Episode 28

Episode 28.

I could sit here all night listening to Jasmine talk sob stories about my ex boss but my mind was farther more occupied by the thought of the man I was supposed to meet here an hour ago. I secretly check my phone's time again. 8:01p.m. over an hour. What the hell?
What the hell am I doing out here anyway? I can't believe I've just been stood up by a strange man whom I'd foolishly agreed to meet with. I wouldn't take this down without a fight.

I scrolled to his number and dialed but. . . . . . it was not connecting. Dang it. And damn him too.

"You seem worried about something," Jasmine says after a short silence "seems your date is running late"

"Like I said,he's not my date. . . . ."

"Okay. Everything happens for a reason doesn't it. How about I order us some chilled pepper s. . . . . ."

"No,Jasmine," I cut her off "I. . . .need to go home"

I made a mental note to stop by the pharmacy and grab some pills. I was suddenly feeling a throbbing pain in my chest and head. Hey,I could totally go to the hospital tomorrow, I got no job to go to. Speaking of that,I'll have to start looking for a job again soon. Even if the pay isn't even half what Mr Marcello paid me,I'd gladly accept it with my sanity in tact.

"It was nice meeting you here" she smiles sweetly with a confused nod before I hurried out,a part of me feeling sick to the gut and the other part feeling upset. Upset about something. Upset that some stranger had stood me out on a stupid date! . . . . . hold. . not a date,just a friendly meeting where we were probably gonna talk about my ex boss. As I stood waiting to catch a cab,I couldn't help realize that this served me right. After all that Jasmine said in there,I was trying hard to push Mr Marcello's thought out of my mind. I was trying to not feel so bad for him.

When I got home,I felt exhausted. I'd waited,expecting a call from Frenchie to explain to me why he stood me up but nothing. Such an asshole. I knew he was too creepy a man. I can't believe I actually agreed to meet with him in the first place.

At 10p.m,I was ready to go to bed when my phone boomed to life again. I checked the caller's ID. Trevor. My smile is unplanned as I quickly picked it,realizing how much I've missed him for only a few days.

"Hello Trevor"

"Ashley," he's probably smiling "How are you doing today?"

"Pretty good," I climbed on the bed and laid supine "How about you?"

"Cool. How's it over there?"

"Real great,Trevor" I smiled,not wanting to ask how his work was because as appropriate as that would be,I couldn't let him think that I'm still clung on the job. Didn't wanna give him any ideas.

"So" I breath out,chuckling speechlessly.

"So. . . . . ." his voice is deep and sleepy.

"You sound sleepy. It's still too early don't you agree?"

"If I agree would you go out and grab a little late night bite with me?"

I chuckled politely, remembering how I'd been stood up at that diner just three hours ago "thank you,T,but tonight is really not a good night"

"Um....are you okay? Anything I should know about?"

"Oh,no,no. . . . so um. . . . . .how's. . . . . how's work?" Damn,I slapped a palm on my face. I should not have asked,I should not have asked. This is just downright awkward.

"It's. . . okay. Just a whole lot boring without you. Mr Marcello was at the office. . . ."

Please don't talk about him,please don't. . . .

". . . you needed to see him. The conference was a mess without you"

"Really?"

"Totally. He was pissed off the whole day and Mona did most of his work. Serves him right. I just feel really sorry for Mona"

"Well. . . . that's that. I really don't care,Trevor and I definitely don't wanna talk about him right now or ever again"

There's silence before he spoke again.

"How are you coping,Ashley?"

"Come on,T,it's only been two days,I'm alright" of course I knew he was asking me how I was gonna manage financially but he didn't know my financial status,right? And just then,the thought of my father crossed my mind. I need some help. His help. "But. . ." I quickly add "I'm gonna start looking up for job vacancies as soon as possible. If you see anything, let me know. It'll really be of great help"

"Alright. But if you need anything, don't hesitate to call me"

"I will,Trevor. Thank you"

"Alright. . .I'll see you around"

Setting my phone down on the bed after disconnecting the call,my mind wondered. I couldn't imagine Mr Marcello sorting his own schedule. Poor Mona.

I slept off without even knowing it as thoughts kept hitting me like waves after waves.

**

Riccardo's POV.

I grabbed the telephone to call Ashley in to prepare for the meeting Mona informed me about but as soon as my hand grabbed the phone,it went back down slowly. Ashley wasn't here anymore. She didn't work for me anymore. The thought causes a new anger to wash inside me.

I grabbed the telephone again and dialed Mona's number.

"Hello?" Her voice annoyed the hell out of me and I couldn't understand why.

"Get into my office,now" I growled into the phone.

Almost immediately, Mona is striding into my office,fear in her eyes.

"Yes sir?"

"You are taking over Ashley's position at the meeting today. You know what to do"

She nods and I waved her to leave but she doesn't leave.

