Her Enemy’s Touch

Chapter two: The contract

Serena’s pov

I turn back to look at Claire. “What do you mean Antonio Movroski is in my office?, what is he doing here?.” I ask with shock written on my face and at a hushed tone even though my office is soundproofed.

“He booked an appointment weeks ago to discuss about a business deal, I really don’t know the details. But he’s one of our clients.” Claire answers looking confused. “Why, what’s the deal with him, do you know him?.”

Of course I know him. I mean we’re not exactly friends, he’s supposed to be my worst enemy, so of course we don’t keep in touch.

Apparently, the Devereaux and Movroski family has been enemies for decades.

Flashback to Serena at 8years

“Mr Devereaux, I must say your daughter is so lovely. If only you had a son to pass on the business to, it would have been perfect.” dad’s friend tells my father as I stand beside him in the big ball room.

“Oh please, she is perfect I couldn’t care for a son as long as I have her. And who says she can’t be my heir, I’m already training her to be one”. My father answers in a firm and proud voice.

My parents had taken me to this auction hosted by one of the big families in New York. I slip off heading to the big wooden door and slip outside, leaving the adults to their boring conversations.

I catch a glimpse of a garden through the gaps between the perfectly cut square trees. The garden has different colorful flowers but the white lilies caught my attention and I went to pluck one so I could give to my mother later on. She loves flowers, and I always take her some from the garden at home. “Boom!!”. A voice barks in front of me, crashing into me and we both stumbles and fall to the ground.

“Hey, who are you? Why would you do that?.” I ask annoyed that my my dress would be dirty and the lily has crumpled.

He looks at me with his grey eyes, “well, you should look at where are you going then.” He says with mischief, smiling sheepishly.

“I was just admiring the flowers, apologize cause you’ve ruined my dress”. I say to him standing up and dusting my dress. Mother is going to scold me.

“If I do that will you play with me? I’m kind of bored” he stares at me sheepishly.

“Okay, what are we playing?” I ask excitedly, I could play a little until someone comes to get me.

“Let’s play tag then, and I’m sorry for crashing into you.” A soft laugh escapes him, his cheeks crease and dimple appears. “Who were you picking the flowers for?”

“My mother”. He pouts, his laughter disappearing. No, why are the dimples gone? I liked them.

“My mother left” he says, mouth trembling into a small reluctant downturn as if he's hurting.

“Why?”

“They are getting divorced, mummy doesn’t want father any more”. The boy shifts closer, grass staining his knees.

“I’m sorry,” I say even if I don’t know what that word means.

We play in the garden for a little time before my parents come hurrying down with someone else behind them and I stop running when I see them, trembling slightly cause I know mother is going to scold me for dirtying my dress and not acting girly. “Mom, I’m so so…,”

“What are you doing here?, why are you with this vermin?. Fathers words sound so harsh that I begin shaking. Mother draws me to stand beside her as tears start falling from my little eyes. “Mom, I’m so sorry I just wanted to play outside.”

“No it’s not that honey, Daddy isn’t on talking terms with that boy's father that’s why he’s angry.”

“That family is off limits Serena,” father scolds me. “I don’t want to see you playing with him ever again, understand?!”

“But why?, he seems like a nice kid dad”. I try to plead with dad, tagging his suit jacket. He’s the only friend I’ve made in a while, all the other children from school don't like playing with me because of my bodyguards.

“No!, don’t ask questions, you’ll understand when you grow older.” My father says.

“Lets go, Tonio.” the boy's dad calls to him and they both walk away, Tonio turning back to look at me. So that’s his name, I promise to find my new friend. Maybe he’ll be in my new school, I’ll be changing schools after summer.

——-——————

Present day

I push open the door to my office, regaining my composure and turning back to the fierce CEO I’m know to be. I stepped in to see Antonio sitting in the lounge chair in the corner of my office and I walk up to him offering my hand to shake him. “Hello Mr Movroski, I’m so sorry for keeping you waiting, please come have a sit here.” I say to him pointing to my desk. He shakes me back with an uncertain expression, it’s as if he expected me to be more cordial or something.

“Ohh, it’s nothing, I think it was worth the wait.” He says smiling softly.

I move to sit behind my desk facing him in the chair in front of me. “So, what can I do for you sir?, I was told you’re interested in one of our services. Do you need to secure any of your businesses.?” I ask moving straight to business, sitting upright and meeting his eyes.

“Wow, straight to business, I like it,” he chuckles “but I’m not here for any of the services you render here.” He says sternly.

“Uhmmm, I don’t understand.”

“Well, here is the contract you can go through to understand what I’m proposing.” He reaches into his bag to produce a brown envelope, bringing out the contract and sliding it across to me.

I stare at him and then at the contract confused and wondering why the feared mafia boss came to my office if not for any of my services. I look at the contract in front of me, my expression as cold as it can get.

Fixing my gaze on the file, I see Meatpacking District as I flip the page and that draws my attention as I own most properties in the area.

“Wait what?!!, that’s not possible. You must be out of your mind if you think I’ll agree to this, Movroski!.”