Whispers in the Wind

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

I stood in front of the door to my new apartment, the keycard secured firmly in my grip as a mix of annoyance and anticipation filled me. I finally opened the door and stepped in.

I was impressed. It was large. Two rooms, three bathrooms, a large living room with floor-to-ceiling windows, a reading room with bookcases lining the wall, an open kitchen with marble countertops and gray cabinets accented with streaks of gold, and a balcony view that made me... think how heavy the Russos' influence had to be on this city. Because if they were all looking at views like this, they probably felt they owned the city. Even if that was absolutely true.

I resumed work that evening, arranging my things whenever I got a little break. That went on for three days. Because even though Gio was intrusive enough to move my things, he—or rather his people—had left the unpacking to me.

At least they didn't leave anything behind.

I took a seat on the porch swing by my balcony with my laptop balanced on my lap and a glass of coke by my side.

I delved straight into the pressing workload there, sorting Gio’s appointments, arranging his calendar and schedule, preparing for his trips ahead, filling whatever report he needed and every other.

All in a state of comfortable tranquility. Until my phone rang.

“Hi,” I said. “Miss Aurelius, there’s a meeting that needs my attention at the moment, and you have to come with me” his accented voice said brusquely.

“Alright. When?” “Today. Meet me at the hotel’s reception in an hour” and then he hung the call.

I stared at the phone in disbelief. An hour?!

How the hell was I supposed to get ready in an hour for a business meeting with God knows who in an hour?

I stood up immediately and got prepared for the fastest dress up I have ever had.

*****************************************

In exactly 45 minutes, I was down at the reception where a devastatingly dressed Gio was seated in the lobby on his phone in an impeccable dark blue suit.

“One hour isn’t enough for a lady to properly get dressed and prepared for a business meeting with a high end investor”

He lifted his head to acknowledge me, his lips perking up to a grin as he stood up and walked towards me.

“Is it? You still look amazing as always, Miss Aurelis” he complimented and gestured for us to keep walking.

The automatic doors slid open on sensing our upcoming movements revealing the posh black car waiting just down the stairs.

Just how many did he have?

“Well, can’t let you catch me off guard now, can I?”

He chuckled as he opened the back door for me.

He closed the door after me and entered through the other side.

“Good day sir, good day Miss” the driver greeted. “Hello,” I replied. “Good day, Alfred” Gio stated.

“Beta 3 company” he added. The chauffeur nodded and drove off.

*************************************

A couple more minutes passed, and we pulled up to a towering building with sleek, modern architecture. The car came to a smooth stop, and Alfred quickly got out to open the door for me. Gio followed, adjusting his suit jacket as he stepped onto the pavement.

“Stay close and observe,” he instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument. “This meeting is crucial.”

I nodded.

We walked through the grand entrance of the building, and a receptionist immediately guided us to a private elevator. Gio pressed a button, and the doors closed with a soft hiss, whisking us upwards.

When the doors opened again, we were greeted by a spacious, elegantly furnished conference room. A long table dominated the center, and several high-profile individuals were already seated.

As if on instinct, they all straightened simultaneously on seeing Gio.

“Mr. Russo, so glad you make it” the tall middle aged man at one end of the long table said.

“Of course, Mr. Sanchez. This is Zina Aurelis, my assistant” he introduced me, placing a hand lightly on my back, nudging my forward.

He acknowledged my presence with a crooked smile that gave me a peek of a gold tooth, that albeit didn’t have any meaning, still sent a shiver down my spine.

I was only grateful I was able to mask my disgust with a professional face.

“Shall we begin?” Gio nodded gesturing for me to take a seat beside him.

Sanchez wasted no time diving into the discussion. He outlined a grand vision for a new luxury resort that would rival anything the world had seen. It was an ambitious project that would require a massive investment and partnership with Russo Corps.

As the meeting progressed, I noticed something off. Sanchez’s pitch was too perfect, too polished. He mentioned several off-the-record transactions and implied certain flexibilities that were borderline illegal. Gio seemed unfazed, nodding along as if this were business as usual.

Something was wrong. Something was very wrong.

He hadn’t mentioned anything outrightly illegal, but unease was slithering down my spine.

