by Diana Scott
“Like all of them, good legs to bury for a while but they bore you quickly.”
Bruce laughed out loud as he approached his desk with plans.
“Then when shall we strike the blow? I must get the cops away from the area,” Suraj spoke with concern.
“I'm afraid we'll have to wait for Falconi to give us the green light.”
“Have you already informed him that you work with us?”
“No, but he's about to arrive and you'll tell him yourselves.”
“Fucking son of a bitch!”
Falconi entered through the door without knocking and found the image of the three men.
“And he just found out...” Bruce's voice sounded listless.
“That seems to be the case,” Suraj replied with a smile as he stood between Falconi and Reed.
“Gentlemen please...” Bruce tried to intercede.
“What the fuck?! Blackman and his little friend, the inspector. Watchman, you're crazy!”
Bruce, who had so far been calm, straightened up in front of the enormous solid wooden desk and caressed his weapon as a sign of little patience.
“Falconi, don't yell at me again or I won't answer. Blackman has been working for me for more than two years, he's my total confidence and Kumar has more than proved to be on our side. Both are as full of shit as we are.” Evil erupted in Bruce's smile and Falconi breathed a sigh of relief.
The three of them listened attentively to the little information Watchmaker was giving them about the next blow when Reed interrupted annoyed.
“And you call us for that! Damn you, Bruce. Cleopatra's jewels don't exist. It's a simple myth without any basis, it has no basis whatsoever.”
Watchmaker smiled pervertly but without speaking to cause further intrigue.
“What? What do you know?”
“Speak," said Suraj as he cursed.
“You see dear friends, I have concrete and irrefutable proof that these Jewels exist and are here in London.”
“Impossible," Blackman denied, "If they existed, I would know.”
“I don't want to hurt you, but let's say that your unfortunate accident," he said, looking at his legs, "kept you out of business.”
Reed reddened with rage and Falconi smiled sideways. They both knew who was responsible, but for the common good they decided to keep quiet.
“When will you tell us something useful?” Kumar spoke nervously.
“ Soon.”
The men nodded without asking much more. The three of them knew that making Watchmaker nervous could mean losing the head with just a bullet right there.
“Why don't we celebrate? I need to relieve some tension. Do you have any of those little friends of yours available?”
“Of course and soon there will be a shipment with more. Fresh, tender and willing to learn.”
Falconi and Watchmaker laughed with delight at the news. Suraj and Bruce came out the front but Falconi held Blackman at the door.
“You killed my daughter and I will follow you closely.”
“I didn't kill her, they were your gorillas," he grunted. "And anyone would say you cared about her. You raised her but she wasn't your daughter, you never cared.”
“No, I never cared, she was always a fucking burden. You could even say that I'm happy I don't have to put up with her constant whining, but that doesn't mean you don't owe me one. By the way Blackman, tell me, was she crying with you too when you did it? Did you give her a good spanking? I remember how she put up with mine with contained rage.
The man salivated lustfully as Blackman's cold eyes gazed at him coldly.
“I'm not into whips.”
“You know I am, don't you remember?”
“You fucking bastard...” Reed showed him the tusk as he cursed and Falconi laughed in satisfaction.
“You're as fucked up and perverse as your father, too bad you walk like a robot. By the way, I thought you were dry as a mojama.”
Blackman walked out without answering him, he wasn't interested.
The four men left the office, leaving it in the dark and unaware of the shadow behind the library that listened to them attentively. Marc knew that it was time to take positions. In the past he had made the stupid mistake of leaving John alone and today his friend had died, he was not willing to let Anne die too.
Suraj and Blackman were as corrupt and perverse as the others and nothing would stop them from getting Cleopatra's Jewels. When the name of the gallery where the jewels were kept was known, Anne would be in serious trouble. He already knew from his own experience what greed was capable of corrupting people and he was willing to make amends for his mistakes. Anne was his first love, his eternal friend, and he would not abandon her. He would try to save her from those men and then enjoy the spoils. He was good but not so good.
The Dinner
“Did I tell you how beautiful you look?”
Maurizio's words give me the smile of an authentic and happy woman. One part of me is delighted with such sweet words, but the other cannot help but feel guilty for accepting it. I know perfectly where my heart is and to whom it belongs. I'm in a new stage and it depends on me if the lack of love lasts eternally or a few months. Self-esteem looks at me outraged and I understand it, moreover, maybe if someone were able to listen to me I would be labeled as false, selfish, provocative and even a whore without redemption, but how to explain to them that I simply seek a little peace. An unwanted caress and a kiss for love... I don't ask for much more.
“Thank you.” I gave a dry answer.
A brief word for feelings that are too far-fetched.
“Chardonay from 1989?” He asks pointing the finger at the letter with the menu.
“Perfect.”
Maurizio talks to the waiter and I keep looking at him attentively. It's everything a woman could wish for. Outstanding attractiveness, impeccable manners, marvelous sense of humor, dizzy smile, long story short, he has all qualities of a dream man. Then why don't I tremble when I feel him close? Why doesn't my heart come out of my chest like it does with him...? Why?
