Ryan's POV
I sat at home since it was the weekend and I needed to get through some files. My phone rang out and I stared at the screen. One of the godfathers of the city and a business partner was calling me.
I picked the call up. "Hello."
"Hello to you too, Ryan. How are you doing today?" Mr. Gerard spoke with his overly sophisticated tone.
I rolled my eyes because he has always been off putting to me but at least he brings in good money.
"I'm fine, and you? How is your wife and daughter doing?"
He heaved a sigh as if he was disappointed. "I am doing just fine, so is my wife but not my baby, Thecla."
I knew this was coming. I always detested when he brought up his daughter in conversations.
"That's pretty disappointing, I'm sure she'll be just fine."
He then chuckled darkly because he knew I was trying to dodge his comment. "You can run away from this conversation but you can't hide."
"I don't seem to understand you, Sir?"
"You know why Thecla is down, you married someone else. I thought you guys seemed perfect for each other?"
"Sir, I don't know what you thought but we didn't have chemistry. We went on a date but it didn't yield anything much."
"And that made you settle for a whore?" His tone is taunting and disrespectful.
A growl rumbled in my chest. "You will do well to mind what you say about my wife."
"That isn't even a wife you should be proud of. She is a whore, have you checked her records in the past? You left my well groomed daughter and settled for someone fat below her standards."
I knew that I didn't look into Elena's last but one thing I'm certain of is that she isn't some whore. I have dealt with loose women for most of my life and one can smell them from a mile away.
"You know that I don't take insults from anyone, not even a godfather. You will do well to stop the nonsense coming out of your mouth."
His tone suddenly went dark. "You've always been arrogant and I could barely stand you but now you seem to have gotten even more guts because of your father in-law. He might be the most powerful amongst us but you're nothing but a pesky little dog."
"Have a great day." Just as I was about to drop the phone from my ears he shouted.
"Before you think of dropping the phone just know that every business tie I had with you is cut off. The new estate we were supposed to build is cancelled."
"I can't say I'm surprised. You're always one to mix business with personal misgivings. Have a great day, Mr. Gerard."
"Just know that your time is ticking. Someone is desperate to bring you down and I hope he succeeds, haven't you noticed a reduction in new partnerships? You're in for a long ride, young man." He bellowed in laughter.
I cut the call in anger and dropped my phone hard against the office table. Everything was going just fine including the crime empire my father left me but right now things are not going as I thought.
A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. "Who's there?" I asked because I wasn't expecting anyone and I had told my guards not to disturb me.
"It is George, Sir. Miss Ericsson is here and she insists on speaking with you."
I placed my palm against my forehead. What have I done to make this woman refuse to let me be? I know that if I don't let her in she might cause a ruckus and I don't need that kind of bad publicity just after the fight saga at the office with Elena.
"Let her in."
"Okay, Sir." George said after a while, it would seem like everyone really doesn't like her.
In minutes my door was pushed open pretty aggressively. I carved myself the worse.
"What do you want, Monalisa?" I made sure to keep my tone stern and firm.
I won't lie, Monalisa is an extremely attractive young woman and very charismatic. She understands the cruelty in business and is intelligent but she betrayed me once and that's the last chance I give anyone.
Her red lips pouted in mock disappointment. She sat on a chair facing me and crossed her long legs, the slit of her dress showing just the right amount of skin.
"Do I distract you, Ryan?" She had a smirk on her face that I wished I could wipe off.
"You're an attractive woman, Monalisa but I also know that you're a snake with no heart at all. Whatever feelings I ever had for you got buried after the affair you had."
She rolled her eyes and dropped her little purse on the table.
"You're being melodramatic! It was just an affair for my company to get a contract with Walton's Enterprise. You're being a sissy."
"Thank you for noticing. So why don't you leave me alone. I don't remember booking an appointment with you."
"I told you that if I can't have you, no one can. You thought I was pulling your legs. I will have you for myself."
"If you have nothing to say, just leave."
She smirked in my direction and pulled out her phone showing me a picture from across the table. I squinted my eyes and it was a picture of my wife, Elena with a young man. They both looked like they were still in college.
"So?"
"Your woman's ex boyfriend is currently working in your firm, in the same department with her. Doesn't it count as something? Why now?"
"Let's say she is even having an affair behind my back. You would be the last person that I would believe."
"Suit yourself, they both had a dark history in college and you might just wind up hurt. But what do I know? Let me be on my way, hopefully your eyes will open."
She picked up her pause and walked right out of the office.
I picked up my phone and called George. He picked up after the first ring.
"Have you placed the tracker on her vehicle?"
"Yes, Sir. It is done."
"Perfect." I cut the call immediately.
I don't believe a word coming out of her mouth but I need to know why the sudden interest in me once more. Monalisa never does anything that wouldn't profit her.
Let me see what you've been up to these days, Monalisa.