"He's running late, as usual." Diana said bitterly, a cruel smile twisted at the corner of her lips as a result of her stepson, showing his grandfather, who has foolishly handed the affairs of the company over to him, that he wasn't capable of taking up to his responsibilities as a result of him not being here.
The Knights family might have a lot of flaws, with conflicts between the sons of the family over the company affairs. But if there's anything that Romano Knights didn't joke about, it was making sure that everyone was gathered for breakfast every morning.
The old man strongly believed that a family that has breakfast together, would be strongly united and a happy family. Regardless of his daughter in-law being the mastermind behind trying to ruin the unison in the family, it didn't matter to him that he had chosen who was to take over the family business.
Alexander is the only grandson of his, who had truly proved that he was matured enough to know his responsibilities, despite the fact that he was an illegitimate child which will become a problem in the upcoming days, yet, he wanted to see how strong he will be battling his opposition that would come left and right to take over what he has.
"When has he ever dined with us? You know what he's like, grandfather. He's always looking down on us if he's any better but he's nothing but a rabid dog waiting for the day to bite the hand of the master that fed him..." Nathan, the third grandson of his said, supporting his mother.
"Nathan." Micheal Knights called his son to order, looking at his father who didn't say anything after Nathan just cursed his eldest son.
"Why father?" Dante, the second son queried his father, he loved the look on his grandfather's face. If there's anything that Dante lived for, it's going to be him continuously giving his grandfather restless days for what he has done.
He abandoned him and gave what rightfully belonged to him to that beggar?
"It's not like Nathan is wrong. Alexander is looking down on grandfather by not being here. The only person he regards is that girlfriend of his, I heard that he's planning on proposing to her on the day of his congratulatory party for being the new CEO." He added.
He always finds excuses for making his elder brother look so pathetic in front of the family. If his grandfather was planning on giving the company to him, why did they isolate him from the rest of the family and made him think that he was no better than the rest of his brothers?
While growing up, he learned of the fact that his father had another son that was not recognized in the family. He has been the only first legitimate son that the Knights family had, but his grandfather did the unexpected by not actually showing Alexander his rightful place. Which was below him, Alexander is a peasant and will always continue to be one as long as he's alive.
As if that wasn't enough, the old man was also planning on making him the Don of the Black hearts mafia, an organization that had been led by the family for generations. Not only was Alexander stealing his birthright, he was trying to steal everything that he knew belonged to him.
The company?
The gang?
Selina too?
"His relationship with Selina has nothing to do with you, Dante, why are you so bitter about it?" The Fourth son, Rocco asked, coming into the dinning room to assume his position at the dining table.
"Show some respect to your brother, Rocco." Diana hissed at her younger son, who frowned at his mother. She always does that whenever he tries to side with Alexander. Unlike Dante and Nathan, he's the only person who doesn't support them to bully Alexander.
When it was obvious that Alexander had no plans on showing up for breakfast, Romano cleared his throat. "Let's eat." He said, as everyone closed their eyes and he said a brief prayer before they started eating.
It's not been up to five minutes that they assumed eating, before Harry appeared in the hallway, and bowed to him without Alexander with him.
"He didn't show up for real." Dante scoffed when he saw Harry.
Romano dropped his spoon and stood up, which his family did as well and bowed one last time watching the old man leave with Harry. They walked into his office.
Once the door was closed, Harry fell to his knees before him. "Forgive me sir, I have committed a huge mistake." He said, desperate to get the old man calm before he tells him about his son's condition, although he knew that the old man already has an idea about what happened to Alexander.
How could he hide his accident from him?
He had eyes and ears everywhere, nothing gets past him here in New York city.
"How's his condition?" Romano asked, sitting down on his chair while pushing his specs up to look closely at Harry, who was surprised that he wasn't mad at him for keeping Alexander's accident away from him.
"The surgery went well. He has passed the critical stage," Harry said, pausing a bit before pushing his glasses to see that Romano was still waiting for him to finish his statement. "He's in a coma. The doctor has no idea when he will wake up, it's now up to the boss to do that."
All the old man did was shift on his seat, but Harry could see that he didn't like this information about Alexander. The old man cared about Alexander, it's just that he has an odd way of showing that he cares for him, and he knew that it's because of his other grandsons. But Alexander was his favorite out of the four brothers.
