Chapter 89 He Never Knew
Serena's POV
She barely looked fazed. If anything, she looked like she was expecting it, and had the perfect defense.
“Mr. Russo, again, this isn't your territory, it would be wise for you to take a calm breath,” she responded, much to Dante's anger.
Then her hand slipped under her desk as it looked very likely that Dante would pull out his gun.
Then Nico stepped forward and grabbed his hand to stop him.
He whispered something to him when Dante struggled to set his hand free and it got Dante calm.
Then he nodded his head and took his hand away from his trousers while stepping back.
“We need to see the Elder, inform him of our presence and give us a time, we don't mind waiting,” he added that last part while turning back to Dante.
Dante didn't meet his eyes and I knew he wasn't happy with anything happening at this point.
The receptionist nodded and offered Nico a smile.
“Very well then, you can go have a sit at the waiting room. I'll call on you all when he's ready to see you,” she replied.
Dante stepped forward and looked like he had something to say again. But Nico put a hand between them both.
He tilted his head to the side and gestured to him to take it easy.
Dante shook his head but turned all the same towards the door that was clearly labeled as the waiting room.
He stormed in and I followed to find other people who were awaiting their turn too.
“This may take a while,” I muttered.
The moment we picked a spot and sat down, Dante pulled Nico to himself and whispered viscously to him.
“Don't you dare do that again next time.”
Nico apologized immediately. “Sorry, Don. But she was right, it's not our territory and finding trouble here would put us in more danger than we already are,” he added.
Dante shook his head and let go of him. “Now see where your bright idea has landed us. In a room with commoners, waiting like one of them,” he snorted.
I looked around and sure enough, they heard. Some of them who cared, showed their displeasure on their face while most pretended not to hear.
It was a bit disheartening but I couldn't tell Dante that.
So I picked up my phone, deciding not to text the strange number guy again. I rather opened up a game and passed my time with it.
I couldn't tell how long we had waited, but I knew Dante was on his feet after the receptionist came in the third time without calling us.
“This is a waste of my time, I'm going in after the next person,” Dante said in Nico's direction.
“Dante, she said she'll call us when the Elder wants to see us,” Nico replied.
“I'm pretty sure she hasn't even told him we are here,” Dante shot back.
And the moment the receptionist walked in, Dante stormed towards the door.
“Mr. Russo, you can't go in. It's not your turn yet,” she said but Dante walked past her without a word.
Nico looked at me and shrugged, standing to his feet and following him.
I got up too, following after them and offering the receptionist a sad smile as I passed by her.
We caught up with Dante at the front of a large door that certainly looked different from the rest.
He knocked once and pushed through the door. Nico joined and I wouldn't be left behind.
Behind the door was a well furnished office with a large table and man behind the table.
The man looked to be in his fifties, certainly not old enough to be called an elder.
The man hadn't acknowledged our presence yet as he was engulfed in his system.
I was moved to ask Nico, so I went closer to him and tapped him to get his attention.
“Why is he referred to as Elder when he's not that old looking,” I asked.
Nico smiled. “Every head of a family is referred to as an Elder in his territory,” he replied.
“Oh,” I muttered and stared at Dante who had his hands behind his back and stood waiting.
“If you're wondering why we don't call Dante an elder,” Nico whispered my thoughts to me. “Then it's simply cause he asked not to be called one,” he said.
“Really?” I replied.
“Yeah, Dante's the youngest ever head of a family and shouldn't have been made head after his father's death, except that every one believed in his ability to lead and he picked up really quick,” he added.
I nodded slowly.
“Put aside all the anger you see in him, Dante's a respectful man. He knows he's the least in age among all family heads even though he's the biggest by influence. But he never shows any disrespect to any family head,” Nico added.
I nodded again as I watched him remain at that spot, waiting to be noticed rather than calling for it.
“I'm sorry sir, I told them to wait,” the receptionist came rushing in.
That's when the Elder looked up and immediately pushed his chair back as he spotted Dante.
“What are you talking about?” He asked in her direction. “You mean Mr. Russo has been here all along and you didn't bring him in?” He added.
Dante turned and glared at the receptionist who easily folded up.
“Another mistake like this and you'll lose your job. Leave us now,” he ordered and bowed before stepping out and shutting the door behind her.
Then he got up to his feet. “Sorry about that, Mr. Russo. I had no idea you were here,” he remarked while stretching out a hand to Dante.
Dante looked back at us with a look that said, ‘I told you so’.
Then he took the Elder’s hand respectfully and bowed his head lightly.
“It was an impromptu meeting, we have a lot to discuss,” Dante said, going straight to the point.
“Then let's get to it,” he replied, gesturing to the seat in front of him. “And I see you brought company,” he added, looking beyond Dante.
“Yes, and she's the reason I'm here,” Dante replied, gesturing to me.
The elder stared at me, then closed his eyes like he was remembering something.
“I know you from somewhere,” he said. “Wait, don't tell me. You are Marco's wife,” he announced with a broad smile.
Shit, this can't be good.
Dante had a puzzled look on his face and so did Nico.
“Come, come,” he remarked excitedly and I strolled slowly towards him. “How's my boy, Marco anyway. Since he came to present you to me for the wedding, I haven't heard from him again,” he added and the blood from my face drained out.
He didn't know, no wonder he received us with so much joy.
“What's wrong? Marco ain't treating you good? You know you can tell me anything,” he added unaware.
Dante coughed from our side. “Elder Moretti, it's unfortunate but I have to inform you that Marco is dead,” Dante announced gravely.
The elder still had a smile on his face as my hand was in his, but slowly, the smile dropped and so did his hand.