Amara – Reunion

Author's note: this is from Jonathan's point of view

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I groaned internally when Magda entered the study. She knows that whenever we are here, father and I are either working or discussing something work-related, in either case, she is only getting in our way.

That is one of Magda's talents, wasting time. Why can't she be useful?

I was surprised to hear that she spoke about Seraphina Mezzanotte. After all, father and I were just talking about the heiress of Notte Pharmaceuticals.

I can't believe that Magda is actually interested in befriending the woman, she must have some petty agenda.

It's Magda's misfortune that her schemes are matching her intelligence level. It's so easy to see through her.

I had to remind her that she is not qualified to attend our business functions.

I grimaced while controlling my laughter when our father said that he is not ashamed of Magda, and she actually bought that lie.

What would she do in a business setting? Discuss her skincare or shoes? Or maybe the latest TV Drama she is watching?

She is my sister and I love her to pieces. As a good older brother, I give her a hard time, but I don't allow anyone else to badmouth her. 

However, no matter how I feel about my dear sister, a successful business is not running on love and our business partners don't care how pretty someone is. Sure, being attractive can't hurt, but if that is all one has, it will be found out soon. That is why father decided to keep Magda away from the Giantshade Industries and I support that decision wholeheartedly.

The less she is involved, the better it will be for me after my father hands over the company to me. I don't want to spend my life fixing her mistakes while paying for the luxuries that surround her. My greatest hope is that Magda marries well, to a man who can afford her lifestyle with enough balls to control her and enough patience to survive her tantrums.

It's not that I wish for my sister to be an airheaded barbie doll for the rest of her life, but the harsh reality is that Magda doesn't have the knowledge or intelligence to be involved in our company. Her smarts end with shining in the social circle, and she is a straightforward girl who can't focus on more than one thing at a time, which brings me back to the question of why Magda is interested in Seraphina Mezzanotte.

Magda is on a mission only if her coterie or men she fancies are affected, and based on our information, Seraphina was not interacting with any girl in particular and she spent most of the evening with Sebastian Hoffman and Henry Blackwater.

Is it one of those two guys? Did Magda finally decide to stop chasing that Drago Orsini? Who knows what's going on in her mind?

Or does she feel that Seraphina is endangering her social standing? Now that would sound like Magda. She always has a need to compete with others. In everything.

I was pleased to see Magda leaving after being rejected.

"It is intriguing that both you and Magda are showing interest in the same woman.", my father said when it was just the two of us in the room.

I smirked. "Is it wrong to be curious about a woman who is being described as smart and beautiful?"

"Smart can be problematic."

I shrugged. "Only if she becomes an enemy."

My father scrutinized me. "Are you considering to settle down?"

I chuckled awkwardly.

My father is nagging that I should find a steady relationship, but he prefers women who don't think much.

Am I considering to settle down? I am twenty-eight years old. Maybe it's time to get serious, but all women that passed through my arms are generic and I refuse to tie myself to one of them because I will end up like my father, with two ex-wives and a throng of mistresses yet at the end of the day still alone.

If this is the case, I will rather be alone without the burden of alimony.

However, I can't deny that reports we got related to Miss Mezzanotte are fascinating. It seems that during two days of meetings, she showed impressive knowledge not only in business and marketing, but in their products as well. And the rumors that she is a beauty only add to her appeal. No wonder her father kept her hidden so far.

"I was serious about inviting leadership of Notte Pharmaceuticals to one of our upcoming events.", I told my father, as I pretended that I didn't hear his question.

My father exhaled and shook his head. "We invited them for the last four events, but they never came. I thought it was personal until I heard that Aldus Mezzanotte doesn't attend any external events and it's rare for him to attend his own company's events also. That is why we didn't plant anyone with a recording device last night, I assumed that he will not show up."

"But he did show up this time.", I murmured mostly to myself and looked at my father. "Do you think that he made an appearance because of his daughter?"

My father agreed. "That is highly possible. It only proves that he is serious about letting her manage his company."

"Aldus is not fond of parties, but his daughter might be different. As a new face, she will be interested in creating her own network. We should put her name on the invitation and see if she comes.", I suggested while my father nodded. "There is also a point that only recently we tapped into the pharmaceuticals and so far they didn't see the value in connecting with us."

I knew it was a long shot that Miss Mezzanotte will accept the invitation for networking. A well established company like Notte Pharmaceuticals has a big line of potential partners who are eager to make a deal.

Despite low odds, I truly hoped that the lady will make an appearance.

To say that I was interested in this mysterious woman was an understatement. Unfortunately, I knew that I was not the only one, as the whole London was buzzing about her, and it seems that Blackwater and Hoffman got a head start by spending an evening with her.

When I returned to my room, I found an intruder.

"Why are you here?", I grumbled at my sister.

"I want you to help me meet Miss Mezzanotte.", Magda said.

I have no idea from where her confidence came from. Does she think I have a magic wand to make people appear? "Why would I help you with anything?"

"I can tell daddy that you are using company's connections to get your friends into high profile parties."

I snorted. Like that's important. If she thinks that she has anything harmful on me, I am more than ready to turn the tables.

"Go ahead."

Magda's eyes flashed in defiance. "You think I won't?"

"I believe you will. But I hope you are ready for the consequences."

"What consequences?"

I loved seeing her squirm in doubt, but I didn't have time for Magda's shenanigans.

"What would the father do if he finds out you are pregnant and about to get married? Will you explain to him that it's a rumor you started out of desperation?" Magda paled, but I was not done. "Or is it better if I tell him about the guys you hooked up with? Do you believe that no one knows about it only because you were abroad? Every time you go with your girls to France or Spain, you end up seeing one of your guys. I even have photos."

Magda's chin shivered. "How do you…?" She paused. "Is it Anna or Kim?"

I didn't want to answer because it's Anna and Kim and a few others.

"If I talk, you will lose a lot of your privileges, Magda. I suggest you leave my room before my patience runs out and don't ever think about threatening me because I have enough to ground you for life."

I watched Magda scurry out of my room and I was glad that she closed the door behind her, albeit with more force than necessary. 

I smirked. Magda's friends are just too eager to warm my bed. Of course, they tell me what Magda is up to when they leave the country. It's not that I care, but it's good blackmail material. Magda's friends are airheads just like my sister. 

Maybe my father is right, and I should settle down, but I need something different that will tickle my imagination. I wonder if that is Seraphina Mezzanotte.

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See Jonathan's photo in the comments.

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