The Montanari

"There's no need to get into this subject again, everyone here knows how ridiculous this idea is". Ricardo Neli, one of the council members speaks with a tone full of irony.

"Catherine has been running the company for more than two years and all the projects she has done have been successful. If this doesn't prove that she is capable, I don't know what you're expecting". My grandfather, Vitor Mantanari, speaks in a firm tone of voice.

"Your granddaughter is very talented, no one can argue with that. But you know very well everything that involves the company and our reputation, a woman is not fit to hold this kind of position". Some other member of the board asks, making me roll my eyes.

"Not to mention that our reputation would be damaged. Who would respect us if we were led by a woman?" Ricardo speaks again, laughing, and everyone follows him.

"Not to mention that we must put an end to this war and we have already given our word. How do you think Conner will react if we break this promise?" Another random member speaks up.

"We can't keep losing money, we've already had huge expenses this year". Another complains.

"I must stress my dissatisfaction with this idea and threaten them again for putting my granddaughter in Conner's hands". My grandfather speaks up, his voice harsh.

The room falls silent and I give a corner smile. My grandfather didn't need much to be scary, just one look from him made everyone shit their pants.

"I gather you together to say that we are going to extend the deadline for the wedding and it will be postponed again". My grandfather announces.

"But Mr. Montanari, this is already the third time. So they'll think we're playing with them". A random member says, pretending to be worried.

"That's my decision". My grandfather replies.

I hear the sound of the door, indicating that my grandfather had left.

"This man is already too old, we need a new CEO urgently". Ricardo says, huffing with anger.

"Just leave him alone, he's only defending his niece". Another speaks and everyone laughs.

"He can understand it, what guy wouldn't carry her to bed?" Another speaks and again everyone laughs.

"What she has of beauty, she has of crazy. Conner's son has no idea he's marrying the devil himself". Ricardo says and everyone laughs.

"I wouldn't mind living in hell". Another one says, making a bad joke.

Before I can hear the conversation continue, the radio is turned off. I lift my head and see my grandfather, standing right in front of my office desk. I smile at him, who gives me a scolding look. I ignore his look and stand up, placing a kiss on his cheek.

"How did you manage to bug the conference room?" My grandfather asks with one eyebrow arched.

Although his tone seemed reproachful, he had a smile on his face. He didn't usually complain about certain attitudes of mine, since I had inherited it from him.

"It's easy to fool these idiots". Answering with an innocent smile on my face, I sat down again. "I was actually thinking of rethinking the company and changing all the employees, what do you think?" I ask, still with an innocent look on my face.

"I know your intentions". My grandfather says, making me laugh and sits down on the sofa across the office. "Unfortunately you know that things don't work that way and we're out of cards up our sleeves". He adds, looking a bit frustrated.

"I always have cards up my sleeve". I say with a cheeky smile, walking towards him.

"What are you up to?" My grandfather asks as if I were a naughty child.

"Nothing and don't worry, everything is under control". I say, sitting down next to him.

"Remember that everything is at stake here and any misstep can result in great losses". He says, looking at me worriedly.

"Have I ever been careless?" I ask with a smile, making him laugh as well.

[***]

I had been standing in front of a Fight Ringe for over half an hour. I was eating some cookies while looking around the place intently, waiting for my target to come out. I had been watching my 'future fiancé' for a little over a month and he was getting better and better.

Thomas Conner, David Conner's heir, was my future fiancé by free and spontaneous pressure. He was somewhat immature, as he was always playing video games or going to strip clubs. He would be 30 years old, but his appearance is rather youthful, which makes me believe that he is going through some kind of mid-life crisis.

I see him finally leaving the gym and laugh when I see his face with several bruises. I turn my attention away from him and focus on the man standing next to him, who is practically the image of a Greek god. He was much taller than George, making him practically disappear.

His hair was black and his body was all defined. The image of him without a blouse, as he stood, would not leave my mind anytime soon. His face was serious, making me bite my lips. I, with no shame in admitting it, prefer the villains. But of course this is in my blood, since I come from a family of gangsters. The fruit never falls far from the tree, and that is a fact.

I wake up from my impure thoughts as soon as the god gets inside the car and I start to follow my real target. Again I stop in front of the nightclub he frequents and he meets up with some friends in front of the place.

I roll my eyes at the scene and start the car again, driving away. I was doomed to spend the rest of my life with a thirty-year-old guy in a mid-life crisis, who doesn't know how to control what he has under his legs.

As Ricardo always likes to emphasize, I must be related to the devil and am paying for my sins in life.