Lorenzo sat in his chair, lost in thought. Luca watched his Boss with admiration. He was five years younger than Lorenzo but he was impressed by his Boss' accomplishments in just his 31 years.
Establishing a successful conglomerate as VALVERRA from scratch despite his past struggles and becoming the boss of the feared CASANOVA mafia without bloodshed when everyone least expected it.
Luca hoped he would be as successful as him one day. However right now he knew his boss was stewing in anger, someone had infiltrated the Casino in Palermo and kidnapped a major client of theirs.
No one knew the client's movements aside from a few of the soldiers who were to escort him and some underbosses. Luca had sent the soldiers under his control to track the car but they had all been gassed and lost the trail.
"Luca any response from the intel we sent to the SALVATORES" Lorenzo asked in a tight voice, his grip on his pen tightening until the pen snapped into two.
Luca was uneasy, violent and loud Lorenzo was easier to deal with but the brooding Lorenzo was like dealing with a live wire. He adjusted his position against the wall as he contemplated his answer.
"His body was found in a trash bag," Luca said in a barely audible voice. Lorenzo swore violently and smashed his fist on the desk but thanks to the quality it just vibrated.
" Luca send the soldiers under your command to escort my brother back, someone is playing dangerous games with me and I do not want him caught in the crossfire," Lorenzo said.
"Yes sir," Luca said, he knew how much his Boss cherished his twin brother Marcello and wasn't surprised he was thinking of him in this situation. But what he couldn't understand was the news surrounding his Boss' lady.
The rumors had spread throughout about the lady of the CASANOVA mafia, but the boss had ordered that her introduction would be postponed till she was ready.
Luca had seen her for the first time today and she was absolutely beautiful, though he figured it ran deeper than beauty for his boss to want her so much that he pretended to be his brother even though the reason was unknown to Luca.
"Ask Raffaele to carry out that investigation without me, send Bruno to accompany him then find where my uncle Pietro has been to since the wedding even those he has been with" Lorenzo ordered.
"I understand sir, do we send another intel on SALVATORES ?" Luca asked,
"Not until we find out who is selling information from CASANOVA to the others," Lorenzo said and with a flick of his wrist he dismissed Luca.
*
*
*
Celeste sat carefully on Aunt Amelita's dresser chair. This was the first time she had ever been in Aunt Amelita's room, and it was in such delicate hues of purple looking like a room suitable for a Queen.
"Relax dear I don't bite, and I'm not here to give you cash to abandon your fiance too" Aunt Amelita teased. Celeste smiled, relaxing at her words, before taking the small cup of sweet tea Aunt Amelita gave her.
Her hands shook slightly as she brought it to her lips, but the sweet taste and delicious aroma calmed her nerves immediately.
After a minute, Aunt Amelita cleared her throat and proceeded to talk to Celeste who listened attentively.
"Dear, can I ask you a question?"
"Go ahead Aunt Amelita," Celeste said wondering what the question was.
"Why do you love him?" She asked, her aged but smart hazel eyes pinned on Celeste.
"Marcello?" Celeste asked,
"Is there someone else you have in mind?" Aunt Amelita asked,
"No no no...I didn't mean it like that" Celeste gasped, flustered.
"Then answer the question dear" Aunt Amelita urged.
Celeste was taken aback by the question as it was something she had never considered. To be honest was there ever a correct answer to that question? Why does one fall for another? Maybe for looks or personality or sometimes both.
But what lets a person stay in love with the same person forever? That question was deeper than she expected.
"Is there any true answer to that question Aunt Amelita?" She laughed nervously.
Aunt Amelita smiled softly. She patted the spot beside her on the bed and Celeste walked over and sat down.
" You're right dear, I doubt there is ever a true answer to why we love someone. Sometimes we love them for all the wrong reasons. Sometimes we love them because they complement our souls. Sometimes we do not even know we love them until we feel like the world has ended when we're not with them" she sighed.
Celeste nodded thoughtfully a small wistful smile playing on her face as she remembered the night she had seen Marcello for the first time four years ago.
Her heart had been beating wildly and if Uncle Theo had not been holding her, she would have fallen face flat on the floor.
"You're right Aunt Amelita and yes I love Marcello," she said smiling, a semi-glazed look in her eyes.
Aunt Amelita saw the sincerity on her face and made her decision. She was going to hate herself for it even though she was extremely happy that Lorenzo finally found someone he was ready to love, but Celeste deserved the truth.
"My dear forgive me for what I'm about to say, but I..."
"Mum!!!!" Rosa shouted, pushing the door open, her breath coming out in short bursts.
Aunt Amelita and Celeste turned, both of them startled by her entrance. Rosa looked terrified and when she sighted Celeste she turned to her mother in disbelief.
"Rosa, are you alright?" Celeste gasped, standing and rushing over to her.
"Celeste could you go to Isabella, she is looking for you...I want to speak with my mother" Rosa said.
" But Aunt wanted..."
" I'm sure you guys can talk later but I need to speak with Mom now it's urgent," Rosa said, staring pointedly at her mother.
"Go on Celeste we'll talk later," Aunt Amelita said smiling at Celeste and she nodded before leaving the mother and daughter behind. After Celeste left, Rosa turned to her mother.
" Mom, what are you up to?" Rosa asked, folding her arms as she stared at her mother suspiciously.