𝟷𝟹. "... 𝙸'𝚖 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢"

PEARL'S P.O.V

Vega’s Place Earns Three-Star Rating from Esteemed Food Critic.

Vega’s Place, the upscale restaurant owned by renowned chef and entrepreneur Bella Wayne, has just been awarded a prestigious three-star rating from esteemed food critic Jonathan Reeves. Located in the heart of Los Angeles, Vega’s Place has quickly become a culinary hotspot known for its innovative dishes and elegant ambiance.

Reeves, known for his sharp critiques and high standards, praised the restaurant for its “bold flavors, impeccable presentation, and seamless blend of classic and contemporary cuisine.” In his review, he highlighted the restaurant’s signature dishes, including its truffle-infused risotto and expertly crafted seafood platter.

Bella Wayne, the mastermind behind Vega’s Place, expressed her excitement over the recognition. “This rating is a testament to the hard work of our incredible team. We strive to create an unforgettable dining experience, and I’m grateful to see that passion reflected in this review.”

Since opening its doors, Vega’s Place has garnered attention for its refined yet welcoming atmosphere, attracting both food enthusiasts and celebrities alike. With this latest achievement, the restaurant is expected to see a surge in reservations, solidifying its status as one of LA’s must-visit dining destinations.

For those eager to experience Vega’s Place, reservations are highly recommended as demand is expected to rise following this latest accolade.

Three stars. How disappointing.

I expected more. I guess we have come a long way from striving for the best, now everyone was settling for less. A knock resounded on the door but I didn't answer, I hated being interrupted when I'm reading the papers.

The knock came again and I sighed and lowered it, looking up at the door. The knock resounded again and I finally answered, "come in"

The door slowly creaked open and some red head woman slid in, she pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. Her head cast down, she didn't look up. "Can I help you?" I snapped, already irritated.

Her eyes finally met mine and she straightened up. "I'm Anne"

I folded the papers and placed them beside before giving her my undivided attention, because what she was about to say had to important, she wouldn't come into my office without a reason.

"The...the rest of the team members are outside, we are having some kind of meeting and...we will like you to join" she said and I crossed my hands over my chest, still holding that look with her.

"Sure"

She still lingered, unsure about my answer and I shot her a look, "Anything else?" I asked and she immediately turned away and headed towards the door.

I waited till the doors shut before going back to my seat, pile of documents on my table, work which I had to do but honestly...wasn't in the mood to do them, that wasn't why I was here.

I got up and headed out, let's see what this whole meeting was about. Once I pulled my door open, they all turned back to me, they had formed some kinda circle at the center of the office.

They didn't bother concealing their whispers and judgemental eyes. How typical.

I stepped forward, my heels clinking on the marble floor and they slowly parted, giving me entrance into their circle. My gaze landed on the red headed who called me, she slowly took a step back, still not meeting my eyes.

"Miss Vega" someone else called and I looked up at the man who just stepped forward, he was brown skin, dark hair and had stumbles on his jaw. "I'm glad you could join us" he said and I still remained unfazed, still wanting to know what this was about.

"We are all part of this department and we wanted to welcome you" he continued. "Yes, we will go round in circle and introduce ourselves" the pale Asian girl beside added excitedly.

"Why is this necessary?" I asked and her smile slowly died down and they all exchanged looks amongst them selves.

"I'll go first..." The blonde woman behind me spoke up, stepping forward, her read heels gleaming in the light, matching her blazer jacket.

I noted the little label on it. 𝐍𝐨𝐢𝐫.

"I'm Camille. I heard you came from the branch in Italy, that's my home country" she said but I already noted that from the accent. The man beside her stepped forward too, "I'm Santiago" he straight out his hand to me and I only stared at it and slowly he retrieved it.

"I'm Ji-eun" the Asian girl beside introduced herself too and that's all I heard for the next minute, names.

"Ade"

"Omar"

"Anika"

"Jeff"

"Anne"

"And I'm Aarav" the first guy finished, holding his hand out like that guy did earlier, I guess he had more faith in himself and it worked for him as I took his hand.

"Do I also need to introduce myself?" I asked and he smiled, "of course not, we've heard about your great works in the branch in Italy, you deserve a standing ovation"

"Just doing my job" I shrugged, retrieving my hand. "And if there's anything you want, you could...you should come to us" Ji-eun chided once again and my gaze moved to hers, "I'll get you coffee every morning"

"I'll prefer apple drinks" I said and a smile made way to her, some people just love being needed. I turned to head back to my office and they all moved out of the way at once. This will be a long couple of months.

Moments later.

I stepped out of the office, shutting the door behind me, eyes fixated on my phone. "Are you leaving?" A voice called and I looked up to see one of those people from this morning, I couldn't remember her name.

See why the introduction this morning was useless. She was the chick whose outfit was from brand. "Yes" I answered, my voice clipped as I headed to the exit, I didn't have time for small talks.

And once the door shut behind me, I called Kendra. "Cancel the meeting"

"But Miss Vega, you've been posting your visit and now you're in LA, this is your only opportunity before the show next week" she reminded and I let out a huff, raking my hair.

"Make up an excuse and cancel it again" with that I ended the call and headed down the hallway to the elevator. This better be worth my time.

"Miss Vega" someone called from behind and I stopped and turned around, there was Aziel out of his office, his eyes narrowed as he stared at me.

"Are you done for today?"

"Yes"

I didn't even start anything today. "What about the reports I sent to you to work on? I haven't gotten the feedback" he said.

"I'm not ready" I answered and he shot me a look. "You mean, the report isn't ready?"

