Melody stood by the entrance, her slender frame draped in a pristine white-off-shoulder sweater paired with a long, black, high-waist skirt. It was evident that she could hardly contain her excitement, her anticipation apparent in her demeanour.
Damian leaned against the wall, keenly surveying the surroundings, his protective instincts heightened. The room was teeming with people gathered to witness the grand opening event, and Damian’s watchful gaze swept over the crowd, ensuring nothing was amiss.
“Thank you all for coming!” Melody’s voice rang out, her smile radiant as the customers applauded. “Today is truly a momentous day in my life,” she continued.
Her voice filled with gratitude. Turning to Damian, she added, “Before we officially open the bakery, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to all the guards and people who have played a part in bringing this dream to life, and most importantly.”
She paused, her gaze fixed on her husband, “I want to thank my husband, Damian, for his unwavering support and presence today.”
The moment seemed to linger for Damian as his mind remained preoccupied. However, Matthew’s nudge served as a jolt that napped him back to reality. Melody arched her eyebrows in response, prompting Damian to nod his head in acknowledgement.
Matthew leaned in and whispered, “You should at least show some affection.”
Damian rolled his eyes, grumbling, “Shut up,” before shifting his attention back to the proceedings.
Melody poised to cut the ribbon, her spirits soaring as she announced, “Starting today, we are officially open for business for business!”
With a swift slice, the ribbon fell, and the crowd erupted in applause. The guard opens the door, and all customers walk in.
As the applause died down, Celestia approached Melody and inquired, “Ma’am, is there anything I can assist you with?”
Melody smiled and requested, “Actually, I need a trustworthy person to take on the role of cashier. Can I count on you to take up this responsibility?”
“Of course, ma’am. You can rely on me. Leave it to me,” Celestia promptly responded, her head bowed. She then proceeded to enter the bakery.
Damian made his way over to where Melody stood, a hint of concern in his voice as he asked, “Do you truly believe you can manage everything on your own in the pantry?”
Melody beamed confidently, her hand resting on her heart as she declared, “I assure you, I can do it!”
With a sigh, Damian crossed his arms and replied, “It’s not that I doubt you; it’s just that handling this task spontaneously could become exhausting.”
Melody’s smile widened as she assured him, “If I need help, I’ll reach out to you immediately!”
Damian sighed deeply, realizing that his words fell on deaf ears. Matthew and Victor witness the exchange, both surprised by Damian’s involvement in building the bakery.
Suddenly, a man wearing a cap and black hoodie entered, passing them.
Victor, the only one who noticed him, fixed his gaze, a sense of unease gnawing at him. The man stood in line at the bakery. He seems to follow Melody through the pantry window. Unnoticed by others, the man stealthily raised his phone and snapped a picture of her.
Victor’s eyes widened, but before he could confirm what he’s seen.
“Right, Vic?” Matthew’s voice pulls his attention away from that man.
“What?” He looks at his friend with confusion.
“I ask… don’t you think Damian has become more affectionate towards Melody?” Matthew repeated his question.
“Yeah, yeah I think so,” he agreed.
Matthew looks at him suspiciously. He notices Victor seems distracted by something. “Are you okay, bud?”
“I’m fine,” Victor clears his throat.
“Can you guys follow Melody to the pantry?” Damian asks.
Victor turns to the girl who run in the pantry in excitement. “Why? Didn’t he say she was fine by herself?”
“I don’t trust her. Be with her for me. Just in case she needs some help,” he demands. They nod. “I need to go somewhere.”
“Where are you going?” Matthew arches his eyebrows.
“To meet someone. Call me if something happened,” Damian said before walking towards his car.
Matthew and Victor exchange looks.
“Well, we got a free pass to be a tester!!” Matthew grins and runs in.
Victor just shakes his head slightly. As Victor followed his friend, he couldn’t help but be amazed by the influx of customers waiting to enter the bakery. It seemed incredible that a bakery alone could attract such a large crowd.
Suddenly, someone collided with him, causing him to stumble slightly.
“I’m sorry,” the man apologized.
Victor nodded and patted his head in acknowledgement, replying, “It’s okay.”
Upon lifting his gaze, Victor spotted the same suspicious man he had noticed earlier. The man had quickly picked up his dropped bread and, as he stood up, their eyes momentarily met.
There was a brief moment where the man’s eyes widened, an expression that didn’t escape Victor’s scrutiny.
“I’m sorry again,” the man quickly apologized before swiftly departing from the bakery.
Victor furrowed his eyebrows, wondering if what he had observed was real. He intended to stop the man for questioning. Especially due to his taking Melody’s picture. But it all happened so fast, leaving him uncertain if it was merely his imagination.
“Vic! Hurry up!” Matthew called out, snapping him out of his thoughts.
“Coming!” Victor replied, hurrying to rejoin his friends, his mind still preoccupied.
___
Damian’s car glided into the parking lot in front of his company building. He stepped out and was immediately approached by his assistant, who hastened her pace upon spotting him.
“Sir,” she bowed her head.
“Is he here already?” Damian takes off his black sunglasses.
“Yes, sir. He’s waiting in the reception room,” his assistant informs.
Damian nodded and dismissed her, proceeding toward the elevator and pressing the button for the reception floor. His phone vibrated, alerting him to an incoming call from Melody.
Without hesitation, he answered it, inquiring, “What is it, Mel?”
“Damian, I don’t know how to use this oven,” Melody complained, her voice tinged with frustration.
Damian sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, “You’re a damn bakery, Mel,” he remarked.
