Chapter 1

Rachel

I’m running from my ex-husband. Yes, he's my ex-husband but he still finds ways to get to me. I’m done with the physical and emotional abuse.

I lost a baby because of his abuse, which was the final straw, I don't even know if I could have children anymore. I didn't wait for a test in the hospital. I just wanted to get out, out of the hospital and out of the marriage. Just out.

I filed for divorce a week after the miscarriage and to my surprise, he didn't contest the divorce. I didn't think about that too much. I was just happy to get away from him after the divorce and from the fact that he didn't stop harassing me. I had to swallow my pride and ask for help. I never told my family what happened in my marriage. I didn't even tell them about the miscarriage. They always warned me about him, but I never listened.

My brother was the only one who didn’t say I told you so. He helped me get a plan together and get away. He contacted a friend who stayed in New York City and asked him if I could stay with them till I was on my feet. He bought me a one-way ticket to New York City. Luckily my passport and visa were still valid for another few years. My brother and I decided that the further I could go, the better it would be. If I stayed in South Africa, he could always get to me. Moving to a new continent would make it a bit more difficult.

So here I am on my way to New York. I sold all my “I’m sorry” jewellery from him and that gave me a good sum of money to survive a few months if I didn’t get a job. He spoiled getting jewellery as a gift for me, it will always leave a sour taste in my mouth. Just another thing he took away from me.

I’m on the plane en route to New York via Dubai when suddenly I’m startled by the sound of the air hostess.

“Miss are you okay”

“Yes thank you, why do you ask?

“You are crying, miss”

When I touched my face I felt the wetness on my skin. I’m not sure why I was crying, was it because I’m on my way to freedom, or was it because I’m leaving everything and everyone I know behind?

“I’m really okay thank you for asking,” I told her

"Can I bring you anything miss?"

I decided a glass of wine would help me through this flight. "A glass of wine please," I asked her.

She immediately brought me a glass of wine and some pretzels. "Thank you" I smiled at her "My pleasure."

I sat back and enjoyed my wine and pretzels afterwards I put my head down and I was fast asleep.

I slept most of the flight. I don't know if it was the wine because I was emotionally drained and physically tired or just a combination of everything.

When we landed I felt a bit better, a bit stiff from the long flight but better. I had a new perspective, new dreams for my life and a determination that I would make this work and I would get a job. “That’s it Rachel be positive you will make it and you can do this and if you struggle remember these words fake it till you make it," I told myself over and over. 'Fake it till you make it.' Mind over matter.

Massimo

My name is Massimo Marchetti, I'm the son of Salvadore and Rossa Marchetti, who are legal restaurant owners. I emphasise the legal because,

my work on the other hand is not as legal. I have a criminal empire, and my main goal is to be the head of all the Mafia families in New York City. My father was never in the Mafia or worked for the mafia but that was always what I wanted to be, a Mafia boss, my father never understood where this came from for me but it's just who I was. With all the money and power I have in New York City I would say it's only a matter of time, I've worked hard to get where I am. And I will be the head of the Mafia family. My best friend Damon is head of the organized crime gangs in New York City. How can we be friends, when we do the same thing, you will ask. Damon and I have a good understanding we don't step on each other's toes we help each other. He wants me to be head of the Mafia family for his own reasons.

In my private life the bit I have, I'm dominant and I practice BDSM it's difficult to get women that are in the lifestyle and not just pretend, to get their hands on your money, Or tell people you assaulted them. It's a very difficult situation. There is a club I go to when I want to play, but I just don't go there often. There is just not enough time in my days.

When it comes to love, I'm not so sure love is in my cards, and love at first sight is not something I believe in. Women are just a distraction and get in the way of business. I sound cynical but that is what I think. If I ever "fall" for someone that person would have to be some kind of amazing. Women always say if a man comes riding up on a white horse he will be for them. Maybe if a woman comes riding up a white horse to me I might think about it. I'll think hard about it.

I have my men that work for me so there are always people around me I'm never alone. I never feel the need to go and look for women or other friends. I'm content.

Rachel

I got off the plane at JFK and took a deep breath. Is this what freedom smells like? I really hope so.

