Choices We Make: The Moretti Brothers Series

by Young, Sage

  “Come in and sit with me.” Mark said to her as he waved his hand that had a gun in it, motioning her to come in.

  “What are you doing here Mark and where is the security guard?” Victoria asked with a shaky voice, unable to mask the fear on her face.

  “Your security guard is a little indisposed at the moment; come in and have a seat here,” he said wanting her to sit in the chair across from him. “I want to talk to you.”

  Victoria walked towards her desk, placing her small clutch under her arm. Mark inhaled deeply as he could smell the light floral fragrance that filled the air. He also noticed the beautiful dress she wore. “You look beautiful.” He walked up to her and rubbed his face against hers. “And you smell delicious Victoria.” She back away looking as him; his eyes were momentarily closed before they sprang open when he felt her move.

  “What are you doing here Mark? You know you’re not supposed to be here, our companies are no longer doing business together.” Victoria was trying to quickly think how to get herself out of this situation or at least scan the room for a potential weapon.

  “Victoria I’ve had a very difficult couple of weeks, so please don’t piss me off right now, sit the fuck down.” He said erratically as he waved the gun. Victoria walked over towards her desk and sat.

  “What is this about Mark?” Victoria tried not to show fear.

  “I think it’s time we talked about renegotiating our contract.” He said as he folded his arms in front of him still clutching the gun.

  *****

  Anna got off the elevator and instantly noticed the something was not right, she walked into Victoria’s office suite and went in search of Victoria. She heard voices and walked towards the sound. She immediately noticed that one of the voices belong to Mark; she froze as she continued to listen to what was being said.

  *****

  “When you canceled the contract with our company my father and brothers were livid; and of course they blamed me. But it wasn’t my fault Victoria. It was because of your incompetence, you caused everything to go wrong, so I’m going to give you a chance to redeem yourself. All I need you to do is call my father and tell him that you have reconsidered your decision and you’re willing to work with our company again.”

  She looked at Mark and tried to gauge his stableness. “Mark that’s not going to happen, you can’t make someone sign a contract under duress.” Victoria tried to stay calm as she spoke in a soft tone, she could tell that Mark was becoming more agitated.

  “Victoria you are such a stupid bitch, you could’ve had everything, including me. I have loved you since the first day I saw you and even after you opened your legs and got pregnant by that punk, Dominic Moretti, I still waited for you.” He began to pace wildly. “And how do you show your appreciation, by canceling the contract with my family’s company. You are just like the rest of those whores out here, just take, take, take.” Mark yelled. Victoria was shocked by his admissions. The hairs on the back of Victoria neck began to rise as she realized that Mark was truly crazy. She could feel her phone vibrating in her clutch that was on her lap. Mark continued to pace. “Even after I was able to stop acquisition that Mr. Moretti was trying to secure, you still continued to live with him, probably fucking his brains out every night. Why couldn’t you see how much I loved you and would do anything for you.”

  “Wait, you were behind the deal not going through with Dominic’s company? But we’re not a couple Mark, we are raising our babies together.” Victoria needed to think fast because she knew this situation wasn’t going to end well. “Mark why don’t you have a seat so we can talk. I never knew you felt that way about me, you never expressed your feelings.” Victoria was hoping that she could talk to him long enough for someone, anyone to come help.

  “I don’t want to sit down, I want you to sign these fucking papers giving my family a new contract and agree to our weekly meetings again.” Victoria looked into Mark’s eye and could tell that they were void of any emotion and rationality. Maybe is she could convince him that she was willing to consider it, she would leave this office alive.

  “Mark if you had told me how you felt sooner, maybe we could be together now.” She lied.

  “We can still...”

  “You bitch! I knew you were a conniving gold digging whore!” Both Mark and Victoria’s head spun around to see Anna standing in the doorway. What the hell is she doing here? Victoria thought and was just about to ask her when Mark spoke. “What the fuck are you doing her Anna?” Mark said enraged. Victoria was so confused. “How does he know Anna?” This entire situation was freaking Victoria out. As Mark was yelling at Anna, Victoria she slipped her phone out of her small purse and hit the redial button and prayed whoever was trying to reach her could hear what was taking place in the office.

