The tension at Enzo's warehouses had become impossible to ignore. The hallways were quieter than normal. Conversations paused whenever footsteps echoed nearby. Everyone moved more carefully,like the air itself had grown heavier.
"Upstairs, three men sat around a table surrounded by beer bottles and chess.
"Did you finish the report?" One of them asked.
"Yes," another one said, sliding a stack of paper across the table. " But I won't be the one to give it to him."
" Me neither," the third man shook his head immediately.
A short silence fell between them.
"He's been on edge all week," the first one muttered.
"Edge?" the second man scoffed. " I think that's an understatement. Heard what happened to Pablo?"
" Hard not to," the first man muttered.
The third man leaned back in his chair and run his fingers through his hair. " A hundred lashes? With that whip?"
A chill seemed to settle over the group.
" What happened? What did he do?"
"Messed up a shipment. Caused the boss a lot of money," the first man said.
"But Pablo has been handling shipments for years," the third man said, looking around.
"I know. Pablo couldn't stand afterward."
"So what now?"
"We just have to make sure we don't mess up. Double check every shipment, receipts, just make sure you don't make any mistakes," the first man said.
" But why is the boss acting this way?" The first guy leaned in and whispered, his eyes darting around.
" I swear I don't know."
Before any of them could speak, the footsteps they feared echoed throught the hallway, causing them to disperse.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lorenzo pulled up into the quiet neighbourhood. A few people were outisde going about their daily activities since it was mid-afternoon. The laughter of children who were riding their bicycles filled the warm atmosphere.
Lorenzo got down from the car and popped the trunk open, revealing colorful boxes and a huge teddy bear. He smirked slightly as he carefully removed the stuff and gently placed them at the doorstep of the address Enzo gave him.
Then he gently rang the doorbell.
Seconds later, a woman's head popped out the foor. Her hair was messy even though it was tied in a ponytail and she was covered in glitters.
" Hi!" she greeted him cheerfully.
Lorenzo couldn't stop himself from smiling.
"Hi. You must be Isla."
The woman nodded eagerly.
" Well, I have a very special package from a very special friend."
Isla's eyes widened in surprise as she stared at all the goodies at her doorstep.
Then her face fell as she pouted. " I'm not allowed to take stuff from strangers."
" Is there someone in this neighbourhood who's allowed to take stuff from strangers?" Lorenzo asked in a teasing tone.
Isla frowned slightly as she looked around as if she was deep in thoughts.
" You can give it Chase," she said suddenly. " He's always talking to strangers and getting in their cars. His parents don't seem to care if he takes stuff from them."
Lorenzo laughed. " I'm talking about your babysitter."
Isla mouth formed an "O" as her face turned round from embarrassment. She quickly run inside and reappeared a few seconds later with Lena.
" Hi sir, how can I help you?" Lena asked with an exhuasted look, she looked a bit sweaty and her cheeks were covered in dust.
"Enzo sent these stuff for Isla. He is very busy so he hasn't gotten the time to pass by."
" Oh he didn't have to," Lena smiled.
" Yes he did," Isla squealed in excitement,before she started taking the boxes inside.
" Isla..."
"No, it's fine." Lorenzo cut in watching Isla take the boxes inside.
"Is there a way we thank him?"Lena asked Lorenzo.
" I'll let him know." Lorenzo said. " He's just busy these days."
" Of course," Lena nodded in understanding. "Well,since you came all the way here, why don't you come inside for tea?"
Lorenzo glanced toward inside then back at her.
For a second it looked like he was considering it, then he shook his head gently.
" Thanks, but I should get back," he said, his tone respectful.
Lena nodded.
Behind them, Isla had finished packing the boxes and toys inside, excitement written all over her face.
" Thank your brother for us," Lena said again politely.
"I will," Lorenzo gave a small nod.
Lorenzo had just reached his car when a voice called called behind him.
"Wait!"
He turned.
Isla came running toward him, her pigtails bouncing behind him. She was holding a book and a box of crayons.