“Yes, I know, but this oven is so different from what I’m used to! It’s just like a futuristic!” Melody continued.
“It’s not futuristic. It’s just that you’re not accustomed to it, that’s all,” Damian explained calmly, leaning against the wall. “Our oven is quite different, so that’s why it seems odd to you.”
“I have to buy a professional one that suits a bakery. Don’t tell me you can’t handle it?”
“It’s just too complicated.”
Damian could almost picture Melody pouting as he listened to her frustrated tone. “I put the guidebook on the counter. Go, read and learn it yourself,” he instructed.
“Then, what’s the problem?”
Melody chuckles sheepishly, admitting, “I still don’t get it,”
Damian sighed deeply, muttering to himself, “I should have thought twice before buying that damn oven.”
“Mel, Matthew and Victor are with you, aren’t they? Why don’t you ask them for help?”
Melody replied, her voice filled with frustration, “That’s the problem. Even they don’t know how.”
“Great, when did I have two dumb strong men?” Damian pondered silently, thinking.
“How about you call Celestia instead, love? I’m sure she knows how to use that oven,” he advised. “Tell Matthew or Victor to take care of the cashier.”
“Okay, got it!”
Upon that, they ended the call. Damian placed his phone in his pocket, still incredulous at the incompetence of his two companions in being unable to handle such a basic oven issue.
Damian exited the elevator and made his way into the receptionist area. He pushed open the door and found Riccardo leisurely sipping his tea on the couch. Damian cleared his throat, gaining the man’s attention.
“Oh, you are here,” Riccardo put the teacup down. “I don’t hear you coming.”
“Should I announce my arrival every time we meet?” Damian takes a seat on the opposite couch of him.
“Not really,” he chuckles. “I got to admit it. Your company give good hospitality to a guest,”
“Thank you. I’m happy to hear that,”
Riccardo leans on the couch, crossing his legs, “It’s a surprise when you call me to meet. I’m sure it’s not for hanging out, right?”
“Do you think I will do that in a million years?” Damian scoffs.
“I shouldn’t have expected much,” Riccardo muttered to himself. “Anyway, what did you want to discuss?”
“About Matthias…”
Damian mentioned Matthias, causing Riccardo’s demeanour to shift. “What about him?” he inquired, his words laced with disdain.
“I’ve heard he’s coming here,” Damian responded, his eyebrows raised inquiringly.
Riccardo retorted, “Why do you expect me to care about it?”
“Because he’s your father,” he countered firmly.
“He is NOT my father!” Riccardo exclaimed, his voice filled with anger.
“Changing your last name doesn’t change the fact that he’s your father. It doesn’t erase your blood ties. You’re still his son,” Damian reiterated, his tone unwavering.
“HE’S NEVER BEEN MY FATHER!!!”
Riccardo abruptly stood up, his anger flaring at Damian’s words. This topic always had a way of igniting his ire. Even in Melody’s presence, his anger was hard to contain. Seeing Damian remain composed fuelled Riccardo’s frustration.
Taking a deep breath, Riccardo ran a hand through his hair, “I… I didn’t mean to raise my voice.”
Riccardo sank back onto the couch, burying his face in his palms. The room fell silent for a moment before he spoke again.
“Yes, he’s coming here. I’m not sure if it’s true, but I suspect it might be because your father is going to hand over the clan to you.” Riccardo finished, his voice laced with resignatio isn.
“That’s mean, you will become the same rank as him. He’s not a person who loves it when someone else is much more than him.”
“Sound like him,” Damian replied.
“Look, you have to be careful with him. He will do anything to bring you down, Damian,” he firmly said.
A smirk tugged on Damian’s lips, “That’s what I want. I want him to come to me. I have been waiting for him-for a is long time.”
“Dam, you can’t do something to satisfy your revenge,” Riccardo frowns. “You have to think before you react.”
“Revenge? Did I said anything about revenge?” Damian chuckles.
“What?”
“You got me wrong, Riccardo,” he grins, giving creep vibe to Riccardo. “I didn’t talk about revenge.”
“Then, why you want him to come to you?” Riccardo starts to get the creep.
“To kill,”
The only words that come out of his mouth. That one word is enough to make Riccardo stop asking. He can see the determined in his eyes, showing how much he longed for this.
“Isn’t it the same as revenge?” He asks.
Damian’s finger tapping on the armchair. “Hm… Honestly, I didn’t kill him for what he did to me before. It just… to satisfied myself.”
“For fun?”
“You can say it that way?” he mumbles.
“What is gotten into you?” Riccardo frowns.
He didn’t say anything. Instead, he gets up and walks to the door. Before he could step out of the room, Riccardo voice stops him.
“Damian, what is happening to you?”
“What? There’s no reason for him to live in this world anymore. He kill a lot of innocent people just for power.” Damian reply without looking at him.
Riccardo sighs deeply, “I know deep down, you did it for your twin, Dam.”
His finger twitch.
“I know you did it for him. You can’t lied to me.”
There a pause from him. Then, he chuckles darkly. “Not going to lied. You are right. Well, I just can’t let him live, right?”
“Seeing him alive… while the innocent he have been kill is death, isn’t that not fair?”
His words sound so dark. It full of anger and hatred. The Damian he know is not there anymore. As if, the only thing he had in his mind right now is end Matthias life.
Damian about to step out of the room,
“He might target Melody!”
His steps halt.
“You can do anything to satisfied yourself, Damian. But, think about the consequences. Will it involved Melody or not.”
“Matthias will target the person who close to you…. who might bring you down…”