Adopted – Episode 24

ADOPTED – Episode 24

© Happy William

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#Salvatores_Wineries_Company

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Emilio’s POV

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“What!?” I exclaimed with a glare to the CMO. “What do you mean insufficient funds because I’m loosing focus? How dare you say that to my face!?”

The anger was oozing out of every pores on my skin, and I’m sure Preta smelt it because her composure changed and she started shaking.

“What I actually meant, sir, is that you’re not really zealous with the company. I mean, the plans you drew up, there’s been no move to implement any of them. And the winery we started in Spain… well, the vineyard had been cleared, but operations hasn’t begun yet, neither has the industry been completed. We’d hoped that, with the Spanish winery in addition to the one here at Italy, we could pool together enough funds to further projects in the other countries.”

“And as it is, we’re left with no option than to borrow a loan. But we’re talking big money here. The interest’s going to be high,” said the financial director as he looked through a spreadsheet.

“Unless, of course, I could give the loan.”

I looked up to see Dante with an impassive face, giving me a hopeful look…. or was it mockery?

”What in f**k’s name do you mean? ”

“Whoa there. I have my own vineyards, you know? And a very good friend of mine owns a bank. He’d be willing to loan you if—”

“Thank you very much, Castillo. As it is now, I do not need your help.”

“I’m an investor!”

“Sì, with only 20% of the shares. It’ll do you tons of good to remember that.”

“What if I decide to pull out?” he asked challengingly with one eyebrow raised.

I raised mine too. “What if I decide to pull you out?”

He was quiet for a second, then chuckled.

“Nice one. That’s why you’re a tough businessman.”

“Buenos.”

The the FD and the CMO, I said, “We’ll increase productivity and raise enough money before the week runs out. Then the Spanish project will commence on weekend. I’ll assign our surveyor and head of works over there.”

I rang Glen.

“Issue a letter of appointment to Samuels Adolf, and Timor Jacques. They’ll man the Spanish project.”

“Yes sir.”

I got up, and they followed suit.

“This meeting will be adjourned. And,” I turned to the FD, “I want a copy of the financial reports for the previous weeks on my desk in half an hour. Out.”

At the sound of the door closing, I fell back to my seat.

I know there was something going wrong somewhere, but I couldn’t find out what.

Who the hell was siphoning money without my knowledge? Or was there a project I didn’t know of?

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After leaving the office early, I phoned Felipe and headed to the vineyards to meet him there.

The harvest was completed, and the ground was fallowing and being treated for the next planting season.

Sometimes I wonder how I actually know all these things .

We took a look around, then proceeded to the storehouse where barrels of ‘raw wines’ filled every corner, waiting to be delivered to the industry for bottling, labelling and blah.

“So, what do you think?” I asked Felipe, after narrating my suspicions to him.

“I don’t know,” he said rubbing the back of his head, “You seem pretty distracted to me too.”

I sighed.

“It’s Anne.”

“I figured that out. So, how’s the investigation going?”

“Augusto is on it.”

“Augusto Rheingold? We should meet up for a drink sometime soon.”

“Sì. Anyway, I’m still waiting for his report. Especially concerning the will.”

As I stood there, looking at the wine barrels, I realized that I was actually stalling going home.

Because the fact that Anne, devastated as she was, locked herself in her room refusing to eat anything made me vulnerable.

And that wasn’t good.

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Augusto’s POV

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Anybody who worked for the Salvatore’s were always well to do; either because they were well paid, or because the Salvatore’s liked dealing with people of the same class as they. Whichever.

This was my second day waiting outside Cannavaro’s & Jenner’s, one of the biggest law firms in Rome.

The fact that Cannavaro was Leonetti Salvatore’s (make that late) lawyer, and the fact that he came in two years after Leonetti’s death to change the will was suspicious enough.

It had earlier said that Emilio had to marry to inherit the estate and the company. Why should it be later on that the spouse should be mentioned?

I tugged on my baseball cap to cover my face, and got out of the car.

Making sure that the pocket recorder (audio recorder) I carried worked, I went inside and requested to see Cannavaro on an appointment, which I’d prepared before hand.

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“Mrs Salvatore, I told you that I was done with any business with y—”

Cannavaro stopped when he noticed that I wasn’t Mrs Salvatore, and his expression changed to horrified.

“I’m sorry, were you expecting someone else; perhaps a woman, tall, sparkly dress, and threatening you to secrecy for altering the will?”

His eyes widened. He sweated, but still managed to stay calm.

“Who are you? What do you want?

” Just some answers, and I’ll be off.”

He denied ever having anything to do with Mrs Salvatore.

Although his action was convincing, small signs gave him away.

He sweated too much, his eyes darted everywhere but me, and he stuttered more than usual.

I’ll have to keep an eye on this one from now on.

Then I’ll assign somebody else to watch the slum building where Portia frequents.

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Anne’s POV

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That was the sound of my stomach growling.

I squeezed it and bent over.

I felt weak from the lack of food, and sleep and the constant cries.

But each time I remembered how he forced his tongue into my mouth and ran his fingers up my thigh…..

I jumped up, ran to the bathroom, threw off my clothes and ran the shower, scrubbing my self furiously. Scrubbing away his touch.

I brushed my teeth, washed my clothes and changed.

I also added an extra cover to the bed.

I don’t know if I’ll ever be free from this nightmare.

I don’t even know if Emilio will ever look at me the same way again without thinking, “Hey, that’s my brother’s slut”.

Or will he pity me?

I couldn’t bear that!

If anyone treated me with pity in this house, I’ll die.

I was hungry.

The biscuit tin on my dresser was empty.

I needed real food.

But I couldn’t go out.

They’ll pity me on the outside and sneer at me on the inside.

Cosima would torment me.

And Sergio would repel me.

But the worse would be if Emilio took one look at me and look away.

At first I was angry with him, but now, I’m scared.

I wrapped my arms around myself.

The touch was still there.

I took off my clothes and got into the shower.

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Anne’s POV

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The knock came.

I squeezed myself together even more.

It came again.

“It’s Emilio, Anne. Open up, please,” his voice came soft.

“Go away,” I mumbled.

“I’m not leaving until you open the door.”

I sighed.

After a battle of wills, I opened up.

And rushed straight into his arms, causing the tray of food to fall as he hugged me back.

To be continued

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