"Anything else?" I asked her,annoyed by her presence. Nobody's presence suited this room like that of Ashley's. Damn me.

"Sir. . . would you like me to put up a job vacancy. . ."

"No thank you,Mona. Now,out of my office" she nods gladly before scurrying out.

I let out a breath o hadn't realized I was holding before slumping back against my chair.

Ashley could remain at home all she wants and I do not give a damn about that. I'm gonna pull this without her.

When the congress members arrived,I walked them into my conference room with a fake smile. I told Mona what to do,something I never have to tell Ashley.

Yet you sent her away,my inner voice said as I watched Mona talking away up front.

"So the inn is in Texas city," Mona continued "and we're sending someone there to check it out and then we can sell it out"

"Why sell it?" One of the men asked,bringing back my attention "I mean,it's a beautiful inn,why sell it?"

Mona looks stunned by the question and freezes for some seconds before quickly flipping through the jointed papers in her hands for something to say. I grunted in embarrassment. The man,Mr William turns to me and asked. "Where is your Ashley, Mr Marcello?"

They all know her name. Was she that interesting?

I leaned over the table,interlocking my fingers as I went. "Doesn't Mona do a fine job"

"Well,no offense meant but I think I started this project with your secretary and she may be able to give me a proper explanation on this matter"

"Well. . . . . . .She doesn't work here anymore"

A quiet noise reaped through the room as they turned to each other, whispering disapproving words to each other.

"Is there anything we should know about?" Mr Long gates said.

"No,everything is alright" I gave him a smile before leaning back onto my chair. This is gonna be a long day. I checked my time as Mona continued to speak once again and it was past ten.


Soon after I found myself yelling at Mona in the office. She wasn't doing anything right. No one was. How could everyone be so incapable?!

As the day dragged on slowly, I was losing my mind. I left early,leaving my schedules unattended to.

Stepping into the bar,I could only imagine what Ashley was doing or how she was feeling. I know she'd feel great,she's finally rid of me and she had quitted the job. So,yeah,she's super great right now. After taking a few bottles,my mind wondered to the anonymous letter I'd gotten the other night. Damn me for thinking about that again. What do I care?! But then Miranda's words crossed my mind about Victoria and her shipment.

Somehow, there was something off about Miranda Morales. I know she has no reason to betray me,she's a good woman but. . . . . . . . you never can tell in the business, can you? There's just something about her that I can't just pin point.

She was gonna. . . . .

The buzzing of my phone against the table cuts off my thinking and I looked over to see an incoming call from Pablo. I heaved a deep sigh and emptied my glass before picking it and holding it against my ear.

"Hey,Pablo" my throat burnt as the hot contents ran down.

"Hey,Man. Did you get it yet?"

"Get what?"

"Oh I guess not. Listen,there's a real way you gonna meet this Michael friend of yours"

"How?"

"In Paris. On this next Saturday. Bob's having a masquerade ball party for a business event"

"What's the deals with all these parties?"

"Don't know but your Friend, Amoretti's invited. This is your chance,Ric"

"Thank you. . . . I. . . ."

"Don't worry,sure your invite's coming soon. Do bring that gorgeous lady of yours" he laughs hard and I grunted angrily. Whatever.

"Well. . . . lets give this a try. I'll see you in Paris then"

"Definitely. If your lady's gonna be there"

"Jesus,papy,your married"

"Looks who's preaching? Yo,I gat to go"

"Aiit"

As soon as I dropped back the phone,I refilled my glass again.

A masquerade ball party in Paris? This has got to be something big. It'll be nice to finally meet Michael.

My smile vanishes as the thought of going to Paris with Ashley occurred to me. She doesn't work for me anymore and there's no way she's gonna wanna come with me. How the hell did I do this mess? What was I thinking. I know that I'd been upset about something and that I'd vested my anger on her but I hadn't expected her to quit the job.

My phone starts to ring again and when I checked the caller,I hissed angrily. Jasmine. I know this woman only cares for me but it gets real tiring too and at times like this,I didn't need her talks or advice. All I needed is two things :to have Ashley Shaw work with me again and accompany me to Paris and to bring Michael Amoretti to his knees before me,mafia or no Mafia.

Ashley shaw has proven to be a woman different from the ones I know. She's stubborn, independent, annoyingly carefree and would never agree to come back to the office let alone go to Paris with me. Why exactly do I need her to go with me? Because you're used to her presence that's why,my inner voice replied. The thought causes my scowl to deepen. What was it about her anyway? She's just a regular woman and I can get many more if I want. No she's not a regular woman, Ric.

I sigh deeply, feeling conflicted inside and only got angrier when I realized my bottle of drink was now empty. I started to call on the bartender when my phone started to ring again. It better not be Jasmine again. But it was not.

On the screen is Miranda Morales's phone number on full display. There's only one reason why she could be calling me.

Victoria.