Chapter 5: The Invisible Rope

Sofia flung herself onto the sofa in her apartment, leaving her bag and coat on the floor. Her mind was filled with confusion, anger, and fear. That man- Dario Moretti- had intruded into her life in a way she never expected.

Her phone rang, making her jump a little. Marco's name appeared on the screen, and she picked it up immediately.

"Sofia, are you okay?" Marco's voice sounded worried.

"If you're asking if I'm alive, the answer is yes," Sofia replies, trying to sound more vital than she feels.

"What happened?" asks Marco.

Sofia recounts her encounter at the restaurant. Her voice trembles as she explains how Dario arranged everything so quickly - from the invitation message to the taxi that took her home. Marco listens quietly, but Sofia can feel the tension across the phone.

"You have to get away from him, Sofia," Marco says.

"How? He's made it clear that I'm in his 'game'," Sofia replied, frustrated.

Marco let out a long sigh. "You can't fight Dario Moretti alone. But there might be a way to make him lose interest in you."

"What do you mean?"

"Stop attracting his attention. Don't look for trouble with him, don't try to find out more, and for the time being, avoid suspicious places."

Sofia was silent. Marco was right, but those words felt like surrender. And Sofia hates that feeling - the feeling of being trapped and helpless.

The next day, Sofia tries to distract herself by returning to work. She grabs her camera, her go-to weapon for diving into everyday life, which often feels like an escape. Her destination is the traditional market in the city center, which always warms her with its colorful hustle and bustle.

When she arrived, the market greeted her in all its organized chaos. The stalls are lined up like a small maze, displaying a variety of merchandise: fresh vegetables in striking green colors, piles of spices with tantalizing aromas, brightly patterned fabrics hanging gracefully, and warm toast that emits thin smoke. Sofia strolls, letting her senses absorb the atmosphere. The camera in her hand felt like an anchor that could keep her connected to the outside world.

However, even in this place that usually gave her peace, shadows of anxiety followed. Her body tensed reflexively whenever someone walked too close, her mind playing out the worst possibilities.

When she saw the man's figure in the suit out of the corner of her eye, her heart pounded loudly, like an alarm warning of danger. But when she turned around to make sure, only an older man was busy picking out spices.

Sofia took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside her. She stopped in front of a small flower stall in the corner of the market as if she had found an oasis in a desert of fear. The stall was filled with colorful flowers: bright red roses, cheerful yellow sunflowers, and white carnations that looked soft as snow. The fresh scent of the blossoms filled the air, sneaking into her head and chasing away the slight panic that haunted her.

Gently, Sofia reached for a red rose, her cold fingers touching its soft petals. She lowered her head slightly, letting the flower scent envelop her. A warmth slowly crept in, even if only for a moment.

But as she stood there, trying to gather composure, something in the corner of her eye caught her attention again. The quick movement was a shadow that was not entirely unfamiliar.

She turned her head sharply, her gaze sweeping the crowd. Nothing-just people were doing their business, a merchant laughing with a customer and a little boy tugging at his mother's hand. However, Sofia couldn't shake the feeling that something, or someone, was watching her. The camera in her hand feels heavier, like a symbol of fragile security.

With her heart still restless, Sofia refocuses on the flowers before her, hoping to find strength in the beautiful little things. But she knows that the shadows don't go away. They were always there, sneaking behind the crowds, lurking at the edges of her world.

"Do you like flowers?"

Sofia froze at the sound of that voice. When she turned around, Dario stood in a dark grey suit that made him look like he shouldn't be in a simple place like this.

"What are you doing here?" asked Sofia in a sharp tone, but her voice could not hide the surprise and tension.

Dario shrugged casually. "I'm taking a walk. Just like you."

"This is no place for someone like you," Sofia retorted.

Dario laughed softly, making several people around them glance curiously. "I didn't know certain places were forbidden to people like me."

Sofia didn't know what to say. She felt like a deer caught in a car's headlights - unable to move or think.

"I have something for you," Dario said suddenly.

He took a small envelope from his pocket and handed it to Sofia.

"What's this?" Sofia asked suspiciously.

"Just open it," he replied, then turned and walked away before Sofia could Object.

Sofia stares at the envelope all the way home, her hands itching to open it but afraid of what might be inside. When she finally arrived at her apartment, she opened the envelope carefully.

Inside was a piece of paper in Dario's handwriting:

"I hope you like the challenge. I've been waiting for you."

Sofia stared at the paper in horror. What does it mean? Why does Dario keep dragging her into his world?

She felt trapped, like a fly caught in a spider's web. But at the same time, there was something strange coursing through him. A curiosity that she hated but couldn't ignore.

That night, Sofia decided to face her fear. She starts looking for information about Dario Moretti. The internet contains articles about his legal businesses, import-export companies, real estate, and tech investments. But as she dug deeper, she found darker news: his involvement in the arms trade, money laundering charges, and a vast criminal network.

Sofia felt a chill run down her spine. Dario wasn't just a mobster; he was the king of an underworld that operated under the guise of legitimacy.

As she continued reading, one thing became clear: Sofia had become part of something much bigger and more dangerous than she ever thought possible.