Evolution Headquarters

"Thanks Brandon! I'll meet you guys later." I jumped out of the car and looked at the headquarters with pride. Not that it looked elegant or something, but this was home. A large old three story brick building with almost 6 rooms per floor. On the left side were flights of stairs leading to each floor. On the right side ground floor was an old grocery store with a dilapidated sign reading KN   MN. Everyone made bets on what the sign used to read, but no one really knows the name of the old grocery story. I walked inside knowing some of the men were hanging in there, playing pool, a foursome was playing poker, and Arakis was dealing the cards. He looked up and greets me.

"Well, well, well, you're finally back! The boss wants to see you!" I nodded my head and told him; "I need to rest, and don't tell him I arrived."

I saw Arakis nod, but knowing him, he will send one of his men to inform the Don of my arrival. I have got to have time to rest, catch up with my mail, check with my associates and get a drink before reporting to Koehler. I opened the door at the farthest end of the room where a staircase led to the basement. As I walked down I heard the laughter of Seeyara, probably laughing at her own joke. At the bottom of the stairs was a lounge. Several sofas, a divan, a fireplace, and a table. It was just that simple. Mohammed was sitting on the far right corner, writing something in his notebook.

"Welcome back Clover!" Seeyara said excitedly.

I waved my hand to both of them then asked her; "Tell me what happened while I was away."

Seeyara then filled me in, talking real fast. It was hard grasping what she was saying, but I managed to catch a couple important updates, like several associates got Made and that some of my former associates were handling certain business and running their own show. I couldn't help but smile about the good news. I then asked her for the mails, which she retrieved from the office and dumped on the table. I stood up and sorted it all out."Koehler... Koehler..." I read silently shifting through all of his mails. I just can't believe how much mail the Don gets. Not to mention his lady friends who averages around 3-4 mails per week. After sorting through around 60 mails, I found one addressed to me. I opened it and sat on the couch near Mohammed, who didn't even lift his head to acknowledge me. He was probably working on his list of people who owed the family. I leaned back, crossed my leg, and started to read about the troubles back at home. After finishing it, I stood up, collected all of Koehler's mail and placed it inside a paper bag before I handed it to Seeyara.

"Give this to the boss and tell him I'll be up in ten minutes. I'll just have a drink and freshen up."

The Lobby of Koehler's Office

I walked past Koehler's secretary who stood up trying to stop me. Angrily, I looked at her and asked what the problem was. She said; "He's with someone."

"Screw it!" I pushed past her and opened the door. The Don was sitting behind his massive desk. He was probably sleeping because he suddenly straightened up when I entered the room. I walked towards him and he gestured towards the right seat in front of his desk. That was weird, he usually stood up and gave me a hug whenever I returned from a business trip.

"So, uhm, how was your trip to New York?" Koehler asked me, his voice somewhat low and throaty.

"I went to Vegas, not New York!" Something's really wrong. He might have known something.

Koehler rubbed his eyes and then cleared his throat. "So how was your trip to Vegas, then?"

Something was really wrong. I'm not sure if he knew what happened to the money I brought to Vegas.

"It was great, I met with the Papacci brothers. I handed them 2 million and they accepted it..." I stopped there, feeling and waiting for his response.

"That's good." The Don said without looking at me. He was staring at the ceiling. "Anyway, welcome back! I guess you would want to retire to your room and relax," he added.

Oh my god! He's trying to get rid of me. What does he know? What the hell's happening? Questions raced through my mind, making me nervous. Knowing Koehler, if he knew something was up, he would tell me immediately. I was watching him looking at the ceiling and then he groaned.

"Is something wrong with you?" I directly asked him.  He suddenly looked at me, his face as red tomatoes.

"Nothing! Why would you ask that?" He told me and straightened up again while adjusting the seat. Then I heard a muffled voice coming from beneath the table. Now I know what's wrong. I stood up and slowly walked around the table towards Koehler. Before I turned the corner near him, he stopped me.

"Seeyara said ten minutes! You fucking came here five minutes after she left. I'll have someone call for you when I'm done..." He wasn't able to finish the sentence.

Without further embarrassing him, I turned around and headed towards the door.

"I'll be at my office when you're done."

Before getting out, I turned around and said to no one in particular; "Valerie, you can come out now."

At my office

So he still didn't have a clue. If he did, he would give me hell like he used to. I was thinking of how I could get out of this mess, pacing back and forth in my office. Then, as if someone whispered in my ear, I finally had an idea. I raced towards the door and asked Seeyara;

"Seeyara, can you come and get KL and Anton for me please?" Without waiting for an answer, I closed the door and laid down on the sofa.

Anton's Office at Giovanni Accounts and Finances

Anton as usual has been spending the whole morning reading up the business reports he have, now that he owns a newspaper mill. His workload has been increased to ten folds. When suddenly Poliski came in.

"Mr Giovanni, Seeyara just called from HQ. Clover is looking for you, she sounded really urgent."

Anton gave him a thumbs up indicating he got the msg.

"Alright I got it, please ask the guards to get the car ready, we are leaving right away."

