REGINA NERA (Black Queen)

6. Regina

Flashback

"Christ, move" he grabs the extinguisher and puts out the fire. I realize there was a kitchen towel next to the stovetop and it's half burnt. That must be the source of the fire. Or the oil I accidentally poured on the towel. Federico turns to look at me, annoyance flashing in his eyes. I wonder if it was his favorite towel "Were you trying to burn my house down?"

"I want eggs"

"Yes, Your Highness. Who the f**k do you think I am? Your maid?"

"Then move. I'll cook for myself"

"Forget it" he takes the pan with burnt eggs and throws it in the sink then grabs another one. Cracking two eggs in a bowl. I wonder why I didn't think of that.

"Make it four"

"You know I'm starting to think this deal is not worth all this trouble. Eat your f*****g eggs and go back home"

"We already signed the contract," I tell him watching the way he flips the eggs. How are they not burnt? "How did you do that?"

"Control the fire. If you're not sure about the amount of heat to use, always switch to the lowest heat. Or ask Elsa to cook for you"

Right. As if I would ever ask that woman for anything. She looks at me like I'm the dirt beneath her feet even though I rank higher than her. Yes, I'm currently living in Federico's house but it doesn't change the fact that I'm the only heir to the Vincelli organization. She should be treating me like a princess. But Federico and Papa are rivals and she treats Federico like her son. I showed up on his doorstep asking for protection from Papa. My presence here alone could start a war that might lead to his death. If I were in her shoes, I'd hate me too.

"Is it a craving? Do you want more?"

"No. This is enough. Hand me the ice cream" he looks at me as if I'm crazy "What?"

"Is there anything we can do about those cravings? Ice cream is not healthy for you"

"The doctor said it'll pass once I give birth. That's three more months"

Sighing, he moves to the fridge and takes out the tub. His eyes narrow at the small amount that's left. I ate most of it yesterday. He hands it to me then takes out his phone and fires off a text. I'm sure he's telling his driver to get more ice cream. Before I met him, I never would have thought he was so attentive and considerate. Everything they say about him out there is a lie. Well, not all of it. He's a bastard who doesn't have boundaries. I can't count the number of times he's barged into my room without knocking and half of those times, I was half naked. But unlike other men, his eyes didn't fixate on my boobs. Which doubled in size now that I'm pregnant or my ass. He looks at me as if I'm his sister and not his enemy's daughter.

"Turn around" he commands putting his phone in his pocket. When I do, his hands slip under my armpits and he lifts me onto the counter "Your feet are swollen"

"It's normal for pregnant women"

"Maybe you need a wheelchair"

"The doctor said walking is good for both me and the baby"

He grunts as his hands circle my ankles before he starts massaging them. It's become so normal for him to do things like these that I don't freeze up anymore "Have you decided on a name?"

"No" I haven't even thought about it because then I would have to think about her last name and I just... I'm not ready.

"The crib will arrive tomorrow"

I frown "So soon?"

"Three months will go by in a flash, Regina. The interior designer will be here the day after tomorrow. Tell her what you want and she'll get it done. Next week, we go shopping. You've had enough time to grieve. Now focus on your baby. She needs you"

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Present

Eleven years later and I can count on one hand the number of times I remember spending the entire day with Ophelia. Where did time go? She's almost a teenager now and I don't know what her favorite food or color is or what she wants to be when she grows up. She might be my successor but if her dream will help her manage the organization better, I won't stop her from pursuing it. Does Federico know?

That f*****g bastard will probably demand I go to dinner with him before he tells me. To protect her from the clan elders and my enemies, I left her with him. That was back when I had no power. It's been years since I took over. Why didn't I go back for her?

"Where's Phee?" Rita asks placing a cup of coffee in front of me.

Phee.

Even my employees have a nickname for her. Aside from Ophelia, I don't think I've ever called her anything else. Why don't I have a nickname for my daughter? Why does she shrink when she's in my presence? I stood outside the kitchen for a few minutes and watched as she talked to Federico. Her face was glowing. She couldn't speak fast enough and she giggled. A lot. But throughout breakfast, she looked miserable. When I told her to spend the day with me, the look on her face scared me. I couldn't bear to look at her again.

Have I failed as a mother?

"Boss?"

I blink up and find Rita watching me "What? Did you want something?"

"I thought you said you were spending the day with Phee. Where is she?"

She didn't want to stay.

"Something came up"

"What?" She whips out her notebook and pen, ready to take notes

"It's personal. You're dismissed" Her eyebrows snap together in suspicion. She opens her mouth but I glare at her until she leaves. My schedule is clear but I have nothing to do. Since I just told Rita I have something to do, I can't stay here. Or she'll find out what a failure I am. People know me as the Black Queen but in reality, I'm a f**k up who couldn't even raise one daughter properly. f**k Federico for showing up unannounced and making me feel like s**t. What am I supposed to do now? Staying in the house is out of the question. I could visit the club and take my frustrations out on the manager Filippo but there's nothing to complain about. He's too good at his job. Now the elders... I don't have the energy for them today. Taking my phone and bag, I leave the office. Tobia is standing beside the door.

"Where's Filaminio?"

"He's waiting outside ma'am"

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I end up in an art gallery that is at the edge of town. The place is secluded and only the one percent are allowed inside. I don't have to identify myself since I'm a regular customer. I've bought a few pieces from them even though I don't know s**t about art. It's all for appearances. Tobia hangs back while I look around, trying to organize my thoughts.

If Federico hadn't pointed it out, I wouldn't have realized how much I've been neglecting Ophelia. I found out about my pregnancy during the worst time in my life. All I remember is running away from home and ending up in Federico's house. The rest is a blur. If I wasn't depressed, I was busy planning my father's downfall. The moment Ophelia turned one, I left her and got married. Since then, I've been seeing her once a week or if I'm busy, once a month. That has to change. No matter how busy I am, I shouldn't have neglected her. But how can I...

"Signora Vincelli," someone says cutting into my thoughts. I look over my shoulder to find Bianchi approaching me. Tobia eats up the space between us and reaches to where I'm standing before he does.

"Bianchi"

"I won't pretend this is a coincidence because it's not"

"What do you want?" I asked Rita to schedule a meeting with him for next week. The fact that he couldn't wait until then says a lot about him. He glances at Tobia and then back at me, silently asking for privacy. I nod. My bodyguard quietly takes a few steps back.

"Your support," he says not beating around the bush "I heard you met with Rizzo yesterday and Gambone was there"

"Word travels fast around here"

"Not really. I'm interested in you so naturally, I know a few things about you"

Note how he didn't say everything? Because that would insinuate he has a tail on me and he could lose his life over a simple word. He's clever. I like that. And respectful.

"Is that so?"

"Yes. For starters, I know you're not interested in supporting that pig, Rizzo. He shouldn't be allowed to run for office again. I will do everything in my power to stop that"

"And how much power do you have Bianchi?"

"The kind that will eventually pave the way to Palazzo del Quirinale"

The presidency is his goal? Interesting.

"Ask your secretary to make an appointment. I'd like to hear more about this power of yours"

"Excellent. I will see you then, Signora Vincelli" he says. I wait for him to leave but he doesn't. Instead, his eyes roam my face before slowly sliding down my body. He's blatantly checking me out but without being disrespectful "The media does not do you justice" his eyes slide back up to mine "It will be an honor to have you as my first lady" With that, he turns around and leaves.

The audacity of this man.

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