Zamiel pov
It was a cloudy day,the news didn't say anything about it raining today which was a disappoinment,cus I wanted it to rain.
I didn't know why I felt that way.
I haven't being a lover of rain, but since that encounter I always hoped it rains maybe I'll get to see her but it's been weeks since I last saw her.
I've visited the basketball court many times hoping to find her there only to be greeted by strange faces.
I craved to see and touch her in a way I know wasn't good especially the fact that she was a teenager.
I don't know her age but from her face and figure i could tell she's a teenager.
Inside the hall was quiet – too quiet – except for the slow ticking of an antique clock on the wall.
A knock on the door diverted my attention from her,
Boss!
Mr Galdon and one other man is at the door, he says he has an appointment with you should I let him in.
Yes.
"Only let Mr Galdon in for now,
who's the other man with him" I asked with a tired tone.
"Don Valentino Moretti",he said.
"Moretti," I repeated under my breath, my face switched into a cold expression.
He wasn't an enemy he wouldn't dare be an enemy but I didn't like him and I'm sure he doesn't either.
He wasn't a lightweight in the criminal world but he was walking into a lions den.
The Maranzano crest glimmered on every corner –a reminder of who thoroughly ruled.
Mr Galdon's voice brought me back from my daze –
"Mr Maranzano good to see you again, hope you're doing well."
"Yes, Mr Galdon nice seeing you too and how to have you being," I asked in a less cheerful tune.
Mr Galdon has been my father's closest friend since their teenage years,they did business deals together, run their mafia empire together.
Mr Galdon is also in the mafia but not as strong as my fathers.
When my father died he, continued the friendship between him and my father with me, although he was alot older than me, he never used it against me which made the relationship between both our families closest friends.
I wasn't of age when my father died,Mr Galdon was the one who handled the empire till I was of age and handed it to me.
I have a young brother, Matteo
but I haven't introduced him to the world of mafia's yet cus he isn't of age, I've been the one ruling since my 20 birthday till date and I've never lost any battle or deals,I always win either by war or by office agreement.
I always get what I want.
And she was part of what I wanted.
"Zamiel he started,I brought with me a friend who is interested in making a deal with you but you said your men shouldn't let him in, please let him in I know you don't like him but the deal will be very beneficial for you," he said.
It sounded convincing so I made a call to let him in.
A guard lead Moretti through the long corridor,until the door to the private office slid open.
As Moretti came in, Zamiel could see a hint of fear in his eyes,he forced a polite smile.
Mr Maranzano it's an honor I trust you received my message.
I didn't answer immediately. I studied Moretti –not as an equal but as someone calculating the value of a wager.
"So you want one of my ports, you believe you can offer something in return?"
He nodded quickly. Too quickly.
I have a partnership. Mutual profit information – police shipment, schedule ,routes, people on payroll. With your money and influence we can run every shipment in this region without interference,He said.
I leaned back on my chair with an unreadable calm expression – information is only useable if it's accurate and loyalty is only valuable if proven.
The temperature of the room dropped
"Name your terms",he said
A faint smirk appeared on my lip not friendly but of a predator amused of being finally entertained.
I don't make deals with men I don't trust. You have to prove your loyalty . One task. You succeed – the ports are yours. You fail....
I pulsed letting silence carry the meaning instead of threats.
He's purse raised,but he straighten. "What task".
I pushed a folder across the table,in it was a photo and an address scribbled in neat handwriting.
There's someone who has been stepping into territories that isn't theirs.
Remove the problem quickly and quietly. You understand what I mean by quietly and if you don't that's your problem.
Moretti nodded, though his jaw tightened.
"Consider it done"
As he walked out my voice stopped him;
And Moretti... betrayal is expensive. Make sure you can afford it.
Moretti left with the folder clutched under his armpit– a deal agreed on but not earned yet.
Lex pov
The roof top was empty, exactly how I liked it.
The world below was noisy, chaos,cars, gossip but up here all I heard was the sound of the music I was playing.
I was listening to"Get into it yuh by Doja cat,I've always loved doja Cat songs".
I've an habit of bathing with clothes on so my top was wet and heavy, thank goodness I didn't bath with my trousers on cus it would been extra heavy.
I only had a tight on, my ugg slid on the wet surface as I moved to the beat.
I sat on the railing,legs dangling over the edge as I stared at the city lights.
My thoughts drifted to the man from that night, I haven't seen him since then, but I didn't care cus I saw him as something unimportant so I shouldn't waste my time thinking about him.
I leaned back letting the cool breeze hit me and laughed at how ridiculous I was being.
He was just a one night incident,
no big deal. The city light blurred as my mind wandered – school, ambition and future. I'm in control, always.
I brushed it off,eye drifting to the sprawl below. The hum of city matched my heartbeat.
Suddenly my phone buzzed, school project.
I sighed and pocketed my phone.
Guess the night just got busier.
I stood up smoothing my top and turned to face the city, Time to get back to real life. The project update was still burning in my mind. Final year no messing up.
I walked back into my apartment, determination kicking in. This project was important– my final year scores depends on it,and I'm not ready to give any distraction or a one night event detrail me.A's
are the goal.
I dropped onto my desk chair,laptop on. Research, outline, execute. The city faded as I dove into work. Task after task,paper after paper, sweat settled on my face , palms wet..I was very tired.
I leaned back,satisfied,eyes scanning my work. Almost done. This project was a big deal and I wasn't about to mess it up.
I reviewed my work, research, analysis, conclusion, everything was spot on. Done. Clicked save,closed the laptop exhaled..headed to bed.
After the weekends
On getting to school I got a shock..a classmate,Dean,
approached me claiming my project was his.
What?
He said he'd done the research , written the whole thing and somehow misplaced it.
Now he's accusing me of either stealing it or coping it.
He's explanation got me laughing,the class roared with whisper from the fact that I don't laugh all the time and the fact that I was accused of claiming someone else work as mine.
The lie was quit convincing cus it's been a week since we've be assigned the project.
I showed my prof the timeline,draft, timestamps , everything..proof was on my side.
This accusations got to the prof, he thought he got it all under control until the prof declared an official investigation. Dean kept pushing, trying to get me in trouble. I was livid,but I knew I had nothing to hide. I dug up more evidence – notes,emails, alarm reminder,even the cafe receipt where I'd worked on part of it.
The investigation went on for days,stress was building and I was ready to snap. Then the prof called us both in.
We sat in the profs office, tension thick like a fog. Dean was still sticking to the same story... he'd written it, I'd copied. I leaned back with a cold expression legs opened and pulled out my bomb.
"Prof I've got emails,draft and a witness – the cafe staff who saw me working on it" I slid the proof across
The prof raised an eyebrow. Dean face dropped . The drama died down I got my A on the project and Dean was on academic probation.
Guess I found myself another enemy...I thought to myself. Glad the drama was over.