Made of Steel

52. Coma

Adriano Di Lauro

The panes of my office windows refract the light exquisitely onto my legs as I stare into space, and that simple contact makes me think of how perfect my wife looks on them.

It is exactly that association that makes me weigh how much in love I am with Cassandra and how much I intend to fight to make her happy.

Everything that she has created within me is impressive, what makes me feel and what life gives me. She has become the reason for my existence and my children have finished building by their side the family I thought would be null and void forever.

During those moments in which I thought I had lost her, that life threatened me with her absence, I understood how much she meant to me. So, she made me thaw the iceberg that one day I was.

Nothing and no one can take her away from me... Today Cassandra is mine in every way, just as I am hers.

"Here's the resort's financial report," my right hand interrupts my thoughts by appearing abruptly in front of me. Very strange, since walking silently isn't his style. "You're where you want."

"How are we doing on Frost Companies stock?" I ask as I flip through the report. As usual, everything is going according to plan.

"Those of the hotel chain have gone down with the competition, but those of the construction company remain," he adds with a serious expression. What fly has bitten him? "He still owns half of the buildings in the country."

"Yes, but hotel business is his family legacy," I clarify. "He can be very successful in all spheres, likewise he will feel frustrated because his inheritance is going down the drain."

"As you say."

His mere presence already irritates me. Now he doesn't even reply. Pietro Varca manages to irritate me in any of his facets.

"He is preparing a good proposal for the purchase," I demand.

"Okey."

"How is the adoption process going?"

"It is already done."

I am waiting for some ridicule or comment out of place. However, nothing arrives.

I snort loudly before putting the papers down next to the pen on the table.

"Ten minutes," I blurt out dryly. "I'll give you ten minutes to explain to me what the hell is going on with you."

In response, he approaches the minibar and pours two glasses of Bourbon and then, he hands me one.

"I have made a terrible mistake and now I must pay the consequences."

"What have you done, Pietro?", I ask before taking a sip of the drink. I have a slight suspicion on the matter.

The lawyer downs the glass to the bottom in a single gulp, then stares into the glass. He supposedly hates her and that's why he has a hard time saying it out loud.

He lets out a long sigh before replying,

"I've gotten involved with the worst of harpies... and I've been trapped."

"Trapped how?", I urge him to continue. I sense that there is something more behind the conflict of emotions.

"She is pregnant."

I think for the first time in my life I am speechless. This is not what I expected. Knowing the woman he refers to, I know that accidents do not exist with her. She is just as methodical and cold as I am.

"And are you sure it's yours?"

His face disfigures at my question, but I remain undaunted. I can expect anything from her.