25| How The Mafias Pass Their Time
"Woah! This definitely isn't a dusty attic." My eyes roamed over the fairly large but empty space decorated with fairy lights. It was the attic, with a small patch of the roof replaced by glass which allowed an uncut view of the star studded night sky.
"Vittoria?" Liam turned back, startled.
"Yep! I think that's me. Oliver sent me here saying if you aren't seen anywhere then you'll be found here." I smiled.
A brief hint of disorder flashed in his ocean eyes which was quickly covered by some kind of a glorious realization. "Congratulations to us! We got played by Oliver."
"What? I'm lost."
"He sent me up here to look for some non existent files in those empty drawers." He pointed to a wall cabinet.
"Did grandpa just set us up?" I shrieked.
I looked at Liam. Liam looked at me and then we burst out into a gigantic fit of uncontrollable laughter.
"That explains all these fairy lights." I said.
"No they're always here. But what are we? Teenagers?" He remarked between the laughter.
"Why are you ignoring me Liam?" I asked and the aura switched to being all tensed again.
"I thought you'd never want to see me again." He mumbled, his guilty gaze stuck down to the wooden floor.
I sat down and patted the spot beside me. "That's not true. I just don't want to hurt you Liam."
"Why do you think you'd hurt me?" He settled down next to me.
Because I've started feeling things for your brother. That being one of the many reasons he shouldn't like me. But I didn't say that.
"This isn't me Liam. The girl who you like isn't me. The real Vittoria is a messed up person in all ways possible. There are a million things wrong with her. Trust me you wouldn't want someone like her. No one does." I whispered the last line.
He kept looking at me with an undecipherable emotion. "Then show me the real Vittoria and let me love her."
I shook my head frantically. "You'd be disgusted. You'll run away. I'm not ready to lose you. I'm selfish."
He sighed. "I don't know what happened in the past that makes you think so low about yourself. You don't know just how amazing you are Vi! I'm not saying this because I like you. In fact I'm not the only one. How do I...how do I explain it to you?" He struggled.
"Alright, let me say it this way. Before you, we were good, awesome in fact." He held my hands, drawing circles at the back while he looked at me with such intensity like his life depends on me believing him. "But after you came into our lives, we realized we could be happy as well. You're like a ray of sunshine that brightens everything in its way. Even Oliver smiles when he's around you. I don't think you know how big a task that is." He huffed, rather dramatically.
"Trust me I know." A giggle escaped from me.
"I'm well aware that you won't be able to reciprocate my feelings. I just want to know if this changes anything between us." He looked at me with pleading eyes.
My answer was a tight hug, making it clear I've got no intentions to be away from such a beautiful person like him. "Thanks Liam."
"Don't need to." He rubber my back, a soothing relief jolting through my body.
"Oliver's calling us-" The door suddenly opened, carrying Toby in. "I'm sorry. Am I interrupting something?" His eyes switched between me and his identical twin.
"No. Come in Toby. What were you saying?" I asked.
"Oliver wants us to be present in the study. There are a few things they want to discuss. But before that you come with me." He informed us. Liam left with him while I headed to the study where Oliver was waiting for us, alone.
"Hey there muffin! How are you holding up?" He passed me a tiny smile.
"I was doing good until you called me muffin." I scrunched up my face.
"Muffin suits you. You looked good as a muffin." He commanded in a straight tone like this was something very important. "Where were you?" He asked inquisitively. I knew what he's thinking.
"I was in the attic room, making out with Liam." I played along.
His eyes went wide. "That was..well..quick."
"SERIOUSLY GRANDPA? YOU FREAKING SET US UP! This went from an action movie to a teenage drama real quick." I flumped down the brown couch in the study.
His face fell like he just lost a billion dollars. "So it didn't work."
"What were you thinking!"
He shrugged. "I just wanted to take your mind off.." He sat next to me. "I know it's very difficult for you, Vittoria. Every time I look at you, I think is this how my sister must be feeling? And it hurts. Because I don't know if she's as strong as you. I want you to know you're not alone."
