~Chapter 3

Julius POV

Flipping the document closed I sighed, running a hand through my disheveled hair in utter exhaustion. I had to deal with as much work as I possibly could to make up for the time of waste in that dinner.

Directing my gaze to the digital clock that sits at my desk I groaned at the time reading; 6:20pm.

The dinner was at 7 and dad expected me to be punctual. Considering the unreasonable distance between my office and home I didn't think he would expect me to arrive before our guests, but he was my father and his expectations for the future heir were high.

Putting aside his ridiculous idea of my marriage, I rolled my eyes at the thought, I wouldn't be caught dead getting married to someone who'd just be with me for money and power. My mother was the exact example of an ideal woman, every other slut I met just needed one night and a suitcase of money. Money could buy their bodies, their values and their very beings, they were a very disgraceful species and I would be damned if I ended up in such a situation with those genders.

Women were nothing more than assets to he acquired, in this line of work it was common to have women being sold back and forth yo he sex workers, willingly or unwillingly and I had seen enough to know the were nothing special. Any normal person would dream of having a relationship, a marriage like my parents. They met in strange circumstances, my mother was the daughter of the very rich and famous drug Lord of their time, she was the exact opposite of what your stereotype of her would be. As someone who had everything served for her on a silver platter you would think she would be spoiled, pompous and bratty but she wasn't, she was down to earth, graceful, beautiful and kind. She spread light everywhere she went and according to my father that was exactly what drew him to her. As a child I'd hate the idea of hearing how my parents met which would lead to the story of how they gave birth to me, but I had to admit it was one for the grand kids like my father said, always taking any chance he got to tease me about marriage and children

Dad had done a good job raising me, controlling the two mafias he inherited and leading a business. He handled it all and I personally didn't see myself being a father, talk less of being a good father like he's always been to me.

Rising from my seat I pulled my blazer from the back rest, throwing it across my shoulder and padded out of my office.

"Boss?" Aldonis answered

"Call the Brucks' tell them the meeting will be held at our other branch" I said, walking in when the elevator doors slid open. "And tell them they have about an hour to wow me or the deal won't hold"

I cut the call after Aldonis answered in the affirmative and slid my phone into my back pocket, sliding on my blazer and strolling out the ground floor and into my Tesla.

I was never one to incur a loss and I wouldn't start now.

Vera's POV

Waving at Louis I bid him goodbye before padding down the passage and pushing the front door open. Walking in I announced my arrival but no one responded.

My brows knitted in confusion and I made my way to the kitchen, pulling out a bottle of water from the fridge and downing half of it.

Strolling up the flight of stairs I almost bumped into my mother as she came running down at full speed. When she spotted my startled form she took my hand and pulled me the remaining way, I struggled to keep up with her, my brows furrowed in confusion as she pulled me into my room and shut the door behind her.

She turned to me, staring at me wide eyed as she looked me over before running into my closet. I only now noticed she was dressed beautifully in a floor length pink gown and light make up layered on her face. Her hair was straightened which hardly ever happened unless she was going to someone important, I had gotten my hate for straight hair from her. My hair was already wavy naturally and I took it as a sign I wasn't meant to straighten it but now mother had done it it meant something was going down.

She scurried out of the closet with a dress in hand. She threw it on my bed and pulled me into her arms, her heart racing.

She pulled away enough to look into my eyes and I could see the nervousness clear in brown eyes, "Please hurry and get ready Vera, you came back late. You have only a few minutes and we cannot be late for dinner" she started, looking around for something before her eyes came to mine again. "Please hurry"

I parted my lips to speak but she cut me off, "I'll answer all your questions later dear, please just hurry" I nodded, sensing her nervousness and worry.

She hurried out of my room and I started getting myself ready. I slipped into the white off shoulder body con dress she kept on my bed. I left my hair in its messy bun and applied some mascara and lip gloss before slipping into my platform hills that were already kept beside my bed. After which I padded down stairs to see everyone ready. I came to the bottom and my eyes landed on Nina, she looked better like she didn't just have a bad case of the flu this morning. Perhaps mother had used one of remedies on her.

I walked up to her and checked her temperature with the back of my hand and she swatted it away, frowning"I'm fine, you'll ruin my makeup. Come on" she pulled me out as father and mother followed behind us and we all got into the car.

I was still beyond confused, mother and father seemed to be discussing something but they were using another language so I couldn't understand them.

I turned to see Nina check in herself out in her phone camera. She looked gorgeous in her purple Floral gown and her make up was well done like a professional's but I never took her as one to like make up. I actually hated the idea of covering my face with things like foundation, concealer, all those things disgusted me. Seeing Nina so concerned about her looks made me wonder where we were going and no doubt she was aware then why wasn't I?

I turned to her, "Nina, where are we going?"

She turned, rolling her eyes, "Didn't mama tell you?" She asked in an irritated tone and I was taken aback at her blatant disrespect but I recovered and shook my head eliciting another eye roll from her. "Dad's friend invited us over for dinner" she finished and turned back to checking her makeup.

Friend?

Was that why mother wanted my lessons finished early? She could have told me.

I just sat back and drifted off into space