external investment to breathe new life into our business or redesign it.»
«Gino, I think,» added one of Uberto’s shareholders. «It’s time for us to bet on catering or fast food and delivery.»
«Yes, I know, we’re on the verge of bankruptcy,» responded Gino a little irritated. «Our company is making losses and could be sold at any moment. To prevent that from happening, I have to take out a loan. But there are risks that this won’t help, so I have one question for you: who will stay with me and go to the end? But think well, as it will be quite difficult for the top management to get a new job after leaving a bankrupt company! Although it’s all due to damn Covid, it’s unlikely that your new employers will be bothered.»
He paused and began to gaze into the eyes of those present.
«So, what’s your decision? he asked after a while. «Sergio. And you, why are you silent?»
«Gino, I’ve always been honest with you,» Sergio, the General Director, joined the conversation. «And now I realize that in this situation we need a crisis manager. Since I’ve failed and I feel that I can no longer risk the future of the company. I’m resigning. I can’t take that responsibility,» he stood up from the table and, having stretched out, added, «I’m sorry, Gino. I did the best I could.»
Then he walked out the door.
Gino was silent in response…
«Who else wants to take a seat in the lifeboat?» arrogantly said Gino, after a moment of anger.
There was silence in the hall, no one wanted to speak and look into his eyes.
«Okay, I agree with you. Let’s change the vector of business. We need a loan,» he added dismally. «But since, to our mutual regret, the banks have refused credit, I will have to borrow money from Don Caponelli.»
They discussed the details for a while longer, then he thanked everybody and got up from the table. The other participants of the meeting stood up with him. He nodded slowly, said goodbye, and left the hall.
Chapter 3.
Obsession
After leaving the office building, Gino got into a Rolls-Royce car, which brought by Francesca to the exit.
Gino loved women, and for that reason surrounded himself with them, even his driver was a beautiful Francesca with long white dyed hair. By request of her boss she was always dressed in tight clothes, which emphasized her athletic figure, ample breasts and narrow waist. Her flawless appearance literally drew admiration from Gino. Francesca was also his bodyguard. Knowing that she had served in special forces, he never worried about his safety. Although there was no reason to worry. Rather, it was just another desire to impress people around him.
Having got into the car, he leaned back in the back seat and put his head on the headrest. Gino closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them again to look at the buildings outside the window.
As they were driving past the Catholic Cathedral of the Nativity of Saint Mary in the center of Milan, he asked Francesca to pull over. Gino decided to go inside.
She parked the car.
Reaching for the door handle, he suddenly felt his heart beat faster. Gino became very nervous, but he pulled himself together, opened the door, and got out of the car.
Standing in front of the cathedral building, he stretched tensely and walked toward it. With each step the dizziness began to intensify, his heartbeat increased, and he started sweating. Gino suddenly felt a panic attack and lost control of himself. He had the urge to run away, to disappear, to hide.
«What’s happening to me?» thoughts pulsated in his head. «This is a cathedral and I’m just a human, why am I so nervous? Why am I shaking so much every time? Is it obsession?!»
The anxious thoughts were interrupted by Rosalina’s call. She was waiting for him for a haircut at her salon.
«Rosalina, hi. I’ll be on time as always,» he picked up the phone and replied briefly.
He immediately got back into the car and exhaled heavily in relief.
«OK, I’ll go to the cathedral next time. Now let’s go to Rosalina’s,» Gino commanded Francesca.
For many years, from time to time, being a Catholic, baptized in childhood at the request of his parents, he had tried to go to church. But some invisible force always stopped him. Something inexplicable and irresistible began to happen to him. And every time, unable to cope with his emotions, he put off visiting the cathedral.
Chapter 4.
In the power of hypnosis
As he pulled up to the salon, he got out of the car and headed for the entrance. Always stylish and impeccably dressed, an arrogant snob Gino walked confidently into the luxurious salon. There was only Rosalina inside. Officially, the salon was considered closed. Visitors came only by prior arrangement with her.
«Hi, Rosalina!» he said to the hairdresser with a broad smile.
He immediately kissed her on the cheek, hugging her lightly, but without any eye contact or holding hands. For a moment, their eyes met at close distance, and for a short period of time she fell into a trance. Aware of this, Gino averted his eyes, walked into the hall, and sat down in the haircutting chair.
«You look wonderful! How are you doing, Rosalina?» he asked with a wide smile.
«I’m fine, thank you…» being a little out of control from the sensations after meeting his eyes, she answered in a slightly sluggish but excited voice. «You looked at me so strangely, as if you were burning me with fire! Has anyone ever told you this before?»
«Hmmm… No, this is the first time I’ve heard it!» parried Gino with a gracious smile.
But after her question, as had happened many times before, he felt a sudden desire to seduce the beautiful woman immediately, right there and then.
Not so long ago, driven by the impulse of spiritual purification, he wanted to visit the church, but the look of a pretty woman switched him to the sinful passion.
«Come to me!» he said in a low but commanding tone. And at the same time laid back in his chair.
Rosalina, not realizing what was happening, obediently took a step forward.
«Closer, closer! Don’t be afraid, I won’t hurt you!»
He was staring into her eyes with an imperious look. When she came close, he took her hands. Rosalina’s lips parted, her breathing quickened.
With a swift motion Gino put her on his knee. Bright as fire, the red-haired beauty hugged him tightly and began to kiss him. A moment later, completely out of control, she ripped off her blouse. Rising from the chair, Gino lifted her up, and Rosalina jumped on top of him and wrapped her legs around him. He immediately headed into the next room. Since the next visitors could come in at any moment.
Gino’s hypnosis grew fierce passion between them. Rosalina had no idea that this was hypnotism. However, like all the other female victims of his gift. She was in a deep trance, thinking that she was in control of what was happening to her as if it were her natural desire. But she was mistaken, like all the other victims who fall under the influence of Gino’s hypnosis.
After a while, having received what he wanted, he left the room and sat quietly in the cutting chair.
His intuition had not failed him. Indeed, another visitor was already waiting for Rosalina.
«Hello, where’s Rosalina?» asked the girl.
«Good afternoon, she’ll come out now,» he replied with a smug smile.
Rosalina got dressed in the next room. When she came out, she greeted the female visitor and, having cast