Chapter 5 WHAT IF HE IS A CHANGED PERSON

Chapter 5

THEME : WHAT IF HE IS A CHANGED PERSON

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LENA'S APARTMENT

"I heard the Fabio company is looking for a new secretary," Sophia said

"That's nice," Lena replied

" Maybe you should apply for it," Sophia suggested. "You'd be great at it."

" I'm not interested," Lena said. "I'm still looking for that man"

" Sophia, it's been ten years," Lucia said, "Don't you think it's time to move on?"

" Move on?" Sophia said, her voice shaking. "He murdered my entire family. How can you ask me to just forget about that and move on?"

"But..." Sophia began.

"No, I'm not going to listen to you," Lena interrupted, her voice firm. "I know what I'm doing."

" Do you think you'd recognize him if you saw him again?" Sophia asked

"Of course I would,I would know his voice, his mannerisms, and even the tattoo on his arm. There's no way I could ever forget him."

Sophia bit her lip, not knowing what to say. "What if he's a different person now?,What if he's changed?"

" Stop it, Sophia, There's no way a killer could change. I don't care how much time has passed. He'll always be the same person to me."

" I'm just trying to help,I know you've been through a lot, but you can't keep living like this."

But Lena had already turned and was walking away, her back straight and her eyes focused straight ahead.

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

Stefano walked through the doors of his company

The employees around him all stopped what they were doing to watch him pass, greeting him with a nod or a smile.

He acknowledged each of them with a nod of his own,

"I'm working on finding a new secretary," His assistant Francis said, "In the meantime, I have your schedule for today. You have a meeting with the board of directors at 10, lunch with your father at noon, and a conference call with the marketing team at 2."

Stefano nodded, already making a mental note of the appointments. "Anything else?" he asked, his tone brisk.

"Just one more thing," Francis said, a small smile playing on his lips. "Your mother called and wants to know when you're going to come home for dinner."

"That bitch is not my mother," Stefano said.

Francis nodded. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you," he said. "I was simply relaying the message."

"Is there anything else you need, sir?" Francis asked, waiting for Stefano's reply.

Stefano shook his head. "No, you can go," he said, waving him off.

"Thank you, sir," Francis said, turning to leave. "I'll be at my desk if you need me."

Stefano nodded, already absorbed in his work. The moment Francis left, he was back to business as usual.

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

" How dare you enter my office without my permission!" Stefano yelled at Mara who barged into his office unannounced like a person that was being chased.

" But... but I'm your wife," Mara stammered "I thought I had every right to be here."

" Wife?" Stefano mocked staring dangerously at her. " You're not my wife, and you never will be. Now get out of my office."

Mara's face turned white with embarrassment, and she could feel tears welling up in her eyes.

" Stefano, why are you doing this to me?" Mara asked.

Stefano didn't answer, he glared dangerously at a crying Mara.

" Use the door and leave my office, I will never settle for someone like you, The mere sight of you disgust me, I hate you bitch."

Mara stared at the man who she had loved for almost half of her life.

" I will leave but remember that you are mine Stefano, I always gets what i want and i must get, I don't care what it takes." With that she walked out of the office

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

" I saw Mara leave your office in tears," Luca said as he Enter his office,

Stefano waved a dismissive hand. " I don't care," he said" She's not worth my time or energy."

" But she's a wonderful woman," he protested. "I don't understand why you're being so cruel to her."

Stefano leaned back in his chair, his expression hardening. "You don't need to understand," he said

"Okay then," Luca said.

" How about we go out and get a drink?" Stefano suggested

Luca perked up at this. "That sounds like a great idea," he said, his spirits lifting. "I could use a drink right about now."

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

" Why do we have to come to this kind of place to drink?" Stefano asked, looking around the seedy bar with distaste.

" Trust me, you'll enjoy it," Luca said, leading him to a table.

" This place has the best drinks and the best atmosphere."

Stefano raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "This place looks like a den of iniquity, I am m not sure I'll feel comfortable here."

"Just relax and have a drink", Lena poured him a glass of whiskey.

" I need more drink," Stefano said

"Let me attend to him, Lena. You have had a long day and you need a lot of rest," Sophia offered said, coming to the bar."

"But I'm fine," Lena protested. "I can serve him."

"No, you look exhausted," Sophia said, gently ushering her away. "I'll take over from here."

Lena hesitated, but eventually nodded and left. Sophia turned to Stefano. "What can I get you?" she asked

"I need her to attend to me," Stefano said

Sophia looked confused. "Who?" she asked

"The other girl," Stefano answered with his eyes on Lens ,"I don't want you, I want her."

"You mean Lena?" she asked,

Stefano nodded. " Yes, I need her to attend to me."

"Okay, I'll go get her," Sophia said, she quickly left the bar, eager to get away from the awkward situation.

Luca turned to Stefano, a look of confusion on his face. "Why did you insist on having her attend to you?" he asked

"I just felt like it, Is that a problem?"

Luca shook his head. "No, I was just curious," he said

"Your drink is ready," Lena who had returned back said, placing the glass in front of Stefano.

" Pour it for me," Stefano commanded.

" I... I don't think I should, It's not my job to serve you."

"Just do it, I am not asking for much."

Lena bit her lip, torn between her job responsibilities and her own sense of self-respect.

As she poured the drink, Lena couldn't shake the feeling that Stefano voice sounded familiar.

It was as if she had heard it before, but she couldn't place where. She handed him the glass, trying to shake off the nagging feeling.

Then she noticed something. On his wrist, a tattoo. A tattoo that she recognized.

She looked up at him "You're the one," she whispered lowly staring at the tattoo on his wrist.