" Can you give this to him?" She lifted the items towards him, slightly out of breath.
"To who?" Lorenzo raised a brow.
" To my friend," she said simply.
" Enzo?" Lorenzo chuckled.
Isla nodded and pushed the items towards him.
"And what's he supposed to do with that?" he asked, amused.
"So he can play when he's bored," she answered as if it was obvious.
" A box of crayons and coloring book?" he asked, slowly taking the items from her hands.
Isla nodded proudly with a smile.
Lorenzo stared at the items with a wide grin, clearly imagining his terrifying older brother sitting at his desk with them.
"You know what?" he said with a smile. " I'll make sure he gets them."
"Okay!" Isla beamed. " Bye!" she ran back to her babysitter who looked amused and slightly embarrassed.
As Lorenzo drove away from the neighbourhood, he looked down at the book and crayons lying on the dashboard.
He shook his head quitely and laughed.
"Oh.... I am definitely giving these to him."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Enzo sat in his office with a glass of whiskey in his hand. His tie was loose and three of his buttons open. He has a bloodstain of his shirt and his his hair was a mess, clearly showing he just got home and wasn't in a good mood. He was enjoying the silnce when the door swung open.
He clenched his his jaw in annoyance because only one person had that audacity.
Lorenzo walked in casually and dropped into the chair across from the desk.
There was a brief silence before Lorenzo finally spoke.
" The delivery went well, by the way."
Enzo finally looked at him.
"And?"
" She loved 'em."
Enzo simply nodded and took a sip from his glass.
Then something hit his desk with a faint thud.
" What's that?" Enzo asked, his eyes fixed on the items. There was a slight frown on his face.
"A gift?"
" What?" Enzo's frown deepened.
"Oh yes," Lorenzo grinned.
Enzo stared at the crayons and the coloring book, completely unimpressed.
" Explain."
Lorenzo walked to the small cabinet in his brother's office and picked a glass.
"Well," he said casually. Walking back to his brother's desk to pour himself a drink.
" She insisted," he said, filling his glass.
Enzo's eyes narrowed at his brother.
"Apparently," Lorenzo continued, trying so hard not to smile, "since you gave her toys...she felt it was only fair to give you something too."
A brief pause.
" She said you can use them when you're bore," he said, pointing to the crayons.
For a moment, the office was completely silent.
Enzo stared at the items on the desk like they were some kind of a joke.
Then Lorenzo added the final part'
"Oh...and she said coloring makes people happy."
Enzo leaned back in his chair, his gaze moved from the crayons to his brotjer's smug expression.
" You think this is funny?" he asked coldly.
" I think it's thoughtful," Lorenzo shrugged.
Enzo picked up the crayons and stared at them for a moment before slowly puttung them back on the desk.
"You know," Lorenzo grinned, leaning back in his chair. " I never imagined I'd ever walk into your office and see you with a box of crayons."
Enzo lifted his eyes slowly and gave him a look that could freeze fire.
"Get out."
Lorenzo didn't move, instead his grin widened.
"What?" he said lightly. " I'm just saying. If people see this, they might start asking you to draw them pictures during meetings."
Enzo's jaw tightened.
"Out."
Lorenzo still didn't stand.
"You should at least try them once," he said. " Might help with your temper, you've been scaring everyone with lately."
"Do you enjoy testing how far my patience goes?"
Lorenzo chuckled, finally standing me.
"Relax. I'm leaving."
He walked towards the door and paused just when his hands touched the doorknob. His eyes flicked to the crayons again.
"You know," he said, unable to resist one last jab, " if you start cloring, try not to go outside the lines."
Enzo's glare could have killed him. But, Lorenzo didn't care, he laughed quietly and opened the door.
"Don't worry," he said as he stepped out. " I have to go home anyway. Lia is waiting for me."
The door shut behind him.
The office fell silent again. Enzo sat there without without moving.
Then his eyes drifted slowly back to the coloring book and the box of crayons sitting on his desk then he let out a deep breath.