Chapter 22: Chris and Rauf

Rauf felt like he had been in the accident again, and his head was throbbing. That wasn’t what he had expected when Henson had decided to come over with some news.

Yet, he nodded. "You can go. I’ll find a way to pay her a visit."

Henson’s room was right next to Rauf’s.

Once Henson was gone, he moved back to his seat with a frown, the memories of the mafia queen rushing back to him.

Ten years ago, he wasn’t yet the Rauf Salvador. He was just an ordinary boy that had lost his father to a wicked Mafia gang. He was lonely, hungry, and weak. And yet, he still had his sick mother to take care of.

It was during this daring time he met the mafia queen. Well, then he had no idea who she was. She had come onto him like any ordinary woman and worse, she came disguised. The mafia queen always wore some kind of black mask to cover her eyes, it was as if she didn’t want anyone to know who she truly was.

Then she started with bringing him meal. She would offer meal for him and his mother. As time went on, she gave him money. And after some time she gave him what made him into who he was today.

So, she was very dear to him.

Rauf jumped up from his seat.

It was no time to be lingering around. He had come to New Central State for a purpose, and it didn’t involve idling away in some hotel.

Without letting Henson know, he left the hotel and drove himself to the Mafia queen house.

He needed to see her. For one, he needed to check on her to see if there was anything he could do to help.

Two, he needed her connection to help him find June. It might be selfish of him to be asking for a favour in such a time, but he couldn’t help it.

The drive to the mansion wasn’t long as he had intentionally booked a hotel closer to her location.

He was stopped at the gate, and one of the guards leaned through his window.

"Access card."

Rauf frowned at him. Instinctively, the guard moved back a bit. Just from looking at him, he knew this wasn’t the sort of man he wants to mess with, but he still had to follow orders.

"Tell them Rauf Salvador."

The guard’s eyes widened, probably in recognition of the name.

Rauf might not have dominated New Central State, but he was the Lord from Kansas, and there was no way someone as lowly as a guard without knowing it.

He moved back a bit and spoke into his walkie talkie, and soon he was waving for them to let him in.

Rauf sighed.

He knew the Junox Mafia weren’t his enemy, but at this last minutes, he thought he shouldn’t have come alone.

They were at least three guards at the gate. And each point of the house was secured by a guard. And also he had sighted the cameras hidden at every important place of the house.

He was certain right now, they were watching him as he moved into the house.

Just to be on the safe side, he tucked his little pistol into his pants, and covered it with his suit. Then he lifted the flower he had bought on the way before getting down from his car.

As soon as he got down, a small maid bowed to him. "This way, sir."

He adjusted his suit but followed behind her. His eyes darting around in case of anything. But as far as he could tell, the guards seemed at ease by his presence.

The maid led him through a narrow passage that could barely contain two people at once, so she had to move in the front while he followed behind.

Then, she led him towards a big sitting room.

Empty.

The TV was playing but no one was there, then he led me towards another passage before we finally got to the room where the sounds were coming from.

A young man bent with his back towards Rauf. He was pouring something into a glass cup for a woman who Rauf recognized immediately.

She still wore the same mask as ever and she looked every bit very healthy.

Rauf frowned.

Why was there rumors that she was ill?

Rauf bowed a bit towards her, and the young man stood up, turned towards him with a smile. "I’m Chris Vassari, mother’s beloved son." He extended his hand out and Rauf shook it.

"Rauf Salvador."

Chris nodded.

The Mafia queen didn’t say a word, but he could feel her gaze following him.

"Sit down, Rauf." He pointed at the chair in front of him.

As soon as Rauf sat, a dog ran into the room, barking at him strangely.

Chris picked him up the smile permanent on his face. "Come on, Milo. Rauf is our visitor today. Don’t be hostile."

Immediately the dog shut up, but its eyes were pinned on Rauf as if he didn’t consider him visitor but a threat.

Then Rauf leaned in to whisper something to the Mafia Queen. A smile suddenly broke on her beautiful face. "Rauf Salvador" she said.

Her voice was calm but there was no missing the hint of authority in it. "It’s a pity I can’t see you right now, but you must have grown into one handsome man."

Shocked, Rauf had no idea what to say.

The last time he had met her she was hale and hearty. She could see him very clearly, so what could have happened.

She seemed to be able to read his mind. "Shocked, right? I did this to myself. It was a self-inflicted punishment." Then she waved as if it was no big deal. "I heard you wanted to see me. I hope there’s no issue."

Seeing her in this situation, it was hard for Rauf to bring up his selfish desire.

Truly she was ill.

Chris chuckled. "Don’t be bothered about mother. We’re searching for the best optician to treat her, but mother isn’t just willing to get herself operated. At least not yet."

It seemed the Mafia queen had told Chris about her relationship with Rauf as he was comfortable with him.

Mafia’s were always cautious of strangers.

But Rauf just couldn’t sit still doing nothing. The woman had saved him in his time of need. He had become what he was today just because of her. So, be didn’t mind going extra miles for her, room "Why not?"

He sat up. "I know I might seemed more like a stranger to you. But up to recently, I was also blind. I lost my sight in some accident and got operated on recently. The doctor that operated on me was one of the best. He could also help her."

Chris stared interstingly at man before him. He was certain Rauf had come over for a purpose, but he was putting his need aside and focusing on his mother.

He was sorry to disappoint him. "Sorry, but mother isn’t ready to get operated on until she finds her daughter."

"Her daughter?" Rauf echoed.

He had heard about the missing heiress, but he had no idea she was this dare to the Mafia queen.

Chris nodded. "It was mother’s biggest regret in life. But the first thing she wants to see again in her life is her daughter. Without her, she believed there was no reason for her to see again."

Rauf blinked at the woman.

He understood her sentiment perfectly. He had also been eager to perform the operation just to see his wife. If he knew his getting his sight back would have pushed her further from him, he wouldn’t have bothered with it.

He clenched his fist beside him.

This was no time to be thinking of himself, but of the woman in front of him.

Rauf nodded. "I wished to help. Is there any information about her daughter? Do you have a picture or her name? Anything to help me identify her."

Sadly, Chris shook his head. "I have no idea. Mother wouldn’t speak much on it and the only thing she insists was that she is in Kansas."

At the mention of his city, Rauf sat upright. "Kansas."

Chris nodded. "Yes. Mother was once married there and had a daughter. But when the marriage ended, she lost everything including her young daughter. Ever since then, she has been trying everything to bring her back but we haven’t found her."

Rauf frowned.

Hope fluttered in his heart.

Unlike New Central State, Kansas was a small state where everyone knows everyone. And he knew almost everything about the city.

Maybe this was finally the time he was going to pay back his debt.

"If she’s in Kansas. I promise to help you find her."

Mafia queen who had been silent all this while spoke. "Thank you, Rauf. But I wouldn’t want you to put yourself in a tight position because of me."

Rauf shook his head.

Chris leaned in his chair. "Let’s forget about mother for a moment. I know that you’re here for a reason. What do you want?"

Rauf swallowed. "I’m ashamed to admit this, but I need help finding my wife."

"Your wife."

Rauf nodded. "Yes. She’s in New Central State."

Chris assumed the same posture Rauf had when he mentioned Kansas.

"If she’s here, then be rest assured, we will find her. "

Rauf nodded. And both men shook hand with each promising the other something precious.