"Great victories are built on the foundation of failures."
Mr. Coppola, Mr. Massino, Mr. Valentina, and their children, Sonny and Annabelle, and Mr. Calel, sat in Mr. Valentina's bedroom. An awkward silence filled the room. Mr. Coppola broke the silence and said, "I suggest we perform the marriage ceremony within this month. VPS said we should expect some resistance from the Germans and Mr. Hutch Dempsey as they aren't happy with this alliance between the Massino and Valentina families." Mr. Massino said sarcastically, "I cannot even remember when we didn't face any resistance from anyone after allying with VPS." Mr. Valentina coughed and said weakly, "I think VPS is right. Those high-bred people are not trustworthy. I think the marriage should happen as soon as possible. We have made all the arrangements on our end. I humbly request Mr. Massino to do the same." Mr. Massino retorted, "Shut up, Anthony. You are in no position to even "humbly request" me anything. The marriage will happen only after you agree to my certain conditions." Mr. Valentina asked, "What more can you demand? I am already giving you my everything." Mr. Massino smiled, "Your "everything" has always been mine. You have to give me something that you have still not given me."
He looked at Mr. Calel and Mr. Calel said, "Mr. Massino has demanded his three conditions to be fulfilled. The first condition is that when you die, the whole of the Valentina empire will belong to Sonny Massino who is Mr. Massino's heir. The second condition is that Ms. Annabelle will not claim her right to the Massino or Valentina family's inheritance. She might be entitled to the property or inheritance that her child gives her. She will not ask for or demand any portion of her husband's inheritance even after his death if her child has not granted her the inheritance. The third and most important condition. If Ms. Annabelle's father-in-law, Mr. Massino, or Ms. Annabelle's husband who is Mr. Sonny Massino dies under mysterious circumstances within twelve years of marriage, then Ms. Annabelle will be outcast from the inheritance and wouldn't be able to procure any authority over it."
Mr. Valentina and Annabelle looked at each other. Mr. Massino said in a grim tone, "Sign this contract and the marriage will happen within this month." Mr. Valentina said, "Your conditions are overwhelmingly stringent. I demand some time to think over them." Mr. Massino said angrily, "No. You might have time to waste, but I am a very busy man and I don't have time to waste coming to your house again. Sign the contract now."
Annabelle smiled, "What's the hurry, Mr. Massino? Let us have lunch together first. I have personally instructed our chef to prepare your favorite goat soup." Mr. Massino smiled, "Keep your goat soup. I have already wasted three precious hours of my life to come here. I just want an answer and a signature. Nothing else." Ms. Annabelle frowned. Mr. Valentina considered the sensitivity of the situation and said with a false smile, "I will sign the contract. But, I humbly request that you kindly consider my request." Mr. Massino asked, irritation visible on his face, "What is it?" Mr. Valentina said, with a smile as false as his humility, "There is an age-old tradition prevailing in the Valentina Family from generations. Before the marriage, the groom stays at the house of the bride for a week. In this period, he allures his bride and assures her that he is going to keep her safe, happy, and healthy till one of them dies." Mr. Massino asked, suspicion visible on his face, "Really? Then, why haven't I heard about such a tradition earlier?" Mr. Valentina said with a smile, "Because you don't like wasting your precious time on our matters." Mr. Massino looked at Mr. Coppola and then Mr. Calel. Both nodded in approval. He said, "Fine. Since it is your age-old tradition, I won't deny it." Mr. Valentina looked at Sonny and said, "You can start the tradition from tomorrow. I hope you like our hospitality." Sonny said, "I can't live here for a week." Mr. Massino smiled, "Don't worry, son. I have given my approval."
