Page 30 of Frayed Bonds

I shoot him a questioning glance and he shrugs. “Heard her and Xavier talking about it a few days later,” he shrugs.

There is truly nothing that gets past Adriano.

“I’ll take care of it,” I say, reassuring them.

“He’ll probably end up paying someone to agree, with all the bad publicity he has right now,” Antonio says, and they burst out laughing.

“Diego won’t be happy if that story gets out,” Adriano looks over at me.

“Ha, ha, ha,” I say sarcastically. “You two idiots aren't even here, so I don't want to hear shit from either of you. Just know, next year I'm calling in sick, and the two of you are covering,” I point between Antonio and Augustus.

“If you somehow pull this off and Vitale Holdings is still standing next year, I’ll even help Celeste with planning,” Augustus chirps, and I can’t help but feel my blood boil.

“I’ll hold you to that.”

It’s always been like this. We work, and he benefits from it. All his investments are largely thanks to Vitale’s money helping him get in the door. I wonder if he realises that without Vitale Holdings, his little fashionista lifestyle doesn't exist. Without my or my father’s hard work, none of our lifestyles exist.

“You two better come back with good news, more client acquisitions and investors, or don't bother setting foot back in Tevici until you do.” With that, I stand and leave the meeting room.

I’m not a man who gets nervous often, but the thought of this dinner has my stomach in a twist. I have put this off to the absolute last second, and now I’m suffering from the consequences of my actions.

No date.

No suit.

Only one brother.

It is bound to be an interesting night. I fire off a text to Kaia, asking if she’s got any new suits in my size at her studio. She’s always working on something new for my brothers and me without us having to ask. But, with the way things have been going with her father, I’m not sure exactly how much time she’s had to work on her label.

She runs a bespoke fashion line in Tevici to fund her studies at a nearby university.

Someone must be looking out for me because she replies saying she finished something before she left and that I can pick it up from the studio. A sigh of relief leaves my lips, and my shoulders feel slightly lighter. At Least one thing is taken care of.

Valerie’s giggles fill my ears as I reach my office, and it’s almost entrancing. The way her entire face lights up as Antonio and Adriano fire off jokes in her direction. How her dimples sink into her cheeks when her teeth come into view. It reminds me of a time years ago before I left to study in the States. They were all so close. We were close. Besides our age gap, we've always gotten along. My mind drifts back to how upset Antonio was when he heard she was leaving, he was borderline obsessed with her, and seeing the way he looks at her now, I don't think much has changed.

“Sorry to cut the party short,” I say, and all their eyes turn to me. Apparently, my brothers have no actual work to do since they've spent every second here, aside from the meeting, chatting up a storm like a bunch of teenage girls.

“I need you to go pick up something for me,” I say. “Urgently.”

“But we’re going to lunch, or do I not get a lunch break here either?” She asks.

She has a lot more attitude than all those years ago, and I can see it even catches Antonio slightly off guard.

“Get something on your way there. I’ll text you the address,” I say walking away.

“Please don't, just write it down. I don't need you to have my number.” She rolls her eyes, and I wonder why she’s upset all of a sudden. Maybe she’s had more time to wallow in her anger from this morning.

My brothers snicker at her blatant rejection.

It dents my ego more than I’d like to admit. I’m not used to getting a negative reaction, especially from women.

“Suit yourself, at least have the driver take you this time. Wouldn't want you walking across town in those heels, sweetheart.”

Closing the door behind me, I can shut everyone else out. My office being soundproofed has always been such a blessing. I can’t hear what’s going on outside, and no one can hear what's going on in here either.

I slump into my seat, turn to look out the large window and take in the view. The office overlooks the majority of Tevici’s city centre. I’ve always been in awe of it. The idea that there are thousands of people going about their daily lives. Some having amazing days, and others having the worst. Without even knowing, there are people out there walking their last steps or taking their last breath. They could be caught off guard, and have an entire family back home waiting for them to return, but they never do. Just gone. Here one day, gone the next.

Mortality is a concept that absolutely fucks with my mind. That we could be gone, forever. My father’s death only intensifies the thoughts.

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