Through conversation, Luke learned that Malèna was a schoolteacher whose husband was drafted into the army on their wedding night to join the brutal war.
Her beauty brought her many coveting eyes and unnecessary trouble.
Just like an unattended orchard, full and attractive fruit, anyone would think of picking it with their own hands.
The difference was that some people could only bury their desires in their hearts, while others have the means to implement them.
Angelo, the constable of the small town of Taormina, was such a man. He had the intent, and the courage, to put them into practice.
If it weren't for his sturdy 'ball and chain' at home, with a voice so loud it sounded like a broken gong -- the shrewish wife, who made a scene now and then.
Angelo, the constable, may have picked this beautiful and delicate flower, Malèna, by coercion.
It was a turbulent time when the war between the Axis and the Allies had reached Sicily.
During the war, Italy's monetary system collapsed, and prices soared.
Also, Mussolini's control measures restricted the trading of food and gold jewelry.
As a result, Italians were left to scavenge for food while cursing the damned dictator.
Malèna had her job. Apart from dealing with boring men's foul language in small towns and the harassment of the constable, she could still live and continue to stick to her boundaries.
With the war hitting Sicily, the calmness of the past was broken.
Everything had changed!
Men in the small town seemed to become fierce all suddenly.
They are like hungry wolves, waiting for someone to break into the orchard first and pick this ripe fruit.
After that, Malèna, who had lost her perseverance and chastity, would sooner or later become a plaything in this small town.
"Your father is ill?"
Luke's face did not change, and he continued to ask.
"Yes. Drugs and food are controlled, and the constable said he could get them for me, as long as … I would stay with him for one night. "
Malèna seemed somewhat reluctant to speak. Her eyes looked sad, "I'm ready to give in. It's too hard for a woman to live alone. Besides, I can't let my father be taken away by illness. "
"But Don Alessandro came to the door, and he said if I could ... satisfy you, he will guarantee my future life."
Malèna's tone sounded helpless, and whether it's the town constable or the Sicilian Mafia, there's nothing she can do against them.
"I got it, Malèna. You should rest here tonight. What comes next, I will ask Cossa myself. "
Luke said faintly.
He looked away and got up to leave the room.
There is no doubt that Malèna was a stunner who can arouse men's lust, but Luke wasn't interested in letting his lower body control his upper body and engage in lewd acts.
One of the reasons why humans are at the top of the food chain compared to other animals in nature is because they probably know how to analyze and reflect. Desires do not easily dominate their brains.
While an animal's nature is aggressive out of necessity, human nature is the foundation for establishing order.
"Mr. Corleone ..."
Seeing Malèna call out to him, Luke waved his hand and said, "There's some misunderstanding in the middle, and it's hard for me to explain it to you. I'm sorry for your fright and unnecessary trouble. "
Looking at this beautiful girl's indelible fear, Luke didn't say much. He just walked out of the room.
Tonight, he had to rest in the second bedroom.
'At least, it's better than sleeping on the sofa.'
Luke thought so
The following day, Luke went downstairs to order breakfast and spoke to the mafia people guarding the hotel.
Within 20 minutes, Alessandro arrived in a hurry.
He walked into Luke's room, stood respectfully, and didn't even stretch out his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead.
"Why, Cossa, you sent a woman to my bed last night and used such underhanded means?"
Luke sat at the table, leisurely enjoying the local breakfast and pizza frittata.
After picking up the coffee with his right hand and taking a sip, he added, "Did I come to Sicily to find a woman? Cossa, I know what you mean, but I want to tell you that I value a person's ability more than flattery. "
Alessandro nodded. He thought that a hot-blooded young man like Luke would never be indifferent to a beautiful woman like Malèna.
Besides, in the impression of this Mafia leader, the most effective way to please a bigshot was to send money and women.
But when it came to Mr. Corleone, it didn't work!
Luke seemed to guess Alessandro's thoughts but chose to not say anything.
...
"Twenty gunmen are ready, and they are all good guys! They have long been dissatisfied with Mussolini, that cold-blooded butcher, and cruel executioner!"
Since Luke mentioned ability, Alessandro was eager to show his.
"As for the pass, I've settled it and paid a lot of money to bribe the top brass of the navy patrol! You can get it the day after tomorrow at the latest."
Facts had proven that Alessandro wouldn't only please his superiors, he also had a remarkable ability to handle affairs.