the table

He looks dangerous but I can’t somehow force my body to turn away from him. My eyes follow his every move. His every single move is slow, well thought and calculated. He rolls his sleeves back calmly, looking like he already knows the outcomes of this meeting. 

I sit there, trying to match to his speed as I cross my legs and lean back on my chair and cross my arms as well. He is not sitting on a chair like the rest of us. Instead, he is walking around the table, still folding his sleeves slowly. He sometimes takes his gaze from his working hands and his eyes glances towards the people around the table. 

A small, knowing smirk sits on his lips. I notice how some people that have started to turn their attention away from him, mutter something about getting sick of his little games but my gaze is still fixed on him, my attention is peaked by this foreign man.

He doesn’t try to look tough, he doesn’t try to show off, he is not like the rest of the people on this table. He simply moves and acts upon his personality and that makes him even more attractive to me.

He cleans his throat, turns all the attention to himself once again. I feel like everyone else also feels the same way towards him, a pull they can’t explain but unlike myself, they try to conceal it, act like they are not affected by it. 

“You all must be wondering why I invited all of you to this table tonight. I actually called you all to announce that I decided to start a new line of work for myself.” 

Even the ones that openly expressed their hate towards him are listening to him with the utmost attention. Everyone is now leaning forward, all hands were on the table except for mine. I stay still, take a big breath and prepare myself for what is to come from this man. 

I almost smile as I see how uneasy everyone else looks. It is as if it was his intention to make them all nervous. I surprise myself as I notice how little I am affected by his intimidation games. On the contrary, I am directly affected by the man himself.

He fixes his sleeves one last time before glancing down at his watch and nodding to himself as if he decided he was on time with his program.

“I felt like I could do better with the guns. You know how I sat down as I let all of you have a piece of that businees and watch you all fill your pockets.” He points his finger to few of the men.

No one said a word as he waits for a reaction, he leans with both hands to the table, carefully watching the table. 

“I want all of you to end any business you have with related to guns. You have a month to complete all your ongoing orders.”

Table keeps looking at him for him to start laughing and tell them it was a joke but he looks as confident and relaxed as ever. 

As if someone lit a match and threw it at petrol, the table starts to buzz with yelling and shouting.

I continue to watch his amused expression as he enjoys the chaos, knowing the effects of his words. He doesn’t answer any questions that is shouted at him. I decide to speak up for the first time in a long time.

“What if I don’t want to?” 

My voice is not shouting like the rest of them but the high pitch of it and feminine tone I have makes the few that sit near me turn their heads towards me. They scoff and mutter to themselves but soon after, I feel more eyes on me. 

I turn my attention away from them to see all the eyes on me, particularly one pair looks around my face with an intense undertone. 

“What if I don’t want to close my business?” I repeat to make sure everyone hears my question.

He looks like he just noticed my existence at this table. He raises his eyebrow in question, surprised that I am the one questioning the consequences of a rebellion . He hides his expression well as his confident smirk returns with realization. 

“It seems like resistance runs in your blood Miss Candreva.” His look takes a threathing turn, his eyes lost the humorous spark. “Did you already forget what got your grandfather killed?” 

I didn’t feel scared or threatened in any ways despite his tactics. I was taught well by the family to not let anything show and it was my duty to keep our family’s name honorable. My legs stayed crossed, my arms still crossed over my chest. 

“How can one be Italian without the resistance running through their blood Mr. Colombo? I wouldn’t be sitting at this table if I was scared of death, neither was my grandfather.” 

Everyone was surprised at my response, people muttering how crazy I was to talk back to him. I know that as long as I am respectful with my words, I will not get killed at this table, that is not how it worked but I know I can get under his skin for a few moments, at least until I know I got his attention.

He seems thoughtful for a while, nodding his head to himself as he reaches to a conclusion. “True words Ms.Candreva and I appreciate the honesty but I would rather have this be an easy transition for all of us as we go through with it.” 

he slowly walks towards me, I don’t turn around to face him while I feel him lean closer to my ear. His voice is calm and quiet. 

His next words are meant to be heard only by me.

“Why don’t I tell you about all the outcomes of your resistance in detail, in privacy?” He asks. I don’t have to try hard to conceal the victory smile I feel forming on my face. I keep my face straight as I shrug. I hear an annoyed grunt.

He moves on from my spot and says “Everyone, out. You know what you have to do.” He gives me a look. “I need to have a word with Ms Candreva here.”

A voice yells in my head as everyone quickly stands up and begins to leave the room. 

I got him.