Ellis Barker was driving excitedly through the streets of downtown New York City toward Wild Holdings Bank, the bank where the mortgage on her home was taken out. The house had been mortgaged two years ago to help her only brother, Jason, who after the sudden death of his father, had gone astray and been arrested for operating in illegal gambling. These were not exactly the plans the young woman had for her parent's home, but with the debts incurred by her brother and the lawyer she needed to hire, she was left with little choice. Ellis questioned the fact that the bank had only released part of the mortgage but charged the full value of the house in interest, the manager simply said that because it was an inheritance, she could only mortgage her share of the inheritance and not Jason's share.
"However, if I don't pay my share, you get the house in full. That doesn't seem very fair, does it?", Questioned Ellis showing the clause to the manager.
"I understand your dissatisfaction Miss Barker, but life isn't always fair.", Answered the manager with a tone of debauchery, "Do I help you with anything else?"
"No, you have already done more than enough...," Ellis replied putting the document away in her purse, disgusted.
She walked briskly out of the bank, swearing to herself that she would return one day and pay off the debt. And so it went, for two long years, in which Ellis worked two jobs: the first was as a realtor, which was for the mortgage and the house, and the other was a waitress, and the money went to the rehabilitation clinic, where her brother was admitted. Her brother would also leave the clinic that same day, but first, she would go to the bank to pay off the last installment and then go to her brother.
That day was too important for Ellis who felt that nothing would be able to take her out of her mind, something that was not so difficult to accomplish. Not the traffic she knew she would face, nor the young woman who serves her with a look of disgust every time she goes to pay the installments. However, today seemed like an incredibly special day. The sky was blue without any clouds, something rare when talking about New York. Even the traffic was so calm that it took her less than an hour to get to the bank, something unimaginable on an ordinary weekday.
"Did I get it wrong and today is a holiday?" asked Ellis as she entered the bank's parking gate. She observes the parking lot and notices that it is crowded. It was too good to be true, thought Ellis as she drove slowly through the lot, looking for any sign that a customer was leaving. Finally, she stopped the vehicle and decided to check her cell phone to make sure it was not a holiday.
She was looking at her cell phone when a charitable soul decided to drive away. The young woman put her phone back in the glove compartment, started her vehicle, and drove to the parking space, letting her car go a little because she wanted to park backward. She was about to make her move when an Audi RS e-tron GT simply parked in her space.
Ellis is paralyzed for a while without understanding what has happened since she can swear she had made clear her intention to enter the space. The young brown-haired woman then decides to look in the rearview mirror and sees two men in suits get out of the vehicle, laughing and talking without caring what she had done. And this was the last straw for Ellis, who got out of her vehicle in a rage.
"Hey!" she shouted as she walked behind the two men who continued walking without caring about her. Ellis quickened her pace as she shouted, "Hey, assholes in suits!"
The two men stopped and then looked at each other, surprised. Until one of them, the taller and stronger one, the one who looked like his black suit was going to rip at any moment...just this one turned toward Ellis, serious. However, not only did he turn, but he walked towards Ellis, who did not seem to be intimidated by the thug that breathed close to his face, like an animal. An animal that the young woman realized was totally controlled by the other man, in a gray suit and dark glasses, who just watched the scene from where he was standing with his hands in the pockets of his house, calmly.
"What were you calling us?" the brute questioned.
"Assholes in suits," Ellis replied quietly. She then dodged the bully and turned to the other bully who was still watching the scene, "You stole my spot!"
"Hey, don't address Mr. Amorielle.", Ordered the lout holding Ellis' shoulder.
"Take your filthy hand off me, or I will scream so much in this parking lot that you will bitterly regret it. ", Spoke Ellis facing the lout who removes his hand, surprised.
"Take your hand off her, Rocco.", Spoke the other man as he placed his hand inside his gray suit, "We'd better settle this in a more... friendly manner."
Slowly his hand came out from inside his suit and then with it also came a generous wad of money to Ellis' surprise.
"But what...?", Ellis started to say interrupted by the gesture of the man who threw the packet toward his henchman.
"A way of asking you to recompense her for the inconvenience caused by Rocco putting his car in the spot that you say is yours.", Explained the other man under Ellis' still-shocked look.
