80: The Day Love Burned Brightly
Part 4
Emil's POV
Three hours in the flight, the cabin was silent and the sound of the plane's engine can only be heard. I looked around and noticed Gio fast asleep at the back while Gabriel was scrolling on his iPad at the middle part of the plane minding his own business. Luigi who was in front of me on my left was busy on his laptop seemingly arranging my schedules in the calendar. Taking that as cue, I took my phone out of my pocket and called Biya.
"Hello Biya." I greeted the moment she picked up.
"Hi." Her soft voice calmed me down. I didn't know I was tense and stiff until she spoke and I went lax.
"Why are you calling in your other number?" She referred to my number I use whenever I go overseas.
"About that... I'm on my way to America right now?"
"What? All of a sudden? Why? Did something happen?"
"Just a situation I have to deal with. I'll be back as soon as possible, baby." She hummed.
"Okay. Be careful. Marcus have not told me anything about you leaving. He's here right now."
"Yeah. I figured you need his assistance."
"Emil... I already have Milos. I can handle myself." She sighed and I chuckled.
"He's only there to see how things are going."
"Well, if you consider him playing with Geno as seeing how things are going, he's doing a great job." She replied and I couldn't help but smile.
"He's a good guy, Biya. He may look scary as fuck but I assure you, that man is soft with kids. I have seen him care for Geno whenever Mina is not available."
"I can see that clearly now. Mina is in the laundry room right now folding clothes and blankets."
"Don't ever hesitate to tell them what you want, okay? You're the boss there." I heard her laugh.
"So, you're going in and out of America?"
"Yeah. I'll be quick. Marcus has to go check around my managers and investors while I'm gone."
"Oh... why? Did Luigi come with you too?"
"Yes." I answered quickly.
"Emil..." My name got dragged out. Oh shit...
"What are you not telling me?" She demanded. Well, damn. I cannot hide anything from her for too long. She knew me too well.
"I'm with Gabriel and Gio."
"Oh? Boys trip? I never knew you were planning one. Could have invited Percyla and Caralei here."
"It's a business trip, my love."
"Sounds serious then. Are you really okay?" There was worry in the way she talked and I smiled at that. There was a satisfying feeling of having Biya think about me. Might be a narcissistic shit I have but I was pleased with her thoughtfulness with me.
"We will be fine. Don't worry." I heard her sigh in defeat.
"Fine. But if you come home with bruises, God help me but I'll make sure you'll think twice before getting involved in a dangerous situation." She threatened with her soft voice. I chuckled at how her soft speaking voice can make cute but violent threats.
"Emil... I swear."
"Okay. Okay. I will be careful."
"That goes for Gabriel and Gio as well. I'm sure their women can happily beat their asses with anything they can get a hold of.
"Damn woman. We will."
"Good. Okay. I gotta go. Geno is trying to put clay on Marcus' hair now. Poor man can't say no." I could imagine that big guy trying his best to make Geno happy even if it meant destroying his hair.
"Okay. I love you." I told her and I heard her soft hum.
"I love you too." After that, I ended the call with my cheeks hurting from all the smiling. I couldn't stop thoUGH. She's fucking perfect!
"Whipped." I heard Gabriel cough out. I could only flip the bird at him before chuckling.
By the time we have arrived in America, it was already evening. We went straight to the penthouse and crashed.
"Why do I feel like I'm back in college?" Gio groaned before yawning.
"Beats me. You two already have children to take care of." Gabriel shrugged before putting down his black bag.
"When are you tying the knot with Caralei, amico? You two have been together for a long time." I asked and he smiled. This man can be so cold and would not give a fuck with people getting intimidated by him by just standing or even lounging on his seat but would automatically go soft when Caralei is around.
"Soon. I don't want to rush her though. We have all the time in the world." He said. I was happy for him. He had found love with his childhood friend and I was glad they gave each other a chance to be together. Funny how their relationship turned out. They would take a chance to tease, bully and annoy the fuck out of each other especially on Gabriel's side before. And then he came to his senses and began to seriously court her.
"Give them the ring and tie the knot, boys. It's rare to find women we are very compatible and in love with nowadays." Gio advised as he went to the refrigerator and got himself a bottle of water.
"Ah yes! How can we forget you, Gio? The man who made sure Percyla would forever be a De Luca." I chuckled and he wiggled his brows at us before taking a drink.
"Didn't want anyone stealing my girl. She signed up for life with me. I don't want to lose her." He replied after taking a drink.
