Chapter 5
Michael
Vince is right. She still loves me,I think as she slams the door behind her. In the glow of the moonlight, I watch from the window as she stomps off. She hesitates when she gets to the pool, and I wonder if she’s decided to come back for more. But after a few seconds, she continues to march back toward the main house.It’s okay, Zaira. You go for now. But I can promise you this: you will be back.
I sit in my chair and pick up my book again. Tomorrow is my meeting with Gallardi, a meeting I am not looking forward to. It’s been a long time since I picked up a book. I forgot how much I enjoyed it. And besides, reading helps me get my mind off of Gallardi.
***
After breakfast, I meet Ricco, Alex, and Sal out front. The Gallardi meeting is in a little over an hour. I wanted to keep them away from the house, so I asked them to meet at the offices of one of our legit businesses in Manhattan. Bella Celeste is one of the top modeling agencies in New York City and has been owned by the Vitalis since its inception in 1952. We’ve represented some of the biggest names in the industry, and we hire the best and most-sought-after photographers. When someone hires a Bella Celeste model, they know they are getting one of the best.
Bella Celeste is one of our many legit businesses that I am proud to be the new CEO of, thanks to Pop’s retirement. The company needs some work, and when things slow down at home, I intend to focus on making Bella Celeste not one of the best, butthebest. The building is comprised of twenty-five floors housing many entities to support the fashion industry, all of which are owned by the Vitali family. My office is on the twenty-third floor with the rest of the executive offices. When I walk through the door, our newly hired and eager assistant, Laurel, greets me.
“Good morning, Mr. Vitali,” she says as I walk up to the desk with Ricco, Sal, and Alex at my side. Augie remained out front to let us know when Gallardi arrives.
“Good morning, Laurel.” I lean over the counter and check her out. “You’re looking quite lovely today.” She stands, and I get the impression she wants to show herself off to me. I take a second look at her, and she really is a beauty. She is easily five foot nine inches, which makes her quite leggy in the short flowy skirt she is wearing. Her gray silk blouse is unbuttoned low enough that I can see the voluptuous swell of her breasts. Her dark-brown hair hangs long and straight just past her waistline. Yes, she is quite stunning, and she will do perfectly. I grin at her. “So, Laurel, I was wondering… Do you have any plans next Thursday?” I know the last thing I should be doing is dating my staff, but what the hell. I’m not the first boss to date an employee, and I won’t be the last. Besides, I’m not gonna sleep with her. It’s all for show.
Ricco kicks my foot in front of the desk—as if to sayWhat the fuck are you doing?—but Laurel is oblivious to everything around her except me. “I would have to check my schedule, sir, but I think I am available.”
Sir, I like that.
“Why, what did you have in mind?”Oh yeah, she is primed and ready for the taking.
“Well, I’ve got some old friends coming in to town on Thursday, and we are having a dinner at the house. Wanna be my date?” I ask.
She blushes. She fucking blushes. “Oh, Mr. Vitali, I would love to,” she coos.
“First of all, Laurel, call me Michael. I’ll have one of my guys pick you up around six.” I turn to head toward my office when I call out behind me, “Give Ricco your information.” I swear I heard Ricco grumble as I walked off.
A few minutes later, Ricco walks into my office and yells, “What the fuck, Michael!”
“Not now, Ricco,” I warn.
“Dammit, Michael, what the fuck are you doing? Zaira is going to be at that dinner. You bring Laurel there, you will lose every last chance you had at winning her back.”
Sal knows better and remains quiet, letting Ricco do all the talking.
“Ricco, I love you like a brother, but you are overstepping here. I know what I’m doing.”
He grunts and lowers his voice to a whisper. “Yea, that’s what you said last time, and look how well it went.”
“Ricco, enough! I’m not discussing this anymore.” Damn, both him and my father… I hate it when they can see right through me.
He sits in a chair and pouts. I hate it when he does that. I know he is right about risking everything by bringing Laurel to that dinner, but if I am right about how Zaira reacts, the end result will be worth the risk.
“Ricco, look. I know you mean well, but there are things you don’t know. First of all, Zaira is having a hard time with the split. Vince is sure she is having second thoughts. Second, she wants to get away, to Italy, to think things through. Both of those right there tell me there is hope.”
“Then why fuck it up with a date?” he asks.
“Because, jealousy and her thinking I have moved on will nudge her one way or another. If she is still harboring feelings for me—and let me add right here that after our kiss earlier today, I know she is—then the thought of losing me to someone else will drive her right back into my arms. Sure, she’ll be pissed at first, and I am sure her first reaction will be to walk away. It’s a risk. I know.”
“It’s a life-altering risk if you ask me.”
“It is, but when have you known me to play it safe? I’ve always taken risks. Some I’ve won; others I’ve lost. I’m not one to sit by and idly wait for shit to happen.”
“Fuck, Michael, I hear what you are saying. I just don’t know though.”
“You don’t have to. You can either support me on this or not. It won’t affect anything either way. It’s all a matter of opinion.”
