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“You want them to have access still?”
“If they learn we discovered the breach, they may sabotage the system,” Giuseppe replied.
Giordano looked at Massimo, who nodded. “Fine. Let it stay, but make sure they can't manipulate anything.”
“And I'll look at the security breach to see who did this to us,” Massimo added. He had every intent on finding out who the traitorous son of a bitch was, and he would make him pay.
Giordano excused himself from the room. There was an important matter he had to take care of, and it couldn’t wait. He made his way to his private office and closed the door behind him. Giordano took a seat behind his desk and blew out a long sigh. This was not the time for problems. The agreement between the Conti and his family had just been sealed. The ink wasn’t even dry yet, and now they were having problems.
He gathered his composure and placed a call from his desk phone, more out of precaution than anything. That way, he could put it on speaker and wouldn’t have to hold it in his hand. He reached into an antique box that sat on his desk. He normally reserved his Cuban cigars for moments of celebration. He made the exception this time and lit one up just as the phone was answered.
Giordano spoke to Francesco. The Conti shipping business was their biggest client. He wanted to reassure the Conti’s that although there was a breach, everything was under control. When Giordano started explaining, and Francesco got an idea of what the conversation was about, he stopped Giordano.
“Hold on a minute.”
The phone line went silent. Giordano took a long drag on his cigar and slowly blew out the smoke. He thought it would be an easy conversation until the pause. Now, he wasn’t so sure. Then, the line opened again.
“Gio, I’ve got mother here with me,” Francesco explained on speakerphone.
Fuck! Giordano thought to himself but did his best to keep cheerful as Francesco continued.
“Now, what were you saying?”
Giordano recapped the information, delving into it, letting them know about the “eyes only” system that some unknown perp had put on their system.
“What’s the risk to us?” Francesco asked.
“Minimal, if not zero,” Giordano replied, twirling the cigar between his fingers. “They have only been able to view our system, but we have no indication that they’ve looked at our contracts or that they have accessed your accounts specifically,”
“I am not reassured by your reassurances,” Costanza commented.
“I understand,” Giordano replied. “All I can say is that we will stay vigilant, and we will keep you posted.”
Francesco disconnected the line and waited for his mother. He knew she would have instructions.
“I don’t like this,” Costanza reiterated. “I don’t like this at all.”
Costanza fell silent again. Francesco had his own thoughts, but he remained silent, waiting for her response.
“We have to get ahead of this. I know what Giordano said, but I want our own people to check our holdings and retrace the past three months of transactions with Ricci’s Security firm. As a matter of fact, we need a full audit.”
“I’ll get on that right away,” Francesco said.
“We’ll get on that right away.”
Isotta started to become a little more comfortable in her new life. At least, she tried. She wasn’t crying every day when Massimo left for work. She felt alone much of the time. Sure, there were bodyguards and housekeepers and the occasional visit by her mother-in-law, but that was pretty much it. She spoke to her mother, at first, every day. She was so sad and uncomfortable. And then, she spoke to her mother once or twice a week. To be honest, Isotta would have much rather spoken to her big sister about what she was going through. Valentina would understand. She understood from the very beginning. In speaking with her mother, Isotta knew that she would receive disingenuous advice. She knew she would be reminded of her obligations and would be told to keep sweet for the sake of the family. Even though it wasn’t what she wanted to hear, Isotta accepted her mother’s words.
Isotta wasn’t crying as much anymore, and then not at all. She still wasn’t cheerful, but she was okay. She still missed Valentina, though.
But over time, one of the housekeepers, who frequently smiled when she encountered the lady of the house, checked on her and then befriended her. Isotta looked at Rosa like a surrogate mom or a doting aunt. Isotta was a bit reserved at first, but she started to get comfortable with Rosa, learning about the housekeeper’s family and her coming to work for Massimo’s family. Isotta would sit in the kitchen while Rosa prepared meals. Then she started to help. Isotta decided she wanted to cook a meal for Massimo.
Rosa was willing to help. They planned the perfect meal, all of Massimo’s favorites, and set out to make him a great meal. As they prepared, Isotta started to get excited. This would be the first ‘wifely’ thing she’d done, with the exception of performing her other wifely duties in bed. Just before Massimo got home, and after everything had been prepared, Isotta made sure the table was set with freshly picked flowers and candles before racing upstairs to get cleaned up.
When her husband arrived, Isotta was in the entryway waiting for him. he was surprised to see her but offered a smile and a polite kiss.
“I made dinner.” She smiled. Isotta was so proud of herself and excited for Massimo to see what she had done.
Isotta waited until Massimo put his briefcase down and then took him by the hand, leading him into the dining room.
