Adopted – Episode 36

ADOPTED – Episode 36

© Happy William

Sergio

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The pressure was becoming too much . Mamà looked Like she was slowly loosing it. I felt the same way too.

Loosing it, that is.

I leaned against my car for a quick smoke.

I was in the parking lot of the Dowager — casino. I needed to try my luck at the tables.

I was feeling lucky.

But I lost again, and that imp of a man couldn’t have his field day with attacking me even if he wanted to because each time I lost I always paid him the dammed compensation.

Pushing away from the car, I thought to myself; soon I’ll buy even this casino and everyone inside.

It’s Just a matter of time.

I turned to stare at my reflection on the window.

And I saw an image beside me.

Cosima????

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With the speed of lightening, I swung around to check if there was actually a Cosima phantom behind me.

There was nobody.

Just an elderly couple getting in2 their Ford jeep. They casted a lone glance in my direction, ignited their engine and drove off.

I shook my head.

Maybe I’ve had too much to drink.

I faced my car and made to open it when I saw it again: her reflection.

Cosima.

My hands began to shake to the extent that the keys rattled.

I stared at it.

“Leave me alone,” I whispered.

Her mouth curled into a menacing smirk as her lips moved with words unspoken.

I swirled on my feet to check.

Empty.

Two guys and some men were doing one thing or the other in the parking lot.

But it seemed I was alone.

There was an inner tumult inside me; screaming at how disgusting I’ve become and always was.

«She’ll come for you…. she’ll haunt you…. you bad bad boy….»

“No,” I whispered, “Shut up.”

I ran fingers across my temples roughly to calm the voice.

«You’re a murderer and a loser…. »

“No, I’m not!”

My voice was getting louder; but so was the voices in my head.

«You KILLED her! And for what, money? That you’ll never have?? »

“I’ll have it! I’ll have everything! Just you watch and see!”

I turned back to my car.

The image was there; with the big white blanket wrapped around her shoulders, hair rough and scattered. Like she was on the night I killed her.

Yes.

I killed her.

She’s dead.

She’s not here.

But she was, looking at me with that smirk and dull eyes.

With a girlish scream which I didn’t recognize as mine, I threw myself into the drivers seat, started the car and sped off.

Not before seeing the weird looks of ‘he’s crazy’ that people shot me.

And not before I saw the ghost through my windshield.

When I turned around again, she wasn’t there.

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#Salvatore_VEW

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Emilio

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“So, I’ll be assuming that with everything in order, the celebration of the victory wine ball will push through without any hitch?”

“Yes sir, we’ve looked into every sector; marketing, procurement, maintenance, processing. It’s all intact. And surprisingly, the funds were just enough to finance Salvatore Wineries in Spain. Toma and Jacques submitted the reports earlier. Now it’s awaiting official opening. SVEW has also purchased the best soils in our targeted countries — Moldova and Portugal. We’ve also bought the warehouse in France and have commissioned the renovation, to be completed in about two weeks.” Preta closed the documents and placed her hands with fingers linked on it.

They all had smiles on their faces; the whole members of the board. The investors, and other personnel.

The finalizing meeting for the ball we’re planning.

I cleared my throat and leaned forward.

“Leonetti Salvatore — my father, headed the previous biennial ball two years ago. This year it’s my duty as the head of SVEW. I want perfection. So far, you’ve all been doing well in your various sectors.”

I turned to Dante Castillo, whose eyes were on me the whole time.

“You have anything to say?”

”Yes, as a matter of fact. I’m a major investor. is that not so?” he stood up and shared a glance to everyone around.

“Get to the point, Castillo.”

“Yes,” he said with a glare. “I suggest that since we now have equal rights to this company now, we organize the Vino Vicinta Ball as a joint venture.”

“The hell we will!” I slammed a fist on the oakwood table. “Where did you get that fleeting thought from? And who said we have equal rights to SVEW?”

“Tell him man,” Castillo said to the financial director.

“Tell me what!?” I yelled, already getting impatient.

“Well…..we eventually collected the loan from Castillo Venture and in exchange he signed for joint venture. We were desperate and you were absent. It was the only way.”

I folded my fists tightly in anger until my knuckles turned white while I tried to keep my anger in check.

To be continued

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