"They say they're vegetarians, but they're dying to take a bite out of you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Flashback
A harsh slap landed on little Alfredo's cheek... A loud cry was heard. Lady Flora went out into the garden to find Alfredo crying bitterly, his cheek red from the slap... and Rodolfo standing opposite him, holding his small, broken His small broken toy... Flora approached her sons and hugged them. "What's going on here? Can you explain?" "mom , he broke my favorite toy! Look, he always does this! I hate him!" Rodolfo said, while Alfredo was still crying silently. Little Alfredo's crying intensified when he heard his brother "I'm really sorry," Alfredo said between sobs. "Shhh, calm down, my dears. Rodolfo, my dear, you shouldn't say that." She hugged them again until they calmed down. Then she said to them, "Look at me, my darlings. You are two very lucky and wonderful children. You should stay like this forever. Well, let me show you something." Hide your right hand behind your back." The two brothers did that. Then she said, "Try clapping with your left hand only." "I can't," the two of them said. "Okay, use your right hands now." Actually, clap." Oh, you see, one hand can't clap, but two can. Your brother, my little one, is your right hand that you lean on. Your brother is the one who protects your back. Your brother is your support who will never let you down and will always be by your side. You will remain like this forever, okay? " The two little ones smiled and nodded"Promise me " "I promise, Mom," the two boys said happily and hugged each other. "I'm sorry I hit you, brother. I'm sorry I broke your toys." They said to each other, Flora smiled and kissed them on the forehead, "I love you, my wonderful children." We love you, Mom
.........
10 PM
Rome
In his car Mercedes-Benz S-Class "Night Edition" Rodolfo was climbing Monte Mario hill Heading towards "La Pergola" restaurant، He had booked a table for dinner with his brother Alfredo, his mind was preoccupied the entire way. But his brother's return was a very promising start for him. When he arrived at the luxurious, three-Michelin-starred restaurant, he found the manager waiting nervously outside. As he stepped out of the car, the manager approached him quickly. "Welcome, sir. I'm delighted you chose our restaurant. Please, come in." He then escorted him to his reserved table in a private corner. The view was magnificent: large stained-glass windows overlooking St. Peter's Basilica and a view of Rome illuminated at night. The restaurant had a classic yet luxurious ambiance, as it was frequented by many dignitaries. His brother had already arrived and was waiting for him. He approached the table, shook his brother's hand, and sat down. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long," he said. Alfredo said, "No, brother, I just arrived." I'm glad you're back. What really made you change your mind? Alfredo said, "Living with one hand is truly difficult; I needed my right hand a lot, bro." Rodolfo smiled wistfully, then Alfredo added, "Don't you?" "I always do, my brother." Rodolfo said it, then the two of them rose from the table and embraced each other tightly. The embrace lasted for a while, no words or anything else, Rather, it was a profound silence, one that held what words could not convey, a silence laden with reproach, longing, love, and yearning, until Alfredo's words broke that silence: "I miss you." He whispered these words as he clung to his older brother, who had always been like a mountain in front of him, protecting him even from winds that might give him a cold. "Me too," Rodolfo said, then they broke the embrace and returned to their places. Alfredo was a handsome young man with light brown hair and eyes as green as a periwinkle. He was 24 years old, very cheerful, funny, and provocative, despite the pain he hid inside, the pain that had driven him to leave Italy for years. But he kept all of that deep inside; only his brother, his right-hand man, knew what he was feeling. "I'm hungry, come on, order food,dud"
The waiter came and Rodolfo ordered Veal medallions with black truffle"Medaglioni di Vitello al Tartufo Nero" This is the "royal" dish of Italy. Very tender Italian veal, topped with slices of black truffle, which is considered the most expensive type of mushroom in the worldThis was the main course , For the antipasto: Fatted foie gras with crisp figs and gold dust. Foie gras is considered the pinnacle of luxury in European cuisine. In restaurants, it is served with a modern twist, featuring caramelized figs and sometimes garnished with touches of edible gold leaf. The waiter carefully placed the antipasto platter before the leader, as if it were a precious jewel. The gold flakes glittered under the candlelight.The view was captivating and delicious , For dessert: Chocolate and gold dome in seven flavors (Sfera di Cioccolato ai Sette Sapori). This dish is the restaurant's signature. It's a ball or dome of luxurious chocolate, and when the waiter pours hot chocolate sauce over it, the dome melts to reveal layers of fruit, creams, and innovative sweets inside. Rodolfo smiled contentedly at his brother's admiration, for Alfredo usually spent his nights in nightclubs and dined in ordinary restaurants or street food stalls, except when he began dating models and actresses. But he didn't care much about food or restaurants because he was busy flirting with his girlfriend;playful boy !! .