"And the girl? What about her?" Romano asked, when he remembered that she had a hand in what had happened to his grandson. But he was mostly angry at himself for giving Alexander the chance to choose his own spouse.
He doesn't like things getting messy, especially when it comes to his family. That's why there's rules for how things work in the family. Once Alexander is made the Don of the Black hearts, tradition has it that he had to have a wife, which was why he allowed him to choose whoever he wanted.
But now, he's about to lose his grandson because of that silly mistake that he made, by not using his hand to set up his marriage. Marriage in their family has only been for business benefits only, it has been that way for Alexander's father, Micheal. He didn't know why he wanted to make Alexander's marriage choice optional.
"Our men are still working on finding her, sir." Harry replied.
"I heard all of this is because of some other man. What exactly was Alexander thinking?" He yelled, getting angry that his grandson would stoop too low for the likes of someone like her. "I want you to find out who he is, I want to see how special he is for that bitch to nearly lead my grandson to his death."
"Of course sir." Harry confirmed, this was bad. The big boss, interfering in Alexander's relationship with Selina. It would only end bloody if he finds Selina. Alexander needs to wake up but most importantly, Harry knows that he needs to find Selina before the man does that.
"For now, let it be known that Alexander traveled to the other branch in our hometown in Italy. Do not let anyone else know about his accident, including his father." Romano said with a stern look on his face, before he felt movement on his leg. He looked down to see his puppy, Mia, and his angry face was replaced with a smile before he picked her up.
"Where have you been, you cute little thing?" The old said, cuddling the pet as Harry watched the whole encounter. It was so lovely seeing that someone like him has this side to him.
He wasn't soft to anyone, including his own family. Yet, he treasures his puppy that he has a whole playhouse built for the animal.
"You can leave." Romano told Harry, holding Mia.
"Yes sir." Harry said, coming closer to kiss the ring that signified his power that was on his finger, as a sign of respect before leaving his room.
He let out a deep breath that he didn't know that he was holding, and was about to leave only the building before Dante, the second son, stopped in front of him.
He bowed to him, as Dantelooked at him in anger. "So, he actually sent his dog this time around without actually showing his face." He insulted Harry.
Dante hasn't seen Alexander for a while, the first time he has seen his supposed elder brother was on his grandfather's 70th birthday. He was actually on a business trip when he heard that his grandfather had assigned a new CEO. But he hoped that this party that is about to be thrown in his favor, he will get to see what's so special about him that made everyone be so fixed on him.
Harry said nothing but bowed to him, before leaving, not seeing the need to talk to Dante. He's only trouble, he was almost ready to enter his car before his phone started to ring and he answered it, it was Caleb.
"Have you done what i asked of you?" He asked Caleb.
"Yes.She got fired this early morning. Her boss is one greedy fellow, who didn't waste any time doing what i asked of him, when he saw the money." Caleb explained.
Harry's the reason why Ariana got fired today. If he's to get her into accepting his proposal, he knew that he had to use her weakness, he didn't feel bad about what he did, not if she's going to benefit from it in the long run. He's desperate.
"Good." He commended Caleb for doing a good job, while he entered his car.
"But don't you think this is a bit harsh, I mean, we don't know when the boss is going to wake up, even if he does, how will he not know that she's not Selina? What are you going to do when he finds out that you played him?" Caleb asked.
An important question at that, which Harry was fully aware of, but right now he's not just looking at the present. He's looking out for Alexander's future, without Selina by his side, he would give up his inheritance and he can't let that happen not after coming such a long way.
So, having a substitute Selina is the best idea until he finds the real one.
"Worry about yourself and leave the rest to me,Caleb." He told him.
"I'm just saying, she doesn't look like the type to do what you are requesting for, you have hurt an innocent lady." Caleb said, feeling bad for someone he doesn't know, sometimes it made Harry wonder why he's in this line of business because he's so kindhearted.
"Don't worry, she will call soon and when she does, you will see why people are ready to do anything when it comes to money."
Harry told him, it was a fact. Sooner or later, Ariana will have no other choice than to give in to his request, he just prays that she makes up her mind soon. Time is running out.