CHIARA
He grunted again and I took it as a go. I spent the next minutes explaining my demands to them. I needed a perfect result for the upcoming exhibitions of Terra and Tela.
But the man spent that time eating and picking his teeth with the toothpick. Not caring how annoying the sounds he was making in the process. I cleared my throat and continued. I poured myself a glass of wine when I was done. "So what do you think?" I asked. Clearly, he wasn't even paying attention to me this whole time. Who was unprofessional now?
"I'll think about it." He said nonchalantly. "My husband, it is a very good proposal." His wife said in a low and wary voice, reminding me of someone I knew very well. And I didn't like it for her. Mr. Bormann gripped her chin and turned her to face him abruptly. "I said I will think about it." He said, his saliva jumping all over her face, before releasing her by pushing her away.
I clenched my fists under the table, "You'll think about it." I repeated his words. "But I have no time. I need this contract as soon as possible. You don't have to worry about the payment, we'll talk it out very well together." I said, fighting the demon inside me that was ordering me to pick the fork and poke out his eyes.
He threw his head back laughing. I stared at his wrinkled face with countless blackheads. "You thought you would come to me with that attitude and expect me to work with you? You unprofessional little rat?" he said.
My hands began to shake, I leaned back slowly, trying to tame the fire. "I've worked with so many people before. Reputable people with years of experience in the business and I made a lot of profit, and I still do. My company cannot work with unprofessional and uncivilized people like you. Do you know who I am?" He added. His wife gave me an apologetic look. One that fueled the fire raging inside me.
My eyes twitched. I smiled, and turned to Chong, "Chong," I said calmly. "Yes madam." He replied. I returned my gaze to Mr. Bormann, "We don't need him." I started, shaking my head. Chong turned off his IPad and stood up, "Yes, madam." I got up as well and took my purse with me.
"I'm so sorry, Miss Marino. I'm sorry for my husband's bad treatment. I will talk it out with hi-" She received a tight backhand before she could even finish her sentence. "Shut up, you bitch!" She fell over the food on the table, whimpering. The people around the restaurant whispered and murmured but nobody came for her aid. They should, before I take matters into my hands.
He dared to beat her? Before me? My heart clenched. "What? You're sorry for my bad treatment? This is why you don't marry a whore!" he shouted at her. That's it! I couldn't take it anymore. I couldn't tell how the distance between us was closed. I just found my hand wrapping around his nape and the next thing I knew was how hard I slammed his head against the table and held it pressed down.
Chong pulled his wife up and stood away, watching. "You fucking rotten dick!" I snapped. He struggled beneath my grip like a helpless fish deprived of salt water. I raised the stoned purse in my hand and hit his face. "Unprofessional!" A hit, "Unprofessional!" Another one, "Unprofessional!" And another one. "Is that the only word you know, you little prick?" I hit him again. His face was all covered with blood as he shouted for help.
I dragged him up, gripping his tie hard, causing him to choke and cough. My nose flared as I watched his red eyes popping from their sockets. "Do you know who the hell I am? I'm a mad woman!" I gripped harder, his voice came out with hardship and inaudible. "And since you hate unprofessionalism so much, I thought I should show you just how unprofessional I could get. How do you find my choreography?" I asked, my eyes narrowing.
His grip around my hands loosened and I could almost see life slipping out through his eyes. It was only then did I let go of him and he collapsed down, heaving and coughing while he scurried away from me, holding onto his neck.
I turned to his wife, not caring about the number of people that were watching and recording me. She was sobbing in silence "For how long are you going to let him treat you like this? Can't you just poison his food or choke him to death with a pillow in his sleep or something?" She looked at me as though I was reciting judgment in a hell jury, if that even made sense.
I took a tissue from the table and wiped my purse, but it was useless. This was bloody expensive. "This puny little thing doesn't deserve you and you know it. You're way too beautiful for his stinky ass. So, kill him before he kills you any further." I said and walked out of the restaurant. Pissed was an understatement.
People scurried away and made way for me while Chong rushed behind me. I wasn't a hero but there were two things that I hated with passion; Injustice and abuse. All the people that I killed were just like my stepfather; corrupted, greedy, harassers and the list goes on. As I took them out, I told myself… one less corrupted person, one less future of an innocent girl saved from being shuttered.
"That was cool boss. You won't believe it, I just found out on the internet that he was harassing not only his wife but most of the women he meets. You did the right thing back there." He said, punching the air, imitating what I did to Mr. Bormann.
I glared at him, frustration running so deep within me. "Go get the damn car!" I barked. He jumped. "Yes madam." He dashed away.
Fuck! Everything was pissing me off today. Why marry someone when you don't keep the vows? Why were these men thinking they had any right over a woman just because they married them? Once you are married, your life is not yours, and now you have to adapt and force yourself to live the life your husband wanted you to.
What hurts the most was that you never know the devil they hid behind those warm faces. The horror uncovers once they put you in their homes. Beating you up like their own personalized drums. I loathed Antonio and his kinds, and I didn't mind going to jail for beating or killing one anytime I ran across them.
I sighed, watching my ruined purse. It was bloody expensive and now all covered with blood. "At least you served me well till the end, sweetheart. Bye." I took out my things, and threw it in a bin nearby.
Just in time for a police car to pull up before me. That was quick. "Excuse me, Ma'am. You're going to have to come with us to the police station. Mr. Bormann has filed a complaint against you." Said one of the two police officers. "I hope your paychecks are as fast you are, officers." I said and sat in their car. "Call my lawyer." I told Chong over the window, who looked pale at my current situation before it was shut.