Cracking the code

Martina sat behind an empty table and made a wave to one of the waiters. She waited for the waiter to get to her when she saw Roberto strut up to the desk she sat. She smiled widely as she approached her, but he kept a straight face.

“Why are you smiling? Nothing is funny.” He uttered as he sat on the chair next to her. “You are so hot. I am just noticing it. Damn...” She raised her brows teasingly as she spoke. Roberto arched his brows as she spoke.

She chuckled and looked at the waiter when he got to them.

“I would love to see your menu, please.” She told with a grin. “There is no time to waste, Martina,” Roberto added.

“Husby, come on, it won't take more than a minute.” She responded with a wink, and Roberto raised his brows in surprise. He scoffed and looked at the waiter. He noticed the waiter was smiling at him, and he spoke up, “Why are you smiling?”

“I’m sorry, sir. But you two look good together. Your kids are lucky.” He uttered, passing Martina the Menu in his hand. “You think we look good together? Our kids will be so lucky, Roberto.” She grinned as she spoke.

Roberto kept his straight face on and stared at both of them unbelievably. “Kids? Kids my foot.” He thought to himself.

“I’d love a plate of shredded beef brisket, Please.” She uttered and passed the menu to Roberto.

“What would you like to have, Husby?” The grin on her face was getting on Roberto’s nerves. “I am not your husband!” He said with gritted teeth and snatched the menu from her hand. Martina sighed and looked at the waiter who couldn't stop grinning stupidly.

He ran through the menu, looking for what he could eat, but he didn’t find the perfect dish for him. “I don’t like these. I’ll have only water.” He said and passed the menu to the waiter.

“Okay, sir.” He walked away briskly, and Martina looked at Roberto.

“Why don't you like any of those? They are great delicacies!” She uttered.

“Martina, can you shut the f**k up?!” He responded coldly, and she rolled her eyes. “I’m just trying to be very nice to you. Looks like no one has ever treated you nicely before. You need to have seen your face when I called you Husby... It was as if I grabbed your balls. Tch.” She mumbled.

He reached for her hand and grabbed it very tight. “We are in the public doesn't mean I can't treat you the way I want. No one would question me if I hurt you. So, watch the way you speak!” He groaned, hitting her hand on the table. Martina gasped, and everyone present in the restaurant turned to look at them. He let go of her hand and adjusted his tuxedo. Martina stared at him without uttering any words. She wasn’t shocked by what he did, but she wasn't also comfortable with it.

She felt a throbbing pain in her hand, and she withdrew her hand from the table. She held her hand and gave it a firm squeeze. She felt more pain around her wrist, and when she looked at it, she saw it had turned red, and looked a little swollen. Roberto stared at her but refused to say a word.

The waiter came back with her order in a few minutes, and he attached the bill to the plate. “Enjoy your meal, Ma’am.” He said to her, and then placed the glass of water in front of Roberto after giving a slight bow.

He walked away, and she stared at the food hungrily. She picked up the fork, and before she could pick some shredded beef, Roberto reached for the bill and checked it. Martina looked at him, expecting him to make a complaint but instead, he dropped the bill on the table and reached for his glass of water.

He drank all of it at once and pushed his chair backward as he stood up.

“I give you five minutes to finish up. I have better things to do.” He uttered and walked out of the restaurant. Martina raised her brows and watched him walk away. “Isn’t he supposed to keep an eye on me? What if I decide to run?” She thought, and before she could look at her meal again, she saw Bruno and Greco walk into the restaurant. “Talk of the devil. He is always going to watch me.” She muttered, pinning her beef with the fork.

“Hey, do you care for some?” She asked when they got to her table. They smiled and shook their heads, “We’ll pass. You can enjoy yourself, Ma’am.” They chorused. “Ma’am?” She thought to herself and looked at them.

“Why are you calling me, Ma’am?” She asked as she munched the meat in her mouth.

“We just want to be careful, Ma’am. We don't want to get punished by the boss.” They responded, and I was still as confused as ever.

“Why would he punish you? I'm lost.” She mumbled. They exchanged suspicious looks, and Greco hit Bruno with his elbow. Bruno gulped and looked at her. “Well, we have been noticing some changes in the boss lately, and we believe you are the cause of that change. I think the boss has fallen for you.” Bruno whispered, and she burst into laughter.

“Fallen for who? For me? Why would you even think that?” She asked amidst laughter.

“I don't know, but you two seem pretty close even though you fight all the time. He has never, brought any of his slaves to a restaurant, carried them in his car, or asked them to escort him to a party. You are the first lady to have such influence on him, and I'm happy for you.” Greco added, and Martina smiled. “I never knew I was the first woman he has done all these to. He never had a girlfriend?” She asked, and they exchanged looks again.

“He has never had one, Martina. That is how cold-blooded he can be. But, I think you cracked the code, girl.” Bruno teased and she laughed.

“Nah, I don't think so. He can walk up to me now and shoot me in the head...” “And this is why I'm scared for you. You can't do something wrong, he'd kill you, and you'll make him worse than he is now.” Greco butted in.

“Hold on, did he send you to tell me all these? I mean, you all are seeing the surface and not reality! He doesn't love me.” Martina responded.

“Let’s play a game to find out then,” Greco suggested, and Martina giggled.

“I’m in.”