The Coldwell

The Department

Vane was determined to talk to her family; she couldn't continue commuting from the mansion to the corporate office every day. To get there, she had to traverse the entire city, and it was exhausting.

All her cousins rented a temporary apartment for each mission they undertook. It was a significant risk for Vane that her boss might find out she visited the Coldwell mansion daily. To him, she was a Sanders.

Dante Damasco might think she was selling information about his company to its main rivals, especially considering what was happening with the Harrigan corporate.

"No way. You won't expose yourself to living alone. It's too risky. Don't you know about all the dangers out there? We won't send you into the lion's den," Darius exclaimed.

"Darius, son, Vanessqa is right. Imagine if that man decides to send someone to follow her. He would immediately realize she lied, and that would be much more dangerous. Besides, all Coldwells are strong and independent. Vane needs to learn to be so, and she won't achieve that if she's always with us," added Grandma.

Darius felt frustrated. If that was his grandmother's stance, he would have to accept it. Greta's orders were not to be questioned, nor were her decisions.

"Alright, Grandma, but I'll accompany her tomorrow to look for an apartment."

"I can't be seen with you, brother. Right now, you're the man my boss hates the most."

"He doesn't know me."

"No, but I wouldn't be surprised if he shows up at the corporate office one of these days to break your face. You've cost him a lot of millions."

"Let him do it, so he can find out once and for all. I plan to ruin all his businesses."

"I forbid you, Darius. That man will realize you have something personal against him, and it's not good for Vane."

"Maybe it would be a good idea to make him believe that Darius was Vane's ex-boyfriend and that he hates him. After all, some men find it satisfying to think they're protecting a beautiful, helpless woman."

Katrina started laughing after saying it, and Vane didn't find it such a crazy idea. Maybe she could keep that card up her sleeve in case she needed it.

"I need to talk to you, Vane," Darius discreetly approached his sister. He didn't want Grandma to find out.

"I'll see you in the garden in ten minutes," Vane nodded.

It was Saturday, so all the Coldwells were gathered. They had organized a meal, and Grandma liked the house to be filled with the presence of her family. Vane slipped away when she saw the opportunity.

"What's going on, brother?"

"Shhh, speak softly. Grandma shouldn't find out." The boy pulled out a card and handed it to Vane. "It's the entry card for an apartment. I bought it a few days ago. I'm a man, and you know, I need my moments."

"Don't explain any more; I understand perfectly."

"You know Grandma wouldn't allow me to be with a girl without her approval, unless it's a target. I'd rather she doesn't find out. I won't ask for approval on who I sleep with."

"But you've taken girls there before. How am I going to use it?"

"Haha, the apartment is new. I was thinking of organizing a party with some girls to inaugurate it, but I'll buy another one for that purpose. The location is ideal. You can walk to the Damasco corporate, and it's the same distance to the Coldwell corporate. It's in the middle."

"Thanks, brother. I owe you one." Vane hugged him warmly.

"Tomorrow, I'll take you to see it. We'll tell Grandma that I'm taking you to look for a place to change."

"Sounds perfect."

Vanessa felt excited. It would be the first time she would be independent. Being the youngest, she had grown up overprotected by her family.

"Children, they're about to serve the food. Come in," Grandma's authoritative voice echoed, and the siblings entered immediately.

"How's it going with your new target?" Sara asked Katrina.

"Evenus is as easy to catch as a fish with good bait."

"I'm glad. We've had relatively easy targets. These guys are such womanizers; they fall like dominoes." Sara and the other girls knew how to do their job. Vane, being inexperienced, felt clumsy.

For now, only Katrina and Vanessa were "working." The other girls were resting, having successfully completed their recent missions.

"I've taken enough vacation after my last target. I came back with much more enthusiasm. Evenus doesn't know what awaits him. I'll give him back much of what he has given." Katrina smiled, remembering what she had meticulously prepared.

"By the way, Vanessa, did you read the instructions carefully? Our client wants Dante to pay in the same way, to inflict the same damage he did. You can't fail. It's for a dear friend, and I've promised her that what she asked for will be fulfilled to the letter."

"Don't worry, Grandma, I'll do it. It will just take me some time. Dante is not an easy man."

"With your beauty, you could soften even a stone, my girl. You shouldn't doubt that."

Greta observed each of her granddaughters, proud of what she had accomplished. They were elegant and sophisticated, in addition to being beautiful—irresistible to any man.

