Chapter 4.1

Ares was sitting comfortably on his swivel chair, and holding a cup of coffee in his left hand, while the other was scanning every page of documents and profiles. Folders are neatly piled on his table, while crumbled ones are scattered on the floor. Clearly, the business proposals he declined to sign.

He heard the door open and automatically put down the things he held when Liam entered the room.

Liam raised his hand, carrying a black envelope on it. His face was clearly telling him it was a piece of early bad news.

"I suggest you to finish your coffee first before I spill this one on the table," Liam smirked while stretching his body in front of him.

He is used to him being so annoying every time. Even if they were in the worst life and death situation, his rascal and annoying attitude were always present.

"My bullets had no patience." He looked at him coldly while reaching his gun in his drawer.

Liam flustered and took a seat.

"Geez, bro! Chill! Put that gun down. Roosters aren't yet awake!" Liam jested and tossed him the black envelope.

He lazily opened the envelope and frowned as he scanned each photo and documents.

"Monaco's. It's been years since their last intervention in the City. Finally, they are making their move, but why here in San José?"

He clenched his jaw while scanning each photo. The Monaco Clan belongs to the lower division of Zenith Palace, and they would not dare to make such move if not approved by the elders of the higher division. Years ago, they built an agreement not to interfere in cities that had been ruled and supervised by a Don to prevent war.

After his father passed away, the economy in the City of San José had improved, and businesses around were growing a lot. Though most of his business undergoes illegal activities, his organization is the highest taxpayer. And now, they are trying to build a business in the City.

The documents say they have been secretly meeting his competitors to sign the petition to build a tower in the East. That place was close to his machinery. There are photos where their men dealt drugs on private, shipments of guns, and names of properties they bought.

"They sent me a red card." He stood up and punched the table in anger.

Liam just whistled and pretended to read a document.

The red card means an invitation for a private discourse, and to decline means war.

"Let's give them a warm welcome. Isn't it rude to refuse money?" He stood up and pulled the trigger aiming at the gold statue of a horse.

His eyes were flaming in rage! He badly wanted to bury them six feet underground.

"Alright. Roasting some chickens tonight!" Liam jumped up from the chair.

____________

The loud screech from Ares and Liam's car made the people turn their heads as they boldly dominated the parking space that it made every Don's men go to their positions to cover their leaders.

Some of them were shocked for a moment, others seemed furious, but the ones close to his organization showed delightful and proud faces as they saw him emerge from his car.

Ares never bothered to return greetings and walked straight inside the mansion where the meeting was being held.

"Chill, people! It's just the two of us here! We won't bite." Liam sneered and made faces to every Don they passed by.

He doesn't even carry a gun! What are they afraid of?

The large area inside the Victorian mansion is garden where a large round table and one-seat apart chairs are placed at the center. Everyone inside was scattered all around the place and seemed to have no intention to sit down. Partly because everyone who attended now is below the level of Monaco's. But Ares had no intention to penetrate himself, so both of them went straight in the assigned seat.

"Ey, fellas! I bet you wanna save your energy for later." Ares mockingly said while tapping the table very loud.

Liam has always been like this since they were kids. He was the one who changed after his mother's death. Since then, it was like Liam who served not just his right hand but also his voice.

The Dons looked at each other then hurriedly went to the chair assigned to them. They were like a bunch of idiots cramming around as if they were not powerful enough to kill each other. No one dared to sit beside Ares.

Suddenly, the surroundings went silent, and all eyes were focused on him and the man standing behind him.

The man took all his courage to pull the chair beside him and sit quietly.

"Hugo, my friend." He greeted.

A smirk formed on his lips as he noticed the person. Since their last encounter, Hugo went lay low.

"Mr. Grant." Hugo slightly bowed his head for respect.

A murmuring voice from earlier became a noise as they exchanged greetings. Probably because he never greeted anyone since he entered the room aside from Hugo.

It is a big slap to those with a higher power than Hugo to be greeted by the City's most powerful Don. They were dying to get acquainted and tried to join his organization but failed to do so.

Twenty leaders from influential families attended the discourse, half of them were part of his organization, others were his competitors.

He reached for his phone in his pocket when he heard it ringing. It was a call from the estate.

And why would his Caporegime call him when he knows he's in an important business?

"Hi, Mr… uh, what's his name again?"

He closed his eyes to hold his temper to burst out. It's that amnesiac woman again!

His uncle called him last night that the girl had lost her memories due to the head injury and cause of trauma. He was frustrated at first because he thought she was just messing up with him. And much annoyed because after his uncle told him her situation, he looked like an idiot asking her things she didn't know.

And now, why the hell did the Caporegime let her use his phone to piss him? After they talked last night, he took care of some business, so he had no chance to speak with her again. The butlers have been taking care of her since she woke up.

"…uh, your name is Ares, right? This is Luna. Hi! Can we talk?" Luna, in the other line, exclaimed.

He could imagine her face having different expressions right now. Every word she said, she could put all the emotions in there. She is a girl version of Liam! Except that this one is the dumbest version.

"What is it?" after a loud sigh, he responded in a low tone voice.

The irritation on his face is evident. He had no patience for this, especially to a woman. But something about Luna pushes him to keep on talking to her.

