Free Web NovelChapter 146: A man like me
"Sara, I–"
"I know you’ve not done anything to him," Sara stated. She closed the distance between them, standing firm at his side. "It wouldn’t have even started if I had picked up his call."
"He called you!?" Luca’s brow furrowed, his jaw tightening so hard a muscle jumped in his cheek. The realization that Asher had been trying to get to her privately before showing up at his company made the threat feel dangerously personal.
"Yes, earlier today. But I blocked him immediately. Then, he came here to create such a big scene," Sara muttered, her eyes flickering toward the office door. "The employees... They must have heard what he was spitting out there. The rumors will be everywhere by tomorrow."
Luca looked at her, searching her face for any sign of fear or doubt. "Sara, you were remarkable out there. But what Asher said... About how I will eventually—"
"That won’t happen," Sara interrupted, cutting off the dark prediction Asher had made about Luca’s nature. "I know you, Luca. And after everything we’ve been through, after seeing what you are truly capable of doing for me, I’m not listening to a man who only knows how to destroy. You should be worried for what employees would say. I seriously brought troubles for you."
"Don’t worry about the gossips that may circulate. They will die soon," Luca told her, his hands resting on her shoulders. "Let’s go to my office," he opined.
Sara nodded, and the two made their way back to the executive floor. The tension in the hallway was palpable, but they moved with a unified front that silenced the whispers as they passed. When they reached the office space, they found Fabio waiting for them.
"Shall I file an official complaint regarding the ruckus Asher created here?" Fabio asked, his tablet in hand. "We have the security footage, and his behavior was a clear breach of conduct."
"No," Luca refused immediately.
"But—" Fabio began, clearly ready to argue for a more aggressive approach.
"I’ve talked with Asher," Sara interrupted him. "I made sure he wouldn’t do this anymore. However, if this happens again, I’ll be the one to file a complaint against him. I want it on my terms."
Luca watched her, feeling proud of her decision.
"Alright. I’ve made sure no employee took a video of the incident," Fabio explained, adjusting his glasses. "Everyone has been strictly directed not to spread any kind of rumor. Anyone who speaks of this outside these walls will face immediate termination."
"Thanks, Fabio," Luca said with a slight, appreciative smile.
As Fabio bowed and exited the office.
Luca poured a glass of water for Sara, his movements steady despite the lingering adrenaline from the confrontation downstairs. freēwebnovel.com
"Here, drink water first," he said, forwarding the glass to her.
Sara took it, her fingers brushing his as she took a few sips before setting it gently on the table. She looked up at him with her expression softening. "I am fine, Luca. Don’t be worried about me. If I’m concerned for anyone, it’s you," she said softly.
"Then, don’t be," Luca told her, his voice low and firm. He reached out, his hand moving to her head as he gently caressed her hair.
"Then, I’ll take my leave. After the meeting, we’ll go out for lunch," Sara suggested, trying to bring a sense of normalcy back to their day.
"Hmm. Sure," Luca agreed, his eyes following her as she walked toward the door. He waited until the click of the latch signaled she was gone before the warmth in his gaze vanished entirely.
He slumped back into his leather chair, the silence of the office pressing in on him. Reaching into the pocket of his trousers, he pulled out his phone. His jaw was set, and his eyes had turned into cold, calculating flint. He had been holding back for Sara’s sake, trying to be the man she wanted him to be, but Asher had crossed a line that couldn’t be uncrossed.
Control was for people who had something to lose. For Asher, Luca was ready to be the monster the rumors claimed he was.
"Yes, Luca?" Remo answered the call, the bell above the café door chiming as he stepped inside.
"Asher created a ruckus here," Luca said.
"Again? What does that guy even want from you?" Remo grabbed his coffee cup from the counter and found an empty table in the corner. He glanced around; the shop was mostly empty, just a few students buried in books.
"So, what do you want to do with him? Want me to bring him to the base? I’ve got the plastic wrap ready."
"No. I want to cripple him forever," Luca stated.
"You mean breaking his legs wasn’t enough last time?" Remo reminded him, taking a long sip of his cold coffee. "Luca, your wife is going to scold you if you come home with blood on your cuffs."
"Well, not in that way," Luca muttered. "I want to show Asher what happens when someone tries to trample on the dignity of my wife. He practically accused her of infidelity in front of my staff. That guy is sick to the core. He was the one who hurt her, and now he has the audacity to play the victim? I wish I could empty my gun into his skull."
"Hey, calm down," Remo said, his voice dropping an octave as he recognized the genuine edge of instability in Luca’s tone. "You’re spiraling."
"I can’t. I am already thinking of the ways to torture him," Luca admitted.
"Well, what do you want me to do?" Remo inquired, setting his coffee aside. He knew that when Luca got like this, it was better to give him a task than to let him act on impulse.
"Send me his whereabouts. What he does every single day. I want his daily affairs reports, who he sees, where he eats, what he breathes. Everything," Luca stated, a dangerous glint in his eyes as he stared at his own reflection in the polished glass of his desk. "He wanted to tell the world I’m a mafia? Fine. I’ll show him exactly what a man like me can do to a man like him."
"Alright. Just keep a calm tone. I’m sure Sara won’t want to see you in this avatar," Remo said, trying to ease the tension in his friend.
"I’m calm, that’s why I am in my office," Luca told him. "Just do this," he added before hanging up the call.
~~~~~
Joseph shook hands with the client, the firm grip signaling that the deal was finally closed. As the client walked out of the boardroom, Joseph turned to his secretary.
"Is the ticket ready?" he asked.
"Yes, sir." The secretary handed him the envelope containing his air ticket. "As you requested, I’ve cleared your calendar and shifted tomorrow’s schedule to a later date. You’re free for the next seventy-two hours."
"Thanks." Joseph didn’t waste another second. He grabbed his worn leather duffle bag from the office couch, and headed for the door.
As Joseph reached the ground-floor parking garage, the sharp squeal of tires announced a car pulling into the adjacent bay. His pace faltered when he saw his mother, Paulina, stepping out, her sharp eyes immediately landing on the duffle bag in his hand.
"Joseph? Are you going somewhere?" Paulina asked.
"Yes, for an urgent business trip," Joseph lied smoothly. As he spoke, he deftly slid the airline ticket deeper into the pocket of his blazer, hiding the destination. "Mom, I’m already running behind. Let’s catch up when I return."
He didn’t wait for her interrogation to deepen. Brushing past her, he tossed the duffle bag into the backseat of his car and pulled open the driver’s side door.
"Have a safe journey, son," Paulina called out, a cryptic smile playing on her lips. "But do keep in mind, I have a very important matter to discuss with you upon your return."
Joseph offered a curt nod before sliding into the seat and igniting the engine. He didn’t look back in the rearview mirror as he drove straight toward the airport.
Two hours later, the frantic energy of the terminal began to fade as he cleared security. Settling into the luxury of the flight’s business executive cabin, he pulled out his phone. He stared at the blank screen for a moment, his reflection looking tired but determined.
"I hope my plan succeeds," Joseph murmured to the empty cabin. "And I hope, finally, I meet Sara. Mom wanted something from my sister, but she didn’t give it to her. I’ve to find out what and also the secrets why my mother left Sara behind. More importantly, I need to make sure she won’t stay with Luca. I don’t want to lose my sister. I know she’s a good person even thought I’ve not met her before."
Staring at the image of Sara, he just prayed for everything to move according to his plan.