  *****

  Dominic looked at his phone and smiled. “Hello beautiful, you better have a good excuse for being late.” He said as he began to hear multiple voices on the other end arguing. He then heard Victoria voice, “What are you doing in my office Anna and how do you know Mark?” “You shut the fuck up bitch, if you think you can steal him from me, you are sadly mistaking.”

  “What the fuck!” Dominic said so loud that everyone in the entire room turned to look at him.

  Marco was quickly at his side. “What is it Nick?”

  “Something is wrong, I need to get Victoria’s office right away.”

  Jackie quickly walked over to Dominic. “What’s wrong Dominic?” She said trying to keep up with him as he and Marco headed towards the exit.

  “I don’t know, but something is going on at your office and Anna is there.”

  “Your ex-girlfriend Anna why is she at their office?” Marco asked totally confused.

  Dominic put his phone on speaker so that everyone could hear what was going on “I don’t know but I’m going to find out.”

  “Victoria sent me a text and said that there was some sort of break-in but that security and the police were there and she was just going to check on her office. I’m going to call office security and the police again to make sure that they’re there.” Jackie said she retrieved her phone from her purse.”

  By this time all of Dominic siblings were gathered around wanting to know what was going on as Dominic and Marco raced out of the building.

  “Talk to Jackie she’ll explain.” Marco said as he ran through the door, trying to keep up with Dominic.

  Marco told Dominic he would drive as they sped away in Marcos sports car heading towards Victoria’s office; they continued to listen to the on the other end of the phone.

  “I’m not going ask you again Anna, why the fuck are you here?” Mark was furious.

  “I’m here because I followed you; I was hoping that we could talk. I knew if you just gave us a chance we could be great together, I love you Mark, and now I hear you confessing your love to this bitch.” She said as she pointed at Victoria giving her a glaring look. “I altered my entire life for you, whatever you asked I did. I followed you to Ohio and what did you do, fired me when your wife suspected we were sleeping together, but did I give up on us, no, even when you came back to Philly and wanted to see me, I was right there. I had two abortions because you said you weren’t ready to have children then you tell me your wife’s pregnant. Even with all of that I was still willing to be with you. Now you’re standing here telling her that you love her, that you will give her everything.” Anna spewed as she pointed wildly at Victoria. “I hate you Mark!” she yelled as she lunged towards him in a fit of rage, Mark swung towards her and the gun went off shooting Anna in the stomach. Victoria screamed as she stood and backed away. Her clutch hit the floor ending the call.

  *****

  “Shit, what happened with the call?”

  “I don’t know Marco but we need to get there fast.” Dominic began to silently pray that the gunshot he heard was not Victoria.

  *****

  Mark focused his attention back at Victoria. “Do you
see what you made me do, all you had to do was be with me and none of this would’ve happened, this is all your fault Victoria.” he said as he began to quickly paced back and for again.

  Victoria put her hands over her mouth and tears are streaming down her face. “Oh my God, Mark we need to call an ambulance.” Mark did not respond he just continued to pace. “Did you hear me Mark, we have to call an ambulance.” Victoria said screaming at him.

  He looked up at Victoria. “Fuck that bitch, I need to know what you’re going to do about the contract?”

  Victoria looked at him unable to contain her anger. “Are you serious Mark? She could die if we don’t get her help?” Mark looked at her and she only saw emptiness in his eyes. She began to pray because the realization hit her that she might not leave her office alive. Mark looked down at Anna lying on the floor as blood ran from her body staining the otherwise pristine carpet and a moment of clarity kick in and he realized that the only way he and Victoria could be together was in the afterlife; he pointed the gun at her and said “I love you.” just before he pulled the trigger.

  Victoria seeing the last moments of her life, slumped down and began to fall to her knees to pray when she felt something warm pierce her body.

