59: The Day of Good Suits and Threats
Emil's POV
The car ride to my office was silent. Marcus was tense and so was I. We both knew we have to keep our shit together if we wanted to catch Martina and her allies. There was this dread that I felt inside me and I hope this won't actually happen on the night of my date with Biya.
"Marcus, is Luigi clean?" I broke the silence. He looked at me from the rearview mirror and nodded.
"Yes. He's clean, Sir. Why?"
"I need him to do something for me." I could only reply. I didn't want him to know everything I was planning as I knew I could only trust myself when I would be with my employees.
"Be careful, Sir. We're still investigating." He reminded me, his voice carried caution.
"We're here, Sir." He declared, parking the car in my spot of my restaurant parking lot. Opening the car door, some people spotted me and they already began taking pictures.
"It's Emilio Carini!" A woman shouted before more people focused their attention on me. Shit.
"Let's go." I told Marcus, not wanting to be photographed today. He nodded at me and used himself to block anyone trying to take pictures of me. We quickly walked inside the restaurant in a fast pace with the people flashing their cameras on me and some already shouting my name. There was enough distance between us and I was glad of the space. I didn't want to be crushed or mugged right now. I have enough on my plate already. Once we were in, the security guards in the entrance blocked them leaving their shouts muffled behind the doors.
"Why are there people outside again?" I groaned.
"Because you're Emil Carini and you haven't really shown up to the public for months. Just on television." He replied with a smile before we went to my office.
Marcus shot me a look the moment we entered the office and Martina was there already there with her usual iPad clutched in her hands. Last night, I thought of everything that has happened so far with the Vicenzio issue. Something still doesn't add up. I have to remind myself that there's probably more than one people to pull this off with Martina. I was still doubtful of Marcus and I won't let my guard down even for one second. If it's him, it's better to get him close to me so I'll have my eye on him all the time. If it's not him, nothing will change.
"Good morning, Sir!" She greeted in her usual chirpy tone. How can she do that? How can she act bubbly and normal when she's been stabbing me behind my back? A flash of anger and betrayal struck me but I had to remind myself to be calm.
"Good morning, Martina." I responded, going directly to the pile of paperwork I had in my desk.
"What's my schedule for today?" I asked taking a handful of documents with me. Marcus came to his usual spot when I needed him for the day. He sat on his usual brown cushioned seat near the door, grabbing a newspaper pretending to read. I knew that act of his. His eyes would shot at Martina and if looks could only kill, she would be dead right now.
"You only have a lunch meeting and two conference meetings later on 2 pm and 5 pm, Sir." She replied and I watched her type on her iPad. The usual things she did where now unnerving me. I was beginning to overthink everything she does and suspicions rose more on her.
"Great. Marcus, get me Luigi. I need to talk to him." I ordered the man who was watching me and Martina quietly at the corner.
"I can arrange that, Sir." Martina offered and I shook my head.
"No. Go back to your desk, Martina. We have a lot to deal with later today. Marcus will take care of it."
"Oh. Okay Sir." She shuffled on her feet before giving me one last look and then she walked away.
"Don't ignore her too much, Sir. She'll notice." My chief bodyguard spoke once the door closed.
I blew out a breath that I didn't know I was holding and leaned back on seat.
"She's getting on my nerves." I growled and he sighed. Rounding my table, he went beside me and patted my shoulder.
"We need to find her allies, Sir. Be calm. We'll catch them if we keep silent and work under her nose." He reminded me in a low tone. He's being discreet about it. If he's working with Martina, he should be speaking loudly now so she can hear it.
"I know. I need you to report as soon as possible." I demanded. He straightened his back and nodded.
"Yes, Sir. I'll go get Luigi." He replied before he excused himself and left the office. I needed this whole Vicenzio thing to be over. I could still feel Biya being cautious and worried from time to time and it makes me angry that Martina and whoever the fuck she was working with could make her like this. I shook my head at the thought. I looked at the pile of paperwork I had on my desk. I gotta start working if I want to go home early and prepare for our date, I thought. Grabbing my pen, I started working.
I was halfway through a report when Martina buzzed in to inform me that Luigi was here.
