twelve
1059 Words
Marco
I IGNORE THE strange looks I get in the conference room, instead inputting my opinion.
"I think investing in Killian Kane Industries is an excellent idea," I nod, throwing a Winnie the Pooh blanket over my shoulder to burp Sera.
"What I'm worried about is their profits clashing with ours. We are, after all in the same business and not under the same brand."
Sera burps, and I kiss her head setting her on my lap securely.
Winston, the project leader seems highly disturbed by her presence, not that I give a f**k.
"W-Well if we simply have a clause that states that profits are split between both companies for any product produced under the partnership."
Sera plays my finger, clenching it with her hand, beating it against my lap. At she's quiet.
"And how will you ensure that both parties are following this clause?"
"Third party legal team, Mr. Romano."
"This seems very expensive, and I've yet to understand how this benefits me. I hear me buying a legal team, I hear me sharing profits, I don't hear how much those profits are."
Winston tears his eyes off Sera, looking at his chart in desperation.
I sit back in my chair, waiting. Sera relaxes on my chest, drooling slightly on my three hundred dollar suit, but it's okay!
"Ah, erm—the profits come with the—"
Yeah okay.
"I will give you two weeks to figure this out and present it to me or the project is disbanded."
With that being said, the employees slink off to their desks. Or branches, I don't know where the hell they come from.
A woman stops by me, and coos over Sera. I literally pray she doesn't touch the baby but she does.
"She's the cutest little—"
I wince at the piercing scream coming from Sera, right in my ear. Stranger danger is not going to be a issue for her.
The lady skitters away, probably thinking I'll fire her. I might.
"C'mon Piccola, why the crying, huh?" Lifting her up I nuzzle her nose with mine, laughing as she hits my face.
"Are you just bratty like your Mommy? Is that it?"
"Marco 'Bloodhound' Romano I never thought I'd see the day."
My eyes lift up to the familiar voice, cradling Sera in my arms.
"Sal, bastardo, what are you doing here?" I grin at him, getting up to hug him when I see her.
"Is she yours?"
"Yeah, my wife just had her a week ago. Her name is Aurea."
"Golden." He hums in approval.
"Who is this?" He nods at Sera who's eyes are trained on the little burrito.
"Ah, this is Seraphina. She's... Not mine, but I'll be taking care of her for a while."
Salvatore grins, slinking down in a chair beside me. "She sure looks like yours."
"How old is she?"
"Three months," Sera coos, as if to say, that's right I'm old.
Which sounds like a Sera thing to say.
"Can I hold her?"
"No. I wish you could. Here touch her."
He raises a brow curiously, poking little Seraphina gently on her belly.
Full out wail.
"Cazzo," He scoots back fearfully. "What is wrong with her?"
"Nothing. She just won't let anyone but her Mother and I touch her. She'll cry if you look at her long enough."
"That baby has trust issues."
"Lo so." We chuckle, just like old times. Without the gun shots in the background, and horrified screaming, of course.
"Lucy just called me, now here you are. What the f**k is going on?"
"Language," Salvatore passively chides me, making my brow shoot up in defiance.
"Anyway, I stopped by because I needed to get out of the house. Delphine is...damn near comatose, and I— well I'm tired for one."
I sigh, clapping him the back. "I'm sure it'll get better, amico."
He nods, but I can tell he doesn't believe that.
"Where's her mother?" Sal nods to Sera.
"Working for another, I check my watch, "Two hours."
"Mismatch, why you wearing contacts?"
We talk amicably for an hour or two, and though I know I should be working, my friend is here, and I rarely see him.
"So then that's—"
My conference doors slam open, making my eyes roll. Always so dramatic.
Salvatore pulls out a gun, startled by the racket.
Angel just pushes the gun aside, Leaving a baffled Salvatore with his gun raised, aimed at the spot she used to be in.
"Mommy's baby! I missed you!" She takes Seraphina from me, kissing her cheeks.
"Were you good girl while Mommy was gone?"
"No," I input.
"Aw, I knew were, you're Mommy's good girl, that's right mamacita," she goes off a Spanish tangent.
Salvatore looks at me questioningly. "That's the baby mama?"
I nod. Basically.
"s**t," he murmurs, looking scared for me.
Angel throws a paper clip at his face.
"Don't curse around my baby."
"I'm the Don of th—"
"Don't care. Not one bit. See this face? This is my non-caring face."
Inspecting her expression, I nod in approval. "It really is," I clarify, further baffling Sal.
"How was your first day, fatina mia?"
She beams at me with those lavender eyes I can't help but want to please, whether it be her, or Sera. You can't say no to those eyes.
"It was great, Marco. Thank you again." Placing a tender kiss on my cheek, she presses Sera to my cheek so she can do the same.
She did in her own weird baby way.
"You are welcome. Cook me dinner?" That nose scrunches up but she nods anyway.
"It's least I can do. Is her car seat still in your office?"
"Sì. I will see you at home."
When the door closes, I turn my attention back to my old friend, who's smirking at me.
"That is so Baby Mama status," the grin on his face is contagious, and I catch it.
"Sta zitto. I have only known her week."
"I'd think you'd have been married for a year."
Saying nothing about this, I ask how long he'll be in town.
"I'm flying back home in a few hours."
We talk some more, I hold his burrito, we say out goodbyes and split.
Then I drive home to my Baby Mama.
Huh, it does have a certain ring to it.
- Writer