  *****

  As Marco and Dominic exited the car racing into the building, they could hear sirens behind them. They jumped onto the elevator heading to the 30th floor. As the elevator doors open the entire building was eerily quiet, they bolted through the door, heading towards Victoria’s office.

  Dominic ahead of Marco stopped in the doorway as he saw Mark standing in her office. “She belongs to me now.” He said to Dominic as he smiled and put the gun to his head and pulled the trigger. Dominic immediately searched for Victoria. He found her lying on the floor behind her desk with blood around her. “No, please God no.” Dominic said as he scooped Victoria up in his arms.

  At that moment the police entered the office with guns drawn. “Get your hands up!” one officer yelled as Marco raised his arms and said, “We need an ambulance.” Dominic looked down at Victoria as he pulled her into an embrace. “Please don’t leave me baby, I love you and I need you, our babies need you.” He said as he placed small kisses all over her face. The EMTs rushed in and began to immediately work on both Anna and Victoria and they were both rushed to the hospital. Mark was pronounced dead at the scene. Marco stayed to give a statement, allowing Dominic to go to the hospital with Victoria. After Marco gave the police all the information he knew, he immediately called the family so that they could meet them at the hospital.

  Marco raced through the emergency doors just as the rest of the family arrived. Dominic was sitting in the waiting room with blood all over his suit clearly distraught.

  “How is she Nick?” Marco asked as Dominic’s family approached and began to hug him.

  “I don’t know, they took her back, she was still alive.” Everyone turned as the doctor walked into the waiting room.

  He approached Dominic. “We’ve assessed her gunshot wound and she is a very lucky lady, the bullet made a clean entry and exited through her shoulder not hitting any major arteries. She should make a full recovery. She’s sedated right now, but as soon as she’s awake we can have you go back. But not too many visitors at one time and not for too long.” he said as he looked at the large crowd waiting. “If all goes well, she should be home in a few days.”

  “What about the other young lady from the scene, Anna, she going to be okay?” Marco asked.

  “I’m sorry but she didn’t make it.” The doctor said with a solemn voice.

  Everyone set quietly in the waiting room waiting to see Victoria. Marco sat next to Maria “did you call mom and dad and let them know that everything was okay?” Marco asked remembering that his parents and the nanny had taken the babies home. “Yes, I called mom right after the doctor came out; the babies are sleeping.” Eventually everyone was able to go back, to see Victoria before going home.

  Dominic stayed all night. The next day, Monica arrived early and Victoria begged Dominic to go home check on the babies and get some rest. He agreed to go home shower, change and check on the babies but said he would be back. After Dominic left, Monica sat in the chair beside her bed. “Vic you gave us such a scare, I don’t know what I would’ve done if I’d lost you, you’re not only my best friend, but my only friend.” “Monica…” before Victoria could continue Jackie came through the door. Jackie and Monica looked at each other as they both gave a quick nod. “Okay you two, this ends today, Jackie please come sit next me.” She did as instructed and sat on the other side of Victoria’s bed.

  “When I looked into Mark’s eyes and saw emptiness as he pointed the gun at me, I knew my life was over, but then I woke up in the hospital with Dominic sleeping by my side and I knew that God had given me a second chance. I decided right then, that not only was I going to live life to its fullest, but I was also not going to hold things in or allow negative behavior to go on around me without addressing it. Both of you ladies are my best friends and I know that you two don’t like each other, but that stops today.”

  She turned to address Jackie. “Jackie, I know when you had John investigated that you found out that Monica was also dating him. And because I know you so well I know you approached Monica. But what you didn’t know was that Monica didn’t know that the man she was dating was also the man I was engaged to.” Monica put her hand over her mouth as she began to cry.” She turned to Monica “Monica during that time, I was so angry with you and when you came to my condo that night I fully intended to tell you how I felt and end our friendship, but I realized that you were also a victim of his philandering. Victoria directed her attention back to Jackie. “Jackie, Monica had just moved back to Philly and she never met my fiancé so when she started dating Luke she had no way of knowing that Luke and John were one in the same. He not only fooled us but several other women.” Victoria continued to focus her attention at Jackie. “You have to let go of the animosity that you are caring towards Monica, I want it to stop and for us to move on.”