"Look at us talking about the women in our lives and marriage. We've changed." Gabriel commented and I smiled.
"Changed for the better." I added.
"Yes. For the better. Now let's rest. Where are our rooms?" Gabriel asked.
"There." I pointed to my right down by the hallway.
"Nice. You got this renovated?"
"Yeah."
"That's dope, man. Go figures though. You own the building. I should do this to my own penthouse." Gabriel grabbed his bag and began walking down the hallway.
"Where's mine?" Gio went to take his bag on the coffee table.
"You can choose wherever you want." I gestured him to follow Gabriel.
"Cool! Good night!" He said before rushing to Gabriel and going to the second room beside him.
Morning came and the inevitable has come. We woke up early and worked out before I cooked breakfast for everyone including Luigi who was already prepared for the day when we came back from the gym.
"Does Zeke know we're here?" Gabriel asked in the car. We were now heading to the publishing company he has talked with to release rumors about Biya and I.
"No, Sir. He doesn't." Luigi answered.
"Good. I would love to see his face once we arrived." He smirked.
"I want to catch him off guard. There's no better way to surprise a coward than to corner him immediately." I said earning a laugh from them.
"Just tell us if you need to beat the shit out of him. He's done enough damage to even save himself now."
"I know. I'm ending him." I agreed to which Luigi turned to us with horror.
"E-end him?" He gasped.
"We're not going to kill me, man. Chill." Gabriel chuckled. He gave me a look as if asking if my secretary has ever experienced any violent deals we had while pointing at employee. I shook my head at him and he smirked again. Well, that's a bad sign. He'll probably make sure he sees a violent side of business.
"You've done a pretty good job choosing a secretary who doesn't like violence, my friend." Gio remarked.
"He's doing a great job. The last time I had a secretary who didn't bother resorting to violence or not holding back when threatened and hurt, she almost killed the love of my life. Trust me. He's better than her."
"Oh I am not disagreeing with that. Martina fucked up. Glad that girl is behind bars now. Even your grandpa. Sorry but that's the truth."
"I'm not offended or anything. He's better to be there honestly. He can't harm anyone until he can set his head straight." I said and silence fell. There were no more words to speak of about the matter. I've already dealt with them and now I have let justice pay for their crimes. I have to pay thousands of dollars to keep some people's mouth shut about the matter as it doesn't help anyone knowing what has happened to my life. The only thing I could not silence and have to endure was my case against Stephanie. I know I couldn't get away with that quickly considering the amount of people not believing me but I was fine by it. As long as I can fight for the truth, I was good.
"We're here, Sir." Luigi announced as the car pulled to a stop.
"Just tell us if you need reinforcements, bro. We'll be there." Gabriel patted my shoulder before we all got out of the car.
"Give me time to talk to him alone. If he can't respect my wishes, that's where we all crush him until his own dignity is powdered to dust. I warned him privately before. He won't listen? Let's give him what he wants? Publicly expose him." I told them. They all smiled. They knew what I was talking about. A man with stature has one fear when he has done something wrong and has skeletons in his closet. Public humiliation.
"That's what I'm talking about. You can trust us with this. We will be there with you if things escalate." Gio chuckled. With all the gaping mouths and shocked expressions on everyone in front of the Daily Dazzle building, we all went inside determined to end what Zeke is trying to start.
"Mr. Carini! What a surprise to see you here! Can we help you?" A curvy woman in her 40's greeted us with shock evident on her face. Her eyes were wide as saucers and her fingers played nervously on the hem of her blouse.
"We need to speak to your president. Where is he?" I answered and he looked at the frozen bodyguard beside her.
"Oh! Mr. Elizar! He- uhm... he's in a meeting right now but you can wait in the conference room for him-" I waved a hand and shook my head at her.
"No, ma'am. I need to speak with him now. You! Where is Mr. Elizar?" I pointed at a young man in the lobby desk. He jumped at me mentioning him making his eyeglasses slightly tilted.
"I-uhm-I..." He looked at his senior and the woman just shook her head at him as if she was saying that he should not tell me where he was.
"What you are delaying right now can cost you and this little company to crumble down until it is pure wasteland. Tell us now or else you will regret it." I demanded and the security guard nodged the woman by the elbow.
"I know Ezekiel O'Brien is here right now talking to your boss about false accusations. Do you think I will back down if ever your company decides to ride this rumor to the city and to the world for a small window of fame? Tell me now, ma'am." I demanded and my two best friends came to my side and stared at the guard and the man in the desk.
"He-he's in the top floor. Conference room A." Her voice shook as she finally told us their location.
