The Mafia & The Billionaire

Serene

“Boss, which of these should I present at the board meeting?” Patt asked, handing me the three designs I had completed.

“You decide. I told you I was just going to create, didn’t I?” I replied, continuing to draw.

“What are you working on, Boss?” he asked again.

“Philip said he will meet with Alex to discuss a possible collaboration. So, I’m just preparing some designs. Here, take a look.” I handed him the sketchpad, but he just raised an eyebrow at me.

“I’m not into clothes, Boss.”

“So?”

“I can’t comment.”

“In case you forgot, you’re managing the jewelry company now.”

“But I have people with me to ensure our designs are great. Besides, you and Aunt Rissa are making them, so I’m sure everything’s beautiful.”

I sighed at his words, ready to say something, when suddenly the door to my office was thrown open. Patt and I looked in that direction.

“What did you do? Release Mavie right now!” Daisy yelled furiously, her husband standing behind her.

“I don’t understand. What did I do to your flirtatious daughter? I haven’t even seen her,” I said innocently. I wasn’t afraid they’d find out I killed someone; I just wanted to hear from their own mouths what their brainless daughter had done.

“Don’t play dumb! You had her arrested!” Daisy continued to rage. I straightened up in my chair, crossed my arms, and looked at them both.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. How could I have had your daughter arrested when I’m busy working here?” I replied calmly. “Although I won’t deny that something bad happened to me the other day, I still don’t know who was behind it.”

The old woman fell silent, but it didn’t last long. “You’re a bastard! Do you think we don’t know that your mother only used Lorenzo so you could have a father?”

“I don’t recall ever having a father. When did that happen? Remind me.”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“You ins”

“That’s enough, Daisy,” Lorenzo interrupted, calming the older woman before turning to me. “Mavie did nothing to you, so don’t do anything to her. As she said,” he pointed to his partner, “You got a father in me, so you should be grateful.”

“I have nothing to thank you for. You should be thankful that my mother got pregnant with me; otherwise, where do you think you’d be now? Would you be living a comfortable life with money? No! Because your parents would never have accepted you, you useless fool! You deserve a wife like Daisy and a daughter like Mavie. You don’t even know that your daughter inherited your stupidity?”

“You’re rude!” Lorenzo shouted and moved to slap me, but Patt quickly intervened.

“Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! Lorenzo, Lorenzo, Lorenzo. You still don’t learn. You’re in my company and have no right to cause trouble here. Your days of leeching off my mother’s money with your mistress and bastard daughter are over.”

“We’re not finished, Serene!” he yelled, pointing a finger at me. I grinned at him, knowing it would irritate him more. He should be thankful I promised Alex I would try to stay calm at all times, or I might have hit him by now.

My office remained quiet once the two left, who were still shouting until they reached the elevator.

“What’s your plan?” Patt asked.

“Nothing. I don’t need to worry about them. Enzo and I are more focused on Richard and whoever his boss is. They don’t have any power left since they don’t have any money. Once I’m sure that Juancho is behind that lawyer approaching them, he better start praying.”

“You know Juancho isn’t an easy enemy, Boss.”

“That’s true, which is why I don’t feel guilty. I know he’ll do everything to bring me down, and I don’t need to consider what I thought was our friendship.”

“Just let me know what you need; Enzo and I are here for you.”

“I know that. But I’d rather you focus here on the company and not let them in. Never let them gain even the slightest foothold here, understood?”

“Copy that, Boss!” He even saluted me, making me shake my head. He’s always like that, just like Enzo and Princess. They try not to burden me with problems, but they know that’s unlikely.

I continued sketching dress designs, wanting Philip to be prepared for his meeting with Alex.

I suddenly thought I might tell my husband I’m Philip Einspein. He wouldn’t tell anyone, right? But I’ll wait until after he talks to Philip to be sure he’ll trust him. I don’t want him to be more persistent because he knows it’s me, and we’re married. I still want my friend to decide based on his feelings so I can see if he’s ready to stand on his own.

That clothing line brings me a lot of money, but I also have many expenses since I have a lot of people relying on me, including their families. Alex is right; I need to completely change the ways of the organization. We can stay without taking the law into our own hands all the time, maybe only if it’s absolutely necessary, like in life-or-death situations.

At three in the afternoon, Patt invited me to the board meeting. I didn’t want to go, but he insisted since the board knew I was at the company, I might as well see them.

“As long as I don’t have to interfere. I’ll let you decide everything since you’re the OIC. I’ll just sit and listen to your meeting.”

“No problem, Boss.” I nodded and stood to go with him.

When we arrived at the conference room, no one said anything. I sat in the empty chair next to Patt, and he began.

As I said, I just listened. Patt presented the designs for the new jewelry the company would launch and let them choose. I was internally pleased because they liked all of them and wanted to make them the main products for Serendipity’s summer collection.

I didn’t realize my entire day had been spent at the company. I didn’t think I could sit in a four-walled room all day with just a pencil and paper, drawing away.

Maybe this is a sign that I should steer the organization I’ve come to love, along with its trusted people, in a new direction.

When our meeting ended, I had made up my mind. I just hope nothing stops us and that our new lives continue to progress. I can’t change the bad things I’ve done in the past, but I can still change my future, and that’s what I’ll focus on.

I don’t need to flaunt my face and looks to achieve those things. All I had to do was to continue what I was doing now and let Patt handle the management.

While in the elevator, I couldn’t stop thinking about my plan and was excited to tell Alex. I’ll also ask him for advice because I know he can help me a lot with our new life. Yes, a new life!

Just as I exited the building, my handsome husband was already smiling and waiting for me, leaning on his car. Who am I to ignore that? So, I gave him a passionate kiss. I didn’t care if anyone saw us because we were married.