Her Enemy’s Touch

Chapter three: Weakling heir

Serena’s pov

“Oh come on, please calm down and finish reading the contract first.” Antonio says looking so calm it’s infuriating. It’s as if he knew I would react that way, as if he’s here to taunt me just like 11yrs ago.

“Calm down?!, you want me to calm down while you tell me you want to acquire one of my most expensive properties?.” As if I could be calm, we all have territories we operate in. He’s literally telling me he wants control of what’s mine, basically that’s him declaring war right?. The meatpacking district is in manhattan and it belongs to the Vereaux syndicate territory. It’s a death sentence to operate on our domain without permission and also cutting us in on the deal. “Why would you even want to do business with me, be honest with me, you didn’t torment me enough while in high school so you want to finish now.?” I ask seething. Antonio’s eyes flash with irritation. Maybe he doesn’t appreciate the reminder but I do. It’s etched in my memory cause he was also part of why I hate my childhood.

My head hangs low as I go to class in my new school, I was age 12 at the time starting high school. I had thought coming to school would make me forget what always happens at home but I was wrong. I had also thought seeing Tonio again would make me forget the feeling of disgust I was experiencing but that was also wrong.

I had lost the little fire in me at that time, I’d hate being in crowded places, hate making friends and the kids always avoided me cause I try to keep to myself always. I’d freeze and go into shock when someone touches me or tries to. This made everyone avoid me and apparently this caught the attention of Tonio; no i had learnt his name was Antonio. Father had sternly warned me not to be friends with the Movroski’s as they had a falling out and are now sworn enemies for forever. He was quite popular then and he was also a class ahead of me.

When he discovered my pathetic excuse of life, he always taunted me.

“Hey weakling, heard you’re going to be the heir. Your father must be dumb to think that considering everyone bullies and avoids you and you don’t fight back. How the hell are you going to rule the syndicate? Huh?” He always teases while his friends laugh along.

I hated him, for making school unbearable for me as it was at home too. He doesn’t know how badly I want to end it all. To think that I wanted to be friends with him even after fathers warning. This continued throughout high school and I vowed never to cower for people who make others feel less of themselves.

My concentration snaps back to the present as Antonio’s focus locks on me.

“This is a good deal for you Serena, we’re not children anymore, that's in the past. We’re offering to cut you in on the deal as a silent partner-no further investment from you, manpower or otherwise. It benefits us both.” Antonio says, running a palm over his jaw.

There’s more to this I can tell. “You run your territory; I run this part of town. That’s all there is to this. We do not allow anyone to operate in our domain and I’m certainly not looking for new ventures. We’re not related by blood or marriage which means you’re not running your business in our territory. End of the f*****g story. And I’m not Serena to you, I’m miss Devereaux to you.” I say slamming my hands down on the desk so hand the glass of water rattles. How dare he?. Even if I wanted to break a deal with someone it wouldn’t be Antonio f*****g Movroski.

“You’re missing out on a lot of you rejects this Serena.” He says repeating my name yet again with a mischievous smile on his face.

He’s enjoying this I see, and I have a feeling this conversation is far from over. “Be careful Antonio, I’m no longer 12. Don’t do anything stupid, consider that a warning.” I press the intercom button; “Claire, please come escort Mr Movroski out, the meeting is over.”

He gets up as Claire opens the office, “Appreciate the advice but we’ll meet again Serena.” He winks and smile softly before walking out.

I walk over to the ceiling to floor glassed window of my office, looking down at the bustling city below the 30 floors of my company building overlooking the Park avenue. I used to enjoy looking down and seeing everyone go about their day but not today. Right from this morning when I had to deal with Charles till this f*****g mid afternoon with Antonio, today wasn’t just going well.

I’m pulled from my thoughts as Claire walks in. “What happened, you look pissed.” She asks.

“I’m not in the mood to repeat what just happened, I’ll fill you in later. Let’s close for the day please and look for somewhere to have dinner. I would like to forget about today as a whole even if for a little while.” I say dropping to my seat and resting my head on my hands.

“Okay boss, I happen to know just the right place to de-stress.” she hurries out excitedly.

Eric walks in just as she goes out, “Stressful day boss, we leaving soon?.”

“Yes, you can go home for the day, I’m heading out with Claire for dinner. Or would you like to join us?.”

“No, thank you boss. I would rather clock out, let me leave you ladies to talk.”

“Alright, call me if you have any intel on the Charles situation.” I say picking my bag and heading out.

“No worries, boss”

I meet Claire in her office, right after mine and we both head out together. We took the private elevator to avoid the other employees, my driver was already downstairs. “Where are we heading to?.” I ask Claire as we both sit in the black Prado that Josh; my driver, normally uses for office runs.

“There is this new restaurant downtown, it’s called De Belladonna located at Prince street in SoHo. You’ll love it.

“If you say so.” Claire has been my closest friend ever since my uni days. She’s warm and very supportive and she’s also been my Chief of staff since I founded X 3yrs ago.

The drive to De belladonna took 20mins because of the heavy traffic. We parked at the parking lot and walked inside. The place really looked good with lights out front and the inside was even more pleasant, it has a cozy atmosphere that feels like home. The waiter asks for our reservation and leads us to a private booth just the way I like it. Claire really does know what I like.

“What would you like ma’am?.” The waiter asks, handling us both the menu.

“I’ll take the special treat and a red wine of your choice.” I say and Claire also orders the same thing. As we wait for the food to arrive, we watch the live band playing a soft music upfront.

5mins later the food arrives and we begin eating. “Mmm, its tastes really nice, I think this is going to become my new favourite place girl. Did you know Movroski was the one who used to bully me in high school?.” I say to Claire.

“What?!, and he had the nerves to come meet you?” She exclaims angrily.

“That’s not even the height of it all.” I go ahead to narrate what he wanted to her and by the end she’s boiling. At least I wasn’t overreacting.

“Is he stupid or what? I’ve heard about him, isn’t he the powerful mafia boss of the Movroski’s Bratva. Why would he want that property?. What are you going to do now?.”

“I think there’s more to that place. If it’s war he wants I’ll give it to him.”