Purchase

Nicholas

“Are you going to Mr. Ambrosia’ new business launching tomorrow?” Scott inquire for the third time. Followed by a cuss after losing his game on his phone.

And for the third time, again, I didn’t bother to give a response to him. I am too preoccupied with the pile of documents stacked on my office table.

I did not plan on staying at my office for too long, but after seeing how my secretary was stacking these documents earlier, I quickly change my mind and now it’s already gloaming outside.  

“I heard Mr. Giordano will be attending. Aren’t you planning on expanding your hotel and restaurant in Venice?” I heard him speak again, from my peripheral view, I could see him typing something on his phone.

What Scott informed caught my attention. I did not know that he will be present at the launch. Or maybe I was just too lax to inform my secretary to get me the list of attendees for the launch.

And indeed, I was planning on expanding the business but because I don’t have anyone who could give me advice on whether I should push it through or not, I put the plan on hold.

“How about you? Did you also receive an invitation?” I inquire back, still not sparing him a glance and just continued signing the document I was reading minutes ago.

“I will be attending with Melanie.”

I raise my head and watch him with furrowed brows. The last time I knew, he was with Savannah Limonov. “Is she your new fling?”

The asshole just nodded. Grinning from ear to ear.

“How many days would she last?”

“Tomorrow night.” Scott’s quick reply answered my second question. The woman must be to clingy for his taste. And I’m not surprise anymore. Nothing’s new about it anyway.

“You’ll probably regret this once you find your match, Scott.” I said meaningfully and went back to what I was doing.

I heard him faintly mumble something. Before asking me for the fourth time if I am going or not.

“I will attend. I have a reason now. Plus, I am curious to why Valentino chose to venture into modeling industry instead of expanding his architectural firm.”

“I’m pretty sure it’s because of her. You know how crazy he is towards her.”

I just shrug what Scott said. They are just the same. I don’t understand why they chose to do crazy and stupid things just for love. What benefit could they get from it?

It was already midnight when I finished signing and reading the documents. Scott stayed for another two hours after having pizza for dinner before leaving at eleven sharp. Probably on his way to the bar again.

Because his old man is still handling most of their businesses, Scott’s too free to do what he wants with his spare time. And I, on the other hand, have lots on my plate. I prefer spending my spare time taking a nap or hitting the gym.

Once the elevator door chimes and the door splits open, I swiftly stride out towards the lobby.

“Have a pleasant midnight, Mr. Moretti,” said Antonio, one of the guards on duty.  

I simply nod back at him. I walk my way out of the building and closer to my car. The valet, who I informed of my departure minutes ago, handed me my car key.

I slid inside and drove away from the five-story building.

The night drive to my temporary apartment in downtown Milan was smooth as there was no traffic. The 30 minutes’ drive became 15.

It was already 12:30 when I arrived at my apartment. I took a quick shower and while drying my hair, I busied myself with checking if there are any news or article of tomorrow’s event.

Valentino is a very secretive man. He does not release any statement of what his preparing ahead of the event. But knowing his popularity after gaining the spot of most trusted architectural firm, the media must have been tailing him just to get some scope.  And my guess never failed me. Pictures of him entering a building are all over the internet.

But one article caught my attention, he was entering the building with a woman dressed in a casual blue pants and white shirt. His hand was resting on her shoulder. My eyes found the caption, in bold letters it says, “Mr. Ambrosia’s rumored girlfriend: Which family does she belongs to?”

I furrowed. Girlfriend? If my memory remembers correctly, his girlfriend is quite short compared to the woman on the picture. If I guess her height, she must be 170 cm tall.

My friend Valentino is not the type of man who would cheat. I look for more photos to see if there are any that capture’s the woman’s face, but to my dismay, all there is is a photo of her back and blurred profile pictures.

I don’t know why but I was intrigued to find out the woman’s identity. I sense familiarity in her…

The sun’s ray found its way to lighten up my dark room. If not because of the small light sipping through the tiny gap of my two curtains, I will not know that it was already daytime.

I reach for my phone on the side table. I peek at the time. It’s still 7 am sharp. Remembering that I have not informed my secretary about my sudden decision last night. I quickly sent her a message, informing her that I will attend Valentino’s launch, hence my reason for not reporting in the morning.

Tidying my bed was the first thing I did before hitting the mini gym next room. And after staying for 30 minutes running on the treadmill, I decided to cook myself some breakfast while conversing with Scott, who rang me up after I got out from the gym.

It was only a brief conversation of him informing me about my tailored suit that will be delivered at 10 sharp.

