: THEY MOCKED THE GODFATHERS SON OR “FROM MOCKED TO GOD”.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Vivian's mother did not move.

She stood in the middle of the store floor with her shopping bags at her feet with her daughter beside her who was completely confused at what exactly was going on. Mara had the expression of a woman who had never for once in her life been asked to leave anywhere.

"I beg your pardon?" she said.

"I apologize for any inconvenience," the manager said without sounding apologetic for one bit. "But I am going to have to ask you and your daughter to leave the premises."

"Do you have any idea who I am?" Her voice went sharp. "My family has been shopping in this store for six years. Six years. I have spent more money in this establishment than most of your staff will earn in a decade and you are standing here asking me to leave because of him?" She pointed at Ethan. "The same man who was cleaning swimming pools four days ago?"

"I am not going to discuss the reasons," the manager said.

"Then let me discuss them." She raised her voice and the remaining customers on the floor turned fully. She had an audience now and she was going to use it. "This man is a fraud. He has a stolen card and a borrowed suit, and whatever story he has told you to make you act this way is a lie. I know him and I know his history. He has spent his entire life attaching himself to people with money and pretending to belong somewhere he doesn't and the fact that you are standing here taking his side over a family who has given this store years of loyal business is absolutely disgraceful."

'She is not talking to the manager anymore.' Ethan watched her work the room. 'She is talking to everyone watching because he wants witnesses and more people to agree with her before the truth arrives.'

He said nothing and turned back to the display case looking at the piece under the glass.

'It will be yours in about four minutes. Be patient.'

Aria stood to his left and she said nothing either. She just looked at the situation unfolding itself around them like it was totally ridiculous.

The manager tried again. "Madam, I must insist…"

"Call the owner," she said. "Right now. I want to speak to the owner of this store personally because what is happening here is completely unacceptable and I will not be treated this way by someone who works the floor."

"The owner will only tell you the same thing I am telling you." The manager said like the conversation was getting too tedious for him to handle.

"Then get him in here and let him tell me himself."

The manager looked at her steadily. "Your account with this store has been suspended pending review. I am asking you one final time to collect your belongings and leave. If you are unable to do that, I will ask the security to assist you."

The room went very quiet.

Vivian's sister put a hand on her mother's arm. "Mum."

She shook it off. "Do not touch me." She looked at the manager, then at Aria, then at Ethan. When she looked at Ethan something flickered across her face that was not quite what it was when she first saw him. There was still contempt in it, but underneath the contempt there was something newer and less comfortable.

'Uncertainty,' Ethan thought. 'She walked in here knowing exactly who you were. She is leaving not being sure anymore.'

"You think this is something?" She picked up her bags slowly and deliberately while pretending to be dignified the same way she had been pretending to be superior ten minutes ago. "You saved the president's daughter one time and she’s someone rich enough to buy you a black card. This is all it is. In one week nobody will remember your name." She looked at Ethan directly. "My daughter is going to be fine, by the way. She has Derek which means she has a future while all you have is one good week before whoever she realizes what you actually are and puts you back where you belong."

Ethan looked at her.

"Please give my regards to Vivian," he said and her jaw tightened.

She walked to the door and her daughter followed while the security guard held the door open for them to walk out.

The manager turned to Ethan. "I sincerely apologize for that. That staff would have made me lose my job."

"It is fine," Ethan said. "I need the piece in this case and a full suit. I have an event tonight."

"Of course." The manager snapped his fingers at the senior attendant. "Take care of him personally."

The attendant who had sided with Vivian's mother was standing near the register trying to make herself very small but it wasn’t working.

The manager stopped in front of her on his way back to the floor.

"Clear your station," he said quietly. "You are finished for today and as for if you’ll come back, we will talk about that in the morning."

"I was just…"

"You chose a side," he snapped angrily. "And you chose it loudly in front of customers. We do not do that here." He said and walked away.

She looked at Ethan with something close to anger and walked away.

Ethan looked back at her briefly and shook his head. 'She followed the money she could see and missed the money she couldn't. Most people do that their whole lives.'

He turned back to the display case.

The watch was brought out and placed on a velvet board in front of him. Up close it was even better than it had looked under the glass. The craftsmanship great in a way that did not need to announce itself.

"The suit as well," Ethan said to the attendant. "I need something appropriate for a formal evening event. Something undertone but presentable so I would be able to move in it."

"Of course." The attendant said meticulously. Precise and attentive, his earlier performance was completely set aside. "If you will follow me."