CHAPTER 1

*RAPHAEL*

One could begin with the waves from afar as I sat on my boat with two of my fellow fishermen.

“Raph…I think you got one!”Arturo announced.

I grabbed the rod and slowly reeled it in, watching as the salmon danced along the water's surface.

I pulled it up into the boat and unhooked my line from the jowls,then tossed it into the bucket.

Arturo and Conan came over as the two of us tossed the net into the sea.

“Wow…as usual…you’re our good luck charm,Raph,look at those fishes…I can already smell the cash we’ll make from them today.”Conan said.

I grinned.

I do most of the work when we’re out fishing but I can’t complain…I love fishing a lot…well not more than my mother…maybe a little more than my girlfriend.

************************

After selling off our catch for the day,we shared our earnings and I jogged off to the market.

“Raphie,I told you not to come here anymore.”My mother groaned seeing me.

I shrugged.”I’m done with work for the day.”

“Then go hang out with your friends or your girlfriend…Raph,you’re no longer a kid that keeps helping me out everytime…everyone’s starting to call you mama’s boy.”

I pouted.”But I am my mama’s boy.”

She playfully grabbed a bunch of vegetables and I ran off.

“Fine…see you at home…call me if you need me.”I called out while the other traders laughed.

I am Raphael Suarez…I’m twenty-seven and I live in Puerto Vallarta with my mother.

I was told my father passed away when I was just a year ago.

Growing up without a father figure sucked a lot but my mother tried as much as she could to play both roles for me.

Our lives weren’t easy…and I couldn’t finish high school because of our financial status.

Coupled with the fact that I wasn’t really a smart student…

I love watching the fishermen instead and it wasn’t a wonder how I became one myself.

My occupation had made our lives more comfortable than it used to be.

Seeing an old woman struggling with some bags of groceries,I hurried up to her.

“Mrs Laura,you do know you could ask anyone to help you with these bags,right?You shouldn’t put yourself through much stress.”

She smiled at me as I took the bags from her.

“Oh,Raph…not everyone is a sweetheart like you.”

I beamed at her as we headed for our house.

“I always say that…our neighborhood is blessed to have someone like you.”

I get this a lot.

Everyone keeps saying I’m nice.

I don’t see anything special about it though…

I just think every human being should be like this.

It would make the world a better place.

*************

“Graciella just won’t let Monserrat breathe.”My mom stated as we sat on the couch that evening to watch a telenovela.

“Tell me about it.”I concurred.

This was one of my favorite part of the day.

Being curled up and watching series with my mother.

I stared at the screen admiring the love Monserrat has for Alejandro.

Julia,my girlfriend does not love me like this.

Or sometimes I think maybe I’m the one who keeps expecting our love-life to be like a movie.

She only calls me when she needs something especially money.

We don’t even sit and talk about our lives or go out and have fun.

We’ve been dating for almost a year and I really like her.

I’ve been hurt a lot by girls…

They’ve made me cried a lot…yeah…I’m a fucking softie but I really want things to work out with Julia and that is why I keep doing everything she wants.

But I also want somethings too.

***************************

Lorenzo Moretti alighted from his limo and slipped his arms into the sleeves of a knee-length jacket that Dante was holding behind him.

With that,he walked into the company with his men trailing behind him.

He barely acknowledged the greetings of any of the employees who walked by.

He got into an elevator with Dante.

His other men stood back to get into another elevator.They knew better than anyone that he hated getting into an elevator with more than one person.

While Enzo looked as cool as a cucumber.

Dante was busy with his iPad arranging all the business trip, meetings and schedules for the week.

“Ah…you’re meeting Miss Garcia officially at noon today.”Dante reminded.

Enzo smirked.

His soon-to-be bride.

He had the perfect image of the kind of woman he wanted and he greatly hoped she fits.