Her heart skipped multiple beats as she tried to imagine how on earth he'd found her. She was supposed to be dead, and he was supposed to have given up.
"What's the matter, baby?" he asked in an amused tone. "Not expecting to hear from me I guess.
Isabella stared at the screen in disbelief, unable to process that voice... that soft but powerful voice that was enough to make her shiver. This shouldn't be happening, Luca had no business finding her after all these years... after all the effort she had put in to become a ghost and restart her life. Like someone awakening from a horrible dream and regaining her senses, she hurriedly ended the call and threw the phone away like an abomination.
Luca knew where she was... he'd somehow managed to find her. Everything in the room suddenly became a suspect as she began to search desperately for wire devices or hidden spyware. She ran to the window, looking outside for any signs of being watched... satisfied that all was clear, she began to act.
She instantly ran into her bedroom, shaking as she dragged out the emergency duffel bag she always had under the bed. It was already half full with emergency essentials, a habit bred into her by her father. He'd always believed that a person must always be prepared for emergencies at any given time, because quick escape could be the only means of survival in certain situations.
She quickly added her passports, bundles of cash, a small secure phone, and a folder that held all the fake documents she's been using as Elena Romano.
She was trying as much as possible to stay calm through it all, but it wasn't exactly working. Not when Luca could already be on his way here, not when she had no idea what he was going to do to her if he got his hands on her.
Having packed her bags, she grabbed her main phone and dialled the one person she always called when she needed to move, the only one who asked no unnecessary questions... Marco.
As expected, Marco picked up immediately, and from the tone of his voice, it was clear he already guessed why she was calling.
"Isabella... is everything ok?"
"Marco, please... I need a flight tonight. Anywhere far... Somewhere no one would think of looking for me."
"Woah... That's quite rash, what's going on with you?"
"My current location has been compromised, Marco," she told him quickly, frantically looking out to make sure Luca's men weren't taking her unawares.
"Where to?" Marco replied after thinking for a while.
"Africa... I don't care what country or city, just find me whatever is leaving immediately."
"Okay. Okay... Hold on, I'm on it."
She took a piece of paper and a pen, and began to write out her details while Marco typed on the other side.
"I have a private charter leaving Fiumicino in less than an hour," Marco finally announced. "My guy owes me a favor, so you'll be having a seat... Terminal C, I'll text you the remaining details."
"You're a lifesaver Marco, I love you so much," she exclaimed, with tears of joy running down her face.
"Isabella..." he paused, his voice filled with complete concern. "Is it him... did he finally find you?"
The silence from her was enough to convince him that he was right... her past had caught up with her again.
"Please be safe," Marco said in a serious tone. "And make sure you don't call me again unless it's from another number... Burn this one."
Isabella nodded and hung up, copied the details of the flight Marco had sent, and then smashed the phone to pieces after taking out her sim.
A few minutes later, she grabbed her bag and hung it over her shoulder, went to the front door and cautiously peeped through the peephole for any sign of intruders. She had already texted her private cab driver minutes ago, and knew he would be arriving any moment, but she had to make sure she wasn't spotted or followed.
She slowly opened the door and slipped out, locking it behind her and hurrying down the stairs without looking back. Keeping her head low as she sprinted to the waiting cab three blocks away.
"Fiumicino Airport, Jorge," she told the driver in Italian.
He smiled politely, and started the car, wondering why the usually composed and elegant Elena Romano looked so flustered.
Even as they left her Mansion and the city behind them, her mind still wasn't settled... not until she was up in the sky... until she was beyond Luca's reach once again. She opened her purse and brought out the note on which she wrote Marco's instructions. Terminal, pilot's name, departure time, and entry code. Everything seemed to be in order... Marco had come through for her yet again, but would it be enough to escape Luca for good?
She watched the beauty of Rome fading away, vanishing into the horizon like a silent witness who had seen all but chose not to speak. This city had given her peace and solace for two years... A new identity, and a new purpose. But then peace was just a mere illusion, because the past was relentless... it didn't stop chasing her.
She ran her hand over her stomach... there was no bump yet, but she knew there was life within her. She wasn't just running for herself anymore, she was also running for her child... Luca's child.
When they arrived at the airport, she thanked Jorge for the ride, paid in cash and hurried off without another word. A man in black suit was waiting for her at a private corridor described by Marco, and as she came closer, he stretched out his hand for a handshake. She eyed him carefully, making sure he fit the description Marco had provided because Luca could easily plant his men anywhere he wanted. Convinced that he was clean, she shook his hand and gave him a small smile.
"Miss Romano?"
"Yes." She replied hastily, glancing around as she was still worried about Luca possibly tailing her.
"Your flight is ready, senora... This way please."
