Everybody around the table looked down, including Maria. When the Don was raising the voice, there was nothing else to say. There was nothing to answer and nothing to object - he was always ‘right’.
The maids silently brought the food - gourmet mushroom risotto with chicken. The butler approached Giovani with a bottle of white wine, and filled the bottom of his glass. Enzo’s father tasted it and nodded, giving his approbation. The butler filled Giovani’s glass again, and did the same with Maria and Danny.
When it was Enzo’s turn, he raised his hand, signaling the butler he didn’t want to drink. He’d had enough last night and needed water more than anything else.
“Speaking of business…” Giovani said with his glass in his hand. “When are you going to quit your job and get involved with us?”
Enzo rested his elbows on the table and joined his hands.
“I don’t know, dad. I just got this new job and I think it’s a really good opportunity. The package is very interesting and there’s more capital available for me to trade. Unemployment rates are stable, and consumer confidence is getting better which is good overall. I think our trading volumes will increase but that really depends on the volatility of the markets, after the announcement of the President next week.”
Giovani stared at Enzo and squinted at him. “I’m not an investor, I don’t give a shit. You didn’t answer my question - when are you going to work for me?”
Enzo exhaled loudly and crossed his arms on his chest, as if he was protecting himself from his father’s attacks.
“Dad, that’s not my world. You sent me to study so why do you expect me to get involved in your business now?”
“I expected you to see the world and realize that working for others really suck. You can’t make your own decisions, you have to follow someone else’s rules. And if you’re not happy about it, there’s nothing you can do. However… we’ve got a family business that can offer you everything you want - money, freedom, power. Everything. That’s a no-brainer, I really don’t understand what’s so complicated about it.”
“I like my job, dad. I make tons of money already and it’s a free country - I am free! I do whatever I want, where’s the problem? And power, well that comes with money so basically, I’m good. Thanks.”
Enzo paused and took a deep breath.
“And plus, your business has already cost me too much…”
“You’re too emotional… That’s your weakness.” Giovani said, shaking his head and visibly disappointed. “You were young, Enzo. It was just a puppy love relationship. There are so many gorgeous women out there, I really don’t understand why you can’t move on. She was a girl among others…”
“No, dad… You’re wrong.” Enzo said firmly. The air suddenly became electric and the atmosphere really heavy. Everybody raised their head to look at him - nobody could tell Don Fancelli he was wrong, no even his son.
But Enzo was determined to fight for what he believed to be the most dramatic event of his life.
“She wasn’t just a girl among others… She was the love of my life.”
Monday morning…
“
So did he propose or not?” Alicia asked on the phone.
Victoria shook her head as she pressed the elevator button. “I thought he would… but I’m still waiting. Hey by the way, I’m in the elevator in case you can’t hear me anymore… Hello? Hello? Shoot…”
Victoria put her phone in her orange Hermès bag and looked at her reflection in the cabin mirror. She was alone and quickly played with her blond hair, making sure she looked ready for work. Mondays were always crazy and she had a busy week ahead.
The elevator’s doors finally opened and she called back Alicia Porter, her best friend, as she walked in the large open space towards her office. Despite all the phones ringing, she could hear her male coworkers greeting her - “Good morning, Ms. De Lissieu. How are you today?”
“Hi. I’m good thanks. Get back to work now.” She kept replying with a gentle, yet firm voice. Indeed, these were not her coworkers - she was their boss. She kept walking, holding her head high and her back perfectly straight, as she was waiting for Alicia to pick up.
She was well aware of the discreet looks she was receiving in her white blouse and gray tailored skirt, revealing her athletic and curvy legs. She didn’t wear pantyhose because she didn’t like feeling so tight, therefore her beautiful shiny skin and her black high heels were the center of attention in the open space.
Many people from her management had tried to convince her that it wasn’t appropriate and downright distracting, but Victoria wasn’t the kind to be told what to do - she wanted to be feminine and dress up for success, and if anybody had a problem with it, they had to suck it up.
Alicia finally picked up the phone and Victoria pushed the glass door of her office.