Sonny said, "It is not that, Father. Last night, I received a call from VPS. He said that he wanted me to go to India after the marriage was finalized. He said that he has some important work for me." Mr. Massino looked at Mr. Coppola with anger and asked, "What new drama has your master started now?" Mr. Coppola said, with visible honesty on his face, "I didn't know about this. VPS doesn't consult me before making any decisions. He just orders me to do something and I do it." Mr. Massino sighed, "Then, Sonny couldn't fulfill this request of yours, Mr. Valentina. Defying VPS's order is not wise." Mr. Valentina smiled, "Don't you feel sorry. It is just a stupid tradition, anyway." Mr. Massino said, "Then, sign the contract and finalize the marriage. Sonny needs to go as soon as possible." Mr. Valentina rose and Mr. Calel took the papers to him. Mr. Valentina weakly signed the contract and gave the pen to Calel. Mr. Massino said, "The date for the marriage will be informed soon." He rose and walked outside the room, followed by Sonny, and Mr. Calel. Mr. Coppola looked at Annabelle and smiled, "Congratulations, dear. May God bless this union." He hugged her, then shook Mr. Valentina's hand and walked outside the room.
Annabelle looked at her father, who was sitting quietly on his bed. A weak smile was flashing on his face. Annabelle retorted in anger, "Why did you sign the contract? We could have given any excuse." Mr. Valentina looked at his angry daughter and smiled, "Sometimes, to win you have to lose first. Massino thinks that he won, but it is just his illusion. Those words in the contract mean nothing once you marry his son. He can write more contracts and I am willing to sign them all."
Annabelle asked, confusion visible on her face, "But, how? Those conditions put us at a disadvantage. How can we win?" Mr. Valentina smiled, "You will know. I have played my biggest trick and Massino won't even stand a chance before it." Annabelle sighed, "Fine. If you say so." She was leaving when Mr. Valentina asked, "How is Sonny? Is he dominating like his father or gentle like his mother?" Annabelle smiled, "He is a gentleman. He is nothing like his father." Mr. Valentina smiled, "You like him. Don't you?" Annabelle blushed, "Maybe a little. He is going to be my husband after all."
Mr. Valentina's smile turned into a frown, "Love is harmful for women. It clouds their judgment. Don't be so much love with Sonny that you forget about our motive. My days are limited. But my dear, you have to keep the Valentina name alive." Annabelle said, firm determination in her eyes, "I promise that I will keep the Valentina name alive and will erase the Massino name from Italy." Annabelle walked outside the room. Mr. Valentina looked at his daughter and smiled, "She is just like her mother. Fierce and courageous."
Mr. Massino beamed with exhilaration as he savored the sweet taste of victory over his long-time adversary. A triumphant smile spread across his face, illuminating his features as he proclaimed, "See, Mr. Coppola! At last, I have triumphed over the entire Italian Mafia. Once Annabelle marries my son, I will wield the wealth and influence of the Valentina Family. Then I shall demonstrate to those Germans that I am no mere puppet of VPS, but rather a formidable lord of Italy."
Mr. Coppola, nodding in agreement, replied, "Yes, indeed you will." He then shifted his gaze to Sonny, curiosity etched on his face. "What exactly did VPS convey to you? Does he want you to journey to India alone, or has he extended the invitation to me as well?"
Sonny's expression darkened, a shadow flickering across his features. "No, he called for me alone. He insisted it was something that only I could accomplish. India is vast, and the fewer people involved, the better it will be."
A satisfied smile crept across Mr. Massino's lips. "When you meet with him, be sure to extend my invitation to his wedding. He has made my long-held dream a reality, and it would be gracious to honor him."
Mr. Calel interjected smoothly, "He has meticulously organized everything—the venue, the date, and even the guest list. Your only task is to accompany Sonny there."