"Let him in." I replied in the intercoms and I heard her meek reply before a knock on the door disturbed my peaceful office. I quickly pressed the remote for my windows and changed it from the usual transparent to opaque style. I was cautious that Martina would see me talking to Luigi about something. I texted Marcus telling him to watch Martina while I talk to Luigi. One second later, I saw Marcus big figure near the office windows on the reception area and he stood on his post on the opposite side of Martina. Good.
"You're late." I said the moment Luigi opened the door. He just chuckled as he closed the door.
"Good morning, Sir." I raised a brow at him at his more chirpy tone unlike before where he would be serious and formal. His new dark blue Armani suit made him a new version of Luigi.
"Well, finally you're wearing a good suit." I commented, pointing at his suit with my pen. He scratched his nape and chuckled.
"Thanks, Sir. I just want to change my style and look worthy by your side." He replied and I smirked.
"Took you a long damn time to realize that." I was pleased that he was finally stepping up his game. He's a damn workaholic like me but he's got no fashion sense or any specific style for that matter. He laughed again.
"Plus I met a girl." He added rather quickly before he rushed to the seat in from of me and took it. Well, that sums it up. Luigi has been working for me for a long time and ever since we met, he's been self- conscious, plain, serious, very thrifty and only wore dress shirts or polos to work. He would only wear a suit when there's an important meeting to attend to or an event we're invited to. Now even when he's just working in his office, he's dressed like this. I liked this new version of him.
"You met a girl? Do I know her?" I was curious who could have changed him and he scratched his nape again letting me know he was nervous.
"I think so."
"You think so?" I leaned on my seat and settled myself comfortably. I'm interested with his life now and it has been a while that we talked about personal stuff.
"Yeah but that's a subject for another time. Why did you call me, Sir? Are you going somewhere?" He now went back to work mode, his tone changing to his usual serious one with his stiff posture. I stood up and left my table, going to the large window panels overlooking the city.
"I need you to do something for me." What I was about to tell him would make me take a huge risk. I knew Martina now was Vicenzio but I wanted to know who her allies were without anyone suspecting. I knew that another person working for me must be in her side and I knew Luigi can be a possible suspect. So, this was a huge gamble. If my plan gets ruined by him, it's him. If no one will disturb us, that confirms his innocence.
"What is it, Sir?" I composed myself wanting to be as confident as possible to say these words to him. If he's a part of Vicenzio's scheme, he should be afraid.
"I want you to work with me here in my office." I began and I heard his take a breath.
"B-but, Sir... I am already working with you. I am looking over your restaurants here in Italy." The anxious Luigi was back.
"I know but you know Martina has a better paycheck than you." I said and I heard his chair being pushed back.
"Are you firing her?" He spoke in a ghostly whisper as if he didn't want anyone hearing him.
"No." I lied to him.
"Then why do you need me here, Sir? She has been working with your since the beginning. She knows you better than I do. I don't think-"
"Did I ask you to be my personal assistant if I thought you're not good for the job?" I cut him off, my gaze snapping at him and he took a step back.
"Sorry, Sir. Uhm... Wow. What do you need me to do? Martina got everything under control, right?" He slowly sank on his seat and his face went pale. I wanted to laugh just looking at his reaction right now.
"You will still look over the restaurants here but I need you here for the mean time." I explained.
"Why not just hire again, Sir?" He recommended and I shook my head.
"I can't trust anyone on this job." He shifted on his seat and played with his fingers. The way he looked at me gave it away. He was confused and nervous at the same time.
"What is the job exactly?"
"You'll be the one to arrange my affairs in my personal life." I said and he went still.
"I-I... " He could only open his mouth and spoke one word.
"I know this can be a stressful task but I really need someone to trust on this that's why I am choosing you to work personally beside me. Not only will you arrange my schedules and everything I needed when I can't do by myself because God knows how hectic my schedules can be but you will also learn to be a better manager. I want you to learn everything in the business world not just here in our country but in other countries." I was genuine with what I told him. If he's not an ally, he can really learn to be a better businessman and manager. Perhaps, one day, I can send him to America and trust him with one of my biggest hotel and restaurant there. His eyes grew wider and he went paler.
"Dude! Do you need water?" I asked, laughing now that he was just opening his mouth like fish out of the water.
"G-give me a second to process this, Sir. Please." He said before he blew out a huge breath and rubbed his eyes hard.