That scene didn't escape from Liam's sharp senses, so he got up and walked away from the crowd. After all, this meeting is a waste of time.

So Luna is not? He let out a deep sigh once again.

"I'm on a meeting, now what is it? Why do you have William's phone?"

His brows furrowed, hands on his hips while sauntering back and forth. God! Why is he acting like this?

"I borrowed it! They won't let me enter the West wing part, I got bored so—,"

"You freaking call because you're bored?! Do you know what I'm dealing in here? Give back that phone to him right fucking now!" He raised his voice angrily that it made him clench his fist.

He heard a moment of silence before a man spoke from the other line.

"If you can't handle her, send her away before I get back. I don't care!"

He was about to go back inside when he heard a man clear his throat behind him. Geez! Why is everyone kept on popping up in his front these past few days?

"I guess someone pissed off the mighty Grant."

It was Francisco Monaco. The youngest of Monaco family from Zenith. Finally! The chance he has been waiting for has come! This is what you get when you are favored by the heavens.

He nods and extends his hand to the middle-aged man who’s now smiling ear to ear.

"Francisco, welcome to my haven." He tightly gripped the hand of the man emphasizing the word "my."

They're maybe backed up by the most influential people in the Zenith, but Monaco organization is nothing compared to his by any chance of a fight. Either it's business or in war, and he can guarantee that.

The man laughed and looked at him suspiciously.

"I would have said thank you, but I'm afraid many would oppose your proclamation. Since I came as a friend here, let's say I'm grateful to see your presence in my house."

If only his stares could be lethal, Francisco was already dead by now. He is Monaco's youngest family member. He was expecting the head of the family, but of course, that man will not show up! They are all protecting their elders at all costs!

The feeling he has right now is unexplainable! If he is going to follow the anger he is feeling right now, he would be able to kill him even if this man was surrounded by dozens of armed men. But no! His work would only be put in vain. One mistake, and it will be back in zero again. He must get the trust of these people!

"Must be true. But those people inside were just mere pawns of my City."

Francisco's face turned red. Even his smile faded from his remarks.

He is Ares Grant, who owned San José City for a reason! He is the youngest Don in the City that no one would dare to cross with.

The man laughed out loud after recovering from embarrassment and motioned him to go inside. He left him without a word and walked in first.

There is one lesson he remembered his father told him, power craves power. When you are standing in a group of influential people, show them the strength that you have. Because in the world where he is standing right now, influential people will seek refugee to the powerful ones, even if it breaks their ego.

Just when he was about to take his seat, everyone stood up to greet the host, but he was pissed off, so he continued slumping down to his chair.

Liam just remained seated as his gaze followed the Don who had just arrived.

"Gentlemen, welcome! I appreciate each of your presence, and I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Grant for allowing us to enter his domain!" Francisco announced as if he was really trying to piss him off. The tone of his voice echoed mockingly throughout the hall.

Ares calmly smiles and nods while sitting comfortably on his chair. The atmosphere is heavy and silent. As if no one is breathing. You could probably hear the whistle of the wind coming from the waves of the sea half miles away.

"Now, let's get down to business, shall we?"

Francisco took his seat at the center, facing Ares, and gave him a reassuring smile. His appearance is quite not bad. He seemed to be an approachable person, but a man like Ares knows his kind of people. A man who's wearing a pretty mask everywhere but could totally wipe out the whole City in one command.

"So, as you all know, the elders have wanted to expand the power to the City. It is for the benefit of everyone! If this City is protected by Zenith, then nothing could go wrong! Everyone will become allies, no competition. We are all free to do business around!" Francisco waved his hand dreamingly with conviction.

"Dear, Satan! Look at him spewing nonsense!" Liam poked him in the arm.

He gave him a deadly look, but Liam just smirked and raised his two hands as if he surrendered.

"Since when did the elders start to think that men like us could live in peace? You see Francisco? Look around you." He motioned his hand to look at each other.

Whispering begins, and some are disputing his thoughts.

"And your point is? Tell us, Mr. Grant." Francisco bolted in sarcasm. His eyes were blazing in anger.

The tension was rising up inside the room that it made the bodyguards of family heads get alarmed and even positioned beside their leader. The clicking of pistols rhymed with the tone of whispers and arguments.

On the other hand, Liam was just observing everyone while his eyes were throwing fierce glares in each one of them. Hugo, on his left, was comfortably sitting in cross arms because he knows that no one can beat Ares in any form of argument.

"I'll give you an example in case the elder's brain was cracked at this moment."

Small laughs and snorts were going around. Ares stood up and went in front, and everyone's attention was now focused on him. He put his arm crossed to his chest while the other was resting at it, touching his chin.

"Silence!" Francisco shouted as his men pointed their guns at everyone. He is afraid he might lose his neck when he heads back to the elders without the leaders' stamp. But the quantity of the men from the leaders was equal to Monaco's. All of them now are pointing guns at each other.

"Men like us have been living in bullets and bloody war kind of a world. There is always power above us. Either to manipulate us or help our business grow and treat us like a part of their family. Now tell us, what kind of peace are we expecting from Zenith? We are not brainless, Francisco. Tell us directly what you wanted these families to do." He challenged him fiercely.

Francisco looked at him intently while motioning one of his men to distribute the black envelopes.

"Alright. Let's drop the formalities then."