"No, I'm not ready to work on the report. But they will be on your table tomorrow. Have a nice day, Mr Miller" And with that I stepped into the elevator, not waiting for his reaction.

➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣

I stepped into the hall, the thick haze of smoke swirling in the air, mingling with the hum of conversation, the low buzz of laughter, and the clink of glasses. People moved effortlessly, entwined in their own little worlds, lost in the moment with their various partners. Amidst the frenzy, my gaze locked onto her — the one I had come for tonight.

Or perhaps, it was she who had come for me.

Jo sat in the eye of the storm, effortlessly commanding the space around her. Dressed in all black, her figure seemed to merge with the darkness, creating an almost ethereal silhouette. Her leg was elegantly crossed over the other, a posture of casual power, her presence an unspoken invitation.

A black canopy hat obscured her face, only a hint of her sharp, calculated eyes visible beneath the brim. Between her fingers, the cigar smoked lazily, its embers glowing faintly as she inhaled deeply, exhaling a stream of smoke that hung in the air like a quiet challenge. The chaos around her seemed irrelevant, as though she existed entirely within her own realm, unaffected and untouchable.

I stopped in front of her, hands crossed over my chest. "You know I've got a job now, you can't keep pulling me in and out"

She ashed the cigar and looked up at me, her blue eyes gleaming underneath the lights. "We both know you have a lot more going on for you than that" she said before nodding at the seat. "Sit"

I took my seat, placing my purse on the side and getting out the pack of cigarettes, I paused when I noticed I just had one left. Hissing, I put it between my lips and lit it up.

"What has happened?" I asked because whenever she calls these visits, something had happened. She leaned down on the table, her eyes now dead set on mine.

"You have to be in Italy"

"No, I work here now"

"You never wanted to come back to this city, you and I both know that there is—"

"Are we here to talk about me...or are you gonna go straight to the point?" I cut her off and a smirk went on her lips as she let out the smoke.

"Very well"

There was silence and I let out a puff of smoke. "Travis has called war on the Syndicate" she finally spoke up and I looked back at her.

"The Volkov posed an attack on him and he returned the favour and now the group is divided"

"What side are you on?" I asked, my interest piqued. "My side" she answered and my smile widened and I took another drag from the cigarette.

"The proposal for the vote of no confidence against the Prime minister was rejected. Apparently, Cesare was double crossing us all this while, he will be dealt with later" she muttered that part.

"So, you're working on fixing the whole thing?"

"Fixing the whole thing?" She scoffed and shook her head. "This is an opportunity, Pearl. The Society is always in disarray, someone is always back stabbing another. It's impossible to keep them all in line, so I'm gonna use it"

"I'm sure you have it all figured out, Jo"

"Of course" she leaned back on the seat, letting out a breath. "It's always been quite unfortunate I have to deal with those foolish men on my own. They gave it all to him, everything—ultimate power, they made him invisible, untouchable"

Well, they also gave him no choice. The pressure that was mounted on him made him obliged and now he's ruthless, that's one of the many things he could be.

I let out another breath of smoke, not even phased the least by her statement. "And why am I needed in Italy?" I circled round back to the first detail.

"The Apex of the Venetian Accord. The Prime Minister's wife funeral is behind us and now we move on to the next prospect, which is the Accord"

"Jo, get to the point"

"The Volkov will be there and so will Cicatrici and I'm certain that's where it will all go down, the retribution. They won't let us off easily, so they will  take that opportunity, a perfect way to end him once and for all"

I slowly leaned away, that one getting me for a moment. "Shouldn't you be worried the Society might get attacked?"

She began laughing, leaning on the table again. "Travis might be the bane of this whole operation...but he isn't incompetent. I'm sure he also got something prepared" she answered, that familiar glint in her eyes.

I leaned back on my seat, one hand crossed over my chest as I watched her. "What do you want, Jo? "

"Everything. Power"

"What do you want me for?" I asked another one and her smile widened. "Only you...could reach him. I saw him at the summit, once he laid his eyes on you, he lost his resolve, all his walls came crashing down"

I didn't know he had seen me at the summit, I uncrossed my hand, tucking my hair behind my ear. I kinda which I saw his reaction.

"Honestly , you have the ultimate power to ruin this man, you've known him more than anyone, you could break him"

"And how does that help me?" I asked, trying to hold myself from letting the frustration slip in, she had noticed, this whole topic got on my every last nerve.

"You get to finally put that anger to good use. You've used everyone in your path to get what you own now, you've never hesitated"

"Someone once told me, you don't need a man to get what you want, you use a man" I reminded and she chuckled. "And you do it better than I do"

"You've gotten rusty" I replied. "I have indeed" she agreed, still chuckling to herself.

The anger boiling inside me has never stopped, it seems to rise by every breaking day and threatening to spill out. I just didn't expect it to be this soon.

"I'm sure Mr Cassian could help with your invitation to the Accord" she articulated and my eyes shot to her, surprised by how she knew him and I both have engaged. "Have you been spying on me?"

"I've been keeping an eye out, you've been playing with fire" she said and I shot her a skeptical look, notifying her I didn't know what she was talking about. "Cassian is the Don of the Volkov. He planned the Accord, so he should be there"

It took a moment for me to take that one in, I was trying to piece together the puzzle of it all. Of course, he was, that explains a lot. Well shit, he just got even more interesting.

I knew he would be useful in a way.

"I need you to shake him up at this event again...and slowly he will break" she referred to the inevitable—Travis, a satisfied smile on her lips.

The two enemies in one place and I'll be siding with the opposition, that will not only break him, it will...haunt him. And as much as that night was holding lots of danger.

It intrigued me.