“Sorry Vicky, I just arrived at work and had to find my keys.” Alicia said.
“Sure… So yeah I was telling you, he didn’t propose but I really thought it was the perfect timing.”
“You guys were in Washington, right?”
“No, no. I was in Washington last week for a business meeting but then, I flew to Chicago to spend the week end with Shane.” Victoria explained while she sat on her chair, turning her back on the huge floor to ceiling window overlooking the city.
“But… Are you sure you’re ready for this? I mean, maybe it’s a good thing he didn’t do it. You guys have had a typical on and off relationship lately… I don’t know if it’s a good idea to rush things.” Alicia warned her friend.
Victoria sighed and turned on her laptop. “Yeah, I know… Well, it’s been four years, honey!”
“That’s not a good reason and you know it. You guys keep fighting! Maybe it’s time to move on…”
“Allie, I’m turning 28 this year. I can’t imagine leaving him after all I’ve invested in this relationship. Plus, I’ve read this article and they say New York is the worst city in the US for single people looking for love. Just thinking about it makes me freak out. With my work schedule, I’d probably stay alone for decades!”
“Come on, Vicky! You’re smart and independent… Look at you, seriously. You’re managing what? Eighty traders?”
“A hundred twenty.”
“My God, can you believe that? Do you even realize that you have a amazing career ahead of you? You have nothing to be worried about. There are thousands of hot single men out there who would kill to be with someone like you!”
“I know, but that’s something that I can’t control… I can’t stand the idea of being abandoned and alone again. First, my mom and then… Well you know. I’m not ready to do it again - ever. Nobody can change my mind, not even you honey. Shane is not perfect, but I won’t let him go without fighting. Not this time…” Victoria replied, feeling her cheeks getting hot.
That was a very sensitive topic for her and love was the only area of her life where she wasn’t absolutely confident. She used to believe in Love and had loved unconditionally in the past, before her heart had been broken without any explanation.
She had lost the great love of her life a
nd had been looking for answers for many years. But with time, she’d learned to accept that sometimes, there were no answers in life - just unanswered questions.
Someone knocked at her door. “Allie, hold on a sec.” She said to her friend. “Come in!”
“Good morning Ms. De Lissieu.” A woman said as she entered the office. “Your coffee. I forgot to buy more stevia, do you want me to bring you some sugar?”
Victoria shook her head. “That will make me fat… I’ll take it black.”
Ellen nodded and put a folder on Victoria’s desk. “Here’s the schedule for this week. Today won’t be as busy as usual though, so you won’t have to stay too late.” She said with a smile.
Victoria took the folder and opened it, quickly glancing at it. “Excellent, thank you Ellen. Anything else?”
“Yes, Mr. Montgomery left a message for you. Here it is.” Ellen took a small memo out of her pocket and gave it to Victoria. “I know it’s none of my business but… You’re very lucky, Ms. De Lissieu… I wish I had someone like him too.”
Victoria took the note without looking at it. “Thank you, Ellen. Now if you’ll excuse me…”
“Sure. Have a great day Ms. De Lissieu.” Ellen said before leaving the room.
Victoria took her phone and continued her conversation. “Allie you’re still here?”
“Yes. Shane left you a message at work?”
“Seems like, yes… Let me read it to you, hold on a second… Okay here it is;
Dear Vicky, thank you for this amazing weekend. I’m so lucky to have you in my life. I can’t wait to see you again. I love you. Shane…
”
“Aww that’s so sweet! I wouldn’t be able to leave him after a message like that.” Alicia said.
“I don’t plan to leave him, can you stop talking about it please? We just go through a tough period in our relationship and I have to work it out.”
“Do you think it’s because of the distance?”
“Maybe… Since he’s moved to Chicago we don’t spend that much time together.”
“Do you miss him?”
“It depends… Sometimes yes, sometimes I feel guilty because I don’t think about him at all.”
“You’ll have to do something about it girl!”
“Yeah… I know… Hey Allie, I should get to work now, let’s talk later. Bye.”