"Is that really hard for you to say?" We left the cowering lady and the stupefied man and went on our way to that cursed conference room. Once we arrived in the floor where they were in, I took a deep breath before barging inside the Conference Room.
"Hey! It's occupied-Mr. Carini!" Mr. Elizar's voice shook and he quickly stood from his seat. His sit was pushed away as he stood up and crashed against the wall in the corner near us.
"What-... How can I help you?" He asked nervously. The way he nervously swallowed his guilt made me know what exactly I was doing here.
"You know." I growled before my gaze settled on the silent man beside him.
"Ezekiel O'Brien. May I have a fucking word with you?" I sneered and his eyes sent me a hateful glare.
"Si-Sir... we are in the middle of something here." Elizar tried to come between us but I pushed him away.
"If you want your business to fucking survive for at least another 6 months, I suggest you let me do my business now and stop talking to this lying bastard." I pointed at Zeke.
"I knew you would be coming for me if you ever caught whiff of my plans. This is why I left."
"You're a coward!" I growled grabbing him by the collar of his shirt.
"It's the truth. It's my truth!" He yelled gripping my hands trying to get away from me.
"The fuck you are talking about, O'Brien? Are you mad? Your fucking truth?! Do you fucking hear yourself, asshole?!" I threw him away from me completely fueled with angered by the delusional man in the room.
"Listen, Mr. Elizar. I am telling you now. If you decide to publish the lies of this fucking bastard, I'll make sure no one will ever see you and your company in the limelight again. Do you hear me? Are you that fucking blind with money and fame to let this-" I angrily pointed at Zeke who was standing up from the floor I threw him in. Fuck him. He deserved the worse.
"This man to speak lies just to get the big guns in the media have their attention in your small company?" He shook his head and spoke a repeated no.
"Luigi! Come here!" I demanded and my secretary entered in a hurry with his briefcase. It's time to end this without beating around the bush. He quickly pulled out papers upon papers of legal documents including Zeke's police reports. Grabbing it, I gave it to the shaking man in front of me. His hands trembled accepting the papers.
"Mr. Elizar. I am disappointed that you would let a man like him come here and spread lies about me and Beatrice Kairis. If you have a bit of conscience and ethics in your workplace, do not mix your articles with lies. Those reports? Beatrice has gone through hell because of him. He hurt her and you can fucking read that in those reports. That paper you are holding right now? That's proof of his restraining order Biya has file against him. Do you get it now? All he is and will be feeding you would be lies. Have you not thought of that?" I growled at the stupid man in front of me. I was not surprised he was acting like this since his company was already sinking.
"And you, stronzo, this is your last straw. You-" I pointed at him but stopped when he got something in his back and pulled it out. The metallic barrel glinted against the conference room lights and pointed it towards me.
"O'Brien! What the fuck are you doing, man?" Mr. Elizar's eyes grew wide holding his hands in the air.
"I know Beatrice is yours. Fuck! You didn't have to be in every news everywhere I go and I hate it! But you buying what was rightfully mine? My hospital?! That's..." His voice began to shake as his eyes watered. Both of his hands held the gun shaking. He's nervous.
"Zeke. Please. Stop this. You need help." I calmly spoke but he shook his head and blinked his tears away.
"No! This is unfair. I am ruined. You know that? I am ruined! You ruined me! I loved Beatrice, I did. But fuck you for buying the hospital! I hurt her and I admit that but you didn't have to go to an extent that I have nothing now. My own mother resents me for what I did. My life was great but you ruined it for me!" He screamed. His eyes went dark with murderous glare and my heart beat faster. Checking on Luigi, he was silent and unmoving with his hands in the air. I cannot let him get hurt... Mr. Elizar on my other side was still shaking, his eyes focused on the gun that was pointed directly at me.
"Look... we can talk this out." I began to negotiate calmly. Motherfucker had to bring a gun with him as if he has not dug his grave even deeper.
"No! Mr. Elizar, if Mr. Carini is out, you can hear my statement, right? I just have to remove the problem." The way he snarled the word remove let me know he was determined now to kill me.
"W-What? No! Are you insane?!" The man yelled, horrified at the event unfolding inside the conference room.
"If that's the case, I don't have a choice. I am already ruined. You already know too much. I need another one who can write my story." His voice was so laced with menace it brought Elizar on his knees begging for him to stop.
"Please Zeke! You're not thinking straight. Stop this! Please!"