  “I should’ve told you the moment I entered your condo, but I was afraid of losing my best friend.” Monica said as continued to sob.

  “Come here Mo,” Victoria said as she opened her arms waiting to embrace Monica. “It’s in the past and I want us all to get past this. Can we do that?” Monica pulled away from Victoria’s embrace and looked at Jackie. She looked at Monica and told her to come here, the two women embraced as they both began to cry. Jackie pulled back, “okay that’s enough crying for today,” she said as she wiped her tears and looked at Victoria. She was not an emotional person; in fact she was uncomfortable with emotional situations, so she put the focus back on Victoria. “How are you feeling sweetie?” Jackie asked and she sat down next to Monica as all three ladies talked and laughed. For the first time in years Victoria felt comfortable having both of best friends together without any animosity.

  *****

  A few days later, Victoria was released from the hospital; she was finally going home to see her babies. Her first day back at home, she spent the entire day, in her bedroom, with her babies. Dominic made sure she didn’t overexert herself and rested when she needed to. He also made sure the babies were in bed for the evening before he walked into Victoria’s bedroom to talk to her. She still was unaware of the surprise engagement party he had planned for her and he needed to tell her how he really felt.

  “Can we talk?” He asked her as he walked into the room. Victoria look up and saw the man she truly love. She had decided that she was going to tell him tonight exactly how she felt no more waiting.

  “Yes, I need to talk to you about something also.”

  Dominic walked towards the bed and toed out of his shoes, “Do you mind if I sit with you?” She flipped the covers back and patted the bed indicating for him to sit beside her. He sat next to her and gently pulled her close to him as he put his arm around her waist. She instantly melted into his embrace, laying her hea
d on his chest. There was no other place on earth she wanted to be but in the arms of the man she loved, smelling the familiar cologne that she had become accustomed.

  “Victoria when we first met, I never imagined I would fall in love with you. Then we first made love and I felt an uncontrollable urge to protect you, then I looked into your eyes I knew I wanted you to be mine but I didn’t think it would happen. When we came home from our vacation, I fought the urge to see you and then I found out you were pregnant. I was so angry, but then I saw you and my heart skipped several beats. I think I knew then that I was falling in love with you but I never thought you would love me back.” She put her hand over her mouth, not believing his confession. He used the hook of his finger to bring her face up to meet his gaze. “I wish I could give you the ability to see yourself through my eyes and feel how I feel when you walk into the room, then you would know how much I love you and you would be able to feel the intensity of that love.”

  He pulled a black velvet box out his pocket and opened it to reveal a beautiful emerald cut diamond engagement ring. The six-carat emerald cut diamond in the center was flanked with round diamonds on the sides with a sparkling white gold finish. She looked at the ring as her eyes overflowed with tears. He took the ring out of the box. “Marry me. Marry me because my life would not be complete without you, marry me and I promise that I will spend everyday proving my love to you.” Victoria couldn’t stop the tears she loved this man “Yes! Yes, I will marry you. He placed his lips on hers and kissed her softy then deepened the kiss. Dominic pulled her closer to him and he heard her wince.

  “Ouch”

  “I’m sorry baby.” They both began to laugh.

  EPILOGUE

  Sixteen months later:

  Victoria looked out at the ocean from the glass doors. She loved this place. They were back at the same villa where it all started. Dominic walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. She leaned back taking in his smell and warmth. “It’s a beautiful view, I really love this place. She said as she continued to look out at the ocean. They were there to celebrate the first year wedding anniversary. He spun her around and kissed her. He heard a knock at the door as it swung open and in ran the triplets “mommy daddy, mommy daddy,” they grabbed their parents around the legs. Dominic reached down and picked up Isabelle and Gabrielle and Victoria picked up Nicky. Marco, Monica, Francesca and Francesco walked in behind the babies.