Ugh! They're too sweet to be criminals. I don't know how I'll ever be able to repay them.
"You know Vittoria, I hate Mason. But I'm debating why I hate him. Is it because he was working for our enemy or because he was the best brother, something I could never be." He said.
"Don't say that Oliver. I hope Ava knows how lucky she is to be your sister. Mark my words, she'll be so proud to be called your sister." I smiled.
"That's if I ever find her. She's so close and yet I fail every time." He said hopelessly.
My heart ached for him. It was like we both were feeling the same agony right now, the kind of which only we could understand.
"What is the first thing you'll say to her?" I asked.
"Honestly, I don't know." He threw up his hands in defeat.
"Come on. Imagine I'm Ava. What will you say to her?" I urged.
"I would say.." He pinched the bridge of his nose, staring at me like he's deep in thought. "You're uneven hair looks funny Ava." He said with utmost sincerity.
I groaned at his lack of fashion sense. "For the 46381926191th time Oliver, this is called a graduate hair cut and it's not uneven, it's meant to be that way and it's by no means funny!" I scolded the twenty eight year old grandpa.
"You could never change my view on that, muffin." He said firmly.
"You're so stubborn!" I scowled.
"Sounds funny coming from you." He nudged playfully then held my hands, stroking them gently. "I'd say that I'm sorry. I'm sorry for not being there for her earlier and I promise that I won't let anyone hurt her and keep her safe from all the dangers."
The longing in his honey brown eyes was so real that for a moment I felt jealous of Ava but happy for him at the same time.
"So now whenever you feel discouraged, remember this. Think of the day you'll finally get to say this to her."
"Thanks muffin." He tapped my nose.
Shortly, Rafael and the twins made an appearance. The boss flopped himself on his plush black leather chair while the twins took a seat on the couch across from us.
"I've got some good news." Toby announced. "We just got a call from the surveillance company. We'll be getting the backup footages by tomorrow evening."
Finally some positive news! This will at least take us a step closer to finding Ava. Oliver and I exchanged a small victory smile.
"Not only that, but I also found out the reason why Viktor is here. He's here to collect a shipment of drugs worth billions." Liam informed proudly.
"Ignoring the fact that this dumbo has taken all the credit for himself just to impress Vittoria, let me add that the counter party to this deal is Luca." Toby glared at his brother.
Yeah we better ignore that.
"Will Nikolai be here as well?" I asked, clapping my hands excitedly. All four men shot me displeased glares.
"What?" I shrugged dismissively. "He's my mafia crush. You know like how we have celebrity crushes. Although I hate him as a person but we can't deny his heavenly looks and-"
"Enough!" Rafael boomed. We aren't here to waste time fan girling over our enemies.
"Sorry Liam." Toby teased.
"Stop it Toby!" I tossed a pencil straight at him which hit Liam instead.
"Oops! Sorry, my aim is really bad." I apologized sheepishly.
"Hit me baby one more time." Liam did a funny dance move. So he was back!
"Oliver are you throwing her out or shall I do the honor?" Rafael sneered.
"Please, she's all yours." Oliver raised his hands up in surrender.
"I thought we were in the same team, grandpa." I complained. He scoffed.
"Fine. I won't say a word." I sat back, arms crossed.
"Dictionary definition of Nirvana." Rafael muttered irritably.
"I heard that." I stated bluntly.
"You were supposed to." He reverted.
"You said you had a plan to find the Shrouded Visitant." Oliver cut in before we break into a fight. I shut up immediately. This was something important.
"Yes. Since we have distortions in our plan with unforeseen events, we have no option but to go for the long way around." Rafael stated, referring to Mason's death before beginning with his master plan.
"We use Luca. Yes, I'm aware he doesn't know their identity either but we all know the secret member's been helping him. All we need to do is to get Luca to spill every detail to us. We get clues, find the secret member and I end them for good." He asserted.
