H-He called Zade the Serpent.
Wait, that was beside the point right now. We don’t know anything about this man, and it puts us at a very big disadvantage.
However, Zade was cool and didn’t seem in any way intimidated. Not that I expected him to be.
"I didn’t realize you were familiar with me," Zade replied. "Word travels fast even when you’re in a different city."
"I do come here sometimes, on business. Caught up the name a few times like a recurring dot on paper. It’s hard to get over something like that, especially when Roman merged the family with the Salveros’."
Julius didn’t once put down his hand as though waiting for Zade to take it. Zade, on the other hand, didn’t look like he would, or so I thought.
"Pray tell..." Zade murmured as he shook Julius’ hand. "There’s no need to guess that you don’t understand the situation. You came prepared."
"So many times I’ve pictured how we’d officially meet, but gaining an audience with a man like you has been proven difficult..." He spared a brief look at the grave. "I’d rather not use Roman’s influence because I’ve simply resigned myself from the Morri family."
No wonder I barely knew anything about him. By my guess, he may be like Caleb, who wanted nothing to do with the family business, but that was a random thought. He might still have intentions we don’t know about.
With his eyes on me now, it dragged up an uncomfortable feeling. I was probably just anxious.
"Roman failed in many areas of his life, and wasn’t a father to you," he said to me.
I gulped. "Uncle."
"Anastasia. I believe we haven’t officially met."
"N-No, we haven’t. Up till now I didn’t know you existed. I hope you’re the only standing family member I should worry about."
He sneered. "That sounds fair. But I assure you that’s not something to worry about. Your father was an orphan who worked from the bottom to the top by serving until he became the one to be served. But his life didn’t exactly bleed humility into him."
"I didn’t know that," I replied, a bit annoyed.
I just found out my father didn’t come from old wealth. Well it did explain how he could squander everything and chose to sell his daughter as a last resort.
"It’s a past he considered shameful. He had always wanted to please society and loved the respect that came with it."
Now that was something I knew.
"That sounds like him," I said, sparing a brief look at the grave that was almost covered.
"Then I guess I should clear the air. Keep in mind, I’m not related to Roman by blood."
"Wha-What?"
Is he saying he’s not my father’s blood brother?!
~☆~
Soft conversations drifted through the gallery. There seemed to be more people now. Or maybe there have been this many all along, and I’d simply been too focused on the funeral to notice.
I kept my eyes on Julius speaking with someone who had walked up to him to offer condolences; a few have come to me too, and I really wish they would just leave me alone. There wasn’t exactly an option in this situation.
I was meant to stand here and endure this. I could just leave, but I wanted to keep my eyes on Julius.
I still don’t know what he wanted, and his earlier revelation has me shocked. Why would he give that away? He basically just said I was the last Morri. And his actions somewhat proved that he had no intentions for the inheritance.
"What do you think was his agenda telling us that he wasn’t related to my father?" I asked.
"For now, a mystery," Zade replied, typing on his phone.
I didn’t even know my father was an orphan, and that he crawled his way to the top. And he and Julius were sworn brothers or something.
Zade explained earlier that sworn brothers were men who pledged loyalty to each other, treating one another as family. It was sort of a thing in the undercity.
"He just basically said not to see him as a threat. That’s suspicious." I dragged my eyes back to Zade and found him still typing. "What are you doing?"
"Making sure I have all the info I need on this Julius Morri."
"I thought nothing else was of importance other than me." I didn’t mean for that to come off as a tease, but it did, though.
Zade’s lips curved. "This concerns you, darling. Though, something’s odd."
"What?"
"He introduced himself as Julius Morri."
"So?"
He looked at me. "They are sworn brothers."
Oh.
"So you think he has another last name we don’t know about?"
"Maybe. I’ll find out." He pressed the phone against his ear and spoke lowly.
Why did Julius introduce himself as Julius Morri then? It doesn’t seem like a trick because he flat out told us he wasn’t related to me. So why?
Zade was done with his call, and I found myself pitching the topic toward another point. Something that has been on my mind ever since the start of this funeral.
"What if..." I paused. "What if I don’t want the inheritance? I-I mean, I’ve never handled any business before; I know nothing about the docks."
Correction: I’m good at spending money. Making it? Not so much.
"Which is why you have me, darling," Zade said, slipping his phone back into his coat pocket. "I’m with you through any decision you make. If you wanna sell the docks, then you sell. If you wanna run, then you do that, and I’ll be with you every step of the way."
I grew speechless for a moment, and when I found the will to speak, people came to give their condolences.
I did my best to maintain a neutral expression because I didn’t know what else to do other than that.
They spoke many words I didn’t follow, and when they left, Zade continued.
"Every single guest here is your father’s business partners and many others that hope to secure something."
I’m not surprised. My father wasn’t a good man to earn this much crowd.
"He may have swung money like a cow but does know how to maintain partnerships as long as it profits him. A handful of them are here for formality only."
"Formality?"
"In hopes of securing a good relationship with you. It was just like this after my parents’ demise."
My heart skipped a beat at his words. A twisted feeling settled low in my abdomen as my expression softened.
I’ve been so stuck in my own feelings I haven’t realized how much Déjà vu this was for Zade. Though he looked unaffected, I knew better.
Dante walked up to us and whispered something in Zade’s ear, and he nodded in reply.
"Give me a few minutes; I’ll be back."
"Is something wrong?" I asked, frightened at the thought of him leaving me alone out here.
"Nothing you should worry about."
"Explain."
He grinned, showing me his perfectly white teeth. "Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"After your father gained benefits through our marriage, there are some people who formed a partnership with him. People that only I know how to handle. They are in the study, waiting for you."
The study.
"Y-You can handle it, right?" I asked even though that was already what he was gonna do.
"Yes, darling. Which is why I said you have nothing to worry about." He kissed the top of my head. "Luca’s nearby; call for him if you need anything."
I looked over to Luca, talking with Caleb, and then Jade making sure everyone had their refreshments.
I nodded, a bit satisfied that I wasn’t completely alone. But the moment he moved, I grabbed his arm.
Shit.
Zade reached for my waist and pulled me closer, earning a startled gasp from me.
"You can come with me, kitten." He suggested. "The talks might bore you, but it will be a step for you."
I shook my head, stepping away from him as I cleared my throat. "I’ll be fine."
Zade lingered for a while before leaving with Dante, and right at the doorway, Elliot met up with them.
I’m definitely not fine.
But if Zade chose to see them right at this minute, it meant it must’ve been important. I just have to be supportive, especially when I knew he was doing all this for me.
"Ana."
I moved my eyes quickly because the whole time I’ve been called Mrs. Salvero, and my name sorta threw me off.
"R-Rick? What are you doing here?"
He came close. "I came for the funeral, even though I’m late."
His gaze traveled slowly around the room, and I could already tell this was not his kind of setting. Most of the people here were of influence with names that carried weight.
"Am I not invited?"
"No, I’m just surprised to see you here; that’s all."
"I just thought I should attend. And I wanted to see you..." He cleared his throat. "How... How are you?"