TUMULT

My brother's intervention was a lifesaver. I am recovering fairly quickly.

When I walked into the office today, I had the feeling I had been gone for an entire year, not just a month. Everything is exactly as I left it. I immediately called a board meeting and, while preparing for it, I look out at the city from the height of the 86th floor. The sun is shining, sweeping away the clouds that held sway over the sky last night. The air is clear, allowing me to see the city far into the distance. Below, people and cars bustle like tiny ants.

The streets are full of life. People pass by one another, each immersed in their own thoughts and troubles. I used to be like that once too—an ant on the street, among many other ants.

I wonder if I am happier now, freer, more…

The ringing telephone pulls me out of my daydream. I am informed that the board has already assembled. I head toward the conference room accompanied by Marco, my personal bodyguard—Dante's non-negotiable gift to me.

The meeting proceeds as usual, without a hitch. Everyone is prepared, as always. Everything is perfect. Too perfect. I pause and observe them intently as they speak or listen carefully to the others' reports. Their gazes are heavy, furtive, as if they are hiding something. I glance at Marco discreetly, and he gives a subtle nod. I sense that something is happening, but I can't quite grasp what it is yet. Either way, everyone is tense, as if caught in a game they don't want to play.

Suddenly, the doors burst open, and a tall man steps into the room. He has wild, rebellious red hair, onyx-black eyes set too close together, a broad hooked nose, thin lips, and a face covered by a thick red beard. He has a thick fighter's neck, an impeccable dark grey suit, and large hands resting on his jacket lapels. Behind him, men clad in tactical gear, wearing face masks and holding automatic weapons aimed at us, enter and line up along the table. When the doors opened abruptly, Marco retreated lightning-fast into the adjoining office, unseen by the intruders.

"Everyone stay calm. The entire building is under siege. You have two choices: stay in your seats motionless, or Miss Evelyn comes with us right now and everything ends here."

I rise slowly from my armchair. Despite my composure, my legs are trembling. Before I can stand up fully, the red-haired man grabs my arm with a iron grip and drags me toward the door. I wrench myself, trying to delay them, pretending to stumble, but as I am dragged out into the hallway, I see many more men dressed the same way escorting us to the elevator.

When we reach the underground parking lot and the elevator doors slide open, Dante is waiting right outside with his men, weapons leveled at us. The red-haired man holds me as a human shield in front of him, a gun pressed to my head; the others refuse to lower their weapons. The garage is full of men, either restrained or dead. In the distance, police sirens wail. Seeing him standing there, exposed to bullets, fearless, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, my heart does a fatal flip.

"Surrender now or die!" Dante shouts, pointing his gun at the red-haired man.

In that exact split second, I drop down instantly, biting the red-haired man's hand, and Dante shoots him straight in the head. The deafening roar of the gunshot right next to my head leaves me dazed, and I collapse. Dante rushes over immediately and lifts me up. He is speaking to me, but I can't hear him. The police have arrived as well…

When everything settles down, I go home. One thought gives me no peace: why did everyone behave so differently during the meeting?

I immediately call the detective my father always worked with, summoning him, and he arrives right away. I ask him to investigate the situation and report back as soon as possible. After he leaves, I act as if nothing happened. The next day, I go to the hospital for an ENT consultation.

For a few days at the company, everything seems normal.

On the third day, Mr. Valentino, the detective, arrives. He brings me a rather bulky file containing all the requested information.

Stay tuned! I'll be back in 2 days. Looking forward to sharing more with you! I write for you!