Antonietta stared at the door of her home office, wishing to know what was going on inside. As if God answered her prayers, she saw an opportunity arise when Alessio exited the room and walked in her direction.
"Alessio, long time no see," Antonietta began, smiling.
"Mrs. Amorielle," Alessio replied, giving her a nod and continuing to walk.
"Alessio!" Antonietta called, turning to face the man who continued walking briskly.
"Mrs. Amorielle, can I help you?" Rocco asked, standing behind Antonietta.
"Yes, Rocco," Antonietta replied, turning to face the Capo. "What's going on?"
"Nothing, just business," Rocco replied.
"Rocco, in over thirty years, I have never seen a woman handling business in this office with a Don," Antonietta argued, gesturing with her hands.
"I understand, Mrs. Amorielle, but times have changed," Rocco calmly explained. "Don Vittorio has a different vision for the business. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to attend to another matter for him."
"Very well," Antonietta said before taking a sip of her champagne. She watched Rocco take a few steps and then continued, "Rocco, do you know the last woman who entered that office?"
"No, Mrs.," Rocco replied, still facing away from the matriarch.
"It was me," Antonietta answered, causing the capo to turn around, surprised. "And do you know what business was discussed?"
"I can't even imagine, Mrs."
"My marriage... Il mio matrimonio, my wedding to Don Marco," Antonietta replied. "And I'm absolutely certain that's what my son is dealing with at this very moment with that girl. Am I wrong?"
Rocco stared at Mrs. Amorielle, serious, while she observed the capo, searching for any expression that would answer her question. Although deep down she knew the answer, she didn't want to believe that her son was plotting his own marriage with just any woman.
"Mrs. Amorielle!" Eleonora spoke, approaching the matriarch without noticing the tension in the air. She kissed both sides of the matriarch's face and continued speaking, ignoring Rocco's presence as he slowly left, leaving them alone. "Sorry for the delay, but I took my time choosing a dress suitable for the occasion."
"Hello, dear," Antonietta said, analyzing the well-chosen navy blue wrap dress worn by her former daughter-in-law. The matriarch took the blonde's hands in her own and continued speaking. "Know that it was worth it. You look perfect... like a true Mrs. Amorielle."
"Gattone," Eleonora corrected, with a weak smile.
"You have no idea how much I regret that your marriage didn't happen," Antonietta sighed, sad. "I never understood why you two broke up..."
"Well, he broke up with me," Eleonora shrugged. "So, it's up to him to tell his reasons."
"Know that I haven't given up on you two," Antonietta said, smiling at Eleonora. "And I'll do everything to bring you back together."
***
Vittorio's office door opened, allowing Vittorio and Ellis to enter, with Ellis holding onto the mafia boss's arm. Rocco and Jason emerged behind them, walking towards the mansion's exit. The two made their way towards the main dining room, where the majestic table was already filled with seated guests, awaiting their arrival. Vittorio smiled at his guests, while Ellis maintained a stern expression. She observed every inch of Vittorio's face, still trying to process everything that had happened in the office—where she had entered freely and was now trapped with a man who didn't even seem like the same person who had pointed a gun at her brother's head or pushed him towards the sofa. The man beside her had a huge smile on his face, an air of triumph, of being all-powerful.
Vittorio turned towards Ellis and then leaned closer to her ear to whisper:
"Do your part, Miss Barker."
He pulled away and Ellis gave a faint smile, something that did not go unnoticed by the guests, who seemed to understand the dynamics of the couple.
"Welcome to my dinner," Vittorio began, capturing everyone's attention. "I apologize for the delay, but as you know, business always comes first."
"Except when we have a meal," Antonietta added, seated at the head of the table.
"But this dinner is not just a meal, right, Mom?" Vittorio turned to his mother. He nodded to the waiter, who handed him a glass of champagne, and then nodded to Ellis. Don Vittorio raised his glass, prompting everyone to do the same. "This dinner is a milestone for all of us. After two years, I truly feel prepared to officially take my place as Capo di tutti Capi, the Boss of all bosses of the Mafia. From this day forward, I will assume the title of Don Vittorio Amorielle."
Everyone raised their glasses even higher, and as they were about to take a sip, Vittorio continued speaking:
"And I can't embark on this journey alone... That's why today, I also announce to everyone my marriage to Ellis Barker." He handed the glass to the waiter and then took the velvet box out of his pocket, opening it towards the young woman. "Ellis Barker, will you marry me?"
Ellis stared at the ring with its large pink stone, undoubtedly a diamond, in shock. She had never seen such a beautiful piece of jewelry before. However, she wasn't the only one surprised by the gem; all the guests started whispering to each other at Vittorio's gesture. The only one who remained silent was Antonietta, who observed the scene with a serious expression.
"Is that a Graff Pink?" whispered one of the women at the table.
"Ellis?" Vittorio called out, still smiling. He extended the box a little further and continued looking deeply into Ellis's eyes. "I know I caught you off guard, but I want you to know that you're the only thing I'm certain I need in my life. Since I met you, I've let myself become someone I'm not. I don't make decisions without thinking of you by my side... You've become my compass. Let me do the same for you... I see our future in your eyes."
Ellis stared at Vittorio, even more, surprised because she certainly didn't expect those sweet words to come from him. The little she knew him, she was more certain that at any moment he would call Rocco, his brother, and place him in front of her with a gun to his head. Yes, that was Vittorio. The one with sweet words was just an act, a very good one, she had to admit. Undoubtedly, if it were a different situation, she would easily surrender to those passionate words. However, if it was an act, she could do better.
