"In love....even the war is sweet."
Vikram was sitting in the lobby, sipping coffee when Giovanni walked inside and said, "Ms. Nafisa has come to meet you. Should I send her in?" Vikram looked at him and then looked at his coffee and said, "Yes. Send her in. But, tell her to come inside after two minutes." Giovanni asked, "Why?" Vikram said irritated, "Just do as I say." Giovanni nodded and walked outside. Vikram quickly applied some perfume on him and tidied up his hair. Nafisa knocked on the door and Vikram said, "Come in." Nafisa entered the room and slowly closed the door behind her. She sat parallel to Vikram and Vikram said, "I received news from my secret sources that UCID is planning to conduct a big attack on Rico Martinez and has already sent some of their best agents on that mission. What do you say about that?"
Nafisa said, "UCID cannot do anything to Rico Martinez in Bolivia and they perfectly know that. They are just bluffing so that we do something stupid and they can take action against us. Rico is a problem for everyone, but no one can even touch him in Bolivia." Vikram smiled, "That's what I thought too. We both think quite alike." Nafisa smiled, "I'm flattered." Vikram said, "Massino and Valentina are also a problem. Their constant scuffles hurt our business in Venice and therefore I suggested a marriage between the two families. What do you think about that?" Nafisa sipped some water and said, "Massino and Valentina family have been arch enemies for generations. In fact, both Mr. Frederick Massino and Mr. Antony Valentina almost killed each other three years ago. But, the police intervened and broke the war.
It was a huge disaster in Italy and many people lost their lives in it. A marriage between them is negotiable but the real question is will they agree for it?" Vikram said grimly, "I have some powerful contacts there who can persuade both Frederick and Anthony if needed. But, I would be more interested in knowing about the bride and groom's intentions. After all, their companionship matters the most." Nafisa said, "Indulging in someone's personal life is not something VPS should do. I highly advise you talk with Coppola and tell him to neutralize any obstacles but you shouldn't go there personally." A smile flashed on Vikram's face.
He rose up and filled a glass of wine and gave it to Nafisa. Nafisa denied and said, "I am abstaining from alcohol for one month." Vikram said, "Whatever." He finished the glass and said, "Tell me the reason you crossed three countries to meet me." Nafisa smiled, "You already know the reason." Vikram said grimly, "Yes and I have already given my decision." Nafisa pleaded, "Andrich is a good businessman. He will earn us huge profits. Many of our rivals are already persuading him to make a deal with them and Rico is foremost of them."
Vikram said grimly, "Rico is a degradable person. It is expected from him to deal with drugs. But, my reputation is much different than him. I don't control the Underworld because I have the most powerful army or I have enormous wealth, but because of my principles. If I also start comparing myself with people like Rico, what difference will be there between him and me? Farooque is corrupt and might switch sides when he sees money, but Shinzo and Anbu will never forgive me. They despise their own brother, Haruto due to his alignment with drugs and now you want them to despise me too." Nafisa said angrily, "Fuck those Japanese assholes and fuck their rules and traditions. What have they given us except some sushi and sake?"
Vikram said grimly, "They have taken an oath to lay their own lives to protect me and my loved ones and don't forget the bodies they laid down for me to reach here. Shinzo may be old, but his bones still have the power to slaughter hundreds of men." Nafisa said angrily, "I have fed up with the praises. If they are so loyal, why don't they leave Japan and become your bodyguards?" Vikram said, "They are not dogs. They are not some ordinary gang of ruffians. Their name carries huge importance in Japan. They will do anything for me but won't come and stay with me." Nafisa asked, "Who will protect you then?" Vikram smiled, "I am more than able to protect myself from any danger and Giovanni is also there." Nafisa smirked, "Giovanni. That overweight idiot cannot climb two sets of stairs without panting and you are relying on him to protect you." Vikram smiled, "At least, he won't keep me hungry."
Nafisa said angrily, "I am not joking." Vikram said grimly, "My protection is my problem. Why do you have to discuss it so much?" Nafisa said grimly, "I am warning you, Vikram. You are going to regret this decision. There is still time to amend your mistake. Do it before it's too late." Vikram said grimly, "I have made my decision and it's final. There are many decisions that I regret, but this will not be one of them." Nafisa rose and said, "Andrich said to me that he will wait for two weeks before making a deal with Rico. Please, think about it with a cool head. Many things depend on this decision of yours."
Vikram sipped his coffee and said, "Tell Andrich the next time you contact him that from now onwards I will treat him as my enemy. If he wants to stay alive and well, he shouldn't make the deal with Rico." Nafisa walked outside the room. She sat in her car and said, "Let's go. There is no point arguing with such an arrogant person." The driver nodded and soon they drove outside the compound. Giovanni looked at the car and asked, "Why was Ms. Nafisa so angry?" Vikram smiled, "Ladies problem, maybe. Girls like her don't know anything about politics and yet are heads over heels to put their noses into everyone's business." Giovanni smiled, "What would I know about girls, sir? I am 43 and still a virgin." Vikram smiled, "Good. Keep it that way. Virgin minds are the most brilliant minds." Giovanni smiled and then said, "Oh shit! I just remembered that I left eggs on the tray." He quickly ran downstairs.