Alright, this is where I gotta appreciate his smartness but I won't because that will only take his ego to Mount Everest.
"Dear big brother! You think we'll ask and he'll tell? That's not gonna happen unless Luca has a secret crush on you which he doesn't." Liam commented.
"We leave him no choice. We break him, you dumbass." Toby said, sticking his tongue out to mock Liam. "But what I don't understand is how?"
I guess I know. That's the part where I come in.
Rafael eyes switch to me with a gleaming excitement. I happen to imitate the lopsided grin in unison with him. I was right.
"Hold on!" Oliver jumped up from his seat. "Are you two thinking the same thing as I am?"
We replied with a smirk.
"Hell yes! I'm so in." He affirmed.
"Can someone tell us too so that even we can share this unprecedented excitement?" Liam complained and for the first time Toby agreed with him.
"We'll be attacking his oh so dear company. Unlike us, he doesn't have the distinction between mafia business and clean business which means if we cripple his company, that'll be a direct hit on his money. No money, no worth. The handsome Russian and his mafia girlfriend that I'm so jealous of will eventually throw him out which will leave us with only two known and one unknown enemy." I explained enthusiastically, panting as I let it all out in one breath.
"Talk in english, woman!" Liam whined.
"Speak at a speed we can process." Toby grumbled.
"Not only that, we will also have to make ourselves stronger at the same time, which will begin from tomorrow itself. The investor meeting." Oliver said, ignoring the twins. "Our new investors have two options. Rafael or Luca. We need to grab them at any cost." He tossed me a file.
"What is this?" I flipped the pages and got the answer. It was the projected financials of both the companies.
"You and you." He pointed at me and Liam. "I want a common size statement ready by tomorrow morning."
Did I mention it's almost midnight?
"I don't care how you do it. I want it done." He ordered.
"Is this one of your plans to set us up again?" Liam scowled, adjusting his glasses.
"You set them up?" Rafael almost squealed.
Oliver shrugged, Liam and I did an eye roll and Toby went on a laughing spree.
"It most certainly is not." Oliver confirmed.
"One more thing." Rafael chimed. "You'll be presenting in the investor's meeting tomorrow, Miss Andress."
"Holy moly! No!" I yelled.
"Did I put a question mark at the end?" He challenged. "You happen to be quite persistent. I might as well capitalize on that annoying quality of yours."
"N-No no. Who said I'm persistent? I'm not at all persistent." I blurted anxiously. A presentation in front of all the intimidating businessmen? I won't be able to do it.
"You made Jake wear a rose in his hair." Toby stated.
"But that's different." I protested.
He conveniently ignored me, leaving me into a huge mess of anxiety. I always feared public speaking. To add to my worry, I'll have to face these angry mafias if I messed up.
"When is the drug deal taking place?" Rafael inquired.
"Exactly four days later." Toby answered.
"I see." Rafael tapped his fingers on the table, an evil smirk plastered on his face. He leaned back and tilted his head, his posture throwing out clear authoritative vibes. Pure madness reflected in his charming grey eyes. Right now he'd make the perfect villain. Ruthless, badass and well, sexy as fuck.
Afraid to be caught staring, I avert my gaze to the others and find the same madness in their eyes too. All of them were conversing through secret stares while I stand there clueless.
"Umm.. Boys?"
"MEN!" All four literally pounced on me.
"Jeez! Alright, calm down, men! Will anyone please tell me what those evil smirks meant?" I pried.
"We're going to sabotage Luca's drug deal." Rafael proclaimed, his eyes gleaming with thrill.
My eyes popped out. Was this how the mafias passed their time? Probably yes.
"What exactly do you mean by that?" I asked, curious.
"We steal the consignment before it reaches Viktor." Rafael said.
"Yes!" Liam pumped his fist in the air. "It's been a while since we've been on field. Let's do this!"
"Define 'a while'. Toby still hasn't recovered from his wounds from that fight in club Inferno which was like what, two days ago?" I protested.