I keep the conversation going while we have dinner in a pleasant and friendly way, although my feminine reason keeps reproaching itself again and again. Why not? Why not? I must be a crazy masochist because many of the women I know would die to be in my place right now.
“Then it means a big change for you.”
“Eh, sorry?”
“I said that this work is an important starting point.”
“Yes, it is,” I promise myself in silence not to think about unwelcome little birds or dark, bad-tempered men again. Ever since I came back from Italy, I doubted how I would cope with everything that came my way, but working at Tina Collection turned out to be a dream come true. Solange not only offered me a great job for which I will be eternally grateful, but also offered me the possibility of building a new future.
Maurizio smiles with that joy so typical of him that his wonderful Mediterranean tan becomes even more remarkable.
“And does that future include Blackman?”
He asks like he was asking about the weather, but I see his eyes rising above the cup waiting for an answer.
“You're a great man but I can't waste your time. My sentimental situation is not much better than before.”
“I have to tell you that my time is mine and I spend it the way I want to. If I have to wait for a delicious woman like you, I’ll do it without asking anyone's permission.”
Bring me a defibrillator because I’m having a heart attack due so much love! I breathe, drink water and return to the earth to be able to respond. Self-esteem fans hot.
“I can't promise you anything," I say with false modesty.
“Can you stop worrying about me and tell me exactly what you feel? Do you still love him?”
“Yes," I answer, embarrassed. He doesn't deserve a lie.
“Then it was him who broke the relationship.”
So far Maurizio and I have never been comp
letely honest about our feelings, but I must admit that the question doesn't surprise me in the least. He shows up at my house the same day he arrives in the city and we've been seeing each other all week without interruption, this is a most publicized loving conversation.
“What I have with Reed was born broken," he looks at me with intrigue. “You see, Reed had a very serious accident, so I came back from Italy so unexpectedly. His legs became useless and he was left prostrate in a wheelchair.”
“I heard of it," I look curious, but he just lifts his shoulders. “You gotta do what you gotta do”.
“Anyway, I wanted to help him, but I couldn't.”
“Did he reject you?”
“With every possible words and with all the existing actions he could find.”
“What an asshole...”
“I don't think it's all his fault. In some other situations, I wasn't up to it and I think he believes that this time he wouldn't be either, so he preferred to take me away from his life.”
“And you?”
“Me? What do you mean?”
“Have you also taken him out of your life or are you just waiting for him to move the card to run next to him?”
I put my fork in my mouth with too much energy. The question is strong and might even be considered inappropriate but the reality is too obvious to appeal to sensitivities. Maurizio says aloud the same thing that I have come to ask myself, am I totally free from his bonds? Have I accepted his new reality far from me? Self-esteem denies with the head and I accept it with sadness. If Reed moves a finger, I would need more legs to run to his side but I do not have the courage to recognize it in front of another man.
“He’s now part of the past.” I prick the fork again, hoping that the answer will be enough.
“I'm glad to hear it.”
Maurizio looks at me with masculine warmth, he may not believe me at all but his desire is stronger than his logic.
“You're a great man and in another situation I swear you would be the right person but I can't lie to you.”
“And you don't. I accept your current feelings but don't ask me to deny my future possibilities.”
I'm about to answer but the waiter arrives with the bill and I prefer silence to come and save me. What can I say without looking the dumbest of the dumbest? How do you tell a great man who shows you absolute dedication that your bones melt for those who don't deserve you?
Now the night is running more relaxed. We both put Blackman aside and focus on ourselves. Maurizio gets up and elegantly brings me closer to my coat and I can't stop gawking at him. Would it be so bad to give him a chance? What if that one nail removes another nail wasn't so horrible to try?
“Shall we walk? It's a beautiful night.”
“I love to walk. I've always liked outdoor activities. I'll tell you a secret,” I smile as I walk by his side.
“I’m all ears.”
“In the morning, I go for a run. I like to feel the wind hitting my face, I feel free, it's as if nature and I were one...”
Maurizio looks at me and I can notice how his look devours me. He is such a clear man, so authentic, so sweet, so... different.
“I would like to see that.”
You haven't told me how much you'll be staying in London,” I cling to his arm delighted with his company.
“I don't have a return date. It all depends on how much things keep me here.”
He looks at me insinuatingly and I look away trying to dodge the blow. I am not prepared for such a direct attack. Not yet.
“And are you going to tell me, at least, what is that important case that brought you here?”
Self-esteem laughs at me and enrages me. Yes! I try to deflect the conversation and I'm not a coward but a survivor.
“And don't tell me you're here because of me because I don't believe you.”
Maurizio's mouth gestured like a little boy and I am amused by his silly expression.
What is it about?”
Maurizio breathes as he caresses his chin like Sherlock Holmes before discovering something important.
