Chapter Thirty Six
CONSTANTINE'S POV
My jet arrived in Rome, the capital city of Italy two days ago, I came here for business. When I was done with the business. I decided to visit my grandma. My family's ancestral home was in Florence, I came here to visit my Nonna who I had not seen in a while. I drove to our estate and knocked on the door. A young maid came to open the door and greeted me. I went to my grandma's usual spot in the house. The balcony. She looked so surprised to see me.
"Figlio, how are you. You've forgotten all about your old nonna" my nonna said
"No nonna, I can never forget you. I've just been so busy these days"
"Your brother too has not also visited me in a while. You both are now grown men. Or is a woman keeping you both from seeing me?" She asked with raised eyebrows. I laughed
"Am I wrong? You both have reached the age to settle down. Don't you have a woman in your life?"
"Speaking of settling down, I met a nice girl and I've been dating her for some time and I'm also in love with her. I want to start a family with her"
"Ohhh figlio, I'm happy to hear that. So where is the girl? Is she downstairs" she said looking around
"No, no. I didn't come with her yet"
"Why didn't you bring her to me?"
"Nonna, I'm not ready to introduce her to anyone yet. I don't want you people to scare her off"
"I'm glad, you've finally found someone to love and love you too. Very soon, there will be children running about here" my nonna smirked
"I came to ask for our family ring. My mum said it was with you"
"Let me go and get it from the room" she stood up and went inside the house and she did not waste any time. She came back with a small velvet box in her hand and gave it to me.
I opened the velvet box and the reflection of the sun on the diamond shone in my eye. I removed my face.
"This has been our family ring since forever. Your great grandfather gave it to your grandfather who used it when he wanted to propose to me. Your grandfather also gave your father when he wanted to propose to your mother but your father said he wanted your mother to have another ring. I'm glad you remembered the family heirloom"
"Thanks, Nonna"
"When you have your own son, you can give it to him or your wife can do it too"
"I'll keep this ring safe and protect it with all my life" she kissed my temples
"Let me go into the kitchen and prepare your favorite dish"
"What about the maids? Allow them to prepare it"
"No, you are coming to visit me in a long while so allow me to prepare it for you. Moreover, they don't know how you like it"
I won't lie. My grandmother's gazpacho was the best and I must admit that I have missed it a lot. I brought out my phone and dialed Eulalia's number, I was missing her and I needed to hear her voice. She picked up on the second ring
"Hello" her sweet voice ringing in my ear from the other end of the phone.
"Baby, how are you? Is everything alright?"
"Y-y-es" she muttered, her voice barely a whisper.
"You don't sound fine. Are you sure everything is alright, should I fly back"
"No, no, no. I just have the flu but I'm getting better. There is no need for you to fly back. Plus, I'm just missing you" I called down, I thought she was hurt or something bad happened to her.
"I'm missing you more baby. Don't worry I'll soon be back and I even have a surprise for you" I smiled at the ring in my hand
"What is the surprise?"
"If I tell you now, it won't be a surprise again. So just wait till I get back" she inhaled deeply
"Did you go to the office today?"
"Y-yes, I just went to ensure everything is running smoothly"
"I told you there was no need for you to go to work today. I gave you an off day today besides I have everything under control"
"I was bored and I couldn't just sit at home doing nothing"
"If I was there, I wouldn't allow you to go to work. We would have been indoors all day making babies"
"You......you.....jerk" she screamed through the phone. I loved it when I got her all worked up
"I know your cheeks are flushed. I'm hanging up now, I'll talk to you later" I said hanging up
"Figlio, the food is ready" my grandma called
"I'm coming grandma"
I went to the dining room and my grandma was already seated. I pulled out a chair and sat down, I began eating my food. My phone was on the table, I put on my data connection and a notification popped up.
"Figlio, bad table manners. Eat first before using your phone"
"Nonna, I need to know what's going on. I'm a businessman"
Another notification popped up, this one caught my attention because it was business news and it was about Daniel.
"What has he done this time around," I asked myself
The headline of the news was DANIEL CAESARE, SECOND BIGGEST UNDERWEAR DESIGN COMPANY HAS JUST RELEASED SAMPLE NEW DESIGNS FOR NEXT COLLECTION. WE CAN'T WAIT FOR THE LAUNCH.
I laughed. He is finally releasing a collection. I opened the news.
According to the interview he had yesterday with a fashion magazine, he said this was just a teaser and the collection will be much more than you expected. He also promised this collection will be far better than the last one.
I knew Daniel very well. Probably this time around he had copied another smaller company design and claimed it as his.
"Let me even see his samples" I opened the pictures and I dropped my fork.
These were my designs. How the fuck are they all on the internet, nobody knew about this except Tommaso and Euli-
"Shit" I cursed out loud. How could she?
I stood up from my chair and my grandma kept calling me but I didn't answer her. I called my pilot and asked him to refuel the jet we were going back to now. I drove like a madman to the airport.
★★★★★★★★★
My jet landed at the airport in the afternoon and my driver was there to pick me up. As per my instructions, he took me to the office. When we got to the office, I came down from the car angry, my fists were clenched tightly. I stomped into the building with fury and people ran out of my way in fear. There were murmurs from people but I couldn't care less. I opened Eulalia's door with so much force and she jumped from her seat in fear
"Co-nstantine," she said and her eyes were bloodshot. She had been crying since
"Can you explain to me, why Caesare has my designs?" I shouted angrily
"I- I'm sorry, I don't know how he got it. I swear to you I don't know how it got missing"
"Missing?, Did I hear you say missing. You are a liar"
"I swear I'm not lying"
"You've been working with my rival all this while. Was this your plan all along? For me to trust you and tell you my secret plans" she shook her head. "How could I have been stupid and not see you for who you are. You are no different from the rest of the women. How much were you paid? A million dollars. Fucking answer me when I'm talking to you"
She was crying uncontrollably now as she continued shaking her head.
"I have been a fool. Was it your plan for me to fall in love with you? Was any of this ever real to you"
"I do love you. I never planned anything with anybody" she said in-between sobs.
"Get out of here. I don't ever want to see your face again. Don't ever step your foot in this building, if not I won't be responsible for what might happen to you"
I walked out of the door banging the door so hard that the hinge could have left the door
"Fuck!!!!" I punched the wall.