"That was no fun. Alvaro is such an amateur." Toby twisted his face.
This was crazy. They were crazy and so was I, because I waned to be there. I don't know why, but I wanted to.
"Can I-"
"NO!" Oliver interjected.
"Please?" I made a puppy face.
"No." He said again.
"Who knows if I'll ever get any such opportunity. This is so exciting." I urged.
"Do you promise you'll listen to us?" Rafael asked with the highest level of seriousness.
I couldn't stop the grin creeping up my face. He agreed. I'm going with them. Yay!
"Are you fucking kidding me Rafael? She won't. She doesn't listen to anyone even if her life is at stake. You know what happened in club Inferno." Oliver lashed out at him.
"It won't repeat, I promise." I assured.
"Shut up Vittoria. Just shut up! I'm not willing to expose you to this danger. You don't get the seriousness of it." He yelled.
"I can fight pretty well. Daniel still has a scar on his face from our fight." I tried harder.
"This is the same person who said she isn't persistent just a few seconds ago." Toby commented.
"Alright let's do this is way. If I convince the investors tomorrow and get the deal done, then I'll be a part of this 'steal annoying Zanetti's drugs' mission. With that I mean I'll be there on field with you guys." I proposed.
They exchange unsure glances while I wait there impatiently, eager for them to say yes.
"That's fair enough." Rafael said.
"Fuck yes!" I screamed excitedly.
"Language!" Grandpa warned. "Trust me Vittoria, this will be the craziest thing you'd ever have done in your life. I still don't get why you are agreeing to her stubborn demands." He scowled at Rafael.
"Not as crazy as that dance." Liam mumbled to himself.
I shook my head at the memory of the most stupid thing I'd ever done.
Hold on! How did he know?
The background check. Of course.
"What dance?" Toby asked, narrow eyed.
"Nothing." I dismissed it.
"No, tell us. Now we're the ones who's curious." He pressed.
There's no way I'm telling them after the entire muffin accident. As silly as this sounds, they all teamed up against me and manipulated me to share the story. I stood my ground until an impressive half an hour but eventually gave up when they started thinking it was a private dance in a strip club.
"Fine!" I yelled, frustrated. I don't get why they so want to know about it. Three pairs of intrigued eyes stare at me while I narrate the story like I was a grandma and these were my kids.
"So it was some celebration day in high school and I had a performance. I was going to dance on Love Story by Taylor Swift." I started with the not so important story.
"I'm a die hard fan of that woman!" Liam squealed.
"Yeah me too." We did I high five before continuing. "One day before the performance I saw Nate kissing some other girl."
"Who the fuck is Nate?" Liam and Rafael both asked in unison.
"Her boyfriend. Isn't that obvious? Go ahead. I smell some tea." Oliver answered on my behalf.
I huffed. "So nothing. I changed my performance overnight to Look What You Made Me Do where I played the role of a psycho girlfriend who had a long list of ex lovers-"
"Like in blank space?" Liam questioned.
"Yep! And I killed all of them one by one by slitting their throats. The end." I flashed the sweetest smile.
"We underestimated this girl. She's way more dangerous." Toby feigned terror. "But I'm your fan. Really."
"Drama queen." Rafael rolled his eyes.
"What happened next?" Liam asked inquisitively.
"What do you think happened? They broke up. Who would tolerate cheating?" Oliver said as a matter of fact.
"And detention." I added.
"Why?" Toby asked.
"The dance was you know um..kind of scandalous. I wanted him to know what he's lost." I shrugged.
"Fuck! Can I see the video? Please?" Rafael mumbled from next to me.
"Shut up." I whispered, fearing someone would hear him.
"Now move your lazy ass, Liam. We've got to prepare reports. It's going to be a long night."
"This is not what I meant when I said I'm not going to let you sleep all night." He grumbled at the thought of working all night.
"Too bad we have inconsiderate bosses." I sighed dramatically.