“ Let's say it's a complex subject of corrupt cops.”
“No! Really? How horrible! I don't understand how people like that can exist. Men losing their honesty for a few measly pounds.”
“They're more than a few pounds, but the truth is that to feel the betrayal of one of your own is a bitter swallow to digest.”
“It must be. And you have clues?Do you know who they are?”
“I think so.”
“And what do you plan to do?” I ask with curiosity.
“Walking to the car to take you home. It's too late and I don't want those beautiful little green eyes not to wake up tomorrow.”
“No,” I say with the smile of a silly blushing girl.
“You see, this is a very delicate subject,” He tells me lowering his voice and breathing suspense into his words.
“I understand," I reply attentively.
“One of life or death,” he whispers in my ear as he looks to the sides to see that we are alone on the sidewalk.
“Of course, of course,” the intrigue begins to gnaw at me.
“If anyone knew what I've told you, they might have died...”
“My lips are sealed,” I look at him expectantly.
Maurizio lowers his face to the height of mine and without warning he put his lips on mine. It was a simple touch, just a sweet adolescent caress but carnal enough to feel it running through my whole body.
“I prefer to be the one to seal them.” He murmurs over my mouth.
As soon as he finished the words, he separated himself from me with the same velocity he used to approach me. He left me begging for more.
“Liar, you're making fun of me.”
“A little bit.”
He smiles gracefully as he holds me by the waist while I walk.
I walk with the taste of his kiss on my lips. A stolen kiss, sweet and tender. A kiss that doesn't go beyond a kiss but manages to mislead me. It's true that my heart doesn't beat wildly, nor does my blood burn like burning lava, but still this is the beginning of a true love. A calm and calm love that gives me stability and serenity. Maybe this is normal and Reed's a disease. Maybe the experience played a trick on me and in the calm and serenity true love is found.
We walk together without saying a word although I imagine that our thoughts roam the same way but with different endings.
Self-esteem caresses her lips trying to answer what she doesn't know.
You, me, us.
“Don't you ever stop working?” Maurizio crosses his long legs while he stretches completely relaxed on the sofa.
“And you never work?”
The scoundrel smiles without even trying to hide it and manages to infect me with his marvelous good humor. Italian, attractive, fun and waiting for me to finish my work on a Saturday night. I just won the lottery and I didn't buy a ticket.
“What do you think? Drinks, music and wherever the night takes us,” I look at him interested as I point the labeler at my chin.
“It sounds like a good plan but...”
“Excellent plan! And the Temple is the ideal place.”
At that moment Solange enters through the door like an uncontrolled hurricane and Maurizio jumps out of the sofa instantly.
“Hello, I'm Solange, and you are?” My new boss drags the words with very little disguise.
“My name is Maurizio.”
“Maurizio, Italian? Mm... interesting....” The woman looks at him with obvious interest.
The colors go up my cheeks too fast and I don't know how to stop my boss.
“That's what they say.” The man answers amused by the situation.
“Yes, very interesting...” Solange scans Maurizio from top to bottom without any symptom of shyness.
“Ahem, Solange, you need anything?” The woman continues to look at Maurizio for another endless time until finally I get her to look at me.
�
�Yes, I need you to participate in the great gala at the Temple tonight.”
“Great gala?”
“Yes, I have invited great personalities and you know, among some drinks, I want to announce your great inauguration auction.”
“But we agreed that we wouldn't say anything. It's a delicate subject to show and we have no guarantees.”
I look at her with raised eyebrows trying to make her understand my brief and key message.
“And we won't. We'll announce the big act but we won't say who’s the main star.” Solange winked at me as she refocused her attention on Maurizio.
“And how long have you been in London?”
“Not much,” Solange may be the most attractive and calculating spy, but Maurizio is not far behind.
“I see. I guess enough time to be interested in our art...”
If I wasn't so embarrassed, I swear I would hang her with my own hands.
“Very interested,” Maurizio replies to his attack with a side smile and I feel the heat rising up trough my neck.
I'd like to kill them both.
“And you will know that in this city, we take care of our art with a special mime.”
“And I protect what’s mine in a very special way.”
God, I close my eyes to stop listening. Solange without warning throws a laugh that almost stopped my heart.
“I like you. Anne, bring your friend and don't forget to dress up. See you at noon in the main room,” and with the same energy with which she came in, she goes out the door.
Maurizio comes up to me and takes the labeler out of my hand and starts pushing me through the door.
“I think we already have a plan and you should go home and change.”
“I sit while I pull the bag hanging from the coat rack to leave.”
I have no idea what the rush is or why Solange didn't warn me with anticipation but the nerves start to eat me up inside.
I know the chances of seeing him are very remote but I'm already shaking. As prideful as Reed is, I don't think he’ll go being in a wheelchair, but just imagining seeing him again stirs me up inside. My feelings are clouded and my decisions get lost. I hope that if we cross paths, I can prove that I'm made of steel, even though I'm melting inside like summer ice cream.