"No one can hear us. I'm sure Carini here only brought his secretary with him today because you do not like bringing attention to yourself, yes?" He laughed darkly. Cocking his pistol, he took a deep breath and aimed at my chest.
"I am not alone." I smirked. A flash of confusion went in his eyes making him lower his gun slightly.
"What do you mean?" Realization struck him and I smiled victorious with him.
"He meant... He is not alone." Gio entered followed by Gabriel who was smiling like he was happy to be involved in here and be held us hostage.
"Unlike you, Emil has people in his life he can depend with that doesn't involve violence, lies amd bribery." Gabriel came to my other side and helped Mr. Elizar get up.
"Now, do as we say or things will get ugly for you." I warned and he looked at each of us, terror now settling in his worm of a life.
"No... This can't be. I should be having my interview now with you." He shook his head pointing the gun at Elizar. The poor man squeaked and held his hands in the air again scared for his life.
"You cannot win in this battle, Zeke. You cannot win when you all you do in life is lie and scare people with violence and money. You are bankrupt. You have multiple cases filed against you. Do you think pointing a gun at us will save you? You are wrong." I chuckled.
"No... no... This can't be!" He aimed the gun again at me and I just raised a brow at him. Really? He's still tying to do this?
"Shoot me and let's see how things go for you. I'm sure my friends have taken care of making sure there's proof of your crimes here." I heard Gabriel laugh.
"Oh hell yeah! You're doomed, man." My best friend agreed.
"We called NYPD, my friend. Do you think it's going to be okay with you when you have the owner of the Daily Dazzle, the personal secretary of Emilio Carini, Carini himself, Gabriel Montessoro and me, Gio De Luca at gun point?"
"You are alone holding us hostage, Zeke. NYPD is going to bust in here and do everything it takes to save us from you. What do you think happens when police learns that business tycoons like us are being held hostage and at gunpoint, I might add? Let's see how that plays for you." I couldn't help but smirk at how he finally was realizing that it's the end for him. He took a step back and his hold on his gun weakened.
"You came here hoping for a headline about you. Well, let's give him what he wants, boys." Gabriel said and raised his hands in surrender. Luigi followed Gabriel's actions and raised his hands again. Elizar seemed to get what we were trying to do and raised his hands higher in surrender. Gabriel, Gio and I then happily raised our hands in surrender. I mouthed 'game over' to Zeke and then multiple footsteps padded on outside. Bang!
"NYPD! Put your hands in the air! Drop your gun! Drop your gun now!!!" Police crashed inside the conference room with their guns pointed at Zeke. Luigi quickly went to my side, his eyes terrified with what was happening. I could hear Gabriel laughing and it probably because of my poor secretary scared for his life. It all happened quickly. Either what was happening in front of me was too fast paced or I just could not wait to get this over and done with. The police rushed to Zeke's side, reading his rights while cuffing him. They busted in like there was no tomorrow, weapons ready as if we really needed that kind of force. The boys and I knew one thing. To end it all and ruin him like the coward that he was, he needed another approach.
"Are you all okay, Sir? Anyone injured?" A police came to check us, his eyes wandering on each of us with inspection.
"We're okay. Thank you, Sir." I nodded at him with a small smile. The only one injured here is Zeke's ego.
"No! This can't be happening! No!" Zeke screamed hysterically now crying for his life.
"Please. I just want my hospital back. Please!" He begged as they began to drag him away. I just stood there and watched him pathetically begging for forgiveness and screaming not to take him away. It should not have ended this way if only he kept his mouth shut. Too bad he was too greedy for his own good. A pat on my shoulder brought me back to reality. Looking over to Gabriel, he nodded at me.
"You did it. He's going to be out of the picture from now on." He said. A sigh of relief came out from me and the burden of worrying for Zeke's next move suddenly was lifted. The next hours were filled with police, lawyers, reports and interviews. I knew they're going to publicly crucify Zeke now with what he has done. Hostaging us was the death sentence of his career and his own reputation.
"Well, that was one eventful day." Gio chuckled and sipped on his whiskey.
"Can't believe we went there, created a scene, broke news headlines and left. That was fucking chaotic." Gabriel laughed on his seat clearly entertained by what we did in America. We were on our way back now to Italy after the ruckus. We pulled some of our strings and have our lawyers and trusted staff to take care of it. Money can open and close mouths. It just works that way and I would do whatever it takes for Zeke to not harm Biya ever again.
"I hope your secretary won't quit once we arrive home." Gabriel smirked before downing his whiskey. Looking at Luigi who was fast asleep on the front row of the plane, I shrugged.
