Chapter 31: Unexpected encounter at the bar
In Marisa and Clarabelle’s home, a calm scene unfolded. Marisa was fast asleep, looking as peaceful as a baby. She had stayed up late the night before, thinking about her upcoming visit to Dave’s house. It was the first time a man had invited her over, and she was very excited, especially because Dave was incredibly handsome.
As Marisa dreamt about a romantic moment with Dave, she was on the verge of a kiss when someone gently tapped her shoulder and called her name.
“Let me sleep,” Marisa mumbled sleepily as she turned away, hoping to continue her dream. But the tapping and calling persisted.Content provided by NôvelDrama.Org.
Marisa groaned in frustration as she finally opened her eyes and adjusted to the sunlight. Once her eyes adapted, she saw the one who had disrupted her dream – her adorable son, Jeffrey. Her initial irritation quickly turned into warmth when she saw his cute face.
Jeffrey, with his bright, innocent eyes and a playful grin, stood beside Marisa’s bed. Her frustration melted away as she gazed upon her son’s endearing face.
With a gentle and loving tone, Marisa addressed Jeffrey, “What’s so important, my little sunshine, that you had to wake me from such a wonderful dream?”
Jeffrey’s excitement was palpable as he stammered in his eagerness, “Mom, guess what? Aunt Clara and I made you breakfast! I told aunt Clara we should prepare your favourite food and we prepared it together. I’m one hundred percent sure that you’ll love it.”
Marisa felt a deep sense of love and pride as she hugged Jeffrey. She was genuinely touched by his considerate actions. Her heart was filled with warmth, and a broad smile crossed her face as she embraced him tightly. It was clear that their love and thoughtfulness extended beyond the simple act of making breakfast.
“It appears as though our sleeping beauty has finally awakened,” a soft, feminine voice chimed in from behind, prompting both Marisa and Jefferey to gracefully turn their heads in unison. It was none other than Clarabelle, who had come into the fancy dining room, holding a shiny tray with a crystal water jug and three beautifully made glasses that sparkled in the morning sun.
With an affectionate smile, Marisa acknowledged Clarabelle’s arrival, “Good morning, Clara,” as she gracefully took her place at the dining table, a seat thoughtfully reserved beside her precious son, Jeffery.
“Morning,” Clarabelle replied with an air of effortless elegance, setting the tray on the table with an almost musical clink. She couldn’t help but playfully tease Marisa, her tone filled with a hint of intrigue, “You woke up late today, and I’m kind of curious to know why. Have you found yourself a boyfriend?”
“I wish I found one.” Marisa replied, and her mind instantly drifted off to Dave.
They started eating and within thirty minutes, they all finished eating. Then Marisa helped Clarabelle in clearing the dishes and taking them to the kitchen.
Clarabelle left for work afterwards and Marisa washed the dishes before going to get room to prepare for her upcoming visit to Dave’s house. Mere thinking about it gave her goosebumps, and she couldn’t wait for evening to arrive.
*
*
Ten black vehicles arrived at Brandie Bar, one of the trendiest spots in New York City. Numerous men, all dressed in black, quickly exited the vehicles and made their way toward a sleek black Lamborghini Aventador in the lineup. They promptly opened the rear doors of the Lamborghini, revealing the arrival of Alejandro and Alexandro, who casually had cigarettes perched between their lips.
Under the bright afternoon sun, the gold chains around their necks glistened like a symbol of their opulence. The crowd couldn’t help but watch as the twins made their way into Brandie Bar, their aura of danger and confidence radiating in every step they took. It was as if they owned the place, and their entourage, like a pack of loyal wolves, followed closely behind, their keen senses alert to any potential threats.
As Alejandro and Alexandro strolled toward the entrance of Brandie Bar, the atmosphere seemed to shift. A hush fell over the crowd, and the bouncers at the door instinctively made way for the imposing twin brothers. The doorman, a burly individual with a stern expression, quickly recognized them and nodded in acknowledgment. It was clear that the twins held a certain status in this place.
The brothers didn’t speak much, but their mere presence was enough to command respect. Their steps were purposeful, and the patrons inside the bar couldn’t help but turn their heads to catch a glimpse of the enigmatic duo. As they crossed the threshold, the ambiance inside the bar seemed to change, as if a new energy had entered the room.
Inside, the dimly lit bar was a hub of activity, with people chatting, sipping cocktails, and enjoying the live jazz music. Alejandro and Alexandro navigated through the crowd with a graceful yet determined ease. Their gold chains continued to catch the light, casting a shimmering glow on the surrounding faces.
The bar’s staff, from the bartenders to the waitstaff, were quick to attend to their needs, knowing that catering to the twins was a matter of priority or else they’d not only lose their jobs but their lives.
Alejandro and Alexandro took a seat at a reserved corner table, which offered a clear view of the entire bar. They ordered their favorite drinks and leaned back in their chairs, their vigilant eyes scanning the room, ensuring that their presence did not go unnoticed by anyone who might challenge their authority. The bar, once buzzing with conversation, had now fallen into a watchful silence.
“Dude, can you remind me why we are here?” Alexandro inquired, taking a sip from the glass of whiskey in front of him.
“We’re here to meet Livia, or whatever Stacey said her name was,” Alejandro replied, exhaling a plume of smoke from his mouth.
“And who’s this Livia?” Alexandro asked, his curiosity piqued.
“Stacey mentioned that Livia has secret information about Salvador, and Livia wants to trade that information to us for ten million dollars,” Alejandro explained.
“Well, where the heck is this Livia?” Alexandro asked with a tone of frustration.
“I’m here,” a feminine voice declared from behind them. The twins turned their heads to see a woman dressed entirely in black. She wore a sleek black leather jacket, black trousers, black boots, and completed her mysterious look with a black face cap and dark shades.
