Chapter 104: Chapter 104

104 Who Was The Better Man

“Have you sent flowers and message Clara that she would accompany me to the funeral service today,” Marcel said while working on his silver cuffs.

He was dressed impeccably in his black suit for the event. Although he didn’t dress to impress, Marcel had a good structure plus his drop-dead gorgeous face. His features were lasting in one’s memory even at a first meeting.

Even when Marcel didn’t put any effort, he looked dashing compared to when he cleaned up nicely. However, for such a handsome face, his expression was stoic, giving him a strict and imposing aura. With this impression, he would not be taken for granted wherever he went.

“Yes, I did, sir. ” The man answered him.

This was an errand Macy would have taken care of if she had been around but until she recovered from her “broken nose” her position would be occupied by Samuel.

Samuel was no other than the soldier that had dragged Arianna out of the room and handed her over to Kenith per Marcel’s instructions.

There was a moment of silence between them as Marcel checked himself through the mirror until he was satisfied with his appearance.

“And what about the other errand?” Marcel asked, pushing back a stubborn strand.

“Other errand?” Samuel was confused until Marcel’s cold gaze cut straight at him through the mirror and he was startled.

.....

That hostile gaze from Marcel jump-started Samuel’s memory and he remembered at once.

“Oh,” He said, then cleared his throat, “Of course, I did sir,”

“Very good,” Marcel said, finally releasing the breath he had been holding in. Since Big Joe has been informed of Arianna’s return, her life would be guaranteed. For now.

Call it male instinct or his farsightedness, Marcel was able to sense that Kenith didn’t have good intentions towards Arianna.

Well, it was not hard to figure out since Arianna was a pretty girl and the beautiful ones were usually a beacon for bad men – including him. Yeah, he was not calling the pot black.

“But there is something else, “Samuel suddenly said and that made Marcel turn with a deep furrow on his face.

“What is it?” Marcel felt the ring on his finger, he had a bad vibe.

“Big Joe was already on his way home before I could send the news,”

“What are you talking about?” Marcel was interested now.

“According to my Intel, it seems that he got the news of Arianna’s return before he was informed by our people,” Samuel murmured while swallowing a lump as he saw the way Marcel’s face darkened.

“Then who relayed the news if not from our side because I’m sure as hell that Kenith kept his mouth sealed?!”

“That is the problem, sir,” Samuel said meekly, his head lowered, “We don’t know,”

But Marcel knew and that made his blood boil.

“Seriously!” Marcel kicked the air, seething with anger. He worked his ties, and after loosening it – because it gave him a suffocating sensation – he tossed it to the ground and stamped on it hard.

Elijah! Elijah! Elijah!

Why was that bastard always a step ahead of him?!

It made Marcel furious! No matter what plans he made, it seemed like Elijah was already ten steps ahead.

And now, it was no longer a battle of his guns or Arianna, it was a battle of competence! Who was the better man?

Marcel had always deemed himself worthy and capable of his position and ability but Elijah has proved that otherwise by beating him two times in a row. He stepped on his honor and he had to get that back.

Marcel was determined to prove himself better than Elijah, not only for his gratification but for his legacy as well – and to show Arianna that he was a better option.

Although releasing that information to Big Joe was not to win points but who knows? Arianna might reconsider when she hears that – as selfish as that sounds. Unfortunately, that won’t be happening anymore since Elijah stole his glory.

“Boss, are you alright?” Samuel couldn’t help but ask when he saw how red Marcel was in the face.

“Leave me alone!” Marcel ordered him and the man was more than willing to leave the room. In situations like this, it was better to leave Marcel to battle with his demons all by himself.

Feeling suffocated again, Marcel opened the top three buttons of his shirt while taking deep breaths just as his door was pushed open and someone walked in without even a knock for privacy’s sake. And of course, he didn’t need to guess who that was.

Marcel turned to glare at Victor who stopped in his tracks only to give him a look over.

“That is so not fair,” Victor complained, shaking his head, “I was going for that concept now it would only look like I was copying you. I’m not a copycat, you know.” He gestured at Marcel’s shirt left open at the neck.

Looking at Victor got Marcel further agitated, his cousin was like a nagging wife. Some days it felt like he was really married to him.

Victor noticed the unsmiling look on Marcel’s face and didn’t bother him anymore knowing one thing could keep his cousin that way.

Arianna.

Nor was he ready to start another argument with Marcel. The girl was a sensitive topic for both of them.

“You are really going to get it from your father today,” Victor brought up another serious topic to clear the tension.

“I know,” Marcel said, looking everywhere but at his cousin. He was still pissed off by the fact he wouldn’t support his plans, “Why do you think I’m coming with Clara?”

Victor chuckled, “You are going to use her as a shield,”

“And to welcome her to the hell she’s getting into,” Marcel said.

Victor smiled, “At least your head is back in the game,”

Marcel stiffened, knowing what Victor was insinuating yet he didn’t say anything. Some matters were better left the way it was.

“So what about Mimi?” Victor brought her matter up waiting for a response from his dear cousin who only said,

“That’s your business to figure out, not mine,”

“What?”