Mr. Massino's voice thundered with frustration, "Why did he do that? I'm seriously contemplating leaving his side." His eyes burned with a mix of anger and disappointment as he glanced out of the car window. "That man is always so self-righteous, believing he knows best, completely disregarding the feelings of those around him." Mr. Coppola leaned back slightly, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "It's a common trait among those in power," he replied calmly, observing the turbulent emotions swirling within his companion. Mr. Massino sighed, a hint of melancholy creeping into his expression. "I may come off as a cold-hearted individual most of the time, and I'm comfortable with that persona. I've faced challenges and hardships that most people my age wouldn't understand." He turned his gaze to the bustling street outside, lost in thought. "Valentina basked in wealth and influence during his heyday, and I won't lie—I envied him at times. But whining about my circumstances was never my style. Instead, I rolled up my sleeves and toiled relentlessly, transforming the Massino family into what it is today." His voice softened as he revealed a more vulnerable side. "Yet, beneath that tough exterior, I do have feelings. When Sonny's mother passed away, I fought back the tears—I couldn't let them fall. With responsibilities weighing on my shoulders and a child to care for, I had to keep my composure. But when it came time to celebrate my son's wedding, that despicable man robbed me of that precious moment. It felt like he snatched away a chance for joy that I so desperately longed for."
Mr. Calel's expression was somber as he spoke, "I can take it upon myself to speak with VPS. I'll do my best to appeal to his sense of compassion, especially considering your feelings as a father."
Mr. Massino interjected, his tone dripping with skepticism, "There's no point in that. Engaging him in debate is like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands. He'll churn out a thousand justifications for his choices, as he always does, as if he alone holds the keys to wisdom among us."
Pacing slightly, Mr. Coppola added, "I shouldn't harbor such doubts, but Mr. Valentina's swift agreement to sign the contract strikes me as rather suspicious."
With a faint smile, Mr. Calel replied, "What other option did he truly have? He is frail and teetering on the edge of death. It was prudent for him to submit."
A sense of pride swelled in Mr. Massino's chest as he echoed, "Calel is right. A wise man understands when to concede. Don't let it trouble you; the terms are decidedly in our favor. After the marriage, the entire Valentina legacy will unravel before our eyes."
Mr. Coppola shook his head, concern etched on his face. "I believe those terms are excessively harsh. Inflicting pain on someone who's already as good as gone isn't a mark of courage."
Mr. Massino's demeanor hardened as he replied, "I couldn't care less about that. I had to make my choice, and I did. Demonstrating strength when it matters is crucial if you wish to wield power over others."
Sonny gazed out of the car's window, watching the trees blur by like fleeting memories, their branches swaying rhythmically in the wind. A smile crept onto his lips as he turned to his father, curiosity sparkling in his eyes. "Have you ever truly loved my mother, Father?"
Mr. Massino's face took on a bittersweet expression, a fleeting smile failing to mask the pain beneath. "Your mother was the only one brave enough to scold me," he replied, his voice tinged with both affection and regret. "She devoted her life to making me a better man, but in many ways, she felt like a failure. Yes, I loved her deeply. Yet, I often think I would have loved her even more if she had simply supported me instead of trying to change me."
Mr. Coppola, sitting beside them, added gravely, "Maria was a compassionate woman. She recognized kindness in a world that increasingly lacked it."
Mr. Calel joined in with a warm smile, lost in nostalgic reverie. "Ah, I still recall the times she scolded Mr. Massino after reading the newspapers, which were saturated with stories of your father's misadventures."
At the mention of his late wife, a glimmer of joy momentarily illuminated Mr. Massino's face, reminiscent of an emotion he hadn't felt in ages. "If she were alive today, she would certainly have reprimanded me. She had no love for Mr. Valentina, believing he was the root of my misdeeds."
Sonny chuckled softly, "I'm meeting VPS after all these years. The last time we saw each other, he was young and strikingly handsome."
Mr. Coppola returned the smile, his eyes glinting with memory. "Oh, he still is. He has the vigor of a stag, with muscular arms and a personality that commands attention."
Mr. Massino interjected a flicker of pride mingled with irritation in his voice, "My son Sonny is no less impressive. He bears a striking resemblance to me at his age. And remember, VPS was barely out of his diapers back then."
However, Mr. Coppola's expression shifted, worry creeping into his features. "But let's not forget, VPS rarely summons someone with such urgency. I can't shake this feeling of unease; I just pray that nothing goes awry before the wedding."
The atmosphere thickened with tension as all eyes turned to Mr. Coppola, the weight of his words settling heavily among them.