Nick still knew the relationship between the two and how deep their love for each other was.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know," he apologized, especially when he notices that his friend feels uncomfortable in that topic.

"Oh, no need to apologize. It's fine," Chiara told him and look at the server coming to them to serve their juice.

However, just as before the server could reach them, one of the customers accidentally bumped the waiter, making the glasses fell on the floor.

"Oh my god! I'm sorry!" the female customer exclaimed in shock. "I'm sorry!"

The manager hurriedly went to the scene to handle the situation. "Signora, we will make another juice for you and the gentleman. I'm sorry for the inconvenience."

Chiara shook her head. "No worries. You don't need to make another one. Just made sure that your worker and the lady is fine."

Nick, on the other hand, noticed that the spilled juice that was supposed to be for Chiara is a little viscous. Although he tried to raised this to the manager, Chiara told him that she already need to go home.

When the situation was handled and solved, they left the area and let the management do the rest.

Chiara and Nick separate ways in the parking lot. She lost her energy right when Nick brought up Simone in their conversation.

To make herself feel better, she just sleep in their whole ride back to Ezio's house. Little did Chiara know that she just escaped a murder attempt.