Sanchez continued, “This project will not only be a landmark but also a significant opportunity for… other ventures.” He glanced at Gio, who gave a barely perceptible nod.

“What kind of other ventures?” I asked even though I didn’t want to know the answer to that.

Sanchez smiled, revealing his gold tooth, a predatory glint in his eyes. “Let’s just say, Russo Corps and my operations can benefit mutually. Our business isn’t just about luxury; it’s about control and influence. Imagine a resort that doubles as a discreet hub for high-profile clients to conduct… private transactions.”

My eyes went wide immediately as his words sank deep into me. But as soon as his eyes narrowed at me, I masked it with surprise and an impressed face.

Shit! Money Laundering!!

Gio interjected smoothly, “Zina, Mr. Sanchez is proposing a unique blend of luxury and exclusivity. This project could bring in influential figures from all over the world, creating unprecedented opportunities.”

I forced a smile, my mind racing. “It’s certainly an innovative idea. The potential is immense.”

Sanchez’s smile widened. “Of course. Discretion and legality are paramount.”

The meeting concluded with a handshake between Gio and Sanchez, sealing what felt like a pact with the devil. As Sanchez left, Gio turned to me.

But there was something off in his persona. He was still holding his professional demeanor, but with something else simmering just below that layer of perfect composure.

“Impressive, isn’t he?” Gio remarked without a lilt of emotion.

I nodded, my mind still processing the implications of this. “Very.”

He pulled out his phone from his pocket then typed something.

“Alfred is downstairs. Wait for me in the car. I’ll join you shortly. I need to speak to Mr. Sanchez”

I nodded and headed toward the elevator, pretending to follow Gio's instructions. But as soon as the doors closed, I hit the button to stop the descent and waited until I was sure Gio had left the conference room. With cautious steps, I made my way to Sanchez’s office, finding a hidden spot just outside the door where I could hear everything.

I could hear Sanchez’s voice, already raised and emotional. “You don’t understand the ramifications of this decision, Russo. You’re making a grave mistake!”

Gio’s voice was calm and measured, as always. “Mr. Sanchez, I’m well aware of the implications. But there are limits to what I can condone, and your shipments have crossed that line.”

Sanchez’s tone turned defensive. “What I do on my docks is my business, Gio. I don’t interfere with what the Russos do, so why should you meddle in mine?”

“Because this isn’t about typical business operations,” Gio replied coolly. “Your shipments are problematic, and it’s more than just a matter of preference. Effective immediately, Russo Corps is pulling out of your shipment business.”

Sanchez slammed his fist on the desk, his face turning red with anger. “You want to bankrupt me because of what I’m shipping?”

Gio’s gaze narrowed and hardened, his hand balled into tight fists, his jaws clenched so hard.

“Not what. Who.”

The air seemed to freeze around me as the weight of Gio’s words sank in. My heart pounded in my chest as the reality hit me.

Human Trafficking.

This was about Human Trafficking.

Sanchez’s anger morphed into desperation. “You’re making a mistake, Russo. The profits we’re talking about are enormous! Don’t be a fool!”

Gio remained unfazed, his expression unreadable. “Some things are more important than money, Sanchez. I won’t have my name or my company associated with your actions. This is non-negotiable.”

Listening to the exchange, I felt a shiver run down my spine. I had known the Russo family was very much deeply rooted in criminal activities, but this… This was far more sinister than I could have ever imagined.

Quietly, I slipped back to the elevator, my mind racing. By the time I reached the car, I was numb with fear. The reality of the world I had stepped into was more dangerous than I had anticipated. Gio’s calm demeanor was just a facade that belied the dark undercurrents that ran through his business dealings.

I climbed into the back seat of the car, my fingers tapping and shaking on my lap. Alfred noticed but said nothing, merely nodding at my return. Moments later, Gio joined me, his expression unreadable.

He arched a dark brow.

“Everything alright, Miss Aurelis?” he asked, his tone polite.

“Yes,” I lied, hooking my hair behind my ear and forcing on a neutral face. “Everything’s fine.”

Gio’s eyes lingered on me for a moment longer than necessary before he nodded and turned his attention to his phone. As the car pulled away, I couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that was eating at me.

Hell I couldn’t even shake the feeling of fear that had embalmed me just by sitting right beside him.

How could he have been involved in something like that?