Stock Crashing

The gift box was now the size of a shoe box. This discovery excited Roman, thinking Jamie got him new shoes. He wasn't short of shoes but then anything would count.

Gleefully opening the box, with a wide smile on his face. Roman was met with a stick of candy, making his smile vanish immediately.

"Jamie…" he called out through gritted teeth even though she couldn't hear him wherever she was. He tried to mind-link her but she cut him off immediately.

Throwing the box in his hand back on the table, he started to walk toward the door but then he halted in his steps when he heard beeping sounds from his phone.

With controlled speed, Roman was back at his table in fleeting seconds. Taking his phone and tapping on it a few times, he saw that his under-the-table stock was crashing.

Someone was manipulating everything, however, Roman wasn't fazed. A wicked smile crept onto his face as he sat down to check where the problem came from.

He grabbed his laptop and started to run a few already installed programs on it. He also didn't bother about his stocks which were crashing. He knew it would go up again when he was done doing what he had in mind.

Two can play the game!

His fingers flew swiftly over the keyboard, typing rapidly. Roman located the company behind the stock crash. The company tried to stay anonymous but then Roman had been equipped. Equipped by his computer gurus, with the right tool and programs to use for such a situation.

Luckily for him, he had a good amount of shares with the company. His shares amounted to 50% of the total. Roman had saved the company by buying out their useless shares from greedy shareholders. The company had flourished since then and it seemed they wanted to kick him out now.

However, he would give them what they want. With ease and precision, Roman started to sell out the shares he possessed at a very low price. There were stock buyers ready at any time, to get stocks from different companies.

Roman, on the other hand, didn't mind losing money, as he continued to type, he took the candy, unwrapped it, and popped it into his mouth.

Though he didn't like the gift, taking candy would help him relax whenever he was busy or tense. And Jamie just knew what was right to give him.

As Roman continued to stare intently at his laptop, knocks sounded from the door, interrupting his work.

It was practiced knocks, having a certain rhythm and Roman instantly knew that the person brought urgent news.

Moving away from his laptop, he was pretty done setting up everything he needed, he just had to see the results later on. He then pressed a button on his desk and the door opened up.

One of the gang members came walking in, "Boss, the meeting will commence in twenty minutes at the base. every member is in attendance."

__

The meeting was over, as Roman was made the head of the Salvatore Mafia clan. It came as a shock to him, due to the way it was suddenly announced by his grandfather.

"How do you feel, pup?" Roman heard Bryce's voice behind him, and then he turned around.

"It's a bit overwhelming, gramps, but I'm ready." He said his last two words, confidently.

"I know you are. it's good that you met no opposition immediately but then remember that there are a lot of them who are against you. Prove them all wrong." Bryce said with a wink and then turned to walk out.

"I'll be on my way home." Turning to walk out, he then continued to say, "There is someone who wants a loan, make sure you see to that. You decide if he gets the money." Bryce said nonchalantly because he was supposed to handle that matter, but then he didn't.

With a sigh through Roman's lips, he stood up to walk his grandfather out. The base was built with modern technology. It didn't look like most run-down mafia bases but then it had its dark side.

They took the elevator to the first floor, and as soon as they were spotted, every member stood up.

They all did that, mainly to show respect to Roman who was the new head, but then he wasn't paying attention to any of them.

His eyes were glued on a particular area, in the building.

"What is she here for, gramps?" Roman couldn't help but ask, while still looking at that particular spot.

Bryce on the other hand, didn't know what he was talking about until he followed Roman's gaze.

A young girl, dressed in a black shirt and washed jeans, was standing with an older man, who was obviously her father.

She looked so innocent, like she didn't belong in such a place filled with atrocities.

"Ohh, they are the ones who need the loan." Bryce said, and beckoned on Mr. Liu.

"You decide if he gets the loan, I guess he wants to use his daughter as collateral. She looks too innocent, don't you think?" Bryce asked.

"Yes, I do." Roman answered simply, while still looking at the young girl.

Mr. Liu walked over, with his daughter clutching his arm. She looked a bit terrified of the people, but tried to hide it. However, nothing could go past Roman who had set his eyes on her. He noticed her eyes darting around discreetly, trying to check out where she was.

"Oh you're here, Mr. Liu." Bryce said immediately, not even giving the young girl a second glance.

"Yes, Ice. This is my daughter, Nicole." Mr. Liu said with an uneasy look. If he had a chance, he wouldn't let Nicole step into this building.

Nicole, on the other hand, had a feigned amicable smile on her face. "Nice to meet you." She bowed her head slightly and

forced those words out of her mouth while feeling a heated stare on her.

Bryce only nodded curtly at her words, while Roman didn't give any reaction.

His eyes were still on her but then he didn't give away what he thought of her, maintaining a cold look.

"So, she is the collateral?" Roman asked, after deducing that Nicole didn't know what she was here for.

He was right!

"What collateral?" Nicole asked, turning to look at her father.