Chapter 22 Happy birthday!
Ariel
Madison was horrified when she saw what happened to the dress later that day or maybe the next day because we left the venue around 1 am. The scrub we had attempted hadn't helped at all and when we realised that, the stain had only gotten worse.
"It was borrowed!" Madison whined as we headed back to my place in the van. They were going to stay over to clear things up from earlier this morning.
"I'm sorry; it was an accident."
"Yeah. Well, that is not going to explain to Carmine why his design is ruined. He's never going to give us a dress again and we're going to have to pay for this one, so..."
Jonas sighed exasperatedly beside me. "We can try reaching out to her team. You said it was Anastasia Coleman, right?"
"Yes." She had booked it the minute we left the restroom; I had not even been able to strike up a conversation with her. I think she noticed I saw the bruise because she immediately became fidgety after that.
"Well, we can try that. I'm sure we can all come to a solution since it isn't exactly our fault."
That. And I also need to figure out how to meet with Anastasia again.
I didn't need to figure it out for long because the very next day after dragging myself out of bed with a very annoying hangover, I opened my socials to find out that I had a message waiting for me from her, Anastasia.
I nearly fell off the kitchen stool I was sitting on by my counter.
"What is it?" Jonas asked as he came in from the guest room.
"N-nothing."
He gave me a look, then turned to Madison, who was putting away the clothes from yesterday with her assistant. I felt bad all over again when I saw her putting the silver dress from yesterday in a different bag until...
"So Anastasia's team just reached out to me."
"Really?" Both Madison and I echoed. "Yes. They're willing to make amends in any way they can and apologise for any inconvenience they might have caused us."
He turned his computer to show us the mail they had sent and proceeded to go to the living room with Madison. They were going to meet Anastasia's team at the company and as for Anastasia herself...
I clicked on the message she had sent.
"Hi, I just wanted to apologise yet again for yesterday's incident. I'm sorry for any inconvenience that may have cost you. In light of that, I was thinking we go out for coffee or brunch, my treat, to apologise. I wouldn't take no for an answer." Followed by a smiley emoji.
Was she being for real right now? Of course. Why would I ever turn down this beautiful opportunity that has fallen into my lap?
"Of course," I replied almost immediately. "Will you be free tomorrow?"
Vincent
Monterrey, Mexico,
8 pm,
The Cortes family and the Russo family had a lot more in common than just similar family house structures and family councils that think they have control over the affairs of the organisation. There was a whole lot more. Like legacy, bonds, partnership, and mutual benefits.
These are what has helped us maintain a cordial relationship with each other since my father started a relationship with them twenty years ago. The whole thing had started simple. We needed a supplier to produce bulk substances for distribution and profits in our casinos and the Jose family had needed weapons and machinery for their battles and intimidation within the country. We had decided to exchange goods.
Before we knew it, it had escalated beyond just mutual benefits and gain; we had actually become friends and trusted ourselves enough to expand our partnership. That's why I was here in Mexico, to greet the current leader of the Cortes family, Jose, ‘a happy birthday’.
"Vincent!!" He gasped, elated when he sighted me in the ballroom where his birthday party was being held. It was a small party, as was obvious through the number of people and the fact that it was being held in his home but it was attended by most of the well-known influential underdogs in Mexico. I had already greeted a few of them on my way in. "I didn't know you were coming."
"Yes," I said with a slight smile. "I wanted it to be a surprise."
"Boy and oh, did you surprise me? Ah, you brought me a gift also?" He asked as he stared at the silver box in my hand. It was indeed a gift and a very special one at that.
I handed it to him. "Happy birthday, Jose. More wealth and health to our families." He collected the box with a wide smile.
"Wow. Thank you." He kept beaming as he pulled open the box and when he saw what was inside, the expression he gave me told me everything I needed to know. I had got him the best gift there was. “Vincent… Is this the emerald serpent signet?!"
I took a step back, already knowing he was going to attack me with a bear hug soon. It wouldn't be the first time he was doing it. Every time since the first day we met, he has done it and every time, I've had to remind myself why it would be a bad idea to murder him.
I was currently reminding myself of that right now because he had managed to wrap his arms around me yet again.
Ugh.
"Jesus, would you let the poor man go?" I looked up as Jose's wife, Valerie, joined us by the table we were standing by. She had a glass of wine in her hand and the fierce look of a killer I was familiar with. She was the brains behind most of the family operations and part of the reason why I haven't murdered her husband. I knew she was going to hunt me down.
Jose let me go.
"Happy Celebrations". I said to her and she nodded.
"Thank you for gracing our occasion. I'm guessing you've already wished him your birthday blessings."
I nodded.
"Then shall we go somewhere quieter. I have some business I want to discuss with you."
"Okay.”