Chapter 2: Gotta Track You Down!
1060 Words
Franco Rossi strolled through the company halls like he owned the place. At thirty, he was the vice president of sales, eyeing the big chair of Rossi&Mancini and Associates. His old man retired, leaving a juicy spot up for grabs. The catch? His cousin Lorenzo Mancini had eyes on it too. Lorenzo was the family man, with a wife, kids, the whole package. Franco, though, had been hustling since he was a kid to take charge of the family biz.
"Mr. Rossi, you've got a meeting with the new big shots at eleven, and your dad's on the line from Rome," the assistant informed him.
"Make sure the boardroom is all set," he said, grabbing the phone to chat with his old man.
"Hey, pops. How's things in America?"
"All good, dad. In two hours, I'll seal the deal with the American partners. No sweat," he assured.
"I'm not worried about that. I trained you well. What gets to me is the thought of croaking without seeing you as the big shot in the company," his dad spilled. "Did you pop the question to Sarah? How'd that go?" he prodded.
Franco sighed, rolled his eyes, and clenched his jaw, feeling the tension. He couldn't spill the beans about the rejection, but he also couldn't afford to be without a lady. Urgently needed one, and he remembered why she said no.
(***)
"What!? Why? Got another guy on the scene?" he huffed, catching up with Sarah in the hallway.
Sarah bit her lip.
"The problem is you. I want a hubby who hangs out with me, and you're glued to work," she shot back. "Don't think I don't know your assistant is the one sending me flowers when we fight? She plans the dinners, picks out the anniversary gifts 'cause you're too busy," she pointed out.
Franco growled, ran a hand through his hair, and locked eyes with her.
"Plenty would kill for your spot," he shot back.
"Maybe," Sarah shrugged. "We're done. No need to fake a proposal just 'cause the company wants a family man as prez," she said. "When I tie the knot, it'll be for love, not convenience. Bye, Franco Rossi."
Franco stood there, steaming, with wide eyes. Nobody tells him no, and he needs a commitment ASAP. Shareholders might just pick his cousin as prez if he doesn't get his act together. Clenched his fists, had a few drinks in the lounge, and headed back to the hotel suite.
"Dad, you know I won't lose that gig," he assured, returning to the now. Fell silent, replaying the night before in his mind. Couldn't get her out of his head.
"You still there?" his dad asked.
"Yeah, Dad, maybe I'll shock you one day and announce a wedding," he said.
"Hope so," his dad replied in Italian and hung up.
Franco grabbed his phone. He wasn't a creep, not big on recording himself, but that flower-shaped mark on the woman from last night got him. Snapped a pic. Called his assistant, a real discreet right-hand woman.
"Spill it, sir."
Franco gave precise instructions to his assistant and prepared to continue with his work.
"Gotta find you."
Susan rolled up to her crib, hopped out of the cab, looking like a total wreck – makeup everywhere, hair all tangled. As she stumbled in, she was hit with a scene straight out of a cop movie – patrol cars lined up in the front yard. She sprinted into the mansion.
"What's the deal?" she asked, eyeing her mom in tears, dad cuffed up. "Tayler!" she yelled. "What's going on?" She got closer.
Dude threw up his palm, blocking her.
"Don't get near me, b*tch!" he roared, angry vibes all over the place. His eyes were different, shady, dark. "Cops are hauling your dad for embezzlement," he sneered.
"I'm innocent!" Mr. Jones hollered.
Susan rushed to her pops, threw her arms around him.
"Don't take him away!" she screamed, clinging to him. "My dad's an honorable guy."
"Step aside, Susan. Don't mess with justice," Tayler barked.
Susan shot him a look full of rage and walked up to him.
"How can you just stand there and do nothing? That man the cops are dragging away has been like a dad to you! Do something! You're a lawyer!"
Tayler's gaze went pitch black, muscles all tense.
"I won't lift a finger for that dude. Never saw him as my old man," he yelled, giving her a nasty glare. "Your fam wrecked mine, and now justice is catching up." Susan's blood ran cold, she turned pale, heart squeezing. Couldn't believe the kid her folks raised as their own had been scheming revenge all along.
"You're trash!" Susan muttered, smacking him in the chest.
Tayler grabbed her hands, pulled her into the office.
"Now that it's just us," he roared, eyeing Susan with disgust, "I got a deal for you," he suggested, pupils wide open, "since you're into sleeping around, if you want to save your old man, become my lover."
Susan went pale, eyes widening, shook her head, stomach churning with disgust.
"Never! We were blind for years, but no more, Tayler!" she yelled, "I'll prove my old man's innocent," she said, firm as hell.
Tayler laughed, his mockery echoing through the office walls.
"With what cash, Susan?" he scoffed, snorting mockingly, "You're broke, your folks' entire fortune is mine now."
Susan clenched her teeth and slapped Tayler across the face.
"I'll get back my fortune, mark my words!" she declared, dashed out of the office, hustled to her room, stripped off her dress, hopped in the shower, and quickly changed. Then she heard her mom crying downstairs, furrowed her brow, and rushed down.
"What's going on?" she asked, spotting Tayler pacing around the living room.
"Your mom's begging me to do something for your dad, but I already told her the only one who can save them is you, by becoming my lover. Could've given you the wifey title, but... that's too much for you."
"You pathetic excuse for a man," Susan muttered, shooting daggers at him.
"Do it for your dad, Susan!"
The young woman looked at her mom, eyes wide in surprise. She knew her mom was desperate, but she never thought she'd ask something like this.
"Never!" Susan yelled, bolted out of the house, and started wandering aimlessly.
- Writer