Rocco extends the bundle towards Ellis who takes a step back refusing to hold the money. After all, who would give a bundle that should easily have a few thousand dollars in it, just for a parking space?
"No, thank you. I don't need your money," Ellis refused, serious.
"Everyone needs money, no need to be so proud, young lady," spoke the man in the gray suit.
- Besides stealing my job, it seems you don't know the word "no", do you?
"And you do seem to like her quite a bit, don't you?", replied Lord Amorielle. He stared at his wristwatch and then continued by saying, "Look, as much as I am enjoying this strange conversation with a stranger, I have to go to my meeting. So, take the money and be on your way."
She faced the owner of the wad of money and said:
- Keep this money with you to pay for classes on how to live in society, because you are in urgent need of it.
Ellis then walked back towards her car while being watched by Rocco and Lord Amorielle. The brute turned to the man in the gray suit and said, with his hand inside his black suit:
- Just give the order and I will disappear with this problem, Don Vittorio.
"No.", Amorielle refused to hold Rocco's arm, thus preventing his security guard's gun from coming up. The Brutamontes stared at him without understanding and then he continued saying, "We're too exposed here. Come on, we have better things to do than worry about this girl."
The two of them walked back towards the elevator being watched by Ellis who was gripping his steering wheel angrily.
***
"Don Vittorio Amorielle!", Spoke the manager who opened his arms and smiled towards the two men," What a pleasant surprise."
Despite the effusive greeting, and the joy shown by the bank's general manager, the final speech indicated exactly what Vittorio wanted: he was surprised and not in a positive way. The sweat on the manager's forehead indicated nervousness or fear. Also, who wouldn't be afraid of running into none other than the newest head of the Amorielle family, the same family that for decades had always kept their partners, shareholders, and people like Rocco behind the scenes, letting their partners, shareholders, and people like Rocco settle their affairs: whether they were legal or between "friends.
At least that's how Amorielle acted until Vittorio took over his family, showing that things were going to change.
"What can I do for you?" the manager asked while trying to keep his nervous smile.
"We have a meeting.", Vittorio replied quietly as he rummaged through his pocket until he found his cigar.
"We do?", Asked the manager, surprised.
The man was trying to search his memory for the day's appointments and could not remember anything related to Amorielle. Maybe he had booked it with a new code. Or maybe Mr. Vittorio did have a meeting scheduled, but with the management, or directly with Domenico Wild, the owner. He could even take a chance and ask, that illustrious figure, but he knew that before he was able to complete the question he would turn over a rug with a bullet in the middle of his forehead.
"I may be wrong, but I feel that you didn't expect me to be here, Franco," Vittorio began calmly.
"No, not at all Mr. Amorielle.", Said Franco, nervously fiddling with his tie that seemed to tighten his throat. He extended his arm towards his office and continued, " Please come to my office."
The two men stood there waiting for Franco to make the first move, making the manager even more nervous to the point that he began to sound his baldness.
"Go ahead, Franco," Rocco ordered, seriously.
"As you wish.", Agreed Franco who then proceeded to walk in front.
He walked as if he were going to the gallows, followed by Rocco and lastly Vittorio, who smoked his cigar carefully.
"Cristine, I will enter a meeting with Senhor Amorielle," Franco warned his secretary who kept showing off to Vittorio, "Please, no matter who it is, tell him I am busy. Or better yet, close my calendar."
"As you wish.", Answered the blonde, but not before winking at Vittorio who completely ignored her, unlike Rocco who sent her a little kiss.
The trio entered the room and then Franco closed the door, praying that the visit would go very well.
***
"What do you mean he can't attend to me?", Ellis questioned, disgusted at Cristine's audacity.
"It was Franco's orders, Miss Barker.", Cristine replied, still touching up her red lipstick. After all, you never know when Mr. Amorielle will show up again, so she had to be prepared.
"I made an appointment.", Reinforced Ellis showing Cristine the appointment paper. She wanted to rub it in the face of the manager's secretary.
Cristine held up the appointment paper and then in a few seconds let out her debauched smile, saying:
"Yes, you were scheduled for nine o'clock in the morning and now it's five minutes to ten o'clock in the morning, so..."
