"You don't do that. Get your ass down there. Don't run around."
"You don't want Godfather worrying."
"Hey you there, quiet."
"That's enough."
There were voices flying around in the hall. Women and their children.
It was a well furnished hall compared to the previous one which was quite damp and empty.
The hall was well furnished, not extrinsic yet not shabby. It had a little touch of gold and gun. Mild and rough. A bit of this and that. The theme was quite suppressed.
"I hate women yelling at kids."
One of the two men who were with Howard said to his mate.
"Explains why you are yet to get one."
The mate took a scorn at the fellow.
Suddenly, a door was pushed open, and a lanky but thick Italian looking man, walked through the door.
Immediately all eyes went to the door, a great wave of solitude hit every corner of the hall and one after the other, the women and kids started to leave the hall.
Majority of the women could not even raise their heads. They could only whisper words at their kids to hasten the little steps and leave the hall at once.
The Italian man who looked to be in his late 60s, turned to look at the women who were leading the kids out. When the whole kids and the women were out of the hall, each mother leading her kids to her room, the man turned to those left at the big rectangular table.
Six men who were already at the table got up on their feet. They bowed and the man nodded. Then he walked to where had been prepared for him. It was like a seat which had been designed only for him. It was quite obvious.
As soon as he settled down, he looked around, browsing the young men who were present. He moved his lips to speak, when the entrance door was pushed open.
Rushing through the door was a mild looking young man who looked to be younger than the rest in the hall. He was dressed in a loose shirt and trousers with a pair of sneakers.
While the rest of those present had tuxedos on. He hurried to join the rest of the young men who were already settled at the table.
"He is here. The Nerd truly came."
One of the two men with Howard whispered. Howard took a glare at the fellow who tucked his head in at once.
"Even if it's a habit, you should at least respect the Don for bringing us together."
A man dressed in blue tux raised his voice at the Nerd looking young man who had just arrived.
"Don't be too harsh on him. He is only good with the brush. And the pen. By time he would grow to learn."
Howard called at the man who had scolded the young Nerd.
"Let Marcus be, worry about me."
The Don cleared his throat and everyone was back to the serious mode. None of them dared to hesitate.
"I'll be quick about this. I believe all of you have something you have your hands on."
The Don started. Everyone looked to be a little tensed. They looked to be on an edge. The only person who looked unbothered was Marcus, the Nerd.
Unlike the rest who had their eyes plugged to the sockets of the Don, Marcus browsed through the people who weee seated by the table. As though he was trying to arrive at a conclusion.
The Don cleared his throat then put up one of his hands. Suddenly, the door which he had walked through was pushed open and a man hurried in with a file.
The man gently put the file on the table and bowed. Then he hurried away. As soon as the door was slammed, the Don put up his finger and beckoned at Marcus.
Marcus got up on his feet and walked to the old man. He pushed his body forward in a bow. The Don nodded at the book on the table and he picked it up. He opened it.
"Shall I read?"
He asked the Don.
"What a silly question."
The man in Blue Tux took a hit at Marcus again. The Don raised his head and the man tucked his head in. A sort of warning glare.
The Don turned to Marcus and nodded at him,
"With all due respect, I read..."
Marcus started. None of the six men present could make a weird reaction. The mood in the hall seemed to had heightened and every man tend to worry only about himself.
"The Will of Don Aoilo. As scrutinised by the subject."
Marcus took a pause. There was a certain reaction in his face. He took a glance at the Don as though he had a complaint. But before the Don could look at him, he had continued,
"It is no longer a myth or fiction, the godforsaken tumor which had taken delight in chewing my brain. That motherfucker that has no other job to do but militate against mine."
Marcus paused again. The reaction in his face broadened a little bit. He allowed himself to catch the reactions of his family members. He continued almost immediately,
"Which by extension means that the order of events will take an interesting but quite expected turn."
Marcus took another pause. His family members were fuming already. They just want him to be done with it already.
"To Howard, the second and third cousins, the East business is entrusted. I trust that you would do the best job. Though you, Howard, are short tempered, yet you do not let your rage cloud your judgement. And the cousins do grace your temper."
Marcus paused for a while. He continued,
"The rum business seemed to be suffering an ugly fate, so it's management would be moved from Charles,"
Alves looked at the man in Blue,
"To Derek."
His eyes dropped on the next man seated next to Charles, the man in Blue. Then his eyes moved to the man in Blue,
"To Charles, the Casino business seems to be blooming now. It had extended it arms to the West. I heard that Benzino has a problem with it, claiming that it is his turf. You will hold a meeting with him, straighten things out then keep up the growth of the baby cards and coins."
Charles, whose face had folded in because the rum business was taken from him, suddenly smiled. The new offer made to him seemed to pose quite a fun.
There was still a man who was yet to be mentioned.
"Horace, keep doing the good job with the strip club. After paying in half the gross income, you can start staking an independence."
The man referred to Horace, didn't push it. He was quite happy but he didn't make it too known. Mirth ran across his face but not for a long time. He looked to be a careful person.
"Keep your heads up. And let this old man enjoy his last few months in peace."
Marcus came to a stop.
"The end."
He muttered. But he had an argument. But he didn't spell out this argument, instead he turned to the Don.
The old man met his gaze at once,
"Don't take an offense, Marcus. There's enough money to fund your art. You said you don't want to be a part of the family business. It's too unholy to you. I respect your beliefs. Like I do the rest of the family members. So do not take it against me."
Marcus didn't say a word. He just blinked for a while. Then he smiled. It wasn't sure if it was forced or not.
"No offense taken."
He smacked his lips and dropped the book. He walked back to go seat.
"There's enough fun around. And, while you respect the confidentiality of your businesses, it's not a terrible idea to have your brothers and cousins stop by once in a while."
The Don got up on his feet.
"At night, you can come pay me a visit as you wish."
The Don added then turned to leave.
"Before you leave, Father."
Howard called at once. The Don hesitated first, then turned to him.
"Matters of the heart?"
The Don called. It was a ritual for the sons of the old man to refer to him as Don if it's business related, but as father if it's of the heart.
"I have someone I want to show to you."
Howard said, formally and with a straight face. The Don sat back down in his seat. He nodded at Howard.
"Let her in."
Howard called.
The door opened to a tall beautiful lady with long and sleek hair. Her beauty was ravishing yet she looked almost casual. All attention went to her.
Immediately Marcus saw her, his eyes widened and his heart missed a beat. Then his heartbeat accelerated.
Smiling and looking around, Howard caught the reaction of Marcus towards the lady. His jaws stiffened and his face became sour.
He pushed his chair back and stepped away from his seat. Then he started to walk like he was headed towards Marcus...