32. Virgilio
Chapter Thirty-Two
VIRGILIO
I call bullshit.
And he is about to learn a lesson if he gets on my nerves any more than he already fucking did.
I wait for Zoe and Valerie to get into the elevator, not looking in their direction, and once I’m sure they are being carted down, I push Jack’s office door open and step in.
Jack is on a call, swinging back and forth on his executive chair, like he owns the world. His eyes fall on me, and he ends the call abruptly, slamming the receiver back on the intercom.
“Mr. Russo, is there something else you need?” He clears his disturbing voice and stands as if trying to match my height will make him feel less weak.
I close the door behind me, twisting the click to lock us both in.
“We both know you’re lying about the sales figures,” I say, my voice low and dangerous. “You’re going to pay Valerie what she’s owed, and you’re going to do it now.”
He chuckles, then stutters, “I don't know what you're talking about.” He flutters his lids, taking a step back in his seat because if there is anything I know about myself, it's that when I step into a place, it’s easy to know that danger looms. He is getting the memo.
I stop in front of his desk, “You are getting something wrong, Jack,” I shove my hands into the pockets of my jeans, “I'm not asking. I'm telling you.”
“But…”
“Don’t be na?ve, Jack,” I clip, and he mutes. “If you don't comply,” I shrug carelessly. “Well, you don’t want to find out.”
He would be a fool to wait for me to say more than I have already said.
“Fine,” he mutters, reaching for the intercom. “I’ll have the funds transferred immediately.”
I don’t move an inch, and he immediately barks orders into the receiver for whoever is on the other end to send Valerie’s money to her.
He slams the receiver and gulps, but I stay put. After some seconds, the intercom buzzes, and all he says into it is a thank you. He then picks up his phone on his desk, swipes the screen, and hands it to me so I can confirm the transaction.
I nod stiffly and leave the clown to his circus.
With satisfaction swelling in my guts, I step out of the building to find Zoe and Valerie waiting by the car.
As soon as they see me, they step into the car, Valerie first and Zoe next, giving me a pointed look like she knows what I was up to.
I step into the driver’s seat, “Congratulations, ladies.”
I start the engine of the car.
They both stare at me in shock through the rearview mirror.
Valerie’s stoic expression twitches for a second, “You mean…”
I simply nod, “You'll get the money, that is, if you haven't already.”
“How did you do it?” Zoe gulps.
“I told him to look at the numbers again,” I shrug.
Zoe holds my gaze, but her phone buzzes in the clutch beside her. She reads something on the screen, and her eyes dilate, her breath catching.
“What is it?” My tone sharpens. “You should let the trolls be.”
She shakes her head, looking up from her phone, her eyes twinkling with a mix of disbelief and excitement.
“It’s not the trolls,” she places one hand on her chest, “I just received a booking request for a lingerie fashion show,” she swallows, her voice wobbly.
“That’s wonderful!” I exclaim, pride rising to my throat as I watch her blink unbelievably at her phone.
Valerie explodes in cheers beside her, and Zoe keys into it, their excitement filling the car. Valerie grabs Zoe's hand, her eyes shining with pride.
“We did it! This is incredible.” Valerie laughs for the first time since I have known her, and she should laugh more because it’s one of those laughs that makes anyone listening smile, “Let's celebrate properly. Lunch is on me!”
“Alright, where are we eating?” I gear the car, and Valerie lists some of the best restaurants around. As Zoe asks about the menu for a particular clam sauce I haven’t heard her mention in years, I feel my heart shooting like a rocket out of my chest and heading for outer space.
It’s happening.
And just like I had always wanted, I’m here to witness it.