EIGHTY SIX

James arrived New York with a heavy heart. The weight of uncertainty about Lucas and Olivia gnawed at him, making it hard to keep his usual spirits.

Janes made his way to the hospital, his thoughts a whirlwind of worry and determination. As he walked down the sterile hallways, the usual cheerfulness ion his step was replaced with a more somber resolve.

He finally reached the ICU where Vincent was being kept for over a month, he immadietly noticed a woman sitting by Vincent’s bedside. Her face pale and eyes puffy, asif she had been crying. She glanced up as he entered, and James could see the surprise in her eyes, followed by a flicker of recognition.

For a moment, the two of them just stared at themselves, Monica couldn't help but notice the uncanny resemblance between the man in front of her and Lucas, but there was a softer aura about him, less intense more approachable.

James was the first to break the silence, “Hi, I'm James Moretti.” he said, offering his hand. “Vincent is a close friend of mine.”

Monica hesitated fo a moment before taking his hand, “Monica,” she replied, her voice quiet. “I’m….a friend too.” She studied his face, her gaze lingering on his eyes, “You ….you look like Lucas.”

James nodded, a small smile playing on his lips, “Yeah, I get that a lot. Lucas is my older brother.”

Monica's eyes widened slightly, “I didn't know Lucas had a brother.”

“Well, I've been running my own business in Italy. Never got involved in the family…..other business,” James said, choosing his words carefully. “But I had to come after hearing what happened.” James paused for a moment, as If he just remembered something. “Do you by chance know Olivia?”

Monica smiled faintly, “I’m….I’m a friend of Olivia's, her best friend.” She said, tears already welling up her eyes.

James eyes softened,at the mention of Olivia. “I’ve been trying to get in touch. But I've not been able to reach her.”

Monica’s expression faltered, and she looked away, her voice dropping. “That’s the thing ….I haven't heard from her either. I’m really worried, James. She was supposed to be in Mexico with her parents, but it's like she vanished.”

James’s heart sank, the news hit him hard, “Vanished? What do you mean?”

“Her phone’s been disconnected, and she hasn't contacted anyone. It's not like her.” Monica explained, her voice trembling slightly, “I thought maybe she just needed some time, but now…I'm scared something might have happened.”

James ran a hand through his hair, trying to process what he was hearing. “Damn it.” he muttered under his breath. “I was hoping she could tell me what really happened to Lucas. But now, it sounds like she might be in danger too.”

Monica looked at him, her eyes pleading. “You really think so? Do you think something happened to her because of…..because of Lucas?”

James hesitated, not wanting to alarm her more than she already was. “I don't know.” He admitted, his voice somber. “But, i’m not going to sit around and wait to find out. I need to find her, Monica. And if she's in trouble. I’ll make sure she gets out of it.”

Monica nodded, her grip on Vincent's hand tightening, “I want to help, Oliviia's my best friend. And I can't just…..I can't just do anything.”

James placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, “We’ll find her, Monica. And we'll figure out what happened to Lucas too.”

They stood in silence for a moment, James glanced at Vincent, his friend lying so still, and felt a renewed sense of urgency. If something had happened to Olivia, time was of the essence.

“I’ll start looking into it right away,” James said, his tone firm. “But if you hear anything , please let me know immediately.”

“I will.” Monica agreed, her voice strong despite the fear in her eyes. “And thank you James.”

James nodded, his expression serious. “We’ll go through this, Monica. We just have to keep fighting.”

He stayed there for a while, speaking softly to Monica. James excused himself for a moment.

As he left the hospital, James unexpectedly ran into Marco on the lobby. “James,” Marco called his voice dripping with false warmth. “Didn't expect to see you here. What brings you to New York?”

“Marco,” James replied forcing a smile, as he took his cousin’s hand. “I’m here to find out what the hell is going on.”

Mar o nodded, his expression inscrutable, “It’s been a rough time hasn't it? I’m sorry about Lucas. Truly I am.”

James narrowed his eyes slightly, studying Marco's face. He didn't want to think his cousin was involved in all of these.

“Yeah, it has been.” James replied, keeping his tone light. “But I'm not giving up hope. You know how Lucas is. He’s a tough one, I'm sure he’ll turn up.”

Marco’s smile faded for a fraction of a second, but he quickly recovered, “Let's hope so cousin. Let's hope so.”

James walked away, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He decided , he needed to keep a closer eye on Marco.

Later that day, James decided to pay a visit to Marco’s mansion. It was an unplanned stop, he figured it would be good to keep the lines of communication open with his cousin, especially with everything that was happening.

When he arrived at Marco's mansion, Marco was surprised to see him. But he pretended and welcomed him warmly. They talked about family, businesses, and the state affairs of NewYork. But James could sense that Marco was holding something back. He decided to play along for now.

As they talked James noticed a hairpin on one of the side tables, then Janes remembered Olivia was wearing that same kind of hairpin the day he took Olivia on tour on Lucas's mansion.

Marco followed James gaze, and Marco realized the hair pin was for Olivia. It might have fallen off. The day they were dragging her into her room.