บท 4: The search for HER
Chapter 3: The search for HER
'The intended design for the latest ship in the Perini Navi shipyard is a trident which will stand at approximately 355 ft. This design is not just unique but has never been seen before. It is designed to have the flexibility to stand vertically instead of the routine ship's horizontal position. The transition of this ship from its horizontal to the vertical position should take about 30 minutes with the assurance of it being a sight to behold. This ship would pave the way for a new shipbuilding order.'
Maria read the details of the prototype and was amazed. She knew Vincenzo was intelligent, but she didn't expect it to be that good. It made things much more enjoyable. She had asked her spy Simeon to create a company for her where she would use in her scheme, and he had sent her the details of his creation.
She stared at her MacBook, smiling triumphantly. She needed to approve this prototype submitted by the fake company and watch the chaos begin. She reviewed the project and was satisfied with the word. Ready to press send, the door flew open, and Ursula strode in.
"Princenzessin!" Maria screamed in German.
"Ciao signora," Ursula responded in a funny Italian accent.
"What was that about?" Maria asked, confused.
"What do you think?" She asked, smiling. Her question was met with dead silence and a confused stare.
"Oh, for fucks sake! I'm learning to speak your language, silly," she pranced around in annoyance.
"Oh," Maria said, still confused.
"What? Just oh? You're so annoying," Ursula replied, pouting.
"Ursula, we don't have time for tantrums. Come see this work I'm about to send out, and tell me what you think about it?"
"Fine!" She rolled her eyes and walked towards Maria. Tilting until she was leveled with the MacBook, she squinted, trying to see what got Maria in her typical mood.
"I'm guessing this is the prototype," she said after a quick scan.
"Right," Maria nods.
"It's brilliant. Even though I'm an engineer with a shipbuilding company conglomerate to yours, I know nothing about shi, and you know you're book-wise, and I'm not, but this design alone would make me want to splash some cash."
"I've seen better," Maria said, rolling her eyes, and Ursula giggled.
"Is that all you have to say?"
"I mean, I see the vision" Maria quickly sensed hesitation in her voice.
"What is it?" She asked.
"I mean, I don't know. It's probably nothing," Ursula's mood changes.
"No, it's nothing," she insisted.
"Okay. Not to be a Debby downer but don't you think stealing something so essential and using it against him is too harsh?" She asked.
Ursula asked, genuinely concerned with how far Maria was willing to go. She would always back her friend, but she needed to make sure Maria understood what she was getting into.
"Ha! I'll pretend you didn't just say that," Maria said, waiting for a retraction.
"Yeah, like I said...nothing" Ursula made to leave, but Maria's words stopped her.
"You're unbelievable right now, princess. Too harsh? Am I being too much? I've barely even scratched the surface," she screamed and began to pace.
"You more than anyone know the scars I carry from the torture I endured in the hands of that family. You were there when the nightmares were so terrible I'll get seizures. You were there through the PTSD I got when men talked to me. You saw me cry and wail. I mourned the life I Could have had daily, and you saw it all. How dare you look me in the eyes and tell me I'm being too harsh, Ursula?" Maria said her eyes were tearing up.
"You misunderstand me, Mari," Ursula finally said after forever. "When I told you I'll be your voice of reason, I meant it. What you're about to do is going to cause a ripple effect. I will always side you, but I need to know you're ready for whatever comes your way."
"And the bit about being too harsh on Vincenzo?" She asked, still upset.
"Has he done anything to you? Should he be the one you're directing all this anger towards?" She asked reasonably, but Maria was far too gone to care about reasons.
"I don't care what he did or didn't do. I'm coming for the whole Santoro clan, and there will be no exceptions. Now, if you cannot stomach the sight of me doing what I believe is right, then you can walk out the door and never turn back" she turned to her computer, and hit send.
"Leave? Now you listen and listen very carefully to me, Maria," she said, pointing her fingers and slowly walking towards Maria. "Do you think you'll get rid of me that easily? Or do you conveniently forget that I'm a German princess, a royalty?" Ursula announces.
Maria blinked confused, and then burst into a feat of laughter. "Jesus, Ursula. What does that have to do with anything?" She said, struggling to catch her breath because of how hard she laughed.
"Well, it did make you laugh, right?" Ursula grins, seeing how happy she made Maria.
"It sure did," she said, and they laughed together. Not just for their amusement but because in the back of their minds, they knew they had just sealed their bond, and no one could ever break it.
—
VINCENZO
-FLASHBACK-
"Vince, what are you so deep in your head?" Marco said, creating a space besides Vincenzo to sit.
"Nothing," Vince replied quietly.
"It's definitely not nothing," he insisted.
"It's something stupid to be honest."
"Well then, be honest" Marco patted his back to show him his support for whatever may be going on with him.
"I like a girl, but she won't even give me the time of day," he suddenly blurted out.
"Wow! That's what has you all bent out of shape?" Marco asked in shock.
"Isn't that enough reason?"
"Well, I'm not surprised. You've always been a lover boy," he smirked.
"You say that like it's supposed to be a bad thing," Vince said timidly.