"I think he'll get through this. He needs to learn that sometimes, shit happens in our world."
"I was worried for him for a second while we were in that room." Gio spoke before he waved a hand at the flight attendant to refill our drinks.
"Oh? Why?"
"Because this fucker here thought while we were outside that it would be fun to scare the living shit out of Zeke by doing taking it in his own hands to tackle the issue."
"I just wanted Zeke to taste my invention, that's all." Gabriel tried to defend himself.
"By throwing whatever you showed me earlier? That small patch that sticks on the skin and electrocutes like a tazer? Bro. If that happened, Luigi might have fainted."
"I wanted to grab Zeke's gun and get it over with. Clearly that man was too cowardly to even pull the trigger. He only likes to appear as manly as possibly, show that is the shit by pulling a gun out and point it towards Emil." Gabriel rolled his eyes.
"You're too impatient sometimes, amico." I chuckled and he smirked.
"Too bad I couldn't do anything but just help Gio and called the police."
"Thanks for that, by the way. That seals his fate." He's gone in our lives.
"Well, we work as a team. We got your back." Gio held his now refilled glass of whiskey in the air for a toast.
"I'll help you dig around his profile and let him rot in jail for as long as possible." Gabriel promised holding to his own also refilled drink in the air next to Gio.
"To a now peaceful life. Thank you for helping me end this once and for all the way I like it. No more harm coming our way. Cheers!" We had our toast with our glasses and drank. Finally. It's over.
Once we were back in Italian soil, I invited them to the house in celebration. They all agreed and even Luigi didn't hesitate to come with us. Marcus met us by the gate, smiling proudly. He must have heard the news now. The night was quiet but the house was fully lit.
"How was your trip, Sir?" Marcus asked with a smile.
"Eventful but satisfactory, Marcus. Anything to report?" I asked him as we entered the premises of my house.
"Nothing unusual, Sir. Everything went smoothly." He replied.
"That's good." I nodded. He went to open the door and let us in. I spotted Milos coming to me from the living room. With a small bow, he greeted me.
"Good evening, Sir. I hope you had a good trip."
"It was, Milos."
"Good evening, Mr. De Luca and Mr. Montessoro. Good evening, Luigi. You can retire in the guest bedroom now. It's down by the hallway." He acknowledged my friends who were behind me then directed Luigi to where he was going to stay tonight. With a brief goodbye and a good night from my secretary, he happily went to his quarters.
"Good evening." My best friends both greeted back.
"Where's Biya?" I asked him.
"She's in the living room, Sir. Please follow me." He said. Okay.... That was strange. The staff all quickly took our bags and left us.
"That's weird. Are we staying for the night, amico? I have a family waiting for me at home." Gio commented coming to stand beside me. Gabriel only went to my other side silently, looking around as he usually does wherever we go.
"You can go home after I cook you two a meal. Let's go to the living room first." I replied.
"Of course." He said. We silently followed my bodyguard.
"Well, well, well... You three finally arrived." We all came to a sudden stop at the sight of the three beauties all sitting on the sofa, all radiant and holding both elegance and danger in them. Percyla broke the silence and Caralei swung her leg and crossed it with another. They were wearing their night gowns, white and in silk. Well, fuck me, but Biya looked like a goddess! She stared at me and crossed her arms on her chest making her bossoms do their enchantment in my brain. Fuck!
"Amore..." Gio's voice went soft looking at her wife who just raised a brow at her.
"Cara..." Gabriel breathed out staring at her red-head girl friend.
"Baby..."
"Your words are not going to affect us right now, Emil. What did you do in the U.S. and why are you three making headlines that you were hostaged by Ezekiel?" Biya's voice was firm and demanding and the boys cleared their throats before they both elbowed me. Caralei let out a soft chuckle of disbelief, shaking her head while smiling. Her smile was scary for me. She's out for blood. They were all out for our blood.
"Don't point fingers, boys. You three all know you wanted this. Explain now or we will make sure you sleep outside tonight." Caralei started.
"Well, we didn't think this through." Gio nervously chuckled.
"Let's choose our words wisely or we're fucked." Gabriel spoke on my side.
"We can hear you." Caralei teased before laughing but her laugh didn't bring joy in our hearts. We know we're going to get grilled by the three goddesses sitting on their thrones waiting for us to explain the stunt we pulled in America.
Happy Halloween, pumpkins! I hope you are enjoying the spooky season! Have you enjoyed the last part of Chapter 80? Comment and Vote! Love y'all!
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