"Yes, I know I'm late. But some jerk stole my parking space and I was forced to park a block away because of the traffic that decided to jam..." Ellis explained, irritated.
"I'm sorry, but I can't help you. Come back tomorrow, dear," Cristine replied with little concern.
-Honey, you don't understand. The last installment is due today and I'm still on time to talk to him...
"Well, if the installment is due today..." Cristine began, staring at Ellis. She moves even closer to the young woman giving her hope that she will speak on her behalf, "You should have made the payment before the due date. I'm sorry. Do I help you with anything else?"
"It would help if this fucking bank would make more parking spaces!", Ellis spoke aloud, "However, since they are incapable, they will have to deal with the consequences."
Before Cristine could get up from her desk, Ellis was already advancing into Franco's office and was surprised by the presence of Vittorio and Rocco who were sitting facing the manager.
"Perfect!", shouted Ellis approaching the trio. She glared at Vittorio and continued to squawk, "It wasn't enough to steal my parking space, you still dared to steal my office hours!"
"Miss, Barker...," Franco began standing up, " Please don't disrespect my illustrious customers."
"Distinguished clients? I don't give a damn if they're distinguished!", Ellis shouted, "This is my time, so get out!"
"There must be some mistake," Vittorio said, staring at the young woman. He took a strong drag on his cigar and then let the smoke spread in the room, which made the brunette even more irritated, "I have a meeting at this time... And you are trespassing... Right, Franco?"
"Cristine!" shouts Franco who is promptly answered by the Blonde, "Why is Miss Barker in my office? Did she happen to have an appointment?"
"Correct, sir. The fact is Miss Barker missed her appointment," Cristine replied, glaring at Ellis angrily.
"I missed it because of those idiots. Or rather, that idiot," Ellis corrected, pointing at Vittorio. She then pointed at Rocco and said, "This one is just the doormat.
"Careful, you're out of line," Rocco warned by putting his hand inside his suit. He looked at Vittorio and asked, "Mister...?"
"Leave it, Rocco.", Vittorio asked removing his sunglasses and then facing Ellis who was surprised by the man's black eyes. For some reason, she had imagined his eyes blue or green, until honey, "What is your business, Miss Barker?"
"None of your business," Ellis replied, snidely.
"Is your business quick, Miss Barker?", Reinforced Vittorio after taking a deep breath, indicating that he was not that patient.
"Yes.", Answered the young woman staring at Franco. She opened her purse and handed over a small pocket where she kept all her salary. Franco nodded to Cristine who begrudgingly took the bag from Ellis' hands, "You need to sign the mortgage release form for the house.
"Okay, I will do it for you later and send it to your e-mail address," Franco replied.
"I need it now," Ellis reinforced.
"I already said I'll do it later," Franco repeated without much patience.
"And I'm not leaving here without the term in hand.", Said Ellis who stared at Franco, irritated.
"Franco, do it.", Vittorio said quietly as he went back to enjoying his cigar.
"As you wish, Mister Amorielle.", Replied Franco leaving the room with his secretary, leaving only Rocco, Vittorio, and Ellis.
"You're insistent," Vittorio commented, breaking the silence.
"You think you're really important...," Ellis commented without turning to Vittorio.
"I think I'm important?", Vittorio asked arching his eyebrow automatically. Ellis' tone of voice bothered him; no one had ever dared to question his power and influence. He was so annoyed that he stood up, straightening his suit, and said to the young woman, "Don't you consider me important? I made you go and draw up your term..."
"What I think is irrelevant here. That was made quite clear to me.", Ellis claimed to face Vittorio, " After all, what is the importance of a mere broke mortal, is it?"
"Don't despise yourself like that...," Asked Vittorio who was surprised. Those words were not supposed to come out of his lips. At least he managed to control his hand in time to keep it from brushing against Ellis's disheveled hair, which insisted on covering his face.
"I'm not despising myself." - Denied Ellis turning away from Vittorio. She walked over to the window, where she stared at the street. Let me tell you a secret: you can't buy everything.
"Really? Tell me one thing I can't buy?", Vittorio challenged as he watched the young woman.
"Happiness.", Ellis replied watching the movement of the street. She came across a couple in love kissing leaning against the wall of a store and then let out, "Love..."
