Two Of A Kind

Chapter 17 – Heir To The throne

When they pulled up to the building that housed the headquarters of the Ferrer corporation, Shane was literally struck dumb. After all the Ferrers were running a major crime syndicate. Somehow she had thought they would be holed up in some grimy building in some seedy part of town. She had definitely not expected to be led to the skyscraper looking like a monolith erupting from the ground in the heart of Florences business district. The skyscraper appeared to be a construction of metal and glass constructed in such a way that it captured the citys sunlight and reflected it back on its inhabitants. The two front doors were guarded by two stoic bodyguards dressed in all black. A small modest sign next to the doors alerted the unsuspecting passer by that this was indeed the home of the Ferrer Corporation.

***** me, Shane exclaimed as she was led through the doors by Marina. The two bodyguards barely acknowledged her presence but nodded curtly to Marina. If Shane had thought the building from the outside looked impressive, the inside blew her away. The dcor of the front hall was understated, but still exuded money and power from the marbled floors to the tiled walls. In the middle of the hall was a large reception desk manned by three clerks. When the middle clerk, the most senior, saw them, he immediately jumped up and rushed over nearly stumbling over his own feet.

Ms. Ferrer. How lovely to see you again, the man said his words rushed and dripping with servitude. Marina merely nodded at him and pulled Shane towards the elevators.

May I buzz someone that you are on your way up?

No, thank you, and she continued to the elevator marked private. Before she had a chance to punch in a code into the numerical pad to the left of the elevator, the man had already done so summoning the elevator. The elevator arrived and they stepped on.

Into the lions den, Marina quipped her voice lighter than the grim look on her face.

****

The elevator looked as if it had been carved from ebony. The floor matched the black marble that graced the lobby. The black tiled walls of the gleamed unmarred by fingerprints. Out of nowhere a panel slid open in the wall that had seamless. Marina punched in some numbers and then pressed her thumb to a small screen. The elevator seemed to be satisfied that its occupants were indeed who they claimed to be and set into motion. Within seconds the elevator had reached the top floor. The doors opened into what seemed like an endless hallway. Marina and Shane stepped out trailed by Ice.

Marina proceeded to the end of the hallway. As they passed the midway intersection Shane noticed there were two reception desks at each end of the hallway manned by a staff of at least five each. When they reached the end of the hallway the double doors in front of them whizzed open to a reception desk three times the size of the ones they had seen at the ends of the intersection. Clerks, secretaries and various other employees were bustling around. Some of them stood still looking at them curiously. The older employees nodded to Marina, some greeting her as if she came here on a daily basis. Marina walked up to the desk and let her glance rest on the oldest secretary.

Im here to see my father.

Im afraid thats not possible Ms. Ferrer, the secretary stammered clearly shaken by the arrival of Marina. Marina turned her glare on the secretary. The glare that could shake a grown man twice her size.

And why is that if I might inquire.

Because he died this morning, a voice sounded behind them. Marina turned around and stood face to face with her brother Franco. Aw, *****, Shane thought. She studied her friends face and if she hadnt known better she would have thought the statement left her indifferent. But she did know her and she recognized the play of emotions behind those shimmering eyes.

Marina simply nodded and her brother turned around and walked ahead of them into Angel Ferrers office where they found the rest of Marinas family.

Shane had expected the reunion would be awkward, but she couldnt have been more wrong. When Roberta saw her daughter walk through the door, she rushed over and pulled her into an embrace.

Marina. Marina fell into her mothers hug and held her tight.

Maman Im so, she started but then thought better of it. Pulling away she held her mothers hands and asked, What happened?

Her mother pulled Marina to one of the sofas lining the wall and they both sat down.

Heart attack. The doctors had been monitoring him some time. He seemed alright and then this morning Her mother broke into tears. And Marina put her arms around her cradling her shaking body. Shane looked away. She felt like an intruder. That is when she saw the other occupants of the room. At the far end of the room she saw Marinas sister who was watching the mother-daughter scene with such venom, Shane was sure Marina would have dropped dead on the spot if looks could kill. Her brother Franco was looking out the window which was made out of a solid sheet of glass. The lighting of the room had been arranged in such a way that none of it reflected onto the glass making it look like one could walk into the sky. Leaning against the large mahogany desk was standing a tall man resembling Franco, only older. His face seemed more weathered. Shane guessed this was Paolo. He was looking her up and down curiously.

There was a knock at the door and a short balding man in an expensive looking grey suit walked in without waiting for a response. He walked to the desk and placed his briefcase and a stack of papers on it.

Now that everybodys here, lets start. Marina and her mother both turned to the man.

With what. The man looked at Marina as if she were asking if fish blew bubbles.

Well, the reading of the will of course. Marina looked at her mother the confusion clear on her face. Her mother simply nodded and stood up walking towards Shane and Ice who were still standing by the door.

This is a family matter. She ushered them to the door but was interrupted by Marina.

