His Hidden Treasure (Completed)

Twelve

Zephyr couldn't shake the tingling sensation on his lips as he stepped into the sleek, mirrored elevator. His mind was consumed by thoughts of her soft lips against his, and he couldn't resist brushing them with his finger in longing. The metallic doors slid shut with a quiet swoosh, enclosing him in the small space and allowing him to savor the memory longer.

But his mind kept returning to the moment she had blurted out the hiding place of the briefcase. Zephyr's memory was impeccable, allowing him to remember even the smallest details with remarkable precision. The look in her eyes - a mix of fear and defiance - had struck him hard. She was scared, yet she stood up to him. He couldn't help but admire her spirit, even as it infuriated him. She had pushed his buttons tonight, but for what purpose?

His phone rang, pulling him out of his thoughts. He reached for it in his left coat pocket, only to realize it wasn't there. Confused, he searched his right pocket and felt the unfamiliar weight of his phone. As he retrieved it, he noticed an unknown number flashing on the screen. Only those he trusted had his number. Cautiously, he answered the call, not sure what to expect.

"Hello?" He listened intently to the other line.

"It's me," came the all too familiar rough voice of Dante''.

"Dante, what a surprise. To what do I owe this pleasure?" Zephyr stepped out of the elevator and paused, sidestepping to engage in conversation with an old friend. He pondered the reason for the call, having a hunch about what it might entail.

"I want to speak to you, in person." Zephyr hadn't seen or spoken to Dante in over twenty years, but suddenly, he had heard from him twice in two weeks.

"I wouldn't suppose this is about the wedding tomorrow, is it?" Zephyr observed the passing residents, their occasional glances acknowledging his presence—clearly out of place with his impeccably tailored Armani suit.

"It's about Nila, yes. I'll meet you at your place tonight," Dante asserted, leaving Zephyr with little room for negotiation as he hung up the phone, not even waiting for Zephyr's confirmation.

Placing the phone into his left jacket pocket, Zephyr glanced down at the briefcase he held. Stupida donna.

* * *

The shock of what had just happened held me captive, keeping me rooted to the floor. My heart raced with adrenaline as the high of narrowly avoiding Zephyr's wrath slowly faded away. Without wasting a precious second, I fumbled for my phone and dialed the number I had snatched from Zephyr's phone.

The ringtone echoed loudly in my quiet bedroom as I paced back and forth, nerves making my stomach churn. Each passing second felt like an eternity until finally, the call connected and I held my breath in anticipation. But when it went straight to voicemail, I let out a frustrated groan. Refusing to give up, I redialed, biting my lip anxiously as I waited for someone to answer on the other end.

After what seemed like an eternity, a gruff voice finally picked up.

"Hello?" The man on the other end asked, his voice was laced with annoyance.

"Hello?" The annoyed voice yelled out one more time, and I hung up the phone quickly. It wasn't the person I was expecting to hear.

"Did I get the number wrong?" I mumbled to myself, staring at the phone screen like it would give me answers.

Deciding to give it one more chance, I called the number again. Again, it rang, and I bit my nail nervously.

"Hello?" A feminine voice with a thick Italian accent greeted me this time, and I couldn't help but smile in relief.