Lorenzo sat in the dark, brooding silently as he remembered the helplessness and misery on the faces of the wives of the deceased farmers even after he compensated them.
The evening was chilly as expected of September but he wasn't fazed. The stars were bright tonight and from the distance, the beach glimmered in the moonlight.
The investigation revolving around the boss' death kept leading to a dead end, though his Uncle Pietro was still the main suspect.
He didn't want to start pointing fingers until he had evidence unless he wanted to alert his uncle about his suspicions which would be a bad idea.
He relaxed on the Chesterfield lounge on the balcony of his villa which overlooked the beach while casually nursing a glass of his favorite whiskey.
Bruno his consigliere had gone to his casino in Palermo to keep an eye on the negotiations between one of their dealers from Spain and their top buyer.
Raffaele the supervisor had found boxes where the dichloride paraquat had been kept and Lorenzo had ordered him to find out how it was brought into the stores.
He rubbed at his temple, exhausted by the day's activities and the fact he had not eaten a morsel of food since he drove his brother personally to the airport.
He never wanted to be boss, in fact, he never wanted anything to do with the mafia. However, when the boss died leaving orders to make him the new boss, all he could think of was Marcello.
Being the boss was the only way he knew he could always protect his younger brother who was more important to him than his own life. Marcello who had always been the ray of sunshine in their family. The one who gave everyone hugs and made jokes to brighten their moods.
Lorenzo had always been the brooding twin but he loved playing with his brother. The death of their parents had traumatized him especially when he heard the truth surrounding their death.
He hid everything from Marcello because he didn't want the dark world of the mafia to rob his brother of a brighter perspective of life, so he took the brunt of everything.
The both of them had gotten their mother's eyes and hair and also their Father's height and looks and Marcello was a reminder that the pleasant memories were not illusions.
He cherished his younger brother more than anything and he was deathly worried about something happening to him, to the extent he had private bodyguards who kept an eye on Marcello even though he wasn't aware of it.
Both of them had been 15 when their parents died in a suspicious car crash on their anniversary, after that their Uncle took them in and cared for them though it was more like he sent them to hell and back every day.
Lorenzo never let Marcello bear any of the punishments as that was easy, considering no one could tell them apart. He always hid Marcello and took the fall for mistakes Marcello made.
The only person who knew of this was his Aunt Amelita and she wept silently when tending to his wounds late at night after creeping out of her bed so her husband would not find out.
Aunt Amelita had been their mother's best friend and she always took care of them like their mother would and that was why Lorenzo didn't openly challenge his uncle since his aunt loved him dearly.
His phone rang interrupting his thoughts, he turned halfway to the left to look at the lit-up screen. It was his cousin sister Rosa calling. He kept the glass on the mini stool where his phone was placed, then took his phone and answered the call.
"Sí Rosa" he answered calmly, ruffling his hair slightly as he got up from the chaise lounge.
"Enzo I hope you have not forgotten my wedding, no excuses remember everyone must attend," Rosa said earnestly,
Lorenzo smiled despite himself, Rosa was Uncle Pietro and Aunt Amelita's only child. She was getting married to one of the French Ambassadors she had met during her travels.
Her fiance Louise Aguillard had connections to top dignitaries, most of who did business with Lorenzo outside VALVERRA and were attending the wedding. The wedding was going to be huge and everyone had been planning for months.
"Ci sarò soru ( I will be there sister)" he reassured her. There was momentarily silence as she tried remembering what else she wanted to tell him
"Enzo remind Marcello too I know he is married to VALVERRA but I'll never forgive him if he misses my wedding" she whined before a male voice probably her fiance called for her.
"Bye Enzo see you guys on Friday," she said before ending the call.
Lorenzo sighed as he pocketed his phone after sending a message to Marcello to remind him of Rosa's wedding and then he headed for the wine cellar, midway he changed his mind and decided to get something from the pantry.
*
*
*
Isabella sat eagerly on Celeste's bed waiting for her to spill the tea. Celeste wrapped her oyster blue robe tightly around her as she dried her hair.
"Come on Celeste I'm dying to know what happened" she whined, Celeste rolled her eyes at Isabella's dramatics.
"I told you nothing happened, he dived in after that bitch caused me to fall and then he drove me home," Celeste said casually though the tips of her ears were bright red as her thoughts drifted to that particular moment in the car.
"Now back to you young lady what the hell is going on between you and Felix" Celeste queried, hands on hips while narrowing her eyes at Isabella.
Isabella was startled by the sudden switch in topic, and knowing Celeste she must be really disappointed in her now.
"I'm sorry Celeste I got drunk and called him that night and somehow we both ended up in bed," she said shamefully, her voice breaking on the last word.
Celeste's temper cooled and moved to sit beside Isabella.
"Come here," she said stretching her arms and hugging Isabella.
"It's gonna be fine Bella I just want you to remember the horrible things that bastard did to you, he is not worth it," she said softly.
"I know Celeste, I was just lost in the haze of old memories that's all," Isabella said as they disengaged from the hug.
"It's fine go to bed and forget about him, I need to rest against tomorrow," Celeste said pulling Isabella up and shooing her out of the room.
"Congratulations on your promotion Celeste you deserve it, I just hope you win his heart" Isabella called out, and Celeste smiled.
She closed the door and turned off the lights then lay in her hanging chair, replaying the day's events in her mind while lingering on the moment he gazed into her eyes.
Soon she drifted off to sleep, her last thoughts were those whiskey-colored eyes.
*
*
*
Marcello stared at the text Lorenzo had sent to him. The afternoon sun was shining brightly and reflecting in the office bringing the beauty of the interior decor to light.
He kept contemplating between a car, a yacht and a villa, which would be suitable as a wedding gift. His cousin Rosa's wedding was drawing near and he had not gotten her any gift nor chosen which gift to give her.
This was Tuesday and he had to be back in Sicily by Friday. He couldn't miss it or he would never live it down.
The door to his office rang interrupting his thoughts and he became alert knowing who was at the door. He waited five minutes to see if she would catch on fast, and a minute later the door opened with a soft click revealing Celeste who looked extremely beautiful in her blue chiffon top and white skirt.
Her signature cherry-red lips looked even more alluring as the sun worked wonders on her complexion.
Marcello relaxed in his chair, staring at her totally entranced by the sight. Her hair was tied into a neat bun with tendrils curling around her ears. She was exquisite.
Celeste stood shyly under his scrutiny, wondering if she looked pretty enough to attract or if she looked hideous.
"You called sir," she said softly, and he nodded towards a bag on his desk.
"I believe those belong to you," he said.
Celeste frowned, she could not remember forgetting anything in his office. She quickly hurried to his desk and peered into the bag.
On seeing her clothes from the previous day, a blush crept up her face. She quickly snatched the bag from the desk.
"I am sorry Mr Martino it escaped my mind," she said and Marcello nodded absentmindedly, his eyes on his computer screen.
Celeste smiled softly as she stared at Marcello noting how the sun shone on his tanned skin, his black hair was slicked back in a beautiful style that gave him a more roguish look.
She remembered how Uncle Theo, Mrs Abel and others had congratulated her ecstatically on her promotion. It still felt surreal to her when she sat in her office that morning. Her mother's excited scream when she told her still made her smile.
Out of the excited and happy well wishes, she was the happiest of them all. She served him coffee on time and could go on business trips with him. She was able to see him all day.
"Celeste do you have any ideas on gifts suitable for a bride" Marcello asked interrupting Celeste's daydream.
Celeste froze, as she gaped at Marcello.
Did he just say, bride?! Was Marcello getting married?!!!