"but Mr Giovanni, you have a lunch meeting with Mr Florentine of Gigantic Bank at 1pm."

"Cancel it, if clover is looking for me, it means something is up."

Poliski nods and proceed to make arrangements.

20 mins later- Evolution HQ

As Anton's car pulls into the driveway he sees that a few of the guys smoking at the driveway with numerous cigarette butts on the floor, he shot them a stern look and point at the cigarette, clearly commanding to clean up their mess when they leave. The men gives him a bow and a nod. 

When he enters the HQ, he took a glance at the HQ bar as usual Beard is laying there drunk. He notices that Arakis and Seeyara is talking among themselves, he gave them a nod and proceed to Clover's room. 

Knock. As Anton enters he sees that Clover is laying down on the sofa clearly looked tired and stressed out.

"Hey, Ms Clover you called? I came as soon as possible." 

"Come on in Anton. There's something I have to discuss with you." The wall clock showed that it was 14 minutes past 2 in the afternoon. After stretching my arms, I took a seat and motioned Anton to the empty sofa.

"We're just waiting for someone else." I walked to the minibar situated near Anton. "Well let's see what we have here." After checking the bottles, I took out two and raised it to Anton asking him,

"Vodka or whiskey?"

After receiving word to meet up with Clover I rush down as soon as possible as I figured something serious was going on.

Upon arrival I notice one of Anton's vehicle's...I thought to myself at first that maybe I got myself into trouble again. But the less I as still asked to be here so I followed the orders. I went inside and raced around until finally I find Clover and Anton... only knew because I heard Clover's voice but it sounded like it was in a distance due to the fact the door was shut.

I walk in "Sorry I'm late, I came as soon as I could".

Not waiting for Anton to answer, I decided for both of us. "Whiskey it is."

I filled both glass with whiskey and handed one glass to Anton. And as I was about to empty my glass, KL arrived.

"You're a sight for sore eyes. Come and sit, please join us." I handed KL my glass and walked towards the mini bar. While filling another glass, I was wondering if I could trust them. Well, they were my associates. And Anton is now a capo in the family. KL is doing wonders. I have no other choice but to trust them. I needed help. While going through all of this in my mind, I sat right in front of them. Holding my glass in front of me, I started to tell them my problem.

"I have a problem and I need your help." Both of them was startled and wanted to talk. I lifted my other hand, stopping them.

"Listen to me first. I'm in trouble. If you help me, and shit hits the fan, you might be joining me facing Koehler's wrath. But if we succeed, maybe we could all earn money and at the same time make the Don happy."

I know I unloaded a bomb to them. They both looked at each other, questions were probably racing through their brain. I for one do not know if my plan would work. But if it would prosper, I won't be able to do it alone. I would need their help. Just to make sure, I gave them a chance to get out of my plan.

"As early as now, say no and I'll let you walk away as if nothing was discussed. But I tell you, if word comes out about this, you will be joining Fred, wherever he is."

I look at Anton and down my drink then look to Clover and have a quick but intense stare with her before replying.

"Wasn't for you...I wouldn't be here right now, I'm not walking away. Family don't run when another's in trouble. Talk to me C no matter what it is where going to get you out of it."

Anton took some time in considering Clover's proposal. She has been his mentor since the day he ventured into this world, but putting himself at risk with Koehler the drunk? Is it worth it? 

"Ms Clover, you have been a great mentor all this time to me. I owe you my allegiance but, I..."

Anton suddenly remembers the time when Ms Clover took a beating for him when he pissed one of the Capo from NY. If Ms Clover didn't save his arse, he could've been swimming with the fishes now. Not to mention, Ms Clover was the one who gave him his first steady income when he first started Giovanni Accounts and Finances. He owe Ms Clover too much.  

"You know what, fuck it. I am in, tell me what I have to do."

Anton downs his drink and gave a nod of agreement to KL. 

I was relieved they both agreed to help me. Not that I couldn't do it on my own with several of my bodyguards. But still, it was good to do a job when you know you can fully trust the man behind you. Specially for a woman like me. I leaned back and finished my drink. Still holding it, I began laying down my plan.

"You both know I just came back from Vegas dealing with the Papacci brothers. But I don't fucking trust them." I tried to hide my anger. I will never tell them how the Idiotic brothers didn't show me the respect I deserved. And because of that, I held back half the money that was supposed to go into the deal.

"Remember this, never trust anything that can think for itself if you can't see where it keeps its brain!” I let that sink in for awhile. I can see intrigue and curiosity in their eyes. 

"So, here's what we will do. First I need to raise 500k before we go to Vegas. Then when the money is ready...." I continued laying the plan for a couple of minutes. During the whole time I was discussing my plan against the Papacci brothers, their face grew solemn. And after I finished my discourse, I can see both of them smiling.

I stood up and walked over to the mini bar and fill my glass with whiskey. The bottle was almost empty, I made a note to get more when I go out later. They were both thinking to their selves when I went back to them. 

"I would meet you again when the money is ready. For now, I trust both of you won't speak to anyone about this." As if it was a signal that the meeting was ended, both men stood up and went out of my office.