"Oh my God, how beautiful!" exclaimed Ellis, placing her hands over her lips. Then she began to fan herself, which made Vittorio raise an eyebrow, surprised by the brunette's reaction. She then raised her hand towards the mafia boss, amidst frantic squeals, and said, "Of course, of course!"
He then put the ring on Ellis' ring finger and pulled her towards him, leaning the brunette back to give her a passionate kiss, but all he encountered was the young woman's cheek as she whispered in his ear, "Kissing during the engagement dinner is not part of the contract."
He quickly pulled her back up, frustrated. Vittorio had already imagined Ellis' soft lips enveloping his, but apparently, that moment would have to wait for the wedding.
The guests booed when they noticed that the couple didn't kiss, but then applauded when they saw Vittorio kiss Ellis' hand.
"Dinner is served," Vittorio announced to the guests.
The newly engaged couple then walked to the opposite end of the table where Antonietta was sitting, but to Vittorio's surprise, only his seat was available. The seat next to him was occupied by Eleonora, who stared at him with a weak smile while he could see tears welling up in the corners of her eyes.
"Eleonora..." Vittorio began, serious. "What are you doing sitting there?"
"Oh, dear, I'm sorry, it was my mistake," Antonietta started from the other side of the table. "You didn't tell me that Ellis Barker was such an important guest... So I seated her here next to me."
"No problem," Vittorio said. He walked towards Eleonora's seat and then pulled out the blonde's chair. "Could you please be so kind as to sit in the seat near my mother? I'm sure you two have a lot to talk about."
"Oh, Vittorio, don't do that," Ellis pleaded to Vittorio, embarrassed. "I don't mind sitting next to your mother."
"Ellis," Vittorio said, approaching the young woman and then whispered to her, "You're not ready to deal with her..."
"You can be sure that twenty thousand dollars will give me all the strength I need for that," Ellis replied with a smile.
"Don't do that," Vittorio ordered, holding his fiancee's hand.
She let go of Vittorio's hand, who looked at her, surprised. The mobster couldn't believe that Ellis had ignored his order. The brunette then sat next to her mother-in-law, who stared at her son with a slightly twisted smile. Vittorio took a deep breath and sat in his seat, annoyed.
"Vittorio, I'm so sorry, I didn't imagine your mother would do this..." Eleonora said awkwardly.
"I didn't imagine that seat belonged to my fiancee," Vittorio turned to the blonde. "Funny you say that... since you always sat by my side when we were together."
"But not in this seat..." Eleonora argued. "If I had known... You know she
has a fondness... for me."
"Now you know, and I hope you don't repeat that mistake," Vittorio said, looking into Eleonora's green eyes.
It was the first time in two years that he had finally done it. Two years ago, he was crazy about those eyes, that mouth... that blonde hair... the way she sprawled on his chest after a night of lovemaking. He watched as Eleonora's hand slid down his wrist, rubbing it slowly, while she looked at him with that expression of sadness that made him soften in any fight they had between them.
"Darling, please..." she pleaded.
"Don't call me darling," Vittorio asked, holding Eleonora's hand and then made the touch end. "You don't have that right anymore... Besides, stop using the affection my mother feels for you to try to get close to me. The least you could do was tell her what you did."
"Vittorio..."
"Tell her, Eleonora, or I will," Vittorio said, removing Eleonora's hand from his arm, a gesture that didn't go unnoticed by Ellis.
"So, my dear, it seems you're my son's chosen one," Antonietta said, trying to disguise her disdain.
"Yes..." Ellis whispered as she looked at all the cutlery and glasses in front of her.
Etiquette was not something the brunette had the opportunity to deeply understand. She regretted even more not studying when the waiter approached and served her a thick soup with generous pieces of meat and vegetables. It wasn't exactly the type of dish she imagined eating based on the way the table was set. Considering the lunch with Vittorio, she imagined something like caviar, scallops, those dishes that appeared in movies... She shook her head, reproaching herself. Movies... all she had as a reference were movies, and apparently, they were wrong. Mafiosos ate...
"Zuppa all'omertà!" Antonietta said, drawing Ellis' attention.
"Sorry, what was that?" Ellis asked, not understanding her mother-in-law's words.
"The dish is called Zuppa all'omertà," Antonietta replied, smiling at the young woman. "It's boiled lamb... To explain it better, it's a thick soup made with old lamb, onion, garlic, tomato, smoked sausage, bacon, bread, cheese, and mint leaves. It's a traditional dish in our families. Try it..."
"Wow, it sounds delicious," Ellis said, looking at her soup. She took a spoonful and savored the dish, which was truly divine. "Mmm, very tasty..."
"I'm glad you liked it because I prepared it," Antonietta revealed, observing the surprised expression on the brunette's face. Never in a million years would Ellis have imagined that elegant woman entering a kitchen to make soup.
"Congratulations, it's delicious," Ellis complimented, eating even more. With each spoonful, the food seemed more delicious. It had a different flavor, not only tasty but also brought a good feeling to her.
"Great, this is also Vittorio's favorite dish," Antonietta continued. "And you'll have to learn how to make it for him."
"Of course, it would be an honor to learn this dish," Ellis replied between spoonfuls. "Whenever you want to schedule..."
"Tomorrow," Antonietta quickly responded.
"Okay, tomorrow," Ellis awkwardly confirmed before returning to savor her dish.
"Beloved son, tell us, do you already have a date in mind?" Antonietta asked, looking at her son.
"In two weeks," Vittorio replied,
causing Ellis to spit out all the soup in her mouth onto the guest in front of her.