First I had to get rid of some of the clothes I was wearing. It was winter in Cape Town so I wore a winter short dress, jacket, leggings and long boots, at least I had sandals in my carry-on, how I remembered to pack sandals in my carry-on I would not know, I'm just glad I did. Imagine walking around, in this heat with winter clothes. No, thank you. I went to the ladies' bathroom, got rid of my winter clothes and put my sandals on, the dress was still a bit heavy but at least I felt cooler. That felt so much better when I left the lady's bathroom. New York is hot, I'm definitely not used to this heat.

I went to baggage claim and got all my bags. I was feeling very excited about this new chapter in my life.

First things first get an Uber and go to my brother's friend’s. I got inside an Uber and gave the Uber driver the address of Herman, my brother's friend. He stays on the Lower East Side. I've never met my brother's friend but he sounded very nice when my brother spoke of him, and it's very nice of him to let me stay with them.

As the Uber driver pulled from the parking area I was so overwhelmed by everything I saw, it was so big, busy, and beautiful. I pressed my face against the window and looked at all the buildings and cars going past us and all I could hear in my head was the song of Alicia Keys, Empire State of Mind, the words.

“Baby I’m from New York

Concrete jungle where dreams are made of

There’s nothin’ you can’t do

Now you’re in New York

These streets will make you feel brand-new

Lights will inspire you

Let's hear it for New York

New York, New York"

Those words kept on playing in my head over and over, when we reached the building I saw another yellow cab and was very disappointed in not taking one of them at the airport, where even in New York if you didn't ride in one of the yellow cabs? I made a mental note to use one of them soon. We reached Grand Street, on the Lower East Side where Herman's apartment where. The apartment building looked like a brownstone apartment building. It looked like New York or should I say what you see in the movies.

I got out of the Uber, got my luggage, thanked the driver, and found the apartment.

A well build guy with brown hair and brown eyes opened the door, he was an attractive guy. Is everyone in New York attractive? I thought to myself.

“Hello Rachel I’m Herman come in please”

“Hi Herman Thank you”

“Can I help you with your bags?”

“Thank you Herman I’ll appreciate it”

Herman took my bags to my room "You are just in here Rachel, I'll leave you to unpack so long, I'll be in the lounge" Herman told me and left me to unpack. It was a small room but it was good enough for now. When I was done I went to the lounge to find Herman.

“There you are,” he said as I walked into the lounge

“How was your flight?”

“Long but I’m here now and can’t wait to start over”

"Come have a seat and we can talk. Can I offer you wine?"

"Yes please"

"Red or white?"

"you choose I said" I went to take a seat on an L-shaped brown couch next to the window and got comfortable.

“What’s your plans?”

“well first things first, I want to look for a job, I know I have an admin background but I’ll do anything until I get settled and be able to look for something in admin.”

“My girlfriend saw an advert for a barista at a coffee shop on the Upper East Side if you are interested.

It can keep you busy while you're looking for something else”

“That sounds great, then I can look for an apartment so long with the savings I have”

“No rush Rachel, really no rush, I told your brother you can stay here as long as you need."

“Thank you Herman but it’s fine it will be good for me to be on my own and start living again and be independent."

“As you wish, I’ll give you the address of the coffee shop then you can go and see them tomorrow”

“Thank you, Herman”

We sat and talked about what he does for a living where his girlfriend Sally works and how he knows my brother.

We drank a whole bottle of wine while we were chatting away. Two hours went by without us noticing. When I checked my watch I told Herman I was going to have a shower and get into bed, the jetlag was getting to me and I wanted to be at the coffee shop early the next morning.

“No problem Rachel if it’s possible can we have dinner tomorrow night? Then you can meet Sally as well and we can talk about everything”

“I'll make sure I’m here tomorrow evening, Thank you, Heman, Have a good night"

"Good night Rachel"

I went to my room and got my toiletries. Then I went for a much-needed shower. The flight took 36 hours with all the connection flights and I felt sticky and dirty from the flight. I got in the shower and washed away all the dirt and while I washed my hair, I thought about my ex-husband and how I'm actually washing him and the pass away. I'm in a new Country, New City, and far away from him. I'm going to make this work. I'll go into that coffee shop tomorrow with more confidence than I feel and get the job, that will be a beginning a good beginning. When I got in bed I felt lighter and ready for tomorrow.