CHAPTER 3

ADAN’S POV

 I sat in the pub on the top floor of my Amatorio Reine restaurant looking below at the guests that dined and drank wine. Their gold chains and diamond rings, pressed designer suits and flowing long gowns, pale stretch skin and dainty nails. All laughing and merry. Fake life and hidden skeletons in each of their closest.

Sad.

I watch as my employees move swiftly, rendering their service as they are programmed to do. The sparkling wine poured around tables and the delicious meals scrumped up by customers. It is a fine evening indeed.

“Boss”.

I turn to my bodyguard who signals towards the entrance of the restaurant. A group of rugged men walk in. With sneers on their faces and scars adorn as fine jewelry.

“Give them the balcony table at the extreme end” I instruct, taking a sip of my 1967 Bourbon. “I don't want them giving the customers a scare”. It's not Halloween.

“So, what's our move? They are here”.

Marcello, a tall blond-haired man with pink lips and fair muscle mass, asks me, tapping my shoulders. I look at my shoulders before looking back at him.

He smirked.

Marcello and I go way back. I remember it like yesterday.

We were childhood best friends but got separated when Grandpops took me to live with him. We reconnected when I went to New York for college. I worked as a server and junior chef during college days even though I could buy the restaurant and everything in it.  Marcello used to come round the trash bin at the back of the restaurant chow for food. I never recognized him at that time because of how he looked. I gave him food every time he came around until we became friends. We rarely spoke to each other. Just sitting in each other’s company in the dark, enjoying the silence while he enjoys his joint.

 One day he didn't show up for days, and I was worried. Hired a private investigator who found him half-dead inside an empty tanker. Badly bruised and stabbed. How he didn't die still amazes me. 

Went to finally visit him at the hospital when I was chanced, was shocked to see the name tag on his hospital profile. I shotgun his memory about me and he shared how his parents were burnt right In Front of his eyes.

  Took him in as a roommate. I went to school while he went for underground street fights. One thing led to another, now I'm the mastermind behind the mafia which he runs with all my resources but he is the one always at the forefront. That’s how we wanted it to be.

I didn't want to be known and he wanted his enemies to know he lives.

A win is a win.

I look at him as he pours us both a glass. “We watch and wait. Strike a deal, if not play a game. I speak

“Lameeee” Marcello sings out. “C’mon man. Let's show these people why we are not to be messed with. c'mon”.

“You could have thought about that before picking my restaurant as a meeting place. You know I don't like mixing the two businesses. They are off limits to each other”.

“I'm sorry man. Don't know what I was thinking. Plus, those puttanas didn't want to meet in a secluded area. Mentioned several other places. They picked here. I did decline at first but I couldn't say no the second time. It was going to sound fishy.  The second hand-man, Diego, was starting to question my resistance plus….”

“Enough” I cut in “I get it. Spare the details. The Contallzo's are dickheads. Very few of them use their brains. We just have to wait for them to make a mistake”. I watch as one of the men tries to tap a female server's bum but she swerves back just in time while skillfully placing his order.

Figo.

“Tell them to pay up to 65% of the money upfront before we provide them with the goods and guns. They must also sign the contract stating they are ready to be civil with us and stop brewing up trouble with our men. It's childish.”

“You got it boss”, Marcello affirms, gulping his drink in a go. He heads down, passes through the main dining hall onto the balcony greeting everyone with much joy. He loves to be the center of attention. It works for us. I mastermind the doom and destruction to perfection. He glees happily in making it come to manifestation. I only step on a few occasions where he can't handle it or messes up my work.

     He talks and laughs loudly. Drinking and cracking jokes. He believes that one should have a hearty laugh before death comes knocking.  I signal the doorman to close the balcony doors and roll down the blind.

  

I close my eyes tuning to the soft jazz — Praise Jah in the Moonlight by YG MARLEY — playing below.

It was Ava that picked the track for tonight when we opened. She was serious about the band playing the jazz even though the lead singer said customers won't like it.

One look at me and I melted. Fuck ‘em customers, what my baby wants she gets. She's the only female that makes me do foolish things, take bad decisions. It's illegal. Plus, she's only 4.

Speaking of Ava, where is my sweet Angel clad with horns.

I search everywhere for my baby. My office, her office, her playroom, her mini nap room, the kitchen, the staff room, the storage room, outside.

She is nowhere to be found.

On normal occasions I won't be bothered, because I know she might be busy somewhere. Plus, her bodyguard Angelo is always with her.

 Today is different.

These goons are here. If they find out that she's related to Marcello, I'll have to wipe them clean.

That won't look pretty.  She can be mischievous some other time. Not today.

Fuck you Marcello!!

“Tell everyone to be on the lookout for Ava. Bring her to me when they find her”. I ordered my bodyguards as I went towards another direction to search.