CARMELO
Last night was full of bliss, but this morning it was magical.
I had bought Queen for about two years, grooming her for Chiara. I might sound crazy, but I was almost sure that I was going to be with her someday. It was a rare thing to see her express so much happiness, and I was so proud of myself for bringing her to the stable this morning. The fact that she was warming up to me, trusting me with her emotions…it was a big victory for me. I was never a traditional man, but I wanted to take it slow with her because I had a better plan for our future together. That is, if she didn't leave before I was able to convince her.
I shut my eyes, my fingers pausing on the keyboard. Just the thought of her leaving does something unimaginably painful inside my heart. I fist-pumped my hands, staring at the feedback charts of our customers for this month on the monitor. I exhaled.
I would do everything in my power to convince her without giving up. Even when she had an icy exterior or walls set on the surface, I would break it down with my love if I had to. But she would feel what I feel, and she would learn that my feelings were true and that she was my entire world.
The door opened, and Freddy, my assistant, walked in. "Sir, it's time to go." I shut down the laptop and rose from my seat, putting on my suit jacket and re-fixing the tie before following him out. I had released the statement first thing in the morning after arriving at Strada Magica. And in the statement, I made it clear that Alex's death had nothing to do with my company, and it was under the police's report and not only my words.
"Here is the overview of the meeting, boss," said Freddy, sitting with me on the back. I grabbed the iPad from his hands and went through it. He managed both schedules and everything else concerning both companies for me. And the man was loyal and so good at his work.
My company might be thriving, but when I created Strada Magica, I had so many dreams for it, and getting an airway on my side would help my company connect with different customers around the globe. However, the man I was meeting with was about to mess that up.
We arrived at the Michelin-starred hotel. The man sat at the head of the table, with two bodyguards behind him, and a woman with eyeglasses going through papers on his left. I navigated the sitting positions and sat on the other end of the table. If this were a power play, then I was a good player.
"Mr. Conti," he said, taken aback by where I sat. I gave zero fucks! "Mr. Walsh," I said, leaning back, while Freddy situated himself on my right. Storm stood behind me, and with her around, I knew not to worry about my back.
"I'm afraid, according to our company's latest demands, there have been some changes made to our contract." He said, his eyes trained on me. Trying to get a reaction out of me on a business table? It was futile.
"Who is it?" I asked, cracking my fingers. His eyes faltered. "What are you talking about?" he asked, his bodyguards moving forward after noticing the restlessness in his posture. "I know someone snatched this deal from me, and he is in Italy. Who. Is. It?" I demanded.
"Mr. Marino of Casata Leone Nera," he said. Freddy and I shared a mutual reaction, "So now he has a travelling agency too? Ah, that copycat." Freddy said while I threw my head back, laughing.
There was no business that Conti does that the Marinos haven't copied. It wasn't even a matter of rivalry anymore, it was a pure obsession. "So, are you telling me that you cancelled us for that piece of shit? Didn't know you were that cheap." I uttered, shaking my head. I regret that I even thought of working with them once.
"You cannot insult me like that! You fuckers think you own the world, huh? What exactly are you so proud of? Your family's money? You are the cheap one amongst us here." He lashed out, his face getting red.
A sharp inhale came from behind me.
"Storm," I uttered, reprimanding.
"I'll give him three options, boss. I could quickly shoot straight on his forehead and silence his big mouth for good, I could snap his neck and cut his air short, or…I could stab his heart with the pen he is holding and make sure it doesn't ever beat again." She said in a calm tone.
Mr. Walsh's eyes widened. "What?"
"But, I prefer the third option more. I would like to enjoy his last reaction as I take his life." She added, taking a step forward, causing the man to throw away the pen in his hands, and sweat beads forming on his forehead. I smirked, "Hmm, tempting." Freddy pursed his lips. He has witnessed a lot and was already accustomed to our daily rituals.
"What the fu—"
"Shut the fuck up!" Storm shouted at him. They both jumped from their seats while the bodyguards came forth, drawing their guns at us.
"I'm afraid there will be no blood spilling today, Storm."
"But he is insisting, boss." She leaned over the table with her fisted hands.
"Are you two seriously talking about my death as though I'm not here with you?" Asked Mr. Walsh, making us both turn to face him. A smile broke on my lips, "You should thank your lucky stars or something," I rose, buttoning my jacket, "He is not dying today." I told Storm. Freddy stood up as well, amusement painted on his face.
Storm huffed, "Fine!" crossing her hands over her chest. "You two are unbelievably sick!" exclaimed the perplexed old man. My smile broadened, watching how both of them were now shielded by his bodyguards, while he was tiptoeing and peeking at us.
"Pray hard, Walsh. There won't be any lucky stars next time for you," she uttered before striding to open the door for me. Walsh knew nothing about how sick we could get. We walked out of the venue.
"Freddy, start looking for our other options." I let my head fall back on the headrest and shut my eyes. "On it." His reply came. Today wasn't how I expected it to be, and although there were some other options, the one we lost was in my plan. I worked my ass off day and night to be where I was today, despite the family privileges. And it fucked up my ego to lose to Marinos.
"Holy shit! Boss, you might want to see this," said Freddy. My eyes shot open. He handed me the iPad. My eyes widened at the news being displayed, making me sit upright. "When did this happen?" Storm adjusted the rear mirror, looking at us.
"The article was posted thirty minutes ago. The Marinos' stocks have plummeted. What do you think caused it all of a sudden?" Freddy smiled from ear to ear.
"Who cares? God is on our side." Replied Storm, directing the driver to head back home instead of the office.
First, he lost his eligibility to run the election campaign before it even began, then the news of wildfire breaking out of the blue at his several warehouses all over Italy every now and then, and now… this. Antonio's fall was the most dramatic and entertaining in history. Whoever he messed up with was teaching him a lesson the hard way.
"Indeed. God is great," I smiled, scrolling through the article. I knew my tesoro would be happy as well to hear this news.