90: Silence and angry faces.

GIOVANNI.

The moment Gaston walked into Callisto building with me, I had known that this day was about to be chaotic and just full of drama. Even though he didn’t know about managing a company nor even any ideas to raise one, he tends to act like he does.

After I had done a zoom call with my family in Italy, faced scolding from both father and Mother, telling me what I was supposed to do and what I wasn’t supposed to do without even bothering to ask how I was faring in the country they had sent me to or commend me for the good job I have been doing, I was already irritated.

“See? That’s just what you are in this family, a means to an end, just to put things in place and then that’s all. Your mother ruined a happy family and planted her evil seed in it hoping it will germinate into something that will bring her good deeds. Dad will never love you, Giovanni, he will never, I don’t even feel sorry for you, it’s called karma. You’re simply suffering for your mother's evil deeds." Gaston said with so much venom underlying his voice.

I remained seated as I watched him go on and on like he has always done for years now, I’ve grown thick skinned against his every mean words, it all feels like repetitions at this point. I never understood his hatred when I was young and even as an adult, I still didn’t understand it. I don’t think I ever will, he seems to have no reason for it anyways. More like he does it because of what mother had always told him and his sibling jealousy of me grew into a full fledged hatred.

“You’re such an incompetent idiot, Giovanni. See what dad told you just now? I’m taking over every single one of your projects, that’s it. You’re literally so unstable and ruining all of our reputations, I guess you’re just showing us your hidden bastard side. I’ve told you times without number that you can keep trying to fit in and prove yourself but you’ll never be really accepted… you’re…” He was interrupted as Kiki waltzed into my office without a single fear.

She walked in front of me, and my eyes drop to her backside. She was wearing a black fitted dress, sheer stockings, and high-heeled pumps, and her hair was in a puffy ponytail that I felt like running my hand through… and possibly clash my lips onto hers…

Stop it! I thought to myself as I swivel on my chair while watching her. She was as gorgeous as ever, and a potent sexual aura oozes out of her like a concealed weapon.

“How dare you speak to him in such demeaning way, sir? I don’t care who you are but nobody should be spoken to that way no matter what. What the heck was that? Mr Callisto, do you want me to get the security?” She stood up for me fearlessly and different emotions ran through me in a matter of seconds.

It was new to finally have someone stand up for me and me on my corner. Someone other than Matteo.

Gaston starts looking at her in a way that got me very pissed, with my hands fisted, I let him continue to talk until he went lower and lower than the bar and I knew I couldn’t take it anymore. I rushed up to him and held him by his collar, ready to punch him should he say more than he already had.

Damn the consequences.

“Don’t. Ever. Talk. About. Her. In. Such. Manner.” I said each word one by one in a very threatening voice. “Don’t you even dare speak about her like that, she’s not a whore that you can just ask for sexual favours.” I added as I glared down at him. I was taller than he was afterall.

I watched as he started to laugh and say more yadayada that I honestly do not care to listen to and then before I could shut him up, a knock was heard on her door and the guests Gaston had informed me about strutted into my office.

As we went about our meeting about the contract we were to assign to them, I kept avoiding punching my brother in the face as he kept chipping in and acting like he was ever involved in this project I had thought of and did so much work on. It took a lot of power in me to not get up right there and then and strangle him or something.

While Claire and the so called celebrity started to talk down on Kiki, I noticed it all, the exchanges between them and how uncomfortable and tensed Kiki was since they arrived.

Kiki wasn’t one to look that uncomfortable for any reason, especially around strangers so it was new and quite obvious. Even when the Julian guy kept getting on my last nerves due to his ridiculous demands and demeaning tones, I knew I had to control myself, this was a work environment afterall.

When Kiki finally escorted the guests away, I sat still in my chair acting like I was listening to whatever Gaston was talking about even when all I had on my mind was Kiki and how we had not exchanged full sentences or anything personal for days now.

I knew I had to do it now or never. This silence between us both just had to stop.

I rushed out of the office, ignoring my brother’s incessant calls of me and rushed to the nearest available elevator. On getting out, I met one of my workers who had introduced herself to me as Betty or something related.

“There was a huge scenes that was created just now at the parking lot and I witnessed it all, somethings about her owing these dangerous men and all. But someone was quick to come into the matter before it blew all out of proportion.” She had said when I asked about Kiki

“Someone? Do you think she’s out with that someone?” I asked and when she nodded her head in affirmative, I knew I didn’t even care, I had to see her.

Now.

I went to the nearest Café to Callisto building and it was the one I had found her in, chatting with a man.

“Luca.” I gritted out as I stared at him just before storing into the café, “Get up, Kiki.” I said in a very stern voice as soon as I got to them.

When Kiki looked up to see who had spoken, she still remained seated, looking at me like I was out of my damn mind. To be honest, I think so too.

When she wasn’t making any attempt attempt listen to me nor speak, I took hold of one of her hands and dragged her out, only to drop it as soon as we were out.

“What do you think you’re doing, Kiki? With him? Luca of all persons?” I questioned , totally pissed.

“I don’t think it’s any of your business, Mr. Callisto, this is personal business and we shouldn’t poke out noses into what isn’t our cup of tea.” He said as calmly as possible.

“It is my business, Kiki, YOU ARE MY BUSINESS. Why aren’t you getting this? Why do you hang out with every dick and Harry that wants it from you? That man is not someone you should even try to be friends with, he’s after nothing but your body and you know it! Or are you also enjoying the attention? Is that why your shirt is three buttons down instead of one or two?” I let it all out angrily.

All that met me was Kiki’s angry face which I honestly didn’t like and then I felt a hand strike my left cheek with a lot of force.

Kiki had slapped me.