Annie's Story

Chapter Eight: Trouble for Markus

Chapter Eight: Trouble for Markus

Markus' business was in trouble after investing a large sum of money in Tao Pharmaceuticals. The drug trials failed, causing numerous deaths. Other companies were pulling out of their contracts with him, causing his company to lose money at a rapid rate.

Markus is desperate to keep his company going until he can get new contracts, so he does the one thing he shouldn't do. He goes to Luigi. Luigi is a dangerous man, one you don't want to owe money or favors to. But in his desperation, Markus feels he has no choice.

Luigi's office is at the back of his Italian restaurant, three blocks from Markus' office. The restaurant décor included pictures of famous Italian actors, actresses, and musicians. Each table adorned a red linen tablecloth and little tea light candles in red candle holders.

Markus' hand was poised to knock when the door swung open. Standing there was Raphael, a large burly man with arms the size of tree trunks, no neck, and covered in tattoos. His black hair was slicked back. He huffed when he saw Markus.

"Raphael, step aside and let the man in," said Luigi in broken English and outstretched arms. Raphael stepped to the side, barely giving Markus just enough room to squeeze past him. "Markus, how can I help you, old friend?" Luigi hugged Markus, patting him on the back.

"Luigi, I know I probably shouldn't be here, but I have a favor to ask," Markus said with a shaky voice. Luigi scared him. Luigi scared a lot of people. He called in favors and repayments when he knew the borrower didn't have the money, so he could sick Raphael on them. Luigi caused well-known businessmen to disappear after having dealings with him.

"I heard rumblings about your last investment. Now, Markus you know better than to invest in a company you know nothing about," Luigi clapped his hands together. "Why would you do such a silly thing?"

"There is no great reward without great risk. Isn't that how the saying goes?" Markus rubbed the back of his neck.

"True, true, but sometimes those risks get you in more trouble than you can afford. How much do you need?" Luigi reached into his bottom drawer, pulling out his best bottle of Campari and two glasses. He poured two shots.

"I don't know," Markus replied, shrugging his shoulders.

"How about we start with a small loan, say, half a million?" Luigi handed Markus the glass. Markus slammed back the liquor. The bitter taste burned his throat as it went down. Luigi laughed as Markus reacted to the drink. He drank his shot with no reaction. "It's settled then. I will give you half a million dollars. We will devise payment arrangements when I see you turn a profit again, okay?"

"Let's have a contract. I would prefer that we lay out the terms now," Markus said in a raspy tone.

"Always a businessman," Luigi said. "The terms are simple. I give you this money, and you make the first payment in a few months. If you don't have the money, Raphael pays you a little visit to remind you of our terms."

"Okay, I don't know about this," Markus said apprehensively.

"Markus, you are a smart man. I know you will have no problem repaying what you owe. Now, how about you join me and the family for dinner? Lucia would love to see you," Luigi waved his finger at Markus. "She always asks me if I see you. She says have you seen that beautiful boy? I need to make him Cannoli. He is such a good boy."

Markus was supposed to meet Annie for their nightly walk and dinner. He knew if he didn't agree to sit with Luigi and his family, the terms of the deal would change overnight. "I will if Lucia doesn't try to set me up with one of your daughters," Markus laughed.

"Now, I can't make that promise. She is a strong-headed woman. She does what she wants," Luigi laughed. "We see you at seven."

"I will see you then," Markus rose to leave. Raphael stood in front of the door with his arms crossed and a smirk.

"Raphael, let the man leave," Luigi said. Raphael stepped aside, opening the door. Markus left the office, making his way to the front of the restaurant.

"Good to see you again, Mr. Belle," Carmichael said as Markus walked away.

"You, too," Markus said, rushing out the door. Taking a deep breath as the humid afternoon air hit him in the face. Markus wiped his shaky hand across his brow, sweat gathered along his fingers. His stomach was doing flips.

He just made a deal with the devil.

****

Annie was locking up the café when she got a text.

'Hey, I will not be able to make it tonight. I am stuck on a conference call with an overseas client. Talk to you later.'

'Okay, I hope the call goes well. Talk to you later.' Annie replied. She shoved her hands in her pockets. She was walking past Markus' building when Frank spotted her.

"Good evening, Miss Annie," Frank said.

"Evening, Frank," Annie said.