Vikram looked at the sky and then took a long breath. He took out his phone and dialled a number. After a few rings, the other end picked up the phone and said, "I have told you several times already. Don't call me on this number. It's too risky." Vikram smiled, "Doing risky things is my thrill. I have called you to do a job for me." The other end smiled, "Of course, you won't call me without a reason." Vikram said grimly, "There is a very big drug deal happening in Bolivia. Do whatever you want. Use violence if necessary. But, I don't want the deal to be successful."
The other end smiled, "Bolivia means Rico Martinez and Rico Martinez means huge money. Why should I do your work? What's there for me?" Vikram said grimly, "Keep the money. It will be a huge amount." The other end said grimly, "You want me to go inside the cobra's den without any assurance?" Vikram said grimly, "Your assurance is your wife's safety. Farooque is always eager to taste new meat." The other end said angrily, "Then, why don't you tell him to do the work?" Vikram said grimly, "LLF is already on Rico's tail. I want the attack to be anonymous." The other end said grimly, "Rico is too big in Bolivia. I can do it but it has to happen outside Bolivia." Vikram thought for a moment and said, "How's Germany for you?" The other end smiled, "Works for me. But, how will that happen?"
Vikram said, "Andrich is German. We just have to give the right people the right amount of information at the right time. The rest will automatically happen." The other end said grimly, "It will be a huge explosion. Are you sure about it?" Vikram smiled, "It's time to remind my enemies why I am the biggest criminal in the Underworld." He disconnected the call and walked inside his room.
Coppola and Calel were sitting together when Coppola's phone rang. He picked up the phone and talked for a minute. Calel asked, "Who was it?" Coppola said grimly, "VPS. He wants to know about the current scenario in Italy. What should I tell him? I cannot disappoint him with the bad news." Calel said, "Massino will never agree to this alliance. But, apparently Valentina is a little soft on this matter." Coppola said grimly, "His softness doesn't matter. He is bed-ridden. I want his daughter's consent."
Calel said, "That will happen too. I have arranged a meeting with Annabelle this evening. You can freely talk about everything. She is a smart woman. I hope she won't do anything reckless." Coppola said, "We should call Sonny too. They are both currently unattached to any romantic relationship. Them meeting each other will be more beneficial than meeting me." Calel smiled, "Massino has locked his son in the palace. He is afraid that VPS will kidnap his son and forcefully marry him with Annabelle. Reaching Sonny is impossible." Coppola sighed, "I really don't know what to say. If such an old and respected person like him starts behaving childishly, what will I do?" Calel smiled, "Massino loves cabaret. We can easily lure him outside and then make Annabelle meet Sonny in his own house." Coppola smiled, "Even though your plan sounds foolish, I don't think any better plan will work." Calel smiled, "Then, I will quickly arrange a cabaret for this evening. You just reach Massino palace after I give you a missed call." Coppola smiled, "Okay."
Mr. Massino and Calel were sitting in Massino's limousine. Massino asked, "Why don't I know about this cabaret?" Calel smiled, "Because it is special. Ms. Elijaf personally is coming for this cabaret." Massino asked, "Ms. Elijaf? Who is she?" Calel smiled, "She is a very renowned cabaret singer and dancer from Georgia." Massino said, "Georgia? Why haven't I heard about her earlier?" Calel smiled, "She only does special shows for special clients. In fact, I had to wait two years to get her appointment." Massino asked shocked, "Two years?" Calel sighed, "You know how these celebrities are." Massino said, "Yes." Calel said, "We should have called Sonny too. He is young blood and I am sure he would have enjoyed the show." Massino sighed, "Enjoyed? He despises it. He calls cabaret a shameless exploitation of the helpless poor by the ruthless rich in the name of entertainment." Calel sighed, "Kids nowadays don't understand art." Massino sighed, "Exactly. Exactly."
Coppola and Annabelle were sitting in Coppola's car. Annabelle asked grimly, "Will it be the right thing to do it this way?" Coppola said grimly, "I am not forcing you, dear. If you want to return, we can go." Annabelle said grimly, "No. It is necessary no matter how we see it. It will be best if we sort all things before making any big decision. Sonny is a good man and I don't have any problem marrying him if he agrees." Coppola said grimly, "Marriage is a very big decision, Annabelle. Don't let others govern this decision for you. If things don't go happily in the future, things will turn even worse than now." Annabelle said grimly, "No. I have given it much thought. It is the best condition for ending the hostility between our families. VPS has made a wise decision." Coppola asked, "What does your father say?" Annabelle said grimly, "He doesn't say much nowadays. In fact, he doesn't say anything at all. He lies on the bed all day and occasionally rings the bell for the nurse to go inside and clean him after he pees or poops. I don't know if he even cares about anything at all now. Maybe, he has lost all of his rationality. But, the most rational decision right now is this marriage." Coppola patted her shoulder and said, "I once met your mother. You got your mother's eyes. It is tragic she has to die even without seeing her daughter's face." Annabelle said grimly, "She made a decision to have me even after knowing that she is anemic. I have to make my decision too." She opened the door of the car and walked towards the door of Massino palace. She pressed the doorbell and Sonny opened the door. He looked at Annabelle and said, "You shouldn't have come here." Annabelle asked, "How did you know that I will come?" Sonny smiled, "Calel lured papa with a stupid lie." Annabelle giggled, "Well, then stupidity is only limited to your father." Sonny smiled and Annabelle walked inside. Coppola looked at them and sighed. He opened the car drawer and took out a photograph. He sighed, "I wished you were alive today to see how sensible your daughter has grown." He smiled and put the photo inside his car and drove away.....