"Wow." He shook his head in disbelief. I just watched him compose himself for a minute, completely amused at how easily I can read him. By the looks of it, he's acting innocent but I won't know unless I would out until everything I needed him to do would go on smoothly. And then, he stood up from his seat and went towards me. He held out a hand and I shook it firmly.
"I am honored to work by your side, Sir." He spoke with confidence and I smiled.
"The pleasure is all mine." We both withdrew from our handshake and went back to our seats. He was smiling proudly as he waited for me to sit down.
"This is your first assignment for me. Don't tell anyone about this, okay? Not even Martina." I told him and he eagerly nodded his head.
"Of course, Sir." He replied and fished out his small blue notebook and pen from his suit pocket ready to take notes. This is one of the reasons why I hired him. He's so drive. So determined. However, those factors could also benefit Vicenzio. I continued with my plan. This would be my date with Biya again but also, this will be a test to the two men I have trusted before the Vicenzio issue arose.
"Good. I want you to prepare the island I have in Amalfi Coast by 9 PM. Get my yacht ready to take us there. Put white candles all over the beach surrounding the rest house. I need two chairs and make sure those will be comfortable for the lady and a table. Get my staff to decorate the table. Prepare 2 dozens of red roses."
"Will you give this to your lady, Sir?" He asked while he scribbled like a mad man on his notebook.
"Yes. Make sure to make it romantic, okay? Provide music around the area as well."
"What about food?"
"Steaks. One medium rare and one well done. Medium rare for Biya and mine will be the well-done steak. Get some vegetable salads as well. She might want one. Add some mashed potatoes as well. She likes that."
"Biya?" His eyes widened in surprise, his pen now taking a pause from his brutal writing. He looked at me before realization crashed upon him.
"Oh shit! You're dating her again?!" He exclaimed, slamming the notebook and pen on my table before throwing his hands in the air.
"Holy shit! Wow! Boss! Congratulations!"
"Thank you." I could only reply as he began to ramble about me and Biya.
"Don't speak a word about this, Luigi. One word from you and you're out." I warned him and he nodded furiously before grabbing his pen and notebook again.
"I swear on my life, Sir, I will never tell anyone until you two finally confirm it. I give you my word."
"Good. Now, put a red carpet so she can walk comfortable on the sand. Make a bonfire as well. Prepare a kind- of picnic spot near the bonfire. I want her to relax." He was smiling from ear to ear while I continued and when I finished, he looked like he knew what he would be doing.
"Give me a full report on your progress by 3 PM. I want pictures and designs of the area. Main themes and details, Luigi. Remember those." I seriously wanted everything to be perfect for this date.
"I got it, Sir. You can trust me on this. Do you need your bodyguards for this?"
"I will only take Marcus with me." He nodded.
"Okay then. Call me, Sir, if you need to add anything else."
"I will. Now go." I dismissed him and he bade goodbye before he hurriedly went out of his office. I chuckled at the sight of him walking with a bounce on his feet as if he was more excited than me with my date. Once he was out, I grabbed my phone and called Blaze.
"Wassup?" He chimed in the moment he answered.
"When is your day off?"
"Sunday. Why?"
"Does Biya's day off go along with you?"
"Hmmmm... let me see. Oh! Nope." My heart sank in disappointment at that.
"Oh is that so?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"I'm planning our vacation." I heard him hum on the other line before the sound of papers being flipped over rustled against my ear.
"Well, if you want, you can adjust your schedule for the vacation. Biya and I will have two days of day-off next month." I thought about it for a moment. If that would be next month, maybe I would have Martina and her allies under custody by then which would be a safer way to go have a vacation for all of us.
"Great! We'll go next month."
"Heck yes! Thanks for bringing me along, man." He spoke with sincerity this time and I smiled.
"Not a problem. I gotta go back to work."
"Yeah me too. Oh! Emil?"
"Yeah?"
"You're doing a great job taking her back." I smiled at his words.
"Thank you."
"I mean it, Emil. She's... happier now. More energized. I'm glad you two made up. I just hope you won't break her heart again. She's a close friend. If you ever hurt her, I'll hunt you down myself. You hear me, Carini?" There was a warning on his tone now and I knew he was being serious.
"I won't ever hurt her again. I learned my lesson. It's time for us to heal and court her again."
"You better do a great job of it."
"You're a good friend, Blaze." I told him and I heard him chuckle.
