Alejandro

5 days. 5 goddamn days.

Diana had been ignoring me for five days. I honestly didn't think she could go this long but boy did she prove me wrong. I couldn't take it anymore.

Today was Wednesday. After looking more into the matter of the unaccounted assets, I discovered it was deeper than I thought. I called in the head of my finance department asked who was in charge of handling our assets and got the shock of my life. It was Natalie. Now I was scared of finding out if Diana was actually right.

I made my way to Natalie's office. Yeah office, can't believe I did that. I opened the door and stalked in. She was lounging in the chair and filing her nails. I remembered when I told Diana she was a devoted employee.

How ironic.

As soon as she saw me, she dropped the nail file. "Hey baby", she purred, "Finally realized that I'm the one you should be with?"

I was angry. So I got straight to the point, "Have you been stealing money from me?"

A look of fear flashed in her eyes before she hid, "baby what are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb with me Natalie. Are you the one whose been stealing my money?"

"Baby you're stressed, that's all this is and now you're not thinking right. I knew that bitch couldn't take care of you. Now just let me treat you right"

She came over to me and started unbuttoning my shirt. I stopped her hands

"I'm not playing Natalie. Answer the question", I said through clenched teeth

"Baby c'mon let me take care of you", her hands started wandering again but this time towards my pants.

I shoved her hands off me and then pinned her by the neck with my hands to the desk.

"Goddamn it Natalie. I'm gonna ask you one last time. Are you stealing my money?". She seemed to hesitate so I tightened my hands around her throat. Her eyes teared up and her face took on a petrified look.Good. "Did you?!!!" I yelled. Then she started crying.

"I didn't mean it Aly. It was all him"

"You whore. I should've listened to Diana. You're nothing but a snake", I tightened my hands

She clawed at my arms, "You gotta believe me. He made me do it". I could barely here her. All I could think of was ending the life of another woman who betrayed me. Her face started turning an ugly shade of pink. I let go only for the devil himself to saunter in.

"Hey babe I-", he seemed to notice the situation we were in, "What the hell are you doing Delmanti?, get away from her"

I did. Then I stalked towards him and punched him square in the jaw. "You really thought you were going to take my company. My hard work.", I kicked him a few times

"I am gonna take it you asswipe. All your money's gonna be mine", he grinned showing me his bloody teeth.

I answered with a grin of my own, "And what makes you so sure of that?"

He laughed, "I already got your shareholders on board. You're done for"

"You mean the same shareholders I contacted and told your real plans?", his eyes widened and so did my grin, "They're all here as we speak working to make sure men like you leave our world forever. This is for the big boys Paxton" I turned to leave but stopped, "Oh, and enjoy jail"

Natalie who had only been watching the scene unfold paled. "Wha- what, Aly baby c'mon"

"You don't have any proof Delmanti", Dicky spat up some more blood

"But I do Dicky. Remember the day you so joyously informed about your cocaine guy?", It was his turn to go pale, "All recorded. I really don't think he's gonna be happy knowing you're the reason he's getting some jail time. But I'm sure the three of you are gonna work it out". This sent Natalie's adrenaline into hyperdrive

"Th-three of us?, Aly you gotta believe me. He made me do it. He told me he was gonna hurt me if I didn't. I was just doing to protect you baby. Please believe me", she came up to me, latched unto my arm and looked at me with pleading eyes.

"You bitch!", Dicky yelled.

"I suggest you get prepared Natalie. Orange never was your colour". If her eyes widened any further, I'm sure they would pop out of her head. I opened the door to let in security, "I want them out of my building and I never want to see them again"

They dragged out a fighting Dicky and a screeching Natalie. I straightened my shirt and returned to my office. I sat down a released a heavy sigh. How was I going to get Diana to talk to me. Now that I knew she was telling the truth, I felt something I hadn't in a very long time.

Guilt.

My thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of the phone. If Diana was here she would've been answering it by now but no, I had to be a dick.

I picked it up and released a gruff hello

"Wow what crawled up your ass?"

"Sebastien", I said

I had known Sebastien Hapstall for 7 years. I had met him in my early years as a struggling entrepreneur. He was one of the few people who were stupid enough to continually try to get close to me. Yes stupid. After Diana left me I was closed off. Didn't let anyone in, not even Nonna at first. Around the town I resided in, I was branded as the dark brooding guy in black. I won't be surprised if they all thought I was a drug dealer. Sebastien was the first friend I made. I didn't want him around me at first but after his constant pestering, I gave in. He helped me get where I am today. He was kind of my support system when I needed it. A strong business partner and probably my only other friend besides Valeria, even though I would never openly admit that.

"Yo Aly, you there?"

"Yeah yeah sorry I um spaced out"

"What were you thinking about?, your gorgeous wife?"

Shit!. "I'm sorry Seb, it completely slipped my mind"

"That's what you say when you forget to pick up the laundry Alejandro not when you forget to tell your best friend you're getting married", he was practically yelling at me.

"You're not my best friend Sebastien", I interjected

"Keep telling yourself that"

"I will"

"So when am I gonna meet her?", he asked

"I don't know"

"You can bring her to dinner, O's making chicken pot pie"

"We're in New York Seb, you're in London, it's 4 o'clock"

"So no chicken pot pie?", I released an exasperated sigh, it was a surprise as to how his company was in top condition.

"No Sebastien. No chicken pot pie"

"Well that sucks. Oh wait, you can bring her to Cuba with you"

"When did I say I was going to Cuba?"

"You forgot didn't you?"

"Forgot what?", I asked

"Goddamn it Alejandro, you're gonna die without me. We're supposed to go to Cuba to review the final plans for the construction of our resort"

"Oh", I said

"Yeah oh. We're supposed to be there in 2 days"

"Okay then. I'll make some plans"

"Yeah, so um are you gonna bring her?"

I thought about it. She still wasn't talking to me so it would be a pretty awkward trip. On the other hand maybe this would prompt her to speak to me again. I would never know until I tried, "Yes I will. If she agrees", I whispered the last sentence but obviously he heard me

"Trouble in paradise already?"

"Goodbye Sebastien", I dropped the receiver.

I had accomplished much today. Done a lot of work, rid my company of some pests, the day had been eventful.

Now to convince my wife to come with me to Cuba.

***********************

Diana

It was like he was walking on eggshells. He kept giving me furtive glances he thought I didn't notice. I found myself wondering what was wrong with him. He opened his mouth, like he wanted to tell me something but quickly shut his mouth. We were having dinner when he cleared his throat

"You were right", he saidI was confused. Right about what?. "Natalie. I confronted her and she um...she confessed"

Hallelujah!. The evil bitch was gone. I looked at him, waiting for my apology but he only stared back. We kept on staring at each other.

"So I have to go to Cuba to review the final construction plans for my resort and I was wondering if you wanted to tag along", he said

What the hell?. No apology, no I'm sorry?. I should really shave his head.

"Do you want to come?"

I was about to give him a blatant no but his words registered in my mind. Cuba. I had heard so much about the place. It's exoticism, it's pretty beaches. I mean I was still mad at him, after everything he said he didn't apologise. But I wasn't going to let that get between me and a quality vacation. So I found myself nodding.

"We leave in 2 days. I suggest you start getting ready", he said

I left the table and walked to the room. Thinking of the ideal vacation wardrobe.

I'm going to make Signore Delmanti beg.

***********************