Victoria hung up and took her black coffee - that was her morning ritual before getting to work.
She had been awake since 5:00am and had exercised for an hour before coming to the office. Lately, she had been into crossfit and had noticed great improvements in her body shape. She was very careful about her diet as well, especially since her mother had passed away from cancer, fifteen years ago.
Her mother was American and her father was a French ambassador in the United States, but Victoria had been raised in Paris, France. She was fluent in both English and French, but could also speak Spanish.
After the death of her mom, she and her dad had moved back to New York where her mother was from. Charles De Lissieu was a very busy man and had raised his daughter like a boy; he wanted her to be strong and independent, knowing that she’d always suffer from a lack of love and affection from her mom.
He wanted Victoria to be able to overcome anything and made sure her mind was kept busy as often as possible - violin lessons, English and French classes, horse-riding, ice-skating… He made her do a lot of activities to open her mind and broaden her horizons.
Anything that could entertain and help Victoria to grow as a normal child had been considered by Charles, who couldn’t spent as much time as he wanted with his daughter.
As a result, she was a very smart and talented woman with a can-do attitude and intellectual abilities above the norm. Due to her strong work ethic, learning capabilities and analytical skills she had landed a job as a trading floor manager at a very young age and was now thriving.
When she finished her coffee, Victoria checked the news to see if any major event had happened during the week end, that could impact the markets. She was overlooking several billions dollar in asset management for Doyle Brothers, one of the most prestigious investment bank on Wall Street.
For many people, she was at the top already - but for her, it was just the beginning. Her career had been fairly impressive so far by any standards, and she had now access to many doors that would have been kept closed otherwise. The previous month, she had been featured in Forbes magazine as one of the most talented woman in the industry and since then, many companies were trying to get her attention.
But Victoria wasn’t ready to move anywhere. She was back to her office after a week of business meetings and deal making, and had successfully brought new clients for her current employer; her future within the company was more than promising.
One of these clients in particular had caught her attention. In addition to the money she would bring to Doyle Brothers, she could also get personal benefits and was particularly interested. She had promised to call back first thing in the morning as soon as she would get back to work, to give her answer.
She took her cellphone and hesitated for a second. She didn’t really know what to say. She wanted to accept but was well aware of the potential consequences. Like anything in life, big rewards also meant big risks and she wasn’t sure she wanted to take the risk. She had accomplished so much! At the same time, she was eager to stand out and was looking to achieve more.
She turned her chair to face the huge window, and took a good look around the city. It wasn’t a small decision to make - it could mean the difference between being stuck at the same level for the rest of her life and having the opportunity to reach the highest ranks of the bank.
She dialed the number that was written on the business card she was holding and waited, her heart beating faster.
“Yes?”
“Anthony? Hello, this is Victoria De Lissieu from Doyle Brothers. I’m calling you to talk about your offer.” She said, speaking with her most confident voice.
“Hello Victoria, good to hear from you. Have you thought about it?” The man replied slowly.
“To be honest with you, I still don’t know. I really need time to think about it in more details. Last week end, I was with my fiance in Chicago and I needed to relax more than anything else.”
“I understand. Take your time… However, I want you to realize this is a very unique proposition. It’s highly confidential and you belong to a very carefully selected circle now. Only you can decide whether or not you want to go further and enjoy the feast with the rest of us…”
Victoria closed her eyes and bit her lips. She could feel the pressure and the temptation, but couldn’t decide. “I totally understand and am very grateful. But I need more time. I have to make sure I have the resources as well, in order to successfully conduct this operation - IF I decide I’m part of it…”
“Your bank and your people are the best for this type of transactions… I’m pretty sure you’ll make the right decision. You have a lot to gain, Victoria. Very few people are offered this type of opportunity in their entire life…”
Victoria knew he wouldn’t wait for an answer forever and would go to another bank if she couldn’t make up her mind fast enough. “I’ll give you my final decision by the end of the week.”
“Good answer. I hope you won’t disappoint. Goodbye, Victoria.”
She hung up and suddenly had the strange feeling she was dealing with the Devil.