"Of course, I am. I just want what's the best for you two. For fuck's sake, just confess already. You're head over heels over this girl."
"It's too soon. I don't want to rush her to get back to me."
"She did get back to you, didn't she?"
"Officially." I added and I heard him curse at me for being romantic.
"Fuck you and your slow ass romantic shit. If I was you, I would be confessing my love to her right now on the streets of Rome."
"You're going to scare your woman away if you ever have a woman you can date."
"Oh wow! Well, get your shit together and be with Biya. When you two are official and I'm not stressed with your love lives, then I can date someone." He began acting offended but I knew he was acting like his usual self which was being a tease and an ass.
"You got yourself a deal." I chuckled as I spoke.
"I'm serious, Emil. One wrong move from you and I won't fucking care who you are. Biya's gone through a lot of shit. She needs peace. If you ever break her heart, I'm cutting your balls off with my scalpel."
"I'm working on finding peace." I replied, my eyes going to the window where I could see Martina typing on her computer.
"Good. Gotta go. Tell me if you need anything."
"I will. Good bye."
"Bye!" I ended the call the moment he bid his farewell. If I continue talking to him, I won't get any work done. I shook my head, laughing in disbelief at the way Blaze just behaved. He just threatened me. I can't believe that doctor I got to be friends with in college just threatened me with a scalpel. He's a true friend. I pressed my phone again and called a trusted friend of mine.
"De Luca." The man on the other line spoke.
"Hey Gio! Are you busy? I need your help with something." I said. The only people I could completely trust on this plan now are my best friends.
"I'm with my family right now. What's up?" He asked.
"Someone is messing with Biya and I need your help to catch the culprits. Can you talk to Gabriel about this. I need back-up."
"Yeah. Sure! I got your back. Wait. Let me put Gabriel on the line."
"Wait. He's back?" After a few months not showing up because of his project, the fucker decides to leave his man cave.
"Yeah but only for a brief time. He told he needs to finish his company project." That guy really spelled trouble with his weapon company and now him not showing to the public for months.
"Hello." Gabriel's deep voice vibrated on the phone.
'Yow man! It's been a long time since I saw you."
"Yeah. I'm really busy with our project. Cara can't even have her girl's night now with her friends."
"No shit, bro. Percyla misses her."
"She'll be back. I promise." I felt something dark with the way he said that but I focused on my plan now.
"Guys, I need your help. Someone threatened and hurt, Biya. It's time to catch them."
"Tell us what you want to do. We got your back." Gio spoke and I smiled at the way they automatically back me up with anything.
"Yeah. Tell us. I'll personally deal with them." Gabriel can be this super relaxed dude but would go into the deepest depths of hell if needed. Right now, he's on that mode and I was slightly scared of the Vicenzio gang with Gabriel being involved.
"Me too. Biya is like a sister to Percyla and I won't let anyone hurt her family." Gio agreed.
"Tell us if we will use traps, threats or let them taste a little bit of death." Gabriel added and I was sure now whoever Martina was with for this scheme, they're fucked.
"Guys, don't be too harsh on them. I just want them to be dealt by the legal system." I tried convincing them but I knew they both take matters in their own hands.
"Bullshit. Let's make them regret until they won't even want to go near Biya ever again." Gabriel disagreed.
"Yeah. Don't act with mercy when they hurt your woman, Emil. Now, tell us your plan, amico mio." Gio gave way for me to explain the plan.
"I'll send you the plan."
"Okay." They both spoke in unison.
"Thanks, guys."
"That's what friends are for, man." Gio replied.
"It's not a problem, Emil. Let us deal with the rest of your plan." Gabriel's promise gave me assurance that everything will be alright. With my friends with me now, my plan to capture and stop Martina and her minions will work.
Hey! The trio aka the bastard knights are back!!!
Okay so the internet sucks on where I am right now because I am required to go on a self- isolation or quarantine by the health department in here. That's why I couldn't update on time. Anyway, this is just a taste coz the chapter will be too long if I include the date. Part 2 which would be the date itself will be up next. Comment your thoughts on Emil running a job on a job. Hustle boy doing some detective stuff on his own with the help of our favorite men, Gio and Gabriel, hahaha! Comment guys! I love talking to you all. Don't forget to vote! See ya later!- L
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