Darius also observed them, beautiful, dangerous, and lethal. He was grateful to be on this side and pitied the men who crossed paths with them.

On Sunday morning, Darius and Vanessa went out to look for the apartment. Celine and Greta were upset because they weren't invited.

"Grandma, Aunt Celine, we didn't want to tire you out. After all, searching for an apartment is exhausting. Besides, Vane is not supposed to be associated with you. She's supposed to have left the Coldwell corporate on bad terms. Haven't you noticed that Darius is wearing sunglasses and a cap, almost in disguise?" Marianne explained.

"Thinking about it that way, she's right, Mom," Constanza said. She had always thought that Grandma preferred Vanessa over everyone else.

"True, but either way, I don't like knowing that my child will be independent."

"For God's sake, Mom, listen to yourself. Soon Vane will open her legs for this Dante guy, and that doesn't seem to bother you."

"Shut up! She'll do the same thing we've all done in our time." Grandma knew what Constanza was thinking. She knew her perfectly, anticipating the conversation that would follow.

"I want you to reconsider your decision to leave Vanessa in your place. She's the youngest; she can't be the one to take charge."

Greta looked at her daughter; her gaze was stern, a bluish vein that ran from her forehead, down one side of her face to her neck, marked deeply. Constanza realized her mother was furious; she had touched a sensitive nerve.

"I'm not going to discuss that again. Vanessa will be my successor whether you like it or not. I know she's the youngest, but damn it, I don't plan on dying just yet."

Everyone fell silent. It was better to respect the decision already made and save themselves a big argument.

Meanwhile, Vane and Darius arrived at the underground parking of a luxurious building. The building was impressive, with high-end finishes. Darius greeted the man behind the reception desk with familiarity.

"Mr. Smith, good day."

"Good day, Mr. De Marcus."

"Miss Sanders will be the one living in the apartment, so I hope you provide her with all your attention."

"It will be so, Mr. De Marcus."

Darius bid farewell to the man with a pleasant smile. After providing Vane's information, he placed his arm around her waist as they headed towards the elevator.

"So, Mr. De Marcus, huh? Haha."

"That's right, Miss Sanders. You see, I also have my tricks to avoid being discovered. I don't want to find myself one day in bed with a girl, and when I open my eyes, Grandma is staring at me."

"Haha."

The siblings entered the elevator, unaware that they were being observed by curious eyes that didn't miss a detail of what was happening between them.

Upon entering the apartment, Vane was delighted. Fortunately, their tastes matched. The decoration and furniture seemed ideal to her. She approached the large window, and being on the top floor, the view was marvelous.

"On this floor, there are only two apartments—the most luxurious and the largest. I hope you liked it, little sister."

"It's beautiful, brother."

Darius felt warmth in his chest as he observed Vane's joy. He knew the building was secure and well-monitored, with careful entrance control.

Vane entered the master bedroom. In the middle, there was a huge, round bed, and in front of it, a large screen.

"Brother, this bed is too big." Darius blushed, and Vane noticed, then she blushed too.

"I'm sorry. If you don't like it, we can change it, little one."

"No, it's perfect. Don't worry. Although I don't plan to sleep here with several guys at the same time."

Vane said that and then turned around. Darius felt his face burning with embarrassment when he saw that bed in the store; he immediately thought of how many girls he could fit in it at the same time.

Shortly after, they went downstairs. They were going to get Vane's things; she would move in that same afternoon.

Meanwhile, in his car, as Dante drove, he wondered who the man with his assistant was. She looked very comfortable with him, and he touched her with too much familiarity.

Curiosity about who that man was settled in his mind. He also felt disappointment; Vanessa Sanders was not as naive as he thought.

He had bought that apartment months ago, trying to distance himself from his family, especially with the arrival of his older brother, with whom he had a strained relationship for years.

And although his brother lived in Sicily and would be in Los Angeles for only a short time, he didn't want to feel uncomfortable. Besides, he liked the building, and the location was ideal as it was close to the company.

He drove for a while, then decided to pull over. He took his phone to make a call, dialing the building manager's number. His curiosity overwhelmed him at that moment; he wanted to know the name of the man with his assistant.

The manager said he couldn't provide much information, only his name.

"It's Mr. Albert De Marcus." Dante thanked the manager for the given information.

"So, Albert De Marcus." He stayed silent for a moment. He couldn't help it. What was this man to his assistant? A friend? A lover?