After having breakfast, I stayed in the living room. Mostly, answering emails and phone calls to distract myself from not thinking of the familiar woman—who is acquainted with my friend, Valentino.

However, despite busying myself, the woman’s familiar frame did not leave my mind not until I arrive at the launching venue.

I spotted Scott along with his date partner, Melanie; wrapping her arm around his waist. I raise my hand when he turned to my direction.

I saw him make haste the moment his gaze landed on me.

“Let’s just stay here. There are too many guests inside.” He uttered the moment he got closer to me.

I watch his tense gesture. Last night, I could sense his excitement about this launch but now he wants us to stay outside.

“Melanie, is he still drunk?” I asks the woman beside him, who in return giggled like a child.

I furrowed at the woman. There’s nothing funny about my question. Why is she giggling? She must also be drunk. This is why I don’t like Scott going to bars when he has important matters to attend to the very next day.

I turned my attention to Scott. “I don’t know if you’re still drunk or not but I am not staying outside. The building’s to huge. It will accommodate all guests.”

I did not wait for my cousin’s retaliation, instead, I stride fast to enter the building, and before I could even take my next step closer to the other guests, I was halted by the three huge portraits inside an acrylic frame displayed on the lobby.

I could feel my heart skipped a beat just by staring at the woman’s familiar face.

It’s her…

Even without her thick glasses, or thick brows, or her expressionless face, I could tell that in the portrait is the woman whom I have been looking for the past five years.

“That’s why I told you that we should stay outside.” I heard Scott mumble. He is now standing beside me and perhaps also watching the same view as I am… just like everyone in this room is possibly doing.

My gaze did not left the portrait at the center. Where her smile is the brightest.

She has changed.

Just by staring at the unmoving version of her, I could tell that she is not the same person from five years ago.

I want to know what happened to her within those five years. I want to ask Valentino who she is in his life.

“Where is Val—”

“Beautiful, isn’t she?”

I did not move my gaze at the person who cut me off. “Is she your new girl?” I impatiently inquired, this time staring at him seriously.

There was a small laugh on Valentino’s end. “What do you take me for? I’m not like that man who’s standing beside you.” Pointing at Scott, he said. Still laughing.

Scott retaliated aggressively, “I am enjoying my single life, you bastard!”

“Yeah, yeah! Whatever you say, womanizer,” he said to Scott before turning his attention to me, “she’s my one and only cousin.” He added proudly, like a father watching his grown daughter.

“I never heard of you having a cousin,” uttered Scott.

Valentino shrugs his shoulder. His aura changed, like a businessman. Domineering and cunning. “There are things that needs to be kept unsaid. She’s my beautiful cousin. And like a little sister to me. I don’t want men to pry on her, especially you, Scott Theodore Moretti!”

I could feel my cousin’s meaningful gaze on me. I did not mind him. I was more interested on how to make Valentino’s guard on his cousin crumble.

After finally knowing that she’s just a reach from me, I will not waste this time’s opportunity. I won’t let her slip from my grasp this time around.

“You should not be wary of me. I won’t even lay a finger on her. She’s beautiful… yes, but I also have my own taste.” I heard Scott uttered. In a cool and unbothered way.

Valentino drops his guard as if what he heard from Scott pleased him. I too was satisfied with Scott’s words. He nods his head, “I will introduce her later. She’ll be attending the after-party. She didn’t want to see herself,” he pointed at the portrait.

Valentino then dropped the topic off from her cousin and change it to a different one. Mostly on my business expansion. Though from time to time he would question Scott about my uncle’s business.

“He was planning on expanding the airport in Vienna.” Said Scott.

I listened to them converse. I know Valentino wants to take the project on the airport’s expansion. This would be another big project for his architectural firm after all.

However, the conversation did not last long as the launch was about to start. Valentino left for his opening speech and to do the honors of cutting the ribbon along with his few investors—they were all from the modeling industry and entertainment industry.

As the guests, mostly the women, both in their prime and youth, were enthralled by what’s happening in front. I moved to a corner, not quite interested in watching the small fashion show.

I let myself enjoy the glass of champagne while letting myself observe the others. I even spotted Scott surrounded by the madams. This is nothing new as well. He’s probably getting marketed again since I could not find his date by his side.

The short entertainment ended. And the never-ending exchange of pleasantries and business talks between business magnates lasted for hours. I could also see some of the guests leaving the venue, perhaps on their way to the next venue where the after-party is going to be held.

After finishing the third glass of champagne, I decided to follow the other guests to the next venue which is located couple block away from where we are. But before I left the exit, I turned my gaze back at portraits.

A crazy idea came to mind.

I’ll purchase them all…