CHAPTER 41: – WHAT AM I? –

Fernando sat in the private booth in the expensive but surprisingly quiet bar. Drinks were being fed to him by the two women he had seated on either side of his lap, each of them giggling and touching him seductively.

"You’re so handsome, Mr. Stolov," the red-haired woman flattered.

He chuckled. "There is no need to be so formal, baby girl. Just call me Fernando."

The brunette grabbed his chin, leaving a kiss on his lips. "Do you think you can possibly bring your family’s name to rise above the Di-grassi in the rankings here in Valestra?"

Fernando grinned. "What do you think?"

Both women exchanged glances.

"I’m about to sign a million-dollar contract."

They giggled softly, each poking his face. "You’re a big man, Fernando," the redhead spoke, her voice squeaky.

"You’re not going to forget us once the contract is completed, right? I mean, your success is all over social media," the brunette added.

Fernando threw his head back, breaking out into a hearty laugh.

"How could I forget either of you?" He grabbed the two of them by the waist. "Two beautiful women like you? That’s impossible."

"You promise?"

They stared at him, waiting for his answer, while groping him and sensually touching him.

Fernando blew out a soft breath of satisfaction and threw his head back as he sighed in pleasure. "Promises, promises, darlings. I am going nowhere."

One of them spread kisses all over his neck, while the other reached for the buckle of his belt. He weaved his fingers through their hair, gripping, but pausing in the very next second as his phone suddenly began to vibrate in his pocket.

He took it out, quickly answering when he saw it was his father calling.

[Why did you take so long to answer my call? And what’s that sound in the background? Where are you, Fernando?]

"I’m with my friends, Dad. Is there a problem?"

[The contract with Aceto, how is it going? Have you taken the final step?

"About that..." Fernando hesitated a bit. "We plan to hold an event, and right before the audience, we’ll sign the remaining contracts and seal off everything."

[Did Aceto approve of this?]

Fernando frowned. "He suggested it. Jeez, just trust me this once. This will be good. At the event, the most powerful families will be there, and maybe even Nikolas Bastiani will be willing to show his face. I heard that Mr. Di-grassi has been trying to meet up with him countless times for partnership proposals, but every single one has been rejected. Now, if Bastiani somehow comes, you might get to introduce yourself to him. Don’t you see the many opportunities this event will be creating for us?"

[Is that so?] Alberto was quiet on the other side of the call. [Good. This is good news. You seem to be doing well enough these days. What about Viviana? Have you figured things out with her? Forget the agency, our main business company still needs that contract deal with Amadeo. So?]

"I have that under control," Fernando grumbled, grinding his teeth.

[Do you? Because the last I recall, she’s still in that damn marriage with whoever that man is]

"Dad, I get it." He felt irritated. "And I said I’m going to fix it. I have it under control. There is nothing to worry about. It’s only a matter of time before I can fully convince her."

[Good then. Don’t forget that you don’t have much time left. Apologize to her as much as you can and set yourself straight. This is the last time I’ll ever let you make such a stupid mistake. Do you understand me?]

"Yes."

The call ended.

The glee he’d been feeling was completely gone now. He abruptly shoved the ladies off him and stood up.

"Fernando?" One of them grabbed his hand. "What’s wrong? Your mood has suddenly–"

"Shut up woman, and mind your business," he spat, storming off.

Slamming the door behind him, he stepped into the street and took out a cigar stick to smoke. "You’ve got to be kidding me. Beg her again after what happened last time?"

"You really want to drag me through the mud, don’t you, old man?" He clicked his tongue and navigated his phone with his free hand. The device vibrated as a number was dialed.

[Boss?]

"Antonio, find the man Viviana is married to for me. I would like to have a little talk with him."

[Yes, sir.]

"Three hours. I want to see him before five p.m."

———

Nikolas stood across the street from the apartment he shared with Viviana. He was about to cross over when, suddenly, a hand caught him and tried yanking him back.

He didn’t budge one bit, still able to hold himself despite how much the sun had weakened him. Turning, he locked gazes with a man who was staring at him with dilated pupils as if he’d seen a ghost.

"What are you doing?" Nikolas questioned.

Broad and swathed in a black suit, the man, who was none other than Antonio, blinked his deep blue eyes at him.

"Uh..." ’How is he so strong?’ Antonio had worked as security for the majority of his life, so he knew his own strength.

Nikolas was tall, at the very same height as him, but he was rather slimmer in build compared to him. So, how was it possible that he was unmoving while a man so broader and bulkier like him tried over and over again to pull him?

Antonio was confused.

Nikolas cocked a brow at him. "I’m not sure what you think you’re doing or who you are, but I suggest you take your hand off me if you don’t want to lose it in the next five seconds."

Antonio stared into his eyes, and heaven knows what he saw in those green eyes that made him stagger back, immediately putting distance between them.

His Adam’s apple throbbed as he swallowed thickly.

"I know what you are," he rasped.

"Hm? Do you now?" Nikolas closed the distance between them, sliding his hands into his pocket and lowering his eyes to tauntingly lock gazes with him. "Tell me then... what am I?"

Antonio couldn’t say. Or rather, he was too afraid to speak up. Beads of cold sweat were dropping from his forehead, and dragging out a shaky breath, he said, "My boss would like to see you."

"Your boss?"

"Yes. Mr. Fernando Stolov. He would like to have a word with you."

"Oh?" Of course he could reject the invitation, but Nikolas was curious. What exactly could Fernando want to talk about? To the extent of sending someone after him.

Hmmm...

His eyes gleamed sharply. "Alright. Lead the way."