Toast to power

CATRINA'S POV 

The luxury sedan glided through the bustling city streets, but the tense silence inside was thick enough to cut with a knife. 

Vincenzo was on the phone, his knuckles white as he gripped the device. 

A vein throbbed at his temple, and his jaw was a hard, chiseled line.

"Nobody should move an inch till I get there," he snarled, his voice rumbled dangerously that cut through the soft hum of the engine.

 "What do they mean the funds have not gotten to them yet? What non-sense," he murmured, his voice now laced with a cold disbelief that was more chilling than his earlier rage.

His head snapped up, he glared at the driver's reflection in the rearview mirror. His eyes, usually a calm, steady brown, were now burning with an unholy fire. 

"Driver, will you drive this car fast or you will get your sack letter immediately?" he sneered, his words were of a swift and brutal promise.

We arrived at the Golden star restaurant.

Mr. Hulk and other security standing at the entrance to welcome Mr. Vincenzo.

Vincenzo stormed out of the car and shoved in the entrance.

I walked in a hurried motion behind him.

We headed to the VIP, the restaurant was screaming luxury.

This is where big men came to chill after a day's work or have meetings with their friends.

I was wowed by the interior design and light.

The place was so calm and quiet with slow music.

A chill raced up my spine the moment Vincenzo opened the door, a secret handle in the cold stone wall. 

My hands, slick with sweat, trembled, and I tried to hide them in my pockets. 

It wasn't the temperature, but the sudden dread of what lay beyond.

 I stumbled a bit, my worn-out shoes a clumsy echo in the silent hallway, a stark contrast to Vincenzo's smooth, confident stride.

Then we were inside, and the air shifted. 

It was no longer the oppressive silence of the hall, but a low murmur of voices, a hushed symphony of power.

 The heat that rushed over me wasn't from a fire, but the sudden, blinding realization of my insignificance. 

I felt a wave of shame as I glanced down at my clothes, the fabric feeling like a beggar's rags in this room. 

My arms pulled in, a subconscious effort to make myself smaller, invisible.

Every man in the room was a statue of wealth and authority, their perfectly tailored suits and cold, calculated expressions a language I couldn't speak. 

They moved with a quiet certainty, their words carrying the weight of a world I had only seen in movies.

 I felt I was a trespasser, a clumsy shadow in a room of gods, and the weight of their judgment was a physical thing, pressing down on my chest until it was hard to breathe.

We sat on a chair surrounding the table where everyone else was sitting.

“I can see you brought someone else with you Vincenzo,” a man said with a chuckle.

“You know we aren't supposed to bring our sluts in here” another protested.

Vincenzo held his hand up, cutting everyone else from their own opinion.

I just sat there, quiet, feeling like a total ghost.

Then I met his eyes,they were locked onto mine.

 He was staring like he knew me from somewhere, like we were old friends or something. 

His eyes were this intense brown, and he had this golden hair and these crazy broad shoulders. 

And then he just smiled at me. 

“Hi, there” he said, stretching his hands for a hand shake.

“Hi” I responded, returning his hand shake.

“You look so familiar, like I've met you from somewhere”.

“I'm Antonio Russo, What's yours?”

“I'm Catrina's Lombardi” I responded, my eyes fixed on the table trying not to meet his gaze.

“Care for a drink?” He asked, pouring a glass full with champagne stretching it towards me.

I gave a nod. 

“Now let's raise a toast to more money and power” Vincenzo raised his glass up.

“Toast!!” They responded cheerfully.

Hulk offered me another glass of wine.

This one tasted entirely different from the first. I couldn't figure out the taste.

I gulped it all, he offered me again and again.

I took it all.

I began to feel a bit tipsy, Antonio noticed.

“Are you sure you are okay?” His voice was laced with concern.

“Yes I'm fine” I responded trying to balance myself on the chair.

I tap Vincenzo’s shoulder, leaning in close.

“I'm heading to the bathroom” I whispered.

He turned his head slowly.

“Are you sure you can walk alone? You look drunk?” His voice was surprisingly low and calm.

“Yes I can” I replied with a smile curled on my lips.

I gripped the chair, pushing myself to stand.

I headed for the female restroom, really tipsy.

My head was spinning and my eyes also felt dizzy.

I held every corner for support till I got to the restroom.

As soon I was done, I came out blow-drying my hands.

I felt someone behind me.

Fear washed through me, I gasped for air as I turned.

I felt relieved seeing Hulk.

“Hulk you scared me”. I stumbled leaning on him.

He looked at me, his face twisted in disgust.

“Vincenzo asked me to take care of you,” he said with a warm smile.

“Ooh that's so sweet of him”, I said, holding his chin as I stumbled a step back.

He held my waist in support.

“I will take you to a room to rest your head,” he said, taking my arms wrapped on his shoulders, as he dragged me with him.

I was far too gone to protest. 

I dragged my feet on the ground unconscious of what was happening.

All I knew I was safe in Hulk’s hands.