Chapter 18: A Reconciliation Forged!

Johnny and Jimena were still talking when they heard someone knocking on the door, it was James who came at the behest of Benjamin as he was tardy.

“Do you see why my son is weak? If it were Tony would have left you behind and gone to the meeting and I will anticipate the reason be Terminal A is being monitored by the police and they want to change the delivery point, now be creative and stand out so everyone will start to notice you in a way differently.”

“You are very cunning, Jimena Hahn”

"Thanks! Hurry up before he gives up.”

As soon as he opens the door, James looks into the room and then looks at Johnny:

“It’s not good to keep the boss waiting.”

“Are you always this serious? Only 4 minutes have passed.”

“That's why Ms.Bella Hahn who sends everything in New York, you don't even know that time is crucial in this type of business.”

“Who are you again?”

“James Anderson, was Mr. Anthony Hahn’s handyman and now Benjamin's right-hand man.”

“If you were that important to the former “Don” why don’t I remember you at the restaurant where he was murdered, shouldn’t you have been there to protect him?”

“He didn’t want to. Let’s go, we can’t keep the boss waiting.”

“I got you, was not James?”

“Listen Mr. Iverson, here for us you are just Mrs. Bella Hahn’s husband, we swear loyalty to the Hahn family, any privilege you have here is thanks to her, understand?”

“Perfectly!” Johnny looks at him, giving him a short nasal smile while raising his shoulders a little in a sign of sarcasm, looking at him with his most sinister look while James walked one step in front of him. Jimena, in turn, watches the entire scene..

“James, you idiot!”

Arriving at the meeting location, a five-star hotel right in front of the beach, the main allies were gathered, except Sebastian Iverson and Johnny asks:

“Why isn’t my dad here?”

“You are here and you can represent him, now please sit down.” Benjamin points out the place where his brother-in-law should sit and begins the meeting:

“Gentlemen, as you all know, the Port of Terminal A is no longer safe for us, so we will have to come up with other ideas to continue business and…

“I have an idea, we can move to neighboring cities, using not only the ports but also other strategic points. How about buying a private airport or more than one, and alternating the receipt of goods? That way, if they try to track us, it will be more difficult." Johnny begins to put his plan to weaken Benjamin into practice, and it works."

“Johnny Iverson is right, it can work.” One of the “Capis” comments and the others agree.

“What do you think, Benjamin?”

"It's a good idea, we can try it. I will personally research which points are good to buy, and we'll schedule another meeting.”

“I can help you with that, brother-in-law.” Johnny manifests again

“Aren’t you going back to New York tomorrow with my sister and nephew?”

“I think I can convince her to stay a few more days.”

“Alright, if you’re willing.” Benjamin tries to hide his irritation.

On the way back home, silence hovered inside the car, Johnny observes his brother-in-law's irritated manner and decides to provoke him:

“You're not mad at me, are you? I know you'd have a good idea too. I'm sorry I cross you.”

“It's okay to have good ideas, it was to listen to everyone's ideas that the meeting was held, a good leader also knows how to listen and recognize a good idea. Today you were really very useful, I expected nothing less from Bella's husband, so thank you, brother-in-law,” Benjamin majestically reversed the situation making James who was driving the car and listening to everything smile while Johnny had to swallow his own venom.

However, the manipulative and cunning man could not afford to give up and strategically began planning his reconciliation with Bella. Despite her tough reputation and strong personality, he knew that at that moment she would be vulnerable and would certainly take advantage of that fact, making even her best friend participate in the ruse, thinking that she was helping a couple in crisis.

“Hey Chloe! How is my beautiful wife?”

“Very mad at you.”

“I want to fix this situation and I need help.”

"What do you want me to do?"

“Take her to the restaurant she likes at 7:00 pm”

Chloe agrees and soon returns to the company of Bella and Théo who had just entered the electronics store and while the boy was choosing the video game that his mother promised, Bella's friend approaches and make him a proposal:

“It’s been a while since we went out together, how about we have dinner at that restaurant you love?”

“Oh, I do not know. I'm feeling a little down and I don't think I'll be good company today. Furthermore, I intend to return to New York tomorrow and I need to pack my bags and Théo's."

“All the more reason for you to go out with me. I don't know what day we'll see each other again. Go friend, accept.” Chloe insists

“Okay, you win. I’ll ask Susan to take Théo home.”

Entering the restaurant, Bella noticed that something was different, there were rose petals on the floor and she looked at her friend:

“Give him a chance.” Chloe make one head gesture and Bella looks in the direction, understanding the meaning of her friend's words.

“Johnny, what do you think you’re doing?”

“Trying to apologize. I was very rude and cold to you yesterday.”

“ Think it’s like this, you act the way you want, makes our friend lie to me by bringing me to this restaurant and I forgive you?”

"Love, I'm willing to start over. It was really hard for me to find out about you and DK. I was blinded by anger and needed time to process everything. I was also selfish and I'm sorry. Can you forgive me?" Johnny reached out to offer a bouquet of red flowers, his wife's favorite. She, in turn, watched him for a few more seconds and, despite the suspense, Johnny knew that Bella would give in."

“I was also selfish, and I’m also willing to start over with you.” Bella accepts the roses with a simple smile, receiving a hug and a kiss from Johnny who was definitely very good with words.

After dinner, the now reconciled couple went to one of the suites in the Hahn family's luxurious hotel, spending the entire night there and leaving Johnny with a feeling of victory.