Rafaelle's POV
“Stop calling her that,” I said firmly my voice low and serious showing that I meant every word I said.
“Or what will you do?” he said mockingly a mean smile spreading across his face. “Are you going to say no to me? If you do it might result in some very serious problems for you my young friend. Problems that could be much worse than anything you could think of right now.”
The atmosphere around me grew even heavier and more intense almost like it was closing in on us making it hard to breathe. I stood up from my chair feeling every muscle in my body tense with a strong and urgent need to keep her safe.
I looked directly at the person I was speaking to and firmly said “I will not give Iris to you. She is not something you can use for your advantage or treat like a toy in your twisted games.”
“Remain seated Raf,” Campani said in a low intense tone his anger clearly showing in the fiery spark in his eyes. “You are about to make a very serious mistake.”
I quickly looked over at Iris for just a moment. Her face showed that she was very confused and scared as she tried to understand what was happening so suddenly around us. I knew I couldn't let this go on any longer. I couldn't just stand there and watch her be treated in such a terrible way.
So I made my voice strong and clear saying “I am not something that belongs to you Campani.” My words filled the room with a strong sense of finality. I continued “Iris is not an object that can be traded like a toy or a thing you can exchange just for your enjoyment.”
The room became very quiet and a thick stillness settled over all the guests who had gathered there. Everyone's gaze was directed at me and I could feel the strong weight of their surprise and disbelief.
The atmosphere was filled with unasked questions that hung in the air creating a tense feel as people whispered and wondered what was going on.
Campani's face turned a deep shade of red showing how angry he was. His anger felt like something you could almost touch it was so intense. He shouted at Rafaelle “How can you possibly have the audacity to go against me? How do you have the nerve to question my power and my right to lead?”
“I understand that you might consider yourself the Don Campani.” I replied standing tall and unwavering in my beliefs “but I want to make it very clear that what is happening here is not just about your desires or preferences. This situation is about something much more important than that. It is about showing respect and practicing basic human decency toward others. You do not have ownership over her and I will not allow you to treat her as if she is merely an object or something that belongs to you.”
“Go away,” he said his voice filled with a frightening kind of power. “I really can't stand your disrespect any longer. I need you to leave my presence right now and I don't ever want to see your face again.”
I extended my hand towards Iris taking hold of hers with a firm grip to let her know that everything would be okay without using any words. “Come with me,” I said confidently my voice steady and calm. “It's time for us to leave now.”
Together we stood side by side leaving behind the stunned silence of the dining hall. As we stepped out into the refreshing coolness of the night air I could hear the low murmurs of disbelief following us. It felt like a chorus of whispers that slowly faded away into the distance behind us.
However, I paid no attention to their comments or reactions. The only thing that truly mattered to me at that moment was that Iris was safe with me. I had stood up for her when it counted.
I had taken a stand and refused to let anyone treat her like she was just a simple object in a world dominated by cold ambition and unchecked power. That was what mattered most to me.
Author's POV
Inside the room, Campani was filled with intense anger his emotions just below the surface ready to erupt at any moment. The air around him felt heavy and full of tension as he walked back and forth the sound of his strong heavy footsteps echoing off the cold and hard stone walls.
After a moment of this restless pacing, he decided to call for Carlos who was one of his most trusted and loyal associates. Carlos was the kind of person who would follow Campani into the most dangerous situations showing his unwavering loyalty no matter what.
The younger man always eager to show that he was valuable and capable quickly made his way to Campani's side with a sense of urgency and a clear purpose in his movements.
“Yes Don?” he asked his voice steady and firm even though his eyes sparkled with the excitement of someone ready to take immediate action.
Campani moved in closer to Carlos positioning his mouth very close to Carlos's ear. In a quiet voice that felt secretive and conspiratorial, he started to share some information. The words he was saying carried a sense of danger and threat suggesting that something serious was about to happen.
As Carlos absorbed the meaning of what Campani was saying a sly grin appeared on his face. This grin showed that he was excited and pleased about what was being hinted at.
“I understand,” Carlos said his smirk becoming even bigger as he realized just how significant and powerful his leader's intentions were.
“Make sure that the message is very loud and completely clear” Campani commanded with a tone filled with intense anger that felt as sharp and piercing as a knife cutting through the air. “Rafaelle needs to understand fully just how serious and important his disobedience truly is.”
With every single word he spoke, his frustration grew stronger and he could not help but think about the serious consequences that Rafaelle’s actions could bring which hung over him like a dark and threatening cloud.
Carlos nodded his head up and down with enthusiasm. His earlier playful smile changed into a strong determined grin that showed just how eager he was to carry out his boss's instructions. “You can count on me to get it done Don Campani,” he said his voice full of confidence.
He could already see the plan taking shape in his mind and was eager to get started. He knew that Rafaelle's defiance would soon have serious consequences hitting him hard like a big wave. It would leave no chance for confusion or a way out…