Healer of Love

CHAPTER4

The scene I walk into at the bakery is the most bizarre situation I’d ever witnessed. It’s still going through the renovations so some walls are covered with plastic but stark in the middle is a bleeding Niamh with a gash on her head and a tall handsome man sitting in the middle having a cup of tea like he is in one of the cafes in Paris. If this were a movie they’d be two different scenes.

“What is going on here?” I ask immediately I walk in.

Zeke looks at me and the expression on his face is like a little kid whose mother just got home and he wants to run to her.

“Niamh..” I start.

Before I can find out what happened. The handsome man’s voice calls out.

“Little Sacrlet Red. It’s so nice of you to join us here.”

“Who are you?” I ask, but we both know I know who he is. Antonio Moretti. Cunning, ambitious and extremely dangerous. Word on the street is that he’d do anything to get money. Desperate, callous and Dante Moretti’s right hand man.

There he was sitting in the middle of my bakery, sipping my oolong tea like we were long time acquaintances.

“Why don’t you have a seat and I’ll tell you why I’m here.” He gestures.

“Don’t tell me where to sit in my own place.”

He chuckles. “They said you were a feisty one.” Giving me a once over as I sit across him. “ I hope you’ll forgive the theatrics, one of your staff got a little carried away and Bundy had to subdue her.” He says gesturing to Niamh who is glowering at Antonio and his huge bodyguard, Bundy.

“What is it you want?”

“Whoa, whoa, that’s no way to treat a friend. I haven’t even had the pleasure of introducing myself.” He gets up and extends his right hand. “Antonio Mo–“

“I know who you are. What do you want?”

He pauses then takes back his hand and sits grinning like a Cheshire Cat.

“Oh little red, it’s not what I want. It’s what I have. As of last month, I became the owner of Sugar & Spice and I thought it was finally the right time to come check out my establishment.”

Taking a good look at him, he actually doesn’t look mad, but the things he says sound like the grandiose delusions of an unhinged person.

“Don’t look like that. I’m trying to have a serious conversation here friend.”

“Look, I don’t know what you people are playing at but I never signed over anything–“

“Relax red. I see someone didn’t read her contract.”

“What do you mean by that?” I don’t have a good feeling about this. There’s a beating in my chest like foreboding. Whatever he is about to say, I’m sure I wouldn’t like it.

“Your contract stipulates that if you cause any major harm or accident to the property you thereby forfeit your tenant rights and hand over all rights to the property and whatever is on it to Moretti Industies.”

My heart drops, vaguely remembering that clause.

“That’s still null and void. I didn’t cause any harm we were attacked by you! “ I half yell.

“As of today, the police have closed the case and ruled it as an accident due to negligence. So according to the law you have.”

“What?! No, you did this. You sent them here and you know it.” I yell getting up.

Antonio stands up and leans close to my face whispering. “Prove it.”

It takes all restraint in me not to hurl myself at him.

“I will fight this. I’ll fight all of you.”

“Yeah, yeah, I look forward to all that. But for now, you are not allowed on my property please leave or you’ll be escorted out.” He says dismissively.

I see the cup just a bit out of reach from me on the table. Hitting him won’t help but it’ll bring some satisfaction for me, for what he did to Niamh.

I reach–

“Tsk tsk tsk,” he tuts, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you, see what happened to your little friend over there.”

I glance at Niamh and sigh defeated. Yes, see what happened to Niamh, I think as I hurl the teacup at his head.