"Mr. Belle isn't with you tonight?" he asked.

"No, he sent a text saying he was working late," she said.

"Yeah, I guess that happens from time to time in his business," Frank shrugged.

"Oh yeah. Have a good night, Frank," Annie smiled and walked to the diner.

***

Markus walked around the office, shutting the lights off. Looking at the empty offices of Michael and Sherry, he sighed. He had to get them back, but the only way to do that was to prove he could be smart about his choices again. He needed to start on the right path but needed the capital, and Luigi was the only one who could provide it. Markus looked back at the office as he was leaving and sighed. Markus walked with his head down the three blocks to the restaurant, only to be greeted again by Carmichael.

"Welcome back," Carmichael said. "Right this way."

Markus walked past a line of tables filled with patrons enjoying a nice Italian dinner. The scent of garlic permeated the air as the lights were dimmed for the evening meals. Markus struggled to see where Carmichael was leading him. The community table in the back was lined with people.

"There he is," Luigi said, standing as Markus approached. Lucia stood and quickly walked over to Markus, smiling with her arms out. Markus hugged Lucia.

"It is good to see you again, Lucia," Markus said, smiling at her despite the knot in his stomach.

"I have missed your face," Lucia said, grabbing his face with both hands. "Come, sit next to me."

Lucia led Markus around to the other side of the table. Markus sat in the seat she pointed to.

"You remember Cari, yes?" Lucia asked, nodding toward the dark-haired, brown-eyed girl sitting beside him. Markus looked at Luigi, who just shrugged.

"I told you, no promises," Luigi laughed. Markus smiled, shaking his head. Cari stared at the table.

"I do, Lucia," Markus said. "How are you, Cari?"

"I'm good," Cari said, looking at him and silently mouthed, "I'm sorry." Markus smiled at her.

"Markus, where have you been? We have not seen you. I have missed you," Lucia said.

"I have been a very busy man," Markus said. "I promise to come by more often."

"Good, I like seeing your handsome face," Lucia said.

"Mamma!" Cari said.

"What, Cari? He is handsome. You don’t think so?" Lucia asked.

"I didn't say that. It's just that you don't need to say everything that pops into your head," Cari said, as her cheeks flushed.

"See, she thinks you are handsome, too. Maybe you can take her on a date?" Lucia suggested.

"Mamma, no. Please don't pay any attention to my mother," Cari said, burying her face in her hands.

"Cari, am I an embarrassment to you? Why do you treat me like this?" Lucia's voice raised.

"Both of you, please. No arguing in the restaurant in front of our customers and our guests," Luigi said.

"Don't you tell me what I can do," Lucia spat. Everyone at the table shifted uncomfortably in their chairs.

"Lucia, if I agree to take Cari for drinks after dinner, can we stop this conversation so we can all enjoy our meal?" Markus asked.

"See, that was all I wanted. Why is everyone so angry?" Lucia shrugged.

"Cari, we can either go over there for drinks," Markus said, nodding toward the bar area. "Or we can leave when we have finished eating. I will leave it up to you."

"We will leave," Cari angrily said. She didn't speak for the rest of the meal. Markus kept his eyes on his plate, eating with a fevered pace. Silverware clinked on plates as the conversation around them continued. Lucia left the table toward the end of the meal and brought out a box from the kitchen, handing it to Markus. Markus smiled as he opened the box. Lucia had made him a dozen cannolis dipped in chocolate.

"Thank you, Lucia," Markus stood and hugged her.

"You welcome, beautiful boy. Now, take Cari for those drinks. Go, you two," Lucia said, waving her hands at the two of them. Markus looked at Cari, who nodded. Markus followed Cari through the restaurant and out the front door.

"Look, we don't have to go get a drink," Markus said. "If you just want to go for a walk, we can."

"I would rather walk alone, no offense," Cari said.

"I understand. I think we should at least walk in the same direction away from the restaurant, so it looks like we are going somewhere together," Markus suggested.

"Yeah, God knows old eagle eyes in there will know if we didn't go somewhere together," Cari said, looking over her shoulder into the restaurant and laughing.

"Your mom is just trying to make sure you have someone," Markus said, laughing.

"I would prefer someone who doesn't already have a girlfriend," Cari said, smirking. Markus' eyes widened. "Yeah, I read the tabloids."