"Happiness comes included in the goods I acquire.", Vittorio replied approaching Ellis who stared at him, clumsily at the gesture.
She hadn't noticed how tall he was until that moment. Maybe it was because Rocco was almost twice the size of his boss. But him standing so close to her forced her to raise her head to face him.
"What about love?", Ellis asked trying not to stutter," Have you been able to buy it yet?"
"A few times...", Vittorio replied enjoying his cigar, "Anything else? Is there something else you think I'm not able to buy?
"Yes there is. ", said Ellis approaching Vittorio. If he thought that his approaching her like that, with this cologne invading the brunette's nose would make her feel intimidated, he was very wrong. She stood on her tiptoes, which were in tennis shoes, reaching for his ear and whispered, "To me.
"You?", Vittorio asked, surprised, but not sure if by the shiver that from Ellis' lips so close to his ear or by the cheeky and defiant answer.
"You tried to buy me off in the parking lot, did you forget?", Ellis reminded him as he walked away, "But, believe me, you'll never be able to buy me off.
"Are you challenging me, Miss Barker?", Vittorio asked, surprised.
He watched as Ellis' lips opened slowly, ready to answer him
"Ready, Miss Barker," Franco spoke, walking back into his office. He held out the paper to the young woman who approached him, took the paper, and began to read, " Trust me, it's all right."
She completely ignored the manager's request and continued reading the document calmly. When she finished, she smiled in Franco's direction and said:
"I'm sorry if I don't trust you, but last time we almost lost the house." She turned toward Lord Amorielle and said goodbye saying, "Goodbye, Godfather."
She walked out of the room without waiting for an answer leaving Vittorio watching her, stirred at that whole situation.
"Where were we?", Franco asked returning to his desk, "Oh yes, you said you had a proposal to make to our bank..."
"What is the name of this woman?", Vittorio asked staring at Franco.
"Excuse me, but I don't understand your question, ", Franco began, confused.
"This woman who was here, who is she? What does she do? Her address?"
"Mr. Amorielle, I'm sorry, but that's confidential data...," Franco explained cautiously, "Our bank has a policy of not passing on our clients' information to third parties."
"And you said that I am one of your most distinguished clients.", Vittorio recalled straightening his suit, "That must be taken into account, no?"
"I'm sorry, but that information can only be passed on with an express order from the board of directors," Franco spoke, fiddling with the papers on his desk, "Anyway, back to our meeting..."
"Well, if I am the owner of the bank, can I have access?", Vittorio asked, seriously.
"How?", Franco asked, surprised.
"If I am the owner I would have access, correct?", Vittorio asked again.
"Yes... I mean... in a hypothetical situation, yes I could,", Franco replied offering a dull smile as he thought about the prepotency of the man in front of him, " But since you are not the owner..."
"Okay, I want to buy that bank.", Revealed Vittorio seeing Franco's eyes widen, "Analyzing, it's always good to have control of things... Okay, make the contract and I'll sign it."
- Mr. Amorielle, this is Mr. Domenico's bank... You can't buy it here... I mean... I don't have the authority to sell you the bank.
"Who does?" asked Vittorio.
-Who?
-Tell me, who has to authorize it? Domenico?
-Yes.
"Great.", Vittorio replied, smiling.
He moved his head toward Rocco who approached with his cell phone already dialing a number. Three rings and they answered:
"Rocco, speaking. Put him on the line," Rocco ordered, who handed the phone to Franco.
"Franco speaking," said Franco identifying himself. Then his face turns pale, " Mister Domenico... are you sure? Okay, All right... All right... You need to sign... Okay."
"So...?", Vittorio asked crumpling his cigar in the ashtray.
"He confirmed...," Franco answered handing the phone to Rocco. The manager stared at Vittorio still not believing what his next words would say, "Congratulations, you are the new owner of Wild Holdings Bank..."
"Rocco concludes the contract.", Vittorio asked without showing any emotion.
"You may finalize the contract.", Spoke Rocco who stayed on the line until he heard the gunshots," Transaction effected, sir."
"Perfect.", said Vittorio who moved his face closer to Franco and then said, " Now, Miss Barker's information."