Kidnapped

CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX

*T's outfit above.

- TATUYANNA TORRONO >

The sun wasn't up yet, and I was preparing for a meeting concerning a merger of a shopping center chained with multiple department stores. Flipping through the business plan, I couldn't help but be skeptical. As a business, the expansion of a company is inevitable. Hence, I blame my doubtfulness on the fact that I am still adjusting to such a high position in a company I haven't started from the bottom up.

I didn't build any of this, and it has anxiety creeping down my back in waves at the thought and possibility of messing it all up.

The fact that I'm this young and Chairwoman, is ridiculous. 

Apparently, my late father had spoken with the board members about considering me for the position of Chairwoman. Since I'm only twenty-two, it must've been arduous for him to convince them. I don't know how he did it, but I should do my best to ensure his hard work wasn't in vain. 

Now, as I sit through the meeting and hear the business plan process, the proposition wasn't bad. It was brilliant. Merging the Torrono Group's Hotel with a shopping center is our next project's best form of expansion. "Draw up a contract for Grove Mall, and have my secretary set up a meeting with the owner. I need all the legal and financial details ready by next week when I meet Mr. Vito." 

I briefly look over the details in my hands, flipping through the pages of the proposal. 

"Ms. Torrono, we have a. . . situation." Executive Abelli clears his throat. He presses a button and the news appears on the projector screen. A blur-faced individual is shown, having a sitdown with an old rival of the Torrono Group. Between them is a briefcase on the coffee table, filled with yellow gleaming items, most likely gold worth hundreds of thousands. "He's an employee." 

What the Hell.

The silhouette of that person was too familiar. I recognized him instantly. No ordinary employee would have gold bars ready to bargain with. My eyebrow twitches as I read the headlines. 

' Is the Torrono Group Facing Betrayal or Is Old Feud Dying Out? Investments Echanged In Show of  Future Union'

Even if that was true, there was already a file filled with projects to be completed in the next five years. There wasn't any room for merging with the competition. My fingertips dug deep into my side temple. "Call up an emergency meeting with the legal team, right now." I blow out a slow breath of frustration. "Good work, everyone. I'll handle this matter with our legal team. For now, focus on the tasks discussed. The next time we meet, we should have all those documents ready by the time we present them to Grove Mall's team and Mr. Vito." I push my ergonomic chair back, leaving the conference room after I ended the meeting with a thumping headache.

My body dropped onto my charcoal-colored, velvet loveseat, as my fingers massaged my temples. Old habits truly die hard. I quickly make a call, summoning the man of our recent headlines.

Moments later he barged into my office, a neutral expression on his generationally hard features. "You wanted to see me?" 

His carefree demeanor pissed me off. He doesn't even look the slightest bit guilty. "I thought we had an agreement?" My voice is calm as I hold his gaze with uncontrollable disappointment engraved into my face. 

"What are you talking about?" He sits down across from me. "Don't play dumb with me, have you seen the news?" I snap. "You met with a corporate enemy." His eyes light up like a deer caught in headlights. "What exactly did you two exchange all that gold for?" 

He swallows and avoids my eyes. 

"Breaking your arm wasn't enough to set you straight?" I frown. "Is this to spite me, Valentino? Weren't we over this little feud?"