He took out his phone, dialed Jenna’s number and put a call through to her. Ever since their little drama at the restaurant, he hasn’t spoken to her and it bugged him deep in his conscience. He swirled on his chair, waiting for her to pick, and few seconds later, she picked up.
“Good morning, this is Jack Antonio.” He introduced himself and Jenna sighed. She was yet to recover from the insults he had hurled at her at the restaurant the previous day.
“What do you want, Mr. Billionaire?” She mocked angrily and Jack ran his hands through his hands. Though her voice was irksome, he had to ignore it.
“Is the deal still on?” he asked for clarity and she scoffed angrily. Even though he said he was going to think about it, the deal ended the moment he slut shamed her.
“There is no deal, Mr. Antonio” she answered with a professional tone and ended the call on him. His eyebrows knitted in surprise as he stared at the blank phone screen. He had thought about his actions and decided he had been too harsh so he called to apologize and now, she dropped the call on him. He scoffed in disbelief and dropped his phone.
“That’s new.”
Jenna collapsed on the chair immediately after she dropped the call. She had been very anxious, more like terrified when she picked up her ringing phone and it showed Jack’s name on the caller. She tried to calm her heavy breathing as she swiped the call and picked. She listened as he introduced himself before she cut in, her tone sounding like she was mocking him. It hurt her to reject the deal, but it was something she had to do for herself. She had feelings for him and something with someone that saw her as a whore and didn’t hesitate to say it to her face was something she didn’t want.
“I’ll get someone better” she assured herself, going back to work on the files in front of her.
Jack clicked on the mail notification that popped up on his laptop screen, she opened it and it was a mail from Zack Holdings ending the partnership. A mischievous smile played on his lips as he read through the mail. He wasn’t surprised they rejected it, he was very certain they would, judging from the looks Lucas had given him before leaving. It was the right thing to do for both companies.
He rang the electronic bell on his table and a few minutes later, his secretary rushed in.
“Zack Holdings have rejected the Partnership.” He informed her and her face fell. “Make an inquiry and apply for that same contract he wanted.” He added with an evil smirk and she stared at him in surprise. Her face began to stretch into a wide smile as she realized what he wanted her to do. They were officially bidding for the same contract.
“Okay sir” she beamed, walking back, out of the door.
***
He walked across the street and walked into an old building located on one of the busiest streets of New York. He was dressed in a black hoodie that covered the whole of his brown hair and tattooed arm. He hung a small bag as he walked briskly into the building. He walked through the long hallway, walking past many doors on both sides as he walked to a huge door that was locked. He knocked at it gently, a deep voice responding from inside of the room.
“Passcode” the deep voice asked
“Deep four” he responded and the door was opened for him. Immediately he got in, it was shut again. He walked into the room and walked straight to a small table where three slightly old men were seated.
“Damian, you are here” one of them noted as he smiled at the young man.
He took a seat on the table, removing the hoodie cap from his head, revealing his hair that was dyed brown. He unzipped the bag and brought out cocaine, stashed in white polythene bags. He dropped them on the table and the men looked at it in delight.
“These are worth five million.” He stated, passing it around the men that were seated at the table to confirm.
“When are you selling it out?” one of the old men asked. He had deep brown eyes like Karen, wrinkles decorated his face, indicating old age. Apart from that, he was quite good looking with his black bushy hair and long nose. He was dressed in a suit and held a stick of tobacco in his hand.
“As soon as possible” Damian replied and they nodded in response. He was the least on the chain of power in the organization. He had joined them few years ago when he left California for New York. Life had been tough for him in his first few months in the city. After doing some odd jobs on different shifts to survive, he met with a man one night at the coffee shop where he was working the night shift.
They had discussed for over an hour over a cup of coffee. He looked rich with his black polished suit and customized watch and judging from his demeanour, he was having a bad day. Damien had managed to get him out of bad mood, leading to an hour long Convo and when Damian complained about his work and how much he hated it, the old man gave him his card to contact him the next day.
Two days later when he closed at the coffee shop, he tucked his hand inside his bag and found the complimentary card. He had left it there and had failed to call the day due to lack of time. He dialled the number on the card and after ringing for three times, the man’s deep voice came on the line. He invited Damian to meet him at a casino. He met the man and after having a little chat over a glass of expensive scotch, the man told him he owned the casino. He offered him a job there and he quickly accepted.
After working for more than five months at the casino, he grew a very close with the man. He introduced him to the crime organization and he became part. The old man was one of the leaders of one of the most feared organizations in New York. They weren’t the mafia, but they had close ties. They were ruthless, power drunk business men so when he died some months later, he willed that Damian takes his place in the organization. This caused an uproar among the leaders, but they had to keep to the old man’s wish. He was the second highest in order. After subjecting Damian to some tests which he had passed, he was made part of the round table leaders, but he didn’t take the old man’s position. He was meant to fight for that.
***
He changed into a piece of black well-tailored suit like the other men and combed his hair backward. They were now dressed indentically in black designed suit and grey shirt. He picked the bag from the table and they all filed out of the room. The room was where they used to meet. It was rented by the old man that died. The building itself was an old building converted to an apartment for city visitors hoping to catch the early train since it was situated near the train station. They passed through the long hallway and stepped outside the big building. They stepped into the black Limo parked by the road near the building and the car zoomed off.
“Who is that?” Damian asked the old man seated beside him in the car. He was staring at an old photography of a young girl with so much emotions.
“That’s my daughter.” He answered.
“But, you’ve never talked about having a daughter.” Damian responded and the man nodded in agreement.
“That is because I’m dead to her.” He replied and Damian nodded his head in at the response. He didn’t really understand what the man meant, but he could tell that the man was truly sorry for his actions. It was an old picture of a little girl of probably four years. She was dressed in a beautiful flowery pink gown, her hair was braided beautifully as she smiled widely at the camera.
“Her name is Karina, and this is the last memory I have of her” He added, returning the little picture back into his wallet.
“She’s beautiful.” Damian muttered. “I’m sure she’s a beautiful young lady right now.”
“I haven’t seen her in over nineteen years.” he replied.