The brothers began to eat slowly and talk, until Alfredo said, "Are you still a miserable bachelor?" Rodolfo gave him a mocking look, raised his eyebrow, and said, "I'm living the best days of my life, man. What miserable wretch are you talking about?" Honestly, my brother, girls are like that chocolate the waiter added to the dome; they make your life more exciting. Rodolfo sighed. "I see you've returned laden with experiences." Alfredo looked at him with pride. "Certainly, Dud, but I don't know why my relationships don't truly last." Rodolfo let out a laugh; "now I see who the miserable one is between us". "Don't mock me, perhaps fate is giving me these experiences to learn from because it has a difficult girl in store for me, and I will need this experience to deal with her." Rodolfo laughed a truly heartfelt laugh." May the Lord send you someone who will truly raise you." Alfredo sighed wearily, then said, "And you, iceberg, someone will come who will burn your heart. Believe me, all that damned ice that envelops you will melt." Rodolfo wiped his mouth with a napkin," in your filthy dreams ".
..........
In the morning, Larsen Company, 8:00 AM
It was Celia's first day of work at Larsen's hell, but despite everything, she was genuinely excited. That was her habit; she got excited about every new beginning. She arrived at the company on time. She was wearing a classic white women's suit with a fitted beige shirt underneath. The suit jacket was decorated with gold-colored studs. Her long hair was pulled up in a ponytail as usual. She wore just a little blush and nude lip gloss. She entered and greeted her colleagues, but was surprised that no one responded. Some even gave her mocking looks. Ignoring them, she followed Sarah, who took her to Rodolfo's office, where he would explain the nature of her work and its rules.
She knocked gently on the door and entered when she was allowed. "Good morning, Mr. Larsen." He showed no reaction, then he said without preamble, "Today is your first day here. It won't be just an introductory session or anything like that. I'll explain your job, and you'll start immediately. I expect discipline and good results because I'll be evaluating you at the end of each day. Here, in this company, everyone just works, so stop greeting people like a fool." She clenched her fist angrily, cursing him under her breath, then nodded. Then continue, you will Invoice archiving and classification: Organizing and auditing paper and electronic invoices Data entry: Entering daily entries into accounting software . Collection follow-up: Contacting overdue customers politely but firmly Bank account reconciliation: Ensuring that the amounts on bank statements match those recorded in the company's books. Preparing preliminary reports: Summarizing the weekly expenses for the manager. You will attend the meetings with me; your role will be... The Minute Taker's main task will be to write the "Minutes of Meeting". You will record the most important points discussed in the meeting, as well as the key deals and decisions we make, because I will review them after each meeting. You will have a small office in the room next to mine, so when I call on you, I don't expect any delays. And now, regarding the rules you can't break because the consequences will be severe—it could get you fired or worse—the…she interrupted her, saying, "What could be worse than being fired?" He looked at her coldly and said, "Rule number one: Never interrupt the manager." Then he continued Secondly, it is strictly forbidden to interfere in the discussion, even if I make a mistake. You must write it down and inform me of it later. Third, your phone must be on silent mode during work hours; I am not allowed to hear it ring, especially during meetings. Fourth, the "Medical Distractions Ban" rule. This rule will create internal conflict for her. The rule states: "It is strictly forbidden to take out any medical textbook, review your lecture notes, or even use your scientific terminology in the meeting room. From the moment we enter, you are an accounting assistant, and your memory belongs to this company only." Also, "You must be in the meeting room five minutes before everyone else, to prepare the papers and make sure the seats are arranged, and you leave after the last person leaves. You are not allowed to leave as soon as the discussion is over." And finally "Any inquiry about something you didn't understand in accounting during the meeting should not be raised in front of strangers. It should be written down on a separate sheet of paper and discussed with me in my office after they have left. Showing your ignorance of the data means showing my weakness in front of them." Is it understood? Celia nodded in agreement. "Okay, go ahead."
،،،،،،،،،،،،،،،،،،،،،،،،،،،،،،،،،،،،،،،،،،،
Celia
I felt suffocated by his words and his arrogant way of speaking. Damn it, he thinks he's some kind of king or that I'm some slave or something. Well, that won't ruin my mood, you idiot. I'll show him what it means to hire Celia Malfredi. I wasn't hesitant about the job because I've been dealing with computers since I was little. I used to help my parents when they were overwhelmed with work. Besides, when I turned eighteen, I took several training courses in computer science and other fields, so I'm not a novice like he imagines. Sarah showed me to my office. I tried to start conversations with her several times, but she was like a programmed machine, only concerned with work, treating me with arrogance and coldness. Never mind. I entered my small office; it was modest, with walls painted a light, calming green, and white curtains with some decorations. The wall behind me was made of glass, overlooking the company entrance and the neighboring buildings. There was a picture of you hanging on the wall. I looked at it; he was truly handsome, perhaps his only redeeming quality. His eyes were a deep blue, the color of the sea, but his hair was jet-black, making them stand out even more. He had a light chin and a stylish hairstyle that he'd worn ever since I'd known him. He was tall and muscular; I'd guess he was in his late twenties. But his mind is that of a senile old man.
About an hour later, the phone rang above my desk. It was Sarah informing me that there was a meeting in seven minutes. Damn the rush!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
........