21

Massimo

My phone vibrated for the third time that morning. I looked at the screen of the phone and saw the caller ID. Then I ended the call. I wasn't ready to pick yet when I don't have a lasting solution to the recent event. I cringed as my usual brandy tasted bitter in my throat . I frowned as my head began to throb. It was still early in the morning to start feeling like hell. 

My phone rang again and I silenced it yet again, knowing well that trouble was definitely coming. I didn't know when or how but this coming storm would be catastrophic. 

The door of my office opened, revealing a horror stricken face of Florence. Believe me when I say she seldom gets afraid and even if she did, she never shows it. However, she was white and pale like a ghost.

“He's here,” she whispered, gripping the hem of her shirt with fright. 

Of course, I expected him to show up earlier than this. This fact that he never for once said anything or showed up in my office angrily was a total surprise for me too. I braced up and sat on my seat, ready for the meet and greet.

The door opened again and he came in, his aura filling the entire room. The black bold tattoo on his arm was visible because he had rolled up his sleeves. The design was more distinct than the last time I saw him and I wondered if he'd added more to it. The collar of white shirt was stained with dry blood and there were splashes on his face and palm too. I wonder whose blood it was. One of the men passed him a white handkerchief and he tried cleaning off the mess but it was futile.  

My heart raced and my stomach sunk as he walked closer. He dropped the blood stained handkerchief on my desk with a smirk and sat down. I didn't have to be told, he had killed one of my men on his way up.

“Arseni,” I called, trying to mask my fear but I was sure he knew that I was frightened and that seems to only make him stronger the more. 

“You took your time,” I said, steadying the beating of my heart.

“Well, I thought I'd give you enough time to sort out the complication you created but as always you didn't have the balls. Or was it betrayal rather than complications?”

“I'm not a betrayer, that you should know. If I was like that, you wouldn't have partnered with me.” As I said this, my eyes flashed to Florence who seemed to have been holding her breath. The colour on her face was yet to return and I feared if she wouldn't collapse from the situation on ground. I signalled to her to leave. She waited for a while and I nodded again, hoping that she'd get that I was fine, that she could leave. She nodded back, took one last look at Arseni and left the room.

“I'm sorry but I don't believe you. It's rather unbelievable that two big containers were taken from your dock, I mean right under your nose and you didn't know anything about it.”

“I didn't. You are not the only one who has experienced setbacks in his plans, I have too. The multipurpose container was my beacon of power. I needed it for my big project too but it's gone. I'm bleeding too Arseni” I said weakly.

“I think not,” he said calmly but with an icy cold voice that told me that he was only trying to contain his anger. He leaned in closer to me, “I had everything planned for you, the route, the buyers, and even made use of my most trusted networks but what did you do? You changed the course at the last minute and I allowed you the liberty because I thought you had a reliable reputation. And then all of a sudden, my money disappeared into thin air. Make it make sense to me Massimo”

“I'm tracing it, I'll find where they are and bring them back to you.” I reassured him.

“You better do, because my Singaporean friends aren't as calm as I am. They'd burn the whole of the city down to get their deals and you might get hurt in the process. They've killed countless men and just because you are a big deal here doesn't mean you are untouchable,” he said and I knew it was a bluff, he meant each of his words.

“All of my men were killed by them. One of them is missing though, I'll find him and see what info he could provide me. My friends in the force are on their toes, figuring out where the children are. I'll find them for you.” I said yet again even though I haven't yet figured out just how to do it. All I said was pure bluff.

“I'm running out of patience Massimo. I want to see results, not some bragging about intels that you have.” He said uninterested.

“I wouldn't dare to mess this up, knowing what possible influence it'd give me. Those three brothers messed this up for us, we should be finding a way to get back at them” I replied, hoping he'd get the gist.

“I won't fight your Rome fights for you Romeo. Deal with them and bring back my containers.”

“I will do that but I never authorised the hijacking, Arseni,” I said again, hoping that he'd believe me

“Whatever, Massimo. Bring back my deals.” He said and stood up. His long black coat flowed around him like a grim reaper. I watched the back of his head as he left the room, with his men filing after him. Just when I thought he was finally out for my hair, he turned around.

“I know what I said but if I find out you were in on this, you are dead, no where would become safe for you, not even under your mother.” He flashed me one crook smile and left, slamming the door after him. I sighed in frustration after he left the office. 

“Fuck!’ I cursed out, slamming my hand on the desk before me. The door opened again and this time it was Florence. She looked better now and wasn't as white as she was early but the glint of fear was still in her eyes.

“What do you want me to do? Have some of our men follow him and see what he's up to?” She questioned.

“No,” I said plainly.

“Are you sure about that? You know how dangerous he can be. What if he's planning on hitting us unaware?”

“He won't, at least not until I give him what he wants. He killed one of my men?” I asked and she nodded. 

“If he can do that right under my nose, he'll end the lives of others that you want to send after him. For now I want to be alone”. She nodded and walked out of the room slowly, shoulders dejected.

I stood up and walked to the huge window, looking down. The streets looked dull and dry, as if they were in sorrow too, as if they understood my pain. If I didn't find Arseni his container, he could get me killed. I was no match for him at all and that was the main reason I partnered with him. To crawl up the ladder even if I'd be his lapdog. But things had gone south and now trouble is brewing.