They stay or I leave. Angelina snorted.

Marina, this is not the time

Very well, her mother replied and waved in the general direction of some chairs indicating for them to take a seat. The lawyer positioned himself in front of the desk.

First of all, Mr. Ferrer stipulated that the division of the departments will remain the same. The main issue at hand is the position of CEO of the company. As you all know Mr. Ferrer as the sole heir of the Ferrer Corporation owned the lions share of the stocks, nearly 80%. Mr. Ferrer has stated that the position of CEO, and with it his stocks, will fall upon his daughter Marina Ferrer. His other children

Marinas mind blanked out after having that bombshell dropped on her. Her father had left her his company. He had literally made her the heir to his throne. Why? She had never shown an interest in his business. In fact she had repeatedly expressed her disapproval of her familys business dealings. She looked up to see her siblings staring at her. Her brother Franco smiled at her encouragingly. Angelina and Paolo though looked as if they were about to murder her. This made complete sense to her, as she was well aware of her sisters hatred towards her. As for Paolo, he had been groomed his entire life as the heir of the Ferrer legacy. She could understand his anger.

The lawyer had finished his speech and turned around and pulled out five letters out of his briefcase handing one to each of the Ferrers.

Mr. Ferrer left each one of you personal letters. With that he gathered his things and walked out of the office.

Marina stared at the envelope in her hands afraid to open it. Afraid of what her father had to say to her. She fought back the tears. Her father and she hadnt had the best of relationships, but she had loved him and he had loved her. In the end they had severed their ties almost completely, because she had gotten tired of having to justify her life to him and he could not find it in his heart to accept her lifestyle.

She hooked her finger under the flap and ripped the envelope open. Hands shaking she pulled out the letter. After she had read the letter and reread it, she finally let her emotions get the better of her and broke down.

****

After the reading of the will Ice had discretely slunk into the hallway. She pressed the pre-programmed number and filled the person at the other end of the line in on what had just transpired.

****

When Marina and Shane reached the airport, she was still in a daze. Her mother had asked her to stay for a few days, but Marina had declined promising she would be back for the funeral. She couldnt bear to be in her familys presence. She could feel the resentment in the room. On her way out her mother had grabbed hold of her hand. Marina had looked into her eyes and had seen something she had never seen before. Regret. She had quickly hugged her and left before her mother could see the tears that had sprung to her eyes. Franco had walked them outside.

Marina, hed started, but shed interrupted him whispering softly,

I know. Hed hugged her whispering to her in Italian, which had seemed to calm Marina somewhat and stem the flow of tears. Then he had shaken hands with Shane and Ice wishing them a safe trip home.

****

Shane was surprised when Ice led them away from customs to a more quiet area of the airport. She was going to ask where they were going, when out of nowhere a figure appeared beside her. The look of surprise on her face made Alex laugh.

Hey you. Alex kissed Shane on the cheek and took her hand. She smiled at the customs officer standing beside a small desk and showed him some papers and handed over their passports. Marina was staring in front of her oblivious of her surroundings.

What are you doing here? Alex smile faltered a bit.

We were worried about you, so we decided to tag along just in case. Ice filled us in, so we thought we could all fly together. Angel figured Marina could probably use the moral support. Alex shrugged. Shane looked at her surprised. She couldnt believe Alex had flown all that way just to make sure nothing happened to her. Nobody had ever done anything like that ever before. Alex looked at her and smiled giving her a quick kiss on the lips.

Dont get used to it. Im not always this nice.

****

When Marina saw Angela standing inside the doors of the corporate jet, she just fell forward into her arms feeling the tension of the day falling off her shoulders. She let Angel lead her to the sofa and just hold her rubbing her back gently.

Everythings going to be okay, Angela cooed. If the situation hadnt been so serious Alex would have teased Angel mercilessly. She knew her sister was capable of being nice, but unfortunately this niceness barely if ever was bestowed on her. Watching her go al mushy was definitely a rare sight that made Alex smile.

You dont have to do this you know. Just tell them to get stuffed. Angel made Marina sit up and wiped away her tears. Marina looked at her and pulled out the letter her father had written her. She smoothed the somewhat crumpled sheet of paper and reread it for the fifteenth time noticing the way her tears had smudged the ink.

Its not that simple.

****

Previews

I could not accept your lifestyle, because I could not understand it. I still do not understand it, but when I look at you even if it is from afar, I see a beautiful, intelligent, caring and successful woman whom I am immensely proud of.

I know these words do little to make up for my past transgressions. I was a fool. But I wish to make amends.

—–

I might not know what its like to have a family. But I do know what its like to be chucked away by the people who are supposed to love you no matter what. Nicky had moved behind Alex and placed her hands on her shoulders giving Angela a murderous glare at the same time.

—–

Marina got up and made her way to the bedroom. Her mind made up. Now all she had to do, was find the right way to put her plans and ideas into action.