The room seemed to hold its breath as the enigmatic woman made her presence known. Her aura exuded confidence and a hint of danger, much like the twins themselves. Her identity was shrouded in secrecy, and the atmosphere around their table crackled with anticipation.
Livia approached the twins with a composed demeanor, her every step exuding an air of confidence. She stopped in front of their table, her dark shades concealing her eyes, and greeted them with a respectful nod. “Lord Alejandro, Lord Alexandro,” she acknowledged, her voice calm and composed. The way she said their names hinted at a familiarity with their world, a world of shadows and secrets.
With a graceful, fluid motion, she pulled out a chair and sat down across from the twins, her movements as controlled as her words. Her apology was swift but sincere, “I apologize for being late. It wasn’t my intention, but unforeseen circumstances delayed me.”
The twins exchanged a brief, knowing look. They were accustomed to dealing with unpredictable situations and latecomers, but Livia’s presence had an intriguing quality that made them willing to overlook the tardiness.
As the conversation began, Livia leaned forward slightly, the soft hum of the bar’s activities surrounding them. The dim lighting played off her dark shades, giving her an enigmatic allure. “Let’s get down to business, Lords,” she said, her tone businesslike. “I have information about Salvador Morello, and I’m willing to share it with you. But it comes at a price.”
Alejandro and Alexandro exchanged another glance, a silent agreement passing between them. They had come prepared for this negotiation, well aware that valuable information in their line of work never came without a price tag. “Ten million dollars, isn’t it?” Alejandro affirmed.
Livia nodded beneath her dark shades. “That’s correct. Ten million dollars, and the information is yours. I assure you, it’s information that will be worth every penny.”
The twins leaned back in their chairs, their confidence unwavering. The twins regarded Livia with calculating eyes, fully aware of the gravity of the situation. To them, ten million dollars was nothing, and they were prepared to pay the ten times the price if the information she possessed could give them an advantage over their long time enemy and rival-Salvador Morello.
“Before we proceed, we need to ensure the authenticity of the information you claim to have,” Alexandro said, his voice measured as he continued smiling.
Livia leaned back, her demeanor still composed. “I understand your caution. The information I possess is verifiable, and I’m willing to provide you with a sample. However, the full details will be disclosed upon receipt of the agreed-upon sum.”
The twins nodded in agreement. The offer of a sample was a common practice in their line of work. “Show us what you have,” Alejandro said, his curiosity piqued.
With a subtle, confident smile, Livia reached into a black leather bag by her side. She withdrew a sealed envelope, and without uttering a word, she placed it on the table, pushing it gently toward the twins. The envelope bore no markings, and its contents remained a mystery.
With a silent agreement, Alejandro reached out and took the envelope. His fingers deftly broke the seal, and he extracted a single photograph. It was an image of Salvador, a high-ranking figure in their world and their longtime enemy, engaged in a private conversation with a known rival. The photograph was a testament to the authenticity of Livia’s claims.
Livia’s dark shades concealed her eyes, but her slight nod conveyed a sense of satisfaction. “This is just a glimpse of what I possess,” she explained. “The full information includes details on Salvador’s recent dealings, alliances, and plans that could be invaluable to you.”
The twins exchanged another look, a mixture of intrigue and calculation in their eyes. The photograph spoke volumes, and the potential implications of the information Livia held were clear.
Alejandro leaned forward, fixing Livia with a serious gaze. “I see that the rumours about you having secret information about Mafia organisations is true.”
“Yep.” Livia nodded with a smirk as Alejandro returned the photograph to the envelope, which she promptly took back and secured in her bag.
With the understanding that the deal was in motion, Alejandro signaled to his right-hand man, Bruno, who had been discreetly observing the entire meeting. Bruno, a burly and unflinching figure, approached the table with a sturdy suitcase in his grasp. Bruno placed the suitcase in front of Livia, and with a subtle nod, he stepped back, maintaining a watchful eye on the surroundings.
Livia’s gloved hands deftly unlocked the suitcase, and as she lifted the lid, her composed demeanor remained unshaken. However, the sight that met her eyes left no room for pretense. The suitcase was stacked with neat bundles of fresh dollar notes, each bill crisp and unblemished.
She glanced up at Alejandro and Alexandro, who had been watching her closely, their expressions inscrutable. “Impressive,” she acknowledged. “It seems we’re all committed to seeing this through.”
The twins merely nodded in response, their eyes never leaving Livia’s face. Alejandro then leaned forward and fixed his gaze on Livia. His voice was deep and businesslike as he said, “Now that we’ve honored our end of the agreement, it’s time for you to share what you know about Salvador Morello.”
Livia closed the suitcase, her gloved fingers lingering on the stack of bills for a moment. She then set it aside and leaned in, her dark shades concealing her eyes. “Salvador Morello,” she began, “is the leader of the Morello family. He is involved in a series of clandestine negotiations with a rival syndicate. These negotiations have the potential to destroy his rivals, which includes the Gambino family.”
As Alejandro, Alexandro, and Livia delved deeper into their discussion, Alejandro’s sharp instincts picked up on a presence that made his blood boil. His dark eyes, usually cool and composed, now blazed with anger as he recognized the figure entering the bar. It was none other than Dave, the man who dared to get close to his possession.
Alejandro watched with a mixture of anger and caution as Dave took a seat in a quiet corner of the bar. Just like clockwork, a woman dressed in a striking red gown and black sunglasses made her entrance, heading directly for Dave’s table.
Alejandro’s attention shifted entirely from the conversation with Livia and Alexandro to the unfolding scene across the bar. His intense curiosity got the better of him as he observed Dave and the woman in red engage in a hushed conversation. His eyes narrowed when he noticed Dave handing the woman a photograph of Marisa.