"Don't get me wrong, and everyone is different. I don't see myself ever caring about girls that way. They're too stressed. Take, for example, my sister. I love her to death, but she's so mean and evil."
"Don't talk about Maria like that," Vince flared up and made to leave.
"Calm down, Amico. Why are you all worked up? Everyone knows my sister can be mean."
"Maria is the sweetest girl I've ever seen. She's not only kind but gorgeous. You should appreciate your sister more, Marco," Vince replied, still standing.
"The way you're being so defensive, one would think she's the girl with whom you have feelings towards." Marco smiled, amused.
"What? No way! I'm just angry you can't appreciate your sister. Some of us wish we had siblings you know," Vince quickly said.
Marco noticed how his voice was slightly pitchy but chose to ignore it. If Vince liked his sister, it wouldn't be that bad. He was a good boy. As long as their parents never find out. It should be all good.
"Whatever, man. Let's go get something to eat before lunch break is over."
"I'm not hungry," Vince replied stubbornly.
"Okay, I promise to be nicer to Maria," Marco said, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"You promise?" He looks up at Marco.
"I promise," Marco nods.
"Okay, let's go." Vince mouthed.
-
Vince's thoughts were interrupted by the intrusion of his sexy secretary into his office space. He looked up to see her pout seductively at him.
She threw him a wink and proceeded to sashay towards him. He had seen this scene replay too many times and was now totally bored of it.
"What do you want, Priscilla?" He asked unamused.
"That's no way to talk to a lady bel giovanatto," she drawled.
"Point me in the direction, and I'll remember my manners," he said bluntly.
"Ouch! You hurt my feelings, Amor," she stopped at his table and slowly sat on it. "You look so tense. What have you all worked up" she asked. She tried to massage his shoulders, but he caught her hands midway.
"I believe you're not so disconnected from reality to not realizing we are in an office space. My office at that," he spat with rage.
"Oh, I know. I also know that an office is a room used for work purposes, and there are different forms of work signor," she said, leaning into his ears.
"You've officially lost it now. State your reasons for being here and leave Priscilla. I won't repeat this."
"Fine, you're so unromantic" she plopped on the seat opposite him, sending him deathly stares. "Matteo said Kevin sent a message about the whereabouts of the woman you're looking for!" that got his interest as he dropped the documents he was holding and fully faced her.
"Go on" Vince looks at her eagerly.
"Well, he said to tell you that the only thing he knows for certain is that she is not in Germany. Meaning she could be anywhere. Even here in Milan," Vincenzo's eyes widened at her last utterance.
If Maria were really in Milan, then indeed he would be awarded. How did she manage to escape his rage every time? he thought, devastated.
"What I don't understand is why you're so interested in this woman," Priscilla frowned.
"I don't have obligations to tell you my business, but if you insist, she's everything you're not," he said.
"And what do you mean by that?" she angrily asked.
"It means that while you're a desperate dick, always on the lookout for the next upper echelon to latch onto, that lady worked hard to build an empire."
"I will not have you insult me, Vincenzo Santoro. Not after everything I've done for you!" Priscilla stood up and made to leave when Vincenzo drew her back.
"Sit," He commands.
"Apologize first," She grumbled.
"I said to sit." He repeats.
"Ughhh!" She groaned and sat down.
"That's much better," he cleared his throat and continued, "I shouldn't have been that harsh with you," he said.
"That's the shittiest apology I ever heard, but whatever" Priscilla rolled her eyes.
"Well, did Matteo say any other thing?"
"Not really. Just that we should look into the possibilities of her being in Milan."
"Do you have anything else to tell me, Cilla?" Vincenzo asked, noticing a slight hesitation.
"I think I know a way to find out her whereabouts if she's in Milan." He finally stated.
"And what's that way?" He asked earnestly.
"I know a man that works in the private section of the Milan international airport. If she had arrived in Milan, he could maybe have seen her."
"Priscilla, if you find me this information I need, name whatever you want, and it will be done," he said excitedly.
"Wow. She's that special to you, huh?" she replied with a hint of envy.
"She is the key to advancing the Perini Navigation System. Of course, she's special to me and everyone else interested in the growth and development of this company,"
Priscilla laughed, rolling her eyes. "I'm not a fool, Vince. Your demeanor changes whenever you speak about her. She makes you weak, and a weak Vince is the least attractive," she replied, throwing in the bait.
"Whatever my issues with Maria are, remains that. This is business, and I don't think I need to defend my actions to anyone," Vince replied defensively, and Priscilla laughed again.
He had caught the bait, and now she would become a third player in whatever game. She was never the one to see an opportunity to exploit and not seize it.
"Let it be as you've said," she replied as they stared intensely at each other. Vincenzo wondered what was going through her mind. He knew Priscilla was loyal to him, but he asked if her loyalty to him could be bought with the right price.
He didn't trust women. He was too much of a man, too. That's why he would rather pay for loyalty. He wondered how long before someone provided a giant cheque and how it could change things forever.
"I'll get you the information you need," She smirks.
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