under Claudio’s thumb were a black cloud of oppression hanging over him. To this very day, the torture of sitting at a desk in a dim room as a boy, forgoing the activities of youth, was depressing. Those memories never vanished, nor could they be repressed. Any thought of his father—of the demands, of the endless scavenging of his talent—brought those visions vividly to mind.
Even to be in the same room with Claudio, to look at his face and into his malevolent eyes, was to feel the claws of insanity reach out to him. More than once in his teens, Adam had contemplated ending it all; taking his own life as his only means of escape. But his love for his family keep him going, knowing if he departed in that manner, they’d be left at the mercy of the man he abhorred. So, despite the torment, a quick death was not the solution it appeared to be.
Deep in his father’s eyes, he saw only a black soul, capable of evil. It was evil Adam experienced as his son, and continued to fight into adulthood. Would it ever end? It must. And finally, there was a way to get leverage against Claudio. There was hope. Adam contemplated the potential, considering the outcome, much as he did when doing programming calculations. What swayed the odds in his favor was the influence of Taiz Mezzanetti, a force to reckon with.
Known as a man to obey in his own circle of influence, his reputation extended throughout the city. It was hard to imagine someone who hadn’t at least heard his name, and for most, the mention of it sent a shiver of fear down their spine. Taiz was ruthless in his own right, but he was also a good businessman. More than Adam could say for Claudio. So, given that he saw more potential in legitimizing his business ventures, he would reform.
Adam did not delude himself that Taiz had become the good guy. Deeply ingrained personality traits did not change overnight. But Adam’s plan played into Taiz’s greed. The deal would be lucrative for him, and there was no downside. Of course, he’d want to know why Adam chose him. As Adam had explained to Miguel, in the message to be relayed through his cousin to Taiz’s people, he was going to be honest.
Adam was selling to Taiz to put those programs out of his father’s reach, and hope it deterred Claudio from pressuring him for others. His father was a vacuum for money. Thus, even selling him the software would not make him go away. He’d squander it and come back for more. It was the same pattern over and over. And, as his gambling debts evidenced, he took but did not give. Like a sponge, he soaked up money, but had no talent for creating it.
The obvious choice was to sell the programs his father was willing to kill to get his hands on, to someone who would know their true value and profit accordingly. But it must be someone his father wouldn’t dare attack. And however unwillingly, Claudio would be inclined to accede that the treasure, the software he coveted, was out of his grasp. Permanently.
Playing into Taiz’s ego was also advantageous. Stating that Taiz was a smart businessman, and a man Claudio would cower to, was the type of flattery that would soften him to Adam’s deal. The fact that it was also honest gave it more impact, putting the power of truth on his side.
Adam was anxious for Miguel to hear back from his cousin, Lucas, and find out if Taiz would consider the business offer. However, playing this game with mobsters required patience. It was the result that mattered. Yet there wasn’t a lot of time. His father’s desperation was like a fuse, and the explosion wasn’t far off.
*****
Dinner and dancing would be a welcome diversion. Knowing Ella was as concerned as he was about what would happen next with Claudio, he was glad for an opportunity to show her a good time. The invitation had come from Violetta—an effort to socialize, it seemed, and put the past behind them. Adam hoped that was all there was to it. Having Fiorella and Adrian come with them
Even to be in the same room with Claudio, to look at his face and into his malevolent eyes, was to feel the claws of insanity reach out to him. More than once in his teens, Adam had contemplated ending it all; taking his own life as his only means of escape. But his love for his family keep him going, knowing if he departed in that manner, they’d be left at the mercy of the man he abhorred. So, despite the torment, a quick death was not the solution it appeared to be.
Deep in his father’s eyes, he saw only a black soul, capable of evil. It was evil Adam experienced as his son, and continued to fight into adulthood. Would it ever end? It must. And finally, there was a way to get leverage against Claudio. There was hope. Adam contemplated the potential, considering the outcome, much as he did when doing programming calculations. What swayed the odds in his favor was the influence of Taiz Mezzanetti, a force to reckon with.
Known as a man to obey in his own circle of influence, his reputation extended throughout the city. It was hard to imagine someone who hadn’t at least heard his name, and for most, the mention of it sent a shiver of fear down their spine. Taiz was ruthless in his own right, but he was also a good businessman. More than Adam could say for Claudio. So, given that he saw more potential in legitimizing his business ventures, he would reform.
Adam did not delude himself that Taiz had become the good guy. Deeply ingrained personality traits did not change overnight. But Adam’s plan played into Taiz’s greed. The deal would be lucrative for him, and there was no downside. Of course, he’d want to know why Adam chose him. As Adam had explained to Miguel, in the message to be relayed through his cousin to Taiz’s people, he was going to be honest.
Adam was selling to Taiz to put those programs out of his father’s reach, and hope it deterred Claudio from pressuring him for others. His father was a vacuum for money. Thus, even selling him the software would not make him go away. He’d squander it and come back for more. It was the same pattern over and over. And, as his gambling debts evidenced, he took but did not give. Like a sponge, he soaked up money, but had no talent for creating it.
The obvious choice was to sell the programs his father was willing to kill to get his hands on, to someone who would know their true value and profit accordingly. But it must be someone his father wouldn’t dare attack. And however unwillingly, Claudio would be inclined to accede that the treasure, the software he coveted, was out of his grasp. Permanently.
Playing into Taiz’s ego was also advantageous. Stating that Taiz was a smart businessman, and a man Claudio would cower to, was the type of flattery that would soften him to Adam’s deal. The fact that it was also honest gave it more impact, putting the power of truth on his side.
Adam was anxious for Miguel to hear back from his cousin, Lucas, and find out if Taiz would consider the business offer. However, playing this game with mobsters required patience. It was the result that mattered. Yet there wasn’t a lot of time. His father’s desperation was like a fuse, and the explosion wasn’t far off.
*****
Dinner and dancing would be a welcome diversion. Knowing Ella was as concerned as he was about what would happen next with Claudio, he was glad for an opportunity to show her a good time. The invitation had come from Violetta—an effort to socialize, it seemed, and put the past behind them. Adam hoped that was all there was to it. Having Fiorella and Adrian come with them
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